Manila Standard - 2018 May 17 - Thursday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 91 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY,, MAY 17, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

NOON PRAYER. Muslims in Quiapo, Manila pray the Duhr, or the prayer after midday—but before the time for the Asr prayer—in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims worldwide, including some five million Filipino Muslims, endure a period of daily fasting—the biggest act of religious observance of its kind. For the world’s 1.8 billion Muslims, the annual event represents a time to fast and devote a particular focus to prayer, purification and charitable acts. Norman Cruz

Muslims mark fasting month of Ramadan MUSLIMS worldwide will start the fasting month of Ramadan on Thursday, May 17.

“The first day of the holy fasting month of Ramadan falls on Thursday corresponding to May 17, 2018,” the Royal Court of Saudi Arabia said in a statement published by state news agency SPA. The start date is set by both lunar calculations and physical sightings which determine when the last day of one lunar month ends and a new one begins.

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Senate chief to marry chef

By Macon RamosAraneta AFTER his marriage to Bb. Pilipinas-Universe 1998 Jewel May Lobaton was annuled, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III will this year marry his fiancée Kathryn Yu. Next page

Rody talks tough on WPS Warns China PH soldiers will deal with encroachment

By Vito Barcelo

Trillanes loses SC plea, faces damage suit

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte acknowledged late Tuesday that China was “slowly eating up” the country’s territorial waters by reclaiming reefs and turning them into military garrisons but said the Philippines is not conceding any of its rights in the West Philippine Sea.

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Supreme Court has paved the way for the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to hear and resolve the P5 million damage suit filed by a businessman against Senator Antonio Trillanes for accusing him as a “dummy” of former vice president Jejomar Binay in the purchase of a 150-hectare property in Rosario, Batangas which has been tagged as “Hacienda Binay.”

In a 22-page decision, the SC’s First Division through Associate Justice Noel Tijam junked the petition filed by Trillanes seeking to reverse the resolutions issued by Judge Evangeline Castillo-Marigomen, presiding Judge of the QC RTC Branch 1010, on May 19, 2015 and Dec. 16, 2015. Next page

VOLCANO FURY. People watch from a golf course the tempestuousness of Hawaii’s erupting Kilauea volcano with blue flames shooting up and lighting up the sky, coinciding with the spread of lava bobs and ashfall. Some of the vents formed by the Kilauea volcano are now releasing extremely high levels of sulfur dioxide, which is very toxic and potentially life threatening. The United States Geological Survey issued a ‘red warning’ for pilots to stay away from flying in the region. AFP

Senate lacks authority to question SC ruling—Lacson

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

KATHRYN YU

SENATOR Panfilo Lacson rejected calls Wednesday for Senate to take a stand against the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno through a quo warranto proceeding, saying the Senate has no jurisdiction over the case decided by the

Supreme Court.

Lacson was reacting to a draft resolution signed by eight senators urging the Supreme Court to review its decision.

“First, we have no jurisdiction. Why? Because the articles of impeachment have not yet been transmitted. It depends if the House transmits the articles of im-

5 Tourism officials resign

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

FIVE top officials of Department of Tourism have tendered their courtesy resignations, Tourism chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

The resignations came a day after Romulo-Puyat signed a memorandum ordering all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of the department to tender their unqualified courtesy resignations to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“So far five have resigned. After May 21, we are going to release their names,” she said in an ambush interview.

“In the exigency of service, and in order to give the undersigned a free hand to perform the mandate given to her by the President, all incumbent undersecretaries and assistant secretaries of this department are hereby directed to tender their unqualified courtesy resignations to the Next page President,” she said in her memorandum.

House OKs listing of SIM cards TYCOON HONORED. The Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, through the Spanish Embassy in Manila, has conferred the Commander by Number Grade of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit to tycoon Dr. Andrew L. Tan for his contributions, achievements and support to Spain and its Embassy’s activities and programs.

The pinning was led by Spanish Ambassador Luis Calvo at the Spanish Ambassador’s Residence in North Forbes Park, Makati City.

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

peachment to the Senate, that’s another matter we have to discuss as a collegial body,” Lacson said.

At present, Lacson said, they have nothing to talk about because the articles are not with the Senate.

“For us, that’s a political process. In Next page

The President warned that further encroachment on Philippine territorial waters would be met by military might.

“If it reaches our [exclusive] economic zone, you will have to deal with my soldiers so you can reach an understanding,” he said.

“When China claimed the entire ocean as theirs, there was nothing I could do. There is nothing we can do since that is what they want,” Duterte said in a speech Tuesday on board BRP Davao del Sur in Casiguran Bay, Aurora to send off 50 Filipino scientists to the Philippine Rise, formerly Benham Rise.

Duterte again blamed his predecessor, former President Benigno Aquino III, for doing nothing to stop China’s military buildup in the West Philippine Sea, Next page

‘‘

It could not be a politician, and most especially not a woman.

—President Rodrigo Duterte on his choice for the next Chief Justice

VOTING 167 to 6, the House of Representatives on Tuesday night approved on third and final reading a bill requiring the registration of all users of Subscriber Identity Module or SIM cards.

The House approved House Bill 7233 or the proposed “Subscriber Identity Module Card Registration Act” Next page

READY TO FIGHT. President Rodrigo Duterte has reiterated his readiness to fight for the tricolors’ rights in the West Philippine Sea and that he would eventually insist on the Hague ruling. He has told Chinese President Xi Jinping that further encroachment on Philippine territorial waters would be met by military might.

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thursday, may 17, 2018

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SC justice eyeing Ombudsman post

By Rio N. Araja

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UPREME Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires and Sandiganbayan Justice Efren dela Cruz have also applied to take over the Office of the Ombudsman once Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales retires on July 26.

The two aside, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, lawyer Edna Batacan―she represented then Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte in some suits―and the Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor chief Edilberto Sandoval, a former Sandigan-

bayan presiding justice, have also applied for the position.

Bello on Tuesday said he had asked Duterte to make him the next Ombudsman.

“I kept telling the President that his crusade is against corruption, so I

told him I would help him,” Bello told dzMM radio.

“He said ‘How?’ And I told him to appoint me as Ombudsman.”

The others who have applied for the position of Ombudsman are Judge Carlos Espero II and lawyers Rey Nathaniel Ifurung, who earlier filed a petition seeking the ouster of Morales; Rainier Madrid, who had lawyered for former-Davao City vice mayor Paolo Duterte; Rex Rico of the Rico & Associates Lawyers, and Felito Ramirez, who ranked seventh in the 1972 bar examination.

Like Duterte, Martires, Batacan and

Ramirez graduated from the San Beda College of Law. Martires was believed to have been nominated by retired Supreme Court justice Jose Perez, while Bello filed his application with the Judicial and Bar Council.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion endorsed the nomination of fellow Associate Justice Teresita de Castro to replace Morales.

De Castro, however, declined the nomination, saying she wanted to stay with the Supreme Court until her retirement in October.

Facebook kills Robredo net worth dwindles to P1.1 million 583-million fake accounts PARIS—Facebook axed 583 million fake accounts in the first three months of 2018, the social media giant said Tuesday, detailing how it enforces “community standards” against sexual or violent images, terrorist propaganda or hate speech.

Responding to calls for transparency after the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal, Facebook said those closures came on top of blocking millions of attempts to create fake accounts every day.

Despite this, the group said fake profiles still make up 3-4 percent of all active accounts.

It claimed to detect almost 100 percent of spam and to have removed 837-million posts assimilated to spam over the same period.

Facebook pulled or slapped warnings on nearly 30-million posts containing sexual or violent images, terrorist propaganda or hate speech during the first quarter.

Improved technology using artificial intelligence had helped it act on 3.4-million posts containing graphic violence, nearly three times more than it had in the last quarter of 2017.

In 85.6 percent of the cases, Facebook detected the images before being alerted to them by users, said the report, issued the day after the company said about 200 apps had been suspended on its platform as part of an investigation into misuse of private user data.

The figure represents between 0.22 and 0.27 percent of the total content viewed by Facebook’s more than two-billion users from January through March.

“In other words, of every 10,000 content views, an estimate of 22 to 27 contained graphic violence,” the report said.

Responses to rule violations include removing content, adding warnings to content that may be disturbing to some users while not violating Facebook standards; and notifying law enforcement in case of a “specific, imminent and credible threat to human life.” AFP

Total lifting of work ban in Kuwait PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the total lifting of the deployment ban on Filipino workers to Kuwait.

“Upon the recommendation of Special Envoy to Kuwait Abdullah Mamao, President Rodrigo Duterte tonight instructed Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to totally lift the ban on deployment of Filipino workers to Kuwait,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said.

The order came two days after Manila and Kuwait signed an agreement providing more protection to OFWs in the Gulf state.

Some 260,000 Filipinos, mostly housemaids live and work in Kuwait, according to government estimates.

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authored by Deputy Speakers Gwendolyn Garcia of Cebu City and Sharon Garin of the AAMBIS OWA party-list, and Minority Leader and Quezon City Rep. Danilo Suarez.

Meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian on Wednesday urged the Senate to give priority to the passage of the SIM Card Registration Act after the House

VICE President Leni Robredo declared a lower net worth of P1,114,102.84 in her 2017 Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

She blamed the decline on her expenditures for an ongoing electoral protest filed by former-senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. with the Supreme Court acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal.

Meanwhile, Robredo on Wednesday blamed some newspaper reports saying some PET revisers had said there were some votes cast for President Rodrigo Duterte that were not counted in his favor in the 2017 presidential election in Camarines Sur. She said the “reporters who made such report were taken for a ride, deceived by their alleged source.”

“No such votes were counted by the Presidential Electoral Tribunal for President,” said Robredo’s lawyer Romulo Macalintal.

As of Dec. 31, 2017, Robredo said her net worth had amounted to P1,114,102.84, down by P7.76 million against December 2016’s P8,878,111.43.

She said her net worth declined due to the partial counter-protest fee that she deposited with the PET. In 2016 Robredo’s liabilities reached only P6.9 million against 2017’s P11.9 million.

According her SALN for 2017, she had additional loans payable to Pablito Chua of P1 million, Vicente Hao Chin Jr. of P2 million and Rafael Bundoc of P2 million.

Apart from the new loans, Robredo had previous loans from the estates of Marcelina Robredo at P1 million, Jose Robredo at P2 million, Jose Robredo Jr. at P1.15 million, Jocelyn Austria at P2 million, and Salvacion Gerona at P750,000.

Robredo’s total assets also fell to P13.01 million in 2017 from P15.78 million in 2016.

A residential house and lot in Naga City, as well as a residential, agricultural, orchard and memorial lots, also in Naga City, with a total acquisition cost of P1.73 million were among Robredo’s assets.

The vice president’s SALN listed P11.28 million in cash, furniture, appliances, jewelry, insurance, a Toyota Innova and a Toyota Grandia. Rio N. Araja

rody...

“Though I am not insisting on its solution now, I’d like you to know that I am going to China Sea to claim part of our territory and I will dig [for] oil,” he recalled telling the Chinese president.

But Xi advised him not to strain the warming ties between the two countries.

“Well, we just restored our relationships. I think it’s a new era for us, a new day and if I may beg you not to bring this up forcefully because there will be a time that we will be discussing it,” Duterte quoted Xi as saying.

In asserting territorial rights over the Philippine Rise, Duterte said he does not distinguish between sovereign rights and sovereign territory because the underwater feature falls within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Duterte also signed an executive proclamation formally declaring parts of Philippine Rise as a marine reserve.

“Last year I issued Executive Order No. 25 which renamed the erstwhile Benham Rise to the Philippine Rise. Today I am issuing a presidential proclamation formally declaring parts of this undersea feature as a marine reserve,” he said.

The President said around 50,000 hectares of the Philippine Rise shall become a strict protection zone limited to scientific studies to be conducted only

by Filipinos at this time.

Duterte added that more than 300 hectares shall be designated as a “special fisheries management area.”

The 50 scientists the President sent off are about to begin a six-month research stint in the Philippine Rise.

The scientists are set to conduct mapping surveys, biological investigations, and assessment of the coral reef and fishery stock until November. With Macon Ramos-Araneta

interviews is not a legislative act, but is ‘political in nature,’ outside the ambit of the immunity conferred under the Speech or Debate Clause in the 1987 Constitution,” the SC ruled.

“Contrary to petitioner’s stance, therefore, he cannot invoke parliamentary immunity to cause the dismissal of private respondent’s complaint. The privilege arises not because the statement is made by a lawmaker, but because it is uttered in furtherance of legislation,” the high court said.

Associate Justice Teresita Leonardode Castro and Mariano del Castillo concurred with the ruling.

In his complaint, Tiu asserted that he is a legitimate businessman engaged in

various businesses in the agricultural sector and that he has substantial shareholdings in numerous corporations and companies.

The complainant claimed that because of Trillanes’ claim, his reputation was tarnished which affected his businesses as shown by the steep drop in the stock prices of his publicly listed companies, Tiu also vehemently denied being a dummy of Binay saying that he has financial capacity to fund the development, operation and maintenance of the “Sunchamp Agri-Tourism Park.”

In seeking the dismissal of the civil suit, Trillanes asserted that Tiu was not able to prove his supposed ownership of the said estate.

or check legislative action or even executive action due to grave abuse of discretion. He said the Senate cannot tell the Court that it abused its discretion.

“We are not empowered, we are not authorized to do that under existing laws,” he said.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the Senate minority bloc will file a resolution stating that only the Senate, acting as an impeachment court, can remove an impeachable official.

He said resolution intends to inform

the Supreme Court of the sentiment of the Senate.

“We are looking at the possibility of moving for a sense of the Senate resolution reiterating our legal position that it is the Senate acting, as an impeachment court, who can remove impeachable officers,” he said.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III said he is open to reading the resolution and hoped to entertain it in case it’s filed. He said it will be referred to the proper committee.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Ricky Alegre was the first one to resign.

“Because of unforeseen circumstances, I feel it necessary to tender this resignation because we all just definitely serve at the pleasure of the President,”

he said. Alegre was appointed assistant secretary in September 2016.

Romulo-Puyat also said in a television interview that she will review the performance of all top tourism executives.

She, however, spared Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr., a political appointee, from having to submit a courtesy resignation, citing his “long service

at the department and proven competence.”

“He’s been with the DoT for 33 years.

He’s a very professional guy. He’s very good,” Romulo-Puyat said.

She said she will bring with her Art Boncato, a former Tourism regional director during the term of then President and now Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

approved its own version of House Bill 7233 earlier this week.

“The House has done its part. Now it’s up to the Senate to pass the bill and get it on the President’s desk for signature,” said Gatchalian, the author of Senate Bill 203 that is also known as the the SIM Card Registration Act. He said he expected the bill to sail through the Senate, where it enjoys strong support. As early as 2016, seven versions of the bill had already been authored by 10 senators.

Once enacted, the bill will allow law enforcement agencies to track down criminals who use mobile phones with post-paid and pre-paid SIM cards to commit crimes like theft and kidnapping for ransom.

The bill defines “SIM” as the Subscriber Identity Module, which is an embedded circuit that securely stores international mobile subscriber identity and related keys used to identify and authenticate subscribers on mobile devices, such as mobile phones and computers.

It refers to the “SIM card” as a remova-

ble card into which an electronic integrated circuit is embedded and is transferable between different mobile devices.

“Public Telecommunication Entity or PTE” refers to any person, natural or judicial, government or private, engaged in the provision of telecommunications services to the public for compensation.

The bill mandates the sale and registration of SIM cards by directing every PTE or direct seller to require the end-user of a SIM card to present a valid identification with a photograph to ascertain his or her identity.

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but erroneously implied that a UN tribunal decision that upheld the Philippine claim was handed down during Aquino’s term.

That decision was in fact handed down in July 2016, after Duterte had assumed office.

In his speech, Duterte said he was willing to fight for the country’s rights in the West Philippine Sea, but thought twice about the chances of winning a war against China.

“Before I went to China, I said, well, I’m ready to fight. But is it a battle that I can win?” he said.

He reiterated that he told Chinese President Xi Jinping during one of their meetings that he would eventually insist on the Hague ruling during his term.

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The RTC, in the said resolutions, denied Trillanes’ motion to dismiss the civil suit filed by Antonio Tiu, who claimed ownership of the property through his company Sunchamp Real Estate Corp. (Sunchamp), and his motion for reconsideration.

The SC ruled that Trillanes cannot invoke parliamentary immunity to escape prosecution for damages over the statements he gave to mediamen in October 2014 accusing Tiu as a mere dummy of the former vice president.

“A lawmaker’s participation in media

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the court, it’s a judicial process,” he said, warning of a constitutional crisis if the judicial process of the Supreme Court clashes with the political process of Congress.

“We cannot question the SC because we are not authorized. There is no authority,” he said.

Only the Supreme Court can reverse

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Probe of PCOO budget sought

By Macon Ramos-Araneta OPPOSITION Senator Antonio Trillanes IV wants the Senate to investigate the P647.11-million budget of the Presidential Communications Operations Office following reports that online trolls were using the money.

He filed Senate Resolution 735 on Wednesday that seeks an investigation into how the PCOO used its P647.11million budget intended for the ‘reintroduction’ of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to the public in 2017.

He said the appropriate Senate committee should conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the proper disbursement of the PCOO of its funds.

“We will ask them how they spent the funds and why and where did they sent them,” Trillanes said.

“It appears that the funds were used by the trolls, so they need to explain.

This is big money.”

Trillanes underscored the need to look into the alleged irregularities “in order to ensure that government funds are legally and properly allocated, directed and spent towards the sole purpose for which the funds were allocated.”

Trillanes said in his resolution that the PCOO launched “One Asean, A Global Player” in 2017, when the Philippines led the Asean, to spread awareness and educate Filipinos about the organization through roadshows and information caravans.

The resolution said a single news report published on May 9 alleged that the Commission on Audit found the information caravan, which was allocated a total budget of P647.11 million, to be anomalous.

It said the news report had yet to be validated by the COA, but “nonetheless there is still a need for the PCOO to explain publicly the disbursement of the said funds.”

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Traditionally, many Muslim-majority countries have followed the dates set by Saudi religious authorities, but in recent years many have used their own astronomical calculations.

In the Philippines, the Bangsamoro Dharul Ifta or House of Opinion confirmed the May 17 start.

“As the crescent moon did not appear visible this evening, the first day of fasting this year will be on Thursday...May 17, 2018,” declared Mufti Sheikh Abdulrahman Abu Huraira Udasan, speaking on radio and TV Tuesday evening.

Grand Mufti Al-Sheikh Abdel Jabbar Macarimbor called on Muslims all over the country to be united in preparation for Ramadan.

“Let’s just be united so that the blessings of the Almighty will come to us especially during the fasting season in the month of Ramadan...let’s not do anything Allah dislikes, let’s be careful of our actions, words and way of life,” Macarimbor said.

Ramadan is a holy month for the world’s nearly 1.5-billion Muslims, many of whom practice the ritual of dawn-to-dusk fasting and prayers.

Tradition holds that it was during Ramadan that the Prophet Mohammed started receiving revelations of the Muslim holy book, the Koran.

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Yu heads the newly formed PDPLaban Cares, the humanitarian arm of the party headed by Pimentel.

Pimentel, however, told Senate reporters that the supposed wedding would be confirmed once they get an invitation from him.

It was Yu who confirmed to ABSCBN about the wedding set this year.

She said it would happen soon.

Asked if the wedding would happen before the filing of certificates of candidacy for senatorial aspirants in October, Yu simply nodded and smiled.

Responding to the question if she could be called “Mrs. Pimentel” during the State of the Nation Address in July, Yu answered in Tagalog: “Yes, sana...Basta malapit na.

Pimentel will seek a reelection in the coming midterm elections in May. The senator was married to Lobaton for nearly 12 years. They have two sons.

Aside from her job at PDP, the 35year old Yu is a chef by calling and is currently managing Pimentel’s law firm.

In 2017, Yu regularly joined Pimentel in his office.

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THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SSS seeks EO to give way for add’l pension

Opposition senators ask SC to invalidate ICC pullout plan

By Maricel V. Cruz

By Rey E. Requejo OPPOSITION senators on Wednesday asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to withdraw membership in the International Criminal Court, saying the act did not have the concurrence of the Senate.

Opposition Senators Francis Pangilinan, Franklin Drilon, Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros and Antonio Trillanes IV asked the Court to compel the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations to notify the UN secretary-general that the Philippines is revoking its notice of withdrawal.

The note, sent in March, informed the UN of “the Philippines’ principled stand against those who politicize and weaponize human rights, even as its independent and well-functioning organs and agencies continue to exercise jurisdiction over complaints, issues, problems and concerns arising from its efforts to protect the people.”

The opposition senators said the Office of the President and the DFA gravely abused their discretion by withdrawing the country’s membership in the ICC without the concurrence of at least two-thirds of the Senate under Article VII, Section 21 of the Constitution.

The petitioners argued that the Rome Statute creating the ICC is a treaty validly entered into by the Philippines, which has the same status as a law enacted by Congress.

