Manila Standard - 2018 June 30 - Saturday

WORLD CUP 2018: THE LAST 16 Uruguay vs Portugal

Spain vs Russia

France vs Argentina

Croatia vs Denmark

Brazil vs Mexico

Sweden vs Switzerland

Colombia vs England

Belgium vs Japan

Digong allows ‘jueteng’to fight illegal drugs ops VOL. XXXII • NO. 135 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

By Vito Barcelo and Macon Ramos-Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he would leave illegal numbers games or jueteng alone for the time being because a crackdown could create a vacuum for the drug trade to thrive.

Speaking before the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines in Bohol, Duterte said he would let jueteng operations continue until those employed by them could find alternative work.

“If I stop it, I must be prepared to give another livelihood scheme to the people.

Because if that was stopped, and nothing [is there] to replace [it], drugs will Next page come in,” he said.

5 dead in newsroom shooting ANNAPOLIS—A man armed with a shotgun and smoke grenades burst into a newspaper office in the US city of Annapolis on Thursday, killing five employees in what police described as a “targeted attack.”

Officials said the shooting at the Capital Gazette was carried out by a white

Next page

SAINT-PÉTERSBOURG, Russia—After 15 days of triumphs, tears and controversy, the World Cup’s group stage drew to a close on Thursday.

Here, AFP Sport ranks the 16 teams to have made it through based on their performances in Russia so far.

1. Croatia Three wins out of three, including a thumping of Argentina, sends Croatia through top of arguably the toughest group in the draw. Fears the corruption scandal would affect the players have not materialised while Nikola Kalinic’s hint of rebellion was swiftly dealt with. Luka Modric has been arguably the player of the tournament so far.

2. Belgium Wins over Panama and Tunisia were backed up by a victory over England and even if the latter match was played between two second-string line-ups, Belgium have hardly put a foot wrong. Romelu Lukaku and Eden Hazard are both firing and, after being rested against England, fresh. This team can go far.

3. Uruguay Also through with maximum points, Uruguay’s advance through a kind Group A has gone rather unnoticed. Led by the imperious Diego Godin, they are yet to concede a goal in Russia and at the other end, Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani are up and running. They have three goals between them.

4. Brazil Neymar’s histrionics have proven tedious but the striker is getting sharper with every game. As he has regained fitness, Philippe Coutinho and Paulinho have filled the void while the depth of attacking options came up trumps against Next page

PDEA defies uproar vs drug test for kids

By Rio N. Araja, Macon Ramos-Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Friday insisted on its proposal to impose mandatory and random drug tests on students from Grade 4 and up, a move the Department of Education said would be an administrative nightmare and a violation of children’s rights.

However, Malacañang stood pat on its previous pronouncement that drug tests on students 10 years and older are illegal, and continued to support Education Secretary Leonor Briones’ assertion made Friday that the tests could violate their human rights and hurt them psychologically.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque referred media to his statement

Tuesday that the Dangerous Drugs Act limits drug testing to high school students and excludes those in grade school.

Also, based on US jurisprudence, random drug testing is constitutional only if it involves high school students, which in the Philippines are at least 13 years old, Roque said.

Despite that, PDEA Director General

Aaron Aquino said testing would determine the extent of drug use among students, who might succumb to peer pressure to use narcotics.

He said he would seek a dialogue with the DepEd, which has been vocal in its opposition to the drug testing, and other groups, including parents and students.

But in a television interview, Briones said PDEA’s proposal would entail huge costs of P2.8 billion for the government, since there are 14 million students from Grade 4 to Grade 12.

In the interview on ANC, Briones continued attacking the PDEA suggestion.

“We don’t have to test everyone because it’s going to be an administrative nightmare, that’s not important, but the human rights implication is very serious,

the confidentiality implication is very serious, if you subject millions of children to this kind of test because we want to protect the identities of the children,” she added.

The tests might have “unpleasant” effects on students, citing her own experience when she underwent a drug test.

“It might have an effect on a child if all children are tested. I have undergone it myself and it’s not the most pleasant thing because you have to be accompanied, you have to have a container, make sure that there is no switching, and we have had instances, even with the adults, with shy bladder who cannot produce urine because you are conscious that there is somebody and so on,” Briones said.

Next page

Joma backtracks, says peace talks not yet canceled

By Vito Barcelo, Francisco Tuyay and Maricel V. Cruz

Shooting suspect Jarrod Ramos

PH improves ranking in US trafficking report

COMMUNIST Party of the Philippines founder Jose Maria Sison on Friday insisted that no decision has yet been reached to terminate peace negotiations with the government.

In a statement, Sison said only the National Democratic Front of the Philippines—the CPP’s political arm of which he is the chief consultant—can suspend, cancel or terminate the peace talks.

He said at present, the NDFP “has not yet made such a decision.”

“I can only make the pertinent advice to the council in my capacity as chief political consultant,” Sison said.

Next page

THE Philippines has retained its Tier 1 ranking in the State Department’s 2018 Trafficking in Persons or TIP report after meeting “fully” the US minimum standards against trafficking.

From 2011 to 2015, Manila was in Tier 2 of the TIP report, meaning the government was making significant efforts to comply with America’s TIP protection act, but

Next page

Carpio out of race for chief justice, per his wishes

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he would not appoint acting Chief Justice Antonio Carpio as the next Chief Justice to respect Carpio’s decision not to accept the nomination as top magistrate and would depend on the recommendation of the country’s legal bodies.

“He is not interested and he will not accept,” the President said, quoting the most senior magistrate.

Next page

SMALL BALLS. Some children, who may face mandatory and random drug test despite opposition from the Department of Education, if the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency had its way, play Thursday in a pool filled with small balls at an unidentified mall in Manila—with officials underlining the need for such drug test to determine the extent of drug users among students. AFP

‘Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in PH’ WHAT could be considered as President Rodrigo Duterte’s first biography as the country’s chief executive has been written by a foreign journalist whom he cursed back in 2016.

Jonathan Miller, news correspondent

for the Bangkok-based Asia of Channel 4 News, has released the 352-page book, “Duterte Harry: Fire and Fury in the Philippines” published by the Australian firm Scribe Publications in Melbourne. Next page

Jonathan Miller, the British correspondent whom President Rodrigo Duterte has cursed before, has written what could be considered the first biography of the strongman. Facebook/Jonathan Miller

News

A2

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

CBCP: Duterte admin 'too insecure' A

UXILIARY Bishop of Manila Broderick Pabillo on Friday denied that the Church was involved in a supposed destabilization plot against President Rodrigo Duterte and said such accusations were damaging.

He made the statement even as the head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines on Friday urged Catholics to “love and protect your faith”―days after Duterte questioned the story of creation and called God “stupid.”

CBCP president and Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles did not name names but said that the recent “remarks about our faith to God and the teachings of the Bible” brought “confusion, sadness and anger” among the faithful.

“My brothers/sisters, love and protect your faith. This is what makes us closer to the Church,” Valles said in a statement.

“Don’t forget that you have experienced how wonderful, valuable, powerful our faith is―our relationship with God, Virgin Mary and the Church.”

Pastor Boy Saycon, a member of the panel that Duterte tasked to talk with Church officials, earlier said Duterte believed some leaders of the Catholic Church were involved in a plot to oust him.

Both Malacañang and the Philippine National Police have since belied this.

Pabillo said the administration seemed too insecure.

“Parang ang tingin ko, ang administrasyon ay napaka-insecure na madaling magbintang ng iba. At yung ang

problema, nag bibintang, pagkatapos, wala naman palang katotohanan pagkatapos sinasabi na sila ay joke joke lang, pagkatapos ide-deny yung ibinibintang, yun ang hindi maganda,” Pabillo said.

“Kaya dapat may pananagutan sila kung ano ang sinasabi nila, yung katotohanan nila, hindi yung magbibitaw ng salita, pagkatapos babawiin nila.

Kasi hindi naman totoo yan, paninira na yan.”

Pabillo said other people’s feelings should be taken into consideration when exercising freedom of speech, saying the President could not just say whatever he wanted.

VP Leni: Sereno is welcome addition to LP senatorial slate

PDEA...

From A1

random drug test of students in public and private secondary, tertiary schools.

“The students, when they are aware of the possibility of undergoing drug testing anytime, may cause them to stop or refuse offers from peers to use illegal drugs.

PDEA is leaning toward compulsory drug testing because random drug testing may trigger even more stigma to those chosen, hence setting them apart from the rest,” Aquino said.

He added that random testing might not give a clear picture of the problem.

Aquino said the financial cost of testing the children was “a necessary burden.”

“What is of paramount importance is the health and welfare of the people, especially the youth, above all other considerations,” Aquino said.

“While it is never PDEA’s intention to threaten the students’ safety and their right to education, we have the moral duty to save them from the evils of drug use, most especially now with the emergence of new psychoactive and party drugs targeting the youth,” he said.

Teachers must also be subjected to drug test because they serve as role models and mentors for their students, he said.

“We have to involve teachers because they play a vital role in developing positive ways to deal and resist drug abuse among students,” he said.

According to PDEA, from July 1, 2016 to June 15, 2018, 21 elementary and high school teachers were arrested for drug-related offenses nationwide resulting in the confiscation of 1,208.67 grams of shabu worth P8,300,651.70.

A common modus operandi of drug syndicates nowadays is to employ young recruits and give them the means to enroll in schools and universities not to study, but to entice and peddle illegal drugs to students.

PDEA has observed the use of minors in illegal drug activities over the years, Aquino said.

Since 2011 to June 15, 2018, there are already 2,111 minors rescued for violating the anti-drug law, 1,155 of which were rescued at the onset of the drug war.

Aquino said drug syndicates have taken advantage of Republic Act 9344, or Section 6 of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 exempting minors or children 15 and below from criminal liability.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III said the PDEA should focus on going after drug syndicates and big-time dealers instead of insisting on mandatory drug tests for Grade 4 students.

“Attack the supply of drugs,” Pimentel said.

Senator JV Ejercito added that at Grade 4, students are still too young to be involved in drugs.

Digong...

dicting” for police officials who may get offers from jueteng operators.

He said President Duterte, who was earlier quoted as saying he might allow jueteng operations for now, may have meant he wanted to prioritize illegal drugs over illegal gambling, if there is compelling reason.

He said there can be no legal justification not to arrest an offender who is committing a crime in the presence of a law enforcer, be it a drug offender or an illegal gambler.

Lacson also stressed police personnel are mandated to enforce the law, and can only follow legal orders.

Because of this, he said police personnel “should be ready for the consequences if they follow illegal orders from anybody, not from their superiors, not from their commander-in-chief.”

Following illegal orders from their superiors, including their commander-in-chief, “is not a valid legal defense in court,” Lacson added.

Lacson recalled that on the eve of his assumption of command of the PNP, he received offers from operators of P1.2 million a month, in exchange for allowing jueteng to operate. Lacson firmly declined the offer.

“Human experience would tell us how petty corruption morphs into something big, then bigger and bigger, until a person mostly clothed with official authority doesn’t know anymore how and when to stop.”

“Worse, from monthly takes courtesy of gambling operators, he shifts to a much bigger protection money from smugglers, drug lords, and the like. And before anybody realizes it, the whole country is faced with serious national security and economic problems,” he added.

He told Balitanghali he was shocked and saddened when he heard that they were being linked to the alleged efforts to oust Duterte.

“We were surprised and saddened because the Church is doing no such thing and it is something that the Church does not do,” Pabillo said.

VICE President Leni Robredo on Friday said ousted Supreme Court chief justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is a welcome addition to the senatorial lineup of the Liberal Party for next year’s elections.

“If she is interested [to run for the Senate], why not? I think she is a very good addition to the ticket,” the vice president said.

While Senator Francis Pangilinan is the opposition party’s president, Robredo is the LP’s chairperson.

“I just hope that she is that interested... especially in the [issue of] judicial reform.

She started judicial reform at the Supreme Court. That is one of the much-needed reforms of our country,” Robredo said.

Earlier, the vice president said the removal of Sereno from the high court had “trampled the Constitution.”

Pangilinan has said he is open to including Sereno in the party’s senatorial lineup.

The former magistrate was appointed to the Supreme Court by former President Benigno Simeon Aquino III, an LP stalwart.

Sereno told the ABS-CBN News Channel on Thursday she was “open to running for public office. It’s an option.” It was a complete turnaround from her previous statements that she had no plan to enter politics. Rio N. Araja

Carpio...

From A1 Carpio earlier publicly announced he would decline any nomination for the next chief justice and would be consistent with his position that he did not want to benefit from the ouster of former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who was removed through a quo warranto proceeding.

‘My position was that the quo warranto was not the right thing. That a sitting justice can only be impeached by the Senate, removed by the Senate,” Carpio had said.

In his speech during the 25th annual National Convention of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines, Duterte said he could not convince Carpio to be the next top magistrate since he insisted he was not interested.

“His name is there. But the guy has already said that he is not interested and he does not want the position,” the President said.

Duterte admitted he could not force himself to appoint a person who did not want the position, and afraid to be called “gago” – the Tagalog term for silly.

“So ano bang magawa ko? Pag ibigay ko tapos sabihin niya, “Sinabi ko na sayong ayaw ko. G*** man pala itong Duterte na ‘to,” Duterte said.

Sereno was ousted through a quo warranto petition filed by Solicitor General Jose Calida.

The Supreme Court en banc junked the plea of Sereno to reverse the high court’s ruling that nullified her appointment as the country’s top magistrate.

The high court said its decision was final.

There is a 90-day period for filling up the vacancy in the office of the Chief Justice.

“I have to consult not only the Justices themselves but also the law profession—so it’s by IBP and Philippine Constitutional Association and others. And I will consult here, Atty. Dela Cerna. ‘my professor in Criminal Law,” the President said in an interview in Panglao, Bohol—without men-

5...

From A1

adult male resident of Maryland state who was being questioned in custody.

A reporter for the daily, which has roots dating back to the 18th century, tweeted a chilling account of how the “gunman shot through the glass door to the office and opened fire on multiple employees.”

“There is nothing more terrifying than hearing multiple people get shot while you’re under your desk and then hear the gunman reload,” crime reporter Phil Davis said.

There were five fatalities and two superficial injuries, the acting police chief of Anne Arundel county, Bill Krampf, told journalists in Maryland’s capital.

He identified the dead as four journalists―Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen, John McNamara and Wendi Winters―and sales assistant Rebecca Smith.

“This was a targeted attack on the Capital Gazette,” Krampf said. AFP

“Supposing you are taking other medicines, it might turn out also in the test, that’s not very psychologically inspiring for 10-year-old children to undergo this kind of process.”

“Schools are haven for peace and usually, we do not allow uniformed personnel to visit our schools... We try to protect our children. We want to give them happy experiences in learning and not traumatic things, trying to find out what they are up to,” she added.

Aquino countered by saying: “Since the start of the government’s war on drugs, PDEA has rescued four kids aged 10 and 11 years old who became users and sellers of illegal drugs. The recorded youngest pusher arrested is aged 6 years old. This goes to show that drug offenders are increasingly getting younger.”

“Studies revealed that curiosity, boredom and peer-pressure are among the predominant influences in the initial drug use in children and in the early teenage years. After satisfying their curiosity, they may decide to stop using them, or end up abusing illegal drugs,” he added.

Aquino batted for the amendment of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 6 of 2003 setting forth the guidelines for the

From A1 Jueteng, the President said, was an economic activity that helps circulate money in the provinces.

If he orders police to crack down on them now, no other economic activity would take its place.

“If I don’t have a replacement for jueteng what will I do? They will turn to illegal drugs,” he said.

“There’s a time for everything, a time to gamble, a time to be a drug lord and a time to stop shitting around,” the President said.

The President would consult with his Cabinet on alternative livelihood possibilities.

He also said no administration has ever stopped jueteng.

“I am not saying that I’m not going to take any action. I will. But I am aware of the danger of what will develop after you stop jueteng,” he added.

Duterte said he would let Congress decide if jueteng or illegal numbers game should be legalized.

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Friday said authorities, including the Philippine National Police, are duty-bound to enforce the law against illegal gambling such as jueteng.

He said there’s an existing law declaring jueteng, among other forms of gambling, as illegal.

“It is not exempt from being pursued by law enforcement authorities. It also breeds corruption among law enforcement agencies,” said Lacson, who was the PNP chief from 1999 to 2001.

Besides, he warned, even pausing antijueteng operations could be “risky and ad-

Joma...

From A1

'Duterte...

From A1

gross domestic product growth has been sustained.

In an article by Entrepreneur.ph, showing how the Philippine economy and markets have been affected during the two-year period of Duterte’s presidency, it has shown that the GDP of the country has been sustained in the previous quarters.

The unemployment rate has also been noticeably down compared to the period before Duterte took office. From 6.1 percent on the Quarter 2 of 2016, it dropped to 5.3 percent in the Quarter 1 one of 2018.

In an interview, Miller also referred to the President as “the embodiment of populism,” which was defined by BBC News as a type of leader that loathes “complicated democratic systems” of the modern government.

The book also discusses how Duterte has “subverted and attacked the core democratic institutions” of the Philippines and what made him as a leader.

Miller added in the interview his inspiration in writing the book was his personal encounter with the President back in November 2016.

The CPP on Friday said it acknowledged Sison’s advice that the NDFP “can no longer negotiate with the GRP [Government of the Republic of the Philippines] under [President Rodrigo] Duterte.”

It was awaiting the convening of the NDF National Council for its decision on the fate of peace talks.

“Indeed, it has been starkly clear that peace talks with the GRP under Duterte was going nowhere,” the party added.

“Duterte has proven himself a stubborn anti-peace President and warmonger.”

However, the President on Thursday night belittled the threat of communist leader Sison to join other forces seeking to topple the government.

“What forces? Who is willing to join him?” Duterte said during the 25th annual convention of the Vice Mayors League of the Philippines in Panglao, Bohol.

Duterte was reacting to a statement by Sison that the rebels no longer expected to sign a peace agreement during the President’s term, and would wait instead for the next administration while working to remove Duterte.

“If they are not willing to talk to me, that’s fine. I have no problem. So we continue with the war. Anyway, we have been there for 50 years. What does it matter if we add another 30 years?” Duterte said.

The President also contrasted the communists with Muslim rebels.

“For… the Moro people, it is territorial. It’s not ideology,” Duterte said. “And they’re just asking for a fair share of what used to be their ancestral land.”

The President insisted he was just a government employee whose main task is just to seek, to find the peace for the country.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, meanwhile, said Sison was merely using the peace talks to propel himself into the limelight, and as a cover for his principal objective— armed struggle to topple the government.

“Mr. Sison, you know that the peace talks [are] the only thing that is keeping you in the limelight,” Lorenzana said.

“Without it you are irrelevant. You also know that the President can terminate the talks, and this is why you are desperately using reverse psychology and intimidation to save it,” Lorenzana added.

With Sison out of the picture, Lorenzana vowed to pursue the ongoing localized peace talks.

“Mr. Sison, in response to your childish tantrums we will vigorously pursue the ongoing localized peace talks. I am sure that once you are out of the picture, true peace will have chance to become a reality and you will be consigned to the dustbin of history,” Lorenzana said.

“This Sison never ceases to amaze me,” he added. “He begs for peace talks and a ceasefire, and now he turns around to say that they will no longer negotiate with this government and threatens to destabilize the government,” he added.

World...

From A1

Mexico. What Sweden have lost in Zlatan Ibrahimovic, they appear to have gained in discipline and spirit.

7. Spain They certainly would have taken this position when Julen Lopetegui was sacked two days before the start of the tournament but Spain have been a mixed bag. In spells they were excellent against Portugal but defensive errors and the worrying form of David de Gea are both big asterisks. There is room for improvement.

8. Portugal On the one hand, Ronaldo has four goals already and as Portugal proved two years ago, he can take a team a long way, particularly with a sound defence behind him. But when Ronaldo missed a penalty against Iran, they drew 1-1. If their star

man has an off-day, what else have Portugal got?

9. Colombia Had Carlos Sanchez not been sent off in the third minute of their opening defeat to Japan, Colombia might be among those considered dark horses in the knockout stage. James Rodriguez was superb against Poland but then forced off injured against Senegal. His absence would be a huge blow.

10. Mexico A convincing defeat to Sweden has tempered expectations slightly but Mexico showed enough in their opening two games to suggest they can be a real threat. They beat Germany 1-0 but should have scored four or five while Hirving Lozano on the left has been one of the players of the tournament so far. AFP

The release coincides with the date two years ago when Duterte, a hitherto local politician swept to national prominence, took his oath at the country’s 16th president.

The book was written by Miller, who had been correspondent for Channel 4 News for 12, to offer a closer look at President Duterte’s background and real deal behind his strongman tendencies.

Before taking over in the Bangkok Bureau in late 2015 of Channel 4 News, Miller had been Foreign Affairs Correspondent for the news organization for 12 years, reporting on news across the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.

In that time, he won four Royal Television Society Awards and four Amnesty International TV News awards for the program.

In a related development: •Contrary to what President Duterte said that the Philippine economy was in the “doldrum”, data shows the Philippines

Costa Rica. Marcelo’s back injury is a concern.

5. England A young squad arrived with low expectations but a late win over Tunisia was followed by a storming 6-1 victory over Panama. Defeat to Belgium can be put down to a heavily rotated side and with Harry Kane leading the race for the Golden Boot, England are growing in confidence.

6. Sweden Few would have expected Sweden to progress at all let alone finish top of Group F. Only Toni Kroos’ 95th-minute winner spoiled an unbeaten record and Sweden responded with an emphatic win over

Gordon, Sotto see need to arm village officials to fight crime

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Richard Gordon said Friday he sees the need to arm village officials in the areas with high crime rates or threatened with rebellion or insurrection to help them protect themselves and their community.

He said there was no need to arm every one of the close to 42,000 barangay chairmen and 293,636 kagawad in the country―only those in the areas cited where the situation demanded it.

“Many barangay officials have already been killed. Give firearms to help them protect themselves and their community, but not every barangay official needs to be armed,” Gordon said.

Senate President Vicente Sotto III also said he agreed with the plan to arm village officials provided that those who would be given firearms were qualified and had passed a psychiatric test and other requirements.

“I’m a practical shooter, therefore I will obviously agree,” Sotto said.

“But they should be qualified, must pass psychiatric tests and other requirements.”

Police Chief Oscar Albayalde said the Philippine National Police was ready to take over primary law enforcement and peace-and-order initiatives from local governments if the local executives were found underperforming in their areas.

He made the comment after President Rodrigo Duterte warned mayors he would empower the police to take over if they failed performance audits by the Interior department.

