Manila Standard - 2018 April 26 - Thursday

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Marvel superheroes reunite in Avengers: Infinity War MORE than two dozen superheroes.

One big baddie. Let the mega-battle begin—and watch the box office receipts pile up.

This week, Marvel Studios unleashes the highly anticipated “Avengers: Infinity War” on theaters worldwide, almost 10 years to the day that it introduced movie fans to its ever-expanding comic book world with “Iron Man.” Next page

VOL. XXXII • NO. 70 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Aussie nun ordered to leave PH for ‘engaging in political activities’

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

GLOBAL PREMIERE. A view of the atmosphere during the Los Angeles Global Premiere for Marvel Studios Avengers: Infinity War on April 23 in Hollywood, California. AFP

S’ pore Zoo mourns loss of well-loved polar bear SINGAPORE—Inuka, the first polar bear born in the tropics, was put down Wednesday after a rapid decline in health, with Singapore Zoo mourning the loss of one of its best-loved animals.

The bear, whose name means “Silent Stalker” in Inuit, had reached the grand old age of 27-into his 70s in human years and two years older than the average lifespan of the creatures in Next page captivity.

THE government on Wednesday ordered the deportation of a 71-year-old Australian Catholic nun who angered President Rodrigo Duterte, accusing her of engaging in illegal political activities outside of her missionary work.

Sister Patricia Fox, who was briefly detained last week, will be the second foreigner who has spoken out recently against Duterte’s policies to be expelled, as the government hits back at critics of his human rights record.

The immigration service said it had canceled the visa of Fox, who relocated to the Philippines in 1990 as a member of the missionary Sisters of Our Lady of Sion.

“We direct Fox to leave the Philippines within 30 days from receipt of this order,” it said in a statement, adding that the nun had engaged in activities that are not allowed under the terms and conditions of her visa.

Fox expressed sadness over the government’s decision to cancel her visa and give her 30 days to leave the country in which she has lived 28 years. Next page

PRO-NUN. Human rights advocates rally in front of the Bureau of Immigration in Manila Wednesday to condemn the impending deportation of Australian missionary sister Patricia Fox. Forfeiting her missionary visa, the Philippines said it ordered Fox to leave the country because she supposedly engaged in ‘partisan political activities.’

Fox’s missionary visa, due to expire on Sept. 5, is now deemed forfeited. Her alien certificate of registration is also set to be deactivated. Norman Cruz

Last-ditch bid to stop Boracay closure filed

By Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

T

HE Supreme Court has been asked to stop the government from proceeding with its six-month closure of Boracay Island, the country’s most popular tourism destination.

POLAR BEAR GONE. This file photo taken on May 5, 2017 shows Inuka the polar bear, 26, inside its enclosure at the Singapore Zoo. The first polar bear born in the tropics, Inuka was put down on April 25, 2018 after a rapid decline in health, with Singapore Zoo mourning the loss of one of its best loved animals. AFP

PH sets sights on Russia as ME alternative

BORACAY SECURED. Police, with assault rifles (above), take part in security measures Wednesday in Boracay patrolling entry points on the eve of a six-month shutdown and cleanup of the tourist attraction. At left, tourists board a boat for home before the sun sets on them in Boracay after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the white-sand resort closed to tourists. AFP

By Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan THE Department of Labor and Employment is eyeing Russia as an alternative destination for Filipino workers as more abuses against them are being reported in the Middle East, particularly in Kuwait.

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said the department has started looking into the labor regulations and policies in Russia in preparation for the deployment of Filipino workers there.

He said Russia has a huge demand for professionals, house help and construction workers.

There are currently some 4,000 Filipino workers in Russia’s construction, household service and hotel industries.

Bello has created a technical working group to conduct discussions and meetings with Russian officials leading to the formulation of an agreement for possible deployment to Russia.

“Negotiations with Russian Federation are ongoing and Russia is one of our alternative markets for our Filipino workers who still wish to be deployed Next page

Poll aspirants beat red light, off to early campaign

By Joel E. Zurbano and Macon Ramos-Araneta EARLY or premature campaigning began everywhere in the Philippines just before the campaign period for the village and youth council elections officially start on May 4.

It happened despite the calls from various groups such as the National Movement for Free Elections and the Legal Network for Truthful Elections urging all candidates not to engage in premature

campaigning.

But the Comelec says the practice is not illegal.

In other developments: • Interior department officer-in-charge Eduardo Año has ordered the Philippine National Police to intensify the checkpoints and other security measures in all election “hot spots” nationwide.

• Senator Sonny Angara on Wednesday exhorted candidates in the coming barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls to show to tell their constituencies how they

plan to reinvigorate their roles in nationbuilding.

Angara said the barangay, the basic political unit of government policies, projects and activities in the community, was positioned to influence and direct the development of the entire country.

“They are much closer to the public. Oftentimes, the public first go to them if they have problems and complaints,” he said.

Comelec spokesman James Arthur Jimenez said premature campaigning was Next page gross.

In a petition filed through lawyers from the National Union of Peoples´ Lawyers, petitioners Mark Anthony Zabal and Thiting Jacosalem, both workers and residents of Boracay, asked the Court to issue a temporary restraining order against the closure of the island.

In the alternative, the petitioners asked the high court to issue a status ante order to restore all parties to the circumstances before the cessation of the tourism and economic activities in Boracay.

They argued that closure order was arbitrary and in violation not only of their constitutional rights, but the rights of all the people working and living on Next page the island.

PDEA to expose narco-pols in 211 barangays

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Wednesday it will come up with a list of barangay officials involved in illegal drugs before the May 14 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on May 14.

Director General Aaron Aquino said President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go-signal to divulge the names of the incumbent barangay officials in the narco-list.

To date, there are 211 barangay officials in PDEA’s validated list. Next page

Triple whammy on media: US, China, Russia—watchdog Sereno, waging war on two fronts, seeks relay of impeachment papers

PRESS freedom around the world is under threat from a triple whammy of United States President Donald Trump, Russia and China’s bid to crush all dissent, a watchdog said Wednesday.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warned that a “climate of hatred and animosity” towards journalists combined with growing attempts to control the media pose a “threat to democracies.”

Its annual report said that reporters

were the target of a growing wave of authoritarianism with leaders whipping up hostility against them.

The group accused the world’s three superpowers—the US, China and Russia—of leading the charge against press freedom, with Trump regularly launching personal attacks on reporters and Beijing exporting its “media control model” to strangle dissent elsewhere in Asia.

Next page

By Rey E. Requejo and Macon Ramos-Araneta AFTER questioning the decision of the Supreme Court to hold a special session next month to resolve the quo warranto petition seeking to nullify her appointment, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is now begging the House of Repre-

sentatives to immediately transmit the articles of impeachment against her to the Senate for trial.

“Let me fall at the mercy of God and the people. I am ready,” Sereno said during a forum at the Ateneo Law School, where she spoke about upholding judicial independence as a pillar of democracy.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Marvel...

From A1

The film, set to hit US theaters on Thursday night (Friday in Manila), is sure to be one of the biggest blockbusters of the year— and the unofficial kickoff to the summer movie season.

“Infinity War” is the 19th film in the so-called Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)—it combines a whopping nine franchises, and the cast list reads like a who’s who of Hollywood’s A-list.

Robert Downey Jr. will don the red and yellow metal suit once again as Iron Man; Benedict Cumberbatch is Doctor Strange; Scarlett Johansson is back as Black Widow; and Australia’s Chris Hemsworth is Thor.

Also back for more? Black Panther — the Marvel breakout of the year after the massive opening of the standalone pic in February, with Captain America, the Hulk, Spider-Man, Hawkeye, the Guardians of the Galaxy and their assorted allies.

Their mission? To prevent the powerful purple alien Thanos (Josh Brolin) from destroying the universe.

“We took a picture of every single person whose character has been in the MCU. We hung it up on a wall all around us,” co-director Anthony Russo, who helms the pic with his brother Joe, told reporters ahead of the film’s release.

“We basically spent months and months and months talking about where we could go with each character, how we could draw them through the story,” he added.

“Every one of these characters... has been on a very specific journey through the MCU to arrive at this moment.”

This is the third “Avengers” film, with the final, untitled saga set for next year.

At the press conference in Beverly Hills, the directors and stars were careful not to reveal too many details about the film’s plot. AFP

S‘pore...

From A1

Born at the zoo, Inuka was particularly popular with visitors due to his playful antics in his enclosure.

But in recent years he had suffered agerelated ailments including arthritis, and an examination at the start of this month revealed his health was failing markedly.

His weakened limbs had trouble supporting his body and he developed cuts on his paws and a wound on his abdomen.

After a final check-up, vets found that Inuka’s health had not improved despite intensive treatment and decided not to revive him from anesthesia.

“Singaporeans have known Inuka from the time he was a cub, and have seen him growing up and aging,” said Mohan Ponichamy, one of his keepers.

“It has been a privilege and an honor being his caregiver, but difficult as it may be, it would not have been fair to prolong his suffering.”

Inuka had been put on a “seniors program” at the zoo for the past five years to help elderly animals deal with the effects of aging.

He had slowed down in recent months, and became less interested in his daily play sessions. AFP

Poll...

From A1

“It gives an undue advantage to the candidates with deep war chests and it essentially reduces elections to a popularity contest,” Jimenez said in his blog posted on Wednesday.

“We don’t like premature campaigning.

The Comelec doesn’t like premature campaigning and yes, it should be illegal, but it is not.”

Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code says “It shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate, or for any party, or association of persons, to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity except during the campaign period ..”

Section 264 of the same code also states that any person found guilty of any election offense shall be punished with one to six years’ imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote.

Jimenez said it used to be, but Republic Act 9369 changed the definition of the word candidate.

“Section 79(a) of the Omnibus Election Code defines a candidate as any person aspiring for or seeking an elective public office, who has filed a certificate of candidacy x x x. The second sentence, third paragraph, Section 15 of RA 8436, as amended by Section 13 of RA 9369, provides that [a]ny person who files his certificate of candidacy within [the period for filing] shall only be considered as a candidate at the start of the campaign period for which he filed his certificate of candidacy. The immediately succeeding proviso in the same third paragraph states that unlawful acts or omissions applicable to a candidate shall take effect only upon the start of the aforesaid campaign period.” With PNA

PDEA...

From A1

In the original list, 293 barangay officials were allegedly linked to the illegal drug activitiy, but some of them were already dead or arrested, Aquino said.

Once the new list is released, Aquino said he would recommend to Secretary Eduardo Año of the Department of the Interior and Local Government to issue guidelines on the list’s publication.

He said he is ready to accept the consequences of making public the list of the barangay officials linked to the illicit drug trade.

Pay hike first, Cha-Cha later, labor urges Du30 V

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta

ARIOUS labor groups on Wednesday called on President Rodrigo Duterte to drop the proposed Charter change and instead focus on poverty eradication, increasing people’s pay and promoting job security.

“The pervasiveness of poverty as a result of low wages, high prices of goods and services, unemployment and lack of quality jobs cannot be swept under the rug by a more sensational war on drugs, the ambitious plan to build-build-build, or by shifting our form of government into federalism,” Partido Manggagawa chairman Rene Magtubo said.

He made his statement even as Senator Bam Aquino urged the government to listen to the Filipino people in light of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing increasing workers’ pay and checking galloping inflation were some of the public’s major concerns.

“Let us listen to the sentiments of Filipinos who are burdened with th high cost of goods and insufficient income,” said Aquino who has visited a number of communities to hear their concerns on the rising prices of goods.

The survey conducted by Pulse Asia from March 23 to 28 showed that 50 percent of the respondents mentioned salary increase as the most urgent issue while 45 percent pointed to inflation.

The Trade Union Congress of the Philippines and the Kilusang Mayo Uno said workers needed a more substantial wage hike and not Charter change, which they claimed would never change the economic status of the country if

Last-ditch...

The Palace official said the President will sign an executive order declaring the resort island under the state of calamity to be able to release P2 billion to financially assist affected workers and residents.

A militant lawmaker, meanwhile, accused the government of overkill in deploying 630 personnel composed of police, soldiers, Coast Guard and firemen to provide security during the shutdown.

“The overacting security measure only shows the fake narrative the Duterte government is using to close Boracay and quell the protests of local residents and their supporters who know the real score behind the closure and will be affected by the six-month long closure of the world-class tourist destination,” said Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao.

“Clearly, the government is employing a martial law-like tactic to sow terror on those who oppose the unjust total closure disguised as a clean-up,” he added.

Police preparing to shut down Boracay staged drills in riot gear on Wednesday, startling the laid-back beach community as workers mounted a last-ditch effort to halt the sixmonth closure.

President Duterte has ordered the holiday destination off-limits to tourists from Thursday, saying the tiny island has become a “cesspool” tainted by dumped sewage.

As part of police drills, officers in full riot gear clashed with bottle-throwing people playing the part of protesters on the white sand beach while concerned residents watched.

“I was alarmed there were so many soldiers and police,” resident Dory Gaitano said. “I thought they’ll be only demolishing establishments with violations. Why are there countless soldiers?”

Boracay was known as the crown jewel of Philippine tourism with its world-famous powdery white sand, but unchecked tourism and environmental degradation made it far from the tropical paradise it was decades ago.

Authorities say some of the hundreds of tourism-related hotels and restaurants use the island’s drainage system to send untreated sewage into its surrounding turquoise waters.

The closure threatens the livelihood of 17,000 hotel, restaurant and other tourism workers, plus about 11,000 construction workers.

The island saw some 2 million visitors last year, pumping roughly $1 billion in revenue into the Philippine economy.

Duterte has said he will release P2 billion to help the workers, but they say they haven’t seen a penny yet.

“My son has epilepsy and I am paying for his treatment. The government is offering a job but I am still waiting: what job and when?

From A1

“In ordering the closure of Boracay Island to tourists and non-residents, President [Rodrigo] Duterte gravely abused and exceeded his authority under the Constitution,” the petition said.

“He exercised powers that are legislative in nature, in violation of the principle of separation of powers. By issuing the said orders, President Duterte acted without authority under the 1987 Constitution or statutory law,” it said.

The closure of Boracay to all tourists, purportedly for the purpose of rehabilitating the island, will start today, ‪April 26, 2018, and will last for six months.

An inter-agency task force was formed to implement the rehabilitation. Hundreds of heavily-armed police personnel in fatigues have been deployed to Boracay ahead of the scheduled closure.

“We have been earning less and less ever since the government declared that it would close the island,” the petitioners said.

“If Boracay is closed to tourists, we lose our source of income, and we would not be able to feed our families,” they added.

An estimated 36,000 workers engaged in tourism-related occupations will be directly affected as a result of the government’s measure.

Impleaded as respondents in the petition were President Duterte, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Department of the Interior and Local Government Officer-inCharge Eduardo Año.

At the Palace, Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said Boracay would be closed unless the Court issued a temporary restraining order.

“While the President respects the Court, we see absolutely no merit for any private party to restrain the closure of Boracay to tourists given that SC itself has previously ruled that Boracay is owned primarily by the state,” Roque said in a statement.

The Palace official said the closure is just temporary and the rehabilitation plan would benefit not only the workers and residents but future generations to come.

“We see no reason private persons can allege and prove irreparable injuries, a prerequisite for a TRO, given that their stay on the island is by mere tolerance of the state,” Roque said.

“In any case, the closure is because of the inherent police power of the state to protect the environment in Boracay. Unless a TRO is issued, the planned closure of Boracay to tourists, shall proceed,” he added.

PH... overseas. There is a demand for construction and household service workers in Russia,” Bello said.

The technical working group has been tasked to establish a program of activities for a series of policy consultations between the Philippines and Russia to further discuss policies for the protection and welfare of Filipino workers.

Senator JV Ejercito, meanwhile, said he hoped the most recent wrinkle in PhilippineKuwaiti relations will not affect the amnesty extension for overstaying Filipino workers there.

“I have said before that while the rescue mission may have violated diplomatic protocols, they were done to save the lives and protect the welfare of Filipinos abroad which, after all, is the ultimate goal of our foreign policy,” said Ejercito.

“We value our friendship with other nations but this has to be balanced with our ultimate goal—protect the well-being of Filipinos overseas,” he added.

Senator Francis Escudero said he was glad to see Philippine Embassy officials being aggressive in defending the rights of abused Filipino workers.

“I hope that the apology notwithstanding, they will still be aggressive in protecting, defending and rescuing troubled OFWs. Filipinos living or working abroad have to feel safe and confident in the fact that their governemnt will protect and defend them right or wrong,” he said.

Philippine Ambassador to Kuwait Renato Villa on Wednesday (Manila time) echoed the apology extended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano after videos emerged of his staff helping Filipinos flee from allegedly abusive employers in Kuwait, adding fuel to a simmering diplomatic row between the two nations sparked by the murder of a Filipino maid.

He said the agency has identified 93 members of the House of Representatives, mayors and vice mayors in the narco-list.

“Drug laboratories proliferate. Why? Because barangay officials and the mayors just allow them,” he added.

As a reminder, Aquino renewed his call to the voting public not to support barangay and SK candidates whose names are in the drug watchlist.

“To us in the law enforcement agency, how can we clear a barangay if the barangay chairman himself is an addict? Or if his barangay councilor is a pusher or protector?” he said.

The Dangerous Drugs Board, meanwhile, backed a move of the DILG to file charges

against barangay officials for failure to create anti-drug abuse councils.

Board chairman Catalino Cuy cited Section 1 of Board Regulation No. 3 of 2017 stating that all barangays in every local government unit must establish their own barangay anti-drug abuse councils.

The role of council is to plan, implement and evaluate programs on drug abuse prevention in the barangays.

In addition to administrative sanctions, officials who violate any regulation issued by the DDB can be held liable under Section 32 of Republic Act 9165 with a penalty ranging from six months and one day to four years and a fine ranging from P10,000 to P50,000. With Francisco Tuyay

From A1

graft and corruption continued.

The labor groups are also preparing for a big rally on May 1, Labor Day and dubbed their program as “Chicha, hindi Chacha”.

“For three consecutive years now, working class issues such as a wage hike, controlling inflation, reducing poverty and job creation remained as the Filipinos top concerns while Charter change or Chacha is at the bottom of the list,” Magtubo said.

Chicha is Filipino slang for food, but for the labor group, its meaning expands to other rights and entitlements that enable workers to raise their standard of living.

The labor groups also assailed the government’s inaction on inflation and its pro-endo policy.

“Poverty concerns had always been in need of immediate action and unless addressed in a holistic manner, these issues will continue to hound any administration, one of the groups said.

I will take any job as long as I have a daily income,” souvenir vendor Jenelyn Besana said.

Restaurants and bars put up signs offering discounts, with most items on the menu already unavailable.

Vendors slashed 50 percent off sunglasses and selfie sticks while tourists scrambled to get hold of Boracay souvenir shirts sold at half price.

“We call it the closure sale. We used to sell key chains in a buy one, get one promo. But now we sell ‘Buy one, get 10’,” said vendor Jenie Dagunan.

“We can’t eat these bracelets, might as well turn them into money.”

The Trade Department vowed to assist affected workers and displaced micro, small and medium entrepreneurs to lessen the impact of the the six-month closure.

Trade Regional Operations Group Undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya said the agency has identified initiatives to cushion the impact to workers and entrepreneurs of the island’s imminent shutdown.

“We recognize the importance of Boracay Island to our local entrepreneurs there. However, we would also like to ensure that the island maintain its pristine condition, which is why we have identified programs that will help local entrepreneurs,” Maglaya said.

Post-rehab: More investors flocking

More foreign investors will flock to Boracay once the island has gone through a sixmonth rehabilitation.

This was the view shared yesterday by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo during a radio program interview over DZBB who said that businesses in the island will bounce back after the closure.

Teo said a 5-star hotels, world-class villas, and restaurants are expected to be built in Boracay after the rehabilitation, paving the way for the creation of jobs in the tourism sector not only for the locals in the province but also for residents of nearby areas.

Teo at the same time denied that a casino will be built and open in the island while it is being rehabilitated, a move that entails demolition of illegal structures, putting up of drainage system and road widening.

She said queries over the casino issue is left to the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. as it is the sole agency that is authorized to give the ‘go signal’ and license to operate a casino and not her department.

Teo added that the foreign investment will come from the countries President Duterte had visited recently, like China and the Southeast Asian countries whom he encouraged to visit and invest in the country.

With Othel V. Campos, Maricel V. Cruz and AFP

Aussies...

Bus, truck collide on SCTEX: 3 dead

By Francisco Tuyay THREE people were burned to death while 23 others were injured after a passenger bus they were riding caught fire shortly after colliding with a truck along the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway in Concepcion, Tarlac before midnight Tuesday.

Supt. Augusto Pasamonte, Chief of Police of Concepcion, Tarlac, said the three still-unidentified fatalities were passengers of the Five Star Bus that smashed into the Fuso Truck inside SCTEX in the vicinity of Barangay Sto. Nino town at about 11:50 p.m.

Initial investigation revealed that the bus bearing license plate UYD 493 was driven by Rolando Untalan, 50. The truck with license plate RHD 831 was piloted by Emmanuel Retardo, 46, along with helper Victor Ayen, 40.

In a radio interview, Pasamonte said the Five Star Bus was traversing northbound on SCTEX when it accidentally bumped the Fuso Truck on line 2 of the expressway, after coming out of the emergency lane.

Upon impact, the bus caught fire and rolled five meters into the creek beside the expressway.

The accident sparked panic among the passengers, as they hurriedly disembarked while the fire engulfed the bus.

However, it was reported that the dead passengers were not able to exit the burning bus.

The Five Star Bus was bound for Dagupan, Pangasinan from its terminal in Cubao, Quezon City when the accident occurred.

All of the injured victims have been identified, Pasamonte said. He said 23 of them were taken to three medical facilities: 10 to the Concepcion District Hospital, 11 to Sta. Rita and two to the Tarlac Provincial Hospital.

Sereno,...

From A1

She made her statement even as Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III on Wednesday said the senators who still sit in the jury would likely vote if Sereno’s impeachment trial would proceed once the Supreme Court decided to disqualify her.

Solicitor General Jose Calida had filed a quo warranto petition seeking to nullify Sereno’s appointment in 2012 as Chief Justice.

Also on Wednesday, Calida said he has denied the request of Jocelyn Marie Acosta to start a similar quo warranto proceeding against Associate Justice Teresita Leonardo de Castro, a rival of Sereno’s.

