Manila Standard - 2018 April 12 - Thursday

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Du30 heaps praises on SAP Bong Go PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte in his chat on Wednesday morning with Chinese President Xi Jinping spoke glowingly of Special Assistant to the President Bong Go. Next page VOL. XXXII • NO. 56 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Chinese President Xi Jinping and Special Assistant to President Duterte Bong Go at the sidelines of the Boao Forum in China

Rody keeps very good rating—SWS survey PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s net satisfaction rating for the first quarter of the year posted a slight decline of one point even as it remained “very good,” the latest Social Weather Stations survey showed.

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This Court wants to know why so many deaths happened as expressly reported under the section ‘Fighting Illegal Drugs’ of the Duterte’s Administration 2017 Yearend Report.

—Supreme Court

SC rules: Drug war info no threat to national security

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has ruled that the submission by the police of information and documents pertaining to the government’s war on drugs will not compromise national security, contrary to the claim of the Office of the Solicitor General.

In an en banc resolution, the Court denied the motion for reconsideration of the Philippine National Police through Solicitor General Jose Calida to overturn its earlier decision compelling the authorities to submit documents pertinent to the anti-drug campaign.

The Court said that it would be ridiculous for the Solicitor General to claim that the documents contain information so sensitive that even the magistrates Next page could not look into them.

Grab told: Lower ‘surge’ rate ceiling THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board on Wednesday ordered ride-sharing service firm Grab Philippines to lower its surge cap from two times to 1.5 times while it is still processing the applications of new transport network company players.

“This is to ensure that the fares will be at a rate that is acceptable to the existing number of TNVS [Transport Network Vehicle Service] vehicles that are transferring to Grab,” LTFRB board member Aileen Lizada said at a hearing.

The management of Grab said it will comply with the downgrading of its Next page surge rate.

PH-BOUND. US fighter jet flies past other fighter jets during a routine training aboard US aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt in the South China sea on April 10, 2018. The carrier group Theodore Roosevelt is transiting through the South China Sea on its way to the Philippines from Singapore after participating in Operations Inherent Resolve (OIR) and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel (OFS) in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. (Related story on A3) AFP

Sereno ouster: It will be done, says Alvarez Dengvaxia receipts P200-m short, says Gordon

By Macon Ramos-Araneta DESCRIBING him as “manhid at walang malasakit, (insensitive and uncaring), Senator Richard Gordon said former President Benigno Aquino III could be charged with plunder over the P3.5- billion Dengvaxia mess—even though that is not among the findings of the Senate Blue Ribbon committee that he heads.

Gordon said there was a shortage of P200 million in receipts from the P3.5billion budget allocated by the government for the mass immunization program of the anti-dengue vaccine from French giant drug firm Sanofi Pasteur.

“Somebody profited and lied here,” Gordon said in Filipino. “It’s clear as day, we were duped.”

Gordon, who oversaw the Senate investigation into allegations of wrongdoing in the purchase of the Dengvaxia vaccine administered to almost a mil- DENGVAXIA MESS. Senator Richard Gordon, Senate Blue Ribbon Committee chairlion children, admitted that the blame man, shows the committee report on the Dengvaxia issue during the Kapihan sa Next page

in 2015 when the Philippines hosted the Apec summit.

However, Malacañang said it would still consult legal experts to make sure any accord would not infringe Philippine sovereign rights.

The President’s willingness to cooperate with China was in contrast with the previous stance of former President Benigno Aquino III who accused Beijing of encroaching, occupying, and building structures on reefs and rocks that the Next page

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Senado news forum in Pasay City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Lino Santos

THE Philippines and China have agreed to continue with the discussions on joint oil and gas exploration in the disputed areas of the South China Sea, after President Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping brought up the issue on the sidelines of the Boao Forum in Hainan Province, China, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Wednesday.

“There was a more or less a mention that joint development of offshore oil de-

velopment must continue,” Roque said.

However, no further details on the nature of the agreed cooperation were given.

The two countries have long been embroiled in a bitter dispute over the waterway, with China claiming nearly the entire sea, but Duterte softened his predecessors’ policy of opposing Beijing’s claims.

Talks on the possible joint oil and gas exploration may be given priority once President Xi visits the Philippines in November this year, the Palace official said.

The last time Xi visited Manila was

Barangay polls to push through—Comelec

By Francisco Tuyay and Joel E. Zurbano AFTER several postponements, the Sangguniang Kabataan ang barangay elections will finally be held on May 14 in the more than 42,000 villages except in Marawi City, the Commission on Elections said Wednesday.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said there were no places in Marawi City where voting could be held because of its destruction, and that the elections could not be held outside it.

He made his statement even as the Interior department said it was ready to file charges against dozens of village officials who are in the drug watchlist.

Interior Secretary Jonathan Malaya said village officials would also face

separate charges for failing to execute the plan of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council, a tool intended to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in their respective communities.

“The DILG will start filling cases against barangay officials who are in the drug watchlist and who failed to organize and execute the plan of the BADAC,” Malaya said.

Meanwhile, incoming National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said the Comelec could not simply order the candidates for the village and youth council elections to undergo testing for illegal drugs before the scheduled filing of Certificates of Candidacy beginning Saturday.

Albayalde said the aspirants and reelectionists in the May 14 Barangay and Next page

T

HE House of Representatives is committed to approving the articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno a week or two after session resumes on May 15, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Wednesday.

Alvarez said the House would act on the complaint swiftly since the committee on justice had already found probable cause to impeach Sereno and prepared the corresponding committee report and articles of impeachment against her.

“Our intention was to approve these before we took a break but we didn’t have enough time to do it. I’m sure that after the resumption of session we can approve these in plenary within one or two weeks,” Alvarez told a radio interview.

Before Congress adjourned March 21, the committee on rules had already referred the matter to the plenary for consideration.

A vote of at least one-third of all members of the House of Representatives is needed to approve the articles of impeachment and transmit the case to the Senate for trial.

Earlier, Alvarez said he would heed the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to

PH, China agree to pursue joint oil exploration talks

By Vito Barcelo

By Maricel V. Cruz, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Rey E. Requejo

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TROUBLED PARADISE. Tourists get off a speedboat onto Maya Bay, on the southern Thai island of Koh Phi Phi. Across the region, Southeast Asia’s once-pristine beaches including Boracay in the Philippines are reeling from decades of unchecked tourism as governments scramble to confront trash-filled waters and environmental degradation without puncturing a key economic driver. AFP

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News

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

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Congress probe of Bora closure, rehab sought

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta A LAWMAKER on Wednesday sought a congressional probe of Boracay’s shutdown supposedly to make way for its rehabilitation and the reported construction of a $500-million casino-resort on the island.

In filing House Resolution 1806, Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate urged the House of Representatives’ committee on natural resources and ecology to take action “to prevent any more damage to Boracay and to the people relying on the commerce of the island.”

Zarate made his statement even as Senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday sought a Senate probe into President Rodrigo Duterte’s Boracay master plan and his rehabilitation, relocation and livelihood plans for the island.

His proposed Senate Resolution 705 also asked the appropriate Senate committee to further assess the readiness of government agencies in assisting the residents, workers and business establishments that will be affected by island’s impending six-month closure.

“Barely two weeks before the impending shutdown, the government has yet to present a blueprint on how it will rehabilitate the island and mitigate the impact of the said closure to its inhabitants,” Trillanes said.

“No clear plans and guidelines on how the government will handle the dislocation of workers and losses of business operators are in place.”

Zarate said the rehabilitation of Boracay’s waters and forests, waste management and the setting up of environmental safeguards to prevent the deterioration of the island was long overdue. But he said there was a serious concern that those issues―even if valid― might ruin the small businesses there and remove the jobs of tens of thousands of people to give way to the casino.

“It is very ironic that while the government recommends the island’s closure for months for its supposed rehabilitation, it allowed the entry and construction of a mega casino-resort in Boracay,” Zarate says in his resolution.

He says through the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the government granted a license to operate a $500-million, 23-hectare casino-resort in Boracay with construction to begin soon.

“Allowing the entry of this mega casinoresort is projected to add more burden to the island and its people and environment,” Zarate said.

“The carrying capacity of Boracay was estimated to have already been exceeded in the year 2010 or 2011, according to the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,” Zarate said.

“In 2009, only an average of 9,362 visitors and tourists flocked to Boracay every day, which was still within the carrying capacity. Today it is hosting on the average 14,182 visitors daily.”

Rody...

From A1 At least 70 percent of the respondents said they were satisfied with the President’s performance while 17 percent were undecided and 14 percent were dissatisfied.

Duterte’s net satisfaction rating in the previous quarter stood at 71 percent.

This give the President a net satisfaction rating of +56, which is classified by SWS as “very good.”

Compared to the survey results in December 2017, Duterte’s net satisfaction rating in Mindanao rose by 2 points at +82, which is equivalent to “excellent.”

He maintained a “good” to “very good” rating in Metro Manila (+54), Balance Luzon (+39), and Visayas (+65).

The nationwide survey conducted from March 23 to 27 with 1,200 respondents and a margin of error of +/- 3 percent.

Du30...

From A1 Now in Hong Kong to meet overseas Filipino workers, Duterte and Go talked about their Chinese ancestry with President Xi, with Duterte extolling Go for being very kind and hardworking.

Duterte and Go have Chinese lineage. In past interviews with Chinese media, including by news service Xinhua, Duterte traced his roots to a grandfather from Xiamen in China’s Fujian province.

There is a mounting clamor in the Philippines for Go to seek higher office in the 2019 mid-term elections.

Last month, various sectors met in Manila to convince Go seek an elective post like a seat in the Philippine Senate. Go was noncommittal although he was profuse in thanking, through a phone call, his supporters who came from all over the country.

It remains to be seen though if Go would throw his hat into the political ring if President Duterte himself gives his blessing.

A Palace source said Go may be prevailed upon by Duterte himself to serve through an elective post. In serving Duterte as Davao City mayor and now as President, Go himself has been serving Filipinos, added the source.

“If the President sees SAP Bong Go doing much, much more as a senator perhaps, then why not? I think the President will be the first to give SAP Bong Go the wings to fly,” said the Palace insider.

An observer on the Duterte-Go-Xi chat remarked: “Those are the ties that bind them— their Chinese lineage, and their being thrust by history in the position to serve others.”

Duterte okays oversight panel to study 3rd telco Duterte signed Administrative Order 11 creating the oversight committee composed of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Finance, Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Security Adviser.

The AO, signed on April 6, says telecommunications is an essential infrastructure

for the country’s economic development and competitiveness.

Based on the Global Information Technology Report 2016 of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines has one of the most expensive telecommunications services in Southeast Asia, with an affordability level for entry-level broadband services higher than the threshold set by the United Nations

Broadband Commission.

Duterte’s order also says the entry of a new major player in the telecommunications market will benefit the public and ensure genuine competition, which is monopolized by telecoms firms Smart and Globe.

Duterte earlier said he wanted a new telecommunications company operating

by March 2018, but it was moved to May before it was again moved to either the end of June or July.

Roque earlier said Duterte asked China to become the third telecommunications operator in the Philippines during his meeting in Malacañang with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in November last year.

Sereno...

From A1

of the House to hasten Sereno’s impeachment, Gordon said House members can always say no.

“The House is a co-equal body and they could say no to the President,” Gordon said.

He dismissed the President’s remarks as amounting to undue interference.

Earlier, at least four senators categorically said they will not be swayed by Duterte’s call that Sereno should be out of the Supreme Court and that House of Representatives should speed up her impeachment.

Senator Nancy Binay said she would base her decision on the evidence to be presented before the impeachment court.

Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, a former Justice secretary, also said that he would decide on “the basis of the Constitution, the law, and the evidence presented during the trial.”

Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, a staunch critic of Duterte, said the President can try to sway the chamber but those who have a stand will remain firm while those who are afraid of him will heed him.

Trillanes declined to name names, but said they will be known by their vote in the impeachment trial.

Opposition Senator Leila de Lima described Duterte’s declaration of war on Sereno as “unacceptable behavior” for any public official.

“But this is Duterte, and we have been used to his gangster governance for some time now,” she said.

After declaring Sereno his enemy, Duterte called lawmakers to hasten her impeachment to immediately kick her out of the Supreme Court.

“I’m putting you [Sereno] on notice that I am now your enemy and you have to be out of the Supreme Court,” Duterte said before flying to China for an economic forum.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, an ally of the President, refused to comment on

the issue as he will be one of the judges and will even serve as a presiding officer when Senate convenes as an impeachment court.

“No comment. Judge,” said Pimentel but asked that he be allowed to inform everyone that the Senate is ready for the impeachment trial.

Sereno appeared uncowed by Duterte’s threats.

“There’s no retreat! The fight continues!”

Sereno told her supporters who gathered near the Supreme Court compound in Baguio City after the oral arguments on the quo warranto petition filed against her, assuring them that she will continue the fight until the end.

Sereno made the statement after she was grilled by her fellow justices during the oral arguments, including Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, whom she had a shouting match.

Sereno, who is on indefinite leave, vowed to continue to be “a defender of democracy” and insisted she would not bow to the powers that be.

On Monday, Sereno publicly accused President Duterte of being behind moves to oust her. An irate Duterte quickly responded and called for Sereno’s ouster as his “enemy” and asked Congress to “fast track” the impeachment proceedings.

Sereno did not grant media interviews after the grueling oral arguments, which were highlighted by the spectacle of her twohour confrontation with De Castro, one of the magistrates who testified against her in the earlier impeachment proceedings in the House of Representatives.

It was the first time in the history of the Supreme Court that a sitting chief justice was grilled by her colleagues about her eligibility and fitness to her post.

Sereno was even required by her colleagues to answer their questions under oath.

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of an oversight committee that will pave the way for the entry of a third telecommunications company in the Philippines, Malacañang said Wednesday.

speed up Sereno’s impeachment. Irked by Sereno’s accusations against him, Duterte said he would ask Congress to act swiftly on the impeachment case.

“It will be done once we resume sessions,” Alvarez said in response.

But Alvarez said if the separate quo warranto petition against the chief justice prospers in the Supreme Court, this would render impeachment moot.

He said the quo warranto case filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida is a separate legal course of action that questions the validity of Sereno’s appointment to the office.

On the other hand, Alvarez said the impeachment process seeks to make an impeachable official accountable for the actions she took while serving in office.

“Who are we going to impeach if she turns out to be a fake chief justice? If she is not really the chief justice or a justice, then we have nobody to impeach,” Alvarez said.

On Tuesday the Supreme Court held oral arguments on the quo warranto case Calida filed against Sereno.

After the oral arguments, the Supreme Court gave Sereno and Calida 10 days to submit their respective memoranda to the court.

Senator Richard Gordon on Wednesday guaranteed that Sereno would be judged based on “what is right and what’s wrong, and what’s legal and what’s illegal when the House transmits her impeachment case to the Senate.

Speaking in Wednesday’s “Kapihan sa Senado,” Gordon said he believes senators would be objective when they sit as jury in the impeachment trial.

While President Duterte urged members

PH,...

From A1 Philippines claims as part of its exclusive economic zone.

The international arbitration tribunal ruled in 2016 invalidating Beijing’s claims on the entire South China Sea, but when Duterte assumed the presidency, he set aside the ruling while courting investments and trade from the world’s second-largest economy.

Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan and Vietnam also claim all or part of the sea, and proposed cooperation between Manila and Beijing has caused alarm among neighboring Southeast Asian countries in the past.

On Thursday, Duterte arrived in Hong Kong and vowed to improve the lives of Filipinos, mostly domestic help, who worked there.

The President, accompanied by his daughter, Davao City Mayor Sarah Duterte Carpio, will meet with Filipino workers in Hong Kong to listen to their grievances and to see their conditions.

They were welcomed by Philippine Consul General in Hong Kong Antonio Morales and Deputy Consul General Roderico Atienza.

Upon his arrival in the former British colony, Duterte assured Filipino workers there that his administration is doing its best to ensure that every Filipino will have a comfortable life.

“As I am here for you, so am I also here for those who have left the country to support and provide a better future for their families,” he said.

Data from the Philippine Embassy in Hong Kong shows there are an estimated 220,000 Filipinos in the region, many of them working in the hotel and restaurant industry or in the households of Hong Kong residents.

The President said he will instruct Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III to look into some abuses committed by Hong Kong employers and to go after illegal recruiters.

Many Filipino workers in Hong Kong were victims of fraudulent loans and harassment by unscrupulous recruitment and lending agencies.

The President will also look into reports of alleged inhuman sleeping quarters or accommodations for domestic helpers and address

Grab...

From A1 “We respect the board’s decision to further lower the cap on surge and we understand their justification for it. This is in fact a critical time,” Grab spokesman Leo Gonzales told reporters. “We believe that as soon as the new players come in, the board will study again the cap.”

Gonzales said the drivers would be affected by the LTFRB’s order.

“We hope they will understand the reasons for it. We only do our best to serve the public,” Gonzales said.

“I’m sure the riding public will be hap-

any inadequacies.

Meanwhile, the President reiterated his gratitude to China for the assistance given not only in resolving the Marawi siege but also the rebuilding of the war-torn city.

“It spelled the difference between victory and defeat, at least on a shorter term, that we are able to put down the terroristic activities that have perpetuated in Marawi,” Duterte said, noting that it was a Chinese rifle that killed Isnilon Hapilon, the number one terrorist in the Marawi siege.

Also, during the meeting, Duterte also expressed delight on President Xi’s reelection as President of the People’s Republic of China.

Duterte assured Xi of the Philippines “fullest cooperation” in combating transnational crimes and terrorism.

“We welcome China’s hosting of the 6th Annual Defense and Security Talks to discuss better cooperation,” Duterte said.

The President noted, howeve,r that the two countries “can do more” to boost military and defense cooperation under the framework of the 2004 Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation.

“I’d like to say it in a very short way—we are with you in this,” Duterte said.

Before leaving for Hong Kong aboard a chartered Philippine Airlines, Duterte and Xi witnessed the signing of six bilateral agreements between the Philippines and China.

The first was the Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

The Chinese president also offered P3.8 billion in assistance to promote economic development in the Philippines.

“There was an agreement to further cooperation on terrorism and drugs. There was also another 500 million RMB or P3.8 billion in further economic assistance to be given by China to the Philippines,” Roque said.

He said the two countries have agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding on the Belt and Road initiative, China’s initiative aimed at expanding trade and transportation links across Asia, Europe and Africa.

It was signed by Department of Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Chinese Ministry of Commerce Minister Zhong Shan. pier. This whole issue with the acquisition and all and the effect on the market, the fares is very dynamic. We understand the board.”

At the same hearing, Grab’s lawyers said they were still interested in seeking reaccreditation before the LTFRB. When asked by Lizada about the high fares, the lawyers said prices were being set in the marketplace.

They also attributed the price increases to “drivers going offline, drivers who are off the road and even the holidays” as some drivers took their vacation.

Grab, however, assured the public it would be compliant with the fare rates set by the government.

SC...

From A1 “Contrary to the claim of the solicitor general, the requested information and documents do not obviously involve state secrets affecting national security. The information and documents relate to routine police operations involving violations of laws against the sale or use of illegal drugs. There is no showing that the country’s territorial integrity, national sovereignty, independence, or foreign relations will be compromised or prejudiced by the release of these information and documents to this Court or even to the public,” the Court ruled.

It added that the information and documents being sought do not involve rebellion, invasion, terrorism, espionage, infringement of our sovereignty or sovereign rights by foreign powers, or any military, diplomatic or state secret involving national security.

“It is simply ridiculous to claim that these information and documents on police operations against drug pushers and users involve national security matters so sensitive that even this Court cannot peruse these information and documents in deciding constitutional issues affecting the fundamental right to life and liberty of thousands of ordinary citizens,” the Court said.

The Court sustained its earlier decision directing the solicitor general to submit the records and documents related to the government’s anti-drug campaign within 15 days of the receipt of notice.

In its order issued in December 2017, the Court ordered Calida to submit within 60 days documents including the list of persons killed in legitimate police operations from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017, list of deaths under investigation from July 1, 2016 to Nov. 30, 2017, list of Chinese and Filipino-Chinese drug lords who have been neutralized, list of drugs involved whether shabu, cocaine, marijuana, opioids, etc., comparative tables in index crimes, statistics of internal cleansing within the police force and drug watchlists in affected areas.

The OSG was also required to submit the list of warrants and warrantless arrests in high value garget police operations and the list of cases under investigation under the PNP Internal Affairs Service.

Calida filed a motion for reconsideration, citing the risk to national security and saying this would put at risk the lives of informants in the anti-drug campaign.

In ruling against the government’s appeal, the Court said although it is not a trier of facts it would like to determine for itself, through the existence of the requested information and documents, whether the conduct of operations was indeed done in the performance of official functions.

In the same resolution, the Court said it has also taken judicial notice of the yearend report of the Duterte administration, which supposedly branded as “accomplishments” drug-related deaths.

Dengvaxia...

From A1 had not been fully established. But he said government investigators can look into the matter.

“I smelled something fishy here,” he said, when asked if the anomaly was linked to the May 2016 elections.

Defending his committee’s decision to spare former Health secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial from any liability, Gordon said she can be a witness later on. She was not a part of the people who “cooked” the deal with Sanofi-Pasteur officials for an “experimental drug,” he said.

Gordon also said Ubial was not the “most guilty” when she continued to program begun under the Aquino administration by Health Secretary Janette Garin.

Based on the draft committee report that has yet to be submitted by Gordon to the senators for their signatures the greatest transgression of Aquino was that he put the lives of Filipino children in peril.

“He simply did not care. He was insensitive and showed no concern,” said Gordon in his report.

Due to Dengvaxia, he said many parents became worried, restless, and sleepless.

“They were unsure of the lives of their children,” Gordon said.

He added that Aquino, Garin and former Budget secretary Florencio Abad and their co-conspirators must be held criminally liable and prosecuted for all the tragedy, damage and possible deaths resulting from the Dengvaxia mass vaccination program.

He said they can also be charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, following the deaths of children who were vaccinated with Dengvaxia.

Garin, the senator noted, could not possibly have been able to release money through a Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation, without the participation of Aquino and Abad.

Gordon said Aquino and Abad released the savings from the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund and committed technical malversation for programming funding to an activity that was not appropriated in budget by Congress.

“To get a SARO alone is very hard, but to get a SARO from savings of this magnitude of P3.5 billion leaves no doubt that it cannot be done without the President’s knowledge and approval,” said Gordon.

He said Aquino is responsible because he had caused the purchase of Dengvaxia that resulted in irreversible damage, possibly death to children and anxiety, sleepless nights, mental anguish and unnecessary expense on the part of the parents and guardians.

He also said the meetings of Aquino with Sanofi-Pasteur officials sent a signal that the company was being favored by the former President.

During these meetings, Sanofi-Pasteur already had a questionable reputation, with a string of cases involving bribery, false claims, anti-trust and other unethical practices, but Aquino still ordered the purchase of Dengvaxia, even thoug it was not in the 2015 budget.

“He (Aquino) was the one who decided to buy it. They spent P3.5 billion of taxpayers’ money to buy a largely untested drug against one disease.... He wasted the people’s money by spending P3.5 billion for a single, preventable disease...” said Gordon.

Gordon also asserted that Aquino is also guilty of malfeasance, misfeasance and nonfeasance, from the time he met with Sanofi officials in Beijing, China on Nov. 9, 2014 and Dec. 1, 2015, in violation of of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

“President Aquino is the highest official of the land. By meeting with mere senior vice presidents of Sanofi-Pasteur, he was sending a strong message and perception he was dispensing undue patronage,” Gordon said.

“And each time he met, the bureaucracy started acting with undue haste, losing all forms of objectivity, ignoring warnings from experts, local and international, and started it in wanton disregard of the health and welfare of the children and putting them all in grave peril,” Gordon said.

Gordon accused Aquino of putting a premium on political gain or even greed over the lives of innocent children.

