Manila Standard - 2019 June 14 - Friday

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Boat ramming: PH outraged Palace files protest vs. China, threatens to sever relations

By Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo, Macon Ramos-Araneta, Maricel V. Cruz and Francisco Tuyay

T

HE Philippines may cut diplomatic relations with China if the collision between a Chinese vessel and a Filipino fishing boat in the Recto Bank was done intentionally, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said Thursday.

VOL. XXXIII • NO. 120 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 • www.manilastandard.net • mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Founder says he drew Quiboloy’s ire for ‘poaching’

In a press briefing, Panelo said that President Rodrigo Duterte was outraged by the incident and said he would likely take steps similar to those taken against Canada in a recent row over garbage that had been illegally shipped to Manila.

“The incident in Recto Bank that placed 22 Filipino crewmen of FB Gimber 1 in danger could be considered an act of aggression if proven to be intentional,” Panelo said.

“We will cut off diplomatic relations, that’s the first thing we should do if there are aggressive acts. First, we will file a diplomatic protest and if they will not respond, that’s a different matter,” he said.

The Palace official said the country was taking “calibrated steps” in dealing with the issue.

“We will not allow ourselves to be assaulted, to be bullied, to be the subject of such barbaric, uncivilized and outrageous actions from any source,” he said.

By Jimbo Gulle KAPA Community Ministry International is in trouble with the law not only for its alleged fraudulent investment schemes, but also because it has wooed away members of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ―a religious sect whose founder, Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy, is a close friend of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Kapa’s founder, Pastor Joel Apolinario, told the online news site Politiko.com on Thursday he believes he has gotten under Quiboloy’s skin after poaching a big chunk of the latter’s church membership.

Both organizations operate out of Mindanao, Duterte’s home region. Quiboloy’s headquarters is at the “New Jerusalem” in Davao City, the President’s hometown, while Kapa was founded by Apolinario from Bislig City in Surigao del Sur. This led members of both groups to express on social media that they were Next page

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SCAM DENIED. Kapa’s founder Pastor Joel Apolinario (inset) raises his right hand, joined by some, in front of hundreds of thousands of Kapa Ministry Thursday at the Acharon sports complex in General Santos to urge President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the investment group to continue and reconsider the closure order against Kapa for alleged involvement in pyramiding scam, denied by Apolinario. Duterte, also in General Santos, ignored the appeal and instead directed the NBI to arrest Kapa leaders. Mark Navales

Senator chimes Kapa members flock to Gensan, slam crackdown in on PhilHealth By Vito Barcelo and Rey E. Requejo

By Macon Ramos-Araneta, Vito Barcelo, Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Thursday hit the government’s apparent “selective justice” in asking all officials of the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. to resign while sparing Health Secretary Franciso Duque,who also Next page

A LARGE number of the Kapa Community Ministry International gathered for a prayer rally in General Santos City in Mindanao to appeal against the government’s crackdown on its alleged investment scam.

Thousands of the group’s members from different areas in Luzon and the Visayas arrived at the Acharon Sports Complex in Calumpang starting Wednesday to join the event, said Kapa founder Joel Apolinario, who told his followers that he will discuss the allegations against him with President Duterte.

The Kapa Ministry was exposed for soliciting “donations” of P5,000 from each member, promising

returns as high as 30 percent per month without the appropriate investment licenses.

Apolinario told his followers Duterte would be meeting him in Davao City, because the President is scheduled to arrive in General Santos City to award certificates of land ownership at the Lagao gymnasium.

The meeting was reportedly facilitated through Senator-elect Christopher Go, the former presidential aide.

A report said that Apolinario and Go had friends in common who could have arranged the meeting with the President.

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PDP-Laban bet: 3-way tug of war

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

THEIR MEMORIES. President Rodrigo Duterte shakes the hand of Leyte 1st District Rep.-elect Martin Romualdez (right) before the start of the mass oath taking of newly elected officials in Cagayan de Oro City at the city’s Xavier State Country Club on Thursday. Duterte thanks Romualdez, running for the post of House Speaker, who helped him in the 2016 presidential campaign. Hearing the phrasal verbs is newly elected Cagayan de Oro City Mayor Oscar Moreno (center). Ver Noveno

Pinay OFW raped by Kuwaiti cop MALACAÑANG on Thursday condemned the rape of a Filipino worker in Kuwait by a Kuwaiti police officer on June 4.

Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo said he had yet to seek the reaction of President Rodrigo Duterte on the matter, but the Palace was “outraged” by the incident.

Newly elected Senator Bong Go said no stone would be left unturned to give justice to the Filipina.

“We will not tolerate this rape of our countryman who went to Kuwait to work to give her family a good future,” Go said.

He said it hurt him to see Filipinos leaving their loved ones to work abroad, and then Next page bad things happened to them.

THE Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan is set to announce before Saturday the ruling party’s nominee in the race for the House speakership in the 18th Congress, said Senator Manny Pacquiao.

The party’s president Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, had designated Pacquiao, PDP-Laban campaign manager in the midterm elections last May, as official spokesman on matters concerning the speakership.

Pacquiao said they will choose from their three contenders—Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco, Pampanga Rep. Aurelio Gonzales Jr. and Davao del Norte and former House Speaker Rep. Pantaleon Alvarez, the nominee the party will support.

He said the selection process will be done before he leaves Saturday for a boxing match with Keith Thurman in Las Vegas, United States.

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Fattest parrot going dodo’s way

World’s sexiest woman

AN UNPRECEDENTED disease outbreak has pushed the critically endangered kakapo, the world’s fattest parrot, closer to extinction, New Zealand scientists said Thursday.

One of the last kakapo populations on

HAVE you heard of Olivia Culpo before? The sophisticated cello player?

The restaurant owner?

If you have not, you surely will now— she has pulled good reasons to turn heads post her Miss Universe title in

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FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

DFA bucks military pact with China

By Rey E. Requejo

T

HE Philippines will sign no military agreements with China because maintaining its Mutual Defense Treaty with the United States will guarantee its national security, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. “Striking a defense deal with another military superpower would be illogical, Locsin told the Oxford Business Group on Tuesday.

He said the Philippines will continue to be a strong ally of the United States, the only military superpower, but it has nothing against maintaining strong economic ties with China.

“The United States remains the only military ally of the Philippines. It is distant

Boat...

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The crew of the Chinese vessel abandoned the 22 Filipino fishermen in open water after the collision sank the FB Gimber 1. The Filipinos were rescued by a Vietnamese vessel that responded to their distress call.

The Philippines has already filed a diplomatic protest regarding the ship-ramming incident.

Recently, the Philippines recalled all its top diplomats in Canada to protest the country’s slowness in taking back tons of garbage shipped here by a private Canadian company six years ago.

“Given the steps undertaken by the President on the Canada trash issue, diminishing of ties is more likely,” Panelo said.

But the Palace brushed aside the call of opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros to recall Philippine diplomats in China.

“We don’t need the advice of the good senator on that,” Panelo said at a news conference.

Hontiveros earlier urged the President to take decisive action.

“It stands to reason that if President Duterte can order the recall of our envoy and consuls in Canada over a dispute on garbage, he can do the same to defend and secure the lives of our fisherfolk and the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Hontiveros said in a press statement.

But the Palace official said there is no need to summon Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua to explain his government’s position.

“I think we don’t have to summon him.

If he’s listening now, he should explain,” Panelo added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Thursday that he filed a diplomatic protest after he condemned the “hit-and-run” incident at Recto Bank.

“I fired off a diplomatic protest yesterday,” Locsin said, on his Twitter account, reacting to Senator Antonio Trillanes IV’s recommendation to take the issue before the International Maritime Organization.

“I will proceed on the merits of the case and what it calls for while the matter is studied by the International Maritime Organization [IMO],” Locsin added.

Locsin denounced the incident as “contemptible and condemnable.”

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said the Filipino ship was anchored when it was hit by the Chinese vessel.

The Armed Forces’ Western Command described the incident as “far from accidental” and likened it to a “hit and run.”

“After the collision, the Chinese vessel immediately left, it was like a hit and run,” AFP Wescom spokesman Lt. Col. Stephen Penetrante said.

Malacañang said it would asked Beijing to sanction the crew of the Chinese ship involved in the incident.

The Palace described the act of abandoning the Filipino crew as “uncivilized” and “outrageous.”

In a statement, Panelo called the act of desertion “inhuman as it is barbaric” and said that it is a violation of maritime protocols.

“We call on the appropriate Chinese authorities to probe the collision and impose the proper sanctions on the Chinese crew,” Panelo said.

The Chinese crew’s abandonment of 22 Filipino fishermen at sea was an infringement of the internationally accepted practice of assisting a vessel in distress, he said.

“Regardless of the nature of the collision, whether it was accidental or intentional, common decency and the dictates of humanity require the immediate saving of the crew of the downed Philippine vessel,” Panelo said.

“The present territorial conflict between the countries of the two colliding vessels pertaining to the area where the collision occurred, is not—and cannot be an impediment for the offending vessel to lend a hand to the distressed crew,” Panelo said.

He said the safety of the crew of the

Pinay OFW...

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The Department of Foreign Affairs said Philippine Embassy officials in Kuwait were closely coordinating with local officials there for the arrest of suspect Fayed Naser Hamad Alajmy, 22.

Panelo said Labor Secretary Bello III was providing assistance to the Filipina and following up the case against the suspect.

“I haven’t talked to him [Duterte] over that, but we’re certainly outraged and Secretary Bello is responding to that incident,” Panelo said.

Last month, Panelo said the Palace would support migrant rights groups’ calls for a review on the memorandum of understanding on the protection of Filipino workers in Kuwait.

This came following the death of Constancia Lago Dayag, a Filipino worker from Agadanan, Isabela, who was allegedly abused by her employer.

PNA with Macon Ramos-Araneta

enough to interfere with our internal policies, yet strong enough to project its power in the region and to protect us if the need arises, Locsin said.

He said the Philippines will not sign a defense deal with China, but Manila can still sign economic agreements with that country Still, the Philippines will not relinquish its claims to the West Philippine Sea under the United Nations Convention on the Law damaged Filipino vessel should have been the uppermost thought and helping them should have been the natural reaction of the crew of the other vessel.

Senators condemned the Chinese action Thursday, but Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that if it was between two fishing vessels, then it must have been an accident.

Nevertheless, the DFA should inform the Chinese government of the incident and find out what happened, Sotto said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson said the Philippines does not treat its friends like that and “we don’t expect to be treated that way either.”

He noted that nothing short of a hard and serious punitive action by the Chinese leadership against the Chinese crew responsible for the “cowardly act” could ease the doubts of most Filipinos about the sincerity of China toward the Philippines.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III deplored the reported abandonment of the Filipino crewmen by the Chinese vessel, saying the rescue of all persons in distress at sea is a matter of humanitarian duty.

“No matter who was at fault, the crew of a sinking ship must never be abandoned by an able ship. The rescue of all persons in distress at sea is not only an obligation under international maritime law, it is also a matter of humanitarian duty,” said Pimentel, president of the ruling PDP-Laban.

Senator Richard Gordon said the Chinese crew “committed acts of inhumanity” by abandoning the Filipino crew, and must be made to answer for that.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea or SOLAS and Article 98 of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea or UNCLOS mandate that vessels, especially after a collision, must render assistance to the other ship, its crew and its passengers, and where possible, inform the other ship of the name of his own ship, its port of registry and the nearest port at which it will call.

“The Chinese crew violated these laws,” Gordon said.

He also said the Philippine Coast Guard should have been in position to protect Filipino fishermen.

Senator Grace Poe said the chairpersons of the Senate committees on foreign relations and national defense should conduct an investigation into the collision to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

“If we will not take actions, they might repeatedly do it again. They would not be afraid. But if we will protest, they might be cautious next time. They did what pirates do,” she said.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the incident demands strong and immediate action.

“We cannot let this incident pass. No self-respecting nation will allow that,” he said.

“What do you call a friend who abandons a friend in times of need?” Drilon said, referring to China.

Leftist legislators said President Duterte’s “subservience” to China was the reason the Chinese ship had the temerity to ram a Filipino fishing boat then leave its helpless crew in the water.

Rep. Arlene Brosas of the Party-list group Gabriela said the incident will give Duterte a chance to prove that he is not subservient to China and make good his repeated promises to stand for Filipinos.

“This is the time for the Duterte administration to take a stand and prove that it is not a lackey of the China. The Philippines has been dishonored by the continuous silence and acquiescence of the Duterte administration to whatever China does with regards to the country,” she added.

Rep. Gary Alejano of Magdalo party-list echoed Brosas’ view, saying the incident demands an investigation and diplomatic action.

“The safety of our own people and protection of our seas should be the utmost considerations as we resolve this matter,” Alejano said.

PDP-Laban...

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Pacquiao said they will meet first with President Rodrigo Duterte to finalize their choice for the House’s top post.

Newly elected Senator Christopher Go cited the need to immediately choose their nominee to break the impasse.

On the other hand, Pacquiao said their choice of the candidate for the next House Speaker will be based on loyalty to the President and his agenda and programs of governance.

The final say for the nominee who will be fielded against other aspirants will be the President, Pacquiao said.

On Thursday, Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo reiterated the President will not interfere in selecting the next Speaker.

He also proposed to the ruling party to choose their nominee through secret balloting to get the sentiments of the members.

Outside the PDP-Laban, Leyte Rep. Ferdinand Romualdez, president of the LakasCMD, has been perceived as the strongest contender for the speakership race.

Locsin

of the Sea, he said.

In 2016, the Philippines scored a victory when the United Nations arbitral court rejected China’s Nine-Dash Line claim to the West Philippine Sea. Locsin said the Philippines’ defense treaty with the US had been effective in maintaining peace in the Southeast Asian region amid the territorial disputes in the area.

He said the Philippines should maintain its relations with other countries, especially those with those hosting Filipino workers.

“In order to protect [our workers abroad], we work towards strengthening our relations with the host countries, making sure that our foreign policy and votes in the United Nations do not antagonize the governments hosting our citizens, Locsin said.

ABS-CBN franchise renewal hangs

By Maricel V. Cruz SPEAKER Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said Thursday the 18th Congress will decide on the fate of the bill renewing the franchise of ABS-CBN Corp., the former ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corp.

“The [17th] Congress is finished, our sessions are over,” Arroyo said at the sidelines of the unveiling of a sculpture at the Rotunda Garden of the House of Representatives.

House Bill 4349, which was filed by Nueva Ecija Rep. Micaela Violago in the 17th Congress, did not prosper as the the House’s committee on legislative franchises, led by Palawan Rep. Franz Alvarez, failed to act on the measure.

Violago had earlier said not even a single hearing was conducted on the bill she had filed.

“Maybe ABS CBN has yet to submit all the papers needed,” she said.

Her bill aims to renew ABS-CBN’s right to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations in the Philippines through microwave, satellite or whatever means, said Violago, a member of the House’s legislative franchises committee.

A similar bill was filed in the 16th Congress by Isabela Rep. Giorgidi Aggabao.

“It is hoped that it will see passage in the 17th Congress,” said Violago, vice chairman of the House committee on

Founder...

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in a turf war, with Kapa seemingly expanding its membership―to about five million at present―at KJC’s expense.

The pastors had already traded barbs earlier. Quiboloy, in his own television program on Tuesday night, said Apolinario was a fake pastor, that his ministry was “violating the law,” and that Kapa could not be called a religious group.

The Kapa leader fired back on his group’s radio program the next day, saying Quiboloy was sending out KJC members to either beg in the streets or sell food such as rice cakes.

“Quiboloy has seen that there are some of his [sect] members that he cannot order to ask for money anymore, because they have become rich [as members of Kapa],” Apolinario said in the vernacular to Politiko in a phone-in interview.

Apolinario believes that since Quiboloy is losing members in this “religious rivalry,” the self-styled “Appointed Son of God” has turned to the President to crack the whip on Kapa and its investment scheme, which the former has maintained is not a scam.

“I am only giving financial assistance to my members so we no longer have to wallow in the misery of poverty,” said the founder of Kapa, which bills itself as a religious organization but accepts members from all religions, even Muslims and other Christian denominations.

In the Politiko interview, Apolinario called on Kapa members to continue to pray that Duterte reconsider his order to shut down their organization.

“This is not illegal, this is a religion that believes that poverty is the kingdom of Satan,” he added.

However, the President―appearing on Quiboloy’s “Give Us This Day” TV program on June 8―ordered the National Bureau of Investigation and other government agencies “to shut down investment schemes that are proliferating, mainly in Southern Mindanao, for conning people of their hard-earned money,” according to a Philippine News Agency report.

The PNA report added: “Interviewed by his friend Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, Duterte said the activities of these investment schemes, including the Kapa Community Ministry International, are clearly a form of estafa.”

Asked by Quiboloy about Kapa, whom the President had mentioned earlier in the program, Duterte called the latter a Ponzi scheme and the people behind it liable for large scale estafa.

On Tuesday, the Securities and Exchange Commission also denied it was influenced

by Quiboloy to shut down Kapa. SEC chairman Emilio Aquino said the insinuations were untrue since the process of getting a freeze order on the group’s operations was processed as early as March this year.

Still, supporters of both Kapa and KJC spoke out on social media.

On Facebook, user Rodge Diaz posted on Monday: “Pastor Quiboloy and his members has a liberty of sending people all around Davao with envelope asking for donations from random people without something in return not even a water. While KAPA is doing something better almost the same ‘donations’ but 30% will revert to donator monthly. But the president choose to shut it down because he listened the person who lives in a private village with a private plane, and ignored the voice of thousands who wants nothing but survive and get the poverty out. #WhatAShame.”

tourism.

Republic Act 7966 was an act granting ABS-CBN a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain broadcasting in the Philippines for 25 years.

“In acknowledgement of ABS-CBN’s accomplishments and the capital requirements of its operations, the immediate renewal of its original franchise which expires on March 30, 2020, is recommended to ensure the uninterrupted and improved delivery of its services to the Filipino people,” Violago says in her bill.

Earlier, Alvarez said his panel did not have enough time to deliberate on the bill.

President Rodrigo Duterte, who has accused ABS-CBN of swindling him, first opposed its franchise renewal on April 27, 2017, which came days after he signed a law renewing rival GMA Network Inc.’s franchise.

Duterte has also said he was personally against the renewal of ABS-CBN’s franchise.

He claims ABS-CBN failed to air his political advertisements during the election campaign in 2016, even though those had already been paid for.

He said the Lopez family, the owners of the broadcast network, had been sending emissaries to his office to negotiate, but he refused to talk to them.

Kapa...

From A1

It was Apolinario who endorsed the senatorial bid of Go and Ronald dela Rosa, another trusted aide of the President.

The Securities and Exchange Commission earlier said criminal complaints will be filed against the officials of Kapa Ministry for operating a fraudulent investment scheme.

The commission already issued an advisory against Kapa’s activities in March 2017 and a cease-and-desist order in February 2019.

The Court of Appeals earlier ordered the freezing of several bank accounts and other assets linked to Kapa upon the petition of the SEC and the Anti-Money Laundering Council.

Despite the crackdown, some members denied their investment scheme was a scam.

The National Bureau of Investigation on Thursday said it will file criminal complaints against Kapa Community Ministry International next week.

NBI National Capital Region Regional Director Cesar Bacani said the timeline for the filing of the cases was decided after the agency conducted last Monday a nationwide raid of the group’s offices.

“We will definitely file next week the corresponding cases arising from the search warrants we served last Monday,” Bacani said.

During the raids, NBI operatives were able to seize various documents, records, books, and equipment which will be used in the filing of the cases.

The NBI official said the respondents in the complaints will include those named in its registration, the incorporators, the board of directors, officers, and other persons who were not named but actively participated in the operation.

NBI spokesman Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin confirmed that the NBI is ready to file complaints for violations of the Securities Regulation Act against Kapa officers but can’t file swindling or estafa cases yet because there’s no damage so far.

Lavin said the raids were conducted in response to the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte to shut down Kapa.

“We should be thankful we have a very smart President. This is a pre-emptive move,” Lavin said.

“Usually, the NBI would only come into the picture as a reactionary move,” he said, noting that there were similar investment scams in the past, but the NBI would only act on them once the victims filed complaints.

Lavin said that while no Kapa’s members have filed complaints against it, the NBI acted based on the complaint of the Securities and Exchange Commission, which accused Kapa of having no license and authority to receive investments in violation of the Securities Corporation Code of the Philippines.

Under Kapa’s scheme, members are asked a minimum of P5,000 in donations from which they can earn a monthly interest or “blessing” of 30 percent.

However, Bacani said this will eventually blow up in the faces of the members since there is a daily P100-million payout for the interest and no source of earnings for the investments given by its around 5 million members.

He said Kapa’s investments were not enough to generate income to pay off the interest of their investors or donors.

Rueful Rody warns Sara: Don‘t run for president in ‘22

By Vito Barcelo PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte said he regretted his decision to run for the highest post in the land after winning the presidency in 2016, so he advised his daughter―Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio―not to join the presidential race in 2022.

He made the statement before the newly elected local government officials in Cagayan De Oro City, adding he had lost his enthusiasm for work.

“If you ask me if I'm happy now, I won't lie. Why would I? I do not have any obligation to you to lie, to tell a lie.

I'm sick and tired of this [job]," Duterte said.

He said he also warned Sara not to run for president because she would be “disrespected” by critics.

“That is why when people speculated Inday to run for president, I told her, ‘Don't do it, ‘Day.” It has been reported that Sara is being groomed as a possible successor to her father, but she has not said anything about her political plans.

Duterte has told her that running for president is a decision that requires much thought, and that she should come up with one by January 2021.

