Manila Standard - 2018 June 27 - Wednesday

Arrest minors, police told

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

Duterte said the Department of Social Welfare and Development and baranSAYING it is the state’s policy to pro- gay officials should take custody of the tect children, President Rodrigo Duterte rounded up minors.

“Below 18, you arrest the teenagers has ordered the police to “arrest” minors Next page loitering the streets.

VOL. XXXII • NO. 132 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

‘I shake trees to stimulate’ Rody thus explains rant on God, forms 3-man team to hold talks with religious leaders

By Vito Barcelo

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has created a three-man committee to hold a dialogue with Catholic and other religious group leaders days after he called God stupid even as the Chief Executive confessed to deliberately “shaking the tree” and testing the boundaries of free expression to get the country out of the doldrums.

PASTOR SAYCON

LUCEM DA: O DOMINE. President Rodrigo Duterte,

in this file photo, appears praying to his God after forming a three-member committee to hold a dialogue with Catholic and other religious group leaders in efforts to put on feet again the rift between the Chief Executive and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.

HARRY ROQUE

ERNESTO ABELLA

“I am doing it deliberately. You know why? This country is in the doldrums. I am shaking the tree to see that they are alive. I am shaking the tree so even my words are rude and I am trying to see the boundaries [of free expression],” the President said in his speech before newly-elected barangay chairpersons in Zamboanga del Sur on Tuesday.

Duterte faced growing outrage on Tuesday after calling God “stupid.”

He maintained that his God has a “universal mind” while the God of his critics is “stupid.”

“Your God is not my God because your God is stupid,” the President said.

Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said he will be part of the three-man committee to dialog with religious leaders, along with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ernesto Abella and political strategist Pastor “Boy” Saycon Jr. “The theme will be how to lessen the rift between the government and Church,” Roque told reporters.

Roque said before the panel was created, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches proposed that a dialogue be held between Duterte and religious leaders.

CBCP president Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles welcomed the proposed dialogue with the government, saying that listening to one another is always good.

But Manila Archbishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission on the Laity, said the dialogue was merely Duterte’s tactic to diffuse the anger over his attack on God. Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, meanwhile, said Duterte must have been absent when the story of creation was taught in school.

“What the President is criticizing is his own interpretation of the Bible,” David said in Filipino in Next page

Lawyers vouch DILG, DND to hold joint probe of ‘misencounter ‘ for Carpio as chief justice

By Francisco Tuyay and Ronald Reyes

By Rey E. Requejo THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Tuesday backed the nomination of acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio for the top judicial post.

The IBP, the mandatory organization of lawyers in the country, nominated Carpio for the position of chief justice, which was left vacant following the ouster of Maria Lourdes Sereno.

“Associate Justice Antonio Carpio is the most senior of all the incumbent justices in the Supreme Court and is most qualified to lead and manage the Supreme Court and the entire Philippine judiciary,” IBP national president Next page

Plunder raps eyed vs Abaya over MRT mess THE Department of Transportation on Tuesday said it would pursue plunder charges against former Transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya and others who were indicted over the MRT 3 anomaly.

In a statement, Transport Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Reinier Paul R. Yerba said the Next page

THE Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Department of National Defense will conduct a joint inquiry into the encounter Monday in Samar province in which Army troopers shot and killed six policemen and injured nine others.

“This is a very unfortunate event that nobody wanted to happen. To-

gether with the DND, we will form a board of inquiry to investigate the incident in order to determine the cause of this unfortunate event and draw up measures to prevent the same from happening again,” DILG officer-incharge Secretary Eduardo Año said in a statement.

A ranking military official himself said operational lapses were seen as a factor leading to the death of the six mistaken by soldiers as hostile force, sparking the

MY HONOR.

To be tattoed by the centenarian Apo Whang-Od, known as the ‘Last Mambabatok’— traditional Kalinga tattoist—is indeed my honor, says Senator JV Ejercito as he is marked

by Whang-Od, conferred with the Dangal ng Haraya Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for her invaluable contribution in raising and promoting Kalinga culture.

Lino Santos

gunfire from the latter’s side.

The fight was described as a misencounter in an anti-terrorist operations in the forested sitio of Lunoy, Barangay San Roque, Sta. Rita in Samar.

Maj. Gen. Raul Farnacio, commander of the Army’s 8th Infantry Division, said there had been minor lapses committed which triggered the firefight between soldiers and policemen, both on a counter-insurgency operations at the time Next page of the unfortunate incident.

Marawi rehab plan back to square one

By Carolyn O. Arguillas DAVAO CITY—It’s back to zero for Marawi’s Ground Zero.

There will be no groundbreaking rites in the first week of July as earlier announced by Housing Secretary and Task Force Bangon Marawi chairman Eduardo del Rosario because negotiations with the Chinese-led Bagong Marawi Consortium on the development plan for Ground Zero— the “Most Affected Area”— failed, and a new proponent, a Chinese government-owned firm engaged in hydropower, is still undergoing an “eligibility check.”

The seven-member Selection Committee, which serves as TFBM’s bids and awards committee, did not Next page

SANDERS

Protesters hound Trump top aides WASHINGTON—Does working for Donald Trump mean you cannot enjoy a night out in Washington?

In the past week, several of the president’s top aides have been targeted by protesters while dining, and his spokeswoman Sarah Sanders was asked to leave a restaurant in central Virginia over her views.

Next page

Tribunal imposes fine on Robredo, Marcos NEWS A2

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

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SolGen tells SC: Charter forbids same-sex union

By Rey E. Requejo SOLICITOR General Jose Calida on Tuesday urged the Supreme Court to dismiss the petition before it seeking the legalization of same-sex marriages in the country.

During the continuation of the oral arguments on the subject, Calida said the petition filed by Jesus Nicardo Falcis III should be denied for lack of merit as he defended the prohibition on same-sex marriages under the Family Code and under the 1987 Constitution.

The chief state lawyer said the 1987 Constitution, not just the Family Code, mandated marriage only for straight couples. He cited the argument of its drafters that “marriage is the union between a man and woman” based on constitutional construction.

“The definition of marriage adopted by the drafters of our Constitution is guided by teachings of history and recognition of the traditions that underlie our society― marriage, as traditionally conceived in the Philippines, has always been between a man and a woman,” Calida said.

“While the right to marry is recognized as a cognate of the fundamental rights to life and liberty, Article XV limits this right by making it clear that marriage may only be between a man and a woman.”

Calida said marriage, as defined in the Constitution, was “geared towards procreation, which only a man and a woman can have through biological sex.”

He said the prohibition on same-sex marriages was actually a valid act of police power by the government to protect the people’s fundamental right to life and liberty.

“The limitation of civil marriage to opposite-sex couples is a valid exercise of police power, which is based on the concept of necessity of the State and its corresponding right to protect itself and its people,” Calida said.

Sotto’s strategy on drug war: Reduce demand

By Macon Ramos-Araneta THE supply issue cannot be everything in the war on drugs, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said Tuesday.

“There must be a relentless DEMAND reduction strategy, Sotto said in his Facebook account.

In other developments: • The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday rewarded its four operating units with P7,594,992.24 for their anti-drug operations.

Director general Aaron Aquino handed the rewards to the Special Enforcement Service, Intelligence and Investigation Service, National Capital Region Unit and Regional Office 3 at the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City.

“These PDEA operating units received cash rewards under PDEA Operation Lawmen,” an incentive program for law enforcers or members of the anti-illegal drug units/teams or task forces, including the support unit/s after the conduct of laudable anti-drug operations,” Aquino said.

• A total of 554 officers and employees from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office voluntarily submitted themselves to a drug test Monday in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s fight against illegal drugs and to show the world the PCSO is a drug-free government agency, general manager Alexander Balutan said in a statement on Tuesday.

The test was administered to 54 employees from San Marcelino, 398 employees from the main office, and 102 employees from the Lung Center of the Philippines in compliance with the Civil Service.

Sotto said even if illegal drugs such as shabu, marijuana, cocaine, heroin and designer drugs were removed and destroyed, drug dependents would always find another drug to abuse. With Rio N. Araja

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there around loitering because we have to protect our children. Drugs are everywhere,” the President said in a speech Monday evening.

“So 18 and below are minors. You take them into custody not to arrest, but for their own safety to protect them. Call the DSWD and the barangay officials and tell them to take care of the minors.”

“Arrest them for their own protection.

They are not being arrested for any crime.

It’s for their own good that they are arrested. Under the principle of parens patriae, which is the principle bedrock for protecting people, you are all weak. We can take custody of the minors to protect them under the principle of parens patriae—the

Poll tribunal imposes fine on Leni, Marcos Jr.

By Rey E. Requejo

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HE Supreme Court, acting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, has penalized the camps of Vice President Leni Robredo and former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for violating the sub judice rule amid their exchange of public statements on the ongoing revision of votes for the 2016 vice presidential race.

In a resolution, the PET, headed by Acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio, found both parties guilty of violating the sub judice rule and imposed a fine of P50,000 each.

The tribunal ordered Robredo and Marcos on April 10 to show cause and explain why they should not be cited in contempt for violating its February directive for both camps to strictly observe the sub judice rule.

The tribunal noted that despite the directive, several news reports have shown that the parties, their counsels and/or representatives have continued to disclose sensitive information regarding the revision process.

“To be sure, the statements of the parties with respect to matters or concerns already referred to or pending resolution of the Tribunal, as well as statements and remarks pertaining to the integrity of the revision

process are within the clear ambit of the sub judice rule,” the show cause order read.

Both camps denied violating the rule in their respective answers, but failed to convince the tribunal.

The manual recount and revision of votes in the protest filed by Marcos against Robredo started in April. The process covers three provinces identified by Marcos in his protest.

The PET has finished its manual recount and revision of ballots in Camarines Sur. The tribunal has yet to complete the process for Iloilo and Negros Oriental.

The result of the recount and revision of ballots in the three provinces will enable the PET to decide whether it will pursue the same process for the other cities and provinces named by Marcos in his protest.

Du30 to agencies: Speed up infra, create more jobs

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has instructed all concerned government agencies to fast-track the infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build” program to generate at least two- million jobs by the end of his term in 2022, Malacañang said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said the government was targeting 75 flagship projects to be completed before 2022.

“These are infrastructure and social projects necessary to boost economic activity especially in the provinces, generate jobs, and, ultimately, lift many in the rural areas from poverty,” Roque said in a press briefing.

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a Facebook post.”That’s not what the Catholic Church teaches.”

David also said Duterte should not insult Catholic doctrine if he doesn’t believe it.

Duterte has previously attacked Catholic Church leaders who have opposed his bloody war on drugs, his backing of the Reproductive Health Law, and his move to revive the death penalty.

The President has also dubbed the Catholic Church as “the most hypocritical institution,” and alleged that he was once molested by a Jesuit priest.

Roque said the government initiated the discussion with the Catholic Church leaders, who have strained ties with the President.

“The President has appointed yours truly, along with Boy Saycon and Usec. Ernie Abella, to be part of the committee that will negotiate and hold a dialogue not only with the Catholic Church but also to all groups who seek a dialogue with the government,” Roque told reporters in a press briefing.

“We will start the dialogue with the Catholic Church,” he said.

The Palace appealed to the public to support the meeting and let the dialogue proceed.

However, some of the mega projects are facing delays and moving slowly while other projects are still in the drawing board, the Palace official admitted.

Roque said the President seemed not satisfied with the ongoing projects but wanted it done faster and meet the scheduled target.

Among the projects the President wants to finish include the Clark Airport expansion project; the Metro Manila subway; the North-South railway projects connecting Los Baños in Laguna to Tutuban in Manila and to the Clark free port; the 130-kilometer first phase of the Mindanao railway to connect Digos, Davao City, and Tagum; the Kaliwa water supply project to ensure supply to the metropolis; and the Cavite flood

control project.

Roque said the President lamented the slow pace in the implementation of projects in the provinces unlike in Metro Manila.

Most of these undertakings are to be financed through the national budget or by lowinterest official development assistance loans.

The projects approved this year more than doubled the P400-billion total cost of the 17 projects approved in 2016.

The Palace said that the national government had allocated P1.1 trillion for infrastructure development.

The huge infrastructure spending will be financed in part by proceeds from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law.

Roque said Saycon is now communicating with the CBCP to formally open a dialogue with the Church leaders.

Duterte took aim at the biblical creation story during a speech, raising the question of why God would create Adam and Eve and then expose them to temptation.

Original Sin is something Christian theologians have struggled to explain for two millennia. Duterte opted for characteristically colorful language as he broached this thorny catechism.

“Who is this stupid God?” he asked on Friday. “You created something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work.”

Leaders of the Catholic Church have condemned the statement.

“How can he be a President for all Filipinos if he does not have respect for the Catholic faithful?”, Bishop Pablo Virgilio David wrote on Facebook.

The Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches joined in the denunciation on Tuesday, saying it is “completely inappropriate for our nation’s president to derisively curse at the God of the Christian faith who is deeply worshipped... by a majority of Filipinos.”

Duterte defended his comments in a speech on Monday.

Duterte has locked horns repeatedly with

the nation’s historically powerful Catholic Church, especially over its criticism of his deadly narcotics crackdown that has killed thousands.

He has also repeatedly used speeches to attack Australian nun Patricia Fox, who faces deportation proceedings over allegations she violated the terms of her visa by engaging in human rights activism.

Watchdogs have voiced concerns that the drug war killings have encouraged an environment of impunity in the Philippines that has spilled over into areas unrelated to narcotics.

Three priests have been slain since December, including one who was shot dead inside his church as he prepared to hold a Mass.

Those killings sparked debate over whether clergymen should be armed for their own protection, a proposal the Church pushed back against.

The furor surrounding Duterte’s comments on God follows a string of foulmouthed insults against world leaders and institutions since he came to power two years ago.

He called then US president Barack Obama a “son of a whore” and leveled a similar insult at Pope Francis, while branding the European Union “stupid” over its criticism of his drug war. With AFP

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department would take action against Abaya and others indicted for graft by the Office of the Ombdusman, as well as some officials who were cleared by it.

He said the department would consult with the Office of the Solicitor General about plunder charges against those indicted, as well as officials that the Ombudsman cleared, “in efforts to promote accountability and transparency.”

The Ombudsman’s special panel of investigators found that “extended unwarranted benefits, advantage and preference” were given to Busan Universal Rail Inc. of Busan Joint Venture despite it being “ineligible” and “unqualified” as it was “not technically, legally and financially capable to undertake the MRT 3 long-term maintenance contract.”

It further stated that “by allowing the award of the contract to the Busan JV despite the attendant glaring irregularities, Abaya deliberately ignored applicable laws, rules and regulations, and standard operating procedures, falling short of or disregarding the required competence expected of him in the performance of his official functions.”

“We assure the public that the DOTr will get to the bottom of these anomalous contracts, and go after the people who sacrificed the welfare of MRT 3 riders in the name of personal interests,” the department statement said.

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Now, the president has weighed in— and he’s not happy.

The billionaire president’s target? The Red Hen in Lexington, Virginia—a cozy 26-seat, farm-to-table establishment in a 19th century brick building specializing in the local cuisine of the Shenandoah Valley.

On Friday night, the owner asked Sanders and her party—who were already seated and eating a first course—to leave after some of the staff objected to her presence.

“I politely left,” Sanders tweeted, adding: “Her actions say far more about her than about me. I always do my best to treat people, including those I disagree with, respectfully and will continue to do so.”

But Trump was not having it.

“The Red Hen Restaurant should focus more on cleaning its filthy canopies, doors and windows [badly needs a paint job] rather than refusing to serve a fine person like Sarah Huckabee Sanders,” he said early Monday.

“I always had a rule, if a restaurant is dirty on the outside, it is dirty on the inside!”

Beet risotto and immigrants On its website, the Red Hen highlights its beet risotto, featuring “vegetables from Rancho Calixto, a family farm founded by immigrants from Mexico.”

Owner Stephanie Wilkinson said her principles had to come before profitability.

“I have a business, and I want the business to thrive,” Wilkinson told The Washington Post, adding that she felt she needed to make a stand against an “inhumane and unethical” administration.

“I explained [to Sanders] that the restaurant has certain standards that I feel it has to uphold, such as honesty, and compassion, and cooperation,” Wilkinson said. AFP

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Lawyers...

Abdiel Dan Fajardo said in a statement.

The IBP, which condemned the ouster of Sereno, asked President Rodrigo Duterte to respect the seniority in the judiciary.

Carpio, along with the four other most senior justices of the Court, were automatically nominated for the chief justice post.

They are Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo-de Castro, Diosdado Peralta and Lucas Bersamin.

Carpio, who was bypassed for the chief justice post in 2010 and in 2012, has said he is not interested in the top judicial post and that he would decline the nomination.

He explained that he does not want to benefit from Sereno’s ouster through a quo warranto proceeding, which he opposed by dissenting from the majority ruling.

Velasco and De Castro, on the other hand, are expected to retire in August and October this year, respectively.

The fourth member in seniority rank,

Peralta, still has four years before retirement.

Meanwhile, the Judicial and Bar Council decided to keep the requirements for applicants, including the submission of at least 10 Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net worth.

The failure of Sereno to meet this 10SALN requirement was among the grounds cited by the high court in ordering her ouster.

The Court invalidated her appointment in 2012 due to lack of proven integrity.

In an announcement, the seven-member council tasked to vet nominees to judicial posts listed 24 documentary requirements for nominees and applicants.

Among them are “SALNs for the last 10 years in case of applicants in government service, or for 2017 for those in the private sector.”

The JBC started the search for Sereno’s replacement after the Supreme Court made final its decision ousting her from the top judicial post last week. It set the deadline for nomination and application for July 26.

father of the nation,” the President added.

Duterte said loiterers, whether minor or not, are not exempted from the parens patriae principle.

“They are not to be treated differently.

They said that they are mere loiterers. Are you more intelligent than me? Wait for your own government,” he said.

“We call them istambay—that’s the word. That is my order. And you continue to frisk people who are there in the streets and that is legal. Until such time, that is my order. Do not believe in the criticisms. Do not read it. It’s none of your business to be reading what they are talking about. It’s our business to follow what we are ordered to do,” the President added.

For his part, Senator Benigno Aquino IV on Tuesday underscored the need to probe the government’s policy against loiterers following the inconsistent

statements of the President.

He questioned the government’s decision to continue its campaign against loiterers even without legal basis.

“Maraming mahihirap ang na-agrabyado at namatay pa si Tisoy, bakit pa nila itutuloy?” Aquino said, referring to the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo who died in the custody of the Quezon City Police District.

He described as “alarming” the continuing campaign against loiterers because, he said, its basis remained unclear.

Those liable for the death of Argoncillo should first be held accountable.

Aquino made his statement after Duterte reiterated his order to the Philippine National Police to ignore the critics and continue its campaign against loiterers.

Earlier, he said he did not order the arrests and that “loitering is not a crime.”

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When asked who to be blamed on the lapses, “either PNP or Army,” Farnacio said without specifying the kind of lapses, “I don’t want to pre-empt the investigation...”

The police contingent was at the vicinity of Sitio Lunoy in the same town when fired upon by undetermined armed men, prompting them to retaliate.

After a lull in the fighting, it was learned the armed men the policemen had encountered were army troopers from the 87th Infantry Battalion who were on an anti-insurgency operations.

Farnacio declined to blame anybody for the death of the six policemen but hinted on the need for a more established coordination in the manner of operations.

Año said the board would also seek answers and summon concerned officials on why prior communication and coordination were not made between local military and police forces in the conduct of combat operations in the area.

“There are existing protocols between the Philippine National Police [PNP] and the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] in field operations. We will try to determine why these were not followed and if these need review and modifications,” he said.

In Leyte, senior officials of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police vowed there would be a thorough investigation over Monday’s misencounter between the two sides.

“Normally, we really have coordination. We created a special task force group to look into the aspect of cooperation.

This afternoon [of Tuesday], the independent fact-finding body from Manila will arrive,” Chief Supt. Mariel Magaway, director of the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas, told a news conference at the police headquarters at Camp Ruperto Kangleon, Palo, Leyte. With PNA

issue an “original proponent status” to BMC, a requirement before the project undergoes Swiss Challenge, because it found it to be “ineligible to undertake the project,” Marcelino Escalada Jr. general manager of the National Housing Authority and co-chairman of the Selection Committee, told MindaNews.

Del Rosario had announced in December last year that instead of public bidding, the government was subjecting the Ground Zero plan to a Swiss Challenge, an alternative method for awarding contracts “where any developer can challenge that development project with corresponding amount.”

Earlier announced to be composed of five Chinese and four Filipino firms, the BMC was found to be “ineligible,” Escalada told MindaNews Monday night.

“Legal and financial,” he said of the causes of its ineligibility.

The Power Construction Corporation of China or POWERCHINA, described by Escalada as “the second proponent,” was still undergoing an “eligibility check.”

According to its website, POWERCHINA, a “wholly state-owned company” set up in September 2011, is an “integrated construction group that provides investment and financing, planning design, engineering construction, equipment manufacturing and operation management for hydraulic and hydropower projects and infrastructure, and its principal businesses include energy and power and construction engineering (including survey, planning, design and project contracting),water ecological environmental governance and development and operation of other resources, real estate development and operation, and the manufacture and lease of related equipment.”

POWERCHINA, it said, “ranks first in the global industry of electric power construction in terms of the planning, design and construction capability and performance.” MindaNews

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WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Imported rice should reach people —Aquino

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Bam Aquino urged the government to ensure that the imported rice purchased by the National Food Authority will go to its intended beneficiaries to guarantee a steady supply of affordable rice in the market.

“Our countrymen have been drowning in high prices of rice for more than a year now. Now, we must ensure that we will have cheaper rice in the weeks to come.”

The NFA earlier said it expects prices of rice to lower with the arrival of the first tranche of imported rice, which will be distributed to provinces in Luzon and Mindanao. The rice has two varieties, priced at P27 and P32 per kilo.

The prices of commercial rice in the market rose to as much as P45 to P50 per kilo with the absence of NFA rice in the market since March of last year.

During a Senate hearing, NFA administrator Jason Aquino admitted that the agency failed to comply with the 15-day buffer stock policy for almost one year.

Aquino said NFA’s inefficiency resulted in the increase in prices of commercial rice, forcing Filipino families to spend more for their staple food.

But even with the arrival of imported NFA rice, Aquino insisted that the NFA administrator should resign to avoid a repeat of last year’s debacle.

Also, Aquino said he is worried that the imported NFA rice could land in the hands of traders who will sell it for a higher price.

“Now that rice had arrived, it might just go to the buffer stock in the hands of traders,” the senator said.

EU donates equipment, gadgets for BI use

By Vito Barcelo THE European Union donated stateof-the-art equipment and gadgets to the Bureau of Immigration that will enhance the agency’s capability to detect, apprehend and thwart the entry of international terrorists and wanted foreign criminals into the country.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente received the equipment in a turnover ceremony held at the Malacañan Palace grounds.

Morente said he is thankful for the donation, consisting of more than 30 computer equipment and electronic gadgets and devices, saying “it will go a long way in enhancing our border security and bolster our ability to prevent the entry of undesirable aliens.” The equipment, he said, will be used by the Bureau’s Interpol unit.

He thanked the EU for extending its generous support and assistance to the BI’s efforts to acquire modern tools and equipment in order to boost its campaign against illegal aliens, especially in the different ports of entry nationwide.

According to lawyer Rommel Tacorda, BI-Interpol Chief, the donation is part of the EU-Asean Migration and Border Management Program II which the EU launched to assist the various Interpol units operating in the Southeast Asian region.

NEW HIGHWAY. Public

Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and DOTr Secretary Art Tugade lead the inauguration on Tuesday of the first stage of the Laguna Lake Highway, a 10.7-kilometer highway connecting Taguig to Taytay Rizal province. Norman Cruz

Transport group files case vs LTFRB’s Delgra, Corpus

By Rio N. Araja

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AND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board chairman Martin Delgra III is facing a graft case before the Office of the Ombudsman for alleged bias in giving franchises to public utility vehicles.

Efren de Luna, chairperson of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, also included board member Ronaldo Corpus in the charge sheet for violation of Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. He accused Delgra and Corpus of giving special treatment to some transport groups that had applied for franchises or certificates of public convenience to operate newly opened routes for public utility vehicles.

Delgra and Corpus supposedly favored transport groups when they closed applications for five routes even if there were still open franchises.

LTFRB Board Resolution No. 045 of 2018 opened a total of 1,229 franchises in eight “developmental” regions for the initial implementation of the Department

of Transportation’s modernization program of public utility vehicles.

“Respondents’ acts clearly show bias and favoritism which gravely affects the transport sector, particularly other PUV operators who are segregated from particular applicants of groups without any reasonable distinction,” the complaint read.

“It is exasperating that the LTFRB would not take on other applicants on certain opened routes because such routes are already exclusively reserved and segregated for particular applicants which is contrary to law.”

De Luna urged Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales to place Delgra and Corpus under preventive suspension.

He said the evidence against the duo also warranted their dismissal from government service.

The resolution also showed that some routes, such as Panglao Airport to Tagbilaran City and Panglao Loop, were “still open” to franchise applicants.

De Luna claimed the LTFRB had informed them that franchises were already closed when they tried to apply.

He said the agency granted the franchise applications of several transport network vehicle service companies.

The transport group spared the other LTFRB board member, lawyer Aileen Lizada, from the charges.

The LTFRB issued a one-page statement commenting on De Luna’s filing of a graft case.

“Board Resolution No. 045 is not intended to give undue favor or advantage to any persons or group indicated therein.

All applicants are still required to file their applications and undergo the necessary process in securing a certificate of public conveyance. They must show sufficient proof that they are eligible and qualified before the Board shall decide whether or not it will issue a certificate of public conveyance in favor of any applicant,” the statement read.

“The Board shall issue further comments upon receipt of the official copy of the complaint.”

MMDA to close Otis Bridge in Manila for rehab

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Tuesday announced that the Otis Bridge in Manila will be closed to vehicular traffic to give way for its rehabilitation that may take at least nine months.

MMDA general manager Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. advised motorists to take the alternative routes as the Department of Public Works and Highways starts the bridge’s reconstruction.

“We cannot compromise safety.

Motorists and truckers have to take a detour for their safety,” said Garcia, in a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon.

DPWH South Manila district engineer Mike Macud explained that the 50-yearold bridge’s could no longer hold trucks and cargo trucks passing the bridge.

“We consider this bridge an old

infrastructure. The girder supporting the bridge already collapsed,” said Macud.

Aside from old age, another factor that contributed to the damage was the number of trucks passing the area, particularly overloaded heavy vehicles.

“There are at least 6,000 trucks passing the bridge daily,” he added.

Macud said the bridge’s rehabilitation work will be done in phases and will be undertaken on a 24/7 schedule.

Garcia said the bridge’s repair was given the necessary permit as early as 2016 but was put on hold to make way for the repair of Concordia Bridge and relocation of an electric post in the area.

Garcia directed MMDA Task Force Special Operations head Edison Nebrija to intensify the removal of illegally parked vehicles and other obstructions along alternate routes to mitigate the

expected traffic congestion that the reconstruction project would cause.

The MMDA prepared the alternate routes: For southbound light vehicles, the agency advised motorists to take Nagtahan, turn right at Zamora Street, left to President Quirino Extension to destination.

