Manila Standard - 2019 March 1 - Friday

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SWS: Cops in on EJK, drug trade

By Nat Mariano

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 19 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

THE Palace vowed Thursday that it would not tolerate any form of abuse from men in uniform in the wake of an opinion poll showing that most Filipinos believe that some police carry out extrajudicial killings, frame drug suspects and engage in the illegal drug trade.

Released on Wednesday, the new So-

cial Weather Stations survey showed that 68 percent of respondents believed that it was “definitely or probably true” that policemen are involved in the illegal drug trade. Twenty-six percent said they were undecided, while 5 percent said the allegation is definitely or probably not true.

Meanwhile, some 66 percent of the respondents believed as definitely or Next page

PNP reboots war on drugs Rody vetoes bill barring parents from hurting kids

‘MOMO’ CHALLENGE GOES VIRAL: BEWARE!

By Nat Mariano PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has vetoed a bill that seeks to prohibit parents from administering corporal punishment on their children, saying its passage would intrude on the jurisdiction of families recognized by the Constitution.

In his letter to Congress, the President explained why he vetoed the proposed legislation, stating that he does not share an”overly sweeping condemnation” of corporal punishment, whether it is humiliating or not.

“On the contrary, I am of the firm conviction that responsible parents can and have administered corporal punishment in a self-restrained manner, such that the children remember it not as an act of hate or abuse, but a loving act of discipline that desires only to uphold their welfare,” the President said.

“Such manner of undertaking corporal punishment has given rise to beneficial results for society, with countless children having been raised up to become law-abiding citizens with a healthy respect for authority structures in the wider community,” he added.

The President said the bill puts responsible disciplining of children in a bad light, viewing it as a form of humiliation and punishment.

“The bill would allow the government to extend its reach into the privacy of the family, authorizing measures aimed at suppressing corporal punishment regardless of how carefully it is practiced,” Duterte said.

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BEWARE, the so-called ‘Momo Challenge’ is deadlier than you think.

Described by concerned netizens as a ‘suicide app,’ Momo Challenge is the subject of an advisory by lawmen and IT experts, an online application targeting young Internet users, and ‘encouraging’ them to commit suicide.

The Philippine National Police on Thursday advised parents and guardians to monitor their children’s activities online Next page

Cites growing estimate of narcotics users

L

AW enforcement and drug authorities are shifting to high gear in the government’s anti-drug operations after President Rodrigo Duterte, citing “unlimited sources of information,” said drug users in the Philippines now totaled between seven and eight million.

The Philippine National Police said they would improve their campaign based on the President’s increased estimate of drug users in Metro Manila.

At the same time, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the recent recovery of cocaine packages in the country’s eastern seaboard was not new as authorities have recovered similar cocaine packages before.

PDEA Spokesperson Derrick Carreon made the comment following the recovery by the PNP of over P871 million worth of cocaine in different parts of the country’s eastern seaboard in the past two weeks.

“If we will recall, recoveries of cocaine were not new in the Philippines.

We’ve had recoveries dating back to 2001. If you recall there was even a big one in 2009 when we spent months scouring the seas, again in the eastern seaboard, recovering what was reported to be a ton [of cocaine],” Carreon told a Camp Crame briefing.

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China rules out ‘tit-for-tat’ on workers’ issue

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz

Malaya editor passes away, 92 Enrique “Pocholo” Romualdez, executive editor of Malaya Business Insight, passed away yesterday at the Medical Center Manila. He was 92.

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CURB THE CHALLENGE. The Japanese sculpture ‘Mother-Bird’ by Keisuke Aisawa has become the icon of the Momo online ‘suicide game.’ The death of an 11-year-old boy from Quezon City, whose was influenced by the online challenge, prompted authorities to warn parents against the game.

THE Chinese Embassy on Thursday said Beijing will not retaliate if the Philippines deports thousands of illegal workers from China.

In a statement, the Chinese Embassy also denied the statement of Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo that Chinese Ambassador Zhao Jianhua had told him that China would also deport undocumented Filipino workers if the country sent back illegal Chinese workers to China.

“The Chinese embassy in the Philippines did not say that Beijing would adopt a ‘tit-for-tat’ approach should the Philippine government deport Chinese nationals found working illegally in the country,” the embassy said in a statement.

“China adheres to the principle of non-interference in other countries’ internal affairs. Chinese law enforcement Next page

Gloria hits campaign trail —senatorial bets in tow

By Maricel V. Cruz, Joel E. Zurbano

No deal, no lunch for Trump, Kim HANOI—The nuclear summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korea’s Kim Jong-Un in Hanoi ended abruptly Thursday as they cut short their discussions and failed to reach an agreement.

Next page

SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday joined the campaign trail of several senatorial candidates and party-list nominees in her bailiwick of Pampanga.

The blazing midday heat did not stop Pampangueños to turn out for former president and now Speaker, who joined the candidates in several towns in the province Wednesday.

The first stop was at Sta. Rita, Pampanga, where Arroyo was joined by One Philippines party-list first nominee Rafael Alunan, son of former Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael Alunan III. Together with the party’s second and third nominees, former Philippine National Police chief Arturo Lomibao and Bulacan entrepreneur Gabo Ignacio, the party courted the Pampangueños with their platform of education, national and economic security, and sustainability.

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CAMPAIGN CONTRAVENTION. Oplan Baklas, a joint operation of the Commission on Elections, the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Philippine National Police and the Department of Public Works, has personnel from these government agencies removing campaign posters of senatorial candidates in San Andress, Manila on Thursday—in violation of poster guidelines. Norman Cruz

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News

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Cops urged: Find out threat source T

HE Philippine National Police should intensify its intelligence operation following the death threats received by Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, Senator Nancy Binay said Thursday.

Binay said the police should start determining where the threats against David were coming from.

“Siguro baka maganda rin na ‘yung pulis natin maghigpit at galingan nila dahil ang laki ng intel fund na binibigay natin sa kanila,” Binay said during the Kapihan sa Senado news forum.

“So sana gamitin natin para malaman saan talaga nanggagaling ang pananakot

Ex-DFA chief banking on Rody's word FORMER Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday said he was holding on to President Rodrigo Duterte’s word that he would be House Speaker of the 18th Congress.

“Ako, I’m not concerned about any endorsements for the speakership because I’m sure kung ano napag-usapan namin ng liderato ng bansa and malinaw ang instructions sa akin na tumulong muna na maipanalo ang mga kandidato natin,” Cayetano said in an ambush interview at the Hugpong ng Pagbabago campaign rally in Pateros.

Meanwhile, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio on Thursday shot down the possibility of Davao del Norte Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez again assuming the role of House Speaker in the coming 18th Congress.

She said someone who had failed at the helm of the House should not be given the post again. Alvarez is a staunch ally of her father, President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Siguro ‘yung nasubukan na at di naging successful, ‘wag na siguro,” DuterteCarpio said in an ambush interview after a Hugpong ng Pagbabago rally. The mayor is the chairman of the regional party HNP. Cayetano is running for his old congressional seat in the midterm elections.

He also thanked Sara Duterte for asking PDP to include him in the shortlist of possible speakers in the next Congress.

“Nagpapasalamat naman ako sa mga Duterte, sa ating Pangulo, sa ating Mayor Sara. Alam naman nila ‘di ako magre-resign sa DFA kung walang special na ipapagawa sa akin ang ating pangulo kasi sinabi ko nga sa kaniya September 2015 na ‘yung buong six years niya tutok ako sa kung ano kailangan niya,” he said.

Gloria...

From A1

The elder Alunan is running for senator under the PDP-Laban banner.

Kilusang Bagong Lipunan bet Larry Gadon discussed how he hoped to lower electricity costs, provide pensions to retired overseas Filipino workers, and make education more accessible throughout the country.

Gadon attained prominence during the campaign to unseat then Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

Lani Mercado, wife of Hugpong ng Pagbabago senatorial candidate Bong Revilla, explained her husband’s platform on his behalf. She said that Revilla will continue to prioritize the needs of citizens and resume advocacies that were waylaid during his four-year detention at the behest of the Aquino administration.

Arroyo and the candidates then proceeded to the City of San Fernando, the province’s capital, where they were joined

by Vice Governor Dennis Pineda, who is vying for the gubernatorial post.

Former Pampanga Rep. Mikey Arroyo and other local government officials attended the rally to show their support for the speaker and her candidates.

On Thursday, the government’s special task force began tearing down political billboards and other election campaign materials posted outside the designated areas in Metro Manila.

Five agencies—the Commission on Elections, Department of Public Works and Highways, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Metro Manila Development Authority and the National Capital RegionPolice Office— are tasked to remove illegal posters and tarpaulins.

Malaya editor...

From A1

He is survived by children Dondi, Ramon, Eddie and Marisu; son-in-law Randy; daughters-in-law Ellen, Maricor and Lorna; grandchildren Bianca, Jay R, Regine, Via, Nikki, John, Christopher, Cecilia, Alexa, Randi, Kristy and Diane.

kay Bishop David.” added.

Binay did not say how much was the PNP’s intelligence fund.

In other developments: • Malacañang on Thursday blamed the political opposition and the critics of the administration for the alleged death threats being received by Catholic bishops and priests.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the Palace will not take the blame even

PNP...

From A1

The briefing was attended by some members of media.

But Carreon stressed the Philippines was just a “transshipment point” since it was not a known cocaine market, noting that 97 percent of drug users in the country accounted for “shabu” users.

Earlier, Duterte said the recovery of the cocaine bricks confirmed the presence of international drug syndicates in the country.

“The news that you hear every day about the floating drugs all around the country is that really we have confirmed that Sinaloa and Medellin cartels are in the trade now.

It has always been cocaine from Mexico,” Duterte said in a speech in Malacañang.

PNP Spokesman Sr. Supt. Bernard Banac, who said Duterte’s statement—made in a speech in Binan, Laguna last weekend—had basis, said they would focus their attention on going after illegal drug syndicates instead of drug users to “contain the supply side.”

Banac told the Crame briefing: “It [the statistics] remains to be verified but we’ll take it as a good decision-making tool.”

PDEA’s Carreon and National Bureau

SWS:...

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probably true the claim that cops are involved in the extrajudicial killing of drug suspects. Some 28 percent said they were not sure.

Fifty-five percent of the respondents also said the allegation that policemen often plant evidence against suspects they arrest is probably and definitely true. Thirty-three percent were undecided, while 9 percent said this was untrue.

Respondents were split on police claims that drug suspects they killed fought back, with 28 percent believing this to be untrue, and 28 percent saying it was true. A high 44 percent of those polled said they were undecided.

Reacting to the survey, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said the administration would not tolerate any kind of abuse from those whose duty was to serve and protect.

Panelo said the executive department is

as two opposition senators already believe that the supposed threats against clergymen stemmed from President Rodrigo Duterte’s rhetoric in December 2018.

• In a statement, Senator Leila de Lima blamed Duterte for the death threats received by David, saying the Catholic clergy had never been threatened by anyone until Duterte said they were better off dead.

• Senator Risa Hontiveros said the threats were the result of the President’s “encouragement of violence” through his speeches, adding that his sudden turnaround will not absolve him of his role.

David, vice president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and a critic of the Duterte administration’s war

against drugs, said he had received death threats from unknown sources in the past two weeks.

Duterte earlier said his former Special Assistant Bong Go received a text message from Manila Archbishop Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle stating that some Catholic officials and priests were receiving threats from “someone who claims to be working for the President’s family.”

Duterte has already appealed to the public to spare religious leaders from harassment, even as he had previously hurled attacks against the Church.

Binay said whoever was threatening David should heed the call of the President.

Nat Mariano

of Investigation Spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin, who were present at the briefing, said they would also abide by the President’s figure.

They said since the number of arrests and anti-drug operations had increased, this had led to more information on the whereabouts and identities of other users.

“Drug operations are improving. There are more arrests and the arrests will come [with] additional information…arrested addicts that provide information that’s why estimates increase,” Lavin said.

After a year in his post as chief executive, Duterte said there were about four million drug users in the country.

But then Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Benjamin Reyes instead abided by a figure of 1.8 million from research.

Duterte later fired Reyes for “contradicting” the government.

Banac maintained that police operations against illegal drugs had been “effective” despite the rise of the number of users.

He cited the recent national survey showing majority of Filipinos believed the number of drug addicts had decreased.

PDEA also reported that 170,689 drug personalities had been arrested from July 1, 2016 to Jan. 31, 2019.

Officials have also reported that 11,080

barangays have been declared “cleared” of illegal drugs out of more than 40,000.

Police said they had yet to clear 21,974 barangays from illegal drugs.

On the other hand, police data showed 5,176 drug personalities have died in antidrug operations.

Only recently, the President vowed a “bloodier” drug war in the remaining three years of his term, which is until 2022, implying more arrests and deaths.

Banac gave assurances the PNP would uphold the rights of the public as they pursued efforts in the anti-drup campaign.

“We assure the public the PNP subscribes to the rule of law. All anti-drug operations are done with utmost respect for human rights and human life,” he said.

But, as prescribed by law, the police have the right to use force to defend themselves should armed conflict arise, Banac clarified.

“We know that drug syndicates are wellarmed, they will not allow themselves to be arrested or caught and put behind bars, and there is always that possibility that they would put a high level of risk against our law enforcers…If there is a risk of life and his [law enforcer’s] life is in danger then he has all the right to use the force necessary to contain the risk,” he explained.

aware of the “rotten eggs” among the ranks of the Philippine National Police, who tend to destroy the institution’s integrity.

He said the President has already said that there would be “hell to pay” for police who became worse than criminals.

“While there is no denying that there are erring policemen within their ranks, the PNP has done internal cleansing efforts, such as the activation of the Counter-Intelligence Task Force tasked to go after policemen involved in unlawful activities,” he said.

He cited the instance in which the police killers of Kian delos Santos were convicted and the entire Caloocan police force was relieved.

In the spirit of fairness, Panelo said, SWS should conduct another survey focusing on the “good deeds” of the police.

Citing a report from the PNP, the Palace official said 165 police officers were killed and 575 were wounded in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“These figures dispel allegations of critics and detractors on legitimate drug operations and show that drug pushers and

addicts actually resort to violence when confronted with a threat of apprehension,” he said.

“Indeed, illegal drugs, particularly methamphetamine or shabu, alter emotions and cause anger and fear on the part of the user so we are not dumbfounded when violent encounters ensue during police operations,” he added.

The SWS survey, conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, 2018, used face-to-face interviews of 1,440 adults nationwide. It had sampling error margins of ±2.6 percent for national percentages, and ±5 percent each for Balance Luzon, Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Reacting to the same SWS survey, the PNP said it valued life and human rights in its anti-drug operations, and that it continued to weed out those who violated this policy.

Senior Supt. Bernard Banac told GMA News that as much as possible, the police tried to reduce any casualties in their war on illegal drugs.

As part of its internal cleansing, he said, all police who have been found to have broken the law will be fired.

“In so doing, the bill transgresses the proper boundaries of state intervention in the life of the family, the sanctity and autonomy of which is recognized by the Constitution,” he added.

The President also said he was not unaware of the growing trends prevalent in Western nations that see all forms of corporal punishment as an outdated form of disciplining children.

“I strongly believe that we should resist this trend in favor of a more balanced and nuanced approach, one that is both protective of the child as well as cognizant of the prerogatives of devoted parents who believe in the merits of corporal punishment, rightly administered,” he said, noting that other countries’ cultural trends are not necessarily healthy for the Philippines.

“To uncritically follow the lead of these countries, especially in matters as significant as the family, would be a great disservice to the succeeding generations,” he added.

The said bill, titled “An Act Promoting Positive and Nonviolent Discipline, Protecting Children from Physical, Humiliating, or Degrading Acts as a form of Punishment” was a consolidated version of the Senate Bill No. 1477 and House Bill No. 8239.

SB 1477 seeks to protect children from all forms of physical and mental violence by prohibiting beating, kicking, slapping, lashing on any part of a child’s body, with or without the use of an instrument such as

broom, cane, whip or belt.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, one of the sponsors of the bill, argued that parents, who suffered from punishment as children, continue the pattern of harm on their own children. The practice, she said, must be stopped.

“This bill seeks to develop a comprehensive program to provide parents and those who exercise parental authority over children with adequate parenting tools and learning resources in employing a positive and non-violent way of disciplining children,” she said.

Meanwhile, HB 8239, the counterpart version of the mentioned bill in the House of Representatives, seeks to promote the positive and nonviolent discipline of children at home, in school, in institutions, in alternative care systems, and in all other settings.

Meanwhile, the President approved a measure extending the availability and release of funds for victims of human rights violations during the martial law regime.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea announced that the President approved the Joint Resolution No. 04 last Feb. 22, a copy of which was only released to the media on Thursday.

Under the joint resolution, the maintenance, availability, and release of the P10billion fund for the qualified claimants would be extended until Dec. 31, 2019.

The resolution also stated that the Bureau of the Treasury and the Land Bank of the Philippines will have the authority to release the funds. The Commission on Human Rights, on the other hand, will administer its effective distribution.

Wake and interment details to follow.

“Sir Pocholo” has been with Malaya Business Insight for three decades.

He was editor of several papers like the Daily Express, Taipan Magazine, and the Manila Times.

A horse racing aficionado, he was appointed commissioner of the Philippine Horse Racing Commission during the Estrada administration.

He graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1950 with a Ph.B. (major in English).

His first job was with the Philippines Commonwealth, then the leading Catholic-oriented newspaper, followed by short-lived stints in the old Manila Post and the newly-resurrected Philippines Herald. He later joined the Manila Times as a sportswriter.

Rody...

From A1

China...

From A1

agencies willcontinue to properly handle relevant issues concerning foreign nationals working illegally in China in accordance with laws and regulations,” it added.

The statement said China respects the laws and regulations of the Philippines regarding employment of foreign nationals and acknowledged that Chinese nationals “should not stay or work illegally in foreign countries including the Philippines.”

“The Chinese government has always requested Chinese nationals in the Philippines to observe the Philippine laws and regulations,” it said, adding that consular notices have been issued on this matter.

Nonetheless, the embassy exhorted the Philippine authorities to deal with relevant issues “in accordance with the laws and regulations in a professional manner.”

Before the Chinese denial was issued, Senator Nancy Binay castigated Beijing for threatening to expel Filipino workers.

An opposition lawmaker, meanwhile, expressed dismay over reports that dozens of Chinese citizens are working on Chinafunded bridge projects.

“It is disappointing that infrastructure projects initially meant to provide jobs for Filipinos are now being exploited by foreigners who bear no allegiance to our flag,” Magdalo Party-list Rep. Gary Alejano said.

The Department of Public Works and Highways earlier disclosed that dozens of Chinese workers are working on at least two construction projects funded by China under the Build, Build, Build program.

“What exactly did China promise this government and what exactly is the odious arrangement that our government has agreed with China that it would willfully neglect its own people?” he asked.

Alejano also said that the President’s fear for the deportation of 300,000 Filipinos in China over the Philippine government’s crackdown of Chinese workers “is a lame excuse backed with false statistics.”

With Macon Ramos-Araneta

15,000 sign up for petition to revoke Ressa's dual citizenship

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has been asked to revoke the dual citizenship of Rappler CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa.

An online petition from the Californiabased website www.change.org, which gathered 15,000 signatures, urged the department to invalidate the Philippine citizenship granted by the government to the journalist.

This means Ressa will have to contend with not only the tax evasion and cyber libel cases, but also the possibility of losing her Philippine citizenship.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said he would look into the petition, noting that a dual citizenship may be revoked under the law.

“Subject to further study, any grant of dual citizenship is revocable on grounds specified by our laws such as fraud and misrepresentation,” Guevarra said.

Ressa is a citizen of the United States and the Philippines.

The petition was initiated by Rene Astudillo, himself a dual citizen of the US and the Philippines, last Sunday and it has gathered some 15,000 signatures from netizens.

The petition accuses Ressa of violating the conditions of her dual citizenship by violating laws in the country as alleged in the criminal cases against her.

“When Ressa took her oath of allegiance as part of the dual citizenship process, she swore to support and defend the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, obey the laws and legal orders promulgated by the duly constituted authorities of the Philippines and to recognize and accept the supreme authority of the Philippines by maintaining true faith and allegiance thereto,” read the petition.

No deal,...

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The second meeting between the two leaders was supposed to build on their historic first summit in Singapore but they failed to bridge their differences and did not sign a joint statement as initially scheduled.

“Sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times,” Trump told reporters.

Trump said that the sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its nuclear program had been the sticking point.

“Basically they wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn’t do that,” he said.

But he insisted he was “optimistic that the progress we made” before and at the summit left them “in position to have a really good outcome” in the future.

“I’d much rather do it right than do it fast,” he added.

The outcome fell far short of the premeeting expectations and hopes, after critics said their initial historic meeting in Singapore was more style over substance.

“This is a major failure,” tweeted Joe Cirincione, president of the Ploughshares Fund peace foundation.

It showed the limit of summitry, he added, with “not enough time or staff” to work out a deal.

In the original White House program, a “Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony” had been scheduled in Hanoi as well as a working lunch for the two leaders. AFP

’Momo’...

From A1

following the spread of the alleged suicide game called the “Momo Challenge.”

In a statement, the Department of Information and Communication Technology has urged parents to monitor the online activities of their children following the reported ‘online epidemic’ caused by an application of unknown origin that invites young users to do horrific tasks with suicide as the ultimate challenge.

The application called ‘Momo Challenge’ allegedly led 11-year-old Chlyv Jasper “CJ” Santos to commit suicide.

Santos was buried on Tuesday after being sent to a hospital’s intensive care unit due to drug overdose.

According to reports, CJ’s mother Paula Bautista heard his son, “I will follow my master and I will kill them.”

Paula later learned that CJ had a classmate who hurt himself in school. She then found messages in his son’s mobile phone.

The DICT, meanwhile, cited a concerned citizen named Joy Alburo who noted on Facebook that the application may pop up in the middle of random videos on Youtube and attract users to engage.

The app also warns the young users to keep the activities to themselves or face certain consequences.

Government IT experts said that taking down the application “is not a guarantee of these materials disappearing from the web as new apps/videos surface regularly.”

News PDEA nabs gov’t physician, 6 others in drug buy-bust

By Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested a government physician and six others in a buy-bust in Mandaluyong City on Thursday early morning.

PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service director Levi Ortiz presented the suspects to the media.

Those arrested were Vanjoe Rufo de Guzman, a doctor of the Department of Health in the National Capital Region; Francis Gerald Pabunan Fajardo, alias Rain, an events organizer; Keanu Andrea Flores, a varsity lawn tennis player; Mohammad Abdullah Duga, alias Shenin; Michael Melegrito Tan; Mohammad Arafa Morsy, alias Rafa, and Mark Adrianne Reyes Echauz.

In a related development: • The DOH-Metro Manila Center for Health Development said it was appalled to learn about the recent involvement of De Guzman during the PDEA buy-bust operation done in a Mandaluyong Condominium last Feb. 27, 2019.

It said De Guzman was a regular DOH employee from February 2015, but he had been on AWOL (Absence Without Official Leave) status since November 26, 2018.

Despite written directives for him to report immediately to the office, the DOH said De Guzman had failed to comply.

The DOH said this had prompted the MMCHD to issue an Order of Separation and commence disciplinary proceedings, in consultation with the Civil Service Commission, for his eventual dismissal from the service,” siad the DOH in a statement.

“We reiterate our full support for President Rodrigo Duterte’s fight against illegal drug operation and its use. All DOH-MMCHD employees, regardless of employment status, are subjected to Annual Mandatory Random Drug Testing,” added the DOH. According to Ortiz, De Guzman was using his own unit at No. 4 JK Tower III, Burbank California Garden Square in Barangay Highway Hills as a drug den, and that the suspects were injecting liquid shabu into their system.

PDEA is readying the filing of charges of violation of Section 5 (Sale of Dangerous Drugs), Section 6 (Maintenance of a Drug Den), Section 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Section 12 (Possession of Drug Paraphernalia), Article II of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the DoH doctor.

The rest would be charged with violation of Section 7 (Visitors of a Drug Den).

De Guzman yielded one big knot-tied transparent plastic of suspected shabu of 50 grams worth P340,000, one sachet of shabu residue, one plastic sachet of shabu residue, six plastic sachets, five bottles of liquid substance suspected to be ecstasy worth P30,000 and assorted drug paraphernalia, including syringes.

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FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Napoles children, brothers refuse to enter plea in court

By Maricel V. Cruz

T

HE immediate relatives of convicted plunderer Janet Lim Napoles on Thursday refused to enter pleas at the Sandiganbayan’s Third Division during their arraignment on the 194 criminal cases filed against them in connection with the alleged P900-million Malampaya fund scam.

Their action prompted Associate Justice Bernelito Fernandez to enter “not guilty” pleas for Napoles’s children Jo Christine and James Christopher and her brothers Reynald and Ronald Francisco Lim. They are facing 97 counts of graft and 97 counts of malversation of public funds.