Albayalde said the PNP was capable of performing the mission but would need support like mobile cars and fuel.

Duterte has expressed plans for barangay officials who want to actively take part in the fight against crime and illegal drugs to have either shotguns or .22-cal. handguns.

But Gordon, who heads the Committee on Justice and Human Rights, pointed to the need for proper vetting by the government and proper training for barangay officials to be given arms.

“The government should not give arms to those in the drug list or those who have criminal records,” Gordon said.

The government, Gordon said, should be able to strictly monitor the distribution and disposition of guns.

When asked if the government should provide the firearms, Gordon said the government could buy the guns and charge it to the funds of the barangay.

PH...

From A1

did not fully meet America’s standards on the victims’ protection.

The country was upgraded to Tier 1 ranking, the highest of tier placements, in 2016 and has since retained the status for three consecutive years.

“The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period; therefore the Philippines remained on Tier 1,” the report says.

“The government demonstrated serious and sustained efforts by convicting and punishing more traffickers.”

The report, released on Thursday Washington time, says the government has “effectively” coordinated identification, referral, and provision of services to more victims and has increased efforts to help Filipino migrant workers that are victims of trafficking abroad.

Among others, the Philippines has also exerted efforts to reduce the backlog of trafficking cases in the courts.

But despite meeting the standards, Washington underscored Manila’s need to improve the availability and quality of protection for male victims. “[The Philippines should] increase the availability of specialized shelter and mental health services for victims of trafficking, including child and male victims of online sexual exploitation; [and] increase efforts to investigate, prosecute, and convict perpetrators of trafficking, particularly complicit officials and labor traffickers.”

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, who was present during the report’s launching with State Secretary Mike Pompeo, said the report validated the country’s commitment against TIP. “Being in Tier 1 for three consecutive years validates the effectiveness of the Philippines’ victim-centered and multi-agency approach to address human trafficking,” Romualdez said in a statement.

“It also speaks of the determination of the Philippine government to uphold and protect human rights. The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC, remains committed to engaging and cooperating with US stakeholders in advancing the international anti-TIP agenda.”

The report, released annually by the State Department since 2001, is mandated by the US Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act or TVPA of 2000.

The four tier placements signifying the level of compliance with TVPA standards are Tier 1 or full compliance, Tier 2 or no full compliance but making significant efforts to comply with standards, Tier 2 Watch list or no full compliance and absolute number of victims increasing, and Tier 3 or no full compliance and no significant efforts to comply. PNA

News

A3

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Du30 asked to comment on Pamatong’s quo warranto suit

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court has directed President Rodrigo Duterte to comment on a quo warranto petition filed against him for his alleged invalid Certificate of Candidacy in 2016 presidential election.

In a resolution, the SC gave Duterte 10 days within which to file his answer to the petition filed by lawyer Elly Velez Pamatong, a controversial former nuisance presidential bet.

Pamatong suit came after the Supreme Court made a ruling that impeachable officers, including the President, could be the subject of a quo warranto action.

The petitioner accused Duterte of being an illegitimate president on the basis of a COC, which was not approved by the Commission on Elections.

However, the Comelec en banc had accepted Duterte’s candidacy as a substitute for then presidential candidate Martin Diño of the PDP-Laban, who is now undersecretary at the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Duterte won the presidential election with over 16 million votes.

Under the Rules of Court, the only persons allowed to bring a petition for quo warranto are the Solicitor General, public prosecutors, and a person claiming entitlement to an allegedly usurped position.

Last May 11, the Supreme Court granted the quo warranto petition against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, removing her as top magistrate after finding her of violating the Constitution for not submitting the required 10-year Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth when she applied for the top judicial post in 2012.

Conduct genuine consultation, MWSS told

By Rio N. Araja A CONSUMER rights group on Friday urged the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System to conduct “genuine” consultation and uphold greater transparency in presenting the data used to justify the proposed water rate increase of its two water concessionaires.

Lolita Donato, Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan convenor and Alert Mamimili spokesperson, expressed disappointment over the recent public consultation of the fourth rate rebasing of Maynilad Water Services Inc. and Manila Water Co. Inc. “As an ordinary citizen, I expected a real public consultation. Instead, they merely fed us with information that was insufficient,” she lamented.

The West zone Maynilad wanted an P11 per cubic meter increase, while east zone Manila Water had asked for an P8.30 per cubic meter adjustment.

Donato complained that during the consultation, the two water firms lacked the data of their earnings, expenditures, future expenses and rates of return.

She slammed the MWSS and the water companies for their concession agreement allowing the latter to pass on to consumers through water bills their corporate income tax and company incentives, such as vacations and sports activities, saying “this is grossly unfair to consumers.”

DRUG TESTING.

Inmates at the Manila City Jail are tested for drug use as part of a plea bargaining agreement when they were arrested for allegedly using illegal drugs, during President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown against illegal drugs. Norman Cruz

DoTr urged to vet efficacy of cash transfer for drivers

By Maricel V. Cruz

A

PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Friday urged the Department of Transportation to ensure the effectiveness of the Pantawid Pasada Program as a way of mitigating the impact of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law on jeepney drivers.

Citizens Battle Against Corruption Party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna was referring to the P5,000 subsidy to each driver for six months under the doleout program of the government through the DoTR. “I urge the leadership of the DOTr to examine if the P5,000 subsidy is enough to sustain our drivers for six months amid the rising prices of commodities brought

about by the TRAIN Law,” Tugna, chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms, said.

The DoTR said that it would implement the subsidy under the social protection component of TRAIN Law as inflation rate rises.

Tugna said there is a need to ensure the underprivileged families would benefit from the “social protection” component

of the TRAIN Law. “Our jeepney drivers serve as a vital component in our transportation sector.

It is only befitting that the government extend all the necessary aid to augment their income,” Tugna said.

“Likewise, we in the House of Representatives will do our part and look for viable options to help alleviate the problems of our ailing transport sector,” he added.

He also hailed the DoTR, Department of Finance and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for cooperating in the implementation of the PPP. Tugna said that the DoTR being the implementing agency should determine if the amount given is enough.

“The fuel subsidy program, once effectively rolled out, would help our drivers cope with the soaring prices of diesel fuel,” said Tugna.

NFA fast-tracks distribution of imported rice THE National Food Authority assures the public its field personnel are working double time to immediately deliver its P27 and P32 per kilogram good quality rice in markets across the country.

In addition to Central Luzon, Bicol, Northern Mindanao and Caraga regions that earlier started selling NFA rice, more regions in Mindanao are already selling in full swing.

In Region 10, a total of 6,140 bags had already been distributed through 149 outlets. Of this number, a total of 1,168 bags were distributed through 70 market outlets in Bukidnon; 1,241 bags via 49 outlets in the island of Camiguin; 800 bags via 15 outlets in Lanao del Norte; and 2, 931 bags via 15 outlets in Misamis Oriental.

In Region 11, a total of 13,471 bags had already been sold via 783 market outlets from June 21 to 28. These were distributed as follows: General Santos-3,835 bags in 214 market outlets; Davao City-2,718 bags in 156 outlets; COMVAL-1,290 bags in 67 outlets; Davao Oriental-1,283 bags in 146 outlets; Davao del Sur-1,671 bags in 74 outlets; and Davao del Norte-2,681 bags in 126 outlets.

In Region 12, a total of 522 bags

had already been distributed, including purchases by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology. NFA rice was made available in five municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and Kidapawan City in North Cotabato. South Cotabato will start distributing NFA rice on Monday, July 2, with the expected arrival of stocks from NFA General Santos in Region 11.

In Caraga, a total of 6,556 bags have been distributed through 489 outlets across the region.

“We are happy that those who have already bought our newly-delivered imported rice appreciate its good quality.

That is our mission at NFA: to safeguard the quality of our government-subsidized rice because our poor kababayans deserve no less,” NFA administrator Jason Aquino said.

As of June 28, a total of 172,000 metric tons or 69 percent of the 250,000 MT rice imported via government-to-government tender from Vietnam and Thailand had already arrived in the country. Of the total volume, about 132,000 MT are still at port while 37,444.250 MT had already been delivered at the NFA designated warehouses. Another 40,400 MT are either in transit or being loaded at the ports

of origin.

The remaining 37,600 MT or 15 percent of the total volume is still for nomination of vessels from the country of origin.

The imported rice stocks arrived starting June 2 in the ports of Surigao and Subic, but discharging was delayed due to bad weather. In Surigao where weather was good, stocks were immediately unloaded and market distribution started last June 8.

Surigao already received its full allocation of 5,000 MT while Subic, which started unloading two weeks later, had already received 17,000 MT from its total allocation of 25,000 MT. Other areas where NFA rice had been delivered are: Batangas-12,400 MT (not yet unloaded due to intermittent rains); Tabaco–6,300 MT, with 4,322.9 MT already delivered at NFA warehouse; Iloilo-4,000 MT (not yet unloaded); Cebu-25,000 MT, with 4,825 MT already unloaded; Cagayan de Oro–12,300 MT with 10,343.950 MT received at warehouse; Davao–10,000 MT, with 1,024.400 MT received at warehouse; General Santos -5,000 MT; Manila–72,300 MT, with 2,467.500 MT received at warehouse.

Fadullon new govt top prosecutor

By Rey E. Requejo

TO THE RESCUE. Special Assistant to the President, Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’

Go distributes relief goods and cash to victims of fire at Barangay Tambunting, Abad Santos in Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday. Lino Santos

SENIOR Deputy State Prosecutor Richard Anthony Fadullon has been designated as acting prosecutor general of the National Prosecution Service after his predecessor opted to be relieved of his post.

In Department Order No. 384, Justice Menardo Guevarra appointed Fadullon to the post vacated by Makati City Prosecutor Jorge Catalan Jr., who wants to focus as city prosecutor so as not to compromise and sacrifice performance and productivity by holding on to both offices.

Guevarra earlier granted the request of Catalan to be relieved of his position, effective at the close of office hours on June 29, 2018, so that he may focus on his responsibilities as city prosecutor of the country’s premier city.

“He just asked to be relieved from his concurrent duty as acting prosecutor general so that he may focus on his full-time job as CP [city prosecutor] for Makati,” Guevarra said, in a text message.

Catalan was designated as acting prosecutor general pursuant to the Department Order No. 394 dated June 9, 2017 by then former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.

Guevarra said that Fadullon’s appointment will take effect June 30, 2018 until a new prosecutor general is appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Besides Fadullon, Guevarra said he will be appointing new key appointments in the next few days.

Commenting on his appointment, Fadullon expressed gratitude to Justice Secretary Guevarra for the new post, saying he will also focus on the spate of killings which have targeted prosecutors.

“I thank the Secretary for the designation as Acting PG. I ask for your prayers as I begin to face the task at hand. Moving forward, there are a lot of concerns that we have to look into and address as far as the national prosecution service is concerned,” Fadullon said, in a text message sent to reporters.

‘Florita’ intensifies into storm, now in Batanes TROPICAL depression “Florita” had intensified into a tropical storm on Friday morning.

Packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour (km/h) and gustiness of up to 80 km/h, the storm was estimated at 860 kms east of Basco, Batanes.

It was moving slowly at northwest direction at 9 km/h.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said “Florita” will not make landfall and will not even directly affect the country.

“Florita” is forecast to leave the Philippine area of responsibility.

However, the storm will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon.

The weather bureau said Northern Luzon will experience occasional rainshowers.

Partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms will be experienced over Metro Manila.

Rio N. Araja

Former BI execs, Sombero plead not guilty FORMER Immigration deputy commissioners Al Argosino and Michael Robles, and retired policeman Wally Sombero, on Friday pled not guilty in the plunder case filed against them at the Sandiganbayan in connection with the P50-million bribery scandal at the Bureau of Immigration.

The Ombudsman charged Argosino, Robles and Sombero with the nonbailable offense of plunder; and one count each of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, direct bribery, and violation of Presidential Decree 46.

At the same time, Sombero told the antigraft court’s Sixth Division said he was not guilty of any wrongdoing as regards to the charges leveled against him.

Argosino, Robles and Sombero were all detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

The Sandiganbayan earlier denied the motion to dismiss the case that was filed

by Argosino and Robles, respectively, because it found ‘sufficient basis’ to proceerd with the trial of their case.

Maricel V. Cruz

BI adds more immigration staff at Mactan airport ADDITIONAL Immigration officers were deployed at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in time for the full operation of the airport’s new passenger terminal on July 1, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

In a statement, Morente said that 12 Immigration officers were initially issued orders to report to MCIA to conduct immigration inspection for arriving and departing international travelers.

“The BI fully supports the vigorous efforts of the President to market the Philippines as a prime tourist destination, thus our commitment to render quality service to the traveling public in our international ports,” Morente said.

He disclosed that with the deployment of the additional manpower, there are now 112 Immigration personnel rendering administrative and primary line duties to the thousands of passengers who enter and exit the Mactan airport daily. Vito Barcelo

A4

Opinion

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A tale of two chief justices laration or nondisclosure of assets, and for Sereno, her alleged failure to file her SALNs as professor of the University of the Philippines College of law.

Corona was eventually tried and convicted by the Senate sitting as an impeachment court while Sereno was HOW can we forget our last two chief ousted via a quo warranto petition bejustices—Renato Corona and Maria fore she could be tried by the Senate Lourdes Sereno, the 23rd and 24th chief sitting as an impeachment court. magistrates of the Supreme Court?

The difference is that during the There are common lessons to learn impeachment trial of Corona, certain from their stories of their respective questionable transactions were uncovousters as chief magistrates of the Su- ered or at least were left unanswered preme Court. This column, the penulti- raising question of hidden wealth. No mate of my series on the quo warranto such allegation has been made with decision that remover Chief Justice Sereno, where the impeachment comSereno from her post, reflects on those plaint was aborted since the House lessons. failed to forward the Articles of ImThe two had the misfortune of an- peachment to the Senate. tagonizing a president early on in their In both cases, the SALN became, terms. Corona had wrongly in my a falling out with view, the holy President Benigno grail of integrity Aquino III who where any kind objected to his supof SALN-related Both the ouster of posed midnight apirregularity bepointment by then Corona and Sereno comes a reason President Gloria are wrong and the for ousting an Macapagal Arroyo impeachable ofallegedly to protect country will bear ficial from his the interests of the the consequences of or her position. latter. Arroyo, af- these bad governance This deification ter her term, was of the SALN charged with vari- decisions in decades to will have undeous crimes by the come. sirable conseAquino adminquences on govistration but has ernance in the since then been country, among exonerated of all others deterring good and qualified people from join charges. joinOn the other hand, Sereno earned the ing government, making government ire of President Rodrigo Duterte when employees vulnerable to harassment, she questioned the prosecution of his and inducing conflicts among public war on drugs which killed thousands officials who could use such allegato date (and counting). She became a tions of irregularities to settle a score staunch critic of the President’s poli- or to position oneself to promotion at cies, reason enough for Duterte to de- the expense of a colleague. clare her an enemy and to egg on ConCorona should not have been congress to fast-track her impeachment. victed and removed from office just And so it came to pass that impeach- because of his omission of assets in the ment complaints were filed against the SALN. Hidden wealth coming from two chief justices on various grounds corruption should have been proven. foremost of which involved their State- Sereno should not have been ousted ments of Assets, Liabilities and Net by her colleagues because of her failWorth or SALNs; in the case of Co- ure to produce a few of her SALNs as rona, his non-declaration and mis-decTurn to A5

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

F

Outrage over violence

IVE people were killed in Annapolis, Maryland as a gunman opened fire on a newspaper office.

The shooter shot through the glass door to the office and aimed at multiple employees of the Capital Gazette, a witness said. The scene was described as like a war zone.

Police say the attack was targeted. The suspect, Jarrod Ramos, was said to have a dispute with the paper over a story it had published seven years ago. There were threats issued on social media prior to the shooting, even as the source of these threats is still

being validated.

The employees of the paper are, as one Tweet went, devastated, heartbroken and numb.

It did not stop them from going to press immediately the following day, however. “I don’t know what else to do except this,” a reporter said.

In the face of such tragedy, it becomes even more of an imperative for journalists to keep doing what they are doing. Stopping would only be akin to an admission of defeat against forces, individual or organized, that threaten to weaken media’s resolve.

Violence against specific groups is nothing new to us here. Reports of attacks on journalists, environmentalists, church leaders, drug suspects, and now loiterers,

have become next to commonplace. It could be tempting to get conditioned at how ordinary such acts have become—but that would be wrong and would be the height of acquiescence.

Violence is never a recourse; there is no excuse for it however widespread it has become. Citizens must never be content with being onlookers despite the inconvenience, perceived futility, or even the dangers of speaking up. Whether it is the act of one tormented individual with access to weapons, or of a group that may or may not be state-sanctioned, silence and passive acceptance of violence is the most unfortunate, reprehensible response to it.

Keep that Pride! grees. The struggle is real.

Any LGBTQI+ can cite at least an experience of discrimination or harassment. The lesbian couple whose down payment to an apartment was returned when the landlady realized their rePRIDE Day has been celebrated in the lationship, the transboy who was Philippines for several years now in ev- wrapped with a curtain to look like a er-growing numbers, joining the many gown by the principal and ordered to Pride events in other countries seeking parade in the school grounds during the protection of rights of LGBTQI+ the morning assembly, the gay man and allies who are also sometimes tar- who has to keep appearances for years to keep this job, and the femme who is geted for the support they provide.

It is easy to be filled with excitement constantly chided by male co-workers when one joins the colorful, loud event for not really being a lesbian for her filled with rainbows and unicorns, feminine appearance. Things ‘regudancing queens and strong handsome lar’ people take for granted—getting a women who do not seem to have a care house, finding a job, finishing school, in the world. For a day, there will be getting married, having children, are freedom to celebrate themselves or more difficult for LGBTQI+ to attain be their fantasy personas. If you hear because of how they are perceived on someone say, “I live for this day!” be- the basis of their SOGIE. Every year the lieve it. Because theme for each for many of these march, focuses colorful revelers, light on one sur surthis is the one day face of a prism as in the year that Do not dismiss the LGBTQI+ learn they can express more and reflect their individuality exercise as just another on their evolving in a safe commu- parade. challenges. From nity. asking for acceptThe Philipance, to respect, pines was the first to equal rights in country in Asia questo hold a Pride March back in the 90s. specific realms of daily life, to ques This has often been cited to prove that tioning the core of these rights themthere is “acceptance” of LGBTQI+ in selves. The concept of intersectionality, the country. There is also the high vis- which simply means that the multiplicibility of media celebrities such as Boy ity of our social differences in terms of Abunda, Vice Ganda, Ice Seguerra and race, age, color, sex, form layers affect Jake Zyrus who openly talk about their the way we are perceived that result in sexuality and relationships. Gay beau- discrimination. This concept has also ticians, designers comedians and film been used by feminists for decades to directors have been practicing their explain women’s oppression.

The Anti-Discrimination Bill has crafts for years, should be enough to lull us into believing that indeed, we been filed several times but has yet to have been accepting of our brothers, be finally passed because of the homophobic attitude of many legislators who sisters and non-binary siblings.

However, this does not appear to be fear the conservative backlash on their the case when we speak of the multi- political careers to the detriment of the tudes who experience discrimination LGBTQI+s who need the state’s protecand violence on the basis of their Sexu- tion. There is real hope here since the al Orientation, Gender Identity and Ex- House of Representatives has passed the pression (SOGIE). Discrimination and bill on third and final reading. This is violence, in their various forms and deTurn to A5

POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO

After shooting, US reporters work to ‘put out paper tomorrow’

By Ivan Couronne IN THE shade of a car park in Maryland’s capital Annapolis, three journalists from the Capital Gazette typed grimly away— still without news of colleagues killed or injured when a gunman stormed the publication earlier Thursday.

“We’re putting out a paper tomorrow,” vowed Chase Cook, one of six reporters at the daily, where the latest mass shooting to rock the United States left five people dead.

His photographer colleague Joshua McKerrow had his laptop perched on the back of a pick-up truck.

Their deadline had been pushed back to 9:30 pm.

Chase was working from his smartphone—from which he could access the newspaper’s editorial system.

“We’re going to have a paper,” said the young man, who has worked since 2013 for The Capital, a local daily whose roots go back to 1727—and which police believe was deliberately targeted in Thursday’s attack.

“I don’t know what else to do except this,” he said. “We’re just doing our job.”

Chase was not inside the paper’s offices when the gunman—identified as a white man in his late 30s—burst in and

opened fire.

“All I know is five people are dead,” he said.

Police were looking into social media threats received by the paper, which employs a small team of 13 journalists and photographers out of a ground floor office at 888 Bestgate Road—behind a glass door that usually stays shut.

War zone According to Phil Davis, one of the reporters who was inside at the time and tweeted an account of the assault, the gunman shot through the door and opened fire on staff inside—as others Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

ONLINE

can be accessed at: manilastandard.net

MEMBER

PPI

Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Baldwin R. Felipe Edgar M. Valmorida

Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Head—Ad Solutions Circulation Manager

Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua

Managing Editor Associate Editors News Editor Opinion Editor

Emil P. Jurado

Honor Blanco Cabie Night Editor Jimbo Gulle City Editor Romel J. Mendez Art Director Roberto Cabrera Chief Photographer

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion Uniting the world against terrorism

By Antonio Guterres TERRORISM is a persistent and evolving global menace. No country is immune. Social media, encrypted communications and the dark web are being used to spread propaganda, radicalize new recruits and plan atrocities. The threat ranges from the crude tactics of lone actors to sophisticated coordinated attacks and the horrific prospect of terrorists using chemical, biological or radioactive weapons.

Our response needs to be equally agile and multifaceted. That is why I am convening the first-ever United Nations High-level Conference on Counter-Terrorism this week in New York. Heads of national counter-terrorism agencies and representatives from international institutions and civil society will discuss how to improve international cooperation and build new partnerships.

The conference will focus on four key areas. First, it will consider how governments, security agencies and law enforcement bodies can improve the exchange of critical information and strategies to detect, disrupt and prosecute terrorist networks. Second, the conference will discuss how the United Nations can do more to assist countries around the world affected by terrorism.

Third, it will address the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters. With the military defeat of ISIL in Syria and Iraq, large numbers of these ideologically-driven mercenaries are relocating to other theaters of conflict or returning home, passing on their battlefield expertise, recruiting new followers and planning further attacks.

Fourth, I intend the conference to focus on how we can prevent terrorism and violent extremism. Improved security will never be enough. We need to address the underlying conditions that make people susceptible to toxic ideologies.

