Manila Standard - 2018 May 10 - Thursday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 84 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Du30 69th most powerful—Forbes

By Vito Barcelo

by saying the true source of his power was the people.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte was again In a statement, Presidential Spokesman named one of the most powerful people in Harry Roque said that, for almost two years the world this year, this time by Forbes mag- in office, Duterte had faithfully served the Next page azine, but Malacañang quickly defended him

Graft body targets son of Duterte

By Rio N. Araja and Vito Barcelo

O

MBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales said resigned Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte is now the subject of a preliminary investigation into his supposed ill-gotten wealth.

New DoT chief gets marching order from Rody

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Maricel V. Cruz

Bernadette Romulo-Puyat

Emojis on ballots won’t count

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan HASHTAGS, emojis, and hearts are definitely unwelcome when voters cast their ballots in the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elecNext page tions.

Kapitan

# Kagawad SK

Flying taxi to ease traffic LOS ANGELES--It’s not a bird, nor a plane. But Uber’s new prototype vehicle unveiled Tuesday shows off its vision of the future of transportation--a “flying taxi” that aims to alleviate urban congestion. Next page

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night told newly appointed Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat not to follow in the footsteps of other Cabinet members who had to leave office because of corruption.

In a television interview, Puyat said she thought the President was just joking when he offered her the job vacated by Wanda Teo, who resigned over a scandal in which P60 million in Department of Tourism funds paid for ads in a TV show produced by her brother, Ben Tulfo.

“I didn’t want to believe it because of the casual way he told me,” Puyat said in Filipino in an interview on ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda program.

Puyat said the President even introduced her as the Tourism secretary to former senator Sergio Osmeña III, who was also in Malacañang that time.

The President, she said, had only one request: “Don’t be corrupt, he told me, and I said of course.”

“I am overwhelmed, but honored that he actually thought of me and thought [about] giving me the position. I will not disappoint him,” she said.

Puyat said Duterte felt disappointed that he had to dismiss many of his friends due to allegations of corruption.

Romulo-Puyat is the daughter of former senator and Foreign Affairs secretary Alberto Romulo. Next page

“I was told that the investigation respecting his unexplained wealth has been closed and terminated. When you say closed and terminated, that is without prejudice to another investigation if warranted,” she said.

She said there was an investigation pending before the Office of the Ombudsman against a member of the presidential family.

Asked, she replied, “They [the investigators] said it is the vice mayor,” referring to Paolo Duterte.

She said her office does not keep any dossiers about the case against the younger Duterte since she inhibited herself from the case because her nephew Manases Carpio is the husband of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte, Paolo’s sister.

On May 2, the Ombudsman absolved Paolo and Manases of any involvement in the P6.4 billion worth of shabu smuggled through the Bureau of Customs for lack of evidence.

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV filed a complaint accusing Paolo of enriching himself.

Malacañang is taking a hands-off stance on the Ombudsman’s decision to investigate Paolo Duterte for his alleged ill-gotten wealth.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Palace Next page

Sereno returns to work, faces SC ouster decision

By Rey E. Requejo

NEXT CASE. Fortified Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno emerges from the Supreme Court building Wednesday with her lawyer and waves to supporters after returning from an indefinite leave two days before her peers, in a special en banc session, will discuss on Friday the quo warranto petition filed against her by Solicitor General Jose Calida. Norman Cruz

JUSTICE Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday ended her indefinite leave of absence two days before the Supreme Court holds its special en banc session Friday to resolve the quo warranto petition against her.

Sereno’s spokesperson, lawyer Carlo Cruz, announced that the chief justice decided to return to work after completing her preparation for her legal defenses for her forthcoming impeachment trial before the Senate.

“Now that the purpose of her leave of absence has been served, the chief justice will resume performing her constitutional mandate and discharging her responsibilities as head of the judiciary. Her return to her office is in full consonance with our Constitution,” Cruz said.

The Sereno camp agreed with the opinion of constitutionalist and former Supreme Court Justice Vicente Mendoza that the chief justice is legally within her rights to end her leave of absence and return to the office.

“Justice Mendoza stated that preventing her from resuming her post ‘would bring about a constitutional crisis and upset the balance of power in government,’” Cruz said.

Cruz said Sereno will preside over the special en banc session on Next page

House sees quo warranto rule upheld

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairman of the House committee on justice said Wednesday he believes the Supreme Court will vote in favor of the quo warranto petition filed against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, in the same manner they voted in favor of

her leave of absence in March.

“That is what I think. That is my reading also on the situation based on the earlier action made by the Supreme Court where the court en banc voted 13-0 in favor of her leave of absence,” said Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, the panel’s chairman.

Next page

Senator presses for probe of Tourism deal SENATOR Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday filed a resolution urging the Senate to probe the P60-million advertising deal between Bitag Media Unlimited Inc. and the Tourism department.

He called on the Senate’s tourism com-

mittee to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation into the deal with state-run Philippine Television Network Inc. that went to the advertisements for the show of resigned Tourism chief Wanda Tulfo-Teo’s Next page

HANDS SAY IT. Former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is surrounded by supporters Wednesday as he proceeds to the Supreme Court which he asked, sitting as the Presidential Election Tribunal, to expedite the manual recount of the votes in the vice presidential race in May 2016 where he lost to Leni Robredo with 14,418,817 votes, which were 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes. (Story on A2) Norman Cruz

A2

News

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PH-US starts war games in WPS; 8,000 taking part US AND Philippine troops stormed ashore from the disputed South China Sea on Wednesday for military exercises that President Rodrigo Duterte had promised to scrap, but quietly allowed to carry on.

The decades-old tradition appeared headed for the history books last year as a newly elected Duterte pivoted toward China—and away from longtime Philippine ally the US. But the number of troops taking part in the drills has increased by a third from last year to 8,000, a return to the figures seen in years past when the exercises served as a thinly veiled deterrent to a rising China.

Meanwhile, a maritime law expert said Wednesday Duterte’s planned visit to the Philippine Rise or Benham Rise next week would be “unfortunate.”

Jay Batongbacal, director of the UP Institute for Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, said the continental shelf was not a hotly contested area and the government should instead work on asserting its rights on the West Philippine Sea. “The fact that it’s happening now while these issues are flaring up again in the West Philippine Sea sort of gives our people a bad impression,” he told ANC’s Beyond Politics.

The reason for Duterte’s change of heart on the two-week drills codenamed “Balikatan”, or “Shoulderto-Shoulder”, may be down to what experts see as careful efforts by the Philippine military to restrain their unpredictable president. AFP

Kuwait frees 4 PH drivers in rescue bid KUWAITI authorities have released four Filipino embassy drivers who took part in the rescue of distressed Filipino household workers from abused employers, following the visit of a high-level Philippine team to normalize ties with the Gulf state, according to Malacañang on Wednesday.

The team, headed by Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, former Labor secretary Marianito Roque, Labor Attaché Rustico dela Fuente, and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kuwait Mohd Noordin Lomondot left for Kuwait Tuesday night upon the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte.

The delegation met officials from the Kuwaiti Interior Ministry as the Philippines and Kuwait “look forward to the normalization of ties,” the Palace statement said.

Kuwait officials expressed the value of Filipinos in Kuwait and assured the safety of thousands of Filipino workers there, mostly household helpers.

The Palace said an agreement is expected to be signed and agreed upon after the meeting.

Malacañang also said Kuwait has agreed to create a Special Unit from their police force which the Philippine Embassy staff can liaison with on complaints of Filipino workers, which will be open and available 24 hours. Vito Barcelo

Flying...

From A1

A model of Uber’s electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle concept (eVTOL)--a cross between a helicopter and a drone -- was displayed at the second annual UberElevate Summit in Los Angeles.

“Our goal is to radically improve global mobility,” said Uber Aviation product chief Nikhil Goel.

Goel said the all-electric flyer can achieve speeds over 300 kilometers (200 miles) an hour with a range of 100 kilometers (60 miles) on a battery charge.

“We fly a lot so we can prove to the FAA [Federal Aviation Administration] and the public that these aircraft are safe,” he said.

Uber has become a global force in transportation with its ridesharing service, but is also working on autonomous vehicles and other forms of transport.

Uber plans the first demonstration flights for Los Angeles in 2020 and commercialization of the flying taxis in 2023, saying these could be ordered on demand just like a ridesharing vehicle.

Eric Allison, who heads Uber’s Aviation programs, said the flying vehicles are part of an overall strategy allowing people to do without personal cars.

Marcos urges tribunal: Speed up vote recount

By Rey E. Requejo

F

ORMER senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday urged the Supreme Court, sitting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, to expedite its manual recount of the votes in the vice presidential race in May 2016.

Marking two years since he filed his election protest against Vice President Leni Robredo, Marcos appeared before the PET to witness the ongoing recount and to meet his supporters in front of the Supreme Court along Padre Faura.

“The recount is slow. I want to see how it can be improved and if we can do something to help speed up the process,” Marcos said.

Marcos filed his protest on June 29,

2016, claiming Robredo’s camp cheated in the elections.

Robredo won the vice presidential race with 14,418,817 votes, which were 263,473 more than Marcos’ 14,155,344 votes.

Marcos lamented how his election protest remained unresolved exactly two years after the May 9, 2016 elections.

“Two years is too long to keep the people waiting. What were the true

results in the last elections? If there are anomalies and mistakes, who are responsible?” Marcos said.

“If we still don’t know the real results, two years is too long for the people to wait. What happened and who is responsible for what happened?”

Marcos said he went to the PET to check on the system for the recount.

“We’re hoping to find ways to help the process to be finished ASAP,” he said.

Marcos did not discuss merits of the case or any update on the recount due to the gag order issued by the tribunal on both parties.

The recount covers three pilot provinces identified by Marcos in his protest against Robredo. He is contesting the results in 132,446 precincts in 39,221 clustered precincts covering 27 provinces and cities.

Boracay rehab seen prolonged—Budget BUDGET Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Wednesday that even after the sixmonth closure order of Boracay Island, its rehabilitation may be extended for next year.

As such, Diokno said, the extension may require additional budget allocations.

“There are some activities that might spill over to next year,” Diokno said at a media briefing.

“These are long-term projects like relocation of some informal settlers,” he added.

At the same time, however, Diokno assured the public that the six-month closure of the island will not be extended.

“Definitely, it will open... we will exhaust the six months or will be earlier,” Diokno said.

“Should agency programs or projects for Boracay rehabilitation spill over into

fiscal year 2019, agencies may also propose these in their budget proposals for the 2019 budget,” Diokno said.

He also assured the public that the government has enough funds to support the efforts in rehabilitating the island and assisting affected workers and residents affected by the temporary closure.

Diokno said concerned agencies such as the Departments of Environment, Tourism and Interior have their own budgetary requirements that they can use for rehab purposes.

The Budget chief also said that the national government’s contingent and calamity funds can also be tapped.

To date, the Department of Budget and Management has already released P448 million to the Department of Labor and Employment to cover financial assistance for 17,735 affected workers in the island.

The Department of Social Welfare and

Development, meanwhile, gave out P9.7 million in financial assistance to 4,129 displaced workers as of May 4.

Diokno said the DBM is set to release P490 million to the Department of Public Works and Highways for the Boracay circumferential road project even as the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority will spend P8 to P10 million from its own budget to rehabilitate the island’s waste water management system by constructing temporary outfalls, opening drainage systems, and declogging critical areas.

“Rest assured that the government has a work plan in the temporary closure of Boracay island. This plan does not only involve the physical rehabilitation of the once pristine Island, but also extends to the social welfare of the residents and workers to be affected,” Diokno said.

Graft...

advertisements in the “Kilos Pronto” program of her brother Ben Tulfo, saying that the project went through a bidding process and was reviewed by her department’s legal department.

The CoA, however, flagged the ad spend for lack of supporting documents including a memorandum of agreement.

In December, Paolo resigned as vice mayor after being dragged into the controversial smuggling of P6.4 billion worth of shabu at the Bureau of Customs and a public squabble with his teenage daughter, Isabelle.

The resigned vice mayor is facing a number of cases including graft, forfeiture, and perjury.

Morales on Wednesday also said Overall Deputy Ombudsman Melchor Carandang is facing an internal investigation for breach of confidentiality in the case involving President Rodrigo Duterte’s bank accounts.

Morales confirmed the probe into Carandang’s culpability, but admitted she never implemented the suspension order on him issued by the Office of the Executive Secretary in January because only the Ombudsman can impose disciplinary action on any deputy ombudsman.

Carandang may also face possible criminal culpability, she said.

Morales, along with Carandang, attended a recent justice forum in Quezon City.

“I did not implement the order. In light of the prevailing jurisprudence, it is the [Office of the] Ombudsman, not the President, that can discipline the deputy ombudsman,” she said.

Carandang earlier told media interview that the President had a cash flow close to P1 billion.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, who also took part in the justice forum, declined to comment when asked about the Ombudsman’s failure to implement the suspension order on Carandang.

Guevarra was the senior deputy executive secretary when Malacañang issued the suspension order.

The Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption filed a complaint with the Ombudsman, accusing Carandang of criminally violating the rule on bank confidentiality.

While the Deputy Ombudsman for Military and Other Law Enforcement Offices had closed and terminated the bank investigation on Duterte’s accounts over the refusal of the Anti-Money Laundering Council to cooperate, Morales said this would not prejudice another investigation, if warranted. With PNA

New...

and Arroyo, as senator and executive secretary, and as secretary of the Department of Finance and the Department of Foreign Affairs, respectively.

Puyat’s mother, Lovely Romulo, is also active in public service and was former chairperson of the National Council on Disability Affairs.

Her grandfather is Carlos P. Romulo, who became Minister of Foreign Affairs and president of the United Nations General Assembly.

Her brother is former Pasig City representative Roman Romulo.

Puyat is a widow. Her husband died due to heart attack.

Romulo-Puyat said she looked forward to continuing the initiatives started by her predecessor.

From A1

also left it to the Ombudsman to determine if resigned Tourism secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo and others behind the controversial P60-million advertising deal with PTV4 will be held accountable.

Roque said the Ombudsman has the power to investigate on its own and initiate proper action against public officers.

“We see this as part of the Ombudsman’s constitutional mandate to ensure public accountability,” Roque said.

Morales said all documents pertaining to Paolo’s investigation no longer pass through her office following her recusal on cases involving President’s family.

Roque said the Ombudsman would likely still investigate Teo even after she resigned, and even if her brother, whose show received P60 million in ad placements, returned the money.

“They have to look into the deal, which was flagged by the Commission on Audit [COA], to determine if Teo has in fact criminal liability,” Roque said.

Roque said the Palace also has its own investigation into the case.

Teo repeatedly denied having knowledge of PTV’s decision to place the DoT

Du30...

From A1

people by promoting the interests of the Filipino people and the Filipino nation first.

Duterte placed 69th in Forbes’ list of 75 influential people. It said the list selects one person out of every 100 million “whose actions mean the most.”

“Duterte’s raw and vulgar vocabulary keeps him in the headlines: he called Obama ‘son of a whore’ and has used homophobic slurs to describe opponents,” Forbes said.

The magazine also noted Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign that had resulted in “the killing of thousands of people.”

Landing on the top of the list was Chinese President Xi Jinping followed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.

In 2016, when Duterte was barely six months in office, Forbes placed him at number 70 on the list. It named Putin as the world’s most powerful person for a fourth straight year and US president-elect Trump the second most powerful.

The former Davao city mayor constantly made the headlines for cursing and for threatening to kill drug pushers and criminals.

However, the Palace claims Duterte� anti-drug war does not violate any human rights, and that the law enforcers continue to stay within the bounds of the law.

From A1

As a public servant, Romulo-Puyat served the three Presidents, Duterte, Benigno Aquino III and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

She served Arroyo administration as a consultant under the Presidential Management Staff.

She then served the Aquino government as undersecretary for special concerns at the Department of Agriculture.

Before her appointment, Puyat was the undersecretary for agribusiness and marketing, and regional engagement at the Department of Agriculture.

Her father also served three Presidents; the late Corazon Aquino; Fidel Ramos;

Senator...

From A1

brother, Ben Tulfo. BMUI received three checks amounting to P60,009,560 for carrying the ads.

Meanwhile, Malacañang has left it to the Ombudsman to determine if resigned Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo and other personalities should be held liable for the P60-million deal between the Tourism department and the state-run PTV. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Ombudsman would have to look into the deal, which was flagged by the Commission on Audit, to determine if Teo had criminal liability for it.

“It will have to be investigated by the Ombudsman to determine probable cause,” Roque said.

The tourism ads were aired on the news-type magazine program Kilos Pronto, a show produced by BMUI which is owned by Ben Tulfo. The program is also hosted by Ben, his brother Erwin, and broadcaster Alex Santos.

“It can bet surmised that the PTNI brokered ads for its own block timer, which is BMUI,” Trillanes said.

The deal was initially questioned by the Commission on Audit in an annual report that said the transaction between the PTNI, DOT and BMUI lacked supported documents. Trillanes cited this April 27, 2018 report in filing his resolution.

Sereno...

From A1

Friday, but she will recuse herself when the magistrates start deliberating on the quo warranto petition filed

by Solicitor General Jose Calida that seeks her removal from office, in accordance with the Code for Judicial Conduct and out of delicadeza.

Another Sereno spokesman, lawyer Jojo Lacanilao, said the top magistrate arrived around 7:30 a.m. at the Supreme Court to resume her duties.

In Sereno’s absence, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio was appointed acting chief justice.

Cruz said there was no need for Sereno to seek the permission of the en banc to resume her duties as chief justice.

He said Sereno had only an administrative duty to inform the Court about the end of her leave.

“She has returned and Associate Justice Carpio was in an acting capacity during her leave. But the leave is over, so the chief justice who remains the chief justice is taking over,” he said.

Cruz said Sereno is ready to preside over the special en banc session on Friday where the quo warranto petition is expected to be tackled and resolved by the Court.

“Of course, she will preside, but she… will inhibit herself when the quo warranto petition starts,” Cruz added.

Cruz said Carpio has been informed about Sereno’s return.

“Resignation has never been an option. She will not resign. She is fighting for what she has always maintained as the right thing. She is fighting for the truth and for the Constitution,” Cruz said.

Earlier Wednesday, the Court’s Public Information Office headed by Theodore Te announced that the Court en banc will hold a special session on Friday.

“As per acting Chief Justice Antonio T. Carpio, the Court en banc will hold a special en banc session on May 11, 2018 at 10:00 in the morning. Further advise will be given on that day as to whether there will be a media briefing thereafter,” the advisory read.

Sereno has questioned the haste being taken by her colleagues to resolve the case.

She said she wondered why her fellow justices would opted to resolve the quo warranto case during the Court’s decision-writing break.

“It’s really puzzling because there is no reason to rush [the decision],” Sereno said in a recent speech.

Cruz said Sereno is ready for whatever outcome.

“Now she is here to emphasize that she will adhere to lawful and constitutional process. If that would be the decision, we will see what [other] steps [there] would be, its either a motion of reconsideration. But it all depends on how they will decide,” Cruz said.

House...

From A1

“I think the numbers will no longer differ so much. If they differ, I guess it is just about one or two changing votes and siding with the chief justice,” he added.

Umali said the House would wait for the Court’s decision before proceeding with impeachment proceedings against Sereno, noting that if the quo warranto petition succeeds, there will no longer be an official to impeach.

He added that the House would “play it by ear” when it comes to preparing for a full-blown impeachment trial at the Senate, and acknowledged that a motion for reconsideration by Sereno was likely if the quo warranto petition is granted.

Umali also said he would recommend the impeachment complaint be archived only if an overwhelming majority of the justices vote to oust Sereno through the quo warranto petition.

Reports earlier said the Court will likely decide on the quo warranto petition on May 11 instead of March 17 as originally scheduled. Solicitor General Jose Calida filed the petition to question the validity of Sereno’s appointment to the office.

Emojis...

Commission on Elections spokesman James Jimenez warned that ballots with these markings maybe invalidated.

“Our message, especially to our youth, do not draw on the ballots. Do not sign it with a smiley,” said Comelec Spokesman James Jimenez in an interview.

“We’re advising young voters not to mark ballots in anyway, like hashtags, smiley face, hearts. Please avoid it because your ballots may be invalidated,” he added.

Jimenez said doodling on the ballots may hamper the capability of the Board of Election Tellers to correctly read the name of the candidates chosen by the voter.

“Because it’s a manual election, there are many variables in being able to interpret the ballots, such as legibility of the handwriting and cleanliness of the ballot,” the poll official explained.

Jimenez said they have a reason to believe that it would not be surprising to see doodles in the ballots considering the “novelty” of the manual elections.

News

A3

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 appoints Isko Moreno as DSWD usec

Gov’t workers to get mid-year bonus by May 15 —Budget

By Vito Barcelo FORMER Manila vice mayor and actor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso was named undersecretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development by President Rodrigo Duterte, along with three others to different government posts.

The appointment of Moreno, who resigned as chairman and chief executive officer of North Luzon Railways Corp. citing personal reasons, was signed last May 8 but was released only on Wednesday, May 9, the Palace said.

Moreno served as Manila vice mayor from 2007 to 2016 and ran for the Senate but lost.

Reports had circulated that he will run for mayor against incumbent city chief executive Joseph Estrada in 2019 local elections.

The President also appointed Antonio Joselito Lambino II as assistant secretary of the Department of Finance whose appointment is coterminus with the appointing authority, which is the President.

Lambino was the former Ayala Corp. head of Public Policy and associate director.

Also named were Sherwin Smith Rigor as undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Gerard Melocoton Camina as member of the board of directors of Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

DPWH warns vs posting poll materials on roads

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz THE Department of Public Works and Highways warned local candidates from posting election materials on roadright-of-way signs, especially road messages and street signs that obstruct the view of motorists and official traffic signs.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar issued the warning following reports that many barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates were illegally posting election materials to RROW posts, street and road messages which is strictly prohibited under PD 17 and PD 1096, known as Revised Philippine Highway Act and the National Building Code of the Philippines, respectively.

The warning is also directed to establishment owners and the general public from occupying or using RROW areas as gantry for their advertisements and extension of their offices or houses.

Gantry signs, which are commonly installed along roads to promote businesses or individuals especially during election season, are strictly prohibited as they obstruct or distract the view of motorists and official traffic signs.

“Poorly-installed signs likewise constitute serious hazards and pose imminent danger to the public in the event of strong winds and typhoons,” the Public Works chief said.

Under PD No. 17 and No. 1096, DPWH has the right to impose penalties to violators and file appropriate legal action pursuant to Administrative Order No. 160-A and the Civil Code of the Philippines.

Owners of signages obstructing government RROW are given 15 days to dismantle, otherwise DPWH Regional and District Engineering Office will have it removed, he said.