He said some politicians were doing nothing but criticize his administration, particularly Senator Antonio Trillanes IV. The 74-year-old President has denied accusations he is seeking ways to stay in power beyond the end of his term in 2022, including his plan to introduce federalism.

Senator...

From A1

sits as the state agency’s chairman of the board.

“When all the board members of PhilHealth were asked to resign, it is difficult to understand why a different standard should be applied to the chairman of the board who happens to be the DOH secretary,” Lacson said on his Twitter account.

On Thursday, Lacson also told President Rodrigo Duterte in a tweet that Duque was PhilHealth president in 2004 when P500 million in Overseas Workers Welfare Administration funds were used illegally to buy health cards bearing the photo of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with the motto “GMA Para sa Masa, Para sa Lahat” (GMA for the masses, for all).

Given the circumstances already made public and the huge amount of government funds squandered on bogus dialysis treatments, sparing Duque was clearly a case of selective justice.

Duque could not be reached for comment on Lacson’s remarks.

In a statement on the ghost dialysis scam, Duque said he ordered a revamp of the agency’s accreditation committee after the President ordered the leadership to resign.

World's sexiest...

From A1

2012 at the 61st Annual Pageant in Las Vegas, Nevada, only seven years ago: on screen in acting roles, and on Instagram as an eye-popping influencer who’s not shy of flashing what observers describe as some serious skin.

Now the 27-year-old beauty queen, who made head turns when she won the Miss Rhode island USA competition, the first pageant she entered, is turning heads at magazine stands, gracing the cover of Maxim as the newly crowned ‘World’s Sexiest Woman.’

Born Olivia Frances Culpo, the American model and actress became the first winner from the United States since Brook Lee in 1997.

You will note that her latest title on the magazine’s most recent cover, and with the portfolio and visual presence she takes pride in, will direct you to the reasons for turning heads: • Olivia Culpo was recently given the top spot on Maxim’s Hot 100 list for 2019.

• She’s a former Miss Universe winner, seasoned cello player, and restaurant owner.

• In the past, she has been linked to celebrities like Nick Jonas, Tim Tebow, and Zedd.

Fattest parrot...

From A1

remote Codfish Island has been hit with a fungal respiratory disease called aspergillosis, the Department of Conservation said.

It said 36 of the parrots were receiving treatment and seven had died, including two adults—a huge loss for a species which has less than 150 fully grown birds left.

“Aspergillosis is having a devastating impact on kakapo,” the DOC said in a statement Thursday.

The setback comes just weeks after scientists hailed a bumper breeding season for the flightless, nocturnal bird, which was once thought to be extinct.

An intense, decades-long conservation effort has seen kakapo numbers slowly rise from a low of about 50 in 1990, and earlier this year there was hope the species was turning the corner. AFP

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FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Only 18 senatorial bets filed their SOCEs—Comelec

By Vito Barcelo ONLY 18 out of the 62 senatorial bets who ran in the 2019 midterm elections has filed their statement of contributions and Expenditures as the deadline of filing ends June 13.

A Comelec official said the deadline is for all losing candidates and will not be extended.

Comelec Campaign Finance Office head lawyer Efraim Bag-id said winners in the midterm polls may file their SOCE even after six months from their proclamation date.

The Comelec official revealed that only 18 senatorial bets have filed their SOCE yesterday noon but expects the number to increase after the deadline expires at five in the afternoon of June 13.

“Failure to submit SOCE on time is punishable by an administrative fine that ranges from P6,000 to P10,000, depending on the position sought by the candidate in the elections,” the Comelec official said.

He said candidates who have failed to submit their Soces for two consecutive occasions is already a ground for perpetual disqualification from elections.

Meanwhile, elected public official who fails to comply with the rule after six months risks being perpetually disqualified to hold office.

Section 14 of Republic Act No. 7166 states that all candidates should file their Soce within 30 days after the election.

It says that “No person elected to any public offices shall enter upon the duties of his office until he has filed the statement of contributions and expenditures herein required.”

Should the candidate refuse to comply and commits a second offense, the law states that he or she would be subjected to perpetual disqualification from ever holding public office.

Ex-Tesda chief files poll protest

By Rio N. Araja FORMER Technical Education and Skills Development Authority director general Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong on Thursday urged the Commission on Elections to “immediately” resolve the electoral protest he filed against outgoing Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal “Bombit” Adiong Jr., who won in the May 13 gubernatorial race.

At a Quezon City news conference, Mamondiong was joined by another defeated gubernatorial bet Hatta Dimaporo, son of the late governor, representative and university president Mohammad Ali Dimaporo.

“The worst incident of vote buying happened in Lanao del Sur,” he told reporters.

The ex-Tesda chief filed a petition with Comelec seeking the nullification of the election results in the entire province.

Fellow gubernatorial bets— Dimaporo, Agakhan “Binladen” Sharief and Sultan Bob Datimbang—earlier called for the suspension of the effects of proclamation and for the declaration of failure of elections.

The four losing candidates urged Comelec to conduct a special election. Mamondiong said the conduct of elections in Lanao del Sur was marred by violence, vote buying and massive fraud.

“We have faith in Comelec now that it is being chaired by a fellow Muslim, Sheriff Abas,” he said.

Abas is the first Mindanaoan and first Muslim elections chief.

“The petition’s first hearing on June 11 was reset to July 2,” Mamondiong said.

Adiong, a former three-term governor, got a vote of over 190,000 against Mamondiong and the other bets.

GRAND PRIZE.

House Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo poses with Joe Datuin, grand prize winner of the International Olympic Committee sports and art contest, as they viewed one of the art works in electronic waste formed as a robot called as D Texter at the House of Representatives.

Also in photo at right is House Secretary General Dante Roberto Maling.

Manny Palmero

Palace working on teachers’ pay hike

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte appealed to public school teachers to wait a bit longer for an increase in their salaries, noting that it is harder to source funds for them given the number of educators in the country.

During the oath-taking of newly-elected officials of Cagayan de Oro City on Wednesday night, the president explained that he prioritized the salary hike for uniformed personnel since they retire without any source of income.

“You know military, the Armed Forces and the police, they retire at the age of 56. If they marry at the age of 30, they still have to send their children to high school, if not college,” he said.

“If they retire and if they don’t have a business as a source of income, the family will suffer. They could not have coped to educate the children further in schooling.

Now I have doubled their salaries,” he added.

Duterte vowed to put teachers

next in line for a salary hike but asked for patience since there are almost a million teachers in the country compared to more or less 300,000 military and police personnel.

“Next would be the teachers.

We’re working on it—like what I have promised. But remember that there are millions of teachers,” Duterte said.

Data from the Department of Education showed that there are about 830,000 public school teachers nationwide.

“There are only a few policemen, something like 160. There are 130 in the military. It’s easier.

That is why their salaries have been doubled,” Duterte explained.

Duterte stressed the importance

of having a strong army to ensure security in and out of its borders.

“If you want a strong country, you need to have a strong army.

Nothing will happen if you have a weak Armed Forces. If it’s too weak, you cannot enforce the law,” he added.

Earlier, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government will need to raise around P150 billion if it would give teachers a salary increase of P10,000 per month.

According to DepEd, public school teachers’ monthly salary has increased by more than 100 percent since 2000.

Data from DepEd showed that the basic monthly salary of a Teacher I constituted a 119.25 percent hike, which means that following the final tranche of the Salary Standardization Law in 2019, a Teacher I now gets P20,754 compared to the P9,466 in 2000. PNA

GHOST DIALYSIS. The National Bureau of Investigation presents to members of the media Bryan Sy, Liezel Santos de Guzman

and Edwin Roberto who are allegedly involved with the so-called ghost dialysis scandal perpetuated by WellMed Center in connivance with some PhilHealth personnel. The filing of charges was in line with the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte pursuant to Department Order No. 287 at NBI Headquarters in Manila on June 13. Norman Cruz

1,800 new lawyers take oath before SC justice

By Rey E. Requejo THE 1,800 passers of last year’s Bar exams on Thursday took their oath as new lawyers.

The Supreme Court held a special en banc session for the oathtaking ceremony at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe, chairman of this year’s bar examinations committee, called on the new lawyers who belong to the “millennial” generation to make good use of their advantages in technology.

“In this day and age where we are all inter-connected through channels of cyberspace, you can do more to influence society in a good way. Use the gifts of technology not for your own personal interests and gain but for the improvement of the legal field,” the magistrate said in her speech.

Bernabe also called on the new lawyers to “uphold the ideals of truth and justice to be lifelong disciples of the law.”

“As the future leaders of the legal profession assume the greater responsibility of harnessing the law rot meet the new challenges brought about by this modern age,” she said.

The latest set of bar passers will officially become lawyers upon signing the Roll of Attorneys in the SC starting today (June 14) where each of them will be given a bar roll number.

The 1,800 new lawyers constitute 22.07 percent of the record 8,155 examinees who took the bar exams in November last year.

Prosecution’s failure to prove guilt prompts court to clear Masbate mayor

By Maricel V. Cruz THE Sandiganbayan has acquitted reelected Mayor Natividad Magbalon of Milagros, Masbate, due to the failure of the prosecution to prove her guilt in a case involving the allegedly irregular removal of a municipal employee in 2013.

The anti-graft court’s Fifth Division cleared Magbalon of violation of Section 3(e) of the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act or gross negligence.

The complaint alleged that Magbalon placed the then-municipal

social welfare and development office chief, Diosdidita Arcenas, on a floating status thus depriving her of monthly representation and transportation allowance (RATA) worth P8,160.

Magbalon appointed a certain Ruth Sia to replace Arcenas.

The accusations against Arcenas that she participated in partisan political activities of a certain Luz Bakunawa without giving any explanation was a justifiable reason for the removal, the Sandiganbayan said.

It added that Arcenas’ failure to refute her role in the campaign of Baku-

nawa made the anti-court to decide in favor of Magbalon.

The court said Magbalon’s decision, including the interim appointment of Sia, was “well within her powers as the local chief executive.”

“Besides, engaging directly or indirectly in partisan political activities by one holding a non-political office is proscribed by the law. It is a fundamental aphorism in law that no officer or employee in the Civil Service shall engage in any partisan political activity,” it said.

The court also found that the suspension of Arecenas’ RATA was caused by

her relief from the MSWDO. It added that Arcenas should have also raised the issue with the Civil Service Commission.

Thus, the Sandiganbayan said, Magbalon did not commit gross negligence and did not show bias in favor of Sia, because the latter was the nextin-rank to Arcenas.

The mayor’s action was done in good faith, the court said.

Associate Justice Maria Theresa Mendoza-Arcega wrote the decision, while Associate Justices Rafael Lagos and Maryann CorpusManalac concurred.

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Hit and run at sea

UNDER international maritime law, it is the obligation of a ship to come to the rescue of another ship in distress. More so if that particular ship was the cause of the sinking of the other vessel.

Off Palawan coast last week, a Chinese vessel collided with a Filipino fishing boat in the area of Recto or Reed bank in the West Philippine Sea. But instead of stopping to come to the succor of the F/B Gimber and its crew, the Chinese vessel fled the scene of the collision.

This is simply unacceptable.

The Philippine fishing boat was anchored in Philippine waters when rammed by the Chinese ship, which some of the 22-member Filipino crew described as an armed patrol boat.

This is true to form of the Chinese who also won’t recognize the arbitration ruling of The Hague international court awarding the West Philippine Sea as part of the country’s 200 mileexclusive economic zone.

This atrocious behavior which can be compared to a hit-and-run accident on the road is simply unacceptable.

So why does the Duterte government continue to think highly of China as a friend? For weeks, several Chinese

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

patrol boats were deployed in the area fencing the waters to prevent Filipino fishermen from plying their trade.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana denounced the action of the Chinese for leaving the distressed Filipinos and their fishing boat to the mercy of the elements. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin Jr. also condemned the Chinese for failing to rescue the Filipino fishermen and said the incident will be the subject of a diplomatic protest.

But if other Philippine diplomatic protests were either ignored or belittled by Beijing, this latest one will probably go the same way.

Perhaps it’s time for the Philippines to act more strongly against China’s bullying of our people. We are not suggesting declaring war on our giant neighbor across the South China Sea. But buying weapons from the United States to boost the coun country’s defense capability comparable to US allies Japan, South Korea and Taiwan could make China think twice about annexing the Philippines as a province of China. China could not do it over Taiwan and with its present problems with Hong Kong Chinese, China will have to think twice about provoking the US. The Chinese in Hong Kong have mounted a defiant demonstration in the streets to protest a proposal to extradite to the Chinese mainland Hong Kong Chinese who commit a crime in the former British crown colony.

The protests could reach the proportion of the Tiananmen Square scale which was marked a week ago.

There are skeptics who doubt whether the United States would come to the aid of the Philippines if

T

Airport congestion

HE Philippines needs an alternative gateway ernment to ease the transportation inconvenience of to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport air travelers. soon to avoid Sunday's embarrassing Transportation Secretary incident. in congestion above and on the airport terminals. Local airport authorities noted that domestic flights departing Manila were crammed during daytime due to the inability of provincial airports to receive flights at night.

The situation contributes to heavy traffic at Naia, which has only two runways handling both international and domestic flights.

The government clearly must designate an alternative airport as an interim measure to unclog NAIA. President Rodrigo Duterte's quick response to transfer domestic flights to Sangley Air Base in Cavite province looks plausible for the meantime, although more logistics must be worked out by the gov-

NAIA, the country's premier gateway, has outlived its main design and is no longer capable of meeting the increased traffic demand from both air passengers and airplanes. Flight delays, or even cancellations, are no longer unusual at NAIA. A severe lightning alert on Sunday night affected over 60 domestic and international flights after ground controllers suspended all movement and operations for three hours in all three NAIA terminals. Airport authorities diverted seven of those flights to Clark International Airport in Pampanga, while more than 50 scheduled to depart from Manila were delayed.

The suspension of ground operations naturally resulted

Arthur Tugade has already ordered the 24/7 construction and upgrade of the Sangley Airport to meet the November deadline set by President Duterte. But the transportation chief must assure the seamless transfer of passengers from the Cavite province to the main thoroughfares of Metro Manila.

Pending the construction of a new airport or a major upgrade of Clark, the Sangley Airport in Cavite can provide a temporary solution to the NAIA congestion. But the government by this time should already be implementing a more permanent solution to the airport congestion to keep travelers safe and lure more foreign tourists.

Turn to A5

An erroneous claim AN ERRONEOUS claim regarding the proposed New Manila International Airport (NMIA) project of San Miguel Holdings Corp. (SMHC) in Bulacan resurfaced recently. This claim falsely alleged that the Department of Finance (DOF) was either blocking or delaying the project. The claim is not only false, but also based on outdated data.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez had already sufficiently explained in September last year that the DOF had even supported, rather than blocked, SMHC’s unsolicited proposal to build a new international airport in Bulacan. In fact, as a result of the support of the DOF and the board of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) for the project, the Swiss challenge process for the NMIA project was set in motion in April this year. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) published the Swiss challenge documents last May 6, and has scheduled a pre-bid conference this month and the submission of the comparative proposals for the project in July.

A Swiss challenge bidding process is required for an unsolicited proposal like the NMIA project. Under this process, other bidders will be allowed to submit what they deem to be better proposals in implementing the project than the one first submitted by the original proponent, in this case, SMHC. After the comparative proposals are submitted, SMHC has the right to counter-match any better offers received for the project.

With the project now at the Swiss challenge stage, how can the DOF delay the project?

In September last year, Dominguez told a joint hearing of the Senate committees on public services and on economic affairs that the DOF had even assisted SMHC and offered a few suggestions in accelerating the approval of the project.

Among these helpful suggestions was for the DOTR to require the original proponent, SMHC, to come

up with a “Joint and Several Liability Agreement” with its mother company, San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to ensure that the latter would stand behind SMHC in building the project. Under this agreement, both SMHC and SMC are held liable for the same act and are all held responsible for the payment of any restitution or damages.

Dominguez had proposed this solution because SMHC’s total equity in 2016 (the year the unsolicited proposal was submitted) was only P60 billion. This was deemed insufficient given that the usual financing mix of 70 percent debt and 30 percent equity for a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project would require the company to shell out at least P200 billion to implement the P735-billion NMIA project.

Given these developments, how can the DOF stall the construction of the airport project in Bulacan?

During the hearing, Dominguez pointed out that the DOF even wants airport projects to be swiftly implemented, which was why the Duterte administration took the initiative to rehabilitate the existing Clark International Airport, which is now one of Asia’s fastest-growing airports.

Clark’s passenger traffic breached the 2.5 million mark last December, with many travelers, especially those coming from northern Metro Manila, opting to use this airport rather than endure the carmageddon on EDSA to fly from the congested NAIA in Pasay.

The NMIA project is no different when the DOF said it wants airport projects to be implemented as fast as possible.

However, the DOF, being the steward of the country’s fiscal policy, has to ensure that the State’s financial resources are prudently managed. It has to make sure that the government does not incur any financial liabilities Turn to A5

War, depression, suicide: American veterans are finding help

By Catherine Triomphe ROGER King was 19 when he enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2005. He left four years later after two deployments in Iraq, where a sniper’s bullet nearly cost him his life.

Once home, he faced a new set of problems in his return to civilian life on New York’s Long Island, including a suffocating sense of anxiety and difficulty being in group situations.

King was suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and

a traumatic brain injury (TBI)—two afflictions sadly common among veterans of the largest army in the world, bogged down in seemingly endless conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Increasingly depressed by the challenges of his new life, King began drinking.

This solidly built 33-year-old man quietly confides that he attempted suicide—twice.

Russell Keyzer—another New Yorker—joined the National Guard shortly after the Sept 11, 2001 terror

attacks.

Now 42, he suffers from flashbacks, insomnia, panic attacks and other PTSD symptoms following two years with NATO’s multinational force in Kosovo, where periods of relative stability alternated with violent outbursts.

After returning home in 2008, Keyzer sank into a life of drinking and depression. His marriage came crashing down and he found himself homeless.

On no fewer than seven occasions, he says, he attempted to kill himself.

Turn to A5

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher ManilaStandard

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

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of traffic congestion at all.

Another MMDA scheme was to conduct on an experimental basis a ban on driver-only private vehicles. The plan backfired because of too much resistance on the part of private motorists who stood to be highly inconvenienced by another hare-brained, not to mention anti-democratic and antipoor, traffic scheme.

I imagine the MMDA must be at their wit's end thinking of more ways to ease vehicular traffic. Invariably, I'm afraid, it's going to be more of the same schemes that will punish the public for government's failings. itsWhen long-standing idepushed commitment to the wall to byitscritials andthat goals,horrible but also traffic of its dynamism, cisms has not relevance, influence to the commuabated butand even worsened, public nity it serves.” officials earning hefty salaries from President Rodrigo Roa Duterte people's taxes will not hesitate to turn signed Presidential No. the screws on thoseProclamation whose interests 413 declaring Julyto1, serve, 2018 tofirst Juneand 30, they're supposed 2019 as the Year for the Celebration of foremost. theTake Centennial Anniversary of the Rotathe recent proposal to ban ry Club of Manila Rotary Moveprovincial buses and and the terminals from ment in the Asia. was EDSA. ThePhilippines brilliant and proposal “This thumbed proclamation new roundly downwill by open commutdoors for Rotary Club of Manila.

I look ers who stood to be greatly inconveforward toand the more many than new opportunities nienced, this, would this will bring to our and up the more many have been made toClub cough

planning and perhaps even gross stupidity.

Opinion

My own conclusion is that the traffic problem is the end-result of government mismanagement, bad planning and perhaps even gross stupidity.

Mismanagement is plain to see when the right hand does not know what the left is doing.

The government, for instance, encourages the car assembly industry to produce as many units as they can so it can raise more taxes, we're told, for RCM was home and to MAT vital infrastructure socialCaparas develwhen he projects. was elected as the firstBuy, and only opment The Buy, Buy Filipino toisbecome of Rotary objective a noblepresident one, from where International 1986-1987. we sit, but aindisastrous one from the “It is awe-inspiring to look back that perspective of Metro Manila's already many greatsituation. leaders of the club have conbad traffic tributed our communiIf carimmensely distributorsto encourage the ties,” gapes Rudy B. Bediones, public to buy more cars with lowdistrict down governor Rotary Internationalmonthly District payments and affordable 3810, 2018-2019 and RCM president in terms, then we're likely to see no end 2013-2014. to our traffic woes.

Bediones RCM the Boy But that's says neither hereput norupthere.

An Scout movement, Community Chest even greater problem is bad planning.

Foundation, Philippinedefinitely, Band of Mercy, A white elephant, is the

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

Rotary Club of Manila is 100 FOR banker and socio-civic leader Jesus “Susing” M. Pineda, the first 100 years of the by-invitation-only Rotary Club of Manila are about a journey of touching lives.

After all, Rotary’s motto has always been service to humanity.

“This makes the Rotary Club of Manila far from obsolete or irrelevant,” says the centennial president of the Rotary Club of Manila. “We must keep moving forward to keep our balance if we are to continue to lead the way and for us to leave a legacy that will create sustainable change in the next 100 years as One Rotary,” declares the Tarlac native.

“As technology becomes an integral part of our daily lives in an interactive environment, we must be reminded that these are merely tools for us to use in our service to humanity. With Rotary as a catalyst, we can create programs and projects that touch the heart, mind, and spirit of humanity.”

RCM, Pineda points out, established institutions which helped shaped the course of history: the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, Philippine Cancer Society, Philippine Band of Mercy, Gaches Village for the homeless, and many more humanitarian projects.

