Manila Standard - 2018 November 29 - Thursday

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Bersamin new chief justice Palace also names second female magistrate to high court

By Nat Mariano and Rey E. Requejo

P VOL. XXXII • NO. 287 • 4 SECTIONS • 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

MAROONS IN UAAP FINALS AFTER 32 YEARS

By Peter Atencio UNIVERSITY of the Philippines outlasted Adamson in a game for the ages, pulling off a pulsating 89-87 overtime victory to reach the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ Finals for the first time in 32 years in front of a loud and predominantly Maroonclad crowd at the jampacked Smart Araneta Next page Coliseum Wednesday night.

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Supreme Court Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin as the next Chief Justice and Court of Appeals Rosmari Carandang as SC associate justice, Malacañang announced Wednesday.

“The Palace announces the appointments of Mr. Lucas P. Bersamin and Ms. Rosmari D. Carandang as Chief Justice and Associate Justice, respectively, at the Supreme Court,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

Panelo said Bersamin is the most senior justice in the Supreme Court “in terms of services rendered under the Judicial Branch in various capacities.”

“He served nearly 17 years as the Presiding Judge of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, over six years as Associate Justice at the Court of Appeals, and close to 10 years as the 163rd magistrate of the Supreme Court,” Panelo added.

Bersamin, who served as an associate justice for nine years at the Supreme Court, is the third most senior in the tribunal after Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta.

Bersamin will render 10 months in service as the country’s top magistrate as he will retire on Oct. 29.

The 69-year-old Bersamin, who already took his oath, replaces Teresita Leonardo-de Castro who previously retired from government service in October after serving as top magistrate for over a month following the dismissal of Maria Lourdes Sereno.

As an associate justice of the Supreme Court, Bersamin wrote the decision acquitting former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo of plunder, voted to acquit former Senator Jinggoy Estrada of plunder, and favored a hero’s burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

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CJ LUCAS BERSAMIN

DDS ignites public uproar

By Nat Mariano, Macon RamosAraneta, Francisco Tuyay and Rio N. Araja PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to create his own armed civilian group called the “Duterte Death Squad” to counter communist assassins met with strong pushback from allies and critics alike, and drew a cautious reaction from his own Defense secretary.

In a speech Tuesday night at Camp Rajah Sikatuna in Bohol, Duterte referred to the Sparrow Units of the communist New People’s Army, which specialized in assassinations.

“Now what I don’t have is my own Sparrow,” the President said. “So I will create my Next page

P1-m bounty vs narco-pols—Rody

By Nat Mariano

THUMPING WIN IN 32.

Jun Manzo of UP Maroons dribbles past Eggie Boy Mojica of Adamson Falcons in the two schools’ thrashing duel Wednesday which enabled the Maroons to reach the UAAP Finals for the first time in 32 years, thanks to the gut and heroics of skipper Paul Desiderio (inset) who grabbed 11 rebounds and hammered in 16 points for an 89-87 overtime antsy victory at the Araneta Coliseum with the Diliman fans (left) screaming their lungs out in more than a generation.

Lino Santos

A BOUNTY of P1 million awaits anyone who informs the Armed Forces of the whereabouts of local executives involved in illegal drugs, President Rodrigo Duterte said Wednesday, adding he would easily give P500,000 for the identification of “ninja” or crooked cops.

The President made the offer in a speech during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Ozamiz Airport Modernization Project in Misamis Occidental.

“If the narco-cops or ninja-cops are hard-headed, I would give P1 million,” he said, telling the audience to just inform the Armed Forces of the Philip-

pines about their locations.

“I have a lot of money if money is your concern,” he added.

The President’s remarks came after he ordered Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalda, in the middle of his speech, to work for the swift return of Police Supt. Jovie Espenido to Ozamiz City.

Espenido became controversial as he and his men became involved in a June 2017 police operation which left nine dead.

On Sept. 20, the Department of Justice recommended the filing of homicide charges against him, C/Insp. Glyndo Pujanes, SPO4 Renato Martir Jr., PO1 Sandra Nagdayag, and a few unidentified others.

Early Xmas break Peace panel under military feared on Dec. 15; classes By Nat Mariano resume on Jan. 2 THE Department of Education on Wednesday set an earlier Christmas break this year, moving it to Dec. 15 from Dec. 22.

Education Secretary Leonor Briones said the start of the Christmas break for school year 2018 to 2019 is Dec. 15, 2018, but the resumption of classes is still on Jan. 2 next year. “[The department] values the importance of spending quality time with the family,” Briones said in an order.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte might soon put the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process under military control, the Communist Party of the Philippines said Wednesday, following the sudden resignation of Jesus Dureza and the termination of two of his senior officials.

CPP founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said it is possible that Duterte would order the military to “take over” the OPPAP by appointing another for-

mer military official to replace Dureza.

“The real issue may not be corruption but Duterte trying to put OPAPP under military control, occupation, and corruption,” he said in an online interview from the Netherlands.

Sison said Duterte might order outgoing Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Carlito Galvez to spend his post-military career as the head of OPAPP. “The problem is when the military comes in, they impose conditions

FRIENDSHIP AMONG NATIONS.

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Spongebob creator passes away, 57 STEPHEN Hillenburg, the biology teacher who created the wildly successful “SpongeBob SquarePants” children’s animation series has died, Nickelodeon announced on Tuesday. He was 57.

Hillenburg passed away from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, the network announced.

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Angkas Buhay: Ambulance on two wheels ANGKAS, the fastest-growing motorcycle-hailing app service in the Philippines, has revealed plans to come up with the very first motorcycle ambulance service in the country.

Dubbed “Angkas Buhay,” the groundbreaking ambulance service aims to provide first aid onthe-spot for emergency cases or the immediate

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Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (above, between US Ambassador Sung Yong Kim and Hungarian Ambassador Jozsef Bencze) participates in the inauguration Wednesday of the new Bases Conversion and Development Authority Office in Clark Global City (left). Also present were congressmen from Pampanga and Tarlac as well as local officials and officers of private stakeholders. Arroyo, in an interview, said BCDA’s transfer to the Clark Global City would enable it to closely monitor and supervise its big-ticket projects like the Clark International Airport and New Clark City. (Story on A6).

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody: Kick out illegal workers, but...

By Nat Mariano and Macon Ramos-Araneta

I

LLEGAL Chinese workers in the country should be deported, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday, but at the same time said that the government must exercise caution as other Filipino workers may suffer the same fate overseas.

“They should be deported. But in the same manner, you should be careful because when you point to the Chinese, you also point yourself at us,” Duterte told reporters after the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport on Tuesday.

The President said that the matter of deporting illegal Chinese workers in the country should be approached carefully as there are also Filipinos working

overseas “illegally.”

“There are so many thousands of Filipinos working there or went inside China as tourists and working there,” he said.

“Remember: It’s not just exploiting the story about the Chinese here, we’re doing the same thing. In Malaysia, a lot of our women are there in Indonesia, China, [and] Korea,” he added.

Asked if the government would accept the reality of illegal employment overseas, the President said it was not okay, but there has to be an arraignment.

“If you think that you are at a loss, at a disadvantage because there are so many Chinese nationals working here, remember that we have the same equal amount of people Filipinos who are there working in China.

But they did not report anyone. So maybe you can just tell them [Chinese] to go home,” he added.

“Otherwise, if you start to get rough on this issue,

there is a distinct possibility that it will also happen to you. So, you know when you sail your ship of state, you avoid turbulent waters,” the President said.

Duterte made the remark following the decision of the Senate to conduct a probe into the increasing number of illegal foreign workers in the country, particularly Chinese nationals.

On Monday, labor officials told a Senate inquiry that some 50,000 of the 115,000 alien employment permits were given to Chinese nationals from 2015 to 2017.

The Bureau of Immigration, however, said that online gaming played a factor on the increasing number of Chinese workers in the country.

Earlier this month, the Immigration bureau has already deported 36 Chinese nationals who were earlier caught illegally working in online gambling dens and in shopping malls in Metro Manila.

Memo 32 won’t prelude martial law—Duterte

By Nat Mariano THERE will be no nationwide declaration of martial law, President Rodrigo Duterte said Tuesday as he justified his recent order to deploy additional troops to several parts of the Philippines.

In a briefing after the inauguration of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport, Duterte denied that his Memorandum Order 32 was a prelude to martial law or the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus.

“You’re all interested to know if I’m going to declare martial law. No, I am not going to declare martial law. There are enough powers of the Presidency that I can use,” Duterte told reporters.

He made the remark after critics, including some legislators from the Makabayan bloc, suspected that his memorandum, which ordered the deployment of military and police forces to the Bicol, Samar and Negros to suppress “sporadic acts of violence” was the Duterte administration’s next step toward its supposed plan to put the country under martial rule.

Malacañang had previously denied this accusation, saying should there be an intention to declare martial law nationwide, it would have been implemented already.

But Duterte said there was a possibility of declaring martial law if there was “widespread violence” in the country.

“Well, if there’s really a widespread violence then maybe [I will declare it].

But I do not need really violence in every corner of the Philippines to say that we are in danger,” Duterte said.

Angkas Buhay:...

From A1

transport of doctors to the patient. In this regard, Angkas is inviting driver-partners and new sign-ups to join the pilot program in Metro Manila to train as volunteer paramedics.

Initially a collaboration between Angkas, Our Lady of Guadalupe Colleges and Victor R. Potenciano Medical Center in Mandaluyong City, Angkas Buhay will pioneer an intensive training course for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTcertified) drivers.

After undergoing training, qualified EMT drivers, armed with life-saving techniques aboard a specially-designed “ambucycle” fitted up with medical supplies and equipment, will be able to stabilize patients until secondary medical transport arrives.

Expected to go live towards mid-2019, Angkas Buhay will be featured through an in-app “Emergency” button to match the EMT driver in close proximity to the patient.

Debuted on Nov. 25, 2018, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Rizal, during the inaugural Safety Fiesta of Angkas to commemorate its first anniversary, Angkas Buhay is the latest initiative of the transport app in support of public safety. Displaying the “ambucyle” prototype with a brief video trailer, a panel of speakers from Angkas and its key partners gave an overview of the project.

“We’ve all heard the tragic stories about critical patients who needed to be rushed to the hospital but because of the traffic gridlock and the cost of ambulance rides, many are, sadly, dead on arrival. For some of us, this may even hit close to home, but what if Angkas could change all that?” said Angkas founder and CEO Angeline Tham.

Posing a challenge to the riders, Tham recounted the heroism demonstrated by driver-partner Francis C. Belecario, who, last Sept. 3, was instrumental in the rescue of wounded patroller, PO1 Berlino L. Ricafort, in Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Early Xmas...

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“The Christmas season provides an opportunity for Filipino learners to strengthen their emotional bonds with the family.”

The department also ordered all regions, divisions and schools to review the budget of work in curriculum implementation to ensure that the required competencies are covered. PNA

‘Steady stream of funds must on health care’

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ONCE President Rodrigo Duterte signs into law the Universal Health Care bill that seeks to give all Filipinos access to health care and services, its implementation will be a challenge because of the need for “steady funds,” an official said Wednesday.

“The budget cuts on the Department of Health for 2019 is not good for UHC,” said Senator JV Ejercito, the principal author and sponsor of the UHC bill in the Senate.

The reduction in the Health department’s budget next year was pegged at P36 billion since the agency’s budget was reduced to P74.1 billion from P109.8 billion in the current year, and to only P74.1 billion in 2019.

“Funds for the Health Facilities Enhancement Program [HFEP] is very important for the success of UHC implementation since the establishment of a service delivery network is essential,” Ejecito said.

He also said the improvement of health facilities was very vital in the UHC program, and that the budget cut on the HFEP was a “step backward” for UHC. Senator Sonny Angara said all Filipinos would get “bigger and better” PhilHealth benefits once UHC became law.

Angara, another author of the measure, said UHC will channel more funds “to all aspects of public health,” from free checkups and medicines to improved hospitals all over the country.

It is estimated that, under the measure, more than P250 billion will be annually remitted to PhilHealth from revenues including the proceeds from the sin taxes, casino dividends and from the intensified PhilHealth membership drive.

Maroons...

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NEW SC JUSTICE. Newly appointed Supreme Court Justice Rosmari D. Carandang takes her oath before newly appointed Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin at 2:31 pm Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018, at the New Session Hall in Padre Faura Street, Manila. Carandang, who placed ninth in the 1975 Bar examinations, was appointed Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals in March 2003. She served as the Chairperson of the CA Third Division and its Rules Committee.

Bersamin...

From A1

He also favored the Duterte administration’s actions including the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the arrest of opposition Senator Leila de Lima, and the dismissal of Sereno.

The 66-year-old Carandang, who has been an associate justice of the appellate court since 2003, is the second unmarried female to be appointed to the Supreme Court. In her interview with the Judicial and Bar Council in September, Carandang said staying single allows her to focus in her duties in the judiciary.

She takes the post vacated by De Castro when she was named chief justice earlier this year.

The Palace expressed confidence over the two newly-appointed magistrates.

“Both Justices belong to what President Rodrigo Duterte calls ‘the best and the brightest’ as Chief Justice Bersamin placed 9th in the 1973 Bar Examinations while Associate Justice Carandang also claimed the same spot in the 1975 Bar Examinations,” he said.

“We are confident that CJ Bersamin and AJ Carandang will continue to uphold judicial excellence, assert its independence, and stand firm against erring members of the bench, the bar, and court personnel as they lead the third branch of the government, together with the rest of the Supreme Court Justices, in remaining steadfast in its role as the guardian of the rule of law,” he added.

Bersamin was handpicked from a shortlist of five SC justices that included Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio and Associate Justices Diosdado Peralta, Estela Perlas-Ber-

DDS...

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own Sparrow. Duterte Death Squad against the Sparrow… I will match their talent also for assassinating people. They will have firearms for sure. That’s my plan.”

“They will do nothing but look for idlers who are prospective New People’s Army members and take them out,” he said.

The idea was immediately shot down by Duterte’s own political ally, Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, president of the President’s ruling party, PDP-Laban.

“That cannot be done. I’m sure the President will not create such [a] squad,” Pimentel said.

Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said Duterte’s planned formation of a civilian hit squad was just to cover up his administration’s widespread use of summary executions.

“I think that Duterte is citing them [Sparrow] as a pretext for organizing more death squads of the AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] and PNP [Philippine National Police] for the mass murder of mere suspects who are not even the tar-

Spongebob...

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“He was a beloved friend and long-time creative partner to everyone at Nickelodeon, and our hearts go out to his entire family,” the network said.

“Steve imbued SpongeBob SquarePants with a unique sense of humor and inno-

nabe and Andres Reyes Jr. He took his oath of office before Carpio, who served as acting chief justice during the vacancy in the top judicial post.

Duterte justified his appointment of Bersamin based on his seniority.

While Carpio is the most senior among the SC justices, having been appointed in 2001, Bersamin is the most senior in the judiciary among the nominees as he rose from ranks in his 32-year career in the judiciary.

Bersamin will lead the judiciary until Oct. 18, 2019, when he reaches his compulsory retirement age of 70.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, an ex-officio member of the Judicial and Bar Council, confirmed the appointments of Bersamin and Carandang as chief justice and SC associate justice, respectively.

Bersamin’s promotion as top magistrate resulted in a vacancy for the post of associate justice in the 15-member bench.

On Jan. 5, 2019, there will be another vacancy with the mandatory retirement of Associate Justice Noel G. Tijam.

Chief Justice Bersamin, who finished his law degree from the University of the East, was ninth placer in the 1973 bar examinations.

In 1986, he was appointed regional trial court judge for Quezon City. In 2003, he was promoted as CA associate justice.

On April 2, 2009, then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now Speaker of the House of Representatives, promoted Bersamin to the post of SC associate justice.

Carandang, on the other hand, was a judge of the Manila City RTC before she was promoted as CA associate justice.

She finished her law degree from the University of the Philippines and placed

ninth in the 1975 bar examinations.

Before her promotion to the SC, Carandang chaired the CA’s third division.

Carandang was the seventh appointee of President Duterte to the SC. The first six appointees were Associate Justices Samuel Martires (who retired to assume the post of Ombudsman), Noel G. Tijam, Andres B. Reyes Jr., Alexander G. Gesmundo, Jose C. Reyes Jr., and Ramon Paul L. Hernando.

This is on top of the President’s appointment of De Castro and Bersamin as chief justice.

In his first media briefing, Bersamin vowed to uphold judicial independence in his one year as chief justice.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III yesterday lauded the appointment of Bersamin, who had worked with him in 2008 when he still headed the Dangerous Drugs Board.

Senator Grace Poe said she sees Bersamin as fair and objective, having handled many controversial cases before joining the Supreme Court.

In the House, lawmakers supported Bersamin’s appointment as well.

Former Speaker and Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. said he was proud that Bersamin had honed his judicial skills as a regional trial court judge in Quezon City.

Parañaque City Rep. Gus Tambunting also cheered Bersamin’s appointment.

“He is very capable and competent to head the Judiciary with more than three decades of service and most senior among his colleagues in terms of court experience,” Tambunting said. With Macon RamosAraneta and Maricel V. Cruz

get of any court warrant of arrest,” Sison told an online news site. He added that the Sparrow Units, active during the martial law years, have not been operational since the 1980s.

Opposition Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said Duterte only wants to instill more fear in the hearts of Filipinos by warning there will be another round of extrajudicial killings.

“He is doing this because he feels that he is losing his grip on power and that fear is his only way to keep people check,” he said.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said they will thoroughly study Duterte’s proposal and admitted that the plan could lead to cases of abuse.

“We will study it very closely. Who will compose it, who will supervise it, who will be the targets, who will be accountable? Because there is great danger of abuse or mistakes in these undercover operations,” Lorenzana said.

“One way to prevent this is for someone higher up to give the go-signal after careful and thorough vetting. There should not be a blanket authority,” he said.

Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde said he had yet to receive instructions from the President regarding the matter.

Senator Francis Pangilinan warned that Duterte’s death squad would turn the country into “a howling, lawless wilderness.”

“It will not create more jobs for the ordinary citizen. It will not lower the prices of basic goods. It will not increase incomes and wages of the worker. It will only turn our country into a howling, lawless wilderness,” he said.

Senator Gregorio Honasan said he believed that extreme situations call for extreme measures, but said these must be within the bounds of the law. But he said the formation of such a group was the President’s prerogative and a judgement call.

Senator Grace Poe said she needed to know the context of the President’s statement, but said the idea was “alarming.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson said it is up to the public to interpret if the President was serious or not when he made the statement.

“Being a lawyer and former prosecutor, I don’t think he was serious because he knows it’s illegal and criminal to do perform such an act,” he said.

The Commission on Human Rights denounced the idea, saying the principles of international humanitarian law strictly prohibit death squads “under all circumstances.”

cence that has brought joy to generations of kids and families everywhere.

“His utterly original characters and the world of Bikini Bottom will long stand as a reminder of the value of optimism, friendship and the limitless power of imagination,” it added.

Nickelodeon launched the children’s hit in 1999.

“The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie” from 2004 featured voiceovers from Scar-

lett Johansson and Alec Baldwin, recounting the latest adventures of the yellow sponge and his friends.

Hillenburg was born in Oklahoma and brought up in Los Angeles. He had been nominated for nine prime-time Emmys, the highest award in American television.

Last year he announced that he had been diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease. AFP

Skipper Paul Desiderio delivered the biggest baskets of his career in crunchtime, none bigger than UP’s last five points in overtime, including the game-clinching fadeaway basket against Adamson team captain Sean Paul Manganti to finally put the Maroons in the game’s biggest stage beginning 3 p.m. Saturday against the waiting finalists Ateneo Blue Eagles at the Mall of Asia Arena.

When the final buzzer sounded, the Maroons formalized their first trip to the UAAP Finals in over three decades, tasted for the last time by the Katipunan-based team in 1986 with a legendary team led by Benjie Paras and Ronnie Magsanoc and coached by Joe Lipa.

That team eventually won the title.

As for this group, mentored by Bo Perasol and bannered by UAAP Most Valuable Player Bright Akhuetie, the magical journey isn’t finished. Not yet.

“We’ll enjoy this first, but tomorrow, we’re going to sit down and think what we have to do for us to have a chance against Ateneo,” said Perasol, whose wards overcame the twice-to-beat advantage of the secondseeded Falcons to earn a shot at the mighty top-seed and reigning champion Ateneo.

The Maroons, who played in their first semifinal stint in 21 years, saw their 16-point lead in regulation dwindle to 78-75 following a barreling shot by Adamson’s Cebuano guard Jun Manzo, before Jerom Lastimosa silenced the sea of Maroons with a gametying three-pointer with 2.6 seconds left to force the five-minute extension.

“After that triple by Lastimosa that sent the game into overtime, it took away the spirit from us. I was already thinking, mananalo pa ba kami?” asked Perasol.

Feeling confident after that massive shot, Lastimosa buried a second triple in the overtime period to give the Falcons six-point lead at 84-78, with the Maroons’ hold on the game slowly slipping from their hands.

But Desiderio, the lone remnant from the UP team that went 0-14 in the 2013 season, came to the rescue of the Maroons by sinking a triple and the fadeaway shot that shattered the game’s last deadlock at 87-87 to turn the tides in favor of UP.

Peace panel...

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for the surrender of the New People’s Army,” he added.

National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ peace consultant Satur Ocampo admitted that seeing a former military official at the negotiating table between the government and communists would not be good.

“A peace negotiation where the military will have the last say is not going to result in an acceptable agreement,” Ocampo, a former Bayan Muna Party-list representative, told the ANC news channel.

Last week, the AFP chief said he personally told Dureza his plan to become a peace consultant weeks before his retirement.

“I personally conveyed my request to OPAPP and I told Secretary Dureza, ‘Can I be some sort of consultant?’ So, he accepted my request,” he said. Galvez is set to leave his post for retirement on Dec. 12.

In his previous remarks, Duterte has explained that he preferred to designate former military men in his Cabinet as they get the job done without much debate.

On Tuesday, Duterte himself announced that he accepted Dureza’s resignation as the latter took responsibility for the alleged corruption of two of OPAPPS’ senior officials Undersecretary for support services Ronald Flores and Assistant Secretary Yeshter Donn Baccay. With PNA

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Locsin easily confirmed

by CA as new DFA secretary

Act on death penalty bill, Barbers urges Senate

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. quickly breezed past the powerful Commission on Appointments whose members unanimously confirmed his ad interim appointment on Wednesday after no opposition was registered.

Describing Locsin as a “maverick and quick-witted” person, Senator Panfilo Lacson, chairman of the CA Foreign Affairs committee, endorsed the approval of Locsin’s confirmation during plenary session.

According to Lacson, Locsin has distinguished himself with the credentials and qualifications befitting someone who should be at the helm of the Department of Foreign Affairs—irrepressible, articulate, very independent-minded and extraordinarily prolific in writing.

“Never dull and never ordinary,” the senator said of the nominee. He said that it remains enjoyable and exciting to listen to what Locsin would say next while he “insulted and humiliated.”

Lacson said that as secretary of Foreign Affairs, Locsin would bring his own “brand of diplomacy—one that represents the true value of an independent foreign policy enshrined in our Constitution.”

“I dare say this without mental reservation.

If he pulls off and succeeds in the present endeavors which he is currently occupied with, with nary a constitutional challenge but that would catapult the Philippines into the league of rich, influential and economically powerful nations, we may now be confirming a future president of the Republic of the Philippines,” Lacson added.