“Although DPWH field personnel nationwide continuously monitor and remove unnecessary signs within sixmeter easement on each direction of our national roads, we still ask the public to be of assistance and provide us with any information of RROW violations so we can immediately act them,” Villar added.

As this developed, lawmakers has urged the Bureau of Internal Revenue to reconsider its decision imposing tax on the honoraria and travel allowances of public school teachers who will serve in the May 14 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

SIMULATION. US marines aboard their assault amphibious vehicle simulate an amphibious landing as part of the annual joint

military exercise at the beach of Philippine Navy’s training camp in San Antonio, Zambales province northwest of Manila on May 9, 2018. The US and Philippine militaries launched major exercises on May 7 aimed at fighting global terrorism, while staying mostly quiet on Beijing’s reported installation of missiles in the disputed South China Sea. AFP

Justice Sandoval seeks Ombudsman top post

By Rio N. Araja

A

SIDE from Supreme Court Associate Justice Teresita de Castro, ex-Sandiganbayan presiding justice Edilberto Sandoval is also vying to replace Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales, who is about to retire in July.

Sandoval, chief of the Office of the Judicial and Bar Council to head the Special Prosecutor under the Office Ombudsman. of the Ombudsman, has confirmed He said he decided to apply on his that he has filed an application to the own, instead of seeking a nomination

from an endorser.

Sandoval was appointed as chief of the Office of the Special Prosecutor on July 2017.

In 1996, he started as a Sandiganbayan associate justice, then became a presiding justice in 2010.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brioin nominated De Castro, a vocal critic of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

After serving a full term of seven years at the Ombudsman, Morales will retire in July.

GOVERNMENT workers will receive their 2018 mid-year bonus equivalent to one-month basic salary starting May 15, the Department of Budget and Management announced on Wednesday.

In a statement, DBM Secretary Benjamin Diokno said a total of P36.2 billion has been allocated for the midyear bonuses of more than 1.5 million government employees. “The amounts required for the grant of FY [fiscal year] 2018 Mid-Year Bonus to personnel of National Government Agencies are charged against the agency-specific allocation for the payment of MidYear Bonus under the FY 2018 GAA [General Appropriations Act],” Diokno said.

Diokno cited Budget Circular No. 2017-2 which states that those who are qualified for a mid-year bonus include employees who have rendered at least four months of service from July 1, 2017 to May 15, 2018, remained in active government service as of May 15, and obtained at least a satisfactory performance rating in the applicable performance appraisal period.

The budget circular covers all positions of civilian personnel whether regular, contractual or casual in nature, appointive or elective, full-time or part-time created in the executive, legislative and judicial branches, constitutional commissions and other constitutional offices. Also covered are officials and employees of various local government units including barangays, and military uniformed personnel.

He said the funding requirement for the mid-year bonus has already been released to the agencies through the GAA. PNA

Drug lords tell ‘Bato’ how to solve NBP drug trade

By Francisco Tuyay

WATER FORUM. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator Reynaldo V. Velasco addresses a water and energy forum hosted by Danish Embassy in the Philippines at Dusit Thani in Makati City. Velasco underscored the successful Private- Public Partnership and the overall water security and sewerage programs of the Duterte administration in tandem with the three concessionaires namely Maynilad, Manila Water and Bulacan Bulk Water. He also reported on the updates of the 650 MLD Kaliwa Dam Project now being bid out to three Chinese contractors as part of the Chinese ODA. Velasco is shown exchanging notes with Denmark Ambassador Jan Top Christensen and Minister Brian Mikkelsen for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs.

EIGHT convicted drug lords detained at the compound of the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Camp Aguinaldo have proposed a formula to solve the country’s drug problem.

The formula was presented to newly-designated Bureau of Corrections chief Ronald dela Rosa who visited them at their tightlyguarded cells in Camp Aguinaldo Wednesday morning.

But Dela Rosa refused to share what the supposed blueprint the inmates had suggested to him to help stamp out the illegal drugs trade, although he viewed it as “viable.”

“In fairness to them, they had many suggestions and recommendations on how to stop the illegal drug trade inside the Bilibid Prison,” Dela Rosa said.

When pressed to cite some of the mechanics of the solution the drug convicts had suggested, Dela Rosa declined but said that there are three basic elements of identifying the mechanism on who, what and where.

“It’s confidential, between us na lang yun, alam nila kung sino dapat, ano dapat, at saan dapat. Basta yun ang mga suggestions nila, mukhang maganda, gagawin ko yun,” he said.

CA rejects Ampatuan’s plea for bail on massacre

COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS

By Rey E. Requejo

ANNOUNCEMENT

THE Court of Appeals has sustained the ruling issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court denying the motion for bail filed by former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Zaldy Ampatuan, one of the principal accused in the Maguindanao massacre case.

In a 23-page decision, the CA’s Special Eight Division through Associate Justice Marie Christine Azcarraga-Jacob, dismissed the petition filed by Ampatuan seeking to annul and set aside the joint order issued by the Quezon City RTC, Branch 221, Presiding Judge Jocelyn Solis-Reyes who denied his plea for bail.

Ampatuan is one of the principal suspects in the 58 counts of murder filed by Department of Justice in

connection with the Maguindanao massacre.

The former ARMM governor has been accused of conspiring with 196 other accused, which include his father, the late Datu Andal Ampatuan, Sr. and his brother Datu Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan.

In ruling against Ampatuan, the appellate court stressed that the testimonies of several prosecution witnesses “appeared to be in uniform and consistently shown” that the former governor joined various discussions with his family members on how to carry out the crimes.

“When the grant of bail is discretionary, the prosecution has the burden of showing that the evidence of guilt against the accused is strong.

On this score, the determination of whether or not the evidence of guilt is strong, being a matter of judicial

discretion remains with the judge,” the CA ruled.

“In the instant case, the evidence on record would suggest that, while there may be doubts as to petitioner’s over act that may result in his criminal liability by reason of conspiracy, the presumption is great that he is probably guilty of the charges, therefore bail should be refused,” it said.

Besides, the appellate court said that the denial of Ampatuan’s petition for bail by the trial court was not unreasonable and in fact, was the result of a thorough assessment of the evidence presented before the trial court.

Associate Justices Samuel Gaerlan and Ramon Paul Hernando concurred with the ruling.

Fifty-eight people, including media workers, died during the Nov. 23, 2009 massacre.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) for confirmation the ad interim appointments of the following officers in the Armed Forces of the Philippines: To the rank of General Carlito G. Galvez Jr., AFP To the rank of Lieutenant General Arnel B. Dela Vega, AFP To the rank of Brigadier General Greg T. Almerol, PA (GSC) The public may submit any information, written report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointments to the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, D. Macapagal Blvd., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

For the schedule of the public hearings and any other inquiry, contact the CA Secretariat through telephone numbers 551-7532, 831-0893, 831-1824, 834-2706, 831-1566 and 834-2713.

09 May 2018.

HECTOR A. VILLACORTA Secretary (MS-MAY 10, 2018)

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

All things equal

‘A done deal’ net worth. In the case of the President, Vice President, members of the Cabinet, Congress, the Supreme Court and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with general A NATIONAL broadsheet’s headline or flag rank, the declaration shall be yesterday said: “Sereno ouster a done disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law. deal.”

In the case of Sereno, her ouster I can believe that. Logic and reason dictate that the quo warranto case then could be in means other than against Supreme Court Justice Maria impeachment.

For her and her lawyers to argue that Lourdes Sereno clearly questions her qualifications as head of the judiciary. the quo warranto proceeding will lead It was shown that Sereno failed to to tyranny shows flawed thinking.

There is talk that Justices Marvic file all her Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth and to pay her Leonen and Benjamin Caguioa may vote for Sereno. This is not surprising taxes correspondingly.

While there is a constitutional provi- —they were Aquino appointees.

Justice Antonio Carpio is also presion on impeaching specific officials, the quo warranto proceedings exist dicted to vote for Sereno—although I as an option in questioning such of- doubt that, since I know Carpio knows ficials’ appointment in the first place. his law.

From my point of view, Sereno is A quo warranto case is thus justified to question Sereno’s assumption history. Only a miracle will save her. as chief justice. We must distinguish Goodbye, Madam Chief Justice! *** between quo warIn the light of ranto and imthe coming decipeachment. sion on Sereno’s The argument fate, I wonder: foisted by SerGoodbye, Madam Do all public ofeno and her ilk is ficers and emknown as “build- Chief Justice! ployees comply ing a strawman,” with the SALN meaning that the requirement? argument has not I don’t think logic to stand on.

The quo warranto case questions her so. The Civil Service Commission right to be chief justice for her failure, does not require such compliance.

The real intention of this requireintentionally or otherwise, to comply with the mandatory provisions of the ment is to know the assets and liabiliConstitution, failure in which would ties of officials when they started in amount to betrayal of public trust. government, and whether they enThis not only applies to impeachable riched themselves.

It may be difficult to comply with officials, but to all government emthis, but it is a reminder that governployees.

The same article says public office is ment service is mostly a sacrifice, and a public trust. Public officers and em- not a way to enrich oneself. *** ployees must at all times be accountThe appointment of Bernadette able to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty Romulo Puyat as the new secretary of and efficiency, act with patriotism and tourism could help enable the country to compete with our neighbors in justice, and lead modest lives.

The above provision is very clear. It terms of attracting foreign tourists.

Berna is the daughter of my good leaves no room for doubt. friend, former Foreign Affairs SecAnd then we come to Section 17 of Article XI which can apply to Sereno retary Albert Romulo. She comes in despite the fact that she is an impeach- untainted, as her father had remained able public official. The Constitution all throughout his stay in government.

Berna’s job is basically marketing provides that a public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of of- and promotions. In other words, she fice, and as often thereafter as may be will be a salesperson who will prorequired by law, submit a declaration mote our hospitality as a people and under oath of his assets liabilities and our stunning natural resources.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

P

ONDERING the prospects of overseas workers in Kuwait who may have to go back home due to the current diplomatic controversy, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said: “I think if you’re hardworking, you won’t go hungry in the Philippines.”

The statement elicited adverse reactions from the public, especially since most of the millions who decide to find jobs in other countries do so exactly because they could not find sustainable work here that would provide comfort, security and upward mobility to their families.

Diokno is highly regarded for his competence and objectivity as an economist. He should know better —which is why the statement came off as both callous and surprising.

The Secretary of course provided context—the government’s

Build, Build, Build program—for his words. “We need more warm bodies... We need more electricians. We need more engineers.

Some teachers, yes, we can absorb them.”

He stays silent however on the job opportunities the thousands of domestic workers can expect to find here when they return.

The statement rankles because it implies that those who cannot find work here, or those who go hungry, are not doing enough and are not hardworking—in short, indolent.

Arguably, this will be true in some instances, not because they are lazy Filipinos but because as anywhere, there are people who are more driven than others to make their lives better, and who do not give up easily even when they face setbacks.

We would like to believe however that all things being equal, most people would want to be driven, hardworking and selfreliant, able to imagine upward mobility for themselves.

Unfortunately, things are not

equal, and starting points are diverse. Some Filipinos are able to focus on improving their skills and establishing a viable career path, because the basic requirements of food, shelter, clothing, and education are already taken care of.

They are a minority.

Most Filipinos have to struggle with basic necessities. There is not enough food on the table, there is nowhere to live, education is a luxury. And because energy is finite, they are worn down by the daily struggle, with little left for everything else. The cycle is indeed, vicious.

The Budget Secretary is steeped in the workings of economic theory and may have not had the opportunity to converse with real people and their real struggles.

Instead of hinting that the poor are not working hard enough, Diokno—the entire administration—should themselves work hard to provide opportunities so that Filipinos could narrow the privilege gap and have equally fair shots at improving their lives.

The Highway Patrol’s 63rd anniversary 12 officers and 41 enlisted personnel with 12 jeeps all coming from the 10th Battalion Combat Team of the Philippine Army. Within three years, howFLORENCIO ever, the unit expanded to eight traffic FIANZA districts nationwide with 32 new units THE Philippine National Police Traf- of Ford Fairlane sedans. As the unit fic Management Group celebrated its expanded, its reputation grew. The 63rd founding anniversary yesterday Trafcon was tasked to assist in various in Camp Crame. The TMG is one of national events like the management the oldest operational national support of traffic during the 10th Boys Scout units of the PNP. It was created due World Jamboree in Mt. Makiling, Lato the fatal vehicular accident of two guna. In 1960, the motorcycle unit was congressmen in what is now the Mac- organized with the now famous boots, sam brown belt arthur highway on and crash helmets Nov. 4, 1954. with sun glasses Upon its actiwhich the public vation, the Trafhave grown acfic Control Group Today the unit is customed to. This as it was origi- 1,700-strong and function of the nally known, was scattered all over the TMG of escortplaced under the ing and managthen Philippine country. ing traffic during Constabulary. The big international original duties of events such as the the Trafcon was Asean summit, the enforcement of traffic safety laws, general supervi- APEC and ADB conferences continue sion of local police forces with regards to this day.

Today, the unit is about 1,700 to the enforcement of traffic laws, assistance to the Bureau of Land Trans- strong, scattered all over the country. portation (now the LTO), the enforce- It is headed by Chief Superintendent ment of driver’s licenses and motor Arnel B. Escobal, a graduate of the vehicle registration and regulations Philippine Military Academy. The duties of the TMG have also increased with regards public carriers.

These duties have evolved over time. over the years. Yes, it still issues The original unit was composed of Turn to A5

DUTY CALLS

Helicopter taxi apps offer escape from traffic-choked megacities

By Elizabeth Law and Harry Pearl WITHIN minutes of using an app to book a ride, Agostino Fernandes was looking down on lush greenery from a helicopter taxi high above Bangalore —one of several Uber-style chopper services taking off to help commuters tackle increasingly congested megacities.

In under 30 minutes—a quarter of the time it would have taken from downtown Bangalore by road—Fernandes was strolling through Kempegowda International Airport to his gate.

“It’s much better than the usual car or taxi because it saves time,” he told AFP. “And for a city like Bangalore, which they call India’s green capital because of the parks and gardens, you get a very nice view.”

From New York to Jakarta, chopperhailing services have been taking off to help commuters beat the traffic chaos.

Private helicopter charters have been available for decades—at a price—but the latest services are far cheaper and more accessible to the public, allowing anyone with a smartphone and a credit

card to order a ride with relative ease.

Sameer Rehman, Asia-Pacific managing director of Bell Helicopter, said chopper manufacturers were predicting more such services in trafficclogged parts of Southeast Asia in particular, describing it as an “important testbed” for the wider region.

“That can be replicated throughout other cities and countries in the AsiaPacific,” he told AFP at a conference in Singapore.

Another similar service was recently launched in the Indonesian capital Jakarta, a chaotic metropolis of over 10 Turn to A5

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Opinion Power: An end-to-end process OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ THE Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 was intended to remove monopolies in the power industry through the privatization of the National Power Corporation’s assets, which should result in more efficient services and competitive prices.

By virtue of the Epira, power generation was privatized, the ownership of transmission assets was retained by the government-owned National Transmission Company (TransCo), and the operation, maintenance, and expansion of the grid was privatized through a concession. As a result of a public bidding process, the 25-year concession was awarded in 2007 to the privately-owned, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which is a consortium of the Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., the Calaca High Power Corp., and the State Grid Corporation of China. The NGCP was also granted by the Congress a 50-year franchise to operate, maintain, and develop the state-owned power grid. Its nationwide operations include 21,000 circuit kilometers of lines, 20,000 transmission towers, and 140 substations.

Despite the good intentions of the law, we know that the current situation of the power industry can still be improved. Last month, the Luzon

Grid was put on yellow alert by the NGCP due to insufficient generation capacity when several power plants went offline. We obviously need more power plants and substations to expand our current power generation capacity. We also need more transmission lines, particularly sturdier ones to withstand natural calamities. Filipino consumers also complain of high electricity prices, which is caused by imported fuel used for power genera-

The Epira may not solve all the problems of the power industry, but it is a good start.

tion that is subject to global market forces, value-added tax on system loss, higher excise tax on petroleum products as an effect of the recent tax reform law and overcharging by the NGCP. The Epira may not solve all the problems of the power industry, but it is a good start. The law can be amended to further improve our country’s power sector. Let us take the Hong Kong power sector as a possible model. In Hong Kong, there are two main elec-

tricity generation companies—the HK Electric and the China Light and Power. The scope of operations of both companies is not limited to power generation, as each of them also covers the transmission, distribution, and retail of electricity. Each single entity is responsible of the end-to-end power process from generation to distribution to end users.

The Hong Kong Electric Company Limited (HK Electric) started its operations in 1890 and is considered as one of the longest-established utility companies in the world; while China Light and Power was established in 1903, and now caters to 80 percent of Hong Kong’s population. These privately owned companies are managed under a “scheme of control” arrangement with the Hong Kong government, which means they effectively operate in a regulated market.

It is worth considering the structure of the Hong Kong power industry, specifically, when single entity is accountable for the end-to-end power process. This would make it easier for the government to regulate the power industry.

We cannot blame the current administration for the inconveniences in our power industry as it has only inherited this kind of set-up. Still, our current officials should do something about it.

I look forward to the Executive’s plans and actions to further improve our country’s power sector.

Kuwait’s first soprano brings Puccini to the Gulf

By Salima Lebel AMANI Hajji is nothing if not stubborn: for 20 years, she has refused to give up on her dream of making opera mainstream in her native Kuwait.

A soprano by training, and with her trademark bob haircut, Hajji is Kuwait’s first opera singer with a small but dedicated local following.

The 51-year-old’s journey has not been easy. When she first enrolled in Kuwait’s National Conservatory in 1985, her parents banned her from singing anywhere outside the walls of the school.

Fifteen years later, Hajji appeared onstage at the Cairo opera house. The audience settled in for an interlude of oriental folklore. Instead, they were treated to Giacomo Puccini’s repertoire.

Hajji has since been invited back five times to perform works by the Italian composer, still her favorite, to Arab audiences in Italian or German.

Puccini, she believes, is also the most relatable to Kuwaiti music lovers’ ear, with his emotive, late Romantic style.

Sentimental style Kuwait opened its first opera house in 2016—but Hajji was not invited to appear onstage.

That’s when she found out about her own dedicated fan base who—to her surprise—had been following her career for years.

“The Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli opened the venue, and a lot of Kuwaitis were outraged by my absence,” Hajji told AFP.

The Highway...

From A4

clearances when one sells a car, change paint or engine but does not do some of the old duties like supervising local police traffic units. Its relationship both the Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising Regulations Board are also no longer the same.

In Metro Manila, the Highway Patrol are only visible along Edsa, helping in the management of traffic. Its attention is now more focused on going after stolen vehicles or car napping as is more popularly known here. During the time of Mar Roxas as Secretary of Interior and Local Governments, some of the functions of the TMG were curtailed. This is perhaps the reason why TMG personnel are no longer everywhere along national highways. It was wrong of him to have than so because there is a lot of things that the TMG can do to help improve traffic conditions along our national highways.

Throughout its 63 years history, the unit has had its ups and downs. Although the ups have been many, there were a few downs like when it was involved in the now infamous Kuratong

“That’s how I discovered that I had an audience who knew who I was and who loved me.”

Hajji was first introduced to opera as a teenager, when she saw a television special that caught her eye.

“I loved music in general, and in my first year in high school I saw an interview with Ahmed al-Baqer, who founded Kuwait’s conservatory,” she said.

“I decided to register for lessons. I started to train and then discovered opera, thanks to an Egyptian teacher here in Kuwait.”

She has since represented her country in music festivals in Bahrain, Italy, Ukraine, Turkey, Morocco and elsewhere.

Shortly after her initial snub by Kuwait’s opera house, she made it on stage in her native country performing with the Bucharest Philharmonic Orchestra.

Raw talent Hajji credits her oriental roots with helping Kuwaiti audiences relate to the classical works of Puccini and others.

“Even if they don’t understand the language, the audience appreciates the music, the way it is sung,” she said.

“I have my own style. It’s sentimental. It’s a contrast to the Western way of interpretation.”

Now an instructor herself at Kuwait’s national conservatory, she is starting to sense a budding interest in opera at home.

Most of them, however, are men— and Hajji still has her eye on finding a female star pupil.

“There is so much raw talent that we’re working to train musically,” Hajji told AFP. “But I’ve always dreamt of singing a duet with another female Kuwaiti opera singer.”

Kuwait’s conservatory is highly popular in the Gulf and for years has drawn students from neighbouring countries—some of whom have had to stand up to their families to follow their passion.

Opera houses have also begun to pop up across the region, with Dubai and Oman each home to a venue.

But there is still cultural pushback against the genre, some say.

Ahmed Kandari, an opera teacher at Kuwait’s conservatory, had to face his family’s disapproval over his choice to study opera.

Today, he is fighting to introduce music into Kuwait’s educational system.

“High school education is marked by the total lack of a music curriculum,” he told AFP. “We have to start introducing it earlier, and growing our education, to help teach the public appreciation of different musical styles and genres.”

The work of Hajji, and Kandari, has inspired youth beyond Kuwait.

Ahmed Saleh al-Jazali, from Oman, is enrolled in the opera program at Kuwait’s conservatory. With the support of his family, he says his goal is to become his country’s first opera singer.

“I’m working on it—I’m going to sing in German and Italian,” he said. AFP

Baleleng case involving many highranking PNP officers. It must be said, however, that the participation of the TMG in this sordid officer was that it was the unit that initially stumbled on the plan of the dreaded gang. As we now know, the case was taken over by other PNP units until it developed the way it did. Hopefully, the TMG can continue to preserve its good traditions and adjust to the changing times but not to forget its primary mission of making our national highways safe for all our motoring public. *** Last Sunday, President Duterte was quoted by one major daily as saying that China promised to defend the country from external threats. If one scans the current geopolitical horizon, it would be hard to identify a country that poses as a threat to the country.

Japan, our old WW2, adversary is now our biggest source of aid. It could not be the United States because it’s a treaty ally. It cannot be Australia, Taiwan or our Asean neighbor either. The only country as far as I know that could be a threat to the country is China. This is what I have thought ever since I joined the military service.

We have always been protected by the South China Sea. Now China is at

our very door step with missiles in the reclaimed islands. They can reach us in a matter of minutes. I do understand that strategic priorities do change and perhaps China is now a friend as our President is saying but I have a hard time understanding the logic as to how China has now become a cherished friend. Since the President is the repository of all intelligence, he must know something that we do not know.

If this is the case, then the President should at least tell the nation. We are entitled to an explanation. There must be a more important reason other than the Chinese’s willingness to provide arms free of charge. Because if it is the only reason, the Chinese certainly got the better of us in the exchange.

