Manila Standard - 2018 June 21 - Thursday

Carpio not keen on top SC post

US PULLS OUT OF UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL WASHINGTON—The United States withdrew from the United Nations Human Rights Council on Tuesday, condemning the “hypocrisy” of its members and its alleged “unrelenting bias” against Israel.

The US ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, came to Washington to announce the decision

By Rey E. Requejo

CARPIO

ACTING Chief Justice Antonio Carpio on Wednesday vowed to decline all nominations to replace Maria Lourdes Sereno, who was stripped of her position in quo warranto proceedings before the Supreme Court.

Carpio, the most senior magistrate of the 15-member bench, said he will formally decline the nomination once the Judicial and Bar Council starts the process for applications for the post of chief justice.

“On a personal level, because I voted

alongside President Donald Trump’s top diplomat, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

Both insisted the United States would remain a leading champion of human rights but, for many, the decision will reflect Trump’s general hostility to the world body and to multilateral diplomacy in general. Next page

Next page VOL. XXXII • NO. 126 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Aquino indicted for DAP Ombudsman: Ex-president usurped Congress powers

By Rio N. Araja

HE Office of the Ombudsman has indicted former President Benigno Aquino III for usurpation of legislative powers in connection with the creation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program, which the Supreme Court declared as unconstitutional.

T

AQUINO

ABAD

Politics beckons to Morales, Sereno—Liberal Party

By Rio N. Araja

OMBUDSMAN Conchita CarpioMorales on Wednesday said she may join politics if provoked, while the opposition said they would welcome her and ousted Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno if they chose to run for office.

In an interview on ABS-CBN, Morales, who is about to retire

on July 26, said she may seek an elective post if sufficiently provoked to fight corruption, or may join or head a non-government organization.

Earlier, Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV said Morales and Sereno were welcome to be part of the opposition’s coalition’s senatorial lineup for the 2019 mid-term elections.

Morales said there were people trying to convince her to run for senator, and that she has not really turned them down.

“I said, please allow me breathing space. I need at least three months to fix my things. My records from DoJ [Department of Justice] to RTC [regional trial court] to CA [Court of Appeals] to SC [Supreme Court] are still bundled,” she said.

“I need time to unbundle them and sort them out and classify what should be discarded and preserved for posterity.”

Doors may be closed, “but the windows are open,” she said.

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GELENDZHIK, Russia—A blonde Iceland midfielder has become a social media sensation, attracting more admirers than the population of Iceland after a cameo role in the 1-1 World Cup draw with Argentina.

Rurik Gislason came on as a secondhalf substitute on Saturday to win admirers worldwide purring over his cool Nordic looks.

Before the 30-year-old was introduced to help hold Lionel Messi and co. at bay, his Instagram account had a respectable 30,000 followers.

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By Othel V. Campos A CONSUMER protection group said Wednesday the prices of basic necessities and prime commodities were on the rise in the second week of June, even as the Department of Trade and Industry warned that a significant wage hike would be “dangerous” to the economy.

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Priests seek 246 permits to carry guns

By Francisco Tuyay THE Philippine National Police has been flooded with requests from religious leaders seeking permits to carry firearms following the recent killings of clergymen, the most recent of which

was the slaying of priest Richmond Nilo in Nueva Ecija, an official said Wednesday.

PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde said the Firearms Explosive Office had received at least 246 applications to carry firearms Next page from the religious sector.

Submarines eyed to boost PH defense THE military will acquire a diesel-electric submarine as part of the Revised Armed Forces of the Philippines Modernization Program that President Duterte has approved, an official said Wednesday.

Defense Department spokesman Arsenio Andolong said the government will acquire the submarine to boost the country’s naval security, and that it will be a great equalizer in the Philippines’ naval arsenal. Next page

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WC players shine in social media

Prices rising, but DTI bucks wage increase

INMATES OUTSIDE. Inmates gather outside their jail cells Wednesday during an inspection at the Manila City Jail in the country’s capital by members of the Bureau of Jail and Management Penology, the Manila Police District and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency as part of an operation to reduce contraband in jails round the country. Norman Cruz

Acting on the motions for reconsideration filed by the parties, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales found probable cause to indict Aquino for violation of Article 239 of the Revised Penal Code.

In a resolution dated May 22 and approved June 14, the Ombudsman’s special panel partially granted the motion for reconsideration filed by complainants Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, Alliance of Concerned Teachers national chairperson Benjamin Valbuena, then Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption chairman Dante Jimenez, Mae Paner, Antonio Flores, Gloria Arellano and Bonifacio Carmona Jr. The special panel denied the motion for reconsideration filed by former Budget secretary Florencio Abad, affirming

Rurik Gislason

Italian resto world’s best

Neymar Jr.

BILBAO—Italy’s Osteria Francescana was crowned the world’s best restaurant for the second time on Tuesday at an awards ceremony put on by British trade magazine Restaurant, beating

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News

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

QC to bankroll random drug tests T

HE Quezon City government will finance the mandatory random drug testing in public high schools, colleges and universities in the city beginning school year 2018-2019, Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said Wednesday.

The city has 99 public elementary and 48 public high schools, 274 private elementary schools, 175 private high schools, 81 colleges and nine universities.

“The random drug testing in public schools in the city will be funded by the city government,” Belmonte said.

“Only public schools are covered by the random drug testing,” she said.

Belmonte made her statement even as former Ozamiz City vice mayor Nova Princess Parojinog, daughter of the slain mayor Reynaldo Parojinog Sr., on Wednesday entered a not-guilty plea in an arraignment before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 95.

She is facing charges of illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and

dangerous drugs.

In July 2017, Chief Insp. Jovie Espenido, along with his operatives, served the Parojinogs with search warrants for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition that resulted in the arrest of the former vice mayor, her brother Reynaldo Jr. and other occupants.

A firefight ensued that led to the deaths of the elder Parojinog, his wife Susan and 14 others.

Belmonte said private schools must also have random drug tests in accordance with the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and that Quezon City

will appropriate funds for the testing.

She said Quezon City’s ordinance and the Department of Education’s memorandum circular only specified mandatory drug testing in public schools.

The Quezon City government has passed an ordinance mandating random drug tests for public school students in high school and college.

Ordinance SP-2615, S-2017 was signed into law by Mayor Herbert Bautista on Oct. 3, 2017, a month after it was passed by the city council on third and final reading. PNA, with Rio N. Araja

moved to July, was again marred by a war of words between him and Duterte.

Duterte promised to talk to the communists so the government and the rebels could forge a peace covenant.

“I’m talking to Sison, but he’s being rude,” Duterte said.

The government peace panel and the rebels began holding back-channel discussions about going back to the negotiating table after Duterte terminated the peace talks in November last year.

Duterte wants to hold the peace negotiations in the Philippines and not elsewhere.

“Why should I talk outside? We are talking about our country, my country, their country,” he said.

Duterte, who tried to win the rebels’ trust through a series of confidencebuilding measures and the promise of giving them land and jobs, assured Sison’s safety should he come home.

“Why would I go to another place?

Let’s talk here. I guaranteed him safety and security for the duration of the talks.

I gave him a small window,” Duterte said.

“Let’s talk for 60 days. In that period you come home, I will pay for your expenses and if after the two months period nothing, then I will see to it that you go out of the Philippines safely,” Duterte said.

“But I will assure you, do not ever, ever come back to this country ever again.”

not be viewed in a vacuum. The evidence on record shows that an exchange of memoranda between [Aquino] and [Abad] precipitated its issuance. Verily, without the approval of the said memoranda by respondent Aquino, NBC 541 would not have been issued.”

“Respondent Aquino, by marginal notes, specified his unqualified approval on the following requests: (1) grant of omnibus authority to consolidate fiscal year 2012 savings/unutilized balances and its realignment; and (2) grant of authority to withdraw unobligated balances of national government agencies for slow-moving projects/expenditures as of 30 June 2012 and its realignment.”

The Ombudsman said Aquino had the authority and the duty to look into each item on the memorandum before signifying his approval.

“An examination of the memorandum would show that respondent

Aquino made marginal notes on several expenditure items and on the approval page. Such marginal notes show meaningful discussion between respondents and not mere reliance of a superior on a subordinate. Thus, respondent Aquino cannot rely on the Arias doctrine,” the Ombudsman said.

In 2014, the Supreme Court declared unconstitutional the following acts committed in pursuance of the DAP— the withdrawal of unobligated allotments from the implementing agencies, and the declaration of the withdrawn unobligated allotments and unreleased appropriations as savings prior to the end of the fiscal year without complying with the statutory definition of savings contained in the General Appropriations Act as well as the cross-border transfers of the savings of the executive to augment the appropriations of other offices outside the executive branch.

increases this year,” said the group’s president, Victorio Dimagiba.

The consumer group said that within the limited list of items with SRP, all had price increases except bread, bottled water and coffee.

The group noticed a 3 to 11-percent increase in the price of canned sardines; a 5-percent hike on powdered milk; 3 to 18 percent for luncheon meat; 5 to 10 percent

on meat loaf; 2 to 7 percent for corned beef; and 4 to 5 percent for condiments including fish and soy sauce and vinegar.

Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez, meanwhile, cautioned against a sharp increase in wages.

At a briefing Wednesday, Lopez pointed out that an increase in nationwide wage would create a strong pressure on the country’s inflation. With Evalea Casaljay

judge and a Supreme Court associate justice, she said the Ombudsman was able to reduce the backlog to 6,000 cases as of Dec. 17, 2017.

The Ombudsman got a 77 percent conviction rate.

“I did my best; if public is unhappy, so be it,” she said.

Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan said Tuesday evening that the opposition welcomes Sereno if she decides to run for the Senate.

“Well, she would be a strong addition.

And if she is willing to help us lead and she wishes to lead the opposition, we welcome all efforts at uniting the oppo-

sition so that we have a strong pushback in defending and upholding our democratic rights,” ssid Pangilinan.

While he has yet to talk with Sereno, Pangilinan said he believes she would be a good candidate for the opposition.

“There are no talks yet, whether formal or informal,” he said.

But if Sereno would be interested to run for senator, Pangilinan said she would be a good candidate.

“We need strong women in our ticket,” he added.

Sereno earlier said there has been no formal invitation for her to join the op-

position slate in next year’s polls.

At present, he said the opposition already has six possible candidates—reelectionist Aquino, former Quezon Representative Erin Tañada, human rights lawyer Chel Diokno, Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano and Akbayan Partylist Rep. Barry Gutierrez.

Pangilinan also reiterated they are still convincing actress Agot Isidro to join them while they have no talks with actress Kris Aquino.

Aquino, youngest sister of former President Benigno Aquino III, earlier said she has no plan to run for senator.

“This is amazing, this is something we built all together,” Bottura told the awards ceremony held in Bilbao in Spain’s northern Basque Country, famous for its avant-garde haute cuisine.

“I am going to use this spotlight to show that chefs in 2018 are much more than the sum of their recipes.”

The top restaurants list’s organizers praised “Bottura’s contemporary cuisine, which challenges and reinvents Italian culinary tradition while make

use of the finest produce from the Emilia-Romagna region.”

His father wanted him to become a lawyer but when he was 23 years old, Bottura, who was famous for rustling up culinary delights for his friends, dropped his law studies to open a Trattoria in Campazzo, in the countryside around Modena in the Po River Valley.

On his days off, he would study with French chef Georges Cogny, who had a restaurant two hours away. AFP

By end-Saturday, Gislason’s following on the social media website had grown to 250,000, topping a half million by Tuesday, well over the

330,000-strong population of Iceland.

“How is it possible to be this cute?” a popular Brazilian actress Gabriela Lopes wondered to her Instagram fans.

On Twitter, the hashtag #sexyrurik has been trending, with many of the posts originating from South America.

An Argentinian travel agency shared

his picture after the game to advertise trips to the Nordic island.

“Girls, who’s in?” it drooled.

Gislason, who plays for German second division outfit Sandhausen and has a side line in clothes modelling, has yet to reply to a request for comment by AFP. AFP

from Mexico.

But Haley and Pompeo stressed the decision had been made after a long year of efforts to shame the council into reform and to remove member states that themselves commit abuses.

“These reforms were needed in order to make the council a serious advocate for human rights,” Haley said.

“For too long, the Human Rights Council has been a protector of human rights abusers, and a cesspool of political bias. Regrettably, it is now clear that our call for reform was not heeded.”

The Geneva-based body was established in 2006 to promote and protect human rights worldwide, but its pronouncements and reports have often

clashed with US priorities.

In particular, the council’s focus on Israeli behavior towards Palestinians in the territory it occupies on the West Bank and in Gaza has infuriated Washington.

But, as Haley stressed, Washington also believes it comes up short on criticizing even flagrant abuses by US opponents like Venezuela and Cuba. AFP

Rody insists on holding talks with Reds in PH

against it, I don’t want to benefit from it so I will decline any nomination. I have to be consistent with my position that the quo warranto was not the correct or proper way to remove a sitting member of the Court,” Carpio said in interview over ANC’s Headstart.

Carpio was one of the six justices who dissented from the majority decision ousting Sereno as top magistrate.

While he voted against the removal of Sereno through quo warranto proceedings, Carpio took the position that she should be impeached for committing a culpable violation of the Constitution when she failed to submit all her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth when she applied for the chief justice position in 2012.

Carpio, who was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2001, is retiring from the judiciary in 2019.

After the Court ruled with finality on Sereno’s ouster, President Duterte has 90 days under the Constitution within which to choose her replacement from a list to be submitted by the JBC. Asked what the JBC will do, once he formally declines a nomination, Carpio said his name will not be included in the list to be submitted to Malacanang.

He said the JBC will meet next week regarding the selection process.

As acting chief justice, Carpio sits as the ex-officio chairman of the JBC.

By Vito Barcelo

Priests...

From A1

“We have received 246 requests for Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence from 188 priests and 58 ministers, preachers and pastors,” Albayalde said.

He made his statement even as Rep. Wes Gatchalian said he had filed House Bill 7870 seeking to grant Hazard Pay to all public prosecutors.

“Prosecutors discharge a vital and indispensable role in the Philippine criminal justice system,” Gatchalian said in a statement.

“They are the front line of the law who ensure that those who are guilty of crimes are justly dealt with. By their very job description they come face to face with some of the most hardcore criminals in this country.”

Albayalde said they had not yet examined all the requests to carry arms or determined whether those who had applied had received death threats.

He said religious leaders who wished to own firearms must undergo training before they could be issued licenses to carry them.

“We are also amenable to taking the extra step of providing firearms proficiency and marksmanship training to religious leaders who wish to own and possess firearms,” Albayalde said.

Religious leaders started seeking permits to carry firearms following the recent killing of Nilo, the third priest to be killed in the span of six months.

In April, priest Mark Ventura was gunned down shortly after celebrating Mass in Gattaran, Cagayan, while priest Marcelito Paez was killed a few hours after helping to free a political prisoner in Jaen, Nueva Ecija, on Dec. 5 last year.

The religious leaders’ request to own and possess firearms came even as the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines frowned on the idea of arming priests.

The CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles said danger had always been a part of a priest’s ministry, and that it was a priest’s the duty to face danger in carrying out his mission.

US...

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The announcement came after the top UN human rights official criticized Washington for separating migrant children from their parents who are seeking asylum after crossing into the country

By Rio N. Araja A RANKING official of the Commission on Human Rights on Wednesday urged the Philippine National Police to define the meaning of “tambay” before the implementation of the antiloitering campaign.

President Rodrigo Duterte, however, claimed no “tambay” has been arrested even as policemen have rounded up thousands of loiterers in the capital.

“Just follow my order. No one has been arrested. I just don’t want you using the streets to loiter,” the President said in a speech in Iloilo.

In an ANC television interview, Commissioner Gwendolyn Pimentel Gana called on the police to suspend its campaign against those loitering in the streets.

“I heard yesterday [Tuesday] that PNP chief [Oscar] Albayalde said they will have to collate all local ordinances and come up with guidelines. But even in collating, they have to realize that the jurisdiction or effectivity of such ordinance is just within the town and city,” she said.

Before the crackdown against the so-called “tambays,” the police should have done first the collation of all ordinances on anti-loitering, she said.

“They [police] have to be very clear on that. That [campaign] cannot be [that] sweeping,” she added.

“What is the extent of this crackdown? If we call it crackdown, or this arresting of tambays? And what is the meaning of tambays? So that people will also know,” she said.

“Am I being a tambay if I do this?

If I go to a sari-sari store at night, do I fear that I’m just going to be nabbed by a policeman because I’m a tambay?” she asked.

She said the commission is looking into any human rights violations in the drive against “tambays.”

Meanwhile, in the Senate, Senator Grace Poe herself noted that implementing the anti-loitering campaign needed safeguards against violation of human rights.

In a statement, Poe said: “We recognize the objectives of the ‘antitambay operations,’ however, implementing it requires clear guidelines and safeguards against violation of human rights.

“The Philippine National Police should orient its enforcers on the ground on how to handle the so-called loiterers, mindful of their rights and exercising the highest degree of restraint that authorities should observe.

“We want this to succeed so that our streets would be ridden of criminals and unscrupulous elements without instilling fear and misery among the public.”

Carpio...

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Define ‘tambay’ or suspend drive, cops told

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday stood firm in his decision to hold the peace talks with the communist rebels in Philippine soil and expressed his desire to end Asia’s longestrunning insurgency.

He made the statement during the 81st anniversary of the Government Service Insurance System in Pasay City, where he gave Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison a 60-day window to finally end the communist rebellion.

The peace talks with Sison, which was scheduled on June 28 but then

Aquino...

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his earlier criminal indictment for the same offense and administrative liability.

The charges arose from the unlawful issuance of National Budget Circular No. 541 to implement the P72 billion DAP that authorized the withdrawal of unobligated allotments of agencies with low levels of obligations as of June 30, 2012.

“A re-evaluation of the case establishes that the individual actions of respondent Aquino and respondentmovant Abad showed a joint purpose and design to encroach on the powers of Congress by expanding the meaning of savings to fund programs, activities and projects under the DAP,” the resolution read.

“Abad’s act of issuing NBC 541 can-

Prices...

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Based on its own monitoring, the prices of most goods that have a suggested retail price went up, the Laban Konsyumer Inc. said.

“Using SRP as of June 8 , I was surprised almost all in the list had price

Politics...

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Morales, 77, said she would be 81 in the 2022 presidential election—but said this was still younger than Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was reelected at 92.

Morales said she inherited 19,000 cases when she took over the Office of the Ombudsman.

On top of the 19,000 cases, an average of 5,200 cases are being filed a year, she said.

With her vast experience as a lower court

Italian...

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out top eateries in Spain and France.

Run by chef Massimo Bottura, the restaurant in Modena, Italy pipped last year’s winner, New York’s “Eleven Madison Park,” in the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards, after first taking the honor in 2016. It is the only Italian establishment to have won the annual accolade.

WC...

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Submarines...

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“The Department of National Defense and the Budget department will talk on how to fund [the modernization program],” Andolong said.

The military’s capability upgrading program, which was crafted and first implemented during the Aquino administration, is divided into three phases― Horizon 1.2 and 3―with the second phase covering 2018 up to 2022.

Andolong said the submarine procurement program had become a priority, especially for the Navy, as it had moved from Horizon 3 to Horizon 2, whose implementation had been delayed, owing to the completion of other projects under Horizon 1.

Horizon 1, programmed from 2013 to 2017, resulted in the acquisition of three Del Pilar-class frigates, 12 FA-50PH lightlift interim fighters, two strategic sealift vessels, to name a few, while Horizon 2 is expected to run from 2018 to 2022.

The Horizon 2 project is supposed to be the transition period of the military from internal security operations to territorial, which carries a budget of P300 billion including procurements from the Philippine Air Force and the Army. Francisco Tuyay

News CoA flags gov’t entity in ‘Minda’ THE Commission on Audit has flagged the Southern Philippines Development Authority for listing 10 Mindanao properties at P1 each.

In a 2017 annual audit report, state auditors said with a land area of 24,145.9407 hectares, the questioned properties were acquired through a deed of donation or were turned over by the defunct Mindanao Development Authority.

The biggest parcel of land was a 24,000-hectare property in the towns of Wao and Bumbaran, Lanao del Sur acquired in 1981.

The area was being occupied by informal settler families.

According to CoA, the Southern Philippines Development Authority’s books of accounts listed a 112-hectare fishpond project in Panigayan, Basilan and a 13.7915-hectare lot in Bagumbayan, Sultan Kudarat acquired in 1975 and 1982, respectively. Rio N. Araja

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 appoints new Comelec chief

By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

P

resident Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Marlon Casquejo as commissioner of the Commission on Elections in place of Christian Robert Lim who retired in February.

Malacañang said that the president signed Casquejo’s appointment paper on June 18.

Casquejo served as the assistant regional election director of ComelecDavao prior to his latest appointment.

The President is also looking for another new Comelec Commissioner to replace Arthur Lim, whose term also ended on February 2018.

Malacañang also said that Emily R. Alino-Geluz was appointed associate

justice of the Court of Appeals while Georgina Dumpit Hidalgo was named associate justice of the Sandiganbayan.

Meanwhile, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III remains as a contender to succeed Ombudsman Conchita CarpioMorales who is retiring on July 26 after completing her seven-year term as chief of the anti-graft body.

