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Moms show support for breastfeeding HUNDREDS of Philippine mothers simultaneously nursed their babies in public on Sunday, some of them two at a time, in a government-backed mass breastfeeding event aimed at combating child deaths. About 1,500 women, some of them wearing tiaras and superhero Tshirts, sat on the vast floor of a Manila stadium and let their babies suckle to the beat of dance music.

VOL. XXXII • NO. 172 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

House feud may reach SC Widodo: Let the mass dance begin JAKARTA, Indonesia—Indonesian president Joko Widodo led some 65,000 of his compatriots in a mass dance through the streets of Jakarta on Sunday to promote the Asian Games and try to set a world record along the way. Next page

Deputy Speaker urges contenders to go to high tribunal

By Rio N. Araja

EPUTY Speaker Fredenil Castro said Sunday those who oppose the recognition of the incumbent minority bloc in the House of Representatives should bring the case to the Supreme Court. “I think the best thing is to go to the Supreme Court,” Castro said in Filipino on radio dzBB. “If the Supreme Court decides the question, then nobody will question it. We will immediately abide by what the Supreme Court decides.” Three groups have been seeking to be recognized as the minority bloc after Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ousted her predecessor, Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez These include the groups represented by Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, the incumbent minority leader,

Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo and Alvarez. In the absence of a proclamation of a new minority bloc, Suarez would be recognized in the meantime, Castro added, noting that the position has not been declared vacant. The groups opposing Suarez says he cannot be minority leader because he voted for Arroyo as Speaker, and have threatened to take their case to the Supreme Court. Suarez on Sunday said his attendance at a meeting of the House committee on rules was a sign that his group has been ofﬁcially recognized as the minority bloc under Arroyo.

“That was the ﬁrst time that we attended the rules panel meeting to set the plenary legislative agenda under Speaker Arroyo. What else is the indication? It is already clear that we are the recognized minority bloc,” Suarez said. Other minority bloc members who attended the meeting were Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza, and Deputy Minority Leader and Coop-Natcco Rep. Anthony Bravo. On Aug. 3, Arroyo vowed not to step into the squabble for the minority leadership among the three contending groups. Suarez, who voted for Arroyo, maintained he would only give up the minority chairmanship if the Supreme Court ordered him to do so. “If I feel that I am not in a position anymore to lead the minority, then I will politely vacate my post if the court says so. May be, we can see some [clarity] if the Supreme Court releases a decision on this,” he said. “Let us get back to work. The House has nine months to go,” he added.

By Rio N. Araja HOUSE of Representatives members on Sunday lauded Speaker Gloria Arroyo for adopting a constitutionally compliant line budgeting system for the proposed P3.757 trillion national budget for 2019 to ensure a pork barrel-free national budget that is fair to all lawmakers, regardless of political afﬁliation. Former speaker and now Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr., Deputy Speaker Raneo Abu of Batangas and Quezon City Rep. Winston Castelo cited Arroyo’s statesmanship in ensuring that no congressional districts Next page

Napoles case in US tests PH govt’s option

Palace shies away from P1-m bounty on 4 ex-lawmakers SUNDAY SAUNTER.

By Nat Mariano MALACAÑANG distanced itself from the P1 million bounty raised against National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) Secretary Liza Maza, former Department of Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano, and two former party-list lawmakers. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said that even with thje millionpeso reward, Maza remains a member of the Cabinet unless the President ﬁres her. “The P1 million reward offered is a private initiative. As far as we are concerned, all aspects of this case are in the hands of the court and we look forward to an impartial and expeditious trial,” Roque said in a statement Sunday. Citizen’s Crime Watch (CCW), a civil society group, offered the P1 million bounty for any information leading to the arrest of Maza, Mariano, and former Bayan Muna representatives Satur Ocampo and Teddy Casiño. CCW national president Diego Magpantay said Saturday the amount was raised by concern citizens who do not want to be named. Next page

Arroyo lauded for pork-free budget plan

Pets in tow, a jogger does her morning routine at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ complex in Pasay City. Ey Acasio

144 of the Corporation Code. Section 74 says “the records of all business transactions of the corporation and the minutes of any meetings shall be open to inspection by any director, trustee, stockholder or member of the corporation,” and that the refusal to allow the records to be examined is punishable.

THE Justice Department will discuss with the Sandiganbayan any request from the United States government seeking the extradition of suspected pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles to face trial for conspiracy to commit money laundering. Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would confer with the anti-graft court once his office officially receives the extradition request from its counterpart in the United States. options under the Philippine-US treaty will be evaluated by the DOJ when an actual request is made by the US government. We will consult with the Sandiganbayan on this,” Guevarra said, in a text message to reporters on Sunday. He said that while the extradition treaty allows the immediate extradition of Napoles and the suspension of plunder and other cases against her before the anti-graft court, his office would consider the stance of the Sandiganbayan before deciding on the matter. Guevarra said the opinion rendered by Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice

Tycoon’s scion, 4 other execs face arrest over corporate feud By Rey E. Requejo A PASIG City court has ordered the arrest of George Sycip, son of the late tycoon Washington Sycip, and four other ofﬁcials of a tuna processing company for violating the Corporation Code of the Philippines. In a July 11, 2018 order, Judge Em-

manuel Pimentel of the Pasig City Metropolitan Court, Branch 69, found probable cause to order the arrest of Sycip, board chairman of Alliance Select Foods International Inc., its president Jonathan Dee and other executives of the company including Marie Grace Vera Cruz, Antonio Pacis and Raymon K.H. See for violating Sections 74 and 75 in relation to Section

By Rey E. Requejo

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018twitter.com/ MlaStandard mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BOL in play after ritual signing at Malacañang By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will lead today, Monday, the ceremonial signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law, Malacañang confirmed Sunday. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte will sign Republic Act 11054, or the BOL, which formally creates the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. “We cannot underplay the significance of this signing as we take comfort in this momentous step toward building the foundation of a lasting peace in Mindanao,” Roque said. “At the same time, we recognize that more work still lies ahead, and we thank all those who remain patient and committed to this arduous task. “We look forward to working with our countrymen in Mindanao in bringing the much-needed development to the island.” The Duterte administration considers the BOL as a landmark law. The President even thanked Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri for pushing for the approval of the measure in the Senate. “We had the Bangsamoro law under the sponsorship of Senator Zubiri― the worthy son of the worthy father,” Duterte said in his speech in Bukidnon. “Thank you for the help.” Meanwhile, the leaders and officials of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front from the Bangsamoro Transition Commission are expected to attend the ceremonial signing of the BOL. “I am sure the members of [the] Congress who supported the bill will be invited, the authors, and the stakeholders, including the Bangsamoro Transition Committee,” Roque told reporters last Wednesday. The ceremonial signing of the BOL was originally planned during the President’s third State-of-the Nation Address on July 23. But the presentation of that law was hampered for about two weeks due to a sudden change in the House of Representatives’ leadership.

Tycoon’s... From A1

Section 144 says violators of the code will be punished by a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P10,000, or imprisonment of not less than 30 days but not more than five years, while Section 75 underscores the right of any stockholder or member of his right to financial statements. The case arose from the complaint filed by Hedy S.C. Yap-Chua against Sycip and other officials of Alliance Select Food International for their continued refusal to allow some shareholders to examine the corporation’s books and other records. The court set the bail for the accused’s provisional liberty at P10,000 for each accused per case. The arrest warrant came after Pimentel upheld the four-page review resolution of the Department of Justice approved by then Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr., which found probable cause to indict Sycip and the others for violating the Corporation Code of the Philippines. The DOJ reversed the earlier resolution issued by Prosecution lawyer Loverhette Jeffrey Villordon dismissing the complaint filed by the minority shareholders of Alliance led by Hedy Yap-Chua, a Singaporean investor of the company, against Sycip and several others. The DOJ noted that the Access Rules being imposed by Alliance was one of so many other barriers to refuse complainants Yap-Chua and the minority shareholders the right to examine the corporation’s records and minutes. It said the series of events from the time that complainant Yap-Chua wrote a notice of inspection on Oct. 2, 2014, up to Nov. 7, 2014, when the shareholders’ representatives were not allowed to inspect the requested documents, was tantamount to a refusal as embodied in the second element for violation of Section 74 in relation to Section 144 of the Corporation Code. The majority shareholders of Alliance, led by Dee and Sycip as its chairman, including its minority stockholders, including the Singaporean investors, have been caught in a dispute for several years now. The row stemmed from the alleged questionable acquisition of Strong Oak Inc. of Alliance’s 430 million shares worth P563.675 million. The sale had resulted in the dilution of the Singaporeans’ shares from 34 percent to 24 percent. The Singaporean investors, led by Yap-Chua, insisted on the opening of the books of Alliance but the majority continued to refuse.

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Tariff cuts seen to tame inflation T By Nat Mariano

HE Duterte administration will push for lower tariffs on meat and fish imports to ease the impact of soaring inflation, Malacañang said Sunday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said President Rodrigo Duterte had hoped to bring affordable food to the Filipinos ever since he assumed office. “To cushion the impact of rising prices, pushing for lower tariffs on meat and fish imports is one of the proposed measures discussed during the recent meeting between President Duterte’s economic managers and [House] Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo,” Roque said. He said the Duterte’s economic managers were happy to be continuing to work closely with the leaders of the legislature. Last Thursday, Arroyo recommended at least five measures to address the impending problems with the rising inflation. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the closed-door meeting included talks on reviewing the tariffs to curb rising prices.

Moms... From A1

HEAD TURNER. A passerby catches a glimpse of workers refurbishing the sports bronze statues at the façade of the Manuel L. Quezon University along Edsa in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Napoles... From A1

Amparo Cabotaje-Tang that Napoles cannot be sent to the US right away because all her cases here should be resolved ﬁrst would be taken into account. “It is true that the Sandiganbayan has acquired exclusive jurisdiction over the person of Janet Napoles, and that is a factor that will be seriously considered in deciding on the matter,” Guevarra said. While the Sandiganbayan under the judicial branch has jurisdiction over Napoles, it is the DOJ under the executive branch that will decide legal option under the extradition treaty would be taken. He said it was unlikely that the case would be taken to the Supreme Court as the relationship with the Sandiganbayan was not adversarial. “Both sides are cooperating with each other,” he said. Earlier, Guevarra said Napoles could be extradited right away upon request of the US and her trial for cases in the Sandiganbayan could be suspended. He said the Philippine government “can surrender her (Napoles) temporarily to the US authorities so that her trial for money laundering could be completed in the US.” “That is one of the two legal options under our extradition treaty if the US ofﬁcially requests the extradition of Janet Napoles,” the DOJ chief said. The other option under the treaty, he said, is for the extradition proceedings to start only after her pending cases at the Sandiganbayan have been terminated or her sentence served. He said under such a scenario, Na-

Arroyo... From A1

would lose their budget allocations because they were represented by opposition. “I praise GMA for her sense of fairness,” Belmonte said, referring to Arroyo by her initials. “There’s absolutely nothing unconstitutional about ensuring that all members of Congress, including the opposition, would get a fair share of projects for their districts. She was herself deprived of her previous position as deputy speaker for voting against the death penalty, which was to her a matter of conscience.” Abu said the line budgeting system deals with the full and detailed disclosure of all allocations and the complete identiﬁcation of all projects by each agency and department to ensure complete transparency and accountability in the government’s expenditures. The 2019 national budget under Arroyo’s watch would not revive the lumpsum fund allocations, he added. Castelo likened line-item budgeting to “using a powerful microscope” to allow Congress to dissect the national expenditure program, and scrutinize and remove “hidden fat.”

poles’ extradition to the US would have to wait for years considering that she has many cases pending before the anti-graft court. Tang said Napoles cannot be extradited while she is on trial in Philippine courts. “The rule in our jurisdiction is that once a court acquires jurisdiction over a case, it continues to do so until the termination of the case. This includes jurisdiction over the person of the accused in a criminal case,” Tang said. Guevarra said that family members of Napoles who were indicted with her in the US money laundering case but who do not have pending cases in the Philippines could be extradited ﬁrst. Napoles and ﬁve family members have been indicted in the US for allegedly laundering some $20 million in public funds obtained through the pork barrel fund scam. Napoles, her children Jo Christine, James Christopher and Jeane Catherine; her brother Reynaldo and his wife Ana Marie were indicted by a federal grand jury for the crime of conspiracy to commit money laundering, domestic money laundering and international money laundering. Napoles, currently detained at the Camp Bagong Diwa detention center in Taguig City, is standing trial for plunder, graft and other cases before the Sandiganbayan. She could only stand trial in the money laundering case upon an extradition request from the US. In the charge sheet, the federal grand jury accused Napoles and other defendants of fraudulently converting money from the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund. The money was paid to dozens of non-

“Everyone should be given their fair share of allocations regardless of their political direction. These are funds for their districts, and not for the representatives. The people or constituents should not be made to suffer because of political differences,” he said. Deputy Speaker and Capiz Rep. Fredenil Castro said Sunday that Arroyo has already committed to being fair to all members of the House regardless of political afﬁliation. In a dzBB interview, Castro said he believes Arroyo would keep her promise to end the practice of starving opposition legislative districts of funds. “She would be fair whether you are from the minority or the majority, everyone is equal. That’s my interpretation of what she said,” he said. “First and foremost, she is the Speaker of not only the majority, but the Speaker of the minority, too. A Speaker must always be neutral. A Speaker treats everyone equally,” he said. Castro said Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez is still the incumbent minority ﬂoor leader until such time that the contending groups resolve the issue. “In the meantime, we have to recognize the incumbent. Why? Because the position of the minority leader has not been declared vacant,” he said.

governmental organizations controlled by Napoles and diverted to kickbacks for the legislators and other government officials, and for the personal use of the Napoles family. About $20 million of those funds were diverted to money remitters in the Philippines and then wired to Southern California bank accounts where the money was used to purchase real estate, shares in two businesses, two Porsche Boxsters, and finance the living expenses of three family members residing in the United States: Jeane Napoles and the Lim couple. It was reported that about $12.5 million in Southern California real estate has been seized by the US Attorney’s Office and is subject to a civil forfeiture case pending before United States District Judge James V. Selna. If the court orders the assets forfeited, the United States will work with Philippine officials in an attempt to return the stolen funds back to the Philippine government. The money laundering case involved activities by the defendants from September 2012 to August 2014. In September 2012, an audit discovered the fraud and the US proceeds were exposed in July 2013. Napoles was arrested in August 2013 and her bank accounts in the Philippines were frozen. Thereafter, Napoles and her family members attempted to quietly liquidate the assets in the United States, secretly repatriate most of the resulting funds back to the Philippines and to other accounts in the U.S. and United Kingdom, and disburse some of the funds to Jeane Napoles, who used the money to finance her lifestyle and open a fashion business.

Palace... From A1

“They wanted to remain anonymous that is why they channeled their money through Citizens’ Crime Watch,” said Magpantay, adding anyone who can give leads will receive P250,000 each for the accused individuals on the alleged killing of their political rivals. “There were people who volunteered to donate the money. They are also [anti-] crime advocates but opted to be anonymous. They do not want their identities to be revealed, so they asked the help of the Citizen’s Crime Watch [instead] because of their trust,” he said. Arrest warrants were issued by a regional trial court in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija against the four accused of double-murder charges ﬁled in 2006.

“Breastfeeding is love. It is difficult, but we do it for love,” said Abegirl Limjap, a pregnant 38-year-old property manager in a “Super Mom” superhero costume as she nursed her two boys, one aged five and the other 11 months. The annual event aims to draw public support for a government campaign to get more mothers to switch to breast milk from infant formula, organizer Rose Padua told AFP. The World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund recommend that children be given breast milk within the first hour of birth and be exclusively breastfed for their first six months. Globally however, three in five babies are not breastfed early, putting them at higher risk of death and disease, the two UN agencies said in a report earlier this year. Twenty-seven children out of every thousand died before the age of five in the Philippines in 2016, according to WHO data. WHO and UNICEF estimate about half of Filipino babies were initiated into early breastfeeding in 2013, barely changed from 46 percent in 2003. “It’s an empowering moment,” said first-time mother Joyce Balido, 29, as she cradled her four-month-old girl at the mass breastfeeding event. “It was very difficult to establish a milk supply at first. I am sleep-starved but I committed myself to have my daughter exclusively breast-fed,” added Balido, an engineer. AFP

Widodo:... From A1

Jakarta and the city of Palembang on Sumatra will jointly host Asia’s biggest sporting event from August 18 but President Widodo has previously complained about the lack of promotion and enthusiasm in the country. In a bid to drum up support ahead of the games authorities turned to the poco-poco, a traditional line dance from North Sulawesi province. Dressed in white and red—the colour of the Indonesian flag—President Widodo, his wife Iriana, and several high ranking officials led tens of thousands of Indonesians in a long, snaking line of dancers through the capital. Organizers hope to break the world record for the largest number of people performing the traditional dance in one place and said 65,000 people took part in Jakarta. “Poco-poco is the original culture of Indonesia and it’s a native dance, so we are now performing a mass Poco-poco dance with 65,000 people setting the world record showing and reiterating Poco-poco belongs to Indonesia,” police chief Tito Karnavian who took part in the event said. Police and military staff, members of parliament, students, members of fitness centers as well as inmates in jails across Indonesia all showed their best Pocopoco moves at the same. “This a very good opportunity to show that Indonesia is conserving its traditions,” high school student Raja Farid Akbar said. “I am happy that I can help promote a tradition that could have been forgotten.” AFP

News Ex-HR chief told: Belie evidence of extortion By Rio Araja THE Sandiganbayan’s Second Division has ordered former Commission on Human Rights commissioner Cecilia Rachel Quisumbing to present evidence in the corruption charges filed against her by the Office of the Ombudsman for collecting money in exchange for the promotion of her staff. In a July 20 resolution, the anti-graft court said prosecutors were able to present strong evidence to back allegations against Quisumbing of one count each of graft, direct bribery or extortion and violation of Section 7(d) of RA 6713 or the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees. “The (defendant’s) motion lacks merit. The foregoing pieces of evidence appear to be prima facie sufficient to sustain a conviction unless rebutted by the defense,” it read. The charges arose from a complaint of her co-terminus staff, Ma. Regina Eugenio, accusing Quisumbing of promoting her from administrative aide 6 to senior administrative assistant 3, and of demanding and collecting her salary differentials of P41,292.85 from January 2013 to July 2013. The Ombudsman’s prosecutors claimed the promotion disregarded Civil Service Commission’s guidelines and was simply carried out “for the purpose of obtaining the subordinate’s salary differentials.” Quisumbing maintained her innocence in the charges of direct bribery and violation of RA 6713 since there was no proof that she received the money from Eugenio. As far as the graft case is concerned, she said there was insufficient evidence to support the alleged undue injury to the complainant or the imputed manifest partiality, evident bad faith, or inexcusable negligence on her part. The money was not converted to her personal benefit but was entrusted to the CRVQ Office fund, she said, adding the sum remained intact.

BRAVERYAWARD.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte confers the Order of LapuLapu with the Rank of Kampilan on one of the wounded soldiers during his visit at Camp Navarro General Hospital in Zamboanga City on August 4, 2018. The President visited the government troopers and civilians who were wounded during the car bomb attack in Lamitan City, Basilan last July 31, 2018. Joining the President is Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go of the Office of the Special Assistant to the President. PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

Gaming tycoon nabbed in HK on fraud charges By Rey E. Requejo

AZUO Okada, erstwhile head honcho of Okada Manila, was arrested in Hong Kong last week by operatives of the administrative region’s Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), according to Chinese media. Okada was taken along with a certain Li Jian for alleged conspiracy to defraud the Hongkong-registered family company Okada Holdings of 135 million yuan ($19.7M). Li Jian, reportedly a director of New Games Corp., allegedly received one million yuan from Okada, according to the same report. ICAC investigates corruption cases in Hong Kong committed by public ofﬁcials. Crimes by private individuals where corruption of a public ofﬁcial is involved also falls within the jurisdiction of ICAC. The arrest was played up by Chinese tabloid Headline Daily in its August 1 issue which also rran Okada’s photo inside a vehicle with two female ICAC elements. Online publications in Hong Kong also carried the same story. Okada, former chief executive

officer of Okada Manila, owner Tiger Resort Leisure & Entertainment Inc., is facing separate cases of estafa in the Philippines for allegedly embezzling more than $10 million in company funds. The complaints, filed by majority shareholders of TRLEI, are pending with the Philippine justice department. TRLEI has been asking the DOJ to set aside earlier resolutions issued by Paranaque City Prosecutor’s Office that had been leaked and its pertinent portions found their way to the social media accounts of Okada’s Korean girlfriend, Chloe Kim, on May 18. TRLEI said the leakage, along with the wrongful disposition and resolution of the cases, indicated the prosecutor’s undue interest in the cases and which did not only violate due process but constituted

grave administrative offenses. It said the leakage “not only violated pertinent laws on public officers but also seriously damaged the credibility, independence, and integrity of the assailed resolutions as well as of the Office of the City Prosecutor.” “The leaked assailed resolution(s) itself is the smoking gun that something irregular happened in the Office of the City Prosecutor of Paranaque City,” it lamented. The controversy prompted Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to order the National Bureau of Investigation to probe the circumstances surrounding the leakage of the two resolutions issued by City Prosecutor Amerhassan Paudac. Guevarra had said that “premature disclosure of orders and resolutions prior to official release is not allowed unless there are compelling reasons that would sufficiently justify the same.” The DOJ has since assumed jurisdiction of the investigation of the two estafa cases. In one estafa case, TRLEI accused Okada of illegal disbursement of company funds amounting to $3.1 million supposedly for his consultancy fees and salaries during his one-month tenure as CEO through his accomplice Takahiro Usui, then TRLEI president. Said disbursement was not authorized by the TRLEI board.

