Manila Standard - 2019 January 4 - Friday

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MILF FACTION THREATENED COTABATO, MAYOR SAYS Ghadzali Jaafar

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A COMMANDER of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front warned that “there will be consequences” for those who voted against Cotabato City’s inclusion in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Mayor Cynthia Guiani said Thursday.

This came after a deadly bomb attack killed two people and wounded 34 others near a mall in Cotabato on Dec. 31.

The blast came weeks before a Jan. 21 plebiscite that will determine the composition of the BARMM, the product of a 2014 agreement between the government and the MILF.

In an interview with the ANC news channel, Guiani said she had met with MILF commander Wahig Tundok to try to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict of bringing Cotabato into the BARMM. But to the mayor’s dismay, Tundok said his MILF faction was “willing to risk everything just to get Cotabato City.

That’s a threat. It scares the people,” Guiani told ANC. The commander had issued the warning in an online video before the blast, showing the MILF group’s insincerity, the mayor said.

“In that interview, he said that they will

VOL. XXXII • NO. 323 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

attain victory in Cotabato City even if it takes bloodshed to achieve it. He went on to add that they’ve long been accustomed to resorting to violence to achieve their objectives,” she said.

Mayor MILF chairman Al Haj Murad Ebra- Cynthia him condemned the attack as “an act of Guiani cowardice, inhuman, and atrocious.”

In a statement, Murad said: “We are saddened by the fact that this incident occurred at a time while we are in the thick of preparations for the plebiscite on the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law [BOL] on January 21, 2019.”

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CASE SOLVED. Lawyer Justin Batocabe, son of slain Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe, addresses the media at the press conference called by Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday.

Albayalde pointed to Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo (inset) as the mastermind of Batocabe’s murder and filed double murder charges against him and several suspects.

Manny Palmero

PNP tags mayor in Batocabe slay • Baldo faces double murder • P5-m plot hatched in Aug. • 7 suspects in mayor’s staff

By Francisco Tuyay and Nat Mariano

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HILIPPINE National Police chief Oscar Albayalde on Thursday tagged Daraga Mayor Carlwyn Baldo as the mastermind behind the assassination of Ako Bicol Partylist Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his police escort SPO1 Orlando Diaz last month and filed double murder charges against him and several other Next page suspects.

Rody to visit storm-hit CamSur; ‘Usman’ death toll rises to 122

By Nat Mariano

DIAGRAM OF A MURDER. This diagram released by the Philippine National Police on Thursday shows how Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo is linked to the alleged gunmen that killed Ako Bicol Party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe last Dec. 22. The image includes the names of suspects Henry Yuson, Rolando Arimado, Emmanuel Rosello, Jaywin Babor, Christopher Naval, and Danilo Muella. Manny Palmero

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will visit areas in Camarines Sur affected by tropical storm “Usman” on Friday, the Palace said Thursday.

“We will check on the stricken areas to further know what are the things that we need to do. We have prepared assistance,” presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said at a Palace briefing.

Usman, which was downgraded into a low-pressure area, still managed to bring heavy rain to the three provinces of the Bicol region—Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Albay—causing floods and deadly landslides.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported

Budget chief set aside huge funds for in-laws’ areas, Andaya charges

By Maricel V. Cruz HOUSE Majority Leader and Camarines Sur Rep. Rolando Andaya Jr. on Thursday disclosed that embattled Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno has allocated a total of P332 billion for flood control projects from 2017 to 2019 and even placed funds in relatively flood-free areas.

At a hearing conducted by the House committee on rules in Naga City, Andaya accused Diokno of acting alone and allocating huge flood control funds in Ca-

Duterte ensures budget for rehab of calamity areas

siguran, Sorsogon, where his in-laws are politicians.

Casiguran Mayor Edward Hamor, the biggest shareholder of Aremar Construction, is the husband of Sorsogon Vice Gov. Ester Hamor, the mother of Diokno’s son-in-law, Romeo Sicat Jr. who is married to the Budget secretary’s daughter, Charlotte Justine.

In a statement, Hamor has refuted allegations that a construction firm owned by his daughter cornered at least P551

By Nat Mariano and Maricel V. Cruz

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Palace: No apologies for ‘made up’ story

By Nat Mariano THERE will be no apologies from President Rodrigo Duterte over his “madeup” story touching a maid, the Palace said Thursday, insisting such remark was only “concocted” to dramatize and call out the hypocrisy in the Catholic Church.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo reiterated that Duterte’s confession

to a priest when he was a teenager was made up to point out the hypocrisy of Church leaders.

“We said that was a made-up story, which is his way of criticizing the hypocrisy of some members of the clergies (sic), specifically the priest who sexually abused him when he was still a student as well as his fellow students at that time,” Panelo told a Palace press briefing.

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Thursday that the death toll from Usman has reached 122, significantly higher than the 85 reported on Wednesday. The figures have yet to be verified.

The region’s Office of Civil Defense, on the other hand, said the death toll in the Bicol region alone had reached 105, with 23 people missing and 53 people injured.

Usman, considered one of the deadliest storms since Super Typhoon “Ompong,” also devastated the region’s agriculture with losses of up to P816.17 million, the Department of Agriculture said.

Panelo said that while local government units did everything they could to prepare for Usman, “there are things you cannot control.”

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MOA’S MASCOTS. Gigantic inflatables such as Caterpillar, Cody the ClownFish, Cara the Cat, and Billy the Bear together with other mascots took part in the Grand Mascot Parade which was held at the Mall of Asia’s Seaside Boulevard as part of the New Year celebration. Thousands of families attended the mascots parade, now on its 10th year, that was capped with a spectacular fireworks display.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed a joint resolution extending the validity of the 2018 appropriations for maintenance and other operating expenses and capital outlays to Dec. 31, 2019, the Palace said Thursday.

Duterte made the decision in a bid to continue financing the rehabilitation efforts for the regions affected by calamities last year.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said Duterte signed Joint Resolution 3 a week ago, but Malacañang released its copy only on Thursday.

In the House of Representatives, Majority Leader Rolando Andaya said the cash-based budgeting system proposed by the Duterte administration would not be implemented this year.

“It looks like the plan to use the cashbased budgeting system will not push through this year because [Duterte has] already signed a resolution extending Next page

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Military always ready to deal with Reds’ threat

By Nat Mariano THE Armed Forces are well-prepared against the communist rebels, the Palace assured the public on Thursday after the New People’s Army vowed to intensify its offensives to oust President Rodrigo Duterte this year.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said communist leader Jose Maria Sison posed no threat to the government, but they were wary of the rebels in the country.

“Sison poses no threat, but the armed rebels on the ground that attack and ambush government forces are a threat. But our Armed Forces are ready for that,” Panelo said.

He made the statement even as Senator Panfilo Lacson said the communists’ “priority” of ousting a sitting President in 2019 was another reason to tag the New People’s Army as a terrorist group.

Lacson said too many lives had already been lost in the 50 years that the CPP and its armed wing, the National People’s Army, had been trying to overthrow the government.

“He [CPP founder Sison] has been at it for the past 50 years and so many lives have been lost already,” Lacson said.

“The DOJ should follow up with the court the proscription case versus the NPA as a terrorist group as per Section 2 of Republic Act 9372.”

Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief Benjamin Madrigal said he was looking forward to the operationalization of Executive Order 70, or the “National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict,” which would immensely help the government in its ongoing anti-insurgency campaign.

In a statement forwarded to reporters on Thursday, Madrigal stressed the need for all government agencies to come together to eradicate the root causes of conflict and violence.

The CPP recently announced it would intensify its tactical offensives and strengthen its movements as it expected things to get worse under the Duterte leadership.

Sison even said they would cooperate with all possible allies in the broad united front to “isolate and oust the Duterte regime from power.”

“We will base plans and directives on the strength accumulated in 50 years of the revolutionary struggle and the current circumstances and demands of the people,” the 79-year-old communist leader said in a statement Tuesday. With Macon Ramos-Araneta and PNA

Duterte...

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[the 2018 national budget],” Andaya said at a hearing in Naga City.

The hearing was conducted by the House committee on rules on the alleged anomalies in the budget process.

Andaya heads the House rules committee.

According to the Department of Budget and Management, the operating expenses refer to the expenditures that support the operations of government agencies, including the expenses for supplies, materials, transportation and utilities.

The capital outlays are appropriations for the purchase of goods and services such, as bridge and road construction.

Under the resolution, the appropriations that have not been released and the allotments that have not been obligated under the P3.767-trillion 2018 budget can be used until the end of 2019.

Without the extension, the unused allotments and appropriations will revert to the National Treasury.

The joint resolution, which was passed by Congress over a month ago, ensures that the government may still use funds for the ongoing rehabilitation of Marawi City until the end of the year.

Duterte emphasized in the resolution the need to finance the regions ravaged by calamities like Typhoons “Rosita” and “Ompong.”

The House of Representatives approved the joint resolution on Nov. 27, 2018, and the Senate supported the bill on Dec. 3, 2018.

Palace:...

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“The President uses any method that will dramatize, call attention, and bring the messages he wants to impart to those concerned,” he added.

On Sunday, Duterte drew outrage after he detailed how he touched his maid while she was sleeping.

The Palace had previously downplayed Duterte’s tale as a laughable anecdote, something that was purposely spliced to characterize the behavior of the priest who insisted on hearing more

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High court asked to nullify TRAIN 1

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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PARTY-LIST group on Thursday urged the Supreme Court to declare The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act or Republic Act 10963 unconstitutional.

Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, one of the petitioners asking the high court to declare the tax law unconstitutional, cited procedural lapses, the law’s “harsh impact” on the public and its violation of the Constitution’s provision on progressive taxation.

“Instead of benefiting from the low prices of oil in the global market, Filipinos would be burdened with artifi-

cially high prices due to TRAIN’s second tranche of excise taxes on oil and petroleum products,” Zarate said.

He made the statement even as Senator Bam Aquino said the government was starting the year on the wrong foot by adding taxes to petroleum products based on the TRAIN Law. He said the additional taxes could

drive prices higher and add to the burden of the Filipino people.

“The nicest New Year’s resolution for the country is to reduce the sufferings of the people,” said Aquino, one of four senators who voted against the ratification of the TRAIN Law. “Our countrymen are already drowning from the high prices of goods and additional taxes. Let us help our poor people.”

Zarate said the spike in the inflation rate and the price shocks last year would continue because of the additional taxes that will be imposed this year under the TRAIN Law. “In the first three quarters of 2018 there was runaway inflation and skyrocketing prices,” Zarate said.

Customs acts to prevent outbreak of swine flu

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs will conduct mandatory inspections of all imported meat products from countries affected by African Swine Flu (ASF) to prevent the entry of the fatal animal disease into the Philippines.

Customs spokesperson Erastus Austria said the bureau had implemented strict measures in all sea and air ports of the country to prevent the feared outbreak of the ASF. He said the BoC was on “high alert” after the Department of Agriculture banned the importation of pigs and pork products from Latvia, Poland, Romania, China, Czech Republic, Moldova, South Africa, Zambia, Belgium, Russia, Ukraine, and Hungary due to reported spread of the ASF.

PNP...

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Baldo asserted his innocence in a press conference and conveyed his sympathies to the families of Batocabe and his security detail.

“Let us not forget that while I’m being used as convenient scapegoat, those who are truly responsible for the crime remain free and blameless,” the mayor said.

“I am an easy target but that does not make me guilty of the crime,” Baldo added. “I am already being persecuted in the courts of public opinion. I am a public servant and I just want to serve.”

“To the victims who were caught in the line of fire and to the people of Daraga, in our quest for justice, let us avoid committing injustice,” he said.

The Palace commended the PNP for bringing the investigation to a swift conclusion, calling its findings “a breakthrough in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.”

Albayalde told a press briefing Thursday that Baldo’s involvement in the killing was revealed after a discharged Army soldier, Emmanuel Bonita Judavar, came forward and told the police that the plan to kill Batocabe was hatched in August 2018, when the lawmaker announced he would run for mayor in the 2019 elections.

Judavar said he was part of the group involved in the initial planning but said he backed out when it came time to execute the plan.

“So this shows it was Mayor Baldo who paid them,” Albayalde said.

Baldo’s allegations were reinforced by the testimony of Christopher Naval

In a television interview, the customs official said the bureau was strictly monitoring and inspecting pork products that arrived in airports as well as seaports.

He said no pork products from swine flu-hit countries entered the Philippines since the ban was implemented.

Austria said that only meat products legally coming from Brazil, Canada, Germany, US, and Spain were allowed to enter the country but the bureau was still closely monitoring its origin.

The BoC vowed to ensure that smuggled pork products, such as ham, from affected countries, including China would not enter the Philippines.

According to the Bureau of Animal Industry, the Philippines imported a recordhigh of 691,462.564 metric tons due to the growing demand of Filipino consumers for processed-meat products in 2017.

In 2018, the country imported only 4,099 metric tons of pork products.

The meat products came in through the Port of Manila, Manila International Container Port, Port of Cebu, and Port of Davao.

Austria said the bureau was still verifying the United Nations Comtrade Report which cited that China exported pork to the Philippines.

The BoC claimed that it would be quite impossible to import meat products from China because it was easy to detect the commodity.

Imported meat products usually contained in freezers and can be easily inspected, he said.

While swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred, a report said.

alias Tuping, a trusted security aide of the mayor.

Tuping said Baldo had offered P5 million for the job to kill Batocabe sometime in September 2018 and paid an initial P250,000 to Tuping and his group for the purchase of guns and motorcycles.

Cases of double murder and multiple frustrated homicide were filed against Baldo, who had earlier denied any role in the killings, and other suspects.

Reports said Tuping was a discharged Army soldier, formerly assigned with the Military Intelligence Battalion in the 9th Infantry Division based in the Bicol region.

Albayalde said Naval surrendered after a relentless police campaign to arrest the seven people suspected of staging the ambush.

Albayalde said they considered the case solved but not closed because other suspects were still at large.

He said investigation by the Intelligence Group and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group showed that the seven persons of interest were employed as confidential staff in the Office of the Mayor of Daraga.

Albayalde said the team assigned to kill Batocabe was composed mostly of former military men, militiamen, and members of the New People’s Army using fictitious names.

He identified the other suspects as militiaman and former NPA rebel Henry Yuson, rebel returnee Rolando Arimado, former militiaman Emmanuel Rosello, and former Army soldier Jaywin Babor.

In a radio interview, Albayalde tagged Yuson, who has a standing warrant of arrest for rape, as the gunman that shot Batocabe in the back after a gift-giving

event in his home town.

Rosello was arrested early Thursday morning by agents in Daraga, Albay, bringing to four the number of suspects in the custody of the police.

“From all indications as revealed by the suspects and witnesses, and physical evidence gathered by the police, the group that killed Batocabe and Diaz was a private armed group employed by the mayor,” the PNP said in a statement.

Albayalde has ordered the revocation of firearms licenses and permit to carry firearms outside of residence of the mayor and has recommended the removal of his deputation over the local police of Daraga, Albay.

“This is a victory of the rule of law in this country. This also a stern warning against those unscrupulous politicians who will resort to violence to gained elected position. The long arms of the law will eventually catch up on you,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde said they have submitted a letter to the Department of Justice for the issuance of an immigration lookout bulletin order for aldo and the six other suspects.

Baldo has denied any involvement in the Batocabe murder.

In the House, two lawmakers urged the Justice department to move swiftly against the mayor and to place him on the Bureau of Immigration’s hold departure list.

Also on Thursday, Batocabe’s son said his mother was open to the idea of replacing the slain lawmaker in next year’s race for the mayoralty.

“During the wake, during lighter days when friends would be there.. she would say, ‘Maybe... I’ll With Macon RamosAraneta

“But now that the Department of Finance rescinded on their proposal, we could expect another wave of price shocks to hit consumers.”

The TRAIN Law provides an excise tax of P2.50 a liter, and it was imposed on diesel and bunker fuel starting last year.

The amount went up to P4.50 this year and will go up to P6 in 2020. The excise tax on gasoline also increased to P7 in 2018 and to P9 this year, and will go up to P10 in 2020.

“The record-high inflation has brought hardship to millions of Filipinos, and this suffering is felt the heaviest by those in the lowest strata of our society―the poorest households, farmers, fisherfolk, workers and low-income earners,” Zarate said.

MILF...

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The Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, a pro-Islamic State armed group that broke away from the MILF, is suspected of causing the explosion, authorities said.

Cotabato residents are likely to vote against their inclusion in the BARMM, Guiani said, citing consultations with various sectors that showed her constituents don’t want to join the regional body because of the way its advocates campaigned for it.

“If you cannot even start a good campaign by being kind to those people you want to vote for ‘yes,’ then how can you be nice to us when you’re already there, when you already have the vote?” she said.

The mayor urged her constituents to go out and vote and make their voices heard during the referendum on Jan. 21.

Meanwhile, the Palace said Thursday it was still safe to travel to Mindanao despite travel advisories issued by the United Kingdom and Australia.

“It’s natural for any foreign government, or any government for that matter, to be concerned for the welfare, the safety of their citizens,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace briefing.

Panelo said, however, that the bomb attack was an “isolated case.”

“In so far as the national Defense secretary is concerned, it’s very safe to travel in Mindanao,” he said.

Department of National Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said there is nothing new with the advisories since governments regularly issue them to their citizens who are overseas.

Andolong said governments simply want to remind their citizens to take precautions when traveling to countries where bandits and terrorists operate.

Earlier, UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office advised its citizens against travel to western and central Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of terrorist activity and clashes between the military and insurgents.

The FCO also advised against all but essential travel to the remainder of Mindanao (excluding Camiguin, Dinagat and Siargao Islands) and to the south of Cebu province due to the threat of terrorism.

Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, meanwhile, advised its citizens to avoid travel to western and central Mindanao, to reconsider travel to eastern Mindanao, and exercise a “high degree of caution” when traveling to the Philippines. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Rody...

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Budget chief...

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million in government contracts in 2018 from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Hamor also rejected Andaya’s claim that Aremar Construction was favored due to his ties to Diokno.

“Aremar was established in 2014 when I was out of government and I was in the private sector. I divested before I assumed as mayor in 2016 in favor of my sister, Grace Hamor-Yu, and my daughter, Maria Minez Hamor,” the mayor said in a statement.

“Maria is my daughter outside of wedlock before I married Esther Hamor, who is the actual in-law of Diokno. Maria Hamor now owns majority of Aresins during their confessions when there were none.

In related developments: • Lingayen Archbishop Socrates Villegas, apparently in response to an earlier presidential statement, said those who disrespected and called God “stupid” were anti-Christ.

In an open letter posted on his Facebook last Dec. 31, Villegas said people should never disrespect the name of God, reminding them not to imitate those individuals who scorn God. “Do not force the infinite God to fit into our limited minds. They who call God stupid are anti-Christ,” Villegas said.

mar,” he added.

Hamor said Aremar and CT Leoncio Construction and Trading, a Triple A company, are not partners but are only involved in a joint venture for four infrastructure projects in Sorsogon.

“Joint ventures are legal and allowed by the DPWH if it has a Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board approval and special license for joint venture purposes. All these joint ventures have PCAB approval and a numbered special license. Joint ventures are valid and legal,” he said.

The joint venture projects being questioned by Andaya cover the off-carriageway improvement of the Ariman-Casiguran Road (P47 million), Barcelona-Casiguran Diversion Road (P96 million), a tourism road in Bulusan National Park (P115 million) and the section of Daang Maharlika Road in Sorsogon (P289 million).

“The procurement law requires that all projects be open to all contractors. And it’s not the Department of Budget and Management that bids out and releases— it is the DPWH,” Hamor added.

In the hearing, Andaya lamented that Matnog, Sorsogon whose at least 19 villages are now submerged in flood water due to the rains triggered by Tropical Depression “Usman” did not receive a single centavo allocation under this year’s proposed P3.757-trillion national budget that has yet to be approved by Congress. “...Despite its vulnerability to flood, Matnog did not get a single centavo in the billions of pesos allocated by the

DBM for flood control projects in Sorsogon under the 2019 National Expenditure Program,” Andaya said.

“It’s clear that the DBM has a problem in allocating the budget. For 2019, zero budget for flood control in Matnog. But a whopping P385 million allocated for Casiguran, which has no threat of flooding now or in the next 25 years,” Andaya said, citing a study.

But contrary to claims made by the panel, Albay is the biggest beneficiary of flood mitigation projects in Region 5.

DPWH documents showed that Albay had the highest allocation at P11.2 billion, Sorsogon came in second at P10.5 billion, closely followed by Camarines Sur at P10.2 billion, Masbate at P4.5 billion, Camarines Norte at P3.3 billion, and Catanduanes at P2.5 billion.

Documents also showed that other areas got bigger infrastructure funding than Casiguran, indicating that the town was not given any special treatment.

Andaya, who has initiated the probe against Diokno, questioned the bidding documents C. T. Leoncio, saying the company used a single backhoe since May 2018.

In addition, Andaya said the company employed only three engineers despite the many projects it cornered in the region.

“The biddings were rigged from the start. It is the practice of Triple A contractors to secure contracts and later allow other contractors to do the work for them,” Andaya said.

Power outages in some areas of Camarines Sur delayed the relay of information from the authorities to the residents, he said.

“There were areas for instance where the electricity was down, so the message from the local officials about the storm Usman did not reach the residents. Like in Sagñay, the locals there said the electricity was down a day before [Usman hit], so they were not able to monitor [developments],” he said.

He said Duterte seemed satisfied with the government’s preparations and the response from the relevant agencies following the calamity.

The NDRRMC said 75,326 families or about 308,451 people living in 624 barangays in Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas have been affected by Usman.

Of these, 6,217 families or 30,960 people were in 210 evacuation centers.

Agricultural damage for Bicol and Eastern Visayas was placed at P528.51 million.

Some 2,896 houses have been damaged—698 destroyed and 2,198 partially damaged—in Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Eastern Visayas.

Usman also caused production losses of 18,634 metric tons and damaged 40,075 hectares of agricultural land affecting 36,902 farmers and fishermen in the provinces of Albay, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Sorsogon, Northern Samar and Samar. With PNA

News SC to send off retiring Justice Tijam today

By Rey E. Requejo THE Supreme Court will hold a retirement ceremony today for Associate Justice Noel Gimenez Tijam who reaches his mandatory retirement age of 70 on Jan. 5.

Chief Justice Lucas P. Bersamin will preside over the ceremony honoring Tijam’s years of service in the judiciary.

Tijam was appointed to the Supreme Court on March 8, 2017 by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Earlier, the Judicial and Bar Council has submitted to the President ten nominees to Tijam’s post.