Pineda feels mighty proud that “many distinguished and outstanding leaders have led Asia’s First Rotary Club. Captains of industry and stalwarts of their professions all have visions of a better life for people who have less in life. This has become their mantra, as they share their time, talent, and resources toward creating an environment for the marginalized in order to make a difference in their communities through Rotary.” Among distinguished members: the late Carlos P. Romulo, Henry Sy Sr., Andrew Gotianun, Gil Puyat, Al Yuchengco, Charlie Palanca, Juan and Ramon Cojuangco, President Fidel V. Ramos, tycoons John Gokongwei Jr., Butch Campos, Paqui Ortigas, Abraham Pascual, Justo Ortiz, George Yang, and indeed many builders of business and movers in the professions.

Says Bangko Sentral Governor Benjamin Diokno, himself a Manila Rotarian: “Not many organizations have the distinction of reaching the all-important ‘century’ milestone. That the RCM have lasted this long is a reflection not only of

War,...

From A4

Today, King and Keyzer say they are doing much better, thanks in large part to an aid group for veterans, the Joseph P. Dwyer Veterans Peer Support Project, a non-profit organization created in 2012 in tribute to an army medic who killed himself in 2008 after returning home from Iraq.

More needs to be done King and Keyzer spoke about their darker times at a recent “Wellness Day” organized by the association at a park in the coastal village of Center Moriches.

Veterans enjoyed a picnic, a salute to the US flag, yoga, meditation and kayaking—all activities intended to foster a sense of security and camaraderie.

Some 20 organizations also set up stands to offer assistance.

“More needs to be done,” King said.

Groups like the Dwyer Project “should have been done in World War I, World War II, Vietnam.”

He now leads a group of a dozen veterans for the project. They meet weekly.

“We thought of AA, NA,” he said, referring to Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, but “it’s like you never really thought maybe this might help for veterans.”

Now, King added, “the compassion and the caring is getting there.”

Keyzer agreed.

“If the proper resources were there when we came home, we would not be in this position ... We would not have turned to drugs, we would not have turned to alcoholism,” he said.

But he added: “Things are slowly changing for the better every day.

There are more and more veterans’ programs out there.”

Hit...

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

China Passcrisis the SOGIE bill no

kindness.

Second, the dastardly Chinese crew er POP GOES should be condemned for their maliye THE WORLD cious actions, made in defiance of insp ternational lawspeople on the dutyagainst to rescue.

Four JENNY Third, China should be held acre ORTUOSTE 198 representatives, countable for this and the many other incidents that impinge upon Philippine the LGBTQI community, w "GROSSLY despicable and inhumane." sovereignty in the WPS. su and their straight This was how Senator Risa Hontive“There is no doubt that theallies. duty to I WAS appalled to learn ofthat the bill rescue P ros described the collision a Chinese is one of the best-established Unbelievable. vessel with discrimination a Philippine fishing preventing on theboat ba- principles of the international law of B last where(sexual the Chinese aban- the sea, maritime law, and international sis Sunday, of SOGIE orientation, R doned the Filipino crew of 22 to their humanitarian law,” wrote International The House of Representatives gender identity, and expression) has F fate in the waters of Recto Bank in the law professor Irini Papanicolopulu in unanimously passed it two years ago. bir been Philippine languishing in some form or an- the West Sea. International Review of the Red the Safety Organization of the Turn Philipto A5 However, A passing Vietnamese boat20 rescued (2016).the counterpart bill moldother in Congress for almost years. Cross Rotary Clubs in the Philippines—for pines, Philippine Cancer Society, Socithe Filipino fishermen and turned them He added that the duty to save life at support, partnerships and cooperative ety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Aniover to officials of the Armed Forces of sea is provided for in Article 98 of the endeavors with government Institu- mals, Philippine Tourism Association, the Philippines Western Command.

1982 United Nations ConventionRolando on G. Est Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser tions and local government units, andManilaStandard Welfareville, TOWER (The Outstandcan be accessed at: Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor In a statement, Hontiveros urged the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS): manilastandard.net Anita F. Grefal Treasury Manager the ability to help as long as they areONLINE ing Workers of the Republic) Awards Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors President Rodrigo Duterte to sanction 1. Chin Every State shall require the masPublished Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Baldwin Felipe the Head—Ad Publishing Inc. atwith 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de China,R.calling actionSolutions of the Chinese ter of a Joyce ship Pangco flying Pañares its flag, in so Editor far as aligned Rotary’s different nobleMEMBER Foundation, RC Manila Foundation, News Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone Press Institute Missions Foun- Edgar ship’s personnel as “treacherous and he can do soAdelle without dangerEditor to ChuaseriousOpinion advocacies for service to theall Filipino RCMPhilippine Medico-Surgical M. Valmorida Circulation Manager numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting The National Association intended to harm the ship, the crew, departments), (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. people,”(Editorial) says 832-5554, Pineda. dation, Philippine Rotary Pacemaker of Philippine Newspapers Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.

P. Jurado Chairman Em if proven that the or Emil the passengers: Bank Foundation, Sagip-Kabataan manilastandard.net reported collision (a) to render (Save the Children) Foundation, RCM was intentional." assistance to any Eyebank Foundation.

The Filipino person found at sea We must stop the RCM regularly sends medical and boat, the FB Gimdanger of being It has been a journey surgical missions to depressed areas, and ver, was anchored bullying by standing up in lost; sponsors programs in sight and hearing of touching lives. at the time of the to the bully. Anything (b) to proceed conservation, drug abuse prevention, incident. with all possible H o n t i v e r o s less is cowardice and speed to the rescue health and hygiene education, nutri nutrisupported Defense capitulation. of persons in distion, energy conservation, social justice, Secretary Delfin tress, if informed Rotary’s motto, “Service Above teacher development, public order and Lorenzana’s earof their need of asSelf—has endured for a reason—there safety, peace and conflict resolution, lier statement. He sistance, in so far will always be people who have less and through the “Sagip-Kabataan Projsaid, “We denounce the actions of the as such action may reasonably be exin life. The values that Rotarians have ect,” the rehabilitation of children at risk Chinese fishing vessel for immediately pected of him; exemplified as members in fellowship, (street children) and juvenile offenders. leaving the incident scene abandoning (c) after a collision, to render assisglobal understanding, ethics, integrity, RCM provides financial assistance the 22 Filipino crewmen to the mercy tance to the other ship, its crew, and its diversity, leadership, and service—will to indigent families who have children of the elements.” passengers and, where possible, to inbe essential to paving the way forward with life-threatening congenital heart On Thursday, Malacañang called form the other ship of the name of his on the Chinese government to sanction own ship, its port of registry, and the to the next century,” he says. disease (Rotary’s Heart for Little Antheir compatriots. nearest port at which it will call.”

The Rotary Club of Manila was of- gels). The Club hopes to plant 100 milIn a statement last Thursday, PresiChina is a signatory to the UNficially chartered on June 1, 1919. The lion trees in the future. dential Spokesman Salvador Panelo CLOS. Its vessel violated this law, as first officers were: Leon J. Lambert, Pineda says: “We have started our said, “The act of abandonment, by those well as other international maritime president, Alfonso Sycip, as vice presi- legacy projects with our Rotary Club sailing the Chinese fishing vessel of 22 law treaties that provide for the duty to dent; E. E. Elser, secretary, Walter A. of Manila Educational Assistance ProFilipino fishermen aboard their anchored rescue: the Convention for the Safety Beam, treasurer. The 38 charter mem- gram. The Adopt a Student Project with and stationary watercraft hit by them, is of Life at Sea (SOLAS Convention), bers included three Filipinos—Alfonso with our academic partners, Pamantasan uncivilized as it is outrageous.”

International Convention on Maritime SyCip, a rice importer; Gabriel Lao, a ng Lungsod ng Maynila and the PolyHowever, the government, while is- Search and Rescue (SAR Convention), lawyer; and G. Nieva who was in ware- technic University of the Philippines, suing a statement full of sonorous ad- and the International Convention on jectives and filing a diplomatic protest Salvage. housing. The alien members were most- has been launched last May 3, 2018.” via the Department of Foreign Affairs, We have known for years that Chily business leaders of the largest corpoRCM wants to fund with P2,000 stopped short of more “severe op- nese personnel are building bases in rations of the day. monthly stipend up 100 poor and martions,” even as former Philippine for- the WPS, harvesting giant clams and Relates Rafael “Raffy” Garcia III, ginalized students. Members provide eign secretary Albert del Rosario called destroying their habitats, and bullyRotary International director, 2018- the money. for Chinese accountability. ing fisherfolk legally in the area. Yet 2020: “The Rotary Club of Manila has RCM has Sari-Saring Aralan, an Del Rosario said in a statement last our government cozies up to them and always held the reputation of being not out-of-school-youth education project Wednesday, "What is obvious is that takes their loan money. only the first and the largest Rotary Club with partners, the Ayala Foundation, Goliath, the neighborhood bully, will Panelo says it is "likely" that Presiin the Philippines, but also the Club Grameen Australia Philippines, Rotacontinue to rear its ugly head to intimi- dent Duterte will order cutting ties with with the most distinguished Rotarians. ract, and the City of Manila. date our poor fishermen. We need to China if it is proven that the ship colfind a way to hold China's leadership lision was intentional. Duterte’s kneeIts membership has always been the “Education is the future of any genaccountable." jerk reaction of withdrawing Philippine crème de la crème of Philippine soci- eration, hence, the need to prepare our While some sources say this is the diplomats from Canada after the garety and industry, including many of the youth for tomorrow,” explains Pineda. first time a Chinese vessel has sunk a bage row was faster, and over a smaller government officials who have crafted Filipino boat in the WPS, Francisco matter. the direction of our democracy. biznewsasia@gmail.com Tuyay, in a June 13 Manila Standard Why the delay in making a similar article, writes that “in 2013, a Filipino action, when it is already clear that the fishing boat also sank near the Scarbor- Chinese ship intentionally abandoned ough Shoal after it was rammed by a the Filipino crew after hitting their Peer support and more than 17 years after US troops Chinese cargo vessel.” ship, in violation of international laws?

Psychological support groups like first intervened in Afghanistan, “there First, I thank the personnel of the We must stop the bullying by standthe Dwyer Project have indeed been is a lot more awareness” about veterVietnamese ship for their humanitar- ing up to the bully. Anything less is ian action in saving the lives of the 22 cowardice and capitulation. multiplying across the United States, ans’ needs, said Marcelle Leis, who fishermen. I hope they can all be named as the world’s leading superpower heads the Dwyer Project after 20 years so that their action may be properly Lapu-Lapu and all the other brave Filistruggles to help its 20 million veter- in the Air National Guard. credited and lauded. The government pino warriors must be turning over in ans—nearly 10 percent of the adult But she quickly adds: “We have a should award these Vietnamese sea- their graves now. /FB and Twitter: @ population—overcome their challeng- lot of work to do.” men plaques of appreciation for their DrJennyO

PPI

es and thoughts of suicide.

Many recent veterans are at the opposite end of the spectrum from the proud and smiling men and women who assembled in Normandy last week to mark the 75th anniversary of the DDay invasion during World War II. More than 6,000 veterans—many of them gun owners—killed themselves each year from 2008 to 2016, according to a report published late last year by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

By comparison, a total of 6,951 American troops died in major war zones between 2001 and 2018, according to an analysis from Brown University.

Faced with those sobering statistics, the VA—which administers some 1,200 hospitals and clinics—has made suicide prevention a priority, establishing a hotline for troubled veterans that is among the most heavily used in the world.

Increasing awareness The Veterans Crisis Line was launched in 2007 with a staff of 14; it now has more than 900 employees, with three call centers across the country including one in upstate New York, director Matt Miller told AFP. The number of incoming calls has grown steadily, now totaling some 650,000 a year, he said.

“We are all increasing in our awareness” of suicide, he said, not just among veterans but among all civilians, where the rate—while lower than among veterans—has been climbing.

Fifty years after the hell of Vietnam

and South Korea are closely watching developments in the South China Sea. It would be a loss of faith on US From A4 defense pledges if it does not fulfill its attacked under the US-Philippines obligations under the PHL-US MDT. Mutual Defense Treaty. My take on This, plus the fact that the US needs the matter: US allies Japan, Taiwan Clark Air Base and Subic Naval Sta-

Unlike the norm during the Korean and Vietnam wars, she said, troops sent to Iraq or Afghanistan often serve “multiple tours” and struggle while “going back and forth in this constant state of hyper-vigilance.”

As they cope with the difficult return to civilian life, veterans have an added handicap: in their former military culture, asking for help could be seen as showing weakness.

“A lot of what we do is education to ask for help and garner support—and learn that that’s a sign of strength,” Leis said.

She is cheered by the fact that many Vietnam veterans, even as they battle their own demons, have been quick to join support groups to help younger veterans.

“It is giving them a new sense of purpose, and helping them heal,” Leis said.

My blood is pumping King credits a Vietnam veteran as the first person to encourage him to seek psychotherapy, a crucial step on the road to healing.

While he admits to still having difficult moments, the former Marine, now married and the father of a threemonth-old, has plans for the future: with a newly earned history degree, he hopes to work as a high school teacher.

And while he still misses the adrenaline rushes of combat, his weekend job as a firefighter helps make up for it.

“The alarm goes off, my blood is pumping (and) I’m going out to save somebody,” King says with a smile.

AFP

tion in the event of a realignment of forces against China, North Korea Russia and Iran.

While the US no longer relies on permanent basing in other countries, transit points for refueling and a place for weapons storage are still needed by

An erroneous...

From A4

construction of a new airport in the area. Why? Because the past administration which approved the project committed that there will be no other competing airports in Mactan and Cebu. Imagine, even when passenger demand requires that a new airport be built there, the government can only do so if it reimburses not just the market value of the infrastructure assets, but also the future profit of the operators of the Mactan-Cebu airport until the end of the concession.

Such lopsided provisions in PPP contracts are the things that Dominguez seeks to avoid because the taxpayers end up footing the bill for them.

When Senator Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate public services committee learned about these, she ended up thanking Dominguez for ensuring that the interests of the government and the Filipino people are projected. Poe said she was “reassured” by Dominguez’s statements.

The initial concerns raised by Dominguez about the NMIA project were apparently already adequately answered because the NEDA Board approved the concession agreement for it last December, which means the project is a go. Again, given these developments, how can the DOF stall the project?

that would burden taxpayers when PPP projects are implemented.

This was the rationale behind Dominguez’s initial concerns about the NMIA project. Such concerns included the financial capability of the proponent to which Dominguez himself offered a solution; the effect of the project on traffic in the area and any additional infrastructure that need to be built to avoid congestion; and its effect on the real estate value of New Clark City in Central Luzon, which is being funded with government money.

Dominguez is correct in pointing out these concerns because the evaluation of infrastructure projects should be carefully and meticulously done, not only to ensure that these are profitable but also to ensure that the government is free of unwarranted commitments.

Take the case of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, which, is undoubtedly, a profitable enterprise.

According to Dominguez, the airport earned P1.1 billion in 2017, which was 48 percent higher than the P752million projected net income during the appraisal stage done to secure the NEDA Board approval for the project. Yet, despite the fast-growing passenger demand in Cebu, the government cannot just build or approve the ernhil@yahoo.com

the world’s military superpower.. Not to come to the aid of the Philippines would be for the US to yield to China the vast oil, gas and minerals under the South China Sea. That is what the whole dispute in the SCS is all about—the vast potential of fuel that

can sustain another country’s agenda for domination in the region.

The trade war between the US and a rising China is a sidebar to a collision course that could unsettle the peace and security of countries in the Southeast Asian region.

A6

News

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Indonesian tourist held for cocaine possession

By Joel E. Zurbano and Vito Barcelo GOVERNMENT agents arrested an Indonesian tourist who was caught in possession of smuggled cocaine worth P8.7 million at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport late Wednesday afternoon.

The 62-year-old Agus Burham was intercepted carrying 1.65 kilos of cocaine upon arrival at the NAIA Terminal 3 via Qatar Airways flight QR-932 from Doha at 5:30 p.m.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agent Herald Javier said the drugs were discovered inside Burhan’s luggage when they conducted random inspection using sniffing dogs on arriving passengers’ luggage at the arrival area.

Javier said Burham traveled to Lima, Peru where he picked up the cocaine from a source, and upon his return from South America, he had a stopover in Madrid, Spain and Doha, Qatar.

When he reached Manila, Burhan was intercepted by NAIA Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group while authorities were doing regular random inspection of passengers luggage on Wednesday along with the canines.

Javier added the drugs were also subjected to Bureau of Customs’ X-ray scanning machines.

During interrogation, the suspect said somebody asked him to bring the luggage, which contained gifts, to the Philippines.

The United States Embassy in Manila had commended the NAIA-IADITG for the apprehension of foreign cocaine smugglers at the country’s main gateway.

The US Embassy noted that the NAIA-IADITG was established as part of a cooperative effort between the Philippine government and US Drug Enforcement Agency.

The task force, it said, received training, equipment and other support from the US government.

The US Drug Enforcement Administration was responsible for tipping off government agents in the Philippines about the arrival of these foreigners carrying illegal drugs in Manila.

Military retirees pension up

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Thursday thanked President Rodrigo Duterte, on behalf of 220,000 military and uniformed personnel retirees, after the Department of Budget and Management finally cleared the way for the hike in their pension amounting to almost P55 million.

Lacson, a member of Philippine Military Academy Class 1971, cited Duterte for signing Joint Resolution 1, which provides for the increase.

“On behalf of the 220,000 MUP retirees, let me say a lifetime ‘Thank You’ to PRRD for Joint Resolution No 1,” said Lacson.

He noted that no other President except Duterte had shown such concern for those who served and offered their lives for country and people.

“All we have to do is continue breathing for as long as we can,” he said on his Twitter account.

Joint Resolution 1 authorizes an increase in the base pay of military and other uniformed personnel in government.

Earlier this week, the Department of Budget and Management released the pension requirements of retired MUP under the Armed Forces of the Philippines-General Headquarters, Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The DBM said it released P29.9 billion to the AFP-GHQ, P21.7 billion to the PNP, P1.9 billion to the BFP, and around P731 million to the BJMP. It added the release order for uniformed personnel of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority shall be issued upon its submission of the required Special Budget Request to the DBM.

GEARING UP. Motorcycle instructor Karl Tuguib demonstrates Thursday the proper way of riding a motorcycle with a passenger and wearing reflectorized vests with side straps as safety handles for back-rider. The demonstration is part of preparations for the pilot testing of Angkas as public utility vehicle. Norman Cruz

NCRPO’s Eleazar relieves Pasig precinct commander

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

ETRO Manila police director Guillermo Eleazar ordered the relief of a Pasig City precinct commander after he discovered that personnel and people transacting at the precinct were exposed to unsanitary conditions and dirty workplace.

Eleazar ordered the relief of Capt.

Eleno Ilustrisimo, head of the Pasig City police community precinct 1, following a surprise inspection at the precinct.

“I inspected [the precinct] on May 24 and I saw the surroundings were dirty. I inspected yesterday, it remains like that.

It’s already strike two for him. They should have cleaned before we returned yesterday but it is still the same when we went there,” he said Thursday.

Eleazar said Ilustrisimo’s relief must serve as a stern warning to all police station and precinct commanders in Metro Manila to clean-up their surroundings.

He said he asked the Pasig City po-

lice chief to designate someone to replace Ilustrisimo.

“Cleanliness in your place is important. There are a lot of cigarette butts, empty water bottles and candy wrappers during my inspection. I told them even if they have old equipment, as long as these are in order, the people will still find it presentable, especially complainants. The comfort rooms should not have any foul smell. It is important to have a good and clean working environment,” he said.

Eleazar and other officials of the National Capital Region Police Office conducted a random inspection of police community precincts in Metro Manila to ensure alertness of personnel and cleanliness.

“Police commanders should always make sure that the surroundings are clean. Clean office, clean mindset, clean manner of working for the people. The people’s trust will be restored if they see clean surroundings of police stations.

What I mean here is exaggerated cleanliness,” Eleazar said.

Aside from police stations and precincts, the NCRPO chief also visited computer shops near schools and universities to ensure that the local ordinance regarding minors are not allowed at the premises during school hours.

Meanwhile, Eleazar assured the public that police operatives involved in the anti-criminality campaign were guided with human rights law.

“In all of our police work it is very important that we have the knowledge, training and appreciation of human rights,” said Eleazar in a recent forum at Novotel Manila.

He said more than just being enforcers of the law, the police were dutybound to respect, protect and fulfill the rights of the citizens.

IMPASSABLE ROAD.

Bayanihan Spirit or Binnindangan in the Kankanaey lexicon breathes in a landslidedamaged road with local folks in Sagpat, Kibungan, Benguet each extending a helping hand—no thanks to bad weather which drenched a portion of the Sagpat to Madaymen, Kibungan National Highway, a main trading route which was destroyed and became impassable.

Dave Leprozo

CoA lauds PDEA for securing seized drugs

By Rio Araja THE Commission on Audit has lauded the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for measures to improve transparency and security over billions of pesos worth of confiscated illegal drugs being held as evidence.

PDEA has fully implemented all recommendations submitted in the 2017 audit, raising questions on the inadequacy of security and due observance of guidelines set by the Dangerous Drugs Board on the handling, processing, and disposal of seized illegal drugs, state auditors said.

But CoA challenged PDEA over the issuance of 101 disbursement vouchers for 2018 transactions pertaining to local travel expenses of P51.83 million for lack of official receipts.