Garin, on the other hand, disregarded the eight conditions of the Formulary Executive Council before an exemption from the Philippine National Drug Formulary is granted to Dengvaxia.

The Blue Ribbon Committee also found some former and current officials of the Health Department lisable.

Garin said Gordon was airing personal opinions that had not yet been vetted by the Senate as a whole.

Barangay...

From A1 Sangguniang Kabataan elections should voluntary submit themselves for drug testing.

“If I were a candidate for a barangay office, maybe If I were not hiding anything, I myself should volunteer for a drug test,”he said.

Jimenez said many voters had yet to return to their homes in Marawi City that were destroyed by the clashes between government troops and members of the ISISinspired Maute terrorist group.

He said the barangay officials in Marawi City would continue to serve in a holdover capacity.

Three months after the elections, the Comelec would be sending a team to Marawi to assess if elections could already be held there, Jimenez said.

The occupation of Marawi City by the Maute group in May last year prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to put Mindanao under martial law.

Duterte declared Marawi liberated last October after government troops killed terrorist leaders Isnilon Hapilon and Omar Maute following a five-month armed fighting. More than 1,000 people, mostly terror fighters, died amid the clashes.

News

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THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DILG to hold 9-day training for elected SK officials

Gadon in hot water for cursing, flipping finger at protesters

By Francisco Tuyay THE Interior department will hold a nine-day mandatory training program on good governance for the new set of youth leaders who will be elected on May 14 elections.

Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya said mandatory training for SK officials will be held on May 17 to 26 covering modules on decentralization and local government, SK history and salient features; how to conduct meetings and craft resolutions, how to do planning and budgeting, and code of conduct and ethical standards of a public official.

“For the first time in the history of SK, a mandatory training program must be participated in by elected SK officials before he or she can assume office,” Malaya said.

Malaya emphasized that SK officials who will not attend the mandatory training program will be disqualified or be meted with disciplinary actions.

“Non-attendance to the training without any valid reason shall be considered as an instance of deliberate failure to attend shall constitute sufficient ground to disqualify SK officials or subject them to disciplinary actions as per Section 27 of the SK Reform Act,” he pointed out.

Malaya said the training fee for an SK official will not exceed P2,000 which is chargeable against a barangay’s 10 percent SK Funds.

“We are hoping that this training will equip our youth leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills to perform their functions well,” he said.

Ex-newsman appointed to DFA diplomacy office FOREIGN Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano has appointed journalist-turned-diplomat Elmer Cato as acting assistant secretary for Public Diplomacy of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Cato, who recently served as Chargè d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Baghdad, took over the position after it was vacated last year by then Assistant Secretary Charles Jose, who is now Philippine ambassador to Kuala Lumpur.

Before his stint in Iraq, Cato served at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, where he held the public diplomacy portfolio from 2012 to 2015. He was also the Press Officer of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the United Nations from 2003 to 2010 and the Philippine Delegation to the UN Security Council from 2004 to 2005.

During the time of Foreign Affairs Secretary Domingo Siazon Jr., Cato served as Special Assistant for Media Affairs from 1998 to 2000 and as spokesperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on the Visiting Forces Agreement and later the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement from 1999 to 2001.

A veteran journalist before passing the foreign service examinations, Cato started his media career as a 16-year-old cub reporter for Ang Pahayagang Malaya in 1983. He later became correspondent for the Manila Chronicle, GMA News, Philippine News and Features, and Union of Catholic Asia News. Rey E. Requejo

MOA SIGNING. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director-General Aaron Aquino and Philippine Ports Authority General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago shake hands after signing a memorandum of agreement in Quezon City on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. PDEA and PPA will hold regular meetings and dialogues to improve cooperation to facilitate coordination and fast-tracking of prosecution of personalities involved in drug-related cases in seaports. Manny Palmero

Guevarra takes over DoJ, to focus on drugs, terrorism

By Rey E. Requejo

N

EWLY-APPOINTED Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra on Wednesday took the helm of the Department of Justice with a marching order from President Rodrigo Duterte to give “special focus” on the prosecution of crimes on illegal drugs and terrorism.

“He [Duterte] just reminded me to put special focus on the prosecution of crimes on illegal drugs and terrorism,” Guevara told reporters.

The new DoJ chief said that he would prioritize the review of the controversial drug case involving Cebu-based businessman Peter Lim and self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa and the decision of his predecessor, Vitaliano Aguirre II, to place alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim-Napoles under provisional coverage of the Witness Protection Program.

“I would have to review the past actions of the DoJ, more of the recent things give focus on these matters. I

am not prejudging [but] the first thing I will look at facts presented without premature conclusion [and] I would not be bothered by public sentiment” he said.

Guevarra said the President instructed him to weed out the DoJ of corruption and remove those who are involved in wrongdoings.

“He gave me a free hand to replace people, to bring his honor to the Department of Justice,” he added.

“First order of business to familiarize myself with the various functions of the DoJ as a lawyer. I know that I need to know the nitty gritty of the DoJ basically to know the key people here.

To determine for myself if there is a

need to make new recruits, to introduce new people to help me out in the DoJ,” he said.

While there will be changes in the DoJ, Guevarra assured that the reorganization will not be abrupt.

“Like any person who is new into the job I would like to have people in my confidence, but I want continuity. I don’t want abrupt. I have a lot of respect with people who have been here in some time even those under previous and present organization,” he said.

Guevarra admitted that the President will not intervene in his way of performing his duties.

“He [Duterte] expressly stated he would not interfere in any way in the discharge of my functions as secretary of justice,” he said.

He said even relatives or those close to President Duterte who would ask for any kind of favors from him would be disappointed.

“The President told me that if any of his relatives approached me asking for favors, consider it denied,” Guevarra said. “I can do what I need to do for as long as I follow the rule of law.”

Recto: PNP needs to fill huge gap of cops on the ground

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATE President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto on Wednesday said the first mission of incoming Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde is to fill the big number of personnel vacancies in the PNP, which is projected to hit 25,938 this year.

“General Albayalde seems to be a good poster boy for recruitment. But there are other programs and policies that could boost recruitment. They can expand the applicant base by relaxing height or age requirement. And offer more review classes to improve test passing rate,” he said.

“Before you can put more policemen on the streets, you have to put more of them in uniform first,” Recto added.

Recto noted that if all of these positions

are filled, and distributed equally to the country’s 1,489 municipalities, each will have an additional 17 policemen. If 20 percent of the slots will be allotted to cities, each will receive 35 more policemen.

He added that the challenge is to put “more boots on the ground.” He said the annual population increase of 1.67 million triggers a corresponding need to boost police strength by 3,340 yearly, on a 1:500 cop-to-population ratio.

“And if all of these new recruits will be given patrolling duties, it will solve the chronic lack of police officers on the ground,” Recto said.

At present, he said no police can be seen under a bridge, flyover o underpass.

“Sadyang kulang talaga.”

The PNP has an authorized uniformed troop strength of 194,410, of which only 168,472 are or will be filled this

year, based on the DBM-prepared 2018 government “Staffing Pattern.”

“But not all of the 168,472 are on duty—some may be sick, absent, on schooling, suspended, or assigned to administrative duties, so the actual policeman-to-population ratio at any given hour of the day is below what is on paper,” Recto said.

Recto said “to close the huge gap in unfilled police officer positions, the PNP must go on a recruiting spree, using the recent doubling of the base pay of the entry-level Police Officer 1 to P29,668 as a come-on.”

Salaries and allowances eat up 86 percent, or P113 billion of the PNP’s 2018 budget of P132.3 billion. A big chunk of the PNP’s personnel compensation budget goes to its 76,000 Police Officers.

BoC seizes ‘ukay-ukay’ container van

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs seized a container van of used clothing, also known as ‘ukay-ukay,’ worth P2.1 million at the Manila International Container Port.

“A shipment from Hong Kong, declared as personal effects and household goods, yielded bales of ukayukay after x-ray scanning,” Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said.

This prompted Customs examiners to conduct a physical examination on the said container.

The shipment was consigned to Proline Logistics Phils. Inc. with office address in Binondo, Manila.

“We will be filing charges against the importer and broker involved in the illegal importation of prohibited goods.

And if warranted, we will suspend their Customs accreditation,” Lapeña said.

Importation of used clothing is

banned under Republic Act No. 4653 to safeguard the health of the People and Maintain the Dignity of the Nation

by Declaring it a National Policy to Prohibit Commercial Importation of Textile Articles, commonly known as Used Clothing and Rags.

Meanwhile, Lapeña lauded 12 of the 17 BoC district collectors who have exceeded the March collection target.

The Customs chief reiterated his directive to all the customs officials and personnel to stop corruption. “Stopping corruption will remain a priority for the agency.

“We are not just after the target but more so in addressing corruption within the bureau. Even if you hit the target, but you do corrupt practices, you will also be subjected to one-strike policy,” Lapeña said.

“All that we are doing here are based on the marching order of the President which is stop corruption and increase revenue collection,” Lapeña added.

ELECTION ISSUE. DILG Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya and Comele spokesman Director James Jimenez discuss the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections with regards the condition and rules for the voters and for candidates in a press conference held at the DILG office in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

FROM accuser to accused?

This awaits lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, the chief impeachment proponent against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, for reportedly cursing and doing the dirty finger to pro-CJ protesters.

Domingo Cayosa, vice chairman of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, said the offended party or even those who witnessed the incident are welcome to file a complaint against Gadon before the IBF for acting in a manner that may be considered unbecoming of a law practitioner.

“Kung may magko-complain laban sa kanya—kayo o sinumang nakikita o sinumang offended party —ay makakaasa naman siya na ang Integrated Bar of the Philippines ay kaagad na iimbestigahan siya, mabibigyan siya ng due process, susundin ang rule of law, at mahuhugsahan siya ng kanyang mga kasamang abogado,” he said over a radio interview.

Gadon was in Baguio City on Tuesday to witness the Supreme Court’s oral arguments on Solicitor General Jose Calida’s petition for quo warranto against Sereno, and was sighted by pro-Sereno groups holding a program near the Court’s compound.

The crowd heckled and boos Gadon and called the lawyer a “salot,” (plague), while others gave him the finger as members of the media approached him.

Gadon angrily shouted back to the protesters: “Itong mga nagra-rally na ito, mga bobo at mga tanga ang mga ito eh, kasi very clear na ang violations ni Sereno, mali...” But he was cut off by a protester, prompting him to respond, “Ikaw [ang] bobo, p----- ina mo ka!”

Sought for his opinion, Cayosa was asked about Rule 7.03 of the Code of Professional Responsibility which states that “[A] lawyer shall not engage in conduct that adversely reflects on his fitness to practice law, nor shall he whether in public or private life, behave in a scandalous manner to the discredit of the legal profession.”

But Gadon said he was not aware of any law, legal opinion, or jurisprudence that prohibits raising a middle finger, widely considered a rude gesture.

He added that he does not regret what he did, saying that he was provoked for doing so by the protesters.

“Ako ang isang taong walang pagkukunwari, hindi ako hipokrito na kapag ako minura [ay] babatuhin ko ng tinapay, hindi ako ganun. ‘Pag minura ako, mumurahin ko ng sampung beses,” Gadon said in a separate interview.

US aircraft carrier Roosevelt arrives for port visit in Manila THE Aircraft Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), embarked with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), arrived in Manila for a port visit beginning April 11.

Named after the 26th US President and commissioned on Oct. 25, 1986, USS Theodore Roosevelt left her homeport in San Diego, California on Oct. 6, for a regularly-scheduled deployment to the US 7th and 5th Fleet areas of responsibility.

“We are excited to visit the Philippines and spend time in this part of the IndoPacific,” said Rear Admiral Steve Koehler, commander of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9.

Sailor 3rd Class Andrew Langholf said most of USS Theodore Roosevelt Sailors and Marines are excited about the port-ofcall on Manila’s South Harbor, since many of them “have strong ties to the Philippines,” Langholf, the mass communication specialist of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs, quoted Koehler as saying: “The Philippines has long been a part of U.S. Navy history, and we look forward to continuing that valued relationship and partnership.”

A statement Langholf radioed to the U.S. Embassy Information Office in Manila said: “Many Theodore Roosevelt Sailors and Marines have strong ties to the Philippines,” according to Captain Carlos Sardiello, Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding officer.

“There are several ‘Rough Riders’ who are from the Philippines or who have family in the country. We are excited for them to be able to share their culture with fellow shipmates and spend time with loved ones there,” Sardiello said.

With reports from Nash B. Maulana

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Opinion

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

M

Brillante Mendoza’s problematic ‘Amo’ NETIZENS are clamoring for Netflix to drop Cannes-winning filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s ‘Amo,’ a series he says depicts the “necessary” drug war in the Philippines.

‘Amo’ is the first Philippine series to have been picked up by streaming entertainment giant Netflix, known for a similar series titled ‘Narcos.’ It is a major coup for Mendoza and his team.

‘Amo,’ a 12-episode series produced by broadcast network TV5, was for worldwide rollout April 9, 2018.

Mendoza, a supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte, created the internationally acclaimed films ‘Serbis,’ ‘Kinatay,’ ‘Thy Womb,’ and most recently ‘Ma Rosa,’ which also deals with the world of small-time drug dealers and corrupt police. He also directed the past two State of the Nation Addresses.

Mendoza had defended the government’s tokhang program, telling AFP in a phone interview that the drug war “is necessary for the Philippines—not only for the Philippines but also other countries afflicted with the drug problem.”

In BBC interview he says his controversial series shows people “both sides of the coin, not just the side of government but also the side of the victims and the police. There is a lot of corruption among them and they are partly to blame.”

Facebook faces up

ARK Zuckerberg, the 33-year-old chief executive of social media giant Facebook, faced US lawmakers this week over allegations of privacy violation involving 87 million of its users worldwide.

The issue started when it was revealed that Cambridge

Analytica, a consultancy firm with ties to the campaign of US President Donald Trump, harvested personal information not only of the Facebook users who took a seemingly innocuous online quiz, but of the friends of these users.

Needless to say, the data was used without their permission, even as they willingly posted this on Facebook out of their own accord.

Zuckerberg apologized during the hearing and said that his team’s priority now is fighting election interference not only in the US but in all democracies around the world.

He said one of his greatest regrets in running the company was being slow to uncover and act against disinformation campaigns by trolls during the US elections.

The company initially maintained that it was a mere platform and thus could not exert censure over what appears on people’s walls. That seems to have turned now, with Zuckerberg acknowledging that they are, indeed, responsible for content.

He also said they would probe every application that gains access to users’ information and ban those who are doing anything improper.

While Zuckerberg is an American citizen facing US

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

lawmakers, Filipinos should follow developments given our high stakes in the Facebook issue.

It is likely that when it was conceived, Facebook was just really a tool to connect with friends and family.

But because technology evolves in a way that people do not expect, even the best of intentions are trumped by increasingly creative and sophisticated minds. They push boundaries to their advantage because there are no rules yet to govern how they act.

The ordinary user should be made aware that one can tend to lose control over any information volunteered to the site, however harmless that information appears. Worse, they can be swayed into something—buying a product, availing of services, or voting for an individual—they did not quite bargain for.

Turn to A5

WHEN my good friend, Dante Arevalo Ang, chairman emeritus of The Manila Times, convinced me to write my memoirs, I was hesitant. I was no celebrity.

I had the experience of meeting celebrities, though, especially in the 1990s when I was living at Ecology Village.

My neighbors then were Edu Manzano, then living with Maricel Soriano, former Miss Universe Margie Moran, then separated from Tonyboy Floirendo, and the late Bert Nivera, who was with his first wife Conchita Razon.

They were all good friends especially Edu who would share goodies with me and my wife. Martin, Bert’s son, was not yet famous then. *** President Duterte tagged the once island paradise of Boracay as a cesspool, and now it is being closed for months. Now many other places are coming to mind.

Other places that demand urgent attention are Baguio City, Pasig River and Manila Bay into which the Pasig flows.

Manila Bay has become a real cesspool because all incoming vessels dump all their waste into it.

I recall the tremendous job of cleaning and rejuvenating Manila Bay. But afterward, people can again take a dip during the summer months.

Manila Bay is a problem not just of the city of Manila, but the entire government.

Some say the series misrepresents the drug war.

Netizens, however, lambasted the director, who coolly replied in a Tweet, “To each his own.” The arguments against ‘Amo’ include the glorification and justification of the drug war, which has claimed some 4,000 lives by official count and triple that according to human rights bodies.

Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phelim Kine told BBC News that the series seems to misrepresent the drug war. “The Philippine government,” said Kine, “presents a whitewashed view of Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war that paints a ludicrous veneer of civility and lawfulness. They will be well-pleased by the first two episodes of ‘Amo.’” He pointed to “one of the most notably preposterous elements of the show” being the “significant number of suspected drug users and dealers actually surviving their encounters with the Philippine National Police, which is contrary to what has actually been occurring since the drug war began in 2016.”

Kine also said that “any dramatic representation of the drug war should stick to the same facts that motivated an ICC examination of the killings, rather than provide an airbrushed version which does detriment to the truth while benefiting the Duterte government’s formidable propaganda machine.”

Other netizens pointed out that drug-themed shows such as ‘Narcos,’ ‘El Chapo,’ and ‘Breaking Bad’ are popular nowadays. However, given Mendoza’s political leanings and the fictionalization of the series’ stories, there might be a lack of objectivity in the creation of narratives for the show.

One of the most poignant objections to the show’s airing comes from Luzviminda Siapo, a former

Another cesspool

and Solomon Island, etc, but also routinely sent various medical missions and volunteer doctors to overseas countries.

Located at a key position in East Asia, Taiwan shares environmental similarities for communicable disease outbreaks with neighboring countries and is frequently visited by international travelers.

This makes Taiwan vulnerable to crossborder transmission and cross-transmission of communicable disease pathogens, which could lead to their genetic recombination or mutation, and give rise to new infectious agents.

Unfortunately, as Taiwan is unable to attend the WHA and is excluded from full participation in related WHO technical meetings, mechanisms, and activities, this creates serious gaps in

The problem of Manila Bay is not a problem of the city of Manila alone.

It is the problem of the government in power. If other cities can keep their bays and rivers pristine, then the Duterte administration can do it, too. *** The issue of betrayal of public trust came about during oral arguments in connection with the failure of Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to give importance to the documentary requirements of her office. She did not submit a complete set of Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth, and it is now being used against her in the quo warranto proceedings filed by the Solicitor General.

The quo warranto petition questions the right of Sereno to become chief justice. Impeachment is a different matter altogether.

The Philippine Constitution is very clear when it says: “Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice and lead modest lives.”

Former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile, who presided over the impeachment trial of former Chief Justice Renato Corona, echoed that the provision is indeed very clear.

Section 10 of the same article in the 1987 Constitution enumerates the impeachable public officers.

Here is the kicker that applies directly to Sereno as chief justice. “A public officer or employee shall upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as may be required by law submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities and net worth. In the case of the President, Vice President, the members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Let Taiwan participate in the 2018 World Health Assembly

By Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin THE enjoyment of good health is one of the universal human rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. It is morally wrong for any country or organization to deprive the 23 million Taiwanese people of their fundamental health rights to participate in 2018 WHA and to share international health information as well as the prevention of disease and epidemics.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the SARS outbreak. Fifteen years ago, as a result of the cruel deprivation of Taiwan’s fundamental health rights imposed by Beijing, Taiwan lost many lives to SARS and greatly suffered. Although Taiwan is back on its feet and has devel-

oped an ever stronger disease prevention system, Taiwan is still being prevented from participating in the WHA on political grounds and cannot make contributions towards the uplift of international health and medical services.

Virus infection knows no borders.

Only when every member of the international community is included in this collective fight against diseases, the negative effects of the next potential pandemic outbreak will be minimized.

Taiwan, similar to the Philippines, is one of the key health provider for many developing countries and various Pacific nations, and Taiwan is also one of the most important links of global disease prevention network. Taiwan not only built many hospitals and clinics for the developing countries such as Malawi

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www. manilastandard.net

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Opinion

WHILE the European Union gears up for another of its endless post-crisis bouts over spending, debt and deficits, Berlin’s German Historical Museum has turned a microscope onto the mania for saving in Europe’s largest economy.

“Merkel’s bullying”, “Queen of austerity”, “German dogma”: headlines from around the EU greet visitors to the baroque pile on the leafy Unter den Linden boulevard that houses the museum.

All are relics of Berlin’s insistence that eurozone members stick to strict limits on debts and deficits at the height of the currency bloc’s post2008 financial blues.

Politicians and the public have been puzzled by the rage from other nations, while Spaniards, Italians and above all Greeks have cursed Berlin for soaring unemployment and slashed government services.

“These attacks meet with little understanding in Germany. Why is this conflict so highly charged emotionally?” questioned museum chief professor Raphael Gross.

To most Germans, saving around 10 percent of their income has long been an “unquestioned virtue” come war, inflation, famine or fortune, Gross noted.

Witness to that fact are some 2.3 trillion euros ($2.8 trillion) socked away in savings accounts or under mattresses, according to a January report by Germany’s central bank, the Bundesbank.

Curator Robert Muschalla said he deliberately wanted to provoke with the title of the exhibition—“Saving: History of a German virtue.”

“The idea isn’t to say that saving is good or bad, it’s about opening a debate on a topic that is seen as selfevident in Germany... saving has become internalized into a habit,” he explained.

Gold for iron To understand Germans’ nest-egg neurosis, visitors must look back to the 18th century, when the building that today houses the museum was the arsenal of militaristic Prussia.

Like neighboring France, Prussia and other German states were roiled by emancipatory ideas spread by the Enlightenment thinkers of the time.

But “while the French carried out their Revolution [in 1789], the Germans invented saving” as the foundation of personal autonomy and a means to pay for education, Muschalla pointed out.

The first of the Sparkasse savings banks that dot cityscapes to this day was opened in free city Hamburg in 1778.

Prussia boasted some 278,000 sav-

Another...

From A4

Court, the constitutional commission and other constitutional offices, and offices of the armed forces with general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.”

Enrile is emphatic that these are mandatory, thus observed by persons concerned. No public officer or employee of the government, no matter how high his rank or vast his power, can cavalierly ignore these commands much less disdainfully defy them.

I would like to add that all public officers must act with rectitude, especially the chief justice—the first among equals among the Supreme Court justices.

Brillante...

From A4

ings accounts by 1850 and 2.2 million by 1875.

To a state that had asked citizens to fund its war effort against Napoleon by exchanging gold jewellery for iron rings, the savings system was a natural bulwark against enemies within and without.

Communist thinker Karl Marx raged in “Das Kapital”—a first edition of which can be seen among the exhibits—that workers’ cash piles kept them invested in the capitalist system, giving them something to lose in case of a revolution.

And when World War I broke out in 1914, ordinary citizens’ savings again helped foot the bill for the bloodletting.

Truckloads of cash At the heart of the exhibition stands the symbol of what came next -- a replica of the wheelbarrows used to haul stacks of near-worthless banknotes through the streets during the hyperinflation of the early 1920s.

Adolf Hitler’s Nazi party was quick to seize on the opportunity, placing “saving in opposition to lending,” curator Muschalla said.

A “background noise of anti-Semitism” painted finance and credit as the province of their preferred scapegoat for Germany’s ills, the Jews, he added.

Propaganda posters from 1938—five years after the Nazis seized power— hailed “those who work and save” as the guardians of “German tradition.”

Under Hitler’s Third Reich, a “Sparautomat” or savings machine was installed in many schools, allowing children to deposit pennies and pull a lever to mark their savings books.

Meanwhile, the regime began confiscating Jews’ bank deposits in 1938, a few years before it began deporting them to forced labor and extermination camps.

‘Stinginess is cool’ After the Nazis’ 1945 defeat, the new Federal Republic of Germany turned westwards and became a thriving capitalist economy.

