Manila Standard - 2017 November 04 - Saturday

IPHONE X TAKES ASIA BY STORM NEW IPHONE X. iPhone X, the future of the smartphone, goes on sale Friday in more than 55 countries and territories, featuring a revolutionary new design with a stunning all-screen display, wireless charging and an incredible rear camera with dual optical image stabilization. It is available to customers for pre-order on apple.com and the Apple Store app. At right, a Chinese customer poses with an iPhone X set in Beijing. AFP

HONG KONG―Apple’s flagship iPhone X hit stores in Asia Friday, as the world’s most valuable company predicted bumper sales despite the handset’s eyewatering price tag and celebrated a surge in profits.

The device features facial recognition, cordless charging and an edge-to-edge screen made of organic light-emitting diodes used in high-end televisions.

It marks the 10th anniversary of the first iPhone release and is released in about 50 markets around the world Friday.

The launch came as Apple

announced its net profit rose 19 percent from a year ago to $10.7 billion in the fiscal fourth quarter to September 30. Revenues were up 12 percent to $52.6 billion.

In Hong Kong, buyers who had preordered the phone online queued to pick up their new purchases, saying they were willing to pay for what they saw as a landmark model.

“It’s the 10th anniversary phone―anyway, other phones like the Samsung are not much less,” said banker Tony Yeung, 35, as he queued outside the Next page

PH fails corruption controlling standards VOL. XXXI • NO. 263 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

Reds buck local peace talks, tag as futile move

By John Paolo Bencito COMMUNIST rebels on Friday branded efforts by the Duterte administration to pursue local peace talks as a “waste of time” amid calls by the President for leftists to surrender.

“The revolutionary forces under the leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines [CPP] and allied with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines [NDFP] reject local peace negotiations being pushed by local bureaucrats and military officials and supported

by President himself,” the CPP said in a statement.

“The Duterte regime is wasting time and the people’s money in setting-up these useless local peace committees which will go nowhere and achieve nothing,” the group added.

By pushing for localized talks and enticing the surrender of NPA fighters “with silly incentives,” Duterte reveals himself “to have a very shallow appreciation of the profound social problems which are at the root of the raging civil war in the Philippines,” the CPP said.

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ISIS terrorists’ entry watched

Mindanao borders on high alert

By Vito Barcelo, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Francisco Tuyay

MMIGRATION officers in Mindanao were placed on high alert following reports that foreigners linked to the Islamic State, particularly from Indonesia and Malaysia, would enter the country illegally through Mindanao.

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NLEX toll fees hike effective Monday

By Darwin G. Amojelar NLEX Corporation said Friday it was set to implement additional toll fees effective Monday to recover its investment to expand the North Luzon Expressway.

NLEX said it had secured a provisional approval from the Toll Regulatory Board on Oct. 18 to implement additional charge of P0.25 per kilometer for NLEX’s closed system.

Under the provisionally approved new toll fee matrix, Class 1 vehicles (ordinary cars) traveling the entire NLEX between Edsa Balintawak or Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, to Sta. Ines, Mabalacat City, will only pay an additional P18.

Class 2 vehicles (buses and small trucks) on the same route will only pay an additional P46.

Meanwhile, Class 3 vehicles (large trucks/trailers) will only pay an additionNext page al P56.

VEIL OF TERROR? The suspected terrorist recruiter, identified as Karen Aizha Hamidon, wife of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, slain leader of the Ansarul Khalifa Philippines or the ‘Maguid Group’ arrested last month in Taguig City, asserts her innocence Friday at the preliminary probe into the criminal raps against her. She claims she was ‘just a blogger’ falsely linked to Maute group. Norman Cruz

Military intelligence reports said that several foreign terrorists were planning to rescue detained Indonesian terror suspect Muhammad Ilham Syahputra.

The Bureau of Immigration said 30 more agents will be deployed in the South to thwart the possible entry of the suspected foreign jihadists by December or January next year.

The 30 immigration officers will be trained in identifying persons of interest—including terrorists, said the bureau’s spokesman, Grifton Medina.

Among the stations that will be beefed up are those Next page

By John Paolo Bencito and Julito G. Rada THE Philippines received low scores in controlling corruption and ensuring the rule of law, according to the 2018 Scorecard of US aid agency Millennium Challenge Corp.

The country’s percentile ranking in its respective income group was 50 percent after scoring zero in control of corruption and 47 percent in rule of law, after scoring -0.01. This means that the country did not meet the standards set for these areas.

In terms of democratic rights, the Philippines’ performance met the standard: A score of 27 for political rights and 36 for civil liberties.

It also ranked well in government effectiveness (80 percent) and freedom of information Next page (77 percent).

Roque rues bad Internet speed, says job affected ACTING Palace spokesperson Harry Roque on Friday gave assurances the government was on its way to improve poor telecoms service, after the Philippines placed 69th out of 77 countries in terms of LTE availability, according to research firm OpenSignal’s The State of LTE November 2017 report.

In an interview, Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte has already met with foreign investors in attempts to improve the “very bad” mobile phone service and crawling Internet speeds in the country.

LTE is an abbreviation for Long Term Evolution, a 4G wireless communications standard developed by the Next page

7K plus hopefuls to take grueling Bar tests

By Rey E. Requejo A TOTAL of 7,227 law graduates all over the country will take the 2017 bar examinations slated for the four Sundays of this month, starting tomorrow (Nov. 5), at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Lucas P. Bersamin,

chairman of 2017 Bar Exams Committee, said the number of examinees this year is bigger than those in 2015 and 2016 with 6,605 and 6,344 examinees, respectively.

Subjects covered in the four-Sunday tests on Nov. 5, 12, 19, and 26 include Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile

Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, and Legal and Judicial Ethics.

“Any act that undermines the safe and orderly conduct of the bar examinations or disturbs the due decorum therefor shall be punished with direct contempt of court, and shall be dealt with summarily,” Bersamin warned, in Next page a notice.

Manila roads closed for Asean security drill

By Bill Casas

MOTORISTS have been advised to avoid the roads around the Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, where a send-off ceremony will be held for the security contintwitter.com/ MlaStandard

gent that will be on duty at the 31st Asean Summit.

Starting at 10 p.m. of Saturday, Nov. 4, the stretch of Independence Road, Katigbak Drive and South Drive will be closed to vehicular traffic, Manila Mayor Jofacebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

S

seph Estrada announced.

“If you don’t have any official business or important activity, it is better to avoid these areas or plan your trips well,” Estrada said.

The send-off ceremony Next page

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WATER SALUTE. Children enjoy a water spectacle as firemen rehearse their Water Salute for the forthcoming Asean Leaders Summit 2017 taken Friday at the sprawling Luneta Park. Such salute occurs for ceremonial purposes and the plumes of water form a series of arches. Lino Santos

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‘Abella staying with admin’ F

ORMER presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella will remain with the Duterte administration as an undersecretary despite being replaced by party-list lawmaker Harry Roque, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Friday.

In a radio interview, Andanar said Abella will stay with the administration on the discretion of President Rodrigo Duterte, who named Roque as his new spokesman last week.

“Ernie will stay with the

administration. Wherever he’s placed by President Duterte, it’s the prerogative of the President. I’m sure hindi masi-zero si Ernie. He will have a place under the administration,” Andanar said.

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come group at only 13 percent, while getting a score of 83.0 for immunization rates.

The country met the standard in these areas under the category Investing in People: 73 percent for natural resource protection, 70 percent for child health, and 55 percent for girls’ secondary education enrollment rate.

No score, meanwhile, was given in terms of primary education expenditures, which had a median score of 1.58.

Responding to the latest results of the scorecard, Dominguez blamed “inherent time lags” in the thirdparty data used by the MCC to assess the Philippines.

“The data on which the ‘control of corruption’ indicator was based and released in September 2017 primarily covers the events of 2016,” Dominguez said. “‘Control of corruption’ and ‘rule of law’ scores, for example, were based on an aggregation of quantitative assessments and perception surveys that were collected by the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators in conjunction with the Brookings Institution based on information for the events of 2016,” the Finance chief said.

Acting Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque likewise said he was hopeful that the MCC Board would take into account the antigraft initiatives of the Duterte administration, and its commitment to reform areas which were covered by the compact assistance.

“We have to understand that for this year’s Scorecard, the ratings in the various indicators were based on their methodologies in 2014, 2015 and 2016. The findings, therefore, may not completely reflect the reform initiatives of the Duterte administration in the area of fighting corruption and good governance,” Roque said.

“The President has fired government officials from their posts, including those who were perceived to be close to him, due to reports of corruption,” he added.

Among those that Duterte had undertaken “towards restoring people’s faith and trust in the government by making government services accessible to the public,” is through “the implementation of the Freedom of information in the executive branch, cutting red tape and streamlining the delivery of frontline services, and establishing hotlines such as 8888 for public complaints and 911 for emergencies and government centers to receive public concerns.”

The current government is likewise serious in its revenue-collection efforts, including running after bigtime tax delinquents, “such as Mighty Corp., Sunvar Realty Development Corp. and Philippine Air Lines,” Roque said.

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The MCC, an independent American aid agency created by the US Congress in 2004, annually comes up with a scorecard for each MCC candidate country, rating it in three policy categories: Ruling Justly, Investing in People, and Encouraging Economic Freedom.The scorecard serves as basis for determining extension of grants to recipient countries, like the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Finance Secretary Carlos DomingueZ III remains optimistic the board of the Millennium Challenge Corp.will consider the Duterte administration’s sweeping reforms to weed out official corruption and adhere to the rule of law in deciding on the eligibility of the country for another MCC assistance program.

