Manila Standard - 2019 February 27 - Wednesday

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VOL. XXXIII • NO. 17 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

BEAUTY STAMP.

Salome Arao, stamp employee of the Philippine Postal Office, shows Tuesday a commemmorative block of stamps she designed bearing the photo of 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray. The stamp will be available to the public today at the Philpost—the price of each stamp is P55 and P12. Norman Cruz

Colombian drug cartel active in PH, PDEA says Rody, Nur hold talks as MNLF criticizes BTA

By Nat Mariano and Maricel V. Cruz

ASSALAMU ALAIKUM. Mujiv Hataman, governor of Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, turns over the documents during the handover ceremony to the Bangsamoro Transition Authority on Tuesday to MILF chief Al Haj Murad Ebrahim as chief minister in ceremonies in Cotabato City. Mark Navales

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Dutere met with Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari at the Palace Monday amid talk that his group was disgruntled over the composition of the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, the Palace said Tuesday.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the meeting was held in Malacañang and lasted for 15 minutes.

“What transpired last night was the President told the chairman that he admired his patience and he apologized for not having the implemented or enforced whatever agreements that they

“The President is right in saying the Colombian drug cartel has already penetrated the Philippines based on the representative samples we got in Matnog, Sorsogon in 2018,” said PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, in a TV interview with GMA-7. “It showed the drugs came from Colombia.”

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said the cocaine bricks worth millions of pesos recovered in Philippine waters in Surigao del Sur, Davao Oriental and Aurora could have come from the Medellin group of Colombia.

The Duterte administration is now coordinating with Colombia, he said, adding that the international syndicates were using the Philippines as a transshipment

By Nat Mariano THE government will deport Chinese workers who are found to be working here illegally, the Palace said Tuesday, dialing back on comments from the President that favored leniency to stop China from expelling thousands of Filipinos working there.

“Immigration laws will be strictly enforced against anyone who violates them,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a Palace press briefing.

But he added that the country cannot afford to be “rash and reckless” in banishing illegally employed Chinese nationals, given the number of Filipinos working illegally in China, and that due process would be observed before any deportation proceedings.

“What the President is saying, like for instance, if there are hundreds of Chinese immigrants perceived to be working illegally here, we cannot be so rash and reckless as to just deport them because the Chinese government Next page

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Palace washes hands of ‘threats’

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte should not be blamed for the death threats received by Catholic priests, the Palace said Monday, describing his remarks in December about robbing and killing “useless and rich Catholic bishops and priests” an exaggeration.

“Again, that is just hyperbole. It’s

By Nat Mariano and Rey Requejo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may tackle issues of security and terrorism with United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Palace said on Monday, mulling the possibility that the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty between the US and the

Cardinal guilty of child sex abuse

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PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte seems determined to change the name of the Philippines.

He said Monday night that the country’s name “could change” in the future, during a speech at the National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas (League of Villages) at the SMX ConvenNext page tion Center in Pasay City.

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HE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agencyon Tuesday confirmed that the Colombian drug cartel is operating in the country.

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PH-US defense pact likely item in Pompeo visit

Duterte pushes PH name change as unifying factor

By Rio N. Araja

Chinese illegals face ouster, Palace cites law

NOT AGAIN. But yes, a gasoline attendant changes the price tags on top of a billboard along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City after the Department of Energy announced the oil price increase of P1.45 per liter in diesel and gasoline. Manny Palmero

PLDT boosts hotline amid closure threat

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has apologized to President Rodrigo Duterte for the shortage of available lines for Hotline 8888, the citizens’ complaint line pushed by the administration.

Duterte has threatened to shut down PLDT Inc. if the country’s largest telecommunications company fails to add trunk lines to 8888.

Hotline 8888 serves as the Filipinos’ direct line to Malacañang for complaints.

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MELBOURNE—Australian Cardinal George Pell, one of Pope Francis’ closest advisors, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting two choirboys, becoming the most senior Catholic cleric ever convicted of child sex crimes.

An Australian jury unanimously found Pell guilty in December on one count of sexual

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a criticism. It’s just a criticism,” said Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Panelo issued the statement after Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle sent the President a message informing him that religious leaders have been receiving death threats recently from someone claiming to be working for the President’s’s family. Next page

WEATHER TYPHOOON “Wutip” may enter the Philippine area of responsibility on Thursday, the state weather bureau said, as it became the first Category 5 storm ever seen in the northern hemisphere in the month of February.

In its 11 a.m. advisory on Tuesday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical Astronomical Services Adminstration or PAGASA said Wutip was still outside the PAR at 1,970

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News

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

50 NPA men raid Mindoro power plant

By Robert A. Evora NAUJAN, Oriental Mindoro―Fifty fully armed communist guerrillas belonging to the New People’s Army Lucio de Guzman Command overran the hydro power project site of the Sta. Clara Power Corp. before sundown Monday in the mountainous area of Malvar village in this municipality.

The raid on the 3,000-hectare plant of the SCPC was a “punitive action against the Sta. Clara Power Corp.” and meant to send a “clear message to all destructive mining and energy corporations: the NPA does not allow plunder and environmental destruction in the island of Mindoro,” said Ka Madaay Gasic, the Mindoro NPA command spokesman.

The raid was carried out before the 50th founding anniversary of the NPA on March 29, the statement said.

The NPA also said “the punitive action against SCPC was carried out amid the Duterte administration’s fake news regarding the decimation of NPA forces in the island of Mindoro.”

The rebels entered the SCPC power plant compound at 3 p.m. Monday without a firefight with security personnel.

They torched the batching plant and burned 44 pieces of heavy equipment vital to the operation, including a backhoe, five trucks, two payloaders, a crusher and a cement mixer. Also seized were a 9-mm. pistol, one factory-made shotgun, eight ICOM radios and three laptop computers With Francisco Tuyay

Rody,...

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had previously [reached] with respect to federalism,” Panelo said.

“They will be talking again precisely for that. They did not have much time to talk, so they will meet again,” he added.

Earlier, Emmanuel Fontanilla, who claimed to be speaking for Misuari, said the rebel group does not recognize the transition body because it is not represented in it. Datu Ali Montaha Babao, a speaker of the Bangsamoro People’s National Congress of the MNLF, also complained about the mere five seats given to the MNLF in the BTA. But presidential peace adviser Carlito Galvez on Monday dismissed the remarks of Fontanilla and Babao, saying that they are not authorized to speak for the MNLF. Galvez also disputed Babao’s claim, saying that 14 members of the 80man transition body would represent the MNLF, nine of which were even nominated by Misuari.

“They [Fontanilla and Babao] also applied [to be part of the BTA] but were not included. I believe they are making these statements for selfish and personal reasons. More importantly, they are not authorized to speak for the MNLF,” Galvez told Manila Standard.

Panelo said Misuari did not raise the issue with the President during their meeting.

“Number one, if the MNLF is complaining about it, the chairman did not mention it last night. Number two, per Galvez, there has been an ‘equitable representation’ in that authority,” he said.

Panelo said another meeting will be set at a later date for the two to have ample time to discuss relevant matters.

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On Monday, Duterte appealed to the public not to threaten to kill Catholic priests and bishops.

In his speech during the 1st National Assembly of Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas, the President retracted his statement about robbing and killing bishops and priests.

“Our quarrel is only between me and the Church. It’s personal. You, addicts, should not harm the bishops and cardinals and take it seriously. They are not involved in the political ruckus,” Duterte said.

The President said he was only responding to the previous statement from a priest praying for his death.

“I was just responding, I only replied to the remark of a priest telling me to die. But really, don’t kill the bishops and priest. It’s not allowed,” he said.

But he could not steer clear of his criticism of the clergy.

“What would I get if I killed the priests? Many would be widowed because maybe those stupids have three girlfriends. Why would you kill a priest?

They’re just like us,” he added.

On Sunday, the President also warned groups to “lay off” priests, bishops, and other Catholic officials, saying those who defy his warning would answer to him.

In December 2018, Duterte made headlines by urging people to kill and steal from “useless and rich” Catholic priests and bishops, belittling their existence as they only know how to criticize the government.

With Orlan Mauricio

BTA chief vows: Jihad vs. corruption T

HE next Jihad or Holy War of the Bangsamoro people will be against corruption, nepotism and other problems plaguing the government, Bangsamoro Transition Authority interim Chief Minister Al Hajj Murad Ebrahim said Tuesday.

Ebrahim made the remark during the formal turnover of power of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao to the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in Cotabato City, according to Chino Gaston’s report on Balitanghali.

Ebrahim also said the Bangsamoro will not meddle in the Sabah dispute between the Philippines and Malaysia because Kuala Lumpur was instrumental in crafting the peace deal that formed the new region.

Malaysia and the Philippines have over-

lapping claims on the oil-rich territory since the 1960s, but have set aside their dispute in recent years to facilitate the peace talks in conflict-ridden Mindanao.

“We will not meddle with that. It is the central government that should pursue the claim if there are strong grounds to pursue,” Ebrahim told ANC’s Early Edition.

During the turnover, Ebrahim announced the 11 people who will lead the ministries in the BARMM. The names include Moro Islamic Liberation Front (chief peace negotiator Mohagher

Iqbal, who will lead the ministry of education, while Ebrahim will be the minister of public works and highways.

Meanwhile, former MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar will be the speaker of parliament.

Ebrahim expressed gratitude to President Rodrigo Duterte for the successful transition of the Bangsamoro government.

The report said the inauguration of the BARMM would take place in March.

Two rounds of plebiscite were held for the ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law and the proposed inclusion of some areas in North Cotabato and Lanao del Norte to the envisioned Bangsamoro entity that will replace the ARMM. Plebiscite results showed the BARMM would be composed of the provinces of Lanao del Sur, Maguindanao, Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, as well as Marawi City, Lamitan City, Cotabato City and 63 villages

Social networks combat fake news on vaccines SEVERAL social networks, including Pinterest and YouTube, have detailed measures they are taking in response to the pressure to combat disinformation on vaccines, which they have been accused of enabling.

Pinterest confirmed to AFP Monday it changed its policy last year with regard to anti-vaccine content, a development first disclosed last week by the Wall Street Journal.

The company said it had started blocking certain searches related to vaccinations and cancer cures last year, because the results were leading to harmful misinformation.

“We want Pinterest to be an inspiring place

for people, and there’s nothing inspiring about misinformation,” a spokesman said.

“That’s why we continue to work on new ways of keeping misleading content off our platform and out of our recommendations engine.”

Besides blocking search results, the site has also barred accounts and removed “pins” that violate its rules on medical disinformation, but the spokesman was unable to give specific numbers.

YouTube announced Friday it was removing ads on anti-vaccine videos, thus eliminating a key way such videos make money.

“We have strict policies that govern

what videos we allow ads to appear on, and videos that promote anti-vaccination content have been and remain a violation of our longstanding harmful or dangerous advertising policy,” YouTube said in a statement.

Buzzfeed had drawn attention to instances in which YouTube’s automated recommendations system had allowed some anti-vaccine videos to slip through.

Pressure is growing on social networks in the United States and elsewhere to take action in the face of criticism that they have enabled the development of an anti-vaccine movement. AFP

Colombian...

he says his anti-drug campaign would be harsher in the coming days,” said Gatchalian.

However, he said this harsher campaign should be focused on the drug lords instead of small-time pushers and addicts.

Interpol, meanwhile, warned its member nations against various methods used by drug traffickers in transporting their contraband.

The organization said these include aerial drones, merchant vessels, women’s lingerie and mail order services.

“The Interpol Innovation Center has identified Unmanned Aerial Systems [UAS] commonly referred to as drones, being used with increasing frequency to illegally transport contraband goods into prisons in Interpol member countries,” the organization said in a notice to its member countries.

The organization said the use of drones to deliver contraband into a prison requires little knowledge or training with drone equipment, which is readily available in stores or online.

The Interpol notice said the drones are used by individuals or organized groups colluding with individuals inside the system, to deliver contraband usually by attaching a payload to the device either (by) a tether or an affixed remote release system.

“These are engineered to deliver the payload at a previously agreed upon location to be collected by a recipient inside

the prison system,” the Interpol notice said.

“In some cases, the payloads carried by UAS devices into the prison system have been crafted to resemble other objects such as tennis balls, juice cartons, and dead birds in an attempt to disguise the contents,” it said.

In a “purple notice”on criminal modus operandi dated Jan. 16, Interpol also reported a drug smuggling incident in Cape Verde involving 66 condoms filled with liquid cocaine hidden in women’s brassieres.

The incident, which occurred in November, involved four women, three Brazilian and one Venezuelan, who were caught by the Cape Verdean authorities at the Amilcar Cabral International Airport for carrying drugs in their bras.

In another purple notice, Interpol said unidentified drug suppliers were exploiting “resender” parcel services ito send opium poppy heads.

The organization said that between Sept.

26 and Nov. 5, 2018, Australia Border Force (ABF) officers identified 11 consignments with description variations of “craft materials,” “decorative bulbs,” and dried decorative heads originating from the UK, bound for addresses in Perth, Melbourne and the Gold Coast.

Inspection by ABF revealed the dried bulbs contained opium poppy seeds, a prohibited item. With Macon RamosAraneta and PNA

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point for cocaine because the country’s coastal defenses were weak.

“The only way to bring in the drugs is through our shorelines. Our islands are unguarded, and that’s the reason why the Philippines is becoming a drug hub,” he said.

“This is because we have a weak monitoring and surveillance of our coastlines. The Philippine Navy and the [Philippine] Coast Guards have only small floating assets, and that makes our coastlines vulnerable,” he added.

The President has said his last three years in office will be “the most dangerous” for people involved with illegal drugs—a vow that some senators said should be made with caution.

“We should...brace ourselves for a repeat of the first one-and-a-half years of his presidency when Filipinos witnessed the bloodiest campaign against illegal drugs ever experienced in this part of the world,” said Senator Panfilo Lacson, adding that this might become uncontrollable, as it has in the past.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said despite the heavy hand against illegal drugs, huge quantities of cocain were found in Philippine waters.

“We cannot fault the President when

Chinese...

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may also react. There are 300,000 Filipinos [there],” Panelo said.

“If they are suddenly sent home, then they and their families would have a problem. That’s why we should tread cautiously,” he added.

Panelo said Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua told him over dinner that if a country deported Chinese workers without due process, his government would do the same to that country’s workers in China.

A party-list congressman on Tuesday proposed that the Philippines negotiate a labor treaty with China due to the number of the nationals of each country who work in each other’s territory.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier said some 300,000 Filipinos are now working

in China while there are large numbers of Chinese workers here, many of them working in casinos.

Assistant minority leader and 1-Ang Edukasyon party-list Rep. Bong Belaro suggested the crafting of a bilateral labor agreement that would lay down the bases for migrant workers relations between the Philippines and China.

“A comprehensive labor pact or even a set of different documents would be great additions to the already rich roster of bilateral agreements between the Philippines and China,” he said.

He added the April 2018 memorandum of understanding signed in Boao, China, would be a good springboard. “A migrant labor executive agreement or even treaty would protect the welfare of Filipino workers in China, assure reciprocity and solidify people-to-people contacts between our two countries,” Belaro said.

Weather

Cardinal...

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kilometers east of Central Luzon.

According to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, the storm is packing maximum sustained winds of 259 kilometers per hour .

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite instrument aboard NASA-NOAA’s Suomi NPP satellite showed the storm has a perfectly formed eye that is 46 kilometers wide, the JTWC added.

PAGASA weather forecaster Raymond Ordinario said Wutip is moving north slowly and poses no direct threat to any part of the country yet.

If the storm enters PAR, it will be named “Betty,” the second tropical cyclone to enter the Philippines in 2019.

Wutip, a name submitted by Chinese authorities, means butterfly, PAGASA said.

abuse and four counts of indecent assault against two boys at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in Melbourne in the 1990s.

Pell, now aged 77, was accused of cornering the boys―then aged 12 and 13―in the cathedral’s sacristy following Sunday mass and forcing them to perform a sex act on him.

The cleric, who has remained free on bail, denied all the charges and an initial trial ended with a hung jury in September, but he was convicted on retrial on Dec. 11.

A wide-ranging suppression order from the presiding judge had prevented the media from reporting even the existence of court proceedings and the ensuing trials since May. The order was lifted during a court hearing on Tuesday when prosecutors decided against proceeding with a second trial for separate allegations against Pell dating from the 1970s. AFP

PH-US...

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Philippines would be brought up during the meeting.

“There will be talks between their government and our government with respect to our relations and whatever [topics that] the Secretary of State would like to open up,” Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo told a Palace news briefing.

Although he admitted he had no information about the meeting on Thursday, the Palace official said mutual concerns like security and terrorism would be discussed.

In a related development: • The Department of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday bewailed the article published by Washington Post regarding the killings in Manila because it “seeks to discredit the Philippines in the eyes of the international community.”

“We take strong exception to the article entitled, ‘‘This is Manila” that appeared on the front page of the Washington Post on 25 February 2019,” the DFA through the Philippine Embassy in the United States said in a statement.

“It is disappointing how this article hides behind the guise of journalism to advance an agenda that seeks to discredit the Philippines in the eyes of the international community,” it added.

At the Malacañang news conference, Panelo was asked if the issue with China would be discussed, Panelo said it depended on the top US diplomat.

But he did not count the possibility that the decades-old Mutual Defense Treaty would be deliberated. “[Defense] Secretary Delfin Lorenzana mentioned something about the Defense Treaty. It might be that. Maybe they will talk about that,” Panelo said.

Sought for a clarification, Lorenzana said he could not confirm anything yet as he still had to see the agenda first.

in North Cotabato.

The new region will enjoy expanded land and water jurisdiction, fiscal autonomy and increased share in the national government resources, among other things.

The BOL is the product of the peace deal between the government and the MILF that was reached in 2014 after on-and-off negotiations.

Meanwhile, Ebrahim said the “BARMM government will take responsibility for educating our children; the responsibility for the health of our elders; the responsibility for the social and economic development of our people; the responsibility for the infrastructure improvement of our areas―and I will take full responsibility of the leadership of a morally upright democracy,” Ebrahim declared to the applause of thousands at the 42-year-old Sharif Kabunsuan Cultural Center in Cotabato City.

With Nash Maulana

Arroyo sees no conflict on poll sorties

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Tuesday there was no conflict between her membership in the ruling PDP-Laban party and her joining the campaign sorties of Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte’s Hugpong ng Pagbabago ticket.

“I don’t think there’s any conflict. The lineups [of the two tickets] are the same,” Arroyo said at the sidelines of the House Oversight Committee on Housing hearing at the Rosauro Arboleda Elementary School in Zaragoza, Tondo.

She made her statement even as Sara Duterte said a senatorial debate could not happen without an agreement among the parties involved and a formal arrangement including laying down the rules for the event.

Sara, the daughter of President Rodrigo Duterte who serves as the campaign manager of the administration coalition HNP, said the opposition could not ask for a debate as if they were picking up a street fight.

Arroyo said she was scheduled to accompany former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III to Pampanga for a campaign sortie.

PLDT...

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It was launched in August 2016, aimed at hearing the grievances of ordinary Filipinos, with the Presidential Action Center and Civil Service Commission were tasked to handle the complaints.

The Presider was discussing his anti-corruption efforts at a PDPLaban campaign rally in Cebu City on Sunday when he called for an effective implementation of the complaint hotline.

“We apologize for that. We are glad that the President called our attention to it,” PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said in a statement.

Pangilinan added: “It’s a bit more complicated than what it appears.

Apparently, the 8888 is really a call center operation for both telcos.Twenty lines each. We’re supposed to provide the lines, which we have provided but the lines are not manned properly, undermanned so not all the calls are getting answered.”

“So we’re gonna put more lines than the 20 mandated in the contract with the government, and we will man it. We will forget what the agreement said so we will increase the number of lines to accommodate the calls and we will man it ourselves. So we are responding to the President’s criticism,” he said. With Nat Mariano

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Duterte reasoned that Muslims do not like being called “Filipinos” because it reminded them of King Philip II of Spain, whose name the country was named after.

“And that will never be accepted by the Moro people, believe me,” said the President, mentioning Moro National Liberation Front founding chairperson Nur Misuari and the newly ratified Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Duterte’s home region.

Misuary, the President explained, “is a Tausug,” Duterte said. “Maybe he may not consider [himself] a Filipino in the right sense. Because it’s in the name, the name of the king of Spain. ‘Philip’ [became] ‘[the] Philippines.’”

Muslims prefer to identify themselves by the name of their tribes, the President said.

“Whenever they go out, [they would say] ‘I’m a Tausug. I’m Maranao.’ They will never say ‘I’m a Filipino.’ Maybe the diplomats, those in the career positions, and [those working for the] government [they would say that] but the average Moro….”

Nat Mariano

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DUTERTE ‘GROUFIE’.

Dismiss libel case, Ressa asks court A MANILA court has been asked by Rappler and its CEO Maria Ressa to dismiss a cyber libel case filed against them by the Justice department.

Rappler, Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos Jr., sought the junking of information forwarded by DOJ prosecution against them. The information cited that: “That on or about 19 February 2014, the above named accused, did then and there willfully, unlawfully, and knowingly republish an article entitled ‘CJ using SUVs of Controversial Businessman.’”

It then lifted parts of the report first published by Rappler in 2012, which, citing an intelligence report, said businessman Wilfredo Keng, who supposedly owns the vehicle seen being used by then-Chief Justice Renato Corona, was allegedly involved in illegal activities, including human trafficking and drug smuggling.

The petitioners argued that “any doubt must be resolved in the accused’s favor” even if “multiple republication does not apply” in their case and that the prosecution’s theory is based on an application of law, even assuming that a new period of prescription may be conjured following the implementation of the Anti-Cybercrime Act in 2012.

CA rules GMA’s 96 talents as ‘regulars’ THE Court of Appeals has dismissed the petition filed by television network giant GMA-7 seeking the reversal of the decision issued by the National Labor Relations Commission which declared 96 media talents of the television station as regular employees.

In a 19-page decision, CA Special Fourteenth Division through Associate Justice Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles ruled that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the part of the NLRC in declaring that the talents regular employees who are “entitled to security of tenure and all benefits and rights appurtenant to their status.”

The appellate court rejected the argument of GMA-7 that the NLRC failed to consider the history and peculiarity of the broadcast industry and its practice, as well as the circumstances surrounding the payment of talent fees to so-called talents, including it being glaringly high compared to the other employees of petitioners.

The CA also did not give weight to the claim of the petitioner that the NLRC misapplied the four-fold test in determining the existence of employeremployee relationship, and that their talents are considered independent contractors or fixed-term employees.

Rey E. Requejo

Catriona Gray vows to empower youth MISS Universe 2018 Elisa Catriona Gray on Tuesday vowed to continue empowering the youth as she paid a courtesy call to the senators led by Senate President Vicente Sotto III In a brief speech, Gray expressed her intense happiness over what she described as “amazing welcome” from her countrymen.

“If we just look in your life and your community... you can give back in the small way, it matters,” said Gray as she asked for continuing support for her advocacies.

She again thanked Filipino citizens for supporting her and her endeavors.

In response, Sotto noted that the Philippines is truly blessed and honored that Gray came to the Senate to personally receive the commendation from the members of the Senate of the Philippines. Macon Ramos-Araneta

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte poses for a groufie with Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas National president Faustino Dy V and other guests during the 1st National Assembly of the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Feb. 25, 2019. Presidential Photo

CA asks Trillanes to answer DOJ bid to revive coup case

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Court of Appeals has ordered Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to comment on the petition filed by the government seeking to revive the coup d’etat case against the former rebel soldier for his participation in the 2003 Oakwood mutiny.

In a resolution, the CA’s Seventh Division has required Trillanes to answer the petition of the Department of Justice seeking his arrest and trial, which was previously rejected by a Makati City Regional Trial Court.

The DOJ earlier asked the appellate court to reverse the decision of Makati City RTC Branch 148 last October that dismissed DOJ’s motions for issuance of arrest warrant and hold departure order against the senator.

The CA gave Trillanes 10 days from receipt of notice to comply and submit his answer.

It also directed the DOJ to “submit clearly legible copies of petitioner’s Motion for Partial Reconsideration on the 22 October 2018 and Trillanes’ supplement to the comment and opposition to the very urgent ex party

omnibus motion for issuance of a hold departure order and alias warrant of arrest.”

The DOJ was directed to “serve copies of the petition upon private respondent himself, considering that that present petition is a special civil action under Rule 65, which is an original or independent action and to submit to this Court proof of their compliance hereto.”

“Moreover, the counsel of all the parties in this case are required to promptly notify this Court of the pendency or subsequent filing of other related cases and proceeding, involving the same parties and issues, in this Court, or any other court... within 10 days from notice,” the resolution stated.

Associate Justices Sesinando Villon, Edwin Sorongon and Germano

Francisco Legaspi approved the order.

In its petition filed through Solicitor General Jose Calida last Jan. 17, the DOJ asked the CA to annul and set aside the rulings made by Makati RTC branch 148 Judge Andres Soriano for grave abuse of discretion.

Petitioner alleged that the judge erred in “holding that the judgment already attained finality and was, therefore immutable” and also “in admitting and giving credence to the Trillanes’ secondary evidence,” including the photo of his alleged acceptance of the amnesty.

“The respondent judge could not have determined that Trillanes filed his amnesty application and admitted his guilt because the J1-AFP, the DND Records Division, the Office of the Undersecretary for Defense Affairs, and the trial court have no copies of the amnesty application,” the DOJ said.