With all the things that China has done, our government has remained quiet. The main reason is that we cannot win a war with China. No one in his right mind is advocating that the country goes to war with China. But there are other tools that can be used to assert our rights and protest unacceptable behavior. It is called diplomacy and does not require the country to go to war. If we continue to keep quiet due to “hiya” because of what China is giving us, then we are certainly on our way to becoming a Chinese province.

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Professional entrepreneurship instead of hard knocks E.B. Antonio, Guido A.A. Delgado, Ricardo P. Cuerva, Eduardo L. David and Gabriel M. Paredes range from real estate and energy to finance and logging.

RUDY ROMERO The third set of successful businessmen featured by “Hard Knocks”—AnTHERE are not many books on en- ton Ortigas, Raffy Juan, Patricia Prado, trepreneurship authored by Filipinos. Deborah N. Rodrigo, Richard Calleja, Most of such books are written by Emily Versoza, Barry Cruz, John AguWestern—especially American—au- ilar, Rajan Uttamchandani and Kamrul thors. This is not surprising consider- Tarafder—are described by the book as ing the observed preference of most much younger entrepreneurs who “took Filipinos for employment over entre- over their parents’ ailing businesses preneurship. For most Filipinos it is far (but eventually) set up their own eneasier to think of employment—espe- terprises.” AIM’s (and, later, AGSB’s) cially employment in the government, vehicle for inculcating the principles with its security feature—than to have of professional entrepreneurship in the to comply with all the requirements of last two sets of successful businessmen was the Master in Entrepreneurship putting up a business.

To the short list of Filipino-authored program developed by Morato, which books of proprietorship should be add- was launched at AIM in 1999 and at ed a new book co-written by Exequiel AGSB ten years later.

P. Villacorta Jr.—a colleague of mine A key component of the ME program at the now-gone Private Development —a feature that all the ME students Corporation of the Philippines—and found very useful in their businesses Dr. Eduardo A. Morato Jr., a profes- —was the three-part business plan that sor at the Asian the students had to Institute of Mandraw up. The first agement.

The part is an exterbook is “From nal assessment of the environment Hard Knocks to Common sense, in which the stuProfessional Endent’s enterprise trepreneurship.” I trial and error, operates; this am happy to have experimentation, grit— includes a good something to say and formal learning. look at the poabout the book litical, economic, now that I have technical, social, had the pleasure ecological and of reading it. market elements The content of “Hard Knocks” is a perfect blend be- of the environment. The second part is tween the marketplace experience of the internal assessment of the student’s Villacorta—the hard knocks part of enterprise; this includes the diagnosis the book—and the guru knowledge of the enterprise’s overall performance of Morato. The focal points of Villa- and its competencies, resource utilizacorta’s career have been PDCP, where tion, management functions and adhe started a program called Business ministrative processes. The third part Clinics for small- and medium-scale is the business plan itself; at this point enterprises, and the business group of strategies are formulated and the proHenry Sy, particularly Banco de Oro. grams needed to support the strategies A professor for 40 years, Morato has are determined.

In business circles the phrase done professional and research work for De La Salle University, Develop- “school of hard knocks” is often heard ment Academy of the Philippines, and some successful businessmen are AIM and Ateneo Graduate School of said to be graduates of that school.

What the phrase intends to imply is Business.

Villacorta’s former boss Sy and two that the businessmen achieved their other highly successful businessmen success without the benefit of inter—Manuel B. Villar and Francis Tiu vention by institutions like AIM; they Laurel—are the book’s hard-knocks got to where they are through a comentrepreneurs. They comprise the first bination of common sense, trial and of the three sets of successful business- error, experimentation and grit. The men into which “Hard Knocks” has di- story of Sy, for one, is a story of learnvided its eighteen subjects. That Villa- ing from the school of hard knocks. corta writes glowingly about Sy and his In giving their book its name, Villahard-knocks beginnings is perfectly corta and Morato were in effect saying understandable. Who wouldn’t? to aspiring businessmen, “You don’t Five individuals comprise the sec- have to go through the school of hard ond set of entrepreneurs featured by knocks; you can enroll in an instituthe book. The five are described by the tion like AIM and learn professional authors of “Hard Knocks” as “highly entrepreneurship.” educated executives with prestigious Has the Master in Entrepreneurship MBA degrees and years of business program been a success? The results of experience.” The business interests of the 2016 Survey of Master of Entrepreexecutives-turned-entrepreneurs Jose neurship Graduates certainly say so.

BUSINESS CLASS

Helicopter...

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million people, which suffers some of the world’s worst jams.

Operated by Whitesky Aviation, Helicity now has about 60 customers each month, mostly from the business world.

Its services include a 20-minute ride from Jakarta airport into the heart of the city for six million rupiah ($430) for up to four people, as well as a 45-minute flight from Jakarta to Bandung, 150 kilometres (90 miles) away, from 14 million rupiah.

While it offers an alternative to sitting in traffic for hours and is cheaper than private charters in the past, the prices are nevertheless out of reach for most people in Jakarta, where the monthly minimum wage is about $250.

And it has not all been easy going for Whitesky in recent times—one of their helicopters crashed last month on Indonesia’s central Sulawesi island as it flew over a mining area, killing one person on the ground and injuring four passengers.

Onerous regulations, poor infrastructure In Bangalore, one of India’s most congested megacities, HeliTaxii launched in March, offering a seat in a helicopter from the airport to IT industrial park Electronic City for about $65 per person—the same journey that Fernandes took on launch day.

In Brazil’s Sao Paulo, the app Voom offers a 30-kilometer helicopter ride to the airport for about $150—10 times cheaper than private charters in the past—while in New York, a chopperhailing service ferries people between downtown and surrounding airports.

Despite the growth of such apps,

industry players warn there are still major hurdles.

One is finding suitable take-off and landing sites, particularly in Asian cities. Helipads have been springing up rapidly in recent years but a large number are private and observers warn many have not been certified as safe by aviation authorities.

Another is restrictions on flying times. Whitesky Aviation chief executive Denon Prawiraatmadja said that since the Jakarta service’s fivestrong fleet of choppers was for civilian purposes, they were currently only allowed to fly between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

“We are in the process of getting more operating hours, so it can become a 24/7 operation,” he told AFP. “We hope this type of new regulation will allow us to grow the business.”

The company has big expansion plans: in 2016, they signed a 30-helicopter deal with Bell and will receive two Bell 505s every year until the deal is completed. It also has several fixedwing aircraft in its fleet.

Similarly in Bangalore, Helitaxii is only allowed to fly from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m, and in a later slot between 3:00 p.m. to 6:00pm.

While the popularity of such services is growing, analysts say there are unlikely to be large numbers of helicopter taxis taking to the skies soon as prices—although lower than they once were—will remain a barrier.

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at consultancy StrategicAero Research, also cautioned there was much uncertainty surrounding the nascent industry and how it would operate.

“Will there be further security screenings?” he said. “What sort of passengers will be allowed on these flights?” AFP

Manila

Standard

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THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TODAY

News

11,103 martial law victims to get indemnity SOME 11,103 victims of human rights violations during martial law—from 1972 to 1981—are set to receive indemnification as the government’s claims board wraps up its work this Saturday.

The number represents only 14 percent of the total 75,749 claims filed because the rest failed to submit “substantial evidence” required by the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board, its chairwoman Lina Sarmiento said Wednesday.

Claimants will get their compensation from Ferdinand Marcos’ secret Swiss bank deposits worth P10 billion—the amount of indemnification based on the gravity of abuse suffered by victims.

A maximum of 10 points worth P1.76 million are assigned for those who were killed or victims of enforced disappearance, Sarmiento said.

Despite the tight deadline, she said some surviving family members were yet to decide who among them should receive the amounts to be released by the board through LandBank.

Meanwhile, military units attached to the Joint Task Force Sulu have rescued one of the men, kidnapped along with two female police officers near the Jolo Airport last April 29.

“At 2 p.m. on May 8, 2018, KV [kidnap victim] Blas Jackosalim Ahamad, a resident of Sitio Palar, Barangay Gandasuli, Patikul, Sulu was rescued by the troops of Marine Battalion Landing Team 3, led by Lt. Col. Ramil DC Holgado at Sitio Budjang, Barangay Libog Kabao, Panglima Estino, Sulu,” Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, JTF Sulu commander, said in a statement Wednesday.

Ahamad, Faizal Ahidji, PO2 Benierose Alvarez, and PO1 Dinah Gumahad were abducted by the Abu Sayyaf Group under sub-leader Almujer Yadah last April 29.

IN BRIEF Albayalde reassigns 11 FB bashers PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has reassigned his police Facebook bashers to Mindanao.

Albayalde gave the reassignment order after he tracked down the cops and summoned them to Camp Crame.

All 11 policemen were ordered to be restationed at the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Police Regional Office.

It remained unclear when they would begin their new assignment.

One of the 11 is a classmate of Albayalde aide Sr. Insp. Joseph Carlit, who belongs to the PNP Academy’s KaisangBisig Class of 2009.

On top of the remote reassignment, the cops are facing charges of “conduct unbecoming of a police officer.”

For those who failed to appear before the PNP chief on Monday, they face disobedience charges as well.

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao defended Albayalde’s decision, explaining that being assigned to Mindanao was not a form of punishment for the cops.

This practice has been done to punish erring cops.

In February last year, President Rodrigo Duterte told over 200 policemen gathered in Malacañang that they would be deployed to Mindanao conflict areas—his punishment for their alleged crimes.

VIOLENCE VS CHILDREN. Council for the Welfare of Children Executive Director Mary Mitch Cajayon-Uy (rightmost) and United Nations International Children’s Educational Fund Philippines Country Representative Julia Rees lead the presentation of End Violation Against Children module which contains the key findings of the National Baseline Study on Violence Against Children during the launching of the Philippine Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children Wednesday at the PICC summit hall in Pasay City. Ey Acasio

PCSO message: All parents want educated children

CWC, Unesco: Help stop violence against children

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Council for the Welfare of Children and the United Nations Children’s Fund on Wednesday urged government, civic and religious leaders, and private individuals to help in their effort to stop violence against children.

WHEREAS, COMELEC Resolution No. 9735 dated 03 July 2013, adopted Resolution No. 9583 dated 18 December 2013, entitled: “In the Matter of Placing Some Areas in the Country Under COMELEC Control In Connection with the May 13, 2013 Automated Synchronized Local and ARMM Regional Elections”; WHEREAS, in the said Resolution, the Commission may place under its immediate and direct control and supervision, any political division, subdivision, unit or area affected by “serious armed threats”; WHEREAS, in the same Resolution, “serious armed threats” has been defined as referring to the presence of paramilitary forces, private armies or identifiable armed bands widely perceived to have committed terrorism, fraud or other election irregularities and threaten or tend to disrupt the holding of free, peaceful, honest, orderly and credible elections in any political division, subdivision, unit or area; WHEREAS, "failure of election" allows the incumbent elective barangay officials to continue serving beyond the terms of office in a "holdover" capacity; NOW, THEREFORE, the Commission on Elections, by virtue of the powers vested in it by the Constitution, the Omnibus Election Code and other election laws, RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES to declare “failure of elections” caused by violence, terrorism or other analogous causes as additional ground for placing any political division, subdivision, unit or area under COMELEC control in connection with the May 14, 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections.

RESOLVED FURTHER, that this Resolution should be read in conjunction with the powers and functions of the Commission as provided in Comelec Control Resolution No. 10321 promulgated May 2, 2018, entitled: “IN THE MATTER OF: (1) AMENDING RESOLUTION NO. 10199 ENTITLED, 'IN THE MATTER OF PLACING SOME AREAS IN THE COUNTRY UNDER COMELEC CONTROL IN CONNECTION WITH THE OCTOBER 23, 2017 BARANGA Y ANO SANGGUNIANG KABA TAAN ELECTIONS (BSKE)' AS AMENDED ANO ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION NO. 10247; (2) ESTABLISHMENT OF COMELEC COMMAND CENTER; and (3) PROVIDING FOR THE SAMPLE LAY-OUTS OF THE POLLING CENTERS, FOR PURPOSES OF THE MAY 14, 2018 BARANGAY ANO SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN (SK) ELECTIONS” shall apply.

The Education and Information Department shall immediately cause the publication of this Resolution in at least two (2) daily newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

Let the Office of the Deputy Executive Director for Operations, the Head, PMO 2018 BSKE, and the Education and Information Department implement this Resolution.

The CWC and Unicef made the appeal amid reports that about one-billion children worldwide had experienced sexual and emotional violence, bullying or had witnessed violence.

In the Philippines alone, the results of the 2015 National Baseline Study on Violence against Children showed that three out of five children encountered physical and psychological violence while one out of five suffered from sexual violence.

The CWC also reported that five out of 10 children suffered from cyber or online violence, including verbal abuse and sexual messages over the Internet or mobile phones, being shown other people’s sex videos and photos, and having their own nude body or sexual activities shown online or via cellular phone.

CWC head for policy and planning division Ma. Consolacion Salcedo said one in five children aged below 18 encountered sexual violence, with most girls experiencing harm from brothers or cousins.

The study stated that one of five children aged 13 to 18 experience sexual violence at home, school and in the community, while two out of five commit a form of physical violence with their peers.

It also showed that children’s previous experiences of violence, especially at home, are risk factors for bullying behaviour in school.

From the study, the CWC cited 59.2 percent of the children also experience psychological violence, which include verbal abuse—belittling, humiliating, cursing, saying bad words, shouting, calling names, being embarrassed in public—threats of being harmed and feelings of actual abandonment.

Eight in 10 LGBT children are also physically and psychologically abused.

The proportion of child violence was highest (75 percent) among the LGBTs compared to heterosexual males (65.9 percent) an females (61.8 percent).

“For these children, it is perpetuated largely by people they know and trust; it takes place in the home,” said Unicef Philippines representative Julia Rees.

Seven out of 10 children “do not avail [themselves] of local child protection systems in their community,” the CWC also reported.

Republika ng Pilipinas National Irrigation Administration (Pambansang Pangasiwaan ng Patubig Regional Office No. III Office Address : Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Telephone Nos.: (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 Website : www.region3.nia.gov.ph

5 NPA supporters surrender

Email Address:nia03@yahoo.com Telefax No. (044) 766-2467 TIN No.:000-797-570-000

Invitation to Bid Construction of Canal System of North Lawis (Palongohon) Irrigation Project, Candelaria, Zambales ITB No. NIAR3-2018-NORTH LAWIS-14 1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested PhilGEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2018, intends to apply the sum of Fifty Four Million Sixty Five Thousand Five Hundred Fifty Pesos and 80/100 (P 54,065,550.80 ) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2018- NORTH LAWIS-14. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

3.

Only those Letter of Intent with a company profile, submitted by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Construction of Canal System of North Lawis (Palongohon) Irrigation Project, Candelaria, Zambales.

Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days. Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

5.

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

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

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on May 6, 2018 to May 28, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday to Friday and May 29, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Fifty Four Thousand Pesos (P 54,000.00).

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

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on May 15, 2018, 10:00 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

9.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of May 29, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of May 29, 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR. 11.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

12. For further information, please refer to:

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice is hereby given to the public that the Tax Credit Certificate (TCC) No. C-0027127 dated December 12, 2011, jointly issued by the Department of Finance, OSS Center and of the Bureau of Customs, in the name of D&L Industries, Inc. has been lost and is hereby CANCELLED. This is in compliance with OSS Center Office Order No. 9401 dated January 27, 1994.

(MS-MAY 10, 2018)

NOTICE to all Stockholders of SPLASH CORPORATION Please be advised that at least five (5) days before the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting of Splash Corporation, the company will make available to its stockholders and/or will post in its official website the consolidated Unaudited Interim Financial Statements and Management Discussion and Analysis for the quarter ended 31 March 2018.

(MS-MAY 10, 2018)

ERRATUM This refers to the Department of Health-COBAC Invitation to Bid Procurement of Various Goods the following should had been included in the publication last April 30, 2018.

Item No. 1.

BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608

Noted by:

“NO PARENT in his right mind would not like to send their children to school.

Every parent’s dream is to see their children go up the stage and receive a diploma more so a degree.”

This is the message of Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan during the second anniversary of the Philippine Army Officers’ Ladies Club Inc., educational assistance program in Fort Bonifacio, Metro Manila recently where he was the guest of honor and speaker.

As a former Marine general, Balutan understood the plight of the soldiers who were deployed in the field, sacrificing their lives to protect the country.

“Soldiers are not only determined and dedicated to provide a better place for Filipinos to live in, but also the determination to give their children a better life by giving them the education that they deserve,” Balutan said.

A battle-tested Mindanao veteran who earned the moniker “Mandirigma” in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Balutan said when he was still in the active service, he would always look forward to the day when he would be able to call back home and talk to his kids, listen to their stories about their studies, their score in a particular test, and especially their grades every grading period.

“We, soldiers, after a long and bloody fight, when we call back home, more or less, there are only two questions that we immediately ask: Kamusta ang mga bata at kamusta ang pag-aaral ng mga bata? Minsan nga ’di pa kayo naka-kamusta ’di ba? [referring to the military wives],” Balutan said.

IB No.

(SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC - Chairperson

(SGD) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager (MS-MAY 10, 2018)

Name of Contract

IB No. Procurement of Losartan 2018-082-A 50mg Tablet (Re-bid)

ABC (PHP)

Cost of Bidding Documents (Php)

85,038,000.00

50,000.00

and Acronym of Procurement of Purified Vero Cell Rabies Vaccine (PVCRV) to (PVRV).

SECURITY authorities said five more members of the New People’s Army’s “Militia Ng Bayan” voluntarily surrendered to security troops in Ambaguio, Nueva Vizcaya on Monday.

In a statement Tuesday, Capt. Jefferson Somera, 5th Infantry Division spokesperson, said the five rebel supporters turned themselves in to troopers of the 54th Infantry Battalion and personnel of the Ambaguio Police at the Landing Patrol Base in Barangay Poblacion.

Somera said their surrender was made possible through the intervention of Barangay Ammoweg.

Before their surrender, the five served as contacts, couriers and spies of regular NPAs operating in the area.

As of this posting, they were being debriefed at the Landing Patrol Base.

As of Jan. 1, the 5th Infantry Division had recorded the surrender of seven NPA rebels and 63 “Militia Ng Bayan” members. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Philracom’s P3M Triple Crown set Sunday at San Lazaro Park

S

EVEN of the country’s finest thoroughbreds clash in the first leg of the most prestigious racing extravaganza for three-year-old horses—the Philippine Racing Commission (Philracom)-backed Triple Crown series on Sunday at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite.

Leading the cast is Smart Candy, the SC Stockfarm three-year-old filly who won two of the three legs of Philracom’s 3YO Stakes Race series early this year.

Ridden by jockey Kevin Abobo, Smart Candy scored a sweet and emphatic win in the second leg of the 3YO series, ruling the 1,500-meter race eight lengths over her closest pursuer last March, before proving her staying power in the longer 1,600-meter third leg by fending off the spirited late charge of the field to win by a length a month later.

Smart Candy will be trying to duplicate the feat of its SC Stockfarm stablemate Sepfourteen, who swept the three legs of the Triple Crown series last year, a feat that crowned the then 3YO colt the Philippine Sportswriters Association’s 2017 Horse of the Year.

Standing in Smart Candy’s way are its stablemate Box Office, Misha of Leonardo Javier Jr., Talitha Koum of George Raquidan, Victorious Colt of Antonio Zialcita and Herminio Esguerra’s Wonderland and Speedmatic, whose most memorable triumph came in the 3rd leg

of the Philracom’s Juvenile Colts/ Fillies Stakes Races late last year.

“The first leg of the Triple Crown is such an important race in the series, because its winner is the only one with the chance to go all the way for the rare 3-peat,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew A. Sanchez. “I’m sure it will be a battle royale among the seven horses on Sunday.”

A total of P3 million in prizes will be up for grabs in the race over a distance of 1,600 meters, with P1.8 million going to the champion horse and P675,000 allocated for the runner-up.

Third and fourth placers get P375,000 and P150,000, respectively. The breeder’s purse is P100,000.

Also highly anticipated on Sunday is the P1-million 2018 Philracom Hopeful Stakes Race and the 3YO Locally Bred Stakes Race, which offers P500,000 in guaranteed prizes.

Congressional, Disyembreasais,

Fast Strider, Goldsmith, Hamlet, Jacqueline, Lion’s Gate, Perlas ng Silangan, Princess Eowyn, Royal Signal, Sheer, Sumilon Island and Tapster make up the Hopeful Stakes roster, while Courageous, Easy to Win, Filipino Emperor, Jack Hammer, Jawo, Lourdes Drive, Mount Bulusan, Probinsyano, The Barrister, Xia’s Best and Yosemite will run in the 3YO Locally Bred Stakes Race.

Prior to Sepfourteen’s Triple Crown achievement last season, the last time one horse won it all in one year was in 2014 when Emmanuel Santos’s colt Kid Molave (Into Mischief x Unsaid) scored the rare 3-peat.

The three-leg series is patterned after the United States’ Triple Crown, with its three legs comprised of the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes, also with progressively longer distances.

PH Blu Girls gear up for Asian tournament

THE Philippines braces for a stiff challenge from seven of the region’s strongest junior softball squads when the seventh Asian Junior (19-and-under) Women’s Softball Championship is fired off May 13 at The Villages Softball Field in Clark, Pampanga.

The Junior Girls drew a busy schedule right in the opener as they will take on the Chinese side in Game One and will face the Thais in Game 5. Other countries participating in the week-long meet are Chinese-Taipei, India, South Korea, Malaysia and powerhouse Japan.

The country will be hosting the event for the first time under the leadership of Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (AsaPhil) headed by president and long-time sports patron Jean Henri Lhuillier.

“We have consistently displayed a strong showing in softball across all front in the past years, even surprising the other Asian countries and winning their admiration and respect,” said Lhuillier, referring to the Blu Girls’ back-to-back vic-

tories in 2017, a silver medal in the 11th Asian Women’s Softball Championship in Taiwan, and the Blu Boys’ silver medal feat in the 10th Asian Men’s Softball Championship in Indonesia.

In other opening day matches, fancied Japan will play against Malaysia and Korea.

Organized by AsaPhil for the Softball Confederation of Asia and the World Baseball and Softball Confederation, the event is backed by the Cebuana Lhuillier Sports, the Philippine Sports Commission, the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

“While I expect the team to dish out its best, I also urge our young players to likewise serve as gracious hosts and comrades to the visiting teams,” said Lhuillier.