Also on Thursday, the anti-graft court also arraigned bank manager Winnie Villanueva, who did not enter any plea like the Napoles’s relatives.

They were accused of diverting P900 million from the Malampaya funds allocated by the Department of Budget and

Management to the Department of Agrarian Reform in 2009 and in the process using 12 Janet Lim Napoles-led nongovernment organizations as conduits to the alleged scam.

Napoles, the main figure in the pork barrel scam, members of her family have been facing prosecution for money laundering in a criminal case filed in the United States.

In the charge sheet, the federal grand jury accused Napoles and other defendants of fraudulently converting money from the multibillion-peso Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The money was paid to dozens of nongovernmental organizations controlled by Napoles and diverted to kickbacks for the legislators and other government officials, and for the personal use of the Napoles family.

About $20 million of those funds were diverted to money remitters in the Philippines and then wired to Southern California bank accounts where the money was used to purchase real estate, shares in two businesses, two Porsche Boxsters, and finance the living expenses of three family members residing in the United States, Jeane Napoles and the Lim couple.

It was reported that about $12.5 million in Southern California real estate has been seized by the US Attorney’s Office and is subject to a civil forfeiture case pending before United States District Judge James V. Selna. If the court orders the assets forfeited, the United States will work with Philippine officials in an attempt to return the stolen funds to the Philippine government.

Murad pleads for chance while Abbas makes threat THE Philippines’ largest Moro rebel group should be given a chance to transform itself into a bureaucracy, its leader Murad Ebrahim said Thursday, after accusations it was imposing a “virtual dictatorship” over the new Bangsamoro region.

Leaders of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front last week took their oaths as members of the transition government of the Bangsamoro region, where Muslims have won new powers.

Firdausi Abbas, vice chairman of the Moro National Liberation Front, said the Bangsamoro transition government’s three-year term term was “tyrannical,” as he called for an election within six months, instead of waiting until 2022.

Murad, the region’s interim chief minister, said Abbas was among those who drafted the law that created the Bangsamoro and provided for the three-year term that will allow MILF to “trans-

form from a revolutionary organization to governance and bureaucracy.”

“This is the time for us to transform, this transition, so we should be given a chance,” Murad, speaking in Filipino, told radio dzMM beamed nationwide.

Abbas has threatened to establish a new faction in protest against the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, where 41 out of the 80 members were nominated by the MILF. “I hope that it will not become a threat because, hopefully, he will realize that he is part of this, he is among those who drafted the law,” Murad said.

Abbas was not appointed by the government to the BTA although he helped draft the Bangsamoro Organic Law, added Murad.

An independent body is validating MILF’s list of combatants and weapons, a third of which will be decommissioned under its deal with the government, said Murad.

DICT asked to clarify Mislatel status

By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Information and Communications Technology has been asked to clarify the status of the awarding of the third telecommunications slot to Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. following reports the “new major player” had not yet paid the P25.7-billion performance bond to the government.

Taxpayer Marlon Anthony Tonson, who earlier filed a petition before the Supreme Court assailing the earlier selection process for the new major player in the telco industry, questioned the eligibility of Mislatel as it accused DICT of disregarding the rules and extending “partiality and unwarranted benefits” to the consortium amid debate in Congress on the validity of its franchise.

Tonson particularly cited the failure of Mislatel to submit all required documents for its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to be able to start operations.

He stressed that under the Terms of Reference set by the National Telecommunications Commission, the NMP would have only 90 days from issuance of Confirmation Order to submit all necessary papers for issuance of CPCN. Tonson recalled that the Confirmation Order naming Mislatel as NMP was issued by the selection committee on Nov. 19, 2018, which means the consortium of Udenna Corp. of businessman Dennis Uy and China Telecom had until last Feb. 17 to comply with all the requirements under the TOR. “May we know the status of the submissions of the necessary documents by the confirmed new major player?” he asked in the two-page letter to DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. last Feb. 25.

Through legal counsel Arnel Victor Valeña, Tonson alleged that Mislatel was unable to meet all requirements because it did not submit a formal declaration from the House of Representatives of concurrence to the recent Senate resolution approving its franchise.

“Considering that the 90-day [period] for the NMP to submit the documents has lapsed, and they failed to submit this formal declaration that you required, then what is the implication? Clearly, the NMP failed to comply with the requirements of the TOR,” read the letter.

TUESDAY, MARCH 5, 2019

BATANGAS PROVINCE (STO. TOMAS) AND LAGUNA (CALAMBA CITY AND LOS BAÑOS) BETWEEN 5:00AM AND 5:59AM AND THEN BETWEEN 6:01PM AND 7:00PM – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUIT NGCP CALAMBA 31XO Portion of Calamba – Los Baños National Highway (Manila South Road) from Taklaban St. in Bgy. Real to Bucal Barangay Road in Bgy. Bucal, Calamba City, Laguna.

Portion of Calamba – Los Baños National Highway (Manila South Road) from Camp Eldridge in Bgy. Lalakay, to Batong Malake Junction Road in Bgys. Años and Batong Malake, Los Baños, Laguna.

BETWEEN 6:00AM AND 6:00PM – THE WHOLE OF CIRCUIT MAKBAN 56MB St. Thomas Paper Mill in Bgy. San Felix, Sto. Tomas, Batangas Province.

REASON:

NGCP Preventive maintenance along Bay - Calamba 69kV transmission lines.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 2019 QUEZON CITY (NOVALICHES)

BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT BALINTAWAK 41E Portion of Del Mundo St. from Quirino Highway to and including Cadaing, Bangus Ext., Dela Cruz and Ramos Sts. in St. Martin Village, Bgy. Talipapa.

REASON: Replacement of poles and line reconductoring works in ST. Martin Village, Bgy. Talipapa, Novaliches, Quezon City.

PASAY CITY BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 3:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT MALIBAY 43VJ Along Camia St. from Protacio St. to and including Gamban, Champaca, Sampaguita and Ilang Ilang Sts. in Bgy. 137.

CAVITE (DASMARIÑAS CITY)

REASON:

BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT DASMARIÑAS 413DM St. Charbel South Executive Village along Governor’s Drive in Bgy. Sampaloc IV.

LAGUNA (STA. ROSA CITY)

REASON: Replacement of facilities along Governor’s Drive in Bgy. Sampaloc IV, Dasmariñas City, Cavite.

QUEZON CITY (NOVALICHES) BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT KAYBIGA 46YX Portion of Tenorio Urbano St. from Quirino Highway to and including Holy Cross Memorial Cemetery; Sinfrosa, Armando and Experanza Sts. in Bgys. Bagbag and San Bartolome.

REASON: Line reconstruction and maintenance works along Tenorio Urbano St. in Bgy. Bagbag, Novaliches, Quezon City.

LAGUNA (SAN PABLO CITY) BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 3:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT DILA 416DIA Portion of Sta. Maria Magdalena Barangay Road from Cosico Ave. to Sta. Maria Magdalena Elementary School in Bgy. Sta. Maria Magdalena.

REASON: Laguna.

Replacement of rotten poles in Bgy. Sta. Maria Magdalena, San Pablo City,

LAGUNA (VICTORIA) BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 3:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT DILA 413DIA Along J. P. Rizal Ave. from Manila East Road (Victoria – Pila National Road) to and including Bgys. Nanhaya, Pagalangan, San Felix, Banca-Banca, San Francisco and San Roque.

REASON: Replacement of poles and line reconductoring works along J. P. Rizal Ave. in Bgy. Nanhaya, Victoria, Laguna.

BULACAN (SAN ILDEFONSO AND SAN MIGUEL)

Replacement of poles along Camia and Gamban Sts. in Pasay City.

WEDNESDAY TO THURSDAY, MARCH 6 - 7, 2019 BETWEEN 11:00PM (WED., 03/06/19) AND 3:00AM (THU., 03/07/19) – PORTIONS OF CIRCUIT BALIBAGO 424XV Metrogate Subd. along Manila South Road in Bgy. Tagapo.

REASON: Relocation of facilities along Manila South Road in Bgy. Tagapo, Sta. Rosa City Laguna.

PASAY CITY BETWEEN 11:30PM AND 11:59PM (WED., 03/06/19) AND THEN BETWEEN 5:00AM AND 5:30AM (THU., 03/07/19) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT PACO 422VY Portion of F. B. Harrison St. from near Longwood Garden Hotel to Sen. Gil Puyat Sr. Ave. (Buendia) including E. Rodriguez, Pervenir, Dapitan, San Juan, David and Perla Sts. Portion of Sen. Gil Puyat Sr. Ave. (Buendia) from F. B. Harrison St. to and including Manila Film Center, Darada Centre, Belton Tower, Monica Condominium, Wensha Spa, The Legend Seafood Restaurant and Philippine Trade and Training Center.

BETWEEN 11:30PM (WED., 03/06/19) AND 5:30AM (THU., 03/07/19) – PORTION OF CIRCUITS MALATE 19J; AND PACO 422VY Along R. Layug St. from F. B. Harrison St. to Roxas Blvd.

Portion of Roxas Blvd. Service Road from R. Layug St. to Sen. Gil Puyat Sr. Ave. (Buendia) including Net World Hotel, Coast Residences, SMDC Breeze Residences, Studio 69, Tramway Bayview Buffet Restaurant, East Asia International Club, Marina Hotel and Manhattan Lodge.

REASON: Replacement of pole and line reconductoring works along R. Layug St. in Pasay City.

THURSDAY, MARCH 7, 2019

BULACAN (BOCAUE AND BALAGTAS)

BETWEEN 10:00AM AND 4:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT SAN MIGUEL 315YN Portion of Magsaysay Road from Bgy. Pacalag to and including Bgys. Biak Na Bato, Magmarale, Pulong Bayabas, Tibagan, San Juan, Labne, Balaong and Masalipit in San Miguel; Bgys. Buhol Na Mangga and Bubulong Munti in San Ildefonso.

BETWEEN 12:01AM AND 6:00AM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT SAOG 412SAO Portion of McArthur Highway from Elco Wood Processing Corporation in Bgy. San Juan, Balagtas, Bulacan to near NIA Road including Golden City Business Park and Urezza Subd.; BDO, D Wesscom Exim Inc. and Hyper-Tek Manufacturing Inc. in Bgy. Wakas, Bocaue, Bulacan.

REASON: Bulacan.

REASON: Bulacan.

Line reconstruction and other maintenance works in Bgy. Tibagan, San Miguel,

TUESDAY TO WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 - 6, 2019 TAGUIG CITY (BONIFACIO GLOBAL CITY)

BETWEEN 11:00PM (TUE., 03/05/19) AND 4:00AM (WED., 03/06/19) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT HILLCREST 425VZ Uptown Mall and Uptown Place Towers 1, 2, 3 and 4 along 11th Drive.

REASON:

Installation of facilities along 36th St. in Fort Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

MANILA (BINONDO) BETWEEN 11:30PM AND 11:59PM (TUE., 03/05/19) AND THEN BETWEEN 5:00AM AND 5:30AM (WED., 03/06/19) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT TUTUBAN 52VT Portion of Reina Regente St. from Soler St. to and including Pristine Hotel, Philtrust Bank and Crown Tower Bldg.

BETWEEN 11:30PM (TUE., 03/05/19) AND 5:30AM (WED., 03/06/19) – PORTION OF CIRCUIT TUTUBAN 52VT Manila Textile Market along Soler St. REASON:

Line reconstruction works along Soler St. in Binondo, Manila.

Installation of new facilities along McArthur Highway in Bgy. Wakas, Bocaue,

SATURDAY, MARCH 9, 2019

MAKATI CITY AND PASAY CITY BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT MALIBAY 51VJ Portion of Sen. Gil Puyat Sr. Ave. (Buendia) from Tramo St. to Edison St. including Imarflex Bldg. in Pasay City.

Portion of Edison and Marconi Sts. from Sen. Gil Puyat Sr. Ave. (Buendia) to and including Bell, Babcock, Arsonval, Faraday, Morse, Noble and Finlandia Sts. in Bgy. San Isidro, Makati City.

REASON:

Line reconductoring works along Edison St. in Bgy. San Isidro, Makati City.

SUNDAY, MARCH 10, 2019 LAGUNA (CALAMBA CITY)

BETWEEN 9:00AM AND 2:00PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT CANLUBANG 45XE Portion of Calamba – Los Baños National Highway from Toyota Calamba to and including Mercury Drug; Glenwood Park Subd. and Olivares Homes Subd. in Bgys. Turbina and Milagrosa.

REASON: Relocation of facilities along Calamba – Los Baños National Highway in Bgys.

Turbina and Milagrosa, Calamba City, Laguna.

MAKATI CITY (SAN ISIDRO) BETWEEN 9:30AM AND 2:30PM – PORTION OF CIRCUIT MALIBAY 51VJ Portion of Guatemala St. from P. Binay St. to Batangas St. including San Isidro Barangay Hall and San Isidro Community Complex.

REASON: City.

Line reconductoring works along Guatemala St. in Bgy. San Isidro, Makati

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Democratic socialism destroys!

SOCIALISM never stopped enticing young minds. But the more Democratic Socialists, such as the US’s Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Philippines’ many left-leaning political and thought leaders, open their mouths, the more we learn the movement’s most vocal proponents simply ignore socialism’s incompatibility with democracy, as demonstrated by Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises in A Critique of Interventionism.

The US’s Senator Bernie Sanders is definitely one of them.

The ideology is nothing but a trap.

With the Vermont senator announcing he’s running for president, his past comments defending socialism and socialist countries notorious for their failures become the type of material critics are eager to dissect.

Especially because he still calls himself a Democratic Socialist while using Nordic countries as examples of what he defends.

Thankfully, political figures from the very countries the good senator from Vermont calls “socialist” are here to remind him and us that the ideology is nothing but a trap.

Prime Minister of Sweden from

1991 to 1994, Carl Bildt, took to Twitter to warn Sanders that socialism is not the key to creating a great society as he, Ocasio-Cortez, and our Philippine leaders seem to think.

After old footage showing Sanders and his wife, Jane, praising the Soviet Union for its programs targeting the youth went viral online, Bildt responded by saying “Sanders was lucky to be able to get to the Soviet Union in 1988 and praise all its stunning socialist achievements before the entire system and empire collapsed under the weight of its own spectacular failures.”

To the former prime minister, the damage socialism can cause is still fresh in his memory. After all, he was the first prime minister in 60 years to not subscribe to the ideology. And thanks to him, Sweden’s capital gains taxes were cut to 30 percent and corporate taxes to 28 percent.

Bildt also privatized several stateowned industries, deregulated mul multiple sectors of the economy, allowed people to invest portions of their pension, and introduced school choice policies, improving the country’s education system.

After Bildt, Sweden, which had completely lost its host of entrepre entrepreneurs thanks to business taxes that sometimes exceeded the 100 percent mark, once again flourished. Even as Social Democrat successor Ingvar Carlsson took over.

Seeing the wonderful changes just a few years worth of reform had done, Carlsson kept Bildt’s policies in place. And business start-ups rose nearly 25 percent as a result.

Unfortunately, politicians like Sanders like to use countries like Sweden as examples of how socialism can work.

The same politician who, in the

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

'Project of the Century'

HE government this week finally broke ground on the P350-billion, 36-kilometer Metro Manila Subway Project, the first-ever underground railway system in the Philippines.

Nobody will contest the claim of the Department of Transportation that the proposed subway is the project of the century in the Philippines. Its total cost is unparalleled for a single infrastructure project so far. The technology to be used for the project is also unprecedented— tunnel boring machines are being tapped to excavate tunnels using a circular cross-section mechanism.

The subway project is one of the railways being put up in Metro Manila to decongest traffic in the national capital region. The DOTr says it will transform the economic and social landscape of Metro Manila. For one, about 370,000 pas-

sengers will benefit from the subway’s first year of full operations by 2025.

Real estate consultancy Colliers International, meanwhile, said the ground-breaking for the subway’s first three stations would benefit the Quezon City property sector over the near to medium term. “In our opinion, the subway should play an important role in dictating private developer strategies in Metro Manila,” Colliers said.

A flagship project under the government’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ program, the subway rail is being constructed with a loan from the Japan International Cooperation

Agency.

Once completed, it will have 15 stations from Quirino Highway in Quezon City to NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City and FTI in Taguig City, crossing seven local governments and passing through three Metro Manila’s business districts. With a speed of up to 80 kilometers per hour, travel time from Quezon City to Naia Terminal 3 is expected to be reduced to 30 minutes, the Transportation department said.

The Duterte administration deserves the credit for pushing this type of project as one way of solving the gridlock in Metro Manila. The subway project is a step closer to modernizing the transportation system in Metro Manila and in making the capital region at par with other modern cities in Asia.

Turn to A5

Forcing France to confront a painful past

By Camille Bouissou A SURGE in anti-Semitic violence and hate speech has prompted soul-searching for many in France, which has long wrestled with its history of discrimination and prejudice against Jews.

“Anti-Semitism has very deep roots in French society,” Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said this month after a prominent writer was accosted in the street and warned that “France belongs to us.”

The number of anti-Jewish offences reported to police rose to 541 last year from 311 in 2017, after falling for two years.

Dozens of Jewish cemeteries have been desecrated, and swastikas have been found scrawled on the doors of people's homes. One elderly Holocaust survivor was even murdered in a grisly attack thought to be motivated in part by anti-Semitism.

France, home to Europe's biggest Jewish community, hopes that curbing incendiary hate speech online and an increased focus on anti-racism education will help cut down on the vandalism and threats.

But the problem goes back centuries in a country with a long history of antiSemitism, at times endorsed by the state.

Medieval France In the 13th Century in largely Catholic Medieval France, Louis IX issued a decree forcing Jews to wear the "rouelle", a piece of yellow cloth hung on their coats to mark them as outsiders.

Sovereign authorized attacks on the Jewish faith became more prominent under Philip IV who, in 1306, seized the property of Jews and expelled them from the country unless they converted.

Almost 90 years later, Charles VI announced a ban on all Jews living in his kingdom.

The constant harassment and scapegoating of the Jewish population was about money, according to historian Marie-Anne Matard-Bonucci.

“When they (Kings) needed money” they would use “any pretext” to chase out Jews and confiscate their property, she said.

The anti-Semitic abuse and violence against Jews was not isolated to France, with Jewish communities across Europe blamed for everything from the Black Death epidemics to accusations of blood

libel, the supposed drinking of Christian children's blood.

Much of the hatred stemmed from Jews being employed in occupations considered socially inferior, such as rent collection and money lending.

Catholic doctrine at the time forbade Christians from lending money for interest as it was “sinful”, leading to Jews to work in financial businesses and the characterization of the "Jewish banker"—centuries later symbolized by families such as the Rothschilds.

Emancipation of Jews Fast forward a few centuries and within two years of the French Revolution, in 1791, France became the first country in modern Europe to emancipate the Jews —granting them equal rights under the law.

"The revolutionary period was a period of questioning the elites of the former regime and the powers of the Church. All the supporters of the old regime and the most conservative Catholics blamed the Jews," said Matard-Bonucci.

In this period, she says, the term Judeo-Masonic was born—an alleged secret coalition between Jews and Freemasons.

"Since Jews benefited from the Revolution, we soon saw them being blamed for it, with people imagining they were connected to secret societies," said Matard-Bonucci.

The Alfred Dreyfus affair In more recent history, the Alfred Dreyfus affair became an infamous example of anti-Semitism in France, revealing deep splits in society at the end of the 19th century.

The decade-long scandal—which rocked the assumption that Jews had become an integral part of French life— revealed the depths of anti-Jewish sentiment in the country and triggered a national crisis.

Encouraged by a virulent anti-Semitic press, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, who was Jewish, was convicted of treason in 1894 on trumped-up spying charges.

Despite the lack of evidence, he was sentenced to life imprisonment at the infamous Devil's Island penal colony in French Guiana and publicly stripped of Turn to A5

Bay rehab to benefit from CSR WE’RE glad that the private sector will soon actively join the campaign of the national government, led by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to rehabilitate the nearly 2,000 square kilometer Manila Bay covering a number of cities and municipalities in Metro Manila and outlying provinces.

for its part, would adopt the 15-kilometer long Tullahan River that passes through Quezon City, Valenzuela, Mal Malabon and Navotas.

The companies will Business titan Lucio Tan has also offered to adopt a river in Navotas City. pay for the cleanup of Marikina River would be adopted by rivers.

Andrew Tan of Megaworld Corp.

This is corporate social responsibility at work as the companies will pay for the cleanup of rivers that have so The country’s biggest shopping much garbage that small boats can no mall chain, SM, has already offered to longer use these. When these rivers adopt Parañaque River and take part in overflow, Metro Manila streets become of its rehabilitation. flooded.

Turn to A5 Beverage giant San Miguel Corp.

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

ManilaStandard

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

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Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Opinion The fake news behind EDSA (2) (Continued from Thursday) IT WAS not until late in the evening that Saturday (Feb. 22, 1986) that Fidel Ramos actually joined the rebellion at Camp Aguinaldo. He had contacted his loyal PC-INP commanders, like Rene de Villa in Bicol, and Rodrigo Gutang in Cagayan de Oro and found to his dismay no troops could be readily airlifted to Manila to reinforce Enrile’s men, who were undermanned and under-armed.

Cory learned about the brewing rebellion at 4 p.m. the same Saturday in Cebu. She had led a destabilization and boycott rally there, which I covered.

After hearing about rumors of the Enrile defection, I went to the Mactan airport to book a flight to Manila. I landed in Manila shortly after 9 p.m.

With Boy del Mundo of then UPI, I took a taxi to Camp Aguinaldo.

I was surprised to find the camp commander welcoming us with open arms. Enrile and Gringo had no troops at that time. Enrile had made a deal with Marcos—No shooting on the first night. Also, foreign correspondents were to be allowed inside Camp Aguinaldo.

Inside the Defense Ministry headquarters, Enrile and Ramos were giving an extended press conference. I asked if Cory Aquino called them up.

Enrile said yes. “What can I do for you?” she asked. “Nothing, just pray,” Enrile replied.

After Cory got the presidency, Namfrel made recount of the votes cast in the February snap election.

The tally still showed Marcos was the real winner, not by two-million votes, as canvassed by the Batasan, but by 800,000 votes as recounted by Namfrel.

In the Comelec-sanctioned official count, the legal and official winner was Marcos, by a margin of 1.7-million votes.

It was thought Marcos had cheated because his Solid North votes were transmitted very late to the tabulation center at the PICC. Two Namfrel volunteers were hanged in Ilocos. The Ilocano votes were enough to overwhelm Cory’s lead in Metro Manila and other places. The canvass-

Democratic...

From A4

late 1980s, praised breadlines and celebrated the Soviet Union for forcing its youth to dedicate their whole lives to communism, now tells us that the so-called “Nordic model” of socialism can and will work everywhere.

And yet, he seems clueless to the fact that the policies he pushes don’t mirror those adopted by the countries he celebrates.

As explained by Danish Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen in 2015, countries like his Denmark “[are] far from [socialist planned economies].”

“Denmark is a market economy,” he added. And as demonstrated by Mises in Economic Policy: Thoughts for Today and Tomorrow, there’s “no western, capitalistic country in which

Bay rehab...

From A4

We fully support the clean-up of Metro Manila rivers, including the esteros that discharge polluted water into the Pasig River and onward to Manila Bay. In fact, the cleanup of Manila Bay was ordered by the Supreme Court way back in 2008. Since then, there’s been no coordinated move by the government, the private sector, civil society and ordinary citizens to undertake any serious effort to implement the court order.

Until now, that is. Work has begun to clear three drain channels that empty into Manila Bay. Business establishments that were found to have violated pollution control standards have already been ordered by the DENR to either put up their own sewage treat-

ers claimed Marcos was cheating and so led by the wife of a RAM major, walked out, as if on cue. The day before the celebrated incident, we, foreign correspondents, had been alerted about the planned walkout and to be there to cover it.

Cory Aquino didn’t have any participation in the four-day People Power revolt of Feb. 22 to 25, 1986 or Edsa I. Cory disregarded the 1973 Constitution and proclaimed a Freedom Constitution to sidetrack critics from questioning her legitimacy.

‘What can I do for you?’ Cory asked. ‘Nothing, just pray,’Enrile replied.

choice of senators and competent and popular officials.

For the NP or LP to capture the presidency, it must first capture the Senate, which had 24 senators, eight of whom had to be elected every four years. To control the Senate, both parties had to field the best and brightest and most popular candidates. One proof the old system worked is that seven Philippine presidents were bar topnotchers and first served in the Senate (or Congress) before being ushered into Malacañang.

The lack of regional balance under the present system of electing senators led to a ridiculous situation during Aquino’s time where a small snooty village in La Vista in the Manila suburb of Quezon City had four senators in residence while the entire Mindanao island didn’t have a single senator.