Northbound vehicles from South Luzon Expressway may take President Quirino Avenue, turn left at Plaza Dilao, right to President Quirino Avenue Extension, straight to U.N. Avenue, right to Romualdez, right to Ayala Boulevard to destination.

Meanwhile, cargo and trailer trucks are also advised to take Radial 10, left to Circumferential Road - 3, 5th Avenue, left to A. Bonifacio Avenue, NLEX, right to Mindanao Avenue to destination.

Binays’ plea for case dismissal rejected

By Maricel V. Cruz

AWARDING. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino handed the cash rewards

totaling P7,594,992.24 to members of the PDEA -Special Enforcement Service (PDEAIIS)PDEA-Intelligence and Investigation Service during the awarding ceremony for Operation: ‘Private Eye’ and the PDEA Lawmen Rewards during simple rites at the PDEA headquarters office in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

FORMER vice president Jejomar Binay and his son, former Makati Mayor Junjun Binay will be tried by the Sandiganbayan in their cases involving the alleged irregularities in the construction of the P1.3-billion Makati Science High School.

This as the antigraft court denied the motions to dismiss filed by the Binays.

In separate resolutions dated June 18, the Sandiganbayan’s Fifth Division, in denied the Binays’ motions to dismiss the four counts each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act and three counts each of falsification of public documents.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales earlier ordered the filing of multiple counts of graft and falsification charges against the Binays for allegedly conspiring to rig the procurement processes of the school building located along Kalayaan Avenue

2 DSWD men dismissed over PDAF misuse THE Court of Appeals has ordered the dismissal from the service of two officials of the Department of Social Welfare and Development for their involvement in the release and utilization of the P10million Priority Development Assistance Fund, also known as pork barrel funds, of Quezon City First District Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo in 2009.

In a 20-page decision, the CA’s Special Fifth Division through Associate Justice of Ma. Luisa Quijano-Padilla, modified the resolution issued by the Office of the Ombudsman on June 19, 2017 which found appellants Mateo Montano and Pacita Sarino guilty of grave misconduct, serious dishonesty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Instead, the CA found Montano and Sarino guilty of gross neglect of duty and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service since there was no showing that they benefitted from their “irresponsible” acts.

“Accordingly, they are dismissed from government service with all the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of leave credits and retirement benefits, and disqualification for reemployment in the government service,” the appellate court ruled.

Azerbaijan marks 100th year, PH ties THE Azerbaijan Democratic Republic forecasts improved relations with the Philippines and among the two nations’ peoples as it marked its 100th Founding Anniversary and 26 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

In a speech at the Manila Polo Club marking the 100th Founding Anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Philippines Tamerlan Garayev said his country and the Philippines will continue to “explore more opportunities and are going to raise the current level of bilateral relations in the years to come.”

The Azerbaijan Democratic Republic marked its 100th Founding Anniversary on May 28. It was the first Muslim democratic government in the East and the first with a parliamentary form of government. It also marked the 95th birth anniversary of its National Leader Heydar Aliyev, founder of modern Azerbaijan.

“Our bilateral diplomatic relations with the Republic of the Philippines had been established in 27 March of 1992, and since then the relations have been developing dynamically,” Ambassador Garayev said at the ceremonies attended by members of the diplomatic corps that included Honorary Consul to the Philippines Jose de Venecia III, top officials of the Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Trade and Industry, and some members of the House of Representatives.

in Makati City.

The Makati Science Building project for a 10-story building with a fourstory dormitory was completed REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES merely as a 10-story building, the COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENTS Ombudsman said.

The Ombudsman charged the two ANNOUNCEMENT Binays with four counts of violation President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has submitted to the Commission on Appointments (C.A.) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt for confirmation the ad interim appointment of Practices Act (Republic Act 3019) MR. VOLTAIRE DELA CRUZ MAURICIO, as Career and three counts of falsification of Minister in the Department of Foreign Affairs. public documents, respectively.

The public may submit any information, written Binay Sr. said his case does not report, or sworn/notarized complaints or oppositions in thirty two (32) copies on the above appointment to constitute graft and falsification the CA Secretariat, 6th Floor, PNB Financial Center, of public documents. He said he D. Macapagal Boulevard, Pasay City, Metro Manila. could not be held liable for any For the schedule of the public hearings, the ‘irregularities’ in the procurement CA Secretariat can be reached through telephone process as he merely performed numbers 834-2713, 831-1824, 831-0527, 832-9830, 834-2706 and 551-1989. his function as then-mayor of Makati City.

26 June 2018.

He also disputed the alleged conspiracy between him and the HECTOR A. VILLACORTA members of the Bids and Awards Secretary Committee who favored Hilmarc’s Construction for the project.

(MS-JUNE 27, 2018)

A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A test of faith

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

of the Church’s interference on the affairs of the state. But none of them ranted against the church and called God stupid.

Freedom of expression is not absoSANTA Banana, despite the outrage lute. His immunity does not give him over President Duterte’s statement the license to insult the Catholic faith. about God being stupid with regard to Roque also said the president was the creation story, he seems to be on a just expressing anger about a Jesuit roll. His most recent stunt was calling priest molesting him. But that is not those present in the Last Supper idiots. an excuse when you are president of Speaking in Cagayan de Oro on a nation.

Monday, he even mentioned Santo *** Rodrigo. His audience cheered.

Some have described that these are I don’t know if Filipinos (more than brutal times for the youth of the land.

90 percent Christian and more than They are at this impressionable age 80 percent Catholic) believe the Presi- and anything they hear or see can afdent is serious when he talks. He has fect how they view things. Their parcrossed the line, certainly. Imagine if ents also have a big role in imparting he says the same values to them. thing about the I believe that God of the Musone day Filipinos lims. will make their Why do we allow Sadly, we have voices heard— been cowed into ourselves to be cowed just look at the silence. Have we People Power become the three into silence?

Revolution. I am monkeys who see, not advocating hear and say nothanother revoluing? What a tragtion. I am just edy! saying, one day When my family and I went to we will say “Enough.”

Church last Sunday, it was packed as *** usual. The people’s faith has remained, In an earlier column, I said that it seems. So why are there no strong Communications Secretary Martin objections to the President’s words?

Andanar was harboring stupid and inMy faith remains as strong as ever. competent people in his agency. They Perhaps God is testing our faith in all have committed numerous gaffes! this.

Now Andanar is saying that he is *** now being targeted by saboteurs. But The President’s minions, Harry if there is anybody to blame, it is he.

Roque and Salvador Panelo, defended The Presidential Communication the President but they just made me Operations Office is excelling...in its laugh. stupidity.

Roque, for instance, said the Presi*** dent was just exercising his freedom I needed to get a new postpaid of religion and expression. The prob- Globe number recently, even though I lem is that the President is no ordinary have had a Globe account for the past citizen. He is a leader who should re- 18 years. I went to the Globe shop at spect all religions.

Rockwell to do this. To my dismay, the In my almost 70 years as a jour- whole process took three hours. And nalist, I can say that Mr. Duterte is I had to wait four days to get my new the only president who has come out number activated! openly against the Church. Is this the If this is how Globe treats its cuskind of change he promised us? tomers of long standing, then I am not Other presidents have had conflict surprised that Smart is way ahead of with religious leaders mostly because its customers.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Time to pay the piper

A

YEAR ago, former Transport secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya haughtily declared before Congress that he was answerable to God and nobody else.

The filing of graft charges against him this week must have been a jarring reminder that he lives in the real world, governed by the laws of men, and that he is answerable, not only to God, but also to the rest of us, the people he failed to faithfully serve.

At a Senate hearing last year, Abaya disavowed any responsibility for the deterioration of the MRT 3 commuter train service— even though he had signed the questionable P4.2-billion maintenance contract with an untested, undercapitalized and unqualified company that allowed the train system to deteriorate to a point where breakdowns and service interruptions are the rule rather than the exception.

Abaya also suggested that it

was all right for public officials to sign contracts on behalf of the government without doing due diligence.

Testifying during the hearing, Abaya admitted he was not aware that PH-Trams CB&T that won the maintenance deal for MRT 3 was only two months old and had no more than P500,000 in capitalization. He signed the contract anyway because he was just new on the job and trusted his predecessor, Manuel Roxas II, and his people who had decided on the contract.

“There was a presumption that the organization, that the bureaucracy was doing its job,” Abaya said.

Abaya’s testimony also insinuated that it was all right to do a shoddy job as long as you could fix it down the road.

Speaking once again about the maintenance contract, Abaya said he was advised not to interfere in the bidding process because “the eventual appeal” would be brought to his office anyway.

With the prospect of a trial, we look forward to finding out, un-

der sworn testimony, who gave Mr. Abaya such poor advice.

Finally, Abaya told senators it was all right for Cabinet members to make serious mistakes that hurt and even endanger the public simply because they are still learning the ropes.

Questioned about his ignorance of the PH-Trams deal, Abaya said at the time he signed the contract, he was busy familiarizing himself with air and sea transportation issues, and the MRT was the least of his concerns.

Yet later on in his term, he also signed a contract to buy 48 light rail vehicles from a Chinese company that are unusable because they are not compatible with the MRT system’s signaling system.

In the face of all this foolishness, we are gratified that the Office of the Ombudsman has finally seen fit to file graft charges against Abaya and other parties involved in the anomalous contract that has clearly disadvantaged the Filipino people. They must be made to pay—in this world before the next one.

Like a death sentence ment and Natural Resources secretary and as Buhay Party-List congressman.

He reminded law enforcers of the constitutional and human rights of detainees.

ALEJANDRO Others who did not suffer ArgoncilDEL ROSARIO lo’s fate and more recently that of Johnny Valliente who was also found dead THE solution is worse than the prob- in a Manila jail, die from heat stroke lem. This was shown in the recent case or suffer from contagious diseases of Genesis Argoncillo who was beaten from other inmates. The Novaliches, to death by cellmates in a Quezon City Quezon City jail which could only acjail. Police acting on President Du- commodate 15 prisoners at the most is terte’s order to rid the streets of “tam- congested and currently holding some bays” or vagrants started rounding up 50 inmates. In the National Bureau of shirtless men, smoking, drinking or Corrections in Muntinlupa and in other merely standing in front of their house. detention centers, the horror stories of Buhay Party-List Rep. Lito Atienza overcrowded jails are the same. expressed his concern that while he Whatever happened to the plan to agrees with President Duterte’s cam- build a large national penitentiary in paign to rid the streets of “tambays” to Nueva Ecija near a military camp? But reduce crime, he said throwing them going back to the government’s latest in jail with hardened criminals is not campaign to round up vagrants, Atienthe answer. za said vagrants “We do not should simply be have capital punaccosted, warned ishment in this and not arrested. country but the An estimated Horror stories in case of Tisoy Ar8,000 “tambays” goncillo, 22 years overcrowded jails are have been arrested old, without any the same. and jailed adding police record to the congestion or prior arrest, of detention cells. proved that being President Dudetained in our terte has clarified congested jails is his order to polike being sentenced to death,” said lice was merely to accost loiterers and Atienza, a staunch pro-life advocate. idlers on the streets but not to arrest Atienza recalled his younger years them, adding his action was based on growing up in Malate. Then-police- police power to enforce existing ordiman and later Manila police chief nances and local laws.

James Barbers would merely warn National Capital Region Police Ofthem to stay off the streets when it’s fice chief Guillermo Eleazar said the already late at night. He paid tribute PNP would cooperate with a Senate to Barbers whom he said acted like a inquiry into the death of Argoncillo big brother to young men in the Malate and the government campaign to neighborhood. round up street vagrants.

One can imagine if Atienza had Party-list representatives and the been jailed with hardened criminals Public Attorney’s Office are calling then. Atienza’s political career would on the government to release the dehave been nipped in the bud and we tained vagrants to spare them from would not have seen him rise from further harm. Will their calls fall on National Housing Authority manager, deaf ears? three-term Manila mayor, EnvironTurn to A5

BACK CHANNEL

‘Green gold’: Pakistan plants hundreds of millions of trees

By Joris Fioriti THE change is drastic: Around the region of Heroshah, previously arid hills are now covered with forest as far as the horizon.

In northwestern Pakistan, hundreds of millions of trees have been planted to fight deforestation.

In 2015 and 2016, some 16,000 laborers planted more than 900,000 fast-growing eucalyptus trees at regular, geometric intervals in Heroshah—and the titanic task is just a fraction of the effort across the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“Before it was completely burnt land. Now they have green gold in their hands,” commented forest manager Pervaiz Manan as he displayed pictures of the site previously, when only sparse

blades of tall grass interrupted the monotonous landscape.

The new trees will reinvigorate the area’s scenic beauty, act as a control against erosion, help mitigate climate change, decrease the chances of floods and increase the chances of precipitation, says Manan, who oversaw the revegetation of Heroshah.

Residents also see them as an economic boost—which, officials hope, will deter them from cutting the new growth down to use as firewood in a region where electricity can be sparse.

“Now our hills are useful, our fields became useful,” says driver Ajbir Shah.

“It is a huge benefit for us.”

Further north, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Swat, many of the high valleys were

denuded by the Pakistani Taliban during their reign from 2006 to 2009.

Now they are covered in pine saplings.

“You can’t walk without stepping on a seedling,” smiles Yusufa Khan, another forest department worker.

The Heroshah and Swat plantations are part of the “Billion Tree Tsunami,” a provincial government program that has seen a total of 300 million trees of 42 different species planted across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

A further 150 million plants were given to landowners, while strict forest regeneration measures have allowed the regrowth of 730 million trees—roughly 1.2 billion new trees in total, the program’s management says.

Turn to A5

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Opinion

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

Dissecting PM Mahathir CROSSROADS

JONATHAN A. DE LA CRUZ NOW I know why Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has been hailed as a nation-builder par excellence and why his re-entry as that country’s leader in the last elections has been considered as nothing short of a miracle.

A ‘Malaysian political tsunami” was how political scientists described his loose coalition Pangkatan Harapan’s (PH) victory over the once-invincible governing coalition, Barisan Nasional (BN) anchored by the Malay based juggernaut, United Malay Nationalist Organization (UMNO) which has ruled Malaysia since its independence.

In a wide-ranging interview with the South China Morning Post which I excerpted in this column, the world’s oldest elected leader issued gems of wisdom on, among others, how to promote a nation’s interest without endangering or worse, abandoning, longstanding relations with other countries which can serve our own set of leaders in good stead. Once described as a strongman in his 22 years as Malaysia’s leader at a time when most of Asean were led by leaders of the same bent like Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew, the Philippines’ Ferdinand Marcos and Indonesia’s Suharto, to name just three, his policies and governing style are as relevant and proper as they were when he first assumed office.

We note that even as he was credited with modernizing Malaysia he was at the same time denounced by critics, in and out of Malaysia, as a human rights violator for overly stretching the bounds of that country’s draconian Internal Security Act, jailing hundreds of dissidents including his once-putative successor and Deputy Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, on what many considered ill-founded charges.

In a sense, he did what he thought at that time was good for Malaysia no matter what. So, he did not hesitate to take action as and when he believed the same was needed to get things done no matter how unpopular it maybe. “I can’t always be popular,” he noted in that interview, “One day I’ll become unpopu-

lar because when you are in the government, you have to do unpopular things.

So that is not something permanent.”

If there are two or three things which stood out as PM Mahathir’s principles of leadership these could be: as much as possible unite the country around a clear vision or goal for development; always stand for the national interest, do what is best and right for your people and learn to say NO and stick by it.

At bottom, PM Mahathir’s views are those of a statesman who has been molded by fire. His road map to governance and nation building, if we may call it such, applies almost identically to what most developing countries such as ours are in dire need today as we navigate through the tricky waters in this century.

Here’s more of the Malaysian leader.

This makes me wonder whether our very own President Duterte had been in conversation with him at some point in the past as we are seeing essentially the same thread around which he is now trying to get the country to.

What stood out in that interview as well were PM Mahathir’s answers to such hot-button, divisive isues such as China as a neighbor and its presence in the SCS/WPS, the ongoing trade war between the US and China and with its closest allies (European Union, Japan and Australia) and, of course, the ongoing political wrangling which accompanied the last elections.

He is very clear as far as relations with China and for that matter the rest of the world: national interest comes first and last. No ifs and buts about it.

“I have always considered China as a good neighbor,” he said, as he emphasized that Malaysia and for that matter Asean have been neighbors for 200 years and China has not invaded any of the 10-member nation alliance. He noted that he had spoken out against certain Chinese practices which were not done to Malaysia’s advantage or even

good for Malaysia. He said there was nothing to fear about China, even as the disputes among the claimant countries over the South China Sea which includes Malaysia, is concerned. In fact, he had a very practical view of what needs to be done as far as the SCS (in our case the West Philippine Sea/ WPS).

“I think there should not be too many warships in the South China Sea,” Mahathir said, “..as someday, somebody might make some mistakes and there will be a fight, some ships will be lost and there might even be a war...what we want is for the seas to be patrolled by small boats equipped to deal with pirates, not to fight a war. We need the sea to be open to everybody and we don’t need to create tensions by having battleships and all that there..”

Contrary to the belief of some countries (in our case certain sectors and individuals), Mahathir thinks it is to the benefit of China that the seas stay open..as there will be more trade and China is a huge trading country.

The case of the occupied islands reinforces our view that indeed even as the claims and disputes remain we must hold on and fortify our hold on what we have. Said PM Mahathir: “ ..there are certain rocks which we have developed into islands..and we hope that we will stay on those islands because it is a part of keeping the sea safe from pirates and others..so we want to retain, of course, about four or five islands that we have occupied..the rest—whoever thinks it is theirs they can occupy..it is something if China claims the South China Sea as theirs..but those islands have always been regarded as ours for a long time.. so we want to retain them..”

So there. Need we say more about the need not of babbling and shaming our neighbors over the islands in that vast sea we call the SCS or WPS but of fortifying our hold on the islands we already occupy? Take it from PM Mahathir. It is the best way forward not bludgeon the administration every time we get a chance to make a big issue out of ‘bartering’ in the open seas..

Finally, here’s from Mahathir on the ongoing US vs China vs the rest of the world trade war: “I think any idea that you can protect your interest through threats of war is wrong. War does not solve any problem. It creates problems.”

Duterte’s God and religion VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ I LISTENED to the man Rodrigo Duterte’s peroration on Adam and Eve and the original sin last Friday, June 22 at the SMX Convention Center.

I now believe the President was grossly misunderstood. And if you follow his logic (he is a lawyer and was a prosecutor for nine years), Duterte could be right. There is no stupid God like the God who created Adam only to subject him to temptation. The Catholic hierarchy probably saw the context of Duterte’s speech and thus was groping for words to make a rebuttal.

Consider this: In the Age of AI or robots, a perfect robot should not be programmed to have sex with the opposite sex. In fact, it should not even be aware of sex and gender. Robots should be designed that way, unlike in the movies, where robots acquire emotions. Can you imagine robots being allowed to multiply by the billions! And they happen to be non-Catholics?

To me, religion is a personal thing, a matter of faith, as it should be with most Catholics and even for non-believers.

Science and truth are often betrayed when it comes to religion.

There is no single hard-and-fast rule or template on how one can go to Heaven. If you read the Bible in passing and read history, mass murderers, adulterers and all types of criminals could, for all you know, go to Heaven.

So there is no reason to believe Duterte won’t go to Heaven despite having said recently that God (god) is stupid. In Duterte’s view of God, He is all perfection and cannot commit mistakes.

In the story of Adam and Eve, God apparently made a mistake or was not sure about Adam’s perfection. He wanted to test Adam’s capability to resist temptation. Of course, being man, Adam would fail the test. He and Eve

‘Green...

From A4

‘Transparency’ Kamran Hussain, a manager of the Pakistani branch of the World Wildlife Fund, who conducted an independent audit of the project, says their figures showed slightly less— but still above target at 1.06 billion trees.

“We are 100 percent confident that the figure about the billion trees is correct,” he told AFP, highlighting the transparency of the process. “Everything is online. Every-

had sex, which is one reason, if you believe Catholic teaching, there are now 7 billion people on earth today.

You know how many people are called Christians—from the word Christ or Messiah? Only 1 billion. Now, 1 over 7 is 14 percent. One hundred minus 14 is 86. Does it mean Jesus Christ, who was sent by God to save mankind, was failure? He saved only 14 percent of mankind, with 86 percent being nonbelievers or belonging to other religions.

Jesus’s passing grade was 14 percent; in grade school, passing grade is 75. That is the kind of argumentation that usually rattles religion teachers. Because there is no right or wrong answer.

In Duterte’s view of God, He is all perfection and cannot commit mistakes.

So Duterte must have been in the same mood when he asserted his own doctrine on Adam and Eve. Here is what he said in his speech (I think Duterte was being flippant and half serious): Then He created paradise and that’s planet earth, okay? And He saw that the paradise, the product of His industry was beautiful. Birds, fish, lahat. Tapos —and so God said, “I will create man.”

So pa-ganun. [whistles] Ayun si Adam.

‘Yung gusto kong tanungin sa p***** i**** mga bishop na ‘yan...

Nandiyan na si Adam. Okay na sana ‘yun. Sabi ni God—God found that Adam will be lonely. So he took one of his ribs, bone, and created the woman.

Na-l***** na. [laughter] ‘Di kung si Adam lang, mag-dumugan na tayo lahat ng lalaki dito. Okay na ‘yun. Okay lang.

Grade 4—Ateneo ha, Ateneo, San Be—Katoliko, Ateneo, San Beda ako. one has access to this information.”

The programme has been praised by the head of the Swiss-based International Union for Conservation of Nature, a green NGO, which called it a “true conservation success story.”

Initially mocked for what critics said were unrealistic objectives, it is a welcome change to the situation elsewhere in the country.

Pakistani authorities say just 5.2 percent of the country is covered by forest, against the 12 percent recommended by the United Nations.

Just one big tree remains in the povertystricken village of Garhi Bit in the southern

Tapos sabi niya, “And God doubted His creation.” So tinesting (testing) niya.

Tinawag niya ‘yung ahas. [whistles] “Come here.” Tapos binigyan niya ng apple, ipinakagat niya doon sa bunganga. Tapos sabi niya sa ahas, “Dalhin mo itong apple doon kay Eve and tempt her to eat it, taste it.”

So ang g***** ahas, walang utak...

Pareho diyan sa—karamihan diyan sa gobyerno ganun man. Mga ahas sa ganun. Dineliver (deliver) doon kay Eve. And Eve, because apple eh. Naka-balot pa ‘yung parang foam na net. [laughter] “Made in China.” [laughter] Ang ginawa niya—kinain ni Eve. Tapos si Eve ginising si Adam. Siguro katatapos lang. Kumain ka rin. So kinain ni Adam. Then malice was born.

Who is this stupid God? Estupido talaga itong p***** i** kung ganun. You created some—something perfect and then you think of an event that would tempt and destroy the quality of your work.

How—how can you rationalize a God? Maniwala ka? [Ikaw, Imee, maniwala ka?] Kaya nga sabi ko diyan ‘wag ka maniwala niyang...

So tayo ngayon, all of us are born with an original sin. Ang original sin—ah sin—ano man ‘yan? Was it the first kiss?

O... What was the sin? Bakit original?

Nasa womb ka pa, may kasalanan ka na.

C****-c**** man lang ‘yun ng nanay pati tatay mo. Wala ka mang kasali. Tapos ngayon may original sin ka. T**** i**** klase. Anong klaseng relihiyon ‘yan.

Eh ‘yan ang hindi ko matanggap.

Very stupid proposition. Anong kasalanan? Original sin, tapos i-baptize ka.

Basain pa ‘yang ulo mo ng tubig. Maniwala ka niyang pari na ‘yan.

Ako, I believe that is a universal mind.

But to what extent is the influence of that... You know, I cannot picture Him as a human being in the image of God. I... But I really believe there’s a... I have this faith and abiding thing about...

Pero ‘yang relihiyon? Sus maniwala kayo diyan. Tama ‘yung ano mo... biznewsasia@gmail.com province of Sindh, shading its small mosque.

It has stood there for a century, locals say.

“Before, there were big trees, many kinds of them,” says Dad Mohammad, a 43-yearold farmer.

“But they started to dry because of the lack of water, so we cut them,” he says, pointing to hundreds of meters of cultivated land where previously there stood a forest.

‘Disaster’ More than 60 percent of the forests lining Sindh’s riverbanks have disappeared in the last 60 years, mainly due to river depletion and massive logging during the 1980s, says

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Growing pains in the doldrums. Some degree of overheating perhaps, but let your economic managers take care of the radiator. But thank you for your concern, the people appreciate your worrying.

LITO It is the mark of a good leader to worBANAYO ry about the state of health of the economy periodically and how it impacts “LAGNAT laki,” we are told by elders, upon the quality of life of his people.

“Marunong magmalasakit” is when we fret about our infants occasionally getting a higher than normal perhaps the right description. *** body temperature.

The President was amused at the “May sinat,” we worry, until our moms tell us reassuringly, “ganyan ta- poster of a local candidate here in Taiwan who cut and pasted one of the Dulaga, lagnat-laki lang iyan.”

I was reminded of this usual phenom- terte photos with himself, and linked it enon when I read the banner story last to his copied “war” on drugs.

The Hualien candidate for counSunday about the President’s worry, stated in terms that “shocked” many, cilor rides on the popularity of Duterte that the economy is in the “doldrums.” among many not only in Taiwan but Now President Duterte often comes elsewhere around the globe. I keep getup with words that are not in the usual ting positive comments from not only vocabulary of the ordinary citizen, let Taiwanese but foreigners here as well, alone the millennials. “Tenterhooks,” that they admire our president’s cour“murmurings” and now “doldrums.” age and political will.

The other day the Resident RepreDeep in his memory bank, he probably has kept words that Longfellow and sentative of a South American country Henley immortalized in lyrical prose here in Taiwan was telling me about the and poetry, and they just pop out in his “terrible” drug problem in their place, especially in the boundary of three nalong and winding monologues.

I had a Viber chat last Monday with tions, much like the notorious “Golden Triangle” in BCDA CEO Vince Southeast Asia.

Dizon about the “Your President doldrums issue is doing the right and we both came thing fighting up with the lagThere is some degree this present-day nat-laki analogy. evil,” he told me President Erap of over-heating perhaps, in Spanish. was the easiest but the economy is not Would that the to write a speech jaundiced leaders for, probably be- in the doldrums. of those 38 nations cause of his movie who keep yakking background where about human they memorized rights violations scripts before their “take.” Hardly anyone can write for visit drug-scourged countries like Duterte, who has the habit of verbal- ours and see for themselves, as Alan izing whatever thought comes to mind. Cayetano challenges them. *** Everything is impromptu.

Erratum in our previous column: “Doldrums” is a description from old maritime usage of calm periods when We stated that we spent 1 million the winds disappear and ships powered Taiwan dollars for some 500 spots on by sails drift for lack of wind power television showing the wonders of the blowing into their sails. Those of us Philippines and promoting visits to who used to take boats to Mindanao in our islands as the “paradise nearest to our grade school days have witnessed Taiwan.” That’s about P1.65 million at times when the sea around our ship was the time it was spent last year. Writso listless, and there was no breeze to ten on a lazy Sunday without botherfan our bodies even when we were on ing to ask my staff, I was corrected by my head executive assistant Gerry de the deck.