Terrorism is a transnational threat that cannot be defeated by any single government or organization. It needs a

A tale...

From A4

that proves only that both she and the University of the Philippines were bad custodians of documents.

Corona was of course given the chance to defend himself in a fullblown impeachment trial, defended as he was by the brightest legal minds. But his conviction was tainted by bribery allegations where the use of funds from the Disbursement Acceleration Program were allegedly use to persuade reluctant senators to convict Corona.

Sereno was not given the same luxury when the Supreme Court jumped the gun on the impeachment process and killed it dead on the water before it could take off and by the mere expedient of a shortened judicial process secured her removal. Whether she will be convicted or not in an impeachment trial, we will never know since the Senate was not given the chance to evaluate the evidence for or against her. Instead, it was a Supreme Court, her very own colleagues, who passed judgment on her even as some were suspiciously partial after witnessing and accusing her of wrongdoing before a House Committee investigation or uttered accusatory statements against her in media interviews, and then participating as judges in the proceedings to oust her.

The ouster of both chief justices was tainted with controversy and in my view, even if they are very different, both outcomes are wrong and the country will bear the consequences of these bad governance decisions in decades to come.

One can no longer reverse the impeachment and conviction of Chief Justice Corona but I suspect history will be kind to

Keep...

From A4

the farthest that the bill has reached. The Senate has time to approve its version.

Recently, social media was a-abuzz as the oral arguments for the same-sex marriage petition were heard by the Supreme Court. The Solicitor-General vigorously argued against the petition, citing tradition and the inability of two people of the same sex to procreate as reasons for not allowing the petition to prosper further.

The chances of winning this petition may be bleak for now, but some of the Justices have given us hope as well when they made pronouncements in favor of same sex marriage. Like each

After...

From A4

including himself hid under their desks.

Describing the attack to the Baltimore Sun, which owns the Capital Gazette, Davis said it “was like a war zone” inside, a situation that would be “hard to describe for a while.”

Guterres

terrorism. But we will only diminish the threat by ending the conflicts, human rights abuses, poverty and exclusion that drive so many to violent extremism. Most new recruits to terrorism are between 17 and 27 years old. We must offer them better prospects, economically and socially.

And we must reverse the polarization, xenophobia and hate speech that are proliferating around the world.

Let us also remember the tens of thousands of people killed, wounded and traumatized by terrorism. Survivors need our support in seeking justice and rebuilding their lives, both financially and psychologically. We must also listen to them and learn from their experiences.

Finally, terrorism and violent extremism have a profound gender dimension.

Terrorists continue to violate the rights of women and girls through sexual violence, abduction, forced marriages and preventing free movement and access to education. Involvement in domestic abuse is a common thread among many perpetrators. That is why we must urgently prioritize the rights, participation and leadership of women.

The international community has come a long way in its efforts to counter terrorism. There is a clear international framework that makes it easier to prosecute terrorists, disrupt their financial networks and prevent online radicalization. But there is much still to be done.

Terrorist groups share an agenda of authoritarianism, misogyny and intolerance. They are an affront to the common values encapsulated in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our responsibility is to unite to build a world of peace and security, dignity and opportunity for all people, everywhere, so we can deprive the violent extremists of the fuel they need to spread their hateful ideologies.

concerted multilateral response at global, regional and national levels. It is essential to strengthen counter-terrorism structures and institutions. But we must also address root causes by promoting education, tackling youth unemployment and addressing marginalization.

That means engaging with local communities, religious organizations and the media. Civil society is central to the conference and our broader counterterrorism strategies.

Clearly, the response to terrorism and violent extremism must respect human rights and comply with international law. That is not just a question of justice, but of effectiveness. When counter-terrorist policies are used to suppress peaceful protests and legitimate opposition movements, shut down debate, target human rights defenders or stigmatize minorities, they fail and we all lose. Indeed, such responses may cause further resentment and instability, and contribute to radicalization.

Antonio Guterres is the secretaryNo cause or grievance can justify general of the United Nations. him. The Sereno precedent can still be reversed by a later Supreme Court, but such a reversal would not benefit her if she decides to run for the Senate.

Corona’s impeachment was hounded by allegations of pay off by President Aquino using his discretionary funds to persuade some senator-judges to secure his conviction. It would be good to get to the bottom of this if it is still possible.

If proven true, we must condemn those responsible as strongly as we criticize the Supreme Court Justices who voted to grant the quo warranto petition against Sereno.

Sereno’s removal from office is just as controversial, with her very own colleagues, some of whom were asked to inhibit because of perceived partiality, ruling as the majority did that she, an impeachable officer, can be removed not only through impeachment, but also by other means. In doing so, the Court rewrote basic principles of constitutional law including fair play, due process, and jeopardized the time honored constitutional dogmas of checks and balances and judicial independence which are bedrocks of constitutional democracy.

The question is: Had Corona and Sereno not earned the ire of Presidents Aquino and Duterte, would they have been ousted? Without the instigation by the highest official of the land would Congress and other state institutions like the Office of the Solicitor General, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Internal Revenue, and other relevant agencies dare mobilize on their own and bring their resources and authority to bear upon the two chief justices?

Crossing the highest official of the land can prove fatal to one’s career and security of tenure even in the highest

and most independent of offices. In our country, short of a people power revolution like Edsa 2 or, God forbid, a military take over, nobody can win against the President. No constitutional safeguards are sufficient to counter his or her power.

President-led impeachment or similar efforts to oust independent officials like the Chief Justice and Ombudsman is always wrong and must be stopped.

But the only way to get that to happen is to weaken the powers of the presidency.

Our presidency is one of the worst in the world. Contrary to conventional wisdom, our president is patterned after the Spanish and American colonial masters.

He or she has absolute power, from martial law to full control of the budget.

One of the most disappointing decisions of the constitutional law committee that is drafting a new constitution is their retention of the office of the presidency. That guarantees more of the same, a repetition of the tragedy of the last two chief justices.

Finally, despite the passage of time and the adoption of a number of constitutions, our government institutions remain weak, are corruptible and only as good as the men and women who occupy them. Unfortunately, constitutional change such as redesigning our judicial system will likely not be able to address this. Only solid legal and moral education can address this gap.

That is why I teach in as many law schools as would have me. I see the task of forming lawyers and judges as urgent and essential. Otherwise, the sad tale of Corona and Sereno will repeat themselves ad nauseam. That would be such a tragedy for the country.

Pride March, every act is a step to question laws, or absence of laws, and ways of thinking that fail to reflect the reality of people’s needs and lives.

As a country, we are already divided on so many issues. Discrimination on the basis of SOGIE strikes at the core of each individual straight or LGBTQI+ because it affects their ability to attain their full potential. The rights that LGBTQI+s ask for are nothing special. These are just the same rights that straight people already enjoy and at times take for granted. Respecting and actualizing these rights will not take away from the rights straight people have.

It is emancipation for people who have been kept silent and shackled by irrational fears.

This year, as you watch the Pride March on TV or social media, do not dismiss the

exercise as merely another parade. It is an act of resistance. Despite the discrimination that LGBTQI+s experience, they are fighting for their right to live life fully.

It is an act to express that despite differences and diversity, hope burns in each heart for a better, more just society where we can all live in harmony.

For those who want to experience the 2018 Pride March #RiseUpTogether, it will be held today at the Marikina Sports Center, from 12 nn-10 pm. For more information, check out @mmprideorg on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and www.mmpride.org Keep that pride!

Davis said he was still hiding under his desk when the shooting stopped— and police swarmed the building taking the suspect into custody.

It took officers—trained to respond to the mass shootings that have become a regular occurrence in the country—just 60 seconds to arrive on site, according to an official.

Many of the office workers inside the

Facebook: tonylavs Twitter: tonylavs

@bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

four-story building were alerted to the shooting by the police sirens wailing outside.

A lockdown was ordered immediately.

Sean Robinson, who works for an insurance company on the building’s top floor, took shelter away as far as possible from the entrance and texted his wife to say, “Hey, this is going on. Just pray.”

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Behind the trade war (Part II) high value is akin to the mercantilist theory of wanting to control the gold bullions and regulating international trade by its control of the gold instead of relying on trade which is rooted on production. Spain had the enormous Continued from Saturday gold reserves but it failed to stop its decline as a world power.

THE prospect looks gloomy should The US’ decision to keep high the the US lose its premier status as the value of the dollar allowed it to purworld’s number-one economy. It is al- chase cheap imports that today is findready hobbled by a huge trade deficit ing expression in the low valuation in of $375 billion in 2017 for which it the currency of other countries. Yet, exported only $130 billion as against despite that, nobody from among the imports from China of $506 billion. US trade policy makers sorted out why There is the possibility that US could China has grown to become the secdefault in the payment of its external ond biggest economy in the world and debt which has reached a critical level its number one trading partner in just of $21.17 trillion with $1.71-trillion a span of over three decades. debt from China. This paradox in the Nobody grumbled about the overUS economy has been observed since valued US dollar seen in its export of it detached its currency from the gold manufactured goods, and its economy. standard. Through that same period, On the contrary, many developing the dollar has unreasonably increased countries that rely heavily on the exoften as a result in the devaluation of port of their raw materials and to the other countries’ currencies. same degree on imports of manufacThe increased in trade deficit is tured goods meekly fall in the line. symptomatic that the cost of produc- Challenging the monetary valuation tion has became prohibitive. It has of the dollar is to court economic to either consign production abroad disaster. Japan, South Korea, China, or import goods from countries that Taiwan were still nowhere to chalcould produce them more cheaply. lenge US exports. Equally, the United This increased the share of export of Kingdom, Germany, France enjoyed manufactured products from other the “shared prosperity” caused by the countries. overvaluation of their currency.

But instead of scaling down imThe US up to now could not unportation, the US tossed the blame on derstand why its trade deficit is the China. The US treated the situation as result of an overvalued dollar. Ameria trade violation because of its cheap can consumers splurged because they exports, and accordingly does not re- thought were buying cheap. But could flect their true not understand value. China, on why wages at the other hand, home, cost of ser sernever raised the vices and prices This will be a lesson issue against US of goods in the US for overvaluing its for Trump. are expensive. The currency to obtain consumer price cheap imports. index is disenfranExporters obchising workers of tain less for their their jobs because goods because the revaluation of the of the high labor cost and services. devaludollar automatically means a devalu To prevent trade deficit from spiralation of the yuan. Rather, China de- ing, US corporations instead opted to fended its decision to keep the value of relocate their production plants overits currency as a matter of sovereignty. seas. It was not only US corporations The US failed to comprehend why that did so. Other countries followed China wants to maintain the current to compete in selling their products value of the yuan in relation to other in the US. Trade deficit with China currencies just as a revaluation of the swelled because it was the most verdollar would cause devaluation in the satile of all exporters that could sell currencies of countries dependent on most products in the US market at the dollar for their foreign exchange cheaper prices. requirements. US economists never Now, the problem is that the dolanticipated that an overvalued dollar lar is leaving the country. This poris gradually pushing developing coun- tends an ominous danger much that tries to diversity their market to secure it revolves directly on the US dollar. better prices for their exports.

This is observed in the tighter restricHow the Japanese exports declined tions impose on the amount of dollar and its economy suffered a long- that Americans could bring out when drawn recession and stagnation is a traveling abroad. The great disparity bitter lesson that China learned. China in the value of the dollar has driven has a total labor force of 774.5 mil- many to spend their money abroad lion. A revaluation of the yuan could for their various legitimate needs like push up the prices of goods. Even if medical treatment and hospitalization, the increase would only be 5 percent, and to purchase things they could not it would still have tremendous impact otherwise afford to buy in the US. to its economy. Neither would that reThe decline in the US economy solve the problem of trade deficit. is now entering its second phase.

China’s decision to fix and maintain Migrants now are remitting their the value of its currency was solely hard-earned savings instead of guided to protect its own economy. sending goods. This is happening China has a teeming population of over because the cost of living in the US is 1 billion with many of its manufactur- increasing beyond their reach. This is ing industries still at their infancy. To a strange phenomenon nobody would revalue its currency could result in the think could happen to a country that rapid increase in wages, in the prices of boasts itself as the most economically goods, stultify their exports and possi- powerful nation on earth. bly disrupt the world economy.

The coarse approach of US PresiThe prosperity that China now en- dent Trump to impose additional tarjoys was earned through years of grad- iff is seen by many as self-defeating. ual increase in exports made possible That would simply compel exporters by the realistic pricing of their goods. to scout for other markets that impose Yes, the yuan was slight revalued. But no tariff. The shift in their export of it was necessary to stabilize the inter- steel and aluminum at prices lower national monetary system and not that than the international market is an act it finally relented to US pressure. of self-defense. The US will lose much American trade strategists, on the that it cannot export its own products other hand, believe that decoupling without passing through the gauntlet the US dollar from the gold stand- of retaliation from countries it slapped ard means that the strength of the US with prohibitive tariff. dollar would from thereon rely on its The US motorcycle manufacturer GDP, and invariably in automatic re- that produces the iconic Harley-Davaluation. The IMF has to invent the vidson already announced a cutback “special drawing rights” (SDR) or “pa- in its domestic production. This is a per gold” because of concerns about tutorial lesson to Trump that business the limitations of gold and the dollars and politics use different lens to see as the sole means of settling interna- things beyond platitudes and demational accounts. The SDRs augmented goguery. This also amplifies the truth international liquidity by supplement- that restrictive tariff can even harm ing the standard reserve currencies. domestic production, putting truism to The elevation of the US dollar as an what the Chinese have been saying— international currency is now the sub- that nobody gains in a trade war. ject of great debate. The insistence of the US to constantly keep the dollar at rpkapunan@gmail.com

BACK­ BENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

When he heard a sound at the door, he asked himself—“friend or foe?”

It turned out to be a SWAT team, armed with assault rifles.

Two floors down, Gracie Rustin, a young dental assistant was in the middle of a procedure with a patient when she heard several sets of “loud noises” but didn’t immediately realize it was a shooting.

From a nearby shopping center, where she was escorted to safety along with other office workers, she recounted how the police rushed in and evacuated everyone: “They were like, ‘Leave, leave, leave!’”

“As soon as the elevator doors opened, the cops with guns were like, ‘Hands up! Hands up!’ and I just started crying immediately.” AFP

News

A6

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Pimentel: Major drive pushed for federalism

WEATHER OUTLOOK.

Weather forecaster Loriedin dela Cruz points the location in the Philippine Area of Responsibility of Tropical Storm ‘Florita’ east of Batanes’ provincial capital of Basco with maximum winds of 65 kph from the 45 km/h and gustiness of up to 80 km/h, warning the tropical storm will enhance the southwest monsoon which will bring in rains to Northern Luzon. Manny Palmero

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

S

ENATOR Aquilino Pimentel III Friday assured they would continue to educate people regarding federalism after a Social Weather Stations survey showed only one of four Filipinos was aware of the federal system of government.

Manila

Standard

sustained by its transmission assets and other related facilities as a result of an FME. A copy of the FM Pass-Through Amount Computation is hereto attached as Annex “D.”

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF FORCE MAJEURE EVENT REGULATED FM PASS-THROUGH FOR TYPHOON NINA IN LUZON, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RULES FOR SETTING TRANSMISSION WHEELING RATES, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

18.

Further, the FM Pass-Through Amounts in this Application do not breach the Force Majeure Threshold Amount (FMTA) of PhP0.0357/ kWh in accordance with the RTWR. A copy of the FMTA Computation is hereto attached as Annex “E.”

19.

Also, NGCP considered the NFAV of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon 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 said FME.

ERC CASE NO. 2017-116 RC

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

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

20.

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.

21.

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 rehabilitation of the assets damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon required capital infusion, 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.

22.

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

23.

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 “F.”

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Notice is hereby given that on 22 December 2017, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) filed an Application to seek the Commission’s approval of its claim for Force Majeure Event (FME) due to Typhoon Nina in Luzon through an FM Pass-Through amount, with prayer for the issuance of a provisional authority.

In its Application, NGCP alleged the following: 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 (TRANS CO) 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 the transmission functions of TRANSCO, including the operation, management and maintenance of the nationwide electrical grid.

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

STATEMENT OF FACTS 4.

5.

6.

1.

From 23 to 27 December 2016, Typhoon Nina was inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) with maximum winds of 185 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of 225 kph. Due to heavy rains and gusty winds, NGCP’s transmission assets and other related facilities in Luzon were damaged causing widespread power interruption over the area. A copy of the Certification dated 22 March 2017 issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) is attached hereto as Annex “A.”

2 . Immediately GRANT Provisional Approval to implement and bill the following FM Pass-Through Amounts starting January 2018 billing month to December 2020 for Luzon, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered: Luzon P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

In compliance with Article X of the Rules for the Setting of Transmission Wheeling Rates (RTWR), NGCP filed with this Honorable Commission a Force Majeure Event (FME) Notice dated 15 March 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “B,” receipt of which was acknowledged by the Honorable Commission in its letter dated 29 March 2017, copy is attached hereto as Annex “C.” Immediately after the devastation of Typhoon Nina in Luzon, NGCP started the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of its damaged transmission assets and other related facilities in order to restore transmission service to its customers and the public. As a result, NGCP incurred additional costs for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the said damaged transmission assets.

8.

Nina was categorized by PAGASA as a “Typhoon” in its Certification dated 22 March 2017, thus, falling within the definition of an FME in accordance with Section 1.3 of the RTWR.

9.

Pursuant to Section 10.1.1 of the 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 Typhoon Nina in Luzon through an FM Pass-Through Amount.

10.

11.

Within three (3) months after the occurrence of Typhoon Nina, NGCP filed before the Honorable Commission FME Notice dated 15 March 2017, pursuant to Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.2 of the RTWR. Thereafter, within twelve (12) months after the occurrence of the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon, NGCP hereby files the instant FME Application, in accordance with Sections 10.2.1 and 10.2.3 of the RTWR. FM PASS-THROUGH AMOUNT COMPUTATION

12.

13.

14.

15.

It must be noted that NGCP has not recovered from its Industrial AllRisk (IAR) Insurance Policy procured from the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) for the year 2016 the cost NGCP incurred in the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina, considering that the affected assets are located beyond the 1,000 meters radius from the nearest substation perimeter fence, and that the total cost of damage is below the One (1) Million US Dollars deductible amount. 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 Typhoon Nina in Luzon pursuant to the RTWR. The 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 Typhoon Nina in Luzon is One Hundred Thirty-Four Million Four Hundred Two Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty-Four Pesos (PhP134,402,884.00).

Further, the recoverable value or the Net Fixed Asset Value (NF A V) of the assets destroyed by Typhoon Nina in Luzon is One Hundred Ninety-Three Million One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Pesos (PhP193,114,380.00).

NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts, in P/kWmonth, as additional network charges starting January 2018 billing month until December 2020 for Luzon, or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, computed as shown in the tables below: Luzon P/kW-mo.

P/kWh

2018

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

16.

NGCP proposes the FM Pass-Through Amounts for the years 2018 to 2020 to allow the recovery of the CAPEX incurred relative to the FME Typhoon Nina, pending the reset process for the Transmission Services for the Fourth Regulatory Period.

17.

Considering that FM Pass-Through Amounts are not included in NGCP’s Final Determination for any regulatory period, the proposed FM Pass-Through Amounts 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 rehabilitation of damage

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

APPROVE the FME CAPEX amounting to One Hundred ThirtyFour Million Four Hundred Two Thousand Eight Hundred EightyFour Pesos (PhP134,402,884.00) incurred by NGCP for the repair, restoration and rehabilitation of the damaged transmission assets and other related facilities due to FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon;

4.

APPROVE, after due notice and hearing, the proposed FM PassThrough Amounts to be collected from the Luzon customers starting January 2018 billing month or until such time that the amounts incurred are fully recovered, as follows: Luzon P/kW-mo.

Under Section 1.3(a) of the RTWR, an FME is defined as a “typhoon, storm, tropical depression, flood, drought, volcanic eruption, earthquake, tidal wave or landslide; or an act of public enemy, war (declared or undeclared), sabotage, blockade, revolution, riot, insurrection, civil commotion or any violent or threatening actions.”

2018

3.

FORCE MAJEURE EVENT CLAIM 7.

DECLARE Typhoons Nina in Luzon as Force Majeure Events (FME);

P/kWh

2018

2019

2020

0.83

0.86

0.90

0.0016

0.0016

0.0017

5.

APPROVE and ALLOW the recovery of the Net Fixed Asset Value of the transmission assets and other related facilities damaged by the FME Typhoon Nina in Luzon amounting to One Hundred NinetyThree Million One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Pesos (PhP193,114,380.00), 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 the said FME; and

6.

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

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 evidentiary hearing on 31 July 2018 (Tuesday), at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of 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 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.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW However, the President of PDPmanpower, money,BLACK etc,” he said.

Laban, which has been pushing for Senator Francis Pangilinan, a shift to a federal form of govern- chairperson of the Senate Comment, hoped Filipinos would not mittee on Constitutional Amendreject federalism once they became ments and Revision of Codes, said aware of how it worked as a system the survey showed Charter change of government. could not be forced into the people.

“Survey says many don’t know He said the latest survey result about federalism. It does not say was consistent with past survey they don’t like it,” Pimentel said. results, which also showed “little “How can someone like some- knowledge about the planned new thing one doesn’t even know form of government,” he said. about?” asked the former Senate Part of the mandate of the president. committee, he said, was to conHence, he said, massive infor- duct several other hearings during mation drive was the solution to the sine die break as the previous the “don’t know situation we are ones were only on the issue of in right now.”

Cha-Cha. He said the information drive “The succeeding hearings may would remain on the lead in such focus on the actual Cha-Cha proefforts. posals, which we still have not of“We know we need to explain ficially received,” he said. federalism to the people, hence we He also asked how will the will continue what we have been public understand federalism if doing as a party, subject to our there is no clear and concrete prolimited resources in terms of time, posal about this.

Ombudsman finds case vs DENR’s Usec Cuna

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on Friday found probable cause to charge Undersecretary for Operations Juan Miguel Cuna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with graft for the shipment of trash from Canada.

It directed Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu to implement its suspension order on Cuna for three months without pay for simple misconduct.

The Ombudsman said the DENR official violated Section 3(e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act for the mishandling of the shipment of container vans consigned to Chronic Plastics Inc. In 2013, the Valenzuela-based Chronic Plastics Inc., a Canadian-based company, exported several shipments of container vans declared as plastic scrap materials without securing import entries for its shipment that arrived in July 2013 and August 2013.