The short list include Court Administrator and Spokesman Jose Midas P. Marquez, Court of Appeals Associate Justices Manuel M. Barrios, Japar B. Dimaampao, Amy C. Lazaro Javier, Ramon A. Cruz, Ramon R. Garcia, Mario V. Lopez, and Apolinario D. Bruselas Jr., Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo Cabotaje Tang and former Ateneo de Manila University law dean Cesar L. Villanueva.

Under the Constitution, the President has 90 days from Jan. 5 to appoint Tijam’s replacement from the list submitted by the JBC—the constitutional office that accepts, screens and nominates appointments in the judiciary.

Tijam’s successor will become the President’s 10th appointee to the SC. The President has appointed two Chief Justices—Teresita J. Leonardo de Castro who retired last October 10 and Bersamin who is set to retire on October 18 this year when he turns 70, the mandatory retirement age for members of the judiciary.

Then CA Associate Justice Rosmari D. Carandang was the President’s seventh appointee as SC associate justice.

His first six appointees were Associate Justices Samuel Martires (who retired to assume the post of Ombudsman), Tijam, Andres B. Reyes Jr., Alexander G. Gesmundo, Jose C. Reyes Jr., and Ramon Paul L. Hernando.

Cebu-Nagoya PAL flights go daily Mar. 31

By Joel E. Zurbano BEGINNING March 31, legacy carrier Philippine Airlines will operate a daily frequency flight between Nagoya and Cebu in a bid to strengthen Japanese tourist travel to the Philippines.

Flight PR-480 will depart from Nagoya’s Chubu Centrair International Airport at 9:10 a.m. every day, and arrive in Cebu by 2:30 p.m., while PR479 will leave Cebu at 3:30 p.m. and touch down in Nagoya by 6:50 p.m.

All flights will depart from or arrive at Cebu’s brand new International Terminal 2, the country’s most heralded airport gateway known for its unique resort ambience.

PAL will utilize its 199-seater dual class Airbus A321ceo—with 12 seats on business and 187 seats on economy—for the daily NagoyaCebu flight service.

“Philippine Airlines takes pride in offering Japan’s business and leisure travelers a direct link to Cebu, the Queen City of the South. We are now the only airline flying daily direct to Cebu from Tokyo [Narita], Osaka and now Nagoya, and this represents PAL’s determination to invest in Cebu as a prime gateway to all the treasures of the Visayas and beyond,” said PAL president and chief operating officer Jaime J. Bautista.

He said that from Cebu, Japanese tourists can also board PAL’s direct flights to Palawan, Camiguin, Siargao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tacloban, Boracay, Legazpi, Davao and other parts of the country via the airline’s extensive Cebu hub network.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

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Fireworks-related injuries reach 288

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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HE total fireworks-related injuries reached 288 cases after 52 more cases were recorded by the Department of Health on the second day of 2019.

The Fireworks-Related Injury Sur- covered the period of Dec. 21 until the veillance Report released on Thursday early morning of Jan 3.

The Health Department said the 288 cases this year was 43 percent lower compared to the same period last year and 66 percent lower than the 5-year average.

Of the 288 cases, the DOH said 286 were injured by firecrackers while two cases were due to “fireworks ingestion.”

Of the victims, 231 were male.

Those affected were between the ages of two to 76 years old, with a median

THE Bureau of Immigration barred 145 foreigners convicted of sex crimes in their home countries from January to November of the 2018.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton Medina said the number of registered sex offenders denied entry is slightly lower than the 165 sex con-

age of 16.

The top causes of injuries were the “kwitis” or rocket with 65 cases, followed by ‘luces’ with 29, piccolo with 20 cases, PVC cannon or “boga” with 18, and 5-star with 16.

Of the number, 27 cases were recorded in National Capital Region; five cases each from Region VI, Region VII, Region III; three each from Region I, Region XII, and Region IVA, and one from Region XI.

DESTROYED.

Hundreds of different types of illegal firecrackers and pyrotechnics confiscated by the QCPD police in Quezon City during the celebration of the New Year were destroyed at the grounds of Grandstand of Camp Karingal in Quezon City.

Manny Palmero

NBI asked to probe slay of Glenn Chong’s aide

By Rey E. Requejo THE widow of the slain aide of former Biliran Rep. Glenn Chong on Thursday asked the Department of Justice to order the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own probe of the killing of her husband in Cainta, Rizal last December 9.

Jeanette Santillan formally asked the DOJ to direct the NBI to conduct a parallel investigation on the circumstances surrounding the killing of her husband Richard Santillan.

“I would like to ask for help of our president, the DOJ and the NBI. I want to file charges against the policemen

under [Region IV-A regional director] Gen. [Edward] Carranza,” she said in an interview after submitting her letter to the DOJ. The widow said she does not believe in the findings of the Philippine National Police that her husband was killed after figuring in an “encounter” with policemen who were looking for a carnapped vehicle.

“The police conducted the autopsy without our consent and knowledge. We learned about it only after 16 hours,” she said.

In her request, the widow specifically asked the NBI to take custody of the evidence from the PNP, including

Chong’s vehicle which was equipped with a dashboard camera and Santillan’s belongings.

She sought forensic examinations of the evidence as well as full reconstruction of the incidents leading to the killing.

Mrs. Santillan made the request after a reautopsy by the Public Attorney’s Office showed that her husband was tortured before being killed.

The widow was accompanied by Chong and Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Greco Belgica.

Chong said he could be the real target of the attack and believed that Smartmatic could be behind it.

FINISHING TOUCHES.

Sculptor John Yumol applies black paint as finishing touches to an image of Jesus Christ in time for the feast of the Black Nazarene.

Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF Fire hits National Children’s Hospital THE Bureau of Fire Protection is looking into the cause of a 15-minute fire that struck the National Children’s Hospital in Quezon City on Thursday afternoon.

SFO4 Nelson Cortez, fire investigator, said the fire started at 12:55 p.m. at the hospital’s sixth floor.

The fire that reached the first alarm was put out at 1:05 p.m.

No one was reported hurt in the fire.

“We have to retrieve the motors of the exhaust fans at the second and sixth floors of the building,” Cortez told the Manila Standard. Rio N. Araja

Solon calls for reduced food wastes A LEGISLATOR in Thursday pushed for the drastic reduction of food waste through donation and recycling.

AAMBIS-OWA Party-list Rep. Sharon Garin issued the call as she cited a Philippine Statistics Authority data that an estimated P1.617 billion worth of rice is wasted annually

by Filipino households.

The PSA data indicate that a household wastes 1.676 kilograms of rice annually and this amounts to a total of 38.507 million kilogram valued at P1.617 billion.

“There is a need to address our country’s lack of system when it comes to addressing food waste. For instance, food items continue to end up in dumpsites instead of being repurposed as livestock feed which can help our farmers,” Garin, one of the principal authors of the Food Waste Reduction Act, said.

“We should start to treat food waste reduction as a critical goal for 2019,” she added. Maricel V. Cruz

Probe on 2nd batch of vaccine cases over

BI bars 145 convicted sex offenders to PH from Jan-Nov 2018

By Vito Barcelo

A3

victs intercepted in the same period of 2017.

RSO refers to a convicted sex offender who had served his sentences or is under probation or parole.

The US and other countries maintain a sex offender registry that allows authorities to keep track of the activities and movement of sex offenders.

He said the RSOs intercepted at the

airports were immediately turned away and booked on the first available flight to their port of origin.

“Our immigration law expressly provides for the exclusion of foreigners convicted of crimes involving moral turpitude,” Medina said.

“The Philippines is off limits to these sex offenders.”

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente

assured that the BI will continue to be uncompromising in its campaign to ban the entry of foreign sex offenders into the country.

“These aliens pose a serious and real threat to Filipinos,” said Morente. “We are trying to prevent women and children from being victimized by these convicted perverts, should they enter the country,” the BI chief said.

THE Department of Justice has concluded its preliminary investigation on criminal charges filed against former Health Secretary Janette Garin and others implicated in the second batch of cases arising from deaths of schoolchildren inoculated with Dengvaxia.

The DOJ’s investigating panel headed

by Senior Associate Prosecutor Susan Dacanay has submitted for resolution the charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act against Garin and others after holding final hearing last Dec. 28.

The second batch of cases involved eight victims—Clarissa Alcantara, Christine Mae De Guzman, Erico Leabres, Roshaine Cariño, Naomi Nimura, John Paul Rafael, Michael Tablate and Christine Joy Asuncion.

Rey E. Requejo

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Midterm polls won’t see the best and the brightest

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Luck would smile on them this time around.

The Commission on Elections told us last October that it would winnow down the big number of senator-wannabes to a manageable one, discarding those who have no means to carry out AS THE new year unfolds, politicians a nationwide campaign. But as of toof various persuasions and their rabid day th Comelec has not released a final supporters will begin girding for bat- list of senatorial bets, which should be tle in the May midterm elections. Up between 30 to 40. The Comelec list is for grabs are 12 senatorial positions, likely to include reelectionists, pro-adseveral hundred seats for party-list and ministration bets and at least eight opdistrict representatives and thousands position candidates, not to forget three of local positions from provincial gov- former senators charged with plunder ernors to city and town mayors. in connection with the Priority DevelIn the case of the forthcoming sena- opment Assistance Fund or pork barrel torial election, no scam. less than 152 indiAt the loviduals filed their cal level, those certificates of canwho filed Instead we get the didacy, including COCs include someone who de- least qualified, the well-known poclared himself as Je- mediocre, and the litical families. sus Christ, another In Taguig City, who claimed to be hopelessly corrupt. for instance, the ex-boyfriend of two Cayetanos Kris Aquino, while are running yet another said he for Congress was the ex-boyand another friend of a blogger who claims a huge as mayor, while another one wants to following of some five-million people return to the Senate. In Makati, two in social media.

Binay siblings are running for mayor, Here we’re reminded of what the late another sibling is up for reelection in 1960s the Pop Art icon Andy Warhol the Senate, and the family patriach is said that “in the future everyone will be running for congressman. In Davao famous for 15 minutes.” It seems that City, the presidential daughter wants to the election season brings, from out be reelected as mayor, while a brother of the woodwork, a cast of characters is running for congressman so, he said desperately craving for attention, if not recently, he could get back at Senator fame, even for less than the obligatory Antonio Trillanes who he claims sub15 minutes. jected him to ridicule in a recent Senate We really do not know who the card- hearing. carrying crackpots or the ordinary peoPolitical vendetta is also cited by ple who believe they deserve to be in former Senator Bong Revilla for wantthe Senate are because, well, they’re or- ing to return to the Senate. He wants to dinary people, and they can articulate run after those who charged him with the needs and demands of the masses. plunder, for which he spent a few years Nor can we dismiss outright the peren- behind bars. Perhaps he should be renial losers in previous senatorial con- minded that the job of a senator is to tests who seriously think that Lady Turn to A5

Adverse travel advisories

T

HE Philippines again is the subject of travel warnings from at least two countries following the lawlessness in Mindanao.

Australia and the United Kingdom cautioned their citizens against traveling to the strife-torn island, in the wake of recent terrorist attacks and clashes between government troops and insurgent groups.

The Philippines is used to negative travel advisories, especially if known terrorist groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and the local ISIS abduct civilians and foreign tourists, or bomb public places to harm or kill people. But such warnings will have a long-term impact on the tourism industry, the investment climate and the

overall economic development of a region or the entire nation itself.

The travel warnings from the foreign governments can be unfairly extensive as the one issued by the British government. UK’s travel advisory warned about more terrorist attacks in the Philippines, including Manila. Terrorist groups, says the UK advisory, continue to plan attacks and “have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport, including the metro system, and places of worship.”

The UK also cited the report of American authorities that highlighted “poor aviation security” at the capital’s main airport. The warning may be

excessive but the British government has the responsibility to protect its citizens planning to travel in Mindanao, amid the plebiscite on the Bangsamoro Organic Law scheduled on Jan. 21. Close to 2.8-million voters are expected to cast their votes in the areas of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Isabela City in Basilan and Cotabato City— known hot spots in the island.

Authorities, meanwhile, must increase police presence in tourist destinations, seaports, airports and other public places to deter violence. They should monitor and patrol these places 24 hours a day to keep peace and order.

The travel advisories may have already scuttled the plans of potential foreign tourists to visit the Philippines, but there is no substitute for vigilance in containing all forms of lawlessness.

Discoveries, beginnings CROSSROADS JONATHAN DE LA CRUZ AS ALWAYS, a new year comes with fresh hopes for better days, some dos and don’ts, predictions even, and all kinds of injunctions to get us through the days before another year comes around.

This year, 2019, the year of the earth pig in the Chinese calendar, is no different.

This early a lot of prognostications are being bandied around to the point of overwhelming even the most avid “New Year and all that jazz” addict to submission. So, instead of going with the flow and treading the same routine I decided to rummage through my copies of magazines featuring new discoveries, inventions and even places to visit. I thought it would be better to report these than devote the limited space I have to discuss, among others, the never ending anti-Duterte rants about the war on drugs, the budget impasse and tax reform and even the latest blast in Cotabato City.

Not that these do not deserve any kind of draw. Not at all. These are important topics to dwell on. But I have, as many other opinion writers have, had a take on these concerns for what seemed like ages that my opinion may not matter anymore. What we need now is fast, sustainable action to resolve the issues surrounding these matters rather than words, words and more words to address the issues. And that’s that.

So, here are some fresh notes to keep you on the road to new discoveries and beginnings.

1. Impossible Foods Impossible Foods is a company founded by Stanford biochemist Pat Brown which, according to the TIME magazine account, has engineered a plant-based meat substitute that uses heme—a component of an oxygen-carrying molecule also present in blood— to replicate the delicious characteristics of beef.

It appears that Brown got so taken by what he called the most destructive technology on earth—livestock rearing, which uses about 80 percent of the world’s agricultural land (I didn’t realize that) and produces more greenhouse gases than transport—that he used his knowledge to come up with what the

magazine headlined as “Making Meat Obsolete.” So far, as the account noted, Brown’s Impossible Foods company has gained traction as it is now available in 3,000 locations worldwide compared with only 40 in the US a year ago.

Better still, it has now gained US Food and Drug Authority approval. How’s that for a start up?

2. Indigenous ingredients On discoveries, TIME featured a restaurant in Lima, Peru called Central which boasts of a menu that “travels through Peru” with each course featuring ingredients that grow together in an ecosystem at a particular altitude. The better, according to the owners, husband-and-wife duo Virgilio Martinez and chef Pia Leon, to “help diners understand what we see in nature.”

Thus, the restaurant has scallop and seaweed from the ocean, piranha and yuca from the Amazon and a goat and olluco (a tuber like potato) from the Andes. It appears diners have gotten to like the restaurant’s menu they have truly elevated such other ingredients as

I am sure there are thousands more.

cushuro (a caviar-like item), chaco clay and yacon root—into the mainstream.

Actually, this initiative—use of indigenous ingredients in mainstream dining—has taken root, no pun intended, in a lot of countries, specially those like Peru and the Philippines which boast of such diverse ingredients considered native or exotic by Westerners.

This should be taken as a plus and should be enhanced to the fullest in our trade and tourism undertakings.

3. Marijuana for medicine And now for the latest on marijuana, an item which got back in the national conversation days before Christmas, which may boost its entry into the mainstream. A new, purified form of cannabis—a cannabidiol, a non-high compound became the first US FDA approved pot based drug. Certified in June as Epidiolex and manufactured by GW Pharmaceuticals, it has been test marketed since and will probably hit the stores as early as this month. It is, in Turn to A5

The Godinanang Could be anything.

WHEN my daughter Sophia turned 18 in July, I was asked to deliver a speech.

As mother of the debutante I was the bearer of the 18th peach mango pie. I was also the 17th chicken drumstick-holding dancer; the jolly mascot had the last dance.

I put off worrying about what I was going to say until the last minute. I was confident the right words would come at the right moment. I just knew I wanted to say something short, cool, inspiring—no

tears or awkward pauses, thank you very much.

And indeed the words descended on me like a gift. As if on cue I had the memory of The Godinanang. There is of course no such word; it is a child’s gibberish.

When Sophia was about four or five, she had this habit of holding an imaginary bilao (a big round tray made of light native material, on which you can place

any item, food or otherwise) against her hip. She would then go around the house, “ shouting “Bili bili na, Godinanang!” She imagined herself a peddler of imaginary wares on an imaginary bilao. Sometimes she got tired and moved the bilao from her hip to on top of her head.

Her brothers and sister used to laugh at her, but she carried on for the rest of her Godinanang phase.

More than 10 years later, at her sleepwear-themed fastfood debut party for 50 of her friends, I dredged up these memories and wished her...The Godinanang.

What was it? Who knows? It could be anything. The Godinanang meant possibilities. As much as she was able to

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

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

The New Year mind

Battle of airports THE world’s ’ best two best airports, Changi of Singapore and Incheon International Airport Corp. of South Korea, will operate in the Philippines to help manage the country’s future two best airports—Clark International in Pampanga and the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan.

Changi is the partner of Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Holdings (owner of Cebu Pacific Air) to operate and maintain Clark International Airport for 25 years.

Incheon Airport is the partner of San Miguel Holdings Corp., the airport subsidiary of San Miguel Corp., which is putting up the $15-billion NMIA, in Bulakan town, Bulacan province, 40 kms northwest of Manila and will operate it for 50 years.

The Clark contract awarded Filinvest-JG Summit’s North Luzon Airport Consortium on Dec. 21, 2018 will also develop the commercial assets, operate and maintain project facilities and fit out the new terminal.

“We are confident that with the vast experience of each member of the consortium in terms of property development, air transportation and airport operations, NLAC will be able to reinvent Clark International Airport to a world-class airport, meet the continued growth of international and domestic air travel, and deliver its commitment to the government and the public,” said Josephine Gotianun-Yap of Filinvest Development Corp., the lead consortium member.

NLAC vows to establish “a new reputation” for the Philippine international airports with its technical partner Changi Airport Philippines—part of the Changi Airport Group that operates Singapore Changi Airport.

Skytrax has named Changi Airport as the world’s best for six consecutive years, including 2018 when Incheon placed second.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 23, 2018, in Tokyo, Japan, San Miguel Corp. President Ramon S. Ang signed a memorandum of understanding with Incheon International Airport President Chung Il-young for a cooperative partnership with SMC subsidiary, San Miguel Holdings to develop and manage the proposed New Manila International Airport.

In terms of quality of management, efficiency, and scale of markets, Incheon and Changi airports are on the same level, according to industry insiders. Ang likes the Koreans. “They are easier partners,” he volunteers.

Bulacan will be the largest airport outside Seoul in which Incheon Airport will get involved.

The Airports Council International named Incheon International Airport “Best Airport

Worldwide for a record seventh year in a row, from 2005 to 2011. At Incheon airport, it takes only 16 minutes processing for departure and 12 minutes for arrival—far above the global standards of 60 and 45 minutes, respectively.

From 2005-2011, Incheon has also regularly won ACI’s awards for Best Airport Worldwide, Best Airport in Asia Pacific, and Best Airport with 25-40-million passengers per year.

The ACI Best Airport award is considered the “Nobel Prize of the Aviation Industry,” and is determined through the survey of 1,700 airports by 350,000 passengers.

The Clark International Airport claims to be one of the biggest aviation complexes in Asia. It has two runways parallel to each other but because the facility used to be for military purposes, the distance between them is narrow, virtually making Clark a single-runway airport. The runway can be extended to 4 kms to accommodate new generation wide-bodied aircraft.

The primary runway (Runway 02R/20L)

Commercial aviation is booming in Asia.

has a length of 3,200 meters and a width of 61 meters and is fully equipped with all navigational aids and lighting facilities, with Category 1 rating for precision approach.

The secondary runway (Runway 02L/20R) has a length of 3,200 meters and a width of 45 meters. Not yet equipped with navigational aids and lighting facilities, it is for Visual Flight Rules only.

San Miguel’s NMIA will have four runways good for 100 million passengers— Runway 1 (45m x 3500m); Runway 2 (45m x 2600m); Runway 3 (45m x 3500m); and Runway 4 (45m x 2600m). Ramon Ang promises to build an additional two runways (to make it six) to service up to 200 million passengers.

Ang says with the NMIA, tourist arrivals will increase to 20 million, from barely seven million at present. Assuming two workers per tourist, 20 million translate into 40-million jobs. Aviation contributes 9 percent of economic activity or GDP which amounts to P17 trillion. Of P1.53 trillion aviation GDP, 70 percent or P1.07 trillion is contributed by NAIA. If NAIA is phased out, that P1.07 trillion (6.3 percent of GDP) contributed to the economy will come from San Miguel’s

NMIA. Commercial aviation grows by 4 percent- 5 percent yearly so that in 10 years, NMIA’s contribution to the economy will be P1.6 trillion.

In Clark, Changi has the advantage of helping manage an existing airport undergoing expansion. Its capacity will be limited—4.1million passengers per annum (ppa) at the old terminal, eight million ppa at the new terminal (completed in 2020), 22 million in the second phase, and 46 million in the third.

In Bulacan, Incheon Airport has the advantage of helping develop a brand-new airport from the ground up, using its experience and technology developing and managing Seoul’s Incheon which was also built on reclaimed land.

Also, with Incheon partnering with San Miguel, other South Korean industrial giants could be enticed to come to the Philippines.

The Land of the Morning Calm is the world’s 11th largest economy which is worth $1.645 trillion. It is the world’s sixth-largest steel producer and third largest in cement.

Korea’s R&D spending, at 3 percent of GDP, during 2000 to 2006 exceeded that of China, Russia, and the US. Its top exports of electrical machinery, machinery (including computers), vehicles, and ships.

San Miguel is keen to go into integrated steel million to produce high grade steel and is expanding its cement production exponentially to make it a cement export powerhouse.

Commercial aviation is booming in Asia.

There were 8.2-billion air passengers in 2017, according to the Airports Council. They will swell to 20.9-billion by 2040, at an annual growth rate of 4.1 percent. Of the 12.7 billion increase, from 8.2 billion to 20.9 billion, half or 6.35 billion will be handled by Asia Pacific airports. About 4 billion (19 percent) of the 20.9 billion air passengers by 2040 will be Chinese.

Four billion Chinese will fly by air in 22 years. Indeed, over 60 percent of air passengers will come from emerging and developing economies like the Philippines. Vietnam, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and China will be the fastest growing in air passenger traffic from 2017 to 2040.

Transportation Secretary Secretary Art Tugade is right in promoting the multiple airport strategy for Manila.

South Korea has a population of 51 million. It gets 13.3-million tourists yearly.

Singapore has a population of 5.3 million.

It gets 17-million tourists. The Philippines has a population of 110 million. It gets just below seven-million arrivals a year. Using the South Korea ratio of one tourist for every four South Koreans, the Philippines should easily attract 27-million tourists a year— thanks to San Miguel’s Bulacan airport, and of course, Clark. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Broadway hits Iran with unique take on ‘Les Miserables’

By Kay Armin Serjoie IRANIAN theater director Hossein Parsaee calls Victor Hugo’s classic a “masterpiece without borders” but his groundbreaking production of “Les Miserables” that has hit the stage in Tehran has a few unique twists.