ARRESTED.

‘Pachinko king’ Kazuo Okada is escorted by two female operatives of the Independent Commission against Corruption following his arrest in Hong Kong in this page 1 story of the Headline Daily on August 1.

low-quality raw materials and non-adherence to good manufacturing practices” s Thony Dizon, Chemical Safety Campaigner, EcoWaste Coalition, said in a press statement. “Consumers, especially women and girls, are putting themselves at risk by embellishing their lips with cosmetics containing heavy metal impurities. It’s ﬁne to wear lipstick and feel beautiful as long as your health will not be impaired,” said Aileen Lucero, National Coordinator, EcoWaste Coalition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identiﬁed arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury among the “10 chemicals of major public health concern” requiring action by governments to protect the health of children, women of reproductive age, and workers.

Extended maternity leave pushed By Macon Araneta SENATOR Juan Edgardo Angara has renewed his call for the passage of the expanded maternity leave bill which extends the number of days of paid maternity leave from the current 60 days to 120. “The longer period for maternity leave will free up time for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies, and in turn, ensure their child’s nutrition,” he said. To lengthen maternity benefits is to safeguard our nation’s future, said Angara, one of the authors of Senate Bill 1305, which was approved on third and final reading in March last year. The House’version or House Bill 4113, however, is still pending approval on second reading since January 2017. The senator lamented a 2013 World Health Organization report which showed that the Philippines has a breastfeeding rate of only 34% for infants younger than six months. Based on the 2015 Nutritional Status of Filipinos, one in every three Filipino children aged 5 years old and younger is affected by stunted growth or the height is low for their age. “Nothing will equal mother’s milk—both in terms of its nutritional and economic value. Doubling the number of paid maternity leave days would incur costs to businesses and to productivity, but its social and familial benefits far outweigh the costs for sure,” the lawmaker said. Angara’s father, the late Senate President Edgardo Angara, is the author of Republic Act 7600 or the Rooming-In and Breastfeeding Act of 1992. The country is now celebrating the National Breastfeeding Awareness Month, while the first week of August is World Breastfeeding Week. This year’s theme is “Breastfeeding: Foundation for Life.” “I call on all fathers to give their full support and encouragement to breastfeeding mothers.” Under SB 1305, 30 days of the proposed 120-day maternity leave are transferrable to alternate caregivers including the child’s father, the mother’s common-law partner, and relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity.

Draft charter doubles party-list seats

Buyers warned of poison lipsticks THE EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental and health group, aired this dire warning not to buy certain brands of lipsticks in the wake of its recent discovery of cheap but unsafe lipsticks that can put consumer health at grave risk. At a press brieﬁng held today in Quezon City, the group revealed the unlawful sale of MAC (counterfeit) and Qianxiu lipsticks with dangerously high concentrations of heavy metal contaminants following test buys conducted last August 1 at popular 168 Shopping Mall and Divisoria Mall in Manila. “Arsenic, cadmium, lead, mercury and other toxic metals must not form part of the composition of lipsticks and other cosmetics to prevent human exposure to these highly hazardous chemicals, which could be due to the use of

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

POISONED LIPS. EcoWaste Coalition’s

campaigner warns consumers against buying cheap but unsafe lipsticks including counterfeit items that are laden with toxic chemicals during a press conference held on Sunday in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

PRESIDENT Duterte’s “Draft Constitution for a Strong and Indissoluble Republic” proposes to double the number of party-list representatives in the House from 20 percent to 40 percent of all seats, Buhay Rep. Lito Atienza said Sunday. “Offhand, we favor the proposal because it will allow underrepresented sectors to obtain greater representation in Congress,” Atienza, former three-term mayor of Manila, said. “Senior citizens and women, for instance, may want to seek stronger representation. Even our teachers, who now comprise the nation’s largest group of professionals, may feel that they deserve a louder voice in Congress,” Atienza said. The 1987 Constitution limits the members of the House of Representatives to no more than 250, unless otherwise ﬁxed by law, with 20

percent of the seats reserved for partylist representatives. At present, there are 292 sitting House members, with 233 elected by congressional district (80 percent) and 59 party-list representatives voted nationwide (20 percent). The actual number of House seats has surpassed 250 since 1987 on account of the passage of laws creating new congressional districts in provinces or cities with rapidly increasing populations. Atienza said the draft Constitution seeks to increase the number of House seats “to no more than 400, unless otherwise provided by law,” with 40 percent or up to 160 seats reserved for party-list representatives. “Assuming party-list seats are doubled, the challenge for underrepresented sectors is for them to organize themselves so that they will actually get to elect their representatives,” Atienza said.

Opinion

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

The Constitution, social justice and university education they are necessary if resolute but intelligent action is to follow. Quite clearly, an issue as involved as this cannot be done justice by those who are wont to fallacy and populist appeal. A human person is driven by the dynamics of his own humanity to DOES one fling open the gates of a flourish, to develop. Ricoeur puts the university so that the hordes coming imperative in his popular book Oneself from the K to 12 basic education as Another in the following way: scheme may freely “To live a good life troop in? Nowhere in with others in just the world and at no institutions”. Rightly time ever in academic then, someone who practice has there chooses to waste Quality is ever been such an his life away in one audacious claim as vice or the other, or always a good that of universal simply to skulk in the word; mediocrity, entitlement to shadows and while never! university admission. his days away in utter When we sat down to purposelessness is draft a constitution adjudged perverse for a federal republic and degenerate. From as we are mandated this human drive there to do by an executive order, we had follows the entitlement to that which to wrestle with that issue. It admits enables him to flourish—and this will of no facile solution. First, it raises a include the nurturing of heart and mind, philosophical question: Is there such a and “education” is what, in Kantian thing as a right to university education? fashion, we may call the “transcendental Obviously this is a question of ethics, idea” for this. Broadly then the right to in general, but of social justice, more education is the right to what a person specifically. Fundamentally, it is needs to develop his potential, sate the a question of ontology because all intellect’s drive to understand, respond claim to right must somehow rest on with wholesome affectivity to various some identifiable feature of human situations especially sympathy, but personhood that grounds the claim. also anger, when necessary,orientate Second, and related to the first, it raises towards himself towards the good, the a question of educational theory. What noble and the beautiful, and hone the is university education in the scheme of skills he needs not only for a living the education of the person? Third, it but for a worthwhile life. Clearly, this provokes a query on the meaning and does not simplistically translate into the intent of the Constitution, insofar a right to be admitted to a school, not as one must balance the constitutional even if it is a public school. The right decree that the State provide a “complete to education imposes on parents the system of education” and the equally obligation to educate—and sadly, the constitutionally established academic insistent clamor of parents to get their freedom of institutions. I have always children into schools—and to compel relished debates of this kind, because Turn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Unnecessary bounty HE Palace on Sunday distanced itself—and rightly so—from the P1 million bounty offered for information leading to the arrest of four former lawmakers belonging to the political left.

The reward, presented in bundles of cash at a press conference by a lawyer, was offered by lawyer Ferdinand Topacio on behalf of nameless donors, for the arrest of Liza Maza, Rafael Mariano, Satur Ocampo and Teodoro Casiño, all former lawmakers. Maza is also the current commissioner of the Anti-Poverty Commission, and Mariano was the former Agrarian Reform secretary for the Duterte administration. Palace spokesman Harry Roque said Maza still remains a member of the Cabinet, and that the reward offered was a private init iative. “As far as we are concerned, all aspects of this case are in the hands of the court and we look forward to an impartial and expeditious trial,” Roque said Sunday. Topacio, an ofﬁcial of the watchdog group Citizen’s Crime Watch

(CCW), said “concerned private citizens” raised the reward money to anyone who could give substantial information that would lead to the arrest of four former lawmakers accused of double murder 12 years ago. He said seven people, some of them businessmen and former clients, donated the P1 million, which was coursed through CWW. “You will be surprised some people are already fed up with the antics of some of these politicians. These people are silent people, but deep down inside they are concerned of what’s happening in the country…these are simple businessmen,” he said, without naming the contributors. The reward money, wrapped in bundles, were shown to the media along with four huge tarpaulins containing the photos of the four targeted political leaders.

Given the shadowy nature of the “donations” and the anonymity of the donors, the entire exercise seemed like a publicity stunt that cheapened the justice system and reﬂected poorly on law enforcement agencies tasked to arrest the four former lawmakers. After all, shouldn’t the police and the National Bureau of Investigation be able to perform their duties without the help such whistle blower incentives? The posting of the reward also suggests that the targets were common criminals, wanted for some recent, heinous and sensational crime—instead of former lawmakers wanted on 12-year-old murder charges. Given the administration’s deteriorating relations with the communists, we can hardly blame militant lawmakers from seeing the recent developments as harassment of the political left. The “private” bounty just poured more fuel onto the simmering ﬁre.

Global warming Philippine government employees and university professors; partial scholarship programs for bachelor degrees and a twoyear program with on-the-job training for guaranteed groups of 30 students. Aside from science and technology programs, the university offers a wide WITHOUT having to pore through array of marine and fisheries-related scientific findings by climatologists courses. The Philippines, being an or juxtaposing these with Donald archipelago surrounded by waters rich in Trump’s assertions to the contrary, aquatic resources, would greatly benefit summers all over are really getting from Taiwan’s technological advances in this particular area of study. hotter and hotter. The scholarship programs likewise Here in Taipei, with relatively lower humidity compared to Manila, the heat provides opportunities to learn and is truly getting oppressive. Temperatures probably master the Chinese language reaching 38 Celsius per the weather and work part time while studying in reports feel like a scorching 40 or above, Taiwan. *** especially towards noon and in the early Meanwhile, afternoon. Filipino talent in In some parts music and the arts of Europe last for that matter, July, everyone continues to draw was also Summers all over acclaim all over, complaining including Taiwan. about the are really getting Last year, the unusually hot hotter and hotter. UP Madrigals summer. I had no wowed audiences reason to make all over the comparisons as island with the two summers their beautiful I had previously been there were way back in 1978, then rendition of international songs done a capella. Early this year, a couple of 1988, and those were decades back. The news these days report recorded sopranos who call themselves “The high temperatures, some in the 40s, Nightingales” also toured Taiwan unusual for the continent, even in Sweden and showed how great our talent in close to the Arctic. The same phenomenon musicality could be. The past week, Filipino chorales is felt in Japan and South Korea. What comes out as relief here in participated in a three-day Taipei Taipei though is the presence of so many International Choral Competition. The parks, big and small, and trees all over Tarlac National High School chorale and which provide instant cooling effects. the Pansol chorale (of Barangay Pansol Which makes Filipinos compare the in QC, not the thermal baths of Laguna) vegetation with the concrete jungles that stood out for the beautiful way they Metro Manila and key urban centers all blended voices together. As of the weekend, the Tarlac National over the Philippines have deteriorated High School chorale had qualified for the into. finals. *** The Pansol choir led by its artistic Last Monday we took the bullet train to Kaohsiung at the southern tip of the island director Mark Anthony Carpio of the to sign a memorandum of understanding Philippine Madrigals sang two of their with the National Kaohsiung University competition pieces (one a popular Filipino of Science and Technology that further song and the other a religious or sacred creates opportunities for Filipinos to song) over dinner with us. The heavenly blending of voices provided a fitting end study in Taiwan. NKUST, the product of a merger to a tiring but fruitful day, having spun of three established national science, in and out by train to Kaohsiung for the technology and marine universities in NKUST MOA signing. *** October 2017, is the largest technological Starting this week, MECO will university in Taiwan and the second largest university, next to Taipei’s be having its own mobile app in the Google and Apple store to aid Filipinos National Taiwan University. The undertaking opens up masters and Taiwanese alike in interacting with and doctorate scholarship programs for Turn to A5

Minority of three NORMALLY in politics everybody wants to be part of the majority. Strange as it may seem, there is a mad scramble to be House Minority Leader with three groups claiming to be the minority bloc. Marikina Representative Miro Quimbo and Eugene de Vera claim they are now the Minority Leader after the ouster of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez. Buhay Party List Rep. Lito Atienza, one of the original members of the minority and an ally of Quezon Rep.

Danilo Suarez, invokes House rules he said must be the guide post in the muddled Minority mess. “The majority of congressmen only voted to replace Speaker Alvarez with former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Therefore, the other positions were not vacant, “ said Atienza who was the mover in gathering votes for GMA during behind-the-scenes State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte

Today the House in plenary session is expected to clear up the minority issue.

Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

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Opinion

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

Puno and Nakpil: Icons of our youth WHAT a jolt August brought upon us. Two icons of our youth recently left us to move on to eternal life. One after the other. The eminent lawyer’s lawyer, Justice Ricardo Concepcion Puno (RCP), died a few days before August set in, followed a week or so after, by the legendary woman of letters Carmen Guerrero Nakpil (CGN), definitely a National Artist by any measure. One could say they were worthy torchbearers of an influencer generation— the pre-war/war generation as historians now reckon it to be - which valued patriotism, self-sacrifice and hard work, excellence, civic mindedness and, of course, good manners and right conduct, among other virtues. It was a generation which, in more ways than one, laid the ground for a modernizing, newly minted Republic. A generation which challenged generations of Filipinos after them and which continues to challenge us beyond their earthly existence to ensure that we will in time make of this benighted land the nation we can all be proud of. To generations of lawyers and leaders of men, RCP was a towering figure in the rarefied field of law and public policy. Foremost, he was a teacher in the best sense of the word, an accolade which his students in the best law schools he became a fixture of - Ateneo, UP, San Beda, to name a few, and eventually MLQU Law which he cofounded, mentoring eventual eminent legal eagles themselves such as another lawyer’s lawyer, Juan Ponce Enrile, who himself nurtured generations of acclaimed lawyers. I remember one prominent lawyer who was once RCP’s student recounting how he had to stand up for an hour of questioning, of giveand-take on the intricacies of the law on wills and succession. To him, it was one of the most memorable moments of his student days being able to withstand the intense grilling, not only because he did not buckle down in fear but because he has won his cases using the arguments and interjections which the great RCP, as he called him, in his pleadings.

Minority... From A4

last July 23. Suarez remains Minority Leader even if he voted for Arroyo, according to Atienza. “Opposing House bills that are a burden to the people instead of beneﬁting them is not the sole responsibility of the minority. All members of the House should work together in legislating measures for the interest of the people,” said Atienza. Seen now as one the closest to the new House Speaker, Atienza has not accepted any key position in a reorganized lower chamber because he does not want any political label or afﬁliation to whatever action he takes. Atienza, as an independent voice in the House, opposed the granting to the Moro Islamic Liberation Front powers to have its own military and police

The Constitution... From A4

schools to admit them—is a guilty admission that they have been remiss in their primordial duty to educate them. With equal clarity the right to education as I think its entailment to be is met when a member of society receives those resources that correspond to her personal goals balanced by an empirical consideration of her capacities and the resources available to society. Then there is the issue of educational theory about the nature of a university. In summary, there is general agreement among academics that the university is the locus of high levels of study and of research. Even the regulatory agency of government for higher education, the Commission on Higher Education, adopts a typology that classifies institutions into “professional institutions”, “colleges” and “universities”. Quite clearly, the university is at the apex of the institutional hierarchy. As expectedly it should admit only the most capable of students who are able to optimally make use of the resources of the university for instruction and research, and also for developmentextension. The history of education makes clear that universities were not principally training centers for those who were to fit into industries and job opportunities but for that “community of professors and scholars” capable of reconfiguring society through a continuous ferment of ideas. It is dangerous to undervalue the potency of a revolutionary idea. It is often asked in relation to the challenge of access to education: When a university becomes selective of those it admits, what happens to those who are

to his excellence and versatility not to mention his passion for the law that he managed to teach, hear and decide on cases and write “think pieces” for prestigious publications while raising with his wife and life partner, Priscilla, 12 children all of whom have made names for themselves in their respective professions. I am told that out of the twelve, sprang forty eight grandchildren, thirty seven great grand children and a great, great grand child —all of whom, I am sure, will miss his wit and his teachings and, of course, his patented brand of humor. Tita Chitang, as we came to address CGN, was such a presence not only in the world of letters but in Manila society itself. A distinguished woman of letters she was considered one of the best read, incisive and unconventional product of her generation which included such

eminences as Nick Joaquin, Blas Ople, O.D. Corpuz, Adrian Cristobal, Kerima Polotan-Tuvera, Johnny Gatbonton, Juan Luna Castro, E. Aguilar Cruz, F. Sionil Jose and her own kin, Leon Maria Guerrero, among others. That she was unconventional was a give away what with a column titled “In My Humble Opinion” which was carried for years by the Manila Chronicle. Her pieces were not of the usual stuff as she constantly challenged conventions. She was as passionate in promoting gender equality and women’s rights as she did love of country. She was at home challenging church dogma as she did the country’s colonial past. A product of convent schools, well mannered and coiffured to the hilt, she was not shy questioning the manner by which these institutions were teaching history and positioning women in society. As she challenged conventions, she was as well questioning the way the country’s history was being written and appreciated. She did her own research and inquired extensively on the triumphs and foibles of generations past—the Europe based intellectuals of the Propaganda movement; the working class-cum-semi-landlord led struggle against Spain which only brought us under another colonizer and, the tragedies and hardships of Japanese occupation and the guerrilla movement it inspired. She was, in a very real sense, a Filipina ahead of her time. Not only was she able to use her pen to strike out the cobwebs of our past, she was an ardent advocate of a Philippines unshackled, moving forward united in its diversity and proudly waving the excellence of the race and the beauty of its culture and traditions. She had her way with the political, economic and social class to which she herself belonged but to her last breath admonished for letting our people down. Though gone, RCP and CGN will remain the inﬂuencers that they were in life. May the angels be with them in their continuing journey to eternal life.

force, a Commission on Audit, and its own system of taxation. Yet the MILF, which said the lack of these powers is a diluted version of the Bangsamoro Basic Law, accepted the revised law passed by a bicameral body. Atienza was ﬁrmly against the granting the above mentioned powers which would make the Bangsamoro a state within a state. It was a good thing the MILF did ask for its own separate Department of Foreign Affairs. Then we will all have to get visas to enter regions and provinces under the Muslim Mindanao areas. Today, Monday, the House in plenary session is expected to clear up the minority issue. It is just as well so that pending and priority legislative proposals can be taken up. Those who want to be in the minority bloc must state their intent in writing, said Atienza, adding that that those who used to be in the majority but voted against Arroyo or abstained cannot

automatically be deemed the minority bloc unless they state it in a formal letter. This is the process to be followed and approved by the Speaker whose stamp of approval is also needed in choosing the heads of key committees in the looming House reorganization. There are certain bills that need the House attention. Among them the creation of a Department of National Disaster Management considering the Philippines, according to a United Nations study, is the world’s third most disaster-prone country. Flooding and landslides brought about by back-toback typhoons that visit the country rake its toll on human lives and billions of pesos in damage to agricultural crops. The Philippines is also in the Paciﬁc ring of ﬁre or earthquake belt. Residents of Metro Manila with its tall buildings and condominium towers are waiting for “The Big One” which everyone is praying does not happen.

not admitted? In Germany as in other countries, the answer is: Acquire a skill some place that will allow you a decent living and a happy life. Why should the university be the be all and end all of human fulfillment? Much of this is a matter of Filipino culture. It seems to be a cultural bad habit on our part to think that everyone should go to a university to be truly accomplished. The result has been detrimental to the cause of a workforce that is truly skilled and capable. It has also spawned so many second-rate universities that barely warrant the charters they brandish. So it is that students will insist on taking a course like B.S. Marketing and Finance and shun a TESDA program for plumbers, even if there is such shortage of plumbers that the few you can find are free to charge you handsomely for the simplest of jobs they accomplish and hardly any need for B.S. Marketing and Finance graduates. And even if a notary public ekes out a living by notarizing one document a day for a measly fee, many will still study law and consider a vocational course a poor alternative because of the “glamor” attached to university education. But since when have cultural bad habits been sound bases for policy? And the point is that we must humbly admit that there are so many problems that we are not able to fix, given the scarce resources we have. The question—Where do those who are not admitted to university go?—is not all too different from the question: What happens to those patients who public hospitals cannot attend to? And the humble reply we must give, but one that hearkens to ever-present realities is that given limited resources, some tough choices must be made. And while we can and should improve access (which is not to say that university should be open to all!), we cannot pretend that we

can solve all problems of social inequity. ASEAN Integration has already showed us that we need a quality framework for higher education that will allow for seamlessness of education throughout the ASEAN region. And when we look at the ranking of the Philippines’ best universities worldwide, we have a stark presentation of the misery that we are in, a miserable state to which we should never resign ourselves. As for the Constitution, what it mandates is clear “Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society” Nowhere does it decree that every one who desires to do so should be admitted to a university or even to tertiary education. If anything at all, it guarantees all higher education institutions—public or private— academic freedom which has a jurisprudentially settled meaning and includes the university’s right to determine who to teach, who will teach, what should be taught, and how things are taught. What society needs to do is to protect the academic institutions of its universities so that they may freely carry out the purpose for which they were chartered and established. Our Supreme Court has consistently safeguarded the right of higher education institutions, whether public or private, to determine, free and untrammelled, their admission policies and standards, including the right to refuse some from their precincts. Quality is always a good word; mediocrity, never!