And so the President, worried about Belen who checked the figures after the recent spate of inflation, which the reading the article.

It was 3.4 million NT dollars, he Bangko Sentral had to temper by upward adjustment in interest rates, add said, for 550 thirty-second spots spaced to that the external shocks of increased within two weeks in several programs. oil prices, came on stage to address his That’s around P5.6 million, still a baraudience. The descriptive he used was gain compared to TV rates back home.

And compared to 2 million American “doldrums,” and coming from the head of state and the head of government, dollars for the “World’s Strongest Man” contest sponsored by the DOT which that jolted many.

His observation that while economic it’s new secretary now rightly questions, activity is being spurred in the urban think of comparative cost efficiency. *** centers by infrastructure spending, Yesterday, some of our staff at MECO while the countryside seemed listless is more anecdotal than real. The eco- were listening to a TFC-ANC exchange nomic statistics assure us that things between their Christian Esguerra and are moving in the provinces as well, Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador even in the “usual” bottom-dweller that Panelo. I caught parts of the interview which actually became a debate. is the ARMM. Christian, as his name suggests, is a In the sugar-producing provinces particularly Negros Island, there is a very religious person who went through pronounced lack of farmhands to help cerrado catolico schools San Beda and in the harvest, even if output is lower the University of Santo Tomas.

Over lunch thereafter, as one of my this year than last. The reason? Many farm workers prefer to work in con- staff began to open up on the “stupid…” struction jobs, and this is likely to in- debate, I recalled what my good friend tensify as Build, Build, Build goes into Col. Marianito Santiago who headed LTO when I was postmaster-general higher gear.

But such is the “dismal science” say about cadets in the Philippine Milicalled economics. It is always a ques- tary Academy: “It is taboo among cation of seeking equilibrium, or balance. dets in the Academy to debate about Sorry to disagree with your descrip- politics, religion and women.”

Amen to that. tion, Mr. President. The economy is not

SO I SEE

Like...

Crossing the line On another issue, Atienza also lamented President Duterte’s recent remark calling God “stupid.” Like other Catholics with firm Christian values, Atienza regretted that the President might have crossed the line. Like Lingayen, Pangasinan Archbishop Villegas, Rep. Atienza asked the faithful to pray for the President’s enlightenment.

With his blasphemous remark, Duterte has taken on God and crossed the line cherished by Catholics as sacrosanct. Realizing he might have indeed gone too far when he drew a lot of flak from the public, Duterte attempted to clarify his statement.

“What I said was your [that of those who commit corruption] god is ‘torpe’ for making us believe that we should carry the burden of the original sin committed by Adam and Eve. My god is per-

fect and has common sense,” explained Duterte.

But his explanation didn’t wash with most Filipinos 80 percent of whom are Catholics and Christians.

While Archbishop Villegas called on the faithful to pray for the President to change his errant ways, there are some who were aghast his about remark and feared lightning might strike Duterte for his blasphemy. This would be a retribution from the heavens. But then we know that the real God is also a forgiving and not a vengeful God when He said “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” They, as anyone who read about the crucifixion of Christ at Mount Calvary know, are the Romans who tortured and nailed Him to the cross.

I am not wishing for thunder and lightning to strike the President but a lesser god or karma could deliver to Digong his comeuppance for such blasphemy and disrespect for religious beliefs sacred to Filipinos.

Riaz Ahmed Wagan, of the provincial forest department.

“It is a disaster,” he says, adding that forestry remains the lowest priority on the agenda of the provincial governments.

The Billion Tree Tsunami, which cost the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government $169 million, started in November 2014. Officials say they are still implementing maintenance safeguards such as fire protection, with the project due to be completed in June 2020.

In early 2017, the federal government announced its own Green Pakistan Project, which aims to plant 100 million trees in five

years across the country.

It ranges from “legislative reforms” to “wildlife protection,” according to its leader Ibrahim Khan, who works under the authority of the ministry for climate change. More than a quarter of the work was done by the end of April this year, he says.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is ruled by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, the political party headed by former cricketer Imran Khan, which is the main challenger to the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz as the country heads into a general election next month. AFP

From A4

News

A6

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ombudsman dismisses five Sulu SC officials

By Rio N. Araja

THE Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal of five officials of the Sulu State College for multiple irregularities in the procurement of laboratory equipment worth P22 million.

The school’s president, Abdurasa Sariol Arasid, then bids and awards committee chairperson Hja Ferwina Jikiri Amilhamja, and committee members Anang Agang Hawang, Nenita Aguil and Audie Janea were found guilty of grave misconduct.

The penalty of dismissal from the service carries the accessory penalties of perpetual disqualification from holding public office, forfeiture of retirement benefits, bar from taking the civil service

examination, and cancellation of civil service eligibility.

The Ombudsman also found probable cause to indict the respondents and another committee member, Joseph Pescadera, for violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or Republic Act No. 3019.

On May 30, 2011, the university entered into a contract with State Alliance Enterprises Inc. for the acquisition of equipment for its physics, computer engineering and agriculture laboratories.

Upon audit, the Commission on Audit in Sulu province observed there was no publication of the invitation to bid in a newspaper of general circulation, and that the supplier tendered a bid in excess of the approved budget for the contract.

PAL starts MNL-Nanning flight

P

HILIPPINE Airlines announced on Tuesday it had started operating its Manila-Nanning (China) flight route.

PAL external communications chief and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier was now serving the new route twice weekly: Thursdays and Sundays.

She said a delegation led by PAL Special Assistant to the Chairman Emilio Yu and International Sales’ Regional Manager for Greater China Sindy Lin flew from Manila to Nanning on board the 156-seater dual class Airbus A320 recently.

The brand new flight departs

Manila

Republic of the Philippines StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF CONNECTION CHARGES AND RESIDUAL SUBTRANSMISSION CHARGES FOR CALENDAR YEARS 2014 AND 2015 ON SUBTRANSMISSION ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY,

2009 CC/RSTC has not captured changes, modifications, asset disposals, new connections, increases or decreases in demand, and others related factors since December 200813, the base year of the 2009 CC/RSTC.

13. For sub-transmission assets used by two (2) or more Transmission Customers, NGCP adopted the formula in Clause F(AIV)7.3 of the Revised OATS Rules, as follows:

29. Considering all the changes, modifications, or additions to the asset base, and divested assets which should have been excluded thereto, there will necessarily be over or under recoveries as a result of the difference in the 2009 CC/RSTC level that was actually collected for CY2015 and CY2016 vis-a-vis NGCP’s proposed CY2014 and CY2015 CC/RSTC.

BD1 ΣBD1

II.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 26 October 2017, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 11 October 2017 for the approval of the connection charges and residual subtransmission charges for calendar years 2014 and 2015 on the subtransmission assets of NGCP, With prayer for provisional authority.

NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, where it may be served with notices, orders, resolutions and other issuances of this Honorable Commission through its Office of the General Counsel. It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPlRA).1

ΣBD1

= the sum of the Billing Determinants of all Transmission Customers at the relevant Connection Point.

4.

Section 19, in relation to Section 43 (f) of the EPlRA provides that Transmission Charges shall be filed with and approved by the ERC and that the latter shall establish and enforce a methodology for setting transmission wheeling rates.

5.

Aligned with this, the Open Access Transmission Services Rules (OATS Rules) was approved by this Honorable Commission on December 2006. The OATS Rules prescribe for, among others, the methodology for calculating the appropriate level of Connection Charges (“CC”) and Residual Subtransmission Charges (“RSTC”) to recover the reasonable costs incurred in providing subtransmisison services referred to in Section 1.6.3 of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR).

b.

8.

Thus, NGCP currently charges the 2009 CC/RSTC level approved by the Honorable Commission in its decision dated 06 July 2011 in ERC Case Nos. 2008-066RC and 2009-153 RC.

9.

NGCP is aware that under Module F(AIV)1.5 of the OATS Rules, the CC/ RSTC shall be updated annually. However, in its letters to the Honorable Commission dated 16 October 2013 and 08 October 2014, NGCP requested for the deferment of the filing of the CY 2014 and CY 2015 CC/RSTC to prioritize the submission by NGCP of several documents pursuant to the orders of the Commission in the pending CC/RSTC cases.

10. Nonetheless, NGCP hereby submits the proposed CC/RSTC for CYs 2014, a summary of which is attached as Annex “A,” and CC/RSTC for CY2015, a summary of which is attached as Annex “B.” The total CC/ RSTC to be collected from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao are shown in the table below:

CY2014 LUZON

1,105,750,762.92

1,025,736,240.48

265,915,501.80

249,199,072.80

VISAYAS

555,163,356.72

500,863,193.76

MINDANAO

770,021,551.08

736,428,505.32

2,696,851,172.52

2,512,227,012.36

TOTAL PHILIPPINES

* Exclusive of Franchise Tax FORMULAE USED IN THE COMPUTATION OF CYS 2014 and 2015 CC/RSTC.

11. In the computation of the CC, NGCP used the formula provided in Clause F(AIV)3.2 of the Revised OATS Rules, as follows: [ODRCi x WACC] + Di + Oi + Ti + Ri 12 Where: ODRCi

= is the Optimised Depreciated Replacement Cost of the Connection Asset or Residual Subtransmission Asset as determined under F(AIV) 4. 1, subject to Rule B20 of the OATS Rules;

WACC

= is the Weighted Average Cost of Capital as determined under F(AIV)4.2;

Di

= is the depreciation cost of the Connection Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AIV)4.1(c);

Oi

= is the operational and maintenance cost attributable to the Connection Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AIV)4.3;

Ti Ri

= is the corporate tax expense attributable to the Connection Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AIV)4-4; and = is the short-fall, or surplus, in the CC collected for that Connection Asset in the previous year, increased by an amount to reflect the time value of money calculated using the Weighted Average Cost of Capital as determined under F(AIV)4.2. If R is a surplus, it shall be expressed as a negative.

12. In the computation of the RSTC, NGCP used the formula provided in Clause F(AIV)7.2 of the OATS Rules, as follows: [ODRCs x WACC] + Ds + Os + Ts + Rs 12 Where: ODRCs

= is the Optimised Depreciated Replacement Cost of the Residual Subtransmission Asset as determined under F(AIV) 8.1, subject to Rule B 20 of the OATS Rules;

WACC

= is the Weighted Average Cost of Capital as determined under F(AIV) 8.2 of the OATS Rules;

Ds

= is the depreciation cost of the Connection Asset or Residual Subtransmission Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AlV) 8.1 (c) of the OATS Rules;

Os

= is the operational and maintenance cost attributable to the Connection Asset or Residual Subtransmission Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AlV)8.3 of the OATS Rules;

Ts

Rs

= is the corporate tax expense attributable to the Subtransmission Asset for the current year, as determined under F(AlV) 8.4 of the OATS Rules; and = is the short-fall, or surplus, in the RSTC collected for the Residual Subtransmission Asset in the previous year, increased by an amount to reflect the time value of money

32. The OATS Rules, under Clause F(AIV)1,3, states that the CC/RSTC will come into effect on the same date as the new tariff rates resulting from the final determination by this Honorable Commission of the MAR for the Third Regulatory Period take effect,

Asset Composition. NGCP included all sub-transmission assets, including new assets commissioned and in operation as of 31 December 2012 and 31 December 2013 in the proposed CY 2014 and 2015 CC/RSTC, respectively, and excluded sub-transmission assets · which were divested by TRANSCO to qualified distribution utilities as of said. A copy of a document entitled “Sub-Transmission Assets Sale Per Region” is hereto attached as Annex “C.”

33. Further, Clause 6.2.1 (f) of the RTWR, provides that once the Honorable Commission is satisfied that the proposed rates comply with the RTWR and OATS Rules, then NGCP must implement those rates with effect from 26 December of the Calculation Year.

34. In this Application, the latest CC/RSTC level that most accurately reflect the current asset composition for each customer is the asset base used for the proposed CY2015 CC/RSTC.

Asset Classification. NGCP classified the assets based on the Valuation Report of Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) adopted by the Honorable Commission in NGCP’s Third Regulatory Period Final Determination dated 22 November 2010 (NGCP’s Final Determination). NGCP was also guided by ERC Resolution No. 4 Series of 2013 entitled “A Resolution Amending Resolution No. 26 Series of 2011” extending the deadline for the divestment of RSTAs until 31 December 2015. Lastly, NGCP applied the decisions of the Honorable Commission in several cases involving the reclassification of assets to transmission. Tables showing the list of assets reclassified as transmission assets. pursuant to the ERC decisions is attached as Annex “D” to “D-5”

35. Considering that the proposed rates were all computed in accordance with the provisions of the RTWR and OATS Rules, it is respectfully submitted that NGCP should be allowed to immediately implement the CY 2015 CC/ RSTC. 36. The issuance of a provisional authority will allow NGCP to timely recover its expenditures for services already rendered to the Transmission Customers.

37. Presently, NGCP charges the approved CY2009 CC/RSTC. The timely implementation of the proposed CY 2015 CC/RSTC will reduce, if not eliminate, the risk of under-recovery or over-recovery.

38. Thus, NGCP respectfully prays that it be given the provisional authority to implement the CY 2015 CC/RSTC commencing the billing month of January 2018.

d.

ERC Approved Weighted Average Cost of Capital (“WACC”). The Honorable Commission approved a WACC of 15.04% as provided in Section 6.2.1 of NGCP’s FD.6

e.

Depreciation. The depreciation was computed based on the prescribed asset life provided by SKM in its 2008 Asset Valuation.

39. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head of the Tariff Design and Billing Management Division of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department, a copy of which is hereto attached as Annex “E.”

f.

ERC Approved Operating . and Maintenance Expenditure (OPEX).

The ERC approved OPEX allocated for 2014 CC/RSTC is PhP 959.19Mn and PhP932.79Mn for 2015 CC/RSTC.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, NGCP most respectfully prays that this Honorable Commission:

Actual Taxes. Real Property Taxes paid in CY2014 amounting to PhP0.185M was used in the computation of CY2014 CCRSTC, while Real Property Taxes paid in CY2015 amounting to PhP0.238M was used in the computation of CY2015 CCRSTC. Billing Determinant (kW). Actual billing determinants (BDD) in kW-month and Billing Determinant Energy in kWh for CY 2012 and 2013 were used to allocate the cost of shared assets for CY2014 and 2015, respectively.

Collection of Deferred CC/RSTC for Disposed/Sold Sub-transmission Assets.

15. It will be recalled that the approved CC/RSTC of TRANSCO for CY 20077 was billed only in January 2008, hence, there is a one (1) year lag in the collection of CC/RSTC. 16. As a result of the 1 year lag, any change or modification to the subtransmission assets, including, but not limited to, asset disposals, new connections to the subtransmission assets, increases or decreases in demand and others related factors, will be considered in the computation of CC/RSTC only after the lapse of at least one (1) year from their occurrence.

1.

ISSUE a Provisional Authority to implement and commence the billing and collection of the proposed CY 2015 CC/RSTC beginning the billing month of January 2018.

2.

APPROVE the recovery of the computed CY 2014 and 2015 CC/RSTC provided in this application from all Transmission Customers.

3.

ALLOW NGCP to bill and collect under-recoveries resulting from the difference in the actual collection made by NGCP for CY 2015 and 2016 vis-a-vis the proposed CY2014 and 2015 CC/RSTC which should have been collected for the years CY2015 and 2016; and DIRECT NGCP to refund any over-recovery arising from such difference.

4.

ALLOW NGCP to bill and collect the deferred CC/RSTC for disposed sub-transmission assets;

5.

ALLOW NGCP to impose a 3% Franchise Tax on CC/RSTC to be reflected as a separate line item in the Power Bill.

Applicant prays for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises.

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

17. In cases of sale, there are uncollected deferred CC/RSTC since the amount is not included in the purchase price of the sale.

18. Thus, NGCP should be allowed to continue billing and collecting the deferred CC/RSTC for disposed subtransmission assets until such time that the deferred CC/RSTC has been fully recovered.

IV.

CY2015

MERALCO

31. All the foregoing allegations are re-pleaded herein by way of reference in support of NCGP’s prayer for the issuance of a Provisional Authority.

Asset Values. NGCP adopted the SKM 2008 Optimized Depreciated Replacement Cost (ODRC) values rolled-forward to 2014 and 2015 in computing the CY2014 and 2015 CCRSTC, respectively.

h.

III.

INCLUSION OF 3% FRANCHISE TAX IN THE PROPOSED CYS 2014 AND 2015 CC/RSTC.

19. The OATS Rules provide for the pricing formula on how to recover the reasonable cost incurred by NGCP in providing efficient sub-transmission services to its customers.

20. One of the components of the formulae provided in Clauses F(AIV) 3.28 and 7.29 is the “tax expense.” These formulae were used by TRANSCO in the CY2007 and CY2008 CC/RSTC Applications, where it applied for, among others, the recovery of corporate income tax in the amounts of PhP885.7Mn and PhP1,130.00Mn, respectively.

21. However, NGCP is exempted from paying corporate income tax. Instead, NGCP is required under R.A. 9511 to pay a Franchise Tax equivalent to three percent (3%) of all gross receipts derived from its operation under said franchise. The 3% Franchise Tax shall be in lieu of income tax and any and all taxes.

22. Thus, the Honorable Commission, in NGCP’s Final Determination, allowed the recovery of NGCP’s Franchise Tax on its regulated services, i.e., Power Delivery Charge, System Operator Charge, and Metering Services Charges through a surcharge on its customer invoices, to wit: “The MAR in the Final Determination does not include the 3% national franchise tax that NGCP must now pay in accordance with RA 9511. As this tax is levied on total revenue .rather than income, the ERC has decided that this should be recovered through a surcharge on its customer invoices.

However, it does provide for the recovery of costs related to the residual subtransmission assets that will be transferred to the RAB at the beginning of the third regulatory period, in accordance with ERC: Resolution No 1, Series of 2009.”10 (Emphasis supplied) 23. It can be gleaned from the foregoing that the Honorable Commission considered the Franchise Tax as a pass through cost. This is bolstered by the issuance of ERC Resolution No. 07 Series of 2011,11 wherein the· Honorable Commission recognized that NGCP’s franchise tax is considered to be a pass through cost on the part of the distribution utility. Hence, the ERC approved the inclusion of the 3% national franchise tax billed by NGCP as part of a distribution utility’s total monthly transmission cost in the Transmission Rate Adjustment Mechanism formula.

24. Thus, it is respectfully submitted that NGCP should be allowed to impose a 3% Franchise Tax computed based on the gross receipts from CC/RSTC, through a surcharge on its customer Invoices.

25. Upon approval, the Franchise Tax shall be reflected as a separate line item in the Power Bill.

26. In view of all the foregoing, it is respectfully submitted that the proposed CY2014 and CY2015 CC/RSTC were designed and developed in accordance with the provisions of the RTWR, OATS Rules and pertinent ERC Resolutions. It sets forth fair and reasonable rates that will serve the public interest and convenience, and signal the efficient utilization of subtransmission facilities that will ultimately redound to the best interest and benefit of the consuming public.

V.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE APPLICATION FOR PROVISIONAL “AUTHORITY/ INTERIM RELIEF

c.

g.

The OATS Rules further provide that the CC shall be paid by Generation Customers on new Connection Assets and payable by Load Customers on existing and new Connection Assets3 while RSTC is payable by Load Customers and by Generation Customers when they are accepting services from the Transmission Provider as if they were Load Customers,4 While the OATS Rules provide that the CC/RSTC will come into effect on the same date as the new tariff rates resulting from the Maximum Allowable Revenue approved by the ERC,5 NGCP’s applications for implementation of the proposed CC/RSTC for calendar years 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 are all pending resolution by this Honorable Commission .

VI.

FACTORS, PARAMETERS AND VALUES USED IN THE COMPUTATION OF THE PROPOSED CY2014 and CY2015 CC/RSTC.

NGCP holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95112 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through high-voltage back-bone system of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

On 15 January 2009, NGCP assumed the transmission functions of TRANSCO to operate, manage and maintain the nationwide electrical grid, as well as the operation and maintenance of the subtransmission assets until their disposal to qualified distribution utilities.

I.

= the Generator Billing Determinant as determined under F(AI)2.2, F(AI)2.3 & F(AI)2.4 or the Load Billing Determinant as determined under F(AI)3.2, F(AI)3.3 & F(AI)3.4 as the case may be, for the Transmission Customer at the relevant Connection Point

a.

3.

7.

BDi

14. In the computation of the proposed CC/RSTC, NGCP applied the following parameters:

NGCP alleged the following in its Application:

6.

30. Hence, in order to correct the level of charges being collected from the transmission customers, NGCP respectfully submits that, in addition to the proposed monthly CC/RSTC, NGCP should be allowed to recover under-recoveries as a result of the difference in the actual collection and the proposed charges. Corollary, NGCP shall refund any over recovery from the difference in the said collections.

Where: ERC CASE NO. 2017-100 RC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

2.

Manila at 5:50 pm twice-a-week and arrives Nanning at 9 pm on the same day; return flight leaves Nanning at 10 pm and touches down the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 12:55 am the following day.

In a related development: • PAL mounted its inaugural flight at the Puerto Princesa International Airport on Saturday marking the start of its regular Puerto Princesa-Seoul (Incheon) Korea flight, seven times a week.

PAL utilized an A321 type sin-

calculated using the Weighted Average Cost of Capital as determined under F(AIV)8.2 of the OATS Rules. If R is a surplus, it shall be expressed as a negative.

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES Applicant. x - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

1.

gle-aisle aircraft that can accom- Alferez and members of the Chimodate 199 Passengers (2-class nese travel and trade community. layout) and 12 tons Cargo.

The 4-Star Carrier’s other PAL flight PR474 departs routes to China are: Manila to regularly at Puerto Princesa at Beijing, Guangzhou (Canton), 5:00 am and arrives at Incheon Hong Kong, Macau, Quanzhou at 6:30 am while the turnaround (Jinjiang), Shanghai and Xiamen. flight PR475 departs Icheon at Villaluna said more regional 8:25 am and arrives at Puerto flights, including the Manila-ChiPrincesa at 12:05 pm daily. tose (Japan) were in the pipeline “This is a historic occasion within the year. in line with with government’s Puerto Princesa International promise to lure more international Airport was inaugurated last May tourists to come to Puerto Princesa, 3, 2017, it has a seating capacity of Civil Aviation Authority of the 1,500 passengers and can accomPhilippines Director General modate 2 wide-body and 4 small Capt. Jim C. Sydiongco said. PAL aircraft at once. is the first to heed the call.

Last year, the airport served Villaluna said among the spe- a total of 1,790,115 passengers cial guests who welcomed the (1,767,157 domestic and 22,958 flight in China were Philippine international passengers).

Consul General Marshall Louis With Eric Apolonio CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

By Joel E. Zurbano

VENUE

PARTICULARS

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

Jurisdictional and Expository Hearing

18 July 2018 (Wednesday)

Ten Thirty in the morning (10:30 A.M.)

ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City

Expository Presentation for Visayas Stakeholders

25 July 2018 (Wednesday)

Ten Thirty in the morning (10:30 A.M.)

ERC Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave. cor Sales St.,Davao City

Expository Presentation for Mindanao Stakeholders

31 July 2018 (Tuesday)

Two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

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

P r e - Tr i a l Conference and Evidentiary Hearing

i.

The petitioner’s name and address;

ii.

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

iii.

A statement of the relief desired.

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

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO, AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTQRIA C. YAP-TARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of June 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1

2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

28. As mentioned earlier, this is not the case since NGCP currently charges the 2009 CC/RSTC level approved by the Honorable Commission. However, the

TIME Two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by ‘filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

OVER/UNDER RECOVERIES THAT MAY HAVE RESULTED FROM THE DIFFERENCE IN THE ACTUAL CHARGES COLLECTED VS. THE PROPOSED CY2014 AND 2015 CC/RSTC.

27. The OATS Rules provide that the CC/RSTC will come into effect on the same date as the new tariff rates resulting from the Maximum Allowable Revenue approved by the ERC.12 Hence, the proposed 2014 CC/RSTC should have been collected beginning the billing period January 2015 until December 2015; while the proposed 2015 CC/RSTC should have been collected beginning the billing period January 2016 until December 2016.

DATE 16 July 2018 (Monday)

11

12 13

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws andfor Other Purposes.”

Entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise To Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-Bone System of Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for other Purposes.”

OATS Rules, Module F(AN)1.2 Ibid, Module F(AIV)S.2 Ibid, Module F(AIV)1.3 Page 94 ofthe Final Determination dated 22 November 2010.

ERC Decision dated 07 December 2007 in ERC Case No. 2007-007RC Supra, Note 3, Module F(AIV)3.2.

Module F(AIV)7.1 Calculating the Residual Sub-transmission Charge.

Page 2, Supra Note 5.

A Resolution Allowing the Distribution Utilities to Include in their Monthly Transmission Cost the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines’ National Franchise Tax Billing.

Supra, Note 4.

Page 21, Decision dated 06 July 2011 in ERC Case No. 2009-153 RC (MS-JUNE 27 & JULY 5, 2018

Sports

A7

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

PBA’s Passport on Wheels project lures 500 applicants PHILIPPINE Baketball Association personalities, fans and friends stormed the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City on Monday to avail of the “Passport on Wheels” project of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the pro league.

No less than 500 persons have been served by the noble undertaking which intends to

Passport applicants at the PBA office Manila

Republic of the Philippines StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

TODAY

CORPORATION

OF

19. Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts under this Application did not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0336/ kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is hereto attached as Annex “F.” 20. Also, NGCP considered the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang given that NGCP would have normally fully recovered the return of capital on said assets for the duration of their economic lives had these assets not been damaged or destroyed by the FME Ruby and Seniang.

ERC CASE NO. 2015 -205 RC

THE

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

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

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

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 04 December 2015, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application dated 02 December 2015 for the approval of its force majeure event regulated Force Majeure (FM) Pass-Through for Typhoon Ruby and tropical storm Seniang in Visayas and Mindanao, in accordance with the Rules for Setting the Transmission Wheeling Rates (RSTWR), with prayer for provisional authority.

22. NGCP needs to immediately recover the actual expenses incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities. It must be emphasized that the occurrence of the aforementioned FME Ruby and Seniang required massive capital infusion, thus, the recovery of which should be allowed immediately in order to avoid any financial strain in the operation of NGCP and to allow the continuous provision of transmission service to the grid customers.

NGCP alleged the following in its Application: 1.

NGCP is a corporation created and’ existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

It is the concessionaire which assumed the power transmission functions of the National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) pursuant to Republic Act No. (RA) 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA).1

2.

Under RA 9511,2 NGCP was granted a franchise to construct, install, finance, manage, improve, expand, operate, maintain, rehabilitate, repair and refurbish the present nationwide transmission system of the Republic of the Philippines.

3.

On 15 January 2009, NGCP assumed, transmission functions of TRANSCO including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

A. Typhoon Ruby 4.

5.

On or about 6 December 2014, Typhoon Ruby entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with maximum winds of 215 kph and gustiness of 250 kph. Due to its intensity and heavy rainfall, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in the Visayas area were damaged causing widespread power interruption over the area. A copy of the Certification dated 26 January 2015 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached herewith as Annex “A.”