For a start, none of the actresses are allowed to reveal their own hair, and in case their wigs look too natural, the poster advertising the show carries a bright red notice underscoring that their locks are fake.

Nor do the actors and actresses touch hands, or have any other physical contact throughout the musical.

This is, after all, the capital of the Islamic republic, even if the blockbuster show in the luxurious Espinas Hotel feels a world away from the usual stereotypes about Iran.

The concessions to the government’s view of Islamic rules are often subtle.

There is, for instance, always at least one other voice accompanying an actress when she sings—since female solos are taboo— although spotting the second voice can be tricky.

All the other staples of a big-budget musical are here: a live orchestra, billowing dry ice and dazzling light displays.

With a cast, crew and orchestra of over 450, the production has played to sold-out 2,500-strong crowds for six nights a week since it debuted in November.

It was all perfect It was a mainly young, well-heeled crowd when AFP visited recently, and they could barely control their excitement at a rare chance to attend a musical in their home city.

The Godinanang From A4

imagine that she was selling anything on that bilao, so should she be able to know that there are no limits to her imagination and to what she can do.

My message was indeed short and cool and funny and well applauded. In fact the mascot gave me the ultimate validation: With its fingers it drew a heart across its chest and then pointed to me.

Why am I recounting an experience from six months ago? This New Year, I wish us all The Godinanang. No matter our age or station in life, imagination will allow us to dream up possibilities of what we can achieve outside of what we think constrains us.

Zzzzzz My friends from grade school and high school had our holiday gathering

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

“It was so much more than I expected,” gushed Maryam Taheri, a 45-year-old housewife, after the show.

“The acting, the music, the lighting—it was all perfect.”

Foreign-made TV, film and cartoon versions of “Les Miserables”—a French 19th-century epic on sociopolitical tumult, crime and punishment—have been frequently shown in Iran, where the book has also been translated.

The classic work even has the stamp of approval from supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has described Victor Hugo’s book as “a miracle among novels... a book of kindness, affection and love.”

The new production is being hailed as the most spectacular play yet staged in Iran, and arrives at a topical moment with the ongoing “yellow vest” protests in France.

“After 200 years you see it happening again in France,” contends businessman Mehdi Hooshyar.

“This is good, it shows whenever their society stagnates, something like this happens to move it forward,” he said.

“The revolution is still alive.”

No Miserables allowed in The lavishness of the production has brought its share of criticism, however.

The play has come at a volatile moment in Iran, when anger at economic inequality and corruption dominates political debate.

Tickets, priced between 500,000 and 1.85 million rials (roughly $5 to $20, 4.4 euros to 17.5 euros), are beyond the means of most Iranians.

“No Miserables allowed in,” said a conservative daily, Javan.

Director Parsaee said connecting with

Tehran’s elite was part of the point.

“This story is relevant to all times, and all places, and that includes today’s Tehran. It’s about the class divide, the social breakdown and the poverty that exists today,” he told AFP. “It’s a reminder to the audience that other classes exist and we need to see them and know about them. It’s a serious warning.”

No taboos broken Much of the show seems to run against Iranian taboos, not least the mixed dancing and drinking in brothels and inns.

But Parsaee, who used to head the performing arts department at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, knows the red lines well.

“The review board saw the play in its entirety before we were allowed to begin our run,” he said.

“They found it completely compatible with the rules and regulations. No taboos were broken.”

The director’s love for musicals started around a decade ago when he saw “Oliver Twist,” based on the Charles Dickens classic, in London.

“I was depressed for days, thinking why can’t we do this? I vowed to myself that I would one day make a musical in Iran.”

He did precisely that, bringing “Oliver Twist” to the stage in Tehran last year.

And now he has established a production company to train a new generation of musical directors.

“I’ve opened the door on musicals in Iran, and now, like a relay race, others must advance it to a point that there won’t be any difference between Iran and Broadway.” AFP

at a Makati restaurant and in the middle of brunch the fellow from the next table joined our conversation.

He introduced himself as a doctor who had served 30 years at a government hospital and who was now practicing in Taiwan. He was just home for the holidays— and he was on that morning waiting to meet up with a former patient.

We thought for a while he was irritated by our stories and laughter. We wondered whether we were being boisterous and disruptive. But no—in fact he had eavesdropped a bit and pieced together our professions from our stories. He was also only genuinely amused that we could stay friend this long—and still giggle like high school girls.

He feigned surprise that we were married and/ or moms. “Why, I thought you were single!” We laughed and decided we liked him instantly.

He volunteered he knew the secret to a healthy, long life. We wondered: Laugh-

ter? Gratitude? Good relationships? The little things?

He said: Sleep.

The Internet abounds with the merits of getting the right amount of sleep at the right time, in terms of health, productivity and, temperament.

But this could be difficult given the varying nature of jobs or given the techinspired habits we have acquired over the years. We always know we need to sleep and sleep well, but there are just too many things that need to be done.

Still, hearing such advice from a doctor who we has seen and heard it all medically pushed us to actually make an effort to keep better sleeping hours.

If there is one other wish I can make for you, dear readers, aside from clean slates and active imaginations, then this would be it. This year and henceforth, may you sleep better—and live well! adellechua@gmail.com

whether fish or forests. And those who don’t will suffer the consequences).

The greatest contradiction in the “20 Reasons” is its treatment of energy, reporting (with some dubious sources) as progress “a terrible year for the fossil AT THE end of last year, the media was fuels industry” with governments phasteeming with reviews of the past 12 ing out carbon emissions, banning gasmonths. With their focus on the posi- fueled vehicles, and subsidizing unrelitive, compilations such as “20 Reasons able sources of energy: Solar and wind 2018 Was A Great Year” catch my eye. power. Yet, at present, only the fossil But often such lists of arguably positive fuels provide the abundant, affordable, statistics and achievements are a mixed and reliable energy that human flourbag of the positive and the negative. ishing depends on.

I argue that the standard we should What reports such as the “20 Reause for assessing the positives and neg- sons” fail to realize is what constitutes atives is human flourishing—because human progress and what makes it posonly that standsible. ard makes happy, Any progress healthy, and proswe make in perous lives posf lourishing—all sible for all. the advances in Protection of That is the human health standard Johan liberty and property and prosperity Norberg used in listed in these rewill leave people free his 2016 book Proports—depends to pursue their own gress, in which he on one source: tells the story of flourishing. the thinking huhuman progress, man mind. Inbacked up with venting vaccines, statistics, in the restoring eye last 100 years or sight, developing less, in areas such as food, sanitation, new and more efficient food sources, life expectancy, and poverty. That is increasing productivity, reducing povwhy I liked his book so much. erty, all depend on human ingenuity: However, lists such as the “20 Rea- our exercising reason to solve problems sons” do not use human flourishing as and to create. the standard, and therefore almost half The mind to exercise reason and to of the statistics it includes are either think has one crucial requirement: freeharmful or irrelevant to human well- dom. Freedom—not government regubeing. lations and bans—is required for the The “20 Reasons” starts with a discovery of new knowledge. Imagine promising subheading, “An incredible how much more progress there would year for global health,” which notes a be in human health if there were more new, affordable vaccine to end cholera, freedom in medicine and the pharmaa 25-percent drop in cancer rates, and ceutical industry, or how much poverty the disappearance of the Zika virus, would be further reduced under more among other positives. But even this freedom? section reports government intervenGovernment attempts to control the tion in our lives as a positive—yet it is discovery of knowledge and the devela drain on human flourishing—such as opment of innovations through funding new sugar and other excise taxes in the and restrictions (on energy sources and Philippines. Presumably, taxing sugar emissions, for example) reduce human (as opposed holding people responsible flourishing, as politicians or bureaufor their own choices) would stem obe- crats lack the accountability and exsity and diabetes. pertise in “picking the winners.” GovAmong the positives, the “20 Rea- ernment regulation to restrict freedom sons” also lists a number of statistics on also creates disincentives to fund disimproved living standards and reduced covery of knowledge, as it diminishes violent crime and terrorism, but the re- the return on such investment. mainder of the report is either mixed or Government does have a crucial, alanti-human flourishing. though a very limited, role in making While nature conservation can be human flourishing possible: It must enconsistent with human flourishing— sure freedom by protecting individual such as setting up parks for human rights against the initiation of physical enjoyment and recreation, preventing force and fraud. water pollution, or reforestation to preSuch protection of liberty and propvent soil erosion—government running erty will leave people free to pursue national parks or banning commercial their own flourishing, voluntarily Tradfishing or mining violate the principle ing with others, leading to progress for of private property rights and therefore all. Let’s hope for more of that this new people’s ability to thrive. (Under pri- year, to make our lives even better. vate ownership, most property owners manage their resources responsibly, eric.jurado@gmail.com

Midterm...

From A4

craft laws and investigate anomalies and corruption in aid of legislation, not to exact revenge on those who he feels have wronged him.

Apart from this, we find it disturbing as well that this early, newspaper headlines increasingly report politically motivated violence in various parts of the country. The latest casualty, Ako Bicol Rep. Rodel Batocabe, who was running for mayor of Daraga town in Albay, was murdered in broad daylight in December, with the bounty for the arrest of the mastermind and the killers now at P50 million. We can probably expect more of the same in the months ahead as political contests at the local level are often very heated and lead to violence.

Equally disturbing is out-and-out political campaigning as early as last year by some personalities who have risen to prominence not because of political statesmanship or distinct contributions to governance, but rather closeness to the powers-that-be and quite possibly easy access to public funds.

We’re simply appalled that we do not get the best and the brightest to run for leadership positions in the country, but the least qualified, the mediocre, and the hopelessly corrupt.

We’re therefore glad that a bill has been filed in Congress seeking to require candidates to join Comelec debates.

Siquijor Rep. Ramon Rocamora said his bill would require national and local election candidates to participate in debates organized by the poll body.

Discoveries,...

Rocamora said he filed House Bill No. 8549 “to ensure that voters are given sufficient information on the plans of the candidates and to assess the quality of leadership that these candidates wish to offer.”

“I believe the bill, if approved, will be a major piece of legislation, which will enhance our democratic election process,” he said. “By requiring election debates, we afford the voting public the chance to scrutinize the candidates.

This is part of ushering in better quality of elections, from the campaigning down to the vote itself.”

The bill also seeks to make absence in a debate an election offense and ground for disqualification, except in cases of hospital confinement, temporary detention, or similar grounds that prevent their attendance.

FEATURED STORIESHB 8549 further mandates the Comelec to organize the debates together with at least three civic organizations or people’s organizations. The time, date, venue and the rules of the debates is to be agreed upon together with the candidates or their representatives.

The debates, it said, must also include a discussion of the priority projects and programs of the candidates and their stand on the most pressing local and national issues affecting their constituencies.

Are our legislators ready to approve such a bill? Or will they see this as a distinct threat to the pelf and privilege they now enjoy even if they know they’re totally unqualified, mediocre and brazenly corrupt? ernhil@yahoo.com

maybe even millions more discoveries and inventions out there waiting to be tapped and promoted which From A4 can make every new year truly a the words of FDA Commissioner Scott time for new beginnings. It is, of Gottlieb, as quoted in the TIME article, course, up to each and every one of us to make 2019 an ennobling and an important medical advance I am sure there are thousands empowering one.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

News

Manila

Standard

A6

TODAYJANUARY 4, 2019 FRIDAY, mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ex-DFA chief urges PH: Work with Vietnam

RENEWAL PROCESS.

Public and private vehicle owners queue up at a Land Transportation Office nook at a Manila city mall for their license renewal processing on the first day of government offices Thursday for year 2019.

Ey Acasio

By Rey Requejo

F

ORMER Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario has urged the government to work in tandem with Vietnam as strategy towards eventual adoption of a Code of Conduct in the disputed South China Sea, major part of which is being claimed by China as part of its territory under its so-called “Nine-Dash Line.”

Joint Task Force-NCR to help secure ‘Traslacion’

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines will commit its Joint Task Force-National Capital Region to help the police secure the “Traslacion” or the feast of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

This was disclosed by AFP public affairs office chief Col. Noel Detoyato when asked Wednesday on what particular task the military would be doing in the annual religious procession.

“JTF-NCR ang take charge for the coordi-

nation and deployment of their opcon [operationally controlled] units. The JTF-NCR will be supporting the PNP [Philippine National Police] in this annual religious activity,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Detoyato, however, declined to give specific figures but stressed that JTF-NCR would commit enough forces to support the PNP. “Deployment will also depend on what will be agreed upon during coordinating conferences,” he added.

JUSTIFICATIONS AND BENEFITS TO BE DELIVERED

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

BY THE PROJECTS 11. The 5 MVA power substation and accessories for Cateel Substation will address the reliability problem on the existing three (3) units 833 kVA (2.5 MVA) power transformers in Cateel Substation;

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR CONFIRMATION AND APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS FOR 2018, NAMELY: (1) PURCHASE, INSTALLATION AND COMMISSIONING OF 5 MVA POWER SUBSTATION AND ACCESSORIES FOR CATEEL SUBSTATION AND (2) PURCHASE OF NEW 10 MVA POWER TRANSFORMER FOR LUPON SUBSTATION, WITH APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO SECURE LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL ELECTRIFICATION ADMINISTRATION (NEA)

12. The new 10 MVA power transformer for Lupon Substation will replace the damaged 10 MVA power transformer of said substation; 13. In general, the implementation of the projects will provide a safe, adequate, reliable and efficient electric service to its consumers.

APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO SECURE LOAN FROM NEA 14. As shown above, the projects are being financed through a loan from NEA considering that the cooperative’s RFSC is not readily available to finance the immediate implementation of the projects. In view thereof, it now applies for authority from the Commission to secure said loan from NEA. INDICATIVE RATE IMPACT OF THE PROJECTS 15. The implementation of subject projects will have a reasonable impact on the RFSC rate of the cooperative as follows, to wit:

ERC CASE NO. 2018-104 RC DAVAO ORIENTAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (DORECO), Applicant. x-------------------------------------------------------x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 25 October 2018, Davao Oriental Electric Cooperative, Inc. (DORECO) filed an Application dated 10 September 2018 for the confirmation and approval of its emergency capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects for 2018, namely: (1) the purchase, installation and commissioning of a 5 MVA power substation and accessories for the Cateel Substation and (2) the purchase of a new 10 MVA power transformer for the Lupon Substation, with application for authority to secure loan from the National Electrification Administration (NEA) (Application).

In the said Application, DORECO alleged, among others, the following: 1.

2.

It is a non-stock, non-profit electric cooperative, duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office at Madang, National Highway, Mati City, Davao Oriental; It holds an exclusive franchise issued by the National Electrification Commission (NEC) to operate an electric light and power distribution service in the city of Mati and municipalities of Lupon, Banaybanay, San Isidro, Governor Generoso, Tarragona, Manay, Caraga, Baganga, Cateel and Boston, all in the province of Davao Oriental; LEGAL BASES FOR THE APPLICATION

3.

4.

In a separate message Wednesday, AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Benjamin Madrigal said JTF-NCR was also tasked to support the PNP in securing the “Traslacion.”

“JTF-NCR was tasked to support in coordination with [the] PNP and organizers. We have prior coordination with them. We will provide additional contingency forces in view of the recent bombing in Cotabato [last Dec. 31 which killed two persons and wounded 34 others],” Madrigal added. PNA

Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9136 (RA. No. 9136), ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009 and other laws and rules, and in line with its mandate to provide safe, quality, efficient and reliable electric service to its consumers, DORECO submits the instant application for the Commission’s confirmation and approval of its emergency capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects for 2018; On the other hand, the accompanying application for authority to secure loan from the NEA in connection with the funding source for subject projects, is being filed pursuant to Section 20(e) of Commonwealth Act No. 146, otherwise known as the Public Service Act, which requires every public service to secure the approval and authorization of the Commission for issuance of any bonds or other evidence of indebtedness payable in more than one year;

2018 2019 Forecasted Energy 121,572,662 130,531,229 Sales, kWh Cash Balance beginning, 4,148,165.43 12,632,540.76 Php excess/(shortfall) CASH INFLOWS Current Year 40,421,517.66 41,561,468.40 Collection @ Php 0.3534/ kWh @ 95% Loan Proceeds from 41,376,756.70 financial Institutions, Php Government Subsidy (if any), Php 50% income on 160,810.00 160,810.00 leased properties Total Cash Inflows, 81,959,084.36 41,722,278.40 Php Available Cash for 86,107,249.79 54,354,819.16 disbursement CASH OUTFLOWS CAPEX Requirement 41,376,756.70 -Emergency CAPEX Requirement 180,310,580.40 281,664,231.50 -Regular Old debt (Old 25,009,311.00 25,009,311.00 amortization) New Amortization 6,778,315.65 6,778,315.65 (Emergency CAPEX), Php New Amortization 24,109,040.43 61,769,916.08 (Regular CAPEX), Php ERC Permit Fee, Php 310,325.68 Total Cash Outflows, 277,894,329.86 375,221,774.23 Php Cash Balance Ending, -191,787,080.07 -320,866,955.07 Php, excess/(shortfall) Excess/(Shortfall) on -1.5776 -2.4582 RFSC, Php/kWh

6.

Sometime in February 2017, DORECO engaged the services of the Trans Power System Corporation (TPSC) to test the condition of the three (3) units - 833kVA power transformer of its Cateel Substation as part of regular maintenance activity. After a series of tests, the contractor certified that the power transformers are no longer reliable for prolonged period of operation due to deteriorating insulation of the equipment. Thus, there is a need to address the capacity concern of Cateel Substation to ensure stability and efficiency of delivery of power supply to affected consumers as well as the safety of the substation, by upgrading the old protection system, and likewise to be able to meet the growing demand of the two (2) municipalities being served by the substation; On the other hand, on April 3, 2018, five (5) days after its Lupon Substation underwent annual preventive maintenance, heavy rains with lightning and strong winds hit the area of the municipality of Lupon where the 10 MVA Lupon Substation is situated. At around 9:45 p.m., the power transformer of the Lupon Substation was forcibly shut down due to abnormal sounds emanating from said equipment. Assessment done by its contractor, Transpower, Inc. (TI), showed that the power transformer’s primary winding was damaged. The damage was attributed to excessive voltage surge brought about by lightning and thunderstorm. Up to this date, DORECO temporarily transferred some of the affected loads to the San Isidro Substation to minimize the number of affected consumers. However, a rotational curtailment scheme is being implemented so as not to overload San Isidro Substation, which concurrently supplies power to the municipalities of Governor Generoso and San Isidro. Since San Isidro Substation cannot accommodate the entire demand that was being served by Lupon Substation, there is an urgent need to immediately address the capacity concern of the cooperative;

7.

Hence, the urgent necessity to implement the projects subject of the instant application;

8.

The projects subject of the instant Application are described in the table below, as follows:

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project Type Reliability

Project Category

Project Title

Project Cost (PhP)

Substation Purchase, Installation and Commissioning of 28,826,756.70 Project 5 MVA Power Substation and Accessories for Cateel Substation Purchase of New 10 MVA Power Transformer for 12,550,000.00 Lupon Substation

Total

41,376,756.70

PROJECT SCHEDULE 9.

The schedules of implementation of subject projects are as follows: Project Title Start 1 Purchase, Installation and Commissioning of 5 MVA Power 4th Quarter of 2018 Substation and Accessories for Cateel Substation 2 Purchase of New 10 MVA Power Transformer for Lupon June 15, Substation 2018

Completion 2nd Quarter of 2019 July 1, 2018

2020 138,171,790

2021 146,034,994

2022 154,047,332

TOTAL 690,358,007

22,567,192.51

33,604,120.71

45,705,649.41

118,657,668.82

42,663,744.85

43,728,345.36

44,755,271.58

213,130,347.85 41,376,756.70

160,810.00

160,810.00

160,810.00

804,050.00

42,824,554.85

43,889,155.36

44,916,081.58

255,311,154.55

65,391,747.36

77,493,276.07

90,621,730.99

373,968,823.37 41,376,756.70

196,717,593.75

658,692,405.65

25,009,311.00

25,009,311.00

25,009,311.00

125,046,555.00

6,778,315.65

6,778,315.65

6,778,315.65

33,891,578.25

88,072,712.12

88,072,712.12

88,072,712.12

350,097,092.88

119,860,338.77 119,860,338.77

310,325.68 1,209,414,714.15

316,577,932.52 -251,186,185.16

-42,367,062.70

-29,238,607.78

-835,445,890.78

-1.8179

-0.2901

-0.1898

-1.2102

SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTARY AND PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 16. Finally, in compliance with the documentary as well as pre-flling requirements under ERC Resolution 26, Series of 2009 and the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, respectively, the following documents are being submitted herewith to form integral parts hereof, to wit: Annex Markings “A” “B”

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS 5.

“Clearly, it would be a constructive move to consult with Vietnam to give us an opportunity to share and appreciate each other’s views which could lead to an agreed plan of action that is beneficial not only to both countries but to others as well,” Del Rosario said, replying to a question on what he believed should be the Philippine strategy regarding a COC in the South China Sea. The former top diplomat made the suggestion after noting “China was adopting a delaying strategy in moving the COC forward in order to give itself time to complete the Chinese unlawful expansion and militarization strategy.”

Nature of Document

Executive Summary of the Emergency CAPEX Projects Supporting documents for the application for authority to secure loan from NEA “C”and series Proof of furnishing of copies of the Application to the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mati City and Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Davao Oriental “D” and series Proof of publication of the Application in a newspaper of general circulation in DORECO’s franchise area or where it principally operates.

PRAYER 17. It prayed that the Commission after due notice and hearing, DORECO’s emergency CAPEX projects for 2018 be confirmed and approved accordingly. Other reliefs, just and equitable in the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pretrial conference, and presentation of evidence on 17 January 2019 (Thursday) at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at DORECO’s Principal Office at Madang, National Highway, Mati City, Davao Oriental.

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: i.

The petitioner’s name and address;

ii.

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

iii.

A statement of the relief desired.

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

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that it be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. DORECO 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 ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 12th day of December 2018 in Pasig City.

PROJECT FINANCING 10. The funding for the projects are being sourced through a loan from the NEA. Accruing amortizations shall be paid out of the cooperative’s internally - generated Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditures (RFSC);

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal M. Standard – Dec. 28, 2018 & Jan. 4, 2019

“Now that they have practically completed their overall intended strategy, Beijing appears to want to forge ahead with the COC. What could it mean?” Del Rosario asked.

He said the Philippine government should “exercise utmost vigilance in ensuring that the COC is not utilized by Beijing for the purpose of protecting what has been declared as being unlawful by the arbitral tribunal which is now an integral part of international law.”