Consequently, the shipments were declared as abandoned, and that upon further inspection, it was discovered that the container vans were filled with garbage.

According to the Ombudsman, the DENR’s Environmental Management Bureau also found the garbage could no longer be recycled and were even declared illegal due to lack of importation clearance, and were subject to confiscation and seizure proceedings.

Upon closer scrutiny of documents, investigators found that Cuna, then the EMB director, issued a registry certificate for the importation of recyclable materials containing hazardous substances on June 19, 2013 despite the lack of details in the importer’s registry sheet.

STL nets almost P10b in 5 mos.

PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office general manager Alexander Balutan said on Friday the Small Town Lottery has earned P9.7 billion in five months, an increase of 93.94 percent compared with the same period last year.

“Our STL earnings has reached P9,735,591,124.03 billion from January to May 2018,” he said in a press statement.

Balutan also said PCSO had hit P25 billion mark as of May. “The overall PCSO revenue already hit the P25 billion mark, P25,833,181,304.10 to be exact, an increase of 27.25 percent, where Lotto and digit games are still at the forefront with P12.5-billion sales, Keno at P2.3 billion sales, and Instant Sweepstakes at P727 million sales,” he said.

While Lotto and digit games earned P12.5 billion in five months this year, its sales decreased at 5.04 percent compared with the same period last year.

Keno, on the other hand, earned P2.3 billion, an increase of 10.36 percent.

“We must remember that Lotto and other digit games are jackpotprize driven where ‘the higher the jackpot prize, the higher the sales’,” Balutan explained.

In 2017, PCSO paid P7.797 billion in taxes to the government. For the first quarter of 2018 alone, it paid P3.5 billion in taxes.

Out of the P51.9-billion overall sales revenue of PSCO in 2017, P15.7 billion came from STL, which is an increase of 143.68 percent compared in 2016.

Makati opens satellite centers

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 29th day of May 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

1

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

2

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 Interconnected Transmission Lines, Substations and Related Facilities, and for Other Purposes”

3

Please see P AGASA Certification, Page 2 of for Typhon Karen and Page 3 for Typhoon Lawin.

(MS-JUNE 30 & JULY 8, 2018)

MAKATI Mayor Abby Binay Friday announced that the Office of the City Treasurer would be opening satellite realty tax payment centers on scheduled dates in barangay halls starting July 3, Tuesday, for real property owners with taxes due this third quarter.

The mayor said the payment centers would be open from 9 am to 4 pm to accept payments.

Taxpayers only need to present their previous receipt and pay the taxes due to receive an electronic receipt.

Each transaction usually takes a maximum of five minutes.

“We encourage real property owners in the city to take note of the date when the satellite payment center will be opened in their barangay so that they need not go to city hall. It will save them time, money and energy,” Binay said in a statement.

On July 3, the payment centers will be opened in Barangays Bel-Air and Urdaneta, followed by Dasmariñas and Forbes Park on July 4.

The schedule for the rest of the week is as follows: July 5, Brgys.

Magallanes and San Lorenzo; and July 6, Brgys. Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, San Isidro, Palanan, and San Antonio.

Sports Lions crowned Fr. Martin Cup champions; Adamson wins THE San Beda-A Red Lions asserted themselves early and swamped the Letran Knights, 79-56, last Saturday to capture the senior division honors of the 24th Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball Tournament.

Clint Doliguez had 18 points and his efforts in the first half allowed the Red Lions to take control and keep the Knights at bay when action ended at their own home turn at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San BedaManila campus in Mendiola.

Doliguez unloaded nine of 18 points in the first 10 minutes and joined hands with Calvin Oftana as the Red Lions fought to take control of the game in the opening period of this cagefest supported by Cocolife.

The Red Lions started moving away with an 21-16 lead after Doliguez connected with three triples and Oftana capped the first canto with a fourth trey.

As the Red Lions enjoyed a fivepoint edge at the start of the second canto, Jeremer Cabanag took over and shot 10 of 12 points during a big scoring run and they went on to enjoy a 44-31 halftime spread.

A driving shot from Doliguez with 3:51 to go in the second period handed the Red Lions their biggest lead at 59-41.

Jack Pambid led the Knights with 12 points, while Mark Sangalang shot 11.

“We played the guys who have not been playing in other off-season tournaments to give them exposure.

I’m happy we won the game and the championship,” said Red Lions coach Boyet Fernandez.

The Red Lions won seven games and lost one during their campaign, which included five elimination matches, and an 80-59 triumph over the St. Francis of Assissi College Doves in the quarterfinals.

Oftana shot 13 points for the Red Lions in their 70-57 beating of the defending champion Diliman College Blue Dragons in the semifinals.

Earlier, the Adamson Baby Falcons snared the junior division crown when they pulled off a 78-76 win over the San Beda University-Taytay Red Cubs.

National player Jack Danielle Animam and newcomer Kaye Pingol showed the way with 12 points as the defending champion National University Lady Bulldogs retained the women’s crown.

Meanwhile, organizers Edmundo Badolato and commissioner Robert de la Rosa said the 16th Fr. Martin Cup Division 2 basketball tournament will begin on July 13 at the St. Placid gymnasium of the San BedaManila campus in Mendiola.

PVL semifinals begin Sunday TOP seeds Creamline Cool Smashers and PayMaya High Flyers take on challengers BanKo Perlas Spikers and Pocari SweatAir Force Lady Warriors as the semifinal round of the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference fires off on ABSCBN S+A and S+A HD LIVE this Sunday.

Kicking off the best-of-three semifinals festivities will be the curtain raiser of the Cool Smashers versus the defending champion Lady Warriors at 2 p.m. followed by the mainer between the High Flyers and Perlas Spikers at 4 p.m., LIVE from the FilOil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.

The Cool Smashers and High Flyers dominated in the elimination rounds to finish in the Top 2 spots while both the Perlas Spikers and Lady Warriors had to thread the needle to enter the Final Four of the Reinforced Conference. All teams will be banking on their reinforcements and star players to prevail and move on to the next round.

The likes of Alyssa Valdez (Creamline), Grethcel Soltones (PayMaya), Myla Pablo (Pocari-Air Force), and Nicole Tiamzon (BanKo Perlas), along with reinforcements like Lakia Bright (BanKo Perlas), Maddie Palmer (Pocari-Air Force), Kuttika Kaewpin (Creamline), and Tess Rountree (PayMaya) are sure to bring all the artillery in the coming battles that fans will surely enjoy.

Kim, Lascuna wrest golf control M

ANOLO Fortich, Bukidnon—Young Kim Joo Hyung took over from compatriot Lee Song in moving day here at Del Monte, birdying two of the last four holes to fire a fourunder 68 and catch veteran Tony Lascuña at the helm in the third round of the ICTSI Del Monte Championship yesterday.

Kim, who has dominated the country’s amateur championships the last two years and finished second to Song in the Philippine Golf Tour Q-School at Splendido last February, actually cashed in on a two-shot swing on the closing par-5 18th to tie Lascuña at eight-under 208 after the multi-titled Filipino shotmaker holed out with a bogey for a 69.

With the next six players just one to three strokes behind, Kim and Lascuña said they would need a five-under card to foil their pursuers for the top P550,000 purse in this fourth leg of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. “I think, it’s 50 percent for a 13-under overall. But to be sure, I would need a 14-under total to win,” said the 16-yearold Kim, actually the reigning Philippine Amateur Open champion who also won

the WExpress RVF Cup last February. He placed joint sixth in his first official pro tournament at Apo Invitational last week.

“For me, a four- or five-under tomorrow will do it,” said Lascuña, who missed grabbing the solo lead with an errant second shot and a poor blast that led to a bogey on the last hole.

“But I like my chances although it’s too close to call,” said the former threetime PGT Order of Merit champion.

Song, who stayed in command with Ira Alido in the first two rounds of the P3 million championship organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., threatened to pull away with three birdies in the first six holes. But the 19-year-old shotmaker from Gangneung lost his touch and rhythm and fumbled with three bo-

geys in a six-hole stretch from No. 7 then mixed two birdies with the same number of bogeys in the last five holes for a 72.

He slid to second with American Nicolas, who slowed down with a 71 after a second round 68, at 209, just one stroke behind the new leaders while Lexus Keoninh, also of the US, carded a 70 to move to solo fifth at 210.

With Korean Kim Sung Wook rebounding with a 69, Michael Bibat shooting a 71 and James Ryan Lam hobbling with a 73 for identical 211s, the title chase is expected to be fierce.

“I’m terribly disgusted with my game.

I couldn’t putt and missed so many greens unlike in the first two rounds,” rued Lee. Alido, so solid with 68-69 rounds halfway through the event, rammed in two birdies against a bogey in the first eight holes but bogeyed four of the next eight and limped with a 75, tumbling down to joint ninth at 212 with Mhark Fernando and local amateur Noel Langamin, who shot similar 69s, and Jay Bayron, who carded a second straight 69.

Kim Joo Hyung

4 world...

From A8

MCC WINNER. The Manila Cockers Club Inc., the country’s cockfighting industry game changer, completed its 56th 7-Cock Breeders Festival with Baby Face BC 1 by Jonjon Cano winning the solo championship title. MCC is set to continue its exciting slate of derbies this July. All events will have a derby weight limit of 1.800kgs to 2.400kgs which is open to all cocks and bullstages. For more information, you may call the MCC hotline at (02)696 1120 or (63)917 582 2615. Visit our website, manilacockers.com; and follow our official Facebook page, facebook.com/ManilaCockersClub. You may also visit the Cockers Arena located at the G/F Turf Building of the San Lazaro Leisure Park, Barangay Lantic, Governor’s Drive, Carmona, Cavite. Winning team of Baby Face BC 1 together with MCC Chairman, Cong. Amado Bagatsing (leftmost) and MCC Pitmaster, Doc Jun Cueto (rightmost).

Cocolife Tigers dominate QC Capitals in MPBL DAVAO Occidental—The Cocolife Tigers leaned on veteran and a prized catch from the Visayas to score a convincing 90-78 victory over a more heralded Quezon City Capitals in the elimination stage of Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup on Tuesday at Pasig Sports Center.

Former PBA veteran Leo Najorda and ex- Unversity of Visayas standout Emmanuel Calo each scored 21 points and 6 rebounds to help propel the team from Mindanao, owned by Claudine

Bautista of Davao Occidental LGU and backed by Cocolife President Elmo Nobleza to an impressive back-to-back win in their maiden campaign in the league organized by Senator Manny Pcquiao.

The Tigers, managed by FVP Joseph Ronquillo, Bhong Baribar and Ray Alao, exploded in the third as coach Don Dulay applied his patented run and gun play to neutralize the height advantage of the Capitals en route to win number two .

Billy Ray Robles also contributed

with 7 points, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks to go with production from homegrowns Ronald Lamocha and Ted Paller.

The Capitals of coach Vis Valencia started hot as former UE Warrior Jeff Morillo led his team to a 21-15 first-quarter edge before the Tigers stopped their momentum for good.

Davao-Cocolife, which outscored the Imus Banderas, 75-71, in their first game in Laguna, shares a two-way tie with Muntinlupa Cagers, 2-0.

Pacquiao did not scrimp on assembling the best boxers from around the world and offer it to Malaysian fight fans as China is looking to break an elusive boxing record.

Lu Bin (1-0), the talented Jinan, China boxer with a sterling amateur career, has been given the title shot by the WBA to face light flyweight champion Carlos “CCC” Canizales of Venezuela.

Should Lu Bin upset the heavyhanded Canizales, (20-0-1, 16-KOs), he will become only the first boxer in history to become world champion in his second fight.

Moruti Mthalane of South Africa, the 35-year-old veteran (35-2, 24 KOs), is unbeaten in his last 12 fights since losing to Nonito Donaire Jr. in November 2008. Mthalane will square off with Pakistan’s legendary amateur Muhammad Waseem, (8-0, 6 KOs) for the International Boxing Federation flyweight crown.

Waseem has had a run of victories for more than seven years as an amateur. He is a two-year pro who has won his last three fights by knockout and successfully defended once the WBC silver flyweight title in 2016.

Two Australians will be in the undercards. Pacquiao, who has lost to Australian Jeff Horn in a controversial match, has invited his Australian sparring mate George Kambosos Jr. (14-0, 8 KOs), to fight Filipino JR Magboo (17-1, 8 KOs).

They battle over 8 rounds at lightweight.

Another Filipino world title hopeful, Jayar Inson of Davao will face Terry Tzouramanis of Australia in another eight-round welterweight match.

Balaoing seeks PPS tennis 3-peat

KTM CHAMP. Luisito Sta. Ana bagged the championship in the highly anticipated

KTM Dukehana finals held in Cebu City. He will represent the country in the Dukehana Asia Finals 2018 and compete against other Asian champions including those from Thailand, China and Taiwan. Sta. Ana topped the race with a best time of 1:15.67.

In second place is Visayas Champion Banjo Monilar who finished in 1:24.11 while Mindanao Champion Tedd Marante finished third with a time of 1:26.32. The finalists were faced with a challenging street course that tested their preciseness in driving and fast maneuvering skills. KTM Dukehana is a motogymkhana time trial sport event were riders maneuver through traffic cones and other obstacles in the shortest time possible with the least number of penalties. This racing event encourages amateurs and expert riders to show off their ready-to-race skills with their KTM motorcycles. Photo shows (from left) Banjo Monilar, Luisito Sta. Ana and Tedd Marante.

Robina Farms supports UP Maroons THE University of the Philippines senior men’s basketball team is getting ready for collegiate hardcourt action as Universal Robina Corporation Agro-Industrial Group’s Robina Farms extended a hand to the Diliman-based squad in their quest for a championship title in UAAP Season 81.

URC AIG vice president and Group BU general manager Vincent Henry Go shared how excited they are to sponsor a team of promising athletes.

“It’s an honor to be part of this team

A7

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

and their campaign towards sports excellence. By extending support to the team, we hope to help them to be at their best and become victorious this coming UAAP season,” said Go. “Being partners with Robina Farms will push you to be the best because they are the best in their industry. Going into this partnership, we are greatly motivated to work harder and perform better to make them and the UP community proud,” said Coach Bo Perasol on the support of URC AIG.

ANGIL Jay Balaoing braces for a fierce challenge from a slew of fancied bets he upended the last time out, seeking a repeat of his rare three-peat feat in the PPS-PEPP Digos City regional agegroup tennis tournament which got going yesterday (Friday) at the Digos City Tennis Courts.

The Koronadal City bet captured three division crowns in Gen. Santos last week, including the boys’ 18-and-under crown where he stunned top seed Bruce Hurtado in the semis then trounced Jude Padao. The 14-year-old bet also took the 14- and 16-U titles in the Group 2 tournament sponsored by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro.

But Hurtado is out for a payback as he heads the premier division cast in Digos with Alfred Directo and Padao also in the fold while top seed Karl Palo is also raring to get back at Balaoing in the 16-U play that also features Padao and Kristopher Espinosa.

Balaoing also gears up for a tougher outing in the full-packed 14-U category where the likes of Padao, Palo, Reyman Saldivar Jr., Espinosa, Jason Flores Jr.,

The University of the Philippines senior men’s basketball team welcomes its newest member, standout UAAP player, Ricci Rivero (left, front row).

Armando Saldivar and Charles Jumawan also seek to contend for the crown and ranking points in the event presented by Dunlop and backed by Asiatraders Corp.

Keen competition is also seen in the girls’ division of the tournament sanctioned by the Unified Tennis Philippines, made up of PPS-PEPP, Cebuana Lhuillier, Wilson, Toby’s, Dunlop, Slazenger and B-Meg with Minette Bentillo and Angelica Novis looking for another title faceoff after the latter foiled the former’s own bid for three titles in Gen. Santos.

The duo are also tipped to slug it out in the 16-U finals while Bentillo goes for another 14-U title bid against the likes of Jillian Manangking, Tenielle Madis and Angelie Ripdos.

Madis and Manangking are also expected to clash for the 12-U diadem with Saldivar and Flores heading the 32-player boys’ cast while Kael Palo, Apollo Globasa, Yusuf Maldo and Alexavier Uy banner the huge field in the 10-unisex division.

Also on tap are the doubles matches in the boys and girls’ 14- and 18-U classes along with the 10-U side. For details, call PPS-PEPP Program Development director Bobby Mangunay at 0915-4046464.

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

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

A8

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

Sports

Serena faces Rus in Wimby 1st round LONDON—Serena Williams will face Arantxa Rus in the Wimbledon first round as the seven-time champion begins her bid to win a first Grand Slam title since becoming a mother.

Williams has been seeded 25th

by All England Club officials despite dropping to 183 in the WTA rankings after a lengthy spell on the sidelines to have her first child.

The 36-year-old gave birth to daughter Alexis Olympia in September and has played only a handful of matches this year.

Williams, who hasn’t won a major title since the 2017 Australian Open before her pregnancy break, made her return to Grand Slam action at the recent French Open.

She wasn’t seeded but reached the last 16 before pulling out with a shoulder injury ahead of a clash with old rival Maria Sharapova.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner opens her first Wimbledon campaign since 2016 against Dutch world number 107 Rus before a second round tie against Tereza Smitkova or Viktoriya Tomova.

It gets harder for Williams from there as she is due to face fifth seed Elina Svitolina in the third round.

Serena, who won Wimbledon in her last two appearances in 2015 and 2016, could have to take down 10th seed Madison Keys in the last 16.

Amid talk that many players are unhappy with the decision to seed Williams at Wimbledon, she could see a friendly face on the opposite side of the net in a possible quarter-final against close pal and reigning Australian Open champion Caroline Wozniacki.

US Open champion Sloane Stephens or Serena’s sister Venus—last year’s Wimbledon runner-up—could lie in wait in the semi-finals.

In the final, Williams may have to see off world number one Simona Halep or defending Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza.

Spain’s Muguruza starts against Britain’s Naomi Broady, while 2004 Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova faces fellow Russian Vitalia Diatchenko. AFP

A football supporter is shown wearing an oversized eyeglasses prior to the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Switzerland and Costa Rica at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Nizhny Novgorod. AFP

World Cup a wide-open race

S

OCHI—Only six countries have won the World Cup in the last 50 years, but a thrilling group stage in Russia has increased the possibility of a fresh name at least making it to the final.

The first phase, featuring just one goalless draw and already a record number of penalties, has been marked by Germany’s stunning exit, their earliest in 80 years.

So after the drama of the last fortnight, who is best set to go far in the knockout rounds?

Brazil finding their feet Of the half-dozen winners of the trophy since 1970, Germany have gone home, while Italy, of course, never even qualified. Meanwhile, France and Argentina play each other next, so only one will make the quarter-finals.

That leaves Spain and Brazil, with the latter fresh from topping their group at a 10th consecutive World Cup even if they have been slow-burners so far.

“This team created high expectations because of what we did in qualifying and

in friendlies. But now we are at a World Cup, it’s a new cycle, a new format,” said coach Tite in an attempt to keep feet on the ground.

Neymar has not yet captured his best form, but the five-time champions have other match-winners, not least Philippe Coutinho, and have looked strong at the back.

A draw of two halves?

The standout last-16 tie on paper pits France against Lionel Messi and Argentina, two teams who laboured through the group stage—in Argentina’s case they were lucky to advance at all.

“We didn’t start in the best way. We got ourselves into a real mess,” admitted Javier Mascherano, while France coach Didier Deschamps still seems incapable of getting the very best out of his talented squad.

Argentinians might be happier than anyone at Germany’s elimination, having been knocked out by them at each of the last three World Cups.

But they could find themselves on a collision course with Brazil in the semifinals, as they lie on a side of the draw that features countries totalling 10 World Cup wins between them.

European champions Portugal are there too, and if Cristiano Ronaldo’s side beat Uruguay in what could be a real battle of attrition in Sochi, he might find himself up against Messi’s Argentina in the last eight.

Can Croatia keep it up?

Uruguay, though, are the only team not to have conceded a goal. Recent World Cups have tended to be won by the side with the best defence, with Spain letting in just two in their victorious 2010 campaign.

Along with England, Spain are the only past winners in the other side of the draw and they face Russia in Moscow on Sunday, with question marks surrounding their back line, and the form of goal-

keeper David De Gea. “Obviously we can improve. Five goals in three matches is not the way forward,” said coach Fernando Hierro of their defensive record, as it remains to be seen if Spain were right to sack Julen Lopetegui on the eve of the tournament.

Croatia are possible quarter-final opponents for Spain. They won all three group games, and a run to the semis like in 1998 is not beyond them, although coach Zlatko Dalic had a warning for his team before facing Denmark.

“It’s all great for the history books in Croatia but if we don’t win against Denmark, when someone asks you what you did, what can you say?

Nothing,” Dalic said.

Meanwhile, England might feel a route to the last four is opening up nicely, thanks to Thursday’s defeat against Belgium.

But Colombia are not to be taken lightly in what manager Gareth Southgate has called England’s “biggest match in a decade”. AFP

4 world titles at stake in KL Vermosa Sports Hub: PH tracksters’ new home BOXING legend Manny Pacquiao is gunning for one of four world titles at stake when he fights World Boxing Association champion Lucas Matthysse in the “Fight of Champions” roadshow that promises to electrify the Axiata Arena on July 15 from start to finish.

Playing the unlikely role as challenger in an inspired bid to win an unprecedented 11th world title, the only eight-weight division boxing champion Pacquiao (59-7-2, 36 KOs) is training to dethrone the dangerous Matthysse of Argentina (39-4, 36 KOs).

The WBA has recently ordered for Jhack Tepora of the Philippines (210, 16 KOs) to fight Edivaldo “Indio” Ortega of Mexico (26-1-1, 12 KOs), for the vacant “regular” WBA featherweight title.

Tepora, the explosive 25-year-old Cebu native, will get his hands full against the 28-year-old Ortega of Tijuana, Mexico. Tepora is looking to deny Ortega the pleasure of beating another Filipino in his quest for the world title.

Ortega has beaten Drian Francisco in his last fight.

This will be Ortega’s first match outside Mexico

and his major title shot. Tepora, who has previously won minor titles, is just too eager to show his wares in a larger stage as he has scored knockouts in his last five outings.

“Fight of Champions,” which has a total of 11 fights, will be beamed live throughout the world. MP Promotions, the promotional company put up by Pacquiao to give back to boxing, loaded up the card with boxers raring to showcase talent and potential.

Turn to A7 Senator Manny Pacquiao points to the camera.

Sonny Espiritu

By Peter Atencio IMUS, Cavite—Members of the national athletics team, most especially those who going to the 2018 Asian Games, will have the privilege of feeling like rock stars on their final stages of preparation.

