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HOLD YOUR BREATH. With Meralco scheduled to increase the power rates by 31 centavos per kilowatt hour next August, the company’s linemen go double quick to repair electric pylons along United Nations Avenue in Manila (top left), while a gasoline attendant fills a motorist’s tank with fuel (above) nearby with oil prices soaring like kites in the summer sky. Norman Cruz

VOL. XXXII • NO. 99 • 3 SECTIONS 18 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY,, MAY 25, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Go-Jek sets foray into Grab territory JAKARTA—Indonesian ride-hailing app Go-Jek said Thursday it would expand into Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines as it takes on regional rival Grab in the fast-growing Southeast Asian market. Next page

‘Deadly combination’ Power rates, wage hikes feared By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Vito Barcelo

A RIDER ON THE ROLL. A Go-Jek motorcycle taxi driver ferries passengers in Jakarta, Indonesia Thursday. The Indonesian ride-hailing app Go-Jek says it would expand into Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore and the Philippines as it takes on regional rival Grab in the fast-growing Southeast Asian market. AFP

US ‘disinvites’ China from Pacific drills WASHINGTON—The Pentagon has pulled its invitation for China to join maritime exercises in the Pacific because of Beijing’s “continued militarization” of the South China Sea, an official said Wednesday, in the latest sign of US-China strains. China hit back at the decision, calling it “very non-constructive” and saying it was taken without due reflection. Personnel from more than two dozen countries train together and work on seamanship across the vast region for the biennial Rim of the Pacific exercise organized by the US Navy. Next page

LEFTIST lawmaker on Thursday warned of the “deadly combination” of an impending power rate hike and various price increases triggered by the government’s new tax program, even as the country’s largest labor federation pushed for a P157 across-theboard wage hike to help workers cope with rising inflation.

MUSCLED MEN. Workers manually bend the skeletal steel frames of one of the major posts for the Skyway Project 3 at the Quirino Highway in Manila’s Pandacan district. Lino Santos

Parojinog’s brod nabbed in Taiwan By Francisco Tuyay THE fugitive brother of the late Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., one of the local executives in President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug list, was arrested Wednesday by Taiwanese immigration authorities. Philippine National Police spokesman Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said that Ozamiz City Councilor Ricardo Parojinog, the younger brother of Reynaldo, was arrested in Taiwan for violating immigration laws. “What I can tell you now that is it conﬁrmed that Ardot Parojinog was arrested yesterday [Wednesday] by the Taiwan government for illegal entry,” Bulalacao said, referring to the younger Parojinog

by his nickname. Ardot Parojinog’s arrest came 10 months after he fled Ozamiz City following the death of his brother Reynaldo and his wife Susan and 14 others in a raid by PNP operatives in September last year. President Duterte has offered a P5-million bounty for Ardot’s arrest. Last week, police raided his office and lodging house in Ozamis City and seized a cache of firearms and illegal drugs. The Ozamiz City councilor was being hunted for his alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade and complicity to other unlawful acts. On Tuesday, a known Parojinog prosecutor, Geronimo Marave Jr., was assassinated. Next page

“Deﬁnitely, it is a deadly combination to common Filipinos if the Energy Regulatory Commission approves it,” said Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, referring to a P1.55 per kilowatt-hour rate hike sought by the Manila Electric Co. and the price increases as a result of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act. In response, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines said it would push for a P157 across-the-board wage increase to enable workers to cope with inﬂation that continues to reduce their purchasing power. ALU-TUCP National Executive Vice President Gerard Seno urged all 17 regional wage boards nationwide to meet and convene voluntarily and declare the existence of supervening conditions that warrants a granting of across-the-board wage increases nationwide. Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, meanwhile, said there is no need for implementing rules and regulations to suspend the excise tax on gas when the world oil price reaches $80 a barrel,

PAO: Garin knew of Dengvaxia risks By Rey E. Requejo DESPITE knowing the risks posed by the anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine, former Health secretary Janette Garin still proceeded with the immunization program in 2016 that may have led to the deaths and serious illnesses of schoolchildren, the Public Attorney’s Ofﬁce said Thursday. PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta made this allegation during the continuation of the preliminary investigation by the Justice department on criminal complaints ﬁled against Garin and 35 others for the deaths of at least nine children inoculated with the vaccine. Next page

Airline heiress in trouble for hiring PH maids SEOUL, South Korea—A Korean Air heiress known for a “nut rage” tantrum that sparked national uproar was summoned for questioning Thursday for illegally hiring immigrants to work as maids, the latest scandal to engulf her billionaire family. Next page

Ozamiz City fiscal killed; NBI steps in IN THE PLUNGE. Children enjoy watching divers clad in mermaids’ outfit while the menfolk swim side by side with different schools of fishes during the Manila Ocean Park’s Underwater Santacruzan. Norman Cruz

Alvarez rules out need to impeach 8 SC justices By Maricel V. Cruz

CHO HYUN-AH

based on Dubai crude, contrary to what the Finance Department says. Recto said the language of the law is clear, “so it must be self-executory and automatically implemented.” In the Palace, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the Philippines will turn to Russia and the United States to buy oil products as the cost of fuel from the Middle East rises. In a press briefing, Roque said the government is now studying the possibility of importing oil from Russia and US and other non-Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries members. Zarate, a member of the leftist Makabayan bloc in the House, earlier filed a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into seven “questionable” power supply agreements or PSAs between Meralco and its suppliers. Meralco and ERC officials have attended the inquiries. Zarate said Meralco’s PSAs were actually with its own sister companies, subsidiaries and affiliates in “sweetheart

SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez sees no basis to impeach the eight Supreme Court justices who voted to remove Maria Lourdes Sereno as Chief Justice. Alvarez said Thursday Associate Justices Teresita J. Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado M. Peralta, Lucas P. Bersamin, Francis H. Jardeleza, Samuel

R. Martires, Noel G. Tijam, Andres B. Reyes Jr., and Alexander G. Gesmundo merely performed their constitutional mandate in granting the quo warranto petition ﬁled against Sereno. Alvarez said the eight justices should not be sanctioned for doing their duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution. “I do not think [that the justices vio-

lated the Constitution]. In the exercise of separation of powers, they [justices] acted within their powers provided for in the Constitution,” Alvarez said. Alvarez also played down the impeachment case that the opposition bloc led by Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman had threatened to ﬁle against the eight SC justices should the quo warranto ruling become ﬁnal and executory. Next page

By Rey E. Requejo and Rio N. Araja THE Justice department said Thursday it had ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the killing of retired Ozamiz prosecutor Geronimo Marabe Jr. and to bring his killers to justice. “I have directed the NBI to investigate this latest attack. The DoJ will not take these violent incidents sitting down,” Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said in a text message. “Let us remain hopeful that the truth will be revealed and the perpetrators will be made to suffer the consequences of their treacherous act.” Next page

News

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OIC named to replace Montano By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Board of the Tourism Promotions Board of Directors has appointed a careerofficial and domestic promotion department head Arnold Gonzales as officer-in-charge after Chief Operation Officer Cesar Montano filed last week his resignation which had been accepted. In an interview, Gonzales confirmed the new assignment to manage the agency until June 30, amidst controversies and alleged irregularities that his predecessor had confronted. “It is unfortunate that the TPB was tagged into this controversy,” Gonzales said. He noted that in 31 years in service, it was the first time for the TPB to confront such alleged irregularities and questionable projects. Meanwhile, President Rodrigo Duterte has transferred a ranking official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to the Bureau of Customs, according to the document released by Malacañang on Thursday. Duterte appointed PDEA deputy director for administration Jesus Fajardo as BOC deputy commissioner on May 21, replacing Natalio Ecarma III. The BoC is currently headed by Isidro Lapeña, a former PDEA director general. Gonzales admitted that during those trying times, the morale of the TBP employees and officials went down as the agency was in the limelight of alleged corruptions and irregularities. “I assure you [I intend] to uplift the integrity [of the TPB]. No corruption; we will just push through with the legitimate projects,” Gonzales said when his colleagues asked for a brief message. “I have to correct the fact that TPB is composed of highly professional officers since it was [called] PCVC [Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp.]. They are highly professional and dedicated employees,” Gonzales said. He also reiterated that his colleagues in TPB were employees who follow due process under the law, citing the fact that the agency was ISO certified. “We strictly abide by strict process of CoA [Commission on Audit] rules and regulations,” Gonzales said. Montano last week resigned as TPB due to the P80-million controversy where he allegedly paid in full the “Buhay Carinderia” project to former Tourism secretary Wanda Teo’s alleged “close friend” Erlinda Legaspi of Marylindbert International Inc.

Go-Jek... From A1 The move marks Go-Jek’s first expansion outside Indonesia and comes after USbased Uber this year said it would sell its struggling business in the region to Singapore’s Grab. Go-Jek operates a fleet of motorcycle taxis, private cars and other services—from massage and house cleaning to grocery shopping and food delivery—all available at smartphone users’ fingertips. The company said it would invest $500 million in its international expansion, starting with ride-hailing services in the next few months. Other offerings would follow in the future, it said. AFP

Parojinog’s... From A1 Bulalacao could not say how long it would take for the Taiwan authorities to deport Parojinog. “It is not yet definite [referring to deportation] because the process may take long depending on how fast the Taiwan government could process the deportation of Parojinog,” Bulalacao said. Malacañang welcomed the arrest. “This is good news,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in a press briefing in Marawi City. Parojinog, younger brother of slain Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., was reportedly arrested as he tried to enter Taiwan with illegal immigration documents. Roque said Parojinog will have to face the court of justice to determine if he was indeed involved in illegal drugs trades and other illicit activities. “For the residents of the city of Parojinog, we will make sure that justice will be served. He will be investigated and punished if he really violated the law,” Roque said. He encouraged Ozamiz residents to coordinate with the police if they have complaints against Parojinog. Parojinog is said to be detained in Ping Tung in the southernmost part of Taiwan, and will face the county prosecutor, sources said. With PNA

Alvarez... From A1 According to Alvarez, the eight justices did not encroach or infringe the power of Congress to impeach after granting the quo warranto petition against Sereno. “The eight SC justices did not disrespect Congress when they performed their constitutional duties,” said Alvarez, stressing the high court had also the power to remove impeachable officials through quo warranto petition. Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano, a member of Lagman’s group, asserted his group’s rights as House member to initiate

House, Senate clear way for Bangsamoro bill’s OK By Vito Barcelo

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte is expected to sign the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law before May 30, after both houses in the Congress agreed on one version of the BBL, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday.

In a press briefing in Marawi, the Palace spokesman said both the Senate and the House agreed on one version of BBL and would be certified as urgent for speedy passage by Congress. In related developments: • In a letter dated May 23, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said only the certifcation of the President would guarantee the timely passage of the BBL on third and final reading next week. “We once again respectfully request that House Bill 6457 be certified as urgent by your administration,” the House leaders said, referring to the BBL. “We aim to pass the said measure on third and final reading before the sine die adjourn-

ment of Congress on June 2, 2018. Thus, we are hoping for your usual support as we work for the prompt passage of this law,” they said. Last Tuesday, the Bangsamoro Transition Commission asked the House of Representatives to give the group until Monday next week to respond to the undisclosed amendments on the peace bill principally authored by Alvarez. • Newly-elected Senate President Vicente Sotto III on Thursday expressed hope the Senate could come up with a conservative but well-crafted proposal for a Bangsamoro Law and pass it on second reading either Tuesday or Wednesday next week. “We would be able to pass the period of amendments by Monday, at the latest Tuesday, and pass it on second reading on Tues-

day. If we receive the certification as urgent from the President, then we do away with the three-day rule,” he said. Without the certification, Sotto said they could not approve it on third reading because of the three day rule “and we don’t have three days after Wednesday.” Congress adjourns on Wednesday and resumes on the last Monday of July for the State of the Nation Address of the President. Sotto also said the House version was much closer to what the Bangsamoro Transition Committee submitted. “So, the bicam would take a lot of time, I think. But we’re also optimistic that if the President sees the Senate version, we might get the support,” he said. .“We’re thinking that the BBL, if we pass it, might become the template for the regional federal states or federal areas or federal regions [under federalism],” he said. The President earlier said the BBL would give rise to a genuine autonomous region as well as bring healing and reconciliation to the historical injustices committed against the Bangsamoro people. With Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

Rody threatens to ‘kill’ Joma if peace talks fail By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte said he would kill Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison once he returned to the Philippines and the peace negotiations with the rebel group fail. During his speech in the inauguration of the Davao River Bridge here on Thursday, Duterte noted that Sison already agreed to go back to the Philippines for two months to revive the peace talks between the communist CPP-National Democratic Front and the government. “I have invited Sison to come home, he has agreed. I gave him a window of two months, very small, make or break,” the President said. Duterte stressed that he would personally escort Sison to the airport whatever the outcome of the peace talks that would end the longest-running communist rebellion

US... From A1 But the United States now says China’s behavior in the South China Sea runs counter to the spirit of the drills. “China’s continued militarization of disputed features in the South China Sea only serves to raise tensions and destabilize the region,” Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Chris Logan said. “We have disinvited the PLA Navy from the 2018 Rim of the Pacific Exercise. China’s behavior is inconsistent with the principles and purposes of the RIMPAC exercise.” China’s Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi said the US decision to exclude it from RIMPAC was “very non-constructive.” “It’s also a decision taken lightly and is unhelpful to mutual understanding between China and the US,” Wang said at a press conference with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo after the two met in Washington. Pompeo did not comment on the matter,

PAO:... From A1 Acosta, who serves as counsels for parents of the victims, cited a letter to Garin dated March 27, 2016 from health and medical experts from various organizations that strongly warned against the implementation of the program. The letter, signed by representatives from National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippine Medical Association, University of the Philippine College of Medicine, Philippine College of Physicians, University of Sto. Tomas, Action for Economic Forum and Woman Health, raised questions on the efficacy of the vaccine that was still on the clinical trial stage. The experts informed Garin of “possible harm from the vaccine” that they believed was not cost-effective. “The possibility of harm is real because the vaccine does not have a consistent effect on all serotypes of the dengue virus. Because of this, there is a possibility of immunologic enhancement, resulting in more severe diseases from a different virus sero-

an impeachment case against the eight justices who allegedly took away the power of Congress to impeach. Alejano said the eight SC members should be held accountable for their alleged illegal act to side with the quo warranto petition filed against Sereno by Solicitor General Jose Calida. “We strongly believe that the filing of impeachment complaints against the justices is the only viable remedy to correct this mistake and save the integrity of the Supreme Court before the Filipino people. As opposed to what the justices had exercised, we want to follow the legal way based on what is provided for in the Constitution,” said Alejano.

in the world. “I will allow him to go out, I will not arrest him because it’s my word of honor. But I will really tell him, [expletive], do not ever, ever return again to this country, I will kill you,” the President said. Sison, being the founder of the CPP and its armed wing the New People’s Army, “has killed so many police and soldiers in the country” over more than five decades of war with the government, Duterte said. He earlier asked Sison publicly to come back to the Philippines after the President decided to restart the peace negotiations, almost three months after he declared the NPA as a terrorist group. Duterte was prompted to declare the NPA as terrorists after the series of atrocities and reports of extortion the President received from the different parts of the country. Despite his announcement about the two-

month window for negotiations, Duterte said he would not revoke his proclamation categorizing the NPA as a terrorist group. The military recently captured a top NPA leader in the Davao Region, Elizalde Cañete alias “Ka Jinggoy,” at Don Carlos Hospital in Don Carlos, Bukidnon. Cañete, captured on May 12, is the leader of Pulang Bagani Command 1, covering the entire Davao Region and some parts of Bukidnon. He replaced the late Leoncio Pitao alias “Parago,” who was killed in an encounter three years ago. Cañete was also responsible of the burning of the Lapanday Box plant in Mandug, Davao City last year and the death of fish vendor Larry Timbal Buenafe. Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said the city would file charges against Cañete after the atrocities he caused in the city, including the death of Buenafe.

saying only that the pair had had a “good discussion” about American concerns of militarization of the South China Sea. Military hardware China has deployed anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jammers to “contested features” in the Spratly Islands region of the South China Sea, Logan said. “While China has maintained that the construction of the islands is to ensure safety at sea, navigation assistance, search and rescue, fisheries protection and other non-military functions, the placement of these weapon systems is only for military use,” Logan said, noting that the landing of a Chinese bomber on Woody Island had only exacerbated strains. The decision to pull China’s invitation comes amid new tensions between Beijing and Washington. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he was not satisfied with talks aimed at averting a trade war with China. And on Tuesday, he suggested that Chinese President Xi Jinping might have played a role

in North Korea’s recent threats to withdraw from a planned summit with the US. ‘Freedom of navigation’ China claims most of the South China Sea, believed to hold vast oil and gas deposits and through which $5 trillion in trade passes annually. It has built up islands and military installations across the region. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims in the sea. The US Navy periodically conducts “freedom of navigation” operations in which naval vessels sail close to the Chineseclaimed militarized islets. Logan said the Pentagon had urged China to remove its military installations “immediately” and to “reverse course” on its militarization of the sea. Given China’s growing military confidence and its heavy investment in the South China Sea, such a move is highly unlikely. Logan added that Xi had broken a promise he made to the international community that China would not militarize the Spratly Islands. AFP

type,” they warned Garin. The group also pointed out that the P3.5billion program was costly considering the lack of guaranteed efficacy and that a new generation dengue vaccine, TV003, that could have better efficacy at a lower cost was also available at that time. “The cost-effectiveness study used by DoH was commissioned by the drug company producing the vaccine and has not been published... We believe an independent analysis needs to be performed,” they said. However, despite these warnings from the experts, Garin still decided to pursue the vaccination program in April 2016 with manufacturer Sanofi Pasteur Inc. and its local distributor Zuellig Pharma Corp. Acosta also presented to the investigating prosecutors records in which Sanofi admitted to these risks posed by their vaccine. She specifically submitted documents from the National Formulary in December 2015 where the pharmaceutical firm admitted that the vaccine could lead to more severe diseases. Sanofi said Dengvaxia could lead to allergic or anaphylactic reaction, viscerotropism and neurotropism, increase in severi-

ty of dengue diseases from start of vaccination and waning protection against dengue disease. The PAO chief said that despite this admission by Sanofi, Garin proceeded with the vaccination program and inoculated more than 800,000 with Dengvaxia. During the hearing, the lawyers of Garin and other respondents received copies of the complaints filed by parents of Aejay Bautista, Angelica Pestilos, Lenard Baldonado, Zandro Colite, Abbie Hedia, Jansyn Bataan, Mark Axel Ebonia, Rey Justin Almagno and Alexander Jaime. They were given until the next hearing set for June 25 to answer the charges for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code. Apart from Garin and other former health officials, the complaints also named as respondents executives of Sanofi and Zuellig. A separate panel of prosecutors is investigating the complaint filed by anti-corruption groups Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption and Vanguard of the Philippine Constitution Inc. against former President Benigno Aquino III over the Dengvaxia vaccine controversy. With PNA

Ozamiz... From A1

least, to protect these men and women of the court,” Belmonte said. Marabe was shot dead by four unidentified assailants while he was driving his car in a village in Ozamis City on Tuesday. Marabe had served as a public prosecutor for several cases involving the Parojinog drug cartel in Ozamiz City. On May 17, Guevarra expressed support for the proposal to provide bullet-proof vests to state prosecutors and to arm them, though he said they could not do it easily because of budgetary constraints. Earlier, Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr., head of the National Prosecution Service, condemned the attack and said the arming of prosecutors was necessary to defend themselves from violence.

In Quezon City, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday urged the police to protect prosecutors and other court officials from “evil forces.” She reacted to the murder of the city’s Deputy City Prosecutor Rogelio Velasco who was shot and killed while driving along Holy Spirit Drive to pick up his wife from work at 4:55 pm on May 11. Belmonte said the police should step up their efforts to stop the rising number of armed attacks on prosecutors, judges and lawyers not only in Quezon City but in the entire country. “They should have a security plan, at

‘Deadly... From A1 deals” that cost Meralco customers P5.22 per kWh. “This is P1.55 per kWh more than what Meralco wanted us to believe in the PSA applications and in its earlier House presentation,” Zarate said. The seven PSA applications were earlier submitted to a joint House panel that looked into the contentious contracts. Based on these applications, the cost of electricity generation would supposedly only average P3.67 per kWh. Zarate added the P1.55 per kWh additional hike will cost millions of Meralco customers P54.54 billion in additional charges annually. Zarate earlier denounced the skyrocketing prices of basic products resulting from the implementation of TRAIN this year. Based on Philippine Statistics Authority numbers, food prices alone rose 5.7 percent in March, from 4.8 percent in February and 3.1 percent in March last year. “There is a need to repeal or at the minimum amend the regressive and anti-people provisions of TRAIN,” Zarate said. Under the Wage Rationalization Law, wage boards are mandated to adjust pay rates due to supervening conditions affecting the capacity of workers to cope with inflation. Due to fast-rising inflation, the purchasing power of the P512 minimum pay in Metro Manila which is highest minimum wage in the country, for example, has eroded by P186 per day, Seno said. In a monitoring on the impact of inflation to the daily wage made by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the National Wages and Productivity Commission, as of March 2018, the real value of P512 minimum wage is now only P326 a day. This amount is way below the amount a family needs to survive in a day. The ALU-TUCP estimates that a Filipino family of five needs at least P1,200 a day to cope with rising cost of living and to live above poverty level. While the conditions of workers and their families’ lives are getting worse due to rising costs of living and eroding value of their wages, the government must also contribute to the welfare of the labor force, Seno said. Recto said RA 10963 explicitly provides for this “price triggered collection moratorium” which was reiterated in BIR Revenue Regulations No. 2-2018, the law’s IRR on petroleum products pursuant to RA 10963. However, “a separate Revenue Regulation shall be issued for this purpose,” the IRR states. “The tripwire is $80 per barrel, based on Dubai crude as reflected in MOPS. This is the circuit breaker in TRAIN. When oil touches this price, the excise tax on gas is suspended,” he said. Recto said the weakening of the peso versus the US dollar was also having an impact on the cost of fuel. Senator Grace Poe said she wants to provide another layer of social protection measures to safeguard the poor from the recent spikes in prices of widely used goods and services that may have been brought about by the first tranche of the administration’s tax reform package. Poe’s panel will head to Iloilo City today to conduct a hearing on the “domino effect” of the TRAIN Law particularly on fuel, electricity, water and transportation. On May 22, oil firms implemented a bigtime increase on pump prices, prompting transport groups to call for higher fares. According to Poe, her office received reports that pump prices in the provinces reach a staggering P70 per liter. Poe, as head of the Senate public services panel, voiced her concern that the tax reform law purportedly offset workers’ higher take-home pay amid the unrelenting hikes in consumer prices. Under the TRAIN Law, poorest families are entitled to get P2,400 each in cash grant this year, and will increase to P3,600 per beneficiary in 2019 and 2020. Consumer prices rose 4.5 percent in April compared to a year ago, setting its fastest pace in over five years. In Malacañang, Roque said the Philippine government will follow the example of China, which now imports oil from the United States at a lower cost. The Philippines imports nearly 90 percent of oil from Opec members for domestic consumption.