He agreed that Vietnam’s specific positions on banning any new Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ), clarifying maritime entitlements in accordance with international law, the blocking of a proposal by China to ban military drills in the SCS with outside powers unless all signatories agree, and the blocking of Beijing’s proposal to exclude foreign oil firms by limiting joint development deals to China and Southeast Asia—are all areas of major importance which should be fully supported not only by the Philippines but by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as a whole.

“An Asean consensus on the aforementioned specifics, if achieved, will serve to demonstrate to the world that the 10 Asean states as a solid body are willing to strongly uphold its centrality and not allow itself to be bullied and bribed,” Del Rosario stressed.

Recent reports about negotiations for a new pact between China and Asean aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea are expected to toughed after Vietnam vowed s to push for provisions that may not be acceptable to Beijing.

Graft court orders Chiong to submit his own evidence

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has ordered a former mayor of Naga City, Cebu to present evidence in his favor instead of seeking an outright dismissal of his case.

Former mayor Valdemar Chiong was accused of illegally issuing a mayor’s permit to an unqualified liquified petroleum gas dealer in 2014.

The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division, in a resolution dated Dec. 13, junked Chiong’s motion for leave to file demurrer to evidence.

Its approval would have allowed him to seek reconsideration or appeal should the court find him guilty after approving the demurrer to evidence.

The Sandiganbayan said Chiong could still file a demurrer at the expense that “he shall waive his right to present evidence Notice of Loss and is submitting Stock Certificate this case for judgNotice is hereby ment on the basis given that San Miguel of the evidence Corporation Stock Cert. Nos. 4695328, adduced by the 1662542,99558060, prosecution.”

97454794,96345126, Chiong was ac95247482 and 94196662 for 2,370 cused of graft for shares, issued to Ma. issuing a mayor’s Cristina Coronel were permit in favor of lost. If no contest is received, a new stock Petronas Energy cert. will be issued.

Philippines despite (MS-DEC. 28, 2018, JAN. 4 & 11, 2018) the firm’s failure to present a Fire NOTICE OF CORRECTION OF Safety Inspection BIRTH CERTIFICATE Certificate.

The SandiganIn compliance with R.A. 9048 a notice is hereby bayan said the eviserved to the public dence and witnesses that JOSE PEDRO FELIX NICANDRO of the prosecution has filed with this was enough to find office a Petition for Chiong guilty unless Change of Birth Date in the birth certificate of successfully rebutted JOSE PEDRO FELIX in court.

NICANDRO who was born on March 30, “After a careful 1958 and not on March study of the docu31, 1958, and who mentary and tesparents are HONESTO GOMEZ NICANDRO timonial evidence and ELISA FELIX presented by the NICANDRO. prosecution, the Any person adversely Court fi nds that, affected by said if unrebutted, the petition may file his written opposition same is sufficient to with this office not support a verdict of later than last day of this publication. As guilt against accused per doc no. 62; page Valdemar Chiong for no. 13; book no. 4, violation of Section series of 2018 before notary public Atty. Gino 3(e) of Republic Act Angelo R. Yanga.

No. 3019,” the San(MS-DEC. 28, 2018 & JAN. 4, 2019) diganbayan said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

Manila

Standard

A7

TODAY

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Djokovic tells injured Nadal: We need you DOHA—Novak Djokovic said that sport needed “legend” Rafael Nadal to make another comeback after it was announced Wednesday that the injury-plagued Spaniard had withdrawn from his season-opening tournament in Brisbane.

Nadal said that he would not play in Brisbane because of a left thigh strain, prompting yet more fears over the 32-year-old’s long term future in tennis.

Nadal, who claimed his 17th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year, has not played a competitive match since September.

He also lost the world number one ranking to Djokovic, whose battles with the Spaniard are one of modern sport’s greatest rivalries.

“He has done the comebacks for so many times in his career that you always believe that he can do it again,” said Djokovic after reaching the Qatar Open quarter-finals on Wednesday.

“He has a very physical style of tennis which obviously is putting a lot of load and pressure on his joints, on his knees.

“Sport needs Rafa, no question about it. He is one of the greatest legends of all time and we want to see him play.”

Djokovic and Nadal have met in the finals of all four of the Grand Slams and 52 times in total.

Among their most memorable matches was the 2012 Australian Open final, lasting almost six hours and won by the Serb.

A 2013 French Open semi final was dubbed the greatest ever match on clay and last year battled again for more than five hours in a Wimbledon semi-final.

They first met in on court in Paris in 2006 when, ironically, Nadal was declared the winner after Djokovic had to retire during the match with injury.

Nadal, the current world number two, has not played a main tour event since a knee problem forced him to retire during his US Open semi-final against Juan Martin del Potro in September last year.

The 32-year-old had surgery on his ankle in November and only resumed training three weeks ago.

Nadal said doctors were confident he would be fit to play at the Australian Open which starts on January 14.

“They say that it’s a very small thing, but it can become a big thing, because a strain in the muscle is dangerous,” he said. AFP

WADA athletes’ body seeks Russia ban MONTREAL—The World Anti-Doping Agency’s Athletes Committee on Wednesday demanded Russia be hit with new sanctions over its failure to meet a crucial deadline to hand over data from its drug-tainted Moscow laboratory.

In a statement posted on WADA’s website, the agency’s committee representing athletes challenged the organization to declare the Russians non-compliant following the missed deadline.

“We are extremely disappointed that the December 31 deadline imposed on Russia by WADA has not been adhered to by the Russian authorities,” the statement read.

“We now expect that following the process recommended by the CRC (Compliance Review Committee) that Russia will be declared non-compliant.

Only this action will be suitable and appropriate in the view of the athletes.

“Anything less will be considered a failure by WADA to act on behalf of clean athletes.”

WADA is set to consider the next step in the long-running saga at a January 1415 meeting.

The end-of-year deadline was set in September, when WADA lifted a ban on the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA), paving the way for Russian athletes to return to competition across all sports after a report which uncovered a statesponsored doping programme in Russia.

WADA personnel travelled to Russia in December but were unable to extract all of the promised data.

WADA said at the time its team could not complete its mission “due to an issue raised by the Russian authorities that the team’s equipment to be used for the data extraction was required to be certified under Russian law.”

WADA’s leadership has been strongly criticised over its decision to lift Russia’s suspension before obtaining access to the information sought from its Moscow laboratory, expected to shed light on the extent of Russian cheating spanning several years and including multiple major championships.

On Tuesday, United States AntiDoping Agency chief Travis Tygart said Russia’s failure to adhere to the deadline should come as no surprise. AFP

George ignores boos, carries OKC LOS ANGELES—Paul George shrugged off a chorus of boos to score 37 points and lead Oklahoma City Thunder to a 107-100 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center on Wednesday.

George angered Lakers fans last year after ignoring the franchise in favour of a deal with Oklahoma City, a snub which came after longrunning speculation he would move to Los Angeles.

On Wednesday, the Lakers fans unloaded on George at every opportunity, booing and whistling throughout whenever the 28-year-old touched the ball.

George, however, wound up having the last laugh, leading the scoring as OKC’s all-round offense proved too much for the Lakers, who were once again without the injured LeBron James.

George was one of six Thunder players to make double figures, with Russell Westbrook adding 14 points in a triple double display which also included 16 rebounds and 10 assists.

New Zealander Steven Adams also had 14 points while starter Jerami Grant had 13 points.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 25 points for the Lakers off the bench, while Brandon Ingram finished with 17 points.

Oklahoma City improved to 24-13 with the win to remain third in the Western Conference, with the Lakers in eighth spot at 21-17.

Level 42 for Embiid In Phoenix, Cameroon international Joel Embiid led the way for the Philadelphia 76ers with a 42-point display in a high-scoring 132-127 victory over the Suns.

Embiid exploded for 30 points in the first half alone before eventually finishing with 18 rebounds and two assists.

Ben Simmons had 29 points while J.J. Redick weighed in with 27 points as the Sixers were made to work hard for the win down the stretch after a determined Phoenix fightback.

Devin Booker led the Suns scoring with 37 points but Phoenix remain firmly rooted to the foot of the Western Conference with a 9-30 record. AFP

Peruvian co-driver Lucas Barron, 25, smiles at a mechanics workshop in Lima, where his car is being prepared to take part in the upcoming Rally Dakar. Lucas Barron will make history when he lines up on the Dakar 2019 start line in Peru, the first person with Down Syndrome to take part in the gruelling race. The 25-year-old, who will be co-pilot for his father Jacques, will tackle the world’s most demanding rally: a 5,000 kilometer (3,000 miles), 10-day marathon, 70 percent of which will be raced over sand. AFP

Down Syndrome driver makes Dakar Rally history

L

IMA—Lucas Barron will make history on Sunday when he lines up on the Dakar 2019 starting line in Peru, becoming the first person with Down Syndrome to take part in the gruelling race.

The 25-year-old, who will be co-pilot for his father Jacques, will tackle the world’s most demanding rally: a 5,000 kilometer (3,000 mile), 10-day marathon, 70 percent of which will be raced over sand.

“Our aim is to finish the race and achieve our goal,” a beaming Barron told AFP. “This race is brilliant for me. It will be easy because we know the route.”

Barron, who has been training for a year and a half alongside his father, will ride on one of 500 vehicles taking part in the race.

He will compete in the UTV category for off-road four-wheel drive buggies, a class that was added for the first time in 2017.

Born in Lima, Barron has always been a keen sportsman despite his disability, taking part in swimming, football, cycling, surfing and water-skiing.

He says he’s “ready and able to overcome the desert dunes.”

A fan of both rock and hip hop music, Barron says he will provide important mechanical assistance to his father.

“I’m going to help him look at the engine, the road and the tyres,” said Barron.

He is familiar with the Peruvian terrain that will host the entirety of the Dakar rally this year after Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and Bolivia declined the opportunity due to austerity measures.

In September, he was co-pilot along-

side his father in the Desafio Inca race that acted as preparation for the main event and took on the dunes of Ica, in the south of Peru.

The “Barron x 2” team finished seventh.

No fear While Down Syndrome can cause lifelong intellectual disability and development delays, those with the condition can still lead fulfilling lives.

Jacques Barron, a 55-year-old engineer, told AFP that Dakar organizers had no problem with his son taking part.

The requirements were the same as for any other competitor: passing all the medical exams and supplying the necessary documentation.

“Lucas already has the International Automobile Federation licence to participate in the Dakar,” Barron told AFP. He said his son is afraid of nothing and knows what to do if there is a problem. AFP

Cocolife Tigers stun leading Knights, 87-75, in MPBL Datu Cup DAVAO Cocolife Tigers’ homegrown talent Emman Calo played his best game in the league so far, leading his team to an 87-75 victory over the visiting San Juan Knights in the recent Vis-Min Invasion elimination round of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup at the Rizal Memorial College Gym in Davao City.

Calo’s outside sniping and fastbreak points, to go with Cebuano star Billy Robles and former PBA veteran Leo Najorda’s offensive thrusts and Bogart Raymundo’s excellent defense in the other end prevented the north division leader San Juan Knights from defeating the Tigers right in their den.

The sterling victory of the Mindanao

team owned by Claudine Bautista of Davao LGU, backed by Cocolife president Elmo Nobleza, FVP Joseph Ronquillo and AVP Rowena Asnan, solidified their record to 15-3, while the erstwhile northern top team skidded to 15-4, behind new leader Manila Stars (15-3) and Bataan Risers (15-2).

San Juan’s go-to-guy, former PBA role

player Larry Rodriguez, was limited to only 14 points against the Tigers’ defense.

“Not in our house. We will never allow them to invade our territory,” said Calo, whose three treys in the endgame, broke the Knights’ armour. Calo was eventually awarded as the game’s Best Player in the league organized by Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Republika ng Pilipinas

National Irrigation Administration Office Address: Telephone Nos.: Website:

(PambansangPangasiwaan ng Patubig) Regional Office No.III

Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan (044) 766-2467, 766-4839, 816-6808 www.region3.nia.gov.ph

Email Address: Telefax No. TIN No.

niar03@yahoo.com (044) 766-2467 000-979-570-000

Invitation to Bid Slope Protection, Embankment and Diversion Works of Caulaman RIS ITB No. NIAR3-2019-PAM-CAULAMAN RIS-9 1.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3, hereby invites all interested Phil-GEPS registered contractors to bid for the project, through the General Appropriations Act of CY 2019, intends to apply the sum of Sixty Three Million Seven Hundred Forty Five Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty Four Pesos and (P 63,745,854.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the contract for NIAR3-2019-PAM-CAULAMAN RIS-9. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

Bidders must secure Site Inspection Certificate from IMO Office as a technical requirement for Eligibility and Technical Document (Envelop A). Non compliance will be a ground for disqualification.

3.

Only who submitted Document Request List (DRL) from PhilGEPS including updated company profile by the owner or its authorized liaison officer, will be accepted to participate in the bidding.

4.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 now invites bids for Slope Protection, Embankment and Diversion Works of Caulaman RIS located in Floridablanca, Pampanga. Completion of the Works is required within Three Hundred (300) calendar days.

Bidders should have completed a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instruction to Bidders.

5.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary 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.

CEREMONIAL TOSS. San Jose del Monte City SK Federation president Rpnalyn Pordan, Bumaok West SK Chairman Kimberly Natividad, Mulawin SK chief Clarice Camba and Assumption SK member Kenneth Tacbad led the ceremonial toss opening the 1st PBA Christian Aguila Natividad Inter-School Friendship Cup recently at the C-Verde Gym, SJDM. The basketball and volleyball tourneys were organized by Ei Dulay and supported by PBA Party-List and Bulacan sports patron Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad.

Fil-Am...

From A8

past performances of national teams in athletics in the Asian Games, the Philippine team performed remarkably well despite the usual limited resources available for sports both from government and the private sector,” said Juico.

He added that Knott’s good showing will make her hot prospect for the SEA Games this year.

In getting ready for the 2018 Asian Games, members of the national pool went through a rigid preparation, which included establishing training camp at the Ayala Corporation’s Vermosa Sports Hub in Imus, Cavite and an athletes’ quarters at a nearby resort.

Competitions at the Pre-Asian Games in Jakarta, such as the world indoor championships in London, the Singapore open, the Thailand championships, the Vietnam national meet, the Korean championships and the Malaysian Open also got everyone in shape.

Meanwhile, a number of tough competitions are in store for members of the Philippine national athletics team as they step into high gear their preparations for the 2019 SEA Games.

The coming National Athletics Championship and the Southeast Asian Youth Championships in the City of Ilagan, Isabela in March 2019 will be among the events they will be joining.

Also scheduled are the Asian Championships in April 2019 in Doha, Qatar, the world relays and the world championships in Doha in September, 2019.

6.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.

7.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on December 15, 2018 to January 7, 2019 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m., Monday to Friday, and January 8, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., except holidays from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Sixty Three Thousand Pesos (P 63,000.00).

8.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on December 27, 2018, 9:30 a.m. at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

9.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before 9:30 a.m.

(PST) of January 8, 2019 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Bid opening shall be on 10:00 a.m. (PST) of January 8 2018 at NIA-R3 Office, Conference Room, Brgy. Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan. 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.

10. All particulars relative to the eligibility screening, bid security, performance security, pre-bid conference/s, evaluation of bids, post qualification and award of contracts shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of RA 9184 and its revised IRR. 11.

The NATIONAL IRRIGATION ADMINISTRATION – REGION 3 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.

12. For further information, please refer to: BAC Secretariat/s; NIA – Region 3,Tambubong, San Rafael, Bulacan Tel No. (044) 766-4839 and 816-8608 (SGD) VIRGILIO J. ILAO BAC – Chairman Noted by: (SGD) JOSEPHINE B. SALAZAR Regional Manager (MS-JAN. 4, 2018)

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

A8

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Sports

Pagdanganan upstages Thai with 4-under 67

Bianca Pagdanganan chips onto the green on No. 16.

Romeo begins life as a Beerman

By Jeric Lopez AFTER weeks of drama and suspense, Terrence Romeo was finally back on the hardwood.

The flamboyant spitfire attended his first practice session with his new team San Miguel Beer yesterday as his new teammates welcomed him in his next venture in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Following several reported issues and run-ins he’s had with his previous team TNT KaTropa, Romeo was traded to the Beermen weeks ago in exchange for Brian Heruela, David Semerad and future picks.

Romeo first missed San Miguel Beer’s previous practices but finally showed up yesterday at the Acropolis Gym to join his new team in its quest for a record-extending fifth straight Philippine Cup championship.

As expected, Romeo was oriented with his role as he joins an already star-studded cast that includes four-time Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, Arwind Santos, Marcio Lassiter, Alex Cabagnot, Chris Ross and Christian Standhardinger.

With his addition, San Miguel Beer became an even heavier favorite heading to the All-Filipino Conference that starts on Jan. 13.

Aside from Romeo, PBA legend Jimmy Alapag was also formally introduced to the team as its newest assistant coach.

Fil-Am one of PH’s top medal hopefuls

By Peter Atencio

F

OLLOWING her showing in the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, Fil-American sprinter Kristina Knott has emerged as one of the top prospects for the Philippine national athletics’ team being formed to see action in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.

The 23-year-old Knott, a student from University of Miami, placed only ninth in the 100-meter finals, but it was good for a no. 2 ranking in Southeast Asia.

The ninth-place showing was seven notches better than her 16th ranking before the Asiad.

Her clocking of 11.55 seconds in the Asiad put her behind Thailand’s On Umma Chattha, who finished a 100-meter run in a Warsaw event in July last year

in 11.50 seconds. Knott’s time was a mere .05 second off the Philippine record.

Zaidatul Husniah Zulfikli of Malaysia ranks third with her time of 11.59 seconds in Weinheim, Germany last July.

Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association chief Philip Ella Juico took note of Knott’s performance.

“There was no Philippine entry in this event in the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, Korea. In 2018 however, Kristina Knott made the semifinals and finished ninth,” said Juico, adding that the 2018 Asian Games gave the national squad the exposure they needed.

“In the face of strong opposition offered by world powerhouses like China, Japan, Korea and Qatar, the Philippines failed to win a gold medal, like most Southeast Asian countries.

(But) On a positive note and in comparison with Turn to A7

SILANG, Cavite—Bianca Pagdanganan outduelled Atthaya Thitikul in a thrilling frontside shootout, coming away with a blistering charge to fire a four-under 67 and wrest a two-stroke lead over the Thai ace at the start of the Philippine Amateur Open Golf Championships at Riviera’s Langer course here yesterday.

The Asian Games bronze medalist bucked the wind and birdied four of the first seven holes at the front, rallying from two down off Asiad gold medal teammate Lois Kaye Go and one off Thitikul to seize control in the early going of the 72-hole championship sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation.

“The wind was so strong so I had to analyze everything. But I played aggressive at the front and got my birdies,” said Pagdanganan, enjoying top form coming off a victory in last week’s National Doubles with Jed Dy. Korean Jang Sung Hun also took a two-shot lead over Singapore’s Lucius Toh in the men’s side, cashing in on an early tee-start to shoot a 69 with Gen Nagai and Weiwei Gao tied at third with 72s and Japanese Atsushi Ueda carding a 73 for fifth followed by Aidric Chan and Thai Vanchai Luangnitikul, who turned in identical 74s.

Pagdanganan, the former Philippine Ladies Amateur champion, actually had a mediocre two-birdie, two-bogey backside start, enabling Go, playing in a flight ahead of Pagdanganan, Thitikul and Singapore’s Callista Chen, to take charge early on a strong start at the backside of the hazard-laden par-71 layout.

Go birdied three of the first four holes to negate a bogey on No. 14 and took command with a 34. But she bogeyed the first two holes at the front and hobbled with a 37 to slip to third with a 71 in the event held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour and backed by Cignal and Metro Pacific.

The fancied Thitikul, who won the inaugural Women’s Amateur AsiaPacific crown in Singapore last year, edged Pagdanganan after nine holes, 35-36, but failed to match the Pinay ace’s scorching frontside charge, settling for one birdie for a 34 and 69.

Korean Kim Heeji, runner-up to compatriot Hwang Min-jeong last year, salvaged a 72 while Linna Loh, also of Singapore, carded a 73 followed

by Kim Seo Yun and Nicole Abelar, who shot identical 75s, and Kang Da Yun, who made a 76, and Japan’s Tae Saito, Junia Gabasa and Thai Kultida Pramphun, who all turned in 77s.

Cavs gun for UNTV Cup top seed Games Sunday (Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – NHA vs PITC 4:30 p.m. – AFP vs Malacañang-PSC

TWO-TIME champion Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) tries to secure the topseeding when it battles Malacañang-Philippine Sports Commission on Sunday at the close of the second elimination round in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The AFP Cavaliers and the MalacañangPSC Kamao clash at 4:30 p.m., with the former determined to notch their 8th win – which is the magic number of victories needed by a team to secure the top seeding.

Going into the final playing date of the elims, the Cavaliers lead the standings with a 7-1 card, followed by Philippine National Police (7-2), Malacañang-PSC (6-2), defending champion Senate (6-3), National Housing Authority (4-4) and PITC (4-4).

A three-way tie for No. 1 would occur if the Kamao beat the Cavaliers. To break the tie, the team with the superior quotient will claim the top seeding, while the winner over the other rule will be applied to determine the second, third and fourth placers.

The top two teams after the two-round elims of the event organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon will advance outright to the semis, aside from securing twice-to-beat privileges.

The third and fourth placers will the No. 5 and No. 6 teams in the quarterfinal round of the event offering P4 million to the chosen charity of the champion team.

Boyet Bautista (right) hopes to produce another double-double when the AFP Cavaliers battle the Malacañang-PSC Kamao on Sunday in the UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

Having beaten the PNP Responders in the first round, the Cavaliers can still clinch the No. 1 seed if they will not lose by more than 10 points to the Kamao.

Another thing going for the Cavaliers is that the Kamao are still smarting from an 81-73 loss to the PNP Responders.

Meantime, the NHA Builders and the PITC Global Traders collide at 3 p.m. with the winner claiming fifth spot in the annual event for public servants.

Out to lead AFP are Boyet Bautista and Darwin Cordero, while former amateur hotshot Erick dela Cuesta and Marvin Antonio spearhead Malacañang-PSC’s attack.

PBA to hold Media Day at Solaire THREE days before PBA Season 44 opener, the pro league holds a special event at The Tent Solaire Resort and Casino, where PBA officials, coaches and players make themselves available to the media and hobnob with the fans.

“It’s the Media Day but it is not limited to our dear friends from the sports media,” said PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.

All 12 teams will put up kiosks where their coaches, key players and incoming rookies will grant interviews and meet-and-greet sessions with the fans from 1 to 5 p.m.

Earlier on Jan. 8 at Conrad Hotel in Pasay City, the 12 teams present their official lineups during the official launch of the new season that unwraps on Jan. 13 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

PBA board chairman Ricky Vargas and the rest

of the members of the league board are expected to be present in the event.