By Maricel V. Cruz

HE chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Dangerous Drugs on Wednesday appealed to the Senate leadership to prioritize the passage of a bill restoring death penalty on drug-related crimes and offenses.

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, the panel chairman and one of the principal authors of death penalty bill, said he believes capital punishment for serious, drug-related offense, is an effective deterrent as “death is the only language that criminals and big-time syndicates and criminals understand.”

He said the bill’s enactment will prevent more deaths and crimes brought about by substance abuse.

“What are we waiting for, more deaths

and crimes brought about by substance abuse? A whole nation of drug addicts?

A narco-state? The future of our children is already compromised as it is. Are we waiting for them to turn addicts or victims of drug-related crimes? Please listen to the deafening silence of our children,” said Barbers as his panel, together with the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, resumed its investigation into the controversial shabu shipment that slipped past the ports of Manila.

In appealing for the Senate’s support to his measure, Barbers said that “the future of our children is already compromised as it is.”

Barbers lamented that criminals and big-time syndicates remain due to the supposed “lack of implementation of the laws” and “the lack of the deterrent effect of the penalties.”

“I would therefore take this opportunity to appeal to the Senate to pass the Death Penalty Bill that has been approved by this House. This is the only legislation that is apt for these crimes that keep on happening,” Barbers said.

In March 2017, the House approved on third and final reading Barbers’ House Bill 4727 by a 216-54, with one abstention.

From an initial list of 21 crimes that included rape, treason and plunder, the House leadership decided to limit death penalty to drug-related crimes and offenses to ensure the consensus of House members belonging to the majority.

Senate vows to pass 2019 budget before Xmas break ACCEDING to the plea of Malacañang to enact the P3.757-trillion budget to avert delays of several infrastructure projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” program, the Senate leadership on Wednesday committed to exert efforts to pass the measure before Congress goes on a Christmas break.

“There’s an appeal from Malacañang and all agencies if we can approve the budget before Jan. 1 of 2019. So our plan, our counter proposal is to work double time,” said Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Once the budget is delayed, Zubiri said the bidding for the projects will

also be stopped, and with the election ban on Feb. 8, Zubiri noted that many projects would not be implemented.

“So we are looking at maybe, six months of no implementation of projects. Ang hirap naman noong maraming umaasa. The others—the increase of pension of soldiers and policemen, we will rush (to finish the budget) for them,” Zubiri said.

He said they will start at 10 am on Tuesday to tackle the sponsorship of next year’s budget and continue deliberating it until Dec. 7.

“That’s Tuesday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and if we still need to deliberate

from Dec. 10-11 but the plan of the Senate leadership is to have an approval

by Dec. 11, latest Dec. 12 and ratification

by Dec. 13. That’s why I need to talk to my colleagues if we can comply with the request,” said Zubiri.

“We would like to show the public that the Senate is willing to work double time, over time, even though we just got the budget measure only a few days ago,” he said.

“But we will do our job. We will not shame the public. We will do our duty which is to approve the budget before the end of this year,” he said.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Du30 picks Evasco as his gubernatorial bet in Bohol

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said his former Cabinet secretary Leoncio “Jun” Evasco Jr. would be his candidate as Bohol governor, adding that he would not endorse Evasco’s rival.

The President did not mention Evasco’s rival in his gubernatorial bid, but the Chief Executive appeared to be referring to Bohol 3rd District Rep. Arthur Yap, who is on his last term as congressman.

“This is not the proper forum, but I would say that my candidate is Jun. But his competitor is the uncle of Bong,” Duterte said in a jest, adding that his longtime aide Christopher “Bong” Go has some resemblance to Yap. Duterte bared that Evasco’s rival once asked him to raise his hand in public as a sign of endorsement for the 2019 midterm elections, but the President was quick to ignore the request.

“He asked for it and in public and I don’t want to embarrass people,” he told soldiers in his speech during the turnover of military housing units in Camp Rajah, Sikatuna in Carmen, Bohol on Tuesday evening.

“But I said, I have to go there in Bohol and one day announce that you are not my candidate because we were never allied together. You never helped me,” he added.

According to the Commission on Elections’ tentative list of candidates, Yap is one of four aspirants running as Bohol governor. He is also the gubernatorial candidate of the ruling PDP-Laban party while Evasco is running under the Nationalist People’s Coalition.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Killing fields

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

of the NPA. They are just enjoying the perks of their self-exile.

But civilian death squads are another thing. This just means that the President no longer has confidence in PRESIDENT Duterte’s appointment our security forces—the military and of Associate Justice Lucas Bersamin the police—in fighting the enemies of as the new chief justice is a testament the state. that he cannot tolerate criticism or disIn effect, President will create unsent, never mind if it is valid. disciplined and untrained civilians This is not to say Bersamin is not with firearms licensed to kill alleged qualified. Like Justice Antonio Car- enemies of the state. This will be like pio, he has probity, integrity and inde- the Wild Wild West where the one pendence. with the fastest gun was king.

Bersamin is from Abra. He was a Critics of the President should be cousin of my later brother in law, law- alarmed. They could be assassinated yer Alfredo Bersamin Feraren. by these death squads!

Truth to tell, Carpio already was I never dreamed we would ever see prepared for the inevitable. He said he this: Civilians killing one another in was ready to not be appointed by the the name of ridding the country of enPresident. emies of the state.

What is sad is that Carpio’s criticism I thought the dark days of martial of the administration’s handling of the law were over.

South Chine Sea *** dispute is valid.

With the up*** coming 2019 Doesn’t Presielections, we will I did not ever imagine be presented with dent Duterte realize the implica- we would come to this. self-serving poll tions of what he surveys that say calls the Duterte this or that canDeath Squads? didate was in the These are civilMagic 12. ians roaming around the country in I was involved in poll surveys mysearch of Red Sparrows. We will have self, when I was public affairs mankilling fields here in our midst! ager of the Kanlaon Broadcasting SysIt’s bad enough that the war on il- tem of Robert Benedicto. I know that legal drugs has resulted in so many surveys can be manipulated dependdeaths already, most of them from the ing on what questions are asked. poor. This has created a climate of imThis is what happens when survey punity. Are killings the new normal, results don’t eventually come true. It my gulay? all ends in disaster, since in the PhilipThe President has said civilian death pines there are only two kinds of cansquads would be sent to transport ter- didates: The winners, and those who minals, restaurants, malls and other say they were cheated. places to kill suspected rebels and I am not necessarily against poll even loiterers and junkies. Must they surveys. They can be used in selling all now be terminated with extreme brands and other products. They are prejudice? essential to candidates because they I am all for the continued war get an idea where they are: If they are against the New People’s Army. I am trailing behind, or if they should camalso for the termination of peace talks paign harder and where. between the government and the Reds.

However in our kind of elections, poll Jose Ma. Sison and Luis Jalandoni no surveys tend to create a bandwagon longer have control over the members Turn to A5

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

I

Back to chambers

N RECENT years, the Supreme Court has emerged from being a quiet branch of government that spoke only through its decisions to a controversial agency with its own share of infighting and intrigue.

The string of controversy began with the impeachment of Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012. Corona was tried in the Senate and was convicted and ousted for failing to declare all his bank account holdings in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

In his place, then President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maria Lourdes Sereno to head the Supreme Court. Sereno’s appointment caused a stir because she was a junior justice

at the time, and she had bypassed other magistrates who had been at the High Court for much longer than she had.

Six years later, Sereno found herself in the same predicament. An impeachment complaint was filed against her before the House of Representatives, with some of her colleagues coming out to testify against her. Even before this progressed, however, Sereno was ousted when the Supreme Court voted in favor of a quo warranto petition that voided her appointment in the first place.

Sereno was replaced by one of her most vocal critics in the court, Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, who stayed on for less than two months before her retirement.

Meanwhile, the most senior justice, Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, was bypassed yet again this week. President

Duterte picked another justice in the running, Lucas Bersamin, from among the short list submitted by the Judicial and Bar Council.

While it was clear to many and even among his colleagues that Carpio stood a fair chance at appointment, his vocal stand against the President’s inaction on the South China Sea dispute with China may have caused some questions about his loyalty.

Then again, the President has spoken, we have a new chief justice, and there are many things to do not only in the cases for the Court’s disposition but also in the administration of courts nationwide. Bersamin’s work is cut out for him, and there is no room for intrigue, or dispute.

The justices need to get out of the limelight and back into chambers for the real job to get done.

Feeling savior late 19th century, British naval officer Maurice Vidal Portman went to the island, observed the inhabitants, and, as part of his “experiments,” took, or “kidnapped” several adults and children and brought them to a nearby A MAN wanting to convert to ChrisBritish prison island. The adults fell tianity the inhabitants of an island deill and died; the children he returned. clared off-limits by authorities defies Some scientists theorize it could be the prohibition on Nov. 14 by paying this experience that soured the tribe fishermen to take him there; on Nov. on further contact with outsiders.

16, he dies a grisly death at the hands Since then, they have generally greetof irate natives. ed visitors with a shower of arrows American missionary John Aland aggressive gestures of repudialen Chau was obsessed with bring tion. In 1970, the director of a Nationthe word of God to the inhabitants of al Geographic documentary took an North Sentinel Island, part of the Anarrow in the leg. In 2006, two Indian daman and Nicofishermen whose bar group of boat had accidenislands administally strayed into tered by India. their island were The North SenThe issue here is killed. Chau was tinelese, one of respect.

They have no exception to the world’s last the islanders’ polremaining tra- the right to live as icy of isolation. ditional hunter- they deem best.

Chau’s story gatherer socie- Leave them be. and his dark end ties, have actively could have come resisted outside from the annals of contact. This has the early modern led the Indian period to the Victorian era, the age of government to ban visitors to the isempire. People from Europe swashland to protect its people and their way buckled their way through swathes of life. They have been left in utter of land in Africa and Asia, claiming isolation, without government interlarge areas of territory for their counvention. tries, reaping their resources, and rulChau knew what he was doing was ing over and trafficking their inhabillegal, but as he said in his final letitants as slaves. As colonizers, white ter, he believed Jesus had bestowed people became the symbol of oppreshim with the strength to go to the most sion worldwide. forbidden places on Earth. In one pasOften, economic and political consage, he asked God if North Sentinel quest were accompanied by forced reliwas “Satan’s last stronghold.” gious conversion of the colonized. This In another, he asked: “What makes we well know from our country’s own them become this defensive and hosexperience with Spain over 400 years. tile?”

Chau belongs to a wave of “white The North Sentinelese are not a saviors,” people imbued with a “messiah wholly “uncontacted” tribe. In the

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More to the picture is the president and CEO of two companies—Offshore Construction and Development Corporation (OCDC) and New Qualitrans, Inc. a transport company. And both have been caught entangled in Cruz’s alleged malpractices.

OCDC figured in a case of graft THE recent scandal involving the alleged sexual harassment of Miss Earth contestants introduced us to a new object of public ire: Mr. Amado Cruz, who was portrayed as a lewd, Why continue to leering middle-aged businessman as he was photographed getting chummy associate with this with the beauty queens. The news has individual accused of gone viral. many nefarious acts?

However, it seems sexual harassment may only be just another item on the list of alleged illegal acts Cruz might have been involved in. A businessman, Cruz

when it entered into an anomalous lease of two government properties in 1998 with the Intramuros Administration. Some say this was consummated without the benefit of a public bidding.

Worse, OCDC is said to have been allowed to proceed with the construction without securing any building permit.

The IA administrator that time was Dominador Ferrer, Jr. who was convicted for graft last June. Interestingly, one of his letters to Cruz was even cited as evidence in the case.

With regard to New Qualitrans, Inc., the scandal was recent. Just last October, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board reportedly considered issuing a suspension order

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Opinion

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

The Great Wall of China The Bureau of Immigration reported that this year, out of the 393 foreign nationals arrested for overstaying their DANILO visa or lack of working permit, 304 SUAREZ were Chinese. These Chinese nationTWO weeks ago, I expressed my con- als are employed in online gaming cern on the rising unemployment in while some are engaged in constructhe country. My fellow legislators in tion work. The Bureau of Immigrathe Senate raised a similar concern and recently conducted a hearing on the influx of illegal foreign workers in the country. During the hearing, it We cannot stand was found that many of these foreignidle and let our people ers are Chinese nationals who enter the Philippines as tourists and then convert reap the negative their status via alien employment perconsequences of the mit (AEP). The Department of Labor and Employment reported that almost influx of Chinese 50 percent of the AEPs issued to forworkers. eign nationals from 2015 to 2017 were issued to Chinese nationals. Note that our labor laws only allow employment of foreign workers after a determination of the non-availability of a Philippine tion’s statistics also shows that there national who is otherwise competent, is an upward trend in the number of able and willing at the time of applica- Chinese nationals entering the country tion to perform the services for which since 2015, reaching more than a milthe foreigner is desired. lion in 2017.

OVERSIGHT

Whether through legal or illegal means, the increasing number of Chinese nationals working in the Philippines puts our own nationals in a perilous position, in terms of securing gainful employment. For example, we are befuddled that AEPs are being awarded to foreigners for construction work. Construction work is no doubt within the abilities of any Filipino. In fact, it is one of the most common employment opportunities for many Filipinos who find it difficult to land a permanent job. I see no reason why there is a need to employ Chinese workers for such kind of work.

I am one with my fellow legislators in the Senate on this alarming situation.

We cannot stand idle and let our fellow Filipinos suffer the consequences of the perceived lack of the government’s regulatory mechanisms intended to protect the interests of the public. Given the lack of insight of the frontline agencies and poor inter-agency coordination, this situation defeats the intention and efforts of the national government to provide job opportunities to Filipinos.

Changing partners LIKE that old popular song of Patti Page, the country is currently in the process of changing partners. In the words of President Duterte himself, the divorce is now ongoing. What this could mean is that in the not too distant future, there will be more plane tickets bought for trips to Shanghai and Beijing than for Los Angeles and San Francisco. Even that joke about every Filipino having a cousin in the United States may change and this is hardly surprising. A good part of the Filipino blood after all is Chinese.

For myself, two of my great grandfathers on my mother side were Chinese immigrants who settled here before the turn of 20th century. They subsequently Filipinized their surnames which so many have done in this country.

During the 2016 elections, Filipinos had no inkling that the President would turn our foreign policy upside down because he hardly even touched on the subject during the campaign. Now, he is trying to undo a relationship that has developed over the past 120 years in the six years of his presidency.

The big question to ask is that will the Filipino nation accept this and will it be good and beneficial to the country? It would seem that the President has been harboring a deep-seated dislike for America. When and how this started, we do not know. The media has speculated before about an incident involving an American official when he was Mayor of Davao City as the start.

More...

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against all of the company’s taxi units following a complaint of alleged molestation of a female passenger of one of its drivers. According to the complaint, the taxi driver even brought his female passenger to a motel.

Investigation by police further revealed that a number of documents of New Qualitrans’ taxi units might have been falsified, with the company even listing an office address which it had already vacated five years prior, which makes everybody ask, including the LTFRB, if Cruz could have sold his taxi units with fake documents.

Sources privy to Cruz’s work and business claim it is a common rumor that the embattled businessman has a predilection for young, beautiful women. If the rumor is true, then the stories of sexual harassment would sound in-character of him. A group of Miss Earth contestants claimed that Cruz brought them to a private room in his yacht, asked them to dance for him and

Feeling...

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complex” to “help” out-group people, in many cases whether they like it or not.

Indian anthropologist T. N. Pandit, who visited North Sentinel several times between 1967 and 1991, says the tribe only wants to be left alone. “They are not wanting anything from you. We

This was suppoedly compounded by the denial of the United States embassy of visas to some relatives.

The first public display was of course when he lambasted former US President Barack Obama when he cautioned President Duterte of the unintended negative consequences of his war on drugs – like the unnecessary killing of innocent civilians as collateral damage to the drug war. He continued this for some time until he offered some kind of an apology recently.

He then talked about the negative consequences of the 48-year American rule in the country, followed by the termination of the long-standing US-Philippine military exercises Balikatan which he never witnessed or attended, leaving everything to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana. As the months went by, the pivot to China became more evident. This is notwithstanding the fact that China has built an island in an area of the South China Sea that is within our exclusive economic zone.

The government has come up with all sorts of reasons for not pressing vigorously our arbitral tribunal victory at The Hague. That ruling declared that China had no historical rights

based on the nine-dash line map.

One persistent reason given by the President is that he will not allow his soldiers to go to war that he cannot win, while at the same time pronouncing his willingness to go to war to defend Benham Rise or the Philippine Rise. No mention was made on the prospective or probable enemy. Taiwan, maybe?

Could Japan or the United States be interested in the rise? The only country that has conducted an oceanographic survey in the area—which was by the way allowed by the government—is China. What happens if the Chinese become interested in the Rise?

China has invited our President there; President Duterte has also visited Beijing multiple times. China has also promised billions of dollars in loans with an interest rate of about 3 percent by the estimate of some people with knowledge of the negotiation.

This is very much higher than the 0.5 percent interest rate being charged by Japan with 10 to 15 years grace period.

We have not seen anything of these promised loans yet except the delivery of Chinese small arms.

China’s President Xi was honored with a red-carpet treatment befitting a super power. Many memoranda of understanding were also assigned but have not all been made public.

When the visit caused traffic jams, the Palace said this was understandable considering the stature of the visitor. I agree. But the Palace should also have been more understanding of the traffic jam created during the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis. But the good Pope was lambasted by no less than Mr. Duterte who was also caught in the jam.

reportedly even took “sultry” pictures of them.

He also reportedly asked for the hotel room numbers of certain contestants, allegedly made sexual advances and was said to have insinuated he could get the girls further in the competition in exchange for sexual favors.

While a pattern seems to be emerging on Cruz’s background, it is quite puzzling why Carousel Productions, Inc. continues to avail itself of Cruz’s services and sponsorships for the Miss Earth Beauty Pageants which it produces.

And here is where the plot thickens.

If sources are to be believed, there could be more to the picture than meets the eye.

Sources alleged Cruz pimps girls to high-ranking public officials in exchange for favors, including government projects. Miss Earth contestants are no exception.

And again, if this allegation is true, why does Carousel Productions continue to tolerate Cruz’s supposed sexual predatory acts?

Take note that Carousel is headed

by Ramon Monzon, president, CEO and director of the Philippine Stock Exchange. Any controversy involving him could ricochet on PSE itself and gravely affect its operations.

For the record, the primary objective of PSE is to provide and maintain a convenient and suitable market for the exchange, purchase and sale of all types of securities and other instruments.

Hence, even the slightest rumor of links to a businessman reportedly involved in pimping in exchange for business favors, would taint PSE’s fragile operations.

And even if the allegations of pimping turns out to just like that, rumors, Monzon’s association with Cruz and patronage of his sponsorship, after contestants of Miss Earth started coming out accusing the latter of sexual harassment, would still be grossly inappropriate.

Someone who tolerates an alleged sexual predator would end up suspected of being an enabler of predatory acts himself. Monzon can no longer afford to be silent on this issue.

are coming to them,” he said. “They suspect that we have no good intentions. That’s why they are resisting.”

Chau did not respect that clearly communicated wish, and flouted authority in order to pursue his own selfimposed agenda and inflict his desires upon a people who want nothing to do with outsiders. To call an island and its inhabitants “Satan’s last stronghold” is the arrogance of someone in a position

of self-assumed superiority.

In a Nov. 25 interview by Scroll, Indian sociologist Rudolf Heredia says Chau was a “foolish man,” a “fundamentalist making the historical mistake of treating Christianity as a political ideology through a rather colonialist mission to convert a remote group he viewed as a primitive tribe.”

“Some missionaries want to be martyrs,” he said. “They want to prove their

We had no inkling that President Duterte would turn our foreign policy upside down.

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No need to apologize for tariffication bill it. Rice imports in government-togovernment transactions are priced with market price behavior in mind.

So will tariffied rice imports automatically bring about a decline READING the media reports on the in inflation? The Filipino people passage by both chambers of Con- should not be made to develop false gress of the rice tariffication bill, expectations.

The second proposition advanced one gets the uneasy feeling that by the Rice Tariffication Act’s adthe approving legislators and the Duterte administration’s economic vocates is that tariffication will lead managers are apologetic—some- to a flooding of the market with imwhat, anyway—about their espous- ported rice, causing rice prices to collapse, causing great damage to al of the bill.

Why should they feel apologet- Filipino farmers. This proposition ic? The bill, when signed into law is absurd. Why would rice traders

by President Duterte, will simply import rice in volumes calculated change the basis upon which rice to bring about sharp declines in rice is brought into this country. Hith- prices? What would they stand to erto rice, the staple food of most gain from such a change in market Filipinos, has been brought into this conditions? Poor Filipinos will of country through transaction—be- course benefit enormously from rice tween the Philippine government price reductions—that would be most and other government—undertaken welcome from the poverty-reduction standpoint—but on the basis of is that the prinquotes. Once the cipal motivation tariffication law underlying tradis in effect, (1) It’s a sound ers’ decisions the quota system to import rice? will be replaced proposition.

Unfortunately, it by a two-rate tarisn’t. iff system—one Finally, there rate for rice imis the proposition that Filipino rice ports from ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries producers stand to benefit from the and another, higher rate for imports farmer-support fund that will be from non-ASEAN countries—and established with the revenue gen(2) private importers will be able to erated by the rice tariffication law. bring rice into this country. A quota A part of the fund will be used to system replaced by tariff, which are finance farm equipment—including in essence taxes; those are the only tractors and threshers—for Filipino rice farmers, a part will go toward changes that will take place.

Why do I say that the congres- low-cost credit to farmers and a part sional supporters of the rice tariffi- will finance expanded agricultural cation bill and the Duterte adminis- extension services to the farming tration’s economic managers appear communities. Those who are pasto be apologetic about the pending sionately interested in the proimplementation of the Rice Tariffi- gress of the Philippine agriculture cation Act? Because of three propo- should not hold their breath. The sitions advanced by them, including benefits being promised to Filipino the chairperson of the Senate com- rice farmers by the Rice Tariffication Act have again and again been mittee on agriculture.

The first proposition is that tar- promised to them—was an Agriculiffication will necessarily result in ture and Fisheries Modernization a lowering of the inflation rate as Act not passed in 1990s? Still, admeasured by the consumer price in- equate and consistent government dex. How this will come about has support has long eluded this counnot been explained by the tariffica- try’s farmers. And I dare predict tion advocates in their rice import that it will likely elude them in the decision making, traders will be coming days.

Rice tariffication is a sound ecoguided by the state of the rice marker, bringing foreign rice into this nomic policy change, and it serves country only when consumption to fulfill a national obligation to the and supply conditions are condu- WTO (World Trade Organization), cive to profitable operations. They which prohibits merchandise trade will not import rice when the mar- quotas. It can stand on its own. It is ket is awash with the staple and they justifiable.

It needs no apology from its will rush to import rice when they perceive an impending shortage of proponents.

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effect. Voters go for the candidate who is leading in the survey. This is where moneyed administration candidates enjoy their advantage. They have the money and power to distribute sample ballots.

Statistics show that the average voter only write down names of only seven or eight candidates.

