Manila Standard - 2018 April 14 - Saturday

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VOL. XXXII • NO. 58 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘BURNING MAN’ PIX WINS TOP AWARD

By Jan Hennop AGENCE France-Presse photographer Ronaldo Schemidt won the prestigious 2018 World Press Photo of the Year Award Thursday with a fiery image of a masked Venezuelan protester that the judges said symbolized a country “burning.”

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Next page 2018 PICTURE. The coveted World Press Photo Award, ‘the most prestigious and coveted award in photojournalism,’ recognized Venezuelan photographer Ronaldo Schemidt’s work, which features a powerful story symbolizing the current state of Venezuela. His powerful image of a protester consumed by fire amid violent clashes with riot police during a protest in Caracas, Venezuela in 2017. He also won 1st Prize in the Spot News Singles category in Amsterdam on Thursday. AFP

Sara tells pa to junk peace gab with Reds

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte on Friday asked her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, to reconsider his decision to reopen peace talks with the communist rebels, casting doubts on their sincerity after they burned close to a dozen pieces of heavy equipment in three barangays here.

“I believe the insurgency problem can only be ended peacefully if the NDFP [National Democratic Front of the Philippines] and the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army [NPA], are sincere, honest, and committed to working toward the direction of peace and reciprocate the gesture offered by the government,” the mayor said.

“But there are no indications at all that they are willing to negotiate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” she said.

On Thursday, police repelled communist rebels who tried to overrun a police station in Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.

A report from Camp Col. Rafael C. Rodriguez in Butuan City said local police officers of Station 5 fought off 40 NPA rebels in

SolGen belittles retrieved SALNs

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

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OLICITOR General Jose Calida on Friday played down the probative value of the nine statements of assets, liabilities and net worth recovered by Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno and said she was again misleading the public.

Calida said Sereno’s recovery of the missing SALNs would not weaken the quo warranto petition he filed against her before the Supreme Court, because those nine documents were not submitted to the Judicial and Bar Council when she applied for the post

in 2012.

“Sereno again attempts to mislead the public,” Calida said in a text message.

“It has no bearing in the quo warranto case because she didn’t submit them to the JBC at the time these were

required,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte, meanwhile, kept up his scathing attacks on the chief justice, calling her “bobo” (stupid), and saying she should have been ousted a long time ago.

Duterte added 12 years—the time left in Sereno’s term—was “too long for an ignorant chief justice.”

“It’s too long. That’s enough. Give way.

If I were you, I will resign,” he said.

In contrast, some senators noted that with the SALNs surfacing, the main cause of the petition has been rendered moot.

“The SC therefore has no other recourse but to remove it,” Senator Antonio Trillanes Next page IV told the Standard.

Duterte warns ICC investigators of arrest in PH

‘‘

I am willing to go minus 10, decrescent. I do not care. I am done [campaigning]. I do not have to be popular because I do not need it.

—President Rodrigo Duterte, on his latest ‘very good’ rating in a Social Weather Stations survey.

By Vito Barcelo and Othel V. Campos

By Vito Barcelo

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HONG KONG—Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday formally apologized over the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists in a 2010 Manila hostage crisis that soured ties with the Chinese territory.

The incident happened under previous President Benigno Aquino III who had rejected Hong Kong’s demands for an apology because he said the hijacker Next page caused the crisis.

Govt looks into Facebook amid data controversy

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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Friday threatened to arrest any investigators from the International Criminal Court who would dare enter the country to investigate the government’s war on drugs, saying the UN tribunal has no jurisdiction in the Philippines.

In a speech in Davao after arriving from China, Duterte said the ICC wants to portray him to the world as a human rights violator, citing the numerous deaths of suspected drug pushers and users under the government’s “Oplan Tokhang.”

He also slammed ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda for insisting on conducting an investigation, even though the Philippines is no longer an ICC member.

Duterte withdrew the Philippines from the ICC last month and promised

Rody takes heat for Noy, says sorry to Suu Kyi

SPEAKING HANDS. Visiting President Rodrigo Duterte shakes hands with members of the Filipino community during his visit to Hong Kong Thursday as daugther Sara looks on Duterte formally apologized over the deaths of eight Hong Kong tourists in a 2010 Manila hostage crisis that soured relations with the Chinese territory. AFP

PET denies Leni’s plea on shading limit

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court, acting as the Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has junked Vice President Leni Robredo’s motion asking that it follow the shading threshold set by the Commission on Elections to consider votes as valid during the revision of votes in the 2016 vice presidential race.

Robredo’s claim that the Comelec applies a 25-percent threshold in determining a valid vote is inaccurate, the PET ruled in a resolution signed by Clerk of Court Edgar Aricheta.

The Robredo camp had asked the PET to apply the 25-percent threshold for ballot shading when it begins the manual recount of vice presidential votes from over 5,000 ballot boxes from three provinces as part of the electoral protest filed by former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “The Court is not aware of any Comelec resolution that states the applicability of a 25-percent threshold; and the tribunal cannot treat the Random Manual Audit Guidelines and Report as proof of the threshold used by the Comelec,” the PET said.

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2k had vaccine shots, but still got dengue

By Macon Ramos-Araneta ALMOST 2,000 people injected with the anti-dengue vaccine Dengvaxia were taken to the hospital after contracting dengue in the past two years, the Health department said Friday.

Health Undersecretary Enrique Domingo said 1,967 people who had Next page

THE National Privacy Commission on Friday opened an investigation into Facebook following the recent admission of the social media giant’s founder Mark Zuckerberg of the company’s faults in the Cambridge Analytica data scandal that affected Filipino users of the online network.

In a letter to Zuckerberg, the Commission asked Facebook to submit several documents relevant to the case to establish the scope and impact of the incident to Filipino data subjects.

“We are launching an investigation into Facebook to determine whether there was an unauthorized processing of the personal data of Filipinos, and other possible violations of the Data Privacy Act of 2012,” said an excerpt from the letter.

This developed as President Rodrigo Duterte denied hiring Cambridge Analytica for his election campaign that led to his landslide victory in the 2016 presidential elections.

He said he might not be the President right now if he had tapped the services of the consultancy firm.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

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‘Don’t bother running in SK, village polls’

By Francisco Tuyay and Joel E. Zurbano INTERIOR Department Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo Ano on Friday urged aspiring barangay chiefs and Sangguniang Kabataan candidates linked to drugs to desist from running in the coming May 14 elections.

“Do your country a favor. Do not even consider the thought of filing your certificate of candidacy for any position in the coming barangay and SK elections,” said Año.

“Don’t use public office to cover up your involvement in narco trade. Don’t corrupt public funds for your crimes. Not under the watch of President Duterte. Not under my watch in the DILG,” he added.

This developed as the Commission on Elections will start implementing today (April 14) the nationwide gun ban and other prohibitions in connection with the May 14 village and youth council polls.

The Comelec, in close coordination with the Armed Forces and the police, will also put up checkpoints in all cities and towns.

The checkpoints must be clearly marked, located in well-lit areas and manned by authorities in official uniform, the poll body said in a statement.

With the filing of certificates of candidacy starting today until April 20, Año underscored the importance of electing barangay officials who are not involved in illegal drugs because they will head the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in their respective localities.

Ano said one of the primary responsibilities of the BADAC is to plan, strategize, implement and evaluate programs and projects on drug abuse prevention in the community they represent.

They must also organize and orient BADAC Auxiliary Teams on their roles and functions and in formulating plans of action to address the drug menace.

“How can one have the moral authority to spearhead the drive against illegal drugs in their barangays if they themselves are tagged as protectors, financiers or users?” he said.

The DILG chief also said BADACs are expected to coordinate and collaborate with other institutions like the police and the municipal or city government.

For his part, DILG spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jonathan Malaya urged the public to support the department’s campaign for “Matino, Mahusay, at Maaasahan” (sensible, skilled and reliable) barangay and SK officials to encourage the public to vote for good leaders.

During this period, the bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons and the availment or engagement of the services of security personnel or bodyguards will be strictly prohibited.

“With the start of the Election Period, it usually means that the election fever is also upon us,” said Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez.

Jimenez said a peaceful and orderly election can also be achieved by strict implementation of the gun ban and placing more checkpoints.

Comelec Resolution 10197, promulgated on September 14, 2017, states that “during the election period, no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places, including any building, street, park, private vehicle or public conveyance, even if licensed to carry the same, unless authorized in writing by the Commission.”

Govt...

From A1

“I could even have lost if I had tapped it,” Duterte said upon his arrival from China, where he attended the Boao Forum for Asia in Hainan province.

Duterte insisted he won the elections because the people wanted him to change the country that burdened by illegal drugs and corrupt officials.

“I don’t have Cambridge-Cambridge, Oxford,” he said. “I won by campaigning.”

A political analyst claims that Duterte did not just win the election at the ballot, but also on Facebook.

The Philippines is prime Facebook country, where cellular phones outnumber the population and where 97 percent of Filipinos have Facebook accounts.

Privacy Commissioner Raymund Enriquez Liboro and deputy commissioners Ivy Patdu and Leandro Aguirre signed the letter to Zuckerberg, who recently testified before the United States Congress.

The local privacy watchdog will examine how Facebook shares the personal data of Filipino users with third parties like Cambridge Analytica.

It will also address the bigger picture of protecting the data privacy rights of millions of Filipinos who use Facebook daily.

2K...

From A1 been injected with the vaccine were hospitalized after contracting dengue from March 2016 to March 2018.

The figure is part of the 3,281 Dengvaxia vaccinees who were hospitalized due to various illnesses.

“Of the 3,281 patients who reported showing serious adverse events following immunization, 1,967 or almost 2,000 were found to have contracted dengue,” Domingo told reporters.

He said this was confirmed through clini-

‘Ecstasy’ lab with Chinese link unveiled in Malabon T

By Rio N. Araja and Jun David

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has dismantled the first laboratory in the country producing the party drug Ecstasy in Malabon City after an operation to execute a search warrant on Friday morning.

Authorities arrested Chinese national Jiang Minshan, 53, and his Filipino driver Lauro Santiago, 59, during the operation.

“This is the first time in the country’s drug law enforcement history that a clandestine Ecstasy laboratory was closed down,” PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said.

At about 7 a.m., PDEA operatives, along with Philippine Army intelligence and local police, raided a three-story house on Dela Cruz Street, Barangay Tinajeros, Malabon.

Authorities were able to confiscate large amounts of controlled precursors and essen-

tial chemicals used in the production of Ecstasy, various laboratory equipment and apparatus, and tablets of the drug.

“The operation is linked to the recently dismantled clandestine shabu laboratory inside Hingoso Farm, Barangay Sto. Niño, Ibaan, Batangas [discovered on Thursday],” Aquino said.

Jiang and the four arrested Chinese chemists in Batangas and Cavite’s Tagaytay City were members of the Dragon Wu international drug syndicate operating in Asia, the PDEA chief said.

According to Aquino, the group is con-

nected to the infamous “Golden Triangle” known as the world’s foremost drug-producing region operating near the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar.

He said there is a big possibility the illegal facility in Malabon was also used as a testing site to experiment on new kinds of amphetamine-type stimulants.

Residents of the area were surprised the drug lab was so close to their barangay hall.

However, they noticed the building was always closed, with its garage gates only opening at dawn for vehicles to come in and out.

Malabon Mayor Lenlen Oreta could not be reached for comment on the drug bust.

The discovery of the illegal drug labs in Batangas and Malabon was the result of the intelligence support provided by the Office of the National Narcotics Control Commission and the Narcotics Control Bureau of the Ministry of Public Security, People’s Republic of China, to the PDEA.

Despite mistreated OFWs, Du30 to visit Kuwait to seal labor deal HONG KONG—President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday he would visit Kuwait to seal a labor deal, in a sign of easing tensions after a diplomatic row over the alleged mistreatment of Filipino workers in the Gulf state.

Duterte had lashed out at Kuwait in February, imposing a departure ban on Filipinos planning to work there after the murder of a Filipina maid, whose body was found in a freezer.

The President said Thursday that Kuwait had agreed to his demands to improve the working

conditions for Filipinos, following negotiations between the two countries on an accord.

“To give honor also to the Kuwaiti government, I will go there for the signing (ceremony) just to witness it,” Duterte said in a speech during a visit to Hong Kong.

He did not say when he will travel to Kuwait.

Authorities in Manila say around 252,000 Filipinos work in the Gulf state, many as maids. They are among over two million Filipinos employed in the region, whose

remittances are a lifeline to the Philippine economy.

Duterte’s departure ban sparked a diplomatic flap. He alleged that Arab employers routinely raped their Filipina workers, forced them to work 21 hours a day and feeding them scraps.

One of his demands is that Filipino workers be allowed to keep their cellphones and passports, which can be confiscated by employers under current conditions. AFP

Solgen...

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for the 1989 SALN, those the chief justice supposedly recovered were the same ones submitted by his office to the Supreme Court.

“Assuming her ’89 SALN is not a fabrication, she still lacks 10 more,” the chief state lawyer said.

Lawyer Lorenzo Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint against Sereno, also said the recovery the SALNs is immaterial because Sereno should have submitted all her SALNs when she was applying for the position of chief justice.

Gadon also said he doesn’t care if he’s disbarred as long as Sereno will be deposed from her post.

“By then, I would have done a humble service and contribution to the meaningful reform of the judiciary,” added the lawyer, who was criticized for publicly cursing and raising his

middle finger at a gathering of Sereno supporters in Baguio City, in a statement.

“I don’t care if I am disbarred, I will still eat delicious food and live comfortably, I don’t depend on income from lawyering alone unlike some IBP officials,” he added.

Sereno’s incomplete submission of the required SALNs during her application is the solicitor general’s basis for filing a quo warranto petition seeking the nullification of her appointment, saying she had failed to meet the requirements at the time.

During oral arguments on the quo warranto case on Tuesday, Sereno disputed allegations that she did not qualify for the position of chief justice because she failed to submit some of her SALNs as required by law when she applied for the post.

Gadon said Sereno’s behavior during the oral arguments worked to her disadvantage.

“I don’t think much of the quo warranto petition,” added Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto, who also stood pat on his assertion that Sereno was qualified to be the chief justice.

“She went through the JBC and was duly appointed by the President [Benigno Aquino III],” Recto added.

Sereno’s lawyers on Thursday said she has recovered nine of her missing SALNs for the years 1985, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997.

These plus two found with the Office of the Ombudsman bring the total to 11, lawyers Josalee Deinla and Jojo Lacanilao said.

However, Calida revealed that except

Sara...

From A1 a 20-minute gunfight in Barangay San Mateo.

The police stood their ground, and the rebels retreated without getting any weapons or ammunition.

In Davao, the mayor cited the death of a fish vendor as a result of an NPA bomb that was set off, and the death of a four-month-old baby who died in an NPA ambush in Bukidnon last year.

Mayor Duterte said the “the communist movement is not to be trusted as they have consistently shown us their deep-seated proclivity to sow hate, violence and extremism, destruction, and senseless killings.”

She remained firm that the government should maintain its position in dealing with terrorists like the NPA. “[W]e are not supposed to negotiate with terrorists, but deal with them the way we should—tough, strong, high intensity, and one that gathers all sectors to completely crush their influence in communities where they are present,” Mayor Duterte said.

“We should put a stop [to] the insanity of these terrorists—or more children will be orphaned, more civilians will be killed, more soldiers will die, and many more facilities and equipment will be burned,” she added.

She said the government should stop giving attention, resources and time to the CPP-NPA for it is almost certain that the NPA will continue to terrorize the government forces and civilians even if the peace talks resumes.

“Suspending the peace talks would not only mean ending the delusion of these terrorists, but would also allow the realization of longdelayed growth and the development of our countryside villages. It also means giving justice to the victims of these terrorists,” Mayor Duterte said.

“While I trust the wisdom of the President and his intention to end the insurgency problem peacefully, I believe pursuing peace talks with the NDFP-CPP-NPA is counterproductive and plainly useless,” she added.

She then said that the country will move forward if the government eliminates the rebels and their senseless rebellion.

On Friday, the President reiterated his invitation to leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front of the Philippines for a dialogue in Manila.

At a press conference upon arriving at the Davao International Airport, Duterte said he was imposing no conditions but said he wanted the peace talks to last two months.

“I have invited outside the Philippines who are communist members, leaders to come home. I guarantee during the two months they will not be molested or inconvenienced as long as there is ceasefire, no taxation, no atrocities,” said Duterte. “Just come here as a citizen.”

He added that he would offer food assistance to all NPA camps during the two-month period if no attacks were launched and the rebels did not try to collect “revolutionary taxes.”

Acting Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, said he would consult with National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon and Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Jesus Dureza before making a decision on whether to review or withdraw the petition before a Manila court to classify the CPP-NPA as a terrorist organization.

“As this involves national security, I’ll have to consult first with our national security adviser and the presidential adviser on the peace process. This is not an ordinary criminal prosecution,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

Guevarra issued the statement after Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate urged the Department of Justice to review the petition, which was filed during the stint of his predecessor, Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, in February.

Zarate said Guevarra should include in his review the list of some 600 names included in the petition, warning that it may be used as a “hit list’ on those included.

Among those included in the list submitted by the DOJ are CPP founder Jose Maria Sison, peace negotiator Luis Jalandoni, former lawmaker and leftist leader Satur Ocampo, and Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, the UN special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples.

Before Aguirre’s resignation, a department undersecretary, said they would pursue the petition despite Duterte’s order to resume peace talks with the communists. With Rey E. Requejo, PNA

cal and serological testing.

The others contracted viral infections, influenza-like illnesses, pneumonia and acute gastroenteritis.

The government’s nationwide dengue immunization program was suspended in December following the admission of drug-maker Sanofi Pasteur that its Dengvaxia vaccine might cause more severe dengue symptoms if given to those who had never contracted the mosquito-borne disease.

The Health department has urged the Senate to bring to justice those responsible for the P3.5-billion Dengvaxia vaccine mess as it initially allocated P20 million to the four regions covered by the immunization program as an

initial financial augmentation to the Dengue Assistance Program of the department’s regional offices.

In a statement, the department said it welcomes the draft report of the investigation on the dengue vaccination program.

“We are one with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in bringing those responsible to justice,” the department said.

Secretary Francisco Duque III said his order from day one had been “to assist investigations aimed at determining gaps in processes and the culpability of officials in rolling out the dengue vaccination program.”

He said the department’s resources were focused on providing accessible health care to more

Duterte...

From A1 “What is your authority now? If we are not members of the treaty, why are you ... in this country?” he said, addressing Fatou.

“You cannot exercise any proceedings here without basis. That is illegal and I will arrest you.”

“So Ms. Fatou, don’t come here because I will bar you, not because I am afraid of you, [but] because you will never have jurisdiction over my person, not in a million years,” Duterte said in a mix of Filipino and English.

Bensouda announced in February the start of a preliminary examination into a complaint by lawyer Jude Sabio in April last year, accusing the President, the government and police officials of crimes against humanity.

Duterte said the bias shown by the ICC prompted the country’s withdrawal from it.

The President also instructed the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies not to cooperate with any foreign investigators.

Duterte said he would not be cowed by the ICC. “I said, you can never call me to the International Criminal Court simply because your position is flawed. It cannot be corrected anymore, so stop your nonsense,” he said.

He chided the UN for being unable to do anything about bombing of hospitals in other countries in which children were being killed.

He also cited Myanmar—calling it by its old name, Burma—as an issue the ICC could not solve.

“There are a lot of human rights violations in Burma, so what are they doing?” he said, apparently referring to the persecution of the Muslim Rohingya, which the UN has likened to ethnic cleansing.

Earlier, Duterte had defended Myanmar State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi from critics who said she was not doing enough to stem the Rohingya crisis.

On Friday morning, Duterte apologized to Suu Kyi for calling the Rohingya crisis a “genocide,” and said his statement was “almost a satire.” than 800,000 children who received the vaccine since the beginning of the program in 2016.

The department said it had provided medical assistance to thousands of children who reported showing signs of adverse effects following their injection with the dengue vaccine.

Based on the department’s Dengue Adverse Events Surveillance, 3,281 Dengvaxia vaccinees were reported to have been hospitalized for various illnesses covering the period March 2016 to March 2018.

The more than 3,200 vaccinees were treated in various public and private hospitals. The department had previously announced that the expenses directly involved with their hospitalization would be shouldered by it.

‘Burning...

From A1 Schemidt’s photo, taken during violent clashes with riot police and protesters demonstrating against President Nicolas Maduro’s regime in Caracas last year, invoked an instant emotion, the judges said.

AFP also scooped other awards, with London-based stringer Oliver Scarff taking first prize in the Sports-Singles category and Caracas-based AFP photographer Juan Barreto coming third in the Spot News-Stories category.

Mexico-based Schemidt was covering the demonstrations for AFP in May 2017 when the then 28-year-old Victor Salazar went up in flames as he and other protesters were trying to destroy a police motorbike and the gas tank exploded in his face.

“I felt the explosion behind me and I felt the heat and at that moment I turned around, already shooting, but without seeing what was going on,” Schemidt told AFP. His searing image shows Salazar―who is wearing a mask―running as a cloak of fire envelopes his body. He survived the incident with first and second-degree burns, the competition’s organizers said.

For the chair of the jury, Magdalena Herrera, Geo France’s director of photography, it is “a classical photo” that has “an instantaneous energy and dynamic.”

It has “colors, movement and is very well composed. It has strength. I got an instantaneous emotion,” she said.

But Thursday’s prize is a bittersweet recognition for Schemidt, 46, who is a Venezuelan himself, even though he left the country 18 years ago.

“I have conflicting emotions,” he said. “I know as well as anyone what Venezuela is going through.”

Schemidt’s own family has been caught up in the hunger, hyperinflation and shortages that sparked the protests―four months of street battles that left 125 people dead. AFP

Rody...

From A1 However, Duterte on Thursday said an apology to “the Chinese government and the people of China” was “only right” and necessary.

“From the bottom of my heart as the president of the Republic of the Philippines and in behalf of the people of the Philippines, may I apologize formally to you now,” Duterte said in a speech before the Filipino community in Hong Kong.

“We are sorry that the incident happened and as humanly possible, I would like to make this guarantee also that it will never, never happen again.”

In Manila, a former envoy said Duterte’s apology to Hong Kong for the 2010 Manila hostage crisis might have been eight years too late, but it was still a very welcome development.

Former ambassador Apolinario Lozada Jr. said Duterte’s apology would not only improve the relations between the Philippines and Hong Kong but would also give protection to the Filipino workers there.