The DOJ argued that in the absence of the original copy of Trillanes’ amnesty application form, his amnesty cannot be considered valid because “it cannot be conclusively said that [he] expressely admitted that he committed the crimes of rebellion and coup d’etat for his active involvement and participation in Oakwood mutiny and Manila Peninsula Siege.”

DENR eyes rehab of Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palawan

By Rio N. Araja AS GOVERNMENT start the rehabilitation of Manila Bay, plans are also under way to transform the waters of Bacuit Bay in El Nido, Palawan swimmable by May, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu tasked DENR’s Mimaropa regional executive director Henry Adornado to lead the rehabilitation of Bacuit Bay. “We are confident we can present to the public an improved Bacuit Bay—safe and

fit for bathing and swimming,” Adornado said.

During the first environmental forum held recently in El Nido, at least 200 participants—commercial establishment owners, business operators and representatives of local and national government agencies—were in attendance.

The DENR and other government agencies want to declare Bacuit Bay as a water quality management area pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9275 or the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004.

“Water quality management is one

of the priorities of Secretary Cimatu.

The establishment of Bacuit Bay as a WQMA adheres to the thrust of his administration for clean water. We look forward to having a sustained and collective action towards saving Bacuit Bay and the rest of our natural resources here in El Nido,” Assistant Secretary for Field Operations for Southern Luzon Reynulfo Juan said.

Meanwhile, the DENR, in cooperation with the Bureau of Customs, had arrested a passenger for attempting to smuggle into the Philippines over 50 heads of different reptile species from Thailand.

Two survive in Bulacan plane crash

By Orlan Mauirico MALOLOS CITY—Two unidentified passengers of a trainer plane, believed to be an instructor and a student pilot, cheated death this morning when their C-152 single-engine plane, with Tail No. RP-C9986, took-off but failed to gain height and crashed at the end of Runway 35 of the Plaridel airport in Barangay Lumang Bayan, Plaridel, Bulacan.

Manila Standard tried to reach Plaridel airport manager Ed Lansang, but as in previous instances when plane crashes occur in the accident-prone Bulacan airstrip, the officer of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines is again unreachable.

However, information gathered from residents near the airport said the plane

crash occurred past 10 in the morning.

Eric Apolonio, CAAP spokesman, said that both passengers of the C-152 trainer plane were safe and unhurt in the accident. The plane is owned and operated by SWAT-Strikewing Aviation Training Center, one of several training and flying schools based at the Plaridel airport.

Almost a year ago last March 17, five residents of Purok Tres in Barangay Lumang Bayan were killed when a six-seater Piper Apache plane, owned

by Lite Air Express, crash-landed at a house while the family was having lunch.

The plane’s pilot and four of its passengers bound for a trip to Batanes airport were killed after the plane failed to gain speed and smashed to a three before bursting into flames over the house of the victims.

The C-152 single-engine plane is tail up at the end of Runway 35 of the Plaridel Airport in Bulacan after it failed to gain height at takeoff. The instructor and student pilot on board the plane escaped unhurt. Orlan Mauricio

2 ASG bandits killed in Sulu, Basilan clashes; militiaman hurt

By Francisco Tuyay TWO members of the dreaded Abu Sayyaf Group were killed while a member of auxiliary force was wounded in separate military operations against the Islamic Statelinked terrorist group in Basilan and Sulu Monday and Sunday.

Col. Gerry Besana, spokesman of the Western Mindanao Command said the bandits were killed in a clash in Sampinit Complex, Masola, Isabela town and in Simisa Island in Banguinguie, Tongkil, Sulu.

Besana said the first bandit was slain in a 15-minute encounter between a group of ASG and troops from the Special Forces under 1Lt Butale and 1Lt Mabansag who were leading a combat operations in Sampinit Complex at 5:30 p.m.

Monday.

After the fighting, Besana said the ASG group retreated, leaving a comrade dead. Troops recovered the M14 rifle from the slain ASG bandit.

The encounter began after residents reported the presence of the ASG in their community.

The second ASG bandit was killed in another encounter between army soldiers of the 62nd Marine Company led by Lt. Bacani and some 15 ASG members under sub-leader Salip Murah.

‘Next BSP governor should continue Espenilla’s policies’

By Nat Mariano THE next governor of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas should carry on the policies and regulations championed by the late Nestor Espenilla Jr., Malacañang said on Monday.

Appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte to lead the central bank in May 2017, Espenilla died on Saturday after battling tongue cancer for more than a year.

The President, who has yet to name Espenilla’s successor, is scheduled to visit the late technocrat’s wake this week.

In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the President will most likely look for a permanent replacement of Espenilla.

He, however, has no idea who will the President pick.

Espenilla’s immediate predecessor, former BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. said the head of the central bank must possess a “very good grasp of macroeconomics particularly monetary policy and a good understanding of banking supervision.”

“Being a BSP governor is a multifaceted job and it would require not only technical competence, which is very important, but would also require the skill to deal with people properly,” Tetangco, who has served two terms as BSP governor, said.

A4 A4

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, WEDNESDAY,FEBRUARY 27, 2019 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Absence of a leader IF WE are to believe Social Weather IF WE are to believe Social Weather Stations and Pulse Asia, at least one, Stations and Pulse Asia, at least one, maybe two, opposition senatorial canmaybe two, opposition senatorial candidates will make it in May 13. didates will make it in May 13.

Defeated 2016 presidential candiDefeated 2016 presidential candidate Mar Roxas will certainly make date Mar Roxas will certainly make it, not only because of name recall but it, not only because of name recall but because he has the funding to ensure because he has the funding to ensure his victory. his victory.

This Thisisisthe thetragedy tragedyof of the opposition. the opposition.

Meanwhile, President Duterte is Meanwhile, President Duterte is eagerly campaigning for his favorites eagerly campaigning for his favorites because he knows that the midterm because he knows that the midterm elections are a referendum on his preselections are a referendum on his presidency. idency.

For instance, if his former assistant For instance, if his former assistant Bong Go loses, that would be a slap on Bong Go loses, that would be a slap on his face. his face.

The tragedy of the opposition is that The tragedy of the opposition is that it has no leader to speak of. Not former it has no leader to speak of. Not former President BS Aquino, who has been President BS Aquino, who has been discredited for his many “sins” when discredited for his many “sins” when he was in power. In fact, his weak leadhe was in power. In fact, his weak leadership was one reason Mr. Duterte won ership was one reason Mr. Duterte won in 2016. in 2016.

Certainly not Senator Leila de Certainly not Senator Leila de Lima, either. She is in jail, charged Lima, either. She is in jail, charged with crimes involving illegal drugs. with crimes involving illegal drugs.

Not Senator Antonio Trillanes, too, Not Senator Antonio Trillanes, too, who has been making a lot of noises who has been making a lot of noises against the President and his family. against the President and his family.

Mar Roxas? The fact that he lost in Mar Roxas? The fact that he lost in 2016 makes him a discredited leader.

2016 makes him a discredited leader.

It’s really a pity since he has the attriIt’s really a pity since he has the attributes of a real leader. butes of a real leader.

Because of this lack of leadership Because of this lack of leadership in the opposition, the May 13 elecin the opposition, the May 13 elections will be dominated by reelectiontions will be dominated by reelectionists, with familiar surnames. This is ists, with familiar surnames. This is why even Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla why even Lito Lapid, Bong Revilla

Adelle AdelleChua, Chua,Editor Editor

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL

and and Jinggoy Jinggoy Estrada Estradaare areininthe theMagic Magic 12.

It’s the Filipino in the voters.

12. It’s the Filipino in the voters.They They cannot cannot distinguish distinguish the the real real from from the the reel. reel.

We Wemay mayagain againend endup upwith withaasupersupermajority —another three yearswith with majority—another three years the the Senate,supposedly supposedly an an independent Senate, independent body, body,under underthe thethumb thumbofofDuterte.

Duterte. ****** Insiders Insiderssay saythe theSupreme SupremeCourt Courtwill will tackle the two petitions challenging tackle the two petitions challengingthe the legality legality ofof the the Bangsamoro Bangsamoro Organic Organic Law Lawnext nextweek. week.

The led by Thetwo twopetitions petitionswere werefifiled bySulu Sulu Gov. Gov.Abdulsakur Abdulsakur Tan Tan and and the the PhilipPhilippine pine Constitution Constitution Association Association under under its chairman, former its chairman, former Justice Justice Manuel Manuel “Lolong” “Lolong”Lazaro.

Lazaro.

Both Both petitions petitions claim claim that that under under the 1987 Constitution, only the 1987 Constitution, only two two auautonomous tonomous regions—the regions—the Autonomous Autonomous Region RegionininMuslim MuslimMindanao Mindanaoand andthe the Cordillera Cordillera Autonomous Autonomous Region—are Region—are mentioned. mentioned.Thus, Thus,totohave havethe theBARMM BARMM would violate the Constitution. would violate the Constitution.

However, However, for for lack lack ofof aa temporary temporary restraining order, the restraining order, theplebiscite plebiscitepushed pushed through. through.The Thequestion questionnow nowisiswhether whether the theSupreme SupremeCourt Courtcan canstill stillnullify nullifythe the ratifi cation of the BOL. That ratification of the BOL. That would would entail entailthe thecourt courtgoing goingagainst againstthe theplebiplebiscite. scite.

Whatever Whatever the the Supreme Supreme Court Court dedecides, that would already be cides, that would already beafter afterthe the fact. fact. ****** The President The President wants wants the the governgovernment to go easy on the proposed ment to go easy on the proposeddepordeportation tationofofChinese Chinesenationals nationalswho whocame came totothe thePhilippines Philippinesasastourists touristsbut butwho who have haveremained remainedhere heretotoget getemployed employedinin odd oddjobs, jobs,depriving deprivingFilipinos Filipinosofofgaingainful employment. ful employment.

The The reason reason the the President President wants wants toto tiptoe around the matter is the tiptoe around the matter is the possipossibility bilitythat thatChina Chinamay mayretaliate retaliateagainst against the the300,000 300,000Filipinos Filipinosworking workingininHong Hong Kong Kongand andother otherChina Chinaterritories. territories.

II fifind nd itit unusual unusual for for the the President President toto be so afraid of offending be so afraid of offending China.

China.

But Butthe thelaw lawisisclear clearon onthis. this.As AsSenaSenator lo Lacson torPanfi Panfilo Lacsonsaid, said,wherever whereverthey they come comefrom, from,even evenfrom fromMars, Mars,foreignforeigners ers violating violating our our immigration immigration laws laws should shouldbe bepenalized. penalized.

Turn to A5

A

‘Recklessness’

SS IF IF reading reading out out from from aa playbook, playbook, Palace Palace officials rushed to “clarify”an earlier officials rushed to “clarify”an earlier pronouncement pronouncement of of President President Duterte, Duterte, this this time time on the matter of illegal Chinese workers who have on the matter of illegal Chinese workers who have swarmed swarmed the the country. country. But But there there was was aa clarification clarification to the clarification, such that the message to the clarification, such that the message remains remains confounding—and hardly reassuring to Filipinos. confounding—and hardly reassuring to Filipinos.

Between Between2015 2015and and2018 2018the theDeDepartment of Labor and Employpartment of Labor and Employment mentissued issued169,893 169,893alien alienworking working permits, of which 85,496 permits, of which 85,496were weregivgiven entotoChinese Chineseworkers, workers,online onlinenews news organization organization Rappler Rappler reported. reported.

AEPs are valid for AEPs are valid forthree threeyears. years.The The Bureau Bureauof ofImmigration Immigrationmeanwhile meanwhile said said that that out out of of the the 72,010 72,010 valid valid Special Working Permits Special Working Permitsitithad hadisissued, sued,64,087 64,087were weregiven giventotoChinese Chinese workers. workers.

Other Otherestimates estimatessay saythe thenumbers numbers are much, much higher. are much, much higher.

The The matter matter has has become become polarpolarizing given the high izing given the high unemployunemployment ment among among Filipinos, Filipinos, China’s China’s continued incursions continued incursions into into PhilipPhilippine pine territory, territory, and and the the President's President's preferential preferentialtreatment treatmentof ofall allissues issues Chinese.

Chinese.

On OnSaturday, Saturday,Mr MrDuterte Dutertesaid saidhe he was inclined to tolerate the presence was inclined to tolerate the presence of ofthe theChinese Chineseworkers workersbecause becausedodoing otherwise might put ing otherwise might putthe thejobs jobsof of Filipinos Filipinosworking workingininChina Chinaatatrisk. risk.

In In characteristic characteristic speech speech Mr. Mr. Duterte said: “Iyong mga Duterte said: “Iyong mgaChinese Chinese dito, dito,hayaan hayaanmo’ mo’yan yanna nadito ditomagmagtrabaho.

Hayaan mo.

Bakit? trabaho. Hayaan mo. Bakit? (The (The Chinese, Chinese, let let them them work work here. here. Let Let

them thembe. be.Why?) Why?)We Wehave have300,000 300,000 Filipinos in China.

Filipinos in China.

“Kaya “Kaya hindi hindi ako ako maka—sabimaka—sabihin, o umalis kayo hin, o umalis kayo dito, dito, deport deport ka ka doon.

Eh kung bigla paalisin doon. Eh kung bigla paalisin’’yun yun doon doon300,000 300,000of ofthem them(That’s (That’swhy why IIcan’t say just leave, or can’t say just leave, orhave havethem them deported. deported. What What ifif they they send send all all 300,000 Filipinos away)?”

300,000 Filipinos away)?”

On OnMonday, Monday,however, however,PresidenPresidential Spokesman tial Spokesman Salvador Salvador Panelo Panelo said saidthe thegovernment governmentwill willapply applyimimmigration migration laws laws “with “with full full force” force” against against the the Chinese Chinese workers. workers. “We “We wish to clarify that the wish to clarify that the President's President's policy policy on on Chinese Chinese workers workers who who are illegally staying are illegally staying inin the the councountry tryremains remainsthe thesame, same,which whichisisthe the enforcement of immigration enforcement of immigration laws laws against againstviolators.” violators.”

Chinese Chinesecitizens citizensininblatant blatantviolaviolation of our immigration tion of our immigrationlaws laws“will “will be bedealt dealtwith withstrictly strictlyininaccordance accordance with withthe thelaw,” law,”he headded. added.

But Panelo shifted But Panelo shiftedgears gearsalmost almost inin the next breath, saying the next breath, saying that that the the President President simply simply spoke spoke the the way way he he did did because because the the plight plight of of FiliFilipino workers remains foremost pino workers remains foremoston on the thePresident’s President’smind. mind.So Sowhile whilethe the government governmentwill willenforce enforceimmigraimmigra-

tion tion laws, laws, itit cannot cannot afford afford toto act act “recklessly” on perceived “recklessly” on perceived violaviolations tionsof ofChinese Chinesecitizens, citizens,Panelo Panelo said. said.

We We wonder wonder how how one one can can act act recklessly when one is simply recklessly when one is simply enforcing enforcingthe thelaw. law.

The Palace The Palace operates operates on on the the premise that the circumstances premise that the circumstances surrounding surrounding the the employment employment of of Chinese in the Philippines Chinese in the Philippinesand andof of Filipinos FilipinosininChina Chinaare arethe thesame— same— aagrievous grievousmistake. mistake.

Our Our OFWs OFWs landed landed their their jobs jobs through legitimate means, through legitimate means, proprocessing cessing documents documents and and passing passing through through government government agencies agencies that validated that validated their their employment employment status. status. Alas, Alas, one one cannot cannot say say the the same for the Chinese workers same for the Chinese workersararriving riving inin droves droves and and threatening threatening toto seize seize opportunities opportunities for for FilipiFilipinos so in need of jobs. nos so in need of jobs.

That Thatalone alonerenders rendersthe the“tit-for“tit-fortat” theory preposterous. tat” theory preposterous.

Did Did Mr. Mr. Duterte, Duterte, as as he he often often does, slip up and betray does, slip up and betray his his true true loyalties loyalties during during that that weekend weekend speech?Or speech?Orwas washe, he,as asthe thePalace Palace often claims, misunderstood? often claims, misunderstood?

Whatever Whateverthe thecase, case,Filipinos Filipinosneed need toto hear a calculated hear a calculated (not (not spur spur of of the rm (not themoment), moment),fifirm (notinconsisinconsistent), tent),and andrational rational(not (notdriven drivenby by misplaced fears) position. misplaced fears) position.

Our Our dealings dealings with with China China will will always be a sensitive topic, always be a sensitive topic, and and only onlyclear clearsignals signalsfrom fromour ourleadleaders erswill willput putan anend endtotospeculation speculation about whose interests about whose interests they they truly truly serve. serve.

Turn to A5

Then and now THE THE Manila Manila Times Times last last Monday Monday launched rst television launchedits itsfifirst televisionprogram programofof aaforum forumwith withthe thetheme theme“33 “33Years YearsAfter After the Edsa Revolution, May Pagbabago the Edsa Revolution, May Pagbabago Ba?” Ba?”ItItwas wasaatimely timelytopic topicfor forFeb. Feb.25, 25, when when the the nation nation marked marked the the 33rd 33rd ananniversary niversaryofofPeople PeoplePower Powerthat thattoppled toppled then President Ferdinand Edralin then President Ferdinand Edralin MarMarcos. cos.

Note Notethat thatIIused usedthe theword word“marked” “marked” and not “celebrated” the and not “celebrated” the occasion occasion inin deference deferencetotothe theviews viewsexpressed expressedby bytwo two distinguished distinguishedpanelists, panelists,UP UPpolitical politicalsciscience enceprofessor professorClarita ClaritaCarlos Carlosand andRadio Radio Veritas Veritasmanager managerFr. Fr.Larry LarryFaraon.

Faraon.

The two were emphatic The two were emphaticinintheir theirviews views that thatthe themajor majorworld worldevent eventatatEdsa Edsawas was not notaarevolution. revolution.Carlos Carlosstressed stressedthat thataa revolution revolution involved involved structural structural changes changes ofofsociety which the Edsa society which the Edsapeople’s people’supupheaval heaval did did not not implement implement oror put put into into place. place.

As Asone oneofofthree threepanelists, panelists,IIconcurred concurred with Professor Carlos with Professor Carlos asas II pointed pointed out out that thataareal realrevolution revolutionasasthe theFrench Frenchdid did inin the the Fall Fall ofof the the Bastille Bastille on on July July 14, 14, 1771.

1771. The The French French Revolution Revolution deposed deposed King KingLouis LouisXVI XVIand andhis hisqueen, queen,Marie Marie Antoinette.

Antoinette. The The infamous infamous couple couple were were beheaded beheaded inin public public by by guillotine. guillotine. The The new newruling rulingpeople peoplepower powerthen thenabolished abolished the themonarchy monarchyand andreplaced replacedititwith withaaaa democratic democratic republican republican state state with with laws laws legislated legislatedby byaanational nationalassembly. assembly.

This This was was what what Professor Professor Carlos Carlos meant when she said a meant when she said a real real revolution revolution involves involvesstructural structuralchanges, changes,She Sheadded added that thatthe theoligarchy oligarchyMarcos Marcosand andthe theCory Cory government government abolished abolished was was only only rereplaced placed by by aa new new set set ofof oligarchs oligarchs who who are arejust justasasrapacious rapaciousiningreed greedand andcorcorruption. ruption.

This Thisbrings bringstotomind mindthe theold oldexpresexpression “The king is dead, long sion “The king is dead, long live live the the king!” king!”ItItmeans meansthe theold oldregime regimeisisdead, dead,

and andwelcome welcometotothe thenew newone onewho whoisisjust just the same.

In essence the three the same. In essence the three panelpanelists istswere wereon onthe thesame samepage pageininansweranswering a “no” to the question ing a “no” to the questionofofthe thetopic topic atathand—has hand—hasthere therereally reallybeen beenchange? change?

Professor ProfessorCarlos Carloswas wasmore moresanguine sanguine ininsaying sayingthat thatininthe thelong longrun, run,she shewas was more optimistic that meaningful more optimistic that meaningfulchange change will willhappen. happen.Without Withoutcontradicting contradictingher her bright outlook, I differed bright outlook, I differed because because asas aa journalist, journalist,IIam amby bynature natureaacynic cynicand andaa pessimist having observed and served pessimist having observed and served under under the the administrations administrations ofof Marcos, Marcos, Cory, Fidel Ramos Cory, Fidel Ramosand andGloria GloriaMacapaMacapagal galArroyo.

Arroyo.IItherefore thereforecould couldlay layclaim claim totoan inside look of these presidents an inside look of these presidentsand and how howeach eachdealt dealtwith withtheir theirown ownrespecrespective tivechallenges. challenges.

So Sowhich whichperiod periodwas was better? better?

II told told the the panel panel that that asas aa journalist journalist who wholater laterworked workedasaspress presscounselor, counselor,sesenior niorforeign foreignaffairs affairsadviser adviserand andlater laterapappointed pointedby byGMA GMAasasambassador ambassadortotoHunHungary with concurrent gary with concurrent jurisdiction jurisdiction over over Poland, Poland,Serbia Serbia(the (theformer formerRepublic Republicofof Yugoslavia), Yugoslavia), and and Bosnia Bosnia Herzogivina, Herzogivina, IIhave been given the have been given therare rareprivilege privilegetoto work both sides of the street, so work both sides of the street, sototospeak speak . .IIhad hadtotomake makeclear clearthat thatthis thisisisnot notturnturncoatism coatismbut butan anexceptional exceptionalopportunity opportunity toto observe observe the the workings workings ofof media media and and the government which gave me the government which gave me aa balbalanced ancedperspective perspectiveofoftwo twotraditional traditionaladadversaries. versaries.

IImade madeititknown knownthat thatIIhad hadworked workedasas news editor of the now defunct news editor of the now defunctManila Manila Chronicle, Chronicle,then thenowned ownedby bythe theoligarch oligarch Lopez Lopez family. family.As As aa displaced displaced newspanewspaperman I accepted a job perman I accepted a jobtotobe bepress pressatattaché taché inin the the Philippine Philippine Mission Mission toto the the United UnitedNations NationsininNew NewYork.

York.IIalso alsohad had Turn TurntotoA5A5

ManilaStandard ManilaStandard

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The semiotics of Ronald Cardema POP GOES THE WORLD JENNY ORTUOSTE THE THEdirective directiveofofNational NationalYouth YouthComCommission missionChairperson ChairpersonRonald RonaldGian GianCarlo Carlo L. L.Cardema Cardemafor foryouth youthleaders leadersand andother other young youngpeople peopletotoinform informon onleftist leftistscholscholars arsisisalarmingly alarminglysimilar similartotoGestapo Gestapotactactics ticsusing usinginformants. informants.

Calls Calls for for his his resignation resignation ensued ensued afafter terhe herequested requestedPresident PresidentRodrigo RodrigoRoa Roa Duterte Dutertetotoissue issuean anExecutive ExecutiveOrder Ordertoto “remove “remove the the government government scholarships scholarships ofofall allanti-government anti-governmentscholars.” scholars.”

Former FormerChief ChiefJustice JusticeReynato ReynatoS.S.Puno Puno Anita AnitaF.F.Grefal Grefal Baldwin BaldwinR.R.Felipe Felipe Edgar EdgarM. M.Valmorida Valmorida

InIn aa statement statement posted posted on on Feb. Feb. 19, 19, Cardema emphasized “specifi cally Cardema emphasized “specifically those those students students who who are are allied allied with with the the leftist CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist leftist CPP-NPA-NDF (Communist Party Party ofof the the Philippines-New Philippines-New People’s People’s Army-National Army-NationalDemocratic DemocraticFront).”

Front).”

What’s What’s gone gone under under the the radar radar and and isis very disturbing about Cardema’s statevery disturbing about Cardema’s statement cials ofofthe mentisishis hiscall calltotooffi officials theSangSangguniang Kabataan, Reserve cers’ guniang Kabataan, Reserve Offi Officers’ Training TrainingCorps, Corps,Citizen CitizenArmy ArmyTraining, Training, and and other other “nationalistic” “nationalistic” youth youth toto ininform on scholars allegedly linked form on scholars allegedly linkedtotothe the CPP-NPA-NDF. CPP-NPA-NDF. He He wrote: wrote: “I“I am am directing directing all all proprogovernment youth leaders of our government youth leaders of ourcouncountry, try,the theSangguniang SangguniangKabataan Kabataan[SK] [SK]OfOffificials cials ininthe barangays, municipalities, the barangays, municipalities,

Board BoardMember Member&&Chief ChiefLegal LegalAdviser Adviser Treasury Manager Treasury Manager Head—Ad Head—AdSolutions Solutions Circulation CirculationManager Manager

Thebacklash backlashwas was The loudand andimmediate. immediate. loud cities, & provinces and all the ROTC cities, & provinces and fellow all thenationalROTC Officers, CAT Officers, Offi CATleaders Officers, felloworg nationalisticcers, student & youth leaders istic student& leaders & youth org leadersto in schools communities, to report intheschools & Youth communities, to report to National Commission all govthe National Youth Commission all government scholars who are known in your ernment who are known your area as scholars anti-government youth inleaders area as anti-government youth leaders allied with the leftist CPP-NPA-NDF. allied with theof leftist CPP-NPA-NDF. It is the duty every Filipino Youth to Turn TurntotoA5A5

Rolando RolandoG.G.Estabillo EstabilloPublisher Publisher Honor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor HonorBlanco BlancoCabie Cabie Night NightEditor Editor Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Jimbo City Chin JimboGulle Gulle CityEditor Editor ChinWong/Ray Wong/RayS.S.Eñano Eñano Associate AssociateEditors Editors Romel Art Joyce RomelJ.J.Mendez Mendez ArtDirector Director JoycePangco PangcoPañares Pañares News NewsEditor Editor Roberto Chief Adelle Opinion RobertoCabrera Cabrera ChiefPhotographer Photographer AdelleChua Chua OpinionEditor Editor Emil EmilP.P.Jurado Jurado Chairman ChairmanEmeritus, Emeritus,Editorial EditorialBoard Board

Opinion

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Transfer

Dutch fishermen fear stormy Brexit seas ahead

By Charlotte Van Ouwerkerk It's a beautiful spring morning on an unusually calm North Sea, but from the wheelhouse of his trawler Dutch skipper Cor Vonk can see a man-made storm brewing.