Meanwhile, Cabuyao survived Agoncillo, Batangas, 9-8, in the semifinals then routed Pasig, 13-6, to retain the National 19-U Men’s Softball Championship crown at the Sto. Niño Softball Field in Marikina recently.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

A7

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF VARIOUS SUB-TRANSMISSION LINES/ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) TO ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ISELCO II), AS COVERED BY AN AMENDED LEASE PURCHASE AGREEMENT (LPA) DATED 20 MAY 2015,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 25 January 2018, National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) and Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ISELCO II) filed an Application dated 24 November 2017 (Application) for the sale of various sub-transmission Iines/assets of TRANSCO to ISELCO II, as covered by an amended Lease Purchase Agreement (LPA).

TRANSCO and ISELCO II alleged the following in its Application: 1.

TransCo is a government-owned and controlled corporation created and existing by virtue of R.A. No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at the TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

2.

ISELCO II is an electric cooperative (EC) duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at the Government Center, Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines.

3.

By virtue of Section 8 of the EPIRA, TRANSCO assumed the electrical transmission functions of the National Power Corporation, and the responsibility of the latter for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnections and ancillary services.

4.

Section 8 of the EPIRA and RuIe 6, Section 8(e) of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) also mandate the segregation of the transmission and sub-transmission functions and assets for transparency and disposal, and authorize TRANSCO to negotiate for, and to transfer such sub-transmission assets (STAS) and facilities to qualified distribution utilities (DUs).

5.

Pursuant thereto, this Honorable Commission promulgated the “Guidelines on the Sale and Transfer of the TRANSCO’s Sub-transmission Assets and the Franchising of Qualified Consortiums” (ERC Guidelines) dated 17 October 2003, as amended by ERC Resolution No.3, Series of 2005 dated 17 March 2005 which set forth among others, the standards to distinguish TRANSCO’s transmission assets from its sub-transmission assets and establish the approval process prior to the final sale and transfer of STAs to DUs.

6.

Consistent with the ERC Guidelines, TRANSCO adopted its own Guidelines on the Sale of Sub-transmission Assets (“TRANSCO Guidelines”) [Annex “A”] as approved by TRANSCO Board Resolution No. TC-2003-067 dated 28 November 2003 [Annex “A-1”], as further amended by TRANSCO Board Resolution No.TC-2004-009 dated 16 March 2004 [Annex “A-2”].

7.

On 16 July 2011, this Honorable Commission issued Resolution No. 15, Series of 2011 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Amended Rules for the Approval of the Sale and Transfer of TRANSCO’s Sub-transmission Assets and the Acquisition by Qualified Consortiums.”

8.

In accordance with the aforesaid ERC Guidelines, and based on a thorough evaluation conducted by TRANSCO, it was determined that the following are sub-transmission assets: a. b. c. d.

Toby’s Sports opens new store at Ayala Malls Feliz

TOBY’S Sports, the largest multibrand sports retailer in the Philippines, recently opened a new store as part of its expansion plan and its bid to further dominate the local sports retailing scene.

The new store, located in Ayala Malls Feliz, follows Toby’s Sports new design concept that transforms the customer experience in a streamlined, modern retail space. It is Toby’s Sports 53rd store, with plans to open more in the coming months.

About Toby’s Sports Toby’s Sports is the leading multi-brand sports retailer in the Philippines, having delivered the best in sports and fitness products to millions of Filipinos for 40 years.

Children‘s...

From A8

of the national government’s research program that will be conducted by around 50 Filipino scientists. Ramirez talked about the presidential visit while announcing that the agency will starts its sports education program this July, to be held in coordination with the United States Sports Academy, which will provide the curriculum and instructors.

Peter Atencio

Established in 1978, Toby’s Sports is included in the Hall of Fame of Most Outstanding Retailers by the Philippine Retailers Association and is a DTI Bagwis awardee for consumer satisfaction.

Toby’s Sports carries over 60,000 items from the world’s top sports brands, as well a diverse line-up of its own brands that offer superior value-for-money. It currently operates 53 stores across the Philippines, as well as an online store (www.tobys.com). Toby’s Sports is part of the retail arm of Quorum Group of Companies. For more information on Toby’s Sports, follow us in Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

LOTTO RESULTS

Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line; Tuguegarao-Cabagan 69 kV line; Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line; and, Ilagan substation.

Copies of the Report on the Nature of the Assets, List of STAs for Sale to ISELCO II and the Single Line Diagram are attached as Annexes “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively.

9.

TRANSCO has clearly established that ISELCO II meets the financial and technical capability criteria under Article IV of the ERC Guidelines in acquiring, operating, maintaining, upgrading and expanding the said STAs. Attached are copies of the Financial Qualification Evaluation [Annex “E”] Technical Qualification Evaluation [Annex “F”] and Audited Financial Statements of ISELCO II as of 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013 [Annex “G”].

10. ISELCO II is the only qualified EC that is directly connected to the subject assets, as evidenced by the attached List of Connected Distribution Utilities [Annex “H”].

ASAPHIL president and Cebuana Lhuillier president/CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier expressed high hopes for the junior Blu Girls, who will be participating in the 7th Asian Junior Women’s Softball Tournament slated May 13 to 18 inside the Clark Freeport. Lhuillier is shown with the team at a recent courtesy call of the junior Blu Girls. Eight countries are joining the tournament.

11. On 15 February 2013, the ISELCO II Board of Directors issued Resolution No. 2013-016 [Annex “I”] relative to the desired acquisition.

12. On 29 March 2011, TRANSCO and ISELCO II concluded a Lease Purchase Agreement [Annex “J”] covering the subject sub-transmission assets amounting to Ninety Eight Million Six Hundred Forty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Two and Seventy Five Centavos, Philippine Currency (PhP98,646,752.75), plus interest thereon, which ISELCO II shall pay in two hundred forty (240) equal monthly instalments.

13. On 20 May 2015, TRANSCO and ISELCO II executed an Amended Lease Purchase Agreement [Annex “J-1”] in order to reflect the following changes:

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Intramuros, Manila SUPPLEMENT TO RESOLUTION No. 9914, OR THE PROTOCOL ON ELECTRONIC RAFFLE OF CASES, IN RELATION TO THE MOTU PROPRIO CASES FILED

BY THE LAW DEPARTMENT AGAINST CANDIDATES FOR BARANGAY ELECTIVE POSITIONS IN THE 14 MAY 2018 BARANGAY AND SANGGUNIANG KABATAAN ELECTIONS

a.

A reduction of the cost of the Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line, from that of Twelve Million Eight Hundred Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Three Pesos and 11/100, Philippine currency (PhP12,813,523.11) to that of Nine Million One Hundred Thirty Four Thousand One Hundred Ninety Four and 73/100, Philippine currency (PhP9,134,194.73) owing to the NGCP-verified decrease of the line segment from that of 31.83 kilometers to that of 18.58 kilometers;

b.

An increase in the cost of the Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line segment, from the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy One and 22/100, Philippine currency (PhP3,557,971.22), to that of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Four Pesos and 59/100, Philippine currency (PhP5,500,924.59) owing to the NGCP-verified increase of the line segment from that of 9.69 kilometers to that of 14.85 kilometers; and,

c.

The imposition of a twelve percent value-added tax (12% VAT) on the cost of subtransmission assets and on the interest thereon, pursuant to the Bureau of Internal Revenue’s Memorandum Circular No. 66-2013 dated 30 September 2013, and Revenue Regulation No. 04-2007, dated 07 February 2007, respectively.

14. With the above changes, the subject sub-transmission assets were valued at Ninety Three Million Seventy Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Nine and 25/100, Philippine currency (PhP93,070,529.25), net of adjustments and deductions, as per the Sinclair knight Merz (SKM) valuation (Annex “K’) pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 01, Series of 2009, as Amended.

Promulgated: May 8 , 2018

15. However, the Honorable Commission issued a Decision dated 23 March 2015 under ERC Case No. 2014-086 MC, entitled “In the Matter of the Petition for Approval of the Reclassification of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO)’s 69 kV GamuNaguilian Sub-transmission Asset to Full Transmission Asset,” the dispositive portion of which reads, as follows:

Resolution No. ___________

Ateneo Blue Eagles basketball star shares a light moment with Quorum International Inc. President Toby Claudio during the opening of Toby’s Sports newest store at Ayala Malls Feliz.

ERC CASE NO. 2018-005 RC

NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) AND ISABELA II ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, (ISELCO II), Applicants. x---------------------------------------------------------------x

WHEREAS, the 1987 Constitution has vested in the Commission on Elections (Commission) the power and authority to promulgate its rules of procedure, with the primary objective of ensuring the expeditious disposition of election cases; WHEREAS, on 18 November 2014, the Commission promulgated Resolution No. 9914, entitled “In the Matter of the Protocol on Electronic Raffle of Cases”, to ensure a more efficient resolution of the cases filed before it; WHEREAS, the Law Department of the Commission has initially determined that a significant number of candidates vying for barangay elective posts in the 14 May 2018 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections are either ineligible or disqualified to run due to grounds provided for by law and the rules; WHEREAS, considering the proximity of the election and concomitant proclamation of winning candidates, there is an urgent necessity to expeditiously resolve motu proprio cases involving barangay elective positions to ensure that only those who are qualified under the law are elected thereto; NOW THEREFORE, the Commission RESOLVED, as it hereby RESOLVES, to promulgate the following rules in supplement to Resolution No. 9914: 1. Petitions motu proprio filed by the Law Department praying for the cancellation of a candidate’s certificate of candidacy on the ground of ineligibility or for the declaration of a nuisance candidate, shall be specially raffled on successive days until such time that all such cases are properly raffled to the two divisions of this Commission.

For this purpose, special raffle during the weekend prior to the election day are hereby authorized; 2. To facilitate the encoding of the necessary details of each case for the purpose of electronic raffling, the Acting Clerk of the Commission is hereby authorized to give access to the system to its personnel through multiple user names, as may be warranted under the circumstances. Provided, that the access shall be limited to the encoding aspect of the electronic raffle system and that rules on confidentiality of cases are not violated. The access herein granted shall be immediately terminated upon conclusion of the special raffle of above cases; 3. To ensure its prompt and orderly resolution, a case that is already raffled to a division may be raffled to a ponente on the same day.

4. Within three (3) days from the conclusion of the special raffle of all motu proprio cases above, the Acting Clerk of the Commission shall submit to the Commission En Banc a summary report in writing of the number and nature of, and the parties involved in, the encoded cases.

5. The cut-off period for the submission of all information by the COC shall be every 4:00 pm every day until all such cases are properly raffled. The lTD shall then upload all the information submitted not later than 5:00 pm of the same day.

Let the Office of the Clerk of the Commission, the Law Department and the Information Technology Department implement this Resolution.

The Education and Information Department shall cause the publication of this Resolution in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines.

SO ORDERED.

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, the application filed by the Green Future Innovations, Inc. (GFII) for the approval of the reclassification of the 69 kV Gamu-Naguilian sub-transmission asset to full transmission asset is hereby APPROVED. Further, the Commission, motu propio, resolves to reclassify the other sub-transmission assets; the Santiago-Cauayan 69 kV line, the CauayanReina Mercedes 69 kV line and the Naguilian-Reina Mercedes 69 kV are hereby reclassified as transmission assets.

SO ORDERED.” 16.

With the reclassification of the Gamu-Naguilian line segment, only the portion from Upi to Ilagan of the Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69kV line originally included in the Amended Lease Purchase Agreement retains its classification as a sub-transmission asset.

17.

Thus, from the original length of 14.85 km. for the Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line valued at PhP9,029,977.86, the portion corresponding to the segment from Upi to Ilagan Substation has now been reduced to 5.903 km. with the present value of Three Million Five Hundred Eighty Nine Thousand Four Hundred Ninety Two and 21/100, Philippine currency (PhP 3,589,492.21).

18.

By way of adherence to the above-cited Decision, TRANSCO and ISELCO II executed on 20 October 2017 a Second Amendment to the Lease Purchase Agreement (Annex “L”)

19.

The contract price is now pegged at Eighty Seven Million Six Hundred Thirty Thousand Forty Three and 60/100, Philippine currency (PhP87,630,043.60), plus 12% VAT for the following sub-transmission assets: a. Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line; b. Tuguegarao-Cabagan 69 kV line; c. Upi-Ilagan 69kVline, and, d. Ilagan substation.

Finally, herein applicants also respectfully submit the following documents in compliance with the Honorable Commission’s requirements: a. Draft of the Deed of Absolute Sale [Annex”M”]; and, b. Franchise Description [Annex “N”].

The proposed sale has satisfied all of the requirements and criteria set by the EPIRA and its IRR, as well as the ERC and TRANSCO Guidelines on the Sale of Sub-transmission Assets.

20.

21.

22.

The approval by this Honorable Commission of the instant Joint Application shall pave the way for the attainment of a reformed electricity industry under the EPIRA, which would ultimately best serve the interest of the consuming public.

PRAYER

WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that after due notice and hearing, a DECISION be rendered APPROVING the instant Joint Application for the approval of the sale of TRANSCO’s sub-transmission assets in favor of Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc. under the terms provided in the Second Amendment of the Lease Purchase Agreement dated 20 May 2015.

Applicants also pray for other just and equitable relief.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 31 May 2018 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at ISELCO II’s principal office at Brgy. Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i. The petitioner’s name and address; ii. The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; And iii. A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO, AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 28th day of February 2018 in Pasig City.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION: JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

(MS-MAY 10, 2018)

(MS-MAY 3 & 10, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

Dyip send Painters back to Earth

By Jeric Lopez

Chris Paul (left) of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against the Utah Jazz during Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the Toyota Center in Texas. At right, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors drives to the basket against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Rockets and the Warriors will clash in the West finals. AFP

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Dubs face Rockets in finals Lady Oragons turn back Water Defenders Games Saturday (Tuguegarao) 2 p.m. – PayMaya vs Pocari-Air Force 4 p.m. – BanKo-Perlas vs Creamline

IRIGA-NAVY warded off a rookieladen but determined BaliPure side, hacking out a 25-23, 25-23, 22-25, 2519 victory to join opening day winners PayMaya and Creamline in the early lead in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan yesterday.

Import Macy Ubben came away with 26 hits, including 18 attack points and seven blocks to power the Lady Oragons past the Water Defenders, who stood their ground majority of the match with a young crew that included four high school standouts from National U. But Ubben, along with fellow reinforcement Lauren Whyte and locals Grazielle Bombita, imposed their will and strength midway in the fourth and the Water Defenders cracked under pressure with miscues, including a service error by Princess Robles that sealed the win for the Oragons.

The Bicol-based squad thus moved into joint lead with Creamline and PayMaya, which posted a pair of straightset victories over Petro Gazz and Tacloban in last Sunday’s inaugurals of the league organized by Sports Vision.

Whyte backed Ubben with 17 hits while Bombita added seven markers.

After dropping the first two sets, BaliPure pulled through in another tight third set duel after wresting control in the early going and surviving a near-meltdown from a 24-19 count. But the Oragons broke away from a 16-14 count in the fourth, racking up three straight hits on their way to a 24-17 bulge.

BaliPure, led by lone import Alexis Mathews, saved two match points on an Iriga service error and a kill by Mhicaela Belen but yielded the point, the set and the match on that Robles’ miscue.

Navy-Iriga import Lauren White and BaliPure skipper Joyme Cagande duel in a joust during their PVL Reinforced Conference clash.

L

OS ANGELES—Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors will face the Houston Rockets for a place in the NBA finals after the Western Conference heavyweights wrapped up series wins on Tuesday.

Curry led the scoring for the reigning NBA champion Warriors in a 113-104 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans in Oakland, sealing the best-of-seven series 4-1.

The Warriors will now travel to topseeded Houston for game one of the Western Conference finals on Monday.

The Rockets had earlier booked their place in the conference finals with a 112102 win over the Utah Jazz to take the series 4-1.

While Houston will have home court advantage after finishing the regular season on top of the Western Conference, the Warriors once again showed signs they are peaking at the right time.

The fit-again Curry played 37 minutes, and was heavily involved in a devastating burst of scoring in the third quarter which ultimately took the game away from the Pelicans.

Curry finished with 28 points, seven

rebounds and eight assists while Kevin Durant had 24 points and Klay Thompson added 23 points.

Draymond Green meanwhile produced another commanding all round performance, with 19 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists.

After being restricted to a three-point lead at half-time, the Warriors outscored the Pelicans by 36-19 in the third quarter, giving them a 20-point cushion heading into the fourth.

There was a late scare for Steve Kerr’s side however as the Pelicans staged a late rally, stitching together an 18-2 spurt to close within seven points at 107-100 with 1:43 left.

But Green came up with two crucial late scores to see the Warriors home safely.

“We thought we had the game in hand,” Kerr said. “We got a little tired and a little rattled and we didn’t finish the game we

wanted to,” he added.

‘It feels like he’s back’ “But our guys have reached the conference finals four years in a row now so they should be really proud of themselves.”

Kerr meanwhile was happy with the form of Curry, who looks to be back to full fitness following his knee injury layoff.

“If he can play 37 minutes in a playoff game then I think he’s okay,” Kerr said.

“It feels like he’s back now.”

Meanwhile in Texas, Chris Paul scored 41 points as Houston made sure of their place in the conference finals.

Paul’s haul included 20 points in the fourth quarter. The 33-year-old’s gamewinning display left him contemplating his first career appearance in a Western Conference finals.

Rockets star James Harden, who was kept quiet with a relatively modest haul of 18 points, paid tribute to Paul’s performance.

“He was unbelievable,” Harden said afterward. “He went out there and took over the game. He put us all on his back in that fourth quarter and said ‘Listen—I got this’. That’s a big-time performance. AFP

Capadocia, Arcilla bag Pinamalayan Open net crowns MARIAN Capadocia re-asserted her mastery over Khim Iglupas but Johnny Arcilla got back at Jeson Patrombon as they shared the PPS-PEPP Pinamalayan Open Tennis Championships top honors at the Bahaghari Tennis Club in Oriental Mindoro yesterday.

Capadocia, 22, flashed superb form and broke Iglupas early in both sets en route to a surprisingly lopsided 6-2, 6-3 victory in women’s singles finals of the event sponsored by Gov. Alfonso Umali Jr. It was the Antique ace’s third straight championship, counting her victories in the Brookside Open and the Mac’s Crankit Open where she outlasted Iglupas, 7-6(4), 4-6, 7-6(5).

Arcilla, in contrast, atoned for his setback to Patrombon at Mac’s Crankit with a 6-3, 6-4 victory to add the men’s singles crown to his vast trophy collection. The veteran Davis Cupper received P30,000 while Capadocia pocketed P20,000.

Reigning PCA Open winner Bryan Otico and Shaira Rivera bagged the mixed doubles crown worth P20,000 as they trounced Fritz Verdad and Clarice Patrimonio in the weeklong event backed by Palawan Pawnshop and held in partnership with the provincial government of Oriental Mindoro with board member Butch Buenaventura as event coordinator.

Capadocia, who also won a doubles crown in Bahrain last month, broke Iglupas in the fourth and sixth games then broke back in the eighth to wrap up the opening frame. She held serve twice in the next while breaking Iglupas in the second game to go 3-up before battling the Iligan City ace to a hold-serve game in the next six to nail the win.

Arcilla, who turned back Otico in the semis, 6-4, 6-3, yielded the first game on his serve but broke back in the next and in the sixth to grab a 4-2 lead then held serve to frustrate Patrombon, who outlasted Vicente Anasta, 6-7(15), 6-1, 6-2, in the Final Four.

Johnny Arcilla and Marian Capadocia hold their trophies as they pose with PPS-PEPP area manager Gina Simon (left) and Oriental Mindoro board member Butch Buenaventura after ruling the PPS-PEPP Pinamalayan Open.

Children’s Games near Benham Rise WHEN President Rodrigo Duterte visits Benham Rise next week, he will be greeted by an open swimming competition and the many activities of the Children’s Games.

Philippine Sports Commission Chairman William Ramirez said this is what’s in store during the presidential visit on May 15 and 16.

The town of Dimapigue, the town nearest Benham Rise, will be the main venue of the sporting events that the PSC will organize.

“President Duterte will go there. And, we will have open swimming and Children’s Games there. All is set,” said Ramirez.

This will be in line with the first anniversary of the undersea region’s renaming to the Philippine Rise.

The two sets of activities will also be in line for the PSC-organized “Sports for Peace.”

Duterte’s visit will also mark the launch

Turn to A7

COLUMBIAN Dyip ain’t running out of surprises.

In yet another surprising performance, the Dyip pulled off another upset win, stunning erstwhile unbeaten Rain or Shine, 104-96, for an impressive victory in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.

Columbian reinforcement John Fields finally showed what he is capable of in his second game, leading his team with a game-high 34 points and 11 rebounds.

“The big difference was energy. Our 34-point loss the last time was embarrassing, we wanted to bounce back strong,” described Fields of his team’s mindset for the game.

The rising backcourt duo of Rashawn McCarthy and Jerramy King bounced back and found their stroke again, providing help to Fields.

McCarthy scattered 23 points, six rebounds and four assists, while King was the third guy in twin-digits, scoring 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Columbian dealt Rain or Shine its first setback, sending it down to 3-1 while the Dyip improved to 3-2.

The Dyip’s early surge gave it an 11-point lead, 58-47, late in the first half after a three-point play from McCarthy at the 1:20 mark of the second quarter.

The Elasto Painters, however, ended the opening half with a 6-0 run to trim their deficit to only five, 53-58, at the turn and get themselves back in the game.

In fact, Rain or Shine stayed close and within striking distance the rest of the way but was still unable to be a threat down the stretch as Columbian Dyip kept it off bay with critical baskets, keeping the lead until the final horn.

It seems like Columbian has Rain or Shine’s number as the Elasto Painters was also the only team that the Dyip defeated in its campaign last Philippine Cup. Reggie Johnson led Rain or Shine with his own double-double of 30 points and 17 boards.

The scores: COLUMBIAN 104—Fields 34, McCarthy 23, King 13, Cahilig 8, Lastimosa 7, Celda 7, Tubid 4, Cabrera 3, Sara 2, Corpuz 2, Camson 1, Escoto 0.

RAIN OR SHINE 96—Johnson 30, Daquioag 17, Almazan 16, Tiu 9, Belga 7, Norwood 6, Yap 4, Ahanmisi 3, Torres 3, Nambatac 1, Washington 0.

Quarterscores: 31-28, 58-53, 82-80, 104-96.

Newsome out to defend PBA slam-dunk title A FORMER champion and the 2017 NCAA title holder are out to give reigning king Chris Newsome of Meralco a run for his money in the coming slam dunk contest of the PBA All-Star week.

