Manila Standard - 2018 March 26 - Monday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 43 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

61 solons clamor for peace gab with Reds

By Rio N. Araja

T LEAST 61 members of the House of Representatives belonging to different political parties support the resumption of peace talks with the communist rebels.

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In House Resolution 1803, the lawmakers called on President Rodrigo Duterte to resume peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and pursue social, economic and political reforms in Mindanao toward a lasting and genuine peace.

The measure cited both parties’ “remarkable and unparalleled headway” in their peace efforts during four successful rounds of peace talks.

“Continuing the peace talks would benefit the Filipino people, most of whom are poor peasants and workers, as the agreements on agrarian reform and national industrialization may address their issues and concerns and help provide relief for their economic hardships,” the resolution read.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, one of the signatories, said the filing of the resolution was “very encouraging.”

“The best government policy to deal with the root causes of the armed conflict is through the peace talks and in implementing genuine agrarian reform and national industrialization,” he said.

“We are calling on all peace-loving people to intensify our earnest call for the government and NDFP to give the quest for a just and lasting peace a chance. This is not the time to abandon it, for the greater interest of our country and people.”

Peace talks ended on Nov. 23, 2017 when the President issued Proclamation No. 360 terminating negotiations with the communists. He has since ordered the arrest of communist rebels who were given temporary liberty to participate in the peace talks.

Among those who signed the resolution were Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago Zarate; Northern Samar Rep. Raul Daza; Next page

Boracay closure hinges on cleanup pace

By Macon Ramos-Araneta HOW long Boracay Island will be shut down will depend on the pace of its rehabilitation and cleanup, a Tourism official said Sunday.

“The recommendation is six months, but that could be less than six months with the help of the residents,” Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre said in Filipino during an interview on radio dzBB. The Environment, Local Government and Tourism departments have recommended to the President that the popular tourist destination be closed from six

months to a year beginning April 26, to allow for the demolition of structures that have been erected on no-build zones, the construction of a comprehensive sewage and water treatment facility for the entire island, and a massive cleanup.

Alegre told dzBB that the biggest problem was the discharge of untreated sewage onto the beach and surrounding waters.

Samples of the water in the area, he added, yielded readings of 18,000 mpn (most probable number, which is used to determine the concentration of microorganisms in the water) when the allowable Next page level is only 400 mpn.

PALM SUNDAY. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle leads the blessing of palm fronds on Palm Sunday during Catholic rites held on March 25, 2018, at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros, Manila. Norman Cruz

CBCP: Jesus Christ ‘fake news’ victim JESUS Christ was a victim of “fake news” and propaganda, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines said Sunday.

People welcomed Jesus to Jerusalem while waving palm branches, said Jerome Secillano, secretary of the CBCP public affairs committee.

But within days the same people called for his crucifixion as they were goaded by high priests who accused Jesus of blasphemy for claiming he was the son of God. “Jesus was also a victim of propaganda, a victim of fake news,” Secillano told dzMM. “The high priests mounted a propaganda against him because many believed in him, they accepted what he Next page preached.”

PDP-Laban slate ‘still incomplete’

They [New People’s Army] have lost a lot of fighters lately, and their mass base has rapidly dwindled.

—Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana

THIS is a time to revitalize our faith and renew our relationship with God and our fellowmen. As we put our hands together in prayer, may we use this as an opportune time to rekindle our religious fervor and cherish our timehonored traditions as a pious people.

As we reflect on the Catholic values and embody selflessness, compassion and love instilled in us through the years, let us remember to always help and uplift the downtrodden because it is only through charitable actions that we can make God’s presence visible among us.

Let us take a moment to pause in the spirit of contemplation and work and unite as one people to build a truly equitable and inclusive nation where everyone can enjoy a decent and comfortable life.

I wish our countrymen a deeply meaningful and solemn observance of the Holy Week.

Senate chief rules out term-sharing

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III on Sunday assured his five colleagues in the majority bloc who are seeking reelection in May 2019 that the PDP-Laban senatorial slate is not yet final, and that he would keep pushing for their inclusion.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Pimentel said some of the allied senators do not know what is happening behind closed doors.

“Of couse, I’m fighting for them except that right now, we are in the stage of entertaining first our party mates,” said Pimentel, president of the ruling PDP-Laban.

“You will notice we have not completed [the lineup] because nothing is final yet. When the party’s senatorial slate is finalized, we will consult the President,” said Pimentel.

He said that on Saturday, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez began entertaining senatorial prospects from outside the party, so “I can already announced those outside the party.”

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Help the downtrodden

SUMMER COOLER. With the onset of summer, assorted tropical fruits like the mouthwatering watermelons come in abundant supply at the Lucena City public market in Quezon province. Diana B. Noche

SENATE President Aquilino Pimentel III on Sunday debunked reports that he would share his term with Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III after the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“I’m categorically saying we have no term sharing. But I am also categorically saying that anytime that my colleagues would want to replace me, I am willing to let go,” Pimentel said.

Sotto’s term of office ends in June next year and will may no longer run for reelection after serving two consecutive terms. Others in this situation are Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, and Senators Gregorio Honasan, Antonio Trillanes IV, Loren Legarda and Francis Escudero.

Pimentel said he does not feel threatened about losing his presidency because he is ready to leave any time.

“I should be able to let go anytime. I know that,” he said.

Since he is seeking reelection in the Next page

In Mexico, a flood of dubious news MEXICO CITY—With allegations of Russian interference and a flood of “fake news,” the race for Mexico’s presidential election is shaping up to look a lot like the last one in its giant northern neighbor, the United States.

The campaign for the July 1 polls officially opens Friday, but already the internet is swarming with dubious “news” stories: there are allegations of meddling by Moscow, and attention is fixated on scandal-rocked data miner Cambridge Analytica’s local activities.

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Wet Holy Week?

Storm brewing over Surigao A LOW-PRESSURE area outside the Philippine area of responsibility may develop into a tropical depression and enter the country this Holy Week, the weather bureau said Sunday.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said the low-pressure area will be named “Caloy” if it does enter the country.

The weather disturbance was 1,740 kilometers east of Hinatuan, Surigao del Norte. It could enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Monday night or Tuesday morning and then leave quickly.

Weathermen said it could intensify into a typhoon though it was not expected to make landfall or directly affect any parts of the country.

In other developments: • The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Sunday vowed to implement security measures to safeguard vulnerable communities despite no specific threats from rebels this Holy Week.

Brig. Gen. Bienvenido Datuin, spokesman and head of the AFP’s Civil Relations Service, said the military will not put its guard down this Lenten season.

“There is no specific threat for the Holy week, but the AFP will not put its guard down,” Datuin said.

“We will continue to conduct appropriate measures where needed to safeguard vulnerable communities.” Rio N. Araja, Francisco Tuyay and Romeo Dizon

61...

From A1

Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte; Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman; Akbayan Rep. Tom Villarin; Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus; Tarlac Rep. Victor Yap; Ilocos Sur Rep. Eric Singson; Iloilo Rep. Raul Tupas; Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo; Marikina City Rep. Bayani Fernando; Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat Jr.; Pangasinan Leopoldo Bataoil; Quezon Rep. Jorge Banal; Act Teachers Rep. France Castro; Bohol Rep. Erico Aristotle Aumentado; Cavite Rep. Strike Revilla; LPGMA Rep. Arnel Ty; Manila Rep. Yul Servo; Maguindanao Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu and Manila Rep. Edward Maceda.

Also on Sunday, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said communist leaders’ denial of mass surrenders of their fighters was a sign of desperation.

“The latest statement of the CPP shows that they are now in a quandary as to how they can reverse their current predicament,” Lorenzana said.

“Because of the government’s sincere call for peace, they have lost a lot of fighters lately, and their mass base has rapidly dwindled. Labeling everything that the government has achieved so far as a mere hoax manifests desperation and obviously a futile attempt to discredit our efforts in forging peace.”

Lorenzana said that the public is well aware of the lies being perpetuated by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army.

“How can the CPP claim that most of the surrenderees are not NPA fighters but ‘supporters’ and even demand a public apology from the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] when in fact, these former rebels who responded to the government’s call for peace include their former regional secretary in Far South Mindanao, their former regional commanders in northern Mindanao, and in Surigao, a front secretary in Davao, and a number of their platoon and team leaders, along with their firearms? It is the communist terrorist CPP-NPA who should apologize to these people whom they have deceived, and who have sacrificed their lives and their families because of this deception,” the defense chief added.

Earlier, the AFP reported that a total of 4,356 NPA regular members and their supporters have surrendered to government forces nationwide starting Jan 1 up to March 15 this year.

“The figure is composed of 626 NPA regulars and Sangay sa Partido Lokal [SPL] or local party members and 3,730 Militia ng Bayan [MB], Underground Mass Organization [UGMO] members and mass supporters. Majority of surrenders happened in eastern Mindanao particularly in the regions of Davao and Caraga totaling 97 percent or 4,194,” the AFP added.

In line with this, Lorenzana urged all remaining NPA rebels to surrender peacefully as they no longer have any ideology to fight for.

“What’s left is an organization that uses the plight of vulnerable sectors to promote their ultimate plan of amassing money through extortion and seizing power for their leaders’ selfish agenda,” he added. With PNA

Ceza taps Converge for Internet link T HE Cagayan Economic Zone Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a leading communications technology firm that would build the Freeport’s “digitally enabled” backbone to spur its full-scale development, Secretary Raul L. Lambino, Ceza Administrator and CEO, said yesterday.

“We need to build a digitally smart and ready Special Economic Zone in order to attract major investments, and this MoU is a major step in addressing that need,” Lambino said in a press statement.

He signed the MoU over the weekend with Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions Inc., a Philippine corporation considered as the third largest telecom firm, represented by Dennis Uy, its president and CEO. Converge Information has access, Uy said, to an underground Fiber Optic Cable and aerial distribution network and has extensive experience in installing, operating and maintaining a nationwide broadband service.

Under the MoU, Ceza gave Converge Information permit to exercise its Congressional franchise and provisional authority to “install, lay fiber, operate and

maintain” optic cable within Ceza’s territorial jurisdiction, which includes the whole of Santa Ana, home of Port Irene, and several islands of Aparri farther west in Cagayan province.

Converge Information has proposed to install an “underground micro-duct backbone conduit” as well as “underground and aerial distribution and lastmile aerial fiber optic cable” within the Economic Zone.

The installation will eventually be extended to the Cagayan North International Airport in Lal-lo town.

Lambino said all existing overhead or aerial cables as well as new installation would be relocated underground for safety reasons.

Lambino said that Ceza’s overall strategy is to have a digitally enabled and safe economic zone within its jurisdiction,

Boracay...

commodate business interests by paving the way for the establishment of more casino operations in the island,” De Lima said.

“While we clean up the island and penalize violators, let us be wary of the social and moral impact of such development projects. The presence of more casinos in the island would create more problems than solutions in the communities,” she added.

Based on reports, Macau-based casino operator Galaxy Entertainment Group Ltd. and its local partner, AB Leisure Exponent Inc., are expected to build a $500-million integrated casino resort in Boracay next year.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairperson Andrea Domingo has also reportedly approved the application of gaming operations of Resorts World Manila at the Savoy Hotel at the Megaworld Corp’s Boracay Newcoast development.

In addition to these two big casino resorts, she also disclosed that two other casino junket firms with smaller operations located at Movenpick and Crown Regency resorts in Boracay.

From A1

“The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said they would cut the water connection because if the distributor releases 1 million cubic meters of water, that’s the amount of water you have to treat,” he said in Filipino. “That’s why we can’t have any tourists. The resorts can open but there will be no water supply.”

He said the task force in charge of the cleanup did not believe the 17,000 workers on the island would be displaced, as the establishments there could help in the government’s rehabilitation efforts.

“They will need help in cleaning their establishments and Boracay,” he added.

Also on Sunday, detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima raised concern over a government plan to convert Boracay into a gambling haven after the approval of the development of casinos on the island.

“I have serious doubts that the real intention to close down Boracay Island was to rehabilitate it but instead to ac-

In Mexico,...

From A1

Trying to get ahead of the curve, the National Electoral Institute recently signed deals with Facebook and Twitter, and is due to sign another with Google, seeking to fight the fake with the true.

“We are going to ask all the social networks to let us publish official information” on their platforms, said INE board member Enrique Andrade.

That includes broadcasts of the three presidential debates and live election results.

The social media giants “are very interested in this election after what happened in the United States and all the things that were said about them,” said Andrade.

But teaming up with them is a risky bet for the INE. No sooner had its deal with Facebook been announced than a new scandal engulfed the social network over allegations that Cambridge Analytica, a British communications firm, had illegally harvested the data of tens of millions of US users and used it to target potential voters on behalf of Donald Trump.

The INE was left scrambling to explain.

“Any allegation that we are handing over information [on Mexican voters], which the INE zealously protects, is false,” said the head of the electoral authority, Lorenzo Cordova.

Fake news ‘almost required’ Besides their deals with the INE, Facebook, Twitter and Google are all partners on a project called #Verificado2018, an alliance of 60 Mexican media outlets, universities and non-profit groups launched to check facts and flag false information about the race.

It already has plenty of work.

In a country where corruption runs deep and the truth is often murky, the “fake news” era is particularly loaded.

The leading target for doctored videos,

CBCP:...

From A1

Secillano says today’s society witnesses the same smear campaigns, when false accusations are made over and over and sometimes by authorities.

If the same accusations are repeated, people tend to believe them.

fabricated news articles and straight up slander has so far been the presidential front-runner, veteran leftist Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador—known simply as AMLO or “El Peje,” for a less-than-pretty fish native to his home state, Tabasco.

On the website PejeLeaks.org, articles accuse Lopez Obrador of corruption, and sinister videos paint his inner circle as a mafia of thugs.

The anonymous site’s declared goal is to show the world “the dark and unknown side” of the former Mexico City mayor, the founder of the left-wing party Morena.

In a similar vein, the Facebook page MorenaNarcos is dedicated to exposing the supposed link between Lopez Obrador and Mexico’s powerful drug cartels.

“This is the work of professionals. It’s well-funded, with no trace of who’s behind it,” said Morena’s social media coordinator, Jesus Ramirez.

Indeed, Mexico’s fake news has particularly slick production values.

The political analyst Roberto Morris says that may be an unintended consequence of the country’s strict campaignfinance laws.

A 2008 reform bars donors from funding campaign ads—or attack ads against rival campaigns—in traditional media.

“In Mexico the law is so restrictive that you are almost requiring this kind of thing,” he said.

Trolling the troll Lopez Obrador’s strategy has been to turn the insults to irony.

Accused of links to Russia, he jokingly donned a Russian-style ushanka hat and called himself “Andres Manuelovich.”

But not everyone is laughing about fears that Russia could try to interfere in Mexico’s election, as it allegedly did in the United States.

Outgoing US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said during a visit to Mexico last month the country should beware of Russia’s “fingerprints” on elections around the world.

“My advice to Mexico would be pay attention,” he said. AFP “Fifty percent of Filipinos favor divorce; 80 percent favor this person, this someone is very popular. That is propaganda, too. We reduce everything, we reduce the truth to numbers, percentages, but the truth is not actually determined by numbers.”

Secillano called on the faithful to be more discerning about the information they get.

To stabilize its power needs, Lambino said the Manila Electric Co., the Philippines’ largest distributor of electric power, is ready to step in amid a projected surge in demand in the country’s newest investment jewel.

In a proposal, Meralco cited its “accomplishments beyond the franchise area of Metro Manila and its suburbs” to support its bid to supply the Zone and Freeport an estimated 10 to 15 megawatts of power just for 2018 alone.

The CSEZFP based in Santa Ana, in the northeastern tip of Cagayan province, is almost 100 kilometers off-grid from the nearest distribution line of the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in Cagayan province.

Unstable power supply in the CSEZFP has made it a necessity among hundreds of business locators to keep their own gen-sets on standby whenever a shortage occurs.

“We have received firm assurances that Meralco has the capacity to generate and distribute power necessary to forestall supply shortage at a time when Ceza is anticipating an incoming wave of new locators,” said Lambino.

“This gives us a very positive outlook in the near term,” he added.

Meralco’s proposal comes amid a frenzy of scheduled chartered flights at the CNIA that opened its first overseas flight from Macau last Friday, to be followed soon by the domestic operation of budget airlines.

When Lambino took over the reins of leadership in July last year, he identified internet connectivity, power generation and infrastructure buildup as his main priorities, as he pushed his vision of turning Ceza into a growth and an investment Mecca for North Luzon, strong in industrial and agricultural output, a development hub of financial technology solutions, and a vital transhipment point in the dynamic East Asia and Northern Pacific regions.

In the energy sector, Meralco leads the companies that have so far made proposals to generate and supply electric power within the Zone and Freeport.

Shanghai Grid Electric Power and Technology Co., Ltd. has proposed a 200MW coal power plant, Eco-Gen Energy Inc. several hybrid solar and wind generators under a Purchase Power Agreement, and First Pacific Capital Underwriters Pty. Ltd. modules of 2- and 4-MW power plants under a PPA for a minimum of 10 years.

Nailed to the cross 31 times, Pinoy painter ready to do it again

By Ben Cal MANILA―Fifty-seven-year-old Ruben Enaje is ready to be nailed to the cross on Good Friday for the 32nd time in a row since 1986, and to fulfill his promise to God after he survived a near-fatal fall from a three-story building in 1985.

Enaje says he is ready for the Good Friday ritual “as my expression of selfsacrifice to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for saving my life.”

Enaje, a painter, says he was painting a sign on the third floor of the building when he fell.

“I slipped from the bamboo platform I was standing on and while I was falling, I uttered the words My God and the next thing I knew, I was on the ground but conscious.

“It was a miracle I survived the fall without a bone broken. In fact, when I was on the ground, I did not stand up immediately thinking I broke my legs and body, but after a few moments I found out I was okay.

“I owe my life to Jesus, and that’s why every Good Friday I have to undergo the crucifixion ritual.”

Enaje says it was only a year after the accident that “it entered my mind that I wanted to be nailed to the cross as my sacrifice every Good Friday. That was the beginning of my crucifixion.

“In fact, during the first year of my being nailed to the cross I did not tell my wife and children what I was about to do.

Senate...

From A1

May 2019 polls, Pimentel said he’s also reviewing the setup in the Senate if he runs.

“Will it be okay with them that I am a candidate and at the same time the Senate President?” he said.

“So we will talk about all these things,” said Pimentel, adding that he will consult Sotto since he has very practical knowledge.

In fact, when he filed his certificate of

PDP-Laban...

From A1

He mentioned the five senators who are with him in the majority—Senators JV Ejercito, Juan Edgardo Angara, Cynthia Villar, Nancy Binay and Grace Poe. “They are with me in the majority and [are] supportive of the legislative agenda of President Duterte,” Pimentel said.

“All the of this [legislative agenda] were achieved not only by the Speaker, but also with the support from my own house, in the Senate. They should also have priority seats in our slate for senator,” he added.

“Then we also have [Davao Rep.] Karlo Nograles, Mangudadatu [Maguindanao Rep. Zajid “Dong” Mangudadatu,] and then Pia [Taguig Rep. Pia Cayetano]. The Speaker already named her and she’s okay with me... Also [Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque], Tolentino [Francis Tolentino] and Umali [Rep. Reynaldo Umali.] You might be surprised, a media man is also being considered,” he said.

Pimentel’s remarks came after Ejercito aired his frustration over the Senate president’s apparent failure to back their inclusion in the party’s senatorial slate,

They cried when they saw me all bloodied,” Enaje said.

“I explained to them and after that, they understood.”

The crucifixion will be held in Burol, a man-made elevated place in San Pedro Cutud village some three kilometers away from San Fernando City.

Enaje says everything is ready: The wooden cross he will carry, the four nails and the crown of thorns made of steel that will be used by a “centurion” during his crucifixion and the “passion play” that will transpire during the ritual.

“The wooden cross I will carry measures 16 feet long and weighs 37 kilos, and I will walk 1.7 kilometers up to Burol.”

Enaje says four other penitents will also be nailed to the cross on Good Friday. And as they carry their cross the centurions, in full regalia, will flog them on the way to “Calvary.”

Enaje recalls that, in one instance, he was kicked and “I tumbled down the road. The pain was excruciating but I bore it.”

He says the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991, the second biggest volcanic eruption in the world in the 20th century, did not deter him from continuing with his devotion.

Still, the Catholic Church has always been discouraging the faithful from having themselves nailed to the cross on Good Friday. The Department of Health does the same each year. With PNA candidacy, Pimentel said he consulted Sotto on what’s best for the Senate.

He also guaranteed there will be no hurt feelings on his part if his colleagues in the Senate want a new leader.

“I will still be a part of the majority and support the new Senate president,” he said.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, a member of the majority bloc, also dismissed reports there will be a change in Senate leadership after the impeachment trial on Sereno. He said there was no reason to replace Pimentel. Macon RamosAraneta despite the support they have shown for the President’s legislative agenda.