Second, in lieu of the Senate Commission on Appointments, it created a Judicial and Bar Council (a small cabal of men and women actually who are very susceptible to suggestion) to screen judges and Supreme Court justices instead. This resulted in a corrupt if not incompetent judiciary or both.

Third, the Constitution banned foreigners from owning majority of real estate and other key areas of the economy. This turned off investors and the Philippines missed the flood of foreign investments that swept through Southeast Asia in three waves in two decades.

Fourth, the 1987 charter banned nuclear power. This denies the Philippines the option to tap one of the cleanest and best sources of energy.

The multi-party system that replaced the old two-party system enabled communists to get seats in the 280-seat Congress.

Because poll inspectors of the two largest parties were no longer paid wages by the state on election day, presidential candidates had to raise private money to man electoral precincts in 40,000 barangays or villages, making them vulnerable to vested interest and election financiers and crime syndicates. The setup opened doors to corrupt elected officials and worse, incompetent administrators.

Summing up, the love and affection of her people secure Cory’s place in history as perhaps, one of the best loved of Philippine presidents.

Cory had a tumultuous reign. Her Cabinet was riven by discord between right- and left-wingers. She battled a nasty communist insurgency whose guerillas swelled to their highest number ever. She tried to placate Muslim separatists with an aborted autonomy deal, ala Tripoli Agreement of Imelda Marcos.

The century’s worst earthquake, the century’s worst volcano eruption, and among the most massive floods happened during her time. Twelve to 18-hour blackouts scared the daylight out of investors. An unruly military mounted nine coup attempts against her.

Only raw courage and the power of prayer saved her and her administration from ignominy.

When Aquino left office, the economy was in the throes of a recession.

Daily blackouts paralyzed business.

She mothballed the Bataan nuclear plant which would have been the principal power source for the main island of Luzon, which produced half of the total economic output.

Still, aside from restoring the people’s freedoms and democracy, Mrs. Aquino is credited for the 1987 Constitution.

The 1987 charter was flawed for a number of reasons.

First, it abolished the old two-party system dominated by the Nacionalista and Liberal parties. The NP and LP had ensured regional balance in the biznewsasia@gmail.com

the conditions of the masses have not improved in an unprecedented way.”

In other words, to claim the successes of Nordic countries are due to socialism is nothing but a lie.

As the Acton Institute pointed out, Sanders’ ideology, the same ideology upheld by Ocasio-Cortez and countless others in our country who are now legislating, is about putting statism before freedom.

In order to apply the policies they push, we would have to relinquish complete control over our lives, allowing the state to squelch artistic expression, private initiative, and destroy any incentive left, compelling people to serve each other better and more efficiently.

Is that the world we want to live in? *** The International Director for Admissions of Southern New Hampshire

University is in town to meet with alumni and potential students interested in attending SNHU for Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees this September. Many of the Philippines’ top business people, celebrities, and government notables graduated from SNHU and its range of programs are still highly relevant today. Ranked in the Top 100 universities in the Northern US, SNHU is situated in the beautiful city of Manchester, New Hampshire, in a state that has no sales tax and no state income tax, giving a high standard of living and low cost of living.

Potential students and alumni are welcome by contacting 02-819-1001, 0917-515-1162, or 0918-904-1282.

Studying at SNHU has given many students a real competitive advantage in their careers and they would like to extend that opportunity to you.

ment plants or connect their discharge pipes to the main sewerage system or face permanent closure.

All rivers as well as esteros will have to be dredged and cleaned. Informal settlers living along the banks of rivers and esteros will have to be relocated, or if not, provided with adequate sewage system. A huge challenge for the government, the private sector and environmental NGOs, but one that has to be done if we want Metro Manila to remain livable in the years to come.

Urban decay While at this, we must also focus attention on the sad state of Metro Manila cities.

The old business districts in Manila, for instance, have definitely seen better days, and urgently need redevelopment.

Many of the business establish-

ments and residential areas in Quiapo, Sta. Cruz, Binondo and Divisoria are in a sad state of disrepair. If you happen to pass by Claro M. Recto Avenue or the former Azcarraga going to Divisoria, you would notice that most of the old buildings built even before World War II are still there but can use much-needed repair. And yes, a fresh coat of paint would definitely enhance the character of the area. The city government does not seem interested in asking property owners to improve the look of their buildings by spending for paint and brush.

The worst eyesore is the concrete building at the corner of Quezon Boulevard and Recto that should already be demolished. I think that’s where Recto University thrives these days. Also located in the area is the overcrowded Old Bilibid Prison that should really be relocated elsewhere. The old cinema

eric.jurado@gmail.com

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

A5

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Study finds potential new weapon in fight against malaria

By Sara Hussein FOR years, insecticide-soaked mosquito nets have helped dramatically lower malaria infections, but insecticide resistance has driven a search for alternatives and a new study may have uncovered one option.

The weapon is a familiar one: An anti-malarial drug already used by humans to prevent them contracting the disease, and researchers now envisage using it on netting like insecticides.

Their research shows the drug works on mosquitos, killing the malaria parasite in the insects and preventing it from being transmitted.

It is a potentially important breakthrough in the battle against a disease that killed 435,000 people in 2017, the majority of them children under five in Africa.

In 2017, the number of malaria cases climbed to 219 million, a worrying rise from the previous year and a sign that long-standing progress is being reversed.

The researchers, including Flaminia Catteruccia, a professor of immunology and infectious diseases at Harvard University, found exposing mosquitos to even low doses of an anti-malarial called atovaquone or ATQ caused “full parasite arrest.”

“We tested a couple of anti-malarials, and it worked beautifully with ATQ: All parasites were killed!” Catteruccia told AFP by email.

Attacking inside mosquitos The team was initially looking for ways to sterilize female mosquitos that had developed insecticide resistance, to prevent resistance spreading.

But when they found that the compounds they were testing also affected the malaria parasites inside the mosquitos, they shifted their focus.

"We then thought, if we can attack parasites with non-specific chemicals, why don't we try to kill them more effectively with anti-malarials," Catteruccia said.

They settled on ATQ because like insecticides it can penetrate the "skin" of mosquitos when they land on nets.

The team, whose research was published Thursday in the Nature journal, tried to simulate the conditions in which insects land on nets.

They fed two groups of mosquitos with malaria-infected blood and then exposed one group to surfaces coated with ATQ. Just six minutes of contact with the surface—around the time the insects would usually spend on a net trying to land a bite—wiped out the malaria par-

asites in the mosquitos.

The control group mosquitos that weren't exposed to ATQ however “showed a high prevalence and intensity of [malaria] infection”, the study said.

The drug even worked to prevent mosquitos contracting malaria parasites when the insects came into contact with the drug 24 hours before eating infected blood.

The researchers said computer modelling showed their novel approach would "substantially mitigate the global health effects of insecticide resistance" in the fight against malaria.

Substantial hurdles “We are quite excited that this new idea could really help in the fight against malaria in a manner that is safe for people that sleep under those nets and for the environment,” Catteruccia said.

But the researchers acknowledge that significant work is needed before anti-malarials can be used directly against mosquitos, and there are risks.

Mosquitos are unlikely to develop resistance to ATQ because it doesn't affect their survival or reproduction, but when it comes to the malaria parasites “emergence of resistance is always a risk,” Catteruccia said.

The prospect of an ATQ-resistant strain of malaria is particularly problematic because the drug is a key plank in treating the disease in humans.

To tackle that problem, the researchers propose investigating other drugs that kill the malaria parasite in different ways.

"By using different drugs in humans and in mosquitos, we could reduce the chance of drug resistance emerging," said Catteruccia.

The team will also need to look at the cost of using the drug, and how stable it would be over time when exposed to the elements on a net.

And the path to international acceptance will be long, wrote Janet Hemingway, a professor of vector biology at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.

"Substantial hurdles must be overcome before a product is generated that is recommended and universally accepted by funders, countries and communities for use in control programs," she wrote in a review of the research commissioned by Nature.

There are also other factors at play in the growing number of malaria infections, experts say, including a decline in funding for campaigns against the infection and a related drop in the use of insecticide-treated nets. AFP

Outbreak...

World War II During World War II, the French Vichy government collaborated with Germany, notably in the deportation of Jews to death camps.

With northern France occupied by the Nazis, Marshal Philippe Petain led so-called Vichy France in the center and south of the country, with its headquarters in the eponymous spa city.

Despite having autonomy from German policies, Petain passed legislation that saw Jews—around 150,000 of whom had fled to southern France believing it to be safer—subjected to severe discrimination similar to that in the Nazi-occupied north.

Under Petain, the Vichy regime put to death up to 15,000 people and helped deport nearly 80,000 Jews.

After the war Petain was convicted of treason and condemned to death but General Charles de Gaulle commuted his sentence to life in prison.

The period is another stain in French history with tragic repercussions although Jews who survived also thanked French citizens who helped them during the war. AFP

From A4

his rank.

For 12 years, Dreyfus fought to expose the anti-Semitic plot that led to his conviction.

In 1898, the writer Emile Zola published his famous “J'accuse” letter to the president of the day, naming officials who had framed Dreyfus.

The army captain was later brought back for a second trial, officially pardoned and eventually exonerated.

He was reinstated with the rank of major and awarded the Legion of Honour, one of France's most prestigious distinctions.

For some Jews in France, the Dreyfus affair eventually represented a triumph of republican values over discrimination but others saw the scandal as proof of endemic anti-Semitism.

“Anti-Semitism had to wait for the Dreyfus case to be partially eradicated on the left," said Matard-Bonucci.

"Even if it never completely disappeared.”

houses along Rizal Avenue with Art Deco architecture—Avenue, Dalisay, Odeon, Galaxy, Scala, Roxan, among others—are all gone. But I think State Theater near Carriedo is still there and should be preserved, even if only the facade will remain after redevelopment.

If Manila is a good example of a city gone to seed, you won’t find better proof than a quick drive through R-10 along the Port Area. That’s where urban poverty is at its most wretched, with residents left to their own devices by the government.

In Quezon City, the local government unit appears helpless in controlling the influx of informal settlers, as there are many shanties built near Morato Avenue, a major restaurant and entertainment hub.

Reader clarifies railway story We received a mail from a Brad Peadon of the Philippine Railway His-

torical Society regarding our recent column on the hybrid train project of the Department of Science and Technology. Here’s his letter: “In response to your (and most other media outlets there) claim regarding the Philippines first locally built train.

“Unfortunately, this is not correct. It is the first hybrid train built locally, but it is far from the first trains built there.

“This claim would be held by railcars built prior to the war for the Manila Railroad, and the locally produced railcars of the former Panay Railway.

“For the sake of reporting correct Philippine history, I hope this correction can be made in the publication.

“Many thanks for your support of the railways there.”

We stand corrected. Thanks for your clarification, Mr. Peadon. ernhil@yahoo.com

News

A6

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Piñol hit for using gov’t funds for kin’s poll bids

By Vito Barcelo A GROUP of farmers has asked Department of Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to answer allegations that the department is using millions of government funds to boost the campaign of his daughter, siblings and political allies in North Cotabato province through the projects of the DA intended for poor farmers in ten provinces nationwide.

In a statement, Association of Free Framers (AFF) Vice President Teody De Belen said his group, which is composed of farmers and fisherfolks, criticized Pinol for using most of the projects under the Special Area for Agricultural Development (SAAD) under the DA and concentrated these in North Cotabato province to enhance the campaign of daughter Ma. Krista Piñol, who is running for Board Member in the second district, his siblings Socrates Piñol who is running for Vice Governor, Efren Piñol who is running as congressman for 2nd district, Bernardo Piñol Jr.,

for Kidapawan City Mayor and Joselito Piñol who is running for Vice Mayor of Mlang.

“Why is Secretary Piñol concentrating on just one province and using government projects to help boost the campaign of his allies,” De Belen said.

Aside from his daughter and siblings, the other beneficiary of Piñol’s SAAD project sorties is his political ally and last-termer Representative Nancy Catamco who is running for provincial Governor.

Catamco is out on bail for a graft case filed before the Sandiganabayan after he was charged with two counts of funds malversation and one count of graft over a P5 million deal under the alleged fertilizer fund scam.

“It looks like Piñol is rebuilding their broken empire in the province at the expense of people’s hard earned money intended for us poor farmers in other provinces who have inadequate access to government farm projects. How about us?”

De Belen said.

Yedda cites firefighters’ heroism T

By Maricel V. Cruz

INGOG Sinirangan party-list first nominee Yedda Marie KittilstvedtRomualdez on Thursday sought the continued inspection of residential homes and buildings for possible fire hazards as she cited the heroism of the country’s firefighters and volunteers whose ‘malasakit’ or care for others has been saving lives, homes, and properties from destructive fires.

Romualdez made the statement following the Tingog party-list’s recent relief operation for the fire victims in Brgy. Narra in Catarman, Northern Samar where a total of 81 families were affected with 61 houses totally damaged and 20 partially damaged during the fire incident.

With the annual observance of the Fire Prevention Month this March, Romualdez, congresswoman of the First District of Leyte, also underscored anew the need to modernize the Bureau of Fire Protection.

“For us to help prevent fire, we should always adhere in the promotion of public safety and follow safety measures,” said Romualdez, who chairs the House committee on accounts.

Romualdez extolled the spirit of volunteerism of the firefighting community, adding that this should snowball support to their mission in the name of public safety.

“We commend our firefighters and volunteers whose proudest moments are to save lives, homes and properties. They are always there, night and day, for us and not giving up the battle despite physical limitations and lack of support for their welfare,” Romualdez said.

Romualdez is the wife of former House Independent Bloc Leader and ex-Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of both the Philippine Constitution Association (Philconsa) and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (CMD), who is running for Leyte con-

gressional district.

She stressed the need to provide fire trucks, fire stations and modernized firefighting equipment for the majority of towns in the countryside.

“We have to seriously invest more in modernizing the BFP for the best interest of the nation. Let us build fire stations and purchase modern equipment for our firefighters,” said Romualdez.

Romualdez also cited the need for Congress to appropriate funds for the BFP to embark on modernizing the “equipment of fire fighters” aimed at preventing the loss of lives and properties, adding that “unreliable safety equipment” of them should also improve.

“Their act of bravery as firefighters is a greatest accomplishment already because they are involved in a very noble calling and indeed, they very selfless people who put their lives on line. It is important for us not to forget them, instead we should always recognize and celebrate their heroism,” Romualdez said.

“The lives of our firefighters and fire victims are also in great danger if our firefighting equipment is not reliable,” she added.

Jinggoy to challenge court on plunder case SAYING that the evidence against him in the plunder case was weak, former Senator Jinggoy Estrada has formally informed the Sandiganbayan that he is seeking to dismiss the P183-million pork barrel fund scam case.

Estrada’s lawyers have already filed a motion for leave of court to file a demurrer to evidence at the Fifth Division on February 22.

“With the prosecution having completed the presentation of itsevidence-in-chief, it is evidently clear that the prosecution has not proved its case against Senator Estrada and has not substantiated the accusation of plunder against him,” his lawyers said.

If approved, Estrada can submit his demurrer assailing the sufficiency of the plunder charge against him. He can still file the demurrer without a leave of court but risks losing his chance to submit rebuttal evidence.

Estrada, who is running for

another Senate term, cited four grounds that would warrant the dismissal of his case.

Estrada’s lawyers said the prosecution failed to prove the gravity of the plunder charge, wherein the former senator allegedly misappropriated his Priority Development Assistance Fund, or pork barrel, to the fake non-government organizations of convicted plunderer Janet Lim Napoles.

Estrada’s camp argued the prosecution had no evidence that he was the mastermind behind the scheme, nor was there proof he acted in conspiracy with Napoles and his former deputy chief of staff Pauline Labayen.

“It is in this context that Sen. Estrada begs leave to demonstrate further that not only is the evidence against him weak or insufficient to prove his guilt beyond reasonable doubt but also, that the accusation against him is althogether unfounded,” his lawyers said.

WINDOW CLEANERS. Maintenance workers rappel using high-tech equipment which provides them a safe and effective method of cleaning multi-story buildings of window glasses at the Mall of Asia, Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City. Lino Santos

‘Pompeo visit to make US understand PH policy’

By Rio N. Araja THE first visit of State Secretary Michael Pompeo to Manila poses a good opportunity for the United States to better understand the country's independent foreign policy, a political analyst said Thursday.

"It's more of understanding each other well, a better understanding of what the Philippine independent foreign policy means for the US," Ramon Casiple told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on the sidelines of a forum on Philippine-US relations in Quezon City.

"There are still so many questions that

could be clarified here (in the upcoming meeting). I think that's the outcome that we could see after unless the US has other things in its mind," he added.

Pompeo is expected to arrive in the Philippines on February 28 to meet with Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and pay a courtesy call on President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo earlier said the two secretaries would discuss issues of mutual interest with the possibility of tackling the proposed review of the 67-year-old Mutual Defense Treaty between Manila and Washington.

With the expanding immigration concerns in the US, Casiple said Manila should also take advantage of the visit to clarify how Filipinos in America are affected by these issues.

Moreover, the country should also seek for a categorical answer on where the US stands in the South China Sea issue, as well as on the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, he said. "(On our part) we are really not in the position to offer something big," he noted as he said that the administration's position since 2016 has been clear, as stated in the framework of its independent foreign policy.

League, Oceana team up to stop illegal fishing THE League of Municipalities of the Philippines (LMP) and Oceana, the world’s largest international marine advocacy organization, entered into a partnership to stop, fight and deter illegal fishing in municipal waters nationwide. A pioneering online reporting, Karagatan Patrol, was likewise launched in encouraging citizens to report illegal fishing activities in the Karagatan Patrol Facebook group.

Commercial fishing is banned in municipal waters under the Fisheries Code, as amended in 2015, which has stringent measures to fight illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU)’fishing, such as vessel monitoring technology for all commercial fishing vessels from 3.1 gross tonnage and beyond.

The Department on Interior and Local Government issued in April, 2018 its Implementing Guidelines to all coastal cities and municipalities, to regulate and monitor all fisheries activities under its jurisdiction.

Based on the analyzed data from satellite sensor called Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS), and in full support of government’s full implementation of the ban on commercial fishing in municipal waters, Oceana released its list of top ten

hotspots nationwide on frequency of illegal fishing activities at night time in municipal waters in 2018, during the launch today: Zamboanga City Tongkil, Sulu Hadji Muhammad Ajul, Basilan Sta. Cruz, Marinduque Cuyo, Palawan Linapacan, Palawan Languyan, Tawi tawi San Francisco, Quezon Araceli, Palawan Magsaysay, Palawan In the 2014 data from VIIRS, Hadji Muhammad Ajul ranked 31 but swung upward to rank 3 last year. The same goes for San Francisco that was in ranked 16th in 2014 but went up to number 8 in 2018.

Working exclusively to protect and restore the world’s oceans, Oceana in the Philippines aids government in analyzing data from VIIRS to detect by satellites, in a supposedly dark environment such as large bodies of water, artificial light sources or superlights. These are likely used by fishing boats such as purse seiners and ring netters and were found inside the prohibited area in municipal waters.

Unilab, MSU-IIT sign deal on nutraceuticals research

CHECKPOINT. Members of the Quezon City Police District conduct a Comelec check point along University Avenue in U.P Diliman. Photo shows PNP personnel flagging down motorcycle riders for proper document inspection. Manny Palmero

Guiuan mayor, 9 other local execs suspended

By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman has issued a preventive suspension on Guiuan, Eastern Samar Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzales and nine other local officials for alleged irregular implementation of the multimillionpeso ‘Yolanda’ recovery program.

In a seven-page Feb. 12 order of Ombudsman Samuel Martires, Gonzales and

the other respondents have been ordered suspended for six months without pay for alleged grave misconduct and gross neglect of duty.

Martires directed the Department of Interior and Local Government to implement the order.

Also suspended were accountant Adrian Bernardo; treasurer Felicisima Bernardo; bids and awards committee mem-

bers Arsenio Salamida, Esperanza Cortin, Danilo Colandog, Gilberto Labicante, Ma. Nenita Ecleo and Felipe Padual, and BAC-technical working group member Zosimo Macabasag.

Guiuan was one of the 171 local government units severely damaged by typhoon Yolanda in 2013, and was considered eligible for the DILG's Recovery Assistance on Yolanda funds.

SOUTHEAST Asia’s top pharmaceutical company Unilab, Inc. has forged an agreement with Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) for joint undertakings on the research and development of nutraceuticals and dietary products.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding is a major milestone for the Philippine pharmaceutical sector as it signals the start of a strong collaboration between the academe and industry players.

“There has been no real collaboration between the industry and the academe yet.

According to USAID, there seems to be a mutual mistrust between the industry and the academe,” said Sukarno D. Tanggol, DPA, chancellor of MSU-IIT. The MOU, which Unilab and MSU-IIT signed on February 6 at the Unilab Corporate Center in Mandaluyong City effectively broke the said mistrust. The MOU

is the beginning of a partnership, not just between the two entities, but more so between the industry and academe.

Unilab, being the leading pharmaceutical company in Southeast Asia, has been vigorously pursuing social partnerships, and Unilab Senior Vice President Atty.

Jose Maria A. Ochave stressed that he strongly believes the industry and the academe could work together.

“Many things can happen outside Manila, that’s why Unilab chose MSU-IIT for this partnership,” Ochave said.

He also said that they are looking for more R&D-focused universities outside of Metro Manila whose products or services they can help develop so these can be utilized by the people. “We need more industry-academe collaborations so that the results of government-funded researches do not end up simply gathering dust in the cabinets,” Ochave said.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Republic of the Philippines StandardENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

TODAY

Industry Reform Act of 2001 or EPIRA, declared as a policy of the State, among others, [to ensure the quality, reliability, security and affordability of the supply of electric power;” (Underscoring supplied)

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

“WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 23 of EPIRA, all distribution utilities, as defined in the law, SHALL HAVE THE OBLIGATION TO SUPPLY ELECTRICITY IN THE LEAST COST MANNER TO ITS CAPTIVE MARKET subject to the collection of retail rate duly approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission;” (Underscoring supplied)

IN THE MATTER OF THE JOINT APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT (PSA) ENTERED INTO BY AND BETWEEN BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BOHECO I) AND SAN MIGUEL ENERGY CORPORATION (SMEC), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

13.

Energy Fee

The Joint Application is, likewise, consistent with Section 1 of the same Department Circular which declares as State policy, that: “All distribution utilities must henceforth take cognizance and assume full responsibility to forecast, assure and contract for the supply of electric power in the respective franchise areas to meet their obligations as a distribution utility.”

(Underscoring supplied)

ERC CASE NO. 2019-____ RC BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BOHECO I) AND SAN MIGUEL ENERGY CORPORATION (SMEC),

Where:

Applicants. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -x

JOINT APPLICATION WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION

3.

Initial Local Component of Variable O&M Fee, PhP 0.0191/ kWh

IVOM

Initial Foreign Component of Variable O&M Fee, USD 0.0012/ kWh

USCPIn

Current US Consumer Price Index, Billing Period

USCPIo

Base US Consumer Price Index, 244.733 (May 2017)

IEF

Initial Energy Fee, USD 0.0408/kWh

CIFn

CIF Cost of Fuel for Billing Period n

CIF0

Base CIF Cost of Fuel equal to $74.7/MT

FOREIGN

The Joint Applicants

2.

Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee, PhP/kWh

IVOM

LOCAL

Joint Applicants BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (“BOHECO I”) and SAN MIGUEL ENERGY CORPORATION (“SMEC”), through their respective undersigned counsel and unto the Honorable Commission, most respectfully state that:

1.

VOMF

BOHECO I is an electric cooperative duly registered with the National Electrification Administration (“NEA”) pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 269, as amended, with principal office address at Brgy. Cabulijan, Tubigon, 6329 Bohol. It holds a franchise to operate light and power services in the Municipalities of Alburquerque, Anterquera, Baclayon, Balilihan, Batuan, Bilar, Calape, Carmen, Catigbian, Clarin, Corella, Cortes, Dauis, Dimiao, Inabanga, Lila, Loay, Loboc, Loon, Maribojoc, Panglao, Sagbayan, San Isidro, Sevilla, Sikatuna, and Tubigon, all in the Province of Bohol (collectively, the “Franchise Area”).

6.4.1

SMEC is a domestic corporation organized and existing under the Philippine laws, with office address at the 2nd Floor, 808 Building, MERALCO Avenue Corner Gen. Lim Street, Barangay San Antonio, Pasig City.

It is the Independent Power Producer (IPP) Administrator of the 1,000 MW Net Contracted Capacity of the Sual Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant located in Barangay Pangascasan, Sual, Pangasinan.

The Joint Applicants may be served with orders, notices and other processes of the Honorable Commission through their respective undersigned counsel at the addresses indicated herein.

6.5

5.

BOHECO I conducted a Competitive Selection Process (“CSP”) through Comparative Proposals for 1.2 MW Baseload Power Supply for Medium-Term (CY2018-2023), as follows:

7.