“Wheeling and dealing is pretty much done.

Teams have made adjustments that they think are necessary to improve the makeup of their lineups. Media can have a better assessment of the teams during the media day,” said Marcial.

“PBA personalities will be made available for photo shoots, on-cam TV interviews, live or taped radio interviews or interviews on whatever media platform. We will give these opportunities for our media friends to convey talks, messages, greetings to the fans,” Marcial added.

“It’s the first time that the PBA conducts this event, and we hope this could be of help to our media friends and partners on their stories and shows,” the league chieftain also said.

IN BRIEF

Energy World gets permit for LNG hub ENERGY World Gas Operations Philippines Inc. secured a permit from the Energy Department to construct, own and operate a liquefied natural import terminal and regasification facility on Pagbilao Grande Island, Quezon province.

Energy World Corp.said in a disclosure to the Australia Securities Exchange Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi issued the permit on Dec. 21, an update of the original permit documentation and which provides for a 24-month construction period from the permit issue date.

The company said this would enable the completion date for the first tank of the LNG hub to be aligned to the commercial operation of the associated 650-MW power plant and the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines switchyard expansion under construction and for the construction of the second tank.

“This permit demonstrates the continued strong support from the DoE for our LNG hub terminal at Pagbilao and will further enhance our program to bring affordable LNG to the Philippines for power generation, town gas and transportation,” EWC chief executive Steward Elliot said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

SEA Games venue in Clark on track THE Bases Conversion and Development Authorityand its partner MTD Philippines Inc. are on track to finishing the world-class sports facilities in New Clark City before the 30th Southeast Asian Games open in November 2019.

“Phase 1 of the National Government Administrative Center in New Clark City has significantly progressed since it broke ground January this year,” said BCDA president and chief executive Vivencio Dizon.

“This proves that government is true to its promise of building quality infrastructure within set deadlines,” he said.

Phase 1 of the 200-hectare National Government Administrative Center involves the development of back-up offices of various agencies to ensure continuous business operations and services for the people in case of disasters or national calamities.

Phase 1A will house the world-class Athletics Stadium, Aquatics Center, Athletes’ Village, and government housing which will soon benefit thousands of athletes and government workers.

Phase 1B will involve development of more government buildings, residences and other support facilities that will commence in 2020. Othel V. Campos

6 Petron stations collect higher tax THE Department of Energy issued show cause orders to six retail stations of Petron Corp. to explain why they implemented the higher excise tax earlier than the anticipated depletion of stocks by the middle of the month or early February.

Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the letters were dispatched Thursday, along with the inspection team from the department.

Fuentebella said the oil companies, including Petron, were required to report their compliance to the second tranche of Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law which took effect on Jan. 1, 2019.

“In the show cause order, they have five days from receipt of the show cause to reply to us,” Fuentebella said.

Petron said it was cooperating with DoE in ensuring fair and correct implementation of the second tranche of Train law.

“We reported to DoE the list of Petron stations which implemented the additional excise taxes on Jan. 2. These included stations with low storage capacity which reflected the new prices after their old inventories were depleted. These stations are being supplied from our refinery in Bataan where collection of new excise taxes by the government started 12:01 a.m., Jan. 1, 2019,” Petron said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Sugary drinks tax fell P10b short of collection target THE Finance Department ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue to check if beverage manufacturers are paying the correct amount and type of tax under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or Train law.

The department said it issued the order after it uncovered possible discrepancies in their tax payments, which left a P10-billion shortfall in the excise tax collection target in the first 10 months of 2018.

Finance Undersecretary Karl Kendrick Chua said the excise tax collection target on sugar-sweetened beverages as of October 2018 was expected at P40 billion, but the BIRcollected justß around P30 billion, possibly because SSB manufacturers might not be paying the correct taxes.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said despite the shortfall, the SSB tax had significantly contributed to the state coffers, bringing in an additional P100 million a day in revenues, or about P3 billion a month.

Around P100 million a day was the operational target set by the DoF for the collection of the SSB tax.

The Train Law mandates a P6-perliter excise tax on beverages using caloric and non-caloric sweeteners and P12 per liter on beverages using highfructose corn syrup. Milk and 3-in-1 coffee mixes were exempted from the tax.

“My hunch is that those that are supposed to pay the P12 tax are only paying P6,” Chua said during a recent Finance executive committee meeting.

Julito G. Rada

Business SHELL-PHILEX SUPPLY DEAL. Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. and Philex Mining Corp. sign a year-long contract, making Pilipinas Shell the official supplier for the mining giant’s operations. Signing of the agreement at Edsa Shangri La Hotel are (from left) Philex group manager for treasury Eileen Rodriguez, senior vice president for finance and chief financial officer Danny Yu, president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr., Pilipinas Shell president and chief executive Cesar Romero, vice president for commercial fuels Danny Javier and commercial fuels sales manager Jackie Dela Cruz.

Govt begins first quarter using reenacted budget

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE Budget Department said Thursday it issued the guidelines for the reenacted budget in the first quarter, while awaiting the congressional approval of the 2019 General Appropriations bill.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the DBM would continue to oversee the budgetary operations of the national government, especially as it began operating on a reenacted budget for presumably the first quarter of 2019.

“We will do what we can to minimize the damage to the Philippine economy, particularly public construction. You see, as early as the first working day of the year, we have come up with the guidelines

for fund releases under the reenacted budget,” Diokno said in a statement.

“The sooner the 2019 GAA is passed, the better for the economy and the Filipino people. Ramping up our investments on infrastructure and social services will only be sustainable if the budget is authorized by Congress,” he said.

The agency said that pending the congressional approval of the 2019 budget bill, the national budget for fiscal year 2018 was deemed reenacted as mandated by Section 25 (7), Article VI of the Constitution. The reenacted budget will remain in force until such time that the GAB is passed into law by Congress.

“In light of recent developments, the Department of Budget and Management has released Circular Letter No. 2019-1 guiding national government agencies and instrumentalities in operating under a reenacted budget,” Diokno said.

He said that pending the approval of the 2019 GAA, national government agencies receiving allotment or notice of cash allocation from the DBM were

authorized to obligate the amount corresponding to their actual requirements for the first quarter of 2019, but not exceeding certain percentages.

Those chargeable against agency-specific budget include personnel services, with 25 percent of the personnel services level using actual salary requirements as of end-2018, but not exceeding the level provided under the 2019 National Expenditure Program.

The personnel services level will exclude the following: built-in funds in the agency for the creation of new positions and fourth tranche compensation adjustments; mid-year bonus; year-end benefits and cash gift; clothing and uniform allowance; and productivity enhancement incentive.

The department said that for maintenance and other operating expenses, the amount should be 25 percent of regular programs and ongoing foreign-assisted and locally-funded projects under the 2018 GAA and 2019 NEP, whichever has the lower amount.

Govt debt jumped Energy recommends lifting of ban

by P758b to reach on West Philippine Sea exploration P7.2t in November By Alena Mae S. Flores OUTSTANDING government debt jumped P758 billion, or 11.8 percent, over a 12-month period to hit a record P7.195 trillion in November 2018, data from the Treasury show.

The Treasury said that on a monthon-month basis, the national government debt also rose nearly P28 billion or 0.4 percent from P7.167 trillion in October of the same year.

The Treasury said of the total debt stock, 34.6 percent were sourced externally while 65.4 percent were borrowed domestically.

Domestic debt surged P500 billion, or 11.9 percent, to P4.7 trillion in November from P4.2 trillion a year ago. It also increased by P87.76 billion or 1.9 percent from the October 2018 level.

“For the month, the registered increase in domestic debt was due to the net issuance of government securities amounting to P88.33 billion as the committee fully awarded treasury bonds amid strong market demand,” the Treasury said.

“This was slightly offset by the appreciation of the peso that decreased the value of onshore dollar bonds by P0.57 billion,” it said. External debt grew P258 billion, or 11.6 percent, to reach P2.487 trillion in November from P2.229 trillion in the same month in 2018. On a month-on-month basis, foreign debt declined P59.83 billion or 2.3 percent from the end-October 2018 level of P2.547 trillion.

“The decline was particularly large due to the impact of the stronger peso registered for the month as it relieved P54.15 billion along with net repayments on foreign obligations amounting to P5.89 billion,” it said.

This was slightly tempered by the net appreciation of third-currency denominated external debt amounting to P0.21 billion.

Julito G. Rada

THE Energy Department officially recommended to the Department of Foreign Affairs the lifting of the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea amid the enhanced relations between China and the Philippines, officials said.

Energy Resource Development Bureau director Ismael Ocampo said the recommendation was submitted to the DFA, on the request of PXP Energy Corp. through Forum Energy Ltd. to lift the force majeure imposed on Service Contract 72 or the Recto Bank.

“Our main concern is energy security,” Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said, adding the move was in line with the government’s thrust to explore for more indigenous sources of energy.

Fuentebella said the Philippines was left behind by its Southeast Asian neighbors in the area of oil and gas drilling.

PXP sent the letter of request to the

DoE last month requesting the lifting of the force majeure in the wake of the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the governments of the Philippines and China for the cooperation over the West Philippine Sea. “We see the lifting of the force majeure as a positive development for our SC 72 block and for the country in general,” Forum Energy country representative Daniel Stephen Carlos said earlier.

Forum Energy, where PXP holds a direct and indirect interest of 78.98 percent, has a 70-percent participating interest in SC 72 located in Northwest Palawan, through wholly-owned subsidiary Forum GSEC. PXP has a total economic interest of 53.1 percent in SC 72.

PXP is an upstream oil and gas company incorporated in the Philippines whose shares are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The company directly and indirectly owns oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Philippines, and indirectly owns an exploration asset located in offshore Peru.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

B1

PCC reports P2.6t worth of mergers, acquisitions

By Othel V. Campos THE Philippine Competition Commission said it received 168 applications for merger and acquisition transactions worth P2.6 trillion.

“We had approved 159 of these transactions. The status of the nine other transactions is as follows: 3 are under the sufficiency determination stage, 2 are under phase 1 review, 2 are under the more in-depth phase 2 review, 1 is pending with the courts, and 1 has not been refiled,” the commission said in a nine-page year-end report.

PCC said that in 2018, it received 40 M&A transactions, with a combined value of P438 billion, of which 33 were approved. The sectors with the most transactions are real estate with nine , manufacturing with eight, electricity and gas with five and transportation and storage with four.

The commission said it exercised its power to review voluntary commitments or impose remedies on transactions it deemed problematic from a competition point of view.

PCC said it subjected Grab’s acquisition of Uber to pricing and quality standards after opening a motu proprio merger review.

These conditions were part of Grab’s voluntary commitments to address the competition concerns the agency raised in view of the merger of the country’s two biggest ride-hailing apps.

The commission issued a commitment decision that bound Grab to undertakings meant to ensure that its quality of service and pricing would not be unreasonably different before and after it acquired Uber.

PCC said it issued a statement of concerns on the Udenna-KGLI-NM Holdings transaction, following a more in-depth phase 2 review.

The commission found a substantial lessening of competition in the market for passenger and cargo shipping services due to the transaction. This led to a review of the voluntary commitments proposed by the parties to correct potential harm to the market.

PCC said it was still reviewing Universal Robina Corp.’s acquisition of Central Azucarera Don Pedro.

“We are studying the parties’ voluntary commitments to address potential loss of competition in the market for sugarcane milling services,” it said.

CARBON-NEUTRAL PORT. Contecon

Guayaquil SA becomes the first port in South America to obtain a carbon-neutral certification, with the Ecuador Ministry of Environment and environmental ratings agency, Sambito SA, recognizing the company’s strong and priority commitment to the environment. ICTSI’s largest concession in Latin America, CGSA has repeatedly been recognized for its environmental efforts.

Gustavo Manrique, president of Sambitob (from left) and Evelyn Montalván, Guayas provincial director of the Ministry of the Environment, hand over the plaque of recognition to José Antonio Contreras, chief executive of Contecon Guayaquil as the first carbon-neutral port in the whole of Ecuador and Latin America.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market surges; Philex advances

T

HE stock market jumped Thursday on gains in Wall Street overnight and on expectations of a lower inflation rate in December and improving growth prospects for the new year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index surged 191.40 points, or 2.6 percent, to 7,680.60 on a value turnover of P7.2 billion. Gainers overwhelmed losers, 135 to 61, with 44 issues unchanged.

Philex Mining Corp. advanced 12.6 percent to P3.74, after the Department of Energy recommended to the Department of Foreign Affairs the lifting of the moratorium on oil and gas exploration in the West Philippine Sea following the

favorable relations between China and the Philippines.

Philex Unit PXP Energy Corp., through Forum Energy Ltd., earlier sought the lifting of the force majeure imposed on service contract 72, commonly known as the Recto Bank.

Puregold Price Club Inc. of tycoon Lucio Co. climbed 5 percent to P45.15, while SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr. rose 4.6 percent to P958. JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei gained 4.6 percent to P57.65.

Most Asian markets, meanwhile, extended the previous day’s sharp losses Thursday with technology firms tumbling after Apple slashed its revenue forecasts blaming slowing China sales.

The yen pared early sharp gains from a flash crash, which saw the dollar briefly plunge to its lowest level since March after the Apple announcement, while

the Australian dollar hit a 10-year low against the greenback.

Hong Kong fell 0.3 percent in the afternoon after tanking almost three percent Wednesday, while Shanghai was marginally lower following a more than one percent drop after more weak Chinese economic data.

Seoul retreated 0.8 percent, Singapore was one percent down while Wellington gave up 0.9 percent, with Taipei and Mumbai also in negative territory.

Sydney jumped more than one percent. Tokyo was closed for a holiday.

In early trade bargain-buyers capitalized on Wednesday’s hammering across Asia but were unable to sustain momentum with sentiment weak owing to uncertainty over a number of issues including the China-US trade war, China’s economic woes, the US government shutdown and Brexit.

Wall Street and European markets

mostly recovered from early losses to end slightly higher but Apple’s announcement that it expected to earn less than expected in the key December quarter send shudders through markets.

The firm, which was already under pressure over signs that sales of its new iPhone were coming up short, blamed sluggish demand in China for the cut and citing the US trade war as a factor.

“While we anticipated some challenges in key emerging markets, we did not foresee the magnitude of the economic deceleration, particularly in Greater China,” chief executive Tim Cook told investors.

He told CNBC the tariffs row had “put additional pressure” on an already slowing Chinese economy, resulting in lower store and online traffic. The firm’s shares—already down about a third from their record high in March— dived seven percent in after-hours trading. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JANUARY 3, 2019

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 59.5 18,880 95 1,956,650 2.14 280,000 129.5 2,965,070 1.48 59,000 27.45 204,400 7.58 200 16.2 2,100 12.18 523,600 4.48 332,000 0.7 120,000 1.47 11,000 0.47 300,000 84.6 4,170,160 0.9 494,000 12.4 100 20.2 100 42.75 27,600 179 250 113.3 70 61 8,270 28.6 262,600 16™0.5 1,078,010 1,849 30 64 2,720 1.13 4,000

1,120,339.50 184,096,302 590,790 379,909,284 87,080 5,534,755 1,516 33,940 6,342,898 1,490,460 85,180 15,960 141,400 345,640,467.50 439,050 1,240 2,020 1,180,015 44,880 7,931 497,039 7,500,140 171,959,848 55,470 173,833.50 4,520

1,040,288.50 5,304,746 -51,789,207 -560,185 -1,485,042 137,978,018 0 -89,890 18,000 -3,399 9,001 -2,855,000 -72,109,366 -76,698 -

35 16.62 1.08 1.28 0.246 1.88 15.42 30.5 16.5 37.75 1.74 6.33 6.3 10.84 15.02 7.98 7.07 1.51 19.78 64.4 25.15 2 5.8 10.56 1.81 290.8 3.16 8.5 26.7 10.24 17.98 383.4 0.175 5.83 1.33 3.6 7.67 5.35 8.23 1.13 10.74 47.05 5.8 4.9 1.88 2.68 1.4 11.5 80.55 5.49 0.124 0.85 127.2 1.87 1.54

INDUSTRIAL 35.65 967,200 16.8 462,000 1.11 7,211,000 1.28 25,000 0.25 3,500,000 1.93 13,400,000 15.48 57,800 30.95 275,300 17 4,000 43.95 42,000 1.8 104,000 6.41 40,100 6.31 12,500 11.18 2,024,600 15.4 115,900 7.99 134,300 7.1 2,569,300 1.51 3,000 20.3 3,203,300 64.7 45,310 26 6,000 2.15 9,120,000 5.8 328,500 10.7 1,162,000 1.83 254,000 292 1,665,440 3.28 5,000 8.8 3,500 26.8 613,900 10.58 391,400 18 920,500 390 314,170 0.175 180,000 5.83 1,800 1.34 1,508,000 3.6 451,000 7.67 2,574,100 5.5 78,800 9.1 67,000 1.15 7,598,000 11 51,900 47.2 363,200 5.8 35,700 4.9 2,000,000 1.98 777,000 2.79 15,000 1.44 166,000 11.64 753,400 81.7 79,720 5.64 562,400 0.125 490,000 0.87 129,000 128.5 980,550 1.94 3,840,000 1.63 4,639,000

34,445,655 7,788,762 7,946,560 32,080 886,450 25,815,690 892,990 8,517,805 69,842 1,617,615 184,170 255,215 79,406 22,354,812 1,759,692 1,073,979 18,207,854 4,530 64,599,723 2,934,024.50 156,235 19,190,750(2, 1,907,173 12,388,864 464,460 486,226,536 15,940 30,577 16,451,380 4,063,950 16,588,560 122,213,418 31,500 10,494 2,015,710 1,642,480 19,859,513 427,776 600,050 8,710,470(1, 567,208 17,135,180 207,195 9,800,000 1,524,040 40,840 238,680 8,767,912 6,491,736.50 3,133,794 61,760 111,300 125,876,349 7,362,950 7,450,260

4,044,390 250,740 -89,510 -5,325,330 665,992 -4,504,845 -1,003,200 17,900 25,520 8,621,734 -909,269 -83,849 10,612,839 -1,209,517 216,930.0002) -1,879,053 3,537,462 124,292,778 2,640 -2,635,755 -1,244,846 -3,588,880 -6,571,318 -1,342,250 10,800 -10,951,457 912,209.9997) -83,624 -11,892,615 -9,800,000 28,500 -8,342,008 -1,667,785 -77,774,402 910,850 223,700

0.69 56.5 12 6.5 28.45 1.46 1.47 932 6.91 13 13.32 0.23 1,010 5.81 59.7 0.58 4.08 16.6 0.6 4.75 0.038 1.22 2.48 149.8 958 1.32 249.8 0.28 0.226

0.64 53.35 11.88 6.5 26.55 1.42 1.41 907.5 6.76 12.62 12.5 0.219 965.5 5.75 55.65 0.55 4.02 16.24 0.56 4.61 0.037 1.18 2.43 147 914.5 1.32 249.8 0.26 0.225

HOLDING FIRMS 0.69 75,111,000 56.5 1,028,870 11.9 5,575,900 6.5 10,700 28.4 295,100 1.45 10,750,000 1.44 1,204,000 925 687,210 6.88 891,600 13 4,356,300 13.2 2,557,700 0.23 400,000 1,005 153,140 5.81 10,500 57.65 2,865,230 0.57 130,000 4.08 1,364,000 16.3 1,412,900 0.6 831,000 4.75 34,839,000 0.037 4,300,000 1.22 103,000 2.46 458,000 149 226,300 958 689,420 1.32 10,000 249.8 230 0.275 23,150,000 0.226 80,000

50,376,900 57,355,705 66,453,378 69,550 8,150,885 15,451,590 1,743,490 635,455,000 6,131,385 56,060,238 33,528,104 89,010 153,031,060 60,705 164,942,474.50 72,810 5,535,360 23,111,864(5, 477,660 164,297,230 160,400 122,070 1,122,030 33,602,406 652,288,055 13,200 57,454 6,287,450 18,030

174,940 48,217,469 -35,226,280 6,500 -177,800 2,800 -129,579,955 -1,026,961 2,547,308 592,002 48,524,085 90,252,976.50 -4,244,130 791,252.0003) 64,960.00 -75,406,340 -49,000 -9,657,216 56,733,805 39,968 -

8.29 0.82 11.72 1.73 1.04 42.5 2.41 4.26 6.45 0.43 0.86 0.88 0.242 0.395 7.92 18.48 0.485 0.112 1.46 1.12 4.86 0.45 0.48 2.33

8.22 0.78 10.7 1.71 0.95 40.75 2.35 4.14 6.4 0.425 0.86 0.86 0.235 0.38 7.8 18 0.485 0.111 1.42 1.08 4.75 0.435 0.455 2.22

8,159,792 861,000 58,740 91,440 12,571,030 603,966,580 3,114,150 2,247,570 195,210 1,328,100 8,600 25,340 220,540 74,400 255,407 7,199,364 29,100 33,550 7,229,170 697,420 190,748,640 6,525,900 561,500 18,437,030

720,270 -5,000 141,825,415 -888,290 -151,920 175,365 -267,150 119,850 855,632 1,617,870 -76,907,450 545,500 -3,500,170

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

58.1 94 2.1 128 1.47 27 7.58 16.2 11.9 4.59 0.72 1.4 0.47 81.5 0.87 12.4 20.2 43.4 180 113.3 60 28.6 155.9 1,849 63.6 1.13

59.5 95 2.14 129.5 1.48 27.5 7.58 16.2 12.18 4.59 0.72 1.47 0.49 84.6 0.9 12.4 20.2 43.4 180 113.3 61 28.6 161 1,849 65.95 1.13

58.1 92.5 2.08 126.8 1.47 27 7.58 15.8 11.9 4.43 0.7 1.4 0.46 81.5 0.87 12.4 20.2 42.5 179 113.3 60 28.5 155.9 1,849 63.6 1.13

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

35 16.98 1.12 1.28 0.255 1.98 15.48 30.8 17.94 37.75 1.75 6.37 6.38 10.96 15.2 8 7.1 1.51 19.78 64.4 25.15 2 5.8 10.86 1.81 292.8 3.18 8.5 27.3 10.34 18.18 385.2 0.175 5.83 1.34 3.66 7.7 5.35 9 1.16 10.74 47.35 5.8 4.9 1.89 2.68 1.44 11.8 81.95 5.49 0.126 0.85 127.5 1.9 1.55

35.7 17 1.12 1.29 0.26 1.99 15.48 31.55 17.94 43.95 1.8 6.41 6.38 11.18 15.4 8.04 7.1 1.51 20.35 65 26.65 2.15 5.9 10.9 1.85 294.2 3.28 8.8 27.3 10.7 18.24 392 0.175 5.83 1.34 3.75 7.81 5.55 9.1 1.16 11 47.5 5.85 4.9 2.01 2.79 1.45 11.8 82 5.64 0.128 0.87 128.8 1.95 1.63