Airline... From A1 Cho Hyun-ah faces allegations that she illegally hired some 10 Filipinas to work as housemaids in the family home by disguising them as company trainees to obtain visas. It is against the law in South Korea to hire foreigners as domestic helpers. She kept her head bowed as she reported to immigration authorities in Seoul on Thursday. “I’m sorry to cause trouble,” she said in a quiet voice before entering the office. A series of scandals have left Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho and his family facing mounting scrutiny over a spate of alleged wrongdoings that have riled the public and even sparked protests by the firm’s employees. The family first shot to international infamy in 2014 when Cho Hyun-ah forced two Korean Air flight attendants to kneel and beg for forgiveness after she was served macadamia nuts in a bag rather than a bowl. She ordered the Seoul-bound flight back to the gate so one of them could be ejected in an incident quickly dubbed “nut rage” that many South Koreans felt typified the way ultra-wealthy families often behave. She was sentenced to a year in prison by a lower court. But after serving five months in jail she was was freed when the appeals court cleared her of hampering an air route—the most serious charge—as the aircraft was still on the ground. AFP

Opinion

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Manila mayoral race

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

race in the country’s capital next year. The candidates, according to news reports, are incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada who’s seeking a third term, former actor and forALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO mer mayor Isko Moreno and former mayor Fred Lim. God help Manila if Erap, who’s THE Philippine stock market tum- 80 years old, or Lim in his early 90s bled; Globe, BPI and retail giant gets elected. I have nothing against SM suffered as stocks slumped last old people as I’m a senior citizen Wednesday. The Light Rail Transit myself. But to run for mayor on the management is seeking a P5 to P7 delusion they want to “restore Mafare increase. It would be outrageous nila to its former glory” might be if it were the Metro Rail Transit ask- too much work to do on a decaying ing for the fare hike given its daily city. breakdown. What about Isko Moreno The opposi(real name Frantion, despite its cisco Domagoso) waning influCan any of these men who’s in his 50s? ence and dwindling numbers, truly restore the city to Moreno /Domais seeking the its former glory? goso is a perenimpeach ment nial vice mayor of the eight Suto Lim and then to Erap. He ran preme Court asfor senator in sociate justices who voted to oust chief magistrate 2016 but lost. Maria Lourdes Sereno via quo warAgainst this aging field and a ranto proceedings. Akbayan Party- young has-been, the name of Buhay list Rep. Tom Villarin and Magdalo Party-list Rep. Lito Atienza also came Rep. Gary Alejano. Senators Panfilo up. Atienza and Estrada are friends. Lacson and former Senate President Recall that it was Lito who stayed Aquilino Pimentel III expressed the with Erap in his very last moment at view that only the Senate can re- Malacañang when he was ousted as move an impeachable official. They president by People Power II. Lito claimed that Solicitor General Jose even escorted Erap on a barge across Calida who filed the quo warranto the Pasig River in 2001. case and the eight justices hijacked But now Atienza poses the bigfrom the Senate its sole right to try gest challenge to Erap’s bid to match Sereno. Lito’s record as the only three-term A constitutional crisis looms if mayor of Manila. Mayors Arsethings get out of hand. nio Lacson, Tony Villegas, Ramon But as a native Manilan, what Bagatsing and Mel Lopez who have catches my attention is the mayoral Turn to A5 BACK CHANNEL

Volatile oil prices

ORLD oil prices are again acting up on geopolitical tensions and the Venezuelan political and economic crises that have trimmed crude production in the South American nation.

Nobody would have thought that oil prices in the world market would rally in just a short span of time. Brent crude in January 2016 sank to as low as $27.67 a barrel while the US benchmark crude plunged to $28.36 because of oversupply and the weak state of the global economy. Much has happened since then. Oil prices steadily made a comeback as the US economy recovered and China steadied itself to avoid a downturn. Oil-producing countries, both members and non-members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, agreed to reduce their output to shore up prices in the

world market. Latest world developments, meanwhile, have added uncertainty in the crude market, pushing up oil prices sharply in the last few weeks. The Department of Energy noted that world oil prices, using the Dubai benchmark, had risen nearly 20 percent since January this year and topped $80 per barrel in intraday trading last week for the first time since 2014. The International Energy Agency fears that US President Donald Trump’s decision to pull the US out of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal may hurt oil output in the Middle East nation. Adding to the supply woes is the turmoil in Venezuela,

which has reduced oil production. The two geopolitical tensions have prompted the chief executive of French oil giant Total to say that he “wouldn’t be surprised to see $100 per barrel” in the coming months. One Philippine energy official agreed. Oil Industry Management Bureau director Rino Abad warned that oil prices might continue to go up in the short term or up to six months if the current global situation persists. World oil prices quickly react to the vagaries of the market and geopolitics. Economic managers, thus, cannot belittle the oil market even if prices appear to be softening as they did two years ago. Oil prices will remain volatile and a critical economic indicator, especially on a heavy oil importer such as the Philippines.

Baked goods and Wi-Fi bring Everest closer to home By Annabel Symington WI-FI, baked goods and trendy coffee: Gone are the days of deprivation at Everest base camp, with hipster perks and modern conveniences ensuring life is cushier than ever on the roof of the world. The Khumbu glacier at the foot of Everest transforms every spring into a high-altitude metropolis of surprising luxury for the hundreds of climbers aiming for the peak of the world’s highest mountain. Canned food and bulky satellite phones are a thing of the past. Today’s climbers enjoy fresh salads, Instagram and creature comforts unthinkable when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first stood atop the 8,848 meter (29,029 foot) peak 65 years ago. “The first question people ask when they arrive at base camp is where’s the Wi-Fi. The second question is where’s the hot shower,” said Everest veteran Russell Brice, owner of Himalayan Experience, one of the oldest and most established expedition operators. The first intrepid teams to attempt Everest took a month to reach base camp on the Nepal side of the mountain. The journey was cut to eight days with the construction of a small mountain airstrip at Lukla, the gateway to the Everest region. Around 2,500 yaks make that journey at the beginning of the spring climbing season in April to turn the rockstrewn glacier into the world’s highest city for two months of the year. Tents have carpeted floors and bouquets of plastic flowers. Piping hot showers run-

ning on solar power offer respite from the freezing temperatures outside. A brigade of helicopters keeps the tent town stocked with daily deliveries of fresh supplies to cater for the 1,500 or so people at base camp. Climbers who want a break from high altitude life can even hitch a heli ride back to Kathmandu for some R and R before returning to attempt the summit. At Alpine Ascents’ camp, breakfast comes with Turkish drip coffee. “Cappuccino machines don’t work at altitude,” director Gordon Janow explained. Meanwhile over at Seven Summit Treks’ camp, the smell of freshly baked cinnamon rolls from its bakery greets climbers returning from an acclimatisation run high on the mountain. Fresh salads are served up by Adventure Consultants, a New Zealand-based operator, whose chef once worked in a restaurant with three Michelin stars in France. “People seem to like simple foods. Of course being here is so far removed from cities and normal life that basic salads and fresh vegetables seem to keep everyone happy,” said chef James Perry. He swapped a fully kittedout kitchen in an ambassador’s residence in Brussels for two gas hobs and a temperamental oven at base camp. “Each have their own peculiarities,” he replied diplomatically when asked who was more difficult to please: climbers or ambassadors? ‘Evolution’ of base camp Greg Vernovage of International Mountain Guides, one of Turn to A5

PH loses the tourism race VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ THE Philippines is being pummelled by its Asean neighbors in the race to attract the lion’s share of the world’s tourists visiting Southeast Asia. In 2017, the Philippines had 6.62 million arrivals. That is a record and represents an 11-percent gain from 2016’s 5.96 million visitors, which was an 11.3-percent jump from 4.775 million in 2015. In two years, tourism arrivals grew a spectacular 23.48 percent or an average of 11.76 percent per year. At 10 percent annual growth rate, the Philippines’ tourist arrivals will reach

only 11.72 million by 2023 and 12.902 million by 2024, when Ramon Ang’s San Miguel Airport in Bulacan starts operations with two runways. At 10 percent annual growth rate, the Philippines won’t hit its 20 million arrivals until 2029—11 years from today. To

There is a simple explanation: We have the world’s worst airports.

hit 20 million arrivals by 2023, arrivals must jump by 20 percent clip per year over the next five years. Is that possible? A 20 percent annual growth, the fastest ever for the Philippines, will require a lot of focus, aggressive tourism promotion, and heavy investments in tourism and other infrastructure. Samie Lim, the tourism chair of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, estimates that to reach 20 million arrivals, both the government and the private sector must invest at least $2 billion per year in tourism and other infra, including hotels, resorts, roads, highways, and most importantly, airports. Over the last 11 years, the Philippines, a country of 105 million and 7,600 islands, has languished in sixth position in Turn to A5

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Opinion and “Eat Bulaga,” where Tito Sen was one of the mainstays, was hugely popular. The show remains a hit today. That kind of realism and sensitivity to the things which matter most to the vast majority of our people is what Tito Sen brings to his new position. Quite apart from his mastery of the workings of the chamber and his years of immersion in the issues and debates of the post 1986 political scene it is this ear for the things that matter most to the ordinary man, his fears and his dreams for the future that sets him up as the ‘People’s Senate President’. Having been a local government executive once (vice mayor to then Quezon City mayor Jun Simon in 1986) he knows full well the ills afflicting most of our people. That he has distinguished himself on the softer side of governance given his background that should make him a perfect partner to our hard driving, iron-willed Chief Executive. So, as he takes on his new role as leader of the Upper Chamber, I wish Tito Sen and his colleagues all the best as they endeavor to make good on their promises of a better life for us all.

MAIL MATTERS

Aboitiz Power did not bid for, does not own Mt. Apo Geothermal WE WOULD like to correct a statement in one of the columns that appeared in your publication yesterday, May 23, 2018. In Mr. Jonathan Dela Cruz’s column Crossroads, it was stated: “Instead, we will take the case of the privatization of the 106-MW Mt. Apo Geothermal power plant last 2015 under the Aquino II administration as it was the fruit of a creative but highly irregular and illegal privatization scheme... “That P5.1827/kwh was arrived at in this manner: energy charge—P3.034/kwh plus winning bidder’s [Aboitiz] administration fee, P0.1377/kwh [P105.17 million per year] plus winning bidder’s recovery of highest premium, P2.011/kwh or,P128M/mo or P1.5B/yr annual payment to government for a total charge of P5.1827/kwh.” We would like to clarify that Aboitiz Power Corp. did not bid for and does not own Mt. Apo Geothermal. Thet Mesias Media Relations Manager Aboitiz Equity Ventures

PH. From A4

number of arrivals among the eight major Asean member states. Its tourism arrivals have remained at single-digit levels (5 million to 6 million) annually. Indonesia hit its 10 millionth arrival in 2015 with 10,407,000, up 113 percent from 4.87 million in 2006, a whopping rise of 5.537 million arrivals. During the same period, arrivals in the Philippines increased by only 2.51 million (half of the Indonesian gain), from 2.843 million in 2006 to 5.361 million, an increase of 88.5 percent.

In 2017, Thailand hosted the most number of arrivals in Asean, with 35.38 million, an increase of 21.55 million guests or 156 percent. In the same period, arrivals in the Philippines rose by only 3.77 million or by 132 percent. The increase in arrivals for Thailand was 5.7 times that of the Philippines. Yet, they say, the Philippines has far more and far better attractions than Thailand, in terms of cultural diversity (Catholic and Islam vs. Buddhism for Thai-

land, not to mention 456 years of Spanish conquest, 52 years of American tutelage and four years of Japanese occupation), beaches (Boracay, El Nido, and Coron are rated among the world’s best beaches and islands). So why has the Philippines been such a laggard in the tourism game—today the largest and richest industry in the world? Simple answer: The Philippines has the world’s worst airports.

involved in politics. He laments the various reclamation projects. Mayor Estrada is undertaking in Manila Bay to give way to more condominium towers and casinos in an already crowded area. During his time as Manila mayor, Atienza made famous the Malate area along Julio Nakpil, Maria Orosa streets and Remedios Circle as restaurant row. As a pro-life advocate, the very name of his Partylist Buhay, Atienza and his wife run a halfway house for abandoned babies in the San Andres area in Manila. Because of this charitable mission, Atienza should get the support of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines and posssibly Mike Velarde’s El Shaddai congregation.

As Manila mayor mayor, Atienza increased the city’s tax collection from P2.7 billion to P8 billion annually in the nine years of his three terms starting in 1998. This he did by keeping the tax collection windows at city hall open even during lunch break by having employees take their meals at different hours. The reason for this is that taxpayers who work can only go to city hall during their own lunch break. Service uninterrupted, the “taxpayer is king” proved more money in the city coffers for infrastructure and sanitation projects. One of Atienza’s notable projects is the Quiapo underpass. But alas, the underpass after Atienza’s watch has become a place for vendors in the daytime and for criminals to ply their trade at night.

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Manila... From A4

passed away were not able to do it. Atienza can still run for a third term as Buhay Party-list congressman, but there are many who are pushing him to run as mayor of Manila. Lito’s supporters believe only he can indeed return Manila to its former luster as the nation’s capital. Atienza has the administrative experience. He was the former manager of the National Housing Authority in the time of the late President Cory Aquino, and the secretary of Environment and Natural Resources under former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Some of Manila’s problems include pollution and the lack of urban planning. Atienza at one time studied architecture before he got

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How socialism destroys a country

Tito Sen He was not as serious as the class nerds such as Hector Villacorta, CROSSROADS the class valedictorian who is now Secretary of the Senate and Lito JONATHAN Banayo, our Meco chairman and DE LA CRUZ Representative in Taiwan. I got the sense then that Amba Boy and Tito TITO SEN is of course the masses’ Sen were in the same class - restless endearing popularized tag for new- and carefree but headed to bigger, ly elected Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, the longest-serving member of the Upper Chamber. Sotto’s time has come. Often derided I wish him well. by those who should know better, Tito Sen has metamorphosed from one of the most recognizable faces on TV to a hardworking, friendly serious endeavors as has happened. and highly regarded legislator. Later on, in the early ‘80s, when I first met Tito Sen in the compa- Amba Boy and myself served in ny of a very good friend of mine the Saudi Arabia, I met Tito Sen again late Ambassador Reynaldo ‘Boy’ when we invited him and members Parungao, his classmate in Letran. of the Philippine bowling team to Amba Boy had a lot of stories about visit Saudi Arabia as part of the him mostly about his being a “crush Embassy’s ‘Alay sa mga Kabang mga kolehiyala” and a leading bayan’ program to engage the exmember of one of the leading bands ploding Pinoy workforce in that in the 1960s, Tiltdown Men. Ap- country in wholesome endeavors parently, this was the school’s an- and ease their stay. There was no swer to the La Salle’s Moonsrucks other means by which we could and the Ateneo’s chorale. Early on, get them together except through Amba Boy intimated Tito Sen was sports. That was the time that our a restless soul trying to make the very own Paeng Nepomuceno bemost out of his teenage years. came World Bowling Champion

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

has decreased by 1.5 points, with a steep drop in fiscal health and declines in labor freedom, business freedom, government spending, and ERIC JURADO government integrity overwhelming improvements in judicial effectiveness and property rights. Brazil is IN THE early 2000s, Brazil’s ranked 27th among 32 countries in economy was growing rapidly. the Americas region, and its overThe government had enacted eco- all score is below the regional and nomic and monetary reforms, and world averages. divested holdings in some stateEconomically and morally, the run companies, giving the private 15 years of socialist policies have sector more room to breathe. In- greatly harmed Brazil. They also reflation—a chronic problem in Bra- main among the world’s leaders in zil—was dramatically reduced. murder and robbery, and they rank Foreign investors poured into the near the bottom of industrialized country, eager to catch a portion nations in terms of education and of their expanding economy. The health care. future seemed promising. Citizens in freer societies take But today, their economy is in it for granted that they can be born shambles, unemployment and debt into the lower class and reach the are massive, and powerful politi- middle or even upper class. Many cians are being Brazilians take it for granted that investigated for they can’t. involvement in the largest scanBut finally Here’s what dals of fraud some things and corruption happened in Brazil. are starting to in the country’s change. There may be reason history. for hope. Today, What hapmore and more Brazilians see that pened? In 2002, a socialist politician capitalism and limited government named Lula da Silva ran for the are the only way forward. presidency. He was a socialist, but Thankfully for Brazil, Lula has painted himself as a modern, cool been charged in several lawsuits for kind of socialist. He would be the corruption, involvement in a crimipolitician who would heal national nal organization, influence peddling, divisions and unite everyone. He money laundering, and obstruction even had a nickname: “Lulinha paz of justice. Rousseff was impeached e amor,” which means “Little Lula in 2016 for falsifying the governpeace and love” in Portuguese. ment’s finances and illegally using But the old message about the money from state-owned banks need for income redistribution to to run the government. This crisis decrease inequality was still there. prompted the new government to The media, academic elite, and ce- freeze federal spending, reduce the lebrities assured Brazilians that by government’s role in state-owned transferring the money from the rich companies, and to encourage some to the poor, the poor could finally be of the massive federal workforce to richer. But the only ones who really resign. got rich were Lula and his corpoSince taking office in August rate and political friends. It only got 2016, President Michel Temer has worse under his successor, Dilma proposed economic reforms to slow Rousseff. the growth of government spendThe socialists increased govern- ing and reduce barriers to foreign ment spending, deficits, and debt. investment. Government spending They called it a “stimulus.” They growth helped to push public debt increased the minimum wage and to 70 percent of GDP at the end of the benefits of social programs. 2016, up from 50 percent in 2012. They called it “social justice.” They Policies to strengthen Brazil’s increased the salaries and retirement workforce and industrial sector, benefits of the civil service. They such as local content requirements, called it “investing in the future.” may have increased employment at They handed out thousands of jobs the expense of investment. in the government and state-owned Brazil’s economy advanced companies as favors to their politi- only 0.1 percent in the last three cal allies. And they called it “good months of 2017, following an upgovernance.” Sounds familiar? wardly revised 0.2-percent expanIt worked for a while. Socialism sion in the previous period and always works at the beginning. But well below market expectations government spending just kept going of a 0.4-percent rise. It is the lowup, and then Lula’s socialist paradise est growth rate in one year after a fell apart and the economy fell with two-year recession. it. The outcome: from 2008 to 2015, No one knows whether these bagovernment spending grew nearly sic measures will be enough to resfour times as fast as tax revenue. cue Brazil economically. Truthfully, The economy shrank 3.8 percent the damage has been so extensive, in 2017, the worst result in 25 years. it may take decades for the country According to the Heritage Founda- to recover. tion, Brazil’s economic freedom But if they do, it won’t be socialscore is 51.4, making its economy ism that saves them. the 153rd freest out of 180 countries Philippine citizens and leaders, in the 2018 Index. Its overall score take note. FROM WHERE I STAND

Baked... From A4

the largest teams on the mountain, said the modern-day perks were part of the natural “evolution” of base camp. But others lament the direction it is going. Everyone on “the Hill” used to know each other, veterans say, and shared everything from radio frequencies and weather forecasts to banter over an afternoon “guides’ brew”—whisky, honey and water. Today, they say the village atmosphere is gone. Base camp is a warren of tents as more climbers than ever try to reach the top of the world. Last year saw a record 373 permits granted to foreign climbers to venture up Everest from the Nepal side, and this year fell just shy of that. Money has also sown division in the once close-knit community. Crowds are growing as prices drop, with bargain operators offering cheaper—and many fear unacceptably risky—ways for

glory-chasers to summit. Foreign operators—most charging climbers around $65,000 to reach the summit—complain that Nepali outfits skirt safety and invite crowding by offering packages for as little as $20,000. Nepali-run expedition groups reply that foreigners treat Everest like a colonial outpost and are threatened by the competition they represent. The modern-day conveniences may make life at base camp easier, but reaching the summit remains as treacherous as ever. Three climbers have died this year. Last year six perished. Brice, of Himalayan experience, said anything that improved comfort—physically and mentally— was essential as climbers prepared to ascend almost to the cruising altitude of a jetliner. “The psychological impact of how people feel will impact how they perform on the mountain,” he said. AFP

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FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BI says Australian nun can still return to PH

Okada exec held for using unauthorized pass By Joel E. Zurbano

By Vito Barcelo and Rio N. Araja THE Bureau of Immigration on Thursday said that Australian nun Sister Patricia Fox can come back to the Philippines should the missionary comply with the bureau’s order to leave the country and avoid being included in the BI’s Black List Order. BI spokesperson Dana MengoteSandoval made the statement after Fox’s counsel lawyer Jobert Pahilga insisted that the Australian nun would not leave the country and instead would file an appeal before the Department of Justice. However, the BI official said even if an appeal was filed before the DoJ, the bureau would still enforce the leave order against the 71-year-old missionary. “Unless sister Fox would not leave the country on May 25, Friday, another deportation case would be filed and the worst scenario that this may result for her inclusion in the bureau’s BLO,” Sandoval said. The BI spokesperson said that there was nothing stated in the BI’s leave order against Sister Fox that she would be barred from entering the country after complying. “To return to the Philippines, the nun would have to apply for a visa since her missionary visa was cancelled by the BI’s Board of Commissioners for engaging in political rallies,” she said. Sandoval also explained that this was not the first incident of visa forfeiture as there were other cases before. The BI official said the BOC has already reaffirmed its order forfeiting the missionary visa of Australian nun Patricia Fox and ordering her to leave the country. Sandoval likewise said BOC has denied with finality the Motion for Reconsideration filed by Fox’s lawyers which sought a reversal of the Board’s April 23 order forfeiting her visa and directing her to leave the country within 30 days. Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights said any threat to silence dissenters is an “affront to our ideals as a nation.” “A recent example have been threats by certain personalities to get aspiring lawyers banned from taking the Bar exam after questioning and expressing strong opposition to the Supreme Court's decision on the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno,” lawyer-spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said. “At a time when the crucial system of checks and balances in our democracy is in question, one of the most important things we can do as citizens is speak up,” she added.