In the US, surveys count for a lot. In the US and other developed countries, voters are educated enough on what and whom to vote for. Americans only have to choose between Republicans and Democrats. *** The Comelec may as well do away with what it calls “election period” when candidates can start campaigning.

Here, the moment a candidate files a certificate of candidacy, he or she already starts campaigning.

The best example is the President’s

bona fides by doing this kind of thing.

Some act out of ignorance. Maybe he [Chau] wanted to make a sensation.

We don’t know what his psychological motivations were. But he violated the space and the culture of the tribe, when he should have respected them.”

Would leaving the Sentinelese alone indefinitely be beneficial to them? They survive without schools, hospitals, and the other trappings of modern society.

favorite candidate, Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. He makes a mockery of the election period. The President himself has been heard as endorsing Go as being good for the Senate. *** Mislatel, a consortium of Davaobased billionaire Dennis Uy who was a contributor to the Duterte campaign in 2016 and China Telecom, has been named as the third player in the telecommunications industry to break the duopoly of Smart and Globe.

Mislatel is promising a lot of things like fast Internet.

But what worries many people is that China Telecom is government-owned.

This would make the Chinese government breach our national security. *** There are two things I don’t like debating—religion and politics. President Duterte is not the first to attack the Catholic church and its leaders. So, I will not debate him on the issue. www.emiljurado.weebly.com

However, contact with outsiders can leave them vulnerable to diseases that they do not have immunity for, and destroy their culture and lifestyle.

The issue here is respect. They have the right to live as they deem best.

What we should do is to leave them be.

Dr. Ortuoste is a multi-awarded writer and researcher. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

News

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ecowaste wants controversial garbage back to South Korea

IN BRIEF DICT saved Chavit from loss—analyst ACTING Department of Information and Communications Technology chief Eliseo Rio Jr. recently addressed the complaints of Sear Telecom of Luis ‘Chavit’ Singson and the Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. with regard to the selection process for the third telco in a three-part facebook post.

In the first two parts of his posts, Rio explained that “We simply looked at documents, not the personalities. It was an exercise in objectivity.”

The third part of Rio’s posts, however, turned out to be the most significant with his explanation in a radio interview on Nov. 26.

“A careful reading of an article linked below may reveal contradictions. However, I advise the reader to render her/his own judgment after perusing such article which I find interesting and relevant to the matter at hand,” wrote the acting DICT chief.

He was referring to a fraud judgment case filed against Jonathon Bentley-Stevens, Singson’s foreign partner representing Tier One.

By Joel E. Zurbano MEMBERS of environmentalist group Ecowaste Coalition on Wednesday picketed at the Bureau of Customs in Port Area, Manila to press for the immediate return to South Korea of the controversial dumped garbage.

The move followed a statement by the government of South Korea confirming “it would take measures to have the wastes in question be brought back to Korea as soon as possible.”

“In line with the expression ‘strike while the iron is hot,’ we call upon the BOC to act with urgency, rush the removal of the dumped wastes in Misamis Oriental, and send them back where they belong,” said Ecowaste national coordinator Aileen Lucero.

“We hope the Korean garbage will be out of our territory before Christmas and not beyond Dec. 31, 2018,” she added.

“BOC’s rapid action will send a clear and unequivocal signal to waste traffickers that the Philippines is taking strong action against illegal waste export to protect public health and the environment, and uphold the national dignity and sovereignty,” she emphasized.

To dramatize their demand for action against waste trafficking, the protestors carried a ship replica topped with mixed garbage and wielded placards in English and Korean urging the authorities to expedite the return of the controversial garbage shipments that originated from Pyeongtaek City.

Through a letter submitted to the Office of Commissioner Rey Guerrero, the EcoWaste Coalition urged the bureau to: 1. Expedite the process of reshipping the Korean garbage to its origin as a topmost priority.

2. Hold Customs officers liable for the uploading of the Korean garbage even without importation clearance.

3. Blacklist the shipper and charge the consignee for the illegal entry of the Korean garbage.

The above action points are pursuant to the state policies to “protect and promote the right to health of the people” and “protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology,” and in line with BOC’s mandate to prevent and suppress the smuggling and entry of prohibited imported goods, the group said.

Last week, the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, through a press release, announced that “the Ministry of Environment on November 21 initiated legal procedure to have the wastes in question in the Philippines be brought back in accordance with Article 20 of the Law on Cross-border movement and Disposal of Wastes― Prior Notice of Repatriation Order― and embarked on investigation of the violation of Article 18-2 of the said law―False Export Declaration.”

ECOWASTE DEMAND. Members of EcoWaste Coalition gather Wednesday outside the Bureau of Customs to demand the expedited return of illegal garbage imports from South Korea before Christmas, and the rapid reshipment of about 6,500 tons of Korean garbage languishing in Misamis Oriental. Norman Cruz

Important to be friends with US, China—GMA S

PEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has said being friends with both the United States and China was important to the Philippines.

In her keynote speech at the inauguration of the new building of the Bases Development and Conversion Authority in Clark Global City in Pampanga Tuesday, Arroyo said she saw no conflict being friends with the two super powers.

“We want Ambassador Sung to be here so that the American investors will be more high profile, so that the people will remember that America is a sheer friend of the Philippines. We are friends with China but being friends with China doesn’t mean that we are not friends with the United States. There is no conflict in friendship between two important friends,” she said.

In an ambush interview after the event, Arroyo explained, “(w)e can be friends with both. They are both very important to the world and to the region, and our friendship with them is very important to us, and their friendship with each other is also very important to us.”

United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim was present during the inauguration together with Hungarian Ambassador to the Philippines József Bencze.

Arroyo also expressed her appreciation for Kim’s presence in the inaugura-

tion because it was a symbol of the Philippines’ continuing friendship with the US. She also noted the big investments the US had made in Clark.

“And we are very happy that Ambassador Sung is here together with our Hungarian Ambassador.....I am very proud of the American investments here. I am very proud that Texas Instruments is here, a billion dollar investment with three billion dollars in revenue. Also Michael Kors and many others,” she noted.

Arroyo then invited Kim and Bencze to bring more investments to the Philippines, saying there was plenty of room for both China and the US in the Philippines as far as putting in investments was concerned.

“So there’s plenty of room again for more investments and we hope that there would be a lot of new investments coming from the United States Ambassador, from Europe, Ambassador, and of course from our Philippine investors.

We hope that more people know about the American investments and we also hope that more American investments will come, now that we have this beautiful Clark Global City and the New

Clark City as well,” she said.

Arroyo also lauded BCDA President and CEO Vince Dizon for his strategic and effective leadership of the BCDA especially at a time when Clark became the centerpiece of President Duterte’s economic development strategy which is to decentralize state offices in Metro Manila, solve the congestion problem in the capital and bring growth to the regions.

This developed as Arroyo said BCDA’s transfer to the Clark Global City would enable it to closely monitor and supervise its big-ticket projects like the Clark International Airport and New Clark City.

“This will make the officials closer to the seat of the action, because they have two big ticket items coming up the Clark Airport and the Clark City. So this has to be here because those are the major ticket items of BCDA. And then there is also the Southeast Asian Games.

So it is perfect for BCDA to be here because the big things happening are all here” Arroyo said.

Development of the New Clark City is in full swing.

It will be a world-class community that will house the National Government Administrative Center and the state-of-the-art Athletics Stadium and Aquatics Center, to be used for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Justice for Maguindanao massacre victims—solon

By Maricel V. Cruz MAGUINDANAO Rep. Zajid Mangudadatu on Wednesday said he hoped “justice will prevail on their side” as he expressed confidence the suspects in the 2009 Maguindanao massacre, including its principal accused, former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., would be convicted before President Rodrigo Duterte finished his term in 2022.

Nine years after the murder of 58 people on Nov. 23, 2009, in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, Mangudadatu stressed the need to resolve the cases against the alleged perpetrators, the Ampatuans.

Mangudadatu led the families of the victims in remembering their loved ones who were killed in Barangay Salman in Ampatuan nine years ago.

“We believe President Duterte will help us serve justice by helping to facilitate the resolution of the cases against the perpetrators,” Mangudadatu said.

Fifty-eight people, including 32 jour-

nalists, were killed on their way to Shariff Aguak on Nov. 23, 2009.

Among those killed was the wife of Esmael Mangudadatu, Genalyn.

The victims were part of a convoy accompanying the party of then Buluan town Vice Mayor Esmael Mangudadatu who were supposed to file Mangudadatu’s Certificate of Candidacy for the May 2010 election.

The principal suspect, Ampatuan, has been tried for multiple murder charges.

The Quezon City Regional Trial Court, Branch 221, has submitted the case against Ampatuan and his co-accused for resolution after he submitted his formal offer of evidence before the conclusion of his trial.

Mangudadatu, brother of incumbent Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, said the family and relatives of other victims, with continuous prayers, said he still “believes in the justice system in our country.”

“The bloody Maguindanao massacre should be an eye opener to the government to stop abusive and corrupt politicians,” Mangudadatu said.

SENATE President Vicente Sotto III, reacting to Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s statement, said the conduct of Senate inquiries in aid of legislation could not be satopped anywhere in the world.

“That won’t be possible,” Sotto said, replying to a question, saying in the affirmative that would mean clipping the powers of Congress.

The Senate leader was reacting to the statement of Arroyo that she did not like inquiries in aid of legislation.

BACK in the 90s, the Philippines used to be a hotbed of malaria cases. Two decades in, the country is close to becoming totally malaria-free, according to health officials and advocates..

But they believe there is still much to accomplish to completely rid the country of this dreaded disease.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel on Monday, Department of Health national Malaria coordinator Dr. Raffy Deray stressed that the country was definitely on its way to being malaria-free, thanks to the efforts of some private-sector health advocates who have worked handin-hand with the government to curb the dreaded disease.

Deray revealed that the number of malaria cases in the country had dropped significantly in recent years, thanks to government partners who have spearheaded anti-malaria programs.

“Contrary to popular belief, the Malaria situation in the country is much better now than our neighboring countries in the Asean and even in the Asian region,” Deray stressed.

Probably the most successful antimalaria program initiated in the country is the program initated by Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. in Palawan in 1999.

Solons to Ping: Do research HOUSE Majority Leader Rolando Andaya Jr. on Wednesday played down Senator Panfilo Lacson’s allegation that Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo had allocated each congressman a P60-million ‘pork.’

Andaya, representative of the first district of Camarines Sur, admitted though that lawmakers did get fundings for their pet projects under the national budget, carrying “the underlying principle here: No district will be left behind.”

This developed as House Minority Leader Danilo Suarez and AKO-Bicol party-list House Deputy Minority Leader and Ako Bicol party-list Rep. Alfredo Garbin echoed Andaya’s explanation.

Suarez, of Quezon, even advised Lacson to do his research on the alleged pork funds.

Garbin, a deputy minority leader, said it was unfair for Lacson to accuse congressmen of taking pork barrel, stressing senators also proposed projects like what they have been doing. Maricel V. Cruz

26 Japanese firms seek Pinoy partners

COMMUNICATION DRIVE. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. chairman, Andrea Domingo (left) and PAGCOR Director Rene Concordia brief newsmen in Wednesday’s ‘Kapihan sa Manila Bay’ on their newly launched intensive communication campaign to underscore the agency’s countless contributions to the government.

The campaign, which will run until 2019, will utilize print, broadcast, online and social media to reach audiences using different communication tools and platforms to educate more Filipinos about PAGCOR’s programs. Ey Acasio

Sotto on Arroyo’s statement: Inquiries cannot be stopped

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PH, after 2 decades, almost malaria-free

According to Sotto, this was part of the Senate work, adding the Senate, contrary to the perspective of the House of Representatives, “works by the committee or works through the committees.”

He emphasized the work of the plenary was merely ministerial and

the work of the plenary was more important.

In the committee, he said the hearings could be the inquiries.

He said: “It can be mere hearings of the contents of the different bills... our elbow room on this is flexible.”

TWENTY-six Japanese businessmen representing small and medium-scale business enterprises in various industries will be participating in the business matching program of the Philippines Japan Economic Cooperation Committee and OISCA, a Japanese NGO for international cooperation, on Dec. 6-7 at the New World Hotel in Makati.

Aniceto Saludo Jr., PHILJEC chairman, said the two-day event revolves on the theme “Economic prosperity and growth through business matching” and was highlighted by one-on-one meetings of Japanese businessmen with potential Filipino partners.

Saludo said there were seven areas of cooperation open to Filipino entrepreneurs: partnership, joint venture, dealer, distributor, financing, marketing and promotion, consultancy/research and technology transfer.

Yasuaki Nagaishi, OISCA-International secretary general, said there were 11 industry-business categories in the business matching forum: Information technology, education, manufacturing, food, agriculture, human resource, trading, energy, services, construction and real estate.

Opening ceremonies start at 9 am, Dec. 6 with welcome remarks by Aniceto Saludo Jr., PHILJEC chairman, followed by a special address to participants by Minister Masako Iyori. Japan Minister of Economic Affairs and Alex Buenaventura, president, Landbank.

The keynote speech of Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez will be delivered by Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.

To register, contact PHILJEC Secretariat at pinkyv.philjapan@gmail.com or send fax to +6328174064 or contact Ms. Pinky at +6328924916 to 19.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

TODAY

A7

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PH confident but not complacent against Kazakhs

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE (FM) EVENT REGULATED FM PASSTHROUGH FOR THE BOMBING / SABOTAGE INCIDENTS IN MINDANAO AND LUZON, AND LIGHTNING / THUNDER INCIDENT IN LUZON IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY NATIONAL CORPORATION PHILIPPINES,

OF

until December 2020 for, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, computed as shown in the table below:

For the positives, Gilas Pilipinas can look at its 96-59 rout of the Kazakhs three months ago at the Asian Games as that game was a complete domination.

Probably, this is the reason why the Nationals remain upbeat heading to the important tussle at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“We’re positive. We’d want to prove that we can do better and we can compete well against them,” said Gabe Norwood, one of the key mainstays of the team.

“Our main concern is to find a way to win against Kazakhstan and I’m confident that we can find that.”

At the same time, there are concerns as well for Gilas Pilipinas as it only won a single game in its four tune-up games these past two weeks.

For Gilas Pilipinas head coach Yeng Guiao, that’s a concern that

he and his troops are addressing to avoid losing when it matters.

“We’re still a work in progress. Seeing how we played in the tune-ups, we’re working on how to get ourselves better,” shared Guiao.

As for the Philippines’ triumph in Asian Games over Kazakhstan, Guiao said that complacency still has no place.

“We can’t be complacent against Kazakhstan,” said Guiao.

“We should expect more from them as for sure, they’ve made adjustments after what they experienced against us in the Asian games.”

For Guiao, the clear advantage that his team has is its returning sixth man, the crowd.

“Support from our countrymen will be big. It will boost us. That’s something we missed in our last home game,” said Guiao

ERC CASE NO. 2018-100 RC

GRID THE

Notice is hereby given that on 2 October 2018, Applicant National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 14 September 2018, seeking the Commission’s approval of its force majeure event (Regulated FM Pass-Through) for the bombing/ sabotage incidents in Mindanao and Luzon, and the lightning/thunder incident in Luzon, with prayer for issuance of provisional authority.

(MS-NOV. 29, 2018)

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published.

We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

0.03 0.0001

0.03 0.0001

23. NGCP moves for the issuance of provisional approval for the immediate recovery of the FM Pass-Through Amounts pursuant to Section 3, Rule 14 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure.

24. NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the rehabilitation of the assets damaged by the subject force majeure events required capital infusion, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.

In the said Application, NGCP alleged, among others, the following: 1. It is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner B.I.R Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

It is the concessionaire that operates and maintains the nationwide transmission system pursuant to Section 21 of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).1

25. In addition, the timely implementation of the FM Pass-Through Amounts will allow the equal or even spread of the increases or decreases in tariffs from the initial implementation of the recovery of the cost.

2. Under Republic Act No. 9511,2 NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

26. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant Application, is attached and made integral part of the Application.

3. Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of Resolution No. 21, Series of 2001,3 NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged as a result of a force majeure event (FME), as defined in Article I of RTWR.

27. NGCP prays of this Commission to, after due notice and hearing:

Allegations on Bombing / Sabotage Incident in Mindanao as FME

a. Declare the bombing/sabotage incidents in Mindanao and Luzon, as well as the lightning/thunder incident in Luzon as Force Majeure Events (FME);

4. On 3 October 2017, Tower No. 106 of the Kibawe-Tacurong/Sultan Kudarat 138 kV line, located at Barangay Manarapan, Carmen, Cotabato, was bombed causing the complete collapse of the tower. Due to its force, the bombing caused damage to NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in Mindanao. A copy of the Memorandum dated 4 October 2017, issued by the Chief of Police of Carmen, Cotabato is attached and made integral part of the Application.

b. Grant provisional approval to implement and bill the FM PassThrough Amounts to Mindanao and Luzon customers starting November 2018 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

5. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed an FME Notice dated 18 December 2017, duly stamped “Received” by the Commission.

10. Immediately after the devastation caused by the foregoing incidents, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore transmission service to its customers and the public. As a result, NGCP incurred additional costs for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said damaged transmission assets.

13. Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events through an FM Pass-Through Amount.

FM Pass-Through Amount Computation 16. NGCP has not recovered from its Industrial All-Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2017, the cost that it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitatIon of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events, considering that the affected assets are not covered by the IAR, the total cost of damage being below the One (1) Million US Dollars deductible amount. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant FME Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events pursuant to the RTWR. 17. The total cost NGCP incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events is Three Million Four Hundred Sixteen Thousand Seven Hundred Twelve Pesos and 11/100 (PhP3,416,712.11). Further, the recoverable values of the assets destroyed (Net Fixed Asset Value) is Four Million Three Hundred Thirty-One Thousand Eighty-Nine Pesos and 77/100 (PhP4,331,089.77). The breakdown of the expenses is shown in the table below: FME

CAPEX* (PhP)

NFAV (PhP)

TOTAL (PhP)

Bombing/Sabotage in Mindanao Bombing/Sabotage in Luzon Lightning/Thunder in Luzon Total

1,110,772.77

1,064,576.04

2,175,348.81

175,613,87 2,130,325.47 3,416,712.11

2,016,309.38 1,250,204.35 4,331,089.77

2,191,923.25 3,380,529.82 7,747,801.88

*Capital Expenditures: Inclusive of VAT, exclusive of Permit Fees

18. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts, in PhP /kWmonth, as additional network charges starting November 2018 billing month

2020 0.02 0.00003

MINDANAO PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

0.16 0.0003

0.03 0.0001

0.03 0.0001

LUZON PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

2018 0.08 0.00016

2019 0.01 0.00003

2020 0.02 0.00003

MINDANAO PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

0.16 0.0003

0.03 0.0001

0.03 0.0001

f.

Exclude the proposed Pass-Through Amounts from the side constraint calculation.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: Date and Time

Venue

15 January 2019 (Tuesday) at Nine o`clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

16 January 2019 (Wednesday) at Nine o`clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Mindanao Field Office (MFO), Mezzanine Floor, Mintrade Building, Monteverde Avenue cor.

Sales Street, Davao City

24 January 2019 (Thursday) at Nine o`clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Particulars

LUZON Jurisdictional and Expository Presentation

MINDANAO Expository Presentation and Pre-Trial Conference

LUZON Pre-trial Conference and Evidentiary Hearing

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 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

14. Within three (3) months after the occurrence of the subject force majeure events, NGCP filed before the Commission FME Notices for the bombing/sabotage incident in Mindanao and Luzon on 18 December 2017, and the FME Notice for the lightning/thunder incident in Luzon on 5 January 2018 pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR. 15. Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the subject force majeure events, NGCP filed the instant FME Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR.

2019 0.01 0.00003

e. Approve and allow the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events amounting to Four Million Three Hundred Thirty One Thousand Eighty-Nine Pesos and 77/100 (PhP4,331,089.77) given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by the subject force majeure events; and

11. Under Section 1.3 (a) of the RTWR, an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; or an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.”

12. Based on the Memoranda issued by the Chief of Police of Carmen, Cotabato and the Chief of Police of Bauko, Mountain Province, respectively dated 4 October 2017 and 11 October 2017, and the Certification issued by the Punong Barangay of Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet dated 17 November 2017, the unexpected and disruptive bombing/sabotage incidents in Mindanao and Luzon, as well as the lightning/thunder incident in Luzon (subject force majeure events) occurred, thus, falling within the definition of an FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR.

2018 0.08 0.00016

d. Approve the proposed FM Pass-Through Amount to be collected from the Mindanao and Luzon customers starting November 2018 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, as follows:

9. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed an FME Notice dated 5 January 2018, duly stamped “Received” by the Commission.

Likewise, the Commission acknowledged receipt of the FME Notice in its Letter dated 5 February 2018.

FME Claim

LUZON PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

c. Approve the FME CAPEX amounting to Three Million Four Hundred Sixteen Thousand Seven Hundred Twelve Pesos and 11/100 (PhP3,416,712.11) incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the subject force majeure events;

8. On 14 November 2017, heavy rains with frequent intense lightning and thunder were observed at the La Trinidad Substation in Benguet Province, followed by an explosion. As a result, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities were damaged. A copy of the Certification dated 17 November 2017, issued by the Punong Barangay of Beckel, La Trinidad, Benguet is attached and made integral part of the Application.

BE IT KNOWN TO THAT JASA BUILDER`S owned by SAMUEL C. LAM has changed its business name on August 17, 2016 and is now JASA BUILDERS with principal address at 123 La Perla St. Luciente 1st Bolinao, Pangasinan.

0.16 0.0003

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

Allegations on Lightning Incident in Luzon as FME

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC

MINDANAO PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

22. Also, NGCP considered the NFAV of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the subject force majeure events given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by the subject force majeure events.

Applicant. x-------------------------------------x

7. In compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed an FME Notice dated 18 December 2017, duly stamped “Received” by the Commission, a copy of which is attached to the Application as Annex “D.” The Commission acknowledged receipt of the FME Notice in its Letter dated 4 January 2018.

CALLING all Pinoy Sports fans. Experience the thrill and excitement of watching the Philippines’ pride, Brandon “The Truth” Vera, defend his ONE Heavyweight World Championship title all over again with the ONE Super App and Globe GoWatch.

Asia’s premier and elite Martial Artist converged on Nov. 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena as they battled for supremacy and fought for the right to be hailed a World Champion.

Two of the Philippines’ most beloved world champion athletes Vera and Eduard “Landslide” Folayang, headlined the blockbuster 12-match card ONE: Conquest of Champions.

“There is no doubt as to the popularity of ONE Championship, whose rise in the sports arena is nothing short of meteoric. And being Globe’s newest sports content partner, we want to make sure that Filipino Martial Arts aficionados will have easy access to ONE Championship content to show their support to our lion-hearted athletes,” said Jil Go, Vice President of Portfolio and Partner Management, Content Business Group of Globe.

As one of the event’s co-main features, the pride of Baguio, Folayang, clashed with the knockout king Singaporean Amir Khan, clinching a unanimous decision victory after a full five rounds and claiming the ONE Lightweight World Championship Belt for a second time.

Ending the night was Vera returning to the cage after two years as he put up his belt against Heavyweight Mauro “The Hammer” Cerilli, who made his ONE debut coming off a five-fight winning streak. It took less than two minutes for Vera to show the world why he wears the belt.