And that’s exactly how Olympian Marestella Torres-Sunang said when she started training at the newly-opened Vermosa Sports Hub right before it was officially made accessible to the public last March.

“Nag-start ako dito bago mag-open.

Kasi masyado na ma-traffic. Affected ang training ko sa sobrang haba ng biyahe,” said Torres-Sunang when she made a decision to give up on her daily training routine at the Philsports Complex oval in Pasig.

Torres-Sunang said she became more focused, while doing her routines at the tartan track oval and sand pit of the Vermoa grounds in Imus, Cavite that is now being developed by Ayala Land, Inc. The national athletes will have the privilege of training in the only International Association of Athletics Federation-certified track and field oval in the country.

“OK na ang track oval, pero under construction pa iyung gitna. So, nakiu-

Manila Bay Clean-Up Run listup extended MANILA Broadcasting Company has announced that registration for the 2018 Manila Bay Clean Up Run has been extended until July 13.

The event, which is part of fund-raising efforts for the environmental sanitation program to clean our waterways, as instituted by establishments along Roxas Boulevard under the “sunset partnership,” will be held on July 15 and is open to all interested participants in the 3K, 5K, 10K, and 21K divisions for both men and women.

Medals and cash prizes will be given to the top three winners in each race.

Interested runners may register at Olympic Village Festival Mall, Robinsons Forum, and Gateway Mall, or at the lobby of Manila Broadcasting Company, Sotto Street, CCP Complex, Pasay.

For detailed inquiries, call Runners Link at mobile no. 09262052787.

Last year’s Manila Bay Clean-Up Run cast gets ready to answer the starting gun.

Ayala Land, Inc. managing director John Philip Orbeta (fifth from left) and PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico (fourth from right) pose with the country’s top track and field athletes and other officials during the unveiling of the new home and training center of the national tracksters at the Vermosa Sports hug in Imus, Cavite. Others in photo are (from left) athletes Riezel Guarte and Mervin Guarte, Healthy Family Purified Water general manager Sharon Marcial of Manila Water, Inc., Vermosa Ayala Land, Inc. Estate head Jay Teodoro, athletes Marestela Torres-Sumang, Rosie Villarito and Eduardo Alejan.

sap ako na maki-gamit ng facility,” added Torres-Sunang, who achieved the Olympic qualifying standard in the Women’s Long Jump in the Kazakhstan Open and setting a new national record of 6.72 meters, while trying to make it to the Rio Olympics two years ago.

The track facility sits in an 800-hectare lot that Ayala Land is developing into

a residential area. And it will have stateof-the-art amenities when the developers are done with it.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association president Philip Ella Juico said during yesterday’s launch that the next 10 weeks will be a good time time to prepare the members of the national team with the good facilities available.

Woods happy with new putter POTOMAC—Tiger Woods was pleased with a new mallet putter he used competitively for the first time Thursday despite only firing a level-par 70 in the opening round of the US PGA Quicken Loans National.

The 14-time major champion, playing his 11th event in a comeback year after spinal fusion surgery, stood seven strokes behind co-leaders Andrew Landry and J.J. Spaun after 18 holes at TPC Potomac.

“Really didn’t give myself a lot of good looks,” Woods said. “I made a couple birdies, which is nice, but I have to do a better job to give myself some more chances.”

Woods, unhappy with his putting since sharing 32nd at the Masters, began working last week with the new Ardmore putter and used it to replace his Scotty Cameron, the putter he used in winning 13 major titles and in his latest return af-

ter years of back pain.

“I rolled it well,” Woods said. “I hit a lot of good putts. It was nice to feel that again and nice to feel the putter swing.

“I hit a lot of good putts on my line with the speed I wanted. I haven’t done that in a while. I haven’t been doing that. So that’s the positive sign, to keep doing that. Eventually they will start rolling in.”

Woods took a double bogey at the par-4 sixth but the 42-year-old US star answered with birdies at the par-4 14th and 16th holes in a mostly routine round.

“I shot about the score I should have shot,” Woods said. “I didn’t have anything going for the whole round. I was hanging in there and hanging in there.”

Landry and Spaun each shot a bogeyfree 63 to share the course record and grab a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Billy Horschel and Andrew Putnam. AFP

IN BRIEF

Pryce Gases sees income at P1.55b

PRYCE Gases Inc. said it expects net income to reach P1.55 billion this year amid the strong performance of its liquefied petroleum gas business.

“We projected about P1.55 billion [income] for the entire year, plus or minus 10 percent.

But we had a good first half. We probably made P750 million. Our first-half last year was maybe P600 to P650 million,” Pryce Gases chairman Salvador Escano told reporters.

Pryce reported a full-year net income of P1.248 billion last year, up 29 percent from P966 million in 2016.

Escano said about 55 percent to 65 percent of the company’s revenues and income were usually made in the second half.

“First because the rainy season starts in the second half or happens in the second half. The rainy season is conducive, beneficial to LPG consumption. Firewood and charcoal are the biggest competitors of LPG,” he said.

Escano said holidays in the fourth quarter also fueled demand.

Escano said he was expecting revenues to reach P11 billion to P11.5 billion this year, also up from P9.2 billion last year.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Bank loans, money supply still strong

DOMESTIC liquidity or money supply (M3) in the financial system grew 14.3 percent in May to about P11 trillion, slightly faster than the 14.2-percent expansion in April, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday.

Data showed M3 increased 1.3 percent on a month-on-month seasonalIy-adjusted basis.

“The overall pace of growth in M3 remains broadly in line with the BSP’s prevailing outlook for inflation and economic activity. Nevertheless, the BSP will continue to closely monitor domestic liquidity to ensure that monetary conditions are conducive to maintaining price and financial stability,” the Bangko Sentral said said.

Meanwhile, outstanding loans of commercial banks, net of reverse repurchase placements with the BSP, grew a19.4 percent in May, slightly slower than 19.9 percent in April.

Loans for production activities rose 19.3 percent in May, driven by increased lending to wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (23.4 percent); real estate activities (15.7 percent); financial and insurance activities (31.3 percent); manufacturing (17.7 percent); and electricity, gas, steam and air-conditioning supply (11.6 percent). Julito G. Rada

Business

13 groups keen on participating in $2-b LNG deal

By Alena Mae S. Flores THIRTEEN companies expressed their intention to participate in the planned $2-billion integrated liquefied natural gas project, the Energy Department said Friday.

The companies include Cleanway Energy Development Corp., First Gen Corp., Tokyo Gas Corp., China National Offshore Oil Corp., Philippine National Oil Co., Vires Energy Corp and SK E&S Co. Ltd. Also interested in the project are Transformation Ltd., Carmine Energy Pte Ltd., Atlantic Gulf & Pacific of Manila, Jera Co. Inc. , Limay LNG Power Corp. and Kepco E&C. Energy Undersecretary Leonido Pulido III said he was expecting the number of interested parties to increase in the next few months.

Pulido said the department would evaluate the proposals once submitted.

He said some type of consolidation was expected among the interested investors.

Pulido also said interested investors should also show the viability of the project.

“If your design and your business proposal fits your market and is commercially viable, then we will issue a notice to proceed and permit to construct,” he said.

“They have to identify their market in the Philippines. If one company is able to identify or close a market which involves four or five of the power plants that are fueled by natural gas, then they will have that market to be commercially viable. Then we will permit it,” Pulido said.

He said the entry barrier for the first integrated LNG was very high, which would likely limit the number of investors.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

B1

DICT eyes P36.58-b minimum bid for 3rd telco’s frequencies

By Darwin G. Amojelar

T

HE Department of Information and Communications Technology is looking at a minimum bid of P36.58 billion for the spectrum frequencies that will be awarded to a new major player in the telecommunications sector that will challenge the duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. The department issued another set of rules for the selection of the third major telco player, using an auction of spectrum frequencies. Under the second draft of memorandum circular, the participant that offers the highest amount of bid for five years will be selected as

the new major player.

“After the said period, the NMP [new major player] shall be subject to the applicable SUF [spectrum users fee] pursuant to prevailing rules and regulations,” it said.

“The minimum amount of bid shall be

P36.58 billion,” the draft circular stated.

The DICT said the minimum bid amount was not yet final as it was based on the spectrum user fees being paid by existing telecommunications companies and had yet to consider the inputs/ recommendations of experts from International Telecommunication Union and best practices from other countries.

“Further, while there is a minimum bid amount, in this mode of selection, there will be no cap on the bid amount as the participant who submits the highest bid shall be selected as the new major player,” it said.

The National Telecommunications Commission will assign frequency band ― 700 megahertz, 850 MHz,

RIZAL BUST IN PRAGUE.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. (left) and his wife Teresita attend the unveiling of the bust of Dr. Jose Rizal at the Czech National Bank, the central bank in Prague, Czech Republic on June 25, 2018. The unveiling was one of the highlights of his bilateral meeting with his counterpart, CNB Governor Jiøí Rusnok. The Philippine national hero formed a lifelong friendship with Ferdinand Blumentritt, a scholar who studied Tagalog and published works on the Philippines. In 1887, Rizal visited Blumentritt who at that time was a professor in the City of Litomerice.

Govt debt slightly declines to P6.83t

THE government’s outstanding debt slightly declined 0.6 percent or P42.14 billion to P6.83 trillion in May from the previous month, the Bureau of the Treasury said Friday.

Data showed that of the total debt stock, 35.25 percent or P2.4 trillion were secured externally while 64.75 percent or P4.42 trillion were borrowed domestically.

The domestic debt of P4.42 trillion dropped P74.52 billion or 1.7 percent in May from the previous month.

“There was a P74.93-billion net redemption of government securities in May slightly tempered by the P0.41 billion effect of the weaker peso for the month. To date, domestic debt has managed to decrease by P16.92 billion or 0.4 percent since the beginning of the year,” the Treasury said.

External debt increased P32.38 billion or 1.4 percent to P2.4 trillion was P32.38 billion from the end-April 2018 level.

“The increment was due to the weaker peso that increased the peso value of FX debt by P37.66 billion. This was slightly trimmed by net repayments on external loans amounting to P4.89 billion and the impact of net depreciation on third currencydenominated debt amounting to P0.39 billion,” the Treasury said. Julito G. Rada

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

Jollibee to acquire Mexican restaurant chain in the US

By Jenniffer B. Austria RESTAURANT operator Jollibee Foods Corp. plans to expand its presence overseas by acquiring a Mexican restaurant chain based in the United States.

The transaction will be the second acquisition for Jollibee in the US after purchasing hamburger chain Smashburger in 2015.

Jollibee chairman Tony Tan Caktiong said in an interview following the annual stockholders’ meeting the company was open to acquiring or forming a joint venture partnership for the Mexican brand.

“We want to play in the category. So we are interested in acquiring or forming joint venture for Mexican restaurant brand,” Tan Caktiong said.

Jollibee president Ernesto Tanmantiong said discussions were ongoing for the planned acquisition. He said a deal could be closed within the year.

“We are looking at this potential be-

cause Mexican market in US is huge. It [potential acquisition] can be small and we could just grow it or it could be medium size,” Tanmantiong said.

The acquisition is expected to help the company achieve its target of having a 50:50 revenue contribution from overseas and domestic stores by 2023.

About 20 percent of the group’s revenues currently come from stores overseas.

“There is still strong potential for growth for the Philippines. But we also see opportunity for us to go out,” Tanmantiong said.

Tan Caktiong said that on the issue of contractualization, the company had complied with the Labor Department’s order to end contractualization.

“Jollibee is now working closely with Department of Labor and Employment.

All our employees are either regular with us or regular with our service providers,” Tan Caktiong said.

Jollibee allocated P12 billion for 2018

capital expenditures, as it aims to open 500 stores worldwide this year.

Tanmantiong said P7 billion would be used for the opening of news stores and renovation, while P5 billion would be allotted for commissary investments.

The group also continues to open stores in Indonesia, the United Kingdom and Malaysia.

It opened the first Jollibee store in Milan, Toronto and Macau this year.

Jollibee said while the peso depreciation increased its domestic cost, it translated into gains in sales from overseas operations.

“The peso depreciation, while increasing costs in the Philippinesm provided gains in sales and profit from JFC’s businesses abroad. The business had shown resilience in the past and we expect it to continue to do so. We expect revenues and profit to continue to at least sustain its historical growth rates in 2018 and in the years ahead,” Tanmantiong.

2100 MHz, 2010 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 3.3 GHz, 3.5 GHz and 10.5 GHz to the new major player.

The bid documents may 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 dat set by the selection committee,” the DICT said.

The newer guidelines will serve as an alternative to the previous memorandum circular issued by DICT which used the highest committed level of service as basis for the selection of a new telco player.

BSP sees June inflation hitting as high as 5.1%

By Julito G. Rada THE Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Friday inflation rate in June likely accelerated to as high as 5.1 percent from 4.6 percent in May on higher food and liquefied petroleum gas prices.

The central bank’s Department of Economic Research said in a statement inflation in June would likely settle within a range of 4.3 percent to 5.1 percent based on the 2012-based consumer price index.

“Upward price pressures from rice and other agricultural commodities due to weather-related disruptions as well as the increase in LPG prices could be partly tempered by the reduction in fuel prices and electricity rates in Meralco-serviced areas,” it said.

“Going forward, the BSP will continue to keep a watchful eye on the risks to the inflation outlook to help ensure price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable growth of the economy,” the regulator said.

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

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, raised on June 20 the overnight borrowing rate by another 25 basis points to 3.5 percent, wary of the possible second-round effects of inflation.

The interest rates on the overnight lending and deposit facilities were also increased accordingly.

The Monetary Board noted that inflation expectations remained elevated for 2018 and that the risk of possible second-round effects from ongoing price pressures argued for follow-through monetary policy action.

Bangko Sentral Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said that although inflation expectations remained within the target range for 2019, elevated expectations for 2018 highlighted the risk posed by sustained price pressures on future wage and price outcomes.

CebuPac to use Cebu’s new terminal Sunday

By Darwin G. Amojelar

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS SHOW. Top supplier of road-worthy rebuilt and reconditioned trucks G-Tecnica Equipment Corp. will once again be at the Transport and Logistics Philippines which is now on its sixth year. The event will be on held on Aug. 16 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Shown are (from left) Rosemarie Orosco, officer in charge for sales; Carmina Dumalay, sales executive; Jenina Margaret Malit, project executive officer of Global-Link MP Events International Inc.; Arsenio Garcia, chairman of G-Tecnica; Toni De Vera, project executive officer, Global-Link; Ronnie Mendoza, sales manager of G-Tecnica; and Rodel Bautista, general manager of G-Tecnica.

CEBU Pacific Air said it will start operating international flights at the newly-built Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2 on July 1.

The airline unit of the Gokongwei Group said domestic flights to and from Cebu would be retained at MCIA Terminal 1.

Cebu Pacific will join 21 other carriers with international flights in using the resort-themed passenger terminal.

Shuttle buses will be provided to transport passengers between MCIA T1 and T2 every 10 minutes.

The new MICA T2 will boost the passenger capacity of Mactan-Cebu International Airport to at least 12.5 million passengers a year.

Cebu Pacific is the largest carrier operating at MCIA with 385 flights weekly. Cebu is one of six CEB hubs in the Philippines and the largest after its Manila hub.

From Cebu, Cebu Pacific mounts direct flights to Manila, Clark, Davao, Puerto Princesa, General Santos, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, Ozamiz, Tacloban, Surigao, Butuan, Camiguin, Siargao, Legaspi, Dumaguete, Tandag, Calbayog, Pagadian, Zamboanga, Dipolog, Incheon, Hong Kong, Narita and Singapore.

Cebu Pacific and subsidiary Cebgo fly to 37 domestic and 26 international destinations, with over 108 routes spanning Asia, Australia, the Middle East and the US. The airline network operates flights out of seven strategically placed hubs in the Philippines: Clark, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Kalibo, Cebu, Iloilo and Manila.

Cebu Pacific has a total of 67 aircraft with an average age of 4.8 years. The airline fleet is comprised of 36 Airbus A320, five Airbus A321ceo and eight Airbus A330. The Cebgo fleet is composed of eight ATR 72-500 and ten ATR 72-600 aircraft.

B2

Business

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market rises on window dressing S TOCKS rebounded Friday on window dressing at the end of the second quarter following a tumultuous first half that saw sharp losses around the world.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, gained 127 points, or 1.8 percent, to close at 7,193.68 Friday, as all six major sectors advanced.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also climbed 69 points, or 1.6 percent, to settle at 4,392.78, on a value turnover of P7.1 billion. Advancers led losers, 120 to 82, while 43 issues were unchanged.

Eighteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by ISM Communications Corp. which jumped 28.4

percent to P3.30. SM Prime Holdings Inc., the property unit of the Sy family, climbed 5 percent to P35.95, while DoubleDragon Properties Corp. rose 4.5 percent to P25.50.

Newly-listed D.M. Wenceslao & Associates Inc. slumped 14.5 percent to P10.26.

Meanwhile, other Asian markets mostly rose Friday. Trading floors witnessed heavy selling in April-June as the US and China, the two biggest economies exchanged threats of tariffs—and in some cases imposed them—on billions of dollars of imports, fueling fears for global growth.

An increasing source of concern for many investors is China, where the main stock market is in bear territory after losing more than 20 percent from a recent peak and the yuan continues to struggle.

Many analysts warn any trade war with the US would likely hurt Beijing more, with growth in the Asian giant

already showing signs of slowing this quarter and authorities looking to provide support.

That comes just as the US perks up with the Federal Reserve expected to press ahead with interest rate hikes this year and next, and expansion likely to impress further.

The ongoing US strength “implies that the Fed will keep hiking rates because it will need to”, said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at AxiTrader.

“It implies that bonds will continue to have an upward bias, it implies that earnings for US companies should do OK, and it implies that the US will stand out as an investment destination as the de-synchronization of global growth sees other blocs and nations lag behind,” McKenna said.

With investors uncertain about the next moves by Donald Trump, markets fluctuated in early trade despite a positive lead from Wall Street, but most

were in positive territory in later trade.

Tokyo ended 0.2 percent higher, with electronics giant Sharp soaring more than 15 percent after saying it would cancel a plan to raise some $1.8 billion through a public offering, citing the China-US trade frictions.

Hong Kong Kong jumped more than one percent in the afternoon while Shanghai closed up more than two percent—both markets having been at the forefront of much of the selling in recent weeks.

Dealers also welcomed the release

by China of a narrower “negative list” of sectors foreign firms were restricted from investing in as Beijing looks to open up its economy as it prepares for a possible trade war.

Singapore added 0.6 percent and Singapore 0.5 percent while Taipei and Jakarta all posted strong gains.

However, Sydney and Bangkok went into reverse.With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.5 20,060 88.5 2,584,230 2.83 6,000 125.5 3,512,420 1.58 17,000 33.6 122,700 7.49 3,500 16.5 800 14.14 249,000 8.68 7,500 0.68 25,000 0.53 856,000 73.4 7,342,300 1.07 555,000 20 15,300 48.2 36,900 192 120,190 120 4,830 86.6 100 28 153,400 200 309,380 1,850 80 87.5 75,550

1,192,704.50 229,229,544 16,990 440,010,331 26,860 4,118,590 25,570 13,248 3,531,680 64,878 17,000 443,600 539,003,607 583,660 306,000 1,785,070 23,085,267 577,671 8,654 4,295,545 61,880,180 149,200 6,583,458.50

636,252 -73,210,259 58,888,491 1,402,350 -1,327,376 68,680,110.50 170,100 -952,680 353,192 -45,600 -2,511,945 -1,913,554 -7,035

34.2 15.08 0.57 1.16 23.8 0.228 100 3.02 15.8 47.05 22.55 57 58 76.05 1.81 7.62 10.04 15.72 10.6 7.23 5.18 14.3 61.05 21 7.3 13.9 2.18 259.6 5.06 3.21 16.18 27.05 11.1 19.94 344.4 0.177 6.96 2.2 4.14 8.76 7.76 1.25 11.92 51 5.8 4.56 2.15 1.81 12.2 59.8 5 0.13 0.9 118.2 2.65 2.55 1.5

INDUSTRIAL 34.75 1,501,000 15.52 1,390,200 0.59 406,000 1.19 144,000 24.65 90,900 0.228 8,580,000 100 80 3.16 2,205,000 16 493,100 49 431,800 22.7 7,900 59.95 150 59 1,110 77.05 110 1.81 332,000 7.62 11,000 10.16 820,600 15.8 759,700 11 177,800 7.39 1,111,100 5.23 5,128,900 14.46 307,700 61.1 85,760 21.45 33,100 7.3 22,700 14 2,624,500 2.23 632,000 263 378,480 5.1 62,500 3.31 6,000 16.18 2,000 28 2,404,400 11.4 29,500 20.05 1,522,200 355.6 1,045,850 0.177 100,000 7.19 4,600 2.22 283,000 4.14 9,000 8.88 329,700 7.77 1,600 1.25 65,000 12 23,500 51.3 254,940 5.95 7,200 4.74 69,000 2.3 1,829,000 1.9 194,000 12.2 69,900 59.8 108,590 5.27 152,500 0.13 200,000 0.9 12,000 121 2,201,620 2.65 3,000 2.57 6,815,000 1.53 13,779,000

52,151,995 21,380,722 232,930 170,370 2,222,710 1,988,610 8,000 6,889,420 7,890,242 21,339,265 179,765 8,697.50 65,602.50 8,375.50 606,710 86,328 8,336,268 3 11,999,904 1,933,486 8,223,678 26,772,590 4,451,302 5,298,905 703,780 165,804 36,725,730 1,389,570 99,420,966 317,412 19,560 32,360 66,594,660 332,292 30,639,495 366,960,668 17,700 32,446 628,390 37,760 2,921,781 12,422 82,550 281,426 13,062,352 42,810 314,820 4,314,870 360,420 862,466 6,514,190 808,012 26,000 10,830 264,291,640 7,950 17,632,020 21,491,960

-18,359,280 3,838,200 246,500 8,000 3,542,220 -1,259,040 -825 9,450 ,518,904.0002 6,493,256 1,193,788 -1,145,890 4,448,689 -3,883,436 921,985.50 734 13,312,076 -109,550 -14,156,692 26,632,535 5,223,942 252,402,674 95,260 -382,702 -145,200 3,519,612 -7,705 310,080 13,920.00 -64,920 -595,108 280,005 151,943,484 25,220 -933,710