CROSSROADS

JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ As remarkable as his teaching was, RCP was also a well respected member of the judiciary for years having been credited with issuing landmark rulings which remain part of case law and jurisprudence to this day. In addition, as Justice Secretary, he was credited with having humanized the penology system and reformed the country’s prosecution and immigration services. It is a credit

They will continue to be inﬂuencers.

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

It’s hunting season (again) for election fraud the legal definition of fraud. Comparing the results of the ladderized system starting from the vote counting machines in the precincts to the Municipal Board of Canvassers, then the Provincial Board of Canvassers, and finally the National LESS than a year before the 2019 polls, Board of Canvassers will show any the air is once again rife with the broad discrepancy in the numbers To put it simpler, just look at the ballots, apprehension that surrounds the regular spectacle that is Philippine election scanned image, election returns and even season. The omens include nagging pre- the voter’s verification receipt with the election issues and controversies such as counted results. If there is discrepancy, test balloon statements on no-election that confirms fraud. If they match, then scenarios and political maneuverings to the system works. The report of Random set up a strong positions before campaign Manual Audit Committee composed of the Comelec, Philippine Statistics period starts. As usual, there is new noise criticizing Authority and the National Citizens’ Movement for the Commission Free Elections on Elections, the clearly showed latest of which an almost perfect points to some 99.9percent mysterious The successful accuracy. No transmissions automated elections wonder there is that supposedly only one ongoing happened a has been instrumental election protest day before the in strengthening compared to 2016 elections the country’s global hundreds during held on May 9. the manual Criticizers claim credibility and election era. that based on log political stability. Observing files there are from a some unexplained communications entries that point of view, all purportedly are these noise, even clues to some kind without due substantiation, are classic of manipulation. Fair enough, vigilance is good. For tactics aimed to damage the credibility its part, the Comelec has committed of the Comelec-managed automated to the Senate Committee on Electoral elections obviously for the benefit of Reforms and People’s Participation to a political end. Whoever are behind verify the authenticity and technical these attacks are targeting the public’s interpretation the data, if indeed the perception and the legitimacy of the claims are correct, or all these are just polls and, consequently, the mandates it bestows on all winning officials. The benign misinterpretations. To a non-techie, it’s quite easy to test same elections that cemented Duterte’s such claims. The 2016 elections was Presidency. A destabilizing strategy but hailed by many, from ordinary citizens to to what end? We only need to look back at the last foreign observers, as the most peaceful, credible, and transparent elections in manual elections in 2004 especially with Philippine history. Then presidential the specter of “Hello Garci” like scandals candidate Rodrigo Duterte, as forecast and countless of incidents even before the by polls, appeared to be the front runner dark years of Martial Law. Filipinos still remember the long in the quick count, his foes conceded, including the runner-up Mar Roxas of the history of manual elections in the country, a process historically marred by then ruling Liberal Party. These are all unprecedented in exhausting time-consuming tediousness Philippine politics, and it greatly restored and even deadly fraud. Just the memory the public’s faith in the elections. of ballots being read one by one by Gone were the days when glacial overworked teachers for manual tallying paced counting frustrated the people’s or images of stolen ballot boxes should be anticipation and, most crucially, provided enough to convince us that any method ample opportunities to cheat. Clearly, other than automated ones is a regression. So why the seasonal attacks on the antidote to ancient human modus like dagdag-bawas, ballot switching and Comelec and the automated elections other dirty tricks, is to make the process system? If the motivation is to take automated and thus as impervious as over the current provider then nothing is stopping any vendor who can offer possible to human intervention. For anyone who wishes to cast doubt a more efficient, convenient, secure, on the integrity of the elections, proving cost efficient, faster solution from anomaly is also as easy. Just have the participating in the next bid. It will claims counterchecked using the data in be to the nation’s advantage to deploy the Comelec Central Server, the Board of the best automation solution for Canvassers server, and the 30 copies of elections. In fairness, Comelec even conducted the printed election returns. This design is precisely to make sure that scrutiny a summit inviting various providers to of the results is shared not only by the present alternative automated election poll body, but also by political parties, systems and even field tested a hybrid credible election watch dogs as well as system. So far, none has come at par with the general public and the courts in case the Comelec’s requirements as mandated by law. of an election protest. With two credible presidential To prove allegations that cheating occurred somehow during transmission, elections and one mid-term elections it is so easy to compare the election results under its belt, there is little question generated at the precinct level with what that the automated election system as was actually transmitted. Just get a copy implemented by the Comelc has changed of a printed election return from any of the the political game and without a doubt, clustered precincts then check it vis-a-vis restored the Filipino’s faith in our the transmitted electronic version of the democratic system. Expectedly, those self-same results. Both these information who thrived in the cheating prone manual are readily available to the candidate’s elections miss the old days when they had party, the first are provided to watchers their way with “guns, goons and gold.” The truth is, the successful automated of both candidates, and the second is on elections has been instrumental in Comelec’s official site. The simple but foolproof strategy to strengthening the country’s global cut through all the technical jargon is credibility and political stability, two to establish if there was any increase or crucial foundations for the economic decrease in the votes of any candidates, growth we now enjoy.

Global... From A4

the Philippine representative office in Taiwan. The app is designed to complement MECO’s website in reaching out to as many people as possible, to raise awareness about its projects, activities and various services. The website itself was earlier updated and upgraded to provide more content and information and enhance service features such as its online travel authority application facility. The website presently features current news articles regarding five major areas of concern for MECO: trade and investment, travel and tourism, education and culture, development and cooperation and labor and assistance to nationals. A section of the website is devoted to success and inspirational stories of Filipinos in Taiwan. It lists down the various services provided by MECO such as travel authorization, passport facilitation and document authentication. Both the website and mobile app carry the new MECO logo which signifies

the continued cooperation between the Philippines and Taiwan; the Philippine government and the Filipino community in Taiwan and the equal importance of economic and people-to-people exchanges. Service and holiday schedules and other major announcements from MECO may also be accessed thru both the website and the mobile app. Both also carry an online passport appointment system and a passport releasing search engine for Filipinos in Taiwan. The mobile app features notiﬁcations for new content and announcements made in the website. This will also prove handy in times of emergency and natural disasters when we need to immediately reach out to the Filipino community in the island. Early on when I assumed the MECO post, I immediately challenged all of its existing personnel to come up with innovative ways to improve systems and procedures in the organization, to think out of the box, and cope up with changing times. We hope that these digital platform enhancements would improve our clients’ interactive experience while dealing with MECO, the Philippine representative ofﬁce in Taiwan.

News

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

P4.8-b for Marawi rehabilitation in 2019 By Rio N. Araja

HE national government is allocating another P4.8 billion for rehabilitation efforts in Marawi City under the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget next year, Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel said on Sunday.

Pimentel, a member of the House committee on appropriations, said P3.5 billion will be for disaster funds while the remaining P1.3 billion will go to the engineering brigade of the Philippine Army that will be helping in the reconstruction and rehabilitation program. “On top of the P3.5 billion, government is also spending another P1.3 billion to support the activation of the Philippine Army’s 55th Engineering Brigade for the purpose of aiding in the restoration of Marawi,” he said. President Rodrigo Duterte, in his 2019 budget message to Congress, said he was pleased with the ongoing efforts to revive Marawi City. The government is already spending P10 billion this year to make Marawi City livable again, complete with homes, schools, places of worship, hospitals, public markets, roads and bridges as well as basic services.

Manila

Standard

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City 14.

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

15.

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

ERC CASE NO. 2018-005 RC

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

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

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

SO ORDERED.” 16.

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

17.

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

18.

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

19.

The contract price is now pegged at Eighty Seven Million Six Hundred Thirty Thousand Forty Three and 60/100, Philipine currency (PhP87,630,043.60), plus 12% VAT for the following subtransmission assets:

TRANSCO and ISELCO II alleged the following In their Application: 1.

TRANSCO is a government-owned and controlled corporation created and existing by virtue of R.A. No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPlRA), with principal office address at the TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. ISELCO II is an electric cooperative (EC) duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at the Government Center, Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines. By virtue of Section 8 of the EPIRA, TRANSCO assumed the electrical transmission functions of the National Power Corporation, and the responsibility of the latter for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnections and ancillary services. Section 8 of the EPIRA and Rule 6, Section 8(e) of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) also mandate the segregation of the transmission and sub-transmission functions and assets for transparency and disposal, and authorize TRANSCO to negotiate for, and to transfer such subtransmission assets (STAs) and facilities to qualified distribution utilities (DUs). Pursuant thereto, this Honorable Commission promulgated the “Guidelines on the Sale and Transfer of the TRANSCO’s Subtransmission Assets and the Franchising of Qualified Consortiums” (ERC Guidelines) dated 17 October 2003, as amended by ERC Resolution NO.3, Series of 2005 dated 17 March 2005 which set forth among others, the standards to distinguish TRANSCO’s transmission assets from its subtransmission assets and establish the approval process prior to the final sale and transfer of STAs to DUs. Consistent with the ERC Guidelines, TRANSCO adopted its own Guidelines on the Sale of Sub-transmission Assets (“TRANSCO Guidelines”) [Annex “A”] as approved by TRANSCO Board Resolution No. TC-2003-067 dated 28 November 2003 [Annex “A-1”], as further amended by TRANSCO Board Resolution No.TC-2004-009 dated 16 March 2004 [Annex “A-2”].

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

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

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

Copies of the Report on the Nature of the Assets, List of STAs for Sale to ISELCO II and the Single Line Diagram are , attached as Annexes “B”, “C” and “D,” respectively. 9.

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

FOR BOOKWORMS. Teens while their time away after a morning stroll at a makeshift public library installed at the CCP grounds in Pasay city. Ey Acasio

a. b. c. d. 20.

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

Finally, herein applicants also respectfully submit the following documents in compliance with the Honorable Commission’s requirements: a. b.

Draft of the Deed of Absolute Sale [Annex “M”]; and, Franchise Description [Annex “N”].

21.

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

22.

The approval by this Honorable Commission of the instant Joint Application shall pave the way for the attainment of a reformed electricity industry under the EPlRA, which would ultimately best serve the interest of the consuming public. PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that after due notice and hearing, a DECISION be rendered APPROVING the instant Joint Application for the approval of the sale of TRANSCO’s subtransmission assets in favor of Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc. under the terms provided in the Second Amendment of the Lease Purchase Agreement dated 20 May 2015. Applicants also pray for other just and equitable relief.

On 28 February 2018, the Commission issued an Order and a Notice of Public Hearing setting the case for hearing on 31 May 2018. On 24 May 2018, Applicant ISELCO II filed an Urgent Motion for Postponement (Motion) dated 20 May 2018. In its Motion, ISELCO II manifested that its witnesses will not be available during the hearing as they have already retired from the cooperative, thus, it prayed that the hearing on 31 May 2018 be reset to a later date. Finding the said Motion meritorious, the same was granted by the Commission. Thus, the hearing set on 31 May 2018 was cancelled. 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 September 2018 (Thursday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) at ISELCO II’s principal office at Brgy. Alibagu, Dagan, Isabela. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

10.

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

The petitioner’s name and address;

11.

On 15 February 2013, the ISELCO II Board of Directors issued Resolution No. 2013-016 [Annex “1”] relative to the desired acquisition.

ii.

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

12.

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

iii.

A statement of the relief desired.

13.

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

A reduction of the cost of the Tap Gamu-Roxas 69 kV line, from that of Twelve Million Eight Hundred Thirteen Thousand Five Hundred Twenty Three Pesos and 11/100, Philippine currency (PhP12,813,523.11) to that of Nine Million One Hundred Thirty Four Thousand One Hundred Ninety Four and 73/100, Philippine currency (PhP9,134,194.73) owing to the NGCP-verified decrease of the line segment from that of 31.83 kilometers to that of 18.58 kilometers; An increase in the cost of the Naguilian-Gamu-Ilagan 69 kV line segment, from the amount of Three Million Five Hundred Fifty Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy One and 22/100, Philippine currency (PhP3,557,971.22), to that of Five Million Five Hundred Thousand Nine Hundred Twenty Four Pesos and 59/100, Philippine currency (PhP5,500,924.59) owing to the NGCP-verified increase of the line segment from that of 9.69 kilometers to that of 14.85 kilometers; and, The imposition of a twelve percent value-added tax (12% VAT) on the cost of sub-transmission assets and on the interest thereon, pursuant to the Bureau of Internal

THE Department of Health has recorded over 62,000 dengue cases from January to July, up by two percent for the same period last year, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said. “Dengue cases increased by two percent with a total of 62,632 from lasat year’s 61,000 for the same period,” Duque said in a radio interview with dzBB. Duque said Ilocos Norte, in particular, posted a high number of dengue cases. “Ilocos already knows what they need to do. At the local level, our local government units are activating dengue brigades and conduct fogging,” he said. Duque said the DoH has also recorded a high number of chikungunya cases in Biliran province. Like dengue, the chikungunya virus is also contracted through mosquito bites. Unlike dengue, however, chikungunya is “self-limiting,” Duque said. Duque reminded the public to practice the 4S against mosquitos, namely to search and destroy breeding places, to adopt self-protection measures, to seek early consultation, and to say yes to fogging. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Revenue’s Memorandum Circular No. 66-2013 dated 30 September 2013, and Revenue Regulation No. 04-2007 dated 07 February 2007, respectively.

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

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

Dengue cases reach 62,000 – Duque

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

The name and address of such person;

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO, AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 29th day of May 2018 in Pasig City. JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

(MS-AUGUST 6 & 15, 2018)

AFTERNOON RESPITE. A scavenger take a rest behind the EdsaKamuning flyover. Manny Palmero

EU awards research grant for data, privacy security THE European Union has granted a consortium led by technology solutions provider Smartmatic with a three-year research program to develop new cryptographic tools to protect the data and privacy for numerous applications, including elections. Smartmatic Philippines president Jane Coo said the European Commission has awared Smartmatic-Cybernetica Centre of Excellence for Internet Voting a new research granted under the EU’s Horizon 2020 Programme. The consortium also includes IBM Research Zurich, University of Tartu, Technical University Eindhoven, University of Salerno, GRNET, University of Edinburgh, Guardtime AS, and GUNET. Horizon 2020 is the biggest European Union Research and Innovation program. It was created in 2014 to ensure Europe produces world-class science, removes barriers to innovation and makes it easier for the public and private sectors to work together in delivering innovation. Coo noted that Smartmatic was earlier provided a 15-year contract in Belgium as voting technology provider that used in the elections for members of the EU Parliament in 2014. “This result of this EU research award could help us in greatly improving the way we conduct our elections in the country. There is a scheduled elections on October 2018 (in Belgium) and we are in the thick of preparations, busy delivering new voting machines and services,” Coo said. She said the company recently used its TIVI blockchain technology in Norway in a local plebiscite that led to a record-breaking 85 percent turnout as the voters were allowed vote online. Polling stations were still put up for those who may not have access to the internet. Coo said blockchain allows people to vote online with full trust and security because the technology uses a large network of computers continuously synchronizing and exchanging information with each other, which makes the data impossible to hack. In the Philippines, this could mean less traffic and shorter lines in polling precincts during elections, she said.

Sports LGUs excited to host 2018 Mindanao Open games LOCAL government units and other stakeholders are excited about the holding of the Mindanao Open, a quarterly sportsfest to be held in different regions leading to a national championship, this year as the series of coordination meetings wrapped up in Ozamiz City last July 30. The Mindanao Open is part of the Luvmo Games 2018, a program of the Philippine Sports Commission, in cooperation with the Philippine Sports Institute for 12-under, 14-under and 16-under athletes. Coordination meetings were earlier held in Davao City last July 3, General Santos City (July 5), Cagayan de Oro City (July 11), Surigao City (July 18) and Zamboanga City (July 25). “Everyone’s excited. In fact, some are very interested to be one of the hosts,” said Luvmo Games 2018 program director Nonnie Lopez, a PSI coordinator. A total of 24 cities and 19 provinces in Mindanao were represented during the coordination meetings. Gingoog City sports coordinator Epifanio C. Zarate said: “Gingoog City is just a small city but we are willing to host 3 or 4 events if given the opportunity.” Dinagat Island Province sports coordinator Jay Benitez said the Mindanao Open will be a big step forward in their sports development. “Archery has been our priority sports and this would be an opportunity for our athletes to develop and showcase their skills and talents. We hope that Mindanao Open will come into reality,” Benitez said. This year, Mindanao Open hosts will be Cagayan de Oro City, General Santos City, Dipolog City, Zamboanga City and Davao City but the schedule has yet to be finalized pending the PSC Board approval. The Mindanao Open will feature open water swimming, triathlon, badminton, table tennis, tennis, arnis, boxing, judo, karatedo, taekwondo, air rifle, archery, fencing and weightlifting. However, not all these events will be played in each leg as host LGUs already identified its focus sports.

Contrasting wins for Manila, Parañaque fives ANGELES CITY—Harold Arboleda and Chris Bitoon brought their A-game to lead their respective squads to contrasting wins in the MPBL Datu Cup at the Angeles University Foundation Arena here. Arboleda, who played for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA several years ago, came up with another double-double effort in powering the Parañaque Patriots-F2 Logistics to a 73-69 squeaker of pesky Pasay Voyagers. The 6’3”, former University of Perpetual Help standout finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and a steal in another all-around performance that towed the Patriots back on the winning track. Parañaque improved its winloss record to 3-2 and arrested a twogame slide. Arboleda capped his long-game brilliance by also playing clutch in the endgame as he scored his team’s last five points. His three-pointer in the last 1:03 of the match put the Patriots back on the driver’s seat, 71-69. He added two more points by making two of four shots from the charity stripes in the last two offensive thrusts of the Patriots. Ryusie Koga contributed 16 markers for Parañaque. While Arboleda dished out another double-double performance, Bitoon went an assists shy of completing his own, but that hardly had any effect in his efficient playmaking and huge contributions to the Manila Stars’ overpowering 100-75 triumph over host team Pampanga Lanterns in the main game. Bitoon, the lefty guard from Saint Clare, knocked in 22 points and dished out nine assists to steer the Stars to their fourth win in five games. The Stars had defeated their last three opponents by an average of 20.3 points. Prior to this game, the Robust Energy Capsulebacked Stars were coming off from a 107-76 whipping of the Cebu SharksCasino Ethyl Alcohol, whom they had held scoreless the entire first period. This time, they brought their vicious form in thwarting the Lanterns, who had lost back-to-back games and fell to 2-3.

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Thomas pulls away, Tiger falters L

OS ANGELES—Justin Thomas had six birdies in a three-under par 67 Saturday to seize a threeshot third-round lead at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational, where Tiger Woods faded from contention. Thomas, who defends his PGA Championship title next week at the last major of the year, is rounding into form just at the right time. A two-time winner early this season, has finished inside the top 10 just once in his last eight starts. One over through the first five holes after a birdie and two bogeys, he produced five birdies in a nine-hole span to separate himself from a star-studded chasing pack.

“I just need to continue to go out and play well tomorrow because I have a lot of really good players chasing me,” said Thomas, who will play in the final group on Sunday with Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy. McIlroy carded a three-under 67 to share second on 199 with overnight coleader Ian Poulter of England, who carded a 70. Former world number one Jason Day was alone on 200 after a 69.

Woods, an eight-time winner at Firestone Country Club, which is hosting the Bridgestone for the last time, couldn’t keep pace. He started the day five off the lead and carded a three-over 73 that left him 11 adrift. “I’m fine. I just played like crap,” Woods said. “I didn’t warm up very well, I didn’t hit the ball crisp or clean. Very similar to, you know, (to) the first day. The difference is, I made everything the first day. “Today, I didn’t make anything.” With the Firestone Country Club greens firming up in warm, sunny weather, all of the contenders predicted a tough challenge on Sunday.

“The hard part about this course is you can get off track pretty quick if you’re not playing well,” Thomas said. “I think that’s why with it being softer this week you’re seeing a big variety of scores, because it’s soft enough where if you’re playing well you can shoot low but if you’re not you can shoot some pretty high numbers.” McIlroy was pleased with a round in which he hit nine of 14 fairways, producing three birdies without a bogey. “I like to hit driver as much as possible and this course allows me to do that,” McIlroy said. “It allows you to be aggressive off the tee. Nine out of 14 fairways for me today is a really good number. If I can do that tomorrow hopefully I’ll have a chance.” AFP

StiflerPH wins UFC Primera Cup

Tony Lascuña is out to end a long drought at Binitin.