For decades Dutch fishermen like Vonk and his family, from the remote northern island of Texel, have been allowed under European Union rules to pull their hauls from British waters.

Now, weeks before Britain is set to leave the EU, Vonk and hundreds of others like him say a divorce without a deal would be catastrophic.

"It's really a disaster for the fishermen, as 50 percent of their turnover is caught in British waters. So for the Dutch fishermen it's really a tragedy if the British waters are closed," Vonk told AFP. At dawn, his boat, the Klasina, docks in the northern Dutch harbour of Den Helder and offloads more than four tonnes of fresh sole and plaice -- freshly caught off Dover's famous white cliffs on England's southeastern coast.

It's routine work but Vonk, 35, knows that the fish taken from the bowels of his trawler under his careful eye could well be some of the last before Brexit ruins the family business.

British government ministers have repeatedly talked of Britain becoming an "independent coastal state" and "taking back control of our waters" after Brexit.

As the clock ticks towards Britain's scheduled exit from the EU on March 29, the risk of a disorderly exit grows by the day.

In guidelines for the event of Britain leaving the EU without a deal, Britain says that "non-UK-registered vessels will no longer have automatic access to UK waters".

That could shut the door on Vonk and other Dutch trawlers who harvest

The semiotics...

From A4

It is the duty of every Filipino Youth to become our hope, in strengthening our nation, & to fight those who are trying to crush our Republic.”

Consider the words ‘directing,’ ‘report,’ ‘leftist,’ ‘fight,’ ‘crush.’ Cardema is taking a leaf from Nazi legal theorist Carl Schmitt, who said the essence of fascist governance is to focus on the idea of the exception—by calling the present moment exceptional and transforming that exception into a state of emergency, as Timothy Snyder explained in ‘On Tyranny’ (2017).

By tagging leftist students as persons to be feared, to be informed upon, to be crushed, Cardema seems to be manufacturing a situation where presumably he steps in and save the day.

Cardema is also ‘directing’ young people to become informants. During the Third Reich, the Gestapo had a network of 150,000 informants who reported to them any anti-Nazi sentiments. Similarly, the Philippines had the reviled makapili of World War II, who wore bayongs over their heads when testifying against their neighbors. The word is now synonymous with ‘traitor’ and ‘collaborator.’

As Snyder wrote, “Modern tyranny is terror management. When the terrorist attack comes, remember that authoritarians exploit such events in order to consolidate power… [It’s] the oldest trick in the Hitlerian book. Do not fall

Then...

From A4

postings as press counselor in London, and Brussels dealing and answering questions from the foreign press and taking on insults from Members of Parliament and even wrote back with more stinging rebuke from me printed in the English daily The Guardian.

The Manila Times TV forum last Monday was a three-set series that included senatorial candidate and former Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, former Comelec chairman Christian Monsod, former Agrarian Secretary Heherson “Sonny” Alvarez and columnist Belinda Olivarez Cunanan. Since I left after my stint in the first set, I was not able to hear what the other panelists had to say.

I’m sure former defense secretary Enrile talked about the events that led to him and Col. Gringo Honasan to make that historic stand at Camp Aguinaldo.

sole and other bottom fish off the sandy Channel floor near Dover.

Some 100 Dutch trawlers operate in these waters, each carrying a crew of five to six members.

"So we're talking about 500 to 600 families left in the drink," said Vonk.

'Many will go bankrupt' The Dutch fishing industry as a whole is nervous about the prospect of a no-deal Brexit, despite pledges by Brussels to compensate fishermen.

"Around 60 percent of the Dutch fleet's revenue is from British waters.

But for certain ports it is about 70 percent," Pim Visser, director at the Dutch commercial fishing federation VisNed, told AFP. This rung true for the Vonk family, whose trawler has chugged out of port every Sunday night for a four-day stint, captained by four generations of Vonks.

Cor, a fisherman for 17 years, took over from his father Arie, a stocky Dutchman with long hair and a golden earring.

Now retired, Arie still joins his son at dawn on a Friday, when the trawler steams into Den Helder to offload the catch at an auction house.

Arie Vonk "doesn't get anything" about Brexit, and his son dreads the worst.

"Closing British waters will be a drama," Cor Vonk said, standing in the wheelhouse of the Klasina—named after his mother. The boat cost him between one and two million euros, while a new trawler of its type costs up to seven million ($8 million).

"If we have to share all the fish in Dutch waters, we'll be fishing on a postage stamp."

On Texel alone, 10 trawlers feed 60 families—and they are dependent on the catch from British waters.

Vonk's two sons aged nine and six

dream of following in their dad's footsteps. But after Brexit, there may be no family business left.

"Many fishermen will go bankrupt, and perhaps us too," Vonk mused.

'Sea belongs to all' Across the Channel, many British fishermen are in favour of Brexit, which they say will help them take back control of their territorial waters.

Vonk said Dutch fishers never meet their British colleagues when out at sea and who don't understand the "mayhem" it's causing.

"For us, the sea belongs to all, so we don't understand why we should go," he said.

Brexit could compound a separate blow for Dutch fishermen, after the EU recently decided to ban the Dutch method of electric pulse fishing from 2021.

The controversial technique—which Vonk's boat uses—features electrodes in nets that shock bottom-dwelling fish.

"We are at the mercy of politics," sighed Vonk.

VisNed's Pim Visser—whose surname means fisher in Dutch -- said that, if barred from British seas, there could be a "domino effect" whereby Dutch trawlers end up overfishing local waters.

"Where you get overfishing, you get displacement. So you get less fish imports, you get less auctions, you get no work at auctions, no work in processing factories," he said.

"That's a domino effect, which is really disastrous."

Visser also slapped down the idea of "national waters" that has become a resounding theme in the British Brexit debate.

"These fish spawn in Danish waters, grow up in Dutch waters and are then caught in British waters," he said.

"It's truly European fish." AFP

for it.”

The backlash against Cardema was loud and immediate. He received criticism not only from an indignant public but from government agencies, students’ groups, and politicians. The Commission on Human Rights stressed that freedom of speech, of expression, and to petition the government to redress grievances are guaranteed by the Constitution. Senator Francis Escudero called Cardema “sycophantic and obsequious” and urged the President to fire him for being “ignorant of the Constitution.”

The NYC chairman said he would neither resign nor apologize, and instead backpedaled on his statement, saying he meant scholars who are NPA members.

This assertion goes against the letter of what was written in his statement, which he said came about in support of Duterte’s remark about protestors last February 2018. Cardema quotes the president as having said, “I will take government scholarships from those leftist groups and I will give it to the lumads [indigenous groups].”

Even the Palace which Cardema was presumably trying to impress washed its hands of him. Perhaps pointing out the difficulty of proving students’ connections with the left, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said, “We are a government of laws, not of speculations. If that’s only a suspicion, that’s not allowed.”

Cardema said in a 2006 interview with Bulatlat that since he was a child, he wanted nothing more than to be a

military officer. He certainly displays a fascination with fascism, an attraction to Nazi trappings and systems that is obvious with the Duterte Youth organization he founded in 2016 to support Duterte during the election.

The group’s members sometimes wear quasi-military uniforms reminiscent of Mussolini’s ‘Blackshirts’ and Hitler’s ‘Brownshirts,’ paramilitary groups. Cardema sometimes sports a red armband, significance unknown— another accessory worn by the Nazi military.

The semiotics here are obvious, though Cardema shrugged off criticisms that his organization was patterned after the Hitler Youth (Hitler Jugend) saying all countries have ‘youth’ and that it is not forbidden to use the word in this manner.

Given his neo-fascist-militaristic predilection, Cardema should not lead the NYC. As a private person he can play at being a Nazi, but not while a civil servant bound to uphold the Constitution and the country’s laws, and one with access to a government agency’s resources.

To ‘direct’ young people to ‘report’ leftist scholars to the NYC is to corrupt the youth and is contrary to that agency’s mission to “promote sustainable developmental policies and programs for and with the Filipino youth.” ***

Fr. Faraon, on the other hand, revealed that as Radio Veritas head, he repeatedly played a tape recording of Jaime Cardinal Sin’s call for people to gather at Edsa near Camp Aguinaldo to prevent soldiers dispatched by then Armed Forces chief General Fabian Ver to lay siege on Enrile and his small but gallant band. Fr. Faraon revealed that Cardinal Sin only made that call to the people once but his recorded voice was repeatedly played by Faraoan every minute, making it sound like the Cardinal was doing constantly his call to the people.

The crowd in front of Camp Aguinaldo grew to hundreds of thousands. Soon the throng swelled to one million. The rest, as they say, is history. The bloodless People Power uprising at Edsa was reprised by other nations in Europe who were under the yoke of the Soviet communist empire.

So what’s the difference between the Marcos regime and the present presiden-

cy of one Rodrigo Roa Duterte? Let’s hear it from President Duterte in his own words. He claimed he delivered on all his campaign promises but on one which was to solve Metro Manila’s horrendous traffic problem. Let’s hear it from the people. Taxi drivers are the best sounding board because whether they have passengers or not, they are always glued to the cab’s radio listening to the news.

So, what do you think—was it better during Marcos martial law years or Cory to Digong’s term?Seven out of 10 without hesitation would say “Naku, sir mas mabuti pa ho noon panahon ni Macoy mas mura ang bilihin at mas mababa ang crime. Ngayon, ang mababa lang ay ang aming living condition samantala ang mayaman ay lalong yumayaman.”

This is a resounding voice of the people. It is an indictment of the government’s economic policy on why the 10 richest Filipinos listed every year in Forbes Magazine are always the same.

Tyranny starts when we stop being vigilant and take our rights and freedoms for granted. FB and Twitter: @DrJennyO

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

WE HAVE received so many reactions, hardly anything negative, to our stand against reclaiming portions of Manila Bay. Among others, a congresswoman called to say she would stand up against the proposed or planned reclamation projects that would either reclaim land from shore to bay, or create artificial islands in the bay. That is, if she gets reelected, but from my reading of the political situation in her district, her reelection is a given.

A senator who is leading in the poll surveys is also very much against reclamation, saying countless times that it would result in serious flooding problems for the inland metropolis.

Even while I was at the MoA Arena to watch Josh Groban duet with Lea Salonga and Christian Bautista, some friends approached me to say that they too are against reclamation projects, the last count of proposed projects of which are five: Three in the area within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Manila, one in Pasay, and another in the Parañaque-Las Piñas area.

The proponents, as well as the local government officials supportive Move out, of reclamation, claim that there is no more space within Metro Manila to house its teeming millions, let alone work space mostly for “call centers” masquerading for online gaming outfits.

The usual cacophony about “creating jobs” “increasing revenues,” and all that myopic balderdash follows.

Which brings me precisely to my point: Why do we want to congest the metropolis, the present National Capital Region, way out of proportion to its natural carrying capacity? Why must we create artificial carrying capacity instead of dispersing the population to less dense areas?

Daniel Burnham, who envisioned Manila around the environs of the Walled City that Spain bequeathed us, planning in the same manner that L’Enfant designed Washington DC’s national capital center, or Haussmann the City of Lights with spokes of wide boulevards emanating from the Arc de Triomphe, would be crying from his grave. (Burnham also designed for Baguio City, desecrated by a migrant population over-capacity and a succession of vision-less local governments, by the way).

One-fifth of the country’s population converges daily in the NCR area, with 12 million actually residing there. The day-time transients are workers and transaction-agents from Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Bulacan, Pampanga and elsewhere. They make the cities that comprise the NCR rich, except that most of that wealth just fattens the pockets of dynasts who want to perpetuate their hold on local political power to spoil their offspring and succeeding generations in perpetuity.

They keep pestering the national government for big-ticket projects such as rail systems and overpasses to connect their fiefdoms and transport their constituents when in truth, if they pooled their resources from IRA’s and real estate taxes, they could finance these projects themselves without burdening the entire citizenry from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.

That is why my long-held proposal is to move out, to decongest. And the first step ought to be the transfer of the national government agencies and offices from NCR to elsewhere in Luzon.

I wouldn’t be averse to a transfer further beyond NCR, to undeveloped Samar island for instance, or even Masbate, except that one, the cost would be too much, and two, it would unduly dis-

Absence...

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advantage civil servants currently employed in Metro Manila.

Now let me go into some trivia from many feng shui masters I have encountered here and abroad: “Why is your capital facing the setting sun?” they ask.

“Why not the rising sun—the glorious East, or the South, both being auspicious directions?”

Indeed, look at the capitals of most of our prosperous and prospering neighbors. Look at the map, or use your cellphone compass, and discover the validity of their feng shui observations.

There are so many more such feng shui trivia about the fetid Pasig and the palace beside it where power sits, but we digress too much.

Even our real estate development is based on the Filipino penchant for “uso,” whatever is the “in” place, the “fashionable” area of the moment.

So Taguig is now fashionable, where before it was Makati. Meanwhile, we have allowed Manila and Pasay to rot in urban decay, and what Quezon envisioned as a national government center in “his” city to grow into patches of urban “development” amid oceans of squalor.

A nearby province, Rizal, offered 25 hectares, even more, for the Senate and the House of Representatives even, to relocate from the former’s cramped and rented habitat to the hills of Antipolo bordering Tanay. It is in the East whereas the Senate upon GSIS now faces the sunset. And it is free.

The Senate preferred relodecongest. cating to Taguig, in the vicinity of the BGC between SLEX and the toney shopping cum residential mecca of the rich.

And though it is from one government pocket to another, it cost us taxpayers P5 billion for land acquisition. Ditto for the Supreme Court, whose 15 justices want out of their Padre Faura location, despite the majestic façade of their historic building. They will move to BGC too, where the justices can take turns feting each other over lunch in the pricey gustatory temples of Serendra or Uptown or High Street.

And yet the facts are clear: One, how many citizens transact with the national government? Very few, because most of our needs require the attention of local governments.

Two, if we move the National Government Center with its myriad agencies outside the current metropolis, we would be moving out a million or so civil servants and their families from working in cramped, mostly rented offices into better working environments with fresher air than their current locations. Just look at the cramped offices of the Department of Justice for one, where mezzanines have been force-built to create another space and where workers cannot afford to stand straight up, unless they are below five feet tall. There must be a hundred other similar architectural horrors in the benighted capital.

Three, the transfer of government offices will allow the adaptive reuse of their facilities for cultural, commercial, even residential purposes. Properly planned, it is a solution to the lack of housing in the metropolis.

It certainly would be far-reaching vision and a lasting legacy for the Duterte government to initiate a transfer of the national government headquarters from NCR to say, the area around Clark, which apart from being governmentowned, is quite accessible by land from the rest of Luzon, by air, and by sea, through Subic port.

Or, though more expensive because of the infrastructure requirements, to the Rizal-Bulacan-Quezon tri-bounded foothills of the Sierra Madre, near the vicinity of Mt. Irid, which by the way is 1,467 meters above sea level at its peak, almost as high as the decrepit summer capital, Baguio, is.

Wherever, the mantra should be move…transfer. Do not reclaim land from the sea, most especially not Manila Bay.

The basic reason why the Vatican is firm about celibacy is that having a family would take much out of the clergy’s time. Evangelization of the faithful is the primary consideration of being a priest. It’s a sacrifice.

As for same-sex marriages, the Catholic Church is against it for the plain reason that God created man and woman to be one in the Sacrament of Matrimony.

Same-sex marriage is an abomination. *** Real change must come from each and every one of us.

This is why we have found ourselves in the same rut for decades. We keep expecting change but we do not, ourselves, change!

Corruption for instance is so commonplace in government. This is why I cannt see corruption ever getting eradicated.

China, for that matter, will also enforce its law if Filipinos violate immigration laws there.

To me there is a whale of difference between the 300,000 Filipinos working in Chinese territories and Chinese nationals who entered as tourists but never left.

OFWs legitimately work in China.

If some of them are illegal, China should act on them.

The President should not be too afraid to implement our laws. If China retaliates, it would be violating international laws. *** President Duterte skated on thin ice when he said that the solution to the sexual abuse problem among the clergy is to allow them to get married.

Obviously, Duterte is ignorant www.emiljurado.weebly.com about the need for celibacy.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

News

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TODAY WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Insurers can’t discriminate against Filipinos with HIV

By Maricel V. Cruz

H

EALTH and life insurers can no longer discriminate against Filipinos living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) under the new AIDS Prevention and Control Law, a House leader said on Tuesday.

“All insurers in the country are expected to revise their standard policies to comply with the provision of the law that prohibits the exclusion of persons living with HIV,” Surigao del Sur Rep. Johnny Pimentel, a deputy majority leader, said.

Under Republic Act 11166 which took effect Jan. 25, Pimentel said people living with HIV could no longer be left without insurance coverage and protection by reason of their condition.

Pimentel cited Section 42 (e) of the law, which states: “No person living with HIV [PLHIV] shall be denied or deprived of private health insurance under a Health Maintenance Organization [HMO] and private life insurance coverage under a life insurance company on the basis of the person’s HIV status. Furthermore, no person Manila

SCN FORM NO. 1 Standard (R.A. NO. 9139)

001573 TODAY

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION

SCN CASE NO. x------------------ x

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares: 1. My full name is Edgar So Tan a.k.a. Tsai Ming Yi, but I have also been known since childhood as Edgar So Tan, or I have been judicially authorized to use the alias name(s) . n/a 2. My present place of residence is Sitio Paroba, Brgy.

Carangian City/Municipality of Tarlac Province of Tarlac, and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence): 77 Rosas St. Green Village, Concepcion , Tarlac - 1988 to 1989 94 San Nicolas, Concepcion, tarlac - 1967 to 1988 3. I was born on January 6, 1967, in Tarlac, Tarlac Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of Taiwan.

4. My father's name is Tan Tiong and he was born on January 10, 1935, in China. He is a citizen or subject of China. My mother's name is JULITA CHENG SO and she was born on June 16, 1938 in Pontevedra, Capiz. She is a citizen or subject of China.

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is employment and from which I derive an average annual income of P 680,000,000 , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances. My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is retail business and from which she derives an average annual income of P 100,000,00 .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:____ , (2) name of school: ________________ and (3) years graduated: N/A who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is M, I was married on 12-15-96 in Tarlac, Tarlac. My wife's/husband's name is Rosalind Chua Lim and she/he was born on 09-26-66 in Tarlac, Tarlac. She/he is a citizen or subject of PHILIPPINES and presently resides Sitio Paroba, Brgy. Carangian, Tarlac, Tarlac.

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A. 8. I have four (4) child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows: James Christopher James Vincent Jasper Matthew Jeremy Daniel

Date of Birth 10-15-98 10-15-98 10-25-2000 06-15-2009

Place of Residence Birth Tarlac City All at Sitio Paroba Tarlac City Brgy. Caraingan Tarlac City Tarlac Tarlac City

9. I received my primary and secondary education from the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

Name of School Bayanihan Institute

Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed Tarlac City 1972- 1981 6th GRADE

San Sebastian College

Recto, 1981-1985 Manila PAT T S C o l l e g e o f Parañaque 1985-1989 Aeronautics City

with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to Taiwan petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF EDGAR SO TAN A.K.A. TSAI MING YI to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

Name

shall be denied of his life insurance claims if he dies of HIV or AIDS under a valid and subsisting life insurance policy.”

Violators of the provision face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of at least P50,000, plus administrative sanctions such as suspension or revocation of business permit, business license or accreditation, and professional license, according to Pimentel.

“We’ve gone over several standard insurance policies issued prior to the passage of the law, and we came across a number [of policies] that categorically excluded HIV-related cases from coverage. These exclusions are no longer possible,” Pimentel said.

Pimentel cited an unnamed leading insurer’s standard policy which stipulates that: “No benefit shall be payable in cases of

14. My character witnesses are Anthony Enriquez Tan and Wilson Si Co, both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at Rizal St. Poblacion, Tarlac City and 33B 1249 Wharton Park, Masangkay Tondo, Manila respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box): [ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ / ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ / ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ / ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ / ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years 16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition: Affidavit of Denial, Employment Certification, Certificate of Membership - Tarlac Filipino-Chinese Volunteers Fire Brigade, Certificate of Membership - Freemasons, Police, NBI, Prosecutor, MTC and RTC Clearances, Barangay Clearance

WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that petitioner be conferred Philippine citizenship pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No, 9139.

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 7th day of December, 2018.

EDGAR SO TAN a.k.a. TSAI MING YI Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: Sitio Paroba, Brgy.

Carangian, Tarlac City Telephone Number: +63917-514 1967

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

10. I am able to read, write and speak Filipino and/or any of the following dialects of the Philippines: Kapampangan and Bisaya

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF MANILA) S.S.

11. I have enrolled my minor children of school age in the following public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS), where Philipine History, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality:

I, Edgar So tan a.k.a. Tsai Ming Yi of legal age and a resident of Sitio Paroba, Brgy. Carangian, Tarlac after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

Name of Child James Christopher James Vincent Jasper Matthew Jeremy Daniel

Name and Place of School

Date of Enrollment

Ateneo De Manila Univ.

Ateneo De Manila Univ.

De La Salle Univ.

Bayanihan Institute

SY 2018 -2019 SY 2018 -2019 SY 2018 -2019 SY 2018 -2019

12. I shall never be a public charge. I am of good moral character. I believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. I have conducted myself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of my residence in the Philippines in my relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which I am living. I mingled socially with Filipinos and have evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions and ideals of the Filipino people. I have all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications under Republic Act No. 9139.

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated

MMDA backs anti-smoking

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Metro Manila Development Authority on Tuesday expressed its support to the City of Mandaluyong and commended the local government for its continuous efforts to strictly implement and enforce its anti-smoking ordinance.

City Ordinance 671, or the “Comprehensive Smoke-Free Ordinance of the City of Mandaluyong”, was enacted and approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod of Mandaluyong on July 17, 2017.

It aims to regulate the use, sale, distribution, and advertisement of cigarettes and other tobacco products within the territorial jurisdiction of Mandaluyong.

MMDA chairman Danilo Lim said the agency recognized the efforts of Mandaluyong in promoting better health and to reduce the prevalence of smoking-related diseases.

“I would like to express my warmest congratulations to the local government of Mandaluyong for its relentless efforts in the implementation and enforcement of a 100 percent smoke-free policy,” Lim said.

In a three-day Smoke-Free Environment Policies Training of Mandaluyong Barangay Captains and Enforcers held last month in Balanga City, Bataan, Mandaluyong City Mayor Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos shared their struggles and efforts to snuff out smoking in their city.

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Be it known that MYELA Center of Altruism, Academics, and Arts, pursuant to Resolution duly adopted in a meeting held on Feb 4, 2019, by a majority vote of its directors and stockholders representing at least twothirds of its outstanding capital stock, has approved the dissolution of the corporation by shortening its corporate term up to Feb 19, 2019. The Amended Articles of Incorporation will be filed in due course with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All parties having valid claims against the Corporation are requested to present the same at its principal office during business hours at Palnab Del Norte, Virac, Catanduanes.

(Sgd) Eduardo V. Bongat Jr. Corporate Seceretary (MS-FEB. 20,27 & MAR. 6, 2019)

Edgar So Tan a.k.a. Tsai Ming Yi Name and Signature of Petitioner SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at Tarlac City this ____ day of Dec 07, 2018.

(MS-FEB. 20, 27 & MAR 6, 2019)

HOUSE PANEL HEARING. Cong. Albee Benitez (3rd from right, seated), DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade (left), Senator Cynthia Villar (2nd from right, seated), and Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (2nd from left) in Tondo, Manila Tuesday for a House Oversight Committee hearing and MOA signing with urban poor housing beneficiaries. Norman Cruz

Ex-Misamis Occ gov to appeal case to SC FORMER Misamis Occidental as a leader. I know this new ruling Gov. Loreto Leo Ocampos on Tues- will be used against me as the 2019 day asserted his innocence against midterm election nears,” the regraft charges and vowed to elevate turning governor candidate added. his case to the Supreme Court.

The case was filed by on Ocampos said he was hope- March 15, 2011 by Oscar Visiful the Sandiganbayan decision tacion, a known ally of then on the marine park controversy Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo YELLOW BLACK narcowould be reversed. CYAN MAGENTA Parojinog, a suspected “In view of the Sandiganbayan politician who was killed amidst ruling, I will appeal the case to the anti-drug war campaign of the Supreme Court. Let’s be clear the current administration. though that the ruling is not yet There was no immediately availfinal and executory,” Ocampos able comment from Visitacion. said in a press statement.

“I want to reiterate that this was He is convinced the case would a politically-motivated case against be dismissed by the high tribunal. me because of my resolve to end “I’m very confident that even- the reign of terror created by illegal tually this politically-motivated drugs, illegal gambling and politicase hurled against me will be dis- cal dynasties in our beloved provmissed. I will fight this case up to ince. Maitatawid natin ito mga the Supreme Court and I know that kakabayan ko and soon the rule of at the end of the day I will emerge law will be restored again in our victorious,” he explained. beloved province,” Ocampos said.