As a law, the withdrawal from the Rome Statute would require the approval of Congress, they said.

CoA junks oil firms, DoE’s appeal on underpaid Malampaya fees

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has upheld its decision in directing Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., Chevron Malampaya LLC and Philippine National Oil Co. Exploration Corp. to pay P146.8 billion for the underpaid government’s share of the Malampaya natural gas project.

State auditors junked the separate motions for reconsideration of the Malampaya contractors and the Department of Energy for lack of merit to justify the reversal of the commission’s order in April 2015.

“This Commission denies the motions for reconsideration for failure of the movants to raise any new or substantial legitimate ground or basis to justify the reversal of the assailed decision. The pleadings and documents submitted by the movants, as well as the discussions during the oral arguments, contain no sufficient evidence to warrant reconsideration,” the reversal order read.

In 2015, the CoA issued a notice of charge, invoking the government should receive over P53 billion in income taxes from the Malampaya consortium from 2002 to 2009.

In a decision, CoA said the total amount ballooned to P146.8 billion due to the continued underpayment or “tax assumption scheme” of the consortium from 2010 to 2016.

SWAT DRILL. Members of Pasay City SWAT team take their position during a hostage simulation drill at a restaurant in Buendia Avenue in Pasay City on Wednesday. Norman Cruz

Gov’t seeks 2 more months to submit ‘tokhang‘ files

By Rey E. Requejo

HE Office of the Solicitor General has asked the Supreme Court to give the Philippine National Police a two-month extension within which to fully comply with its directive to submit documents related to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

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Nonetheless, the OSG, which represents respondent PNP, partially complied with the Court’s April 3 order, with the submission of at least 30 case folders of drug war-related deaths and injuries and other files to the SC, but said that more have yet to be “collected and validated.”

“The respondents respectfully request an extension of 60 days from April 26, 2018 or until June 25, 2018, to submit the other documents required by this Honorable Court,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said, in 12-page compliance.

Among the case folders turned in were related to the deaths of Ryan Dave Almora, Rex Appari, and Jomar Manaois, as well as the injury of

Jefferson Soriano.

The SC last December ordered the government to submit the list of persons killed in legitimate police operations from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017; list of deaths under investigation from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017; list of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese drug lords who have been neutralized; and list of drugs involved—whether shabu, cocaine, marijuana, opioids, or others; comparative tables on index crimes.

The high court also required the police authorities to submit the statistics on internal cleansing within the police force; drug watchlist in affected areas; reports and documents regarding alleged drug war victims Aileen

Almora, Rowena Aparri, and Jefferson Soriano; pre- and post-operation reports in all the incidents cited in the petition filed by Sister Ma. Juanita Daño’s group; buy-bust incidents in San Andres Bukid, Manila from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017; list of warrants and warrantless arrests in high-value target police operations; and list of cases under investigation under the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service.

“The respondents need additional time to submit the other documents required by the court because said documents will still be collected and validated,” the OSG said.

The SC order was issued in connection with two petitions questioning the constitutionality of the government’s anti-narcotics campaign before the high court.

In a motion for reconsideration, the Solicitor General had opposed the submission of the illegal drug war documents, arguing that that the SC was venturing into “unwarranted factual inquiries” by asking for full drug war documentation.

However, the high court denied the motion.

Senate to study measure to abolish the PCGG

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Wednesday said they will study the abolition of the Presidential Commission on Good Government although they are open to it.

“What is more controversial actually is the abolition of the OGCC [Office of the Government Corporate Counsel],” he said.

He said the new Office of the Solicitor General law will abolish and merge the two other agencies with the OSG as the surviving entity.

The PCGG, Pimentel said, can really be merged with a larger office to be part of the specialized division. “It does not have to exist on its own,” he said.

“So we are studying what is really the role of OGCC, what is really the role of OSG,” he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Bam Aquino said that the move to abolish the Presidential Commission on Good Government could be a part of a wider scheme to revise history.

In a television interview, Aquino said the objective of the PCGG remains relevant as there is still billions of Marcos money to recover.

Aquino said that instead of abolishing the PCGG, the government should actually strengthen it, Aquino said.

“I think what we need to do is strengthen the PCGG. They need to do more of their job. Marami pang pera na hindi pa nahahabol, maraming bank accounts pa ang pinag-uusapan na hindi pa nakukuha ng Philippine government. They need to do a better job, but again, maybe the task is not to abolish them, but to strengthen them,” he said.

Established over three decades ago

after the People Power revolution which toppled Marcos, the PCGG was tasked to recover around $10 billion looted by the dictator and his allies during his 20 years in power marked by massive corruption and abuse.

The agency has since recovered P170 billion or about $3.4 billion in ill-gotten wealth as well as jewelry, art, and other assets.

But it has yet to recover millions more, including 200 pieces of art by masters like Michelangelo and Picasso, alleged to have been purchased by the Marcos family.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno earlier questioned the need for the PCCG, saying the latter should have been “an ad hoc agency.”

“They [the PCGG staff] enjoy things because they have so many perks,” he remarked.

MORE than P20 billion worth of government-built housing units for personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology and Bureau of Corrections which were not occupied since 2011 will be awarded to qualified beneficiaries, according to a Joint Resolution signed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The President has approved the congressional resolution authorizing the National Housing Authority to award unoccupied housing units to other qualified beneficiaries.

Also covered by the joint resolution were units whose ownership and possession are surrendered by awardees and respective awards were cancelled.

The resolution cited that the

Department of Budget and Management released a total of P20.779 billion for the implementation of the AFP/PNP/BFP/ BJMP/BuCor Housing projects with a target of 74,195 housing units.

The National Housing Authority was able to complete 68,689 units as of March 2017, but only 8,837 housing units were occupied.

The Commission on Audit claimed that the low occupancy rate of the completed housing units will result in the loss of opportunity for the government to recover costs that can be spent for other social projects, fast deterioration and the risk of being occupied by families or persons other than the intended beneficiaries.

In March last year, some 2,000 members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap, an urban poor alliance, broke through the barricade at the entrance of the Pandi Village 3 and forcibly occupied vacant hosuing units for military and police personnel.

House panel tells DoH to ‘recast’ budget proposal

By Maricel V. Cruz THE chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations on Wednesday questioned the Department of Health’s skewed priorities when it allocated a minuscule amount for the medical assistance program for Dengvaxia patients.

At the same time, Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the panel’s chairperson, asked the DoH to “reprioritize” items in its proposed supplemental budget for Dengvaxia vaccinees after finding it seriously flawed.

“If we lawmakers to decide here in Congress, I think you have to recast [your budget proposal]. You have to reprioritize this,” Nograles said Wednesday as DoH Secretary Francisco Duque III presented to Congress its proposed supplemental budget for the government’s antidengue program.

The supplemental budget seeks to tap P1.16-billion refund given to the Philippine government by Dengvaxia manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur earlier this year.

Du30 appoints Jimeno to disaster resiliency office

By Vito Barcelo

Admin awards AFP/PNP houses to poor

By Vito Barcelo and Maricel V. Cruz

THE state-run Social Security System on Tuesday said it would seek the issuance of an Executive Order or the enactment of the proposed amendment of Republic Act 8282 or Social Security Law of 1997 to fulfill the promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to give additional benefit to SSS pensioners.

SSS president and chief executive officer Emmanuel F. Dooc issued the statement following a clamor from pensioners to release another P1,000 additional benefit next year.

Dooc said that the second tranche of the additional benefit could only be granted either through the issuance of an EO from Malacañang or the approval of the proposed bill that will amend the SS Charter.

“We do not have the power to give an additional P1,000 benefit by next year.

The SSC does not have the power to adjust the contribution rate or amount of monthly pension, only the President of the Republic and Congress have the power to approve a pension increase,” Dooc said in response to the call from pensioners to implement the second tranche of additional pension by 2019.

“Just like what I have said earlier, our goal here in SSS is to see to it that we are able to release the second tranche [of pension] still within the term of President Duterte, which can be approved in 2022 during his last year in office,” Docc added.

President Duterte on January 2017 announced the approval of the P2,000 additional pension and granted the first P1,000 on the same year while the remaining P1,000 will be released by 2022 coupled with a financial mechanism that will sustain the viability of the pension fund.

WATER UPDATE. Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System Administrator

Reynaldo V. Velasco (second from right) assures consumers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces that there is adequate water supply. Velasco discussed the progress of the 650 MLD Kaliwa Dam Project funded by Chinese ODA through a bilateral agreement forged by President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jin Ping. Joining Velasco in the water forum hosted by veteran journalist Marichu Villanueva are Maynilad COO Randy Estrellado and Manila Water COO Ding Carpio who both supported the various MWSS plans and programs on water security and water sources, wastewater and treatment plants, watershed protection and overall disaster management preparations in the event that the Big One occurs. Photo shows the MWSS chief handing over the commemorative book celebrating 140 years of the water agency and a copy of the Water & Environment Journal.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte named former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Karen Jimeno as undersecretary for disaster resiliency under the Presidential Management Staff, which is under the Office of the President.

The Disaster Resiliency, PMS is under the office of Special Assistant to the President headed by Christopher “Bong” Go. Jimeno was part of the defense team of the late Chief Justice Renato Corona.

She also had a short stint as co-anchor of a TV news program.

A lawyer, Jimeno also served as spokesperson for the rehabilitation efforts of the Aquino administration due to massive destruction brought by Super Typhoon ‘‘Yolanda’’ in November 2013.

Malacañang also released the appointment papers of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, Special Envoy to Kuwait Abdullah Mama-o and Benjamin Palmero as member of the board of directors of the PNOC Renewables Corp.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Hitting the ground running TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

*** It looks like new Toursim Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat has hit the ground running when she told all undersecretaries and assistant secretaries to submit their courtesy resignations. She wants to start from a clean slate.

She should act quickly on the Cesar Montano case, however, who is facing questions about his Buhay Carinderia project. Montano reportedly paid one Linda Legaspi the full amount of P89 million even if the project was not yet complete.

The new secretary will also review all contracts entered into by her predecessor—a normal thing to do, since she would be the one implementing them. Puyat said she would cancel all contracts that did not go through public bidding.

THE way I see it, much of the protracted debate and discussion in the recent 8-6 Supreme Court decision on the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno boils down to which side of the political fence you are on.

There is of course a middle ground of people who believe that there is logic to the decision on the quo warranto petition, because the Constitution provides another remedy to remove an impeachable official aside from, well, impeachment.

This was what was taken by the majority to question what right Sereno had to become *** Chief Justice. She knew from the start The oppothat she failed to sition in the Senate, led by submit a complete The new Tourism Liberal Party set of Statement of president FranAssets, Liabilities Secretary seems off cis Pangilinan and Net Worth. And to a good start. and Minority yet she aspired to be Leader Frankthe head of the judiciary. lin Drilon, are We may blame the worried that Judicial and Bar Council for putting there are no viable personalities who Sereno on its short list when it was may challenge the administration’s aware of her violation of the Consti- senatorial candidates next year.

I can believe that. Really there has tution that requires public officials to not been any name likely to win. submit their SALN. Reelectionists in the Senate are led It was former President Benigno Aquino III who appointed Sereno de- by Senate President Koko Pimentel, spite her lack of qualifications, in his and Senators Grace Poe, Sonny Aneagerness to have somebody at the gara, Nancy Binay and JV Ejercito. A survey revealed them to be included High Court to protect him.

This is the height of incompetence! in the Magic 12.

Only Senator Paulo Benigno AquiSoon, this controversy over the use of quo warranto as a means of ousting no of the opposition has made it to the a chief justice will die down—unless Top 12.

Considering the fact that the Senthe Supreme Court reverses itself. I ate should have representatives of doubt this will happen, though.

Another point I would like to em- the opposition, the lack of viable phasize is that the opposition is now candidates is tragic. We would altaking advantage of the controversy ways want the Senate to be a truly democratic and truly independent to gain political mileage.

I can’t blame them—this is a good branch of government. opportunity to do that. This is a de*** mocracy, after all. So, to all those The abolition of the Presidential claiming that this will lead to someCommission on Good Government thing else, you are seeing ghosts.

W

On the wrong side

HEN he was just campaigning for the presidency, then-candidate Rodrigo Duterte said he would ride a jet ski in the West Philippine Sea to assert our sovereignty amid incursions

by China.

In March this year, however, the President said his statement to the effect was “just talk...I’m surprised you believed it.”

But this week jet skis were in fact seen on board BRP Davao del Sur, which President Duterte boarded to commemorate the first year of the renaming of the Philippine Rise, which used to be known as Benham Rise.

For a while there was talk that the 73-year-old Duterte would in fact board one of the jet skis. And then it was said his son, Sebastian, would do it on his father’s behalf. Eventually—and fortunately so—the cinematic stunt was scrapped, because it would

have been an embarrassment for all the wrong premises.

Still the President uttered confounding statements as he sent a 50-member survey team to the Philippine Rise. The underwater plateau, declared by the United Nations as part of the country’s extended continental shelf. The Philippines was granted sovereign rights over the area.

Philippine Rise, however, is nowhere near the West Philippine Sea. It is in fact on the other side of the Luzon island.

This did not prevent the President from launching into tough talk as he said China was “slowly eating up” the country’s territorial waters by reclaiming reefs and turning them into military garrison.

He said foreign countries would face Philippine soldiers if they entered Philippine waters without permission.

But China did enter this area once, conducting its own research with nary a whimper of protest from Philippine officials. It was only after China

had finished its research that Mr. Duterte ordered a stop to all explorations.

China also secured approval for names it had given five features in the underwater region.

The enigmatic President did not appear to have any qualms talking about China’s claims in the West Philippine Sea despite facing the opposite way. The passive-aggressive stance is also baffling given the way he has bent over backwards in accommodating Chinese friendship and keeping mum about our giant neighbor’s antics.

We would be ready to accept all these as his personal quirks if only we stuck to a consistent stance about incursions from foreign countries, whatever those countries may be, and whether or not they are offering us aid, loans, or investments.

But if our officials continue to vacillate between being protective or permissive, then in the long run they might really be on the wrong side—not of the map, but of history.

Turn to A5

Rectifying errors not qualified for the office.

The problem is that the highly partisan followers of the previous administration refuse to accept that all other public officers can be removed from office for violation of the law. Sections 2, Article XI of the Constitution simply enumerate those THE ouster of Supreme Court Chief public officials who can be removed by Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is a con- impeachment. They are the President, tinuation of the tremors that rocked our Vice President, members of the Supreme judicial system since the pretending-to- Court, members of the Constitutional be-honest regime initiated an action to Commissions, and the Ombudsman if impeach Chief Justice Renato Corona, they commit a culpable violation of the Jr. Instability from thereon continued be- constitution, treason, bribery, graft and cause those sitting members of the Sen- corruption, other high crimes, and beate impeachment court are now looking trayal of public trust. All other public offorward to getting the monetary reward ficers may be removed from public office in their hypocritical dispensation of jus- as provided by law.

Impeachment should not be interpreted tice. as a limitation to If the Yellows any judicial action. bigots and their Rather, we have to misguided supportinterpret and harmoers from the milinize the laws with tant left and from Sereno and her laws to obtain the Catholic Church appointing power should other the best method of are now loudly deinterpretation or in nouncing the deci- have also considered Latin, “Inrterpretare sion as “brazen,” the issue of judicial et concordare legis this column is relegisbus est optimus minding them that delicadeza. interpretandi.” To they are just reaplimit our interpretaing the bitter fruit tion is to place them they planted. While above the law which some would insist our people will never that there was a color of political vengeance, all point to concede.

Everybody knows that many senators, them as the progenitor of that malevolent with some even openly admitting, voted legal process.

They insist that impeachment should after receiving bribe money just to make have been applied because that is what is their hypocritical democracy work. To provided in the Constitution. But the peti- soothe public anger, they contend that imtion filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida peachment process is political in nature, is even more civil and magnanimous. He and Corona was voted out of office not on is practically saying that the Chief Justice the basis of the evidence presented but on is simply not qualified to hold that office. the amount of grease money.

The hypocrites called the decision Her act of usurpation and misrepresentation only becomes a violation if she and/or a legacy of Cory Aquino. For that, the the President appointed her knowing she is Turn to A5

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Relatively peaceful DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

THE barangay and the Sangguniang Kabataan elections have come and gone, leaving 35 dead and 27 wounded.

This is too much of a price to pay for an election that was intended only to ensure grassroots

leaders way back in 1907 when we first elected the members of our first Philippine Assembly.

Back then, only men voted. With all our supposedly democratic One life lost is one traditions, we should be embarlife too many. rassed that after all these years, other countries with less experience in democracy have maparticipation in our village lives. tured politically much faster than What is it with us Filipinos that we have. We are stuck in a time we cannot conduct any election warp and cannot seem to learn.

One would think that 111 years without resorting to violence?

Turn to A5 We started electing our political Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

Taking care of our barangay officials OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ

ON May 14, we chose the new set of leaders in our respective communities through the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections.

The last barangay elections was conducted on October 28, 2013 and the last SK elections, on Oct. 25, 2010. It took five years for the barangay and eight years for the SK to have a new set of elected officials over 42,000 barangays nationwide.

President Duterte signed Republic Act 10923 that postponed the elections from October 31, 2016 to October 23, 2017. This suspension of the Barangay and SK elections was supported by the President because he was concerned of the possible use of drug money in the campaign activities. The elections was again postponed to May 14, 2018, by virtue of Republic Act No. 10952. On March 19 of this year, the House, voted to postpone the May 2018 elections to October 2018. However, the third postponement did not receive support from the Senate.

I congratulate the newly elected Barangay and SK officials.

They must understand that they have a big role to play in the advancement of their communi-

ties. Let this be a fresh start in cleaning up and improving our country, starting from the most basic unit of our government.

The Local Government Code of 1991 provides that the barangay officials receive a monetary compensation consists of a basic honorarium of P1000 per month for Barangay Chairman and Php 600 for the Barangay Councilors or “Kagawad”, and a Christmas bo-

nus worth at least Php 1000. Other benefits include insurance coverage, medical care and free hospitalization in government hospitals, and free tuition in public schools (of the Barangay Chairman and two legitimate dependent children during their term of office).

Given their scope of work, I feel that what the barangay officials are receiving is a mere pittance compared to the compensation and benefits of other local government officials.

In my desire to give the officials in the barangay level what they

truly deserve, I re-filed House Bill No. 598 in June 2016. This bill seeks to amend the current Local Government Code, wherein 1 percent shall be added to the share of the local government in the national internal revenue taxes, increasing it to 41 percent from 40 percent. The additional 1percent shall be added to a “special account solely dedicated to the barangay retirement fund for the retirement pay of barangay officials, whether elected or appointed, including barangay tanods, health workers, day care workers, and members of the lupon tagapamayapa”. The lump sum retirement pay shall be equivalent to one year honorarium, not exceeding P100,000, provided that the retiree is 60 years old and has rendered a minimum of nine years in service at the time of retirement.

We consider our barangay workers as the frontliners of government service. They are on-call, most especially in times of need, making sure that they deliver the basic social services to the members of their respective communities. These officials respond to their calling, are dedicated to serve the public, and form the foundation upon which every local government unit rests. They should be rightfully regarded as career professionals. We entrust upon all the barangay officials the welfare of the people in our communities. Let us make sure that their compensation reflects their selfless service.

elections. Barangay captains as provincial and other national politicians have realized have become important in generating votes for them. We therefore hear about barangay captains being sponsored to go on trips abroad including, for instance, a cruise on the Nile.

One downside of barangay politics over the years is that we now have barangay officials involved in crimes like illegal drugs and gambling. There are also barangay officials who are notorious in allowing squatting not only to generate votes for themselves but generate added income. Vote buying in barangay elections was unheard of before. But now, it is more the norm than the exception especially in highly urbanized cities. The price also has increased to P500 which tells us the price for next year’s elections.

Maybe it will not be less than P2,000 for mayor and P3,000 for congressman. Vote buying after all is not immune to inflation.

There is clearly a need to reform the process of how we select our barangay leaders. Paying P500 for a barangay vote just shows how the exercise has deteriorated. There have been some politicians who have come out with proposals to abolish barangay elections in its current form and instead chose barangay officials in some form of town hall meeting or simply appoint the officials. That way, the government can save on expensive election expenses.

Having barangay officials devoid of destructive politics can really be a big help in simplifying barangay political participation. Maybe another way of doing it is to split the big barangays into smaller entities to lessen the temptation for corruption and

other illegal activities and will actually make barangay activities very much more manageable.

In this age of terrorism, the barangay is actually the first line of defense of the state by providing valuable information.

Law enforcement is another area where the barangay can help the police by providing police auxiliaries. In fact this is already being done with the barangay tanods but more training is needed to provide them with new and additional skills.

Disaster mitigation and assistance is another area where the barangay could be a big help to the government but like in law enforcement, the government must provide training and equipment.

To achieve these, our political leaders must lead the way in reforming the barangay instead of looking at it as a source of leaders to help them win their next elections. If we listen to our mayors, congressmen and governors, it is always a contest of who has the most number of barangay captains. It is therefore doubtful whether we can expect any reform being led by them.