In a statement, Dominguez said the Philippines remained firmly committed to the rule of law and strictly adhered to due process.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte had made clear his platform of government would be based on zero tolerance for corruption in government.

“In its first year in office, the Duterte administration has actually been relentless in the campaign against corruption in government,” Dominguez said.

Dominguez noted, for instance, that President Duterte cleansed the corruption-plagued Bureau of Corrections in just weeks after assuming office by replacing its prison guards with elite personnel from the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police.

The chief executive also issued an executive order creating the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate administrative cases of corruption involving presidential appointees.

The Duterte administration also set up the 8888 Citizens Complaint Hotline in October last year to receive complaints against corruption and inefficiencies in government, among other measures.

In terms of economic freedom, however, the Philippines’ percentile rankings were way below the standard, in terms of gender in the economy (13 percent), access to credit (13 percent), and business start-up (43 percent).

In other areas, the Philippines performed well in fiscal policy (87 percent), regulatory quality (87 percent), trade policy (67 percent), and land rights and access (59 percent).

The country also garnered a score of 1.8 in terms of inflation.

Lastly, in terms of investing in people—the country meeting the percentile rankings were way below in health expenditures, as opposed to its respective in-

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Apple store in Hong Kong’s Festival Walk mall.

“It’s convenient. You can unlock the phone just by holding it up to your face in bed after you wake up,” Yeung added.

He said he had bought two of the 64 GB version, costing HK$8,588 ($1,100) each, one for him and one for his wife. The 256 GB model costs HK$9,888.

Student Keith Li said all his friends were changing to the new phone and had set aside money for it. Li, 22, had traded in his old phone to help him meet the cost.

Inside the Hong Kong store, those still considering whether to buy were trying out facial recognition after concerns it may compromise the security of the phone.

Nam So, 36, said he was happy to use it, preferring it to touch ID, which opens the phone at the touch of a finger.

“If your thumb is sweaty then it won’t unlock. Face ID would solve this problem,” he told AFP. Hours after the launch, resellers at the Sin Tat Plaza mall in Hong Kong’s commercial Mong Kok district were offering the phone at a marked up price of HK$11,500. AFP

man, even as he praised his “good friend” and revealed that they belonged to the same Christian church.

“I think he did a brilliant job as spokesperson,” said Roque, a human rights lawyer who was Kabayan party-list’s representative, of Abella.

That’s why [Abella is] a very difficult act to follow.

I have asked for his prayers and I will pray for him. But I’m sure there is something

in store for (him),” he added.

Roque said he and the President would be an “explosive” tandem, saying he might not curse like the President but that he would “likely scream.”

He also promised to follow the President’s top order not to lie to the public.

“I realized that my working relationship with the media, having defended many of you for libel and having prosecuted cases involving members

of the media, should help me in this new undertaking,” said Roque, who was named spokesman when Duterte visited him at his birthday party in Davao City.

“I assume this obligation cognizant of the importance of the free marketplace of ideas, and I assume this obligation recognizing that the people do have a right to information on matters that affect them,” he said.

John Paolo Bencito

ISIS...

He also expressed his sympathies to the families of the victims, which included five Argentinians and one Belgian.

“The terrorist attacks in New York and other places abroad during the past several weeks tell us the threat remains real,” Cayetano said as he called on the international community to intensify its efforts in going after the Islamic State and its affiliate organizations around the world.

Cayetano said the fight against terrorism is a key priority of President Rodrigo Duterte and is among the issues that will be discussed in the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit and Related Meetings to be held in Manila this month.

“The Philippines is more than ready to do its share in helping make the world a safer place,” Cayetano said, adding that Manila is looking forward to cooperating with other countries, particularly in intelligence sharing and capacity-building as part of the country’s counterterrorism efforts.

He also expressed his appreciation to the United States, Australia, China, Russia and other countries for the assistance extended to the Philippines during the campaign to liberate Marawi from Islamic State-funded militants.

The military on Friday said the declaration that Marawi was liberated was not premature, despite the presence of stragglers.

“The stragglers are leaderless. They have no direction,” said Armed Forces spokesman Maj. Gen. Restituto Padilla.

“They are merely fighting for survival.”

“They have no impact on the overall security of the place,” he added.

Padilla said that there could still be 36 stragglers in Marawi as reported by the Indonesian terrorist, Muhammadin Ilham Syahputra, who was arrested Wednesday.

“Based on the revelations of this last foreign national that was captured, he mentioned about 36. But we are still validating that number because

there are about three buildings here that seem to house them.

And that’s in the process of being checked,” Padilla said.

Residents are not allowed to return to some 16 barangays, most of which saw the heaviest fighting during the fivemonth siege of Marawi City.

“The reason why we are trying to restrict that area is to ensure that not one of these terrorists may be able to escape because one terrorist who can escape has the potential of inflicting harm on many of our nationals,” Padilla said.

Some 6,462 residents from nine barangays have been allowed to return to their homes in other parts of the city, Office of Civil Defense Spokesperson Kristoffer James Purisima said.

“To ascertain that returning IDPs [internally displaced persons] are legitimate Marawi City residents, identification cards are being issued by the respective barangays based on the rolls of census and voters’ registration,” Purisima said.

“Safety is the concern so we need to implement these kinds of measures. And the local government units, and specifically the barangays are very much involved here,” he said.

Troops were intensifying their mopping up operations inside the main battle area as they hunted down dozens of stragglers.

“We are also looking at the possibility that there are still foreign fighters in the area,” said Col. Romeo Brawner, deputy commander of Task Force Ranao.

Brawner said that among the targets of their manhunt is Malaysian extremist Amin Baco, who was previously reported killed in the battle area, days after the slaying of Isnilon Hapilon and Maute chieftain Oamar Maute.

Baco, a member of the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiya, is a bomb expert who joined the Abu Sayyaf Group under Hapilon.

“We are still determinig if he is already killed or still alive. He is a Malaysian national who was part of the

siege, but we are still trying to find his body,” Brawner said.

“What we can say that he is one of the foreign fighters,” Brawner added.

Marawi City comprises 92 villages, 33 of which were directly affected by the conflict.

Residential houses and commercial establishments in the seven villages have been cleared following house-tohouse clearing by security forces and local government units.

The defense department said they expect to finished the clearing of nine villages tomorrow so that residents can return to their homes.

A total of 2,252 residents have returned, with each family are given P5,000 cash assistance, relief goods, hygiene and kitchen kits.

Also on Friday, the Justice department began its preliminary investigation of the rebellion charges filed by National Bureau of Investigation against a woman allegedly involved in the recruitment of foreigners into the country for terrorist activities and spreading radical Islamic extremism through the use of the internet and social media.

The members of the NBICounter Terrorism Division subscribed to the complaintaffidavit against Karen Aizha Hamidon before Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong during the hearing.

Hamidon, 36, arrived at the DoJ without a lawyer, and was only accompanied by her mother. She is accused of 14 counts violation of Article 138 of the Revised Penal Code (inciting to rebellion or insurrection), in relation to Section 6 of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, She failed to submit her counter-affidavit.

Hamidon is also facing rebellion charges in relation to her 296 social media posts supposedly calling on foreign and local Muslims to join the fight against government forces in Marawi.

The respondent accused operatives of the NBI who arrested her of planting evidence against her.

With Rey E. Requejo

Reds...

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with local forces of the New People’s Army [NPA]. Similar efforts by the 8th ID in Eastern Visayas have been reported.

Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana expressed support for the President’s latest call for NPA rebels to lay down their arms.

“The President’s latest call for the NPA fighters to lay down their arms, return to society, and live normal lives only shows that he is giving the NPA every chance at achieving a peaceful resolution to the longstanding armed conflict,” he said.

He urged the members of the communist group to be part of the change that Duterte wanted to achieve during his leadership for the betterment of the country and the lives of the people.

Lorenzana also said that a number of NPAs have accepted the offer and are now living normal lives.

Duterte has not explained why he replaced Abella with Roque, only saying it was his “personal decision.” The President said Roque would have a Cabinet rank of Secretary, higher than Abella’s.

In his first press briefing late Thursday in Malacañang, Roque said Abella would be a tough act to follow.

Roque said he may find it hard to be as calm as Abella, a former pastor and business-

From A1 in Batuganding on Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental and Tibanban Island in Davao Oriental, all bordering Indonesia, and in Bongao and Taganak Island both in TawiTawi and Balabac in Palawan, near Malaysia.

“The main goal there is to monitor, arrest or stop the movement of foreign terrorist fighters,” Medina said.

In an advisory Friday, Australia warned its citizens of the “high threat” of a terrorist attack in the Philippines, including Manila, and urged them to exercise heightened caution.

“Be alert to possible threats around locations that have a low level of protective security and places known to be possible terrorist targets,” Australia added.

“Reconsider your need to travel to eastern Mindanao due to the very high levels of violent crime and the high threat of terrorist attack and kidnapping,” the Australian advisory said.

“Do not travel to central and western Mindanao due to the very high threat of kidnapping, terrorist attack, violent crime and violent clashes between armed groups.”

The Philippines on Friday called for stronger international cooperation in the fight against terrorism, saying the victories against the Islamic State in Mosul, Raqqa and Marawi do not mean the group no longer poses a serious threat to the world.