He also believed that the peoIn December 2018, the same ple of Misamis Occidental fully court cleared Ocampos of malsupport him and knew the truth. versation charges in the men“I’m appealing to the people of tioned marine park controversy Misamis Occidental not to suc- due to lack of proof that public cumb to political whims just to funds were misappropriated for destroy my person and credibility private use.

PCSO gets new ISO PHILIPPINE Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Alexander Balutan on Monday said that the agency had been awarded with the ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System certification focused on leadership, risk-based thinking, and context of the organization.

“ISO 9001 is the title of an ISO standard that outlines the requirements an organization must maintain in its quality system. ISO 9001:2015 is the current version of the standard. It helps agencies or companies meet their customers’ requirements for our products/ services while fulfilling regulatory requirements,” said Balutan in a press statement.

The PCSO was certified under the ISO 9001-2008 Quality Management System Certification by third-party auditor TUV Rheinland Philippines in December

IN THE MATTER OF PETITION TO ESTABLISH LEGITIMATE AFFILIATION OF ROSALIE TAYONI a.k.a. ROSALIE TAYONI CAROLINO WITH HER BIOLOGICAL FATHER PABLITO AVESTRUZ CAROLINO ROSALIE TAYONI a.k.a. ROSALIE TAYONI-CAROLINO, Petitioner, -versus-

SP. PROC. NO. R-PSY-18-00962.SP

GLORIA ONG TAYONI-CAROLINO, JOSEPHINE TAYONI CAROLINO-KASU MORITA,GLOVILMA TAYONI CAROLINO-LAO PABLITO TAYONI CAROLINO, CENON TAYONI CAROLINO, LOCAL CIVIL REGISTRAR OF MANILA, PHILIPPINE STATISTICS AUTHORITY, Socarel Bldg., Ramon Magsaysay Blvd., Sta. Mesa, Manila and all Person Who have claim interest thereby, Respondents. x---------------------------------------------------------x

ORDER A verified petition having been filed by petitioner through counsel praying that after due notice, publication and hearing judgment be rendered granting this petition by declaring said petitioner is a legitimated child of the spouses Pablito A. Carolino and Gloria T. Carolino and directing the Local Civil Registrar of Manila and the Philippine Statistics Authority to enter/indicate in her Certificate of Live Birth under Registry No. 2519, the following: a) her complete name as ROSALIE TAYONI CAROLINO; (b) the date of the marriage of her parents which is December 31, 1970; and (c) her civil status as: LEGITIMATED CHILD. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that the hearing of the petition is set on May 2, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. at Room 302 Hall of Justice Building, F.B. Harisson St., Pasay City. All persons interested and may have opposition may appear and show cause why the said petition should not be granted.

Let copy of this Order be published in the newspaper of general circulation once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks at the expense of the petitioner to be chosen by raffle.

Likewise, let copy of this order together with the petition and its annexes be furnished to the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the Public Prosecutor, the Local Civil Registrar of Manila and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Meanwhile, set the pre-trial on April 11, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. and preliminary conference before the Clerk of Court V on April 2, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.

The Notice of Appearance of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) and its letter of delegation of authority to the Office of the City Prosecutor of Pasay City filed on February 1, 2019 is noted.

SO ORDERED. Pasay City, February 6, 2019.

(Sgd.) JEHAN B. SAMPAO-HASSIMAN Assisting Judge (MStandard-Feb. 27, Mar. 6 & 13, 2019)

2016 for the conduct and management of the online lottery draws and processing of prize claims amounting to P5,000 and above and support processes. For the past three years, PCSO has maintained its certification.

“ISO certification gives confidence to our public that they have equal chances of winning and that we have strict implementation when it comes to our draw procedures. It also gives us the chance to be at par with other gaming counterparts all over the world,” Balutan added.

Aimee De Viterbo, officer-incharge on Gaming Technology Department of PCSO, explained that the ISO mandates every organization to transition from the 2008 to the 2015 version of the standard to make its processes relevant and compliant with the requirements of the new version of the standard.

URGENT NOTICE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 109, PASAY CITY

PRAYER

4th Year High School BS Aeronautical Engineering

HIV and or any HIV-related illness including AIDS and/or any mutations, derivations or variations thereof.”

He also cited another major insurer’s policy which states that: “No benefit shall be payable in malignant cancer cases when the tumors are in the presence of HIV infection.”

HIV causes AIDS, or the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, which destroys the human body’s natural ability to fight off all kinds of infections.

The condition still does not have any known cure, but Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) slows down the virus.

A total of 11,427 new HIV cases were diagnosed in the country in 2018, according to the Department of Health’s National HIV & AIDS Registry.

The figures brought to 62,029 the cumulative number of people found living with HIV since the government began passive surveillance in 1984.

Of the 62,029 cases, the registry said 3,054 have died, while another 7,098 had “clinical manifestations” of advanced infection based on World Health Organization standards.

A total of 33,575 Filipinos living with HIV were undergoing ART as of December 2018.

Please be informed that the following personnel named indicated below are no longer connected with MIDMAC Manpower Services & Placement Corporation Manila, Philippines effective JANUARY 01, 2019. Any transactions entered into by these persons for and in behalf of MIDMAC Manpower Services & Placement Corporation effective JANUARY 01, 2019 and onwards will no longer be entertained and honored by the Company.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

NAMES OF PERSONNEL

POSITION

BEN M. MAHMUD DARWISA M. LATIP AHMAD M. MAMUCAO MOHALIDIN S. IBRAHIM EVANGELINE B. RUIZ

Overseas Project Manager Marketing Officer Senior Marketing Manager Recruitment Officer Marketing and Business Development Officer

(MS-FEB. 27, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

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

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF BUSINESS SEPARATION AND UNBUNDLING PLAN (BSUP) PURSUANT TO SECTION 36 OF REPUBLIC ACT 9136 AND RULE 10 OF ITS IMPLEMENTING RULES AND REGULATIONS

4.

ERC CASE NO. 2018-018 MC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING 5.

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

In the said Application, ESAMELCO alleged the following, among others: ESAMELCO is an electric cooperative duly organized and existing under and virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal office at Brgy. Cabong, Borongan City, Eastern Samar;

2.

It is the exclusive franchise holder issued by the National Electrification Commission (NEC), to operate an electric light and power distribution service in (23) municipalities of Eastern Samar including the 597 barangays and 106,324 potential consumers;

3.

Sec 36 of Republic Act No. 9136 otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 or “EPIRA”, provides in part that “Any electric power industry participant shall functionality and structurally unbundle its business activities and rates in accordance with the sectors as identified in Section 5 hereof The ERe shall ensure full compliance with this provision.”

4.

Pursuant to the said mandate of the EPIRA as well as Rule 10 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the Honorable Commission promulgated Resolution No. 49, Series of 2006 otherwise known as “Business Separation Guidelines, as Amended” as well as Resolution No. 07, Series of 2012, Adopting the Accounting and Cost Allocation Manual (ACAM) for Electric Cooperatives;

5.

Pursuant to and in compliance with the requirements of the foregoing raw, rules and resolutions, ESAMELCO is submitting herewith for the Honorable Commission’s evaluation and approval, its proposed BUSINESS SEPARATION AND UNBUNDLING PLAN (BSUP) for the business separation and structural and functional unbundling of its business activities, with the end in view of separating its distribution activities into appropriate business segments and to have a clear separation of operations and accounts behveen its regulated and nonregulated activities;

6.

c)

a)

2.

CORPORATE PROFILE

EASTERN SAMAR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ESAMELCO) is registered with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 269 on December 9, 1977. It is mandated to energize the 23 municipalities of Eastern Samar including the 597 barangays and 106:324 potential consumers.

3.

Operational Milestone ESAMELCO’S operation started when Borongan, the capital town of Eastern Samar was energized with a 100 KW genset on September 7, 1980. A series of typhoons in the 80’s delayed the expansion program of the Cooperative.

Total rehabilitation of damaged distribution lines in the South increased the construction loans from the EA. Self-generation was a daily burden and power operation decreased from 12 hours to 6 hours daily.

The commissioning of the 2.5 MVA substation in Brgy. Polangi, Taft in 1990 with power coming from NPC’S Tongonan Geothermal Plants provided a 24 hours electric service throughout the coverage area. In 2003, Taft substation was upgraded to 5 MVA. In 1994, the 5 MVA substation in Brgy. Cabong was commissioned improving the voltage in Borongan, ESAMELCO’S load center, and the Southern Municipalities and eventually it was uprate to 15 MVA on April 2014 due to increasing demand. On September 30, 2002, the 5 MVA substation in Brgy. Buenavista, Quinapondan was also commissioned improving the power efficiency of the 9 municipalities in its coverage area.

4.

5.

ESAMELCO’S main office is located at Brgy. Cabong, Borongan, Eastern Samar. It has two (3) area offices namely: North Area Office located at Brgy. Polangi, Taft; South Area Office located at Brgy. Buenavista, Quinapondan, Eastern Samar and Central Area Office located at the central area of the City of Borongan Eastern Samar.

There are four (4) substations supplying power to the entire coverage area, 15 MVA Cabong substation serving the Municipalities of San Julian, Borongan, Maydolong, Balangkayan and Llorente; 5 MVA Buenavista substation covering the Municipalities of Hernani, Gen. MacArthur, Salcedo, Mercedes, Guiuan, Quinapondan, Giporlos, Balangiga and Lawaan; 5 MVA Polangi substation serving the Municipalities of Taft and Sulat; and the newly energized substation 5 MVA Nato substation serving the Municipalities of Can-avid, Dolores, Oras, San Policarpo, Arteche, Maslog and Jipapad.

Coverage Area of Distribution The franchise area of EASTERN SAMAR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (ESAMELCO) covers the entire province of Eastern Samar, one of the 6 provinces in Region VIII (Eastern Visayas), situated in the eastern part of the island of Samar. It faces the Pacific Ocean and almost all of its municipalities are coastal towns. Eastern Samar’s territorial boundaries are: Northern Samar on the north; Samar on the west; and on the south is Leyte Gulf that merges to the south with Surigao Strait. Average distance between municipalities is 15 kms. Two municipalities, Maslog and Jipapad have no road network and accessible only by river or foot trail.

District I II III IV V VI VII VIII

b)

Municipality/ies Borongan Maydolong, Balangkayan, Llorente San Julian, Sulat, Taft Can-avid, Dolores, Maslog Oras, San Policarpio, Arteche, Jipapad Hernani, Gen. MacArthur, Salcedo Mercedes, Guiuan Quinapondan, Giporlos, Balangiga, Lawaan

CORPORATE STRUCTURE

3.

Sale of electricity to end-users who are included in the contestable market or to other customers who are not end-users.

RELATED BUSINESSES

a.

Electricity related services such as the construction and maintenance of customer installations; and

b.

Non-electricity related services telecommunications services.

Collection

III.

SEGREGATION OF EMPLOYEES Under the relevant business segment, the guidelines require the number of individuals who are engaged in the activities of the business segment and other business segments or business activities in which such individuals are engaged.

This is to ensure that the costs of regulated services and activities are allocated on a fair and reasonable basis and reflect the efficient costs of the respective services and activities. ESAMELCO employees are hereby reasonably allocated to the business segment “where his workload and man hours are attributable. Employees whose services are commonly shared by the business segments are allocated accordingly.

Disconnection

ESAMELCO has a total of 154 employees to be allocated into the different business segments. Employees that are not directly attributable to a business segment or shared by two or more business segments are allocated using allocation factors provided for by the ACAM. Likewise, in the event the ESAMELCO opt to engage into other business segments, namely Supplier of last resort (SOLAR), and Non-regulated retail services (NRRS) of concerned employees will be allocated into such services.

Reconnection

IV.

Trouble Response

ACCOUNTING SEPARATION ESAMELCO would abide to the following accounting separation principles: a. b. c. d. e. f. g.

Procurement of Capex and Non- Capex V.

Principles to Achieve Accounting Separation Allocation Principles Chart of Accounts Basic Accounting Principles Reporting Principles Audit Requirements Other requirements

MILESTONES AND HIGHLIGHTS Details of ESAMELCO’s milestones and highlights are documented in the BSUP.

VI.

GENERATION ACTIVITIES

PROGRAM FOR CODE OF CONDUCT Pursuant to Sections 43(t) and 45 of Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA) and Section 3(c)(iv) Rule 10 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), the Company embraces and shall comply vvith the Resolution No. 31 series of 2006 so called the Code of Conduct for Competitive Retail Market Participants (referred hereafter as “Code1’) as promulgated by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

7.

Accounting Separation and Audited Financial Statements.

ESAMELCO has prepared as annex to the BSUP an Accounting Separation Statements in accordance with the Accounting and Cost Allocation Manual (ACAM) for Electric Cooperatives, based on its Audited Financial Statements for the Years 2016 and 2017;

8.

In addition to the BSUP, ESAMELCO is likewise submitting herewith for the Honorable Commission’s consideration and approval, a set of Confidentiality Policies and Guidance to be observed by concerned personnel involved in all BSUP transaction and processes,

DISTRIBUTION ACTIVITIES

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that after due notice and hearing, ESAMELCO’s proposed BUSINESS SEPARATION AND UNBUNDLING PLAN (BSUP) be approved accordingly.

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES This segment has the following distribution services: a.

b.

2.

Conveyance of electricity through a Distribution System and the control and monitoring of electricity as it is conveyed through the Distribution System (including any services that support such Conveyance, control or monitoring or the safe operation of the Distribution System); Provision of Ancillary Services (if any) that are provided using assets which form part a Distribution System (an example of such Ancillary Services is services provided by a series reactor or a static var compensator) ;

c.

Planning, maintenance, augmentation operation of the Distribution System;

d.

Provision, installation, commissioning, testing, repair, maintenance and reading of WESM - related meters that are not used to measure the delivery of electricity to end-users or other customers; and

e.

Billing, collection and the provision of customer services that are directly related to the delivery of electricity to end-users or to that relate to the connection of such persons to a Distribution System (whether such services are provided to those” endusers or to Suppliers or to any other person).

and

DISTRIBUTION CONNECTION SERVICES

Other relief just and equitable in the premises are likewise prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for hearing for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 12 March 2019 (Tuesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.), at the ERC Hearing Room, 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 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:

This segment has the follmving distribution connection services:

1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

a.

3)

The grounds relied upon.

Finance Services Department (FSD)

3.

as

Revenues include an revenues generated from the provision of the services or the undertaking of the activities for this business segment. Costs include all the relevant share of operating and maintenance costs and depreciation costs apportioned for this business segment.

REGULATED BUSINESS SEGMENTS 1.

such

Billing

ESAMELCO will adopt the six (6) distribution business segments provided in the Business Separation Guidelines, These business segments are further classified into regulated and non-regulated business segments. Below is the description of each business segments:

Internal Audit Department (lAD)

The FSD is responsible for record keeping and the sound financial management of the EC through an effective and systematic procedure in meter reading, billing and collection of its accounts receivable, and payment of loans. FSD:s specific functions include the following: a) assist the General Manager in financial planning; b) supervises the recording of all the financial transactions in accordance with established accounting and financial control procedure; c) supervises the preparation and analysis of monthly and statistical report and ensures that these are submitted promptly; d) supervises the preparation of cash budget; e) plans and execute office procedure in accounting for construction and project cost and sees to it that work orders are closed upon completion of the project; f) supervises the maintenance of the accurate record of all capital investments and that depreciation lapsing schedule are kept on a current basis; g) ensures that disbursements of funds are in accordance with proprieties set by the General Manager in accordance with NEA standards and Audit Practice; h) consolidates

c.

The lAD is in-charge in the verification of billing transactions. This process starts from the receipt of monthly Meter Reading Sheets from the Meter Readers and from Engineering Section Head - for those with demand meters, up to posting of KWH consumption in the EBS 2000. (See detailed description and flow chart)

Office of the General Manager (OGM)

The lAD ensures effective and efficient implementation of internal control systems in all the departments of the cooperative. lAD’s specific functions include the following, to wit: a) maintains records of authorized level of appropriations and expenditures: b) ascertains that purchases are in accordance with approved requisitions; c) evaluates financial transactions and assures that supporting papers are properly attached; d) ascertains that the cooperative’s properties are adequately insured; e) supervises the inventory of bills; f) audits cash transactions; g) Check bank reconciliations; h) checks and/ or inspects materials and supplies as to purchases; i) examines payroll both as to computation and payment; j) supervises the implementation of route control on all past due bills; k) re-audits cash disbursements; and l) conduct inventory of materials, supplies, and special equipment.

Energy trading (including the purchase of electricity and hedging activities) undertaken in connection with the sale of electricity to end-users who are included in the contestable market or to other customers who are not end-users; and

The liabilities included in this Business Segment are all the liabilities incurred directly or a relevant share of the shared liabilities incurred to provide the services or undertake the operational activities of this business segment.

In case that the Amanhuray Mini-Hydro Power Plant shall be operational, ESAMELCO will submit a new BSUP for the approval of this Honorable Office.

2.

b.

The assets included in this Business Segment are all the assets used directly or a relevant share of the shared assets used to provide the services or undertake the activities of this business segment.

Meter Reading and Billing

ESAMELCO has been planning to have its own generation facility to be called Amanhuray MiniHydro Power Plant in Brgy. Guinob-an, Lawaan Eastern Samar to augment the electricity needs of the consumers especially during peak hours, thereby providing reasonable price and service to consumers.

The OGM is composed of one department namely Internal Audit Department and four sub-departments namely, Finance Services Department, Institutional Services Department, Technical Services Department and Area Offices. Among its duties and responsibilities include the following: a) Supervise the whole organization to ensure efficient and effective operation; b) keep the Board fully informed through written monthly, special and verbal reports as needed; and c) to advise and make recommendations to the Board on objectives, plans, policies and programs, and actions that is needed for the development of the program.

2.

New Connection

II. DETAILS OF BUSINESS SEGMENTS 1.

Billing, collection and the provision of customer services to such end-users in their capacity as electricity consumers; or to such other customers in their capacity as purchasers of electricity.

This segment comprises the provision of all other services, and the carrying out of ail other activities that utilize distribution assets, facilities, or staff including:

This procedure starts from the accomplishment of a Requisition Voucher by an employee, up to the submission of request for payment to finance for processing. (See detailed description and flow chart)

ESAMELCO’s present organizational structure is divided into five (5) main departments, as follows: 1.

5.

The Technical Services Department Manager (TSD Manager) is in charge in the overall management of TSD, engineering section and substation in Main.

This process starts from the receipt of complaint from member-consumer-owner or information from substation on power loss up to repair or restoration.

(See detailed description and flow chart) 8.

a.

Non -Regulated retail services also comprise the provision, installation, commissioning, testing, repair, maintenance and reading of meters that are used to measure the delivery of electricity to end-users who are included in the contestable market or to other customers who are not end-users (whether such services are provided to those end-users or other customers, to Suppliers or to any other person).

The Consumer Accounts and Control Division Chief is in-charge in the assignment and monitoring of reconnection to Lineman in Main. This procedure starts from the printing of “List of Consumers for Disconnection” in the EBS 2000 up to actual disconnection. (See detailed description and flow chart) 7.

LAST RESORT SUPPLY

This segment comprises the provision of non-regulated retail services provided by a Distribution Utility namely; services pertaining to the sale of electricity to end-users who are included in the contestable market or to other customers who are not end-users and includes:

The Consumer Accounts and Control Division Chief is in-charge in the monitoring of the disconnection process. This procedure starts from the printing of “List of Consumers for Disconnection1 in the EBS 2000 up to actual disconnection. (See detailed description and flow chart) 6.

Sale of electricity to end-users who are included on the Captive Market.

NON-REGULATED RETAIL SERVICE

The Consumer Accounts and Control Division Chief is in-charge in the monitoring of all the collections and encoding of collection entries in the EBS 2000. This procedure starts after distribution of Power Bills up to collection. (See detailed description and flowchart)

All the 22 municipalities and 1 city are now energized. In August 2012, the interior town of Maslog was energized, Facilities

Technical Services Department (TSD)

The Area Manager is responsible in preparing the meter reading schedule. It starts from the receipt of the Meter Reading Sheet from the billing Data Encoders up to submission ofthe accomplished Meter Reading Sheet to the billing Data Encoders. (See detailed description and flow chart)

General Information

c.

This segment comprises the provision of Supplier of Last Resort (SOLR) services provided by a Distribution Utility namely; services pertaining to the sale of electricity to SOLR Customers, including billing, collection and the provision of basic customer service.

This process applies to new member-consumers who applied for service connection. There are certain process and procedures that are required from them.

(See detailed description and flow chart)

ESAMELCO’s proposed BSUP IS composed of the following sections, to wit: I. DETAILS OF CURRENT STRUCTURE

4.

DESCRIPTION OF CURRENT PROCESS 1.

Energy trading (including the purchase of electricity and hedging activities) undertaken in connection with the sale of electricity to end-users who are included in the Captive Market; and

Regulated retail services also comprise the provision, installation, commissioning, testing, repair, maintenance and reading of meters that are used to measure the delivery of electricity to end-users who are included on the Captive Market.

The TSD ensures maximum utilization of the distribution assets and performance management. The specific functions of TSD include the following: a) directs and coordinates the design and construction of electric facilities as authorized by the General Manager; b) advises and assists the Department staff to effect efficient system operations; c) institutes training programs for continues development of his staff to make sure they meet certain qualifications and work requirements of their respective units; d) apprises staff periodically to help them progressively raises the level of their performance; e) carries into effect the understanding and acceptance by each unit head all authorities, responsibilities and relationship within the organization; f) develops procedures for the dayto-day operations of the Department and the studies ways and means to improve these procedures for more effective operation; g) prepares necessary reports and submits the same to the General Manager: h) prepares annual assistance of the Division Manager’s plans and develops engineering studies and system improvements; i) studies the system load growth and plans consultation with the Division Manager to assure adequate wholesome power supply; j) reviews and recommends for approval of application for primary line extensions; k) reviews and approves normal system improvements and operations and maintenance programs and schedules: I) reviews and secures the approval of the General Manager for major system improvements including distribution substation and general plant; m) reviews and recommends approval of contacts for large power service; n) recommends approval of all work orders: and 0) accepts and performs other responsibilities and duties which may be assigned from time to time.

Notice is hereby given that on 17 December 2018, Eastern Samar Electric Cooperative (ESAMELCO) filed an Application dated 12 December 2018 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its Business Separation and Unbundling Plan (BSUP) pursuant to Section 36 of Republic Act 9136, otherwise known as, the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and Rule 10 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations.

b.

Institutional Services Department (ISD) The ISD is responsible for the delivery of shared support services, such as Human Resource, Office Administration, and Corporate Imaging. lSD’s specific functions include the following: a) disseminates information; b) educates the would be consumers and the member-consumers; c) promotes consumer and community relation; d) campaigns for more connections (all types); e) resolves complaints and attends to inquiries and requests; f) translates promotion programs; g) conducts orientations to consumers’ associations (BAPAs/ SEPAs); h) conducts orientations / seminars / trainings to employees; i) spearheads district elections, annual meetings, anniversaries, and other occasions; and j) maintain employees 201 file records and administer payroll.

EASTERN SAMAR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE (ESAMELCO), Applicant. x - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - x

1.

electricity consumers;

and recommends approval of performance evaluation rating for the General Manager; and i) performs other functions as may be assigned from time to time.

Provision of capability at each Connection Point to a Distribution System to deliver electricity or to take electricity from the Connection Point and the conveyance of electricity: i.

from the facilities of persons which are directly connected to the Distribution System

ii.

from the Connection Point to the facilities of persons which are directly connected to the Distribution System;

b.

Planning, installation, maintenance, augmentation, testing and operation of Distribution Connection Assets; and

c.

Provision of other services that support any of the above services.

REGULATED RETAIL SERVICES

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioner CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 23rd day of January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

This segment comprises the provision of regulated retail services, namely; services pertaining to the sale of electricity to end-users who are included in the Captive Market, and includes: a.

Billing, collection and the provision of customer services to such end-users in their capacity as

(MS-FEB. 27, 2018

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

Centennial III crowned regatta king SUBIC BAY—Defending champion George Hill’s Antipodes claimed line honors in the 2nd Subic Bay around Verde Island Passage Race, but Centennial III skippered by veteran sailor Judes Echauz nosed out the Hong Kong entry in the corrected time.

Despite many wind direction and speed changes over the 200nm course, Antipodes made 13: 28:18, with an elapsed time of 25:28:18 in the IRC I Racing Class.

Last year, the record time set by Antipodes was a total sailing time of 22:54:9.

Never out of sight of each other, Centennial III finished at 13:53:53 and eclipsed Antipodes in the IRC I stakes by 13 minutes.

Centennial III led the way down to the Verde Passage, but Antipodes came out on top and held on for the long run back home.

Ray Ordoveza’s Excel 53 Karakoa crossed the finish line with 29:23:40 for third place in the 2nd SBVIP, presented by Standard Insurance Inc., and supported by Tanduay Rum, Broadwater Marine, Nano Fixit and Lighthouse Marina Resort.

“It was very tiring and technical race in close company with Antipodes. But we held on and happy to take the overall IRC I title,” said Echauz.

Despite having to anchor for a while, George Hackett’s Mills 43 custom Misty Mountain came third in the IRC overall stakes and claimed first place in the IRC II class.

Bobby Benares’ Beneteau 44.7 Sabad came second place, while Albert Altura’s Beneteau First 40 Hurricane Hunter retired on its first outing.