During a public panel interview conducted by the Judicial and Bar Council, Bello said that the Office of

the Ombudsman has already resolved the cases against him over a 1988 contract involving the Philippine Reclamation Authority (PRA) where he served as general manager and chief executive officer.

“Fortunately, I found out, Your Honor, that the case has been resolved in our favor,” Bello told JBC members when asked about the reported charges.

Rule 4, Section 5 of JBC rules states that an applicant for any judicial post or the Ombudsman and Deputy Ombudsman is disqualified from being nominated for appointment if he or she faces pending criminal or regular administrative cases.

After the interview, Bello showed reporters a certification from the Office of the Ombudsman stating that he has “no pending criminal and administrative cases” with the anti-graft body, contrary Manila

Standard

TODAY

Republic of the Philippines COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Intramuros, Manila

DoT chief postpones Madrid Fusion TOURISM Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced on Wednesday that the fourth edition of Madrid Fusión Manila will not push through this year but assured it will take place in 2019.

“Why will it not push through?

There’s still a bidding, it hasn’t started yet,” she said in Filipino, adding that the process may possibly reach conclusion in July or August. “The Madrid Fusión was supposed to be in September, there’s not enough time.”

The Tourism Promotions Board in April said the gastronomy congress was scheduled on Sept.

25 to 29, but the Tourism chief said she would rather not rush the bidding process.

“I’d rather do it properly, do not rush things up. I’ve already talked to the organizers abroad, I said we lacked time,” she added. “As much as I love Madrid Fusión, and as much as it pains me [to let it go this year], it’s my baby, we have to do what is right, let’s not push hard for it.”

Romulo-Puyat said the organizers have already agreed to hold the fourth edition next year, but there will be changes in the format, including the inclusion of more farmers. PNA

Comelec sets rule on young voters THE Commission on Elections on Wednesday said young Filipinos who just turned 18 need not register anew as regular voters.

Comelec spokesman James Jimenez said that youth voters in the recently concluded Sangguniang Kabataan, who have reached the voting age, are now qualified to vote in the May 2019 midterm polls.

“That [register as regular voters] will not be necessary anymore,” Jimenez said in an interview.

The poll body official explained that the Comelec will automatically transfer records from the SK database to the official list of registered voters.

“We will be the ones to transfer their names to the registry,” he added.

There were 1,638,350 voters that aged 15-17 in the youth polls last May. PNA

to reports that he still faces charges.

Bello secured the clearance dated June 19, a day before the public panel interview.

Other candidates seeking the post of Ombudsman include Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Martires, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Efren dela Cruz, Davao judge Carlos Espero II, and lawyers Edna HerreraBatacan, Rey Nathaniel Ifurung, Rainier Madrid, Felito Ramirez and Rex Rico and Special Prosecutor Edilberto Sandoval.

Meanwhile, Martires, who is set to retire from the judiciary in January next year, faces rough sailing in his bid for the Ombudsman post after a group of Catholic priests, evangelical pastors and theological teachers accused him of the “lack of required probity for the job.”

PALACE CROONER. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte sings along with one of the performers during 81st anniversary celebration of the Government Service Insurance System at the Gymnasium of the GSIS Financial Center in Pasay City on June 19, 2018. Presidential Photo

Health warnings on ‘sugary’ drinks pushed DEPARTMENT of Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon Lopez on Wednesday said that health warnings, similar to those used in cigarettes, may soon be placed on sugarsweetened beverages.

Filipinos who are fond of drinking powdered juice might want to think twice the next time they purchase this sugar-sweetened beverage in the groceries.

Lopez bared that it was President Rodrigo R. Duterte himself who thought of this initiative after learning that most powdered juices contain high levels of sugar and could pose health risks such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

“May directive ang Presidente na kailangan may warning itong mga sugar-sweetened beverages [The President has a directive that there should be warnings on sugar sweetened beverages],” Lopez said in a Palace briefing.

According to Lopez, Duterte wanted truth in labeling since powdered juices were sometimes given as gifts to the elderly and the sick.

“Nag-worry yung Presidente, ‘so papaano yan, ‘yan pa naman usually yung pinangreregalo sa may sakit [The President was worried saying, ‘how is that? That’s usually what they give to the sick],” Lopez said.

“Kung [If there’s] high sugar, ilagay sa harap na [it should be labeled in front] ‘containing high sugar’ so para bang [it’s similar to cigarette’s] ‘it can be dangerous to your health,’” he added.

Lopez said that the DTI will be issuing the order to place health warnings on sugarsweetened beverages after consulting with

stakeholders, to identify which particular products contain high levels of sugar in their ingredients, as many consumers do not read food labels.

“We’ll issue the necessary order in that regard but we’ll have to talk again to the stakeholders as we implement that directive from the President,” Lopez said.

“We will have to select kung ano talaga dito, especially kung ang main ingredient is talagang sugar and [We will have to select which among these products, especially if the ingredient is really sugar and] it’s not really clear on that product. Many people hindi po tumitingin sa likod, ‘yung ingredients [don’t check the ingredients at the back],” he added.

He added that his agency will also be coordinating with concerned agencies including the Department of Health and its attached agency, the Food and Drug Administration.

“Beyond the labeling requirements, there can be also part of the label such warning. It will have to be with the FDA of the DoH that will really execute this particular policy or ruling kasi under sa kanila yung mga labeling [because they are in charge of labeling],” Lopez said.

Lopez also said that the DTI will need one or two months to facilitate the implementation of the President’s directive.

Asked if the President had any health concerns, which might have pushed him to suggest warnings on sugar-sweetened beverages, Lopez said that Duterte did not have any. PNA

Transport group leader slams LTFRB chief

By Rio N. Araja and Joel E. Zurbano A TRANSPORT group leader on Wednesday chided Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra for supposedly giving special treatment to multinational companies.

At a news conference in Quezon City, Efren de Luna, national president of Alliance of Concerned Transport Organizations, called on Delgra to resign.

“The LTFRB is anti-poor,” De Luna told reporters. “He said special lanes have been devoted to operators of transport network companies and transport network vehicle service to fast track the issuance of provisional authority.

“As far as we are concerned, we are going through tedious process.”

De Luna appealed to Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and President Rodrigo Duterte to heed their call to remove Delgra from his post.

He threatened to stage a protest rally in the coming State of the Nation Address of the

President in July if Delgra is not sacked.

“We will also hold a transport strike to dramatize our sentiments,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Metro Manila Development Authority has ordered the closure of five bus terminals in Pasay City for violating the government’s Nose-in Nose Out policy.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim and general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. inspected several provincial bus terminals along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue near Tramo Street and Taft Avenue, in which five of them found continue violating the traffic rule.

Ordered closed were the terminals of Ma. Victoria Transport Inc., St. Jude Transit, Arandia Bus Line, RMB Liner and Bobis Transit.

The company management of other bus terminals in the area were also reminded on the strict implementation of the policy while some were given notice of compliance within 72 hours for operating without business permits, illegal terminal sharing and other violations.

The MMDA conducted the operation in close coordination with the Office of Pasay

City Mayor Antonino Calixto and officials of the Land Transportation Office and local Business Permit and Licensing Office.

The recent operation brings to 10 the total number of bus terminals ordered closed this year for violating the policy.

Two months ago, the MMDA also shut down five bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City.

They were DLTB Co., ALPS, Lucena Lines, Raymund Transport and Super Lines.

Lim said most of the bus firms lacked the maneuvering space at their own terminals, a clear violation of the policy.

The Nose-In Nose-Out policy, according to Lim, requires buses to get in and out of the terminals in one simple maneuver and they are not allowed to load and unload outside their respective terminals.

Under MMDA Resolution 16-06, Series of 2016, the agency reiterates the NoseIn, Nose Out policy of provincial buses entering and exiting the terminals located along Edsa, stressing that there should be no queuing of buses along the major thorough at anytime.

(MS-JUNE 21, 2018)

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

No credible opposition leader ing filing impeachment charges against the eight Supreme Court justices who ousted Sereno. On what grounds, I ask.

The only thing I can think of is their allegation that the eight violated the Constitution because impeachment is WE HAVE a national tragedy. This is the only way to remove a sitting chief supposed to be a functioning democ- justice.

I’d like to ask, though—who inracy and yet we do not have a credible leader of the opposition who can lead terprets the Constitution if not the us in protesting the climate of impu- Supreme Court majority? And that’s nity. There is no central figure we can precisely what the eight justices did in agreeing with the Solicitor General. believe in.

There is a lot of misunderstanding Certainly this cannot be done by Vice President Leni Robredo, not by about the quo warranto (by what right) Senator Antonio Trillanes IV or Sena- case against Sereno since she failed to tor Leila de Lima. They just make nois- submit her SALN when she was professor of law at the University of the Philes but they lack credibility.

With regard to the opposition, it is ippines.

So yes, justices can be ousted by imunfortunate that it cannot even have a complete senatorial slate for 2019. The peachment assuming that they were only two solid names are Senator Bam qualified from the start. It is clear Aquino and former Rep. Erin Tañada. that justices MAY be removed, not My gulay, they are even talking about SHALL, from their posts via impeachconvincing Kris Aquino to run for the ment. May will refer to an alternative Senate but are worried that two Aqui- like quo warranto.

And who can best interpret the Connos may split the votes.

The most pathetic of all is former stitution if not the Supreme Court?

So, on what basis can the eight jusChief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, who presents herself as the champion tices be impeached? Nothing. *** of the rule of law.

Something must But how can she be a credible be made very voice of the opclear in the police position when she campaign against What a tragedy. “tambays” on the was ousted prestreet. cisely for lack of There is no law integrity? *** calling for their On the part of arrest unless they President Duterte, he should not take break the law. Vagrancy and loitering the silent majority for granted. People have ben decriminalized. However, if may laugh at his jokes, cheer and ap- there is a city or municipal ordinance plaud him, but when they see the kill- against being half-naked, or making a ings and injustice and the culture of lot of noise, then they can be arrested.

It seems though that the police are impunity, they will hit back. Mr. Duterte should not trample on the rights overreacting.

I would agree with this if the aim of people.

He should also stop talking about were to stop minors from loitering, in how he will not give justice to the fam- the event of a curfew.

It is obvious that many cops are igilies of those slain in the name of the norant of the law and just do as they war against drugs.

I have always maintained that fram- please. *** ing the drug problem as a law-and-orThe President did his special assisder issue is a big mistake. It is, instead, a health issue. For so long as there is tant Christopher Go no good when he a demand for illegal drugs, the menace said the latter was a billionaire.

How can Go be a billionaire when he will not go away.

Addressing the problem means curb- was just an “alalay” to Duterte starting the demand, not terminating all ing from when he was mayor of Davao those involved in it. I’m guessing there City?

Since Go is said to be running for will still be demand even after Duterte president, people will ask where his steps down.

This is why I have been advocating money is coming from. And he will more community-based rehabilitation have to explain. centers. *** *** Please visit my website, www.

Some oppositionists are contemplat- emiljurado.weebly.com

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Carpio’s example

T

O BE chief justice of the Supreme Court is perhaps the ultimate dream of any student of the law.

The fifth most powerful person in the country and the head of the judiciary, the chief justice is also known as primus inter pares, the first among equals. He or she becomes the face of the law, influencing the course of the justice system through decisions that will serve as reference for future rulings.

Ideally, a chief justice, like the rest of the court, shuns any sort of controversy, publicity or fanfare, speaking only through the erudite decisions and leadership inspired among colleagues.

Sadly, the Philippines has ousted two chief justices in six years.

The late Chief Justice Renato Corona was impeached, tried and convicted for not declaring all of his assets in his Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth.

This week, the Supreme Court

ruled with finality on the ouster of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, not by impeachment but through a quo warranto petition that assailed her qualifications to assume the post from the beginning.

Now the post is open, and the name that immediately comes to mind is that of Associate Justice Antonio Carpio.

Carpio is the most senior among the justices and had been expected to be named to the top post before Sereno was appointed in 2012.

But now Carpio says he will decline a nomination.

“I have to be consistent with my position,” Carpio said in a television interview Wednesday. “I don’t want to benefit from the decision to which I disagreed.”

Carpio was one of the six magistrates who voted to throw out the quo warranto case against Sereno. He did not believe quo warranto was the proper way to remove a sitting chief justice.

Carpio could have only been thinking practically—he is set to

retire in October 2019 and could have considered that he would have just a year and change to make an impact as chief justice, or that the President would have to appoint a new head of the judiciary again too soon.

He could also have considered his chances at being actually appointed by the China-loving President Rodrigo Duterte, given his vocal stance on China’s incursions into our territory.

We imagine that few personalities in government, would have the decency and restraint to turn down a nomination as Carpio said he would do. Ending his years at the Supreme Court as its head would have been a fitting culmination to his practice.

It’s a sterling example in ethics, we believe, from someone from whom the highest standards is expected.

We have Carpio in mind as we watch who would eventually be named chief justice, and how that individual would conduct himself or herself in a sensitive, coveted, yet precarious job.

Being a ‘tambay’ is not a crime FIRST, they came for the alleged drug users and pushers, mostly small fry living in slum areas.

Now, they are coming for the “tambays”—men hanging out, usually in front of their homes.

The Philippine National Police have arrested 2,981 people for allegedly loitering in the streets and violating city ordinances, according to Police Chief Oscar Albayalde in a June 18 presscon.

Of those arrested, 944 were minors violating local curfew laws; 653 were drinking How so is in the streets; 651 for public nudity; Here’s why. and 456 for public smoking.

The harsh crackdown came after President Rodrigo Duterte issued a directive to police on June 13 to round up loiterers. “[M]y directive is ‘pag mag-istambay-istambay diyan, umuwi kayo.... ‘Pag hindi kayo umuwi, ihatid ko kayo sa opisina ni ano,” he said.

Recently, a group of six men in Makati City waiting for a friend were detained as loiterers and held in a cell with drunks and vagrants. They were taken in at 11 pm but were not released until between 2 am to 3 am.

One of the group, Matt Dimaranan, says a policeman told them, “Basta sinabi ng Pangulo, batas ‘yun.” (As

long as the President says it, it is the law.) The police did not tell them what crime they were being held for, which they should have by law, but only showed them a video of Duterte ordering police to corral tambays.

That an offhand remark by the President, who often changes his mind, led to a rampant violation of human rights by police is staggering and may even be construed as a form of abuse.

How so is it abuse? Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said on Twitter, “What’s wrong with arresting tambays?

It empowers the police to arrest anyone they don’t like; it’s a virtual license to harass and extort from citizens; powerless citizens are the only likely targets; women are particularly made more vulnerable. it abuse?

Btw [by the way] it’s also unconstitutional.”

Albayalde said at the presscon that the loiterers they’ve arrested have not complained about their rights being violated.

Hilbay countered this with, “Ayaw nilang maging ‘nanlaban.’” He explained that arresting tambays is in fact a violation of their human rights. “This violates right to liberty, association, due process; it is anti-poor and encourages profiling. The only possible basis for such arrests—vagrancy—has been repealed by RA [Republic Act No.] 10158.”

The latter point was also emphasized

by Senator Francis Pangilinan, himself also a lawyer. Last Monday he issued a Turn to A5

Chinese parents-to-be seek more fertile ground abroad

By Albee Zhang THE easing of China’s one-child policy was a godsend to Zhang Yinzhe and his wife Xu Mengsha, who had decided they wanted to use in-vitro fertilisation to freeze an embryo in the hope of one day having a second child.

But most IVF procedures are restricted in China to couples who are infertile, and surging demand at overwhelmed reproductive clinics since the policy was relaxed two years ago would anyway have meant months of waiting.

So the Beijing couple flew to Thailand, part of a wave of Chinese spilling overseas into Southeast Asia, the

United States, and elsewhere in a testtube baby boom.

“There is an old saying in China: a son and daughter complete the family,” said Zhang, a 31-year-old airline pilot.

Zhang spoke after a consultation at Bangkok’s Piyavate Hospital, its walls festooned with Mandarin-language posters on IVF as other Chinese patients waited their turn.

Definitive numbers on China’s share of the assisted-reproduction tourism sector are unclear, but its spending was estimated by the statelinked Qianzhan Industry Research Institute to have grown 22 percent annually to $1.4 billion in 2017. Further

rapid growth is expected.

Overseas clinics are adding Mandarin-speaking staff, Chinese-language websites, and increasingly marketing to Chinese seeking a second or even third child.

Chinese figures estimate that 90 million women became eligible for another child once the family-planning policy was relaxed, and more second children were delivered last year than first-borns.

But Chinese couples are increasing having children later, past their reproductive primes, and may require help from science.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

The path to peace negotiations is Sison’s expression of disappointment and frustration with the OVERSIGHT Duterte administration. He is against DANILO holding the formal talks in the PhilipSUAREZ pines. However, the Palace reiterated that the negotiations should be done in PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte recent- Philippine soil, most especially because ly cancelled the resumption of peace talks between the government and the National Democratic Front, which was supposed to take place on June 28 in Oslo, Norway. This was to give way to Let us not prolong thorough public consultations. the process.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army, which are under the NDF, have been waging their “people’s war” since 1969.

CPP Founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison it is more cost-effective to hold the nenow lives as a political refugee in The gotiations here. The President assured Netherlands since 1987.

Sison’s safety in the Philippines during The peace process with the left-wing the 60-day negotiation period, and that groups has been a seemingly unending he can leave the country freely in case challenge for the government. Norway the negotiations fall through. has served as the third-party facilitator The United States and the European of negotiations for almost two decades. Union have already classified the CPPThe peace talks were deferred until July. NPA as a foreign terrorist organization.

Following the deferment of the peace In December 2017, by virtue of Procla-

mation No. 374, President Duterte declared the CPP-NPA as a designated/ identified terrorist organization under RA 10168, otherwise known as “The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.” In February 2018, the Department of Justice filed a petition before the Manila Regional Trial Court to legally declare the CPPNPA as a terrorist organization, in accordance to Section 17 of the Human Security Act of 2007. The government may opt to withdraw the petition with the resumption of the peace talks.

The President, as the Chief Executive of our country, must prioritize the welfare and protection of the majority.

While I agree to where the government stands in the peace process, I would encourage the President to fast-track the negotiations and be firm with his decisions. Let us not prolong the peace process. This July is an opportunity to break what seems like an impasse.

Let us take advantage of this chance to put an end to the 50-year communist insurgency.

An elusive peace DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA JUDGING from the way both sides are behaving, getting into the same table and signing a peace deal is proving to be extremely difficult. Both sides have been hurling accusations against each other, making people wonder whether peace is a real possibility or just an elusive dream, as the song goes.

This was triggered by the recent announcement of Joma Sison, the top honcho of the National Democratic Front, about the resumption of talks toward the end of June which was contradicted by the government saying that the scheduled resumption had been postponed to a later date. From the way this was done, it was obvious that there was no coordination at all between the two groups.

Feeling insulted, Sison went into overdrive, accusing the Armed Forces as the one responsible for torpedoing the talks because as Sison said, the military wants an all-out war. Predictably, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denied this saying that if it is war that the AFP wants, it should have recommended the termination, not postponement, of the talks.

The reason given by the government was that the President needed time to study what has been accomplished so far. Whether this is true or not, the scheduled resumption of talks has been derailed.

There is also now a new stumbling block—the venue for the talks. President Duterte is insisting that the talks be held in the Philippines while the NDF views this as a trap and wants it in Norway, the old venue. Whether this new problem can be resolved for the talks to proceed, we will have to wait and see.

After 50 years of fighting, one would think that there is now war fatigue and everyone is now looking for ways to end the fighting. Alas, this does not seem to be the case. Sison,

Chinese...

From A4

Around 12 percent of the childbearing population are unable to conceive naturally, according to Chinese studies, yet China only has about 400 licensed IVF clinics, where waiting lists can approach one year.

Fertile ground IVF involves combining egg and sperm in a lab and implanting any viable embryos into the womb.

The one-child policy caused birth rates to plummet, and China eased it to ensure a big enough future workforce to support its fast-aging population.

But it still bans or restricts fertility options like egg donations, surrogate motherhood, gender selection, and freezing embryos for later use partly over fears that opening the floodgates could spark a population explosion.

Only around 500,000 Chinese IVF procedures took place in 2016, health officials estimate, far short of what fertility doctors say is required.

“There is big demand in China, but we can’t handle it here,” said RiCheng Chian, director of reproductive medicine at Shanghai’s 10th People’s Hospital.

So Chinese are booking tickets to

spouting his cold-war rhetoric, is as warlike as ever calling his cohorts, to resume their revolutionary struggle proving once and for all that he is not merely a consultant but the boss.

On the government side, there must be that segment in the Armed Forces also itching for combat to resume.

If both sides really want the talks to continue, both should start chilling and allow responsible officials from both sides to talk to each other to solve the confusing situation and not engage in a war of words in the media because this is only exacerbating the situation. A short cooling-off period is in order. It is quite important that both sides go to the negotiating table wanting genuine peace and not looking for an opportunity to regroup in order to be in a better position when

fighting resumes. Both sides must realize that it is time for Filipinos to stop fighting each other and concentrate on strengthening the country’s capability to defend our sovereignty from external aggression.