Legalize ‘bike taxis’ —motor riders MOTOR bikers on Thursday urged the government to back the legalization of motorcycle taxis to operate not only in Metro Manila but also in other highly urbanized cities. At a news conference in Quezon City, George Royeca of Transport Watch called for the regulation of motorcycle taxis. "We urge the government not to turn a blind eye to the needs of the motorcycle-riding community," he told reporters. Such regulation would give motor bikers the chance to pursue a legitimate livelihood through hail-riding services, he said. Jobert Bolaños of the Riders of the Philippines assured the government of their commitment to ensure the safety of their passengers should they be allowed to operate as hail-riding alternative. Citing a recent Social Weather Stations survey, Royeca said one in three Filipino families owns a motor bike with 50 percent of them using their vehicles for livelihood. "There are 1.5-million four-wheeled automobiles in the Philippines, while there are ﬁve million two-wheeled vehicles, plus one million tricycles," he said. Over the past 10 years, the use of motor bikes was evidently increasing, Royeca said. Such ﬁgures would indicate that the motorcycle has been the mode of transportation of the Filipino masses "not only for personal reasons but also for their livelihood," he added. He called on the government not to portray motor bikers as "criminals." "We condemn ordinances that would penalize male back-riding," he said. Bolaños, for his part, said "we have the numbers and we will make our force felt." Rio N. Araja

TOXIC. EcoWaste Coalition, a watch group on toxic chemicals, products and wastes held a press conference in Quezon City to call for the removal of toxic school supplies containing health-damaging hazardous substances such as cadmium and lead amid the back-to-school shopping frenzy. Manny Palmero

House OKs bill increasing election campaign expenses By Maricel V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives has approved a bill allowing political candidates to spend more. Voting 188-0 without abstention, the Lower House approved on third and ﬁnal reading House Bill 7295 increasing the authorized campaign expenses of candidates and political parties. HB 7295, principally authored by Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., amends for the purpose Republic Act 7166, otherwise known as “An Act Providing For Synchronized National And Local Elections And For Electoral Reforms, Authorizing Appropriations Therefor, And For Other Purposes.” Under the measure, the authorized amount that a candidate may spend for election campaign shall be as follows: P50.00 for President and P40.00

for Vice President; P30.00 for Senators, District congressman, governor, vice governor, board members, mayor, vice mayor and councilors and for party-list parties, P10.00 for every voter currently registered in the constituency where the candidate filed the Certificate of Candidacy. Political parties may spend P30 for every voter currently registered in the constituency or constituencies where it has official candidates. On the other hand, an independent candidate or a candidate without any political party and without support from any political party may be allowed to spend P40.00 for every voter. The bill defines an independent candidate as one who is not nominated by a duly registered political party or coalition of political parties or its duly authorized representative. Another definition of an independent candidate is one who is issued a certificate of nomination and acceptance that has been submitted by a political party or coalition of political parties not duly

registered with the Commission on Elections. “He or she is one who repudiates a nomination issued by a duly registered political party or coalition of political parties at any time before the date of elections,” Belmonte said. An independent candidate is one who accepts a nomination from more than one duly registered political party for the same constituency, except in cases of coalition of said political parties; files a CONA after the deadline for the filing of certificate of candidacy; and files a COC without a CONA, he added. One who is issued a CONA that is subsequently cancelled, revoked, withdrawn or substituted by the nominating party at any time before the date of the elections; or is nominated by a duly registered political party or coalition of political parties but which nomination is denied due course by the Comelec is defined as an independent candidate under the proposal.

MinDA official faces graft complaint By Rio N. Araja and Maricel V. Cruz AN OFFICIAL of the Mindanao Development Authority is facing a graft complaint before for allowing her husband to participate in an official activity of the agency in 2015. The Ombudsman found probable cause to indict director IV Charlita Escaño of MinDA's Office of Finance and Administrative Services in Davao City for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, or Republic Act No. 3019. Escaño allowed her engineer-husband, Allan Escaño, a non-MinDA employee, to attend the basic occupational safety and health course for construction officers” held at the Ritz Hotel in Davao City on March 16 to March 20, 2015. MinDA paid the amount of P30,000 representing the registration fee for five participants, but only four employees attended with Allan Escaño, a private individual, replacing Renato Buhat Jr., who was unavailable to take part in the seminar. In a counter-affidavit, the MinDA director said she was informed a refund was not allowed for any canceled attendance, and as replacement for Buhat, she invited her husband to attend the seminar, and that the organizers allowed it. “Respondent gave unwarranted benefit, advantage or preference to her husband, engineer Escaño, by causing his inclusion in the training in lieu of engineer Buhat for which MinDA already paid the registration fee," the Ombudsman's resolution read. In a related development, the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division has dismissed the falsification charges filed by the Ombudsman against dismissed Southern Leyte governor Damian Mercado. In a 10-page resolution dated May 21, the anti-graft court granted Mercado's motion to dismiss his case, citing “inordinate delay” on the part of the prosecution to hear his case.

MISDECLARED. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña (left) and Manila

International Container Port District Collector Maritess Martin (middle) inspect one of the seven containers with misdeclared agricultural products and cigarettes from China worth P27.5 million on Thursday, May 24, 2018. Norman Cruz

DoH told to probe new fees on seamen A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday called on the Department of Health to investigate the additional P1,040 medical examination fee that is being imposed on Filipino seafarers who will work aboard Panamanian registered vessels. Rep. John Bertiz III of ACTS OFW Party-list disclosed that the Panama Maritime Authority is now charging an additional USD 20 or P1,040 for every Filipino seafarer who will secure a Panamanian Medical Certiﬁcate, which is a pre-requisite to the hiring and deployment of seafarers. “I enjoin the DoH and other agencies to look closely into the new PMA directive and make sure that this is not another blatant attempt by businessmen and their cohorts to earn from the hard work and sacriﬁces of our seafarers,” Bertiz said. In its Note No. ADM-0736-2018DGGM-ALM sent to manning agencies, accredited doctors, and ship owners, the PMA announced that the charges will be for the maintenance of an online database of the medical records of all Filipino sea-

farers. The new fees were imposed starting May 21, 2018. Bertiz pointed out that USD 15 (or P780) will go to an undisclosed “online broker” who will set up and maintain the online database. The remaining USD 5 (or P260) will go to the Panama Embassy in the Philippines. Bertiz said that the “broker” is set to earn an estimated amount of P234,000,000 per year. On the other hand, the Panama Embassy in the Philippines will make P78,000,000 annually. “I want to know if this new scheme had the stamp of approval from the DoH, the DFA, and other concerned agencies. If yes, these agencies have to start evaluating their priorities since they might be more concerned with lining the pockets of businessmen rather than protecting the interests of our workers,” Bertiz said. “If the new fees were imposed without consulting or getting the approval of these agencies and if these are in conﬂict with our laws and regulations, we must take urgent steps to stop the imposition of these new fees.” Maricel V. Cruz

AUTHORITIES arrested a female hotel supervisor for escorting foreign nationals using an unauthorized access pass at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Bridget Cunanan, a supervising personnel at Okada Manila Hotel and Casino in Parañaque City, was arrested at the restricted Immigration area of Naia Terminal 1 around 11:20 am. Investigation showed that Cunanan was using an Official Business Pass of the Immigration (control number 5002676) attached with a mission order form when she was noticed by an airport security guard. The security guard identified as Roderick Dalicon immediately accosted and brought Cunanan to the security office for investigation and later turned her over to the Airport Police Department for proper disposition. According to the Manila International Airport Authority, an Immigration Official Business Access Pass is exclusively issued to government officials. Cunanan’s arrest came a few days after MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal ordered the strict implementation of policies and regulations on the use of access Identification Cards issued to all airport employees and stakeholders to prevent human smuggling and illegal transportation of the so-called anti-social goods. Monreal on Saturday also ordered the suspension of visitor’s pass issued to individuals who wish to meet or send-off family, friends and relatives at the airport. He said the temporary suspension of the visitor’s pass shall also give the agency time to revisit its policies and regulations on its issuance.

Boracay ‘rehab’ on track—Cimatu By Rio N. Araja ENVIRONMENT Secretary Roy Cimatu on Thursday said the rehabilitation of Aklan's Boracay Island is on track because of the cooperation of the members of the inter-agency task force. He expressed confidence in solving Boracay Island’s woes as he remembered the varied obstacles he has overcome in his colorful career in public service, first, as a military man and later, as special envoy to the Middle East. “The harder the leadership challenge is, the easier it is to develop resiliency as a leader,” he said. He promised to turn Boracay into a prime global tourist destination within six months after its closure last April 26. Fixing Boracay’s sewerage and drainage system is on top of the list of priorities for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, he said. According to Cimatu, DENR would restore Boracay’s missing wetlands, such as the site of a four-star hotel in Barangay Balabag. Aside from this, rehabilitation work also included improving road access and solving garbage problems. Clearing of illegal structures in road easements is still ongoing as well as the demolition of illegal structures situated in wetlands, he said. He said Boracay Island is close to his heart because as battalion commander in Aklan in the 1980’s, he was instrumental in getting rid of the presence of the New People’s Army in Northern Panay that later led to increased tourism.

JV set to grill NHA contractors By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR JV Ejercito is set to grill contractors of housing projects for victims of natural and man-made calamities as the Senate housing committee resumes its hearing on the issue on May 30. “We will subpoena the contractors to attend the next hearing on May 30 to ﬁnd out who among them sub-contracted the project or projects that they got from the National Housing Authority [NHA],” he said. Ejercito, chairman of the Senate housing committee, said the contractors have a lot of explaining to do regarding the revelation that the works were subcontracted to other groups. Last Monday’s hearing was the ﬁrst to be conducted in connection with committee’s investigation into the alleged irregularities in the resettlement and housing programs of the government for tragedystricken families such as victims of typhoons “Sendong,” “Pablo,” and “Yolanda;” and “Zamboanga siege.” Committee member Senator Cynthia Villar said it’s illegal if a contractor got a contract from the NHA but will engage a sub-contractor to do the actual job. She said that those with strong connections at the NHA will get the permit and then, will do nothing.

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FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

TODAY

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE OF SPOUSES FELICISIMA J. CARLOS AND DIOSDADO CARLOS WITH ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS AND DEED OF ABSOLUTE SALE KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: We, Brian L. Carlos, of legal age, Filipino, and with residence and postal address at 11 Marathon St. Roxas District, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisirna J. Carlos; Maria Raquel L. Carlos, single, Filipino, and with residence and postal address at No. 2 Upsilon Drive St. Old Balara Quezon City being the daughter of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisirna J. Carlos;

Rates, Carlos keep hold on lead J OENARD Rates and Jobim Carlos matched birdie-birdie ﬁnishes on opposite nines for 71s as they kept their spots on top, one stroke ahead of erstwhile co-leader Jerson Balasabas halfway through P3 million ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters at the Villamor Golf Club yesterday. The diminutive Rates turned from erratic to splendid, rebounding from a three-over card after seven holes with four birdies in the next six, including three straight from No. 11. He then recovered from a doublebogey mishap on No. 16 with closing birdies to save a 38-33 card on a tight layout that puts premium on driving. In a separate flight at the back, Carlos also struggled with three bogeys against two birdies but the recent winner of the National Pro-am with DJ Padilla gunned down a second straight birdie on No. 4 and holed out with backto-back birdies to negate a bogey on the par-3 seventh for a 34-37.

With 138 aggregates, the duo stayed on top for the second straight day but braced for a spirited charge from the rest of their pursuers in the last two rounds of the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI, including Balasabas, who struggled off the mound and missed keeping his spot at the top with a last-hole mishap on No. 9 for a 72 and a 139. “I have to find a way to be consistent off the tee. Made bad drives, especially at the back and the wind later affected my game in the last nine,” said Carlos, who with the rest of the surviving 44-player field headed straight to the range to tinker with their driving.

“I missed a lot of my tee shots but my putting worked so I’m still at it,” said Balasabas, who vowed to strike back in today’s third round, particularly on the par-5 holes. Rene Menor, a former PGT Asia leg winner, and Gerald Rosales, a former champion of an all-local Philippine Open, assembled identical 141s after a 70 and 71, respectively, for joint fourth while veteran and multi-titled Jay Bayron bogeyed two of the last three holes at the front for a 73 and dropped to a share of sixth with Jhonnel Ababa (70) and Albin Engino (74) at 142. Orlan Sumcad, the other player in the four-man lead pack after 18 holes of the fabled event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., failed to recover from a bogey-double bogeybogey misfortune from No. 12 and hobbled with a 76, tumbling to joint ninth with Anthony Fernando and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who both fired 71s, at 143, now five strokes behind the joint leaders.

Danilo L. Carlos Jr., single, Filipinos and with residence and postal address at 11 Marathon St. Roxas District, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; Apple Joy Carlos Catugas, Filipino and with address at 274D Gummamela St., Capitol Estates I, Batasan Hills, Quezon City., being the daughter of the deceased Jose J. Carlos who died on March 16, 1999 and who is the son of Speu es Diosdado Carlos and Felicisirna J. Carlos; Jose Carlos Jr., single, Filipino and with address at 274D Gummamela St., Capitol Estates I, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Jose J. Carlos who died on March 16, 1999 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; -andWilfrido J. Carlos, of legal age, with address at 3006 W. Chandler Blvd.Burbank, CA 91505 USA, being the son of the deceased spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; WITNESSETH: That we are the legitimate child and grandchildren and heirs of the deceased Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos (hereinafter referred to collectively as “deceased”) who died on January 1, 2007 and May 18, 2015 respectively at Los Angeles, USA That said deceased died intestate, without Will or Testament, and without any outstanding debts in favor of any person or entity; That the deceased’s heirs in this Extrajudicial Settlement are: A.

Danilo J. Carlos who is likewise deceased and represented by his surviving heirs Brian L. Carlos, Danilo L. Carlos Jr. and Maria Raquel L. Carlos as shown in the attached Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Danilo J. Carlos (Annex A);

Jose J. Carlos who is likewise deceased and represented by Jose C. Carlos Jr. And Apple Joy C. Catugas as shown in the attached Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Jose J. Carlos (Annex B);

Wilfrido J. Carlos, of legal age, with address at 3006 W. Chandler Blvd., Burbank, CA 91505 USA,being the son of the deceased spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos

That the deceased left a parcel of land situated at Quezon City and covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 004-RT2018004332 (102747) and more particularly described as: A parcel of land (LOT D-I0-C-9-A-l) of the subdivision plan (LRC) PSD 47409, being a portion of Lot D-I0-C-9-A (LRC) PSD 46203, LRC REC. No. 7984), situated in the District of Dillman, Quezon City Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 3 to 4 by Lot E-2 (LRC) PSD-42102; Points 4 to 5 by Lot D-I0-C-I0, (LRC) PSD-45150; on the Sw.,NW., and NE., Points 5 to 1 and 1 to 3 by Lot D-I0-C-9-A-3 of the subdivision plan, Beginning at a point marked “1” on Plan Being N. 68 deg. 51’E., 6882.77M. From CBM #37, City of Manila, Thence S. 7 deg. 25’E., 44.70 m. To point 5; thence N. 78 (deg.), 28’W., 55.30 M. To the point of Beginning; containing an area of Two Thousand (2,000) square meters more or less. All points referred to are indicated on the plan and are marked on the ground as follows: points 3 and 4 by old p.s. Cyl. Cone. Mons. 15 x 60 em., and the rest by p.s. Cyl. Cone. Mons. 15 x 60 em. Bearings true; date of the original survey, October 19, 1908 and that of the subdivision survey July 12, 1965. That pursuant to Rule 74, Sec. 1 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, we do hereby adjudicate unto ourselves the parcel of land described above, in equal shares. That FURTHER, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the sum of EIGHTY MILLION PESOS, Philippine Currency, to us in hand paid to our entire satisfaction by Maxwell Heavy Equipment Corporation, a corporation duly organized under Philippine laws, with address at 1760 Taft Avenue, Pasay City and herein represented by Ferdinand M. Pallera, we do hereby ASSIGN, SELL, CONVEY and TRANSFER by way of ABSOLUTE SALE unto the said buyer, its successors and assigns, ali our rights and interests in the pat’cel of land described above and bindourselves to defend this conveyance, against valid/lawfulclaim/s of any and/ or all thirdperson/s. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto affixed their signatures this________ day of _______ 2018 Signature of Heirs/Vendor:

Joenard Rates celebrates after completing a three-birdie binge on No. 13

BRIAN L. CARLOS

APPLE JOY C. CATUGAS

MARIA RACQUEL L. CARLOS

DANILO L. CARLOS JR.

WILFRIDO J. CARLOS

JOSE M. CARLOS JR.

ACCEPTANCE OF SALE:

Greenies ward off St. Patrick

Smart’s Celia Bangad saves the ball as teammate Caitlin Viray waits for action during their game against the Foton pair of twins Nieza and Jeziela Viray yesterday in the the 2018 Philippine Super Liga (PSL) Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at Sands by the Bay. Roman Prospero

Foton regains groove in beach volley AFTER opening its campaign on a sour note, Foton finally got its groove by posting a 21-10, 21-17 victory over Smart yesterday in the Philippine Superliga Beach Volleyball Challenge Cup at the Sands By the Bay in Mall of Asia. Nieza and Jeziela Viray banked on their solid attacks and airtight defense to hammer their second win in two matches and punch a ticket into the quarterfinals of this prestigious summer spectacle bankrolled by PLDT, Sunsilk, Isuzu, Senoh, Mikasa, Maynilad, Petron, SM Malls, Generika Drugstore and UCPB Gen. Also barging into the win column

in the second day of this battle that also has ESPN5 and Aksyon TV as official broadcaster is the F2 Logistics pair of Michelle Morente and Fritz Gallenero, who outmuscled Cocolife B of Marge Tejada and Alex Tan, 21-16, 21-11, in the second match of women’s division. In the men’s side, Sands By the Bay and Cignal swept their respective pool plays to march into the semifinals. Bryan Bagunas and James Natividad of Sands By the Bay overcame Joshua Ylaya and JP Pareja, 21-10, 2113, to top Pool A, while Mike Abria and Jessie Lopez of Cignal blasted Philip Bagalay and Gregory Utopia

Local players hold ground in Butuan Cebuana netfest LOCAL bets from host city Bu- topher Sonsona; boys’ 18-under tuan made their presence felt in champion Vaughn Spencer the younger age categories of the Codilla, who beat Lex Estillore recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age from Zamboanga del Sur in three Group Tennis Championship Se- sets, 6-7, 6-4, 12-10; Codilla, who ries in this Southern City as also shared the boys’ 18-under Joshua Jazz Cinco, Charzel Car- doubles’ crown with Agustines at zon, and May Arabella Alejandro the expense of Estillore and partendominated their respective cate- er Kenichiro Suzuki; Estillore, who gories in the Group 2 tournament consoled himself with the boys’ 16-under title after winning over that attracted 118 entries. It was actually an all-Butuan Zamboanga del Norte’s Dwayne affair in both the boys’ and girls’ Russel Daaroy, 6-1, 7-5. In the distaff side of the tourna12-under and the girls’ 14-under. Cinco edged out Paul Andre ment backed by Dunlop as the ofSingcol, 6-3, 6-7, 10-6, for the ficial ball, Siquijor native Ellaine 12-under crown, while in the dis- Rose Bahonsua needed three sets taff side of the same age group, to dispose of Cebuana Shedel Carzon posted an easy 6-1, 6-4 Aighey Gica, 4-6, 6-2, 10-2, for the girls’ 14-under crown. victory over Keziah Singcol. Bahonsua made it a double as Alejandro, meanwhile, beat Samantha Singcol, 6-1,6-0, in the she teamed up with Gica to rule the 18-under doubles’ category, while girls’ 14-under finals. “I believe we will never run out Merkisslyn Ubay-ubay posted a of new talents in the provinces 6-2, 6-1 win over Angelly Esguerra wherever we hold legs of this to win the 18-under. grassroots tennis developmental program. This recent leg in Butuan City again enabled us to spot young players with a lot of potentials,” 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of the sponsoring Cebuana 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ Lhuillier Group. There were also familiar names among the DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 visiting players, led by perennial champion Nash Agustines from Oroquieta DIGITS 00-00-00 City, who copped the boys’ 14-under after a 6-2, EZ2 00-00 6-2 beating of Lanao del Norte bet John Chris-

of Smart, 21-14, 21-16, following their 21-17, 21-18 thrashing of Alsali Pajiji and Relan Taneo of Navy. But the day belonged to the Viray twins—the reigning beach volleyball queens of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Competing in the PSL for the first time, the twins displayed tremendous composure early to dictate the tempo and throw Ma. Cecilia Bangad and Caitlyn Viray out of their comfort zones. Jeziela said they struggled in their first match against Cignal B in the opener, prompting them to make some key adjustments that keyed their victory.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE InvItatIon to BId for the Procurement of hePatItIs B vIral load reagents (re-BId) IB no. 2018-158-a 1.

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2018 intends to apply the sum of Thirty Seven Million Nine Hundred Ninety Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Four Philippine Pesos(PhP37,992,924.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Hepatitis B Viral Load Reagents (Re-bid) under IB No. 2018-158-A. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned project. Delivery of the Goods is required within the period specified under SECTION VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within two (2) yearsfrom the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project, equivalent to at least twenty five percent (25%)of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, G/F, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, San Lazaro Compound and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 25 May – 15 June 2018 from the address above and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP25,000.00).