But unlike Americans or western European neighbors, the new Germans still shunned purchases on credit, hoarding their deutsche marks until they could afford a car, fridge or television -- and keeping the savings machines in schools, minus the Nazi propaganda.

A poster preserved in the exhibition blares the “Geiz ist geil”—“stinginess is cool”—slogan used by the Saturn electronics chain in the 2000s.

In a society still obsessed with discount supermarkets and money-off coupons, saving is a “German pathology” lamented Die Welt newspaper columnist Henryk M. Broder in a video. “’Geiz ist geil’ is really the worst phrase—except for ‘Heil Hitler’—ever invented in this country,” he said. AFP Sereno is doomed, really, through impeachment. She is also a usurper— one who has no right at all to become chief justice.

To Sereno’s supporters, I say read the law. *** The findings and recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee on the liability of former President BS Aquino III, former Budget secretary Butch Abad and former Health secretary Janette Garin for the Dengvaxia controversy was not surprising. The mess affected hundreds of thousands of school children.

The committee also included the criminal liability of the giant French pharmaceutical Sanofi Pasteur.

For all the deaths that can be attributed to Dengvaxia, who will be responsible? Who will be accountable?

what after the international firestorm against his series erupted. In an April 8 interview for the Telegraph, he said, “I’m not saying that the [drugs problem] should be addressed in the way that this government is dealing with it. But people tend to criticize and to give their opinions without even going deeper into the issue.”

Despite any good intentions on Mendoza’s part, many Filipinos consider the series inappropriate at best and a glorification of the drug war at worst. This should be a clarion call to reconsider the show’s airing.

The drug war is a highly sensitive issue in our society and lack of objectivity in portraying its stories will be a disservice to all those who died unjustly and to their families dealing with the aftermath.

OFW whose disabled son Raymart was gunned down at the age of 19 by unknown assailants after having been “falsely accused” she says, by a neighbor as being a marijuana dealer.

Siapo wrote to Netflix asking them to cancel the show: “My son was one of the thousands of victims of President Duterte’s campaign against drugs. Now that ‘Amo,’ a show about the war on drugs in the Philippines, is about to be screened on Netflix, I am deeply concerned… I would like to ask you to cancel this show. War on drugs is not the solution. For me, killing is not right. Everyone deserves a chance to live and change his life.”

Siapo’s petition has garnered over 4,000 pledges, close to its goal of Dr. Ortuoste is a writer and com5,000. munication consultant. FB and TwitMendoza has backpedaled some- ter: @DrJennyO

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A threat to food security

Vice or virtue? Exhibition charts Germans’ mania for saving

By Daphne Rousseau

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ WE WERE alarmed by recent news about our country’s depleting rice supply. A week ago, the National Food Authority conducted a nationwide inspection and revealed that our country’s rice stock was only good for less than a day’s requirement.

Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco Jr., who is also the current NFA Council chairman, accused the NFA of creating an artificial rice shortage, causing an unsettling environment to the public.

The NFA later on clarified that there is no rice shortage in the country, just a low supply of affordable rice, specifically NFA rice. To me, the creation of an artificial rice shortage is unacceptable. Whether or not there is real rice shortage, this issue should not be ignored because of its threat to national food security.

NFA rice covers 10 percent of the country’s total rice consumption, specifically serving classes D and E, or 8 million to 10 million Filipinos.

NFA Administrator Jason Aquino said in a statement on January that the insufficient rice supply was due to the NFA Council’s disapproval of the im-

portation of 250,000 metric tons of rice from private traders. The National Food Security Committee submitted its recommendation to import rice as early as October last year, but was ignored by the NFA Council.

I fear that the shortage of affordable rice will be taken advantage of by the rice traders, to the detriment of the Filipino consumers, most especially the poorest of the poor. We are lucky that

This is another wake-up call for the President to review the fitness of the members of his Executive family in holding their positions.

the President took the initiative to talk to primary rice traders, and gave the rice importation his go signal.

Due to the urgency of the need to import rice, the President even considered transferring the NFA Council directly under the Office of the Presi-

dent. Several sources also said that the President is considering abolishing the NFA Council. The NFA Council is a policy-making body responsible for the food and rice security of the country. In my opinion, the NFA Council should be under the Department of Agriculture. These offices need to work hand in hand in addressing food security concerns. They must be responsible for accurate forecasting of food consumption, research and development for the improvement of agricultural production, and implementation of measures for our country’s food and rice security. Hence, I call on DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to step up and do what has to be done.

We have plenty of agricultural lands in our country. A lot of our farmers depend on these lands for a living. What is the government doing to maximize these lands and to ensure the livelihood of our Filipino farmers? It is sad that we had to resort to rice importation when we used to have thriving rice production.

The rice shortage issue is another wake-up call for the President to review the fitness of the members of his Executive family in holding their positions. I am looking forward to the President’s urgent action towards his Cabinet members who may be performing less than our expectations.

Reverting to military rank DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA HOUSE Bill 5232 authored by 2nd District Congressman Romeo Acop of Antipolo City has been approved by the House on second reading. The bill aims to amend Section 28 of Republic Act 6975 for the purpose of allowing the Philippine National Police to revert to using military ranks with the proviso that the rank be preceded by the letter P to denote that the rank is police, not military. The move was immediately endorsed enthusiastically by the outgoing and incoming PNP Chiefs.

Senator Ping Lacson, however, a former PNP chief and currently the chair of the Peace and Order Committee of the Senate, is against the bill. His main reason is that the Constitution mandates that the country establish a police force that is national and scape but civilian in character.

This being the case, it is safe to assume that that House Bill 5236 will be facing rough sailing when it reaches the Senate. It is worth noting that Rep. Acop is himself a retired police officer with two stars on his shoulders.

The bill of Rep. Acop and the ringing endorsement of the current PNP leadership are understandable. After more than a quarter of a century of using the current police ranks, star rank Police officers together with middle level officers are still being addressed using military ranks such as General or Colonel as the case may be. This is technically incorrect.

Will using military ranks automatically militarize the PNP and violate the Constitution?

Before we answer that question, it might be instructive to go back a bit.

When the Philippine Constabulary/ Integrated National Police was dissolved to form the new Philippine National Police by virtue of RA 6975, the officers coming from the Philippine Constabulary formed the backbone of the officer corps which up to this day is still the case, even as the number dwindles ever year. Since the Philippine Constabulary was essentially a

Let...

From A4

the global health security system and threatens people’s right to health.

In this era of increased globalization in which infectious diseases spread across boundaries, Taiwan has the urgent and practical need to become an important and indispensable partner in the fight of the global diseases.

Moreover, Taiwan has the ability to make substantial contributions to the global efforts on disease prevention and control, as it has established a comprehensive disease prevention system and organized numerous training workshops aimed at building capacity to prevent Ebola, MERS, dengue fever, and Zika in the AsiaPacific and Southeast Asia, thereby facilitating collective efforts to strengthen global health security.

military organization, the new PNP was naturally run like a military organization. This is in spite of the fact that the PNP leadership always made it a point to stress the civilian nature of the new Police organization. The PNP brass never really tried hard to transition to a truly civilian police organization to reflect the intention of the Constitution.

To be fair, there were efforts to move to something resembling a genuine civilian police organization. These have not been very successful. There were very good reasons for this. One is the nature of the prevailing peace and order situation at that time which actually has not changed very much. We still have the communist insurgency and others like the MILF, Abu Sayyaf and other terrorist groups which a purely civilian police organization is hard pressed to handle.

Will using military ranks automatically militarize the PNP and violate the Constitution?

This is part of the reason why even if the PNP is now using civilian ranks, the organization has not changed radically since the old PC/INP days. Yes, the PC companies were dissolved but these were replaced by the Special Action Force organized into platoons, companies, and battalions which follow the military table of organization and equipment. Provincial Commanders are now called Provincial Directors while Regional Commanders are now called Regional Directors but the command structure and culture are still basically the same.

Although all police personnel regardless of rank are no longer governed by the articles of war, there are still summary dismissal proceedings and confinement to barracks or camp, very much like the military. The top In addition, Taiwan was the first country in Asia to implement a national health insurance program, which boasts a coverage rate of 99.9 percent. Medical expenditures in Taiwan account for mere 6.3 percent of GDP. Taiwan is ready and willing to share its experiences with members of the WHO and other countries.

Last but not least, Taiwan’s participation will enhance the global health system and serve as a good role model for the universal health coverage.

This is why in January this year, the United States House of Representatives has passed a bill to direct the US Secretary of State to help Taiwan participate in the WHA. It is envisaged that through Taiwan’s participation in the WHA and the WHO, it can share its experience with other countries, including the Philippines, make timely reporting and acquire information on diseases, and play a constructive

PNP leadership which is basically composed of graduates from the Philippine Military Academy will all be gone by 2023 and will be replaced by graduates of the Philippine National Police Academy who might civilianize police management. But I would not hold my breath on this because the PNPA is very much a clone of PMA. What we have in the PNP today is a hybrid organization. A police force that is neither completely military nor totally civilian. There is really no true defining identity of the PNP and this is the cause of many of the disciplinary problems being encountered by the organization. A good example of this was what happened to the police personnel from Caloocan City who were all relieved some time ago for various disciplinary infractions. Except for a handful who followed their transfer orders, most of them tried very hard to have their orders revoked and many of them in fact succeeded and are now back to their old assignments.

This would have not happened in the old Constabulary days. What should have happened in the intervening years between 1992 and 2018 was for the PNP leadership to have made a determined effort to find and develop an identity for the new police force that can inspire pride, loyalty, and Esprit de Corps within the rank and file.

Unfortunately, the PNP simply did not try hard enough. Had it succeeded, President Duterte would probably have not proposed that the Philippine Constabulary be resurrected. It seems that he has better understanding of the kind of police force that the country should have. Being from Mindanao, he realizes the limitations of the current PNP establishment and would want a police organization more able in confronting all current peace and order challenges.

Twenty-six years on, the PNP has not yet made up its mind whether to be more Constabulary or truly civilian. In the end, however, whatever police organization we will end up with, it must be a force capable of accomplishing all its mission. What makes an organization military are the long established practices, culture, doctrines and traditions and less of the kind of ranks it chooses to use. role in global and in regional health protection. This would create a winwin scenario for Taiwan, the Philippines, the WHO, and the world community.

Taiwan and the Philippines are the closest neighbors. There are approximately 150,000 Filipinos working in Taiwan, and millions of Filipinos traveling through Taiwan. Last year, there were around 300,000 Filipinos visiting Taiwan. Given the bilateral close relations, for our common interests and protection of people’s health, I hereby humbly urge the Philippines Government, Congress, health organizations, and general public to support Taiwan for its participation in the WHA in May 2018.

Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin is the Representative of Taiwan/ROC to the Philippines

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 A6 Standard Manila

TODAY mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cop tagged in kidnapping arrested by AKG police

By Francisco Tuyay

A

N ACTIVE police officer whom the Philippine National Police Anti-Kidnapping Group tagged as the brains behind the kidnapping of Rolando Arguelles was arrested Wednesday, just after five of his alleged accomplices were killed in a shootout with authorities in San Pablo, Laguna early Tuesday.

PNP-AKG chief Senior Supt. Glenn Dumlao said Senior Police Officer 2 Leo Pamonag, assigned at the Police Regional Office-4A, was apprehended in a barber shop in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Pamonag, whose rank is equal to a staff sergeant in the military, was pinpointed as the mastermind of the kidnapping of Arguelles— a “high-value” drug target of the regional police—from his house in Barangay Mangilag, Candelaria, Quezon on Monday night.

Pamonag was identified by a certain “Lalaine,” whom police also arrested in the group’s safehouse in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, Dumlao said.

In an interrogation, Pamonag admitted

Antique mayor sued for cutting coconut trees

to providing the police uniforms and ammunition to the five slain kidnappers in the shootout when operatives rescued Arguelles in San Pablo City.

However, “Lalaine” told interrogators she saw Pamonag giving instructions to the kidnappers on how to carry out the abduction of Arguelles.

“Lalaine told us that she often saw Pamonag in their safehouse, giving instructions to the gang,” Dumlao said.

Pamonag was the one who rented a house near the home of Arguelles to monitor his activities, the AKG chief said.

With the arrest of the suspect policeman, Dumlao believed Pamonag’s group had al-

ready been neutralized.

PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa is set to promote operatives of the Candelaria Municipal Police Station and AKG who fought the five kidnappers in the bloody encounter in San Pablo City.

A posthumous promotion will be conferred to PO1 Ma. Zarah Baliton Andal of the Candelaria MPS, while meritorious promotions will be given to around 20 members of Candelaria MPS and AKG for gallantry, the PNP said in a statement.

The combined police operatives rescued Arguelles, who was snatched by the kidnappers clad in police uniforms from his house in Mangilag, Candelaria on Monday.

The suspects had demanded P800,000 from the Arguelles family for his freedom, parallel to dropping charges of illegal drugs against the victim, who is on the PNP drugs watchlist.

But the supposed pay-off was cut short after police teams chanced upon the kidnappers, which sparked the firefight. PO1 Andal was critically wounded and died hours after undergoing medical treatment.

PDEA signs pact with PPA to monitor drugs in ports

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday partnered with the Philippine Ports Authority to renew their alliance to curb the trafficking of illegal drugs and controlled chemicals through the country’s seaports.

PDEA director-general Aaron Aquino and PPA general manager Jay Daniel Santiago signed an agreement to hold regular meetings and dialogues to improve their cooperation, coordination, and expedition of the prosecution of personalities involved in drug-related cases in the seaports.

“Under the agreement, the two parties are enjoined to continue utmost cooperation and coordination to conduct an intensive and unrelenting campaign against drug smuggling, while encompassing the organized and systematic implementation of both the anti-drug and ports laws,” Aquino said.

The arrangement is an extension of a previous agreement between the two agencies signed on Nov. 7, 2012.

PDEA-7 seizes P12m in drugs

MISDECLARED.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña (center), Manila International Container Port Officer in Charge Michael Vargas and X-ray Division Head Atty. Zsae de Guzman present to the media P2.1 million worth of used clothing seized

by MICP operatives in Tondo, Manila.

The shipment was misdeclared as household goods and personal effects consigned to Proline Logistics Philippines Inc., with an office at the Centennial Escolta St., Binondo, Manila.

Norman Cruz

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has filed charges against a mayor of Antique owing to her alleged unlawful approval of the cutting of 245 coconut trees in the municipality in 2014.

The Ombudsman said Mayor Genevive Gumban Lim-Reyes of Caluya, Antique violated the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and one count of the Coconut Preservation Act when she “willfully, unlawfully and criminally” ordered the cutting of 254 coconut trees planted and cultivated on the five-hectare land of a certain Juliet Ramos in Barangay Tinogboc on Feb. 28, 2014.

It said Reyes used her position as public servant by approving the clearing operations without due consideration of Ramos’s civil rights.

Reyes also was found to have conducted the tree cutting “without compliance with the legal processes of a prior public consultation and judicial recovery of possession, absent a permit to cut the said coconut trees from the Philippine Coconut Authority.”

The anti-graft court recommended a P42,000 bail for Reyes, P30,000 for graft and P12,000 for violation of RA 8048.

The case is part of the situation on Semirara Island, which is under Caluya’s jurisdiction. Hundreds of residents there had opposed their relocation by the municipal government, according to the Commission on Human Rights.

Lawyer Jonnie Dabuco, CHR regional assistant director, said the residents of Sitio Sabang in Barangay Tinogboc told a CHR team they did not want to leave their community and transfer to Sitio Poocan in the same village.

MMDA clears Sampaloc street after ‘8888’ complaints

By Joel E. Zurbano CHAIRMAN Danilo Lim of the Metro Manila Development Authority on Wednesday ordered the dismantling of illegal establishments, merchants and other obstructions along a street in Sampaloc, Manila following numerous complaints received through President Rodrigo Duterte’s Hotline 8888.

Lim said the state of congestion along the whole stretch of Geronimo Street in Barangay 432, Zone 44 has reached critical levels, with motorists and pedestrians finding it near impossible to get through.

Lim said the clearing operation is in re-

sponse to the directive of the Presidential Action Center to decongest the subject road where the Ospital ng Sampaloc is situated.

“Barangay leaders are aware of this clearing operation since this road was a subject of complaint through 8888. Residents have reported the presence of illegally-parked vehicles and food stall businesses on the road,” he said.

The President’s Hotline 8888 is dedicated to complaints against fixers, scalawag officials and poor government services.

Callers will be asked to identify the government employee and agency tagged in their complaint, date and details of the in-

cident, their proposed solution and contact details.

The complaints will be forwarded to both the concerned agency and the Office of the President within five days.

The MMDA-Special Operations Task Group conducted the clearing operations in Sampaloc with the help of personnel from the Manila City-Anti-Illegal Parking Unit.

During the operations, the MMDA did not spare food stalls, eateries, sari-sari stores illegally constructed in the area. All were dismantled despite residents’ plea for a longer period to tear down their stands voluntarily.

FIRST INVITATION TO BID 1.) Busuanga Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BISELCO), through its Bids and Awards Committee, intends to apply the sum of SIX MILLION EIGHTY-SEVEN THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED PESOS (6,087,200.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Purchase of Addons Consumers Requirements for CY-2018 broken down into the following:

INVITATION TO BID No. 10-2018 The National Irrigation Administration (NIA), Region 8, Marasbaras, Tacloban City through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), hereby invites Domestic Contractors, registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB), to bid for the hereunder contracts. Bids received in excess of ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Item/Description 1. Sta. Rita SRIP Contract No. 01-2018 – Construction of Main Canal (Earth Canal) of Sta. Rita SRIP, Sta. Rita, Samar 2. Sta. Rita SRIP Contract No. 02-2018 – Construction of Cut & Cover Canal of Sta. Rita SRIP, Sta. Rita, Samar 3. Sta. Rita SRIP Contract No. 03-2018 – Construction of Irrigation Facilities of Sta. Rita SRIP, Sta. Rita, Samar 4.

BHHDRIS Contract No. 33-2018– Construction & Repair of PostHarvest Facilities and Service Road of Bito RIS, Abuyog, Leyte 5. Cat-Bobon IP Contract No. 01-2018 (ReBidding)– Construction of Concrete Canal and Canal Structures of Catarman-Bobon Irrigation Project, Catarman&Bobon, Norther Samar

Approved Budget for Contract (Php)

Duration

Cost of Bid Docs

9,962,655.83

320 cd

10,000.00

29,514,943.87

320 cd

25,000.00

8,726,166.19

320 cd

10,000.00

19,047,619.46

300 cd

25,000.00

67,454,476.64

540 cd

50,000.00

The Prospective Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project whose value must be at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of republic Act 9184 (R.A. 9184), otherwise known as the “Government procurement Reform Act”.

Prospective Bidders are not allowed to participate if they have negative slippage in their on-going contracts. Individuals with Special Power of Attorney (SPA) are not allowed to transact and participate in the procurement utilizing another construction firm.

The schedule of BAC activities are as follows: BAC Activities 1. Issuance of Bid Documents 2. Pre-bid Conference 3. Receipt and Opening of Bids

Schedule Time Starting March 27, 2018 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

April 3, 2018 2:00 p.m.

April 16, 2018 10:00 a.m.

The BAC will issue a complete set of Bidding Documents to eligible bidders upon payment of non-refundable amount of the Bid Documents to the Cashier.

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

(SGD) ESTELITA S. SUMILE BAC Chairman

Lot No. Description 1 Conductor, Duplex, #6 AWG 6/1 (Meters) 2 Meter, KWH, 1 Phase, Class 2, 240V, 10(60)A, Bottom Connected, Electro Mechanical 3 TRANSFORMERS - Pole Type, 10 kVA Single Phase, Oil Immersed, 15 kVA Amorphous Core.

25 KVA 37.5 KVA 50 KVA 75 KVA

Qty. 4,500 1,500

Units meters pieces

ABC 1,209.600.00 1,680,000.00

10 5 6 6 3 1

pieces 3,197,600.00 pieces pieces pieces pieces pieces TOTAL 6,087,200.00

Contract will be awarded by Lots. Bids received in excess with the corresponding ABC per Lot shall be automatically be rejected at the did opening.

2. BISELCO now invites bids for Purchase of Add-ons Consumers Requirements for CY-2018. Delivery of the Add-ons materials (3 lots) is required within a period of fifteen (15) calendar days for Lot 1, twenty (20) calendar days for Lot 2, Thirty (30) calendar days for Lot 3. Bidders should have completed within three (3) years of before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the project.

The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the bidding documents.

3. Bidding will be conducted through Public Bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the National Electrification Administration’s (NEA) Revised Procurement Guidelines for Electric Cooperatives.

4. Interested Bidders may obtain further information from BISELCO Bids and Awards Committee Secretarial at address given below. A complete set of documents may be acquired by interested bidders starting on April 13, 2018 from the address below upon payment of a non-refundable fee of FIVE THOUSAND PESOS (5,000.00) for each lotfor Bidding Documents.

Minimum Capabilities: Optimal Capacitor Placement Distribution Load Flow up to 1000 bus One Year of free upgrade and user capability support Base Modules Expandable HV DC Transmission Link Additional Inclusions: Wind Turbine Generator and PV Array Free 1- year software and Technical Distribution Load Flow support Short Circuit (3 Phase LL, LLG & LG) – One full-year free program upgrades.

ANSI & IEC Terms of Payment: Star Protective device coordination and Can be amortized up to six(months).

Sequence of Operation Star Protective device coordination and Sequence of Operation Reliability Assessment

BISELCO, intends to apply the sum of ONE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND (PhP1,500,000.00) pesos being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess with the corresponding ABC shall be automatically be rejected.

2. Any Interested entity must submit their quotation in a sealed envelope not later than April 20, 2018 at the BAC SECRETARIAT, BISELCO Bids and Awards Committee, BISELCO Main Headquarters, Mabintangen Road, Brgy. 6, Coron, Palawan. Include the following eligibility documents in a sealed envelope:

6. Bids must be delivered at the address below beforeApril 30, 2018, 2:00 P.M. All bids must be accompanied with Bid Security of any acceptable form in the amount stated on ITB. Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline of bid submission in the presence of Bidder’s representative who choose to attend. Late Bids will not be accepted.

d.

8. For further information, please refer to: BISELCO BAC SECRETARIAT Mabintangen Road, Brgy. 6, Coron, Palawan Mobile No. 09274483532 E-mail Address: biselco79@yahoo.com

Certified True copy of Mayor’s Permit Certified True Copy of Tax Identification Number (TIN) or TIN Card Certified True Copy of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Registration List of works done and respective clients.

Offer /Quotation exceeding the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) shall be rejected.

3. BISELCO reserves the right to accept or reject any offer/quotation, reject all offer/quotation at any time prior to contract award, to exclude any item or reduce the number of unit and the corresponding ABC as determined by BISELCO and to award the contract to the Bidder with most advantageous offer, without thereby incurring any liability to the interested entities. (sgd) Engr. Selwin Y. Alili BAC Chairman

Noted by: (sgd.) RUTH L. GALANG General Manager (sgd.)ENGR. SELWIN Y. ALILI BAC Chairman/TSD Manager

(MS-APR. 12, 2018)

1. THE BUSUANGA ISLAND ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (BISELCO), through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) will undertake Alternative Mode of Procurement and invites interested entities to submit their Price Quotation for the Purchase of License for Electric Distribution Network Analysis Software with the following specifications:

a. b. c.

7. BISELCO BAC reserves the right to reject any or all bids, to annul the bidding process, and reject all Bids at any time prior to the contract award, or not to award the contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder/s.

CEBU CITY—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas seized an estimated P9 million worth of marijuana plants and P3 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” in separate operations here on Tuesday.

PDEA-7 agents raided a marijuana plantation in the mountain barangay of Tagba-o, Cebu City Tuesday morning, and uprooted a total of 22,532 plants and seedlings.

The Region 7 agency carried out the raid together with some members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command, Provincial Intelligence Branch, Cebu City Police Office, and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-7.