There is a lot of incentives for both sides to forge a genuine and lasting peace. For the government led by President Duterte, if successful, he would have accomplished what no other president before him in giving the country the peace that have eluded all presidents before him. For Joma Sison, he can also claim that his lifelong struggles have not all been in vain. But for the peace negotiations to succeed, there must be trust, sincerity and the genuine desire to achieve peace which seems to be lacking from both sides at the moment. *** Our peace negotiations are very different from the way others do it

like the Colombia-FARC deal which seems to be now in jeopardy due to the election of a new Colombian president and the so called Good Friday peace accord between the Irish Republican Army and the British government.

A lot of preliminary actions were put into place before both sides met at the bargaining table. There was a complete cessation of hostilities followed by a complete decommissioning of weapon by the IRA supervised by an independent body approved by both sides. In our case, there is no such thing. There was fighting, even when both were already negotiating.

The NDF is not giving up anything.

Their combat capability remains intact ready to resume operation if the negotiations fail. Their leaders who are directing the movement have been given safe conduct passes and can actually travel to Norway if that is where the negotiation will take place and one other issue which seems to have not been noticed by people is that the government is apparently negotiating with a Dutch citizen in the person of Joma Sison and the former priest Luis Jalandoni.

Sure, the chief negotiator of the NDF is Fidel Agcaoili but it is Sison actually calling the shots. Is this not is ironic? Instead of protesting this to the Dutch government, our side seems to be willing to accept this. Will Joma Sison affix his signature to any agreement reached? If not, can he perhaps disavow the agreement if something goes wrong? On the side of President Duterte, part of the reason why he wants Congress to sign on in any agreement is perhaps to make it harder for any succeeding government to renege on any signed agreement with the NDF which makes good political sense.

Prudence after all is the better part of valor and Secretary Lorenzana for his part also realizes that the Armed Forces is facing many challenges and sees the need to terminate this festering insurgency for the AFP to focus its major attention to external defense which has long been neglected by the government in the past.

Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia and even Russia.

IVF treatments cost around 30,000 yuan ($4,700) in China, but can be several times that abroad, where many Chinese feel they can find higherquality care.

Zhang, the pilot, wants IVF partly to screen for genetic defects, something restricted at home.

“That’s a lot of money for a Chinese family but compared to the health of my next generation, I should spend it,” he said.

Chartree Saenghiranwatana, a fertility specialist at Piyavate, said the clinic has been “getting increasing demand from Chinese patients the past year or two”, and is recruiting Mandarin-speaking doctors and nurses.

Some Thai clinics say up to 80 percent of their customers are Chinese.

Baby bump “A new industrial chain is forming, for reproduction, in Southeast Asia,” said Wei Siang Yu, the Singaporean founder and chairman of Borderless Health Group.

BHG has created a video-conferencing platform on which Chinese patients can consult fertility experts around the world, aided by Mandarin-speaking interpreters.

BHG is also establishing sperm and

egg banks in countries including Thailand, Australia and the United States, primarily for Chinese clients, complete with a phone app allowing them to monitor their “fertility assets” almost like a bank account.

Yu said two years ago Chinese patients placed sixth or seventh in the ranks of foreign patients coming to Thailand for medical tourism, but will be the largest group this year.

Besides infertility or the desire for a larger family, the Chinese preference for male heirs sends some couples abroad in search of clinics that will perform gender screening—though that is technically illegal in most countries —and Chinese LGBT couples are also packing their bags.

Li Na, who is from central China, went through expensive IVF procedures in Shanghai, Hong Kong and the United States. All failed.

But she and her husband hit the jackpot in Thailand, and now have twin girls through a surrogate mother there and a boy through IVF. Li, 41, has parlayed the experience into a side career as a consultant to other Chinese couples seeking the same joy she felt.

“I couldn’t stop crying when I flew down to Thailand to pick them up,” Li said. “It was hard to believe they were mine.” AFP

You’d think they would have war fatigue after 50 years.

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TRAIN disregarded equilibrium theory dreaded D word—disequilibrium, began to infect the economy. Workers and consumers soon started to RUDY protest the price upsurges—of fares, ROMERO electricity, food and services espeIF THERE is anything that trained cially—that were bound to reduce the economists are taught to understand purchasing power of their incomes. and value, it is the concept of eco- Inevitably workers pressed for higher nomic equilibrium, more specifically, wages, which producers, already facthe maintenance of general equilibri- ing higher non-wage operating costs, um in an economy and the avoidance were quick to resist. It goes without of disequlibrium. The more I read saying that any compensatory concesthe pronouncements of the high of- sions granted to workers—P320 is the ficials of the Department of Finance figure for minimum-wage increase regarding the impact of TRAIN (the that is most widely mentioned—is Tax Reform and Inclusion law) on the bound to result in increases in proeconomy, the more I am reminded of duction and consumer items, which what my professors drummed into are bound to lead to further increases me, during my days in economics in costs and prices.

Rises in costs and prices followschool, on the subject of economic ing upon one another, in round-afterequilibrium.

Disequilibrium comes into being round fashion, is what the economy in an economy when the general pat- is facing these days. To say that the tern of costs and prices is seriously economy is in a state of ferment is to disturbed, in continuing fashion, by describe the situation accurately.

What leaves me aghast and flabeconomic events of either domestic bergasted about the entire present or external origin. The key word here is trigger: a domestic event (a gov- scenario is the bland assertion by the ernment action or ruling or a major top DoF officials that goes like this: private-sector debacle) or a foreign “Don’t worry about a surge of inflation. The rounds of cost and price occurrence (a increases will diplomatic row or soon come to an an injurious forend.” I say that eign-government I am aghast and act) triggers a seThis is where we are f labbergasted ries of changes in now. for three reacosts that transsons. The first is late, sequentially, that the current into changes in state of disrupted prices across the broad spectrum of an economy. As equilibrium has disturbed the hitherthe process gets underway, cost in- to-relatively-smooth functioning of creases give rise to price increases, the economy giving rise to all sorts which in turn occasions further cost of distortive and speculative actions increases and price increases. Before among workers, producers and conyou—or, more specifically, the poli- sumers. The second reason is that an cymakers— know it, disequilibrium economy that has recently been growing annually at close to 7 percent has has become the order of the day.

A state of disequilibrium is what lost some steam. And the third reason the Philippine economy is now in, is that workers and consumers with despite all the DoF and the National weak bargaining positions will have Economic and Development Author- suffered a loss of real income and a consequent lowering of their living ity arguments to the contrary.

Anyone who doubts that disequi- standards. True, the current inflationlibrium is the state the Philippine ary surge will work itself out sooner economy is in need only consider or later, but costs and prices will then the across-the-spectrum increases be at higher levels. They are not goin costs and prices, the increasingly ing to return to their former levels shrill demands of labor, manufactur- when the inflationary surge subsides.

Guess what now-higher wages and ing and consumer groups for wage and price adjustments and the intel- operating costs will do to the comlectual somersaults being undertaken petitiveness of the dwindling band of by the Executive department and the competitive Philippine exports.

Back to economics school. Stupoliticians in trying to explain the dents were told that economic staeconomic turn of events. bility should be sought at all costs Things were not always like that. and that if governments are unable Until 2017 the Philippine economy was in a state of relative equilibrium, to make their countries’ economies with costs and prices generally stable grow, they should strive to keep them and the inflation rate staying within stable at least.

In choosing the excise-taxation the range set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas at the beginning of that route to incremental revenueyear. Indeed, price stability was one raising and by dumping excise taxes of the “solid macro-economic funda- simultaneously on a number of mentals” cited, mantra-style, by the highly cost-sensitive items, the DoF policymakers to support the govern- totally disregarded the precepts of ment’s claim of national economic the theory of economic equilibrium.

TRAIN has proven to be what its stability.

Then TRAIN came charging into critics feared it would be: a formula the picture on Jan. 1, 2018, and the for disequilibrium.

BUSINESS CLASS

Being...

From A4

at a dismal low.

This doltish excuse for arresting the six men in Makati reflects badly on the PNP’s leadership. They should have first done their homework particularly on the legal side, and they should have held briefings for all policemen on what and what not to do in such cases.

Above all, they and other public servants should take the advice of historian Timothy Snyder, from his book “On Tyranny:” “Remember professional ethics. When political leaders set a negative example, professional commitments to just practice become more important…

“Then there is no such thing as ‘just following orders.’ If members of the professions confuse their specific ethics with the emotions of the moment, however, they can find themselves saying and doing things that they might previously have thought unimaginable.”

statement saying, “Republic Act 10158 has decriminalized vagrancy, amending Article 202 of the Revised Penal Code.”

He added in Filipino, “For the law enforcers, loitering is no longer a crime...You should be the ones leading the way in terms of abiding by the law and not being the ones who are first to violate it. Follow the law, not the instruction to violate it.”

Some might argue that groups of tambays in the street are unsightly and make areas feel unsafe. However, loitering or vagrancy is not against the law. The PNP have no legal basis for detaining tambays. A mere verbal remark by the President does not void existing laws.

Also, the cop who told Dimaranan “Basta sinabi ng Pangulo, batas ‘yun,” sounds like an uneducated idiot and further diminishes the organiDr. Ortuoste, a writer and rezation’s credibility and public confi- searcher, has a PhD in Communicadence in them, which has always been tion. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 A6 Standard TODAY Manila

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

PhilHealth in good cash flow THE Philippine Health Insurance Corp. announced that it posted net cash flow of P11.6 billion for the first four months of 2018 or as of April 30, 2018.

In its statement of cash flows, the state health insurer said it recorded cash inflow of P41.4 billion consisting mainly of premium contributions collection at P39.2 billion and investment income at P2.2 billion, higher by more than 104 percent and 10 percent from P19.2 billion and P2 billion, respectively, for the same period in 2017.

“The improved cash flow is attributed to aggressive employer accounts monitoring and compliance in the government and private sector, heightened consciousness among members to ensure regular payment of contributions, and strategic investing.” Dr. Roy B. Ferrer, the state health insurer’s new acting president and CEO explained in a statement.

The new PhilHealth chief also attributed the jump to the early partial release of P14.9 billion for the premiums of some 4.7 million

senior citizens by the National Government pursuant to the General Appropriations Act of 2018.

On the other hand, expenditures comprised of benefit payouts at P28 billion, and administrative expenses of P1.8 billion which is 22 percent lower than last year’s P2.2 billion.

“This is in keeping with our commitment to our members and stakeholders to be prudent in the management of their contributions. Our prudence and continuing austerity measures are paying off as evidenced by almost half a billion in surplus in operations.”

Ferrer added.

Benefit expenses refer to payments made to hospital claims for the services rendered to PhilHealth members and their dependents nationwide and even those abroad.

“This is proof that we do not renege on our commitment to our partner hospitals when it comes to paying their claims already received by PhilHealth and even those that have already been ‘incurred but not yet reported’ to us.” the PhilHealth chief explained.

PHILIPPINE NATIONAL OIL COMPANY PNOC Building 6, Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig Philippines, 1634 [632] 789.7662 www.pnoc.gov.ph

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ACCREDITATION The Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) will be implementing a new guideline entitled “IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR ACCREDITATION OF CARGO HANDLING OPERATlONS (CHO) FOR PNOC ENERGY SUPPLY BASE, MABINI, BATANGAS - Series 2018.”

BRAKES SLAMMED.

Metro Manila Development Authority personnel, led by chairman Danny Lim (right), put up a closure sign at the driveway of an unidentified provincial bus line on Edsa in Pasay City for allegedly violating the government’s “nose in, nose out” policy on Wednesday.

Norman Cruz

2 graft case vs Villafuerte nd

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

SECOND graft case has been filed at the Sandiganbayan against Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr.

In view of the foregoing, PNOC invites interested CARGO HANDLING OPERATORS to apply for accreditation as an Accredited Cargo Handling Operator of PNOC ESB Interested applicants may inquire from the PNOC Energy Supply Base at Barangay Mainaga, Mabini Batangas with telephone no. (043) 4870326 and PNOC Estate Management Department at Building 6 Energy Center, Rizal Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, telephone no. (02) 8401447; from Monday to Friday, 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

A checklist of accreditation requirement may be acquired at the PNOC Energy Supply Base upon payment of the applicable fee for the Accreditation Documents in the amount of PhP3,000.

PNOC will hold a Pre-Accreditation Conference on June 28, 2018, 10AM at the PNOC Energy Supply Base at Barangay Mainaga, Mabini Batangas.

References to the dates and times shall be based on Philippine Standard time. Should any of the above dates fall on a holiday, the deadline shall be extended to the same time on the immediately succeeding business day in Taguig City.

Republic of the Philippines Department of Social Welfare and Development Constitution Hills, Quezon City REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR HIRING OF CONSULTANCY SERVICES FOR THE CONDUCT OF EXTERNAL SPOT CHECK OF THE PANTAWID PAMILYANG PILIPINO PROGRAM OPERATIONS (SPOT CHECK 2018) REI NO. GOP/18-DSWD-001 (PR NO. 2018 020449) 1.

PNOC reserves the right to reject any and all Application, declare a failure of Accreditation without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Applicant or Applicants for accreditation.

PNOC assumes no obligation to compensate or indemnify parties for any expense or loss that they may incur as a result of their participation in accreditation process, nor does PNOC guarantee that an accreditation will be made as a result of this invitation. Furthermore, PNOC reserves the right to waive any defects or formality in the responses to the eligibility requirements and to this invitation and reserves the right to accept the proposal most advantageous to PNOC.

2.

The DSWD now calls for the submission of eligibility documents for Hiring of Consultancy Services for the Conduct of External Spot Check of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Operations (Spot Check 2018). Eligibility documents of interested consultants must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat on or before 29 June 2018 at 1:00PM at the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) Secretariat, Ground Floor, Matapat Building, IBP Road, Constitution Hills, Quezon City. Applications for eligibility will be evaluated based on a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion.

3.

The Spot Check is a rapid monitoring and evaluation instruments that seek to determine quality, effectiveness and efficiency of program implementation. DSWD regularly conducts Spot Checks with the aim to assess the following:

(SGD.) ATTY. GRACIELA M. BARLETA SVP for Legal, Administrative & Estate Management Services

a.

(MS-JUNE 21, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health CENTRAL OFFICE BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE the

1.

2.

3.

InvItatIon to BId for Procurement of Brand new amBulance tyPe I re-BId IB no.2018-187-a

The Department of Health (DOH), through the General Appropriations Act of 2018intends to apply the sum of Six Hundred Million Philippine Pesos (PhP600,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the Procurement of Brand New Ambulance Type I Re-bid under IB No. 2018-187-A. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The DOH now invites bids for the procurement of the above-captioned package.

Delivery of the Goods is required within period specified under Section VI. Schedule of Requirements. Bidders should have completed, within the past eight (8) years: a.

At least two (2) similar contracts for local and/or international contracts and the aggregate contract amounts should be equivalent to at least fifty (50%) of the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC); and

b.

The largest of these similar contracts must be equivalent to at least half of the fifty percent (50%) of the (ABC) as required above.

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

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

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the COBAC Secretariat, Ground Floor, Building 6, DOH, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manilaand inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given above during 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 21June – 10 July 2018from the address above and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Seventy Five Thousand Philippine Pesos (PhP75,000.00).

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.

6.

7.

The DOH will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on 28June 2018, 10:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Bldg. 6, DOH, San Lazaro Cmpd., Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila, which shall beopen to prospective bidders.

Bids must be duly received by the COBAC-D Secretariat at the address below on or before 10July 2018, 9:00 A.M. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10July 2018, 9:00 A.M. at the COBAC Conference Room, G/F, Bldg. 6, DOH, San Lazaro Cmpd., Rizal Ave., Sta. Cruz, Manila. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

8.

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

9.

For further information, please refer to: COBAC-D Secretariat Department of Health San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, Manila Tel. Nos. 651-7800 local 1624 to 1627; 1650 to 52 Facsimile No.: 741-9775; 740-6830; 711-6061

(MS-JUNE 21, 2018)

(SGD) HERMINIGILDO V. VALLE, MD, MPA Undersecretary of Health Chairperson, COBAC-D

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program through the Calendar Year (CY) 2018 Government Appropriations Act (GAA) intends to apply the sum of Six Million Eight Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Five Hundred Sixty Pesos and Forty Centavos (PhP 6,825,560.40) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for Hiring of Consultancy Services for the Conduct of External Spot Check of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program Operations. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of the financial proposals.

4.

5.

6.

Field Operations (registration, updating, focused-group discussion (FGD), compliance verification, payout, grievance handling, etc.); b. Program design and policies; c. Service performance of institutional partners; and, d. Beneficiaries’ awareness of program policies and features.

Regular conduct of Spot Check is aimed to provide the program management information to: a. Make program design adjustment decisions; b. Make implementation adjustment decisions; and, c. Modify and update policies and guidelines In terms of results framework, spot check serve as the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) instrument for the inputs, activities, outputs of the program. As need arises, the spot check could be used to some extent to determine how the program is doing in terms of achieving immediate, lower-level outcomes.

More details on the services are provided in the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the project.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the DSWD, through the BAC and its Secretariat and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 08:00 A.M. to 05:00 P.M., Mondays to Fridays.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on 21 June 2018 from the address below.

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 BAC shall draw up the short list of consultants from those who have submitted Expression of Interest, including the eligibility documents, and have been determined as eligible in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”, and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The short list shall consist of Three (3) prospective bidders who will be entitled to submit bids. The criteria and rating system for short listing are: Criteria

Key Personnel has appropriate and relevant postgraduate degree/s

Rating Scheme Percentage Qualification of Key Personnel (40%) • Has relevant Master’s and Doctorate Degree = 100 pts.

10% • Has relevant Master’s Degree only = 80 pts.

• Has postgraduate degree but not relevant = 50 pts.

Relevant postgraduate degrees are Economics, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, Demography, Population Studies, Public Health, Development Studies, Statistics, Development Management, Anthropology • More than 12 years of experience in survey management 15% and/or survey research = 100 pts.

• Ten (10) to Twelve (12) years of experience = 90 pts.

• Less than Ten (10) years of experience = 0 pt.

Key Personnel has at least ten (10) years of relevant professional experience as survey team leader/manager Key Personnel • Has managed process evaluation and rapid assessment, has experience in spot check and authored study reports on such = 100 managing process pts. evaluation, spot • Has managed process evaluation, rapid assessment, spot check surveys, rapid check = 90 pts. assessments, and • Has co-authored study reports process evaluation, rapid writing reports on such assessment, spot check = 60 pts.

Experience and Capacity of the Firm (60%) Years of experience • More than Ten (10) years of experience in conducting working in conducting surveys = 100 pts. surveys • Eight (8) to Ten (10) years of experience in conducting surveys = 90 pts.

• Less than Eight (8) years of experience in conducting surveys = 70 points Number of completed • More than Six (6) completed surveys = 100 pts. surveys in the last five • Five (5) to Six (6) completed surveys = 90 pts.

(5) years • Less than Five (5) completed surveys = 70 pts

15%

30%

30%

The passing score is 65%.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the IRR of RA 9184.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, cooperatives, and partnerships or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

8. The Procuring Entity shall evaluate bids using the Quality Based Evaluation (QBE) procedure. The criteria and rating system for the evaluation of bids shall be provided in the Instructions to Bidders.

9. The contract shall be completed within twenty-eight (28) weeks from the receipt of the Notice to Proceed (NTP).

10. The DSWD 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.

11. For further information, please refer to: THE CHAIRPERSON Bids and Awards Committee-I c/o Bids and Awards Committee Secretariat Ground Floor, DSWD Central Office IBP Road, Constitution Hills, Quezon City Facsimile No.: (02) 931 6139 Telephone Nos.: (02) 931 8101 to 07 local 122 or 124 (SGD) FLORITA R. VILLAR Undersecretary and Bids and Awards Committee-I Chairperson 7.

(MS-JUNE 21, 2018)

This time the case involves the allegedly anomalous contract for security services that he entered into when he was governor from July 2008 to December 2009.

Villafuerte is facing a graft case at the anti-graft court’s Sixth Division in connection with the Camarines Sur provincial government’s alleged illegal procurement in 2010 of petroleum products worth P5 million from a private company in a public bidding.

Reacting to the filing of the second graft case against him, Villafuerte said: “This is another baseless complaint from the perennial filer of nuisance cases, more so now that its political season again.

“I am confident that this case will be dismissed in due time for being baseless and nothing more

than an instrument of political harassment,” Villfuerte said in a statement.

“No money was lost by the government as the service was fully rendered by the security company,” he said.

“The security agency in this nuisance complaint was hired by the provincial capitol before I took over as governor in 2004. I merely renewed its contract after I assumed office,” Villafuerte said.

Then-provincial accountant Leticia de Leon Aliorde, executive assistant Richard Fooshee Rivera, rural health physician Bernadette Galan Carlos, and medical officer Gerardo Nolasco Villafuerte were included in the charge sheet.

The Sandiganbayan received the complaint on Monday, June 18.

Pepsi ordered to pay P11.8-m fine

By Rio N. Araja THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the National Water Resources Board, has directed a soft drinks company to pay a fine of P11.8 million for operating six deep wells inside its Muntinlupa City plant without appropriate permit.

The agency issued the order last April 19, but its operatives, along with DENR enforcers and police, were only able to enter the company of Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. to seal the illegal deep wells last June 11.

The fine was originally set at P11.8 million, but was raised to P11.58 million.