Calida said his arguments to remove Sereno do not apply to De Castro since it was Sereno who was appointed as Chief Justice “without the qualifications back in 2012.”

A vocal supporter of Sereno who belongs to the group “The Silent Majority”, Acosta, as a private individual, wrote Calida on April 20 urging him to file the same petition against De Castro on the basis of alleged missing Statements of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth or SALNs. The Supreme Court will decide on the petition of the Office of the Solicitor General against Sereno on May 17, while Congress will resume its sessions on May 15.

“Now that we are already involved in the proceedings, the question there is if the Senate will recognize the removal of the Chief Justice through the quo warranto,” Pimentel said.

Sereno criticized the reluctance of the House to immediately transmit her case to the Senate for trial.

She said Congress should not “dilly dally” and should put a stop to the “nightmare that has been dragging on since August [last year].”

“They have been so hard-pressed to say which [of the offenses hurled against me] are impeachable. I am not afraid of accountability,” Sereno said.

From A1

In a statement, Fox appealed to the Bureau of Immigration to reconsider its decision and allow her the chance to explain her mission as a religious sister.

“I was surprised as I had thought the process was that I would have 10 days to put in a counter-affidavit to answer the charges,” Fox said.

“I am still hoping for a chance to explain how I see my mission as a religious sister and maybe the decision can be reconsidered,” she added.

Fox.who is also a lawyer, recalled that she eagerly volunteered in 1990 to come to the Philippines since she had some Filipino friends in Australia.

She recalled her missions here in the Philippines with the people in the rural areas, the tribal people, the farmers, and started to realize the basic issues which caused their poverty.

“It was through them that I came to learn some of the basic issues which caused their poverty: Lack of their own lands, control of markets, dependence on pesticides,” she said.

Her lawyer Jobert Pahilga said the deportation order violated the nun’s right to due process, and she would appeal to have the immigration service ruling rescinded.

The immigration bureau held the nun overnight last week but released her without charges.

Following her detention, Fox said she had recently joined a fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights abuses against farmers by soldiers fighting communist rebels. With Vito Barcelo, Macon Ramos-Araneta and AFP

Triple...

From A1

The slide towards “strongman” and populist politics in Europe, stoked by Moscow, was threatening freedoms in the region where they were once safest, it added, with Hungary, Slovakia and Poland setting off alarm bells.

Czech President Milos Zeman turned up at a press conference with a fake Kalashnikov inscribed with the words “for journalists” while Slovakia’s former leader Robert Fico called journalists “filthy anti-Slovak prostitutes” and “idiotic hyenas.”

“The unleashing of hatred towards journalists is dangerous and a threat to democracy,” RSF chief Christophe Deloire told AFP. “Political leaders who fuel loathing for reporters... undermine the concept of public debate based on facts instead of propaganda.

To dispute the legitimacy of journalism today is to play with extremely dangerous political fire,” he added.

RSF said that hostility towards the media is “no longer confined to authoritarian countries such as Turkey and Egypt,” but was poisoning the political atmosphere in some of the great democracies.

“More and more democratically elected leaders no longer see the media as part of democracy’s essential underpinning, but as an adversary to which they openly display their aversion,” the report said, picking out Trump, India’s Narendra Modi and Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte for particular criticism.

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THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Malacañang pressed to file protest vs China

By Maricel V. Cruz A STAUNCH critic of President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday pressed Malacañang to immediately file a diplomatic protest against China following the unveiling of China’s monument to mark its construction work in South China Sea. Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said the Duterte administration should not tolerate China.

“I call on the Duterte administration to protest this recent act of impertinence by China. The intentions of China to control the South China Sea are becoming more apparent. This administration is either naturally incompetent or deliberately turning a blind-eye if it fails to see the threat of China’s aggression,” Alejano, an oppositionist, said.

He denounced the latest Chinese activity at the WPS, saying it was “a slap to the faces of other claimant states.”

“This just shows the determination and boldness of China to continue pursuing its objectives in the SCS without respect to international laws and the sovereignty of other states,” Alejano said.

Alejano said the recently conducted military exercises in the SCS, installation of military infrastructure in the islands, and the unveiling of monument—as if to celebrate its reclamation activities— were not helping in stabilizing the situation in the region.

“The negotiations for a Code of Conduct are being taken advantage of to mask the true intent of China. Its public pronouncements cannot be trusted,” Alejano said.

For his part, Parañaque Rep. Gus Tambunting expressed hope the government would be able to handle the situation well.

“We leave the matter to the sound discretion of the DFA for appropriate action,” said Tambunting, chairperson of the House committee on games and amusement.

The Palace earlier said Tuesday it would study the possibility of lodging a diplomatic protest against China over the reported unveiling of a monument on Fiery Reef (Kagitingan) in the disputed South China Sea. The Palace said it would lodge diplomatic action against China over the construction of a monument which some experts said would cement its claim to the disputed region.

UNFULFILLED PROMISE. Members of the Labor Coalition group Nagkakaisa dramatize their sentiments against the unfulfilled promise of President Rodrigo Duterte to end contractualization by showing their fists with nails during a press briefing in Manila Wednesday. Norman Cruz

Duque assails Acosta over Dengvaxia issue He described as “baseless, malicious and counterproductive” the additional complaints against him by the Public Attorney’s Office.

“It hampers the ongoing efforts of the department to provide accessible health care to those vaccinated by Dengvaxia and the general public,” stressed Duque.

Duque said he was surprised that the PAO would go to such lengths of filing for obstruction for justice when it could easily apply for subpoena to get the dengue vaccine master list.

As a lawyer, Duque said PAO chief Acosta knew she could get the master list if she applied for a subpoena from a competent authority.

“She could easily get it from the DoJ or the NBI... In fact, we have submitted the master list to the Blue Ribbon committee

chaired by Senator [Richard] Gordon after receiving a subpoena. It’s a legal requirement I am sure she is aware of,” Duque added.

Duque also clarified that the P50,000 financial assistance that would be given to families of deceased Dengvaxia recipients would come from the Office of the President.

“The Office of the President requested that the DoH draft the guidelines for the claiming of the financial assistance. The money will come from the Office of the President,” Duque explained.

“It escapes me why Atty. Acosta is questioning the goodwill of President Duterte in providing assistance to bereaved families,” he also said.

Furthermore, the health chief slammed PAO for maliciously implying he was a

consultant for former secretary Janette Garin.

“I vehemently deny that I was engaged as consultant for the DoH at any time during Secretary Garin’s tenure. I accepted my designation in May 2015 long before the decision to implement the Dengvaxia immunization was made by then Secretary Garin of which at that time I was completely unaware of,” Duque said.

Duque said he was designated as head of a selection committee in good faith, and with the purest of intentions to assist the department, as a member of a collegial body, in evaluating the qualifications of its high-ranking officials.

“I want to emphasize that I did not take part in the department’s policy-making decision during the time in question,” he pointed out.

Duque was engaged by the DoH not as a consultant but as a mere resource person while he was Chairman of the Civil Service Commission in the selection process for third-level department officials.

According to the health chief, they have not yet received a copy of the complaints filed by the Public Attorney’s Office.

Based on news reports, the parents of Abbie Hedia, as assisted by PAO, filed a complaint for “obstruction of justice.”

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

addressed to Cayetano.

“This should not go unheeded as the lives of Filipinos in San Francisco are put on line with the inutility of these Consulate officials,” he added.

Aba said he brought this to Cayetano’s attention to seek his intervention.

“I strongly urged the Philippine government to file a diplomatic protest in what had happened to me and in behalf of my Moro brothers and sisters whom I have been representing,” he said.

“This is not just an affront to my person but an affront to the Moro-Filipino community. I am hoping that we will not let this be swept under the rug as this would be a dangerous precedent,” he added.

So far, the DFA has yet to comment on this.

Aba flew from Davao to Manila and caught his flight to San Francisco to attend as resource speaker an event of the Human Rights Office of the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in Washington D.C. and the Stop the Killing Speaking Tour from April 19 to May 14, 2018.

But before the boarded the plane, he was brought to a room by Filipino immigration officers, after showing his travel papers.

“There, I was asked if I would be going to participate in rallies in the US,” he related.

“I told them that I will be going to the US to speak in indoor activities,” he said, adding the Filipino immigration officials then allowed him to take the flight going to San Francisco.

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

ECRETARYT Francisco T. Duque III on Wednesday assailed Public Attorney’s Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta for making a circus out of the Dengvaxia mess by dragging mourning parents to court and filing charges.

S

Groups want Marawi Aba to DFA chief: Probe consulate officias redeemed

By Rio N. Araja VARIOUS civil society organizations on Wednesday appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte to fast-track the rehabilitation of Marawi City.

Dalomabi Lao Bula, spokesperson of Kalimudan Foundation Inc., Kapamagogopa Inc., Tapukan Farmers Group, Lombay Ka and Maradeca, said for more than 11 months, Marawi City was still groping in the dark as to government plan on the rehabilitation of Marawi’s ground zero now called most affected area.

She said they were becoming impatient as to their plight.

Several dates have been given as a timeline for returning home, but the dates kept on being moved, she added.

The city and provincial local government units hosted a multisectoral forum last March 20 and March 21.

The National Economic and Development Authority presented a comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation plan for the cleared areas.

The stakeholders were asked to give reactions and recommendations through a workshop.

According to Bula, several Marawibased civil society organizations have been working hand in hand with the government to convey to the President the pleas of the more than 12,000 internally displaced persons who suffered and are still suffering “until this very moment.”

“Mr. President, with your sympathy and kind heart we beg to conduct a transparent and acceptable post conflict damage assessment of private properties caused by the deliberate and excessive bombing,” the groups said.

MORO human rights advocate Jerome Aladdin Succor Aba has called on Foreign Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano to conduct an “independent, impartial investigation” against the Philippine Consulate General and officials in San Francisco for neglect to do their job to protect Filipino citizens.

In a letter he submitted before the DFA, Aba also urged Cayetano to file a diplomatic protest against the United States authority for allegedly torturing him and violating his basic human rights and religion.

“I formally demand your good office to conduct an independent, impartial investigation on this and hold accountable these officials who had to be pressured to do their jobs well,” Aba said in a letter

La Viña, Antiporda, 3 others promoted

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed sacked Social Security System Commissioner Jose Gabriel La Viña as Tourism undersecretary and former tabloid reporter and National Press Club president Benny Antiporda as Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and promoted three police colonels to brigadier generals, Malacañang said on Wednesday.

The President also named Rosario Bernardo Sagadal and Agnes Alexis Lucero-de Grano as commissioners of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Their appointment papers were signed April 24, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said.

La Viña, a staunch ally of President Duterte and known as the social media manager of the President during the 2016 election, was named DoT undersecretary, barely three months after his appointment as SSS commissioner was not renewed by the President.

He was accused of demanding P26 million to fund his social media project and for asking a budget of P1.6 million per month for a media advertising program which was not granted, Roque said.

Antiporda was previously appointed director of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority last year.

Duterte also approved the promotions of three police colonels to brigadiers general.

They are former police Senior Superintendents Tyrone Villariza Masigon, Allan Tribiana Cuevillas and Petronelli Merecido Baldebrin.

Police Chief Supt. Elmo Francis Oco Sarona was likewise promoted as police director.

Go provides financial aid

POLL ISSUES. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III addresses issues facing May 14 elections for barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan officials during the Kapihan sa Manila Media forum Wednesday which also tackled issues like Endo and Dengvaxia at the Café Adriatico Manila. Lino Santos

SPECIAL Assistant to the President Bong Go has donated more than P41,000 in cash and coordinated an estimated P2 million worth of funds from different departments and government institutions to Filipinos in need of financial support for their health problems, according to a statement from his office Wednesday.

“I know that many need someone who they can trust and depend on especially in terms of financial assistance for health concerns,” Go said in an interview over dzRH on April 20.

“The Office of the Special Assistant to the President is always ready to aid and give a helping hand to Filipinos in any way they can reach us,” said Go, who also offered various assistance by collaborating with different government agencies that could accommodate their other requests.

In the phone interview, Go answered

on-air requests from callers who have been suffering from various medical problems such as cancer, kidney diseases, leukemia, chronic disorders, burns and other diseases.

He also addressed requests for assistance on medication and hospitalization expenses from the callers.

One of the callers was Alma dela Cruz from Bulacan who is suffering from Stage 2 breast cancer. Although she has already availed of Office of the President funds, Go ensured that medications for her illness will continue.

Go also secured five chemotherapy sessions for Dela Cruz through the Philippine General Hospital.

The PGH will cover the succeeding cycles while, the chemotherapy medicine, Doxitrel, will be provided by the Department of Health.

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Opinion

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Threat to sovereignty

The right of the state visa does not allow her to participate TO THE in any political activity.

POINT This exercise of sovereignty reminds me of the sister of my daughEMIL P. ter-in-law. One time, she came home JURADO to the Philippines with her boyfriend to visit.

SANTA Banana, believe it or not, One early morning, I got a franeven though I am 90 years old I still tic call because authorities refused look forward to reading the funny to allow the boyfriend to enter the pages of newspapers. They provide Philippines. He was unkempt and comic relief after I have read all the unshaven, wearing just sando, shorts news items and the opinion pieces. and slippers, his visit coinciding with After reading so much negative summer. news, I love having a good laugh.

I talked to the immigration officer I have been doing it as far back as and asked why they would not let the I can remember. I remember read- boyfriend enter the country. They ing the Katzenjammer Kids, Popeye said he looked like he would not be and Olive, Nancy and Sluggo and able to afford to stay in the PhilipFlash Gordon. I recall reading Flash pines. It was only after my guarantee Gordon’s space travels using jet- that the officers relented. propelled spaceships, something that When I talked to the boyfriend, I has actually come told him the next about with modtime he comes ern technology. here he should not I was also an look like those avid collector of foreigners who I don’t understand DC and Marvel think the PhilipComics. I had a why the sympathizers of pines is populated stack of Super- the nun are so angry. by savages. man, Batman and Captain Marvel I cite this incimaterial. I wondent to show that der what happened to them. If I had saved them, I the state does have the right to ban would be a millionaire now. Sayang. or deport any alien in its exercise of When my kids were young, I would sovereignty. give them such magazines with chocolates when they were sick. *** In the wake of so much criticism *** by international human rights groups The Bureau of Immigration’s order of the President’s war on drugs, the to deport the Australian nun, Sister President should do a rethink. This is Patricia Fox, whom the government not a simple peace and order problem said was an undesirable alien, was that can be solved by the police terreally just an exercise of Philippine minating anybody involved. sovereignty.

The drug problem is an issue of The opposition, militants and ac- poverty and health. Santa Banana, tivists may cry to the heavens that the President Duterte should realize that Duterte administration is getting par- the problem will not disappear so anoid. But if these people knew their long as there is a demand for illegal law, they would know that the BI can drugs. Meanwhile, foreign syndicates actually prevent people from entering are always there to supply the need. the country or deport them.

The ultimate solution is to cut off I don’t see any cause why the sym- the demand. How? By putting up pathizers of the nun should complain. community-based rehabilitation centTheir hearts are now bleeding for the ers nationwide.

71-year-old and they urge her to seek It’s also a poverty issue because redress from Philippine courts. it’s the poor who use “shabu” eiThe nun may be old, sure, but her ther smuggled through Customs missionary visa does not guarantee or dumped by passing vessels that she would not be deported. Her Turn to A5

A

71-YEAR-OLD Australian nun, who has lived in the Philippines since 1990, is being sent back to her land for being an undesirable alien.

She was held briefly by the Bureau of Immigration last week, and for a while it seemed an apology was coming. Soon, however, no less than President Rodrigo Duterte said it was he who had ordered Sister Patricia Fox investigated for disorderly conduct and engaging in partisan political activity outside her missionary work.

“You insult me under the cloak of being a Catholic [religious], and you are a foreigner!

Who are you? It is a violation of sovereignty,” Duterte said last week.

Fox has 30 days to leave the Philippines, a country whose farmers she helped by introduc-

ing organic farming and by informing them of their rights.

The nun says she still hopes she can explain to the government and that it would consider its decision. It appears, however, that President Duterte’s resolute mind will remain just that.

As leader of the land, Mr. Duterte is well within his rights to take action against those whom he perceives to violate our sovereignty. Nobody questions that this is part of his prerogative as chief executive, even as we vehemently disagree with how exactly he carries out this role. While we do not agree that a septuagenarian nun who has done so much good for the poor poses any risk at all to the country, we agree with the President that he can—no, he must—call out anybody he believes tramples on our sovereignty.

Which leads us to our mighty neighbor, China.

We cannot understand how the same person can order the

deportation of a foreign nun for “disorderly conduct” while being permissive of a foreign country’s blatant incursions into our sovereignty.

Mr. Duterte’s amorous relations with the Chinese appears to cloud his objective determination of what constitutes such violations. Why has he kept notoriously silent about the many times Beijing has undermined our sovereignty? It has asserted its claims by building structures on disputed territory. It has even dared conduct research even on the Philippine Rise, which is on the other side of Luzon island altogether.

The President’s alter egos have insisted on China’s good faith. It is so easy to believe this is because of the many favors promised us in terms of loans, grants and investments, even as we hope we are wrong.

We have hardly seen reason and compassion in the past few days. At the very least, we hope to see some consistency.

Afraid of an aged nun missionary visa. Pahilga’s counter is that Fox’s involvement with such activities are consistent with her mission of promoting peace, social justice, and human rights.

She first made headlines when she was taken from her house about a week ago by the BI and detained for her so-called poAFTER some weeks of posturing and litical activities. She was released within threatening, the Duterte administration 24 hours. At the time, Palace spokesperhas decided to deport Roman Catholic son Harry Roque said “siguro apologies nun Patricia Anne Fox for participating are in order kasi madalian naman siyang pinalabas din ng [BI].” in “partisan political activities.”

He said while there is a law prohibiting Fox, an Australian national, has been in the Philippines for 27 years as a mis- foreigners from participating in protests sionary nun and head of the Notre Dame and political activities, Fox was not arde Sion congregation. She works with the rested while at an actual rally, a mistake on the part of the urban poor, farmers, BI. and indigenous folk.

President RodA substantial chunk rigo Duterte, of her vocation has however, flabberbeen spent nurturHave Fox’s activities gasted one and all ing the marginalized when he declared that have slipped un- throughout three that he was the der the government’s decades resulted in one who ordered radar. The Philip- any actual harm to the the probe into pines has become her various administrations Fox for “disorhome. derly conduct.” He Now 71, she will she has seen come and also accused her have to leave her go? of having “a foul adopted home of mouth,” saying nearly three decades she has no right unless her lawyer to criticize him.

Jobert Pahilga man“You come here ages to file a persuasive appeal, motion for reconsideration, and insult us, you trample with (sic) our or other legal remedy—or the govern- sovereignty,” he said.

Many have defended Fox’s privilege to ment rescinds its order.

The deportation order was issued by stay in the country, among them memthe Bureau of Immigration, which has bers of the clergy, opposition politicians, recommended the cancellation of Fox’s journalists, and left-leaning personalities.

One of them is former Commission on missionary visa and given her 30 days to Human Rights chairperson Etta Rosales, leave the country.

Fox is accused of participating in ral- who issued a harsh indictment. “The forlies, press conferences, and other politi- feiture of visa and order to leave for Sister cally-related activities, said to be a vio- Patricia Fox will go down in history as lation of the terms and conditions of her Turn to A5

EVERYMAN

Why can the rich buy prime properties?

By Marc Guerrero THE Pag-IBIG Fund makes it appear in its TV advertisements that owning one’s first house is as simple as reciting the ABC. Commercial banks’ easy-term loans also seem to echo Pag-IBIG’s come-on that buying a house is as easy as count-

ing 123.

It is easier said than done, in real terms.

Moderate labor is fighting tooth and nail to have its standard minimum wage of P16,000 a month proposition, legislated.

IBON Databank in its 1980s studies

And why do the poor make do with matchboxes?

Turn to A5 Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

ManilaStandard

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ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Power problems OVERSIGHT DANILO SUAREZ DURING the 80s and 90s, the Philippines suffered from insufficient power supply and poor power transmission.

Power outages were daily during that period. Congress enacted RA 9136, or the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001,” also known as the Epira.

The law intended to remove monopolies in the power industry through the privatization of the National Power Corp.’s assets, which was intended to provide more efficient services and competitive prices.

Through the Epira, different components of the power sector were restructured. Generation was privatized. The ownership of transmission assets was retained by the government-owned National Transmission Company. The operation, maintenance, and expansion of the grid was privatized through a concession. The 25-year concession to operate the country’s power transmission system was awarded in 2007 to the consortium comprising the Monte Oro Grid Resources Corp., Calaca High Power Corp., and the State Grid Corporation of China, through a public bidding process. This consortium is the privately-owned, National Grid Corporation of the Philippines, which was also granted by the Congress a 50year franchise to operate, maintain, and develop the state-owned power grid. NGCP’s nationwide operations include 21,000 circuit kilometers of lines, 20,000 transmission towers, and 140 substations.

One of my concerns is that SGCC has the highest stake in the consortium, owning 40 percent of the company, while CHPC and MOGR own 30 percent each. This means that the NGCP is majorly owned by the Chinese, which I see as a threat to national security.

This prompted me in August 2016 to file House Resolution No. 280, which reviewed the participation of foreigners in the ownership and operations of the NGCP. Despite several deliberations, of the House Committee on Energy,

Expect me to be vigilant in monitoring these concerns.

nothing concrete was implemented. I believe that this matter, being a threat to national security, should be given utmost attention. Therefore, I filed House Bill No. 5209, or “An Act Limiting the Ownership and Operation of the NGCP.” This bill is pending in the Committee on Energy, and I am quite disappointed that it has not progressed.

Another concern is that, most Filipino consumers and businesses are complaining of high power rates these days. One of the reasons why we have high power rates is that most of the fuel used for power generation are imported, meaning, these are subject to global market forces and are impacted by foreign exchange movements. Furthermore, power demand is less relative

to those of comparable countries.

There is lack of economies of scale in the construction of our power plants and we have smaller power plants, which implies lower efficiency. The efficiency of power plants impacts power rates because fuel consumption pegs at 40 to 60 percent of power generation cost.

Another cause of high power rates is the value-added tax on system loss.