0.23 53.2 11.56 0.92 6 0.61 0.64 900 5.98 10.42 7.1 4.2 0.195 908 6 49.2 5.5 0.52 3.55 17.9 0.57 4.54 3.49 0.037 1.15 2.61 2.9 137.5 850 0.78 490 259 0.235 0.204

HOLDING FIRMS 0.237 2,700,000 54.5 1,591,100 11.62 11,940,600 0.93 10,000 6 900 0.66 16,407,000 0.66 1,700,000 920 228,550 6.08 6,095,400 10.5 8,008,400 7.1 25,100 4.2 168,000 0.195 500,000 910 72,060 6 6,500 50 1,971,900 5.5 1,397,900 0.52 1,981,000 3.57 1,288,000 18.08 3,052,100 0.59 957,000 4.6 26,756,000 3.49 5,000 0.039 8,700,000 1.15 259,000 2.68 349,000 2.9 74,000 138 292,930 875 453,300 0.78 103,000 495 120 259 20 0.235 4,680,000 0.221 300,000

628,630 86,846,750 138,855,002 9,290 5,410 10,655,820 1,112,040 209,404,905 37,105,183 85,314,472 178,386 707,950 97,700 66,089,425 39,000 98,937,540 7,688,450 1,033,720 4,609,130 55,215,170 557,490 122,888,150 17,450 331,700 299,730 914,050 219,840 40,387,864 393,086,655 80,340 59,450 5,180 1,124,820 63,690

-40,195,508 -42,198,594 13,504,950 -3,372,932 -14,412,250 -10,892,160 -25,545,900 130,500 -1,302,810 -52,489,006.00 -37,839,170 -2,680 -6,599,700 31,922,650 -

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.5 88 2.84 124.2 1.58 33.6 6.69 16.74 14.14 8.65 0.68 0.53 72 1.04 20 48.5 200 110 86.5 28.4 197.2 1,915 87.05

59.5 90 2.84 126 1.58 33.6 7.49 16.74 14.4 8.68 0.68 0.53 73.6 1.07 20 48.5 200 120 86.6 28.4 201 1,915 88

59.45 88 2.83 123.9 1.58 33.5 6.69 16.5 14.14 8.65 0.68 0.51 72 1.03 20 48 192 110 86.5 28 197.2 1,850 87.05

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

34.25 15.28 0.57 1.16 23.8 0.24 100 3.05 15.8 47.05 22.6 57 58 76.05 1.89 8 10.04 15.94 11.16 7.23 5.22 14.3 61.05 21.15 7.43 13.98 2.22 259.8 5.1 3.21 16.18 27.25 11.12 20 344.4 0.177 7.01 2.25 4.23 8.89 7.76 1.28 12.18 51.75 5.95 4.56 2.63 1.83 12.98 60 5 0.13 0.93 119.5 2.65 2.62 1.61

35 15.52 0.59 1.2 24.85 0.24 100 3.17 16.02 49.7 22.95 59.95 60 77.05 1.89 8 10.24 15.94 11.16 7.6 5.25 14.64 63 21.45 7.43 14.08 2.3 265 5.14 3.31 16.18 28 11.4 20.5 355.6 0.177 7.19 2.26 4.23 8.89 7.77 1.28 12.18 51.8 5.95 4.74 2.63 1.9 12.98 60 5.4 0.13 0.93 121 2.65 2.64 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 FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL HOUSE OF INV JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.239 53.4 11.68 0.92 6.1 0.61 0.64 900 6.1 10.42 7.19 4.25 0.197 915 6 50 5.5 0.56 3.69 17.9 0.57 4.59 3.49 0.037 1.16 2.62 2.95 139 850 0.78 500 259 0.247 0.221

0.239 55.1 11.74 0.93 6.1 0.67 0.67 920 6.2 10.96 7.2 4.26 0.197 937 6 50.75 5.5 0.56 3.71 18.44 0.59 4.64 3.49 0.039 1.19 2.68 2.99 139 875 0.78 500 259 0.25 0.221

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

7.21 0.99 13.8 1.96 0.76 37 3.15 4.57 5.6 6 5.82 0.43 1.01 0.94 0.204 0.425 11.8 26 0.61 1.43 1.22 1.41 4.27

7.36 1 14.58 1.96 0.77 38 3.2 4.59 5.9 6 5.82 0.44 1.03 0.95 0.214 0.44 11.8 27.9 0.61 1.43 1.22 1.44 4.38

7.21 0.98 13.8 1.96 0.76 37 3.14 4.5 5.6 6 5.82 0.425 1.01 0.9 0.204 0.4 9.66 25.5 0.61 1.4 1.2 1.35 4.27

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.58 0.43 0.485 2.9 18.6 2.04 3.18 34.25 1.14 7.3 0.75 6.15

0.59 0.435 0.485 3.01 18.94 2.04 3.23 35.95 1.14 7.57 0.75 6.28

0.57 0.415 0.465 2.89 18.04 2 3.17 34 1.05 6.95 0.75 6.12

0.58 0.415 0.465 3 18.6 2.01 3.23 35.95 1.05 6.95 0.75 6.14

16,395,000 2,900,000 1,770,000 3,187,000 1,906,000 339,000 8,000 16,237,900 5,876,000 3,474,700 104,000 3,953,300

9,467,250 1,234,150 841,250 9,489,900 35,331,800 681,710 25,500 576,970,240 6,356,860 24,720,497 78,000 24,289,827

30,250 135,000 4,862,040 88,000 315,249,935 434,750 49,500 -16,444,118

2GO GROUP ABS CBN APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA GRAND PLAZA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MANILA JOCKEY MELCO RESORTS METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B 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 25.3 0.445 0.043 13.06 5.01 9.7 0.053 70 7.27 7.28 19.6 1,510 5.4 240 11 3.3 2.12 79 12.5 7.75 0.137 2.7 4.43 15.36 4.04 1.04 24.05 0.435 3.92 5.23 2.65 2.63 2.87 9.4 11.06 8.6 3.7 145 5.17 1,248 0.87 0.335 47.5 78 8.2 1.86 1.15 0.41 4.85 0.78 11.9

15 25.6 0.46 0.043 13.2 6.3 9.92 0.053 70 7.58 7.28 20.2 1,565 5.4 270 11 3.35 2.12 79 12.5 8.05 0.147 3.3 4.61 15.36 4.11 1.05 24.6 0.435 4.1 5.3 2.65 2.72 2.87 9.4 11.06 8.6 3.7 145 5.2 1,295 0.88 0.36 47.5 79.55 8.75 1.88 1.15 0.415 4.95 0.78 12

14.82 25.05 0.445 0.043 13.06 5.01 9.7 0.052 68.9 7.17 6.8 19.28 1,510 5.36 239 11 3.02 2.12 77.05 12.5 7.7 0.135 2.62 4.1 14.6 4 1.02 23.45 0.435 3.92 5.18 2.6 2.53 2.5 9.02 11.02 8 3.25 145 5.12 1,235 0.85 0.325 46.5 78 8.11 1.82 1.14 0.405 4.85 0.76 11.76

SERVICES 14.96 25.3 0.46 0.043 13.2 6.3 9.75 0.053 69.3 7.55 6.82 19.7 1,540 5.38 265 11 3.02 2.12 77.3 12.5 8.05 0.142 3.3 4.49 14.6 4.05 1.05 24.5 0.435 4 5.2 2.62 2.55 2.78 9.03 11.06 8.59 3.38 145 5.19 1,290 0.87 0.36 46.6 79.5 8.31 1.82 1.14 0.41 4.86 0.77 11.9

8,300 77,800 2,320,000 22,300,000 53,500 163,100 4,473,600 43,160,000 579,100 2,658,200 9,300 98,300 46,970 114,500 30,220 500 1,662,000 4,000 1,296,440 1,800 25,000 46,000,000 51,949,000 2,066,000 1,300 1,670,000 140,000 887,200 80,000 42,000 6,375,800 104,000 1,025,000 22,000 6,511,500 10,300 6,300 436,000 10,500 852,800 80,060 1,423,000 2,130,000 847,200 715,140 244,700 5,065,000 213,000 2,730,000 3,828,000 830,000 4,220,900

124,112 1,986,055 1,059,700 958,900 698,822 948,608 43,715,772 2,248,820 40,154,769 19,786,267 64,736 1,945,471 72,513,440 616,008 7,780,830 5,500 5,143,730 8,480 100,390,484 22,500 199,705 6,516,780 154,220,410 8,973,750 19,360 6,749,800 144,380 21,185,375 34,800 168,250 33,379,821 272,290 2,663,750 59,510 59,623,336 113,806 53,618 1,469,710 1,522,500 4,401,112 102,681,305 1,225,930 733,550 39,492,370 56,102,626.50 2,089,962 9,300,420 243,650 1,120,250 18,649,610 636,510 50,181,520

-14,960 -184,000 684,344 10,108,572.00 62,400 -36,312,728 3,722,424 15,979,665 -240,000 1,100 -23,530 -32,322,544.50 -336,150.00 751,840 -43,900 1,889,480 8,577,920 16,400 4,420,250 13,250 -1,024,815 5,530 1,522,500 5,140 18,442,140 29,660 -35,000 -36,285,200 -27,821,178.50 1,922,970 -63,090 -9,852,430 39,796,728

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

0.0026 1.46 4.02 21.4 1.58 1.67 0.3 7.88 2.19 0.188 0.129 1.76 4.64 1.35 1.25 0.011 0.011 2.84 4.48 10.98 30.05

0.0026 1.47 4.11 21.4 1.58 1.71 0.3 7.88 2.22 0.189 0.129 1.76 4.7 1.35 1.33 0.012 0.012 2.89 4.51 11.2 30.4

0.0025 1.44 4.02 18.7 1.58 1.67 0.3 7.23 2.18 0.185 0.128 1.65 4.64 1.15 1.18 0.011 0.011 2.6 4.48 10.98 30

MINING & OIL 0.0026 96,000,000 1.46 623,000 4.1 16,000 18.9 48,100 1.58 8,000 1.7 661,000 0.3 1,000,000 7.55 5,200 2.2 1,339,000 0.187 60,000 0.128 2,650,000 1.65 1,696,000 4.64 261,000 1.15 915,000 1.24 15,279,000 0.012 3,000,000 0.012 16,800,000 2.8 744,000 4.5 1,591,000 10.98 1,175,200 30.3 2,689,700

242,300 906,380 64,780 936,004 12,640 1,118,700 300,000 38,554 2,935,820 11,230 341,530 2,873,190 1,216,820 1,094,580 18,713,360 35,900 185,900 2,039,640 7,173,820 12,970,270 81,401,010

72,500 79,300 165,000 -4,240 -53,600 44,000 -20 44,280 -25,910,480

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

25 499 101.5 100.5 105 501 5.14 951 100 1.04 103 995 76.3 79.4 76.9 76.5 76 76.3

25 499 101.5 100.5 105 501 5.25 951 100 1.04 103 1,000 76.3 79.4 76.9 76.5 76.6 76.3

24.2 499 101.1 100 105 501 5.12 951 100 1.04 103 995 76.3 79.4 76.9 76.5 75.3 76.3

PREFERRED 24.2 42,700 499 20 101.1 10,000 100.5 21,560 105 1,030 501 300 5.17 83,100 951 4,700 100 1,500 1.04 190,000 103 35,580 1,000 3,000 76.3 1,220 79.4 5,390 76.9 20 76.5 400 76.6 5,840 76.3 2,000

1,033,500 9,980 1,013,420 2,159,248 108,150 150,300 433,707 4,469,700 150,000 197,600 3,664,740 2,997,000 93,086 427,966 1,538 30,600 447,183 152,600

-1,031,000 1,005 -399,111 76,300 -

LR WARRANT

2.3

2.4

2.3

WARRANTS 2.34 148,000

349,340

-

2,618,830 14,036,240

49,582 -489,910

1,222,899

65,248

30,805

-

MS

PROPERTY 7.36 0.98 14.48 1.96 0.76 37.9 3.14 4.58 5.9 6 5.82 0.44 1.03 0.94 0.213 0.41 10.26 25.5 0.61 1.4 1.21 1.39 4.28

338,000 5,962,000 19,100 45,000 663,000 16,840,400 133,000 1,257,000 4,000 1,000 500 5,980,000 9,000 328,000 1,580,000 860,000 43,591,300 3,535,000 11,000 18,321,000 965,000 7,529,000 21,996,000

2,462,420 5,875,040 277,550 88,200 506,220 636,226,640 419,650 5,711,830 22,700 6,000 2,910 2,604,650 9,170 296,460 329,640 351,850 450,801,539 93,654,700 6,710 25,865,020 1,164,220 10,574,590 94,627,110

-629,981 123,800 109,495,720 3,080 -863,880 -8,600 1,800 -49,106,059 -4,214,980 -9,404,830 16,830 -52,790,470.00

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.06 3.19

5.14 3.31

5 3.15

FIRST METRO ETF

107

107.8

106

USD DMPL A1

10.1

10.1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

17,289,235

INDUSTRIAL

59,310,145

HOLDING FIRMS

102,100,815

PROPERTY

187,172,762

SERVICES

232,871,918

MINING & OIL

146,987,538

GRAND TOTAL

750,592,827

10.1

5.02 3.3

SME

520,600 4,328,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 107.8 11,380 10.1

DDS

3,050

VALUE 1,779.30 (up) 7.06 1,408,765,037.20 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,414.84 (up) 160.40 1,127,772,158.265 HOLDING FIRMS 7,051.74 (up) 114.15 1,370,309,375.78 PROPERTY 3,549.11 (up) 105.03 1,392.62 (up) 20.88 2,048,800,347.67 SERVICES MINING & OIL 9,673.22 (up) 41.69 1,017,606,740.479 PSEI 7,193.68 (up) 127.11 134,629,390.43 All Shares Index 4,392.78 (up) 69.55 7,125,762,416.60 Gainers: 120; Losers: 82; Unchanged: 43; Total: 245

Wenceslao shares drop in trading debut

By Jenniffer B. Austria SHARE price of construction and property company DM Wenceslao & Associates Inc. fell 14.5 percent to P10.26 on its trading debut despite the market’s 1.8-percent rise.

DM Wecenslao chief executive Delfin Angelo Wenceslao said, however, that he remained confident about the company’s growth prospects, following its maiden share offering that enabled the company to raise P8.1 billion in proceeds.

“Despite a volatile market environment over the past months, we are extremely satisfied to successfully complete our offering. With our more than 50-year execution record in real estate development and construction, the proceeds raised from our IPO will enable us to expand our real estate portfolio through a mix of commercial and residential projects in Aseana City. These pipeline projects will continue to increase our recurring revenue streams and sustain our long term growth,” Wenceslao said.

DM Wenceslao currently has nine projects in the pipeline, offering 400,000 square meters of space, the bulk of which are geared towards recurring income projects.

Wenceslao said he expected recurring business to account for 50 percent to 60 percent of income in the coming years, with residential and land sales accounting for the rest.

Projects in the pipeline include DMWAI’s first residential development, Pixel Residences, which is set to be completed by October 2019.

The offering was co-led by BPI Capital Corp. and Maybank ATR Kim Eng Capital Partners as joint bookrunners and underwriters.

Maybank Kim Eng regional head for Rajiv Vijendran said the offering was strongly supported by institutional and corporate investors and international investors.

DM Wenceslao reported a net income of P1.56 billion in 2017, up 30 percent from 2016. It posted a net profit margin of 52 percent.

Recurring income from leasing of land, office and commercial space accounted for 50 percent of revenues.

DM Wenceslao owns 57 hectares of land in Metro Manila, most of which are in the 110-hectare Aseana City, one of the country’s largest and fastest-growing mixed-use business districts.

DoubleDragon pegs share sale at P30 apiece

By Jenniffer B. Austria DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Inc. set the final offering price for its planned share sale at P30 apiece.

DoubleDragon managed to price its share sale at the low end indicative offer price of P30 to P40 per share despite the market’s decline. It represented a 23-percent premium to the stock’s closing price of P24.40 Thursday.

DoubleDragon will raise up to P4.5 billion in proceeds, based on the final price DoubleDragon said it planned to sell up to 150 million in common shares to fund its expansion plan.

The company conducted roadshows in Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore to gauge the market’s appetite for the planned share sale.

“We are extremely happy with the results of the pricing, as it indicates the strong support of the global investing community in the strong growth prospects of DoubleDragon despite the current volatile market conditions,” DoubleDragon chief investment officer Hannah Yulo said.

DoubleDragon chairman Edgar Sia II said proceeds from the fund raising activity would be used to roll out 100,000 square meters of leasable industrial warehouse spaces in various parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

It will also fund the expansion of the company’s hospitality arm to achieve its goal of reaching 5,000 hotel rooms by 2020.

“As we approach the completion of our 2020 targeted portfolio comprising of 1.2 million square meters or 120 hectares of prime leasable space, this is a great opportunity for key investors to take part in the hyper growth years of the company,” Sia said.

Offer period will be on July 2 to July 6, while listing date is on July 13.

DoubleDragon recently conducted roadshows in Manila, Hong Kong and Singapore to drum up interest in the follow-on offering.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

France honors rights icon PARIS―French Holocaust survivor and women’s rights icon Simone Veil will be given the rare honor of burial at the Pantheon in Paris on Sunday, a year and a day after her death at age 89.

Veil’s death prompted an outpouring of emotion across the country, with thousands signing a petition asking President Emmanuel Macron to bury her alongside France’s most illustrious dignitaries.

She will be only the fifth woman inhumed at the monument on the Left Bank of the River Seine, and will be accompanied by her husband Antoine, a high-ranking civil servant who died in 2013.

“Mum never thought she would be placed in the Pantheon. The only one in the couple who imagined she would enter the Pantheon was our father,” said Jean Veil, the oldest of their three sons.

“He would often say jokingly... that it was out of the question to separate them after 67 years of living together,” he told CNews television.

Simone Veil was 16 when she was deported in 1944 to AusEND OF THE RAINY SEASON. People walk along a crossing on a sunny day in Tokyo’s Ginza shopping district on June 29, 2018. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced on June 29 that the rainy season had ended in the Kanto Koshin region, including the Tokyo area. AFP

US vows ‘strong defensive stance’ against North Korea T OKYO―US Defense Secretary James Mattis pledged Friday to maintain and strengthen the US security alliance with Japan amid fears that talks with North Korea could water down Washington’s longstanding security commitments in the region.

Mattis said the United States and its regional allies will maintain a “strong collaborative defensive stance” on North Korea, and that Japan will remain a “cornerstone” of regional stability.

In meetings with Japanese officials, Mattis sought to address Tokyo’s worries that its security interests could be left behind in President Donald Trump’s push to reach a denuclearization deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. “We’re in the midst of very unprecedented negotiations right now with North Korea, but in this dynamic time, the longstanding alliance between Japan and the US stands firm,” Mattis insisted next to his Japanese counterpart Itsunori Onodera.

“There is absolute reassurance between the two of us that we stand firm,” he pledged.

Regional allies were caught wrong-footed by Trump’s unexpected announcement on June 12 to suspend joint military exercises between the US and South Korea that had previously been seen as a vital measure to contain the North Korean threat.

Following the historic summit in Singapore between Trump and Kim, the US president said he wanted a halt to the drills, describing them as “expensive” and “provocative”. But US allies did not appear to be forewarned.

Mattis said the decision was taken “to create space for our diplomats to negotiate strongly and increase the prospect for a peaceful solution on the peninsula.”

“At the same time, we maintain a strong collaborative defensive stance, to ensure our diplomats continue to negotiate from a posi-

tion of unquestioned strength,” he said.

Onodera said the drills were “important for the stability of the region,” but acknowledged that the decision to suspend them was valuable for diplomatic efforts to get Kim to give up his nuclear threat.

Japan and South Korea both feel a particular threat from Pyongyang’s proven short and medium range ballistic missiles and its possession of chemical and biological weapons.

North Korea, which has previously vowed to sink the Japan into the sea, fired two test missiles over the island nation last year, with others splashing into the sea nearby.

Tokyo and Seoul fear US negotiations will focus on the intercontinental ballistic missiles that North Korea showed last year could reach US territory and potentially deliver a nuclear warhead, rather than shorter-range missiles.

Onodera called for Japan and the US to seek the dismantlement of all North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction “and ballistic missiles of all ranges”. AFP

US seniors join cannabis craze LOS ANGELES―Kyle Johnson, who is 68, swears by cannabis for treating back pain and insomnia. Martha Macbeth, 63, uses it to soothe her sciatica and get a good night’s sleep.

Both Californians are part of a surging new wave of senior Americans turning to cannabis to ease aches and pains as the craze for the drug spreads across the country and more states legalize it.

“They are coming in droves with curiosity and interest, looking for relief from pain and sleep problems,” said Macbeth, a consultant at Octavia Wellness, a San Francisco startup that caters to senior communities across the state, which has legalized recreational marijuana and is the country’s biggest market for legal cannabis.

Interest is such, she says, that Tupperware-like presentations to showcase cannabis products at retirement homes are overflowing with silver-haired potential customers.

The products include tinctures, sprays, edibles and topicals such as lotions and oils that provide relief for a wide range of ailments without getting users high.

“We had one presentation in San Jose (northern California) recently and there were 400 people wanting to go in,” Macbeth said. “We were overwhelmed.”

Several studies indicate that seniors are the fastest growing population in America to adopt cannabis, and if the trend continues they could overtake the younger generation in terms of weed consumption.

Marijuana use among Americans aged 65 and over increased by 250 percent between 2006 and 2013, according to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health.

Another study found a 71-percent increase in marijuana use among adults aged 50 and older between 2006 and 2016. AFP

chwitz during the Holocaust, when her mother, father and brother were killed.

After her return she became a tireless crusader for women’s rights as well as European reconciliation, securing her biggest political victory in 1974 by convincing parliament to legalize abortion despite fierce opposition.

She also became the first elected president of the European Parliament in 1979, a post she held for three years.

A model of composure, Veil was considered by many a secular saint for her unwavering stance on moral issues.

Polls consistently showed her to be one of France’s most popular and trusted figures.

“The fact that we have built Europe has reconciled me with the 20th century,” despite living with the trauma of the Holocaust, Veil once said in a television interview.

The transfer of Veil’s remains to the Pantheon begins Friday, when her casket and that of her husband will be exhumed at the Montparnasse cemetery. AFP

ERRATUM The following is the correct amount that should appear in the Published Statement of Condition of CTBC BANK (PHILIPPINES) CORP. as of March 31, 2018: AMOUNTS CURRENT QUARTER LIABILITIES Financial Liabilities at Fair Value through Profit or Loss

PhP

PREVIOUS QUARTER

58,471,805.96

63,147,488.07

NOTICE TO LEASE Notice is hereby given to the public that ASIAN TERMINALS, INC. has applied to lease a parcel of land with an area of 20,002.89 sq.m. at Phase II, Port of Batangas at the rental rate of P26.00/sq.m./mo. This is to develop port facilities consistent with the Port of Batangas Masterplan and for the sole purpose of conducting its core business of cargo handling services.