Rey Guevarra of Phoenix and rookie Lervin Flores of Globalport are part of the eight-man cast out to challenge Newsome for his title in one of the featured side events of the mid-season classic, with Phoenix Fuel with Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor.

Before Newsome won last season’s edition, Guevarra held the throne three straight years from 2014 to 2016. He also competed in the contest a year ago, but only managed to place third as Newsome and James Forrester went mano-a-mano in the finals held at the Lucena Convention Center.

Flores, meanwhile, ruled the NCAA slam dunk last year, while playing for Arellano University, beating out Renato Ular and Justine Gutang for the title.

Others included in the slam dunk competition also backed up by Peak Sports Apparel, Rain or Shine, Molten, PBA RUSH-Cignal and Nature’s Spring mineral water, are Matt Ganuelas Rosser (San Miguel), Marion Magat (Alaska), Jackson Corpuz (Columbian Dyip), and Renz Palma (Blackwater).

Newsome for his part, is out to make history as he bids to become only the fifth player to win the slam dunk crown twice after Meralco teammate KG Canaleta (five), Guevarra (three), TNT Katropa’s Kelly Williams (two), and PBA great Vergel Meneses (two), who was the inaugural winner in 1992 while still donning the Presto jersey.

This year’s All-Star side events will be held in Batangas City during the second phase of the annual spectacle on May 25 pitting the national men’s team against the PBA Luzon selection.

Umali closes in on no. 1 Jumapao at PBF Pagcor Open JUNIOR bowler Kenzo Umali has become a force in the 2nd PBF Pagcor Philippine International Open.

Running sixth overall the other day, the 17-year-old jumped to second place in the men’s open qualifying rounds, beating some of local bowling’s prominent names a day before they enter the crucial stages of the 11-country meet. ``My goal is to always exceed my previous best,’’ said Umali after rolling 1467 that put the Grade 12 student from Charis School, Marikina City closer to No. 1 qualifier Jomar Jumapao.

Umali, who also secured the top seeding

in the youth division, has beaten veterans JP Macatula (1476), Paulo Valdez (1467) and defending men’s champion Kenneth Chua (1436) during the two-week tournament backed by Smart Communications, Cafe Puro and Boysen Paints. ``I have to bring this consistency when I qualify against the foreign bowlers in the finals,’’ said Umali.

Jumapao, a finalist in the World Cup last year in Mexico, topped the men’s open eliminations with 1520, highlighted by a record series of 819 early this week at the Coronado Lanes of Starmall in Mandaluyong City.

The top 6 in the men’s and women’s divi-

sion will move to the finals outright after Thursday’s last day of eliminations.

The qualifiers will play against the best bowlers from Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in the championship round this weekend.

World Cup champion Krizziah Tabora remained ahead in the women’s open qualifying race with 1515 followed by the comebacking Rachelle Leon (1416) and national team veterans Liza Del Rosario (1407), Alexis Sy (1381), junior bowler Bea Hernandez (1368) and defending champion Lara Posadas (1353).

IN BRIEF

Privacy body stops Jollibee web delivery THE National Privacy Commission ordered the suspension of the delivery services of Jollibee Foods Corp. on the web due to a possible breach in its data system.

The body issued the order in relation to a data breach report submitted by the fastfood chain on December 12, 2017.

JFC Group data privacy officer J’Mabelard M. Gustilo informed the commission that on December 8, 2017, persons unknown to the JFC Group appeared to have been able to gain access to the customer database of the delivery web site of Jollibee.

The NPC advised the fastfood chain to restrict external access to its networks for an indefinite time until the site’s identified vulnerabilities are addressed, as validated by a duly certified penetration testing methodology.

It also required Jollibee to create a security plan to ensure the integrity and retention of the database and its content within 10 calendar days upon receipt of the order.

Othel V. Campos

San Miguel prepares P10-b fixed rate notes DIVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. is raising at least P10 billion through the issuance of fixed rate notes due 2020 to institutional investors to refinance financial obligations and invest in core businesses.

San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would issue the P10-billion fixed rate notes in two series—Series A two-year fixed rate notes with an indicative rate of 5.25 percent and Series B with a put option and an indicative annual interest rate of 4.75 percent.

BDO Capital Investments Corp. and BPI Capital Corp. are the joint underwriters and issue managers of transaction.

The notes will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. and issued on May 25.

San Miguel in April also raised P20 billion from the issuance of fixed rate bonds due 2023, 2025 and 2028.

The P20-billion bond sale represents the third tranche of the company’s P60-billion bond shelf registration earlier approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business

Jollibee infusing P1.7b in dim sum restaurant chain RESTAURANT chain operator Jollibee Foods Corp. said Wednesday it is infusing S$45 million or P1.74 billion into a private equity fund that is set to acquire the master franchise of Michelin-starred dim sum restaurant chain Tim Ho Wan in Asia Pacific.

Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said the investment would provide Jollibee the opportunity to have a significant interest in the Tim Ho Wan franchise in the long term and bring healthy financial returns to the company.

“Our long-term interest in Tim Ho Wan is in line with JFC’s mission: to serve great tasting food and spread the joy of eating to everyone,” Tan Caktiong said.

Tim Ho Wan, which originated in Hong Kong in 2009, was dubbed as the world’s most affordable Michelinstarred restaurant. Its restaurants are typically full-packed with long waiting line at lunch and dinner.

Jollibee through wholly-owned subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. will invest in Titan Dining LP, which has a binding agreement for the acquisition of 100 percent of the Asia Pacific master franchise holder of the Tim Ho Wan brand, Tim Ho Wan Pte. Ltd. and its affiliate Dim Sum Pte. Ltd. which owns and operates Tim Ho Wan stores in Singapore.

Jollibee reported a net income of P1.8 billion in the first quarter, up 17.3 percent from a year ago, as revenues rose 18.8 percent to P34.8 billion.

THWPL holds the exclusive longterm master franchise to operate “Tim Ho Wan” food and beverage business in the Asia Pacific region (excluding Hong Kong).

Aside from DSPL in Singapore, THWPL also has franchisees in Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Macau, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Australia and the Philippines, with further development planned in the Asia Pacific.

There are 40 restaurant outlets under THWPL and DSPL, both companyowned and franchised stores.

Jenniffer B. Austria

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

B1

Exports sank 8% to $5.5b in March

By Julito G. Rada

T

RADE deficit widened to $2.6 billion in March, as exports sank for the third straight month this year and imports barely grew, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

Total external trade in goods reached $13.63 billion in March, down 3.4 percent from $14.11 billion in the same month in 2017. Exports dropped 8.2 percent to $5.5 billion from $6 billion a year ago, while imports rose 0.1 percent to $8.12 billion from $8.11 billion.

Economic Planning Secretary and Na-

tional Economic and Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia said the government should actively intervene in making Philippine exports more attractive to the global market to boost trade.

“As evident from the slowdown in trade figures of Asia, and even negative performance of the Philippines, China and India in the latest exports figures, the Philippine government should double its efforts in marketing the country’s export products to international consumers,” Pernia said.

Imports continued their eighth month of expansion, with a 0.1-percent increase, as payments for mineral fuels and lubricants kept total imports afloat against declines in all other commodity groups.

Pernia said short-term measures to

boost trade should include providing government support to promising export products whose demand was growing apace.

“This may include easing of government regulation, strengthened market intelligence gathering in partnership with the private sector, and maximizing the opportunities of trade agreements and economic groupings particularly within the Asian region,” he said.

He urged the Trade Department to encourage exporters to innovate and improve export quality by providing more access to testing, certification and accreditation facilities that would facilitate domestic compliance with international quality standards.

Pernia said the government was working on increasing the share of Halal goods

to 11 percent of total exports through the recent establishment of the National Halal Certification Scheme.

“Exporters need to be provided with updated information that would enable them to tap countries with a huge market base to diversify their markets and decrease their vulnerabilities,” he said.

Trade deficit in the first quarter hit $8.7 billion, higher than $6.1 billion a year ago, as exports fell 6 percent to $15.75 billion while imports increased 6.8 percent to $24.4 billion.

PSA data showed that the 8.2-percent drop in exports in March was brought about by the decreases in seven of the top 10 commodities for the month led by exports of machinery and transport equipment (44.6 percent).

LandBank’s net income jumped 52% in 1st quarter

NTC issues rules on electronic billing THE National Telecommunications Commission issued the new guidelines on electronic billing to address the issue of paperless billing.

Under the NTC order, or the “Guidelines on Electronic Billing (e-Billing), telco subscribers are given the option to receive electronic bills in lieu of paper bills. For those who will still opt to receive paper bills, the commission mandated telcos to provide bills free of any charge.

In choosing to receive electronic bills, the subscriber has the responsibility to regularly check his email or other medium of communication selected.

The circular further stated that new subscribers should exercise the options at the time of signing the contract for service.

If a subscriber opts to receive electronic bills, he should provide an email address where the statement of account would be forwarded. Telcos, however, may offer or use other mediums of communication, including web portals, provided notice to subscribers are made.

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

FIRST GEN’S BOARD. First Gen Corp. chairman and chief executive Federico Lopez (second from left) welcomes new independent director Alicia Morales (second from right), with two other top company officials after they were reelected during the annual stockholders’ meeting on May 9. Morales is a former chairman of the Philippine Stock Exchange. With Lopez are fellow directors Francis Giles Puno (left), concurrent president and chief operating officer of First Gen; and Richard Tantoco (right), the president and COO of subsidiary Energy Development Corp.

Megaworld, Robinsons Land report strong earnings

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developers Megaworld Corp. and Robinsons Land Corp. reported strong first-quarter earnings on significant growth in rental businesses.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income income attributable to its parent company climbed 11.3 percent in the first quarter to P3.2-billion from P2.8 billion in the same period in 2017. Megaworld is the property unit of Alliance Global Group Inc., the holding company of billionaire Andrew Tan. First-quarter consolidated revenues rose nearly 10 percent to P13.1 billion in January to March from P12 billion a year ago.

Sales from residential business, which accounted for 70 percent of total revenues, amounted to P8.8 billion, up 6 percent from a year earlier.

Rental income, which primarily came from leasing of office space and lifestyle malls, rose 16.5 percent to a record P3.4 billion from last year’s P2.9-billion, the fastest growth among the company’s business segments.

“The company remains on-track

to achieving its goal of P20-billion in rental revenues by 2020. This year will be critical for us as we construct a record number of leasable office and mall spaces,” Megaworld senior vice president Kevin Tan said.

Meanwhile, RLC, the property unit of the Gokongwei group, said first-quarter net income attributable to equity holders of the parent company increased 12 percent to P1.54 billion on double digit growth in consolidated revenues.

Consolidated sales in the three-month period rose 17 percent to P6.35 billion from P5.43 billion booked in the same period last year.

Sales from the company’s commercial center division went up 7 percent to P2.88 billion, supported by mall rental revenue growth and rental revenue contribution of new malls.

The residential division delivered P2.1 billion in revenues, up 40 percent from P1.5 billion in 2017 while office buildings division contributed P864.7 million to the company’s revenues, up 18 percent year-on-year.

The group’s hotel division contributed P474.6 million to the company’s revenues, up 4 percent from the previous year.

PETRON-METRO PARTNERSHIP. Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. and

Petron Corp. team up to allow loyalty card holders of Metro Rewards Card and Petron Value Card to gain more reward options for their accumulated points. Signing the partnership agreement are (from left) Petron national sales manager for cards business group Bentley Elgincolin, Petron assistant vice president for reseller trade Rommel Remulla, MRSGI chief merchandising officer Manuel Alberto and MRSGI chief marketing officer Pilut Montes.

SM Group posted P8.5-b net profit in three months CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said consolidated net income climbed 10 percent in the first three months to P8.5 billion from P7.7 billion in the same period last year, as the group’s property and retail businesses delivered strong results.

SMIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange property accounted for 46 percent of the group’s consolidated net income, followed by banks at 32 percent and retail at 22 percent.

First-quarter consolidated revenues also rose 11 percent to P95 billion from P85.4 billion in the same quarter in 2017.

“We continue to build on our strong 2017 performance with revenues rising faster in the first quarter this year. Looking ahead, we remain cautiously optimistic about underlying consumption trends despite inflationary pressures,” SMIC president Frederic DyBuncio said.

Retail operations under SM Retail Inc., which consist of both food and non-food, booked a net income of P2.6 billion in January to March, up 14 percent from a year earlier. Total sales reached P67.4 billion, an increase of 10 percent year-on-year.

SM Retail had 2,081 stores as of end-March, including 59 SM Stores, 1,283 specialty retail stores, 53 SM Supermarkets, 47 SM Hypermarkets, 186 Savemore, 46 WalterMart and 407 Alfamart stores.

Revenues from SM Retail’s specialty retail stores grew 16 percent to P17.4 billion, in part driven by expansion and new formats such as Miniso, which had 48 stores at the end of the first quarter.

Property arm SM Prime Holdings, Inc. posted a 15-percent growth in net income in the first three months to P7.6 billion, as consolidated revenues rose 14 percent to P23.4 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

STATE-RUN Land Bank of the Philippines, the fourth-largest lender in terms of assets, said Wednesday net income jumped 52 percent in the first quarter to P4.26 billion from P2.81 billion a year ago on sustained strength of core businesses.

The bank said in a statement the first-quarter profit also exceeded the target of P3.78 billion for the period by 13 percent.

“This quarter’s performance assures us that we are gaining the momentum to meet our targets this year.

The 31-percent growth in our loan portfolio is also a strong indicator of our fervent drive to reach more agribusiness borrowers, especially in the countryside,” LandBank president and chief executive Alex Buenaventura said.

“The bank’s solid financial performance is our source of financial muscle to attain our bigger mission of promoting inclusive growth,” he said.

The first-quarter net profit was brought about by a 47-percent surge in gross revenues to P17.4 billion from P11.8 billion a year earlier.

The bank attributed a big chunk of the increase in net income to higher interest income on loans which grew 25 percent. Outstanding loans grew 31 percent to P694.71 billion from P529.16 billion.

The bank said its return on equity and net interest margin reached 15.74 percent and 3.33 percent, respectively, which were above the latest industry average figures.

Assets rose 19 percent to P1.63 trillion in the first quarter from P1.38 trillion in the same period last year.

Deposits expanded 19 percent to P1.44 trillion from P1.22 trillion.

LandBank said total capital went up 22 percent to P108.37 billion from P88.63 billion as of endMarch 2017.

Buenaventura said the bank remained aggressive in strengthening lending programs and tailoring new programs to the needs of clients, especially the priority sectors.

Julito G. Rada

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Ban gko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, May 9, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

51.8870

Japan

Yen

0.009165

0.4755 70.2965

UK

Pound

1.354800

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127397

6.6102

Switzerland

Franc

0.998602

51.8145

Canada

Dollar

0.772320

40.0734

Singapore

Dollar

0.746269

38.7217

Australia

Dollar

0.745000

38.6558

Bahrain

Dinar

2.654985

137.7592

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.8358

Brunei

Dollar

0.743494

38.5777

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.031348

1.6266

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.1274

Euro

Euro

1.186600

61.5691

Korea

Won

0.000928

0.0482

China

Yuan

0.157057

8.1492

India

Rupee

0.014898

0.7730

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.253293

13.1426

New Zealand

Dollar

0.696900

36.1601

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033562

1.7414

Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market down in thin trading T HE stock market slipped Tuesday in thin trading, weighed down by mixed corporate results and lingering concerns on rising inflation.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 22.30 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,555.27 on a value turnover of nearly P5 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 113 to 73, with 59 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei slumped 4 percent to P59.05, while Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. dropped 3.1 percent to P59.70.

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, lost 2.3 percent to P81 after reporting a 15-percent decline in profits in the first

quarter of the year on higher expenses from new terminals.

Security Bank Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets, tumbled 3.9 percent to P189.50.

Oil prices, meanwhile, surged more than two percent in Asia on Wednesday after Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, fueling fresh geopolitical uncertainty.

Despite the energy sector’s gains, Asian equity markets fluctuated through the day and struggled to keep track.

Tokyo and Hong Kong both ended up 0.4 percent but Shanghai was 0.1 percent lower.

Singapore added 0.2 percent, Seoul was down 0.2 percent while Sydney was 0.3 percent higher. Bangkok fell but Jakarta, Wellington and Taipei were in positive territory.

Both main crude contracts have been

However, they bounced back strongly in Asia and there is talk crude could continue rising to $80 a barrel, with gains helped by uncertainty in oil-rich Venezuela, the Opec-Russia output cap, improving global demand and data pointing to a drop in US stockpiles.

“Given the unilateral move by the US, much of the movement on oil prices had been factored in,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trade at OANDA. He said that the market would continue to be supported by other factors, adding that “even without Iran sanctions oil prices will remain firm.”

The hike in oil prices boosted regional energy firms, with CNOOC and Sinopec up more than two percent and PetroChina piling on 4.4 percent in Hong Kong.

Inpex added one percent in Tokyo. Sydney-listed Woodside Petroleum and Rio Tinto were also sharply up. With AFP

rising in recent weeks to reach threeand-half-year highs on expectations the US president would withdraw from the 2015 pact, which opened up Tehran’s atomic program in return for an easing of sanctions.

In an address Tuesday, he said he would pull out of the accord—which was agreed by Britain, China, Germany, Russia and the Obama administration— calling it “defective at its core.”

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani said the country could now resume uranium enrichment “without limit” but would discuss its response with the other signatories before making a decision.

With the move already priced into markets, WTI and Brent sank soon after the announcement with some commentators suggesting Trump could still pedal back on some of his rhetoric and shift to a more diplomatic tone.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, MAY 9, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.85 7,140 96 1,643,530 3.08 88,000 126.1 1,638,200 1.58 266,000 34.8 89,400 6.8 2,000 16.3 17,500 16.06 642,600 3.46 72,000 8.78 2,500 1.52 12,000 0.61 6,076,000 81.5 2,518,390 1.07 630,000 12.2 20,500 21.5 9,000 52 68,050 211 32,820 107.9 150 84.15 1,110 37.7 87,400 189.5 906,810 1,900 65 89.35 47,940 1.2 24,000

417,885.50 156,857,778.50 271,050 206,391,039 425,280 3,116,330 13,684 285,250 10,325,100 250,520 21,950 18,140 3,627,060 205,672,014 665,300 250,100 193,660 3,538,626.50 6,925,864 16,232 93,255 3,319,295 172,959,724 123,475 4,282,445.50 28,900

285,016.50 -49,839,965 -65,097,782 -1,272,165 140,546 -72,469,632 -44,470 -1,002,021.50 -29,896 -2,268,955 -131,048,960 -879,236.50 -

38 14.24 0.61 1.26 19.88 0.226 140.7 3.35 15.92 248 50.9 24.7 57 67.1 96 1.95 5.15 9 10.68 16 11.54 7.18 5.21 15.3 63.65 17.32 8.68 16.22 2.05 279 54.95 5.1 17.22 25.75 14.06 21.9 324 0.188 6.72 2.34 4.5 9.26 5.6 7.92 1.45 12.2 53.5 6.2 1.9 1.88 14.12 64.95 5.28 0.138 0.98 140 3.47 0.82

INDUSTRIAL 38.25 664,100 14.4 459,700 0.62 1,092,000 1.27 86,000 20.15 33,100 0.231 2,220,000 140.7 240 3.38 6,572,000 17 37,300 248 10 52 620,540 25 3,100 57 1,551,250 68 730 96 60 1.95 21,000 5.2 30,900 9 3,000 10.82 8,817,200 16.1 2,418,200 11.54 226,900 7.19 37,400 5.29 5,421,900 15.38 1,232,000 64 15,020 18 300,200 8.78 11,800 16.7 393,700 2.18 4,530,000 283 646,300 54.95 10 5.1 66,500 17.22 100 26 750,200 14.1 49,800 22.25 2,119,100 328 309,540 0.19 330,000 6.72 8,600 2.36 2,245,000 4.5 800,000 9.39 2,741,600 5.68 456,300 7.98 22,800 1.48 95,000 12.32 15,600 53.95 480,180 6.2 40,000 1.92 59,000 1.89 174,000 14.3 15,800 65 257,830 5.38 47,500 0.138 120,000 1.02 56,000 141.3 540,920 3.56 15,806,000 0.83 2,423,000

25,342,380 6,607,334 677,280 108,480 658,808 508,610 34,029 22,470,650 624,724 2,480 32,132,942.50 77,225 88,421,355 49,188 5,767 41,220 160,859 27,493 94,769,542 39,275,606 2,626,642 268,809 28,671,281 18,989,222 959,874 5,402,196 103,040 6,495,840 9,720,740 182,963,846 549.5 340,935 1,722 19,508,870 702,998 47,161,865 101,575,726 62,140 57,905 5,291,560 3,672,950 25,695,752 2,612,218 181,854 139,970 190,692 25,868,520.50 248,000 113,240 329,350 225,786 16,773,274.50 252,544 16,650 55,330 76,398,436 56,203,630 2,018,900

-5,694,560 625,068 -6,869,140 385,100 -15,746,355 2,269,746 2,262,994 1,067,348 -146,591 -9,606,546 -996,662 -380,869 225,160.00 3,200,728.00 -461,610 10,781,348 -14,420 -1,641,585 -18,332 8,270,095 9,718,338 -435,810 4,430,361 -19,302 -11,880 -36,250 -18,758,792 247,380 -66,584 6,645,210 -21,226,358 686,930 -8,320

0.28 61.6 13.22 0.9 6.56 0.65 0.66 941 6.63 10.5 7.63 0.212 1,026 7.18 61.4 0.63 4.88 21.75 0.59 5.54 0.04 1.17 3.29 2.51 136.2 2.56 920 0.79 1.68 555 264 0.249 0.25 0.192

0.27 59.7 13.06 0.88 6.56 0.63 0.64 930 6.53 10.14 7.6 0.211 993 7.11 59.05 0.6 4.39 21.2 0.57 5.2 0.039 1.16 3.2 2.5 135.4 2.56 903 0.79 1.64 537 260 0.239 0.245 0.192

HOLDING FIRMS 0.275 2,170,000 59.7 2,111,910 13.08 7,513,500 0.9 85,000 6.56 200 0.64 7,182,000 0.66 328,000 941 160,110 6.58 135,200 10.14 7,729,800 7.62 36,300 0.212 270,000 997 107,415 7.11 400 59.05 1,983,920 0.63 163,000 4.61 3,943,000 21.7 4,249,000 0.58 2,088,000 5.4 35,143,600 0.04 5,900,000 1.17 24,000 3.25 898,000 2.5 10,000 136 167,960 2.56 28,000 920 106,650 0.79 40,000 1.68 72,000 555 60 264 1,990 0.249 320,000 0.245 4,140,000 0.192 1,000,000