In a 2018 audit of PDEA released last June 12, CoA said the chief of the agency’s documentation and evidence division improved “controls on the safety and security of the laboratory” after undertaking a review of the guidelines on the handling an disposition of confiscated drugs.

Auditors earlier were barred access to the PDEA storage room on concerns about the sensitivity of evidence.

“This time around,” CoA said PDEA allowed auditors to inspect the evidence room, review the existing security protocols, and observe different procedures for safekeeping, accessing, and destruction of the illegal substances.

“The audit team was able to visit and check the new PDEA laboratory evidence room. They were also able to observe features of the evidence room such as the closed-circuit television cameras, fire extinguishers, locks, double doors and grilled walls. The grant of access to a restricted facility is PDEA’s way of showing transparency,” the report read.

On July 27, 2018, government auditors and members of the media were invited onsite at the agency’s facilities in Trece Martires, Cavite to witness the destruction of volumes of dangerous drugs.

CoA said PDEA took steps to ensure the preservation of physical evidence in drug cases including the installation of air conditioning units, dehumidifiers and exhaust fans in the storage areas.

DoLE to HK OFWs: Don’t join mass actions and demos in region THE Department of Labor and Employment on Thursday advised overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong to refrain from joining mass actions and demonstrations in the Chinese special administrative region.

“We have to inform them not to join rallies because it will bring the possibility of them getting deported,” Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III said in an interview.

At the same time, the DoLE chief directed the Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Hong Kong to issue an advisory to Filipinos.

“We have our Labor Attaché there. They know what advice to give to our OFWs there for them to stay away from harm,” he said. “[But if they want to join], that is freedom. We just give them advice but, ultimately, it is their decision whether to join or not. We cannot prevent them from joining, only provide advice,” he added.

Government data revealed there were some 180,000 OFWs in Hong Kong, mostly are household service workers.

On Sunday, residents started trooping to the streets

of Hong Kong to oppose a bill in its parliament seeking to allow extraditions to mainland China and called for the resignation of Chief Executive Carrie Lam. Once passed, the bill will allow Hong Kong to detain and transfer people wanted in countries and territories with which it has no formal extradition agreements.

The debate on the bill was delayed as tension between protesters and government troops escalated on Wednesday. Some government offices near the Hong Kong Legislative Council building were closed.

The bill is set to be voted upon on June 20. PNA

Manila

Standard

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

TODAY

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

PHCPIo

-

Base Philippine Consumer Price Index, 111.00 (May 2017; 2012=100)

FOREX

-

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)

ACUF

-

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

“DD”

“DD-1” Secretary Certificate of SMEC on the authority of the “DD-l” authorized representatives to appoint and designate representative to prosecute, defend, arbitrate, settle and/ or collect in behalf of the company.

“EE”

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

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

Where:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 07 March 2019, Bohol I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BOHECO I) and San Miguel Energy Corporation (SMEC) filed an Application (Application) dated 02 January 2019, seeking the approval of their Power Supply Agreement (PSA) with prayers for the issuance of provisional authority and confidential treatment of information.

AE

-

Associated Energy as defined in Section 1.1 of the Agreement

CC

-

Contracted Capacity, in kW, as set forth in Schedule 1

HT

-

Total number of hours in such Billing Period

EHTO

-

the sum of the duration, in Equivalent Hours, of Force Majeure in such Billing Period

12. 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 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)

In their Application, BOHECO I and SMEC alleged, among others, the following: The Joint Applicants 1.

“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)

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).

2.

SMEC is a domestic corporation organized and existing under the Philippine laws, with office addresses 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.

3.

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.

13. 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)

Where: VOMF

-

Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee, PhP /kWh

IVOMLOCAL

-

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

Nature of the Application 4.

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 EPlRA, 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.

IVOMFOREIGN -

Statement of Facts 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: 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.

-

Current US Consumer Price Index, Billing Period

USCPIo

-

Base US Consumer Price Index, 244.733 (May 2017)

IEF

-

Initial Energy Fee, USD O.0408/kWh

CIFn

-

CIF Cost of Fuel for Billing Period n

CIFo

-

Base CIF Cost of Fuel equal to $74.7/MT

Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Authority 16. 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:

6.4.1

All existing and future taxes and duties, charges, including but not limited to value-added 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.

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.

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.

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.

6.4.3

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

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 MediumTerm (CY2018-2023) on 1.2 MW Baseload Power Supply and the Declaration of SMEC as the Winning Proponent andfor 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 to the Application.

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).

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

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 total blackout.

18. 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: “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) 19. 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 and made an integral part hereof.

Rate Impact on BOHECO I’s Overall Generation Rate 7.

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

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

20. 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.

BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol Generation Rate Impact

21. 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:

Simulation of Generation Mix Rate without SMEC Power Supplier

Forecasted 20192023 Quantity (kWh) 465,375,000 43,077,185 66,922,100 2,864,732 0 509,770,179 245,558,957 1,333,568,152

CEDC BSMHP JMHP SPUG SMEC GNPD WESM TOTAL

Amount (Php)

Percent Share (%)

3,102,692,902 182,875,573 249,318,284 20,677,816 0 1,742,567,529 1,266,483,793 6,564,615,897

47.26% 2.79% 3.80% 0·31% 0.00% 26.54% 19.29% 100.00%

Resulting Utilization Capacity Factor (%) 75.89% 39·34% 30.56% 21.80% 0.00% 96.99%

Average Rae (P/kWh)

Annex

Documents and/or Information

“U”

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

“W”

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

Weighted Average rate (P/kWh)

6.6671 4.2453 3.7255 7.2181 0.0000 3.4183 5.1576

22. Annex “U” and “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 us. Pennswell, Inc.4, the Supreme Court defined a trade secret, as follows:

5.3360

“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:

Simulation of Generation Mix Rate without SMEC Power Supplier

Forecasted 2018-2023 Quantity (kWh)

Salient Features of the PSA. 6.1 Contracted Capacity.

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;

17. 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 member-consumers.

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.

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).

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

16.1

6.5 Availability of Capacity.

On 09 February 2018, BOHECO 1’s Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) conducted a Transaction Conference which was attended by SMEC, First Gen Corporation, 1590 Energy Corporation, and Solar Phils.

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

15. The PSC 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 memberconsumers in terms of reliable and affordable power supply.

6-4 Other Charges.

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.

6.

14. 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)

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

USCPIn

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).

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.

465,375,000 43,077,185 66,922,100 2,864,732 43,877,088 501,304,075 210,147,972 1,333,568,152

CEDC BSMHP JMHP SPUG SMEC GNPD WESM TOTAL

*

Amount (Php)

3,102,692,902 182,875,573 249,318,284 20,677,816 143,305.458 1,725,903,854 1,107,168,131 6,531,942,018

Percent Share (%) 47.50% 2.80% 3.82% 0.32% 2.19% 26.42% 16.95% 100.00%

Resulting Utilization Capacity Factor (%) 75.89% 39.34% 30.56% 21.80% 83.48% 95.38%

Average Rae (P/kWh)

Weighted Average rate (P/kWh)

6.6671 4.2453 3.7255 7.2181 3·2661 3.4428 5.2685

5.3251

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

Generation Rate Impact -0.0109

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

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

Assumptions: Contract Year (CY)

Duration

Contracted Capacity

2018-2023

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

1.2 MW

1.

6.2

6.3

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

WESM hourly Prices are inflated from actual prices (with proxy removing outliers) of 2016 at the rate of 3.43% 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 CEDC/SPUG prices are inflated at the rate of PH CPI of 3.43% Actual Prices of Existing Power Suppliers on September 2015 was used in the simulation.

2.

3.

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.

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

Capacity and Energy Fees. Under the PSA, BOHECO I shall pay the following Capacity and Energy Fees to SMEC: Basic Energy Charge The Basic Energy Charge shall be equal to:

4.

5.

8.

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.

9.

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.

Capacity and O&M Fees for Specific Capacity Utilization Factors Capacity Utilization Factor (%) 99.50-100.00% 98.50-99.49% 97.50-98.49% 96.50-97.49% 95.50-96.49% 94.50-95.49% 93.50-96.49% 92.50-93.49% 91.50-92.49% 90.50-91.49% 89.50-90.49% 88.50-89.49% 87.50-88.49% 86.50-87.49% 85.50-86.49% 84.50-85.49% 83.50-84.49% 82.50-83.49% 81.50-82.49% 80.50-81.49% 79.50-80.49% 78.50-79.49% 77.50-78.49% 76.50-77.49% 75.50-76.49% 74.50-75.49% 73.50-74.49% 72.50-73.49% 71.50-72.49% 70.50-71.49% 70.00-70.49%

Capacity Fee (USD/kWh) 0.0143 0.0145 0.0146 0.0148 0.0149 0.0151 0.0152 0.0154 0.0156 0.0157 0.0159 0.0161 0.0163 0.0164 0.0166 0.0168 0.0170 0.0172 0.0175 0.0177 0.0179 0.0181 0.0183 0.0186 0.0188 0.0191 0.0193 0.0196 0.0199 0.0202 0.0204

O & M Fee (PhP/kWh) 0.1640 0.1657 0.1673 0.1691 0.1708 0.1726 0.1745 0.1763 0.1783 0.1802 0.1822 0.1843 0.1864 0.1885 0.1907 0.1929 0.1952 0.1976 0.2000 0.2025 0.2050 0.2076 0.2103 0.2130 0.2158 0.2187 0.2216 0.2247 0.2278 0.2310 0.2343

“A”

is the Capital Recovery Fee in PHP/kWh

FOMF ALF

-

is the Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee in PHP/kWh

PHCPIn

-

Philippine Consumer Price Index of the calendar month within which the start of the current Billing Period occurs (Source: Philippine Statistics Authority)

(6) the extent to which the information could be easily or readily obtained through an independent source.” (citations omitted, emphasis supplied) 23. 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.

24. More importantly, competitors of SMEC, should they obtain the information in Annexes “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.

25. Accordingly, BOHECO I and SMEC submit one (1) copy of Annexes “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”.

26. BOHECO I and SMEC pray of this Commission that, after due notice and hearing:

Articles of Incorporation of BOHECO I.

“A-1” “B” “C”

Amended By-Laws of BOHECO I. List of the Board of Directors of BOHECO I. Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of SMEC.

“C-1” “D”

Amended Articles of Incorporation of SMEC. Certification Stating the Applicability or Non-Applicability of a Shareholders’ Agreement of SMEC. Certificate of Registration of SMEC issued by the Securities to and Exchange Commission.

“E” to “E-1” “F” “G” “H” “I” “J” “K”

Latest General Information Sheet of SMEC. Corporate Structure of SMC Global Power and its subsidiaries.

BOI Certificate of Registration of SMEC. ECC issued by the DENR to the Sual Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant.

COC issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission in favor of SMEC. 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 stating the Consistency/Inconsistency of the Sual Coal Fired Power “K-2” Station with the DOE’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

“L” 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. “0” and CSP Documents of BOHECO I. Series “P” PSA dated 12 December 2018 entered into by and between BOHECO I and SMEC. “Q” Transmission Service Agreement between NGCP and BOHECO I “Q-l” “R” “S” “T” “U” “V” “W” “W -1” “X”

Metering Service Agreement between NGCP and BOHECO I Write-up on the IPPA Project of SMEC. Write-up on the details regarding the Transmission Projects or Grid Connection Proiects of SMEC Executive Summary of the BOHECO I and SMEC PSA. Details of the Power Rate Calculations and Financial Model of SMEC (Confidential).

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

Affidavit of Competitive Procurement Process of SMEC. 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. Cost Analysis of the Proposed Pricing Provisions of the PSA. Latest Audited Financial Statements (AFS), Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Statement of Cash Flows of SMEC;

“Z-1”

Certification from the engine manufacturer of SMEC on the net heat rate in liters per kWh;

“Z-2”

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

Where: -

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

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

“Y” “Z”

CRF ALF

(4) the value of the information to the employer and to competitors;

COMPLIANCE WITH THE PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 11.

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:

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

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.

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

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.

“EE-1”

ERC CASE NO. 2019-020 RC

BOHOL I ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (BOHECO I) AND SAN MIGUEL ENERGY CORPORATION (SMEC), Applicants. x--------------------------------------------------x

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

“AA” and Series “BB” and Series “CC”

a.

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;

b.

ISSUE an Order treating Annexes “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

c.

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.

BOHECO I and SMEC pray for other relief deemed just and equitable under the premises.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and evidentiary hearing on 04 July 2019 (Thursday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 AM) at BOHECO I’s Principal Office at Brgy.

Cabulijan, Tubigon, 6329 Bohol.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitioner’s name and address;

2)

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

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicants rest their case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 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 ofthe Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners CATHERINE P. MACEDA and PAUL CHRISTIAN M. CERVANTES, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 8th day of April 2019 in Pasig City.

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.

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

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

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

4

G.R. No. 172835, December 13, 2007

(MS-JUNE 14, 21, 2019)

Sports

Riera U. Mallari, Editor Reuel Vidal, Assistant Editor

sports@manilastandard.net

sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

A8

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

Blackwater faces SMB, guns for solo lead

By Jeric Lopez

Members of the national team (from left) Jhon Mark Camingao, Jan Paul Marales, Ronald Oranza, Junrey Navarra, El Joshua Cariño raise a bike in a symbolic gesture of their readiness in the Le Tour de Filipinas.

Warriors set for emotional Game 6 duel with Raptors OAKLAND—Playing for injured star Kevin Durant in a farewell to the arena when they became a dynasty, the Golden State Warriors are set for an emotional NBA Finals showdown Thursday against Toronto.

The Raptors own a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven championship series despite a 106-105 loss Monday in which Durant ruptured his right Achilles tendon in his first game back after missing a month with a right calf injury.

The Warriors, seeking their third consecutive NBA crown and fourth in five seasons, take inspiration from Durant into their final game at Oakland’s Oracle Arena before moving to a new $1 billion home next season in San Francisco.

“To protect our home court, feed off our crowd’s energy, play for K and try to keep our season alive, there are a lot of things that you can tap into for energy,” Warriors guard Stephen Curry said. “We’ll be ready.”

Fellow 3-point sharpshooter Klay Thompson says Golden State’s expects historic support from fans.

“We’re just thinking about enjoying this last show at Oracle,” Thompson said.

“I expect our fans to be the loudest they’ve ever been, especially in the name of Kevin and bringing his type of spirit to the fight and the competitiveness.

“We deserve it, but more importantly Kevin does for what he gave this team, this organization. There wouldn’t be (championship) banners if it wasn’t for his presence. So we expect our crowd to be loud for him.”

Durant, Most Valuable Player of the past two NBA Finals, underwent surgery Wednesday before the Warriors conducted their final arena practice.

“It’s going to be an epic night for sure,” Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins said. “Going to be a lot of emotions and a lot of passion in the building.

“We just got to find a way to grind through it and make something happen.

No matter what type of adversity hits this team we find a way to fight through.”

Road teams 4-1 so far The Warriors would force a seventh game in Toronto on Sunday if they can win one for Durant.

“That definitely comes into play,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said. “We’ve all seen his love for the game. Those 11 minutes he played were enough to give us the spark we needed.

So now we want to continue to try to build on that.” AFP

PH riders’ climbing skills to be tested at Le Tour

By Peter Atencio

T

AGAYTAY CITY—A short uphill climb towards the finish line will decide the winner in Stage 1 when the 10th edition of the Le Tour de Filipinas hits the road today in Tagaytay City.

The skills and resolve of many climbing specialists will be tested in the last 3.6-km stretch of the 129.5-kilometer route heading towards the finish line at the Praying Hands Monument.

Tagaytay City Rep. and Philipine Olympic Committee Chairman Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Mayor Agnes Tolentino will flag off Stage 1, which will also have its start at the monument.

For national coach Reinhard Gorrantes, this is an opportunity for Filipino riders to take centerstage, and grab a stage win.

This is because they will have to fight it out for the top honors with nine foreign

Bayron, Pastor stay ahead in Bacolod golf MURCIA, Negros Occidental—Rufino Bayron and Spain’s Marcos Pastor matched outputs in varying fashions for the second straight day, staying ahead with three-under 67s but fancied Juvic Pagunsan and Ira Alido charged back with 65s to pull within one halfway through the ICTSI Bacolod Golf Challenge here yesterday.

Bayron actually rode on a late birdie at the front to save a 32-35 while Pastor missed grabbing the solo lead with a bogey on the 18th and settled for a 33-34 in the wind and heat in afternoon play as the duo dropped erstwhile co-leaders Michael Bibat and Reymon Jaraula to remain on top at eight-under 132s.

But Pagunsan and Alido assembled identical 133s, Richard Sinfuego slowed down with a 69 for a 135, and Bibat and Jaraula lost their touch and fumbled with one-over 71s but stayed within striking distance at 136s with 36 holes to play in the P2.5 million event serving as the second of a four-stage Visayan swing of the circuit sponsored by ICTSI. “It’s tough playing in the heat and with the wind picking up in the afternoon,” said Bayron, who hit two birdies but made two bogeys at the back before shooting three birdies in the first five holes at the front.

“I was able to recover at the front though I overshot the green on No. 6

Koepka, Tiger eye history at Pebble Beach PEBBLE BEACH—Brooks Koepka launches his bid for an historic US Open treble on Thursday at Pebble Beach, where Tiger Woods once separated himself from all rivals and now returns chasing a 16th major.

Pebble Beach, where Woods won the first of his three US Opens in 2000 with a breathtaking 12-under par total and a crushing 15-stroke margin, is a vastly different player now at 43 and with spinal fusion surgery behind him.

But he cemented his return to golf’s elite with his 15th major win at the the US Masters in April.

He has risen to fifth in the world rankings led by Koepka, who has won four majors in less than two years: back-to-back US Opens in 2017 and 2018 and back-toback PGA Championships in 2018 and last month at Bethpage Black.

With his win at Shinnecock Hills last

teams that are also seeing action.

“Sa ngayon, ang ruta ay mahirap. Filipino riders are born climbers. And this is a challenge for Filipino riders. Sana ma-grab nila ang opportunity,” said Gorrantes.

The terrain of Stage 1 will have four short climbs before they reach a steeper route that will greet riders from participating squads, which now number around 14, following the withdrawal of Team Hong Kong three days ago, and Iran two months ago.

The Philippine national team will be bannered defending champion El Joshua Carino, who won last year with Philip-

pine Navy-Standard Insurance. He is the third Filipino champion of the race.

Marcelo Felipe, who won the UCIsanction PRURide race in Subic, will lead 7-Eleven Cliqq-Air21 By Roadbike Philippines.

Known as the Best Young Rider in 2018, Daniel Carino will carry Go For Gold, while Mark John Lexer Galedo, the 2014 winner, will be riding for Celeste Cycle.

On the other hand, Michael Angelo Ochoa will spearhead Bike X Philippines.

Among the foreign teams expected to keep Filipino riders on their toes are Nex Cycling Team (Singapore), PGN Road Cycling Team (Indonesia) and Oliver’s Real Food Racing (Australia).

Joining the fray are Terrenganu Cycling Team (Malaysia), Taiyuan Moigee Cycling Team (China), Team Nero Bianchi (Australia), Team Ukyo (Japan), Team Sapura Cycling and Thailand National Team.

year Koepka became the first player since Curtis Strange in 1988-89 to win consecutive US Opens.

Willie Anderson, from 1903-05, is the only player to have won three straight.

“I’m not thinking about it,” Koepka said of his treble chance. “I know the odds are stacked up probably even more against me now. It’s hard to win the same event three times in a row.”

But he likes the idea of pursuing history at Pebble, where prior editions have produced champions such as Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and, of course, Woods.

The beauty of Pebble Beach’s coastal views can distract from the challenge it presents, especially with the pinched fairways and deep rough of a US Open.

“The rough is definitely going to be a factor this week,” Koepka said. “Very juicy. You need to put the ball in the fairways. AFP

Rufino Bayron is all pumped up with another under-par card

and made another bogey. But I liked my chances,” added Bayron, who birdied the seventh to save a 67 and remain on course of ending a long title spell on the Philippine Golf Tour.

Unfamiliar with the short but tight and tricky Bacolod Golf Club layout, the Spanish shotmaker banked on the local pros’ tips to negate his bogeys on Nos. 1 and 18 with five birdies in a 12-

hole stretch from No. 5, bolstering his drive for a maiden victory in the circuit put up by ICTSI after topping the PGT Q-School for foreign players at Splendido last February.

“Some local pros told me how to play the course where some fairways are soft and some are hard,” said Pastor. “I played so aggressive off the tee and most of my drives were good.”

CO-LEAGUE leader Blackwater plans to break the tie at the top as it looks to regain sole possession of first place even as three others look to break into the winning column in the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup. The Elite (5-1) shoot for a third straight victory when it goes up against powerhouse but ailing San Miguel (0-2) at 4:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City today.

In the curtain-raiser, winless teams duke it out to see who gets that elusive first win as Magnolia (0-2) and NLEX (0-5) test each other at 7 p.m.

Blackwater’s fiery start came as a surprise to many but after showing consistency, it is showing that it is ready to breakthrough.

Still, Elite coach Aris Dimaunahan reminded his wards that there’s nothing to celebrate just yet.

“We’re in a good position right now with the start that we’re having but we can’t celebrate too much,” said Dimaunahan. “We’re still not yet in the playoffs.”

The Elite, figured in a triple-tie at the top with TNT and NorthPort, can move a step closer to the quarterfinals with another win.

On the other hand, the Beermen are in dire need of a win after they dropped their initial two assignments in lopsided fashion.

Like San Miguel, Magnolia and NLEX are still yet to win a single game.

Their paths will separate as one of them will finally bound to list one under the win column after their clash.