Ejercito and other reelectionist senators turned to the President’s daughter, Davao City Sara Duterte, to obtain support from her regional party, the Hugpong ng Pagbabago.

“We have shown our support. We toed the line if needed and sometimes, if there was need to criticize or call attention, we also did that,” Ejercito said.

But Pimentel said they will also consider the candidate’s stand on federalism, which is a party platform.

He said anyone running under the PDP-Laban banner must at least be open to federalism.

“We cannot clash on the matter. We cannot have a candidate who is out and out against federalism running under the PDP-Laban senatorial slate. That cannot be,” he said.

Earlier, Pimentel said the party is open to considering non-PDP members, provided that they are supportive of federalism and the President.

But Ejercito insisted that federalism is a serious matter that should be thoroughly studied since it would change the fundamental law of the land and “would chart our direction for the next 10, 40, 50 years.

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Opinion

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

Did it have to be the cross?

COULD Jesus have saved the world by dying from fulminant pneumonia rather than writhing on the Cross? The question seems idle—one of those non-issues that theological academics high up in the rarefied atmosphere where none else breathe from write about in treatises that none else will read!

But as we commence the rites and rituals, the solemnities and the commemoration of Holy Week, it is a question that beguiles, because it has to do with my salvation, our salvation. While every child who has been catechized will unctuously repeat the ancient words of the Catechism—by his death on the cross, he saved us all—it is expected that, in our maturity, we ask the mature Christian question: But how so?

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Drastic measures needed

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UCH has been written lately in opposition to a government plan to shut down Boracay Island for six to 12 months to give way to a major environmental cleanup of the popular beach paradise that the steady influx of tourists and decades of neglect and abuse have turned into a cesspool.

Most of these voices offer three arguments against the total closure of the island: 1) That it would hurt the thousands of workers who rely on employment at the beach resorts for a living; 2) That it would punish the innocent along with the guilty. Resorts that did not dump their untreated sewage directly into the surrounding waters—would fare no better than the ones that did, and the ones who operated with a permit would be shut down along with those that built indiscriminately on no-build zones; and

3) That it would hurt the tourism industry and cost the economy millions of pesos in lost revenues.

All three points are indisputably valid, but none of them is enough reason to hold off on a major overhaul of the island.

In broad terms, let us address these concerns one at a time.

First, workers who are displaced by the temporary shutdown can be given employment in what must obviously follow: A massive government-led infrastructure build-up and cleanup effort on the island. After the resorts reopen, these workers can resume work in the tourism industry, secure in the knowledge that their livelihood is based on a sustainable system that will not be disrupted again by closures due to environmental problems.

Second, the shutdown should not be viewed as punishment, but a necessary inconvenience to put things in order. Nobody objects when the government builds a flyover to ease the flow of traffic on a clogged thoroughfare because people expect to benefit from the infrastructure in the long run.

A temporary closure on Boracay is no different.

During the shutdown, the authorities can undertake a complete renovation of the island to demolish establishments

that were built in violation of environmental laws, build a comprehensive sewage and water treatment facility for the entire island, establish a sustainable flow of tourists onto the island, and train local businesses and workers in practicing sustainable tourism. All of these will inconvenience the main players in the short term, but benefit everyone in the long term.

At the same time, the government can file cases against businessmen, and national and local officials who have violated laws in the name of profit, as a pointed reminder that the wanton disregard of the environment will no longer be tolerated.

Finally, there is no doubt that the temporary closure of Boracay will cost the tourism industry and the government millions of pesos in short-term losses. But these should be more than offset when Boracay reopens, better prepared to handle the hordes of tourists who flock to the island, precisely for its natural beauty that has been seriously degraded over the years and in dire need of restoration.

Tourism and the environment need not be mutually exclusive. Building an environmentally sustainable Boracay makes good business sense in the long run—and a temporary shutdown is the best way to jumpstart the process.

No offer of love is ever without costs—and here, the costs were very high.

It starts to my mind with making less use of the bad analogy of a debt.

When humankind sinned, so goes the favored account, we all incurred a tremendous debt that, of ourselves, we were unable to pay because it was nothing less than Divine Majesty that we had offended. The trouble with that version of things is that a debt can be remitted by the creditor. One word of condonation, and that is it!

So it was that as late the time I was in the minor seminary, we were still taught in our religion classes that had God wanted to, by one omnipotent word, he could have redeemed us all without the gore of Calvary.

But, of course, this makes matters more troublesome again, because it triggers the next question: Then why would God have preferred the whole drama of what we commemorate in the Holy Week?

Matters become more understandable when we think of salvation as the offer of life, God’s own full and eternal life. Spanish uses a beautiful word: Compartir— to share with. And that, to me, is the more useful concept for salvation: The Father’s offer to share his fullness of life with us. When the Spanish crown prince announced his engagement, he referred to his fiancee as she “con quien quisiera compartir mi vida”… she with whom I would like to share my life.

That is exactly the point, and as anyone will tell you who has ever attempted to make the supremely human and quite Divine gesture of offering someone else a share in his life, it cannot depend on the offeror alone. It must be met with the acceptance of her to whom the offer is made. So, no, God, not even with all the omnipotence commonly (but rather incorrectly) attributed to him, could have saved us by decreeing: “Ye shall be saved!”

God had to be part of the human narrative more intimately than he ever was, and that is what the incarnation is all about: The interweaving of the stories of God and of humankind in an irreversible manner. Had God been making the offer of a share in his Divine life to thoughtful, loving and spirit-filled children, we surely would have said “yes”—and readily. The problem though is that that is not what our story tells us about ourselves: We are obstinate, as promiscuous about Turn to A5

The wages of our collective sins I RECALL what then-Senator Orly Mercado used to say about us all: The problem with us Filipinos is we cannot see beyond the tip of our noses. “Sana man lang matangos ang mga ilong natin. Ang sama mo, pango pa tayo.”

Orly was referring to our inability to think long-term, much less plan for the long-term. Everything is about today; everything is about the present.

Neither do we look back, and learn from lessons of the past. And it progressively grows worse. Our parents and grandparents knew how to cherish our traditions, our culture, our heritage more than we do. Sadly, our children and grandchildren hardly have a sense of any history. There is hardly a distinguishing facet of native culture in them. It’s all Western, not even Asian.

To prove his point, Orly cited the sad state of our infrastructure, built for the needs of yesterday and probably a few more years of the present, or good for the next elections. And then we do repairs, this time good for a few months, the asphalt overlay to be washed out by the rains.

Politicians they say plan in terms of the next elections; statesmen plan for the next generations.

Now when was the last time we really had statesmen in this country?

And do we not have a surfeit of politicians?

(Which is why, with all due respect to the sages of our Consultative Council for Constitutional Change, I am aghast at the proposal to divide the nation into a multiplicity of states, and along with the same, a multiplicity of elected officials. But more of that next week.)

When was the last time we really had statesmen in this country?

but the writing on the wall couldn’t be clearer.

It read: “We reaffirm our commitment to promoting security and safety, freedom of navigation and overflight, and the rule of law, including the observance and implementation of international legal obligations in good faith; and to the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, without resorting to the threat or use of force, in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the SEA and through the appropriate Asean-led mechanisms.”

The value of such an unambiguous support for the Code of Conduct and non-militarization cannot be overstated.

It should also send a strong message

Now the short-sightedness, the lack of planning, the indifference, the neglect, all peppered and not merely laced with corruption—our collective sins as a polity—are, like sin, exacting its wages upon our lives.

Take Boracay, today’s hottest example of our collective sins of neglect, indifference, corruption and an abysmal lack of planning for the future, and see how, as in Romans 6:23, the “wages of sin” are upon us.

Now our government agency officials are telling the islanders and all who depend on it’s beauty for livelihood and profits that we must bite the bullet of a six-month closure, perhaps longer.

We hope that with a determined leader who brooks no nonsense, after the period of “amends” over the neglect of Boracay ends, when the storm drains are built, the road widened, every establishment connected to the sewer line, building code violations demolished and the beachfront easements strictly enforced, we can truly look forward to a clean and beautiful Bora forever.

Last week, five people died in a once-posh hotel in Ermita which housed a casino.

And the fire “protection” officials, after an entire day and night of battling the fire, learned from survivors that the fire alarm system, if there was any, did not work. Most likely, neither did the central sprinkler system. Neglect and indifference.

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

The Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership THE ever-dynamic geopolitical situation in the Asia-Pacific region has been resulting in equally dynamic partnerships and alliances. Case in point: a critical side event to the “Sydney Declaration” that resulted from the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit recently is the establishment of a strategic partnership between Australia and Vietnam.

The pact is particularly wide-ranging, stipulating bilateral cooperation in areas like economics and trade, defense, law and justice, intelligence and security, education, science and technology, social affairs, culture, and even “people-to-people links.”

It represents a progression in the two countries’ diplomatic relations, which was established 45 years ago in 1973, a

There are clear lessons here for the Philippines. sign that evolving geopolitical realities call for evolving relations.

It is not surprising, therefore, that a key feature of the partnership, especially in the context of the broader security issues hounding the Asia Pacific region, is its potential contribution as a stabilizing influence. There was no overt mention of China in the two countries’ joint statement, for instance,

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

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Opinion EVERYMAN

The Ten Commandments: The best foundation for a moral society

By Eric Jurado MY FAMILY practices a tradition of watching meaningful movies during Holy Week. One of those movies is The Ten Commandments, a 1956 American biblical epic film produced, directed, and narrated by Cecil B. DeMille. The Ten Commandments dramatizes the biblical story of the life of Moses, an adopted Egyptian prince who becomes the deliverer of his real brethren, the enslaved Hebrews, and therefore leads the Exodus to Mount Sinai, where he receives, from God, the Ten Commandments.

No document in world history so changed the world for the better as did the Ten Commandments.

Western civilization—the civilization that developed universal human rights, created women’s equality, ended slavery, created parliamentary democracy among other unique achievements—would not have developed without them. These commandments are as relevant today as when they were given over 3,000 years ago. In fact, they’re so relevant that the Ten Commandments are all that is necessary to make a good world, a world free of tyranny and cruelty.

Imagine for a moment a world in which there was no murder or theft.

In such a world, there would no need for armies, or police, or weapons.

Men and women, and children, could walk anywhere, at any time of day or night, without any fear of being killed or robbed. Imagine further a world in which no one coveted what belonged to their neighbor; a world in which children honored their mother and father, and the family unit thrived; a world in which people obeyed the injunction not to lie. The recipe for a good world is all there—in these 10 sublime commandments.

But there is a catch. The Ten Commandments are predicated on the belief that they were given by an Authority higher than any man, any king, or any government. That’s why the sentence preceding the Ten Commandments asserts the following: “God spoke all these words.”

You see, if the Ten Commandments, as great as they are, were given by any human authority, then any person could say: “Who is this man Moses; who is this king or queen; who is this government to tell me how I should behave? Why is God indispensable to the Ten Commandments? Because, to put it as directly as possible, if it isn’t God who declares murder wrong, murder isn’t wrong. Yes, this strikes many people today as incomprehensible, even absurd. Many of you are thinking, “Is this guy saying you can’t be a good person if you don’t believe in God?” Let me respond as clearly as possible: I am not saying that. Of course there are good people who don’t believe in God, just as there are bad people who do. And many of you are also thinking, “I believe murder is

The wages...

From A4

President Duterte was fuming mad upon learning about the death of so many in Sablayan, Mindoro Occidental, after the decrepit bus they were riding fell into a ravine. He directed the franchise of “Dimples” (what a name!) bus line revoked and the owner charged. But after a while, when the anger abates, will our transport regulators and safety inspectors “relax”?

Each time a major road mishap (and it happens every now and then, all the time, in Quezon, in Bicol, at the Dalton Pass, the Montanosa, everywhere) occurs, we gnash our teeth in anger. We cry for justice and just compensation.

But a month or two later we forget, and come to think of it, have safety standards ever been strictly enforced in this benighted land?

Do we ever learn our lessons? Do we ever change our ways?

Take our staple food—rice.

We’ve been importing rice since the turn of the previous century. Yet we keep defining rice self-sufficiency as the summum bonum, in fact, the solo desideratum of our agricultural

wrong. I don’t need God to tell me.”

Now that response is only half true. I have no doubt that if you’re an atheist and you say you believe murder is wrong, you believe murder is wrong.

But, forgive me, you do need God to tell you. We all need God to tell us. You see, even if you figured out murder is wrong on your own, without God and the Ten Commandments, how do you know it’s wrong? The fact is that you can’t. Because without God, right and wrong are just personal beliefs.

Personal opinions. I think shoplifting is okay, you don’t. Unless there is a God, all morality is just opinion and belief. And virtually every atheist philosopher has acknowledged this.

Another problem with the view that you don’t need God to believe that murder is wrong, is that a lot of people haven’t shared your view.

And you don’t have to go back very far in history to prove this. In the twentieth century, millions of people in Communist societies and under Nazism killed about one hundred million people—and that doesn’t count a single soldier killed in war.

So, don’t get too confident about people’s ability to figure out right from wrong without a Higher Authority.

It’s all too easy to be swayed by a government, or a demagogue, or an ideology, or to rationalize that the wrong you are doing isn’t really wrong. And even if you do figure out what is right and wrong, God is still necessary. People who know the difference between right and wrong do the wrong thing all the time. You know why? Because they can. They can because they think no one is watching. But if you recognize that God is the source of moral law, you believe that He is always watching.

So, even if you’re an atheist, you would want people to live by the moral laws of the Ten Commandments. And even an atheist has to admit that the more people who believe they were given by God—and therefore they are not just opinions—the better the world would be.

At the premier of his 1956 film, The Ten Commandments, Cecile B. DeMille considered the topic of freedom under God’s law to be the movie’s most important message. He explained his reason for making The Ten Commandments: “The theme of this picture is whether men ought to be ruled by God’s laws or whether they are to be ruled by the whims of a dictator like Rameses. Are men the property of the State or are they free souls under God? This same battle continues throughout the world today.”

In 3,000 years, no one has ever come up with a better system than the God-based Ten Commandments for making a better world. And no one ever will.

Eric Jurado writes about the values of personal and economic freedom, and their importance in advancing peace, prosperity, and human progress.

A5

Ride-hailing apps run Indonesian tuk-tuks off road

By Mackenzie Smith AUTO-RICKSHAW driver Zainuddin used to make decent money navigating Jakarta’s congested roads and narrow alleyways.

But now US-based Uber, Google-backed Go-Jek and Singapore’s Grab are locked in a race for ride-hailing app supremacy in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, denting the fortunes of traditional three-wheeled bajaj taxis that once ruled Indonesia’s roads.

“Our income has fallen between 70 and 80 percent since ride-hailing apps came on the scene,” said Zainuddin, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

There were some 14,000 bajaj on Indonesia’s roads by 2015, according to the latest official figures.

By contrast, Go-Jek alone claims 900,000 drivers and some 15 million weekly active users. It launched in 2010.

Google and Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund Temasek have announced investments in Go-Jek, which has been valued at as much as $5 billion although it’s little known outside Asia.

Southeast Asia’s ride-hailing market more than doubled in two years to some $5 billion in 2017 and it’s expected to reach $20 billion by 2025, with Indonesia set to account for some 40 percent of it, according to research done by Google and Temasek.

Go-Jek, which also reportedly won funding from Chinese internet giant Tencent, has said it is mulling an initial public offering as it looks to grow in Indonesia and beyond.

That could inflate its army of motorcycle taxis, private cars and other services—from massage and house cleaning to grocery shopping

Did it...

From A4

the gods we adore as with the persons we bed, vacillating, unreliable and really quite sinful! God’s generous offer had to meet the entire panoply of human stupidity. It had to be a painful, bloody encounter!

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not”, so go the lines of John’s soaring theology. But that was true not only of the Jews of Jesus’ time who rejected him but of all of humankind, at least most, the notable exception being Mary and her cosmic renewing “fiat.” Because that is essentially sin: the rejection of the summons of goodness. And human power exhibits itself most vividly in human institutions, social and political—and that is why Jesus’ most dramatic encounters were with the key leaders of the institutions of his time. In bringing

The Vietnam-... efforts, administration after every administration.

We’ve poured billions upon billions of pesos to achieve this “Filipino dream” yet have never really quite figured out why we still import rice.

Neither can we answer the “riddle” about why the Thais and Viets studied agriculture at UP Los Baños but our rice farmers cannot compete in price with theirs.

Truth is, our career officials know why, as well as why not.

But they are more often than not led by those who refuse to know why or why not, and though they know their “leaders” are wrong, they have not taken up the courage to tell them so, for fear of losing their jobs, civil service protection notwithstanding.

People who never learn from history, no matter how recent. So we are condemned to repeating the “wrong” history.

Think of most every issue that impacts upon our day-to-day lives.

And realize that it’s because our collective sins of neglect, indifference, lack of vision, indecisiveness, moral cowardice, and corruption, are now “collecting” their wages.

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

From A4

against actions that run counter to building regional trust and confidence.

Vietnam, of course, is one of the countries challenging China’s historic claims to islands and island features in the disputed territory. Asean, with the Philippines as sitting chairman last year, was unable to finalize a binding Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, an area that the strategic partnership also categorically seeks to add its voice to.

“We reiterate the importance of the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and the early conclusion of an effective and binding Code of Conduct between Asean and China, consistent with international law.”

The Vietnam-Australia deal can serve as a good template of a strategic partnership that the Philippine government can use in enhancing similar bilateral agreements with Asean member-nations and beyond.

Diplomatically, it shows how two nations with different political systems—Vietnam is communist—can build respect and cooperation based on shared interests.

For their part, both the Philippines

and package deliveries—all available at users’ fingertips.

Dragging behind its regional rivals, Uber is reportedly selling parts of its Southeast Asian operations to rival Grab in exchange for a stake in the Singaporean company.

No more haggling The ride-hailing trio offer fixedprice rides that take haggling out of the equation, a welcome change for former bajaj customer Tetty Iskandar.

“I haven’t taken a bajaj in years,” said the 35-year-old housewife, who used to ride the three-wheelers to go grocery shopping.

“You had to bargain with the drivers to get cheap fares. And you would already have done bargaining a lot in the market. Sometimes I felt so tired and just wanted to get home.”

The vast archipelago of some 260-million people has a relatively low per-capita car ownership rate.

And vehicle owners often choose to leave their ride at home, opting instead for a fixed-price motorcycle that can zip through Jakarta’s epic traffic congestion—at a bargainbasement prices.

That is threatening bajaj—not to mention regular cabs and ubiquitous motorbike taxis known as ojek—which arrived in Indonesia during the 1970s.

The motorised rickshaw quickly made inroads under its namesake company, which hailed from India.

The name bajaj is now inked into Jakarta’s lexicon after supplanting traditional bicycle taxis.

A distinctive blue model of the vehicle is still a common sight and while pollution-spewing older models are outlawed, some still ply the narrow alleyways of Indonesia’s sprawling capital.

Government efforts to reduce traffic snarls by reintroducing bicycle taxis could further chip away at the market share of bajaj, which cannot operate on highways and certain busy streets.

Nostalgic feeling Still, bajaj backers point out that the little tuk-tuks are safer than motorcycles which have higher injury and fatality rates.

“They are still a very useful means of transport when you have to go through small alleys and roads in Jakarta,” said Danang Parikesit, president of the think tank Indonesia Transportation Society.

For some, sitting in a tuk-tuk as it teeters and rumbles over Jakarta’s roads offers a connection to an older way of life.

“Riding bajaj has a unique sensation, a nostalgic feeling,” said faithful customer Budiyanto.

In central Jakarta, bajaj line a curb, their drivers smoking or sleeping as swarms of motorbike drivers sporting Go-Jek or Grab windbreakers zip by on their way to collect customers.

Even if they wanted to switch to ride-hailing apps, it’s too late for some older drivers.

“I cannot shift to an app-based motorcycle taxi because of my age,” said driver Sutardi.

“Companies require that their drivers not be over 60.”

Despite the threat of technology, some insist bajaj have a future, especially among customers who don’t want to get soaked on the back of a motorbike or while waiting for a hired car during the months-long rainy season.

“Customers don’t like to get wet,” tuk-tuk driver Zainuddin said.

“It’s not good for people when the rain comes, but bajaj drivers will be happy.” AFP

God’s final and fullest offer of life and love, Jesus had to make his way through the formidable phalanx of human institutions by which we had perpetuated our selfishness, our hatred and our violence.

And so it could not but be that the final battle would play out not on some hospital bed, nor by a bad fall from the Mountain of the Beatitudes or from Tabor, but in the corridors of human power, the seats of human arrogance, and the public squares of human obduracy and thoughtlessness.

The Divine offer of life in abundance had to be brought to bear on the terrifying array of arrogance and institutionalized sin!