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

24. A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Agnes F. Dela Cruz, Head, Tariff Design and Billing Management Division, Revenue and Regulatory Affairs, in support of the instant Application, is hereto attached as Annex “G.” 25. Lastly, in compliance with Rule 6 of this Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, the pre-filing requirements of the instant application are attached herewith as Annex “H” and series.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission to: 1.

DECLARE the Typhoon Ruby and Tropical Storm Seniang as Force Majeure Events (FMEs);

2.

GRANT Provisional Approval to implement and bill the FM Pass-Through Amounts to Visayas and Mindanao customers starting January 2016 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered;

After the occurrence of Typhoon Ruby, in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission a Force Majeure Event (FME) Notice regarding Typhoon Ruby dated 20 January 2015. A copy of the FME Notice regarding Typhoon Ruby dated 20 January 2015 is attached herewith as Annex “B.”

B. Tropical Storm Seniang 6.

7.

8.

On or about 28 December 2014, Tropical Storm Seniang entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility with maximum winds of 65 kph and gustiness of 80 kph. The occurrence of Tropical Storm Seniang caused damage to NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in the Visayas and Mindanao. A copy of the Certification dated 1 March 2015 issued by the PAGASA is attached herewith as Annex “C.”

3.

4.

After the occurrence of Tropical Storm Seniang, in compliance with Article X of the RTWR, NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission an FME Notice regarding Typhoon Seniang dated 12 March 2015. A copy of the FME Notice regarding Typhoon Seniang dated 12 March 2015 is attached herewith as Annex “D.”

11. In relation to the occurrence of the FME Ruby and Seniang and pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the same RTWR, NGCP is allowed to recover the cost it incurred in the repair, restoration, and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang through an FM Pass-Through Amount.

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

P/kW-mo.

0.76

0.59

0.22

0.21

0.20

P/kWh

0.0016

0.0013

0.0005

0.0005

0.0004

Mindanao

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

P/kW-mo.

0.30

0.08

0.07

0.07

0.06

P/kWh

0.0006

0.0002

0.0002

0.0001

0.0001

APPROVE, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM Pass Through Amount to be collected from the Visayas and Mindanao customers starting January 2016 billing month to December 2020 billing month or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, as follows; Visayas

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

P/kW-mo.

0.76

0.59

0.22

0.21

0.20

P/kWh

0.0016

0.0013

0.0005

0.0005

0.0004

Visayas

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

P/kW-mo.

0.30

0.08

0.07

0.07

0.06

P/kWh

0.0006

0.0002

0.0002

0.0001

0.0001

5.

APPROVE and ALLOW the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang amounting to PhP16,556,597.57, given that it would have been fully recovered by NGCP if these transmission assets and other related facilities have not been damaged or destroyed by FME Ruby and Seniang; and

6.

EXCLUDE the proposed Pass-Through Amount from the side constraint calculation.

Under Section 1.3(a) of the Rules for Setting Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide.”

10. Ruby and Seniang were categorized by PAGASA as “Typhoon” and “Storm” in its Certifications dated 26 January 2015 and 1 March 2015, respectively. Therefore, Typhoon Ruby and Tropical Storm Seniang fall within the definition of an FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR.

Visayas

APPROVE the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) amounting to Php 37,809,639.76 incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to the Typhoon Ruby and Tropical Storm Seniang as FMEs;

Immediately after the devastation of Typhoon Ruby and Tropical Storm Seniang, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities to restore the transmission of electricity in the Visayas and Mindanao areas. As a result, NGCP incurred additional cost for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said transmission assets damaged by Typhoons Ruby and Seniang.

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM

9.

In the afternoon, among those seen were Rain or Shine coach Caloy Garcia, Meralco assistant coach Luigi Trillo and former player Nic Belasco.

“It warms the heart na nakatulong tayo kahit papaano.

Malaking tulong ito sa mga fans ‘di na sila mahihirapan mag-pa-schedule sa pagkuha ng passport,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

rehabilitation of damage sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of the FME. A copy of the FM PassThrough Amount Computation is hereto attached as Annex “E.”

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE EVENT REGULATED FM PASS THROUGH FOR TYPHOON RUBY AND TROPICAL STORM SENIANG IN VISAYAS AND MINDANAO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, NATIONAL GRID PHILIPPINES

help de-clog the jam at DFA’s regular passport centers.

Former Alaska Milk star forward Bong Hawkins came with his two kids.

Claudine Pardo-Abaca, daughter of Magnolia Pambansang Manok top official Rene Pardo, and a host of sportswriters with their families were among the early birds.

NGCP prays for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises.

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

DATE

TIME

VENUE

PARTICULARS

16 July 2018 (Monday)

12. Within three (3) months after the occurrence of the FME Ruby and Seniang, NGCP filed before the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Ruby dated 20 January 2015 and FME Notice Regarding Typhoon Seniang dated 12 March 2015, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR.3

Ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

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

Jurisdictional and Expository Hearing

18 July 2018 (Wednesday)

Nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City

13. Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Ruby and Seniang, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Claim Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR.

Expository Presentation for Visayas Stakeholders

25 July 2018 (Wednesday)

Nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ERC Mindanao Field Office, Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave. cor Sales St., Davao City

Expository Presentation for Mindanao Stakeholders

30 July 2018 (Monday)

Two o’clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

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

P r e - Tr i a l Conference and Evidentiary Hearing

FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION 14. It must be noted that NGCP has not recovered any amount from its Industrial All-Risk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2014 as compensation for the damage and cost it incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang. Thus, it is but proper for NGCP to file the instant FME Claim Application to recover the cost it incurred for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang.

15. The total cost NGCP incurred as additional FME Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Ruby and Seniang is Thirty-Seven Million Eight Hundred Nine Thousand Six Hundred Thirty-Nine and 76/100 (Php 37,809,639.76).

Further, the recoverable values of the assets destroyed (Net Fixed Asset Value) is Sixteen Million Five Hundred Fifty-Six Thousand Five Hundred Ninety-Seven and 57/100 (Php16,556,597.57). The breakdown of the expenses4 is shown in the table below: FME CAPEX

NFAV

FME

TOTAL VISAYAS

RUBY SENIANG Total

27,113,681.07

MINDANAO

VISAYAS

-

13,544,183.30

MINDANAO -

10,204,035.58

161,269.31

2,851,144.96

13,708,372.96

27,605,604.18

10,204,035·58

13,705,452.61

2,851,144.96

54,366,237.33

Visayas

P/kWh Mindanao P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2016 0.76 0.0016 2016

2017 0.59 0.0013 2017

2018 0.22 0.0005 2018

2019 0.21 0.0005 2019

2020 0.20 0.0004

i.

The petitioner’s name and address;

ii.

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

iii.

A statement of the relief desired.

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

40,657,864.37

491,923.11

16. NGCP proposes the Force Majeure (FM) Pass-Through Amount, in P/kW-month, as additional network charges in the Visayas and Mindanao starting the billing period of January 2016 to December 2020, or until such time that the amount incurred is fully recovered, computed as shown in the table below:

P/kW-mo.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO, AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the ,. Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAPTARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of June 2018 in Pasig City.

2020

0.30

0.08

0.07

0.07

0.06

0.0006

0.0002

0.0002

0.0001

0.0001

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

17. NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2016 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Ruby and Seniang pending the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth Regulatory Period.

18. Although the instant FM Pass-Through Amounts are not included in NGCP’s Third (3rd) Regulatory Reset Application, the same can be recovered pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the RTWR where NGCP is allowed to recover the cost incurred for the repair, restoration, and

1

2

3 4

Republic Act No. 9136 entitled, “An Act Ordaining Reforms in the Electric Power Industry, Amending for the Purpose Certain Laws and for Other Purposes” Republic Act No. 9511 entitled “An Act Granting the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines a Franchise to Engage in the Business of Conveying or Transmitting Electricity Through High Voltage Back-bone System or Int~rconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes” Please see Annexes “B” and “D”.

Exclusive of Permit Fees (MS-JUNE 27 & JULY 5, 2018

Carlos eyes 2 straight crown nd

M

ANOLO Fortich, Bukidnon—Jobim Carlos brims with confidence coming off a big finish and a big win at Apo last week but expects a tougher, fiercer challenge from a stellar international CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK field out to foil his back-to-back title bid in the ICTSI Del Monte Championship reeling off today (Wednesday, June 27) here.

He said he’s putting premium on driving and putting at the tight, hazardladen Del Monte course like Apo but a bit easier by the pros’ standards that should guarantee low scoring right in the first Bayron 18 holes of the P3 million tournament put up by ICTSI. “The level of competition is high since there are many good, solid players, including the homegrown bets,” said Carlos, who unleashed a strong finishing kick to beat Elmer Salvador and Albin Engino by four at Apo last weekend. “Del Monte is a bit easier than Apo so I expect low scoring through all four days.

And if my driving and putting click, I think I have a big chance to score back-to-back.”

Two of his top rivals Jay Bayron and Tony Lascuña also expressed confidence of their respective bids in the 72-hole championship organized by

Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc., and like Carlos, both have underlined the need for their putting to deliver to earn a crack at the championship.

“I’ve been working out on my putting the past few tournaments and I think I’m ready for another title crack.

My shotmaking and iron game have been OK so I think I’ve got a good chance this week,” said Lascuña, a multi-titled player on the circuit but still in search for his first win in the season.

Engino, meanwhile, scored a rare PGT, winning the pro-am for the second straight week. He teamed up with Raul Miñoza, Alan Soriano and Cris Maligmat to pool a 16-under 56 for a twoshot win over Bayron, Adrian Lim, Jun Balagot and Edison Gamayon, who made a 58. Nilo Salahog, with Melvin Alvares, Jam Jalani and Rey Chico placed third with a 59.

Filipino jockeys in Japan THE HOARSE WHISPERER JENNY ORTUOSTE ARE you wondering where are some of the veteran jockeys that used to be regulars on the track?

The answer is that quite a few of them are abroad. I recently heard from jockey Ernesto Aderes (ED Aderes in the programa) via Facebook, sending his greetings from Japan where he and some other Filipino riders are now based for work.

Multi-awarded rider Val Dilema recently arrived there and was feted by his fellow riders. I’ve also heard from Analyn Reloto, the country’s first female jockey, who is likewise an exercise rider there and is the proud mother of a months-old infant named JP, who looks quite well and healthy.

Also based there are Darry de Ocampo, Gerry Biazon, EF Salvador, Renato P. Gil, MS Recosana, Primo Basco, Edison Pacampara, and Joe Noel Camu, among others.

They work as exercise riders in Hokkaido. Aderes says that racing rules in Japan do not allow Filipinos to ride, although he is sure that their skills are at par or even better than some of the Japanese jockeys.

“Oo, ensayo lang kami dito Jen,” he says. “Hindi makasakay mga Pinoy. Kung makasakay Pinoy lamang tayo sa pananakay.”

While they are employed by different stables, being in the same general location they get together on their days off and as schedules permit. They cook meals over a hotpot in their quarters. At gatherings, they have a potluck and bring calderos of beloved Filipino dishes such as adobo and Pinoystyle spaghetti to share.

Like everyone else, they are

working in Japan to be able to provide for their families. Aderes considers his children to be his inspirations, “mga angel ng buhay ko.” He says it is for their sake that he ventured abroad: “Kung wala [kayo] wala ako dito sa Japan.” His wish for them is simple and his love for them heartfelt: “Lumaki sana [kayong] may takot [sa] dios at makatapos ng pag-aaral ninyo love na love kayo ni papa ninyo í miss you.”

It is a given that among the Philippines’ top exports are its people, who are working in practically every industry around the world. It’s been said that you can find at least one Pinoy in every country on the map.

Filipino jockeys and grooms, with their specialized skillsets, are in demand in Japan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and other racing nations of the world. This was envisioned

by George Stribling, an American trainer who founded the Philippine Jockeys Academy in the 1980s.

The school produced many of the top jockeys of the country.

Stribling, who passed away in Manila some years ago in his 90s, lived here for decades after coming to the Philippines. He came over for a visit and never left. He put up the Academy to professionalize riding, and he also said that the skills he taught would serve the graduates well if they worked abroad.

Stribling was quite certain that Filipino riders had a place to carve out for themselves in the world’s racing operations, and it is now obvious that he was right.

We wish the best of luck to all the Pinoy jockeys in Japan and wherever in the world they might be. Ingat kayo, mga p’re! *** Dr. Ortuoste, a writer and researcher, has a PhD in Communication. Facebook: Gogirl Racing and @DrJennyO, Twitter: @drhoarsewhsprr and @DrJennyO

Batangas takes on Bataan BATANGAS City welcomes the return of Mon Rogado and Adrian Santos as they shore up the Tanduay-backed Athletics when the inaugural champions visit and face the Bataan Risers in the main game of the MPBL Datu Cup at the People’s Center Capitol Drive in Balanga, Bataan tonight.

Rogado, a shooting guard, and Santos, a bruising frontliner, will be the latest inclusion of healthy bodies competing for the Athletics, who continue to miss the services of ace gunner Val Acuña and main big man Jhaymo Eguilos.

According to Batangas City coach Mac Tan, Eguilos and Acuña 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ will need some time off to recuperate.

“Si Eguilos, knee, but 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M he already went PRP. Strengthening na lang DIGITS 0-0-0-0 siya. As for Val, ‘yung shooting hand niya, tinamaan sa practice. May miDIGITS 0-0-0 nor surgery siya sa kamay parang may bone spur,” EZ2 0-0 added Tan.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 6/45 4 3 2

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

Harden is MVP, not LBJ LOS ANGEELS —Houston star James Harden was crowned the NBA’s Most Valuable Player for 2018 on Monday, taking home the honour despite a disappointing end to the season which saw the Rockets beaten Harden in the NBA Finals.

The 28-year-old Rockets guard beat out competition from Cleveland Cavaliers icon LeBron James and the New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis.

Harden’s award came after a season which saw him average more than 30 points per game, with 5.4 rebounds and 8.8 assists.

Although Houston finished the regular season on top of the Western Conference, they were beaten 4-3 in the playoffs by the Golden State Warriors.

The Warriors would go on to beat Cleveland 4-0 in the finals.

Although the Warriors clinched their third title in four seasons this season, they were largely ignored in the main end-of-season awards categories at Monday’s ceremony in Los Angeles.

Philadelphia 76ers star Ben Simmons was named Rookie of the Year ahead of Utah’s Donovan Mitchell and Boston’s Jayson Tatum.

Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz won Defensive Player of the Year, edging out New Orleans’ Davis and the Sixers Joel Embiid.

Meanwhile Coach of the Year honours went to Dwane Casey, who was fired by the Toronto Raptors after they were swept by Cleveland in the second round of the playoffs.

Casey’s honor came despite a successful regular season which saw the Raptors finish with a franchise-record 59 wins. AFP

Dandan quits as Dyip coach

By Jeric Lopez AFTER just a little less than seven months at the helm, Ricky Dandan resigned as the head coach of the Columbian Dyip in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Following a surprising four-win campaign in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup, it seemed like the Dyip is finally headed to a positive direction.

That was until Dandan’s surprise resignation yesterday.

With Columbian already out of the race for a berth in the quarterfinals, the rookie head coach decided that it was time to move forward, leaving the Dyip without a head mentor at the moment.

Dandan took charge and got his break prior to the new year when then head coach Chris Gavina also left the team.

The improvements of the team this conference still weren’t enough to convince Dandan to stay and continue Columbian’s progress.

After his two conference stint, Dandan released his statement regarding his departure.

“This is to officially announce my resignation as Head Coach of the Columbian Dyip in the PBA,” said Dandan.

“I have arrived at this decision after much thought and consideration.”

Dandan then cited the reason why he tendered his resignation.

2 PH chessers remain on top INTERNATIONAL Master Paulo Bersamina and Shania Mae Mendoza continued to ride on their triumphs in the standard event and downed their respective opponents to remain on top in the premier Under-20 class after two rounds of the rapid event of the 19th ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships at the Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City yesterday.

Bersamina turned back Vietnam’s Pham Minh Hieu to keep his grip of the lead alongside another Vietnamese Ngueyn Huynh Tuan, while Mendoza dumped Davao City pride Ella Grace Moulic to likewise zoom to the top with yet two more Vietnam bets Nguyen Thanh Thuy Tien and Nguyen Thi Minh Oanh.

Dale Bernardo, who earned an IM title after ruling the standard U18 the day before, kept flashing solid form as he trounced the Philippines’ Jerick Marino to stay at the helm with countryman Istraelito Rilloraza and top pick IM Tran Minh Thang of Vietnam.

Sports Ronaldo’s supporting cast needs to step up Portugal’s forward Cristiano Ronaldo points to his temple during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and Portugal at the Mordovia Arena in Saransk. AFP

M

OSCOW—Cristiano Ronaldo’s off-night against Iran nearly cost Portugal their World Cup dream and underlined the stark need for his team-mates to contribute more in support of the Real Madrid superstar.

Ronaldo carried Portugal through their first two group games, hitting a memorable hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain before netting the winner in a gritty 1-0 victory over Morocco.

That left the European champions requiring just a point from their clash with Carlos Queiroz’s Iran in Saransk, but an uncharacteristic display from Ronaldo had them sweating over a place in the last 16.

The five-time world player of the year missed a penalty that would have given Portugal a 2-0 lead, Ronaldo was then perhaps fortunate to receive just yellow after an elbow on Iran defender Morteza Pouraliganji.

A disputed Iran penalty set up a tense final few minutes for Portugal, who only advanced to the knockout rounds after Mehdi Taremi fired a last-gasp chance into the side netting.

Qualification was at last assured, albeit

with an upcoming tie against Uruguay rather than hosts Russia, but Ronaldo was far from impressed.

“I understand, it’s normal. The best players in the world face that when there isn’t an opportunity to really make it happen,” said Portugal boss Fernando Santos.

“That hurts a lot more to them than to other players. They always want to win.

They want to be the best and refuse to fail, and when they fail they get very upset.”

Santos attempted to relieve some of the burden on Ronaldo by aligning Andre Silva alongside the Portugal captain in attack, with Ricardo Quaresma also handed his first World Cup start.

While Quaresma rewarded his coach with a stunning opening goal just before half-time, Silva offered little as Ronaldo found himself isolated and his opportunities limited.

Goncalo Guedes and Bernardo Silva

were dropped after failing to shine in the opening two games, but Monday’s performance showed Portugal are still scrambling to find the dynamic that best supports Ronaldo.

“There were lots of misplaced passes, the tempo was slow after the first 15 minutes,” Santos said in the wake of the Morocco match. “Our team is strong but we must progress. We must do better than that.”

Next up for Portugal is a Uruguay team, marshalled by the rugged centreback pairing of Diego Godin and Jose Maria Gimenez, that has yet to concede in Russia.

“We have our weapons and we must try to make the most of them,” Santos said on Monday.

Gelson Martins, the talented young winger who made a 30-minute appearance off the bench against Morocco, is another option who could be called upon going forward.

The question is not if Portugal have the weapons but whether they can be assembled in a way that plays to Ronaldo’s strengths at his fourth and likely final World Cup. AFP

Shell drivers rule PH Endurance Challenge A THUNDERSTORM provided great racing in the recently concluded Philippine Endurance Challenge-4 Oras ng Pilipinas last June 12.

The Clark International Speedway featured a 23-car grid filled with some of the country’s best race car drivers, wherein the rainy weather showcased an action-filled race for everyone to witness.

The drama-packed race provided by the completely damped race track was ultimately won by the #12 Honda Civic FD Race Car of Team Shell Helix Ultra-Big Chill Racing, composed of Estefano Rivera, Paolo Santos and Andre Tan. The team checkered flag with 79 laps to their belt, a good lap ahead of the Parts Pro-Car Porn racing Miata driven by Gabe Tayao, Iñigo Anton, and Errol Panganiban.

Third place overall was captured by the Carlos Anton and Tyson Sy-driven Parts Pro Racing Honda Civic with 77 laps completed.

The #12 Shell Helix car also dominated the RP Class.

The eventual champions were not early favorites for the plum after first driver Santos qualified third on the grid and fell back after the first number of laps, but chances of redemption soon came when the safety car would come out due to several incidents on the track.

This helped the Shell Helix car to ultimately gain ground through the great comeback driving of Vios Cup champion Rivera.

With perfectly timed pit stops and driver changes, they were soon leading the race with 45 minutes remaining.

And with Tan on the wheel for the remainder of the endurance, all he had to do was to bring it home in one piece and avoid unnecessary mistakes—as the wet track proved to be very vulnerable for the competitors.

Looking ahead, the team is now focused on retaining its PEC title as they resume battle this November for the year-ending 8-Hour Race. They also continue to figure in this year’s Flat Out Race Series and Philippine GT Championships.

Senator Manny Pacquiao shows off his ripped body prior to his training session in General Santos.

Sonny Espiritu

The three drivers of the #12 Shell Helix Race Car celebrate their overall win after the 2018 PEC 4 Oras ng Pilipinas drew to a close. The drivers are (from left) Andre Tan, lead driver and current Vios Cup and National Slalom Series ace Estefano Rivera and 2017 Philippine GT100 champion Paolo Santos.

Lim hopes to bring his winning touch to Altas PERPETUAL Help head coach Frankie Lim wants to bring back the winning culture of the Altas in the coming Season 94 of National Collegiate Athletic Association, which kicks off on July 7 at Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After finishing ninth last year, the Altas hope to regain their glory days with Lim at the helm.

“We’re not reaching for the moon, we just want to bring back the competitiveness and the winning culture also,” said Lim, who initially took over as head of the Perpetual Help basketball program last November before securing the head coaching job last January.

Lim, a former PBA pro for Alaska, steered San Beda College to four NCAA championships in 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011, which means the Altas are expecting him to carry on his winning touch to the Las Pinas-based school, which has never won a senior cage title since joining the league 34 years ago.

With stints in the Philippine Basketball Association D-League and FilOil tournaments, the Altas, who will be led by 6’10” Nigerian Prince Eze, a holdover from last year’s team, have toughened up for the coming season.

“We’re in a rebuilding process and we have more new players than old ones. So our experience in the PBA D-League and Filoil somehow helped us facilitate the transition while giving the players confidence for the coming NCAA wars,” said Lim. “Our target is next year and two years from now because we have several of my recruits coming in.”

What Lim has is a very young roster that lost practically most of its players, including starters JG Ylagan and Gab Dagangon, who already graduated, and Kieth Llowel Pido, who underwent ankle surgery that will keep him out the whole of the season.

Apart from Eze, the only remaining players from last year were AJ Coronel, Anton Tamayo and Rome Mangalino.

Also making the team are transferees Ton Ton Peralta from Cagayan de Oro, Kim Aurin of St. Francis, Jerome Pasia of PMMS, Carl Soriano, Edgar Charcos of University of the East and Kit Jimenez of Far Eastern University and Luke Sese of San Beda.

Jielo Razon and Jasper Cuevas came straight from Perpetual’s high school team. Rochelle Salvador

Pacquiao gets high marks from trainers

GENERAL SANTOS CITY—With just less than three weeks left before his defining fight with World Boxing Association champion Lucas Matthysse, Manny Pacquiao’s handlers were pleased with the work ethic shown by the 39-year-old legend.

Just moments after Pacquiao displayed his old and fiery form on Tuesday, staggering sparring partner Gherich Chavez with a single solid straight to the jaw, chief trainer Buboy Fernandez and strength and conditioning coach Justin Fortune gave high marks for their champion.

Pacquiao had to pause for 10 seconds to give Chavez a respite, as old timers recalled memories of the Filipino’s

single knockout punch that took the lights out of Emmanuel Lucero in 2003 in Los Angeles.

“I would say he is 85 already percent ready and we don’t want him to peak too soon,” said Fernandez, who is leaving no stone unturned in their preparation for “Fight of Champions,” the biggest boxing event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia slated on July 15 at the Axiata Arena.

Fortune concurred with Fernandez.

“He is right there where we want him to be right now,” said the Australian coach who is seeing a resurgent spirit of the only boxer in history who has won eight world titles in eight different divisions.

Pacquiao challenged himself Monday morning, testing himself to the limit by climbing the steepest route in Maasim, Sarangani province.

“It’s a sign that Manny is trying to ask himself questions whether he still has it or not. That talks a lot about his warrior spirit,” said Fortune.

Meanwhile, Matthysse is also doing all he can to match whatever firepower Pacquiao will be bringing to battle. Under the tutelage of Joel Diaz in Indio, California, Matthysse promised to keep his belt at all costs.

Matthysse’s promoter Oscar Dela Hoya also dispelled rumors that the fight might be cancelled due to financial problems as alleged by Pacquiao’s long-time and former promoter Bob Arum of rival Top Rank Promotions.

“I feel very, very confident the fight is going to happen, let’s put it that way,” said Dela Hoya in an interview with boxing scribe Steve Kim.

IN BRIEF PEMC moves closer to being independent PHILIPPINE Electricity Market Corp., operator of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market, took a step closer of becoming an independent market operator after the Energy Department relinquished the board chairmanship.

“We made an important step in the Philippines’ transition towards an independent market operator that supervises our electricity market, an important step which sees the DoE relieving its chairmanship to PEMC, paving the way for independent stakeholders to be elected to this position,” Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said.

PEMC operates the WESM, the country’s trading floor of electricity, but the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 requires the transfer of the operations to an IMO to remove perceptions of government intervention.

“DoE continues to emphasize that independence is a must for the Philippine energy landscape. Not only will it see us delivering good on the promise of EPIRA in 2001, but it will also make the Philippines one of out two nations in Southeast Asia to have successfully adopted this framework,” Cusi said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Italpinas begins work on Batangas project ITALPINAS Development Corp. formally broke ground on June 16 on its new mixed-use green development project in Sto. Tomas, Batangas, called Miramonte.

The project set to be developed in two successive phases will consist of three towers, each of them reflective of the company’s characteristic Italian architecture backed by environmentally-sustainable technology.

Italpinas chairman and chief executive Romolo Nati said the first phase was planned for turnover in 2021.

“Miramonti is an Italian name, which means, ‘viewing the mountains.’ The mountainous terrain in this part of Batangas, including the beauty of Mount Makiling, is part of my inspiration for creating the Miramonti design,” he said.

Italpinas will spend about P750 million for the development of the first phase, with projected gross revenue of P1.2 billion from sales of residential and parking units, excluding recurring lease income from commercial units. well as local and expatriate personnel of the various corporations with headquarters and production centers in the area. Othel V. Campos

Business Hybrid process adopted to select third major telco T

By Darwin G. Amojelar

HE Department of Information and Communications Technology said Tuesday it adopted a “hybrid” selection process for the third major telecommunications player that will challenge the duopoly PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc.

Acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio described the selection process as “hybrid” whose main parameters were committed level of service and financial rollout plan.

“The selection process is very objective and does not give any discretion to DICT and NTC [National Telecommunications Commission,” Rio said.

Under the new draft memorandum circular issued by DICT, the criteria for the

selection of new major telco player were national population coverage (40 percent weightage), minimum average broadband speed (20 percent weightage) and annual capital and operational expenditure (40 percent weightage), computed annually over a five year period.

The annual minimum levels for each of the criteria are 30 percent for national population coverage, 5 megabits per second for the minimum average broadband speed and P40 billion for the capital and operational expenditure.

The selection committee will use a point system based on the document submitted by the potential players.