“I am very happy that the President did it even if it’s quite late. That’s really one of the irritants until today between the Philippines and Hong Kong bilateral relations,” he told ANC. Duterte also issued a public apology to Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Friday, a week after describing the military crackdown on the country’s Rohingya minority as a “genocide.”

Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate, has come in for intense global criticism over her public silence regarding a brutal military crackdown that has forced nearly 700,000 Muslim Rohingya to flee the mainly Buddhist nation for Bangladesh.

Duterte’s original comments, made in a Manila speech a week ago, were a rare example of public criticism by the head of one Southeast Asian country of another.

Hong Kong had been infuriated by the Philippine government’s response to the incident in which a disgraced former police officer hijacked a tour bus to protest his sacking.

Day-long negotiations to release the hostages trapped on the bus failed and, with the drama being broadcast live around the world, Philippine security forces bungled a rescue attempt. AFP, with Vito Barcelo

PET...

From A1 In ruling against Robredo’s motion, the PET cited Comelec Resolution No. 8804, as amended by Comelec Resolution No. 9164, which does not mention the threshold raised by the vice president.

Before it was amended, Resolution No. 8804 stated that any shading less than 50 percent shall not be considered a valid vote, it said.

The tribunal added that this is consistent with PET rules, adding that while the 2010 PET rules state the 50-percent threshold.

The 2018 Revisor’s Guide “did not impose a new threshold,” it added.

Also citing the 2018 Revisor’s Guide, the PET found Robredo’s claim of a “systematic reduction” of her votes “without basis and shows a misunderstanding of the revision process.”

It said ballots under question, under the rules, will be marked for examination by the PET. “During the revision proceedings, there is yet no final reduction or even addition of votes. Such final reduction or addition of votes may only take place after the tribunal has ruled on the objections and/or claims and after reception of evidence of the parties, if necessary,” the PET said.

The Marcos camp hailed the PET decision, saying it showed Robredo’s lack of knowledge about the rules on revision.

“We are happy with the PET ruling junking Robredo’s motion stating effectively that she and her lawyers are ignorant of the rules on revision,” said Vic Rodriguez, a Marcos spokesman.

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ex-Sulu gov Tan indicted for non-filing of SALN

Lawmaker tells Grab to spare drivers from refund‘obligation’

By Maricel V. Cruz and Rio N. Araja

By Maricel V. Cruz

THE Sandiganbayan has convicted former Sulu governor Abdusakur Tan following his admission of non-filing of his Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth from 2007 to 2011.

During his arraignment at the Sandiganbayan Sixth Division on Thursday, Tan entered a guilty plea for five counts of alleged violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees.

The anti-graft court ordered Tan to pay a total fine of P25,000 as punishment for his case.

Tan was charged with five counts of violation of Section 8 of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees for allegedly “willfully, unlawfully and criminally fail[ed] to file under oath and/or submit to the Office of the Ombudsman” his SALNs from 2007 to 2011.

His son, Samier Tan, was charged with two counts of violating the Code of Conduct for his alleged failure to submit his SALNs for the years 2010 and 2011.

The law provides that failure to file a SALN is punishable by an imprisonment of five years at the maximum or P5,000 at the maximum, as well as possible disqualification from public office depending on the court’s discretion.

Meanwhile, the Ombudsman has indicted a mayor in Zamboanga del Sur for graft for the anomalous procurement of supplies from Barcelona spring farm worth P4,112,366.02.

The Ombudsman found probable cause to charge Margosatubig Mayor Roy Encallado for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019 before the Sandiganbayan.

Included in the case were bids and awards committee chairman Arwin Alpha; committee members Alex Villarin, Elvira Emia, Andres Limatoc and Merlinda Ambaic; municipal accountant Eien Maning; national resource management focal person and municipal planning officer Ludivina Salazar, and inspection officer Pilar Locop.

Ex-Marcos lawyer Lozano, 78, passes away

By Rio N. Araja OLIVER Lozano, the former lawyer of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, has passed away Thursday morning.

Lozano, 78, succumbed to cardiac arrest. His remains was immediately cremated.

Lozano is survived by his wife Norma, three children and six grandchildren.

According to Mrs. Lozano, the veteran lawyer was rushed to a hospital in March and was able to recover from heart attack.

He was taken again to the hospital due to chest pains on Wednesday, but passed away early Thursday morning.

Lozano was a Marcos loyalist who served as the late president’s lawyer.

His wake will be held at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Quezon City before his burial tomorrow.

Lozano earned his degree in Bachelor of Arts and Law at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

ZUMBA. A group of fitness enthusiasts perform a Zumba, a swimming dancercise, at the Grotto Pool in San Francisco del Monte in Bulacan. Manny Palmero

DND to confirm report on Chinese jammers at WPS

By Francisco Tuyay

D

ISTURBED over reports that China has installed a jamming system within Mischief and Fiery Cross Reefs on Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea, the Defense department said it would verify the report which if true, could disrupt the navigational communications and weapons systems of vessels passing through the South China Sea straits.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said although it has yet to monitor the supposed sophisticated jamming device that China put up in one of the disputed territories in West Philippine Sea, they will use all available resources to verify such information.

Lorenzana added that so far, the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force have yet to encounter any incidence of jamming during its regular patrols at the WPS. The reported presence of China’s jamming devices in the disputed territories was exposed by the United States military, which regularly patrols the South China Sea. “None has been confirmed by us. All reports has been coming from the US and we have not received any formal

communications to that effect,” he said.

Prior to the US disclosure, China has converted all reclaimed areas in the WPS as what looked like a military garrison, equipped with modern electronic combat systems and runways fitted for huge cargo aircrafts.

The Philippine government had lodged numerous diplomatic protests over China’s aggressive posturing in the WPS after it invaded disputed territories in the Spratley’s, driving away Filipino fishermen and even threatening to dislodge Filipino troopers manning a navy ground vessel in Ayungin Shoal.

“I suspect the US Navy ships received the jamming signals. What’s the purpose of China’s jammers? Because they know US Navy ships are armed,”

he added.

“It could be turned on or off depending on the mission. Even if you have a sensor you will not know if it’s not turned on,” he said.

Lorenzana added that despite the latest findings by the US, the Philippines cannot prevent China from putting up jammers in their reclaimed islands.

“Could we prevent China from installing jamming in their reclaimed islands? We didn’t even prevented them [China] when it started reclaiming,” Lorenzana said.

“None has been confirmed by us. All reports has been coming from the US and we have not received any formal communications to that effect. So far, our regular patrols in the WPS [West Philippine Sea] have not reported any incidence of jamming,” he said on Thursday.

“We will confirm using our resources if there really are jammers and if so what kind: to disrupt communications or disrupt weapon systems,” the DND chief said.

Meanwhile, a political analyst and maritime law expert believes the Philippines and China remains in a “stalemate” over the South China Sea issue despite an agreement for a joint exploration framework in the disputed waters.

Ex-BI men, Sombero’s request for jail transfer rejected THE request of former Bureau of Immigration officials Al Argosino and Michael Robles and that of retired policeman Wally Sombero that they should be detained at Camp Crame was denied.

The three are currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology facility in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

The three are accused of the nonbailable offense of plunder arising from the supposed P50-million bribe attempt by businessman Jack Lam for the release of illegal Chinese workers back in 2016.

Argosino and Robles said there are threats against them because they are

fraternity brothers of President Rodrigo Duterte and jailing them with illegal drug offenders in Camp Bagong Diwa would put their lives in danger.

The two also cited their medical condition as another reason for their request for transfer.

Sombero also said there are threats to his life in Camp Bagong Diwa as he is a former policeman.

But the Office of the Special Prosecutor rejected the request, telling the Sandiganbayan 6th Division that the reasons cited by the accused to be transferred to Camp Crame were unfounded.

“The security reason advanced by accused-movants to justify their transfer

to PNP Custodial Center appears to be speculative for want of evidence showing the existence of actual threat that will imperil their safety,” the prosecution said.

“Unless and until accused-movants can show factual and legal basis for their arguments, no special accommodation and safety protocols should be accorded to them, nor should they be treated differently from all other detained persons facing criminal charges in court,” the prosecution said.

The PNP, which has jurisdiction over the custodial center in Camp Crame, has yet to submit their comment on the request for transfer.

Military seizes firearms from BIFF CAMP SIONGCO, AWANG, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao—In a press briefing, Maj. Gen. Arnel dela Vega, Commander of the 6th Infantry (KAMPILAN) Division, Lt. Col. Alvin Iyog, Commanding Officer of the 2nd Mechanized Battalion and Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Lauro Oliveros of 1st Mechanized Battalion presented to the media, 18 High Powered Firearms (HPFAs) and Low Powered Firearms (LPFAs) and the 5 BIFF terrorists who surrendered.

Along with the firearms are significant numbers of unassembled parts of weapons. There are 41 barrels, a number of stocks and an ample number of trigger mechanism that would double the number of seized firearms if assembled.

Military officials said the surrender of the firearms is a big loss in the part of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters

(BIFF).

Lt. Col. Iyog said, “This is the product of heavy bombardment made by the military troopers against the terrorist inspired BIFF led by Abu Nasriah and Commander Bungos. For the last two days, there were series of operations conducted by the military troopers in the area.”

As early as 6 a.m. of April 10, 2018, the combined efforts of one (1) Mechanized Infantry Company, Alpha Company of 57 Infantry Battalion and 61st Division Reconnaissance Company led by Lt. Col. Iyog, conducted a clearing operation at Brgy, Pagatin, Shariff Saydona Mustafa, Maguindanao.

Subsequently, mortar section provided also mortar fire support while special army vehicle provided direct fire Philippine Air Force PAF also conducted close air support to the troops.

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Friday said Grab cannot use their drivers as shield in their obligation to return their illegally collected fares and should charge this refund from their own pocket .

Rep. Jericho Nograles of Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta Party-list said the decision to collect the illegal P2 per minute extra fee was made by the Grab management and not by its drivers.

Nograles estimates that Grab owes their riders some P3.24 billion in illegally collected fares after it admitted that it has been charging P2 per minute on travel time from its riders since June 2017.

“I am appealing to Grab and the LTFRB to impose a refund of the estimated P3.2 billion in illegally collected fares. Since the drivers are unaware of this malicious act, Grab should charge this refund from their own pocket. Grab management ang mastermind niyan eh at wala namang alam diyan ang mga drivers,” Nograles said.

“All these actions are done by a company that eliminated its competition by way of merger. Kung sa basketball pa, binili ang kalaban para maluto ang laro,” he added.

Nograles also thumbed down Grab’s insistence that Transport Network Vehicles Services fares can be set by Transport Network Companies such as Grab because this has been overruled by LTFRB when it issued specific fare rates including it calculations.

“As cited by Grab, per DOTr 201511, the TNVS fares can be set by the TNCs subject to oversight of the LTFRB. That oversight was exercised by the LTFRB through the approved rates of December 2016 which Grab faithfully followed until they unilaterally added on P2 per minute fare on June 2017 without the consent of the LTFRB,” Nograles said.

NCRPO to hold simulation exercises UNITS from the National Capital Region Police Office will undertake more simulation exercises as part of the police organization’s incident preparedness training, a ranking official said on Wednesday.

Quezon City Police District director, Chief Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, said that the simulation exercises will be helpful in improving police reactions to different emergency situations.

“Well, ang purpose ng ating simex is para makita yung kaunting pagkukulang para maimprove. If you can remember a few months back nagkaroon tayo ng simex pero hindi ganitong scenario. During that time meron lang reported na naiwan na isang bagay na probably explosive so controlled detonated sya pero this time mas marami tayong mga scenario even the actual explosion so yun ang gusto natin makita.”

(The purpose of our simex is to see the small gaps to improve our reactions. If you can remember a few months back, we had our simex but not this scenario.

During that time there was a reported thing, probably explosive, so we had to controlled detonated it. But this time, we have a lot of scenarios even actual explosion. That’s what we want to see,)” Eleazar said.

A simulated bomb attack and a simulated bus hostage taking was undertaken by the QCPD at the Araneta Bus Terminal Wednesday which was attended by incoming Philippine National Police chief Director Oscar Albayalde.

We cannot predict quakes —Phivolcs

SURRENDER. Four members of the IS-linked Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, under the Esmael Abubakar aka Kumander Bungos faction surrendered and handed over their high-powered firearms to MGen Arnel dela Vega AFP, commander of 6th Infantry (Kampilan) Division, Philippine Army (center, left) on Wednesday, April 11, 2018. Also in photo is Gov. Esmael ‘Toto‘ Mangudadato of Maguindanao province (center, right) while Maguindanao Police director PSSupt Edwin Wagan (left) looks on.

Sustained military pressure against the terrorist group combined with the continuous call of the national and local government leaders to embrace the peace process are just some of the reasons why the rebels surrendered. The ceremony was held at 6th Infantry Kampilan Division, Awang Datu Odin, Sinsuat, Maguindanao. Mark Navales

NO ONE, not even the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology can predict an earthquake, The Phivolcs on Friday warned the public against social media posts on the supposed predictions of earthquake occurrence.

The agency reiterated that there is still no reliable technology today that can predict when and where a tremor will happen.

“We cannot predict when or where an earthquake will happen. There is no reliable technology in the world that can confidently predict the date, time and location of large earthquakes,” it said.

Phivolcs also asked the public to avoid sharing false information that will only cause fear and panic.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL EVERYMAN

Flower power foreign policy

By Joel Vega THE last time I checked my social media stream, our President was raking Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno over burning coals, openly declaring in true Duterte fashion that he can’t work with a recalcitrant exUP law professor.

And then came a platitude from the President as he faced the press during his visit to our now-friendly drugimporting neighbor across the southern China seas. Here’s the quote that made my hair stand on end: “It’s like a flower that would bloom into something big and beautiful. It’s one stem and China and the Philippines will bloom, and you and I are in the middle of the flower…”

Gawd almighty! I didn’t know that the President is now into horticultural hyperbole particularly of the vandavanda type. My orchid-obsessed sister should be informed about this, I told myself. The first thing that imploded in my mind was recalling the equally mind-boggling hyperbolic abilities mastered by former First Lady Imelda Marcos. And those were indeed gay times, and I mean really fun times as in “LOL,” to borrow from the acronyms of social media.

But back to the president and his metaphor on the ‘blooming relations’ with the builder of the Great Wall of China.

As president, our Manong Digong in Malacanang has the task to fashion an independent foreign policy, no contest on that having covered the Department of Foreign Affairs (at the time of Fidel Ramos) as a nosy news correspondent.

The tricky thing with foreign affairs is that it is one slippery area where a leader is tested to the max. Every word is measured and the mettle or acumen of true leadership is mercilessly tested. Scrutinized. Magnified. In other words, this is one area where one false move and you’re dead. Gone. Buking as way say in the vernacular.

Let’s deconstruct the flower metaphor of Manong Digong. ‘It’s one stem…” he said referring to Philippine-Chinese relations. The stem holds the flower or the bloom, and this bloom or ubod (in Filipino) is destined to open into “…something big and beautiful.” Of course he has to qualify that with “big and beautiful” because there are ubod or blooms that turn out to be hopeless retards. They stay small and ugly. We have low-radar weeds, or worse, we have addictive leaves. But, hey, not to digress into addiction, which our President obviously have low or zerotolerance to…

China and the Philippines as a single-stemmed flower is not exactly a pretty sight, if you ask me. It reminds me of kanturay, which I guess is a kind of edible vine that cows would love to munch and digest while contemplating their happy existence in farm life. Having had a long and insightful contacts with the Mandarin Chinese, I can say that Digong’s foreign policy, when ‘margoted’ into the Chinese variety will quickly wilt into a deplorable bloom simply because there is no match. The botanical playing field is not level.

Here’s an anecdotal lesson. China’s President Xi Jingping recently told the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte that he appreciated Rutte’s complimentary remark regarding Chinese shrewdness on state and foreign affairs. To quote a translation of Jingping’s remarks directed at the Dutch prime minister: “Your comments on the intelligence of the Chinese received warm applause [by the audience]. We, the Chinese people, also find ourselves exceptionally astute.”

The rub-my-back-and-I-rub-yours relationship is quite commonplace in diplomacy as it is basically a world of assurance, gestures, foresight and careful planning. What is more revealing is the direct admission on the part of Jingping. The Chinese are often hesitant to draw attention to their moves. But when they do…

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Right and necessary

EARLY eight years after eight Chinese tourists were killed as a lone gunman took them hostage, President Rodrigo Duterte officially apologized to the Chinese government and the people of China for the incident.

Duterte said he was apologizing from the bottom of his heart as president of the republic and on behalf of the country.

It was Mr. Duterte’s predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, who was in power at the time

of the hostage crisis.

Many of us still remember how Aquino was filmed sporting a bizarre smile as he surveyed the interior of the bus in which the tragedy unfolded. He later refused to apologize, merely expressing regret and sympathy, and insisted it was the lone gunman who was to blame.

The shooter, a former police officer, was protesting his removal.

Mr. Duterte is correct that an official government-togovernment apology was right and necessary. However his closeness to China is perceived by his critics, the loss of lives on our territory, and our officials’ failure to bring

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

them to safety, was a grievous blunder that calls for an official act of atonement.

This must, however, not be interpreted as yet another move to cozy up to China despite Mr. Duterte’s acts and pronouncements since the start of his term. Since 2016, the government has appeared to allow our giant neighbor to undermine our territorial claims on some areas in exchange for loans and investments.

These are separate issues altogether from the unfortunate incident in 2010. We are counting on Mr. Duterte to also do what is right and necessary for Filipinos, not for anybody else.

The commercialized and politicized Church JUST recently, this column exposed the increasing commercialization of the Roman Catholic Church. This view was confirmed last month when Father Jose C. Galoy, the parish priest of Santuario de San Antonio church at the wealthy enclave of Forbes Park in Makati, had to recall his plan to impose “annual accreditation fees” on all suppliers, coordinators, florists, musicians, photographers and videographers covering all weddings at the high-end church.

Father Galoy wanted every wedding supplier and coordinator to pay an annual accreditation fee of at least P50,000. Each florist, musician, photographer and videographer must cough up as much as P30,000.

Every supplier was to post a cash bond of P20,000 for every wedding, with wedding fees going as high as P65,000 for couples who are not residents of Forbes Park and the surrounding diocese.

Those revenues were in addition to the other fees charges by Galoy for baptisms and confirmations. Wakes of rich and famous personalities held at any of the chapels behind the main church drum up large revenues, too.

An adjacent community center run

by Galoy also rents out space at premium rates.

If that is not shocking enough, all those revenues are, under Philippine law, tax-exempt.

The church at Forbes Park is so intimidating to the poor that it is unthinkable for an indigent person to avail of any church service there for free. Galoy must have assumed that Forbes Park is for the rich, and that there are other, cheaper churches which cater to the poor.

What hogwash!

terte wants fast-tracked by Congress, Solicitor General Jose Calida also filed before the Supreme Court a quo warranto petition alleging that Sereno is illegally occupying her position, and, therefore, should be removed.

Despite the very public differences (to be mild) between the CJ and at least five associate justices, I expected the Supreme Court to throw the quo warranto petition out because of unconstitutionality. The Constitution is very clear that there is only one way to remove a sitting chief justice and that is by impeachment. The Senate, acting as an impeachment court, must find the CJ guilty of committing at least one impeachable offense as provided for by the Constitution.

Many priests have forgotten their vow of poverty. Those from the wellto- do parishes of Metropolitan Manila and other highly urbanized cities in the country travel in luxury vehicles, accompanied by armed escorts in separate cars. The news media have not revealed what vehicle Galoy uses whenever he travels.

What is Luis Cardinal Tagle, the Archbishop of Manila, doing to correct this anomaly in Forbes Park?

Perhaps the good cardinal should travel to Forbes Park using his luxury vehicles to investigate the matter.

It looks like the abusive Spanish friars denounced by the national hero Jose Rizal in his famous novels have been replaced by Filipinos.

During the American colonial period when the separation of Church and State was mandated by Philippine law, the clergy refrained from interfering in political issues. The clergy and the nuns were contented with operating revenue-making schools for the children of affluent American and Filipino families.

Father Pacifico Ortiz, a Jesuit priest, politicized the Church anew when he won a seat in the 1971 constitutional convention. Although Ortiz was critical of the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos, martial law relegated him to the wings.

As the Archbishop of Manila, Jaime Cardinal Sin played ball with both President Marcos and his political rival, Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. Although Sin basked in glory in the news media each time he officiated masses for the Marcos family at Malacañang, he clandestinely cultivated his ties with the Aquinos. All the while, he

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Fighting for principles, justice, and country ignorant and stupid amidst his customary cursing. He also takes issue with POWER the fact that CJ Sereno, if not removed, POINT will stay as head of the Supreme Court ELIZABETH until 2030. According to him, it is too ANGSIOCO long for an “ignorant chief justice.”

Besides the impeachment complaint PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has de- filed by lawyer Larry Gadon that Duclared war not just against drugs but most recently against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno. He wants Sereno out as the highest official of the judiciThe Sereno case ary. Before leaving for China, Duterte shows how low asked the House of Representatives to speed up the impeachment process politicians are willing to against the country’s first woman chief go in the name of power justice. and control.

As soon as the President arrived from his favorite China, he immediately attacked Sereno again calling her

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As a matter of right, Sereno must have her day in court, face her accuser/s, and defend herself. This is due process.

But despite what the Constitution says, the majority of the Justices think that the Court should entertain the SolGen’s petition. The oral arguments on the quo warranto petition was thus set. Sereno sought the inhibition of the five justices who testified against her in impeachment hearings in the House of Representatives. She alleged that these justices are biased against her. However, the five, Associate Justices De Castro, Peralta, Bersamin, Jardeleza, and Tijam did not inhibit from the Oral Arguments.

The President, in asking Congress to fasttrack the impeachment process, has again showed his disrespect and disregard for the rule of law, especially the Constitution. Duterte is a lawyer. He knows that the three branches of government—the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary—are co-equals and independent of each other. They must be able to function based on their mandates and without the interference of other departments.

This is very important in a democracy. Checks and balances must be protected at all times.

Ordering a co-equal branch to do as he wants is plain and simple wong.

It is a blatant display of power. It is strong-arm tactic. What does the President want Filipinos to think?

That whatever he says goes? Are we under a dictatorship masquerading as democracy?

On the other hand, why are the associate justices acting the way they do and in the process diminishing the highest court of the land in the eyes of the people? They went and testified against the CJ in the House hearings. They accused Sereno of wrongdoing. Yet, by not throwing the quo warranto petition out, they also want to stand as judges in the case. Their appearance in Congress hearings unmistakably showed bias against the CJ. They, the accusers, also want to be the judges. Where is ethics here?