System loss pertains to the electricity bought but is not paid due to technical and non-technical reasons. This means deduction in value, so why pay for VAT? The recently implemented first tax reform, also known as the “Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion [TRAIN],” has increased and will further increase power rates due to the higher excise tax on oil and coal. Lastly, transmission costs are exorbitant due to overcharging by the NGCP. In 2009, TransCo awarded the NGCP the concession to operate its transmission assets. The concession fee was 3.95 billion dollars, with a downpayment of 25 percent, and 20 equal annual installments. The rate that NGCP is charging now includes the value of TransCo’s assets, which is roughly around P175 billion. In effect, NGCP is earning more than it should.

By some estimates, this excess recovery could be in excess worth Php 110 billion between 2011 and 2015. Dividends paid over nine years amounted to more than Php 130 billion, which is a return of almost 120 percent.

I call on the NGCP to take urgent and significant actions to address these concerns on national security and high power rates. As a legislator, it is my duty to protect our country and our people. Expect that I will be vigilant in monitoring these concerns.

Afraid...

From A4

one of the Duterte administration’s cowardly acts,” she said.

Senator Nancy Binay, referring to Fox’s detention, asked, “Ang tanong eh, how can a 71-year-old nun be a “threat to society’?” Similarly, politician Teddy Casiño tweeted, “How can [Fox], an Australian who decided to dedicate 27 years of her life in a third world country like the Philippines to help farmers and other poor and oppressed sectors, be even considered an undesirable alien?”

Others have referenced Duterte’s misogyny, seeing how his administration has moved against Senator Leila de Lima, Supreme Court Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno, Ombudsman Conchita Carpio- Morales, Vice-President Leni Robredo, and others. “The president is allergic to strong women,” Rosales quipped at a forum last month.

Those who have defended the government’s actions against Fox say that it is the government’s right to expel for-

eigners who criticize the government and who do not obey the country’s laws.

But has Fox actually done any wrong? She has not been caught participating in a political activity, but she has admitted that she has spent her years in the country working for human rights in behalf of the poor and marginalized. Is that sufficient to brand her as a threat to society and the country’s sovereignty? Isn’t the Chinese military presence in our islands a larger and more immediate threat?

Legal eagles will nitpick over loopholes, but the bigger question is, have Fox’s activities throughout three decades resulted in any actual harm to the various administrations she has seen come and go?

Or is the decision to deport her based solely on Duterte’s dislike of being criticized by women and ‘Westerners’ such as Callamard, Filibeck, the European Union, the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, etcetera?

According to an ABS-CBN news item from yesterday, Senator Bam Aquino, who has also condemned the BI deportation order against Fox, “wants the Senate to investigate possible abuses of the state’s power to deport foreign nationals” for airing criticisms of government.

“Now more than ever we need our laws to protect the rights of people willing to stand up to power and speak out against injustices,” Aquino said.

The matter is still unfolding and the weeks to come will see how our society negotiates this situation. At the moment, we are left wondering whether all the heavy artillery brought to bear against an elderly nun is warranted or just a bullying tactic to mask insecurities and a thin skin.

Dr. Ortuoste is a writer and communication consultant. FB and Twitter: @ DrJennyO

The...

From A4

through our porous borders. In some instances, the shabu is manufactured in the Philippines in connivance with narco-politicians.

I am not saying that the rich are not into drugs. Note that cocaine and ecstasy are also very popular here. But they are more difficult to identify because they live in exclusive villages or condominiums.

If the President expects to win the

war on illegal drugs, he should rethink his strategy of cutting supply by building more rehab centers. I am sure he knows that other countries also have problems with illegal drugs but they do not go about killing all involved in the narcotics trade.

Senate race.

It seems that only Bam Aquino stands out.

There seems to be a dearth of Liberal Party politicians who can put up a credible opposition slate.

The exception is Mar Roxas—but will he r un? *** If there are not enough oppositionI am worried at the lack of oppo- ists in the Senate, checks and balance sition figures who will join the 2019 will be stymied. That would be tragic!

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

More government infrastructure projects ***

DUTY CALLS

Last week, the papers also came out with a report that the Department of Transportation construct an integrated bus terminal in Bocaue, Bulacan IT APPEARS that the government’s that will, if the plan materializes, take ambitious infrastructure program is out about 6,000 provincial buses off showing no sign of slowing down at the congested roads of Metro Manila. all. Last week, the media reported The idea is to prevent buses coming another big project about building from provinces north of the Nationbridges that will connect all the ma- al Capital Region from entering the jor islands that will cost P269 billion. Metro Area through Balintawak and The intention is to connect Luzon and other entrances.

The facility will be constructed beSamar, Leyte and Mindanao plus the other major islands of the Visayas re- side the Philippine Arena, just off the gion. The length of the bridges will North Luzon Expressway. It is notetotal about 105 kilometers —a major worthy to note that every time there challenge to the engineering know- is an activity in the Philippine Arena, traffic along NLEX gets congested. how of Filipinos.

With this kind of undertaking, one With the so-called integrated bus wonders whether the amount budg- terminal beside it, traffic congestion eted will be enough. Nothing was in the area will now become a daily mentioned whether this undertak- problem.

We have to wonder therefore, why ing will be a combination of tunnels and bridges. We also do not know if the place was chosen at all. There must be other imbridging the San portant reasons.

Bernardino Strait With the terminal, that will connect the DOTr expects Samar and Luzon to decongest Edsa Will the budget be is at all possible. by eliminating The water current enough? about 97,000 trips there is strong, because most of treacherous and the provincial bus deep. The governstations are locatment should exed there. amine whether tunnelling is the betI have some problems about the ter option.

The big problem with this huge pro- plan as published in the media. Alject is always the cost which might though the bus terminal is integrated drain our treasury given the P9 tril- as reported, why locate the facility lion cost of the other Build, Build, beside the Philippine Arena. Is there Build projects. Add the cost of the going to be a rail head there? If there projected 2,000-kilometer Mindanao is none, the terminal could not be rail project of about P450 billion and classified as intermodal because an we have to wonder where the gov- intermodal station means that when ernment will get the money. Maybe all the bus passengers are discharged, China? After all, the lovefest between these passengers will then take the our President and Chinese President train to proceed to their find destinaXi is growing with the latter sched- tion which is the NCR. If, however, the passengers will uled to in November.

Before we undertake a project of be picked up by land-based transthis magnitude, it might be a good portation such as buses or jeepneys, idea to study how others did it. When the terminal will not be intermodal Japan connected the island of Hok- but just another bus terminal. Intekaido and Honshu through an under- grated, maybe, because all the bus ground tunnel, now known as the Sai- companies will be using one facility kan rail tunnel, the cost when it was but intermodal it will not be. As I completed in 1988 was $7 billion—a understand it, the railway that will staggering amount at that time. The go to Clark which is intended to plan to connect the islands was first pick up all passengers will be locatmentioned between 1921 and 1925 ed at the opposite side of the Philipbut surveys were only started in 1946 pine Arena. It is really very simple, and work started much later in 1971. if there is no rail head collocated It took 16 years to complete the pro- in the integrated bus terminal, the ject and is currently the longest tun- same number of road-based transnel with an undersea segment total- port will be needed to bring the pasing 53.85 km with 23.30 km under the sengers to their final destination in the metro area thereby negating the seabed.

The other example of a project of very purpose of the project.

Furthermore, what will the provinthis magnitude is the Channel rail tunnel first proposed in 1802 that cial buses do after discharging their connects Folkestone, Kent in the UK passengers? Will these buses be aland Coquilles, Pas-de-Calais which lowed to proceed to the NCR where the has a distance of 50.45 km. The cost bus companies still have their stations of the project eventually ballooned and maintenance facilities or will these to about $21 billion. Taking the costs facilities also be move out of the NCR of both these projects and the time it and transferred to Bocaue, Bulacan? If took to complete them, it is obvious so, the government will have to conthat many of us elderly folks will not duct a survey whether these facilities live long enough to see these projects can be accommodated in and around completed and the costs as currently Bocaue which in itself will necessitate estimated will undoubtedly balloon additional investments.

If however, there will be a rail head to a much higher amount due to inflawhere the integrated bus terminal tion and cost overruns.

Still, if the government can do it, the will be constructed, then the bus terproject will benefit the country im- minal will indeed help decongest the roads of Metro Manila, most notably mensely.

Edsa.

FLORENCIO FIANZA

Why...

From A4

had recommended that “a Filipino family of four needed to work harder (compared to its Asian neighbors) and be paid a minimum monthly wage of P30,000, just to survive its daily grind.”

More than 30 years after, today, basic pay of ordinary Filipinos had remained on a standstill, at an average P10,000 a month in the cities, and much less in the provinces.

The poor still cannot afford to buy their first dream house, even though they have some jobs or running their micro business.

An expert on political economy warned that the wide disparity in rural and urban wages remains a roadblock to achieving inclusive, broadbased development, despite the Philippines’ registering some economic growth, here and there.

The Frederic Bastiat chair on political economy at Mercatus Centre paper had observed, “the PH’s overall ratio of rural and urban wage gap at 67 percent (2013) remained constant over the last decades. There are higher ratios when skilled and unskilled workers are considered separately. Areas with a high share of agriculture have the lowest relative wages,” it was revealed.

There is a pressing need to even out the ru-

ral-urban wage gap, the study recommended, by taking a hard look at differences in labor policies between commercial industries and rural labor.

The paper pointed out, urban workers actually earn slightly less in real terms than rural workers when relative prices are considered. Despite the higher cost of living in urban centers, there are compensating factors that can explain why people flock to already-congested cities. These are unmeasured intangibles, like better public services, improved networks, more educational opportunities, better urban amenities, and an expectation of social mobility.

Take Myles Sibug, then a 29-year old visual artist, with a house mate and a child, for instance.

He was Manila-born and -bred. He went to the suburbs to study, and then transferred to the city to work. But when he thought of buying and building his own home years ago, he chose the far-flung part of Rizal province to invest in low-cost housing via the Pag-IBIG financing.

A 20-sqm lot and bare house situated in a semi-developed subdivision with P4,000 in

monthly amortization for 20 years, equivalent to total average of P1 million, had cost him P40,000 in down payment.

He was able to afford the initial payment with the broker in six months, by making do with canned goods for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and by slowing down on youngsters’ panic buying of the latest clothes, shoes, tech gadgets, motorbike dressing-up and the like.

He also invested a few tens of thousands of pesos to develop his matchbox shelter with a modicum of decency and comfort.

Myles is compensated with almost-double the minimum wage in a medical facility chain based in Pasig City. But his pay cannot cope with the high standard of living in the city.

His classmates back at the University of Santo Tomas who had chosen to be away from loved ones to earn right overseas, were able to buy themselves prime properties, like a condominium if not a farm.

Myles and partner are thinking of going to Canada in no time at all. But going OFW has social costs.

Meanwhile, in General Santos city in Min-

danao, the so-called local or ethnic haves are briskly buying and selling hectares upon hectares of prime properties worth millions of pesos, for residential, commercial and industrial uses.

Their only problem is simple: The informal settlers who rose like mushrooms over the years from their nonproductive assets or properties—inherited or not.

But it’s easy, the lady Gensan landowner promised the prospective buyers from Manila, “We will just pay them, buy them out, or relocate them!” Relocating the informal settlers means directing them to socialized housing or throwing the poor out in some undeveloped locations away from basic light, water and social service infrastructure and livelihood.

Be that as it may, six Philippine administrations, in the meantime, appear to have failed in putting a full stop to pay gap issues, questions and concerns in the country. As to why and how come are queries that in themselves look like they are running stories. We want to see change coming, demand the millennials.

Guerrero is a writer, editor, translator, lecturer and critic.

News

A6

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Stiff sanctions await corrupt AFP men—Galvez S

TIFF sanctions will be meted out to military personnel found tainted with corruption, newly-appointed Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief-of-Staff Lt. Gen. Carlito Galvez warned Tuesday.

“Anyone who will be tainted with corruption will be relieved of his/her position,” Galvez said, ordering all commands of the AFP to stay clean and corruption-free.

“The President has zero tolerance for corruption. We will have no fear of relieving people who are mediocre and full of anomalies. We will keep the AFP clean. I will not hesitate to relieve any commander who will be tainted with corruption,” he said.

The AFP chief has directed the Office of the Inspector General to investigate reported anomalies in the use of resources to ensure the judicious use of funds and proper management of government assets.

Galvez, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class of 1985, replaced AFP chief-of-staff Gen. Rey Leonardo Guerrero last April 18.

At the same time, Galvez said he sees no problem with giving awards and recognition, including cash incentives, to deserving military personnel.

Galvez vowed to provide plaques of recognition and cash incentives starting from P10,000 for top performing officers, enlisted personnel, and civilian employees who will be selected on a quarterly basis.

Galvez also tasked the AFP Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (J-1) to craft the process and conduct appropriate deliberations.

He also vowed to promote officers and enlisted personnel who will excel and deliver significant results required of their respective positions.

Guerrero was appointed as the 50th AFP chief last Oct. 26, replacing then AFP chiefof-staff Gen. Eduardo Año, who stepped

down after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56.

Galvez was supposed to retire last Dec. 17 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 56 but his term as AFP chief was extended by another four months

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Meanwhile, Galvez vowed to expedite the processing of contracts relating to the AFP Modernization Program.

However, he assured the public that such matters will be done deliberately and prudently.

“The President is pushing us to make our modernization move forward. We need to choose people who can deliver results for our modernization,” he said.

The AFP Modernization Program is divided into three horizons, with the first lasting from 2013 to 2017, the second from 2018 to 2022 and third 2023 to 2028.

The Second Horizon calls for the acquisition of equipment more attuned to external defense missions.

The new AFP chief also promised to work hands-on and without delay. PNA

PDEA launches reformation program for drug addicts

By Rey E. Requejo EXECUTIVES and staff of online news outfit Rappler on Wednesday asked the Department of Justice to dismiss the cyber libel complaint filed against them by the National Bureau of Investigation and businessman Wilfredo Keng.

Rappler chief executive officer Maria Ressa denied the allegations in the counter-affidavit, which she subscribed before the DoJ last Tuesday afternoon and which was submitted by her lawyers during the preliminary investigation hearing.

In her response, Ressa argued that she cannot be charged with cyber libel because the cybercrime law was not yet in effect when the story was published on May 29, 2012.

The Cybercrime Law was signed into law on Sept. 12, 2012, and took effect only on Oct. 3, 2012, or 15 days after the law was published as required by law. The law took effect more than four months after the story was published.

The respondent also argued that she could not be held liable for the article, citing the failure of the complainants to allege her

More benefits for teachers in poll pushed HIGHPOWERED.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino present to media highpowered firearms, protective gears and IT equipment worth P202 million which will be distributed to all PDEA operating units. In this photo, Aquino inspects one of several high-powered firearms during the press conference held at the PDEA office in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

COGNIZANT of the voluntary nature of poll duties for public school teachers, as mandated by Republic Act No. 10756, or the Election Service Reform Act, Department of Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones reaffirmed that their critical role and experience in the orderly and credible conduct of local and national polls aptly warrant increased honoraria and benefits and improved legal assistance this upcoming 2018 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

“It has been almost three years since the law took effect; the Department is pursuing a review of the honoraria, allowance, and benefits with the Commission on Elections [Comelec] for our teachers who do not waver from rendering their time and energy to secure the sanctity of the ballot,” the Education chief pointed out.

The Electoral Board, which shall be comprised of a chairperson, a poll clerk and a member, per clustered precinct shall be responsible for the conduct of voting and counting for the barangay and SK elections; preparation of the Election Returns; announcement of results in the precinct; submission of ERs to the Board of Canvassers, if mono precinct, convert into Barangay Board of Canvassers.

‘Kotong’ policemen charged in DoJ

Two ‘cheating’ taxi drivers arrested at Naia

By Joel E. Zurbano PHILIPPINE airports are still surrounded by erring taxi drivers.

On Wednesday, authorities arrested two taxi drivers operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after discovering that the taxi units were equipped with a device used to cheat passengers.

Elements of the Airport Police Department in coordination with officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, made the arrest during separate operations at Naia Terminals 1 and 2.

The drivers were identified as Victor Pastrana of Royal HM Taxi and Rey Monsalod of First Mass Transport. The taxi units were towed at the MIAA-LT-

FRB impounding site situated at the old Nayong Pilipino complex.

Eddie Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, also ordered the confiscation and cancellation of airport access passes issued to Monsalod and Pastrana.

He said the two were caught using a device called “batingting” in their taxi units to cheat passengers.

Experts said batingting is a device installed at the car motor engine connected at the front wheels to make the meter run faster than the usual.

The apprehension came after Monreal’s office received information about the existence of a modus involving taxi units operating at the airport using the device to cheat incoming and outgoing air travelers.

Monreal tapped his assistant manager for security and emergency service Arnulfo Junio to conduct the joint operation with the LTFRB that resulted in the apprehension of the drivers and the impounding of their units.

MIAA records showed that a video blogger identified as one Mikey Chen was among the passenger-victims who complained about questionable fare rates of taxi units at the airport. Chen was victimized when he arrived in Manila late last month.

Chen reportedly paid a taxi driver some P2,300 for a short ride within Metro Manila.

“We are receiving many complaints from our passengers so we started to operate on this,” said Monreal.

of PCSO even in any other agency.

“Pagkatapos binabatikos pa tayo. Sinasalang pa tayo sa Congress sa mga walang basehang akusasyon,” Balutan lamented.

STL was introduced in 2006 as part of the government campaign to eradicate illegal numbers game such as jueteng, but the initial implementation was not successful.

Over the years, the agency was plagued with alleged corrupt activities that even President Rodrigo Duterte described it as the “most corrupt agency in the government.”

To help fight crime and corruption, the President appointed former uniformed men in government offices, such as Balutan as PCSO’s general manager.

Balutan, a battle-tested former marine general who earned the moniker “Mandirigma” (warrior) from his many battles and years in Mindanao, was described by the President as “berdugo.”

“My battlecry that time was touching lives, winning the peace. But up to now, we are touching lives. Dati sabi nila, ‘Mandirigma’ pampaiksi ng buhay, ngayong pampahaba na,” Balutan said.

THE Department of Justice has been asked to prosecute two policemen arrested last Tuesday for alleged extortion of bus and van drivers in an illegal terminal in Pasay City.

Police Officer 2 Jerry Jubail and Police Officer 1 Michael Domalanta, both of Malibay Police Community Precinct, were brought to the DoJ for inquest proceedings.

The two policemen were charged with robbery-extortion under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code by arresting officers from the Philippine National Police-Counter-intelligence Task Force.

In the complaint, the CITF said Jubail and Domalanta were caught receiving marked money in an entrapment operation.

The CITF conducted the operation after receiving a complaint that accused Jubail and Domalanta of extorting from P300 to P500 from van and bus drivers in exchange for allowing them to take passengers at illegal terminals in the area.

Rey E. Requejo

Villar wants more people in fish farming

PCSO GM notes changes in STL income PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan said that before he assumed his position, Small Town Lottery operators used to only give the agency a “drop in the bucket” from their gross income.

“When we assessed the original 18 STL operators in 2016, especially in Luzon, Batangas, Laguna, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Zambales, we discovered that the average gross income of these provinces was P400 million a month, but they only give PCSO a ‘drop in the bucket’,” Balutan said.

When Balutan assumed as the agency’s general manager in 2016, there were only 18 STL operators. One of them was from Batangas City that used to give only P25 million a month.

“Pero nung binago at pinaigting natin ang IRR [Implementing Rules and Regulations], Batangas now is giving us P124 million a month. Ganun kalaki!” he said.

From P4.7 billion earnings in 2016, the agency was able to raise it to P15.7 billion in just one year—a record high in history

participation in writing and editing of the article.

Ressa pointed out that as executive editor and CEO, she manages “the technical and commercial aspects of our business” and “most articles posted by our journalists are not subject to my review.”

“For a person to be guilty of a crime, he must commit that crime himself or he must, in some manner, participate in its commission or in the fruits thereof. In this case, I did not in any manner participate in the writing, editing, or publishing of the alleged libelous article,” read her counter-affidavit.

Besides, Ressa argued that the case could no longer be pursued because the prescription period for the filing of libel case of one year under the Revised Penal Code has already lapsed.

“Since it has already been more than five [5] years after the said article was published and almost three [3] years after it was updated, and to date, no complaint has been filed with any prosecutor with regard to the publication of the said article, then it is obvious that the crime of libel has already been totally extinguished by prescription,” she said.

IN BRIEF

By Rio N. Araja THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Wednesday officially launched a community-based reformation program in four pilot sites in a bid to rehabilitate surrendered drug personalities.

Director General Aaron Aquino introduced “balay silangan,” a program to build temporary shelters for drug offenders aimed at reforming them into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.

“The program is reformatory in nature. It is an alternative intervention for drug personalities who are not users and are not eligible to undergo medical treatment and rehabilitation in facilities supervised by the Department of Health,” he said.

The establishment of the program was in pursuant to the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation Number 2 of 2018 which was approved and adopted on Jan. 24.

According to Aquino, the facilities will be put up in four pilot areas in General Santos City on May 22, Nueva Ecija’s Cabanatuan City on May 24, Capiz on May 26 and Caloocan City on May 30.

“The balay silangan reformation program takes on a home-centered approach that would convince drug offenders to give themselves a second chance in life. The rising sun in the East signals the start of a new day.

This runs parallel to the program, heralding a fresh start for drug reformers,” Aquino said.

“By giving them a new lease of life, drug surrenderers may well become reformers. The government will provide refuge where drug offenders can pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and make themselves whole again,” he added.

Aquino patterned the balay silangan on his bahay pagbabago reformatory centers, which he established during h is ter m when he was t hen t he Ph ilippi ne National Police's Region III director in 2016.

Rappler execs deny cyber libel raps before DoJ

CHECKPOINT. A Manila police officer led a simultaneous operation in a checkpoint on motorcycle riders specially those who are riding in tandem passing along Sta. Mesa in Manila. Lino Santos

SENATOR Cynthia A. Villar has called for more people involvement in the rapidly growing fish farming industry as she underscores the significant role it will play in the country’s long-term food security goals.

Villar urged fisherfolks, farm owners and enthusiasts, and cooperative members to take advantage of the budding enterprise, noting that the country’s aquaculture production is now estimated to be worth over $1.58 billion.

She made the remarks at the close of a 10-day training program on freshwater aquaculture sponsored by the Villar SIPAG in partnership with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, which was held at the Vintahanan floating village in Muntinlupa.

‘Very timely ang kaalaman na natutunan ninyo sa aquaculture. I hope what you have learned in terms of new strategies, skills and systems through hands-on training will help improve your way of life by providing you with another source of income.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

Standard

TODAY

FWD Life Insurance backs Special Olympics PAN-ASIAN insurer FWD Life Insurance believes there is a champion in all of us and that anybody can make a difference no matter the challenges they face.