Jesus was crucified and in his cry “Quare me dereliquisti…Why have you abandoned me?” we hear echoes of the cry of all the just who are made to suffer so unjustly. Jesus took that feeling of abandonment upon himself too, and he did feel abandoned, even by the Father. That was the depth to

which he went. The Incarnation was no charade. It was full identification with the human situation with the result that the cries of despair from the lips of the many desperate men and women of all time, like the Syrians in our day and perhaps the families of victims of summary executions as well, were on Jesus lips too.

No, it could not have been pneumonia that did Jesus in, nor bangungot nor diabetes. He had to die a violent death not because the Father gleefully plotted the bloody death of his Son, but because no offer of love is ever without costs—and here, the costs were very high, for so deep was the Divine thirst for the human response to his invitation, once it had been freed from selfishness, and power-tripping, cruelty and arrant petulance.

and Vietnam, facing similarly daunting challenges in defending their maritime claims in the face of an emerging superpower, can benefit from more institutional efforts that support the rule of law in the region. For instance, the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership’s stipulations on defense and security cooperation include the reaffirmation of “a commitment to closer defense, law and justice, intelligence and security cooperation, contributing to the peace, stability and development of the region.”

These include committing to an annual meeting of the two countries’ defense chiefs “to facilitate high-level dialogue on defense matters,” which can serve as a good venue to “explore further defense cooperation, including in education and training, maritime and aviation security, peace keeping training and support, counter-terrorism, war legacy issues, and other areas.”

Cooperation between Australian and Vietnamese police, maritime and border authorities is also covered, as are efforts to address threats like transnational crime, such as human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, and cybercrime.

In the economic front, the deepening of a bilateral trade and investment relationship is foremost in the agenda, in particular the establishment of a

similar high-level meeting to identify opportunities to expand trade, identify potential areas for synergy, and build a mutually beneficial agriculture partnership, including joint research and technical assistance to boost Vietnam’s agriculture sector. Clearly, this is an area that the Philippines can also stand to benefit from.

But as a vital cog in the evolving geopolitical chess match that is the Asia Pacific region, the VietnamAustralia strategic partnership is a force, ultimately, toward regional and international cooperation, as opposed to increasing protectionism and intimidation.

In fact, the two countries vowed to “work closely to preserve the open, inclusive and rules-based regional order, which underpins regional peace, security, stability and increasing prosperity. We share the goal of reinforcing and developing regional and international institutions to promote our common political, economic and security interests.”

Thus, given the obvious value of these possibilities, the presence of President Rodrigo Duterte—the only head of state who did not attend the summit—was sorely missed. There are clear lessons here for the Philippines.

It only needs to listen and be open to them.

rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

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News

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

122 power co-ops assured of funding

By Macon Araneta

T

HE Senate and House of Representatives have ratified the final reconciled version of a measure that would provide state funding for emergency and resiliency initiatives of 122 electric cooperatives providing power to tens of millions of Filipinos nationwide.

SAN ILDEFONSO. Photo shows a larger-than-life wooden sculpture of Tanay’s patron saint, San Ildefonso, praying before the Blessed Virgin Mary, which was carved out of a trunk of a century-old acacia tree in front of the 400-year-old San Ildefonso de Toledo Parish Church in Tanay, Rizal. The church is often visited by many Catholic devotees during the Holy Week. PNA

Parricide charges vs Bohol board member set aside

By Rey Requejo THE Department of Justice has dismissed the parricide complaint against Bohol provincial board member Nino Rey Boniel for allegedly killing his wife, Gisela, mayor of Bien Unido in Bohol.

In a 12-page resolution, the DoJ through Undersecretary Reynate Orceo granted the petition for review filed by Boniel seeking to nullify and set aside the findings of the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office indicting the accused of parricide for lack of jurisdiction.

The DoJ stressed that Boniel’s alleged killing of his wife cannot be separated from the charge of kidnapping also filed against him.

“Wherefore, in view of the foregoing, the instant petition for reviews is granted and assailed Resolution dated 28 June 2017 of the Office of the City Prosecutor of Lapu-Lapu City is hereby granted and set aside,” according to the resolution signed by Orceo.

As a consequence, the DoJ also ordered the withdrawal of murder charges against Boniel’s two alleged cohorts, Willy Hoylar and Restituto Magoncia Jr. Boniel is currently detained at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

“To go on with their trial borders on the ludicrous sans the alleged main actor,” the resolution said.

According to Orceo, there is still a pending kidnapping complaint against Boniel before the Bohol

Prosecutor’s Office.

“It should be noted that a case for kidnapping is still pending in Bohol, whereby the same set of evidence has been presented to pursue the case against the herein respondent-appellant. The allegation that Mayor Gisela was killed by respondent-appellant was likewise presented before the prosecution office of Bohol by virtue of Riolito’s sworn statement,” he stressed.

Citing the sworn statement of witness Riolito Albarquez Boniel, Gisela, who was accused by her husband of having an affair, was allegedly abducted by the appellant Boniel along with several others from the Bien Unido Dive Camp in Bohol past midnight of June 7, 2017.

Okada avoids court hearings JAPANESE billionaire Kazuo Okada was a no-show in all the preliminary investigation hearings at the Parañaque City and Makati City prosecutors’ offices on charges of estafa and perjury.

Records from the Parañaque and Makati City prosecutors’ office showed that in all the scheduled preliminary investigation from December 2017 to February 2018, he did not appear and but was merely represented by his lawyers.

After several requests for extension of time, Okada submitted his counter-affidavits through his coun-

sels subscribed before the Hong Kong consulate.

He was issued an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order by the Department of Justice on Jan. 9, 2018.

In the two-page order, the Justice department directed Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente to instruct all immigration officers to be on the “lookout/alert” for Okada if he “passes through the immigration counters in any of the international ports and/or seaports” in the country.

“Considering the gravity of the possible offenses he might have commit-

ted, there is a strong probability that he may attempt to place himself beyond the reach of the legal processes of the government by leaving the country, we thus deem the issuance of an ILBO against the subject person prudent in order to at least monitor the itineraries of his flight, travel, and/or whereabouts,” DoJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said in his order.

The DoJ also directed Morente to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation to obtain additional information about the whereabouts of Okada and his travel documents. Rey Requejo

With this reconciled version of the bill, Senator Win Gatchalian said the government will create a culture of resiliency among electric cooperatives and will be responsive to their needs in the aftermath of natural disasters.

Gatchalian, the principal sponsor of the Electric Cooperatives Emergy and Resiliency Fund Act, presented the bicameral conference report before the Senate.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Energy panel, said that both chambers have ironed out the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill No. 1461 and House Bill No. 7054.

The bill will appropriate an initial amount of P750 million for the purpose, carved out from the P 7-billion budget of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management fund for electric cooperatives.

“The amount shall be immediately released to the National Electrification Administration Quick Response Fund for proper release to qualified electric cooperatives,” he said, noting that ECs would no longer have to pass on the reconstruction costs of its damaged infrastructure due to natural calamities directly to their more than 11-mil-

lion members-consumers.

The senator explained further that subsequent budget allocation would be included in the General Appropriations Act under the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund.

“The allocation of the fund shall be exclusively for the restoration or rehabilitation of the electric cooperatives’ damaged infrastructures after a fortuitous event,” he explained, stressing further that the amount should not be used for the conversion of a calamity loan into a grant.

Gatchalian, who is the author and the primary sponsor of the Senate version, said that the bill requires all ECs to submit to the National Electrification Administration their respective Vulnerability and Risk Assessments, Resiliency Compliance Plans, and Emergency Response Plans every year as part of the requirements to access ECERF. With regard to donations given by both local and foreign sources, he said that NEA shall now have the mandate to receive funds, materials, or equipment intended for the purpose of restoring, or rehabilitating damaged infrastructures of ECs caused by natural calamities.

‘PNR derailment a wake-up call for DOTr’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE derailment of the PNR train from its station in Paco, Manila should serve as a wake-up call for its safety management and enforcement, Senator Grace Poe said.

“We have had incidents of derailment of PNR trains every year, and it’s simply unacceptable,” said Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee.

“We don’t want to see passengers getting offloaded and made to walk along the rails. Let’s have a public transportation system that will bring the people to their destination and back to their homes safe and unscathed,” she added.

She urged the Department of Transportation to investigate the derailment.

“We are calling on the Department of Transportation to seriously enforce strict inspection and maintenance of the PNR trains, considering that a number of them are already old,” Poe said.

While the administration has lined up ambitious infrastructure projects involving railways in the next few years, Poe said the government must ensure that the current PNR fleet is reliable, comfortable and safe.

As this developed, Poe urged authorities to look into the “bigger picture” on the inspection of vehicles before being issued registration or franchise amid

reports that some bus companies have bribed corrupt Land Transportation Office officials.

Poe said she received reports about the rampant practice of “no-show” or “non-appearance” of vehicles seeking new registration or franchise or the renewal of the said documents, as well as during emission tests.

“Information that reached us said that in paper, motor vehicles undergo and pass the test, but the reality is a number of them were never tested,” she said.

She stressed that a complete inspection of vehicle, including emission test, is a requisite to annual registration.

“If indeed true, then we can only imagine that because of this corrupt practice in the LTO, many vehicles, in whatever condition, can ply our roads, putting in peril unsuspecting passengers and commuters,” Poe said.

“Is there even an effective way of checking the road worthiness of vehicles already on the streets?” she added.

The senator welcomed the 30-day preventive suspension slapped by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Dimple Star after 19 people died in an accident involving one of its buses.

She urged the LTFRB to take into account the number of accidents in the past where Dimple Star buses were involved.

Lawmakers want civil engineering curriculum review

By Maricel V. Cruz

FOR MOTHER EARTH. A family enjoys a picnic in front of the Quezon Memorial Shrine after the switching off of lights for the Earth Hour environmental campaign in Manila. AFP

THE House of Representatives has adopted a resolution urging the Commission on Higher Education to conduct a mandatory review of the Civil Engineering curriculum to integrate relevant academic subjects on earthquake design safety to ensure the structural integrity of 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 long-term response to the threats of earthquake and seismic magnitudes greater than intensity 7 on the Richter scale.

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

Sports

A7

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Vettel pulls off GP thriller in Australia M

ELBOURNE— Sebastian Vettel won a thrilling duel with world champion Lewis Hamilton to steal the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday.

The four-time world champion got the jump on the Mercedes ace off a miscalculation on the pit stop under Virtual Safety Car conditions and held off Hamilton for his second straight win in Melbourne and third overall.

Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen resisted a challenge from Australian Red Bull racer Daniel Ricciardo to take third and join Vettel on the podium.

“Obviously we were a little bit lucky today,” Vettel said at the victory ceremony.

“Lewis did a great lap yesterday and deserved pole and he drove a very good race, controlling in the beginning.

“We got a bit lucky but we will take it. We’re not yet where we want to be, I don’t quite feel the car, but it gives us a good start, good wind and fresh motivation.”

It was Vettel’s 48th win in his 200th grand prix and follows his earlier wins in Melbourne in 2011 for Red Bull and last year for Ferrari.

Vettel, 30, is in a duel this season with Hamilton as they chase 1950s Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio’s mark of five world titles -- second only to Michael Schumacher’s seven in the all-time list.

Hamilton, who had started from pole position, got out his car and looked a bit bewildered as he removed his helmet, wondering how exactly that race got away from him.

“Today they did the better job. We have to go back to the drawing board and work on it,” Hamilton said.

“We still have great pace and during the race I could apply pressure at the end but it is so hard to overtake here.

“At the end it was live to fight another day and save the engine.”

Vettel had led after Hamilton’s early tyre stop and when mid-race the German changed to a new set of soft tyres he emerged still ahead, gaining around 10 seconds in the pit lane thanks to the Mercedes driver having to slow on track once the Virtual Safety Car (VSC) had been deployed. AFP

Batangas, QC in contrasting wins BATANGAS City and Quezon completed contrasting victories on Saturday to take different paths in the playoffs of the MPBLAnta Rajah Cup at the Valenzuela Astrodome Saturday.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics overpowered the BaiShipping-supported Bataan Defenders, 95-82, to sweep their best-of-three quarterfinal series and advance into the next round trouble free.

Ex-PBA player Lester Alvarez led a balanced scoring attack by Batangas City, which drew double-digit outputs from five players in wielding the ax on the Gary David-led Defenders.

After concentrating on setting the tone for the Athletics’ convincing win in Game 1, Alvarez went double time on the offensive end as he led the way with 17 points on top of six assists and five rebounds. He dished out 10 assists in just the first half of play at the start

of the series, but decided to take charge in offense in the series-clinching win.

His long-time teammate, Val Acuna, contributed 14, the same output produced by Bong Qujinto, while Jhaymo Eguilos and Adrian Santos chipped in 11 apiece for the squad.

“Closing out the series is the most difficult thing to do, and that’s exactly what happened,” said Batangas City coach Mac Tan. “Now that we’re in the semis, perhaps we can only have a short break and prepare.

We’re going to have a Holy Week break, but will be back in practice by Black Saturday.”

If Batangas City is determined to make it to the semis early, Quezon City had other plans and the Royal Manila-backed Capitals spoiled the Valenzuela Classic-Yulz’s march to the next round by pulling off a 76-68 victory to force a rubber match.

Jiu-jitsu athletes want change in leadership

World Slasher Cup 1 sole champion Patrick Antonio (right) with his son Tony.

Best Center goes full blast THE award-winning Best Center (Basketball Efficiency and Scientific Training Center) goes full blast as the short summer breaks ends next week.

The International Christian Academy fires off the volleyball clinics on April 2 from 8 to 10 a.m.

To give way to the school’s recognition day practice, however, classes on April 5, 9, 12 and 16 classes will be from 8 to 11:15 a.m. April 19, 23 and 26 classes will be from 8 to 11 a.m.

Basketball classes at International Christian Academy for Levels 1 and 2 will from 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday and Thursday.

The Best Center is supported for decades by Milo.

New venues for basketball will be at Our Lady of Guadalupe Minor Seminary every Tuesday and Friday from 8 to 11 a.m. for Levels 1 and 2; and at St Patrick School every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 to 11 a.m. for Levels 1 and 2.

Slasher Cup returns to Big Dome COCKFIGHTING enthusiasts are one again called to prove who has the fiercest and toughest gamefowls when the illustrious 2018 World Slasher Cup 2 returns to the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum from May 6 to 12, 2018.

With the promise of intense battles among top breeds from all over the world, all eyes will be on World Slasher Cup 2, the second edition this year of the most-awaited cockfighting derby in the country.

Pot money aside, gamefowl breeders are all vying for the prestige of being hailed the WSC champion.

Touted as the “Olympics of Cockfighting,” enthusiasts can expect the best contenders of top breeders and their finest winged-warriors coming from the US, Kuwait, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

The lone champ of WSC’s first edition last January was Rep. Patrick Antonio. The win earned him his seventh WSC title, which makes him one of the most admired personalities of the sport – an idol to many.

At the Championship ceremony

held last February at the Novotel Manla-Araneta Center, the cockfighting idol lauded the organizers of the WSC for fair, clean games that honor sabong as a tradition and a true “gentleman’s sport.”

He echoed what his fellow sabungeros were saying: “Ang mga usapan (nila), ‘Mas may laban tayo kung sa Araneta tayo pupunta’… That’s one of the reasons I stayed on (and continued to) participate in the World Slasher Cup.” To the cockfighters and breeders, who want to challenge Antonio’s hold on the championship, the WSC 2 dates are as follows: 2-cock Eliminations from May 6 to 7; 3-cock Semis on May 8 and 9; and 4-cock Pre-Finals and 4-cock Finals on May 11 and 12, respectively. WSC 2 will have a one-day break on May 10.

For information and registration concerns, participants may reach the WSC Derby Office at 588-8227 or 911-2928.

Sabong fans who want to watch the games live at the Big Dome may call Ticketnet at 911-5555 for tickets and information.

THE biggest group of jiu-jitsu athletes in the country is clamoring for a change in the leadership in the Jiu-jitsu Federation of the Philippines.

Team Deftac [Defence Tactics] pioneer Maybelline Masuda, the country’s first homegrown jiu-jitsu world champion [2001], led the crusade and called on incumbent JFP president Choy Cojuangco to step down alongside other officials for discriminating their their group and being strangers to the combat sport of jiu-jisu.

Masuda and other members of the Team Deftac, who proudly showed their trophies, medals and plaques they won in international competitions since the association was established by first Filipino blackbelt Alvin Aguilar, raised the issue during a press conference held over the weekend at Shakey’s Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila.

The group said the JFP must be led by a legitimate martial artist and not by personalities from the sport of golf and who were only given the position by then Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco Jr., who was unseated in the recent POC election by boxing’s Ricky Vargas.

“They don’t belong to jiu-jitsu. Why is Choy Cojuangco and other individuals, who are known

golfers, heading the JFP after having incorporated it a few years ago? Who are these personalities? What do they know or have to do with jiu-jitsu? Why were they placed in power? Because of them, the future of jiu-jitsu is at stake,” said Masuda.

Masuga revealed that despite Team Deftac’s Kimberly Custodio, Patricia Gomez, Vince Ortiz, Gerald Callos, Aisa Ratchiff and Jane Ramos sweeping all their opponents belonging to Cojuangco’s players in an open tryout, not even one from Team Deftac was included in national team lineup.

“Our country has a long history in jiujitsu and ranked next to Japan in Asia before is now only averaging two golds when it should be bringing home 10.

Why will we allow politics to play in this sport?” asked Masuda, who is optimistic the arbitration committee in the POC will heed their call.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

Jiu-jitsu athletes, led by former world champion Maybelline Masuda, show their trophies, medals and plaques as they called for the resignation of incumbent Jiu-jitsu Federation of the Philippines president Choy Cojuangco during their recent press conference at the Shakey’s Harrison Plaza in Malate, Manila where a big number of jiu-jitsu players from Team Deftac showed up.

Sports

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

A8

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

Rockets set record, but celebration put on hold LOS ANGELES—James Harden scored 27 points as the red-hot Houston Rockets won their franchise record 59th game with a 114-91 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.

Harden, who only played three quarters, shot 11-of-24 from the field and nailed a couple of long-range three pointers for the Rockets who won their eighth consecutive game.

The NBA-leading Rockets improved to 59-14 to overtake the 199394 championship team for the most wins in franchise history.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said he was happy for his players but said they didn’t feel like celebrating this milestone.

“I just told them. They didn’t care,” he said. “I’m kind of happy. I thought it was nice. They absolutely did not care.

“They will care 10 years from now.

For teams to win 59 and 60 games is not easy. They want it all.”

Eric Gordon tallied 19 points and Clint Capela finished with 18 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and tied a career high with six blocks.

Rockets star Chris Paul missed his second-straight game because of a sore left hamstring.

Anthony Davis led New Orleans with 25 points and had eight rebounds and four blocks.

The Rockets went wire-to-wire, scoring seven consecutive points to start the final quarter to add to an already commanding lead.

The Pelicans ran out of gas as they were playing their fifth game in seven days.

Entering Saturday’s contest, they had played on three consecutive nights from Tuesday-Thursday because of a rescheduled game.

Elsewhere, Ben Simmons posted a triple-double as the Philadelphia 76ers moved closer to their first postseason berth in six years with a 120-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. AFP

Locals shine in Sindangan leg of netfest LOCAL bets, led by Maria Mica Labrador and Ran Jib Alib, shone at the recently concluded Sindangan, Zamboanga del Sur leg of the 2018 Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series, the country’s longest-running tennis grassroots program now on its 12th year, with Labrador copping two individual categories and sharing the spotlight in a doubles’ event and Ajib ruling another age group.

Labrador was very impressive as she posted straight-set victories, beating Julia Elumba from Dipolog, 6-1, 6-1, for the girls’ 16-under crown, then followed it up with another 6-1, 6-1 win over Carmella Dawn Borromeo of Dipolog City for the girls’ 18-under title. She then partnered with Elumba to share the girls’ 18-under doubles’ title with an 8-4 win over Christina Gula-gula and Eloisa Marie Laputan.

“It is good to see new faces like Labrador emerging as a triple winner as it shows her great potential for the future.

We would like to see more Labradors to emerge this year in our series,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of the sponsoring Cebuana Lhuillier Group.

Alib, meanwhile, eked out a three-set win over Dwayne Russel Daarol from Liloy, Zamboanga del Sur to take home the boys’ 16-under crown in the tournament also backed by Dunlop as the official ball and hosted by Mayor Florentino Nilo Sy of Sindangan, who hosted a dinner for the participants.

Heniz Asian Carbonilla from Maranding, Lanao del Norte continued his domination of both the boys’ 12-under and 14-under categories; Carbonilla blanked Kurt Gervan Bandolis from Tubod, Lanao del Norte, 6-0, 6-0, for the 12-under title and took the 14-under crown with another straight set, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Richmoon Soriano in the finals of the 14-under.