President Duterte sometime ago came out with some pronouncements with regard to reforming the barangay system.

He did not, however, follow it up. The fact that he did not vote in the just concluded exercise should tell us a lot.

Meanwhile, the SK election is another that should be reformed or abolished entirely. The SK election is supposed to be a training ground for our up and coming public officials. But the way it is being done is that these young people are being exposed to so much corruption so early and being thought that politics is dirty.

They are the frontliners in government service.

Relatively...

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of electing our political leaders is enough time for us to have matured to accept political defeat graciously.

As this last political exercise has shown, we have not.

In spite of the Police and the Armed Forces coming up with their customary assessment that the election was relatively peaceful, it was most certainly not a peaceful election. One might argue that compared to previous political exercises, 35 dead is much less than previous elections. But one life lost is one life too many. To think that this is just a barangay election where the stakes are much lower than other elections.

This might signal the kind of violence that we can expect in the 2019 midterm elections. The Police and the Armed Forces must therefore be better prepared and start planning early because May 2019 is not really that far away. Barangay elections are not supposed to be a political struggle involving life and death. But here, there are only two types of candidates. The one who is cheated and the one who wins.

No one loses an election in this country.

Over the years, the complexity of barangay politics have changed. Maybe it is because in many barangays, what is being fought for have changed and gotten a lot bigger. Big money which was unheard of years ago is what is now being fought for in big barangays. We now read about barangays having P150 million funds which explains the intensity of the campaigning.

The price of winning has become something that can easily trigger violence. This income is separate from that derived by many barangay captains in local and national

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and the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel, and their absorption into the Office of the Solicitor General, has passed the House of Representatives on final reading.

I have gone on record against the abolition of the PCGG given that its sole responsibility is to go after ill-gotten and unexplained wealth of the Marcoses. Abolition is not the answer. Instead, Congress should strengthen its functions to

recharge my batteries but escape the heat. The heat could be bad for someone with asthma like me.

Speaking of Baguio, the government should also rehabilitate the city in the wake of its efforts to rehabilitate Boracay. Baguio is deteriorating! The prime example is Burnham Park. Other former attractions have also become ugly.

The only place left where you *** My family and I are taking a break can smell the pine trees is in Camp this weekend to go to Baguio, not only John Hay.

go after not only the Marcoses but also all public officials with unexplained wealth.

As for the OGCC, there is a contradiction of functions between it and the OSG. Thus it is illegal for the OSG to absorb the functions of the OGCC. Don’t our congressmen realize that? They must be dumb!

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The democratization of PH legal education and Batangas. The eighth-placer in last year’s examinations was a graduate of Nueva Vizcaya’s St. Mary’s University (Krizza Alcantara-Bagni, with a 89.9 RUDY percent score).

ROMERO The results of the 2017 Bar examinations marked a surprising departure from the outcome of past years’ Bar examinaFOR a long time after the end of World tions. Whereas in past years there was a War II, high-quality tertiary education contest between Ateneo de Manila Uniappeared to be the monopoly of this versity and UP for the most number of country’s leading universities and colleg- places in the top-10 list, not one candidate es, which were mostly located in Metro from those two law schools landed in the Manila and Cebu City. The universities 2017 list. The only top-20 UP placer was and colleges whose teams comprised the 19th-placer Pretz Vinluan.

No doubt the most diehard of Ateneo National Collegiate Athletic Association and the University Athletic Association and UP partisans—especially the leadof the Philippines—the likes of Ateneo ers of those institutions’ law fraternide Manila University, De La Salle Uni- ties—have been wringing their hands versity, University of the Philippines and over the 2017 Bar results. This is to University of Santo Tomas—came to be expected, given their top-10 track maintain a stranglehold on the honors be- records and the lingering tendency of stowed by the various national licensure the Metro Manila law schools to regard exams in the physical sciences. Students the provincial law schools as upstarts. from universities and colleges up and But, given the Bar results of the redown the country—Northern Luzon, cent past, that attitude should be laid to rest because Bicol, Western legal education Visayas, Southern clearly has come Mindanao—have a long way in the again and again provinces and an topped the lists of May the process increasing numsuccessful candiintensify and ber of provincial dates in the licenlaw schools have sure examinations accelerate. ceased to be upfor engineers, arstarts. Standouts chitects, medicine in this regard are and the like. Here the University of it is proper and San Carlos and necessary to single out two provincial universities, Univer- University of San Jose-Recoletos.

The leading law schools are very much sity of San Carlos and University of San focused on—even obsessed with—getting Jose-Recoletos.

Then came the turn of the liberal arts. as many of their Bar candidates on the topIn this field of human knowledge tertiary 20 list. Should this state of affairs change? education institutions in places distant Should they stop being obsessed with the from Metro Manila have been increas- top-20 list? I think so, and whenever my opinion has been sought on the subject, I ingly showing their colors.

Universities and colleges located in have invariably indicated that the greater places like Laoag, Iloilo, Tacloban, Dum- focus of law-school administrators should aguete and Davao began to figure recur- be on getting as many candidates as posrently in the top-10 lists of successful sible past the Bar examinations.

The percentage of successful candilicensure-examination candidates.

In more recent times the provincial uni- dates in 2017 was 25.5 percent, which is versities and cities have been increasingly unjustifiably low. True, passing the Bar invading the turf of their Metro Manila examinations must not be a walk in the fellow-institutions in the field of law. In park, but a 75 percent failure rate is probthe 2016 Bar examinations—said to be the ably too high. Certainly, it represents an most rigorous of the licensure exercises— enormous waste of resources; for unsucthe provincial law schools virtually swept cessful candidates and their middle-class the list of top 10 successful examinees, and and low-income families it represents the recently announced list of the 2017 Bar great anguish and much opportunity loss.

True, passing the Bar examinations is examinations again saw the provincial law schools monopolizing the Top-20 places. in the end a matter of individual capabilOnly five of the top 20 successful candi- ity. But it is equally true that low teachdates obtained their Bachelor of Laws de- ing standards and inadequate law-school grees from Metro Manila schools and the facilities also have much to answer for. rest got their LL.B.s from law schools in the In this regard, I humbly suggest that the Visayas (4), Luzon outside Metro Manila Philippine Association of Law Schools and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (2) and Mindanao (2).

For the second straight year the to- create a joint committee to look into this pnotcher was a graduate of a non-Metro matter and, with the guidance of the SuManila law school. In the 2016 Bar ex- preme Court, come up, at long last, with aminations it was Cebu City’s University a program designed to address the lowof San Carlos (Karen Mae Calan) and in passing-rate problem.

In the meantime, it can be said that the 2017 it was the University of St. La SalleBacolod (Mark John Simondo). Among democratization of Philippine legal eduthe law schools represented in the 2016 cation is well under way. May the process top-20 list were law schools in Palawan intensify and accelerate.

BUSINESS CLASS

Rectifying...

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government had to cough up more than P500 million in taxpayer’s money to reward the members of the Senate Impeachment Court, and satisfy PNoy’s lust for vengeance for ordering the distribution of the land owned by country’s biggest landlord and godfather of the ousted Chief Justice.

It is not for this column to judge the ouster of the chief justice because the petition for quo warranto presupposes she never committed any violation. This is possible because theoretically, she never legally assumed her position. In an impeachment proceeding, Sereno, by prima facie evidence, violated one of the enumerated culpability in the Constitution. In quo warranto proceeding, all the evidence that may be presented against her pertains exclusively to her being not qualified for the office.

But if the High Court and the Solicitor General find evidence that she committed acts to falsity her qualification like what Associate Justice Teresita de Castro is now saying, that will however not prevent the People from filing criminal charges against her for every specific act she violated. The ugly portion is that the evidence maybe accepted without qualification much that they have already been authenticated by the same court that sustained her removal.

Sereno and her appointing power should have also considered the issue of judicial delicadeza. Everybody knows her appointment was forcefully rammed into the throat of the JBC to shield B.S Aquino from all possible charges of malfeasance while in office. To make sure it could not happen, Sereno was appointed chief justice bypassing many senior justices.

This means that for the entire years that Duterte would serve as President, Sereno would act as sentry dog to make sure no charges or petitions will be filed against her power broker. This has alienated many of her colleagues for the fact that she never served as judge in the lower courts nor has penned any decision one could use as reference that indeed she has the legal mind worthy of being the chief justice. Alas, she has none of that.

The legacy of this illogical constitution principally framed by that goner Hilario Davide is it wants to impress on the people that all those who will be appointed to the judiciary are certified as “honest” by the incorporation of the Judicial and Bar Council in the Constitution. This is a departure from the traditional practice that nobody is supposed to overrule the appointees of the President, except if specifically required by the Constitution like the minimum requirement of being a member of the bar, have been in the practice of law for a certain number of years or has served as judge in the lower court, etc.

In effect, an anonymous entity made up of lawyers mostly coming from elitist schools was given the power to overrule the President. Looking hard at this provision means that the JBC is more powerful than the President when it comes to appointing who will take charge of our judicial system, and this syndicated buddy-buddy of lawyers now stands as the organization of the legal profession.

Moreover, even if the JBC is constitutionally mandated to recommend to the President his appointees to the judiciary, “the President can appoint only from the list of at least three nominees prepared by it as provided in Section 9, Article VIII, it does not mean that the JBC can collaterally amend Section 17 of Article XI, which state that “a public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter may be required by law, to submit a declaration under oath his assets, liabilities and net worth.”

Even if indeed there was an amendment introduced by Senator Francis Escudero, the question remains whether he can collaterally amend the constitution to make it “soft” and “easy” to candidates for appointment in the judiciary? In fact, nobody has heard about that, and if ever there was an amendment, he should have made a loud protestation to save the neck of his confederate in the Yellow opposition. rpkapunan@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 A6 Standard Manila

TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pursued Abu Sayyaf frees 2 women cops

By Francisco Tuyay THE Abu Sayyaf bandit group, chased by law enforcement authorities after it abducted two women police officers in Sulu, released their hostages Wednesday morning, Camp Crame said.

Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said P02 Benierose Alvarez and P01 Dinah Gumahad, both assigned at the PNP Crime Laboratory office based in Calarian town in Zamboanga City, were set free by the ASG bandits at about 10 a.m.

The details of their walk to freedom after 18 days in captivity could not yet be ascertained except that the released hostages were on their way to the house of Sulu Gov. Abdusakur Tan. The two, along with two Muslim companions Jakosalem Ahmad Blas and Faizal Ahidji, were on their way back to Jolo town from Quezon beach in Bunhaginan, Sulu when kidnapped last April 29.

Prior to their release, the bandits freed Ahidji while Jakosalem managed to escape from captivity.

Albayalde said the two cops were in good condition but they would still have to undergo medical treatment, debriefing and counseling.

“We have to determine what happened to them, whether they were hurt or not and who possibly abducted them,” Albayalde said.

“We still didn’t know what really paved the way for the release of the two hostages, but of course the negotiations and the assistance of local government units in Jolo, Sulu of course was of great help,” Albayalde said.

But Albayalde said the ongoing offensives by combined military and police forces forced the bandits to set free their captives.

He said they have yet to unravel who and what group really perpetrated the kidnapping although they have initially identified the suspects.

“We have a suspect group,” Albayalde said but stopped short of giving other details.

Cimatu orders stoppage of construction activities

By Rio N. Araja and Joel Zurbano ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Wednesday said the flattening of a mountain in Aklan’s Boracay Island was conducted before its closure, and had already been stopped.

“Facebook posts by netizens regarding the alleged flattening of a mountain near the eco-village multi-purpose gym in Boracay have reached my office,” he said in a statement.

“Like everyone else, we are also deeply bothered by such acts of total disregard of the government’s effort to rehabilitate Boracay,” he added.

Based on report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ field office, the flattening of the mountain occurred prior to the island’s closure due to environmental woes, he cited.

“To be clear to all that we mean business in the enforcement of environmental laws, rules and regulations, I have ordered with the concurrence of the Boracay inter-agency task force, a total stoppage of all constructions of any kind effective immediately,” he said.

“I have also ordered a moratorium on the issuance of DENR permits, including but not limited to environmental compliance certificate, tree cutting permit, except those relating to ongoing road widening project by the Department of Public Works and Highways and other licenses,” Cimatu said.

Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines is considering operating flight services at San Vicente Airport which is now open for commercial flights to boost the tourism industry in Palawan islands.

Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT Fourth Judicial Region Branch 14 Nasugbu, Batangas VON LUCE MEDENILLA,

-versus-

Spec. Proc. No. _____________ Petitioner,

DULCE VERDILLO VALENZUELA, the Local Civil Registrar of Nasugbu, Batangas, the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Civil Registrar General, Respondents. x----------------------------------------x

For: Judicial Confirmation of Divorce Decree & Cancellation of Entry of Marriage of Parties (Registry No. 2011-825) from the Civil Registry of Nasugbu, Batangas

Ex-solon’s widow seeks Duterte’s assistance

MEDICAL PROGRAM. Leyte (1st District) Rep. Yedda Marie K. Romualdez (right) has a photo-op with Health Secretary Francisco Duque, invited to her office Wednesday at the House of Representatives where they discussed the Medical Assistance Program Fund for the Service Delivery Network of Remedios Trinidad Romualdez Hospital, Tacloban City Hospital and the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center. Ver Noveno

Marawi special polls prepared by Comelec

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

HE Commission on Elections, the government’s election watchdog, said it was ready to conduct a special election in Marawi City, devastated by an ISIS-inspired terrorist siege that lasted for five months in 2017 starting in May. The Comelec had just supervised the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections in more than 42,000 barangays nationwide on Monday.

Tuesday night, Comelec Commissioner Luie Guia said the agency was set to conduct an assessment on the possibility of holding the elections in Marawi at a later date, stressing “There are reasons why we did not push through with the elections in Marawi. And if all those reasons are now gone, then we will schedule the elections already.”

N OTICE

PETITION COMES NOW the petitioner, through counsel, unto this Honorable Court most respectfully states, THAT: 1) Petitioner is of legal age, a Filipino citizen, formerly married to respondent Dulce Verdillo Valenzuela and a resident of No. 11 Enverga St., Brgy. Castillo, Pagbilao, Quezon. Respondent is also of legal age, a naturalized Austrian citizen and is presently residing at District 20, Building 5, Door No. 10, 13th Floor, Griegstrasse, Vienna, Austria, where she may be served with summons and other Court processes through publication; 2) The parties married each other on November 28, 2011 in Nasugbu, Batangas. A copy of their Certificate of Marriage is attached as Annex “A”; 3)They are not blessed with any children and they have no community property to divide between them; 4) The parties migrated to Austria and settled at District 20, Building 5, Door No. 10, 13th Floor, Griegstrasse, Vienna, Austria. Sometime in 2014, due to the fact that their “marriage is irretrievably in disorder,” the respondent filed for divorce. On April 9, 2014, a Decision dissolving their marriage was rendered and it took effect on the same day. A copy of the Decision is attached as Annex “B”; 5) On August 5, 2016, Vice Consul Janina Lourdes S. Bustos of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna, Austria, issued a Certificate of Authentication certifying that “Alexander Klaus, whose signature is affixed to the annexed document was at the time he signed the said document, Authentication Officer, Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, Vienna, Austria, and verily believe that his signature affixed thereto is genuine.” A copy of the Certificate of Authentication is marked as Annex “C”; 6) Austria allows divorce and permits a divorcee to remarry; 7)Petitioner hereby moves that the aforementioned divorce judgment rendered by the Austrian court be recognized.

Notice is hereby given that CEBU AIR, INC. doing business under the names and styles of Cebu Pacific and Cebu Pacific Air (Formerly: CEBU AIR, INC.) with office address at Cebu Pacific Building, Domestic Road, Barangay 191, Zone 20, Pasay City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Operator of Air Transport Services under the Preferred Activity-Infrastructure and Logistic including LGU-UPPs-Air, Land and Water Transport (A321CEO #5 with CAB Registration No. RP-C4115 and Serial No. MSN8281), on a Non-Pioneer status, with project site located at Airline Operations Center, Domestic Road, Pasay City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA

Officer-in-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(MS-MAY 17, 2018)

WHEREFORE, foregoing premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Court that judgment be rendered: a) b) c)

Recognizing and confirming the Divorce Decision dated April 9, 2014 issued by District Court of Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria; Ordering the entry of judicial confirmation of the divorce judgment with the Office of the Civil Registrar General; Ordering the Office of the Civil Registrar General, the Philippine Statistics Authority and the Local Civil Registrar of Nasugbu, Batangas to cancel the entry of marriage of the petitioner and the respondent from their Registry of Marriage.

Other reliefs just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

Lucena City, September 19, 2017. \ ZABELLA & ABCEDE-LLAGA LAW OFFICES No. 29 Edaño St., Lucena City By:

RODOLFO R. ZABELLA, JR. IBP Life Member No. 4348 12-27-02 PTR No. 0795475 1-3-17 Lucena MCLE V-005497 1-14-2015 Roll of Attys. No. 36321 4-6-1990

Copy furnished through registered mail with return card: Office of the Solicitor General 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village Makati City, Metro Manila

VON LUCE MEDENILLA

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 19th day of September 2017 in the City of Lucena, and I hereby certify that the affiant personally appeared before me, that he voluntarily executed his affidavit, and that he read and understood the contents thereof.

Doc. No. ____; Page No. ____; Book No. ____; Series of 2017.

(MS-MAY 18, 2018)

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that RAEMULAN LANDS, INC. with office address at The Club House Pacific Parkplace Village, Governor Drive, Brgy. Paliparan I, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Jubilation Enclave) with a capacity of 299 economic and low-cost housing units a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgys. Platero, San Antonio & Zapote, Biñan City, Laguna.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA

Officer-in-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(MS-MAY 17, 2018)

VERIFICATION AND AFFIDAVIT OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, VON LUCE MEDENILLA, 35 years old, Filipino and a resident of 11 Enverga St., Brgy.

Castillo, Pagbilao, Quezon, after having been sworn to in accordance with law, depose and say that: I am the petitioner in the above-entitled case; I have caused the preparation of the foregoing Petition; I have read and understood the same and all the allegations contained therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and/or based on authentic documents; I hereby certify that I have not commenced any action or proceeding involving the same cause of action or subject matter in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals or any tribunal or agency; should I receive any information that a similar action or proceeding has been filed or is pending before the Supreme Court or any such tribunal or agency, I undertake to report that fact within five (5) days therefrom to this Honorable Court.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto affixed my signature this 19th day of September 2017 in the City of Lucena.

Republic of the Philippines) Province of Quezon ) S. S. City of Lucena )

Acting Comelec Chairman Al Parreño said the assessment would be done similar to what they did in earlier evaluating whether holding the May 14 elections in Mindanao, which is under martial law, was feasible or not.

“We will be using a similar process in coming up with that decision [on the Marawi elections], wherein the commissioners went to different parts of Mindanao, hold hearings and consultations,” he said.

Guia noted the poll body would be making the evaluation within

RODOLFO R. ZABELLA, JR. Until December 31, 2018 Roll of Attys. No. 36321 4-6-90 IBP Life Member No. 4348 12-27-02 MCLE No. V-005497 1-14-15 PTR No. 0795475 1-3-17 Lucena

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that RAEMULAN LANDS, INC., with office address at The Club House Pacific Parkplace Village, Governor Drive, Brgy. Paliparan I, Dasmariñas City, Cavite, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as a new developer of economic and low-cost housing project (Pagsibol Village) with a capacity of 274 economic and low-cost housing units a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Timalan, Naic, Cavite.

Any person with valid objections on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA

Officer-in-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

(MS-MAY 17, 2018)

three months.

“We are working on the threemonth timeline. We will continue to assess the situation in Marawi,” said Guia.

Back in January, the Comelec issued Minute Resolution 180085 which approved the conduct of elections in Mindanao with the exception of Marawi City, where rehabilitation was ongoing.

The Comelec en banc, however, ordered the conduct of a physical/ocular/structural integrity study or assessment of the polling precincts in Marawi City and recommend whether or not to conduct election three months after the scheduled May 14 barangay and youth polls.

On May 23, 2017, almost all of Marawi City was crushed by the five-month battle between the Maute terror group and government troops.

AGOO, La Union—The widow of slain former La Union 2nd District Rep. Eufranio ‘Franny’ Eriguel is seeking the assistance of President Rodrigo Duterte for the timely resolution of the murder of the two-term lawmaker, shot dead while delivering a speech in front of a crowd in Barangay Capas here on Saturday night.

Incumbent 2nd District Rep. Zandra Y. Eriguel also requested the Chief Executive to bring back security detail because they already feared for their safety after the shooting to death of her husband right in front of a crowd that gathered for the final salvo of meetings in preparation for the May 14 synchronized barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“We feel vulnerable at this time because of what happened. We want to ensure that the members of our family will be spared from whatever evil motives of the mastermind and the gunmen that is why we appeal to President Duterte to help us in our present predicament,” Eriguel stressed.