Ferdinand M. Pallera For Maxwell Heavy Equipment Corporation SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

Known to me and to me known to be the same persons who executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free act and voluntary deed. This instrument, consisting of three (3) pages including the page on which this acknowledgment is written, has been signed on the left margin of each and every page thereof by: Name

ID Presented

1. WILFRIDO J. CARLOS 2. JOSE M. CARLOS JR. 3. MARIA RACQUEL L. CARLOS 4. BRIAN L. CARLOS 5. APPLE JOY C. CATUGAS 6. DANILO L. CARLOS JR.

720-368-171 229-698-146 218-838-019 447-059-810 253-944-042 301-226-093

Issued on

Issued at

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my notarial seal this MAY day of 03, 2018 in QUEZON CITY, Philippines. Doc. No. 332 Page No. 70 Book No. 19 Series of 2018

EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF DANILO J. CARLOS This Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate is executed by and between: Brian L. Carlos, of legal age, married, Filipinos, and with residence and postal address at 11 Marathon SI:. Roxas District, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; Maria Raquel L. Carlos, single, FilipinO, and with residence and postal address at No.2 Upsilon Drive SI:. Old Balara, Quezon City being the daughter of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; AND Danilo L. Carlos Jr., single, Filipinos and with residence and postal address at 11 Marathon St. Roxas District, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Danilo J. Carlos who died on April 13, 2013 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; WITNESSETH: That 1. Danilo J. Carlos, Filipino, and married to Grace L. Carlos, both deceased and who died on April 13, 2013 and on January 15, 2015 respectively leaving the former’s share in a real property of his parents Felicisima and Diosdado Carlos covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 004-RT2018004332 (102747) and more particularly described as: A parcel of land (LOT D-10-C-9-A-l) of the subdivision plan (LRC) PSD 47409, being a portion of Lot D-I0-C-9-A (LRC) PSD 46203, LRC REC. No. 7984), situated in the District of Diliman, Quezon City Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 3 to 4 by Lot E-2 (LRC) PSD-42102; Points 4 to 5 by Lot D-I0-C-I0, (LRC) PSD-45150; on the SW., NW., and NE., Points 5 to 1 and 1 to 3 by Lot D-10-C-9-A-3 of the subdivision plan, Beginning at a point marked “1” on Plan Being N. 68 deg. 51’E., 6882.77M. From CBM #37, City of Manila, Thence S. 7 deg. 25’E., 44.70 m. To point 5; thence N. 78 (deg.), 28’W., 55.30 M. To the point of Beginning; containing an area of Two Thousand (2,000) square meters more or less. All points referred to are indicated on the plan and are marked on the ground as follows: points 3 and 4 by old p.s. Cyl. Conc. Mons. 15 x 60 cm., and the rest by P.5. Cyl. Cone. Mons. 15 x 60 cm. Bearings true; date of the original survey, October 19, 1908 and that of the subdivision survey July 12,1965. 2. That said deceased died intestate, without Testament and without leaving any debts whatsoever; 3. That they are the sole heirs of the deceased; 4. That pursuant to Sec. 1, Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Court of the Philippines, and the parties herein being all of age, they have agreed to divide and adjudicate as they do hereby divide and adjudicate, the aforementioned share of the decedent in the subject property among themselves in CO-EQUAL shares and interests; 5. That they hereby affirm that they have executed the foregoing instrument out of their own voluntary free will without force, intimidation or violence upon their persons, that they have hereby received their just and proper shares and have no claim or demand against each other; 6. That they hereby bind themselves to defend this conveyance, against valid/lawfulclaim/s of any and/or all thirdperson/s. WE have mutually agreed to SELL, OFFER TO SELL, NEGOTIATE and come to an agreement as to the purchase price and other terms and conditions of sale, if any, and therefore make, execute, sign and deliver for us, and in our names the Extrajudicial Settlement with Deed of Absolute Sale, conveying title to the purchaser of the share of the deceased in the subject parcel of land herein above described inherited by us, and to receive the considerations of the sale thereof. WITNESS THEIR HANDS, this 03 day of MAY, 2018 at QUEZON CITY. Signed: BRIAN L. CARLOS

MARIA RACQUEL L. CARLOS DANILO L. CARLOS JR.

Signed in the presence of:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OF QUEZON ) BEFORE ME, a Notary Public for and in QUEZON CITY, personally appeared the following persons with their respective IDs./ competent evidence of Name

Competent Evidence of Identity

BRIAN L. CARLOS MARIA RACQUEL L. CARLOS DANILO L. CARLOS JR.

Place/date of Issuance

447-059-810 218-838-019 301-226-093

all known to me and to me known to be the same persons who were executed the foregoing instrument and they acknowledged to me that the same is their free act and deed. I further certify that this instrument refers to an Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate Among Heirs consisting of h’ee (3) pages including the page where this acknowledgment is written, has been signed by the instrumental witnesses and sealed within my notarial seal. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set my hand on this MAY day of 03 2018, QUEZON CITY, Philippines. Doc. No. 327 Page No. 69 Book No. 19 Series of 2018. Annex B EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF THE ESTATE OF JOSE J. CARLOS This Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate is executed by and between: Apple Joy C. Catugas, married, Filipino and with address at 274D Gummamela St., Capitol Estates I, Batasan Hills, Quezon City, being the daughter of the deceased Jose J. Carlos who died on March 16, 1999 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; and Jose M. Carlos Jr., single, Filipino and with address at 274D Gummamela St., Capitol Estates If Batasan Hills, Quezon City, being the son of the deceased Jose J. Carlos who died on March 16, 1999 and who is the son of Spouses Diosdado Carlos and Felicisima J. Carlos; WITNESSETH: That 1. Jose J. Carlos, Filipino, and who died in Quezon City on March 16, 1999 and leaving his share in a real property of his parents Felicisima and Diosdado Carlos covered by Transfer Certificate of Title No. 004-RT2018004332 (102747) and more particularly described as follows: A parcel of land (LOT D-I0-C-9-A-l) of the subdivision plan (LRC) PSD 47409, being a portion of Lot D-I0-C-9-A (LRC) PSD 46203, LRC REC. No. 7984), situated in the district of Diliman, Quezon City Island of Luzon. Bounded on the NE., points 3 to 4 by Lot E-2 (LRC) PSD-42102; Points 4 to 5 by lot D-I0-C-I0, (LRC) PSD-45150; on the SW., NW., and NE., Points 5 to 1 and 1 to 3 by Lot D-I0-C-9-A-3 of the subdivision plan, Beginning at a point marked “1” on Plan Being N. 68 deg. 51’E., 6882.77M. From CBM #37, City of Manila, Thence S. 7 deg. 25’E., 44.70 m. To point 5; thence N. 78 (deg.), 28’W., 55.30 M. To the point of Beginning; containing an area of Two Thousand (2,000) square meters more or less. All points referred to are indicated on tlle plan and are marked on the ground as follows: points 3 and 4 by old p.s. Cyl. Cone. Mons. 15 x 60 em., and the rest by p.s. Cyl. Cone. Mons. 15 x 60 cm. Bearings true; date of the original smvey, October 19, 1908 and that of the subdivision survey July 12, 1965. 2. That said deceased died intestate, without Testament and without leaving any debts whatsoever; 3. That we are the sole heirs of the deceased.

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

4. That pmsuant to Sec. 1, Rule 74 of the Revised Rules of Comt of the Philippines, and the parties herein being all of age, they have agreed to divide and adjudicate as they do hereby divide and adjudicate, the aforementioned share of the decedent in the subject property among themselves in CO-EQUAL shares and interests;

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 01 June 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

6. That they hereby bind themselves to defend this conveyance, against valid/lawful claim/ s of any and/ or all third person/ s. WE have mutually agreed to SELL, OFFER TO SELL, NEGOTIATE and come to an agreement as to the purchase price and other terms and conditions of sale, if any, and therefore make, execute, sign and deliver for us, and in our names the Deed of Absolute Sale, conveying title to the pmchaser of the share of the deceased in the subject parcel of land herein above described inherited by us, and to receive the considerations of the sale thereof.

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-C Secretariat at the address below on or before 15 June 2018, 9:00 A.M. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

WITHNESS THEIR HANDS, this 03 day of MAY at QUEZON CITY.

Bid opening shall be on15 June 2018, 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, Ground Floor, Bldg. 6, Department of Health, Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

APPLE JOY C. CATUGAS

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 6/42 6 3 2

SYDNEY Mosqueda delivered 16 points for the La Salle Greenhills Greenies as they warded off St. Patrick School, 107-77, in the junior division of the ongoing 24th Fr. Martin Cup summer tournament at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda-Mendiola campus in Manila. Mosqueda hit seven points for the Greenies, who took control in the first period with a 27-10 lead. The Greenies, who are the reigning junior titlists in the NCAA, went on to score their second straight win in this cagefest supported by Cocolife. In women’s action, Valerie Mamaril and Mary Ann Bastatas showed the way for the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws in their 81-71 smothering of the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons. This handed the Lady Tamaraws their first triumph in three matches. Earlier, Gelo Batayon drilled in 19 points for the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas in their 84-82 triumph over the San Sebastian Staglets. Batayon’s drive and free throw in the last 14 seconds carried the Junior Altas to their fourth straight win. Dave Balo made 17 points for the Staglets, who are the defending champions.

Signature of Buyer`s representative:

The DOH reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: COBAC-C Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1625 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830

(MS-MAY 25, 2018)

(SGD) ROLANDO ENRIQUE D. DOMINGO, MD, DPBO Undersecretary of Health COBAC – C Chairperson

5. That they hereby affirm that they have executed the foregoing instrument out of their own voluntary free will without force, intimidation or violence upon their persons, that they have hereby received their just and proper shares and have no claim or demand against each other;

Signed:

JOSE M. CARLOS JR. ACKNOWLEDGMENT REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY OFQUEZON CITY ) S.S. BEFORE ME, a Notary Public for and in QUEZON CITY. personally appeared the following persons with their respective Ips./ competent evidence of identity, to with: Name Competent

Evidence of Identity

Apple Joy C. Cartugas Jose Carlos

253-944-042 229-698-146

Place/ date of issuance

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

Celtics subdue Cavaliers WASHINGTON—The Boston Celtics, reinvigorated by a return home, beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 96-83 on Wednesday to move within one win of reaching the NBA Finals. Rookie Jayson Tatum scored 24 points to lead five Boston players in double figures as the Celtics took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals. Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James led Cleveland with 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. But James looked at times as if he were feeling the effects of the heavy load he has carried for the Cavs in these playoffs, coughing up six of Cleveland’s 15 turnovers, including four in the second half. “I think everybody at this point is tired or worn down or whatever the case may be,” James said. “I’m fine.” Kevin Love, with 14 points, was the only other player to score in double figures for the Cavs, who host game six on Friday trying to stay on track for a fourth straight trip to the Finals. Game seven, if needed, will be back in Boston on Sunday. James himself is seeking an eighth straight trip to the title series, although he said that streak wouldn’t be on his mind come Friday. “Not at all,” he said. “It’s just all about just win every game and it should put us in position to play for a championship. “We look forward to having an opportunity to force a game seven. It’s up to us to see if we can come back here (to Boston) for one more.” The winner of the series will play either the Golden State Warriors or Houston Rockets for the NBA crown. The Western Conference rivals are locked at 2-2 in their series. With James on the bench to open the fourth quarter, the Celtics pushed a 16-point lead to 21. A 9-0 Cavs run reduced the deficit to 12 points, but Cleveland came up empty on their next four attempts. AFP

Hamilton wants grid girls back MONACO—Four-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has welcomed back the “beautiful” grid girls at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, saying their return is “a lovely thing”. Monaco, the most glamourous race on the Formula One circuit, has made the controversial decision to bring back the girls, banned wherever possible this year by new F1 owners Liberty. “I think women are the most beautiful things in the world,” said Hamilton at a news conference in the principality. “There have been races where we’ve had guys standing at the front, by the car, there’s been a mixture sometimes in the past. “I think this weekend here in Monaco is a very elegant Grand Prix and I don’t know how women feel about it, I’ve not really ever spoken to them about how they feel about the situation so... “I can’t particularly comment, I don’t particularly feel any way about it. But when we pull up at the grid and there’s a beautiful woman on the grid, that’s the Monaco Grand Prix! And it’s a lovely thing.” Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel said he wasn’t troubled by the return of the girls on the grid for Sunday’s race. “I think the whole thing has been blown up, unnecessarily. I don’t think any of the grid girls in the past were forced to do it, I think they enjoyed what they were doing,” said the former champion. “So I agree with Lewis—I think they look beautiful.” Last year, Hamilton qualified 14th and finished seventh in the race as Mercedes suffered with neither of their cars on the podium for the only time last season. AFP

F1 driver Britain’s Lewis Hamilton (right) talks to Germany’s Sebastian Vettel during a press conference at the Circuit de Monaco. AFP

Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) drives to the basket against Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics in Game Five of the 2018 NBA Eastern Conference Finals at TD Garden on May 23, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. AFP

Cells endures bum stomach to win gold ‘Burmese Python’ defends ONE middleweight crown YANGON, Myanmar—Reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar will defend his middleweight title against Ken Hasegawa of Japan at ONE: Spirit of a Warrior on June 29 at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium here. The 33-year-old N Sang captured the ONE Middleweight World Championship with a unanimous decision victory over Vitaly Bigdash in June of 2017. In his most recent bout, he defeated Brazil’s Alexandre Machado to be crowned the new ONE Light Heavyweight World Champion. The humble champion said he will be fighting to win honor and fame not just for himself but for his countrymen. “It is always a pleasure and a privilege to share my skills and talents to everyone back home. As champion, I am willing to take on all comers. It is an honor to represent the country of Myanmar on the biggest global stage of martial arts competition. This world championship means a lot to me, to those who have been behind my career from the very beginning, to my family, and to my friends. I will do everything in my power to defend this title against the hungry lion that is Ken Hasegawa,” said N Sang. The 31-year-old Hasegawa of Kanagawa, Japan makes his ONE Championship debut. The middleweight contender has finished three of his last five opponents, showcasing the undeniable submission skills and thunderous knockout power that he has become known for competing in Japanese martial arts promotions Deep and Rizin. With a professional record of 16-2-1, which includes four submissions and six scintillating knockouts, Hasegawa will step into the ONE Championship cage for the first time. “After eight years of excellence as a professional, I have reached the next stage in my career, and I can’t be any more excited for what is in store for me. I am grateful to ONE Championship for giving me the opportunity to showcase my talents to the world. It is an honor to face Aung La N Sang for the belt. I respect him and what he has accomplished, but I am confident of victory, and my hand will be raised as the new middleweight champion,” said Hasegawa.

By Peter Atencio

EBU City—Karen Cells bucked an upset stomach and, led two other members of the national taekwondo team in posting big wins yesterday in Kiyorugi (sparring) ﬁnals of the Philippine National Games at the SM Seaside Mall here. Suffering from stomach pain before the match, Cells mustered enough willpower to outpoint Baguio City bet Mary Ceniza Quiambao, 19-6, in the flyweight finals. “Problema iyung tiyan ko. Sobrang hapdi, tapos sobrang pinipiga na di ko maintindihan. Ayun, pinilit ko iyung first match point. Hindi ko na sinabi sa coach ko, kasi ayaw ko siyang magalala,”said Cells, who admitted eating too much shellfish at dinner the other night. National teammates Christian de la Cruz and Keybert Lumbanian prevailed over their rivals in the men’s division, with de la Cruz asserting himself with a 24-10 triumph over Kristian Tagarao of Cebu Province. Lumbanian, a varsity player at San Beda University, prevailed over Agusan del Sur’s Elmer Cena, 14-8. For Cells, who is an assistant coach at University of the East, this is her first title win after moving up from the finweight division, and since her weight category is not in the Asian Games. With stomach pain bothering her, Cells fell behind on points after Quiambao went on the offensive in the first round. She wrested the lead in the second round with a roundhouse kick and an axe

kick to the body. De la Cruz, a coach at University of Santo Tomas, focused on the accuracy of his push kicks in beating Tagarao. Lumbanian relied on stamina to outlast Cena. So far, Cebu City leads the overall medal race with 33 golds, 46 silvers and 48 bronzes while Baguio City is in second with a 24-27-29 gold-silver-bronze collection. Mandaluyong City is in third (20-11-12), followed by General Santos City (16-22-25) and Zamboanga City(13-5-11). In cycling, another Asian Games-bound bet Marella Salamat wrapped up her campaign with three gold medals in the cycling competition at Barangay Taboc in Danao City. Salamat, the 24-year-old former Southeast Asian Games champion ended an impressive campaign when she ruled women’s elite criterium event of this multi-sport tourney organized and bankrolled by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), and with with the support of Smart and STI. She took three sprint laps to emerge with 20 points while Avegail Rombaon of Iriga City and Marianne Dacumos of Paranaque City, who finished with 11 and four points to settle for the silver and bronze medal, respectively.

Reigning ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang of Myanmar is a picture of confidence inside the cage before another fight. ONE Championship

Lady Warriors defeat Iriga-Navy Oragons AMERICAN Arielle Love and Jeanette Panaga took charge at the net as Pocari Sweat-Air Force bounced back from a previous setback with a 25-8, 23-25, 25-18, 25-16 over Iriga-Navy in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan late Wednesday. Love and Panaga combined for seven of the Lady Warriors’ 11 blocks as the Lady Warriors banked on their solid play at the net to shake off a 15-25, 25-27, 25-17, 19-25 defeat to the Creamline Cool Smashers in Batangas last weekend.

The Lady Warriors improved to 2-2 for joint fourth with Tacloban. Creamline, PayMaya and BaliPure-NU share the early lead in the season-opening conference organized by Sports Vision with 3-1 slates. Love complemented her superb defensive game with 18 hits while Myla Pablo hammered in 15 kills as Pocari Sweat-Air Force overwhelmed Iriga-Navy from the attack line, 51-35. Love finished with 25 points while Pablo backed her up with 16 markers. Panaga as well as American Madeline

Palmer also delivered from the service line as they combined for six of the Lady Warriors’ nine aces against the Lady Oragons’ four. “In the second set, my team did not become overconfident. Our opponent also stepped up. But my team held on in the third and fourth,” said Pocari Sweat-Air Force coach Jasper Jimenez. American duo Macy Ubben and Lauren Whyte logged 15 points apiece but barely got offensive help from the locals as IrigaNavy dropped its second straight loss for a 1-2 mark at sixth.

Almadro named Lady Eagles coach MULTI-TITLED men’s coach Oliver Almadro will be the new women’s volleyball mentor of the Ateneo Lady Eagles. University president Fr. Jett Villarin, SJ made the announcement on behalf of the school yesterday. Almadro will fill in the void left by Tai Bundit who resigned recently. He will try to help bring the Lady Eagles back on top in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines standings in the coming season. Almadro is fresh from a successful stint with the Blue Eagles, having brought the once-moribund program to three men’s championships and five consecutive Finals appearances. He has an impressive 88-27 win-loss record in seven years as men’s coach. “With his strong passion for the sport, the breadth of experience in forming and mentoring the young, and untiring commitment, Coach Oliver is our man to lead our Lady Eagles to greater heights,” said Villarin in his message to the school community. Ateneo is coming off a third place finish in the just-concluded UAAP women’s volleyball tournament. In his five seasons with the Lady Eagles, Bundit steered the Katipunanbased squad to back-to-back titles in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 seasons. Almadro hopes to bring the success he achieved in the men’s division. Peter Atencio

NFL orders players to stand LOS ANGELES—National Football League owners reached agreement Wednesday on a policy requiring players to stand during the national anthem but giving them the option of remaining in the locker room if they preferred. The issue of how to handle player protests of kneeling during the pre-game playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” has loomed over the NFL club owners meeting in Atlanta, with the sport anxious to avoid a repeat of the controversy that divided the league last season. America’s most popular sport found itself at the center of a political firestorm in 2017 after President Donald Trump described players who kneeled during the anthem to draw attention to racial injustice as “sons of bitches.” The remarks prompted a wave of protests across the league in September, angering some fans and placing several conservative, Trump-supporting team owners in an awkward position. With the NFL’s leadership reluctant to issue a blanket decree ordering players to stand for the anthem, the deal approved Wednesday represents a compromise. Under current NFL regulations, all players are required to be on the field during the anthem. The new policy removes that requirement, allowing players who do not wish to stand to remain in the locker room. Players who do come onto the field for the anthems would be required to stand or teams would be fined. “This season, all league and team personnel shall stand and show respect for the flag and the anthem,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Personnel who choose not to stand for the anthem may stay in the locker room until after the anthem has been performed.” AFP

IN BRIEF Govt expenditures surged 43% in April THE government posted a P46.3-billion surplus in April on strong revenue collection despite the 43-percent surge in government spending. Data from the Bureau of the Treasury showed that the April surplus was lower compared to the P52.8-billion surplus a year ago. This resulted in a fiscal deficit of P105.9 billion in the first four months, higher than the P30.2 billion-shortfall registered a year ago. The Treasury said revenue collection climbed 30 percent in April to P307.6 billion from a year earlier. “Tax collection continues to surge as collecting agencies recorded double-digit growth for the fourth month in a row, allowing the January to April level of P927.4 billion to grow 21 percent,” the Treasury said. The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P232.6 billion in April, or 24 percent better than last year’s level. This resulted in a P655.7billion collection in January to April, up 17 percent from the same period in 2017. Customs’ collection jumped 50 percent in April to P46.8 billion, the highest since the start of the Duterte administration. Government spending surged 43 percent in April to P261.2 billion. Expenditures in the first four months also went up 31 percent to P1.043 trillion. Julito G. Rada

Metro Pacific pushes Cavite-Batangas road MPCALA Holdings Inc., a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., said it is optimistic it will obtain the original proponent status for the P22.43-billion Cavite-Batangas Expressway next month. “We are hopeful that the OPS will be issued soon,” MPCala Holdings president and chief executive Luigi Bautista said Thursday. The Public Works Department said the OPS letter for CTBex was set to be signed by Secretary Mark Villar. CTBex is a proposed 49-kilometer expressway that will connect Cavite and Batangas, with a spur road to Tagaytay City and ultimately terminating in Nasugbu, with another spur road to Tuy, Batangas. Bautista said the CTBex project was expected to start construction by the first quarter of 2019. Once completed, the project would cut travel time from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Nasugbu, Batangas from 2.5 hours to just an hour. The project was targeted to be completed by the first half of 2022. The project will start at Silang East Interchange of Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

SEC approves Del Monte unit’s P17.5-b offering By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday approved the P17.5-billion initial public offering of fruit grower and canner Del Monte Philippines Inc., according to commission secretary Armando Pan Jr. Documents filed with the SEC showed DMPI, the local unit of listed Del Monte Pacific Ltd., would sell 587.437 million secondary shares at for up to P29.88 apiece. The offer shares represent 21 percent of the company’s outstanding capital stock. DMPI said the shares would be sold by shareholder Central American Resources Inc. by way of secondary offering. Cari is a wholly- owned subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Resources Ltd. which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of DMPL. Net proceeds from the offering will be used partially prepay or repay certain facilities extended by DMPL and to refinance certain financial obligation of the DMPL group to significantly reduce its leverage position, documents showed. BDO Unibank Inc. is the issue manager, sole global coordinator and bookrunner for the offering. Filings showed that 70 percent of the offer shares would be sold to domestic investors and the remaining 30 percent to foreign institutional ands retail investors. The company originally planned to conduct the IPO in April, but it was deferred to give way to the big ticket rights offering of two banks. DMPI is now looking at June for the planned share sale. DMPI produces and distributes food and beverage products in the Philippines under the Del Monte brand, such as fruit juices and juice drinks, packaged pineapple and mixed fruit, various tomato, spaghetti sauces and culinary mixes. It also exports these products under other brands.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

Banks’ required reserves cut By Julito G. Rada

HE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday reduced again the reserve requirement ratio of banks by one percentage point to free up more liquidity into the market.