In the absence of an IRC certificate, Jun Avecilla’s Beneteau First 36.7 Selma Star and Michael Raueber’s Swan 65.1 Emocean 1 have joined Stephen Wu Shifu’s Oceanis 45 Asia Pacific Sailing in the Cruising class. After the arbitrary handicaps were applied, they ended up in that respective order.

Verde Island Passage is a strait that separates the islands of Luzon and Mindoro, connecting the South China Sea with the Tayabas Bay in Quezon province and the Sibuyan Sea in Romblon, beyond.

Partcipants in the 2nd Subic Bay around Verde Island Passage Race try to outwit each other.

Canlubang, Luisita start PAL Srs. golf showdown C

EBU CITY—The 33rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships kicks off today (Wednesday), with defending champion Canlubang and 16-time titlist Luisita renewing their rivalry at the Alta Vista Golf Club, a mountain course designed by Gary Player.

Both teams made only one change in their respective lineups with Tommy Manotoc returning for Canlubang and former pro Demy Saclot debuting for Luisita.

Except for Dave Hernandez, Canlubang will be represented by the same team that beat Luisita by eight points last year in Bacolod City.

They are brothers Abe and Pem Rosal, Rolly Viray, Mari Hechanova, Abe Avena, Zaldy Villa and Damasus Wong.

Luisita, which last won the crown in 2017, also fielded the same players that played last year, namely: Eddie Bagtas, Benjie Sumulong, Rodel Mangulabnan,

Raffy Garcia, Chino Raymundo, Edmund Yee and Chito Laureta.

With the addition of Manotoc, a fixture in many champion teams, Canlubang remains a formidable squad, but Luisita captain Jeric Hechanova is unfazed.

“In the end, it’s up to our team to perform and not worry about the other team,” Hechanova said.

Hechanova said all his players are playing well in the run-up to the Interclub, particularly Mangulabnan, the reigning national seniors champion.

Cebu Country Club and Del Monte complete the cast in the championship division.

A record field of 108 teams is seeing action in the four-day event that will also be played at the Club Filipino de Cebu.

The field is divided into five divisions: Championship, Founders, Aviator, Sportswriters and Friendship.

The Molave scoring system will be used in the four-to-play, three-to-count event. Par is worth 3 points and regulation play is equivalent to 54 points.

This year’s Interclub is sponsored by Radio Mindanao Network, Asian Air Safari, and Vanguard Radio Network.

Also extending support are ABS-CBN Global Ltd. (The Filipino Channel), Rolls Royce, Primax Broadcasting Network, UM Broadcasting Network (Mindanao), Fox Sports, Cignal TV, GECAS, Boeing, Lufthansa Technik AG, Manila Standard, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Dusit Thani Manila, and Casino Filipino. Official hotel is Quest Hotel Conference Center Cebu.

It’s Senate vs AFP in UNTV Cup finals Games Sunday

Zambo bets dominate PPS Kidapawan tilt SYDNEY Enriquez and Eric Tangub lived up to the hype as they nailed two titles each to clinch the MVP honors and lead the Zamboangeños romp in the PPS-PEPP President R. Barrios Cup national age group tennis circuit at the Kidapawan City Tennis Club in Cotabato yesterday.

Enriquez, from Salug, Zambo del Norte, proved overpowering in the girls’ 16- and 18-and-under divisions, posting a pair of 6-0, 6-0 victories over May Torrecareon and doubles partner Zkyla Cervantes, respectively, while Tangub, from Tukuran, Zambo del Sur, thumped Reyman Saldivar Jr., 6-1, 6-2, and Brent Magno, 6-0, 6-2, to claim the boys’ 16and 18-U titles in the Group 2 event presented by Dunlop.

Other winners in the fourth of the sixleg Mindanao swing of the nationwide circuit put up by Palawan PawnshopPalawan Express Pera Padala headed by president/CEO Bobby Castro were Kabacan, Cotabato’s Jairo Ramirez (10-unisex), Josh Cabanting (boys’ 12-U), Ysay Ysulat (girls’ 14-U) and Saldivar (boys’ 14-U) and Sindangan, Zamboanga’s Rose Mesiona (girls’ 12-U).

The second seeded Ramirez foiled No. 1 Yusuf Maldo, 2-4, 4-2, 4-1; Cabanting upset top seed Ben Flores, 4-2, 4-2, in the quarters then outlasted Ramirez, 6-4, 4-6, 10-8, in the finals; Ysulat ripped Zheta Saldivar, 6-1, 6-2; Saldivar crushed Yassan Al Anazi, 6-1, 6-3; and Mesiona beat Jeanne Rayray, 6-1, 6-2.

Enriquez actually made it three-forthree as she and Cervantes routed Puline Binoya and Joanne Gornes, 8-0, to claim the doubles 18-U plum with Eric Comendador and Magno edging Tangub and JV Comendador, 8-6, in the boys’ final.

(Pasig City Sports Center) 3 p.m. – NHA vs PNP 5 p.m. – AFP vs Senate

GARRI Sevilla finally broke out of a scoring slump and helped power Senate to a 75-60 thumping of Philippine National Police in the rubber match of their semis series as the Defenders earned a shot at becoming the first back-to-back champions of the UNTV Cup. Sharp and deadly again after his inconsistent showing in the team’s last three games, Sevilla exploded for 24 points as he and Marlon Legaspi starred in a big second-quarter attack for Senate, which pulled away for good and secured the right to face top seed Armed Forces of the Philippines in the finals.

Game 1 of the best-of-three title series is set on Sunday with the chosen charity of the champion team earning a tax-free P4 million and the runner-up’s foundation receiving P2 million.

The AFP Cavaliers advanced outright to the finals via a two-game sweep of the National Housing Authority Builders in the annual tournament organized by UNTV president and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon for public servants.

Senate’s win, however, proved too costly as Sen. Joel Villanueva suffered a

Marlon Legaspi provided the much-needed firepower for Senate by scoring 18 points in the team’s 75-60 win over PNP in the rubber match of their semis series in the 7th UNTV Cup at the Pasig City Sports Center.

season-ending knee injury after colliding with PNP’s Japeth Cabahug at midcourt.

While the Senate Defenders are looking to become the back-to-back champions, the AFP Cavaliers are bidding to become the first three-time winners of the championship.

The Cavaliers are tied with the Judiciary Magis with two titles each with the former winning in 2014 and 2016. The

Phoenix tries to near quarterfinals

By Jeric Lopez AFTER a two-week break and a triumphant return of the Philippines to the World Cup stage, action resumes in the Philippine Basketball Association as its 2019 Philippine Cup elimination round approaches its homestretch.

Second-running Phoenix Pulse (5-1) wants to take a step closer to a berth in the quarterfinals when it locks horns with skidding NorthPort (2-2) at 7 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Preceding that is a battle between teams in the lower echelon as Meralco (2-3) and Columbian (2-4) duke it out at 4:30 p.m.

Following its hot 5-0 start, the Fuel Masters saw their winning run snapped by now first-placer Rain or Shine, 94-98, last Feb. 10.

Phoenix is aching to get back to its winning ways to close in on a spot in the postseason.

“Now, we know the feeling of losing this season and it’s not good,” said Fuel Masters coach Louie Alas. “We want to win again right away to move closer to the quarterfinals.”

Alas’ squad will face a slumping Batang Pier side, who had lost its last two games after starting out with two wins out of the gates.

Also raring to get back on track are the Bolts and the Dyip as they figure in a critical tussle.

“This is a crucial game for both teams,” said Meralco coach Norman Black. “We understand that.

“We need to win. We need a brand new start at this point,” said Columbian coach Johnedel Cardel.

Magis won the inaugural event on 2013 and won it again in 2015.

Apart from Sevilla’s timely explosion, Senate also leaned on air-time defense to prevail as PNP’s top gunner Ollan Omiping was held to just seven points.

Legaspi delivered on both ends, finishing with 18 points aside from providing the much-needed help in the middle that threw PNP’s big men out of their comfort zone.

New Clark City in search of other SEAG venues

By Peter Atencio THERE are many events in the 30th Southeast Asian Games which may not be held at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac.

That’s because the NCC may not have enough facilities to accommodate many of the sports disciplines which have been calendared for the biennial meet.

Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee Deputy Director General Arrey Perez said this with nine months left before the start of the Games.

“Maraming kaming pinag-aaralan kung saan puwede ilagay ang mga ibang events. We’re thinking of Clark Global City in Angeles, Pampanga,” said Perez.

The facilities which will be used for the games are expected to be finished by August, according to Perez, who added that organizers are making an effort to find other venus that are already available for the Games.

The Senate approved only P5 billion of the P7.5 billion proposed budget for the biennial meet.

So far, the PHISGOC is no longer considering the Araneta Coliseum as a venue for volleyball.

The Committee, which considered the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan, Laguna as an alternative venue, will now have volleyball at the Philsports Arena.

There are proposals to have skateboarding in Tagaytay, but officials are still discussing its feasibility.

Officials are reportedly now seeking the help of private sponsors on many other venues to help bring down the cost of the staging of the biennial meet.

The Philippines is set to host the Games again after 14 years.

There will be a total of 56 sports and 523 events spread across 39 venues in Subic, New Clark City, Tagaytay and Metro Manila.

The PHISGOC has started signing an initial list of private sponsors, who will bring in added funds and services to the regional meet that will take place on Nov. 30 to Dec. 11.

Antique swimmer makes splash ILOILO CITY—Antique’s Guiliver Clive Clemente splashed his way to two gold medals in swimming to hike his total to three, even as host Iloilo City made its presence felt with a massive golden harvest on Day 2 of the Visayas Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy at the Iloilo Sports Complex here.

Clemente, 14, topped the boys’ 400m individual medley in five minutes and 18.92 seconds, rested for a bit and then ruled the 50m breaststroke 33.48 a few minutes later to add to his 200m IM gold the day before.

The eighth-grader from Antique National School will gun for two more mints as he is scheduled to compete in the 100m and 200m breast today.

“My goal coming here is to win five gold medals and I hope to win two more tomorrow (today),” said Clemente, who hails from San Jose.

After a slow start, Iloilo went on a golden harvest as it raked in six golds in taekwondo, two in rapid chess and two in swimming.

Iloilo’s taekwondo triumphs were provided for in poomsae by Cyd Edryc Esmana (cadet male) and Elizabeth Marie Borres (cadet female) and in kyorugi by Kyle Chin (flyweight), Seth Hendrick Poquez (feather), Jake Christian Mamigo (light), and Bill Donton III (heavy).

Other taekwondo winners were Cebu City’s Xander Palacpac (junior male), Bacolod City’s Jamiehannah Agaloos (junior female) and Julio Miguel Zaata (fin), Mandaue City’s Rodito Sinugbojan (bantam), and Antique’s Jean Sebastian Durana (light middle) and Adrian James Juanitas (welter).

IN BRIEF Meralco’s core income hits P22b

POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said core net income grew 11 percent in 2018 to P22.4 billion from P20.213 billion in 2017, driven by the resilient domestic consumption which resulted in a 5-percent increase in energy sales.

“The year 2018 proved to be another record year for Meralco in terms of sales volumes, operating and service excellence, value creation for consumers across all classes, financial results and a fair return to Meralco shareholders,” Meralco chairman Manuel Pangilinan said.

Meralco’s reported net income went up 13 percent to P23.017 billion from P20.384 billion. Reported net income is adjusted to exclude the effect of foreign exchange gains or losses, impairment charges, mark-to-market adjustments, gain on disposal of investment and other one-time exceptional transactions.

Meralco said the company reached another record high in terms of its financial results despite slightly lower gross domestic product growth, higher inflation and interest rates, high coal price and a weaker peso compared with 2017, as well as cooler temperatures during the first four months of the year. Alena Mae S. Flores

Manila Water posts P6.5-b net earnings

MANILA Water Company Inc. said Monday net income increased 6 percent in 2018 to P6.5 billion from a year ago, bolstered by the approval of positive tariff adjustment.

Manila Water said billed water volume grew 4 percent last year, with the Manila concession leading the way with a 3-percent increase from the previous year.

It said the new international acquisitions of East Water in Thailand and PT Sarana Tirta Ungaran in Indonesia strengthened the billed volume base by more than 320 million cubic meters, enabling consolidated billed volume to breach the 1-billion-cubic-meter threshold.

Manila Water said 2018 marked a significant milestone with the positive conclusion to its rate rebasing exercise with the Metropolitan Water and Sewerage System. Manila Water secured a positive tariff adjustment of nearly 25 percent on the current basic tariff for the prevailing rate rebasing period.

The first tranche of the adjustment was implemented in October last year, with a P1.46 increase per cubic meter. Subsequent adjustments were also programmed for 2020 and 2021.

Business

Treasury sells P113.8b worth of retail bonds THE Bureau of the Treasury raised P113.8 billion on Tuesday from the sale of five-year retail treasury bonds.

Data showed the coupon rate settled at 6.25 percent amid the strong market demand for the initial offer of P30 billion. The auction was more than fourtimes oversubscribed as total bids hit P121.8 billion. The bureau rejected P8.035 billion.

“The offering was subsequently expanded from the initial P30 billion on offer to take advantage of the favorable rate and healthy market appetite,” the Treasury said.

“The 22nd tranche of RTBs have a five-year tenor and available to the investing public between Feb. 26 and March 8 at minimum denomination of P5,000,” it said.

The government has been issuing RTBs as a part of its efforts to promote financial literacy and wellness among Filipinos by making investments in government securities more accessible to the public.

RTBs are generally considered lowrisk for investors, allowing them to earn a fixed interest based on prevailing market rates and are paid quarterly during the term of the bond. In 2018, the BTr offered RTBs in May. “The resounding success of our RTB issuances highlights the increasing awareness of Filipinos on investment opportunities that do not only help them realize their personal goals but also allow them to directly partake in building our nation,” National Treasurer Rosalia De Leon said in a statement. Julito G. Rada

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

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BDO’s profit jumps 17% to P32.7b

By Julito G. Rada

B

DO Unibank Inc., the country’s largest lender controlled by the Sy family, said Tuesday net income jumped 17 percent in 2018 to a record P32.7 billion from P28.1 billion in 2017, on the sustained strength of its core businesses.

BDO said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the 2018 net profit also surpassed the P31-billion guidance set by the bank for the year.

“The bank likewise capped another milestone as the first Philippine bank to breach the P3-trillion mark in total assets,” the bank said.

“Leading the bank’s performance was the solid growth in its core lending and deposit-taking businesses,” it said.

“BDO is well positioned to take advantage of market opportunities and strengthen its leadership position in the industry by leveraging on its strong business franchise and extensive distribution network,” it said.

Gross customer loans rose 15 percent to P2 trillion on healthy increases across all segments, while total deposits

went up 14 percent to P2.4 trillion, with the low-cost Casa ratio at 70 percent.

This resulted in the 20-percent expansion in net interest income to P98.3 billion as net interest margin improved to 3.64 percent from 3.48 percent in 2017.

Non-interest income reached P49.7 billion, with fee-based income contributing P30.7 billion and insurance premiums up 20 percent. Overall, gross operating income grew 15 percent to P148 billion.

Operating expenses increased 16 percent to P98 billion, in line with the bank’s sustained investments in branch network and strategic initiatives.

The bank said excluding taxes and licenses which grew 41 percent as a result of higher business volumes and

increased documentary stamp taxes under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion law, operating expenses would have grown by 13 percent.

The bank remained prudent and set aside P6.3 billion in provisions even as non-performing loans ratio improved to 1 percent from 1.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017. NPL cover was higher at 183 percent compared to 146 percent a year ago.

The bank’s capital base reached P328.1 billion, with capital adequacy ratio and common equity tier 1 ratio at 13.7 percent and 12.1 percent, respectively, both above regulatory levels.

BDO has more than 1,200 consolidated operating branches and more than 4,000 ATMs nationwide. It also has 24 overseas remittance and representative offices, including full-service branches in Hong Kong and Singapore in Asia, Europe, North America and the Middle East.

BDO ranked as the largest bank in terms of total assets, loans, deposits and trust funds under management based on published statements of condition as of Dec. 31, 2018.

Avila Land launches three Makati towers

AVIDA Land, the mid-range brand of property developer Ayala Land Inc., launched a three-tower residential project in Makati City where it expects to raise P4.3 billion from the sales of the first tower.

Avida Land said the launch of Avida Towers Makati Southpoint would strengthen its residential portfolio in the country’s main central business district.

Makati Southpoint’s first tower will rise 32 stories along Don Chino Roces Ave. in Barangay Bangkal, where the former warehouse of Wyeth Philippines was situated. It will feature 924 residential units ranging in size from studio units at 23.3 square meters to 1-bedroom units at 38.2 sqm. Price per unit ranges from P4.4 million to P8.5 million.

Makati Southpoint will be selling at P197,000 per sqm, representing an average of about 170 percent increase in residential unit values per sqm since Avida began its developments in the city.

Makati is Avida’s strongest residential territories since 2007, garnering over P11.5 billion in sales.

“We expect Makati to contribute 8 percent of our residential revenues this year.

Our success here will continue with Makati Southpoint, which will fulfill the need of a changing market,” said Raquel Cruz, Avida vice president and head of corporate planning group. Jenniffer B. Austria

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

NICKEL INDUSTRY UNITY. The Philippine Nickel Industry Association teams up with the European Chamber of Commerce and the Electronic Vehicles Association of the Philippines for pioneering ‘Nickel Initiative 2019: Shaping Tomorrow, Together’ conference. Attending the event are (from left) Paul Tan of Carrascal Nickel Corp.; ECCP executive director Florian Gottein, CTP Construction and Mining Corp. president and chief executive Clarence Pimentel Jr., Marcventures Holdings and PNIA chairman Isidro Alcantara Jr., Platinum Group Metals Corp. and PNIA president Dante Bravo, eVAP president Edmund Araga and DMCI Mining Corp. president Cesar Simbulan.

Hong Kong anti-corruption agency releases Okada HONG KONG’S Independent Commission Against Corruption unconditionally released casino magnate Kazuo Okada, the camp of the Japanese businessman said Tuesday.

Cheng Huan, Okada’s legal counsel in Hong Kong, said in a statement Okada went to ICAC office on Feb. 22 upon an invitation and was given his unconditional release on the same day. The office returned the bail that Okada posted, the lawyer said.

Cheng said Okada would no longer be required by ICAC to report to the anticorruption agency.

Huan said that with his release, Okada would focus on his legal battle to regain

control of his company Okada Holdings Inc. As 99-percent owner of OHL, Okada earlier maintained that he had 68-percent ownership of Universal Entertainment Corp., the parent company of Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. which is the operator of hotel and casino complex Okada Manila.

Okada and his daughter Hiromi earlier filed civil and criminal proceedings in Hong Kong to regain control of OHL. They also sought to secure criminal convictions for fraud and financial crimes against those responsible for the casino magnate’s illegal ouster as director and/ or chairman of Okada Holdings, UEC, Tiger Resort and OHL in 2017.

Among those charged by the Okadas were Kazuo Okada’s son Tomohiro Okada and Jun Fujimoto, the current president and chief executive of UEC. The Japanese gaming tycoon was reportedly arrested by Hong Kong’s anticorruption agency over an alleged conspiracy to commit fraud against his own company in August 2018. This was denied by Okada’s camp.

Okada Manila is a large casino resort complex in Parañaque City.

UEC, through unit TRLEI, disclosed plans to list its shares in the Philippine Stock Exchange after acquiring Asiabest Group International Inc., a dormant listed company. Jenniffer B. Austria

Villar Group to launch P20-b condo projects

By Jenniffer B. Austria PROPERTY developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. on Tuesday announced plans to launch P20 billion worth of affordable condominium units under the newlyformed Camella Condo Homes or Coho brand.

Vista Land said in a statement the initial batch of Coho projects would include 32 mid-rise buildings across 25 locations.

Coho projects are affordable and high-quality mid-rise residential buildings located in highly urbanized cities.

Vista Land said the Coho projects would cater primarily to the end-user market and elevate the lifestyle of young professionals and start-up families.

Featuring the same brand pillars that made Camella one of the leading and preferred residential brands, Vista Land said Coho would go beyond providing a distinct and new lifestyle in a community that’s friendly and nurturing. It is anchored in Vista Land’s integrated property development – “Communicities”.

“For over four decades, Camella has been providing quality and affordable homes to Filipinos, and now expanding its market reach with the launch of Camella Coho not just in the Metro but across the Philippines,” said Vista Land chairman Manuel Villar.

“Coho is a perfect blend of comfort and convenience of condo living and the warmth of a friendly, nurturing community at an affordable price,” he said.

Coho will be available in 25 locations across the country such as Antipolo, Bacolod, Bacoor, Baliuag, Bataan, Bohol, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Caloocan, Davao City, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Imus, Las Piñas, Legazpi, Lipa, Mactan, Palawan, Pampanga, Subic, Tagaytay, Taguig, Tagum and Talisay.

Vista Land has been aggressive with its projects developments in a bid to sustain its growth momentum.

The company has built almost half a million homes in projects located across 47 provinces in 145 cities and municipalities all over the Philippines. Its commercial leasing portfolio has also grown to more than 1.16 million square meters of gross floor area.

Vista Land raised P10 billion from the issuance of fixed-rate bonds in December. Proceeds from the bond offering will primarily be used to finance mall expansion.

Air passengers rose 10% to 54.1m in 2018

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Philippine air travel market expanded 10 percent in 2018 from a year ago, as more international and domestic passengers traveled to different destinations across the country.

Data from the Civil Aeronautics Board showed Tuesday that total passenger traffic increased in 2018 to 54.14 million from 49.18 million in 2017.

Domestic passenger traffic reached 27.28 million last year, up 10 percent from 24.81 million in 2017.

Cebu Pacific remained the country’s leading domestic airline with 12.26 million passengers in 2018, up from 11.95 million in 2017.

Cebgo, Cebu Pacific’s subsidiary, also flew 1.69 million passengers last year, down from 1.77 million passengers in 2017. This was followed by PAL Express which carried 6.46 million

last year, up from 5.94 million in 2017.

Philippines AirAsia served 4.59 million passengers, up from 3.44 million passengers a year ago.

Philippine Airlines carried 1.73 million domestic passengers last year, up from 1.26 million passengers in 2017.

Magnum Air and Air Juan Aviation carried 259,957 passengers and 33,403 passengers, respectively.

Meanwhile, international passenger traffic grew 10.3 percent in 2018 to 26.86 million from 24.37 million in 2017. Of the total, domestic airlines carried 14.43 million passengers, while foreign airlines flew 12.42 million passengers.

PAL was the number one airline in the international market with 7.44 million passengers last year, up from 6.88 million passengers in 2017. Cebu Pacific came second with 5.02 million passengers last year, up from 4.74 million in 2017.

RETIREMENT PLAN. Saint Louis University taps Insular Life to provide a secured retirement plan for its employees via InLife’s Comprehensive Group Plan, a unique product that integrates retirement fund management and life insurance protection in one. Shown during the signing ceremony are (seated from left) InLife first vice president and head of corporate sales Carlito Lucas, senior executive vice president and head of agency distribution Raoul Antonio Littaua, SLU president Fr. Gilbert Sales and SLU vice president for finance and corporate treasurer Dr. Noel De Leon.

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Business

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks gain; BDO, PNB advance

T

HE stock market rose Tuesday at it played catchup with the rest of the region after Monday’s holiday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index gained 26.03 points, or 0.3 percent, to 7,988.16 on a value turnover of P10.9 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 104 to 91, with 51 issues unchanged.

BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, added 1.6 percent to P131 after reporting a 17-percent jump in net profit in 2018 to a record P32.7 billion from P28.1 billion in 2017.

Philippine National Bank of tobacco and airline tycoon Lucio Tan, the fifth largest bank, advanced 5.9 percent to P51.15, while EEI Corp., a construction company surged 20.1 percent to P9.80.

Megawide Construction Corp. ad-

vanced 4.7 percent to P19.78.

The rest of Asian markets fell Tuesday as investors struggled to maintain momentum from the previous day’s trade talks-fueled surge, while the pound extended gains following reports of a possible Brexit delay.

Donald Trump’s decision to waive this week’s deadline for China-US negotiations and his upbeat tone on their progress lit a fire under regional equities Monday on hopes the long-running dispute could be nearing its end.

However, while dealers are hopeful the two sides will reach an agreement, there is some skepticism about how much they can resolve, while some observers warned that failure to meet market expectations could lead to a sharp drop in global equities following a strong start to the year.

“The emerging shape and tone of the negotiations do not portend a reso-

dropped payloads.

New Delhi later said an air strike had been carried out on a camp where militants were preparing an attack on India, almost two weeks after more than 40 Indian paramilitaries were killed in the region.

On currency markets, sterling rose further after a report that Prime Minister Theresa May is considering putting off the March 29 deadline for Britain to leave the European Union if she is unable to push her own deal through parliament, in a bid to avert a painful no-deal divorce.

“Following the report, a possibility emerged that the UK parliament and the government will move towards extending the deadline, and that sent the pound to the highest level since January against the dollar, and the highest against the yen this year,” Mizuho Securities said in a commentary. With AFP

lution of many pending issues per se,” said Aninda Mitra, an analyst at BNY Mellon Investment Management.

“Notwithstanding the relief in Chinese markets and an expected improvement in global risk sentiment, the bilateral trade relationship will remain complicated.”

Shanghai sank 0.7 percent Tuesday after the previous day’s 5.6-percent surge, while Hong Kong slipped 0.8 percent in the afternoon and Tokyo ended down 0.4 percent.

Sydney sank almost one percent and Singapore was 0.4 percent off, with Seoul 0.3 percent lower, Wellington down 0.2 percent and Taipei flat.