Gula-gula from Dapitan City was another double winner in the girls’ side as she went home with both the 12-under and 14-under titles, defeating Laputan 6-3, 6-4 in the finals of the 12-under and had an easier time in the 14-under championship against Dean Lianne Lanipa, 6-0, 6-2.

Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 winner Mauricio Mendez (center), second placer Tim Reed (right) and third placer Tim Van Berkel raise their hands in victory after they won the first IRONMAN race in Mindanao.

Mendez is IRONMAN king

By Reuel Vidal

D

AVAO CITY—Mauricio Mendez lagged behind for most of the race and had to rally to win while Radka Kahlefeldt led from the beginning and coasted to victory as the two posted contrasting victories to rule the Alveo IRONMAN 70.3 held here yesterday at the Azuela Cove.

Mendez of Mexico finished with a time of 3:50:32 ahead of Tim Reed (3:52:26), Australia; Tim Van Berkel (3:53:45), Australia; Craig Alexander (3:56:24), Australia; Bradley Weis (3:58:37) of South Africa and Kyle Buckingham (4:01:43) of South Africa.

Kahlefedt of South Africa won pulling away with a time of 4:25:38 ahead of Naomi Washizu (4:36:53), Japan; Dimity Lee Duke (4:39:12), Australia; Lisa Tyack (4:41:01), Australia; Kirralee Seidel (4:43:36), Australia; and Sarah Lester (4:53:04), Australia.

Mendez was fifth out of the swim part of the race behind Buckingham, Van Berkel, Reed and Alexander. Mendez still trailed after the completion of the bike ride.

Mendez trailed Reed in the early part of the run but eventually took the top spot in

the last seven kilometers.

“When I passed him, I never looked back. But that was a hard battle. I was in second place until the final 13 kilometers.

The effort was just too hard,” said Mendez, who had to overtake Reed winner of three consecutive IRONMAN 70.3 Cebu competitions.

Reed, who led after the bike part of the race and the early part of the run, was hounded by bad luck as he lost his power drink in the bike part of the race and gradually faded, while Mendez surged ahead.

Kahlefedt, on the other hand, was ahead of Washizu by three minutes out of the water. Kahlefedt gradually built on that lead and eventually finished more than 11 minutes ahead of the second placer.

Jorry Yong (4:24:15) was the best local finisher. Trailing him closely are Au-

gust Benedicto (4:25:02), Banjo Norte (4:25:07), Paul Jumamil (4:36:24) and Benjamin Rana (4:40:42).

Other division winners were Moya Johansson from Australia, who topped the 25-29 category with a time of 4:52:00 and Great Britain’s David Watson, who topped the 35-39 group in 4:31:21.

Azuela Cove and Davao City hosted the event.

Other sponsors include 2Go Express, Powerade, Wilkins Pure Purified Water, Sportswear, TYR, GU, Aboitiz Power, Davao Light, David’s Salon, Intercare, Davao Metro Shuttle, Prudential Guarantee, HyperHD on Cignal, AsiaTri.com, FinisherPix, TriLife and The Philippine STAR, Alaska, AlcoPlus, ApoAgua, Cetaphil, Daylong, Devant, Fern-C, Penong’s Barbecue Seafood and Grill, Sanicare, Storck, Timex, Seda, Park Inn, Waterfront, Marco Polo and Active Network.

It was the first time the race was held in Davao City.

Hundreds lined the shore while the participants started the race with the open water swim. Thousands more lined the entire route of the bicycle ride through three municipalities and the run through the commercial district of Davao to cheer on the participants.

Centennial III returns to Rolex China Sea Race CHAMPION boat Standard Insurance Centennial III, skippered by veteran sailor Judes Echauz, will be the lone Philippine entry to the 12th Rolex China Sea starting Wednesday at the Race Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club.

Echauz’ first race was in 1994 in which he sailed with Nestor Soriano on board the X-119 Lethal Weapon. He has only missed one crossing in 2002 and his best results were in the 2008 and 1998 editions, taking the overall win on his previous boat Sydney 46 Subic Centennial.

Echauz, president of Philippine Sailing Association, has yet to take the overall win on his Davidson TP52, but persevering to get the title back this year will be Standard Insurance Centennial III’14-man crew representing Filipino national athletes.

The all-Filipino crew, led by Ridgely Balladares, comprises a variety of din-

ghy coaches and sailors from various classes, including Lasers, 420s and 470s.

“The Rolex China Sea Race with Rolex as the major sponsor starting in 2008 has brought prestige to the 565 nautical mile race from Hong Kong to Subic Bay in Zambales,” said Echauz, who was recently named Executive of Year awardee of the Philippine Sportswriters Association.

By the mere fact that it ends in Subic Bay in the Philippines brings honor to the country as the final destination of this most popular long-distance race in Asia, he added.

The Rolex China Sea Race capitalizes on Hong Kong’s distinctive energy, with a race start in Victoria Harbour surrounded by the city’s impressive high-rise panorama.

The competing yachts negotiate both traditional and modern sea traffic be-

fore embarking on the open water section of the 565-nautical mile course to Subic Bay. Hong Kong native and successful businessman, Karl Kwok is the only owner in Rolex China Sea Race history to have won both overall and line honors in two editions of the race.

Kwok started competitive sailing when he joined the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club in 1975 and embarked on his first Rolex China Sea Race on a Dubois 37 HINYUAN II, with partner Gaston Chan in 1982.

In the 2000 edition, Kwok bested his own Farr ILC40’ Beau Geste 1996 record by an incredible 28h 10m 49s on his Whitbred 60 Beau Geste.

He also held this epic Rolex China Sea Race record of 47h 43m 07s for an incredible 16 years until Alive, a Reichel/Pugh 66, broke it by a mere 11m 59s in the 2016 edition.

PSA president Judes Echauz and his all-Filipino crew led by Ridgely Balladares will be the lone Philippine entry to the China Sea Race.

Indigenous games set in Bukidnon

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—Bukidnon Governor Jose Maria Zubiri is giving his all-out support to the staging of the Philippine Sports Commission-organized Indigenous People’s Games set Aug. 13 to 18 this year in their province.

PSC Commissioner Charles Raymond A. Maxey said Governor Zubiri wants to hold the IP Games during the province’s Kaamulan Festival held every March.

“Ginasuportahan nya. Bag-o lang nahuman ang ilang IP Games Kay sa festival nila ginahimo pero ang ako sked this year sa Bukidnon kay sa August pa (He is supporting the program.

The province recently conducted its IP Games during the festival but our schedule in Bukidnon is in August),” the Dabawenyo commissioner said.

Maxey was joined by his executive assistant Karlo Paolo Pates and secretary Zennie Rellon, along with other members of the technical working group during the meeting with Governor Zubiri, the father of Senator Miguel Zubiri.

Details of the IP Games were also tackled during the meeting held Thursday in Bukidnon. Maxey discussed with the tribal leaders the possible games that will be played during the event, including pana (bow and arrow), tug of war and dagan (run), among others.

‘The Professor’ holds clinic today with ex-NBA stars HOOPS fans all over the world know Grayson “The Professor” Boucher for his lightning-quick moves and tricks on the court.

Now, basketball enthusiasts will get the rare chance of learning his special ballhandling skills up close in a daylong clinic dubbed as “Basketball for a Cause” today (Monday).

The streetball legend will be teaming up with two-time PBA champion import Justin Brownlee, former New York Knicks’ player Renaldo Balkman and ASEAN Basketball League team Alab Pilipinas in the sold-out basketball camp at the Chiang Kai Shek College. Former NBA All Star and newly retired Stephon Marbury will also be on hand to help train camp participants.

“I can’t wait to share my knowledge with everyone. The Philippines has always shown me love and it’s a privilege and honor for me to give back to the Filipino youth,” said Boucher whose last visit to the country was four years ago.

“Kids, class is now in session. Time to get handle ready!” added Boucher.

Organized by Team Reyes, Jersey Haven, and Global Hooper -- in partnership with SnippetMEdia, proceeds of “Basketball for a Cause” will be donated to Sen. Sonny Angara’s Youth Development Program.

IN BRIEF

Inflation to remain manageable—BSP

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said he expects inflation rate to remain manageable although it is expected to peak in the third quarter.

“In terms of our preliminary estimates on the monthly movements of inflation, we expect inflation to peak by the third quarter and thereafter, we should be seeing on a monthly basis the inflation rate 4 percent or lower than 4 percent,” Guinigundo said over the weekend.

“And that is the reason why you have an inflation forecast of 3 percent for 2019 coming down from 3.1 percent and in the last quarter of 2018, we should be seeing 4 percent of lower monthly inflation,” he said.

The policy-making Monetary Board of Bangko Sentral decided to maintain the benchmark interest rates in its last meeting.

The Monetary Board said its decision was based on assessment that while recent inflation outturns showed an elevated path in 2018, the latest baseline forecasts continued to show inflation remaining within the inflation target of 2 percent to 4 percent in 2018 and moderating further in 2019. Julito G. Rada

NGCP gets clearance for ancillary partners THE Energy Regulatory Commission issued a provisional authority to National Grid Corp. of the Philippines and its power generators capable of providing ancillary services to maintain the integrity and reliability of the grid.

ERC said it provisionally approved NGCP’s ancillary service procurement agreement with Therma Marine Inc., First Gen Hydro Power Corp., Panasia Energy Inc. and SN Aboitiz Power-Benguet Inc. The regulator said it was mandated to protect the interest of the electricity consumers as they were affected by the rates by ensuring that the tariffs imposed were consistent with the principle of full recovery of prudent and reasonable costs.

ERC said in separate decisions the applications of NGCP and the ancillary service providers would redound to the benefit of consumers in the power grid while maintaining power quality, reliability and security of the energy from resources to loads as mandated by the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001.

Ancillary services refer to services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system. Alena Mae S. Flores

Smart boosts LTE speed in Marikina SMART Communications Inc. said it activated fivecomponent carrier (5CC) aggregation in Marikina City, boosting the speeds achieved by LTE-Advanced-capable devices to over 500 megabits per second.

Smart said that in a series of daytime tests done last week in a densely populated residential area of Marikina using a Samsung Galaxy S9 smartphone, which is a 5CC-capable device, Smart’s LTE-A network consistently reached data rates of over 500 Mbps, hitting 558 Mbps at one point.

“Our LTE-A deployment proves that we have a network that’s capable of providing unprecedented data speeds and world-class internet quality, and has enough capacity to efficiently meet the rapidly rising mobile data traffic,” Smart senior vice president for network planning and engineering Mario Tamayo said.

LTE-A is the fastest, commercially available wireless technology for mobile data in the country today. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business Trump extends incentives to Filipino exporters—DTI

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Philippines will continue to enjoy preferential treatment for several Philippine exports to the US after President Donald Trump approved Manila’s request for another round of the US Generalized System of Preferences for the next three years or until 2020.

“We wish to thank the US government for the timely renewal of the GSP program, as Philippine exporters will continue to benefit from enhanced market access to the United States under GSP,” said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

A statement from Washington D.C. stated that the US government confirmed the reauthorization of the US-GSP on March 23, 2018, after Trump signed the Omnibus Spending Bill which included the GSP renewal language.

The renewal authorizes the GSP through Dec. 31, 2020 and includes a mechanism that refunds tariffs paid from Jan. 1, 2018 through the reinstatement date of the program.

The US Trade Representative will also be required to submit an annual report to the relevant congressional trade committees on beneficiaries’ compliance with country-eligibility criteria.

The GSP program covers a total 5,057 products or tariff lines or roughly 47.7 percent of the 10,600 total US tariff lines.

About 3,500 tariff lines are open for all beneficiary developing countries while an additional 1,500 products are given to the least-developed beneficiary developing countries. In July 2017, a total of 23 travel goods articles were added to the program.

Lopez said the Philippines had en-

joyed preferential duty-free entry to the US through the GSP program that accounted for 18 percent of Philippine exports to the US, with total value estimated at $1.59 billion.

Top GSP exports to the US include telescopic sights for rifles, spectacle lenses other than glass, new pneumatic radial tires of rubber, non-alcoholic beverages not including fruits and vegetables and electrical machinery and equipment parts.

Lopez said the recent approval of the GSP was a triple-win for developing countries, US companies and American consumers.

Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo highlighted the importance of the US GSP in the face of a brewing trade clash among bigger countries.

“The Philippines utilizes all available tools to maintain and even improve its preferential access to key markets. This is important not only in ensuring advantage for our exporters but equally critical, to heighten the Philippines’ advantage as location for manufacturing of these products,” he said.

Hobby collectors to hold swap meet HOBBY collectors and dealers of various collectibles will get together for the 2nd National Swap Meet on April 13 to 15, 2018, at SM Megatrade Hall 1 of SM Mega Mall in Pasig City.

The National Swap Meet’s initial offering, held in August 2017, drew a crowd of over 4,000 participants from beginners to serious collectors of toys, vintage items, antiques, action figurines, books and other curiosities.

The event’s highlight included Toys For Marawi, an initiative to donate toys for the children of wartorn Marawi.

The 2nd National Swap Meet will house a bigger and more exciting experience for hobbyists of all ages.

A wider array of antiques, rare finds, vintage and limited edition items will be up for sale, swap or auction.

Visitors can also engage in instructive and inspiring talks on topics about various types of collecting, while live musical performances will provide entertainment to make the event totally remarkable.

The 2nd National Swap Meet is produced and organized by ArtisteSpace in collaboration with Philippine Toy Collectors Association and the official venue partner SM Megatrade and SM Megamall.

ALSONS SUPPORTS EDUCATION. Alsons Power’s Sarangani Energy Corp. inaugurates the first President Du30 Early Learning Center at Mangelen Integrated School in Barangay Kamanga, Maasim, Sarangani province. The two-classroom building donated by SEC which has a 210-megawatt coal-fired power plant in the area will cater to kindergarten students from host and nearby communities.

Each classroom that can accommodate 40 to 50 pupils is equipped with a television and other visual aids, illustrated children’s books written in Blaan with English translations and other learning materials. Shown during the turnover ceremony are Cielito “Honeylet” Avanceña (third from right), along with Mangelen Integrated School principal Cleofe Quintana (second from right) and former Sarangani Gov. and now Alsons Aquaculture Corp. chief operating officer Miguel Rene Dominguez (right).

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

B

Robinsons expects govt to approve P18-b takeover of Rustan’s stores

By Jenniffer B. Austria ROBINSONS Retail Holdings Inc., the retail arm of the Gokongwei family, said it expects the government to approve the P18-billion acquisition of Rustan Supercenters Inc. from Hong Kong-based retailer Dairy Farm International Holdings Limited over the next four to six months.

Rustans Supercenters, a company established by the Tantoco family and currently led by pan-Asian retailer Dairy Farm, is the company behind Rustan’s Supermarket, Shopwise Hypermarket, Wellcome and other chains of stores.

RRHI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it was expecting to obtain all conditions needed to close the deal including shareholders approval of issuance of primary shares to Dairy Farm, approval of the transaction by the Philippine Competition Commission and confirmation by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

RRHI earlier announced a deal with Dairy Farm to build a leading food retail business in the Philippines.

Under the plan, RRHI will acquire Dairy Farm’s 100-percent stake in RSCI. In exchange, Dairy Farm will acquire new shares in RRHI equivalent to 12.15-percent stake in the enlarged share capital of the Gokongweiowned retail holding firm at an agreed price of P94 per share or for a total of $346 million.

Dairy Farm will also acquire a 6.1-percent stake in RRHI from the existing controlling shareholders at $174 million.

This will give Dairy Farm total holdings of 18.25 percent in RRHI, while the Gokongwei family will continue to hold a 51-percent interest.

RRHI’s main formats are supermarkets, department stores, do-it-yourself stores, drugstores, convenience stores and apparel stores. It also has a minority interest in Robinsons Bank.

Rustans Supercenters is one of the Philippines’ leading food retailers operating a diverse brand portfolio of formats. The combined group will be one of the top three retailers in the Philippines with over 1,700 stores.

Dairy Farm will have two board seats in RRHI once the transaction is completed.

Naia Consortium open to negotiate ABS-CBN set to operate P600-m modern studios in Bulacan with govt over airport rehabilitation

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A CONSORTIUM of seven conglomerates said it is open to negotiate with the government under the Build-OperateTransfer Law for any changes in its unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate and expand Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Naia Consortium spokesman Jimbo Reverente said in a statement the BoT rules call for negotiations between the proponent and the government to find the best iteration of a new Naia. That is where changes or “tweaking” would happen, he said.

“For us, our proposal provides the short, medium and long-term solutions to Naia’s problems. However, we are flexible and can adjust to what the government wants. Otherwise, we can proceed to deliver on our promise as soon as we are cleared for take-off,” he said.

The consortium’s statement came after Megawide GMR raised an alarm

over the former’s intention to “tweak” their submitted proposal for the rehabilitation of Naia.

“The seven Filipino conglomerates comprising the Naia Consortium stand on uncompromising legal compliance for the approval of its proposal,” Reverente said.

The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

Reverent said the country urgently needs a proper national gateway now and asked all parties to help, instead of impeding the process to move forward.

He said this would allow the country, the Filipino flyers and the foreign tourists and investors to have finally a proper welcome and send-off venue.

Darwin G. Amojelar

ABS-CBN Corp. said two Hollywoodstyle studios in Bulacan province are expected to be operational in May this year.

“The two sound stages will be operational by May. If you go to Bulacan, you will see the big structures already and it will be operational by May,” ABS-CBN chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado said.

ABS-CBN earlier said it invested at least P600 million for the construction of two sound stages in a 15-hectare lot in San Jose del Monte City.

The company plans to build 10 sound stages in the site.

The network aims to save about 65 percent to 75 percent in shooting location costs with the construction of the new sound stages.

ABS-CBN Corp. reported a net income of P3.16 billion in 2017, down 10.3 percent from P3.53 billion in 2016 in the ab-

sence of election-related advertisements.

“Overall, we are pleased with our performance for 2017 and we are particularly happy to have exceeded our guidance for net income,” Cerrado said.

“Top-line revenue growth, boosted by a healthy increase in consumer sales, was about 9 percent,” he said.

The company generated consolidated revenues of P40.7 billion from advertising and consumer sales last year, representing a 2.3 percent year-on-year decline from 2016.

Advertising revenues decreased 10.8 percent year-on-year because of high election-related advertising placements in the first half of 2016.

Excluding election related placements, advertising revenues in 2017 went down by only 0.3 percent yearon-year, it said.

Consumer sales increased P1.62 billion mainly resulting from the sale of

ABS-CBN TVPlus and higher revenues from Sky Cable’s broadband and directto-home business.

ABS-CBN TVPlus contributed a significant increase in revenues for the entire year with a total of 2 million boxes sold, up 53.5 percent or 702,000 additional boxes sold from 2016.

Sky Cable’s revenues rose P4.1 percent year-on-year on higher broadband and direct-to-home subscriber count by 15,000 and 399,000, respectively.

Total subscriber count of Sky increased 458,000 or 45.3 percent to 1.5 million subscribers as of end-2017.

Kidzania generated P528 million in revenues with a total of 338,000 visitors in 2017 .

O-shopping continuously offered new products and promos to assure quality home TV shopping and online experience. It generated P840 million in revenues, or 2.1 percent higher than in 2016.

Govt plans to lease subway stations for retail developments

FILIPINA ENTREPRENEURSHIP SUMMIT. Leaders from various tech companies, banks and government agencies come together at the 10th Filipina Entrepreneurship Summit t organized by GoNegosyo to celebrate women’s month.

FINTQ managing director Lito Villanueva who is at a panel during the summit recognizes the important role of women as head of households and drivers of microbusinesses. Villanueva says that about 64 percent of Lendr’s borrowers, FINTQ’s digital lending platform, are female. This reflects data of the latest edition of the World Bank Global Findex which revealed that the percentage of formal account ownership— including both bank accounts and mobile money wallet—in the country is still dominated by women at 37.9 percent than men (24.4 percent).

THE government said it will initiate the country’s first-ever underground commercial development by leasing retail spaces around the stations of the planned Metro Manila Subway to generate revenues.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said this would help pay off the loan extended by Japan for the multibilliondollar mass transport project.

Dominguez said the retail concept would be similar to Japan’s underground shopping experience where shops and restaurants thrive around subway stations.

Japan International Cooperation Agency extended a 104.53-billion-yen loan ( P51 billion or $934.75 million) to the Philippines, representing the first tranche of the total loan financing requirement for the construction of the first phase of Metro Manila Subway Project.

Dominguez and Jica chief representative Yoshio Wada signed the loan agree-

ment on March 16.

“Yes, absolutely. In fact, we’re planning to have retail spaces just like in Japan,” Dominguez said in response to a recent media query on the possible commercial development of the area around the subway.

“And definitely, we will be utilizing that so we are going to be putting value to the underground area in Manila. And the revenues will definitely contribute to paying off this loan,” Dominguez said.