“The defeat suffered by the Islamic State in Iraq, Syria, and the Philippines does not mean the fight is over,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said in a statement released after an Islamic State-inspired terrorist attack in New York killed eight people and seriously injured at least 11 others.

In his statement, Cayetano strongly condemned the truck attack in Manhattan on Wednesday, which authorities said was carried out by a Islamic State sympathizer from Uzbekistan.

Communist forces also reiterated their call for the resumption of the stalled fifth round of talks with the left “to pursue discussions on the release of all political prisoners and the Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms [CASER].”

On Tuesday, following his trip to Japan, Duterte encouraged the NPA rebels to surrender as he expressed willingness to talk to them, even though peace talks with the NDF have already been terminated.

He also vowed to give the rebels houses and livelihood, once they give up their armed struggle.

This development came after presidential daughter and Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte recently created a local peace committee supposedly to negotiate

Roque...

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3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) that’s designed to provide up to 10x the speeds of 3G networks for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, netbooks, notebooks and wireless hotspots.

Speaking over the phone, Roque noted that the poor telecommunications service in the country had been affecting his performance as Duterte’s spokesperson.

Roque made these pro-

nouncements as the Philippines ranked close to the bottom in terms of LTE availability and speed, according to research firm OpenSignal.

LTE availability in the Philippines was at 58.83 percent—an improvement compared to the Philippines’ LTE availability of 52.77 percent in OpenSignal’s June 2017 report.

But in terms of LTE speed, the Philippines ranked 74th out of 77 countries, with an average download speed of 8.24 megabits per sec-

for the 23,000 security personnel composing the Asean Security Task Force will start at 6 a.m. of Sunday, Nov. 5.

As many as 53,000 policemen, soldiers and other security personnel, along with their fleet of vehicles and equipment, will assemble at the grandstand.

Based on the traffic advisory of the Manila Police District-Traffic Enforcement Unit, the rerouting plan is as follows: 1.) All vehicles coming from Bonifacio Drive and P. Burgos, intending to use Katigbak Drive, will go straight to Roxas Boulevard to point of destination.

2.) All vehicles coming from Roxas Boulevard and TM Kalaw, intending to use South Drive, will go straight to Roxas Boulevard to point of destination.

3.) All vehicles going to

and from Manila Ocean Park/ H20 Hotel and Manila Hotel will use Katigbak Drive as access road.

The Philippine National Police, meanwhile, has imposed a gun ban from Nov. 1 to 15 as part of the security preparations for the Asean summit.

PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa has ordered the suspension of permits to carry firearms outside of residence for those 15 days in Metro Manila and Regions 3 and 4A. The gun ban is in line with the government commitment to ensure the safety of heads of state and delegates, who will arrive at Clark International Airport starting Nov. 9.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said sea operations in Manila Bay will be prohibited from Nov. 5 to 16 as part of the security measures for the summit.

ond (Mbps), slower than the country’s average download speed of 8.59 Mbps recorded in the June report.

LTE is the type of 4G— or fourth generation mobile type of technology—that delivers the fastest connection for a mobile internet experience—up to 10 times faster than 3G. OpenSignal said global average for LTE downloads went up slightly in the last six months to 16.6 Mbps from 16.2 Mbps.

South Korea topped the list in terms of LTE availa-

bility at 96.69 percent, while Japan came in second with 94.11 percent and Norway placed third with 88.66 percent.

On the other hand, Algeria had the lowest 4G availability at 41.50 percent.

In terms of LTE speed, Singapore was the leader with an average download speed of 46.64 Mbps, followed by South Korea with 45.85 Mbps and Norway with 42.02 Mbps.

India, meanwhile, had the lowest LTE speed at 6.13 Mbps. John Paolo Bencito

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“The Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, the Metro Manila Development Authority, and the Coast Guard are deputized to ensure the safe and orderly conduct of the bar examinations, and their duly designated personnel are expressly authorized to prevent any violations of the orderly conduct of the bar examinations,” the magistrate said.

SC’s deputy clerk of court and bar confidant said that contingency measures during the four-Sunday examinations have been adopted.

In case of heavy rain in the morning of a bar examination day, 10 buses will be available to transport bar examinees and duty personnel to UST from the following pick-up points—Quezon City Memorial Circle (2 buses), Park and Ride, Lawton, Manila (1 bus), SC Compound, Taft Avenue (2 buses), Coastal Mall Terminal, Parañaque (2 buses for Nov. 5, 19, and 26), Edsa Magallanes Flyover (beneath the Flyover), Pasay City (2 buses on Nov. 12), Greenbelt and Glorietta, Ayala Center, Makati City (2 buses), Marikina Sports Complex (1 bus). The shuttle buses will be stationed at these areas as early as 5 a.m. and will leave at exactly 5:30 a.m. Only bar examinees and duty personnel are allowed to ride the shuttle buses. The boarding shall be made on a first come, first served basis. To avail of this service, riders must present their notice of admission, gate pass and/or ID card, as the case may be, to the bus driver.

In case of flooding inside the UST compound before the bar examinations start, commuter vans will be available to transport bar examinees and duty personnel from the UST gates to their respective examination buildings within UST. In case flooding persists after the end of the examinations on any given examination day, the commuter vans on standby at each examination building in UST will be available to transport back bar examinees and duty personnel to the Osmeña and Arellano Drives near Gate 5 on España Boulevard, where the shuttle buses are parked. The SC shuttle buses shall then be available to transport bar examinees and duty personnel from the UST to the following drop-off areas—north-bound passengers will be transported up to QC Memorial Circle; south-bound passengers could be droppedoff at Park and Ride in Lawton, Supreme Court premises and at the Coastal Mall Terminal, Paranaque (Nov. 5, 19 and 26) and Edsa Magallanes Flyover (beneath the Flyover), Pasay City (Nov. 12); for Makati area, drop-off area will be at the Ayala Center (Glorietta and Greenbelt); and or Marikina area, the Marikina Sports Complex.

With Bill Casas

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As the provisionally adjusted add-on toll rates exclude the existing NLEX Open System, all vehicles traveling within the Quezon City, Valenzuela City, Meycauayan and Marilao sections will continue to be charged the existing toll fees.

Likewise, the toll fees for the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway system or SCTEX remain unchanged regardless of the vehicle class.

The adjustment was approved after the tollway company completed the construction of 64-new lane kilometers along the Bulacan and Pampanga portions of the expressway amounting to about P2.5 billion.

Motorists have been enjoying safer travel and less congestion brought about by the new infrastructure projects since last year.

The construction of a new carriageway and two new bridges between Dau and Sta. Ines in Mabalacat City was completed in December 2016.

Meanwhile, the new lanes along the Sta. Rita, Guiguinto and San Fernando City sections were opened to motorists in April 2017.

The five-kilometer Candaba Viaduct has also been expanded from the 2x2-lane to the 2x3-lane configuration, hence further improving travel.

News Review draft plan on tuna fishing—Villar CITING warning by experts that our seas would become “virtual deserts” by 2050 due to overfishing, Senator Cynthia Villar said she wants to review the draft plan and various inputs and recommendations of industry players on the National Tuna Management Plan.

“We would like to avoid the dreaded scenario of our oceans turning into virtual deserts by 2050,” said Villar, chairperson of the Senate Agriculture and Food committee.

She also mentioned about the 2010 Census of Marine Life which says 90 percent of the large fish are already depleted due to overfishing.

“Of course, the ultimate objective of any plan for the industry is to promote the effective conservation, management and equitable use of tuna resources in the Philippines for its sustainable development,” she added.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Govt agencies told to deliver on ‘Build’ program THE chairperson of the House of Representatives’ committee on appropriations on Friday rallied behind the clamor of the concerned government agencies to deliver in the implementation of the Build, Build, Build program after President Rodrigo Duterte brought home the bacon yet again from his working visit to Japan.

“The Philippines has proven to be a magnet for investments under the Duterte administration. But all of these won’t mean a thing if the concerned agencies fail to follow through with the implementation of projects that the foreign assistance was meant to bankroll,” Davao City Rep. Karlo Nograles, the committee chairperson, said.

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NCRPO probers told to expedite DUI cases N

By Joel E. Zurbano and Rio N. Araja

ATIONAL Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde on Friday ordered his men to expedite the investigation of unresolved cases of suspected drug dealers and dependents killed in the government’s war on drugs.

Albayalde signed a Memorandum Circular that sets principle and guidelines to resolve cases on the alleged extrajudicial killings, which police authorities described as Homicide or Death Under Investigation.

The Memorandum, according to Albayalde, “adopts the procedure in criminal investigation in studying facts used to identify, locate and prove the guilt of an accused criminal.”

From July 1, 2016 to April 23, 2017, the NCRPO recorded 2,568 cases of death under inquiry in which “1,282 were categorized as drug related, 488 are suspected drug related and 798 non-drug related. Of this, Albayalde said, 422 were solved and cleared.”

Albayalde directed the Regional Investigation and Detection Management Division to hasten the probe to achieve “Zero Backlog” on

cases of death under investigations.

He reiterated that murder and homicide incidents are not taken for granted and reminded the police operatives to always observe respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Albayalde added that the NCRPO will also conduct further investigation on police personnel involved with illegal drugs and drug personalities.

Corresponding sanctions will be immediately implemented, he said.

The Metro Manila police chief has assured the efficient, responsive and coordinated efforts in terms of Information Operation campaign to inform and update the public on actions taken by the NCRPO in resolving those cases.