590,600 128,050,804.50 98,376,336 75,440 1,312 4,588,120 213,020 150,072,270 888,044 79,425,920 276,662 57,150 107,999,490 2,851 118,399,218.50 99,460 18,611,430 91,371,770 1,200,390 189,778,161 235,700 27,940 2,902,640 25,090 22,828,122 71,680 97,391,755 31,600 119,430 32,580 523,702 77,140 1,018,670 192,000

-68,716,299.50 -12,029,284 195,000 12,530,570 19,499 -31,168,226 1,730,155 -36,518,720.50 -316,560 -6,117,975 42,027,609 -4,666,376 -45,116,535 19,120 192,000

7.28 1.05 2.1 0.85 40.5 3.45 4.79 6.09 0.47 1.03 1.05 0.238 0.44 31.9 0.65 0.12 1.68 1.27

7.1 1.02 2.01 0.82 39.95 3.38 4.53 6.02 0.45 1.03 0.99 0.235 0.44 31 0.62 0.12 1.64 1.26

PROPERTY 7.1 1,834,100 1.04 8,811,000 2.01 378,000 0.84 907,000 39.95 4,370,500 3.41 110,000 4.73 1,671,000 6.02 4,100 0.465 20,900,000 1.03 59,000 1.03 9,136,000 0.236 4,390,000 0.44 290,000 31.6 352,400 0.65 728,000 0.12 100,000 1.65 8,134,000 1.26 812,000

13,166,165 9,141,190 763,720 751,070 175,328,715 374,130 7,838,140 24,696 9,668,550 60,770 9,227,390 1,035,590 127,600 11,091,790 456,150 12,000 13,424,280 1,024,180

2,011,558 98,600 98,560 8,300 -48,225,765 -95,020 -291,500 -6,463,200 3,989,600 23,600 3,642,875 -3,250 -9,594,340 -10,190

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

57.35 97.15 3.08 127 1.55 35 7.01 16.3 16.02 3.52 8.78 1.52 0.63 82.4 1.08 12.2 21.65 53 211.8 110 84 38.8 195.1 1,895 89.2 1.21

58.9 97.15 3.09 127 1.65 35 7.01 16.3 16.24 3.52 8.78 1.52 0.63 82.5 1.08 12.2 21.65 53 211.8 110 84.15 38.8 195.7 1,900 89.4 1.21

57.35 94.5 3.08 124.7 1.55 34.8 6.8 16.3 16 3.41 8.78 1.5 0.58 81.4 1.05 12.2 21.5 51.9 210 107.9 84 37.7 189.3 1,895 89.1 1.2

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

38.3 14.44 0.64 1.26 19.9 0.232 142.9 3.39 16.1 248 51.8 24.8 57 68 96.7 1.98 5.15 9.3 10.8 16.36 11.6 7.2 5.37 15.5 63.7 18.3 8.8 16.3 2.05 279 54.95 5.14 17.22 26.55 14.18 22.5 324.2 0.189 6.83 2.36 4.71 9.3 5.9 7.98 1.49 12.2 53.85 6.2 1.9 1.9 14.5 65.5 5.38 0.139 0.99 141 3.61 0.85

38.4 14.46 0.64 1.28 20.2 0.232 142.9 3.5 17 248 52 25 57.9 68 96.7 1.98 5.43 9.3 10.82 16.5 11.64 7.2 5.37 15.66 64 18.3 8.8 16.7 2.18 285 54.95 5.19 17.22 26.6 14.18 22.5 329.4 0.19 6.83 2.36 4.71 9.47 6 7.98 1.5 12.32 54 6.2 1.92 1.91 14.5 65.55 5.39 0.139 1.04 141.5 3.64 0.86

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

0.28 61.15 13.1 0.89 6.56 0.63 0.64 936 6.63 10.5 7.62 0.212 1,011 7.18 60.7 0.61 4.49 21.7 0.58 5.23 0.039 1.16 3.21 2.51 136 2.56 919.5 0.79 1.66 537 260 0.239 0.25 0.192

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

7.28 1.03 2.1 0.83 40.35 3.38 4.53 6.09 0.455 1.03 1 0.237 0.44 31.25 0.64 0.12 1.68 1.26

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

1.04 4.25 0.62 0.455 0.54 4.17 18.22 2.04 33.9 1.16 10.3 0.79 6.86

1.05 4.34 0.66 0.46 0.55 4.17 18.36 2.04 34.55 1.17 10.4 0.79 6.89

1.04 4.23 0.62 0.45 0.53 4.08 17.98 1.98 33.75 1.13 10.18 0.78 6.72

1.04 4.29 0.65 0.46 0.55 4.1 18 2 34.3 1.14 10.3 0.78 6.75

568,000 13,926,000 194,140,000 1,970,000 2,931,000 1,240,000 2,879,400 244,000 10,891,700 5,294,000 92,200 124,000 4,216,700

591,330 59,778,680 124,543,630 889,850 1,572,160 5,089,470 51,919,058 488,920 372,872,635 6,074,450 945,414 97,030 28,694,644

-13,989,180 -723,170 -3,418,398 147,630 43,840,405 -20,626 -5,727,383

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

16.5 27.6 0.48 0.047 12.8 12.14 0.053 89.1 8.72 7.15 7.7 2.3 21.95 1,650 5.62 302 12.02 4.18 2.28 82.85 13.02 0.121 1.39 3.5 14.6 4.67 1.02 23 0.54 4.15 6.2 3.25 8.38 11.88 9.89 126.8 5.95 1,380 1.08 0.43 47 87.5 7.15 2.39 1.32 0.435 4.78 0.87 10.94

16.5 27.6 0.485 0.048 12.8 12.16 0.054 89.5 8.72 7.18 7.7 2.3 21.95 1,750 5.62 307 12.06 4.18 2.28 82.85 13.02 0.121 1.42 3.5 14.6 4.67 1.03 24 0.54 4.32 6.35 3.35 8.65 11.88 9.89 128.5 6.28 1,388 1.08 0.445 47 89.65 7.15 2.39 1.32 0.445 4.86 0.88 11.18

15.84 27.05 0.48 0.047 12.8 11.8 0.053 88.8 8.7 7.03 7.35 2.16 21.55 1,645 5.54 302 12.02 4.1 2.28 79.25 13 0.118 1.39 3.36 14.54 4.59 1.02 23 0.52 4.15 6.16 3.22 8.37 11.1 9.45 126.8 5.95 1,342 1.03 0.425 46 85.4 7.15 2.25 1.29 0.42 4.76 0.86 10.94

SERVICES 15.84 27.05 0.485 0.047 12.8 11.8 0.054 89 8.71 7.12 7.6 2.16 21.6 1,750 5.56 307 12.06 4.14 2.28 81 13 0.118 1.42 3.49 14.54 4.6 1.03 23.7 0.52 4.18 6.29 3.22 8.5 11.6 9.45 128.5 6 1,342 1.03 0.425 46.6 87 7.15 2.3 1.31 0.43 4.8 0.86 11.16

58,300 16,500 610,000 5,500,000 120,000 9,975,200 2,520,000 93,590 3,900 502,000 105,600 5,000 28,500 70,685 216,900 3,380 900 339,000 5,000 2,415,000 11,600 620,000 1,188,000 24,000 43,500 1,294,000 37,000 4,148,900 77,000 63,000 2,189,000 1,816,000 9,206,300 8,000 1,200 5,100 2,752,800 49,220 8,234,000 51,500,000 207,900 263,010 50,600 1,360,000 5,305,000 10,290,000 963,000 1,488,000 1,868,200

930,588 451,830 293,450 258,600 1,536,000 119,619,242 134,070 8,331,432 33,977 3,577,049 800,005 11,200 620,020 120,636,450 1,203,803 1,033,412 10,830 1,396,420 11,400 193,455,274 150,876 73,650 1,653,850 82,290 632,664 5,955,850 37,990 98,487,350 41,530 263,780 13,743,622 5,863,740 78,188,689 90,450 11,561 649,646 16,707,406 66,597,575 8,611,970 22,033,500 9,615,835 22,651,330.50 361,790 3,129,380 6,946,120 4,459,950 4,615,220 1,290,010 20,704,756

-15,960 768,000 6,987,736 282,943 17,420 142,250 13,617,845 9,204 -74,060.00 -19,998,439 -59,780 -34,880,180 -8,450 -2,435,674 1,781,540 554,801 502,195 2,288,638 -48,388,785 811,250 -4,581,175 -4,166,821.50 -1,080,170 53,100 61,600 -426,700 -8,700 5,325,258

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

0.0028 1.73 4.3 17.62 1.62 0.3 7.46 2.27 0.208 0.139 0.141 0.0088 1.47 5.2 1.19 0.54 0.93 0.012 0.013 2.11 5.65 13.72 28.05

0.0028 1.76 4.49 18.78 1.65 0.3 7.46 2.3 0.208 0.139 0.141 0.0088 1.5 5.2 1.22 0.57 0.95 0.013 0.013 2.12 5.76 13.9 28.4

0.0028 1.72 4.3 17.62 1.62 0.3 7.23 2.22 0.202 0.137 0.141 0.0084 1.45 5.12 1.18 0.54 0.91 0.012 0.012 2.11 5.59 13.38 28

MINING & OIL 0.0028 162,000,000 1.75 1,316,000 4.3 234,000 18.5 10,900 1.65 425,000 0.3 200,000 7.23 200 2.3 1,046,000 0.207 210,000 0.137 820,000 0.141 80,000 0.0087 61,000,000 1.47 119,000 5.14 482,500 1.22 62,000 0.57 40,000 0.95 271,000 0.012 360,000,000 0.012 18,700,000 2.12 38,000 5.6 335,700 13.54 1,407,000 28.25 844,900

453,600 2,289,840 1,010,820 193,004 697,830 60,000 1,469 2,374,270 43,550 112,880 11,280 530,800 173,130 2,481,017 73,340 22,500 249,070 4,320,200 227,900 80,200 1,886,140 19,056,328 23,895,995

-498,800 -118,860 378,570 922,707 -1,140 6,500 -1,695,540 4,336,556 -16,657,480

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

26.2 488 510 101.2 107.8 504.5 5.47 980 100.5 1.06 104 1,055 104.4 980 76.9 79 76.1 77.8 76.1

26.45 488 510 101.2 107.8 504.5 5.5 980 100.5 1.06 106.5 1,055 104.4 980 76.9 79 76.1 78.75 76.1

25.5 488 510 100.3 107 504.5 5.47 976 100.5 1.06 104 1,055 104.4 975 76.9 78.6 76.1 77.8 76

PREFERRED 26 166,500 488 750 510 1,000 100.3 50,640 107 1,570 504.5 680 5.5 320,600 980 2,050 100.5 1,000 1.06 18,000 106.5 1,080 1,055 15 104.4 10 975 300 76.9 60 78.6 51,290 76.1 100 78.75 1,620 76.1 15,900

4,330,895 366,000 510,000 5,102,706 168,006 343,060 1,763,282 2,008,800 100,500 19,080 112,520 15,825 1,044 293,450 4,614 4,043,514 7,610 126,150 1,209,720

-2,808,095 -1,760,000 -

LR WARRANT

2.76

2.79

2.7

WARRANTS 2.79 115,000

313,570

-

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.49 3.01 3.18

5.49 3.01 3.25

5.27 2.9 3.16

5.3 2.99 3.22

749,900 217,000 732,000

4,010,938 636,850 2,330,460

-16,423 29,500 -35,770

FIRST METRO ETF

116.7

117.3

116.5

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.6 60,190

7,041,361

3,498

MS TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

14,903,807

INDUSTRIAL

67,489,772

HOLDING FIRMS

88,461,629

PROPERTY

301,592,822

SERVICES

130,325,917

MINING & OIL

610,396,008

GRAND TOTAL

1,214,931,333

SME

VALUE 1,860.52 (down) 26.02 780,116,300.30 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,096.08 (up) 41.61 954,546,098.51 HOLDING FIRMS 7,600.17 (down) 10.53 1,361,416,699.92 PROPERTY 3,593.21 (up) 11.18 1,510.72 (down) 14.22 912,345,776.72 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,095.22 (up) 12.29 878,906,351.33 PSEI 7,555.27 (down) 22.30 60,261,995.888 All Shares Index 4,620.49 (down) 8.84 4,961,619,956.35 Gainers: 73; Losers: 113; Unchanged: 59; Total: 245

First Gen’s income rose to $60m in 1st quarter

By Alena Mae S. Flores FIRST Gen Corp. of the Lopez Group registered a recurring net income of $60 million in the first quarter, up 34 percent from $45 million year-on-year.

First Gen’s attributable net income in the first quarter reached $40 million, down 4 percent from 2017.

First Gen chief finance officer Emmanuel Singson, meanwhile, said it was forecasting a higher full year net income reaching “a little below $200 million” this year.

“Recurring net income I think for last year we ended at about $160 million. Hopefully, we do a little below $200 million for this year if EDC has a flat recurring net income as well.

Because as you can see we already performed better in the first quarter by $50 million,” Singson said.

The company reported a recurring net income attributable to equity holders of the parent at $163 million in 2017 due to the impact of calamities on hydro and geothermal facilities and weak spot market prices.

Singson said the company was looking at full year capital expenditure of $35 million, including $20 million to be spent for a planned liquefied natural gas facility and $15 million for the San Gabriel natural gas plant.

First Gen said in a disclosure on Wednesday the sold performance of the 97-megawatt Avion peaking plant (Avion) and the 420-MW San Gabriel flex plant (San Gabriel), as well as savings in interest expense, partly offset unrealized foreign exchange losses and Energy Development Corp.’s weak performance in the first quarter.

“Even if San Gabriel is currently fully merchant and awaiting the regulatory approval for the power supply contract with Meralco (Manila Electric Co.), we still posted a strong turnaround with higher spot market prices in the first quarter of 2018,” First Gen President and chief operating officer Francis Giles Puno said.

First Gen’s consolidated revenues from the sale of electricity increased to $457 million from $429 million in the same period last year.

ICTSI says profit down 15% in Q1

By Darwin G. Amojelar INTERNATIONAL Container Terminal Services Inc. said net income in the first quarter of 2018 fell 15 percent to $44.1 million from $51.7 million year-on-year, dragged down by higher expenses from new terminals.

Gross revenues from port operations in first quarter rose nine percent to $325.4 million from $297.2 million in the same period in 2017.

“The increase in revenues was mainly due to volume growth, tariff rate adjustments at certain terminals, new contracts with shipping lines and services, increased storage and ancillary services, and the contribution from the company’s new terminals in Australia and Papua New Guinea,” ICTSI said.

Excluding the new terminals, consolidated gross revenues increased six percent.

ICTSI handled consolidated volume of 2,325,540 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in the first quarter, two percent more than 2,272,647 TEUs handled in the same period in 2017.

“The increase in volume was primarily due to continuous improvement in global trade activities particularly in the emerging markets, continuing ramp-up at ICTSI Iraq, and ICTSI Democratic Republic of Congo (IDRC), and contributions from Victoria International Container Terminal and South Pacific International Container Terminal Limited, the Company’s new terminals in Melbourne, Australia and Lae, Papua New Guinea, respectively,” ICTSI said.

The increase, however, was tapered by the volume decline in Guayaquil, Ecuador and Karachi, Pakistan.

Consolidated volume growth was flat.

The company’s consolidated cash operating expenses rose 24 percent to $129.1 million from $103.9 million last year.

“The increase in cash operating expenses was mainly driven by cost contribution of new terminals in Australia and Papua New Guinea, higher fuel consumption and external yard rental as a result of increase in volume, increase in price of fuel and power rate at certain terminals, and unfavorable translation impact of Mexican Peso expenses at CMSA,” it added.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

Trump pulls out of nuclear deal with Iran W

ASHINGTON—President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a landmark deal curbing Iran’s nuclear program and reimposed crippling sanctions on Tuesday, defying European pleas and prompting an international outcry.

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN BANTAYAN ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (BIPCOR) AND BANTAYAN ISLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BANELCO), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

Trump poured scorn on the “disastrous” 2015 accord, describing it as an “embarrassment” to the United States that does nothing to contain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal,” Trump said in an address to the nation from the White House.

Slapping aside more than a decade and a half of careful diplomacy Minimum Maximum

by Britain, China, France, Germany, Iran, Russia and past US administrations, Trump called for a “new and lasting deal.”

That grand bargain, he said, would have to include not just deeper restrictions on Iran’s nuclear program, but on its ballistic missiles and support for militant groups across the Middle East.

“We cannot prevent an Iranian nu-

BANTAYAN ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (BIPCOR) AND BANTAYAN ISLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BANELCO), Applicants. x ---------------------------------x NOTICE OF PUBUC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 25 October 2017, Bantayan Island Power Corporation (BIPCOR) and Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BANELCO) filed a Joint Application dated 20 August 2017 (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of the second amendment to the power supply agreement between Bantayan Island Power Corporation (BIPCOR) and Bantayan Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BANELCO), with prayer for provisional authority.

4.1.8 Operation Mode

BIPCOR and BANELCO alleged the following in its Application: 1.0 PARTIES 1.1 BIPCOR is organized and existing as a private corporation under Philippine laws. It is classified as a generation company under Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPlRA), and it is the only New Power Provider (NPP) in the small island of Bantayan, Province of Cebu. Its principal office is at the 4,h Floor, Northside Business Hub, G. Lopez J aena cor.

A.P. Cortes St., Tipolo, Mandaue City, Cebu. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

1.2 BANELCO is organized as an electric cooperative under Presidential Decree No. 269 and it exists as such under Philippine laws. It is classified as a distribution utility (DU) under the EPlRA, and it is the sole DU with a franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to distribute electricity in the island of Bantayan, Cebu.

Its principal office is at BANELCO Building, Barangay Bantigue, Bantayan, Cebu. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

2.0 STATEMENT OF FACTS 2.1 BIPCOR-BANELCO POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT 2.2 On June 11, 2004, BIPCOR and BANELCO executed a Power Supply Agreement (PSA), under which BIPCOR agreed to generate and supply power from its Diesel Power Plant to BANELCO at Net Capacity of 2.7 MW during the first three (3) years of the Cooperation Period as defined in the PSA, and thereafter, to generate and supply the total power requirements of BANELCO (base-load and peakload demands) after the said 3-year period and throughout the Cooperation Period of 15 years from the Commercial Operations Date. The PSA was submitted to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) for approval in ERC Case No. 200S-036RC, and the ERC approved the PSA with modifications in its Order dated February 15, 2006.

2.3 BIPCOR started its commercial operations on November 8, 2006 with base-load operation for its two (2) units of 3.0 MW bunker oil-fired diesel engine generators while NPCSPUG supplied the peak-load requirements from 2006 to 2009.

2.4 Starting July 1, 2009, NPC-SPUG stopped its operation for peak-load requirements and BIPCOR carried the total load demand on a 24-hour basis with the support of the small peaking units of 2 x 319 kW capacities. When the peak demand increased to 3.5 MW in 2011, BANELCO and BIPCOR amended the PSA for the addition of a 1.7 MW diesel engine generator and to increase the Minimum Dependable Capacity (MDC) to 4.892 MW to make the power supply situation in the island stable. The amended PSA was submitted to ERC for approval in ERC Case No. 2012-01ORC, and the ERC approved the amended PSA with modifications in its Order dated April 2, 2012.

2.5 SUPPLY-DEMAND SCENARIO 2.6 In the meantime, the maximum electrical load demand in the island grid of Bantayan has increased and exceeded BANELCO’s forecast resulting to an inadequate standby cold reserve capacity and the reduction of the MDC as required by the Grid Code for BIPCOR’s existing Diesel Power Plant.

This situation could eventually result to BIPCOR’s inability to maintain a safe and reliable power supply to all consumers under BANELCO’s franchise area. Shown below are the supplydemand curves covering the years 2013 to 2021.

Bantayan Island Supply-Demand Scenario

The Plant shall continue to be operated twentyfour (24) hours a day following load requirements of BANELCO.

3.1 In view of the observed extraordinary load and energy growths, BANELCO requested, and BIPCOR agreed, to expand the plant capacity. A feasibility study was initiated by BIPCOR which confirmed that a 3.0MW capacity addition is the most appropriate to address the increasing load demand. Thus, BANELCO and BIPCOR entered into the second amendment of the PSA on April 27, 2016.

There shall be no minimum power or energy off-take; however, BlPCOR’s Plant shall be the exclusive power supplier to BANELCO for the whole duration of the Cooperation Period.

4.1.9 Terms o/Payment Energy Fee

3.2 The agreement to amend the existing PSA was premised on the right of BANELCO to request for plant capacity addition when it is necessary to cope with the increasing load and energy demands beyond what had been guaranteed pursuant to Article 2 Section 2.7 and Article 8, Section 8.1 ofthe PSA. It was also taken into consideration that the period for the amended PSA shall be within the Cooperation Period for 15 years.

3.3 BIPCOR’S PROJECT

3.0

PLANT

CAPACITY

For the energy delivered by BIPCOR, BANELCO shall pay BIPCOR an amount based on the Amended Tariff Formula hereunder as approved by ERC in its Decision, ERC Case Nno. 2012-010 RC dated April 2, 2012:

EXPANSION

3.4 BIPCOR’s present installed capacity of 8,519 kW with MCR of 7,488 kW only is now operating at a risk during the peak hours when the power demand is at a maximum of 5,300 kilowatts. At this level of power demand, the Plant operates without sufficient cold reserve equivalent to at least an MDC of 2,700 kW. BIPCOR’s required MDC is 2,700 kW when any of the 2 x 3.0 MW units are in operation. Presently, however, the cold reserve at peak time is 2,088 kW only, which is short of 612 kilowatts.

3.5 In an island where the Plant is operating as a standalone power generating station, the spinning or hot reserve and the cold or standby reserve are to be provided by the Plant itself. The MDC or simply cold reserve should be at least equal in capacity to the biggest unit capacity in operation. This contingency reserve should be ready at all times to start and substitute any of the biggest unit in operation that may conk out or may be shut down for repair and maintenance. Any shortfall in Plant capacity resulting from the breakdown of a unit in operation, which is not being replaced due to the absence or the inadequacy of the cold or contingency reserve, would definitely cause, and has caused, power supply shortage and load-shedding.

Fc = Fuel Cost Recovery Fee Actual Fuel Rate = Wtd. Ave. of Fuel Prices Delivered at the Plant site and consumed during the Billing Period using the approved fuel mix of 95% HFO and 5% LFO Where Fuel rate in liter per kWh is 0.2611 or the actual fuel consumption rate whichever is lower. Prices of fuel oil shall be in Pesos per liter.