To watch this most awaited return to Martial Arts in the Philippines and other bouts (both live and on demand) right on your mobile screen anytime, anywhere by downloading the app at https:/glbe.co/ONEApp and subscribe to GoWatch data wallet—starting with GoWatch 29 (2GB for 3 days) up to GoWatch 399 (10GB for 30 days)—where you can also watch local athletes in full slam-bang action.

The ONE Super app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and is also available to download on the App Store and Google Play Store.

Follow Globe on Facebook and Twitter for more details.

2020 0.02 0.00003

21. Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts in this Application do not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0357/ kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is attached and made integral part of this Application.

6. On 10 October 2017, fully-armed men entered the premises of HEDCOR-Sabangan Substation at Sitio Lukong, Otucan Norte, Bauko, Mountain Province, and installed and detonated improvised explosive devices at the control room. This resulted in damage to the facilities, including NGCP’s transmission assets and related facilities, as well as power outage in the whole of Mountain Province and nearby areas. A copy of the Memorandum dated 11 October 2017 issued by the Chief of Police of Bauko, Mountain. Province is attached and made integral part of the Application.

Watch ONE highlights via ONE Super App, GoWatch

2019 0.01 0.00003

20. The proposed FM Pass-Through Amounts can be recovered pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR, wherein NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of a force majeure event. A copy of the FM PassThrough Amount Computation is attached and made integral part of this Application.

Allegations on Bombing / Sabotage Incident in Luzon as FME

Brandon Vera raises his championship belt.

2018 0.08 0.00016

19. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2018 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the expenditures incurred by NGCP relative to the subject force majeure events.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

EAM Pilipinas have reasons to both be confident and wary against its upcoming FIBA World Cup Qualifiers match against Kazakhstan tomorrow.

LUZON PhP/kW-mo.

PhP/kWh

Note: PhP/kWh in this table is only the equivalent PhP/kWh of the FME Pass-Through amounts in Php/kWmo. used to determine paragraph 21 of this Application.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

By Jeric Lopez

T

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

1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding;and 3) A statement of the relief desired.

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 12th day of November 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Commissioner

1

2 3

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System or Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes” Resolution No. 21, Series of 2001 entitled, “Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR)” (MS-NOV. 29 & DEC. 7, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

6 medals at stake in SEA Games esports

By Peter Atencio SIX medals will be at stake when esports, or video gaming, will be held as a regular sport in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

Medals for games involving three platforms, personal computers, mobile phones and consoles, are being considered.

Esports officials Joebert Yu and Alvin Juban talked about the involvement of video gaming in the biennial meet after announcing that Razer, a Singaporean global gaming hardware manufacturing company established in 2005, will provide technical support and advise.

“Right now, it’s still in the process (of discussion). A lot of gaming developers and publishers are talking to us,” said Yu during a presentation at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Juban added that they considering the suggestion of many developers who are coming from around the Asian region to pitch in to help find the right video games to played in the SEA Games.

“Everyone is inclusive here on all platforms,” said Juban.

Yu belongs to ESNAP, or Electronic Sports National Association of the Philippines, while Juban is part of NESFP, or the National Esports Federation of the Philippines.

These two groups are seeking recognition as the national sports association for esports before the Philippine Olympic Committee.

Officials of the SEA Games Federation council have advised the gaming community to choose games which will not promote the culture of violence and gambling, according the council’s executive committee chairman Celso Dayrit.

In the absence of an NSA in esports, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee, led by chairman Allan Peter Cayetano and Phisgoc executive Ramon Suzara led the formation of an ad-hoc committee to oversee the preparation and organization of an e-games event in the country.

The adhoc committee will be working with Hong Kong-based Asian ESports Federation on the conduct of the tournaments that they will stage.

Top juniors clash in PPS OVER 300 age groupers gear up for a five-day showdown for top honors and ranking points as the PPS-PEPP MCTA National age group tennis tournament gets going at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque City today.

Jester Ocio, Joshua Tan, Jenard Gonzales and Martin Buenaventura banner the cast in the boys’ 18-and-under division while Denise Bernardo, Geanlijah Sagandoy, Renee Esteban and Bea Gomez are tipped to slug it out in the premier category of the girls’ side of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and Mac’s Crankit Tennis Academy.

Ocio and Gonzales are also competing in the 16-U play headed by Exequiel Jucutan, Edgardo Angara and Sebastien Lhuillier with Sagandoy also seeing action in the distaff side along with top seed Kryssana Brazal, No. 3 Larissa Rosales and fourth ranked Franchezka Malaki.

Focus will also be on the boys’ 12-U division of the tournament presented by Dunlop, which drew a huge 64-player field led by Brent So, Prince Lim, Roque Lim, Joshua Diva, Samuel Salazar, siblings Vhiele and Nhiel Dilao, Kenrick Bona, Benedict Aguilar and Joss Po. “With this big field, we expect new faces to emerge,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro, who has lined up another 70-leg, nationwide circuit next year. “The PPS-PEPP circuit will continue to provide these young, aspiring players the venue to hone up their skills.”

Meanwhile, Cebu will host the next age-grouper of the circuit, sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg, on Dec. 13-16 in Mandaue City with Naga, Cebu holding the penultimate leg on Dec. 17-22. The 2018 circuit winds up in Cabanatuan City on Dec. 28-30 with the Legends doubles for 40s, 50s and 60s. Listup is ongoing. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee Chairman Alan Peter Cayetano (left) takes a selfie after formally announcing esports as a medal sport in the 30th SEA Games the country is hosting from Nov. 30 to Dec. 10. With Cayetano are (from left) eSports National Association of the Philippines President Joebert Yu, Games Developers Association of the Philippines Alvin Juban, New Clark City Athletes Village Mayor Arrey Perez, Chief of Mission Monsour del Rosario, Phisoc Executive Director Ramon Suzara, Razer Chief Strategy Officer Limeng Lee, SEA Games Council Executive Committee Chairman Celso Dayrit, Philippine Olympic Committee Deputy Secretary General Karen Tanchanco Caballero, ESPN Sports 5 Head Vincent Reyes, POC Membership Committee chairman Robert Bachmann and Razor Global ESports Director David Tse. Esports is on the official SEA Games program for the first time and the Phisgoc has secured Singapore-based global lifestyle brand for gamers Razer as official partner.

Olympians give PH cagers a huge boost T

EAM Pilipinas received the perfect morale boost to its campaign in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers as past members of the national team attended a special sendoff for the squad at the Meralco gym on Wednesday.

Olympic teammates Rafael Hechanova and Antonio Genato joined fellow great Robert Jaworski Sr. in inspiring the present day national quintet as it prepares for the fifth window of the qualifier starting this Friday.

(See related Team PH story on A7) Others lending their presence were Olympians Arturo Valenzona, Manny Paner, Ed Roque, Marte Samson, and Jimmy Mariano.

Former national player and Ginebra stalwart Chito Loyzaga, along with Alaska team manager and governor Dickie Bachmann also came over to represent their late fathers, the legendary Caloy Loyzaga and Kurt Bachmann.

“We know we would not be here kung hindi po doon sa mga trailblazers natin who paved the way for us to be here,” said Guiao in acknowledging the presence of some of the country’s basketball legends.

“Maramaing salamat po sa pagpapalakas sa aming puso.”

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio and executive director Sonny Barrios welcomed the team and the special guests, that included San Miguel governor Robert Non, Ginebra governor and San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua, and PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.

Prior to the send-off, Team Pilipinas held its last practice at the venue two days

before it sees action against Kazakhstan at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Guiao believes the team is ready to go to battle.

“We’re trying to cover all the bases at this point,” he said after the two-hour practice with only Christian Standhardinger and Kai Sotto not around.

The team, which has been doing video watching the past couple of days, will practice one more time on

Thursday and then do some light shootaround on Friday morning.

“Palagay ko ready na naman,” said Guiao.

The coaching staff, according to Guiao already has a list of 10 players to make up the final roster for the Kazakhstan game, with the final two slots deliberated by them just after the sendoff.

What is certain though is Stanley Pringle will serve as Team Pilipinas’ naturalized player for the Kazakhstan match and Standhardinger suiting up for the Iran game on Dec. 3 also at the MoA. “More or less si Stanley na sa Kazakshtan, si Christian na ang sa Iran,” said Guiao.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and nine of league’s 12 head coaches sit down in a simple get-together dinner on Tuesday at the PBA Office in Libis, Quezon City. During the gathering, the commissioner took the opportunity to thank the coaches for making the PBA’s 41st season exciting. Coaches in attendance were NLEX and national team coach Yeng Guiao, Ginebra’s Tim Cone, Alaska’s Alex Compton, San Miguel’s Leo Austria, Bong Ramos of Blackwater, KIA’s John Cardel, NorthPort’s Pido Jarencio, Caloy Garcia of Rain or Shine and Meralco’s Norman Black.

Generika-Ayala tries to stretch win streak BACOOR CITY—Red-hot Generika-Ayala seeks to extend its winning streak when it faces skidding Cocolife in the Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference Thursday at the Bacoor Strike Gym here.

Game time is at 7 p.m., with the Lifesavers looking to capture their sixth straight win in this women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu, Sogo, Mueller, Senoh, Asics, Mikasa, Mueller, UCPB Gen and Bizooku with Genius Sports as technical provider.

Meanwhile, Foton will try to bounce back from a sorry setback to Petron when it clashes with Smart at 4:15 p.m., while F2 Logistics tackles Cignal in the 2 p.m. appetizer of this explosive triple-header

Games Today: (Bacoor Strike Gym) 2 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Cignal 4:15 p.m. – Foton vs Smart 7 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Cocolife

that also has ESPN5, Hyper HD and AksyonTV as broadcast partners.

After opening this conference with three straight losses, Generika-Ayala was unstoppable as it won five consecutive matches, including a massive four-set conquest of powerhouse F2 Logistics two weeks ago.

In their previous match against the HD Spikers, the Lifesavers were on a different level as Patty Orendain, Ria Meneses and Fiola Ceballos spearheaded the attack en

route to a 25-21, 27-25, 22-25, 25-16 victory.

Orendain, the high-leaping spiker from Bacolod, finished the night with 17 kills for 18 points, while Meneses and Ceballos registered 16 and 15 markers, respectively, for Generika-Ayala, which is fashioning a 5-3 win-loss card.

“I think our team has gained enough confidence,” said Generika-Ayala assistant coach Parley Tupaz.

“But still, I hope that we won’t get ahead too much of ourselves and step by step we improve our game.”

Tupaz, however, was wary of the young Asset Managers, who are being bannered

by Filipino-American spiker Kalei Mau with national team member Denden Lazaro at the defensive end.

ByteDance, NBA ink pact to deliver content BEIJING—The National Basketball Association and ByteDance, a leading technology company operating a range of content platforms around the world, announced today a new multiyear partnership that will deliver customized, short-form mobile content to ByteDance’s hundreds of millions of global users beginning today.

Through the partnership, ByteDance will leverage its artificial intelligence technology, which enables intelligent discovery, to deliver NBA content to fans in China through its Douyin, Toutiao and Xigua Video platforms. The extensive NBA content available in China will include daily NBA game highlights, behind-the-scenes videos, photos and news throughout the regular season, NBA All-Star, the NBA Playoffs and The Finals.

NBA content will be available globally through TikTok, a leading destination for short-form mobile videos in the world. TikTok users in the U.S., as well as Brazil, India, Indonesia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, will have access to select NBA content, including unique highlights that capture the fun and excitement of the game, and also locally relevant and localized in-language NBA content.

“The NBA is thrilled to partner with ByteDance, one of the most innovative companies in the world and an industry leader in customized short-form content,” said Bill Koenig, NBA President, Global Content and Media Distribution. “This new partnership will help meet the demand that ByteDance’s hundreds of millions of users have for the NBA by intelligently integrating league content across ByteDance’s many platforms.”

“NBA content is very popular and highly sought after by our users.

ByteDance has a strong international footprint of global platforms that empower creation and interaction, which allow users to present and consume the world’s creativity, knowledge and moments that matter in everyday life.

This makes ByteDance a great partner for NBA,” said Liu Zhen, Senior Vice President of Corp Development at ByteDance. “Powered by artificial intelligence technology that enables intelligent discovery, our platforms TikTok, Douyin, Toutiao and Xigua Video are extremely well-positioned to meet the demands of users seeking to consume and interact with sports content on mobile platforms in a smart and efficient way.”

Abaring stays ahead in PGT Q-School RICHARD Abaring kept his charge going, adding a 70 to a 69 to pull away by five over new pursuer amateur Rupert Zaragosa after 36 holes of the 2019 PGT Qualifying School at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas yesterday.

Abaring rammed in five birdies against three bogeys for a 34-36 card and a two-day aggregate of 139 as he built a big five-shot cushion over Zaragosa heading to the last two rounds of the elims that offers 50-plus ties berths for next year’s Philippine Golf Tour.

The diminutive Zaragosa, bracing for bigtime golf after a flourishing career in the ranks, turned in the day’s best of 69 to move to second at 144 while Orlan Sumcad carded a 74 to join Charles Hong, who fumbled with a 75, at third at 146.

Another amateur, Noel Langamin, carded a

73 to lead the 147 scorers, who included Marvin Dumandan, who also turned in a one-over card, Efren Reyes Jr., who shot a 74, and Joseph Suarez, who matched par 72 at the challenging, up-and-down layout.

Also boosting their bids for next year’s PGT cards are Jun Bernis (71), Cookie La’O (72), Erwin Arcillas (75) and Rey Pagunsan (75), who all assembled 149s while Jet Mathay and Francis Morilla pooled identical 150s after a pair of 75s.

Seventy two players from the starting field of 91 made it to the final 36 holes of the elims where the top 50 plus ties will earn Category 5 status and the rest settling for Category 7 in the 2019 PGT starting fields.

Barely making the cut at 169 were Tonlits Asistio (86), Bernard Salvador (80), Nick Aleluya (84), Ian Vergara (85) and Marlon Jamero (88).

PATAFA HONORS BACKERS. Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association President Dr. Philip Ella Juico (third from left) and PATAFA Secretary General Reynato Unso (left) are shown with recipients of PATAFA Plaques of Gratitude for their support of the body’s programs during a welcome dinner for delegates to the 90th Council Meeting of AAA in Manila. The awardees are (starting second from left) Rommel Sytin of FOTON; Jim Lafferty, sports philanthropist; Elmer Ngo, Cherrylume; Atty.

Francis Nob, COCOLIFE and UCPBGEN; and Lester Castillo, Nestle/MILO.

IN BRIEF

Manila Water wins Calinog water deal MANILA Water Co. Inc. said it was awarded the water supply project in Calinog, Iloilo.

Manila Water said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received a notice of award from the Calinog Water District for a joint venture for the design, construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, operation, financing, expansion and management of the water supply system of the CWD in Calinog, Iloilo.

Upon completion of conditions precedent specified in the notice of award, Manila Water and the CWD will sign a joint venture agreement.

The implementation of the joint venture agreement will be undertaken by Aqua Centro MWPV Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Water through Manila Water Philippine Ventures Inc. MWPV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila Water. MWPV posted a 5-percent revenue growth in the first nine months to P2.38 billion, supported by a steady topline in its esubsidiaries.

Companies currently under MWPV are LagunaAAA Water Corp., Boracay Island Water Co., Clark Water Corp., Manila Water Consortium Inc. and Estate Water, an operating division under MWPV which operates and manages the water systems of townships developed by Ayala Land Inc. Jenniffer B. Austria

Smart delivers first 5G video call PLDT Inc.’s wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. is firing up additional 5G cell sites across the Makati central business district in the coming months, paving the way for piloting 5G solutions in densely populated areas.

Smart made the country’s first successful video call on a 5G connection between Smart 5G cities in Pampanga and Makati City Wednesday.

“I suspect it will be the Enterprise and the Home that might benefit first from the 5G until the handheld device is introduced,” PLDT and Smart chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said during PLDT’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

PLDT and Smart chief technology and information advisor Joachim Horn made the 5G-powered video call from the PLDT headquarters in Makati to Clark Development Corp. president and chief executive Noel Manankil at the Clark Smart 5G City in Clark Freeport Zone.

The country’s first 5G-enabled video call was made using 5G radio and core equipment of Smart’s technology partners Huawei in Makati and Ericsson in Clark, showcasing 5G interoperability in a multi-vendor environment. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

Govt spent P571b for infra projects in first nine months

By Julito G. Rada

FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday he welcomes the plan of Congress to conduct an inquiry on the alleged underspending by the Duterte administration, saying this will be an opportunity for the Finance Department to show that the “bad old days of underspending” was gone.

Dominguez said P571 billion worth of infrastructure spending was recorded in the first nine months of the year.

Dominguez said the P571-billion infrastructure spending was 7.2 percent above target and 46 percent more than the amount spent in the same period last year.

He said the spending figure was matched by improved revenue collections. The total take of the Bureaus of Customs and of Internal Revenue climbed 16 percent in the first 10 months to P2.099 trillion from a year ago, he said.

“This demonstrates that the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation, the two lead agencies in the ‘Build, Build, Build’ program are moving faster than expected.

The old problem of absorptive capacity has been solved. The mantra of fast and sure is being observed,” Dominguez said at the opening of the Sulong Pilipinas-Philippine Development Forum at the SMX Convention Center in Davao City.

Dominguez said he was “very happy to note that Congress is going to call a hearing on what is perceived as underspending because we would like to inform the Congress and the public that “the bad old days of underspending, which critics faulted the government for moving too slowly in getting the projects done, is now over.”

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

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Cargill investing P12.5b in PH A

By Othel V. Campos

MERICAN agriculture company Cargill Inc. announced Wednesday a plan to invest another P12.5 billion in the Philippines over the next two years as part of its expansion.

“We are proud to have been in the Philippines since we started our business here 70 years ago. Working closely with the government, our customers, partners and the community, we are

helping farmers thrive and are bringing safe and nutritious food to Filipino tables. We are grateful for our partnership with the Philippines government as they welcome investments that enable Cargill to grow alongside the Filipino people and the local economy,” said Cargill chairman and chief executive Dave MacLennan.

The company said the investment would drive the expansion of its animal feed and nutrition business and agricultural supply chain operations. It will also support the growth of C-Joy to deliver on increasing consumer demand for the chicken.

The company is focused on helping meet the increased domestic demand for chicken and pork and on delivering solutions in key areas of the global agri-

cultural supply chain, it said.

Cargill is celebrating its 70th anniversary in the Philippines this year. The company opened its first office in1948, which also marked the company’s first office in the Asia Pacific region.

Cargill employs 2,200 employees across 27 locations in the Philippines. The company is also celebrating the first year anniversary of C-Joy, Cargill’s joint venture with Jollibee Foods Corp. to process chicken for domestic consumption.

The company also announced a P7million contribution to support the Inclusive Business Capacity Building Fund to help Filipino farmers become more successful.

“Supporting the Inclusive Business Capacity Building Fund is another way we can

help the world build food security. Smallholder farmers are an essential piece of feeding nearly 10 billion people by 2050 and they need all the help they can get to become more productive and profitable. I am also particularly pleased to see that this program also focuses on advancing women in agriculture,” said MacLennan.

C-Joy also joined the Inclusive Business Model Investment Program of the Board of Investments to improve the lives of 300 farmers, 30 percent of whom are women.

Cargill has a strong chicken and pork farmer training program in the Philippines. For the past 25 years, the company has worked closely with farmers, educating them on best farming practices to increase productivity and profitability.

Megawide bags contract to build P10.1-b project in Mandaue City

By Jenniffer B. Austria

Pagcor denies Chinese taking over gaming jobs FILIPINO workers are not at a disadvantage in the online gaming sector amid the reported influx of Chinese nationals in the country, the head of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said Wednesday.

Pagcor chairperson Andrea Domingo said in a Kapihan forum in Manila that foreign nationals were not taking over jobs that could have been for Filipinos and only 25 percent of the workers employed by online gaming operators were foreigners.

This was echoed by Jose Tria, Pagcor vice president for the Philippine offshore gaming operators, who said licensed online gaming firms were hiring one foreigner for every four Filipinos they employed.

Domingo also said that local jobs given to Chinese nationalities were “distinct,” which mainly required linguistic expertise in the complex languages of China.

She said while there were Filipinos who could speak Mandarin, Cantonese or Hokkien, their diction and accent were different from the mainland Chinese.

“You should know the nuance of the language and the culture is also a factor, especially when you give the good news and the bad news, so it’s a different kind of expertise,” Domingo said. Julito G. Rada

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

SM GROUP BAGS 7 AWARDS. SM Investments Corp., SM Prime Holdings Inc. and China Banking Corp. win seven awards for leadership and best practices during the 2nd Asean Corporate Governance Awards in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. SM Prime, SMIC and China Bank placed prominently among the top 50 Asean publicly-listed companies awarded. Hans Sy (fourth from left), chairman of the executive committee of SM Prime Holdings and concurrently chairman of China Bank and adviser to the board at SM Investments Corp., leads the team that received the seven awards. With Sy are (from left) Marvin Perrin Pe, risk officer of SM Prime; Ma. Chimene Alvarez, CG compliance officer of China Bank; Aileen Paulette De Jesus, chief compliance officer of China Bank; Wellington Palmero, chief risk and compliance officer of SMIC; and Reginald Tiu, senior assistant vice president for corporate governance at SMIC.

PXP Energy eyes stake in LNG hub project of Phoenix PXP Energy Corp. said it is ready to take a stake in the planned liquefied natural gas project of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. and joint venture partner China National Offshore Oil Corp.

Tanglawan Philippines LNG Inc., the joint venture of CNOOC Gas and Power Group Co. Ltd. and Phoenix Petroleum led by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, said it was the first and “most advanced” company to submit an LNG project proposal to the government.

“We don’t know the numbers whether it’s feasible or not... but we just have an option to pick up 50 percent of what Dennis [Uy] will own in that venture,” PXP chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

PXP Energy earlier said it would acquire up to a 49-percent interest in the planned LNG project of Phoenix as part of the subscription agreement with Dennison Holdings Corp. Phoenix and Dennison are companies owned by Uy. “It’s mainly the gas terminal, maybe gas plants so we don’t know what will happen because if it’s gas plants, then they will have to talk to Meralco [Manila Electric Co.],” Pangilinan said.

Pangilinan also chairs Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor, which could be an off-taker of electricity from the LNG power plants of Tanglawan.

Tanglawan’s proposal involves the construction of an onshore LNG terminal in Batangas and natural gas plants with a capacity of more than 1,000 megawatts.

Energy Undersecretary Donato Marcos earlier said Tanglawan’s application was still under review.

Marcos said the consortium did not identify the existing natural gas plants in Batangas as their captive market and was looking at building their own natural gas plants.

Pangilinan said PXP Energy decided to team up with Phoenix because of Uy’s connections with CNOOC. PXP Energy, which has a 79-percent stake in Forum Energy Ltd., controls Service Contract 72 (Recto Bank) and SC 75 (Northwest Palawan) which are currently under exploration moratorium because of the territorial conflict with China. Alena Mae S. Flores

KKR, Tencent close $175-m investment in PLDT’s Voyager

By Alena Mae S. Flores PLDT Inc. announced Wednesday the closing of the $175-million investment in Voyager Innovations by KKR, a global investment firm, and Tencent Holdings Ltd., a leading provider of internet services in China.