“A participant’s annual point score shall be multiplied by the corresponding ‘weightages’ in the table below reflecting the government’s policy priority of encouraging rapid network roll-out and the difficulty of deploying the NMP’s networks and facilities in the shortest possible time,” the rules stated.

The rules also said that the prospective bidders should have a net worth of at least P10 billion with a Congressional franchise to operate telecom services.

It said that in case of a consortium, Filipinos should control at least 60 percent and at least one of the members should be a holder of a Congressional franchise.

Prospective bidders should not be a related party to any existing telecom group and had no outstanding liabilities.

The NTC will assign frequency band 700 megahertz, 850 MHz, 2100 MHz, 2010 MHz, 2.5 gigahertz, 3.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz to the new player.

The DICT said the selection documents could be purchased by prospective participants from the NTC for P1 million.

“Only prospective participants that purchased the selection documents shall be allowed to attend the pre-selection information session, which shall be on a date set by the selection committee,” the rules states.

Among the groups that earlier expressed interest in the bidding were businessman Mel Velarde’s Now Telecom, PT&T and Converge ICT Solutions Inc., along with their foreign partners.

Govt set to buy diesel from Russia, others THE Energy Department on Tuesday assured that the government through PNOC Exploration Corp. will move forward with plans to import diesel from Russia and other non-members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries next month.

“It will push through. It’s up to PNOC EC if they’re going to adopt the recommendation but our recommendation is to have the sale and purchase agreement executed within the next 10-15 days from the date of the approval. The recommendation will be discussed during their board meeting on July 2,” Energy Undersecretary Leonido Pulido III said.

The department is pushing for stockpiling to secure the country’s oil requirements amid global uncertainties.

Pulido said the department had come out with the recommended framework that would serve as guide to PNOC EC’s diesel importation plans.

“The framework is composed of what the selection process should look like, what are the national standards they should be following, how’s the distribution process,” he said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

CULINARY AGRICULTURE PROGRAM. The Center for Culinary Arts or CCA Manila signs a partnership agreement with the University of the Philippines Los Baños College of Agriculture and Food Science to offer Culinary Agriculture program—an interdisciplinary course which aims to produce graduates who will be able deliver ways on how to make sustainable, environmentfriendly, and healthy food to the public. At the signing of a memorandum of understanding are (from left) UP Los Baños Office of International Linkages director Simplicio Medina; College of Agriculture and Food Science Dean Enrico Supangco; UPLB Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr.; The Cravings Group chief executive Marinela Trinidad; CCA Manila Chancellor Ma. Veritas Luna; and CCA Manila business development and public relations director Liza Morales.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

B1

PLDT still seeking new headquarters PLDT Inc. said Tuesday it expects to announce the new location for its headquarters before the end of the year.

“Hopefully, we have one or two good leads, and let’s see where those leads bring us,” PLDT chairman and chief executive Manuel Pangilinan said.

The new headquarters would be similar to those built by Google and Facebook in the US. The company has been looking for new headquarters since 2016, as it plans to redevelop Ramon Cojuangco Building and Makati General Office in Makati City PLDT said the planned transfer of headquarters was in line with its digital pivot.

Pangilinan earlier said the company was looking at Alabang in Muntinlupa for the new location of the headquarters.

Pangilinan said he would also step down as president and chief executive of PLDT, if the company would post continued profitability starting next year.

“I do hope that when we reach that point where the numbers continue to look good, and if myself sense that the numbers are sustainable for 2019 and beyond, sure. I will not be here forever,” Pangilinan said.

PLDT earlier reported a net income of P6.9 billion in the first quarter, up 39 percent from P4.9 billion in the same period last year.

Consolidated core income reached P6.1 billion in the three-month period, up 14 percent from a year ago.

Core income, excluding that of unit Voyager, rose 23 percent year-on-year to P6.7 billion, which if annualized would put the company ahead of its income guidance of P23 billion to 24 billion for 2018.

PLDT’s consolidated service revenues amounted to P36.7 billion, up 3 percent year-on-year.

PLDT Home reported revenues of P8.9 billion in the first quarter, up 14 percent year-on-year, driven by robust subscriber take-up of its home broadband services. The enterprise group posted revenues of P9.2 billion, up 7 percent.

The wireless individual business of Smart, TNT and Sun contributed P14.8 billion in service revenues in the first quarter up 2 percent year-on-year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Weak peso seen to have positive economic impact Charter Change committee wants to keep land ownership restriction

By Julito G. Rada

FIRST Metro Investment Corp., the investment banking arm of the Metrobank Group, said Tuesday the peso depreciation will have positive impact on the economy both in the short and medium terms.

First Metro said in a statement while a lot of people including foreign analysts raised their “worried” flag when the peso fell 53 against the US dollar on June 11, this would actually help exporters and families of Filipinos working overseas.

The peso closed at 53.47 against the greenback Tuesday, down by 7 percent since the start of the year. The local currency averaged 50.4 a dollar in 2017 and closed at 49.93 on Dec. 29.

Economists from First Metro and the

University of Asia & the Pacific said there were several factors driving the peso’s weakness.

“First, the US dollar has been strengthening since end of the first quarter of 2018 due to several reasons. The IMF projects the US economic growth to accelerate to 2.9 percent this year compared to 2.3 percent in 2017,” they said.

They said that apart from the growth momentum, the effects of President Donald Trump’s tax cuts would be felt by individuals and corporations starting the second quarter of 2018.

“The same tax reform tries to attract back to the US some $2 trillion of cash held by US multinationals abroad. Even if only half of that returns to the US, that would add significant demand for the greenback,” they said.

SkyJet appoints Tan as chief executive SKYJET Airlines, the Philippines’ boutique airline, announced the appointment of Patrick Tan as new chief executive.

Tan is an aviation veteran, with past stints as president and chief operating officer of Seair International, president and chief executive of Tiger Airways Philippines, and vice president for operations and subsequently CEO of Seair Inc. He was responsible for expanding Seair’s revenues from P200 million to P4 billion a year.

Tan was a trustee and vice president for external affairs of Boracay Foundation Inc., an influential business group for the conservation of the famous island destination.

He is also currently the president of National Athletic Committee Philippines which builds up the sport of bodybuilding in the Philippines.

He serves as a consultant to the board of the Flying Medical Samaritans and is a sailing member of the Manila Yacht Club. A certified private pilot, he is also a member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilot’s Association.

Tan earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from Ateneo de Manila University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, Major in Marketing, from De La Salle University.

Tan, in his new position as CEO of SkyJet, will now lead the boutique airline as it seeks to grow its brand, expand its operations and build new international markets.

SkyJet Airlines flies multiple times daily and direct from Manila to Batanes, Siargao and Coron, Palawan with its fleet of 80 and 92 seater British Aerospace Jets, the official aircraft of Queen Elizabeth and the British Royal Family.

They also said that foreign stock and bond investors were selling off their peso-denominated financial assets as they stood to lose with the peso depreciation. Foreigners were net sellers in the local stock market by a total of P52 billion from February to May this year.

“Third, the Philippines’ trade deficit has been deteriorating and has reached a record $3.6 billion in April this year. For the first four months, this amounted to $12.2 billion, which if multiplied by three [simple annualization] yields $36.6 billion—over 20 percent higher than a year ago,” they said.

“However, this should not be viewed too badly as imports of capital goods [additions to productive capacity] have shown robust growth,” they said.

By Othel V. Campos THE Charter Change Consultative Committee said it did not recommend the opening of land ownership to foreigners to protect Philippine real estate from speculations.

“We opted not to liberalize land ownership. Our land is shrinking already.

It’s getting to be a precious resource.

If we open that up, a lot of foreign nationals with fat wallet who are not even investors but are mere speculators can raise land prices beyond what the locals can afford,” Charter Change subcommittee on economic reforms chairman Arthur Aguilar said in a forum Monday.

The sub-committee said foreigners

SECURITY BANK’S AWARDS. Security Bank

bags three major awards at Corporate Governance Asia’s 8th Asian Excellence Awards held in Hong Kong on June 8, 2018.

Security Bank president and chief executive Alfonso Salcedo Jr. was named Asia’s Best CEO (Investor Relations, Philippines) for a third year, while executive vice president Joselito Mape was recognized Asia’s Best CFO (Investor Relations, Philippines) for a second year. Security Bank was also lauded as the Best Investor Relations Company in the Philippines for the fourth straight year. Executive vice president and retail banking head Maki Tingson (right) receives the awards on behalf of Security Bank.

would likely take advantage of the low real estate prices in the Philippines and then sell them a huge mark-up once land prices started to appreciate.

It made the recommendation as a part of the proposed shift to federalism.

The committee said that with the fast rising Philippine population, there would be limited opportunities or none at all for those without existing properties.

“How can we do low-cost housing?

How can we build medium-cost housing for our OFWs? Or even for our soldiers and teachers? This is what we want to prevent when we purposely decided to leave out land ownership among the list of what is called foreign investment negative list,”Aguilar said.

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

53.4050

Japan

Yen

0.009111

0.4866

UK

Pound

1.328000

70.9218

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.127440

6.8059

Switzerland

Franc

1.013377

54.1194

Canada

Dollar

0.752332

40.1783

Singapore

Dollar

0.734268

39.2136

Australia

Dollar

0.741300

39.5891

Bahrain

Dinar

2.628121

140.3548

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266645

14.2402

Brunei

Dollar

0.731582

39.0701

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000071

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

0.030331

1.6198

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

14.5411

Euro

Euro

1.170600

62.5159

Korea

Won

0.000897

0.0479

China

Yuan

0.152931

8.1673

India

Rupee

0.014682

0.7841

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.249004

13.2981

New Zealand

Dollar

0.689800

36.8388

Taiwan

Dollar

0.032927

1.7585

Source: PDS Bridge

B2

Business

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market ends 8-day slump T HE stock market rose Tuesday to snap an eight-day slump after bargain-hunting in the last minute of trading lifted back the benchmark index above the 7,000-point mark.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 20.33 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,0007.21 on a value turnover of P5.9 billion Losers, however, beat gainers, 127 to 78, with 41 issues unchanged.

“I think it is just bargain-hunting after eight consecutive days of sell-off.

I’m still on the watch mode and (will) wait for positive confirmed technical reversal and more positive news both here and abroad,” IB Gimenez Securities research head Joylin Telagen said.

Luis Limlingan, managing director at Regina Capital said, local investors

turned into bargain hunters while the regional market kicked off on a sour note on increased US-China trade tension.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei, on the most battered stocks during the market plunge, climbed 3.8 percent to P48.70, while DMCI Holdings Inc. of the Consunji Group advanced 3.3 percent to P10.20.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications firm, added 1.7 percent to P1,195, while SM Prime Holdings Inc. of retail tycoon Henry Sy rose 1.4 percent to P33.70.

Trade war fears, meanwhile, battered Asian stocks on Tuesday but equities recovered slightly into the close as traders snapped up bargains after heavy selling.

Markets across the region followed the US and Europe sharply lower at the opening bell on Tuesday amid reports the US was planning to ratchet up its

ballooning trade war with China.

China was hardest hit, dropping close to two percent at the session low before rebounding later in the trading day.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index closed down 0.5 percent at 2,844.51 points.

Tokyo followed the same pattern, even ending up fractionally in the black on bargain-hunting late in the day, with the benchmark Nikkei 225 index gaining 0.02 percent or 3.85 points to 22,342.00.

This trend was repeated across the region, with early losses pared in Seoul, Hong Kong and Sydney.

Despite the slight bump back up, analysts warned that market sentiment remained fragile.

“The market is in a really bad state.

It is in as dangerous a place as it was in 2015,” said Zhang Qi, an analyst with Haitong Securities in Shanghai, referring to the 2015 market swing that saw

the Shanghai index plunging more than 40 percent within three months.

The early declines came amid reports Washington was readying a new phase in its economic confrontation with China.

President Donald Trump has threatened to strike back against China’s retaliation to the US tariffs that are due to take effect July 6.

Trade frictions topped market players’ concerns at the open in Asia, with heavy selling in Europe and the US continuing through to Asia after reports Trump was planning new curbs on Chinese investment.

Washington has already announced it will impose investment restrictions on Chinese companies by June 30, with the Wall Street Journal reporting that any firm that is 25 percent Chinese-held would face curbs.

With Jenniffer B. Austria, AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.15 33,770 86 2,599,500 2.71 121,000 124 4,542,830 1.6 3,000 33.6 29,400 16.5 13,000 14.6 756,800 3.54 9,000 8.66 1,200 1.47 5,000 0.53 688,000 71 4,010,110 1.04 830,000 12 36,100 20 2,500 48.05 8,600 197 1,610 27.85 414,100 200.8 335,710 88 100

1,998,271 223,569,962 332,860 563,884,157 4,620 988,820 214,498 11,007,154 31,220 10,392 7,700 362,760 285,942,845.50 865,790 433,194 50,115 413,710 321,790 11,582,330 65,884,426 8,750

585,596.50 -58,432,092 14,400 72,773,281 -13,295 -185,690 -134,265,477.50 46,800 -365,645 -2,474,880 6,893,932 -

33.05 14.78 0.56 1.19 23.2 0.223 2.98 16.1 45.05 22.35 58 89.95 1.86 4.95 8.01 10 15.62 10.88 7.18 5.18 14.2 61.5 7.31 14.9 2.15 267.8 52.45 5.06 3.12 27 11.28 19.9 335 0.176 6.98 2.25 4.12 8.58 1.22 11.9 50.9 5.8 2.6 3.5 1.81 12.2 59.5 4.8 0.126 0.89 115 2.51 2.38 16 1.44

INDUSTRIAL 34.9 1,771,200 14.98 538,600 0.58 1,101,000 1.2 161,000 23.85 56,700 0.236 6,360,000 2.98 397,000 16.4 311,900 48.9 523,800 22.65 6,300 58 5,390 89.95 220 1.9 61,000 4.95 21,000 8.68 32,200 10 890,600 15.78 460,800 11.2 216,000 7.2 242,800 5.24 204,300 14.4 342,400 61.5 331,050 7.31 34,800 14.92 84,300 2.16 1,664,000 270.6 370,900 52.45 10 5.21 476,600 3.27 2,000 27 1,427,300 11.3 59,300 19.9 3,354,300 340.4 358,220 0.18 430,000 7.3 37,700 2.25 139,000 4.2 12,000 8.75 1,456,300 1.23 116,000 12.2 9,800 51 103,000 5.95 22,100 2.67 494,000 3.5 16,000 1.86 608,000 12.32 78,200 60 191,330 4.99 132,000 0.126 170,000 0.89 10,000 119 1,161,770 2.65 7,000 2.48 11,135,000 16 500 1.56 47,125,000

60,841,910 8,047,584 626,310 192,810 1,343,915 1,478,210 1,189,610 5,110,902 25,623,765 141,620 312,679 19,789 114,400 103,990 268,721 8,930,258 7,241,964 2,408,032 1,745,912 1,064,815 4,911,338 20,407,320 258,030 1,260,978 3,623,280 100,144,936 524.5 2,512,654 6,390 38,685,100 670,884 67,265,075 121,545,164 76,110 273,178 312,750 49,740 12,605,115 142,810 119,526 5,253,228 128,825 1,299,880 56,200 1,114,560 961,682 11,488,157.50 646,130 21,490 8,920 136,399,814 17,850 27,407,010 8,000 74,136,410

-22,510,935 1,471,218 4,550 -182,200 136,234.00 -5,094,960 -3,598 18,950 -92,901 -885,676 540,510 532,087 -1,519,330 735,386.50 -3,246 -224,180 -24,942,500 13,941,375 0 -50,294,855.00 44,741,276 18,000 -2,531,135 19,620 -7,346 4,214,123 -104,430 -7,800 -189,910 868,076 2,119,002.50 33,810 -8,850 -4,470 26,843,200 146,390 -3,072,920

0.237 52.55 11.52 0.9 6 0.61 0.61 870 6.1 9.9 7.01 0.204 872 6 47 5.3 0.54 3.56 18.06 0.57 4.43 3.36 0.037 1.14 2.61 2.9 134 2.55 830 1.58 500 252 0.219 0.206

HOLDING FIRMS 0.24 1,710,000 54.6 1,380,380 11.62 12,750,400 0.98 223,000 6 28,400 0.61 2,102,000 0.63 357,000 886 388,240 6.2 4,363,200 10.2 10,606,500 7.3 32,300 0.22 1,880,000 899.5 74,290 6 24,800 48.7 2,237,300 5.3 14,100 0.57 235,000 3.56 6,786,000 18.94 1,669,400 0.59 1,160,000 4.5 17,636,000 3.36 1,000 0.039 13,200,000 1.21 477,000 2.62 399,000 2.9 4,000 137.5 557,820 2.55 201,000 837 425,350 1.58 27,000 500 130 255 8,830 0.27 76,640,000 0.206 280,000

409,620 74,075,331.50 148,059,130 216,220 170,400 1,283,870 220,100 340,957,010 27,051,865 108,458,571 230,892 406,430 66,126,375 148,805 107,298,470 74,910 130,770 24,162,170 30,605,302 676,020 79,128,900 3,360 494,600 558,600 1,054,970 11,600 75,623,291 512,550 355,897,225 42,860 65,760 2,230,780 20,371,780 57,680

-37,905,872 -82,544,822 -5,880 79,195,415 1,614,208 38,713,321 15,004,615 -23,589,135 540 -1,177,020 -28,073,936.00 -160,480 -46,999,050 19,000 2,670 -44,111,122.00 79,547,755 -471,500 -

2,143,827 3,730,190 50,118 60,910 454,248,430 13,369,370 387,730 22,400 1,032,400 21,110 33,240 352,390 1,442,000 20,407,310 21,960 74,200 9,953,600 246,810 49,375,570 79,560,330 15,443,700 6,355,850 491,800 3,655,190 2,920 96,256,208 919,000

172,074 38,500 52,819,380.00 13,170,220 -296,600 1,414,535 -6,316,640 -94,400 40,070 -16,455,520 -260,700 -13,500 -70,500 217,430 -9,504,644 140,000

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PBCOM PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

59.15 88.5 2.91 124.7 1.51 33.75 16.58 14.64 3.46 8.66 1.59 0.53 73.5 1.08 12 20.25 48.5 200 28.5 194 87

59.35 88.5 2.91 126 1.6 33.75 16.58 14.66 3.54 8.66 1.59 0.53 73.5 1.08 12 20.25 48.5 200 28.5 200.8 88

59 85 2.66 123.6 1.51 33.5 16.48 14.46 3.46 8.66 1.47 0.52 71 1.03 11.94 20 48 197 27.7 192.5 87

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

35.5 15 0.58 1.19 23.45 0.23 3.03 16.4 48 22.4 58.5 89.95 1.86 4.96 8.43 10.18 15.66 10.9 7.2 5.29 14.4 62 7.5 15.4 2.22 269 52.45 5.27 3.12 27.15 11.34 20.45 340 0.177 7.05 2.25 4.2 8.75 1.24 12.32 51 5.95 2.68 3.55 1.91 12.2 60.9 4.83 0.129 0.9 119 2.51 2.46 16 1.49

35.5 15 0.58 1.22 24.65 0.237 3.03 16.48 49.7 22.7 58.5 89.95 1.9 4.96 8.7 10.18 15.8 11.2 7.2 5.29 14.4 62.4 7.5 15.4 2.25 272.6 52.45 5.43 3.27 27.25 11.5 21 341 0.18 7.45 2.25 4.2 8.75 1.24 12.32 51.1 5.95 2.68 3.55 1.91 12.6 60.9 5 0.13 0.9 119 2.65 2.54 16 1.66

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

0.244 54 12.06 0.9 6 0.62 0.61 877 6.2 10 7.3 0.204 889 6.05 48.25 5.31 0.57 3.59 18.18 0.58 4.61 3.36 0.038 1.16 2.66 2.9 135.2 2.55 845 1.58 510 253.6 0.219 0.206

0.244 54.6 12.06 0.98 6 0.62 0.64 886.5 6.25 10.4 7.3 0.227 899.5 6.05 48.7 5.33 0.58 3.6 18.94 0.6 4.63 3.36 0.039 1.21 2.66 2.9 137.5 2.55 845 1.6 510 255 0.29 0.206

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

7.19 1.01 13.42 0.77 36.3 3.13 4.7 5.6 0.42 1.01 0.95 0.207 0.405 24.55 0.61 0.115 1.48 1.19 1.25 4.45 0.57 0.43 0.47 2.91 29.2 18.22 2.03

7.29 1.02 14.4 0.78 36.85 3.17 4.7 5.6 0.43 1.01 0.96 0.209 0.41 25.1 0.61 0.116 1.48 1.2 1.45 4.45 0.57 0.465 0.485 3 29.2 18.84 2.04

7.18 0.99 13.36 0.77 36.25 3.13 4.59 5.6 0.42 1 0.92 0.206 0.39 23 0.61 0.115 1.42 1.17 1.23 4.27 0.54 0.43 0.455 2.9 29.2 18 2

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

3.16 33.7 1.09 7.49 0.75 6.39

3.25 33.9 1.1 7.51 0.75 6.39

3.16 32.7 1.08 7.1 0.75 6.13

3.23 33.7 1.09 7.11 0.75 6.22

50,000 8,574,100 97,000 802,200 8,000 5,617,500

159,160 286,666,940 105,620 5,796,466 6,000 34,943,075

758,470 233,426 -19,426,929

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

15 25.5 1.38 0.46 0.042 13 5.01 9.81 0.055 77 8.8 7.19 6.8 2.16 19.9 1,550 5.4 297 3.11 2.22 79.6 8.2 0.133 2.74 5 15 4 1.04 24 4.15 5.31 2.67 2.65 2.6 17.14 8.8 11.1 9.17 3.48 123 5.29 1,189 0.88 0.34 47.6 79 8.26 1.89 1.14 0.405 4.86 0.77 11.76

15 25.6 1.39 0.46 0.044 13 5.01 9.9 0.055 77.8 8.8 7.2 7 2.16 19.9 1,570 5.44 299 3.27 2.34 80.7 8.2 0.15 2.9 5.35 15 4 1.04 24.65 4.15 5.31 2.7 2.79 2.7 17.86 9.36 11.58 9.17 3.9 123 5.51 1,195 0.89 0.35 47.6 79 8.4 1.99 1.14 0.415 4.87 0.82 11.76

14.84 25.1 1.38 0.445 0.042 13 5.01 9.52 0.053 75 8.8 7 6.8 2.16 19 1,500 5.38 287 3.11 2.07 78 8.15 0.133 2.46 4.9 14.9 3.95 1.02 24 4.15 5.14 2.58 2.5 2 17.02 8.7 11.1 8.66 3.38 122 5.25 1,160 0.86 0.33 46.1 77 8.12 1.82 1.13 0.405 4.8 0.77 11.54

SERVICES 14.88 25.15 1.39 0.445 0.044 13 5.01 9.58 0.053 75.4 8.8 7.2 7 2.16 19.6 1,500 5.38 289.2 3.23 2.13 80 8.2 0.14 2.48 5.29 14.9 3.97 1.03 24.65 4.15 5.16 2.61 2.6 2.65 17.86 9.36 11.58 8.66 3.75 122 5.26 1,195 0.88 0.35 46.7 77.5 8.4 1.83 1.14 0.405 4.87 0.78 11.58

10,900 132,100 43,000 760,000 5,200,000 2,300 4,000 4,777,500 33,160,000 232,420 600 1,251,900 77,200 1,000 143,600 54,605 66,300 21,000 174,000 64,000 2,428,380 8,600 51,220,000 42,151,000 1,470,600 2,300 455,000 435,000 362,900 1,000 12,638,900 728,000 2,087,000 23,000 26,100 5,222,000 100,100 1,700 1,798,000 382,300 2,768,500 68,945 538,000 970,000 1,332,200 989,390 114,100 3,379,000 1,267,000 3,330,000 353,000 5,764,000 401,800

162,298 3,376,815 59,560 340,850 221,700 29,900 20,040 46,164,148 1,767,160 17,566,468 5,280 8,888,769 534,180 2,160 2,792,006 83,736,940 357,921 6,121,258 558,320 140,270 193,719,512 70,320 7,276,210 113,269,130 7,633,502 34,400 1,808,560 443,790 8,891,625 4,150 65,402,367 1,900,660 5,483,720 55,830 445,996 47,762,611 1,111,158 15,151 6,604,850 46,808,540 14,850,189 81,639,635 471,350 324,250 62,362,250 76,726,812 931,940 6,307,550 1,432,990 1,358,200 1,714,480 4,567,300 4,670,740

22,350 -8,056,643 -6,811,703 785,319 321,300 7,600 -26,027,350 -581,362 25,480 -29,494,072.50 -114,580 687,540 -105,500 1,490 185,860 -96,350 58,982,887 10,300 -2,639,055 -713,460 44,100 -2,782,971 17,019,075 -91,560 -17,614,065 -3,655,770.50 -2,795,130 -226,000.00 -48,600 38,500 -625,568

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B 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

0.0025 1.48 4.12 21.5 1.6 1.69 0.3 7.5 2.23 0.187 0.131 0.131 0.0082 1.58 4.62 1.09 0.51 0.95 0.012 0.011 2.08 4.7 11 29.85 0.0061

0.0027 1.49 4.12 21.5 1.6 1.7 0.305 7.5 2.23 0.188 0.132 0.132 0.0082 1.74 4.7 1.1 0.54 1.06 0.012 0.012 2.08 4.7 11.08 29.85 0.0061

0.0025 1.43 4.12 19.1 1.6 1.68 0.3 7.11 2.1 0.184 0.129 0.127 0.0082 1.52 4.58 1.07 0.5 0.95 0.011 0.011 2.08 4.5 10.8 29.55 0.0059

MINING & OIL 0.0027 19,000,000 1.43 1,986,000 4.12 64,000 21 17,600 1.6 4,000 1.69 646,000 0.305 200,000 7.37 2,800 2.12 13,176,000 0.184 170,000 0.129 8,340,000 0.127 4,040,000 0.0082 5,000,000 1.64 2,944,000 4.65 1,875,000 1.1 14,000 0.54 325,000 1.05 6,093,000 0.011 2,400,000 0.012 13,600,000 2.08 5,000 4.51 1,105,000 10.8 526,200 29.7 1,103,900 0.0059 15,000,000

49,000 2,879,060 263,680 359,025 6,400 1,090,010 60,800 20,261 28,296,000 31,480 1,086,280 526,100 41,000 4,856,830 8,703,330 15,060 167,340 6,228,770 27,800 155,900 10,400 5,031,890 5,708,792 32,777,060 90,000

143,970 -13,600 -21,281,810 -405,620 5,914,030 18,600 -2,149,625 -

AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GTCAP PREF A GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3A SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H

500 502.5 101.2 106 500 961.5 980 99.3 1.03 103 1,021 102.8 978 75.5 79.5 75.3 76 78.2 76 75.1

500 502.5 101.2 106 500 999 990 99.9 1.04 103 1,021 102.8 995 76 79.5 75.3 76 78.2 76 76

500 502.5 101 106 500 961.5 980 99.3 1.02 103 1,021 102.8 975 75.3 79.5 75.3 76 78.2 76 75.1

PREFERRED 500 1,000 502.5 100 101.1 33,210 106 300 500 1,000 999 100 990 110 99.9 1,070 1.04 27,000 103 1,160 1,021 3,400 102.8 80 995 2,100 76 1,500 79.5 10 75.3 800 76 2,370 78.2 2,600 76 330 76 59,800

500,000 50,250 3,360,206 31,800 500,000 96,810 107,900 106,257 27,610 119,480 3,471,400 8,224 2,077,300 113,410 795 60,240 180,120 203,320 25,080 4,491,310

-

LR WARRANT

2.23

2.29

2.2

WARRANTS 2.25 321,000

720,240

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.13 3.17

5.13 3.19

5 3.14

5.04 3.14

513,200 747,000

2,585,542 2,358,450

-17,353 87,880

FIRST METRO ETF

106

106

104.1

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 105 24,730

2,590,010

-1,056

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

10.1

7,979

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 7.26 1.01 14.2 0.78 36.6 3.17 4.6 5.6 0.425 1 0.96 0.208 0.39 23.75 0.61 0.116 1.42 1.18 1.36 4.3 0.55 0.45 0.47 2.96 29.2 18.22 2.02

295,500 3,718,000 3,700 79,000 12,469,000 4,229,000 84,000 4,000 2,420,000 21,000 35,000 1,700,000 3,590,000 850,500 36,000 640,000 6,905,000 209,000 35,784,000 18,450,000 27,880,000 14,040,000 1,050,000 1,237,000 100 5,263,000 457,000

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,246,994

INDUSTRIAL

85,332,391

HOLDING FIRMS

158,158,314

PROPERTY

160,516,078

SERVICES

189,360,957

MINING & OIL

97,654,732

GRAND TOTAL

707,555,769

10.1

SME

DDS

790

VALUE 1,750.67 (down) 18.89 1,238,907,280.22 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,352.28 (up) 35.35 766,805,289.03 HOLDING FIRMS 6,873.07 (up) 51.37 1,648,826,843.19 PROPERTY 3,406.75 (up) 17.01 SERVICES 1,371.63 (down) 5.65 1,216,329,958.05 MINING & OIL 9,556.57 (down) 190.83 940,254,258.675 PSEI 7,007.21 (up) 20.33 98,499,065.923 All Shares Index 4,309.31 (down) 2.10 5,917,161,784.77 Gainers: 78; Losers: 127; Unchanged: 41; Total: 246

Ferronickel pegs final sale price at P2.07 apiece

By Jenniffer B. Austria GLOBAL Ferronickel Holdings Inc. pegged the final offering price for its planned share sale at P2.07 apiece.