As for the Road Warriors, they can’t afford many errors as a loss or two can eliminate them right away from contention, given the tumultuous start they are having.

UP Maroons hope to build chemistry FOR Jun Manzo, it’s now up to senior members of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons to step up and provide directions to the new members of the team.

“Gagabayan namin ang mga bago.

Dahil aim namin ang pumasok ulit sa finals,” said the former University of Visayas standout, who was among those who transferred to UP three years ago from Cebu.

The Maroons’ top guard discussed the team’s ongoing preparations for the 82nd University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament before their trip to the United States.

The preparations will include training camps in Las Vegas and Serbia, and a tournament in Taiwan.

The Fighting Maroons will leave for Las Vegas this Friday.

They will then join a tournament in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in July.

Afterwards, they will head to Serbia for the second year in a row.

Assistant coach Ricky Dandan said the Fighting Maroons are on track with their preparations.

The tournament in Taiwan will be help in terms of integrating newbies Kobe Paras and Ricci Rivero into their system.

“We’re right on track. Our primary goal here is to get some chemistry and cohesion, that’s what we’re trying to address,” said Dandan. Peter Atencio

San Miguel eyes 3-game elims’ sweep

Jayjay Helterbrand scored 28 points in leading Ginebra to a 100-83 win over the Purefoods Hotdogs.

SAN Miguel Beer tries to complete a three-game sweep of the elims when it battles Ginebra, while Purefoods goes for its first win when the UNTV Cup PBA Legends Faceoff resumes Sunday at the Pasig City Sports Center.

A San Miguel win in its 1:30 p.m. encounter with Ginebra would enable the Beermen to clinch the top spot in the playoffs where they will face the No. 4 team in the event designed to the PBA Legends Foundation.

The Purefoods Hotdogs, meantime, collide with the Alaska Milkmen at 12 noon with four-time MVP Alvin Patrimonio determined to lead his team to their first win after dropping their first two games.

UNTV President and CEO Dr. Daniel Razon said a tax-free P2 million will be donated to the PBA Legends

Games Sunday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 12 noon – Alaska vs Purefoods 1:30 p.m. – Ginebra vs San Miguel

Foundation in its effort to help former PBA players who are either sick or in need of financial help.

The Beermen are coming off an impressive 76-61 drubbing of the Milkmen that saw former MVP winner Allan Caidic scoring 15 points—all from the 3-point zone.

Expected to provide additional firepower for the Beermen are two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso, Kiko Adriano and Dondon Hontiveros.

But the Beermen need to play smarter and sharper on both ends since the Gin Kings are still fresh from a 100-83 win over the Hotdogs.

IN BRIEF

BMW seeks local auto part suppliers GERMAN automaker BMW is looking for potential local parts suppliers as part of an expansion plan.

The automaker, in coordination with the Board of Investments, recently conducted an event briefing and business coaching session for potential supplier at the Holiday Inn Makati City.

“They want to expand their current network of suppliers and they like to explore our competencies to help them in their international production not only their existing but also of future projects,” said BoI executive director for industry development services Ma. Corazon Halili-Dichosa.

She said the local manufacturing sector had been performing well in the past years.

“They noted our support programs for auto and its related industries with our inclusive innovation industrial strategy,” she added.

Around 15 companies attended the pre-event briefing that are expected to engage BMW in sessions on June 19, 2019.

The focus of the sourcing activity is on auto electronics, wiring harness, filters and some metal parts, said Dichosa. Othel V. Campos

San Miguel pays P2.77-m penalty CONGLOMERATE San Miguel Corp. said it paid the P2.77-million fine imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission for late filing of a reportorial requirement when it acquired a stake in Manila Electric Co. San Miguel said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it made the payment after the Court of Appeals ruled that the penalty imposed earlier by the SEC was in excess of the limits.

The SEC in November 2017 issued an order penalizing San Miguel in the amount of P769.29 million for the late filing of an initial statement of beneficial ownership of securities when it acquired a significant stake in Meralco in 2011, and on subsequent change in beneficial ownership when San Miguel sold a portion of the Meralco stake to unit San Miguel Purefood Co. Inc. San Miguel appealed the order with the SEC en banc, saying the late filing was due to “inadvertence.”

The appellate court a year later ruled in favor of San Miguel that resulted in the reduction of the penalty.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Business Govt mulls over options to jazz up Marawi bonds T

By Julito G. Rada

HE government is exploring structures and features that will make the planned issuance of Marawi bonds more appealing to investors, the Department of Finance said Thursday.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said in a statement the government would soon issue the so-called Marawi bonds to raise additional funds for the large-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City in Mindanao.

Dominguez said the government was considering several features to make the ‘Marawi bonds’ attractive to investors to augment the massive funds required

for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the city devastated by its 2017 siege by Islamic State-inspired terrorists.

Dominguez said the government would issue the Marawi bonds once the ongoing Bangon Marawi Comprehensive Rehabilitation and Recovery Program moves to the next phase of the rehabilitation plan, which involves building large-scale infrastructure projects.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon said as part of the preparations for the sale of the bonds, the government aimed to make the bonds appealing to both institutional investors, including securing the approval to make the Marawi bonds eligible as alternative compliance to the Agri-Agra Reform Credit Act, and retail bond buyers.

The law allows banks to invest in government-listed priority programs a portion of their investible funds as loans for farmers, fisherfolk and other agriculture-based workers.

Dominguez said the clearing opera-

tions in Marawi as well as the provision of housing and basic services such as water to residents were being funded by allocations in the national budget.

“When we start getting into the bigger expenditures, then we will be issuing the Marawi bonds,” Dominguez said at a recent press briefing.

He said personnel involved in clearing operations were finding unexploded ordnance as they go about their task.

“But there has been a lot of work, especially in providing housing and water and sewage disposal facilities for the residents in that area already. So fortunately, we’ve been able to fund it from the GAA (General Appropriations Act), and when we get to the real big construction projects, that’s when we will be issuing the bonds,” Dominguez said.

De Leon said in the same press briefing the government would have to “calibrate” the amount of Marawi bonds to be issued based on the financing requirements needed for the implementation of the rehabilitation program.

Power consumer group wants to join CSP talks A CONSUMER group on Thursday said it wants the Energy Regulatory Commission to include end users of electricity in discussions of the competitive selection process (CSP).

“The ERC has talked to generation companies, they have talked to distribution utilities, but they have yet to talk to the people who would pay the price for the result of their talks—the consumers,” Murang Kuryente spokesperson Gerry Arances said.

The Supreme Court earlier invalidated power supply agreements that have been the subject of legal action and mobilizations by Murang Kuryente and other consumer advocates and blamed for unjustifiably high electricity prices in the country.

Murang Kuryente was joined by the Power for People Coalition, Philippine Movement for Climate Justice and Sanlakas in their action held in front of the ERC office in Pasig City.

The mobilization included the submission of a letter to ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera requesting for an audience to present the thoughts of consumers concerning the selection process for PSAs. Darwin G. Amojelar

PLDT-ATLAS EXPRESS DEAL. PLDT Global Corp. and Atlas Express Padala are offering Filipinos in the US and Canada more ways to connect with their loved ones back home through PLDT subsidiary’s mobile app, Free Bee. Signing the agreement are (from left) Albert Villa-Real, first vice president of PLDT Global; Joel Longares, president and chief executive officer of Atlas Express; and Edith Gomez, vice president and head of carrier business, PLDT Global.

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

B1

PAL plans more routes for its ferry business

By Darwin G. Amojelar

A WHOLLY-OWNED subsidiary of Philippine Airlines plans to add more destinations for its inter-island ferry service business.

“We are still looking for other destinations because we plan to operate it from Kalibo to Boracay, (but the market has not yet accepted it),” said Mabuhay Maritime Express president Jaime Bautista said.

“We have reduced the operations and it’s not really making money at this time. We are looking at other possible areas of operations. It’s possible Batangas to Mindoro or Cebu to Tagbilaran,” he added.

MME, a wholly-owned unit of PAL, mounted regular Kalibo-Boracay ferry services using two brandnew 42-meter catamarans with triclass configuration in October last year.

The 410-seater, high-speed catamarans, named MV Malambing and MV Magalang, will make four daily runs each initially.

“We aim to offer travelers a seamless air to sea transfer, taking passengers to their favorite tourist destinations as fast and as comfortable as possible,” Bautista, who is also the president and chief operating officer of PAL, earlier said.

More than 40-inter-island ferry companies have been plying the waters around the archipelago for decades, providing inexpensive transport for passengers, cargo and vehicles from major domestic points.

With support from the local government, MME is building its own jetty port in Kalibo, 10 minutes away from the airport where free shuttles are available for Boracay-bound passengers.

The hour-and-a-half ferry service will be fastest route to Boracay.

Apart from modern facilities and generous amenities, the two ferries have attendants that provide service similar to the pampering of a 4-star global airline.

Local banks upbeat on growth prospects, prepare expansion plans INDUSTRY leaders remain bullish on the outlook of the domestic banking system, based on the latest report on the Banking Sector Outlook Survey for the second semester of 2018 published by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Survey results showed banks maintained their optimism on the country’s economic prospects, with 86.1 percent of respondents expecting the domestic economy to grow between 6 percent and 7 percent within the next two years.

The outlook on the Philippine banking system remains stable for 70.2 percent of all respondents, with the rest mostly expecting a stronger banking system.

Upbeat projections led more than 72 percent of respondents to expect dou-

ble digit growth in assets and deposits, while 81.0 percent and 92.4 percent see loans and profits growing over 10 percent, respectively.

“The upgrade of the S&P Global Ratings Banking Industry Country Risk Assessment (BICRA) of the Philippines also contributed to the optimism,” the BSP said. S&P upgraded the country’s investment grade rating to “BBB+” with a stable outlook from the previous score of “BBB.” The upgrade was a notch away from the “A-“ rating, which is within the most-coveted A category.

The survey also showed universal and commercial banks were most eager to expand market coverage with 75.8 percent and 84.4 percent of respondents projecting double digit growth in assets

and loans, respectively.

Meanwhile, 76.9 percent of rural and cooperative banks, ahead of other bank types, aim to grow deposits by 10 percent or more. Thrift banks, meanwhile, are most optimistic on their profits as 97.0 percent of respondents anticipate double digit net income growth.

To realize the expected bank growth, the respondents set a number of strategic priorities for their operations, including expanding the bank, optimizing the use of available technology and protection.

The use of technology is expected to reshape the future landscape of the banking system as 73.5 percent of banks have plans to use technology in their transactions in the near term.

The new section on organizational

conduct and risk culture reveals that most banks are satisfied with their internal risk culture and underscores the importance of inputs from internal control functions in the business decisions of the board and senior management.

The banks deem institutional risk as the main threat towards achieving their targets. Money laundering risk, hiring or retention of talents, and credit risk top the list under institutional risks of all banks.

Cognizant of the internal and external risks affecting their business, the BSOS discloses that banks are formulating strategies to address these concerns and will leverage on the use of financial technology (fintech) for strategic efficiencies. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks up slightly; ICTSI, BPI gain S HARE prices rose slightly Thursday in mixed trading, with market sentiment boosted by the central bank’s assessment of a tamer inflation rate for the rest of the year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index added 20.78 points, 0.3 percent, to 8,051.76 on a value turnover of P9.1 billion. Losers, however, beat gainers, 104 to 82, with 52 issues unchanged.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas is expected to maintain the benchmark policy rates of 4.5 percent in the next two meetings amid the benign inflation environment, a member of the policymaking Monetary Board said Tuesday.

Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla said inflation indicators being

constantly monitored by monetary authorities “remained stable.”

International Container Terminal Services Inc., the biggest port operator, climbed 3.1 percent to P148.50, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei gained 2.3 percent to P65.50 Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-largest lender in terms of assets, rose 1.5 percent to P81.90, while Jollibee Foods Corp., the largest fast-food chain, added 1.4 percent to P289.

The rest of Asian markets fell Thursday with Hong Kong suffering a second straight day of losses as investors fret over the impact of protests in the city and plans to introduce a controversial law allowing extradition to China.

Uncertainty over the China-US trade saga and soft inflation data out of Washington added to the selling, though oil prices bounced from five-month lows

after a report of an incident involving a tanker in the Gulf of Oman.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index led losses after Wednesday’s demonstrations against a planned extradition law that protesters fear will entangle people in China’s courts and hammer the city’s reputation as an international business hub.

While the protests have subsided for now the market was down 0.8 percent in the afternoon, extending the previous day’s 1.7 percent loss.

Tokyo ended 0.5 percent lower, Singapore fell 0.2 percent and Taipei fell 0.5 percent. Sydney was also lower, though Shanghai and Wellington ended up after late rebounds.

With Beijing backing the law, observers warned the issue could have a detrimental effect on the mainland.

“Beijing’s push for this extradition bill could prove costly as investors and businesses value Hong Kong’s

autonomy,” said OANDA senior market analyst Edward Moya.

“Uncertainty with Hong Kong’s autonomy will dampen business prospects and put a further strain on Chinese growth. If the US and Europe become involved it could complicate relations and future trade deals.”

Hong Kong has also come under pressure from the international community, with the European Union saying the proposed law had “potentially far-reaching consequences for Hong Kong and its people, for EU and foreign citizens, as well as for business confidence in Hong Kong”.

The amount banks charge each other to borrow cash—known as the Hong Kong Interbank Borrowing Rate (Hibor)—extended its recent rise to a fresh 11-year high Thursday as cash is sucked out of the financial system. The gains saw the local dollar hit a six-month high. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019

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FINANCIALS BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK FERRONOUX HLDG FILIPINO FUND FIRST ABACUS IREMIT MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH PSBANK RCBC SECURITY BANK UNION BANK

80.65 2.16 139.7 26.85 18.74 11.48 4.44 7.74 0.57 1.37 0.51 71.55 0.97 13.7 55.3 184.8 57.2 28 171.3 59.3

81.9 2.18 140.7 26.85 18.78 11.48 4.61 7.8 0.57 1.37 0.52 72.6 0.99 13.7 56.05 184.9 57.75 28 172.3 60.25

80.65 2.1 139.7 26.7 18.74 11.38 4.44 7.71 0.57 1.37 0.485 71 0.96 13.7 54.3 184 57.2 27.2 167.9 59.3

81.9 2.15 140 26.85 18.78 11.48 4.61 7.8 0.57 1.37 0.52 71 0.99 13.7 54.3 184.9 57.75 27.5 171 59.6

1,751,330 70,000 3,532,170 243,700 45,400 358,400 31,000 4,500 8,000 1,000 458,000 1,942,530 364,000 100 411,690 1,240 1,580 2,700 591,170 2,170

142,913,278.50 151,180 494,959,836 6,534,000 851,888 4,091,806 139,880 34,989 4,560 1,370 231,000 139,905,537.50 354,220 1,370 22,593,485 229,179 91,091 74,640 100,020,836 129,286

47,338,414.50 144,108,848 176,315 -152,758 -24,180 3,368,435.50 -4,723,335 -2,735 -12,148,030 -76,835

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

35.35 14.5 0.79 1.37 0.28 2.54 14.8 24.5 14.94 44.75 64.1 2.02 5.45 5.7 10.32 16 10.84 7.52 24.4 77.1 48.7 2.49 14.16 10.12 1.65 285 3.5 9.45 23.5 12.9 18.98 385 1.3 4.53 6.18 9.04 2.78 12 41.3 4.92 4.9 1.45 1.91 1.19 14 105.6 6.6 0.126 1.31 170 2.52 1.31 1.32

35.35 14.5 0.81 1.38 0.285 2.65 14.92 25 16.8 44.75 64.1 2.02 5.45 5.7 10.32 16.04 10.9 7.6 24.45 77.1 51 2.51 14.16 10.2 1.67 289 3.5 9.7 24 12.98 18.98 391 1.3 4.53 6.19 9.04 2.89 12.2 41.3 4.92 4.92 1.46 1.91 1.19 14 108.9 6.6 0.126 1.33 176 2.64 1.31 1.33

35 14.3 0.78 1.37 0.27 2.5 14.8 24.05 14.94 44.5 64.05 1.97 5.45 5.51 10 16 10.6 7.51 24 76.9 48.7 2.41 14 10.06 1.64 281.2 3.41 9.45 23.5 12.7 18.78 384 1.25 4.45 6.05 9.04 2.76 12 40.4 4.89 4.9 1.43 1.91 1.16 13.3 104.8 6.5 0.125 1.22 170 2.52 1.28 1.27

35 14.46 0.8 1.38 0.28 2.6 14.9 24.7 16.8 44.75 64.05 2.02 5.45 5.69 10 16.02 10.6 7.58 24.45 76.9 50.5 2.46 14.12 10.2 1.66 289 3.5 9.45 24 12.78 18.8 385 1.27 4.5 6.05 9.04 2.79 12.2 40.65 4.91 4.9 1.46 1.91 1.17 13.48 108.9 6.52 0.125 1.25 176 2.63 1.31 1.28

2,597,600 1,141,000 2,766,000 55,000 2,640,000 18,903,000 480,500 163,500 300 1,200 580 119,000 10,000 12,100 8,250,100 121,000 316,000 1,952,900 2,977,000 67,880 573,100 3,240,000 370,700 973,700 259,000 717,140 4,000 9,700 748,200 1,937,400 8,488,200 474,660 2,647,000 65,000 1,560,300 1,000 33,066,000 38,500 354,100 52,000 100,400 191,000 69,000 141,000 1,559,500 266,850 107,700 2,590,000 3,398,000 1,586,400 15,000 2,806,000 6,424,000

91,233,135 16,519,284 2,188,330 75,390 729,650 48,800,600 7,157,818 4,022,725 4,668 53,575 37,155.50 237,590 54,500 68,077 83,631,570 1,936,540 3,400,622 14,793,536 72,321,790 5,228,815 ( 28,584,560 7,929,050 5,222,060 9,879,438 426,360 204,592,688 13,820 91,710 17,843,225 24,796,978 159,596,464 183,839,174 3,387,630 290,830 9,525,971 9,040 93,427,730 466,000 14,360,510 254,800 492,066 276,250 131,790 163,940 21,034,282 28,640,713 707,785 324,390 4,313,230 276,690,743 38,690 3,638,800 8,327,070

-16,612,275 -12,482,308 10,800 -3,187,840 -525,156 2,020 -57,783,212 1,740,920 710,464 -11,362,825 39,278,000 473,951.9999) 10,914,365 849,150 2,786,906 129,944.00 14,432,714 7,388,230 1,010,650 81,163,536 38,039,836 -2,651,620 -1,949,040 10,991,230 -6,285,235 -487,166 -6,873,756 -4,451,957 90,587,299 35,100 -

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

0.67 55.2 15.74 0.75 6.7 13.4 1.25 1.25 910 3.52 6.82 10.24 13.96 4.15 0.248 881 6.22 64 6.23 0.49 4.59 15.6 0.63 4.65 0.038 1.03 182.2 955 0.93 0.23 0.3

0.69 55.6 15.8 0.77 6.7 13.48 1.27 1.28 912 3.65 6.86 10.24 14.1 4.15 0.27 881 6.22 65.5 6.24 0.49 4.59 15.6 0.63 4.69 0.039 1.04 186 965 0.93 0.244 0.31

0.65 55 15.42 0.75 6.7 12.48 1.24 1.24 890 3.46 6.82 9.9 13.96 4.15 0.248 855.5 6.21 62 6.23 0.48 4.14 15.2 0.59 4.6 0.038 1.03 181 935 0.89 0.23 0.3

0.67 55.4 15.58 0.77 6.7 12.54 1.27 1.28 910 3.62 6.84 10 14.08 4.15 0.248 863 6.21 65.5 6.24 0.49 4.14 15.48 0.61 4.65 0.038 1.04 186 960 0.9 0.237 0.3

22,530,000 2,152,080 5,522,800 208,000 4,800 182,800 6,003,000 176,000 584,210 6,129,000 247,300 11,316,600 220,900 4,000 290,000 74,720 12,800 2,020,620 7,500 52,000 5,428,000 453,800 466,000 18,703,000 10,800,000 30,000 329,730 229,030 901,000 3,950,000 2,180,000

15,026,910 119,170,419 85,954,274 156,800 32,160 2,320,054 7,571,680 220,970 528,311,775 21,653,650 1,689,048 113,179,961 3,094,106 16,600 72,140 64,568,880 79,515 129,853,280 46,735 24,990 23,499,270 6,967,538 279,690 86,968,150 410,900 31,000 60,276,141 217,859,650 819,200 936,450 662,100

161,700 69,511,686.50 -1,261,612 32,160 12,500 -109,782,855 -590,560 429,639 -69,491,655 878,390 10,388,325.50 -9,441,870 -3,157,416 27,296,910 41,800 6,373,005 -18,500,960 148,100

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

15.8 0.79 10.02 2.06 0.78 51.15 2.29 4.8 6.13 0.59 0.9 0.96 0.225 0.385 10.06 26.5 0.47 0.125 1.78 1.42 5.92 0.32 0.47 1.95 0.415 2.03 26 2.13 3

15.8 0.8 10.7 2.06 0.78 51.5 2.57 4.8 6.34 0.6 0.93 0.97 0.23 0.54 10.06 26.95 0.49 0.125 1.79 1.45 6.03 0.335 0.48 2 0.415 2.06 26.55 2.13 3

15.5 0.79 10.02 2.06 0.75 49.75 2.28 4.72 6.13 0.57 0.88 0.95 0.225 0.385 9.96 25.8 0.47 0.125 1.74 1.41 5.92 0.315 0.455 1.94 0.415 2.01 25.2 2.09 2.99