6.4.2

All WESM charges, including but not limited to Line Rental, Must Run Unit charges and imbalances, shall be for the account of the BOHECO I.

6.4.3

The DOE Fee per ER No. 1-94 shall be for the account of the SMEC.

Generation Rate Impact

Percent Share (%)

Resulting Utilization Capacity Factor (%)

Average Rate (₱/ kWh)

3,102,692,902

47.26%

75.89%

6.6671

43,077,185

182,875,573

2.79%

39.34%

4.2453

Forecasted 20192023 Quantity (kWh)

Amount (PhP)

CEDC

465,375,000

BSMHP

Power Supplier

JMHP

66,922,100

249,318,284

3.80%

30.56%

3.7255

SPUG

2,864,732

20,677,816

0.31%

21.80%

7.2181

SMEC

0

0

0.00%

0.00%

0.0000

On 06 April 2018, the above four (4) generation companies submitted their respective Comparative Proposals and thereafter, the same were opened. SMEC’s proposal was the Lowest Calculated Price (“LCP”).

GNPD

509,770,179

1,742,567,529

26.54%

96.99%

WESM

245,558,957

1,266,483,793

19.29%

From 09 April until 13 April, 2018, BOHECO I’s Technical Working Group (“TWG”) conducted post qualification, verification of value-added services and evaluation of technical proposal of SMEC and thereafter, issued a Report on the post qualification process. After the post-qualification and detailed evaluation, BOHECO I accepted SMEC’s Comparative Proposal and declared SMEC as the Qualified Comparative Proponent or Challenger whose proposal shall be matched by the Original Proponent, SCPC.

TOTAL

1,333,568,152

6,564,615,897

100.00%

On even date, the Board of Directors of BOHECO I issued Board Resolution No. 51-2018, entitled “A Resolution Approving the Recommendation of BOHECO I CPSP BAC on the Results of the BOHECO I Competitive Selection Process (CSP) through Comparative Proposals for Medium-Term (CY2018-2023) on 1.2 MW Baseload Power Supply and the Declaration of SMEC as the Winning Proponent and for Other Purposes”.

On 02 May 2018, BOHECO I issued a Notice of Award to SMEC which was acknowledged by SMEC on 07 May 2018.

The full details of the foregoing CSP activities are shown in the documents attached as “Annex O and Series”.

Salient Features of the PSA.

Average Rate (₱/ kWh)

3,102,692,902

47.50%

75.89%

6.6671

43,077,185

182,875,573

2.80%

39.34%

4.2453

JMHP

66,922,100

249,318,284

3.82%

30.56%

3.7255

SPUG

2,864,732

20,677,816

0.32%

21.80%

7.2181

SMEC

43,877,088

143,305,458

2.19%

83.48%

3.2661

GNPD

501,304,075

1,725,903,854

26.42%

95.38%

3.4428

WESM

210,147,972

1,107,168,131

16.95%

TOTAL

1,333,568,152

6,531,942,018

100.00%

CEDC

465,375,000

BSMHP

*Generation Rate Impact

Where:

99.50-100.00%

0.0143

0.1640

98.50-99.49%

0.0145

0.1657

97.50-98.49%

0.0146

0.1673

96.50-97.49%

0.0148

0.1691

95.50-96.49%

0.0149

0.1708

94.50-95.49%

0.0151

0.1726

93.50-94.49%

0.0152

0.1745

92.50-93.49%

0.0154

0.1763

91.50-92.49%

0.0156

0.1783

90.50-91.49%

0.0157

0.1802

89.50-90.49%

0.0159

0.1822

88.50-89.49%

0.0161

0.1843

87.50-88.49%

0.0163

0.1864

86.50-87.49%

0.0164

0.1885

85.50-86.49%

0.0166

0.1907

84.50-85.49%

0.0168

0.1929

83.50-84.49%

0.0170

0.1952

82.50-83.49%

0.0172

0.1976

81.50-82.49%

0.0175

0.2000

80.50-81.49%

0.0177

0.2025

79.50-80.49%

0.0179

0.2050

78.50-79.49%

0.0181

0.2076

5.2685

Board of Investments (“BOI”) Certificate. On 26 January 2011, the Power Plant Project was registered with the BOI which issued Certificate of Registration No. 2011-024.

10.

Certificate of Compliance (“COC”). On 20 April 2009, the Honorable Commission issued a COC registered under the name of Team Sual for its 1,294 MW Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant. The said COC was a renewal of the previously issued COC on 17 December 2003 under the name of the power plant’s former owner, Mirant Sual Corporation.

“C-1”

Certification Stating the Applicability or Non-Applicability of a Shareholders’ Agreement of SMEC.

“E” to “E-1”

Certificate of Registration of SMEC issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

“F”

Latest General Information Sheet of SMEC.

“G”

Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power and its subsidiaries.

“H”

BOI Certificate of Registration of SMEC.

“I”

ECC issued by the DENR to the Sual Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant.

“J”

COC issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission in favor of SMEC.

“K”

Certification of the Non-Applicability of Renewable Energy Service/Operating Contract from the Department of Energy (“DOE”);

“K-1”

Certification of the Non-Applicability of Certificate of Registration or Certification of Commerciality by an RE Developer and after due Confirmation by the DOE; and

Certification on the Demand Side Management (“DSM”) Program of BOHECO I.

“M”

Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy (“CSEE”) between BOHECO I and National Power Corporation (“NPC”).

“N”

Historical and Forecasted Supply and Demand Scenario, and Daily Load Curve of BOHECO I.

“P”

PSA dated 12 December 2018 entered into by and between BOHECO I and SMEC. Transmission Service Agreement between NGCP and BOHECO I Write-up on the IPPA Project of SMEC.

“S”

Write-up on the details regarding the Transmission Projects or Grid Connection Projects of SMEC

“T”

Executive Summary of the BOHECO I and SMEC PSA.

“U”

Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model of SMEC (Confidential).

“V”

Rate Impact Analysis of BOHECO I. Details of the Fuel Procurement Process of SMEC. (Confidential).

77.50-78.49%

0.0183

0.2103

0.0186

0.2130

75.50 -76.49%

0.0188

0.2158

74.50-75.49%

0.0191

0.2187

“W”

73.50-74.49%

0.0193

0.2216

“W-1”

72.50-73.49%

0.0196

0.2247

“X”

71.50-72.49%

0.0199

0.2278

70.50-71.49%

0.0202

0.2310

“Y”

Cost Analysis of the Proposed Pricing Provisions of the PSA.

70.00-70.49%

0.0204

0.2343

“Z”

Latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS), Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows of SMEC;

Where:

-

CRF ALF FOMF ALF PHCPIn PHCPIo FOREX

-

ACUF

is the Capital Recovery Fee in PHP/kWh is the Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee in PHP/kWh Philippine Consumer Price Index of the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority) Base Philippine Consumer Price Index, 111.00 (May 2017; 2012=100)

is the Applicable Capacity Utilization Factor between 70% and 100%, provided that if the actual CUF is below 70% (the “Minimum Capacity Utilization Factor”), the Capacity Price shall be calculated based on the Capacity Fee and quantity associated with the Minimum Capacity Utilization Factor

Where:

AE CC HT EHTO For example: AE CC HT HTO

= = = =

-

Associated Energy as defined in Section 1.1 of the Agreement Contracted Capacity, in kW, as set forth in Schedule 1

Certification from the engine manufacturer of SMEC on the net heat rate in liters per kWh; Explanation on the Non-Applicability of Potential Cost of Ancillary Services; and

“Z-3”

Explanation on the Applicability of the Minimum Energy Off-Take (MEOT) provision on the BOHECO I and SMEC Contract

“AA” and Series

Proof of Service to the Sanggunian within the franchise area of BOHECO I and Sangguniang Panlungsod of Pasig City, of copies of the Joint Application including annexes.

“BB” and Series

Affidavit of Publication and complete issue of the newspapers where the Joint Application was published.

“CC”

Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Alberto B. Reyes III in support of the Motion for Provisional Authority.

“DD”

Secretary Certificate of SMEC on the authorized personnel to sign and deliver contracts, agreements, instruments and/or securities.

“DD1”

Secretary Certificate of SMEC on the authority of the authorized representatives to appoint and designate representative to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, settle and/or collect in behalf of the company.

“EE”

Board Resolution No. 122-2018 dated December 8, 2018, duly signed by Ms. Christine N. Maluenda, Board Secretary of BOHECO I and attested by Mr. Marcial P. Degamo, Board President/Presiding Officer, on authorizing Atty. Elmer Salus B. Pozon as the legal counsel of BOHECO I, to file for the application of the PSA between BOHECO I and SMEC.

“EE1”

Board Resolution No. 123-2018 dated December 8, 2018, duly signed by Ms. Christine N. Maluenda, Board Secretary of BOHECO I and attested by Mr. Marcial P. Degamo, Board President/Presiding Officer, on authorizing BOHECO I to execute verification and certification against forum shopping in apropos to the PSA between BOHECO I and SMEC and further authorizing Engr. Dino Nicolas T. Roxas to sign for and on behalf of BOHECO I to any pertinent documents related to the application.

“FF” and Series

Additional Documentary Requirements in relation to the 16 October 2018 letter of the ERC directing the Distribution Utilities to submit the following:

Total number of hours in such Billing Period the sum of the duration, in Equivalent Hours, of Force Majeure in such Billing Period 714,000 kWh 1,200 kW 720 hours 0 hours

12.

the amount of effort or money expended by the company in developing the information; and

(6)

the extent to which the information could be easily or readily obtained through an independent source.” (citations omitted, emphasis supplied)

1.

Pending hearing, ISSUE an Order provisionally approving the Joint Application and the PSA thereby authorizing BOHECO I and SMEC to immediately implement the rate structures therein;

2.

ISSUE an Order treating Annex “U” and Annex “W”, and all the information contained therein as confidential, directing their non-disclosure to persons other than the officers and staff of the Honorable Commission, continuously protecting the said information from public disclosure by maintaining the same separate and apart from the records of the case, and ensuring that these are not divulged to unauthorized persons, pursuant to Rule 4 of its Rules of Practice and Procedure; and

3.

After due notice and hearing, ISSUE a Decision approving the Joint Application and the PSA between BOHECO I and SMEC, and authorizing BOHECO I to charge and collect the fees therein from its memberconsumers.

Mandaluyong City for Pasig City, 02 January 2019.

Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) By:

ELMER SALUS B. POZON, R.E.E 315 Jose Dual St., Pooc Or., Tubigon, Bohol PTR No.5421551 / 3 January 2019 / Bohol IBP No. 014646 / Lifetime / Bohol MCLE Compliance No. V-607 Roll No. 48671 San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) By:

JUPITER M. CABAGUIO 23rd Floor, San Miguel Properties Centre, No. 7 St. Francis Street, Mandaluyong City Telephone No. (02) 702-4512 / jmcabaguio@gmail.com PTR No. 3823276 / 4 January 2019 / Mandaluyong City IBP No. 06372 / Lifetime / Makati City MCLE Compliance No. VI-0015891/ 13 December 2018 Roll No. 47112

AVELINO G. CEDO III 23rd Floor, San Miguel Properties Centre, No. 7 St. Francis Street, Mandaluyong City Telephone No. (02) 702-4509 / agcedo3@gmail.com PTR No. 3823277 / 4 January 2019 / Mandaluyong City IBP No. 010380 / Lifetime / PPLM MCLE Compliance No. VI-0011960 / 3 September 2018 Roll No. 54500

Relevant technical and economic characteristics of the generation capacity, installed capacity, mode of operation, dependable capacity, scheduled outage allowance, major maintenance outage, and forced outage allowance of SMEC.

“Z-2”

The Applicable Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) shall be computed as follows:

the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

(5)

Affidavit of Competitive Procurement Process of SMEC.

“Z-1”

Monthly Average of daily Philippine Peso to US Dollars Foreign Exchange rate for the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs (Source: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)

(4)

Metering Service Agreement between NGCP and BOHECO I

“R”

76.50- 77.49%

the extent of measures taken by the employer to guard the secrecy of the information;

Other reliefs just and equitable under the premises are, likewise, prayed for.

CSP Documents of BOHECO I.

“Q” “Q-1”

(3)

WHEREFORE, premises considered, Joint Applicants Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) and San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) most respectfully pray that the Honorable Commission:

Certification stating the Consistency/Inconsistency of the Sual Coal Fired Power Station with the DOE’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

“L”

“O” and Series

the extent to which the information is known by employees and others involved in the business;

Amended Articles of Incorporation of SMEC.

“D”

“K-2”

(2)

Accordingly, BOHECO I and SMEC submit one (1) copy of Annex “U” and Annex “W”, in a sealed envelope, with the said envelope and each page of the documents and/or information stamped with the word “Confidential”.

Prayer

Amended By-Laws of BOHECO I. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of SMEC.

the extent to which the information is known outside of the employer’s business;

25.

Articles of Incorporation of BOHECO I.

“C”

(1)

More importantly, competitors of SMEC, should they obtain the information in Annex “U” and Annex “W”, will gain undue advantage thereon and have the opportunity to use the same in their operations.

The negotiating power of SMEC with parties it plans to contract with or who it is currently doing business with, will clearly be thwarted if it is compelled to disclose such information.

Documents/Information

List of the Board of Directors of BOHECO I.

Details of the SMEC’s Fuel Procurement Process (Confidential).

Annex “U” and Annex “W” contain the details of the power rate calculations and financial model of SMEC as well as the manner by which these were derived. These information is proprietary in nature and should be protected as trade secrets as contemplated by law and jurisprudence. In the case of Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell, Inc.1, the Supreme Court defined a trade secret, as follows:

24.

Copies of the following documents and/or information are attached to the Joint Application as annexes and made integral parts hereof:

“B”

“W”

The interest of the consuming public is sufficiently protected by the review and evaluation of the rates under the PSA by the Honorable Commission, without the need to disclose the contents of Annex “U”.

The reasonableness and transparency of the prices of electricity is to be assured by the Honorable Commission through its own review and verification of SMEC’s operating costs and expenses;

Compliance with the Pre-filing Requirements 11.

Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model (Confidential).

23.

-0.0109

9.

Documents and/or Information

“U”

“A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that: (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain an advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous use in the operation of the business, for example, a machine or formula, but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights. The inventor, discoverer, or possessor of a trade secret or similar innovation has rights therein which may be treated as property, and ordinarily an injunction will be granted to prevent the disclosure of the trade secret by one who obtained the information “in confidence” or through a “confidential relationship”. American jurisprudence has utilized the following factors to determine if an information is a trade secret, to wit:

5.3251

Environmental Compliance Certificate (“ECC”). On 8 November 2004, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (“DENR”) issued an ECC with Reference No. 9406-003-206 to Pangasinan Electric Corporation for the 1,200 MW Sual Coal-fired Power Project located at Sitios Bangayao, Buyog and Pao of Barangay Pangascasan, Sual, Pangasinan covering 280 hectares land area.

Capacity and O&M Fees for Specific Capacity Utilization Factors

O&M Fee (PhP /kWh)

Annex

Weighted Average Rate (₱/ kWh)

8.

“A-1”

Capacity Fee (USD /kWh)

SMEC prays for the confidential treatment of the information contained in the following annexes, and not disclosed except to the officers and staff of the Honorable Commission:

5.3360

5. Actual Prices of Existing Power Suppliers on September 2015 was used in the simulation.

“A”

Capacity Utilization Factor (%)

21.

4. CEDC/SPUG prices are inflated at the rate of PH CPI of 3.43%

Annex

CRFALF is the Capital Recovery Fee and FOMFALF is the Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee with values for different Capacity Utilization Factors (CUF) or Applicable Load Factors (ALF), effective until December 25, 2023. The Capital Recovery Fees tabulated below shall be fixed throughout the term of the Agreement. However, the Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee is subject to escalation as illustrated in equation for FOMF below:

Rule 4 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure provides that BOHECO I and SMEC may request that information may not be disclosed;

22.

3. SMEC rate is based on the (i) Capacity Fee of the average resulting CUF; (ii) FOREX is based on the reference rate provided during evaluation of bid proposal; (iii) Energy Fee is based on the submitted fuel cost of SMEC’s bid proposal during evaluation; (iv) CPI is based on the reference rate provided during evaluation of proposal

6.2 Contract Term. The PSA shall take effect between the Parties immediately from Effective Date and shall remain in force and effect until December 25, 2023. In the event BOHECO I intends to extend the Agreement, it shall send a written notice to SMEC no later than June 25, 2023.

BEC = (CRF ALF + FOM ALF + VOMF + Energy Fee) * AE

20.

2. WESM hourly Prices are inflated from actual prices (with proxy removing outliers ) of 2016 at the rate of 3.43%

Contracted Capacity

To emphasize the necessity of the foregoing allegations, a judicial affidavit in support of the motion for provisional authority is attached to the Joint Application as Annex “CC” and made an integral part hereof.

Allegations in Support of the Confidential Treatment of Annex “U” and Annex “W”

1. Analysis and simulations is based on BOHECO I’s forecasted 2019 to 2023 hourly load profile .

The Contracted Capacity in 1.1 of Schedule 1 is as follows:

The Basic Energy Charge shall be equal to:

“Section 3. Action on the Motion. – Motions for provisional authority or interim relief may be acted upon with or without hearing. The Commission shall act on the motion on the basis of the allegations of the application or petition and supporting documents and other evidences that applicant or petitioner has submitted and the comments or opposition filed by any interested person, if there be any.” (Emphasis provided)

Weighted Average Rate (₱/ kWh)

Assumptions:

Under the PSA, SMEC shall, during the entire term of the PSA, make available, sell and deliver, or cause to be delivered to BOHECO I the Contracted Capacity and Associated Energy in accordance with Schedule 1 of the PSA at the Point of Delivery, whether sourced from the SMEC’s Plant, or from other electricity generators, including the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM).

Basic Energy Charge

It bears stressing that pursuant to Rule 14, Section 3 of the Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, the Honorable Commission may issue a provisional authority pending approval of the Joint Application, to wit:

3.4183

Resulting Utilization Capacity Factor (%)

Amount (PhP)

6.1 Contracted Capacity.

6.3 Capacity and Energy Fees. Under the PSA, BOHECO I shall pay the following Capacity and Energy Fees to SMEC:

18.

5.1576

Percent Share (%)

Forecasted 20182023 Quantity (kWh)

Power Supplier

On 26 April 2018, SCPC declined the opportunity to match the price submitted by SMEC.

The protocol for the delivery and receipt of the Contracted Capacity by the hour is attached as Schedule 3 of the PSA.

In the interest of the public, there is a necessity for the immediate and provisional approval of the Joint Application in order that there will be no undue disruption in the power supply to BOHECO I’s memberconsumers;

Simulation of Generation Mix Rate with SMEC

On 13 April 2018, BOHECO I issued to SCPC a Notice for a Right to Match the proposal of SMEC.

BOHECO I shall nominate in every trading interval from a minimum of seventy percent (70%) to a maximum of one hundred percent (100%) Capacity Utilization Factor (CUF) of the Contracted Capacity. The Associated Energy to be used shall be the higher of (a) actual energy delivered or (b) energy equivalent to a seventy percent (70%) CUF for the billing period. Item (b) shall be the basis for the Minimum Charge as defined in Section 1.1 of the PSA, except during Events of Force Majeure.

17.

Simulation of Generation Mix Rate without SMEC

On 09 February 2018, BOHECO I’s Bids and Awards Committee (“BAC”) conducted a Transaction Conference which was attended by SMEC, First Gen Corporation, 1590 Energy Corporation, and Solar Phils.

1.2 MW

16.3 Without the supply of SMEC, BOHECO I will be exposed to the unpredictable and expectedly higher prices in the WESM or worse, be unable to supply the required additional energy to its franchise area resulting in blackout.

The indicative rate impact on BOHECO I’s overall generation rate with the supply from SMEC is as follows:

Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol

On 26 January 2018, BOHECO I sent an “Invitation to a Transaction Conference” to the Original Proponent and Comparative Proponents to discuss the bidding process, rules and evaluation methodology. It also invited the Energy Regulatory Commission (“ERC”), DOE, and NEA.

June 26, 2018 to December 25, 2023, subject to the terms and conditions of the PSA

Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Authority

19.

BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.

BOHECO I also invited Generation Companies to participate in the bidding through written invitation letters sent to their mailing addresses of listed in the Department of Energy (“DOE”) website.

2018-2023

BOHECO I and SMEC replead the foregoing allegations in support of their prayer for the immediate issuance of provisional authority, anchored on the following grounds:

16.2 BOHECO I is undergoing a significant increase and is expecting a further increase in its energy requirements due to a growth in the total demand of its member-consumers; and

Rate Impact on BOHECO I’s Overall Generation Rate

BOHECO I then caused the publication of the “Invitation for Comparative Proposals” in the 07 January 2018 and 16 January 2018 issues of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Duration

16.

Supply of Contracted Capacity shall be available at all times except for the interruption and/or reduction due to: (a) any Event of Force Majeure; or (b) other causes, including safety, as may be provided by law, rule or regulation or order of a competent authority. For the avoidance of doubt, the SMEC shall supply Contracted Capacity during Planned Outage and/or Forced Outage.

BOHECO I accepted the unsolicited proposal of SCPC and declared it a status of “Original Proponent” of an Unsolicited Proposal which shall be subject to a CSP through Comparative Proposals (also known as Swiss Challenge).

Contract Year (CY)

The PSA was entered into by BOHECO I and SMEC to ensure the continuous supply of power to BOHECO I’s franchise area. SMEC’s competitive pricing structure and other favorable terms in the PSA will redound to the benefit of BOHECO I and its member-consumers in terms of reliable and affordable power supply.

16.1 Considering the current limitations on the available capacity in the Luzon Grid, BOHECO I must source additional power from SMEC immediately to avoid power outage in its franchise area;

All existing and future taxes and duties, charges, including but not limited to valueadded tax (VAT) and incremental taxes under Republic Act No. 10963 (TRAIN Law), shall be for the account of BOHECO I. Each Party shall bear its own costs and expenses necessary, incidental to, or in connection with, this PSA, including legal and professional fees, if any.

On 28 April 2017, BOHECO I received an unsolicited proposal from Sta. Clara Power Corporation (“SCPC”), its existing supplier, to supply its additional medium term power requirements.

6.

15.

Availability of Capacity.

This Joint Application for approval of the Power Supply Agreement (“PSA”) dated 12 December 2018 entered into by and between BOHECO I and SMEC is being submitted to the Honorable Commission for its review and approval pursuant to Sections 25 and 45 (b) of Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001” or the EPIRA, Rules 5, Sections 4 (e) and 11, Section 5 of its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR), Rule 20 (B) of its Rules of Practice and Procedure, and other pertinent rules and regulations.

Statement of Facts

By way of emphasis, Resolution No. 21, Series of 2005 of the Honorable Commission dated 19 October 2005 had directed all distribution utilities “to enter into future bilateral power supply contract with power producers to be subjected to a review by the Commission.” (Underscoring supplied)

6.4 Other Charges.

Nature of the Application 4.

14.

-

List of power suppliers per month from January 2015 to September 2018.

Annual historical and forecasted demand-supply scenario from years 2009 to 2028.

Approved generation charges.

Average daily load curve per month from January 2018 to September 2018.

Furthermore, the Joint Application is consistent and in accordance with the first (1st) and fifth (5th) “Whereas clauses” of the DOE Circular No. 2003-12-11 which are respectfully quoted hereunder, to wit: “WHEREAS, Section 2 of Republic Act No. 9136, also known as the Electric Power

1

G.R. No. 172835, December 13, 2007 (M S-M A R . 1, 2 019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Sports

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

A8

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) reacts to hitting the game-winning three-point shot against the Golden State Warriors on February 27, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. AFP

Luisita paces PAL Interclub

C

EBU CITY—Order was restored at the 33rd Philippine Airlines Seniors Interclub golf team championships Thursday with Luisita taking a seven-point lead over long-time rival Canlubang following an impressive outing at the Club Filipino de Cebu.

The Tarlac-based squad collected 147 points, a huge improvement from its opening day 138 to reach the halfway mark with 285 points.

Benjie Sumulong carded three birdies against three bogeys and a double bogey to lead Luisita with 52 points.

Reigning national seniors champion

Rodel Mangulabnan added 50 and former pro Demy Saclot rounded out scoring with 45. Rafael Garcia did not count with 43.

Defending champion Canlubang struggled for the second straight day, scoring 140 behind a pair of 48s from Abe Rosal and Damasus Wong and a

44 from Zaldy Villa.

“We played better today and fortunate that we are leading by seven,” said Luisita non-playing captain Jeric Hechanova. “The course was just playing tough.”

Abe Rosal, last year’s individual champion in Bacolod City, failed to break 50 following a round of one birdie against seven bogeys.

No Canlubang player has scored more than 48 points after two rounds.

A day after taking the lead on opening day, Cebu Country Club unraveled with 131 points and fell 12 points behind Luisita.