So now, it seems that CJ Sereno is up against the Executive, (at least) one House of Congress, and at least five members of the Supreme Court.

A lesser person would just give up.

But Sereno is proving to be a tough cookie to break. More and more Filipinos are liking what they see.

Unwittingly perhaps, the associ-

The commercialized...

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was living in comfort at his palace in Mandaluyong.

Sin became openly anti-Marcos even before Ninoy Aquino was assassinated at the Manila International Airport in August 1983. The Catholic Church’s Radio Veritas provided an alternative to the government-controlled broadcast media. Sin also put up a tabloid called Veritas, which published news about the political opposition. Antigovernment manifestos, euphemistically called “pastoral letters,” were read in all masses nationwide.

The cardinal’s role in the 1986 Edsa Revolution, which allowed Corazon Cojuangco Aquino to seize the presidency, cemented his influence on Aquino. He was often at Malacañang to confer with her.

Because of Sin’s close ties with President Aquino, many members of the clergy got posts in government agencies including the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. Even a nun was appointed to the 1986 Constitutional Commission.

It was obvious that during the 1992 presidential campaign, Sin’s choice for president was then House Speaker Ramon Mitra Jr., a Catholic. Sin refused to endorse Fidel Ramos, who was President Aquino’s anointed one, because Ramos is a Protestant.

Sin eventually disclosed to the news media that although he campaigned for Mitra, he voted for Ramos in secret. That vote, Sin said, gave him the moral authority to criticize Ramos.

Early into the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Sin succeeded in getting the great film scholar Nicanor Tiongson appointed chairman of the MTRCB. Tiongson

Flower...

ate justices who want Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno removed from office may have committed errors in tactics.

When they forced Sereno to go on an indefinite leave, they actually gave her the time and opportunity to directly talk with the people. She has been making the rounds of universities and colleges explaining to our young people why this, her fight is more political than personal. She talks in forums urging the Filipino people to keep on fighting for judicial independence, for democracy.

Indeed, the CJ is now connecting with people. This is something she would not be able to do if she was not forced to go on leave.

Calling for the oral arguments on the quo warranto petition may have been another error on two counts.

One, Chief Justice Sereno was given the chance to face her accusers and defend herself. Media reports said that Sereno came out of the session a rock star. Sereno showed how sharp, articulate, well-versed in law, and smart she is. It was a rare opportunity for people to witness this kind of “action” between the justices. For many, they got a glimpse of the kind of lawyer and justice Sereno is.

Not a few said that the quo warranto oral arguments showed why Sereno, and not any of her colleagues is the Chief Justice. In the eyes of many, the CJ won this round.

The second reason I say that calling this oral arguments is a tactical error is that whatever side of the issue one is on, there is no question that the Supreme Court has been diminished and demystified.

It used to be that the Supreme Court was only read, not seen or heard.

They kept away from the public eye and developed that “mystique” and respectability. Justices were considered as men and women of wisdom and integrity. They were justices.

The quo warranto oral arguments showed that the justices are just like ordinary people with biases, weaknesses who commit errors and blunders. They are not immune from politics. The gods of Padre Faura also have feet of clay after all.

This political maneuvering to remove the sitting Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is showing us how low politicians are willing to go in the name of power and control. The CJ is showing us the art of fighting for principles, for justice, for country. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook was in for an unpleasant surprise.

When she was still the MTRCB chief under President Joseph Estrada (Arroyo’s predecessor), Armida Siguion-Reyna issued a permit for the public exhibition of a sexually graphic motion picture. That permit was valid for a period of five years from issuance, or before 2003. Under the law, that permit cannot be revoked, except if the film had been altered.

When the film producer finally exhibited the film in cinema houses during Tiongson’s term (which was before 2003), an angry Sin publicly condemned Tiongson for his alleged inability to stop the public exhibition of the movie. Sin refused to believe that Tiongson had no power to recall the exhibition permit. A furious Tiongson resigned from the MTRCB in disgust.

Cardinal Sin is no longer around but the Catholic Church today remains allergic to criticism. When a tourist guide based in Manila entered one of the churches in Intramuros carrying a placard bearing the name “Padre Damaso,” the Church filed criminal charges against the guide.

Weeks before Pope Francis was to arrive in Manila a few years ago, Cardinal Tagle announced on television that the Church had forgiven the guide, but the People of the Philippines decided to pursue the criminal case against him.

What hogwash! Criminal cases are always prosecuted in the name of the People of the Philippines, and no criminal case can prosper without the active cooperation of the private complainant, in this case, the Church.

Aside from having embellished the truth, Tagle seems to have forgotten the line “forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” recited in every mass.

ety of horticulture is no match to the razor-sharp tactics of the builder of From A4 the Great Wall.

Mabubuking din, as we say in the Digong’s attempt at flower-power vernacular. metaphor is a dismal flop. The Chinese can see through his false moves, Joel Vega, a former news his naiveté, and worse, his shallow correspondent, lives and works in confidence. I’m afraid that Duterte’s the Netherlands as a publications flower power foreign policy will even- editor for an international medical tually unravel. His vanda-vanda vari- association.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

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The continuing resurrection IN THE gospel reading tomorrow, the third Sunday of Easter, we are told about the apostles gathering in a room, breaking bread, and reminiscing their time with the Lord when suddenly there appeared the risen Christ in their midst. The apostles became frightened, thinking that they were seeing a ghost. But Jesus assured them with these words: Peace be to you; it is I, fear not. He then said to them: Why are you troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?

He beckoned each one of them to see his hands and feet.

Christ’s glorious resurrection is the apex of his sojourn here on earth.

His rising from the dead is the reason why we Christians believe. His dying on the cross shows that he is human but his resurrection proves that he is divine. Had Christ not risen from the dead, our faith is useless. Christianity would be inexplicable without it. By his resurrection, Christ not only frees us from our sins but also brings us salvation. By it we become heirs to an eternal inheritance. The resurrection of Christ gives us hope and renews strength in him. If only we hold fast to the very end in hope and faith even in the most trying times of persecution, trials and our own small cavalries.

In the Gospel of Luke, the resurrected Christ greets his disciples with “Peace be with you; and they, hitherto cowering in fear, suddenly are suffused with joy and find strength. We are all earthen vessels, subject to all human weaknesses and frailties. Life, whatever state one finds himself in, can be stressful, empty and full of worries. But the Good Book assures

us that the peace of God transcends all understanding, to guard our hearts and mind in Jesus Christ. Only the Spirit of God can turn our fears and anxieties with peace and gladness.

Not the temporal and fleeting joys that this world can offer but God and God alone can fill our hearts with fulfillment and satisfaction. As St. Augustine said—our heart is restless until it finds rest in you.

At the end of the gospel reading, Jesus commands his disciples to preach to all nations the good news of Christ’s resurrection. As believers, we are also commanded by the Church to preach the same gospel of Christ. It may not be as dramatic as what the apostles

We deserve to be told the truth, to be reminded that things will pass, and to be inspired to dream of and build a better Philippines and world.

Mindanao University (Musuan) to a mixed group of faculty and students and on the Bill of Rights in the evening to my Xavier University College of Law students for their last meeting with me. In both cases, I was consistent. We must do right not just for the present, but for the future, not just for ourselves but for all of us.

Despite many reasons to despair, I choose to hope and make mine what Paul Ricoeur proposed as a Christian meaning of history. According to this great French philosopher, who was also the philosophical mentor of French President Emmanuel Macron: “The Christian meaning of history is therefore the hope that secular history is also a part of that meaning which sacred history sets forth, that in the end there is only one history, that all history is ultimately sacred.” Ricoeur, in his article, Christianity and the Meaning of History, continued: “On the basis of this faith, life presents itself in the form of a task. One is led to believe that there will always be tasks to perform and opportunities to grasp… Hope speaks from the depths of the descent into the absurd; it takes hold of the ambiguity and manifest incertitude of history and says to me: look for a meaning, try to understand!

It is here that Christianity branches off from existentialism. Ambiguity is the last word for existentialism; for Christianity it is real, it is lived, but it is the next to the last word…”

My audiences deserve to be told the truth, to be reminded that things will pass, and to be inspired to dream of and build a better Philippines and world. I will never give up on that.

This is the promise of a continuing resurrection.

who went from town to town, city after city and nation after nation but we can follow this gospel injunction by imitating Christ even in the smallest of things and the most trivial of situations we find ourselves in. In the end, God, through Jesus Christ, will reward us with eternal happiness.

Christ’s resurrection is continuing.

This I seek to proclaim in everything I do. Last Monday for example, I had a long day that started in a university in Bukidnon and ended with a univerFacebook: Antonio La Vina or tonysity in Cagayan de Oro. I talked about federalism in the morning in Central lavs2 Twitter: tonylavs

Trapped in the devil’s cage BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN THE trade war initiated by the US against China has put all economists wondering of its possible outcome.

Some even predict the calibrated brinkmanship strategy of President Trump could slip out beyond control to change the situation from bad to worse. For all the blusters about the huge trade deficit with China, which stood in 2017 at $375 billion, nobody has asked why this thing happened.

When the US decoupled its currency from the gold standard in August 15, 1971, it created an artificial prosperity to the American people. Nobody questioned that unilateral decision of President Nixon to measure the value of the dollar to its GDP, which technically elevated it as the “de facto” universal medium of exchange in all foreign trade transactions.

Along that, the value of the dollar became flexible if exchanged with other currencies for the payment of exports of raw materials and imports of manufactured goods. The same US finance architects introduced the system of floating or flexible exchange rate. From there, the ledger in valuing foreign currencies was based on the current value of the dollar. Grudgingly, many countries had to scrap their antiusury laws, much that all currencies now has to adjusting to the current value of the dollar.

Countries with scarce dollar reserve either had to secure foreign loans often on condition they devalue their currency or purchase dollars from private banks to carry out their trade obligations and developmental goals.

One pernicious effect in the decoupling of the dollar from the gold is it opened a new avenue for the trading of currencies and encouraged money market trading instead of direct investment. This saw the rise of megabanks in the US, UK and Western Europe that caused untold economic sufferings to poor and underdeveloped countries. The value of their exports suddenly dropped, thereby incurring perennial trade deficit.

To sustain the world economy that now regularly experience the cycle of depression and recession, international financial institutions offered loans on condition they adopt the system of currency exchange rate adjustment in addition to the interest rate. This means loans will be adjusted on a daily basis based on the current value of the dollar.

The appreciated value of the dollar opened the US market to an era of untrammelled buying spree. The US through the various banks virtu-

ally collected billions in service fees, charges, commission, etc. for the mere use of the dollar in their foreign trade transactions much that it has been made the unofficial medium of exchange.

To hurdle this obstacle, US corporations conceived the idea of transferring their production plants to other countries where wages for local workers remain low. Countries that suffered the ravage of floating or flexible exchange rate were in a bind.

Employment was their only lifeline to economic survival.

The disparity in the valuation of the dollar against other currencies ended up with some countries accumulating more dollars, for often they enjoyed trade surplus. The US ignored the initial symptom seen in the surge of migrants to the US, all in search for better employment opportunities centered on the high value of the dollar.

Instead of resolving the issue of trade deficit, the US accused China of intellectual property theft.

Aside from competing with the homegrown workers, many were remitting billions of dollars to their country of origin. To this day, remittance is financially haemorrhaging the US economy.

The artificial prosperity was automatically whittled down by the increase in the cost of US labor and service even if there was no proportionate and visible increase in production. This accelerated the relocation of manufacturing plants abroad, and those that could not cope up with the financial onslaught simply folded up, adding more to the number of unemployed Americans.

Out of the listed 30 countries trading with the US in 2016, 23 enjoy trade surplus. This is indicative that a strong dollar is not working in its favor.

China became the target of President Trump’s steep tariff hike principally because it enjoys a hefty trade surplus, yet uncannily silent that the US also represents the biggest number of companies having production plants in China with some even selling more in China than in the US. Instead of resolving the issue of trade deficit, the US accused China of intellectual property theft. Many are wondering because intellectual prop-

erty theft cannot be solved by unreasonably imposing high tariff. If the US considers the formula of certain products to be likely pirated, it should not put up a plant in China much that each country has its own rules and conditions for foreign investors to observe.

Section 301 of the US Trade Act cannot apply to international trade agreements while US remains a member of the WTO, or can seek to punish member-states while positioning itself outside and above the organization.

Similarly, the US cannot object to the imposition of excise tax to US brands made in China. Trump knows that American workers would protest arguing they already lost their jobs to foreign competitors, and they cannot now allow these products to be sold in the US at cheaper price. In fact, the monetarists tried to solve this problem by liberalizing the banking system to allow US investors to freely allow the remittance of profit back to the US using the same banks as their channel.

The monetarists never anticipated that their inflation-driven economy would push the US economy deep into the sinkhole. Any suggestion to reverse the huge trade deficit to stimulate the economy would be a pipe dream. The unmitigated overvaluation of the dollar has backfired to disastrously jack up wages and cost for services in the US. Thus, their desire to maintain their profit was more of a smokescreen to hide the truth that real wages have been constant since the 70s. Some say, even if the US would attempt to reestablish those factories to restore its old glory as the world’s leading manufacturers, that would no longer be possible because US products are no longer competitive in the world market. Its cost of production has soared to cause it to be left out of the international market.

Tariff hike will only push consumer goods in the US to increase in prices, and both labor and management would not take that gambit in the name of restoring the old glory of “America first.” This also explains why many Americans now tend to do their shopping abroad because they could buy more for their dollar. In fact, some US brands like Apple, Nike and GM cars are selling more in China.

This is telling that the US has suffered more from its own financial folly. The thought that increasing the value of the dollar would be a panacea to their financial problem has, on the contrary, driven US products away from the open market. Today, China has an accumulated foreign currency exchange reserve of $3.114 trillion against the US which has only $119.6 billion as of April 2016. rpkapunan@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

500 BI officers to be transferred

Malampaya respondents arraignment reset anew

By Vito Barcelo

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan on Friday rescheduled to May 11 the arraignment of the respondents in the P900-million Malampaya fund scam.

The respondents include Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr., Masui City, Lanao del Sur Mayor Nasser Pangandaman, and alleged pork barrel scam mastermind Janet Lim Napoles.

At the anti-graft court’s Third Division proceedings, Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez reset the arraignment in light of pending motions of Andaya, Pangandaman, pork barrel scam state witness Ruby Tuason, Napoles and her children Jo Christine and James Christopher.

The arraignment of the respondents was first called off last Feb. 23.

The Ombudsman charged the respondents with 97 counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and malversation of public funds by falsification of public documents The respondents are accused of diverting P900 million from the Malampaya fund allocated by DBM to DAR between 2009 to 2010 and in the process using 12 Napoles-led non-government organizations as conduits to the fraud.

Andaya allegedly approved the request of DAR and signed the Special Allotment Release Order and Notice of Cash Allocation requested

by Pangandaman even prior to the review of the DBM’s budget and management bureau.

Andaya was charged with allegedly conspiring with former president and now incumbent Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in tapping the Malampaya funds for the rehabilitation of “Ondoy”damaged areas.

However, the Ombudsman dismissed the case against Arroyo, despite the fact that it was she who ordered Andaya to release the funds.

PEOPLE FOR ENVIRONMENT. Think Environment As The Earth Month is observed this month, with members of the EcoWaste Coalition and Comelec Commissioner Tito Guia join the group to remind candidates in next month’s Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataana synchronized elections to campaign in an eco-friendly way that will not misuse resources, dirty the surroundings and harm community health and environment in front of the Comelec headquarters in Intramuros, Manila. Lino Santos

Malacañang supports Con-Com proposals

By Vito Barcelo

P

RESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday backed the significant role of the consultative committee created by President Rodrigo Duterte, saying the inputs to be included in the proposed revised Constitution would be relevant to the country and the Filipino people.

The Palace official disagreed with former solicitor general Florin Hilbay’s statement that the Con-Com had no “constitutional value” and could be disregarded by Congress.

“Con Com inputs [are] relevant to [the] party in control of Congress that will make specific proposals to revise the Constitution,” Roque said in a statement.

He said that it (Con-Com) should be highly persuasive to Congress since it was the Party Chairman who created it.

The former solicitor general downplayed the significance of Con-Com, which Hilbay described as the “Puno Study Group,” referring to Con-Com chairman and former Supreme Court chief justice Reynato Puno.

Congress, the body that will likely convene into a constitutional assembly to revise the 1987 Constitution, is not bound to adopt the Con-Com’s proposed Charter or any of its recommendations.

According to Hilbay, Duterte’s Con-

Com appeared patterned to moves of then President Ferdinand Marcos to change the 1935 Constitution.

A constitutional convention in 1971, headed by former President Diosdado Macapagal after former President Carlos Garcia died, amended the Constitution, from which Marcos drew his martial law powers.

“It follows the style of Marcos of using ‘deodorizers’ to sell Cha-Cha [Charter Change],” according to Hilbay.

So far, the Con-Com has agreed on a Charter that will give rise to a federalpresidential government system with a bicameral Congress and a provision that will regulate political dynasties.

They have up to July this year to submit their final recommendations to Duterte.

After this, the Con-Com will be dissolved.

AT LEAST 500 immigration officers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 will be transferred to Naia Terminal 1 and 3 after the government decided to use the Naia Terminal 2 for domestic flights only.

Bureau of Immigration port operations division chief Marc Red Mariñas said the bureau was preparing an operational plan to be put in place on Aug. 31 when the new scheme is implemented.

Mariñas said more than half of the 500 BI personnel assigned at the Naia would be assigned to Terminal 3 where the bulk of international flights would be serviced.

The rest will be deployed to Terminal 1.

Under the plan, Naia Terminals 1 and 3 would be used for international flights while Terminals 2 and 4 would be for domestic flights.

Mariñas also said some 20 unused immigration booths at Naia 3’s arrival area would finally become operational, thus preventing long queues that have always caused inconvenience to travelers.

“We also plan to install 70 additional work stations at Terminal 3 in anticipation of a sharp increase in passenger volume,” he said adding, “our present departure area, which is very small, will also be expanded to accommodate more immigration booths that will cater to departing travelers.”

For his part, BI Commissioner Jaime Morenet said he fully supported the rationalization plan of the MIAA to improve air traffic and lessen congestion in the country’s premiere international gateway.

Morente said the rationalization scheme proposed by the MIAA would help further improve the bureau’s services to the traveling public.

“We are confident that with this scheme our immigration officers will be able to more efficiently perform their jobs of conducting immigration formalities for international travelers,” Morente said.

The BI chief observed that as a result of the scheme “it will then be easier for us to determine how to deploy our personnel to the airport based on the needs of each of the two Naia terminals.”

At present, Naia 2 is exclusively being used by the Philippine Airlines, both for its international and domestic flights, while Cebu Pacific uses Naia Terminal 3, also for its international and domestic flights.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal confirmed that the Naia 2 and Naia 4 would be used purely for domestic flights, while Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 would be purely for international flights.

”Duterte’s ‘effective diplomacy‘ credited for OFW homecoming’’ A PARTY-LIST lawmaker has credited President Rodrigo Duterte’s “effective diplomacy” for the homecoming of Pahima ‘Candies’ Alagasi, the Filipina domestic worker scalded by her employer in Saudi Arabia four years ago.

“We are truly grateful to the President for his help in bringing Pahima home,” ACTS-OFW Rep. Aniceto Bertiz III said.

Alagasi was expected to arrive Friday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on a Philippine Airlines flight from Riyadh.

Alagasi, 26, and a native of Pikit, North Cotabato, is scheduled to call on the President in Davao City today (Saturday), where she will also be reunited with her two children for the first time since she left her hometown to work in Saudi Arabia in March 2014.

“It is indeed an honor that this representation was able to assist in bringing Pahima’s case to the attention of the President, and it was also very timely that the Saudi Prince visited our country,” Bertiz said.

The President raised Pahima’s case and sought her repatriation when Saudi Prince and Interior Minister Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif visited Manila and paid a courtesy call on Malacañang on March 19.

Responding to the President’s request, the

Saudi Prince interceded and had the cases against Alagasi resolved at once.

Alagasi was only 22 years old and barely two months on the job when she dropped the lid of a thermos while preparing coffee for her employer.

The irate employer seized the thermos and poured all its contents on Alagasi’s back as she bent down to pick up the cap.

As a result, Alagasi suffered severe burn injuries on her neck, back and thighs.

She lurched in pain unattended for three hours before her employer allowed her to seek treatment.

Alagasi ran away while seeking treatment in a hospital, sought refuge in a shelter run by the Philippine embassy in Riyadh, and filed a maltreatment complaint against her employer.

The complaint was eventually thrown out by a Saudi prosecutor.

In retaliation, the employer filed false accusation and absconding charges against Alagasi, thus stalling her repatriation.

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Manila, Dr. Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Bussairy, earlier informed Bertiz that the two cases filed by the employer against Alagasi were “finished and closed.” Maricel V. Cruz

House backs bill to provide retirement benefits THE House of Representatives has backed a measure providing retirement benefits and welfare assistance to Overseas Filipino Workers.

This, as the House committee on overseas workers affairs, chaired by Rep. Jesulito Manalo of ANGKLA party-list, created a technical working group to consolidate three bills to that effect.

The bills were House Bill 3746 authored by Rep. Rodante Marcoleta of SAGIP party-list which calls for the creation of an Overseas Filipino Workers Social Security and Retirement System; HB 547 by Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list which creates the Overseas Filipino Workers Pension Fund; and HB 7228 by Rep. Winston Castelo of Quezon City providing for the protection of OFW dependents by setting up for them a special pension fund in the event of income loss due to death or disability.

HB 3746 calls for the creation of an Overseas Filipino Workers Retirement Fund System and an OFW Retirement Fund, which shall be used

to provide retirement benefits and similar gratuities to OFWs and their beneficiaries.

The bill requires all OFWs duly registered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to remit 5 percent of their gross monthly income for at least 10 years.

Aside fron the monthly contribution of the OFWs to the Fund, the Fund shall be financed from the following sources: 10 percent from fees charged

by Philippine international airports to outgoing OFWs; 10 percent from fees charged by medical testing centers which shall provide medical tests to overseas job-applicants; 10 percent from fees charged by OFW training centers; and P50 million annually for five years to be appropriated and be taken from the Contingency Fund of the Office of the President to complement the Overseas Filipino Workers Fund’s Reserve.