LOc=Lube Oil Cost Recovery Fee Actual Lube Oil Rate x Weighted Ave. of Lube Oil Prices Delivered at Plant site and consumed during the Billing Period.

3.6 Hence, the urgency and the necessity to address any power supply shortfall now and until the next five years justify the immediate implementation of the 3.0 MW Plant Capacity Expansion Project.

Where Lube Oil Rate in liter/kWh shall be 0.0022 or the actual consumption rate whichever is lower.

3.7 DELAY IN PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION 3.8 This Project was originally intended to be operational in the second quarter of 2017. However, the delay in the filing of this application deferred the project implementation which caused the recurrent power outages in BANELCO’s franchise area. The filing of the application did not materialize in view of BIPCOR’s inability to procure its Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC). This was primarily due to the permanent environmental protection order and writ of continuing mandamus issued by the Regional Trial Court (RTC) of Mandaue City, Branch 28 which enjoined the DENR from accepting, processing, and approving applications of Certificate of Non-Coverage (CNC) and Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) upon all constructions and projects pending the completion of the Protected Area Management Plan for Bantayan Island.

In deference to the Commission’s directive to secure first the ECC before the application will be accepted, BIPCOR exerted all efforts to follow up on the status of the protection orders and continuing mandamus with RTC of Mandaue City, Branch 28. Finally, on August 4, 2017, the Environmental Management Bureau of Region 7 issued the amended ECC for the 3.oMW plant capacity expansion project.

3.9 PROCUREMENT PROCESS 3.10 In the parties’ attempt to comply with ERC rules and regulations relative to the conduct of the Competitive Selection Process (CSP), BIPCOR, in a letter dated September 19, 2016 (attached hereto as Annex L-1), sought clarification from the Department of Energy (DOE) if the PSA between BIPCOR and BANELCO was covered by the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) raiSing among other things the following grounds for consideration (1) Bantayan Island is an off-grid area; (2) pursuant to Article 2, Section 6 of the PSA, BANELCO shall, at no cost to BIPCOR, purchase all of its electricity requirement from BIPCOR’s Plant on a priority basis throughout the Is-year Cooperation Period; and (3) BIPCOR is the only power provider in the island of Bantayan.

O&M= Operation & Maintenance Costs Recovery Fee 1.5215 per kWh This is the combined weighted average of the New Plant (3.0 MW) and the Existing Plant (8.519 MW), based on the existing Amended PSA of P1.2384 per kWh but adjusted to the CPI as of March 2016 which is 146.2 from the CPl as of April 2011 which was 119.

The energy tariff shall be subjected to adjustment due to inflation but for the O&M Cost Recovery Fee component only starting on the First Billing Period after the Effectivity date of this Amendment PSA. The formula to be applied in computing the adjusted Energy Tariff shall be:

CPIo = Consumer Price Index for Cebu Province published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the month upon signing of this Agreement The agreed Energy Tariff Adjustment is PhPO.7246 per kWh, computed from the forecasted Energy Sales from 2017 to 2021 of 159,986,000 kilowatt-hours with tbe 3.0-MW New Plant’s energy share of 64,000,000 kilowatt-hours (40%) and the existing Plant’s energy share of 95,986,000 kilowatthours (60%), as shown below:

7.3

It is understood that the interim relief sought by the applicants that may be granted by the Commission, shall be subject to adjustments and other conditions that the Commission may impose after hearing and final determination of the Honorable Commission.

RELIEF

(1)

approve this Application;

(2)

grant the applicants Provisional Authority to implement the Project and to charge the corresponding Energy Tariff Adjustment;

(3)

treat Annexes B, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, and CC as confidential information; and

Finding the said Application sufficient in substance with the required fees having been paid, on 14 March 2018, the Commission issued an Order and Notice of Public Hearing, setting the case for hearing on 03 May 2018.

On 19 April 2018, BIPCOR and BANELCO filed an Urgent Motion to Reset Initial Public Hearing dated 17 April 2018 (Motion) praying that the 03 May 2018 be reset to another date due to lack of time to publish.

Finding the said Motion in order, the Commission granted the same.

Hence, the hearing on 03 May 2018 is cancelled.

4.1.2 Supply

Accordingly, the Commission sets anew the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 30 May 2018 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the’ morning (10:00 A.M.), at BANELCO’s principal office at BANELCO Building, Barangay Bantigue, Bantayan, Cebu.

The works called for in this Project shall include the financing, design, procurement, permitting, construction, transport, installation/erection, completion, testing, commissioning, operation and maintenance of the additional 3.oMW engine generator of the existing powerplant.

4.1.3 Capacity

The breakdown of the rate impact, as computed

by BIPCOR and BANELCO, respectively, is submitted herewith as Attachment 1 and Attachment 2.

In view of the urgency of the Project and the length of time to be able to complete its financing, installation, testing, and commissioning, applicants BIPCOR and BANELCO pray for a provisional authority to proceed with the Project and to charge the applied Energy Tanff Adjustment or such tariff that the Commission will allow, subject to the final decision on this Application. Applicants adopt all the allegations herein and all submissions in support of the prayer for a Provisional Authority.

(4) grant the applicants other equitable relief.

The term consists of the twelve-month period commencing on November 8, 2006 and every year thereafter for fifteen (15) years.

With the proposed Tariff Adjustment, an increase of 0.7246 per kWh in the true cost generation rate (TCGR) is expected.

7.2

Applicants BIPCOR and BANELCO pray that the Honorable Commission:

4.1.1 Term

4.1.5 Rate Impact

Applicants replead by reference the foregoing allegation and further aver:

CPIc = Consumer Price Index for Cebu Province published by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) for the month at the date of determination of the Billing Period

4.1 The supply of the contracted energy under the amended PSA shall be subject to the following salient terms and conditions:

BIPCOR shall guarantee the delivery of the 9.6 MW as minimum Guaranteed Net Capacity of the plant to BANELCO. BIPCOR shall guarantee the delivery of 37,500,000 kilowatthours of electricity annually to BANELCO easured at the high voltage side of the main power transformer of the plant.

7.1

Where

4.0 SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SECOND AMENDED PSA

4.1.4 Guaranteed Annual Energy Delivery and Plant Capacity

7.0 PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Adjusted Energy Tariff = CCR + Fc + LOc + O&M (CPIc/CPIo)

3.12 Thus, the PSA between BIPCOR and BANELCO is not covered by the CSP requirement as certified by the DOE.

With the additional installed capacity of 3.0 MW, the Net Capacity of the power plant or the maximum dependable capacity shall not be less than 9.6 MW as measured at the high voltage side of the main output transformer at the site and design conditions provided in Article 4.1 of the First Schedule.

6.2 These documents contain valuable proprietary interests and information relating to the business and operations of BIPCOR and they are not available to the public. Hence, they must be perpetually protected and not disclosed to any third party.

4 .1.10 Tariff Adjustment

3.11 In its reply-letter dated September 20, 2016 (attached hereto as Annex L), the DOE clarified that it has “recognized BIPCOR as the New Power Provider of BANELCO that will generate and supply the total power requirements (base load and peak load demands, including ancillary services) in Bantayan Island throughout the Is-year cooperation period as provided in their PSA.”

2.8 The average daily load curve is shown below:

Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani― whose standing at home now risks being undermined by the deal’s collapse―was furious, accusing Trump of “psychological warfare.”

Rouhani said Iran could resume uranium enrichment “without limit” in response to Trump’s announcement, but that it would discuss its response with other parties to the deal before announcing a decision. AFP

LongTerm Loan including the schedule of Original Loan and Updated Balances.

2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 3350 3551 3764 3990 4229 3850 6201 6573 6967 7385

3.0 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THE SECOND AMENDED PSA

ERC CASE NO. 2017-099 RC

clear bomb under the decaying and rotten structure of the current agreement,” he claimed.

“We will not allow American cities to be threatened with destruction and we will not allow a regime that chants ‘Death to America’ to gain access to the most deadly weapons on Earth.”

It remains far from clear if the international community, or Iran, will play along.

4.1.11 Project Cost Details of the Project Cost are included in this application as Annex W. 4.1.12 Summary Analysis of the Amended PSA A summary analysis of the impact of the increased electricity infusion as to capacity and cost is as follows:

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceedings before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 23rd day of April 2018 in Pasig City.

4.1.6 Payment

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A.. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

Details of the payment arrangement between BIPCOR and BANELCO can be found in page 20 of the 2016 Amended PSA. 4.1.7 Sources of Funds/Financial Plans; Cash Flow Submitted herewith are the following: (a) a discussion on BIPCOR’s cash flow, including information related thereto; and (b) a copy of Philippine Veteran’s Bank Certification of

(MS-MAY 10 & 17, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

LocaL government units

thursday, may 10, 2018

SM Foundation Trustee and Corporate Affairs head Chito Macapagal (center) joins some of the 216 farmerbeneficiaries— most of the Aetas from the hinterlands of Dinalupihan— in celebrating their bountiful harvest at the end of the 157th Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training program in the Bataan town.

Take drug tests, QC bets urged

By Rio N. Araja

Davao drivers warned against faking PUV IDs

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The City Transportation and Traffic Management Office on Thursday warned drivers who possessed fake Public Utility Vehicle identification cards that they will be punished fittingly.

The CTTMO issued the statement after the arrest of Virgilio “Boy” Libawan, who was detained for making fake PUV IDs and selling them for P200 to P300.

“Once we find out that you are possessing a fake ID, we will make sure that you are going to be punished accordingly,” said CTTMO chief Dionisio Abude.

Abude reminded drivers that the acquisition of IDs and licenses is not a right but a privilege.

“This is the means of living that we have chosen, therefore we should protect it, so it would not be taken from us,” he said.

To acquire a PUV ID, a driver must undergo a seminar organized by the CTTMO. Afterwards, their details, including their name and license numbers, will be encoded in the CTTMO system.

The PUV IDs have a quick response code feature, which can be scanned through an application and reveal the driver’s identity, ID number and the date of issuance.

The QR code can also help traffic personnel on field to keep track of the violations committed by a certain driver.

After a month of implementation since April 1, the CTTMO has already apprehended 253 vehicles which has no PUV IDs.

T

HE Quezon City government on Wednesday called on all barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates in the May 14 elections to undergo drug tests.

The 37-member city council urged candidates to subject themselves to drug testing as they go out to campaign.

It passed City Resolution 7440 to encourage all candidates in the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataang elections to take the initiative to undergo voluntary drug testing.

“In support of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s thrust against illegal drugs, it is imperative that those who have the desire to be barangay officials must be drug free,” the resolution read.

Under the resolution, candidates are also encouraged to include the illegal drug campaign of the city as an integral part of their campaign platform.

Over 200 barangay and SK can-

didates from District 2’s barangays Holy Spirit, Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Bagong Silangan and Payatas have taken an integrity pledge for a free, orderly, violence-free and fair election during a peace covenant signing organized by the Commission on Elections at the city hall.

Quezon City Police District Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel said the police will perform its duty to enforce the law and take the necessary action to ensure public safety during the elections.

At the QCPD’s Station 7 in Cubao, 113 accepted the drug test challenge of Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde.

The candidates who willingly ac-

cepted the challenge came from barangays Bagong Lipunan, E. Rodriguez, Horse Shoe, Kaunlaran, San Martin de Porres, San Roque, Silangan, Socorro and Valencia.

Meanwhile, the city government has launched a book on the compilation of 50 speeches of Mayor Herbert Bautista in time for his 50th birthday on May 12.

Its City Public Library released the book entitled “Lessons and Legacies,” after the Feb. 5 release of the “QC Milestones: A Timeline of Events that shaped a Great City.”

The book classified Bautista’s speeches into six subject areas -- Making Local Governance and Leadership Work, Pursuing Social and Community Development, Maintaining Public Order and Safety, Promoting Business and Entrepreneurship, Advocating for the Environment and Disaster Management, and the Mayor’s State of the City Addresses from 2010 to 2017.

KIDS’ ART. Caloocan City’s Cultural Affairs and Tourism Office recently conducted a summer workshop for kids of city employees.

The short drawing course, led by Reynaldo Carino, catered to five to 10 year olds who brought their own art materials at the Bulwagang Katipunan of Caloocan city hall. On-the-job trainees from La Consolacion College-Caloocan assisted CATO staff in the annual summer activity for children supported by Mayor Oscar Malapitan. Jun David

Farmers, Aetas among 216 to graduate from KSK tack DINALUPIHAN, Bataan—Each Friday since February, 216 farmers-beneficiaries would leave their upland barangays here to toil and nurture their plants using the greenhouse farming technology taught them by Harbest Agribusiness Inc. and learn business and financial skills under Banco de Oro Foundation and its rural bank, One Network.

Indigenous tribal members were among the graduating farmers in the SM Foundation Inc.’s 157th Kabalikat sa Kabuhayan training program that held its harvest festival last Thursday.

The dark-skinned Aetas of the highlands were among the happiest of the harvesters as they learned new farming technologies and skills that would otherwise have eluded them had they not joined the 157th KSK program of the Foundation.

Part of the training was organizing them into dynamic groups and turning them into productive earning units to enable them to eventually sell their crops in the local markets, as well as to the suppliers of the SM Group’s retail chains.

The program saw the participation of government agencies like the Departments of Agriculture, Trade and Industry and Social Welfare and Development, but for the most part, it was motivated by the dynamism of Dinalupihan Mayor Gila Garcia.

2 ‘INC’ men nabbed in poll extortion try SANTA ROSA CITY, Laguna—Two men who allegedly tried to extort money from a barangay chairman running for reelection in the May 14 polls here were arrested by intelligence unit operatives of the city police on Wednesday.

In a report to Calabarzon Regional Police Director Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, Laguna Provincial Director Senior Supt. Kirby John Kraft identified the suspects as Jerome Manalo Trinos and Paul Mark Lavina Umlas, both of Santa Rosa City.

They were nabbed inside a restaurant at the Sta. Rosa Commercial Complex in Bgy. Balibago at about 5 p.m. Tuesday, Kraft reported. Operatives also recovered a .45 cal. pistol from Umlas.

According to Santa Rosa City Chief of Police Supt. Eugene Orate, the victim—identified as Cezar Hernandez, who is running for chairman of San Lorenzo South in Barangay Malitlit— said the suspects prodded him to pay them P600,000 in exchange for endorsing his name to the local Iglesia ni Cristo congregation.

The INC is known for block-voting practices in elections. However, the religious group condemned and disowned Trinos and Umlas, saying they were no longer members of the Christian sect.

Sta. Rosa police will file cases of violating the election gun ban and robbery extortion against the suspects, who were locked in the city jail. Roy Tomandao

DoH-Calabarzon gives out ambulances, dental buses to cities, LGUs

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Department of Health in Calabarzon yesterday turned over three out of 49 land ambulances and one of two dental buses to the municipalities of Biñan in Laguna, Lobo and San Luis in Batangas, and Padre Burgos in Quezon.

DoH Regional Director Eduardo C.

Janairo said of the 49 units, 36 were already allocated, with the additional 13 still to be distributed to eligible local government units.

“My only request to the local executives and recipients of these units is to manage them effectively, take good care of them and use them as intended, an emergency medical transport for patients needing immediate

treatment and care,” Janairo stated during the turnover ceremony held at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center Grounds in Quezon City.

“Let us not forget that these units were given to provide prompt basic and advanced life support services for patients in rural areas 24/7,” he added.

Among the recipients of the ambu-

lances are the provincial government of Batangas (one dental bus), the municipalities of Lobo, San Luis and Mabini in Batangas; Barangay Dolores in Taytay, Rizal; Antipolo City and barangays Muntindilaw, Beverly Hills, Mambugan, San Isidro and Mayamot in Antipolo; the Lone District of Binan (one dental bus) and Pagsanjan in Laguna.

Spread ‘acts of kindness,’ Globe tells PH GLOBE Telecom is calling on various organizations and volunteers to join its nationwide volunteer program slated to launch this month to promote sharing an act of kindness among Filipinos and collectively contribute to social development.

“We are reaching out to individuals, communities and companies to help create a ‘Globe of Good’ through the program,” said Yoly Crisanto, Globe chief sustainability officer said.

“Studies have shown that company volunteerism is a great tool for employee engagement.

Over 90 percent of employees who volunteer are happier with their employers while majority of those who are proud of their company’s contributions to society are engaged at work. Our program aspires to bring families, friends, and co-workers to form a unique culture of kindness,” Crisanto added.

Globe partnered with Future Maker iVolunteer Philippines to provide the volunteer sign-up platform through any device with internet access. Individuals can sign up or register for free provided groups are formed comprised of two to four volunteers to join the activities.

Companies with no existing volunteer programs will find it easy to look for various opportunities to match the needs of its employees. On the other hand, companies with existing volunteer programs may also register to get their volunteer hours counted for a chance to win exciting prizes.

“Everyone has an opportunity to volunteer. We encourage our fellow Filipinos especially our customers to share their time, talent or treasure for a good cause,” Crisanto said.

Individuals and groups who wish to volunteer can visit facebook.com/GlobeBridgeCom.

MANILA ‘PAILAW’. In line with the city government’s urban renewal program aimed at reviving Manila’s old

glory, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada installed brand-new LED street lights along Blumentritt Avenue, from G. Tuazon Street to La Loma Street in Sampaloc, last April 25. Estrada said he would like to see Manila as the ‘Paris of Asia’ or ‘City of Lights’ while ensuring the safety of its constituents at nighttime.

Life

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

household

thursday, may 10, 2018

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BABY’S BIG BOWL. A mother and her ‘bulilit’ mix their favorite Cerelac recipe using giant-sized ingredients at the Let’s Eat, Bulilit! event.

Fun mealtimes with little ones

By Mae Gianina C. Pascual

I

T IS said that the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is a critical window that sets the stage for their cognitive development and lifelong health.

Kids’ early feeding practices are vital in establishing optimum health to protect them later in life and build their prosperous futures. Introduction to flavor preferences can also impact the way they see and consume certain foods, especially vegetables. however, international studies reveal that most children do not meet the recommended

vegetables consumption. But this can be easily amended with early feeding intervention strategies.

Cerelac, an established brand of baby food, introduces a new way of promoting good eating habits while giving proper nutrition to kids.

Through its “Let’s eat, Bulilit!” campaign, mommies and daddies learn

how to get the right nutrition at the right age for their children. Children start to develop a sense of curiosity as they grow, and this offers a perfect opportunity for parents to start introducing them to new flavors and different textures. A way to introduce healthy foods to children is to pair fruits and vegetables like broccoli, squash, sweet potato, and even chicken with an infant cereal like Cerelac.

Cerelac is a nutrient-dense food with no added preservatives. It has Protect Plus, a combination of BIFIDUS BL for a healthy digestive system and DhA which is an important building block for brain

and eye development for children. In addition, it provides almost 1/3 of a child’s daily energy requirement and is also a rich source of B Vitamins, Vitamins C, A and D, Iron, Zinc, Calcium, Phosphorus, Protein, Iodine, and Folic Acid.

It can be served alone or mixed with sliced fruits and vegetables.

Aside from offering a nutritious bowl of food for young tots, the brand believes that mealtimes should be a fun and memorable experience shared between a parent and a child.

On April 28, mommies and daddies along with their bulilits took part in Cerelac’s Let’s eat, Bulilit! event by simply buying one 7g pack of Cerelac.

Inside the venue, parents and their little tykes got to know more about the baby food brand’s nutritional benefits at the

Bulilit Meal Maker, experienced mixing their favorite Cerelac recipe using giant-sized ingredients at the Cerelac Delight Bowls, and took Instagramworthy shots of their children sitting on the themed dining areas at the Bulilit at the Big Table.

“Let’s eat, Bulilit! is our way of helping parents foster stronger relationships with their little ones through messy but healthy mealtimes,” said Kirby Joseph neri, consumer marketing manager lead for Cerelac.

“With this event, we hope to teach moms and dads more about children’s nutrition, complementary feeding, and more importantly, provide fun opportunities for bonding with their children.”

Photos by Mae Gianina C. Pascual

Parents and their little tykes learn about messy but healthy mealtimes.

A curved TV provides an added sense of depth and panoramic wrap-around effect

WAnT your living space to reflect the sunny, tropical vibe of the season? Give it a bit of tweaking here and there, and inject fun summer shades and prints.

Debenhams’ home line presents two key trends that you can incorporate to your living space’s décor.

The style influence of the Debenhams hastings Collection is a modern take on traditional nautical design with a fresh contemporary twist. This collec-

Bright and sunny home

Curvy is the new sexy

When it comes to home entertainment, curved television proves that it is currently the hottest gadget.

Since introduction to the market, curved TVs have been changing the way Filipino families consume entertainment. From merely being plopped on couches, viewers get a chance to be transported “right there” in the scenes they are watching.

Aside from taking viewers to a different viewing experience, that flat televisions can’t, there are more reasons why a sexy home entertainment system includes a curved TV—specifically, Samsung Curved TV.

It minimizes eye strain

Watercolor pastel toned bedding from the Cosmopolitan Collection

Quirky lamps add a whimsy to any space

tion offers subtle, current updates for the home.

The Cosmopolitan Collection, on the other hand, features watercolor pastel toned bedding, and charmingly sweet tea party pieces. Splashes of baby pink and muted blue, complemented with flicks of glamorous gold markings, fun pompom details, and rich mohair tex-

tures bring to life a design-led collection of decorative accessories, textiles, and bathroom essentials.

In addition to Debenhams home line is a selection of quirky lighting fixtures from Abigail Ahern—perfect as unique accents for your home.

The British brand’s home line is available at its Glorietta 4-Rustan’s Makati store.

Watching with family through flat TV is often interrupted when you feel tired after a couple of hours. Curved TV screen, on the other hand, follows the natural curve of the eyes offering a more relaxed and enjoyable binge-watching sessions and movie marathons.

Moreover, Samsung Curved UhD TV produces powerful images that are closer to real life which may help reduce viewing fatigue.

It enhances your perspective

The TV provides an added sense

of depth and panoramic wraparound effect, drawing audiences into the heart of the action. If you’re hosting a viewing party for a large group of friends, you can’t go wrong with the curved variety, as wherever your guests are seated on the couch, they will get the same quality as the one watching in the middle.

The Curved UhD TV goes beyond the normal color spectrum.

The screen allows you to see various shades of the same color, creating striking images for a more immersive viewing experience.

It improves concentration

Samsung Curved TV’s distortion-free images let viewers better focus on what is being shown on the display. Compared to flat TVs with a wider perspective, the optimum curvature and stunning picture of the Samsung Curved TV help viewers concentrate without hassle, especially during fastpaced sequences.

Since Samsung Curved UhD TV offers more pixels tightly packed with higher resolutions, viewers can get stunning images that can help them watch riveting scenes with intricate details without getting distracted.