Lawyer Cherry Untalan, Rep. Eriguel’s chief of staff, revealed the security details of the lawmaker were allegedly pulled out several days before the murder of her husband, reason they did not have any available security detail at the time of the incident.

According to her, the supposed mastermind, who is a former barangay official of Capas, could not be considered as the one behind the incident because he was not the gunman.

That is why there is a need for the intervention of higher authorities for probers to be able to zero in the real motive and the people behind the said election-related violence, the bereaved kin said.

Aside from politics, probers are allegedly looking into various angles of the case ranging from the late Eriguel’s acquaintances among others that could result in the immediate resolution of the high-profile political case in the province.

Untalan explained the deployment of police and military troops in the town would just be temporary because they would eventually be pulled out once the situation stabilized. Dexter See

Operations vs colorum vehicles on again

By Joel E. Zurbano GOVERNMENT agents resumed operations against colorum cars and dilapidated public utility vehicles, and apprehended more than 150 violators on Wednesday.

Members of the Interagency Council for Traffic (I-ACT) conducted the simultaneous operations in the areas of SM North Edsa in Quezon City and Masinag in Antipolo City.

A separate I-ACT team also conducted sidewalk clearing and roadworthiness operations along Santolan, 2nd Avenue, 4th Avenue in Camp Crame area, also in Quezon City.

Manuel Gonzales, Council head secretariat, said the I-ACT men impounded 34 colorum and illegally parked vehicles during the operation. He added 54 motorcycles were also towed for various violations.

“So far, this is the biggest number of apprehension in a single day,” said Gonzales.

Gonzales also said 18 vehicles were also the subjects of subpoena for smoke belching and violating the government policy dubbed as ‘Tanggal Bulok, Tanggal Usok.’

The latest operation brings to 3,205 the total number of apprehensions since the I-ACT started the campaign last January.

I-ACT is composed of personnel from the Metro Manila Development Authority, Land Transportation Office, Police-Highway Patrol Group and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

The Council recently launched Task Force Kamao in response to President Rodrigo Duterte who ordered a crackdown on all colorum vehicles nationwide, including arresting their drivers and operators.

RAMIDA OR AR-RAMAD. Muslims in Quiapo, Manila buy grilled fish as they stock up on food for the month-long observance of Ramadan to commemorate ‘the best of times’ which celebrates the first time the Koran was revealed to Muhammad, according to Islamic belief. Ramadan began on May 15 and will end in the evening of June 14. Norman Cruz

PCSO hits P20-b mark in April, a 29% hike PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan said on Wednesday that Lotto, Small Town Lottery, and other products have earned P20.8-billion sales in four months, an increase of 29.30 percent from the same period last year.

“Our STL earnings are unprecedented for a total of P7.8 billion from January to April with an increase of 101 percent from the same period last year. Of course, Lotto including Digit Games are still at the forefront with P10 billion and Keno at P1.8 billion. The Instant Sweepstakes also rose to P727 million,” Balutan said.

Record shows that although Lotto and digit games earned P10 billion in four months, its sales decreased at 5.08 percent compared with the same period last year; while Keno increased at 12.48 percent.

For the month of April, Lotto earned P2.3 billion, a 0.22 percent increase from the same period last year.

As for STL, compared with last month’s earnings where it earned P2 billion, STL only earned P1.9 billion this April.

“From 84, we now have 81 STL operators. We have just terminated three Authorized Agent Corporations (AACs) recently due to repeated violations of the STL-Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) especially various cases of under-remittance of the Presumptive Monthly Retail Receipt (PMRR),” Balutan explained. “We will not hesitate to terminate them.”

Earlier, Balutan warned there would be a temporary slowing down of revenues from the STL because some AACs was sanctioned and/or terminated for violations of the IRR. The PCSO board has opened applications to replace the terminated AACs, and a consultative meeting with the AACs from all over the country was also conducted to discuss some revisions of the IRR.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Blu Girls stun Koreans, make finals A

CE hurler Royeve Palma redeemed herself from an opening day setback to China with a masterful handling of South Korea, leading host Philippines to a morale-boosting 5-2 victory for the last seat in the seventh Asian Softball 19-Under Women Softball Finals at the Clark International Sports Complex in Pampanga yesterday.

Unbeaten and four-time champion Japan racked up its sixth straight win with a 16-0 thrashing of Thailand; defending champion

Japan topped the eight-team series with a 6-0 slate, Chinese Taipei posted a 5-1 card, China and Philippines wound up with identical 4-2 marks to complete the page system finals.

Korea and Malaysia ended up with 2-4 slates followed by Thailand (1-5) and India (0-6).

With the completion of the finals cast, the Philippines’ match against Japan today has

Chinese Taipei overpowered India, 16-0; and Korea bounced back with a 15-3 rout of Malaysia in other results.

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,

Minimum Maximum

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.

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. 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.

3.0

PLANT

CAPACITY

been rendered non-bearing.

The page system finals will be held tomorrow at 1 p.m. with Japan facing Taiwan and China taking on the host squad.

The winner in Japan-Chinese Taipei match will take a bye with the loser facing the winner between China and Philippines. The victor will clash with the top team in a winner-take-all match. The loser in the China-Philippines duel automatically places fourth.

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

4.1.8 Operation Mode

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.

3.3 BIPCOR’S PROJECT

LOTTO RESULTS

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

A7

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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.

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 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:

7.0 PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

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

7.1

Applicants replead by reference the foregoing allegation and further aver:

7.2

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.

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.

Where 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 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:

RELIEF Applicants BIPCOR and BANELCO pray that the Honorable Commission:

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.”

(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

(4) grant the applicants other equitable relief.

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

4.0 SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SECOND AMENDED PSA 4.1 The supply of the contracted energy under the amended PSA shall be subject to the following salient terms and conditions:

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.

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

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 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.

4.1.4 Guaranteed Annual Energy Delivery and Plant Capacity 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.

4.1.5 Rate Impact 2.8 The average daily load curve is shown below:

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

The breakdown of the rate impact, as computed

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

4.1.11 Project Cost Details of the Project Cost are included in this application as Annex W.

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

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 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

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics loses the ball to the pesky defense of Cleveland’s Kyle Korver whose temmate LeBron James looks on in the second half of their teams’ 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Game 2 at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won, 107-94, for a 2-0 lead in the series. AFP

Celtics in control of Cavaliers Different challenge for Rain’s Belga THE 2018 PBA All-Star week is going to be an entirely different experience for Rain or Shine’s Beau Belga.

The burly center will be among the 12 participants seeing action in the Obstacle Challenge side event of the meet, which goes novelty this season by featuring some of the league’s big men racing against time while showing their dribbling, passing, and shooting skills.

Belga admitted not having done in his entire career the skills challenge which is more fitted for smaller players.

“Never, hindi pa. Kaya nagulat nga ako na ganu’n ‘yung format nila ngayon,” he said about one of the special side events to be staged during the second leg of the All-Star extravaganza in Batangas City on May 25.

“Siguro para maiba lang, makikita mo ‘yung mga big men na nagdi-dribble, pumapasa, nagko court-to-court.

Kaya tingin ko magiging masaya itong All-Star,” he said.

Apart from Belga, also entered in the event are Kelly Nabong (GlobalPort), Raymond Aguilar (Barangay Ginebra), Sonny Thoss (Alaska), JP Erram (Blackwater), Russell Escoto (Columbian Dyip), Ken Bono (Meralco), Justin Chua (Phoenix), Aldrech Ramos (Magnolia), Yancy de Ocampo (San Miguel), Yousef Taha (TnT Katropa), and former MVP Asi Taulava (NLEX).

“Marunong naman akong mamasa, pero dribbling na zigzag, never ko pa na-try,” said Belga. “Nakaka-pagdala ako ng bola ng straight lang, pero zigzag hindi pa.”

The three-leg yearly spectacle has Phoenix Fuel with Phoenix Pulse Technology as major sponsor and backed by Peak Sports Apparel, Rain or Shine, Gatorade, TAGHeuer, PBA RUSHCignal, Nature’s Spring and Molten.

Belga is having second thoughts on whether he’ll practice for the event or not.

Belga

Scribe’s sister dies CONNIE Mae R. Carpio, sister of Inquirer Sports’ reporter Marc Anthony Reyes, passed away on May 14, 2018. She was 34.

She is survived by husband Dennis; daughter Diane Chloe; parents Rustico and Rita Reyes; and brothers Marc Anthony, Jonjon and Dennis.

Her remains lie in state at Funeraria Lorenzo in Tondo, Manila. Interment is slated this Saturday at 10 a.m.

L

OS ANGELES—Jaylen Brown scored 23 points and the Boston Celtics overcame a 42-point performance from LeBron James to beat Cleveland 107-94 on Tuesday and take a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals.

Terry Rozier added 18 points, while Al Horford finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Celtics, who improved to 8-0 this postseason at the Boston Garden.

“We really lean on him,” said Brown of Horford. “He has been doing it all year.

That is why they pay him the big bucks.”

The Celtics, who overcame a double digit deficit, have never blown a 2-0 series lead in the postseason. Game three is Sunday in Cleveland.

Brown said they can’t let up in game three because Cavaliers superstar James usually raises his game another notch after a loss.

“We need tremendous focus. He (James) one of best players of all time.

But if there is anybody I would put my money on it would be this group,”

Brown said.

The Celtics used a balanced attack as a half dozen players reached double figures. Cleveland had 15 turnovers leading to 13 Boston points and the Celtics had just six turnovers.

James also delivered 12 assists and 10 rebounds, scoring 21 of Cleveland’s 27 points in the first quarter.

His 42 points marked his fifth 40-point game of these playoffs. James had just 15 points and missed all five of his threepoint attempts in a game one defeat.

“We have the opportunity go back home and take home court,” James said.

“They did what they had to do to protect home court and now it is our time as well.

“We will see what we are made of on Saturday.”

Tuesday’s game got physical as the

Celtics pulled out all the stops to try and contain James.

James appeared to strain his neck in a first-half collision. The Cavaliers sagged in the second half, where they were outscored 59-39 by the Celtics.

Cleveland coach Tyronn Lue said they need to be more physical and referred to the Boston players as goons.

“We got to be tougher mentally and physically,” Lue said. “They are gooning it up and we have got to do the same thing.”

Kevin Love finished with 22 points and 15 rebounds for Cleveland.

Kyle Korver came off the bench to score 11 points but starters Tristan Thompson, JR Smith and George Hill combined for just 11 points in the loss.

“Down the stretch we took some bad shots,” Lue said. “We didn’t close the half way we wanted to and they had a big third quarter.

“In the third quarter we had some miscommunication on defence and they scored some easy baskets.” AFP

President Du30 lauds staging of World U Golf LUBAO, Pampanga—Sports has always been helpful in developing competitiveness and camaraderie-fundamental elements in nationbuilding.

This was stressed by President Duterte in his message to guests and participants during the opening of the 17th World University Golf Championships at the Pradera Verde Golf and Country Club here Tuesday.

“I laud the FESSAP for organizing the 17th WUGC, which aims to bring together talented athletes from around the world to demonstrate and hone their skills in golf,” said President Duterte in his message to officials and players from the 13 participating countries in the four-day event hosted by the FESSAP (Federation of School Sports Association of the Philippines).

“I am certain that this gathering will foster competitiveness among our young golfers as it promotes competence, solidarity and patriotism. Let our players nurture relationships with their peers and opponents so that they may embody the values of inclusion, discipline and perseverance,” added President Duterte.

Commissioner Ramon Fernandez of the Philippine Sports Commission represented President Duterte during the colorful opening ceremony.

With Fernandez are Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab, FESSAP honorary president David Ong, FESSAP president Baldomero Estenzo, philanthropist Bong Pineda, delegation head Sngel Ngu and WYGC organuzing committee head and Pradera Verde manager Mike Singgaran.

Hotshots give Dyip a reality check

By Jeric Lopez MAGNOLIA gave Columbian Dyip a rude awakening.

The Hotshots handed the Dyip a reality check as they didn’t allow any upset threat, imposing their will from start to finish for a lopsided 126-101 rout—their second straight win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

In his penultimate game for Magnolia, Vernon Macklin made sure to help his team gain another victory, scoring all of his 19 points, on 87-percent shooting, in the first half to power the Hotshots to their decisive hot start.

Macklin is bound to leave Magnolia for greener pastures to play in China with a guaranteed contract. He still has a game to play for the Hotshots before bidding them goodbye.

As a result, Magnolia improved to 2-1 to put itself in the upper echelon after dropping its initial assignment, while Colimbian Dyip dropped to an even 3-3 slate as they failed to rack up two wins in a row.

Quickly gaining steam, Magnolia didn’t waste any time as it ran Columbian Dyip off the building with a blistering 2410 blast in the first seven minutes of play.

After a few more minutes, it was already out of hand as the Hotshots further maximized their hot start to end the first quarter carrying a gigantic 37-18 cushion.

It only got worse for the Dyip in the second quarter as the Hotshots, like a well-oiled machine, mercilessly kept pounding to put the game to rest by building an even insurmountable advantage of 29 points, 72-43, at the half.

Magnolia astonishingly shot 67 percent from the floor in the first 24 minutes on its way to an amazing offensive display. Its 72 first-half points is the most scored by a team in a half this season thus far.

Like Macklin, the veteran backcourt duo of Mark Barroca and Paul Lee were already in twin digits at the turn, having 12 and 10 markers, respectively by halftime.

Barroca and Lee finished with 17 points each, while Ian Sangalang had 18 points of his own for the Hotshots.

Jio Jalalon’s lay-up with 8:11 remaining gave Magnolia its largest lead of 38, 111-73.

Aside from import John Field, who scored 22 points and 19 rebounds for a double-double, Columbian hardly got any production from its locals.

The Dyip never even got the chance to at the very least come within striking distance as the Hotshots never gave an inch.

Barriga must work on staying power in ring

By Peter Atencio

PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez makes the ceremonial tee opening the 17th World University Golf Championships at the Pradera Verde Golf and Counry Club in Lubao, Pampanga. With Fernandez is FESSAP honorary president David Ong (right).

Letran Knights march to 3rd win THE Letran Knights demolished University of Asia and Pacific, 119-49, to march to their third win in three outings in the 25-under division of the Milcu-2018 Got Skills-Adidas Summer Showcase Basketball tournament at the Philadelphia School in Quezon City.

Kurt Reyson shot 27 points for the Knights as they posted their third win in four games.

This kept them in second place, behind the solo-leading University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Jifford Canigas tallied 13 points for

Arellano University, which downed Manuel L. Quezon University, 88-59.

This allowed the Chiefs to gain a share of the lead and keep up with the Fighting Maroons with their third straight victory.

In the 19-under action, New Era University pummeled PACE, 98-48, to grab the top top spot with win no. 3.

In the 15-under side, Vince Paiso tallied 21 points for Water Konsult in putting away the Mighty Lions, 93-86.

This gave them a 3-1 card behind the unbeaten Warriors (2-0).

MARK Barriga needs to have a longer staying power inside the ring.

His trainer and manager Joven Jimenez said this after his ward won via unanimous decision over Colombian challenger Gabriel Mendoza last Saturday in their International Boxing Federation minimumweight title eliminator.

The 24-year-old Barriga also felt he did not have enough staying power when he engaged Mendoza in a 12-rounder.

But, connecting strong punches in the early rounds gave the 2012 London Olympian enough points to hold off Mendoza.

“Nu’ng Round 9, iyung stamina niya, bumagal siya,” said Jimenez.

The 5’2” Barriga said he could have floored Mendoza in any round.

“Pero beterano. Kahit paano, naipakita ko na may konting improvement sa power,” said Barriga, who is now the no.1 mandatory challenger to Japan’s Hiroto Kyoguchi, the reigning International Boxing Federation 105 lb. Champion.

Jimenez said they are now getting ready to negotiate.

And it will be up to match maker Sean Gibbons to make the fight happen.

During the fight, judges Jonathan Davis and Zach Yang scored it 120-108 for Barriga, while Arnie Najera gave him a 119-109.

It was Barriga’s ninth straight win, with one coming by way of a knockout.

Prizes galore at stake in Mazda-Forest Hills Invitational THE Mazda-Forest Hills Invitational gets going tomorrow (Thursda) with close to 400 golfers clashing for top honors in various divisions at the Forest Hills Golf Club in Antipolo City.

The event is also putting up a line-up of impressive hole-in-one prizes, including two vehicles, a high-end motorcycle, a luxurious Asian cruise and a golf vacation for two with airfare.

Mazda Pasig-ANC Group is staking a Mazda 2, Diamond Motors is featuring an all new Mitsubishi Expander, Auto Nation Group is offering a Harley Davidson 750

Street and Royal Caribbean and Baron Travel are giving away an Asian cruise with airfare for lucky ace makers at Forest Hills’ Nicklaus course, making this year’s 17th edition the biggest so far in the club’s history.

Also up for grabs in the four-day championship are business class ticket to Dubai from Emirates Airlines, Texas Eagle cart from Turf Company, 100k cash from Taishan Insurance and Brokers, 100k worth of K&G golf products from New Element, Cobra Bio Cell set with bag from Tee One/ J-Ten Sport and a GPS Tracker from Silicon Computers and Telecoms.

“To those who got their invites, this is one Invitational you should not miss,” said club chairman Atty. Ferdie Santos, who has been monitoring the preparations with general manager Raymond Bunquin to ensure the smooth staging of the event presented by Megaforce Security Services, Golforce Inc., Escala Tagaytay and Life Oil/Manila Nature’s Link.

Cherrylume/Mileage Asia Corp., Group Management and Development Corp., Fatima University Medical Center, MizunoMastersports,Pinnacle Machinery, YSA Skin Care and Inquirer Golf are major sponsors.

IN BRIEF

ABS-CBN’s profit climbed 31% in Q1

ABS-CBN Corp. said net income rose 31 percent in the first quarter from a year ago, on lower operating expenses The media and entertainment company led by the Lopez family reported a net profit of P411 million in January to March, up from P314 million in the same period last year.

Consolidated revenues fell 5.9 percent in the three-month period to P9.01 billion from P9.58 billion a year ago. Advertising revenues went down by 10.2 percent to P4.35 billion, while consumer sales dropped 1.5 percent to P4.67 billion.

ABS-CBN’s direct costs and expenses declined 4.3 percent in the first quarter to P8.77 billion from the previous year’s P9.17 billion.

Production costs dropped to P3.08 billion from P3.11 billion.

“The decrease was due to the reduction in the company’s facilities-related expenses and employee related costs amounting to P94 million or 4-percent decline year-on-year,” ABS-CBN said.

Sky Cable Inc.’s revenues dropped 3 percent to P2.29 billon following the decline in cable subscriber count by 80,000. ABS-CBN TVPlus contributed a significant increase in revenues with 589,406 boxes sold, a 22percent increase from a year ago. Kidzania generated P129 million in revenues during the period with 92,000 visitors.

Darwin G. Amojelar

East West Bank’s income declines 22% EAST West Banking Corp., the 12th largest lender in terms of assets, posted a 22-percent decline in net income in the first quarter to P945.4 million from a year ago, dragged down by securities trading losses.

The bank said in a statement the dismal three-month performance could also be attributed to the lower contribution from whollyowned subsidiary EW Rural Bank.

It said net of EWRB and securities trading businesses, the other units combined net income increased 45 percent. Return on assets and return on equity were at 1.2 percent and 9.6 percent, respectively.

The Education Department effectively suspended new loans to teachers pending the renewal of the terms of the department’s Automatic Payroll Deduction System in November 2017. Bank officials said this heavily impacted EWRB because loans to public school teachers comprised its main business.

East West also incurred trading losses of P136.5 million in the first quarter, compared to a P166.5-million gain a year ago.

East West vice chairman and chief executive Antonio Moncupa Jr. said the biggest challenge for the bank this year was the settlement of the DepEd loans. “The bank believes that eventually, this will get settled and the bank will be paid on its existing portfolio. The bank, however, while still hoping for the best, is still evaluating if it can continue lending under the revised terms of the program,” Moncupa said.

Julito G. Rada

Business

Metro Pacific bags P1.6-b Dumaguete water supply deal INFRASTRUCTURE conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. said a wholly-owned water utility company won a P1.62-billion water supply project in Dumaguete City.

MPIC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange MetroPac Water Investments Corp. officially received a notice of award from Dumaguete City Water District for the rehabilitation, operation, maintenance and expansion of DCWD’s existing water distribution system and development of wastewater facilities.

Under the agreement, MPW will form a joint venture company to implement the project, including the right to bill and collect tariff for the water supply and wastewater services in the service area of DCWD. The project cost for the 25-year concession is estimated at P1.62 billion, with an initial equity investment of P700 million in 2018.

DCWD serves Dumaguete City and parts of Valencia, Sibulan and Bacong towns with an estimated population of 162,389 as of end-2017.

Meanwhile, MPIC said MPW completed the acquisition of 45 percent of the outstanding capital stock of BOO Phu Ninh Water Treatment Plant Joint Stock Companyin Vietnam for P620 million.

PNW holds a license to serve the clean water demand in Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and nearby urban, rural and industrial areas.