Elite PGT cast braces for 4-leg Visayan swing

THE men of the Philippine Golf Tour gear up for another grueling southern campaign with a four-leg Visayan swing on tap beginning with the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge on Wednesday (Aug. 8) at the Bacolod Golf and Country Club. The organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. will actually stage two events in the premier city in Western Visayas with Negros Occidental Golf and Country Club (Marapara) hosting the next stop for the ICTSI Negros Occidental Classic on Aug. 15-18. The quaint Iloilo Golf and Country Club will next stage the event, the ICTSI Iloilo Golf Challenge, on Aug. 22-25 before the regional swing concludes at the Cebu Country Club for the ICTSI Cebu Invitational on Aug. 29-Sept. 1. The PGTI and the sponsoring ICTSI revived the southern swing with a three-leg tour in Mindanao last June with three players sharing top honors. Jobim Carlos, riding the crest of his breakthrough win at PGT Asia Riviera leg, won the Apo stop

while American Nicolas Paez upstaged the local aces to snare the Del Monte diadem. Young Korea Kim Joo Hyung, on the other hand, posted a record win at Pueblo de Oro, becoming the youngest player at 16 to win on the country’s premier circuit backed by BDO, KZG, Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Sharp, Champion, Summit Mineral Water and PLDT. From the looks of things, the same unpredictable finishes loom in the Visayas tournaments with multi-titled Tony Lascuña out to snap a long spell along with a host of others, including reigning PGT Order of Merit champion Clyde Mondilla and veterans Elmer Salvador, Ferdie Aunzo, Frankie Miñoza and local hero Robert Pactolerin. Lascuña edged Guido Van der Valk and Micah Shin in a thrilling playoff when the circuit held its last tournament at the BGCC two years ago with the Dutch and the Korean-American also entered this week along with other foreign aces

Keisuke Takahashi of Japan, Spain’s Paya Vila Salvador, Koreans Lee Song and Park Jun Sung and Lexus Keoninh of the US. But focus will still be on the local pros with Jay Bayron and Jhonnel Ababa also itching to score a follow-up to their recent PGT Asia victories at Manila Southwoods and Forest Hills, and Carlos hoping to cash in on his good form to go another victory. That guarantees four days of action at the short and flat but tight par-70 tree-lind layout at Hacienda Binitin in Murcia, Negros Occidental with hazards coming into play in most holes. Others in the fold are reigning Phl Masters champion Jerson Balasabas, Ira Alido, Rufino Bayron, Marvin Dumandan, Albin Engino, Anthony Fernando, Mhark Fernando, Jelbert Gamolo, Zanieboy Gialon, Charles Hong, Keanu Jahns, Reymon Jaraula, Rene Menor, Rey Pagunsan, Mars Pucay, Joenard Rates, Gerald Rosales, Elmer Saban, Orlan Sumcad and

STIFLERPH FC had a successful Urban Football Challenge debut, winning the Primera Division Cup championship Saturday at the McKinley Hill Stadium. Composed of former San Beda student-athletes, StiflerPH FC had an impressive run in the final two days with seven wins and a draw to emerge triumphant in the Saturdays-only tournament. StiflerPH FC won three individual awards courtesy of MVP Mike Daniel Riconalla, Best Female Player Kristine Vinzon and Best Goalkeeper Kevin Riconalla. “First tournament, first trophy. Without hard work this would not be possible,” said Vinzon. A first-time participant, StiflerPH FC surprisingly claimed the top of the Primera Division table at the end of the double-round robin on top of the table with seven wins, two losses and a draw for a total of 22 points. Aside from StiflerPH FC, Twister United, Ilonggo United, Alegria FC and Red Card FC also competed in the Primera Division Cup of the four-day tournament organized by Urban Football Philippines. Catering to football players and enthusiasts across the nation, within and around Metro Manila, StiflerPH offers quality and branded sports items, like shoes and more, at very affordable prices using the Internet as its platform. The online store also envisions a country of talented players taking pride in using quality equipment, firing them up in every game. The tournament also featured six teams in the Primera Cup Plate section and a combined 12 teams in the Segunda Cup and Plate divisions. Established in 2012, UFP is not only organizing tournaments for football enthusiasts but has also been also involved in open plays, with new schedules on Saturdays at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Turf BGC. For inquiries, contact at 09088186925 or 0917-8887014.

Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour in PH hailed PHILIPPINE Rugby General Manager Jake Letts hailed the Rugby World Cup 2019 Trophy Tour visit a success for rugby in the country. The Webb Ellis Cup spent five days in the Manila area attending events ranging from a touch rugby game at the active Taal Volcano to walk-up Get Into Rugby sessions at a new gigantic shopping mall. The coveted piece of silverware is on an 18-month tour in the lead up to Japan 2019, which represents Asia’s first-ever hosting of the Rugby World Cup. With preparations on track ahead of the one year to go milestone in September, and exceptional domestic and global ticketing demand, the stage is being set for a very special Rugby World Cup. In the Philippines, Letts has seen rugby develop beyond recognition in the 10 years since the Philippine Rugby Football Union became a full member of World Rugby, and says having the iconic trophy visit inspires future generations to get involved in the sport. “When I first got the message the Webb Ellis Cup was coming it was spine-tingling,” said Letts. “For it to come to a local training session in the Philippines is such a rare opportunity and for these players to get up close to it is something they will always remember. They can tell their families and in the future their children that they were there when it was here in the Philippines. “Our vision is to make sure that rugby is played here in the Philippines by more and more Filipinos. We want to be able to show that Filipinos can play rugby and we’ve proven that over the last decade. It’s a matter of growing the sport, from the youth all the way through, boys and girls, men’s and women’s. Having the Webb Ellis Cup here

Female rugby players are shown with the Webb Ellis Cup.

has been a massive boost for that. “The Rugby World Cup means a lot not only to the rugby community across the world but to us at Philippine Rugby. We’ve been to the Rugby Sevens World Cup and our mission for the national team is to get to the Rugby World Cup in the 15-a-side game.” In a packed schedule of activities across the tour in Manila, the Webb Ellis Cup scaled Taal Volcano, visited Southern Plains on the opening day of a local sevens festival, and joined a number of Get Into Rugby activities across the area, where it inspired the next generation of Philippine Volcanoes.

The theme of the tour has been one of engaging new players, so it seems only ﬁtting that the last event of the tour was a rugby clinic for 100 children at the Concepcion Elementary School in Marikina City. The activity was delivered by Rugby World Cup 2019 Worldwide Partner DHL in collaboration with the Philippine Rugby Football Union, Davao Durian Rugby Club and ChildFund, through their Pass it Back programme. The children enjoyed rugby-based sessions as well as learning important life skills anchored on key rugby values of passion, solidarity, integrity, respect and discipline.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

Mendez, Radka rule Ironman 70.3 AsPac in Cebu

Sports

By Reuel Vidal

Mauricio Mendez (left) and Radka Kahlefeldt hoist the finish line banners after topping their respective divisions in Ironman 70.3 PH Asia-Pacific.

PH sending cagers to Asiad, after all Gallano bails Perpetual out of trouble PROLIFIC forward Mark Gallano came into the picture in the final minute and bailed the University of the Perpetual Help Junior Altas out of trouble. After the Junior Altas lost a 10-point lead, the 6’2” Gallano hit four charities to lift Perpetual Help to a 82-78 triumph over Lyceum Friday in the 94th National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Sports Center. “I was working on less turnovers during practices and on my free throws as well. I stayed focused with my game,” said Gallano, who went on to lead the Junior Altas to their third triumph in four matches. Gallano finished with 18 points as stepped up right after the Junior Pirates rallied from 10 points down in the last 1:10. The Junior Pirates, with McLaude Guadana leading with 26 points, took a 7-0 run in the final minute, which Matthew Ragasa capped with a triple. Lyceum threatened at 75-78, but Gallano sank two charities in the last 10 seconds off Nat Tulabut’s fouls to restore the Junior Altas, five-point edge, 80-75. Refusing to give up, the Junior Pirates stayed in the fight as Guadana unloaded a trey, 78-80, with six ticks left. But Gallano struck for two more charities with five ticks to go following a quick foul by Joshua Jugar. “Sa dulo kami umasa sa free throws. I gave some of my second unit exposure playing time. But they were not able to execute in the game. That’s why Lyceum rallied,” said Junior Altas coach Myke Saguiguit. With the win, the Junior Altas moved to a share of second spot with the Arellano University Braves. Earlier, the San Sebastian Staglets outrebounded the EAC-ICA Brigadiers and struck with their outside shots to post a 78-71 win, with Milo Janao top-scoring for 30 points. Peter Atencio

By Peter Atencio

GREEING to finally send a team to the 2018 Asian Games is the easy part. The hard work now is to make it competitive. After announcing last week that it is pulling out from the quadrennial games, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas had another change of heart as it announced yesterday it is finally sending a squad to the Jakarta games following mounting pressure from fans and the basketball community. Apparently, the Olympic Council of Asia and the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee want a Philippine team to the games, too. “They (OCA and INAGOC) have responded and they are allowing us to participate. They want us there and we will go there. Our inclusion has now been approved,” said Philippine Olympic Committee President Ricky Vargas during a hastily-called press conference at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday before Game 5 of the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Finals between San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra.

“The country is happier simply because we are sending a team. That is more important than winning a medal. Gusto lang namin sila makita na naglalalaro, not only to play but do their best and show the heart of a Filipino,” added Vargas, who is also Chairman of the PBA. The Philippines is sticking to its plan of sending the core of the Rain or Shine team, with NLEX mentor Yeng Guiao calling the shots, to be assisted by Elasto Painters’ coach Caloy Garcia. The Painters’ nucleus of Maverick Ahanmisi, Chris Tiu, Gabe Norwood, James Yap, Beau Belga and Raymund Almazan, will now be reinforced by GlobalPort’s Stanley Pringle, Magnolia’s Paul Lee, Blackwater’s Poy Erram, Talk ‘N Text’s Don Trillano, San Miguel Beer’s Christian Standhardinger, NLEX’s Asi Taulava and Gilas Pilipinas Cadets Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero. Only two from this list will be stricken off to comply with the required 12-man roster. The Philippines is in Group B with Iran, Syria, and United Arab Emirates in the preliminaries of the men’s basketball tournament, slated from Aug. 18 to Sept. 2. “Maikli na ‘yung oras and with what happened the last two weeks, lalu pa umikli ang oras natin para maghanda,” said Guiao.

“That is also the reason why we are sending the core of Rain or Shine because they are already familiar with me and I’m familiar with them. There are five or six other guys coming from the outside and we will try to gel these players this week or so.” “We will represent the country to the best of our ability. Our objective is always to make our countrymen proud,” added Guiao. “Bukas po magtatrabaho na kami.” Two weeks ago, the SBP, led by its president Alfredo Panlilio, said in a statement that they made the decision “to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel’s recent Decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments.” The decision came a few days after the FIBA, the world governing body in basketball, sanctioned SBP with a P13-million fine after the FIBA Disciplinary Panel suspended 13 players and 2 coaches, from the Gilas Pilipinas and the Australian Boomers. The suspensions and fines were handed to the Philippines and Australia for figuring in a brawl midway through the third quarter of their FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifier at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan last July 2. Officials believe that joining the Asiad at this time will not maximize the national squad’s exposure

COLLISION.

With their eagerness to reach the finish line, two runners collide along the route of the 2018 National Milo Marathon Manila leg at the Mall of Asia Grounds. Charles Dantes

MACTAN, Cebu—Mauricio Mendez and Radka KahlefeldtVodickova won the biggest race of their careers when they ruled the 2018 Regent Aguila IRONMAN 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship Sunday at the ShangriLa’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu Lapu City. Mendez (who finished with a time of 3:46:45) followed up his victory in this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Davao with a come-from-behind victory over Tyler Butterfield (3:47:39) who wound up second. Vodickova (4:12:13), likewise, followed up her victory in this year’s IRONMAN 70.3 Davao with a similar come-from-behind effort. Mendez and Vodickova both won an Asia Pacific Championship for the first time. Mendez trailed Kevin Collington after the swim. He lost ground in the bike and took back the lead in the run. Other male winners were Braden Currie (3:48:12), Tim Reed (3:52:51) and Craig Alexander (3:54:09). Mendez said he trained hard for the competition but didn’t really expect to win because of the tough field. “I didn’t know what to expect. They (fellow competitors) are all super strong athletes. I’m grateful and really happy to take the win. I just want to keep myself growing in the sport,” said Mendez who won his first Asia Pacific Championship. The weather was perfect for a triathlon run. It was cloudy which meant no harsh sunlight. Yet it did not rain keeping the ground dry and steady underneath the feet. Mendez said he caught his rhythm late in the run when he managed to pull away from the rest of the participants. “In the first 10 kilometers, I was trying to get a rhythm. I felt strong but not that strong. I hit my stride in the second loop. I thought I needed to take advantage. I used the opportunity to take the lead. I am super happy for the result,” said Mendez. Vodickova was fourth after the swim. She trailed Lauren Brandon, Manami Iijima and Lauren Goss. Incidentally Brandon submitted the best time after the swim beating even the male professionals. Like Mendez, Vodickova also took the lead in the run. She said she did not expect to win. She said she trained hard and then hoped for the best. “I didn’t expect to win. This field is really strong. I have all the respect for the other girls. I was hoping for a podium finish. But to win here… I’m over the moon. I’m just so excited,” said Vodickova. Caroline Steffen (4:21:46) placed second followed by Melissa Hauschildt (4:22:50) Beth McKenzie (4:31:03) and Brandon (4:32:20). Vodickova likewise said the weather was perfect for running. “The weather was great. It was very good for all of us. There was no sun but it was still very hot. Thank goodness for the refreshment stations every kilometer. It was possible to survive it and run really fast. Mendez caught Butterfield in the run. He then extended his lead with five kilometers to go. Brandon, who had a spectacular swim, maintained his lead at the start of the bike. Trailing her after the bike were Vodickova, Melissa Hauschildt and Lauren Goss.

BanKo Perlas to hold volley clinics in provinces By Paul David L. Gelario BANKO Perlas’ head coach Ariel dela Cruz believes that his team’s time to shine in the Premier Volleyball League will come. And he is willing to wait. “It takes time for a team to succeed,” Dela Cruz told reporters at a press conference and Fans Day held at Kuya J’s KIA Theatre, Cubao, Quezon City. The team’s successful run in the 2018 PVL Reinforced Conference, where it bagged third place, even surpassed Dela Cruz’s expectations. “We had a great run. Actually I didn’t expect our team to win third place. We took the conference one step at a time, and being in the semi-finals proved our determina-

tion. Throughout our journey, our fans have consistently supported us” Dela Cruz said. Despite the absence of star players, Banko Perlas’ key to winning, according to Dela Cruz, is the contribution of the entire roster. “Wala kaming gaanong star players. Kaya lahat sila dapat mag-contribute,” he said. The players also share the same disposition with Dela Cruz; “Two years pa lang kaming magkakasama [We are only two years together], we need to build a strong relationship with the team,” the team’s open hitter Dzi Gervacio said. Utility spiker Amanda Villanueva shrugged off any high expectations of the team, saying. “As much as possible we try to enjoy the game.”.

The team will conduct volleyball clinics in several provinces such as Iloilo, Bacolod, Butuan, Surigao, Agusan, Laoag, and Vigan to instill the sport into the community. The team will then participate in an international tournament in Vin Lonh, Vietnam. “We want to let our supporters know that it will not be possible to get to where we are now without them rallying behind us. Now that the PVL has ended, we want to reach out to them to thank them for their support and inspire them to push boundaries. We also want to spread the love for volleyball to as many people in the provinces through our volleyball clinics,” Dela Cruz said. The team’s long-time partner, BPI Direct BanKo (BanKo), shares the same vision of BPI Corporate Affairs and Communications Head Owen Cammayo (leftmost) and BanKo Presireaching out to the grassroots. dent Jerome Minglana (rightmost) with the BanKo Perlas Spikers team.

IN BRIEF BSP okays new rules on reporting standards THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the guidelines on the adoption of the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards 9. The Bangko Sentral said in a statement PFRS 9 required the adoption of the expected credit loss in recognizing impairment. The model requires early recognition of allowance for credit losses even before the default or non-payment of the borrower. The Bangko Sentral adopted the approach as embodied in the “Guidelines on Sound Credit Risk Management.” The central bank’s earlier issuance amending the definitions of past due and non-performing loans also paved the way for the implementation of the ECL methodology in booking allowance for credit losses. “The policy sets out the supervisory expectations in classifying and measuring financial instruments and in recognizing impairment to promote prudence and transparency in financial reporting,” the Bangko Sentral said. Julito G. Rada

Inflation rate to plateau in Q3 and decline in Q4 BUSINESSMAN and Philippine Stock Exchange director Francis Chua said over the weekend rising inflation in the Philippines may plateau in the third quarter and even decline slightly toward the end of the year. “I don’t think it should worsen. If we are comparing month-on-month, it looks like it had reached its peak. Henceforth, we will see it plateau for the rest of the year. It may even dip a little,” he said. The inflation rate rose to 5.2 percent in June 2018 from 4.6 percent in May 2018. Many sectors are blaming blame the new set of fiscal reforms under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law for rising inflation. But businessman like Chua have no doubts the measure would soon stabilize the economy. “There is no worry that inflation will worsen in the remaining three months. Business people should relax and continue to do business, as usual. Things will start getting better, as the year tapers,” he said. Othel V. Campos

Business Auto companies to review pricing, sales goal for 2018 By Othel V. Campos

OCAL automotive manufacturers and importers plan to review the current pricing of vehicles and the 2018 industry sales target, after a lackluster performance in the ﬁrst half amid the implementation of a new tax law and the weakness of the peso.

Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. vice president and Truck Manufacturers Association president Dante Santos said senior officials of both groups sought a second and final review of the first-semester prices and sales. “All of us are under review. What is under review is the pricing. Pricing as an element of forex [foreign exchange], interest rate and other peripheral cost. We’re very sensitive to that,” he said. Santos, who is also vice president of Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corp., said his company might also impose a new

price matrix for every model and variant. He said Mitsubishi did not make any price adjustment when the ﬁrst stage of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law was implemented in January. The ﬂuctuation of the peso against the US dollar also affected the company’s performance. He said there was a need to check and verify some foregone revenues because of the forex movement. Santos said the peso had weakened considerably and was now a cause of concern among completely build-up unit importers like Mitsubishi. “We’re expecting that the forex will

not move up anymore, not more than P54 to a dollar. Some of us are not moving upward, some have stabilized [their prices], while some are waiting for the right moment to move up,” he said. The marketing committees of Campi and TMA are set to meet this week to review the previous semester’s sales and the forecast for the rest of the year. Both earlier agreed to a growth target of a ﬂat to 4-percent increase in volume, but those numbers were elusive so far, Santos said. “The original outlook was not that big a growth. But there are elements that happened like Train. Recognizing these elements, we don’t feel like there’ s going to be a big growth like before. In the past, we’re growing by 30 to 35 percent. There are brands that have submitted revised projections. But we have a gentleman’s agreement not to disclose anything until the meeting,” Santos said.

Monetary Board closes Camarines Norte bank THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, closed a rural bank based in Camarines Norte due to unsound ﬁnancial condition, the seventh lender shut down since the start of the year. The board prohibited the Rural Bank of Sta. Elena (Camarines Norte) Inc. from doing business in the country. It ordered Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. to take over and liquidate the bank. PDIC took over the bank the following day. The bank is a single-unit lender based in Sta. Elena Poblacion, Sta. Elena, Camarines Norte. As of June 30, it had 744 deposit accounts with total deposit liabilities of P19.6 million. Total insured deposits amounted to P16.5 million equivalent to 84.2 percent of the total deposits. The board last year closed seven small banks. These are the Cabanatuan City Rural Bank Inc., the Laguna-based World Partners Bank (A Thrift Bank) Inc., Rural Bank of Iligan City Inc., Rural Bank of Ragay (Camarines Sur), Rural Bank of Goa (Camarines Sur), Rural Bank of Barotac Viejo (Iloilo) and Countryside Cooperative Rural Bank of Batangas. The Bangko Sentral closed 22 banks in 2016. Julito G. Rada

NEW CONCENTRIX FACILITY. Concentrix Philippines opens a new contact center at Exxa Tower in Ugong Norte, Quezon City. The Exxa site highlights the company’s focus on attracting the best possible talent by creating an exceptional work environment, which features a modern wellness center, shower rooms, vanity and daycare center for growth and well being of Concentrix staff and officials. At the ceremonial toast are (from left) Concentrix Philippines delivery senior director Digvijay Ankoti, human resources senior director Hazel Banas, project director Mitzi Ignacio, country leader Elek Toh and business operations services and delivery governance senior director Amit Jagga. Ey Acasio

Firms push for incentives as they explore oil and gas By Alena Mae S. Flores PXP Energy Corp. joined the Petroleum Association of the Philippines in asking the government to retain the tax incentives for the oil and gas industry amid the search for the next Malampaya gas ﬁeld. The PAP said it wanted the Presidential Decree 87 that promoted the discovery and production of indigenous petroleum to be excluded from the proposed Package 2 of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law. Package 2 of the Train law aims to streamline the tax incentives given to companies and reduce the corporate income tax to 25 percent from 30 percent.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

Conglomerates ready to start Naia expansion By Darwin G. Amojelar A CONSORTIUM of seven conglomerates said it is ready to start the rehabilitation and expansion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport once it obtains the green light from the government. “We are ready to start construction right after we get the notice to proceed and deliver the first phase of expanding Naia’s capacity by 2020. We can make this hope and dream into a reality in just two years’ time from NTP issuance,” Naia Consortium spokesman Jimbo Reverente said. The consortium’s members are Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp. The consortium committed to spend P106 billion over the 15-year concession. Reverente said the consortium could act quickly because it already had the design, the funds, the technical partner (Changi Airport) and the people to make Naia what it should be. The airport’s four terminals handle far more passengers than they were built for. They have capacity for 31 million passengers per year but handled 42 million last year. This is expected to increase to around 47 million by 2020. The proposal promises to have a Naia capacity to match that 2020 projection and then bring its capacity up to 65 million by 2022. “We see a Naia that has more space to make flying a pleasant and memorable experience, just like when we go through airports abroad, including the one in Singapore which Changi Airport operates,” Reverente said. He said “time is of the essence” because every year’s delay would cost the country opportunity losses in terms of trade, investments, and tourism as well as the jobs they were supposed to generate. The consortium’s proposal, he said, would not need any government guarantee. As this is privately funded, the government can use its funds for other projects like building roads, bridges, schools and offering social services like free education, he said.