“Although I must say the loan is really almost too good to believe because it’s 40 years with a 12-year grace period.

Something that, you know, this is very generous package from Jica,” he said.

The loan agreement for the first tranche carries an interest rate of 0.10 percent per annum for non-consulting services (which involves civil works, depot, railroad, electromechanical

works, power supply) and 0.01 percent per annum for consulting services, payable in 40 years inclusive of a 12-year grace period under the special terms for economic partnership of JICA. The Department of Transportation, the project’s chief implementor, said it made a deliberate effort to position subway stations beside or near state property to maximize the investment returns for the government.

DOTr Undersecretary for railways Timothy John Batan said the proposed North Avenue station would be contiguous to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center while the Katipunan station would be built on Camp Aguinaldo property. A station at the Bonfacio Global City would be beside a property of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority while a station would be built near the Air Force field at Villamor Air Base.

B2

Business

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market likely to decline

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

TOCKS are expected to follow the downtrend in other markets ahead of the holidays, analysts said over the weekend.

Markets will be closed Thursday and Friday for the observance of Holy Week.

Analysts said overseas developments, including concerns over a looming trade war between the United States and China which could affect global trading and rising inflation and interest rates would continue to weigh on the Philippine equities market this week.

“The Philippines, an open trade economy, looks vulnerable amidst all these, although the impact is not as huge as others while are net exports,” Regina Capital Development Corp. man-

aging director Luis Limlingan said.

Philippine Stock Exchange president Ramon Monzon said he was confident about the local stock market despite the current downtrend.

“It is not isolated to the Philippines. We are just following the US and regional markets. But it is also good to have these corrections because our market has gone up fast and it is good to consolidate,” Monzon said.

Analysts expect trading to range between 7,500 points and 7,800 points this week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell below the 8,000-point support level, declining 3.2 percent last week to close at 7,970.80 on Mar. 23 amid heavy foreign selling.

“Investors got nervous again after [US] President [Donald] Trump signed an executive memo imposing tariffs on a wider range of Chinese imports sending all major Asian markets tum-

bling,” RCBC Securities said.

All major sub-indices ended in the red led by financials (-4.1 percent), mining and oil (-3.5 percent), holding firms (-3.4 percent) and industrials (-3.2 percent. Services and property also dropped 2.8 percent and 2.3 percent, respectively.

Foreign investors were net sellers by P6.4 billion last week, as average daily turnover reached P10.7 billion.

Top gainers last week were gaming company Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. which jumped 16.1 percent to P3.97, Leisure & Resorts World Corp. which climbed 9.4 percent to P6.89 and Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. which rose 5.2 percent to P7.84.

Heavy losers included GT Capital Holdings Inc. which declined 9.8 percent to P1,170, Alliance Global Group Inc. which went down 9.7 percent to P12.98 and Integrated Microelectronics Inc. which fell 8.7 percent to P16.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

MARCH 19-23, 2018 Close Volume

Value

MARCH 12-16, 2018 Close Volume Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

59.5 140.00 109.10 3.05 1.60 34.9 15.5 29 3.4 0.64 1.5 820.00 0.540 83.75 1.18 12.78 23.90 54.30 85.5 111.5 238.8 45 244.6 1930.00 90.00 1.2

29,710 16,642,440 10,580,690 338,000 1,014,000 1,543,900 54,900 6,625,000 163,000 97,000 90,000 700 2,995,000 28,054,600 14,404,000 163,800 13,800 628,000 1,100 8,800 78,680 434,300 1,584,480 250 1,202,470 257,000

FINANCIAL 1,764,169.50 1,728,450,692.00 1,170,088,055.00 1,053,700.00 1,664,880.00 53,987,055.00 850,478.00 196,823,295.00 543,700.00 74,100.00 144,780.00 601,700.00 1,646,480.00 2,389,931,193.50 16,827,040.00 2,045,650.00 301,080.00 34,612,489.50 95,028.00 928,381.00 18,899,244.00 19,734,710.00 391,897,322.00 482,325.00 108,224,759.50 309,230.00

59.6 146.60 114.70 3.18 1.71 35.2 15.48 30.85 3.41 0.65 1.55 905.00 0.560 88.5 1.23 12.6 23.50 56.35 87 106.6 244.8 46.2 251 1950.00 90.00 1.2

46,360 13,216,280 13,179,150 939,000 1,643,000 1,623,800 548,400 7,618,900 150,000 10,944,000 105,000 1,440 12,647,000 23,663,370 16,624,000 223,800 12,100 624,840 3,120 40,970 137,180 632,600 3,920,650 2,750 3,660,940 489,000

2,757,486.50 1,946,575,846.00 1,523,193,652.00 2,939,050.00 3,040,420.00 57,271,355.00 8,502,818.00 235,242,910.00 512,760.00 7,438,910.00 164,880.00 1,296,250.00 7,459,100.00 2,221,103,467.50 21,495,060.00 2,821,886.00 282,360.00 35,548,165.00 269,131.50 4,617,622.00 33,975,944.00 29,424,965.00 968,476,238.00 5,351,375.00 331,814,412.50 592,030.00

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp.

Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Conc. Aggr. ‘B’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SPC Power Corp.

Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

38.8 13.9 0.59 1.27 22 0.217 178 23.30 3.64 17.32 290 50.5 81 85.25 63 2.07 5.35 10 1.400 14.38 10.60 7.34 5.77 1.64 16.82 64.5 23.50 9.65 16 2.240 288.00 52.55 4.95 3.06 18.78 26 16.06 19.52 0.194 325.00 7.90 2.85 4.92 8.68 6 8.00 1.50 11.80 55.55 6.05 4.70 2.24 3.4 580 2.19 14.7 5.28 0.137 1.00 150 2.63 1.9 0.80

7,473,200 5,879,600 2,398,000 5,092,000 901,200 9,280,000 14,200 769,100 11,388,000 4,161,100 1,550 2,638,660 66,390 3,980 257,000 9,786,000 342,300 159,600 4,851,200 2,091,500 1,938,100 1,380,800 13,351,400 167,000 6,818,100 715,720 343,100 3,850,400 19,040,700 42,293,000 3,952,080 8,320 1,028,800 126,000 58,600 5,281,800 465,000 4,178,100 15,530,000 1,842,200 69,000 5,428,000 3,181,700 13,950,500 679,900 145,400 4,511,000 1,040,100 10,389,190 212,400 540,000 1,058,000 88,000 144,460 12,809,000 3,328,100 211,700 6,180,000 1,124,000 7,492,440 468,000 47,419,000 520,055,000

INDUSTRIAL 288,139,685.00 81,456,386.00 1,376,380.00 6,460,160.00 20,108,164.00 2,039,080.00 2,411,350.00 18,382,950.00 42,259,680.00 72,860,766.00 457,518.00 131,959,488.00 5,326,866.50 390,940.00 15,478,862.00 20,498,850.00 1,833,053.00 1,609,665.00 55,610,970.00 30,103,656.00 21,189,722.00 10,094,430.00 76,684,109.00 283,640.00 113,345,194.00 46,211,835.00 8,440,805.00 37,634,317.00 320,368,948.00 99,017,020.00 1,136,424,442.00 460,639.50 4,983,364.00 385,310.00 1,080,590.00 137,533,930.00 7,570,992.00 84,179,904.00 3,005,020.00 602,777,358.00 550,109.00 15,369,480.00 15,918,309.00 123,826,530.00 4,082,299.00 1,167,045.00 6,845,730.00 12,071,422.00 609,336,047.00 1,277,407.00 2,538,180.00 2,428,930.00 299,550.00 85,306,280.00 28,985,800.00 49,276,154.00 1,130,198.00 832,790.00 1,147,250.00 1,120,922,789.00 1,223,780.00 95,090,530.00 402,218,210.00

40 13.96 0.6 1.32 19.28 0.224 180 28.50 3.71 17.6 320 50.9 63.55 86 62.5 2.08 5.5 10.14 11.760 14.68 11.02 7.37 5.65 1.84 16.8 67 25.10 9.60 17.52 2.520 305.40 51.15 5 3.29 18.18 27.15 16.52 20.7 0.205 335.00 8.07 2.85 5.11 9.00 6.1 8.11 1.55 12.50 59.9 6.05 4.70 2.5 3.41 619 2.44 15.3 5.45 0.136 1.04 150 2.83 2 0.96

14,181,000 7,234,700 10,642,000 3,148,000 96,400 6,780,000 19,710 2,523,000 37,961,000 12,291,800 6,310 2,404,980 34,860 6,170 98,710 6,980,000 1,751,200 47,900 9,480,200 1,492,800 2,985,700 2,178,400 78,431,400 124,000 23,197,200 1,283,430 1,303,100 1,972,300 16,996,200 111,479,000 4,811,760 780 3,400,000 238,000 13,100 6,631,300 867,600 6,724,300 154,257,300 1,837,900 38,100 4,005,000 20,084,300 30,580,800 588,000 147,800 4,646,000 271,000 9,152,050 72,100 163,000 1,299,000 88,000 56,340 25,681,000 3,057,300 266,500 4,880,000 429,000 5,332,300 81,000 36,669,000 67,943,000

570,461,590.00 100,181,476.00 6,381,660.00 4,173,550.00 1,825,466.00 1,500,430.00 3,582,806.00 78,264,640.00 154,094,670.00 213,661,522.00 2,162,862.00 123,005,854.50 2,327,842.50 558,891.00 6,091,298.50 14,248,690.00 9,675,439.00 489,578.00 112,211,686.00 21,736,780.00 32,928,348.00 16,309,073.00 463,243,715.00 219,170.00 403,506,640.00 85,478,007.50 35,313,665.00 19,452,030.00 303,344,802.00 318,584,080.00 1,414,306,386.00 41,321.00 16,835,430.00 791,960.00 243,070.00 180,548,645.00 14,368,602.00 138,757,810.00 35,656,414.00 608,147,712.00 304,703.00 11,258,090.00 110,523,133.00 281,494,543.00 3,612,134.00 1,229,093.00 7,206,940.00 3,424,334.00 542,166,723.50 436,839.00 770,320.00 3,403,330.00 304,190.00 35,023,370.00 66,046,760.00 48,118,650.00 1,447,782.00 666,610.00 443,640.00 792,414,568.00 216,730.00 72,854,010.00 69,131,220.00

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

Lopez Holdings Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion Republic Glass ‘A’ San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.305 68.70 12.98 0.95 6.42 0.570 0.570 918 1920.00 7.05 12.98 4.65 5.4 7.56 0.200 1170 6.94 63.50 5.15 5.2 0.67 5.03 18.54 0.740 5.2 3.31 0.0460 1.140 3.300 2.54 137.00 2.57 949.00 1.79 0.83 273.000 690.00 0.2300 0.1950 0.195

7,740,000 6,349,060 30,294,600 1,143,000 954,400 50,798,000 23,120,000 2,935,160 2,015 5,002,300 51,321,572 95,000 3,000 106,500 1,560,000 634,290 150,700 17,607,230 1,400 2,100 4,443,000 2,482,400 18,598,500 214,987,000 182,855,600 4,000 54,400,000 8,719,000 30,309,000 4,000 1,573,400 51,000 1,937,460 17,490,000 88,000 17,120 33,280 2,250,000 9,120,000 4,010,000

HOLDING FIRMS 2,330,450.00 441,022,300.50 410,041,066.00 1,046,540.00 6,840,057.00 29,415,100.00 14,067,660.00 2,751,393,277.50 2,841,850.00 36,504,022.00 208,834,122.00 483,410.00 16,220.00 781,299.00 303,000.00 775,649,085.00 1,050,950.00 151,638,164,813.00 7,416.00 10,920.00 2,845,530.00 12,635,449.00 350,604,706.00 157,243,580.00 982,615,523.00 13,240.00 3,506,000.00 10,073,940.00 97,692,580.00 10,160.00 215,213,393.00 131,070.00 1,828,305,820.00 31,965,900.00 73,150.00 4,530,550.00 19,848,255.00 532,110.00 1,777,630.00 832,750.00

0.310 72.05 14.38 0.95 7.50 0.620 0.660 990 2000.00 7.4 13.68 5

13,860,000 12,906,260 24,071,500 2,034,000 924,300 50,086,000 12,356,000 2,205,485 455 8,205,100 28,037,200 207,000

4,238,650.00 947,840,144.50 347,204,730.00 1,910,570.00 6,979,022.00 32,075,270.00 8,131,900.00 2,227,874,715.00 1,137,210.00 60,112,806.00 378,407,514.00 1,035,000.00

7.56 0.204 1298 7.08 64.55 5.3 5.24 0.67 5.18 19.6 0.610 5.6 3.51 0.0480 1.130 3.210 2.70 140.50 2.6 937.00 1.74 0.83 278.000 605.00 0.2500 0.2010 0.219

20,000 7,180,000 393,885 49,900 82,459,550 13,700 67,100 2,651,000 24,835,200 18,905,500 137,993,000 149,979,800 1,000 310,550,000 76,932,000 26,855,000 52,000 1,349,990 10,000 2,200,220 18,294,000 691,000 14,260 12,820 2,640,000 34,830,000 6,050,000

150,273.00 1,489,030.00 514,581,665.00 357,120.00 5,325,570,945.50 71,245.00 377,570.00 1,769,300.00 129,093,652.00 371,179,014.00 77,959,090.00 834,646,158.00 3,510.00 14,917,960.00 104,522,170.00 87,032,520.00 133,950.00 191,954,705.00 25,920.00 2,070,988,890.00 33,640,660.00 575,400.00 3,923,486.00 8,644,145.00 648,140.00 7,298,360.00 1,375,080.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Cebu Prop. `B’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

6.480 1.03 15.38 2.130 0.840 40.350 3.66 4.6 6 6.13 6.5 0.435 1.12 1.030 0.255 0.460 31.3 0.640 0.129 1.68 1.52 0.94 4.66 0.600 0.3750 0.510 35.00

2,895,300 43,939,000 1,181,100 326,000 13,665,000 97,127,400 1,950,000 5,307,000 824,800 33,800 14,000 134,570,000 393,000 1,080,000 158,910,000 3,870,000 3,169,700 2,005,000 4,020,000 72,926,000 76,198,000 24,832,000 98,060,740 1,919,823,000 42,350,000 17,809,000 2,100

PROPERTY 19,421,067.00 44,193,580.00 21,037,640.00 675,590.00 11,587,710.00 3,941,262,865.00 7,155,740.00 25,068,430.00 5,005,905.00 219,327.00 98,360.00 59,171,000.00 425,120.00 1,085,800.00 40,811,700.00 1,757,100.00 100,560,990.00 1,287,450.00 488,760.00 123,953,320.00 114,699,710.00 24,462,080.00 559,854,040.00 1,162,796,400.00 16,412,100.00 9,131,360.00 72,485.00

7.000 1.05 18.50 2.100 0.870 41.000 3.78 4.91 6.3 6.5 6.42 0.430 1.10 1.020 0.275 0.470 33 0.640 0.135 1.73 1.37 0.93 4.9 0.680 0.4500 0.550 35.00

2,971,400 50,405,000 420,300 173,000 17,535,000 83,845,500 3,873,000 6,349,800 768,500 105,400 37,600 40,050,000 307,000 3,560,000 350,810,000 1,530,000 12,817,500 20,209,000 960,000 37,065,000 14,858,000 71,477,000 101,488,000 2,563,606,000 315,020,000 10,455,000 19,100

20,791,956.00 54,356,600.00 7,465,994.00 359,070.00 15,533,930.00 3,447,169,120.00 14,712,910.00 32,965,030.00 4,797,942.00 666,880.00 251,028.00 17,453,150.00 328,150.00 3,610,270.00 98,867,500.00 705,750.00 467,272,885.00 13,039,580.00 127,550.00 65,985,640.00 20,864,900.00 70,134,060.00 487,762,870.00 2,107,067,180.00 149,581,150.00 5,585,510.00 670,985.00

STOCKS

MARCH 19-23, 2018 Close Volume

MARCH 12-16, 2018 Close Volume Value

Value

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

4.09 20.45 1.95 3.32 33.90 0.99 18 0.830 6.500

3,186,000 7,906,000 2,826,000 5,219,000 43,741,000 3,566,000 2,279,600 2,721,000 28,796,400

13,057,830.00 156,521,139.00 5,571,640.00 16,951,510.00 1,483,889,645.00 3,557,700.00 40,640,225.00 2,365,130.00 179,418,614.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ.

Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp.

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Wilcon Depot

17.92 28.4 1.23 0.500 0.052 12.56 5.24 14.30 0.0640 93.9 8.7 7.84 7.40 2.42 25.25 970 1557 6.35 311.80 12.90 5.25 103 2.42 12.9 8.30 0.126 1.4900 3.25 15.48 6.89 1.04 27.60 17.78 0.495 5.6 7.61 3.27 8.120 11.3 10.00 2.76 8.11 113.00 6.51 1500.00 0.465 1.090 52.80 86.60 7.50 2.70 1.470 0.44 3.97 0.890 10.800

141,100 482,700 2,292,000 62,996,000 388,480,000 160,900 11,200 42,462,300 157,130,000 624,540 3,200 11,080,300 842,500 128,000 2,073,700 7,070 272,455 1,052,300 168,330 33,400 9,208,400 6,187,530 369,000 12,000 70,500 16,630,000 2,574,000 2,752,000 166,500 113,500,900 2,341,000 12,154,400 3,200 140,000 4,491,800 23,572,200 7,355,000 207,485,900 494,400 60,400 632,000 1,400 3,199,140 4,236,000 737,365 177,786,000 37,168,000 6,217,210 5,398,390 4,609,600 3,661,000 12,046,000 214,864,000 23,356,000 87,591,000 21,859,700

Abra Mining Apex `A’ Atlas Cons. `A’ Atok-Big Wedge `A’ Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Phinma Petro Semirara Corp.