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

0.64 54.75 11.9 6.5 26.6 1.44 1.41 913.5 6.77 12.62 12.78 0.219 989.5 5.8 55.7 0.58 4.04 16.6 0.58 4.61 0.037 1.18 2.44 147.3 915 1.32 249.8 0.26 0.225

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

8.23 0.78 11.7 1.72 0.98 41.25 2.35 4.14 6.4 0.425 0.86 0.86 0.235 0.395 7.85 18 0.485 0.111 1.42 1.12 4.79 0.445 0.46 2.25

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.415 3.55 21.1 2.01 3.11 37 1.25 5.34 0.72 5.38

0.43 3.59 21.6 2.01 3.12 38 1.26 5.49 0.72 5.46

0.41 3.54 20.45 1.98 3.08 36.5 1.24 5.34 0.72 5.27

0.425 3.58 21.6 2 3.12 38 1.26 5.48 0.72 5.46

370,000 173,000 1,406,600 101,000 66,000 10,397,000 1,909,000 106,700 21,000 4,816,200

154,350 614,760 30,189,165 201,820 204,030 391,460,900 2,399,490 579,198 15,120 25,963,192

-81,880 4,619,045 183,043,155 -8,010 -11,014,055

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

13.56 20.05 1.33 0.41 0.04 14.68 3.43 9.65 74 6.43 7.2 14.98 900 1,900 5.5 323 10.26 3.01 2 99.4 11.48 0.129 5.92 14.16 3.19 0.77 16.98 0.37 5.3 2.5 2.06 3.71 9.85 8.33 3.49 123 3.84 1,139 0.8 0.325 43 81.75 7.78 2.43 0.77 0.45 5.3 0.77 13.1

15.08 20.25 1.4 0.42 0.04 14.68 3.68 9.95 78.75 6.6 7.47 15.9 900 1,905 5.57 325 11.04 3.25 2 100 11.48 0.131 6.1 14.18 3.33 0.78 17.98 0.37 5.3 2.52 2.06 3.88 9.99 8.33 3.5 123 3.85 1,164 0.82 0.34 45.7 84.8 7.78 2.55 0.83 0.45 5.35 0.79 13.12

13.42 20.05 1.33 0.41 0.039 14.02 3.14 9.65 74 6.41 7 14.98 900 1,885 5.5 316.8 10.26 3.01 2 98.95 11.48 0.121 5.86 14.16 3.17 0.77 16.98 0.37 5.18 2.48 1.95 3.52 9.82 8.33 3.4 122 3.51 1,134 0.78 0.32 43 80 7.48 2.43 0.75 0.43 5.26 0.75 12.88

SERVICES 14.56 20.2 1.37 0.42 0.04 14.02 3.54 9.87 78.2 6.57 7.38 15.54 900 1,889 5.57 325 11.04 3.23 2 100 11.48 0.128 6.05 14.18 3.2 0.78 17.98 0.37 5.18 2.5 2.03 3.77 9.82 8.33 3.5 123 3.59 1,158 0.81 0.34 45.15 84.8 7.48 2.53 0.82 0.445 5.33 0.78 12.9

747,000 76,800 191,000 240,000 3,900,000 7,300 11,836,000 5,667,600 395,890 980,400 10,200 62,800 10 28,555 93,600 520 800 3,553,000 5,000 1,086,910 200 9,530,000 4,209,800 86,400 1,212,000 86,000 2,157,100 30,000 48,500 1,821,000 213,000 6,902,000 4,100 500 138,000 538,420 4,577,000 81,120 3,511,000 700,000 9,799,500 255,120 216,600 12,771,000 26,864,000 32,720,000 2,190,500 9,390,000 5,945,400

10,876,526 1,545,270 262,020 99,200 153,500 105,856 41,013,200 55,826,808 30,341,635 6,409,770 73,045 960,766 9,000 53,939,565 518,947 168,676 8,286 11,263,360 10,000 108,529,953 ( 2,296 1,183,930 25,299,539 1,225,148 3,922,340 66,880 38,153,202 11,100 251,493 4,554,620 425,560 25,838,940 40,632 4,165 482,780 66,225,610 16,647,480 93,279,400 2,817,460 226,150 433,851,685 21,112,344 1,620,198 31,991,900 21,117,940 14,410,750 11,634,114 7,243,700 76,815,130

26,752 759,760 -2,107,371 -5,640,575.50 -28,066,930 276,790 14,985,768.5) 1,148 53,420 -399,711 32,100 10,600,502 2,500,000 -531,840 -1,964 -7,824,030 -3,330,800 -16,300,780 830,080 -108,800 -39,424,240 -4,146,388.50 -2,675,010 -7,176,140 -3,241,750 -57,767 37,696,206

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

0.002 1.68 2.69 15.46 2.19 0.295 7.2 1.69 0.203 0.114 0.116 0.0071 1.22 2.22 0.6 0.93 0.013 0.012 3.4 3.43 15.72 23.2 0.0056

0.002 1.72 2.83 15.48 2.2 0.3 7.66 1.69 0.207 0.119 0.121 0.0071 1.29 2.39 0.6 0.97 0.013 0.012 3.4 4 16 24.3 0.0062

0.0019 1.66 2.68 14.46 2.09 0.295 7.2 1.66 0.201 0.11 0.112 0.0071 1.19 2.22 0.6 0.93 0.012 0.012 3.4 3.43 15.5 23.2 0.0056

MINING & OIL 0.002 306,000,000 1.66 7,423,000 2.8 546,000 15.48 2,000 2.1 2,782,000 0.295 170,000 7.52 31,700 1.68 933,000 0.207 140,000 0.114 12,070,000 0.121 2,620,000 0.0071 4,000,000 1.28 681,000 2.38 9,927,000 0.6 88,000 0.96 213,000 0.013 18,300,000 0.012 3,900,000 3.4 1,000 3.74 20,887,000 15.68 962,700 24.15 1,220,800 0.006 30,000,000

611,000 12,526,280 1,510,980 30,822 5,881,450 50,650 235,757 1,569,700 28,790 1,395,010 308,670 28,400 852,230 23,351,100 3 52,800 201,860 229,400 46,800 3,400 79,214,060 15,181,678 29,251,285 180,300

-60,000 92,130 -80,420 222,650 -20,470 18,750 ,007,400.0002 10,381,940 -247,174 -2,825,620 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2D SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

18.32 455 475 98.8 100.1 5.36 96 98 1,000 100 1.8 971 74.1 76.65 74.45 72 72.05 72.6

18.7 455 489 98.8 100.1 5.42 96 98 1,000 100 1.8 997 74.5 76.65 74.45 73 72.05 72.6

18.24 455 475 98.5 100.1 5.36 95 98 990 99 1.8 971 74.1 76.65 74.45 72 72 72.5

PREFERRED 18.68 225,300 455 100 489 110 98.5 60 100.1 190 5.42 104,200 95 3,240 98 1,000 990 155 100 1,080 1.8 3,000 997 320 74.1 1,120 76.65 70 74.45 30 73 9,250 72 3,510 72.5 77,440

4,120,812 45,500 52,390 5,919 19,019 561,851 307,850 98,000 154,700 107,600 5,400 316,300 83,048 5,365.50 2,233.50 666,900 252,820 5,614,401

-939,526 189,108 14,500

LR WARRANT

1.9

1.98

1.89

WARRANTS 1.94 244,000

472,280

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.27 1.67

5.28 1.74

5 1.66

5.1 1.73

7,737,065 11,542,700

225,950 712,340

FIRST METRO ETF

112.1

114

112.1

1,287,968

761,214

19,897 19,930.80

-

MS

PROPERTY 8.29 0.81 11.72 1.71 1.03 42.45 2.39 4.26 6.4 0.43 0.86 0.88 0.242 0.38 7.92 18.22 0.485 0.112 1.45 1.11 4.84 0.45 0.48 2.31

988,000 1,079,000 5,400 53,000 12,492,000 14,316,500 1,301,000 534,000 30,500 3,110,000 10,000 29,000 930,000 190,000 32,600 394,300 60,000 300,000 4,999,000 636,000 39,510,000 14,720,000 1,190,000 8,078,000

USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.1 1.02

10.1 1.02

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

12,821,227

INDUSTRIAL

76,356,455

HOLDING FIRMS

173,585,815

PROPERTY

125,071,865

SERVICES

166,037,432

MINING & OIL

422,940,519

GRAND TOTAL

985,175,789

10.1 1.02

SME

1,526,000 6,822,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 114 11,370 10.1 1.02

DDS

1,970 19,540

VALUE 1,802.42 (up) 34.17 1,106,977,940.52 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,014.71 (up) 72.75 1,104,062,709.697 HOLDING FIRMS 7,569.83 (up) 251.94 2,143,090,358.36 PROPERTY 3,805.82 (up) 91.76 1,477.26 (up) 26.80 1,344,929,013.305 SERVICES MINING & OIL 8,676.71 (up) 330.28 1,271,624,117.81 PSEI 7,680.60 (up) 191.40 172,778,192.3712 All Shares Index 4,610.28 (up) 89.61 7,164,035,496.97 Gainers: 135; Losers: 61; Unchanged: 44; Total: 240

Chelsea confident of clinching Sasa Port

By Darwin G. Amojelar CHELSEA Logistics Holdings Corp. is confident of obtaining an original proponent status from state-run Philippine Ports Authority for its offer to develop, operate and maintain the Davao Sasa Port.

“We have done review with PPA late last year. We are looking to get OPS anytime soon if our offer will meet the PPA requirement,” CLC president and chief executive Chryss Alfonsos Damuy said.

Chelsea Logistics earlier submitted an unsolicited offer to PPA to develop, operate and maintain the Davao Sasa Port for P16 billion.

The company plans to spend P16 billion for the Davao Sasa Port in phases.

“The phase one is rehabilitation of the existing port and the phase 2 is increasing the capacity, but it depends on the traffic,” Damuy said, adding the company proposed a 25-year concession period.

The National Economic and Development Authority approved the modernization of Davao Sasa Port for P19 billion under the Aquino administration’s public private partnership scheme.

The Transportation Department had prequalified Asian Terminals Inc., International Container Terminal Services Inc., Bollore Africa Logistics, Singapore-based Portek International Pte. Ltd. and San Miguel Corp. for the Davao Sasa Port project.

But the Duterte administration decided to pursue the project through unsolicited proposal instead of PPP scheme.

Sasa Port is actually designed for break bulk cargo vessels, which is vital to the economy of Davao City.

About 500,000 metric tons of steel, wheat, fertilizer, motor vehicles, heavy equipment and other cargo not suitable for containers went through Sasa Port in 2014, according to PPA data.

Davao Integrated Port and Stevedoring Services Corp., an operator at the Sasa port, said the current capacity of Sasa stood at 700,000 twenty-foot equivalent units.

The yearly volume handled by DIPSSCOR, a unit of ICTSI, was just 300,000 TEUs.

PSE warns public against investing in candidate brokers

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Philippine Stock Exchange warned the public from investing in companies that are still in the process of securing a permit to trade in the exchange.

PSE president Ramon S. Monzon said in an advisory potential investors should exercise caution and conduct a due diligence on entities planning to become securities brokers with the PSE. The PSE issued the advisory after receiving information that certain entities were soliciting funds or investments from the public as part of their plan to set up a brokerage firm.

Monzon said there was no guarantee that such companies would become PSE trading participants. The applicant-brokers, he said, would undergo comprehensive assessment by the exchange based on their sustainability and qualifications under applicable laws and regulations.

“Please also note that solicitation of investments by such entities may be considered as a sale or offer of distribution of securities in the Philippines which requires prior registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Regulation Code. Failure to obtain such registration subjects the seller or offeror of the securities to civil and criminal penalties under the law,” the PSE said.

The exchanged also noted that the mandatory requirement for a company applying to be a participant must have a trading right which, with the approval of the local bourse, allows it to gain access and use the PSE facilities.

At the same time a trading participant must have a minimum unimpaired paid-up capital of P100 million and must be a domestic company composed of stockholders who are all acceptable to the PSE board.

The PSE said it had the right to assess the overall fitness and integrity of the applicant, which include track record and qualifications of shareholders, management, nominee and other officers.

The PSE said its rules on trading participants stated “the power of admission of any applicant is vested in the PSE Board.”

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World

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF China executes serial killer

MINSTRELS’ CARNIVAL. Members of minstrel troupes march through the city center during the annual Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) Cape Town Minstrels’

Carnival on January 2, 2019, in Cape Town. This carnival sees more than 40 troupes, and thousands of participants dressed in bright-colored costumes, and marching while playing music and dancing through the center of Cape Town. The Tweede Nuwe Jaar celebration dates back to the time before slavery was abolished in the Cape colony, during which slaves were allowed to relax on the day following New Year’s Day. These troupes also aim at creating social cohesion, activities for youth and connection with culture in the mostly impoverished crime-ridden communities in which many of the members live. AFP

China lands lunar rover on far side of the moon BEIJING―A Chinese lunar rover landed on the far side of the moon on Thursday, in a global first that boosts Beijing’s ambitions to become a space superpower.

The Chang’e-4 probe touched down and sent a photo of the so-called “dark side” of the moon to the Queqiao satellite, which will relay communications to controllers on Earth, China’s national space agency said on its website.

Beijing is pouring billions into its military-run space program, with hopes of having a crewed space station by 2022, and of eventually sending humans to the moon.

The Chang’e-4 lunar probe mission—named after the moon goddess in Chinese mythology—launched in December from the southwestern Xichang launch center.

It is the second Chinese probe to land on the moon, following the Yutu (Jade Rabbit) rover mission in 2013.

Unlike the near side of the moon that offers many flat areas to touch down on, the far side is mountainous and rugged.

The moon is “tidally locked” to Earth in its rotation so the same side is always facing Earth.

Chang’e-4 is carrying six experiments from China and four from abroad, including low-frequency radio astronomical studies—aiming to take advantage of the lack of interference on the far side.

The rover will also conduct mineral and radiation tests, the China National Space Administration has said, according to state news agency Xinhua.

It was not until 1959 that the Soviet Union captured the first images of the moon’s mysterious and heavily cratered “dark side”.

No lander or rover has ever previously touched the surface there, and it is no easy technological feat—China has been preparing for this moment for years.

A major challenge for such a mission was communicating with the robotic lander as there is no direct “line of sight” for signals to the far side of the moon.

As a solution, China in May blasted the Queqiao (“Magpie Bridge”) satellite into the moon’s orbit, positioning it so that it can relay data and commands between the lander and Earth.

In another extreme hurdle, during the lunar night—which lasts 14 Earth days—temperatures drop to as low as minus 173 degrees Celsius (minus 279 Fahrenheit).

During the lunar day, also lasting 14 Earth days, temperatures soar as high as 127 C (261 F).

The rover’s instruments have to withstand those fluctuations and it has to generate enough energy to sustain it during the long night.

Adding to the difficulties, Chang’e-4 was sent to the Aitken Basin in the lunar south pole region—known for its craggy and complex terrain—state media has said. AFP

New era as Democrats dominate Capitol Hill W ASHINGTON― Washington’s new era of divided government begins Thursday as Democrats seize control of the US House, aiming to serve as a check on Donald Trump’s disruptive presidency at least until the 2020 election.

Battle-tested Nancy Pelosi will in all likelihood win the gavel as speaker of the House of Representatives, a dramatic return to national power for the California Democrat who made history a dozen years earlier as the first woman to lead the chamber.

She will take command during a period of American political upheaval, and with a caucus riding high after a very strong midterm election showing last November.

Thursday brings an end to Trump’s one-party rule in Washington, a massive boost for Democrats who felt deflated after Trump’s 2016 victory.

Progressives will be eager to push back with greater effect against an administration they believe has overstepped its authority and abused power in the nearly two years since Trump’s inauguration.

They will have that opportunity, as congressional panels will be led by

chairmen who have pledged to probe topics such as Trump’s income taxes, his firing of attorney general Jeff Sessions, and the president’s ties to Vladimir Putin.

Incoming chairpersons have signaled that Trump will face a barrage of probes that could bog down a White House already besieged by Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s Russia collusion probe, draining energy from the administration’s agenda and foiling Trump’s message.

“It’s on,” Democrat Hakeem Jeffries, a new member of House leadership who is seen by some as a potential future House speaker, tweeted Wednesday.

“Tomorrow, we seize the majority.

Then, we pass legislation to end reckless #TrumpShutdown,” he added. “Next, we fight to lower health care costs and enact a progressive agenda.”

While the “blue wave” swept dozens of House Republicans out of Congress last November, Trump’s party managed to modestly expand its majority in the Senate to 57-43, meaning Washington gridlock is almost certain to deepen.

Among the first tasks of the 116th Congress will be ending a nearly twoweek government shutdown that has left one quarter of federal agencies shuttered due to lapsed funding.

Trump has said he would not sign a spending bill that does not include $5.6 billion for construction of a wall on the US-Mexico border, but Democrats appear uninterested in appeasing him.

Pelosi has introduced new measures

that would fund the agencies, but she noted that they “contain no new wall funding,” a move the White House -and leaders in the Republican-controlled Senate -- dismissed as a non-starter.

“Democrats will have to get serious about border security so that a government funding agreement may be reached that can pass the House, earn 60 votes here in the Senate, and receive a presidential signature,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in a statement.

“All three of these things are needed.

One partisan vote in the House tomorrow won’t solve anything.”

The House and Senate gavel into session Thursday at noon (1700 GMT), with the new Congress sworn in shortly thereafter. Pelosi is expected to win her speaker election in the early afternoon.

She will preside over the most diverse Congress in history. One hundred House freshmen will take the oath of office, including trailblazers like New York’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who at 29 was the youngest woman ever elected to Congress.

The first two Native American women and first two Muslim women were also elected.

The House and Senate will each have a record number of female members come Thursday.

Democrats will move early to protect coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, a popular feature of the Affordable Care Act that a judge in Texas recently struck down. AFP

BEIJING―A serial killer dubbed China’s “Jack the Ripper” for the way he mutilated several of his 11 female victims was executed Thursday morning, three decades after the first murder, the court which sentenced him said.

The court in the northwest city of Baiyin, Gansu province, which handed him the death sentence in March last year announced on the Twitter-like Weibo that it had been carried out.

China’s supreme court had approved the execution, it said.

Gao Chengyong, 54, robbed, raped and murdered 11 women and girls between 1988 and 2002 in Gansu and the neighboring Inner Mongolia region.

In March 2018 he was found guilty by the Baiyin City Intermediate People’s Court and handed death sentences for both robbery and intentional homicide, and lesser sentences for rape and dishonoring corpses.

Gao targeted young women wearing red and followed them home, often cutting their throats and mutilating their bodies, according to state media reports.

The youngest victim was eight years old.

Some victims had their reproductive organs removed, the Beijing Youth Daily said when Gao was arrested in 2016.

“To satisfy his perverted desire to dishonor and sully corpses, many of his female victims’ corpses were damaged and violated,” the court said on Weibo when he was convicted.

“The motives of the defendant’s crimes were despicable, his methods extremely cruel, the nature of the acts vile and the details of the crimes serious.”

Police had been hunting Gao for years.

“The suspect has a sexual perversion and hates women,” police said in 2004 when they linked the crimes for the first time and offered a reward of 200,000 yuan ($30,000) for information leading to an arrest. AFP

North Korean envoy seeks asylum in Italy SEOUL―North Korea’s top diplomat in Italy has sought asylum, a report said Thursday, in what would be another high-profile defection bid by one of Pyongyang’s envoys.

Jo Song Gil, the acting North Korean ambassador to Rome, applied for asylum to an unidentified Western country with his family, South Korea’s JoongAng Ilbo daily said, citing unnamed diplomatic sources in Seoul.

“He sought asylum early last month,” the JoongAng quoted one source as saying.

Italian authorities were “agonizing” over what to do, the official was quoted as saying, but added that they were “protecting him in a safe place”.

The last senior North Korean diplomat to defect was Thae Yong Ho, who abandoned his post as deputy ambassador in London in 2016.

Jo, 48, has been acting ambassador in Rome since October 2017 after Italy expelled the then ambassador Mun Jong Nam in protest at a nuclear test by the North a month earlier in violation of UN resolutions.

He is “known to be a son or son-inlaw of one of the highest-level officials in the North’s regime”, the JoongAng cited an unnamed North Korea expert as saying.

Most North Korean diplomats serving overseas are normally required to leave several family members―typically children-behind in Pyongyang to prevent their defection while working abroad.

Jo, however, came to Rome in May 2015 with his wife and children, suggesting he may be from a privileged family, the JoongAng said, adding the reason for his defection bid was still unclear. AFP

Thousands of tourists flee Thai islands as tropical storm looms BIRTHDAY DINNER.

Singer Madison Beer poses for portrait at music executive Steven Levine’s Birthday Dinner at Hotel Bel-Air on January 2, 2019, in Los Angeles, California.

AFP

BANGKOK―Tens of thousands of tourists have fled the Thai resort islands of Koh Phangan and Koh Tao in a mass exodus ahead of Tropical Storm Pabuk, which is set to bring heavy rain, wind and 22-foot waves, officials said Thursday.

The islands, hugely popular with holiday-makers especially during the peak Christmas and New Year season, have emptied out since Wednesday as tourists packed onto ferries bound for the southern Thai mainland, with swimming banned and boats set to suspend services.

Pabuk, Thailand’s first tropical storm in the area outside of the monsoon season for around 30 years, is poised to batter Koh Phangan and Koh Tao as well as Koh Samui on Friday night, before cutting into the mainland.

No official evacuation order has been given but tourists are leaving in droves.

“I think the islands are almost empty... between 30,000 to 50,000 have left since the New Year’s Eve countdown parties,” Krikkrai Songthanee, Koh Phangnan district chief, told AFP. The acting mayor of Koh Tao, one of Southeast Asia’s finest diving spots, said boats to Chumphon on the mainland were crammed with tourists, but

several thousand guests were still on the island likely to brave the storm.

Pabuk was packing winds of 104 kilometers per hour but was unlikely to intensify into a full blown typhoon, according to forecasters.

“But we expect waves as high as five or seven meters near the eye of the storm. Normally in the Gulf of Thailand there are only two meter high waves,” Phuwieng Prakammaintara, director general at the Thai Meteorological Department, told reporters.

“It’s difficult to predict the severity of the storm so people should comply with authorities’ recommendations.”

On Koh Samui, the closest of the trio of islands, a Russian man drowned on Wednesday after his family ignored warnings not to go into the sea.

“A family of three went swimming but the strong current caught a 56-yearold man who drowned,” Police Captain Boonnam Srinarat of Samui Police told AFP. “Island officials announced the warning and put up the red ‘danger’ flags... but maybe the family did not think the situation was that serious.”