No arrest was made during the raid and PDEA-7 has yet to determine who owns the plantation.

At around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday., PDEA-7 conducted a buy-bust operation in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City and recovered 600 grams of shabu from two alleged underlings of self-confessed drug lord Franz Sabalones, who surrendered to authorities in Camp Crame more than a year ago.

The suspects were identified as spouses Misael and Janice Palermo of Lagtang, Talisay, who are both on PDEA-7’s watchlist.

According to PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Albiar, the couple was among Sabalones’ trusted underlings who have been dealing drugs in Talisay and Cebu City.

Albiar said the couple may have been operating on their own since they have not monitored any illegal activity involving Sabalones. They believe the Palermos are getting their supply from the same source of their former boss. PNA

INVITATION TO SUBMIT PRICE QUOTATION BAC SB 18-001 (Pursuant to Section VI of NEA Memorandum 2017-019: Revised Procurement Guidelines and Simplified Bidding Procedures for Electric Cooperatives IRR-RA 10531 (2017))

5. The BISELCO BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 20, 2018, 2:00 P.M. at the Conference Room of BISELCO main headquarters, Brgy. 6, Coron, Palawan. Attendance is optional, which shall be open only to interested parties who purchased the Bidding Documents.

Noted: (SGD) FERMINA B. ALING Acting Regional Manager

The new agreement included additional provisions prescribing PPA to provide office spaces for PDEA in the country’s major seaports.

“Under the agreement, PPA will establish offices for PDEA seaport interdiction units in 13 key PPA-controlled seaports nationwide, including K9 units and space for K9 kennels,” Aquino said.

“PDEA operatives assigned to the interdiction units will be involved in scrutiny of cargoes entering the country and will also sit beside the ports’ X-ray technicians to help in the detection of smuggled illegal drugs,” he added.

The Philippines has 7,107 islands and has one of the longest coastlines in the world, with over 60 percent of its population living along the coasts.

“Beside air travel, international drug trafficking organizations have to go by water to cover the Philippine drug market.

Hence, the pact sealed between PDEA and PPA is a step forward in securing our waters from drug trafficking,” Aquino stressed.

(MS-APR. 12 , 2018)

Approved by: (SGD) RUTH L. GALANG General Manager (MS-APR. 12 , 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Manila

Standard

TODAY

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

A7

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sixers close in on No. 3 seed

L

OS ANGELES—The Philadelphia 76ers powered to a record-breaking 15th straight victory on Tuesday with a 121-113 defeat of the Atlanta Hawks to stay on course for third seed in the Eastern Conference standings.

J.J. Redick led the scoring with 28 points while Ersan Ilyasova weighed in with 26 off the bench as the Sixers moved to within one win of locking up third spot.

Ben Simmons, who had been struggling with a stomach bug, added 14 points with 10 assists while Marco Belinelli had 20 off the bench as the Sixers set a new franchise record for consecutive wins.

The Sixers can seal third in the Eastern Conference in the final round of regular season games on Wednesday when they return to Philadelphia to host Milwaukee.

Sixers coach Brett Brown said he believes his team’s record winning streak can be the catalyst for a strong performance in the postseason.

“We have momentum, we broke a club record tonight,” Brown told reporters.

“It’s not like we’re a young club.

We’re an old club with a tremendous history. Taking that kind of momentum into the playoffs is important. It doesn’t guarantee anything but it certainly lets you feel you’re doing things the right way.

The team has been fantastic.”

Third place in the East could potentially be worth an easier route to the Conference finals, with the injury-hit Boston Celtics,

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ADDITIONAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2017- BEYOND 2020, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL APPROVAL,

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

6/49 6/42 6 3 2

6.

The Applicant 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner B.I.R. Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to R.A. 9136, otherwise known as the: “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001” (EPlRA).

It may be served with notices and other processes of this Honorable Commission through its counsel at the address indicated below.

7.

8.

1.

NGCP’s Final Determination for the Third Regulatory Period (3rd RP) covering calendar years 2011 to 2015, as approved by the Honorable Commission in ERC Case No. 2009-180RC has already ended in December 2015 and under the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR) , the Final Determination for the Fourth Regulatory Period (4th RP) covering calendar years 2016 to 2020 shall commence immediately thereafter. However, NGCP has yet to undergo its regulatory reset for the 4th RP as it is still awaiting the Honorable Commission’s position paper to guide NGCP in the submission of its 4th RP Application.

2.

Notwithstanding the absence of the Final Determination for the 4th RP, NGCP is mandated to ensure and maintain the quality, reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide grid. Hence, NGCP seeks authority from this Honorable Commission for the immediate implementation of various capital expenditure projects.

3.

NGCP has the legal mandate to ensure the non-discriminatory, reliable and high-performance operation of the transmission system; including a secured, reliable, and efficient management of the high-voltage grid of the Philippines. To perform such functions, NGCP submits to the Honorable Commission, for its approval, additional Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) program for CY 2017- beyond 2020 consisting of vital grid expansion and reliability projects, together with their respective justifications.

4.

One of the core mandates of NGCP is to improve and expand its transmission facilities3, and to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid4 to guarantee that grid meets: forecast demand, system reliability, demand market requirements, and capacity of new generators. Thus, NGCP is seeking approval for the following new projects:

MarilaoEHV Substation Project

San Simon 230 kV Transmission Line Project

Tuy 500/230 kV Substation Project Stage 1

1.

2.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP1,171.71Mn and the implementation period is 50 months.

The project aims to provide reliability of supply to the loads being served by the existing San Francisco-Tandag 69 kV Line by providing alternate source. The project will be implemented by stages involving 69 kV looping and 138 kV backbone extension in the north-eastern part of Mindanao.

Mindanao Substation Expansion 3 Project

The estimated cost of the project is PhP2,344.51Mn and the implementation period is 48 months.

The project aims to increase the substation capacity of Pitogo, Placer, San Francisco and Matanao to accommodate the anticipated load growth. This development will provide N-1 contingency which will allow continuous transmission service even during transformer outage.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP1,464.64Mn and the implementation period is 33 months.

8.

To reiterate, NGCP is required under paragraph d, Section 9 of the EPlRA to seek prior approval from the Honorable Commission of any plan for expansion or improvement of its facilities in relation to its authority and responsibility to construct, install, finance, improve, expand, rehabilitate and repair the nationwide transmission system and the grid.

9.

Along with its responsibility for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of its high voltage transmission facilities, it is indispensable for NGCP to ensure a reliable and high-performance operation of the transmission system.

10. Thus, to avoid disruption of operation and ensure continuous compliance with NGCP’s mandate under the EPlRA as the transmission operator, it is imperative that the implementation of the proposed CAPEX projects be immediately approved.

11. In support thereof, NGCP submits the judicial affidavit of Engr. Redi Allan B. Remoroza, Head of the Transmission Planning Department of NGCP attached as Annex “C.” PRAYER WHEREFORE, NGCP most respectfully prays this Honorable Commission to:

Also, this will serve as an alternate source substation for loads connected to the Mexico Substation.

1.

Immediately ISSUE an Order provisionally authorizing the implementation of the proposed CAPEX projects; and

2.

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the proposed CAPEX projects.

NGCP prays for other equitable relief.

On 02 March 2018, Applicant filed a Motion to Set Case for Initial Hearing dated 01 March 2018 (Motion) praying that the instant case be set for hearing. Finding said Motion in order, the Commission grants the same.

Finding the said Application sufficient in substance with the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 15 May 2018 (Tuesday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.), at ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of thel 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

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

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

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

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing.

Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Applipation and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 8th day of March 2018 in Pasig City.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

The estimated cost of the project is PhP2,493.48Mn and the implementation period is 50 months.

PROJECT NAME (Visayas)

Nasipit Substation Bus-in Project

The estimated cost of the project is PhP4,167.87Mn and the implementation period is 37 months.

The project involves the bus-in of the existing Jasaan - Butuan 138 kV Single-Circuit Transmission Line to Nasipit Substation and the installation of additional 50 MVA transformer at Nasipit Substation in compliance to the single-outage contingency (N1) criterion of the Philippine Grid Code. Also included in the project is the replacement of defective power circuit breakers in Nasipit Substation.

Justifications for the Issuance of Provisional Approval

The estimated cost of the project is PhP7,392.98Mn and the implementation period is 47 months.

The proposed project aims to support the power requirements of the existing and new steel plants and other industrial loads in San Simon, Pampanga.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP1,631.73Mn and the implementation period is 40 months.

This project aims to provide grid reliability improvement by upgrading the capacity of the tieline between San San ManuelManuel and Nagsaag 230 kV Substations. Also, this project Nagsaag 230 kV includes the installation of additional transformer at Nagsaag 9.

Line EHV Substation which has one (1) 600 MVA 500/230 kV Transmission transformer unit only.

Line Project The estimated cost of the project is PhP1,873.52Mn and the implementation period is 27 months.

The project aims to address the overloading on the Taguig230 kV line segment during N-1 contingency, further Taguig-Taytay Paco decongest the San Jose EHV Substation, and optimize the 230 10. kV Transmission utilization of the new Taguig 500/230 kV Substation.

Line Project The estimated cost of the project is PhP3,823.47Mn and the implementation period is 63 months.

The project aims to cater the load growth and improve the power quality in Batangas and Laguna areas, particularly the loads being served by MERALCO in Batangas and Tanauan 230kV for Calamba; Batangas Electric Cooperative II, First Industrial 11.

Substation Township Utilities, Inc. and Lima Enerzone Corporation.

Project

Kabacan Substation Project

A copy of the compilation of the Detailed Project Discussion for the projects is attached as Annex “A,” and a copy of the detailed cost of the projects is attached as Annex “B.”

The estimated cost of the project is PhP667.57Mn and the implementation period is 40 months.

This project will serve as another drawdown substation for the bulk power being delivered to the 500 kV system. This is driven by further generation capacity additions in Bataan which will result in heavy loading for both the existing San Jose EHV Substation and the proposed Taguig EHV Substation. As the demand in Metro Manila increases, more power will be drawn by these substations, thus, it is expected that the power transformers in these facilities will already be overloaded by 2023.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP8,454.09Mn and the implementation period is 34 months.

This is the next stage of transmission development in Quezon Province associated with the new Pagbilao 500 kV Substation.

Pagbilao With this additional line segment, the overall reliability of the Tayabas 500 kV outgoing transmission lines from Pagbilao 500 kV Substation Transmission will be improved and it will allow the connection of the 2 X 600 Line MW Atimonan CFPP project.

Project The estimated cost of the project is PhP3,934.30Mn and the implementationj!eriod is 50 months.

This project aims to address the reliability and adequacy issues in the existing Currimao 115 kV Substation which serves Ilocos Norte Electric Cooperative (INEC) and the 20 MW Mirae Solar Power Plant. The project will also help relieve Pinili 230kV the loading in Laoag Substation and will provide adequate Substation space that can allow the connection of additional loads and Project generators.

BRIEF JUSTIFICATION

The estimated cost of the project is PhP4,198.64Mn and the implementation period is 48 months The project aims to provide reliability of supply to the loads being served by the existing Maco-Mati 69 kV Line by providing alternate source. The project involves 138 kV Maco-Mati 138 backbone extension in the south-eastern part of Mindanao kV Transmission and development of new drawdown substation.

Line Project

BRIEF JUSTIFICATION

The estimated cost of the project is PhP683.65Mn and the implementation period is 40 months.

The project involves the development of the Tuy 500/230 kV Substation (Stage 1) which will serve as the connection point of the 2X350 MW plant of st. Raphael Power Generation Corporation and other future generation additions in the area. This project is associated with the construction of a new 500 kVdesigned transmission backbone from the area going to Dasmariñas Substation. Also, the project involves the installation of a 100 MVA 230/69 kV power transformer at the Calaca 230 kV Substation.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP1,184.46Mn and the implementation period is 28 months.

This project aims to address the projected overloading of the existing Amlan-Siaton 69 kV line serving Negros Oriental II Electric Cooperative (NORECO II). It will involve 138 kV backbone extension to the southern part of Negros and development of new drawdown substation close to the load area.

This project aims to develop a common substation to connect together the Kibawe-Kabacan 138 kV double-circuit line and Kabacan-Sultan Kudarat and Kabacan-Tacurong 138 kV single circuit line. The resulting configuration will provide reliability and power quality improvement even during line outages in the area.

San FranciscoTandag 138 kV Transmission Line Project

5.

The project involves the upgrading of the transmission Tower Structure facilities in the Bicol area. It involves the construction of 82 Upgrading of new steel tower structures with improved wind design that Bicol could withstand strong typhoons.

Transmission The estimated cost of the project is PhP986.56Mn and the Facilities implementation period is 10 months.

This project aims to address the heavy loading issue in the existing Concepcion-Paniqui 69 kV Line which serves the loads of Gerona, Victoria, Sta. Ignacia, Camiling, Paniqui and Concepcion-Sta. Moncada of Tarlac I Electric Cooperative (TARELCO I).

Ignacia 69 kV With Concepcion-Sta. Ignacia 69 kV Transmission Line in Transmission place to separately accommodate the loads of TARELCO I Line Camiling, Paniqui and Moncada, the power requirements of Project the area will be adequately served.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP934.91Mn and the implementation period is 18 months.

The purpose of the project is to accommodate projected demand, avoid overloading and comply with the N-1 requirement of the Philippine Grid Code through additional power transformers in Maasin, Calbayog, Tabango and Daanbantayan substations.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP2,495.09Mn and the implementation period is 17 months.

This project aims to improve the reliability of supply for Iloilo III Electric Cooperative (ILECO III) during N-1 contingency by providing loop configuration in the 69 kV facilities in the Barotac This will also address the overloading issue in the ViejoNatividad area. transformers in Dingle Substation by 2022 because of the 69 kV resulting operational flexibility.

Transmission L The estimated cost of the project is PhP57.23Mn and the implementation period is 31 months.

PROJECT NAME (Mindanao)

This Application is filed pursuant to paragraph d, Section 9 of the EPlRA, which directs the transmission operator to seek prior approval from the Honorable Commission of any plan for expansion or improvement of its facilities in the pursuit of its mandate to construct, install, finance, improve, expand, rehabilitate and repair the nationwide transmission system and the grid.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP2,318.15Mn and the implementation period is 36 months.

This project aims to address the heavy loading issue in the existing Nagsaag-Umingan 69 kV Line which serves the loads of Pangasinan III Electric Cooperative, Inc. (P Nagsaag-Tumana ANELCO III). and Central Pangasinan Electric Cooperative, 69kV Inc. (CENPELCO). Due to the increasing power demand in 5.

Transmission these distribution utilities, the Nagsaag-Umingan 69 kV Line Line Project is projected to be overloaded already by 2021.

6.

7.

Pursuant to R.A. 95111 NGCP was granted the franchise to operate, manage and maintain, and in connection therewith, to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through a high-voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, system operations, and other activities that are necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system2 and is authorized to charge its customers at the rates approved by the Honorable Commission.

PROJECT NAME (Luzon)

4.

LOTTO RESULTS

AmlanDumaguete 138kV Transmission Project

NGCP alleged the following in its Application:

3.

YOUNG Glydel Guevarra trounced Carla Andrada twice, including a 6-0, 6-2 romp in the 16-and-under finals to complete a three-title feat in the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Bicol Open regional age-group at the University of Saint Anthony Tennis Club in Iriga City recently.

The 12-year-old Guevarra dominated her age bracket with a 6-0, 6-0 rout of Maya Cabrera and ripped Andrada, 6-1, 6-0, in the 14-U finals before capping her exploits in the tougher 16-U division of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro and backed by Asiatraders Corp.

Marcel Correa, meanwhile, scored a “double” in boys’ play, crushing Kian Nuñez twice, 4-0, 4-0, in the 10-unisex finals and 6-0, 6-1 in the 12-U championship to share MVP honors with his fellow Iriga bet Guevarra.

Other winners were Iriga’s Patricia Corporal and Naga City’s Jolo Basa, who ruled the 18-U division via short route, and local aces Marlo Correa, who captured the 14-U crown, and Jan Harold Trillanes, who topped the 16-U section of the event backed by Asiatraders Corp.

Corporal scored a 1-0 (ret.) win over Paula Uy; Basa won over Osward Hernandez, 7-6(12), 4-1 (ret.); Marlo Correa edged Ranier Lagatuz, 6-4, 7-5; and Trillanes also came away with a 4-1 (ret.) win over Raphael Liangco in the tournament sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Guevarra actually racked up four titles as she later teamed up with Corporal to rout Lagatuz and Uy, 8-1, in the 18-U doubles finals, while Hernandez and Trillanes took the boys’ diadem with an 8-4 vicotry over 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ Lagatuz and Angelo Saunar. Siblings Maya and Naya Cabrera pocketed 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ the girls’ 14-U plum with an 8-2 rout of Jasmine Guevarra and Romylyn DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 Velasco, while CJ De Castro and Tatin Wong bagged the boys’ crown DIGITS 00-00-00 with an 8-6 decision over Mark Egipto and EZ2 00-00 Lagatuz.

Visayas Substation Upgrading Project

5.

Notice is hereby given that on 01 December 2017, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 24 November 2017 (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of the implementation of additional capital expenditure (CAP EX) Program for Calendar Years 2017- beyond 2020, with prayer for the issuance of provisional approval.

2.

Guevarra scores triple win in PPS Bicol tennis tourney

4.

The forecasted demand of Tacloban will cause heavy loading in the existing 69 kV line serving the area and also in Ormoc Substation which can only accommodate a maximum load of 90 MW to maintain its N-1 contingency provision. To address these capacity limitation issues, 138 kV backbone extension in the north-eastern part of Leyte is proposed.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP3,060.52Mn and the implementation period is 17 months.

This project aims to improve the reliability of transmission service to the loads in the northern part of Samar. The 69 kV line serving the area traverses the mountainous area of Calbayog-Allen Calbayog and Catarman making the clearing operation more 69 challenging. The proposed Calbayog-Allen 69 kV line will kV Transmission provide alternate source and it will also traverse mostly along Line the roads.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

1.

(second from right) and Elvin Ting, founder of TRI-Factor and managing director of the organizing Orange Room Pte. Ltd., shake hands during the launch of the TRI-Factor Asian Championship Series recently.

The Philippines will host the third leg of the circuit for newbies and those aiming to become full-fledged triathletes on May 26 and 27 at CamSur Watersports Complex. With them are Christine Majadillas (left), managing director of One of A Kind Marketing, and Ms. Earth Air 2016 Michelle Gomez of Colombia.

ERC CASE NO. 2017-110 RC

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES (NGCP), Applicant. x-------------------------------------------------------x

seeded second, likely opponents in the second round.

Saric injury scare Philadelphia’s emergence this season marks a dramatic turnaround in fortunes, just two years after finishing bottom with a dismal 10-72 record.

Atlanta, the worst side in the East with a 24-58 record, saw their season end with another loss. Taurean Prince led the Atlanta scoring with 27 points while Tyler Dorsey had 17 off the bench.

The only sour note for the Sixers was an injury to power forward Dario Saric, who left the game in the opening seconds nursing a cut lip and a chipped tooth after a collision with John Collins.

“It’s not an ideal time of year to lose a starting player on the first play of the game,” Brown said. “We’ll learn more about his condition when we get back to Philadelphia.”

Elsewhere Tuesday, John Wall racked up 29 points as the Washington Wizards romped past the Celtics 113-101.

Wall pulled down seven rebounds and provided 12 assists in the win as the Celtics, who are already assured of second place in the East, slipped to their fourth loss in five games. AFP

TRI-FACTOR ASIAN MEET. CamSur Gov. Miguel Luis Villafuerte

3.

Babatngon-Palo 138kV Transmission Line Project

BRIEF JUSTIFICATION

The project aims to accommodate the entry of the 40 MW Wind Power Plant by 2020. With this new plant in Panay-Guimaras Sibunag place, the total installed generation capacity in Guimaras 138kV Interconnection Island is already 97.4 MW. Project The estimated cost of the project is PhP2,424.42Mn and the implementation period is 15 months.

At present, the Quiot Substation is heavily loaded due to the increase of power demand of Metro Cebu. Due to space constraint In the substation, the installation of additional Laray 230 kV transformer is no longer feasible. Thus, the development of Substation a new drawdown substation is necessary to support the longProject term: ii power supply requirement of the area.

The estimated cost of the project is PhP5,029.49Mn and the implementation period is 38 months.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1 2 3 4

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; rd, Section 1; Section 9 d, EPIRA; Section 9, c EPIRA (MS-APR. 12 & 19, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports Riera U. Mallari, Editor/ Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor sports@thestandard.com.ph

A8

THURSDAY, APRIL 12 12, 2018

The San Miguel Beermen and their bosses, led by SMC President and CEO Ramon S. Ang, present their PBA Philippine Cup championship trophy to supporters during the team’s victory celebration. Lino Santos

Visiting players rule Bohol netfest IN a show of force, visiting players from other provinces and cities dominated the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Championship Series which attracted 126 entries in Ubay, Bohol.

Tiffany Claire Nocos from LapuLapu City in Cebu and Shara Louise Paliwag, a native of Valencia, Negros Oriental, led the assault as they both won two individual titles each.

Paliwag even shared the 10-under unisex doubles’ title, with Daveain Therese Gauran for a three-gold medal haul in the tournament backed by Dunlop as the official ball and is presently on its 12th straight year.

Nocos ruled the girls’ 14-under and 16-under age groups as she beat Cebu bet Kimberley McKenzie, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals of the 14-under and followed it up with a 6-3, 6-1 win over Siquijor’s Ellaine Rose Bahonsua for the 16-under crown, Paliwag edged out Gauran, 4-1, 5-4, 9-7, in the championship match of the 10- under unisex group and added the girls’ 12-under with another threeset victory, 4-6, 6-2, 10-7, over the same opponent for her second title.

“Bohol is a very good venue located in a central location that makes it easy for other players from different places to come and participate. This way, local players get a chance to compete against other and better opponents that can only make these locals improve their games,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of the sponsoring Cebuana Lhuillier Group that initiated this longest-running grassroots tennis developmental program.

Multi-titlists Stephen Zion Guia from Dipolog and Cebu City’s Marc Nicole Suson maintained their hold on the boys’ 16-under and 18-under categories.

Guia beat Boholano Scottie Jumamoy, 4-6, 6-4, 10-4, in the finals of the 16-under, while Suson continued his run in the 18-under with an easy 6-1, 6-2 victory over Guia in their championship match.

Suson also shared the boys’ 18-under doubles’ title with Lex Estillore following an 8-1 victory over Nik Alessandro isagan and Scottie Jumamoy.

In the girls’ 18-under, Tagbilaran City’s relatively unknown Mariam Yasmin Garsin pulled off a surprise 6-2, 6-0 win over veteran campaigner Bahonsua with the two teaming up later to win the girls’ 18-under doubles’ crown.

SMB will be more dominant in future

By Peter Atencio

A

LREADY a powerhouse team, the San Miguel Beermen will be even more dominant in the future.

SMB coach Leo Austria, while brushing off talks of a grand-slam as too early, couldn’t hide his excitement of what looms ahead for the Beermen.

“Lagi kaming nananalo in the first few years that I was with the team. What more kung may darating pang mga quality players?” said Austria at the Beermen’s victory celebration Tuesday evening at the San Miguel Corp. offices in Ortigas for winning the recent Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup for a fourth straight time.

Primary reason is SMB’s top draft

pick, 6’9” Fil-German Christian Standhardinger, who is expected to boost the Beermen’s already massive and talented frontline.

Standhardinger will be around once his commitment with Hong Kong Eastern basketball team in the Asean Basketball League is over.

While Austria expects Standhardinger to do well when he comes over, this year’s top rookie pick won’t be alone in his efforts to give SMB another crown.

Troy Gillenwater, a 6’9” import, will take the place of former Best Import awardee Charles Rhodes, who won’t be available for the Beermen as he is currently playing in the Korea Basketball League.