Archie Asuncion, lawyer-head of NWRB’s Litigation and Adjudication Unit, said the penalty

imposed on Pepsi Cola was set at P1,000 per day per deep well source reckoned from Jan. 10, 2013 up to June 11.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, through Benny Antiporda of the Solid Waste Management and Local Government Units Concerns, was ordered to raid the soft drinks plant in Muntinlupa City and seal the deep wells.

“The sealing was done after the raiding team disconnected the riser and submersible pumps of the deep wells from the power supply and computer box,” Antiporda said.

Citing a 2004 study commissioned by the NWRB, Antiporda said the groundwater in the area was already “critical,” and its extraction had caused land subsidence.

Tricycles not allowed as school transport service THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has reiterated that tricycles are not allowed to be used as school transport service.

The Board, in a letter addressed to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Danilo Lim, stressed that vans, mini-buses, coasters, coaches and buses are the only types of motor vehicles that are allowed to transport students.

“Tricycle is not one of the above stated allowed types of vehicle for School Transport Service,” LTFRB Chairman Martin Delgra III said in the letter.

“Noteworthy is that the passengers of tricycles used as School Transport Service are not covered by the mandatory comprehensive

insurance being mandated by the LTFRB,” he added.

The LTFRB earlier said it is proposing to the Metro Manila Council the banning of tricycles as school transport service.

The MMC, the policymaking body of the MMDA, consists of mayors of the 17 cities and municipalities of Metro Manila and is presided by the agency’s chairperson.

LTFRB Memorandum 2015007 states that vans with frontfacing seats with individual seatbelts for passengers, mini-bus, coaster, coach and bus are the types of vehicles allowed as school transport service.

Side-facing passenger vans are needed to be phased out and replaced with vehicles that have front-facing seats. PNA

26 winners share P1.2 billion PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan announced on Wednesday 26 persons became new millionaires as they shared a total amount of P1.2-billion Lotto jackpots from January to May 2018.

Records from the PCSO’s Product and Research Development Division of the Gaming Sector indicated there were eight lucky millionaires for Lotto 6/42, eight for Lotto 6/45, four for Lotto 6/49, four for Lotto 6/55, and two

for Lotto 6/58.

“After Feb. 16, 2018, no one has won the jackpot for Lotto 6/58 up to this time and the accumulated prize money is already at P181,477,292. So buy your ticket now, who knows you can be the next lucky millionaire?” Balutan said in a press statement.

People buy lottery tickets assuming that winning will bring them a prosperous, work-free or happy life, but research suggests they shouldn’t be so certain.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

A7

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Bersamina leads Pinoys’ chess charge INTERNATIONAL Master Paulo Bersamina and prodigy Daniel Quizon spearheaded the country’s campaign and pulled off openingday victories to lead the way in the premier Open Under-20 division even as Shania Mae Mendoza carried the fight in the girls’ U20 in the 19th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City Tuesday night.

Bersamina, a former member of the Philippines’ Olympiad squad, downed Vietnam’s Nguyen Huynh Tuan, while Quizon, the youngest participant in this class at 14 years old, bested countryman Coellier Graspela to zoom to the early share of the lead.

Other Filipinos, who hurdled their first-round assignments were Rhenzi Kyle Sevillano, who trounced the PH’s Gino Asuncion, and Sarri Subahani, who stunned FIDE Maser Stephen Rome Pangilinan also of the Philippines, and IM John Marvin Miciano, who won via default against South Korea’s Kwon Sehyun.

Jeth Romy Morado, who made a good account of himself by in the Olympiad qualifier last week, couldn’t sustain his good solid showing and fell to Vietnam’s Pham Minh Hieu, while the PH’s Nelson Busa, Jr. lost to FM Agni Jeevitesh Sai of India.

Mendoza, who recently booked a slot to the World Chess Olympiad set this September in Batumi, Georgia, bared her title intention and dumped Vietnam’s Vo Thi Thuy Tien to lead a five-player lead pack that also included countrywoman Ella Grace Moulic, who zapped the PH’s Venien Rafales.

Vietnam’s WIM Nguyen Than Thuy Tien, Indonesia’s WFM Dita Karenza and Vietnam’s WFM Nguyen Thi Minh Oanh and WFM Vu Thi Dieu Ai also claimed a piece of the lead after hurdling their Filipina foes, Laila Camel Nadera, Marife dela Torre, Zsuzsa Grace Tabduong and Viona Nepascua, respectively.

Enriquez stuns favorites, wins PPS crowns SYDNEY Ezra Enriquez bucked the odds and toppled two top seeded rivals to complete a twinkill in the PPS-PEPP Sultan Kudarat regional age-group tennis tournament at the Isulan Capitol Tennis Courts recently.

Enriquez posted a shutout win over No. 2 Angelica Novis in the semis then shocked No. 1 and doubles partner Minette Bentillo, 1-6, 7-6(6), 103, to snare the 16-and-under crown.

The Salug, Zamboanga del Norte find also repeated over No. 2 Bentillo, 4-6, 7-6(7), 13-11, in the Final Four then repelled top ranked Jazzelle Madis from Mlang, 6-4, 6-4, in the 18-U finals of the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

The 15-year-old student from Salug National High emerged the lone “double” winner in the nine-category tournament presented by Dunlop and ran away with the coveted MVP crown with Heinz Carbonilla taking the top honors in the boys’ side with a dominant stint in the 12-U section.

The rising star from Maranding, Lanao del Norte dropped just two games in four matches, sweeping the first three before whipping Reymar Saldivar Jr., 6-1, 6-1, in the finals of the tour nament backed by Asiatraders Corp. and sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg. Bentillo earlier ruled the 14-U division with a 6-3, 6-4 triumph over Tennielle Madis while fellow local bet Mark Directo took the boys’ 16-U diadem with a 6-1, 6-0 rout of top seed Karl Palo.

Other winners were Klyde Lagarde of Gen. Santos City, who turned back Ramon Bentillo, 7-5, 6-2, for the boys’ 18-U title; Koronadal’s Jay Balaoing, who upended No. 2 Jude Padao, 6-1, 6-1, for the 14-U crown; Tennielle Madis, who overpowered Sittie Manangking, 6-0, 6-1, for the girls’ 12-U plum; and Jose Kael Palo from Kidapawan, who pocketed the 10-unisex crown with a 5-4(0), 5-3 triumph over Jairo Ramirez.

PhilCycling to form ‘super team’

CROSS-TRAINING. Filipino boxing legend Senator Manny Pacquiao does a little of basketball cross-training in General Santos City in preparation for his July 15 bout in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia against Argentine Lucas Martin Matthysse.

Sonny Espiritu

Korean shocks Apo field with 67 for 1-stroke lead D

AVAO—Korean Park Jun Sung, who could not seem to get past the cutoff line in the combined tournaments of the Philippine Golf Tour and PGT Asia, took charge with a bogey-free five-under 67, leading the early surge of the lesser lights in the P3 million ICTSI Apo Golf Invitational here yesterday.

While the pre-tournament favorites, including the homegrown talents, fumbled and stumbled in early downpour at the tight Apo layout, Park flashed awesome form from start to finish, birdying the first two then picking up three more strokes on Nos. 9, 14 and 18 on a tricky course he hardly had knowledge of.

He left as soon as he signed his scorecard but the 33-34 start should augur well for the player who missed the cut in the PGTA’s first three legs at Luisita, Riviera and Manila. Park also failed to advance in the PGT’s kickoff tournament at Eagle Ridge last March before finishing tied for 24th in the Philippine Masters at Villamor last May. The unfancied bets actually took the spotlight in the first round of the P3 million tournament sponsored by ICTSI as Charles Hong and Nilo Salahog turned in identical 68s to trail Park by one while Ramil Bisera took the cudgels for the local aces by firing a 69 for joint fourth with Reymon Jaraula and the long-hitting Orlan Sumcad.

Another Korean, Lee Song, birdied two of the last four holes at the back to shoot a 70 and join Johvanie Abaño, PGTA Riviera leg winner Jobim Carlos, American Lexus Keoninh, Mars Pucay, Joenard Rates and Davaoeño Elmer Salvador at seventh.

Jay Bayron, winner of the recent PGTA Manila Southwoods, hit two birdies at the back to card a 71 to tie fellow Davaoeño Ferdie Aunzo, Marvin Dumandan, Anthony Fernando, Japanese Keisuke Takahashi, James Ryan Lam, Arnold Villacencio and amateur Kuresh Samanodi at 14th.

Samanodi actually stood among the leaders with a four-under card after 12 holes at the front but he bogeyed No. 4 and dropped two strokes on the par-4 eighth to reel back in the early going of the 72-hole tournament organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. which kicked off a seven-leg, three-month joust in Mindanao and Visayas.

But the day belonged to Park, who combined solid driving and superb iron game to set up birdie chances in the first two holes then sustained his form to the finish to emerge the surprise leader and one of the only two players to preserve bogey-free cards.

Hong, who last won at Luisita in 2015, matched that solid round with a near-impeccable iron play, birdying all but one of the four par-3s while Salahog bounced back from a bogey-birdiebogey-birdie start at the back with four birdies in the first six holes at the front to stay in the early hunt.

Petron, F2 vow to be more potent Park Jun Sung

Responders near 7-game UNTV sweep Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. – Judiciary vs GSIS 3:30 p.m. – Senate vs DOJ 5 p.m. – AFP vs Malacañang-PSC

THE Philippine National Police Responders inched closer to a sevengame sweep with yet another overpowering win even as the Department of Justice Boosters kept its playoff hopes alive in the 2nd UNTV Cup Executive Face-Off held over the weekend at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Drawing an inspired game from Supt.

Voltaire Garcia, the Responders clobbered the Senate Sentinels, 86-64, to stay unbeaten in the annual tournament for public servants.

As expected Joel de Mesa led the Responders with 21 points, but it was Garcia, who started the team’s decisive run with his splendid plays down low that saw him net 15 points and 15 boards in the tournament offering P1 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.

Also shining was Philip Phillips, who added 15 points as the Responders handed the Sentinels their second loss in five starts in the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Daniel Razon.

Equally impressive were the DOJ Boosters who stunned the defending champions Armed Forces of the Philippines Cavaliers, 77-69, for their second win in five games.

The Cavaliers’ defeat was their fourth straight in as many games, putting their playoff bid in peril.

In the other game, the Ombudsman Graftbusters moved up to solo second at 4-1 following a 62-42 drubbing of the GSIS Furies.

Police Superintendent Voltaire Rivera (right) sparked PNP’s second quarter breakaway against the Senate Sentinels with his inside plays. The PNP Responders won, 86-64.

Bulacan, Makati crush MPBL foes BALIWAG, BULACAN—Host team Bulacan and new squad Makati encountered rusty starts, but recovered just in time to carve out similar victories over their rivals in the MPBL Datu Cup late Tuesday night at the Baliwag Star Arena here.

The Kuyas, now being handled by Brit Reroma and supported by Mighty Sports, fell by as many as 12 points in the second period before tightening up their defense and coasting to an 80-61 triumph over the Rizal Crusaders.

Makati took on a similar path as it allowed the taller Basilan team to impose their will inside before Cholo Villanueva unleashed their vaunted pressure defense and enabled the Skyscrapers in completing a 77-65 victory over the Steel.

Reroma, who coached recently in

THE cream of the country’s crop of elite road cycling would be banded in what the PhilCycling would call a “Super Team” whose principal objective is to qualify a Filipino to the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics.

PhilCycling President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino gave the marching order to form the “Super Team” as he stressed on a stringent and comprehensive criteria that would determine the composition of the squad.

“We have one full year of achieving a goal of qualifying a Filipino cyclist to the Tokyo Olympics and we want to put together the best of the best on the national team,” said Tolentino, also a congressman from the lone district of Tagaytay City.

Tolentino outlined the criteria for selection that includes a cyclist’s performance in International Cycling Union races, continental and national championships and domestic events, Asia and world ranking and the intangibles such as attitude, ethic and discipline.

“The PhilCycling will scrutinize the cyclists’ credentials and from there, a selection committee in the federation would determine the composition of the team,” Tolentino, chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee, said.

A major reorganization of the national road and track team for men and women is in the offing with Tolentino confirming that the coaching staff would be included in the revamp.

The Road Cycling Qualification System for the 32nd Olympiad in Tokyo pegged the road race roster at 128 men and 65 women with the Top 50 national Olympic committees (countries) earning at least one slot each.

The gold medal winner in next year’s continental championships—in the Asian Cycling Championship’s case, Uzbekistan in March—would get an automatic berth for the Tokyo Games.

The qualifying season starts on Oct. 22 and ends on Oct. 27, 2019.

“We will make sure that we won’t let this opportunity slip our hands,” said Tolentino, who added that the PhilCycling would also band its partners from the private sector—especially sponsors of continental and club teams—to create a pool of godfathers for the “Super Team.”

Malaysia before deciding to come home and take over the coaching reins of the Kuyas, credited their victory to the team’s early preparation.

Reroma is tasked to turn things around the team’s previous finish. Bulacan posted the longest winning streak in the MPBL Rajah Cup, but ended its campaign on a whimper after going down to the Parañaque Patriots, now being supported by F2 Logistics, in the quarterfinals last season.

Long-time teammates James Martinez and JR Taganas joined forces in handing the Kuyas their first win of the season. The ex-pro Martinez finished with 18 points while Taganas came up with a double-double performance of 10 points and a career-tying 16 rebounds.

Games Saturday (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 3 p.m. – Opening ceremonies 4 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs UA-UP 6 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Foton

AFTER figuring in a dramatic championship duel, Petron and F2 Logistics vowed to be more competitive when the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Invitational Conference erupts this Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Blaze Spikers’ coach Shaq Delos Santos said they are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to capture another crown following a successful run in the season-opening Grand Prix of this prestigious women’s club league bankrolled by Isuzu, SOGO Hotel and UCPB Gen with ESPN5, Hyper and Aksyon TV as broadcast partners.

Petron may have lost the triumphant troika of Lindsay Stalzer, Katherine Bell and Yuri Fukuda, but it remains competitive following the return of Sisi Rondina, Bernadeth Pons and Buding Duremdes, as well as the recruitment of Ivana Agudo from Far Eastern University.

Delos Santos said Rondina and Pons are in great shape following a successful defense of their PSL Challenge Cup beach volleyball title last month.

“Aside from Sisi, Pons and Buding, we are coming into the Invitationals with an intact roster,” said Delos Santos, who is pinning his hopes on the veteran crew of Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, Mika Reyes, Remy Palma, Carmela Tunay, Frances Molina and Rhea Dimaculangan.

“I think our chemistry and maturity will be our biggest advantage. We’re coming off a successful title run (in the Grand Prix), so I expect our level of play will be a notch higher.”

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

Poland’s midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak (center) heads the ball during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match between Poland and Senegal at the Spartak Stadium in Moscow. AFP

Phoenix boosts bid for quarterfinals

By Jeric Lopez PHOENIX kept its season alive by showing a lot of life.

The Fuel Masters showed the needed sense of urgency as they unleashed a first-quarter outburst that allowed them to annihilate GlobalPort, 135-108, and snap out of their four-game losing skid in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Eugene Phelps was an absolute workhorse, dropping game-highs of 37 points and 23 rebounds to spearhead the charge for Phoenix, even as Matthews Wright shone as well with 24 points as the Fuel Masters boosted their bid for a berth in the quarterfinals.

Jason Perkins and RJ Jazul added 13 and 11 markers, respectively.

Knowing it needs to get going, Phoenix started with a bang, exploding for 41 points right away in the first quarter to cut loose early with a gigantic 19-point lead, 41-22.

That explosive start proved to be the difference as it paved the way for a total blowout.

Phoenix maintained its lead and kept it at the half, 70-51, before taking care of business further in the second half all the way to victory.

By the end of the third, the Fuel Masters stretched its lead further to 30, 107-77.

The win enabled the Fuel Masters to stay in the hunt for a quarterfinals’ berth as they improved to 4-6 with a game left. At the same time, the loss put the Batang Pier in a dangerous spot as it dropped to 4-5.

Both teams are knotted in the middle of a tight race from the No. 7 to 10 spots in the standings.

They need to score wins in their final assignments to have a good shot of making it to the next round.

Malcolm White had a team-high 24 points for the Batang Pier.

The scores: Phoenix 135—Phelps 37, Wright 24, Perkins 13, Jazul 11, Revilla 9, Intal 9, Gamboa 9, Kramer 6, Wilson 6, Dehesa 4, Guevarra 3, Chua 2, Mendoza 2, Eriobu 0.

GlobalPort 108—White 24, Anthony 15, Pringle 14, Javelona 10, Pringle 9, Grey 9, Elorde 9, Guinto 8, Arana 7, Tautuaa 6, Gabayni 2, Flores 2, Nabong 1, Bulawan 0.

Quarters: 41-22, 70-51, 107-77, 135-108.

Cray, Beram face ax from national team

By Peter Atencio

T

RACK and field Fil-American stars Eric Shauwn Cray and Trentem Beram could face sanctions, or worse, be dropped from the national team by the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association if found guilty of intentionally missing the 2018 Korean Open last week.

Athletics’ chief Philip Ella Juico on Tuesday revealed the PATAFA is currently investigating the two sprinters after finding out that they did not compete in the Korean Open, which was a very crucial part of their preparation for the coming Asian Games campaign in Indonesia.

Cray and Beram were supposed to suit up in the men’s 4x100-meter relay with Anfernee Lopena and Clinton Bautista to improve their International Association of Athletics Federations’ ranking and boost their campaign for the coming Asiad.

But the duo never did.

They just submitted a two-paragraph letter to the Patafa office, expressing regret about their failure to compete due to miscommunication, an act which Juico deemed unfair and unacceptable.

“The Korean Open is a very crucial tournament because we need to gain points for their IAAF ranking, which I would use in justifying their participation

in the 4x100 event of the Asian Games,” Juico said. “They didn’t even notify me.

All they did was sent our secretary a two-paragraph explanation, saying that it was a simple case of miscommunication. I think it was very unacceptable and unfair.”

The athletics’ chief said he already informed the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee about the possibility of dropping the two from their Asian Games’ roster, considering the Indonesia Asian Games Organizing Committee’s deadline for the submission of names is still on June 30.

“We will have a teleconference tonight with their parents,” said the former PSC chairman, minister of Agrarian Reform and dean of De La Salle University Graduate School. “I want to know if they are still willing to play for the country because it seems that they’re no longer interested based on their recent action. But whatever happens, they

will receive an email from me to inform them of what disciplinary action we would make.”

Cray is a two-time Olympian, who also ruled the men’s 400-meter hurdles’ event of the Southeast Asian Games thrice in four editions, while settling for a silver medal in the men’s 60-meter run of the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games last year in Turkmenistan and the bronze at the 60-m event of the 2016 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. He also won the gold medal at the 400 meter hurdles of the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, clocking 49.57 seconds to end the Philippines’ eight- year gold drought in the continental tournament.

On the other hand, Beram made it to the athletic spotlight after topping the men’s 400-meter and 200-meter runs of the Kuala Lumpur SEA Games.

The two joined the Ayala Philippine Athletics Championship in Ilagan City in Isabela early this month, but joined a limited number of events before going back to the United States supposedly to “prepare” for the Korean tournament.

If the two are dropped from the athletics’ team, they won’t be the first elite athletes to get the ax.

The most recent of them was Olympian Mary Joy Tabal, who nearly lost her spot a couple of years ago for training on her own.

ANG STARTS STRONG IN ASIAN KARTING. Jacob Ang

of the Eagle Cement Racing Team ruled the F125 SR Open/F125 Veteran Open/X30 SR category in the first round of the 2018 Asian Karting Open Championship Series recently at the Kartrodomo De Colaone in Macau. Eduardo Coseteng of the PSR/Petron Racing Team bested Japanese Kaito Tsukada of Asia B Racing Team for second, while Reece Ushijima (United Kingdom) and Yan Liang (China) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the four-leg event that will resume on July 14 and 15 at the Carmona Race Track. Last year, Ang won the overall crowns of the Formula 125 Sr. Open and X30 SR classes.

Senegal coach: We earned our victory MOSCOW—Senegal coach Aliou Cisse warned World Cup rivals that the West Africans had added tactical expertise to their enormous talent Tuesday after they opened their campaign with a convincing 2-1 win over Poland.

Cisse conceded there was an element of luck as Senegal benefited from a deflected Thiago Cionek own goal and a terrible error by ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny, but said the Polish mistakes came through pressure exerted by his team.

“We earned our victory, we worked very hard for it,” he said after the win, which puts Senegal at the top of Group H, ahead of Japan on goal difference.

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak got Poland back in the game with an 86th-minute header but Senegal held on at Moscow’s Spartak Stadium.

It was a match billed as a straight fight between super-strikers Robert Lewandowski and Sadio Mane but Cisse said Senegal “controlled the game tactically and emotionally” to contain the Bayern Munich dangerman.

He said they would bring the same focus to their next match against Japan on Sunday, when Poland will play Colombia.

“Let’s not underestimate Senegal.

We knew this Poland team very well,” he said.

“We knew their systems... we knew exactly how this team was going to move and that Lewandowski was their main threat, and we implemented the right system to play them.”

Poland coach Adam Nawalka was fuming at the performance of his team, ranked eighth in the world to Senegal’s 27th.

“There were many bad elements in the match,” he said.