Interested parties are invited to submit comparative or counter proposal within fifteen (15) days from the date of this notice to: The Port Manager PMO Batangas PMO Administration Building Port Access Road, Calicanto, Batangas City Telephone Number (063)(43)7234293/7238704 (sgd). LEOPOLDO C. BISCOCHO, JR. Port Manager PMO Batangas (MS-JUNE 30, JULY 7 & 14, 2018)

Republic of the Philippines PROVINCE OF QUIRINO Cabarroguis -oOoBIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE INVITATION TO BID FOR

1.

June 30, 2018 The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino, through the DOH Trust Fund invites all interested contractors to apply for eligibility and to tender bids for the following projects. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Name of Project/Project

1. P B - C W - 2 0 1 8 - 0 4 6 Construction of Medical Arts Building at Quirino Province Medical Center 2. P B - C W - 2 0 1 8 - 0 4 7 Construction of Motorpool and Maintenance Building at Quirino Province Medical Center Venue of Procurement Activities

2.

3.

ERUPTION. A Balinese woman carries a bucket of water as Mount Agung volcanot erupts at the Kubu sub-district in Karangasem Regency on Indonesia’s resort island of Bali. AFP 4.

Paris attacks suspect justifies 2015 killings PARIS―The suspected sole surviving gunman from the 2015 attacks in Paris has come close to admitting his role in the carnage in a rare statement to investigators in which he justified the killings, reports said on Friday.

Salah Abdeslam, in custody in France over the November 2015 attacks that left 130 people dead, has refused to cooperate with French judges ever since his arrest five months after the atrocities.

But on Thursday he recorded a statement in which he parroted the propaganda of Islamist extremist groups, such as the Islamic State, which claimed responsibility for the attacks on the Bataclan concert hall, a sports stadium and bars in the French capital.

“We don’t attack you because you eat

pork, you drink wine or you listen to music, but Muslims defend themselves against those people who attack us,” Abdeslam said, according to the RTL and France Inter radio stations.

They quoted a lawyer, Jean Reinhart, who is representing the victims of the attacks and has access to the case files.

“Put your anger to one side and think about it a few minutes,” Abdeslam said in comments addressed to the dead and injured. “You are suffering from the mistakes made by your leaders.”

In April, a Belgian court sentenced Abdeslam, a French national of Moroccan origin, to 20 years in prison over a gun battle with police in his hometown of Brussels where he was arrested in March 2016. AFP

5.

6.

7.

8.

Duration/ Completion of Works

Bid Documents Fee

Pre-bid Conference

Bid Sub.& Opening

ABC

240CD

P 50,000.00

July 9, 2018 2:00PM

July 23, 2018, 2:00PM

70,153,101.24

150CD

25,000.00

July 9, 2018 2:00PM

July 23, 2018, 2018 2:00PM

21,768,563.43

Special Projects Unit Conference Hall 2nd Floor Capitol Commercial Building Capitol Compound, Cabarroguis, Quirino

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino now invites bids for following projects listed above. 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.

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

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy-five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 AM to 4:00PM. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from June 30, 2018 to July 23, 2018 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount stated opposite each project.

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents at the BAC Secretariat, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, upon payment of the applicable non-refundable fee.

The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Provincial Government of Quirino will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on July 9, 2018, 2:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino, which shall be open to all interested parties.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before July 23, 2018, 2:00PM at Special Projects Unit Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Commercial Bldg., Capitol Compound, Capitol Hills, Cabarroguis, Quirino. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

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.

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification.

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

For further information, please refer to: Engr. Dencio A. Pagbilao Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee Province of Quirino +639175007275 +639177756155 (SGD) ENGR. DENCIO A. PAGBILAO BAC Chairman

(MS-JUNE 30, 2018)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

ON MOONLIGHT BAY

Savoring the Two Seasons Coron bayside vibe

AFFORDABLE ABODES ON THE WAY. At the ground-breaking ceremony were (from left to right) Willy Uy, CEO and president, 8990 Holdings; Mariano Martinez, chairman, 8990 Holdings; Luis Yu, chairman emeritus, 8990 Holdings; Edward Co Tan, architect; Edgar Saavedra, chairman and CEO Megawide; Ronald Paulo, EVP of operations; and Rey Rodrin, AVP operations.

New building technology shores up

Megawide-8990 Holdings housing in Pasig

M

‘NONE SHALL SLEEP.’ Pavarotti would have loved the dramatic flair of the rooms at the Two Seasons Coron bayside hotel, with stunning views all around.

LAST December, Two Seasons Hotel and Resorts opened its second property in Coron town in Palawan, the the 48-room Coron bayside hotel.

This is the third Two Seasons property since it opened the popular Two Seasons Boracay back in 2006.

The Coron bayside hotel isn’t a beach resort. But even if it is located along the National Road, one immediately gets an eyeful of Coron Bay, and the cliffs of Coron Island upon entering the lobby.

The hotel’s interiors follow an underwater theme in keeping to Coron’s reputation as a top scuba diving destination. An old anchor serves as a sculptural art at the center of the lobby, while antique dive helmets are also prominently displayed. Artificial corals with special blue lighting that simulate an underwater scene serve as a soothing backdrop at the front desk.

Strategic location, great investment “The location of the property is strategic because you can see the main (nautical) highway of Coron Bay,” said Rain Chinchilla Dela Rea, the hotel’s manager. He then pointed out ships that depart Coron Port for El Nido, Palawan and Mindoro.

The property initially served as a staging station for guests going to Two Coron Island Island Resort and Spa. “But the owners saw an opportunity for another property and to also cater to a high-end market that would like to stay in Coron town,” he explained.

Two Seasons Hotel and Resorts founder and owner John Peñaloza elaborated in a statement: “I later realized the rarity of that type of property and decided to maximize its potential by building the only boutique hotel in town with rooms offering an unobstructed view of Coron Bay. “It turned out to be a great investment. Coron is fast becoming a new travel destination for weddings and corporate events. Our high-end Two Seasons Island Resort can only be afforded by a few big budgeted companies and with the opening of

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK.

Companies that are in growth mode took up 183,056 sqm. of new offices offered in 2018, according to a study by real estate services firm Leechiu Property Consultants.

BPO and related companies remained dominant users, taking up 357,999 sqm. or 40 percent of the total. “The demand clearly demonstrates how our economy is growing,” said Kei Tiu Laurel-de Jesus, managing director of Frabelle Properties Corporation, developer of the high-end, 16-story Frabelle Corporate Plaza (Seen here) in Makati’s Salcedo Village. Due for completion in September, the project is attracting inquiries from firms currently benefiting from the Philippines’ sustained growth, and seeking the conveniences of doing business from Makati, the country’s prime business district. The building will devote eight floors for offices with a typical floor plate of 835 sqm.The rest of the building will be dedicated to parking, a top floor with an events hall that can seat up to 95 people and ground floor retail.

The building, with a LEED silver certification and multiple telco providers is located on Tordesillas Street corner Bautista Street.

the Bayside Hotel, we can now offer both properties depending on their budgets,” he added.

Dela Rea also pointed out that the two properties address different guest needs, noting that there are those who prefer to stay in town, where they can go to restaurants and bars, after spending the day island-hopping, which is one of the main activities for visitors here.

“But if you really want to detach yourself from technology, then stay at the Coron island resort,” he advised.

But this doesn’t mean Two Seasons Coron Bayside is wanting in luxurious features. Accommodations, which range from standard rooms with street views to the Panorama Suites with full view of Coron Bay, are spacious and well-appointed with flat-screen cable TVs, a DVD player and iPod docking stations.

The Baya restaurant features a large LED television set and special chandeliers that look like jellyfish that changes color.

From the restaurant, one sees the infinity pool, which overlooks the bay, perfect for watching the Palawan sunsets.

The gym, located at the top-most floor, similarly has views Coron Bay and the hotel also has two function rooms—which can be combined—for those on working vacations.

Stand out, and shine But perhaps the most striking aspect of the Coron Bayside Hotel experience is the warm ambiance set of its team. Smiles, warm as the tropical sun, are a natural occurrence, with hand held upon heart, at every turn.

The service team also has an uncanny knack of being one step ahead of one’s needs, with the ability to anticipate requests, even.

“Guest experience is a key point of our hotel’s reputation,” acknowledged Dela Rea. “We believe that our employees are the greatest asset of our brand. A mark that makes Two Seasons standout and shine.”

EGAWIDE Construction Corp and mass housing developer 8990 Holdings, Inc., recently broke ground on a new affordable housing project

by Urban DECA Homes along Ortigas Extension in Pasig City.

Over 19,000 residential units, set across 22 buildings with heights of 14 to 17 storeys, are set to be built on a 13-hectare complex. The project will target young professionals and startup families, as well as buyers who

currently live or work in Pasig City, the Ortigas central business district, Libis, Antipolo and Taytay, Rizal.

This is the first housing project of Megawide that will use advance precast technology.”We are glad to partner with 8990 Holdings,” said Ronald Paulo, Megawide’s EVP of operations.

“We are cooperating with 8990 to build a similar mass housing project in Cebu.”

The units at these Urban Deca homes projects are priced around P1.6M to P1.7M, mainly for two-bedroom units.

Solid mass housing In a statement, Megawide said

LAND HO. Spacious balconies for de-stressing.

the pre-cast construction system is one of the hallmarks of Megawide. It supposedly enables faster construction, easy standardization, cost-effectiveness, high-quality finish and enhanced facade design.

This is Megawide’s third Deca Homes project in partnership with 8990 Holdings. The first was the Deca Homes in Edsa Crossing Mandaluyong, and the Deca Homes in Tondo.

8990 Holdings Inc,. president Willibaldo Uy said his company expects to generate P30 billion in sales from the Pasig project. Hector Zabala

WATERSIDE LIVING. ALP officers, led by managing director Mike Jugo, show Alcantara Group president Edith Alcantara the iconic features of The Residences.

Seaside living in Davao HAVING one’s own digs by the sea, be it a house or a multi-level condo, must be the the most ideal of living situations.

Not only do you have the best of worlds because of the idyllic setting; when you’re near the water, you feel calm and content, and you’d do anything to make that moment last forever—or to have it become part of your day-to-day life.

When you think of waterside living, you might picture somewhere far away from the city. But nowadays, you no longer have to choose between the former and the latter. Take Azuela Cove, for instance. The first seaside estate of Ayala Land Premier (ALP), it is named for its proximity to the serene blue waters that lap at the edge of Davao City, as well as the woodfactory history of the land on which it stands.

Gem of a property ALP launched the two-tower seaside residence in Davao’s new business and lifestyle district. The Residences at Azuela Cove - North Tower will rise 21 storeys high in a structure with large balconies and unobstructed views of Davao Gulf and Samal Island. The property marks ALP’s first foray into the Davao market, and will be the first residential project to launch in Azuela Cove.

“This is a gem of a property,” acknowledged Edith Alcantara, president of the Alcantara Group of Companies, the joint-venture partner of Ayala Land, Inc., for the 25-hectare Azuela Cove. “We deliberately chose to partner with the leader in luxury vertical development because we wanted to retain the gulf’s natural beauty which my family worked

EXPANSIVE SUITES. View of the living and dining room at one of the P36.7

million apartment units.

hard to preserve for many years, even before such practices became a fad.

And we weren’t wrong: ALP is keeping the environmental sustainability parameters that we requested intact in this project.”

Located in Lanang, the Azuela Cove estate will be developed over a ten-year period. The project will have a retail area, 1,500-capacity events venue, sports facility with FIFA-standardsize soccer field, basketball court and volleyball court built to international sports standards, a central park, esplanade and mixed-use development.

The estate will be the site of St. Luke’s Medical Center’s Davao branch.

“With this project, ALP hopes to introduce a new dimension to condominium living, fusing the convenience of being fully-integrated into an Ayala Land estate with the unique experience of living right by the sea,” said Mike Jugo, managing director of ALP. First tower, sold out The Residences at Azuela Cove

will soar up from the estate’s quiet, waterside area. The North Tower is a low-density, all-suite tower with only 70 residences. With the exception of the penthouse level, each floor is comprised of only four units. These are threebedroom homes with varying layouts to suit different needs and sensibilities.

ALP already generated P2.6 billion in sales from the first tower, with its expansive units priced at around P36.7 million, including two iconic penthouse units priced at P80.8 million, sold out within days of the launch.

“The impressive track records of Ayala Land, the Alcantara Group, and Ayala land Premier, no doubt, contributed to the market’s positive response, thus the project’s brisk takeup,” explained Jugo.

Azuela Cove is Ayala Land’s second estate development in Davao, following the Abreeza estate in the Poblacion district. The Alcantara Group has a number of real estate projects in Davao, including Ladislawa Village, Woodridge Park and Las Terrazas.

Life young life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MstandardLIFe saturday, june 30, 2018

C1

Pride MarCh 2018:

LGBTQ community rises up for love

Filipino LGBTQ members celebrated last year’s Metro Manila Pride (Photo from Metro Manila Pride Facebook page)

By Gabbie Parlade

M

eMBeRS of the LGBTQ community has once again demonstrated solidarity in pushing for a progressive change in the society; urging everyone to recognize their rights and to put an end to discrimination. Streets around the world were splashed with colors as the rainbow flag flew and the community marched together to show that love never loses; it always wins.

Metro Manila Pride 2018

Filipino LGBTQ community rises up together today as they take to the streets of Marikina to call each one of us to become advocates in creating a long-term change for a progressive society. With the theme “Rise Up Together,” today’s event features marches around the venue and several activities and performances by proud members of the community. An estimated 7,700 people, including actress nora Aunor, participated in last year’s pride march, also held in Marikina.

New York City Pride March 2018

Peppermint and Sasha Velour at NYC Pride 2018 (Getty Images)

In this year’s pride march, with the theme “Defiantly Different,” new York City featured love for all genders. The event, held on June 24, showcased the unity and power of the community against the Trump administration’s oppressive remarks against the movement. With over 48,000 pparticipants, including 100 floats and 2 million spectators on the streets, the city was filled with color and laughter as they celebrated love for everyone in the city that never sleeps.

Participants dance on the street (Reuters)

Madrid Pride 2018

Sao Paulo LGBT Pride Parade 2018

The largest gay pride parade in the world, held in city of Sao Paulo in Brazil, celebrated its 22nd anniversary on June 3. The parade featured the theme “elections: Power for the LGBTI+ Our Vote, Our Voice,” which sought to influence the upcoming elections in Brazil. Sao Paulo is now considered to be one of the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America.

Berlin Gay Pride 2018

The Madrid Gay Parade, locally known as Madrid Orgullo, will take place on Saturday, July 7, where over 1 million people are expected to attend as it is the last pride parade in Spain after Barcelona and Sitges. This year’s theme “We Pride Festival” will feature the talents of various LGBTQ+ influencers who use their voices to inspire the new generation. A series of events is happening from June 28 to July 8.

Berlin’s pride march serves as a political demonstration (Getty Images)

The Berlin Gay Pride, or more popularly known in Germany as the “Christopher Street Day,” will be held on July 28. It is one of the biggest european gay parades which has been held in the city since 1979.

Unlike the merry atmosphere of other pride march, CSD is more of a political demonstration to commemorate the first homosexual uprising against police assaults at Stonewall Inn along Christopher Street in 1969. even without the party and fun of other pride parades, this has always been a powerful moment for the LGBTQ+ community.

Last year’s revellers at Madrid Orgullo (AFP)

Tel Aviv Pride Parade 2018

Participants at Tel Aviv Pride Parade (By Moti Milrod)

With over 250,000 people who attended the annual parade Tel Aviv Pride Parade in Israel held on June 8, it is now considered the largest LGBT Pride Parade in Asia. even though various political and religious entities tried to stop it, the parade still finds its way to get better and bigger every year. The popular parade is the 20th annual celebration. This year it attracted around 30,000 foreign tourists. Tel Aviv now holds the reputation as the “Gay Capital of the Middle east.”

Careline’s Graph-Ink Liner makes Silvana Rauch ‘s eyes pop.

Careline introduces new products in TVC Teen star Andrea Brillantes wears the hottest “Better Than Basic” products in Careline’s newest television commercial. Together with the new members of the Careline Gang, the new TVC also features Bloom, Pop, and Kiss, three new product concepts that celebrate beauty in diversity.

Bloom is all about enhancing the cheeks with Careline’s Oil Control Blush-On and Lip and Cheek Jelly Tint. The blusher blends perfectly without caking while the lip and cheek tint gives an instant glow without the sticky feel. For a lasting red shade, the Jelly Tint comes in a gel-like formula that easily dries.

The Pop concept intensifies the eyes with Careline’s Graph-Ink Liner, Best Brow Liner, and Go Big and Go Long Mascara. The Graph-Ink liner produces a sharp contrast and definition to the eyes while the Best Brow retractable

liner provides fuller and perfectly defined eyebrows. Careline’s Go Big and Go Long Mascara, which glides through the lashes with fine bristles, adds volume to lashes.

Careline’s Kiss concept transforms the lips in various shades with Kiss Sticks, Matte Liquid, and Melted Metallic lip colors. The Kiss Sticks treats the lips to a creamy kissable feel with a flawless matte finish while the Matte Liquid Lipstick gives a fully pigmentedmatte coverage that dries fast and glides evenly with just one swipe.

The new TVC also features this year’s Careline gang composed of Silvana Rauch, nykhi Arines, Keisha Jao, and Marco Vidal. The new members of the group represent the brand’s campaign for individuality and self-expression.

Go to www.careline.com.ph for more information.

Keisha Jao owes her full lashes to Go Big and Go Long Mascara.

Life

C2

saturday, june 30, 2018 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

To help, not to ‘fix’

First Gender Diversity Center opens in PH ManilaMed’s medical director Dr. Susana Padilla says the Gender Diversity Center aims to help individuals work out his or her gender identity.

F

ormer child star Ice Seguerra shared he already knew at a young age his sexual orientation, or what sex to which he is sexually attracted. But when it came to his gender identity, he admitted to being confused.

“All the while I thought I was lesbian,” he shared. “It was difficult then because even though I had assigned myself a label, it was still very different because for some weird reason I still can’t relate. It all fell into place when I found out about trans.”

Seguerra, now an LGBTQ rights advocate, had a gender dysphoria, a condition wherein a person does not identify emotionally or psychologically with the sex that his or her outward appearance suggests.

The roots of gender related confusion can be genetic, psychological, and hormonal.

Despite regularly ranking well on several international surveys on gay friendliness, in terms of religion, healthcare, and human rights, the Philippines still lacks on vital factors to be regarded as truly an accepting and compassionate society. manilamed decided to make an assistive stand as it opens the first Gender Di-

versity Center in the country. The center aims to serve the Filipino LGBTQ community as well as their families.

Dr. Susana Padilla, manilamed’s medical director, said the decision to open the center was not made lightly.

She recalled the loss of the life of a patient she was seeing for a thyroid condition whom she suspected had a gender identity problem, along with the many other conversations she had with patients and their parents in her practice as a Pediatric endocrinologist had opened her eyes to the atmosphere of fear and intolerance toward those in the LGBTQ community.

The center offers a comprehensive array of services, and handles inquiries with utmost discretion, respect, and compassion. each person is thoroughly assessed by a multi-disciplinary team that includes an adolescent pediatrician, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, an endocrinologist,

The first Gender Diversity Center in the Philippines, located at ManilaMed, offers a comprehensive array of services, and handles inquiries with utmost discretion, respect, and compassion.

a surgeon, a reconstructive surgeon, a urologist, and a family therapist.

Seguerra expressed how happy he is that such a facility now exists.

Dr. Padilla, however, clarified it is not the center’s aim to “fix” those who consult with them so that they conform to what society or even their families are comfortable with or accepting of.

The aim of the Gender Diversity Center, Dr. Padilla said, is to help each person work out his or her own gender identity, assess his or her biological sex, allow him or her to choose his or her sexual preference, and help them transition to that gender role. equally important, the center aims to help people and their loved ones accept and embrace whatever the outcome turns out to be.

Call (02) 523-8131 to 65 local 3008 for inquiries.

Ice Seguerra (right) talks about his struggles with gender dysphoria while Liza Diño (left) listens intently.

How to ace English language tests

Nationwide volunteering program Time Please matches Filipinos to various civil society organizations with available volunteering opportunities.

Time Please gains support from customers, celebrities

An “encouraging” number of hours has been clocked in by volunteers who participated in Time Please, after only almost a month of its launch.

Time Please, the nationwide volunteering program of Globe Telecom and The Walt Disney Company Philippines launched on may 25, is gaining strong support across the country as more celebrities, influencers, and organizations participate and promote its cause.

Among the celebrities and influencers who have participated or promoted Time Please are John Arcilla, Janella Salvador, Yayo martinez, Team Kramer, YouTube vlogger Janina Vela, Chuckie Dreyfus, Tracy Abad, DJ Cha Cha and daughter Saab, rodel Flordeliz, Quark Henares, DJ Jhai Ho, marlann Ponciano Flores, and Joj and Jai Agpangan.

“We are truly grateful of the support we have been receiving for Time Please. The number of volunteer hours clocked in almost a month after the launch is encouraging,” said Yoly Crisanto, chief sustainability officer and senior vice president for corporate communications of Globe.

“We hope more people will share their time to help communities that are in need of assistance,” she added.

Through the volunteer matching portal developed together with iVolunteer Philippines, Time Please matches Filipinos to various civil society organizations with available volunteering opportunities.

Since its launch, Globe has been partnering with organizations mainly focused on education, health, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation.

organizations that have partnered with Globe include Gawad Kalinga, iVolunteer Philippines, Department of education for Brigada eskwela, Kris Library, edicute Inc., Tulong sa Kapwa Kapatid, Kythe Foundation Inc., oikos Helping Hand, Philippine Toy Library, Special olympics, Generation Hope, Yellow Warriors Society Philippines, Karinderia ni mang Urot, Humanist Alliance Philippines International, mano Amiga Philippines, All Together in Dignity Fourth World, Pusod Inc., Aral Pinoy, Citizens Disaster response Center, Project Pearls, Visions of Hope, Progressive Assistance Canada, Dream Big Pilipinas, Haribon Foundation, Fostering education & environment for Development, and make A Wish Philippines.