In line with this belief, the most exciting insurance brand in the country today launched its global partnership with the Special Olympics, the world’s largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities.

“Through this partnership, FWD aims to champion the dreams of young people with intellectual disabilities by creating an inclusive environment that provide equal opportunities,” said FWD Life Philippines President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Grimes.

“FWD supports the vision of Special Olympics: using the power of sports to let people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities. Through this partnership, we are excited to bring to life our Community Care vision—to empower people to live fulfilled lives,” Grimes added.

FWD and Special Olympics Philippines celebrated the beginning of the partnership with a bowling friendship match participated by athletes from both organizations as well as members of the media, held on April 23 at The Palms Country Club in Muntinlupa City.

The Asia-based FWD Group, which launched their region-wide support to Special Olympics in Hong Kong in February, is donating $1.25 billion across the markets where it operates: Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, and Japan.

Fifteen percent of the world lives with a disability. Of these, more than 200 million have an intellectual disability making them one of the world’s biggest disability groups and one of the most underserved populations. People with intellectual disability face enormous attitudinal, structural, and logistical barriers to obtaining healthcare and getting a job. These compounding factors mean that many struggle with poverty and have significantly shorter lifespans than the general population.

Encouraging inclusion through sports “FWD Life Philippines has always been keen about addressing the needs of people across different lifestyles by teaching them and equipping them to live life to the fullest,” FWD Life Philippines Head of Marketing and Community Care Lead Roche Vandenberghe noted. “Through the partnership with the Special Olympics, FWD hopes to change how society perceives people with intellectual disabilities, that despite their condition, they can make valuable contributions to society and should be given opportunities to do so,” she added.

Kaye Samson, Special Olympics Philippines National Director, said: “We are delighted to welcome FWD to the Special Olympics family. This new partnership with FWD in the Philippines will make a difference to the lives of our athletes and young people. Together, we will collaborate to create a unified generation—people with and without intellectual disabilities working together for an inclusive society, where respect, tolerance, and human equality prevail.”

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Sports

Manila

A7

Allianz gives young booters a boost

By Charles Dantes

T

HE journey towards the ultimate goal and a glorious training camp in Munich of young football dreamers will kick off later this month.

After the success of the initial tourney of futsal last year and the growing number of fans of the sport, Allianz PNB Life Insurance announced in a press conference the second staging of the Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational for aspiring young footballers all over the country.

Eight deserving kids will be chosen to join other Asian counterparts in the Allianz Junior Football Camp in Bangkok, Thailand in July. Then, three youngsters will be selected to participate and showcase their skills at the Bundesliga champ FC Bayern Munich.

Featuring the addition of girls in the futsal invitational is huge victory for

equality and diversity on the playing field.

The 2018 ANYFI age brackets will be 12U, 14U and 16U open for both boys and girls, while the local eliminations will begin on April 27 to May 13 in nine different regional areas.

The regionals will kick off on May 19 to 27, progressing to the national finals on June 2 and 3 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Local eliminations are set in Iloilo (April 27-28), Dipolog (April 28-29), Baguio (April 30-May 1), Metro Manila (May 5-6), Naga (May 4-5), Bacolod (May 16-17), Cebu (April 27-29), Davao (May 5-6), and Cagayan de Oro (May 5-6 and May 12-13).

Proponents of the Allianz Junior Football Camp are shown here. They are (from feft) Kevin Goco, Futsal Department Head, PFF; Danny Moran, Chairman Henry V. Moran Foundation; Mariano V. Araneta Jr., President and Chairman, PFF; Alexander Grenz, Chief Operation Officer of Allianz PNB Life; Gae Martinez, Chief Marketing Officer; Rei Abrazaldo, Allianz branding communications and digital director.

The top two teams from the 14U and 16U will advance to the Luzon Regionals (May 19 and 20 in Sta. Cruz, Laguna), Visayas Regionals (May 25 and 26 in Bacolod) and Mindanao Regionals (May 26 and 27 in Davao).

Directo leads unfancied bets to quarterfinals

FWD supports the vision of Special Olympics: using the power of sports to let people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities.

22nd national duckpin kegfest starts April 28 GIFT certificates worth around P300,000 will be up for grabs in the 43rd Grand and 22nd Youth national duckpin bowling championships set on April 28 to May 6 at the Marketplace Center along Kalentong St., Mandaluyong City.

Inez Magbual, president of organizer Philippine Duckpin Bowling Council (PHIDBC) said competition will be held in team and single for men and women, senior for men and women (with handicap) and

youth (boys and girls).

Major awards are P45,000, P30,000 and P20,000 for the top three men’s teams, P40,000, P25,000 and P15,000 for ladies’ team, P12,000, P9,000 and P7,000 for men’s and ladies’ singles, P7,000, P5,000 and P3,000 for seniors, and P3,000, P2,000 and P1,000 for Bracket A and P5,000, P3,000 and P2,000 for Bracket B in the youth division.

There will also be individual awards for team and singles in both Grand and

Youth championships.

Preliminary competition in all events of the week-long kegfest supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and San Miguel Corp. will be held starting on April 28. Semifinal action will be staged on April 30 in the Youth group and May 3 in Seniors. The men’s and ladies’ semifinals and finals are scheduled on May 5, while the men’s and ladies’ semis and team finals will be played on May 6.

MILO Philippines continues its unwavering commitment to give the Filipino youth more opportunities to get into sports with the launch of their newest sports programs, the MILO Champ Camp and the Barangay MILO Liga.

Over the next two years, these programs aim to bring sports closer to grassroots communities by engaging over one million students and 60,000 parents through the MILO Champ Camp and over 500,000 residents in 300 barangays with the Barangay MILO Liga.

“MILO is proud to kick off these two latest additions to our growing portfolio of grassroots sports programs, which will be offered for free. It is our hope that by reaching out to different public schools and barangays around the country that more parents and kids will realize the value of sports, and ultimately build a nation of champions,” said Willy de Ocampo, Vice President, Nestle Philippines.

For many years, MILO has had a longstanding commitment to support educational programs by providing students access to sports and encouraging them to lead active and healthy lifestyles. The MILO Champ Camp is a nationwide school tour that aims to spark the interest of students for sports and promote the importance of the values learned through it.

In partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd), the MILO Champ Camp will tap skilled youth coaches to teach elementary students the basics of basNOTICE ketball, volleyball, and football, while offering Notice is hereby given parents insightful talks on the value of getting that the estate of the their children into sports and the importance of late HENRY W. CHANG who died intestate giving proper nutrition and energy to start their on 04 September day. This year, the MILO Champ Camp will roll 2017 at Quezon City, out in 300 public schools in key cities around the Philippines and left: country, estimating participation of 500,000 stu(1) one half (1/2) conjugal share in dents and 30,000 parents.

the ownership of the property at Quezon City covered by TCT No. 004-2013004514 with improvement; (2) one half (1/2) conjugal share in the ownership of the property at Makati City covered by CCT No. 006-2017011625; and (3) one half (1/2) conjugal share in the ownership of the property at Makati City covered by CCT no.

006-2017011624, has been extrajudicially settled by and among heirs as per Doc. No. 203; Page No. 42; Book No. II; Series of 2018 before Notary Public Atty. Anne Loraine C. Garcia of Makati City.

(MS-APR. 19, 26 & MAY 3, 2018)

UNRANKED Alfred Directo pulled off a series of victories to barge into the quarterfinals of two divisions, leading the charge of unfancied bets in the PPS-PEPP MAC’s Crankit Open/Juniors age group tournament at the Philippine Columbian Association courts in Paco yesterday.

Directo, from San Beda Alabang, came away with a pair of 4-0, 4-1 romps over Joshua John and Rafael Halili to join third seed John David Velez, and No. 6 Loucas Fernandez, and fellow unranked bets Joseph Gadon, Al Quiza, Joshua Tan, Arden Asilo and Chester Tiongson in the Last 8 of the premier 18-and-under class of the event sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala headed by Bobby Castro and MAC’s Crankit Foundation led by MCTA founder-coach Patricia Concon-Puzon.

Velez eased past Jibril Perpetua, 4-2, 4-2, and Nico Cristal, 4-1, 4-2; Fernandez routed Jester Ocio, 4-0, 4-0, and Geoff Asilo, 4-0, 4-2; Gadon stunned No. 2 Athan Arejola, 4-0, 4-1; and Edgardo Angara, 4-1, 4-2; qualifier Quiza repelled Miguel Castillo, 4-1, 1-4, 10-4, and No. 8 Matt Palasan, 4-1, 2-4, 13-11; Tan scored a walkover win over No. 4 Joseph Geluz, then beat Rommel dela Cruz, 4-2, 4-5(3), 10-6; Asilo got past Godley Siale,, 4-2, 4-2, and stunned No. 4 Tim Gumban, 4-2, 4-1; and Tiongson won by default over Bruce Hurtado then eliminated Joven Ebrada, 4-2, 5-3.

In contrast, the top seeded bets dominated the girls premier division with No. 1 Bea Acena and No. 2 Jazzelle Madis moving into the quarters with 4-0, 4-0 and 5-4(0), 4-2 wins over Gabby Sandejas and Margaud Rosales, respectively.

PUBLIC INFORMATION SHEET FOR

MILO brings basic sports program to grassroots

LOTTO RESULTS

The 2018 Allianz National Youth Futsal Invitational is staged by Allianz PNB Life Insurance, Inc. in partnership with the Henry V. Moran Foundation in coordination with the Philippine Football Federation.

DIRECT USE AS FOOD AND FEED, OR FOR PROCESSING PROPOSAL FOR DIRECT USE AS FOOD AND FEED, OR FOR PROCESSING MZIR098

(From left) MILO Sports Executive Luigi Pumaren, MILO Consumer Marketing Manager Robbie de Vera, Nestle Philippines Vice President Willy De Ocampo, Communications Director of the Philippine Olympic Committee Mr. Ed Picson, MILO Consumer Marketing Activations Executive Kevin Mauricio, and MILO Sports Executive Lester Castillo.

NOTICE OF DECREASE OF THE AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK OF TUESDAY LICENSING AND ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Notice is hereby given that on separate meetings held on 13 September 2017 at Unit 203 Alegria Building, 2229 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, the Board of Directors, by a majority vote of its members, and the stockholders, by affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock of Tuesday Licensing and Entertainment, Inc. (the “Corporation”), respectively approved the decrease of the Corporation’s authorized capital stock from Twenty Five Million Pesos (Php25,000,000.00) divided into Twenty Five Million (25,000,000) common shares with a par value of One Peso (Php1.00) per share, to Five Million Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php5,300,000.00) divided into Five Million Three Hundred Thousand (5,300,000) common shares with a par value of One Peso (Php1.00) per share.

1. Applicant’s Name Syngenta Philippines, Inc. 2. Applicant’s Address 12th Floor, Two World Square, # 22 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, 1630 Philippines 3. Telephone Number/ Facsimile Number, E-Mail Address of the Applicant Tel. +63 2 370 2100; Fax: +63 2 856 9260; E-mail: c/o ba_cau.duong@syngenta.com 4. Name of Responsible Officer/Authorized Representative Jet Marcial G. Parma, President and Commercial Unit Head, Philippines Ma. Emeru Bool, Seeds and Traits Regulatory Manager, Philippines 5. Description of the Regulated Article for Direct Use MZIR098 corn plants has been developed through modern biotechnology using Agrobacteriummediated transformation. It contains the ecry3. 1Ab and mCry3A genes which encode the insectticidal proteins eCry3.1Ab and mCry3A, and the transgene pat-08, which encodes the enzyme phosphinothricin acetyltransferace (PAT) and allows the positive selection for the recovery of the transformed plants.

6. If to be imported, Country (ies) of Origin of the Regulated Article United States, Canada or from other countries which will have cultivation approvals in the future 7. Brief Summary of Potential Effects on Human and Animal Health and the Environment MZIR098 corn has been adequately assessed to demonsrate its safety as food, feed, and its safety to the environment. Studies conducted show that eCry3.1Ab, mCry3A, and the PAT proteins produced in MZIR098 corn do not share biologically relevant amino acide sequence similarity to known or putative toxin or allergen. There is no evidence that these proteins will inteact to form new toxin or allergen. In addition, the modes of action of these proteins are distinct adn no interaction has been detected. Furthermore, studies show that MZIR098 corn is nutritionally and compositionally similar to, and as safe and nutritious as the conventional corn.

MZIR098 corn will only be imported for direct use as food, feed, and for processing adn will not be propagated in the Philippines. In the event that there is an accidental release of grains in the environment during the importation of the Third Party Importer, chances of survival of MZIR098 corn is unlikely since it will generally occur in industrial areas which are highly disturbed habitats unsuitable for significant plant establishment. The spilled grains have to reach the soil and need to be exposed to specific favorable conditions, such as light, moisture and temperature so that germination and plant establishment will occur.

8. Brief Summary of Potential Benefits Since MZIR098 corn will be traded commodity, the society will be the main beneficiary in case importation will be required to supply the industry with grains of corn and corn prodcuts to feed millers, for use in poultry, livestock, aquaculture, and other industries.

9. Countries Where Approvals Have Been Granted (for FFP; for Commercial Propagation) MZIR098 corn has already been approved in United States (cultivation, food, feed and processing), Canada (food, feed and cultivation), and Australia/ New Zealand (food).

The public is hereby invited to submit their comments to the BPI Director (within 60 days from date of publication) on the Proposal for the Importation of MZIR098 corn for direct use as food and feed, or for processing.

Director Bureau of Plant Industry San Andres, Malate, Manila E-Mail bpibiotechsecretariat@yahoo.com Approved for Publication: ____________________ GEORGE Y. CULASTE OIC-Director Bureau of Plant Industry Date:

The subscribed and paid-up capital stock was also decreased from Twenty Two Million Nine Hundred Ninety Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Nine (22,990,789) to Three Million Three Hundred Twenty Seven Thousand Three Hundred Forty (3,327,340) with a par value of One Peso (PhP1.00) per share.

The excess paid in capital shall be utilized to wipe out Nineteen Million Six Hundred Sixty Three Thousand Four Hundred Forty Nine Pesos (PhP19,663,449.00) indicated as Retained Earnings (Deficit) in the Audited Financial Statements of the Corporation for the year ended 31 December 2016.

MS-APR. 26, 2018)

(SGD) CLARO JOSE F. FELICIANO President

(MS-APR. 26, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

Columbian Dyip’s Cj Aiken (7) is fouled by Meralco’s Rey Hugnatan on his way to the basket in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup game won by the Bolts, 116-103.

Bolts halt Dyip on its tracks Dubs, Sixers advance to NBA semis OAKLAND—Kevin Durant scored 25 points as the Golden State Warriors powered into the Western Conference playoff semi-finals with a 4-1 series victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday.

The reigning NBA champions, jolted by the Spurs in game four on Sunday, booked their place in the next round with a nervy 99-91 win in front of the home fans at the Oracle Arena.

The Warriors will now face the New Orleans Pelicans for a place in the conference finals.

However Golden State were given a scare after a late fourth quarter rally from San Antonio that threatened to take the best-of-seven series to a game six.

The Spurs chipped away at a doubledigit Golden State lead to close to 93-91 with 57 seconds left on the clock.

But Durant delivered when it mattered with a superb fadeaway jump shot and two free throws to take Golden State clear again as the clock ticked down.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said the Spurs’ battling performance bore the hallmark of counterpart Gregg Popovich, who again was missing from the San Antonio bench following the death of his wife from a long illness last week.

“That was a big-time fight. We’re lucky to get out of here,” Kerr said.

“They’re a championship organisation and they’ve been doing this for a long time. They’re a reflection of their coach.”

Golden State had edged into a 2220 first quarter lead before stretching away in the second quarter to go into the halftime break 49-38 ahead.

A late flurry in the third quarter, including a Durant three-pointer and a pullup jump shot from Shaun Livingston gave the Warriors a 79-65 lead heading into the final quarter.

With the Warriors still without the injured Stephen Curry, it was left to Klay Thompson and Durant to carry the offense.

Durant finished with six rebounds and five assists while Thompson had 24 points. Draymond Green also contributed 17 points and 19 rebounds.

LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 30 points while Patty Mills had 18.

Veteran Manu Ginobili scored 10 off the bench.

Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors against the San Antonio Spurs in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. AFP

By Jeric Lopez

M

ERALCO improved its play per quarter before it eventually send Columbian Dyip crashing back to earth with a systematic 116-103 beatdown to start on the right foot in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Returning import Arinze Onuaku reintroduced himself right away, getting right down to work with a masterful showing of a game-high 30 points and 19 rebounds on top of six assists to lead his Bolts.

Chris Newsome flirted with a tripledouble, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds and seven assists to provide needed support for Meralco.

The debuting Bolts summoned their power in the closing moments of the third period to finally take the driver’s seat for good. They ended the quarter with an 8-2 run following a 77-all deadlock to hold an 85-79 lead into the payoff period.

Meralco’s run didn’t stop there as it kept Columbian at bay from that point forward to snatch the victory for a positive

debut following a disappointing run in the Philippine Cup. Along the way, the Bolts eventually established a double-digit lead after a thunderous slam by Onuaku with 5:18 left that gave them a 103-90 cushion.

Apparently, Onuaku spent a couple of days in the hospital for being under the weather leading up to the game.

“To play like this is a blessing after being in the hospital for four days. We got the needed stops on defense and protected the ball better in the second half that’s why we we’re able to take advantage,” said Onuaku of his first game back.

While the win gave Meralco a 1-0 start, the Dyip fell to 1-1.

CJ Aiken bounced back from a forgettable offensive showing in his first game by leading Columbian with 21

points and 18 rebounds for his own double-double.

However, Jerramy King, who scored 30 in the Dyip’s previous win, suddenly disappeared, managing only 12 points on only 28-percent shooting.

Still riding the momentum from its impressive opening-day win, Columbian started out strong to take a 31-25 lead after the opening salvo.

The Bolts though fought back in the second frame, trimming their deficit to only a single point, 56-57, and making it anyone’s game heading the second half.

Meanwhile, Blackwater (0-1) is currently trying to bounce back as it is facing another debuting team in Phoenix as of this report.

The scores: MERALCO 116—Onuaku 30, Newsome 18, Salva 13, Canaleta 12, Dillinger 11, Hodge 8, Amer 7, Hugnatan 7, Caram 4, Sedurifa 4, Tolomia 2, Ballesteros 0.

COLUMBIAN DYIP 103—Aiken 21, Lastimosa 16, McCarthy 16, Camson 15, Celda 14, King 12, Tubid 4, Khobuntin 2, Cahilig 2, Corpuz 1, Ababou 0, Escoto 0, Sara 0.

Quarters: 25-31, 56-57, 85-79, 116-103.

F2, Petron try to arrange PSL title faceoff F2 Logistics and Petron seek to arrange another blockbuster finals duel when they clash with separate foes in Game 2 of the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix best-of-three semifinal series today at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

The Cargo Movers are tipped to go all out when they face Foton at 4:15 p.m., while the Blaze Spikers go for the jugular against Cocolife in the 7 p.m. main battle of this prestigious women’s club tourney bankrolled by Isuzu and UCPB Gen with ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

After ruling the Grand Prix in dramatic fashion against Petron last year, F2 Logistics is poised to book a return trip to the best-of-three finals after hammering an emphatic four-set victory over Foton late Tuesday, 25-22, 25-23, 22-25, 25-22.

Bu still, the job is not yet done.

“It’s still a long way to go,” said F2 Logistics coach Arnold Laniog, who is subbing in for De La Salle University mentor Ramil de Jesus.

“We’re studying the stats and it was a very close match if not for their errors.

But they are taller and stronger so we have to make some minor adjustments and find a way to neutralize Jaja (Santiago) and (Channon) Thompson at the attack zone.”

Laniog said for them to emerge victorious, they have to draw impressive performance from their local stars like Aby Marano, Ara Galang, Cha Cruz and Cherry Nunag.

“Foton is a very tall team,” he said.

“Our locals should all step up and be aggressive so we can match the height and the length of Foton.”

Also seeking to punch a return ticket to the finals of this tourney that also has Senoh, Mikasa, Asics, LGR and Grand Sport as technical sponsors is Petron.

The Blaze Spikers managed to withstand the power of Serbians Marta Drpa and Sara Klisura to eke out a controversial 25-18, 23-25, 25-16, 25-23 win over Cocolife in Game 1.

Tonton Asistio (left) and Jude Eustaquio seek another successful partnership

Tight finish seen in Delimondo golf THE touring pros take time out from their chase of individual honors as they test their mettle in team play with their amateur partners in the Delimondo National Pro-am slated May 3-5 at Splendido Taal Golf Club in Laurel, Batangas.

Pals Tonton Asistio and Jude Eustaquio edged Jelbert Gamolo and Jolo Magcalayo in sudden death in last year’s inaugural staging of the event with the same tight finish expected in the upcoming second edition of the three-day championship sponsored by Delimondo, the premier corned beef.

Registration is ongoing with the P2 million event limited to the first 120 teams, according to the organizing Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. For details, call Jocelyn Duque at 0918-9515308 or jocelynduque@pgt.ph.

The event is open to all pros and amateur golfers with the top 40 in last year’s Philippine Golf Tour and PGT Asia Order of Merit ranking barred from teaming up with amateurs with handicap index of 5 and below.

Aside from last year’s finalists, early favorites in the battle for the top P360,000 purse are the Michael Bibat-Joel Yamya-

min, Clyde Mondilla-Jeric Hechanova, Randy Garalde-Eddit Bagtas, Jelbert Gamolo-Rupert Zaragosa, Marvin Dumandan-Rex Goquingco, Mhark Fernando-Nico Sevilla, Jet Mathay-Alex Etter, Justin Quiban-Moulay Rhounimil Elmer Salvador-Oliver Gan, Boyet Zaragosa-Jonas Magcalayo, Jay Bayron-Tony Olives, Solomon Gines-Marlon Dizon, Guido Van der Valk-Andrew Nemec, Jobim Carlos-DJ Padilla, Tony Lascuña-Den den de Castro, and Salvador Paya VilaDaniel Crisostomo pairs.

Play will be foursomes (alternate shot format) with the top 40 teams after 36 holes advancing to the finals. The winning pro will pocket P360,000 while the top amateur will receive trophy and gift prizes.