Global Ferronickel is expected to raise P517.5 million from the sale of up to 250 million primary common shares, comprising of up to 4.44 percent of the company’s outstanding shares after the offering.

The company said the final offering price represented an 8.48-percent discount to the 10-day volume weighted average price of the stock from June 8 to June 25.

The mining firm earlier set the offering period from July 9 to 13. The shares will be listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange on July 20.

Global Ferronickel plans to use the net proceeds from the offering to partially pay the outstanding loan of unit Platinum Group Metals Corp. from Taiwan Cooperative Bank and fund working capital for its operations in the Cagdianao Mine in Surigao del Norte.

Abacus Capital and Investments Corp. will act as the underwriter for the fund raising activity.

Global Ferronickel, through PGMC, is the third-largest nickel ore producer in the Philippines by volume of nickel shipped and the biggest in terms of value of shipment.

It is also one of the largest singlemine lateritic exporters in the world and one of the biggest global suppliers of nickel ore, accounting for 12.6 percent of the country’s production.

The company is currently exploring opportunities in mineral processing.

Global Ferronickel in November signed an agreement with Vi Holding LLC, a member of an international investment and industrial group of companies from Russia with interests in mineral exploration and processing, real estate, energy and in innovative solutions, to implement joint business projects in the processing of lateritic ores.

MNHPI asks PPA to raise cranage rate

By Darwin G. Amojelar MANILA North Harbor Port Inc. is seeking an approval from the Philippine Ports Authority to impose higher cranage rate at Manila North Harbor to offset rising costs.

MNHPI, jointly owned by San Miguel Corp. and International Container Terminal Services Inc., filed a petition before the PPA to impose a 28.46-precent increase in cranage tariff from December 2013 up to December 2017.

For a 20-foot equivalent unit and below containers, the proposed cranage rate is P1,654.56 for loaded from P1,288 and P1,391.22 for empty from P1,083.

For above 20-foot, the proposed cranage rate is P2,314.85 for loaded from P1,802 and P1,396 for empty from P1793.30. “[This is] to reflect the depreciation of the peso against the US dollar and the year-on-year upward increase of general price level of goods and services, both having an impact on the continued viability of the port’s quay crane operations,” MNHPI said “With the upward trend in cost of operating quay container cranes such as hiring of skilled crane operators, power costs and spare parts, the yearon-year inflation has likewise contributed to increased cost of cranage operations,” it added.

MNHPI to date has eight units of quay container cranes, servicing the requirements of shipping lines, or over the required six units as of 2018.

The cost of total cargo handing equipment acquisitions as of December 2017 was at P5.3 billion, with P3.7 billion related to cost of equipment complement for cranage operations.

Port development cost to date is at P5.8 billion, with P2.8 billion related to civil infrastructure necessary for crane operations.

The company’s total investment for crane operations was at P6.5 billion.

MNHPI won the 25-year contract to manage, develop and operate the 52-hectare seaport terminal.

Manila

Standard

TODAY

THE LONG GOODBYE IT IS the last week of June. Along the broad avenue that is the main entrance to the main campus of the University of the University of the Philippines, a riot of sunflowers lent color to the University annual commencement exercises. Closer to home, in my own family, the conversations have turned to parenthood, primarily because last month, we welcomed the very first member of the third generation in our family, a grandchild. It seems apropos then to finally write on a topic that’s been simmering in the back of my head for almost a year.

I had occasion to discuss this topic during breakfast with an alumnus of the Asian Institute of Management at the beginning of this year’s commencement season.

He is in the education sector now and was preparing for the graduation of his first batch of students. At the time, I told him that, for me, teaching is like parenting.

They are both, essentially a process of parting – a long goodbye.

I have always thought that two of my most important roles in life have one thing in common. As a parent and as a teacher, my most important goal is to prepare my children and my students for a future when I am not around. I need to make sure that they are ready for a life without me.

Teaching In recent weeks, I have had occasion to think about what I have learned as a teacher and my own personal thoughts on what it means to teach adults.

As a teacher, my aim is to ensure that our students will have, not just knowledge and skills, but the attitude, courage and confidence necessary to succeed with honor, to lose with grace, to rise from disappointment, and to always seek to move forward.

In management classes, I tend to handle either the tough and technical topic of finance or the wider, constantly changing but equally tough topic of strategy.

When the going gets tough, I constantly remind myself of one of the most important pieces of advice I had received in my early years of teaching. “We teach students, not subjects.” The goal of every episode of contact between teacher and student is for the student to learn. Part of this is being realistic about absorption rate and not trying to deliver too many topics in one go. This means focusing on a few key take-aways for every class.

This also often means finding the best way to communicate the topic. I am always reminded that the language of Finance can pose just as much of a language barrier as English does to a non-native English speaker.

The communication challenge is especially important in a classroom of entrepreneurs. A class of entrepreneurs will be extremely heterogeneous – far more so than, for example, a class filled with MBA students or those taking a major in applied finance. In an entrepreneurial classroom, you will find managers, lawyers, doctors, accountants, engineers, scientists, and artists. Sometimes, this means being able to teach a concept multiple times in the different languages and approaches it takes to ensure the student learns.

Journey Every educator truly believes that every class is a journey of discovery. This is especially true in an adult classroom, and is especially true in the participative classroom.

What this means is that the student point of view, his specific situation and goals, needs to be considered in the planning of class. Much like creating space for innovation in a corporation, this means providing flexibility and space in the class plan.

The late Prof. Mel Salazar used to say that our goal is to provide light, not heat. I always think about this when I enter a conversation with students. Our job is to provide light. More than anything else, we want our students to be able to make their own decisions, chart their own paths. In the AIM classroom, we do this by questioning and challenging. We don’t aim just to give answers. We aim to make sure our students can find the answers for themselves.

At the end of the day, we need to remind ourselves that this part of the journey, this time in the classroom is merely a stage in a longer journey, one the student must take without us.

To the question of role modeling as a parent or a teacher, I give the same answers. I don’t aim to make either student or child into my mold. My hope is that they discover their own truths, build their personal centers, and be their best selves.

Succession In the corporate world, much the same thing happens when managers plan for succession. No manager aims to keep a position forever. Part of the job of every manager is to prepare somebody to take over for him.

Much like the transformation of students or the rearing of children, the development of new managers involves more than knowledge or skills, it involves helping them figure out who they are as leaders, their personal values, their own unique take on managing a unit, on leading a team.

It is a lesson I share with many of our manager students. Every journey forward and outward truly begins with the journey inward.

And this, at the last, is the legacy we hope to leave with. When we finally say goodbye, whether it is at graduation or when a child goes off to establish his own household or family. We hope we have given them enough.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Business/World

B3

US defense chief visits China as tensions rise

B

EIJING―US Defense Secretary James Mattis arrived in Beijing on his first ever visit to China on Tuesday, aiming to find room for military cooperation as the security tensions between the two superpowers edge higher.

With Washington and Beijing locked in an escalating trade war, and the Pentagon alarmed over China’s placement of weapons on disputed islands in the South China Sea, Mattis said he would seek areas where the the two sides share interests, including persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear arsenal.

Mattis is scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, for the first time as well as other top officials, to “take measure” of their views.

The last time a US defense secretary visited China was four years ago, and communications between the two militaries need strengthening, Mattis said.

“I think the way to address issues between our two nations is to first establish a transparent strategic dialogue: how do the Chinese see the relationship with us developing, how we see it

developing,” he said.

In a statement ahead of the visit, Chinese defense ministry spokesman Ren Guoqiang said they should “work together to make the bilateral military relationship an important stabilizing factor in the relationship between the two countries.”

But China’s state-run Global Times newspaper, warned in an editorial on Tuesday that “Mattis should listen rather than criticize”.

“If the US fails to understand China’s sense of insecurity, or misinterprets the necessity of the actions that China has taken to alleviate this sense of insecurity, tensions will be inevitable in Sino-US ties,” the nationalist tabloid wrote.

The Pentagon chief, who will also visit South Korea and Japan on a four-day visit to the region, arrives as the trade threats between Washington and Beijing intensified, with tariffs looming next week.

But he made clear that his talks would be limited to military-to-military relations and the North Korea nuclear negotiations.

US defense strategists are broadly concerned

by China’s rapid advances in military technology and its increasing ability to project its offensive military might far into the Pacific and Indian Ocean regions, where the United States has been uncontested since World War II. Mattis said in a speech to Naval War College

‘Stolen babies’ trial begins MADRID—An 85-year-old Spanish doctor will appear in a Madrid court on Tuesday, the first person to go on trial over thousands of suspected cases of babies stolen from their mothers during the Franco era.

In a dark and often overlooked chapter of General Francisco Franco’s 1939-75 dictatorship, the newborns of some left-wing opponents of the regime, or unmarried or poor couples, were removed from their mothers and adopted.

New mothers were frequently told their babies had died suddenly within hours of birth and the hospital had taken care of their burials when in fact they were given or sold to another family.

The practice began after Franco came to power after Spain’s 1936-39 civil war pitting left-wing Republicans against conservative Nationalists loyal to the general who was seeking to purge Spain of Marxist influence.

Beginning in the 1950s, it was expanded to remove new newborns from poor families as well as illegitimate babies.

The guiding principle was that the child would be better off raised by an affluent, conservative and devout Roman Catholic family.

The system-which allegedly involved a vast network of doctors, nurses, nuns and priests―outlived Franco’s death in 1975 and carried on as an illegal baby trafficking network until 1987 when a new law regulating adoption was introduced.

Campaigners estimate tens of thousands of babies may have been stolen from their parents over the decades.

Eduardo Vela, who worked as a gynecologist at the now-defunct San Ramon clinic in Madrid, is accused of having in 1969 taken Ines Madrigal, now aged 49, from her biological mother, and given her to another woman who was falsely certified as her birth mother and who raised her. AFP LEGAL NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Estate of the late NORBERTO C. CASTILLO who died intestate on March 15, 2017, has been settled by his heirs as evidenced by the Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate of Norberto C. Castillo dated September 13, 2017 as per Doc. No. 176; Page No. 37; Book No. 71A; Series of 2017 of Notary Public for Quezon City, Atty.

Benjamin F. Alfonso.

MS-JUNE 20,27 & JULY 4, 2018)

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

NOTICE DATED: 20/06/2018 No. DUBA/Cons/434/MR/18-(92) MR. AVINASH ANDREW HARIDAS S/O MAHINDRA HARIDAS RESIDENT OF J-218,B.P TOWNSHIP,PATULI KOLKATA – 700 094 WEST BENGAL, INDIA. PRESENT ADDRESS PO BOX NO 42016,SHJ UAE AND MS. ANGILYN MADAMBA DINOSO D/O GILBERT ABANES DINOSO RESIDENT OF CRISCOR CROSSING CALAMBA CITY PHILIPPINES PRESENT ADDRESS PO BOX 560 MAKKA PHARMACY BLD6 RASHIDIYA 2 AJMAN UAE. AVINASH ANDREW HARIDAS INDIAN NATIONAL AND ANGILYN MADAMBA DINOSO PHILIPPINES NATIONAL PRESENTLY RESIDING IN UAE HAVE GIVEN NOTICE OF INTENDED MARRIAGE BETWEEN THEM UNDER THE FOREIGN MARRIAGES ACT, 1969. IF ANY ONE HAS ANY OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE HE/SHE SHOULD FILE THE SAME WITH THE UNDERSIGNED ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE LAID DOWN UNDER THE ACT/RULES WITHIN THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THIS NOTICE. (Sumathi Vasudev) Marriage Officer & Consul (Consular &Labour) Consulate General of India P.O BOX:737, DUBAI (UAE) FAX NO.009714-3970453 Email:cons1.dubai@mea.gov.in Homepage:www.cgidubai.org (MS-JUNE 27, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines Department of Education REGION IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2, Karangalan Village, Cainta, Rizal INVITATION TO BID PROCUREMENT OF CY 2018 BASIC EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES FUND PROVISION OF SCHOOL FURNITURE (FOR COOPERATIVE) 1.

Lot I Division Binan City Batangas Imus City 2.

Any person with valid objections on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) ANGELITA F. ARCELLANA Officer-In-Charge Infrastructure and Services Industries Service

NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL STOCKHOLDERS’ NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that the Annual Stockholders' Meeting of EASYCALL COMMUNICATIONS PHILIPPINES, INC. scheduled on 2018 July 19 at 10:00 a.m. at the Infinity Room 1 & 2 F1 Hotel Manila, 32nd Street Bonifacio Global City, Taguig with the following agenda:

IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX X.

Call to Order.

Determination and Certification of a Quorum.

Approval of the previous Minutes of the Annual Stockholders' Meeting and Organizational Meeting held on 13 July 2017.

Report of the President • 2017 Highlights • 2017 Performance Approval of the Audited Financial Statements for the calendar year ended 31 December 2017.

Certification and Ratification of Corporate Acts for the year 2017.

Election of the members of the Board of Directors.

Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation for the creation of preferred shares from the inissued authorized capital stock Appointment of External Auditors.

Other Matters

Only stockholders of record date at the close of business hour of 01 June 2018 the record date and time fixed by the Board of Directors are entitled to notice and to vote at said meeting.

Registration for the stockholders' meeting shall start at 9:30 am. If you cannot personally attend the meeting and would like to be represented by a proxy, you may accomplish and sign the attached proxy form (Annex "A"), which must be received by the Office of the Corporate Secretary at the office of the Corporation The Penthouse, Net Quad Building, 4th Ave. cor. 30th St., E-Square Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig not later than forty-eight (48) hours before the scheduled meeting.

The Corporation or any of its directors or officers is not soliciting any proxy.

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

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

5.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be acquired by interested Bidders on June 21, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of the applicable fee for the Bidding Documents, pursuant to the latest Guidelines issued by the GPPB, in the amount of Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php30,000.00) Only.

Note: For lot procurement, the maximum fee for the Bidding Documents for each lot shall be based on its ABC, in accordance with the Guidelines issued by the GPPB; provided that the total fees for the Bidding Documents of all lots shall not exceed the maximum fee prescribed in the Guidelines for the sum of the ABC of all lots.}.

6.

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

7.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON will hold a Pre-Bid Conference1 on June 26,2018 at 3:00 p.m. to be held at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan, which shall be open to prospective bidders.

8.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before July 9, 2018 at 2::00 p.m.. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on July 9, 2018, 2:00 p.m. at the Bulwagan ng Karangalan Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

9.

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

10. For further information, please refer to: Ann Geralyn T. Pelias DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON Gate 2 Karangalan Drive, Cainta, Rizal 6477487 & 6474914 www.depedcalabarzon.ph (SGD.) FRANCIS CESAR B. BRINGAS BAC Chairperson 3 1

( M S - J U N E 2 7, 2 018)

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

4.

FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTOR (SGD) MELITHA F. GASAPOS Corporate Secretary

Approved Budget 11,897,600.00 32,718,400.00 14,185,600.00

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

Taguig,__________

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@ yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations. tumblr.com.

Elem 2 seater JHS 2 seater table Teachers Table table & chair set & chair set & chair set 1,380 1,012 104 5,083 1,495 286 2,852 124

Cooperatives entering into Joint Venture with private regular suppliers is not allowed.

3.

(MS-JUNE 27, 2018)

MEETING EASYCALL COMMUNICATIONS PHILS,INC.,

I. II. III.

The DepED Region IV-A CALABARZON, through the Fiscal Year CY 2018 GAA RA No. 10964 intends to apply the sum of Fifty Eight Million Eight Hundred One Thousand Six Hundred Pesos (Php58,801,600.00.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to cover payments under the contract for the Procurement of CY 2018 BEFF – Provision of School Furniture. Bids received in excess of the ABC per Lot shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that COMMUNITIES TARLAC, INC, with office address at LGF Bldg.

B, Evia Lifestyle Center, Daang Hari, Almanza Dos, Las Piñas, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Lumina Tarlac - Classic) with a capacity of 356 house and lot units on a non-pioneer status with project site at Brgy. Maliwalo, Tarlac City, Tarlac.

graduates last week that China harbors “longterm designs to rewrite the existing global order”.

He also said recently that Chinese President Xi Jinping reneged on his promise three years ago to then president Barack Obama to never militarise the South China Sea. At a strategic forum in Singapore three weeks ago, Mattis said Beijing’s deployment of high end weapons systems in the South China Sea was for the purposes of “intimidation and coercion”.

The Chinese retorted that Mattis’ comments were “irresponsible”.

US officials are also concerned over Beijing’s stepped-up campaign to pressure Taiwan, a longtime ally of the United States despite the lack of official diplomatic relations.

On the eve of Mattis’ trip, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen told AFP in an interview that the global community needs to work together to “constrain China and also minimize the expansion of their hegemonic influence”.

Mattis was confident the two sides could find some areas to work together on, including North Korea.

A senior Pentagon official said they see China as continuing to enforce sanctions on Pyongyang as negotiations on a denuclearization plan continue. AFP

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

(MS-JUNE 27, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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

B4

wednesday, june 27, 2018

LGUs LoCAL GoverNmeNt uNitS

Estrada honors Manila’s top lawyers, judges, cops M

ANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has honored the city’s outstanding prosecutors, judges, and police officers for their continuous contributions to fight criminality and give equal and fair justice to the people during an awarding ceremony at the Manila Hotel as part of the 447th Araw ng Maynila celebration.

The Manila chief executive also urged the officials to remain honest in protecting the people and giving justice to the oppressed while providing due process to the offender.

Estrada, who is on his fifth year in office, also cited the accomplishments by the city government in providing assistance to thousands of poor families and recovering from more than P5.5 billion in debts he inherited from the past administration.

The Manila Mayor also renewed his pledge to boost the city’s economy by providing a better room for businesses and investors to come and open more job opportunities to thousands of Manileños.

“We are no longer the city that was left behind by its neighbors. Manila’s former glory and vitality have returned,” Estrada said in his speech before prosecutors, judges and police officers.

He said Manila is once again a major player on the national stage, having made great advances in prudent finan-

cial management, responsible governance, and delivery of social services.

The country’s capital city has also become a center of renewed business and tourist activity.

In honoring the prosecutors, judges and police officers, Estrada gave his assurance of full support by providing them new equipment, funds for their conventions, and official travels abroad, which would help them to be more effective in their work.

Estrada expressed confidence that the full cooperation of the prosecutors, judges, and police would pave the way for peaceful and orderly Manila and a safe place to live.

“You have helped me regain the trust and confidence of investors who are again willing to be part of Manila’s rise as business and tourism center,” the Mayor said.

During the awarding ceremony, Estrada also lauded the prosecutors and judges for dispensing justice

UP HIGH.

Traditional fiestas in the Philippines are not complete without the ‘palo sebo’—the challenge of climbing an oiled bamboo pole. Boys from the indigenous Agtas of the remote fishing town of Divilacan, Isabela proved their superior climbing skills during the 49th Foundation Day’s ‘Palaro ng Lahi.’ Abe Almirol

with utmost probity and impartiality, while the police are tireless in keeping the peace in the streets and elsewhere in Manila.

The Outstanding Prosecutors are Hon. Jovencio A. Senados, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor; Hon. Lourdes Antonietta J. Danta, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor; Hon. viven C. Andino, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor; Hon. Erlinda O. Lim, Senior Assistant City Prosecutor; and Hon. Berna B. Cabiles-Torneros, Assistant City Prosecutor.

Estrada named the Outstanding MTC Judges and they are Hon. Andy S. De vera, Executive Judge, Br. 28; Hon. Michelle G. Divina-Delfin, Presiding Judge Brv8; Hon. Maria Zoraida S. Zabat-Tuazon, Presiding Judge, Br23; Hon. Minerva M. AlejandraBautista, Presiding Judge, Br16; and Hon. Fricia C. Gomez-Guillen, Presiding Judge, Br15.

The Outstanding RTC Judges, are Hon. Bernardita J. Santos, Presiding Judge, Br35; Hon. Emily San Gaspar-Gito, Presiding Judge, Br05; Hon. Caroline Rivera-Colasito, Presiding Judge, Br23; Hon. virgilio v.

Macaraig, Presiding Judge, Br37; and Hon. Alfredo D. Ampuan, Presiding Judge, Br40.

First among LGUs: Malabon mayor is a vlogger, trending foodie-influencer (First of two parts) DO YOu know that the city of Malabon has a most unlikely foodie-influencer? No, not the First Lady of Malabon Melissa Oreta, a respected chef who is also the number one champion of the city’s culinary offerings.

The budding influencer, who now has more than 100,000 followers on Facebook, and whose videos have gathered more than a million views, is no less than the mayor himself, Antolin “Lenlen” Oreta III. “I’ve always loved eating. Before I married my wife, I used to eat crispy pata every week in Judy Ann’s. But now Melissa cooks healthy food daily, but I still get to enjoy what Malabon has to offer by visiting unlikely establishments and introducing them to my Facebook followers,” Mayor Oreta said.

For his first video, Mayor Oreta visited a hole-in-the-wall establishment

video with comments and likes.

“I did this to promote places that serve really delicious food! I encourage people to go out of their way to visit the restaurant.”

The best part?

“The restaurants I visited actually report to us saying their sales spiked! People would visit the restos and order the same food I ordered and then they also end up trying out other items. It’s funny, some of them actually thought I own these places, but really, I just like to eat!”

Another surprising outcome? Many of the restaurants operating in the city feel encouraged to have their businesses registered. “Admittedly, some businesses like restaurants operate without Mayor Lenlen tries the top-selling Sinigang na Lechon with his wife Chef Melissa Sisona business permit, but when we started Oreta at Ompong’s Kitchen. doing these surprise videos, many really go out of their way to have their that serves chicken and pancakes called decided to record as well.

Chitis. His staff wondered if the mayor Even without a script, the mayor’s establishment registered, which is a big would be comfortable to introduce the spiel was lively and engaging, and his help to the city.”

(To be continued) restaurant via a live video feed but also constituents were quick to support the

Davao City seeks Odicta brothers arrested in raid for drugs in Iloilo 500 more cops

By Francisco Tuyay

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAvAO CITY—The city will get an additional 500 police personnel who will be deployed to cope with the needs of the growing population and increased tourist arrivals, Mayor Sara Duterte said Tuesday.

The mayor made the statement after meeting Philippine National Police Chief Dir. Gen. Oscar Albayalde last week.

Duterte said she discussed with Albayalde the need for more police personnel as the city grows into an investment hub in the Davao region.

“One of the concerns that I discussed with General Albayalde is the need of the city to expand its police personnel, especially that more people visited the city and that our population is growing as well,” she said.

Last year, the number of Davao City visitors reached two million. The number was pushed by several conventions and activities that the city hosted.

The deployment of additional police forces to the city was part of Mayor Inday’s 10 priority agenda under peace and order.

Albayalde also told reporters that the PNP will recruit 500 more police personnel, who will be deployed solely for Davao.

He also promised that within the year, he will approve the proposal by the city government to expand the Davao City Police Office into a district office. The proposal called for the addition of two more police stations.

THE remnants of the Odicta drug group believed responsible for the proliferation of illegal drugs in Western visayas were arrested by authorities Monday in Iloilo City.

Newly designated Western visayas Police director Chief Supt John Bulalacao said the four suspects included two brothers of Melvin Odicta Sr., who were alleged henchmen of the high-pro-

file drug lord in Iloilo who was killed along with his wife Meriam in 2016.

Bulalacao identified the suspects as Noel Odicta, alias “Kap Nene,” brother of Melvin and current village chief of Brgy.

Tanza Ezperanza; Jerry Odicta, another brother of Melvin; Abrahan Orada alias Abraham Odicta, a retired soldier and security to Melvin Odicta; and Andrew Altas.

Melvin Odicta Sr. and his wife were on board a 2go Ro-Ro ship and were alighting from the Caticlan Port when

shot dead by two other suspects.

Days after Odicta was mentioned by President Rodrigo Duterte in his narco list, he immediately reported to the office of then-Philippine National Police chief Ronald dela Rosa to clear his complicity in illegal drugs.

Bulalacao said the suspects were arrested by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge victor Gelvezon, Acting Executive Judge, 6th Judicial Region Branch 36.

EARTHQUAKE DRILL.

The Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center owned and operated by the Philippine Chinese Charitable Association Inc., successfully participated in the 2nd Quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill in cooperation with the Bureau of Fire ProtectionManila, Manila Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, Red Cross-Manila, Volunteer Fire Brigade Association, and Barangay 372. This was done through the leadership of Dr. James G. Dy, president of CGHMC, and the efforts of Dr. Benito Goyokpin, chairman of the board, PCCAI; Jose Castañeda, vice president; Kelly Sia, executive vice president; Jameson Dy, senior vice president for overall operation and administration; and lawyer Glecy Mendoza, vice president for human resource management.