Marcoleta noted that at present the Social Security System program for OFWs offered limited pension benefits which mature only at the age of 60. Maricel V. Cruz

Manila

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TODAY

Sports

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

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Young Palaro athletes show wares

By Peter Atencio

A

CTION goes into high gear after President Rodrigo Duterte attends the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Palarong Pambansa this Sunday at the Quirino Stadium in Bantay, Ilocos Sur.

Promising young athletes are expected to fight it out for glory at the the start of the 61st edition of this weeklong event for elementary and high school students.

Philippine Sports Commissioners Ramon Fernandez and Charles Maxey will be there to welcome President Duterte, along with local executives, led by Ilocos Sur Gov. Ryan Singson.

PSC chairman William Ramirez isn’t coming since he is in the United States at the moment, according to Fernandez.

Fernandez hopes that some exceptional

athletes will come up with great performances during the weeklong meet.

“We’re hoping that some young athletes will step up to the plate,” he said.

Centerpiece events like track and field and swimming will again be among the events that are one tap.

Also calendared are events in archery, arnis, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, billiards, boxing, chess, football, futsal, gymnastics and sepak takraw.

Then, there’s softball, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, volleyball, wres-

tling and wushu. Other events include Aero gymnastics, dancesports and pencak silat were calendared as demonstration events.

Events for differently abled athletes are also included.

Athletes from the National Capital Region are expected to stand out.

The Big City bets won the overall crown last year with a medal haul of 98 golds, 66 silvers and 45 silvers. NCR got most of its medals in the secondary division with their 66-45-26 tally.

Region IV-A (Southern Tagalog) placed second overall with its 47-57-57 gold-silver-bronze haul, with Region VI(Western Visayas) in third (38-29-40).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) will issue a set of personalized multi-sport special stamps in sheetlet form to mark the opening of the

Athletics survive Cagers’ late uprising

Palarong Pambansa (Filipino for “National Games”) to be participated by student-athletes from 17 regions in the country.

“We have decided to come up with postage stamps in order to feel the excitement and action of the sports in the Palarong Pambansa. Also, these postage stamps may somehow inspire people especially the youth to engage in physical education and learn the values inherent in sports”, Postmaster General Joel Otarra said.

PHLPost has printed limited copies of 1,000 generic sheets of four (4) P17 stamps with four (4) labels representing different sporting events which can be purchased at P150.00 per sheet. Another 4,000 pieces of the personalized sheets were printed which also contains four (4) P17 stamps with corresponding personalized labels valued at P150 per sheet.

BATANGAS—Batangas City survived a late uprising by Muntinlupa before pulling off a 70-64 win at the start of their betsof-five finals series of the MPBL-Anta Rajah Cup at the over-hot Batangas City Coliseum.

The Tanduay-backed Athletics turned to Teytey Teodoro, who delivered the crucial baskets that staved off the Angelis Restortsupported Cagers’ rally.

The stocky but shifty guard knocked in 20 points, 13 of them coming in the pivotal fourth period.

Batangas City squandered a 10-point lead in the last three minutes of the game and allowed the Cagers to catch up.

A 10-2 run by the Cagers knotted the score for the last time at 64-all, but Teodoro came to his team’s aid, knocking in the baskets that mattered the most.

The Athletics scored the last six points of the match as Teodoro split his charities, then hit a jumper with 25 seconds left plus a foul from Felix Apreku. Teodoro completed the three-point play for a 68-64 count.

The Cagers turned the ball over in the next play, allowing Paul Varilla for the breakaway lay up for the final tally in this event put up by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, with Kenneth Duremdes serving as commissioner.

For Batangas City coach Mac Tan, the near endgame meltdown is something the team needs to address.

“One thing we want to avoid is complacency and that’s what happened to us,” said Tan. “It’s a good thing we were able to hang on and win. But Game 1 doesn’t mean anything. It takes three wins to win the series.”

Ex-pro Val Acuña contributed 14 markers for the Athletics, who will take a 1-0 lead heading to Game 2, also to be held here.

The finals series has a 2-2-1 format.

ONE unveils new battlefield at MOA Arena ONE Championship will be paying homage to the athletes who elevated combat sports to where it is today by having all bouts in its 13th venture on Philippine shores inside the promotion’s brand new five-rope ring.

Aside from the marquee talents that will be featured at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR in Manila, Philippines on April 20, ONE Championship will likewise introduce its new battlefield.

All 11 bouts at ONE: HEROES OF HONOR are expected to be held inside the new ring, including bouts that are officiated under the organization’s Global Rule Set. For the first time in ONE Championship’s seven-year history, mixed martial arts contests will be held in the ring instead of in the cage at the 20,000-capacity SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines on April 20.

Former world title contender Kevin Belingon, who is slated to face Andrew Leone in the main event of ONE: HEROES OF HONOR, welcomes the promotion’s transition from cage to ring for its live event in Manila with open arms because during the early part of his career, he started out competing inside the ring.

“I was surprised when I found out that my next bout would take place inside the ring. It brings a lot of memories because my first few fights were held inside the ring. I have no problem of competing inside the ring again. I am always ready,” Belingon stated.

According to Belingon, he has bigger chance to brandish a stand-up battle in his upcoming bout with Leone under such condition.

“Fighting inside the ring or cage is the same for me. But for sure, I will use my experience inside the ring this coming April 20th. I will make sure that the action stays at the center of the ring. If it stays there, it will be easier for me to dictate the pace of the bout,” the 30-year-old Baguio City resident explained.

Meanwhile, Belingon’s teammate Honorio Banario shared that some grappling techniques will be limited inside the ring.

“There are some things that you can’t do inside the ring, especially in the grappling aspect of the fight. The angles inside the ring are hugely different as you’re fighting within a square because the ropes bend more and the corners are harder to elude. It’s challenging, but I like a challenge,” the ex-ONE Featherweight World Champion pointed out.

Dr. Peewee Mendiola of Team Big Chill makes his move.

Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom 2nd leg set

EVERYTHING is all set for this Sunday’s second leg of the RACE Motorsports Club Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series.

The racing scene’s best slalom drivers are expected to show their wares in the slalom series affiliated with the Automobile Association of the Philippines and FIA and is the longest-running motorsport discipline in the country today.

Pitting their driving skills are Team Big Chill, Tough Gear Racing Team, Team Orthodox, JAC Racing Team, Speedmode Racing Team, G Sport Racing Team, Globe Spade, Autoforce Racing Team, RODLEA Racing Team, JIMBIG Racing Team, Kuhol Garage Racing Team, MLPH, Cabanatuan Auto Club, Seishin Racing Team and Mark Young Cars.

Registration starts at 8 a.m. onwards.

Only participants in the newbies class will be given a practice run. The rest will have to do a “walk the track and convoy” to pay respects to the Sunday Mall Mass.

Official runs will start at 11 a.m.

Each participating driver will receive four liters (1 gallon) of Phoenix Accelerate Fully Synthetic Oil. Winners of the first leg held last March

11 will also be awarded on Sunday.

Contenders in the overall and class champions must use the specified Federal Tyres for at least nine legs (75%) of the series and possess the AAP Clubman license. All drivers will be charged an additional P300 per leg for the AAP Clubman License.

Aside from the National Slalom Series, RACE Motorsports will also hold three Invitational Slalom legs at Robinsons Calasiao, Pangasinan to cater to car enthusiasts from the north, the first leg of which is set on April 22.

The 2018 Phoenix Pulse Technology National Slalom Series with enhanced power and acceleration is also supported by major Sponsors Federal Tyres and 3K Batteries, New SR KYB Special Shock Absorbers, Robinsons Novaliches and Robinsons Malls and supported by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter, media partners Stoplight TV, C! Magazine, Auto Car Magazine, Power Wheels Magazine and medical team AEROMED. For details, contact Bing Bang O. Dulce at tel. nos 928-6951 or 09178119337 and e-mail racemotorsportsclub@yahoo.com or like the event’s Facebook page.

Participants are shown with Deped assistant secretary G.H. Ambat (fourth from left) after her welcome message at the start of the twoday ‘Communicate Sports,’ a sports journalism for the youth, organized by the PSC at the Nueva Segovia Consortium Cooperative Hotel Vigan.

DepEd Asec. dares student writers to keep learning VIGAN, Ilocos Sur—Department of Education assistant secretary G.H. Ambat appealed to some 200 participants of the “Communicate Sports”, a sports journalism seminar for the youth, to have an open mind and heart to learn from the two-day activity that kicked off at the Nueva Segovia Consortium Cooperative Hotel Vigan yesterday.

“We at DepEd are mining treasures out of our learners to bring out the gold.

Knowing that you are already talented and gifted, as iron sharpens iron, feel that you are being sharpened. Never stop honing

your talents and enhancing your skills.

Seminars like this will prepare you for the world out there,” Ambat said.

Participants included students who have won in recent and past National Schools Press Conference or Regional Schools Press Conference from the 17 regions in the country.

Philippine Sports Commission Public Communications head Emmalyn P. Bamba said each region has at least five representatives of students and advisers.

But the host region, Ilocos, had the most number of delegates.

Asec. Ambat continued, “storytelling doesn’t stop at the Palaro. As student journalists, we depend on you in spreading correct information, not fake news stories of DepEd. Napakaraming storya ng Palarong Pambansa, not only games. We have a lot of good athletes, write about them.”

The Palarong Pambansa 2018 is set to open here Sunday.

She also thanked the PSC for sponsoring the sports journalism seminar, which she said will go a long way in helping student writers develop their craft.

Milliam shines in PPS Brookside tennis tourney ALEXA Milliam bested a tough field and racked up two titles while Brent So and Joss Po shared the MVP honors in the boys’ side of the Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Brookside Hills regional age-group tennis tournament at the Brookside Hills Tennis Club in Cainta, Rizal last Thursday.

Milliam, the 14-year-old rising star from Pontevedra, Negros, struggled past Jenaila Prulla of Bulacan, 6-3, 6-4, to rule her age division then toppled Marie Cruz, 6-2, 6-3, to add the 16-U plum and clinch the MVP honors in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro and presented by Dunlop as official ball.

So, from San Juan City,, completed a rare romp, taking the boys’ 12-U title without dropping a game, capping his exploits with a win over Ray Solo, while Po, from Makati, fended off Novak Brazal, 4-1, 5-3, to snare the 10-unisex diadem in the week-long tournament sanctioned by the United Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP< Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. In other results, Bulacan’s Jenailla Prulla took the girls’ 18-U title with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Bettina Bautista while Loucas Fernandez copped the boys’ crown with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of top seed Tim Gumban; Caloocan’s Daniel Estanislao crushed Raphael Liangco, 6-2, 6-3, to pocket the boys’ 16-U title; Makati’s Nicolas Katigbak bagged the 14-U diadem with a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 10-4 reversal over second seed Rafael Mendoza; and Anna Bloom, also from Makati, whipped Maxine Favis, 6-0, 6-4, to bag the girls’ 12-U title.

Milliam actually added two more titles in the doubles, teaming up with Prulla twice to edge Kryshana Brazal and Jastine Maneja, 8-5, in the 14-U finals, and thwart Isabelle Uy and Miles Vitaliano, 8-4, in the 18-U championship.

Red Ante and Gumban won the 18-U crown with an 8-4 victory over Gabby Avila and Marcus Guinoo; Job Caburian and Jovanie Pilares nipped Ariel Alapoop and Dairek Oligo, 8-6, in the 14-U finals; while Brazal and Samuel Davila booked the 10-U plum with an 8-0 rout of Cyrus Barcinal and Ethan Marcos.

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Manila ENBANC IN RE: MANIFESTATION OF INTENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PARTYLIST SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATION IN THE 13 MAY 2019 ELECTIONS.

SPP Case No. 18-004 (PLM)

ABAKADA-GURO P A R T Y - L I S T (ABAKADA), as represented by its President JONATHAN A. DEL A CRUZ, Petitioner. x - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - x ORDER Acting on the Manifestation of Intent to Participate1 filed on 07 March 2018 (“Manifestation”), the Commission En Banc hereby directs ABAKADA PartyList to publish at its own expense the said Manifestation together with the instant Order in two (2) newspaper of general circulation.

Any interested party may file with the Office of the Clerk of the Commission a verified petition seeking to deny due course to the Manifestation within five (5) days from the date of publication pursuant to Rule 3, Section 7, paragraph 12 of Comelec Resolution No. 93663.

SO ORDERED. Given this 12th day of March 2018, Manila Philippines.

FOR THE COMMISSION

AL A. PARREÑO Acting Chairman 1 2 3

. Records, Office of the Clerk of the Commission Case Folder, pages 1-3. . “ Sec.7. Petition to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to participate. - A verified petition seeking to deny due course to a manifestation of intent to partiCipate.” . Rules and Regulations Governing the: 1) Filing of Petitions for Registration; 2) Filing of Disqualification Cases Against Nominees or Party-List Groups or Organizations Participating under the Party-List System of Representation in Connection with the May 13, 2013 National and Local Elections, and Subsequent Elections

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

(MS-APR. 14, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

Pacman fight biggest in KL since Ali-Bugner duel in 1975 WORLD Boxing Association welterweight champion Lucas Martin Matthysse is set to arrive in Manila on April 18 to formally accept the challenge of eight-division champion Manny Pacquiao at the City of Dreams Grand Ballroom here.

Pacquiao, the challenger, expressed his elation as his MP Promotions company has completed preparations for the two-city press conference and media tour ending in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on April 20.

Dubbed “Fight of Champions,” the mega-fight will usher in Pacquiao’s debut as a fight promoter at the Axiata Arena in Kuala Lumpur featuring three other world title fights in the undercard.

“It is all systems go for the Pacquiao Vs Matthysse fight,” said Pacquiao, who is hoping to equal if not surpass the expectations leading to the grandiose Muhammad Ali-Joe Bugner fight, which was also held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in July 1975.

“We have assembled the biggest fight card Malaysia has been waiting for in the last 43 years since Ali-Bugner,” added Pacquiao.

Matthysse, the dangerous 36-yearold champion from Argentina, who tallied 36 knockouts out of his 39 wins, and against only four losses, has started training with Joel Diaz.

Diaz also trained Timothy Bradley, whom Pacquiao has faced twice in the past.

“This is the fight I have always wanted. The opportunity to fight a future Hall of Famer such as Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao inspires me to work harder than ever to earn a victory for my fans. I know that it will not be easy. But I will defend my title with honor and represent my country Argentina with pride,” said Matthysse.

Pacquiao is also set to welcome Golden Boy Promotions president Oscar Dela Hoya, the promoter of Matthysse.

“This early, we would like to thank the people who have made this event happen and I thank all boxing fans for their support,” said Pacquiao.

Pacquiao will be joined by his new promotions team along with trainers Restituto “Buboy” Fernandez and Raides “Nonoy” Neri.

Sports The aura of invincibility surrounding the Steph Curry-less Golden State Warriors, now left with Klay Thompson (right), Kevin Durant (center) and Draymond Green to pick up the cudgels, has dimmed in the closing weeks of the regular season. AFP

Dubs enter unknown as NBA playoffs loom

L

OS ANGELES—The Golden State Warriors will be heading into uncharted territory on Saturday as they open their NBA postseason campaign against the San Antonio Spurs missing star Stephen Curry and struggling to find their best form.

For the first time since head coach Steve Kerr took over in 2014-2015, the Warriors will not enter the playoffs as owners of the NBA’s best record, starting as second seeds in the Western Conference behind the Houston Rockets.

After last year’s emphatic march through the postseason, when Kerr’s men went 16-1 to clinch a second NBA finals crown in three seasons, beating LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Finals, the Warriors looked poised to dominate for years.

Yet the aura of invincibility surrounding the Bay Area franchise has dimmed in the closing weeks of the regular season.

A knee injury to Curry has left the Warriors without one of their most potent attacking weapons, contributing to a poor run of results that has included 10 defeats in 17 games.

That sequence included a 119-79 pounding by the Utah Jazz on Tuesday to end the regular season on a downbeat note.

Kerr however is adamant that the regu-

lar season—both the wins and the losses —will count for little as the playoffs come into view, starting with Saturday’s series opener in Oakland against the Spurs.

“We won 58 games this season,” Kerr said. “But in the end, none of that matters.

It’s what you do in the playoffs. That’s the test. That’s the challenge. We’ll see what happens.

“We’re trying to get back to the finals for the fourth year in a row. And only a few teams have been able to do that. So, that’s the challenge.”

With Curry’s injury status uncertain, it will be left to Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green to demonstrate that the Warriors remain a playoff threat.

Social media blackout Elsewhere On Saturday, Eastern Conference top seeds Toronto will open their campaign at home to Washington, while the red-hot Philadelphia 76ers—who finished their regular season with a 16th straight victory—

host the Miami Heat.

Cleveland meanwhile will launch their bid to return to the NBA Finals for a fourth straight year on Sunday, when they host the Indiana Pacers.

James has marked the start of the postseason with his now traditional social media lockdown, preferring instead to turn his attention exclusively to the task of leading his team through the playoffs.

“You have to keep the main thing the main thing,” James said this week. “In the postseason, you lose one game and it’s the end of the world. You win one game and everyone praises you. When the postseason happens, it’s one game at a time. That’s all that matters. The outside noise doesn’t matter.”

The Cavaliers arrive in the playoffs after a roller coaster season which was transformed after a frenzied series of deals before the trading deadline, which saw them acquire George Hill, Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr., and Jordan Clarkson.

Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said how the n e w - l o o k roster would fare under the intensity of the playoffs was an unknown.

AFP

Millennium cage tilt’s 19th year begins April 20 SAYING it wanted to sustain the gains of 2017, the Millennium Basketball League welcomes a new season on April 20 at the Central Colleges of the Philippines gym in Sta. Mesa, Manila.

Now on its 19th year, the MBL hopes to fulfill its role of providing a venue for both aspiring young players hoping to make it to the big leagues and battletested veterans eager to stay in the game.

MBL chairnan Alex Wang said top collegiate/commercial teams, led by 2017 champions Colegio de San Lorenzo-V Hotel and 2016 titlist FEU-NRMF have been invited to see action again in the two-month tournament.

“We’re ready for another actionpacked MBL season. We are looking forward to more teams, more games as we celebrate another year of MBL,” said Wang. “If 2017 was a good year for us, we hope 2018 will be even better.”

Last year, CdSL-V Hotel defeated FEU-NRMF, 87-85, in their winnertake-all showdown to capture the championship in its first year in the league.

Import Soulemane Chabi Yo and Jon Gabriel led the Blue Griffins of coach Boni Garcia and manager Jimi Lim to the title.

FEU-NRMF, handled by coach Pido Jarencio and manager Nino Reyes, settled for runner-honors.

The other invited teams are Philippine Christian University (Elvis Tolentino/Dr. Junifen Gauuan/Martha Ijiran); Diliman College (Rensy Bahar/Sen.Nikki Coseteng; Emilio Aguinaldo College (Ariel Sison/Dr. Jose Campos); Wang’s BallclubAsia Tech (Pablo Lucas/Shelalin Guden); Trace College (Nomar Isla/ Lilian Agoncillo); College of St. John Paul (Kiko Flores/ Cherry Mendoza); Caloocan Supremos (John Kallos/ Mayor Oca Malapitan) and Philippine Coast Guard ( Mark Acolicol/ Adm. Elson Hermogino).

F2, Petron shoot for PSL semis seats Games Today

(Gen. Trias Sports Center) 4 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Smart 6 p.m. – Petron vs Generika-Ayala

GEN. TRIAS CITY—Powerhouse clubs F2 Logistics and Petron shoot for a spot in the semifinals when they tackle separate foes in the quarterfinals of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix Saturday at the Gen. Trias Sports Center.

It’s expected to be another slam-bang battle as the Cargo Movers face high-scoring Gyselle Silva and Smart at 4 p.m., while the Blaze Spikers test the mettle of Generika-Ayala in the 6 p.m. main attraction.

F2 Logistics, the reigning champion in this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner, finished the classification round with a 9-1 winloss card to cop the top spot and gain the right to face Smart with a twiceto-beat advantage.

Also emerging with a twice-tobeat edge in the next round of this battle that also Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Grand Sport as technical sponsors are second seed Petron against Generika-Ayala, third seed Cocolife against Cignal and fourth seed Foton against Sta. Lucia Realty.

But all eyes would be on Petron as it tries to book a return flight to the finals after being denied of a title the past three years.

Bannered by American spikers Lindsay Stalzer and Hillary Hurley, the Blaze Spikers opened their bid with eight consecutive victories, fueling their bid for a sweep, which they achieved in the All-Filipino Conference in 2015.

Unfortunately, their plan was aborted as Sta. Lucia came up with a massive straight-set victory, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17, last week.

Although the Blaze Spikers regained their bearing as they managed to bounce back via a thrilling five-set win over Cocolife, 25-14, 23-25, 1525, 25-14, 15-13, head coach Shaq Delos Santos said they are still looking to come up with a strong performance in the next round.

Superb wedge shots help propel Kim Joo Hyung to third round lead.

Capadocia, pal Young Korean takes charge with 67 win Bahrain tilt

TARLAC—Young Korean Kim Joo Hyung continued his assault on Luisita’s backnine, rattling off five straight birdies from No. 10 to fire a five-under 67 and grab the lead from a slew of seasoned international campaigners in the third round of the PGT Asia Qualifying School here yesterday.

Kim, who has dominated the country’s junior and amateur championships the last three years, also closed out with a 32 that anchored his second round 68 with the 18-year-old rising star moving 18 holes away from besting a tough field for low medal honors.

After birdying the opening hole, Kim actually stumbled with back-to-back bogeys from No. 4 but rebounded with a birdie on the eighth then razed the first five holes at the back with a solid 3-wood of the mound and superb putting, leading to that 67 and a 12-under 204 aggregate.

From joint third halfway through the

72-hole elims organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., Kim moved one stroke ahead of Thai Sattaya Supupramai, who blew the lead with bogeys in the last two holes. He settled for a 68 and a 205.

“I played good overall today (yesterday).

I struggled with my driver so I went to my 3-wood off the tee and made some long putts.

My irons and wedge also worked well,” said Kim, now looking forward to topping the elims altogether with a fiery form.

“I’ll stick with my game plan, go for the flag but play smarter,” said Kim, who made the Phl his base in 2013, honed his talent and skills at Riviera before moving over to Southwoods.

Nattawat Sujavanakorn shot the day’s best bogey-free 66 for solo third at 207 while erstwhile leader Sorachut Hansapiban wavered with a 73 and slid to fourth at 208 although the Thais remained on course in dominating the event put up by ICTSI.