He recognized the support extended by stakeholders but at the same time appealed to

the community for their continued support and engagement on the battle against illegal drugs.

“Keeping the public informed is our way of returning their trust, support and cooperation to us,” Albayalde said.

Recent reports from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency showed that 3,534 out of 42,036 barangays in the country have been cleared of drugs.

The agency also reported that 163 drug dens and nine clandestine shabu laboratories have been destroyed while at least P18.84 billion worth of prohibited substance were seized during anti-drug operations from July 2016 to September this year.

Albayalde expressed belief that the relentless Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel implemented by the National Police has greatly contrib-

uted to the reduction of street crimes.

But various sectors denounced the spate of extrajudicial killings happening in the country, saying the killings will not stop the illegal drug trade.

“The illegal drug trade is only a symptom of deeper social problems like rising poverty, joblessness, extreme hunger, injustice, and inequality which push people to the underworld economy out of desperation,” said Anakbayan chairman Vencer Crisostomo.

The war on drugs, the group said, is bound to fail if not accompanied by deeper social change involving genuine land reform, the creation of jobs through the building of national industries, and massive social welfare for the affordable rehabilitation of parts of the population victimized by the drug menace.

CLIMATE REALITY. Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Commissioner Dr. Joan Lagunda addresses select participants during the recent 36th Climate Reality Leadership Corps Activist Training which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA last month. Lagunda said it was a big honor and an unforgettable experience to have met during the VIP Dinner former US Vice President Al Gore, founder and chairman of the Climate Reality Project and Mayor William Peduto of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Andrew Rabulan

Solon warns of looming garbage crisis A HOUSE leader has warned that Metro Manila would have a garbage crisis in five years time unless Congress decides to amend existing environmental laws to impose a mandatory waste segregation on all households and all commercial and industrial establishments and allow the use of state-of-the-art and strictly regulated “waste-toenergy” incineration plants.

Samar Rep. Edgar Mary Sarmiento said that amid raging debates on the possible closure of the Quezon City Sanitary Landfill, which is popularly known as the Payatas dump site, it is already expected to reach it capacity limit by December this year although the Metro Manila Development Authority estimates that it could still be used until 2021.

Maricel V. Cruz

Group backs CBCP’s call to stop killings THE call of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines to “stop the killings, start the healing” is most urgent given the continuing extrajudicial killings being committed under the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs”, “all-out war” vs. the CPPNPA-NDFP, and “war vs. terrorism” especially in Mindanao, the Movement Against Tyranny said on Friday.

This the group said as they expressed support to the call of the CBCP to commemorate Nov. 5 as “Lord Heal our Land Sunday.” Bill Casas

De Lima asks SC to reconsider decision on her arrest

By Rey E. Requejo DETAINED Senator Leila de Lima on Friday sought reconsideration of the Supreme Court Octo. 10 decision affirming her arrest and detention on the illegal drugs trading charges filed against her by the Department of Justice.

In a motion for reconsid-

eration, De Lima pleaded for her immediate release from detention and the nullification of the criminal charges filed against her before the sala of Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court Judge Juanita Guerrero of Branch 204.

The lady senator also reiterated his plea for the inhibition of Justice Presbitero J. Velasco Jr., the writer of the Oct. 10 de-

cision that was concurred by eight other justices.

De Lima argued that the decision “is unfair because it unsettles established doctrine, misapplies unrelated canons, and most importantly, fails to render good judgment.”

“Just as glaring as the unconstitutional haste perpetrated by the respondent

judge in this case—the ‘arrest now, worry later’ plan— is the bogus character of the allegations as reflected in the Information, which has now found safe haven in the Honorable Court’s decision. Petitioner cautions the Honorable Members of the Court to pause and consider the grave implications of sustaining an information

that does not allege any corpus delicti” [the body of the crime],” she said.

De Lima also urged the SC justices “to look into the Summation of Votes because the distribution of the votes goes into the binding effect of the Decision and, consequently, impacts the right of the Petitioner to be immediately released.”

House OKs bill imposing preventive suspension vs public officers THE House of Representatives is poised to pass on third and final reading a bill providing an exception to the imposition of preventive suspension against public officers.

Speaker Pantaleon Alva-

rez, principal author of House Bill 6590, said the measure seeks to amend Republic Act 3019, as amended, titled the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.” The House approved the bill on second read-

ing before Congress went on a Halloween break last October.

Alvarez said the exception shall be applicable to public officers who are no longer connected with the office wherein the offense

charged was committed.

“As preventive suspension is imposed to avert an accused from influencing potential witnesses or tampering with records, the change in circumstances of the public officer effec-

tively removes this threat, making the provision in line with the spirit and intent of the law,” Alvarez said.

The bill seeks to amend in particular Section 13 of RA 3019, as amended.

Maricel V. Cruz

‘KASALANG BAYAN.’ A

total of 476 couples exchange marriage vows during Parañaque City’s 10th Kasalang Bayan or mass wedding held at the city’s multi-purpose complex recently. Mayor Edwin Olivarez, who ‘again’ said ‘I do’ with his wife Janet, administered the civil wedding sponsored by the city’s civil registrar and barangay operations office. The women wore wedding gowns while their partners wore barongs. Most of the couples, who came from city’s barangays, had been living together for more than 10 years already and have children.

‘Win’backs probe on Malampaya fund misuse

By Macon Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz SENATOR Win Gatchalian yesterday threw his support to the call of the Commission on Audit to investigate the alleged anomalous use of P36.288 billion in Malampaya royalties between 2004 and 2012.

Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate energy committee, said the investigation has been a long-time coming.

“In fact, I made it a point to flag the discrepancies in the collection and disbursement of the Malampaya Fund during the Senate deliberations on the department of Energy [DOE] budget last month.”

With CoA’s recommendation, he said it is clear that these anomalies have to be investigated.

He said the Malampaya funds are meant to be used in building a brighter future for the Philippine energy sector and that their misuse will put that future in jeopardy.

The CoA earlier declared “not proper” the releases of funds by the Department of b.jdget and Management out of the Malampaya Fund, to the different implementing agencies.

CoA’s Sectoral Performance Audit report covered funds which were released not for energy development-related purposes, but for “other purposes authorized by the President”—a practice struck down by the Supreme Court as unconstitutional in November 2013.

CoA auditors said not only were the funds intended for unconstitutional purposes, but it also cited the apparent disregard of applicable laws, rules, and regulations which contributed to the misuse of funds.

For one, auditors flagged the lack of documentary requirements to establish the basis for the release of the P36.288-billion funds to 62 implementing agencies.

The report also cited the DBM’s failure to establish first the propriety of the projects to be funded and the reasonableness of the requested amounts. It also noted that as much as P2.171 billion of the funds were diverted to purposes other than those authorized by the President.

Marawi road repairs done

by Nov. 25 —DPWH

By Vito Barcelo THE Department of Public Works and Highways said that road repairs in Marawi City will be completed by Nov. 25 as part of its master plan for Marawi’s rehabilitation.

DPWH Secretary Mark Villar said hundreds of shelters will be constructed by the National Housing Authority for Marawi evacuees and expected to be completed

by December.

He said that the department has also deployed service vehicles to transport returning residents of Marawi City driven out for more than five months by the fierce fighting between terrorist forces and government troops.

“A total of 19 DPWH service vehicles from DPWH District Engineering Offices in Lanao del Norte and Misamis Oriental helped transport 254 individuals to their residence in Barangay Loksa last week,” he said.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Setting the bar

I

T’S that time of the year again. Thousands of law graduates nationwide will gather in one university taking a month-long test that would determine the course of their careers.

This is yet another obstacle to be hurdled after the punishing years in law school and the subsequent review tomorrow and for three more Sundays after that.

These graduates’ aspirations, hard work and grit will come to a head when they take what is known to be the toughest profes-

sional examination in the country.

There will be the usual show of support from family, friends, and mentors.

There will be the words of advice from people who have been through the same ordeal, ready to welcome their new companeros to the elite profession.

And there will be the rest of us, continuing to hold the field in high regard, trusting the good intentions and integrity of its practitioners. With so much hatred, evil, and malice going around it is our lawyers who will be at the forefront of the fight against oppression and justice.

That is, in an ideal world.

The events that have unfolded recently tell us that even lawyers—some would say especially them—are prone to trappings of power and self interest. Weren’t those behind the cruel death of a law freshman themselves lawyers or aspiring to be lawyers? Weren’t their so called elders, occupying plum positions in the academe, government or private practice the source of ill advice on what to do?

And don’t many of those in public office these days use their knowledge and associations to make wrong appear right, spread falsehoods and defend the

reprehensible?

In a grand stroke of irony, the Bar exams will take place at the very institution that housed both Horacio Castillo III and the men he had wanted to call his brothers. We hope that this unfortunate connection will neither taint the idealism of the exam takers nor dampen their enthusiasm to pursue what it still a noble profession—if not for the deviants who give their colleagues a bad name.

Not all the 7,227 exam takers will pass the Bar, but we hope that all of them can keep their consciences intact, whatever the outcome.

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

China’s constructive socialism DEMOCRACY is not a political system, but a process of electing officials entrusted to govern. In Western political thought, the rule of the majority as a political process is crucial that in its absence, one can never call it a democracy. Central to it is the election of the person by the majority of the voters. However, in the Eastern school of thought, which was revived by the Marxists, democracy means collective responsibility and that focuses on the program of government than on the personality of the elected person.