Solar PH to bid for India’s renewable projects

“It’s a concern that the petroleum association has expressed… It’s something to consider because Malampaya is regarded to start running out by 2022 and few years after we will lose the gas, so we have to import gas,” PXP Energy chairman Manuel Pangilinan said. PXP Energy controls Forum Energy Plc. which holds a 70-percent stake in service contract 72 or the Recto Bank, which is a part of the West Philippine Sea area disputed by the Philippines and China. Exploration in the area has been put on hold. PXP Energy is hoping that the reserves of the Recto Bank could rival if not surpass the Malampaya gas ﬁeld in northwest Palawan.

SOLAR Philippines plans to join the bidding for the renewable energy requirements of India and expects to sign a contract within the year, a top executive said. “We’re prioritizing countries where there is a competitive selection process for power suppliers because we believe that that is where we’re most competitive. Namely, I can share India, which is now the largest solar market after China and might actually surpass China because of the slowdown in the FIT [feedin tariff] in China,” Solar Philippines president Leandro Leviste said. Leviste said solar power rates in India ranged from P2 to P3 per kilowatt-hour but involved thousands of megawatts. “In the last 10 years in India, they awarded more than a thousand MW to

one company in one go. We’re hopeful that by bringing the cost of solar energy down to India levels in the Philippines, we’ll be able to convince DUs [distribution utilities] and policymakers to unlock that same volume,” he said. Leviste said the company was bullish on prospects in India after its government imposed tariffs on Chinese and Malaysian panels. “The Indian solar panel manufacturers, but also non-Chinese and non-Malaysian solar panel manufacturers, will greatly beneﬁt from this,” he said. Leviste said India planned to award 20,000 MW of solar capacity every year with an ultimate target of achieving 100,000 MW by 2022. “By 2030, they’re going to announce a new target which they say is going to

be about 700,000 MW of solar. Obviously, if we can get one percent of that, that’s already much bigger than what’s in the Philippines,” he said. Leviste said India was a role model for the entire world on how a regime of competitive tenders with large volume could encourage the renewable energy industry to stop being dependent on government subsidies. “We’re targeting in the neighborhood of 500 MW of PPAs signed in India within the next year. Next 12 months [from July] of our development [would be] in India. But again, that can be more if the development of Philippine solar projects will not proceed as fast so that we can keep growing the pipeline beyond the Philippines,” he said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Lack of coordination hurting rice imports PRESIDENT Rodrigro Duterte’s call to traders to help boost the rice buffer stock of the National Food Authority to provide consumers continuous access to affordable rice may be imperiled because of the lack of coordination among government agencies in implementing the presidential directive. This emerged after the Bureau of Customs seized some 100,000 sacks of imported Thailand rice bought by Sta. Rosa Farm Products, one of the ﬁrst companies to heed the president’s call and pledge to provide at least 700,000 sacks of rice to help replenish the NFA stock. The different varieties of imported rice was intended to be sold between P34 and P37 per kilo in Metro Manila, which was facing a shortage in NFA sup-

ply and to complement the “Tulong sa Bayan” caravan aimed at bringing affordable rice to Filipino consumers. “Our company immediately responded and committed to help the government when the president publicly announced that he was scrapping the import quota in order to bring in more rice and bring down the prices for the beneﬁt of consumers, particularly the low-income households” said Jomerito Soliman, owner of Sta. Rosa Farm Products. “And despite our efforts to coordinate with appropriate government agencies―all backed by documents―our rice imports were seized. This is not very encouraging to rice traders,” Soliman said. Soliman presented documents, all with received stamps by relevant government agencies, to

prove that the papers for his rice importation were in order. President Duterte in April made separate public pronouncements that he was abolishing the quota on rice importation by private traders to ensure the NFA rice reserves are sufﬁcient, affordable and accessible to consumers as long as they pay the proper tariff. Soliman said Sta. Rosa Farm Products heeded the government’s directive to help the NFA boost its rice stock and to lower the price of rice, but the lack of coordination among implementing government agencies led to the seizure of some 100,000 sacks of rice it imported from Thailand. These were later auctioned off by the BoC even before the expiration of the prescribed period for appeal.

SHELL’S QUILL AWARDS. Shell companies in the Philippines bag 15 awards in the 16th Philippine Quill Awards, a celebration of communication excellence in marketing, advertising and brand communication. The awards are testament to Shell’s commitment to delivering the best sustainability, communication and marketing programs for its customers, business partners, employees, and other stakeholders all over the country. Shell employees display the awards given by the International Association of Business Communicators.

Business

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market to consolidate this week By Jenniffer B. Austria

FTER returning to the 7,800-point mark last week, trading at the Philippine Stock Exchange is expected to enter into a consolidation phase for the rest of August, considered a “ghost month” by many Asian traders. Analysts said volumes could thin during the ghost month when Asian investors avoid making big investments or decisions. The month of August also coincides with the vacation of fund managers in the West. Papa Securites trader Gio Perez said investors would also be monitoring the release of the July inﬂation rate ﬁgure scheduled on August 7, as well as the Monetary Board’s next policy meeting on August 9

With inﬂation rate remaining on the upward trend, analysts are expecting the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to increase interest rates by 50 basis points. COL Financial said in a mid-year market outlook report it did not expect the market to sustain its upward momentum over the short-term period. “We don’t expect the current strength of the PSEi to be sustained in the short term, allowing it to return to its previous high given the absence of catalysts,” COL Financial said. “However, there are numerous indicators strengthening our conviction that we have already seen the low at 6,900, including the magnitude and duration of the ongoing correction, attractive valuations, more subdued expectations and the Philippines’ still favorable outlook,” it added. The Philippine Stock Exchange Index last week closed higher for the fourth consecutive week on increased foreign inﬂows.

The PSEi rose 1.5 percent week-onweek to close at 7,819.39. while the broader All Shares Index gained 1.1 percent to 4,668.29. Except for the financial and property which registered week-on-week declines, all other major sub-indices ended in the green led by mining and oil (+5.38 percent), holding firms (+3.94 percent), services (+1.39 percent) and industrial (0.98 percent). Foreign investors were net buyers during the week by P856 million, while the average daily value traded stood at P6.09 billion, up from last week’s average of P5.8 billion. Weekly top price gainers were conglomerates Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which rose 11.9 percent to P61.55; Metro Pacific Investments Corp., which advanced 10.8 percent to P5.03; and DMCI Holdings Inc., which climbed 5.9 percent to P12.40. Weekly top price losers, meanwhile, were Philippine National Bank,

which declined 5.2 percent to P45.50; Bloomberry Resorts Corp., dropped4.7 percent to P10.08; and Leisure & Resorts World Corp., which fell 4.7 percent to P4.05. Global stock markets, meanwhile, pushed higher on Friday as a positive US jobs report apparently outweighed the latest escalation of US-China trade threats. On Wall Street, the Dow and S&P 500 were in positive territory, while the techheavy Nasdaq Composite was just better than ﬂat. In Europe, markets in London, Frankfurt and Paris all closed with gains. Drops in the value of the pound and euro helped the business prospects of ﬁrms, thus supporting equity values. Trade tensions ratcheted higher as Beijing warned it was prepared to impose new tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods if Washington ups the ante in the escalating US-China trade war. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

JULY 30-AUGUST 3, 2018 Close Volume Value

JULY 23-27, 2018 Close Volume

Value

Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources China Bank Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Ferronoux Holding Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp. MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp. PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank Philippine trust Co. PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

59.95 136.80 97.00 2.75 1.86 32.9 6.7 16.3 14.34 3.86 8.68 0.66 1.55 830.00 0.570 76 1.02 11.9 21.00 45.50 88.5 105.3 201 30 204 1870.00 84.90 1.2

66,630 14,148,990 11,923,990 81,000 6,522,000 409,400 8,800 83,700 2,618,100 2,228,000 1,500 13,000 238,000 1,010 5,614,000 19,662,560 3,247,000 354,800 1,000 980,900 3,300 3,860 4,110 365,000 1,526,270 330 19,460 251,000

FINANCIAL 3,973,312.00 1,896,050,500.00 1,160,603,844.00 223,060.00 11,326,940.00 13,527,815.00 61,864.00 1,362,888.00 37,826,512.00 8,619,160.00 13,014.00 8,250.00 367,670.00 851,370.00 3,112,840.00 1,454,195,951.50 3,273,600.00 4,221,988.00 20,960.00 44,950,900.00 290,595.00 409,352.00 840,210.00 10,941,125.00 310,792,613.00 616,650.00 1,647,368.50 300,740.00

59.95 137.00 101.00 2.76 1.54 33.2 6.68 16.32 14.52 3.99 9.61 0.63 1.61 850.00 0.550 74 1.04 11.9 19.80 48.00 88 107 202.8 30 206 1865.00 84.20 1.2

107,310 10,787,170 11,240,600 115,000 209,000 7,416,610 2,600 144,500 2,753,600 8,548,000 3,800 5,000 316,000 30 1,485,000 30,350,630 1,631,000 534,000 100 658,100 1,390 940 9,600 1,068,900 1,218,100 1,075 260,870 10,000

6,409,091.50 1,451,446,198.00 1,101,835,534.00 315,840.00 315,700.00 17,659,540.00 17,414.00 2,374,412.00 40,107,806.00 36,150,150.00 36,033.00 3,150.00 497,880.00 25,500.00 791,090.00 2,223,996,625.00 1,667,770.00 6,354,038.00 1,980.00 31,448,485.00 122,310.00 100,320.00 1,833,017.00 31,357,055.00 249,158,014.00 2,006,860.00 21,929,729.50 12,000.00

Aboitiz Power Corp. Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons. Asiabest Group Basic Energy Corp. Bogo Medelin C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Chemphil Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Eagle Cement EEI Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp. First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp. LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide MG Holdings Mla. Elect. Co `A’ Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. Petroenergy Res. Corp. Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phinma Energy Phoenix Petroleum Phils. Pilipinas Shell Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas and Co. Roxas Holdings SFA Semicon Shakeys Pizza SMC Food and Beverage SPC Power Corp. Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp. Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp. Vulcan Ind’l.

38.2 15.5 0.79 1.17 30.9 0.235 112.5 21.10 3.2 15.5 195 39.3 70 50 1.83 5.06 7.55 10.600 16 10.80 7.42 5.02 1.61 15.56 63.4 24.40 7.45 14.8 2.420 277.00 4.9 3.21 13.80 26.45 12.8 19.24 0.180 370.00 6.83 2.26 4.17 8.97 5.5 7.90 1.18 11.98 56.5 6.11 4.72 2.66 3.21 1.76 13.4 68 5.28 0.127 1.17 130 2.51 2.48 1.52

6,888,500 2,678,300 38,807,000 2,607,000 563,400 8,750,000 2,490 114,400 31,730,000 4,683,100 220 2,226,600 4,860 1,815,870 469,000 85,600 54,600 11,654,700 7,323,600 812,800 3,777,500 11,608,000 1,000 3,910,400 198,430 184,900 1,734,900 2,284,500 5,809,000 3,021,040 769,700 51,000 3,400 4,756,900 19,817,000 7,116,100 180,000 1,629,660 1,131,200 35,683,000 306,000 5,204,600 922,500 122,000 3,553,000 484,100 1,450,290 85,200 12,976,000 5,051,000 3,000 1,787,000 716,800 700,220 235,000 507,720 4,605,000 6,648,500 1,000 50,651,000 47,052,000

INDUSTRIAL 258,174,625.00 41,485,064.00 30,293,210.00 3,010,150.00 16,722,560.00 2,074,210.00 292,178.00 2,447,630.00 99,346,150.00 72,963,772.00 42,596.00 90,368,460.00 330,924.00 91,418,808.00 859,330.00 436,220.00 416,375.00 121,817,566.00 116,682,168.00 8,658,708.00 27,746,316.00 58,748,041.00 1,610.00 60,770,058.00 12,488,651.00 4,461,105.00 12,935,353.00 32,619,122.00 14,163,430.00 820,985,994.00 3,830,719.00 164,680.00 46,920.00 126,078,125.00 252,166,860.00 137,591,026.00 32,450.00 619,927,110.00 7,910,583.00 71,998,260.00 1,276,730.00 46,290,404.00 5,072,995.00 971,355.00 4,245,370.00 5,761,654.00 81,558,530.50 526,191.00 59,701,470.00 12,705,050.00 9,630.00 3,178,380.00 9,525,448.00 47,870,517.00 1,236,840.00 63,501.00 5,443,540.00 866,325,025.00 2,510.00 126,963,260.00 73,768,410.00

37 15.74 0.75 1.18 30.05 0.237 102 21.25 3.15 15.52 195 38.6 66.85 51.8 1.83 5.1 7.7 10.200 16 10.90 7.27 5.08 1.61 15.4 62.5 23.80 7.65 14 2.390 266.00 4.96 3.32 14.48 26.5 12.62 19.3 0.180 378.00 6.77 2.25 4.17 8.80 5.6 7.97 1.18 12.00 56.3 6.17 4.68 2.43 3.45 1.84 13.68 67.9 5.3 0.132 1.25 131 2.53 2.61 1.55

5,256,100 2,380,200 42,433,000 2,821,000 697,600 32,950,000 50 33,000 43,120,000 670,100 10 2,408,600 3,110 6,250 495,000 2,400 34,855 10,815,600 6,060,600 698,100 1,860,500 9,176,600 28,000 1,600,600 325,280 169,200 417,900 5,587,300 8,739,000 2,050,420 245,200 31,000 11,000 3,832,300 1,855,400 19,027,500 920,000 1,562,930 24,900 120,000 384,000 5,424,100 1,024,200 13,400 2,003,000 535,000 1,206,740 450,700 391,000 2,121,000 127,000 2,420,000 317,900 2,494,550 823,400 10,000 18,975,000 4,580,540 4,000 34,292,000 30,812,000

192,152,255.00 37,292,822.00 32,897,520.00 3,225,100.00 21,799,830.00 8,922,740.00 5,100.00 717,475.00 386,474,930.00 10,579,168.00 1,950.00 93,649,930.00 208,453.00 324,846.50 908,850.00 12,240.00 681,498.00 111,402,078.00 96,330,654.00 7,555,120.00 13,559,712.00 46,745,549.00 45,080.00 24,622,974.00 20,334,450.00 4,055,860.00 3,098,912.00 76,224,760.00 21,336,830.00 524,477,668.00 1,224,643.00 102,330.00 153,686.00 101,497,765.00 22,980,738.00 358,246,348.00 166,500.00 579,079,316.00 168,648.00 268,920.00 1,590,000.00 47,636,459.00 5,762,614.00 106,294.00 2,387,150.00 6,347,540.00 66,993,786.50 2,757,017.00 1,842,570.00 5,176,530.00 443,370.00 4,434,380.00 4,295,168.00 171,649,267.00 4,362,907.00 1,320.00 24,766,970.00 509,837,175.00 10,100.00 88,836,050.00 46,855,510.00

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Jolliville Holdings Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. Lopez Holdings Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. MJCI Investments Inc. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp À’ Seafront À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Transgrid Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.245 61.55 12.00 0.97 6.10 1.210 1.200 1020 6.15 12.40 4.31 7.10 0.204 998 6.02 57.00 5.39 0.59 4.19 17.82 0.710 5.03 3.49 0.0370 1.340 2.850 139.00 2.58 986.00 1.61 0.75 259.000 475.00 0.3100 0.207

4,680,000 8,108,430 31,651,900 80,000 66,500 462,739,000 160,346,000 1,769,280 11,225,400 27,555,800 7,000 162,100 1,040,000 684,905 80,800 15,160,870 6,500 1,404,000 22,871,000 7,078,800 43,437,000 232,691,100 6,000 45,600,000 6,553,000 4,049,000 978,830 60,000 1,359,300 9,426,000 108,000 8,910 400 128,070,000 590,000

HOLDING FIRMS 1,152,900.00 474,812,907.50 379,933,018.00 75,600.00 401,111.00 461,367,050.00 161,904,430.00 1,781,151,735.00 69,117,547.00 328,720,948.00 31,690.00 1,144,832.00 215,140.00 675,284,275.00 486,081.00 860,412,975.50 33,302.00 837,290.00 91,549,390.00 127,894,012.00 30,401,200.00 1,123,664,670.00 20,290.00 1,706,600.00 8,799,400.00 11,210,250.00 136,180,534.00 154,500.00 1,319,426,645.00 14,545,890.00 82,580.00 2,312,886.00 186,030.00 41,901,950.00 123,350.00

0.247 55.00 11.90 0.99 6.03 0.860 0.890 990 6.12 11.70 4.5 7.20 0.208 974 6.73 56.00

8,530,000 5,922,550 41,143,700 36,000 2,907,200 207,490,000 76,705,000 1,370,350 5,901,900 16,268,000 2,000 72,400 30,000 609,220 104,900 7,313,780

2,122,690.00 318,039,291.00 489,715,194.00 34,800.00 17,456,020.00 167,866,450.00 64,038,590.00 1,333,000,865.00 36,067,554.00 184,200,666.00 9,000.00 513,699.00 6,240.00 594,199,780.00 628,566.00 395,671,574.00

0.62 3.73 17.5 0.700 4.54

1,541,000 15,348,000 21,921,100 73,269,000 197,050,000

899,210.00 57,486,300.00 375,122,062.00 51,532,930.00 877,700,800.00

0.0370 1.340 2.790 137.00 2.55 960.00 1.60

27,700,000 4,542,000 2,888,000 928,620 33,000 1,671,750 683,000

1,040,300.00 6,031,650.00 8,041,060.00 126,470,414.00 84,150.00 1,565,346,950.00 1,082,710.00

261.000 475.00 0.3500 0.216

7,910 300 91,870,000 880,000

2,057,044.00 140,030.00 32,639,200.00 197,230.00

2,098,200 8,594,000 113,600 539,000 10,393,000 61,548,700 19,039,000 3,573,000 69,500 15,000 13,400,000 512,000 3,804,000 31,410,000 905,000 5,738,700 6,054,800 8,008,000 1,680,000 65,251,000 6,431,000 25,797,000 65,222,000 349,590,000 10,390,000 11,563,000

PROPERTY 15,582,205.00 8,286,260.00 1,603,474.00 1,057,020.00 8,017,410.00 2,540,365,940.00 61,941,540.00 16,666,990.00 383,463.00 87,900.00 5,829,700.00 483,180.00 3,766,270.00 6,706,660.00 382,900.00 56,282,710.00 162,614,735.00 4,718,890.00 195,030.00 93,869,240.00 8,751,330.00 38,147,480.00 306,452,500.00 221,490,490.00 4,651,550.00 5,784,910.00

7.600 0.97 14.50 1.900 0.730 41.350 3.22 4.68 5.5

3,160,000 5,416,000 27,500 250,000 668,000 69,267,400 3,028,000 2,856,000 94,800

23,842,953.00 5,221,580.00 392,196.00 474,430.00 485,630.00 2,790,106,555.00 9,724,620.00 13,208,560.00 516,184.00

0.440 0.92 1.000 0.219 0.400 9.700 26.3 0.600 0.116 1.43 1.23 1.44 4.7 0.590 0.4500 0.500

33,370,000 707,000 8,135,000 21,710,000 1,640,000 4,109,200 3,098,600 2,796,000 650,000 41,457,000 5,683,000 48,127,000 127,481,000 54,105,000 10,580,000 15,628,000

14,499,350.00 648,070.00 7,808,900.00 4,762,850.00 650,200.00 38,208,010.00 80,686,885.00 1,654,170.00 75,430.00 59,690,350.00 6,980,240.00 71,910,010.00 606,266,510.00 31,790,860.00 4,663,250.00 8,003,270.00

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Anchor Land Holdings Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ CEB Landmasters Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `B’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. DM Wenceslao Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Filinvest Land,Inc. Global-Estate Interport À’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp. Phil. Realty À’

7.430 0.96 14.30 2.000 0.750 40.500 3.18 4.66 5.6 5.9 0.435 0.93 0.980 0.213 0.415 9.820 26.9 0.590 0.117 1.45 1.22 1.53 4.74 0.650 0.4500 0.500

STOCKS

JULY 30-AUGUST 3, 2018 Close Volume Value

JULY 23-27, 2018 Close Volume

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

3.56 20.40 1.97 3.25 38.00 1.15 7.28 0.780 6.050

3,575,000 8,907,800 2,089,000 158,000 38,513,500 3,537,000 8,084,300 108,000 34,257,400

12,857,800.00 179,481,183.00 4,193,600.00 513,380.00 1,459,456,320.00 4,016,140.00 59,427,234.00 83,200.00 205,705,494.00

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN Acesite Hotel APC Group, Inc. Apollo Global Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Chelsea DFNN Inc. Discovery World Easy Call “Common” FEUI Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. À’ IPeople Inc. À’ IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail MetroAlliance A MetroAlliance B NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Racing Club Phil. Seven Corp. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Wilcon Depot

14.5 24.4 1.4 0.460 0.048 13.5 4.3 10.08 0.0550 69.95 8.47 7 6.73 2.13 25.65 900 1850 5.41 279.80 3.98 85.5 2.07 13.4 7.88 0.135 3.5400 3.8 15 4.05 1.05 25.80 17.64 0.465 4.73 7.05 2.82 2.30 2.40 8.910 10.98 8.90 3.55 8.12 113.50 5.44 1380.00 0.370 0.900 46.50 88.45 8.36 2.20 1.100 0.63 5.08 0.740 11.860