“We did not match our opponent’s quality. The Polish team will have to regenerate and recuperate.”

Poland are in the finals for the first time since exiting at the group stages in 2006 and are desperate to improve on the third-place finishes in 1974 and 1982. AFP

Best collegiate stars feted today THE very best individual performers of collegiate basketball are set to be feted as the UAAP–NCAA Press Corps names the Mythical Team of the 2017 season in the Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Basketball Awards on Thursday at The Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros.

Robert Bolick and Thirdy Ravena, the key cogs behind San Beda and Ateneo’s championship runs, lead the selection, together with MVPs CJ Perez of Lyceum and Ben Mbala of La Salle.

Floor general Matt Nieto, also of Ateneo, complete the cast that will be feted in the awards night sponsored by Chooks-to-Go. After steering the Red Lions to their 21st title in the NCAA, Bolick is a shooin to the mythical team particularly with how he performed in the Finals against the Pirates.

The 6’1” guard out of Leyte missed out on individual accolades in the NCAA after being suspended for a game, but his year-long effort for the Red Lions isn’t about to go unnoticed.

Ateneo’s homegrown pair of Ravena and Nieto also made the cut in the awards ceremony after steering the Blue Eagles to their first title in five years.

The duo showed great improvement from seasons before, not only in the individual aspect of the game, but in being the leaders of the young Ateneo side coached by Tab Baldwin.

Mitchell: Show confidence, don’t back down

By Rochelle Salvador

Utah Jazz star rookie and adidas endorser Donovan Mitchell with PBA veteran Chris Tiu Rochelle Salvador

CONFIDENCE is a trait that top Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell has plenty of.

And it is one of the reasons why he is currently in the running for the the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award, despite being outside of the Top 10 and picked 13th overall during the 2017 NBA Draft.

“Act like you belong. If you don’t show that confidence, a lot of guys will thrive off of that. You can’t back down,” said Mitchell, who visited Manila for the first time for a promotional tour organized by his sponsor adidas last Sunday.

The 21-year-old Mitchell, who is coming off a stellar rookie season, shared his first-year experience in the NBA in a special press conference at the adidas store in Bonifacio Global City in Taguig on Sunday.

He was named as one of the top contenders for the NBA 2018 Rookie of the Year Award averaging 20.5 points per game, 3.7 rebounds and 3.7 assists during the regular season.

Mitchell said that about the same time last year, he didn’t have any idea if he was going to go in the first round of the draft.

Now, aside from being in the running for the top rookie award,

Mitchell also crowned himself the Slam Dunk king during the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend.

When asked what’s next for him now that he is no longer a rookie, he said: “Just get better defensively and find ways to hit the tough shots.”

Mitchell’s climb to stardom was the subject of a short-form digital docu-series titled “Rookie On The Rise” which first premiered on Young Hollywood earlier in April.

Mitchell revealed in the 11th episode of the series how he earned the moniker ‘Spida’. It turned out that a former teammate’s dad first called him that name and it stuck ever since.

In the same press conference,

Mitchell also mentioned qualities that aspiring players must possess in order to succeed.

“Work ethic, fundamentals, listening to your parents, having fun and keeping good people around you. Understand that mistakes are part of it,” said Mitchell, who was joined on the panel by the local star and PBA veteran Chris Tiu, Gilas player Kobe Paras and the new UP Fighting Maroon Bright Akhuetie, who all got to impart a bit about themselves as well.

After the press conference, Mitchell showed his dribbling skills and shooting fundamentals to young basketball players at the Taft Food by the Court.

5 Japan banks agree to back PH Samurai bond issuance

FIVE Japanese banks expressed full support for the Philippine government’s planned ‘Samurai’ bonds issuance in the third quarter, the Finance Department said Wednesday.

Top officials of Japan’s five largest banks―the Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Nomura Holdings Inc., Mizuho Bank Ltd., Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and Daiwa Securities Group Inc.―said they expected strong demand for the Philippines’ Samurai bond float, the first since 2010.

They expressed their interest in separate meetings with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III during the Philippine delegation’s visit to Tokyo.

The Samurai bond sale, planned in September or October this year, would be the first one to be issued by the Philippine government without any guarantee from a Japanese institution.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation, through its Market Access Support Facility, guaranteed the bond issue the Philippine government’s Samurain bond sale in 2010. raised funds through the float of “Samurai” bonds, t The facility was established to assist Asia’s developing countries in accessing international capital markets following the global financial crisis of 2008.

The Philippines through private banks floated bonds in the Japanese market with seven Samurai bond issues since 1978. The eighth in 2010 was issued by the Philippine government with JBIC support.

The ninth bond issuance set this year with no guarantee fees involved would mean lower financial costs for the Philippine government.

Officials of MUFG led by its president and chief executive Saburo Araki said in a meeting with Dominguez there was “strong confidence in the Philippines now and into the future” among Japanese investors.

“We are extremely supportive of the bond issue …We are very excited and pleased for the inauguration or possible issuance,” Araki said.

Julito G. Rada

IN BRIEF

Ayala Land Premier sells out Davao tower

AYALA Land Premier, the luxury residential brand of major property developer Ayala Land Inc., has sold out its first premium tower residential project in Davao City with sales valued at P2.6 billion.

ALP head of sales and marking Paolo Viray said in a press briefing the first tower of the two-tower development, called The Residences at Azuela Cove within 25-hectare Azuela Cove, was sold out upon its launching day.

The low-density residence features only 70 expansive units priced at around P33.1 million each, with two iconic penthouse units worth P80.8 million.

Viray said local residents purchased 70 percent of the units while buyers from Metro Manila with businesses and families in Davao bought while 15 percent. The balance was sold to buyers from abroad and neighboring provinces of Davao.

“What we are seeing is the confidence of the Davao market in the project’s unique and first-of-its-kind concept. The luxury seaside condominium is a first in Davao, and offers... balconies and commanding sea views... ,” Viray said. Jenniffer B. Austria

PDAX set to launch trading venue in Q3

THE country’s first digital trading platform, Philippine Digital Asset Exchange or PDAX, plans to launch an enterprise-grade trading venue in the third quarter to give support to an emerging blockchain-backed economy in the Philippines.

PDAX chief executive CEO Nichel Gaba noted a rising momentum of investing in digital assets and cryptocurrencies in the Philippines.

“We always believe that in the future assets will be in the blockchain. They will need to be traded on an exchange, that’s where we will come in,” Gaba said in an interview Wednesday.

A few countries were ahead in the adoption of the blockchain technology, like the US and Canada, he said.

Singapore is the most advanced in Southeast Asia with efforts to create its own cryptocurrency.

“But the Philippines is not far behind. We’re slightly ahead among other countries in the Asean because we have supportive regulators and our population is very active in the web,” Gaba said. Othel V. Campos

AirTrav spending $6m to buy two new aircraft

AIRTRAV Corp. will spend $6 million this year to acquire two brand new aircraft for its expansion in Visayas.

“Hopefully, we could still expand by next year to Visayas and hopefully also in Mindanao by next year,” AirTrav president Jacob Cusi told reporters Wednesday.

“If the market is right, we plan to get more planes, (it)depends on the market,” he added.

The company currently owns one Cessna Grand Caravan Ex Amphibian, which flies from Manila-Clark-Manila and Puerto GaleraManila. It also offer charter flights.

Cusi said his company was optimistic about its operations with a goal to carry 500 passengers this year.

“The market is very good now that tourism is booming for the Philippines. It’s very high.

Industry also in Clark, the commerce, it’s very good. We have a lot of tourists coming in from China, Korea, all over the world. It’s increasing every year,” he added.

The company operates out of its own hangar at the Manila International Airport in Pasay City, flying the Robinson R-44 Raven II and the Cessna Grand Caravan Ex Amphibian.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

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BSP raises interest rates by 25 bps T “In deciding to raise policy interest rates, the Monetary Board noted that ination expectations remained elevated for HE Monetary Board, fl2018 and that the risk of possible secondthe policy-making round effects from ongoing price pressures argued for follow-through monetary body of the Bangko policy action,” Bangko Sentral Governor Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Nestor Espenilla Jr. said in a briefing following the policy meeting.

Wednesday raised for He said while inflation expectations rethe second time this year mained within the target range for 2019, the benchmark overnight elevated expectations for 2018 highlightborrowing rate by 25 basis ed the risk posed by sustained price preson future wage and price outcomes. points to 3.5 percent to ward sures “Today we are announcing a 25-basis off possible second-round point hike based on the latest data... We will continue to monitor the data flow,” effects of inflation.

The interest rates on the overnight Espenilla said.

The rate hike was the second time this lending and deposit facilities were also year, after the first 25-bps increase on increased accordingly.

By Julito G. Rada

May 10. Before that, board had kept interest rates at record low for four years..

Espenilla expressed confidence that the two rate hikes would be sufficient for inflation to return to the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent in 2019. He said the occurrence of inflation’s second-round effects “remain to be seen.”

Inflation in May accelerated to 4.6 percent from 4.5 percent in April, bringing the first five months’ average to 4.1 percent, slightly beyond the upper limit of the target range of 2 percent to 4 percent.

“Equally important, while latest baseline forecasts have shifted lower for 2018 to 2019, upside risks continue to dominate the inflation outlook,” he said.

Espenilla said the impact of international oil and commodity price movements on overall inflation was expected

to be stronger, given the prevailing robust aggregate demand conditions.

The board reduced the inflation forecast this year to 4.5 percent from the estimate of 4.6 percent made during the May 10 meeting. The forecast for 2019 was cut to 3.3 percent from 3.4 percent.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said the board took into account the possibility of the declining oil prices, and the assessment of the International Monetary Fund of the brighter outlook for the global economy.

Espenilla said further policy action would enable the Bangko Sentral to reinforce its signal on safeguarding macroeconomic stability in an environment of rising commodity prices and ongoing normalization of monetary policy in advanced economies.

IRC gets original proponent status for Makati subway

By Jenniffer B. Austria

INVESTOR ASSISTANCE. The Board of Investments is further strengthening its assistance to investors in the hotel and housing sectors as the agency conducted an Investor Awareness Seminar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. The seminar aims to enhance the awareness of potential investors on the requirements, rules and regulations, policies and procedures and processes in doing business in the Philippine hotel and housing sectors. BoI executive director Raul Angeles (top photo) addresses the seminar participants.

Pru Life UK gets nod to set up Manila trust subsidiary F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.3950

Japan

Yen

0.009088

0.4853

UK

Pound

1.318200

70.3853

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127403

6.8027

Switzerland

Franc

1.006137

53.7227

Canada

Dollar

0.752899

40.2010

Singapore

Dollar

0.737083

39.3565

Australia

Dollar

0.738100

39.4108

Bahrain

Dinar

2.647394

141.3576

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

14.2379

Brunei

Dollar

0.734376

39.2120

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000072

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030497

1.6284

UAE

Dirham

0.272272

14.5380

Euro

Euro

1.159200

61.8955

Korea

Won

0.000900

0.0481

China

Yuan

0.154250

8.2362

India

Rupee

0.014640

0.7817

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.249875

13.3421

New Zealand

Dollar

0.689900

36.8372

Taiwan

Dollar

0.033143

1.7697

Source: PDS Bridge

THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas approved the application of British life insurer Pru Life UK to set up a trust company in the Philippines.

Pru Life, a subsidiary of international financial services group Prudential Plc, said in a statement Wednesday the approval would pave the way for the further expansion of its business in the Philippines by offering asset management services and trust products.

The new company will be called Pru Life UK Asset Management and Trust Corp. and will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Pru Life UK, the pioneer of investment-linked life insurance products in the Philippines.

“The establishment of the trust corporation will complement Pru Life UK’s insurance business and allow us to provide more value to our customers by offering them a wider range of financial solutions,” Pru Life UK vice president and chief investment officer Anthony Garces said.

“Pru Life UK believes that the creation of our stand-alone trust company will provide greater convenience to our customers as they further consolidate

their funds with us and work with fewer fund managers,” Garces said.

He said customers and the general public would benefit from having more financial planning options with Pru Life UK, whether relating to protection, insuravest or investments.

“This is a mission we aim to realize with the support of Pru Life UK’s agency force, the largest in the country,” Pru Life UK president Antonio de De Rosas said.

The officials said the establishment of Pru Life UK Asset Management and Trust Corp. reinforced the British life insurer’s long-standing commitment in securing the financial well-being of Filipino families.

The Insurance Commission granted Pru Life UK the license to operate and sell life insurance products in the Philippines in 1996. Since then, Pru Life UK has expanded its reach to over 130 branches in the country, with the biggest life agency force of more than 20,000 licensed agents and emerged as one of the top five life insurers.

Pru Life UK holds headquarters in Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Julito G. Rada

IRC Properties Inc. and its Chinese partners secured an ‘original proponent status’ from the city government of Makati for the proposed $3.7-billion Makati intra-city rail transport system.

IRC, a listed property developer formerly Interport Resources Corp., said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the unsolicited proposal would now proceed to the next phase of the Public-Private Partnership process after the project was accepted by the Makati government for “purposes of detailed negotiations on the technical and financial aspects” of the project.

Under the proposal, the IRC-led consortium would build an 11-kilometer intra-city subway system with eight to 10 stations to connect key points in Makati’s two districts with no cash-out on the part of the city.

IRC said the proposed subway would complement the mass transport projects of the national government, interconnecting with the Metro Rail Transit Line 3, the proposed Metro Manila Mega Subway and Pasig River ferry.

The estimated total cost of the project is $3.7 billion.

IRC said with a daytime population of 4.5 million, the project would alleviate the traffic coming in and out of Makati.

“IRC’s proposal is aligned with the national government’s aggressive infrastructure program as well as Makati’s goal to be a digital city. Not only will it move people quicker, it will allow people to be more productive and spend more time with their families.

The project will also create thousands of jobs and reduce the carbon footprint due to lesser cars on the streets,” IRC executive vice president Georgina Monsod said.

Monsod said IRC recently proposed to increase its authorized capital to P10.5 billion from P1.5 billion.

IRC said several Chinese companies including Greenland Holdings Group, Jiangsu Provincial Construction Group Co. Ltd., Holdings Ltd. and China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. expressed interest to participate in the project.

PEMC to revamp board as new group takes over operations of spot market

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHILIPPINE Electricity Market Corp. said it will elect on Monday a new 15man board of directors as a key step for the turnover of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market to an independent market operator.

PEMC chief operating officer and member of the transition committee Francis Saturnino Juan said the election would be held on Monday. The new board, composed of 11 sectoral and four independent directors, will be revealed on the same day.

“It is another milestone in our transition to having an independent market operator for WESM as required in Epira [Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001],” Juan said.

WESM acts as the country’s trading floor of electricity while PEMC operates the spot market.

Juan said the turnover date of PEMC’s market operations to the IMO was not yet set. The Independent Electricity Market Operator of the Philippines was formed to

assume the functions of the market operator.

“We’re still firming up timelines for discussion with the board,” he said.

The Energy Department directed PEMC to enter into an operating agreement with the IMO by June 30.

The timeline is contained in the recently released draft circular for the efficient transition of the WESM to the IMO regime.

The draft department circular on IMO governance arrangements primarily stipulates additional guidance and operational safeguards for the WESM under the IMO to ensure transparency, competitiveness, the protection of public interest, and integrity of the WESM. “Since the DOE, through the Energy Secretary, would no longer sit as chair of the PEM board, the DOE must ensure that the correct policies are in place, and are consistent with the Epira, which remains above all existing rules, articles of incorporation, bylaws and any transition plan. The draft department circular also seeks to prevent any conflict of interest in the functions of the market operator,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said.

RESORTS WORLD ‘S AWARDS. Resorts World Manila wins three awards during the prestigious 2018 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards on June 1 in Hong Kong for its marketing, community relations and corporate events projects in 2017. The Stevie Awards is the world’s premier business awards that recognize the achievements and positive contributions of organizations and working professionals in the region.

Receiving the awards are (from left) Cheenee Villafuerte and Leny Escalante of Resorts World Manila’s integrated marketing team and event host Lisa Kelley.

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Business

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market falls for 5th straight day

T

HE stock market tumbled Wednesday for the fifth straight day ahead of the Monetary Board meeting late in the afternoon, even as the threat of a China-US trade war hangs over markets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 50.99 points, or 0.7 percent, to a near 16-month low of 7,261.62 on a value turnover of P5.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 103 to 92, with 45 issues unchanged.

The index is now close to the bear territory. A bear market occurs when the index declines 20 percent from its peak of 9,058.62 on January 29, 2018, or to 7,246.90.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc., which is into power generation and distribution, banking, infrastructure and flour milling, declined 3.9 percent

to P59.75, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the biggest fast-food chain, lost 1.8 percent to P279.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, fell 1.2 percent to P129, while Bank of the Philippine Islands, slipped 1.2 percent to P91.

The rest of Asian equities rose Wednesday on bargain-buying after the previous day’s battering, but investors remain anxious as the threat of a ChinaUS trade war hangs over markets.

Hong Kong was up 0.8 percent in the afternoon after dropping 2.8 percent Tuesday, while Shanghai ended up 0.3 percent―a small dent in the previous day’s 3.8 percent loss.

Tokyo ended 1.2 percent higher while Sydney gained by a similar percentage, Singapore added 0.7 percent and Seoul put on one percent. There were also gains in Wellington, Taipei and Bangkok.

Shanghai and Hong Kong bore the

brunt of the sell-off Tuesday after Beijing warned it would retaliate in kind to Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of Chinese goods, amounting to much of its exports to the US. The standoff follows weeks of fruitless talks between the world’s two biggest economies, with the White House accusing China of a string of unfair practices including cyber-theft and forced technology transfers that are hurting American jobs and companies.

Tuesday’s developments surprised many traders who had characterized Trump’s protectionist rhetoric as part of a strategy to get a better deal from China.

Trump senior economic aide Peter Navarro continued the forceful language Tuesday by saying China had more to lose from a trade war because it shipped more to the US.

He also maintained the administration was acting “to defend the crown jewels of American technology from China’s aggressive behavior”.

Navarro said the White House was open to talks but warned: “The fundamental reality is talk is cheap.

Delay is expensive.”

“Markets are faring much better as investors’ emotions have tempered, but in general, markets remain in wait and see mode,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. “Clarity is power but given the lack thereof, it’s a struggle to get back in the saddle as a sense of once bitten, twice shy continues to permeate.