The National Pro-am, which served as the final leg of last year’s PGT season, will now become the second leg of the new season and as one of the side events on the PGT calendar, along with the Ryder Cupstyle The Duel held every other year.

The event is also staged in recognition of the amateurs’ role in boosting Philippine golf and at the same time to provide them the exposure they need as they hone up for the pro ranks.

Ateneo tossers make finals Games Saturday: (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 12 noon – Ateneo vs NU (Men Finals) 4 p.m. – DLSU vs FEU (Women Finals)

ATENEO toppled second-ranked Far Eastern University, 25-19, 18-25, 2522, 25-18, to advance to the title round for the fifth straight year in the UAAP Season 80 men’s volleyball tournament yesterday at the Filoil Flying V Centre.

Four-time MVP Marck Espejo overcame whatever the Tamaraws’ defense threw at him on the net with 34 attacks to finish with 37 points and lead the Blue Eagles to victory.

Gunning for a four-peat, which was last achieved by University of Santo Tomas from the 2007-08 to 2011-12 season, Ateneo will take on eliminationround topnotcher National University in a best-of-three championship series at 12 noon on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Crossing paths in the Finals for the fifth straight year, the Eagles and the Bulldogs went 1-1 in their head-to-head faceoff this season.

“It’s a fate na sila ulit ang kalaban.

NU is the strongest team here in the UAAP in terms of manpower. Sila talaga ang matibay,” said Almadro.

“No. 3 kami, No. 1 sila. So kami ang underdog. They have the materials talaga. Taon-taon they have the materials.

What is important is we will be prepared. We will be ready. We will do our best. Practice, practice, practice. Work hard, work hard, work hard. Pray hard, pray hard, pray hard.”

Ateneo may have lost to FEU twice in the eliminations, but prevailed in the games that mattered.

“The players today sacrificed a lot.

They really wanted this. Sabi nga nila sa akin last night (Tuesday), they will never back down,” said Almadro.

PSC sees better ties with US sports academy AN initial batch of 50 national coaches will benefit from the partnership of the Philippine Sports Commission and the United States Sports Academy through its Continuing Sports Education Program.

The details and provisions of the partnership signed last October, 2017 in Davao City, was laid down early this month via the Protocol of Cooperation crafted and signed by PSC Chairman William Ramirez and USSA President Thomas Rosandich in the Alabama, USA. “Stronger and better ties are what we need to do,” said Ramirez referring to its existing partnerships with four other counterparts from United States Olympic Committee, Korea Institute of Sports Science, China and Russia.

Ramirez announced that the CSEP will “educate 50 national coaches, initially, and then hopefully 50 sports teachers, 50 sports coordinators from LGUs and 50 PSC personnel.”

He further explained that this is just part of his administration’s wish to develop not only the athletes, but also the other personalities that surround them.

“We need to grow together to ensure that we reach our goals,” Ramirez said.

The chief also said that the PSC’s efforts to upgrade provisions for the elite athletes are aimed to inspire them and motivate national sports associations to step up in the management of their own teams.

MPBL roster up to 20 teams IT’S now up to 20.

On Tuesday night, officials of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League accepted the application of three more expansion teams—Marikina, Mandaluyong and Pasay—making the number of teams to 20.

This also means the expansion of teams from Luzon is now close, according to MPBL commissioner Kenneth Duremdes.

The league, however, will open its doors to potential new squads in the Visayas and Mindanao as officials make their push with a meeting tomorrow, Friday, at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.

Four teams—two each from Cebu and Davao—had already confirmed participation. Davao Occidental and Davao City committed to attend the meeting as well as Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu City.

As early as last week, Marikina, thru head coach Elvis Tolentino, who previously handled Navotas, expressed his group’s interest of forming a team from the “Shoe Capital of the Philippines.”

Pasay will use the Cuneta Astrodome, a government-owned facility, to be used as homecourt of its basketball team.

The MPBL will open its next conference on June 12 and with more teams joining, there would be an additional day and time slot in the game schedules.

IN BRIEF Protectionism to slow remittances, BPOs THE increasing protectionism among advanced economies and major trading partners of the Philippines may slow the growth of remittances and affect the expansion of the business process outsourcing sector in the country, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor Diwa Guinigundo said Wednesday.

Guinigundo, in a speech delivered during the anniversary celebration of the Credit Management Association of the Philippines in Manila on Tuesday, cited the earlier statements of US President Donald Trump of keeping jobs in the US mainland.

“Protectionism may slow remittances...

(Also) based on our periodic discussions with the BPO Association of the Philippines, they have second thoughts about expanding their business in the Philippines because of the pronouncements of President Trump to keep jobs at home,” Guinigundo said.

“And this is what is holding back many of the BPOs in the country from expanding,” he said. “So from the projected 25-percent annual growth of BPO, we only see today a nine or 10-percent growth,” Guinigundo said. Julito G. Rada

Agriculture, Customs foil onion smuggling THE Department of Agriculture and the Bureau of Customs successfully foiled the entry of some P34 million worth of smuggled onions.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol, who joined the raiding team along with Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, noted that the smuggled onions could have affected the livelihood of thousands of onion farmers whose produce could suffer if the smuggled product flooded the market.

Piñol said apples were being used as cover for the smuggled onion. Apples come into the country without tariff while onions are taxed 35 percent. Smuggling of onions is initially hard to detect by the x-ray machine because they have the same shape as apples.

Smugglers place the apples in the front row of container vans to conceal the smuggled onions, but the strong onion odor gave away.

Each container van contained onions estimated at P2 million, or P34 million for all 17 vans.

The department plans to destroy all seized onions because they may carry diseases dangerous to local farms. Othel V. Campos

Business

ABS-CBN calls deal with Globe not sustainable ABS-CBN Corp. is studying whether it will renew the mobile network sharing agreement with Globe Telecom Inc. set to expire in June this year.

“We recognized the business model is not sustainable financially, so we continue to discuss with Globe. It’s an ongoing discussion with Globe,” ABS-CBN chief financial officer Rolando Valdueza said.

Under the agreement signed in May 2013, Globe will provide the capacity and coverage on existing cellular mobile telephony network to ABS-CBN Convergence Inc. on a nationwide basis.

The parties may also share assets such as servers, towers and switches.

ABS-CBN Corp. earlier reported a net income of P3.16 billion in 2017, down 10.3 percent from P3.53 billion in 2016 in the absence of electionrelated advertisements.

The company generated consolidated revenues of P40.7 billion from advertising and consumer sales last year, representing a 2.3 percent yearon-year decline from 2016.

Advertising revenues decreased 10.8 percent year-on-year because of high election-related advertising placements in the first half of 2016.

Excluding election related placements, advertising revenues in 2017 went down by only 0.3 percent yearon-year, it said.

Consumer sales increased P1.62 billion mainly resulting from the sale of ABS-CBN TVPlus and higher revenues from Sky Cable’s broadband and direct-to-home business. Darwin G. Amojelar

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

B1

SM Group spending P90b this year

By Jenniffer B. Austria

C

ONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. increased its 2018 capital expenditures to P90 billion from an earlier target of P66.3 billion to fund the expansion of its retail, banking and property businesses.

SMIC senior vice president for finance Franklin Gomez said in a news briefing following the annual stockholders’ meeting that property unit SM Prime Holdings was preparing to spend

P80 billion while the group’s retail and banking units would invest P5 billion each this year.

He said funding for this year’s capital expenditures would come mainly from internally generated funds.

SMIC president Frederic DyBuncio said the company would continue to look for investment opportunities and acquisitions that could provide synergies to the group.

The conglomerate’s portfolio investments include equities in Belle Corp., Atlas Mining, the Net Buildings, CityMalls, MyTown and 2Go Group Inc. “As a holding company, SM Investments will also have an opportunity to build its portfolio of investments in complementing business that will help

us capture the high growth of the Philippine economy,” DyBuncio said.

“We look to invest in partners with leading positions, strong management and with potential for high growth and attractive yields,” he said.

DyBuncio said by investing in new sectors, the conglomerate would follow the direction of the government in terms of priority projects.

“As we know, the plan is to increase the growth of economy nationwide, even in the Visayas and Mindanao area because so far, the growth has been limited to National Capital Region as far as concentration of businesses. That is one of the reasons we went into logistics to be part of that growth of the economy moving forward,” DyBuncio said.

The conglomerate’s retail group held talks with bakeshop chain Goldilocks Bakeshop Inc. last year for possible joint venture partnership. Both parties announced in February they mutually agreed not pursue the deal despite receiving the Philippine Competition Commission’s approval to proceed with the deal.

SM Investments posted a 6- percent increase in net income in 2017 to P32.9 billion from P31.2 billion in 2016 on strong results from property, banking and retail businesses.

Consolidated revenues grew 9 percent in 2017 to P396.1 billion from P363.4 billion in 2016.

Share price of SMIC closed lower by 1.4 percent to P882.50 Wednesday.

DM Wenceslao investing P10.9b in nine projects

Discovery Kids app to be launched in PH BALI, Indonesia—Discovery announced Wednesday plans to launch Discovery Kids, a digital subscription service for kids.

Discovery Kids in the Philippines will be rolled out as a mobile, tablet and TV app to other markets in Asia and beyond.

Designed especially for kids, Discovery Kids promises an enriching watch-playlearn experience. The service features favorite characters that kids already know and love, along with classic and reimagined shows from the Discovery content library, new original games and books designed to spark curiosity and drive children’s engagement in the world around them.

Kids can jump seamlessly between watching and playing in a safe environment that kids will love and parents can trust.

“The Philippines is a market embracing digital innovation and is a great test bed for our digital first kids service. We are harnessing our Discovery Kids experiences in Latin America and Asia to launch a digital first Kids service in this dynamic market,” said Discovery Networks International president and chief executive JB Perrette.

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

Conglomerate SM Investments Corp. increases its planned 2018 capital expenditures to P90 billion to expand its retail, banking and property businesses. Posing before SMIC’s annual stockholders’ meeting at Conrad Hotel Manila in Pasay City are (from left) SMIC president and chief executive Frederic Dybuncio, chairman of the board Jose Sio, vice chairperson Teresita Sy-Coson and vice chairman Henry Sy Jr. Bobby Cabrera

BCDA set to auction Clark airport’s O&M in May

By Darwin G. Amojelar STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority plans to start next month the auction process for the operation and maintenance of Clark International Airport in Pampanga province, an airport official said Wednesday.

Clark International Airport Corp. vice president for commercial and business development Darwin Cunanan said the auction for the Clark airport O&M would be launched by BCDA next month.

“They [BCDA] are writing the terms of reference,” Cunanan said.

The government is pursuing the development of Clark airport through a hybrid public-private partnership scheme. Under this policy, the government will shoulder the cost of con-

struction of the new terminal in Clark, while the O&M component would be auctioned off to the private sector.

Megawide-GMR earlier won the bidding for the construction of the new passenger terminal, when it submitted the lowest financial proposal of P9.36 billion on Dec. 14, 2017.

Clark International Airport is the second main gateway into the country, and the new 100,000-square-meter terminal will double its capacity to eight million passengers a year, boosting air transport capacity for the Greater Manila Area.

The project is expected to ease the strain on the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport and help create jobs and increase development in Central Luzon, a growing economic center.

Clark International Airport is envisioned to be Asia’s next premier gate-

way. It now has an annual capacity of four million passengers. Airlines operating in Clark include Qatar Airways, Cebu Pacific, Tigerair, Jin Air, Asiana Airlines, Dragon Air, AirAsia Berhad, Philippine Airlines and Emirates Airlines.

These airlines mount flights to Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Macau, Pudong, Incheon, Doha, Dubai, Davao, Cebu and Kalibo.

Megawide-GMR won a 25-year concession agreement in December 2013 that involved the renovation of Terminal 1 of Mactan Cebu airport and the design, financing, construction and operation of a second terminal. It submitted the highest bid of P14.4 billion.

The P14.4-billion premium paid by GMR-Megawide was on top of the P17.5 billion that would be spent on a new passenger terminal.

CONSTRUCTION company and real estate developer D.M. Wenceslao & Associates Inc. said Wednesday it plans to spend P10.9 billion in 2018 to 2020 to finance the construction of nine projects.

The company said in a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to its planned initial public offering that it would spend P3.1 billion this year, P3.52 billion in 2019 and P4.34 billion in 2020.

“We believe that the combination of our cash flow, available bank borrowings and the proceeds of our IPO will be sufficient to fund our planned capital expenditures for the three years ending Dec. 31, 2020,” DMWAI said.

“However, although these are our current plans with respect to our capital expenditures, such plans may change as a result in circumstances and the actual amount of expenditures may vary from the planned amount of expenditures for a variety of reasons, including changes in market conditions, competition and other factors. As we continue to expand, we may incur additional capital expenditures,” it said.

DMWAI earlier said it had nine projects in the pipeline to expand its real estate footprint and broaden the source of recurring income.

The company said of the nine projects, three are residential that would provide a total salable floor area of 88,000 square meters and six commercial developments that would add 280,000 sqm of leasable area.

All nine projects, which include the group’s first residential development Pixel Residences, are slated for completion over the next five years.

DMWAI said that as of Dec. 31, 2017, it completed seven investment properties, six of which are located in Aseana City including Aseana One, Aseana Two, Aseana Powerstation Building, Aseana Town Center, Aseana Square and S&R, with a total leasable floor area of 59,000 sqm.

Jenniffer B. Austria

PSALM ready to bid out Malaya plant’s one-year operation contract for P264m

By Alena Mae S. Flores

RCBC TREASURY AWARD. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp.’s Treasury Group and Treasury Operations Group garner four awards in the PDS Group’s 2018 Annual Awards Night on March 15, 2018. Shown during the awarding ceremony are (from left) Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp. president and chief operating officer Antonino Nakpil, national deputy treasurer Sharon Almanza, RCBC commercial trading division head Jose Manuel Caniza, RCBC fixed income sales head Maricel Elena Peralejo, RCBC commercial trading and sales segment head Steven Michael Reyes, Securities and Exchange Commission commissioner Ephyro Luis Amatong, PDS Group president and chief executive Cesar Crisol and RCBC fixed income trader Daniel Estrella.

STATE-RUN Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corp. is bidding out the one-year operation and maintenance service contract of the 650-megawatt Malaya thermal power plant in Rizal province for P264 million.

PSALM said it would issue the invitation to bid for the Malaya power plant operation this year and and in 2019.

PSALM is tasked under the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 to manage the assets and liabilities of National Power Corp.

“PSALM now invites bids for the procurement of the OMSC for the 650MW Malaya thermal power plant. Delivery of the goods and services is required for one year upon the effectivity of the contract,” PSALM said.

The agency said bidders should have completed a similar project in the past five years. The contract similar to the

project involves services of similar nature and complexity as to the operation and maintenance of either diesel, oil or coal-fired power plant with generation output delivered to the national grid.

PSALM said it would hold a pre-bid conference on May 2 and conduct the bid opening on May 15.

PSALM is bidding out the Malaya’s OMSC prior to its planned full privatization.

PSALM earlier bid out the supply and delivery of industrial fuel oil for Malaya power plant for 2018 amounting to 42 million liters and costing P1.186 billion.

PSALM is also asking for bids for the supply of 1.4 million liters of diesel oil for the Malaya power plant worth P51.2 million.

PSALM owns and operates the 650-megawatt Malaya power plant in Pililla, Rizal, which the government was hoping to privatize to pay the company’s debt.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock index drops below 7,600 T HE stock market tumbled further Wednesday, tracking fresh losses on Wall Street as investors fret about rising US Treasury yields and speculation that interest rates will rise four times this year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index lost 42.45 points, 0.6 percent, to a new one-year low of 7,557.91 on a value turnover of P6.2 billion. Losers routed gainers, 125 to 61, with 49 issues unchanged.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, sank 3.9 percent to P307, while SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. fell 1.4 percent to P882.50.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. slumped 4 percent to P12.10, while International Container Terminal Service Inc., the largest port company, tumbled 3.8 percent to P85.40 The rest of Asian markets also went into reverse Wednesday.

Tokyo ended 0.3 percent lower as a weaker yen was unable to provide support, while pharmaceutical giant Takeda plunged seven percent after it ramped up its offer for Irish rival Shire.

Hong Kong shed more than one percent and Shanghai slipped 0.4 percent.

Singapore dropped 0.7 percent, Seoul was 0.6 percent off and Taipei lost 0.2 percent.

Sydney and Wellington were closed for ANZAC day.

Technology firms were once again in the firing line in response to a plunge in Google parent Alphabet on costs worries while Apple suffered a fifth straight loss because of concerns over the cru-

cial smartphone sector.

The yield on benchmark 10-year Treasuries broke three percent on Tuesday for the first time in more than four years as surging oil prices and the impact of Donald Trump’s huge tax cuts fan inflation expectations.

There is a fear the higher yields will divert investor attention from equities as safe-bet government debt looks more attractive.

That, along with an improving economy, has fanned talk the Federal Reserve will have to lift borrowing costs more than expected this year.

The dollar held most of its recent gains against its peers on expectations of higher rates and Wako Ogawa, director of foreign-exchange sales at Deutsche Securities, told Bloomberg News: “I expect a further rise in Treasury yields to continue to spur buying of the dollar.”

All three main indexes in New York

ended deep in the red, with the Dow clocking up a fifth successive loss, with sentiment also dented when construction and mining equipment giant Caterpillar gave a subdued earnings outlook.

“The sudden surge in US yields had already been weighing on equity sentiment, but when you factor in the skid in technology stocks and Caterpillar’s less than reassuring outlook, it makes for a very rough day on the trading floor,” said Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA. Technology firms were among the worst performers again after a big selloff in their US counterparts including Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Facebook and Microsoft.

Hong Kong-listed AAC Technologies tumbled 2.1 percent, Apple supplier TSMC shed 0.9 percent in Taipei and South Korean titan Samsung eased 0.2 percent. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59 37,970 105 1,049,310 2.6 30,000 130 2,044,870 1.44 133,000 34 405,000 16.4 138,600 15.84 2,401,300 8.78 1,300 880 310 0.55 1,136,000 83.75 1,388,010 1.08 421,000 12.2 3,000 52.35 231,450 220 4,610 84 10,460 39.4 127,700 216 365,280 1,885 105 90.1 30,390 1.22 120,000

2,224,951.50 110,066,007 90,200 265,943,228 189,690 13,814,175 2,270,120 38,505,050 11,090 265,530 624,800 116,205,951 454,020 36,600 12,188,544 1,028,216 839,540 4,878,415 78,804,954 198,200 2,758,964 146,170

1,496,758 -42,399,595 -6,977,102 2,823,495 163,000 7,445,130 -10,341,204 -37,900 -5,839,543 4,400 -548,550 -43,115,420 215,731 -

37.7 14.24 0.53 1.26 19.98 0.221 130 3.28 15.92 260 45.95 24 62 1.91 5.18 9.89 10.06 15.02 11.4 7.19 5.37 14.9 64.9 24.85 9.27 15.38 1.9 280.2 4.81 17.5 25 14.78 22.5 307 0.188 6.56 2.45 4.7 9 4.72 7.99 1.45 11.72 52.2 6.1 4.86 1.82 3.3 1.8 13.52 64.05 5.41 0.133 0.98 131.9 2.6 2.75 0.76

INDUSTRIAL 38.45 1,907,100 14.36 345,300 0.54 1,932,000 1.26 430,000 20 37,100 0.234 5,930,000 130 150 3.32 3,256,000 15.92 22,900 288.8 70 45.95 552,100 25.5 53,800 62 60 1.94 141,000 5.19 24,400 10 2,500 10.1 1,600,900 15.1 401,000 11.4 1,022,300 7.22 1,647,400 5.38 966,200 15.3 625,100 65.05 50,800 25.25 4,000 9.4 7,400 15.4 859,400 1.9 3,364,000 281.6 1,202,880 4.81 395,000 17.84 1,100 25.5 463,300 14.82 77,700 23 2,662,800 307 441,670 0.194 540,000 6.9 159,400 2.53 1,042,000 4.7 515,000 9 3,288,400 4.94 24,000 8 12,800 1.48 313,000 11.74 72,400 52.4 623,080 6.1 79,000 4.86 22,000 1.95 22,000 3.3 4,000 1.9 313,000 13.7 547,400 64.85 349,080 5.47 102,400 0.133 1,410,000 0.98 5,000 133.7 387,500 2.6 44,000 3.19 88,310,000 0.81 4,686,000

73,371,660 4,947,086 1,043,420 542,300 752,652 1,378,260 19,500 10,816,730 366,174 19,058 26,120,200 1,319,905 3,721 272,350 126,626 24,860 16,174,336 6,056,342 11,656,876 11,905,558 5,201,073 9,458,778 3,302,146.50 99,755 69,375 13,319,234 6,539,220 340,294,200 1,927,600 19,316 11,814,370 1,150,372 60,727,865 136,748,938(43 101,630 1,088,415 2,669,810 2,467,170 29,858,832 116,380 102,324 457,990 852,238 32,654,111 482,144 106,920 42,000 13,230 580,780 7,492,560 22,817,375.50 557,610 187,530 4,940 51,909,434 115,340 272,772,050 3,696,880

-5,693,265 171,536 23,400 -20,890 -156,752 -446,565 -12,772,914 10,514 92,400 -10,545,381 123,287 -5,994,514 2,138,575.50 -7,475 4,284,602 211,580 -146,766,988 8,530,120 -14,786 -28,562,375 ,290,382.0004) 1,452,490 -499,300 -11,251,494 -15,980 -3,696,511.50 -106,920 19,220 9,080 -1,278,622 4,108,627.50 -3,990 -17,278,117 24,290 4,534,250 -166,370

0.305 68 13.2 0.9 6.48 0.6 0.63 910.5 1,703 6.76 12.3 0.225 1,030 60.25 0.65 4.6 19.5 0.58 4.58 3.36 0.04 1.18 3.39 2.57 139.7 897.5 1.71 530 265 0.24 0.31 0.196

0.295 66.65 12.9 0.9 6.3 0.58 0.61 900 1,703 6.46 12.02 0.2 998 58.25 0.61 4.51 19 0.55 4.38 3.36 0.039 1.12 3.2 2.57 138.5 880.5 1.66 530 257 0.24 0.23 0.193