Gillenwater and Standhardinger can strengthen the Beermen’s interior further, since they also have 6’11” June Mar Fajardo.

Austria said their efforts to go for more Philippine Cup honors will come after

they’ve proven themselves in the Commissioners Cup, which begins April 22.

With the imports coming, Austria said there will be adjustment in his rotation, especially among the locals.

“There were a lot of challenges. Kapag nanalo ka ng All Filipino (Philippine Cup), susukatin ka nila (other teams). Kami ang nagiging barometer. Then, they will build up for the next conference with you (Beermen) in mind,” added Austria, who won his sixth title in as many conferences.

“Every game for me is a championship game and that’s the attitude I wanted to impart to each and every player we have,” said Austria, who brushed off aside talks of a possible grand-slam that was denied them by sister team Barangay Ginebra last season.

“Binabanggit diyan iyung grand-slam.

But, it’s still a long way to go, dahil for me, every game is a championship game,” added Austria.

Of course, who is Austria kidding?

Young javelin thrower wants more Palaro marks SYLVIAN Faith Calixtro Abunda will be among the student athletes expected to shine again when the athletics’ meet of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa gets going at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur. Last year, the 11th grader at Lantapan Stand-Alone Senior High School in Poblacion, Lantapan, Bukidnon, left her mark in the secondary girls’ javelin throw with a record-breaking heave of 42.85 meters.

She beat the previous record-holder Efrelyn Democer, also from Northern Mindanao. Democer settled for the bronze.

She made it back after earning three gold medals during the Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association Meet held in Oroquieta City in December 2017.

This will the fifth year that Abunda will seek a podium in the Games since she joined the Palaro as a sixth grader at Alanib Elementary School.

“You just never surrender,” said Abunda in a statement.

Last year, two meet records, including Abunda’s were set in the secondary girls’ athletics’ competition.

The Region IV-A team of Jesser Lumapas shattered the one-year-old 4x400 meter run mark with a clocking of 3:56.37.

There were a total of seven meet marks that fell in the secondary athletics’ event at that time. Peter Atencio

KAI Sotto will have to be ready to face taller, heftier players when he sees action in the 2018 FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup in June in Argentina.

That’s because the opposing teams that Batang Gilas will face will field in even bigger players than the current ones in the national under-16 roster.

“Sa World Cup, iyung kalaban namin, mas malalaki pa sa amin. Kaya iyun ang isang kailangang ma-improve namin,” said the 7’1” Sotto.

Sotto talked about Batang Gilas’ coming stint in the World Cup during celebrations held in the team’s honor after their successful campaign in the Fiba Under-16 Asian Championship in Foshan, China.

Batang Gilas was feted during celebrations held in their honor by Chooks to Go Roasted Chicken and Bountry Fresh top executive Ronald Mascarinas.

National coach Mike Oliver said they won’t have the luxury of recruiting foreign or Fil-foreign players in their next campaign, new faces who can back up Sotto and the current members of the squad.

But they have been going around, seeking prospects to come over and join Batang Gilas.

“Hindi pa namin alam kung papayagan sila. But definitely, kung mag-aupgrade, homegrown,” said Oliver.

The 31st-world ranked Philippines is in Group D, along with 7th-ranked Argentina, 8th-ranked Croatia, and 9th ranked France.

The World Cup will be from June 30 to July 8 in Rosario and Santa Fe, Argentina.

But whatever happens to Batang Gilas in the group stage, they are already seeded in the Round of 16. Peter Atencio

UST, La Salle seek Final 4 Matches today (Rizal Memorial Stadium) 8 a.m. – NU vs DLSU (Men) 2 p.m. – UE vs UST (Men) 4 p.m. – UP vs FEU (Men)

UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas and De La Salle eye to complete the UAAP Season 80 men’s football Final Four cast against University of the East and National University, respectively, today at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

The Growling Tigers take on the Red Warriors at 2 p.m., while the Green Archers play the Bulldogs in the morning match at 8 a.m.

University of the Philippines seeks to formalize its No. 1 ranking in the semifinals as it clashes with Far Eastern University at 4 p.m.

UST is currently running third in the table with 19 points, two clear of De La Salle, which has 17. NU and UE, one off the fourth spot, are level with 16 points.

Losses by both the Bulldogs and the Red Warriors will eliminate them in the Final Four race, as both sides have only one match left after today.

The Tigers and the Archers are coming off a 1-1 standoff to split points last Sunday.

NU and UE kept their semis hopes alive following 1-0 victories over FEU and Adamson University, respectively, also last Sunday.

Smart tossers eye strong finish Games Today (Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 p.m. – Cignal vs Generika-Ayala 7:00 p.m. – Sta. Lucia Realty vs Smart

CHAIRMAN KAP GOLF CHAMP. Alex Chavez (center) emerged overall net champion in the recent 5th Tanduay Chairman Kap Invitational Tournament at the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club. Doña Carmen Tan (second from right), wife of business tycoon Lucio Tan, Sr., in whose honor the tournament was held, and Tanduay president Lucio ‘Bong’ Tan, Jr. (right) awarded the trophy. With them are awards’ program hosts Anthony Suntay and actress/model Diana Meneses.

Lhuillier named Sportsman of the Year by Cebu scribes

Jean Henri Lhuillier receives Sportsman of the Year award from SAC.

Bigger foes for Gilas jrs in world tilt

JEAN Henri Lhuillier, President and CEO of PJ Lhuillier Group of Companies, was awarded Sportsman of the Year in the 36th Sportswriters Association of Cebu Awards.

Lhuillier was recognized for his efforts in sports grassroots development and support to national teams in softball and tennis in the country.

“This is a recognition that I do not take lightly; it encourages me to continuously do my part in bringing glory to Philippine sports,” said Lhuillier, who is also the President of the Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines and the Unified Tennis Philippines.

Lhuillier addressed athletes and encouraged them to “dream big, to not be afraid to be great, to dare to do seemingly impossible things,” firmly believing that Filipinos have what it takes to be at par with the world’s best.

Lhuillier is the man behind emerging local tennis legends Treat Huey and Ruben Gonzales, who currently represent the Philippines in some

of the world’s greatest tennis tournaments, including the 2016 Olympics.

The newly-minted Sportsman of the Year also inspired the successful run of the PH Blu Girls, the country’s National Women’s Softball team last year.

Resolute on his belief and support on the skills and hard work of Blu Girls, Lhuillier threw his support to the Blu Girls as they conquered softball powerhouses like Canada, China, Australia, Chinese Taipei and Mexico in the World Cup and Canada Cup 2017. This culminated with a silver finish at the Asian Women’s Softball tourney in Taiwan.

“I’m both elated and proud to tell you that our National Women’s Softball team, the Blu Girls, have a more than a decent chance of qualifying (for the 2020 Olympics). They showed tremendous competitiveness and fighting spirit during last year’s international competitions,” he said, vowing to give the Blu Girls all the support they need, while on their way to the 2020 Olympics.

AFTER her record-breaking 56 points, Gyselle Silva is on the spotlight as Smart seeks to come up with a strong finish in the classification phase of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

The Giga Hitters will battle a red-hot Sta. Lucia Realty at 7 p.m. in a bid to snap their nine-game losing streak in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled

by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

Prior to that, Cignal faces GenerikaAyala in the first match at 4:15 p.m. to improve its own quarterfinal position in a battle that also has Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Grand Sport as technical sponsors.

Reigning champion F2 Logistics gained the right to face eighth-seed Smart after booking their ninth win in 10 games following an impressive 25-17, 25-18, 25-17 victory over Foton late Tuesday.

Petron, which prevailed over Cocolife in a five-set thriller, grabbed the second spot while the Asset Managers (6-4) and the Tornadoes (5-5) will occupy the third and fourth places armed with twice-tobeat incentives.

Smart is set to face F2 Logistics while Generika-Ayala will tangle with Petron in the next round starting this Saturday at the Gen. Trias Sports Center in Gen. Trias City in Cavite.

IN BRIEF

Megawide’s income climbs 17% to P2.2b

MEGAWIDE Construction Corp. said Wednesday net income grew 17 percent in 2017 from a year ago, on the back of strong construction and airport businesses.

Megawide said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income reached P2.2 billion last year, up from P1.92 billion in 2016.

Consolidated revenues increased 9 percent to P19.2 billion from the 2016 figure of P17.7 billion, driven by the solid performance of both construction and airport business segments.

“2017 has been a positive year for Megawide as we were able exceed our guidance buoyed by the strong last quarter performance of our construction business and the outperformance of our airport segment highlighted by a double digit growth in revenues,” Megawide chairman and chief executive Edgar Saavedra said.

Construction revenues generated P16.7 billion in 2017, a 6-percent increase from P15.8 billion in 2016, mainly because of private sector projects. New contracts booked from the private sector totaled P10.8 billion in 2017, with P6.25 billion booked in the fourth quarter alone.

“With our optimistic outlook on the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals coupled with the government’s roll-out of its infrastructure plans through its Build, Build, Build program, we remain bullish on the continued expansion of our construction business,” Saavedra said.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Air travel market grew 2.1% in 2017

THE Philippine air travel market rose 2.1 percent year-on-year in 2017, according to the Civil Aeronautics Board.

Data from CAB showed that the combined domestic and international passengers reached 49.23 million last year, up from 48.21 million passengers in 2016.

Domestic passengers increased to 24.81 million last year from 24.42 million passengers in 2016, while total international passengers grew to 24.43 million from 21.78 million.

Cebu Pacific remained the country’s leading domestic carrier last year with 11.95 million passengers, followed by PAL Express with 5.94 million passengers and Philippines Airlines with 1.26 million passengers.

Philippines AirAsia and CebGo recorded 3.44 million passengers and 1.77 million passengers, respectively. Airswift transport Inc. and Magnum Air Inc. flew 179,337 passengers and 250,807 passengers, respectively.

Philippine Airlines was the number one carrier in the international market with 6.88 million passengers last year, up from 6.05 million passengers in 2016. Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Asian Development Bank said Tuesday it expects the Philippines to grow faster this year and next after expanding 6.7 percent in 2017 on the back of strengthening domestic demand and public spending.

“Strengthening domestic demand will underpin growth in 2018 and 2019.

Investment will be supported by large public infrastructure projects such as national and provincial roads, railways, airports, and the Philippines’ first mass transit subway,” the ADB said in Asian Development Outlook 2018.

ADB said while export growth would likely moderate from last year’s rebound, low unemployment and steady remittances would continue to support

private consumption. “GDP growth is thus forecast to strengthen to 6.8 percent this year and 6.9 percent next,” the Ortigas-based multilateral lender said.

ADB said it expected gross domestic product growth in Asia and the Pacific to reach 6 percent in 2018 and 5.9 percent in 2019, a slight deceleration from 6.1 percent registered in 2017.

“Economies across developing Asia will maintain the current growth momentum driven by sound policies, expanding exports, and robust domestic demand,” said Yasuyuki Sawada, ADB’s chief economist.

ADB said that an accommodative fiscal policy in the Philippines was likely to continue this year and next. “The government is mobilizing more revenue to allow for higher investment in infrastructure and social services while keeping the fiscal deficit within 3 percent of GDP in the medium term. It thus targets the ratio of revenue to GDP in the 2018

budget to rise to 16.3 percent from 15.7 percent last year,” it said.

ADB said remittances from overseas Filipinos were expected to continue to support household consumption, while a cut in the personal income tax should boost disposable income and consumption among taxpayers, but an increase in excise taxes on petroleum products and a few other commodities could be a counterweight restraining household consumption.

Meanwhile, ADB said it expected to exceed the record $1.08 billion loans it provided to the Philippines in 2017 as the government pushed for massive infrastructure projects to attain a more inclusive growth in the years ahead.

ADB Secretary Woochong Um said in a statement that majority of the record-high $1.08 billion loans provided to the Philippines last year went to infrastructure-related activities, especially in Mindanao.

AEROSPACE SUMMIT. The Philippines is hosting for the first time the Aeromart Summit, an international business convention for aerospace; maintenance, repair and overhaul; and airport infrastructure industries on June 4 to 6, 2018 at Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga. At the press launch of the summit are (from left) Aerospace Industries Association of the Philippines chairman John Lee, AIAP vice president and Moog Controls Corp. Philippine Branch manager Damien Damperon, Trade Secretary and Board of Investments chairman Ramon Lopez, Clark Development Corp. vice president for Business Development and Business Enhancement Group Evangeline Tejada, Clark International Airport Corp. assistant vice president Darwin Lacson Cunanan and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines deputy director-general Ricardo Banayat.

Budget shortfall hits P61.7b, as expenditures jump 37% Ortigas to build THE government incurred a budget deficit of P61.7 billion in February, up from P23.7-billion deficit a year ago, as robust spending continued to outpace revenue collections, the Bureau of the Treasury said Wednesday.

The Treasury said the gap resulted in a P51.5-billion deficit in the two-month period, still within the annual deficit target.

“Strong revenues and expenditures growth characterize the fiscal performance in the first two months of 2018.

Robust spending growth brought the national government back into a deficit amounting to P61.7 billion for February,” the Treasury said.

Expenditures jumped 37 percent in February to P240.3 billion from a year ago. Total spending in January and February reached P469.0 billion, up 26 percent or P95.3 billion year-on-year.

“Primary expenditures [total expenditures net of interest payments] amounted to P389.3 billion, 27 percent or P82.2 billion higher than its comparative amount a

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

B1

ADB sees PH growing faster at 6.8%

PH secures $9.8-b China investments

THE Philippines secured $9.8 billion worth of investment plans from Chinese companies in construction, electronics, agriculture, tourism and pharmaceutical sectors, the Trade Department said Wednesday.

These investment commitments are expected to generate 10,800 jobs in the country, according to Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

“As one of the world’s top investment destinations, the Philippines enjoys the confidence of foreign direct investors. And due to our enhanced bilateral and trade relations with China, Chinese companies have increasingly expressed interest in investing in our country,” said Lopez who accompanied President Rodrigo Duterte during another state visit to China.

Both countries witnessed the signing of nine letters of intent from Shanghai GeoHarbour Group, Jovo Group Co. Ltd. Guangdong, Zhongfa Group, Haocheng Group, China Green Agriculture Group, East-Cloud Biz Travel Ltd., China National Heavy Machinery Corp., Sino BMG, Shanghai Shinehigh Biotechnology Ltd. Co. and Zhejiang Dongyang Jinxin Chemical Co. Ltd. The signings were held at the sidelines of Boao Forum 2018 held in Boao, China on April 10.

Approved investments from China grew by 53.61 percent from P1.52 billion in 2016 to P2.33 billion in 2017.

Manufacturing, electricity, service and finance were among the industries that contributed to the rise of Chines investments into the Philippines last year. Othel V. Campos

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

year ago,” the agency said.

Revenue collection went up 18 percent in February to P178.5 billion, with the government’s major revenue collecting agencies all posting double-digit year-onyear growth.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue collected P116.6 billion in February, or 10 percent higher than the February 2017 collection. BIR’s total collections in the first two months hit P292.3 billion, up 15 percent from a year ago, with the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law.

“This impressive performance is attributable to the implementation of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion, particularly the imposition of adjustments in the excise tax rates for automobiles, minerals, alcohol and tobacco which grew by 71 percent for the first two months, as well as the new excise taxes The Bureau of Customs collected P43.7 billion in February, up by 42 percent or P12.9 billion from the same month last year. Tariff col-

lection in January and February also rose 27 percent or P17.8 billion year-on-year to P84.5 billion.

Income from the Bureau of the Treasury climbed 10 percent in February to P5.9 billion, on higher national government deposits and remittances of dividends on shares of stocks owned by the national government and share in Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.’s income.

The Treasury’s two month collection rose 5 percent to P14 billion.

Non-tax collections from other offices grew 25 percent in February to P9.4 billion and 48 percent to P22.5 billion in the first two months.

Total debt interest payments reached P36.2 billion in February, up 49 percent over the amount recorded for the same period last year. This was driven by foreign interest payments, mainly due to accrued interest paid as part of the Global Bond Switch transaction and the weaker peso.

Julito G. Rada

CLARK EMERGENCY CENTER. Former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (fourth from left) leads top officials of private companies in the ribbon-cutting ceremony formally inaugurating the Philippine Disaster Resilience Foundation emergency operations center in Clark Freeport Zone. With Arroyo are Metro Pacific Investment Corp. chairman, PLDT chairman, and PDRF cochairman Manuel Pangilinan (sixth from left), Ayala Corp. chairman and PDRF co-chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala II (fifth from left) and other PDRF officials and business executives.

new Greenhills mall worth P6.3b

By Jenniffer B. Austria ORTIGAS & Company, a joint venture of Ortigas group, SM Prime Holdings and Ayala Land Inc., said it will invest P6.3 billion to build a new integrated regional mall within Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan.

Ortigas & Company president and chief executive Jaime Ysmael said in a news briefing the new mall would be a part of the P60-billion Greenhills redevelopment featuring a new retail format and integrating popular global and local brands with Greenhills’ trademark ‘tiangges.’

Under the plan, the new sevenstory mall will have 100,000 square meters of leasable space that will house 150 global lifestyle brands and about 2,000 ‘tiangge’ stalls.

A three-level basement parking would also be built to accommodate 1,300 vehicles.

“This retail project is a showcase of what the public can expect from the new Greenhills. We are taking the shops and concepts we have now and bringing those to a whole new level that both customers and tenants will enjoy,” Ysmael said.

The new mall, expected to open by the third quarter of 2021, forms part of the 15-year Greenhills redevelopment plan.

The Greenhills multi-phase redevelopment involves the construction office towers, residential condominiums, hotel and retail developments that will transform the property into a integrated mixed-use development.

Ysmael said upon completion of the redevelopment, Greenhills would have 1 million square meters of gross floor area, or more than double the property’s current GFA. Greenhills has been the crown jewel of Ortigas family over the past several years and has been patronized by budget and quality conscious consumers because of the ‘tiangges’ that sell cell phones, clothes and bags .

Trade deficit widened as exports fell in February THE trade deficit widened by 73 percent in February to $3.06 billion from a year ago, as exports sank for the first time in 15 months, while imports continued to rise at a double-digit rate, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority show.

Merchandise exports fell 1.8 percent in February to $4.66 billion, while imports climbed 18.6 percent to $7.72 billion. Total external trade in goods in February 2018 reached $12.38 billion, up 10 percent from $11.26 billion recorded a year ago.

The National Economic and Development Authority asked businesses in the country to take advantage of the global economy’s solid footing to support the country’s trade performance, especially in terms of exports.

Neda officer-in-charge and Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said that while the performance of Philippine exports was lukewarm with the easing of global manufacturing production growth, the domestic manufacturing sector appeared to remain buoyant.

Results of the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries for February 2018 showed that manufacturing output grew 24.8 percent in volume and 23.6 percent in value from a year ago.

“It is essential for the national government to continuously support Philippine trade, especially exports, by providing an enabling environment to become globally competitive,” Edillon said.

Neda said it was optimistic the country would benefit from the global economy. Based on the latest outlook of the International Monetary Fund, global growth is expected to reach 3.9 percent until 2019, higher than last year’s 3.7 percent.

Data showed that electronic products continued to be the country’s top export earner amounting to $2.58 billion, representing a 55.4-percent share of the total exports revenue in February 2018. Export of this commodity grew 4.6 percent in February from $2.47 billion a year earlier.

Edillon attributed the decline in total merchandise exports in February―the first time since November 2016―to lower receipts from agrobased products, manufactures, and petroleum products. Among agro-based products, export of coconut products fell 50.8 percent from a high 66.9 percent growth in 2017. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market climbs; MacroAsia rallies T HE stock market rose slightly Wednesday, with gains tempered by the political noise surrounding the infighting within the Supreme Court and the impeachment move against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 9.25 points, or 0.1 percent, to 7,943.93 on a value turnover of P6.5 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 100 to 91, with 66 issues unchanged.

Conglomerate Ayala Corp. climbed 3 percent to P967, while Now Corp., which is bidding to become the third major telecommunications company, jumped 10.7 percent to P8.80. MacroAsia Corp., which provides aviationrelated services, advanced 5.3 percent to P29.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts

Corp. slumped 8.4 percent to P12, reeling from the fallout of President Rodrigo Duterte’s rejection of putting up more casinos on Boracay Island.

The rest of Asian markets, meanwhile, were mixed. Tokyo ended 0.5 percent down, Hong Kong added 0.5 percent and Shanghai was up 0.6 percent. Singapore gained 0.5 percent, Seoul edged down 0.3 percent and Taipei put on 0.4 percent. Sydney fell 0.5 percent and Wellington also slipped.

Energy firms soared with oil prices in Asia but broader markets flitted between gains and losses after the previous day’s rally, with hopes that a China-US trade war will be averted providing support.

Wall Street provided a strong lead with all three main indexes up around two percent but regional dealers took a breather, with attention turning to the corporate earnings season, which is about to get under way.

Chinese President Xi Jinping soothed

world markets on Tuesday with a conciliatory speech pledging to further open up the world’s number two economy, ease auto tariffs and take action on US intellectual property rights.

The measures address some of the key issues that have irked Donald Trump and came after the White House on Friday unveiled another round of levies on billions of dollars of Chinese goods.

His comments tempered worries about a potentially devastating trade war that could hammer the global economy just as it gets back on track after the financial crisis.

Trump tweeted that he was “Very thankful for President Xi of China’s kind words,” adding “We will make great progress together!”

The Xi speech also followed a series of tit-for-tat threats by the US and China to impose retaliatory tariffs on one another that have rattled markets in recent weeks.

“In a market starved of good news, Xi’s dialed back trade war rhetoric was music to investors’ ears,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. However, he cautioned: “While investors are relishing this moment, trade war issues are not about to leave the political stage any time soon. In fact President Xi’s remarks, while conciliatory to tariffs, were restatements of previous pledges with no new compromises to President Trump.”

Energy firms were among the biggest gainers after a rally of more than three percent for both main oil contracts Tuesday.