Authorities on the island said they were preparing shelters for any tourists who decide to wait out the storm. AFP

LGUs

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

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

Munti chamber places faith in Fresnedi admin THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Muntinlupa expressed their confidence in Mayor Jaime Fresnedi’s administration, as he leads the local government to greater heights in trade and investments.

PCCI-Muntinlupa president Elvie Sanchez-Quiazon lauded Fresnedi’s initiatives in promoting innovations to streamline business processes during a Thanksgiving Banquet organized by the city government for members of the private sector on Wednesday.

“PCCI-Muntinlupa would like to express our utmost thanks Mayor Jaime Fresnedi’s leadership in championing ease of doing business with the government. Our continued optimism over Mayor Fresnedi’s commitment to bring real change has been credited to the implementation of innovations not only for the business community but also for all Muntinlupa residents,” Quiazon said.

Fresnedi led the Thanksgiving Banquet attended by over 250 business locators and entrepreneurs in the city.

The mayor also graced the opening of a photo exhibit of new business locators in Muntinlupa and the Annual Business Permits Renewal Event at Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Brgy. Tunasan.

The 2019 Business Permit Renewal will run from Jan. 3 to 20. The city Business Permits and Licensing Office urges business owners to pay dues early to avoid penalties and skip “rush days” of registration nearing the deadline.

Fresnedi awarded certificates of recognition and grocery packages to the Top Ten Early Registrants in this year’s Business Permit Renewal.

Top Ten Early Registrants were the following: Carlito de Guzman (Lito and Lani Food Haus), Josephine Dejan (FDA Dejan Construction Services), Cesar Bronola Lastrilla (Mercy Salon), Alona Arciaga (Alona’s Store), Cherrie Flores (Mini-Mini Store), Josielyn Cabalza Daez (E.J.D. Softdrinks), Abraham Tiro (Mama Nene Store), Cynthia Olaes (Cynthia’s Sari-sari Store), Avelio Fuedan (Avel Store), and Ma. Pinky Lynsey (MPLG Begona Trading).

Fresnedi thanked the business owners for their punctuality in paying their dues and renewing their businesses in the city. Currently, there are 15,409 registered business in Muntinlupa. The City has recorded a significant increase of over 166 percent in business tax collection since 2012.

A One-Stop Shop arrangement in the Business Permit Renewal Hub has been prepared in the venue for the convenience of taxpayers.

Requirements from Barangay Halls and Regulatory Offices can be acquired in the location of the Renewal as representatives of said agencies will be rendering service simultaneously.

NEW BIZ HUB. Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi inaugurates the Business Permit Renewal Hub, a One-Stop Shop facility for business transactions, located at Muntinlupa Sports Complex, Tunasan on Wednesday. Joining Fresnedi are Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Muntinlupa president Elvie Sanchez-Quiazon, City Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela, and Local Economic and Investment Promotion Officer Gary Llamas.

Makati extending hours for biz listup

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

AKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay has ordered the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office and other frontline offices to extend working hours and open on weekends to accommodate applications for renewal of business permits and tax payments in time for the Jan. 20 deadline.

“We owe it to our taxpayers who have contributed significantly to the city’s continued financial stability and growth,” Binay said.

Business and License office chief Maribert Pagente said their offices will be open to serve taxpayers beyond office hours on weekdays, and also on weekends until Jan. 20, at the ground floor lobby of Makati City Hall Building II. On Jan. 3 and 4, the offices will be open until 7:30 pm. The rest of the schedule will be as follows: Jan. 5 and 6 (Saturday and Sunday), 8am to 5pm; Jan. 7 to 11 (Monday to Friday), 8am to 10pm; Jan. 12 and 13 (Saturday and Sunday), 8am to 8pm; Jan. 14 to 18 (Monday to Friday), 8am to 10pm; and Jan. 19 and 20 (Saturday and Sunday), 8am to 10pm.

Pagente urged business owners to beat the deadline and avoid the penalties on late payments, which include a 25 percent surcharge and a two percent penalty

per month of delay until the amount due is fully settled.

Meanwhile, the Real Property Tax (RPT) Division has announced that satellite payment centers for real property taxes are scheduled to accept payments in 31 barangays, from 9am to 4pm, as follows: Jan. 3 and 4 (Bel-Air); Jan. 3 (Urdaneta); Jan. 4 and 7 (Dasmariñas); Jan. 7 (Forbes Park); Jan. 8 and 9 (San Lorenzo, Magallanes); Jan. 10 (Bangkal, Pio del Pilar, San Isidro, Palanan, and San Antonio); Jan. 11 (La Paz, Sta. Cruz, Singkamas, Tejeros, and Kasilwan); Jan. 14 (Carmona, Olympia, Valenzuela, Poblacion, and Guadalupe Viejo); Jan. 15 (Guadalupe Nuevo, Pinagkaisahan, Pitogo, Cembo, and South Cembo); and Jan. 16 (West Rembo, East Rembo, Comembo, Pembo, and Rizal).

The RPT office at the second floor, City Hall main building will also extend work hours, but will accept payments

only until 7:30pm on weekdays and until 4pm on weekends, to allow time for closing and balancing the day’s collections.

From Jan.3 to 4, the office will be open after regular hours from 5:30pm to 9:30pm; Jan. 5 and 6 (weekend), from 8am to 5pm; Jan. 7 to 11, 5:30pm to 10:30pm; Jan. 12 and 13 (weekend), 8am to 5pm; Jan. 14 to 18, 5:30pm to 10:30pm; and Jan. 19 and 20 (weekend), 8am to 5pm.

Under the Makati Revenue Code, discounts are given to non-delinquent taxpayers, as follows: 10 percent for full year RPT payments made until Jan. 20, and five percent discount for prompt quarterly payments (Quarter 1 until Jan. 20; Quarter 2 until April 20; Quarter 3 until July 20; and Quarter 4 until Oct. 20).

Annual RPT payments made after March will incur an eight percent penalty on the first quarter, and two percent on every succeeding month. For late quarterly RPT payments (made after the last day of the quarter, i.e., March 31, June 30, Sept. 30, Dec. 31), an eight percent penalty will be imposed for that quarter, and two percent on every succeeding month.

For miscellaneous fees and taxes, the deadline for professional tax payments is on Jan. 31, while the deadline for payments on Community Tax, both corporate and individual, is on Feb. 28.

Taguig officially debt-free with P1.6-b payment THE Taguig City government has ended the year 2018 on a high note as it officially became a debt-free local government unit for 2019.

As of Dec. 7, 2018, the local government under the administration of Mayor Laarni Cayetano already paid the more than P1.22 billion in loans plus P388 million in interest incurred by the previous administration.

“We pre-terminated all our loans with LandBank because, by the end of 2018, Mayor Lani wanted that the next administration would not have to suffer the same fate she suffered when she took on the administration in 2010,” said city chief treasurer lawyer Voltaire Enriquez.

Enriquez said to wipe clean the debt slate of the local government, the Cayetano administration set aside funds annually for the debts. To start in 2011, for example, P220 million of the P3.745billion total budget allotted to Taguig went to debt payment.

Eyeing a debt-free status, the city government avoided luxury and made sure funds were used efficiently, said Enriquez.

“Take this example from the previous administration: imported mobile garbage bins that cost a debt of over P100 million. We did not engage in those things,” he said.

Despite this objective of becoming debt-free, the city government did not allow this to happen at the cost of delivery of efficient and more expansive services.

The Cayetano administration continued to prioritize essentials, such as health, education and social services. In fact, the previous P5 million budget of the previous administration for scholarship was increased by P100 million yearly from 2011 to 2016.

QC anti-drug body lauded for gains

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday lauded the Department of the Interior and Local Government for awarding the city government as the best anti-drug abuse council in Metro Manila.

“I am very proud that we are, once again, recognized as one of the best anti-drug abuse councils among all local government units nationwide. It’s because we have the most effective working framework and the political will to implement programs to lessen the city’s drug problem,” said Belmonte, who chairs the city anti-drug council.

“We have almost 27,000 drug surrenders and just last December, we were able to produce 560 graduates on our community-based drug rehabilitation program,” she added.

Last December, the DILG acknowledged the city government’s anti-drug campaign and gave it a perfect 100 functionality points for “ideal/ high functionality,” together with 20 other local governments out of the 241 awardees nationwide in the recent 1st National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Awards.

Go out, vote in BARMM referendum, Guiani says

By Ayunan G. Gunting

HANDS ON. Buhi, Sorsogon Mayor Margie Aguinillo (in maroon striped blouse) takes a

phone call during an impromptu meeting with her staff and social welfare workers as they ride a boat going to Barangay Sta. Cruz in Buhi to assess the damage and inspect the area in the aftermath of Tropical Depression ‘Usman’ that covered rice fields in mud.

COTABATO City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani on Thursday urged her constituents to go out and vote and make their voices be counted during the referendum that would decide the fate of the Bangsomoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) to be held on Jan. 21.

The mayor made this appeal as she bewailed the threats of violence and the smear campaigns made by certain personalities of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, whose members are proponents of BARMM. BARMM was created as part of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsomoro, which was the preliminary peace agreement made between the Philippine

Jan. 9 a holiday in Manila for Black Nazarene parade

By Vito Barcelo MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada has declared Jan. 9 as a holiday in Manila in celebration of the Feast of the Black Nazarene, one of the country’s biggest religious activities.

Estrada said around 1,000 policemen will be deployed in different areas around downtown Quiapo church, in addition to the 7,000 members of the Philippine National Police from the National Capital Region Police Office to maintain

peace and order during the celebration.

The mayor suspended classes and work in government offices in the capital to give way to the “Traslacion” of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9.

“Exempted from work suspension are those involved in the maintenance of peace and order, traffic enforcement, disaster and risk reduction management, health and sanitation,” according to a Manila City hall official.

Meanwhile, officials of the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene said as many

as 18 million guests and devotees are expected to flock to Quiapo Church starting from Jan. 5 to Jan. 9.

A church official estimated at least 2.5 million devotees would join the 2019 celebration of the Traslacion, the procession of the miraculous image of Black Nazarene around the city of Manila starting from the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park and ending in Quiapo Church.

Last year, around 1.5 million people took part in the seven-kilometer parade.

government and MILF. It was designed to replace the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

Guiani noted that a considerable number of her constituents have expressed their desire to reject BARMM when they vote during the plebiscite.

“Various groups composed of prominent businessmen and others belonging to other sectors in Cotabato City have met with me and said that they will be opposing the ratification of the new region as they do want another system of government,” she said.

“But because of the strong influence of social media, rampant disinformation or ‘fake information’ is being spread by proponents of BARMM to convince and coerce constituents to vote ‘Yes’ at the referendum. These proponents have

also created fake social media accounts to threaten those who oppose BARMM,” Guiani added.

The mayor also noted that she herself has been the subject of this disinformation campaign, as many of these fake accounts have been “spreading lies about her personal ad professional life.”

She said that as mayor and leader Cotabato City, she will not tolerate any form of harassment or disrespect from those who hide under fake social media accounts.

“I even made an attempt to find a peaceful resolution to this form and arranged a meeting with one of the MILF commanders, Wahig Tundok. We had an amicable meeting which was attended by the barangay captains of Cotabato City,” she said.

RIVER’S WRATH. A boy sits on a rock beside a river that overflowed and swept away nearby homes, as residents and officials of Lope de Vega in Northern Samar asked for help in the wake of Tropical Depression ‘Usman’. Mayor Anna Tan-Palloc said they are in need of housing materials, food, water, hygiene kits, and used clothing after “Usman” brought heavy rains and floods to their town. Ronald O. Reyes

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

CULTURE AND MEDIA

I

N CELEBRATION of its history, heritage, and cooking skills of locals, the City of General Trias in Cavite staged on Dec. 13 its 6th Valenciana Festival, a part of its 270th founding anniversary and 3rd cityhood anniversary.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

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General Trias celebrates 6th Valenciana Festival

Mayor Antonio Ferrer and Congressman Luis “Jon Jon” Ferrer IV spearheaded the festival, starting with the wreath laying ceremony at the General Mariano Closas Trias monument.

Barangay Buenavista reigned in the Valenciana dish cooking contest, beating defending champion Brgy. Sta. Clara and 31 other barangays. Brgy. Buenavista took home the elegant glass trophy and cash prize worth P30,000.

Valenciana is a famous dish in the locality inherited from the Spaniards. According to Caviteños, the dish is like paella without seafood, and instead uses chicken and hotdogs.

Barangay Prinza, meanwhile, won the Giant Lantern competition with its parol made of recycled materials. The village took home P30,000. Brgy. Tapia won 2nd place, while Brgy. Panungyanan took home the 3rd place, bagging P15,000 and P10,000, respectively.

Governor Ferrer Memorial National High dominated the annual Valenciana Festival Field demonstration, one of the highlights of the festivities. The contingent took home P40,000 cash prize.

Luis Y. Ferrer Senior High School notched the 2nd spot in the street dance contest, taking home P30,000, while Santiago National High placed 3rd and bagged P20,000.

The street dance and field demonstration event featured the theme, “Gentriseño: Magkakaagapay sa Pag-usad at Pag-unlad.”

Prior to the festival, Barangay Manggahan lass Xyly Mharie Rodriquez was crowned as Binibining GenTri 2018, besting 21 beautiful candidates. . She also won Miss Photogenic. Rodriguez is a Grade 12 student of Luis Y. Ferrer Jr. Senior High School.

Meanwhile, Congressman Jon Jon Ferrer IV celebrated his birthday with 528 persons with disabilities at General Trias Cultural and Convention Center in Brgy.

Sampalukan.

GenTri First Lady Anne Ferrer together with Aisha Columna, wife of Liga ng mga Barangay Federation president Jay Columna, distributed Christmas gifts to less fortunate kids in the city during the festival, while Mayor Ferrer and Cong. Jon Jon distributed gifts to senior citizens.

Dennis Abrina The City of General Trias celebrated its 6th Valenciana Festival, which is part of its 270th founding anniversary and 3rd cityhood anniversary.

Students of Governor Ferrer Memorial National High took home the top prize in the street dance and field demonstration competition.

Governor Ferrer Memorial National High School's energetic performance

General Trias City Mayor Antonio Ferrer and GenTri First Lady Anne Ferrer congratulate Binibining GenTri 2018 winner Xyly Mharie Rodriguez.

CMMA recognized Benilde’s student-journalists, artists Pepsi Philippines launches special edition cans sporting the beverage company's logos from the '40s to early 2000s.

Throwback in the packaging

PEPSI Philippines serves nostalgiawrapped beverages with its special edition Pepsi cans and bottles sporting the company’s iconic logos from the ‘40s all the way to the early 2000s.

“The Pepsi Generation campaign celebrates the enduring taste that spans decades, all while bringing families and friends closer with the Pepsi they all remember and enjoy,” said Gutzee Segura of PepsiCo. Philippines.

The special editions include the first logo the brand had in 1946 which featured its novelty blue, red, and white colors with the original swirly script.

The 1950s made a distinct change to the swirly script logo with a smoother, simpler look framed in blue and red banners.

A Pepsi crown logo capped the Swinging Sixties which would even-

tually inspire the minimalist branding of the 1980s wherein white was used for the backdrop, outlining the rectangular and circular parts of the logo. A slight change to this would be seen a decade after when the Pepsi brand was featured more prominently on the side of the logo in italic font.

At the turn of the millennium, Pepsi launched its new look called “Globe,” dropping the bold red platform of the logo for the icy blue backdrop—displaying the stylized, three-dimensional Pepsi Globe.

“Everyone has a Pepsi they remember; it was part of their memories of growing. We want to give Filipinos a little piece from those years to help them relive those special moments,” said Segura.

THE 40th edition of the Catholic Mass Media Awards recognized the literary talents of young student-journalists and artists of The Benildean Press Corps of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The official student-journalists’ organization of the institution bagged the much-coveted Best Student Literary Publication Award for Shades of Gray: Convalescence, the 20th issue of the literary folio of the Benildeans.

The award marks the first-ever CMMA win of the college.

The creative anthology exhibited the refreshing stories of the convalescent—from the concept of life as a “spinning cycle of recovery and resolution” with “tales about chaos and strife” and “bits and pieces of a rectified conflict.”

“Not only does it validate our contribution to the college, but it also shows our fellow Benildeans—and even the wider academic community—that we can be a force to be reckoned with,” enthused Juan Miguel Lago, head of the Student Publications Office.

He further noted the award affirms Benilde’s innovative approach to communications and storytelling.

“In this day and age, it’s becoming increasingly important that we produce better storytellers, because they are the recorders of our history, achievements, and humanity,” said Lago. “Shades of Gray: Convalescence is a testament and trophy of every Benildean storyteller, and we hope to inspire even more Benildeans to use their voice to tell better and more meaningful stories that can empower the people around them.”

Other academic outputs which earned CMMA’s recognition were La Salle Greenhills’ Luntiang Panunulat as the Best Student Organ under the grade school category, Casimiro A. Ynares, Sr. Memorial National High School’s The Ech-

From left Student Publications Office head head Juan Miguel Lago, BPC coordinator Dayanara Cudal, and BPC editor in chief Marlon Ecalnea receive the Best College Literary Publication award.

oes as the Best Student Organ under the high school division, Cavite State University CCAT Campus’ CVSU-R Nexus Tabloid as the Best Student Organ under the college bracket, and Faith College’s Burning Truth as the Best Student Public Service Print Ad. The educational organizations were awarded alongside other winning mass media outlets including major publications, television networks, and radio stations at the awarding ceremony at the Star Theater, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex.

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FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Entertainment

OPPA scholars pursue arts studies at Benilde O RIGINAL Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA), an initiative of the Resorts World Philippines Cultural Heritage Foundation, Inc., marks its third year as it introduces its new roster of young and talented student-artists granted with academic assistance and workshops.

This year’s scholars underwent a rigid and thorough screening process by the board of judges, composed of OPPA President and First Lady of Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, OPPA Vice President and West End performer Michael Stuart Williams, Manila Philharmonic Orchestra’s Maestro Rodel Colmenar, theater director Jaime del Mundo, production designer Ed Lacson, Jr., Philippine Opera Company Artistic and Managing Director Karla Gutierrez, and Danspace Director and Ballet Philippines principal dancer Maritoni Rufino Tordesillas.

Twelve OPPA scholars are currently honing their creative talents at their institution of choice, the De La SalleCollege of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), where they are trained by renowned artists, leading industry practitioners, and academe professionals.

Music Production Matthew Marasigan, 18, started playing classical piano at age 11 and bass guitar three years later. Not until people started noticing his skills did he realize that he had a talent for music. From then on, he polished his art and started working on original compositions. He has since believed that music is the greatest art form in the world.

Julian Juangco, 17, has been recognized for his talent in performing arts in his younger years. Fond of singing, he started writing his own songs at age 10.

He has actively participated in national competitions such as The Voice Teens and Pilipinas Got Talent. However, lately, he decided to focus more on music production.

Moon Cairo Peralta, 18, comes from a musically-inclined family, one of the many reasons why he pursued the same path. His father taught him how to play

the drums, which in turn inspired him to take up piano and guitar lessons on his own. Since last year, he has recorded his own demos.

Jonathan Marco Reantaso, 19, fell in love with the guitar when he was 11, and by 14, he founded his progressive blues rock band Mean Jay, which represented the country in the 2015 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

He has performed in festivals here and abroad including Fête de la Musique in France. At 15, he was designated by the Yupangco Music Corporation as the Fender Guitar Ambassador. His musical adventures include performances with French RNB artist David Abakan, Pinoy rock legends, and plus playing with his three other bands, Be Lucid, Puerza Azul, and the soon-to-be-launched Holmes. He self-produced his own five-song guitar instrumental EP entitled Sunny Side Up. Production Design Arvin Lloyd Isidro, 19, is an activist, a member of National Democratic Mass Organization (NDMO), and an active cultural worker of Panday Sining, a performing group of artists that aim to use art as expressions of national democracy. He maximizes his creative talent in filmmaking, performing arts, and visual arts to serve as a catalyst to hopefully change the systematic views of ordinary Filipinos.

Theater Arts Anika Elyana Licudan, 19, was introduced to theater in the original musical Beauty and the Bible in 2009, and she instantly fell in love with it. She enrolled in theater workshops, including the established Trumpets Playshop, took voice lessons, and studied piano and guitar. She hopes everyone will realize the importance of arts.

Alyssa T. Torres, 17, has been fond of music and the world of role playing.

A late bloomer, she was in 9th grade when she engaged in the school’s production, followed by a series of plays and performances to a broader audience.

Her vast background, from backstage to acting, offered her opportunities to understand different perspectives in life.

Performing arts in Dance Eduardson and Emmerson Evangelio, 18, started their training in dance under their elementary school’s Special Program in the Arts, where the twins have garnered several honors and awards.

They discovered their passion for ballet when, at age 12, they joined in the Summer Arts Workshop of Lola Grande Foundation. They trained under Philippine Ballet Theatre by the Ballet Master Anatoli Panasyukov where they performed in major productions here and abroad. Currently, the siblings continue to enhance their skills with Ballet Manila under the guidance of Artistic Director and CEO Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and CoArtistic Director Osias Barroso.

Stella Mee Estriber, 20, began her foray early when she enlisted in the performing arts during her senior high school years, and has since been a member of various dance companies. She competed in local competitions such as Sayaw Pinoy of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Brixmond Utrera, 19, likewise adapted a performing arts track in his junior and senior high school, and is completely at ease setting foot in tournaments of various genres such as interpretative, jazz, folk, festival, and street dance.

Florencio De Guzman, 20, trained in jazz, hip-hop, folk, and contemporary dance, is currently involved in ballet. His background includes performances in various shows and competitions such as Sayaw Pinoy of NCCA and participated in companies like Chameleon Dance Company.

Other partner schools of the OPPA Foundation include Meridian International College, Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), St. Scholastica’s College, St. Paul University-Manila, and Assumption College-San Lorenzo.

Second Kapuso school unveiled in Marawi GMA Kapuso Foundation (GMAKF) recently turned over the second Kapuso school built in Marawi City under the “Rebuild Marawi Project.”

Through the joint efforts of its multisectoral partners and donors, GMAKF was able to rehabilitate two classrooms and build four classrooms and a total of 12 gender-sensitive restrooms at Pendolonan Elementary School. A concrete school square for student assemblies was also built along with a five faucet hand washing facility for the students from Kindergarten to Grade 6. A Kapuso ng Kalikasan tree planting activity was also conducted during the inauguration.