The zone is strategically located in the middle of Vietnam in Quang Nam province, which recorded a gross domestic product growth of 12 percent in the past five years. The zone spans over 32,000 hectares, and is primed to continue attracting investors by its accessibility to major highways and ports, tax and economic incentives and local government support.

MPW also acquired a 49-percent stake in Tuan Loc Water Resources Investment Joint Stock Company in April for P1.98 billion. Jenniffer B. Austria

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

B1

Century, Mitsubishi form P5-b firm

By Jenniffer B. Austria

C

ENTURY Properties Group Inc. and Japanese conglomerate Mitsubishi Corp. formed a P5-billion joint venture company to build affordable housing projects across the Philippines.

CPG said in a statement PHirst Park Homes would be 60-percent owned by the local company, with the rest of the stake controlled by the Japanese trading giant. It initially plans to launch 15 projects within the next five years offering 33,000 house and lot units, with total sales value of P57 billion.

The company is now in the planning

stage of land banking and has already identified eight sites for future developments.

CPG said while Phirst Park Homes was initially looking at Calabarzon and Central Luzon for the house and lot developments, it had plans to eventually expand to Visayas and Mindanao once it established technical and market scale in Luzon.

“Our joint venture partnership with Mitsubishi Corp. solidifies Century’s plans of diversification and strengthens its positioning not just in the affordable housing category but in the broader first home buyer market,” CPG chairman and chief executive Jose Antonio said.

CPG and Mitsubishi decided to expand their initial partnership following the success of its first affordable hous-

ing venture in Tanza, Cavite.

PHirst Park Homes Tanza, launched in 2015, offered 3,000 housing units at P1 million to P3 million per unit.

CPG said that within eight months of the project launch, PHirst Park Homes Tanza sold 98 percent of phase 1m with reservation sales reaching P1.4 billion.

“The big housing demand coupled by the natural and good chemistry between Century Properties and Mitsubishi Corp. led us a great milestone today, the signing of an agreement to form a joint venture company for affordable housing. This is not just one project, but for a long-term relationship that will make significant contributions in addressing housing backlog in the Philippines,” Mitsubishi general manager of Asean urban development de-

partment Hidetoshi Suzuki said.

Suzuki said Mitsubishi planned to bring to the partnership its expertise in development and technology which would differentiate the company’s product offerings from what were available in the market and at the same time give homebuyers better living environment.

PHirst Park Homes said it would target first-time home buyers and overseas Filipino workers for its housing projects with monthly amortization range of P7,000 to P15,000, depending on the size of the units.

The joint venture partners said they expected to capitalize on the country’s huge demand for affordable housing, with an estimated backlog of 6.6 million units.

Cebu Pacific opens Tokyo office to entice passengers

By Darwin G. Amojelar

Del Monte deploys drones to watch farms DEL Monte Philippines Inc. launched a drone program in Mindanao to become one of the early users of unmanned aerial vehicles for agriculture in the Philippines.

Del Monte Philippines said that like an “eye in the sky,” the drones would be used to map and monitor the company’s vast plantation areas in Bukidnon covering 25,000 hectares.

The drones will also be used to assess the health and vigor of pineapple plants in the fields during various stages of growth, providing a full macro view of the plantation fields―from monitoring growth and yield to early detection of pest and infestation until harvest.

The company said it usually took 18 months to grow a pineapple before it was harvested.

During that growing period, the drones would fly over the fields of Bukidnon to collect various types of images including topography and color. On board the small aircraft are sensors for flight altitude, speed and imaging, along with its control system that connects to a laptop controller. Othel V. Campos

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

CEMEX SUPPORT. Cemex chief global economist Manual Balmaseda (second from right) makes a courtesy visit to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno (second from left) to discuss and reaffirm the cement manufacturer’s commitment to be a partner in building the Philippines’ growth story. The company is positioned to support the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ infrastructure program through Solid Cement in Rizal and Apo Cement in Cebu, two of the biggest cement plants in the country, and through its extensive marine and land distribution network across Luzon, Visayas,and Mindanao which strengthens Cemex’s logistics capacity.

With Balmaseda and Diokno are Cemex Philippines director for enterprise risk management Jose Mario Gallardo Valdes (left) and Cemex economist Carolina Herrera.

San Miguel keen on joining First Gen’s LNG project

By Alena Mae S. Flores CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. expressed interest to team up with First Gen Corp. in building a $1-billion liquefied natural gas terminal with an annual capacity of 5 metric tons in Batangas province.

“We can build or partner with First Gen…We have quite a lot of options.

SMC and First Gen are quite close,” SMC president Ramon Ang said.

Ang said SMC could expand the capacity of the 1,200-megawatt Ilijan natural gas power plant by another 1,800 MW later on, once LNG became available in the country.

“We have not talked to them [First Gen]. There is no problem. We can be joint [partners in the LNG project] or we can buy from them,” Ang said.

“For Ilijan, we will retain [it] as gas [power plant] and we may even expand that. Floating terminal or regas needs at least 3,000 MW to be economical,” Ang said.

First Gen expects to start the construction of its LNG terminal next year which it said would be the most advanced LNG project in the country.

First Gen is building its own terminal

to secure LNG supply for its own 1,000MW Sta. Rita, 500-MW San Lorenzo, 414-MW San Gabriel and 97-MW Avion natural gas plants in Batangas.

First Gen is negotiating with local and foreign firms as possible partners for the LNG facility. It expects to finalize the joint venture partnership this year.

Supply from the Malampaya natural gas project is projected to start declining by 2022.

Meanwhile, Ang said SMC would be the rightful owner of the Ilijan plant once the operation and management contract of Korea Electric Power Corp. expired by 2022.

Kepco operates the Ilijan power plant under a build-operate-transfer agreement with the government while SMC, through unit South Premiere Power Corp. trades the output of the plant under its independent power producer agreement with the government.

SMC is engaged in a legal tussle with the state-run Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. over the alleged unsettled claims on the Ilijan plant.

The Court of Appeals affirmed SMC Global Power Holdings Corp.’s writ of preliminary injunction against PSALM on the Ilijan power plant in January.

LIVESTOCK TRAINING COMPLEX. The Aboitiz Group, through food business

unit Pilmico and the Aboitiz Foundation, is raising the bar for livestock raising and management in Mindanao with the construction of a state-of-the-art research and development facility within the Central Mindanao University compound in Bukidnon.

Leading the groundbreaking ceremony are (from left) CMU vice president of the university income generation program Dr. Jupiter Casas, Houston Marketing Inc. general manager Harold Yap, CMU president Dr. Ma. Luisa Soliven, Pilmico vice president for corporate strategy and business development Apol Castro, Aboitiz Foundation first vice president and chief operating officer Maribeth Marasigan and Pilmico assistant vice president for feeds – Mindanao Jefferson Abian.

BCDA opens bidding for New Clark City utility partners

By Othel V. Campos STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority started the tender process for the selection of joint venture partners to design, build, finance, operate and maintain power and water distribution in New Clark City, the country’s newest economic center.

The agency published the invitation bids in major newspapers for the selection of a joint venture partner to develop the electric power distribution system and another partner for the water and wastewater infrastructure in the new metropolis.

Interested proponents are asked to purchase the eligibility documents and the information memorandum on the two projects from BCDA’s corporate office in Bonifacio Global City.

A pre-eligibility conference for both utilities will be held on May 29 at the same building. The preeligibility conference for electric power distribution was scheduled at 10 a.m., while the pre-eligibility conference for water and wastewater infrastructure will be held 2 p.m.

BCDA said it was expecting to award the contracts for both projects

by September 2018.

The 9,450-hectare New Clark City is envisioned to be the country’s first smart, disaster-resilient and sustainable city.

The first phase of the development covering 60 hectares will feature the National Government Administrative Center that will house back-up offices of various government agencies and a world-class sports complex that will host the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The new metropolis will also have mixed-use residential, commercial, agro-industrial, educational and information technology developments.

CEBU Pacific Air said it strengthened its presence in Japan with the opening of an office in Tokyo.

It said the Cebu Pacific Japan branch office in Chuo-ku Tokyo would serve as the hub for all of the airline’s activities and business transactions in Japan.

The airline said aside from business-to-business and business-tocustomer transactions such as group reservation services, ticket sales and customer support, the Tokyo office would drive marketing strategies and promotional activities of Cebu Pacific in Japan.

“Our very own branch office in Japan symbolizes the next stage of growth into the Japanese market which has become one of the most important across our network. This is about as looking to improve our offering to the Japanese customer,” said Cebu Pacific chief executive adviser Mike Szcus.

“We want them to experience Filipino hospitality and the wonderful destinations that we offer in the Philippines,” he said.

Tomohiko Matsumoto, who was appointed Cebu Pacific country manager for Japan in December 2017, said there was much opportunity for trade and tourism between the two markets.

“Our vision is to bridge the gap between the Japanese market and Cebu Pacific Air. Cebu Pacific Air, with year-round low-cost fares, gives Japanese travelers more options and more choices. We look forward to enticing more Japanese to visit the Philippines and fly with Cebu Pacific Air,” Matsumoto said.

Cebu Pacific, now on its tenth year of operations in Japan, mounts a total of 70 flights a week between Japan and the Philippines.

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, May 16, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.4010

Japan

Yen

0.009063

0.4749 70.7885

UK

Pound

1.350900

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127390

6.6754

Switzerland

Franc

0.998801

52.3382

Canada

Dollar

0.776880

40.7093

Singapore

Dollar

0.743716

38.9715

Australia

Dollar

0.747100

39.1488

Bahrain

Dinar

2.652872

139.0131

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

13.9725

Brunei

Dollar

0.740960

38.8270

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.031328

1.6416

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

14.2681

Euro

Euro

1.183800

62.0323

Korea

Won

0.000926

0.0485

China

Yuan

0.156924

8.2230

India

Rupee

0.014691

0.7698

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.252908

13.2526

New Zealand

Dollar

0.686000

35.9471

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033437

1.7521

Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market slips on profit-taking T he stock market fell Wednesday on profittaking after climbing sharply in the last two trading sessions, joining the rest of Asian markets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 16.41 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,869.56, on a value turnover of P6.4 billion. Losers beat gainers, 106 to 84, with 53 issues unchanged.

Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 3.2 percent to P83.15, while parent GT Capital Holdings Inc. decreased 2.4 percent to P1,018.

Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which is into toll roads, water and electricity distribution, power generation and hospitals, declined 2 percent to P5.29, while

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. slipped 1.5 percent to P923.

Asian markets, meanwhile, tumbled with Wall Street and the dollar extended gains Wednesday as US interest rate worries resurfaced, while investors were also given a spook by North Korea’s threat to pull out of a historic summit over US demands.

After enjoying a relatively purple patch over the past week, investors were put back on the back foot by solid retail sales data that pointed to a surge in inflation that could push the Federal Reserve to hike borrowing costs three more times this year.

The news boosted expectations for the world’s number one economy and sent benchmark 10-year Treasury yields to a seven-year high.

But the prospect of debt costing more to service hit equities, sending all three

main indexes on Wall Street lower.

The losses spread to Asia with Hong Kong falling 0.2 percent and Shanghai 0.7 percent off.

Tokyo ended 0.4 percent lower after data showed Japan’s economy contracted in January-March for the first time in two years.

Singapore shed 0.3 percent and Wellington sank more than one percent, while Bangkok and Jakarta were also well down. However, Sydney rose 0.2 percent, Seoul edged up 0.1 percent and Taipei put on 0.2 percent.

The dollar, which benefits from higher US rates, was holding above the 110 yen mark and around its highest mark since early February.

The euro is around its weakest level this year, with a series of soft economic data out of the eurozone denting the prospects of an end to the European Central Bank’s crisis-era stimulus. The

pound continues to be dampened by Brexit uncertainty.

The greenback also surged against high-yielding currencies, with the South Korean won 0.5 percent off and Australia’s dollar 0.7 percent lower.

North Korea moved back into the spotlight as it threatened to cancel next month’s historic summit between Kim Jong Un and Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into unilaterally giving up its nuclear arsenal.

“If the US is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue,” first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by KCNA state media.

The announcement came as a shock after months of rapid diplomatic rapprochement that has fueled hopes for peace on the peninsula. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, MAY 16, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 28,650 99 1,060,630 3 12,000 136.9 1,420,930 1.48 158,000 34.85 157,000 6.69 1,300 16.72 76,200 16.32 694,600 3.88 528,000 8.42 200 1.51 4,000 0.56 4,971,000 83.15 2,808,420 1.06 299,000 12.2 17,900 51.95 88,980 210 12,670 107 1,100 86.7 110 38 112,600 200.4 2,086,680 89 32,030 1.2 40,000

1,688,727.50 104,747,616.50 36,450 192,028,465 227,290 5,479,285 8,907 1,275,386 11,418,800 2,057,590 1,684 6,030 2,775,650 233,477,540.50 316,490 218,414 4,624,601 2,686,226 117,792 9,528 4,279,190 418,958,003 2,864,375 48,000

1,331,780 759,980 77,577,284 367,325 1,267,018 3,227,754 -20,000 -34,720 -182,736,010 -27,480 -3,340,287.50 320,800 867 -41,513,221 -205,634 -

38.4 14.8 0.61 1.24 19.8 0.226 126 3.06 16.64 51.7 24.8 57 68 1.98 5.13 9.45 10.9 16.12 12 7.17 5.14 15 63.6 18.84 8.75 17.9 2.06 280.2 54.9 5.03 3.28 17.02 26 13.4 22 321.6 0.195 6.66 2.36 4.48 9.3 5.67 1.47 12 51.9 6.19 4.69 2.02 3.69 1.84 13.52 64.6 5.34 0.132 1 140.5 2.51 3.58 0.83

INDUSTRIAL 38.4 1,233,900 14.94 1,202,900 0.67 12,549,000 1.26 160,000 21.1 62,300 0.23 730,000 126 1,500 3.17 10,796,000 17 632,200 51.9 408,360 24.85 2,900 57 56,800 68 320 1.98 15,000 5.18 8,500 9.45 7,300 10.98 2,187,000 16.22 1,010,000 12 928,800 7.18 289,000 5.17 3,028,000 15 892,900 63.8 55,970 19.4 104,700 8.76 96,500 18.08 2,077,400 2.15 1,033,000 286.6 495,600 54.9 20 5.14 4,800 3.36 15,000 17.02 500 27.25 750,800 13.48 244,800 22 3,198,200 324.4 194,460 0.195 20,000 6.85 5,200 2.36 3,677,000 4.55 91,000 9.39 1,113,900 6 66,100 1.47 6,000 12.66 34,600 51.95 649,550 6.19 6,000 4.7 377,000 2.04 43,000 3.69 22,000 1.87 343,000 13.52 463,800 65 672,670 5.5 407,100 0.132 500,000 1 19,000 141 484,010 2.51 20,000 3.65 27,657,000 0.84 802,000

47,493,940 17,955,498 8,188,480 198,910 1,289,117 165,360 189,000 33,932,830 10,744,834 21,151,399 72,095 3,237,600 21,760 29,700 43,665 69,058 24,065,780 16,366,776 11,241,316 2,075,573 15,647,078 13,511,448 3,571,691.50 1,998,126 846,556 37,582,936 2,198,180 140,611,456 1,098 24,380 49,500 8,512 20,359,205 3,299,786 71,317,000 62,950,154 3,900 35,650 8,790,440 411,000 10,547,544 394,391 8,820 434,726 33,946,804.50 37,150 1,771,890 87,690 81,380 634,370 6,339,168 43,636,239.50 2,224,193 66,030 19,020 68,268,630 50,200 103,339,140 673,690

-31,672,205 5,078,178 -12,200 40,550 -14,452,130 -6,929,180 -387,600 -7,503.00 3,694,784 9,246,186 1,455,888 -967,153 1,286,154 -4,785,584 -25,355.50 1,910 -367,352.00 -8,008,526.00 -427,310 14,617,144 10,369,045 33,760 -32,123,890 6,093,718 -717,070 18,100 1,791,394 7,176 -11,561,665.50 -263,210 13,000 -2,330,642 6,525,674 541 -31,273,504 7,530.00 -640,570 -

0.27 64.5 13.64 0.9 6.53 0.68 0.69 991 6.58 11.1 7.67 0.211 1,043 7.18 60.2 5 5.81 0.63 4.61 22.1 0.6 5.37 0.04 1.16 3.25 140 2.56 935 0.82 1.65 547 263 0.249 0.265

0.255 62 13.08 0.9 6.53 0.66 0.67 960 6.4 10.6 7.3 0.211 1,014 7.18 59 5 5.6 0.59 4.46 21 0.58 5.12 0.039 1.12 3.2 138 2.56 915 0.79 1.64 545 260 0.248 0.25

HOLDING FIRMS 0.255 2,940,000 64.5 923,210 13.44 4,749,100 0.9 84,000 6.53 100 0.68 13,439,000 0.69 887,000 990 169,710 6.4 6,193,900 10.8 9,238,200 7.67 270,700 0.211 130,000 1,018 101,845 7.18 5,400 60 1,377,700 5 1,700 5.6 1,500 0.62 457,000 4.49 6,332,000 21.45 7,963,500 0.59 605,000 5.29 55,344,900 0.04 1,000,000 1.15 217,000 3.21 1,561,000 139.2 346,790 2.56 40,000 923 323,880 0.82 136,000 1.64 111,000 545 480 261 2,450 0.248 60,000 0.255 4,750,000

769,400 58,918,277.50 63,246,550 75,600 653 9,009,470 602,760 166,492,045 40,027,435 99,747,648 2,061,226 27,430 103,931,135 38,772 82,212,814.50 8,500 8,662 278,050 28,495,220 172,306,035 354,240 288,347,298 39,500 247,220 5,012,240 48,319,823 102,400 297,783,360 107,740 182,050 261,630 639,110 14,900 1,214,850

5,998,882 -5,611,626 -239,780 -10,482,555 -6,138,426 -36,911,832 150,800 -42,125,280 -11,246,783.50 -705,780 -47,684,125 59,000 -90,760,378 234,420 7,699,459 -95,997,985 109,000 -

7.15 1.03 14.9 2.04 0.85 43.35 3.47 4.94 6.15 0.48 1.06 1.01 0.245 0.45 32.5 0.65 0.125 1.69 1.35

6.95 1 14.5 2.02 0.83 41.75 3.42 4.84 6 0.46 1.06 0.99 0.24 0.45 31.5 0.62 0.125 1.64 1.31

12,404,381 7,387,800 90,940 152,000 387,280 538,333,805 842,030 5,118,210 163,365 3,310,650 9,540 3,565,280 511,820 396,000 22,022,990 348,030 1,250 6,039,110 2,257,690

-6,416,062 138,582,070 474,260 4,810 -30,000 -930,000 3,000,000 40,700 -10,674,190 -156,530 -473,050 1,320

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 PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK VANTAGE

58.95 99.2 3.05 134.3 1.45 35 7.11 16.72 16.78 3.89 8.42 1.5 0.57 85.65 1.08 12.24 52.1 214 108 86.6 38.9 201 89 1.2

59 100 3.05 136.9 1.48 35 7.11 16.76 16.92 4.02 8.42 1.51 0.58 85.65 1.08 12.24 52.4 214 108 86.7 38.9 202.6 90 1.2

58.9 97 3 133.2 1.42 34.85 6.69 16.72 16.32 3.7 8.42 1.5 0.55 82.55 1.05 12.2 51.95 210 107 86.6 37.8 199 88.95 1.2

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

39 15 0.62 1.24 20.3 0.23 126 3.08 16.64 51.85 24.8 57 68 1.98 5.13 9.45 10.9 16.2 12.28 7.2 5.29 15.44 65.45 19.76 8.78 18.58 2.15 283 54.9 5.03 3.4 17.04 27.3 13.8 22.8 322.4 0.195 6.98 2.38 4.5 9.62 6 1.47 12 53.05 6.2 4.7 2.02 3.7 1.87 13.88 64.8 5.41 0.133 1 142 2.51 3.67 0.83

39 15 0.67 1.26 21.9 0.23 126 3.2 17.14 51.9 24.95 57 68 1.98 5.2 9.5 11.06 16.26 12.28 7.2 5.29 15.44 65.45 19.76 8.9 18.58 2.15 286.6 54.9 5.14 3.4 17.04 27.3 13.8 23.1 326.8 0.195 6.98 2.44 4.55 9.62 6 1.47 12.68 53.05 6.2 4.7 2.09 3.7 1.87 13.9 65 5.5 0.133 1.01 142 2.51 3.8 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 JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SEAFRONT RES SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS

0.26 63.1 13.64 0.9 6.53 0.68 0.68 980 6.55 11.1 7.3 0.211 1,043 7.18 60 5 5.81 0.62 4.61 22.1 0.58 5.35 0.04 1.13 3.22 139.2 2.56 935 0.79 1.65 545 263 0.249 0.255

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND 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

7.1 1 14.9 2.04 0.85 42.3 3.46 4.89 6.15 0.48 1.06 1 0.24 0.45 31.6 0.62 0.125 1.65 1.35

VOLUME

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 SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