56,900 287,200 4,008,000 13,160,000 144,770,000 909,100 461,500 73,285,900 66,760,000 1,744,620 1,100 5,751,400 52,400 16,000 924,200 3,030 175,645 664,700 21,570 10,149,000 3,820,200 79,000 17,500 78,200 27,710,000 82,313,000 352,000 7,500 17,923,000 1,999,000 5,587,500 15,300 20,000 2,123,200 32,177,900 5,858,000 7,348,000 425,000 18,316,300 49,600 25,300 338,000 3,000 156,190 2,804,200 395,705 31,810,000 40,954,000 5,519,600 2,045,030 142,200 57,372,800 13,932,000 552,090,000 9,626,400 11,234,000 6,598,800

SERVICES 818,890.00 6,820,605.00 5,600,410.00 6,115,550.00 7,066,750.00 12,271,402.00 2,142,530.00 748,226,462.00 3,766,500.00 122,293,919.50 9,317.00 40,402,971.00 368,989.00 34,180.00 23,806,610.00 2,728,425.00 322,643,805.00 3,595,102.00 5,982,744.00 38,489,220.00 333,827,724.50 165,530.00 231,030.00 616,350.00 3,735,530.00 261,927,630.00 1,312,430.00 113,112.00 75,066,170.00 2,079,140.00 141,105,050.00 267,340.00 9,300.00 10,513,476.00 225,531,370.00 16,282,810.00 17,120,770.00 997,120.00 162,973,860.00 547,242.00 220,167.00 1,161,420.00 24,400.00 20,400,701.00 13,238,344.00 537,369,750.00 12,338,450.00 37,097,140.00 253,791,205.00 178,549,025.50 1,207,111.00 133,268,820.00 15,201,330.00 322,573,680.00 48,938,667.00 8,321,810.00 78,762,590.00

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

0.0025 1.56 3.80 23.20 1.4700 1.97 0.300 7.68 2.070 0.225 0.130 0.135 0.009 1.6 4.55 1.2 0.5500 1.0800 0.0130 0.0130 4.39 14.24 0.0120 3.0300 32.75 0.0059

459,000,000 41,262,000 735,000 310,100 25,000 8,409,000 1,080,000 30,000 141,617,000 1,370,000 49,129,000 9,720,000 88,000,000 5,092,000 23,100,000 1,042,000 567,000 6,355,000 642,600,000 53,000,000 3,504,000 55,744,800 184,500,000 1,259,000 6,980,700 14,000,000

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

24.3 500 507 101 104.9 505 5.3 974.5 987.5 100.8 1.04 104.5 1021 103.7 106.2 1000 77.4 79.35 75.05 75.2 76.9 75.2 75.5 75.8 2

662,100 8,880 2,250 17,950 50,500 4,100 930,100 2,250 7,790 18,720 213,000 135,220 2,000 3,690 420 27,000 130,480 7,960 20 55,000 14,490 207,690 91,110 277,560 4,000

LR Warrant

2.450

Value

3.67 19.64 2.05 3.25 38.05 1.15 7.57 0.770 5.970

7,540,000 13,191,900 1,374,000 187,000 28,596,300 14,758,000 2,687,900 144,000 15,958,900

26,859,050.00 257,936,266.00 2,817,130.00 608,170.00 1,065,141,205.00 16,875,000.00 20,218,552.00 109,030.00 95,031,421.00

14.6 24.3 1.35 0.475 0.046 13.56 5.05 10.58 0.0580 70.9 8.55 7.13 7.20 2.15 27.70 930 1820 5.39 279.00 3.58 83.55 2.20 13.68 7.90 0.137 3.0000 3.55 14.74 4.25 1.04 24.50 17.74 0.460 4.9 6.7 2.70 2.35 2.35 9.160 11.1 8.70 3.15

93,200 161,600 306,000 12,660,000 32,000,000 91,800 118,300 60,249,000 443,170,000 1,333,100 1,900 5,285,500 16,200 17,000 907,800 210 139,955 219,500 16,710 4,014,000 8,818,350 225,000 1,700 81,000 33,240,000 38,931,000 253,000 9,715 2,606,000 2,407,000 6,543,800 6,200 20,000 1,702,000 30,029,900 4,064,000 3,388,000 379,000 8,842,000 46,100 218,800 195,000

1,323,280.00 3,705,230.00 413,100.00 5,987,850.00 1,420,100.00 1,235,798.00 597,466.00 625,302,163.00 26,337,450.00 93,651,034.00 16,245.00 38,021,542.00 113,904.00 36,550.00 25,705,865.00 191,400.00 249,969,435.00 1,182,394.00 4,639,544.00 14,379,190.00 719,472,422.00 480,700.00 22,878.00 639,205.00 4,509,720.00 114,584,470.00 900,070.00 145,372.00 11,142,030.00 2,531,670.00 160,585,470.00 109,574.00 9,200.00 7,978,830.00 203,168,103.00 10,895,920.00 7,360,420.00 803,590.00 82,058,511.00 512,188.00 1,801,055.00 652,000.00

117.60 5.59 1351.00 0.350 0.920 45.60 86.00 8.60 2.05 1.110 0.57 5.14 0.760 11.740

186,310 7,058,000 307,590 550,000 75,444,000 10,100,100 2,317,450 462,400 43,016,000 6,908,000 212,360,000 23,660,500 8,614,000 9,015,800

21,924,645.00 40,358,442.00 417,043,310.00 193,150.00 70,771,130.00 455,238,545.00 192,327,483.50 3,915,918.00 85,320,490.00 7,736,950.00 117,302,000.00 120,777,695.00 6,422,260.00 105,658,542.00

MINING & OIL 1,149,700.00 63,134,720.00 2,842,400.00 7,089,131.00 36,190.00 16,682,190.00 324,100.00 220,525.00 295,607,590.00 297,680.00 6,379,150.00 1,289,900.00 769,600.00 7,861,830.00 104,120,210.00 1,215,440.00 301,860.00 6,863,230.00 7,724,100.00 688,500.00 15,802,160.00 746,471,604.00 2,042,900.00 3,768,550.00 225,505,905.00 80,800.00

0.0025 1.43 3.86 20.95 1.6000 1.9 0.310 7.55 2.090 0.217 0.123 0.127 0.008 1.56 4.39 1.2 0.5300 1.1000 0.0130 0.0120 4.50 10.90 0.0120 2.9800 31.60 0.0061

149,000,000 5,667,000 466,000 50,300 15,000 7,332,000 2,890,000 27,600 197,826,000 3,980,000 11,980,000 2,590,000 2,000,000 894,000 2,516,000 1,167,000 239,000 10,009,000 3,001,400,000 62,100,000 762,000 6,189,500 152,700,000 728,000 7,507,400 1,000,000

374,300.00 8,175,890.00 1,815,880.00 1,052,070.00 24,390.00 14,043,440.00 878,500.00 202,082.00 414,970,170.00 895,400.00 1,462,130.00 328,510.00 15,900.00 1,383,680.00 11,104,800.00 1,381,280.00 128,190.00 10,910,030.00 38,364,500.00 805,300.00 3,389,470.00 67,104,904.00 1,726,700.00 2,129,080.00 241,899,240.00 6,100.00

PREFERRED 15,574,180.00 4,440,000.00 1,132,750.00 1,822,965.00 5,273,500.00 2,071,040.00 4,862,267.00 2,168,105.00 7,598,040.00 1,877,198.00 219,580.00 13,868,970.00 2,042,000.00 372,089.00 44,820.00 26,601,310.00 9,954,143.00 631,630.00 1,501.00 4,129,600.00 1,109,224.50 15,626,186.00 6,873,725.00 20,912,506.00 8,000.00

22.95

117,800

2,539,350.00

502 102 104 505 5.25 970 970 100.3 1.04 102.5 1030 101 108 976 76 80 75.05 76.7 77 75.3 75.5 75.65 1.98

7,280 157,390 3,280 3,480 168,600 10 6,000 36,140 73,000 10 200 15,710 160 26,920 381,500 339,790 647,580 89,230 46,570 147,180 156,480 334,870 5,000

3,656,450.00 15,945,362.00 341,960.00 1,756,465.00 886,986.00 9,700.00 5,820,000.00 3,609,014.00 75,320.00 1,025.00 206,000.00 1,590,744.00 17,190.00 26,430,560.00 28,994,108.00 27,146,237.00 48,602,207.00 6,755,461.00 3,564,209.00 11,079,218.50 11,814,190.00 25,214,735.00 9,900.00

WARRANTS & BONDS 4,720,000 12,253,120.00

2.510

1,838,000

4,798,320.00

5.27 3.24

6,042,100 3,991,000

32,123,769.00 12,705,940.00

SME 3,030.00 23,953,628.00 19,615,180.00

Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

3.03 5.27 3.18

1,000 4,541,600 6,116,000

First Metro ETF

116

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 34,490 3,961,169.00

114.4

45,160

5,076,843.00

10.18 10.1 1.02

DOLLAR DENONIMATED SEC. 5,100 51,918.00 980 9,898.00 26,340 26,796.80

10.1 10.1 1.01

22,350 14,950 37,200

225,449.00 150,217.00 37,572.00

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Oriental Pet. À’ Transpacific Broadcast ATN Holdings A Abra Mining MRC Allied Ind. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Philodrill Corp. À’ ATN Holdings B Apollo Global Ferronickel

VOLUME 642,600,000 552,090,000 462,739,000 459,000,000 349,590,000 232,691,100 184,500,000 160,346,000 144,770,000 141,617,000

STOCKS Ayala Land `B’ Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Ayala Corp `A’ SM Prime Holdings Metrobank SM Investments Inc. Bank of PI Metro Paciﬁc Inv. Corp. Universal Robina JG Summit Holdings

VALUE 2,540,365,940.00 1,896,050,500.00 1,781,151,735.00 1,459,456,320.00 1,454,195,951.50 1,319,426,645.00 1,160,603,844.00 1,123,664,670.00 866,325,025.00 860,412,975.50

Aboitiz Power ready to issue P15b worth of bonds in Q3 ABOITIZ Power Corp., the power generating unit of conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., plans to issue up to P15 billion in fixed-rate bonds within the third quarter of the year. Aboitiz Equity chief finance officer Manuel Lozano said in a chance interview last week the company would issue fixed-rate notes with a base offer of P10 billion plus P5 billion to cover oversubscription. The planned bond offering represents the second tranche from Aboitiz Power’s P30-billion bond shelf registration approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission last year. Aboitiz plans to list the bonds with Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. Aboitiz Power in April last year issued P3 billion in fixed-rate bonds due 2023 to finance the equity infusion in GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. Aboitiz Power last month said its board directors approved the issuance of fixed-rate retail bonds from the shelf registration. The company plans to use the the proceeds from the issuance to fund potential acquisitions, future investments and refinance existing debt. Aboitiz Power said the board delegated to the company management the final determination of the issue amount, interest rate, offer price, tenors and other terms and conditions of the bonds, including the parties that would manage the offering . Aboitiz Power posted a net income of P9.1 billion in the first six months of 2018, down six percent from P9.7 billion year-on-year. The company booked non-recurring losses of P1.4 billion from last year’s losses of P744 million as a result of net foreign exchange losses. Without the one-off losses, the company’s core net income was flat yearon-year at P10.5 billion. Aboitiz Power’s sales increased eight percent to 3,319 megawatts from 3,086 MW, driven by new capacities sold from the Pagbilao coal-fired power plant. Jenniffer B. Austria

Cavitex eyeing extension of toll road to Rosario By Darwin G Amojelar CAVITEX Infrastructure Corp., a unit of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., said it will submit a proposal to the Toll Regulatory Board by the end of this month to extend the Manila-Cavite Expressway from Kawit to Rosario in Cavite province. “We just finished the feasibility study for Segment 5. We are delayed, we should have submitted our proposal to TRB last July, but we will try to submit it toward the end of August,” CIC president and chief executive Luigi Bautista said. “We need to check the traffic numbers, we have to make sure that the project is financially viable before we submit it to TRB,” he added Segment 5 of Cavitex is a 7.6-kilometer road that will link Kawit to Noveleta to Rosario in Cavite. Bautista said the company would invest P22.5 billion for the extension of Cavitex to Rosario. Cavitex is a 14-kilometer expressway linking Manila and Cavite. MPTC South earlier secured an original proponent status from the Department of Public Works and Highways for the P22.4 billion Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway Project. CTBex is a 50.4-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. Once completed, the project would cut travel time from Sta. Rosa, Laguna to Nasugbu, Batangas from 2.5 hours to just an hour. Construction of the project is expected to start by 2020, subject to the resolution of right-of-way. Completion date is set on 2022. The project will start at Silang East Interchange of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway. The alignment will traverse the towns of Silang, Amadeo, Mendez, Alfonso and Tagaytay in Cavite and Nasugbu in Batangas.

Business/World

Manila

Standard

extrastory2000@gmail.com

TODAY

Maduro claims he escaped an ‘assassination’ attempt

ARACAS―Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro said Saturday he escaped an “assassination” attempt using an explosive-laden drone, after a live broadcast showed him looking confused when a bang went off during a Caracas military parade and dozens of soldiers scuttling for safety. His government said seven soldiers were wounded in the incident, blamed on Colombia by Maduro and later claimed by a mysterious rebel group. “It was an attack to kill me, they tried to assassinate me today,” Maduro, who was unharmed, said in a later state broadcast, speaking of a “ﬂying object [that] exploded in front of me.” Venezuelan state television images showed Maduro looking up disconcertedly in the middle

of a speech having heard a bang, before members of the country’s National Guard lined up in the parade suddenly scattered. Communication Minister Jorge Rodriguez said there was “an explosive charge... detonated close to the presidential podium” and in several other spots along the parade held in central Caracas. Attorney General Tarek William Saab told CNN he saw a drone ﬁlming the event explode. No drones could be seen in

the television broadcast, which showed bodyguards jumping in front of Maduro to protect him with flexible ballistic shields. The broadcast was quickly cut. Meanwhile, a policeman who requested anonymity told AFP drones may have been released from a nearby apartment that suffered a fire after one exploded. However, other versions of events attributed the fire to an accidentally exploded gas cylinder. The government pointed the blame at “the ultra-right wing”― its term for the opposition. But Maduro himself said: “I have no doubt that the name (Colombian President) Juan Manuel Santos is behind this attack.” He added investigations suggested the incident’s financiers “live in the United States, in the state of Florida. I hope that Pres-

ident Donald Trump is ready to fight these terrorist groups.” The Colombian foreign ministry denied involvement, saying the allegations were “absurd” and “lacked any foundations.” A senior US State Department official said the White House was monitoring the situation closely. Meanwhile, late Saturday, a civilian and military rebel group calling itself the “National Movement of Soldiers in Shirts” claimed responsibility for the explosion. “It is contrary to military honor to keep in government those who not only have forgotten the Constitution, but who have also made public office an obscene way to get rich,” the group said in a statement passed to USbased opposition journalist Patricia Poleo, who read it on her YouTube channel. AFP

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Invitation to Submit Proposal for the Supply of Power to Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. 1. Bid Information Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. (“DLPC”) is a duly franchised distribution utility engaged in the distribution of electricity within its franchise area in Davao City and the City of Panabo, and Municipalities of Carmen, Sto. Tomas and Braulio Dujali, province of Davao del Norte. DLPC is in need of the supply of electricity for its peaking requirements to meet the demand of its customers. DLPC needs a qualified supplier that can supply 50MW of power to commence October 26, 2018, which date for the start of supply shall be subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission. 2. Minimum Requirements of Supply DLPC, through its Third Party Bids and Awards Committee (“TPBAC”), is inviting proposals with the following Minimum Requirements of Supply (“Bid” ): 1.

Required Contract Capacity

Supply of 50 MW Maximum Energy of 438,000MWh

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Reason for Generation Source Plant Description Term of Contract Start of Supply Historical Plant Availability Factor (AF) and Reliability Factor (RF) Load Factor

Start Up and Shut Down Capability 9. Receiving Point 10. Plant Outage Allowance & Replacement Power

Minimum Energy Off-take of 0MWh Peaking requirements Peaking Three (3) years, subject to theright of DLPC to terminate on an annual basis October 26, 2018, subject to ERC Approval AF is greater than or equal to 95% RF is greater than or equal to 95% Can sustainably operate at low load factor, at 30% or lower. Capability for at least three (3) times per day DLPC Metering Points Annual planned outage allowance of no more than five (5) days or one hundred twenty (120) hours. Forced Outage Allowance of five (5) days or one hundred twenty (120) hours.

Novelist says Turkey like ’30s Germany FRANKFURT―Turkish novelist Asli Erdogan, living in exile in Germany as she risks a life sentence on terror charges at home, thinks the writing is on the wall: her country is sliding into fascism. The award-winning author, still traumatized by the four months she spent in an Istanbul prison, warns that Turkey’s institutions are “in a state of total collapse”. In President Recep Tayyip Erdogan―no relation―she sees a man tightening control over everyday Turkish life, emboldened by an outright victory in the June elections, sweeping new powers and a crackdown on opponents. “The extent of things in Turkey is like Nazi Germany,” the ﬂame-haired 51-year-old told AFP in an interview in Frankfurt, her temporary home as she awaits the outcome of her court case in absentia. “I think it is a fascist regime. It is not yet 1940s Germany, but 1930s,” said Asli. “A crucial factor is the lack of a judicial system,” she added, describing a country of overcrowded prisons and pro-Erdogan judges in their twenties rushed in to replace ousted peers. Asli herself was among the more than 70,000 people caught up in a wave of arrests under a state of emergency imposed after a failed 2016 coup against Erdogan. She was held for 136 days over her links to a pro-Kurdish newspaper before being unexpectedly freed on bail. The detention of the author of such novels as “The City in Crimson Cloak” and “The Stone Building and Other Places”, famed for their unﬂinching explorations of loss and trauma, drew international condemnation. Turkey’s Nobel literature laureate Orhan Pamuk has called her “an exceptionally perceptive and sensitive writer.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Replacement power required only during outages beyond outage allowance at the option of DLPC (at contract price) 11. Connection Scheme and other Proponent must submit a diagram of its plant`s Technical Characteristics Connection Scheme with the Transmission Grid,which will be part of the over-all evaluation. Plant technical specifications to ensure the reliability of the plant and its capability to be an immediate source of replacement power during outages of base load power plants: i.

Physical location and proximity to DLPC Metering Points

ii. N-1 connection to the grid Philippine Peso Price for Generation must be broken down into Fixed Capacity Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, and Energy Fees, or their equivalent including the applicable indexation and taxes.

12. Form of Payment 13. Tariff Structure

14. Other Cost Items 15. Taxes 16. Performance Security 17. Other Terms and Conditions

Evaluation of price offers shall consider delivered cost at any of DLPC’s receiving points. Other cost not enumerated in Tariff Structure that will be charged to DLPC Bidder to indicate applicable taxes PhP100,000,000.00 As set out in the power supply agreement

3. Pre-Qualification Requirements Parties intending to bid (“Prospective Bidders”) shall STRICTLY comply with the following prequalification requirements (“Pre-Qualification Requirements”):

POP UP EXHIBITION. Guests attend A Hamptons Pop Up Exhibition By Manhattan’s Castle

a. (i)

Fitzjohns Gallery on August 4, 2018, in East Hampton, New York. AFP

Challengers line up in DR Congo KINSHASA-The Democratic Republic of Congo was headed Sunday into a crucial week, with President Joseph Kabila set to declare whether he will run again in elections as one key challenger returned home and another was banned. The DRC was thrown into a crisis nearly two years ago when Kabila refused to step down. And it has been further roiled by the return of former vice president Jean-Pierre Bemba, 55, freshly acquitted of war-crimes convictions in The Hague, who ﬂew back to Kinshasa for a brief visit to lodge his candidacy for the December 23 elections. He is due to head back to Europe this week. Another key rival is Moise Katumbi, a powerful former governor of mineral-rich Katanga province―who has

been living in self-imposed exile after falling out with Kabila. But his supporters are incensed after authorities twice barred him from returning, and said he could be arrested if he sets foot in the country. “Katumbi tried to come back, no-one can criticize him for doing what he needed to do, we are now waiting to see what happens on Wednesday,” said a diplomatic source in Kinshasa who doesn’t believe Kabila will reveal his plans by the set deadline. “Katumbi is seen as the main challenger because he is from the east of the country, like Kabila, and can galvanise support there,” said Georges Kapiamba, human rights lawyer and president of the Congolese Association for Access to Justice. He said the 53-year-old

would likely join forces with another major political player, Felix Tshisekedi, 55―an alliance that would pose a hefty threat to Kabila or his chosen successor. The DRC is one of the world’s most volatile countries and worries about the elections run deep, with many observers fearing it could spiral once more into bloodshed. The vast country has never known a peaceful transition of power since it gained independence from Belgium in 1960. In the space of one generation, it was gripped by two wars that sucked in countries from around the region. Many provinces are already in the grip of armed conflict and millions have had to flee their homes, many flocking to Uganda, Tanzania, Angola and Zambia. AFP

Spiritual intelligence at work MARIE ANNETTE G. DACUL

GREEN LIGHT

SPIRITUAL intelligence (SQ) is variously deﬁned as the “backbone of human consciousness, responsible for characterbuilding and meaning making,” “literacy in the practice of transformation,” “framework for identifying and organizing the skills and competencies needed for the adaptive use of spirituality.” It essentially seeks answers to the question “is this all there is?” The general impression is that SQ gives a “general perception on life and all of its experiences and events and enables us to conﬁgure and re-describe our experiences and deepen our recognition.” It is also fast becoming a leadership imperative. According to the article of Professor Yasuno of Yokohama National University, bringing about progress in the external world will require the internal transfor-

mation of people who are willing to lead. Therefore, a person who can deal with different people with the purpose of ﬁghting injustice and exploitation and working toward inclusive growth is fundamental to a positive change. Moreover, a leadership that is closely related to “one’s spirituality through a growing awareness of self and others” is vital. For our survival, it is crucial that we have leaders who continually embrace spiritual existence. Consultants on leadership development highlight that organizations with weak leadership will most likely face hard challenges in their striving to implement change. In the university I work in, employees strive to surmount the challenges of the modern world. Guided by the Catholic faith and inspired by the teachings of St. Josemaria Escriva, our organization has made it a point to inculcate and infuse values in everything we do. We have a mentoring system for employees to bring the integration of professional work and personal level. While we do a lot of net-

working to develop good and productive relationships, we also yearn to be a change agent and to be a role model for society. We know that change is essential for organizations to keep up with the future. However, many organizational issues require clear direction, and also spirituality, from leaders at several levels of management. As said by the person leading the day-today operations of a large steel company, mature leadership, high SQ leadership, is about deep compassion manifesting in wise action and a profound personal integrity. In the words of Epictetus, a Greek Stoic philosopher, “It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Ms. Dacul is a Doctor of Business Administration student at De La Salle University. She is a senior agribusiness specialist at the University of Asia and the Pacific. The views expressed above are the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official position of DLSU, its faculty and its administrators.