“Money in today was $175 (million),” Manuel Pangilinan, chairman and chief executive of PLDT and Smart Communications said, when asked for comment.

“Voyager can now step up its efforts to make its innovative financial and internet platforms more accessible to more Filipinos in more parts of the country,” Pangilinan said.

KKR and Tencent subscribed to newly issued shares in Voyager Innovations, the Philippines’ leading digital technology company. KKR and Tencent’s investment gave them a substantial minority stake in Voyager.

“We believe with investors like KKR and Tencent leading the way, the Philippines’ profile as a destination for tech investment is on the rise,” said Voyager president and chief executive Orlando Vea. PLDT also announced early this week that International Finance Corp.

and IFC Emerging Asia Fund committed to invest $40 million in Voyager.

This transaction is expected to close within a few weeks. In total, Voyager will raise $215 million, making this the largest private fund raising in a Philippine technology company.

“IFC, I think is Dec. 10 for the $40 million, so that should complete $215.

That’s it for Series A funding, but we may need to raise more maybe after two years or so,” Pangilinan said.

Voyager said it would leverage the new capital and significant expertise of KKR, Tencent, IFC and IFC Emerging Asia Fund to accelerate digital and financial inclusion in the Philippines and enable the broader Filipino population to participate in the digital economy.

The company’s award-winning technology platforms support the digital services such as PayMaya, the most recognized prepaid payment wallet service in the Philippines, enabling Filipinos to shop online, pay bills, buy airtime load and send money and PayMaya Business, the largest mobile acquiring service in the Philippines, enabling enterprises of all sizes to accept digital payments.

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said it bagged a construction contract for the P10.1-billion Mandani Bay Quay phase 2, a premiere waterfront development in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Megawide was awarded the contract

by HTLand Inc., a joint venture between Hongkong Land and Taft Properties.

Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said the latest project boosted the company’s order book to P24 billion.

Mandani Bay is also the company’s largest construction project it signed this year. The project has a construction floor area of 328,000 square terms.

The development will include construction of three 40-story residential towers and a 30-story office building.

Construction will begin this year with the first residential tower, together with the amenities area, commercial spaces and parking levels, targeted for completion by end-2021.

The succeeding residential towers are targeted for delivery within the first half of 2022 and first quarter of 2023, respectively, while the office tower will be completed by the fourth quarter of 2022.

“Megawide is proud to be a partner of HTLand Inc. in the construction of the Mandani Bay Quay Phase 2,” Saavedra said.

“With this large-scale, mixed-use development, we are solidifying Megawide’s engineering footprint in Cebu. It is truly a first-world project and we are committed to delivering the highest standards of engineering and construction,” he said.

Megawide earlier said new contracts awarded in the first nine months of the year reached P16.8 billion, or 55 percent more than new contracts secured for the whole of 2017.

“Our prospects in the EPC business remain very bullish as we continue to expand our order book levels and ensure revenue visibility for the next two to three years,” Saavedra said.

He said Megawide would also expand the scale of its construction operations in Cebu with the construction of Mandani Bay. “We are further strengthening our operational efficiency in the region. It will be a good complement to our airport operations and our other ongoing EPC projects in the area,” he said.

ENERGY RESILIENCY. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi (center) leads the Department of Energy in taking a giant stride towards the promotion of energy resiliency to stakeholders, the general public and the business sector. With Cusi during the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine Disaster Resiliency Foundation Inc. are (from left) Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. chief executive Erramon Aboitiz, Ayala Corp. chief executive Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, First Pacific Co. Ltd. chief executive Manuel Pangilinan and PDRF president Rene Meily.

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Business

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market slips on profit taking

S

TOCKS declined Wednesday on profit taking, with investors looking for a new catalyst to sustain the recent market rally.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 31.20 points, or 0.4 percent, to 7,382.43 on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Losers beat gainers, 95 to 81, with 54 issues unchanged.

Major property developer Ayala Land Inc. dropped 1.6 percent to P40.25, while Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-biggest lender in terms of assets, lost 1.4 percent to P75.85.

ISM Communications Corp., a member of the consortium declared by the government as the country’s third major telecommunications firm, slumped 16.4

percent to P5.23.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei bucked the market retreat, gaining 3.1 percent to P49.65.

Asian markets, meanwhile, mostly rose Wednesday on hopes for a positive outcome from Donald Trump’s highstakes trade talks with Xi Jinping, while dovish comments from the Federal Reserve’s number-two suggested the bank could slow its pace of interest rate hikes.

Wall Street provided a positive lead following soothing comments from top White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow on the chances of a trade deal when the leaders of the world’s top two economies meet Saturday.

“The president said there’s a good possibility we can make a deal and he’s open to it but certain conditions have to be met, certain things have to be changed,” Kudlow told a White House briefing.

The remarks came a day after Trump

warned that if he cannot reach a deal with Xi he expects to increase tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese goods and impose levies on all the other goods the US imports from the country.

Hong Kong jumped 1.3 percent in the afternoon and Shanghai closed 1.1 percent higher with Tokyo climbing one percent.

Singapore added 0.3 percent, Seoul was up 0.4 percent and Taipei rallied 1.1 percent, while Wellington, Mumbai and Bangkok were all higher. Sydney was marginally lower.

While observers do not expect a wideranging deal to be made at the meeting, which takes place on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Buenos Aires, there is the possibility of an agreement that will allow the two to reach a consensus down the line.

“It will depend a lot about the kind of comments that will come out after the meeting,” Massimiliano Bondurri,

founder and chief executive officer of SGMC Capital in Singapore, told Bloomberg TV. “We don’t expect anything saying a deal will never be found, we expect some formal comments will be made as in discussions will be ongoing, but we haven’t found any agreement as of yet, so that’s likely to weigh on the risk sentiment on global markets.”

However, Eli Lee, head of investment strategy at the Bank of Singapore, warned that failure to reach an agreement this weekend would spell trouble.

“Given that the markets are pricing in some likelihood of a ceasefire or resolution, a no-deal scenario will cause a negative knee-jerk reaction for risk assets,” he said in a report.

“The prospects of further trade escalation and disruptive second-order effects will exacerbate growth fears and drive further asset de-rating, particularly for Asian equities.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2018

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

59.2 93.9 130.2 1.55 27.7 15.5 11.5 3.8 1.44 0.45 76.9 0.76 40.6 180 117 74 28.7 160 1,820 65.9

59.2 94 130.4 1.56 27.7 15.5 11.64 4.07 1.44 0.45 76.95 0.82 40.8 181 117 74 29 161.9 1,820 69.5

58.05 93.3 127.5 1.51 27.55 15.5 11.32 3.8 1.36 0.44 75.1 0.76 40.5 169 117 74 28.1 156 1,815 65.9

FINANCIALS 59.15 10,370 93.8 1,063,420 129.1 1,723,320 1.56 47,000 27.55 59,600 15.5 2,200 11.58 576,200 4.05 251,000 1.38 51,000 0.45 450,000 75.85 11,720,570 0.81 16,000 40.75 604,900 169 4,630 117 10 74 10 28.75 34,400 158 618,680 1,815 95 67.3 7,658,400

612,786.50 99,712,978.50 222,826,076 72,050 1,646,980 34,100 6,636,400 999,200 70,080 198,500 891,863,773.50 12,870 24,649,695 796,881 1,170 740 992,580 98,214,507 172,750 504,815,789.50

546,551.50 35,348,484 22,403,534 -77,140 -2,218,546 393,109,098.50 10,712,860 -4,754,417 -1,243,484.50

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

33.4 17.42 1.17 1.24 0.255 1.78 14.5 199.8 35.35 17.4 36.05 1.47 5.25 10.08 15.44 8.9 6.96 1.5 17.44 62.25 23 2.06 6 8.87 1.7 282 4.65 3.21 9.65 25.7 10.3 16.72 387.4 5.88 1.34 3.9 8.13 4.7 8.4 0.9 11.04 47.9 5.05 4.75 1.91 2.8 1.3 10.8 83 5.29 0.125 0.81 133.6 1.55 1.87

33.5 17.84 1.18 1.25 0.255 1.83 14.5 215 35.35 17.4 37 1.53 5.3 10.4 15.44 8.9 6.99 1.5 17.44 62.3 24 2.12 6 9 1.7 283 4.65 3.32 9.65 26.7 10.3 17.94 390 5.88 1.34 4 8.22 4.88 8.6 0.9 11.04 48.1 5.05 4.75 1.91 2.8 1.37 10.8 83.05 5.31 0.125 0.82 133.6 1.6 1.87

33 17.42 1.01 1.24 0.245 1.74 14.5 190 34 16.1 36.05 1.47 5.21 10.08 15.2 8.5 6.95 1.5 17.28 61.6 23 1.94 5.8 8.65 1.64 279.8 4.64 3.21 8.36 25.7 10.2 16.72 384 5.88 1.33 3.9 8.13 4.69 7.8 0.89 10.8 47.9 5.05 4.7 1.83 2.8 1.25 10.5 82.85 5.23 0.123 0.81 129.4 1.53 1.7

INDUSTRIAL 33.4 1,601,400 17.6 262,400 1.04 36,138,000 1.25 310,000 0.245 3,800,000 1.74 2,852,000 14.5 400 190 1,150 34 57,000 16.1 300 37 757,400 1.53 125,000 5.3 15,100 10.3 1,112,100 15.28 12,800 8.65 503,700 6.96 218,800 1.5 1,000 17.38 2,642,600 61.6 291,400 23.95 22,900 2.09 18,105,000 5.8 481,700 8.65 4,761,200 1.64 641,000 280 654,090 4.64 51,000 3.32 7,000 8.46 64,000 26.1 383,900 10.2 58,500 17.86 11,012,000 387.6 279,880 5.88 1,800 1.34 5,000 4 11,000 8.2 946,000 4.79 83,000 8.6 8,500 0.9 274,000 11 255,700 48.05 2,968,500 5.05 15,000 4.75 18,000 1.9 105,000 2.8 9,000 1.37 617,000 10.5 198,000 83 1,494,680 5.3 123,400 0.123 300,000 0.82 62,000 129.9 805,780 1.56 17,884,000 1.7 20,173,000

53,426,865 4,652,120 39,227,180 385,480 935,690 5,092,740 5,800 230,588 1,989,345 5,090 27,694,785 186,480 79,829 11,456,382 195,460 4,393,491 1,522,492 1,500 45,897,512 18,031,351.50 531,235 37,012,890 2,807,501 41,677,098 1,059,810 183,669,504 236,740 22,610 541,685 10,045,950 597,718 191,617,546 108,414,012 10,584 6,690 43,700 7,736,379 391,060 71,681 244,890 2,776,462 142,557,960 75,750 85,350 194,880 25,200 795,640 2,121,182 123,995,076 651,617 36,980 50,250 104,913,294 27,970,060 35,539,170

10,135,525 101,176 -1,626,980 -535,210 -5,800 17,000 33,250 -2,820,902 -181,305 -1,228,379 6,987,416 -11,908,315.50 230,000 111,260 -2,788,615 8,357,294.00 1,118,450 7,852,395 -256,622 1,005,552 2,257,546 -1,330 -969,001 -91,800 -91,300 3,041,520 -20,200 -4,700 -36,800 -954,120 35,544,424.50 412,414 -25,931,942 -2,137,840 -59,570

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

0.58 55.55 11.24 0.86 19.94 1.5 1.5 941 7 13.8 9.2 4.01 0.217 880 48.25 4.75 3.6 0.53 3.99 15.26 0.63 4.61 0.035 1.2 2.32 2.69 171.8 915 0.76 1.27 482 273.8 0.232 0.216

0.61 55.55 11.4 0.93 20.2 1.58 1.57 948 7.3 13.8 9.8 4.76 0.239 880.5 49.65 4.75 3.6 0.53 4.12 15.62 0.63 4.64 0.035 1.24 2.33 2.69 174.9 924 0.76 1.28 482 280 0.245 0.216

0.55 53 11 0.86 19.72 1.42 1.46 937 7 12.8 9.2 4.01 0.198 869 48.25 4.41 3.6 0.51 3.99 15.26 0.6 4.56 0.035 1.16 2.3 2.69 171 910 0.76 1.27 430 272 0.231 0.216

HOLDING FIRMS 0.55 57,081,000 54.5 1,213,800 11.16 5,225,300 0.9 14,000 19.88 36,600 1.45 35,563,000 1.46 10,435,000 948 264,210 7.16 332,800 12.9 9,474,200 9.5 1,267,400 4.76 3,000 0.198 710,000 870.5 104,830 49.65 3,105,800 4.41 3,000 3.6 2,000 0.53 3,000 4.08 15,458,000 15.48 5,589,400 0.6 326,000 4.6 38,352,000 0.035 2,500,000 1.24 74,000 2.3 137,000 2.69 23,000 174.8 440,660 915 198,090 0.76 18,000 1.27 71,000 478 130 280 7,100 0.24 3,810,000 0.216 10,000

33,087,470 66,018,264 58,308,086 12,560 728,713 53,832,560 15,843,570 249,047,555 2,408,010 123,704,478 12,091,491 13,270 168,150 91,826,545 152,838,250 13,910 7,200 1,570 62,106,100 86,468,726 195,930 176,400,640 87,500 88,780 317,410 61,870 76,585,206 181,604,170 13,680 90,290 58,980 1,973,170 905,030 2,160

8,290 21,059,254 421,078 -22,033 1,521,870 43,080,495 875,309 -70,265,384 -13,292,735 -61,737,075 -3,712,460 11,515,024 6,300 -21,940,100 35,141,755 -25,824,040 -519,164 -

12,445,387 2,326,940 694,500 235,767,010 4,821,650 4,050,920 30,032 2,052,350 52,940 605,460 88,700 885,405 4,077,066 12,795 3,072,090 3,279,540 220,282,060 24,803,300 204,700 48,200,540

7,580 -14,892,785 -4,406,170 -136,290 404,700 365,628 -1,530 371,760 42,234,240 -490,450 -489,660

8990 HLDG A BROWN ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DM WENCESLAO DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL INFRADEV

7.57 0.81 0.57 40.9 2.2 4.1 5.7 0.405 0.87 0.214 0.35 7.94 18.08 0.485 1.45 1.02 4.78 0.41 0.46 2.7

7.58 0.81 0.57 40.9 2.23 4.14 5.98 0.415 0.87 0.218 0.35 7.94 18.14 0.51 1.46 1.02 4.85 0.415 0.47 2.76

7.54 0.75 0.53 40.25 2.19 4.03 5.7 0.395 0.85 0.213 0.34 7.7 18.02 0.485 1.44 1 4.72 0.37 0.46 2.5

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.39 3.6 20.85 1.93 3.12 34.4 1.18 7.1 0.72 5.28

0.395 3.63 21.2 1.96 3.12 34.45 1.18 7.55 0.78 5.35

0.38 3.57 20.85 1.93 3.12 33.55 1.18 4.93 0.72 5.26

0.395 3.58 21.2 1.95 3.12 34 1.18 5.45 0.74 5.3

420,000 819,000 1,800,400 140,000 34,000 6,813,800 158,000 7,803,800 368,000 2,782,100

163,500 2,941,040 37,858,170 272,920 106,080 233,203,180 186,440 46,818,123 275,170 14,727,474

-563,080 5,526,990 99,440 32,848,865 -797,755 -9,276,517

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

9.98 19.7 1.27 0.38 0.037 13.02 2.06 8.3 72.1 7.02 2.35 26 950 2,000 5.31 323 3.5 1.8 97 10.22 7.2 0.115 6 3.46 3.23 0.75 14.46 5.55 6.9 2.05 1.65 2 4.1 10.48 8.39 3.03 106 3.05 1,176 0.66 0.345 43.1 76.95 6.74 2.46 0.66 0.415 5.35 0.57 12.3

9.98 19.8 1.27 0.385 0.037 13.02 2.06 8.3 73.2 7.02 2.35 26.45 950 2,010 5.31 323 3.53 1.8 97.8 10.3 7.2 0.117 6.02 3.46 3.23 0.78 14.46 5.55 7.2 2.22 2.29 2.34 4.28 10.48 8.39 3.49 106 3.09 1,200 0.67 0.345 43.1 76.95 6.74 2.5 0.67 0.42 5.35 0.6 12.4

9.9 19.7 1.26 0.37 0.037 13.02 1.92 8.02 70.9 6.55 2.35 13 892 1,951 5.24 315 3.37 1.71 96.5 10.22 7.2 0.103 5.13 3.46 3.02 0.75 13.76 5.25 6.85 2.04 1.65 1.63 3.55 10.48 8 3.02 106 2.98 1,165 0.64 0.33 42.7 75.7 6.73 2.36 0.58 0.395 5.25 0.56 12.2

SERVICES 9.98 19.8 1.26 0.385 0.037 13.02 1.97 8.14 70.9 6.55 2.35 22.4 892 2,000 5.24 322 3.4 1.71 96.85 10.3 7.2 0.105 5.23 3.46 3.12 0.78 13.9 5.54 7.2 2.15 1.8 1.89 3.6 10.48 8 3.49 106 2.98 1,178 0.64 0.335 42.95 75.9 6.73 2.4 0.6 0.395 5.3 0.57 12.3

28,300 200,000 6,000 3,950,000 3,800,000 1,800 2,991,000 14,083,700 111,870 9,003,500 11,000 9,143,100 820 23,650 24,000 1,910 1,950,000 10,000 1,001,370 14,000 12,000 17,830,000 65,278,000 21,000 968,000 47,000 652,500 37,000 760,300 5,597,000 7,374,000 744,000 11,060,000 10,100 1,400 43,000 240 1,379,000 91,330 5,499,000 420,000 2,818,400 589,020 10,000 16,366,000 11,735,000 76,070,000 221,200 3,308,000 3,188,900

281,472 3,944,676 7,580 1,493,900 140,600 23,436 5,916,470 114,296,383 8,084,048 60,649,797 25,850 188,148,261 773,350 47,293,895 126,876 613,238 6,701,400 17,820 97,066,671 143,480 86,400 1,966,980 365,816,057 72,660 3,040,050 35,520 9,165,458 202,938 5,426,423 11,949,940 14,878,920 1,536,230 42,484,250 105,848 11,317 137,270 25,440 4,166,720 107,734,485 3,568,730 141,850 121,091,885 44,833,818 67,370 39,434,070 7,131,410 30,818,250 1,164,640 1,924,790 39,294,842

4,950 37,500 -6,150.00 -45,044,986 869,297.50 -2,731,163 -1,053,589 44,600 20,214,710 -13,900 -11,637,778.50 28,000 -3,602,040 -109,790 -2,634,366 1,609,917 -243,070 -1,744,760 24,380 -2,824,870.00 -11,982,205 -1,341,700 -108,057,550 28,200,795.50 20,190 10,526,660 -3,514,130 -140,750 540,310 590 28,692,616

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

0.0019 1.63 2.48 14 1.91 0.29 7.06 1.68 0.2 0.093 0.102 0.0073 0.007 1 2.27 1.02 0.52 0.92 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.19 2.66 14.7 26.05

0.0019 1.66 2.48 14 1.91 0.29 7.06 1.7 0.203 0.093 0.102 0.0075 0.007 1.05 2.37 1.03 0.52 0.92 0.013 0.012 0.012 3.21 2.73 15.12 26.15

0.0019 1.61 2.48 13.5 1.91 0.29 7.02 1.68 0.199 0.091 0.102 0.0073 0.007 1 2.24 1.02 0.52 0.88 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.19 2.59 14.7 25.6

MINING & OIL 0.0019 225,000,000 1.61 3,247,000 2.48 6,000 13.92 3,100 1.91 115,000 0.29 100,000 7.02 400 1.7 258,000 0.203 40,000 0.091 8,960,000 0.102 450,000 0.0073 52,000,000 0.007 1,000,000 1.05 51,000 2.28 22,340,000 1.03 2,000 0.52 13,000 0.88 198,000 0.012 9,600,000 0.012 400,000 0.012 1,600,000 3.19 125,000 2.59 2,392,000 14.7 1,816,200 25.9 1,023,400

427,500 5,271,540 14,880 42,256 219,650 29,000 2,812 436,730 8,010 825,360 45,900 380,000 7,000 52,970 51,452,820 2,050 6,760 177,500 116,300 4,800 19,200 400,030 6,327,870 26,894,648 26,517,855

57,000 145,270 -14,880 -39,100 -4,328,650 20,240 -2,898,960 -1,285,138 -10,551,485

AC PREF B1 DD PREF LR PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

462 97.9 1.03 999 105 75.95 76.6 72 73.5 74.9 73.5

462 97.9 1.03 1,000 105 75.95 76.6 72 74.9 74.9 73.5

462 97.9 1.03 999 102 75.95 76.35 71.4 73.5 72 73.5

PREFERRED 462 1,200 97.9 1,120 1.03 1,000 1,000 350 102 2,840 75.95 80 76.35 11,170 71.4 18,500 74.9 2,090 74.85 36,110 73.5 350

554,400 109,648 1,030 349,905 290,120 6,076 855,283.50 1,322,522 156,463 2,666,739 25,725

-

LR WARRANT

2.05

2.05

1.8

WARRANTS 1.89 402,000

765,660

-

1,548,020 8,517,340

-111,520 -78,780

361,657

-

25,250

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.55 0.76 0.54 40.25 2.2 4.13 5.98 0.4 0.87 0.217 0.34 7.93 18.1 0.49 1.44 1 4.75 0.38 0.47 2.58

1,647,100 3,001,000 1,276,000 5,826,700 2,191,000 982,000 5,200 5,100,000 62,000 2,840,000 260,000 112,100 225,300 26,000 2,126,000 3,279,000 45,917,000 62,900,000 440,000 18,481,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.48 1.27

4.48 1.28

4.33 1.17

FIRST METRO ETF

110.3

110.3

110.1

USD TECH B2

1.01

TRADING SUMMARY

1.01

SHARES

FINANCIAL

25,054,113

INDUSTRIAL

133,618,433

HOLDING FIRMS

194,049,816

PROPERTY

179,561,970

SERVICES

282,976,649

MINING & OIL

332,128,347

GRAND TOTAL

1,154,854,625

1.01

4.47 1.18

SME

351,000 7,107,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 110.1 3,280 1.01

DDS

25,000

VALUE 1,753.63 (down) 10.93 1,875,095,221.22 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,710.79 (up) 0.44 1,245,968,167.49 HOLDING FIRMS 7,282.89 (up) 1.25 1,579,395,514.77 PROPERTY 3,541.67 (down) 35.36 1,411.18 (down) 4.55 960,225,191.84 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,509.92 (down) 3.78 1,428,084,061.36 PSEI 7,382.43 (down) 31.20 119,723,737.5211 All Shares Index 4,443.38 (down) 15.38 7,218,936,517.56 Gainers: 81; Losers: 95; Unchanged: 54; Total: 230

BDO remains the strongest lender in PH BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender controlled by tycoon Henry Sy, remains the country’s strongest bank this year, according to The Asian Banker Strongest Banks By Balance Sheet list.

The Asian Banker Strongest Banks

By Balance Sheet is an annual assessment of the financial and business performance of the banking industry in the Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa region.

The banks are rated on a scale of 0-5 in six areas, namely the ability to scale, balance sheet growth, risk profile, profitability, asset quality and liquidity.

“The top 20 strongest banks in the Asia Pacific region included 10 Hong Kong banks, four Chinese banks, two Singapore banks, and one each from Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, and New Zealand,” the publication said.