United Paragon

0.0031 1.69 4.72 18.30 1.6200 1.6700 1.61 0.315 7.35 2.450 0.217 0.143 0.155 0.009 0.0084 1.44 5.9 1.26 0.4650 0.8400 0.0120 0.0120 5.97 13.30 0.0120 2.2000 30.95 0.0067

MINING & OIL 9,288,000,000 31,777,200.00 35,051,000 89,116,310.00 520,000 2,477,870.00 30,500 549,302.00 138,000 224,840.00 33,000 85,080.00 6,719,000 11,071,050.00 4,040,000 1,250,500.00 121,200 907,606.00 15,475,000 37,931,270.00 1,510,000 322,610.00 49,270,000 7,195,870.00 3,220,000 497,520.00 153,000,000 1,401,600.00 7,000,000 66,900.00 1,406,000 2,022,340.00 12,510,500 75,097,633.00 2,586,000 3,150,990.00 680,000 295,950.00 7,693,000 6,691,840.00 214,600,000 2,489,100.00 200,000 2,400.00 1,841,300 10,999,106.00 93,381,300 1,182,130,229.00 119,000,000 1,450,800.00 199,000 440,150.00 15,435,800 469,427,825.00 41,000,000 277,700.00

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Alco Preferred B Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen F First Gen G GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B House Preferred Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I Swift Pref

27.55 107 510 512 102 108 110.8 505 6.27 1001 1002 101.7 1.06 104.6 1034 1066 983 104.8 111 76.5 79 75 77 77.75 75.7 79 77.2 2.15

1,155,900 490 2,020 32,380 194,030 20,210 150 29,260 48,300 555 5,700 41,920 191,000 500 405 5,150 44,145 3,430 950 130,840 181,390 72,750 259,500 6,250 31,810 489,030 54,850 8,000

LR Warrant

4.510

WARRANTS & BONDS 57,442,000 260,882,990.00

SERVICES 2,539,310.00 13,872,955.00 2,910,280.00 32,931,645.00 19,210,860.00 2,029,208.00 54,734.00 604,292,202.00 10,050,540.00 60,065,470.50 28,495.00 83,089,586.00 6,208,803.00 310,950.00 55,809,660.00 6,857,900.00 434,198,320.00 6,629,556.00 51,940,124.00 458,420.00 48,937,978.00 651,334,160.00 935,010.00 155,934.00 584,800.00 2,085,550.00 3,828,110.00 9,513,590.00 2,492,688.00 780,285,705.00 2,353,160.00 330,029,350.00 55,184.00 69,825.00 25,027,167.00 179,107,893.00 24,478,150.00 1,973,458,203.00 5,555,678.00 611,204.00 1,788,040.00 11,354.00 358,443,952.00 28,485,386.00 1,098,167,145.00 85,332,815.00 41,158,240.00 329,220,505.50 458,677,278.50 35,872,966.00 9,584,680.00 17,803,170.00 100,276,750.00 89,957,760.00 77,079,390.00 241,261,490.00

PREFERRED 32,627,795.00 52,430.00 1,024,790.00 16,558,200.00 19,542,745.00 2,072,167.00 16,620.00 14,788,660.00 301,568.00 557,115.00 5,704,045.00 4,237,362.00 202,560.00 52,300.00 418,805.00 5,489,900.00 44,151,175.00 359,737.00 104,820.00 9,861,374.50 14,136,534.00 5,458,821.00 19,893,704.00 484,820.00 2,418,179.00 38,394,798.00 4,258,465.00 16,000.00

SME 43,040.00 79,035,458.00 5,634,970.00 55,513,420.00

4.25 20.70 2.06 3.28 34.75 1 22 0.860 6.500

7,465,000 9,585,600 7,657,000 4,635,000 44,458,000 3,659,000 967,700 244,000 35,255,800

32,059,960.00 197,388,929.00 15,811,150.00 15,368,590.00 1,559,317,805.00 3,695,550.00 21,229,960.00 203,230.00 226,618,445.00

18 29.2 1.39 0.590 0.053 13.1 5.54 14.86 0.0660 100.1 8.95 7.45 7.50 2.42 32.80 910 1670 6.33 321.00 11.32 5.60 109 2.72 13.28 8.30 0.128 1.4900 3.24 15.3 6.30 1.03 27.05 18.46 0.510 5.11 7.75 3.26 12.700 11.24 10.60 3.15 8.11 107.40 6.98 1520.00 0.435 1.170 53.00 84.50 8.40 2.65 1.460 0.52 3.42 0.960 11.220

156,300 399,800 1,727,000 148,972,000 546,560,000 429,300 3,000 37,437,700 124,960,000 1,081,260 66,700 4,331,700 2,303,400 249,000 871,100 160 297,215 1,665,600 237,510 2,400 16,801,400 8,835,350 162,000 358,500 74,700 36,020,000 1,313,000 429,000 2,283,300 55,524,500 1,832,000 10,369,200 28,000 379,000 2,346,000 8,790,000 8,675,000 41,340,600 19,272,600 116,100 1,115,000 15,600 8,336,380 4,973,900 532,855 61,180,000 7,882,000 6,536,110 10,151,860 12,298,100 7,720,000 14,784,000 205,030,000 1,335,000 145,148,000 16,457,600

2,852,812.00 11,902,580.00 2,352,070.00 93,706,670.00 30,667,690.00 5,251,914.00 15,860.00 531,264,928.00 8,444,600.00 109,442,685.50 580,564.00 33,580,725.00 18,037,106.00 612,930.00 31,508,685.00 153,650.00 503,706,115.00 10,669,253.00 76,249,812.00 25,878.00 95,763,910.00 956,356,598.00 434,070.00 4,612,008.00 617,265.00 4,675,880.00 2,130,150.00 1,421,110.00 37,191,138.00 323,569,549.00 1,883,470.00 282,543,170.00 514,624.00 191,940.00 12,074,667.00 69,613,715.00 28,285,890.00 533,816,156.00 202,320,506.00 1,217,430.00 3,650,940.00 131,077.00 896,219,414.00 34,587,586.00 816,422,045.00 26,291,350.00 9,293,720.00 349,394,078.50 897,071,842.00 99,403,309.00 20,736,780.00 21,345,900.00 110,108,680.00 4,573,300.00 154,849,200.00 182,114,284.00

0.0037 1.64 4.86 18.28 1.7100 1.7100 1.69 0.300 7.32 2.590 0.225 0.150 0.156 0.010 0.0094 1.58 6.2 1.19 0.4500 0.9600 0.0120 0.0120 6.10 13.72 0.0120 2.3400 32.30 0.0068

20,255,300,000 16,164,000 905,300 15,400 26,000 5,000 4,125,000 6,850,000 20,300 35,543,000 4,570,000 44,100,000 6,260,000 45,000,000 7,000,000 2,849,000 12,819,700 3,851,000 1,980,000 32,277,000 154,200,000 11,700,000 4,667,200 26,159,900 164,200,000 298,000 11,618,400 26,000,000

91,145,500.00 27,011,210.00 4,413,740.00 283,994.00 44,030.00 8,550.00 6,982,790.00 2,127,600.00 146,266.00 92,317,780.00 1,024,890.00 6,581,000.00 955,550.00 429,700.00 65,800.00 4,491,790.00 81,657,667.00 4,751,630.00 940,150.00 33,945,680.00 1,820,300.00 151,400.00 28,417,369.00 369,946,288.00 1,989,100.00 688,350.00 382,463,035.00 176,400.00

28.5

500,000

14,320,490.00

518 514 102.1

6,450 20,190 123,280

3,254,830.00 10,527,595.00 12,554,048.00

110 506 6.15 1001 1009 101 1.06 108 1035 1174 982 104.9 109 76 78.15 75.1 77 78.1 76.6 76 77.4 2.1

82,680 3,400 505,700 2,500 45 28,230 1,757,000 8,590 2,830 135 4,790 610 2,020 13,630 51,010 20,110 49,150 84,300 21,860 159,690 55,010 2,000

9,149,514.00 1,724,250.00 3,170,651.00 2,502,505.00 45,405.00 2,863,295.00 1,858,790.00 911,746.00 2,927,220.00 149,240.00 4,729,070.00 63,989.00 215,785.00 1,028,523.00 3,989,660.50 1,509,692.00 3,784,550.00 6,583,330.00 1,673,775.00 12,190,200.00 4,251,574.00 4,200.00

4.060

19,067,000

72,209,620.00

2.89 5.88 3.42 3.49

12,000 21,752,000 1,662,000 25,525,000

36,670.00 136,242,528.00 5,605,430.00 89,477,940.00

Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Philab Holdings Xurpas

2.92 5.07 3.36 3.34

14,000 15,014,400 1,699,000 17,328,000

First Metro ETF

122.3

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 159,600 19,605,065.00

125.9

194,430

24,698,587.00

10.2 10.2 1.02

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 10,060 102,630.00 2,100 21,420.00 129,220 132,596.60

10.2 1.02

6,400 25,700

66,160.00 26,235.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Abra Mining MRC Allied Ind. Vulcan Ind’l.

Apollo Global Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Transpacific Broadcast Oriental Pet. `A’ NOW Corp.

Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

PremiereHorizon

VOLUME 9,288,000,000 1,919,823,000 520,055,000 388,480,000 214,987,000 214,864,000 214,600,000 207,485,900 182,855,600 177,786,000

STOCKS JG Summit Holdings Ayala Land `B’ Ayala Corp `A’ Metrobank NOW Corp.

SM Investments Inc. Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. SM Prime Holdings PhilexPetroleum Bank of PI

VALUE 151,638,164,813.00 3,941,262,865.00 2,751,393,277.50 2,389,931,193.50 1,973,458,203.00 1,828,305,820.00 1,728,450,692.00 1,483,889,645.00 1,182,130,229.00 1,170,088,055.00

Ayala Land seeks SEC nod to issue P10-b 10-year bonds PROPERTY developer Ayala Land Inc. filed an application with the Securities and Exchange Commission to issue P10 billion worth of 10-year bonds to finance the construction of various real estate projects.

Ayala Land said in a filing with the SEC the P10 billion fixed-rate bond offering would represent the fifth tranche of the company’s P50-billion debt securities program approved by the corporate regulator in March 2016.

Data showed that of the P50-billion debt securities program, Ayala Land issued P32 billon worth of fixed-rate bonds and P3 billion worth of Homestarter bonds.

This means that with the planned issuance of another P10-billion bonds, Ayala Land would have a balance of only P5 billion under the bond shelf registration.

The property firm tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp., Chinabank Capital and PNB Capital as joint lead underwriters and joint book runners for the latest offering.

The bonds will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp.

Net proceeds from the fund raising activity will be used to support this year’s construction of retail, office, hotel within township projects in Makati, Quezon City and Manila Bay area.

Ayala Land earmarked a record P111 billion in capital expenditures in 2018, up 21.2 percent from P91.4 billion in 2017.

The company said 43 percent of programmed spending this year would be for residential, 17 percent for malls, 12 percent for land acquisition and the balance for office, hotels and resorts and estate development.

Aside from raising P10 billion through the issuance of fixed-rate retail bonds to fund capital spending, Ayala Land also plans to borrow from local banks.

Ayala Land said it expected most of its business units to continue growing at a healthy pace through 2018.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Meralco asks ERC to approve supply contract with First Natgas

By Alena Mae S. Flores MANILA Electric Co. and First NatGas Power Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of First Gen Corp., filed an application with the Energy Regulatory Commission to approve their power supply agreement.

Meralco and First Natgas signed a PSA for the sale and purchase of 414 megawatts of baseload capacity from San Gabriel natural gas plant in Batangas City.

Under the agreement, power will be sourced from the currently operational 414-MW San Gabriel combined cycle natural gas-fired power plant located within the First Gen Clean Energy complex.

“Based on the power supply situation outlook for 2017 and succeeding years, Meralco foresees a capacity deficit in its portfolio due to the expected high demand as well as possible occurrences of scheduled maintenance shutdowns and forced outage of power plants,” the two companies said in a joint application.

Meralco’s aggregate demand is expected to grow by a compounded average growth rate of 4.13 percent from 2018 to 2023, based on its distribution development plan.

“The timely implementation of the PSA will best serve the interests of the consumers,” the parties said.

The application stated that the 414MW capacity from the San Gabriel natural gas plant of First Natgas at P3.8637 per kilowatt-hour would be lower than the simulated effective cost of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market of P4.4405 per kWh. WESM acts as the country’s trading floor of electricity.

“It is thus imperative that this PSA is implemented as soon as possible as any delay in its implementation would translate into foregone savings of about P0.0561 per kWh and missed economic opportunities for Meralco’s captive customers,” the companies said.

World

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Abe promises charter change TOKYO―Prime Minister Shinzo Abe vowed Sunday to press on with his controversial move to amend Japan’s pacifist constitution, undeterred by a political scandal that has dented his popularity.

Abe’s political capital is dwindling due to a widening scandal over the cut-price sale of government land to one of his supporters, with the opposition suggesting his wife Akie may have played a role.

The scandal worsened when finance ministry bureaucrats admitted altering official records of the sales, erasing references to Abe and his wife as well as other political figures.

“I will thoroughly investigate and show the whole picture of what happened,” Abe told the annual meeting of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

“And I will fulfill my duty by rebuilding the [government] organization so that this will not happen again,” he said, reiterating his resolve to stay in power.

Abe has denied any involvement by him or his wife in the case but protesters have staged rallies across the nation.

His approval rating has fallen to its lowest level since his return to power at the end of 2012.

National attention is turning to parliamentary testimony scheduled for Tuesday by Nobuhisa Sagawa, formerly the head of the finance ministry department that oversaw the land deal.

Despite his fading popularity, Abe told the party gathering he was committed to changing the constitution, imposed by the United States on the defeated nation after World War II. AFP

Global Earth Hour campaign kicks off

B3

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Obama: North Korea a real threat T

OKYO―North Korea poses a “real threat” whose solution will require international cooperation, former US President Barack Obama said Sunday on a visit to Japan.

PALM SUNDAY. Pope Francis leads the Palm Sunday mass at St Peter’s square on March 25, 2018 at the Vatican. Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, the beginning of the Holy Week, and commemorates the triumphant arrival of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem days before he was crucified. AFP

France to pay tribute to victims of jihadist attack TREBES, France―Mourners in a rural French town rocked by a deadly Islamist attack will hold a mass on Sunday to pay tribute to the victims, including a policeman hailed a hero for offering himself in place of a hostage.

Lieutenant-Colonel Arnaud Beltrame, 44, was shot and stabbed after taking the place of a woman whom Radouane Lakdim had been using as a human shield during his attack Friday on a supermarket in the small town of Trebes.

A national tribute will be held at a later date for Beltrame, who President Emmanuel Macron said had “died a hero” and deserved “the respect and admiration of the whole nation”.

Following the worst jihadist attack of his presidency, Macron has called a meet-

ing later this week of the security services responsible for monitoring individuals suspected of radicalization.

Meanwhile, a mass will be held at 10:30 am (0830 GMT) Sunday in Trebes, where Lakdim carried out his final attack on a supermarket.

The bishop of Carcassonne and Narbonne will celebrate mass in the Church of Saint-Etienne to honor the four killed and three wounded in the attacks claimed by the Islamic State group.

Lakdim, 25, had been placed on a watch list, but ultimately authorities concluded the Moroccan-born French national did not pose a threat.

Investigators found notes at Lakdim’s home in the nearby town of Carcassonne that referred to IS, a legal source

said, including a hand-written letter in which he claimed allegiance to the jihadist group.

His girlfriend and a 17-year-old friend were being held in custody as investigators sought to understand the events leading up to the attacks.

Lakdim, who was armed with a gun, knife and homemade explosive devices according to a security source, was shot dead as police moved in to end the siege of the Super U supermarket where he had holed up after a shooting spree in nearby Carcassonne.

Earlier Friday the gunman had hijacked a car in Carcassonne and shot the two people inside, killing the passenger and leaving the Portuguese driver in a critical condition. AFP

SYDNEY―The Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower and Moscow’s Red Square were among the world landmarks to go dark Saturday, as part of a global campaign to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change.

Earth Hour, which started in Australia in 2007, is being observed by millions of supporters in 187 countries, who are turning off their lights at 8.30pm local time in what organizers describe as the world’s “largest grassroots movement for climate change”.

“It aims to raise awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and wildlife,” Earth Hour organizer WWF Australia chief Dermot O’Gorman told AFP. In Paris, the Eiffel Tower plunged into darkness as President Emmanuel Macron urged people to join in and “show you are willing to join the fight for nature”.

“The time for denial is long past. We are losing not only our battle against climate change, but also our battle against the collapse of biodiversity,” he said on Twitter.

Moscow’s Red Square also fell dark and the Russian section of the International Space Station dipped its lights, the Ria Novisti news agency said. AFP Images from across Asia showed buildings including Kuala Lumpur’s Petronas Towers, as well as the famous harbor skylines of Hong Kong and Sin- BEFORE THE SWITCH-OFF. The Kremlin is pictured before the lights are switched off to mark Earth Hour in Moscow on March 24, 2018. Earth gapore, blacking out to mark the occa- Hour, which started in Australia in 2007, is being observed by millions of supporters in 187 countries who are turning off their lights at 8.30pm local time sion. AFP in what organiZers describe as the world’s “largest grassroots movement for climate change”. AFP

Wanted: A course in B.S. “The world is awash in bullshit.”

(C. Bergstorm and J. West) WE’VE all been had. Who would not be? Bullshit does not sound like bullshit. It soundsprofessional, profound, and learned. It does not seem to make sense, but it is very difficult to identify what is amiss.

Businesses are good at this.

Phrases like ““synergize worldclass models”, “benchmark innovative relationships”, “unleash killer technologies” on a presentation or in a meeting will most probably impress the audience. But these were generated from bullshitgenerator. com, “a site dedicated to generating bullshit for your next meeting, project proposal, or conversation with your boss…”

Recent buzzwords in the academe are similar. “Flipped classroom”, “high impact internationalization”, “future-proof curriculum”, “blended learning” are catchy, cute, and novel.

But what do they really mean? Or do they mean anything at all?

According to University of Washington college professors Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West, “bullshit involves language, statistical figures, data graphics, and other forms of presentation intended to persuade by impressing and overwhelming a reader or listener, with a blatant disregard for truth and logical coherence.”

In 2015, the article “On the reception and detection of pseudoprofound bullshit” identified two mechanisms that might explain why people are receptive to bullshit.

One, some may have “a strong bias towards accepting things as true or meaningful at the outset.”Picture members of political and religious movements, civic associations, or educational institutions.Two, there is the potential inability to detect bullshit. All too often, what listeners fail to understand, they pretend to, and they accept as profound.

In 1995, scientist Carl Sagan wrote “The Fine Art of Baloney Detection”. The article is available online. According to Sagan, scientists are trained to detect baloney. They are equipped with tools for skeptical thinking. These tools include independent confirmation of facts, unreliability of authority, quantifying information, and simplifying explanations, among others. The article also highlighted the most common and dangerous fallacies in logic and rhetoric.

Between January 2015 and June 2016, Stanford History Education Group “prototyped, field-tested, and validated a bank of assessments that tapped students’ ability to judge the credibility of information that flood young people’s smartphones, tablets, and computers.” The study summed up the students’ ability in one word: bleak. According to the re-

port, although the students, as “digital natives”, are able to flip and move between multiple media, they are easily fooled by information emanating from social media.

The study suggests that “regular practice with reading, analyzing, and evaluating informationmay be the best defense against sinking into misinformation bogs”.

In 2017, professors Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West initiated a course “Calling Bullshit: Data Reasoning in a Digital World”. At the end of the course, students are expected to “remain vigilant for bullshit contaminating your information diet, recognize bullshit whenever and wherever you encounter it, figure out precisely why a particular bit of bullshit is bullshit, provide a statistician or fellow scientist with a technical explanation of why a claim is bullshit,” among others.

The course includes topics such asintroduction to bullshit, spotting bullshit, the natural ecology of bullshit, statistical traps, big data, publication bias, scientific misconduct, fake news, etc. The entire course syllabus and materials can be accessed at callingbullshit.org. The short lectures can also be accessed on youtube.com.

Aside from identifying bullshit, students are also expected to call bullshit.

Calling bullshit is “a performative utterance, a speech act in which one publicly repudiates something objec-

tionable…”This can extend to include “lies, treachery, trickery, or injustice.”

The university webpage reported the course has “sparked educators… to reach out as they developed their own versions of the course.” And materials on the course site have been accessed and used in other colleges as well.

According to Bergstrom and West, “It’s time to do something, and as educators, one constructive thing we know how… is to help students navigate the bullshit-rich modern environment by identifying bullshit, seeing through it, and combating it with effective analysis and argument.”

“The amount of energy necessary to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.” (Brandolini’s Law) (Warning: This article may contain “bullshit.”)

Real Carpio So lectures on strategy and human resource management at the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business of De La Salle University. He is also an entrepreneur and a management consultant. He welcomes comments at realwalksonwater@gmail.com. Archives can be accessed at realwalksonwater.wordpress.com. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty, and its administrators.

Obama also said the US needed to ensure there was a defense system in place to protect countries in the region from a potential attack from North Korean missiles.

“North Korea is a real threat” and has developed a weapons program and delivery system that “poses a significant threat not just to the region but to the whole world”, Obama said in a speech in Tokyo.

“So far, we haven’t seen as much progress obviously as we would have liked. But the one thing that is very important to recognize is that individually, no country can solve this problem as effectively as if we all work together,” Obama stressed.

He said North Korea was “a country that is so far removed from the international norms and so disconnected with the rest of the world” that it was particularly difficult to put pressure on the isolated regime.

Under the Obama administration, Washington pursued a policy of “strategic patience” towards the North in hopes that sanctions would bring Pyongyang to heel and force it to abandon its weapons ambitions.

Obama is on a swing through Asia, which has already taken in Singapore, New Zealand and Australia.

He has largely avoided the limelight, playing golf with former prime minister John Key in New Zealand and offering parenting tips to the current leader Jacinda Ardern, who is pregnant.

Later Sunday, Obama met Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for lunch, sparking memories of their 2014 “sushi summit” when the American was still in the White House.

Obama reportedly talked business and trade throughout the 2014 meal, which was supposed to be an informal opportunity for bonding between the two world leaders.

The then-president emerged to tell waiting reporters “that’s some good sushi right there” but reportedly ate only half of his Michelin-starred offerings.

Asked after his speech on Sunday what he most missed about his time in office, Obama quipped: “I do sometimes miss Air Force One. That’s a nice airplane―especially when you fly across the Pacific.”

But he also revealed that he had to buy his own groceries in the White House. “You think you get to live for free but no, no! It’s expensive being in the White House, I’ll tell you.”

AFP

Actress to talk about ‘affair’ with Trump NEW YORK―Porn actress Stormy Daniels will on Sunday sit for a highly-anticipated interview that could shed new light on the affair she says she had with Donald Trump a decade before his election as president.

Contrary to its usual practice, CBS has not released excerpts of the interview, which will air Sunday at 7:00 pm (2300 GMT) on the network’s flagship “60 Minutes” program.

Daniels has previously spoken about the affair, including in a recent post on Twitter in which she said: “Technically I didn’t sleep with the POTUS 12 years ago. There was no sleeping [hehe] and he was just a goofy reality TV star.”

Her lawyer, Michael Avenatti, has teased the interview, posting a picture on Twitter of a DVD along with the text: “If ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ how many words is this worth????? #60minutes #pleasedenyit.”

When another Twitter user said that the disc contained a video of a lie detector test Daniels had taken, Avenatti replied: “Nope. Enjoy Sunday and the days that follow...” AFP Manila

NOTICE is hereby given Standard that the Intestate Estate of Spouses WILFREDO

TODAY

S. ENCOMIENDA AND SUSAN M. ENCOMIENDA who died in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on March 22, 2015 and Medical City, Ortigas on December 9, 2015, respectively, is the subject of EXTRA-JUDICIAL SETTLEMENT by and among their sale heirs, namely: Wilson Anthony M. Encomienda and Kathleen M. Encomienda, as per Doc. No. 123; Page No. 26; Book No. I; Series of 2018 of the Notarial Register/Book of HENSON M. MONTALVO, Notary Public for and in the City of Makati.