Newcomer Jufil Sato was CCC’s top

scorer with 46 with Nelson Yuvallos adding 43. The 42 of either Montito Garcia or Lorenzo Alaan rounded out scoring.

Del Monte Golf Club brought up the rear in the championship bracket with 129 and 267 total.

Arsenio Mondilla led Del Monte with 44 followed by Erning Apas 43 and Antonio Arancon 42.

In the second-tier Founders division also played at the Club Filipino de Cebu, Orchard hung on to a five-point lead over Negros Occidental.

Orchard, led by Dong Jin Tak’s 48 points, finished the day with 125 points to boost its total to 266.

Blatche to lead Gilas in 2019 World Cup

Luisita’s Benjie Sumulong reacts in dismay as he misses a short putt. He still played well enough to lift Luisita past Canlubang.

Chooks-to-Go 3x3 starts today at SM Fairview THE 1Bataan Risers and the Pasig Grindhouse Kings are favored to fight their way back into the finals in the third leg of the Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3x3 President’s Cup today at the SM Fairview Events Center today.

The last time around, the Kings found a way to get payback on the 1Bataan Ris-

ers in the second leg.

And that’s when Fil-American cager Joshua Munzon knocked in the winning two-pointer in the closing minute for 2118 triumph in their finals rematch with the Risers.

The Risers won the first leg crown at the expense of the Kings.

Cerveza Rosas wins Philracom stakes race

grams, was sent off as the favorite along with her coupled entry Son Also Rises.

The latter struggled with a 56-kilogram handicap weight and finished last in the eight-horse field. The handicapping was weight-for-age.

JENNY The race was held at Santa Ana Park ORTUOSTE in Naic, Cavite, over 1,300 meters. The time for the race was 1: 17. Lakan 2nd, THE racing stable of lawyer and former Box Office 3rd, Eli Brassous 4th.

Philracom put up a total of P500,000 Mandaluyong City mayor Benhur Abalos scored last Sunday with the win of in prizes, with P300,000 for the winner.

Cerveza Rosas in the Philippine Racing ***** Commission-sponsored stakes race for The performances of local-bred and horses 4 years old and older.

Steered by jockey MM Gonzales and island-born horses trained here have trained by CC Alvarez, the 5YO bay been improving greatly over the years, mare dominated for most of the race but so much that the industry is contemplatnarrowly won over second placer Lakan ing joining competitions abroad.

I recall this being discussed as far who paced her and staged a strong rally back as the late 2000s, if not even eardown the stretch.

Cerveza Rosas, who carried 53 kilo- lier. The problem was that at the time we

THE HOARSE WHISPERER

LOS ANGELES, United States— Miami icon Dwyane Wade banked in a buzzer-beating three-pointer to lift the Heat to a 126-125 victory over the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

Wade, who announced before the season that he would retire after this campaign, added another sublime moment to his career highlight reel as the Heat snapped a sixgame home losing streak by salvaging a victory that appeared to have gotten away.

Miami led by as many as 24 points and were ahead by eight going into the fourth quarter.

Kevin Durant’s jump shot tied it at 109-109 with five minutes remaining, and his three-pointer with 67 seconds left—plus a free throw after he was fouled on the play, gave the Warriors a 122-118 lead.

Golden State were still up by four when Wade drained a three-pointer with 15 seconds left and after Durant made one of two free-throws to put the Warriors lead at two, Wade delivered from the top of the arc—hanging on when his first attempt was blocked and draining a second effort for the victory.

“I’ve been in this position so many times and so many times you don’t make the shot,” Wade, a three-time NBA champion, said.

“And the one I make is a one-legged flick from my chest. It’s crazy.”

Warriors coach Steve Kerr called it an “unbelievable shot” from the 37-year-old.

“I knew it was going in as soon as it left his hand,” Kerr said. “I guess it’s fitting. His last season, this kind of game—for him to finish it the way he did, incredible.”

Miami had taken control of the contest early, led by 27 points from Goran Dragic.

Phoenix Fuel Masters battle Alaska Aces

By Jeric Lopez

By Peter Atencio ANDRAY Blatche is sure to play for the Gilas Pilipinas which is preparing for the 2019 FIBA World Cup. And coach Yeng Guiao hopes that the 6’11” Blatche will be available some five months before they fly to China, which will be hosting the cagefest from August 31 to September 15.

“We just want him early so we can make sure that he is in good shape,” said Guiao, who is expected to stay on as head coach of Gilas.

Guiao talked about their coming preparations for the World Cup in the presence of patron Manny Pangilinan and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Alfredo Panililio.

He said that in preparing for the World Cup, Gilas Pilipinas may have to join the 2019 William Jones Cup later this year with Blatche around.

Blatche was instrumental in helping Gilas qualify to the tournament proper of the World Cup, and the Team Pilipinas hurdled their last two games with him around.

And that was when the Philippines scored an 84-46 win over Qatar and a 93-75 thumping of Kazakhstan.

Against Qatar, Blatche shot 17 points.

Then he came up with 41 points in their game with the Kazakhs.

Ageless Wade lifts Heat over Warriors

had no quarantine facilities for horses, a requirement for the movement of horses from one country to another under IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities) rules.

In 2016 we became a member of IFHA and the dream of racing abroad looks more like a possibility now. Philracom has adopted policies aligned with IFHA objectives, such as the ratingsbased handicapping system and standardization of track maintenance, and the soon-to-be implemented drug testing program.

With Filipino horseowners eager to compete abroad for prestige and hefty prizes, Philracom is looking to assist them by coordinating with racing authorities in Southeast Asia and with local government agencies to draw up protocols on the movement of horses for international races and local invitational races.

Max4 Birada of Cebu will be the Kings’ first opponent when action begins at 11 a.m.

Zamboanga Valiente-MLV will clash with the Risers in the second game.

So far, the 1Bataan Risers leads the rankings with 100 followed by PasigGrindhouse Kings with 80. Peter Atencio

FOLLOWING a controversial victory the other night, Phoenix looks forward to a more convincing follow-up performance.

The second-running Fuel Masters shoot for a spot in the quarterfinals when they plunge back to action against streaking Alaska in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup. Phoenix (6 wins, 1 loss) can gain itself a first place tie and a berth in the next round should it overcome the Aces’ (2-1) grit when they meet at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City tonight.

In the appetizer, Columbian (3-4) aims on stabilizing its place in the top eight when they take on woeful Blackwater (1-6) at 4:30 p.m.

The Fuel Masters came away with a 98-96 escape act against NorthPort last Wednesday in a thrilling contest following two free throws from Jason Perkins in the dying seconds.

However, the win didn’t come without controversy as the Batang Pier felt like it was robbed of a victory after a supposed go-ahead triple by Sean Anthony, seconds earlier, could’ve turned the tides in its favor.

Nonetheless, Phoenix coach Louie Alas wants his team to look forward and focus on its strengths to rack up more wins.

“At least, our character defensively improved in that game,” said Alas. “We won four of our games because of key stops and that’s what we need to continue doing to win more.”

Dumaguete archer rakes in 7th gold ILOILO CITY—Naina Dominique Tagle of Dumaguete bested Dencil Shane Dinopol of Cebu City, 7-1, in the Olympic round finals yesterday to emerge with seven gold medals as the most bemedaled athlete thus far in the Visayas Leg of the 2019 Philippine National Youth Games-Batang Pinoy at the West Visayas State University field here.

Playing as a 10-year-old in the event for 1315 years old, the eagle-eyed Tagle outshone everyone as she capped an exceptional feat that saw her sweeping all seven golds staked in archery including the 20m, 30m, 40m, 50m, single fita and mixed team alongside Matt Charid Bajado.

“It was nerve-wracking because I don’t know how good the opponents are and I’m younger than them,” said Tagle, a Grade Five Silliman University student.

Prisa Helen Lofranco smashed close buddy and teammate Kristanna Carmela

Quisumbing, 6-0, in the girls’ cadet finale to wind up with six golds.

It also helped Dumaguete rule the sport closest to its heart being the archery capital of the Philippines as it went home with 13 golds in all.

Cebu City’s Aldrener Igot dumped Bajado, 6-0, in boys’ cub event while Godwell Maloloy-on of Mandaeu downed Shann Michael Sumagaysay, 6-2, in the boys’ cadet to each finish with six golds.

Over at the pool, Alexi Kouzenye Cabayaran of Negros Occidental splashed her way to a couple of golden efforts to end up with the most golds in swimming with six.

Cabayaran, 12, ruled the girls’ 200m freestyle in two minutes and 17.65 seconds, rested for half an hour before plunging back into action and reigned supreme in the 50m free where she clocked 28.92 to end up with six mints.

IN BRIEF

Govt slashes 2019 exports growth goal THE Trade Department said Thursday it revised the 2019 exports growth forecasts for both merchandise goods and services from 10 percent to a single-digit level.

The Export Marketing Bureau of the Trade Department said merchandise and services exports were expected to grow 5 percent this year, down from the earlier forecast of 10 percent.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that merchandise exports fell 1.8 percent in 2018 to $67.487 billion from $68.712 billion in 2017. There were no estimates yet on services exports which include tourism revenues and business process outsourcing receipts.

“Last year, we assumed that merchandise will grow single digit but we had high hopes for services to sustain double-digit growth.

This year, we downgraded targets to singledigit only,” said EMB director Senen Perlada.

Perlada said the growth for both merchandise and services exports “will be there, but slower.” Othel V. Campos

Business

CEBUANA Lhuillier, one of the leading micro-financial institutions, expanded to banking services.

PJ Lhullier Inc. president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier said the company aimed to convert all 10.4 million Cebuana clients to bank customers, through the Cebuana Lhullier Rural Bank’s microsavings platform.

“Our goal is to get at least 10 million of the unbanked in two to three years,” he said in a forum Thursday at the New World Hotel. Cebuana Lhuillier has 24 million clients nationwide.

Lhuillier said the lack of access to banking services was a major economic deterrent.

A client can open a Cebuana Lhuillier Micro Savings account using one valid ID and a minimal P50 initial deposit. Each active account earns 0.3 percent interest for a minimum of P500 savings. Othel V. Campos

A UNIT of PLDT Inc. is urging the healthcare industry to step up cybersecurity protocols following an industry report as the sector becomes a viable target of cybersecurity breaches.

“Healthcare companies in the Philippines will assume greater liabilities when it comes to handling their business information. As they continue to produce an increasing amount of sensitive information, they must proactively seek ways to safeguard these data very tightly and discern the need for enhanced security measures,” ePLDT senior vice president and chief operating officer Nerisse Ramos said.

“Healthcare companies carry not just any info, but highly sensitive private information of individuals. And the more data healthcare companies produce, the more attractive they become in the eyes of cybercriminals,” Ramos said.

Hospitals and medical institutions hold highly sensitive information, including full names, addresses, insurance information and social security numbers of patients and clients. Darwin G. Amojelar

China Bank declared record income last year CHINA Banking Corp., the seventh-largest lender in terms of assets, said consolidated net income rose 7 percent in 2018 to a record P8.1 billion, driven by the sustained growth in its core businesses.

The positive 2018 profit translated into a return on equity of 9.5 percent and a return on assets of 1 percent.

“We are gratified that we were able to sustain improvements in our profitability even as our expansion and strategic initiatives remain on track,” China Bank president William Whang said in a statement.

Total operating income increased 11 percent to P28.6 billion, as net interest income grew 17 percent to P22.9 billion on the back of a 13-percent improvement in gross loans.

Fee-based revenues excluding trading gains and one-off gains jumped 16 percent.

The growth in revenues from service fees, charges, commissions and the sale of acquired assets was tempered by the expected decline in trading and forex gains.

Total assets expanded 15 percent to P866.1 billion, supported by double-digit growth in loans and investment securities. Julito G. Rada

AFFORDABLE RICE. The Trade Department’s affordable rice campaign offering imported well-milled rice at P38 per kilogram is now available at all 33 WalterMart supermarkets nationwide. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (fifth from left) and WalterMart managing director Walter Lim (fourth from right) lead the launching of the program in Pasay City on Feb. 26. Lopez said the Presyong Risonable Dapat program is a preview of the rice tariffication regime, which increases access points of cheaper rice to benefit Filipino consumers as well as enhances competitiveness of Filipino farmers.

Anti-trust body OKs Indian firm’s acquisition of Splash T

By Othel V. Campos

HE Philippine Competition Commission said Thursday it approved the acquisition of Splash Corp. by Wipro Enterprises Private Limited of India.

PCC said while the companies were both involved in the manufacturing and distribution of personal care products, the transaction would not be anti-competitive in nature.

Wipro Enterprises, a company based in Bangalore, India, earlier expressed interest to acquire Splash from Ang Hortaleza Corp. of the Hortaleza family.

After the acquisition, Wipro Enterprises through a wholly-owned subsidiary will own the domestic and international retail personal care business of Splash that include related inventories, plant, property and equipment, intangible assets such as patents and trademarks and its foreign subsidiaries.

PCC said in its review that among the

many products of Wipro and Splash, the relevant market with overlaps would be the manufacture and distribution of whitening lotions.

The agency’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office said in a decision dated Feb. 19 that the transaction would not result in substantial lessening of competition in the relevant market.

It said no competition concern was found because there was sufficient competitive constraint from other firms involved in the whitening products market even after the transaction.

Splash is a Filipino company involved in personal care and food manufacturing, marketing and distribution of products

such as Maxi-Peel, SkinWhite lotion and Flawlessly U soap in the Philippines and other countries.

Wipro Enterprises has two main businesses, including Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting and Wipro Infrastructure Engineering.

Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting provides personal care products such as Enchanteur lotion, Santoor soap and Chandrika soap, and lighting solutions and office furniture while Wipro Infrastructure Engineering provides hydraulic solutions for a wide range of diverse applications, precision engineered components for aerospace and defense, water solutions and wastewater treatment for industrial applications and additive manufacturing solutions.

PCC, the country’s anti-trust body, is mandated under the Philippine Competition Act to review mergers and acquisitions to ensure that these deals will not harm the interest of consumers.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

B1

METROPOLITAN Bank & Trust Company posted a robust 21-percent net income growth in 2018 to P22 billion from P18.2 billion in 2017.

The bank said Thursday total resources also reached a new all-time high of P2.2 trillion.

Metrobank said in a statement the strong performance last year was driven by the healthy growth in loans complemented by margin expansion, higher service charges, fees and commissions and manageable expense growth.

“2018 was a milestone year for our bank. Despite the challenging market conditions that especially characterized the second half of the year, we achieved consistent core income growth while keeping operating costs in check and asset quality intact,” Metrobank president Fabian Dee said.

“In addition, we have been steadily laying the groundwork for future expansion through structural changes, and focusing on productivity and efficiency improvements across the institution,” Dee said.

The bank’s loan portfolio expanded 10 percent year-on-year to P1.4 trillion. The commercial book led the growth at 11 percent, driven by the top corporate accounts, followed by the middle market and SME accounts.

Total deposits increased 2 percent to P1.6 trillion as of end-2018, while the bank’s current account, savings account or Casa ratio was maintained at 62 percent.

Funding was supplemented by the issuance of P8.68 billion worth of long-term negotiable certificates of deposits in October and P28 billion worth of fixed-rate peso bonds in November and December.

Net interest income expanded 12 percent to P68.8 billion and accounted for 74 percent of the total revenues of P92.6 billion. Net interest margin rose to 3.82 percent, still the highest among peer banks.

Non-interest income grew to P23.8 billion, as service fees and commissions and income from trust operations went up 13 percent to P14 billion.

Fee-related revenues were boosted by steady customer-driven flows and trade-related commissions. Net trading and FX gains contributed P2.8 billion while other income was at P6.2 billion.

Metro Pacific starts works on NLEx road link

BSP insider seen as best choice to succeed Espenilla

By Darwin G. Amojelar

By Julito G. Rada FORMER Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said an “insider” or one from within the institution would be the best choice to succeed Nestor Espenilla Jr. who died of cancer last week.

Tetangco did not hide his sentiment on who should succeed the late governor during the necrological services held for Espenilla Thursday afternoon at the Bangko Sentral.

“There is nothing better than the one from within,” Tetangco said in his speech.

Tetangco recalled that like him, Espenilla also grew within the BSP. Nesting, as he was fondly called by his colleagues and friends, graduated from the UP School of Economics.

He joined BSP right after graduation and rose to become the governor of the monetary institution after years of effective and excellent service.

“Laking [homegrown at] BSP—that is how he called himself on the day of his inauguration,” Tetangco said.

Reports earlier said among the choices to succeed Espenilla are the three deputy governors—Diwa Guinigundo, Chuchi Fonacier and Maria Almasara Cyd Tuano Amador.

Espenilla passed away on Feb. 23, 2019 at the age of 60. He had been undergoing treatment for tongue cancer for more than a year.

Espenilla was appointed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 3, 2017 as BSP Governor and Monetary Board chairman. He concurrently served as ex-officio chairman of the Anti-Money Laundering Council, Philippine International Convention Center and the Financial Stability Coordination Council.

business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com

Metrobank registered 21% income growth in 2018 to P22b

Cebuana expands banking services

Data breach threat to healthcare sector

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

25 YEARS. Cebu Holdings Inc. marks its 25th year as a listed company with a special bell ringing ceremony at the Philippine Stock Exchange Tuesday. The real estate development company had its stock market debut on Feb. 14, 1994. Attending the ceremony are (from left) CHI directors Fr. Roderick Salazar Jr. and Emilio Lolito Tumbocon, president Aniceto Bisnar Jr., chairman Anna Ma. Margarita Dy, PSE president and chief executive Ramon Monzon and PSE chief operating officer Roel Refran.

SM Group’s net income climbed 13% to P37.1b in 2018

By Jenniffer B. Austria SM INVESTMENTS Corp., the holding company of the Sy family, said Thursday net income climbed 13 percent in 2018 to P37.1 billion from P32.9 billion in 2017, driven by the sustained growth of its retail, banking and property businesses.

Consolidated revenues also rose 13 percent to P449.8 billion from P397.9 billion the previous year, the conglomerate said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Property accounted for 41 percent of total earnings, with banks comprising 38 percent and retail 21 percent.

“Our very good results in 2018 were driven by all three core businesses―retail, banking and property―each of which delivered strong revenue growth and also strong earnings growth,” SMIC president

Frederic DyBuncio said.

“We remain optimistic about the economic environment and growth opportunities for the group in 2019,” he said.

The retail business under SM Retail Inc., which consists of food and non-food stores, reported a net income of P11.3 billion last year, up 12 percent from 2017, as revenues rose 12 percent to P335.6 billion from P299.2 billion.

SM Retail had a total of 2,328 outlets as of end-2018, including 63 The SM Stores, 1,383 specialty retail outlets, 56 SM Supermarkets, 53 SM Hypermarkets, 195 Savemore, 52 WalterMart and 526 Alfamart stores.

The group’s property business under SM Prime Holdings Inc. posted a consolidated net income of P32.2 billion, up 17 percent from a year earlier as consolidated revenues rose 14

percent to P104.1 billion. SM Prime’s positive performance was boosted by robust mall revenues and residential sales.

Mall revenues grew 11 percent to P59.3 billion while residential sales jumped 22 percent to P36.5 billion.

BDO Unibank Inc., the group’s banking unit, earned P32.7 billion in 2018, up 17 percent from a year ago as net interest income jumped 20 percent to P98.3 billion.

Total assets of SMIC grew 10 percent to surpass the P1-trillion mark for the first time and end at P1.06 trillion.

The conglomerate’s portfolio investments also include equities in Belle Corp., Atlas Consolidated Mining and Development Corp., community mall chain CityMall, 2Go Group, dormitory operator MyTown, bakeshop chain Goldilocks and business process outsourcing firm Net Group.

THE government and the Metro Pacific Group on Thursday inaugurated the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 and broke ground for the P23.3-billion NLEx Connector Road—two elevated expressways that are expected to alleviate traffic congestion in Metro Manila.

“NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 and NLEx Connector are just some of Metro Pacific’s expansion projects geared towards providing further convenience to motorists and bringing more opportunities in nearby cities and provinces,” Metro Pacific Tollways Corp. president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.

NLEx Corp. president and general manager Luigi Bautista said the inauguration of the NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 and the groundbreaking of the NLEx Connector “show the political will of the government and the solid partnership between public and private sectors.”

NLEx Connector is an 8-kilometer elevated toll expressway over the rightof-way of the Philippine National Railways.

The project starts at the junction of NLEx Segment 10 at C-3 Road/5th Ave. in Caloocan City and will connect to South Luzon Expressway through Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 Project in Manila. Upon completion, the toll road is expected to benefit around 35,000 vehicles per day.

NLEx Harbor Link Segment 10 was also inaugurated to improve the accessibility and connectivity between key areas of Metro Manila and the northern provinces of Luzon via North Luzon Expressway.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stock market slumps; URC drops

T

HE stock market plunged Thursday along with the rest of Asia as a summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un ended abruptly without an agreement.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index slumped 183.63 points, or 2.3 percent, to 7,705.49 on a value turnover of P17.6 billion. Losers routed gainers, 142 to 56, with 43 issues unchanged.

Casino operator Bloomberry Resorts Corp. tumbled 7.6 percent to P11.40, while Universal Robina Corp., the biggest snack food maker, dropped 6.2 percent to P136.10.

BDO Unibank Inc., the largest lender in terms of assets, fell 4.4 percent to P127.60, while conglomerate Metro Pacific Investments Corp. declined 3.5 percent to P4.70.

Meanwhile, Asian markets mostly fell Thursday, led by Seoul. Equities had been fluctuating through the day on tempered optimism over China-US

trade talks, weak factory data from Beijing and fresh geopolitical tensions in Kashmir.

But they took a decisive turn south after an expected lunch and signing ceremony between the US and North Korean leaders was called off at the last minute.

The shock news came just hours after Kim raised the prospect of a permanent US diplomatic presence in Pyongyang and Trump said he was in “no rush” for a speedy deal over North Korea’s nuclear program.

Both men left the summit venue in Hanoi without a public signing ceremony and Trump moved up his news conference by two hours, sparking doubts about the progress

made at the meeting.

“The two leaders discussed various ways to advance denuclearization and economic driven concepts,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. “No agreement was reached at this time, but their respective teams look forward to meeting in the future.”

Seoul dived 1.8 percent and Tokyo ended 0.8 percent lower, while Shanghai shed 0.4 percent and Hong Kong was off 0.3 percent in the afternoon. Singapore shed 0.7 percent.

Jakarta was more than one percent down each while Bangkok slipped 0.4 percent, though there were gains in Sydney and Wellington.

The global rally that has characterized most of this year had already taken a knock after US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told lawmakers that “real progress” had been made in trade talks with China, but a lot of work was

still needed before a pact is signed.

While his comments did not derail expectations of an agreement at some point―with both sides reporting good progress and Trump delaying a deadline for a deal―it did give traders pause for thought, observers said.

Lighthizer said a “trade deal hasn’t been agreed yet, bringing some reality back to euphoric markets post-Trump’s tariff extension, despite the fact Lighthizer also announced both sides had agreed on an enforcement process,” said OANDA senior market analyst Jeffrey Halley.