The crude surge came on the back of easing trade worries as well as geopolitical concerns as Western governments consider their response to an alleged chemical attack in Syria, while the US is also toying with slapping Iran with sanctions. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 54,250 103.8 1,392,540 3.1 18,000 137.3 4,099,110 1.66 339,000 35.4 283,200 8 1,000 16.24 20,900 19 1,177,300 1.61 16,000 850 100 0.56 305,000 81.95 2,051,430 1.22 403,000 12.3 22,300 55.6 73,890 229 2,830 110 250 87 140 44.35 7,000 226.6 498,460 1,950 5 90 7,480 1.22 5,000

3,223,721 144,743,576 55,800 563,106,479 546,490 10,001,695 6,947 338,872 22,373,028 25,160 85,000 167,930 168,986,208.50 482,890 274,290 4,108,551.50 648,430 28,600 12,185 310,575 112,856,842 9,750 675,625.50 6,100

1,269,050 -58,143,936 44,745,796 4,133,080.00 303,956 42,500 -38,762,834.50 -19,570 917,626 2,300 26,495 -65,775,436 103,924 -

37.4 13.84 0.6 1.27 19.38 0.226 3.57 16.64 220 48.7 24 61.15 78 76.5 1.99 5.38 10.4 10.6 15.16 11.54 7.26 5.41 1.7 16.84 64.5 24.6 9.6 16.8 2.32 284 4.89 3.33 18.2 26.95 15.84 21.2 325 0.192 8 2.76 4.85 9.1 5.24 8 1.56 12 52.75 5.9 4.7 2.01 3.5 2.14 14.42 67.7 5.39 0.134 144.5 2.57 2.14 0.93

INDUSTRIAL 37.4 1,291,300 13.98 882,900 0.6 10,847,000 1.27 100,000 19.88 21,300 0.231 4,100,000 3.57 4,414,000 16.9 868,000 220 40 50.45 582,630 26.9 478,500 62 320 78 1,880 76.5 510 2.03 111,000 5.38 100 10.48 223,700 10.7 2,878,400 15.24 846,900 11.82 122,100 7.34 114,100 5.47 395,600 1.7 11,000 16.94 734,400 65.15 92,270 25.4 1,134,000 9.68 2,400 16.94 356,400 2.4 1,359,000 289.6 1,197,810 4.99 166,000 3.33 1,000 18.8 1,600 27.15 77,500 15.86 20,400 21.65 3,441,700 328 161,740 0.192 110,000 8.28 30,800 2.77 99,000 4.95 353,000 9.19 309,300 5.44 10,900 8 2,500 1.59 10,701,000 12.18 34,400 52.8 436,140 6 56,500 4.75 5,807,000 2.18 277,000 3.5 6,000 2.16 322,000 14.8 1,145,100 68.4 972,430 5.47 33,600 0.134 550,000 145.4 764,700 2.77 129,000 2.25 41,359,000 0.94 10,325,000

48,558,880 12,317,448 6,713,450 127,260 418,724 935,000 15,831,790 14,637,122 9,400 29,341,095.50 12,098,405 19,602 148,020 39,040 225,070 538 2,343,924 30,893,270 12,984,128 1,438,712 833,619 2,147,851 18,700 12,425,348 6,021,045 28,866,795 23,140 6,005,416 3,217,200 345,747,862 814,040 3,330 29,240 2,106,015 323,616 74,321,970 52,941,760 21,120 252,228 273,980 1,727,580 2,828,694 59,091 20,000 18,195,580 423,040 23,030,262 333,400 27,866,250 583,870 21,050 703,250 16,893,472 66,329,448 181,547 73,730 111,165,575 336,830 95,793,920 9,815,550

-42,491,315.00 -3,698,396 51,138 -8,871,500 343,040.00 -4 50,900 -1,862,544 -19,425,596 5,652,582 46,720 -59,057 176,552 18,700 222,304 4,119,702.00 -25,625 821,714 10,010 7,351,774 -24,465 -66,602 30,139,415 30,264,160 19,200 -193,780 210,560 -1,119,303 -88,380 -12,985,605 -555,750 21,200 193,900 -1,478,374 -35,590,506.50 -3,653,139 197,890 4,704,230 110,920

0.3 66.2 13.66 0.91 6.4 0.64 0.65 938 7.09 12.3 7.42 0.196 1,086 7.1 63.2 5.29 0.65 4.77 19.1 0.68 5.14 0.044 1.13 3.17 142.7 2.58 984 0.81 1.72 605 268 0.24 0.198 0.195

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 180,000 68 509,480 14 12,565,800 0.91 166,000 6.5 24,300 0.65 11,022,000 0.66 1,889,000 967 283,030 7.11 4,347,600 12.36 7,353,100 7.44 27,000 0.2 560,000 1,108 97,460 7.1 24,200 64.05 933,190 5.29 300 0.67 894,000 4.8 348,000 19.4 5,747,800 0.69 10,971,000 5.18 18,072,600 0.044 4,800,000 1.14 352,000 3.27 1,885,000 142.8 141,520 2.58 128,000 985 294,950 0.85 312,000 1.73 72,000 623 1,020 268 40 0.241 310,000 0.2 400,000 0.195 30,000

54,350 34,381,590.50 174,050,702 152,640 155,725 7,240,900 1,254,410 271,223,220 30,911,918 90,854,904 203,475 109,920 107,535,285 171,846 59,388,601.50 1,587 589,140 1,672,780 111,441,076 7,599,230 93,802,641 211,500 400,770 6,161,580 20,225,705 330,240 291,951,085 256,280 123,990 626,545 10,720 75,000 80,030 5,850

-3,000 -1,229,346 753,820 330,000 114,490,445 -2,774,835 -10,399,870 -53,061,285 -17,071,096 -860,250 -17,386,494 486,700.00 -29,141,105 3,390.00 66,520.00 2,721,072 19,948,340 10,720 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59 105 3.1 136.9 1.63 35.3 6.83 16.2 18.96 1.57 850 0.56 83.5 1.24 12.3 55.85 230 110 87.5 44.35 231.2 1,950 89.9 1.22

59.7 105 3.1 139 1.66 35.4 8 16.24 19.06 1.61 850 0.56 83.85 1.24 12.3 55.85 230 120 87.5 44.95 231.6 1,950 91 1.22

58.5 103.4 3.1 135 1.58 35.25 6.83 16.2 18.96 1.57 850 0.55 81.3 1.18 12.3 55 229 110 87 44.35 222.4 1,950 89.9 1.22

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

38.8 13.98 0.65 1.27 20.3 0.23 3.6 16.64 250 48.7 27 62 79 76.55 2.05 5.38 10.48 10.7 15.4 12.08 7.27 5.42 1.7 17 65.35 25.4 9.6 17.06 2.35 284 4.89 3.33 18.2 27.2 15.86 21.45 325 0.192 8 2.84 4.9 9.2 5.49 8 1.65 12.06 52.8 5.9 4.8 2.2 3.55 2.14 14.44 68.85 5.4 0.135 147 2.65 2.36 0.98

38.8 14 0.65 1.29 20.3 0.234 3.7 16.96 250 50.5 29.4 62 79 76.55 2.05 5.38 10.5 10.96 15.52 12.08 7.34 5.51 1.7 17 65.8 26.5 9.7 17.1 2.42 289.6 4.99 3.33 18.8 27.2 15.88 21.85 328 0.192 8.3 2.84 4.95 9.21 5.49 8 1.86 12.62 53 6 4.8 2.2 3.55 2.25 14.9 68.85 5.47 0.135 147 2.77 2.41 0.98

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

0.31 66.2 13.82 0.93 6.4 0.65 0.65 938.5 7.15 12.32 7.55 0.196 1,135 7.23 63.25 5.29 0.66 4.85 19.7 0.71 5.14 0.045 1.13 3.17 142.9 2.58 984 0.82 1.72 617 268 0.245 0.198 0.195

0.31 68 14 0.93 6.5 0.67 0.67 967 7.21 12.4 7.58 0.2 1,135 7.23 64.35 5.29 0.68 5.02 19.7 0.72 5.25 0.045 1.16 3.34 143.5 2.58 998 0.85 1.73 634 268 0.245 0.201 0.195

8990 HLDG A BROWN ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP ARTHALAND CORP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP CEB LANDMASTERS CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CITYLAND DEVT CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST EVER GOTESCO FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP KEPPEL PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY

6.49 0.99 15.8 2.11 0.86 41.25 3.62 4.71 6.08 0.47 1.09 0.99 0.28 0.445 31.95 0.68 0.122 1.74 1.37 1.2 4.29 4.59 0.63 0.415 0.55

6.53 1 15.8 2.12 0.87 41.55 3.62 4.75 6.18 0.475 1.09 0.99 0.29 0.46 33.5 0.68 0.122 1.78 1.41 1.2 4.29 4.61 0.65 0.42 0.56

6.4 0.98 15.16 2.11 0.85 40.3 3.58 4.62 6.08 0.46 1.06 0.97 0.265 0.445 31.95 0.67 0.122 1.74 1.37 1.11 4.26 4.56 0.62 0.41 0.55

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

4.14 33.15 19.48 1.96 3.17 33.9 1.03 15.8 0.82 6.74

4.46 33.15 19.48 1.97 3.2 34.35 1.05 16.48 0.82 6.87

4.14 33.15 18.66 1.95 3.16 33.3 1 14 0.82 6.72

4.46 33.15 19 1.96 3.2 33.3 1.02 14.4 0.82 6.86

6,815,000 300 2,848,300 99,000 87,000 7,383,400 2,422,000 1,168,400 1,000 7,702,300

29,692,780 9,945 53,844,908 193,830 276,940 247,365,755 2,508,810 17,070,638 820 52,421,507

-3,210,090 -32,986,280 17,650 -137,063,715 98,964 19,804,973

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

18.88 28.9 1.35 0.51 0.048 12.32 13.12 0.064 93 7.7 7.3 2.23 27.4 1,580 6.44 310 13.04 5.16 2.45 97.2 13.1 8.25 0.12 1.45 3.33 14.98 5.11 1.06 27.95 0.5 5.25 7.74 3.3 16.88 7.9 11.5 9.5 122 6.5 1,450 1.06 0.44 52 89 7.29 2.62 1.47 0.43 4.87 0.94 10.8

18.88 29.3 1.4 0.56 0.049 12.32 13.3 0.064 94.5 7.7 7.3 2.23 28 1,600 6.44 314.8 13.04 5.2 2.45 99 13.1 8.3 0.12 1.47 3.33 15 5.32 1.09 29 0.5 5.38 7.9 3.52 16.88 9.15 11.5 10.1 128 6.6 1,463 1.07 0.44 52.1 89 7.29 2.62 1.55 0.445 4.87 0.94 10.84

17.86 28.8 1.35 0.51 0.047 12.3 11.96 0.061 90.9 7.59 7.3 2.23 26 1,576 6.4 305.4 13.02 5 2.45 97.2 13.1 8.2 0.119 1.44 3.26 14.7 4.95 1.05 27.95 0.5 5.15 7.67 3.3 16.34 7.71 11.5 9.1 122 6.4 1,449 1.05 0.415 51.65 86.6 7.07 2.6 1.47 0.43 4.69 0.89 10.76

SERVICES 18.3 28.85 1.38 0.56 0.048 12.3 12 0.061 91.3 7.59 7.3 2.23 27.1 1,580 6.4 312 13.02 5.09 2.45 99 13.1 8.3 0.119 1.47 3.28 15 5 1.08 29 0.5 5.23 7.7 3.4 16.36 8.8 11.5 9.5 122.5 6.56 1,450 1.05 0.43 51.95 88 7.26 2.62 1.54 0.44 4.71 0.91 10.8

88,300 25,200 642,000 35,098,000 16,800,000 4,000 38,185,700 90,860,000 177,740 638,200 6,500 3,000 211,700 14,070 901,500 7,000 1,600 2,434,800 12,000 249,320 600 36,000 2,130,000 219,000 14,000 6,600 17,910,400 1,184,000 6,640,400 26,000 209,500 2,463,600 1,067,000 4,600 26,230,500 53,100 10,300 8,740 349,600 72,065 551,000 4,720,000 1,240,860 227,560 73,700 166,000 14,133,000 6,040,000 3,174,000 5,852,000 298,300

1,597,094 729,640 881,610 18,968,440 807,600 49,230 470,433,334 5,586,760 16,417,237 4,860,868 47,450 6,690 5,750,460 22,251,910 5,782,301 2,175,500 20,844 12,278,706 29,400 24,595,132.50 7,860 296,000 255,530 319,140 45,760 98,276 91,839,153 1,263,170 190,335,540 13,000 1,099,773 18,993,323 3,598,260 76,476 227,094,147 610,650 95,850 1,076,675 2,264,619 104,519,475 581,420 2,008,050 64,458,325 19,927,529.50 525,847 433,630 21,499,790 2,640,450 15,015,720 5,319,650 3,221,092

8,100 -45,280 -223,915,076 114,070 -2,688,702.50 38,250 83,050 -3,254,500 84,708 95,680 -5,647,190 10,150 -23,520 11,520,467 56,960,995 -5,090 9,493,622 -630,830 6,466,403 2,300 1,005,375 96,652 -8,732,980 -373,320 54,600 9,385,407 -12,754,182.50 361,338 18,540 -4,793,180 417,400 770,970 110,470 -797,982

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

0.0028 1.8 4.62 19.48 1.62 1.66 1.62 0.315 8.27 2.4 0.212 0.144 0.0091 0.0093 1.43 5.9 1.19 0.57 0.87 0.013 0.012 5.95 16.32 31.7 0.0065

0.0028 1.82 4.63 19.5 1.62 1.66 1.62 0.32 8.27 2.47 0.212 0.147 0.0091 0.0095 1.44 5.99 1.21 0.65 0.87 0.014 0.013 6 16.8 31.75 0.0065

0.0027 1.75 4.6 19 1.62 1.66 1.61 0.31 7.6 2.4 0.202 0.144 0.0091 0.0093 1.43 5.9 1.16 0.57 0.86 0.013 0.012 5.95 15.44 30.05 0.0065

MINING & OIL 0.0027 389,000,000 1.76 7,305,000 4.6 29,000 19 11,300 1.62 5,000 1.66 2,000 1.62 168,000 0.32 1,220,000 8.09 9,300 2.42 438,000 0.202 490,000 0.147 1,610,000 0.0091 6,000,000 0.0095 5,000,000 1.44 126,000 5.95 212,700 1.2 67,000 0.61 4,722,000 0.86 78,000 0.014 28,200,000 0.012 26,900,000 5.95 819,200 15.64 8,455,000 30.05 2,996,800 0.0065 4,000,000

1,070,100 13,040,080 134,120 220,150 8,100 3,320 271,980 379,950 73,495 1,061,310 99,540 236,240 54,600 46,700 180,320 1,265,430 79,450 2,881,730 67,710 368,600 331,600 4,890,488 135,059,018 91,195,170 26,000

-27,000 52,000 -13,800 -128,550 -264,155 61,000 -3,900 -3,164,021 1,722,828 -35,059,100 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

27.75 510 510 105 100 112 6.24 999 100.3 1.04 107.3 111 981 77 77.6 75.4 75.95 78 76.5 76.25 76

28 510 510 105 101 112 6.24 999 100.3 1.04 107.3 111 981 77 79.25 75.4 76 78 76.8 76.5 76

27.7 510 510 105 100 110.8 6.24 999 100.3 1.04 107.3 111 980 77 77.6 75.4 75.95 78 76.5 75.3 75.75

PREFERRED 27.85 85,600 510 20 510 60 105 30 100 41,050 110.8 160,200 6.24 74,200 999 100 100.3 1,000 1.04 6,000 107.3 50 111 80 980 1,300 77 160 79 6,950 75.4 40 75.95 17,600 78 20,970 76.8 1,780 76 39,300 75.75 3,460

2,387,735 10,200 30,600 3,150 4,105,680 17,942,160 463,008 99,900 100,300 6,240 5,365 8,880 1,274,220 12,320 548,380 3,016 1,337,080 1,635,660 136,554 2,985,915 262,522.50

-1,424,555 1,000,000 44,928 15,250 -

LR WARRANT

3.2

3.47

3.15

WARRANTS 3.16 1,969,000

6,420,120

-3,160

6,202,833 2,930 238,680 5,046,270

231,656 -186,440

261,935

-

612

-

MS

PROPERTY 6.5 1 15.5 2.12 0.86 40.5 3.6 4.71 6.18 0.47 1.09 0.97 0.265 0.46 33 0.67 0.122 1.76 1.38 1.17 4.26 4.6 0.64 0.41 0.56

141,800 2,144,000 4,500 71,000 778,000 10,064,600 491,000 1,236,000 24,700 16,770,000 118,000 230,000 55,990,000 290,000 471,400 549,000 10,000 6,537,000 5,698,000 8,400,000 5,000 9,069,000 66,388,000 2,700,000 998,000

919,599 2,110,260 68,490 150,380 665,770 408,525,615 1,767,260 5,821,300 152,481 7,873,300 126,790 224,180 15,232,600 132,050 15,532,265 370,330 1,220 11,411,290 7,895,370 9,653,940 21,400 41,645,350 42,218,690 1,116,950 549,140

-24,034 40,390 3,160 108,120 -114,926,835 -292,170 91,464 -4,700,000 -90,210 -133,650 252,945 678,110 1,235,340.00 1,526,480 -1,365,410 -1,019,150 -

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.64 2.93 3.31 3.45

5.64 2.93 3.43 3.56

5.45 2.93 3.3 3.44

FIRST METRO ETF

121.7

121.7

120.9

USD TECH B2

1.02

1.02

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,778,964

INDUSTRIAL

135,677,702

HOLDING FIRMS

88,348,192

PROPERTY

222,761,658

SERVICES

284,587,231

MINING & OIL

488,109,547

GRAND TOTAL

1,232,902,352

1.02

5.56 2.93 3.41 3.46

SME

1,123,400 1,000 72,000 1,438,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 121.3 2,160 1.02

DDS

600

VALUE 2,002.69 (DOWN) 14.94 1,033,093,196.05 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,258.22 (UP) 39.83 1,339,096,161.10 HOLDING FIRMS 8,090.58 (UP) 92.63 1,368,198,046.38 PROPERTY 3,607.49 (DOWN) 39.08 1,626.59 (DOWN) 1.74 1,015,292,978.10 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,890.54 (DOWN) 264.66 1,496,460,543.45 PSEI 7,943.93 (UP) 9.25 253,072,145.003 All Shares Index 4,813.71 (DOWN) 3.76 6,516,974,884.64 Gainers: 91; Losers: 100; Unchanged: 66; Total: 257

Bloomberry secures P73b in loans from seven banks

By Jenniffer B. Austria

BLOOMBERRY Resort Corp. through its units obtained P73 billion in syndicated loans with seven banks to refinance obligations and fund investments.

Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Bloomberry Resorts & Hotels Inc. and Sureste Properties Inc. signed a P73-billion syndicated loan with BDO Unibank Inc., BDO Private Bank Inc., China Banking Corp., Philippine National Bank, PNB Savings Bank, Robinsons Bank Corp. and United Coconut Planters Bank.

BDO Capital & Investment Corp is the lead arranger and sole book runner, while China Bank Capital Corp. is the co-arranger.

“The loan refinanced all the existing loans of BRHI and SPI. Part of the proceeds will be used for investments and working capital requirements of BRHI,” Bloomberry said.

Bloomberry in January submitted an offer to acquire the 16-hectare property in Entertainment City, where Solaire Resort & Casino (Solaire) and its expansion area are located. The lot has a minimum bid price of P37.23 billion.

SPI submitted a bid to state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp to purchase the property and an offer to acquire the land through a negotiated sale if the the bidding fails.

Pagcor conducted a second round of bidding on the property on Jan 26.

SPI holds a long-term lease on the property until July 11, 2033.

The lease is extendable for another term under certain conditions.

Bloomberry reported a 161-percent increase in net income to P6 billion in 2017 on record gaming revenues.

Gross revenues in 2017 reached P48.26 billion, up 18 percent from P40.9 billion billion in 2016.

Solaire registered gross gaming revenues of P44.5 billion in 2017, the highest recorded since its opening in 2016.

Non-gaming revenues, meanwhile, surged 40 percent to a new all timehigh P3.34 billion due to improvements in Solaire’s hotel, food and beverage and retail units.

Roxas sees flat income on lower output INTEGRATED sugar and ethanol producer Roxas Holdings Inc. expects a flat net income this year as higher sugar prices will be tempered by a 10-percent decline in production.

RHI president Hubert Tubio said in an interview after the annual stockholders’ meeting sugar production would likely drop 8 percent to 10 percent this year from 3.46 million tons of cane on adverse weather conditions.

Tubio, however, said the production would be boosted by 400,000 bags of sugar inventory at the beginning of the fiscal year.

Sugar prices are starting to pick up, averaging P1,660 per bag from P1,200 in the last quarter of 2017.

RHI reported a net income of P120 million in 2017, up 18 percent from P102 million recorded a year ago, driven by the strong performance of the sugar business.

Without the non-recurring expenses of P120 million, core net income stood at P240 million, a 135-percent jump from a year ago.

Tubio said production from the company’s ethanol business would hit 78 million liters this year, up from 70 million liters in 2016.

RHI chief finance officer Celso Dimarucut said the company plans to reduce debt levels currently at P10 billion to enhance the group’s profitability.

Dimarucut said RHI this year would allocate roughly P600 million in capital expenditures, significantly lower than the previous year’s spending after completing the expansion programs of the sugar and ethanol plants.

Meanwhile, RHI said the group was facing several challenges, including the eventual effects of the additional taxes on sugar, unregulated entry of lower import priced alternative sweeteners, the tight competition on cane supply with other sugar mills, the deteriorating productivity in the cane farms due to undesirable practices and the shortage of available farm labor for cane harvesting and loading.

Jenniffer B. Austria

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Business/World

Naia’s new runway; Third telco a dream?

THE sorry state of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, at last, has drawn the attention of the country’s biggest conglomerates. Two groups in recent weeks submitted unsolicited proposals to the government, both promising to help improve Naia’s airside and terminal capacities.

The Naia Consortium, comprising of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., AEDC, Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., proposed to invest $7 billion to expand Naia’s passenger capacity to 65 million a year in exchange for a concession period of 35 years.

Megawide Construction Corp. and partner India-based GMR Infrastructure Ltd., the current operators of Mactan-Cebu Airport, offered to invest $3 billion to increase Naia’s capacity to 72 million within a much shorter concession period of only 18 years.

But the key difference between the two proposals is the development of a third runway in Naia, which Megawide-GMR has criticized. The Naia Consortium believes the third runway would resolve the capacity constraints plaguing the airport and increase the airport’s handling capability to 90 million passengers.

Megawide-GMR is not convinced. A third runway, it said, would create a whole new set-up, comprising of terminals and common processing facilities such as baggage handling and screening. It is like putting a new airport altogether. There is also the possibility that some airplanes can’t go from Naia to the new runway. Controllers, for one, can’t just ask an aircraft to land on the new runway if the same plane is scheduled to depart next from Terminal 3.

Reclaiming a land to accommodate the new runway will also have an environmental cost. The Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area is a lush nature preserve surrounded by water and known for its variety of migratory birds. The inevitable reclamation activity will damage this delicate ecosystem.

Aviation experts, meanwhile, said two runways close to each other cannot be operated as two standalone runways. Even with the two runways at Naia, experts estimate the system is as good as 1.3 runways in terms of capacity. When one runway is being used for landing, the other cannot be used for landing or take-off.

The Naia Consortium initially said it would work with the Department of Transportation to finalize the location of the third runway. But one of its top executives conceded that building a third runway is effectively equivalent to constructing a new airport.

Telecom challenges Adding a third telecommunications company in the Philippines to break the duopoly of Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. is the ideal set-up, but with the high financial requirements and other barriers, the entry of a new industry player could just be a dream.

The outlook on a successful entry of a third telco player in the country may be dim, with ICT Davao president Samuel Matunog describing the wannabe company ‘a very challenging project.’ Matunog stressed a start-up would require a lot of resources and operate in an industry not easy to penetrate. ICT Davao is the umbrella organization of all information and communication technology groups hosted by Davao City.

Matunog’s findings are borne out by global research analysts, such as Morgan Stanley, Macquarie Capital Securities and HSBC, which evaluate prospects of foreign telcos in addressing the challenges of extremely tough entry barriers such as high capital expenditures. These obstructions make it difficult for a new telecom player to enter the industry in spite of new draft terms set by the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

The DICT earlier assured the public a third major telecommunications player would be operational by March of this year as directed by President Rodrigo Duterte. That timetable has been pushed back to May or later, however. DICT officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio said the agency moved the deadline since “there may not be any bidders if they force the issue on the President’s original deadline.”

While the amount and spread of frequencies available to support a new telco, studies found that the 40-percent foreign ownership limit coupled with other capital requirements of the government might be too daunting for a new player to comply with. The new entity, which should not be related to any telecom group with at least 40 percent market share in either mobile or broadband wireless services, is required to have at least P10 billion in net worth.

The prospective telco will have to bid for a slot with an amount equal to the net present value of what it is willing to invest within five years.

Researchers also noted that the winning entity was required to deposit 30 percent of the pledged investment with the government every year and cover at least 80 percent of provincial capital cities and 80 percent of chartered cities within five years.

The lack of a national broadband network infrastructure and years of minimal government support for incumbent telcos, coupled with the archipelagic nature of the Philippines, only add to the difficulty of having to cover at least “80 percent” of the territory.

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

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

‘Serial predator’ case studied against Cosby N ORRISTOWN―US prosecutors sought to portray Bill Cosby as a serial predator Tuesday, bringing a music teacher to testify how the disgraced star assaulted her while posing as a mentor at a private estate in Nevada 34 years ago.