“Banks in Hong Kong, Singapore and Australia achieved the highest weighted average strength score, at 4.10, 3.51 and 3.34 out of 5, respectively, except for Brunei, which has only one bank on the list,” The Asian Banker said in a statement.

The recognition follows BDO’s Mortgage Product of the Year Award at the recently held The Asian Banker Philippines Country Awards 2018. The award recognized the bank’s extensive network as the main driver of its consumer loans business.

BDO has a network of over 1,000 branches nationwide, the widest in the country. Through this network, the bank is able to tap opportunities in high-growth areas as well as promote financial inclusion.

BDO’s net income climbed 18 percent in the third quarter to P8.4 billion from a year ago, on solid expansion of core lending and deposit-taking, life insurance and fee-based businesses.

The third-quarter net results also represented a 15-percent rise from P7.3 billion in the second quarter.

Total profit in the first nine months hit P21.5 billion, up 6 percent from the same period last year.

BDO said excluding the results of BDO Life, which was impacted by PFRS9’s mark to market on its investment portfolio and One Network Bank’s ongoing investment in the micro-SME lending business, net income would have registered a 13-percent growth in January to September.

Julito G. Rada

Security Bank signs partnership with franchisers SECURITY Bank Corp., the sixthlargest lender in terms of assets, has teamed up with Association of the Filipino Franchisers Inc. to provide exclusive loans to its members and their franchisees.

AFFI is an organization that promotes responsible micro, small and medium enterprise businesses in the Philippines.

Under the partnership, AFFI members and Security Bank customers can avail of discounted loan rates and waived fees to help them venture into franchising and grow their businesses.

“We believe in financing the future for the growth of our economy. The success of the future lies in supporting local businesses including franchisers who make up a huge part of the Philippine entrepreneurial space,” bank president and chief executive Alfonso Salcedo, Jr. said in a statement.

“There are a lot of local aspiring entrepreneurs who are hindered in pursuing their dreams due to lack of available capital. With our exclusive partnership, we are now able to help these entrepreneurs jumpstart or even grow their businesses,” Marie-Joyce Co Yu, AFFI president, said.

Salcedo said the partnership would also help increase local franchisees and create a more competitive market.

Businesses that will utilize the loan facility can also access DigiBanker, the bank’s secured online cash management solution that can help efficiently manage a business’ cash flows and payments.

Through the partnership, Security Bank clients can also attend major AFFI events for the entire duration of the contract, opening a wide array of franchising opportunities for them.

“AFFI and Security Bank actually share similar goals. AFFI is committed to promoting responsible micro, small, medium enterprises through franchising while Security Bank’s trademark service of BetterBanking strongly supports the thriving SME industry in the Philippines,” Salcedo said. Julito G. Rada

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

B3

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Global warming outpacing the efforts to slow it—UN

SNOWING IN MOSCOW. A woman takes pictures in front of St Basil’s Cathedral as it snows in Moscow on Nov. 27, 2018. AFP

Forum investors unhappy; Church investment ‘scam’ ONE minor foreign company with interest in the disputed West Philippine Sea is starting to fight back to prevent a further erosion of its stake in the oil and gas prospect.

Minority shareholders of FEC Resources Inc., a unit of PXP Energy Corp., have started the process of filing a complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commissions of the US, Canada and the Philippines in a bid to obtain a higher valuation of the company’s 6.8-percent stake in Forum Energy Ltd., the company that controls a 70-percent interest in Service Contract 72 off northwest Palawan.

FEC’s economic interest in SC No. 32, also known as the Reed Bank offshore area that contains the Sampaguita gas discovery field, is hard to gauge, but minority shareholders of FEC feel that the valuation of their investments are tied to recent transactions and the highly prospective area of the Palawan field.

FEC shareholder Matt O’Malley, who represents most of the minority owners, is seeking a valuation close to the private placement completed by businessman Dennis Uy in PXP Energy.

O’Malley’s FEC lost 11.6 percent of its interest in Forum Energy (and SC 72 for that matter), “without notice, without a valuation methodology and without an opportunity to protect itself from dilution,” according to an FEC source.

The FEC minority shareholders were also perplexed over the way their interest in Forum Energy dropped to 6.8 percent from 18.4 percent through a debt for equity swap and a share sale.

“FEC Resources shareholders were told about the swap and sale after they occurred. There was no opportunity for FEC Resources shareholders to protect itself from dilution. No opportunity to retain our extremely valuable position in Forum Energy/SC-72/Reed Bank,” the source said.

Uy recently invested in PXP Energy through his Dennison Holdings Corp. His firm subscribed to 340 million shares at P11.85 per share or for a total of over P4 billion. FEC Resources believes the valuation of its economic interest in Forum Energy should approximate Uy’s subscription price as one way of protecting minority investors.

Envy of Sarangani The Securities and Exchange Commission, meanwhile, has found itself mired in a “religious controversy” over an alleged investment scam. The regulatory body early this month decided to pry into the fund-raising activities of a Christian missionary group from Sarangani province.

The SEC acted on complaints that the Kapa Community Ministry International, led by charismatic pastor-preacher Joel Apolinario, may have been enticing the public to invest with promise of returns way beyond the current market rates.

Apolinario is a fundamentalist Bible-quoting type of evangelist who attracts common people in search of relevant spirituality. But he has apparently offended the leaders of more conservative church groups who see him as a “flock stealer.”

The pastor’s nemeses, it is believed, have joined forces to portray the religious leader as an investment scammer.

The alleged investment scheme, however, has turned out to be nothing more than an aggressive effort on the part of Apolinario’s church group to raise donations and contributions. Almost all church groups aggressively raise money through donations, contributions and even investments.

A recent article in social media cited the vast investments of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. According to the Daily Sentry, several Catholic Bishops hold thousands of shares at blue-chip Ayala Corp. valued at millions of pesos.

The article noted that several ranking Catholic officials own shares at mining companies, especially those operating in Eastern Visayas. Citing data from the Philippine Stock Exchange, the article claimed that the Archbishops of Manila and Zamboanga own some 2.5 million shares at Philex Mining Corp. valued at over P200 million.

The Archbishop of Manila is also the fourth biggest shareholder at the Bank of the Philippine Islands with a stake valued at close to P18 billion.

Nobody questions the Catholic Church’s enormous wealth. It obviously needs money to run educational and charity programs and fund its mission.

The same can be said of Apolinario’s little Sarangani-based community Church. The pastor needs all the help he can get to preach the Gospel and help his brethren. But we doubt if the money he can raise from donations will be enough to buy even a fraction of the shares in blue-chip companies that Catholic Church officials hold.

Apolinario’s nemeses, instead, should debate withy him in the pulpit, instead of using the SEC to silence the religious leader. The corporate watchdog has been put in an unfair position in this issue by those who cannot stomach a bible-quoting small-town preacher.

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

PARIS―Humanity is falling further behind in the race against climate change, with the gap between greenhouse gas emissions and levels needed to achieve the Paris climate treaty temperature goals continuing to widen, the UN said Tuesday.

With only a single degree Celsius of warming so far, the world has seen a crescendo of deadly wildfires, heat waves and hurricanes.

On current trends, temperatures are on track to rise roughly 4C by the century’s end, a scenario that would tear at the fabric of civilization, scientists say.

To cap global warming at two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), national carbon-cutting pledges annexed to the 2015 Paris Agreement must collectively triple by 2030, according to the UN Environment Program’s Emissions Gap report.

To hold the rise in Earth’s temperature to 1.5C above the preindustrial benchmark, such efforts would have to increase fivefold.

“The emissions gap is much bigger than last year,” UNEP’s Philip Drost, one of several coordinators for the annual report’s ninth edition, told AFP.

One obvious reason was a spike last year in the quantity of carbon dioxide, methane and other planet-warming gases escaping into the atmosphere.

This trend is set to continue in 2018, which saw a jump in CO2 emissions from the energy sector, according to the International Energy Agency, as well as an increase in the atmospheric concentration of CO2.

But the gap between where we are and where we need to be also grew on paper: new calculations by the UN’s top science panel sharply reduce the realworld potential for drawing CO2 out of the air, whether by planting more trees or capturing and storing CO2 emitted by power plants.

More broadly, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report released last month concluded that 2C of warming -- once seen as a safety guardrail -- would in fact usher in a maelstrom of deadly extreme weather.

Taken together, rising emissions and revised projections on CO2 removal have widened the emissions gap by 15 percent for a 2C world, and by nearly 70 percent for the 1.5C target, according to the new report. AFP

‘Jet should not have been allowed to fly’ J AKARTA―A Lion Air jet that crashed last month should have been grounded over a recurrent technical problem and never permitted to make the fatal flight, Indonesian authorities said Wednesday in a report that took aim at the carrier’s poor safety culture.

The Boeing 737 MAX vanished from radar about 13 minutes after taking off from Jakarta on October 29, slamming into the Java Sea moments after it had asked to return to the capital.

The preliminary crash report from

Indonesia’s transport safety agency did not pinpoint a definitive cause of the accident, which killed all 189 people on board, with a final report not likely to be filed until next year.

But investigators said Lion Air kept putting the plane back into service despite repeatedly failing to fix a problem with the airspeed indicator in the days leading up to the fatal flight.

Its second last flight was from Denpasar in Bali to Jakarta.

“During [that] flight, the plane was experiencing a technical problem but the pilot decided to continue,” Nurcahyo Utomo, aviation head at the National Transport Safety Committee, told reporters.

“The plane was no longer airworthy and it should not have kept” flying, he added.

The findings will heighten the concerns there were problems with key systems in one of the world’s newest and

most advanced commercial passenger planes.

Investigators have previously said the doomed aircraft had problems with its airspeed indicator and angle of attack (AOA) sensors, prompting Boeing to issue a special bulletin telling operators what to do when they face the same situation.

The report confirmed that initial finding, saying the plane’s data recorder detected an issue with the AOA. The report also said the plane’s “stick shaker”—the steering-wheel-like handles in front of the pilots that vibrates to warn of a system malfunction—was “activated and continued for most of the fight.”

An AOA sensor provides data about the angle at which air is passing over the wings and tells pilots how much lift a plane is getting. The information can be critical in preventing an aircraft from stalling. AFP

IN BRIEF Stuck caravan migrants losing hope

56 YEARS AGO. Swedish actress Ingrid Bergman (center) congratulates French actors Marie-Jose Nat (right) and Jean-Claude Brialy at the end of their performance at the Theatre du Palais-Royal in Paris on Dec. 7, 1962. AFP

Chopper scam thriving despite Nepal’s promise to crack down KATHMANDU―Nepal’s pledge to crack down on fraudulent helicopter evacuations has failed to curb the scam, with tourists still being unnecessarily airlifted from the Himalayas so middlemen can profit on the insurance payouts, industry sources say.

An AFP investigation earlier this year exposed the chopper racket where dodgy trekking outfits pressure tourists into needless and costly airlifts, or bill multiple times for a single flight.

Nepal’s government launched an inquiry in June after insurers were billed more than $6.5 million on 1,300 helicopter rescues in the first five months of 2018.

Global insurers threatened to stop covering travelers to Nepal unless the frequency and cost of rescues fell sharply, worrying the poor Himalayan nation that relies heavily on tourism revenue.

But industry insiders told AFP the

scam was thriving well into the busy autumn trekking season, with operators continuing to make thousands evacuating tourists months after Nepal promised to rein in operators.

“They [the government] came up with all these ideas but no one is following it,” said Jay Rana, who acts as an in-country agent for international insurance firms.

Invoices seen by AFP show trekking agencies and charter companies are still over-billing insurers for rescues, collecting kickbacks between $500 and $2,100 per flight.

The four chopper firms involved most frequently in rescues told AFP they carried out 489 airlifts in September and October.

Industry officials say the helicopter companies tend to understate the true figure to avoid competition and scrutiny. AFP

TIJUANA―Still stinging from the tear gas that beat back their attempt to breach the US-Mexican border, members of the Central American migrant caravan are starting to lose hope, and in some cases are turning back.

The migrants have played all their cards in recent days, after more than a month’s trek across Central America and Mexico—but with little success.

Their surprise bid to rush the border en masse on Sunday ended as abruptly as it began, when US Border Patrol agents fired tear gas and rubber bullets to force them back.

And attempts to sneak across the border alone or in small groups appear to be largely failing.

That leaves the roughly 5,000 migrants in the caravan with a handful of options, equally unappealing to most: wait the months or years it could take to request asylum in the United States; settle in Mexico; or give up and go home.

Their desperation is palpable at the improvised shelter where they are staying in Tijuana, across the border from San Diego. AFP

Mass stranding leaves 28 whales dead MELBOURNE―Twenty-eight whales were found dead in the remote southeast of Australia Wednesday, following a mass stranding that has baffled experts.

A pilot flying a private plane over Croajingolong National Park in Victoria state spotted 27 pilot whales and one humpback stranded on the beach Tuesday afternoon.

An initial visit by park authorities later that day found eight of the whales were still alive but in a critical state. By the time rangers returned on Wednesday, all were dead, officials said.

The humpback whale is thought to have died well before the rest in a separate incident.

Gail Wright of Parks Victoria said samples were being taken from the remains to try to understand how the whales came to be stranded.

“It’s one of the great mysteries, we don’t know why this happens,” she told AFP, adding that this was probably the largest stranding in that part of Australia since the early 1980s. AFP

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

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thursday, november 29, 2018

LGUs LocaL government units

Makati gives out Christmas gift bags on Dec. 5

By Joel E. Zurbano MaKaTI City Mayor abigail Binay has ordered the distribution of Christmas Gift bags containing groceries to city residents, public school students and their teachers beginning Dec. 5 in designated distribution booths at city hall and in barangays and schools.

Binay wanted the students to bring home their Christmas gift bags before the long holiday break, so they get to enjoy its contents while on vacation.

“We want to make sure that every student will have their bagful of goodies by the time they go on Christmas break. They can then consume these in a more leisurely manner while enjoying their vacation,” she said.

For the residents, getting their bags early will help them plan ahead for their noche Buena and promptly buy other ingredients they need in addition to the contents of the bag from the city government, said the mayor.

The city chief executive said the contents of the bags for students have been customized to suit the preferred taste of each school level.

Some 55,000 bags are scheduled for distribution to students in day care, kindergarten, elementary, SPED and aLS. Each bag contains a t-shirt, two packs of raisins, five single packs of instant oatmeal, one slab of cheese, one box each of hotcake mix and arroz caldo, two boxes of champorado, one pack of full cream milk, 12 packs of energy drink, two single packs each of choco cereals and choco flakes, two single packs of bread pan, a 10-piece pack each of crackers and stick biscuits, a 20-piece pack of choco bitesize biscuits, and an 18-piece pack of assorted fruit-flavored jelly.

Statue for ‘Cong Dadong’ breaks ground in Clark CLaRK FREEPORT, Pampanga— House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-arroyo and other government officials recently broke ground on a monument commemorating the deeds in public administration and good governance of her father Diosdado Macapagal, the ninth president of the Republic.

Joining arroyo, also the country’s 14th President and currently the representative of the 2nd district of Pampanga, were officials of the Bases Conversion and Development authority and local executives.

The ceremony also marked the unveiling of a road marker of the 2.16-kilometer Macapagal Highway named after “Cong Dadong” that connects the interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Express that traverse the main road inside the Clark Global City.

The monument which from now becomes a cultural heritage of the country due to its political and historical importance is measuring about 20 feet with a 20 feet pedestal wherein a 10 feet full size body statue will be erected.

The monument was approved for construction based of the national Historical Commission of the Philippines guidelines on monument honoring national leaders heroes, and illustrious personages.

The twin events were also witnessed

by Macapagal’s grandson Mikey arroyo, who is running for Congress also in the second district of Pampanga in his mother’s stead in the 2019 elections.

April Aguilar (sixth from left), representing Mayor Imelda ‘Mel’ Aguilar receives the key from Asst. Director Jesus Anunciacion (fifth from left) of the Energy Utilization Management Bureau of the Department of Energy during the ceremonial turnover of the 100 E-trikes to Las Piñas City. Present were (from left) Engineer Simon Leonor, Senior Supervising Science Research Specialist DOE; Takahiro Yamasaki, Business Development Manager BEMAC; Engr.

Arnel Matthew Garcia, Supervising Science Research Specialist DOE; City Administrator Reynaldo Balagulan; Councilor Mark Anthony Santos; TRU Chief Ruben Ramos; Councilors Rubymar Ramos, Renan Riguera, Gerry Sangga, Buboy Dela Cruz, Steve Miranda and (at the back) Councilors Mark Anthony Santos and Pewee Aguilar.

CHRISTMAS MARCH. Mall workers dressed in toy soldier costumes march across the hall of SM City Dasmarinas to greet shoppers on Tuesday. Over a hundred performers costumed as Christmas characters helped usher in the holiday shopping season at the mall in Cavite. Norman Cruz

Chinese firm eyes $100-m CEZA ‘green textile park’

a

DIvERSIFIED Chinese company based in Shaoxing in China’s eastern Zhejiang province has sent a five-man mission to the Philippines, taking a step closer to finalizing the terms for a “$100-million green textile industry park” it plans to set up at the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport in Sta. ana, Cagayan.

Officials of the China Zhejiang Guannan Group, led by its Chairman Shaoxiong Cai, arrived in Manila this week in the final phase of its preparation before committing to a formal Memorandum of agreement with the Cagayan Economic Zone authority, CEZa administrator and CEO Sec. Raul Lambino said Wednesday.

Lambino hailed the Chinese initia-

tive as “bold, since it will break new ground” in the Freeport in the area of textile production. apart from textile production, the China Zhejiang Guannan Group is also into real estate development in asia.

CEZa Deputy administrator agrimero Cruz signed the agreement for CEZa and Shaoxiong Cai signed for the Chinese company, which will be clas-

sified as a locator in the special economic zone and Freeport.

Up to 10,000 hectares of land in Sta. ana and other neighboring towns could be developed to accommodate the requirements of the green textile industry park, Lambino said in a statement. among other structures, the park will build its own power plant, water plant, sewage disposal plant, waste processing plant and other facilities and infrastructure, Lambino added.

The Chinese firm will also invest heavily in the development of townships and real estate following its major projects in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shaoxing.

RED SLIPPERS. Red slippers form a cross

as the Philippine Red Cross Laguna Chapter Welfare Service conducts a Happy Children’s Month Outreach Program at the Pinagpala Children’s Home in Brgy. Lamot, Calauan, Laguna (inset). Among the activities were Story Telling by Tita Medie, Coloring by Reese and Nimfa, Games By Mutya and Sarah, Loot Bags distribution by Gailene, and Tsinelas and Food Distribution. The event was led by Joyce Carol Ramirez and Reese Margareth Alunan. Roy Tomandao

‘Pan de Ladies’ reach potential with Malabon aid (Continued from yesterday) ‘Pan de Ladies’ was conceptualized as part of the Malabon City Government’s commitment to empower women, solo parents, and people with disabilities.

Mayor Lenlen Oreta himself believes that now is the best time to help women realize their full potential and that their place in society is not restricted in the four walls of a home.

Working as Pan de Ladies has definitely changed the lives of its members.

Diane alejo of Barangay San agustin, for example, shared that the bread has added another set of products that she sells along with the food she cooks at home. alejo owns a small store that sells cooked meals that people can buy for breakfast or lunch. “I would sell food for my neighbors, and this has always been my main source of income. When I became a Pan de Lady, I was able to sell bread that my customers would buy as afternoon snacks,” she said.

The money she earns is what she uses for her only child. alejo now has something extra to give for school and would even use the money to buy food for their household.

Maria Teresa Galo, 50, of Barangay Concepcion, doesn’t mind going around the neighborhood to sell bread.

She would head to the BJMP bakery at 4 a.m. to buy pan de sal and would be done selling by around 9 a.m.

She would then proceed to her parttime job as housekeeper, admitting that she would also bring bread like pan de coco and Spanish bread to her employers who often buy from her.

Being a Pan De Lady has definitely helped her raise her two children (11 and 14 years old) and is a big help for a solo parent like her.

“It is truly a blessing to become one of the Pan De Ladies of Malabon! We are proud that even with this small livelihood endeavor, we have helped our family in so many ways,” said Galo. “aside from giving us additional income, it gave us dignity as we can contribute a lot more to the family and instilled discipline on us as we are now starting entrepreneurs.”

Queen pineapple farmers learn new propagation technique

By Butch Gunio

BaYBaY CITY, Leyte—about 700 queen pineapple farmers from Region 8 were introduced to a propagation technique called embryogenesis technology to improve their productivity.

“With somatic embryogenesis, one explant can produce up to 10,000 plantlets of queen pineapple,” explained Dr. Luz Moreno of visayas State University to the farmers during the technology forum held at the vSU convention center here on Friday.

This is compared with only five to 10 planting materials derived from one plant through the conventional propagation materials such as suckers, crown, and slips, Moreno added.

“The technology enables to produce ready-to-plant seedlings 8-10

months earlier that the traditional queen pineapple suckers,” she told the farmers.

The quality of the present queen variety of pineapple in terms of size and desirable fruit characteristics will also improve, Moreno said.

Las Piñas gives 100 e-Trikes to Toda LaS Piñas City Mayor Mel aguilar, represented by her daughter april aguilar, has turned over 100 electronic tricycle (e-trike) units to select tricycle drivers and operators association aimed to provide livelihood assistance and reduce pollution.

The beneficiaries are members of seven TODa plying the routes within public elementary, senior high school and the city-run Dr. Filemon C. aguilar Information Technology Training Institute.

Mayor aguilar encouraged the drivers to take advantage of the opportunity of owning a brand new vehicle for free as their source of livelihood that would also care for the environment.

The mayor said the city government will provide free charging stations in strategic areas along e-trike routes. among the agreement between the city and TODa, the e-trike drivers must provide rides to all public school and DFCaITTI students along their route for free.

Life

bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @mstandardLIFe

household

thursday, november 29, 2018

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Festivities begin with

warm reds and

bright greens H

ome furnishings specialty retailer Crate and Barrel brings the traditional Christmas theme of red and green to every home with its collection of holiday décor and tableware.

Light up the whole house with LeD ceramic trees and candles emitting magical glow. For those who like to dress up their trees can choose from tonal and spiral ornaments and triple strand garlands. meanwhile festive holiday tableware is perfect for Christmas dinner shared with family and friends. Aside f r o m dish-

ing up season-appropriate plates and utensils, decorate the table with Christmas table linens, from tablecloths to placemats to table runners—everything to complete the dining room with festive flair.

The Crate and Barrel Holiday 2018 collection is available at Crate and Barrel stores located in SM Aura Premier, SM Makati, and SM Mega Fashion Hall.

Glistening Silver Reindeer

LED Ceramic Tree Red Amaryllis Wreath

Pine and Red Berry Bundle

Tonal Red, Green, Gold, Wine Ornaments

By Paola Navarette In tHe heart of Hamilo Coast in nasugbu, Batangas lies a seaside sanctuary that offers a panoramic view of the tranquil West Philippine Sea and lush green mountain ranges of Pico de Loro.

Built and operated by Sm Prime Holdings, the property’s newest three-step midrise condominium development promises to enchant unit owners and visitors with its natural beauty tucked in dense foliage.