To others, this is a higher version of democracy. Maybe there is a sort of egalitarian dictatorship, but political scientists argue that the process of electing on the basis of the majority begins with the idea of capturing political power either by revolution or by the normal process of election, and winning the revolution

To others, this is a higher version of democracy.

FDA must decide now POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO THIS issue of the Supreme Court temporary restraining order that has badly affected the implementation of government’s family planning program is not over yet.

Said TRO was issued in June 2015 and was only finally resolved by the SC through its ruling dated April 26, 2017. The TRO has prohibited the Department of Health from using, distributing, and promoting Implanon and Implanon NXT, the only available contraceptive subdermal implants in the country.

When the implant was introduced in the country, it became an instant favorite of women because of ease of use and long ef-

fectiveness. This type of contraceptive is inserted by trained health professionals and the entire process takes only around 10 minutes. It is effective for three years unlike the other short-acting methods.

With the TRO, implants purchased by the DOH have been unused since. At least 200,000 units of Implanon and Implanon NXT costing hundreds of millions of people’s money will expire in 2018, some in September, and some in June. Only nongovernment organizations, private health practitioners, and local government units can provide these to women provided that the implants they use are not from the DoH. It needs noting that this family planning method costs as high as P14,000.00 when accessed through private doctors. Thus, the TRO has prevented access of poor women to this effective and

safe contraceptive.

The TRO has also directed the Food and Drugs Administration to put on hold applications for Certificates of Product Registration of contraceptives. This meant

The agency is headed by a woman and as one, she should understand the urgency of this issue. that no new contraceptive can be registered. Registration is important since no unregistered product can be made available in the market and government

will not be able to purchase anything that has not been approved by the FDA. In effect, contraceptives whose registrations have expired are no longer available affecting women using these brands. This is the reason why we hear women complaining that they can no longer find the pills of choice in the market. On the other hand, the DoH has run out of supply of progestin-only-pills which are most popular among breastfeeding women.

Moreover, if the TRO will not be lifted soon, even the combined oral contraceptive, the type of pills used by millions of women, will go out of stock in 2018.

The urgency of lifting the TRO cannot be overemphasized. However, this is no longer in the hands of the SC. The FDA is the office that needs to make the important decisions on contraceptives.

In its 26 April 2017 decision, the SC ordered the DoH and FDA to do certain things and when these are done, the TRO will be DEEMED LIFTED. The Justices ordered the DoH to revise the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the Reproductive Health Law based on the High Court’s rulings. Said revised IRR is already completed and was signed on Oct. 6, 2017.

The SC also ordered the FDA to revise its guidelines and process for registration of contraceptives so oppositors are given the chance to be heard. The FDA was also ordered to already go through this process and decide on whether contraceptives with applications for registration are abortifacient or not. This FDA decision is the only thing needed before the TRO is finally lifted.

It has been more than six months since the SC’s promulgation but up to now, the FDA has yet to decide on 51 pending applications despite the fact that ALL of these contraceptives have been previously registered prior to the TRO. After the April decision of the SC, the first target of FDA to release its decisions was August. RH advocates have been wondering why the FDA has been slow in carrying out the high court’s orders when ALL of the contraceptives in question only need recertification as these were already made available in the market.

We know that the FDA has already revised its guidelines and registration process according to the SC orders but it took them several months to do this. FDA only issued an advisory on Aug. 21 for interested parties to Turn to A5

is an indication they have the support of the people. The division between the so-called “ruling majority” and the socalled “opposition minority” only exacerbates the contradiction.

Alexis de Tocqueville noted this weakness because people are compelled to accept the rule of the majority as valid, when in fact what exists is the “tyranny of the majority.” The elected leader often implements a program of government contrary to his platform. Since the rule of majority is observed, that now becomes a law where all are enjoined to obey.

To the Western philosophy, contradiction in society has to be resolved in an election. By that, they assume that contradiction will be eliminated. Many overlook that contradiction in politics deals on class interests which cannot be resolved by the expedient process of voting on the basis of the majority. Notably, anybody who seeks to promote democracy is in fact seeking to advance his own class interest. In the case of Turn to A5

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Opinion

THE knives are out for the p-value. This statistical quantity is the Holy Grail for empirical researchers across the world—if your study finds the right p-value, you can get published in a credible journal, and possibly get a good university tenure-track job and research funding. Now a growing chorus of voices wants to de-emphasize or even ban this magic number. But the crusade against p-values is likely to be a distraction from the real problems afflicting scientific inquiry.

What is a p-value? It’s a bit subtle. Suppose that as a researcher, I’m looking for evidence of something interesting—the effect of a new drug on blood pressure, or the impact of good teachers on student outcomes.

Suppose the effect isn’t really there. Even so, there’s still some possibility that random chance will make the data look as if the effect I’m looking for is there. The p-value is the probability that I got this sort of false positive. So a low p-value means that I found a clear signal of something and that my results probably aren’t just a mirage.

That’s the theory, anyway.

In reality, the p-values that researchers report in their scientific papers are a relatively weak way of filtering out false positives. First, a researcher will typically conduct a whole battery of tests -- and yet there’s a good chance that random noise will generate at least one eye-catching p-value even if all of the researcher’s hypotheses are wrong. Most researchers don’t correct for this. Even worse, researchers can just keep testing hypotheses until one of them comes out looking interesting, an activity known as p-hacking. As statistician Andrew Gelman has shown, avoiding certain tests after looking at the data can also be a form of p-hacking— one that’s almost impossible to detect.

Also, p-values receive too much attention in the first place. Just because an effect is detectable doesn’t mean it’s important. If researchers find that red wine is associated with better cardiovascular health, but the benefit they find is tiny, the discovery may get a lot more attention—and scientific acclaim —than it deserves. Finally, focusing on p-values ignores a huge array of things other than random noise that could invalidate a study.

Some have blamed the reliance on p-values for the replication crises now afflicting many scientific fields. In psychology, in medicine, and in some fields of economics, large and systematic searches are discovering that many findings in the literature are spurious.

John Ioannidis, professor of medicine and health research at Stanford University, goes so far as to say that “most published research findings are false,” including those in economics. The tendency research journals have of publishing anything with p-values lower than five percent—the arbitrary value referred to as “statisti-

FDA...

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submit position papers and evidence pertaining to the applications for registration of contraceptives it is processing.

Thus, the August deadline was moved to October.

It is now November and the only thing needed is for the FDA to promulgate its decision. There are those who say that the FDA has already approved the registration of 37 contraceptives. However, FDA director general Nela Charade Puno said that her office is still finishing all the processes before making their decisions public.

If it is true that the FDA has already approved 37 of the 51 applications, there is no reason why this must be kept secret. It need not decide on the 51 all at the same time.

However, there is also the question of why the FDA is

cal significance”—is widely suspected as a culprit.

For these and other reasons, more and more scientists are urging big changes.

In 2016 the American Statistical Association released a widely read statement criticizing the reliance on p-values and urged less emphasis on them. The journal Basic and Applied Social Psychology banned p-values outright. Some economists have suggested moving from a cutoff p-value of five percent to 0.5 percent.

But banning p-values won’t do much to fix the scientific enterprise. In the absence of this measure, journal editors and reviewers will turn to some other method of determining whether a statistical result is interesting enough to publish. There are other criteria they could use, but they all suffer from the same basic problems.

Some argue that the idea of a single quantity that tells you whether a result is interesting or not is folly—journal editors and reviewers can only decide if something is interesting by looking at many different quantities, and exercising judgment.

This is completely correct.

But as things stand, editors and reviewers already have the ability to do this—they can choose to look not just at p-values, but at the size of effects, or their explanatory power. If they choose not to do so, it’s because editors and reviewers simply don’t have much of an incentive to evaluate a paper’s quality thoroughly before they publish it. Changing statistical reporting conventions won’t fix that basic incentive problem—it’s peer review, not pvalues, that is the weak filter.

Why do editors and reviewers not have an incentive to check findings more carefully? Because universities need professors.

The academic system uses research publications as its measure of scholarly quality, even though real and interesting scientific findings are few and far between. So the academic journal system publishes lots of weak and questionable results, because this is the only way we have devised to screen people for academic jobs and tenure.

The truth is, p-values, and even the replication crisis itself, probably aren’t doing much harm to the scientific enterprise itself. Important, interesting findings will still be identified eventually, even if it takes several rounds of replication to confirm that they’re real.

The real danger is that when each study represents only a very weak signal of scientific truth, science gets less and less productive.

Ever more researchers and ever more studies are needed to confirm each result.

This process might be one reason new ideas seem to be getting more expensive to find.

If we want to fix science, p-values are the least of our problems. We need to change the incentive for researchers to prove themselves by publishing questionable studies that just end up wasting a lot of time and effort. Bloomberg dragging its feet on the other 14 applications when these have already been available in the market before?

The RH law cannot be fully implemented if the whole array of modern family planning methods will not be made available. Contraceptives are crucial for this. The RH law will turn five years old this year with very little to show in terms of family planning implementation.

The FDA is headed by a woman and as one, she should understand the urgency of this issue. Her office must move faster because women’s rights, health, and lives are at stake here. FDA must decide in favor of addressing women’s needs for quality and safe contraceptives, NOW not later. bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

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Lawyers and law students against EJKs

Why ‘statistical significance’ is often insignificant

By Noah Smith

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

LAST Thursday, Nov. 2, Mga Manananggol Laban sa Extrajudicial Killings was launched. Manlaban is broad, non-partisan alliance of lawyers and law students that is focused on stopping extrajudical killings and making sure that those responsible for EJKs are held responsible.