The Bangko Sentral said the RRR was reduced to 18 percent from 19 percent. It said the move was a part of its broad medium-term ﬁnancial market reform agenda. The reduction in the reserve requirement ratio would take effect June 1,

2018. This followed a similar one-percentage cut in RRR in March. Reserve requirement or cash reserve ratio is a central bank regulation that sets the minimum amount of reserves that should be held by a commercial bank. “The reduction will apply to those reservable liabilities of all banks and nonbank ﬁnancial institutions with quasibanking functions that are currently subject to a reserve requirement of 19 percent,” the Bangko Sentral said. ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said the RRR cut was expected by the market. “The market takes this for now as a liquidity infusion which is seen to ease short-term rates,” he said. Cuyegkeng said the RRR reduction along with the maturity of P130 billion worth of ﬁxed-rate treasury notes would

further weigh on the peso which closed at a near 12-year low of 52.55 against the US dollar Friday. Bangko Sentral said the gradual and phased reduction in reserve requirement ratios was part of the shift toward a more market-based implementation of monetary policy to gradually reduce reliance on reserve requirements for managing liquidity in the financial system. The Monetary Board said the shift to the auction-based monetary operations under the interest rate corridor framework allowed the BSP to provide more effective guidance to short-term market interest rates which should help facilitate healthy price discovery on the cost of funds in the financial system. “The reduction in reserve requirements is also part of the BSP’s broad financial sector reform agenda to pro-

mote a more efficient financial system by lowering intermediation costs,” it said. The Monetary Board said the calibrated reductions in reserve requirement ratios were not intended to signal any change in the prevailing monetary policy stance, as the BSP continued to have the scope to offset their potential liquidity impact via an expansion in auctionbased monetary operations. “Shifts in the monetary policy stance will continue to be signaled through adjustments in the policy rate, which will in turn continue to depend primarily on the BSP’s outlook for inflation as informed by economic data,” it said. The BSP said it attained sufficient progress in its shift towards the use of market-based monetary instruments since the adoption of the interest rate corridor framework in June 2016.

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, May 24, 2018

WEALTH REPORT.

Santos Knight Frank Inc. continues to strengthen position as the leading global real estate services provider in the Philippines as it hosts members of Knight Frank’s global leadership team to mark the official launch in Manila of The Wealth Report 2018, a publication which brings together the latest intelligence and the sharpest insights into the issues that matter most to luxury property investors. Santos Knight Frank chairman and chief executive Rick Santos (right) welcomes Lord Andrew Hay, a Knight Frank Group executive board member, global head of residential and chair of the Global Wealth Team during his visit to the Philippines.

Aboitiz to proceed with Naga purchase POWER Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. issued a certiﬁcate of effectivity to allow Therma Power Visayas Inc., a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corp., to initiate the purchase of the Naga Power Plant Complex in Naga City, Cebu. Aboitiz Power said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the COE implemented the Sept. 28, 2015 decision of the Supreme Court, which upheld the April 30, 2014 award of the facility to TPVI. “We appreciate the decision of PSALM and we look forward to operating the facility and contribute to securing the energy needs of the Visayas,” Aboitiz Power president and chief operating ofﬁcer Antonio Moraza said. PSALM issued a notice of award to TPVI in 2014 after it offered the highest bid of P1.088 billion for the asset after two failed bidding. The Naga Power Plant Complex is composed of diesel and coal power plants with a combined capacity of 153.1 MW. Alena Mae S. Flores

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

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

52.3730

Japan

Yen

0.009085

0.4758

Pound

1.335100

69.9232

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127400

6.6723

Switzerland

Franc

1.004621

52.6150

Canada

Dollar

0.779484

40.8239

Singapore

Dollar

0.744435

38.9883

Australia

Dollar

0.755900

39.5888

Bahrain

Dinar

2.649358

138.7548

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

13.9654

Brunei

Dollar

0.741675

38.8437

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000070

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.031124

1.6301

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.2597

Euro

1.169800

61.2659

Korea

Won

0.000929

0.0487

China

Yuan

0.156536

8.1983

India

Rupee

0.014628

0.7661

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.251256

13.1590

New Zealand

Dollar

0.691400

36.2107

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033371

1.7477

Source: PDS Bridge

Manila

Standard

ERRATUM

TODAY

Toyota Aisin to produce AT boxes in PH By Othel V. Campos A JOINT venture of Toyota Motor Philippines Corp. and Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. plans to manufacture automatic transmission boxes in the Philippines to complement manual transmission production. Toyota Autoparts Philippines Inc., which manufactures parts and accessories for Toyota in its facility in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, will invest in AT production and will be renamed Toyota Aisin Phils. Inc. This followed the signing of a P1.2-billion share swap agreement between TMP and Aisin Seiki Co. Ltd. in Toyota Autoparts Philippines Inc. Aisin infused P1.2 billion in TAP to become the majority shareholder with 61 percent, up from 34 percent ownership, while Toyota’s stake will drop to 34 percent from 61 percent.

Aisin said it decided to increase its share in TAP to strengthen its competitiveness by consolidating the manual transmission functions of Toyota, allowing for more efficient allocation of resources. The P1.2-billion additional capital infusion will be used to partly fund the establishment of automatic transmission in the Philippines, it said. Aisin said it would step up efforts to further improve TAP’s competitiveness in transmissions to support business expansion. It made a partial equity investment in TAP in 2016, as a part of its overseas MT business and participated in the management of TAP’s business operations. TAP served as one of Toyota’s global MT supply bases. TAP invested P5.6 billion in 2018 to increase capacity and an additional P2.5 billion in 2015 to start producing new 6-speed MTs.

Peso weakens to 12-year low of 52.55 a dollar THE peso on Thursday fell to a 12-year low against the US dollar on high corporate demand for the US dollar and widening trade deficit. The peso lost eight centavos to close at 52.55 a greenback Thursday, down from 52.47 on May 23. It was its weakest level in almost 12 years, or since it settled at 52.745 on July 19, 2006. Total volume traded reached $899.95 million Thursday, up from $529.9 million Wednesday. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. remained unworried despite the peso’s decline, saying it was natural for the currency to move up and down. “That is market… It goes up and down. What can I say,” Espenilla said in reply to a query. He said that he was not worried on the current level of the peso. ING Bank Manila senior economist Joey Cuyegkeng said the high oil prices were pulling down the peso. “Net oil importing economies like the Philippines are affected and partly seen in PHP [Philippine peso],” Cuyegkeng said. He said the Philippines returned to a situation of twin deficits―fiscal and current account. He said both deficits were “seen to widen from

last year to level not seen in the recent past. “But these deficits are manageable in our view. But with market risk sentiment low such manageable deficits add to overall emerging markets’ risks,” he said. Cuyegkeng said the drop in remittances in March contributed to the underlying weakness of the peso. Remittances declined 9.8 percent in March from a year earlier. “The recent bout of PHP weakness is a combination of this shortfall, low emerging market risk appetite, the market’s dovish take of the central bank’s policy rate hike and higher oil prices,” Cuyegkeng said. He said the reduction in reserve requirement ratio of banks from 19 percent to 18 percent would free up more liquidity into the market and pull down the value of the local currency against the US dollar. Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd. said it was expecting the peso to end the year at 53.50 a dollar. The country’s external position weakened in 2017, with the current account deficit hitting $2.5 billion. The Bangko Sentral said it was expecting the current account to register a deficit of $700 million this year. Julito G. Rada

This is to correct the amount reported under the Net NPLs account, which in effect changed the Ratio of Net NPLs to Gross TLP (%) in the March 31, 2018 published Balance Sheet of Citibank NA last April 26, 2018. The correct amount and rate should be as shown below: Net NPLs

226,618,343.84

Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%)

0.13% (MS-MAY 25, 2018)

MARKET AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF

MSRD Resolution No.15 Series of 2018

PAL HOLDINGS, INC. x--------------------------------x ORDER

WHEREAS, on April 25, 2018, PAL Holdings, Inc. (“Company”) submitted its Amended Definitive Information Statement (“DIS”) and Management Report relative to the scheduled Annual Stockholders’ meeting on May 31, 2018. WHEREAS, the company distributed its DIS on May 3, 2018, the approximate date of distribution as indicated in the DIS. WHEREAS, on May 21, 2018, the company filed with the Commission a request for approval to make certain changes to the DIS as follows: 1. Mr. Antonio L. Alindogan, Jr., who was elected as a director at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting held last 25 May 2017, passed away last 6 May 2018; and 2. In its meeting held on 18 May 2018, the Committee approved the nomination of Mr. Cirilo P. Noel as a regular director in place of Mr. Alindogan. Below is the pertinent information regarding Mr. Noel: Age Citizenship 60

Filipino

Current affiliations and Business Experience in the last 5 years Director of LH Paragon Group, Golden ABC Member, Director Amber Kinetics (Phils.); Senior Adviser of EY Global Delivery Services (Philippines) Inc.; Trustee of St. Luke’s Medical Center; Trustee of SGV Foundation; Board Member of US-Philippines Society; Trustee of Makati Business Club; Member of Asean Business Club; and Independent Director of Globe Telecom, Inc.

WHEREFORE, pursuant to the authority given by the Commission En Banc in SEC Resolution No. 388, Series of 2016, the Markets and Securities Regulation Department hereby approves on 22 May 2018 the company’s request to make certain correction to its previously filed DIS subject to its full compliance of SRC Rule 20.3.3.4.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director (MS-MAY 25, 2018)

Business

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks climb to end 6-day slump T HE stock market rose Thursday on bargainhunting to snap a sixday slump, with investors picking up some blue-chip issues that fell sharply in previous trading sessions.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 92.06 points, or 1.2 percent, to 7,652.53 on a value turnover of P6.2 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 109 to 74, with 57 issues unchanged. Speculative issue Now Corp., which is bidding to become the third major telecommunications company in the country, jumped 23.7 percent to P11.38, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender in terms of assets, advanced 5.3 percent to 99. DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji

family climbed 3.7 percent to P10.66, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest bank, gained 2 percent to P128.50. The rest of Asian markets were mixed Thursday with traders concerned about the China-US trade deal and Donald Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un, while automakers were hit by news Washington was considering huge tariffs on vehicle imports. Investors went into selling mode despite minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest policy meeting that showed the central bank was less hawkish on interest rates than previously thought. The selling is a far cry from the start of the week when equities rallied on news that top ofﬁcials from China and the United States had agreed to pull back from imposing levies on billions of dollars of goods, averting a potentially damaging trade war. But since Monday’s gains, Trump

hike in borrowing costs, which have been needling markets for several months. But while the minutes lifted Wall Street, Asian investors were harder to please. Hong Kong was ﬂat and Singapore added 0.6 percent but Shanghai fell 0.5 percent, Seoul shed 0.2 percent and Sydney was slightly higher. Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta were all up and Bangkok was down. Regional auto giants were sharply lower after the Commerce Department said it had launched a probe that could allow Trump to impose tariffs on auto imports over national security concerns. “There is evidence suggesting that, for decades, imports from abroad have eroded our domestic auto industry,” Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said. Japanese giant Toyota plunged more than three percent and Nissan fell 1.8 percent in Tokyo, while Kia dived 2.8 percent in Seoul. With AFP

has voiced his displeasure at that agreement and also raised the possibility that a historic summit with North Korean leader Kim on June 12 could be delayed or called off. A key aide to Kim on Thursday hit out at comments from Vice President Mike Pence and warned the talks could be cancelled. Japan’s Nikkei was the biggest loser, shedding more than one percent in the morning session as the yen surged against the dollar to its highest level in nine days. As the latest developments fuel uncertainty, investors have shifted into the Japanese unit, which is seen as a safe haven. Adding to selling in the greenback were the Fed minutes, which showed it may be willing to let inﬂation run slightly higher and above its two percent target, as long as the spikes were temporary. The comments soothed worries about a sharp

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58.85 33,710 99 1,057,730 2.99 4,000 128.5 1,066,250 1.46 29,000 33.8 45,500 16.78 77,800 14.82 563,600 0.54 2,100,000 82 2,294,710 1.07 1,137,000 12.74 100 51.45 187,760 204 2,950 106 10 86.1 520 37.8 37,200 200 151,800 89 22,780

1,983,155 103,983,844 11,970 136,301,618 42,100 1,544,745 1,303,786 8,391,992 1,119,390 185,866,204.50 1,185,760 1,274 9,681,047 600,604 1,060 44,882 1,412,490 30,032,784 2,027,435.50

1,398,619.50 55,569,246 28,613,358 -332,630.00 252,016 -1,831,360 -10,600 -46,888,081 185,140 -7,825,630 -52,850 8,660 265,600 -7,827,188 -333,757.50

37.75 14.4 0.58 1.25 20 0.223 114.3 3 16.82 49.1 23.7 56.9 64 1.95 5 9.8 10.68 15.6 11.6 7.16 5.16 14.8 62.5 18.7 8.74 15.5 2.11 281.4 5.03 17 26.8 12.3 21.05 327.8 0.186 6.5 2.34 4.2 9.26 5.55 7.83 1.4 12.5 49.95 6.2 4.65 2.22 3.57 1.75 12.26 67.5 5.4 0.133 0.97 131.1 2.6 2.82 0.78

INDUSTRIAL 37.75 486,800 14.6 2,023,100 0.6 2,436,000 1.25 112,000 20.7 28,100 0.231 4,010,000 125 200 3.03 3,443,000 16.96 151,400 50 400,180 23.8 19,100 56.9 50 65.1 640 2 193,000 5 159,900 9.8 4,100 10.76 4,878,800 15.96 1,328,600 11.8 12,600 7.17 248,300 5.28 1,060,900 14.9 295,400 62.9 4,060 19.18 74,900 8.74 85,900 15.5 2,827,100 2.23 3,559,000 285 376,390 5.12 152,100 17.8 2,900 26.9 413,200 12.34 490,400 22.2 3,654,600 330 310,530 0.186 40,000 6.5 7,500 2.38 3,229,000 4.21 217,000 9.28 624,400 5.93 195,100 7.96 2,500 1.41 528,000 12.6 334,900 50.2 527,750 6.2 100 4.7 1,161,000 2.58 2,159,000 3.57 2,000 1.77 354,000 12.5 2,573,000 69.3 195,130 5.48 43,400 0.133 100,000 0.97 1,000 133 1,076,860 2.7 40,000 2.87 33,579,000 0.8 4,453,000

18,488,070 29,461,734 1,419,760 140,080 563,715 916,240 24,127 10,426,030 2,563,796 20,176,241.50 456,570 2,845 41,637 379,160 801,685 40,180 52,515,934 21,012,824 146,344 1,781,071 5,517,389 4,397,202 255,215 1,413,786 753,113 44,372,006 7,753,920 106,779,946 766,648 49,494 11,152,250 6,131,794 79,667,920 102,297,654 7,520 49,298 7,646,020 919,370 5,804,873 1,128,220 19,768 740,690 4,215,320 26,472,714 620 5,456,650 5,286,910 7,150 627,950 31,899,494 13,425,174 235,227 13,300 970 142,913,953 106,570 98,002,250 3,528,330

-4,095,885 13,151,138 1,160 -18,750 20,100 144,930 2,093,018 3,054.50 9,850 -42,181,858 6,068,404 -33,694 4,954 2,749,682 -432,608 -74,666.50 -18,818 -346,539.00 -9,110,450 356,970 -13,987,442 -144,166 4,432,580 280,340 2,271,165 45,526,794 61,900 -404,860 1,368 -3,975 -26,600 1,212,230 -16,705,946.50 0 -34,700 17,700 -2,700,706 2,364,638.50 -21,945,467 320,970 14,200

0.255 64.5 13.18 0.94 6.4 0.7 0.72 950 6.23 10.74 0.21 997.5 7.15 59 5.06 0.62 4.27 21.7 0.63 4.89 0.038 1.13 3.24 143.5 2.56 872.5 0.8 1.61 533 264 0.233 0.199

0.246 62.55 12.96 0.93 6.35 0.66 0.7 938 6.19 10.1 0.21 974 7.11 56.65 5.06 0.61 4.23 21.35 0.57 4.76 0.037 1.09 3.18 141.3 2.55 852 0.8 1.6 527 255.2 0.215 0.191

HOLDING FIRMS 0.246 300,000 64.5 545,390 12.98 2,484,300 0.93 144,000 6.4 31,400 0.68 13,078,000 0.7 2,687,000 942 239,910 6.2 2,528,100 10.66 6,596,100 0.21 190,000 995 49,330 7.11 1,400 59 1,036,220 5.06 200 0.62 4,000 4.26 469,000 21.35 2,905,400 0.6 2,222,000 4.84 18,770,000 0.038 9,800,000 1.11 944,000 3.19 3,568,000 143.5 178,510 2.55 82,000 863 225,550 0.8 7,000 1.61 151,000 527 430 264 6,550 0.215 5,640,000 0.199 90,000

74,130 35,005,232 32,299,604 135,160 200,800 8,875,030 1,896,900 225,823,805 15,682,831 69,488,592 39,900 48,893,145 9,988 60,368,092 1,012 2,460 1,996,890 62,192,215 1,316,590 90,864,090 370,800 1,037,050 11,407,820 25,510,187 209,900 194,384,235 5,600 242,230 227,760 1,700,746 1,249,630 17,750

9,150,181 -15,313,648 1,765,000 -25,688,510 -1,390,835 1,068,976 7,458,235 -12,616,407.50 -834,860 11,426,905 -13,194,650 -111,830 1,369,985.00 -72,399,690 -489,146 -

7.41 1.03 14.26 2.02 0.83 42 3.49 4.85 5.95 6.12 6.12 0.45 0.98 0.234 0.425 31 0.119 1.63 1.27 1.12 4.82 0.71 0.435 0.51 2.69 29.25

7.1 1 13.28 2.02 0.81 41.45 3.43 4.75 5.92 6 6.12 0.44 0.97 0.225 0.42 30.5 0.119 1.58 1.25 1.07 4.66 0.66 0.425 0.5 2.51 29.2

44,341,951 6,597,930 126,020 82,820 698,930 159,870,685 289,390 2,713,110 13,085 181,405 612 3,626,500 123,400 5,378,040 168,050 5,148,445 2,380 33,557,130 3,441,570 2,726,330 71,474,000 173,467,490 1,486,550 1,971,080 20,215,630 14,615

-13,618,706 119,350 -8,200 7,541,635 10,390 468,750.00 -881,500 -1,021,530 -34,290 -8,918,620 163,000 19,912,880 1,732,280 -21,500 -35,700 406,180 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PHILTRUST PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

57.8 95.9 3 126.1 1.47 34.35 16.7 15.28 0.54 80.8 1.07 12.74 51.65 204 106 86.6 38.65 199 89

58.95 99 3 128.7 1.47 34.35 16.82 15.28 0.55 82 1.07 12.74 51.65 208 106 86.6 38.65 200 89.1

57.75 94.5 2.99 126 1.4 33.75 16.7 14.82 0.53 80.3 1.03 12.74 51.45 203 106 86.1 37.8 195.5 89

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 LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP 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

38 14.5 0.58 1.25 20.5 0.224 114.3 3.03 16.98 49.1 24 56.9 64.1 2 5.05 9.8 10.8 15.76 11.62 7.2 5.17 14.82 62.5 18.8 8.81 16.2 2.32 287 5.1 17.06 27.15 12.88 21.35 329 0.19 6.6 2.4 4.3 9.38 5.7 7.97 1.4 12.6 50.1 6.2 4.7 2.32 3.58 1.81 12.84 67.5 5.48 0.133 0.97 133.5 2.6 3.05 0.81

38.35 14.6 0.6 1.26 21.1 0.233 125 3.09 16.98 50.95 24.3 56.9 66.5 2 5.05 9.8 10.84 15.96 11.86 7.2 5.28 15.3 63.8 19.18 8.92 16.34 2.32 287 5.18 17.8 27.15 12.88 22.2 330 0.19 6.6 2.42 4.3 9.38 5.93 7.97 1.42 12.6 50.5 6.2 4.7 2.58 3.58 1.81 12.84 69.3 5.48 0.133 0.97 133.8 2.7 3.05 0.82

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG 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 WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.25 62.55 13 0.94 6.35 0.68 0.72 950 6.22 10.24 0.21 974 7.15 58 5.06 0.62 4.24 21.45 0.63 4.8 0.038 1.11 3.23 142 2.56 852 0.8 1.61 533 260 0.231 0.191

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CEBU PROP A CEBU PROP B CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP PTFC REDEV CORP

7.22 1.02 13.28 2.02 0.82 41.5 3.49 4.76 5.92 6.12 6.12 0.45 0.98 0.234 0.425 31 0.119 1.63 1.27 1.12 4.74 0.7 0.43 0.51 2.64 29.25