15.52 0.8 10.6 2.06 0.75 51.5 2.4 4.74 6.33 0.59 0.93 0.96 0.225 0.5 10.06 26.45 0.485 0.125 1.74 1.41 5.95 0.335 0.48 1.97 0.415 2.05 26.2 2.13 2.99

576,800 461,000 5,100 4,000 931,000 15,622,940 3,643,000 184,000 14,900 19,478,000 434,000 39,000 4,480,000 111,490,000 129,800 1,699,800 290,000 10,000 54,584,000 841,000 21,882,800 17,390,000 250,000 3,692,000 10,000 1,229,000 4,697,600 278,000 201,000

8,959,384 365,060 53,650 8,240 703,340 793,817,472 8,861,800 873,880 91,678 11,334,500 400,010 37,350 1,009,120 54,948,200 1,300,828 45,022,530 139,600 1,250 95,726,110 1,191,170 130,219,217 5,689,800 117,000 7,298,630 4,150 2,504,680 123,351,665 585,890 602,700

-532,330 17,380 30,740 83,194,894 317,830 -20,261 -1,721,030 238,500 -549,350 -48,068.00 26,341,630 -9,800 -52,855,790 -22,663,605 -22,450 -140,370 61,500.00 -1,321,485 50,760 -

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SM PRIME HLDG STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

39.9 1.91 6.34 0.72 7.1

39.9 2.08 6.41 0.78 7.14

38.9 1.9 6.29 0.72 7.01

39.05 2.04 6.3 0.72 7.14

7,888,400 3,997,000 136,600 71,000 4,933,300

308,521,325 7,998,330 864,557 51,200 34,980,072

-66,620,865 -117,900 -19,387,669

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

11.32 18.2 1.38 0.43 0.044 21.3 2.89 11.86 0.058 89.1 7.01 6.85 5.8 10.5 2,238 5.37 403 2.23 1.8 148 10.14 6 0.121 6.7 2.95 15.48 4.33 0.87 19.76 0.54 3.6 2.58 2.6 3.13 9.35 5 130.2 3.59 1,230 0.81 0.82 45 75.85 9.15 3.44 0.71 0.385 5.18 0.73 17.1

12.2 18.2 1.38 0.45 0.044 21.3 2.89 11.86 0.058 90.4 7.01 7 5.8 10.6 2,274 5.39 415 2.42 1.86 148.9 10.14 6 0.121 6.95 2.95 15.48 4.39 0.87 19.76 0.55 3.6 2.6 2.64 3.2 9.38 5.1 130.2 3.62 1,238 0.84 0.84 45.5 76.2 9.45 3.55 0.73 0.435 5.25 0.76 17.16

9.55 17.6 1.35 0.425 0.044 20.55 2.81 11.5 0.056 88.5 7 6.7 5.79 10.4 2,172 5.37 403 2.23 1.78 145 10.1 6 0.118 6.35 2.95 15.48 4.17 0.8 19.38 0.53 3.1 2.55 2.38 3.07 9.3 4.77 127 3.49 1,230 0.81 0.81 44.6 74.9 9.15 3.4 0.7 0.375 5.14 0.72 16.5

9.55 17.66 1.35 0.445 0.044 20.55 2.87 11.5 0.056 90 7 6.7 5.79 10.5 2,220 5.37 413.6 2.38 1.86 148.5 10.14 6 0.119 6.39 2.95 15.48 4.3 0.84 19.48 0.53 3.18 2.6 2.39 3.07 9.35 4.95 130 3.55 1,231 0.84 0.83 44.65 76.2 9.22 3.49 0.73 0.405 5.2 0.74 16.62

241,200 490,400 5,000 2,960,000 2,100,000 1,500 376,000 2,096,000 40,520,000 291,210 30,000 2,806,700 29,900 83,800 91,470 151,700 850 5,047,000 54,000 4,532,200 3,400 7,700 5,430,000 19,489,100 4,000 500 1,409,000 1,995,000 869,800 556,000 115,000 1,917,000 3,793,000 202,000 12,100 15,300 501,090 1,967,000 344,285 17,516,000 13,516,000 744,600 788,950 104,100 10,658,000 5,802,000 91,970,000 2,575,100 7,242,000 2,278,200

2,797,318 8,724,316 6,810 1,303,900 92,400 31,575 1,066,490 24,344,690 2,279,530 26,152,615.50 210,012 19,364,089 173,360 879,968 203,127,480 816,312 349,598 11,728,670 ( 96,370 669,432,346 34,460 46,200 645,610 130,997,904 11,800 7,740 6,042,860 1,621,510 16,920,630 299,210 374,400 4,945,560 9,413,300 623,860 113,127 75,603 65,141,474 6,958,700 424,193,825 14,418,050 11,201,340 33,284,755 59,449,916 960,979 37,099,800 4,172,210 37,618,700 13,416,104 5,376,940 38,372,328

5,600 -88,500 -21,300 -11,937,900 7,110,448 21,700 271,181 -95,120 20,269,570 728,389.9997) 238,045,705 64,392 1,281,350 180,440 -6,824,978 129,060 569,670 21,740 23,527,170 -572,970 -125,762,390 373,370 1,269,760 -17,264,695 288,872 2,474,710 380,500 60,950 -3,554,609 8,030 -1,410,276

MINING & OIL ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B 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

0.0019 1.17 2.7 12.34 1.12 2.9 0.285 1.49 0.232 0.111 0.12 0.0074 1.03 2.24 1 0.56 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.02 3.23 7.34 21.8 0.0065

0.0019 1.22 2.7 12.34 1.12 2.95 0.285 1.49 0.233 0.111 0.12 0.0074 1.04 2.24 1.01 0.56 0.9 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.7 3.23 7.36 22 0.0066

0.0019 1.17 2.67 12.34 1.12 2.85 0.28 1.46 0.221 0.111 0.12 0.0073 1.03 2.09 1 0.55 0.88 0.011 0.011 0.01 3.94 2.89 6.95 21.6 0.0065

0.0019 1.2 2.68 12.34 1.12 2.89 0.285 1.48 0.23 0.111 0.12 0.0073 1.04 2.09 1.01 0.55 0.9 0.011 0.011 0.011 4.55 2.89 7.2 22 0.0066

156,000,000 2,146,000 87,000 200 8,000 465,000 410,000 790,000 1,540,000 280,000 60,000 4,000,000 65,000 4,787,000 22,000 49,000 43,000 100,000 1,400,000 12,500,000 2,404,000 1,813,000 5,974,600 632,700 12,000,000

296,400 2,577,960 232,430 2,468 8,960 1,352,220 116,350 1,165,430 346,660 31,080 7,200 29,500 67,450 10,249,530 22,010 27,260 38,050 1,100 15,400 125,600 10,296,070 5,458,290 42,465,419 13,800,130 78,600

-529,280 2,670 -13,810 129,070 -8,004,200 10,000 -11,000 -1,920 -3,785,480 -1,103,997 3,466,540 -

PREFERRED ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 DD PREF FGEN PREF G FPH PREF C GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR HOUSE PREF A LR PREF PCOR PREF 2A PCOR PREF 2B PNX PREF 3B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

17.96 482 97.15 106.5 459.8 490 5.27 96.95 1.01 995 1,008 106.9 75.45 77.7 72.1 74 73.2 73.8

17.96 482 98 106.5 459.8 490 5.27 96.95 1.01 995 1,010 106.9 75.5 77.7 73.95 74 73.8 73.8

17 482 97.15 106.5 459.8 490 5.1 96.95 1.01 995 1,008 105.5 75.45 77.55 72.1 73.95 72.4 73.8

17 482 98 106.5 459.8 490 5.1 96.95 1.01 995 1,010 105.5 75.5 77.55 73.95 73.95 73 73.8

534,700 200 600 4,760 40 30 6,700 330 9,000 300 100 110 10,170 2,000 47,100 13,600 34,240 100

9,106,952 96,400 58,375 506,940 18,392 14,700 34,459 31,993.50 9,090 298,500 100,930 11,619 767,417 155,120.50 3,397,760 1,006,195 2,513,159 7,380

686,050 -50,450 -

WARRANTS LR WARRANT

2.04

2.04

1.97

2.03

242,000

479,110

-

SME ITALPINAS XURPAS

5.05 1.08

5.1 1.1

5 1.02

5 1.02

457,400 11,554,000

2,310,613 12,082,130

64,500 157,420

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS FIRST METRO ETF 120

120

118.8

120

12,400

1,477,811

-158,528

DDS USD DMPL A1 USD DMPL A2 USD TECH B2

10.2 10.2 0.97

10.2 10.2 0.97

10.2 10.2 0.97

8,960 9,000 18,000

91,392 91,800 17,460

-

NAME

MS 10.2 10.2 0.97

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES 9,822,071

INDUSTRIAL

121,471,773

HOLDING FIRMS

101,560,141

PROPERTY

285,266,774

SERVICES

254,644,145

MINING & OIL

208,713,274

GRAND TOTAL

993,501,978

VALUE 1,735.23 (up) 3.28 913,331,054.79 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,796.07 (up) 17.78 2,609,210,834.74 HOLDING FIRMS 7,650.47 (up) 9.24 1,711,412,672.92 PROPERTY 4,369.63 (down) 2.90 1,697.47 (up) 10.05 1,790,530,168.58 SERVICES MINING & OIL 7,100.34 (down) 149.35 1,974,557,327.36 PSEI 8,051.76 (up) 20.78 88,861,272.961 All Shares Index 4,914.12 (up) 6.44 9,103,773,885.35 Gainers: 82; Losers: 104; Unchanged: 52; Total: 238

China Bank raising P5b from maiden bond issue

By Julito G. Rada CHINA Banking Corp., the seventhlargest lender in terms of assets, plans to raise at least P5 billion through its maiden issuance of peso-denominated fixed rate bonds to support expansion and strategic initiatives.

The bank said in a statement to the stock exchange Thursday the public offer period started June 10 to 28, 2019.

The China Bank bonds carry an annual interest rate of 5.70 percent which will be paid on a monthly basis.

The minimum investment is P100,000, with additional placements in increments of P50,000. The bonds have a tenor of 18 months, maturing in January 2021.

“We aim to provide retail investors with a good investment opportunity and enhance public participation in the capital markets while increasing our funding flexibility,” said China Bank chief operating officer Romeo Uyan Jr. HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank are the joint lead arrangers of transaction, while the selling agents are China Bank, China Bank Capital, Amalgamated Investment Bancorporation, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank.

Uyan said the bond issue was part of China Bank’s planned P75-billion fund raising program over the next three years to support expansion.

China Bank’s plan to issue retail bonds or commercial papers is in line with its intention to be an active participant in the ongoing economic expansion of the country and the government’s infrastructure initiatives.

China Bank last year raised P10.25 billion through a public offering of peso-denominated long-term negotiable certificates of time deposits. The China Bank Bonds will be listed on the Philippine Dealing & Exchange platform on July 10, 2019.

The bank posted a 24-percent increase in net income to P1.9 billion in the first quarter 2019, driven by the robust growth of core businesses.

The January-to-March performance translated into a return on equity of 8.42 percent and return on assets of 0.86 percent.

SEC revokes registration of agri company THE Securities and Exchange Commission revoked the registration papers of Organico Agribusiness Ventures Corp. for allegedly engaging in the illegal solicitation of investments from the public.

SEC director Jose Aquino revoked Organico’s certificate of incorporation after the company, which was registered with the SEC on May 8, 2019, misrepresented itself as both an agribusiness company and a seller of investment contracts.

The SEC can revoke a certificate of incorporation if the company was misrepresenting itself that can cause great prejudice or damage to the general public.

The SEC said the company had claimed in its primary purpose that it was authorized to engage in investmentsolicitation activities “through the offering or selling for sale public securities in the form of investment contracts.”

The regulator said Organico’s activities to offer or sell unregistered securities to the public without the corresponding registration or license as a security broker was a misrepresentation.

It said the act constituted “serious misrepresentation as to what the corporation can do to the great prejudice or damage to the general public which is ground for the revocation of a corporation’s primary franchise of certificate of registration.”

An SEC investigation showed that Leyte-based Organico was luring the public to invest at least P18,000 for 10 shares in the company. It promised an investor of P450 for every share for every 15 days, or a total of P2,700 in three months.

The money collected are allegedly invested in the company’s diverse business, which includes organic farming, organic poultry, organic piggery, restaurant serving organic food, telemarketing, music studio and construction.

The SEC said such a scheme constituted the sale and offer of securities, in the form of investment contracts, and required a secondary license from the SEC. Jenniffer B. Austria

World

B3

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019 CESAR BARRIOQUINTO, Editor mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senators question Donald Trump Jr.

IN BRIEF NASA honors mathematicians WASHINGTON―NASA has renamed the street outside its Washington headquarters to honor three black female mathematicians whose pioneering work on the agency’s early space program was chronicled in the film “Hidden Figures”.

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson provided pivotal contributions to space flight research from the 1940s through to the 1960s, when the United States first sent men to orbit and then walk on the Moon.

Despite their achievements, all three had to confront the racial segregation of the era.

They were among dozens of AfricanAmericans, both male and female, who worked as mathematicians and physicists for the US space program, even as they were forced to use separate bathrooms from whites, and were barred from the same restaurants and schools frequented by whites.

The trio’s work was largely forgotten until they were profiled in the book “Hidden Figures” decades later by author Margot Lee Shetterly, later adapted into the 2016 blockbuster of the same name.

Shetterly said the decision to ordain Hidden Figures Way honored “the contributions of unseen individuals who were there at the beginning of the story, and whose persistence and courage have delivered us to where we are today.”

“These female mathematicians were doing the heavy lifting in aeronautical research and many, many other fields long before those chunks of electronic circuitry became the defining feature of our life and work,” she said at a Wednesday ceremony outside NASA. In 2015 US President Barack Obama gave Johnson, who is now 100, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.

Jackson and Vaughan died in 2005 and 2008 respectively. AFP

FESTIVAL. A general view of the atmosphere during the 2019 Maui Film Festival’s Taste of Summer on June 12 in Wailea, Hawaii. AFP

Global pressure growing over HK’s extradition bill H ONG KONG―Hong Kong was facing international pressure Thursday over a divisive extradition bill that sparked violent protests, as a top legal body said police tactics to clear demonstrators may have been unlawful.

Police used rubber bullets and tear gas to break up crowds Wednesday after demonstrators―angry over legislation they say would leave people vulnerable to China’s politicized justice system― blocked roads and brought the city to a standstill.

The European Union called for the “fundamental right” of Hong Kongers to assemble and express themselves to be respected as it became the latest grouping to add its voice to a growing chorus of criticism of the bill.

The EU “shares many of the concerns raised by citizens of Hong Kong regarding the government’s proposed extradition reforms”, it said.

The bloc said the proposed law had “potentially far-reaching consequences for Hong Kong and its people, for EU and foreign citizens, as well as for business confidence in Hong Kong”.

Demonstrators who surrounded the city’s Legislative Council―its government-on Wednesday forced a postponement of the next reading of the bill.

But Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing leader Carrie Lam has shown no signs of backing down, and said the protests were “organized riots”.

Wednesday’s violence left 79 people hurt, with two in serious condition, in the worst political unrest since Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997.

Although most of the protesters appeared to have melted away Thursday, a

defiant group of a few hundred gathered in a central park and chanted abuse at a line of police.

As police started to pack away some of the barricades, some young people returned to help clear up the mess, with umbrellas, water bottles and assorted rubbish littering the streets where protesters had squared off against police the day before.

Activists remained vocal on social media and online groups, however, vowing to be back for more protests in the future.

The police have faced criticism from a range of influential bodies including lawmakers, journalists and legal groups, with calls for an independent inquiry into “excessive force” from one legal committee.

The Hong Kong Bar Association said the police “may well have overstepped its lawful powers” with “wholly unnecessary force against largely unarmed protesters who did not appear to pose any immediate threat to the police or the public”.

Tensions remained high across the city on Thursday, with some small scuffles between protesters and police and several hundred demonstrators gathering in a central park and facing off against a line of police.

Students, democracy campaigners, religious groups and business representatives in the semi-autonomous territory have spoken out against the extradition bill.AFP

Police face brutality claims after clashes in Hong Kong HONG KONG-Their motto has been “Asia’s Finest” since colonial times, but videos of Hong Kong police beating unarmed protesters have fueled public anger and sparked accusations of brutality.

Tens of thousands of demonstrators occupying city streets scattered when police used tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets and bean bag rounds on Wednesday.

Police insisted the force was necessary to fend off protesters throwing bricks and metal bars.

But critics said officers used localized violence by small groups of hardcore activists to launch an unprecedented operation against the much larger mass of peaceful protesters who had taken over parts of the city on Wednesday.

Criticism of police tactics poured in Thursday as videos of the clashes went viral.

The Hong Kong Bar Association slammed the “deployment of wholly unnecessary force against largely unarmed protesters who did not appear to pose any immediate threat to the police or the public at large.”

The group said the police “may well have over-stepped its lawful powers in maintaining public order.”

An influential legal group on a committee that elects Hong Kong’s leader called for an independent inquiry into what it said was “excessive use of force” by officers.

The clashes were broadcast live throughout the day on news networks while activists have been sharing multiple clips of officers using extreme force.

In one Apple Daily clip filmed at Wednesday’s protests, a young woman who falls to the floor while running away is hit by at least four riot police with batons, while one brings his plastic riot shield crashing down on her.

In another, a man sitting on a wall is approached by riot police, with whom he is seen exchanging a few words before they spray pepper repeatedly into his face at close range.

A third online clip shows several policemen slam a protester holding a box of water bottles to the ground, where several kneel on him to hold him down until he releases his phone. AFP

WASHINGTON―Donald Trump Jr. wrapped up a return interview Wednesday with US lawmakers who questioned him about his contacts with Russians, with the president’s eldest son dismissing concerns he may have perjured himself in his 2017 testimony.

The 41-year-old appeared relaxed as he emerged from a three-hour closeddoor session with the Senate Intelligence Committee as part of the Republican-led panel’s two-year investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election.

Trump Jr, who helms the Trump Organization collection of businesses that his real estate billionaire father ran for decades, earlier told reporters there was “nothing to correct” from his previous comments to the committee.

After his interview, he maintained he had been consistent.

“I don’t think I changed anything of what I said because there was nothing to change,” Trump Jr said. “I’m glad that this is finally over (and) we’re able to put some final clarity on that.”

Asked if he was worried about perjury, Trump Jr responded: “Not at all.”

Trump Jr likely faced questioning about his role in arranging a Trump Tower meeting in June 2016 that included his father’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, thencampaign manager Paul Manafort, and a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

“If it’s what you say, I love it,” Trump Jr had written in response to a 2016 email offering the information in a meeting.

Some Democrats suspect Trump Jr may have lied in previous testimony in 2017 about what he and his father knew about the now-infamous meeting, as well as other connections between the Trump campaign and Russia.

The Trump team had initially tried to cover up the meeting, providing conflicting stories about its purpose and what happened. AFP

MAYNILA, PILIPINAS

PUBLIC ADVISORY Date: 14 June 2019

BSP REMINDS THE PUBLIC OF THE DEADLINES FOR FILING OF APPLICATIONS FOR REGISTRATION OF INWARD INVESTMENTS The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is reminding the public that pursuant to Sections 36.4 and 36.5 of the Manual of Regulations on Foreign Exchange Transactions (FX Manual), as amended, all applications of a non-resident investor for registration of new/additional inward investments (Annex W of the FX Manual) under Section 36.1 thereof, shall be filed with the BSP, through the International Operations Department (IOD), within a prescriptive period of one (1) year.

The reckoning date/s for said one (1) year prescriptive period are as follows: Funding

Reckoning Date (As applicable)

A. In cash 1. Inward remittance of foreign exchange (FX) 2. Constructive remittance of FX funding to a resident’s account (i.e., FX funding credited to offshore FX account of resident investee firm/intended beneficiary/ onshore bank without actual inward remittance of FX but such funding is booked onshore as investment in the records of the investee firm) 3. FX payments made offshore between non-residents for transfer of onshore investments 4. Peso balance of non-resident investor’s onshore peso deposit account and interim peso deposit account 5. Reinvestment of peso divestment/sales proceeds or related earnings from onshore investment 6. Conversion of liability (e.g., foreign loan/bonds/notes/ obligation) to investment (e.g., equity) 7. Exercise of conversion rights to underlying shares [e.g., under Philippine Depositary Receipts (PDRs)] B. In kind 1. Heavy Equipment and Machinery/ Inventories/Raw Materials/Supplies/Spare Parts/Furniture/Personal Properties/Motor Vehicle/Sea Vessel/Aircraft including other tangible assets from abroad Funding 2. Intangible assets [e.g., intellectual property rights (IPR)]

3. Stock and/or property dividends accruing from onshore investments 4. Shares

C. Others not falling under Items A and B

• Date of: (i) actual funding of (e.g., inward remittance of FX); or (ii) payment for, the investment; or • Date of: (i) effectivity of Deed of Transfer/Assignment/Sale; or (ii) exercise of rights; or (iii) other covering agreement/ equivalent document relative to the investment • Date of: (i) actual divestment/sales proceeds; or (ii) effect ivi ty of co ve ring divi dend decl aration/equiva lent document (e.g., dividend declaration); or (iii) payment for the investment

Date of: (i) actual transfer of assets to the Philippines (e.g., date of Bureau of Customs Import Entry Declaration); or (ii) payment for investment Reckoning Date (As applicable) Date of: (i) effectivity of Deed of Transfer/ Assignment/Sale; or (ii) other covering agreement/equivalent document relative to the investment Date of: (i) dividend declaration; or (ii) effectivity of equivalent document (e.g., Board/ Stockholders’ Resolution) Date of: (i) effectivity of Deed of Transfer/ Assignment/Sales; or (ii) other covering agreement/equivalent document relative to the investment Date of: (i) actual funding; or (ii) transfer of assets to the Philippines; or (iii) payment for the investment (either in cash or in kind)

In case the investment requires regulatory/board/other government agency clearance/approval/action, the reckoning date shall be based on the date of such clearance/approval/action.