Jakarta was down while Mumbai gave up 0.6 percent and the rupee dropped a similar amount following news that Indian warplanes had crossed into Pakistani airspace across the ceasefire line in Kashmir and

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2019

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

59.35 86.9 2.23 130.6 27.5 17.96 12.58 4.4 0.64 1.51 800 0.49 82 1.04 13.98 21.55 48 185.5 59.2 26.5 174 1,805 62 1.14

59.35 86.9 2.3 131.3 27.65 18.12 12.8 4.49 0.64 1.51 800 0.49 82 1.06 14 21.55 51.5 185.5 59.5 26.55 174 1,820 62 1.14

59.35 84.65 2.23 129.8 27.5 17.96 12.54 4.37 0.62 1.49 800 0.465 78.7 1.01 13.98 21.55 48 185.5 59.2 26.45 170.6 1,805 61.55 1.14

FINANCIALS 59.35 1,280 84.9 2,648,830 2.3 11,000 131 7,463,910 27.5 56,700 18.12 51,100 12.72 296,900 4.49 104,000 0.64 225,000 1.5 35,000 800 200 0.47 670,000 79 2,386,770 1.01 1,080,000 14 55,800 21.55 100 51.15 10,202,200 185.5 360 59.3 1,160 26.5 424,600 171 233,940 1,820 40 61.55 14,560 1.14 30,000

75,968 225,993,715.50 24,600 975,330,552 1,561,185 921,180 3,754,828 456,290 139,800 52,480 160,000 314,750 189,196,811.50 1,108,240 780,326 2,155 504,062,280 66,780 68,770 11,248,900 40,111,920 72,350 897,965 34,200

72,407 -95,297,056.50 -95,378,536 -522,865 901,376 -1,785,520 -115,095,861 -154,580 212,625,220 -22,260 7,001,085 -2,543,749 -

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

37.2 16.7 1.04 1.53 0.25 2.39 16.2 128 29.9 16.9 39 71 71 1.94 6.1 6.42 11.52 16.1 8.78 7.51 21 74.65 26.75 3.26 9.49 12.6 1.77 313.4 4.4 3.69 12.08 27.25 12.2 18.9 375 0.203 6.1 1.45 3.75 6.77 8.88 1.32 11.7 48 5.97 4.74 1.37 12.48 104 6.4 0.13 1.17 149.9 3.05 1.72 1.38

37.2 16.72 1.08 1.53 0.25 2.51 16.5 128 29.9 16.9 39.3 72 74.1 1.95 6.4 6.5 11.54 16.1 10.1 7.67 21.3 76.8 27.7 3.42 9.55 12.84 1.77 316.8 4.4 3.69 12.08 27.25 12.4 19.8 375.6 0.214 6.17 1.47 3.85 6.87 8.88 1.33 12.26 48 6 4.74 1.4 12.5 104.1 6.8 0.13 1.17 150 3.05 1.72 1.38

36.15 16.3 1.03 1.46 0.241 2.38 15.84 128 29 16.8 39 71 71 1.88 6.1 6.42 11.46 15.88 8.78 7.51 20.9 74.65 26 3.25 9.48 12.52 1.73 310 4.4 3.69 11.5 26.7 12.06 18.88 369 0.2 6.1 1.4 3.75 6.76 8.88 1.32 11.7 47.75 5.97 4.7 1.37 12.46 102 6.37 0.13 1.1 146.6 2.85 1.69 1.36

INDUSTRIAL 36.95 872,500 16.3 308,300 1.06 1,355,000 1.48 1,864,000 0.244 4,590,000 2.49 9,856,000 16.14 827,200 128 520 29.9 272,600 16.8 1,200 39.2 71,100 71 800 74.1 70 1.88 118,000 6.4 17,100 6.44 9,400 11.5 2,712,400 16.06 134,000 9.8 24,976,700 7.52 191,200 21.1 945,800 74.95 94,260 26.1 404,100 3.42 27,724,000 9.48 566,900 12.6 546,000 1.73 75,000 315 924,040 4.4 2,000 3.69 4,000 11.5 33,700 26.85 174,300 12.14 505,900 19.78 10,074,900 375.6 236,590 0.205 3,250,000 6.15 10,600 1.4 10,878,000 3.8 268,000 6.82 2,945,100 8.88 300 1.32 3,029,000 12 250,900 47.95 217,800 6 95,600 4.7 187,000 1.39 62,000 12.5 40,200 103.5 429,300 6.4 601,000 0.13 50,000 1.1 837,000 149.4 747,800 2.9 237,000 1.7 1,513,000 1.36 1,158,000

32,079,240 5,123,908 1,434,110 2,789,800 1,120,760 24,289,440 13,282,890 66,560 8,051,095 20,180 2,781,215 56,900 5,032 228,880 104,340 60,474 31,197,660 2,137,344 241,042,361 1,437,137 20,019,545 7,073,472 10,529,070 93,625,230 5,379,294 6,916,074 130,460 289,745,428 8,800 14,760 397,768 4,687,365 6,146,924 197,232,452 88,269,664 668,930 65,167 15,423,070 1,020,400 20,068,089 2,664 4,003,650 2,962,946 10,430,155 571,409 879,130 85,120 501,668 44,431,692 3,863,531 6,500 931,210 111,740,967 686,260 2,567,440 1,578,460

7,408,760 2,222,186 47,200 -469,610 49,540 4,339,110 1,521,344 -265,195 -105,405 25,220 -1,884 -2,327,816 -269,510 -4,082,241 -1,042,913 15,292,270 -879,797.50 -3,457,090 2,883,904 3,714,514 46,202,524 -584,935 830,230 34,473,298.00 15,434,868 701,240 -11,400 -8,975,897 -229,152 -1,966,205 17,987 -150,430 78,490 -8,156,305 -69,340 46,328,398 -345,590 -

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG 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 JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG A LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOC RESOURCES SOLID GROUP SYNERGY GRID TOP FRONTIER WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.71 64.5 14.04 0.8 23.25 1.37 1.39 950 7.79 12.18 14.04 0.233 1,013 6.17 68.6 5.52 5.56 0.61 5.44 15.7 0.56 4.83 2.81 0.041 3 179 989 0.78 1.35 452 280 0.25 0.355

0.73 64.6 14.28 0.81 23.25 1.39 1.4 950 7.87 12.4 14.32 0.233 1,035 6.39 69.5 5.52 5.56 0.61 5.44 15.78 0.57 4.9 2.81 0.043 3.08 180 989 0.78 1.35 452 284 0.255 0.375

0.7 63.15 14.02 0.78 21.25 1.36 1.38 935 7.75 12.1 13.8 0.232 990 6.15 67.8 5.52 5.56 0.6 5.26 15.62 0.56 4.83 2.81 0.041 2.97 178.8 972 0.78 1.32 450 277.2 0.248 0.345

HOLDING FIRMS 0.72 7,943,000 64.6 823,100 14.2 7,827,700 0.78 357,000 22.15 98,500 1.37 5,615,000 1.39 539,000 945 240,380 7.87 2,188,400 12.32 4,914,500 13.8 1,281,200 0.233 200,000 998.5 82,760 6.3 282,500 69.5 5,162,680 5.52 2,000 5.56 600 0.6 2,000 5.29 131,200 15.7 2,868,700 0.56 153,000 4.89 14,074,000 2.81 5,000 0.042 44,000,000 3.03 2,601,000 180 3,090,920 985 175,300 0.78 10,000 1.35 418,000 450 150 284 145,550 0.25 2,520,000 0.37 51,310,000

5,640,540 53,106,138 110,728,588 281,880 2,142,180 7,709,260 749,370 226,874,760 17,086,312 60,174,466 17,953,462 46,480 83,771,177.50 1,757,625 356,917,571.50 11,040 3,336 1,210 695,492 45,080,848 85,730 68,632,100 14,050 1,826,400 7,867,420 556,047,723 172,841,105 7,800 553,690 67,590 40,770,712 629,610 18,611,450

-135,050 34,256,041.50 -20,527,168 87,835 8,842,420 -6,838,491 -11,835,994 991,968 11,130,290 -25,200 86,539,920.50 -202,497 6,486,850 20,301,660 379,790 -5,616,882 13,356,620 -529,390 -5,590 -661,950

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

12.06 0.82 10.3 1.9 0.89 44 2.57 4.12 0.52 0.91 0.9 0.25 0.425 10.42 22.4 0.54 1.53 1.27 5.3 0.43 0.46 2.13 0.485 2.95

12.06 0.82 10.6 1.95 0.92 45 2.6 4.3 0.52 0.93 0.92 0.25 0.455 10.44 22.6 0.54 1.53 1.33 5.33 0.435 0.46 2.21 0.485 2.97

11.62 0.81 10.3 1.83 0.88 44 2.56 4.12 0.49 0.89 0.9 0.25 0.415 10.12 22.35 0.52 1.52 1.27 5.27 0.425 0.46 2.08 0.47 2.85

18,760,960 586,760 10,350 367,590 1,123,490 788,121,535 3,008,570 3,420,640 4,628,570 91,310 122,780 665,000 1,627,100 11,648,766 5,091,415 878,220 3,852,790 5,235,120 123,985,232 5,508,900 27,600 10,781,790 153,050 490,040

-5,896,196 179,797,240 128,550 -692,120 45,000 -10,800 -700 48,816 4,925 -481,240 -467,100 11,670 54,215,782 215,000 -55,330 -4,850 -

NAME

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

PTFC REDEV CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

46.5 23.9 2.01 3.1 39.5 1.46 6.74 0.8 7.39

46.5 23.95 2.03 3.15 39.5 1.47 6.74 0.8 7.55

40 23.25 2 3.1 38.85 1.4 6.4 0.76 7.31

45 23.85 2.02 3.15 39.35 1.45 6.47 0.8 7.5

500 2,658,600 155,000 13,000 6,355,800 994,000 321,000 51,000 35,560,900

22,450 63,144,915 311,700 40,520 250,107,600 1,421,410 2,095,084 39,680 266,457,266

-1,619,055 159,009,850 -129,004,275

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC EASYCALL FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN BRIA HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL INTL CONTAINER IPEOPLE ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN METRO RETAIL METROALLIANCE A METROALLIANCE B NOW CORP PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG PH RESORTS GRP 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

12.86 22.85 1.3 0.445 0.049 15.78 2.99 12.3 0.072 85.75 8 6.17 7.24 14.96 891 1,919 5.73 349.6 2.97 1.95 117.5 11.14 0.131 5.9 3.08 15.78 3.3 0.95 19.56 0.69 3.05 2.09 2 3.11 9.25 11.52 5.17 131.6 3.22 1,117 1.01 1.41 49 87 8.8 2.26 0.74 0.445 5.63 0.7 14.22

12.86 22.85 1.35 0.45 0.05 15.78 2.99 12.32 0.072 87.75 8 6.17 7.24 15.1 891 1,919 5.74 360 2.97 1.95 121.6 11.18 0.135 5.95 3.08 15.8 3.36 0.95 19.58 0.7 3.08 2.09 2 3.11 9.26 11.52 5.2 133.9 3.22 1,120 1.03 1.43 49.65 88.25 8.8 2.28 0.74 0.45 5.63 0.7 14.9

12.62 22.1 1.28 0.44 0.047 14.28 2.9 12.1 0.068 84.8 8 6.06 7.24 14.9 891 1,862 5.7 349.6 2.83 1.93 117.5 11.14 0.129 5.81 3.07 15.76 3.3 0.9 19.3 0.62 2.96 2.03 2 3.01 9.25 11.1 5.05 131.6 3.15 1,081 0.99 1.32 49 85.5 8.8 2.25 0.72 0.44 5.53 0.69 14.22

SERVICES 12.74 22.35 1.28 0.44 0.049 15 2.92 12.2 0.068 87.75 8 6.1 7.24 14.98 891 1,900 5.73 360 2.85 1.93 119.6 11.18 0.131 5.88 3.07 15.8 3.32 0.9 19.44 0.65 3.04 2.04 2 3.06 9.26 11.48 5.17 133 3.16 1,098 1.01 1.33 49.5 87.75 8.8 2.27 0.72 0.445 5.57 0.69 14.76

27,600 57,400 100,000 2,690,000 14,640,000 2,342,200 324,000 6,672,500 118,640,000 56,920 1,700 644,400 300 60,100 1,860 40,995 147,300 1,080 956,000 39,000 4,119,730 800 5,000,000 3,347,700 10,000 25,700 386,000 3,000 254,500 6,120,000 1,743,000 143,000 6,000 1,058,000 4,200 45,100 119,400 115,590 653,000 118,345 25,156,000 37,324,000 4,066,400 323,450 2,800 4,729,000 1,404,000 10,560,000 189,200 2,401,000 5,070,400

350,506 1,282,190 129,870 1,192,200 703,120 35,134,416 947,760 81,577,104 8,207,310 4,903,095 13,600 3,924,663 2,172 899,336 1,657,260 77,837,825 842,148 387,096 2,739,890 75,390 494,245,804 8,916 651,140 19,643,970 30,790 405,568 1,285,560 2,750 4,924,328 3,998,670 5,297,510 292,210 12,000 3,217,280 38,890 509,322 610,445 15,223,699 2,068,120 129,811,135 25,396,800 50,556,710 201,271,870 28,388,126 24,640 10,711,860 1,028,240 4,695,100 1,053,083 1,663,420 74,268,496

8,800 0 -32,250 869,140 2,465,731 18,280 2,172 3,664,595 52,071,017 3,930 168,938 -10,100 -1,879,282.00 592,240 -12,240 173,797 25,025,875 552,550 -1,395,560 86,063,525 13,305,336.50 2,385,170 -31,730 -429,150 -308,106 -833,500 -1,411,892

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

0.0021 1.51 3.03 13.3 2.19 7.78 1.5 0.28 0.126 0.133 0.009 0.0092 1.08 2.83 1.09 0.65 1 0.012 0.012 3.47 4.18 14.72 22.75 0.008

0.0021 1.56 3.08 13.78 2.22 8 1.53 0.28 0.129 0.133 0.0097 0.0092 1.09 2.87 1.09 0.66 1 0.013 0.013 3.47 4.21 15.24 23.15 0.0081

0.002 1.5 2.97 13.3 2.18 7.78 1.48 0.26 0.126 0.133 0.009 0.0092 1.06 2.79 1.06 0.62 0.99 0.012 0.012 3.2 4.13 14.72 22.75 0.0079

MINING & OIL 0.0021 286,000,000 1.52 1,008,000 2.97 17,000 13.7 17,600 2.2 460,000 8 300 1.52 2,959,000 0.27 3,830,000 0.128 600,000 0.133 500,000 0.0097 7,000,000 0.0092 3,000,000 1.09 148,000 2.87 1,979,000 1.09 203,000 0.65 1,095,000 0.99 557,000 0.013 55,700,000 0.013 3,500,000 3.21 73,000 4.17 1,109,000 15.04 1,477,600 22.9 727,700 0.0081 20,000,000

595,400 1,541,790 51,620 238,944 1,008,250 2,356 4,453,470 1,003,850 76,780 66,500 64,400 27,600 158,270 5,599,630 215,300 693,210 552,590 674,900 43,300 235,600 4,602,010 22,216,418 16,661,680 159,800

-618,120 -2,970 763,560 1,645,050 -44,100 133,550 1,604,720 -3,100,930 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PNX PREF 3A SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

20.1 481 97 103 900 96 0.99 100 985 102 1.7 75.45 76.1 73 74.5 74.5 72.65 73

20.1 490 97 103 900 96 1 100 985 102 1.7 75.45 76.5 73 74.5 74.5 72.65 73

20.1 481 96.5 102 900 96 0.99 100 971 101 1.7 75.45 76.1 73 74.2 74 72.25 72.8

PREFERRED 20.1 22,100 490 140 96.8 21,900 103 23,010 900 1,110 96 350 1 95,000 100 18,280 971 1,240 101 6,510 1.7 9,000 75.45 20 76.5 18,990 73 100 74.5 27,940 74 13,410 72.25 2,120 72.8 32,250

444,210 68,080 2,121,266 2,363,330 999,000 33,600 94,700 1,828,000 1,210,960 657,520 15,300 1,509 1,449,235 7,300 2,078,780 992,345 153,527 2,347,820

-14,430 29,700 -

LR WARRANT

1.96

1.98

1.94

WARRANTS 1.97 76,000

149,380

-

MS

PROPERTY 11.78 0.81 10.5 1.94 0.9 44.95 2.57 4.29 0.5 0.91 0.92 0.25 0.445 10.14 22.35 0.52 1.53 1.29 5.31 0.43 0.46 2.19 0.485 2.92

1,589,200 720,000 1,000 194,000 1,255,000 17,597,900 1,170,000 803,000 9,239,000 100,000 135,000 2,660,000 3,680,000 1,140,700 226,700 1,667,000 2,524,000 4,027,000 23,354,700 12,890,000 60,000 5,021,000 320,000 171,000

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

OPEN

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS

4.88 2.9 1.52

4.88 2.9 1.52

4.74 2.9 1.42

FIRST METRO ETF

118.2

118.2

118

USD DMPL A1 USD TECH B2

10.04 1

TRADING SUMMARY

10.1 1

SHARES

FINANCIAL

27,931,192

INDUSTRIAL

135,517,782

HOLDING FIRMS

161,207,681

PROPERTY

151,410,885

SERVICES

265,405,441

MINING & OIL

392,675,989

GRAND TOTAL

1,150,578,274

10.04 1

4.8 2.9 1.42

SME

426,000 1,000 15,997,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 118.2 4,330 10.1 1

DDS

2,800 50,000

2,034,470 2,900 23,196,760

-14,340 -1,228,500

511,513

-

28,130 50,000

-

VALUE 1,747.04 (down) 7.64 2,121,775,127.525 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,722.65 (up) 44.48 2,625,923,477.49 HOLDING FIRMS 8,069.37 (up) 48.45 2,218,073,430.27 PROPERTY 4,069.47 (up) 23.79 SERVICES 1,584.20 (up) 5.81 2,215,722,851.805 MINING & OIL 8,680.15 (up) 70.30 1,659,009,393.51 PSEI 7,988.16 (up) 26.03 60,968,699.94 All Shares Index 4,896.11 (up) 12.28 10,927,222,073.25 Gainers: 91; Losers: 104; Unchanged: 51; Total: 246

RCBC says 2018 income flat at P4.3b RIZAL Commercial Banking Corp., the 10th-largest lender in terms of assets, said Tuesday net income in 2018 was flat at P4.3 billion.

The bank said in a statement it sustained core business growth with net interest income increasing by 14 percent to P20.5 billion in 2018, accounting for 77 percent of the total gross profit.

Excluding non-recurring income (trading gains), core income rose 26 percent from the previous year, led by a double-digit growth in net interest income by 14 percent and fee-based profit by 7 percent.

The bank’s combined net interest and fee-based income now comprise 91 percent of the gross income.

“The quality of core earnings continued to improve with robust growth in net interest income and fee income.

The bank’s balance sheet position is now stronger than ever. The success of the stock rights offering is just an affirmation of RCBC’s viability and long-term growth prospect,” RCBC president and chief executive Gil Buenaventura said.

The bank’s capital position at P81.4 billion remained robust and well above the minimum regulatory requirement with a CAR of 16.13 percent and CET1 Ratio of 13.38 percent.

Strong accrual income comes mainly from customer loans with net loans and receivables expanding 12 percent to P398.3 billion. All strategic segments sustained their growth.

Gross income reached P26.5 billion with total non-interest income reaching P6.1 billion or 23 percent of gross income. Fee-based income, which includes card related fees—both credit and debit cards—trust fees, and charges on investment banking and loans, accounted for 14 percent of the gross income.

The bank continued to strengthen its balance sheet ending the year with total assets of P644.8 billion, up 16 percent year-on-year. The assets were principally funded by the increases in deposits, bonds payable, and proceeds from stock rights offerings.

Total deposits grew P35 billion year-on-year to P423.4 billion. CASA reached P230.3 billion as of end-December 2018. Julito G. Rada

Global -Estate starts new tower in Southwoods

By Jenniffer B. Austria GLOBAL-ESTATE Resorts Inc., the estate development unit of Megaworld Corp., has started building a new residential tower in the 561-hectare Southwoods City township.

Geri said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the second residential tower of the Tulips Garden called the Burgundy Tower would be 22-story high, offering 361 residential units ranging from studio, with sizes of up to 24.5 square meters, to one-bedroom with a balcony, with sizes of up to 41.5 square meters.

The project, which is estimated to generate P1.3 billion in sales, followed the successful take-up of the first tower in July last year.

“The interest of buyers in Southwoods City is overwhelming, and this has been the trend since we introduced our first residential development, the Holland Park, three years ago,” said Megaworld Global-Estate Inc. vice president for sales and marketing Rachelle Peñaflorida.

Strategically located within a walking distance to Southwoods Mall and the Sto. Niño de Cebu Parish, the Tulip Gardens Burgundy Tower will enjoy a community lifestyle setting surrounded by landscaped and manicured gardens.

It will also have amenities such as jogging paths, adult and kiddie pools, pool deck and cabanas, fitness center, active zone for kids that include an indoor playroom and outdoor playground, and an expansive multi-purpose hall for bigger functions and gatherings.

The Burgundy Tower is scheduled for completion in 2024.

Southwoods City is 30 minutes away from the Makati Central Business District and the bustling business districts of Fort Bonifacio. It is also just 10 minutes away from the business districts of Alabang, and 45 minutes away from Tagaytay.

The company sold four towers of Holland Park with a total inventory of 622 units worth P2.7 billion from 2016 to 2017.

World

B3

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

House set to block Trump’s emergency

W

ASHINGTON―US House lawmakers on Tuesday are expected to pass a Democratic measure annulling President Donald Trump’s declared emergency on the southern border, an effort that appeared to earn growing support among Senate Republicans.

Trump’s February 15 emergency declaration gives him access to billions of dollars to construct his wall on the Mexican border, beyond the nearly $1.4 billion that Congress allocated for construction of border barriers.

But the House of Represen-

tatives, run since January by Democrats, has the support necessary to terminate the emergency, dealing a stern rebuke to a president controversially seeking to expand his executive powers.

Should the measure clear Congress and reach his desk,

Trump would be cornered into issuing the first veto of his presidency, an embarrassing development because the measure seeks to directly rein in the president’s authority.

The House vote, expected Tuesday afternoon, will serve to “defend our democracy,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Monday.

Trump’s top Democratic rival in Congress warned that his emergency order was tantamount to an unconstitutional attempt to seize executive authority by taking lawmaker’s power

Manila

Standard

to control how federal funds are spent.

“The president’s power grab usurps that responsibility and fundamentally violates the balance of power envisioned by our founders,” said Pelosi, who has noted that the measure already has 226 supporters in the 435-member body.

After clearing the House, the measure would receive a vote in the US Senate. Republicans control the chamber, 53-47, but several senators in Trump’s party returned to Washington after a one-week break to express deep

reservations about Trump’s end fense Department budget. run around Congress to obtain He has repeatedly declared that wall funding. rampant illegal immigration is Trump sought to head them off fuelling a border crisis, leading to early Monday, saying he hoped higher crime and strains on pubRepublicans “don’t get led down lic services. the path of weak and ineffective Two key groups -- dozens of Border Security.”

Republican former lawmakers, “Be strong and smart,” Trump and a bipartisan group of fortweeted. “Don’t fall into the mer national security officers Democrats ‘trap’ of Open Bor- including secretaries of defense ders and Crime!” and CIA directors -- spoke out Trump and the White House strongly against the emergency have pressed on with plans to declaration. repurpose more than $6 billion In open letters Monday, they from other sources, mostly al- warned of an abuse of the frameready-allocated funds in the De- work of the US Constitution. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK A. Firm Contracted Capacity Applicable Rate: 1. Dispatchable Reserve (DR): PhP0.85/Kw/hr

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

TODAY

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE ANCILLARY SERVICES PROCUREMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

B. Non-Firm Contracted Capacity Applicable Rate: 1. Black Start Service (BSS) Payment of service provided is based on hourly rate per occurence: BDPP = PhP1.7570/kWh + VOM + Actual Fuel Cost C.

Incidental Energy Cost

Cost of Incidental Energy ("IE") shall be computed using the formula below:

ERC CASE NO. 2018-120RC

IE = {[G* (AR + Fuel + VOM)] - REV WESM-G}

NATIONAL GRID CORPORATION OF THE PHILIPPINES AND SPC ISLAND POWER CORPORATION, Applicants.

X------------------------------------------------------X

14. Applicants submit that the rates represent a reasonable recovery of its opportunity cost in making available generation capacity to provide the procured AS. 15. The rates under ASPA was subjected to a simulation by NGCP, the results of which are as follows:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES:

DR BSS

Notice is hereby given that on 19 December 2018, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SPC Island Power Corporation (SIPC) filed an Application dated 13 December 2018, seeking the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

A copy of the Rate Impact Simulation is attached in the Application.

16. Consistent with the AS-CRM, all the related and incidental expenses which NGCP will incur as a result of the procurement and operation of the ancillary services shall be recovered from all the load customers in the Visayas.

In their Application, NGCP and SIPC alleged, among others, the following:

17. The ASPA shall be effective for a period of five (5) years, to commence immediately upon the effectivity of the provisional approval, or in the absence thereof, the final approval of the instant Application. In the event that the provisional or final approval, as the case may be, does not state a particular date of effectivity, the Agreement shall be effective on the date agreed upon by the Parties.

NATURE OF THE CASE 1.