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

19.56 2 3.3 37.45 1.1 9.6 0.8 6.41

19.9 2.04 3.31 38 1.12 9.6 0.8 6.42

19.2 1.99 3.22 37.45 1.08 9.04 0.77 6.25

19.9 1.99 3.3 37.9 1.08 9.4 0.8 6.35

3,160,700 158,000 21,000 6,211,900 3,047,000 393,400 253,000 2,740,500

61,779,904 315,690 68,730 235,313,760 3,329,010 3,649,449 200,480 17,297,943

-1,490,190 103,640 124,178,900 -52,963 -7,627,539

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

15.7 27.2 1.38 0.45 0.045 13 11.76 0.054 88.8 8.8 7.29 7.33 2.12 18.4 950 1,550 5.68 305.6 3.9 2.05 81.8 13.02 8.19 0.113 1.37 3.57 15.78 4.55 1.03 26.5 0.52 4.18 6.34 3 9.3 9.79 2.9 130 5.87 1,379 1.07 0.39 47.5 89.8 7.17 2.16 1.18 0.44 4.77 0.85 10.86

15.7 27.2 1.38 0.45 0.047 13 11.98 0.056 89.05 8.8 7.35 7.88 2.12 21 950 1,579 5.68 306 3.93 2.25 83.2 13.02 8.2 0.113 1.37 3.57 15.78 4.56 1.06 26.95 0.53 4.18 6.35 3.02 11.44 9.79 2.9 130.5 5.87 1,395 1.08 0.39 47.65 89.9 7.38 2.19 1.18 0.44 4.82 0.85 11.2

15.28 26.5 1.38 0.44 0.045 13 11.76 0.054 88.55 8.8 7.14 7.25 2.12 17.54 950 1,530 5.58 300 3.6 2.05 81.8 13.02 8.17 0.112 1.36 3.53 15.02 4.4 1.02 26.2 0.48 4.1 6.1 2.99 9.3 9.78 2.9 125 5.6 1,361 1.02 0.36 46.8 88 7.17 2.16 1.14 0.42 4.7 0.79 10.86

SERVICES 15.28 27 1.38 0.44 0.047 13 11.86 0.056 88.6 8.8 7.25 7.88 2.12 19.5 950 1,530 5.61 306 3.65 2.18 83 13.02 8.2 0.112 1.37 3.55 15.04 4.41 1.03 26.85 0.53 4.11 6.13 2.99 11.38 9.79 2.9 130.5 5.7 1,395 1.03 0.375 46.95 88.6 7.38 2.17 1.15 0.44 4.78 0.83 11.02

12,100 5,900 51,000 1,940,000 16,800,000 300 20,251,300 3,550,000 43,330 20,400 1,258,200 17,100 16,000 341,800 10 55,620 90,000 5,180 3,325,000 10,000 832,880 2,100 30,000 1,560,000 312,000 73,000 8,700 2,551,000 418,000 801,400 74,000 454,000 1,766,900 652,000 81,298,500 1,900 26,000 2,390 983,300 30,495 8,059,000 3,560,000 745,200 441,610 57,000 272,000 3,799,000 14,030,000 14,917,000 8,371,000 1,177,100

185,862 158,310 70,380 865,800 760,000 3,900 240,843,012 193,800 3,845,418 179,520 9,083,104 125,164 33,920 6,613,476 9,500 86,249,045 503,517 1,572,384 12,253,310 21,670 68,951,810.50 27,342 245,557 175,990 427,410 259,140 132,028 11,374,160 430,790 21,400,505 35,760 1,875,750 10,883,831 1,952,590 853,439,605 18,600 75,400 307,080 5,606,367 42,382,160 8,378,010 1,309,550 35,004,605 39,235,430.50 411,945 589,710 4,391,590 6,025,300 71,263,960 6,799,490 12,980,792

-15,280 36,800 -7,893,392 -2,177,116.50 -2,346,593 -40,312 -34,164,725 367,080 5,418,480 1,578 -148,070 12,471,695 -731,448 -981,390 -942,452 5,874 45,715 -334,052 15,604,470 -55,170 -20,809,355 -15,528,927 -10,038 54,040 -2,591,800 -134,350 -51,761,870 178,780 -594,182

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

0.0028 1.61 4.14 18.72 1.64 0.295 7.35 2.32 0.188 0.136 0.142 0.0085 0.009 1.43 4.9 1.21 0.54 0.92 0.012 0.011 2.01 5.22 12.52 28.95

0.003 1.61 4.14 18.72 1.65 0.295 7.35 2.37 0.188 0.139 0.142 0.0085 0.009 1.44 4.9 1.21 0.54 0.94 0.013 0.012 2.01 5.22 12.54 28.95

0.0027 1.58 4.13 16.4 1.63 0.295 7.29 2.3 0.18 0.134 0.141 0.0084 0.0088 1.42 4.74 1.07 0.53 0.86 0.012 0.011 2.01 5.1 11.74 28.05

MINING & OIL 0.0029 398,000,000 1.6 4,028,000 4.14 55,000 17.58 6,700 1.65 490,000 0.295 70,000 7.29 200 2.36 1,331,000 0.186 310,000 0.134 2,560,000 0.142 460,000 0.0084 9,000,000 0.0088 6,000,000 1.42 45,000 4.75 2,848,000 1.1 340,000 0.53 36,000 0.86 471,000 0.013 514,200,000 0.012 19,100,000 2.01 3,000 5.11 364,100 11.76 4,884,900 28.2 1,424,200

1,115,800 6,423,550 227,290 113,184 803,060 20,650 1,464 3,131,150 56,120 346,190 65,270 76,100 53,100 64,020 13,605,400 372,250 19,130 409,730 6,174,700 227,400 6,030 1,870,229 58,559,888 40,386,660

8,000 -4,140 36,000 -25,510.00 -1,430 -4,659,700 -13,080 3,600 -654,906 -19,136,375

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

26 501 101 109 5.59 980 99.95 1.07 103.8 1,022 1,021 990 77 75.65 76.3 77 77

26 501 101 109 5.59 980 99.95 1.07 103.8 1,022 1,110 990 77.1 75.65 76.3 77 77

26 500 100.5 109 5.59 980 99.95 1.05 103.6 1,021 1,021 990 77 75.15 76.3 76.9 77

PREFERRED 26 1,200 500 2,660 100.5 7,620 109 45,700 5.59 300 980 6,770 99.95 1,000 1.07 145,000 103.6 150 1,022 1,380 1,110 25 990 400 77.1 50 75.15 40,000 76.3 1,000 77 125,460 77 20,000

31,200 1,330,060 768,870 4,981,300 1,677 6,634,600 99,950 153,650 15,556 1,409,560 26,420 396,000 3,852 3,019,470 76,300 9,660,404 1,540,000

-5,200 99,950 -847,460 -

LR WARRANT

2.64

2.67

2.6

WARRANTS 2.6 533,000

1,395,060

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.07 3.19

5.1 3.21

4.93 3.13

5.02 3.17

4,184,846 6,459,950

-20,654 -114,360

5,080

593,925

26,904

8,000

80,800

PROPERTY 7.4 1.02 14 2.02 0.82 41.9 3.47 4.85 5.95 6 6.12 0.445 0.98 0.227 0.42 30.7 0.119 1.59 1.27 1.1 4.82 0.67 0.435 0.51 2.66 29.2

SME

841,300 2,045,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 6,091,700 6,518,000 9,400 41,000 860,000 3,834,500 84,000 562,000 2,200 30,000 100 8,180,000 127,000 23,550,000 400,000 167,900 20,000 20,834,000 2,739,000 2,507,000 14,935,000 257,327,000 3,490,000 3,884,000 7,836,000 500

FIRST METRO ETF USD DMPL A1

116.6 10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

117.2 10.1

FINANCIAL

8,812,964

INDUSTRIAL

90,005,804

HOLDING FIRMS

79,774,309

PROPERTY

380,061,516

SERVICES

196,296,007

MINING & OIL

966,743,449

GRAND TOTAL

1,724,586,496

116.6 10.1

117.2 10.1

DDS

VALUE 1,894.05 (up) 42.19 485,557,644.18 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,895.03 (down) -9.99 987,102,810.06 HOLDING FIRMS 7,474.32 (up) 93.27 2,147,186,088.686 PROPERTY 3,838.13 (up) 36.35 SERVICES 1,518.91 (up) 4.62 860,606,258.48 MINING & OIL 9,710.33 (down) -247.68 1,600,360,658.375 PSEI 7,652.53 (up) 92.06 134,153,438.373 All Shares Index 4,647.35 (up) 35.35 6,226,209,195.12 Gainers: 74; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 57; Total: 240

PBCom okays sale of LTNCDs worth P5b By Julito G. Rada PHILIPPINE Bank of Communications, the 20th-largest lender in terms of assets, will issue long-term negotiable certificates of time deposits of up to P5 billion to raise funds and finance future business operations. The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday its executive committee approved the plan in a meeting held Wednesday. It said it would sell the paper in one or more tranches, subject to the approval of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. “The purpose of the issuance is for general corporate funding, especially long term funding,” the bank said. LTNCDs are products offered to investors looking for a relatively safe investment asset with a higher interest rate compared to a regular savings account or short-term time deposit. As an investment instrument, LTNCDs are very similar to time deposits and bonds but differ with regard to several features. PBCom posted a consolidated net income of P718.7 million in 2017, saying robust growth in the parent bank’s lending activities sustained the momentum from 2016. PBCom said the loan portfolio expanded to P53.4 billion, with corporate and middle market segments accounting for 76 percent of the loans and consumer finance growing expanding percent. Interest income on loans, which registered a 10.8-percent growth to P3.2 billion, contributed largely to the improvement in operating income, it said. The bank did not provide yearon-year comparison. It said the loan portfolio growth was funded largely by low-cost deposit which rose 23.7 percent or P5.3 billion and made up 39.2 percent of total deposit. “The efforts to strengthen low cost deposit generation helped contain the increase in interest expense to a marginal 2 percent,” it said.

BDO, Discover launch Diners Club credit cards in PH BDO Unibank Inc., the country’s biggest lender in terms of assets, tied up with Discover Financial Services, a direct banking and payment services firm based in the United States, to launch Diners Club credit cards in the Philippines. BDO and Discover launched the credit cards in Makati City on Thursday. Diners Club cards now form part of BDO’s extensive lineup of credit card offerings. BDO executive vice president and consumer lending group head Rolando Tanchanco said Diners credit cards were ideal compliment to the bank’s credit cards business line. “We introduce the BDO Diners Club credit cards to further expand the dining and travel perks and privileges we offer our cardholders,” Tanchanco said. He said Diners Club cardholders could now take advantage of a wide range of first-rate services and benefits afforded to all BDO cardholders, as well as access to over 1,200 operating branches nationwide and a large base of merchant acceptance locations. Discover senior vice president and head of global business development Joe Hurley BDO cardholders now had more choice in payments and access to acceptance around the world. The tie-up with BDO will also give local cardholders access to over 28 million merchants across the globe. Tanchanco said two types of cards would be issued—BDO Diners Club International credit card and BDO Diners Club premiere credit card. Both cards earn instant miles for every purchase, P50 to one mile and P30 to one mile, respectively. Discover is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in US financial services. Since its establishment in 1986, it has become one of the largest card issuers in the US. Discover operates a global network comprised of Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations. Julito G. Rada

Manila

Standard

TODAY

Manila

extrastory2000@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Macron, Putin to discuss Syria and Iran nuke deal SAINT PETERSBURG―French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Saint Petersburg on Thursday to meet his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, with the Iran nuclear deal as well as the conﬂicts in Syria and Ukraine on the agenda. The trip is Macron’s ﬁrst to Russia as president and follows a visit by German Chancellor Angela Merkel last week. Europe and Moscow are making diplomatic overtures to save the Iran deal, now under threat after the recent US withdrawal. The French and Russian leaders will “take the time for an indepth one-on-one discussion”, according the Elysee. Macron will be accompanied by his wife Brigitte during the trip, which will also see him address the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum. The meeting comes almost exactly a year since the freshly elected Macron hosted Putin in Versailles, when the French leader accused Russian media of producing “lying propaganda” during a joint press conference. This time Putin will welcome the French president to the Kon-

stantin Palace, a former residence of Peter the Great set some 20 kilometers outside Saint Petersburg. The talks take place after President Donald Trump in early May controversially pulled the US out of the 2015 landmark pact with Iran that placed limits on its nuclear program in return for easing economic sanctions. Washington is threatening stinging fresh sanctions if Tehran does not comply with a set of strict new demands. Saving the deal provides a rare point of agreement between Moscow and European countries, which have seen relations tank in recent years over crises in Ukraine and Syria, as well as accusations of meddling in foreign elections and the poisoning of an ex-Russian spy in Britain. “Russia shares the position of the majority of the international community including Western leaders” when it comes to the Iran deal, said Alexander Baunov of the Carnegie Moscow Center. The West has realized that a dialogue with Putin is “inevitable” in order to preserve the accord, he said. AFP

Najib questioned again over corruption scandal PUTRAJAYA―Former Malaysian leader Najib Razak arrived at the anti-graft agency Thursday to be questioned for a second time this week over a multi-billiondollar corruption scandal following his shock election loss. Najib’s coalition suffered a defeat at the May 9 poll which ended their six-decade hold on power, beaten by a reformist alliance led by Mahathir Mohamad. Mahathir, who ﬁrst served as premier from 1981-2003 and came out of retirement aged 92 to take on Najib, campaigned on claims that the former leader and his cronies looted sovereign wealth fund 1MDB. Billions of dollars were allegedly stolen from the fund in a sophisticated fraud, and used to buy everything from artworks to highend real estate. Since Najib’s ouster, police have seized cash reportedly amounting to at least $25 million, plus jewels and handbags in raids on properties linked to him and his unpopular wife. Najib pushed through a huge media scrum at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission

headquarters in the administrative capital of Putrajaya as he arrived to be quizzed about 1MDB money allegedly ending up in his personal bank accounts. He smiled and waved at journalists as he went into the building. He had already been questioned at the agency for over four hours on Tuesday. Najib is being probed by the anti-corruption body over SRC International, an energy company that was originally a subsidiary of 1MDB. According to an investigation by the Wall Street Journal, 42 million ringgit ($10.6 million) originating from SRC was transferred to Najib’s personal bank accounts, just one small part of the graft scandal. Hundreds of millions of dollars from 1MDB allegedly ended up in Najib’s accounts but the exleader and the investment vehicle have denied any wrongdoing. The US Department of Justice alleges that at least $4.5 billion was looted from the fund, and is seeking to seize assets worth $1.7 billion in the US which it says were bought with stolen money. AFP

Standard

TODAY

“This action is to reciprocate the Maduro regime’s decision to declare the Charge d’Affaires and Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Caracas personae non grata,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement Wednesday. The Charge d’Affaires of the Venezuelan embassy and the Dep-

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (CAPEX) FOR THE YEAR 2017 IMPLEMENTED CAPEX AND THE PROPOSED 2018 TO 2020 PROJECTS, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that on 12 December 2017, Cabanatuan Electric Corporation (CELCOR) filed an Application dated 06 December 2017 (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of its capital expenditures (CAPEX) for the year 2017 implemented CAPEX and the proposed 2018 to 2020 projects, with prayer for provisional authority. CELCOR alleged the following in its Application: THE APPLICANT 1. Applicant CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION (hereinafter referred to as “CELCOR” for brevity) is a domestic corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at Brgy. Bitas, Maharlika Highway, Cabanatuan City. 2. It is a duly authorized distribution utility with a franchise area covering the entire territory of Cabanatuan City, Province of Nueva Ecija. The City of Cabanatuan is a chartered city under Republic Act No. 526 entitled “An Act Creating the City of Cabanatuan”. 3.

It was granted franchise renewal by an act of Congress under R.A. 9968 which extended its authority to operate and distribute power to the City of Cabanatuan for another 25 years beginning March 6, 2010 until March 6, 2035.

On August 15, 2015, CELCOR filed its CAPEX expenditure program for the year 2015, which was docketed under ERC Case No. 2015-150 RC. The said application is still awaiting the decision of the Commission.

The program of CELCOR, geared towards improving the services to its customers and ensuring its compliance with various performance standards of the Philippine Distribution Code, is required so that it can fulfill and comply with the stated requirements of Section 2 of its Congressional Franchise. This application is being filed before the Honorable Commission for the consideration and approval of CELCOR’s proposed Capital Expenditure Projects for the period 2017 to 2021 in compliance with the requirements of ERC and other pertinent laws and rules.

A. CAPEX PROJECTS 7.

The CAPEX program of CELCOR was group into Network and NonNetwork with projects that would address the adequacy, safety, reliability, and efficiency of the distribution system and provide the Company with the necessary supporting facilities and equipment for the utility’s operation. Forecasted growth was matched with appropriate projects while compliance with regulatory and statutory requirement was given its due attention in both categories of the program. The following factors greatly influenced the program of CELCOR for the RY 2017 - 2020: a.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee. 6.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 1, 2018, 3:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before June 14, 2018, 2:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification. The Provincial Government of Quirino reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Engr. Dencio A. Pagbilao Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino +639175007275 +639177756155

(MS-MAY 25, 2018)

It is imperative for CELCOR to implement this program expenditures to eliminate concerns on metering facility’s inaccuracy and inefficiency as a source of losses. The projects under this category will enable CELCOR to cope up with the very stringent requirements of the system loss cap. Compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements. Apart from the forecasted growth and supply continuity, CELCOR is required to comply with the standards in power quality, service related indices, monitoring of electrical parameters, and maintenance of its facilities. These are mandatory requirements which CELCOR needs to report on a regular basis. Appropriate projects have to be set in place to satisfy these prescribed standards. Work station equipment, data processing software, and automation technology With the robust development in the franchise area, CELCOR is constrained to provide a more reliable service with emphasis on supply continuity and expeditious response to the transmission line concerns in the distribution system. CELCOR would like to use updated technology in operating its power facilities and to benefit from the cost saving that will be derived from lower operational expense while improving its system reliability with the use of SCADA. Complementary support and service efficiency improvement for distribution system operation.

The Network projects of CELCOR require complementing Non-Network project expenditures which will have an impact on its overall objective to improve its business and to be more responsive to the needs of its customers. The projects under this category are an indispensable and significant component of its mandate to provide for the conveyance of power within the franchise area and will serve both the employees’ working environment and data processing requirement. 8. Provided in the Annexes are the individual description of the Network and Non-network projects with their respective Gantt Charts and detailed discussion and information on the major component of the program expenditures. B. LIST OF CAPEX PROJECTS

Therefore, to fulfill the mandate of CELCOR as the duly authorized utility to operate the franchise area in the City of Cabanatuan, CELCOR is hereby proposing the following Network Projects for 2017 - 2020: NETWORK Project Bangad Substation Transformer Correction Schemes Distribution Rehabilitation and Upgrading Proiect Distribution Minor CAPEX Installation of Switch and Fixed Type Capacitors Installation of Mid-feeder Recloser and Sectionalizer Installation of Voltage Regulators Fault Current Indicators Smart Arresters SElL Labelling Street Light Project

(SGD) ENGR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO BAC Chairman

Regulated service, Metering facility, and support equipment. The forecasted growth in customer connections requires that it be supported by corresponding projects in the metering facility for both refurbishment and growth purposes. It includes the use of electronic meters which will provide a more accurate and dependable registration of energy consumption while providing power quality data for engineering analysis.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now invites bids for Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound. Completion of the Works is required by 180 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from May 25, 2018 to June 14, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos (P 25,000.00).

Network efficiency and reliability. In addition to the necessary infrastructure for load growth, CELCOR has also programmed the projects that will improve the efficiency of its distribution system and the reliability of its transmission facilities. These are part of its core mandate which the Company needs to undertake to satisfy the demand of its Customers for reliable supply of power.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the 20% Development Fund under Continuing Appropriation 2016 Project Code 8000.109H intends to apply the sum of P 18,158,133.35 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for PB-CW-2018-040 Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound, Zamora, Cabarroguis, Quirino. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Capacity addition and improvement of load transfer capability. CELCOR’s analysis of the distribution system and demand forecast indicated the need to add capacity in substation, MV transmission line section, distribution transformers, and additional route for load transfer between substations. These projects will ensure that CELCOR can cope with the growing demand of its customers and will enable it to sustain the requirements of the franchise area for its growing economy.

May 25, 2018

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM.

ERC CASE NO. 2017-111 RC

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

dent over the weekend. The Venezuelan president declared US charge d’affaires Todd Robinson and deputy head of mission Brian Naranjo “personae non gratae.” Caracas has claimed it was the victim of a “political and financial lynching”―accusations Nauert branded “unjustified.” “Our Embassy officers have carried out their official duties responsibly and consistent with diplomatic practice,” Nauert said. “We reject any suggestion to the contrary.”

Project SCADA Service Drops Smarts Meters Growth Metering Equipment Refurbishment CT Analyzer

CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION (CELCOR), Applicant. x-----------------------------------------------x

uty Consul General of the Venezuelan consulate in Houston had likewise been declared personae non grata and were directed to leave within two days, she said. Venezuela’s move to expel US diplomats earlier this week followed a US tightening of sanctions over President Nicolas Maduro’s controversial re-election as presi-

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

Construction of PCCP Around the Building, Drainage Canal and Curve & Gutter (Site Development) New QSU Compound Contract No. PB-CW-2018-040

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor

ASHINGTON―The United States ordered two top Venezuelan diplomats to leave within 48 hours in a tit-for-tat response to Caracas’ expulsion order against the top two US diplomats there.