(ii) (iii) (iv)

submission of: duly notarized Secretary’s Certificate showing the excerpt of the Board Resolution authorizing the Prospective Bidder to participate in the bidding bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages; duly notarized expression of interest to participate in the bidding in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages; duly notarized non-disclosure undertaking in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative and witnesses on all pages; and duly notarized written acceptance of the TOR in the form prescribed by the TPBAC bearing the signature of the authorized representative on all pages [collectively, (i) to (iv) shall be referred to as the “Pre-Qualification Documents.”]

b. payment of non-refundable bid processing fee of PhP100,000.00. 4. Instruction to Bidders Prospective Bidders may obtain a copy of the forms of the Pre-Qualification Documents at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy Sr. Street, Davao City, or by sending an email request to dlpc.csp.secretariat@aboitiz.com on or before 5:00 p.m. of August 10, 2018. Prospective Bidders shall submit the PreQualification Documents and the proof of payment of the non-refundable bid processing fee at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy Sr. Street, Davao City on or before 5:00 p.m. of August 14, 2018 (the “Pre-Qualification Deadline”). On or before August 16, 2018, the TPBAC shall notify a Prospective Bidder whether it meets the PreQualification Requirements for timeliness, completeness and conformity. Only Prospective Bidders that have complied with the Pre-Qualification Requirements on time may be allowed to participate in the bidding and to obtain the bid documents, including the detailed terms of reference and bid procedures. The TPBAC reserves the right to declare a failed bidding in the event that less than two (2) Prospective Bidders comply with the Pre-Qualification requirements. Further, the TPBAC reserves the right to reject a proposal or not proceed with an award that is reasonably determined not to redound to the benefit of the consumers of DLPC and cancel the bidding process at any time without liability to the TPBAC and DLPC. 5. Indicative Schedule Availability of Bid Documents Deadline for Submission of Comments and Questions on the Bid Pre-bid Conference Issuance of Bid Bulletin/s, if required Deadline for Submission of Bids (“Bid Submission Deadline” ) Opening of Bids Evaluation of Bids DecIaration of Winning Bidder Issuance of Notice of Award

August 16 to September 7, 2018 August 27,2018 August 29, 2018 August 29 to September 4, 2018 5:00 p.m. of September 12, 2018 September 14, 2018 September 17, 2018

Any amendment to the Schedule will be announced through Bid Bulletins. Unless otherwise expressly specified in writing, all references to times and dates shall refer to Davao time. Unless otherwise expressly specified In writing, the venue of all the above shall be at the DLPC Office, C. Bangoy, Sr. Street, Davao City. For further information, please refer to: MARK A. VALENCIA Chairman, Third Party Bids and Awards Committee Davao Light and Power Company, Inc. Rondez Engineering Complex J.P. Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City Tel No. (082) - 2293537 Fax No. (082) - 2213082 Without any imposed formalities, conditions or incurring any liability to any affected proponents, DLPC reserves, at any time, the right to reject any or all submissions, waive any minor defects therein, decide or resolve matters arising from the bid, as it deems most advantageous to DLPC’s customers. THIRD PARTY BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE DAVAO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, INC. By:

MARK VALENCIA Chairman, TPBAC

July 30, 2018 (MS-JULY 30 & AUG. 6, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

Bags of rice, corn seeds distributed to Bicol farmers LEGAZPI City—The Department of Agriculture in Bicol, through its Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) program, distributed over the weekend thousands of bags of rice and corn seeds and fertilizers to farmers in Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon. “After the completion of series of training on Upland Rice Production, upland dwellers received one sacks rice seeds each along with complete fertilizer. The pre-selected beneficiaries are cultivating an average landholding of one hectare and other groups received packets of vegetable seeds which include okra, pechay, bush and pole sitaw and ampalaya,” DA regional information officer Emily Bordado said. In Catanduanes, beneficiaries from the towns of Bagamanoc, Baras, Bato, Gigmoto, Panganiban, and San Miguel received various interventions. In Masbate, a total of 2,300 bags of upland rice, 1,270 bags of complete fertilizers and 430 bags corn seeds were distributed to the pre-selected beneficiaries from the municipalities of Esperanza, Balud, Pio V. Corpus and Mandaon. In Sorsogon, 550 bags of upland rice seeds were distributed to beneficiaries in the municipalities of Donsol, Pilar, Magallanes, Juban, Sta. Magdalena and Matnog. Earlier, SAAD area coordinators in the three provinces conducted a houseto-house interview of beneficiaries to assess their needs and available resources, as well as identify the potential areas the project can have the greatest impact in. PNA

Parking rules for Maginhawa strip pushed

TERRORISTS ARE NOT WELCOME HERE. In this file photo, performers impress the crowd with their graceful moves during last year’s Kadayawan festival. Last week’s explosion in Basilan has prompted authorities to augment the state forces that will secure revelers as the festival kicks off next week. Roland L. Jumawan

Davao tightens security for Kadayawan festival

AVAO City—The Philippine National Police will deploy 300 members of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion to the Davao City Police Ofﬁce as part of the security augmentation for the Kadayawan Festival next week. “We have already conducted a series of meetings and preparations together with the local government unit of Davao City, particularly the Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC), and we are contributing even at the regional level,” said PNP Regional 11 director Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan, “I have committed to the Davao City Police Ofﬁce at least 300 additional warm

bodies to augment in securing Kadayawan activities,” Gaerlan added. Aside from the deployment of additional forces, Gaerlan said there is also close coordination with the regional intelligence center for exchange of information that would enhance security preparations. “I hope this will be an incident-free Kadayawan that will be enjoyed not only by the people of Davao but also our

guests,” he said. “But you know the most important is the participation of the public. If you observe suspicious looking things in your area, in business establishment that they might have check in, they must report. They (terrorists) make use of small inns,” Gaerlan added. PSSCC head Benito De Leon said 15,000 security forces from the Davao City police ofﬁce, Task force Davao, volunteer police auxiliary, other law enforcement agencies and force multipliers will be deployed in the city. The increase in security forces for the Kadayawan came on the heels of an explosion in Basilan last week that killed 11 people. PNA

By Rio N. Araja THE 37-member Quezon City Council is now studying a proposed measure that would regulate parking to solve traffic woes of establishment owners and patrons along the food hub Maginhawa Street. The councilors, along with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, organized a dialog with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority’s task force special operations, restaurant owners and other stakeholders from the area. Residents and business operators on Maginhawa Street presented a position paper, requesting the MMDA to defer towing until vehicle owners were properly informed of their violation. The city council planned to put up a designated parking log and work with barangay officials in the area to address the concerns of the residents. Because of its proximity to universities, the Maginhawa area has transformed into a popular hang-out for millennials who patronize unique establishments, such as boutique restaurants, hip cafes and bars, food parks and a cinema for independent films. “When customers park to eat along Maginhawa Street, they find that their cars are already gone when they finish. They were not warned that their cars were going to be towed,” Belmonte said. She said the recent towing incidents could discourage clients to patronize JAMPACKED. Various stakeholders have asked the Quezon City Council to consider new parking regulations to address the traffic woes plaguing establishment owners and patrons at Maginhawa St. in Quezon City. Sonny Espiritu the establishments in the area.

JCI Olongapo holds advocacy event for Down Syndrome By Butch Gunio OLONGAPO City—In the Philippines, at least one in every 800 Filipino babies has Down Syndrome. And while Down Syndrome is relatively common, many Filipinos are still unaware that a person with Down Syndrome can still lead normal lives. Recognizing this gap, the Junior Chamber International-Olongapo recently held its “LEAP for Down” advocacy event. Project LEAP stands for Livelihood, Engagement and Awareness

for PWDs. The event was attended by more than 400 participants from various backgrounds, including families with children with Down Syndrome, special education teachers, university students, SK Federation councils, volunteers, and businessmen. Most needs of a person with Down Syndrome are the same for a typical person. However, for the previous years, DSAPI reports have shown that there are some special needs to be addressed as children with Down Syndrome have developmental delays in speech, physical ability and mo-

tor skills, as well as increased risk of some health problems,” said Elmer Lapena of Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines. “This is an eye-opener especially for those parents who are not aware of the opportunities available for their children with Down Syndrome. Some of them have felt discouraged along the way and there is really a need for a good support system. We are happy that JCI has served as the bridge for these families to come together, and learn how to create better future with their children,” said Paolo Realista, Project LEAP head.

Marcos calls for nationwide war vs poverty

IMEE MARCOS

ILOCOS Norte Gov. Imee Marcos said adopting policies that would help ease the lives of different kinds of people in need is key to addressing poverty. Marcos noted how innovative ideas have allowed the province under her leadership to bring down poverty level to a mere 1 percent, a feat that deserves replication by local government units nationwide. “Different needs require different kinds of responses. If we opted for a blanket approach to poverty, there won’t be any effect at all. The strategy works at the local level but it is doubtful if it would be effective at the national level,” she said. “At the local level, we can be aggressive in pursuing such a strategy. And everybody has to join in this war against poverty,” she added. Marcos said that for the so-called ‘Biblical poor’ – the elderly, the inﬁrm, and the sick – subsidy funds have been set aside for them. “We gave a face to poverty in Ilocos Norte. And we went to them, and came up with a non-traditional, unorthodox reclassiﬁcation. It takes an entire village to join in the efforts to combat poverty,” she said. Aside from the ‘Biblical poor,’ there are the seasonal poor and the breakthrough poor. The seasonal poor are victims of calamities or nature’s forces, Marcos said. “You provide them with work that pays out cash up front. Even if it is for a short time only, just to let the economy recover,” she said. “We focused on the breakthrough poor – they are those about to free themselves from the grip of poverty. They are those with land growing cash crops and would be harvesting; those about to graduate from college and are about to land jobs, and those already with skills seeking work. These are the guys we focused on to tame poverty in Ilocos Norte. And somehow it worked,” Marcos said.

Palawan crooner wins in world performing arts tilt

PUERTO Princesa City—When Arjay Espartero went to Long Beach, California last month to join the World Championship of Performing Arts, all he had was trust in his ability as a vocal soloist and the longing to bring honor to his country and the province of Palawan. WCOPA is no joke. It is touted to be an Olympic-style international competition for aspiring performers and entertainers. Every year, more than 2,500 sing-

ers, musicians, dancers, variety artists, actors, and models from at least 63 countries compete against one another to win medals in various categories. Espartero, 33, who in his youth had to deal with making charcoal out of abandoned wood trunks to earn a living for his poor family in Narra town in the southern part of the province, is the ﬁrst Palaweño to bring home four medals and a plaque from the WCOPA international meet.

Life

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

food

Blacker Berry—black tea with strawberry, lemon, and mint

By Gabbie Parlade

ONVENIENCE sometimes comes at a price. Accessible food items, for example, are not always made with healthy and authentic ingredients nor processed using traditional, often much more tedious methods. That is exactly what this new brand of bottled brewed tea aims to change. “We recognized that the market is saturated with tea brands that use inauthentic ingredients and are overloaded with sugar,” said Lorenzo Vega. After a year of preparation, Vega launches A New Tea Experience or ANTE, a tea and lifestyle brand that dares to be different by challenging the status quo. “We deliberately went back to basics [by] creating a product that is 100 percent honest and respectful of the teamaking process,” said the 24-year-old entrepreneur. ANTE keeps its ingredients and flavor real by using cold brew tea infused with freshly cut fruits and herbs, sans added sugar or preservatives The brand uses quality tea leaves which are steeped in cold, filtered water and chilled for 15 hours to extract its flavors. After which, the leaves are strained and mixed with real fruits and herbs, then packed in a minimalist bottle. Their bottled brewed tea, Vega said, is best consumed within 12 hours. ANTE offers three refreshing cold brew flavors: Blacker Berry (black tea with strawberry, lemon, and mint), Sunday Candy (red tea with lemon, strawberry, and mint), and Ultralight Green (green tea with apple, orange, lemon,

ANTE’s pop-up booth

monday, august 6, 2018 Ultralight Green— green tea with apple, orange, lemon, and mint

Sunday Candy—red tea with strawberry, lemon, mint

Brand redefines bottled brewed tea experience and mint), which are all named after their favorite music artists. Vega said their brand aims to redefine status quo. The millennial entrepreneur believes that to redefine what has become normal, one must stand up in order for others to follow as well. “Our tea is for those who dare to be different, as it is called ANTE, for anti,” he said. He continued, “It’s sort of our ambition to do that because if we don’t then who else will? It’s important to push the human race forward [through] big or small gestures.” On July 28, ANTE opened its first store at Greenbelt 5, where guests had a first-hand experience of the refreshing beverage. Several pop-up booths were also placed around Bonifacio High Street, Taguig and selected bars in Poblacion, Makati to spark curiosity among the tea-drinking crowd. “Being a young entrepreneur, I have always believed in pushing things forward and ANTE is here to shake things up and provide A New Tea Experience for Filipinos,” said Vega. Aside from bottled tea, other merchandise such as T-shirts, caps, and sweaters are sold in store. For more updates, visit the brand’s Instagram page at instagram.com/upyourante.

A small crowd of young tea drinkers and enthusiasts gathers at the ANTE pop-up to try on the edgy bottled brewed tea brand.

Fo(u)r the win IT’S not easy to win a Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award. Harder still to win it two times in a row. The pressure is so on for Marco Polo Ortigas Manila, which marked its fourth anniversary in July with four new deals that promote not just its delectable dining options but a philosophy of sustainable luxury as well. “The Forbes Five-Star Award puts a lot of pressure on the team,” General Manager Frank Reichenbach said in an Signature dishes at Cucina intimate lunch with journalists at the hotel’s signature Cantonese restaurant, Lung Hin. “We’d like to do it again,” he added. For starters, Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has taken the first step toward becoming a straw-free hotel. Instead of single-use plastic straws, the hotel is offering bamboo straws as more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. Single-use plastic straws and stirrers in the food service industry have contributed significantly to the volume of waste that end up in landfills and worse, in bodies of water. The Philippines, unfortunately, has been ranked the third biggest contributor of plastic wastes to the world’s oceans, next only to China and Indonesia. Reichenbach said the hotel has partnered with socio-civic organization Bambuhay, which provides livelihood

Bamboo straw

to communities in Central Luzon, in ensuring that all its restaurants and bars are without plastic straws. “There are so many things we can do toward environment-friendly utensils and items to support our five-star-rated service,” he said. To kick off its fourth anniversary, the hotel also launched its annual MidAutumn Festival offerings with authentic mooncakes imported directly from Hong Kong. “It is so easy to just buy the mooncakes here, but we think authentic mooncakes from Hong Kong still have marketing edge. The boxes, however, are locally made, and we have received a lot of positive comments on how beautiful the customized boxes are,” said Reichenbach. Turn to C2

Life

monday, august 6, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

PREMIUM TUNA. Each can of Bay of Gold Select Tuna contains premium cut tuna and rich flavors, such as (from left) Manuka Smoked Ventresca in Olive Oil, Tuna Flakes in Oil with Chili, and Tuna Flakes in Shoyu.

Affordable premium canned tuna

nEW label of canned tuna offers premium quality cuts and artisanal flavors sans the hefty price tag.

Local seafood company Alliance Select Foods International, Inc. launches Bay of Gold Select tuna, a lineup of globally inspired and rich-flavored canned tuna made of 100 percent prime and select cuts like the oil-rich belly fillet. Alliance Select said in a statement it saw the opportunity to offer exceptional quality yet affordable tuna in the market since discerning consumers buy expensive, imported canned tuna in select specialty stores. “First-class quality canned tuna is hard to come by and Filipinos often have to resort to buying expensive, imported canned tuna products,” said Alliance Select president Raymond K.h. See.

in Manuka Smoked Ventresca. According to the company, the canned tuna label is guaranteed made of premium tuna sourced from the best places around the world and captured using responsible fishing methods. Premium tuna is known as the best high-protein source that comes with plenty of Omega-3 healthy fatty acids. “Premium tuna is consistently touted by fitness experts as a delicious and healthy food source for muscle building and recovery. Food enthusiasts and home cooks also prefer premium tuna cuts as a staple in nutritious comfort food recipes for their friends and family,” said See.

Tokyo Tokyo’s Black Garlic Ramen

he continued, “What we aim to do is provide the richest cuts of tuna that were previously available through imported channels only, at an affordable price.” Bay of Gold Select tuna comes in five variants, namely tuna Flakes in Shoyu, an Asian-inspired choice that heightens the umami flavors of Pacific tuna flakes; tuna Big Flakes in Oil with Chili, a product prepared in olive oil and enough chili to provide a hint of heat; Manuka Smoked tuna Solid in Olive Oil, a variant featuring tuna smoked with 100 percent organic Manuka wood chips to further enhance the premium Bay of Gold Select Tuna is available cuts with aroma; and two variants of in select Landers, Landmark, and Real tuna belly or Ventresca: in Olive Oil and Food branches for P99.75 to P215.

Four food kiosk concepts for franchise launched CRAVE Alley, an innovative food kiosk model launched at the recently concluded Franchise Asia 2018, is now available to franchisees. the food kiosk model is composed of four concepts, namely Quiche and tell (quiches and tarts with a twist) by Chef Mathieu Amet; Katsulit (assorted katsu with homemade sauces) by Chef Miguel Vengco; Fruit Skin (healthy sorbets made with real fruits) by research and development specialist Geraldine Buela; and Conespresso (coffee in a cone) by beverage innovator Karen Quizon. the abovementioned concepts were conceptualized by the R&D team of technolux, the country’s foremost provider of world-class kitchen and laundry equipment as well as small wares and consumables. Each food kiosk concept is powered by technolux equipment, such as Kolb Oven for Quiche and tell, Vittore Espresso Machine for Conespresso, thor Fryer for Katsulit, and taylor Ice Cream for Fruit Skin, to ensure efficiency and consistency in food preparation. Crave Alley offers entrepreneurs unique and viable opportunities through its no franchise fee and no royalty scheme, a first in the industry. Interested franchisees only need to purchase the equipment from technolux. Full support will be given to franchisees in the areas of operations, supply chain, technical, and sales and marketing. All four concepts can be franchised collectively as Crave Alley or individually as a stand-alone kiosk. “We are very happy with the enthusiastic response of those who visited our booth at Franchise Asia. Inquiries poured in and

Bold black ramen FASt food chain tokyo tokyo launches a bold new ramen flavor perfect for the rainy season. the Black Garlic Ramen is a new take on a classic fan favorite. It utilizes an innovative element—the black garlic oil—which gives the dish its color and strong garlic flavor. Each bowl of this ramen is made of

premium quality ingredients including freshly made ramen noodles, slowly cooked tonkotsu broth, and a generous variety of ramen toppings that includes sliced pork chashu, nitamago egg, rayo oil, nori, and onion leeks. The Black Garlic Ramen is available at Tokyo Tokyo branches nationwide.

BITES

Crave Alley’s four food kiosk concepts, namely (clockwise) Conespresso, Fruit Skin, Quiche and Tell, and Katsulit are now available to franchisees.

we are positive that Crave Alley can be a For inquiries, contact Norell Ortega success in the food kiosk industry,” says at 0917-8673910 or norell@technolux. norell Ortega, vice president for sales, net, or Diane Bugarin at 0917-8081453 foodservice Manila of technolux. or dbugarin@technolux.net.

Fo(u)r... From C1

Inspired by traditional flowers, this year’s featured mooncakes—the Plum Blossom (set of four pieces) and Peony (half-dozen set)— symbolize luck, prosperity, and honor. Marco Polo Ortigas Manila has also rolled out its Fantastic Fridays promotion as well as a reduced rate for its all-day buffet destination, Cucina. Guests can enjoy a relaxing weekend staycation in the bustling Ortigas district with an exclusive special rate of P4,500 on Friday nights, which already comes with access to the indoor infinity pool, fitness center, and complimentary wireless internet. Cucina’s promo rate of only P1,399 is sure to satisfy foodies looking for the freshest sushi, authentic pizza and pasta, and a dizzying array of desserts, among others, in the buffet spread. Celestial Treasures at Lung Hin

I’m at joyce.panares@gmail.com.