This Application is for the approval of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement ("ASPA") between the NGCP and SIPC dated 20 November 2018, pursuant to the Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC entitled: "In the Matter of the Application for the Approval of Ancillary Services - Cost Recovery Mechanism (AS-CRM) of the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan, with Prayer for Provisional Authority."

18. SIPC, as a generation company, falls within the ambit of Sections 6 of the EPIRA. Attached are copies of relevant documents proving SIPC's due registration as a generation company, relevant permits to operate the Generation Facility and audited financial statements, as follows:

THE PARTIES

OSCAR PARTY. Camila Morrone attends the 2019 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 24, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. AFP

Kim Jong Un arrives in Hanoi for nuke summit with Trump HANOI—Kim Jong Un arrived in Hanoi to throngs of cheering, flag-waving crowds Tuesday, on the eve of a second summit with Donald Trump the world is closely watching for tangible progress over North Korea’s nuclear program.

After a historic initial meeting in Singapore in June that produced only a vague statement about denuclearization, analysts say the second date must deliver more concrete steps towards dismantling Pyongyang’s arsenal.

The normally sleepy Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang spruced itself up for Kim’s arrival after the young leader’s 4,000-kilometer, two-and-a-half-day odyssey through China aboard his olive green train.

A military guard of honor in pristine white uniforms presented arms as Kim strolled down the red carpet waving and grinning, surrounded by a phalanx of aides and security personnel.

Local official Hoang Thi Thuy said she had waited in the cold rain since before dawn for a glimpse of Kim, the first North Korean leader to visit fellow one-party state Vietnam since his grandfather Kim Il Sung in 1964.

“I was so excited when we were told to stand in place for the arrival of the train,” she told AFP. “We saw the leader from afar. I felt so happy, it’s hard to describe.”

Wearing his trademark Mao-style black suit and flanked by his troops of bodyguards, Kim was ushered into a waiting MercedesBenz and his motorcade rolled off towards Hanoi, where armored personnel carriers patrolled the roads amid ultra-tight security. AFP

IN BRIEF Cubans back new constitution HAVANA―Cubans voted overwhelmingly in favor of constitutional reforms that cement the role of socialism in the island nation, the electoral commission said Monday.

Some 6.8 million people, or more than 86 percent of voters, supported the changes in Sunday’s referendum, while only 766,400, or nine percent, voted against.

A total of 7.8 million people took part in the vote, with just over four percent of ballots blank or invalid.

“The constitution has been ratified by the majority of citizens,” electoral commission president Alina Balseiro told a news conference.

“Cubans have said #YesForCuba and #YesForTheRevolution,” Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez tweeted.

“It’s an overwhelming response to the unbelievers who from Washington talked about the end of #Socialism, with policies that failed for more than 60 years. “#Cuba keeps going, always free, revolutionary and socialist.”

US President Donald Trump had said earlier this month that the leftist ideology is “dying.”

But academic and former diplomat Carlos Alzugaray had told AFP that Trump’s words would serve only to galvanize the “yes” vote as people “defend their independence against the US threat.”

The constitutional reforms ratify socialism’s “irrevocable” role as the national ideology and replaces the 1976 constitution, a move criticized by the Catholic and evangelical churches. AFP

2.

Applicant NGCP is a corporation created and existing under the laws of the Philippines, with office address at NGCP Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City. It holds a franchise under Republic Act No. 95111 to engage in the business of conveying or transmitting electricity through highvoltage back-bone systems of interconnected transmission lines, substations and related facilities, and for other purposes. The franchise also includes the conduct of activities necessary to support the safe and reliable operation of the transmission system.

3.

Applicant SIPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines with principal place of business at 7th Floor Citibank Center, 8741 Paseo de Roxas, Makati City. It may be served with orders, notices, and other legal processes through its undersigned counsel.

It is the owner and operator of the Bohol Diesel Power Plant ("Generation Facility") located at Barangay Dampas Tagbiliran City, Bohol which was certified and accredited by NGCP to be capable of providing Ancillary Services ("AS") in the forms of Dispatchable Reserve ("DR") and Black Start Service ("BSS").

Annex “D” “E” “F” “G” “H” “I”

While SIPC is a co-applicant, it manifests that the instant Application shall neither modify, diminish or constitute a waiver of SIPC's rights nor expand its obligations and responsibilities as a generation company under EPIRA. ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 19. It is a declared policy of the State to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power (Section 2(b), EPIRA). To this end, there is a need to comply with the system requirements for AS to ensure grid system security and reliability. As mentioned above, NGCP has the mandate to procure the required AS.

Republic Act No. 9136 ("EPIRA") provides that it is the responsibility of NGCP to ensure and maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the nationwide electrical grid in accordance with the performance standards for its operations and maintenance, as set forth in the Philippine Grid Code ("PGC")2, adopted and promulgated by the Honorable Commission, and to adequately serve generation companies, distribution utilities and suppliers requiring transmission service and/or ancillary services through the transmission system.3

20. As mentioned above, the Honorable Commission has already declared that there is a necessity for NGCP to procure the contracted ancillary services capacity of SIPC to maintain the reliability of the operation of the transmission system and electricity supply in the Visayas Grid.

21. SIPC must continue to provide the current contracted ancillary services beyond the 2013 ASPA to maintain the reliability of the power grid. Based on the current levels of available contracted AS in the Visayas Grid, the firm contracted AS have not yet met the required levels of the ASPP. The copies of the relevant actual data and its corresponding graphical presentations showing the required and available levels of AS in the Visayas Grid, entitled: Visayas Dispatchable Reserve Availability is attached in the Application.

5.

Similarly, the PGC provides that NGCP is responsible for determining, acquiring, and dispatching the capacity needed to supply the required Grid AS and for developing and proposing Wheeling Charges and AS tariffs to the ERC.4

6.

AS as defined in Section 4(b) of the EPIRA "refer to those services that are necessary to support the transmission of capacity and energy from resources to loads while maintaining reliable operation of the transmission system in accordance with good utility practice and the Grid Code to be adopted in accordance with this Act." These services are essential in ensuring reliability in the operation of the transmission system and consequently, in the reliability of the electricity supply in the Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao grids.

22. NGCP must be guaranteed that there are available AS on a daily basis to assure reliability of the grid. There is no assurance that the non-firm capacities would be available when needed. NGCP cannot gamble on this chance. As the grid operator, the contracted capacity of SIPC, especially its firm capacities, are greatly needed.

7.

In order to implement and regulate the procurement of AS, the Honorable Commission approved the Ancillary Services Procurement Plan ("ASPP") through its Order dated 9 March 2006 in ERC Case No. 2002-253 and the Ancillary Services-Cost Recovery Mechanism ("AS-CRM") through its Decision dated 3 October 2007 in ERC Case No. 2006-049RC.

24. Also, as the demand for power in the Visayas increases, the requirements of the system to ensure stability, reliability and security likewise increases. Ensuring the integrity of the system is essential to protect the interests of the public. The absence of system reliability and stability will certainly discourage investments and growth.

8.

Pursuant to its mandate, NGCP on different dates published in newspapers of general circulation a Notice of Invitation for Prospective Ancillary Services Providers, inviting all grid-connected merchant plants and independent power producers to participate in the provision of ancillary services.

9.

On 4 September 2013, the Applicants filed an application for the approval of its ASPA dated 18 April 2013 docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-181RC. Through the Order dated 11 November 2013, the Honorable Commission provisionally approved the application, viz:.

25. Applicants respectfully submit that the immediate approval of the ASPA by this Honorable Commission is a necessity to maintain the reliability, adequacy, security, stability and integrity of the Visayas Grid. In support of these allegations, NGCP submits a copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Engr. Lisaflor Bacani-Kater of the Revenue and Regulatory Affairs Department of NGCP, which is attached in the Application.

"The Commission believes that the contracted Ancillary Services capacity is needed to augment the deficiency in the Ancillary Services reserve capacity. This will ensure reliability in the operation of the transmission system and the electricity supply in the Visayas Grid.

Venezuelans trapped along border CUCUTA, Colombia―Some Venezuelans are living in limbo across the border in Colombia, trapped after a failed effort to bring humanitarian aid into their country.

That weekend drive turned violent as supporters of the opposition clashed with Venezuelan security forces on the borders with Colombia and Brazil, leaving four people dead.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro later shut down four bridges that cross the frontier into Colombia.

So some Venezuelans who came across to volunteer in the aid shipment effort, or who work in Colombia but live in Venezuela, are suddenly trapped on the Colombian side.

One of those volunteers is Nicolasa Gil, 71, who says she does not mind having to sleep on the streets of the border town of Cucuta.

“What scares me is going over into my country, because we are safer here than there,” she told AFP. She recalled how she and other volunteers were trying to cross one of the bridges over the weekend with trucks carrying food and medicine and all hell broke loose at the midway point of the span when Venezuelan riot police intervened.

“As soon as we reached that point, they attacked us with tear gas and we had to leave the trucks. Those animals burned them,” said Gil. Gil said she had not been home to her native Venezuelan state of Merida since Saturday because she heeded opposition leader and self-declared interim president Juan Guaido’s call for people to go into Colombia and bring back mainly US aid that has been stockpiled at the border. AFP

Documents Certificate of Compliance Summary of Existing Power Supply Agreement Articles of Incorporation Latest Security Exchange Commission - General Information Sheet Latest Audited Financial Statement WESM Registration

ANTECEDENT FACTS 4.

Indicative Rate Impact P/kW-mo P/kWh Equivalent 8.8006 0.0187 0.0871 0.0002

An initial evaluation of the instant application discloses that the ASPA entered into by and between NGCP and SIPC will redound to the benefit of the consumers in terms of continuous, reliable, efficient and affordable power supply as mandated by the EPIRA [Section 2. Declaration of Policy - (b) "to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power].

WHEREFORE, the foregoing premises considered, the Commission hereby PROVISIONALLY APPROVES the application filed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) and SPC Island Power Corporation (SIPC) for the approval of their Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement (ASPA), subject to the following conditions: xxx”

23. Thus, NGCP and SIPC agreed to execute another ASPA for a period of another five years. With this ASPA, the Visayas Grid is assured of AS until 2023.

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, Applicants respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

A.

Firm Contracted Capacity: Dispatchable Reserve (Tertiary Reserve) - up to 16.2MW Unit 4.0MW Unit 4.0MW

B.

1

-

Unit 3 - 4.2MW

2

-

Unit 4 - 4.0MW

b)

APPROVE, after notice and hearing, the subject ASPA

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 13 March 2019 (Wednesday) at two o'clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.) at Metro Center Hotel Bohol, C. P. Garcia North Avenue, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner's name and address;

2)

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

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rests their 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:

FIRM AND NON-FIRM CONTRACTED CAPACITY RATE AND IMPACT SIMULATION 12. Under Clause 3 of the ASPA, SIPC shall provide NGCP with the following AS as specified in Schedule 1 of the ASPA, follows:

Immediately ISSUE a provisional authority to implement the subject ASPA executed on 20 November 2018; and

Applicants pray for other just and equitable relief.

10. Due to the necessity of extending the services of providing the same ancillary services, the Applicants again entered into a new ASPA under the same rates, terms and conditions. NGCP agreed to procure and SIPC agreed to supply AS in the forms of: (a) DR under a firm arrangement; and (b) BSS under a non-firm arrangement. A copy of the Ancillary Services Procurement Agreement between NGCP and SIPC dated 20 November 2018 is attached in the Application.

11. During the period of negotiation, NGCP conducted several tests on the Generation Facility, and certified that the generating units have met and complied with the Standard Ancillary Services Technical Requirements of the ASPP as capable of providing: (i) DR (Unit 1 = 4.0MW, Unit 2 = 4.0MW, Unit 3 = 4.2MW and Unit 4 = 4.0MW) and (ii) BSS (16.2 MW with 200kW EDG). A copy of NGCP Accreditation Certificate No. 2018-V0007 dated 20 August 2018 is attached in the Application.

a)

1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson, AGNES VST DEVANADERA and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 11th day of February 2019 in Pasig City.

Non-Firm Contracted Capacity: JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

Black Start Contracted Capacities (16.2MW with 200kW EDG) (The capacities listed above are the maximum ancillary services capacity that can be provided for each generating unit. However,nomination and schedule shall be based on the latest AS Certificate.)

13. The Applicable Rates for the capacity covered by the ASPA as provided in Schedule 3 are as follows:

1.

2 3 4

. .

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

Section 9 (c) Section 9 (d) Section 6.3.1.2 (MS-FEB. 20 & 27, 2019)

Y

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

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

LGUs

DOH office gives nurses ECG training

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THE Department of Health in Calabarzon, in partnership with the Philippine Heart Center, concluded two batches of ECG (electrocardiogram) trainings for nurses and radiologic technicians of selected municipalities and cities of the region held at Ciudad Christhia 9 Waves Resort in San Mateo, Rizal.

Committee on Housing; Manila Rep. Manuel Lopez, DOH Regional Director Eduardo and heads of the NHA, Housing and Urban DevelopC. Janairo said the ECG Interpretament Coordinating Council, and PPA. tion Course will give health workers Benitez said the effort of Arroyo “will be a working in the rural areas the comtemplate in the implementation of other squatter petency and the knowledge of interrelocation projects specially now that the law crepreting and analyzing electrocardioating the Department of Human Settlements and gram strips.

Urban Development has been signed by President “This will provide early recogniRodrigo Duterte.” tion of abnormal rhythms, which The housing allocation came after Arroyo called will result in an appropriate medical for a hearing of the House Oversight Committee to intervention and timely transfer of address the delay in the release of titles to the recipipatient to a tertiary hospital without ents of urban poor housing proclamations she issued delay,” he said. when she was President.

The training was given to selected MAGENTA YELLOW During the hearing, itCYAN was revealed that the squat- BLACK health facilities in the provinces who ter families living in a property owned by PPA in Isla received the ECG machines with anaPuting Bato will be displaced because of the ongoing lyzer from the DOH under the Health rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Facility Enhancement Program.

This prompted Arroyo to inquire what arrangeCavite has 27 ECG Machines ments are being made in the transfer of the affected with analyzer; Laguna with four, residents. She also asked the PPA to ensure that they Batangas with five, and Quezon would not be deprived of their source of livelihood. province with one ECG machine This prompted all stakeholders to sign an MOU afwith analyzer. ter the PPA committed to set aside five hectares of its “With these skills, our health workproperty in Tondo for the affected families. ers in the region can now utilize these Under the agreement, the PPA will allocate the machines and provide ECG tests to land and construct the housing units in coordination patients in the community and need with port operators International Container Terminal not go to a distant hospital just to have Services, Inc and Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. their tests,” he said.

Squatters assured of housing

By Maricel V. Cruz

M

ORE than 2,000 squatter families in Tondo, Manila will soon get their own houses as Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo negotiated for the release of a five-hectare government property for the housing project that will benefit the homeless.

This as former President and Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada thanked Arroyo for spearheading the project for the city’s urban poor, saying she is heaven-sent.

“You are a heaven-sent to us Manileños, Madam President,” said Estrada to Arroyo, who had succeeded the former as Chief Executive.

Arroyo went to Tondo on Tuesday to witness the

signing of an agreement between the Philippine Ports Authority and the National Housing Authority covering the said property.

The signing was done in the sidelines of a hearing conducted by the House Oversight Committee on Housing at the Rosauro Arboleda Elementary School in Zaragoza, Tondo.

The 2,000 families will be displaced by the ongoing rehabilitation of Manila Bay. Republic of the Philippines The memorandum provided for the Province of Agusan del Norte allocation of a five-hectare PPA propMunicipality of Remedios T. Romualdez erty in Tondo, Manila to house the OFFICE OF THE BAC CHAIRMAN thousands of squatter families living in Isla Puting Bato off Manila Bay. Also present during the signing The Municipal Government of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del were Transportation Secretary Arturo Norte, is inviting interesting parties to participate in the Open and Tugade; Senator Cynthia Villar, the Transparent Bidding in process for the TWENTY NINE MILLION PESOS chairman of the Senate Committee on (P29,000,000.00) Supply and Delivery of Heavy Equipment (One Environment and Natural Resources; (1) Unit Brand New Motor Grader and One (1) Unit Brand New Wheel Negros Occidental Rep. Alfredo BenLoader. itez, chairman of the House Oversight Contract Name

:

Supply and Delivery of Heavy Equipment (One (1) Unit Brand New Motor Grader and One (1) Unit Brand New Wheel Loader)

Contract Location :

Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte

Approved Budget for the Contract

P29,000,000.00

:

Bid Documents Fee:

Section 17.4 (IRR RA 9184) Appendix 25 Guidelines on the Sale of Bidding Documents

Contract Duration :

120 Calendar Days

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

1.

The Municipal Government of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte, now invites the bids for the aforementioned procurement of equipments as indicated below: SUPPLY AND DELIVERY OF HEAVY EQUIPMENT (ONE (1) UNIT BRANDNEW MOTOR GRADER AND ONE (1) UNIT BRANDNEW WHEEL LOADER)

2.

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

The following shall be eligible to participate in the bidding to supply for the aforementioned as follows: a.

Duly licensed Filipino citizens/sole prorietorships;

b.

Partnerships duly organized under the laws of the Philippines and of which at least sixty percent (60%) of the interest belongs to citizen of the Philippines.

c.

Corporations duly organized under the laws of the Philippines, and of which at least sixty percent of the outstanding capital stock belonging to citizen of the Philippines.

d.

Cooperatives duly organized under the laws of the Philippines and of which at least sixty percent (60%) belongs to citizens of the Phillipines; or

e.

Persons/entities forming themselves into a joint venture, i.e, a group of two (2) or more persons/ entities that intend to be jointly and severally responsible or liable for a particular contract: Provided, however, that Filipino ownership or interest of the joint venture concerned shall be at least sixty percent (60%). For this purpose, Filipino ownership or interest shall be based on the contributions of each of the members of the joint venture as specified in their JVA.

f.

The bidder must have at least sixteen (16) years of experience or track record in the supply, delivery and servicing of brand new heavy equipment or a similar equipment and the proof of which shall be submitted together with the eligibility requirements.

3.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Municipality of Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays to Fridays.

4.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below starting on February 22, 2019-March 18, 2019 and upon payment of nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount prescribed pursuant to the guidelines aforementioned.

WATER SUPPORT. Manila Water recently paid tribute to various local government units and national government agencies who have supported its TokaToka advocacy campaign, the country’s first and only environmental movement focused on wastewater or used water management. In photo during the awarding ceremonies at Edsa Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City (from left) are Ferdinand M. dela Cruz, president and CEO of Manila Water; Esmeralda R. Quines, group director, East Zone Business Operations; Geodino V. Carpio, chief operating officer, Manila Water; and Thomas Mattison, group director, Corporate Operations. Manny Palmero

Albay solon’s bill seeks to invigorate PH arts and culture THE House of Representatives has unanimously approved recently on its third and final reading a bill that seeks to invigorate and further conserve the country’s arts and culture.

House Bill 7785 would set the framework and criteria for designating and subsidizing national performing arts companies, and provide them assistance grants to support their missions. The Senate has similarly approved its counterpart measure.

Crafted by Albay Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda, HB 7785 seeks to create a framework for the identification of certain performing arts genres, selection of national performing arts companies per genre, and honor their worthy contributions to the preservation of the country’s arts and culture, social development and achievements, by way of grants and appropriate benefits and privileges.

When finally enacted into law, the measure will initially provide P5 million to P10

million a year for each of the chosen NPAC for the first five years, which amounts may be adjusted every five years thereafter.

Titled “Philippine National Performing Arts Companies Act,” Salceda explained, the measure designates one NPAC—for five years—from each arts genre, as follows: 1) National Ballet/Contemporary Dance Company, 2) National Theater Company, 3) National Orchestra, 4) National Choral Group, and 5) National String Ensemble.

Police corral suspect in QC kidnappings

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of Remedios T. Romualdez at www.rtradn.gov.ph provided that bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Document not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The BAC will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on March 4, 2019 at 10:00 o’clock in the morning at the BAC Office, 2nd Floor, Municipal Building, RTR, Agusan del Norte.

6.

Bids must be duly received by the BAC Secretariat at the address below on or before March 18, 2019. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB.

7.

Bid opening shall be on March 18, 2019 at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at BAC Office, 2nd Floor Municipal Building, Remedios T. Romualdez, Agusan del Norte. 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.

8.

9.

The Municipality Government of Remedios T. Romualdez/ BAC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders For further information, please refer to:

(SGD.) MANUEL L. GARCES, JR. BAC CHAIRMAN (MS-FEB. 27, 2019)

By Joel E. Zurbano

TOP OFFICERS. Chief Supt. Edward E. Carranza (second from right), director of Police Regional Office 4A, graces the flag raising ceremony and leads the awarding ceremony to personnel of Tanauan City Police Station led by Supt. Reynaldo M. Maclang (right) for the successful arrest of a Most Wanted Person for qualified Theft through Manhunt Charlie at Camp Brig. Gen. Vicente Lim Grandstand in Calamba City, Laguna. Roy Tomandao

Quezon City, PDEA ink workplace pact

By Rio N. Araja

THE Quezon City government on Tuesday vowed to step up its efforts in ensuring a drug-free workplace through a partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency seeking to eliminate drug abuse in private establishments.

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, QC Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council chairperson, said the city government is pleased to team up with

PDEA to promote a drug-free workplace.

“We are proud to work with PDEA on this advocacy because our city has been recognized by various agencies and other cities for our measures to counter illegal drugs in our city,” she said.

“Our QCADAAC was awarded as one of the most efficient in the country that’s why I know we are qualified to accept the challenge of being the pilot implementation site of this program,” Belmonte added.

POLICE arrested a 53-year-old male suspect in series of abductions involving minors in Quezon City.

The suspect was identified as Norly Rafael, a native of Daet, Camarines Norte and resident of Miramonte Heights, Barangay 180 Tala, Caloocan City. He is now detained at the National Capital Region Police Office detention cell in Taguig City.

NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar said policemen from the Special Operations Unit arrested Rafael Monday afternoon at President Quezon Street Extension in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City.

Investigation showed that Rafael was responsible for abducting at least three minors in the city. The most recent victim, whose name was not revealed, managed to escape and identified the suspect.

Eleazar said the suspect had already gone viral on social media for roaming around and looking for possible victims while playing his guitar.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

FASHION AND BEAUTY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

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Pink, tulle, and old Hollywood glam:

The best dressed stars at the Oscars 2019

H

OLLYWOOD’S brightest stars once again descended to walk on the red carpet of Dolby Theater in Los Angeles for the 91st Academy Awards.

And while the awards night, the culmination of the awards season, was really for best films of 2018, it was also a big night for fashion—quite notably a night of pink hues and frothy tulles, with a splash of classic Hollywood glam.

This is Manila Standard Life’s best dressed list:

Regina King

The Best Supporting Actress winner gave us a strong Angelina Jolie vibe with her legbaring high-slit white Oscar de la Renta strapless gown. She further upped the elegance with Chopard jewels and white pointed pumps. The If Beale Street Could Talk star opted for a simple makeup look, focusing on her eyes. We would have preferred an updo or a sleek hairstyle, but the wavy lob surprisingly complemented her ensemble.

Helen Mirren

Gemma Chan

Glenn Close

The Best Actress nominee may have lost the award to Olivia Colman, but her red carpet ensemble looked every bit the trophy she coveted. The 71-year-old actress wore a stunning gold custommade Carolina Herrera number. The floor-length dress with cape was made with four million beads and weighed more than 19 kilos.

Suffice to say, the dress more than made up for everything.

Marina de Tavira

Emilia Clarke

The Eye in the Sky star looked like a regal fairy in tulle Schiaparelli gown which was cinched around her waist with a fabric belt.

She added more pink to her outfit with a hot pink clutch and pink lipstick. She also wore a dazzling collection of jewels worth $6 million.

With so many tulle ruffles on the red carpet, we believe the Roma star was the one who did it right. The 44-year-old Mexican actress turned heads in gorgeous c h e r r y frilly tiered J. Mendel strapless dress.

She accessorized it with jewelry pieces from Lorraine Schwartz.

Like a true queen—or khaleesi— that she is, the Game of Thrones star was a picture of timeless elegance in a fo r m -f i t t i n g (“literally can’t pee in this dress”) metallic lilac strapless gown from Balmain. She accented the dress with diamond bracelet and earrings, berry pink lipstick from Dolce & Gabbana Beauty, and her new short and sleek chestnut brown bob.

Amy Adams

A lways on the bestdressed list, the Best Supporting Actress nominee slayed the Oscars red carpet once again in a mermaidesque metallic Versace gown with a matching pendant necklace.

The Vice star, who’s always a picture of old Holly wood glam, parted her hair down the center this time and opted for beachy waves to complement the under the sea theme.

Astrid Leong of the hit romcom Crazy Rich Asians made a bold statement—in the form of bright pink Valentino Couture gown with ruffled neckline and, get this: pockets where she stored cookies to eat during the show. Functionality aside, her voluminous, cookie-stashing dress was a breath of fresh air. She kept her look soft and simple: hair up, minimal makeup, and a few jewels.

Lady Gaga

It was a big night for the A Star Is Born actress as she won her first Oscar trophy for Best Original Song, received a standing ovation for her performance with Bradley Cooper, and she definitely succeeded in giving everyone a Holly Golightly feels with her black Alexander McQueen gown, 128-carat canary yellow Tiffany Diamond necklace which was last worn by Audrey Hepburn for her Breakfast at Tiffany’s publicity photos in 1961, and Ms. Golightly-esque updo.