Pink Women on Fire, Save The Children, Virlanie Foundation Inc., CAPABLe Foundation, Vessels of Humanity, Kidlikasan. Kabataan. Kalikasan., Bahay Tuluyan, The Storytelling Project, He Cares Foundation, Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation, moved, and nature Awareness and Conservation Club Inc. have likewise joined Time Please to attract more participants in their volunteering program.

“Being a strong advocate of volunteerism has become cemented in the Globe culture. Globe is committed to make a difference by utilizing its reach to boost volunteerism nationwide,” enthused Crisanto.

Globe is giving its employees a paid day off to do volunteer work. The company is also encouraging its customers to register at Time Please and volunteer in existing activities.

SeVerAL employers, schools, and immigration bodies in english speaking countries require applicants to take standardized english tests like IeLTS (International english Language Testing System) to get an accurate assessment of a non-native speaker’s english proficiency.

High-stakes exams like IeLTS can be seen as a significant challenge. However, there are many ways to prepare for a test of this type.

“Having a positive outlook, the appropriate resources, and enough time for preparation can make the process of taking the test a productive learning experience for test takers,” says British Council assessment specialist Dr. Johanna motteram.

Dr. motteram further offers six tips on how to successfully take english language tests, which are also beneficial for those who want to learn how to write and speak in english better.

Know the type of test to take

Dr. motteram believes it is important to first check the type of test to be taken and learn about the minimum score that an organization requires so a target score can be set. “one way to familiarize yourself with a particular english language test is by knowing what its purpose is, as well as the sections and the type of questions that may show up during the test proper.”

Watching shows with English dialogues enhances a person’s conversational English skill.

Listen, speak, read, and write in English

According to Dr. motteram, listening to podcasts can help improve listening ability, while for reading books, magazines, articles, and blogs helps significantly. The best way to improve one’s english in terms of speaking and writing is by communicating with others.

“Designate a speaking buddy—a relative, a friend, or another student, and schedule regular speaking sessions with them. For writing, participating in interesting english forums online and being

part of those communities can improve one’s english writing ability over time.”

Watch shows with English dialogues

“An individual can learn a lot by regularly watching shows on english-oriented channels like the BBC, Cnn, and Bloomberg. english movies and TV series are also great options. Doing so allows the test taker not only enhance their conversational english, but also become familiar with the different english accents, usage, and idioms,” advises Dr. motteram.

Take a mock test

A mock test allows takers to identify the area of their english language knowledge they need to improve. numerous review centers in the country provide mock tests for a fee, free sets, on the other hand, are available online. When doing it on one’s own, Dr. motteram says that self-timing is important. “When timing yourself, remember to pay attention to the time limits and allow yourself to plan and review your answers.”

Attend workshops

Another tip from Dr. motteram is to attend workshops both online and offline. online workshops can be done from anywhere and anytime, while offline workshops provide face-to-face trainings.

Practice daily

Dr. Johanna Motteram suggests English language proficiency test takers to know the purpose of their test to help them better review for it.

For Dr. motteram, the most effective ways to ace english tests is to make sure one understands the test tasks and timing, and to use english every day.

“Do the exercises for listening, reading, writing, and speaking consistently. Try the mock tests according to the actual rules of the test.”

Entertainment

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

C3

nickie.standard@gmail.com

TONY LABRUSCA

in an ‘erotic sports’ thriller THROUGH the years, the Muses know what strings to pull to herald the arrival of Philippine Tinseltown’s freshest and newest ‘It Boy.” Some premium examples are Christopher de Leon in Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang, Bembol Roco in Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, Aga Muhlach in Miguelito, Richard Gomez in Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit, Mark Anthony Fernandez in Mangarap Ka, Cogie Domingo in Death Row and Sid Lucero in Muli.

Now, the Muses’ choice is Tony Labrusca, he headlines the Cinema One Originals entry Double Twisting Double Back, the second film of award-winning young director, Joseph Abello.

Labelled as erotic sports thriller, the movie is about Badger, a young athlete who figures in the ultracompetitive world of gymnastics, his struggles to cope with the rigors of the sport, and how he battles with his personal demons.

Abello’s second full length motion picture will also tackle and present mental health issues and how these conditions affect the person afflicted by it and people within and outside his or her sphere.

“He is an endearing, relatable and he wants best for himself and loved ones. As a character, he makes me emotional.

All of us just want our piece of victory and that part of Badger, I can totally relate to but, you know, something in him puts him down. He made me very aware of the troubles that I have. I feel really bad for him,” Labrusca says talking about his character.

He carries on, “I know, giving life to him poses so many challenges, both

on the physical and emotional level. I am giving my best as I want to give a good ALWIN account of myself IGNACIO kahit na baguhan ako. I know this is a big break for me and ayoko naman itong masayang for coming up with a lackluster acting.”

He doesn’t mind the gymnastic routines declaring, “I will do it, basta kaya ko. I know they don’t want me to get any broken bones or hurt myself in doing the routines but I want to be honest. If I can do the routine, kahit na mahirap, I will do it myself.”

Labrusca is more conscious of portraying Badger with a lot of truth, “I want to show people that I’m a new actor but I’m trying to take this seriously. I’m trying to earn my spot in showbiz and prove to people that I deserve to be in this industry.”

What else can we look forward to this? “Well, it is 90 percent erotic,” he teases.

“Joking aside, the sports scenes are aesthetically executed, the thriller part is continuous, the erotic element are tastefully done.”

He goes on, “I was not apprehensive in doing the erotic scenes since I know I am in safe hands, nothing bad will happen to me. Everyone in the film is professional. When I am not comfortable with something, I tell them and they respect my reservations.

More than anything, what we want people to realize is that issues about mental health affect all of us.”

In conclusion, Labrusca states, “I know that my fans will be initially shocked but I am also certain that they are proud. From day one, they know naman na messed up ang film with an advocacy.”

Double Twisting Double Back is a Cinema One Originals official entry with play dates this October.

ARIAS

Local Tinseltown's newest 'It Boy' Tony Labrusca stars in Cinema One Originals entry 'Double Twisting Double Back.'

Elevating lifestyle experience

IN PRINT, ONLINE, ON AIR

The ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosystem team. Seated from left: Terry Villareal, Lala Ventura, and Ernie Lopez. Standing from left: Gladys Mallillin, Mark Yambot, Ces Drilon, Christina Lopez, Paolo Pineda, and Marga Mendoza.

A

BS-CBN Publishing’s flagship title Metro pioneers a magazine transformation to offer the best lifestyle experience across all platforms—in print, on ground, on digital, and on television, as it becomes the first local multi-platform lifestyle brand today.

Steered by the new ABS-CBN Lifestyle Ecosytem headed by Paolo Pineda, Metro expands online with the umbrella website Metro.Style and on air with the newly launched Metro Channel. It also continues its presence in print magazines Metro, Metro Society, Metro Weddings, and Metro Home and on ground through annual events such as Metrowear, Summer Soul, and Metro Society Ball, to name a few.

According to Metro group head Christina Lopez, the new lifestyle team is all set to deliver elevated content for the well-styled life.

“This new setup is part of the organization’s mandate to align platforms across ecosystems and markets we serve. Our goal is to establish the Metro platforms as the authority on the best curated lifestyle content… as we provide the affluent female market with content that informs, inspires, and transforms lives,” Chris shared.

En route to its goal, Metro has combined people with extensive media experience but are also purveyors of lifestyle – experts that shape the content of the different platforms.

With the newly launched Metro Channel on cable, viewers get inspiration straight from lifestyle icons themselves –Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Marc Nelson, Maggie Wilson-Consunji, Anton Barretto, Tricia Centenera, Joel Binamira, and chefs JP Anglo, Claude Tayag, and Sandy Daza, plus Joey Mead King, Raul Manzano, and

Tim Yap who also have upcoming shows on air.

The brand continues to serve print readers with Geolette Esguerra as Metro magazine’s editor-in-chief, and Raul and Anton as editor-in-chief of Metro Society and Metro Home, respectively.

Meanwhile, Metro.Style has already delivered special features and exciting projects, such as Metro’s Most Stylish and Metro Society’s 100 Most Influential, to a wider audience online in its first months of operation, and is expected to bring big and exclusive campaigns in the coming seasons.

Comprising ABS-CBN’s Lifestyle Ecosystem, together with Paolo and Chris, are content acquisitions head Ces Drilon, print publishing, digital operations, and branded marketing unit head Mark Yambot, and head of marketing, events, and creative services Terry Villareal, and sales head Tootsy Angara. They are led by ABS-CBN Publishing Inc. and Creative Programs, Inc. president Ernie Lopez.

Aside from the Metro brand, the ABSCBN Lifestyle Ecosystem aims to deliver the best content for the affluent male audience—with the new ANC-X lifestyle block on ANC and the soon-to-be launched ANC-X website—and for the millennial audience with the flourishing digital reading platform NoInk, travel site Choose Philippines, and more.

Metro Channel is on SKYcable ch. 52 and ch. 174 on HD.

Dreamplay celebrates third anniversary with King Julien’s Dance Off DREAMPLAY’S third King Julien’s Dance Off competition is heading to the Grand Finals today with eight finalists vying for the grand championship and the top prize valued at P100,000.

Coinciding with the third anniversary of DreamPlay, City of Dreams Manila’s DreamWorks-inspired interactive play space, the dance competition held preliminary screenings of children’s dance groups from around the country.

Each group is composed of eight to 12 members each, between the ages of seven to 14 years.

The eight finalists who were chosen by the DreamPlay management team in the presence of a DTI representative are Kiddowockeez, Maximum Groovers, Electro Groovers, GFAM, Little Warriors, The Class, Vibaekidz and Small Fries. The finalists were also announced on City of Dreams Manila

website and DreamPlay Facebook page.

The criteria for judging throughout the competition are: choreography (creativity, style and originality, 40 percent); execution (timing, coordination and projection, 30 percent); overall impact (star quality, 20 percent); and costume (tasteful, themed according to the song choice, 10 percent).

The eight finalists will each perform a five-minute dance number to any song from DreamWorks Animation at the Grand Finals to be held in Chaos, City of Dreams Manila where one dance team will be chosen as King Julien’s Dance Off champion to win the grand prize of P80,000 in cash, a DreamPlay trophy and a special invitation to perform in upcoming events at DreamPlay. Each of the grand champion members will be given two weekend passes at DreamPlay, vouchers for DreamShop worth P1,000

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, June 30, 2018

ACROSS 1 Blackjack, in Britain 5 Flat boats 10 Drawer handle 14 Mighty Dog rival 15 Rabbi’s reading 16 Knotlike mass 17 Line of stitches 18 Not sensible 19 Verdi opera 20 Delegates 22 Passed by 24 Unit of energy 25 Counselor 26 Ultraviolet opposite 30 Baseball stat.

31 Pool hall item 32 Units of length 34 Snake plate 38 Idyllic spot 40 Bond-buyer’s concern 42 “Fish Magic” artist 43 Fleur- — - — 45 Cypress growths 47 Acorn bearer 48 Magna — laude 50 Residents 52 Gulf state 55 “Norma —” 56 Period of little or no growth

57 Viewpoints 61 German import 62 Painter’s garb 64 Put to flight 65 Bank holding 66 New Zealander 67 Napoleon’s island 68 Consumer gds.

69 White-faced 70 Faculty head DOWN 1 Home, to Jose 2 Cheers for toreros 3 Whirlpool locales 4 More cozy 5 Swimming hazard 6 Fakes out 7 Zoologists’ mouths 8 Ebbed 9 Postpone 10 Hiker’s bag 11 Racket 12 More peculiar 13 Necklace part 21 Overcast 23 Opens the window 25 Book appendixes 26 Treated a sprain 27 Undressed

28 Have a hunch 29 Composer — Satie 33 Lots and lots 35 Burn soother 36 Tragic monarch 37 Cartoon shrieks 39 Tobacco component 41 Soft leather 44 Certain beyond question 46 Sharp blow 49 Swamp vapor 51 Ogled

52 Liquid 53 Puts cargo on board 54 “The Black Tulip” author 56 Date source 57 Ranch segment 58 Nat “King” — 59 Big horn 60 Laurel or Kenton 63 Awesome!

DreamPlay's King Julien Dance Off 3 Grand Finalist, Maximum Groovers.

and Chez Gingy worth P1,000, and a photo op with DreamWorks characters.

The first runner-up team will be awarded with P25,000 in cash and DreamPlay trophy, with each member receiving a weekend pass at DreamPlay, vouchers for DreamShop worth P500

and Chez Gingy worth P500, and a photo op with DreamWorks characters, Consolation prizes for the other finalists consist of P8,000 in cash and a DreamPlay plaque, with each member having a photo opportunity with the DreamWorks characters.

Simply...

From C4

Margie Moran-Floirendo bares her plans as the newly appointed chairperson of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the art advocacy program, Art 2 Art, on July 1.

Produced by the Manila Broadcasting Company and hosted by “Ballerina ng Bayan” Lisa Macuja, Art 2 Art airs every Sunday, 3:30 to 4:00 p.m., on radio via DZRH (666 khz on the AM band), on cable television via RHTV (Ch. 129 on Skycable in Metro Manila, Ch. 18 on Cignal TV and Ch. 3 on Cablelink) and livestreaming at http://dzrhnews television.tv.

The show may also be viewed via the Facebook account DZRH News Television.

Moran-Floirendo also tells Macuja how she was first exposed to the arts and how she later explored various facets of media as she hosted a television show and wrote two books on Mindanao and produced a movie, Bagong Buwan. In her current role, she will help CCP prepare for its 50th anniversary next year.

On July 8, Jack Salud shares his twin careers as a visual artist and classical singer. Using pointillism, he creates charming works that have been exhibited in the Philippines and abroad. As a singer, he has performed in musical theater productions of Repertory Philippines and concerts of Philippine Opera Company.

On July 15, second-generation actress Iana Bernardez talks about her debut film, Gusto Kita with All My Hypothalamus for which she earned an acting nomination in the Cine Filipino festival. Though more used to film production behind the scenes, she decided to give acting a try with her mother Angel Aquino giving her valuable advice. *** It’s #lovegoals and #fitnessgoals this morning in Sarap Diva as celebrity couple Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles with their son Hunter share their romantic and interesting love story.

The sexy and fit couple will hit the Sarap Diva kitchen with their own version of Vegetable Lasagna.

Troy and Aubrey will do some kilig couple workout routines while their adorable son will show his talent in dancing.

Watch out for Divine Tetay and Inday Terry’s own version of tandem workout routine. And as always, Asia’s Songbird will give us our weekly dose of great music.

Sarap Diva is on GMA 7 before Eat Bulaga!

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2018

ISAH V. RED

MOVIE QUEEN glad she finally sang using her voice in a TVC

SHAILENE WOODLEY in an amazing tale

of courage and survival Sailing smoothly between love story and survival drama, 'Adrift' is based on a true story set in 1983.

Shaka Saturday with ‘ASAP’ in Honolulu

By Nickie Wang

A

DRIFT is tribute to a real-life survival story of Tami Oldham during one of history’s worst calamities – a Category 4 storm in 1983.

At first, the story is interesting – a young free-spirited woman arriving in Tahiti. Then it becomes romantic when she meets 33-year-old Richard Sharp, an Englishman and a fellow wanderer with a love of the open ocean, pretty much her male version.

And when the two start their voyage from Tahiti to San Diego, everything turns into a heart-wrenching experience.

It starts off as a shared journey only to end in a worst situation some adventures sometimes face.

Everything goes horribly wrong when the yacht they are being paid to transport unexpectedly collides with a Category 4 storm. They never anticipated to be sailing directly into a hurricane that whips up 40-foot waves and 140-knot winds.

American actress Shailene Woodley plays Tami Oldham, a 24-year-old American woman who embarks on a journey of an incredible fight for survival when a massive hurricane damaged her and fiance’s (played by Sam Claflin) yacht leaving her stranded on the Pacific Ocean for 41 days.

The film works on two timelines interwoven seamlessly: a flashback before their journey; and the “presenttense action” where they have to fight for survival.

The movie opens with Tami waking up to a dilapidated boat, with Richard

IF YOU’RE a Tagalog movie fan in the last five decades, you must have watched a lot of movies produced by Sampaguita Pictures and VP Pictures. They were like what we know now as Bollywood movies where the lead stars break out in song-anddance numbers in many scenes.

Susan Roces, the one you see now in the long-running series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano has been in some of those movies.

And when I was little watching those movies in the town’s only cinema with wooden benches sans air-conditioning I wondered why Susan’s speaking voice was distinctly different from her singing voice. I discovered later that someone else (real singers) dubbed her musical numbers so she would sound like a pro. It made me laugh to no end.

At the presscon for RiteMed that also coincided with the renewal of her contract as endorser (now counting seven years), Susan said that she is glad the people behind RiteMed gave her the chance to sing using her own voice the brand’s commercial jingle.

“During my years in Sampaguita, I sang songs but the film used other singers’ voices overdubbed mine, so the fans were not hearing me singing but the real singers,” she confessed eliciting laughter from the younger members of the press who might have never watched old Tagalog movies of the Bollywood kind.

The jingle has gone viral and Susan is very happy that her fans, new and old alike, like what she has done.

With the TVC showing her and other “models’’ dancing to the tune of “Huwag mahihiyang magtanong kung may RiteMed ba nito,” the sales of RiteMed branded products is also soaring making Vincent Patrick Guerrero, RiteMed GM super happy.

Susan said during the presscon, “I am very thankful that many people continue to trust me and the products she is endorsing, because “gusto naming kayong gumaling.”

Continued on C3

American actress Shailene Woodley and English actor Sam Claflin as a couple stranded in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after a hurricane.

nowhere in sight. Panic-stricken, she tries to radio for help and put the boat back in order. By some miracle, she finds Richard in the waters, badly injured.

With no hope for rescue, Tami tries to find the strength and determination to save herself and the man she can’t see herself living without.

Amid her gruelling battle for survival, having managed to rig a makeshift sail while looking after the badly injured Richards (whose condition worsens each day with a broken rib and an open wound on his leg), hallucinations begins to set in —including an island thought to be Hawaii appearing on the horizon one day, only to disappear the next and a rescue ship heading their way only to vanish as well.

As the flashbacks move ever-closer to the hurricane itself, and the story progresses, it reveals certain truths about Tami’s predicament – she is all alone for 41 days and only relies on her memory of Richard’s

voice to get going.

Aaron Kandell (Walt Disney’s Moana), one of the movie’s screenwriters, reveals that he and his twin brother Jordan wrote the story with Woodley in mind. When they visited Tami Oldham in her home in the San Juan Islands, they instantly saw her strength and her free spirit, and she reminded them so much of Woodley whom they’ve known since her role in The Descendants.

True enough, Woodley renders an emotional performance in this movie, which was filmed for 49 days, primarily on location in Fiji, with a few weeks on stage in New Zealand.

Sans the presence of long dialogues, the movie fairly illustrates the energy of the divine soulmate connection between Tami and her fiancé, Richard.

Woodley and Claflin rehearsed together for two weeks in Fiji prior to principal photography. Hence, the palpable chemistry.

Adrift is now in cinemas presented

by Viva International Pictures.

Chance the Rapper to perform in Manila AMERICAN hip hop recording artist and a Grammy-Award winner, Chance the Rapper, is another international artist scheduled to visit Manila as announced by concert promoter MMI Live.

Chancelor Jonathan Bennett, known professionally as Chance the Rapper is slated to perform on Aug. 22 at the MOA Arena presented

by MMI Live together with Globe.

The Chicago superstar quickly rose to prominence after he selfreleased his debut mixtape 10 Day in 2012 and his stunning Acid Rap in 2013. Since then, Chance the Rapper has performed at festivals like Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza and worked with superstars like Lil B, Kanye West, Skrillex, Macklemore, and Ryan Lewis to name a few.

Though early in his career still, Chance the Rapper’s best hit as a hip-hop artist and musician has come from his third mixtape, Coloring Book in 2016. The mixtape featured guest appearances from Kanye West, Justin Bieber, and Future.

Debuting at number 8 on Billboard 200, it became the first release to chart solely on streams. The mixtape was widely lauded by the critics and went on to receive three Grammy nominations including Best Rap Album, Best New Artist, and Best Rap Performance for the single, “No Problem,” featuring Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz with seven other nominations in total. It also became the first streaming-exclusive album to ever do so with over 57 million streams its first week. The Grammy-winning single, “No Problem,” was a Top 50 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and reached No. 5 on the Billboard Rhythmic chart.

A devout Christian and often refers to Christ in his songs, Chance the Rapper was also presented Chicago’s Outstanding Youth of the Year Award by Mayor Rahm Emanuel and was listed 7th on the Forbes “30 Under 30” 2015 music list.

Tickets to his concert are now available via SM Tickets.

TODAY, the island of Honolulu witnesses the biggest gathering of over 30 of the brightest celebrities from the Philippines with ASAP concert taking place at the Blaisdell Center.

An ASAP in Honolulu ticket guarantees the holder entrance to the ASAP Marketplace where one can enjoy food, drinks, games, prizes and a lot of engaging activities, starting at 10:00 a.m.. All these pre-show activities will be at the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Place.

Various activities will be happening on the mini stage. Six families, chosen among registrants from the TFC Live

Kapamilya stars are enjoying themselves in Honolulu before the big day today.

App, will be showing off their creativity in the Ohana Lei Making Contest. Cash prizes will be given away, and they get bragging rights when their Leis are worn by the ASAP celebrities on stage.

There will be fun parlor games with lots of prizes, and the final judging for Kapamilya Ka-Face Mo lookalike contest.

Local performers will also get their turn to shine, adding that beautiful island flavor during the mini stage activities. Bingo is always a sure draw, and a very entertaining game for all generations to enjoy. Bingo prizes range from special gifts from TFC and backstage access for lucky winners, so be sure to sign up and join.

A variety of booths is arranged within the Marketplace that offer goods, services, and more entertaining activities. There are also freebies and giveaways from various sponsors and exhibitors at the venue. For aspiring news reporters, Balitang America is holding on-ground auditions.

Ticketholders also get to experience the world of Bagani, a Philippine television drama fantasy series set in a fictional world, via their special photo wall at the Marketplace. Select Bagani props are available to make your warrior poses more authentic-looking.

Take the ASAP in Honolulu experience to the next level by downloading the TFC Live Events App and completing registration, and get a free ASAP in Honolulu souvenir.

Souvenirs may be claimed at the TFC Live App booth. Supplies are limited, so get them while they last.