MARIAN Jade Capadocia and teammate Fatma Al Nabhani recently clinched the $15,000 Manama International Tennis Federation Women’s Circuit tournament in Bahrain.

Currently ranked no. 983 in ITF rankings, Capadocia and Al Nabhani topped the the top-seeded pair of Zimbabwe’s Valeria Bhunu and Great Britain’s Emily Webley-Smith for a 7-5, 6-2 triumph.

The 23-year-old Capadocia and Fatma earlier upset the Indian second seeds Zeel Desai and Kanika Vaidya in a 3-6, 7-5 (10-4) victory.

Capadocia also bowed to WebleySmith, 4-6, 6-7(3), in the singles’ Round of 16.

Fatma, who played in the singles, was beaten by Slovakian fourth seed Tereza Mihalikova, 6-1, 6-4. Peter Atencio

IN BRIEF SBMA opts to extend free accreditation fee THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it will extend its free accreditation fee initiative for container-port related businesses for eight months starting April 13 to promote the serviceability of Port of Subic’s container terminals to more businesses.

Following last year’s guidelines, the $200 accreditation fee waiver will apply to the first 80 new business entrants and first 20 accredited entities due for renewal of accreditation certificate.

It will cover ship agents, freight forwarders, brokerage firms and trucking services. Firms with an accreditation certificate should guarantee to bring at least one container within one month from filing or renewal of accreditation certification to be entitled to the waiver.

“The free accreditation initiative received positive feedback which is why we are bringing it back this year to encourage more businesses to make use of the Port of Subic’s container terminals,” SBMA chairperson and administrator Wilma Eisma said. Darwin G. Amojelar

China to modernize PH hybrid rice center FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and Chinese Commerce Minister Zhong Shan signed in Hainan, China Tuesday an agreement to modernize the Philippines’ hybrid rice center.

The Department of Finance said in a statement Friday the development would boost the country’s palay production through a 27.52-million renminbi grant from China.

The agreement, to be implemented by the Department of Agriculture, covers Phase III of the Technical Cooperation Project for the Philippines’ Agricultural Technology Center.

The DoF said the RMB27.52 million grant (approximately P226.93 million or $4.36 million) aims “to contribute in boosting the rice production capacity of the Philippines towards rice sufficiency by upgrading the Philippine Sino Center for Agricultural Technology’s hybrid rice technology research and demonstration center into a Modern Hybrid Rice Breeding Station and Technology Demonstration Center.” Julito G. Rada

Business JG Summit’s ‘17 income jumped 169% to P29.3b C By: Jenniffer B. Austria

ONGLOMERATE JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei registered a net income of P29.3 billion in 2017, up 169 percent from P10.9 billion in 2016 when it booked impairment losses of P16.7 billion from a decline in the market value of the group’s investment in PLDT Inc.

JG Summit’s core net income, minus non-recurring items, stood flat at P29.5 billion in 2017, as the weak performance of food manufacturing, airline and real estate businesses was offset by strong bottom line of the petrochemical and banking units.

Consolidated revenues based on the financial report filed with the Philippine Stock Exchange rose 13.7 percent to P273.4 billion from P240.5 billion in 2016.

Unit Universal Robina Corp. booked a 13-percent decrease in net income to P10.89 billion from P12.87 billion in 2016 as cost and expenses grew faster than the revenues.

JG Summit’s real estate arm Robinsons Land Corp. posted a net income of P5.88 billion, up 2.3 percent in 2017, after revenues slightly dipped to P22.45 billion from P22.7 billion in the previous year.

Cebu Air Inc.’s net income declined 19 percent in 2017 to P7.9 billion from P9.75 billion in 2016. Revenues, however, rose 9.9 percent to P68 billion from P61.9 billion in 2016, as passenger volume climbed 3.2 percent while the average fares increased 3.8 percent.

The petrochemicals business under JG Petrochemicals Group delivered net in-

come of P5.9 billion in 2017, an improvement of 17 percent from P5.13 billion a year ago. Revenues amounted P41.4 billion, up 42 percent from P29.07 billion in 2016, on higher sales volume and an increase in the average selling price of polymers and olefins.

The conglomerate’s banking unit posted a 31-percent increase in sales to P4.48 billion from P3.41 billion on higher interest income recognized from finance receivables and trading gains.

Revenues from core investments also declined as dividend income received by the group dropped 28.5 percent to P1.45 billion from P2.03 billion due to lower dividend income declared by PLDT. Equity in net earnings of associates, primarily from investments in UIC/Singapore Land and Manila Electric Co., climbed 21 percent to P9.9 billion, including the P719.18 billion full-year equity earnings take-up from Global Business Power Corp. in 2017.

Protect environment, lamp makers asked THE EcoWaste Coalition, an environmental non-governmental organization, appealed to lamp manufacturers, importers and distributors to take responsibility for the environmentally sound management of burned-out fluorescent lamps.

At the recent launch of the group’s report entitled “The Toxic Silence of the Lamps,” the group drew attention to the current practices in lamp waste handling, storage and disposal that put the public, especially the waste workers, at risk from cuts with glass shards and from exposure to mercury, a potent neurotoxin.

The group stressed that fluorescent lamps must be safely managed as the mercury vapor in the glass tube could escape if the lamp was broken, dumped, burned or recycled in uncontrolled conditions.

Burned-out lamps are carelessly disposed of, along with household trash, construction and demolition debris, on the streets, dumps, vacant lots and creeks, and abandoned on corners and sidewalks, the group said. Othel V. Campos

Lucio Tan’s PNB bares plan to borrow $1b PHILIPPINE National Bank, the fifthlargest lender in terms of assets and controlled by tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan, plans to borrow $1 billion under a debt program.

“Pursuant to the program, PNB may from time to time issue, offer, or sell notes in the aggregate amount of up to one billion US dollars or its equivalent in other currencies, in such amount, tenor, number of tranches, and under such other terms and conditions as the bank may subsequently approve,” PNB disclosed to the stock exchange.

“The bank shall duly disclose to the exchange the terms and conditions of any such issuance at the appropriate time,” it said. PNB tapped Citigroup Global Markets Ltd., MUFG Securities EMEA Plc, Standard Chartered Bank and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC as lead arrangers and dealers for the program.

PNB also secured an approval-inprinciple from the Singapore Stock Exchange for listing of the program and notes to be issued on the SGX. PNB said it was set to submit to the Singapore Stock Exchange Friday the offering circular in relation to the program.

Global debt watchdog Moody’s Investors Service also on Friday assigned an investment grade rating of Baa2 to PNB’s $1 billion mediumterm note program.

“The (P)Baa2 senior unsecured MTN program rating is underpinned

by PNB’s baa3 baseline credit assessment (BCA) and a one-notch uplift to reflect Moody’s assumption that the bank will receive support from the Government of the Philippines in times of need,” Moody’s said.

Julito G. Rada

PLDT ENTERPRISE AWARDS. The country’s leading ICT and digital services provider, PLDT Enterprise, bags four awards at the 53rd Anvil Awards Gabi ng Parangal event held recently. The Industry Solutions Launch campaign, which won under the Public Relations Program Category, was awarded for enabling enterprises to find the best digital solutions specific to the industries they operate in. Officials of PLDT Enterprise display their Anvil Awards.

PH, China form panel on possible joint oil exploration

By Alena Mae S. Flores

THE Philippines and China agreed to form a panel that will develop a framework on the possible joint exploration in the disputed West Philippine Sea. Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said during a recent interview with Bloomberg HongKong there were no discussions with China on the joint exploration during the recent trip of President Rodrigo Duterte for the Boao Forum, but the creation of the panel had been long agreed upon.

“There was no discussion about the joint exploration but what we have agreed even prior to that trip... to compose a panel that would develop a framework on how to move forward,” Cusi said.

Cusi said both parties were “rushing”

the completion of the framework “so we can move forward.”

“This joint exploration in the South China Sea or West Philippine Sea is very important for us to ensure our energy development and national security for energy,” he said.

Cusi said the framework was a “very complex” issue and that the Philippines wanted it to be completed within the year because “we want to harness the potential of the area.”

“There is a moratorium in the exploration in the West Philippine Sea and we are just awaiting for the resolution of this framework so that we can move forward. So maybe some of this people are already speculating,” Cusi said.

The Energy Department in 2017 sought the help of the Foreign Affairs Department for the lifting of the mora-

torium on oil and gas drilling at the West Philippine Sea amid the impending depletion of the Malampaya gas reserves in the next decade.

“We are doing this with a sense of urgency because we need it for our national energy security but we are very being analytical, being very careful to make sure that we do the correct,” Cusi said.

Cusi said the department was waiting for the signal from the Foreign Affairs regarding talks with China for a possible joint development at the West Philippine Sea. “What will trigger (the lifting of the moratorium) is confidence building on both sides. We develop the trust but trust must be supported with concrete actions... So we have to get that so that once we lift, no any untoward action that can happen,” the energy chief said.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

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US-China trade war to affect economy

By Julito G. Rada CLARK, Pampanga—Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Friday a possible trade war between economic heavyweights China and the United States will not have a significant impact on the Philippines, but it could dampen the economy.

“We are growing our market locally so we are very robust. We don’t rely on exports or imports as much as other economies. So we are sort of insulated, but still I am not downplaying. If there is a full-blown trade war, everybody is going to be affected,” Dominguez said at the sidelines of the Philippine Economic Briefing held at Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

“We can’t say if there will be a minimal impact because we really do not know what is going to happen... And you know quite frankly, there is no winner in a trade war. So if our two markets get hurt, China and the US, we will also get hurt...

I’m really concerned,” Dominguez said.

He said although the Philippines had been investing domestically to weather the potential impact of the escalating US-China trade war, it might not be enough.

He said focusing on Southeast Asia, considered one of the global growth drivers in the future, would be good in the long run. “... But still nobody benefits I’m telling you. Nobody will win, all of us will be losers,” he said.

Earlier, the US imposed tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum from China. China retaliated by imposing tariffs on US goods, including pork, wine, fruit and nuts.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in the same briefing the threats of increased protectionism in advanced economies would always be considered by local monetary authorities in maintaining or tweaking the policy stance.

But he expressed optimism the country would remain resilient going forward, citing the solid and strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

“There are broadening growth drivers and investors remain bullish to invest in the Philippines,” Espenilla said.

He cited the improving external payments position, sound and stable domestic banking system, and higher potential growth of the economy.

Espenilla also said inflation was expected to remain manageable and settle within the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent this year.

The economy grew 6.7 percent in 2017 and is expected to expand stronger this year by 7 percent to 8 percent, driven by higher fiscal spending, robust domestic demand and investments.

Co-ops oppose DoE move to allow private sector in rural electrification ELECTRIC cooperatives have expressed concern over the move of the Energy Department to allow private investors to go into rural electrification.

Leaders of several electric cooperative organizations made a collective stand on Friday to remain as solid partners of the national government in its pursuit to energize every single household in the country no matter how far.

“Forty eight years of rural electrification program is a testament to our resilience and steadfast dedication to its goal,” said Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association Inc. president Presley de Jesus.

“Thus, and with all due respect, the policy on private sector participation in rural electrification program is based on a wrong predicate: that there are nonperforming ECs who are considered barriers to total electrification,” de Je-

sus said.

Philreca, in a joint statement with the Philippine Federation of Electric Cooperatives represented by its chairperson Dave Siquian, appealed against widespread misconception that power coops were generally ineffective.

The groups said only eight percent out of the total 121 ECs in the Philippines were considered problematic.

“And these are likewise not caused by our perceived operational inefficiency, but due to events and situations beyond our control like natural calamities, political strife, insurgency and more often than not topographic challenges,” De Jesus said.

He said most ECs had delivered on their mandate to help the government promote sustainable rural development through electricity.

Alena Mae S. Flores

FIRST METRO IN BINONDO. First Metro Asset Management Inc., the fund management subsidiary of First Metro Investment Corp., formally opens to the public its new Investors Center in Binondo, Manila. Located at the second floor of Lucky Chinatown Mall, the Investors Center will make FAMI’s investment products accessible to more people. Leading the ceremonial ribbon cutting are (from left) FAMI president Augusto Cosio Jr., First Metro chairman Francisco Sebastian and First Metro president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo.

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Business

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index sinks to 8-month low

S

TOCKS slumped Friday on profit-taking and concerns over the country’s widening trade deficit, ignoring gains in the regional market.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 143.09 points, or 1.8 percent to an eight-month low of 7,899.98 on a value turnover of P6.1 billion. Losers beat gainers, 134 to 76, with 43 issues unchanged.

The government earlier reported that the trade deficit increased 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.

Conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. lost 4.3 percent to P4.93, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fastfood chain, fell 2.6 percent to P292.20.

SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon

Henry Sy Sr. tumbled 4.9 percent to P940, while Ayala Corp. declined 2.2 percent to P956.

The rest of Asian markets mostly rose Friday as Donald Trump soothed concerns about military action in Syria while also sparking hopes the US could rejoin a massive Pacific-wide free-trade pact.

Tokyo’s Nikkei ended up 0.6 percent, while Hong Kong edged 0.1 percent up, Sydney gained 0.2 percent and Seoul added 0.5 percent. Singapore put on 0.9 percent, while Wellington and Taipei were also higher.

However, Shanghai finished 0.7 percent off.

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, the city’s de facto central bank, intervened in currency markets for the first time since 2005 as it looks to shore up the local dollar, which fell to 7.85 per US dollar, the weakest point of its trading band.

The US president on Wednesday sent shudders across trading floors when he warned “missiles will be coming” to Syria in response to an alleged chemical attack by the Russia-backed regime, fueling fears of a stand-off between the major powers.

But he tempered the rhetoric a day later suggesting he might hold off on an imminent strike while he holds talks with France and Britain on how to deal with the crisis.

As investors digested the remarks, it emerged Trump had directed senior aides to explore rejoining the TransPacific Partnership, which he left on becoming president, calling it a US jobs killer.

The U-turn came as he suggested the US and China might not eventually impose tariffs on each other’s goods, despite recent titfor-tat warnings over hundreds of billions of dollars of trade.

That followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s conciliatory speech this week promising to open up his country’s economy.

The developments have provided a huge lift to markets, which were sent into turmoil when Trump last Friday threatened fresh tariffs on a vast array of Chinese imports, fanning fears of a trade war between the world’s top two economic powers.

Trump also said Thursday the review of a trade pact with Canada and Mexico was “coming along great.”

“Remarkable. That’s the only thing I can really say in the past 36 hours or so about the change in tone that seems to be emanating from the president and the White House,” said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

“President Trump is walking back from the brink on so many fronts it’s making my head spin,” he added.

With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 58 27,120 107.3 1,535,420 3.19 120,000 138.3 1,252,730 1.6 252,000 35.35 93,200 7.05 900 16.46 148,400 18.66 1,361,700 3.4 22,000 0.68 5,000 1.55 7,000 850 240 0.56 161,000 83.55 3,859,500 1.19 611,000 55.65 47,860 228 940 109 280 87.9 100 44.25 12,500 224.4 358,690 1,905 325 90.1 760

1,589,924.50 164,511,764 376,190 173,657,847 389,560 3,300,340 6,345 2,433,856 25,559,518 73,090 3,400 10,850 204,000 85,600 320,744,828 721,770 2,661,432.50 214,922 30,520 8,790 553,965 80,632,524 619,375 68,476

875,222.50 -26,915,289 -69,707,679 -936,080 4,190,324 91,161,005 -27,610 373,279.50 -16,350 -44,205 -35,844,968 1,802

37.6 13.84 0.56 1.26 19.5 0.229 145 3.5 16.64 250 49.5 25.5 60.05 77.05 78.1 1.96 5.5 10.1 10.72 14.96 11.58 7.31 5.41 16.88 65 25.6 9.38 16.6 2.27 290 50.05 5 3.2 17.84 26.9 15.28 21.2 320.8 0.19 8.2 2.5 4.9 9 5.22 7.97 1.55 12.1 52.8 4.7 2.03 3.65 2.15 14.86 68.8 5.38 0.134 1.01 144.6 2.39 0.9

INDUSTRIAL 37.6 1,199,300 13.96 714,300 0.59 16,034,000 1.27 809,000 19.98 48,300 0.235 1,870,000 152.2 540 3.51 5,444,000 16.66 348,100 287 160 49.6 410,290 26.75 30,500 61.8 500 79.5 1,680 85.9 390 1.97 540,000 5.5 19,900 10.44 9,900 10.96 3,400,700 15.08 704,900 11.58 685,200 7.41 130,000 5.42 1,092,700 16.9 418,400 65.45 22,950 26.5 44,800 9.43 62,100 16.6 296,600 2.35 2,336,000 292.2 1,000,070 50.3 50 5.08 95,000 3.3 12,000 17.84 100 27.2 86,200 15.28 397,700 21.5 1,743,900 321.8 359,130 0.19 140,000 8.25 32,200 2.5 2,224,000 4.98 135,000 9.14 1,639,600 5.22 47,400 7.97 16,800 1.56 980,000 12.6 40,800 52.8 625,930 4.75 253,000 2.04 260,000 3.65 7,000 2.15 934,000 14.92 43,700 68.85 753,470 5.47 93,700 0.134 10,000 1.02 66,000 145 585,690 2.74 88,104,000 0.91 8,363,000

45,462,910 9,953,726 9,355,890 1,021,690 952,866 436,330 84,580 19,159,640 5,836,632 43,084 20,663,946.50 798,850 30,391.50 133,039 32,032.50 1,070,640 109,450 106,828 37,327,646 10,625,798 7,935,028 962,449 5,932,918 7,076,302 1,502,041 1,186,150 583,890 4,982,638 5,404,030 293,538,874 2,512.50 476,320 38,950 1,784 2,342,085 6,143,338 37,494,345 116,540,250 26,600 265,054 5,600,720 667,680 14,805,202 248,000 133,896 1,527,980 506,522 33,076,343.50 1,206,590 534,990 25,550 2,017,490 650,818 51,938,711 505,421 1,340 67,320 85,211,911 228,161,780 7,644,480

-399,095 290,000.00 6,300 -9,439,170 2,209,494 -195,680 -2,622.00 -16,059,882 8,388,200 -7,566,372 -62,245 -3,686,375 -1,578,524 420,933 -685 -260,402 -1,496,698 4,560 -6,995,736 -244,640 -1,182,906 22,243,390 -17,207,110 -4,073,520 40,150 -61,989 -133,896 103,850 -5,114,103.50 -1,183,090 45,160 -8,920 10,503,304 -29,579,153 15,284,890 96,340

0.295 68 14.04 0.9 6.4 0.64 0.65 954 1,703 7.08 12.36 7.49 0.207 1,105 6.88 62.8 4.81 5.76 0.65 4.82 18.7 0.69 4.93 3.36 0.043 1.14 3.22 141.2 940 0.81 1.7 591.5 263 0.237

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 500,000 68.3 1,647,060 14.18 2,505,200 0.9 143,000 6.48 13,600 0.65 6,786,000 0.66 2,271,000 956 410,430 1,703 5 7.15 375,300 12.36 2,422,200 7.5 52,500 0.207 10,000 1,107 142,185 6.88 27,600 62.8 1,910,670 5.29 200 5.76 19,100 0.67 98,000 4.9 51,000 18.7 3,869,000 0.69 4,916,000 4.93 63,431,700 3.65 45,000 0.046 17,300,000 1.16 102,000 3.38 8,507,000 142.9 363,690 940 476,570 0.81 80,000 1.73 108,000 618 390 270 170 0.245 110,000

150,200 112,328,845.50 35,751,650 128,920 87,143 4,423,100 1,498,780 393,619,885 8,515 2,673,032 30,227,916 393,726 2,070 159,060,835 189,888 121,139,354.5 ( 1,010 111,496 64,450 250,710 74,818,970 3,430,180 317,342,439 161,660 754,100 119,370 28,276,710 51,883,374 451,434,915 64,800 184,330 236,780 45,630 26,970

-26,530,287 8,338,076 -32,000 -43,567,880 624,356 -3,559,306 -36,012,840 11,794,692.5) 108,840 -8,204,392 -172,789,375 945,210 36,462,119 -259,076,820 8,500 16,160 -

2,392,087 1,328,990 217,584 106,290 729,340 567,180,075 7,965,910(7, 8,672,400 151,319 41,718,950 103,680 43,590 1,888,500 32,450 7,627,570 602,790 3,660 16,748,220 12,323,610 15,088,560 43,740 63,597,270 106,792,720

-1,438 -73,500 40,770 -172,098,990 113,879.9997) 137,196 -9,712,400 67,500 952,750 -108,800 -5,576,720 35,360 11,700 24,430 -20,876,650 -2,408,890

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 108.8 3.17 139 1.6 35.4 7.05 16.24 19 3.32 0.68 1.55 850 0.55 81.7 1.22 55.65 229 109 87.9 44.4 224 1,950 90.1

59 108.8 3.21 139.9 1.62 35.45 7.05 16.5 19 3.4 0.68 1.55 850 0.56 83.9 1.22 55.65 229 109 87.9 44.4 228.4 1,950 90.1

57.3 106 3.08 138.1 1.52 35.35 7.05 16.12 18.6 3.31 0.68 1.55 850 0.53 81.65 1.17 55.5 228 109 87.9 44.25 224 1,900 90.1

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN 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 FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

37.9 13.98 0.61 1.28 19.78 0.237 146 3.59 17 299 51.5 26.6 60.05 77.05 88.5 1.99 5.5 12.5 10.72 15.18 11.78 7.45 5.43 16.94 65.6 26.65 9.45 16.7 2.33 298 50.05 5 3.25 17.84 27.2 15.82 21.2 325 0.19 8.2 2.6 4.9 9.2 5.25 7.97 1.57 12.1 53 4.84 2.06 3.65 2.18 14.92 69.9 5.47 0.134 1.01 146.9 2.39 0.93

38.3 13.98 0.61 1.28 20 0.237 169.8 3.59 17 299 51.5 27.1 61.95 79.5 89.65 2 5.5 12.5 11.06 15.22 11.78 7.45 5.45 17 65.6 26.65 9.45 17 2.39 298 50.3 5.12 3.3 17.84 27.2 15.82 21.6 327.8 0.19 8.28 2.61 5 9.2 5.3 7.97 1.57 12.6 53.05 4.84 2.1 3.65 2.23 14.92 69.9 5.47 0.134 1.05 146.9 2.79 0.95