For investments that are existing/unregistered as of the effectivity of Circular No. 1030 (amending the FX Manual) on 8 March 2019, applications for registration of these investments may be filed with the BSP, through IOD, within the grace period of one (1) year, from 8 March 2019 to 7 March 2020, regardless of the date of funding.

The list of supporting documents/requirements for the registration of inward investments may be found in Appendix 10.C of the FX Manual.

Applications for registration of investments filed within the applicable period provided above shall be free of charge.

For those applications filed beyond the applicable period, a processing fee shall be assessed as indicated in Appendix 20 of the FX Manual. In case the last day of the applicable period falls on a non-working day or a non-working holiday, applications may be filed on the next working day.

The FX Manual as well as its annexes and appendices may be downloaded from the BSP website at: http://www.bsp.gov.ph/downloads/Regulations/MORFXT/MORFXT.pdf http://www.bsp.gov.ph/downloads/Regulations/MORFXT/MORFXT-faas.zip

FOR INQUIRIES Please contact the International Operations Department: Email: iod@bsp.gov.ph • Web: www.bsp.gov.ph Telephone: (632) 708-7107 • Facsimile no.: (632) 306-3091

LGUs

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

B4

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

INDEPENDENCE DAY SCENES. The Philippine flag is raised by members of the Philippine National Police as Speaker Gloria Macapagal Arroyo joins local officials of Bulacan led by Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado and Malolos City Mayor Christian D. Natividad in the 121st Independence Day ceremony in front of the historic Barasoain Church in Malolos on Wednesday. Elsewhere, the facade of SM City Marikina is lit up in the colors of the flag—a radiant blue, yellow, and red (top right photo)—while in nearby SM City San Mateo, mall manager Lorna Alfonso-Paderon joins Rizal provincial board members Omie Rivera, Ato Rivera, mall employees and student scouts from FEU-Roosevelt College while all dressed in Filipiniana as they joined the country’s freedom day celebrations. Orlan Mauricio, Norman Cruz and Manny Palmero

Makati cop lauded for Good Samaritan act THE National Capital Region Police Office has commended a Makati City cop, who acted as guardian to a Grade 7 student, enabling her to enroll in a public school in Makati City.

NCRPO chief, Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Tuesday personally visited Angela Perez, a student of General Pio Del Pilar National High School, who reportedly asked Police Corporal Claro Fornis of the Makati Police Community Precinct 1 to act as her guardian being one of the mandatory requirements during her enrollment, considering that both of her parents are in jail due to a drug case.

Eleazar praised Fornis for the commendable act he rendered for Angela.

“I read the article about it in the newspaper and I was touched by the effort done by PCpl Fornis and for that being the father of the NCRPO, I said these acts should be recognized,” the Metro Manila top cop said.

“The public may not see these simple good deeds of the police officers because sometimes, these are not newsworthy. But if we look into it closely, police officers have families too and we can always relate ourselves to it because one of the core values of the PNP is being pro-people,” Eleazar stressed.

Eleazar surprised Angela with school supplies as a gift for the school year while the NCRPO Regional Health Service will look into her medical condition since she is suffering from thyroid cancer. PNA

75 Leyte Landing rites set th

T

ACLOBAN CITY—Preparations are underway for the 75th Leyte Landing anniversary on Oct. 20 with the national government leading the activity backed by the local government.

Leyte Gov. Leopoldo Dominico Petilla said Thursday the provincial government expects President Rodrigo Duterte and other key officials to grace the occasion, since the national government is this year’s host in commemorating the historic event that liberated the country from Japanese invasion.

“Release of budget meant to upgrade the MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park has been delayed, but officials from the national and local gov-

ernments were able to find ways to push for the rehabilitation project in time for the anniversary,” Petilla told reporters on Wednesday.

The central government leads the preparation through the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, Department of Tourism—Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, and the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office.

The memorial park located in Can-

dahug village in Palo town and facing the Leyte Gulf was badly damaged by Super Typhoon “Yolanda” in 2013.

Improvement activities in the park started in December last year and include landscaping, construction of a view deck, amphitheater, and visitor center across the park, as well as improvement of the lights and sound system.

This is the first improvement and beautification of the MacArthur Park after 25 years.

One of the structures in the memorial park that is undergoing rehabilitation is the Eternal Flame built for the 50th Leyte Landing commemoration. The Eternal Flame features solidarity mes-

Joy: Pro-LGBT governance to continue in QC

By Rio N. Araja

6 robbery gang members slain in Pampanga Benguet town mulls over ban on cigarette sale

NEW CLASSROOMS. Navotas City has gained 20 more classrooms following the completion of two new school buildings at Dagat-dagatan Elementary School and Tanza Elementary School. Brothers Rep. Toby Tiangco and Mayor John Rey Tiangco recently led the inauguration of both four-story buildings. Jun David

By Jess Malabanan

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga—Six alleged members of a robbery gang believed operating in Pampanga and other areas in Central Luzon were gunned down by the police following a running gunbattle in separate places in Apalit and Bacolor towns at dawn Thursday.

Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, director of the Pampanga Provincial Police Office, said all the slain suspects have yet to be identified, as police investigators found no identification on them.

Fajardo said four of the suspects barged inside the Alfamart convenience store at Barangay San Vicente in Apalit town and at gunpoint announced a hold-up. They fled after scooping the money stashed at the cashiers booth.

The suspects, Fajardo said, were on board a red Toyota Innova (plate number NCF 409) when spotted by lawmen heading towards Macabebe town. The group was cornered along Timoteo Road, sitio Dudurut-Paligue at Barangay Colgante past 4 a.m.

sages of leaders of countries involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf during World War II led by the United States against Japanese forces.

Additional improvement of the park includes the construction of a two-story building for coconut juice vendors located a few meters away from MacArthur Park.

Pathways will be constructed along the tree park for people to enjoy walking under its shade.

A small bridge will also connect the Leyte Oriental Hotel and McArthur Park to give easy access to hotel guests who wanted to visit the memorial park. PNA

SABLAN, Benguet—The Municipal Advisory Council here has approved a resolution urging the Sangguniang Bayan to enact an ordinance on the total ban of the sale of cigarettes in the town, an official said Thursday.

Outgoing mayor and Vice Mayor-elect Arthur Baldo said the MAC’s action was based on reports that some students in the municipality are seen smoking near school premises even during class hours.

The MAC is composed of the mayor, vice mayor, a representative from the

legislative body, academe, senior citizen, women’s group, church leaders, youth, business sector, and non-government organizations.

MAC is an advisory body serving as partners of the Sablan police as an overseer of the implementation of the Philippine National Police Integrated Transformation Program-Performance Government System.

Baldo said Sablan is a recipient of the Red Orchid award. As early as 2017, Sablan has consistently bagged the re-

gional award, making it a Hall of Fame awardee with the towns of Lamut and Hungduan in Ifugao.

The annual DOH Red Orchid award seeks to recognize smoke-free offices of local government units, line agencies, government-run hospitals DOHmanaged centers for health development and jail facilities that implement a smoke-free policy.

Baldo said they received the award for diligently implementing the No Smoking Ordinance. PNA

IN LINE with Pride Month, Quezon City Mayor-elect Joy Belmonte on Thursday promised to continuation a gender-responsive governance through comprehensive gender and development programs and projects supporting the lesbian, gays, bisexual, and transgender community.

“In the new administration, we will definitely continue our commitment to making Quezon City a safe space that respects the rights of all people,” Belmonte said.

The city government shall continue to “institutionalize laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and that penalize harassment of any kind,” she noted.

“I think it’s important that we highlight the programs of Quezon City in this regard because, to me, the celebration of Pride Month is a call to local government leaders to take action,” the Mayor-elect said.

“When we say we are proud and that we respect the members of the LGBT community, it shouldn’t end with this month or with the upcoming Pride March. It’s an ongoing commitment to create programs and implement laws that support the cause,” she added.

The 2019 Metro Manila Pride March will take place on June 29.

Shellfish banned as red tide alert up in Samar’s Irong-Irong Bay TACLOBAN CITY—The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources regional office here has imposed a shellfish ban in Irong-Irong Bay in Samar due to the presence of toxic microorganisms that trigger red tide phenomenon.

BFAR Eastern Visayas Regional Director Juan Albaladejo said water samples collected along the bay

in Catbalogan City and Tarangnan, Samar are positive of Pyrodinium bahamense variety compressum, a microorganism that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning or PSP. The fisheries bureau did the initial test on June 10. Samples were sent to BFAR Central Marine Biotoxin Laboratory in Metro Manila for confirmation.

“To safeguard human lives while waiting for the result of the confirmatory test of shellfish samples sent to our main office, we are issuing this warning as precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish,” Albaladejo said in a mobile phone interview Thursday.

The fisheries bureau also banned the

trading and consumption of Acetes sp. locally known as “alamang” harvested from the bay to avoid possible shellfish poisoning.

PSP occurs mostly from ingesting bivalve shellfish (such as mussels, oysters, and clams) that contain toxins which can cause severe and life-threatening neurological effects. PNA

Life

Bernadette Lunas, Issue Editor manilastandardlife@gmail.com @manilastandardlife

culture and media

@MStandardLife friday, june 14, 2019

c1

MosCow Ballet la ClassIque

performs swan lake in Manila

W

oRLd-RenoWned Moscow Ballet “La Classique” and Bolshoi ballet stars Alexander Volchkov and nina Kaptsova are taking the stage of the new Frontier theater in Araneta Center today until June 22 for “swan Lake.”

Choreographed by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, the Moscow Ballet company’s production of tchaikovsky’s “swan Lake” is accompanied by the Russian symphony orchestra, under the baton of conductor Yaroslav tkalenko.

Founded in 1990 by its current director, erik Melikov, Moscow Ballet “La Classique” has thrilled ballet lovers during hugely successful tours of egypt, Morocco, France, spain, Italy, Austria, norway, Israel, thailand, taiwan, China, Japan, Australia, new Zealand, and the UK. It is composed of dancers from leading theaters in Moscow, st. Petersburg, Perm, saratov, and other cities in Russia and the CIs countries. the company repertoire includes “swan Lake,” “the nutcracker,” “the sleeping Beauty,” “La Bayadere,” “Romeo and Juliette,” “Giselle,” and “don Quixote,” among many other productions.

Volchkov and Kaptsova are principal dancers of the Bolshoi Ballet Company.

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet and Ticketworld outlets.

Go to www.ticketnet.com.ph or www.ticketworld.com.ph or RUSSIAN BALLET. Moscow Ballet 'La Classique' and Bolshoi Ballet Company stars Alexander Volchkov and Nina Kaptsova is performing 'Swan Lake' on the New call (02) 911-5555 or 891-9999 for ticket reservations.

Frontier Theater stage today until June 22.

Cabie’s sonnets: Insights on the world within, without

By Paul Blanco Zafaralla

Cabie, in his volume of 180 sonnets which covered 104 days (June 14, 2003 – september 25, 2003), proved once more that his creative juice can never run dry.

After all, the world within and without can alre ways pulsate with both abstract and concrete realities waiting to be given shape and substance only the creative artist could best articulate.

As a journalist, Cabie writes about breaking events which are timely; and, as a poet, makes them timeless. the juice squeezed deepens and widens man’s experience of the world within and without, in toto. And man is the better for it. this volume presents the sonnets chronologidemon cally—not thematically—the better to demonstrate the workings of the poet’s eyes, heart, ears, and mind within the set time frame.

A sonnet, technically defined, is “(a) poem of 14 decasyllabic or (rarely) octosyllabic lines, originally composed of an octave and a sestet, properly expressing two successive phases of a single thought or sentiment.” (Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary, 1974).

Yes and no. Yes because a sonnet, more than its technical definition, expresses a thought or a sentiment. And no because a sonnet expresses not just a single thought, but a series of thoughts leading to universals as well as sentiments toward such universals.

And this is where a sonnet becomes class-less and culture-free—a clear, curt, and concise elucidation of humanity and the global village. this is where the 180 sonnets of Honor Blanco s sonnet 5929, the first entry, opens with these lines: Cabie contained in his book (his 12th) titled Rhymes would i indeed i had some sturdy wings and Roses mark their collective identity as the sonthat i could scour, despite the rains, the sky neteer’s concept of humanity in the large.

'Rhymes and Roses,' a volume of 180 and there be with the pow’r that only kings Rita Gadi, former editor in chief of The Phil- sonnets by Honor Blanco Cabie. and potentates can have – I would be high. ippine Chronicle, says: “(Honor Blanco Cabie’s) words have taken the journey and may well be on the way towards the visuals are clear: Wings, rains, sky. they become metaphors the moment when they become his blood, his glance and gesture, indistinguishable from what he is as a person… and at those very of ambition, blessings and expansive aspirations that not “only kings rare hours, when the words arise… they do go forth from there with and potentates can have”—but which the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the now invisible but ever present Pow’r, can grant. a life of their own to inhabit the pages we read here.” nikka Cleofe-Alejar, broadcaster, announces with words: “Reading the last two lines run, thus: Rhymes and Roses allowed me to plunge deeper into his persona and i have my strength but wish that sturdier wings psyche. His thoughts are equally nostalgic and practical, observant and kind, lyrical and graphic, bringing this reader to depths and heights that were mine, that i can strum the happiest strings. wax philosophical. Rhymes and Roses is a refreshing read.” the penultimate line recognizes one’s weakness despite one’s And Vim nadera coined the most apt word for Honor Blanco Castrength before the one who gives “sturdier wings.” Clearly, humilbie’s sonnets: “Honnets.” the kind reader, we are sure, can fully understand us for reprint- ity overrules hubris, in the end. sundays are rest days, with God Himself setting the paradigm ing our introduction to Rhymes and Roses, with the tacit approval of the sonneteer who won first prize in the 16th World Congress of for mankind. But the journalist’s job, his mistress, is so demanding that he must do his thing even on such a holy day. And here lies the Poets in 2000, among many distinctions.

Creative juice can be continuous and endless: Life’s prismic re- tampuhan between two four-letter words: work, home. alities become a resultant experience. this maxim, held awesome on June 22, 2003, Honor wrote his sonnet 5950: among artists through the ages, proceeds from two sources: the a sunday but beyond my nose bridge lies world within and without. the outlets: eyes, heart, ears, mind.

a most seductive mistress of a job that has enslaved for years my mind and eyes to many nights i couldn’t weave nor bob. it is this job that often takes my goat in moments i most need my household coat. news stories, newspaper columns including editorial cartoons have not escaped Cabie’s eyes from which thoughts are shaped that flirt with the transcendental. And he jots down his creative juice anywhere: aboard a jeepney on his way to work, “along a less travelled highway,” canteens, classrooms or newsroom of nBn, five-star hotel room or lobby, snack bar by the road, etc., regardless of time and clime. sonnet 6072 is replete with one man’s history, from which can be gleaned the history of the early Filipinos (mostly Ilocanos) who picked pineapples in Hawaii and oranges in California “in the first quarter of the 20th century.” the second stanza: i’m sure he would no longer ask for more while on the mound he’d sweep the fields that brought him many a treasured mem’ry, cherished lore, the furrowed fields that helped him buy his coat. the man Cabie is referring to is his father, Bernardo Cabralda Cabie who, together with his cousin tito Cabralda Zafaralla, my father, braved the elements in Hawaii where they held their chins up before the white and yellow people, including the big-bodied Kanakas. (tata Bernardo also upheld his brown race in California).

Cabie generally broke away from established rhyming in western sonnets. the Petrarchan/Italian abbaabba cdecde is ignored; while the shakespearean abab cdcd efef gg is observed in some, ignored in most. Clearly the poet is focused more on content than on form: the former is eternal; the latter is ephemeral.

While the poet strictly followed the 14-line sonnets of the western sonneteers, he again ignored the decasyllabic lines of shakespeare, for instance, in favor of 11, sometimes 12 syllables per line.

Whichever, the entry of visuals and metaphors, flow of ideas, effusion of feelings, textures, tones—in a word the “works”—are unhampered. these sonnets, which count among the few (out of thousands) that ondoy failed to flood away in september 2009, are worth keeping in any library. Reason: they present fresh insights on the world within and without.

C2

Entertainment

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

nickie.standard@gmail.com

Pia Wurtzbach leads

‘One Ginebra Nation’ tour

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach. (Inset) the beauty queen with basketball legend Robert Jaworski (2nd from left) and Ginebra ambassadors Sue Ramirez and Alex Calleja during the World Gin day celebration.

By Eton Concepcion

M

ISS Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Ginebra San Miguel Calendar Girl 2019, graced the recent One Ginebra Nation: A Testament to 185 years of Ginebra San Miguel event coinciding with the celebration of World Gin Day at Seda Vertis North, Quezon City.

Wurtzbach, ever gorgeouslooking in red dress, enjoined the Ginebra-loving Filipinos to visit the OneGinebraNation.com website to learn about why Ginebra has become part of the Filipino’s way of life for nearly two centuries.

“You’ll get to know a collection of interesting trivia, like for example, I learned that the image in the bottle of

St. Michael the Archangel vanquishing the devil, was actually a work done by the famous national artist and painter Fernando Amorsolo,” Wurtzbach explained.

The story of Ginebra San Miguel culture and tradition began on March 10, 1834, from humble beginnings in a small distillery in Quiapo, Manila.

The first-ever gin in the Philippines,

Ginebra was initially produced to cater to the affluent and colonial elite of Manila and later shared with other wealthy Filipinos. It became the most sought-after liquor drink by Filipinos by the late 19th century, growing in demand as it became more affordable to the working class Filipinos.

Ginebra San Miguel has been a witness to the changes that shaped and

defined the Philippines. It has withstood the test of time, the changes that shaped Philippine history, from the Spanish war to the American colonization and Japanese invasion during World War II. Wurtzbach, together with GSM Blue endorser Sue Ramirez and GSM Premium Gin ambassador Alex Calleja, prepared elevated Ginebra San Miguel drink mixes with the world-

class mixologists. Kalel Demetrio paid tribute to Luzon with his Kamias-gin concoction while Enzo Lim created the Carabao cocktail concocted with sweet mangoes. Miss Saigon revival alumnus Gerald Santos performed at the One Ginebra Nation musical show chronicling the 185 years of Ginebra San Miguel with award-winning director Ramil Rodriguez.

‘Stand for Truth’ hit among netizens

From left: Jun Godornes - World Vision Resource Development Director, Rommel Fuerte— World Vision Executive Director, and JJ Dolor—World Vision Ambassador with his family.

‘The Lion King’ musical child actor new World Vision ambassador TWELVE-YEAR-OLD stage actor Julien Joshua “JJ” Millanes Dolor, was recently introduced as World Vision’s newest and youngest ambassador for children in the Philippines.

Dolor captivated many-a-heart and followers with his highly acclaimed portrayal of “Young Simba” in the hit Disney musical classic The Lion King, produced by Cassel Group in association with Disney Theatrical Productions, which successfully toured in Asia including the Philippines and the gala premier in Singapore last 2018.

Inspired by World Vision’s work for fellow children, Dolor offers his passion and influence as a platform to inspire thousands of Filipino children through World Vision‘s work and advocacy.

“It is in my heart to help. A lot of kids nowadays belong to broken families.

Through World Vision, I want to let them know how much Jesus loves them.

I hope to be God’s instrument of change in their lives,” shared Dolor.

Signing the agreement with World Vision leaders as the new Celebrity Ambassador for Children last May 27, Dolor is hoped to fit the bill as a credible champion and voice for fellow children,

especially those living in vulnerable and poor conditions in the country. World Vision, for more than 60 years, has been committed to uplift thousands of lives through its community-based programs touching on improving the children’s well being.

“We are excited to have JJ Dolor as our Ambassador for the children. We are grateful for his commitment to support us in various projects that will bless the children in our communities,” said Precious Basco, donor care manager of World Vision in the Philippines.

Born and raised in Davao, Dolor believes that this milestone happened for a reason. In a recent interview with a local daily paper, Dolor shared his thoughts, “Whatever talent that God gives you, use it to glorify Him. Thanks to my parents who always reminded me that it is never about me or my talent, but it is always about God’s purposes for me.”

World Vision Philippines, through its Ambassadorship program, aims to widen its reach and influence so that more will be involved in making a difference in the lives of today’s generation—one child, one community at a time.

BARELY two months since its launch, Stand for Truth (SFT) is already changing the landscape of online news reporting—serving cutting-edge, data driven content that has become a hit among millennial viewers.

Stand for Truth stories are averaging 400,000 combined views every single day on GMA News’ Facebook page, with several stories racking up over a million views. One of its most viewed stories was that of Google restricting a particular mobile phone brand access to its Android operating system. The story has 1.5 million views on Facebook as of this writing. On YouTube, one of its viral stories was a dwarf allegedly caught in a mobile phone photograph, reaching 1.3 million views.

Stand for Truth is anchored by multi-awarded documentarist, writer, photographer, and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) advocate Atom Araullo. He is joined by GMA resident political analyst Richard Heydarian and Kapuso personality Joyce Pring.