Billy Porter

The Pose star definitely turned heads and “shattered” expectations when he arrived at Dolby Theater in a black velvet Christian Siriano tuxedo-ball gown. It was definitely the talk of the night, which was how he intended it. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he said, “Why is it a woman can wear pants and nobody bats an eye and a man wears a dress and people are disgusted? Why is that? What is that saying in our culture? Man is better and female is disgusting? I just wanted to shatter that. Just shatter that.” BL (Photos from AFP, Instagram)

Life

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019 manilastandardlife@gmail.com

Marks & Spencer lowers prices in PH stores Pure cotton checked shirt, slim fit pure cotton T-shirt, and regular fit jeans

B

RITISH clothing, toiletries, and food retailer Marks & Spencer has a treat to shoppers in the Philippines.

With the brand’s “New prices you’ll love” campaign, fashion products sold at Marks & Spencer stores here in the country are offered at lowered prices, by an average of 18 percent across menswear and lingerie, and an average of 28 percent for womenswear.

The slashed prices put T-shirts from P695, jeans from P1,550, dresses from P1,550, knitwear from P1,750, and handbags from P1,550.

“This season, we’ve invested into our prices to make us more competitive for Bold floral print relaxed fit T-shirt and pure cotton chino shorts

our customers in the Philippines. By introducing new prices across all our clothing products, our customers will be able to take a fresh look at our style—with the quality you know, now with lower prices you’ll love,” enthused SSI Group president Anton Huang.

Marks & Spencer has traded in the Philippines since 1997 with its franchise partner Rustan Marketing Specialists, Inc. It now has 20 franchise stores and two outlet stores in the country.

Slim fit pure cotton polo shirt and orange print quick dry swim shorts

Experts talk about the business of fashion THREE of the country’s leading marketing and merchandising experts shared first-hand behind the scenes experiences and the nitty-gritty of the fashion business in an open forum at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts campus.

Speaking before an audience of the college’s budding style innovators of the Fashion Design and Merchandising Program, Millie Dizon, senior vice president for marketing communications of SM Retail, explained that there are many facets in the industry—design, merchandising, and marketing— that the young artists can explore.

“Fashion design is a highly creative field of new ideas,” she said. “Merchandising and marketing, on the other hand, lean more towards the business side.”

As someone working on the business side of it, Dizon stressed that a marketer must know the needs and desires of the customers but should have the goal to drive sales.

“Marketers connect the public to the world of fashion by researching the preferences of different audiences and by creatively presenting the product in a way that consumers would want to buy,” she stated. “No matter how beautiful your marketing program is, there’s no use if you cannot connect to your target consumers.”

Visuals, Dizon added, are everything. “A visual merchandiser plays a critical role in the look, feel, and culture of the brand. If done well, it can create awareness and at the same time increase brand loyalty,” “Each brand has a voice – do not deviate from that voice. No matter how much change you do, your voice must be consistent,” she added.

Charlotte Armero, senior vice president for corporate planning and business development of Richwell Phils. Inc., exSenior vice president for category management of Lazada Philippines Mariel Caraig, senior vice president for corporate planning and business development of Richwell Phils. Inc. Charlotte Armero, senior vice president for marketing communications of SM Retail Millie Dizon, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde Fashion Design and Merchandising Program chairperson Christine Benet with the FDM faculty and students who graced the FDM Industry Hour Talk.

Senior vice president for marketing communications of SM Retail Millie Dizon shares insights on marketing and merchandising.

plained that merchandisers follow a particular cycle: planning, buying, pricing, distribution, selling, performance analysis, and inventory management.

“In the four Ps in merchandising— price, promotion, place, and product— it is only the pricing that brings in the revenues, the other three are all costs, so check the historical sales, get the value patterns, and know the trends.”

Armero also noted it is vital to know the competitors especially if the consumers have a lot of options. “You must ask yourself: What makes our brand similar and different from others? Remember that more than half of consumers who had a bad experience with a brand usually move to the competitor.”

While the Philippines continues to be a mall country where people swing by the actual stores to shop, the rapid growth of the retail and fashion industry has indeed extended its marketing to various channels: traditional, e-commerce, multichannel, and omnichannel.

Despite the vast reach of the online platform in the current digital age, Armero stressed that a good retailer

Floral print jersey long sleeve blouse

must not stop from having social media accounts alone.

“Omnichannel is also the industry buzzword now,” Armero spilled.

“When you say seamless experience when you do your shopping, it has to be through omnichannel.”

Following its direct translation from Latin, which means “every,” omnichannel basically covers all channels from the actual stores and online shopping to phone orders. “When you go omni, it means that you have to be accessible whenever and wherever your customer needs you.”

E-commerce continues to be one of the main trade halls of today. Mariel Caraig, senior vice president for category management of Lazada Philippines, clarified that e-commerce is any form of business transaction conducted online and not just shopping.

“It is because e-commerce has very low entry barrier,” Caraig explained.

“You just need a phone and a decent Internet connection and you are ready to reach the entire Philippines and sell across the globe.”

She also noted that the digital platform demands low cost, disregarding the need for an actual store and hightech computers.

“Many people say that the Internet is not the future but, actually, we say otherwise. Mobile is the future,” Caraig clarified. “E-commerce is growing faster than anybody has projected. There are currently 30 million smartphone users and in 2020, the Internet penetration is expected to grow by at least 50 percent, a proof that more people are getting more comfortable buying online.”

Currently, the Philippines has nearly 40 million e-commerce customers with 28 more million yet to be tapped. This, according to Caraig, is proof that the online business has not yet reached its full potential.

VANITY CORNER Non-drying cleanser Maintaining moisture balance keeps skin from becoming too oily or too dry.

And the key to achieving it lies in a non-drying cleanser.

Céleteque Hydration Facial Wash contains mild cleansing agents that effectively strip the dirt off from skin, without drying it out; and its Natural Moisturising Factor restores the skin’s proper moisture balance. NMF helps magnetize hydration onto the skin, restoring the skin’s quality to a perfectly balanced state.

Unlike other facial cleansers that are too harsh, the Céleteque Hydration Facial Wash is the perfect mix of cleansing and moisture balance, thereby keeping skin from becoming too dry or too oily.

This facial wash is available in drugstores and supermarkets nationwide.

Celeteque Hydration Facial Wash

Ever Bilena makeup products in living coral

Pops of living coral This year’s Color of the Year, living coral, is a surprisingly wearable color for all skin tones. It can be worn on the lips, eyelids, and cheeks.

These makeup products from a homegrown cosmetics brand make it easier to sport this color.

Careline’s Peach Stick, a multi-stick that works as an eye shadow, blush, and lipstick, has a creamy and pigmented formula which is perfect for fuss-free makeup look.

In the lipstick department, there’s Ever Bilena Matte Nude Lipstick in Baci, which makes lips feel soft, smooth, and supple despite the matte formula; the highly pigmented Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Sexy Nude, which is a cross between the popular pink nude and coral; EB Advance Matic Lipstick in Plush Petal, made of a creamy-matte formulation; and EB Advance LTD Liquid Lipstick in Hotel Heiress, a long-wearing lipstick that glides smoothly on the lips and feels creamy.

These makeup products are available at Ever Bilena counters in leading supermarkets, drugstores, convenience stores, and department stores nationwide.

Entertainment

A sweet

Cadbury 5Star chocolate celebrity ambassador Alex Gonzaga

I

NSPIRING works of ten budding young filmmakers from around the world were chosen as finalists for the 7th Manhattan International Film Festival (MIFF), an annual cultural initiative of the World Youth Alliance (WYA), a global organization that acknowledges directors committed to exploring the depth of human condition.

After meticulous screening processes, promising films from Mexico, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, the Philippines, and the United States of America, which exhibit technical excellence and content relevant to the mission of WYA made it to this year’s roster.

The selection included in previous installments of the festival have portrayed themes on family, community, suffering, empathy, happiness, truth, and transcendence. This particular year, MIFF 2019 delivers pieces that speak of human dignity in the context of migration, sickness, war, and death.

WE’VE all been in these tough situations before: being tasked to take charge of dinner plans for your big family or having lengthy discussions with your friends on which movie to watch on your next hangout. Navigating different food choices or picky preferences to arrive on the best option is a real struggle—but Viber, one of the world’s leading messaging platforms, has got you covered.

With the new polls feature, Viber is trying to resolve our timeless, exhausting, and frustrating “Where Should We” or “What Should We” argument once and for all. Just tap the polls icon (which can be found in the chat menu), type your poll question, and add a set of up 10 choices participants can choose from. Anyone in the group chat can vote by tapping the heart button next to each one.

Instead of having long chats with your friends or loved ones, you can just offer them a poll with a list of suggestions. From the most mundane decisions to the most crucial ones, here are some real-life situations where you can use the new Viber Polls.

Make everyone in your barkada choose your summer destination. Viber lets you use its polls feature to create a shortlist of places or add other choices that your pals can vote on. It doesn’t guarantee all the member’s happiness with the final result, but at least you tried to settle in the most democratic way.

Schedule events the easiest way with Viber Polls. Whether you’re planning a fancy dinner or a

The Philippine entry is Indak ng Panahon by Jose Bryan Nonay and Aurea Marie Bueno, both Digital Filmmaking (DFilm) graduates from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) School of Design and Arts (SDA), narrates the story of Daniel, an aspiring dancer who struggles to pursue his dreams after the unexpected death of his beloved father-mentor. In the midst of his battle against his own anxieties and fears, he meets a girl named Cecile, whose presence revives his passion.

Daniel is portrayed by Cultural

Center of the Philippines’ resident dance company Ballet Philippines dancer Mark Anthony Balucay, while Cecile is played by multi-awarded Adlib Dance Company member Sasa Cabalquinto. Thespians Lito Capina and Lee Jairus Ramirez give life to the characters of the father and the young Daniel, respectively.

Creative duo Nonay and Bueno believes their project relays the allimportant message there is still someone who can give a shed of light even in the lowest points in life.

“All we wanted to convey through our simple story is to never give up— nothing can hinder us from aspiring and dreaming,” Bueno shared. “It may sound cliché́ but sometimes we just need to be reminded we must keep moving forward.

There may be burdens and difficulties along the way, but it can’t stop you.

There are people who are willing to help and motivate you.”

Last year, Indak ng Panahon participated in the Ika-30 Gawad CCP para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video

family reunion, Viber’s new feature helps users organize social gatherings and invite attendees in their communities or groups to their upcoming events. Users can announce all the exclusive details and make a poll in their group chat to know who can join event.

Get instant feedback for your survey or market research. It’s never easy to get people engaged in online surveys, whether it’s for school or business, but Viber Polls helps you capture your respondents’ attention and encourage them to participate in your quick poll. With this latest feature, users can also see the live results or tally of votes as the count goes up every time someone taps on the item.

Promote your business or product launch without spending much. Viber also allows users to market their business or create buzz on their product - even on a shoestring budget. One of the ways of promoting your business is by keeping in touch with people through Communities. Aside from endorsing the items, users can ask people for their comments or suggestions to improve the product or service. In Communities, the poll votes are anonymous to regular members, and only the admins can see the results and check how other super admins or admins voted.

While security is still top of mind for Viber, the messaging app continues to innovate and add features to expand to many markets and enhance its services.

DIGITAL MEDIA

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Wednesday, February 27, 2019

name 51 Drone or worker 52 Jogs the memory 56 Afternoon naps 60 Prom night transportation 61 Tale of Helen of Troy 63 Type of hop 64 Wednesday’s god 65 Care for 66 Gael republic 67 Abominable Snowman 68 Whitman’s “Leaves of —” 69 Vast number DOWN 1 Billfold contents 2 This, in Madrid 3 Smear 4 Conclusions 5 Meat on skewers 6 Found a perch 7 Farm enclosure 8 Disentangle 9 Most flavorful 10 Opens up 11 Five hundred sheets 12 Japanese clog 13 Garden spot 21 Abound

nickie.standard@gmail.com

A scene from the student film 'Indak ng Panahon' by Jose Bryan Nonay and Ayie Bueno.

Four cool things that you can do with Viber’s new polls

ACROSS 1 Grant territory 5 On the blink 10 Persuade 14 Mighty — — oak 15 Helen, in Spanish 16 Can’t do without 17 Tie tack 18 Ties up 19 Better than never?

20 Environment 22 Hassock 24 Midwest st.

25 Summer Games org.

26 Recommend 30 Monday or Tuesday 34 Deep fissure 35 Armed conflicts 37 Epic 38 Galley slave’s tool 39 Boat crane 40 — of averages 41 Essences 43 Rightmost column 44 Become less intense 46 Marrying in haste 48 Added up 50 “Pulp Fiction”

C3

Student film on dance among finalists in New York filmfest

challenge from Alex Gonzaga THIS year, actress and social media sensation Alex Gonzaga is introduced as the new face of Cadbury 5Star chocolate. Known for her gregarious personality and hilarious viral videos, Alex embodies the modern appeal of Cadbury 5Star chocolate.

“Alex is the epitome of the Cadbury 5Star chocolate brand, and we’re happy to have her in the Cadbury family,” Arlene Amante of Mondelez Philippines mused. “She exemplifies the crunchy, chewy, chocolatey taste of Cadbury 5Star chocolate.”

To spread the Cadbury 5Star craze, she issued a nationwide #CrunChewColatey Challenge. In this challenge, Alex invites people to pronounce a particular tongue twister, and chooses the winner who had the best take on the challenge within five seconds. An expected hit among the internet-savvy millennials, watch out for the Cadbury 5Star chocolate #CrunChewCholatey Challenge.

Almost three years after its introduction to the Philippine market, Cadbury’s 5Star chocolate has captured the sweet tooth of Filipinos nationwide.

With its crunchy, chewy, chololatey taste, Cadbury’s 5Star chocolate contains the well-loved formula of Cadbury Dairy Milk Chocolate at an affordable price.

Available at leading department stores, supermarkets and convenience stores nationwide, the Cadbury 5Star chocolate retails at P10 for 15g and P34 for 45g. Join the craze and take a bit of Cadbury’s 5Star Chocolate today.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

23 Pool temperature tester 26 Cake at teatime 27 Self-mover’s rental (hyph.)

28 “Anna Karenina” star 29 Guitar sound 30 Ankle opposite 31 — Lama 32 Form of quartz 33 Wobbled, as a rocket 36 Blvd.

39 Giving 42 Ristorante des-

sert 44 Not into the wind 45 Gives approval 47 Urchin 49 Stays 52 Gimmick 53 Take the trolley 54 Leave unmentioned 55 Disparaging remark 56 Talk back 57 Elbow grease 58 Ranch measure 59 Bias

and was also part of the non-competition selection of 2018 Viddsee Jurree PH, which celebrated the entertainment industry’s pick on Asian short films.

In addition to Indak ng Panahon, the choice films include Build Ramps Not Walls by Brian Adamkiewicz of Mexico, The Mirror of the Artist by Tamino Parren of the Netherlands, and Father of the Man by Tommy Creagh of United Kingdom.

Daybreak by Daniela Maria Magsaysay is the second selection from of the Philippines, while the USA fields five movies, to include Finding Refuge

by Caitlin Brunnock, Year Zero by David Siev, Bitter Sweet by Jacqueline Prata, Jesus Loves Bikers Too by Will Garofalo, and Bow with Me by Erin Cutler and Emily Weiss.

MIFF 2019 will open its doors to the public on March 25 at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York City. The winners will be screened in WYA regional offices in New York, Lebanon, Mexico, Belgium, Kenya, and the Philippines.

Simply...

From C4

“Kailangan suportahan ng gobyerno ang industriya ng pelikula, telebisyon, at musika para tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang paglago nito at para din mapangalagaan ang kabuhayaan ng mga Pilipinong nagtatrabaho dito,” Go said.

“Kay Alonzo, kitang-kita na malayo ang mararating ng mga artista natin lalo na yung mga bata. Sana ay mapalakas pa ang industriya para marami pang talentadong pinoy ang ma-develop,” Go added.

Go, if given the chance, would like to push for measures for the benefit of the Philippine entertainment industry as a whole.

“Kung bibigyan ako ng pagkakataon, nais kong isulong ang mga batas at programa na tutulong sa industriya ng pelikula, telebisyon, at musika ng Pilipinas,” Go announced. *** Make shopping a lot lighter with DFPC’s Travelite program Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC), the country’s only duty and taxfree travel retailer, gives travellers the convenience to shop through its “ShopNow-Pick-Later” program.

DFPC’s Travelite Program allows Regular Filipino Travelers (RFT) and Foreign International Travelers (FIT) to shop before they depart and claim the merchandise upon return, making shopping a lot lighter. The program also comes with a percent seven percent discount on major items.

According to DFPC Chief Operating Officer Vicente Pelagio A. Angala, travelers who have a confirmed departure ticket for an international flight and returning to the country within 30 days are allowed to avail the program.

“By “lite” we mean no more extra baggage on the trip and no more excess baggage fees to pay plus we give you a 7 percent discount,” said Angala.

“The purchases made are packed at most 3 days before expected date of return,” Angala added.

To avail the program, international travellers need to show their return ticket information at participating DFPC departure outlets at Ninoy Aquino International Aiporort (NAIA) Terminal 1, 2, 3, and Mactan Cebu International Airport Pre-departure and Departure Area. *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories.

Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@ isahvred). ΙR

Nickie Wang, Issue Editor nickie.standard@gmail.com

C4

Entertainment

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2019

PICTURESQUE.

GMA Network recreated an entire Badjao Village in Calatagan, Batangas to serve as the location set for the upcoming primetime series, 'Sahaya.'

Maymay Entrata shares the stage with Miss Universe Philippines titleholders including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray during the 'Raise Your Flag' tribute concert.

Will ‘Sahaya’ be the first Pinoy series on Netflix?

Complete with houses on stilts, elevated wooden pathways, and custom-made boats, rafts and baskets, the 'Sahaya' set and the series itself aim to bring the Badjao culture and its people to the limelight.

VERY WANG

G

NICKIE WANG

MA Network has invested a lot in the production of the upcoming series Sahaya having rented a shore for six months to recreate a Badjao Village. This location set in Calatagan, Batangas is complete with stilt houses, boats and other details that reflect the livelihood and way of life of the tribe.

“It’s an Instagram-worthy location.

We studied every detail when we went to Tawi-Tawi including the baskets and boats we have on the set... they are custommade. And the set is strategically located

to capture the sunset,” program manager Helen Rose Sese said during a pocket press conference.

Showing the photos on her mobile phone, Sese added, “We’ve already seen a few material from the initial shoot and we are amazed with the camera movements. And this is also the first time that a GMA drama will use the C700 cameras, the same kind of cameras used for Netflix.”

“That’s what we have been meaning to tell you,” Bianca Umali butted in, “The network is aiming to have it shown on Netflix and if that happens, the series is going to make history.”

In Sahaya, Bianca plays the titular character who embraces her own identity and heritage as a Badjao, even defying the power of love. Her positive outlook in life will inspire her family and her people as she becomes their role model.

“The series has a bit of everything, there’s romance, there’s drama, and it has a cultural aspect. It also talks about life, the importance of education and family. And the best thing that we wanted to highlight in this series is women empowerment. ” Bianca told Manila Standard.

She further added that the series brings the Badjao community to the limelight, as her role will also show how the Badjao will fight for their rights outside their community.

“It’s all about the journey of life and how you are going to fight for the things you love and the things that you believe in,” said Bianca.

The teen actress underwent diving lessons, and dance workshops and learned the cultures and traditions of the Badjao to immerse herself in the role.

According to the series’ program manager, Bianca was chosen to play the title role because she resembles the physical features of a Badjao girl.

For this upcoming series, Bianca is once again paired with her perennial onscreen partner Miguel Tanfelix who portrays the role of Ahmad, a simple Badjao who will fall in love with Sahaya. He will do everything in order to win her heart. Completing the love triangle is Migo Adecer who plays the role of Jordan, who will become Ahmad’s rival in Sahaya’s heart.

Portraying equally important roles are Zoren Legaspi, Mylene Dizon, Eric Quizon, Ana Roces, Pen Medina, Ashley Ortega, and Jasmine CurtisSmith.

A product of the visionary minds of Marlon Miguel and Jonathan Cruz as concept creators, Suzette Doctolero as headwriter, this topnotch production is under the helm of seasoned director Zig Dulay.

'Sahaya' lead star Bianca Umali flanked by co-stars Migo Adecer (left) and Miguel Tanfelix (right)

Maymay in ’lava dress’ at Catriona tribute concert THOUSANDS of fans trooped to the Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night for Catriona Gray’s homecoming concert dubbed Raise Your Flag.

The packed venue witnessed plenty of screams especially during the fashion show segment where creations of local designers were presented modeled by past Miss Universe Philippines titleholders with special participation of Maymay Entrata, who stunned the crowd with her impressive catwalk skills.

The 21-year-old star sashayed the stage in her own “lava dress” by Mak Tumang—the same designer behind Catriona’s famous fiery red Miss Universe finals gown.

Also receiving loud cheers from the crowd were Miss Universe 2010 4th runner-up Venus Raj and Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach.

The star-studded fashion segment of the show also had Shamcey Supsup (Miss

Universe 2011 3rd runner-up), Ariella Arida (Miss Universe 2013 3rd runner-up), Mary Jean Lastimosa (Miss Universe 2014 top 10 finalist), Maxine Medina (Miss Universe 2016 top 6 finalist), and Rachel Peters (Miss Universe 2017 top 10 finalist) walking the runway in red creations.

Catriona closed the segment recreating her lava walk in the iconic Mak Tumang gown she wore when she was crowned Miss Universe in Bangkok, Thailand.

The event served as the culmination of the 25-year-old beauty queen’s homecoming activities, which included city parades, TV appearances, and corporate sponsors visit.

Hosted by Boy Abunda and also featured the ABS-CBN Philarmonic Orchestra and performances by the TNT Boys, Bamboo, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan and Kritiko, Raise Your Flag for Catriona Gray will be aired on ABSCBN on March 10. Nickie Wang

World’s Best Models Philippines 2019 named

This year's winners of World’s Best Models Philippines

THE winners of World’s Best Models – Philippines 2019, were recently proclaimed during a catwalk showdown among 26 young aspirants at The Eye, Green Sun Hotel in Makati.

Proclaimed World’s Best Models Travel Ambassadors were Jana Riva and Mark Valencia. Bagging the major title of World’s Best Models Philippines were Yumi Fernandez and Wilson Yalung. The runners-up were Zandra Lawing and Majed Saleh (first runner up) and Shine Solis and Victor Alvaran (second runner up).

Produced by Prowess Supremacy Production, Inc. (PSPI) and Budget Journey Travel, Inc., this unique modeling competition with the noble advocacy of giving importance to the indigenous people, the tillers and the weavers that produce the main crops used in textile manufacturing, the very reason why there is a fashion industry.

The contest also focuses on the farm to fashion concept, meaning having a “fabric to form designs to wear.”

With this in mind, Prowess will give a part of the proceeds of the project as its contribution to help these farmers and weavers.

Prowess will serve as ambassadors of cultural integrity so the people in the industry will not forget their cultural heritage and increase their awareness on the importance of intangible cultural heritage by transmitting this knowledge through

all generations.

It intends to be the voice of our farmers and weavers to help ensure that all designs are ISAH V. RED called contemporary indigenous-inspired designs. *** Alonzo Muhlach’s Jingle for Bong Go goes viral Child actor and model Alonzo Muhlach released recently a song and music video in support of the senatorial candidacy of former Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go. The music video, which featured the singing, rapping, dancing, and performing talents of Alonzo, was released on Instagram and Facebook where it was viewed by Alonzo’s 71,167 followers.

The former SAP was deeply flattered at the gesture of the young star, saying that acts like this motivate him to continue serving the people, one way or another.

“Maraming salamat kay Alonzo Muhlach sa kanyang pagsuporta!

Nakakabilib yung bata. Magaling, talentado, humble, malayo ang mararating,” Go said.

Bong Go mentioned that stars like Alonzo Muhlach and other people in the entertainment industry deserve to be supported by the government for the continued development of the industry as well as to protect the livelihood of many Filipinos who work in it. Continued on C3

Lopez-supported youth orchestra holds BGC concert MEMBERS of the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) held recently their first concert of 2019 at the Sun Life Amphitheater within the Bonifacio Global Center Arts Center, Taguig City.

The orchestra is the performing arm of Ang Misyon, a nonstock corporation supported by Lopez Group companies ABSCBN Corporation, First Gen Corporation and First Philippine Holdings Corporation.

OFY repertoire showcased during the performance that Sun Life Foundation sponsored included classic pieces by Wagner, Handel and Schumann, as well as local songs such as Rey Valera’s “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” one of the OFY’s crowd favorites.

In inset photo, Federico “Piki” Lopez (second from left), president and co-founder of Ang Misyon, and his wife Monina (extreme left) share a light moment at the concert with Benedicto Sison (third from left), Sun Life Foundation trustee, and Alex

Narciso (right), Sun Life Foundation president.

OFY consists of young music scholars, many of them coming from less-privileged families and hand-picked for their talent, passion and need. Since its formation in 2012, Ang Misyon has helped more than 900 scholars in its continuing effort to provide programs and services, such as professional music lessons and materials based on Ang Misyon’s curriculum, instrument support, opportunities for local and international performances, and service as junior mentors to younger scholars.

The musical curriculum is also complemented by values formation and a counselling program. In 2018, the OFY had international performances at the Qatar National Library and the Katara Opera House in Qatar. Local OFY events last year included performances at the Robinsons Galleria, Shangri La Mall, Power Plant Mall and at the Qatar National Day in Makati Shangri-la.