“The spoils of trade war have attracted bargain-hunting but completely trusting the markets in the aftermath of yesterday’s meltdown is bordering on too soon, too quick as sentiment remains very apprehensive.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2018

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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 FILIPINO FUND MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

59 92.15 2.72 130 1.6 33.9 6.69 16.64 15 3.67 8.65 0.53 72 1.08 48.8 200 29 205 88.5

59 93.5 2.72 131.5 1.64 34 6.69 16.64 15 3.86 8.65 0.54 73.85 1.13 49.9 200.2 29.7 205 88.7

58.75 91 2.71 128 1.57 33.7 6.69 16.48 14.8 3.6 8.63 0.53 72 1.08 48.8 200 29 199.8 88.5

FINANCIALS 59 5,000 91 1,119,260 2.71 25,000 129 1,826,130 1.58 155,000 33.75 81,500 6.69 100 16.48 21,000 15 353,400 3.78 274,000 8.64 13,900 0.54 279,000 72.7 4,674,510 1.11 725,000 49.9 1,100 200 1,110 29.3 76,600 200 372,300 88.7 13,800

294,750 102,605,627.50 67,810 235,531,369 244,900 2,756,055 669 346,298 5,294,222 1,028,260 120,177 148,310 341,346,545.50 796,760 53,790 222,200 2,240,735 74,581,722 1,223,723

265,250 -91,253,581.50 -87,114,613 -4,920 -30,600 4,992 2,134,720 7,320 -5,300 -56,009,886 -39,040 292,000 9,163,008 638,378.00

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA 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 LMG CHEMICALS MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP RFM CORP ROXAS AND CO ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SMC FOODANDBEV SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VITARICH VULCAN INDL

37.3 15.16 0.61 1.25 26 0.239 3.01 16.6 49.95 23.4 63.5 89.95 1.94 5 8.2 10.4 15.8 11 7.18 5.26 14.6 61.6 21.9 7.95 14.9 2.33 278.4 5.12 16.7 27 11.72 22.3 342.6 0.187 6.62 2.22 4.32 8.99 6.06 1.29 12 51.3 5.85 4.55 2.31 3.7 2 12.68 60.7 5.09 0.125 0.97 116 2.7 1.69

37.6 15.18 0.62 1.25 27.45 0.24 3.06 16.6 50.05 23.75 63.5 89.95 1.96 5 8.2 10.5 16 11.68 7.2 5.26 14.92 63.7 22 7.95 15.26 2.43 282 5.12 16.7 27 11.72 22.35 342.6 0.187 6.62 2.28 4.32 9 6.33 1.29 12.24 51.3 6 4.55 2.6 3.7 2 12.7 63 5.15 0.135 0.97 117.7 2.74 1.76

37 14.96 0.59 1.22 23.95 0.225 2.99 16.08 49.5 23.3 58.95 89.95 1.93 5 8.05 10.28 15.64 11 7.16 5.2 14.54 61.6 21 7.62 14.86 2.27 278.4 5.03 16.18 26.5 11.44 21.5 338.2 0.18 6.61 2.2 4.3 8.83 6 1.21 11.9 50.85 5.8 4.55 2.23 3.57 1.96 12.6 60.2 5.01 0.124 0.94 114.5 2.65 1.52

INDUSTRIAL 37 1,771,700 15.02 1,000,700 0.62 1,264,000 1.22 114,000 24.9 144,600 0.229 7,010,000 3.04 828,000 16.34 2,257,400 49.8 428,400 23.65 19,500 58.95 1,790 89.95 20 1.94 201,000 5 5,700 8.06 29,900 10.3 1,198,000 15.9 634,800 11.4 6,800 7.18 4,955,100 5.2 1,544,700 14.76 181,400 63 37,860 21.85 14,700 7.62 85,600 15.24 191,300 2.37 2,740,000 279 726,920 5.12 26,100 16.18 8,900 27 207,700 11.52 149,400 21.8 2,508,200 341 348,460 0.186 30,000 6.61 2,000 2.28 288,000 4.3 47,000 9 1,170,200 6.14 2,345,700 1.25 384,000 12.24 113,400 51 915,430 6 690,600 4.55 103,000 2.57 1,094,000 3.57 74,000 2 159,000 12.64 940,100 63 114,580 5.11 87,400 0.133 7,180,000 0.94 2,000 116 860,380 2.69 6,001,000 1.52 47,919,000

65,631,715 15,045,180 773,960 139,310 3,640,015 1,625,290 2,499,690 36,893,492 21,366,015 459,675 111,072.50 1,799 390,120 28,500 241,167 12,421,692 10,057,832 76,768 35,568,702 8,033,662 2,660,224 2,348,010.50 318,735 671,812 2,892,866 6,449,680 203,029,316 131,742 145,110 5,597,805 1,721,674 55,101,705 118,702,028 5,530 13,225 636,480 202,840 10,450,257 14,463,942 479,760 1,364,324 46,781,240 4,038,365 468,650 2,731,450 265,380 315,620 11,898,704 7,108,081 441,469 915,000 1,910 99,655,859 16,224,760 80,115,000

-33,816,450.00 3,364,612 127,500 -80,200 -319,660 905,416 -9,960 -57,900 -226,536 -474,398 1,574,960 -32,940,077 1,906,896 -1,544,464 675,842 -13,110 -327,942 1,472,034 -66,990.00 -2,501,538 -693,095 575,842 -46,679,930 12,513,772 -8,840 -43,200 2,015,780 -108,340 849,347.50 181,401 213,850 30,960 -9,950 -9,400,632 -1,208,975 5,020 -16,124,935 1,424,140 -7,360,430

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

0.244 60.1 12.48 0.95 6.02 0.63 0.65 910 6.3 10.24 7.28 4.98 990 6.89 52 0.58 3.72 19.04 0.58 4.76 0.037 1.23 2.77 2.95 139.5 2.56 885 0.8 1.63 563 255.8 0.228 0.255

0.265 61.8 12.6 0.95 6.02 0.64 0.66 923 6.38 10.38 7.64 4.98 994 6.89 52.5 0.59 3.73 19.46 0.63 4.8 0.045 1.27 2.84 2.95 139.8 2.56 885 0.8 1.65 563 260 0.228 0.265

0.24 59.75 12.42 0.95 6.02 0.62 0.64 910 6.17 10.18 7.28 4.98 975 6.89 49.5 0.55 3.66 18.78 0.58 4.71 0.037 1.2 2.74 2.94 138.2 2.55 872.5 0.8 1.58 550 255 0.228 0.233

HOLDING FIRMS 0.241 6,280,000 59.75 2,177,470 12.5 4,652,900 0.95 124,000 6.02 100 0.63 2,763,000 0.66 1,807,000 915 234,600 6.38 1,201,400 10.2 5,960,400 7.4 37,700 4.98 2,000 975 142,030 6.89 100 49.7 2,071,490 0.58 320,000 3.7 343,000 18.9 10,128,100 0.62 4,391,000 4.74 29,523,000 0.044 159,700,000 1.24 500,000 2.74 808,000 2.95 153,000 139.8 181,530 2.55 16,000 875 341,880 0.8 40,000 1.58 1,582,000 550 20 260 13,140 0.228 180,000 0.233 3,100,000

1,555,590 130,693,799 58,113,354 117,800 602 1,736,310 1,162,780 214,691,880 7,565,614 61,125,712 284,188 9,960 138,801,300 689 104,464,396.50 177,650 1,272,270 192,242,280 2,666,710 140,073,910 6,686,300 609,150 2,238,030 451,110 25,292,208 40,810 299,283,450 32,000 2,507,790 11,130 3,373,600 41,040 779,590

48,000 -95,038,837 -47,357,214 -602 -8,088,610 2,509,500 -26,109,004 -46,308,765 -61,780,548.50 -712,950 -74,897,372 -14,695,590 251,000 11,240 5,882,209 26,550,780 -81,500 90,660

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

7.5 1 13.8 2.03 0.79 38.45 3.29 4.67 5.6 6 0.45 1.01 0.96 0.219 0.42 25.25 0.61 0.124 1.59 1.23 1.14 4.52 0.6 0.435 0.51 3.03 19.34 2.03

7.63 1 14.6 2.03 0.8 38.75 3.3 4.69 5.96 6 0.455 1.05 0.97 0.225 0.42 25.85 0.61 0.124 1.59 1.24 1.36 4.65 0.62 0.435 0.51 3.15 19.68 2.05

7.48 0.99 13.36 2.02 0.78 38.15 3.28 4.59 5.55 6 0.445 1.01 0.95 0.215 0.42 25.05 0.61 0.113 1.57 1.22 1.11 4.52 0.58 0.41 0.495 2.93 19.24 2.03

8,952,354 3,015,670 69,206 8,090 466,820 546,155,320 118,360 1,606,510 215,506 27,600 2,092,050 37,120 196,000 2,834,760 4,200 6,678,600 51,850 14,380 3,930,170 2,142,110 33,846,430 83,418,000 23,470,280 1,489,800 1,610,300 22,852,990 52,347,926 850,400

-4,709,550 -6,000 -167,555,285 23,070 4,670 230,250 267,125 -171,380 -3,514,920.00 23,247,850 1,830 -114,410 7,933,698 -

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

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

3.3 34.75 1.1 9 0.78 6.66

3.33 34.95 1.1 9 0.79 6.79

3.26 34.1 1.09 8 0.78 6.59

3.33 34.5 1.1 8.4 0.79 6.7

757,000 9,270,500 597,000 1,557,900 15,000 2,086,100

2,519,010 319,775,130 651,970 13,221,946 11,830 13,908,561

-716,300 4,347,340 16,500 402,039 -7,542,174

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 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

15.6 26.2 0.455 0.044 13.04 11.2 0.053 81.9 7.6 18.6 940 1,661 5.64 302.8 11.32 3.35 2.19 83.1 8.21 0.118 2 4.89 14.98 4.03 1.06 25 4.03 5.9 2.84 3.32 3.13 18.2 9.52 11.28 9.55 3.05 120 5.19 1,248 0.9 0.355 47.75 81.55 8.4 2.09 1.17 0.44 4.93 0.81 11.74

15.6 26.2 0.465 0.045 13.04 11.24 0.058 81.9 7.72 19.78 940 1,661 5.64 309 11.32 3.45 2.49 84 8.21 0.178 2.2 4.92 14.98 4.09 1.06 25 4.19 5.91 2.89 3.32 3.36 18.98 9.52 11.28 9.55 3.2 120 5.32 1,248 0.92 0.355 48.2 81.6 8.64 2.09 1.19 0.44 4.93 0.82 11.76

15.16 25.95 0.45 0.044 12.8 11.02 0.053 81 7.6 18.5 940 1,635 5.46 301.2 11.32 3.3 2.19 81.55 8.16 0.118 1.88 4.6 14.6 3.99 1.02 24.65 4 5.6 2.7 3.08 3.04 18.2 8.98 11.28 8.7 3.02 120 5.19 1,220 0.89 0.35 47.75 79.2 8.1 2.06 1.16 0.425 4.88 0.8 11.5

SERVICES 15.6 25.95 0.45 0.045 13.02 11.06 0.054 81.9 7.61 18.98 940 1,652 5.58 308.6 11.32 3.37 2.48 81.55 8.18 0.16 2.1 4.73 14.98 4.09 1.03 24.7 4.19 5.6 2.71 3.12 3.2 18.98 9.1 11.28 9 3.12 120 5.2 1,230 0.9 0.35 47.85 79.5 8.1 2.08 1.18 0.43 4.9 0.81 11.7

3,900 116,700 2,010,000 4,400,000 40,000 3,273,600 20,730,000 23,080 785,200 239,900 500 36,595 438,200 5,560 200 805,000 898,000 490,120 17,200 696,480,000 28,784,000 239,000 6,400 504,000 551,000 468,100 33,000 2,769,200 1,449,000 2,159,000 55,000 9,200 5,133,900 400 6,900 114,000 3,920 224,200 91,680 8,936,000 310,000 1,024,300 475,480 256,700 1,606,000 955,000 5,000,000 431,000 2,894,000 341,800

60,360 3,045,200 911,250 196,600 514,616 36,350,874 1,149,990 1,880,761.50 5,993,280 4,599,856 470,000 60,364,870 2,409,967 1,700,512 2,264 2,713,730 2,150,230 40,282,172 140,705 109,974,270 59,367,700 1,126,480 94,048 2,034,020 563,700 11,553,230 132,800 15,645,950 4,007,480 6,815,400 172,320 173,368 47,135,208 4,512 62,094 359,570 470,400 1,176,547 112,830,510 8,033,970 109,000 49,047,720 38,114,756.50 2,106,098 3,326,900 1,114,210 2,155,500 2,112,590 2,330,240 3,984,690

304,280 -2,038,728 -398,988 76,200 8,557,975 -30,264 -53,160 49,800 -27,299,567 -467,540.00 -312,860 -92,000.00 14,980 -4,050 -204,000 343,330 -4,070,548 -8,930 -240,844 -9,360 415,200 104,200 5,541,090 -6,358,200 35,000 15,140,385 -4,117,949 1,097,240 -109,100 -760,430 -4,860 1,704,156

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

0.0027 1.54 24 1.73 0.3 7.99 2.34 0.18 0.133 0.0083 1.54 4.7 1.1 0.51 0.88 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.05 4.8 11.3 29.2 0.0063

0.0028 1.55 24.4 1.73 0.3 7.99 2.34 0.197 0.133 0.0085 1.56 4.77 1.1 0.57 0.9 0.012 0.013 0.012 2.05 4.85 11.3 29.9 0.0063

0.0026 1.53 22.3 1.7 0.295 7.6 2.29 0.18 0.132 0.0083 1.54 4.68 1.06 0.51 0.87 0.012 0.013 0.011 2.05 4.8 10.96 29.1 0.0063

MINING & OIL 0.0028 258,000,000 1.55 440,000 24 67,600 1.7 213,000 0.3 1,200,000 7.79 16,400 2.33 1,354,000 0.19 940,000 0.133 2,230,000 0.0085 28,000,000 1.56 170,000 4.74 6,455,000 1.08 42,000 0.57 24,000 0.9 162,000 0.012 48,500,000 0.013 3,700,000 0.011 17,200,000 2.05 15,000 4.85 23,000 11.06 761,200 29.25 1,257,400 0.0063 1,000,000

703,300 677,410 1,562,680 363,750 359,500 129,280 3,140,350 173,950 296,330 237,600 263,460 30,371,150 45,300 13,220 141,970 582,000 48,100 196,700 30,750 111,250 8,420,312 36,813,755 6,300

99,650 24,785,550 -6,500 -137,190 -14,173,375 -

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

499 508 101 100 111 505 5.27 990 99.5 1.03 1,021 1,099 108 2.1 975 76.4 79.5 78.1 76 76.1

499 508 101 100 111 505 5.3 990 99.5 1.03 1,021 1,099 108 2.1 978 76.4 79.5 78.2 76 76.15

499 508 101 100 111 505 5.16 990 99.5 1.03 1,021 1,099 108 1.96 975 76.3 79 78.05 75.9 76.1

PREFERRED 499 5,350 508 2,930 101 38,240 100 80 111 20 505 280 5.17 867,800 990 10 99.5 1,210 1.03 11,000 1,021 50 1,099 20 108 300 1.96 4,000 978 8,100 76.4 10,000 79 2,500 78.2 30,540 75.9 10,470 76.15 508,000

2,669,650 1,488,440 3,862,240 8,000 2,220 141,400 4,545,855 9,900 120,395 11,330 51,050 21,980 32,400 8,120 7,909,500 763,691 197,650 2,385,932 794,813 38,683,850

-852,892 763,691 2,385,932 415,313 532,700.00

LR WARRANT

2.43

2.43

2.39

WARRANTS 2.4 382,000

917,800

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.35 3.3

5.49 3.3

5.21 3.16

5.3 3.18

7,765,174 3,210,920

232,380 64,050

FIRST METRO ETF

110.3

110.5

109.2

1,799,271

-

USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2

10.2 10

10.2 10

10.2 10

191,352 33,000

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.58 1 14.6 2.02 0.79 38.25 3.3 4.69 5.96 6 0.45 1.05 0.96 0.219 0.42 25.15 0.61 0.123 1.59 1.22 1.36 4.6 0.61 0.42 0.5 3.01 19.5 2.04

1,188,300 3,028,000 5,000 4,000 589,000 14,257,400 36,000 343,000 38,600 4,600 4,650,000 36,000 205,000 13,050,000 10,000 265,000 85,000 120,000 2,489,000 1,753,000 26,525,000 18,159,000 38,890,000 3,550,000 3,219,000 7,592,000 2,683,600 417,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,018,237

INDUSTRIAL

101,542,262

HOLDING FIRMS

256,197,459

PROPERTY

160,040,456

SERVICES

797,334,412

MINING & OIL

371,864,825

GRAND TOTAL

1,699,483,541

SME

1,463,500 1,005,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 109.5 16,370 10.2 10

DDS

18,760 3,300

VALUE 1,808.40 (down) 7.63 768,925,550.97 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,509.51 (down) 44.52 972,750,685.07 HOLDING FIRMS 7,179.16 (down) 72.09 1,574,843,136.037 PROPERTY 3,547.60 (down) 10.64 1,436.35 (down) 8.07 1,239,370,318.80 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,706.84 (up) 23.71 681,224,461.74 PSEI 7,261.62 (down) 50.99 84,713,639.1172 All Shares Index 4,460.22 (down) 21.49 5,334,606,509.59 Gainers: 92; Losers: 103; Unchanged: 45; Total: 240

SEC okays NLEX’s plan to sell bonds worth P25b

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the P25-billion bond shelf registration of NLEX Corp., the builderconcessionaire and operator of two major expressways in Central Luzon.

Data from the SEC showed NLEX would initially issue P4 billion with an oversubscription of P2 billion. The bonds will have tenors of seven years with an indicate interest rate of 6.46 percent to 6.76 percent, and 10 years, with indicative annual yield of 6.7393 percent to 7.7023 percent.

NLEX will issue and list the bonds with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. on June 27.

The tollroad company tapped BDO Capital and Investments Corp and First Metro Investments Corp. as underwriters of the bond offering.

The company plans to use the net proceeds from the bond offering to finance the company’s 2018 capital expenditure, which may include the upgrade of tollway services and facilities in North Luzon Expressway and Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

The company will spend for the construction of the R-10 section project, a 2.6-kilometer toll road extending the C-3 road exit ramp of Segment 10 to R-10 Road near the Port Area.

The project, which estimated to cost P6.6 billion, will provide an alternative route to motorists who suffer from the worsening traffic congestion in the Port Area.

The tollroad firm earlier budgeted P19 billion in capital expenditures for the year for the construction of new expressway projects to help solve Metro Manila’s traffic bottlenecks.

The tollway company said the planned investment, however, assumed the satisfactory resolution of the tariff adjustments.

The company this year is scheduled to open Harbor Link Segment 10, a 5.7-kilometer elevated expressway traversing NLEx from Smart Connect Interchange and cross over MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela City with down ramps along C3/5th Avenue Interchange in Caloocan City.

Del Monte’s 2017 net profit down slightly DEL Monte Philippines Inc., one of the largest food and beverage companies in the Philippines that plans to conduct an initial public offering, reported a net income of P2.6 billion for its financial year ending April 2018, slightly lower than a year ago on higher interest expense.

DMPI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange revenues rose 3.4 percent to P27.6 billion, about two-thirds of which were sales to the domestic market.

Sales in the Philippines climbed 6.7 percent to P16.9 billion, offsetting the marginal 1.9-percent decline in export sales to P10.6 billion.

DMPI is expected to post higher net income in the current year as the company is poised to reduce borrowings and interest expense through better collection from receivables.

“While DMPI’s net debt to equity ratio is only 0.7x, the company will reduce its gearing, strengthen its balance sheet further and improve its bottom line,” the company said.

The company also expects the domestic market to continue to deliver higher profits and exports to improve from better sales mix with higher fresh pineapple sales under S&W, and increased margins from pricing, cost management and operational efficiencies.

DMPI, which has been in operation in the Philippines for over 90 years, is the market leader in the canned pineapple and mixed fruit, canned and Tetra ready-to-drink juices, tomato sauce and spaghetti sauce categories under its iconic Del Monte brand.

DMPI, which plans to raise P13.5 billion in initial public offering, earlier deferred the maiden share offering due to the volatility in the stock market.

DMPI did not provide new timetable for the share sale.

The company plans to sell 587.437 million in secondary shares at a price of between P18 and P23 per share.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

World

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

DHS secretary heckled at a Mexian restaurant WASHINGTON―Protesters heckled US homeland security chief Kirstjen Nielsen as she dined at a Washington restaurant late Tuesday, chanting “shame!” repeatedly at the woman who has become the front-line defender of the Trump administration’s widely condemned practice of separating migrant children from their parents.

Activists from Metro DC Democratic Socialists of America confronted Nielsen at MXDC Cocina Mexicana restaurant and attempted to disrupt her dinner while she was surrounded by staff and security.

The organization said police were called and tried to detain the activists “to no avail.”

“How can you enjoy a Mexican dinner as you’re deporting, imprisoning tens of thousands of people who come here seeking asylum in the United States?” one of the activists cried out in a 10-minute video the group posted on social media.

“We call on you to end family separation and apologize.”

Another protester remarked: “In a Mexican restaurant, of all places!”

Nielsen’s spokesman Tyler Houlton acknowledged the confrontation, presenting it as “a small group of protesters who share her concern with our current immigration laws that have created a crisis on our southern border.” AFP Republic of the Philippines Department of Education REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2, Karangalan Village, Cainta, Rizal

YOGA SESSION. Indian yoga practitioners take part in a yoga session ahead of International Yoga Day at a park in Amritsar on June 20, 2018.

Yoga, which means union in Sanskrit, is a family of ancient spiritual practices and also a school of spiritual thought from South Asia, where it remains a vibrant living tradition and is seen as a means of enlightenment. AFP

Trump wants separation crisis fixed W

ASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump told Republican lawmakers Tuesday he backed their efforts to craft an immigration solution that ends the politically toxic practice of separating families on the US-Mexico border.

Just hours after doubling down on his administration’s much-derided policy that triggers separations of migrant children from their parents, Trump braved frustrated and in some cases angry fellow Republicans to assure he wanted their swift resolution to the crisis.

While top officials have stood by Trump’s “zero tolerance” approach, insisting children are being held in humane conditions, criticism has swelled from international rights groups, Christian evangelicals, former US first ladies and the president’s own Republican Party.

Democrats who have visited minors in detention in Texas and California describe crying children held in cage-like conditions behind chain-link fencing, with no idea when they will see their parents again.

An audio recording purported to feature Central American children separated from their parents sobbing and wailing has also struck a nerve.

With emotions running high, a handful of House Democrats protested the Trump meeting, yelling out at Trump in a rare face-to-face demonstration against a president by sitting members of Congress.

“Quit separating the kids!” Juan Vargas, a Democrat from southern California, shouted as Trump exited the meeting. “Mr President, don’t you have kids?”