A product of an innovation grant from online video platform YouTube, Stand for Truth features reports by the young and for the young while continuing the legacy and the principles of the GMA newsroom.

From day one, the newscast has been

‘Stand for Truth’ young reporters

transparent to feedback. On its pilot airing, Atom and Richard opened the newscast by acknowledging the comments they received—even reading the negative remarks from netizens.

Richard has earned the attention of netizens with his bold analyses on issues such as the President’s rape jokes, the Chinese Debt Trap and the West Philippine Sea. These issues are made easier to understand by infographics created by GMA News Online’s Digital Video Lab.

‘Stand for Truth’ anchors Richard Heydarian, Atom Araullo, and Joyce Pring

Meanwhile, SFT reporters— namely Bhea Docyogen, Anthony Esguerra, Asmarie Labao, Shai Lagarde, Ardo Miravalles, Darwin Quirino, Manal Sugadol, Larize Lee, Eduard Farina, and Jerald Uy—after being trained to produce reports with very short lead time, are now producing longform documentaries, all shot just on mobile cameras. Shai, in particular, stood out immediately and was already tapped to report for the GMA News TV news magazine program Brigada.

Stand For Truth is produced by GMA Public Affairs, another aspect that differentiates it from other newscasts.

Whether they are at home or on the road, younger viewers are making Stand for Truth their nightly viewing habit.

Proof that while technology continues to revolutionize the way information is consumed, the tenets of journalism remains the same—to uphold the truth in every story.

The 20-minute news program is livestreamed, from Monday to Friday at 8:30 p.m. via GMA News Facebook page and GMA Public Affairs YouTube channel.

Marvel fan sets record for watching ‘Avengers’ film 110 times

Marvel fan Agusto Alanis (right) shows off his 110th ‘Avengers Endgame’ movie ticket

A MARVEL fan in the United States is doing his part to help Avengers: Endgame become the highest grossing movie in history—he’s seen the superhero blockbuster a whopping 110 times, possibly setting a new Guinness record.

“I work 10 hours, watch end game two times on weekdays at least six hours,” said Agustin Alanis in a message on Twitter on Monday that was accompanied by a picture of himself and a theater attendant holding his 110th ticket stub for the movie.

Alanis’ feat beats another record set last year

by Anthony Mitchell, who saw Avengers: Infinity War 103 times, which got him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records and a trip to the Endgame set.

Alanis, who lives in Florida, has been chronicling his trips to see the movie on Twitter, posting a picture of himself at each viewing with his ticket stub.

The latest mega-blockbuster from Marvel Studios has earned a worldwide total of $2.732 billion at the box office so far, putting it within range of beating Avatar, which raked in $2.788 billion to become the highest-grossing movie of

all time.

The hugely-anticipated Avengers seriesender earned a staggering $1.2 billion on its opening weekend at the end of April and has since continued its massive box office run.

Industry watchers, however, say the movie has begun to lose steam with viewers and may end up in the number two spot for the foreseeable future—possibly until an eventual re-release.

That’s unless more fans like Alanis make it their duty to ensure Endgame snatches the title from Avatar. AFP

Motoring

FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

C3

Vespa-enthusiasts or Vespisti have grown into a legion.

FOR THE LOVE OF VESPA • Vespa World Days 2019 draws 5,000 from 40 nations Txt and photo by Lester Dizon

T

he thirteenth edition of Vespa World Days has come to a close in Zanka, Hungary. This is the most important global gathering of Vespa Clubs which attracts Vespa enthusiasts from all over the world every year.

On the shores of Balaton Lake, it was three days of friendship, adventure and love for the most famous scooter in the world, a true symbol of Italian technology, elegance and style in the world.

More than 3,500 Vespa paraded through the streets of Zanka in every version and from every era, thanks to the 5,000 “Vespisti” in attendance who came from 40 different nations to represent as many National Vespa Clubs from all over Europe, Hong Kong, Canada, Israel, Japan, Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

The Vespa World Days are held every year under the auspices of the Vespa World Club, which

was established in 2006 and was the successor to the Vespa Club d’Europe and later the Fédération Internationale des Vespa Clubs.

Today, Vespa World Days represents the celebration of the legendary Vespa, the unique scooter capable of transcending its function as an easy-to-ride and elegant two-wheeled daily commuter, which has become a truly international brand that embodies the universal values of youth, style and liberty.

Built entirely in steel from the beginning, all Vespa models— from the first 1946 98cc scooter up to the current Primavera and GTS models—have all weathered the test of time, with millions still

on the road all over the world, and inspiring the phenomenon of Vespa Clubs and various associations. Restored, cared for and pampered, millions of Vespas have become beloved objects today, often passed down from father to son.

A Cultural Phenomenon In almost seventy years of its existence, the Vespa has not only become the most popular and best-selling scooter in the world with more than 18 million units sold in five continents, but it has also established itself as a cultural phenomenon, uniting entire generations from countries and continents far from one another in a common passion.

The Vespa scooter and the love for it by its legions of fans were practically born together, so much so that many owners formed associations as early as 1946, the year the scooter was launched.

That’s how the first Vespa Clubs came into existence. There are now no less than 49 National Vespa Clubs associated with the Vespa World Club, which bring together thousands of members in every nation.

Ride-sharing with Suzuki Ciaz

Many TNVS drivers attest to the capability of the Ciaz.

THE country’s pioneer compact car distributor reinforces its presence in the transport network vehicle service ecosystem to help address the need of Filipino commuters and drivers with the Suzuki Ciaz.

Ride sharing continues to be seen as one solution to the traffic situation in the metro. With its combined fuel efficiency, space and comfort, Suzuki’s popular subcompact sedan is sure to bring Filipinos to their destination safely and conveniently, definitely the Suzuki Way of Life.

Designed for great driving performance, Suzuki Ciaz is the reliable partner on the road, be it for personal use or for ride-sharing.

Running on a refined K14B engine, the Ciaz has a lightweight and aerodynamic body for enhanced efficiency. Adding to it

is its roomy and ergonomically designed interior that ensures a comfortable ride for both driver and passenger.

Sleek multimedia unit and wireless connectivity make for superior entertainment while on the road.

Preloaded applications such as Waze help in navigating unfamiliar routes or tracking new areas, providing accurate directions to reach the target destination much faster.

Picking up and driving for passengers with luggage and boxes is not a challenge. Suzuki Ciaz has a roomy cabin luggage capacity of 495 liters, enough to fit bags and boxes for travel or simply transporting from the mall or grocery.

Danny Dimaranan, a TNVS driver for years now, can attest to these benefits as he shared, “I got high ratings because of the comfort

that the Suzuki Ciaz gives.” Adding to it, “Economy wise, for this kind of job, this is really far from the fuel consumption from the other cars that I have owned before.”

Worry-free ownership SPH makes it even easier to join the robust ride-sharing ecosystem in the Philippines and drive a brand new TNVS vehicle with Suzuki Ciaz.

From June 1 to 30, 2019, a purchase of the Suzuki Ciaz will come with either a one-year free PMS or 20K mileage, valid from the release date of the vehicle until August 30, 2020 in all authorized Suzuki dealership nationwide.

The maintenance package covers the three variants, namely GL Manual Transmission, GL Automatic Transmission and the Premium GLX, and comes with free labor from any dealerships.

‘Olympians’ in Isuzu’s midst • Service Skills Olympics staging point for world tilt SUZU Philippines Corporation held its Isuzu Service Skills Olympics last June 1 at IPC Plant at the Laguna Technopark in Binan, Laguna. On its 14th year, ISSO has been competitive and was definitely a fierce one as each participant evidently did not hold back in showcasing their skills and knowledge in service.

The day’s proceedings started early morning with the assembly and parade of the 75 participants from 25 Isuzu dealers. Each participating dealer is equivalent to one team which is composed of three “Olympians”—a service technician, a service advisor, and a parts staff.

IPC President Hajime Koso congratulated the participants for being the chosen representatives of their respective Isuzu dealers. In his welcome remarks, he said, “Today, you are also called ‘Olympians’, because you represent the best of our dealership networks, and I predict that you will exceed your own expectations. After this local staging, the world is waiting,” Koso said, referring to Isuzu World Technical Competitions where IPC’s Team Pilipinas, comprised of the winners of the ISSO, has performed consistently and exceptionally well since 2006.

Koso also thanked Isuzu Heart and Smile Project for the invaluable contribution to the development of the IPC Aftersales program through the automotive servicing vocational course program that Ida started in 2008 in collaboration with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and World Vision Philippines—an international Christian, humanitarian, advocacy organization.

“Through this groundbreaking vocational course, IPC and its partners have been able to give once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our young, less-privileged but hardworking Filipinos to be part of the Isuzu family. IHSP has been instrumental in improving not only the quality of our aftersales service to our loyal customers, but more importantly, the lives of many poor Filipinos,” Koso added.

In his message, Ida thanked IPC for giving him the opportunity to have an impact on the lives of the Filipino people. “I have always believed that the best asset of any company is its people. And when you bring out the best from your people, the company is able to perform at its best. The IsuzuTesda Auto Mechanic training course program is solid proof that Filipinos, when given the opportunity, can rise to world-class levels. I am very thankful that our students and graduates chose to stay with us to share their talents and time. I leave you now feeling truly confident that what

we have started will continue in good hands for years to come.”

The ISSO competition followed soon after, with the service technicians, service advisors, and parts staff subjected to written and practical exams testing their knowledge and skills. The competition, which lasted for five grueling, suspenseful hours, highlighted the importance of the service technicians’ and advisors’ roles in providing quality service and customer satisfaction, and the parts staff’s efficiency in parts analysis in service operations.

It was nearly sundown when the winners were finally announced. For this year’s edition of the ISSO, the Champion for Service Technician Category were Mark Anthony Arroyo (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Jan Michael Manzon, representative of Isuzu Cavite; Arjhay Pulvera (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Reynaldo Gepulle as first runner up from Isuzu Alabang; and Harvay Jay T. Ragrag (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) and Gilbert Regis (TESDA Tacloban Alumni) won as 2nd runner up, representatives of Isuzu Isabela.

For the Service Advisor Category, the champion was Kevin O. Oliva (Isuzu Alabang); 1st Runner up was Joseph Clarito (Isuzu Cavite); and 2nd Runner Up was Josie James Marilla (Isuzu Cagayan de Oro).

ISSO also had a Parts Staff Category and the champion for this category was Mark Anthony Rañola (Isuzu Commonwealth); 1st runner up was Cristy Plazuela (Isuzu Iloilo); and 2nd runner up was Christopher Garcia (Isuzu Cabanatuan).

The dealer overall champion was Isuzu Alabang.

The annual ISSO serves as the main platform where IPC will develop two teams to represent the Philippines in the annual Isuzu World Technical Competition for CV Division in Japan and the biennial Isuzu World Technical Competition for LCV Category in Thailand. These international competitions are participated in by at least 31 countries.

Since joining in 2006, IPC teams have performed well in these competitions. A large part of their success has been attributed to the high level of competition at the ISSO, apart from the professional dedication and discipline the IPC dealers’ Parts and Service personnel pour into their daily work.

IPC teams landed no lower than 5th place: 3rd place in Category B (2013); 2nd in Category B (2014); Champion, CV Division in Category B and 2nd in the LCV Division (2015); 2nd in the LCV Division and 3rd in the CV Division (2016); 5th in the CV Division in 2017; 4th in the LCV Division, and champion in the CV Division Category B (2018).

Under the watchful eye of a service advisor, a young technician gets a once-in-a-lifetime chance at world-class training.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Editor

C4 FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2019

• Ayala-backed Maxus autos roll out in style Txt and photos

by Lester Dizon

A

C Industrials, the most aggressive component of the Ayala Corporation group of companies, launched Maxus Philippines on June 5, 2019 at the Blue Leaf Filipinas in Paranaque City.

Maxus Philippines also introduced its flagship model the Maxus G10 multipurpose vehicle (MPV) and the Maxus V80 passenger and utility vans.

Maxus Philippines is the sixth automotive brand partner under AC Industrials’ wing, which includes other world-renowned brands Honda, Isuzu, Volkswagen, Kia and KTM motorcycles.

The Maxus auto brand traces its British roots to as far back as the creation of the Leyland Steam Wagon in 1896, followed by the start of Leyland Motors in 1907. This company eventually expanded its products to include sedans, buses and other commercial vehicles throughout its long history. The Maxus nameplate first appeared with the launch of the “Maxus” prototype LD100 van at the end of 2004. The distinctive Maxus V80 and Maxus G10 first rolled out in 2011 and 2014, respectively, with the Maxus G10 establishing the Maxus brand image. Throughout this 123-year history,

Motoring New kids on the block Maxus President Felipe Estrella III and Maxus GM Reginald See offer a toast beside the flagship G10 MPV.

The Maxus V80 Comfort: Taller and roomier than other vans with a 13-seater capacity.

2019 VIOS AUTOCROSS CHALLENGE

Waku-Doki times two Text and photos

by Lester Dizon IT’S A fact skillfully concealed by seasoned organizers but truth be told, a car race is a show, no matter its scale. The race track provides a safe venue for a driver to show his skills at speed; the race car is a modified version to show its capabilities at the limit; the race itself is a show to entertain and dazzle the audience with speed; and the pre-race and post-race activities are opportunities to showcase the sponsors’ products, show the drivers to their fans, and award the best drivers to showcase their talents.

The racing posters promote the car race in the same manner that entertainment posters promote movie shows, TV shows, stage shows or live shows. Indeed, a car race is a show.

The first leg of the 2019 Toyota Racing Festival held last June 8, 2019 at the Clark International Speedway in Pampanga closely subscribed to this idea and more.

Vios Autocross pace car

It was a great show for the audience with three exciting races pitting the celebrities and professional race car drivers against each other, wheel-to-wheel, for 12 laps per race. Then, there was the second round of the Vios Autocross Challenge, where participants from the car clubs, the media, and the social media influencers pit their driving skills against the clock in a gymkhana track layout. And of course, there were the prerace opening activities and post-race awarding ceremonies that surprised not only the audience but the participants as well.

Behind the Scenes What most of the audience do not know is that there are a lot of preparations before a show. The day before the actual races, the participants in the Celebrity, Promotional and Sporting classes were already at the track honing their driving skills at the track and tuning their Vios race cars for optimum performance. The Autocross Challenge participants from various car clubs, social media influencers, and motoring media ar-

Maxus has become one of Europe’s most influential and recognized commercial vehicle brands, and a leader in the design, production and distribution of international commercial vehicles.

In 2004, Leyland DAF Vans (LDV), a successor company to Leyland Motors, launched the Maxus brand. In 2010, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) acquired the assets of the LDV Group and continued the Maxus brand which has current distributorships in Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Africa, among others. In the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, Maxus vehicles continue to be sold under the LDV brand. Maxus has been investing in new technologies, prototyping a pure electric wide-body light bus in 2014, an all-

rived early to practice and to get some seat time using the race-prepared Vios race cars. Yours truly was there to represent Power Wheels and Manila Standard.

During the first round of the Autocross Challenge held on April 28 at the open grounds of the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) in Pasay City, Troy Montero took the best time plum for the Ce-

TMP President Satoru Suzuki arrives in the new Toyota Supra to officially open the races.

lebrity class, Iñigo Anton set the best time for the Car Clubs, and Jose Luis Altoveros of Autoindustriya.com set the best time for the Media class. I couldn’t concentrate then due to a slipped disc but I still managed to qualify in ninth place among twenty participants, only to be knocked off during the Elimination Run. But now, with my back in good shape, I have no excuse not to do well at the second round of the Vios Autocross Challenge. Dare I say, “Challenge accepted?”

During the Drivers’ Briefing for the Autocross Challenge, JP Tuason advised us that the course they laid out at Clark is much faster and less technical than the one at MOA. He hinted that the course is longer and requires shifting between 1st and 2nd gears to finish the autocross in less than a minute. The course was a mirror track where both tracks (A and B) had a long straight after the start, a chicane, a 360° turn, followed by another long straight, a slalom and a short straight before the finish

electric eG10 MPV in 2016, and a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and internet-connected SUV in 2017.

It is this European heritage, coupled with the powerful global support of SAIC that provides AC Industrials with the confidence to introduce the Maxus automobile brand in the Philippines. AC Industrials and Maxus Philippines CEO Arthur Tan said, “The Maxus brand continues AC Industrials’ strategy of providing automobiles and motorcycles that not only speak of the rich heritage of their countries of origin, but are also the best examples of a global collaboration in vehicle engineering, design, assembly, and distribution.”

The Maxus G10 MPV offers “Max Design” in a 9-seat configuration that offers spacious interior amenities. All seats are ad-

line of the first track, into which the driver races into the other track to do the same thing before finally fin-

ishing the full Autocross course.

Because of some miscommunication between the marshals, some of us weren’t able to practice in the morning, but we were able to drive twice in the afternoon.

During my first practice run, I found the track straightforward, challenging and quick. My wife Shawie timed my second practice run when she rode shotgun and her video showed I finished the course between 56 and 57 seconds. Reviewing her video, I knew I can lower my time by making my drive smoother and more fluid.

Those sticky Bridgestone Potenza racing tires surely provided a lot of grip!

Earning Valuable Points Earning only a single point by placing 10th in the MOA race, I was determined to make a good show with my stint at the wheel in Clark. During the Qualifying Runs, I placed 6th among 23 media participants and made the Top 10 to advance to the Elimination Runs. I didn’t make it the Semi Finals where the top four drivers would battle it out for the Finals but at least, I earned some valuable points (and a little respect from the young ones), had a lot of fun, met new friends, and made

justable, which includes four captain’s seats in the second and third rows and a 60:40 split rear bench seat with tumble. There’s a flexible and spacious luggage section, a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with USB and Bluetooth connectivity and six speakers, a 220-volt power supply, and front and rear air-conditioning system.

For “Max Safety,” the Maxus G10 features driver, front passenger and side airbags, 3-point seat belts for all seats, ISOFIX child seat anchors, and front and rear parking sensors and most importantly, the double-layer welding technology that meets European MPV active and passive safety standards. For “Max Stability” and handling, the G10 is fitted with a McPherson strut suspension at the front and 5-link coil springs at the rear. The chassis was tuned by Lotus and GM Pan-Asia to increase stability and improve handling.

To offer “Max Adventures” for all members of the family, the G10 is powered by a Euro 4-compliant 1.9-liter turbo diesel engine equipped with a variable geometry turbine (VGT) turbocharger that produces 150 Ps (148 horsepower) at 4,000 rpm and 350 Newton-meters of torque between 1,800 and 2,600 rpm. With a 6-speed automatic transmission to transmit the power effectively and efficiently, the Maxus G10 is designed to go on road trips with power and fuel-efficiency “to the Max!” The Maxus G10 is offered at a “Max Savings” special introductory price of just P1,680,000.

Maxus Philippines introduced the Maxus V80 as an extremely versatile van model that can ferry passengers or cargo, reliably, safely, and efficiently. Powered by a 2.5-liter CRDi turbo diesel engine with VGT, the front-wheel-drive V80 comes in three variants: Comfort 13-seat passenger van, Transport 18-seat passenger van, and Flex 3-seat cargo van.

The Maxus V80 Comfort is positioned as “Max-Mataas, Max-Maluwag, and MaxProtektado”, meaning it’s taller, roomier, and safer than other vans in its class. Its 13-seat capacity makes it ideal as a family van, as a school bus, or as a passenger shuttle service. Being the widest in its class, the V80 Comfort offers “Max Capacity” as it can be loaded to up to 1.1 tons. Its dual front airbags, ABS, EBD, ISOFIX, and rear proximity sensors offer “Max Protection.”

The V80 Comfort is offered at a “Max-Sulit” introductory price of P1,570,000.

The second variant, the Maxus V80 Transport, offers an 18-seat passenger capacity that is ideal for ferrying commuters, such as the shuttle service or UV Express business. It can also provide a fuel-efficient and reliable solution to the country’s mass transportation problem. Equipped with the same engine and safety features of the V80 Comfort, it comes with a “Max-Sulit” introductory price of P1,288,000.

great memories. And to top it all, Visor’s Manski Nascimento and Miggi Solidum, STV’s Matt Mallari, my wife Shawie and I had a great bulalo (beef stew with bone marrow) lunch during practice. I guess Miggi, Matt and I qualified because of the bu-

lalo in our bellies except for Manski, who ordered something else.

“I did my best but I guess my best wasn’t good enough…” Humming this song after Eliminations.

With a time of 53.05 seconds, Jose Luis Altoveros again placed first in the Media class, earned another 20 points, and looks unbeatable as he goes into the next round with 40 points under his belt. Jeff Soberon of MP Turbo placed second (54.05) while Matt Mallari of Sunshine Television placed third (55.15). Among the influencers, our new friend Vince Vandorpe set a time of 54.49 seconds and bested Phytos Ramirez (56.83) and Reph Bangsil (57.06). In the Car Clubs class, defending champion Iñigo Anton set the fastest time of the day with 49.99 seconds and earned the Bridgestone Car Club Driver of the Day award.

In Race 1 of the Sporting Class, John Dizon prevailed over 2nd placer Gel Napat and 3rd placer Red Diwa. In Race 2, Eggy Ong crossed the finish line before Red Diwa and Lord Seno while in Race 3, Lord Seno lorded over John Dizon and Gel Napat. We were cheering for our friend, Marc Soong, who was racing for his “Make-A-Wish” advocacy. He climbed as high as second place only to fade to fourth in the final stages of Race 3.

Team Awards for Leg 1 of the Toyota Racing Festival went to the Team Obengers.

John Dizon and Elysse Menorca receive the Team Awards for the Obengers.