Oreo Thins Lemon Cheesecake

Lemon in your cookie WhEn life gives you lemons, make a cookie sandwich. that at least is what Oreo did as it launches Oreo thins’ newest flavor, lemon cheesecake. Oreo thins Lemon Cheesecake features an exciting flavor that tugs between tart and sweet. this thin cookie variant is also available in vanilla and tiramisu flavors. Oreo Thins is available in stores nationwide at P41.50 per box.

Entertainment Simply Red… From C4 APO music now in a musical There’s an ongoing craze in Philippine music theater. And that is compiling pop music of certain artist or group and set them into a musical piece on stage. You’ve probably heard of Rak of Aegis and Sa Wakas, both successful stage musicals based on the discography of local bands. This month, a new production featuring the songs of APO Hiking Society is set to open at the Maybank Performing Arts Center oin Taguig City. Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is produced by Globe Live and 9Works Theatrical and will run untilAug 26. Some 15 songs from the iconic trio of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo, and Danny Javier tell a coming-of-age story set in the 1970s, centering on a musically inclined college barkada and their experience of heartaches and what they learn from them. Among the APO tunes included in the musical are “Bawat Bata,” “Doo Bidoo,” “Blue Jeans,” “Batang-Bata Ka Pa,” “Pumapatak na Naman ang Ulan,” and “Panalangin.” Paredes recalled,”Through the years, maybe about 20 people have approached us to do a musical. We’ve been presented different scripts, [but they] didn’t really quite excite us. Some never presented a script, they just wanted permission. But this is the first time they actually seriously—I felt with great seriousness and effort—that they wanted to do something with the music. “When I talked to them, I realized that these were theater people who really loved what they do, and I said, ‘Yes, definitely, you guys take our music to where you want it to go.’ “I started writing at age 14. I’m 66 now. And now this music is being played outside of us singing it in a concert, and that’s really quite a thrill.” Paredes expressed confidence in how 9Works Theatrical and director Robbie Guevarra breathed new life into the memorable hits of APO. “We wanted to write for Filipinos songs about love, friendship, relationships, sex, and this was our— without even planning it—legacy. And now they’ve taken it up, and I’m very happy about it,” he said. The musical had a press preview last Thursday and based on the reactions of those who went to see the musical play, it might have legs. The cast includes singer-actor Mark Bautista, Rita Daniela, Jobim Javier, Sab Jose, Alfritz Blanche, Marika Sasaki, Jon Philippe Go, Jef Flores, Jon Abella, Raul Montesa, and Neomi Gonzales. Groundbreaking ceremony for Araneta Center’s Gateway Mall 2 Areneta Group officials and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation led the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying at the site of the new mall on July 31. Aside from offering vast spaces for retail and F&B operators, the Gateway Mall 2 will also have a state-of-theart Cineplex, an organic vegetable garden where shoppers can have the farm-to-table experience, a spacious activity area, a unique food hall, and a 500-seater, fully air-conditioned iconic chapel. The mall, which will be connected to the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Farmers Plaza, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2020. Adjacent to the new mall will be the first Ibis Styles hotel in the country. It will be operated by AccorHotels, the same team behind the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, and is expected to attract guests with its charming design and topnotch service. For more updates, visit www.aranetacenter.net or follow us on our social media pages: @aranetacenter on Twitter and Facebook, and @thearanetacenter on Instagram.

remains undefeated

DOWN 1 schnoz-related 2 Water or rust 3 Clear the windshield 4 Approx. 5 Hooded cloak 6 False name 7 Palm reader, maybe 8 sweetie pie 9 Artist’s colors 10 Whiskey type 11 Last letters 12 grey of Western novels 13 Part of nBA 21 Burglar’s “key” 22 Cocoon dweller 24 Hardhat’s sup-

nickie.standard@gmail.com

The cast of the comedy horror film 'Da One That Ghost Away'

‘Da One That Ghost Away’ headlines Sky pay-per-view HOrrOr fans get treated to a scarefest on Star Cinema on SKY Pay-Per-View as it features Da One That Ghost Away and two more horror flicks until Aug. 17. With a cast led by Kim Chiu and Ryan Bang, DOTGA is the story of Carmel (Kim), a paranormal expert trying to save her grandmother’s house from being sequestered by forming a band of bogus ghost hunters. As their luck runs out, the squad meets rich bachelor Jack (Enzo Pineda) who offers them a million pesos to exorcise his house of ghosts. Unfortunately for Carmel and her band of misfits, the spirits turn out to be real. The hit loveteam of Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber, plus Enzo Pineda, Pepe Herrera, Moi Bien, and Lassy Marquez are also in the cast.

Subscribers can catch the spooktacular pay-per-view movie line-up along with Ghost Bride, which is another Kim Chiu film, and Bloody Crayons. Enjoy these movies for only P99 in high or standard definition in the comfort of your home or on any device anytime, anywhere via SKY on Demand. This is available to SKYcable and One SKYsubscribers nationwide. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office, visit www.mysky.com.ph/starcinemappv or just text STArCINEMAPPV to 23662. register your SKY account number to Kapamilya Thank You by logging on to thankyou.abs-cbn.com and receive points from any of your SKY subscription. You may use this points for SKY bill rebates, buy tickets for ABS-CBN shows, and more.

Latest ‘The Little Mermaid’ adaptation in PH cinemas

ACTION HERO. Coco Martin as Cardo in the top-rating action drama 'FPJ's Ang

Probinsyano.'

By Clay Moreno

HE Coco Martinstarrer FPJ’s Ang Probinsyanohas kept its position as the country’s top television series after its outstanding performance in the numbers game.

In the ratings data gathered by Kantar Media, the action drama pulled in 42.8 percent rating enough for it to keep its reign as the most watched program in July, followed by weekend program Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids32.8 percent. Monday last week, the Kapamilya primetime series recorded a national TV rating of 42.4 percent, on par with its daily average, in both rural and urban homes, or more than double the 20 percent logged by its newest primetime rival Victor Magtanggol. Joining Probinsyano in the top ten were TV Patrol (30.7 percent), Bagani (29.3 percent), MMK (28.6 percent), Wansapanataym (25.2 percent), Home Sweetie Home (23.5 percent), and Rated K (20.4 percent). Meanwhile, talking about nationwide viewership, more Filipinos turned to ABS-CBN for news and values-laden stories as it recorded an average audience share of 44 percent, or an elevenpoint lead over GMA’s 33 percent (again according to data from Kantar Media). The Kapamilya network ruled in both rural and urban homes, particularly in Metro Manila with an average audience

Monday, August 6, 2018

53 Roman historian 54 tempe coll. 55 Wasteland overgrown with shrubs 56 Way-gone bird 57 swift horse 58 Pool resources 59 Affirm 60 Lap dog 61 Passes time doing nothing 62 the woman’s 63 Bradley or sharif

‘FPJ’s Ang ProbinsyAno’

CROSSWORD PUZZLE ACROSS 1 Leaf juncture 5 Mad rush 9 Popular to-go order 14 Wood choppers 15 Kitchen staple 16 territories 17 Weigh, as evidence 18 outward appearance 19 Mortgages 20 Hubbub 21 storyteller 22 diminish 23 Century units 25 Hot soak 26 Personal history 27 Bump on a frog 28 2001 to Augustus 31 suit material 34 Plush fabric 36 Verdi opera 37 Lively dance 38 galley mover 39 With the highest priority 41 type of parking 42 storm center 43 snow boots 44 Brief craze 45 Bete noire 46 Hearing distance 50 occurred to

MondAY, August 6, 2018

port (hyph.) 25 obstinate 27 oasis features 28 ground grain 29 Insignificant 30 technical sch. 31 VCR insert 32 Lean and sinewy 33 Ms. Falco 34 Bass or alto 35 Warty ones 37 Escapade 40 geronimo’s warriors

41 Be different 44 Prefers 45 Flat-topped hill 46 sea duck 47 sheik’s bevy 48 Port near Kyoto 49 spud 50 Feng — 51 take care of 52 track 53 Feel warmly toward 56 telegraph syllable 57 Military addr.

share of 42 percent, compared to GMA’s 28 . ABS-CBN likewise led in Total Luzon with 39 versus GMA’s 37 ; in Total Visayas with 51 , compared to GMA’s 26 ; and in Total Mindanao with 53 , while GMA only got 26 . Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percentof the total Philippine TV viewing population. Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also triumphed across all time blocks, particularly the primetime block as it garnered an average audience share of 47 percent, or 14-point lead against GMA’s 33 . The primetime block is the most important time of the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investments in to reach more consumers effectively. The Kapamilya network also led the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) with an average audience share of 39 percentversus GMA’s 30 ; the noontime block (12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.) with 43 , compared to GMA’s 33 ; and the afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) with 42 , beating GMA’s 36 .

THE latest thrilling fantasy-adventure liveaction independent remake of The Little Mermaid is inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s novel that stars British actress Poppy Drayton (Downton Abbey), William Moseley (Chronicles of Narnia, The Royals), Loreto Peralta, Armando Gutierrez and Shirley MacLaine. First published in 1837 about a mermaid’s sacrifice for love, the latest adaptation of The Little Mermaid is a brand new take on Anderson’s timeless tale, written and directed by Blake Harris. Produced by independent studios Kingsway Productions and Conglomerate Media, The Little Mermaid unfolds with an old grandmother telling her two granddaughters the story of a fascinating beautiful mermaid. William Moseley stars as a reporter who started following a story about a mermaid and a magical healing water. Together with his sick niece, they travel to a small town in Mississippi to uncover a legend. There, they go to a circus and encounter a beautiful mermaid trapped in a glass tank. They are further amazed when the mermaid appears

DIGITAL MEDIA

Your chance to see Chance The Rapper in Manila

American songwriter Chance The Rapper

before them as a young woman with legs. Drayton, who stars in the titular role said in previous interviews that she’s hugely fascinated with mermaids. Moseley who has visited the Philippines previously said in local interviews that the movie didn’t have the same budget as Disney’s but that it’s also a film with a lot of heart. A very different The Little Mermaid splashes in Philippine cinemas nationwide on Wednesday, Aug. 8 from Axinite Digicinema.

British actress Poppy Drayton is a mermaid in the latest live-action reimagining of the classic tale.

GrAMMY award-winning Chance the Rapper is coming to the country for the first time to perform his hits. As a treat, Globe is giving away tickets to his concert and lucky Globe Prepaid customers will get to watch him drop the beat this Aug. 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Be part of this much-awaited music event by just registering to any GoSUrF variant and earn one raffle entry for every P5. After subscribing to GoSUrF, just validate entries by texting CTrrEG <space> Name/Address/Birthyear (Ex. CTrrEG rico reyes/12 Abu Bakr St. Pasig City/1991) to 2346. To check the number of points earned, text CTrPTS to 2346. Increase your chances of winning and earn as much as 200 raffle entries by subscribing to GoSUrF999. You also get free 2GB data for GoWATCH and PLAY when you subscribe to GoSUrF50 and up! Promo runs until August 15 and winners will be announced on Aug. 17 via the Globe website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts. Winners will also be notified through call and text by an authorized Globe representative. Don’t miss this opportunity to see and hear Chance The rapper. For more details about the promo, text CTrHELP to 2346 or visit http:// go.globe.com.ph/globechance.html.

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

Entertainment

MONDAY, AUGUST 6, 2018

Xian Lim,

Diego Loyzaga take on HCON 2018 for ‘Celebrity Car Wars’

‘ONANAY’ ready pinch Onanay tells the unique story of how motherly love remains pure and unconditional, the way every mother is to her child.

the viewers’ hearts

Xian Lim and Diego Loyzaga

BEFORE they go bumper to bumper in an all-new season of History’s Celebrity Car Wars, Xian Lim and Diego Loyzaga get up close and personal with fans in History Con from Aug. 10 to 12 at World Trade Center, Pasay City. History Con is a world-class entertainment convention which garnered a record-breaking attendance of 68,800 people in 2017 and 50,000 people in 2016. The show that Xian and Diego will be part of, Celebrity Car Wars, is an automotive reality entertainment series in which six new popular, socially connected, outspoken, pampered, and coiffured celebrities embark on an eight-week road to automotive discovery. The all-new turbocharged season is set to premiere next month. “We are delighted to launch Celebrity Car Wars as the key driver of History’s global multimedia event, ‘Car Week’ to bring the best of automotive series and special features to our target audience in Asia,” said Leena Singarajah, Managing Director of A+E Networks Asia. In this new season, six new celebrity contestants from widely different backgrounds go head-to-head in a series of exhilarating four-wheeled feats. Watch how the free-spirited young actor Diego Loyzaga proves that when it comes to wheels, the new is always the better. From modeling and acting to hosting stints, Xian Lim shows viewers a never-before-seen side to him as he uncovers his hidden passion for cars in this series. As one of her country’s key health and fitness influencers, Thai R&B idol Lydia Sarunrat faces different challenges with a strong and independent personality that goes beyond her goddess-like beauty and angelic voice. Known for co-producing and directing top-caliber films since 1995, Malaysian actor, producer, and director Hans Isaac still has a lot to offer. Coming from the Land Down Under, can Australian actor and martial arts practitioner Matthew Deane kickstart a new career in automotive? Singapore’s Munah Bagharib, from the famous YouTube comedy duo Munah & Hirzi, definitely makes a fun and strong addition in the competition. Adding to Filipino pride are car racing experts Gaby dela Merced and Michele Bumgarner who will guide the contestants in every obstacle as their mentors. Hosted by Bobby Tonelli, Celebrity Car Wars’ third season also features challenges from previous seasons including jeepney race, reverse racing, and insanely tough offroad 4X4 ride along Pampanga’s Sacobia River. Celebrities will also face the dreaded brick wall, which returns to test their personalities yet again. To amp things up, the new season also sees past contenders KC Montero and Phoemela Baranda return to the tracks for the series’ famous drag race, and Dominic Lau makes a special appearance as guest referee for the car-football challenge. This season also introduces a live leaderboard to allow contenders to track each other’s scores. Meanwhile, interested History Con fans may choose from three different ticketing categories, each with exclusive privileges: the History Maker VIP Pass (P10,000) has only 100 limited tickets available; the History Maker Pass (P2,500) is good for a three-day admission; and General Admission Pass (P350) entitles bearers to a one-day access to the star-studded convention. Tickets are available for sale exclusively on SM Tickets. Visitwww. historyasia.com/historycon for more information.

E CAN list down a number of differences among new comer Jo Berry, character actress Cherie Gil, and superstar Nora Aunor. They came from different backgrounds, have varied experiences, motivations, and beliefs most probably.

kailangan ipagtanggol yung nanay, ‘di ba? Kasi kung wala naman yung nanay, wala naman yung anak. Yun lang siguro yung sa akin.” Onanay aims to touch the hearts of viewers by showcasing the immeasurable power of love and how there is nothing that a mother wouldn’t do for her child. “Maganda yung storya tungkol sa isang ina kung papano magmahal ang isang ina sa isang anak. At kung papano yung pagtungo ng anak sa isang ina. Yun yung puso dito eh,” the superstar shared. Aunor further said that working with a dynamic cast and crew is helping the series a lot. Not only that they motivate each other on the set, they have already created a healthly working enviroment. Joining the lead stars in the series are young actresses Mikee Quintos and Kate Valdez playing siblings Maila and Natalie. Maila is a perfectly cheerful and obedient daughter who is willing to stand up to anyone who makes fun of her mother. She dreams of graduating and giving her family a comfortable life. Natalie, on the other hand, is spoiled, arrogant, and thinks highly of herself. She is ashamed of her mother’s physical appearance, which is why she often takes out her frustration and anger on Onay. Completing the powerhouse cast are Gardo Versoza as , Nelia’s younger brother who will treat Maila as his own daughter; Wendell Ramos as , a rich and careless man who used to be an alcohol and drug addict who will Superstar Nora Aunor with cast members (from left) later on play an important role in Onay’s life; Rochelle Gardo Versoza, Jo Berry, Mikee Quintos, and Kate Valdez. Pangilinan as , Onay’s childhood friend who works Even in the new series airing tonight on GMA, amid play- at a beauty salon and is very supportive and endeared ing the same role as mothers, we can still see how different to Maila; Vaness Del Moral as , Lucas’ jealous and these actresses are from each other. And that’s what’s unique possessive wife; Enrico Cuenca as , a handsome school jock who will fall for Maila; and special guest Adrian about the series they are starring in. Since mother, or Alandy as , the loving and responsible husband of motherhood for that matter, is synonymous with love, Onay who fell in love with her because of her Onanay (the title of the drama) would like to feature beautiful innate qualities. love as it takes on all forms. The series is under the helm of esteemed Jo Berry takes on the role of Onay, a woman director Gina Alajar with the creative team born with Achondroplasia or a bone growth composed of creative director Roy Iglesias, creative disorder which impeded her growth. Because of head Richard Cruz, creative consultant Suzette this, she is often the subject of ridicule but she Doctolero, headwriter Luningning Ribay, chooses to remain positive in life. She gave birth writers Obet Villela, Geng delos Reyes and Tina to two beautiful daughters—Maila and Natalie— Samson-Velasco, and brainstormers Borj who cannot be more different from one another. Danao and Brylle Tabora. Despite a tragedy and traumatizing events, Onanay is created by the GMA Onay’s motherly love remains pure and Entertainment Group under unconditional, the way every mother is to the supervision of Senior Vice her child. President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Playing equally important roles are Vice President for Drama Redgie Nora Aunor as , Onay’s supportive A. Magno, Assistant Vice President mother who will do anything for her for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, child, and Gil as , a former beauty queen Senior Program Manager Helen and now a wealthy owner of an online Rose S. Sese, and Executive fashion magazine. She is also Onay’s Producer Nieva Sabit. mother-in-law who will make her and Kapuso viewers abroad can also Nelia’s life miserable. catch Onanay via GMA’s ﬂagship “Malaki ang appeal ng ina bilang international channel, GMA Pinoy isang character,” La Aunor said in an TV. To check the program schedule for interview. “Sa totoong buhay, ano each territory, visit their ofﬁcial website man ang sama ng isang magulang, at www.gmapinoytv.com. o ng isang ina, dapat yung anak minamahal talaga yung nanay. At New comer Enrico Cuenca

HOLLYWOOD

Pop stars Shawn Mendes and Ariana Grande

Sam Milby stars in 'Halik,' an upcoming drama that tackles the entangled lives of two married couples.

ISAH V. RED

Best-looking leading men, pretty young actresses torch screen in ‘HALIK’ KAPAMILYA network’s new late night soap has a sexy hint. The title itself already suggests sensuality. Halik (Kiss) is a word that evokes sexy images and one can’t ignore its powerful suggestion of shocking physical interaction among the characters in the new series. While the production team tones down the sexual and sensual implications of the title, and underscores Filipino values in relationships and marriage, still, the tabloid media insist on the series’ allusive to sex and sensuality as observed from the questions directed to the stars mostly about “cheating” and “kissing.” Lead stars Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Yam Concepcion and Yen Santos bravely answered the questions, although in some instances they dish out showbiz-type answers that are a letdown to tabloid journalism, yet the tabloid columnists and bloggers seemed content with what they heard. ABS-CBN is selling the series as “the most daring story teleserye of the year, featuring a story of love tested by time and temptation.” It premieres on Aug. 13 on ABSCBN’s Primetime Bida vice Since I Found You, when the curtain closes on Aug. 10. In the series, Sam Milby plays Ace, a rich businessman, shrewd enough to seduce Jade (Yam Concepcion) even as his own marriage with Jacky (Yen Santos) is fundamentally also in bad shape. Halik, however, centers on Lino (Jericho), Jacky (Yen) and their starcrossed love for each other, which began when they were still children. Jacky’s parents disapprove of Lino being the son of one of their workers. So, Lino decides to stay away to spare Jacky from her parents’ wrath. In a twist of fate, they meet again after several years. Lino, now married to Jade, an ambitious, headstrong woman, who ﬁnds a way to get what she wants, and Jacky is with Ace, a rich man has a secret behind that endearing appearance. Now that destiny has given Lino and Jacky another chance at being together, will they choose to ﬁghtfor the love they were deprived of or keep their promise of forever to people who they think don’t deserve it. Also in the cast are Amy Austria, Alan Paule, Precious Lara Quigaman, Romnick Sarmenta, Cris Villanueva, Almira Muhlach, Christian Bables, Hero Angeles, Chai Fonacier, JC Alcantara, Jane De Leon, and Gab Lagman. Continued on C3

Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes among performers at MTV awards POP stars Ariana Grande and Shawn Mendes will be among the performers at the MTV Video Music Awards on Aug. 20, the network announced Thursday. Announcing the ﬁrst batch of appearances for the live broadcast from New York, MTV said Grande would sing “God Is a Woman,” the 25-year-old former child star’s newly mature track about the delights of sex. The awards will come three days after Grande releases her fourth album, Sweetener. MTV also said that rapper Logic would perform live for the ﬁrst time his new song “One Day” alongside featured artist Ryan Tedder, the singer of pop group OneRepublic.

MTV earlier announced that Jennifer Lopez would receive an award named after Michael Jackson for her lifetime contributions to pop culture. The bilingual New York-born diva will appear at the awards for the first time since 2001. Rapper Cardi B is the frontrunner at the latest VMAs, narrowly taking more nominations than Jay-Z and Beyoncé for their Louvre-shot video “Apeshit” and Childish Gambino for his politically charged “This Is America.” But unlike the industry-led Grammys, the VMAs prides itself on outrageous made-fortelevision moments with less focus on who wins the awards. AFP