1.13 4.67 0.64 0.47 0.55 3.9 19.94 2.08 3.23 38.1 1.14 10.9 0.78 6.64

1.14 4.78 0.65 0.475 0.56 3.96 19.98 2.08 3.24 38.4 1.14 10.9 0.8 6.65

1.11 4.55 0.64 0.465 0.54 3.8 19.48 2.03 3.22 37.3 1.11 10.18 0.78 6.51

1.12 4.75 0.64 0.47 0.54 3.81 19.98 2.07 3.24 38.15 1.14 10.34 0.8 6.52

3,096,000 29,512,000 21,535,000 4,420,000 1,095,000 1,023,000 1,732,400 55,000 20,000 15,867,300 4,309,000 350,300 29,000 2,056,800

3,485,870 139,155,640 13,819,360 2,069,850 594,040 3,953,350 34,274,182 113,010 64,670 603,335,995 4,841,250 3,627,564 23,140 13,435,775

28,645,960 3,369,600 30,670 13,412,664 -9,690 150,486,200 850,000 -96,272.00 -6,786,843

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

15.9 27.2 1.35 0.47 0.047 13 12.48 0.057 92 8.7 8.1 8.04 20.65 1,748 5.65 300.2 12.06 4.17 2.11 82.2 13.1 8.25 0.117 1.39 15.38 4.56 1.02 27.2 0.52 4.35 6.2 3.29 17.96 8.3 11.26 9.5 131 5.99 1,411 1.02 0.385 47.8 89.95 7.1 2.32 1.32 0.42 4.8 0.86 12

15.96 27.2 1.4 0.47 0.047 13.02 12.72 0.057 92 8.7 8.1 8.04 20.65 1,766 5.65 306 12.06 4.17 2.18 82.95 13.3 8.25 0.117 1.39 15.38 4.69 1.03 27.2 0.52 4.35 6.2 3.29 19 8.43 11.26 9.5 131 6.01 1,411 1.03 0.395 47.8 89.95 7.2 2.38 1.32 0.425 4.81 0.87 12.22

15.5 26.7 1.35 0.465 0.046 13 12.1 0.055 90.25 8.61 7.61 8 20 1,571 5.56 300.2 11.28 4.08 2.11 81 13.1 8.2 0.117 1.38 15.38 4.55 1.01 25.3 0.52 4.35 5.8 3.2 17.96 8.12 11.26 9.49 129.5 5.97 1,381 1.01 0.38 46 88 7 2.25 1.3 0.42 4.77 0.85 11.84

SERVICES 15.5 27 1.4 0.47 0.047 13.02 12.66 0.055 90.85 8.61 7.7 8.01 20.15 1,766 5.6 306 11.98 4.14 2.18 82.95 13.3 8.21 0.117 1.38 15.38 4.59 1.03 26.5 0.52 4.35 5.8 3.2 19 8.38 11.26 9.49 129.5 6 1,395 1.02 0.395 47.5 89 7.12 2.27 1.31 0.425 4.8 0.87 12

35,700 191,300 12,000 1,620,000 4,800,000 1,200 7,089,600 5,560,000 296,660 6,100 5,337,100 86,100 95,100 20,535 133,800 4,530 20,800 645,000 13,000 3,000,510 20,100 38,400 590,000 330,000 400 1,322,000 142,000 4,056,300 4,000 7,000 14,579,100 154,000 1,200 5,768,600 2,100 2,000 125,850 1,617,000 54,365 1,798,000 1,410,000 201,100 35,270 26,600 1,268,000 3,281,000 2,110,000 1,361,000 1,546,000 7,055,000

558,434 5,142,540 16,540 756,250 224,200 15,604 88,613,258 308,960 26,958,788.50 52,911 41,372,792 689,540 1,912,400 35,783,350 749,752 1,383,864 238,846 2,659,670 27,500 245,066,318 263,330 315,384 69,030 455,760 6,152 6,062,160 144,630 106,902,300 2,080 30,450 85,993,369 495,990 21,760 48,081,803 23,646 18,982 16,297,794 9,700,812 75,686,630 1,834,160 543,600 9,498,740 3,145,078.50 189,135 2,898,580 4,291,000 889,300 6,532,050 1,328,750 84,849,980

15,860 9,540 17,167,802 -1,731,537.50 17,300 -6,714,147 -20,100 -6,576,320 -20,670 -532,495 7,850.00 36,140,270 -52,711,975 341,368 -15,529,640 -545,988 -6,795,970 198,780 311,125 -1,169,521.50 -1,184,030 -32,000 -4,250 -4,795,190 22,330,078

490,000 5,403,680 2,161,090 4,650 401,860 145,550 79,766 3,850,550 44,000 97,410 25,500 9,500 231,000 3,640,977 2,400 147,100 49,700 85,100 2,140 6,401,574 11,343,172 137,656,210

-866,350 29,790 -2,359,494 -1,219,098 -708,274 -109,485,375

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.15 1.01 14.7 2.02 0.83 43.3 3.45 4.93 6 0.465 1.06 1.01 0.243 0.45 31.5 0.63 0.125 1.65 1.32

1,760,900 7,295,000 6,200 75,000 466,000 12,606,900 245,000 1,043,000 27,100 7,110,000 9,000 3,567,000 2,120,000 880,000 689,100 549,000 10,000 3,627,000 1,702,000

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

0.0028 1.67 4.5 1.55 1.62 0.295 7.35 2.34 0.2 0.139 0.0085 0.0095 1.43 5.11 1.21 1.01 0.013 0.011 2.14 5.5 13.2 29.7

0.0028 1.7 4.54 1.55 1.66 0.31 7.37 2.34 0.2 0.14 0.0085 0.0095 1.43 5.11 1.21 1.01 0.013 0.012 2.14 5.6 13.4 30.2

0.0028 1.65 4.4 1.55 1.6 0.295 7.07 2.25 0.19 0.138 0.0085 0.0095 1.4 5.07 1.19 0.96 0.012 0.011 2.14 5.5 12.96 29.5

MINING & OIL 0.0028 175,000,000 1.65 3,258,000 4.4 486,000 1.55 3,000 1.66 248,000 0.31 470,000 7.37 11,100 2.3 1,680,000 0.2 230,000 0.14 700,000 0.0085 3,000,000 0.0095 1,000,000 1.4 164,000 5.07 716,000 1.19 2,000 0.98 150,000 0.012 4,000,000 0.012 7,100,000 2.14 1,000 5.6 1,143,600 12.98 865,800 29.7 4,631,700

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

26 504 101.2 505 984 100.5 1.06 111 76 75.5 78.9 76.2 75.95

26 504 101.2 505 984 100.9 1.06 111 77 75.5 78.9 77.15 75.95

25.45 502 100.3 504.5 984 100.5 1.05 111 76 75.5 78.9 76.2 75.95

PREFERRED 25.5 195,000 502 7,450 100.3 12,080 505 2,280 984 400 100.9 9,100 1.05 541,000 111 90 77 3,970 75.5 500 78.9 2,000 77.15 13,900 75.95 500

4,979,425 3,744,000 1,213,712 1,150,395 393,600 914,590 573,050 9,990 305,640 37,750 157,800 1,071,910 37,975

-1,595,090 771.5 -

LR WARRANT

2.65

2.74

2.65

WARRANTS 2.7 225,000

603,920

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.38 2.95 2.91 3.46

5.4 2.95 2.91 3.67

5.3 2.95 2.8 3.29

5.35 2.95 2.81 3.54

2,383,654 2,950 723,390 59,567,050

91,135 -16,024,060

FIRST METRO ETF

121.2

121.2

119.5

8,970,588

-

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10 1.03

10 1.03

10 1.03

216,900 52,962.60

-

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

14,612,457

INDUSTRIAL

84,274,665

HOLDING FIRMS

122,954,459

PROPERTY

131,990,785

SERVICES

82,904,959

MINING & OIL

206,628,229

GRAND TOTAL

661,031,179

SME

447,100 1,000 256,000 16,884,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 119.7 74,770 10 1.03

DDS

21,690 51,420

VALUE 1,942.95 (down) -0.52 989,374,977.8 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,111.66 (down) -74.08 1,000,479,870.394 HOLDING FIRMS 7,776.76 (down) -73.46 1,619,384,847.812 PROPERTY 3,903.88 (up) 33.38 1,549.96 (down) -3.9 1,548,390,129.06 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,254.48 (up) 63.14 976,302,316.2 PSEI 7,869.56 (down) -16.41 172,297,960.2852 All Shares Index 4,754.8 (down) -15.34 6,377,887,105.05 Gainers: 84; Losers: 106; Unchanged: 53; Total: 243

LBC Express says Q1 profit surged 147% to P563.8m

By Jenniffer B. Austria LBC Express Holdings Inc. said net income in the first three months of 2018 surged 147 percent to P563.8 million from P227.9 million year-on-year on the double-digit growth in both retail and corporate logistics.

LBC said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-quarter service revenues rose 12 percent to P2.75 billion with revenues from logistics segment hitting P2.52 billion, up 12 percent on year.

LBC said the logistics volume grew 34 percent as the company pursues expansions and the rollout of retail branches across the country.

The growth of volumes from smalland-medium enterprise clients and opening of branches in the Middle East also contributed to higher sales volume.

The cost of services increased 13 percent to P1.81 billion relative to the volume growth in logistics services provided to customers and the 17-percent rise in the actual costs of delivery and remittance services.

LBC Express Holdings Inc. in March approved the purchase of shares of some international affiliates.

The move is expected to benefit the company through contributions from global revenue streams.

LBC also in March invested in and acquired a 30-percent equity interest in Orient Freight International Inc. to diversify the company’s businesses and realize returns on investments.

“This is a strategic investment for LBC as we continue to move toward expanding our business and maintaining our number one position in the industry,” LBC chief executive Mike Camahort said.

“Having a stake in OFII will yield LBC better economies of scale, while also achieving improved cost efficiency in certain sub-sectors of our business where we see a great deal of growth prospects. In particular, OFII is well-entrenched in brokerage, cold chain, automotive logistics, warehousing and distribution centers, and project logistics—we look forward to working together and growing these sectors for both companies,” he added.

OFII, established 44 years ago, is now the leading freight forwarder and cargo handler in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia.

Filinvest Land’s income slightly rises to P1.51b FILINVEST Land Inc. of the Gotianun Group booked a net income of P1.51 billion in the first quarter of 2018, up 7 percent year-on-year, after expanding its rental portfolio.

FLI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange first-quarter consolidated revenues rose 7 percent to P6.33 billion as rental revenues grew 24 percent to P1.21 billion.

“We are looking forward to the company’s strong growth this year as our newly opened office buildings and shopping malls stabilize. Additional office buildings are expected to be operational and will generate incremental rental revenues this year. We also expect residential revenues to remain stable,” FLI chief executive and president Josephine Gotianun Yap said.

FLI now operates 22 office buildings totaling 348,000 square meters of gross leasable area.

The company has substantially completed two more buildings and are due for turnover, adding 36,000 square meters of office GLA. Nine other buildings are under construction with a total of 263,000 square meters of additional GLA. FLI, meanwhile, is scheduled to complete Il Corso in Cebu, which will add 33,000 square meters of retail GLA. FLI said it was on track to meet its target of 1 million square meters of GLA by 2019 and aimed to increase it to 1.5 million square meters by 2022.

FLI is also launching this year P16 billion worth of residential projects in Metro Manila, Rizal, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Zamboanga and Davao.

The development of the Filinvest Mimosa+ Leisure City is in full swing after recently completing one office building out of the planned six.

It launched its first residential tower while construction on a retail mall will soon start for a scheduled operation in 2019. Jenniffer B. Austria

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

Favoring a third telco is bad for competition THE government may have the right intentions in introducing a new player in the telecommunications sector to spur competition and improve services. But rolling out the red carpet for the country’s third major company runs counter to the government’s aim of leveling the playing field.

The possibility of a third major telecom player in the Philippines is perhaps the most-awaited news in the corporate world. The public has read and heard countless public announcements and press releases about the impending third player. The deadlines have come and gone, however, and there is still no clear frontrunner in sight. This only goes to show how significant the industry’s entry barriers are, and how rolling out is easier said than done.

These barriers, be it capital intensity, lack of government support, competition, or even bureaucratic government requirements, bear out the need for the state to do its part in helping the industry and improving the national infrastructure. The much-needed support though, must not favor one company at the expense of the others.

It is unusual to see how the government is throwing all its support to a possible new player, while the current and past telcos have had to fight through intense competition for years—struggling for a share of the market and for state assistance.

The current administration is arbitrarily choosing or dictating which specific foreign country’s telecoms operator it wants to come into the Philippines. This brings up a number of nagging questions. Why specifically China? Why name favorites this early? Is this a case of contract-dealing with possible conflicts of interests or ‘commissions’ to be gained?

Security risks The security risks presented by Chinese telecoms companies in the Philippines are well documented. It is also worth noting that China’s three major telecoms companies—China Telecom, China Unicom and China Mobile—are all state-owned and that there have been 76 statesponsored cyber attacks linked to China since 2005, 75 of which are primarily espionage in nature while 44 state-sponsored attacks targeted the United States.

The threat is very real for the Philippines and its investors, especially given Manila’s opposing claims with China on the West Philippine Sea and the presence of many US companies outsourcing or running offices in the Philippines.

Sen. Leila de Lima has already called for a Senate investigation into the ongoing selection process. She recently filed Senate Resolution No. 603, expressing “serious concern over the current administration’s apparent partiality to pick a telecoms firm from China as the country’s third telecommunications carrier.”

She stressed the need for greater transparency in the selection process to ensure that all factors were considered, including the matter of national security, especially since the Department of Information and Communications Technology had been instructed to pick a Chinese telecom company.

Another issue is with regard to spectrum. While many have chimed in on whether or not there is enough spectrum left for a third player, they conveniently miss the fact that this would be the first time anywhere in the world where a new player receives 300mhz of spectrum without a single customer to serve.

Just recently, the government warned that it would reclaim unused radio frequency spectrum from non-operating players. If the assigned companies were not using the spectrum, the government would simply recall it for use by a third or fourth player. So basically, the government will recall unused spectrum and gift it to a company that would not be able to use it either.

Too many concessions The potential third telecom player will be a privileged competitor. But with the new entrant nowhere in sight or unable to prove itself thus far, all the unreasonable bending-over-backwards by the government may be all for naught.

Those who study the industry know that the popular storyline for the Philippine telecoms market—one of a duopoly with little or no competition—is far from the reality that the companies themselves actually experience. The industry has had a history of tough competition where companies struggle to stay alive against threats from all sectors.

If the government continues to favor one over the others, it will take the industry farther away from that level playing field it is supposed to foster and safeguard.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or extrastory2000@gmail.com or business@manilastandard.com

Survey: Long legs turn women’s heads PARIS―Laboring over the age-old question “What do women look for in men?”, scientists added an item to the list Wednesday: legs slightly longer than average, with a good shin-to-thigh ratio.

Long arms, however, fail to impress.

In an online survey, some 800 American women preferred faceless male figures “when their legs are slightly longer than average”―but not too long, said study co-author Thomas Versluys of the University of Cambridge.

The women, aged 19 to 76 from different racial groups, were asked to judge the attractiveness of computer-generated male silhouettes with slight differences in leg- and arm length.

The respondents preferred legs that were just above the average length, but not too long.

They also found figures most attractive “when the ratio between the lower and upper limb segment―shin and thigh― was average,” Versluys told AFP. However, “we also found that arm length has no effect on attractiveness.”

In the study of sexual selection in hu-

mans, limb proportions are known to be an important determinant of attractiveness.

The latest study is the most detailed investigation yet of how short is too short, and how long is too long, said the authors.

The results suggest leg length played an important role in sexual selection and human evolution in the past, and has likely remained a subconscious preference in mate choice.

“It is probably important because it’s a fairly reliable predictor of factors that are relevant in human evolution such as health, developmental trajectory, nutrition, and so forth,” explained Versluys.

So why would arm length, thought to be important for activities such as spear throwing and fishing, be less important to women than the span of their legs?

It could be that long legs are a better signal of good nutrition and health, said the researcher.

Also, leg length is more obvious than arm length, and adds to a man’s overall height―also seen as a plus in competition for mates. AFP

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

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CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Four killed in Indonesia after suicide bombings P EKANBARU, Indonesia―Four men were shot and killed as they staged an attack on a police headquarters that left one officer dead and two wounded, Indonesian authorities said Wednesday, after a wave of deadly suicide bombings claimed by the Islamic State group.

The latest assault in Pekanbaru on the island of Sumatra saw a group ram a minivan into a gate at the station and then attack officers with samurai swords, according to the country’s national police.

It was not clear if Wednesday’s incident was linked to the earlier attacks that saw two families who knew each other and belonged to the same religious study group stage suicide bombings at churches and a police station in Surabaya, Indonesia’s second biggest city.

The attacks have put Indonesia on edge as the world’s biggest Muslim majority country starts the holy fasting month of Ramadan from Thursday.

This week’s bloody violence is putting pressure on lawmakers to pass a stalled

security law that would give police more power to take preemptive action against people suspected of planning terror attacks.

Indonesia―which is set to host the Asian Games in just three months and an IMF-World Bank meeting in Bali in October―has long struggled with Islamist militancy, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed over 200 people―mostly foreign tourists―in the country’s worstever terror attack.

On Wednesday, police said they shot dead four of the attackers at the Sumatra police station and later arrested another who had fled.

Indonesian media said one attacker may have had a bomb strapped to his body but police did not immediately con-

firm the reports.

No group has yet taken responsibility for Wednesday’s attack.

Indonesia’s security forces have arrested hundreds of militants during a sustained crackdown that smashed some networks, and most recent attacks have been lowlevel and targeted domestic security forces.

Last year, a suicide bombing at a bus station in Jakarta killed three police officers.

But on Sunday, a family of six―including girls aged nine and 12―staged suicide bombings of three churches during morning services in Surabaya, killing 13.

All six bombers were killed, including the mother who was Indonesia’s first known female suicide bomber.

The next day, members of another family blew themselves up at a police station in the city, wounding 10.

The coordinated church attack was a sign local extremist groups were becoming more proficient, and stirs concerns about an uptick in extremism as hundreds of Indonesians who flocked to fight alongside Islamic State in the Middle East return home. AFP

IN BRIEF N. Korea threatens to cancel US summit

BIRTHDAY PARTY. JoJo Siwa attends her 15th Birthday Party at Dave & Busters on May 15, 2018, in Hollywood, California. AFP

Study: Happiness makes hit songs PARIS―Hit songs today are “happier”, more danceable and more likely to be sung by women than songs that fail to make it to the charts, a study into 30 years of musical evolution revealed Wednesday.

But also it noted a somber trend: while people clearly prefer happy music, there is less and less of it.

“More and more unhappy songs are being released each year,” a research team from the University of California Irvine reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science.

Overall, they found that “happiness” and “brightness” in music has declined, “while ‘sadness’ increased in the last 30 years or so”.

But hit tunes defy the trend, and tend to be “much” happier than unsuccessful ones―think of Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”.

The findings of the study, which analyzed the “sound” characteristics of popular tracks but not their lyrics, echoed

FASHION WEEK. A model

presents a creation

by ZELLA MAY during Fashion Week Australia in Sydney on May 16, 2018.

AFP

earlier research showing that “positive emotions” in music was dwindling, the team said.

A previous study covering 1980-2007 found that music lyrics have become more self-centered, with increased use of the words “me” and “I”, fewer social words such as “we”, and more anti-social ones such as “hate” and “kill”.

This trend in lyrics are in tune with overall increases in loneliness, social isolation, and mental disorders across society.

The new study, based on a massive data trawl of 500,000 songs released in Britain between 1985 and 2015, found that as “happy” music declined, so did the popularity of songs sung by men.

“In the recent years, successful songs are more often sung by females,” said the study.

“This is particularly interesting given a large debate about the role of women in the music industry, especially the issues of gender inequality, stereotypes and the sexualization of female singers.” AFP

SEOUL—North Korea threatened Wednesday to cancel the coming summit between leader Kim Jong Un and President Donald Trump if Washington seeks to push Pyongyang into giving up its nuclear arsenal.

If the Trump administration “corners us and unilaterally demands we give up nuclear weapons we will no longer have an interest in talks and will have to reconsider whether we will accept the upcoming DPRK-US summit”, first vice foreign minister Kim Kye Gwan said in a statement carried by the official KCNA news agency.

Washington is pressing for Pyongyang’s complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization. But so far the North has not given any public indication of what concessions it is offering.

At a summit with the South’s President Moon Jae-in last month, Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula.

But the phrase is a diplomatic euphemism open to interpretation on both sides.

“We already expressed our willingness for a denuclearized Korean peninsula and repeatedly declared that the US must end its hostile DPRK policy and nuclear threats as preconditions,” the minister Kim said.

In the past, Pyongyang has demanded the withdrawal of the US troops stationed in the South to protect it from its neighbor, and an end to Washington’s nuclear umbrella over its security ally. AFP

Stan Lee sues company he started for $1 billion LOS ANGELESComic books legend Stan Lee is suing the entertainment company he co-founded for damages topping $1 billion, accusing bosses of trying to steal his image, according to court documents filed Tuesday.