Also fueling selling pressure was figures showing Chinese manufacturing activity contracted for a third straight month in February, with factories hit by the long Lunar New Year break, concerns about slowing growth and uncertainty from the trade row. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2019

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

87 2.29 134 1.41 27.65 18.1 12.78 4.48 0.66 1.44 0.46 77.95 1.07 14 51.3 185 114.5 59.9 26.6 172.2 1,820 63 1.13

87 2.29 134 1.41 28 18.24 12.94 4.48 0.66 1.52 0.465 77.95 1.09 14 52 185 121 59.9 26.75 173 1,820 63 1.15

84 2.25 127.6 1.39 27.5 18 12.52 4.36 0.6 1.44 0.46 75.05 1.04 13.96 49.9 184.2 114.5 59.1 26.5 164.8 1,810 61.6 1.13

FINANCIALS 84 2,209,800 2.25 7,000 127.6 3,342,030 1.39 191,000 27.65 59,000 18.24 139,300 12.52 591,800 4.48 14,000 0.65 103,000 1.52 116,000 0.465 30,000 76 8,047,140 1.04 2,380,000 13.96 44,700 50 387,300 185 400 121 210 59.3 1,270 26.5 190,600 165.8 784,540 1,810 390 61.65 6,950 1.13 71,000

186,151,466 15,940 430,128,931 267,430 1,637,095 2,524,540 7,477,508 62,360 62,700 175,190 13,850 609,823,630 2,534,440 624,912 19,618,617.50 73,968 24,760 75,451.50 5,057,055 131,110,842 707,150 428,630.50 80,250

-107,742,293 -27,950 1,851,630 -3,495,458 -49,697,545 -259,550 6,759,823 -15,418.50 484,970 -27,042,292 181,000 -298,887.50 -

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

35.95 16.5 1.04 1.52 0.247 90.15 2.46 15.68 29.9 16.9 1.9 6.4 11.7 16 9.02 7.56 21.25 74.7 26.4 3.5 9.48 13.06 1.7 309.8 55 4.39 3.9 10.68 27.05 12.28 19.4 379 0.199 5.98 1.45 3.8 6.73 8.89 1.32 12.1 47.5 5.97 4.71 1.89 1.37 12.42 100 6.4 0.13 1.09 146.5 2.8 1.68 1.28

36.15 16.5 1.04 1.52 0.247 98.25 2.46 15.92 29.95 16.9 2 6.5 11.74 16 9.25 7.69 21.3 75.1 26.4 3.55 9.6 13.08 1.75 311 55 4.39 3.9 11.86 27.3 12.3 20.5 380.4 0.199 5.98 1.46 3.84 6.73 8.89 1.32 12.1 48.95 6.01 4.71 1.9 1.38 12.46 104 6.5 0.13 1.09 148 2.8 1.69 1.33

34.85 16 1.02 1.48 0.237 90.15 2.36 15.3 29.05 16.5 1.9 6.4 11.64 15.84 8.65 7.56 20.8 74.7 26.4 3.3 9.3 12.74 1.7 307.8 55 4.39 3.6 10.52 27 12.1 19.4 367.6 0.199 5.92 1.4 3.8 6.65 8.88 1.29 11.74 47.5 5.97 4.65 1.82 1.36 12.42 97 6.39 0.129 1.05 136.1 2.71 1.66 1.28

INDUSTRIAL 34.85 2,620,700 16.04 293,200 1.03 4,712,000 1.49 2,697,000 0.245 1,940,000 98.25 50 2.38 7,875,000 15.3 158,000 29.8 76,900 16.52 23,800 1.92 1,351,000 6.4 24,300 11.68 2,170,700 16 428,900 8.74 3,707,500 7.6 135,600 21.25 2,703,700 74.75 212,330 26.4 5,000 3.5 20,029,000 9.32 1,047,400 13.08 828,700 1.75 53,000 307.8 653,140 55 20 4.39 2,000 3.83 192,000 10.96 63,000 27 1,015,300 12.22 115,700 20 13,257,300 367.6 614,820 0.199 80,000 5.92 41,600 1.41 4,253,000 3.8 96,000 6.67 4,418,100 8.88 1,200 1.29 10,655,000 11.8 220,200 48.95 448,800 6 30,000 4.65 5,069,000 1.9 481,000 1.37 77,000 12.44 1,218,400 104 2,790,330 6.4 400,200 0.13 980,000 1.05 184,000 136.1 1,975,430 2.71 115,000 1.67 1,801,000 1.31 2,545,000

92,467,885 4,719,708 4,836,120 4,000,150 468,630 4,669.50 18,818,570 2,430,592 2,292,745 393,626 2,657,670 155,740 25,354,510 6,825,272 33,039,213 1,030,005 57,019,475 15,883,153 132,000 68,849,160 9,888,200 10,775,190 90,350 201,287,064 1,100 8,780 744,830 681,862 27,519,555 1,415,526 262,700,767 229,842,690 15,920 246,368 6,067,770 365,720 29,475,061 10,666 13,863,800 2,617,808 21,804,360 179,412 23,821,600 882,860 105,170 15,156,916 288,616,847 2,561,873 126,840 195,010 273,485,016 317,640 3,009,220 3,337,270

-59,366,140 -621,982 133,600 -75,000 3,142,280 -1,742,504 -364,625 1,813,760 12,800 13,333,492 3,669,822 -1,404,550 -285,936 41,307,225 -1,213,112 10,289,830 -3,516,654 2,723,966 -61,493,920 7,863,080 -95,472 15,978,226.00 -34,084,044 -3,173,710 30,640 11,241,492 -1,388,390 8,400 8,141,915 -101,400 -23,821,600 27,750 -4,976 -2,478,451.50 6,400 -45,827,708 8,130 -246,860 -5,280

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

0.71 63.4 14.1 0.78 6.6 22 1.4 1.43 940 7.85 12.04 13.78 0.233 965 6.19 68.85 5.51 0.6 5.19 15.4 0.57 4.87 0.04 1.18 2.95 2.6 172.1 2.49 970 0.78 1.34 0.244 0.35

0.73 63.4 14.2 0.81 6.61 22 1.45 1.48 942 7.88 12.06 14 0.234 982 6.19 68.85 5.51 0.61 5.3 15.4 0.57 4.87 0.042 1.18 2.98 2.6 173 2.49 970 0.78 1.39 0.245 0.37

0.7 61 13.7 0.78 6.4 21.05 1.4 1.43 925 7.8 11.4 13.22 0.233 940.5 6.12 65.8 5.5 0.57 5.12 14.76 0.56 4.7 0.04 1.13 2.92 2.59 170.2 2.49 930 0.78 1.33 0.241 0.345

HOLDING FIRMS 0.72 9,985,000 61 2,609,410 13.7 12,851,600 0.78 141,000 6.57 198,300 21.05 100,300 1.43 6,880,000 1.43 4,571,000 925 634,450 7.85 1,688,000 11.4 13,125,900 13.66 2,269,600 0.234 230,000 955 227,690 6.12 39,200 66.2 5,589,770 5.5 8,400 0.59 451,000 5.13 1,467,800 14.8 1,242,900 0.56 60,000 4.7 38,149,000 0.041 22,000,000 1.13 341,000 2.96 880,000 2.59 3,000 170.9 504,660 2.49 1,000 940 646,050 0.78 21,000 1.34 1,298,000 0.243 1,950,000 0.36 32,360,000

7,083,510 159,845,443.50 177,133,132 110,010 1,295,558 2,121,925 9,839,130 6,581,600 591,094,610 13,227,278 153,888,414 31,436,372 53,710 216,606,490 241,809 372,575,169.50 46,253 258,430 7,559,980 18,501,192 33,610 181,406,590 893,200 394,540 2,602,670 7,790 86,372,952 2,490 609,146,545 16,380 1,727,410 473,920 11,651,150

-834,500 -66,704,360 -61,315,018 -745,638 3,113,950 -160,975,295 3,201,978 -63,791,380 108,584 -36,557,630 123,600 -79,319,528 -1,619,294 -5,817,326 68,843,520 40,880 5,805,107 -254,115,580 -1,700,600 1,720,000.00

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

12.2 0.8 1.95 0.87 44.65 2.55 4.34 6.9 0.51 0.84 0.9 0.248 0.43 10.12 21.5 0.52 0.131 1.55 1.26 5.16 0.43 2.1 0.47 2.83 40.05

12.3 0.8 1.99 0.9 44.9 2.58 4.36 6.9 0.51 0.89 0.92 0.25 0.43 10.14 21.6 0.52 0.131 1.56 1.3 5.2 0.43 2.14 0.47 2.9 45.5

12.06 0.79 1.92 0.85 44 2.53 4.26 6.6 0.495 0.82 0.9 0.247 0.425 9.5 21 0.51 0.127 1.48 1.25 5.11 0.425 2.1 0.47 2.83 40.05

VOLUME

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NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

NAME

-79,586,965.50

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

23.4 2.02 3.12 39 1.5 6.9 0.76 7.46

23.45 2.02 3.13 39.35 1.5 6.97 0.76 7.46

22.9 1.99 3.12 38 1.42 6.74 0.76 7.32

23.4 1.99 3.13 38.35 1.46 6.8 0.76 7.4

4,562,800 40,000 7,000 15,471,500 449,000 716,100 178,000 31,074,600

106,080,705 80,770 21,860 593,275,730 657,050 4,883,043 135,280 229,658,056

19,286,200 -239,440,875 -21,900 705,378 -133,909,336

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

12.24 22.2 0.44 0.049 2.94 12.1 0.067 86.5 7.9 6.08 7.21 2.11 15.16 900 1,896 5.74 410 9.52 2.86 1.91 120.1 0.129 5.93 3.22 15.76 3.31 0.9 18.82 0.6 4.89 2.99 2.08 3.01 9.24 11 3.23 5 8.5 129.1 3.1 1,052 1.01 1.27 47.75 86.9 8.52 2.28 0.72 0.45 5.58 0.68 14.32

12.5 22.75 0.44 0.05 2.99 12.1 0.067 86.5 7.9 6.1 7.22 2.11 15.6 900 1,900 5.74 418 9.52 2.9 1.91 120.1 0.129 6 3.22 15.76 3.35 0.92 19.24 0.69 4.9 2.99 2.08 3.05 9.38 11.3 3.23 5.06 8.5 133.3 3.1 1,052 1.01 1.31 47.75 88 8.53 2.28 0.72 0.45 5.61 0.69 14.8

12.24 21.75 0.435 0.047 2.91 11.4 0.064 83.3 7.9 6.07 7 2.11 14.94 900 1,862 5.7 360.2 9.52 2.83 1.91 116 0.129 5.88 3.2 15.76 3.26 0.89 18.8 0.6 4.89 2.9 2 2.9 9.24 11 3.23 4.98 8.5 125 3.03 1,015 0.98 1.25 46.6 85.25 8.35 2.21 0.7 0.445 5.56 0.67 14.32

SERVICES 12.24 21.95 0.435 0.049 2.91 11.4 0.065 84.05 7.9 6.07 7.22 2.11 15 900 1,900 5.73 361 9.52 2.88 1.91 116 0.129 5.92 3.2 15.76 3.3 0.89 19.24 0.64 4.9 2.98 2 2.93 9.38 11.24 3.23 4.98 8.5 133.3 3.05 1,030 0.98 1.29 47.05 87.5 8.35 2.27 0.72 0.45 5.61 0.67 14.76

17,500 231,900 1,260,000 30,700,000 216,000 16,738,600 49,300,000 81,160 1,000 319,300 117,300 20,000 256,000 20 58,605 272,100 51,790 300 1,141,000 14,000 27,250,790 1,530,000 1,754,500 22,000 1,100 162,000 323,000 1,247,500 15,356,000 201,000 1,295,000 240,000 2,265,000 3,100 109,300 1,000 166,000 400 12,000 1,350,000 458,410 11,781,000 24,086,000 2,155,400 358,820 135,300 5,224,000 2,008,000 7,180,000 815,200 1,461,000 2,746,800

214,408 5,138,725 549,350 1,491,000 635,490 195,376,556 3,204,740 6,817,056 7,900 1,942,461 831,980 42,200 3,911,262 18,000 110,944,425 1,558,027 19,221,606 2,856 3,269,720 26,740 3,171,076,218 197,370 10,415,311 70,440 17,336 533,780 289,660 23,731,486 10,017,720 982,900 3,804,230 482,950 6,724,190 28,714 1,223,532 3,230 828,487 3,400 1,501,032 4,118,940 472,163,420 11,660,870 31,028,080 101,405,295 31,273,677 1,141,699 11,736,590 1,427,390 3,224,000 4,562,208 983,200 40,148,586

-52,950 -96,010,328 -4,164,531.50 616,314 72,000 9,268 -29,411,985 160,340 143,980 281,781,894 38,700 -35,288 64,000 29,730 11,034,696.00 1,580,200 75,040 36,630 3,230 -44,411 1,448,368 -18,141,680 413,600 703,030 16,630,140 14,843,288 169,200 4,883,610 177,700 -112,500 -2,830,064 -29,920 5,670,752

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

0.0021 1.56 2.96 13.6 1.35 2.2 0.3 8.01 1.52 0.245 0.127 0.0091 0.0093 1.08 2.87 1.09 0.65 0.97 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.21 4.13 15.1 23 0.0085

0.0021 1.56 2.96 13.78 1.35 2.2 0.3 8.04 1.52 0.255 0.128 0.0091 0.0093 1.12 2.87 1.1 0.65 0.97 0.013 0.012 0.013 3.3 4.13 15.18 23 0.0085

0.0021 1.54 2.91 13 1.35 2.19 0.3 7.79 1.48 0.239 0.126 0.0091 0.0093 1.06 2.73 1.05 0.62 0.96 0.012 0.012 0.012 3.21 3.99 14.9 22.3 0.0085

MINING & OIL 0.0021 694,000,000 1.54 883,000 2.92 411,000 13.1 15,900 1.35 1,000 2.19 196,000 0.3 20,000 7.79 5,100 1.48 1,967,000 0.245 4,580,000 0.126 1,950,000 0.0091 5,000,000 0.0093 20,000,000 1.11 75,000 2.75 2,395,000 1.09 21,000 0.62 265,000 0.96 820,000 0.013 10,600,000 0.012 104,200,000 0.013 191,000,000 3.22 32,000 4.02 2,664,000 14.94 924,900 22.5 815,300 0.0085 18,000,000

1,457,400 1,369,510 1,208,450 210,056 1,350 429,860 6,000 39,867 2,950,770 1,111,100 248,280 45,500 186,000 82,730 6,656,030 22,760 164,340 788,890 127,700 1,250,400 2,387,100 103,080 10,755,590 13,861,142 18,387,145 153,000

210,000 644,140 36,000 -168,370 74,620 -1,042,768 -5,555,675 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GTCAP PREF B HOUSE PREF A LR PREF SMC FB PREF 2 SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

20.15 490 97 104 450.2 900 96 0.99 970 75.45 76.6 73.35 74.5 72.3 72.8

20.15 490 97 104 450.2 900 96 0.99 970 75.45 76.7 73.35 74.5 73.45 73

20.15 490 97 104 450 900 96 0.99 966 75.45 76.6 73.35 74.5 72.2 72.8

PREFERRED 20.15 25,000 490 310 97 3,230 104 80 450 40 900 40 96 1,500 0.99 30,000 966 50 75.45 120 76.6 73,360 73.35 1,000 74.5 11,660 72.2 39,870 73 12,500

503,750 151,900 313,310 8,320 18,004 36,000 144,000 29,700 48,340 9,054 5,619,542 73,350 868,670 2,881,026.50 912,000

-97,000 29,700 -

LR WARRANT

1.9

1.95

1.9

WARRANTS 1.91 117,000

223,070

-

ITALPINAS XURPAS

4.8 1.46

4.84 1.5

4.77 1.44

4.79 1.48

1,102,830 14,768,900

-847,260

FIRST METRO ETF

117

117.5

115.7

1,033,412

3,501

11,640

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 12.26 0.79 1.98 0.89 44 2.58 4.28 6.7 0.495 0.89 0.92 0.247 0.43 9.7 21.6 0.52 0.129 1.48 1.26 5.17 0.425 2.11 0.47 2.84 45.5

2,265,600 1,317,000 161,000 2,606,000 14,014,800 1,047,000 266,000 62,600 10,989,000 130,000 11,000 8,540,000 160,000 5,117,500 480,600 1,330,000 8,590,000 19,416,000 709,000 19,255,500 8,560,000 1,841,000 330,000 83,000 1,800

27,696,906 1,045,590 314,780 2,271,790 618,479,580 2,675,550 1,147,590 431,789 5,462,095 108,690 9,960 2,116,530 68,100 50,253,877 10,258,515 690,950 1,098,240 29,337,920 898,230 99,533,780 3,647,400 3,886,420 155,100 237,350 79,315

-1,104,508 24,000 -48,000 -141,213,145 -243,260 -177,500 9,240 14,103,219 1,980,310 -571,480 90,200 -14,367,490 8,890 -6,984,188 204,000 1,680 -

USD TECH B2

1

1

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

22,787,340

INDUSTRIAL

106,909,428

HOLDING FIRMS

162,798,144

PROPERTY

164,425,588

SERVICES

1,315,810,662

MINING & OIL

1,062,670,359

GRAND TOTAL

2,845,632,141

1

SME

230,000 9,990,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 115.7 8,900 1

DDS

11,640

VALUE 1,708.16 (DOWN) 53.47 1,785,230,869.23 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,341.40 (DOWN) 236.13 1,773,309,497.34 HOLDING FIRMS 7,725.12 (DOWN) 192.42 2,696,267,302.93 PROPERTY 3,981.72 (DOWN) 36.68 SERVICES 1,534.99 (DOWN) 27.88 2,004,196,017.94 MINING & OIL 8,491.76 (DOWN) 194.89 9,244,229,043.80 PSEI 7,705.49 (DOWN) 183.63 64,031,698.17 All Shares Index 4,769.75 (DOWN) 79.61 17,584,175,949.93 Gainers: 56; Losers: 142; Unchanged: 43; Total: 241

Security Bank posted profit of P8.6b in 2018

By Julito G. Rada SECURITY Bank Corp., the sixth-largest lender in terms of assets, said net income in 2018 declined 16.5 percent to P8.6 billion from P10.3 billion a year ago, pulled down by lower trading gains.

The bank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday a key component of its earnings was net interest income from customer loans and deposits, which increased by 30 percent or P3.6 billion to P15.7 billion.

“This was driven by the continued expansion of consumer loans and low-cost deposits. Consumer loans grew 47 percent while low-cost deposits increased 15 percent. Consumer loans now account for 20 percent of total loans versus 16 percent a year ago,” the bank said.

Total loans increased 12 percent to P416 billion while wholesale loan growth was 7 percent. Total deposits increased 18 percent to P489 billion.

The bank’s interest margins continued to improve.

Net interest spread on loans and deposits further increased to 4.72 percent in the fourth quarter, up by 29 basis points quarter-on-quarter and up by 48 basis points year-on-year.

Interest income from financial investments was lower by 11 percent or P1.2 billion mainly due to a lower level of investment securities at amortized cost.

Total net interest income rose 7 percent to P20.8 billion. Overall, net interest margin further improved to 3.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018, up by 10 basis points quarter-on-quarter and up by 13 basis points year-on-year.

Service charges, fees and commissions increased by 26 percent to P2.9 billion. This was driven by credit card, bancassurance, loan fees and deposit charges.

“The decrease in trading gains by 85 percent or P2 billion and the increase in provision for income tax by 47 percent, or P790 million, primarily accounted for the bank’s lower net income in 2018. Net income was lower by 16 percent or P1.7 billion versus previous year,” it said.

Asset quality remained healthy, with gross non-performing loan ratio at 0.7 percent. Provision for credit losses was P714 million.

NPL reserve cover was 112 percent, computed using the new BSP Circular 1011 guidelines on loan loss provisions which the bank adopted in September 2018.

Phoenix board OKs bond issue worth $300m

By Alena Mae S. Flores THE board of Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. approved the issuance of dollar-denominated perpetual bonds worth up to $300 million to refinance the working capital of the company and for other general corporate purpose.

Phoenix disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday it appointed Australia New Zealand Ltd. as sole global coordinator and ING N.V. Bank and UBS AG Singapore as joint lead managers and book runners.

The dollar-denominated perpetual bond issue will be listed with the Singapore Stock Exchange.

“An offering of US$-denominated Regulation S only Senior Perpetual Capital Securities may follow, subject to market conditions. The securities, if issued, are expected to be unrated,” Phoenix said.

Shareholders of Phoenix in January approved the issuance of preferred shares of up to P5 billion to refinance short-term loans and other capital expenditures.

Phoenix also raised P7 billion through the listing of commercial papers with the Philippine Dealing and Exchange Corp. in December.

Phoenix is on an aggressive expansion mode in the past few years, venturing into liquefied petroleum gas, bitumen, convenience store retailing business and most recently, liquefied natural gas.

Phoenix also announced it ventured into car care and maintenance services through wholly-owned subsidiary Autowork Plus.

Autoworx Plus opened its first branch at the Phoenix gas station along West Service Road in Muntinlupa City on February 28, 2019.

“It is our first venture in car detailing but it offers more car care and maintenance services. We are planning to put up 25 to 30 Autowork this year, onsite and offsite,” said Phoenix senior vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorrilla.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

B3

World

TODAY

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Trump described as a conman, a cheat W

ASHINGTON―His modus operandi is to deal with problems through payoffs, threats or lawsuits, and he demands absolute loyalty from underlings, who constantly lie for him.

AT THE SCREENING AREA.

Civilians evacuated from the Islamic State group’s embattled holdout of Baghouz wait at a screening area held by the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces during an operation to expel IS jihadists from the area, in the eastern Syrian province of Deir Ezzor, on February 27, 2019. US-backed forces in eastern Syria screened and treated truckloads of suspected jihadists and relatives who left a village where the Islamic State group’s ‘caliphate’ is making its last stand. The Kurdish-led SDF struggled to cope with the flow of people exiting the very last shred of a once-sprawling proto-state. AFP

Captured Indian pilot has become a hero NEW DELHI—An Indian pilot shot down over Pakistan and paraded by his captors has become a hero in his own country, a trump card for Islamabad and perhaps the key to bringing the arch-rivals back from the brink.

Footage of the airman identified as Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman being beaten and interrogated has gone viral in India and Pakistan, and humanised an escalating crisis between the nuclear-armed foes.

India confirmed Wednesday that a fighter jet was downed and a pilot missing in action after a dogfight with Pakistani jets over the disputed de facto border with Kashmir.

The incident sparked fears of India and Pakistan—who have fought two wars and countless deadly skirmishes over Kashmir —entering a cycle of retaliation and counterattacks that could spiral out of control.

Abhinandan’s experience—broadcast in a series of graphic videos on social media—was condemned as “vulgar” by New Delhi and provoked prayers and appeals from Bollywood stars for his safe return.

But it was well received in Pakistan, with citizens praising soldiers for rescuing him from angry civilians and then treating him humanely and with courtesy.

One video purports to show the pilot being dragged and beaten by what appears to be a group of men as Pakistani soldiers intervene, shouting “Stop! Stop!”

Later, a separate shaky clip showed the bloodied and blindfolded pilot being interrogated by his captors, with the camera focussing on his name “ABHI” underneath winged insignia on his shoulder.

But it was his later appearance sipping tea, his face swollen and sporting bruises but otherwise collected and calm, that was most seized upon in both India and Pakistan.

In it, he thanks the “thorough gentlemen” who rescued him from the mob and compliments the tea as “fantastic”. AFP

Michael Cohen on Wednesday painted a picture of the sometimes-intoxicating but ultimately shaming decade he spent working as a lawyer for Donald Trump, whom he likened to a “mobster.”

Trump is “a conman” and “a cheat” who “ran for office to make his brand great, not to make our country great,” Cohen said in stunning congressional testimony.

“He had no desire or intention to lead this nation―only to market himself and to build his wealth and power.”

Cohen recounted his time as Trump’s personal lawyer and right-hand man at the real estate tycoon’s Trump Organization―saying that, now that he has been sentenced to three years in prison for crimes in part related to that work, he is “ashamed” of it.

“Being around Mr Trump was intoxicating when you were in his presence,” he said.

“You felt like you were involved in something greater than yourself, that you were somehow changing the world.

I wound up touting the Trump narrative for over a decade.”

But “everybody’s job at the Trump Organization is to protect Mr Trump.”

“Every day, most of us knew we were coming in and we were going to lie for him on something, and that became the norm.”

One of his jobs, he said, was “catch and kill”: to pay off the National Enquirer tabloid to stifle stories that would be unflattering to Trump.

That also extended to arranging hush payments to silence women who Cohen said had affairs with Trump.

If that did not work, Cohen said, he would threaten lawsuits. During his time as Trump’s fixer, he said he may have issued 500 such threats to ward off problems, business disputes and media reports.

Cohen recalled that, as Trump began his run for the White House, he ordered him to threaten Trump’s former high school and universities with lawsuits if they released any of the future president’s school records and scores.

Trump was brashly proud of his deceits, Cohen said.

In 2008, even while he was slashing the pay of Trump Organization employees, the future president told Cohen he had received a $10 million tax refund, and called the government “stupid” for giving back money to “someone like him.”

Cohen said that Trump, who regularly praises and promotes the US military, was likewise proud to have avoided being sent to fight in the Vietnam War by claiming he had bone spurs on his feet.

“You think I’m stupid? I wasn’t going to Vietnam,” Trump said, according to Cohen.

And Trump “reveled” in his practice of stiffing small suppliers and contractors to save money, Cohen noted.

Cohen also recounted how Trump wanted to elevate his image by getting a high price—the highest price—at an art auction for a portrait of himself.

Cohen was delegated to find a straw bidder for the painting, who offered $60,000 for it.

The buyer was then repaid by Trump’s charity and Trump had the painting installed in one of his own golf courses. AFP

Pakistan and India claim they shot down each other’s warplanes ISLAMABAD―Pakistan and India said Wednesday they had shot down each other’s warplanes, in a dramatically escalating confrontation that has fueled concerns of an all-out conflict between the nuclear-armed rivals.

Calling for talks with India to defuse the situation, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan warned of the potentially catastrophic consequences should “better sense” not prevail.

“Can we afford any miscalculation with the kind of weapons that we have and you have?” he said in a televised statement.

While both sides have sought to play down the threat of war, the rare aerial engagement over the divided and disputed territory of Kashmir significantly raises the stakes in a standoff sparked by a suicide attack on the Indian-controlled side earlier this month.