Republican lawmakers emerged from the 45-minute huddle energized that Trump was giving his backing to legislation that House leaders expect to bring to a vote this week. AFP

InvItatIon to BId Procurement of cY 2018 BasIc educatIonal facIlItIes fund ProvIsIon of school furnIture 1.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON, through the Fiscal Year CY 2018 GAA RA No. 10964 intends to apply the sum of Two Hundred Sixty Million Nine Hundred Forty Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos (Php260,940,800.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to cover payments under the contract for the Procurement of CY 2018 BEFF – Provision of School Furniture. Bids received in excess of the ABC per Cluster shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Cluster I -------ABC –Php5,948,800.00

Division Antipolo

Elementary 2 seater table & chair set 1,104

Rizal Total

Teacher’s Table & Chair 48

92

4

1,196

52

Cluster II -------ABC –Php10,524,800.00 Division

Elem. 2 seater table & chair set

JHS 2 seater table & chair set

Teacher’s Table & chair

1,012

460

64

664

28

1,104

92

Bacoor Dasmarinas City Total

1,012

Cluster III -------ABC----Php13,499,200.00 Division Batangas City

Elem 2 seater table & chair set 460

JHS 2 seater table & chair set 2,254

Teacher’s Table & chair 118

Cluster IV --------ABC-----Php24,710,400.00 Elem 2 seater table & chair set 2,760

Division Cavite -A

JHS 2 seater table & chair set 2,208

Teacher’s Table & chair 216

Cluster V ---------ABC ------Php24,252,800.00 Elem 2 seater table & chair set 3,358

Division Cavite -B

JHS 2 seater table & chair set 1,518

Teacher’s Table & chair 212

Cluster VI ---------ABC -----Php9,609,600.00 Elem 2 seater table & chair set 1,104

Division Cavite City

JHS 2 seater table & chair set 828

Teacher’s Table & chair 84

Cluster VII ---------ABC----Php31,456,000.00 Elem 2 seater table & chair set

Division Laguna-A

2,208

JHS 2 seater table & chair set

SHS 2 seater table & chair set

Teacher’s Table & chair

3,312

800

280

Cluster VIII --------ABC ----Php28,712,800.00 Division Laguna-B

Elem 2 seater table & chair set

JHS 2 seater table & chair set

SHS 2 seater table & chair set

Teacher’s Table & chair

3,151

2,300

320

253

SHS 2 seater table & chair set -

Teacher’s Table & chair 253

SHS 2 seater table & chair set

Teacher’s Table & chair

-

120

SHS 2 seater table & chair set -

Teacher’s Table & chair 201

Cluster IX ----------ABC -----Php28,943,200.00 Elem 2 seater table JHS 2 seater table & chair set & chair set 3,243 2,576

Division Laguna-C

Cluster X -----------ABC --------Php13,728,000.00 Elem 2 seater table JHS 2 seater table & chair set & chair set

Division Lucena City

1,978

782

Cluster XI ---------ABC --------Php22,994,400.00 Elem 2 seater table JHS 2 seater table & chair set & chair set 4,623

Division Quezon - A

Cluster XII ---------ABC ---------Php23,108,800.00 Elem 2 seater table JHS 2 seater table & chair set & chair set 4,646

Division Quezon - B

SHS 2 seater table & chair set -

Teacher’s Table & chair 202

Cluster XIII --------ABC --------Php23,452,000.00 Division Quezon - C

SIMALUNGUN, Indonesia-Nearly 180 passengers are missing after a ferry sank into the depths of a volcanic lake in Indonesia, police said Wednesday, almost tripling initial estimates―but the search-and-rescue agency cautioned it was still unclear how many people were aboard the vessel when it capsized.

The wooden boat, which sank Monday on Sumatra’s Lake Toba, a popular tourist destination, was thought to be operating illegally, with no manifest or passenger tickets.

The situation has sparked confusion―and different estimates from various agencies―about the number of people on board.

Indonesia’s disaster agency, separate to the search-and-rescue body, originally said some 80 people were on the boat along with dozens of motorcycles when it overturned and sank.

Police said in a statement Wednesday there were as many as 178 people missing, which if confirmed would make it one of Indonesia’s worst maritime disasters.

The estimates have been based on local people reporting missing relatives who they believed could have been on the ship. AFP

4,715

SHS 2 seater table & chair set

Teacher’s Table & chair

-

205

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON now invites bids for the Procurement of CY 2018 BEFF School Furniture . Delivery of the Goods is expected for the Contract duration of one hundred twenty (120) calendar days. Bidders should have completed, within five (5) years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

3.

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

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

4.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON (BAC Secretariat) and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during office hour at 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on June 21, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount per Cluster:

they wait for rescue teams searching for missing passengers at the Lake Toba ferry port in the province of North Sumatra on June 20, 2018, after a boat capsized on June 18. AFP

Missing in ferry disaster in Indonesia nearly 180

-

2.

(i)

WAITING FOR RESCUE TEAMS. Family members sit together as

Elem 2 seater table JHS 2 seater table & chair set & chair set

Cluster I ------------------------------------------Php5,000.00 Cluster II------------- --------------------------5,000.00 Clusters III, IV, V --------------------------8,000.00 each Cluster VI ------------------------------------5,000.00 Clusters VII, VIII, IX, X, XI, XII, XIII-8,000.00 each Note: For lot procurement, the maximum fee for the Bidding Documents for each lot shall be based on its ABC, in accordance with the Guidelines issued by the GPPB; provided that the total fees for the Bidding Documents of all lots shall not exceed the maximum fee prescribed in the Guidelines for the sum of the ABC of all lots.}.

6.

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.

7.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on June 26,at 2:00 p.m. to be held at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

8.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before July 9, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on July 9, 2018, 9:30 a.m. at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan 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.

9.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON 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.

10. For further information, please refer to: Ann Geralyn T. Pelias DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal 6477487 & 6474914 www.depedcalabarzon.ph (SGD) FRANCIS CESAR B. BRINGAS BAC Chairperson 3

1

Mav be deleted ill case the ABC is less than One Million Pesos (PhP1,000,000.00) where the Procuring Entity may not hold a Pre-Bid Conference.

(MS-JUNE 21, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

thursday, june 21, 2018

LocaL government units

PDEA declares Navotas East brgy drug-free THE anti-drug campaign in navotas is gaining headway following the Philippine Drug Enforcement agency’s declaration that one of its barangays is now drug-free.

Mayor John Rey Tiangco and Barangay Captain Dennis Tan Juan received from PDEa Camanava District officer Freddie Banagao the certification that Barangay navotas East has been drug-cleared.

“The fight against illegal drugs is a fight for safe communities. Keeping navotas safe from the drug menace will help ensure the welfare of our families and the future of our children,” Tiangco said.

The mayor thanked navoteños for their steadfast support to the city government’s anti-drug campaign.

He said navotas residents often report illegal activities through Text JRT numbers 0915-2601385 for Globe, 0908-8868578 for smart, and 09228888578 for sun.

Tiangco also mentioned that the city has a community-based treatment and rehabilitation program called Bidahan for drug users willing to change their ways.

Bidahan participants initially undergo a three-day retreat where they learn about the effects of drugs in their body and ways to avoid getting hooked into substance abuse. They then engage in a twice a week counseling sessions for six months.

Bidas, as the participants are called, undergo random drug testing to check their faithfulness to the program.

CDC awarded

by Rotary Club for tourism tack

By Romeo Dizon CLaRK FREEPoRT—The Clark Development Corp. was awarded as the best Eco Zone Tourism award in the country for efficient management and promotion of tourism in the area. noel Manankil, president and CEo of the CDC, received the award from the Rotary Club of Manila during a simple ceremony in Manila.

The first Rotary Club in the country said the CDC under Manankil was efficient in the promotion of ecotourism activities inside the Freeport that generate additional employment to the province and nearby areas.

The other awardees were Philippine airlines President Jaime Bautista, Manila Hotel Executive Vice President Enrique Yap Jr., and ayala Resorts and Hotels President Miguel alexis Legaspi. aside from eco-tourism activities, Manankil said facilities, services, and sports tourism attracted about 1.5 million visitors to Clark last year.

Existing tourism facilities and services in the Freeport include seven golf courses, 2,000 hotel rooms, museums, 63-room convention and meeting facilities, shopping malls, first class hospitals, and casinos. sports facilities include open space for racing competition, car show, parks, and educational tours, among others.

Clark’s main attraction remains the annual international Hot Balloon Festival, when most of the tourists arrive mostly from Metro Manila watch the three days fun and excitement.

The Villafuerte political clan—Camarines Sur 2nd District Rep. L-Ray, former governor Luis, and current Governor Miguel Luis— joins architect Carlos Arnaiz in standing over a scale model of the proposed new CamSur Capitol building (inset) in a press conference Wednesday in Makati City. Lino Santos

CamSur unveils new ‘iconic’ capitol project

By Paola Navarette

T

HE Provincial Government of Camarines sur on Wednesday launched what Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte said was an “iconic” new Camsur Capitol building, which aims to promote the province’s environmental sustainability and cultural heritage. at a press conference in Makati City, Villafuerte said the building would cost around P500 million based on preliminary estimates and would be finished in 18 to 24 months. Funds would be sourced from the provincial government’s coffers, he added.

To be built in the provincial capitol of Pili, the building designed by Carlos arnaiz architects or CaZa features roofs inspired by the curved husk of the pili nut,

the top local delicacy, and will look like a giant flower when viewed from the sky.

Boasting a covered open-air atrium structure, the Camsur Capitol also features extensive greenery and lies in the shadow of the extinct Mt. isarog, said chief architect Carlos arnaiz.

The proposed building will be four stories tall, with a covered parking area at the ground floor, a multi-purpose lobby open to the public at the second

level, administrative offices at the third floor, and the governor’s quarters at the top level.

“We really thought of building an iconic building that will set apart from the rest. We looked for an architect who could design something unique but at the same time, affordable and within our budget,” Camarines sur 2nd District Rep. L-Ray Villafuerte said.

“When people see the capitol building, our vision is for them to recognize immediately that it is in Camsur, it’s in the Philippines,” added the lawmaker and father of the governor.

The ecological-friendly structure is part of a strategy by the Camarines sur government to become a technologically advanced province, Governor Villafuerte said.

RIZAL CELEBRATION.

Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go (second from left) represents President Rodrigo Duterte at the 157th celebration of the birth of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal on Monday at the Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna. With Go beside the ‘Ang Batang Rizal’ sculpture are (from left) Calamba City Mayor Timmy Chipeco, Laguna 2nd District Rep. Jun Chipeco, and National Youth Commission Assistant Secretary Ronald Gian Carlo L. Cardema.

Roy Tomandao

QC to buy land for houses of informal settlers

By Rio N. Araja To susTain the Quezon City government’s socialized housing program, the 37-member council has given Mayor Herbert Bautista the green light to acquire a 5,245-square meter parcels of private land to house informal settlers.

The council, led by Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, passed ordinance no. 2694 to acquire through negotiated sale of expropriation the parcels of private property in Barangay Bagbag, which are now being occupied by many informal settler families.

“Barangay Bagbag has so many informal settler families that must be provided with decent and affordable dwelling. Hence, the acquisition of the subject lots for housing projects will be very beneficial to them,” Belmonte said. once taken over by the city government, the lots shall be converted by the city’s task force on socialized housing and development of blighted areas to an in-city socialized housing site.

Based on the latest estimate of the city government, there are about 190,000 informal setter families or 950,000 individuals.

Meanwhile, Quezon City is ready for the national simultaneous Earthquake Drill at 2pm on Thursday, June 21.

For this drill, the Quezon City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management office is set to perform rescue drills and evacuation exercises at Child’s World school in sta. Mesa Heights, Barangay sto. Domingo. a special education school for children with special needs was chosen as part of this quarter’s drill by the QCDRRMo to showcase the agency’s programs for inclusivity in disaster preparedness.

DoH-Calabarzon declares Quezon Province free of filariasis disease

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

DEPaRTMEnT of Health–Calabarzon has declared the province of Quezon as “filaria free” during the Regional awarding for national Filariasis Elimination Program held at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City, Quezon.

Regional Director Eduardo C. Janairo

said the health sector has achieved another victory in its fight against filariasis, also known as elephantiasis Filariasis is a chronic parasitic infection that is caused by thread-like parasitic filarial worms, which lodge in the nodes and vessels of the lymphatic system. These worms live for about 10 years producing millions of immature

Bataan CENRO helps save sick kid

By Butch Gunio DinaLuPiHan, Bataan—Provincial Environment officer Raul Mamac commended his CEnRo Dinalupihan personnel for going out of their way to help an ill child get to the hospital. it was learned that members of LaWin Team of CEnRo Dinalupihan were patrolling and doing assessment on national Greening Program site in Barangay Pinulot, Dinalupihan Thursday when they encountered a worried woman holding her unconscious child with rigid body and dark lips. seeing the gravity of the situation, the DEnR personnel without hesitation promptly brought the mother and child to the nearest hospital and never left until

the latter was revived.

Mamac and Dinalupihan CEnRo Meliton i. Vicente Jr. commended their subordinates for “soaring high and never just bounded by the DEnR mandate and were able to give deeper meaning to public service.”

“Worth emulating for doing what is necessary and right at any given time,” said the DEnR Bataan head in describing the deed of his subordinates.

The lauded members of CEnRo Dinalupihan LaWin Team (forest rangers) are Rufino David Jr., Bonifacio Bacala, and Brian Mamanao. Driver is Errel Canilao.

The forest protection officers are Ernesto Delos santos, Ronald Banaga, Michael Mark Rosal, and Mark anthony alisbo.

microfilariae that circulate in the blood. “still, we have to ensure that this status will be maintained through regular conduct of orientation for filariasis detection and management and transmission assessment survey,” Janairo said.

“We will still be continuing selective treatment among individuals in areas that are found to be positive for microfi-

laria during the regular monitoring and surveillance,” he added.

Quezon Province, with 39 municipalities and two cities, is the 38th province in the country to achieve “filariasis free” status. a P1 million cash grant was given to the province to be used for the sustainability of its Filaria Free health program.

Quezon Province Gov. David C. Suarez (center) receives a facsimile check for P1 million from the Department of Health, represented by Assistant Secretary Dr. Maria Francia Laxamana (fourth from left), on Wednesday as the province was declared filariasis-free. Also in photo are DoH Region IV-A Director Dr. Eduardo Janario (third from left), Quezon Provincial Health officer II Dr. Grace Santiago, and Governor’s chief of staff Webster Letargo.

Benjie A. Antioquia

Life

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

household

@MstandardLIFe thursday, june 21, 2018

C1

‘It’s what you teach at home’:

The secret to Norman King’s

success

PROTECTION IN LIFE. Safeguard Philippines presents a short film featuring the story of Norman King, the first Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippines Manila, and his mother Warlita, who imparted to him important life lessons that helped him achieve his goals.

N

orMAN King, the first Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippines Manila in 2017 never had it easy growing up.

Born eldest of seven kids, he had to work at an early age to help his parents provide for their family. But the young Norman’s struggles did not stop at the hard manual labor, as at that time he was already beginning to question his ethnicity and color.

He asked his mom, Warlita, why the Aetas’ skin color is being compared to soil—wondering if that was the reason people were calling him dirty.

But his mom ingrained in him that a clean heart has more value than physical appearance, saying “Ang taong madumi ay ang taong hindi malinis ang puso, (The unclean person is one whose heart is not clean).”

Norman had his share of tough times at school, wherein he was ridiculed by other students for wearing old clothes and for being poor to buy new clothes.

Now cognizant of his image to other people, he suggested to his mother to buy him new clothing.

Sensing her son’s low self-esteem, Warlita asked Norman if he wanted to hide the fact that they were poor. “Alin ang karapat-dapat hangaan? Isang taong madali ang buhay o isang taong dumaan sa matinding kahirapan? (Who is worthy of admiration? one who led an easy life? or one who has overcome extreme hardship?)”

Norman worked after finishing high school. When his father sent him to Manila, he studied to become a computer technician while working as a delivery boy. He eventually got into UP Manila with the help of a patron.

In the short film, Warlita reminds her eldest son not to be ashamed of their status.

As a teenager, Norman also went through the phase of changing himself to belong and be accepted by his peers and people around him. He went to as far as changing his hairstyle to afro because, he said, his classmates paid more attention to him that way.

But again, his loving mother reminded him to be proud of his race—making him realize he doesn’t have to change himself to be accepted by others.

Norman carried with him these lessons from his mom as he took his own journey away from home.

It was his mother’s non-material provisions for life (pabaon sa buhay) that became his protection and guide in life to help him keep his focus on his goal despite the struggles of leading an independent life.

This inspiring story is revealed in Safeguard Philippines’ latest short film entitled “Pabaon sa Buhay.”

The short film aims to inspire parents all around the country to impart their personal “pabaon” to help protect their children in life.

“There is a universal challenge parents face in bringing up their children, having to balance the desire to keep them close and protected with letting them go ex-

plore the world to learn by themselves,” said Alex Vogler, associate director, Digital Transformation and Brand Communications for Procter & Gamble’s Beauty Division in Asia Pacific.

He added, “At Safeguard, we strive to help parents overcome this tension by fostering a healthy independence between parents and children. Essential to this are the ‘pabaon’ parents give their children —be it an everyday lunchbox, the lifesaving habit of hand washing or life lessons—which will help protect them as they explore the world on their own.”

Two days since the video’s posting on Facebook, it has already garnered 1.1 million views.

For Norman, his mother’s words of wisdom have helped him accept himself fully, so much so that he went onstage to receive his diploma for his Behavioral Sciences degree not in UP’s official graduation attire but in a lubay (bahag), and wearing his hair how Aetas traditionally do.

“Ang turo sa ‘kin ng nanay ko, kapag natanggap ko na kung sino ako, mas malayo ang mararating ko (Ma taught me that only when I accept who I am, will I go further in life),” said Norman.

Norman King and his mom Warlita

Norman King went onstage to receive his diploma wearing lubay (bahag).

Shining, shimmering party for kids Amelie Beatrice gets to see Shimmer and Shine for the first time live.

PArENTS and their children had a magical time as Toy Kingdom, in partnership with Nickelodeon, recently held the first-ever Shimmer and Shine Genie Party and mall show in the Philippines at SM North Edsa, SM Lanang and SM Cebu.

Nickelodeon’s “Shimmer and Shine” is an American animated television series that premiered in 2015.

It follows the magical adventures of twin genies in training Shimmer and Shine who live in the magical land of Zahramay Falls, and their human best friend Leah. Whenever she finds herself facing difficulties, Leah uses her oil lamp necklace to call her genie friends, who grant her three wishes.

This was the first time t h a t

Zoe Zabala sings ‘Boom Zahramay’ in her sparkly genie-inspired costume.

Shimmer and Shine visited the country, and during the series of mall shows the twin genies in their sparkly and dazzling costumes thrilled the kids with their amazing song and dance performances.

Participating kids had the chance to be genies in training as they sang and danced along with Shimmer and Shine’s famous magic spell “Boom Zahramay.”

They also had the rare opportunity to meet and hug the two genies at the meet and greet sessions.

There were also fun and exciting trivia questions about Shimmer and Shine where winners received exciting gifts and prizes.

“Shimmer and Shine” toys are now available at Toy Kingdom Express outlets in The SM Stores and Toy Kingdom in most SM Supermalls.

Talk and Sing Shimmer doll

Life

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thursday, june 21, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Your fridge is making your child

prone to sickness

Storing food items in the refrigerator helps keep them fresh and safe. But when the fridge is not set at the right temperature, it can create a breeding ground for harmful bacteria to grow; doing more harm than good.

According to Dyeun Zapanta, assistant brand manager for an appliance brand, improper food storage and sanitation can lead to a high risk of foodborne illnesses, especially during rainy season. Among these diseases is listeriosis, a serious infection caused by eating food with the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeriosis can be dangerous to pregnant women, newborns, children, and elderly, and can result to fever, muscle aches, or even gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea or diarrhea. refrigerating a food contaminated with listeria can cause it to spread to other food products inside the refrigerator that may make children at home prone to sickness. the good news, however, is that there are various ways we can do to reduce the risk of listeriosis at home.

Filinvest Mimosa’s award-winning golf course has played host to a number of prestigious tournaments.

Revitalizing

leisure destinations up north A neW integrated township in the north, with exceptional amenities set amidst an abundance of greens, is fast becoming the preferred destinations for vacations in Clark, Pampanga.

Leisure, business, nature, and hospitality come together in Filinvest Mimosa+ through the community’s attractions and facilities. the sophisticated Quest Hotel and Conference Center-Clark and the award-winning Mimosa golf Course— all harmoniously co-existing with rich flora and mature trees in the estate— are considered the current centerpiece attractions on Filinvest Mimosa+’s well-maintained 201-hectare expanse.

As they collectively preserve the impressive Filinvest Mimosa+ environment, these two tourism-oriented properties continuously attract visitors seeking fine accommodations or a challenging round of golf.

Staycation destination

Follow the recommended use-by date on unopened food items to ensure quality and freshness.

Consume Use-By Date food products immediately

Use-by date refers to the final day by which perishable goods should be consumed. After the recommended date, food quality is likely to go down and the food safety lessened. therefore, it is important to make sure that food products are eaten before their use-by date and not after.

However, take note that you should follow the use by dates on unopened ready-to-eat food products and not storing food packages after they have been opened. Storing opened food products in the refrigerator can increase the risk of listeria to grow.

Clean your refrigerator regularly

The newly developed Acacia Park features a verdant landscaping.

Membership-free golf course

the Mimosa golf Course of two par-72, 18-hole courses cover a total over 150 hectares, more than half of the whole estate. this legendary golf course has played host to a number of prestigious tournaments and top golfers, including tiger Woods.

As a membership-free golf course, it continues to attract a strong base of returning guests of varying skill sets, as they enjoy every challenging hole. every month, the club also offers irresistible golf promotions including a sumptuous weekend brunch by the greens. one of these is the Mimosa Summer Swing package—available until July 31, with rates that start at P6,550. the package includes a stay at the Quest Hotel and Conference Center-Clark, green fee for 18-holes golf play at the Mimosa golf Course, consumable food and beverage at the Q by Mimosa, and access to the pool and other hotel amenities.

the Quest Hotel and Conference Center-Clark is now undergoing extensive renovations to maintain its world-class status.

But more than this, the hotel is a favorite for staycations with its well-appointed rooms, the signature Mequeni restaurant where guests can indulge in some of the most famous Kapampangan dishes, the Charley’s Bar where guests can choose from a wide selection of craft cocktails, wines, and champagnes, as well as the swimming pool which has become every kid’s favorite.