The turnover ceremony was led

by GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with the AFP’s1st Infantry Asst. Division Commander Brigadier Gen. Jacinto Ramos Bareng, Task Force Bangon Marawi Assistant Secretary Felix Castro, Lanao Filipino Chinese Chambers of

GMAKF EVP and COO Rikki Escudero-Catibog together with multi-sectoral partners in the symbolic turnover at Pendolonan Elementary School

Commerce & Industry Inc. Honorary President Henry Dy, Manila Water Foundation Executive President Reginald Andal, Department of Education (DepEd) ARMM Marawi Division Superintendent Pharida Sansarona, DPWH Region X Assistant Regional Director Jing Saldua, Marawi City Information Officer Johara Gandamra Tanggote, Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer Maharlanny Alonto , Lanao Del Sur Provincial Police representative and NHA Community Services Support Officer Aisah Marohom-Salic.

GMAKF is the first non-government organization to turn-over a newly constructed school in Marawi City last October, exactly a year after its liberation by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) from the Maute terrorist group.

The construction was made possible through GMAKF’s partners: Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command & 54th Engineering Brigade, Task Force Bangon Marawi, Joint Task Force Ranao, Department of Public Works and Highways National and Region X, the local government, Department of Education National, ARMM & Marawi Division supported by the Provincial Government of Lanao del Sur & the Lanao del Sur Police Provincial Office.

GMAKF used construction materials resilient to fire, typhoon, and termites to ensure the sturdiness and durability of each classroom.

To donate to GMAKF’s projects, visit www.gmanetwork.com/kapusofoundation/donate.

INTERNATIONAL

Netflix drops satire episode critical of Saudi Arabia STREANING giant Netflix confirmed Tuesday that it removed an episode of a satirical comedy show that criticizes Saudi Arabia, after officials in the kingdom reportedly complained.

The move raises new questions about the limits of free online expression.

In the episode of “Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj,” the American-born Muslim lashed Saudi Arabia after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

He specifically criticized Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and was also critical of the Saudi-led military campaign in Yemen.

“We strongly support artistic freedom worldwide and removed this episode only in Saudi Arabia after we had received a valid legal request—and to comply with local law,” a Netflix spokeswoman said in a statement.

British newspaper the Financial Times said Netflix’s action came after

Netflix has dropped an episode of a program critical of Saudi Arabia by comedian Hasan Minhaj after officials in the kingdom complained

the kingdom’s Communications and Information Technology Commission said the episode violated the cybercrime law.

In December, the US Senate approved two symbolic resolutions blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing of Khashoggi, after intelligence reports pointed in that direction, and urging an end to US participation in the Yemen war.

Karen Attiah, Khashoggi’s editor at The Washington Post, said Netflix’s action was “quite outrageous.”

The Saudi Information Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

The episode can still be seen in other parts of the world—and in Saudi Arabia on YouTube.

Online platforms and tech companies face increasing scrutiny and growing public skepticism in the face of controversies about data sharing and the steady erosion of privacy. AFP

OPPA 2018 scholars Florencio De Guzman, Brixmond Utrera, Eduardson and Emmerson Evangelio, and Stella Mee Estriber, who are currently taking Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance (BPAD) in De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA).

OPPA 2018 scholars Matthew Marasigan, Moon Cairo Peralta, and Jonathan Marco Reantaso, who are currently taking Music Production (MP) in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA).

OPPA 2018 scholars Alyssa Torre and Anika Elyana Licudan who are currently taking Theater Arts in De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA) with Arvin Lloyd Isidro, who is taking Production Design in the same College.

Jenner sisters launch clothing line KENDALL + KYLIE, by the social media moguls and reality TV stars, Kendall and Kylie Jenner, is in the Philippines.

Kendall and Kylie have been handling their own contemporary clothing line since 2015. It all started back in 2012 when Kendall + Kylie had a collaboration with Pacsun—a California-based lifestyle brand, which sprouted multiple follow-up seasons and created a larger fan base for both sisters. Three years later, the Jenner sisters had another collaboration with British-born retailer, Topshop. Since then, Kendall + Jenner, both sisters and brand, progressed incredibly fast.

The line incorporates Kendall’s feminine and classic style as well as Kylie’s edgy streetwear. Confident, stylish, on-trend and in charge is how the siblings would describe their brand. On top of the mostly casual style - crop tops, jeans, dress, jackets, they also offer swimwear and bags.

The main style highlights are sports luxe and athleisure with sports luxe comprising mostly of popper trousers, cold shoulder tops, and crop tops.

Athleisure, on the other hand, has A-line mini-skirts, wide leg trousers, off-shoulders, woven blouses, and puff sleeves. The palette is mostly black and white with a pop of red, yellow, orange, and hot pink.

Given Kendall and Kylie’s social media reach and fashion influence, it is a nice early Christmas treat for the fans of Jenner sisters to be able to wear the type of clothes the millennials sisters wear.

Kendall +Kylie available at Case Study at Bonifacio High Street Central and The Rail stores.

Items start at P 899. *** Bong Go on promotion, protection of local movie industry Former Special Assistant to the President ( S A P ) Christopher

Lawrence “Bong” Go expressed his support for the Philippine movie industry and announced his intention of encouraging more film festivals to be staged to promote quality filipino films.

This he said at the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal (Awards Night) at The Theatre at Solaire.

“Una sa lahat, gusto kong magkaroon ng ganitong mga festival para bigyan pa ng opportunities ‘yung pelikulang Pilipino na bumangon muli.

Ang dami ko pong kaibigan na artista at marami silang hinaing po na sana bumalik na (ang sigla) ng industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino,” Go told members of the media.

Go added that he has been discussing with various luminaries in the industry, some of whom he considers his friends, to share ideas and craft ways to strengthen the industry, which is currently facing stiff competition not only from foreign movies screened locally but also from legal and illegal online streaming platforms.

If elected, he said, “I will push for strategies to crack down on illegal businesses and strengthen the campaign against piracy.”

“We need to amplify the quality of Philippine cinema, especially to our youth. If we are to uniquely identify ourselves as Filipinos, we need more Filipino-made films,” Go said.

Bong Go was a juror at the recent 2018 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal.

As a candidate in the 2019 midterm elections, Go’s legislative agenda covers programs for health, agriculture, housing, education, long-term sports development, localized peace talks, fire protection and prevention, creation of a Department of OFWs, barangay welfare, as well as improved benefits for senior citizens. *** More stories of these kinds at www.isah.red. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@ isahvred) and Instagran (@ isahvred). ΙŘ

Famous Jenner sisters Kylie and Kendall’s clothing line is now available in the Philippines

Entertainment

Cignal Play launches 4 new on-demand TV series AFTER the success of its 2017 groundbreaking horror and suspense thriller Tabi Po and crime drama miniseries Tukhang, Cignal Entertainment, Cignal TV’s content production division is poised to further shake up Pinoys’ viewing experience with four new alloriginal series available on-demand via its streaming platform Cignal Play.

Cignal Entertainment pushes the envelope further in content production with these groundbreaking series guaranteed to give viewers brave and thought-provoking storylines that challenge the norm of overdramatic plots, predictable twists, and ever-recurring themes.

These new titles on Cignal Play include Sleepless, Feels like Forever, Agham Inc., and the second season of Tukhang.

Directed by Ato Bautista and Jim Libiran, Tukhang Season 2 is braver than ever as it continues to depict the country’s ongoing war on illegal drugs.

The series delves deeper into the lives of the characters and continues to weigh in on the social impact that the war on drugs has on those involved – from the government agencies tackling the drug problem, to the police, the local drug cartels and the common folk caught in the cross fire.

A spinoff of the popular 2015 indie movie of the same title, this romantic comedy tells the struggles of call center agents who, like most lonely people living in the city, desperately try to make meaningful connections despite their challenging work schedules. The series is under the direction of Prime Cruz.

Directed by Ivan Payawal, Feels like Forever is a romance anthology that will keep viewers guessing whether the characters’ interactions would lead to lasting relationships or just another missed connection.

Meanwhile, Agham Inc. is a fantasy anthology directed by Gino Santos. It revolves around the moral decisions faced by people chosen to be the company’s test subjects for its mysterious products.

These four series complement Cignal Play’s current library of over 70 LIVE channel streams and 700 hours of premium on-demand content available to all Cignal prepaid and postpaid subscribers.

“We at Cignal Entertainment have taken on the challenge to give the Filipino audience fresh, intelligent, and riveting content. We are proud to bring to the local entertainment scene gamechanging, on-demand, hyper-realistic and immersive content that are geared towards elevating the Filipino viewing experience,” said Jane Basas, Cignal TV president.

A scene from the second season of “Tukhang”

Romance anthology “Feels like Forever” is one of the groundbreaking series launched

by Cignal

FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2019

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nickie.standard@gmail.com

H

AVE you ever wondered what Philippines would look like if ordinary Filipinos are represented in decision-making, if every individual’s right is championed, and if every citizen is heard?

This is the courageous aspiration Samira Gutoc envisions for the county; and this, in essence, is the dream that Marawi civic leader and peace-builder Gutoc wants to share in her newlylaunched video.

At the launch of her two-minute video at Romulo Cafe, in Tomas Morato, Quezon City, Gutoc underscored the need for every Filipino to be included in the country’s narrative and nationbuilding.

“Working many years in the community and in peace-building, I understand the real needs of ordinary Filipinos and that everyone of us should be given a chance to speak out and be heard regardless of our faith, gender or social status,” said Gutoc, a long-time community organizer from Mindanao, who aspires to represent the marginalized and ordinary Filipinos in the halls of the Senate in 2019.

“We cannot stay in the sidelines and fringes anymore, watching helplessly as we continue to be excluded by a political system that does not represent our dreams and aspirations,” Gutoc said.

“Desmond Tutu, a South African human rights activist, once said ‘exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice.’”

“And in our shared struggle for social justice, equality, and representation, I can be your voice. Let me fight this battle with you, without fear or favor,” Gutoc added.

Samira Gutoc, one of the senatorial candidates supported by the opposition

Peace advocate and former journalist Samira Gutoc

Representing the marginalized Filipinos for the 2019 elections, is a peace advocate who believes in grassroots approach towards peace.

She is a mother, a long-time community organizer, and a Filipino Muslim woman working with the poorest of the poor in one of the most impoverished regions in the country.

Gutoc recently won the N-Peace Award for the Philippines under the Untold Stories category for her efforts

toward peace-building in the country and her role in the advancement of the rights of women and the marginalized sector in Marawi.

N-Peace is a flagship initiative by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Asia-Pacific founded in 2010 to commemorate the 10-year implementation of the UNSCR 1325 implementation via the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.

Toby’s Sports Opens Flagship Store in BGC TOBY’S Sports, the leading sports retailer in the Philippines, has opened a new, innovative flagship store that highlights its long-standing commitment to elevating its retail experience to world-class standards.

Toby’s Sports held a special preview party of the new flagship store situated in the heart of the bustling Bonifacio Global City (BGC) last Nov. 28. The event, called “Pinnacle of Sports,” gathered celebrities, athletes, sports enthusiasts, and members of the media who had a first look at the new flagship store. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was spearheaded by Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano and Toby’s Sports officials.

Among those who attended the starstudded launch were Christine JacobSandejas, Miss International Kylie Verzosa, Adidas country manager Adrien Semblat, actors Bubbles Paraiso, Bobby Yan, and Tessa Prieto-Valdes, and athletes from the PBA, UAAP, and NCAA. The 1,000sqm, two-story space houses a premium assortment of footwear, sports apparel and equipment from the world’s best brands. According to Toby Claudio, President of Toby’s Sports, “we wanted to create an iconic store, a pinnacle shopping experience in the heart of Metro Manila.” To achieve that, the store utilizes cutting-edge technology, such as stunning LED displays towering over 5th avenue and multiple interactive touch screens that use RFID technology to show information on its latest products. It also features various zones that create an experiential shopping experience:

PLAYZone. The flagship store features an interactive PLAYZone to host events and sports clinics on a regular basis. It also doubles as a basketball court, which utilizes a professional-grade basketball shooting machine, where people can hone their shooting skills. Prizes will be given out regularly to top scorers in the Toby’s Shooout game.

LAUNCHZone. As its names suggests, the LAUNCHZone will host product launches that feature the latest innovations from the top sports brands.

Toby’s Sports also plans to use this area for curated installations, special VIP events and athlete appearances.

Toby’s Custom Lab. The Toby’s Custom Lab, located on the 2nd level, offers apparel customization services.

With the capability to create full custom uniforms and jerseys, it will include express customization via sublimation, making a more personalized customer experience.

Run Signature Analysis. The flagship store offers Run Signature gait and running form analysis, from Brooks. It is a radical new approach to gait analysis that takes an in-depth look at the body’s natural running characteristics so that the store personnel can offer the ideal shoes to every customer.

Latest Retail Technologies The Toby’s Flagship is one of the first stores in the country to feature a highly digital experience where customers can browse the retailer’s e-commerce website, tobys.com, on large interactive

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, January 4, 2019

ACROSS 1 Cruxes 5 Sp. miss 9 Nightfall 13 Erelong 14 Swiss miss 16 Famed prep school 17 Calf-length 18 Utah city 19 Shoe bottom 20 Corp. biggie 21 Custom 22 Limber 24 Capsize, with “over” 26 Military cap 27 Use a ladder 30 Arrogant 34 Dens 35 Travel quickly 36 Blarney Stone locale 37 Bossy’s chew 38 Stool pigeons 39 Birthday count 40 Some poems 42 Brewery products 43 Organic compound 45 Sends quickly 47 Elegant 48 Belonging to us 49 Kid around 50 Cancel 53 Dilapidated

boat 54 Comedian — Laurel 58 Not mention 59 Railroad switch 61 Verdi opera 62 Menu offering 63 Scout’s rider 64 A famous 500 65 Sorority letters 66 In the vicinity 67 To a smaller extent DOWN 1 Entry form ID 2 Computer system 3 Foretoken 4 Cackle 5 Stuck out 6 Like a king 7 Put in order 8 Fruit cooler 9 Notwithstanding 10 Upon 11 Teacher’s roster 12 Patella site 15 Trouser lengths 23 Boom times 25 Space widths 26 Crackpots 27 Aluminum company 28 Kuwaiti’s neighbor

29 Apple product 30 Skeleton parts 31 Decrees 32 Prevails upon 33 Skeptical 35 Belly dance clackers 38 Most beautiful 41 Uses sandpaper 43 Hosp. areas 44 Embark on a voyage (2 wds.)

46 Puffin kin 47 Bill payer 49 Coup plotters

50 Was a passenger 51 Give off light 52 Jet-setter’s need 53 Ballad 55 Sharp point 56 Interjects 57 Those opposed 60 Sweetie pie

walls in the store. Toby’s Sports also uses RFID technology that allows customers to unlock virtual content by placing a shoe on their Shoe Showcase platforms and browse all its specs and features via touchscreen.

“We harnessed the latest technology to bring our store experience to the next level. We wanted to create more than just a store, but a space that tells stories about the latest sports innovations and inspire people to play”, Claudio said.

World-class Interiors Toby’s Sports commissioned the tandem of world-renowned German architectural firm Blocher + Blocher and Philippinebased Sonia Olivares & Associates (SSOa) to bring to life the retailer’s vision for its first flagship store.

The interior design combines architectural details inspired by Manila’s raw aesthetics with larger-than-life graphics and pops of color that represent the vibrant nature of sports.

The concrete walls and metal fixtures create a modern-urban aesthetic, allowing the products displayed to take center stage. The central staircase, which features a massive lighted wall, serve as the centerpiece of the store. Neon lights, inspired by the city’s bright lights, were also used to call out the different product categories and zones of the store.

Going Omnichannel Toby’s Sports also saw the flagship store as the perfect opportunity to marry its offline and online initiatives to truly provide an immersive omnichannel experience.

The store offers a Click & Collect service

Tessa Prieto-Valdes and Bobby Yan are among the celebrities who grace the special preview party of Toby’s Sports BGC flagship store.

that allows its online consumers to pickup their orders in the store within hours.

Toby’s Sports also plans to fully equip its products with QR codes that will lead customers to a particular product’s page in its online store. Soon, Toby’s Sports will introduce an automated locker area, where online customers can pick-up their orders 24/7, even when the store is closed, using a generated passcode that will be sent directly to the customer’s mobile phone.

“Although our physical stores have been our bread and butter for the past 40 years, we have seen incredible growth in our online business since we relaunched tobys.com in late 2016. Now, we want to make shopping even more convenient to our customers by offering a seamless online-to-offline shopping experience,” Claudio said.

Embracing Growth in its 40th Year The opening of the Toby’s Sports

flagship store also signals the company’s commitment to further solidifying its place as the sports retailer of choice for Filipinos. Apart from its focus on elevating the experience of its current pool of customers, Toby’s Sports also aims to expand its footprint, opening more stores not just in the Metro, but also in various provinces across the country.

“The new Toby’s Sports flagship store is a statement we wanted to make, that even after 40 years in the business, we are still looking for ways to improve. It has allowed us to provide new and exciting experiences and best-level products for our customers. My hope is that the flagship can become an epicenter for sports and sneaker culture in the Philippines,” Claudio concluded.

Toby’s Sports now has 55 stores nationwide, with more stores in the pipeline in the coming years.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, JANUARY 4, 2018

Motoring

Xpander put through its paces

F

Mitsubishi’s Road Trip turned into a torture test of some sort with motoring mediamen (below) getting behind the wheel of the Xpander.

ROM Manila to Subic and finally to the scenic Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar situated in Bagac, Bataan, the newest MPV in town went through a grueling road trip.

The road trip gave motoring mediamen an opportunity to test drive the allnew Xpander and saw for themselves the performance, riding comfort and features which made it one of the most desirable MPVs in the country.

After their first driving experience

with the Xpander, the mediamen were very impressed with the Xpander. They took note of the powerful performance of the Xpander engine, the roominess and comfortable ride and amenities such as 12V power outlets that can be found at the first row, second row and third

Brawn ‘understands’ wall of secrecy surrounding stricken Schumacher THE radio silence surrounding the status of stricken Formula One legend Michael Schumacher is totally understandable, his mentor at Benetton and Ferrari Ross Brawn told Press Association Sport on Wednesday.

The seven-time world champion—a record that still stands—will turn 50 on Thursday but his millions of fans are none the wiser as to what the German superstar’s state of health is.

Schumacher, who won 91 Grand Prix during his stellar career, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in December 2013 and has not been seen in public since.

He is understood to be receiving medical care at the family home near Lake Geneva in Switzerland, but updates regarding his health have been few and far between.

His privacy—there have been precious few leaks about his status—has been zealously enforced by his wife Corinna.

“I am constantly in touch with Corinna, and I totally agree with their decision,” said Brawn, who is one of the few people known to have visited Schumacher.

“Michael has always been a very private person and that’s been a guiding principle in his career, his life and his family always agreed with that choice.

“It’s completely understandable that Corinna has wanted to maintain the same approach, even after the tragic event, and it’s a decision we must all respect.

“I’m sure the millions of people who are still Michael fans will understand it, too.”

Schumacher’s landmark birthday is to

Caption caption caption caption caption Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher

be marked by Ferrari—who won six constructors titles whilst he was with them from 1996-2006—with a special exhibition titled The ‘Michael 50’.

The exhibition in the Ferrari Museum in Maranello will be run in association with the Keep Fighting Foundation launched in 2016 by the Schumacher family.

The exhibition will allow the public to discover the contribution that Schumacher -- who won five of his seven drivers titles with Ferrari -- made to the car’s development as a driver and later as a consultant.

Brawn also expressed his hope that the Schumacher name may once again grace Formula One through 19-year-old Mick Schumacher.

His precocious talent has already seen him crowned F3 champion in 2018 and will drive in the Formula Two Championship this year.

“Carrying that name weighs heavily but Mick manages it with great care and intelligence,” said Brawn.

Mitsubishi officers and several members of the motoring media take a refreshing pose after the road adventure.

row. They also commented the Xpander is easy to drive and fuel efficient as well which makes it among the top choices in the market.

MMPC General Manager for Product Planning and Marketing Communication Arlan Reyes, Jr. said that the destination was perfect to demonstrate the capabilities of the Xpander given the varied traffic and road conditions.

The picturesque Las Casas served as a perfect blend for theXpander’s backdrop given the futuristic styling and the dynamic shield design concept which makes this vehicle a standout, Reyes said.

Costa Rica shifts attention to electric cars

By Marco SIBAJA

COSTA Rica likes to advertise itself as an ecological paradise, where more than 98 percent of its electricity needs are met by clean energy.

But in the automotive industry, it is lagging behind with just 600 out of 1.4 million private vehicles running on electricity rather than petrol or diesel.

Experts believe that is about to change, though.

Bernal Munoz, a director at Costa Rica’s electricity institute (ICE), insists that 600 vehicles is in itself progress, having doubled the number on the roads in 2017.

“We have studies done by the University of Costa Rica with mathematical models that say the growth rate will continue,” Munoz told AFP. “In five years, there could be 40,000 electric vehicles.”

ICE is leading the way, having purchased a fleet of 100 electric vehicles to replace the

same number of fuel-powered ones.

“The aim of this project is to demonstrate that the electric vehicle is perfectly adapted to the topographical conditions of this country, with its rolling, mountainous terrain,” said Munoz.

Costa Rica’s state postal service has got in on the act too, purchasing 30 electric motorcycles for its employees to use on their rounds.

“We have proposed the transition towards a fleet of electric vehicles, facilitating the process so that public institutions buy zero emission vehicles,” said First Lady Claudia Dobles.

An architect, Dobles has been tasked with the government’s urban renovation program, including the modernization of its transport.

When President Carlos Alvarado assumed office in May, he initiated a program of decarbonization of the economy, with the transition to electric cars a key to the project.

World leader

NISSAN LEAF ELECTRIC RACING CAR: Costa Rica may take inspiration from Japanese car makers.

The central American country is already a world leader when it comes to green energy, having generated more than 98 percent of its power through renewable sources for the last four years in a row.

That makes the country the ideal place to promote clean transport, according to Carlos Echeverria, senior regional specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank.

“The government wants to convert Costa Rica into a laboratory for the decarbonization of the economy, and transport is fundamental to that,” he told AFP. Transport is responsible for 66 percent of hydrocarbon consumption and 54 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

As well as the replacement of fuel powered vehicles with electric ones at state institutions, last year the government implemented tax exemptions for the private purchase of electric cars.

It’s also planning a passenger train between major cities and a cargo locomotive to and from its major Caribbean port of entry and exit.

“What Costa Rica is doing is leading in the way of electrical mobility at a regional level,” said Echeverria.

Other Latin American countries, such as Chile, Colombia and Mexico, have made progress in the electric public transport sector, according to Munoz.

In Costa Rica, there have been discussions with transport businesses to launch electric busses, but for the time being the focus is on private cars.

In 2019, it will start installing a network of 40 recharging stations distributed throughout the country, with at least eight new stations to be built each year, said Munoz. AFP