A 90-minute drive from manila, Freia is envisioned to become the premier sustainable beachside residence that combines modern design and high-tech connectivity to meet the needs of today’s travelers.

Boasting a contemporary tropical-inspired architecture, the master-planned estate designed

by Broadway malyan, GF & Partners, and Budji + Royal features 223 units, 214 of which will be two-bedroom units and nine will be penthouses. the two-bedroom units will range from 67 to 146 square meters in size, while penthouses are bi-level and will have three bedrooms each.

At a press conference, Arch. Arlie Cruz said the structure design, which meets international standards, was inspired by local influences and culture. “the theme for Freia is tropical Filipino and what makes it different from other buildings is that it adapts to the climate of the surroundings. the structure also faces the favorable winds so that it boosts circulation,” he said. the coastal condominium will be built in such a way that it maximizes the scenery. each exquisitely designed units will have floor-to-ceiling glass windows and expansive terraces to let residents enjoy Pico’s untarnished natural sights. Special corner unit owners can also expect a 180-degree view of sea and mountains from the balcony.

“What we did in all the units in Freia is that we positioned it horizontally so that the bedroom,

the residential development. Some areas of Freia will be equipped with a rainwater harvesting system and powered by solar panels to provide power to common areas. natural lighting and ventilation will also be integrated in its hallways and lobby. to date, Freia will be the fifth condominium located at Pico de Loro Cove. other existing condominium clusters surrounding the coastal resort are myna, Carola, miranda, and Jacana. All condos, including Freia, were named after the birds regularly found in Hamilo Coast.

Different from other condominium developments, it will be the only one to have its own lounge deck, outdoor and kiddie pools, function rooms, and lush pocket gardens. Unit owners of the earlier developments will have to go to the country club if they want to use a function room or go swimming.

Freia residents will also have access to the beach club and Pico de Loro Cove’s 1.5-kilometer stretch of pristine white sand beach in less than a fiveminute stroll, making it the closest to the beach among Hamilo Coast’s cluster of condominiums.

Freia, Pico de Loro Cove’s latest residential development, features prime view beach condominium units offering encompassing vistas of the West Philippine Sea and Mt. Pico de Loro.

Pico de Loro’s Beach and Country Club offers a variety of first-rate sports facilities and outdoor pursuits such as kayaking, mountain trekking, cove boat tours, or bird watching, to satisfy the more adventurous.

Following the successful groundbreaking in August this year, Freia’s completion is expected by the end of 2021, and target turnover is expected to begin in 2022.

“Adopting the notion of ‘360 degrees of comfort and convenience,’ we want everything to be within reach—from appreciating and partaking in nature’s beauty, to creating new memoEach unit at Freia is designed with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and an expansive balcony to maximize nature’s views. ries and experiences with loved ones, to having everyday conveniences and facilities close by,” living room, and kitchen or dining room face the In line with Hamilo Coast’s dedication to reduce added ortiga.

Call (02) 945-8000 or visit www.hamilocoast. view that the buyer purchased,” said Alexis ortiga, environmental impact, sustainable green building Sm Prime senior assistant vice president for sales. strategies are expected to be incorporated within com for inquiries.

Premier seaside living at Freia

Life

C2

thursday, november 29, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Restaurant hopping at Eton Centris Zubuchon’s flagship store in the north is located at Eton Centris in Quezon City.

T

AKE a bite of Cebu’s succulent lechon, savor a warm bowl of ramen, and cap off the meal with a donut and a cup of coffee.

Sounds like a great day?

Food crawlers can enjoy a day of discovering new flavors at Eton Centris as new restaurants have opened at the 12-hectare mixed use property.

The Quezon City-based complex is currently home to Zubuchon’s flagship store in the north, catering to Cebu lechon cravings of those nearby.

Meanwhile, Centris Walk, the new cluster in the development offers unique and delicious experiences within easy reach of those who work within the complex or come to relax and bond with loved ones.

Within the complex is this one-of-akind restaurant which promises to become every movie buff’s haven, the Movie Stars Café. The entire restaurant, located on the ground floor of Centris Station, is filled with life-size statues and iconic movie characters in costumes. Every night, the

characters perform musical shows reminiscent of favorite movie and anime series. Its food and friendly staff make the café a perfect group or family bonding destination.

Romantic Baboy has also opened a branch at Centris, offering unlimited Korean grill fare. The new cluster in Eton Centris is also home to Ramen Kuroda, Better Days, ASSI Fresh Plaza, and Starbucks. Tim Hortons is also set to open in the complex soon.

More unique store concepts are also making its way to Eton Centris. Leading the line-up is Baby Mama, the Philippines’ top breastfeeding store, offering exclusive brands and seminars to help mothers in their breastfeeding journeys, as well as Mount Sinai Veterinary Practice, a full service veterinary clinic and supplies store for all things pets.

The perks of online shopping

using debit card

Shopping online offers convenience by allowing buyers to avoid crowded shops and long queues at check-out lines.

OnLInE shopping before was not as convenient as it is today. Buyers had to have a credit card or deposit their payment to a bank to make a purchase.

Debit cards have made it easier to purchase online without worrying about having cash or credit card on hand. Users don’t have to worry about overspending as it draws money directly from their account, without having to go to the ATM—meaning they only spend what they have, making it easier to manage budget.

Here are the top practical, safe, and rewarding reasons why it’s better to shop online using a debit card:

No crowds, no queues

From top left clockwise: Romantic Baboy satisfies Korean barbecue cravings; Baby Mama offers exclusive brands and seminars to aid mothers in their breastfeeding needs; Mount Sinai Veterinary Practice is a full-service veterinary clinic and store for pets; and Movie Stars Cafe is a movie-themed restaurant filled with life-size statues of iconic movie characters.

Shopping online allows buyers to avoid crowded stores and long queues at checkout lines. With online shopping, brows- Online shoppers have more time to look for styles and items before purchasing. ing is a breeze on mobile phone or laptop, with enough options to filter and sort security. And since all purchases are gamut of great deals, and with Debit items according to kind, price, or brand. traceable, shoppers can keep track of Mastercard’s exclusive promos with Buying and paying are done in a few sim- their spending better. some of the biggest online retailers, ple clicks, no need to go from one place to cardholders have a more rewarding a couple more others. experience. Those looking to update Convenience is key Online shopping offers many things their wardrobe with the latest auSafety, security, and control traditional shopping does not have, the tumn/winter pieces, Debit MasterWith the Internet at one’s disposal, number one of those is convenience. card offers P500 off with a minimum it’s easier to look into the seller from Shoppers have more time to look for spend of P2,500 when they shop at whom a shopper intends to buy. But at styles and items before deciding, and Zalora using the code MCDEBIT unthe end of the day, it is best to purchase they also do away with travel or parking til nov. 30. from credible companies and sellers expenses. In addition, when using Debit with proven track record and high cus- Mastercard to shop online for the first No to buyer’s remorse tomer satisfaction rating. Major shop- time, customers simply have to regisCarefully selecting and reading reping sites like Zalora work hard to pro- ter their card and enjoy shopping again views of an item before committing to vide a secure connection for customers’ without having to re-enter the required buying it helps avoid having a sense information to be kept private. of regret after making a purchase. But details each time.

Meanwhile, debit cards such as Debit those who do change their mind or Mastercard is equipped with an EMV aren’t satisfied with their purchase can Awesome offers chip that provides an extra layer of Online shopping sites usually run a easily opt to return and get a refund.

Modern convenience

comes to Ormoc City

THE first 7-Eleven convenience store has finally opened in Eastern Visayas, thanks to Julie Anne Yap Garnace, a 34-year-old overseas Filipino worker in Dubai.

The first branch of the convenience store in the region is located along Lopez Jaena in Ormoc City.

Ormocanons expressed their delight over 7-Eleven’s arrival in their hometown as they can now enjoy the various products and the 24-hour shopping and service convenience of the world-leading C-store chain.

Garnace’s innate entrepreneurial drive and careful planning, as well as her profession as a flight stewardess led her to invest in a 7-Eleven store.

“I traveled a lot for work and leisure.

7-Eleven has always been my go-to place in Asia and America whenever the need arises. I chose 7-Eleven because I know for sure that its brand is recognized globally, and they innovate their products and services to be on top of the game,” she shared.

Garnace related, “Whenever I visit a branch of 7-Eleven, I always feel at home wherever I am and at the same time not forgetting that I am abroad because of the products they offer which are unique to every country. I wanted to bring that unique, wonderful feeling to Ormoc as well.”

The OFW said going home for good has always been her dream. “I know it won’t be easy but I have to start making it happen, and there is nowhere else to go but to enter into the business world because first, I can’t be an employee forever, and second, I don’t have retirement benefits as on OFW in UAE.” Seeing a bright prospect in franchising as the perfect “retirement” busi-

ness, it was then that Garnace decided to become a C-store franchisee.

“I gave 7-Eleven a call to follow up and they accommodated all my queries and we started with the scouting of a feasible location,” she recalled.

“Thankfully, the expansion to Leyte was already approved during that time.

Ormoc’s rise in the competition as one of the fastest growing cities in the Philippines has helped me decide on finally investing in its market as well.”

To help her build the business in a new territory, Philippine Seven Corp. provided Garnace the supportive network.

Apart from a reliable, long-term franchise support system and global brand recognition, the 7-Eleven franchise package includes a one-month classroom training.

“I am fairly new to entrepreneurship.

I did not know exactly where and how to start but time is of the essence. I had to have something which is already all figured out for me so I leaned on the idea of franchise,” said Garnace.

In choosing the brand to franchise, Garnace said she made sure “that it is proven to have a strong foundation and one that I know would survive in almost any given environment.”

She shared, “Growing up in Ormoc, I observed that there was a lack of go-to convenience stores which operate past midnight, especially those that serve hot foods, which I think is essential for a growing economy.”

“This I know opened doors of ideas and opportunities not only for my family but for Ormoc. It is my family’s share to Ormoc’s growth and I hope that by this, Ormocanons will be more open and share more because Ormoc has a lot of potential and just needs a little push,” concluded the new entrepreneur.

Julie Anne Yap Garnace (3rd from left) led the opening of her 7-Eleven store in Ormoc City.

Joining her are (from left) Ormoc City Councilor Vincent L. Rama, Sheed Nathan Garnace, Ormoc City Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo L. Locsin Jr., 7-Eleven Visayas regional operations head Francis S. Medina, PSC business development division head Ulysses V. Borral, 7-Eleven Mindanao regional operations head Gil M. Abad, and 7-Eleven regional operations support section manager Francisco R. Gayanilo.

Entertainment

Bianca Umali, Jeric Gonzales ink deals with GMA Records

Jeric Gonzales

G

MA Artist Center’s Bianca Umali and Jeric Gonzales recently signed separate recording contracts with GMA Records.

Teen actress Bianca Umali expressed her excitement over the latest feat in her blooming career. As she ventures into recording, Bianca feels grateful for the opportunity to share her passion for music and to perform songs close to her heart.

“Now that I am with GMA Records, I am very happy because this is my dream. It’s one of my dreams to have a single. I am very happy to be part of the GMA Records family,” she said.

Meanwhile, heartthrob Jeric Gonzales is back to one of the things he loves—making music.

As he enters the music industry, Jeric will surely captivate the hearts of his many listeners through his own compositions and heartfelt voice, “I

think people will get to know me more because of my music. They will discover that I can also play musical instruments guitar, piano, and drums. May mga kanta akong gagawin based on personal experiences na may mga hugot. I hope listeners would be able to relate to t h o s e songs.”

GMA Network Chief Financial Officer and GMA Records Executive Vice President Felipe S. Yalong is proud to welcome Bianca and Jeric as the newest recording artists of GMA Records.

“I’m so happy. Finally, Bianca realized her love for music as she grows in the Network. As she has said, it’s her dream to become a singer as well. Now, it’s turning into reality already. For Jeric, we are glad because it’s long overdue.

He’s really a good singer. I am happy, together with GMA Records, that they finally signed with us,” said the GMA executive.

B i a n c a and Jeric are set to release their individual singles under GMA Records soon.

Apart from Yalong, also present in the contract signing were, GMA Artist Center Assistant Vice President and Head for Talent Imaging and Marketing Unit Simoun Ferrer, GMA Records Managing Director Rene Salta, GMA Records A&R Manager Kedy Sanchez, Senior Talent Manager Tracy Garcia, and Jeric’s comanager Archie Ilagan.

Besides, it makes sense she does a cover of a song THE usual back story of a cover song done acknowledged as a wedding song, given that she is by a local singer is almost as predictable a wedding singer herself. and, in some cases, boring as the rendition “I want to be known as an artist who records and is. More often, someone in the singer’s still does regular gigs like weddings and events. Iba camp believes that reviving an old track YUGEL yung feeling ng performing in a full-band set up,” will straighten a talent’s path to fame.

LOSORATA noted Brina.

The circumstances behind the newly While appearing solo in digital realm, she released cover of South Border classic “Kahit Kailan,” as sung by newbie recording act Brina actually performs around with her band Skyfall that includes Marasigan, is one worth-retelling. Besides, it is officially the guitarist Andrei Dionisio Jr., offspring of the late songwriteronly cover of the song approved by its songwriter Jay Durias arranger. She and Andrei wrote a released original called “Till known for being “strictly selective” when hearing artists render We’re Both Alright,” a composition which possesses a strong chorus and positions her as a pop balladeer. his band’s hits.

This 22-year old Filipina-Canadian has both the technical “Takot po ako sa rejection kaya nakakatuwa when we found out sir Jay liked my version. What did I do para mapapayag background and emotional baggage in understandably pursuing music. She took music production courses in school and keeps siya,” exclaimed Brina in her ecstatic tone.

She certainly did justice to the song, with her gripping song-writing. But then her parents got separated which almost vocals against a backdrop of minimalist keyboard playing. Her made her quit. She flew to Canada at one point for soul searching.

She found out she wants to sing and use music to move on. confident fill-in in the space provided for sax in the original “I’m excited and nervous at the same time,” she admitted, version perhaps sealed it. She puts the classic in a new light referring to how the public will grade her in the long run. “I without losing its appeal as a modern kundiman.

Brina was working with her mentor and recording studio just want to present myself as someone true to herself and who owner Paulo Zarate when they decided to do a take of “Kahit embraces versatility.”

It helps she has friends like Rox Puno, son of the late Rico Kailan.” Paulo knows Jay and so came the moment when they had to ask the latter to give it a listen. Jay was so delighted he J., who encourages her to push boundaries and links her to industry people. For sure, she has the right advisers to tell her didn’t have to finish the song to express his approval.

That was a moment in time for a young artist like Brina. what to cover and who to please next.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, November 29, 2018

ACROSS 1 Espresso with milk 6 Eva or Zsa Zsa 11 Caress 14 Parting word 15 Luau greeting 16 Retiree’s kitty 17 Famed statuette 18 Brick worker 19 Switch positions 20 Pie bakers 22 Vinegar bottle 24 Got nosy 28 Hair-care product 29 Big wave 30 Feel nostalgic 32 Country addrs.

33 Wet behind the ears 35 Collars 39 Jason’s vessel 40 Use a crowbar 41 D’Artagnan prop 42 Sound of thunder 43 Copper or iron 45 Pan’s opposite 46 Suits, so to speak 48 Toughened 50 Musical instrument 53 Awkwardly

28 Periodical, briefly 30 Round dwellings 31 Gaelic pop star 34 Oil cartel 36 Not together 37 Slant 38 Dilapidated 43 Sea, to Cousteau 44 Row 47 “Kubla Khan” setting DOWN 49 Brain messen1 Thai language gers 2 Classified items 3 Nervous twitch 4 Oolong or pekoe 5 Grand Tour site 6 Played poker 7 Astronaut — Shepard 8 Office honcho 9 Taunting cry 10 Bitterness 11 Monklike 12 Sea eagles 13 Take a sip 21 Exceedingly 23 Near-winner (hyph.)

24 Discard 25 — Dame 26 Greek alphabet ender 27 No longer in use 54 “Hedda Gabler” author 55 Senior 57 Plea at sea 58 One of 12 60 Legally binding 65 T, in Athens 66 Tractor pioneer 67 Give the slip 68 Fr. holy woman 69 Al of Indy fame 70 Roomy vehicle

50 Essential points 51 Convoy chaser (hyph.)

52 Gush forth 53 Time waster 55 Raw minerals 56 Onetime Trevi Fountain coins 59 Desk item 61 Livy’s hello 62 Highland youth 63 Mountain overlooking Troy 64 Place to winter

‘THE GRINCH’ is back to steal Christmas

The story of The Grinch, who steals Christmas out of loneliness, unspools nationwide.

HERE’S a warning from SM Cinema and Illumination Entertainment. Make sure you really prepare for the holidays as the unsociable and ill-tempered Grinch is back, planning to steal Christmas in the animated version of Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch showing in SM Cinema this November.

The film follows the story of The Grinch together with his loyal dog, Max, as he faces his most hated time of the year, the Christmas season.

When his Whoville neighbors are preparing and celebrating for the holidays, The Grinch is planning to steal Christmas and silence the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all. Will the Grinch finally succeed and achieve his dream peace?

From the studio that created the The Despicable Me franchise, Illumination Entertainment once again presents an animation that will be loved by the whole family, the animated adaptation of a Dr. Seuss classic, The Grinch.

Directed by Yarrow Cheney and Scott Mosier, the film features the voices of actors Benedict Cumberbatch as The Grinch, Cameron Seely as Cindy LouWho, Rashida Jones as Donna Who and Pharell Williams as the Narrator.

Catch Illumination’s The Grinch now at any SM Cinema branch near you. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app. You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates.

Fil-Canadian singer Brina Marasigan, fondly called “Brina Mars” by her friends, pulled off a cover of “Kahit Kailan” that impressed no less than Jay Durias himself.

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Simply...

From C4 ‘Halik’ hits 3.6 million weekly views on iWant TV More viewers nationwide turned to ABSCBN for value-laden and relevant news stories as it scored an average audience share of 44 percent, or 13 points higher than GMA’s 31 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN ruled both in urban and rural homes, particularly in Metro Manila where it recorded an average audience share of 42 percent, compared to GMA’s 25 percent. It also won in Mega Manila with 36 percent, beating GMA’s 33 percent.

The Kapamilya network also kept its strong viewership in Total Luzon with an average audience share of 39 percent versus GMA’s 34 percent; in Total Visayas with 53 percent, compared to 24 percent of GMA; and in Total Mindanao with 53 percent, while GMA only got 25 percent.

Multinational audience measurement provider Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population.

Nine out of ten most watched programs were produced by ABS-CBN, led by FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (43.6 percent) and followed

by TV Patrol (32.2 percent).

Also in the top ten were Ngayon at Kailanman (29.4 percent), The Kids’ Choice (25.6 percent), Wansapantaym (23.5 percent), Home Sweetie Home (22.6 percent), Meteor Garden (22.5 percent), Halik (22.1 percent), and MMK 25 (21.8 percent).

Meanwhile apart from raking high TV ratings every night, primetime teleserye Halik is also a hit online as it garnered over 3.6 million weekly views on iWant TV and a consistent trending topic on social media.

The Kapamilya network also won across all time blocks, particularly in primetime (6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mn) with an average audience share of 48 percent, or a 17-point higher than GMA’s 31 percent.

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.

ABS-CBN also triumphed over its rival network in the morning block (6:00 a.m. to 12:00 nn) with 36 percent versus GMA’s 28 percent; in the noontime block (12:00 nn to 3:00 p.m.) with 43 percent, compared to GMA’s 32 percent and in the afternoon block (3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) with 44 percent, winning over GMA’s 33 percent. *** Christmas festivity @LRI On Dec. 1 On Dec. 1, LRI Grupo Reposo and LRI Design Plaza at 210 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel Air 2, Makati City will host a Christmas Spirit Festivity to cap the HoHo Holiday Sale presently ongoing at LRI Design Plaza at 50 percent discount on selected items. Showrooms are open from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., from Monday to Saturday.

Throughout the day, the plaza holds a painting activity by 20 artists led by Astra Gallery. It also offers specialty foods with hot sauces, craft brews and barbecues.

Indigenous crafts and finely produced local products are also available.

A learning seminar on Smoked Meats 101, Craft Brewing 101 and Hot Sauce 101 will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

By 6:00 p.m., talented musician Franklee Lorenzo will serenade shoppers and visitors with Christmas, Italian and romantic songs.

Eight former members of the Philippine Madrigal singers—two sopranos, two altos, two tenors and two basses—will perform assorted Christmas tunes that include sacred music and African-American Spirituals, traditional carols and Filipino festive songs celebrating the Christmas season of love and giving.

This concert is open to the public. LRI welcomes the public to this free concert. *** More stories of these kinds at www.isah. red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙŘ

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

C4

Entertainment HEART

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2018

'G Diaries' host Gina Lopez

PUP students choose ABS-CBN

turns her paintings into wearable art VERY WANG

Ricky Lee receives the Apolinario Mabini Achievement Award from PUP's 3rd Mabini Media Awards.

ABS-CBN proved to be the media network of choice for students at Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), winning Television Station of the Year for ABS-CBN alongside AM Radio Station of the Year for DZMM Radyo Patrol 630, and FM Radio Station of the Year for MOR 101.9 at the 3rd Mabini Media Awards, which is voted on by more than 51,000 students across PUP campuses nationwide.

Aside from the three major awards, ABS-CBN also took home 16 other awards including Best Primetime Drama Program for FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano while Asintado won Best Daytime Drama Program. It’s Showtime won Best Variety/Musical Program while Gandang Gabi Vice won Best Talk Program. I Can See Your Voice won Best Game/Reality Program.

In the news and current affairs category, Umagang Kay Ganda won Best Morning Program, Matanglawin won Best Educational Program, and Sports U won Best Sports Program, each for the third time running. Boy Abunda, who hosts The Bottomline, won Best Public Affairs Program Host.

In the radio category, Radyo Patrol Balita Alas-Syete won Best News Program while Failon Ngayon sa DZMM won Best News Commentary Program. Host Ted Failon also won Best News Commentary Program Host.

Heartbeats on MOR 101.9 won Best FM Radio Program while host DJ Chacha won Best Female Radio Jock.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN creative consultant and creative manager, and renowned screenwriter Ricky Lee won an Apolinario Mabini Achievement Award for his body of work in TV, film, and print, and It’s Showtime and Gandang-Gabi Vice host Vice Ganda won Online Personality of the Year.

The PUP Mabini Media Awards is the largest students’ choice award-giving body that aims to give recognition to outstanding media practitioners, networks, programs, and radio stations that are exemplary models to communication students.

I

NICKIE WANG

N THE brand arena, local art scene’s poster girl Heart EvangelistaEscudero is no stranger to endorsing big and popular brands. Thanks to her untarnished and reliable image, she scores another product endorsement which she considers very close to her heart.

The Kapuso star was recently introduced as the latest endorser of Kamiseta. But instead of calling it a brand endorsement, she described the partnership as a collaboration.

“It started with doing other things together. So she said, ‘We have Kamiseta, why don’t we do that?’

That’s the reason why we can do other projects together outside Kamiseta.

We’re actually doing other stuff apart from the fashion collection. We’re doing a home line,” Heart told Manila Standard as to how the collaboration with Kamiseta’s Cris Roque began.