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

0.305 68.95 14.2 0.91 6.4 0.64 0.65 961 1,703 7.19 12.74 7.5 0.207 1,135 6.88 64.1 4.81 5.83 0.68 4.83 19.4 0.72 5.17 3.36 0.044 1.18 3.22 142.5 991 0.81 1.71 632 263 0.237

0.305 70 14.44 0.91 6.48 0.66 0.67 967.5 1,703 7.19 12.74 7.5 0.207 1,135 6.88 64.8 5.29 5.9 0.68 4.95 19.5 0.73 5.21 3.69 0.046 1.18 3.43 142.9 991 0.81 1.73 632 270 0.255

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

6.74 0.99 15.14 2.16 0.87 40.65 3.51 4.59 6.18 0.475 1.08 0.99 0.275 0.465 31.5 0.68 0.122 1.77 1.38 1.18 4.88 4.7 0.65

6.8 1 15.14 2.18 0.87 40.85 3.52 4.69 6.18 0.5 1.08 1 0.275 0.475 31.9 0.68 0.122 1.77 1.38 1.24 4.9 4.71 0.67

6.57 0.98 15.1 2.16 0.85 39.8 3.45 4.5 6.11 0.475 1.08 0.99 0.265 0.44 31.2 0.67 0.122 1.73 1.36 1.15 4.79 4.65 0.62

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.41 0.57 4.36 19.18 1.99 3.17 34.3 1.02 13.76 0.85 6.98

0.41 0.57 4.36 19.42 1.99 3.23 34.4 1.03 14.14 0.87 7

0.4 0.55 4.21 19 1.95 3.17 33.75 1.02 12.5 0.85 6.76

0.4 0.56 4.33 19.02 1.95 3.17 33.8 1.03 12.64 0.87 6.85

3,540,000 2,064,000 704,000 1,396,600 78,000 19,000 5,273,000 464,000 2,056,600 15,000 14,136,300

1,423,800 1,151,850 3,006,650 26,837,210 152,540 60,440 179,228,120(22 475,760 26,599,456 12,790 97,075,985

259,770 -4,315,198 45,100 -3,230 ,310,640.0003) -49,440 559,374 -2,420,925

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

17.9 29.2 1.5 0.53 0.05 5.4 12.88 0.061 93.05 7.6 7.45 26.85 1,600 6.39 320 5.1 2.42 99.1 13.28 0.122 1.44 3.26 15 5.1 1.05 28.8 5.22 7.82 3.36 18 9 11.34 9.6 3.07 120 6.36 1,476 1.02 0.43 53 84.5 7.3 2.58 1.5 0.435 4.62 0.92 10.98

18.2 29.2 1.5 0.54 0.051 5.4 13.1 0.062 94.8 7.69 7.5 27.5 1,610 6.4 331 5.28 2.48 99.1 13.3 0.122 1.47 3.42 15 5.21 1.05 29 5.3 7.82 3.45 20 9.02 11.5 9.6 3.07 123 6.44 1,482 1.03 0.43 53 86 7.49 2.61 1.5 0.44 4.9 0.93 11.54

17.42 28.8 1.36 0.52 0.048 5.4 12.84 0.059 91.6 7.4 7.3 26 1,576 6.36 310.4 5.04 2.4 97.3 13.28 0.12 1.43 3.24 15 4.99 1.03 28.4 5.15 7.64 3.3 18 8.37 11.34 9.5 3.07 120 6.25 1,470 0.99 0.42 52.3 83.65 7.23 2.54 1.46 0.43 4.52 0.91 10.98

SERVICES 17.56 28.9 1.36 0.53 0.049 5.4 12.9 0.059 93.8 7.4 7.4 26.1 1,576 6.39 314 5.05 2.48 97.65 13.3 0.12 1.47 3.42 15 5.05 1.05 28.7 5.22 7.79 3.32 20 8.49 11.5 9.6 3.07 120.1 6.3 1,470 1.02 0.43 52.75 84.9 7.42 2.59 1.47 0.43 4.85 0.91 11.26

98,600 117,200 585,000 6,768,000 17,720,000 1,000 17,303,300 65,180,000 84,970 1,284,200 155,500 101,300 33,380 1,122,300 14,490 2,531,100 54,000 686,520 5,100 1,030,000 188,000 50,000 2,300 6,778,100 1,370,000 942,700 263,400 161,300 659,000 5,000 12,201,000 38,000 2,700 10,000 62,580 737,400 39,905 8,990,000 2,360,000 1,177,570 324,570 30,800 959,000 3,029,000 4,220,000 6,922,000 3,901,000 5,320,300

1,733,906 3,398,055 830,040 3,592,720 864,920 5,400 223,915,732 3,905,830 7,976,356 9,601,566 1,154,624 2,706,285 52,887,450 7,167,913 4,595,394 12,975,515 130,190 67,121,254 ( 67,760 124,660 270,730 164,540 34,500 34,390,928 1,413,820 27,130,285 1,377,657 1,254,622 2,196,150 93,050 104,448,452 436,276 25,830 30,700 7,690,570 4,627,034 58,858,905 9,074,170 999,950 62,204,561.50 27,343,038.50 226,409 2,482,840 4,476,370 1,830,500 32,930,670 3,564,770 60,264,194

15,750 14,100 0 51,503,708 195,930 2,876,576.50 -370,000 -71,560 -18,135,415 -6,654 251,834 30,136,363.5) 314,306 10,749,535 -36,256 -17,137 420,280 -25,447,674 10,560 369,300 -6,660,620 -1,957,110 14,949,325.50 -3,523,480.50 -152,720 84,190 -4,200 -3,467,160 -1,840 17,463,424

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

0.0027 1.85 4.58 17.02 1.6 1.62 0.32 8.16 2.41 0.212 0.147 0.154 1.47 6.02 1.19 0.59 0.88 0.013 0.014 0.012 2.35 5.98 16.78 31.3

0.003 1.85 4.58 18.5 1.6 1.63 0.325 8.2 2.47 0.216 0.148 0.155 1.48 6.05 1.25 0.62 0.88 0.013 0.014 0.013 2.5 6 16.92 31.55

0.0027 1.82 4.51 17 1.5 1.62 0.3 7.77 2.4 0.201 0.147 0.154 1.42 5.98 1.19 0.58 0.87 0.012 0.014 0.012 2.25 5.95 15.9 30.8

MINING & OIL 0.003 2,126,000,000 1.85 10,286,000 4.52 93,000 18.5 6,100 1.5 20,000 1.63 153,000 0.31 2,610,000 8.01 6,000 2.47 1,336,000 0.21 270,000 0.148 4,190,000 0.154 700,000 1.48 107,000 5.99 1,427,400 1.22 73,000 0.61 936,000 0.87 340,000 0.013 211,200,000 0.014 700,000 0.013 800,000 2.25 229,000 5.98 75,000 15.98 5,610,100 31.4 840,500

6,202,900 18,931,520 421,990 103,870 31,200 248,860 795,650 48,417 3,265,380 55,970 618,290 107,850 152,690 8,562,304 87,330 565,710 296,110 2,543,600 9,800 9,700 541,390 448,040 91,556,166 26,162,165

-12,000 5,986,830 -27,180 1,368,730 -39,990 10,010 -1,205,595 -304,639 2,248,594 -4,578,150

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF F GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

28 508 503 101 104 504.5 6.25 988 1.06 1,021 104.6 111 980 77 79.1 75 78 76.8 76 75.75

28 508 503 102 104 504.5 6.25 988 1.06 1,021 104.6 111 980 77 79.1 75.4 78 76.8 76 75.75

27.95 508 503 101 104 504.5 6.22 980 1.05 1,021 104.6 111 980 75.2 79.1 75 78 76.8 76 75.7

PREFERRED 27.95 42,200 508 90 503 10 101.9 90,400 104 990 504.5 200 6.22 161,800 980 110 1.05 17,000 1,021 3,000 104.6 100 111 100 980 1,880 75.2 1,420 79.1 200 75.4 72,540 78 6,300 76.8 10 76 80,000 75.75 50,300

1,181,235 45,720 5,030 9,147,640 102,960 100,900 1,006,743 108,600 17,860 3,063,000 10,460 11,100 1,842,400 107,140 15,820 5,467,516 491,400 768 6,080,000 3,810,125

-1,170,050 807,553 15,100 219,650

LR WARRANT

3.2

3.26

3.14

WARRANTS 3.14 927,000

2,948,830

3,190

6,802,530 3,060 121,220 3,173,650

501,314 -97,860

864,909

19,290

10,300 25,500 79,743.60

25,500 -

MS

PROPERTY 6.8 0.98 15.1 2.17 0.86 39.9 3.48 4.67 6.18 0.5 1.08 1 0.27 0.475 31.45 0.67 0.122 1.74 1.36 1.15 4.79 4.65 0.62

357,000 1,350,000 14,400 49,000 851,000 14,171,300 2,291,000 1,899,000 24,500 84,950,000 96,000 44,000 7,050,000 70,000 242,200 897,000 30,000 9,615,000 9,045,000 12,732,000 9,000 13,665,000 166,572,000

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

5.85 3.06 3.26 3.53

5.88 3.06 3.36 3.54

5.54 3.06 3.16 3.4

FIRST METRO ETF

122.3

122.8

120.5

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.3 10.2 1.02

10.3 10.2 1.02

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,524,332

INDUSTRIAL

146,105,398

HOLDING FIRMS

119,321,847

PROPERTY

355,961,410

SERVICES

176,815,621

MINING & OIL

2,368,748,938

GRAND TOTAL

3,179,649,772

10.3 10.2 1.02

5.56 3.06 3.36 3.41

SME

1,206,500 1,000 38,000 918,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 120.5 7,100 10.3 10.2 1.02

DDS

1,000 2,500 78,180

VALUE 2,028.63 (down) 5.21 867,813,097.89 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,256.58 (down) 95.06 1,142,592,822.298 HOLDING FIRMS 7,908.83 (down) 233.30 1,829,355,531.40 PROPERTY 3,604.93 (down) 63.20 1,635.66 (down) 13.91 1,200,623,387.862 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,168.81 (down) 76.14 859,891,408.305 PSEI 7,899.98 (down) 143.09 182,469,143.235 All Shares Index 4,794.65 (down) 64.17 6,093,716,695.69 Gainers: 76; Losers: 134; Unchanged: 43; Total: 253

IMI to open new Serbia factory in 2nd half of 2018

By Jenniffer B. Austria INTEGRATED Microelectronics Inc. is set to open its newest manufacturing facility in Serbia by the second half of 2018.

IMI president and chief operating officer Gilles Bernard said during the annual stockholders’ meeting the Serbia facility, which is expected to be operational by September of October this year, was in line with the company’s plan to strengthen its global footprint.

“The opening of this new production facility in southeastern Europe offers significant growth potential to all growing market for automotive components in Europe,” Bernard said.

IMI chief finance officer Jerome Tan said the Serbia facility was expected to generate an additional $250 million in revenues.

Tan said the construction of a new plant in Serbia was in anticipation of an expected increase in demand for automotive components after the company secured new contracts with mostly European firms.

IMI has been positioning in three core strategic markets, namely automotive, industrial and aerospace.

It has a total manufacturing space of 287,000 square meters in 19 sites across eight countries, including the United Kingdom, China and the Philippines.

Shareholders approved an increase in the company’s capital stock to P3 billion from P2.45 billion to support expansion.

Tan said the company had no immediate plans to conduct fund a raising activity this year.

“The increase in the company’s authorized capital stock is just in preparation in the event in the future we need to raise funds. We wanted it to be readily available,” he said.

IMI earlier earmarked $75 million in capital expenditures for 2018, up 15 percent from the actual spending of $65.3 million in 2017, to support the expansion of its Philippine and overseas operations.

IMI plans to spend P2.39 billion for the purchase of additional machineries and equipment and P600 million for the construction of a new manufacturing facility in Serbia, new structures and other improvements in Bulgaria, Philippines and the Czech Republic.

SSI Group’s ‘17 profit increased 19% to P275m SSI Group Inc., the country’s largest specialty store retailer, said net income in 2017 rose 19 percent to P275 million after closing down stores to rationalize operations.

SSS said in a filing with the Philippine Stock Exchange net sales last year were flat at ₱18.5 billion, which it considered better than expected given the highly competitive environment, weakening peso and the 6.7-percent decline in the group’s selling area “This also reflects the impact of the Group’s store rationalization program, which seeks to improve the overall sales quality and operating efficiency of the group’s store network. The rationalization program also seeks to strengthen the group’s dominant position in high productivity, central locations,” SSI Grop said.

SSI Group’s network totaled 638 at the end of 2017, covering 129,486 square meters from 708 stores in 2016 over an area of 138,852 sq. m.

The specialty store retailer incurred other charges of ₱711.5 million due to the impairment losses recognized on the group’s investments in the FamilyMart and Wellworth, as well as an increase in write-offs related to the group’s store rationalization program to ₱280.5 million.

SSI Group, however, generated a positive operating cash flow of P1.9 billion in 2017 as a result of strong cashflow generation during the fourth quarter of the year.

“We saw healthy demand from our customers during the 4th quarter of the year, a trend that continued into the 1st quarter of 2018. Resilient consumer demand combined with the group’s strengthened store network and increased operating efficiencies were the drivers of the group’s turn around in 2017. We expect that these same factors will continue to drive our growth in 2018,” SSI Group president Anthony Huang said. Jenniffer B. Austria

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Myanmar vows early Rohingya return D

HAKA―Rohingya refugees will be allowed to return to Myanmar “as soon as possible”, a minister said, despite a stillborn repatriation process and UN warnings that the safety of returnees could not be guaranteed.

Model says Cosby raped her in 1982 in his retrial NORRISTOWN―An American celebrity model told Bill Cosby’s sexual assault retrial on Thursday that the disgraced megastar raped her in 1982, sent her roses in rehab and made her want to punch him.

The now frail and isolated 80-year-old entertainer could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand, 45, at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

The case has besmirched the legacy of the actor once 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.”

On day four of Cosby’s retrial, the prosecution wrapped testimony from five other accusers―in addition to Constand―allowed to give evidence in what experts say presents a gargantuan hurdle for the defense.

Model Janice Dickinson, now a grandmother and the most famous accuser to take the stand in Norristown, a Philadelphia suburb, was 27 years old when she says Cosby raped her.

She said Cosby flew her first class from Bali, Indonesia, where she was on a modeling job, to the ritzy Lake Tahoe resort in the Sierra Nevada for what she thought would be talks about her career.

Over dinner he allegedly handed her a blue pill she thought would ease menstrual cramps, but which left her feeling “out of it” before Cosby raped her, leaving her “humiliated.” AFP

FLOWER SHOW. An attendant stands at a display at the 20th ‘Kimilsungia’ festival flower show in Pyongyang on April 13, 2018.

When nuclear-armed North Korea put on a flower show last year to mark the birthday of its founder Kim Il Sung, it included scale models of rockets. But taking pride of place at the national security ministry stand this year is a plant with a record 49 blooms. AFP

Second airline heiress probed for tantrum SEOUL―South Korean police launched an inquiry into the sister of Korean Air’s infamous “nut rage” heiress Friday over claims that she hurled water into a man’s face during a business meeting.

Cho Hyun-min apologized for her “reckless behavior” after the latest incident to draw widespread condemnation and highlight the prominent family’s hot-tempered behavior.

Cho, 36, is the younger sister of Cho Hyun-ah, who made global headlines in 2014 when she angrily kicked a cabin crew member off a plane after being served macadamia nuts in a bag rather than a bowl.

Sexual harassment claims hit Japan’s finance ministry TOKYO―Japan’s finance ministry was embroiled in a growing sexual harassment scandal on Friday after a magazine released what it said was audio of a senior bureaucrat sexually harassing a female journalist.

The Shukan Shincho magazine reported earlier this week that the ministry’s top bureaucrat had sexually harassed several female journalists, but Finance Minister Taro Aso initially said he had no plans to investigate the report or punish the official, who he said was “sufficiently remorseful.”

On Friday, he said the bureaucrat, Junichi Fukuda, would be fired if the harassment was proved, but the ministry said it was not planning a probe.

Hours later, the magazine released what it said was audio of Fukuda with a female journalist at a bar.

“I’ll tie up your hands. Can I touch your breasts?” a male voice on the recording says.

“Shall we have an affair once the budget is approved?”

The reporter, who has not been named, cannot be heard on the recording, and the identity of the male voice could not be indepen-

dently verified.

The magazine said several other female reporters reported being sexually harassed by Fukuda, who asked to kiss them and take them to a hotel.

The row comes as the government faces twin cronyism scandals that have dragged down Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s normally high approval ratings and led to opposition calls for the premier and his finance minister to resign.

Fukuda has denied the allegations and on Thursday Aso said he had warned the bureaucrat about his conduct, but did not plan to investigate further or punish him.

“I told him to act with a sense of propriety, given the current climate,” Aso told a parliament session, in an apparent reference to the scrutiny the cabinet is under.

“As I felt he was sufficiently remorseful, I don’t intend to investigate further,” he added.

On Friday, asked again about the case before the recording was released, Aso said “if the story is true, he is out.”

But he added: “I am not thinking about punishing him at this point.” AFP

The latest row over the younger Cho emerged when local media reported that she had thrown water at an advertising agency manager’s face during a meeting last month.

Cho, a Korean Air marketing executive, reportedly flew into a rage when she did not like one of the manager’s responses.

The ad firm produces ads for the South’s flag carrier.

Seoul police said they had launched a preliminary investigation to see if Cho had broken any laws.

Throwing water into someone’s face can amount to assault in the South, where a

housewife was fined about $650 in 2015 for throwing water at a real estate broker during a heated argument.

Cho Hyun-min and Cho Hyun-ah are the daughters of Korean Air chairman Cho Yang-ho.

The offspring of South Korea’s wealthy business elite families often make headlines for behavior considered arrogant or shameful.

In the 2014 incident, Cho’s older sister forced two airline employees to kneel and beg for forgiveness on a Seoul-bound flight from New York, after being served nuts in a bag before take-off. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan City of Balanga BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE OFFICE InvItatIon to BId no. Infra -039-2018

2nd Floor Malong Building, Capitol Compound Lingayen, Pangasinan Tel. No. (075) 632-7840 Website@biddingandawards.pangasinan gov.ph, E-mail address: bacpangasinan@yahoo.com

039

INVITATION TO BID for Delivery of Various Drugs and Medicines (by item) Solicitation No. PANG-2018-0547

The Provincial Government of Bataan, through the Trust Fund intends to apply the below listed project w/ corresponding Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected a bid opening.

1.

The Province of Pangasinan, through the Trust Fund1 intends to apply the sum of Twelve Million Three Hundred Sixty-Seven Thousand Nine Hundred Thirty-One Pesos & 80/100 (P12,367,931.80) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Delivery of Various Drugs and Medicines (by item) at GSO, Lingayen, Pangasinan (for use of 6 Government Hospitals – WPDH, Alaminos City; Bolinao Community Hospital; Mapandan Community Hospital; Manaoag Community Hospital; Pozorrubio Community Hospital and Asingan Community Hospital). Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

The Province of Pangasinan now invites bids for Supply and Delivery of Drugs and Medicines.2 Delivery of the Goods is required Seven (7) Calendar Days.

Bidders should have completed from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

Bidding is open to all interested bidders, whether local or foreign, subject to the conditions for eligibility provided in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the 2016 Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

(i)

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183.

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Province of Pangasinan and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during April 9, 2018 – April 30, 2018; 8:00 am to 5:00pm.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders April 9, 2018 – April 30, 2018 at the BAC office, 2nd Floor Malong Building, Lingayen, Pangasinan and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of One Thousand Pesos (P1,000.00) for every P1,000,000.00.

Name of Project

Approved Budget of the Contract (ABC)

1. Rehabilitation and Improvement of Paysawan Road Bagac, Bataan 2. Rehabilitation and Improvement of Binuangan Road Bagac, Bataan

=P=22,500,000.00 =P=69,533,817.00

The Provincial Government of Bataannow invites bids for the above listedProjects.

Completion of works for Project No. 1 is within 200 Calendar Days and for Project No. 2 is within 300 Calendar Days. Bidders should have completed, at least one (1) contract that is similar to the contract to be bid. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Office of Bataan Bids & Awards Committeeand inspect the Bidding Documents from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. at the same office.

Bid documents will be available only to eligible bidders upon payment of a nonrefundable amount of using standard rates approved by GPPB as stated on their Resolution No. 04-2012 listed below.

Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000 and below More than 500,000 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million More than 10 Million up to 50 Million More than 50 Million up to 500 Million More than 500 Million

Maximum Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Peso) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00 25,000.00 50,000.00 75,000.00

The Provincial Government of Bataan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 20, 2018 at 10:00 A.M at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan.

Bids must be delivered on or before May 4, 2018 at 1:30 P.M. at Provincial BAC Office, PEO Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated on IRR of RA 9184 or Bid Securing Declaration in standard form.

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

The Province of Pangasinan will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on April 18, 2018; 10:00am at BAC office, 2nd Floor Malong Building, Capitol Compound, Lingayen, Pangasinan, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

7.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before April 30, 2018; 10:00am. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on April 30, 2018; 10:00am at Conference Room 2nd Floor Malong Building, Capitol Compound, Lingayen, Pangasinan. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

In case of the above dates is declared a special Non-Working Holidays, it will automatically reset on the next working days.

Other necessary information deemed relevant by the Provincial Government of Bataan Activities Schedule 1. Advertisement/Posting of Invitation to Bid April 13 - 19, 2018 2. Eligibility Check Refer to date of Opening of Bids 3. Issuance and availability of Bidding Documents April 13 – May 4, 2018 4. Request for Clarification April 24, 2018 5. Opening of Bids May 4, 2018 The Provincial Government of Bataan 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.

Ms. Aileen C. Sagun Provincial BAC / PEO Bataan Provincial BAC / PEO Office, Capitol Compound, Balanga City, Bataan 047-237-9316 bac@bataan.gov.ph

The Province of Pangasinan reserves the right to reject any and all bids, declare a failure of bidding, or not award the contract at any time prior to contract award in accordance with Section 41 of RA 9184 and its IRR, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

9.

For further information, please refer to: HILARIA J. CLAVERIA Provincial Budget Officer BAC Chairman Provincial Budget Office Finance Building, Capitol Compound Lingayen, Pnagsinan 075 5426574

BAC Office 2nd Floor Malong Building, Capitol Compound Lingayen, Pangasinan 075 6327840

(SGD) ENRICO T. YUZON BAC Chairman

(MS-APR. 14, 2018)

8.