I am one of the convenors of the group, which includes statesmen like Senator Rene Saguisag and former UP Law Dean and prominent constitutionalist Dean Pacifico Agabin. Other convenors are Edre Olalia and Neri Colmenares of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, Dean Jose Manuel Diokno of the De La Salle University College of Law and chair of the Free Legal Assistance Group; Dean Ernesto Maceda Jr. former law dean of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila; June Ambrosio, who heads the Integrated Bar of the Philippines National Center for Legal Aid; former congressman and human rights lawyer Erin Tañada; Commissioner Roberto Cadiz of the Commission on Human Rights; professors Victoria Avena and Roel Pulido; Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center; feminist lawyer Evalyn Ursua, and Judge Cleto Villacorta III. Aside from prominent lawyers, student representatives from the Association of Law Students in the Philippines, Paralegal Volunteers Organization–UP Diliman, NUPLUP Diliman, and the UP Diliman College of Law Student Government were also at the launch. The fight against EJKs

needs to be scaled up. We need many paralegals for this work.

We also have to link up with Church groups and other stakeholders to win this.

During the launch, I was asked how we would react if newly appointed Presidentual Spokesman Harry Roque would throw hollow blocks at us. I said we would throw back pan de sal. I actually wasn’t joking when I said that as we we were in Kamuning Bakery, so it was the right metaphor.

Both Dean Agabin and I have known Secretary Roque for decades and consider him our friend. We will not needlessly criticize him. He will have to do his job; we will do ours. But human rights definitely is not something we should fight and throw hollow blocs over. I consider convening Manlaban as a patriotic act, an act that helps the government and it helps the state in stopping EJKs. I am glad that Secretary Roque welcomed the formation of our alliance. He has been quoted as saying we could help the government determine whether EJKs were actually taking place. We will gladly do that. But definitely we are not an opposition alliance. In fact when I was asked last Thursday if we will work to have Duterte impeached, I immediately said no. Our priority is to stop the killings. It’s not acceptable to those whose profession is the advocacy of justice to have EJKs done with immunity. In my view, EJKs are also not an invention of the Duterte administration. We have seen journalists, activists, Lumad leaders, etc. killed under the Aquino and Arroyo administrations. But the scale is different now and because the victims are the poorest in our society, they happen to be the most powerless and need

lawyers the most.

There are already many initiatives to fight EJKs. Among lawyers, Centerlaw (co-founded by Roque), FLAG, NUPL, and the IBP have assisted families of victims. Cases have been filed and will continue to be filed. Manlaban will hopefully help scale up this effort.

Let it not be said that the legal profession stood idle by while many of our poor countrymen were killed.

As Dean Agabin pointed out in the Manlaban launch, the war against illegal drugs is not a war because it is one sided and the poor victims are not fighting back. This point was well illustrated by the story shared during the launch

by Niks Bisuña whose brother Angelo was brutally tortured and executed in a Caloocan jail (the claim is that he died of an infection which the Bisuña family denies).

Below are excerpts from the MANLABAN SA EJK Unity Statement: “We lawyers, including law professors and judges, and law students, have banded to form an organization demanding a stop to extrajudicial killings and the escalating human rights violations. The country has been experiencing a spate of extrajudicial killings in the midst of President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war” against drugs.

The casualties since he took office last year reportedly reached at least twelve thousand, most of them coming from the poor communities. In a blatant disregard of the right to life, thousands of victims who are poor and powerless have been targeted and brutally, nay mercilessly, executed by the State, its agents and proxies with blatant contempt and disregard of due process.

The Duterte administra-

tion has also launched vicious attacks against individuals, groups and institutions, including international human rights advocates, that it perceives to be critical of its human rights policies which not only instill a chilling effect on, but is a threat to freedom of expression.

President Duterte’s public order for the police to shoot human rights activists if they are “obstructing justice” not only endangers human rights defenders but is an outright attack on human rights and freedoms. With violence on all fronts of Duterte’s “war,” there is deep fear indeed among the living that death will come, for virtually any one, sooner at the door.

Drugs, according to Duterte, is the main reason for crime and one of the country’s biggest problems. But the effective solution to the drug problem in the Philippines is cleaning up government of officials, including the police and politicians, who protect drug syndicates, effective prosecution of all involved especially big drug lords to dry up the supply chain, and inclusive economic development to uplift the people from penury and thus stem the demand for antisocial vices like drugs. Extrajudicial killings have not worked before and will never work now. *** Members of the legal profession and law students who value the sanctity of human rights and the equitable rule of law, cannot stand idly by in the midst of these attacks on the right to life, liberty, dignity and security of the people.

Today we join the ever growing voices of protest against rampant killings which target the poor, to defend rights and

demand accountability. *** MANLABAN SA EJK will fight for human rights especially the sanctity of life.

It will help unite and bring together members of the legal profession opposed to institutionalized denials of due process and violations of the rights to privacy, presumption of innocence, and other basic rights to life, liberty and security which victimize and threaten the people and make a mockery of the democratic principles and tenets we have learned or taught.

We will do advocacy campaigns such as conduct forums or provide platforms on the issue especially in law schools.

We shall also come out with statements and opinions from a legal perspective on human rights issues, join or initiate mobilizations, and use our legal skills to provide concrete legal assistance to victims and help in putting a stop to extrajudicial killings and rampant human rights violations engulfing the country today.

MANLABAN SA EJK will join forces with other sectors and groups struggling against the descent of the country into the dark abyss of lawlessness, persecution of the poor, attacks against critics and human rights advocates and authoritarian methods or rule.”

It is not a coincidence that Manlaban was launched on Nov. 2, All-Souls Day. There is unrest in the land of the souls, where many have been killed without remorse, their humanity denied and taken without mercy. Hopefully, Manlaban will give them comfort that the nightmare that led to their deaths will soon end.

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The NoKor nuke threat and the rearming of Japan HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA (Part 1) THE recent state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to Japan was very fruitful, as attested to by the US$6-billion worth of business deals and investments the president was able to obtain from the Land of the Rising Sun. President Duterte was warmly received by top Japanese officials led by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Akie Abe. Returning the hospitality he received, Duterte publicly acknowledged Japan as a good friend of the Philippines.

The Duterte state visit may be over, but expect Japan to be on the spotlight once more, since North Korea is certain to continue to threaten the stability in East Asia, and by unavoidable proximity, South East Asia and the North Pacific region.

More specifically, the communist government in Pyongyang is threatening to unleash its nuclear arsenal against its sworn enemies, namely, South Korea, the United States, and Japan.

North Korea sees South Korea and Japan as stooges of the United States.

China‘s...

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China, one must not forget that it came to power by means of a revolution. Their leaders realized there is no way to resolve the contradiction except to adopt a different but far democratic system. Chairman Mao Zedong was determined to adopt a political system based on his correct assessment that contradiction is caused by class interest which is concomitant to a given class society. A system based on collective leadership was conceived as a higher form of democracy which implies collective responsibility.

Maybe the socialist system has managed to eliminate the various but contradicting classes but interests continue to persist among individuals. As such contradictions come in different forms and dimensions. Noting this, President Xi, Xinhua said “[the] key challenges that strike at the heart of the Communist Party’s claim to legitimacy, (is) the contradiction between unbalanced development and people rising aspirations—as well

Lately, that nuclear threat has caused serious anxiety even to Pyongyang’s traditional allies – Russia and Communist China.

South Korea is most vulnerable to North Korean nuclear aggression, but Seoul is confident in the military support the United States has committed to South Korea since the end of the Korean War in July 1953.

For those who are not in the know, the Korean peninsula had been a colony of Japan in the early decades of the twentieth century. After the end of World War II in the Pacific in 1945, the peninsula was divided into the communist north supported by Russia, and the capitalist-democratic south backed by the United States. When mainland China fell to communist forces in 1949, Peking (the name of Beijing then), became an staunch ally of the north.

In June 1950, troops from the north invaded the south and eventually captured Seoul, leaving only Pusan in the hands of the southerners. The United Nations entered the picture and sent a multi-national military contingent led by the famous American general Douglas MacArthur to fight off the northerners. That international contingent included troops from the Philippines.

The UN forces eventually pushed back the communists so far north, that even Pyongyang fell to the allies. Just when the

war was almost won, soldiers from Communist China joined the fighting on the North Korean side. This resulted in a see-saw situation for everyone.

When neither side seemed certain of victory, a ceasefire was negotiated in July 1953. Since no peace treaty was signed, North Korea and South Korea, technically speaking, are still in a state of war with each other.

Seoul is confident that if the United States went to war to defend South Korea in 1950, it will do so again in another war in the peninsula. From the way Washington, D.C. has been comporting itself in the military stage, it looks like America will not abandon its ally. Besides, there are already numerous American troops in South Korea who are always on alert. All that is enough reason why rock concerts, musical competitions, and tele-novelas seem endless in South Korea despite the ominous nuclear threat from its belligerent neighbor in the north.

While the Communist China of the 1950s was an unconditional ally of North Korea, and continued to be so even up to the dawn of the twenty-first century, the current leadership in Beijing has so far reluctantly acknowledged that North Korea’s nuclear threat must be addressed at the negotiating table.

While Beijing seems exasperated with the trouble Pyongyang has been causing in the

international scene, Beijing is not prepared to abandon Pyongyang—not yet, at least.