Entitled Love Marie for Kamiseta, Heart turned her paintings from 2014 into wearable art. LM for Kamiseta features prints from her beautiful paintings and designs that reflect her elegant and glamorous style—all translated into Kamiseta’s chic fashion that the brand is known for.

“I gave them all of my paintings and they can do whatever they want with them. So, from the initial 12 paintings, there will be more designs that will come out or it depends on how long we’re going to work together, which I hopefully a long time,” she said.

According to the 33-yearold multihyphenate star, the much-awaited collaboration is about making a statement—from the pleated dresses and pleated skirts to black and white dresses and ensem-

ISAH V. RED

Heart Evangelista-Escudero with Kamiseta owners Gunn and Cris Roque with their daughter during a recent media launch to announce their big fashion collaboration.

bles with muted colors.

“My passion for painting is so sacred and personal to me,” she said. “What inspires me to paint is life, my emotions, through my paintings I want people to understand that life isn’t always happy but you should be always hopeful that’s why I use bright colors in my paintings, that’s what I want people to feel about me and when they see my art.”

Heart’s love affair with fashion started

ever since she’s a little girl. She has always seen fashion, more than looking beautiful, as a way of expressing her self as a person, as a woman. She sees true beauty as not just about looking good on the outside, but also feeling good on the inside.

“The inner confidence in knowing who you are, believing in your dreams, and following your heart, is what make you radiate from within,” she shared.

“When you see someone dressed up so amazingly, and confident with what she’s wearing, no matter how she interprets her fashion statements, and you see her conquering the world at the same time, it’s so inspiring. I mean, that’s power,” Heart added.

Heart’s rise to fame in the fashion world is no wonder, given her chic, casual and elegant style. She prefers classic and timeless clothing with a playful mix of accessories.

Apart from being an emerging international style icon, a famous actress and TV personality, Heart is an accomplished artist and painter. Hence, she uses Love Marie as a way of separating her as the artist from who she is known for in the showbiz world.

“I wanted to reintroduce myself, I wanted people to know me and with my paintings it’s like my diary and people reading my diary without my words, what I went through at that certain time and so I wanted to reintroduce myself as me in real life and not me as what they see on TV,” Heart says explaining why the project is called LM for Kamiseta .

She uses Love Marie (her real name) as a way of separating herself as the artist from who she is known for in the showbiz world.

Heart Evangelista, art scene’s poster girl, collaborates with local fashion powerhouse Kamiseta to mass produce her paintings into wearable art.

Yolanda survivors in ‘G DIARIES’

FIVE years after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the provinces of Leyte, Samar and those in the Panay island, Gina Lopez featured them and showed how the people are moving forward in last Sunday’s special episode of G Diaries on ABS-CBN. The episode was called “Mga Kwento ng Pagbangon.”

Gina took the audience to a stirring trip to Eastern Samar, Samar, Northern Palawan, and Panay Islands, heavily damaged by the typhoon.

ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation, Inc. (ALKFI) – Operation Sagip focused its relief and rehabilitation efforts on those areas utilizing the P1 Billion worth of donations from different companies, organizations, and individuals from all over the world. The amount raised was allotted to a variety of relief operations, like education and infrastructure, livelihood and health, logistics and support services and, monitoring and evaluation.

Among the recipients of relief assistance were Leonila Gacutno of Basey, Samar, Sohoton caves kayaking guide Estelita Alibado, and surfer Adelardo Pompa of Daguitan from the Sabang Daguitan Surf Camp in Leyte.

Students Eldon Banotan, Lorence Segarino, and Jamela Bancilian also shared how studying became more enjoyable now that they have better, sturdier and more conducive classrooms in Busuanga, Palawan.

Another beautiful story worth telling was that of Susan Austero. She achieved her dreams of working in the food industry, thanks to the new educational programs.

Apart from them, stories of hope and resilience among Filipinos in these areas were also featured. They have risen to help their communities recover from the disaster they had gone through. They, among others, included midwife Fe Bantigue of Jiabong, Samar who walked for hours daily to take care of pregnant women and called attention to the need for more health centers, and health. Sanitation officer Imelda Eusebio of Dagami, Leyte worked to help provide clean and accessible water to her community.

They are all involved in projects and interventions initiated by ALKFI based on the bigger master plan set by the Office of the Presidential Assistant Rehabilitation and Recovery (OPARR) to restore damaged facilities and to further improve the areas and lives of people and set them back as they were before the calamity struck the areas.

ABS-CBN Corporate Services Group 1 head Mark Nepomuceno and ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management head Robert Labayen also shared how the network mobilized its people and encouraged each citizen to take part in helping the survivors of the storm surge.

Meanwhile, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” finalist and now Star Music artist Sam Mangubat launched the music video of “Pagka’t Nariyan Ka” of Star Music, by Trina Belamide and Zion Aquino, produced by Jonathan Manalo.

The video is in commemoration of the fifth year of Typhoon Yolanda.

The special Yolanda episode of G Diaries aired last Sunday (Nov. 25), 10:15 a.m. on ABSCBN before ASAP Natin ‘To. Watch the replay on Metro channel on Saturday (Dec. 1) at 3:00 p.m. and Sunday (Dec. 2) at 6:00 p.m. and on ANC on Saturday (Dec. 1) at 9:30 a.m. Continued on C3

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of the

House

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

He House of Representatives of the Republic of the Philippines is considered the Fourth Hierarchy in the bureaucracy.

It is deemed an important component in the government as it is the lawmaking body that works hand in hand with the Senate to realize the pieces of legislation being pushed by the Palace and to address the needs of the Filipino people.

Currently, the Lower Chamber is composed of 297 lawmakers: 237 district and 60 party-list representatives.

The 1987 Constitution mandates that on the fourth Monday of July of every year, Congress, meaning the House and the Senate, shall convene for their regular session, signifying the start of another year of law making.

The opening of Congress is an important event, marked by the President’s annual State of the Nation Address.

Congress holds session from Mondays to Wednesdays; while the rest of the week is devoted to what the legislators call ‘constituency’ work.

In case of urgent matters or emergencies, the President may call special sessions. Under the 1935 Constitution, Congress holds session for only 100 days.

WHo CoMPoSeS THe HoUSe:

House Speaker:

Bastion of Leadership THe HeAd of the House of Representatives, called Speaker, is the presiding officer and the highest-ranking official of the House, and the fourth highest government official.

The Speaker is elected by a majority of all House members. The Speaker is the third in the line of succession for the presidency, after the Vice President and Senate President.

The Speaker presides over the session; decides on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member; signs all acts, resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenae issued by or upon order of the House; appoints, suspends, dismisses or disciplines House personnel; and exercises administrative functions.

A Speaker may be removed from office by majority of the members of the Chamber, or by death or resignation. In some cases, a Speaker may be compelled to resign at the middle of a Congress’ session if he loses the support of the majority of congressmen; in that case, an election for a new Speaker is held.

Despite being a partisan official, the Speaker (or whoever is presiding) does not vote unless in breaking ties in accordance with the Rules of the House of Representatives.

The first Speaker was Sergio Osmena in 1907.

The current Speaker is former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who represents the second district of Pampanga.

Arroyo was elected to the Speakership on July 23, 2018, and is the first woman and 21st person to serve as Speaker.

DEPUTY SPEAKERS

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

The deputy Speakers are the second highest-ranking officials of the House. In the absence of the Speaker, one of the deputy Speakers is tasked to preside during sessions.

There used to be only one deputy Speaker since the Lower House was first established in 1907 – the official was called Speaker ProTempore. It was only in 1995 (or during the 10th Congress) when the position of Speaker Pro Tempore was renamed to deputy Speakers. originally, there was one deputy Speaker for each island group of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. Then, in 2001 during the 12th Congress, a deputy Speaker “at large” was created. In the next Congress, another “at large” deputy speakership was created, along with a deputy Speaker for women.

In the 15th Congress starting in 2010, all six deputy speakers were “at large.” In the current 17th Congress, a number of deputy Speakers has been maintained. They are: Reps. Rose Marie Arenas of Pangasinan, Mercedes Alvarez of Negros occidental, Fredenil Castro of Capiz, Raneo Abu of Batangas, Prospero Pichay, Jr. of Surigao del Sur, Mylene Garcia-Albano of davao City, Arthur Yap of Bohol, Pia Cayetano of Taguig, Sharon Garin of AAMBISoWA party-list, Munir Arbison of Sulu, Ferdinand Hernandez of South Cotabato, Frederick Abueg of Palawan, evelina escudero of Sorsogon and Linabelle Ruth Villarica of Bulacan.

The growing number of deputy Speakers can be attributed to the increasing number of House mem-

On her leadership style: The keywords are hard work, selectively hands-on—and you’ve seen that in regard to the priority legislative agenda of the President—strict but hopefully, fair and open-minded. With your help and support, I see a productive year for the House under my watch.”

—House Speaker Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

bers through the years.

Based on the House Rules, deputy Speakers perform the following functions: -- to assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves, as the case may be, in cases of absence or temporary incapacity of the Speaker, until such time that the Speaker returns to office and resumes work; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death of the Speaker, until such time that a new Speaker is elected and qualified; -- to preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside, or has not designated any other Member as temporary presiding officer; -- to monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of Members representing constituencies to which they may be assigned by the Speaker; -- to recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures, and to effectively address concerns of Members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operat i ons

and integrity of the House; -- to appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker; and -- to perform such other duties and functions as may be assigned or delegated to them by the Speaker.

MAJORITY LEADER The Majority Leader is considered to be the “enforcer” in the House. The Speaker and the Majority Leader are the “Batman and Robin” in the Chamber so to speak.

The Majority Leader is elected in a caucus of the majority bloc. His primary function, aside from being the spokesman for the majority bloc, is to direct the deliberations on the floor.

In practice however, the Speaker chooses a trusted representative as Majority Leader.

In most cases in the past Congresses, a Majority Leader has been a lawyer.

Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya, Jr. is the current majority leader. A lawyer, he served as Speaker Arroyo’s Budget Secretary during her presidency.

MINORITY LEADER The Minority Leader is the acknowledged spokesman for the so-called minority bloc.

But it does not necessarily follow that he is also the leader of a party because the minority bloc in the House may be composed of one or more political groups.

Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in caucus of all Members of the House belonging to the minority.

He is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees.

The Minority Leader is not necessarily a hardcore oppositionist. His job is more to ensure check and balance in the Chamber.

Presently, Quezon Rep. danilo Suarez, who considers himself as a “constructive oppositionist” is the Minority Leader prompting observers to quip that Suarez belongs more to the “loyal opposition,” having worked closely with Arroyo when she was still President.

The Minority Leader also works with the Majority Leader, like being co-author to specific administration measures which the latter believes will be for the good of the Filipino people.

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Pillars Working

of the

House

Majority Leader:

Strategist and consensus-builder

By Peter Paul Duran

I

n the House of Representatives, the Majority Floor Leader (also known as the Majority Leader) is the dominant representative and delegate of the majority party.

The position is second-in-command within the hierarchy of the committee, following the Speaker and followed by the Minority Floor Leader.

The Majority Leader is chosen by the majority bloc of the House of Representatives in an effort to select the primary leader of the body. The role’s principal tasks are to administer, conduct and produce a consensus on the floor regarding relevant matters to the Rules of the House.

As part of a Working House, the Majority Leadership is a key pillar in making the House of Representatives the quintessential body of lawmaking in the country.

History

Appointment

The nature of the position is firmly rooted in the country’s history and traditional beliefs. When the Philippines was under the rule of the United States (1898-1935), its legislative body was known as the Philippine Commission.

The members of the Philippine Commission were chosen by the president of the United States at the time, President William Mckinley. With the Philippine Commission functioning as the Upper House and the Philippine Assembly functioning as the Lower House, the formation of a bilateral Philippine Legislature was established with the aid of the existing Philippine Bill of 1902. By 1907, the official legislature was instituted under the leadership of the country’s Floor Leader, President Manuel Quezon.

By 1916, the Jones Law, a constitution that declared the United States’ intent to granting autonomy and independence to the Philippines with the mandate of a stable government, was implemented. This led to an alteration in the legislation of the state. The Philippine Commission was terminated.

To make way for the new rule of law, the Philippine Legislature then consisted of a Senate and a House of Representatives. By 1940, the 1935 Constitution paved the way for yet another legislation change and created a bilateral Congress of the Philippines, continuously upholding a Senate and a House of Representatives.

Through the years, the legislative system underwent many modifications until the final and current revision: the 1987 Constitution. To this day, these Houses play a major role in the inner workings and functions of a secure government process.

The Majority Leader is appointed during a party caucus, a meeting where house members discuss policies and regulations while designating candidates to apply for roles in the party. The position is simultaneous with the duty of being the Chairman of the Committee on Rules.

The Philippines’ current Majority Leader is Rolando Andaya Jr., representing the first district of Camarines Sur. He was appointed on July 30, 2018, replacing former Majority Leader Rodolfo C. Fariñas of the first district of Ilocos Norte.

Duties and Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Majority Leader mainly focus on the processes, methods, and activities that are displayed on the floor. The position entails steady planning for the scheduling of legislation meetings and agendas on a constant basis, allotting assemblies daily, weekly, monthly and annually.

In the present set-up of the House, the Majority Leader is concurrently the Chairman of the Committee on Rules. As such, all matters relevant to the Rules of the House, specifically the calendar of bills, preparation of Order of Business and Calendar of Business are his responsibilities.

Strategy plays a large role in the duties of a Majority Leader. During floor debates and discussions, it is fundamental that the Majority Leader perceives manipulative maneuvers in the opposing party.

These observations prove to be beneficial during important consultations within the party regarding appropriate directions toward an ultimately successful outcome.

Rep. Rolando Andaya

Secretary-General and Sergeant-at-Arms:

Keepers of Order THE Secretary-General of the House of Representatives carries out and enforces orders and decisions of the House; keeps the Journal of each session; and notes all questions of order together with the decisions thereon.

He also completes the printing and distribution of the Records of the House and submits to the Speaker all contracts and agreements approval, and acts as the custodian of the property and records of the House and all other government property in its premises.

Subject to the supervisory control of the Speaker, the Secretary General is the immediate chief of the personnel of the House and is responsible for the faithful and proper performance of their official duties.

Like the Speaker, the Secretary General is elected by a majority vote of all the Members at the commencement of each Congress.

Dante Roberto P. Maling is the Acting Secretary-General of the 17th Congress.

Sergeant-at-Arms THE Sergeant-At-Arms is responsible for the maintenance of order in the House of Representatives Building Complex, enforcement of House Rules, and protection of the lives of the Officers and Members of the House, its personnel and guests as well as its properties.

Like the Secretary General, the Sergeant-at-Arms is elected by a majority vote of all the Members at the commencement of each Congress.

Retired Armed Forces Major General Romeo C. Prestoza is the current Sergeant-at-Arms of the 17th Congress.

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of the

House

Minority Leader:

Constructive critic, vigilant defender of minority rights

T

HE Minority Floor Leader of the House of Representatives is the leader elected by the minority bloc of the House of Representatives of the Philippines that serves as their official leader in the body. He also manages the business of the minority party in the Senate.

The Minority Leader is expected to be alert and vigilant in defense of the minority’s rights. It is his function and duty to criticize constructively the policies and programs of the majority, and to this end employ parliamentary tactics and give close attention to all proposed legislation.

The Minority Leader is also the acknowledged spokesman of the minority party in the House. But it does not necessarily follow that he is also the leader of the party because the minority party in the House may be composed of one or more political groupings.

Rep. Danilo E. Suarez of the 3rd Dis-

trict of Quezon Province is the current Minority Leader. He is also Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and a member of the Committee on Rules.

Like the Majority Leader, the Minority Leader is elected in party caucus of all Members of the House in the minority party. He is an ex-officio member of all standing Committees.

While the second placer in the election for the speakership is usually named as the minority leader, the rules were amended for the 17th Congress, where the minority bloc elects their minority leader among themselves.

Peter Paul Duran Rep. Danilo Suarez

Symbols of Power and Authority The Seal On September 23, 2015, the House of Representatives adopted a new seal through House Resolution No. 233, which is reflective of the character and tradition of the institution.

The Seal is in circular form with the National Coat-ofArms of the Republic of the Philippines but without the scroll and the inscription in the center. below the escutcheon representing the year the First Philippine Assembly was inaugurated. Eighty-one (81) Stars surround and guide the blazon representing the current number of provinces comprising the Republic.

Surrounding the whole is a double marginal circle within the lower part. These phrases are separated by two small five-pointed stars.

The Gavel The Gavel is the symbol of authority of the Speaker during sessions; and, in his absence, by the Deputy Speaker or any member designated to perform the duties of the Presiding Officer.

The Gavel is rapped to declare the regular session open, call the House to order, direct everybody to rise, declare a quorum, suspend session, resume session, approve a motion, approve a bill or resolution on second or third reading, and instruct/direct the Secretary-General to take specific actions.

The Gavel is also used to direct the Sergeant-atArms to impose order/discipline in the Hall, refer bills and resolutions to appropriate committees, refer committee reports to the Committee on Rules, send communications to the Archives, inform the body that voting will be conducted, declare approval of a bill or resolution on second and third reading, and call for attention, silence, order in the House.

The Mace The Mace of the House is a symbol of authority, which is displayed at Rostrum whenever the House is in session. It serves as the warrant for the Sergeant-at-Arms in enforcing order in the House upon instruction of the Speaker.

The Mace is in the custody of the Sergeantat-Arms.

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of the

House

Deputy Speakers:

Keeping the House a resolute lawmaking body

W

By Peter Paul Duran and Ciara Alarcon

ITH 297 congressional seats, the House of Representatives needs several officials with their own duties and powers to keep the institution running. They include the Deputy Speakers, currently made up of 14 honorable men and women from different districts of the Philippines.

It is important to note the role of the Deputy Speakers as the second highest-ranking officials of the House, in making the chamber a resolute body of lawmaking for the Republic.

Duties and Responsibilities

Rep. Rosemarie Arenas

Rep. Arthur Yap

Rep. Fredenil Castro

Rep. Pia Cayetano

Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez

Rep. Linabelle Villarica

Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano

Rep. Raneo Abu

Rep. Frederick Abueg

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez

Rep. Munir Arbison

Rep. Evelina Escudero

The Deputy Speakers assume the duties and powers of the Speaker when so chosen by a majority vote or by lot among themselves, as the case may be, in cases of absence or temporary incapacity of the Speaker.

This continues until such time that the Speaker returns to office and resumes work; and, in case of resignation, removal, permanent incapacity or death of the Speaker, until such time that a new Speaker is elected and qualified.

They also preside over the session when, even if present, the Speaker does not preside, or has not designated any other Member as temporary presiding officer.

The Deputy Speakers also monitor, coordinate and facilitate action on measures filed, requests, and other concerns of Members representing constituencies to which they may be assigned by the Speaker.

They also recommend to the Speaker appropriate policies, strategies and programs of action to improve the process of legislation and the quality of legislative measures, and to effectively address concerns of Members on matters affecting them, their constituencies, and the overall operations and integrity of the House.

They also have the power to appoint personnel of the House when so authorized by the Speaker and perform other duties and functions as may be assigned or delegated to them by the Speaker.

In addition, they are tapped to address matters concerning the overall operations and integrity of the House.

In the 17th Congress of the Philippines, as the Duterte administration eyes to shift the government system from a unitary to a federal system of government, the House now has a total of 14 Deputy Speakers, up from the traditional five to six.

The current Deputy Speakers of the House include: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Rep. Sharon Garin

Rep. Mercedes Alvarez of the 6th District of Negros Occidental; Rep. Fredenil Castro of the 2nd District of Capiz; Rep. Raneo Abu of the 2nd District of Batangas; Rep. Linabelle Villarica of the 4th District of Bulacan; Rep. Pia Cayetano of Taguig; Rep. Sharon Garin of the AAMBIS-OWA Partylist; Rep. Mylene Garcia-Albano of the 2nd District of Davao City; Rep. Munir Arbison of the 2nd District of Sulu; Rep. Ferdinand Hernandez of the 2nd District of South Cotabato; Rep. Frederick Abueg of the 2nd District of Palawan.

Rep. Prospero Pichay Jr. of the 1st District of Surigao del Sur; Rep. Arthur Yap of the 3rd District of Bohol; Rep. Rosemarie Arenas of the 3rd District of Pangasinan; Rep. Evelina Escudero of the 1st District of Sorsogon;

Rep. Prospero Pichay

HOR’s Legislative History Evolution of the Philippine Legislative System The Philippine legislative system has undergone a series of evolutions that reflected the sociopolitical conditions of the times and the level of political maturity of society.

It began with the unicameral Malolos Congress of the short-lived Philippine Republic of 18981899, followed by the Philippine Commission of 1901, a colonial legislative system composed of all-American appointees.

This body then evolved into a bicameral, predominantly elective, Filipino-controlled legislature by virtue of the Jones Act of 1916, and lasted until November 1935 when the semi-independent Commonwealth Government was inaugurated.

A unicameral National Assembly replaced the bicameral body after the 1935 Philippine Constitution was ratified. In 1941, the Constitution was amended, again restoring the bicameral legislature that came to be called the Congress of the Philippines.

Except during the Japanese-sponsored Philippine Republic from 1942-1945, the Congress func- and proclaimed by President Ferdinand Marcos on tioned as the national legislature until September January 17, 1973 amidst widespread protest and 1972 when President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed controversy. the country under martial law.

With the proclamation of a new Constitution, the presidential form of government was changed to a modified parliamentary form. Congress was abolThe Batasang Pambansa ished and was replaced by an elected unicameral - A Unicameral Legislature National Assembly, known as Batasang Pambansa.

The Batasang Pambansa was made up of a When martial law was declared, the Constitutional Convention, by virtue of an Act of Congress maximum of 200 members elected from different in 1971, was in the process of drafting a new Con- provinces with their component cities, highly urstitution. The final draft was adopted by the Con- banized cities and districts of Metropolitan Manila, vention on November 29, 1972. This was ratified appointed representatives from various sectors

from both ends of the political spectrum, forged a new government, triggering a chain of events that dramatically changed the political landscape of the country and signaled the rebirth of democracy.

These political changes were: the abolition of the Batasang Pambansa following the proclamation of a new revolutionary government; the organization of a Constitutional Commission that drafted a new charter which, in turn, was ratified in February 1987; the rebirth of the old bicameral system; and the election of members to the new Congress.

The New Congress

such as the youth, agricultural and industrial labor sectors, and those chosen by the President from the members of the Cabinet. The members had a term of six years.

The Present Philippine Congress The February 1986 People Power Revolution The world-renowned bloodless coup of February 22-25, 1986 ushered in a new political regime. President Corazon Aquino, backed by a coalition of forces

Photos by Perfecto Camero

The new Congress has the biggest membership and is probably the most powerful among its predecessor legislatures. The Constitutional Commission (ConCom) clothed it with vast powers to perform a wider and more dynamic role.

This fact is partly reflected in the Charter itself, which devotes 32 sections to the legislative department compared with only 23 for the executive and 16 for the judicial departments.

The new bicameral Congress consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The upper chamber or the Senate is composed of 24 Members elected at-large by the qualified voters of the Philippines.

On the other hand, the lower chamber or the House of Representatives is composed of “not more than 250 Members, who are elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities and the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio and those, as provided by law, elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional and sectoral parties or organizations”.

[Sec. 5(1), Art. VI, 1987 Philippine Constitution]