EDWIN B. MENDOZA Supervising Admin. Officer BAC Secretariat

For further information, please refer to:

Images Gallery in New York City. AFP

3

6.

Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend opening of Bids at Bataan BAC Office. Late bids shall not be accepted.

EXHIBITION. A guest views the Slim Aaron’s exhibition by the Getty

Win Myat Aye, Myanmar’s social welfare minister, made the comments in Dhaka late Thursday after visiting one of the Bangladesh camps struggling to provide for some of the one million Rohingya Muslims to have fled the country.

“We can overcome many difficulties we are facing,” he told reporters after a meeting with Bangladeshi officials. “I am very sure we can start the repatriation process as soon as possible.”

Myanmar has repeatedly said it is ready for repatriation, but no date has been given for the return, and skepticism is rife in Bangladesh and elsewhere that a stalled refugee return plan will ever be implemented.

Bangladesh and Myanmar agreed in November to repatriate three-quarters of a million Rohingya by the end of the year but the deal has been delayed indefinitely, with each side blaming the other for a lack of preparation.

Win Myat Aye had met with Rohingya leaders at the giant Kutupalong camp near Cox’s Bazar, where a group of refugees tried to stage a protest during his visit.

Wednesday was the first time a Myanmar cabinet member has visited the overcrowded camps since a military crackdown that began last August in response to a spate of insurgent attacks, forcing some 700,000 of the Muslim minority to flee across the border.

They joined around 300,000 refugees already living there after previous bouts of violence.

Myanmar has so far approved fewer than 600 names from a list of more than 8,000 refugees provided by Bangladesh.

Last month a top Bangladesh cabinet minister, A.M.A Muhith, said it was unlikely the refugees would ever return, accusing Myanmar of deliberately obstructing the process. AFP

(SGD.)HILARIA J. CLAVERIA Provincial Budget Officer BAC Chairman 1. In the case of National Government Agencies, the General Appropriations Act and/or continuing appropriations; in the case of GOCCs, GFIs, and SUCs, the Corporate Budget for the contract approved by the governing Boards; in the case of LGUs, the Budget for the contract approved by the respective Sanggunian.

(Section 5(a), R.A. 9184) 2. A brief description of the scope of Works should be provided, including quantities, location of project, and other information necessary to enable potential bidders to decide whether or not to respond to the invitation.

(MS-APR. 14, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

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SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

WORKOUT IN THE SKY. High-tech running, cycling and pumping iron at the

5th level.

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UNOBTRUSIVE CHILL SPACE. Ascott Sentral’s two-bedroom living room is an ideal place to kick back with a home-cooked meal, and even entertain, after a hard day’s work.

Home with a Hotel

Ascott Sentral Kuala Lumpur is changing the way business is done RAVEL is among the ostensible perks of today’s professionals.

But luxurious hotel rooms soon start to feel small, and constrained. The food is great at all the restaurants, and there is room service, but all you long for is a simple stir-fry, or an omelette in front of the television at the end of the day.

Star hotels have entered the space as the benefits are many. For one, these are close to central business districts and although part of the main hotel property, there is a separate private entry and an internal walkthrough to access the hotel’s food and beverage offerings. They also offer valet and concierge services along with housekeeping.

Big cities have seen an upsurge in serviced apartments, driven by multinationals and a mobile population. After all, business travellers and visiting professionals need to stay in the business hubs for anything between a few months and a few years, depending on their nature of work.

Guests at these ‘residences’ can access everything that the hotels are offering, right from multiple cuisines, housekeeping and security services to spa, gyms, pools and parking facilities.

“Expatriates want apartments independent of the hotel, but they also want the security and comfort of a big hotel,” said Celia Kam, area manager of Ascott

Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.

‘City-within-a-city’ Ascott Sentral KL is a serviced residence in Kuala Lumpur Sentral, a unique ‘city-within-a-city’ development.

The residence belongs to the global Ascott brand, offering 157 apartments, from studios to two-bedroom and threebedroom penthouses units, enabling travellers to choose a suitable match for their requirements.

The place has good transportation links that enable visitors to reach the Kuala Lumpur International Airport via KLIA Express Rail in just 28 minutes.

The residence also offers extensive facilities for long and short stay guests, including a state-of-the-art gym, business centre services and babysitting services.

Located on the same road is KL Sentral, a transportation hub for Kuala Lumpur’s integrated rail transportation centre. It offers global connectivity and links to all urban and suburban residential, commercial and industrial areas.

Nearby attractions include the Lake Gardens, KL Bird Park, Chinatown and the National Museum.

Quality serviced residence “Ascott has been in Malaysia for 15

years now, and over the years, we have become a brand synonymous with quality service residence,” said Kam. “With the Ascott Sentral KL, we further extended our footprint in this bustling city , and are now primed to take advantage of the increased demand of serviced residences,” she added.

Kam explained that Kuala Lumpur is now seen as a leading destination in Asia both for investments, as well as for meetings, conferences and exhibitions. “KL’s infrastructure, quality facilities and competitive business costs attract multinational companies to set up businesses in the city and drive demand from expatriates and travellers for serviced residences.”

Kam said besides Ascott Sentral KL, Ascott also manages Ascott KL Citadines Uplands Kuching and Somerset Ampang Kuala Lumpur.

Over the past few years the group has opened Citadines Dpulze Cyberjaya, Somerset Medini Nusajaya, Somerset Puteri Harbour Nusajaya and Somerset Damansara Uptown Petaling Jaya “With these establishments, we’ve doubled our inventory with over 1700 apartment units across eight properties in Malaysia. This reinforces our position as the largest international serviced residence owner and operator in Malaysia,” she said.

Memorial facility to rise in QC ETERNAL Bright Sanctuary, Inc. (EBSI) is currently building a memorial facility, the Aeternitas Memorial Chapels and Columbarium.

Located along Commonwealth avenue in Quezon City, beside St. Peter’s Shrine of Leaders, and between the proposed Don Antonio and Batasan Stations of the MRT Line 7, the ninestorey development will have more than 45,000 niches.

Each of the facility’s 15 premiere memorial chapels and 2 grand memorial chapels will have access to telephone, cable and Internet service.

Aeternitas will have 6 passenger lifts, over 200 parking spaces and a centralized air-conditioning system for the comfort and convenience of visitors. A 24/7 security with CCTV in all common areas and sufficient emergency services are also available in the building for everyone’s safety.

The building was designed by Architect Yolanda Reyes, current Philippine Regulatory Commissioner and principal architect, of RLR77 Architectural Design, Planning and Consulting Services.

The project was awarded to Metro Stonerich Corporation, an ISO 90 01:2008 certified service company

CATHEDRAL AMBIENCE.

CLASSIC LUXURY. Frazzled travellers get a special welcome at the Ascott Sentral lobby.

GENDER DIVERSITY IN THE WORK FORCE

HOLCIM Philippines, Inc. is looking to strengthen programs that attract more women in the company, believing that a diverse workforce is a driver of innovation and business growth.

Women, such as this group in its Bulacan plant, currently comprise 20% of the company’s workforce. Holcim Philippines plans to increase its female workforce to 30% by 2030 by strengthening policies and putting up additional infrastructure and facilities that cater to women.

“We want to make sure that we have these essentials in our offices and plants so we have the right environment to welcome women and nurture their potential,” said Holcim Philippines President and CEO Sapna Sood, the first female head of a cement com-

pany in the country. “We believe that doing so helps our company in its goal to help the Philippines build better with certainty,” she explained. Aside from strong compliance with laws and regulations applicable to women in the workplace, Holcim Philippines also provides additional maternity benefits on top of what is legally required.

Holcim Philippines is committed to promoting an inclusive environment for everyone, where there are equal opportunities for women, who have the right skills, values, and mindsets.

“Now is the right time to push greater gender diversity in workplaces,” declared Sood. “Every woman can excel in any field that they choose, even in masculine industries like the cement manufacturing and construction.”

Aeternitas skylight.

specializing in engineering, construction and project development.

Construction is being done by Jose Aliling Construction Management Inc. Empowering decision “Memorial and post-life care and services are something that many people are uncomfortable talking about,” acknowledged Van Lopez, marketing director of EBSI. “The decision is often made too late or sometimes none at all.”

“Peace of mind, not just for you but for your family and loved ones is perhaps one of the best last gifts that one

can offer,” he said. “You are actively making the choice while you still can in choosing the level of care you want for yourself, while those close to you can concentrate on cherishing the best memories they have with you.”

“If you’re looking at cremation as an option, you might as well prepare for your columbary vault,” he suggested.

“Now is a good time. The market value of the acquired property appreciates over a period after its construction.

The turnover of the facility is expected to begin on July 2019.

SIGHT SAVERS. Standard Chartered Bank (SCB), in partnership with Philippine Business for Social Progress, Cataract Foundation of the Philippines Inc and Department of Education, recently distributed free eyeglasses to teachers and students of Pateros National High School, Aguho Elementary School and Sta. Ana Elementary School. This completes the bank’s ‘Alay sa Kinabukasan’ Program in the public schools of Pateros which benefitted more than 3000 students, teachers and parents with free eye screening, provision of eyeglasses, financial education and HIV/AIDS awareness.

GOODBYE CHUGGING, CHURNING SOUNDS. Washing

THE development of the Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAx), a four-lane tolled expressway connecting CAVITEx in Kawit, Cavite, and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEx) at the Mamplasan Interchange in Biñan, Laguna, will be a boon to Amaia Scapes in General Trias, Cavite. CALAx is expected

Great Cavite escape to ease traffic congestion on Governor’s Drive, Aguinaldo Highway, and on the Sta. Rosa-Tagaytay Road, reducing travel time from CAVITEx to SLEx by about 45 minutes.

With CALAx approximately three kilometers or eight minutes away from Amaia Scapes General Trias, it will be

a quick drive, or commute, to major establishments and economic zones in Cavite and Laguna. Located at Arnaldo Highway in Brgy. Santiago, in what is regarded as the new edge of growth and development in the Calabarzon, Amaia Scapes General Trias is minutes away from the district of Imus and Vermosa.

machines are often the noisiest appliances in your household. The chugging, churning sounds made by moving parts, together with the swishing and swirling clothes, and the splashing sounds can be annoying.

Beko Philippines recently launched its washing machines that takes laundry time to a more quiet level through its ProSmart inverter motor technology. It uses a stateof-the-art system that eradicates the friction between the washing machine’s small parts, allowing for three times quieter wash time. BEKO’s technology also provides increased efficiency and reliability combining different wash motions that deliver a good washing experience. It also saves 60 percent more energy, compared to other brands.

Life travel and leisure

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardliFE saturday, april 14, 2018

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The colorful photo-op sign at Liloan’s park located at the center of town

My Cebu Swingaround The recent Lenten holidays gave me an opportunity to see another face of my home province because my siblings and I decided to do our holy Thursday Visita Iglesia in seven different churches spread all over a few municipalities north of Cebu City. I haven’t been to these churches even when I was still a young boy, residing and growing up in mercury rising Cebu, so I was looking forward to this

BY BOB zOzOBRadO unique whole-day “swingaround.”

We started our religious sojourn at the 453-year-old Basilica Menor del Santo Niño de Cebu, the oldest Catholic Church in the country, located in the capital city’s downtown area. It houses the statue of the Child Jesus, believed to be miraculous, the same statue presented

by Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah humabon when the latter was baptized.

A curious attraction of this church is the original “sinulog” performed by some women who sell candles to the faithful outside the church. When one buys from them, they face the altar and dance in prayer, asking for the intercession of the Child Jesus for the buyer’s petitions. This practice gave rise to the present-day Sinulog Festival.

Of course, a visit to the Sto. Niño Basilica is not complete without going to the adjacent Magellan’s Cross. This is “Ground Zero” for Christianity in the Philippines. When Magellan planted this cross on the shores of Cebu, it signified the beginning of Christianity in the country. The original cross is preserved inside the tindalo wood casing, which is now what visitors see when they visit this landmark.

Mandaue City’s Diocesan Shrine of St. Joseph was our next stop. This city prides itself with having 40 percent of the province’s export companies, and is home to some industry giants, like San Miguel Corporation, CocaCola Bottling Corp., and Shemberg, the biggest exporter of carrageenan.

The city is also known as the “furniture capital of the country” because it handles 75 percent of the country’s total furniture exports. This is also where you find the two bridges linking the main province to Mactan Island, where the International Airport is found.

The 453-year-old Basilica Menor del Santo Niño is the oldest Catholic Church in the country

The very popular Virgen de la Regla National Shrine is in historic Mactan Island where, in the 16th century, its local chieftain, Lapu-lapu, subdued the invading colonizers led by Magellan. This church’s patroness is known in english as “The Lady of the Rule,” and has been venerated since the time the island was still called Opon. enshrined in the altar is a copy of the original statue in Spain which was venerated by St. Augustine himself. The local icon is widely known to be miraculous, the reason why thousands of devotees from all over the country troop to this church on its feast day on Nov. 21.

We passed by another church in Mactan on our way to the next town, Liloan, to visit the San Fernando del Rey Parish Chruch. As a young man residing in Cebu City, I knew that the town got its name from the giant whirlpool, called “lilo” in Cebuano, along its coastline. This marine phenomenon is created by the ebb of waters from the bay, making it very dangerous for swimming. This negative tag to the town was eventually offset when a dear friend of mine, Pilar Pilapil, who comes from there, made it to the headlines as Binibining Pilipinas and, eventually, as a popular movie and TV star.

Our next stop was the St. James the Apostle or Sr. Santiago de Apostol Church in the town of Compostela. This church is the oldest structure in the town which the Spanish friar, who was YOUR weekend CHUCkLe assigned there in the early ANOTHER OXYMORON: days, named How is it possible to have a CIVIL WAR? after his own hometown, Santiago de C o m p o s t el a , in northwestern Spain. This Spanish destination is where the Camino de Santiago de Compostela continues to be the main tourist attraction. Aside from being a tourist route for fitness enthusiasts, it is also a very popular pilgrimage site.

Our last stop was in Consolacion’s San Narciso Parish Church. This town has a very interesting history. In the early 19th century, it was just a barrio of Mandaue. Years later, it became independent as a separate town, but several decades later, it could not sustain its existence as an independent municipality, so it became part of Mandaue again. With commercial progress pervading Cebu province these past decades, Consolacion eventually became a separate municipality again, and is so, until now.

Thus, we completed our Lenten devotion. Aside from the satisfaction of having fulfilled our religious obligation, we gained a deeper knowledge and appreciated the history of the neighboring towns of our home city. I guess this is why the Department of Tourism is now pushing for Faith Tourism as another vehicle for foreigners to know more of our country.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com.

The Taipei 101 lantern, which symbolizes Taiwan’s effort to position itself as one the global leaders in technology, tourism, and cultural exchange.

A festival of lanterns

By Nickie Wang

F

ROM a dazzling showcase that started in the late afternoon featuring traditional dances from Japan, Taiwan, Philippines, and Indonesia, we reached the event’s main spectacle – the unveiling of the main lantern.

At around 7:00 o’clock, a time selected based on what is considered an auspicious moment, all the lights went out.

And for the next two minutes, a Chinese traditional band continued playing.

When the beat of the giant drum was getting louder, and traditional whistles were being blown in succession, thousands of people that gathered around the area started to cheer louder, too.

For me, it sounded like a chant, a sound of a growing anticipation that climaxed in applauses. Suddenly, the entire area was bright again. With thousands of lanterns illuminating the whole ground, even the effulgent moon that served as light for a brief moment paled in comparison with the brightly lit and colorful installations.

Traditions meet technology was the obvious theme of the 2018 Taiwan Lantern Festival hosted last month by Chiayi, a county in southwestern Taiwan.

The main exhibition area featured at least 5,000 lanterns, from small displays to gargantuan installations. The centerpiece was a massive 21-meter lantern that depicted an indigenous child

The ‘air’ lantern zone showcases high-tech lanterns made with new technology, materials, and techniques.

smiling and waving his hand while a Taiwanese dog is standing next to him.

It was unveiled to the public on March 2 by Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen.

Now on its 29th year, the Taiwan Lantern Festival is an annual event celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, it ran from Feb. 16 to March 11.

This year’s festivity presented itself by bringing together tourism, technology, culture, and art. Dubbed as a “smart event,” it was mounted on a 50-hectare land that extended from the county gov-

The ‘land’ lantern zone delves into Chiayi history, highlighting traditional craft art and the works by local artists. New ideas are instilled into this otherwise traditional lantern display in an artistic way.

ernment square on Taizi Boulevard to the Southern Branch of National Palace Museum. The area was divided into three zones: the water, the land, and the air areas.

The “water” lantern zone featured water and light shows highlighting sea of clouds, sunrise, forest railways, and cherry blossoms of Alishan, a mountainous township in the western highlands of Taiwan.

The “land” lantern zone, on the other hand, delved into Chiayi history, focusing on traditional craft art and the works by local artists.

Lastly, the “air” lantern zone showed high-tech lanterns made with new technology, materials, and techniques.

“We have at least 5,000 lanterns on display. I can’t give an exact figure because we have 18 lantern areas. But what I am definite about is the main lantern that has 20 thousand light bulbs powered by 2,000 circuits,” Dr. Chou Yung-hui, director general of Taiwan Tourism Bureau, told Manila Standard during a presscon attended by some 150 members of foreign media.

Built using modern technology, the main lantern was named “Loyal Auspiciousness” and featured 4D visual effects with a special refraction that enabled spectators to enjoy a magical view of the lantern on various angles. The smiling indigenous-child element of the main lantern design had a moving hand that waved to visitors.

“It features a smiling indigenous child and a Taiwanese dog, which represents the hope for good fortune and happiness. We want our visitors to appreciate the design which also symbolizes home and family, which is the very core of this festival,” the official said.

Dr. Chou further stated that it took Chiayi County one year to prepare for the festival. They integrated technology using eco-friendly material. In fact, they were so concerned about the environment they suggested that visitors to make use of Taiwan high Speed Rail, Taiwan Railway trains, and other public transport to avoid traffic jams and reduce carbon emission.

“We created a strategic alliance with the hotel industry and encouraged festival visitors to use public transport.

We want to make visiting the festival a great and easy experience for the tourists,” ended Dr. Chou.

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saturday, apri apriL 14, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

The Summer Weekend Room Package offers an overnight in a Deluxe Room for P4,600

Glamping at F1 Hotel

Conquering Quirino on two wheels Billy John Kohut doing motocross acrobatics

T

he province of Quirino is not your typical getaway of powdery white sand beaches, star-rated resort hotels, cozy restaurants, and tourist facilities.

But what it lacks in man-made amenities, it more than compensates with its largely untapped natural wonders.

True-blue adventurers can conquer this hilly hideaway on two wheels because of its scenic, exciting, and meandering roads ideal for motorcycling.

Recently, the province has made a big step in laying claim to being the country’s motor tourism mecca with the successful staging of the 4th Quirino Motorismo.

Organized by the Quirino Riders Federation, the Region 2 Riders Federation, and supported by the Provincial Government, the event is acknowledged as the Philippines’ biggest motor tourism festival with thousands of two-wheeled enthusiasts taking part.

“Quirino Motorismo is our unique way of attracting domestic and foreign tourists to make the province their choice destination for summer and beyond,” said provincial governor Junie Cua, who introduced the event in 2015.

An enthusiast of the sport, he added that motoring is an adventurous way of discovering the tourist spots and the diverse aspects of Quirino’s way of life.

Multi-titled motocross champion Glenn Aguilar stamped his class against upcoming stars to rule the three-day event held at the Provincial Capitol Sports Complex in Cabarroguis.

Other winners in the tourney were Santiago-based entrepreneur Glen Malgapo who topped the All Region 02 and Open enduro categories, Balong Tiongson who bagged the All China and Local enduro top spots, and Quirino enthusiast Langit Salonga who dominated the underbone open and local underbone divisions.

A PReMIeR hotel in BGC offers fun experiences this summer with glamping and room promotions.

F1 hotel brings the glamour camping trend to its newly revamped Canary Lounge. enjoy summer breeze while watching family-favorite films from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Outdoor Movie Nights. Or listen to accoustic songs at the Mellow Lounge every Friday from 8:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.

A night under the stars will be more special with a glass of Scotch Ginger, available at P350 nett or a bottle--plus one--of Gran Caserio wine for P1,800, which is perfect when paired with a platter of Tapas and Cheese, charcuterie, and grazing items for P388 nett. For a real camping experience, F1 offers Make S’mores Memories, a serving of chocolate and mallows in a skillet with crackers on the side. extend your break by booking the

Summer Weekend Room Package for P4,600 per night in a Deluxe Room or P5,100 in a City Suite. Both weekend deals come with breakfast buffet and use of pool.

Since school’s out, children can stay for longer at the Playzone activity area which, until May, will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kids can nurture their creativity with the Artsy Little Onesie, where they get to immerse themselves in artistic activities such as the cupcake decorating session which will run from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

To make summer more flavorful, AllDay Restaurant serves a lunch and dinner spread of Filipino-Mexican fusion buffet, featuring tacos, grilled dishes, nachos, salads, and fajitas, for P1,699 nett, available every Friday to Sunday.

Call (02) 908-7888 or email inquiry@f1hotelsandresorts.com for inquiries.

Early finishers in the 1,000-km Endurance Challenge.

Bagging the top spot in their respective categories were Czaldy Alindayao (85 cc), Clyde Alindayao (novice open production), Rowell Gatchalian (executive A Lites), Bon Lodevico (All Quirino), Pia Gabriel (Ladies), Ompong Gabriel (Intermediate), Lei Dominic Brillo (beginner production), Jolet Jao (veterans), Jay Lacnit (executive B), Zan Loven Mamaril (65 cc), and Kevin Clint Bernardo (50cc).

Further, the event also included the 1,000-km endurance Challenge, the longest ride of its kind, which saw 435 motorcyclists going around the roads of Quirino, Isabela, Cagayan, Aurora, Nueva Vizcaya, and Nueva ecija.

Fringe events were the Unity Camp and Ride at the Siitan River Park in Nagtipunan, a bike show, habal-habal challenge, Motokana obstacle course, a drag race, and a solo motocross exhibition by Canadian daredevil Billy John Kohut.

Aside from showcasing their skills in the competitions, riders, said Cua, can explore the province’s top tourist spots which are easily accessible by motorcycles.

Among Quirino’s attractions are Aglipay Caves and Campsite in Aglipay, Siitian Nature Park and Landingan Viewdeck in Nagtipunan, and the iconic Governor’s Rapids in Maddela known for its massive limestone walls along the Cagayan River.