Life

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thursday, may 10, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

4 smart spending strategies for the household everYONe loves a “sulit” purchase. Whether you’re on a budget or on a splurging mode, getting the “most bang for your buck” is a simple yet profoundly rewarding feeling.

Unknown to many, when it comes to spending, less doesn’t always mean more. Oftentimes, investing early on or upgrading strategically can be more cost-efficient especially for necessary items and essential services at home.

Here are four ways to do when you want to save more in the long run:

Human Nature’s pioneer team sent to Brgy. Delabayan in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

A new Hope rises in Marawi

O

ver 200,000 Marawi residents fled the city last May when the fighting between government forces and rebels groups escalated.

While armed conflict ended last October, the bigger fight against hopelessness has yet to be won.

There are currently 51 evacuation centers filled with families whose homecomings remain uncertain. Unexploded bombs from military airstrikes are still being excavated in the 24 Marawi villages where fighting was heaviest.

Dubbed as “ground zero,” many of the homes and establishments in the area are now bullet-riddled and defaced.

Despite circumstances, hope is not yet dead.

HOPe Marawi rehabilitation Initiative is currently serving 165 internally displaced Meranaw families now based in Brgy. Delabayan in the Municipality of Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte.

The HOPe Marawi rehabilitation Initiative is part of a worldwide effort called PeACe Plan. established by Californiabased evangelical group Saddleback Church, the PeACe (Promote reconciliation, equip leaders, Assist the poor, Care for the sick, and educate the next generation) Plan encourages and equips local Christian churches to respond to the needs of their communities.

“The survivors know that the homes and businesses they left behind have been totaled, destroyed,” shares PeACe Plan Ambassador for Southeast Asia Kaka Constantino.

Purchase big-sized items

For items you regularly use at home, like detergent soap, shampoo, dishwashing liquid, coffee, and milk, it’s better to buy the biggest or family-sized packages as it eliminates the need to buy more often. Items which come in refillable containers also give you more savings because you’ll only have to buy refill packs which are cheaper. The same principle applies to buying in bulk especially for food items you consume daily like rice or eggs.

Volunteers prepare meals for the displaced families in evacuation centers in Marawi

She continues, “Many of the bakwits (evacuees) are Muslims and they asked us: why are you Christians here? Why are you helping? We told them, we just want to express our concern and love... for simple humanity. Now that the siege is over we are called to walk an extra mile.”

The PeACe Plan initiative aims to build the New Hope village, composed of at least 100 houses. The village will be the first of its kind to rise in Mindanao.

“You may think that we’re just building houses but in reality, it’s more than that. We’re helping rebuild lives, giving families a second chance.”

Last March, Human Nature launched a new Goodness rising effort to support the HOPe Marawi rehabilitation Initiative. The company aims to build 50 Houses of Hope in Delabayan.

Goodness rising is an employeedriven fundraising effort that began in

2013 during the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda. The initiative proves that no act of kindness is insignificant. To date, the combined efforts of Human Nature employees, advocates, and customers has raised over P20 million in funding to help various causes.

Last February, Human Nature sent its first team of employees to Delabayan to participate in community-building efforts.

Kin Mabuan, a digital marketing associate relates her experience: “Their lives have been put on hold.

The displaced don’t have proper shelter.

An evacuation center can only provide so much comfort. We all begin with pity but what they need more is compassion... because you know in your heart of hearts that it is what they need.

Not your politics, not your personal beliefs—but the premium you put on life and in death.”

Pay in full

Whenever you can, settle your bills in full. This especially applies to credit cards and tuition. Paying in full means you avoid interest charges which can significantly compound debt. In most schools, a discount is given to parents who opt to pay in full at the start of the school year. Aside from the savings, not having to worry about succeeding payments is always a priceless feeling.

Get an extra

Having an extra of things you regularly use is a practical way to save money in the long run. For instance, buying two pairs of reasonably priced office shoes so you can alternately use them is a smarter choice than buying one expensive pair which will wear out faster if used daily.

Employee-volunteers participate in community-building efforts in Barangay Delabayan.

Kitchen items, pantry staples up for grabs in an online game

Over 32,0000 summer treats and three major raffle prizes are up for grabs in Summer Surprise, an online game from Marketplace by rustan’s and rustan’s Supermarket.

To join, go to supermarketsurprise. com and register using your mobile phone number. Follow the mechanics and try to match three items of the same kinds to win.

Among the items winners can bag are Coke Zero 330 ml, Del Monte Bone Smart Orange Juice 1L, Nescafe Gold White espresso spresso 20g, Nescafe Gold Cappuccino 20.5g 4’s, Nescafe Gold White espresso 25g 4’s, Lucky Me Pancit Canton Kalamansi Cup 70g, Lucky Me Pancit Canton Chili Cup 70g, Snapmax Party Mix 150g, and Snapmax Coated Green Peas 80g.

Major raffle prizes also await three lucky registrants who will be select-

ed via raffle draw. Grand prize is a enAid Wesserkessel, and third prize KitchenAid Artisanal Mixer, second is a Delonghi espresso and Cappucprize is a KitchenAid Food Chopper, cino Maker.

KitchenAid Hand Mixer and KitchThe game is on until June 13.

KitchenAid and Delonghi tools to be raffled off in the Summer Surprise promotion

Buy in bundles

Aside from saving you money, bundles save you shopping time. There are bundles for food items, toiletries, clothing, and even digital services.

PLDT’s Best Buy Bundle is a bundle that brings together the digital lifestyle basics of Filipino families—home broadband, mobile connectivity, and home entertainment.

The Best Buy Bundle enables subscribers to mix and match unlimited PLDT Home Fibr, Smart mobile, and Cignal pay Tv plans. Aside from the unified bill, subscribers enjoy huge savings of up to 15 percent off when they bundle three services and 10 percent off if they choose a pair. The savings can reach up to P11,300 a year.

THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

Gawad Alternatibo now accepting entries THE Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Cinemalaya Foundation, is now accepting entries to the Ika-30 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, the longest-running independent film and video competition in Asia. Deadline for submission is on June 8.

One of the major components of the 14th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, the film competition will harvest the best cinematic works by the country’s most outstanding film and video artists in various categories such as Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary and Animation, with special awards on Best Regional Entry and Best Entry On/For/By Children.

The competition proper and screenings will be on Aug. 4 to 6, at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.

All entries in all categories must not exceed 60 minutes, contain only

A

XN, the flagship English general entertainment (GE) channel of Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks, Asia once again had audiences across the country riveted, coveting the no. 1 spot as the country’s top English GE channel for the last 12 months.

Cine Lokal goes global

AXN ended 2017 claiming a 21 percent primetime share among 20 English GE channels, cementing its position as the dominant leader in the English GE category.

The channel also retained the top spot in its category in the opening quarter of this year with an even bigger dominance within the English GE space.

“Viewers are spoilt for choice when it comes to entertainment options, so we’re thrilled that AXN continues to be the preferred destination for Pinoys to get their content fix,” said Armi Malaluan, Director and Business Head, AXN Networks Philippines.

“We know what our fans want, and it’s all about creating meaningful entertainment that they live, breathe and crave. We have a powerful line-up of series and events planned for the rest of the year, kicking off with America’s Got Talent later this month, so tune in for more thrills,” Malaluan added.

AXN’s recent feats are attributed to its roster of ground-breaking original productions, such as Asia’s Got Talent and Adventure Your Way; top-rated drama series, and award-winning reality shows, making the channel the viewers’ clear favorite when it comes to entertainment.

To maintain its leadership throughout 2018, AXN will unveil a programming lineup that includes some of the most highly anticipated and popular new and returning drama series and reality shows.

The first two on the schedule are two of the world’s most iconic entertainment reality series: Britain’s Got Talent and America’s Got Talent. SPT Networks, Asia recently announced a multi-year licensing agreement with FremantleMedia International to acquire the two reality giants, and together with Asia’s Got Talent, they make a perfect trifecta for fans of talent competitions.

Viewers can discover more about the latest entertainment by tuning into AXN on its six partner platforms or via social media via @AXNAsia. AXN is available on Cablelink Channel 38, Cignal Channel 121, Destiny Cable Channel 49, G Sat Channel 51, and SKYCable Channel 49. AXN HD is available on SKYCable Channel 247.

THE Film Development Council of the Philippines is proud to announce the Philippine premiere of the international drama film Train Station in Cine Lokal.

The film produced by McGoollagan Films in Association with US based filmmakers CollabFeature. This unique collaborative film features 40 directors in 25 countries with 43 actors taking on the lead actor role of “The Person in Brown” and has been described as a new genre in filmmaking, uniting cultures and breaking language barriers.

Train Station is about a mysterious train accident that forces a man to change his plans, he is confronted

'Train Station' is a multi-director feature film that follows a single character played by 40 actors.

From C4

“Mostly we need the permission to mention but yes, Madonna is still a client. Because we don’t treat famous people for free. There are Presidents and former Presidents whose names we can’t reveal. Every patient pays the same price. Whether you’re a President of a country or an ordinary person,” he said.

He said their clinic is a health resort in Germany, near Munich. “My grandfather started it in 1954. We only do the treatment there. All patients are insured. The doctors are very experienced and we have [state-of-the-art] technology. Most important, everything is legal.”

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, May 10, 2018

ACROSS 1 Generously 6 Police officer 9 Hunter’s garb 13 Eva — Saint 14 Southeast Asian 15 Fish finder 16 “I don’t mind — —” 17 Decree 19 Provokes 21 Makes a run 22 Sailor’s word 23 Feels grateful 25 Um cousins 26 Astonish 27 Levels off 32 Long adventure stories 35 Rugged cliffs 36 Bikini top 37 Skip 38 Possibly 39 Barn colors 40 Oater answer 41 Camel halts 42 Exaggerated 43 Turns to bone 45 Add- — (extras) 46 Postal abbr.

47 Trims a doily 49 Kiwi’s extinct cousin 52 Kids’ wheels 55 Slanted type 57 Introduced 59 Duke it out

60 Tea sweetener 61 Previously 62 Clear sky 63 Fateful date 64 Alfred E. Neuman’s publication 65 Nostalgic fashion DOWN 1 Fridge maker 2 Salt’s pal 3 Talk idly 4 Cheery tune 5 Bright colors 6 Stuffy 7 Dory mover 8 Okra morsels 9 Rough 10 “Green Gables” redhead 11 PC alternatives 12 Pyrite 15 Farm sounds 18 When glaciers advanced (2 wds.)

20 Bleater 24 Most nimble 26 Picnic intruder 28 Science rooms 29 Sacked out 30 Lahore language 31 Letter encl.

32 Cellist — Ma

(hyph.)

33 Home of Iowa State University 34 Splits 35 Lawyer’s job 38 Knight’s girl 39 TLC providers 41 Not in tune (hyph.)

42 More risky 44 Spring blooms 45 Old-time slugger Mel — 48 Gave assistance to 49 Prowess

50 Autumnal hue 51 Houston baseballer 52 Walked heavily 53 Artist — Magritte 54 Stalk 56 Word dieters may look for 57 Frat letter 58 Epoch

with a series of choices. Each decision he makes leads to different scenarios - filmed by a different director with a different cast.

Almost transcendent in its treatment, the film has won more than 15 international awards and has multiple entries in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records including Most Directors of a Feature Film, Most Female Directors of a Feature Film, Most Languages Spoken in a Feature Film, Most Country Locations of a Feature Film, and Most Number of Actors in the Lead Role.

Train Station premiered in Cine Lokal in eigth SM Cinemas on May 4.

Atom Araullo, host of 'Adventure Your Way,' which is one of AXN's top-rated shows.

A treatment…

Dr. Daniel Block of Dr. Siefried Block GmbH Centre for Cell Therapy explains the wonders of living cell therapy.

one title, and must have been completed not earlier than May 31, 2017. All works must be strictly independent works and not produced for commercial screening.

School-based works (i.e. thesis) are eligible.

The competition is open to all Filipinos.

Interested artist is allowed a maximum of three entries in each category, but can only submit in one category. Entries must be submitted not later than 6:00 p.m. on June 8 at the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division Office (Media Arts Division).

Application form can be downloaded at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or www. cinemalaya.org. Applicants can also visit the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division Office, 4/F CCP Main Building, CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City during office hours (9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), from Tuesday to Friday.

They avail of another resort-like farm where 700 sheep are kept and maintained by veterinarians. They are fed with organic, natural ingredients, no chemicals.

Dr. Daniel’s clinic partnered with Antonio Valeriano Bernardo and Catherine Joy Serrano, president and country representative of DSBlock Cell Therapy Phils. Co. Serrano was a former patient of Dr. Daniel’s clinic in Germany.

“Our partnership is very young, around half a year only. She (Serrano) experienced it on her own. She has no diseases but availed of the therapy for maintaining her health. Now we want it to bring to the Filipino people,” said Dr. Daniel.

The treatments they give indicate

complaints arising from Alzheimer’s disease, bronchial asthma, cerebral palsy, diabetes, low sexual potency, lung and cardiovascular diseases, stroke, multiple sclerosis, up to staying younger than one’s actual age.

The patient must stay for a week in their clinic in Germany for the six-day treatment.

But first, DSBlock Cell Therapy in the Philippines is tasked to do the pre-screening in tie-up with an accredited hospital. It is important to determine if the patient is fit for the treatment. They also process needed travel documents like visa.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a king or a president of a country,” Dr. Daniel added.

“Every patient gets a pre-screening and we create individual cell program.”

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 10, 2018

Christian Bautista, Regine Velasquez and Julie Anne San Jose onstage at the Dagupan leg of '3 Stars, 1 Heart.'

More than a thousand concertgoers trooped to the Metrotent in Pasig to join members of Sandwich celebrate a remarkable career milestone.

Two decades of Sandwich

By Louise Lizan Images by Sonny Espiritu

I

N A world dominated by Spotify, iTunes, and modern music apps, nothing beats the organic feeling of classic listening-through-the-radio kind of thing and having the radio stations blast out music from bands people have come to love years ago.

Take Sandwich, for example.

Music consumers from different generations have grown up learning and knowing all the lyrics to “Sugod,” “Betamax” and jammed to the band’s other tunes. Its songs have become anthems and people couldn’t stop listening to them. That even now, with the rise of music artists stealing the limelight, people still can’t help but to bob their heads along whenever a song of Sandwich is played in the background.

And gladly, the talented men behind the band are still doing what they love to do – play and make music.

The band recently made a comeback, a fitting celebration that marked its 20th anniversary with the theme “Under the Glow of the Satellite.”

Showered with different achievements throughout its music career, the band relived the moments of its journey with songs that have made history in the Philippines’ local rock music, not stopping at the accomplishments it already had, but rather continuing to have fun in what the members love the most -- music.

Sandwich never bowed down or gave up in the wave of new music artists or genres.

The alternative-rock band challenged itself through the obstacles that it has to face – and came down to its special 20th anniversary concert held on April 13 at

the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City, a show, which according to the band’s frontman Raymund Marasigan, took them eight month to prepare.

It was a night full of nostalgic songs that made up the childhood of a generation that grew up together with the band.

“So, it’s been 20 years…feels like 19,” Marasigan quips and appeals to the members of the crowd who have their mobile phones in their hands, “I want you to experience the show. You can take a few pictures but we’d rather have you experience [the concert] like the way we do it years ago. We want to perform for you not to the people on social media.”

Also, it was a night full of reminiscing and reliving memories that Sandwich has taken a part of, especially on the music scene.

But not only that, it was a night of remarkable milestones, too. As it celebrated its 20 years, Sandwich released “Time Lapse,” a special anniversary single, which hints another chapter its already successful music journey.

Apart from the single, the band will be releasing 3 more songs throughout the year, also planning to release a full-length album.

Another bright and promising future awaits the members of the band as they’ve seen the phenomenal feedback both from

Composer and guitarist Mong Alcaraz

Guitarist Diego Castillo

to GMA for giving us the opportunity to do this show in different parts of the country as well as abroad.”

Here in the Philippines, the 3 Stars, 1 Heart series was the product of the firstever collaboration of GMA Regional TV (GMA RTV) and GMA Entertainment Content Group (ECG).

In Cebu, Christian, Julie Anne, and Regine wowed the concert-goers who trooped to the Waterfront Hotel and Casino last Jan. 20 amid the hectic schedule of the Sinulog Festival celebrations.

Meanwhile, a jam-packed CSI Stadia in Dagupan warmly greeted Regine, Christian, and Julie Anne as they brought 3 Stars, 1 Heart to Dagupan on April 14 as part of the month-long celebration of Bangus Festival.

The Dubai leg of 3 Stars 1 Heart is produced by GMA Pinoy TV together with partner carrier OSN. Ticket prices are at AED 430 (VIP), AED 350 (Platinum), AED 240 (Gold), and AED 150 (Silver).

Gates open at 3:00 p.m..

For ticket inquiries, e-mail hello@ virginmegastore.ae or call +971 4435 9434, +971 56 685 9351, or +971 52 993 1164.

For more updates on ‘3 Stars 1 Heart’, follow GMA Pinoy TV on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram (@gmapinoytv) with the official hashtag #3Stars1HeartDubai, and visit the GMA Pinoy TV official website at www.gmapinoytv.com.

A FEW GOOD WOMEN:

Female filmmakers at Cannes

Sandwich frontman Raymund Marasigan

fans and fellow artists about their recently concluded concert. And Sandwich wouldn’t stop there, it will continue moving forward amid the changing times and trend in music.

A scene from the classic film 'The Piano' directed by Jane Campion.

A therapy that worked for a pope and Madonna

By Totel de Jesus AS EARLY as their time, legendary entertainers Marilyn Monroe and Charlie Chaplin underwent original living cell therapy and the procedures were done by Prof. Dr. Paul Niehans, considered the father of modern living cell therapy. The Swiss doctor pioneered the treatment in the 1930s.

One of his patients, in fact, was Pope Pius XII. It was reported out of gratitude, the Pope appointed Dr. Niehans to the Papal Academy of Sciences in 1955, succeeding Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of penicillin.

One of Dr. Niehans’s students and collaborators was Dr. Siegfried Block, who started his own clinic in Germany 60 years ago. In its simplest definition, fresh cell therapy revolves around the “like cures like” premise.

We all learned these from Dr. Daniel Block, grandson of Dr. Siegfried. He is managing director of Dr. Siefried Block GmbH Centre for Cell Therapy located in the picturesque municipality of Lenggries, Upper Bavaria, Germany. Dr. Daniel was recently in the Philippines to offer the technology to Filipinos.

“That means, for example, that liver cells from an animal will strengthen the human liver the same way the heart cells will invigorate the heart,” he explained.

He said fresh cell therapy is different from stem cell therapy, which promises to replace damaged organs in the body or create one from scratch by using cells from the patient or younger healthy individuals.

“A living cell therapy means that cells and minute cell unions derived from unborn or young mountain sheep are extracted under clinical conditions in our EU-Certified laboratory, suspended

FOLLOWING the successful regional shows here in the Philippines, the 3 Stars, 1 Heart artists are gearing up for their international leg on June 16 at the Dubai World Trade Center as they are set to provide world-class entertainment to Filipinos abroad.

A unique musical experience, 3 Stars, 1 Heart sees the powerhouse trio of balladeer Christian Bautista, pop sweetheart Julie Anne Bautista San Jose Jose, and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid on one concert stage.

Christian, who is known to be a master of sweeping the audience off their feet, is raring to go abroad following the success of their Cebu and Dagupan shows.

“For me, it’s more challenging because I’m now singing to people who have not seen the country for so long, so I’m really going to do my best to reach out to them and make them feel welcome through my songs,” Christian said.

On the other hand, Julie Anne is offering a mix of song and dance numbers that will prove her versatility as a performer. “I’m excited to meet all the Kapuso in Dubai and I just feel really happy to have the chance to share the stage with Christian and Ms. Regine,” she said.

Regine, despite a number of successful concerts under her belt, remains passionate with sharing her talent. “I’m glad that after all these years, I’m still able to do what I love most and I am grateful

Madonna attends the Heavenly Bodies:Fashion & Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Theater. AFP

in a natural solution and immediately injected into the patient.

Around 85 different organs or parts of organs can be extracted.

These new injected organ cells will stimulate, revitalize, and restore a patient’s weakened and damaged organ cells.”

To prove they’re not the usual health clinics in Europe offering cell therapy, Dr. Daniel said besides the names mentioned above, he said one of their clients is the sexagenarian pop icon Madonna. Continued on C3

IN A year dominated by the #MeToo movement, the Cannes film festival is feeling the heat to address glaring gender imbalances in the competition for its top prize, the Palme d’Or. But the numbers show the festival still has some way to go in the battle of the sexes.

Of the 268 filmmakers who have claimed one of Cannes’ top three prizes, only 11 (or 4 percent) have been women, an analysis by AFP shows.

New Zealand’s Jane Campion remains the only female director to have received the highest accolade, the Palme d’Or, awarded for her masterpiece The Piano in 1993.

Iranian prodigy Samira Makhmalbaf snagged the prestigious Jury Prize twice, first for her 2000 breakthrough feature Blackboards and again three years later for At Five in the Afternoon.

The last major prize winner was Italian director Alice Rohrwacher, who took home the Grand Prix for The Wonders in 2014. She’s back in the running this year with Happy as Lazzaro.

Women have made up barely 3.5 percent of the best director and best screenplay winners over the past seven decades. Only four of the 111 winners have been female -- and two of them were last year when Sofia Coppola became only the second woman to secure the best director trophy with her American Civil War drama, The Beguiled.

Meanwhile, Briton Lynne Ramsay’s A Beautiful Day scored best screenplay.

If only one woman has won the Palme d’Or it is also because very few of them ever get nominated. Since 1946, only 84 of the 1,790 directors whose films has been shown in competition at Cannes have been women -- in other words, less than one in 20.

The latest edition doesn’t buck the trend, with just three female directors among the 21 main competition contenders. This is still better than the 2010 and 2012 festival editions, which featured all-male lineups.

While Cannes organisers acknowledge the gender inequality, they insist this merely reflects the underrepresentation of women directors in the cinema industry as a whole.

Australian actress Cate Blanchett heads this year’s starry majority-female jury, which also includes Kristen Stewart and Lea Seydoux. While Blanchett is the 12th chairwoman in the festival’s 71-year history, only one woman director, Jane Campion in 2014, has had the honour.

She has said that Cannes needs to have an all-female jury one day to counter the decades of male domination.

Apart from the president, the jury is composed of four women and four men -a parity ratio observed since 2013. Overall women fare slightly better as judges at Cannes, although it is still relative. One in five jury members have been women in its seven-decade history. AFP