Lino Santos

In BrIef Sec. Go: No problem with federal parties BIÑAN, Laguna—Special Assistant to the President Secretary Christopher “Bong” Go sees nothing wrong with creating new federal parties under the Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte National Executive Coordinating Committee.

In an interview during the women’s Tatak STK ‘Serbisyo, Tulong , Kalinga’ Laguna Women’s Brigade Summit at the Alonte Sports Arena Monday, Go said a lot of federal parties were already being formed to advance the causes pushed by President Rodrigo Duterte, who wants to change the country’s form of government.

Cavite dads gain Academy degrees SEvENTEEN Cavite legislators, including vice Governor Jolo Revilla and Board Member Kerby Salazar, have finished degree courses as the first batch of Cavite Legislative Academy, the pioneer legislative academy in the country, in rites at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Salazar, Cavite Councilor’s League Federation president who authored the bill that created the academy, and Revilla III finished the Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies through ETEEAP (Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program) together with eight other provincial board members, while seven other obtained their Bachelor of Arts in Operations Management.

Du30 inaugurates Vista Land’s 23rd mall in Iloilo OTON, Iloilo—During his trip to the province of Iloilo this week, President Rodrigo R. Duterte officially inaugurated the newest mall in the region, vista Mall Iloilo.

The mall, located in the massive 500-hectare vista Land Communicity Savannah in Oton, is the 23rd mall of one of the country’s leading integrated developer and largest homebuilder vista Land.

The company has been following a rapid expansion program geared toward increasing its commercial leasing portfolio, with the most recent openings of its malls and retail concept stores in Iloilo and in Naga, Camarines Sur all within the month. vista Mall Iloilo is currently in its first phase of development with a total gross floor area of approximately 28,000 sq. m. “vista Mall Iloilo is a realization of our goal of transforming our existing residential communities into masterplanned developments,” said vista Land Chairman Manuel B. villar, Jr. “This also triggers our mall expansion outside the Greater Manila area. We have residential projects in 47 provinces across 141 cities and municipalities around the country and opening malls in most, if not all, of those areas would be vista Land’s contribution to building our nation,” he added. vista Land is looking at a commercial portfolio totaling 1.4 million sq. m. of GFA by the end of 2018.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

fashion and beauty

@MStandardLIFE

Rain or shine

wEdnESday, junE 27, 2018

C1

Functional and stylish pieces for wet and dry seasons

I

T PAY PAYs to be prepared in fashion. Prepared in a sense that you are ready no matter what life throws at you: a light drizzle or an impromptu beach getaway.

The Pocketable Parka packs down compactly to as small as a water tumbler.

Wear the Reversible Parka in two different ways.

Stay dry Nothing dampens a day quite like soaked clothing. Brave the rain covered up in Uniqlo’s updated lineup of functional outerwear that includes the reversible Parka, the Pocketable Parka, and the Blocktech Parka.

The reversible Parka, as the name suggests, can be worn in two different ways. It features a sporty polyester shell for windy or rainy days and a cottony-soft lining for a more casual style. It is light and compact, and it also resists wrinkling, making it a handy option for an outing or travel.

It’s available for both men and women.

The lightweight Pocketable Parka packs down compactly into an included pouch for easy transport. Durable, water-repellent coating means it is great for carrying with you in case of sudden rain

showers. Made in a series of colors, this parka features a simple style ideal for sports or everyday wear. It also has updated cuffs for a slimmer silhouette.

A high-performance piece, the Blocktech Parka is water-repellent, waterproof, and windproof. It also lets accumulated moisture escape for longlasting comfort. The updated parka now features plastic dot buttons in place of the velcro sleeve tabs to avoid damage on other clothing items. Underarm gussets create a contoured design for improved mobility, while short hook and loop straps on the cuffs provide a fitted feel. Its minimalist style makes this outerwear suitable for everyday casual wear.

Available at Uniqlo outlets nationwide.

Pull&Bear’s summer pieces for men and women feature bright red colors and tropical prints.

Keep it fresh Warm days mean colorful lightweight clothing— think midi dresses, cotton shirts, and printed shorts.

Pull&Bear offers pieces for men and women that are perfect to wear for seaside escapes.

Men’s items come in a summery color palette of navy blue, red, yellow, and light blue. T-shirts feature embroidered details, horizontal stripes, and tropical prints. Bermuda shorts and jeans com-

plete the laid-back looks for outdoor leisure time.

Pieces for women focus on coral red along with brushstrokes of black and white. Midi dresses, twin-sets, oversized T-shirts, and skirts feature tropical-inspired flowers and vertical stripes patterns, and details such as knots and cut-outs.

Available at Pull&Bear stores in Mega Fashion Hall and Ayala Center Cebu.

Global fashion label taps Filipino talents Forever 21, one of the most recognized and largest independent fashion retailers in the world, brings to Manila its #WeAreForever21 global campaign.

The campaign taps unique talents to represent the varied styles that are everpresent in the brand’s collection offerings from season to season.

In the Philippines, Forever 21’s local ambassadors highlight the Filipino youth’s passion for both work and play.

These ambassadors represent the hardworking Filipino millennials who are known for their numerous passions and their ability to do them all so well in style.

The stylish #WeAreForever21 set includes Girl Trends members—model, performer, and actress Maika rivera and former PBB housemate and stylish young mom Kamille Filoteo. Kapuso heartthrob Joaquin Manansala also joins the pack.

Models Patricia Henson (who’s also a photographer) and Yanna Cowper who both go from one stylish #OOTD to another are also part of the glam team. on the sporty side, UAAP student athletes show that their style game is on point, too. These include FeU volleyball player Carly Hernandez, Ateneo volley-

ball player Jhoanna Maraguinot, and Ateneo basketball player Anton Asistio. #WeAreForever21’s list of ambassadors also includes beauty vlogger and makeup artist Helen Payawal.

Forever 21 stores are at SM Megamall, SM Makati, The Block at SM City North Edsa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Aura Premier, SM City Fairview, and Robinson’s Magnolia in the Metro area; SM City Clark, SM Southmall, SM Seaside City Cebu, North Wing of SM City Cebu, SM Lanang Premier, SM City Iloilo, SM City Bacolod, and SM CDO Downtown Premier in the provincial areas.

#WeAreForever21 local brand ambassadors represent the hardworking Filipino millennials who are known for their numerous passions and their ability to do them well in style.

Forever 21 Philippines business unit head Dixie Li and marketing head Joan del Rosario

Life

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wednesday, june 27, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Beauty fair celebrates women

By Raye Sanchez

T

From left: Megan Young, Helen Payawal, Kristine Roces, Martha Jante, KC Concepcion, and Jane Lim take a ‘groupie’ at the Shopee Beauty Fair.

here has always been an imaginary scale that measures the strength and capability of women since time immemorial. And this scale upon which the fairer gender is weighed has hindered many of them to reach their full potential.

Fortunately, unlike previous times, this generation has easier access to platforms that can be used to help women voice out their opinions, harness their skills, and unleash their full potential.

Online shopping platform Shopee Philippines recently hosted an event that paid tribute to the achievements of women.

In partnership with Maybelline and Palmolive, Shopee presented “Beauty Fair,” a celebration of empowered and successful women from different walks of life, because as Shopee Philippines director Jane Lim put it, “Women should be celebrated the way they are.”

Shopee’s Beauty Fair brought together blogger-influencers Martha Jante, Kristine roces, and helen Payawal, actress KC Concepcion, and Miss World 2013 Megan Young to shed light on the daily struggles, misconceptions, and triumphs of Filipinas.

The speakers, via a three-part talk show, shared their experiences about various topics such as body

Miss World 2013 Megan Young talks about her insecurities growing up.

standards, imperfections, and mental health. They also shared tips which intended to inspire women to get out of their comfort zones and feel empowered on being their true selves regardless of judgement.

Photos by Raye Sanchez CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines

341,400.00

BDPP

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

11,754,373·99

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

2.90%

2,515,387.40

7.3679

100.00%

55,659,048.53

4.7352

RATE IMPACT: WITH SCPC & BDPP NORMAL CONDITION

IN THE MAlTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM POWER SALES AGREEMENT BETWEEN SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) AND BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. (BOHECO I)

•

However, the reasonableness of the price of emergency power supplied by BDPP is to be ensured by the ERC through its own review and verification of BDPP’s operating cost and expenses.

16. Applicants submit herewith their respective requirements which are numbered accordingly following the ERC Checklist of Pre-Filing Requirements for Applications for Approval of Power Supply Agreement.

I. GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

Articles of Incorporation

4.

5.

SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) is a corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office at the 7th Floor, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. SIPC is a generation company, and it owns and operates the Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) in Dampas District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

The Interim PSA was executed to address the total blackout in the island of Bohol which started on July 6, 2017 when the High Voltage Direct Current transmission line and the Marshalling Station that transport power from Luzon and Cebu, respectively, were severely damaged by the 6.S magnitude earthquake that hit the island of Leyte on the same day. A brief summary by Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is attached hereto as Annex C. In a letter dated July 8, 2017, BOHECO I requested SIPC for an emergency power supply for its franchise area while generation and transmission facilities from Leyte are unavailable. At that time, BDPP was the only plant capable to deliver power to BOHECO I’s franchise area. A copy of BOHECO I’s letter dated July 7, 2017 is attached as Annex D.

6.

In a letter dated July 8, 2017, SIPC agreed to supply BOHECO I the full 16.oMW capacity of BDPP at the current offered rate of Php2.0205/kWh plus fuel, subject to the approval of the Eriergy Regulatory Commission (ERC), while generation and transmission facilities from Leyte are unavailable. A copy of SIPC’s letter dated July 7, 2017 1S attached as Annex E.

7.

In a letter dated July 8, 2017, BOHECO I requested the ERC for a provisional authority to draw out emergency power from BDPP, pending the preparation and execution of the Interim PSA and the approval thereof by the ERC. A copy of BOHECO I’s letter dated July 7, 2017 is attached as Annex F.

8.

Acting upon the request of BOHECO I and relying upon the assurances of the Department of Energy (DOE), SIPC instructed BDPP to supply the urgently needed power to BOHECO I, pending provisional authority from the ERC.

9.

Thus, at 7:37 P.M. of July 7, 2017, SIPC provided feedback power and at 12:00 A.M. of July 8, 2017, SIPC provided emergency power supply to BOHECO I’s franchise area.

10. In a letter dated July 10, 2017, the ERC advised BOHECO I that “[p]ending the filing and approval [of its application], BOHECO I is authorized to draw power from SIPC’s Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) at the rate of PhP2.0205/kWh plus efficient fuel. cost subject to the Commission’s review upon filing of the application.” In the same letter, the Commission directed the parties to file the interim PSA within thirty (30) days. A copy of ERC’s letter dated July 10, 2017 is attached as Annex G. 11. Under these extraordinary circumstance which effectively isolated Bohol from the grid, BOHECO I was constrained to enter into the Interim PSA without conducting a Competitive Selection Process in the procurement of the emergency power. This was approved by the Commission in its letter dated July 10, 2017, stating among other things:

BOHECO I’s BOD Information Sheet

• Minimum Energy Off-take (MEOT)

BOHECO I General Information Sheet

Description

N

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued on October 5, 2004 Amended By-Laws

N-1

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation issued on February 11, 2008 Amended Articles of Incorporation

N-2

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued on February 11, 2008 Amended-By-Laws

N-3

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation issued on September 15, 2011

N/A

Shareholders’ Agreement Note: This requirement is not applicable. SIPC has no Shareholders’ Agreement.

O

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration of the said Articles of Incorporation

P

General Information Sheet for the Year 2017

Q

Certification dated August 22, 2017 showing information on SIPC’s ultimate parent company, its subsidiaries, and all its affiliates

R

Board of Investment (BOI) Certificate of Registration with attached terms and conditions Note: This requirement is not applicable. SIPC is not BOI-registered.

S

Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Note: Documents submitted herewith are as follows: (i) DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 7’s letter with subject “Transfer of Ownership” of BDPP to SIPC; (ii) DENR-EMB Region 7’s letter dated December 14, 2007 with subject “Approval of ECC” for BDPP; (iii) ECC dated October 31, 2007 for BDPP.

T

Certificate of Compliance dated June 13, 2016 for SPC Island Power Corporation (Bohol Diesel Power Plant) with Terms and Conditions (Annex A)

U

Asset Purchase Agreement between PSALM and SPC Power Corp.

N/A

Renewable Energy Service/ Operating Contract from the DOE Note: This requirement is not applicable.

N/A

Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality by an RE Developer and after due confirmation by the DOE Note: This requirement is not applicable.

V

Alternative Demand Side Management (DSM)

18. Contract Quantity. Throughout the Term of the Interim PSA, SIPC shall deliver to BOHECO I its Final Hourly Contract Quantity (HCQ) and BOHECO I shall purchase the same subject to the terms of the IPSA. 19. Electrical Characteristics; Delivery Point; Transmission Connection; Transmission Services.

SIPC shall deliver or cause the delivery of the Final HCQ which shall meet the characteristics of electricity set out in Annex D of the Interim PSA. SIPC shall deliver or cause the delivery of the Final HCQ at the high voltage side of the main transformer of its substation. Each party shall be responsible for the connection of its facilities to the Grid in accordance with the Grid Code and the Distribution Code. Each party shall maintain its own Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in accordance with the Open Access Transmission Service Rules.

20. Rate Computation. The cost of energy delivered by SIPC to BOHECO I is computed at Php2.0205/kWh as the Basic Rate (or Base Price) plus Fuel Fee that is the actual cost of fuel used during the Billing Period to deliver energy (see Schedule A and Schedule B for the breakdown).

Certification by NPC re: Transition Supply Contract (TSC)

X

Details re: load forecast projections, etc.

AUGUST AMOUNT

• •

Annex

AA

11.32%

5,808,055·75

CEDC

5,247,230.0.0

44.64%

27,608,877·39

5.2616

BSMHP

1,262,724.00

10.74%

5,382,992.41

4.2630

JMHP

1,166,600.00

9.92%

3,767,616.35

3.2296

23.37%

12,750,621.38

4.6422

11,754,373.99

100.00%

53,750,621.38

4.7062

Blended Rate with SCPC & BDPP Billing Period: June 26-July 25,2017

Energy Fee (in P/kWh) = [(MQ) x (Basic Rate + FF)] + VAT Where • • • •

REOUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION 22. Pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, applicants request for confidential treatment of the information contained in and documents submitted herewith as Annexes Q, U, W, Z, BB series, Schedule B and B-1, Schedule C, and Schedule D . These documents contain valuable proprietary interests and information relating to the business and operations of SIPC and they are not available to the public. Hence, they must be perpetually protected and not disclosed to any third party. These schedules are submitted pursuant to Section l(b) of Rule 4

Details re: transmission projects, etc.

Note: Transmission Service Agreement between NGCP and BOHECO I

4,534,000.00

38.57%

23,856,139.35

5.2616

1,262,724.00

10.74%

5,382,99.41

4.2630

JMHP

1,166,600.00

9.92%

3,767,616.35

3.2296

ULGEI

2,746,679.99

23.37%

12,750,621.38

4.6422

3.16%

1,578,235.89

4.2445

(1)

ISSUE AN ORDER according confidential treatment to the information and documents described in paragraph 22 above;

(2)

APPROVE this application and the Interim PSA retroactive to the time when BDPP provided feedback power at 7:37 P.M. of July 7, 2017 and when BDPP provided emergency power supply at 12:00 A.M. of July 8, 2017; and

(3)

GRANT other equitable relief.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 11 July 2018 (Wednesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at BOHECO I Main Office in Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

See paragraph 14, et seq.

1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

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

• Computation of Return on Investment/WACC

See Annex BB series.

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

•

Certification from the Bank/ Lending Institution specifying the principal amortization, term and interest during the cooperation period of the loan agreement.

Not applicable

• Life of Asset versus Term of Loan (Computation of levelized cost)

Not applicable

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

• Bank Certification of Longterm Loans, including, to wit: 1. Schedule of Original Loan (Principal amount, interest payable, term of the loan)

Not applicable

2. Updated Balances (Principal amount, interest payable, penalties (if any), remaining term of the loan

Not applicable

c. Generation Rate and Derivation

The IPSA covers only the period that power supply from Leyte was not yet restored to its normal capacity and not yet available to the DU.

Financial model containing the derivation of rates (excel file required)

4.3632

CEDC

RELIEF APPLICANTS pray that the Honorable Commission -

See Annex BB series.

•

BSMHP

MQ is the Metered Quantity in kWh FF is the Fuel Fee in P /kWh as determined in Annex “E” of the Interim PSA Basic Rate (or Base Price) is set at P2.0205/kWh subject to ERC approval VAT is 12%

Description

AUGUST

5,808,055·75

A Sample Fuel Fee Computation is presented in Annex “E” showing specific FOCR of both Bunker-C and Diesel fuels, based on actual plant performance on January 26 to February 25,2017.

a. Executive Summary

Actual Billing 11.32%

FOCR (in li/kWhr) is the average fuel consumption rate needed to generate one (1) kWhr of energy during every Billing Period based on the actual total fuel consumption of BDPP used to deliver the total metered quantity (MQ) as measured in the WESM. FC (in Php/li) is the price at which SIPC acquired the fuel equivalent to the weighted average price of fuels (Bunker-C and Diesel) consumed for the month.

b. Sources of Funds/ Financial Plans • Debt/Equity Ratio • Project Cost

4.3632

2,746,679.99

= Fuel Oil Consumption Rate (FOCR) x Fuel Cost (FC) = (FOCR) x (FC)

21. Computation of Payment. The Total Energy Fee is computed as follows:

Interim Power Sales Agreement dated July 7, 2017

V.GENERATION/ POWER RATE

RATE/kwh

1,331,140.00

The Fuel Fee refers to the average monthly cost of fuel used to generate one (1) kWhr of energy exported by BDPP considering the actual amount of bunker-C and diesel fuels consumed, computed at the weighted average price of the respective fuels during the Billing Period. The Fuel Fee is computed as follows:

(c)

IV. POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

Blended Rate under Normal Condition: WESM

(b)

Description

21. Details of the PSA/ECA

Billing Period: June 26-July 25,2017

The Basic Rate (or Base Price) represents the fixed and variable costs incurred by SIPC in delivering energy to BOHECO I including the capital recovery and profit margin subject to ERC’s validation for rate approval.

Where -

Details on the procurement process used by the DU See par. 11 above and Annexes B, C, D, E, and F

RATE IMPACT 15. The rate impact is 0.0290 P/kWh as shown below: 1

(a)

Fuel Fee (FF) (FF)

Description

W

Z

Not applicable

17. Term. The Term of the Interim PSA is effective from July 7, 2017 (the Effective Date) until the power supply from Leyte is restored to its normal capacity and it becomes available to BOHECO I.

Certificate of Incorporation issued on June 26, 2001 Articles of Incorporation By-Laws

Y

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INTERIM PSA

M

Annex

14. On November 28, 2017, BOHECO I received a letter from the Commission dated November 17, 2017 extending the authority to draw power from the BDPP “which shall be effective for six (6) months under at the rate of Php2.0205/kWh plus efficient fuel cost or until the Commission approves a rate for the IPSA to be filed, whichever comes earlier.” In the same letter, the Commission advised the applicants to file the application for the approval of the generation cost for the supply of electricity under the IPSA, within six (6) months from its receipt. A copy of ERC’s letter is attached hereto as Annex I.

371,830 .00

Not applicable

L

13. During the pre-filing conferences, the Technical Working Group (TWG) for PSA applications directed the applicants to clarify with the Commission if, indeed, the Competitive Selection Process (CSP) requirement finds no application in this emergency situation. On October 18, 2017, SIPC filed a letter dated October 12, 2017 to the Commission in deference to the TWG’s directive. A copy of the letter is attached hereto as Annex H.

SCPC

Equivalent PhP/kWh with assumptions for foreign denominated rates

K

III. PROCUREMENT PROCESS

1,331,140.00

•

• Breakdown of Operating and Maintenance expenses

Annex

12. The supply of BDPP to BLCI and BOHECO I also enabled the hydro-plants in Bohol to operate, to wit: Janopol Hydro Electric Plant (JHEP) at 5MW capacity, Sevilla Hydro Electric Plant (SHEP) at 2.5MW capacity and Loboc Hydro Electric Power Plant (LHEPP) at 1.2MW capacity, thereby energizing the 69kV line of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

WESM

Not applicable

II. SUPPLY AND DEMAND SCENARIO

However, the Commission believes that this should not have been a matter of policy but of conscience. When circumstances warrant the performance of an act that requires the exercise of judgment that should be beyond legal and regulatory protocols, in order to ensure the delivery of basic human services so as not to prejudice the safety and security of a community and its inhabitants, waiting for approval from a government agency should not have been the primordial concern of the parties. The meritorious justifications are compelling reasons enough to act for the good of the public. xxx

ULGEI

Basis/ rationale/ derivation of Other Charges such as replacement, start-up, pre-commercial, and ancillary costs

Certificate of Franchise

Annex

SIPC and BOHECO I jointly seek for the approval of their Interim Power Sales Agreement dated July 7, 2017 (Interim PSA). The respective board approvals of SIPC and of BOHECO I authorizing the filing of this application are attached to this application as Annex A and Annex B. The authorities of their counsels are attached as Annex A-I and Annex B-1, respectively.

%

•

J-1

FOR SIPC

BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BOHECO I) is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative organized and existing pursuant to Republic Act No. 6038, as amended by Presidential Decree No. 269, with principal office at BOHECO I Building, Brgy. Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol. Its franchise area covers twenty-six (26) municipalities in the Province of Bohol, namely, Albuquerque, Antequera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bilar, Calape, Carmen, Catigbian, Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Dimiao, Inabanga, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sagbayan, San Isidro, Sevilla, Sikatuna, and Tubigon. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

KWH

Not applicable

d. Cash Flow specifying the following: • Initial Costs

Amended By-Laws

In their Application, SIPC and BOHECO I alleged the following:

3.

Basis/ rationale of indexation including the sources, reference date and weight of indexation

Description Certificate of Incorporation issued on July 21, 2000

J

Notice is hereby given that on 09 May 2018, SPC Island Power Corporation (SIPC) and Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) filed an Application for the approval of their Interim Power Sales Agreement (IPSA), with prayer for confidential treatment of information.

2.

•

FOR BOHECO I: Annex

There is only one rate for the DUs (BOHECO I and BLCI) since only the BDPP is capable of delivering emergency power to their franchise areas.

The intensity scale 6.5 earthquake that hit Leyte on July 6, 2017 had caused power system disturbance that prevented the power supply of the DU from Luzon and Cebu.

0 .0290

PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS

ERC CASE NO. 2018-042 RC

SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) AND BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. (BOHECO I), Applicants. x - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

1.

Rate impact simulation on the overall rates of the DU once the contract is approved including an explanation on assumptions and input parameters used in the derivation thereof

1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 11th day of June 2018 in Pasig City.

The rates were derived based on the actual cost and expenses incurred by SIPC (particularly BDPP) in delivering the emergency power to the DU in July 2017.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C •

Breakdown of the base prices; Capital Recovery Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, and Fuel Fee

See Schedule A

•

Breakdown of Project Cost and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Cost including the description of and justification/ support for each component

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

•

Sample Computation of Power Rates with the supporting documents on the assumptions taken

Please refer to Annex “E” and Annex “F” of the Interim PSA (Annex A and Annex A-I)

1

Assumptions: 1. Actual total quantity of energy purchased during the period.

2. Actual quantity of energy drawn from SCPC and BDPP IS assumed to have been drawn from CEDC under normal condition since it is BOHECO 1’s base load supplier.

(MS-JUNE 19 & 27, 2018)

Entertainment Simply...

From C4

MOR 101.9 is still the FM radio of choice for most listeners in Mega Manila, and together with 16 other MOR stations nationwide, is set to become a bigger and stronger FM radio station for kaMORkadas in different parts of the country with MOR Philippines.

According to a recent survey by Kantar Media in Q1 of 2018, MOR 101.9 Manila got the highest average audience share of 33 percnet among all FM stations in Mega Manila. This is 12 percentage points higher than its closest competitor’s 21 percent.

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Among the nominees for Song of the Year this year are “Titibo Tibo” by Moira Dela Torre, “Demonyo” by JK Labajo, “Sampu” by Jona, and “Shanawa” by Maymay Entrata.

Maymay, Moira, Alexa Ilacad, and Yeng Constantino compete in the Female Artist of the Year category, while JK, Inigo Pascual, Christian Bautista, and Noven Belleza battle it out in the Male

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, starring Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard , stomped the competition in its debut weekend at the North American box office.

‘Jurassic‘ tops

N. America box office

J

URASSIC World: Fallen Kingdom debuted at $148 million to dislodge Incredibles 2 from the top spot at the North American box office, sales data showed Monday.

The dinosaur sequel—executive-produced by Steven Spielberg, who directed the original two movies—fell short of the then-record $208 million opening by the last Jurassic film in 2015, according to industry tracker Exhibitor Relations.

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The movie stars Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard as they try to rescue genetically recreated dinosaurs from a volcano-threatened island and move them to— why not?— a sprawling California mansion. AFP Manila

Standard

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

TODAY

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE INTERIM POWER SALES AGREEMENT BETWEEN SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) AND BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (BLCI)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Artist of the Year category. *** For Album of the Year, the nominees It’s the Metro Manila Film Festival are Rivermaya’s “Sa Kabila ng Lahat,” season again. It’s the second semester Gloc 9’s “Rotonda,” Jona’s self-titled of the year, and movie companies are album, and JK Labajo’s “JKL.” certainly getting their acts together for this Gracenote and Chito Miranda, Jona year’s MMFF. and Boyband PH, and Elisse Joson and The biggest, most popular and the Mccoy De Leon are all vying for the Best widely supported and anticipated Metro Collaboration of the Year award.

Manila Film Festival is underway as the The popular McLisse loveteam is also MMFF Secretariat accepted 24 scripts nominated in the OPM Revival of the Year from 23 producers on its fixed May 31 category for their song “Opposites Attract,” deadline. up against Moira Dela Torre’s “Sundo,” Personally, I don’t subscribe to JK Labajo’s “Beautiful Girl,” and Kaye choosing entries to a festival based on Cal’s “Why Can’t It Be.” unproduced screenplays. Though some BoybandPH, meanwhile, makes may be written brilliantly, the finished their second appearance on the film is still dependent on the direction, nominees list with their song acting, and other elements that translate “Boyfriend,” which is up for LSS Hit the written word to images on screen. of the Year. The group is competing But on second thought, the MMFF is with TJ Monterde’s “Tulad Mo,” not a real film festival. It is only called Noven Belleza’s “Tumahan Ka Na,” as such because no other films in other and Kim Chiu’s “Okay Na Ako.” languages apart from Filipino (Tagalog) “Cebuana” by Karencitta, “Waray and other Philippine dialects are shown in Love Bisaya” by Polzkee and Ai, “Yayay” commercial screens for the last 10 days of

by Piyaok Band, and “Dvoena” by Pao the year.

Lofranco are nominated for Regional Several of the script titles submitted are Song of the Yeay, while Kisses Delavin, from co-productions and collaborations of Maris Racal, Tony Labrusca, and various groups.