Pakistan initially said it downed two Indian jets in its airspace and captured two pilots, but later its military spokesman tweeted that there was “only one pilot” in Pakistani custody.

India’s foreign ministry demanded the “immediate and safe return” of the pilot, calling on Pakistan to ensure no harm comes to him.

The pilot “gives Islamabad a key bargain-

IN BRIEF Closed airspace strands thousands BANGKOK―Thousands of travelers were stranded in Bangkok on Thursday when Thai Airways canceled all flights over Pakistan after Islamabad closed its airspace in response to the soaring tensions with India.

Nearly thirty flights―the majority to and from European routes―were initially affected, the airline said, with three aircraft forced to return to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport and others canceled or set to be re-routed.

The travel disruption spun out across the region, with Singapore Airlines’ usually direct flights to Europe forced to re-fuel on Wednesday, while a flight to Frankfurt was canceled.

The disruption follows a snowballing crisis between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India, which has raised fears of an all-out war.

Pakistan claimed it shot down two Indian Air Force planes in its airspace, although it later clarified only one Indian pilot had been captured.

India said its forces had also shot down a Pakistani fighter jet as Pakistan suddenly closed its airspace.

Thai Airways said nearly 5,000 passengers had been caught up in the drama, as it struggled to find new routes to Europe with Iran “rejecting” a request to travel over its airspace, according to a spokesperson for the carrier. AFP

ing chip that may affect just how muscular Delhi’s next move could be,” tweeted US analyst Michael Kugelman.

New Delhi also confirmed the loss of one of its planes and said it had shot down a Pakistani fighter jet.

In a sign of the deepening crisis, Pakistan closed its airspace “until further notice”. At least six airports were shuttered in India, and a vast area north of New Delhi was closed to civilian flights.

“We do not want to go towards war,” Pakistan’s military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor told a press conference.

Ghafoor said the jets had been shot down after Pakistani planes earlier flew across the Line of Control, the de facto border in Kashmir, to the Indian side in a show of strength, hitting open space after locking on to military targets.

Afterwards, he said, the two Indian planes crossed the LoC into Pakistani airspace. One fell into Pakistani-held Kashmir, while the second crashed on the other side, he said.

He denied initial reports that a Pakistan plane had been shot down, saying accounts an F-16 had been lost were incorrect. AFP

Dozens buried in mine collapse NORTH SULAWESI-At least seven people have died and dozens more are still trapped beneath the rubble of an illegal gold mine that collapsed in Indonesia, officials said Thursday, as rescuers frantically searched for survivors.

Some 19 miners had been plucked to safety since Tuesday night’s accident and rescuers are communicating with some still buried, raising hopes for more survivors.

But with the clock ticking, the rescue effort at the remote site on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island was hampered by steep terrain and unstable soil conditions after the collapse triggered a landslide.

A survivor whose leg was amputated at the site Thursday later died of massive blood loss, bringing the death toll to seven.

“His condition was already bad and he had lost a lot of blood,” said local disaster agency official Abdul Muin Paputungan.

“He died after we managed to evacuate him from the scene.”

Medical personnel removed the man’s limb because it was pinned underneath a large rock, making it impossible to free him without emergency on-site surgery.

“We’re racing against time,” Paputungan said of the search for survivors.

“The rescue is ongoing but it’s risky... We’ve heard at least three people asking for help and we’re trying to pull them out and supply them with water and food so they can survive.” AFP

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT THE SAN FERNANDO 1X10/12.5 MVA TR SUBSTATION AND RELATED PROJECTS, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY ERC CASE NO. 2018-125 RC VISAYAN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INC. (VECO), Applicant.

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

B4

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 28 December 2018, the Visayan Electric Company, Inc. (VECO) filed an Application dated 06 December 2018 (Application), seeking the Commission’s approval of its authority to implement the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation and related projects, with prayer for provisional authority.

In the said Application, VECO alleged the following, among others:

6.

1.

VECO is a private corporation existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with business address at J. Panis Street, Banilad, Cebu City. It is a duly authorized distribution utility of electric power in the cities of Naga, Talisay, Cebu and Mandaue, and in the municipalities of San Fernando, Minglanilla, Consolacion and Lilo-an, Province of Cebu pursuant to its franchise under Republic Act. No. 9339.

2.

It may be served with notices and other processes of this Commission through its undersigned counsel at the address indicated below.

3.

VECO’s 3rd Regulatory Period (3rd RP) covers 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2018. However VECO still has to undergo the reset process and is currently awaiting the final rules to be released by the Honorable Commission to govern the filing of its 3rd RP reset application.

4.

This notwithstanding, Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (“EPIRA”), under Section 23, obligates VECO, as well as other distribution utilities, to provide distribution services and connections to its system for any enduser within its franchise area consistent with the distribution code.

5.

In line with its obligation under the EPIRA and pursuant to Section 20 (b) of Commonwealth Act No. 146, as amended, VECO hereby applies for the approval of the Honorable Commission to implement the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation and related projects: a.

San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation, which involves the construction of a substation to be located in Panadtaran, San Fernando, in lieu of the Mabuhay Filcement Switching Station project included in VECO’s 2014-2015 CAPEX application docketed as ERC Case No. 2013-207 RC;

b.

San Fernando Lot Acquisition, which involves the acquisition of a lot where the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation will be erected;

c.

69 kV Line projects consisting of: i

69 kV VECO Naga Substation to CEMEX 69 kV Line, which involves the installation of poles, 69 kV lines and associated equipment from VECO’s Naga Substation to CEMEX and will serve as a supplementary line interconnecting with the CEMEX - Mabuhay Filcement 69 kV interconnection line that is part of ERC Case No. 2013-207 RC;

ii.

69 kV Mabuhay Filcement Inc. to San Fernando Substation Line, which involves the installation of poles, 69 kV lines and associated equipment and is also a supplementary line interconnecting with the CEMEX - Mabuhay Filcement 69 kV interconnection line that is part of ERC Case No. 2013-207 RC;

iii.

69 kV San Fernando Substation to Mabuhay Filcement Inc. Line, which involves the installation of poles, extension of a power service line and associated equipment from the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MV A TR Substation to Mabuhay Filcement Inc.; and

iv.

69 kV San Fernando Substation to Taiheiyo 69 kV Line, which involves the installation of poles, extension of a power service line and associated equipment from the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation to the 69kV customer Taiheiyo Cement Philippines, Inc.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Makati preps measles vaccines for 46k kids

By Joel E. Zurbano

T

HE Makati City government is expanding its measles vaccination campaign by including children in Kinder to Grade 6 in the target age group, in line with the government’s intensified efforts to prevent the spread of the disease in the community.

Mayor Abigail Binay tapped officials of the Makati Health Department to conduct the vaccination to an estimated 46,858 children at their respective schools, home or barangay health centers.

“The measles vaccine has been around for decades and has been proven safe and effective. I am appealing to everyone to place your children’s health and safety first. Have them vaccinated and tell your friends and family to have their kids vaccinated, too.

This is the only way we can rebuild ‘herd immunity’ and keep infectious diseases like

measles down,” Binay appealed.

To date, Makati City has 38 reported measles cases, mostly from Barangays East Rembo and Pembo. Barangays Rizal and Palanan are closely being monitored for possible clustering of measles cases.

“Since measles cases peak during the hot summer months, we expect the numbers to rise if we do not act swiftly. Parents and guardians must set their biases aside and have their children vaccinated against measles for their protection,” said Binay.

The city chief executive said the MHD has

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte raises the hand of Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella as the mayoralty bet and standard bearer of PDP-Laban in Cebu City, as Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Mike Dino (second from left) and actor Richard “Sir Chief” Yap, who is the party’s Cebu City North District congressional candidate, look on. Jun David

Cost (PhP) 33,599,934.00 9,200,000.00 18,215,560.00 10,905,646.00 12,796,377.00 4,198,903.00 88,916,420.00

7.

The detailed explanation, description, justification, alternatives considered and other information on the foregoing projects are discussed in detail in a document entitled “VECO Project Justification”. The document is attached as Annex “A” of this Application. A detailed economic analysis is provided in a document entitled “VECO Project economic analysis”. It is attached as Annex “B”.

8.

Applicant undertakes to comply with the pre-filing requirements under Section 4(e) of the EPIRA IRR, as amended, ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY VECO’s southern cluster involving the 1x33 MVA Naga, 2x33 MVA Talisay, 1x33 MVA Pardo and 2X33 MVA Don Gil Garcia substation is projected to exceed 70% its inter-cluster loading.

10. Paragraph 3, Section 1.2, of the ERC’s Investor-owned Electricity Distribution Utility Planning Manual provides that: “Substations must provide a reserve capacity margin for outage contingency. Additional power transformer capacity will be triggered in the year a substation is forecasted to be loaded above 70% of its maximum rated capacity where it is not possible to offload the substation by reconfiguring the distribution voltage network. Where substations are interconnected by the distribution voltage network, and load transfers at distribution voltage level are possible, additional capacity will be triggered in the year that the total load on all interconnected substations exceeds 70% of the total interconnected transformer capacity. In cases where load transfer is not feasible, the 70% limit shall apply to the individual power transformer.” (Emphasis supplied.)

11. As the total inter-cluster loading of the foregoing interconnected substations is projected to exceed 70%, there is an immediate need for VECO to provide a reserve capacity margin in order to serve its customers by avoiding any power interruption in case of an outage contingency. Thus the proposed San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation, which is strategically located to provide an addition 12.5 MV A of capacity within the southern cluster.

12. In turn, the proposed 69 kV Line projects will facilitate the interconnection of the San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation VECO’s 69 kV network, which will ultimately redound to the benefit of the consumers in terms of continuous, reliable and efficient supply of power.

Olivarez way ahead of rival in Parañaque surveys REELECTIONIST Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez is leading early surveys by a wide margin in the race for the local chief executive post in the May midterm elections.

Based on the RP Mission and Development Foundation Inc. survey conducted from Feb. 1 to 10, Olivarez got 43 percent voter preference against the 15 percent of his rival, former Mayor Florencio Bernabe Jr. Olivarez, a former city representative of District I, is gunning for his third term under the administration ruling party PDP-Laban.

He won the 2013 mayoralty race by a landslide against Florencio Bernabe III, son of

the elder Bernabe.

The RP Mission “Halalan 2019 Survey” also showed that incumbent mayors Bobby Eusebio of Pasig City (75 percent), Abigail Binay of Makati City (70 percent), and Imelda Aguilar (68 percent) of Las Piñas City were also favored.

Based on the earlier survey conducted by Publicus Asia Inc., Olivarez was preferred by respondents to earn another term with a 46-percent rating, while Bernabe Jr. on got 10 percent.

The noncommissioned survey of 1,800 respondents in different areas was conducted

by Publicus Asia, led by its founder/CEO,

PRAYER WHEREFORE, in view of the foregoing, it is respectfully prayed that the Honorable Commission: Pending trial on the merits, immediately ISSUE a PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY authorizing VECO to implement the foregoing San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation, San Fernando Lot Acquisition, and 69 kV Line projects; and

2.

After due hearing, ISSUE a DECISION APPROVING the foregoing San Fernando 1X10/12.5 MVA TR Substation, San Fernando Lot Acquisition, and 69 kV Line projects.

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

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on 14 March 2019 (Thursday) at two o’clock in the afternoon (02:00 P.M.), at ERC Visayas Field Office, St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu 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: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon.

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

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioner CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 22nd day of January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE - ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal (MS-FEB. 22 & MAR. 1, 2019)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

political strategist, TV host, and columnist Malou Tiquia.

Elsewhere, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte is the top choice for Quezon City mayor with 72 percent over Rep. Vincent “Bingbong” Crisologo with only 18 percent in the noncommissioned PR Mission survey covering 2,500 respondents in the National Capital Region.

Former Manila Vice Mayor Isko Moreno, meanwhile, garnered 45 percent in the survey against incumbent Mayor Joseph Estrada (26 percent) and former Mayor Alfredo Lim (24 percent) in the three-way fight for the capital’s top seat.

QC, Valenzuela Maynilad areas see interruptions

13. Thus, pending final approval, there is a need for a provisional authority for VECO to immediately implement the foregoing projects. Attached as Annex “C” of the application is the Judicial Affidavit of Noel S. Modesto in support of the application and prayer for the grant of provisional authority.

1.

mobilized all its personnel, including barangay health workers, to assist in the anti-measles vaccination drive. “They are knocking on doors and going house to house to ensure the safety and protection of our children,” she said.

She noted that even though Makati has one of the lowest number of recorded measles cases in Metro Manila, children are still susceptible to measles infection because of low herd immunity. This can only be remedied by increasing the number of vaccinated children everywhere.

Earlier, the MHD extended the intensive campaign until March 31 on the mayor’s orders.

The vaccines can be received from health workers going house to house simultaneously in the barangays; daily at all barangay health centers; and from all public schools in the city. The Palanan 24/7 health center has also been opened as a fixed post for round the clock vaccination.

DIGONG’S BETS.

The total estimated cost of these projects is Php 88,916,420.00 broken down as follows: Project San Fernando 1X10(12.5 MVA TR Substation San Fernando Lot Acquisition 69 kV VECO Naga Substation to CEMEX 69 kV Line 69 kV Mabuhay Filcernent Inc. to San Fernando Substation Line 69 kV San Fernando Substation to Mabuhay Filcernent Inc. Line 69 kV San Fernando Substation to Taiheiyo 69 kV Line TOTAL

9.

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

TREES BY ROTARY. Representatives of 1,052 Rotary Clubs across the country sign their ‘Trees 100’

national tree planting agreement in the presence of Ciara Sotto, daughter of Senate President Vicente Sotto III, who was invited by the Rotary Club of Manila to witness the signing on Feb. 25 at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The Rotary Club seeks to plant one million trees to aid the common effort of helping solve the country’s ecological and environmental problems.

‘Trikes must clear way for T. Sora work’

By Rio N. Araja QUEZON City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte on Thursday urged tricycle operators and drivers’ associations in areas to be affected by the closure of the Tandang Sora flyover for cooperation with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

“Let us cooperate with MMDA on the clearing operations. Let us have discipline [on the road], and don’t just park anywhere.

The issue here is not the clearing operation or the apprehension for those obstructing.

The issue is about discipline,” she said.

Last Tuesday, MMDA started conducting

clearing operations along Luzon Avenue, Visayas Avenue, Congressional Avenue, and Tandang Sora Avenue as alternative routes once the Tandang Sora flyover and intersection are closed.

Belmonte said sidewalk vendors, illegally parked vehicles and any obstructions along the sidewalks would be removed, and that vendors with hawker’s permits may continue their undertakings provided they do not cause any obstruction in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, two years after the passage of City Resolution 7687 of 2017, the city government is set to purchase three brand-new vehicles for program monitoring at P1.2 million each.

SOME customers of water firm Maynilad in Quezon City and Valenzuela City will experience water service interruptions owing to repairs and maintenance work in the first week of March.

Maynilad announced on Wednesday that it will temporarily shut down two of its pumping stations in Quezon City to simultaneously conduct the interconnection of its newly installed water pipes in Barangay Commonwealth and Payatas in Quezon City.

“This is in line with its continuous effort to improve water services in the West Zone,” said Jennifer Rufo, Maynilad corporate communications head.

Areas affected in Quezon City from March 4 at 10 pm to March 6 at 4 am are Bagbag, Bagong Silangan, Greater Fairview, Gulod, Holy Spirit, Nagkaisang Nayon, North Fairview, San Bartolome, Santa Lucia, Santa Monica, Sauyo, and Talipapa.

Affected QC areas from March 4 (10 p.m.) to March 7 (10 p.m.) are Batasan Hills, Commonwealth, Payatas.

In Valenzuela City, Ugong (Hobart Phase 1 and 2 and Doña Marciana Subdivision) will have service interruptions from March 4 (10 p.m.) to March 6 (4 a.m.).

“We encourage our affected customers to store water early to prevent ‘panic withdrawals,’ which could result in an earlier-thanscheduled supply interruption,” Rufo said, noting Maynilad has 40 water tankers on standby to deliver water to affected areas as needed.

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife @MStandardLIFE

CULTURE AND MEDIA

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

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The People’s Artist

By Veronica V. Wuson

N

O OTHER artist like Fidel Sarmiento has brought the luxury of visual art to the people from Bukidnon to Bilibid, from schoolchildren to seniors, demystifying and mystifying the process of painting yet simultaneously encouraging the pursuit of artistry embedded in the Filipino’s DNA. Wielding his painterly wand, he demonstrates how colored pencils or pastels on paper, even a household sponge dipped on house paints and swiped on canvas, can bring out another Amorsolo.

Then, he distributes pastels and paper paraphernalia, and with his group of artists coach the audience living behind bars, or tribal people, or awed grade schoolers. Yes, he makes it look so simple as shooting hoops street style with visions of LeBron.

Sarmiento, the Wizard of visual art, appears to be on a mission. Hence for the past years, he tirelessly traverses the islands influencing as many people as he can with his style of Painting 101.

But he humbly says, “Wala po akong mission. Ang maibahagi, maituro sa iba, at magamit sa makabuluhang gawain ang talentong binigay sa akin. Bahala ang Diyos kung saan ako magiging kapaki-pakinabang.” Adding, “Alagad lang po ako ng sining.” (I have no mission but to share and to impart God’s gift. God shows the way as to where I’m needed. I am just a keeper of the art).

Sarmiento is president for 16 years of the oldest artist group, the Art Association of the Philippines, he forged with the Government Service Insurance System.

For the on-the-spot painting contest held annually since 2004, people of all persuasions spill out of the hallways of the reclaimed bay area GSIS offices to the multi-level entrance steps, creating masterpieces from daybreak to dusk for the coveted honor of winning over thousands of other artistic hopefuls.

Sarmiento and his officers continuously market AAP members' works by collaborating with various organic galleries, medical groups, and foundations to benefit charities like the San Lorenzo Ruiz Home for the Elderly.

Almost every month, the indefatigable visual virtuoso holds an outreach program, the latest organized by Governor Joe and Vicky Zubiri in Bukidnon for the Manobo tribe. In December last year, he led a plein air painting in Baguio with a group of seniors headed by former Makati Vice Mayor Conchitina Bernardo.

This February, he is the inaugural artist of Happy Garden Cafe, a wellness destination along Jupiter St., Makati. During Edsa Shangri-La’s 2019 Chinese New Year events, he led AAP members impart the beauty and speed of producing oil pastel artworks to an enraptured crowd.

Yearly, inmates blend oil pastels with him and AAP members. Three years ago, he painted with Ormoc schoolchildren hosted by Congresswoman Lucy Gomez.

Two years past, he exhibited in Honolulu with artist/actress Heart Evangelista for the 119th Philippine Independence Day. And for quite a number of years, he juried and showed in Seoul, Korea.

Just turned 59, he has traveled and

Art Association of the Philippines president Fidel Sarmiento

Fidel Sarmiento's paintings showcase the talent of a true Filipino artist.

Everyone gets a chance to paint.

Sarmiento does outreach program in various communities, promoting the healing and enriching art of painting.

enthralled the world with his canvases from Europe to America to Asia, winning awards for himself and the country.

Such is the spectrum of Sarmiento’s reach. No one too low or too high, too healthy or too sick, to be touched by the healing and enriching art of painting.

On his fifth year as the Wizard at Sunshine Place, he enchants the seniors on four wheels, a third leg, or on active twos, rejuvenating their endorphins on colorful canvas glory. The five-story Sunshine Place along Jupiter St. in Makati is a foundation built by SM’s Tessie Sy Coson in honor of her mother and all mothers. Its president, Lizanne Uychaco, a bank executive and the country’s foremost feng shui mixed media artist, asked Sarmiento to be the resident art professor.

“We are lucky to have Sarmiento sharing his talent,” says Uychaco. “He is truly a living national artist.”

Quite a storyteller, Sarmiento recalls how it all started...his childhood days of chalking all sorts of images on pavements and streets, his high school days of drawing teachers’ portraits instead of listening to lectures, bolting out of architecture’s rigid structure in his first year at Mapua to the fine arts classes of FEATI where he graduated.

His innate artistic genius honed by decades of painterly experience is evident on canvases of stunning details, perfecting the yin and yang of clean lines and soft caressing colors.

Every day in his Sta. Rosa abode, Sarmiento makes magic with his brushes, incorporating his signature trademarks into timeless pieces.

Artworks in Makati CBD AYALA Land brings art to the streets of Makati’s central business district.

On display at the fountain area of Tower One and Exchange Plaza from Feb. 22 to March 13 is Japanese artist Shinji Ohmaki’s Gravity and Grace, capturing the imagination of enthusiasts through the manipulation of iron, LED lights, and stainless sheets.

Ohmaki has established his reputation through the vibrant play of space and materials, blending his practice with characteristic design on architectural setting.

As a call to attention for the preservation of the seas, Olivia D’Aboville and Neal Oshima have also collaborated on an awe-inspiring mixed media installation entitled Plastics in Our Oceans, which tackles human’s abuse of plastic. One version of this art piece can be found at the Greenbelt pond behind Ayala Museum and another at the newly constructed bridgeway connecting The Landmark to The Link Carpark.

The Manila Peninsula’s iconic waterfalls along Ayala Avenue is the stage for the Birth of Venus, an animated light projection of the famed classic painting of the goddess of beauty by Manila-based projection designer GA Fallarme together with Dutch light projection artist Henk-Gert Lenten and freelance 3D motion designer Gedrick Roldan.

On display around Makati CBD are (clockwise) 'Birth of Venus' on the Manila Peninsula's waterfalls, 'Plastics in Our Oceans' at The Landmark bridgeway, 'Plastics in Our Oceans' at the Greenbelt pond, and 'Gravity and Grace' at the fountain area of Tower One and Exchange Plaza.

Sarmiento with his students

- The “masking tape” symbolizing “holding on to the past” is a perfect trompe l’oeil.

- Larawan ng Kahapon is a picture on picture canvas of the past with ribbons of the sky the sun the sea the earth.

- Pamana: A photorealistic painting of a living room with polished wooden floors and displays of porcelain jars, books, lamps, and Amorsolos.

- Mahalagang Butil at Papel: Winnowing basket of rice, with denominations of the Philippine peso, US dollar and China’s renminbi, representing the “new economic world order.”

- Alaala Ng Lumipas: Ruins of a bahay na bato, a pigeon perched on a jar, fronting harmonious color gradations.

- Buhay Pinoy and Tag-Tuyo Na Naman: dried fish on old newspaper, few peso bills, and a paper bag.

With a sleight of hand, the Wizard gazes at leftover colors on a palette and in a minute transforms them into another collectible work of art—a blue vase with delicate flowers or nine kois swimming toward a lotus flower.

Sarmiento desires the viewer experience to go beyond the colors and the canvas. He shares, “Gusto ko makita at maramdaman nila na ang aking obra ay likha ng Filipino artist. Gusto kong maramdaman nila hindi lang ang ganda ng kulay kundi pati na ang mensahe.” (I want the audience to look at my works and know they are done by a Filipino artist, and not just to admire the beautiful colors but to get the message).

The fortitude of gratitude is immensely infused in his being. That’s Sarmiento, the People’s Artist.

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Entertainment

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Alfonso Cuaron

Rami Malek

Missing the Oscars `LAST Monday, I woke up early hoping I’d catch a live telecast of the 2019 Academy Awards or more popularly known as the Oscars.

Unfortunately, not one of the cable channels carried the show in the Philippines, SkyCable had an announcement that none of the cable channels it is carrying would telecast the Oscars. What a downer! I’ve always looked forward to watching the awards show since the day it was brought to the small screens in the Philippines in the late ‘60s until last year when HBO Asia carried the awards show.

HBO Asia did not have an explanation why it did not carry the show live from Los Angeles, neither did it say whether it would be telecasting its future shows.

I was hoping Blue Ant Entertainment (formerly RTL-CBS) would because it has been carrying most of the awards-shows related to the movies lately, but it also didn’t. Fox Network (FoxLife and Fox, Fox Movies) didn’t too. Not even local network ABS-CBN, which for some time had a standing agreement with AMPAS to bring the Oscars to the Philippines.

I know that a lot of Oscars fans were, like me, disappointed that they weren’t able to watch the more-than-two-hour TV show last Monday, many of them resorted to finding any streaming service on the Internet.

After the ceremonies, many fans had googled the winners and watched clips of the Oscars.

Here is the full list of 2019’s Academy Award winners: Documentary (Feature)—Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Free Solo Actress in a Supporting Role—Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk Makeup and Hairstyling—Greg Cannom, Kate Biscoe, and Patricia Dehaney, Vice Costume Design—Ruth E. Carter, Black Panther Production Design—Hannah Beachler and Jay Hart, Black Panther Cinematography—Alfonso Cuarón, Roma Sound Editing—John Warhurst, Bohemian Rhapsody Sound Mixing — Paul Massey, Tim Cavagin, and John Casali, Bohemian Rhapsody Foreign Language Film—Alfonso Cuarón, Roma Film Editing—John Ottman, Bohemian Rhapsody Actor in a Supporting Role— Mahershala Ali, Green Book Animated Feature Film—Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, Rodney Rothman Animated Short Film — Domee Shi, Bao Documentary Short Subject—Rayka Zehtabchi and Melissa Berton, Period.