HOLDING FIRMS 0.305 60,000 67.4 421,050 13 7,485,800 0.9 5,000 6.4 14,100 0.59 2,845,000 0.63 1,400,000 908.5 197,810 1,703 5 6.48 2,558,800 12.08 3,333,900 0.225 8,600,000 1,000 102,835 59 1,049,360 0.65 310,000 4.54 704,000 19.2 2,082,300 0.55 2,332,000 4.44 30,316,000 3.36 5,000 0.039 4,500,000 1.15 512,000 3.25 10,070,000 2.57 3,000 139 517,090 882.5 208,440 1.69 100,000 530 110 265 4,490 0.24 10,000 0.27 126,090,000 0.193 350,000

18,100 28,383,680 97,319,216 4,500 89,916 1,685,320 865,600 179,233,210 8,515 16,826,497 40,273,164 1,885,290 103,186,380 62,275,559.5 ( 189,760 3,199,670 40,166,920 1,288,030 135,240,240 16,800 179,700 578,140 33,027,940 7,710 71,987,457 184,729,590 169,080 58,300 1,164,092 2,400 34,459,830 68,150

-7,949,554 -33,477,436 -18,270 -5,749,310 -4,790,338 -12,669,500 1,250 21,088,422.50 18,908,579.5) 1,324,750 -2,716,732 966,900 -8,424,790 3,390.00 1,125,500 5,290,116 -76,029,165 10,080 10,400 -572,450 -

6.8 1.1 13.8 2.12 0.83 40.4 3.39 4.59 6.1 6.3 0.45 0.98 0.249 0.455 31.5 0.67 0.12 1.7 1.27

6.75 1.02 13.18 2.01 0.81 39.7 3.2 4.5 6.07 6.3 0.44 0.96 0.235 0.435 31 0.66 0.12 1.67 1.22

2,106,373 22,627,650 76,934 4,130 1,500,960 356,638,630 1,333,120 3,482,360 510,490 6,930 1,526,300 203,630 13,268,530 109,450 3,466,285 227,630 3,600 8,845,810 5,733,450

-207,900 -403,980 42,837,980 -23,020 -888,520 -242,800 -8,900 9,700 -305,370 -203,110 -83,750 -8,583,520 -1,254,870

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58 105.9 3.15 130.5 1.27 34.1 16.3 15.86 8.51 850.5 0.55 84.25 1.08 12.2 53.2 224.2 83 37.95 215 1,890 90 1.22

59 106.9 3.15 132.4 1.44 34.3 16.5 16.26 8.78 880 0.55 84.25 1.1 12.2 54.1 224.8 87.5 39.5 219.4 1,890 91 1.22

57.8 102.1 2.6 128.1 1.27 33.95 16.2 15.78 8.51 845 0.55 83.05 1.07 12.2 52.35 220 80 37.5 213 1,885 90 1.21

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CHEMPHIL CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION 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 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 VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

38.5 14.38 0.54 1.27 21 0.225 130 3.33 16.1 289 48 24.4 62.1 1.96 5.18 9.89 10.18 15.18 11.6 7.25 5.4 15.66 65.4 25.3 9.4 15.64 2.04 285.4 4.9 17.82 25.85 14.9 23.4 317 0.189 6.92 2.48 4.98 9.15 4.94 7.99 1.47 12 52.45 6.11 4.86 1.83 3.31 1.94 14 65.9 5.44 0.133 0.99 134.3 2.69 3 0.79

39 14.38 0.55 1.27 21.5 0.237 130 3.4 16.1 289 48.9 25.95 62.1 1.96 5.2 10.14 10.18 15.18 11.6 7.26 5.4 15.66 65.4 25.3 9.4 15.64 2.04 290 4.91 17.84 25.85 14.9 23.4 320.2 0.194 6.92 2.63 4.98 9.15 4.94 8 1.48 12 52.6 6.11 4.86 1.95 3.31 1.94 14 65.9 5.48 0.133 0.99 136.3 2.72 3.3 0.83

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP BHI HLDG COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.305 66.7 13.2 0.9 6.35 0.6 0.61 903 1,703 6.76 12.2 0.204 1,005 59.5 0.62 4.6 19.5 0.57 4.39 3.36 0.04 1.18 3.35 2.57 139.4 894 1.66 530 260 0.24 0.23 0.196

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

6.78 1.03 13.18 2.01 0.83 40.1 3.36 4.59 6.07 6.3 0.445 0.97 0.245 0.435 31.5 0.67 0.12 1.7 1.27

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

IRC PROP MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL ESTATES PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS VISTA LAND

1.03 4.26 0.54 0.46 0.56 3.96 18 2.03 3.14 32.4 1.01 9.42 6.6

1.04 4.35 0.54 0.52 0.56 4 18.22 2.03 3.18 33.2 1.01 11.12 6.6

1.01 4.21 0.52 0.46 0.52 3.91 17.5 1.99 3.14 32.35 1.01 8.84 6.42

1.01 4.25 0.53 0.485 0.53 4 17.5 2.02 3.18 32.9 1.01 11.12 6.56

2,697,000 29,948,000 48,450,000 83,350,000 22,615,000 297,000 2,262,200 307,000 28,000 4,394,400 200,000 1,342,400 2,287,800

2,746,770 128,156,040 25,533,460 41,078,950 12,114,780 1,177,800 40,559,886 617,460 88,400 144,353,330 202,000 13,731,108 14,852,286

-474,700 18,027,650 -406,120 556,200 -27,000 11,760 -18,206,170 81,850 30,148,850 47,118 -6,174,079

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

16.24 27.8 1.32 0.465 0.047 12.7 12.58 0.056 88.3 6.6 7.55 22.9 940 1,502 5.63 302 4.28 2.31 88.75 13.3 8.29 0.112 1.37 3.2 14.3 4.66 1.01 27.5 4.34 6.7 3.25 7.2 11.2 9.37 2.84 127.1 6.13 1,403 1.01 0.385 47.5 89 7 2.39 1.28 0.41 4.85 0.89 10.7

16.24 27.8 1.42 0.485 0.048 12.7 12.6 0.056 88.3 6.64 7.55 22.9 940 1,575 5.63 305.8 4.28 2.31 88.95 13.3 8.29 0.116 1.42 3.41 14.46 4.7 1.03 27.5 4.45 6.75 3.26 7.2 11.2 9.9 2.84 127.1 6.2 1,420 1.02 0.415 47.9 89 7 2.39 1.28 0.415 5.25 0.94 10.8

14.7 27.6 1.31 0.46 0.046 12.62 12 0.053 87.05 6.45 7.4 21.5 940 1,480 5.5 301.4 4.01 2.31 83.5 12.96 8.29 0.112 1.37 3.2 14.3 4.53 1 26.35 4.26 6.46 3.13 6.85 11.16 9.37 2.74 125 5.9 1,401 1 0.385 45.9 87.95 6.7 2.3 1.2 0.4 4.71 0.88 10.6

SERVICES 14.9 27.6 1.4 0.48 0.048 12.62 12.1 0.055 87.45 6.48 7.5 22 940 1,480 5.52 302 4.01 2.31 85.4 12.96 8.29 0.113 1.37 3.34 14.46 4.62 1 26.4 4.29 6.65 3.15 6.85 11.16 9.9 2.74 127 5.91 1,415 1.01 0.41 47 88 6.8 2.3 1.24 0.41 4.8 0.91 10.6

179,000 43,000 155,000 3,780,000 33,800,000 1,100 10,407,800 13,630,000 52,570 889,100 4,200 22,400 20 42,365 227,200 6,400 3,518,000 2,000 1,271,960 29,100 12,000 1,310,000 157,000 99,000 5,800 2,864,000 618,000 4,968,500 262,000 1,404,800 1,426,000 9,581,100 8,200 2,800 40,000 405,660 688,300 50,925 129,000 8,100,000 2,203,300 3,497,840 111,400 689,000 3,439,000 11,520,000 26,256,000 28,962,000 1,073,500

2,733,740 1,191,320 214,860 1,803,000 1,588,200 13,914 128,751,882 731,990 4,600,859.50 5,786,563 31,371 496,030 18,800 63,545,085 1,258,578 1,933,116 14,363,790 4,620 107,965,320 386,996 99,480 147,870 215,850 329,320 82,956 13,146,070 ( 621,330 132,836,075 1,128,970 9,263,244 4,550,990 66,763,034 91,624 26,450 111,880 51,516,583 4,130,028 71,802,150 130,350 3,256,950 103,370,725 307,813,006 761,959 1,602,590 4,247,110 4,660,400 130,371,940(15 26,497,860 11,443,010

150,000 -14,100 5,815,556 5,300 -979,922 -1,548,780 -20,492,345 874,430 -4,620 -60,753,105 11,300 408,409.9998) -56,990,525 -43,140 4,231,670 -680,430 406,715 -24,380,216 66,982 5,714,130 -5,010 -32,550 -13,221,330 283,022,517.50 -573,220 -232,880 822,900 ,389,099.9999) 67,970 2,335,338

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

0.003 1.63 4.42 1.62 0.3 7.74 2.1 0.209 0.141 0.146 0.0092 1.45 5.51 1.22 0.53 0.93 0.012 0.012 2.2 5.7 12.6 30 0.0063

0.003 1.69 4.45 1.63 0.31 7.74 2.19 0.209 0.143 0.146 0.0092 1.45 5.55 1.22 0.53 0.95 0.012 0.012 2.25 5.7 12.9 30.2 0.0063

0.0028 1.61 4.42 1.62 0.3 7.5 2.01 0.201 0.14 0.145 0.0092 1.44 5.27 1.2 0.51 0.86 0.012 0.011 2.18 5.62 12.36 29.7 0.0063

MINING & OIL 0.0028 596,000,000 1.68 4,804,000 4.42 58,000 1.63 399,000 0.31 180,000 7.73 500 2.17 7,740,000 0.206 30,000 0.141 2,930,000 0.145 2,280,000 0.0092 1,000,000 1.44 101,000 5.33 5,105,100 1.21 20,000 0.51 414,000 0.93 1,371,000 0.012 228,300,000 0.012 2,200,000 2.24 126,000 5.62 57,200 12.8 2,065,500 29.7 1,201,200 0.0063 1,000,000

1,676,800 7,944,030 256,990 649,560 54,500 3,845 16,256,930 6,160 411,360 330,710 9,200 146,140 27,332,877 24,160 211,540 1,236,380 2,739,600 25,300 275,160 323,275 26,137,378 35,881,830 6,300

813,940 -137,350 21,190 9,300 -774 2,091,340 -13,491,290 -175,895 2,316,682 -21,794,530 -

AC PREF B2 DD PREF GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

503.5 101 5.6 970 100.3 1.06 975 78 76 77.95 77.95 75.75

520 101 5.6 999 100.3 1.06 975 78 76 77.95 77.95 75.75

503.5 100.4 5.57 970 100.3 1.06 975 78 76 77.95 76.2 75.75

PREFERRED 520 30 100.4 3,200 5.57 249,900 999 1,660 100.3 10,050 1.06 24,000 975 250 78 1,980 76 10,000 77.95 10,200 76.2 520 75.75 8,600

15,270 321,400 1,396,288 1,646,240 1,008,015 25,440 243,750 154,440 760,000 795,090 39,659 651,450

-784,000 68,250 -

LR WARRANT

2.84

2.95

2.79

WARRANTS 2.79 291,000

816,800

-

PHILAB HLDG ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

3.12 5.16 2.96 3.25

3.23 5.16 2.96 3.27

3.11 4.95 2.96 3.2

3.23 5.06 2.96 3.24

17,000 636,500 12,000 738,000

53,050 3,188,257 35,520 2,385,640

-79,520 -84,240

FIRST METRO ETF

118

118.2

116.6

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.7 30,200

3,545,718

128,700

USD TECH B2

1.02

1.02

1.02

341,516.40

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 6.8 1.09 13.7 2.12 0.83 39.8 3.3 4.58 6.1 6.3 0.44 0.97 0.235 0.455 31.05 0.67 0.12 1.68 1.25

310,900 21,187,000 5,800 2,000 1,842,000 8,932,500 400,000 770,000 84,100 1,100 3,460,000 210,000 55,720,000 250,000 111,100 343,000 30,000 5,269,000 4,573,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

10,081,024

INDUSTRIAL

134,394,085

HOLDING FIRMS

206,810,312

PROPERTY

301,788,569

SERVICES

188,783,937

MINING & OIL

857,418,879

GRAND TOTAL

1,700,712,046

1.02

SME

DDS

334,820

VALUE 1,959.12 (down) -5.45 651,575,008.9 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,777.59 (down) -101.3 1,598,564,373.498 HOLDING FIRMS 7,489.06 (down) -51.77 1,072,290,738.07 PROPERTY 3,514.67 (down) -0.17 1,529.28 (down) -23.56 848,298,835.25 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,292.65 (down) -50.48 1,907,677,551.91 PSEI 7,557.91 (down) -42.45 121,947,355.492 All Shares Index 4,595.43 (down) -22.34 6,209,566,998.52 Gainers: 61; Losers: 125; Unchanged: 49; Total: 235

BDO Leasing joins program to modernize PH jeepneys

By Julito G. Rada BDO Leasing and Finance Inc., a unit

of BDO Unibank Inc. of tycoon Henry Sy, became the first privately-owned financial institution to finance the government’s jeepney modernization program.

BDO Leasing will join two state-run lenders Land Bank of the Philippines and Development Bank of the Philippines that will allocate funding for the program.

BDO Leasing said in a statement Wednesday it signed a loan agreement to finance the manufacture of modern public utility jeepneys.

“State-of-the-art jeepneys will soon ply the Metro Manila route—and eventually the rest of the country—with BDO Leasing and Finance Inc. at the driver’s seat of this trailblazing milestone,” it said. “... BDOLF became the first privately-owned financial institution in the country to enter into a loan agreement to finance modern public utility jeepneys, in connection with the jeepney modernization program of the government... ,” it added.

The government under the program plans to replace all old PUJs aged 15 years or older with environment-friendly jeepneys that promote safer and more environment-friendly transport options.

Based on an initial study done by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, around 180,000 jeepeys nationwide face replacement under the program.

BDOLF teamed up with Transport Equipment Aggregator and Management Inc. (1-TEAM), a company that manages and consolidates PUVs under a unified management system, to provide funding for five units of modern jeepneys, or BEEP (shortened name for Bagong Jeep).

The BEEPs will be supplied by IKK Ichigan Inc., a former BDOLF client and an existing BDO commercial banking client.

1-TEAM is the first and only fleet management company in the country to consolidate around 30 individual PUJs under a single fleet system. Its services include the provision of logistical support, manpower selection and training, equipment repair and maintenance, and the operation of public land transport services such as jeepneys, taxis, buses and UV express vans.

Jollibee set to introduce PHO24 here

By Jenniffer B. Austria FASTFOOD giant Jollibee Foods Corp. plans to bring Vietnamese chain PHO24 into the Philippines.

Jollibee said in a disclosure to the stock exchange wholly owned unit Fresh N’ Foods Inc. would introduce PHO24, which serves traditional Vietnamese dishes with rice noodles as its core products.

PHO24 is owned by one of Jollibee’s joint ventures, SuperFoods Group.

The fast-food chain earlier reported that Superfoods Group aimed to serve its customers in Asia and key cities in the world with high-quality Vietnamese food at affordable prices through PHO24.

Jollibee operated 2,896 restaurants in the country and 943 stores overseas as of end March this year.

Jollibee has been aggressive with its overseas expansion, with the opening of a store at Brunei International Airport and additional outlets in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates last year.

Jollibee said the opening of new stores overseas was in line with its vision to be among the top five largest restaurant companies in the world.

The newest store in Brunei, located in front of the airport’s arrival area, is a part of the company’s response to the strong market demand for the brand.

“When we started our first Jollibee Brunei branch back in 1987, we wanted to appeal not only to Filipinos, but to locals as well. Thirty years on, we are very happy to see the growth of Jollibee into a brand which is well-loved by the Bruneian community,” Jollibee chief executive Ernesto Tanmantiong earlier said.

Meanwhile, the sixth Jollibee store in Hong Kong opened in Wan Chai, which has a population of around 180,000 citizens and 15,000 Filipinos.

B3

World

extrastory2000@gmail.com

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Donors seen pledging billions in aid to Syria

B GALA. Lindsey

Vonn attends the TIME 100 Gala celebrating its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People In The World at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, on April 24, 2018, in New York City. AFP

Trump, Macron call for new nuclear deal with Iran to curb Tehran’s nuke program WASHINGTON―US President Donald Trump and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron called for a “new” deal with Iran Tuesday, looking beyond the disagreements over a landmark nuclear accord that still hangs in the balance.

Trump laid transatlantic divisions bare during a visit by the French president, pillorying a three-year old agreement designed to curb Iran’s nuclear program.

The US leader described the deal as “insane” and “ridiculous,” despite European pleas for him not to walk away.

Instead, Trump eyed a broader “deal” that would also limit Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for militant groups across the Middle East.

“I think we will have a great shot at doing a much bigger, maybe, deal,” said Trump, stressing that any new accord would have to be built on “solid foundations.”

“They should have made a deal that covered Yemen, that covered Syria,” said Trump. “No matter where you go in the Middle East, you see the fingerprints of Iran behind problems.”

Macron admitted after meeting Trump that he did not know whether the US president

would walk away from the nuclear deal when a May 12 decision deadline comes up.

“I can say that we have had very frank discussions on that, just the two of us,” Macron told a joint press conference with Trump at his side.

Putting on a brave face, he said he wished “for now to work on a new deal with Iran” of which the nuclear accord could be one part.

Neither Trump nor Macron indicated whether Iran would get something in return for concessions on its ballistic programs, activities in the Middle East or extending nuclear controls beyond 2025.

Trump―true to his background in reality TV―teased his looming decision.

“This is a deal with decayed foundations.

It’s a bad deal, it’s a bad structure. It’s falling down,” the US leader said. “We’re going to see what happens on the 12th.”

Trump’s European allies have repeatedly tried to persuade him not to abandon the 2015 deal, which gave Iran massive sanctions relief and the guarantee of a civilian nuclear program in return for limiting enrichment that could produce weapons grade fuel. AFP

The British Commonwealth: A remarkable institution WHEN asked which international institution most closely resembles the United Nations, the average person probably wouldn’t have the correct answer. But a well-informed person would. Such a person would say: the British Commonwealth of Nations. That would be the correct answer.

The British Commonwealth of Nations – the Commonwealth, for short – is the international institution that most closely resembles the UN. The resemblance comes not only from the number of Commonwealth members; it comes also from their geographical distribution and cultural variety. British Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill’s famous remark “The sun never sets on the British Empire” was interpreted by his critics in Britain and overseas as a statement of arrogance and conceit on the part of Britain’s political leader. In actual fact Sir Winston was only speaking the truth: as it journeyed from east to west across the globe the sun never ceased to shine on a country formerly or currently ruled by Britain.

Taking place in London this week is the annual gathering – in effect it is the summit – of the heads of state of the 53 overseas members of the Commonwealth. It is the biggest gathering of heads of state outside the opening of the annual meeting of the UN General Assembly. The host and de facto presiding officer of this week’s meeting is Queen Elizabeth II, who has been retained as head of sate by Canada, Australia, New Zealand and some of the other old British colonies. In a show of North America-type independence Canada several years ago dropped the Union Jack as its flag and “God Save the Queen” as its national anthem, but Australia and New Zealand have stayed true to the Crown and London. A little while back the Australian government held a referendum on the issue of retention of Britain’s Queen as Australia’s head of state; a substantial majority of the Australian people voted in favor of retaining Queen Elizabeth II. The Commonwealth truly is a mini-UN.

Its membership includes countries as distant from one another and as different from one another as Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific area, Chinese SAR (Special Administrative Region) Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore in East Asia, Bangladesh, India and Pakistan and Mauritius in South Asia, British Somaliland, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Botswana, Swaziland and South Africa in the eastern part of the African continent, Gambia, Nigeria and Ghana in West Africa, Belize and numerous Carribean islands, the Folkland Islands and Cyprus and Gibraltar in Europe. Truly the UN in miniature. A history of British rule in every continent except Antarctica.

The biggest would-have-been member of the Commonwealth – the one that got away – is of course the US. Many historians have argued that were it not for the short-sightedness of King George III and the then-Parliament, there would have been no bitter War of Independence and the US would now be a member of the Commonwealth. But of course relations between America and the members of the Commonwealth family have always been cordial, and the US has always been a welcome guest at the Commonwealth table.

The beauty about the Commonwealth idea is that there is a common focus of allegiance, goodwill and friendship. That is the British monarchy. The British sovereign has remained very popular n her former colonies and her visits to them are requested and welcomed. Even in countries like India, where British rule was once detested and opposed.

How has the Commonwealth managed to survive during the long period since the 1940s, when the process of decolonization began? Did it survive by maintaining the principle of non-interference in other Commonwealth members’ affairs and sweeping contentious issues – diplomatic, economic and cultural – under the ring? Not at all.

Realizing that such issues are likely, eventually, to affect all its members, the annual gathering of the Commonwealth heads of state do not avoid discussion of such issues, but the discussion is always done in an atmosphere of fraternality and goodwill and the glorious institution. Long may it last.

RUSSELS―International donors are expected Wednesday to pledge billions of dollars for Syria after the UN’s special envoy warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in the rebel-held region of Idlib.

The UN’s aid agency says some $8 billion is needed from the gathering of ministers and aid organizations in Brussels for work both inside Syria and with refugees in neighboring countries.

As the forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad wage a new offensive against the Islamic State jihadists entrenched in a southern district of Damascus, the conference will also try to re-energize the floundering UN-led peace process in the hope of ending the bloody war, now in its eighth year.

Idlib, on the Turkish border in northwestern Syria, is held by an array of rebel, Islamist and jihadist forces and has seen an massive influx of people fleeing the conflict.

“We were and are concerned on the humanitarian side

by Idlib. Because Idlib is the big new challenge, 2.5

million people,” UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura told the first day of the conference on Tuesday.

“We hope that this would be an occasion for making sure that Idlib does not become the new new Aleppo, the new Eastern Ghouta, because the dimensions are completely different.”

Some 6.1 million people are now internally displaced in Syria, more than five million have fled the country and 13 million including six million children are in need of aid, according to the UN. More than 700,000 people have been displaced since the start of this year alone.

The head of UN aid agency UNOCHA Mark Lowcock said the gathering needed to raise some $8 billion for work inside Syria and with refugees in neighboring countries, warning that some programs may have to be cut back if funds are not forthcoming.

“We are quite desperately short of resources,” he told reporters, saying UNOCHA managed to raise only half of the funds it needed in 2017.