Noven Belleza are competing for Best From the 24 scripts, the members of New Artist. the Selection Committee will choose Last but not the least, MOR also honors four based on the following criteriadigital artists with the Digital Artist of the Artistic Excellence–40 percent, Year Award. Among the nominees are Commercial Appeal–40 percent, Agsunta, Karencita, Ex Batallion, and Filipino Cultural Sensibility –10 Ben&Ben. percent and Global Appeal–10 percent.

The MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2018 The chosen scripts will be announced is set to happen on July 21 at the Araneta on June 29 and they will form part of Coliseum. the Official 8 entries to the MMFF. The Watch out on MOR’s Facebook for next four will be selected from among the more details on how to get tickets to the finished films whose deadline will be on #MORPMA2018.

Sept. 21.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

FOR SIPC Annex

ERC CASE NO. 2018-039 RC

SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) AND BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (BLCI), Applicants. x - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Certificate of Incorporation issued on June 26, 2001 Articles of Incorporation By-Laws

O

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued on October 5, 2004 Amended By-Laws

O-1

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation issued on February 11, 2008 Amended Articles of Incorporation

O-2

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued on February 11, 2008 Amended-By-Laws

4.

5.

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

•

Sample Computation of Power Rates with the supporting documents on the assumptions taken

Please refer to Annex “E” and Annex “F” of the Interim PSA

•

Rate impact simulation on the overall rates of the DU once the contract is approved including an explanation on assumptions and input parameters used in the derivation thereof

There is only one rate for the DUs (BLCI and BOHECO I) since only the BDPP is capable of delivering emergency power to their franchise areas.

R

Certification dated August 22, 2017 showing information on SIPC’s ultimate parent company, its subsidiaries, and all its affiliates

S

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY SIPC and BLCI jointly seek for the approval of their Interim Power Sales Agreement dated July 7, 2017 (Interim PSA). SIPC and BLCI executed the Interim PSA in counterparts, the duplicate originals of which are included as annexes. The respective board approvals of SIPC and of BLCI authorizing the filing of this application are attached to this application as Annex A and Annex B. The authorities of their counsels are attached as Annex A-1 and Annex B-1, respectively.

Board of Investment (BOI) Certificate of Registration with attached terms and conditions Note: This requirement is not applicable. SIPC is not BOI-registered.

T

The Interim PSA was executed to address the total blackout in the island of Bohol which started on July 6, 2017 when the High Voltage Direct Current transmission line and the Marshalling Station that transport power from Luzon and Cebu, respectively, were severely damaged by the 6.5 magnitude earthquake that hit the island of Leyte on the same day. A brief summary by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is attached hereto as Annex C.

Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Note: Documents submitted herewith are as follows: (i) DENR-Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) Region 7’s letter with subject “Transfer of Ownership” of BDPP to SIPC; (ii) DENR-EMB Region 7’s letter dated December 14, 2007 with subject “Approval of ECC” for BDPP; (iii) ECC dated October 31, 2007 for BDPP.

•

Not applicable

Certificate of Compliance dated June 13, 2016 for SPC Island Power Corporation (Bohol Diesel Power Plant) with Terms and Conditions (Annex A)

Basis/rationale of indexation including the sources, reference date and weight of indexation

U

•

Asset Purchase Agreement between PSALM and SPC Power Corp.

Basis/ rationale/ derivation of Other Charges such as replacement, start-up, pre-commercial, and ancillary costs

Not applicable

V N/A

Renewable Energy Service/ Operating Contract from the DOE Note: This requirement is not applicable.

•

Equivalent PhP/kWh with assumptions for foreign denominated rates

Not applicable

N/A

Certificate of Registration or Certificate of Confirmation of Commerciality by an RE Developer and after due confirmation by the DOE Note: This requirement is not applicable.

d. Cash Flow specifying the following: •

Initial Costs

W

Alternative Demand Side Management (DSM)

•

Breakdown of Operating and Maintenance expenses

•

Minimum Energy Off-take (MEOT)

BOHOL LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (BLCI) is a corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office at BLCI Building, R. Enerio St., Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. BLCI is a privately-owned distribution utility (DU) with franchise area covering Tagbilaran City. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

In a letter dated July 7, 2017, BLCI requested SIPC for an emergency power supply for Tagbilaran City while generation and transmission facilities from Leyte are unavailable. At that time, BDPP was the only plant capable to deliver power to BLCI’s franchise area. A copy of BLCI’s letter dated July 7, 2017 is attached as Annex D.

Annex

Description

X

Certification by NPC re: Transition Supply Contract (TSC) Note: Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy dated May 26, 2014

Y

Details re: load forecast projections, etc.

III. PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Annex Z

Under these extraordinary circumstances which effectively isolated Bohol from the grid, BLCI was constrained to enter into the Interim PSA without conducting a Competitive Selection Process (CSP) in the procurement of the emergency power. This was approved by the Commission in its letter dated July 10, 2017, stating among other things:

The supply of BDPP to BLCI and BOHECO I also enabled the hydro-plants in Bohol to operate, to wit: Janopol Hydro Electric Plant (JHEP) at 5MW capacity, Sevilla Hydro Electric Plant (SHEP) at 2.5MW capacity, and Loboc Hydro Electric Power Plant (LHEPP) at 1.2MW capacity, thereby energizing the 69kV line of National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP).

15.

During the pre-filing conferences, the ERC Technical Working Group (TWG) for PSA applications directed the applicants to clarify with the Commission if, indeed, the CSP requirement finds no application in this emergency situation. On October 18, 2017, SIPC filed a letter dated October 12, 2017 to the Commission in deference to the TWG’s directive. A copy of the letter is attached hereto as Annex H.

16.

In a letter dated November 16, 2017, BLCI stated its justifications in support of its letter dated July 7, 2017 requesting for provisional authority to draw out power from SIPC-BDPP while the Interim PSA was being finalized. A copy of the said letter is hereto attached as Annex I.

17.

On November 28, 2017, BLCI received a letter from the Commission dated November 17, 2017 extending the authority to draw power from the BDPP “which shall be effective for six (6) months at the rate of Php2.0205/kWh plus efficient fuel cost or until the Commission approves a rate for the IPSA to be filed, whichever comes earlier.” In the same letter, the Commission advised the applicants to file the application for the approval of the generation cost for the supply of electricity under the IPSA, within six (6) months from its receipt. A copy of ERC’s letter is attached hereto as Annex J.

21.

Contract Quantity. Throughout the Term of the Interim PSA, SIPC shall deliver to BLCI its Final Hourly Contract Quantity (HCQ) and BLCI shall purchase the same subject to the terms of the IPSA.

22.

Electrical Characteristics; Delivery Point; Transmission Connection; Transmission Services. SIPC shall deliver or cause the delivery of the Final HCQ which shall meet the characteristics of electricity set out in Annex D of the Interim PSA. SIPC shall deliver or cause the delivery of the Final HCQ at the high voltage side of the main transformer of its substation. Each party shall be responsible for the connection of its facilities to the Grid in accordance with the Grid Code and the Distribution Code. Each party shall maintain its own Transmission Service Agreement (TSA) with the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines in accordance with the Open Access Transmission Service Rules.

23.

Rate Computation. The cost of energy delivered by SIPC to BLCI is computed at Php2.0205/kWh as the Basic Rate (or Base Price) plus Fuel Fee that is the actual cost of fuel used during the Billing Period to deliver energy (see Schedule A and Schedule B for the breakdown).

Description

Annex

Description

AA

Interim Power Sales Agreement dated July 7, 2017

BB

Details re: transmission projects, etc.

Note: Transmission Service Agreement with NGCP IV.GENERATION/ POWER RATE

21. Details of the PSA/ECA

NORMAL OPERATION (%)

Rate (P/kWh)

Cost PH (MIL)

KSPC

2,186.67

25%

5.57

12,176.23

ULGEI

4,600.86

53%

6.25

28,766.85

WESM

1,972.82

23%

3.80

TOTAL

8,760.34

100%

RATE (P/kWh)

7,496.62

See paragraph 14, et seq.

b. Sources of Funds/ Financial Plans • Debt/Equity Ratio • Project Cost

See Annex CC series.

• Computation of Return on Investment/WACC

See Annex CC series.

•

Certification from the Bank/Lending Institution specifying the principal amortization, term and interest during the cooperation period of the loan agreement.

Not applicable

• Life of Asset versus Term of Loan (Computation of levelized cost)

Not applicable

• •

c. Generation Rate and Derivation

The IPSA covers only the period that power supply from Leyte was not yet restored to its normal capacity and not yet available to the DU.

Supplier

derivation of rates

48,439.69 5.53

WITH BDPP (FOR THE MONTH OF JULY) MQ (MWh)

(%)

Rate (P/kWh)

Cost PH (MIL)

KSPC

1,575 .00

18%

5.57

8,770.23

ULGEI

3,720.70

42%

6.25

23,263.71

BDPP

1,655.46

19%

7.37

12,197.20

WESM

1,809.18

21%

3.76

6,797.99

TOTAL

8,760.34

100%

24.

RATE (P/kWh)

Breakdown of the base prices; Capital Recovery Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, and Fuel Fee

REOUEST FOR CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

FOR BLCI Annex K

Certificate of Incorporation issued on July 21, 2000 Articles of Incorporation By-Laws

K-1

Certificate of Filing of Amended By-Laws issued on October 18, 2004 Amended By-Laws

L

M

General Information Sheet (GIS) for the Year 2017 Note: This document shows, among other things, the following information: (i) BLCI’s incumbent directors and officers, (ii) BLCI’s parent company and affiliate, and (iii) BLCI’s stockholders.

Audited Financial Statements for the Years Ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 Note: This is not a required document, but it gives corporate information on BLCI, such as its corporate history and parent company, among other things.

APPROVE this application and the Interim PSA retroactive to 6:21 P.M. of July 7,2017; and

(3)

GRANT other equitable relief.

•

Rate impact simulation on the overall rates of the DU once the contract is approved including an explanation on assumptions and input parameters used in the derivation thereof

There is only one rate for the DUs (BOHECO I and BLCI) since only the BDPP is capable of delivering emergency power to their franchise areas.

The intensity scale 6.5 earthquake that hit Leyte on July 6, 2017 had caused power system disturbance that prevented the power supply of the DU from Luzon and Cebu.

However, the reasonableness of the price of emergency power supplied by BDPP is to be ensured by the ERC through its own review and verification of BDPP’s operating cost and expenses.

Basis/ rationale of indexation including the sources, reference date and weight of indexation

Not applicable

• Basis/ rationale/ derivation of Other Charges such as replacement, start-up, pre-commercial, and ancillary costs

Not applicable

•

Not applicable

Equivalent PhP/kWh with assumptions for foreign denominated rates

d. Cash Flow specifying the following: • Initial Costs

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 12 July 2018 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at BLCI Main Office in R. Enerio St., Poblacion 3, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

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

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

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

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEV ANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 11th day of June 2018 in Pasig City.

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

• Breakdown of Operating and Maintenance expenses • Minimum Energy Off-take (MEOT)

APPLICANTS pray that the Honorable Commission -

(2)

Please refer to Annex “E” and Annex “F” of the Interim PSA (Annex A and Annex A-I)

Description

RELIEF

See Schedule A

Sample Computation of Power Rates with the supporting documents on the assumptions taken

•

Pursuant to Rule 4 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, applicants request for confidential treatment of the information contained in and documents submitted herewith as Annex R, V, X, AA, BB, CC series, Schedule B, B-1, Schedule C, and Schedule D. These documents contain valuable proprietary interests and information relating to the business and operations of SIPC and they are not available to the public. Hence, they must be perpetually protected and not disclosed to any third party.

These schedules are submitted pursuant to Section l(b) of Rule 4.

ISSUE AN ORDER according confidential treatment to the information and documents described in paragraph 25 above;

•

PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS

MQ is the Metered Quantity in kWh FF is the Fuel Fee in P /kWh as determined in Annex “E” of the Interim PSA Basic Rate (or Base Price) is set at P2.0205/kWh subject to ERC approval VAT is 12%

(1)

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

Applicants submit herewith their respective requirements which are numbered accordingly following the ERC Checklist of Pre-Filing Requirements for Applications for Approval of Power Supply Agreement.

I. GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENTS

Computation of Payment. The Total Energy Fee is computed as follows:

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

Breakdown of Project Cost and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Cost including the description of and justification/ support for each component

5.83

A Sample Fuel Fee Computation is presented in Annex “E” showing specific FOCR of both Bunker-C and Diesel fuels, based on actual plant performance on January 26 to February 25,2017.

Where -

The rates were derived based on the actual cost and expenses incurred by SIPC (particularly BDPP) in delivering the emergency power to the DU in July 2017.

•

51,029.12

= Fuel Oil Consumption Rate (FOCR) x Fuel Cost (FC) = (FOCR) x (FC)

FOCR (in li/kWhr) is the average fuel consumption rate needed to generate one (1) kWhr of energy during every Billing Period based on the actual total fuel consumption of BDPP used to deliver the total metered quantity (MQ) as measured in the WESM. FC (in Php/li) is the price at which SIPC acquired the fuel equivalent to the weighted average price of fuels (Bunker-C and Diesel) consumed for the month.

Not applicable Not applicable

•

The Fuel Fee refers to the average monthly cost of fuel used to generate one (1) kWhr of energy exported by BDPP considering the actual amount of bunker-C and diesel fuels consumed, computed at the weighted average price of the respective fuels during the Billing Period. The Fuel Fee is computed as follows:

(c)

• • • •

2. Updated Balances (Principal amount, interest payable, penalties (if any), remaining term of the loan

Financial model containing the (excel file required)

(b)

Energy Fee (in P/kWh) = [(MQ) x (Basic Rate + FF)] + VAT

• Bank Certification of Long-term Loans, including, to wit:

•

The Basic Rate (or Base Price) represents the fixed and variable costs incurred by SIPC in delivering energy to BLCI including the capital recovery and profit margin subject to ERC’s validation for rate approval.

Where -

a. Executive Summary

1. Schedule of Original Loan (Principal amount, interest payable, term of the loan)

MQ (MWh)

(a)

Fuel Fee (FF) (FF)

25.

Supplier

Not applicable

Term. The Term of the Interim PSA is effective from July 7, 2017 (the Effective Date) until the power supply from Leyte is fully restored to its normal capacity and it becomes available to BLCI.

Details on the procurement process used by the DU See par. 12 above and Annexes D, E, F, G, H, and I

RATE IMPACT The rate impact is 0.30 P/kWh as shown below:

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

20.

IV. POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

However, the Commission believes that this should not have been a matter of policy but of conscience. When circumstances warrant the performance of an act that requires the exercise of judgment that should be beyond legal and regulatory protocols, in order to ensure the delivery of basic human services so as not to prejudice the safety and security of a community and its inhabitants, waiting for approval from a government agency should not have been the primordial concern of the parties. The meritorious justifications are compelling reasons enough to act for the good of the public. xxx BDPP’s supply to BLCI started at interval 19 on July 7, 2017 until interval 16 on August 4, 2017 when the transmission line from Leyte to Bohol was restored and the power supply was normalized. BDPP supplied approximately 1,784,459.70 kWh during the period.

However, the reasonableness of the price of emergency power supplied by BDPP is to be ensured by the ERC through its own review and verification of BDPP’s operating cost and expenses.

SALIENT FEATURES OF THE INTERIM PSA

Acting upon the request of BLCI and relying upon the assurances of the Department of Energy (DOE), SIPC instructed BDPP to supply the urgently needed power to BLCI, pending provisional authority from the ERC.

In a letter dated July 10, 2017, the ERC advised BLCI that “[p]ending the filing and approval [of its application], BLCI is authorized to draw power from SIPC’s Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) at the rate of PhP2.0205/kWh plus efficient fuel cost subject to the Commission’s review upon filing of the application.” A copy of ERC’s letter dated July 10, 2017 is attached as Annex G.

The intensity scale 6.5 earthquake that hit Leyte on July 6, 2017 had caused power system disturbance that prevented the power supply of the DU from Luzon and Cebu.

II. SUPPLY AND DEMAND SCENARIO

In a letter dated July 7, 2017, BLCI requested the ERC for a provisional authority to draw out emergency power from BDPP, pending the preparation and execution of the Interim PSA and the approval thereof by the ERC. A copy of BLCI’s letter dated July 7, 2017 is attached as Annex F.

Thus, at 6:21 P.M. of July 7, 2017, BDPP’s units were energized and synchronized, and they started delivering power to BLCI’s franchise area.

19.

Breakdown of Project Cost and Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Cost including the description of and justification/ support for each component

General Information Sheet for the Year 2017

11.

18.

•

Q

10.

14.

See Schedule A

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Certificate of Registration of the said Articles of Incorporation

In a letter dated July 7, 2017, SIPC agreed to supply BLCI the full 16.0MW capacity of BDPP at the current offered rate of Php2.0205/kWh plus fuel, subject to the approval of the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC), while generation and transmission facilities from Leyte are unavailable. A copy of SIPC’s letter dated July 7, 2017 is attached as Annex E.

13.

Breakdown of the base prices; Capital Recovery Fee, Fixed and Variable O&M, and Fuel Fee

P

SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION (SIPC) is a corporation duly organized and existing under Philippine laws with principal office at the 7th Floor, Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. SIPC is a generation company, and it owns and operates the Bohol Diesel Power Plant (BDPP) in Dampas District, Tagbilaran City, Bohol. It may be served with processes and papers through the undersigned counsel.

7.

12.

•

Shareholders’ Agreement Note: This requirement is not applicable. SIPC has no Shareholders’ Agreement.

BLCI’s request for emergency power supply from SIPC was endorsed by the Provincial Government of Bohol and the City Government of Tagbilaran.

9.

The rates were derived based on the actual cost and expenses incurred by SIPC (particularly BDPP) in delivering the emergency power to the DU in July 2017.

N/A

6.

8.

Financial model containing the derivation of rates (excel file required)

See Schedule B, B-1 and Schedule C

PARTIES

3.

•

Certificate of Filing of Amended Articles of Incorporation issued on September 15, 2011

In their Application, SIPC and BLCI alleged the following:

2.

The IPSA covers only the period that power supply from Leyte was not yet restored to its normal capacity and not yet available to the DU.

O-3

Notice is hereby given that on 04 May 2018, SPC Island Power Corporation (SIPC) and Bohol Light Company, Inc, (BLCI) filed an Application for the approval of their Interim Power Sales Agreement (IPSA), with prayer for confidential treatment of information.

1.

d. Generation Rate and Derivation

Description

N

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

C3

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal Not applicable

1. Schedule of Original Loan (Principal amount, interest payable, term of the loan)

Not applicable

2 . Updated Balances (Principal amount, interest payable, penalties (if any), remaining term of the loan

Not applicable (MS-JUNE 19 & 27, 2018)

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2018

Viva’s suspense thriller in cinemas CRY No F e a r sounds like a motto or ISAH V. RED a battle cry.

A c t u a l l y, it is a suspense-thriller showing in cinemas from VIVA Films.

And who are the lead stars of this film by one-time “indie film” director Richard Somes? No, they’re not big movie stars, neither big TV stars. They are Viva’s wards that the entertainment company is pushing to full stardom. And they are Ella Cruz and Donnalyn Bartolome. Do their names ring a bell?

Cruz and Bartolome take the lead roles of antagonistic half-sisters, Wendy and Kaycee.

Their father (Lito Pimentel) is well aware that the two cannot stand each other, but he has to leave them at home together for three days in the company of their nanny Dory (Sheree).

In the middle of a raging storm, unwanted guests begging for food and medicine amplify the tension at home.

The sisters drive the strangers away, but their safety, now compromised, find themselves in the hands of ruthless intruders (Lander Vera Perez, Christopher Roxas, Patricia Javier) who will not think twice about killing them. For once in their lives, Wendy and Kaycee must unite to escape.

Somes got his directorial break in one of the segments of Shake, Rattle & Roll.

Cry No Fear shows the usually perky Ella and Donnalyn in a different light.

Though fans have already seen them terrified in the 2017 horror movie Darkroom, this time, they see them in nasty roles, which is a far cry from Ella’s previous roles, just like in the movie Fangirl, Fanboy, and Donnalyn’s roles in various movies and TV series.

One thing that these talented artists share is their passion for singing and dancing.

Ella is known for her trending dance videos on YouTube, earning her the title “Millennial Dance Princess.”

Donnalyn, who started out as an Internet sensation known for writing her own songs, is aptly called “Social Media Sweetheart”.

Continued on C3

By Nickie Wang

W

HO would have thought that the simple commercial jingle featuring septuagenarian Susan Roces could still penetrate the millennial content makersdominated platform like YouTube?

The simple yet catchy song to the commercial of RiteMed has definitely captured the Philippine audience after it reached 1-million views this week.

Additionally, it has also reached people from other countries and spawned parodies and awesome covers.

“My grandchild, who’s 1 year and two months, would literally stop anything he’s doing whenever he hears your commercial on TV,” a showbiz reporter told Roces when the latter renewed her contract with the pharmaceutical company.

Delighted by what she heard, the 76-year-old actress replied that it’s been her dream to be a singer and thanked RiteMed commercial for making her realize that dream. As everyone in the room burst into laughter, Roces continued with a little story about a small kid who came up to her while taping for FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

“The kid called on my attention.

He shouted ‘Lola Flora! Lola Flora!’

Akala ko kung anong sasabihin niya.

Hinatak niya ako para madinig ko siya. Then he started singing ‘Kung kailangan ng gamot, ‘wag mahihiyang magtanong,” she shared singing the intro of the popular jingle and referring to her character in the primetime show.

This prodded another reporter to ask how she feels that after long years, she now has a hit song. The Queen of Philippine movies replied, “Yan din nga ang pumasok sa isip ko.

Hindi pa huli ang lahat. Kung kailan pa ako naging senior citizen, at tsaka ako biniyayaan ng isang magandang pagkakataon para umawit ng live.

Hindi po recorded ‘yun. Habang tinetake, ‘yun ay live.”

Referring to the viral ad, an executive from RiteMed said that the TVC was actually an advocacy campaign.

Susan Roces in the viral TVC that hits 1 million views on YouTube.

VIRAL JINGLE featuring Susan Roces hits 1M views

“When the brand was relaunched in 2011, the dominant theme in the pharmaceutical industry was “bawal magkasakit,” the executive said adding that they wanted to change that mindset.

On her part, Roces said that her being with the pharmaceutical company as its celebrity endorser is also an advocacy, too. It’s a mission inspired by her father, Jesus Sonor, who was a doctor.

“I have witnessed many events during the course of my father’s career as a doctor,” Roces relayed.

However, all his father’s patients were in dire need of money, too. That’s why his father had to accept fruit, chicken or whatever the patients had as payment for the medical service.

“When I was offered to do this commercial, it touched my heart.

My father has long been gone when this commercial has been offered to me. So I said to myself, ‘Is that you Dad?’ You send this people for me to continue my mission to help the needy, to keep healthy, to get well, to get out of their medical needs?” she said.

PINAY TEACHER

wins international beauty title in China

By Eton Concepcion

Ella Cruz (right) and Donnalyn Bartolome, stars of the the suspense thriller, 'Cry No Fear.'

She also told a story about her father being assigned to work in the mines in the mountain province where she witnessed for herself an emergency operation her father had to do because of a gunshot wound, which one of the guards in the mines inflicted upon himself accidentally.

“I first experienced the agony not only of the patient but of the family.

In the succeeding events, my father operated a small clinic. He didn’t have much money to have a big clinic, he could not afford the rent,” she narrated.

KAREN Grace Atienza added another world title to the Philippines after she bested more than 40 candidates from all over the world during the finals of the inaugural Miss Landscape International 2018 held Saturday night in Guangzhou, China. Atienza won a crown valued at $ 2.5 million by the Chuangying Group and a $10, 000 cash prize.

Miss Peru Samantha Batallanos was named 1st runner-up, while Miss Ecuador Cassia Pouleth Hurtado Vásconez and Miss Thailand Sanitpim Sirichatpaphaku finished as 2nd and 3rd runners-up, respectively.

Atienza, a high school teacher who hails from Rodriguez, Rizal, took the title of Miss Jewel of the Philippines Sapphire Queen and Miss Tourism World Philippines during the 2017 Miss Jewel of the Philippines pageant founded by John de la Vega. She previously competed at the 2016 Miss Tourism Philippines where she finished as 2nd runner-up.

“Mabuhay, Pilipinas!” greeted Atienza after her victory taking to Instagram to thank her mentors, friends and supporters and dedicating her win to her countrymen. She expressed her gratitude to De La

Vega, Philippine franchise holder of the Miss Landscape International pageant, Benji Leguiab IV for her gown and Andrei David, Antonio Antonio and Maria Sugar Paguio for her dresses in the competition.

Atienza has the distinction of breaking the long 9-year-losing streak of Filipinas who competed in China-hosted pageants. She is the second Miss Jewel of the Philippines title holder to win abroad after Jeslyn Santos’ win at the 2016 Miss United Continents in Ecuador. She also followed up on Sophia Senoron’s crowning in India as the first Miss Multinational 2018.

The Miss Landscape International pageant, presented by Charm Press Intercontinental Marketing Co. Ltd., headed by Adam Lee, aims to promote harmony between mankind and nature and to celebrate the beautiful landscapes around the world. It also promotes eco-friendly tourism as

INTERNATIONAL

5 Seconds of Summer ends Jay-Z, Beyonce No. 1 debut streak AUSTRALIAN pop band 5 Seconds of Summer stunned Beyonce and Jay-Z by opening Sunday at the top of the US album chart, with the couple’s surprise collaboration ending the superstars’ streak of number one debuts.

5 Seconds of Summer had stepped up promotion of their album Youngblood after Jay-Z and Beyonce dropped Everything Is Love, with the Australians telling fans they were in a close race for number one and encouraging listeners over social media to stream their songs continuously to drive up their totals.

Youngblood wound up selling 142,000 copies or the equivalent in downloads and streams in the week through Thursday, edging out Everything Is Love which clocked up 123,000 copies, tracking service Nielsen Music said.

5 Seconds of Summer, who emerged in 2011 as YouTube sensations when the then students in Sydney uploaded covers of popular songs, becomes the first Australian act to top the Billboard 200, the benchmark US chart, with three different albums.

Jay-Z and Beyonce, two of the biggest names in US pop culture, put out Everything Is Love with no

warning on June 16 after a concert in London.

A musical celebration of their marriage, Everything Is Love initially came out only on Tidal, the fledgling streaming service led by Jay-Z, but went out widely including on rival Spotify on June 18 -- the fourth day of the counting period

Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer debuts at No. 1 on US Album chart with its third full-length studio album, 'Youngblood.'

for the latest weekly chart.

Everything Is Love becomes the first solo studio album by Beyonce not to debut at number one. All of JayZ’s studio albums have also opened at number one since 1998’s Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life with the exception of a poorly reviewed 2002 collaborative album with R&B singer R. Kelly.

Beyonce and Jay-Z both opened at number one with their last solo albums, Lemonade and 4:44 respectively, despite refusing to stream them on Spotify.

Number three on the latest US album chart is “?” by the controversial rapper XXXTentacion, with interest spiking after he was shot dead on June 18 at age 20. “?,” which sold 94,000 copies in the week, had opened at number one in March.

XXXTentacion’s success took the music world by surprise with his songs full of references to suicide and the rapper awaiting trial on charges of beating his pregnant former girlfriend.

Miss Landscapes International 2018 winner Karen Grace Atienza