INVITATION TO BID FOR

World

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

Venezuelan ambassadors told: Leave US in 48 hours W

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -oOoBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Category Capacity Capacity

Cost 124,810,546.21 15,639,834.95

Reliability

38,414,920.87

Reliability

13,074,265.71

Code SS-01 TL-01 BB-01 to BB-06 LL-01 to LL-010 Phases 1,2,3, and 4

Power Quality

9,699,802.00

PQ-01/ 02

Power Quality

6,518,981.50

PQ-03/04

Power Quality Reliability Reliability Safety Safety

9,785,119.50 1,632,000.00 241,800.00 218,845.44 13,462,798.31

PQ-05 FL-01 FL-02 FL-03 SL-01

The complete discussions of the proposals are described in the individual Project Description and Justification attached as Annex” A” . NON-NETWORK 10. And to improve the services that complement Network operations, internal business processing, and customer related services, CELCOR is proposing the following Non Network Projects for 2017-2020:

Maduro announced the expulsions after being ofﬁcially proclaimed the winner of Sunday’s election in the South American nation mired in an acute economic crisis and facing growing international isolation. The vote was boycotted by the main opposition parties and widely condemned by the international community, including the United States, which denounced it as a “sham.” On Monday, President Donald Trump tightened the sanctions against Caracas, making it harder for the Maduro regime to sell off state assets. AFP

Category Automation Technology Service Drops Meters Meters and Instrument Transformers Testing Equipment Consumer Consumption Rover M Monitoring Remote Communication Communication Equipment Tools and Measuring Devices or Thermal Imaging Infrared Camera Instrument Amprobe Tic 300 AC Voltage Tools and Measuring Devices Detector Instrument Dranetz Explorer Power Quality Tools and Measuring Devices Analyzer Instrument Tools and Measuring Devices Fluke 381 AC/DC Clamp Meter Instrument Phenix Technologies Transformer Tools and Measuring Devices Test Set Instrument Tools and Measuring Devices HT9022 Power Quality Analyzer Instrument Fluke 1555 Insulation Resistance Tools and Measuring Devices Tester Instrument Engineering Analysis Software Engineering Software Lineman Tools and equipment Tools and equipment Computer and Server Upgrading Information System Equipment Microsoft Visual Studio Information System Equipment VMware Enterprises Information System Equipment Finishing works of new Building Structures and Improvement and additional Third Floor Site Development Structures and Improvement Refurbishment of old Building Structures and Improvement Emergency Generator Structures and Improvement New Truck with mounted Transportation Equipment articulated crane Renewal of L300 Vehicles Transportation Equipment

Cost 24,622,298.83 46,584,788.00 84,185,000.00

Code SSD-01 TSD-01 TSD-02

30,374,180.00

TSD-03

2,500,000.00

TSD-04

780,000.00

TSD-05

800,000.00

TSD-06

1,923,300.00

EDS-01

18,332.16

EDS-02

1,650,320.00

EDS-03

40,446.56

EDS-04

3,050,600.55

EDS-05

93,770.00

EDS-06

330,040.48

EDS-07

2,600,000.00 6,698,754.00 5,473,241.00 96,900.00 1,002,311.65

EDS-08 CNM-01 MIS-01 MIS-02 MIS-03

49,391,512.00

ADM-01

20,000,000.00 5,000,000.00 2,615,002.31

ADM-02 ADM-03 ADM-04

9,291,999.97

ST-01

3,862,500.00

SV-01

11. The complete discussions of the proposals are described in the individual Project Description and Justification attached as Annex “B”. C. SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR THE CAPEX PROJECTS The proposed projects of CELCOR for its Network and Non-Network projects shall be funded by its retained earnings and by an increase in capital stocks. 12. To support its requirements, the Board of Directors of CELCOR released Resolution No. 15-17, on May 17, 2017, approving the Distribution Development Plan that it will submit to the DOE which includes its CAPEX programs for the years 2017 to 2020.

PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

ALLEGATIONS IN FURTHER SUPPORT OF CELCOR’S PRAYER FOR THE IMMEDIATE ISSUANCE OF A PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 13. CELCOR repleads all the above allegations in further support of its prayer for the immediate issuance by this Honorable Commission of an Order provisionally authorizing it to implement its capital expenditures for 20172020. Project Name Proposed New 25MVA Bangad Substation Distribution Rehabilitation and Upgrading Project Installation of Switch and Fixed Type Capacitors Installation of Midfeeder reclosers / Sectionalizers Installation of Voltage Regulators Other CAPEX (Network Projects) SCADA Regulated Retail Services CELCOR Main Office Development

Estimated Duration of the Project 1 year 3 years 3 years 3 years 1 year 3 years 3 years 4 years 1 year

Presented hereunder is the estimated duration of CELCOR’s proposed capital projects: 15. As of to-date, CELCOR will need at least four (4) years to complete the aforementioned capital projects. Thus, with the grant of a provisional authority, it would be able to immediately proceed with the projects to meet its customer’s requirements. 16. In further support of the aforementioned prayer, CELCOR attaches and marks as Annex “C” hereof the Sworn Statement executed by ENGR. EDWARD S. YAP. CELCOR’S COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMMISSION’S PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 17. In compliance with the Rules of Practice and Procedure of this Honorable Commission, CELCOR has furnished the legislative body of the City of Cabanatuan a copy of the present Application inclusive of its annexes. Copy of the Certification issued by the aforementioned legislative body attesting to the fact of service of a copy of the application and its annexes is hereto attached and marked as Annex “D”.

18. Furthermore, CELCOR had also caused the publication of the instant Application in a newspaper of general circulation in the Philippines. Copies of the Affidavit of Publication and the newspaper issue where the said Application was published are hereto attached and marked as Annexes “E” and “F” respectively. PRAYER WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that upon the filing of the instant Application and pending hearing, an Order be immediately issued by this Honorable Commission provisionally authorizing CABANATUAN ELECTRIC CORPORATION to implement its proposed capital expenditures for 2017-2020, and that after due notice and hearing, the same be approved and considered used and useful within the Fourth Regulatory Period. Finally, CELCOR likewise prays that the aforementioned projects be considered as a deferred amount to be included in its Third Regulatory Period reset calculations. The Commission issued an Order with Notice of Public Hearing, both dated 28 February 2018, setting the case for initial hearing on 13 June 2018 at CELCOR’s principal office in Cabanatuan City. On 13 April 2018, CELCOR filed a Manifestation and Motion to Transfer Hearing Venue dated 12 April 2018 (Motion) praying to transfer the hearing venue due to non-availability of hall or room in its main office. Finding the said Motion in order, the Commission granted the same. Accordingly, the Commission hereby sets the instant Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 June 2018 (Wednesday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at the Nueva Ecija University and Technology (NEUST Campus) - Brgy. Sumacab Este, Cabanatuan City. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired. All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its 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 Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is 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. YAPTARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 20th day of April 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal (MS-MAY 25 & JUNE 1, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

friday, may 25, 2018

LocaL government units

Ormoc unveils activities for June fiesta By Ronald O. Reyes oRMoC—Mayor Richard Gomez said the city government has lined up a series of “fun-filled” activities for its June fiesta celebration. Following this year’s theme “tana, Maglipay ta! (Let’s go and enjoy!)”, Gomez assured visitors of a back-to-back sociocultural and religious events in the city starting June 16, in connection with the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul on June 29. “We’ll have two weeks of fiesta activities,” said Gomez, adding that their various events will surely bring enjoyment to the public. the highlights of this year’s ormoc fiesta celebration include the Parade of Lights (June 16), Piña Festival ritual showdown and street dance (June 24), Miss ormoc (June 28), and the Pontifical Mass (June 29). In between these highlights, Gomez said they have scheduled different sectoral activities for the business groups, government offices, balikbayan, religious sector, barangays, and entrepreneurs. Gomez, now in his second year in office, said the city fiesta executive committee will also donate at least P100,000 to the church from the proceeds. the executive committee, through their various chairmen, acknowledged the mayor’s plan to open the city fiesta activities to the private sector. Most of the festivities will be held at the city plaza, the officials said in a press conference Wednesday evening. but on June 1, the city will open its famed ormoc Food bazaar, featuring local and home-made products from start-ups and mainstream entrepreneurs.

Balanga opens Eco Park amid waste center By Butch Gunio bALANGA CItY, bataan—City Mayor Francis Garcia and Vice Mayor Vianca Venzon-Gozon recently led the inauguration of the balanga Eco Park in barangay Munting batangas. Located at the city’s Materials Recovery and Composting Facility, the park will showcase the initiatives of the city government in addressing the problems of waste disposal and segregation. “We are serious to implement our waste management program,” Garcia said. “Let us not forget to take care of our environment,” Venzon-Gozon added. In the same event, the city government gave outstanding barangay street sweepers certificates of recognition for their efforts. Rev. Jefferson Paule conducted the blessing of the park. Councilor benjie Merino, barangay captains, environment office officers, and representatives of various farmer groups joined the inauguration. the city government relaunched last year its ecological waste management program, intensifying its campaign among city residents. Some of the waste management activities of the city are balik basket and bayong Program, Gamit Pang-Eskwela Mula sa basura, Plastic Palit bigas, Junkshop ng bayan, No Segregation No Collection, and operation Linis Ilog and Linis barangay, among others.

AMERICAN VISIT.

Calabarzon Police Chief Supr. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar (left) on Thursday receives an official of the United States Team from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency— Physical Security and Stockpile Management, who helped inspect all consolidated, captured, seized or recovered military ordnance, which are due for disposal operations in collection points. Roy Tomandao

AMMUNGAN FESTIVAL. A contingent from Bagabag town is adorned in traditional Gaddang attire at the 2018

Grand Ammungan Festival parade on Thursday, marking the 179th foundation day of Nueva Vizcaya. Meanwhile, descendants of the fearsome Ilongot headhunters perform the Tagem (inset), a ritual dance usually done before male tribesmen are sent off to an expedition. The Ilongots have renounced headhunting after a peace pact with neighboring tribes in the 1970s and have called themselves Bugkalots after embracing the Christian faith. Abe Almirol

Estrada: Intramuros settlers staying put By Vito Barcelo

ANILA Mayor Joseph has Estrada assured more than 300 informal settlers in Intramuros that their shanties would not be demolished until the government finds them a suitable relocation site, as he vowed to find ways to uplift the lives of the poor Manileños. Despite a court order issued by the Manila Regional trial Court branch 7 last Sept. 16, 2010, declaring a portion of a lot along Legaspi St. corner Real St., as owned by LG Mathieson Development in Intramuros, the city chief executive stood firm and said there will be no demolition in the city if there is no relocation site for the settlers. “Even dogs are given place to live. If you destroy their houses, they have

nowhere to go. they are not dogs,” Estrada said. the former President said the Intramuros Administration has a budget of more than P410 million for the resettlement program of informal settlers living inside the historical site. Estrada promised to extend help to the 300 families who constructed their houses in barangay 654, Zone 69 and have lived there for several years.

“Don’t worry, even if the court threatened me with contempt by its owner, I will not let your shanties demolished until we find a suitable resettlement for you,” Estrada said. the residents affected by the demolition order trooped to the Manila City hall and asked the city government to stop the destruction of their shanties, since they have no place to go. the mayor even cited President Rodrigo Duterte’s instruction to all concerned government agencies of preventing demolitions of informal settlements without sites ready for their transfer. Aside from resettlement, Estrada, as he did when he was still mayor of San Juan, said he would also extend livelihood assistance to the poor so they can have sources of income.

Navotas City Mayor John Rey Tiangco (left) lectures new Sangguniang Kabataan officials after their training. Jun David

37 inmates gain degrees at Perpetual Bilibid school About 37 inmates who are students of the university of Perpetual Help bilibid Extension School received their diplomas during its 29th commencement rites thursday inside the New bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City. New bureau of Corrections Director General Ronald “bato” Dela Rosa was guest of honor and speaker in the rites talks that saw the graduates join their relatives and the faculty in the ceremony. Eighteen graduates completed their bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, while 19 finished a Computer Hardware Servicing course inside bilibid. the degree holders also completed the compulsory internship program inside the jail thru Chief Supt. Rexy Morales, chief of buCor’s training and Education Department; Dr. Daisy tamayo, university of Perpetual Help’s vice chairman of the board, and Anthony tamayo, university president. the extension school has produced more than 500 graduates since it was established in 1985. In 2017, 17 student-inmates completed the program. Some of the extension school’s graduates who have served their sentences are already employed outside bilibid, giving them new hope for a better future. the school, located at the Medium Security Compound of bilibid’s Camp Sampaguita, is one of Perpetual’s corporate social responsibility programs. It also runs the Mangyan Mission School in Abra de Ilog, occidental Mindoro, according to Dr. Antonio tamayo, Chair and Founder of university of Perpetual Help System Dalta.

Navotas mayor to Sangguniang Kabataan: Be good role models By Jun David MAYoR John Rey tiangco challenged newly elected Sangguniang Kabataan officials in Navotas to be good role models and inspire their fellow youth. In his speech during the SK mandatory training, tiangco said youth leaders should lead by example. “before you encourage others to play a part in solving a problem or an issue, be the

one to take the first step,” tiangco said. “If the problem is the increasing number of out-of-school youth, make sure you are in school and attending classes religiously. If the problem is garbage disposal, be the first to practice waste segregation and proper disposal. be the solution,” he added. the SK mandatory training, spearheaded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government Navotas Field

office and the Navotas City Council for Youth Development, was in line with the implementation of Republic Act No. 10742 or the SK Reform Act. According to RA 10742, failure to attend and participate in the training without any valid reason shall be considered as sufficient ground to disqualify SK officials or subject them to disciplinary actions. Navotas held the training in two batches on May 22 and 23.

Nine barangays including San Rafael Village, North bay blvd. South Proper, NbbS Kaunlaran, NbbS Dagat-Dagatan, North bay blvd. North, bangkulasi, bagumbayan South, bagumbayan North, and Navotas East composed the first batch. the second batch included brgys. Daanghari, Navotas West, San Jose, San Roque, Sipac-Almacen, tangos North, tangos South, tanza 1 at tanza 2.

Telus teams rehab Quezon City schools tELuS International Philippines, a leading provider of digitally enabled customer experience and business process solutions, once again extended its leadership and support to brigada Eskwela through the telus Days of Giving on May 12. brigada Eskwela is an annual Department of Education initiative to provide every Filipino student with an inspiring and inclusive learning environment. Now its fifth year of participation with brigada Eskwela, telus International Philippines inspired more than 2,800 volunteers to volunteer 16,800 hours to rehabilitate Kamuning Elementary School and Quezon City High School during the powerful, one-day volunteer event. this year’s telus Days of Giving is one of the

biggest to date, with team members renovating and refurbishing 11 school buildings, 66 classrooms, and more than 3,250 chairs. “During these five years of giving of our team members’ hearts and hands to brigada Eskwela, we have provided 54,000 volunteer hours to six schools, where we have meaningfully impacted more than 41,000 students, including the 6,000 students who attend Kamuning Elementary School and Quezon City High School,” said Jeffrey Puritt, president and CEo of telus International. As a unique feature of this year’s volunteer activities, telus International Philippines team members refurbished Kamuning Elementary School’s first classroom specifically dedicated to special education students.

Life

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

Culture and media

@mStandardLifE friday, may 25, 2018

A showcase of Philippine clothing and textile INTRICATE. A closer look at the details of the restored handwoven abaca cloth that was a casualty of a disastrous flood that hit Kalibo, Aklan years ago. Raye Sanchez

By raye Sanchez

ILIPIno craftsmanship is the highlight of the “Historical Exhibition of Philippine Clothing and Textile by Patis Tesoro” at Destileria Limtuaco Museum in Intramuros, Manila, ongoing until May 26. The Sonny Tinio-curated exhibition is part of the Balik Saya fashion design competition of the Department of Tourism and Intramuros Administration, supported by Manila’s 5th District Representative Cristal Bagatsing. It aims to promote our country’s national costume and fashion design heritage

by showcasing the long history of the baro’t saya, starting off in the 18th century Galleon Trade. “Ito na ang tamang panahon para tangkilikin ang orihinal na atin. In line with the Heritage month, malugod naming ipinapaalala sa inyo na napakaganda ng kultura ng Pilipinas at karapatdapat talaga itong i-celebrate (This is the right time to appreciate what’s originally ours. In line with the Heritage month, we are pleased to remind you of the beautiful culture of the Philippines, which deserves to be c e l e b r a t e d ) ,” Bagatsing stated in her speech during the exhibition opening. The exhibit highlights Filipino designer and national costume pioneer Patis Tesoro’s Filipiniana dresses as well as various textiles she has collected over the years. During a preview, Tesoro presented two pieces of restored abaca fabrics that she bought from Aklan which previously was coated with mold and cement due to a flood. The renowned designer also gave a talk about the culture of weaving, embroidery, and baro’t saya making. In addition to the stunning display of Tesoro’s creations, the exhibit also features handwoven fabrics made of silk, abaca, and piñaseda—a blend of fine linawan piña and silk fibers. Barong tagalog hand-painted with Chinese clouds and stylized flowers and leaves is also part of the display. There’s also a collection of mantons—a large, square piece of A hand-painted and embroidered baro’t saya made of sinamay or fine abaca material

embroidered silk, folded in half like a triangle—which were worn over the shoulders of women. Designs currently on exhibit include a black silk Manton de Manila, completely embroidered in satin stitch with reddish-tinted roses amidst multicolored smaller flowers and leaves; a Manton de Manila of cream silk densely embroidered with scenery depicting a walled village full of people; and a triangular piña panuelo from the 1850s, with an underlay of fine cotton cutout attached with invisible stitches to form a shadow or sombrado effect. Finalists for the Balik Saya fashion design competition, which is composed of aspiring fashion designers, had a chance to learn from Tesoro’s talk and the display at the museum. The con-

testants are tasked to create modernized maria clara designs which they will present at the final stage of the competition on May 28 at the national Museum of natural History. Five winning designers will bring home cash prizes (up to P100,000 for the first prize), an apprenticeship in Rustan's, an overnight stay at The Bayleaf in Intramuros, and a workshop from SoFA Design Institute. A piña barong tagalog hand-painted with unusual landscape design

Breathing new life into decayed leaves By neil doloricon CAn art be subjective and objective at the same time? This is really a philosophical and scientific question. For example, Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci discovered the aesthetic properties of nature which he expressed in what we now call the Fibonacci sequence: a series of numbers where the next number is found by adding up the two numbers before it. This commences from 0 and 1; the sequence goes 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, and so forth. The Vetruvian man of Leonardo da Vinci is a classic presentation of the links among human proportion, architecture, and symmetry which is the basic proportion of all designs. This is also true in the golden ratio, also a design proportion that can be found by dividing a line into two parts so that the longer part divided by the smaller part is also equal to the whole length divided by the longer part. The recent thesis exhibit of Cristina Escario, MFA student from University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts, entitled “Dahon Transience in Infinity,” revisited the classical and basic foundation of design. It took her a while to come up with an idea on what to propose for her thesis. While strolling in some areas of UP Diliman campus, to ponder on what concept and medium to use, she came across an enormous scattered pile of big dried leaves getting in her way, which she started to collect for four years—yes, for four years—while contemplating on what to do with them. Escario observed and studied the leaves, trying to find their intrinsic qualities, which gave her the push to investigate further. It was as if she had discovered a gold mine in her quest for a perfect medium and concept. Her story is similar to that of a man who travels to different places in search of wonderful butterflies, only to find out that the most beautiful butterflies could be found in his own backyard. She did not pick the leaves from the branches of trees. They were leaves that had fallen on the ground. Storing the leaves and protecting them from decaying proved to be a tall task for Tintin. She had to use science to delay the decomposition of the leaves and to make them easier to manipulate. She applied a glycerine solution to the leaves, but eventu-

Cristina Escario's massive Dahon installation made of dried leaves she collected for four years

ally, nature had to take its course and the leaves decayed. She finally used the dried leaves for what she thought to be the appropriate time—as materials for her proposed master’s thesis. The use of organic materials, according to Tintin, is a reaction to synthetic and harsh chemical based product which she used previously in her many oeuvres. The pattern she made, which was based on the golden ratio, was also metaphor for life as well as nature which has its ebb and flow and continuity, as stated by Tintin. “Transience in Infinity” spoke of the relativity and universality of nature. The concept of the disintegration of leaves may relatively vary as its longevity depends on its botanical properties and environ. But there is the universality that all of those things will decompose sooner or later. For Tintin, it is at the stage of the aging leaf that began its engagement into the realm of aesthetics. The result of this creative process of making massive installation of leaves was astonishing, leaves reinvented. She likens her application of repetitive symmetry in nature to form an imagery to her spiritual journey and her transformed perception of created order. Fibonacci has a mathematical explanation of nature’s wonder in design. By way of atoning oneself with nature it gives us the mystical sojourn of our

metaphorical soul that is inscrutable. So there are things that can be explained and observed by science. But the aspect of metaphysical has another way of proving itself through emotions. As Indian mystic Tagore would argue with Einstein, “It is a relative world, depending for its relativity upon our consciousness.” His argument is that beauty and truth are completely dependent on the one observing them; that there is no beauty without an admirer, and no truth without a believer. Picasso may not agree with Escario’s proposition. Picasso blurts that “Art is not the application of a canon of beauty but what the instinct and the brain can conceive beyond any canon. When we love a woman we don’t start measuring her limbs.” Escario wanted to share the visceral experience that one might indulge in the realm of transience and the infinite spiritual world she created out of the Fibonnaci rhythmic order of the leaves. For Escario, her massive installation was an engagement with her audience to awaken them into appreciating and celebrating nature’s way of creation, its transition, and the passing of precious life and time as elements of beauty, that our universe, or perhaps God, if you will, has offered. “Dahon Transience in Infinity” was staged from April 6 to April 24 at the Corredor Gallery, College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City.

Entertainment

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor

Marawi film makers tell their stories

Broadcast journalist Tina Monzon Palma with young ﬁlmmakers from Marawi whose ﬁlms will be shown on ANC as the channel commemorates the Marawi siege.