The complaint, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court and published by several US entertainment media outlets, alleges that POW! Entertainment CEO Shane Duffy and co-founder Gill Champion failed to fully disclose to Lee details of the firm’s 2017 sale to Camsing International.

The entertainment icon contends that they took advantage of him at a time when he was despondent over the death of his wife Joan and suffering from macular degeneration, a condition affecting the eyes.

The 95-year-old co-creator of many superhero characters, including Black Panther and Spider-Man, alleges he was duped into signing a fraudulent agreement that gave POW! exclusive rights to his name, identity and likeness.

According to the lawsuit, Lee was unable to read the document due to his eye condition, and he doesn’t remember anyone reading it to him, suggesting that his signature may have been forged, copied or induced.

“In addition, POW! took control of Lee’s personal social media accounts, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, thereby impersonating Lee before a combined 15 million followers worldwide,” the complaint reads. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

PDEA, PNP clears 56 NV villages of illegal drugs

LoCAL GovernmenT uniTs

thursday, may 17, 2018

RAMADAN AND ARMY.

By Ben Moses Ebreo

In observance of Ramadan, the Philippine Army joins our Muslim brothers and sisters in prayers—including its men and women in uniform, whether worshipping alone or in groups (inset)—as they begin the celebration of the holy month from May 15 to June 14. ‘May this religious monthlong observance of fasting, prayer, meditation, and repentance lead to profound acts of charity, humility, and noble works for the glory and love of Allah. Have a blessed Ramadan!’ the Army leadership said.

Estrada eyes 3rd Manila term In BrIef 33 GenTri village chiefs declared winners GENERAL TRIAS CITY—Thirtythree village chiefs here were officially proclaimed by the Board of Election Canvassers and the Commission on Elections early Tuesday morning, city election officer lawyer Armando Vencilao said.

Ten candidates for barangay captain ran unopposed: Alfred Ching of Dulong Bayan, Allan Pedraza of San Gabriel, Allain Barbuco of Bagumbayan, Robert Clamor of Governor Ferrer (Real), Rizalito Potante of Buenavista I, Jacinto Grepo of Buenavista III, Jay Columna of Pasong Camachile, Rolando ‘Batman’ Pagkaliwangan of Santiago, Ricky Deseo of Tapia and Joel Prudente of Barangay Pinagtipunan.

Meanwhile, reelectionists Edwin Rodriguez of Bacao 2, Ireneo Hatid of Biclatan, , Danilo Potante of Buenavista II, Danny Batitis of Corregidor, Ramil Barrientos of Manggahan, Raul dela Cruz of Barangay Navarro, Jesito Fauni of Pasong Camachile II, Francisco Tapawan of Brgy. Pasong Kawayan 1, Brevard Samonte of Sampalukan, Eddie Umali of Brgy San Francisco, Jaime Clamosa of San Juan 1, Sammy Camposibo of San Juan Dos, Rodolfo Cruz of Tejero, Jody Niviar of Barangay Vibora, and Lucita Agdon of Javalera gained new mandates.

Joy: Amend ordinance regulating QC tricycles AFTER receiving some concerns raised by tricycle operators and drivers, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Wednesday proposed amendments to Ordinance No. Sangguniang Panglungsod 2337 of 2014 or The Quezon City Tricycle Management Code.

The proposed revisions were agreed upon during a recent dialogue with legitimate tricycle operators and drivers’ associations or TODAs complaining about alleged illegal practices of the city’s Tricycle Regulatory Unit.

“We believe these amendments are necessary and should be discussed by the city council for the benefit of thousands of tricycle drivers and operators in Quezon City,” the vice mayor said. Rio N. Araja

M

ANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has confirmed his intention to seek a third and final term in the 2019 local elections, to fulfill his promise to regain Manila’s lost glory and a make the country’s premier city a drug-free city.

The city chief executive also expressed confidence that newly-elected village and youth leaders who were elected to their respective positions will help the city government eradicate illegal drugs and reduce criminality in the city.

Estrada won a second straight term in the May 10, 2016 elections, beating predecessor Alfredo Lim by just over 2,000 votes.

Both men declared their intentions for a rematch after voting in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls last Monday.

The former president, who ran under the Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino party, edged

out Lim with a final and officially tally of 283,149 votes two years ago, with 100 percent of the Manila precincts reporting.

Mayors can only serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.

“You know I have fully supported President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, crimes, and other illegal activities. I hope that by the end of my last term in 2022 Manila is drug free,” Estrada said.

“Nobody can change my inspiration, no one can divert me on my mission, on my dream in Manila. I had already laid down my program of government to regain the lost pride and glory of Manila,”

the former President added.

Estrada vowed to fulfill his promises to help poor Manileños, provide livelihood programs to uplift their lives, and most of all to restore the beauty and glory of Manila.

He said several programs are set to be implemented to lure more investors and businesses in Manila to create more jobs.

The mayor said with the help of God, with the trust given to him by the people, he can make Manila a great city again.

Estrada reiterated his commitment to serve his constituents to the best of his ability and see “a new ray of hope for all Manileños.”

To the newly elected barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan leaders, the mayor urged them to serve their respective constituents and avoid any involvement in illegal activities, particularly illegal drugs.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority and the Philippine National Police recently declared at least 56 barangays of the province as drug-cleared and free.

The declared drug-free barangays are Dulli, Camandag and Labang in Ambaguio town; Ansipsip, Alang Salacsac, Amelong Labeng, Banao, Balete, Besong, Buaysyas, Cabalatan, Alang, Cabayao, Cabanglasan, Lawigan, Talecabcab, Tidang Village and Tubungan in Kayapa town; Buayasyas, Imugan and Malico in Sta. Fe town and Bonifacio and Maasin in Quezon town.

The drug-cleared barangays are Baresbes, Dagupan and Nalubbunan in Quezon town: Bacneng in Sta. Fe town; Ganao, Kanabuan and Sta. Maria in Dupax del Sur town and Balangabang and Latbang in Kayapa town.

Lala Tomas, PDEA public information officer said the 56 barangays which are declared either drug-cleared and free represents 19.6 or 20 percent rate of neutralized barangays in the province.

She said Nueva Vizcaya is host to 198 affected out of its 275 barangays.

Governor Carlos Padilla praised the PNP and PDEA for their latest accomplishment in support of the AntiIllegal Drugs Campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“We do no mind hosting a daily program of the PNP and PDEA because you are achieving the objectives of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign. Congratulations for a job well done,” he said during a program at the People’s Stage.

The declaration of drug-cleared and free barangays was made by PDEA regional director Emerson Rosales and witnessed by Governor Carlos Padilla, PNP Deputy Regional Director for Administration, Police Chief Supt.

Petroneli Baldebrin, PNP Provincial Director Jeremias Aglugub, Provincial Administrator Maybelle DumlaoSevillena, municipal mayors Alberto Bumolo of Kasibu, Arnold Dinungon of Ambaguio, Dolores Binwag of Quezon, Liwayway Caramat of Sta. Fe, Ruben Basconcillo of Dupax del Sur, Paul Ligmayo of Kayapa and their respective barangay officials, including officials of the Department of Interior and Local Government and Department of Health.

In Memoriam: Melvin Corpin, 55

An unexpected farewell to a celebrated virtuoso

By Maxinne B. Vergara MELVIN Corpin, a musical maestro well-loved in Tacloban City and Eastern Visayas who led the choir during the Papal Mass of Pope Francis there in 2015 and who helped pave the way for the next generation of Leyteño and Samarnon musicians, passed away Friday, May 11, after battling a rare type of cancer. He was 55.

Surrounded by his loving family, Corpin died in his home in Las Vegas, Nevada at 12:15 p.m. local time, according to his colleagues in the non-profit organization Waraynon Initiative Network in the United States.

He is survived by his wife, Carla, and their four children: Meldian, Carlvian, Mel Carlo, and Carl Marchel.

A frequent performer in local events and especially post-Typhoon “Yolanda” fundraisers, Melvin was born to the late Bautista and Lourdes Gler Corpin on March 25, 1963, in Caibiran, Biliran.

Gifted with musical talent at an early age, he began playing the piano at the age of four. By age 10, Corpin had begun composing and arranging music. Throughout his lifetime, he would write and arrange over 500 songs, including church hymns, choral arrangements, and award-winning compositions.

Corpin graduated cum laude from Leyte Normal University in Tacloban

Melvin Corpin conducts one of many orchestras during his lifetime, and often took to the piano to belt out the melodies himself (left).

Gerry Ruiz and Cesar Laure

City with a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

After graduating, he began organizing concerts and choirs from various parishes, schools, and organizations.

He essentially taught a generation of musicians and choirs around Eastern Visayas during his years in the region and is fondly remembered as being the first voice teacher or mentor for many.

In 2008, he moved to the United States with his family, serving as the music director of St. Monica Church in Carpentersville, Illinois for four years. He also served as the music director for Our Lady of the Valley Roman Catholic Church in Pahrump, Nevada prior to his death.

Melvin was a founding member of

the non-profit organization WIN based in Southern California. He served as the Vice President of Ensemble, Training and Development and was key in overseeing WIN’s concerts as the music and artistic director: “Ha Imo La” (For You Alone) in 2014, “Lamrag” (Ray of Light) in 2015, “Halad” (Offering) in 2016 and “Kabilin” (Legacy) in 2017.

As music director, he led the WIN Chorale and WIN Orchestra.

Corpin was commissioned as the music director of the 250-member Grand Choir of the Archdiocese of Palo at the Papal Mass held on Jan. 17, 2015 officiated by Pope Francis for the survivors of “Yolanda” or Super Typhoon “Haiyan.” Most of the music heard at the Papal Mass were

original liturgical compositions Corpin wrote himself.

Known by many for his musical genius, Corpin was always passionate about passing it forward and encouraging the next generation of musicians to take pride in their heritage and their love of music.

Holy Mass will be held on Saturday, May 19 at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church, 781 East Gamebird Road, Pahrump, Nevada. A memorial service will follow at 2 p.m. at La Paloma Funeral Services, 5450 Stephanie St., Las Vegas, Nevada.

Melvin’s ashes will be brought to the Philippines later this month and will be laid to rest beside his loving parents.

Herbert leads ‘Biyaya’ govt caravan rollout

By Rio N. Araja

STUDENT LEADERS. Outstanding student leaders in Olongapo City receive the Youth Leadership Excellence Award

from JCI Olongapo during a ceremony attended by Olongapo Mayor Rolen Paulino (fifth from left), JCI project chairperson Steve Paulo F. Mayo (center), and RP Energy CSR officer and JCI Olongapo official Jason Gavina (right). Butch Gunio

QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista recently led the launch of the “Biyaya ng Pagbabago” caravan roll-out in Metro Manila, promoting the national government’s programs for poverty alleviation.

During the opening, Bautista said that through the caravan, President Rodrigo Duterte’s drive to prioritize public welfare was unleashed.

“Here, we see the true objective of the President to look after the welfare of the people,” he said.

At least 12 agencies under the Office of the President, Office of the Participatory Government, Office of the Cabinet Secretary, and

representatives from various local government units in the National Capital Region participated in the caravan.

Bautista said the government’s services on poverty alleviation were gathered to collectively provide benefits to the people.

Instead of going from one office to another, through the program, the offices are gathered and will now be available to the people to their convenience.

First launched in Davao, the “Biyaya ng Pagbabago Tungo sa Masagana at Matiwasay na Buhay Pilipino” is in line with the administration’s vision to reduce the poverty level from 21.6 percent to 14 percent by 2022.

Life

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

household

thursday, may 17, 2018

C1

SmarT SOlUTiOnS. Thai concrete and building material company Siam Cement Group presented its latest innovative products for homeowners, architects, contractors, and interior designers at the Architect Expo ‘18 held recently in Bangkok, Thailand.

(Inset) SCG brand cement and communication director Anuvat Chalermchai.

SmarT living

SCG cares for your home and parents

By Bernadette lunas

T

He way technology has reshaped how we live has urged solutions provider to come up with smart ways to offer their consumers. Basic, traditional fixes no longer cut it; they have to be ingenious and cater to the current lifestyle of this generation. now, how would you like to control the airflow in your house using your smartphone?

let there be airflow

Thai cement and building material company Siam Cement Group offers a smart way to help homeowners in Southeast Asia beat the heat in their living space with the Active AIRf low System.

A welcome solution especially during the summer season, this home ventilation system utilizes SCG’s building materials with High energy efficiency labels, such as light-reflecting roof, ceiling insulations, and lightweight con-crete, that’s controlled by smart technology.

“The Active AIRflow is an innovation we developed wherein we force the cool air to push the hot air away from your house using a ventilation system that can be controlled by your smartphone,” SCG brand cement and communication director Anuvat Chalermchai explained during a press briefing.

He continued, “Your smartphone can control how the system works and your preferred temperature; the system functions by itself.”

SCG also introduces its latest Well AIR system that facilitates ventilation and improves air quality inside the house using Co2, VoCs, Cs, and humidity sensors.

The Active AIRflow uses high energy efficient building materials and smart technology to force hot air out of the house.

Commune offers furniture pieces created using mostly sustainably and ethically sourced American wood.

Premium wood furniture for modern living spaces

Wooden furniture pieces inject a timeless appeal to any home. They provide a chic, homey vibe and warm, welcoming appearance.

Singaporean furniture brand Commune carries artisanal wooden furniture in the latest designs and styles that are made for modern apartment homes. It offers pieces— created using mostly sustainably and ethically sourced American wood—for the living room, dining room, bedroom, and study.

The designs are inspired by international trends and ideas such as mid-century modern, modern Scan Scandinavian, modern retro, industrial, and many others.

“We believe our furniture represents the changing tastes of younger generations and wish to introduce a home-making lifestyle that is ethical, sustainable, yet trendy and chic,” said Gan Shee Wen, sales and marketing director of Commune.

“We focus on wood furniture, minimizing lead and formaldehyde content in our production for envi environmental safety purposes, as well as focus on natural materials that are friendly to the environment.”

Commune brings these pieces to the country as it recently opened its flagship store in Manila at the Shan Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Audrey ngui, who brought Commune to the Philippines, said the brand offers superior quality and designs at affordable prices.

Aside from modern and innovaof tive furniture pieces, Commune of-

Scandinavian Dualtone dining table with solid walnut legs and chairs

fers a superior shopping experience.

The in-store experience engages the consumer’s five senses—sight, smell, hearing, touch, and taste— through beautiful visual merchandising displays, excellent selection of wood furniture paired with modern accessories which they encourage customers to touch and feel, a customized Commune Home instore fragrance, and a café that allows shoppers to gather with friends or family and relax in a cozy, homey environment.

Commune also offers in-store 3d interior planning and visualization service for homeowners.

Commune is located at Level 6, East Wing, Shangri-la Plaza Mall.

Thinking app partner

The 105-year-old company keeps up with the hyper-connected lifestyle of today’s homeowners with the Home Buddy Application, a smartphone app developed to cover end-to-end processes in home building, repair, or renovation, from consultation to purchasing. “[Through the app] you can connect to a consultant online where you can discuss more about your home plan. You can also purchase products and schedule appointment with a contractor to track the progress of your project,” said Chalermchai.

“At the end, you can collect points from our loyalty program which you can use for discounts for your next purchase or exchange it for Starbucks or Mcdonald’s vouchers.”

While the app can be downloaded on ioS and Android devices, it is, at the moment, only available in Thailand. But the SCG official said they are currently working on making it available in other countries as well. “‘I want what I want when I want it.’ That is the new lifestyle of consumers, and we have to meet that lifestyle,” emphasized Chalermchai.

Home Buddy is an application that lets homeowners search for ideas, connect with consultants, and purchase construction materials.

Turn to C2

Commune Home team (clockwise) Shee Wein Gan, Justin Sim, Cheryl Wong, and Audrey Ngui

Life

C2

thursday, may 17, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Where work-life integration exists

The new Centris in Quezon City reinvents itself as the convergence point of commerce and dynamic communities.

T

here is a new movement rising in many major cities today. People are becoming more innovative, open, and purposeful in the way they live, work, and play. They are starting unique businesses, consuming consciously and mindfully, and finding ways to lead positive changes in their respective communities.

The old chase for work-life balance has given way to work-life integration, where an individual’s different interests and responsibilities are incorporated to create one whole picture.

In the center of Manila, this point of view thrives. Flowing through a masterplanned commercial and corporate development, today’s spirit of enterprise guides eton Properties’ new Centris in Quezon City. The mixed-use mega-complex reinvents itself as the convergence point of commerce and dynamic communities.

Situated at the corner edsa and Quezon Avenue, the new Centris empowers denizens to maximize work-life integration. It has 12 hectares dedicated to retail stores, restaurants, offices, and open spaces for entertainment and other fun activities—all easily accessible via a direct MrT connection.

Centris Cyberpod is an infusion of progressive thinking, passion, drive,

Giving loads of love to moms

By Danielle Macadangdang

Centris has 12 hectares dedicated to retail stores, restaurants, offices, and open spaces.

and determination. With five fully-outfitted buildings housing BPO companies that serve some of the world’s biggest brands, it offers the local workforce amazing opportunities to utilize their talents and develop their full potential.

Centris Walk, on the other hand, promotes creativity and fun activities with a range of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. A new cluster is currently being developed, making even more unique and delicious experiences within easy reach of those who work within the complex or come to relax and bond with loved ones. Starbucks, Tim hortons, Assi Fresh Plaza, and ramen Kuroda will add more irresistible

dining options to the mix; while the much anticipated first Zubuchon branch in Quezon City is expected to bring in excitement to the residents.

Keeping the new Centris connected to the ins and outs of Manila is Centris Station, the commercial center that serves as the face of the complex.

A wide mix of establishments can be found here, as well as various services for its denizens’ convenience and enhanced productivity.

Finally, for big life and career events, Centris elements provides professional venues and events services, from sales rallies and fairs, to wedding receptions and grand reunions.

A leAdIng global appliance company has showed its love to mothers with washing machine donations that aim to help ease their weekend workload. electrolux, together with CeVA Philippines, gawad Kalinga, and gMA Kapuso Foundation, has delivered loads of love to moms by donating 200 washing machines. during the love You loads turnover ceremony, electrolux Philippines country marketing manager Andrea Soto-Pionilla said, “May is the time where we recognize and share our appreciation for mothers and all the hard work that they do.”

She emphasized that moms should have their well-deserved breaks on weekend instead of doing an extra load of washing.

The washing machines given to gMA Kapuso Foundation will go to Child haus, Missionaries of Charity, and to the women dormitories and barracks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

gawad Kalinga’s beneficiaries in luzon will receive some of the donated washing machines. According to the nonprofit organization, this appliance is one of the greatest dreams of many mothers in unprivileged communities.

Tita Amy, a resident in a gK community, shared that washing machines are a big deal for mothers as it helps them with their work and allows them to have more time for their families.

“We are absolutely delighted to participate in this very worthwhile venture, to assist such two recognizable organizations as the gawad Kalinga and gMA Kapuso Foundation communities,” said Mark hoolahan, human resources director of north Asia cluster of CeVA. employees of electrolux Philippines also participated in the program by creating cards for each washing machine, sharing a message of encouragement for the beneficiaries.

Visit www.electrolux.com.ph for more information.

SCG...

From C1

Robot for aging parents

In addition to smart home solutions, SCg has also launched a mini robot companion, under its eldercare Solutions segment, that allows elderly people to carry out activities by themselves safely and conveniently.

“I think Thailand is one of the countries that’s going to be an aging society very soon, just like a lot of modern countries,” opined Chalermchai. “A very important customer segment [of SCg] is the elderly.”

The highlight of the company’s eldercare solutions is din Saw (Thai word for pencil), a mini robot that functions as a companion of aging individuals, especially those with specific medical conditions. The robot has sensors to detect a person’s movement or lack of, and notifies family members or doctors through a mobile app in case it does not detect any movement for a certain period. din Saw can also track vital signs, store medical records, make a voice or video call, provide instructions for senior exercise routines, talk, sing songs, and play games with seniors.

“This companion robot can be a friend of your parents who stay home alone,” said Chalermchai.

Innovative solutions for better living

These three products are among the latest solutions SCg recently introduced at the six-day Architect expo ‘18 in Bangkok, Thailand, where the firm welcomed over 400,000 visitors to its 670-square-meter booth, the largest in the annual exhibition.

Aside from solutions for homeowners, SCg also showcased concrete systems and other building material innovations developed to serve particular needs of contractors and other business partners.

Wash basins and toilet seat covers from Skive Collection, a collaboration between Cotto and Jacob Jensen Design.

Representatives from Gawad Kalinga, GMA Kapuso Foundation, and Electrolux Philippines at the Love You Loads turnover ceremony.

How love flows

between mother and child Din Saw is a companion robot that helps individuals efficiently care for their aging parents.