About two months ago, Beijing annouced the unexpected: it will not fight on the North Korean side if the United States attacks North Korea without any provocation from the latter.

In other words, Beijing will stay neutral if North Korea draws first blood. So far, that assurance seems good enough for the Americans.

The Russian position is hardly any different. In the more than four decades after World War II, Moscow had been a staunch ally of the Korean communists. The collapse of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (Soviet Union) in 1989, however, changed the economic landscape of North Korea.

Since the post-Soviet era Russia no longer had the money to bankroll North Korea’s extravagant expenses, Communist China became the main source of economic and military support for Pyongyang.

Today, Beijing and Moscow are uncomfortable with Pyongyang’s continuing destabilization overtures to the world despite an economic embargo imposed upon Pyongyang by the UN. At a time when Beijing and Moscow are deep into international trade, they consider those overtures bad for business.

So why aren’t Beijing and

Moscow warming up to America’s inclination to eliminate North Korea and end, once and for all, Pyongyang’s nuclear menace to the world?

For the Russians, it is easy for America to express its displeasure towards North Korea quite unconditionally and, in the process, provoke a shooting war in East Asia. That’s because America is an ocean away from the nuclear battle zone, assuming a nuclear war does break out in the Korean peninsula. Russia does not have that geographical advantage because it is North Korea’s next-door neighbor, and as the saying goes, “be nice to your next door neighbor because anything can happen between neighbors—at a moment’s notice.

In other words, if North Korean decides to engage Russia in a shooting war, North Korean troops can easily cross its border and enter Russian territory. Unlike Russia, the United States has South Korea, Japan, and the whole North Pacific Ocean between it and North Korea.

Besides, more than four decades of the cold war between the old Soviet Union and the United States (19451989) have convinced Moscow to consider the communists in Pyongyang as less objectionable allies than the capitalists in America.

as rampant corruption. Development is the underpinning and the key for solving all the country’s problems.” The person resent corruption and considers it the greatest threat to the country.

Corruption is a manifestation of individual interest, and those in power are prone to take advantage of their position. Xi said, negative outlooks can still be observed in the individual which reason why the Party “launched a campaign to raise moral standards, enhance work ethics, and promote family values and personal integrity.” President Xi hit the nail right on the head when he said that “ideology determines the direction a culture should take and the path it should follow as it develops. Writers and artists should produce work x x x to extol our party, our country, our people and our heroes.”

Again, the enemies would insist that without electing those who represent the various classes of society, ipso facto the system is undemocratic because they look at the people as sovereign. To the believers of collective responsibility, such supposition is rather ad hominem

because people are elected for their program of government.

The 2,200 delegates to the 19th CPC meeting represent the 40 electoral units. Of the 40 electoral units, 34 are divided by a defined geographical area and six units are for the central party and government. The People’s Liberation Army makes up one of the six central units and is the largest in terms of delegate quota. One electoral unit represents the departments directly subordinate to the Central Committee and another state-owned economy. The CPC Congress elect the members for the Central Committee and the Central Committee in turn elect the seven members of the Standing Committee presided by Xi Jinping himself.

Maybe President Xi’s call for “socialism with Chinese characteristics” is one many outsiders could hardly understand. Since socialism is rooted on Marxist economic theory, many were surprised when he “gave a decisive role to the market forces in resource allocation, advancing the supply-side structural reforms.” Li Gang, an article in

China Today, explained that President Xi has to initiate the “supply-side structural economic reforms” to counteract the increasing overcapacity, insufficient medium-to-highend supply and unbalanced economic structure. In the US, this problem is the result of the so-called Reaganomics, characterized by stagnation, inflation and high unemployment.

To rectify this, China has to initiate policies, to wit: 1) balance the roles of the market and government, and coordination between structural adjustment and demand management; 2) industrial restructuring; and, 3) improved social security system. To achieve these goals, President Xi proposed a supplyside structural economic reforms, and these include: 1) a cut in overcapacity and achieve a stable growth, which is the short term goal; and, 2) adjust the industrial structure and transform the economic growth which is the long term model.

To the West, their solutions are to: 1) impose tax cuts; 2) reduce spending on social welfare programs; 3) promote money supply, and; 4) relax further gov-

ernment regulations. To them, the goal is simply limited to promoting economic recovery and to end stagflation which is a combination of unemployment, increase in the prices of goods coupled by low productivity. *** Chinese Premier Li Keqiang will be arriving to attend the Asean-China meeting this November. His visit is most important because he is expected to lay the groundbreaking in the construction of two bridges crossing the Pasig River. China also provided concessional loans for the construction of the Kaliwa Dam and Chico River pump irrigation project.

Since the rewarming of bilateral relations, China has become the country’s largest trading partner totally $27.86 billion in the first seven months of 2017. China also provided P436 million worth of drug detection and testing equipment. Last month, China donated P150 million worth of construction equipment for the rehabilitation of Marawi City. rpkapunan@gmail.com

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

StandardENERGY Republic of the Philippines REGULATORY COMMISSION TODAY

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2018 PURSUANT TO THE GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE AND DISBURSEMENT OF THE FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FUND, WITH PAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, NATIONAL TRANSMISSION (TRANSCO),

Where:

DESCRIPTION

ERC CASE NO. 2017-079 RC

CORPORATION

Applicant. x - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - - - - - x

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 30 August 2017, National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) filed an Application dated 24 August 2017 (Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance for Calendar Year 2018 pursuant to the Guidelines for the Collection of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance and Disbursement of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance Fund, with prayer for provisional authority.

TRANSCO alleged the following in its Application:

TransCo is a government instrumentality created pursuant to Republic Act (R.A.) No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at TransCo Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City, where it may be served with summons and other processes of this Honorable Commission.

NATURE OF THE APPLICATION

2.

3.

4.

5.

This Application is being filed by Applicant TransCo in its capacity as FIT-All Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/administration, and disbursement/settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) of the FIT-All Fund pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012 issued on 19 November 2012 and on the bases of relevant laws, rules, and regulations as will be discussed hereafter.

On 16 December 2008, R.A. No. 9513 entitled “An Act Promoting the Development, Utilization and Commercialization of Renewable Energy Resources and for Other Purposes” (RE Law) was enacted to: (1) accelerate the exploration and development of renewable energy resources to achieve energy self-reliance by reducing the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and thereby minimize the country’s exposure to price fluctuations in the international markets; (2) increase the utilization of renewable energy by providing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives; (3) encourage the development and utilization of renewable energy resources as tools to effectively prevent or reduce harmful emissions and thereby balance the goals of economic growth and development with the protection of health and the environment; and (4) establish the necessary infrastructure and mechanism to carry out the mandates specified in the Act and other existing laws.

To achieve these state policies, Section 7 of the RE Law mandates the establishment of a Feed-in Tariff System (FIT System) for electricity produced from wind, solar, ocean, run-of-river hydropower, and biomass. The FIT System is an incentive scheme that, among others, grants priority connections to the grid, priority purchase and transmission of, and payment for, electricity generated, and fixed tariff for a period not less than twelve (12) years to be determined by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC)1 for eligible Renewable Energy (RE) generation.

On 12 July 2010, the ERC, in consultation with the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) and other stakeholders, issued Resolution No. 16, Series of 2010 entitled Resolution Adopting the Feed-in Tariff Rules (FIT Rules) where it established, among others, the Feed-in Tariff (FIT) System, the method of establishing and approving the FIT and the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All).

6.

Under the FIT Rules, the FIT System guarantees all eligible renewable energy plants an entitlement to the applicable FITs for a period of twenty (20) years.2

7.

Further, Section 2.2 ofthe FIT Rules provides that the ERe shall approve technologyspecific FITs based on such FITs to be recommended by the NREB. Accordingly, on 27 July 2012, the ERC issued its Decision in ERC Case No. 2011-006 and Resolution No. 10, Series of 2012 entitled “Resolution Approving the Feed-in Tariff Rates” where it approved the following initial FIT Rates:

ERCAPPROVED FIT RATES (PhP/kWh)

TECHNOLOGY

8.

9.

RE

Forecast FIT Rate x,t+1

is FIT Rate, as degressed (if applicable) and adjusted for local inflation and foreign exchange (FOREX) as forecasted for year t+1, in PhP /kWh, that Eligible RE Plantxis forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered.

Forecast Cost Recovery

is the applicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rate to be implemented in Year t+1 for Eligible RE Plantx, in PhP kWh.

FD t-1 (over)/under

is the variance between the actual FIT Differential for year t-1 (Actual FD t-1) and the FIT Differential collected for year t-1 (Collected FD t-1).

There is over recovery if Collected FD t-1> Actual FD t-1 and under recovery if Collected FD t-1 is < Actual FD t-1.

27. Alternatively, the formula in Paragraph 26 can be viewed or rewritten as: FD = TotalFITRevenue - TotalForecastCostRecoveryRevenue + FDt - 1,(over)/under

ERC-APPROVED DEGRESSION RATES

WIND

8.53

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

BIOMASS

6.63

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

SOLAR

9.68

6% after year 1 from effectivity of FIT

HYDRO

5.90

0.5% after year 2 from effectivity of FIT

On 27 March 2015, the ERe issued Resolution No. 06, series of 2015 entitled “Resolution Adopting the New Solar Feed-In Tariff Rate” setting a new Solar FIT Rate of PhP8.69/kWh (herein referred to as “Solar FIT 2”). The Solar FIT 2 was issued as a result of the revised installation target for solar energy generation from 50 MW to 500 MW and shall be applied to new Solar Plants that have been commissioned after the effectivity of said Resolution and until 15 March 2016.