Villa living is also taken to the next level at Filinvest Mimosa+ with its two new opulent grand Villas, each offering three bedrooms, a living area, grand bathroom, and private swimming pool Verdant park that overlook the estate’s greeneries.

Another point of pride of Filinvest For an even more luxurious and personalized experience, a personal butler is Mimosa+ is the newly developed nature sanctuary called the Acacia Park. assigned to each villa.

Located just across the hotel, it is a place for respite that features a verdant landscaping with a profusion of trees and gazebos where one can sit down and relish the relaxing environs. it is a perfect spot for having a picnic and for stargazing.

Families and friends can also enjoy more outdoor and recreational activities as the township purposely integrated foliage-canopied walking paths and bike lanes in its progressive masterplan. the Acacia Park—where fresh air and clear skies can be savored—marks the beginning of Filinvest’s vision to transform the Mimosa estate into a green township.

More attractions

other exciting future attractions at Filinvest Mimosa+ is the $200-million world-class integrated gaming complex, a lifestyle mall and an al fresco retail strip that will offer specialty boutiques and unique dining concepts, and a sprawling events grounds and the Mimosa+ events Pavilion that are set to host some of the country’s biggest music festivals, summits, and conferences.

it is important to wipe food spills immediately to keep listeria from growing and spreading to other food items.

Clean the inside walls and shelves with hot water and a mild liquid dishwashing detergent then rinse it thoroughly.

Likewise, make sure to throw old and spoiled foods that may cause growth and spread of bacteria. try moving Wipe food spills in your refrigerator immediately to older foods in the front keep listeria from growing and spreading. part of your fridge to make it more visible so that it can be consumed before it gets spoiled.

Keep raw meat, poultry, or fish, which may contain several bacteria, from cooked meals. Also, make sure that raw meats are at the bottom part of the shelf to avoid it from dripping. Better still, seal them in a tight container.

Properly sanitizing your refrigerator can avoid different types of bacteria from growing on food items such as raw meat, milk, fish, and more.

How to win P850k worth of electronics in 100 seconds iF yoU were given the chance to grab all the appliances and electronics you want in 100 seconds, keeping your cool would likely be a challenge. However, for Janet navio, the winner of the second leg of BPi Credit Cards’ SiP and grab Challenge, sticking to a game plan led to success.

“When i found out that i had won, i told my son raeven (whom she nominated to do the challenge for her) to research on the internet. i told him to prioritize lightweight items such as cellphones and laptops and put them in the BPi red box, then the huge items to follow,” shared navio.

She happily went home with a limited edition Star Wars laptop, a fully automatic Panasonic washing machine, PS4 units, and 17 cellphones including an iPhone and Samsung S9s, totaling over P850,000, in a span of 100 seconds. Among all the items she won, the laptop was on the top of her list, for her son’s education. two winners have already been drawn, the third and fourth winners are yet to be named. every qualified BPi Special installment Plan (SiP) transaction, with a minimum single-receipt of P20,000, at a 12-month term or longer, earns you a raffle entry to the challenge.

To apply for a BPI credit card, go to any BPI branch or through www.bpi- Raeven managed to get P850,000 worth of appliances and gadgets in 100 seconds (top). cards.com.

BPI SIP and Grab’s second winner Janet Navio (right) with son Raeven

Keep your children safe by keeping your refrigerator and the food items in it at optimum condition.

Keep your refrigerator at the right temperature

Having your refrigerator at the proper temperature can avoid or slow down the growth of listeria. to check if your refrigerator is at the right temperature, put an appliance thermometer inside and make the necessary adjustment in the temperature control. Make sure that your refrigerator registers at 40°F (4°C) or below and your freezer at 0°F (-18°C). refrigerating below the recommended 4°C will significantly slow down the growth of bacteria. But as the temperature rises, the bacteria can grow at a faster rate, which can result to spoilage, wastage, and food poisoning.

While refrigerators can be a breeding ground for foodborne illnesses, Beko refrigerator’s Active ioniser neutralizes the bacteria that cause effluvia to create an antibacterial effect that keeps the refrigerator from harmful pathogens such as listeria. Also, its Blue Light technology allows for a continued process of photosynthesis, allowing fresh produce to maintain their natural flavors and nutritional value for up to 30 days. on top of that, the brand’s new age of neoFrost technology keeps the humidity of its refrigerator at an optimum level of up to 90 percent in the cooler for longer freshness. it also makes for a more stable and faster cooling for both the cooler and the freezer compartments at A+ energy efficiency level. Moreover, its independent cooling systems also helps in preventing odor transfer in between the compartments to keep the quality of the air inside at optimum levels.

Go to www.beko.ph to know more.

Entertainment

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HE French Wingz Crew recently gave mallgoers a glimpse of the French hip hop scene during their performance at the SM Aura Premier Sky Park.

A joint partnership between Alliance Française de Manille and SM Aura Premier, with the support of the Embassy of France to the Philippines, the event promoted French artistry and culture through dance and music.

Hip-hop dancers Archad Ali and Stevens Taillasson also known as Crackers formed the French Wingz Crew when they became partners – and won - in a dance battle in 2008. Archad is a hip-hop enthusiast who made his first steps in the industry with a

local group named Afro Jam; while Crackers is a hip-hop dancer and a circus performer.

Since that time, they have toured around the world showcasing their unique talent. In 2013, they created their first piece called “Mistral Gagnant,” which made them join in several competitions such as France Got Talent, Got to Dance Germany, among others.

During their SM Aura Premier performance, the duo wowed the audience with PoéGraphie and Recontre Parisienne, two 20- minute performances that combined acrobatics and poetry.

PoéGraphie is about the aesthetic universes of the two characters, who find a rare complementarity through their meeting. Rencontre Parisienne, on the other hand, is a poetic hip-hop duet about how two foreigners who meet in Paris try to communicate with each other despite the language barrier.

The French Wingz Crew performance is one of the many exciting cross-cultural events at SM Aura Premier.

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

JONA, SAM MILBY rock the City of Carson

TFC Hour stars Jona (2nd from left) and Sam Milby (right), and hosts Steve Angeles, BA correspondent (left), and Adobo Nation’s LA Chika host Anna Diaz (2nd from right).

Karen Davila moderates ANC workshop AWARD-WINNING broadcast journalist Karen Davila gets to go one on one with another world-renowned speaker as the moderator of the Leading with Trust, A Session with Stephen M.R. Covey workshop of ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel on June 19 at Dusit Thani Manila, Makati City.

Leadership guru Stephen M.R. Covey, the author of the New York Times and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller “The Speed of Trust,” was in Manila to share his expertise in explaining why trust among individuals and within organizations is important, to Filipino and Philippine-based business executives, government leaders, corporate leaders, and Human Resources professionals.

A Harvard MBA holder, Stephen is the former CEO of the Covey Leadership Center, which he guided into becoming the “largest leadership development company in the world.” It was there where he helped his father’s book, Dr. Stephen R. Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, become one of the most influential business books of the twentieth century, according to CEO Magazine.

Karen, the anchor of Headstart with Karen Davila on ANC, said she was excited to learn how the younger Covey was able to continue and grow what his father started.

“Stephen MR Covey is expanding his father’s legacy. At 48 years old, I want to know how Stephen dealt with the chal-

lenges of following in his famous father’s footsteps, overcoming and even growing the company further. Stephen talks about qualities credibility, integrity, intent in his book, The Speed of Trust. In today’s fast paced modern world of tech, start-ups, the changing face of media - it would be interesting to know the role these values play,” she shared.

Karen previously moderated the 2017 ANC Leadership Series Forum on Global Governance & World Economy with Dr. Madeleine Albright, the first female Secretary of State in the U.S.A. With 25 years of experience in the media industry, she has covered and interviewed many heads of businesses and government leaders, and she believes one trait is always present in a good leader.

“A good leader must be credible. One can only lead well by example and it takes discipline, self-denial often times, and sacrifice. People want to follow role models - a leader must have integrity and courage, able to make the tough decisions for the good of his or her team,” Karen shared.

Stephen M.R. Covey was the fourth international speaker brought to the Philippines by ANC, the country’s premier 24/7 all-English cable news channel, in the past three years. Early this year, ANC also brought in Peter Guber,

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, June 21, 2018

ACROSS 1 Pleasure trip 6 Loud noises 10 Preside at tea 14 Courtyards 15 Wrinkle remover 16 Monster 17 Trellis coverers 18 Bowling alley 19 Kind of awareness 20 Punch or kiss 21 Political alliances 23 Wind dir.

25 Flared, as a skirt 26 Souvenir items 29 Brown bird 31 Bundles 35 Caviar, actually 36 — ex machina 37 Most appealing 38 Work with antiques 40 Easel partner 41 Skin softeners 42 Halo, of sorts 43 Hair goo 44 Serpent Hercules fought 45 Till 46 Causing misery 47 Colossus 49 Floor swabber 51 Sopping wet 54 Wearing vest-

ments 58 Fuel from a marsh 59 Viking letter 60 Python or cobra 61 Fonda or Russell 62 Sea eagle 63 Utah city 64 Hit some ice 65 Galaxy unit 66 In dire straits DOWN 1 Grates upon 2 Physicist’s study 3 — Minor 4 Female relatives 5 Small jobs 6 Carpet thickness 7 Vitamin C source 8 Chinese soup 9 Vile smile 10 Write a check for the future 11 Double-curve molding 12 WWW addresses 13 TKO official 22 Interstellar cloud 24 Jugs

26 Set on fire 27 All 28 Maneuvered carefully 30 Be sorry for 32 Release (2 wds.)

33 Organic compound 34 Stone monument 36 Realm 37 Pool shot 39 Aimed for 40 Lay down 42 Insect feeler

45 Not injured 46 Sea animal 48 Field units 50 Bean or Welles 51 Good buy 52 Rajah’s wife 53 Shy creature 55 Ordered 56 Barely managed 57 Refuse to acknowledge 58 Sleepwear

the executive chairman and co-owner of reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors and chairman and CEO of Mandalay Entertainment Group, while Virgin Group founder Richard Branson was the inaugural speaker of the ANC Leadership Series in 2016.

THOUSANDS of residents from the City of Carson and nearby areas in Southern California made their way to the Veterans Park in Carson for the 120th Anniversary Celebration of Philippine Independence.

It was a spectacular Saturday that started with the flag-raising, followed by an ecumenical service led by Rev. Emmanuel Orendain, pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church, and then a community mass celebrated by Rev. Father Albert Avenido of St. Philomena Catholic Church. This was followed by the presentation of colors and parade led by City of Carson Mayor Albert Robles.

The rest of the day was packed with fun and entertainment for the whole family. Vendor booths spread throughout the park provided arts and crafts, food, and various engagement activities. Philippine Independence Day Foundation Chairman Alex Cainglet pointed out that “There were around 100 plus booths this year versus the average of 70 from previous years. More local businesses bought in with the drawing power of TFC and the quality of entertainment it is known for world-wide.”

Myx TV, the only English-language multicultural Asian American entertainment network in the United States, showcased their various talents during the Myx TV Hour hosted by social media phenomenon Jessica Lesaca, Host of Week Sauce. Gracing the stage were singers Rocky Sandoval, Jeserey, Jules Aurora, and Leanne Tessa of Club Mickey Mouse.

Special guests Myx Host Joshua Manansala, Jamal McClerkin, host of Myx Digital’s What’s in the Bag? and Audrey Elizabeth, Myx Digital host were also there to spice up the Myx TV Hour.

Myx TV Virtual Casting Project Manager Allen Palos noted that audience engagement was very good. He says that “We saw a lot of second generation Filipinos in attendance, and organizers told me they had an influx of second gen attendees.”

The much-awaited TFC Hour opened with SoCal locals- Adobo Nation’s LA Chika Reporter Anna Diaz and BA Correspondent Steve Angeles taking to the stage for some fun

banter with the audience before introducing the main acts of the Philippines’ Soul Princess Jona and Rockoustic Heartthrob Sam Milby.

Councilmember Elito Santarina was all praises, saying that “The City feels fortunate to have such great talents from TFC for our Philippine Independence Day Celebration. This annual celebration is Carson’s biggest event so we want only the best for the community. That is why I thank TFC for bringing two of their best talents, Sam and Jona, to Carson.”

Jona and Sam enjoyed themselves as they performed for the SoCal community. Both artists went down from the stage and joined the crowd on the ground, as they continued singing, wanting to be with, and reach out up close to the lively audience.

It is endearing to see how the ABS-CBN/TFC artists connect with the festival participants. PIDF Trustee and City Council Deputy Riezl Locsin-Pe Benito noticed that “they (Sam and Jona) are both sincere in their intention to bring happiness to the community as expressed in their interactions toward the audience. The hosts, Anna and Steve, were great too, in addition to the fact that the community knows them already.”

Cainglet said that, “people from Santa Barbara (70 miles away) and San Diego (90 miles away) drove all the way to see them perform. Several dignitaries, namely state and city officials, who were non-Filipinos, stayed on to watch and be entertained.”

He also added that “Sam and Jona gave world-class quality entertainment. The organizers felt so right and blessed to get TFC for this year’s celebration.”

Jona, Sam, and ABS-CBN/TFC were presented with Certificates of Congressional Recognition by Congresswoman Nanette Diaz Barragan (California’s 44th District) Commendation and Plaques of Appreciation, and plaques of appreciation from the City of Carson.

After the Carson event, Jona and Sam proceeded to the Hilton Hotel in Universal City to appear at the dinner gala event of Kalayaan Incorporated of Southern California at the Hilton Hotel in Universal City, celebrating the 120th anniversary of Philippine Independence.

Entertainment

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

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THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2018

Digital series

‘CLOAK AND DAGGER’ a must-see

American rock band Panic! At The Disco is set to bring their ‘Pray for the Wicked Tour’ at the Mall of Asia Arena on Oct. 20.

DON’T PANIC

Manila included in ‘Pray for the Wicked’ Tour HOOQED. 'Cloak and Dagger' is an American digital series based on the Marvel Comics characters of the same name available in the Philippines exclusively on HOOQ.

VERY WANG NICKIE WANG

By Nickie Wang

T

HE first two episodes of Cloak and Dagger, a brand new series that joins the illustrious world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aired live on June 8 on HOOQ. Subsequent episodes air every Friday on the same day as the US telecast.

The series follows two teens Tandy Bowen (Olivia Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Aubrey Joseph), who discover they have hidden superpowers which are somehow linked.

Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to engulf others in darkness and the two realize that they are better together than apart and form a romantic relationship which gets a little complicated.

The first two episodes see the origin of the lead characters. They both encountered a mishap, a science experiment explosion that happened when they were kids. And although it came from the comics world, the makers of the series made big changes.

In the comics, Tyrone and Tandy were two kids who had run away from home. They ended up in New York City, and fallen under the sway of some sketchy fellows who

Grammy Awards. The RIAA platinumselling release was the highest selling rock album and fourth-highest-selling album released in 2016, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

The album has also spawned RIAA certified gold tracks “Hallelujah,” “LA Devotee,” “Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time” and platinum “Victorious,” “Death Of A Bachelor,” and “Emperor’s New Clothes.” Most recently, frontman Brendon Urie starred as Charlie Price in the critically acclaimed, Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Kinky Boots.

Tickets to Pray For The Wicked Tour, promoted by MMI Live, will go on sale on July 8 at 10:00 a.m. at all SM Tickets outlets or visit http://www.smtickets. com or by calling 470-2222.

For more information, follow MMI Live (on Facebook), and @mmilive (on Instagram, and Twitter), or visit mmilive.com for details.

How playing Miss Saigon’s Thuy changed Gerald Santos 'Cloak and Dagger' stars Olivia Holt and Aubrey Joseph as Tandy Bowen and Tyrone Johnson.

promised them a place to stay, only to instead use them as unwilling guinea pigs for an illegal drug test.

In the series though, their backstory has been dramatically revised. On the series, Tandy got her powers after an oil rig blew up, causing the car she was in to crash into a river. Tyrone got his powers by jumping into that same river after his brother got shot and fell into the water.

Now teenagers, Tandy is a runaway who periodically checks back in with her mother, who abuses prescription drugs as a means of coping with the death of her husband (Tandy’s father who died in a mishap that coincided with the oil rig explosion).

When not with her mother, Tandy spends her nights in an abandoned church and survives by running a series

of small cons.

Tyrone, on the other hand, is a black kid who tries not to stand out at an overwhelmingly white private school, while also struggling to live up to his parents’ expectations.

Years before, he witnessed his brother killed by the police for a crime he didn’t commit.

These updates though make the series even more relevant. Not only that it’s presented in a melodramatic way, something most Filipino viewers are accustomed to, it also centers on teenage issues of drug use, bullying, and academic problems.

And more than how their powers develop, finding how these teenage characters solve their issues amplified by their harsh surrounding, is much more interesting to find out.

INTERNATIONAL English heartthrob and former One Direction member Zayn Malik

IN SUPPORT of the band’s upcoming album Pray For The Wicked, Grammynominee and multi-platinum selling superband Panic! At The Disco will be performing in Manila on Oct. 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The first leg of the Pray For The Wicked Tour, which has sold out multiple venues including NYC’s Madison Square Garden and kicks off in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 11. Panic! At The Disco will also do an international run of dates visiting Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Mexico and the Philippines in October. The concert will be their third time they’ll be in Manila.

Pray For The Wicked follows Panic!

At The Disco’s critically acclaimed fifth album, Death Of A Bachelor (2016) via Fueled By Ramen/DCD2 Records.

The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 Chart and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the 2017

Zayn Malik loves America and might want to run for office BRITISH pop star Zayn Malik says he has been startled by the welcoming spirit of the United States and might even consider running for office in his new home.

The former One Direction heartthrob said he was “a bit shocked” at first by the friendliness of Americans and felt that the country was being “misrepresented across the globe.”

“No matter what color, what gender, what sexuality, what class -- none of that matters here. People genuinely want to know you for who you are. And that’s how America should be represented across the world,” the 25-year-old singer told GQ in the fashion magazine’s latest issue.

Asked if he would consider running for

office himself, he said: “Maybe. It’d be cool.

I feel like it’s a beautiful place.”

Zayn, who has gone only by his first name since launching his solo career, is partially of Pakistani descent and is one of the most visible Muslims in Western pop music.

After leaving One Direction in 2015, Zayn moved to Los Angeles and more recently New York as he shifted style sharply from the squeaky clean boy band, singing R&B-infused tracks heavy on sex appeal.

His arrival in the United States coincided with the rise of President Donald Trump, who during his campaign called for a ban on Muslims entering the country.

But Zayn said that one effect of the political climate is that Americans are “expressing how they really feel about where they come from and their heritage and their backgrounds.”

“So that’s how I feel about it—it’s a beautiful place, and it’s a beautiful time to be alive.” AFP

getting to know your TIME and again co-actors, learning it’s proven the whole production that excelling process, feeling abroad is a major YUGEL the excitement and step towards LOSORATA nervousness coming recognition back into the rehearsals, here home. performing in front of Singer and thespian Gerald Santos took that the producers and creative team, and cue and scored his big break by being mentored by legends.”

In light of Miss Saigon, he signed landing the role of Thuy in the highly acclaimed Miss Saigon musical. a recording contract with Star Music Since last year he has been making a and released a single called “I Am buzz as part of the play’s UK/Ireland Yours,” composed by Francis Salazar. The track is released in Tour of Cameron Mackintosh.

For sure Gerald’s takeaways digital format, with an official music from this have altered him—for the video uploaded on YouTube.

I myself have been blessed to better. He shared, “It changed my perspective in many ways and it have Gerald sing my composition gave me an even bigger boost in my “Ibulong Mo Na Sa Akin,” which is confidence. Now I know I can face scheduled for release in the coming whatever challenge placed in front months.

Being grateful is second nature of me.”

Prior to being chosen among to Gerald. He expressed, “I will hundreds who have auditioned to always be thankful to all those who play Thuy, Gerald was relatively believed and supported me all these a theater newbie. He, however, years, through thick and thin! Thank did lead roles for Gantimpala you for the unwavering support.”

Now he’s in every way ready for Theater Foundation’s Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal? and Redlife whatever destiny brings on: “If there Entertainment’s San Pedro will be more opportunities for me after my Saigon stint here in the UK, Calungsod The Musical.

Observers may have thought that I would gladly grab them. I would going theater was Gerald’s mere love to do more musicals here and diversion while waiting to score tackle my dream roles. One thing is hit songs as a singer. Besides, he certain I’ll always be a proud Pinoy all began after being named grand waving our flag wherever I may be.” champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar in 2006 which earned him the moniker “The Prince of Ballad.”

But the message was clear. He was bound to excel in musicals.

“The most challenging part of playing Thuy will always be the vocal aspect because Thuy has such high songs to sing. I had to combine that with the character’s madness and emotional load,” he informed.

Having spent several months working in England doing what he loves, for sure there is that feeling of triumph going inside Gerald’s core.

Being the professional that he is, he cherishes more the process than the performance proper. Asked about his fondest memories yet, he pinpointed, “It will have to be the rehearsal days in London. The Gerald Santos as Thuy in the highly thrills are just out of this world: acclaimed ‘Miss Saigon’ musical.