A YEAR has passed when terrorists under the leadership of the ISIS-inspired Maute clan laid siege to the predominantly Muslim city of Marawi in Lanao del Sur, and for nearly a year fought government forces and drove the population out of the city. On May 21, ANC, The ABSCBN News Channel, started airing four short films made by Marawi residents to commemorate the city’s devastation in the hands of both the terrorists and the government forces. The film tells stories of heroism, struggle, and healing of the people of Marawi. We see Marawi through the lenses of four of Marawi’s own young film makers in ANC’s “New Moon” series, within the timeslots of Early Edition, Top Story, and The World Tonight. We met the filmmakers last week at a press conference held for them by ANC at the ELJ building. They were Sittie Alyssah Diron and Geral Jan Nino Omelio, both students at Mindanao State University— Marawi (MSU-Marawi), and MSUMarawi professor Ali Yusoph. ARMM Assistant Cabinet Secretary Omar Ali was unable to attend the press conference as he was held by his job in Mindanao. Sittie, an AB Journalism senior made Matou, based on the story of Mastora “Matou” Dadayan, a farmer and fisherman living in a small barangay in Marawi City. During the siege, Matou’s wife and her unborn child died leaving him to take care of their older son. Geral, also a senior in MSUMarawi, a Developmental Communication major, produced Kanlungan with fellow students. The film tells the story of teenager Zohmaya and her younger siblings, recalling a simpler, happier life back when they had not lost their home and lived with different families in the aftermath of the Marawi siege. Omar’s film Suicide Squad, meanwhile, tells the story of a group of rescuers trained for natural disaster calamities. Never in their wildest imagination did they think that one day they’ll be saving people of all walks of life—from terrorists who took siege of their beloved city to their own loved ones. Completing the list is Ali’s Islam, which he produced with his wife Sur. Their film tells the story of someone trying to make sense of these virtues amid living through the dire consequences of war waged by fellow Muslims in the name of Allah. The filmmakers received guidance and technical support from ABSCBN journalists and brought forth authentic and unfiltered stories from the ground that can enlighten and inspire the entire nation. The four films will be put together into one full episode to be anchored by Tina Monzon Palma who moderated the Q&A will air soon on ANC. *** The annual Summer Dance Divertissment and Diversifiera 2018 of the Halili Cruz School of Ballet and HC Conservatory will be presented 3:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the Newport Performing Arts Theatre (NPAT), Resorts World Manila, tomorrow. The summer dance program was designed by Associate Artistic Directors Anna Halili -Cruz Bueno

and Grace Perez. Artistic Director is Shirley Halili Cruz. Choreographers and dance teachers are Grace GaraldePerez, Anna Halili-Cruz Bueno, Julia-Camille Mazo, Aira Louise Rostrata, Gabrielle Alexis Quinto, Fiona Richardson, Heather HoltSmith, Stephen Biadoma, Marco de Ausen and Wilson Ong. The program design was by Daryl Bueno. The Halili-Cruz School of Ballet has been awarded as the “Most Outstanding Ballet School in Asia” and represented the Philippines in different international festivals. To date the Halili-Cruz School of Ballet and the Halili-Cruz Dance Company have garnered more than 400 national and international awards. *** Navotas City Hall, through its Public Information Office, conducted a seminar-workshop on digital filmmaking for junior high school students and teachers on May 10 and 11 at the Pangisdaan Hall, 4th Floor NCH. The workshop, facilitated by advocacy filmmaker and film educator Seymour Sanchez, aimed at preparing the participants for the shoot of their short narrative film entries to the 3rd Navoteño Film Festival. Navotas City Mayor John Reynald Tiangco and Vice Mayor Clint Nicolas Geronimo also delivered inspirational talks during the event. Sanchez discussed development, pre-production, production, post-production and distribution, and talked about scriptwriting, cinematography and lighting, production design, sound, music, editing and directing. Eloisa Sanchez imparted her knowledge in production management and producing films for Red Room Media Productions while FEU’s resident actor and short film editor Rowi Du shared some tips and advice in his fields of expertise. The annual project, which is facilitated by PIO head Irish Cubillan, is open to all junior high school students from the city. Among those competing this year are Kaunlaran High School, La Naval Academy, Navotas National HS, Navotas National Science HS, San Jose Academy, San Rafael Technological and Vocational HS, San Roque National HS, Tangos National HS and Tanza National HS. Only one entry per registered school will be accepted. All members of the production team (maximum of eight students per school) must be officially enrolled in the school they are representing. A certification from the school principal must be submitted to PIO prior to production. They must also submit a written parental consent endorsed by the teacher-adviser/s and principal to PIO prior to the shoot. The film festival, which has tourism as its theme this year, serves as a platform for the city’s future filmmakers to develop and harness their craft and showcase their works, as well as a means to discover young and talented Navoteños for the city’s art scholarship program.

‘RESPETO’ leads 41st Gawad Urian nominations

A scene from Treb Monteras II’s ‘Respeto,’ which earned 12 nominations from the annual Gawad Urian.

HE Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino has announced the nominees for the 41st Gawad Urian happening on June 14 at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent.

Leading this year’s list is the film Respeto with 12 nominations including Best Picture, Best Director for Treb Monteras II, and Best Actor for rapper-actor Abra. Best picture nominees Balangiga: Howling Wilderness follows with 10 nominations and Tu Pug Imatuy with nine nominations. Other Best Picture nominees are The Chanters with a total of seven nominations, and Birdshot and Bhoy Intsik, both with six nods each. Other films that received multiple nominations are Changing Partners, Ang Larawan, and Kita Kita with six each. Gawad Urian 2018 is set to highlight Filipino music in the much-awaited awards night as three of this year’s leading film nominees are musical Respeto, Ang Larawan, and Changing Partners. This year’s Natatanging Gawad Urian award will also go to jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and musical director Winston Raval (Vanishing Tribe). The musician has handled film scoring for over 20 movies, and he was previously honored as Best Musical Director for Ikaw Ay Akin in the 1977 Urian Awards.

Meanwhile, the nominees for Best Actress are Alessandra de Rossi (Kita Kita), Joanna Ampil (Ang Larawan), Angeli Bayani (Bagahe), Gloria Diaz (Si Chedeng at Si Apple), Dexter Doria (Paki), Jally Nae Gilbaliga (The Chanters), Agot Isidro (Changing Partners), Elizabeth Oropesa (Si Chedeng at Si Apple), Bela Padilla (100 Tula Para Kay Stella), Angellie Nicholle Sanoy (Bomba), and Malona Sulatan (Tu Pug Imatuy). Apart from Abra, Empoy Marquez (Kita Kita), Nonie Buencamino (Smaller and Smaller Circles), Timothy Castillo (Neomanila), Noel Comia Jr. (Kiko Boksingero), Allen Dizon (Bomba), RS Francisco (Boy Intsik), Jojit Lorenzo (Changing Partners), Sandino Martin (Changing Partners), and Justine Samson (Balangiga: Howling Wilderness) are the Best Actor nominees. Other nominees for Best Director are Arnel Barbarona for Tu Pug Imatuy, Sigrid Andre Bernardo, Kita Kita, Khavn De La Cruz for Balaliga: Howling Wilderness, Joel Lamangan for Bhoy Intsik, James Robin Mayo for The Chanters,

and Mikhail Red for Birdshot. Other awards in this annual ﬁlm recognition include Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Production Design, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Short Film and Best Documentary. The nominees and winners are chosen by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino members led by its president Rolando Tolentino together with members Grace Javier Alfonso, Butch Francisco, Bienvenido Lumbera, Miguel Rapatan, Benilda Santos, Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Tito Genova Valiente, Patrick Campos, Shirley Lua, and Gary Devilles. Catch the 41st Gawad Urian on Cinema One (SkyCable ch. 56, Destiny Cable Digital Channel 56, and Destiny Analog Ch. 37) live from the ABS-CBN Vertis North Tent on June 14 at 7:00 p.m.. The 1st CineManunuri Film Festival, a partnership between the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino ang Cinema Centenario, will be held from June 15 to 29 featuring the nominated and awarded movies in Gawad Urian 2018. To see full list of nominees, visit www. cinemaone.ph and manunuri.com. For other updates, like Cinema One’s ofﬁcial Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Cinema1channel).

‘INDAY’ receives warm reception on primetime

INDAY Will Always Love You (IWALY) made a big splash on evening viewing when it debuted on May 21 beating its rival program in the ratings game while dominating social media. The latest rom-com series produced by GMA News and Public Affairs that highlights the unique beauty and rich culture of Cebu recorded a 42 percent overnight people share according to Nielsen Philippines TAM’s National Urban Philippines data. IWALY’s counterpart show, ABS-CBN’s Since I Found You, only managed to get 34.8 percent. Viewers and netizens alike cannot help but be captivated by the bubbly and positive attitude of Happylou Magtibay, played by awardwinning actress Barbie Forteza. Online, IWALY also made a buzz with the hashtag #IWALYBonggangPilot landing on

the top spot of the trending topics in the Philippines which ran hours before the actual airing until morning the next day. Netizens also commended the other actors who appeared on the pilot airing such as Ricky Davao, Manilyn Reynes, Nova Villa, Gladys Reyes, Kim Rodriguez, Buboy Villar, Liz Liz Simon, and Fliptop Artists Mzhayt and Price Tagg. There is much to look forward to as more characters are introduced in the coming episodes. These include Tina Paner, Juancho Trivino, Super Tekla, Charisse and Charlotte Hermoso, and Kimpoy Feliciano. Inday Will Always Love You airs weeknights after Kambal, Karibal on GMA Telebabad. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv. com.

From K-Drama, GMA brings Lakorn to local TV

Young actress Barbie Forteza as the girl with positive disposition Happylou in ‘Inday Will Always Love.’

FROM the pioneer of Korean dramas in the stranger, Paolo will eventually learn how to country, GMA The Heart of Asia brings an- warm up to Martina and fall in love with her. other first in the Philippines for its 15th anniversary. Apart from three top-rating Korean dramas While You Were Sleeping, Whisper, and Emperor: Ruler of the Mask, which are lined up to mark its anniversary, the network will premiere the first ever “Lakorn” on Philippine TV. Lakorn is the Thai version of “Pinoy teleserye” and for its first launch, the irresistible story of You’re My Destiny will bring a fresh take on the Korean drama Fated To Love You. Starring Esther Supraleela as Martina, You’re My Destiny tells the story of a law office clerk who was given the moniker “Sticky Note Girl” for being an overly-keen and a push-over employee. Her life changes after a one-night stand with company heir Paolo Thai actors Wisetkaew Sukrit and Esther (Wisetkaew Sukrit). Although he feels Supraleela, stars of the top rating lakorn, repulsed with the idea of impregnating a ‘You’re My Destiny.’

Motoring

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

Automotive craftsmen dusted off some of the dinosaurs and transformed them into shiny and spiffy objet d’art like the Corolla.

Resurrecting ‘dinosaurs’ Text and Photo by Dina B. Noche

OSTALGIA dominated the 27th TransSport Show held at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The show, arranged by Tradeshow International, Inc., a leader since its inception in 1992 in providing institutional events such as TransSport Show, Custom Car Show, Sport Truck Show, Manila Auto Salon, Defense and Sporting Arms Show, and the Philippine Vintage and Sports Car Festival, gave vintage car aﬁcionados something to carry on the tradition of auto restoration skills and an enduring cross-generational alliance among owners who share a common fascination for rebirthed cars.

The 27th staging of the annual TransSport Show revs up the tradition of car restoration

The eyes have it as exemplified by a restored Volkswagen.

Who would think that this Mitsubishi is a vintage car?

It’s a complex task to recapture things past— to attempt body modifications from dreadful scars and serious rusts into an eloquent objet d’art, an indelible image audience can’t refuse to look at. In many ways we are what we own. People with vintage cars which could be older than their first born are a sentimental lot. Through the years they have formed a remarkable friendship—warts and all—with their cars. The mutual attachment has created an umbilical cord that refuses to disband owners and these dinosaurs in their garage. You know it when you see it. The beauty of a 1995 Toyota Corolla, last show’s cup winner, by Vonetrix Radical Creations, made memories remembered from the “old days” come alive to make its own defining piece of car restoration history. A 1937 Chevrolet Coupe, owned by Bryan Dee, done magic to by Alfred Perez Motor Works, Body Repair and Painting has remarkably maintained great resilience in the face of decades of grime, nature’s punishment, and war. Seventy years old but still as up to date as a news bulletin. The fusion between an old car and the new technology lavished into it had raised its re-creation to a true art form. Who would have ever thought that old cars, coughing and huffing like old men, could be overbeautiful, almost unimaginably so? A pair of cutie pies—a 1953 Singer 4AD 2-door convertible and a 1953 Ford Hotrod— must have been encased in a garage where magic rules. Red hot and with gleaming chromes begging to be touched, these cars were glory days incarnate. The 1960s were free-wheeling times, peace, and search for easy life, when travelling by groups was the pervading norm. A Volkswagen Bus made such culture possible and a 1962 VW Bus, owned by Bugeye Customs and Restoration, looking like it has neared the stub end of its life has been, from pieces of scraps, paint coats, and plenty of plodding attention was given a new, vibrant life. There were plenty of sleek cars to ogle at: a 1964 ½ Ford Mustang, Porches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis. Some were not necessarily lots of years old but they have brought glitter to the show. The 27th TransSport Show was an entirely characteristic display of a subculture entwining men and their machines, and the cycle of aesthetic ignoring, obliviousness and resurrection. It was a positive affirmation that what was past still breathes life and that people like to remember memories of the more Arcadian times. The 28th TransSport Show next year is expected to be another festival of dinosaurs extricated out of extinction through meticulous craftsmanship to become, from a beloved star in somebody’s garage to really, really big superstars.

HARI hosts global conference on commercial vehicles HYUNDAI Asia Resources, Inc., the sole distributorship of Hyundai vehicles in the Philippines, hosted the 2018 Hyundai Global Commercial Vehicle (CV) Service Conference on April 24 and 25 at the Solaire Resort and Casino. The Conference, with the theme “Weaving New Frontiers for Growth in the Commercial Vehicle Business,” is an annual gathering of After Sales leaders from Hyundai Motor Company’s (HMC) global CV distributor network. Representatives from 36 countries gathered in Manila to discuss their experiences and best practices in commercial vehicle service and to mold long-term service strategy for Hyundai. 2018 marks the first time the conference was held in the Philippines. In her opening remarks, HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo invited participants to make the most of the opportunities at the conference to synergize and identify key growth opportunities for the CV business. Comparing HMC’s diverse global distributor network to a richly woven tapestry, she said, “I believe that our shared knowledge and best practices can help us weave new frontiers for the growth of commercial vehicles globally and regionally.”

Agudo noted that strong ASEAN economies increasingly demand reliable, versatile, and affordable mobility solutions in the manufacturing, transport, and construction sectors. She said, “This trend is especially true for countries, like the Philippines, that enjoy stable and solid macroeconomic fundamentals and which maintain ambitious infrastructure development programs.” The conference’s staging in the Philippines is set against an expanding commercial vehicle business in the region, with CV sales as a share of total vehicle sales in the ASEAN-5 economies rising from 2.7 to 3.1 percent between 2011 and 2017. Dong Keun Kwon, HMC General Manager for After Sales, also expressed an optimistic outlook for Hyundai CV. He noted that HMC is looking to boost CV global market share by 2025, moving Hyundai from 13th to 8th rank in CV market sales worldwide. To accomplish this, Mr. Kwon emphasized that after sales service plays a big role. “By providing better services to customers, [we encourage customers] to purchase our brand again and introduce our brand to others. Good service means a good brand experience,” he punctuated.

The conference featured workshops and breakout discussions on topics ranging from the Hyundai service agenda to parts operation strategy. D e l e g a t e s also toured Hyundai Philippines’ flagship facility and training center, the

Hyundai Logistics Center (HLC) in Calamba, Laguna. Kwon said, “On behalf of Hyundai Motor Company, I thank HARI for hosting this successful event. HMC and HARI have been partners in the CV busi-

ness since 2016, and this year’s conference only emphasizes that this partnership will continue to strengthen and offer more value-adding services to satisfy increasing demand for commercial vehicles in the Philippines and around the world.”

ILOCO SCARVES. Delegates to the 2018 Hyundai Global Commercial Vehicle Service Conference sported “inabel Iloco” scarves, lending local flavor to the conference while underscoring the year’s theme, “Weaving New Frontiers for Growth in the CV business.” This is the first time that HARI has hosted a global CV service conference. HARI is on its second year distributing Hyundai CVs. Leading the group were HARI President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo and HMC General Manager for After Sales Dong Keun Kwon (2nd row, center).

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2018

Volkswagen Five: The drive got better Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

UST when we were about to concede that the Beetle has become matter-of-fact, along come ﬁve younger cousins, tailor-made for the Asian market, with a chic new look that commands protracted second glances. The oohs and aahs flowed abundantly when Fernando Zobel de Ayala, president and CEO of Ayala Corporation, Volkswagen AG’s sole importer and distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in the Philippines since 2013, led the launch of five car models at the Shangri-la at the Fort on Bonifacio Global City in Taguig. The Tiguan, Lamando, Lavida, Santana GTS, and the Santana models, all sporting the unmistakable Volkswagen effect, will be difficult to resist. With the recent introduction of these Volkswagen car models, memories of the lovable Beetle came roaring back with a promise to open a new chapter in the company’s automotive history as the next scene stealers on any road. Volkswagen, best known for thinking ahead more than its competitors when it comes to avant-garde design and structure (think Beetle and Karmann Ghia) has done it again with its latest car models reliving the same soul plus a more advanced auto technology pushed to the edge. A resume of the new car models is as conclusive as the Volkswagen family tree, with a reputation built on distinctive and timeless automobile architecture and reliability. Take a look inside these cars and feel your breath taken away. The interiors have been upgraded and refined. The space is maximized to provide a generous leg and shoulder room and more stuff to load. The seats in leather material have been particularly custom-

made to allow remarkable comfort and fun while on the road. On one car model the rear seat bench can safely accommodate two-child seats using anchorage point fixtures. Listen how the engine sings. Its driver-conformable ergonomics have all the beautiful technology for excellent acceleration and handling. Even the most defying hairpin curves and long straightaways become leisurely challenges, as it likewise melt away urban street humps as easily as a kitchen sponge sop up ketchup stains off the floor. Has your interest not pricked up yet? The Santana, last year’s one of ten bestselling cars in China, is powered by a 1.4-liter Multi-Point Injection 4-cylinder engine on 5-speed manual transmission and torque of l32Nm at 3,800 rpm, antilock braking system and immobilizer. Santana models are available in colors of Polar White, Reflex Silver, Deep Black and Pepper Grey Metallic. SRP starts at Php686,000. The Lavida, the best-selling sedan on the China market, has a 1.4-liter Turbocharged Stratified Injection 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox transmission, 225Nm of torque at 1,400 to 3,000 rpm. It has cruise control, air conditioning, and sunroof among other features. This car model is available in colors of Polar White, Reflex Silver, Deep Black, Limestone Grey, Sunset

The Lamando is equipped with a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 7-speed DSG transmission.

w Fernando Zobel de Ayala (left) and Arthur Tan in jovial mood during the launching of five new Volkswagen models.

Red, and Opalsilver Metallic at an SRP of P1,171,000. The Tiguan, with 330,000 units already sold in China alone, has a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 6-speed DSG transmission, maximum torque of 250Nm at 1,750 to 3,000 rpm. It also features air conditioning, sunroof, 8 speakers, and driver power 12-way seat adjustment. This model is available in colors of Polar White, Titanium Beige, Hunting Brown, and Deep Black with a SRP of P1,648,000. The Santana GTS is powered by

1.5-liter 4-cyliner in-line MPI gasoline engine on a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Lamando, on the other hand, is equipped with a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 7-speed DSG transmission. The warranty coverage for all five car models is for 3years or 100,000-km, whichever comes first. A 3-year warranty for paint and another 3-year warranty for through-corrosion on the main steel body structure is also offered. Volkswagen’s newest offsprings will, beyond doubt, spark a lot of Igotta-have-one instincts.

The Tiguan has a 1.4-liter TSI 4-cylinder gasoline engine with BlueMotion Technology on a 6-speed DSG transmission.

LRT 1 extension offers traffic solution in South ONE good round deserves another, so the bromide goes. In this case, the Light Rail Transit 1, which has proven to be a reliable transporter of people, merits an extension. In fact, the Light Rail Manila Corporation, private operator of Light Rail Transit Line 1, has been reiterating the urgency of the Cavite Extension as the solution for decongesting Metro Manila traffic and improving the quality of life of residents in the three cities south of Manila. “Land travel time from Baclaran to Bacoor is currently at one and a half hours a day, during rush hour on the average; we can bring that down to only 30 minutes,” LRMC President Juan F. Alfonso exclaimed. “From Baclaran to Sucat, it will be only 15 minutes; Baclaran to Zapote, 20 minutes.” This project, he said, can save passengers around three hours of travel time per day, which means being able to sleep longer and having more time to spend with the family. “You don’t have to wake up at 3am or 4am to be in Manila for work because you know the train will be there every three and a half minutes or so and that travel time is very predictable, is traffic-free,” he added. Right now, he said the almost 500,000 daily LRT-1 passengers travelling between Baclaran and Monumento in Caloocan City know what it is like not to be caught in traffic, being home early and sleeping enough because it takes only 35 minutes to traverse this 14-kilometer stretch. “And they pay P30.00, which is comparable to a bus fare. We are still investing billions of pesos to further improve our service.” LRMC is a joint venture company of Metro Pacific Investments Corporation’s Metro Pacific Light Rail Corporation (MPLRC), Ayala Corporation’s AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation (AC Infra), and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure’s Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) PTE Ltd. (MIHPL). The Cavite Extension, totaling 11.7km in length, shall consist of elevated guideways throughout the majority of the alignment. The only at grade guideway section shall be located at Zapote, consisting of the Satellite Depot and New Station. The Cavite Extension shall connect to the existing Baclaran Station. It will have eight new Stations namely, Redemptorist, NAIA Avenue, Asia World; Ninoy Aquino; Dr Santos; Las Pinas; Zapote; and Niog. Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog Stations shall provide transfers to other modes transportation. Alfonso also reported that since assuming operations and maintenance of LRT-1 in September 2015, LRMC has already invested P7.5 billion towards the improvement of operational efficiencies and customer experience on LRT1. “We have significantly increased the number of trains and trips, reduced queueing time and travel time, as well as improved the safety, security and cleanliness of the stations.” LRT-1 fleet was at 109 cars as of March 2018, which is expected to increase to 121 cars by yearend. The increased number of train cars has resulted in the 9.7 percent increase in average daily trips from 505 to 554 trips daily. Average daily ridership in Q1 was at 459,400 or four percent better over the same period last year. LRMC has claimed to have achieved a rare feat in the field of service utilities: Zero failure notice on train availability, punctuality and reliability during the period.