(MS-MAR. 19,26 & APR. 2, 2018)

AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOP 1st Level Glorietta 3 Ayala, Makati and its branches in Majalco Bldg., Buenavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L & R Bldg., Pasay Road, Makati auction sale on April 05, 2018, 3:00 pm Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas, Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave., Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City at 9:30 am. All items pawned November 1, to 312017. Notary Public (MS-MAR. 26, 2018)

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

monday, march 26, 2018

By Rio N. Araja

GenTri poised to be Cavite’s 6th poll district THE Senate approved on third and final reading the house bill which sought to reapportion certain legislative districts in Cavite province.

Senator Sonny Angara, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Local Government, said House Bill No. 5367 sought to reapportion certain legislative districts in Cavite province which, in effect, would make General Trias City its own lone legislative district.

If the measure enacted, City of General Trias would be a lone district, becoming the new 6th district of province of Cavite.

The current 6th district composed of Amadeo, Tanza and Capitol City Trece Martires plus the town of Indang would compose the new 7th district.

The new 8th district would be the current 7th minus Indang town - Tagaytay City, Alfonso, General Aguinaldo, Magallanes, Maragondon, Mendez, Naic, and Ternate.

The bill authored by Cavite 6th District Representative Luis ‘Jonjon’ A. Ferrer IV, 7th District Congressman Abraham ‘Bambol’ Tolentino, and Rep. Roy Loyola of the 5th District seeking to amend Section 1 of Republic Act 9727, reorganized the province into its current 7 districts into 8 Cavite legislative districts The House of Representatives approved HB 5367 on 3rd reading last year May 15, 2017.

According to Senator Angara, the Constitution allowed a representative for cities with more than 250,000 population. Based on the National Census, GenTri as fondly called by locals is more than 350,000 people residents by yearend last year of 2017.

5,560 CL cops secure region for Holy Week

By Romeo Dizon CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—An estimated 5,560 policemen in Central Luzon were mobilized to ensure the safety and protection of all travelers and tourists during the observance of Holy Week and summer vacation in the region.

Police Supt. Fe G. Grenas, chief Information officer of Police Regional Office 3, said the total mobilization of the police force in the region will stretch on March 23 up to June 13.

Grenas said the deployment was made by Regional Police Chief Amador V. Corpus to prevent any untoward incidents during the Holy Week and summer vacation, when people are starting to go to religious places and recreational places like beaches in the region.

In his directive, Corpus ordered all provincial, city and municipal police officers to man all main roads and thoroughfares, bus terminals, seaports and airports including vital installations in the seven provinces against terrorists and criminals that may take advantage of the situation in their respective areas of responsibility.

The order also includes the establishments of foot/mobile patrols and police assistance desks in every municipality of the region, Grenas said.

“You must remain on your toes to implement the public safety measures for the entire season”, Corpus said.

BIÑAN DONATION. Rep. Len Alonte of the lone district of

Biñan, Rep. Karlo Nograles of the 1st District of Davao, Biñan Mayor Arman Dimaguila and Association of Barangay Captains President Rommel Dicdican hand out 2,500 gift packs to some residents of Binan (inset) donated by philanthropist Wen Velasco (in tarpaulin) of Pilipinong May Puso Foundation. ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,’ the officials noted.

DILG: Establish ‘Badac’ village councils or else

T

HE Department of Interior and Local Government has called on village officials to establish their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council or Badac soon or face charges in court.

included Dangerous Drugs Board Undersecretary Marlowe Pedregosa, and Assistant Secretary Aurora Ignacio of the Office of the President.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza welcomed the participants of the “Rehabinasyon” Cebu leg, which was at-

Ricojudge Janvier Echiverri, DILG solve the problem on illegal drugs.

Assistant Secretary for External and Other resource speakers in the event Legislative Affairs, announced this Saturday during the “Rehabinasyon” Road Tour at the Gaisano Mactan Island Mall in Lapu-Lapu City.

Echiverri said the barangays must already have their Badac as the department is only waiting for the go signal of Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to file the cases against the village officials who have not yet formed their anti-drug councils.

Around 2,000 barangays in the country have no anti-drug council yet, Echiverri said.

He also urged Cebuanos to vote for candidates who have the courage to combat illegal drugs in the upcoming May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“Vote for candidates who are courageous and compassionate,” Echiverri said.

Vince Plaza, Acting Deputy Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, also called on barangay officials to help the government in the fight against illegal drugs.

“If the people won’t help, we could not solve our problem with drugs,” Plaza said. “We have barely enough policemen and PDEA personnel. So, please help us.”

The “Rehabinasyon” Road Tour in Cebu was spearheaded by Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs and the Presidential Communications Operations Office.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III said “Rehabinasyon” aims to harmonize all anti-illegal drugs efforts of the national government and ERAP’S WHEELCHAIRS. Manila Mayor Joseph ‘Erap’ Estrada distributes wheelchairs enable barangay officials, local governto senior citizens in selected areas in District 3 to allow them to go elsewhere. Estrada ment units, and local law enforcement said more wheelchairs will be given out in the succeeding weeks. With the mayor is agencies to have the mechanisms to Daniel ‘Dandan’ Tan, North Cemetery officer-in-charge.

‘Women, children will be safe’

SUMMER WAVE. More than

Joy: QC has ‘unassailable protocols’ for big drug cases

9.5 hectares of amazing water fun is now open to the public via Redwood Water Park and Resort in Barangay Langkiwa, Biñan City, Laguna. It was inaugurated March 17 led by (from left, inset) Maritess Fernando, vice president of Boque Corp.; Biñan City Councilors Jicy Pecana, Gener Tomantique, and Bong Bejasa; Vice Mayor Gel Alonte; Mayor Arman Dumaguila; Dr. Ofelia Baque, president and CEO of Baque Corp., and Ret. Col. Antonio Fernando, President of Centennial Water (left). Roy Tomandao

THE Quezon City Gender and Development Council, along with the Quezon City Police District’s women and children’s protection desk, on Friday vowed to continue to safeguard women’s rights and make sure violence and abuse will not have a space in the city.

Mayor Herbert Bautista tasked GAD to provide logistical support of the information dissemination and capability development seminars on the city’s GAD Code and Magna Carta of Women.

He called on “silent” victims of abuse and discrimination to speak out.

“If you think you are being taken advantage of, especially if you are person with disability, please report to the barangay, barangay officials for an ac-

tion,” he said.

Residents, who are victims and witnesses of any violence and abuse to women, children or any gender, may immediately call the QCPD or GAD Council at 988-4242 local 8732 or 8739.

Sr. Insp. Djoanna Santos of the police’s women and children’s protection desk cited the impact of the city’s campaigns to the community.

“We can say that before there were a lot of women who are afraid to voice out the abuse or the violence that’s happening to them. But, due to the vigorous campaign of Quezon City Police District from the community police, more people especially young women get informed on their rights against abuse,” she added. Rio N. Araja

AMID public outrage over the dismissal of drug cases against big-time drug kingpins, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Sunday assured the public the city government has “unassailable protocols” in place in building airtight cases against arrested drug personalities.

Speaking as chair of the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council, Belmonte said they have long ironed out their procedures in dealing with the arrests, evidence-gathering, and filing of cases in court against apprehended drug suspects.

“We have developed protocols to address this issue, so we could avoid ‘gray areas’ in the interpretation of the rules. So that we are on the same page on how we go about doing things,” she said.

Belmonte was reacting to the dismissal of drug charges against suspected drug kingpin Peter Lim, confessed drug dealer Rolando “Kerwin” Espinosa Jr. and convicted narcotics boss Peter Co. The vice mayor said the set of protocols they have crafted was a product of collaborative efforts of QCADAAC, barangay anti-drug abuse councils, Quezon City Police District, Dangerous Drugs Board and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

“All problems concerning the arrests of (drug) suspects to the gathering of evidence and witnesses, up to the filing of appropriate cases in court, we have long smoothened it out,” she said.

“And I have trained them already. I have told the barangay councils about the new guidelines,” she added.

As chairperson of the QCADAAC, Belmonte earlier installed drop boxes in 142 barangays, several churches and police stations to combat crimes.

She assured that all names reported in the drop boxes are stringently checked, validated, and kept confidential in keeping with the city government’s vow to protect human rights.

Freedom Trail marks ‘Death March’ event

By Butch Gunio BALANGA CITY, Bataan—The Philippine Veterans Bank kicked off the 76th anniversary of the Bataan Death March commemoration with the Mariveles-San Fernando-Capas Freedom Trail event over the weekend.

The two-day, three-province event, which aims to instill the values of bravery, sacrifice and love for country, was highlighted by a retracing of the actual Death March 160km route

by Armed Forces reservists and personnel, a 160-km run relay, motorbike tour, march, float parade, and postermaking contest awarding.

Veterans Bank’s Freedom Trail also honors Filipino World War II heroes and survivors by involving the public in this solemn remembrance of heroism.

Organizers prepared different categories to accommodate civilian, military and police units by running, walking or riding in two wheels while retracing the steps of our fallen heroes during the Bataan Death March.

“It is our generation’s responsibility to commemorate and honor the bravery and heroism of our veterans during the war,” said Mike Villa-Real, Head of Veterans Bank’s Corporate and Consumer Relations Division.

“It will be a sin to forget how valiantly they fought and how they looked out for their fellow soldiers amid torture, injury, and starvation. History will hold us accountable if the next generations forget the Bataan Death March,” he added.

The Death March, considered as one of the darkest days in Philippine History, is the forcible transfer of up to 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war from Mariveles and Saysain Point, Bagac, Bataan to Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The prisoners were loaded onto trains in San Fernando, Pampanga.

The march began sometime on April 11, 1942 and left thousands dead and seriously wounded after enduring torture under the hands of the Japanese Imperial Army.

The Death March route stretches from Mariveles in Bataan to Capas, Tarlac via San Fernando, Pampanga via the old roads.

Life

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

food

monday, march 26, 2018

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gordon Ramsay-trained chef makes waves with Mews

I

t Is easy to be intimidated by Demar Regresado, the tattooed chef with a low, steady voice and an inscrutable face of Mews restaurant in salcedo Village, Makati City. Easier still with his reputation of having worked under Hell’s Kitchen celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay when he was just 16 years old. But when he starts talking about his life experiences that shaped the way he prepares food, humor comes to the surface, along with a dash of sentimentality and a whole lot of advocacy.

“I trained under Gordon Ramsay for four years at his restaurant in Chelsea, London. For four years, I peeled potatoes for him,” he said in all seriousness, before breaking into a grin, perhaps recalling the more than 1,400 days that he peeled the said root crop.

Tuna Nicoise salad served with green beans, lettuce, and quail eggs with a classic French dressing

Asked if he did get bored with his first culinary job, Regresado, who was the first Filipino that Ramsay hired, said in jest: “But I also peeled aubergine, garlic, carrots, and onions.”

“If there is anything I learned under Chef Gordon Ramsay, it is that you should develop that singular devotion to your work. there is a correct way to peel a potato, otherwise it becomes too starchy. You should develop the discipline to do it correctly every day.”

Looking further back, death in the family has steered Regresado’s life. He left the Philippines as a young boy of eight years old when his mother died to start a new leaf with his father in the United Kingdom. And when his father died in 2014, the tragedy brought him back full circle to the Philippines.

“My father has always been proud of my accomplishments as a chef abroad. But he always urged me to go back to the Philippines and set up a restaurant here,” he said. the world was Regresado’s oyster abroad: running the kitchen of a country club in Napa Valley for four years, serving as executive chef at the posh Millennium Mayfair Hotel in London for three and a half years, and working at Prince Harry’s private club from time to time. But the demise of his father signaled it was time to go home.

In 2015, he first set up DeMARs, a casual British diner in Antipolo City where he served European dishes. And in August last year, he opened Mews, which he hopes would clinch Manila’s first ever Michelin star. the food served at Mews are intelligently thought of as they are beautifully plated. Healthy eating here does not mean eating bland food. there is salmon gravlax that is cured with beetroot, giving it a deeper shade of red; tuna Nicoise salad served with green beans, lettuce, and quail eggs with a classic French dressing; pork belly braised for 16 hours with taro croquette; chicken teriyaki with truffle oil with taro puree; chicken liver mousse pate with homemade crackers and grilled bread; chicken breast with potato mash, carrot and broccoli puree and thyme velouté; and the very British classic fish and chips with pea puree and tartare sauce. the restaurant also takes pride in its lava grill, where one could order Porter House, t-bone, New York steak, fillet mignon, and the showstopper of a tomahawk steak.

Wash these down with Mews’ signature malunggay iced tea, which is a mix of malunggay, okra, ginger, and turmeric minus any bitter flavor and sweetened with muscovado.

“I try my best to make my dishes healthy. Both my parents died from diabetic complications, so I know first-hand the importance of eating healthy, organic food,” said Regresado. that one Michelin star may still take a while to secure, but dining at Mews—with its sleek décor, the well-curated artworks that adorn its walls, and the delicious Instagramworthy food it serves—is an experience surely even Gordon Ramsay would be happy to enjoy.

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Nordic dish salmon gravlax cured with beetroot

Chicken breast with mashed potato, carrot and broccoli puree, and thyme velouté

Eggs have become a symbol of Easter

‘Egg-citing’

Easter treats and surprises EVER wondered how eggs, chicks, and bunnies have come to symbolize Easter?

In the 13th century, ancient people believed that eggs symbolized the rock tomb of Christ, while the chick hatching out of the egg symbolized his resurrection. Eggs were also forbidden food during Lenten season thus people started painting and consumed them on Easter day to celebrate Christ coming back to life.

Easter bunnies are also associated with new life and the start of springtime. they say the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s when German immigrants brought “Osterhase,” an egg laying tradition. since then, the tradition spread across the United states and eventually included baskets with colorful eggs, chocolates, and candies. these Easter traditions continue to prosper and be cherished around the world. Easter sunday is often celebrated with fun and exciting egg hunt-

ing activities as well as chocolate and candy treats for kids. toy Kingdom and snack Exchange join those celebrating Easter with egg, chick, and bunny-themed treats and surprises.

An amazing Easter hunt awaits kids at toy Kingdom, where they will be treated to bunny, chick, and flower-inspired pails filled with pastel colored eggs in different sizes. Children will also have a new friend with the fluffy and huggable bunny plush toys that they can hug all day.

Meanwhile, snack Exchange offers Kinder Joy and Zaini milk chocolate eggs that come with cute toys inside, Dutche chocolates, and egg shaped lollipops in sweet colors, among many others.

These amazing treats are available at Snack Exchange and Toy Kingdom outlets in most SM Supermalls. Go to www.thesmstore.com for more details.

Colorful flower pails with bunny heads and overflowing eggs

Life

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monday, march 26, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

belVita breakfast biscuits are made from whole grain cereals

Nutritious and filling biscuit for people on the go McDonald’s treats displaced families in Marawi to free Longgadesal sandwiches

National Breakfast Day extends to

Albay and Marawi

O

N MARCH 19, fast food giant McDonald’s celebrated its annual National Breakfast Day by distributing thousands of free Longgadesal sandwiches to customers all over the country.

But prior to this one-day breakfast event, McDonald’s had brought the National Breakfast Day cheer to communities that were in need of an extra dose of positivity.

Families displaced due to the recent eruption of Mt. Mayon were the first to receive free Longgadesal sandwiches when McDonald’s gave thousands of its new product offering in five evacuation centers in Legazpi, Albay on March 5 and 6.

The team also visited the Bakwit Village Transition Shelter in Marawi last March 11. The evacuees who fled their homes during the armed conflict were delighted to taste the sandwich.

Children in Marawi are delighted to receive free breakfast

Evacuees in five evacuation centers in Legazpi, Albay receive free breakfast from McDonald’s

“National Breakfast Day has always been about giving customers a memorable breakfast experience,” said McDonald’s Philippines president and chief executive Kenneth yang.

He continued, “This year, McDonald’s reached out to our fellow Filipinos who are most in need, following recent events that happened in their communities. We’re happy that we were able to extend the goodness of a McDonald’s breakfast to our fellow countrymen in Albay and Marawi.”

Aside from giving away free breakfast treats, McDonald’s also featured inspiring stories of new beginnings or “bagong simula.” It presented the moving story of mothers who gave birth to children in evacuation centers during the Marawi siege.

The video features the visit of Atom Araullo, as he listened to the stories of the mothers’ everyday struggles and hopes—stories that echoed their desire to rebuild their lives. Amidst the difficulties of living away from their homes, they managed to nurture their newborns and remain hopeful for the future that lies ahead of them and their “Baby Bakwits.”

BuSy individuals who have no time to sit down for breakfast often rely on options that are quick, filling, and nutritious.

“We live in a fast-paced world where people have increasing awareness of their well-being needs but are sometimes challenged by the lack of time to prepare and eat a balanced breakfast,” said Anna Sapitan, marketing manager for Biscuits Category at Mondelez Philippines.

Reference from the Philippines’ adult energy and nutrient intake study published in the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology Journal in 2013 found out one in every five adults in the Philippines tends to skip breakfast. It is also discovered that in the National Capital Region, one in 10 consumes their breakfast outside their homes.

Recognizing the need for convenient and nutritious snack, the company brought to the Philippines belVita, a popular breakfast biscuit in the united Kingdom. “belVita is specially designed for breakfast,” said Princess Landicho, belVita brand manager. “Just pair it with a serving of dairy products and fruit for a balanced breakfast to help kick-start your morning with energy.

It is also a great on-the-run snack because of its convenient packaging.”

Celebrity couple yael yuzon and Karylle, who both lead a hectic and active lifestyle, turn to the breakfast biscuit as their filling breakfast food.

“We try to eat a balanced breakfast every morning. So we pair belVita with a piece of fruit and a glass of milk and we know we have everything we need to jumpstart our day,” shared Karylle. belVita breakfast biscuits are made from whole grain cereals, which include wheat and oat, and are fortified with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D, calcium, iron, and zinc. Each biscuit is baked using a gentle baking process, which helps preserve the nutritional quality of the ingredients.

As for the taste, yael likes how tasty and easy it is for him to have his breakfast. “I like belVita not only because it is convenient to eat but also because it’s really yummy. It’s easy to reach for and it fills me up just right.

When I want a delicious, healthy, and convenient breakfast, it’s the perfect go-to,” he mused. belVita is available in Milk and Cereal and Honey and Chocolate flavors. It is purposely packaged to help consumers exercise portion control; it is available in a four-pack box and single 20g pack that contains two biscuits.

sip

C2 Green Tea sporTs new look READy-to drink green tea C2 Cool and Clean launches a new, refreshing look but with the same taste that Filipinos have grown to love.

Inside each vibrant bottle is the same C2 that is brewed and bottled on the same day, ensuring a fresh and authentic drinking experience.

Made from 100 percent natural green tea leaves, C2 is packed with all the benefits that green tea or camellia sinensis has to offer.

This refreshing drink is C2 Cool and Clean’s new look available in Classic Green Tea, Green Tea Apple, Green Tea Lemon, Green Tea Dalandan, Green Tea Melon, and Red Tea Raspberry. It is available in 230ml, 355ml, 500ml, and 1 liter variants.

Follow C2 Cool and Clean on Facebook or @C2CoolandClean on Instagram for updates.

BiTEs

The Golden Duck Salted Egg Potato Crisps

salTed eGG Crisps for easTer

Families in evacuation centers in Albay receive not only free Longgadesal but an extra dose of positivity as well

WHEN baskets are filled with colorful eggs, chocolates, and candies on Easter Sunday, munch on Singapore’s tasty snack The Golden Duck Salted Egg Potato Crisps.

Each pack of TGD Salted Egg Crisps is made of high-quality potatoes and salted eggs, crafted by experienced hands under the masterful eyes of artisan chefs.

The Golden Duck Salted Egg Crisps are available at UP Town Center, Greenhills Promenade, The Podium, Power Plant Mall, Alabang Town Center, Newport Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, SM Mall of Asia, Robinsons Magnolia, and S&R branches nationwide.

MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘EAT, BULAGA!’

offers six heartfelt stories this Lenten Season Dinner in the Sky is a Belgian based novelty restaurant service which uses a crane to hoist its diners, table, and waiting staff 150 feet into the air.

Dinner In The Sky comes to Manila

LENTEN TRADITION. Vic Sotto, Maine Mendoza and Rita Avila in 'Taray ni Tatay,' one of 'Eat Bulaga's' Holy Week presentations.

I

N KEEPING with its tradition of bringing quality programming to Filipino viewers worldwide, longest running noontime variety program Eat, Bulaga! will share stories of love, hope and redemption this Lenten season.