The now frail and isolated 80-yearold could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted at his retrial for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand, 44, at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

The case has besmirched the legacy of the actor adored by millions as “America’s Dad” for his role as lovable father and obstetrician Cliff Huxtable on the hit 1984-92 television series “The Cosby Show.”

Since then, 60 women have accused the Emmy winner of being a serial predator, alleging that he drugged and assaulted them over 40 years.

Cosby’s first trial in Norristown, a Philadelphia suburb, ended in a hung jury in June last year, with a sequestered panel hopelessly deadlocked after six days of testimony and 52 hours of deliberations.

On Tuesday, Heidi Thomas, a mother of four from Colorado, took the stand on the second day of the retrial, the first of five additional accusers who have been allowed to testify a second time around.

Last time, Judge Steven O’Neill allowed just one additional accuser to speak for the prosecution and experts say his change of heart presents a much tougher challenge for the defense.

Thomas’s testimony of being seemingly drugged―a sole sip of alcohol that left her fuzzy, “feeling so, so sick” and unable to respond―was striking for its similarities with Constand’s allegations.

ordering its liquidation. PDIC believes that a resolution mechanism like bridge banking is a middle-ground approach that will preserve the stakes of all the stakeholders.

Another item on PDIC’s wish list involves the nation’s dwindling population of rural banks. PDIC would like to see the completion of work on a Uniform Core Banking System for rural banks. The system is designed to strengthen the rural banks’ management and accounting capabilities. PDIC believes that strengthened ruralbank capabilities will make possible better PDIC monitoring of the bank’s financial conditions.

A further item in PDIC’s wish list relates to bank fraud. The nation’s deposit insurer wants to see a program designed to enhance the capabilities of bank examiners – personnel of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and of the

At the time of her alleged assault in 1984, Thomas said she was an aspiring actress whose agent flew her out to Reno on an all-expenses paid trip after Cosby offered to mentor her.

But instead of a hotel, Thomas said she was driven to a private ranch out of town.

Cosby, she said, was initially “very kind and very personable,” but seemed unimpressed with her acting, pressing her to sip a glass of wine and handing her a script about an intoxicated woman.

“I can tell you it was a sip,” Thomas said. For the next four days, Thomas said she remembered only “little snapshots.”

“I remember waking up on a bed,” she added. “I had my clothes on. He did not. I was lying down and he was forcing himself in my mouth and I remember thinking I felt sick.

“He said ‘your friend is going to come again’ and I remember thinking ‘how did I get here? This isn’t what I’m here for,’” Thomas added. AFP

IN BRIEF Ex-presidential hopeful indicted for rape

ANNIVERSARY. Shiite Muslim pilgrims march from central Baghdad towards the Iraqi capitalís northern district of Kadhimiya on April 11 as believers prepare to mark the anniversary of seventh Shiite Imam Musa al-Kadhim’s death in the 8th century. AFP

Strong US response to Syria attack weighed despite risk WASHINGTON―The US maintained the threat of missile strikes Wednesday in response to the alleged chemical attacks in Syria, and despite the risk of triggering a head-on clash with Damascus ally Russia.

In the face of intense world outrage, the United Nations Security Council failed to agree a global response to the incident on Tuesday, after Washington and Moscow opposed each other’s rival motions to set up an international investigation into chemical weapons use in the seven-year-old conflict.

Trump has made it clear he plans to make the Syrian regime of Bashar alAssad, and perhaps his Russian and Iranian backers, pay for the latest alleged toxic gas atrocity in the war-wracked country.

According to rescue workers, on Saturday more than 40 people died in the rebel-held Damascus suburb of Douma in an alleged chemical attack, which left victims struggling to breathe, foaming at the mouth and with discolored skin.

The United States, Britain and France have argued the incident bears all the hallmarks of a strike ordered by the regime of Russia’s ally Assad, which has been blamed for previous attacks by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

Trump has warned there would be a “big price to pay”, and Washington’s UN ambassador Nikki Haley made it clear that the failure to secure a Security Council vote would not hold America and its allies back.

“Russia has trashed the credibility of the council,” she said. “Whenever we propose anything meaningful on Syria, Russia vetoes it. It is a travesty.”

Haley dismissed the Russian draft as “all about protecting the Assad regime” because of provisions that would have required the Security Council to endorse its findings -- in other words, giving Russia a veto over any attempt to apportion blame.

Russia, in turn, vetoed the USbacked motion, which would have reestablished an international Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) to probe chemical strikes in Syria and to identify culprits.

Moscow’s UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia accused Haley of seeking a vote to provide cover for a Western military strike on Assad, which now seems all the more likely.

“If you took the decision to carry out an illegal military adventure, and we do hope that you will come to your senses, well then you will have to bear responsibility for it,” he said. AFP

The Deposit Insurance Institution’s Wish List ALL institutions, public or private, that have their stakeholders’ best interest at heart have a wish list. The Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation (PDIC) is no exception. PDIC, which, as its name suggests, is the government institution charged with providing insurance for the deposits of this country’s bank depositors, has a wish list. The PDIC wish list has a number of items in it.

At the top of PDIC’s wish list is a law that will establish a mechanism for facilitating the acquisition by an appropriate body of the assets – along with the assumption of the liabilities – of a failed bank. PDIC calls the mechanism bridge banking. What the nation’s deposit insurance institution wants to see is flexibility in the handling of failed banks; the choice should not be between allowing the continued operation of a clearly failing bank and

B3

CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PDIC – to detect fraud. PDIC recognizes that technology has made the task of fraud detection increasingly harder; but it knows that technological change cuts both ways. It can also be harnessed to make the operations of bank fraudsters.

Although it is aware that anti-bank-fraud training is a permanent concern of the BSP, PDIC clearly would like a strong program of its own.

The first item on PDIC’s wish list likewise requires legislation. Although the Revised Penal Code embodies definitions of punishable acts and appropriate penalties therefor, PDIC appears eager to see the passage of legislation targeted specifically at erring bank officials, stockholders and auditors, whose activities are more insidious because they operate from the inside and have access to resources and information not available to outsiders.

Those are the things that the nation’s

deposit insurance institution would like to see materialize. Unfortunately, PDIC is one of those government institutions that are low-key, are not glamorous and are out of the limelight until a major bank fails. As a result, it doesn’t have steadfast friends in Congress sufficient in number to convert into law the items on its wish list.

It’s a great pity because the nation needs an institution that is there not only to make indemnity payments to depositors of failed banks but also is there to prevent the need to make such payments.

E-mail: gmail.com

romero.business.class@

SEOUL―A former South Korean presidential contender was indicted Wednesday on charges of raping his aide multiple times in the highestprofile case of the country’s growing #MeToo movement.

Ahn Hee-jung―who was widely seen as a strong contender to replace President Moon Jae-in when his term ends in 2022―was formally charged with rape and sexual harassment by abuse of power, a spokesman at the Seoul Western District Prosecutors’ Office said.

The spokesman said Ahn’s first hearing is expected next month.

Prosecutors opened an investigation into Ahn after his aide said in a television interview that he had raped her four times since she was hired last June.

Fighting back tears, Kim Ji-eun, who was Ahn’s personal assistant before becoming an aide in civil affairs, said last month that she had been unable to reject her boss in the rigid hierarchy of her office.

The 54-year-old politician has since stepped down from his post as the governor of South Chungcheong province and issued a formal apology but has claimed the sex was “consensual”.

But detailed accounts from the victim as well as testimonies from witnesses provided evidence of Ahn’s crimes, an official at the prosecutors’ office told Yonhap news agency.

A second woman had come forward shortly after Kim’s interview but prosecutors said her case will be excluded due to lack of evidence. AFP

PM says New Zealand ‘undeniably racist’ WELLINGTON―New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern admitted her South Pacific nation was “undeniably” racist but said she is proud of the efforts to stamp out the problem.

The center-left leader was responding to the comments from Kiwi filmmaker Taika Waititi that his homeland is “racist as fuck”.

Thor Ragnarok director Waititi, who is Maori, outlined the prejudice he had experienced in an interview with the British magazine Dazed & Confused last week.

“It’s racist as fuck. I mean, I think New Zealand is the best place on the planet, but it’s a racist place,” he said.

“People just flat-out refuse to pronounce Maori names properly.

There’s still profiling when it comes to Polynesians.”

He said he had been asked during his youth whether he was a glue sniffer, simply because of his Maori background.

The remarks prompted a fierce debate in New Zealand, with many backing him and others saying he was overstating a problem that was much worse in other countries.

Asked for her view on Waititi’s assessment, Ardern joked: “I don’t know where F sits on the quantum!”

“I think probably you’d be hardpressed to find a country that didn’t have racism in it,” she told TV3 on Tuesday.

“Is New Zealand one of them?

Undeniably. Is there racism in most countries? Undeniably. Can we do better? Yes. AFP

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

B4

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

IN BRIEF GenTri hiring 600 youths for summer GENERAL TRIAS CITY, Cavite— The city government led by Mayor Antonio “Ony” Ferrer will accommodate 600 qualified high school, senior high, college students, out-ofschool youth and persons with disabilities in various city departments this summer.

The program is in response to the national government’s annual summer hiring program through the Department of Labor and Employment in helping poor students pursue their education by providing them with employment during summer.

The student interns will be assigned by GenTri Public Employment Service Office head Ariel Mugol to the different departments in city hall under the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES) and the Government Internship Program (GIP).

The program will be done in two batches. The first batch of 300 youth will start reporting to city hall from April 10 to May 10, while the other half will work from May 10 to June 9.

All interns will earn P10,510, equal to Salary Grade 1 of the government employee code for the 20 days’ work.

“It will surely be a big help to them for the upcoming school year 2018-2019,” Ferrer said.

Sixty percent of the funding will be given by the city government, while the remaining 40 percent will be coming from the DoLE thru SPES as provided in Republic Act 10917.

Ferrer will provide two sets of uniforms for the 600 interns that will work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SPES is open to all qualified high school, senior high, college, technology and vocational students or dropouts who want to be employed in the summer job program of the government.

QC security hiked for May 14 polls QUEZON City Mayor Herbert Bautista on Wednesday ordered the Quezon City Police District to beef up its security preparations for the upcoming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14.

Bautista was the host of the Regional Joint Security Coordinating Council composed of officials of the National Capital Region Police Office and Commission on Elections yesterday.

The effort was to ensure an orderly and peaceful conduct of the May local polls, he said.

Also present were incoming Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde, Quezon City Police District Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar, and representatives from the Department of Interior and Local Government.

Bautista is the chairperson of the Regional Peace and Order Council in Metro Manila.

He described the council meeting as necessary to assess the security needs for the May 14 polls, especially in Metro Manila. Rio N. Araja

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

SBMA employee Vincent Esteban of the Maintenance and Transportation Department points at the total weight of his and his coworkers’ collected cigarette butts as SBMA Ecology Center Social Development Officer Patrick Escusa confirms the reading. The ‘Heaviest Butt Campaign’ encourages everyone to collect used cigarette butts and sell them to the SBMA Ecology Center for P300 a kilo, to be used in an upcycling experiment that would use the toxic butts as components of cement bricks. Butch Gunio

‘Heaviest Butt’ SBMA program goes viral on FB

By Butch Gunio SUBIC BAY FREEPORT ZONE—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Ecology Center’s “Heaviest Butt Campaign” has gone viral just 48 hours since it was posted online.

The campaign reached 6 million people, 45,600 shares, 30,200 likes and 19,200 comments and questions on Facebook.

People took interest when they read that SBMA is buying dry cigarette butts for P300 per kilo.

The Heaviest Butt Campaign was first conceptualized after SBMA learned that cigarette butts are one of the top three litter collected during the yearly International Coastal Cleanup in Subic Bay. Statistics show about 4.5 trillion butts are thrown away worldwide every year.

SBMA Ecology Center has partnered with a local company that has designed its own machine for litter or garbage recycling and upcycling.

The cigarette butts collected through the campaign are given to this company as material for testing and study, to see if it is possible to remove their smell and toxins so they can be upcycled into bricks or hollow blocks.

Ecology Center is collecting 20 to 60 kilograms of cigarette butts for the study.

This campaign is part of SBMA’s bigger program dubbed as “War on Waste.”

Most comments on Facebook expressed surprise, such as “Is this true?” Some were curious: “What will you do with the cigarette butts that you are buying?”

Makati hikes elderly fund 40% to P422.7m in 2018

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AYOR Abigail Binay on Wednesday assured the 80,000 registered elderly citizens of Makati City that their welfare remains a top priority of her administration, citing the P422.7-million budget it allocated for the programs intended for them this year.

Binay said the amount represents almost a third of the entire budget for the Social Welfare sub-sector, which has been increased to P1.57 billion, or 40.8 percent higher than the budget last year.

“We have made sure that our beloved senior Makatizens will be able to continuously enjoy the services and benefits we have accorded them, which other localities across the nation have been trying to emulate,” she said.

Makati is known for its many innovative programs for senior citizens, which go beyond the provisions of national laws concerning the elderly. It has provided cash gifts, free and unlimited admission to cinemas in the city, free birthday cakes and golden wedding anniversary cakes, free medicines and subsidized medical services, and free tours, among others.

Of the total budget for the elderly, the city has allotted P330.1 million for the annual cash gifts and one-time Centenarian cash gift under the Blu Card; P40 million for free movies; P36.1 million for free cakes on birthdays and golden wedding

Manila

Standard

TODAY

anniversaries; P3.9 million for Lakbay

By Vito Barcelo Saya; and P6.5 million for cultural and theatrical presentations.

MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” EsThe remaining budget of P6 million has trada on Wednesday appealed to votbeen allotted to burial assistance for Blu ers to choose the right local officials Card holders amounting to P3,000 each. who are not corrupt and linked to ilUnder the Blu Card program, the elderlegal drugs in the coming Barangay ly receive an annual cash gift correspondand Sangguniang Kabataan elections ing to their age categories as follows: 60 on May 14 this year. to 69 years old receive P3,000; 70 to 79, The former President said this is P4,000; and 80 to 89, P5,000. It is given also the opportunity to remove loin two tranches, in June and December of cal officials involved in corruption each year. and are protectors of illegal drug In 2012, the city started giving a oneoperations. time P100,000 cash gift to Blu cardhold“l am appealing to our voters to ers upon reaching 100 years old through reject candidates engaged in corCity Ordinance 2012-099. To date, 45 ruption and illegal drugs. I am seekcentenarians have received the cash gift. ing your help to support Presidente Other major Social Welfare programs beRodrigo Duterte in his campaign ing funded by the city government include against criminality and corruption,” the Makati Universal Health Insurance with he said.

P70.3 million for the year; Lingkod Bayan Barangays are in the front lines Caravan, P30.6 million; Disaster Relief not only in providing basic services Assistance, P12 million; and Aid to Indibut also in fighting illegal drugs, corviduals and Families in Crisis Situations, ruption, and criminality, he added.

P24.2 million.

At the recent Congress of the League of Municipalities of the PhilCYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK ippines, Estrada said the multibillionpeso drug industry must be destroyed at all costs, especially with the coming barangay and SK elections.

Gordon touts RIIC for Central Luzon

SEC Memorandum Circular No. 6 Series of 2018 SUBJECT :

ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS AND AMENDMENTS TO EXISTING ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

The Commission, in its meeting held on April 5, 2018, approved the adoption of the following pronouncements as part of SEC’s rules and regulations on financial reporting: Title

Brief Description

Philippine Financial An entity shall apply this standard for annual periods Reporting Standard beginning on or after January 1, 2019. Earlier application is not permitted until the Financial Reporting (PFRS) 16, Leases Standards Council (FRSC) has adopted International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 15, the new revenue recognition standard. Once adopted, earlier application of PFRS 16 is permitted if the entity has adopted the new revenue recognition standard.

Disclosure Initiative An entity shall apply the amendments for annual [Amendments to periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. Earlier Philippine Accounting application is permitted.

Standard (PAS) 7] Recognition of An entity shall apply the amendments retrospectively for Deferred Tax Assets annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017. for Unrealized Losses Earlier application is permitted.

(Amendments to PAS 12)

All of the foregoing pronouncements have been adopted by the Philippine Financial Reporting Standards Council as approved by the Board of Accountancy and Professional Regulation Commission and published in the Official Gazette.

Issued this 06 day of April 2018 at Pasay City, Philippines.

For the Commission:

TERESITA J. HERBOSA Chairperson (MS-APR. 12, 2018)

Choose right village and SK heads—Erap

Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte (right) walks with Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio during the 81st founding anniversary of Davao City, two days after the presidential daughter visited Quezon City as guest of honor of the Office of the Vice Mayor in the celebration of the National Women’s Month. Manny Palmero

‘Hulagway sa Davao’ photo tilt winners named

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The City Government of Davao have chosen the winners of the Hulagway sa Araw ng Davao 2018 Photo Contest.

Three judges picked the standouts from 70 entries based on the event’s criteria: Creativity (30 percent), Composition (30 percent), Originality (30 percent), and Relevance to the Theme (10 percent).

First-timer Rowena Lou Diong topped the contest with her entry “Kasadya,” which showed how Davao City employees enjoyed the Araw ng mg Empleyado (Employees’ Day).

The judges said Diong’s piece “is full of joy and excitement.” It showed an employee hitting the earthen pot during a game.

Diong will get a cash prize of P15,000.

Second place went to Jason Daquigan with his entry “Kung Kaya Mo, Kaya Ko” and earned him P10,000. His entry showed a group of persons with disability who actively participated in the Parada Dabawenyo.

Henry Doctolero Jr.’s “Shout for Joy” bagged the third prize and P5,000, as his photo showed the triumph of children who won the Sayaw Pinoy Traditional Dance Competition.

CLARK FREEPORT, Pampanga֫— Senator Richard Gordon is sponsoring a bill in the Senate seeking to centralize the resources and infrastructure projects for the comprehensive development of Central Luzon into a “progressive and resilient” region in the country.

Called the Regional Investment and Infrastructure Corp. of Central Luzon, the proposed government firm aims to consolidate the infrastructure, natural and human resources that will trigger economic development in the seven provinces of Region III, the senator said.

The proposed Senate Bill No. 1325 authored by Gordon, chairman of the Senate committee on Government Corporations and Public Enterprises, will be composed of 19 members, including four members of non-government organizations appointed by the firm’s chairman.

During a consultative hearing attended by governors, businessmen and stakeholders here, Gordon explained that the RIIC will encourage all cities and municipalities in the region to prepare, adopt and implement their comprehensive and detailed independent plans, including zoning and urban planning.

Life

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardliFE

household

thursday, april 12, 2018

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Secure and convenient living WORLD-CLASS LIVING. Integrated community in the south, Filinvest City, offers security and accessibility, on top of its other services and amenities, to its residents, locators, and guests.

A

common problem with some integrated communities is that aesthetic features are usually the priority, while security and transport convenience are often regarded as an afterthought.

Premier self-contained community in the south, Filinvest city, whose future-ready masterplan utilizes the best practices in urban planning, further strengthens its safety and security as well as the transportation convenience it provides to residents, locators, and guests.

The 244-hectare township is safeguarded by ‘round the clock security guards stationed in key areas, always ready to lend a hand and be of service should crimes or accidents happen.

Filinvest city also boasts its own Emergency Response Group and crisis management Team, together with its own central Emergency command Post. operating 24/7 and manned with a professionally-trained staff, the Emergency Response Group comes equipped with state-of-the-art rescue tools, all ready to be deployed in the event of an emergency.

The central Emergency command Post, meanwhile, has in place its very own Fire Station recognized by the Bureau of Fire Protection. Armed with a fire engine truck and a first responder pick-up truck with a 10-kilometer radio coverage, such facilities can be used to promptly respond to fires within a three-kilometer radius.

To further enhance its rescue and response, Filinvest city has forged a partnership with Lifeline Rescue, Phils., a trusted private organization that provides emergency quick response, standby and medical airlifts, and inter-facility transfers, among other valuable services.

Hospitals and wellness centers such as ospital ng muntinlupa, Asian Hospital and medical center, and Research Institute for Tropical medicine are also located within Filinvest city, giving residents, employees, and guests easy access to healthcare.

To promote better mobility and convenience in getting around the area, Filinvest city takes pride in its upgraded

How to teach kids

about fire safety

Security guards are stationed in key areas in the community It is every parent’s responsibility to teach their kids about fire safety

PEoPLE take every precaution necessary to ensure that their households are protected from every possible danger, most especially a fire. But how do parents teach children at an early age the importance of fire safety?

LPG label Solane offers these tips on teaching children fire safety.

Don’t let them play with flammable materials

A good way to keep children from accidentally starting a fire is not to let them play with objects that may cause a spark. make sure all lighters and matches are out of their reach. more importantly, make them understand that even if these items are within reach, they are not toys and they should not play with them.

Keep hazards away from them Filinvest City partners with Lifeline to support its existing security and safety efforts

traffic management system and its impressive 360 Eco-Loop, the country’s first fully-integrated electric-powered public transport system in a private development.

The Eco-Loop, which is the main mode of public transportation within Filinvest city, has 28 designated stops, utilizing 17-seater and 20-seater e-ve-

hicles that have exceptionally quiet engines and are energy-efficient with zero carbon emissions.

With security and accessibility it offers, on top of its other services and features, facilities and infrastructures, Filinvest city upholds its commitment to providing its residents and guests a modern and world-class living.

Kids are naturally curious and will want to explore whatever they find interesting, thus it is best that you don’t keep any hazards within their reach. Advise them to avoid playing with anything electrical, such as sockets and wires.

Remind them the basic things to do in case of fire

Show children how to stop, drop, and roll to extinguish the flames.

Teach them to stay low and close to the ground where there is less smoke when they are inside a room filled with fumes, and to crawl their way to safety. Finally, remind them not to panic and run when their clothes catch fire to prevent the flames from spreading.

Let them know the emergency numbers

Teach your kids how to dial the numbers for emergency services and to call for help in case of an emergency. Keep those numbers close to the telephone for easy access. And just as important, Teach them what to do when a fire breaks out remind them to speak in a calm, clear make sure your kids know where the voice when talking on the phone to fire exits and extinguishers are, as well avoid confusion.

Remind children never to play with flammable materials and anything electrical, such as sockets and wires.

Filinvest City takes pride in its upgraded traffic management system, promoting better mobility and convenience in getting around the area.

as the sound of the fire alarms. map an escape route, mark all possible exits for every room in the house and make sure the children have them memorized. In case of a fire, identify a meeting point outside your home. Tell the children to remain in that place once they are out of danger so you would know where everybody is and would not have to worry about someone being left behind.

Life

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thursday, apri apriL 12, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Marian Rivera leads a moms club Mega Prime executives join Marian Rivera (third from left) at the launch of Prime Mom Club, an exclusive social community of first-time mothers.

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eLeBriTY mom Marian rivera is excited to be the first member of the Prime Mom Club, an exclusive social community of young mothers that helps first-time moms become successful homemakers.

Le Cordon Bleu cutlery

Elevate home dining with a premium cutlery set ShopperS at Marketplace by rustan’s and rustan’s Supermarket have a chance to elevate their dining experiences at home with Le Cordon Bleu premium Cutlery Set. Shop and earn stickers from today until July 4 to get authentic Le Cordon Bleu cutlery, such as the 4-piece Dinner Set which is a great starter to your collection and includes a knife forged from hardened stainless steel, the 3-piece Children’s Set perfectly scaled for kids, the 4-piece pastry Fork Set with threepronged forks for separating cakes and pastries, and the 2-piece Serving Set which is popular for dinner and salads. earn stickers faster when you purchase sponsor products such as Aquabliss, Feather Soft, Beach hut, Fontauroi, Tiny Buds Baby Naturals, palm Corned Beef, Snapmax, and Market Garden.

Go to a store to get sticker cards or download the Stick ‘N Collect App on Google play or App Store. rustan’s Supermarket is located at Glorietta, Greenbelt 1, paseo de Magallanes, Alphaland Makati place, paseo Center, Century City Mall, Gateway Mall, Katipunan, Tomas Morato, p.