“We have put together an impressive showcase of innovative building materials and living technology to reinforce the company’s position as the Cement expert and Innovation leader,” enthused Chalermchai.

SCg has launched its new innovative roof and tiles systems; ventilation ceilings; door and window systems; concrete products including pre-cast concrete system and decorative cement; and premium Italian porcelain and terrazzo tiles.

A lovely addition to any home is the new sanitary ware products from the Skive Collection, a collaboration between Cotto and danish design studio Jacob Jensen design. Featuring Scandinavian design, the wash basins and Convenic Slim Seats for toilets boast a clean and sleek look with thinner rims.

While these products are not yet available in the Philippines, Chalermchai said SCg can use Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, its local subsidiary, as a platform to introduce their products to the country.

“We have set up the SCg Marketing Philippines working together with Mariwasa to import a wide variety of products to the Philippine market,” said the executive.

SCg products currently available here at home are SCg Portland Cement Type 1, SCg Smartboard, SCg Smartwood, SCg roofing, and SCg Insulation.

A MOTher’S touch is more than just a physical connection. It is a strong communicator of emotions, a signal that bonds a parent to a child. To a newborn, a parent’s touch and love go beyond physical and psychological development. everyday bonding is important to foster love and connection. Babyflo understands the language of love that exists between moms and babies, hence it provides baby care products that enable them to share love responses.

B a t h time

is one of the most priceless moments a mother and child can have. It can be a fazing chore for first-time moms, but equipped with the knowledge and right bathing essentials, it can be an opportunity not only for the baby’s learning, but also for that precious parent-child bonding.

Babyflo Soap-Free Bath, which is free from strong alkaline ingredient, helps cleanse and soften baby’s delicate skin without stripping off its natural moisture.

It is a mild and gentle cleanser for all skin types, especially for sensitive skin. It’s fragrant and paraben-free, too.

For sensitive skin, Babyflo Oatmeal Bath, enriched with colloidal oats, helps soothe dry skin and creates a protective barrier against alBabyflo’s SoapFree Bath and Oatmeal Bath

Entertainment

LIZA SOBERANO

K

Brought to the Philippines by Pru Life UK, the myDNA Pro Program analyzes genetic variations that affect individual nutritional needs, sensitivity to certain nutrients, and fitness traits. Specifically, it can detect factors such sensitivity to alcohol, gluten, or caffeine, appetite control, and injury risk.

The program also provides ideal method of preventing diseases like hypertension, diabetes, and

beyond regular exercise and diet.

A component of Pru Life UK’s myDNA Pro Bundle, the program is bundled with the company’s eligible insuravest or investment-linked life insurance products: PRUlink assurance account plus, PRUlink exact protector, and PRUlink elite protector. The package also provides coverages for disability, accident, hospitalization, and critical illness.

“The myDNA Pro will help our consumers achieve a healthy life in the most personal way and encourages them to take control of their well-being today and beyond. Combined with our lineup of high quality protection and investment solutions, myDNA Pro will offer them a holistic package covering life and wealth protection as well as health management,” Pru Life UK Chief Marketing Officer and SVP Allan Tumbaga shared.

Vloggers, influencers join forces at YouTube FanFest FANS all over the Philippines flocked to the World Trade Center on May 11 as the world’s rising influencers take Manila by storm when they graced the 4th edition of YouTube FanFest.

Over 8,000 Filipinos joined in the event, which was attended by YouTube creators Janina Vela, Ranz & Niana, AC Bonifacio, Pamela Swing, Michelle Dy, Matt Steffanina, the Mer-

rell Twins, Alodia Gosiengfao, Wil Dasovich, D-trix, Renee, Sungha Jung, and Mikey Bustos.

Being part of this year’s line-up, these content creators lit up the stage with their different acts and surprises for all their Filipino fans.

The host for the event, Janina Vela, started the concert with a bang with her self-written song, “Unstoppable,” hyping everyone up at the concert venue.

Top YouTube content creators pose for a photo op during the YouTube FanFest held at World Trade Center.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, May 17, 2018

ACROSS 1 Spicy 5 Scottish highlander 9 Earth pigment 14 Great Lakes port 15 Rapunzel’s pride 16 “Peachy!”

17 Makes a mistake 18 Camp Swampy bulldog 19 Famed viol.

20 Grumpy colleague 21 Lovers 23 Barterer 25 Lock brand 26 Kept secret 27 Enthralled 29 Frankenstein milieu 32 Wading bird 35 Winter Olympics event 36 Plump and juicy 37 Sign on a door 38 Thought on 39 Part of MIT 40 Cement component 41 Kinds 42 Workers’ pay 43 Environmental prefix

44 Wildebeests 45 Lay down 46 Soap target 48 Twinkled 52 Inclined 56 Tax shelter 57 Thresholds 58 Flu symptom 59 Black mark 60 Strong alloy 61 Court order 62 Gas main 63 Running late 64 Hockey goals 65 Goes on the stage DOWN 1 Long grasses 2 Helpful pointer 3 Approximately, in dates 4 Toady’s answer 5 — down (ate) 6 Cafe customer 7 Diet 8 Slow gait 9 Beat an incumbent 10 Aluminum or copper 11 Moving rapidly 12 French state 13 Fishing poles 21 Make cloth 22 Overpromoted 24 Get on the horn

27 Twice-baked breads 28 Seasons 30 Basilica area 31 Gambles 32 Donut feature 33 Grand in scale 34 Home improver 35 Dilly 36 Lariat 38 After-dinner candies 42 Pesky plant 44 Horrible 45 Rains ice 47 Laid off

48 Astronaut’s garb (hyph.)

49 Imitate 50 Pour out lava 51 Goes with 52 Furtive whisper 53 Beatles’ meter maid 54 One of a chess player’s octet 55 Fairy-tale villain 59 Exercise place

nickie.standard@gmail.com

‘Avengers’ tops North American box office anew

Liza Soberano, the new face of Pru Life UK, also took the scientific and personalized approach to becoming her best self.

cardiovascular disease. The myDNA Pro Program gives clients a picture of their general well-being and provides tailored advice that leads them to a healthier life.

Introduced last month as the newest celebrity ambassador of the program, Liza said, “When it was first introduced to me, I was very curious about it. I know about life insurance but I’ve never heard of a life insurance with a DNA-based health program. I thought it wouldn’t be possible.”

“I am all about self-improvement and becoming the best version of myself, it could be in my career, my finance, or just life in general. So, I believe with this program, I can be the best version of myself, and I can take charge of my own future,” the 20-year-old actress added.

The myDNA Pro program also gives clients total life, wealth and health protection in one product that goes

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HOLLYWOOD

takes charge of her future APAMILYA Star Liza Soberano took the scientific and personalized approach to becoming her best self, using myDNA Pro to guide her diet and workout plans.

THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

Then, other creators showcased what they have been meaning to tell their fans—their gratitude.

Dancing, singing, and comedy acts were presented on the stage, all with nothing but determination to do the best show they could put together for the people who have been on their side since the start of their journey as content creators.

Prior to the event, these vloggers made the press conference as light and fun as possible, telling their most memorable moments with funny banters, entertaining the press.

“Do it for the viewers,” Wil Dasovich said at the press conference when asked about how they deal with the haters.

Each YouTube creator had something to fill in with the media’s questions, all giving different motivational outputs. But there’s one thing that they all agreed on, they wouldn’t be where they are at right now without the ubiquitous video-sharing site.

“YouTube brings these [vloggers] together,” Vanessa Merrell said.

With the variety of personalities, all of them have come together to bring the biggest event of YouTube to life, to bring the fun to World Trade Center, for the people who have come all the way to support them since the start of their journey.

And then, the unwavering support of their viewers led them to what they do best with the large responsibility of influencing thousands of people. - Louise Lizan

AVENGERS: Infinity War dominated the North American box office for a third straight weekend, raking in $62.1 million as it easily fended off competition, industry figures showed early this week.

The Disney blockbuster, featuring a string of Marvel superheroes out to save the universe from powerful purple alien Thanos (Josh Brolin), has a cumulative three-week take of $548.1 million, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations.

Running a distant second with what normally would be a respectable $17.9 million was Life of the Party, a Melissa McCarthy comedy in its first weekend out.

McCarthy, who co-wrote the script with her husband, the movie’s director Ben Falcone, stars as a newly divorced mother who returns to college, where her daughter is in her senior year.

Another new film, Breaking In, a thriller starring Gabrielle Union, was third at $17.6 million.

Review website Rotten Tomatoes dismissed the film as a “rote, disposable action thriller” but praised Union’s performance as a mother fighting to save her children from criminal hostage-takers.

Rom-com Overboard slipped from second to fourth place with a box office take of $9.9 million in its second weekend in theaters. The Lionsgate remake, starring Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez, is about a struggling single mother who persuades a rich playboy with amnesia that they are married.

Number five at the box office was Paramount’s sci-fi horror film A Quiet Place, which stars actor-director John Krasinski and his real-life wife Emily Blunt as a couple silently struggling to protect their family from blind aliens that track their prey by sound. It made $6.5 million. AFP

A scene from the blockbuster hit, ' Avengers: Infinity War.'

Johnny Depp ‘keen to star’ in J M Coetzee adaptation HOLLYWOOD actor Johnny Depp may be about to work with the acclaimed Colombian director Ciro Guerra, whose new film Birds of Passage is one of the hits of the Cannes film festival.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star has “reached out” to Ciras, a hot arthouse talent who won a rake of awards for The Embrace of the Serpent, Screen magazine reported Monday.

Depp will “possibly” star in Ciras’ next film based on a novel by South African Nobel laureate J M Coetzee, which already features Mark Rylance and Robert Pattinson, it added.

Shooting on Guerra’s first English-language feature, based on Coetzee’s own adaptation of his breakthrough 1980 novel Waiting for the Barbarians, is scheduled to begin in autumn in Morocco.

It will tell the story of a magistrate in a colonial town who is accused of consorting with the enemies of a fictional empire, modelled on apartheid South Africa.

Publishers Penguin included the book in its Great Books of the 20th Century series.

Depp, who is set to play villain Gellert Grindelwald in the upcoming Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, would feature alongside Twilight star Pattinson, who got his first big break in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, according to Screen.

Once Hollywood’s highest paid actor, Depp has seen his stock slip in the past few years, dragged down by a messy divorce from actress Amber Heard replete with domestic abuse allegations.

Angry Harry Potter fans had called for his lead role in Fantastic Beasts to be recast over the allegations, but author J K Rowling and director David Yates stood by their choice.

Heard withdrew the claims after the pair reached an out-of-court divorce settlement. AFP

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2018

Entertainment International DJs, local acts to add zest at SarBay Fest

ACTION STAR.

Fil-Am mixed martial artist and currently ONE Championship Heavyweight Champion Brandon Vera stars in two movies this year ('Buy Bust' and 'Hawa') and will topbill another action film to be shot in Hong Kong and Manila in November.

BRANDON VERA to shoot an action film in HONG KONG

T

HE Wind Breezes On is going to be a groundbreaking effort for local mainstream cinema as Philippine’s Reality Entertainment and Hong Kong’s Sunson Group Limited pair up in an action movie to be helmed by Chinese-British director Sean Yim.

The action movie, which will start filming later this year in November, will feature Filipino ONE Championship Heavyweight Champion and mixed martial artist Brandon Vera and Chinese multi-talented mixed martial arts athlete and actor Dennis To. The action movie is Brandon’s third feature film after the much anticipated debut in Erik Matti’s Buy Bust, and Hawa, a zombie apocalypse movie that will start filming in June also under Reality Entertainment, being the second.

Meanwhile, his co-star Dennis is best known for his role as the Wing Chun grandmaster Ip Man in the 2010 film The Legend Is Born—Ip Man. He also played minor roles in Ip Man (2008), and Bodyguards and Assassins (2009).

According to Reality Entertainment’s Dondon Monteverde, their agenda in coming up with this movie is “to bring out the Filipino talent abroad.”

“Basically Larry Ang and I have been friends for a long time and we’ve

THE sleepy shores of the quaint village of Gumasa in Glan town comes to life once more for the Sarangani Bay Festival, the country’s biggest and hippest beach party, set on May 24 to 26.

Now on its 11th edition, this year is themed “Sarbay United” and will showcase the tourism gems of southern Philippines.

“The Department of Tourism and the Provincial Local Government Unit of Sarangani are committed to inculcate the importance of continuous awareness to protect and preserve the resources of Sarangani Bay,” says the Commitment of Support signed by Sarangani governor Steve Chiongbian Solon and former secretary Wanda Tulfo Teo. Solon said that this year’s edition will celebrate the innovations the beach event has undergone through the years, most notably its advocacy for sustainable tourism and family-oriented recreation.

Raising the curtains for the festivity is a praise and worship concert on May 23 featuring True Life.

SarBay Fest officially kicks off on May 24 May with the 15-km Swim Across the Bay relay, Asia’s most extreme swimming event, and I Run Coz I Care, a (3K, 5K, 10K) fun run for the benefit victims of the Marawi siege last year.

In the evening, top rock band Callalily will open the nightly merrymaking with the San Miguel Beer Night.

Sporting events include the SarBay Strongman, a 50-km ultramarathon, beach volleyball and football, skim boarding, frisbee, jet ski race, bancathon,

Italian DJ Kraiz

mountain bike, skim boarding, and frisbee tournaments.

Spicing up the fest are Zumba sessions with the Legendz, drum beating competition, firedancing exhibitions, body painting and family sand sculpture contests, and the Globe Telecom Party.

The search for SarBay Bodies 2018 and Talk N Text Tropa Trip Summer Music Festival #ShareYourJams on May 25 will continue to make the nights sizzle with deejays Sound of One, Hannah Ichiko and Clyde Harris.

Livening up the evenings of May 25 and 26 is Xanadu: Hidden Paradise, a premium party featuring top international disc jockeys—La Crème of Thailand, Kraiz of Italy, Zamir Ayeb of Netherlands, and Djane Djoly of Ukraine, backed by Manilabased DJs Jenil, Ron Poe, Jet Boado, Kat DJ, Jayvee Datahan, and locals DJ Torch, DJ Law, LV Lim, DJ Yancy and Kevin Rage.

Meanwhile, the daily Go South segment will showcase the rich cultural heritage of Mindanao’s different regions through music and dance.

The festivity draws to a close with the SarBay Eco-Party which covers environmental activities such as beach cleanups, and planting of mangrove trees.

SarBay Fest is organized by the Sarangani Provincial Tourism Council and supported by the Province of Sarangani, DOT Region 12, and the Municipality of Glan. It is a consistent recipient of the Best Tourism Event Award from the Association of Tourism Officers in the Philippines The festival was cancelled last year in solidarity with the people of Lanao Del Sur after Martial Law was proclaimed in Mindanao due to the Marawi siege.

For updates, visit the Sarangani Bay Festival official fan page on Facebook.

Alternative rock band Callalily will open the SarBay Fest party on May 24.

Who will be crowned Miss Earth-Philippines 2018?

By Eton Concepcion

Brandon Vera with Reality Entertainment's Dondon Monteverde (center) and Dennis To

been planning a lot of stuff. Larry is a very good friend of Dennis and I can manage Brandon now so we put things together to come up with this project,” the film producer told Manila Standard Entertainment.

He added that by teaming up with someone as good as Dennis, he thinks it would be a good chance for the local cinema to come up with a very good Filipino product.

“With Brandon and Dennis, I think it’s going to be a great formula for a successful movie,” he said.

The Wind Breezes On (the film’s working title) is about two fathers whose worlds collide when Ko (Dennis To), a former bodyguard from Hong Kong and Brandon (Brandon Vera), an undercover cop from Manila team up in a mutual hunt for vengeance and salvation.

Monteverde revealed that it will be filmed in Manila and partly in Hong Kong.

“We’re going to film at least 40 percent of the film in Hong Kong and then 60 percent in Manila. It’s going to be a

Chinese martial artist and actor Dennis To in a scene from 'The Legend Is Born – Ip Man.'

combination of the look of both cities. And since this is an action movie, we would be featuring, more or less, the rough side of Manila,” Monteverde stated.

For Brandon, him being cast in the action movie is already a great opportunity.

He said never in his wildest dream that he would be given a chance to appear on the big screen doing what he loves most.

He also added that he personally wanted to incorporate Philippine martial arts in the movie given that a major part of the movie will be shot in the Philippines.

“We did incorporate some Filipino martial arts in Buy Bust and I want to do that in here especially that we’re going to be shooting here in the Philippines. I’m pretty sure we would be able to incorporate it somehow.

I’m just following their lead but I will ask suggestively. It makes sense since we’re filming in the Philippines so there should be Philippine martial arts,” he told Manila Standard Entertainment in an interview.

Although Brandon has not read the script for the movie yet, he said Reality Entertainment has prepared an interesting film that would definitely train the spotlight on Filipino global talents while giving moviegoers a class A action film.

“It’s going to be a world release. So it’s going to be in English with Chinese subtitle. Hopefully the action will be too good that you wouldn’t have to worry about the subtitle too much,” he quipped.

Talking about his foray into movies, the Filipino American mixed martial artist further stated that he enjoys doing movies as much as he enjoys the sport that put his name on the list of great Filipino athletes.

“There are bunch of injuries in shooting for an action film, but the injury is worse on the sport side. So, it’s almost the same.

That’s why every time I got hurt, ang iniisip ko lang, ayan gusto mo pang magaction star pa ah,” he ended in jest.

THE 42 lovely candidates of Miss EarthPhilippines 2018 were presented to the media at the poolside of Diamond Hotel Philippines on May 10. Members of the press voted Leandrea Gabrielle Batingan, an 18-year-old 11th grader at San Jose del Monte City as Darling of the Press (Gold winner) with Zahra Bianca Saldua, a communication graduate of Las Piñas City and 20-year-old Silvia Celeste Cortesi of Fil-Rome, Italy winning the silver and bronze, respectively.

The candidates, called ‘Dyosa ng Inang Kalikasan’ or Goddesses of Mother Nature, have been deep in pre-pageant and environmental activities that included tree-planting, coastal clean-up, Eco-projects, school tours, seminars and courtesy visits to partner organizations and government officials.

This year, the advocacy-driven Miss Earth Philippines, a presentation of Carousel Productions, Inc., headed by its president Ramon Monzon and executive vice-president Lorraine Schuck, has partnered with the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPBPHIL) and the CORAL (Conservation of Ocean Resources and Aquatic Life) Movement, which aims to revive the Bayanihan Spirit of the Filipinos to help protect and save the environment, boost eco-tourism and provide livelihood opportunities for the people.

Preliminary competition winners in dif-

DARLING OF THE PRESS. Leandrea Gabrielle Batingan (center) with Darling of the Press silver and bronze medal winners Zahra Bianca Saldua (right) and Silvia Celeste Cortesi (left). Photo by Joy Arguil

ferent categories have been announced earlier, among them were Cortesi, best in swimsuit, Maria Alforque of Cebu City, best in resorts wear and best in trash to class costume competition, Halimatu Yushawu of Titay, Zamboanga Sibugay, best in cocktail wear and best in cultural costume, and Berjayneth Chee of Balingasag, Misamis Oriental, best in long gown.

Overall best in talent will be chosen from winners Saldua (singing competition), Joana Cristine Dalangin of Lipa City (dance), and Jean Nicole de Jesus of San Rafael, Bulacan (creative).

The rest of the candidates are Aime Leysa (Fil-Alberta, Canada), Cindy Lynn Clapano (Lanao del Norte), Iana Faye Marie Olea (Bantayan, Cebu), Abby Ampong (Bohol), Stephanie Jean Monce (Caloocan City), Marra Cristy Dianne Silvosa (Davao Oriental), We’am Ahmed (Davao), Lea Macapagal (Bataan), Nathalie Louise Roxas (Dumaguete City), Maria Karina Salazar( Nueva Ecija), Janeen Dale Geroso (Iloilo City), Krisabelle Aragona (Zamboanga Sibugay), Princess Faye Fernandez (Compostela Valley), Marjorie Vista (Albay), Collin Tolentino (Batangas), Liz Mabao (Mandaluyong City), Dianne April Pangilinan (Bataan), Ma. Divine Angela Veranga (Paranaque City), Ann Roxal Palmares (Iloilo), Theressa Anne Mariano (Fil-Queensland, Australia), Lean Quinto (Quezon City), Myrell Martinez (Davao del Norte), Aubrey Elauria (San Pedro City), Julia Nicole Culaste (Davao del Sur), Annalea Rabe (Marinduque), Naomie Hannah White (Fil-Sydney, Australia), Babrielle Camille Basiano, (Tacloban City), Lovely Lamptey (Taguig City), Trixie Dadula (Tagum City), Noelle Uy-Tuazon (Aklan), Brazzirie Yanson (Fil-Vienna, Austria), Joanna Krystel Cabrezos (Zamboanga City) and Jasmine Marie Taylor (Fil-Washington, USA).

Celebrating 18 years in leading the way to zero waste and sustainable environment, Miss Earth-Philippines 2018 coronation night is on May 19 at the Mall of Asia Arena, to be telecast on ABSCBN on May 20 at 9:45 a.m..