The six-episode special will kick-off today with My Carinderia Girl and Haligi ng Pangarap, directed by Linnet Zurbano and Adolf Alix Jr., respectively.

Starring Ruby Rodriguez and Kenneth Medrano, My Carinderia Girl tells the story of an older woman who falls in love with a much younger man. Despite the criticisms they received, the two will prove love is accepting and knows no age. Joining this episode are Pauleen Luna, Luane Dy, Sinon Loresca, Tommy Penaflor and Kim Last.

In Haligi ng Pangarap, Alden Richards shares the small screen with Sen. Vicente “Tito” Sotto, Joey de Leon, and Tirso Cruz III in a story of a father whose faith, patience, love and dedication were tested when his son figured in a debilitating accident.

“It’s a story of acceptance and forgiveness. There’s no perfect family and we all go through difficult times in life. But if forgiveness is strong, we will learn to understand each other more,” Richards said.

The young actor added that he’s thankful to have finally been given the opportunity to work with Cruz.

“Tito Tirso is one of the respected actors in the industry.

Working with him is already an honor. I learned so much from him and I experienced firsthand his acting prowess. He’s such a great actor,” he shared.

Tomorrow, Holy Tuesday, child star Ryzza Mae Dizon will showcase her acting chops in A Daughter’s Love opposite Superstar, Nora Aunor. This episode is about a grieving mother who went through depression. Her daughter will do everything to make sure that their family will weather the storm.

Dizon said this is one of her most challenging roles to date.

“At first I got really nervous because I might mess up with my lines, but Ms. Nora told me to relax. She guided me in my role and treated me as if I’m her real daughter. I’m very happy that I got this chance to work with the Superstar,” she said.

Directed by Ricky Davao, A Daughter’s Love also stars Pia Guanio, Miss Millennial 2017 Julia Gonowon, Lui Manansala and Ana Roces.

Another treat for viewers on Holy Tuesday is Real Florido’s Pamilya. This family drama is about a prodigal son who returns home to his father. This episode is headlined by Ryan Agoncillo, Paolo Ballesteros, Baste, Jake Ejercito and senior actor Ronaldo Valdez.

Meanwhile, on Holy Wednesday, comedic duo Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola, with Miggy Tolentino, take center stage in Hating Kapatid, a story of friendship and the things one is willing to sacrifice to keep that special bond forever.

Tirso Cruz III and Alden Richard in 'Haligi ng Pangarap.'

Manalo said the story somehow reflects his personal relationship with Bayola. He said they’ve known each other so well that he treats the latter as his own brother. “We finish each other’s sentences. We see each other every day but more than what you see on TV, we have a deep trust and confidence on each other.”

LA Madridejos directs Hating Kapatid.

Capping Eat, Bulaga! Lenten Special is Alix’s Taray ni Tatay, starring Vic Sotto and Maine Mendoza with Allan K, Jimmy Santos, Anjo Yllana, Rita Avila and with the special participation of Kendoll (Tenten). It tells the story of a single father who kept his sexuality and other family secrets from his daughter.

Mendoza recalled that she had a hard time getting into her role after months of not doing any acting project. She said Sotto helped her find her A-game.

“It was frustrating at first because there were scenes that I cannot do on my own even if I’m very focused and motivated. Bossing made me feel comfortable on the set and guided me in finding the story behind my character,” Maine said.

Asked why viewers should watch this year’s Lenten Special, Mendoza said the stories reflect the everyday struggle and uncertainties of people. She said it will remind us that there is hope, light and love even in the darkest hours and testing times.

“In the time when we often take for granted the love and trust of the people around us, it’s nice to pause sometimes and re-examine the life we live and just be thankful for the gift of family and friends,” Maine shared.

Eat, Bulaga! Lenten Special airs today until March 28 on GMA Network.

‘Unang Hirit’ live Holy Week coverage from Israel UNANG Hirit goes to the Holy Land in Israel this Holy Week with Rhea Santos anchoring the live telecast.

Santos takes viewers to various pilgrim sites connected to the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. These include: Bethphage—the place where Jesus entered the City of Jerusalem which is now commemorated every Palm Sunday; the Upper Room—the site of the Last Supper; and the Via Dolorosa—the path that Jesus walked on his way to his Crucifixion.

Unang Hirit will also feature the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the present Mt. Calvary where Jesus was crucified and the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid to rest.

Included in Santos’ itinerary is a visit to other places that were part of Jesus’ life such as Bethlehem where he was born, the Jordan River where he was baptized, the Sea of Galilee where Jesus walked on water, and the Mount of Temptation where Jesus was tempted by the devil.

This live Lenten coverage from the Holy Land in Israel runs until March 28. It aims to make the coming Holy Week more meaningful for Filipino viewers. Selected reports also air on 24 Oras.

A first on Philippine television, Unang Hirit will also be featuring local customs, finds and food haunts.

Broadcast journalist Rhea Santos anchors 'Unang Hirit' telecast live from Israel.

IF YOU think you are adventurous with your food, then there is something new that you should try.

Belgium-based novelty dining service Dinner In The Sky brings its unique experience to Filipino thrill-seekers and foreign tourists on April 3 at the lush landscaped grounds of Solaire Resort and Casino in Paranaque City.

The sky dining experience, which has earned for itself a spot on Forbes Magazine’s list of the world’s Top 10 Most Unusual Restaurants, brings gourmands to literal culinary heights as it hoists its table, and waitstaff 150 feet into the air, giving them an amazing bird’s-eye view of a city or a country.

This thrilling culinary adventure is organized by MMI Live, and coorganized by DITS Asia, with the exquisite world-class cuisine prepared by three of Solaire Resort and Casino’s chefs, followed by Chef Kenneth Cacho, and Michelin-starred Chef Yves Mattagne of Sea Grill in Brussels, Belgium.

Dinner In The Sky is packaged from P9,990.00 that includes a fourcourse exclusive dinner, a perfect view of Manila, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience worth going for.

Started in May 2006 in Brussels, Belgium, there have been over 5,000 events so far, in more than 45 cities around the world. Amongst the iconic locations where Dinner In The Sky has taken place include the Strip of Las Vegas, the gardens of the King David Hotel, the Marina of Dubai, the hills of the Villa Borghese, the banks of the St. Lawrence River, the beach of Copacabana, Cape Town Bay, and the Petronas Twin Tower in Kuala Lumpur.

Solaire Resort and Casino is its next stop, with diners enjoying a breathtaking view of the famed Manila Bay sunset.

Dinner in the Sky observes international safety measures to an utmost level, with seated guests wearing safety belts, and standing presenter and crew secured by safety harnesses at all times during the flight. Patrons will be given a briefing by a safety supervisor about all the safety regulations prior to the flight and will be in constant communication with crane operator and ground crew.

Arvin Randahwa, CEO of DITS ASIA, says, “The Philippines is the third country in Southeast Asia in which the Dinner In The Sky experience is taking place. We are especially excited about its launch, as Filipinos are known to be adventurous and fun-loving people. This experience will be a good boost to the country’s variety of culinary outlets, and both locals and tourists alike should not miss this once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are also excited to work with our local Filipino partners, who share our vision in making the event an unforgettable one for everyone.”

Randahwa further says that the Philippines has been enjoying tremendous progress, making Filipinos today truly globalized, at pace with the trends happening in the rest of the world.

“The Philippines is ripe for the picking – to be a stop for a unique, world-class dining experience such as Dinner in the Sky,” Randahwa adds.

Rhiza Pascua, CEO of MMI Live, says, “It’s about time Filipinos experience the best in the world in our own shores, for the Philippines to become a destination for culinary adventures and one-of-a-kind experiences. We deserve it.” Lorenzo Manalang, VP for Brand & Marketing of Solaire Resort and Casino shares, “As we celebrate our 5th anniversary, Solaire brings you yet another world-class experience. Dinner In The Sky is a bold testament to our commitment to continuously give our guests memorable experiences that no other property in the Philippines has done before.”

And Robbert Pupping, director for Food & Beverage adds, “Looking beyond our 5th year, we aim to be bolder and brighter with our restaurant concepts and offers. Dinner In The Sky at Solaire Resort and Casino is just the beginning as we explore more avenues to give our guests culinary ingenuity at its finest.”

For more information on booking

procedures about Dinner in the Sky Philippines, visit www.dinnerinthesky. ph. Take a look at our teaser video here: bit. ly/DITSPHTVC * * * ABS-CBN’s newest fantasy series Bagani, which stars Liza Soberano, Matteo Guidicelli, Sofia Andres, Makisig Morales, and Enrique Gil, instantly captivated viewers nationwide with its pilot episode on March 5.

The series registered a national TV rating of 35.5 percent or more than double than that of its rival Kambal, Karibal’s 15.4 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Aside from winning the ratings, Bagani’s official hashtag #UnangSabakngBagani also topped Twitter’s list of trending topics worldwide as netizens posted their positive comments about the pilot episode.

Fans lauded the series’ top caliber production value and even compared the show to well-loved foreign series Star Wars and Game of Thrones.

Bagani airs weeknights after FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167). *** Two of the Philippines’ top rating and most successful primetime dramas, Bridges of Love and The Legal Wife, have started airing on Thailand’s biggest TV network, JKN. “We chose to air The Legal Wife in Thailand because the content of the series resonates with Thai family and culture,” said Anne Jakkraphong Jakrajutatip, CEO of JKN Global Media Public Company Limited.

“Bridges of Love, meanwhile, was chosen because of its intense storyline and the interesting dynamics of the lead roles in the series. This gives Thai viewers a new taste of entertainment,” she added.

Anne also shared that JKN Global even produced Thai soundtracks for the Thai audience to easily connect with both dramas.

Bridges of Love stars Jericho Rosales,Paulo Avelino, and Maja Salvador. It tells the story of brothers Gael and Carlos separated by an unfortunate incident when they were young and crossed paths many years later as two different individuals competing for the love of one woman, Mia. Meanwhile, The Legal Wife, also with Jericho with International Emmy Awards-nominated actress Angel Locsin, follows the story of couple Adrian (Jericho) and Monica (Angel) and how the former’s infidelity slowly destroyed their marriage.

The series was well received by viewers nationwide as it enjoyed high TV ratings and even sparked discussions on marriage and infidelity. The show’s talked about catfights and dramatic scenes also went viral online, with fans creating their own parodies and memes. *** Jona released not just one but two distinct versions of her hit single “Till The End Of Time” on March 9, in celebration of the first anniversary of her certified gold and platinum album for Star Music.

The MYX Music Awards 2018 Female Artist of the Year nominee sings the exciting pop collaboration, “Take It To Forever” (“Till The End Of Time” pt. 2) together with R&B Royalty Jay R and international rapper Req. The Birit Queen also remakes the song solo with club remixes, depicting a different vocal style from one of today’s most in-demand singers.

Both the pop and club remix versions are produced by Star Music audio content head, Jonathan Manalo.

The original “Till The End Of Time” single, a collaboration with BoybandPH, was released last year as part of Jona’s self-titled album.

Download the “Till The End Of Time” club remix and “Take It To Forever” single, available in digital stores starting Friday (March 9).

For more details on Jona’s music, visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH.

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MONDAY, MARCH 26, 2018 advertise@manilastandard.net

PhilHealth: 23 Years of Service to the Filipino people T WENTY three (23) years has passed since the Filipino people first hoped for a program that will ensure their health. Over the years, the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP) has made various important strides to make sure that every Filipino is provided with financial risk protection against the ever-increasing cost of medical care services.

As the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) turns 23, let us take a look at some of the more significant programs, projects, linkages and technological innovations that created an impact on the NHIP’s various stakeholders.

Expanding Membership Mechanisms 1. Enrollment of Kasambahay, Senior Citizens, orphans and abandoned children, Dual Citizens and Foreign Nationals PhilHealth firmly believes that everyone has the right to health, hence, the premier health insurer extends benefits to the rest of the population who are not yet covered. Now, PhilHealth has joined hands with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure that orphans, abandoned and abused children and other minor children are provided with social health insurance coverage. In addition, the Senior Citizens, Kasambahays and even dual citizens and foreign nationals living in the country are also covered.

2 . PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn (PAMANA) Project The enrollment of families under the PAMANA program of the government is a result of the collaboration with the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). The beneficiaries of members in the program are entitled to all benefits under the NHIP. 3. Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program The Sajahatra Bangsamoro Program is a product of an agreement between the national government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) which aims to maintain peace in Mindanao through the implementation of health, education and livelihood programs. PhilHealth is one of the agencies implementing the comprehensive agreement by extending membership and providing social health insurance benefits under the Sponsored Program.

4. Point of Service (POS) / Point of Care (POC) An allocated sum of P3 billion set into motion the Point of Service (POS) Program of PhilHealth in 2017. It granted PhilHealth coverage to Filipinos who do not have the means to pay for health services at the time of hospitalization. A similar policy was implemented in 2013 called Point of Care (POC) Program alongside the massive enrollment of the poor and elderly, which seeks to automatically provide social health insurance entitlement upon hospital admission after an assessment of the potential beneficiary.

Making SHI Benefits Matter 5. All Case Rates The shift from fee-for-service to case rates for medical and surgical cases was prompted by developments taking place in the health care industry, most notable of which is the need to provide optimal financial risk protection especially to the most vulnerable groups, including the poorest of the poor. Under this payment mechanism, all compensable medical conditions and surgical procedures have a pre-determined fixed amount of benefits, thereby enabling members to know exactly how much PhilHealth will be paying for the illnesses that caused them their hospitalization or medical treatment.

6. Z Benefit Packages The Z Benefit Packages aim to increase financial risk protection for PhilHealth members, especially the underprivileged, through the delivery of quality care using cost-efficient interventions that are based on approved clinical protocols and guidelines. The package includes treatment for certain types of cancer and other illnesses that are considered catastrophic in nature and it ensures that patients are given the acceptable standards of care at the appropriate time. Now, there are 17Z Benefits that may be availed of in PhilHealth-contracted hospitals and health care facilities.

7. No Balance Billing In 2011, PhilHealth introduced the No Balance Billing (NBB) Policy, which provides that no other fees or expenses shall be charged to or be paid for by the indigent patients above and beyond what PhilHealth pays for. Today, this policy has been extended to Sponsored members, Kasambahay, Senior Citizens and Lifetime Program members, to demonstrate what financial risk protection is, especially for the more vulnerable sectors of society.

Maximizing Technological Innovations 8. Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS) Employers from all over the country are now benefitting from the Electronic Premium Remittance System (EPRS), a web-based innovation where generation

of statement of account, online remittance of premium contributions and posting of payments have significantly unburdened the PhilHealth Employers’ Engagement Representatives (PEERs). Today, remittance of premium contributions, as well as submission of remittance reports can be done online.

9. Electronic Claims (eClaims) Electronic Claims or E-claims aims to provide health care institutions (HCIs) with the online capability to verify a patient’s eligibility for health insurance, submit claims electronically, and track the status of claim reimbursement.

PhilHealth has accredited at least seven (7) health information technology providers (HITP) to provide HCIs with the means to connect to PhilHealth and transact business electronically. For now, accredited HCIs may tap HITPs, electronic medical records, or in-house developed software solutions duly certified by PhilHealth to implement the eClaims.

10. All Case Rates Search Engine and Mobile Application To keep up with the mobile app trend and to provide its clientele with ready access to information on benefits anytime and anywhere, PhilHealth created the All Case Rates Search Engine in 2015. Found in the homepage of www. philhealth.gov.ph, this facility provides details of and describes the illnesses and conditions, including the amount paid for by PhilHealth to accredited hospitals and doctors as well as the categories of hospitals where the benefits may be availed of. The same access is now available for Android mobile phone users through the ACR Search Engine Mobile App. 11. Member Inquiry Facility Members of PhilHealth may now check on the accuracy of their member data records (MDR) through the Member Inquiry Facility that can be found on the homepage of www.philhealth.gov.ph.

The facility allows members to verify the accuracy of the information reflected in their membership profiles such as name, date of birth, address, employer, names of dependents, and other pertinent personal details.

12. HCI Portal In 2014, PhilHealth required its accredited HCIs to install the HCI Portal, which serves as an electronic gateway. The HCI Portal simplifies the filing of PhilHealth claims and availment procedures by reducing documentary requirements. The PhilHealth Benefit Eligibility Form (PBEF) which the portal generates, effectively replaces the MDR and ascertains the eligibility of the member or his dependents to avail of the benefits at point-of-service. Today, about 90 percent of accredited hospitals nationwide are using the HCI Portal.

13. 24/7 Action Center The PhilHealth Call Center started operating round-the-clock in August last year to address stakeholders’ concerns, especially those needing immediate responses.

Members may now call the 24/7 hotline to inquire about their membership, how and where to avail of benefits, and other concerns.

Promoting Quality Standards 14. Enhanced Benchbook The enhanced Benchbook for accredited HCIs aims to ensure that quality service is provided to PhilHealth members. The Benchbook two categories focusing on the assessment of the capability of each facility that may want to be part of the implementation of the NHIP. First is the “Patient-Centered Standards” with seven (7) aspects; and the “Facility-Centered Standards” with six (6) aspects.

15. Health Care Provider Performance Assessment Standards (HCP-PAS) PhilHealth continues to strengthen the mechanisms to monitor the performance of accredited health care providers (HCPs), assess the outcomes of the services they render and provide feedback to the HCIs as well as to the public. The HCPPAS aims to standardize the process of monitoring if the accredited health care facilities respond to their commitments to the NHIP in terms of providing medical benefits with the correct level of quality and responding to financial protection against the high cost of medical expenses.

Honoring Service Quality 16. ISO 9001:2008 Certified As one of the government agencies with at least 90 million members relying on its services and social health insurance benefits, PhilHealth takes pride in being an ISO 9001:2008 certified in all its offices nationwide. The ISO 9001:2008 certification is being granted to organizations that demonstrated high standards of customer service with a commitment to continuously innovate to further meet the expectations of their clients.

17. ARTA Frontline Service Champion PhilHealth was recognized by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as one of the Frontline Service Champions or leading government agencies in the implementation of the Anti-Red Tape Act or ARTA Program this year. PhilHealth was also awarded as one of the “Seal of Excellence Hall of Famers” due to the 67 SEA Awards it garnered from the CSC. 18. ASSA Awards Four (4) special recognition awards were granted to PhilHealth during the 34th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting held in Thailand. These are the Customer Service Recognition Awards for the Guaranteed Health Benefits and Priority Settings to Maximize Health Outcomes and All Case Rates Search Mobile Application; Innovation Recognition Award for the Institutional Health Care Provider Portal; and the Strategic Communication Recognition Award for the Development of PhilHealth Learner’s Material for the Basic Education Program of the Philippines: Planting the Seed of Sustainability.

19.

Philippine Government Best Practice The PhilHealth Customer Assistance, Relations and Empowerment Staff or PCARES project was recognized in the Philippine Government Best Practice competition organized by the Development Academy of the Philippines. As one of the winners, the PCARES automatically gained a slot in the 4th International Best Practice Competition organized by the Center for Organizational Excellence Research of New Zealand.

20.

Compliance to Freedom of Information PhilHealth was recently certified by the Presidential Communications Operations Office as compliant to the Executive Order mandating the practice of Freedom of Information to ensure transparency in government operations.

Providing Policy Support 21. Revised QuasiJudicial Provisions The revisions covered Sections 75188 of the IRR which primarily dealt with

the quasi-judicial powers of PhilHealth in relation to violations committed by stakeholders consisting of healthcare providers, healthcare professionals and members against the PhilHealth Charter and its IRR, PhilHealth Issuances and other policies relative to the implementation of the NHIP. The IRR revision was primarily undertaken to streamline administrative processes to facilitate and hasten the disposition of administrative cases filed before PhilHealth against healthcare providers, healthcare professionals and members for a more efficient implementation of the NHIP. Strengthening Information Dissemination 22. PhilHealth Learner’s Manual PhilHealth has initiated a full scale partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) in order to integrate the social health insurance (SHI) module in the basic to tertiary education curriculum. The program was first introduced to students in the tertiary level of Sultan Kudarat Educational Institution (SKEI) in Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat in 2015 and was later implemented in Rizal High School in Pasig City for their basic education in the same year.

23. Television Program and Facebook LIVE On October 25, 2017, PhilHealth’s weekly TV program, “Kalusugan Mo, Sagot Ko” first aired on People’s Television 4. The TV program aims to further spread relevant information regarding the NHIP so that more members will learn about the NHIP and PhilHealth. The program is aired every Wednesday, 10:00 am to 10:30 am.

The PhilHealth Regional Office - Cordillera Administrative Region airs its weekly program through Facebook LIVE since April 6, 2017. Titled “PhilHealth CAR@Your Service,” it tackles new developments and policies in PhilHealth as well as responds to the queries of its viewers. The FB LIVE can be viewed every Friday from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.