Guevarra, Corinthian hills, Village Center Antipolo, The Grove by rockwell, Ayala Malls The 30th, Ayala Alabang Village, evia Lifestyle Center, Uptown Mall BGC, oakridge Business park, Ayala Center, Arcenas estate, and Ayala Centrio Mall. Marketplace by rustan’s outlets are at San Antonio plaza, rockwell power plant Mall, Central Square Bonifacio high Street, Connecticut San Juan, eastwood City, Shangri-La plaza, paseo de roces, Santolan Town plaza, and Three Central.

From left: Technolux chief operating officer Roland Verzosa, Smallwares Division vice president Jenelyn Carlos, Hanview Enterprises general manager Sherry Liu, Hanview Enterprises assistant coordinator Sunny Yan, and Room Supplies & Amenities sales manager Jenefer Arienda

prime Mom Club aims to make the lives of homemakers much easier by giving them relevant information and helping them whip up great meals using premium ingredients, such as Mega prime products, that can transform simple dishes into spectacular ones. prime Moms enjoy a host of privileges, such as the opportunity to be part of Mega prime exclusive events, a Special prime Mom Club iD, a monthly newsletter with a compilation of recipes, and several chances to receive special gift items and products from Mega prime.

Mommy members will also be invited to join regular get-togethers where they can discuss relevant and timely homemaking topics among themselves, and listen to seasoned speakers and field experts discuss a variety of useful topics.

“Sobrang excited ako na kasama ako sa prime Mom Club. For me kasi, it’s important for us first-time moms to connect, share our experiences, and learn from each other,” enthuses rivera.

She continues, “Gusto kong i-share

First-time mom Marian Rivera is the first member of Prime Mom Club

yung mga alam ko lalo na sa kusina at masaya kasing mag-try ng recipes na nag-work for other mommies. i really hope na madaming mommies ang sumali sa prime Mom club.”

The club is open to all moms aged 25 to 35.

According Marvin Tiu Lim, vice president for sales and marketing of Mega Global Corporation, the maker of

Mega prime canned products, rivera is the “perfect example” of a prime Mom. Lim says, “She is family-oriented, inherently smart, resourceful, and above all, endowed with a beautiful soul. She knows how to juggle the demands of her chosen career and raising a loving family—attributes which she has clearly shown as a brand endorser of Mega prime.”

6 reasons why you should use a garment steamer A GArMeNT steamer is much more ideal than an iron and ironing board combination for people leading busy lives or individuals who don’t have much space at home.

As part of its garment care solutions, philips offers its Garment Steamer that promises to make ironing clothes easier and more efficient.

1. philips Garment Steamer is designed for easy crease removal with its wide range of essential steaming solutions. it is the perfect appliance

for quick touch-ups on delicate and difficult to iron clothes.

2. You can cover more fabric area in one stroke with its steam plate that is larger by 25 percent than other steamers.

3. it sets your preferred steam level for optimal results on different kinds of fabric and has an adjustable pole for various height settings.

4. The steamer generates penetrating powerful steam pressure enabling you to remove creases with only a few strokes. in addition, with its pureSteam

technology, it ensures powerful steam over the years.

5. it gives you an option on how you steam your clothes. it has a special garment hanger or a tiltable ergoFit board which gives you a stable and comfortable support.

6. philips Garment Steamer has a large detachable water tank for easy refill, suitable for long steaming sessions.

Go to www.philips.com.ph for more information.

Technolux launches guest room supplies and amenities

WiTh executives from top hotels in attendance, Technolux gave a tour of its showroom at the Mall of Kitchens that displays quality guest room supplies and housekeeping solutions from popular brands preferred by five-star hotels and resorts worldwide.

The products on display include hotel pillows, bed linens, and towels; amenities such as soap shampoo, conditioner, and lotion; atomizer; decorative finishing hardware; slippers; and dental kit.

The launch of this new line of guest room supplies signaled a new business initiative for Technolux under its Smallwares Division headed by vice president Jenny Carlos. it is an important addition

to the array of products the company offers to its clients composed mainly of the biggest hotels in the country.

To date, the company’s smallwares division has more than 4,000 SKUs, which include tableware, knives, pots and pans, baking tools and utensils, pizza supplies, janitorial supplies, coffee utensils, and houseware items from some of the most recognizable brands trusted by companies around the globe.

Some of Technolux’s foreign suppliers and principals, such as Sunny Yan and Sherry Liu of hanview, graced the event.

To know more about Technolux and its products and services, check out www.technolux.net.

Philips Garment Steamer is designed for easy crease removal and quick touch-ups on delicate and difficult to iron clothes

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

ALL-NEW SEASON

of ‘Master Chef Junior’ and ‘Celebrity Chef: East vs. West’

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ULINARY lovers and food enthusiasts at home welcomed the premiere of two mega cooking shows.

MasterChef Junior returned for a sixth season to welcome a new set of young talented chefs competing for a breakthrough with their own takes on challenging dishes. Watch as these kids go head to head in the kitchen to try and persuade the celebrity hosts and judges - Christina Tosi, the returning Joe Bastianich, and Gordon Ramsay to choose them as the best.

Along with MasterChef Junior, culinary buffs also have Celebrity Chef: East vs. West. Here we see Malaysian singer and TV Chef Nicholas Tse (East) go up against Canadian Celebrity Chef Dominic Rocco (West) for cooking supremacy; where we follow these two chefs as they travel to various cities in Asia to learn more about the different culture and their food. Tse and Rocco will be challenged by local chefs to prepare their own versions of specifically selected native dishes.

Celebrity Chef: East vs. West, which premiered on March 25, runs for five episodes.

The Philippine airing of MasterChef Junior and Celebrity Chef: East vs.

West is made possible by Doña Elena Olive Oil. Warranted for its high levels of vitamins A, E, and K to fight against bad cholesterol, with 80 percent monounsaturated oleic acid, Doña Elena Olive Oil continues to be the no. 1 olive oil product in the Philippines for delivering incredible health benefits to make everyone’s dishes

'Celebrity Chef: East vs. West' headliners Chef Nicholas Tse (left) of Malaysia and Chef Dominic Rocco of Canada.

enjoyable without the guilt.

“Up until now, Doña Elena Olive Oil continues to dominate the olive oil category. The product is number one for a reason; it’s simply because of the market’s trust. Aside from sponsoring the airing of Master Chef in the Philippines, we also teach Filipinos the different uses of olive oil through cooking classes we conduct across the country,” said Zen Prudentino, Fly Ace

Corporation Group Product Manager and Head Category for oils.

Viewers are encouraged to have their own take on the dishes as seen on both shows, cooked with the help of Doña Elena Olive Oil for a healthy and hearty twist. MasterChef Junior and Celebrity Chef: East vs. West air on Fox Life; channel 48 on both Destiny and Sky Cable, channel 28 on Cablelink, and Channel 124 on Cignal.

Cine Lokal features gritty set of films for April THIS month, the Film Development Council of the Philippines is featuring three independently produced films of 2017 through Cine Lokal, all set to screen in eight SM Cinemas, focusing on the daily real life struggles of people who are short-changed by life but with big dreams.

On April 6, Mga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko (Those Long Haired Nights) started screening. A film by Gerardo Calagui, it participated in various international film festivals such as Busan International Film Festival, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival, Hawaii International Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Festival, Black Movie Geneva International Independent Film Festival, and International Film Festival Rotterdam, to name a few. It stars Rocky Salumbides, Anthony Falcon, Matt Daclan and Mon Confiado.

The film is about three transgenders working as masseuses offering sexual services for their clientele. The youngest of them, Tuesday, is a hopeless romantic looking for love in all the wrong places. The wise one, Amanda, returns home to her province to attend the christening of her ex-girlfriend’s son. The brave one, Barbie, looks to make more money through drug deals for a Korean client. As all three of them chase their dreams, it is anything but a normal night in the chaos of Burgos.

Next to screen is Bhoy Intsik directed by Joel Lamangan.

The film features RS Francisco, Ronwaldo Martin, Jeric Raval, Elora Espano, Mon Confiado and Tony Mabesa. It is about two small-time felons with disparate personas cross paths: one is a principled tough gay; the other is a scheming, street-smart teenager. Together, they get caught up in a string of petty exploits while managing to forge a stronger bond.

The final lined up film this April is the sci-fi Throwback Today directed by Joseph Teoxon starring Carlo Aquino, Annicka Dolonuis, Kat Galang, Benj Manalo and Empress Schuck.

Throwback Today is about Primo, gifted with a good eye for

Carlo Aquino in Joseph Teoxon's sci-fi film 'Throwback Today.'

production design, who ventures into the working world with a great desire to succeed. Unprepared for the harsh realities of the real world, Primo experiences failure, heartbreak and regret in a series of unfortunate events. While trying to make ends meet at the peak of his misfortunes, he encounters a technological glitch with his old desktop computer and gets a chance to re-write his life.

Catch these films at SM Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Fairview, SM Southmall and SM Bacoor. All films are screening at 1:00 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, April 12, 2018

ACROSS 1 Absent 5 Overconfident 9 Cave dwellers 13 Quick letters 15 Yukon, briefly 16 Eurasian mountains 17 Billy Goats Gruff foe 18 Jaipur princess 19 Nerve network 20 Put on the payroll 22 Provided staff 24 Before, in combos 25 Tooth buildup 26 Quickest 30 Here, to Pierre 31 Transparently clear 32 Idealists 37 Mild Dutch cheese 38 Ess moldings 40 Lamb’s pen name 41 Moviemaker 43 Famed fabulist 44 Paris season 45 Con games 47 High-rise units 50 Frequently 51 — AbdulJabbar 52 Turn on 57 Sharpen

34 “Anything —?”

35 Noisy disturbance 36 Weakens gradually 38 Hassocks 39 Leaves 42 Yield by treaty 43 Energetic and vigorous 45 Perches DOWN 1 Gambling stake 46 Behind, at sea 47 Sponge 2 Wriggler 48 Gill or lung 3 Standing on 4 Football cheer 49 Has occasion for 5 Address part 6 Anthropologist Margaret — 7 Coffee server 8 Makes a face 9 Beyond well-done 10 Basketball venue 11 Spud 12 Malamute’s load 14 Tilted 21 Cen. fractions 23 Pavarotti piece 25 Weary 26 Hightailed it 27 BMW rival 28 Leave a mark 29 Kind of capsule 32 “The,” to Wolfgang 33 Submissive 58 Sorrowful cry 60 Cap brim 61 Mild rejoinder 62 Snug retreat 63 Cafe customer 64 Microscope part 65 Solidifies 66 Jar tops

51 Capsize, with “over” 52 Crow’s nest locale 53 Mini-container 54 — Spumante 55 Nailed obliquely 56 Is mistaken 59 Bruce or Harper

Simply Red...

From C4

ABS-CBN remained as the top TV network in the country in March as it swept the top ten list of most watched programs and recorded an average audience share of 46 percent (excluding Holy Week), compared to GMA’s 32 percent.

That is according to data from Kantar Media.

The Kapamilya network kept its lead nationwide, particularly in Metro Manila where it hit an average audience share of 42 percent versus GMA’s 27 percent, and in Mega Manila where it got an average audience share of 37 percent, compared to GMA’s 35 percent.

ABS-CBN also ruled in Total Luzon where it registered 42 percent, beating GMA’s 35 percent; in Total Visayas where it scored 56 percent, compared to GMA’s 25 percent; and in Total Mindanao where it garnered 54 percent versus GMA’s 28 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.

FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (41.3 percent) took a solid hold of its position as the most watched program in the country in March, followed by the realitytalent search Pilipinas Got Talent (38.1 percent). La Luna Sangre (37.2 percent), on the other hand, thrilled viewers up to its gripping finale, while newest fantaserye Bagani (33.4 percent instantly entertained (or fascinated) viewers on its first month of airing.

The inspiring stories in MMK (31 percent) also touched viewers’ hearts, while TV Patrol (30.7 percent) brought relevant news stories to more Filipinos in March.

Also part of the top ten list are the values-laden series Wansapanataym (25.8 percent), the funnier Home Sweetie Home (24.4 percent) as it welcomed new characters in the series, the current affairs program Rated K (23.2 percent), and the hit primetime series The Blood Sisters (21.3 percent) with Erich Gonzales.

Meanwhile, ABS-CBN also won across all time blocks, particularly in the primetime block (6 p.m. to 12 midnight) where it garnered an average audience share of 51 percent, or 21 points higher than GMA’s 30 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.

The Kapamilya network also reigned supreme in the morning block (6 a.m.to 12 noon), where it registered 39 percent, compared to GMA’s 32 percent; in the noontime block (12 noon to 3 p.m.), where it hit 45 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent; and in Total Mindanao where it recorded 45 percent, beating GMA’s 36 percent. *** VIU, a leading Asian digital content provider popular for its online distribution of K-Drama and K-Pop shows, recently announced its full support for Globe Telecom’s antiillegal site advocacy, #PlayItRight.

VIU Country Manager in the Philippines Arianne Kader-Cu said that Korean drama has a huge base of follwers in the country with an estimated

22.5 million Filipinos watching online.

“The soul of K-Drama and K-Pop are the Korean idols who depend on the revenue of their projects to remain popular. We are supporting Globe #PlayItRight to protect and champion the rights of actors, staff and even the viewers of Korean content through #VIUItRight,” Kader-Cu revealed.

Globe Senior Vice President for Content Nikko Acosta expressed the company’s gratitude to VIU for its support for the company’s advocacy.

“Globe with the help of its content partners like VIU wants to send a strong message to the public to consume digital content the right way. The support given by VIU strengthens our aim in promoting good content by using the right avenues to watch, stream or play Korean content,” Acosta said.

Kader-Cu added that #VIUItRight also encourages its millions of Korean fans to support #PlayitRight to ensure that their actors and actresses’ superstardom stays alive in the industry.

“Fans are the major stakeholders in the careers of Korean acts. They are the deciding factor in whether an actor, a drama, or an idol becomes a hit. They can literally make or break careers, and their participation in accessing online content through the right channels would go a long way towards helping their favorite actors and idols achieve their dreams of stardom,” she said.

From the first Annyeonghaseyo in “Bright Girl”—the first Korean drama series that aired on Philippine television—in 2003 to dancing and singing to the music from the likes of Big Bang, BTS, Girls Generation, and Twice, the Philippines has come a long way in its appreciation of Korean-made content.

The love affair of Filipinos with Korean content has intensified through the years with Pinoys, teens to the 40 something, consuming everything Korean - series, films and music.

Pinoy fans camp out the day before concert tickets are sold to their favorite K-Pop bands. Tickets are always sold out on the first day. With such clamor, the Philippines has become one of the top markets for Korean content consumption. #PlayItRight through #VIUItRight encourages Filipinos to help their Korean idols accomplish their dreams by watching content legally and rightfully. *** The Kapuso network seems to have found another series that they can mine for several months again, that is if viewership doesn’t falter.

In the afternoon series Contessa, Glaiza de Castro is Bea Resureccion (take note of the literal allusion of the last name to its plotline) who is fueled with rage to fight for justice.

Life hasn’t been kind to Bea. She’s imprisoned for a crime she did not commit, and experienced the murders of her husband Marco Cabellero ( M a r k Herras) and mother Linda Resurrecion ( T a n y a Gomez).

A l r e a d y, after its early March pilot, the Kapuso fans seem to have found another vehicle on which they can relate their angst-filled lives.

'Contessa' star Glaiza de Castro

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

C4

THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018

IAN VENERACION finally reveals his musical talent MANY were surprised when Ian Veneracion met the entertainment media recently for a press conference for his first-ever musical show called Ian: In 3 Acts.

At Mesa on T. Morato, it was a jampacked restaurant as the former child actor-turned action star-turned matinee idol tells members of the press that he has long been a closet singer and a musician…he plays the piano and a couple of other musical instruments.

And that is apart from his non-showbiz vocation…painting (he has had a couple of exhibits in the past).

Ian is one of the entertainment industry’s popular television and film stars. Apart from that, he is also an indemand product endorser.

Ian In 3 Acts is a concert that is very much different from the fan shows Ian does on his breaks from his teleserye and movies.

Ian said, “We structured it like a movie in 3 acts and it will show the talents many of you and the fans are not familiar with the Ian Veneracion you have known.”

Primarily known as an actor who can entertain his fans in mall tours and overseas shows, the concert features his lesser known but surprising musical talent.

One writer asked why he took him this long to come out in the open as a singer. And his answer?

“Nobody asked.”

He will do cover of some popular songs; show off his guitar and piano-playing skills and debuts songs he wrote in a musical set pieced together by a narrative, similar to a sequence in a film.

The audience will be treated to the Ian they know; surprised by the Ian they don’t know and entertained

by Ian, the complete performer.

Ian: In 3 Acts, produced by Dreamwings Production Inc., is also ISAH V. RED conceptualized to be a more intimate and relatable experience for the fans back-dropped by stunning visual imagery projected on giant LED screens conceptualized and directed by Mike Alcazaren. They have already shot a music video for Ian’s original song “We’re All Alone”, a bluesy song about the travails of an artist constantly in the spotlight. The music video will be released on social media soon but its live performance will debut in the show.

The first of the series of shows shall be at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of Cebu Waterfront on April 21. The show will also feature L.A. Santos and other special guests.

Ian: In 3 Acts on May 13 will be at Resorts World Manila. Tickets are available at the customer service of SM City Cebu, the lobby of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and on-line at Ticketworld.

Continued on C3

Ian Veneracion will stage a concert at at the Grand Pacific Ballroom of Cebu Waterfront and at the Resorts World Manila.

JULIE ANNE

Is feeling pressured to have another Diamond record?

By Nickie Wang

Global sensation BTS plugs in LG smartphone LG ELECTRONICS is the latest company to bet on the pull of K-pop cool. The company is on the brink of producing its most ambitious and wide-reaching campaign to date, one headlined by BTS, today’s hottest K-pop boy band.

Named one of Time Magazine’s 25 Most Influential People on the Internet for 2017, and the first Korean pop group to win “Top Social Artist” honors at the Billboard Music Awards and to perform at the American Music Awards, the wildly popular boy band will appear in a series of TV advertisements and social media campaigns for LG’s mobile products, beginning with the company’s soon-to-be-released flagship smartphone.

LG is banking on BTS (also known as Bangtan Sonyeondan and Beyond the Scene) to help establish a new image for its smartphones in the global market—the musical group has a massive fanbase, dubbed the ARMY, not only in South Korea, but across Asia, the United States, Europe and South America as well. The video for the group’s most recent single, “Mic Drop,” has surpassed 200 million views, becoming the seventh music video by the boy band to achieve this milestone.

GMA Network brings ‘3 Stars, 1 Heart’ to Dagupan with Julie Anne San Jose, Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, and Christian Bautista.

In the Philippines, the Korean boy band, composed of rappers Rap Monster, Suga and J-Hope, and vocalists Jin, Jimin, V and Jungkook, enjoys a huge following among millennials and youthful music lovers.

A highly successful sold-out concert last year witnessed enthusiastic fans lining up at ticket outlets the evening before selling and causing the ticketing website to crash many times.

“BTS achieved international superstardom through raw talent, innovation and authenticity even though many gave them little chance of real success,” says Kim Su-young, vice president and head of marketing for LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “These qualities make BTS a great match with our smartphone brand, and we hope to be able to convey to the global audience that LG mobile devices are also about delivering bold innovation with a unique attitude.”

LG and BTS will collaborate on a diverse marketing campaign that reflects the uniquely colorful personalities of each of the group’s members. The campaign will highlight the band’s talent and attitude, and its relationship with its fans, the very qualities that LG hopes to bring to its upcoming products starting this quarter.

International K-pop sensation BTS, also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band.

E

ARLY this year, pop sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose released a single called “Nothing Left,” and in less than an hour, it went straight to the top spot of iTunes Philippines chart.

‘3 Stars, 1 Heart’ But this is just a tiny milestone for someone who has a Diamond Record goes to Dagupan Award under her belt. In these times when people like hearing music but don’t want to pay for it, Julie Anne’s 2012 self-titled album sold more than 150,000 units.

She attributed this achievement of a diamond-seller album to her fans and said this made her feel more inspired to create music but don't feel burdened on replicating her previous album's feat.

“There’s pressure but at the end of the day it’s all about the people who support me. I wouldn’t achieve it and I wouldn’t be where I am at right now if not because of their unparalleled support.

I just want to sing and perform,” Julie Ann told Manila Standard during the 3 Stars, 1 Heart media conference.

She further said that she’s happy that she was able to sell records, but all she wanted to do now is to create music and entertain people.

“Platinum or Diamond awards will be just a big bonus,” she said.

While preparing for a new album, Julie Anne has been selling sold out concerts, too. One of her recent onstage outings was the 3 Stars, 1 Heart concert held in Cebu where she shared the stage with Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and balladeer Christian Bautista.

Now, due to its success, GMA Entertainment Content Group (ECG) and GMA Regional TV (GMA RTV) are bringing the concert series to Pangasinan on April 14 at the CSI Stadia, Dagupan City.

According to Julie Anne, fans must prepare to be entertained and experience powerful performances.

“There’s going to be a number where we will sing the pieces we used to perform when we were still joining singing contests.

And then we’ll have ‘exchange hits’ prod where we will sing each other’s hits,” the 23-year-old singer said on what to expect from the concert.

For the Dagupan leg of the concert, Regine will treat the Kapusong Pangasinense and

the rest of the audience to an exceptional song repertoire. Meanwhile, Christian will showcase his expertise in performing hit love songs that people of all ages could relate to.

“Our first leg in Cebu was a huge success. This is why we are excited to bring ‘3 Stars, 1 Heart’ to the rest of the country,” says GMA Vice President for Business Development Department III Darling de Jesus Bodegon.

“Our partnership with Regional TV aims to reach more people in the regions through live concerts. We are honored that we have Regine, Christian, and Julie Anne together in one big concert. This is our treat to our loyal Kapuso viewers all over the country,” she adds.

“The 2nd leg of the 3 Stars, 1 Heart concert brings us nothing but immense pride,” says GMA RTV Vice President and Head Oliver Amoroso. “It’s been all worth the effort, most especially with the public reception we experienced at the first leg in Cebu.”

Amoroso further said that audience can expect a concert that features voices, genres and signature songs of Regine, Christian and Julie Anne in sync and in harmony with each other.

“This is why we are bringing 3 Stars, 1 Heart closer to our Kapuso viewers, this time around in Dagupan City. What better way to celebrate this year’s Bangus Festival than to have three of Asia’s mostsought performers in one show. Those who will watch the concert will have a great time, no doubt,” he said.

Tickets to more Kapamilya shows now available online

Tickets to 'Pilipinas Got Talent' can now be bought online.

AVID viewers of Kapamilya shows and stars can now easily book tickets to more ABS-CBN programs as the Kapamilya Tickets online portal (KTX) adds more shows for online booking.

Tickets to entertainment shows including Pilipinas Got Talent, Gandang Gabi Vice, I Can See Your Voice, Magandang Buhay, Banana Sundae, and Tonight with Boy Abunda are now available on the website (ktx. abs-cbn.com).

The Bottomline with Boy Abunda is also the first current affairs program that will be open for online booking via KTX. Launched in May 2017, KTX is ABSCBN’s online ticketing portal that gives Filipinos easy access to ABS-CBN shows and events, as well as a way to get tickets to Kidzania. Last year, KTX only offered the public tickets to It’s Showtime and ASAP. Fans also have more payment options

to choose from as KTX recently partnered with iPay88 that enables online banking (DragonPay and BancNet) and offline payment via banks and nonbanks (BayadCenter, LBC, Robinsons, SM Department store). Before, the only payment method available was through credit or debit card (VISA/MasterCard).

ABS-CBN, which is transitioning into a digital company, is the first among TV networks in the Philippines to launch its very own online ticketing system.