Europe is also keen to use the conference to restart UN-led talks in Geneva which have made little progress in eight rounds, with Assad’s government paying little interest and Russia, Iran and Turkey launching a rival process in the Kazakh capital Astana last year.

Russia and Iran are Assad’s key allies and their military intervention in Syria is widely seen as tipping the balance in the civil war. AFP

Van massacre driver charged with murder TORONTO―A Canadian man who apparently had a grudge against women was charged with murder Tuesday after plowing a rented van onto a crowded Toronto sidewalk, killing 10 people―an incident that shocked the nation.

Police said the suspect, 25-yearold Alek Minassian, was not known to them before Monday’s carnage in Canada’s most populous city, which also left 14 people injured. Most of the victims were women.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale Manilaplayed down any suggestion Standard that the attack bore the hallmarks of TODAY

those carried out by truck-driving extremists in London, Nice and other cities, saying “there is no discernible connection to national security.”

But authorities said the incident during the busy lunch hour Monday was undoubtedly deliberate.

Lead investigator Detective-Sergeant Graham Gibson said Minassian had posted a “cryptic message on Facebook minutes before he began driving the rented van” along a long stretch of Yonge Street, eventually jumping the curb onto the sidewalk.

In the post, Minassian praised mass killer Elliot Rodger-a 22-year-old

American who murdered six people and then killed himself in California in 2014, and who had professed frustration over his virginity and women rejecting him.

The suspect’s post also referred to the “Incel Rebellion―”incel” is short for “involuntarily celibate” and is often used in connection with online groups of sexually frustrated men who are known to rant against women.

“We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys!” the post read, monikers used in the community to describe people who have no trouble finding sexual partners. AFP

CITIBANK N.A. Balance Sheet (Head Office and Branches) As of March 31, 2018 ASSETS

Cash and Cash Items Due from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Due from Other Banks Financial Assets at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Available-for-Sale Financial Assets-Net Held-to-Maturity (HTM) Financial Assets-Net Unquoted Debt Securities Classified as Loans-Net Investments in Non-Marketable Equity Security-Net Loans and Receivables - Net Loans to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Interbank Loans Receivable Loans and Receivables - Others Loans and Receivables Arising from RA/CA/PR/SLB General Loan Loss Provision Other Financial Assets Equity Investment in Subsidiaries, Associates and Joint Ventures-Net Bank Premises, Furniture, Fixture and Equipment-Net Real and Other Properties Acquired-Net Non-Current Assets Held for Sale Other Assets-Net Net Due from Head Office/Branches/Agencies, if any (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL ASSETS

Current Quarter

Previous Quarter

1,185,051,135.50 28,436,613,518.38 892,174,483.05 61,331,271,002.45 20,567,969,960.27 13,149,000.00 174,744,033,314.15 9,649,600,000.00 106,947,888,912.51 60,537,742,590.52 2,391,198,188.88 1,147,175,138.21 227,434,200.00 721,591,645.77 5,708,282,178.23 294,974,745,576.01

1,159,624,602.52 43,845,443,813.75 791,335,909.08 14,728,835,261.67 16,146,448,058.52 13,149,000.00 207,358,625,537.16 34,551,560,000.00 108,039,821,182.32 66,403,016,378.52 1,635,772,023.68 1,166,108,807.98 227,434,200.00 946,927,107.00 4,852,508,271.51 291,236,440,569.19

1,489,794,102.49 204,903,207,963.79 20,141,601,219.57 6,610,312.08 6,610,312.08 8,947,761,990.71 12,915,022,675.73 30,812,657,855.01 279,216,656,119.38

760,893,072.15 194,814,366,353.49 26,404,085,047.37 6,657,784.82 6,657,784.82 8,038,416,095.41 14,360,514,640.86 28,307,324,994.30 272,692,257,988.40

2,500,062,376.03 98,179,589.48 13,159,847,491.12 15,758,089,456.63 294,974,745,576.01

5,286,155,500.19 98,179,589.48 13,159,847,491.12 18,544,182,580.79 291,236,440,569.19

303,963,839.43 2,388,331,645.32 441,515,476.94 1,541,874,247.69 144,566,599,243.00 21,197,528,008.69 427,535,332,079.65 49,511,815.64 49,511,815.64 107,781,002,303.31 268,918,044.54 706,074,576,704.21

270,728,161.50 2,433,139,786.56 869,159,294.05 1,518,897,811.35 137,183,686,040.00 18,398,935,588.38 402,849,944,560.11 48,677,625.67 48,677,625.67 90,170,701,260.70 377,941,230.56 654,121,811,358.88

178,672,940,343.25 1,537,708,840.22

211,330,388,200.94 2,335,990,640.10

928,476,627.31 0.52 (609,232,212.91) (0.34) 423.16 165.62 5,700,046,921.80 101,437,367.68 0.06 7.92 0.02 39.27 16.73 15.98 15.98 -

932,256,279.91 0.44 (1,403,734,360.19) (0.66) 426.04 250.57 5,321,780,255.74 98,213,595.62 0.05 8.09 0.02 19.68 17.71 16.94 16.94 -

LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss Deposit Liabilities Due to Other Banks Bills Payable a) BSP (Rediscounting and Other Advances) b) Interbank Loans Payable c) Other Deposit Substitute d) Others Bonds Payable-Net Unsecured Subordinated Debt-Net Redeemable Preferred Shares Special Time Deposit Due to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Other Financial Liabilities Other Liabilities Net Due to Head Office/Branches/Agencies (Philippine branch of a foreign bank) TOTAL LIABILITIES STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Capital Stock Other Capital Accounts Retained Earnings Assigned Capital TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS Guarantees Issued Financial Standby Letters of Credit Performance Standby Letters of Credit Commercial Letters of Credit Trade Related Guarantees Commitments Spot Foreign Exchange Contracts Securities Held Under Custodianship by Bank Proper Trust Department Accounts a) Trust and Other Fiduciary Accounts b) Agency Accounts c) Advisory/Consultancy Derivatives Others TOTAL CONTINGENT ACCOUNTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Gross total loan portfolio (TLP) Specific allowance for credit losses on the TLP Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) a. Gross NPLs b. Ratio of gross NPLs to gross TLP (%) c. Net NPLs d. Ratio of Net NPLs to gross TLP (%) e. Ratio of total allowance for credit losses to gross NPLs (%) f. Ratio of specific allowance for credit losses on the gross TLP to gross NPLs (%) Classified Loans & Other Risk Assets, gross of allowance for credit losses DOSRI Loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses Ratio of DOSRI loans & receivables, gross of allowance for credit losses, to gross TLP (%) Gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables Ratio of gross non-performing DOSRI loans and receivables to TLP (%) Percent Compliance with Magna Carta (%) a. 8% for Micro and Small Enterprises b. 2% for Medium Enterprises Return on Equity (ROE) (%) Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) on Solo Basis, as prescribed under existing regulations a. Total CAR (%) b. Tier 1 Ratio (%) c. Common Tier 1 ratio (%) Deferred Charges not yet Written Down Unbooked Allowance for Credit Losses on Financial Instruments Received

-

-

Republic of the Philippines) Republic of the Philippines) MAKATI CITY ) s.s.

We, Don Mark Rances and Martin John McLeod of the above-mentioned bank do solemnly swear that all matters set forth in the above balance sheet are true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief.

(SGD) DON MARK RANCES Country Controller

(SGD) MARTIN JOHN McLEOD Country Chief Financial Officer

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 23rd day of April 2018 at City of Makati, affiants exhibiting their Driver License No. E04-04-066348 valid until October 7,2018 and Passport ID No. M8728214 issued in Australia valid until, June 02, 2018 respectively.

Doc No. 381 Book No. I Page No. 78 Series of 2018

NOTARY PUBLIC ATTY. GOLDA JULIA S. GAPUZ Notary Public for Makati City Appt. No. M-434 until December 31, 2018 7th Floor Citibank Center Paseo de Roxas Makati City IBP No. 020337, 1/4/2018 Makati Chapter PTR No. 6615345, 1/4/2018 Makati City Roll No. 65933 MCLE-Exempt Pursuant to MCLE Governing Board Order No. 1,s.2008

LGUs

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

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CSC upholds non-renewal of Makati casual employees

LocaL government units

thursday, april 26, 2018

Bulacan village chief first to die in poll violence in Central Luzon

By Romeo Dizon CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga―The first election-related violence in Central Luzon occurred Wednesday after a barangay captain was shot dead by still-unidentified assailants riding in tandem in Barangay Mabalasbalas, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Police Supt. Fe Grenas, chief information office of the Police Regional Office III, identified the victim as Rodrigo Rodriguez, married and barangay captain of Mabalasbalas, San Rafael, Bulacan.

Rodriguez was running for reelection in the barangay elections on May 14.

The victim, who sustained several gunshot wounds to different parts of his body, died while undergoing treatment at a local hospital in San Rafael, Grenas said.

Police Chief Supt. Amador Corpus, regional director of Police Regional Office III, ordered the Bulacan police to conduct a thorough investigation, Grenas added.

Initial investigations showed the victim was buying rice in the front of a store in the village, when the suspects on board a motorcycle fired on the victim and escaped going toward Metro Manila.

The residents rushed the victims to a nearby hospital, but he died while under medical treatment, Grenas added.

GSIS earmarks P65m in loans for Mindanao

The Government Service Insurance System is allocating a total of P65.14 million in emergency loan for its 2,453 active members and old-age pensioners in Carrascal, Cantilan, and Lanuza in Surigao del Sur; and Cateel in Davao Oriental.

The Surigao del Sur areas were affected due to tropical storm “Basyang.”

Cateel was plagued by tropical storm “Vinta” and tropical depression Agaton.

The application deadline is May 10.

A total of 1,281 active members in the calamity areas who have no existing emergency loans may apply for a P20,000 loan. The 804 active members who have not yet fully paid their loan may borrow P40,000, from which the remaining balance will be deducted.

To qualify, active members must be working or residing in the areas, not be on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in paying premium contributions, and have no unpaid loans for more than six months. They should also have a minimum net takehome pay of P5,000 after the monthly premium contribution and loan amortization have been deducted.

Active members may apply through the GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk located in all GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of education; Robinsons Malls; and selected SM City branches in North edsa, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, SM Aura in Taguig, and Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

To avail of the loan, the 368 old-age pensioners in the areas may apply over the counter. They are eligible for a P20,000 loan amount. Pensioners who are also active members may apply for the loan only once.

CENTENARIAN GIFT. Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (second from right) and the representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-National Capital Region hand Exaltacion Descaya (center), 102, the P100,000 cash gift for being a centenarian. In another venue, Bonifacio Montesa, son of Abundio and Cirila, received P200,000 from Navotas as a gift for his parents, who both reached more than 100 years old before they passed away last year. Jun David

Riding-in-tandem crooks in cops’ sights

By Jun David

T

he Philippine National Police is set to crack down on motorcycle-riding criminals after the May 14 village elections.

“We have plans to address these riding in tandem incidents beside expanding Oplan Sita and checkpoint operations,” PNP Director General Oscar Albayalde said in a press briefing during the turnover ceremony for the Police Regional Office 4-A in Laguna Tuesday.

“We will be coming up probably after election we will be launching a new project that will [double time] or that could help address the riding-in-tandem incidents,” he added, while declining to give details.

This developed as motorcycle clubs strongly proposed an ordinance in Caloocan City that copies a Mandaluyong City measure imposing sanctions on riding-in-tandem other than those with

blood relation to the driver.

On Tuesday, members of the Riders of the Philippines (ROTP) and Motorcycle Rights Organization (MRO) rushed to the public hearing for the proposed ordinance authored by councilors Milagros Mercado, Marylou Nubla and Christopher Malonzo.

Under the measure, Caloocan will prohibit a driver, whether male or a female, to ride in tandem with a male unless he is his father, son, husband, grandfather, grandson, father-in-law, uncle, nephew and son-in-law. They will have to provide a “proof of residency” to do so.

Once approved, violators will be fined from P500 and imprisoned for 10

days, or P5,000 and 60 days of imprisonment, depending on the decision of the court.

The ordinance also strengthens the implementation of Children Safety on Motorcycle Act, or the restriction on child-riders, and the Motorcycle helmet Act or wearing of helmet by the riders.

In an open letter sent to Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan, ROTP and MRO spokesman Jobert Bolanos said although the measure has “good intentions” to resist criminals using motorcycles, “the blame should not be passed to the innocents by not curtailing their right of choosing who they want to ride with.”

“Don’t follow the discrimination that applies to Mandaluyong known as Anti-Rider LGU to our community of motorcycles. When you do this, it would strain of the citizens of Caloocan in their daily lives and trail towards their destination,” Bolanos said.

MARAWI ISSUES. Maranaw ‘bakwit’ people or evacuees speak at the Max’s Restaurant along Scout Tuazon in Quezon City for a ‘National Conversation’ that convened all key actors in the Marawi City crisis. The activity provided a platform for all stakeholders to voice their concerns and tackle all issues on Marawi’s rehabilitation (See story on A3). Manny Palmero

The Civil Service Commission has dismissed the appeals filed by three former casual employees of the Makati city government whose appointments were not renewed last July 2016, stating that the non-renewal of their appointments was a “lawful exercise of management prerogative.”

The complainants―Leonardo Terrenal, Jayjay Solon and Patricio Abellera III―worked as casual employees under the Public Safety Department as Security Guard III, Traffic Aide II and Traffic Aide I, respectively, until June 30, 2016 when their six-month appointment expired.

In its decisions signed by Alicia dela Rosa-Bala, chairperson, the CSC ruled that since casual employment automatically ceases at the end of the stated period unless renewed, Terrenal, Solon and Abellera were not illegally dismissed, as they claimed.

For her part, Mayor Abby Binay thanked the CSC for its fair and objective treatment of the said complaints.

“I am thankful to the Civil Service Commission for consistently upholding the law in the resolution of cases involving questions on the legality of personnel-related actions taken by the city government. By making sure that all civil servants adhere to the highest ethical standards, it has kept true to its mission of promoting excellence in public service,” Mayor Abby said.

The mayor noted that the CSC had previously revoked, upon the recommendation of the city government, some 326 ‘midnight appointments’ issued by former Acting Mayor Kid Peña for violating the election Ban. These included 114 promotions, 175 regularizations, and 29 casual appointments.

In their individual appeals dated Sept. 25, 2016 filed with the CSC, the complainants claimed they, along with other co-workers, had been dismissed from the service without due process

by Mayor Abby upon her assumption to duty in July 2016.

In response, the mayor through the Office of the City Attorney (Law Department) cited relevant laws and jurisprudence to dispute the allegations of the complainants.

“The power of appointment is essentially a political question involving considerations of wisdom which only the appointing authority can decide,” it stated.

The CSC concurred, stating that the non-renewal of casual appointments was “a lawful exercise of management prerogative.”

NV jail inmates get medical, dental, legal aid BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya— Close to 200 jail inmates here recently received free medical, dental and legal services from the Pugad Lawin sa Vizcaya radio communications group.

The assistance was offered under the outreach program dubbed “A Day with the Inmates” at the Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Jail in this town.

Provincial prosecutor eufrocinia Dumlao, PL president, said the free services are being given to ensure the health, well being and assist them on their legal cases in courts.

She added that they will also adopt a lowly inmate needing various assistance from their organization.

PL also provided free t-shirts to the inmates including free meals and snacks during the activity.

Dumlao also said they will provide additional needs of the inmates such as sports materials and games to keep them healthy and fight boredom inside their jails.

“Rest assured that we will give these assistance so that you can use them productively while staying in this jail,” she said. Ben Moses Ebreo

Quest Hotel, Clark and Mimosa Golf mark Earth Day

QHCP and Mimosa Golf General Manager Patrick Beck (standing, 7th from left) joins employees of both companies to celebrate Earth Day at the Clark Freeport Zone.

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE—Celebrated every April 22 since its commencement in 1970, earth Day was launched to mark a global commitment in building a safe and sustainable planet.

In line with this global environmental event, Patrick Beck, Quest hotel Conference Center and Clark and Mimosa Golf Course general manager, spearheaded a tree planting and solid waste segregation activity held at the golf course and hotel, respectively.

“We are happy Quest hotel is doing this, that we are taking the initiative to celebrate and do something for the planet,” said Beck.

With the help of some earth-advocate employees, the group was able to plant 10 trees around the scenic Mimosa Golf Course and segregated solid waste into paper, plastic, metal and glass at the hotel sports grounds,

a practice Beck wants the employees to develop in their everyday lives “Taking care of the earth is a responsibility and we have to remember that every single day. It starts with us, and the little things, teaching our children to dispose their garbage properly can make a big impact,” he added.

QhCP and Mimosa Golf Course employees commit to helping preserve the environment by also doing earth friendly projects, such as cleaning blitzes and donation of used oil and battery to ABS-CBN Foundation, which are done outside the earth Day celebration.

In 2008, Presidential Proclamation 1481 was signed by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declaring April 22 of every year as “Philippines’ earth Day” to raise awareness on the environmental challenges facing the country and its citizens.

By Bernadette Lunas

T

HE eastern part of Metro Manila gets a slice of the “super” shopping experience as fastgrowing membership superstore Landers opens its fifth branch in ArcoVia City, Pasig, a little over a month since it has opened in Alabang West.

As one of the first establishments to open in Megaworld Corporation’s 12.3-hectare township, Landers aims to be the go-to store for household items and imported and hard-to-find goods of future ArcoVia City dwellers and current residents in neighboring communities.

“Those living in Valle Verde and nearby villages are very happy that we are here,” Landers superstore marketing director Pinky Angodung told Manila Standard. “Even those in the central Pasig area and those in Taguig area now have access to us because we are very near them.”

“We really feel that it’s a captured market,” she added.

The 8,000-square meter superstore offers members the same finds available in all its other branches, particularly topnotch imported goods that can’t be easily found in regular supermarkets as well as popular and high-quality local brands. sitting side by side on shelves are huge tubs of skippy peanut butter and Lily’s peanut butter, Pop Tarts and Lotte’s Choco Pie, Milo breakfast cereals and Oreo O’s, spam and delimondo, and sriracha and silver swan soy sauce, among many others. The store’s freezers, meanwhile, are filled with imported ice cream and gelato brands such as siviero Maria, as well as tubs of Carmen’s Best ice cream and bottles of Holly’s 100% Premium Farm Fresh Milk, among other dairy and non-dairy products and frozen goods.

Aside from pantry items, Landers also offers baked goods—courtesy of its in-house bakeshop dough & Co.— fresh produce, seafood, meats, poultry products, organic food, toiletries, and other household essentials.

Other products available in store include home items (bed sheets and blankets, pillows, plastic organizers, carpets and rugs, trash bins), outdoor essentials (barbecue grills and benches), appliances (televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners), kitchen tools and utensils, luggage and other travel items, toys, sports and fitness equipment, first-aid kits and health supplements, and indoor plants and succulents.

Bringing such a wide variety of products, Angodung said, was a strategy of the company in a bid to “marry the supermarket and membership shopping one.” “[Members] don’t need to go to the supermarket and then come here. They can come here and get all their daily essential needs,” said the Landers official. in addition to “the usual” goods on offer, Angodung said Landers ArcoVia City features products available only in the branch—same as in the Alabang West outlet. For instance, the newly opened superstore offers Buy 1 Take promotions on selected television

Life

Bernadette lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardliFE

household

thursday, april 26, 2018

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Residents in Pasig, Taguig, Mandaluyong, and nearby cities can now get a taste of the ‘super’ shopping experience as Landers Superstore opens its fifth branch in Megaworld’s 12.3-hectare township ArcoVia City.

A ‘super’ shopping

experience in Pasig City brands, discounts on some items, and other opening sale markdowns until May 1.

“We’ve made sure that shoppers will be able to find something new here,” shared Angodung. she continued, “We want to show members, especially those who have been to other branches, that products on offer at all Landers are not exactly the

same. We will come out with new products so when they go around, they will see new items in each branch.”

A few products and promotions may be exclusive to the ArcoVia branch, but it provides the same experience as other Landers with its dining outlets: the New York diner-inspired Landers Central that offer pizzas, hamburgers, hotdogs, fries, fried chicken, and refill-

Landers boasts a vast, 8,000-square meter shopping space and well-lit aisles.

able drinks; and in-house coffee shop doppio. it also provides free haircut to members at Federal Barbers and fuel discounts of P1.50 off per liter of diesel and P2 off per liter of gasoline. in celebration of its opening, Landers ArcoVia City is currently offering 50 percent discount on new membership as well as bigger fuel discounts—P7 off per liter of gasoline and P3.50 off per

liter of diesel—until May 1. To become a member, simply head straight to its membership booth in store or apply online at www.landers.ph.

Landers Superstore ArcoVia City is located at E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City. Its other branches are located in Balintawak, Quezon City; in Paco, Manila; in Alabang West, Las Piñas City; and in Cebu.

The membership store offers a wide array of supermarket goods such as organic items, a variety of seafood, and fresh produce, among many others.

Fun under the summer sun

Kids and even kids-at-heart are sure to have a blast this summer with these amazing outdoor toys from Toy Kingdom.

Fun and colorful inflatables

Life

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thursday, apri apriL 26, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Ito Kish designs your home

How to clean your appliances Since we spend most of our time at home, it’s important to keep everything in it, including our appliances clean and in tip-top shape. Keeping appliances spic and span also offers several advantages, such as higher efficiency, lower utility bills, and greater durability.

Here are some tips on how to maintain and clean some of the major appliances you have at home.

Refrigerator

Here’s the thing: Your fridge may be the dirtiest appliance in your house right now, especially if you rarely check it. Get started by removing everything in the refrigerator to wipe down the inside easily. it’s also helpful to check for expired food periodically. Scrub the shelves clean with a mixture of baking soda and warm water. Don’t forget to sweep the dust under the fridge. Vacuum the refrigerator coils to reduce the stress applied on its motor and to extend its life.

Candles from Oceana collection exude a tropical vibe (inset) Furniture and interior designer Ito Kish teams up with Robinsons Department Store for Curated Home

D

o You want awardwinning furniture and interior designer ito Kish to design your home? Since he had closed his showroom at Glorietta in May last year, fans of the designer have been eager to feast their eyes on his designed and curated pieces.

A leading department store makes it easier for homeowners to get a piece or two of ito Kish for their living space.

Kish teamed up with Robinsons Department Store to bring curated Home, a collection of carefully selected items that guarantee to turn up the style of your home up a notch.

The first collection of curated Home is a mix of over 60 personally handpicked objects from around the world.