End of Sentence.

Visual Effects — Paul Lambert, Ian Hunter, Tristan Myles and J.D. Schwalm, First Man Live Action Short Film—Guy Nattiv and Jamie Ray Newman, Skin Best Original Screenplay—Nick Vallelonga, Brian Currie, Peter Farrelly, Green Book Best Adapted Screenplay—Spike Lee, Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Raymond Mansfield, Jordan Peele, BlacKkKlansman Original Score—Ludwig Goransson, Black Panther Original Song—Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, and Andrew Wyatt, “Shallow,” A Star Is Born Best Actor in a Leading Role—Rami Malek, Bohemian Rhapsody Best Actress in a Leading Role—Olivia Colman, The Favourite Best Director—Alfonso Cuarón, Roma Best Picture—Green Book *** Feng Shui master Joseph Chau performs prosperity ritual at LRI Design Plaza, a haven for artisanal designers and creative shop owners on 210 Nicanor Garcia Street, Bel-Air II, during a ritual held at the tail-end of the Chinese New Year.

Toni Lo, owner of LRI and the 81-year-old Luzon Rattan Industries (a furniture maker), Chau’s son Vittorio, 39, showroom owners, and their clients joined the Dragon dancers from Binondo, Manila’s China town that snaked around a stone fountain on the first floor and up to the spiral staircase – to all three floors of LRI on Feb. 9.

The Dragon dance participated in by both Filipinos and ethnic Chinese symbolized closer ties, “just like a family,” said Lo, adding that Chinese communities existed in the Philippines even before the arrival of Spaniards in the 16th century, and the Americans in the 19th century.

LRI’s celebration of the Year of the Pig culminated in front of a table laden with sumptuous offerings: a suckling pig; steamed chicken; roasted goose; five varieties of fruits; three cups of Chinese rice wine; three cups of tea; three bowls of cooked rice - with three pairs of chopsticks; dishes of fish and shellfish; and glutinous rice ball with peanuts and white sesame inside. The offerings and the lucky money offered in red envelopes (pau) invite good fortune, said elder Chau.

“We have to look forward to the future. We have to think positively always in order to strive for success, and give thanksgiving to God for giving us harmony, peace, protection, safety, and, most of all, the best of luck this year,” advised Chau, adding, “Businessmen must clear debts and not carry debts to the next year. It is unlucky to have unpaid debts. This is a good habit. If all merchants follow this practice, all businessmen will be happy and enjoy a prosperous New Year.” *** Visit www.isah.red for more stories. Follow me on Facebook (@isahvr), Twitter (@isahvred) and Instagram (@isahvred). ΙR

Search for Caloocan’s most beautiful ambassador T HE City Government of Caloocan together with the Caloocan Cultural and Tourism Foundation, Inc. (CCTF) join forces once again to stage the prestigious Miss Caloocan beauty pageant.

On its 5th year under the leadership of Mayor Oscar “Oca” Malapitan, 21 lovely and talented ladies hailing from different barangays in Caloocan will compete for the crown and the title as Miss Caloocan 2019.

This year, the City of Caloocan and CCTF is in search for a goodwill ambassador that embodies traits that could positively influence others and promote women empowerment.

“We want to take beauty pageantry to a new level wherein the winners will not only be the tourism ambassadors of the city, but they will also be our voice in promoting our advocacies and women empowerment,” said CCTF Chairwoman Kathleen Mendoza.

In line with this, the City Government of Caloocan is already working on several programs for the title holders to better advocate for women empowerment. Some of these programs would include seminar on the rights of single mothers and livelihood training for women with disabilities.

Apart from pushing for the city’s advocacies, Miss Caloocan’s primary role is to promote the city, its tourism, and the many talents of the people of Caloocan. And the Miss Caloocan pageant itself has been an avenue for Caloocaños to showcase their talent and creativity.

a’ n a h d a T d e l l a C g ‘That Thin e b u t u o Y n o g in stream

in the 2014 de Guzman JM d daone. an an nganib ntoinette Ja Angelica Pa irected by A d lm fi y ed m romantic co

The City Government of Caloocan and CCTF tapped well-renowned make-up artist and true-blue Caloocaño Jojie Simpaoco to be one of the candidates’ make-up artists while celebrity and beauty queen designer Bea Bianca will dress all 21 candidates.

“We have so many amazing talents in Caloocan and we think that Miss Caloocan is the perfect way for us to exhibit their artistry,” Mendoza proudly explained. “Our priority is to collaborate with them in all our programs and promotions to show everyone how proud we are that these brilliant people are from Caloocan.”

Hosted by Kapuso star Derrick Monasterio, Miss Caloocan’s Grand Coronation Night will be held tomorrow, March 2, 7:00 p.m., at the Caloocan Sports Complex. Entrance is open to the public and seats are on a first come, first serve basis.

THE blockbuster romcom hit That Thing Called Tadhana, starring Angelica Panganiban and JM de Guzman, started streaming for free on Cinema One’s YouTube channel yesterday.

If you haven’t watched this Antoinette Jadaone masterpiece yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

And why is it a must that you watch this romantic drama?

Here are further reasons not to miss this acclaimed film online: Get to tour the north with Mace and Anthony. It’s always romantic to watch a film when two potential lovers explore exquisite places, such as Baguio City and Sagada, and catch sight of these scenic spots for the first time.

Find romance in a chance setting. The most romantic moments are often the ones unfolding unexpectedly right before the audience’s eyes, before the protagonists even realize what is really happening between them.

Revel in the intensity of conversations. Fans of the Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, and Before Midnight) will enjoy the simplicity in long talks and the stillness in between, and there are plenty of these moments in this flick.

Discover why the film deserves a sequel. If you cannot get enough of the emotions from the latest LizQuen film also made

by Antoinette, then backtrack on the director’s previous hit That Thing Called Tadhana and find out why the latter is on its way to having its much-awaited sequel.

Don’t miss the journey of Mace and Anthony as they sail through heartaches, healing, friendship, and hope in That Thing Called Tadhana, streaming on Cinema One’s YouTube channel. Like and subscribe to www.youtube.com/cinemaoneph for free movies.

APO members topbill Ateneo HS ’69 Golden Jubilee Show JIM Paredes and Boboy Garovillo, of the OPM exponent APO Hiking Society, will render a special 45-minute presentation at the 50th Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Ateneo de Manila High School Batch ’69 on March 9 at the Mariano Singson Hall of the Ateneo Grade School.

Jim and Boboy have prepared a unique show for their high school batchmates who love dubbed their celebration, 69’ers

Strike Gold. Other performers that evening include solo guitarist Joey Buhain, The Flintstones, and Mixed Emotions.

These Ateneans, now in their late ‘60s, will come together to relive memories of life in the sixties with their Jesuit mentors, and share unique and unforgettable episodes in their teenage life.

Thanks to the advent of social media, getting the batch together became much easier. From a total of 242 graduates representing 7 sections 50 years ago, at least 150 have confirmed their attendance, including those based overseas, while 37 have since passed.

HS ‘69 Reunion Organizing Committee chair Ed Santos says activities will kick off with two out of town events starting with lunch and a tour of Sandy Javier’s farm in Batangas on March 5.

This will be followed by lunch and a tour of Pampanga hosted

by Tito Panlilio on March 7. Both events have golf scheduled, according to Santos.

For his part, Batch President Greg Cancio disclosed that the main program on March 9 kicks off with a concelebrated mass

by Ateneo Director for Alumni Relations Fr. Kits Bautista, SJ and batchmate Fr. Bingo Nespral.

“This March event will serve as a fitting preparation as we celebrate with fellow Golden Jubilarians in the Ateneo Grand Alumni Homecoming in December,” Cancio added.

For those who haven’t registered, please get in touch with Joane Balarbar at 0945 502 8592.

Oscar viewership up for first time in five years THE 91st Academy Awards telecast rebounded from a four-year slump to record 29.6 million viewers this time around, an 11 percent rise from 2018’s all-time low, ABC said on Monday.

The increase is welcome news for organizers who stumbled through a series of headline-grabbing missteps in the run-up to the show, including backtracking on a best popular film category and pulling the plug on a host for the first time in three decades.

The hostless and shortened format appear to have pleased viewers, with the 200-minute show broadcast by ABC the most-watched entertainment telecast in two years, ABC said in a statement.

It added that the show had dominated social media Sunday night with 17.7 million interactions, the majority on Twitter (75 percent), followed by Instagram and Facebook.

Apart from a shortened broadcast and a change in format, entertainment experts attribute the rise in viewership this year to the presence of blockbusters and performances by the iconic band Queen and Lady Gaga. AFP

Motoring Text and photos

by Lester Dizon

I

T’S BEEN quite a while since I’ve gone off-road on a 4×4 adventure drive.

Thus, when Nissan Philippines, Inc. (NPI) invited yours truly for a “Go Anywhere” drive around Bicol with the new Nissan Terra sport utility vehicle (SUV), it was hard to say no.

More so when I learned that NPI President Ramesh Narasimhan will be joining us on the whole trip. So, on a cool early February morning, I found myself waiting for 7:30AM Cebu Pacific flight to Legaspi, Albay, which of course, left Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport two hours late.

However, like most of my media colleagues, I ignored the inconveniences caused by the airport delay and looked forward to two days of rollicking adventure with the Nissan Terra. The minute we got off the plane and out of the Legaspi airport, we were greeted by the team of George Ramirez and company. “Hmm… this is going to be fun!” I thought to myself. I looked for our assigned Lunar Metallic Gray Nissan Terra (#3) and found myself teamed with Jong Arcano of the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Tet Andolong of the Business Mirror. As soon as we got settled in our vehicles, we rolled off from the airport and drove out towards Naga City.

During our drive to Naga and back to Legaspi, Jong, Tet and I took turns in driving the Terra. We observed how lithe it is to drive, compared to the cumbersome feel of other SUVs, and how comfortable the ride was on paved roads despite the suspension’s robust design. We were so comfortably cocooned inside the Terra while we were travelling on the highway that we didn’t notice the time and the traffic on the roads between Legaspi, Polangui, and Naga City. After a sumptuous lunch at Casa Soriano, we drove back to Legaspi through the scenic Coastal Highway, experiencing the mighty 450 Newton-meters of torque from the Terra’s 2.5-liter YD25 DDTi turbo diesel engine and the adaptability of the seven-speed automatic transmission on the mountain roads overlooking the Pacific Ocean. If only the view was the same in Metro Manila, I wouldn’t mind getting stuck in traffic inside the cool, comfortable confines of the Terra.

Dusk fell as we were nearing Legaspi City and we hurriedly drove up a viewpoint overlooking the Mayon Volcano to catch the last few minutes of sunlight.

NPI arranged a camp-like setting complete with a bonfire, sumptuous dinner and live entertainment for the media par-

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

C3

Go anywhere with the Nissan Terra

NO BOUNDARIES. There’s practically no limit to where the Terra can go. A Fiery Red Special Edition Terra (below) settles snugly backdropped by the majestic Mayon Volcano. ticipants. A pleasant surprise was the introduction of a special edition Fiery Red Nissan Terra with a special interior package. Only a hundred units will be sold throughout NPI’s nationwide dealership network. My mind was racing – after a few hundred kilometers on the highways around Bicol, I’m beginning to want a Fiery Red Special Edition Nissan Terra! If only I have the cash right now.

We didn’t stay late at the camp because we felt so tired after waking up early to catch the much delayed flight and driving the whole day around the Bicol region.

So, we were driven to our residence for the next two nights, the Oriental Hotel, and I promptly tucked in for the night.

The next morning, we were up early to drive to the Black Lava Base Camp at the foot of Mayon Volcano. NPI arranged a day of driving adventure around the slopes of the majestic volcano using the Nissan Terra 4×4 and some all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). To kick off our adventure, we climbed up a thick tall wall made by black lava deposits to find a helipad (haha) on top and a fantastic view of Mayon.

The climb was not too difficult but the

view was worth the effort. Of course, everybody wanted to get a selfie photo with the volcano, which, as legend tells it, hides behind a veil of clouds when persons with impure hearts try to view it. My initial photos with Mayon were partially obscured by clouds. Does that mean I have a “partially” impure heart? Or do I have a partially pure heart? It must be one of those “the glass is either half-empty or half-full” kinds of moments.

I must have a pure heart – my view of Mayon, after a few tries.

I followed the lead of Raymond Tribdino, the Motoring Editor of Malaya, and took the zip line down and back to our convoy, as did Ramesh, the adventurous NPI president. He would later jokingly ask the videographer to review the footage of his zip line ride to find out who “pushed” him down the line. Once back at the base camp, we were briefed on our batches and vehicle assignments.

Raymond became our assigned 4×4 offroad driver in our Terra since Jong and Tet were trying to beat their deadlines while working on their phones, while I found myself simply too lazy to drive. Besides,

how can I take scenic photographs of the volcanic landscape if I was driving?

While resting to admire the scenery, I was contemplating on the difference between roughing it out on an ATV and roughing it out with the Nissan Terra 4×4.

If you’re a young gung-ho thrill seeker, you will undoubtedly say that the ATV

is the way to go. But if you’re a middleaged adventurer like me, the comfort and assurance of a Nissan Terra 4×4 will be your primary choice. While it is true that an ATV can stir the soul while you’re testing the limits of your endurance, the Nissan Terra 4×4 is a willing partner to really go anywhere.

Xpander outsells rivals—Mitsubishi

DYNAMIC DUO. Hyundai Santa Fe and Kona reap awards in North America.

Two takes on Hyundai THE 2019 Hyundai Kona, alongside the Kona Electric CUV, was named North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by a jury of independent American and Canadian journalists and Analysts.

The award was announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

This is the first time a Hyundai vehicle has won this prestigious award.

Following the awards accorded to the Hyundai vehicles, Hyundai Asia Resources Inc. President and CEO Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said: “2019 has only just begun, yet we at Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. welcome with great pride the multiple awards our vehicles have already earned internationally.

The Kona was also recognized as the best Subcompact SUV for

the Money in 2019 by the U.S. News and World Report, which judges vehicles of different classes on their quality and value for money. Finally, the Kona was among six models to earn 2019 Car and Driver Editors’ Choice Awards, which aim to provide car buyers with recommendations on the best vehicle options for each class.

This month, the 2016 model of the Santa Fe was named the most dependable midsize SUV by J.D. Power in their 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study. The study looked into issues owners of 2016 vehicle models experienced over the previous year. This follows the results of the 2018 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety report, where the Kona, Santa Fe, and Elantra received top marks for

safety.

These awards truly represent what Hyundai is all about. We aim to offer mobility solutions in all classes that boast unparalleled safety and reliability, while also introducing stylish yet affordable options like the Kona and, in 2019, the Reina.”

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc., the official distributor of Hyundai passenger cars and commercial vehicles in the Philippines, has been hailed four times as Hyundai AsiaPacific Distributor of the Year (2005, 2006, 2008, and 2013), and Hyundai Global Distributor of the Year 2010 and 2016. HARI boasts 42-strong dealer network, superior after-sales, dealer and customer relations support, and an enviable roster of best-selling commercial and passenger vehicles.

MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp. sold a total of 13,502 XPANDER units in 2018 making it the bestselling small Multi-Purpose Vehicle in the country. With less than 10 month period in the market, the XPANDER outsold its competitors.

MMPC introduced the XPANDER during the first quarter of 2018 and it instantly captured the market’s interest with thousands of reservations received. Last year, the XPANDER was also acknowledged by several award giving bodies such as Auto Focus People’s Choice and Media’s Choice Awards and the prestigious C! Awards for both its design and performance. The XPANDER was voted as the Best Design MPV in the Auto Focus Media’s Choice Awards and as the Best Compact Carrier from the C! Awards. With more units available now, MMPC is optimistic that the XPANDER will further drive MMPC’s growth for the year.

Meanwhile, MMPC recorded a modest improvement on its market share in 2018 versus its 2017 market share. MMPC sold a total of 67,512 units last year accounting for

18.89% market share. Although, MMPC experienced a drop on its total sales, the company was able to slightly improve its market share and remained to be the number 2 bestselling automotive brand in the country. Apart from the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act that has affected the whole automotive industry, the phasing-out of MMPC’s two bestselling models, the Adventure and the L300 have also affected on the decline in sales volume.

Although MMPC sales went down, several models posted an improvement on its total annual sales. The locally manufactured Mirage G4 increased total sales by 14.0% with 14,810 units sold. The Mirage G4 is among the top choices under small passenger car segment. A practical choice of Filipinos for its features and affordability. MMPC has also recorded an improvement on the total Strada sold last year as compared to the total sales in 2017. For 2018, MMPC sold a total of 4,561 double cab pick-up versus 3,663 units sold in

2017.

This year, MMPC expressed highl optimism that it would recover and bring back its robust sales performance. “With the strong supply and demand of the XPANDER and with the introduction of the New Strada, we look forward to a more progressive year”, MMPC Executive Vice President Taichi Nakajima said. He added that the company is positive that the New Strada will bring back the market enthusiasm on this pick-up brand and further improve the market presence and market share under this segment. Aside from the New Strada, MMPC will further strengthen its line-up thru introduction of model upgrades during the year. MMPC is aiming to achieve a better performance in 2019. Aside from its extensive model line-up and aggressive promotions, MMPC is also working hard to enhance its after sales and provide customers with top class service. MS Motoring

GROWTH DRIVER.

Mitsubishi Motors PH banks on Xpander to propel its overall sales.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2019

Motoring

Noblesse oblige over cups of coffee

• BCCC Act II: Mobility for a cause

T’S easier to skirt responsibility. People with deep pockets and names that quickly ring bells can grow arrogant and out of touch. It’s a rare breed of men who will recognize the chasm-wide unevenness between the unprincipled rich and the economically marginalized.

McLaren, Austin Healey, Rolls Royce, Bugatti, Corvette, and Delorean are so engineered with precise details that their timeless design has set them in class and zone of their own, yet appeal to multiple senses.

Unlike the more practical and efficient family sedans and SUVs, a sports car has been the totem pole, the visual confirmation of one’s making It. It’s a car that has skewed the merits of commuter transportation --- even if some sport bucket seats are tailored to be kind on the posterior --- but certainly has a whole lot to do with the skill and euphoria of driving it and of expressing one’s individuality. It’s what draws sports car drivers to this beauty: high-performance athlete on the road or racetrack, excellent drifts, quick sprints, reliability on high-speed bends and sneaky curbs, or on long straights.

It always leaves indelible impressions. Open-top roadster… fixedroof coupe. It never fails.

The Burgos Circle Car Club, a group of corporate generals, policy makers, and sports cars enthusiasts, tag teamed and went well beyond the usual.

The club members, some of them with multinational blood supply, and to whom dignity means a lot, decided over cups of coffee that it was time for a turnaround and break the failure chain.

Bonifacio Global City is a neighborlike place heavy with cultural and entertainment activities and first-chop little restaurants, highly developed with sensible urban plans of streets spiced with sleek buildings, open air spaces, and an absence of long and honking traffic snarls. The coffee shops get busy particularly on weekends and it is within this atmosphere of bright morning sky and the warm perfume of freshly brewed coffee where the Burgos Circle Car Club initialized its Sports Car For A Cause project. Last year the car club in partnership with the Bonifacio Global City and the Tradeshow International as event organizer, plus contributing sponsors, and several money guys, students from the Gat Andres Bonifacio High School got the much needed boost to improve their circumstances.

This year, the project’s beneficiary is the Sisters of Mary Schools, Phils. and selected students who are taking up courses related to automotive skills.

Along 4th Avenue last weekend a row of gleaming, classic sports cars turned heads, stopped pedestrians on their tracks, and set pulses racing. Complimented as autocrats of the road, sports cars the likes of Ferrari, Ford GT, Porsche, Maserati, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Aston Martin, Lotus, Lamborghini, Ford Mustang, Jaguar,

Young people are our bridge to the future. The importance of long-term thinking, such as this Sports Car For A Cause project, will positively produce flurries of changes in the students’ lives and help facilitate their coming forth as the next generation leaders and economy upsurgers. Once in a while, it’s good to get out of the office or the comfort zones and clink cups of coffee to retain one’s perspective. We become stronger the wider we open our arms and heart.

I

Text and photos by Diana B. Noche

AWS season ends in dramatic fashion Sepang, Malaysia – Hitech GP driver Rinus ‘Veekay’ van Kalmthout clinched the inaugural Asian Winter Series title in a dramatic season finale at Malaysia’s Sepang International Circuit. The ninth and final race of the three round series was won by Sri Lankan Absolute Racing driver Eshan Pieris who deftly stayed out of trouble to lead home Pinnacle Motorsport Frenchman Victor Martins, taking his second podium of the weekend, and Veekay.

Eighteen-year-old Pro Mazda Champion Veekay kept his cool to win the title by 29 points from closest challenger, Absolute Racing’s Ye Yifei of China. Ye’s championship aspirations ended after a challenge on race leader Jack Doohan ended with both drivers crashing out of the race.

In the final Asian Winter Series points standings, Veekay, who now embarks upon his first season in Indy Lights, topped the leaderboard with Ye in second. Third was Veekay’s team mate Ghiretti, who had remained in championship contention right up to the final round. Fourth was talented Japanese driver Tomoki Takahashi of Super License ahead of Hitech GP driver Pavan Ravishankar and Pieris.

Rinus “Veekay’ van Kalmthout celebrates his victory at the inaugural Asian Winter Series.

B-Max Racing Team’s Tairoku Yamaguchi had already clinched the Masters title with one race in hand, while team mate Motoyoshi Yoshida, who joined the series from the second round onwards, finished second ahead of team principal DRAGON. Hitech GP took the Asian Winter Series Teams championship from Absolute Racing, with Pinnacle Motorsport third ahead of Japan’s Super License.

Vespa Notte: Bellesima!

Words and photo

by Lester Dizon MOTO Italia Philippines Inc. recently launched the Vespa Notte at Xylo Bar. Moto Italia President Willy Tee Ten and Piaggio Asia Pacific CEO Gianluca Fiume announced that the partnership of two companies is getting stronger and plans to launch more new products in the future.

Dedicated to those who love attention to detail with a meticulous finish of high quality products, the Vespa Notte can easily distinguish itself from the rest; with its total black look, it invokes a feeling of power, importance, and exclusivity that gains the attention of everyone it comes across.

The Vespa Notte is the special series available for Vespa Sprint (150cc versions) and Vespa GTS Super (300 cc version) models, making it based on the technical and mechanical foundation of the most recent large frame Vtespa scooters.

Its name, lending itself from the Italian word notte,

meaning “night,” is a clever nod to its aesthetics as a night-time style, referencing its total black color being paired with the opaque black chassis’ glossy details.

The design of the scooter really reminds one of a gorgeous night sky illuminated by the polar lights.

Accenting the elegant design of the Vespa Notte are the mirrors, the ornaments of the classic “tie” on the front shield, the handlebar ends, the passenger handle and the extractable footpegs of the GTS Super Notte. Refined details include a saddle dedicated to each model, a plate with the logo placed on the rear shield, and the rims and muffler guard, which are also painted a glossy black.

Of course, the two scooters are set apart not only with their individual takes on the Notte design, but their different engines as well.

Vespa Sprint 150 The Vespa Sprint Notte is available with 150 cc engine, which are part of the cutting edge family of Piaggio i-get engines. The head of the i-get engine family, 150 cc is a singlecylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke engine

equipped with electronic injection and 3-valve distribution. From the exhaust to the inner structure of the transmission casing, each and every detail is designed to ensure a smooth and quiet ride. This scooter is not only comfortable, though– Its remarkably environmentally friendly engine is capable of performing to the top of its category. The power and maximum torque of the i-get 150 cc engine are 9.5kw at 7750 rpm and 12.8 Nm at 6500 rpm, figures that work with the proverbially light weight of all Vespa scooters to give the Vespa Sprint Notte a particularly lively acceleration.

Vespa GTS 300 On the other hand, the Vespa GTS 300 Super Notte has a modern, high tech, single cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valve, liquid cooled, electronic injection engine capable of putting out 15.6 kW (21.2 hp) at 7,750 rpm and a maximum torque of 22 Nm at just 5,000 rpm. With prompt acceleration ensured by the numbers it puts out, riders can expect a particularly brilliant performance from this scooter, making the large frame special version Vespa the perfect vehicle to move about comfortably both in city traffic and for outdoor travel.

Putting a dark but exceptionally elegant look on the Vespa scooter, the Vespa Notte series leaves you unable to stop yourself from proclaiming “Bellisima!” whenever it drives by.

Piaggio Asia Pacific CEO Gianluca Fiume takes the Vespa Notte to a leisurely spin.