In between, they can relax and refresh in the icy pools of the waterfalls tucked in the bosom of the mountains.

The province also boasts the worldclass Quirino Watersports Complex which has a wake park, a winch lagoon, a multi-purpose pavilion, and hostel.

Cua said that even prior to Motorismo’s inception, they have been holding motocross tournaments at the annual Quirino foundation day and Panagdadapun Festival, to showcase that the province is ideal for the twowheel sport.

In 2015, the 350-km Quirino to Quirino (Q2Q) ride was held from the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta to the Capitol Complex as part of the 125th birthday of the late President elpidio Quirino, whom the province was named after.

F R E Q U E N T F LY E R

Five additional Next-Generation Bombardier Q400 turboprop aircraft will begin arriving in May

All-Day Restaurant serves Filipino-Mexican fusion buffet

Gran Caserio wine is available on a Buy 1 Take 1 promo for P1,800

trAveL GeAr

Italian-made floral luggage ITALIAN heritage brand Bric’s celebrates its 65th anniversary with a limited edition capsule collection of travel luggage featuring lovely floral prints.

Dubbed “Life,” the signature collection is composed of a four-wheel soft trolley spinner available in three different sizes, the classic Bric’s duffle bag in two sizes, a wash bag, a train case, and a shopper. each bag in the collections is made of mustang, a unique and durable fabric made in Italy, with a sophisticated suede effect, combined with luxurious vegetable-tanned leather trims, and embellished with golden metal hardware.

PAL exPAnds CLArk, Cebu, And dAvAo hubs’ oPerAtions The country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines, boosts its Clark, Cebu, and Davao hubs with the scheduled arrival of 15 new aircrafts within the year.

New routes and hikes in flight frequencies are being introduced as PAL accepts delivery of five additional Next-Generation Bombardier Q400, in addition to the first five that arrived in 2017, and six new Airbus A321neos starting May. Four Airbus A350-900 trans-oceanic aircraft will also arrive starting +June.

The multi-hub expansion aims to improve domestic and international connections in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao regions.

“We are no longer just a Manila-centric airline,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime Bautista.

The internationally certified 4-Star airline recently introduced its Davao-Siargao flight which flies four times weekly. On the back of strong demand, PAL has increased frequency of its Cebu-Siargao and Davao-Tagbilaran flights.

It will also ramp up number of flights in its Davao-Clark, Cebu-Bangkok, Cagayan de Oro-Clark, Cebu-Busuanga, Clark-Busuanga, and Cebu-Clark routes.

PAL currently flies to 16 domestic and seven international points from Cebu, 14 domestic and one international points from Clark, and six domestic points from Davao.

To compensate for the impending closure of Boracay, additional frequencies between Manila and Dumaguete, CDO, Iloilo, Cebu, Puerto Princesa, and Bacolod will be offered starting in April or May,

Bric’s Life limited edition capsule collection

To create a look that is fitting for an anniversary collection, Bric’s renews and updates the classic mustang, in the iconic olive color, and paints it with a delicate floral motif rich in anemones and cherry blossoms, a fresh spring recall. The flowers are defined through stylized silver sketching, with pink and lilac tones, on trend for the spring/summer 2018 collection.

The capsule collection is available in Bric’s stores located at SM Aura Premier, Shangri-La Plaza Mall and Ayala Center Cebu.

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

ANNE CURTIS joining Darna?

DLSU Dasmariñas wins ABS-CBN’s intercollegiate competition

Is

By Nickie Wang

“N

O, I am not,” Anne Curtis put it succinctly when asked if she’s going to play Darna’s archnemesis, Valentina, in the big screen adaptation of the Mars Ravelo classic.

Actress and TV host Anne Curtis

The 33-year-old Kapamilya met with some members of the press when she was introduced as the first celebrity ambassador of Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan.

During our brief encounter with the former Dyosa star, she talked about her management contract renewal with ABSCBN, and projects she’d be doing next.

“I have movies and series lined up. I want to keep everything as a surprise. All I can say is that it’s going to be a lifelong commitment,” she said.

Meanwhile, as Shopee Philippine’s first local ambassador and being featured in the company’s first TV commercial, Anne feels honored that a company as big as Shopee recognizes her as a reliable endorser.

“Shopee has grown tremendously over the past few years, and I am excited to be part of the Shopee family. As brand ambassador, I look forward to more exciting campaigns and events to come,” Anne shared.

In line with the engagement of Anne as Shopee Philippines’ first brand ambassador is the launch of 5.5 Shopee Super Sale.

Users can look forward to non-stop exciting deals lined up from 13 April onwards, leading up to the mega 24-hour shopping fiesta on May 5.

The campaign will feature massive promotions including 55 peso deals, daily in-app vouchers and surprises, as well as discounts up to 90 percent off across a wide range of categories.

Fans of Anne can also look forward to the “Anne’s Top Picks” collection and giveaways featuring Shopee merchandise autographed by the celebrity.

“Her friendly, fun and sociable personality best represents Shopee’s brand positioning as the leading online shopping platform, especially among millennials,” Terence Pang, Chief Operating Officer of Shopee, told the press during the launch held at Grand Hyatt Hotel on Wednesday.

Anne is introduced by Terence Pang (left), Chief Operating Officer of Shopee, as the company's first local endorser.

TFC’s news program partners with Fil-Am group SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Balitang America (BA), the leading daily Filipino American news program on ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel (TFC), is partnering with the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) to live stream “Spark, Connect, Empower,” a day-long forum on civic leadership and empowerment within the Filipino American community.

The forum will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco, and is cosponsored by the CLF Foundation, the Reginald F. Lewis Foundation, and AARP. The community reception from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. is sponsored by Tanduay Rum. The live stream of the forum from 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m PT will be available on NaFFAA’s Facebook page. The Elected Officials Panel from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

PT will be live streamed on Balitang

America’s Facebook page.

According to the U.S. Census, Filipinos are the second largest Asian American population in California. In fact, of the nearly 4 million Filipinos living in the United States, 1.5 million (nearly 40 percent) live in the state. In line with NaFFAA’s vision, the Civic Leadership Forum aims to harness the knowledge and potential of this growing community in order to unite, engage, and empower diverse Filipino American organizations and individuals in the Northern California area. Through “Spark, Connect, Empower,” NaFFAA hopes attendees will spark new ideas, connect with dynamic leaders, and empower themselves and others to get involved in community activism.

“Spark, Connect, Empower,” will feature prominent Filipino American elected officials and community leaders who will discuss topics ranging from

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, April 14, 2018

ACROSS 1 On the — vive 4 Zeroes 9 Pooh-pooh 14 German conjunction 15 Drive forward 16 Acquire, as debt 17 — of Base 18 Large blossom 19 List item 20 Publicity 22 Cavalry weapon 24 Chopped down 26 Brooks 31 Cry of woe 34 Soapmaker’s need 35 Dinner checks 38 “La —” (Valens tune) 40 Stripe 41 Fills with wonder 42 Not close 43 Sealed a deal 44 Astrologers of old 45 Like “The Twilight Zone” 47 Seeger or Sampras 48 — to sell 50 Experiments 52 Intuiting 54 Strong-arm

58 Stops working 61 Seize the throne 62 Cliff 66 Watches 68 Beaded shoe 69 Ticket info 70 Inbox filler 71 — and hiss 72 Korean city 73 Cattle country 74 Aardvark prey

27 Ovals 28 Wonderland girl 29 Renoir contemporary 30 Norse neighbor 32 Tearoom 33 Target rival 35 Fills a pipe 36 Cognizant 37 Get going 39 Cheese 45 Millay or Ferber DOWN 46 PC bailout key 1 Swig 49 Tower designer 2 Family member 51 Rumple 3 Consummate 4 Pocket change 5 Thurman of “The Golden Bowl” 6 RN assistants 7 Horne of jazz 8 Hunks of cheese 9 Saw-toothed mountain chain 10 “Early Start” airer 11 Autumn mo.

12 Sable or ermine 13 Cook in a skillet 21 Literary masterpieces 23 “Butch Cassidy” role 25 Tiny bit

53 Donor 55 Latin dance 56 Sing like Como 57 Orlando attraction 59 Kind of bean 60 Yoko’s son 62 — -relief 63 Tell a whopper 64 Canteen initials 65 Cold-weather malady 67 Toupee kin

personal and professional development, to civic engagement and local advocacy.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization.

Established in 1997, NaFFAA has been the standard bearer for promoting the welfare and well-being of the 4 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA’s vision is to serve as the voice of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans by uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and national advocacy.

For the full schedule and speaker biographies, please visit naffaa.org/ events. Contact NaFFAA Executive Director Jason Tengco at jason.tengco@ naffaa.orgor (202) 803-1353 for more information.

THE best student documentaries that won in the “Class Project Intercollegiate Mini-Documentary Competition” are airing on Knowledge Channel at 7:30 p.m..

De La Salle UniversityDasmarinas’ Lupang Pinangako: Mga Rizalista ng Ronggot, a documentary on a community of devout believers of Jose Rizal as a deity, banners the first ever “Class Project Winners Festival” on the educational channel after winning first place in the competition.

It aired on April 6 together with secondplacer Basilica from the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Laguna that focused on the controversies surrounding the national historical shrine Taal Basilica.

Third-placer Southville International School and Colleges’ Manila Sound: Sunshine of the 70’s, meanwhile, aired yesterday. It tackles the rise of original Pilipino music (OPM) during the Martial Law era.

Knowledge Channel also airs the entries of the seven other finalists namely Escolta Redux from the University of Santo Tomas (April 13), Usapang Balangay from UST (April 20), KUPKOP from Leyte Normal University (April 20),tSuper from UST-Angelicum College, Inc. (April 27), Gulong from Batangas State University Lipa Campus (April 27) as well, Project: Pribyu from De La Salle University Lipa (May 4), and SERVEvivors from Batangas State University Lipa, also (May 4).

Launched in August 2017 by ABS-CBN, Knowledge Channel, and the Philippine Association of Communication Educators Foundation, Inc. (PACE), the “Class Project” documentary competition aims to give students a chance to hone their professional filmmaking skills and have

their documentaries showcased to a wider audience.

In line with this, ABS-CBN News held documentary caravans last year at the University of Santo Tomas and the Holy Angel University in Pampanga, where acclaimed reporter Jeff Canoy was able to share with students his knowledge and experiences in making powerful documentaries such as Di Ka Pasisiil on the Marawi siege.

The competition culminated at the ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Media Congress Year 12” at the College of the Holy Spirit Manila (CHSM) where the ten finalists and top three winners were recognized and awarded.

The “Pinoy Media Congress” is a project of ABS-CBN and PACE that gathers communication students and faculty from all over the Philippines for two days of talks and discussions on important issues on media featuring notable media practitioners and subject matter experts. Now on its 12th year, the project aims to help prepare the next generation of mass communicators for the field they are about to enter.

Over 1,200 delegates from 55 schools participated this year in CHSM and in Visayas, where an interactive live broadcast of the event was done at the Cebu Technological University.

Students were also given the opportunity to participate in the Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop and the “Bayan Mo, iPatrol Mo” citizen journalism and media literacy workshop, watch the film screening of restored classics like May Minamahal and Oro, Plata, Mata, or tour the studios of ABS-CBN. Don’t miss Knowledge Channel’s “Class Project Winners Festival” featuring the ten finalists of the “Class Project Intercollegiate MiniDocumentary Competition” on cable or ABS-CBN TVplus.

The students behind DLSU Dasmarinas' 'Lupang Pinangako' accept their award.

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From C4

SOCSKSARGEN will be fully represented by Arl Banquerigo of the Munato festival in Sarangani; Sharifa Mangatong Areef Mohammad Omar Akeel for the Kalimudan festival of Sultan Kudarat; with General Santos City’sNovie Shane Leonerio for the Tuna festival; and Elizabeth Bills for the Kalilangan festival. Honors for North Cotabato’s Kalivungan festival will be carried by Chrislyn Jabonero.

Rounding up this year’s entries are Jackie Ruth Urongan for the Salug festival of Zamboanga del Norte and Bianca Iraham for the Zamboanga Hermosa festival.

The 2018 Reyna ng Aliwan pageant night will be held at the outdoor stage in front of the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex on April 27. The coronation night follows the grand parade and

festival dance showdown on April 28. This year’s Festival Queen winner will receive P100,000 cash and a trophy, plus the chance to be a goodwill ambassadress for domestic tourism. Previous winners have gone on to participate in international beauty contests and have likewise tracked careers in professional modeling.

Aliwan Fiesta 2018 is supported

by Pride Laundry Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, White Rose Kojic Whitening Soap, Smart Dishwashing Detergent, Tanduay, Globe, Dunkin Donuts, the Tourism Promotions Board, Alaska, Columbia Canbdies, Cherry Mobile, Symdex E, Fukuda, Nature Spring, AICS, Manila Bulletin, GES Lights, Steeltech, and Whiteflower Analgesic Balm.

For details about this year’s participants and line-up of activities, email siouxstar@gmail.com or call 832.6125 / 555.3477. Those interested may also check out Aliwan Fiesta 2018’s official Facebook page or log ontowww. aliwanfiesta.com.ph

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

C4

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018

The decade’s quintessential solo act

GMA NETWORK sets record at New York Festivals anew

G NO FRONT ACT NEEDED. British pop star Ed Sheeran performs at the jampacked Mall of Asia concert grounds for the Manila leg of his 'Divide World Tour.'

TO WATCH singersongwriter-guitarist Ed Sheeran perform literally solo at the MOA Concert Grounds last Sunday was a sight to behold. I can’t recall ever seeing a show as big as that with no one on stage save for the artist himself. It was a telling testament to the charm and command of individuality.

There he was, a guy with barely a guitar and his voice, allowing a sea of musically included people hang on to his every note. It was too brave an act, odd in a way, yet convincing for the sheer consistency of the performance and the high-caliber compositions that carry it.

“Everything you hear tonight is completely live,” ensured the 27-yearold phenom from England who last year was declared the most streamed artist on Spotify with 6.3 billion streams.

Of course, Sheeran’s stage presence was illuminated by larger-than-life graphics and highly amplified acoustic sound. But such digital technology perks were tapped primarily to satisfy the craving of a large open-air audience filled with gadget-savvy youth and techie adults. His heartfelt voice and crafty playing were evidently the brute strength of the concert that made it stunning and worth-the-experience.

Filipino artists, especially the aspiring ones, can learn a thing or two witnessing Sheeran perform live. You can’t go wrong believing in a guy who embraces challenge. He did not employ another musician on stage to lessen his tasks and he took the essence of being a solo act to the cliff without appearing shaken one bit. For that alone he got everyone’s respect.

For someone who chose to occupy the stage all by himself, you’d think he’s one about “I, me, mine.” But no, he made the packed audience loosen up and feel special being there. “The

Philippines is a country that has so much passion for music,” he pointed YUGEL out, “especially music LOSORATA from overseas. I’m really grateful to be here.”

At the get-go he expressed appreciation, “I’m so excited to be back in the Philippines. Thank you so much for being patient.” He was referring to the cycling injury that moved his show from November last year to summer this year—a rescheduling that proved perfect.

Sheeran is a superb talent no question, having created and recorded classy love songs sung in almost free verse poetry that speaks directly without being too dramatic. His singing stands by itself, with a sincerity that a mere handsome voice lacks. Yet he never assumed.

When he asked everyone to sing, he said, “It doesnt matter if it’s not in tune or the words are wrong. You just have to sing it loud.”

Truth is, the people knew the right words. You don’t need to be a millennial to absorb tracks like “Perfect,” “The A Team,” “Happier,” and “Dive.” Before singing his signature hit, “Thinking Out Loud,” which won the Grammy Song of the Year in 2016, he asked, “How is your voice feeling?” He talks to the crowd as if it’s just one person in front of him, trying to converse in a personal, comforting way.

Pop history is usually handed with a special act capturing a generation beyond what a flash-in-the-pan can. For this decade, safe to say it’s Ed Sheeran.

For all the complexities and advanced technology of the times, it needed a geek guy unplugged and singing beautifully raw to solidify its sentiments.

(Ed Sheeran Live In Manila is presented by Smart Music Live. Follow #SmartMusicLive on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for free concert tickets and freebies.)

Snapshot

Cignal TV, Viva Communications partner with Epik Studios for content CIGNAL TV and Viva Communications continue their pursuit of awesome content as they sign a partnership deal with multi-media company, Epik Studios, Inc. Present during the signing were (left to right) Vincent G. Del Rosario (President/COO Epik Studios Inc.), Paul Alexei A. Basinillo (Chief Creative Officer, Epik Studios, Inc.), Vicente R. Del Rosario, Jr. (Chairman/CEO Viva Communications, Inc.), Jane J. Basas (President/CEO CIGNAL TV, Inc,), Ray C. Espinosa (President, Mediaquest Holdings, Inc.) and John L. Andal (Chief Finance Officer, Cignal TV).

Basas says the three-way partnership with Viva and Epik bolsters a “shared vision and ambition that we feel will come into fruition”, when it comes to producing unique and creative content for Cignal’s 1.9 million strong nationwide subscriber base.

Cignal’s multi platforms and technology lineage, VIVA’s track record and productions are expected to blend well with the creative genius of Epik Studio’s Direk Paul Basinillo. Viva Communications chief Vincent del Rosario divulges that their first project will be Pedro Penduko starring James Reid.

MA Network sets another record in Philippine broadcast history, this time bringing home eight medals and four finalist certificates at the 2018 New York Festivals “World’s Best TV and Films” Competition held in Las Vegas on April 10.

From left: Mark Norella, executive producer for ‘Reel Time:‘ ‘Hawla‘ and ‘Gutom‘; Neil Gumban, SAVP for Public Affairs; Regie Bautista, FVP for GMA Program Support Department and Corporate Strategic Planning; Ian Simbulan, executive producer for ‘Reporter’s Notebook‘; Maki Pulido, host, ’Reporter’s Notebook;’ Jessica Soho; Alden Richards; Joy Madrigal, program manager, ‘Alaala and Brigada;’ Raffy Tima, reporter, ‘Brigada;’ Justin Baluyot, researcher for ‘Reel Time:’ ‘Gutom‘.

Documentary program Reel Time won the gold medal in the Health/Medical Information category for its “Hawla (The Untold Story of the Village Monster)” episode. “Hawla” featured the story of Nene, a woman kept in a cage because of her psychological condition.

Another Reel Time documentary, meanwhile, earned the country one of its two silver medals this year. The episode “Gutom (Starved)” about two-year-old Roel—who, because of extreme malnourishment, could not walk, much less crawl at his age, won in the Human Concerns category.

Both winning Reel Time documentaries were executive produced by Mark Anthony Norella.

Alaala: A Martial Law Special also won a silver award. The special, which was recognized in the Docudrama category, featured the journey of Martial Law activist and awardwinning screenwriter Bonifacio Ilagan. Aired in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law, the special was bannered by actor Alden Richards who played the role of Boni.

Marking another first for the country was Jessica Soho winning the bronze medal in the Best News Anchor category. Soho was the first and only Filipino broadcast journalist to date, who made it to the list.

GMA Public Affairs earned three more bronze medals for the country.

Documentary program Front Row won a bronze medal in the Best Public Affairs Program category. Its winning episode “Batang Bomba (Bomb Pickers)” told the story of Aeta children who pick up detonated bombs to earn money.

Meanwhile, investigative program Reporter’s Notebook received a bronze medal in the Community Portraits category for Maki Pulido’s “Yapak sa Pusod ng Dagat (Footsteps on the Bed)”. It featured the story of Filipinos who risk their lives

diving into the ocean without proper equipment in the hope of mining gold that they could sell.

GMA News TV program Brigada also took home a bronze medal in the Current Affairs category for its report on “Combat Camera Team”. The episode detailed the operation of Philippine Army’s Scout Ranger Batallion in Marawi City using combat cameras.

The Network’s Program Support Department also won a bronze medal for “EDSA 31st Anniversary Spot”. The project won in the Graphic Design: Promotion/ Open and IDs category.

Along with these, GMA Network also took home four finalist certificates for I-Witness, which received two Finalist Certificates: one in the Human Concerns category for Kara David’s “Sundalong Aso (Soldiers with Paws)” and another in the International Affairs category for Atom Araullo’s “Silang Kinalimutan (The Forgotten)”.

GMA News TV’s flagship newscast State of the Nation with Jessica Soho also earned a finalist certificate for Best Newscast through its “Marawi Liberation: War is Over” coverage.

Rounding off the recognitions GMA received this year was its Program Support Department’s “Kulayan Natin ang Summer (Colorful Summer)”, which received a finalist certificate in the Art Direction: Promotion/ Open and IDs category.

Actor Alden Richards shows off the Silver World Medal for 'Alaala: A Martial Law Special.'

Search is on for next Aliwan Fiesta Queen PERHAPS no other country in the world holds as many beauty contests as the Philippines. Indeed, beauty pageants have become a significant part of Filipino culture.

A fiesta will not be complete without a beauty contest. It is a stepping stone for ambitious young women from different social backgrounds who aspire to fame, modelling opportunities, and even a showbiz career. Anywhere she goes, a beauty queen will be treated like royalty.

The communities that will take part in the Aliwan Fiesta, scheduled on April 26 to 28 have presented a bevy of beauties as their festival muses. Who among them will de declared fairest of all?

Bets from the north are led by Karla O’Hara for the Panagbenga festival of Baguio; Chanel Mistyca Corpuz for the Abrenian Kawayan festival of Abra; and Joy Mayanne Barcoma for the Talong festival of Villasis, Pangasinan.

Bulacan is sending Lady Justerinnie Santos to represent the Singkaban festival of Malolos and Micaela Manuel for the Halamanan festival of Guiguinto.

Quezon Province, in turn has a triple pitch with Radhell Berbon for the Tagultol festival of Atimonan; Ella Mariz Cayabyab for the Boling Boling festival of Catanauan; and Ashanti Shane Ervas for the Niyogyugan festival.

The lone entry from Rizal province is Maristela Santiago, representing Tayo Na sa Antipolo Maytime festival.

Visayan pulchritude has four faces this year. First-time participant Caluya, Antique is sending Joyce Marie Sebio for the Binirayan festival, while Iloilo Paraw Regatta will field Keziah Bartolome. Shaila Mae Rebortera attempts to keep the crown for the Sinulog festival of Cebu, with Chelsea Fernandez of Tacloban’s Sangyaw festival aims to win it for the Warays. Continued on C3

Tacloban's Chelsea Fernandez is among the beauties vying for the Aliwan Fiesta 2018 crown.