The craft collection brings the art of decoupage to life with fanciful plates, pillows, and all manner of bric-a-brac.

The warm tones of wood provide a good balance to the texture, color, and meticulous design of the pieces.

Resort collection’s vases and decor highlight brute shapes and organic lines

Microwave

if you are one of those individuals who rarely have time to cook their food and heavily rely on microwave, make sure it stays clean in and out.

Don’t waste soap and water scrubbing the crusted mess inside your microwave, steam it clean instead. Here’s how: Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juice into a microwavable container, and add the lemon pieces along with half a cup of water. Microwave the solution for three minutes or until the liquid starts to boil. Let the lemon water stand for five minutes before opening the microwave door. The steam will break down the dirt, making it easier for you to wipe the gunk inside.

Fancy candles from the Craft collection

The Resort collection, meanwhile, highlights brute shapes and organic lines inspired by stoneware, basketry, ironwork, and clay. carved textures adorn many of the pieces, such as mugs, furniture, and storage.

Just as its name suggests, the oceana collection draws in-

spiration from waves, the soft sheen of mother of pearl, and the iridescence of fish scales. These are reflected on the colors and shape of the furnishings, vases, and bath items.

For those undecided which of the collections they’d choose for their spaces, Kish said, “Mix and matching pieces from the different collections allows you to create your own unique personal space.”

Curated Home will be available at all Robinsons Department Store branches nationwide starting June 29.

Keep the summer fun high and the electricity bill low THe heat, quite literally, is on, so much so that many of us would rather stay at home so we can keep our cool than melt under the sizzling sun outside.

Summer spent at home means our cooling appliances will be working longer and harder. But there are ways to keep your home a cool and comfortable place sans soaring electricity bill.

Washing machine

constant contact with dirty clothes and water can make the washing machine a breeding ground for germs and other harmful organisms. To keep it in its best condition, be sure to wash your clothes with warm water every now and then to get rid of the dirt. Run an empty load with hot water and a cup of distilled vinegar to sanitize the basin and remove any lingering grime.

Your home can be cool and comfortable sans soaring electricity bill

Maximize natural light

The sun might be extra hot during summer, but without dark clouds covering the sky, there is enough light that you can use to your advantage. Arrange your space to let the light in: keep your windows unblocked, use mirrors to reflect light to strategic places, and use light-colored fabrics on your pillows and upholstery.

Stove burners

Unplug and get rid of ‘phantom load’

Leaving appliances plugged in after turning them off causes them to switch to standby mode, which still uses electricity. This is called “phantom load” and can cost you up to P270 per kilowatt hour a month according to the Department of energy. By simply remembering to turn off and unplug your appliances, you can save a significant amount of money and electricity.

Set a timer

Keeping your home cool and comfy can be difficult during the scorching summer season, thus air conditioners are a must. But this doesn’t mean that your electricity bill has to suffer. Air conditioner timers are a convenient way to save energy. Set your air conditioner timer to turn on and off at times of your

choosing to maximize its cooling effect Switch to inverter technology and minimize energy consumption. inverter technology allows appliances to be more powerful while beCondition your air conditioner ing more energy efficient at the same Air conditioners rarely run at peak ef- time. For instance, electrolux’s Vita ficiency due to improper maintenance. inverter Split Type Air conditioner is Make sure to clean it regularly to keep easy to use and keeps your home cool it in pristine condition. clean the air fil- and clean by being eco-friendly and enters once every two months to prevent ergy efficient. it chills the room quickly clogging. Have your unit checked by a with its Turbo Function which enables technician at least once a year to ensure it to reach the preset temperature in the it continues to operate at optimal levels. shortest amount of time. it also clears electrolux’s customer care Hotline is dust particles and bacteria-causing eleopen weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 ments in the air with its Active Plasma p.m. to help you keep your appliances and HD Filter. Finally its self-diagnose running smoothly. call 1-800-10-845- function makes it convenient to identify cARe (2273) or email wecare@elec- and fix issues hence maintenance won’t trolux.com for inquiries. be an issue.

The appliance you use to cook food is most likely the one with the most grime and grease. if your home runs a gas burner, unclog the port with an unfolded paper clip or a pin, take out the removable parts, and soak in hot, soapy water. Wipe the top with a damp cloth to prevent water from leaking into the burner. For electric burners, which you cannot soak in water, scrub the mess away using a mix of baking soda and water.

LPG tanks

Since these are usually stored in places where dirt can easily accumulate, make sure that your tanks are clean and well-cared for. clean the tank’s valve outlets using plastic plugs and make sure that no dirt, grime, or insects get inside the valve outlet. check for leaks from time to time by rubbing soapy water on the cylinder. if a soap bubble appears, there may be a leak; be on the lookout for even the tiniest leak.

Visit www.solane.com.ph for more home safety tips.

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

AVICII

Forever young GONE TOO SOON. Swedish musician Tim Bergling, better known on the EDM music scene as Avicii, was a DJ and a record producer.

R

OCK ‘n’ roll had Buddy Holly, the psychedelic era had Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin and grunge had Kurt Cobain. Now electronic dance music has Avicii.

The Swedish DJ’s death Friday at age 28 marks a symbolic coming-of-age for a genre that remains resolutely youthful, with the first electronic superstar to die near his prime.

Avicii, the stage name of Tim Bergling, was not a first-out-the-door pioneer of electronic dance music—or EDM —a scene that has exploded since the turn of the century and last year was worth USD 7.4 billion, according to a study by the industry’s International Music Summit in Ibiza.

But Avicii both showed the mainstream possibilities of EDM—and, by the end of his short life, had already become a sage elder who cautioned about the artistic and commercial overreach of the music.

Avicii came to define the new age of radio-friendly EDM in 2011 with “Levels,” which entered the top 10 across Europe with its sample of soul great Etta James in between synthesizer

riffs that soar with stadium-packing power.

Non-clubbers also heard EDM’s energy when Avicii teamed up with rockers Coldplay on “Sky Full of Stars,” with Chris Martin’s voice giving way to fast-building, synthesized ecstasy.

But perhaps his most influential moment came in 2013 when he headlined the Ultra Music Festival in Miami. A year after he invited Madonna as a surprise stage guest, Avicii befuddled a crowd of ravers by bringing out a bluegrass band with a banjo for his soon-to-behit “Wake Me Up,” which may now be remembered for more than the banjo twist. The track, featuring singer Aloe Blacc, reflects on aging with the line, “I wish I could stay forever this young.”

Like other musicians who died with so many years ahead of them, Avicii looks destined to be remembered with an aura of tragedy. He retired from touring in

RAGE and vengeance are the name of the game for Ana (Julia Montes) and Gael (Paulo Avelino), who are now willing to set aside their feelings and plot their plans of revenge against each other in the Kapamilya afternoon series Asintado.

Ana remains steadfast in taking down the Del Mundos after finally exposing one by one the vicious deeds of Salvador (Nonie Buencamino). But Gael will not let his former lover inflict more harm to his family as he vows to send Ana to jail for the public humiliation she has caused them.

However, Ana is already one step ahead towards justice because Yvonne (Louise Delos Reyes) successfully recorded the confession of the suspect in the death of Ana’s father, who told her that Salvador only forced him to admit to committing the crime in exchange for money.

How far will the battle between Ana and Gael go?

Meanwhile, Asintado remains unbeaten in national TV ratings and continues to draw more viewers every afternoon.

On April 16, the series recorded a national TV rating of 15.1 percent, compared to Stepdaughters with only 13.1 pertcent, according to data from Kantar Media. The show continued its reign on April 17, hitting 15.6 percent, compared to its rival show with only 12.1 percent.

Don’t miss the action-packed scenes in Asintado on Kapamilya Gold on ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable ch 167).

‘ASINTADO’remains

unbeaten in national TV ratings

Julia Montes and Paulo Avelino in an intense scene in 'Asintado.'

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, April 26, 2018

ACROSS 1 Have occasion for 5 Pet plea 9 Bacharach and Reynolds 14 — — proud of you!

15 GI supply 16 Mall for Plato 17 Take the bait 18 Large computers 20 Cheese dish 22 Optician’s wares 23 Dash off 24 Throw in 25 John — Astor 29 Cult 31 Movie pooch 35 Paradise 37 Romantic outing 39 Before, in combos 40 Bewails 42 Beef or lamb (2 wds.)

44 Horror-film street 45 Radar screen 47 One of the B vitamins 48 Survey chart 50 Bird of Egypt 52 Physicist Nikola —

53 Low-fat meat 55 Zenith 57 Tradition 60 Stayed in hiding (2 wds.)

64 Pads and covers a sofa 66 Sappho’s verse 68 Tied 69 Bank no.

70 Rural storehouse 71 Uneasy 72 AAA suggestions 73 Convince DOWN 1 Pen part 2 Mideast title 3 Is, in Madrid 4 Go-getter 5 Ballroom number 6 Computer notes 7 Skipped 8 Came in first 9 Unveiled 10 Kampala’s country 11 Gypsy gents 12 Oak or maple 13 Get smart with 19 Squash 21 Waning 25 Plantation drink 26 To any degree

(2 wds.)

27 List separator 28 Unseal, to a poet 30 Auto 32 Glasses, slangily 33 Shadow 34 State Farm competitor 36 Posh lobbies 38 Blue-penciled 41 Bro or sis 43 — West (life vest) 46 Patois 49 Wyoming range

2016 as he suffered health problems including acute pancreatitis, triggered in part by excessive drinking.

Avicii, who acknowledged his problems in the sole lyric to the song “Alcoholic,” died while on vacation in Oman. The cause remained unclear, although police sources in the Gulf sultanate did not suspect foul play.

The electronic music world has been struck by few other deaths. House music forerunnerFrankie Knuckles and New York party organizer David Mancuso have both died in recent years, but both were considerably older.

Avicii’s death puts him nearly in the so-called 27 club—celebrated musicians who have died at age 27 including Cobain, Hendrix, Joplin,Jim Morrison, soul singer Amy Winehouseand Rolling Stone’s Brian Jones.

Avicii—a stage name derived from the Sanskrit for the deepest stage of hell, the inverse of Cobain’s Nirvana— had spoken of being an introvert who was never comfortable with the hardpartying lifestyle of a DJ, for whom alcohol was always available and usually free. AFP

51 Rare 54 Stale 56 Fine sprays 57 Where Havana is 58 Well-briefed (2 wds.)

59 Closed tightly 61 Insurance claim 62 Fat cat’s friend 63 Rural necessity 65 Mammoth entrapper 67 Note before la

THE stage is set as Reader’s Digest— one of the longest-running and most read print publications in the world— celebrates the products and services Filipinos trust the most through the “Trusted Brand 2018 Awards”. The ceremony will be held today at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Pasig City.

Since its launch in 1998, the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Awards have proven that beyond the price, the trends, and the hype, people will patronize products and services they think deserve their trust.

In its 20th year, the Trusted Brand Awards will survey 54 categories of products and services from various industries, including the most trusted personalities in the Philippines.

Foundation of a brand They say consumers nowadays have it easy. They have more brands to choose from and products are more accessible, thanks to the internet and social media. Yet such a myriad of choice can leave them overwhelmed to make sound decisions.

It still boils down to seeking what the majority says: people sharing the same preferences and standards in buying a product or in subscribing to a service, people who have actually bought the product and can vouch for its quality.

Such is the crux of Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Survey. Twenty years later, it remains one of the most significant measurements of success in one’s business. “ Over the years, the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand Survey has been a significant benchmark in various industries with its capability to identify which brands and services, as well as the personalities, consumers trust the most,” says Sheron White, Retail and Advertising Sales Director of Reader’s Digest Asia Pacific.

Like in any relationship, trust is the foundation that makes the bond between companies and consumers strong.

Indeed, with mere five letters, the word ‘Trust’ can make or break any company or brand.

For the past two decades, Reader’s Digest surveys not only its subscribers, but also general consumers in the Philippines, to discover which of the

Up-close.

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From C4

“I want continue my advocacy to help improve compulsory education among the poor rural communities. You know, growing up in Bohol, I studied there in elementary before I migrated in Australia, I experienced walking with my brothers for some 30 minutes and saw the hardships of the students and the lack of teaching materials,” Gallman said.

Gumabao, the 25-year-old actor’s daughter and women’s volleyball’s pinup girl, born in San Mateo, California and a marketing management graduate at De La Salle University, said that she hoped that all six of them will be given 100 percent support by BPCI to be a ‘complete package” as they compete on the world stage.

Gumabao, who finally grabbed the opportunity to join Binibini, was asked by film director Jeffrey Jeturian, and given the go-signal by her Volleyball

Reader's Digest once again trains the spotlight on companies consumers believe in at the Trusted Brands Awards 2018.

brands out there have earned their loyalty and trust.

Philippines’ Most Trusted Brands Reader’s Digest commissioned global market research company Catalyst Research to survey a representative sample of the Asian population this year.

Around 8,000 individuals were surveyed across five of the region’s key markets: Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

In the Philippines, about 4,000 respondents were asked to participate in the ‘Trusted Brand Survey.’ Fifty percent were Reader’s Digest subscribers while the other half were chosen to reflect the demographics of the general population.

Each respondent was required to complete an online questionnaire.

Participants were asked to provide their most trusted brands and rate each of the brands listed, based on the following six attributes: Trustworthiness, Credibility, Quality, Value, Understanding of Customer Needs, Innovation and Social Responsibility.

Brands that have scored significantly higher than their rivals will receive the ‘Gold Trusted Brand Award’. On the other hand, brands that perform exceptionally—winning their category with a score that vastly outpolled their nearest competitor—will earn the ‘Platinum Trusted Brand Award’.

A brand that wins the Reader’s Digest Trusted Brand award in the same category for at least three countries surveyed will receive the ‘Asia Trusted Brand Award’.

Special awards will also be given out to the Most Trusted TV News Presenter; Radio Presenter; Entertainment Presenter, Sports Personality as well as the Marketing Excellence Award.

All recipients of the Trusted Brand awards will be given a trophy and will be allowed to use the globally recognized ‘Trusted Brand Logo’ in their marketing collateral and merchandising material.

team, said, “I hope that my win would serve an inspiration to other volleyball players to join the pageant world.

Aside from promoting health and fitness, I want to focus on sustainable programs in grass roots development. I want to be a voice to the other sports which lack media attention so they can get more support from sponsors to compete internationally,” Gumabao stressed.

Asked about aspiring beauties undergoing cosmetic surgeries to enhance their bodies in order to win, both Gallman and Gumabao said that there is nothing wrong with it. “So long as they feel happy, to boost their confidence, and feel beautiful about it, then so be it,” Gallman said.

“I’m not against it as long as it’s done by licensed doctors and it’s safe. It’s a personal choice, and hope that people should just look in the mirror and mind their own business,” exclaimed Gumabao who also confessed getting shocked by the intrigues in the world of pageants.

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

C4

THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 2018

ASDFSDF

DIGITAL MEDIA

Kris Aquino’s Home tour Facebook videos reach 14M views QUEEN of All Media and PLDT Home ambassador Kris Aquino is a certified social media icon.

Following a hiatus from her mainstream TV career, she reestablished herself as the Queen of Digital Infotainment, gaining a massive base of fans who are continuously enamored by her wit, charm and captivating personality.

Kris continues to excite her followers with her “open book” lifestyle. This lead to authentic content ranging from partnerships with brands she trusts, to true-to-life conversations with people from all walks of life, fashion tips and hacks, and her parenting journey with sons Josh and Bimby. December last year, Kris opened up her extraordinary house in an exclusive three-part video, in partnership with PLDT Home, the Philippine leader in digital services. While her house is always prominently featured in her videos, PLDT Home was given the premiere opportunity to provide everyone the grand virtual tour of Kris’s entire home. The videos showcase the family’s digitally powered and connected home powered by PLDT, supporting their love of home entertainment.

In one of the videos, Kris can be seen talking about her love for Korean Pop group BTS, which she watches via the all-in-one entertainment box Roku Powered™ TVolution.

She also shares how their PLDT Home Fibr-powered connection is consistently fast and seamless anywhere at home

because of the Whole Home WiFi service - a product-and-service package that connects the entire home to a strong all-in-one broadband and smart Wi-Fi network.

The videos have now reached a combined total of 14 million views making them among the most viewed in Kris’s official page.

Kris, herself, added, “It was super fun making that video. I hope they learned a few things along the way because building and nurturing this home has been a hugely rewarding experience for me, thanks to partners like PLDT Home. We’re always cooking up new ways to excite our followers and our viewers so I’m excited for our next project.”

Relive Kris’s home tour again by checking out Kris’s official Facebook page. To learn more about the PLDT Home products and services featured in the videos, visit pldthome.com.

UP-CLOSE

Binibining Pilipinas - Globe Michelle Gumabao

with Binibining Pilipinas Queens

Filipino delegation, films make waves at Italian film fest IN CELEBRATION of the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) leads a big delegation of Filipino filmmakers, artists, and members of the academe with the Philippines chosen as the Country of Focus in the Far East Film Festival happening until April 29 in Udine, Italy.

Set to compete in the Festival are Si Chedeng sa Si Apple, Smaller and Smaller Circles and Ang Larawan, while restored Ricky Lee classics, Himala and Moral, directed by the well renowned late director, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, will be showcased at the restored film classics feature.

With the opportunity to showcase our very own filmmakers in Far East Film Festival, FDCP brought in select filmmakers and speakers for Sandaan: Philippine Cinema Centennial Talks.

Speakers include Mr. Ed Lajano, Festival Director of QCinema, Bianca Balbuena, CEO of EpicMedia, renowned actress Elizabeth Oropesa and FDCP Chairperson and CEO Liza Diño for Filipino Popular Cinema to be moderated by Mr. Max Tessier today.

Film Historian and documentarian Mr. Nick Deocampo will talk about Discovering the Past: Asian Film History-Filipino Cinema during WWII, to be introduced by Mr. Roger Garcia, Festival Director of Hong Kong International Film Festival, tomorrow.

Meanwhile, three Filipino film projects made it to the 14 titles selected by Focus Asia, the Far East Film Festival Project Market dedicated to genre cinema. These projects in development will be presented to more than 200 professionals made up of panels, one-on-one meetings, projections and networking opportunities.

The films are Belen by Quark Henares, produced by Bianca Balbuena and Bradley Liew, Epicmedia Productions Inc., Quantum Suicide by Mikhail Red, produced

by Micah Tadena, Media East Productions and Taro Imai, Harakiri Films, co-produced by Japan and Wilderness by Nadira Ilana, produced by Nadira Ilana, Telan Bulan Films and Pamela Reyes, Create Cinema and Panuksmi Hardjowirogo, M’GO Films, a co-production between Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore.

On the other hand, Filipino Producer Monster Jimenez of Arkeo Films with her film in development, Return of the Owl by Martika Ramirez Escobar made it to the 15 selected projects for the tenth edition of Ties That Bind, the Asia-Europe co-production workshop, bringing together Asian and European professionals in the development of film projects. These selected films will have the opportunity to meet numerous producers, financiers and distributors present on the Focus Asia days for potential partnership in the development of their film.

A scene from the acclaimed mystery 'Smaller And Smaller Circles' featuring a talented cast led by Nonie Buencamino (right) and Sid Lucero.

Miss Universe Philippines Catriona Gray (third from left) with 2018 Binibining Pilipinas Queens (from left) Karen Gallman, Eva Psychee Patalinjug, Ahtisa Manalo, Jehza Huelar, and Michelle Theresa Gumabao.

By Eton Concepcion Images By Sonny Espiritu

L

AST week, we featured a fun interview with the queenly and eloquent Catriona Gray, the country’s representative to this year’s prestigious Miss Universe pageant.

Now it’s time to train the spotlight on the equally regal and articulate beauties who won the coveted crowns in the annual Binibining Pilipinas beauty tilt.

Our up-close interviews were done in pairs of Bb. PilipinasInternational Ahtisa Manalo with Bb. Pilipinas 2nd runner-up Samantha Mae Bernardo, Bb. Pilipinas Supranational Jehza Huelar with Bb. Pilipinas-Grand International Eva Psychee Patalinjug, and Bb. PilipinasIntercontinental Karen Gallman with Bb. Pilipinas-Globe Michelle Theresa Gumabao.

The free-wheeling and engaging exchanges were centered mostly on the beauty queens’ lives after they won and their plans for their respective international competitions. Most, if not all are saying, “It hasn’t’ sunk in yet.”

Manalo, a 20-year-old Accountancy graduate, said that they are busy with media tours and looks forward to a vacation and her homecoming in Candelaria.

“I still have not absorbed how big the responsibility given to me to represent the country in the Miss International pageant. Maybe I would realize that when I see the magnitude of the crowd that would turn out to watch my

Binibining Pilipinas - Grand International Eva Psychee Patalinjug

homecoming parade,” said the Barbiedoll of Candelaria, Quezon who hopes to have the same destiny with her lookalike Kylie Verzosa.

Manalo, who loved playing boys games and become one of “Charlies’ Angels” as a child, still entertains her desire to become a policewoman. In fact, she had filed her application at the PNPA before her stint at Bb. Pilipinas. Asked what she would like to tell the police, Manalo said, “To all of you there in PNP, just continue to serve and protect.”

Huelar, who, like her role model Pia Wurtzbach, finished as runner up on her first try at Bb. Pilipinas and bagging a title on her third and final attempt. “It’s surreal to be finally wearing a crown,” said the 23-year-old executive assistant and Finance graduate at Ateneo de Davao University. “I’m learning about the background and history of the Miss Supranational pageant as well as the people behind the organization before I compete in Poland,” said Huelar who is engaged to Magnolia PBA star Peter Jun Simon.

Patalinjug, a 23-year-old Cebuana nurse and former Mutya ng Pilipinas Asia-Pacific International, is an advocate on HIV awareness, prevention of violence against women and children and cyber bullying. The “Face of Binibini” winner revealed how she felt so nervous when she got the Ambassador-judge during the Q&A and would have preferred the “Government Build, Build, Build Program” question as she was more knowledgeable in that subject being a law student. Patalinjug will be the first to compete this October in Myanmar.

Gallman, 25-year-old Fil-Australian and graduate of Queensland University, said she would like to pursue a career in showbiz as an actress. “I am still taking my time to enjoy the moment. Maybe I could work on public speaking, improve my communication skills. But I would not be so “gigil na gigil” when I compete.

I just want to enjoy myself during the Miss Intercontinental pageant,” said the Bohol-born and former Little Miss Philippines contestant. Continued on C3