On 06 October 2015, the ERe likewise issued Resolution No. 14, series of 2015 also known as “Resolution Adopting the Wind Feed-in Tariff (Wind-FIT2) Rate” setting a new Wind FIT Rate of PhP7.40/kWh (herein referred to as “Wind FIT 2”). The Wind FIT 2 shall only be applied to three (3) wind power projects namely: San Lorenzo, Nabas, and Pililia Power Projects which have already commenced commercial operations as certified by the Department of Energy (DOE).

28. TransCo primarily used the most updated list of RE Projects that are projected to be eligible/ already eligible under the FIT System in 2014-2019 and forecast data as provided by the DOE7, TransCo likewise tapped its own database containing historical information and the available submissions of RE Developers on actual/forecast generation.8 Actual billing data invoiced to the FIT-All Fund up to May 2017 were used where available.

29. With the list from DOE which provides the best estimate of the timing of entry of Eligible RE Plants, TransCo aims to be able to adequately provide for the corresponding payout requirements. However, the list does not in any way give preemptive right to the identified projects to be counted under the final FIT -eligible projects or limit the payment of FITs to these projects,

16. For the 2018 FIT-All Rate, TransCo requested for a one month extension after the end of July 2017 within which to file its application to give it sufficient time to complete the pre-filing requirements.

17. The ERC, in its letter dated 08 August 2017, granted the said request and gave TransCo until 31 August 2017 to file the said Application.

18. Therefore, by and pursuant to the RE Law and Resolution No. 16 Series of 2010 (FIT Rules), as amended by Resolution No. 15 Series of 2012, in connection with the Guidelines and other pertinent laws, rules and regulations, the instant Application is submitted to the Honorable Commission for its due consideration of the herein applied for FIT-All Rate for the year 2018.

FEED-IN TARIFF ALLOWANCE FOR 2018 19. TransCo has computed a FIT-All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.3305 for 2018, determined using the formula provided in Section 1.3 of the Guidelines, as follows: FIT-All = Where: DESCRIPTION FIT-All

is the Feed-in Tariff Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP/kWh, as provided for in the FIT Rules and the Guidelines. is the estimated Total FIT Differential required for Year further described in Section 1.4.1 of the Guidelines.

FD WCA

t+1

in PhP, and as

is the estimated Working Capital Allowance required for Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.2 of the Guidelines.

AA

is the Administration Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines.

DA

is the Disbursement Allowance to be implemented in Year t+1 in PhP, and as further described in Section 1.4.3 of the Guidelines. is the Forecast National Sales, in kWh, to be applied for Year further described in Section 1.4.4.2 of thr Guidelines.

FNS

and as t+1

is the year the application for setting the FIT-All is filed with the ERC

T

is the year following t

t+1

20. Whenever Year t+1 (implementation year) is used in any formula in the present Application, the same shall refer to the year 2018. Correlatively, the Year t+2 whenever used in any formula in this Application shall refer to the year 2019.

COMPONENTS OF THE FIT-ALL I.

Forecast National Sales

21. The Forecast National Sales (FNS) is the denominator in the FIT-All formula. The estimated level for 2018 is presented first since it is best to present the determined value of the other FITAll components in terms of PhP /kWh, where this FNS is the kilowatt-hours (kWh) denominator.

22. The FNS refers to an estimated total kilowatt-hours of electricity billed to consumers who are supplied with electricity in all On-Grid areas in the Philippines for a given year.

23. The FNS, in kWh, shall be equal to the latest available Electricity Sales as stated in the Philippine Power Statistics, excluding Utilities Own Use and Power Losses, or as otherwise certified by the DOE and as adjusted by the historical growth rate published for the immediately preceding three (3) years.

24. From the historical data sourced from the Philippine Power Statistics until 20165, TransCo computed for the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of Electricity Sales for a 3-year period using the formula:

Table 1. Forecast National Electricity Sales, kWh

2017 78,898,449,177 II.

2018 84,889,570,430

Total FIT Differential

26. The Total FIT Differential represents the difference between: (1) the forecast applicable FIT Rate for Year t+1 that each Eligible RE Plant is forecasted to receive for each kWh delivered, and (2) the forecast applicable cost recovery rate as determined under the Guidelines, multiplied by the projected annual energy generation from Eligible RE Plant for year t+1. In setting the FIT-All for Year t+1, the FIT Differential is represented by the following formula:

669,876

1,980,114

2,510,078

2,665,142

Wind

2,400,497

2,139,087

3,285,117

3,987,981

3,987,981

Total

4,295,615

5,900,094

9,502,482

12,006,217

12,060,632

58. FIT Differential for 2015-2017 generation charged to 2018 FIT-All Rate16. This pertains to energy generation for years 2015 to 2017 that are expected to be billed to TransCo for 2018. Section 4.5 of the RE Payment Agreement (REP A) provides that the Eligible RE Developer shall only start billing TransCo for FIT Differential upon the REPA’s effectivity. Where months have lapsed from the Commercial Operation Date (COD) until the Effective Date of REPA, the Actual FIT Differential shall be billed to TransCo over the number of months lapsed from COD to REP A Effective Date.

59. It is estimated that total FIT Differential for 2015, 2016 and 2017 generation, amounting to Php 163,683,780.93, Php 528,598,054.00 and Php 134,383,531.19, respectively, will be due in 2018.

60. FIT Differential. Following the formula for FD in Paragraph 27 (first two terms), the total FCRR in Table 7 is subtracted from the corresponding FIT Revenue in Table 4, on a per plant basis, and yields the following summary for 2014-2019: Table 8. FIT Differential (without under-recovery and accrued 2015-2017 FIT Differential), in Mn Pesos Technology

2012-2015

Biomass

935,652

Hydropower

223,903

Solar

821,430

Wind

3,918,670

Total

5,899,655

2016

2017

3,948,386

266,563

623,195

1,426,682

1,433,751

3,712,126

4,194,187

5,016,881

4,991,229

5,454,296

5,707,092

5,789,065

5,789,065

11,533,596

13,554,829

15,978,559

16,162,432

The 2019 levels are shown only for the purpose of computing the WCA which is discussed below.

61. The final FIT Differential for 2018 in P /kWh, inclusive of the under-recovery for 2017 and the accrued FIT-Differential for 2015-2017 generation charged to 2018, is as follows: Table 9.TotaI FIT Differential, in Pesos Particulars

Amount

P/kWh 0.1882 0.0019

2018 FIT Differential -2016 Gen

528,598,054.00

0.0062

35. No additional projects were considered in the 2018 to 2019 generation forecast consistent with the DOE List of FIT Eligible Renewable Energy Developer, given the review of the FIT system prior to any issuance of a new policy on the same.

2018 FIT Differential -2017 Gen

134,383,531.19

0.0016

8,668,804,005.77

0.1021

25,474,028,306.79

0.3001

Table 2. Forecast AnnuaI Renewable Energy GeneratIon, MWh Technology Biomass Hydropower

2012-2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

280,234

533,237

829,715

971,501

990,232 516,546

89,291

101,869

255,819

516,527

Solar

155,064

636,684

739,093

742,932

739,090

Wind

776,988

952,836

1,088,370

1,108,040

1,108,040

Total

1,301,576

2,224,626

2,912,998

3,339,000

3,353,907

2019

3,745,931

163,683,780.93

36. Based on the foregoing, the applicable Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation of Eligible RE Plants (kWh) for the years 2012-2015 (lumped), 2016, 201710 and 2018 are as follows:

2018

3,030,356

2,100,611

2018 FIT Differential -2015 Gen

2017 Under Recovery.

Total

62. It is worthy to note that for the 12-month period June 2014 to May 2017, the average effective Actual Cost Recovery Rate as derived from the FIT-All Fund database is much lower than the Forecast Cost Recovery Rate used in the 2017 FIT-All Application following the formula in the FIT-All Guidelines. Thus, this contributed to the projected under-recovery shown earlier.

Table 10. Effective ACRR Rate vs FCRR Rate Used in the 2017 FIT- All Application

II.2. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate and Forecast FIT Revenue 37. Forecast Applicable FIT Rate refers to the prevailing ERC approved and published schedule ofrates in PhP/kWh for each emerging renewable energy technology, as degressed by the relevant degression rates, if applicable, and adjusted for Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Foreign Exchange (FOREX), in accordance with Section 2.10 of the FIT Rules.11 38. Currently, the prevailing FIT Rates are based on ERC’s Decision dated 27 July 2012 in ERC Case No. 2011-006 RM, Resolution No.6 series of 2016 for Solar FIT 2, and Resolution No. 14 series of 2015 for Wind FIT 2.

39. TransCo has made its interpretation of Section 2.10 of the FIT Rules regarding adjustment of the FIT rates in the absence of a precedent approach from the ERC. At the same time, degression as provided in the decision under ERC Case No. 2011-006 RM was applied.

40. Basically, TransCo’s approach considered that on the year the eligible RE Plants enter the FIT system, its entitlement is to the original FIT rate, unless already degressed. Adjustment for inflation and foreign exchange movements is then applied on its second year in the FIT system and beyond.12

III. Working Capital Allowance 63. The WCA is part of the FIT-All and serves as buffer to address any default or delay in the collection and/or remittance of the FIT-All and/or Actual Cost Recovery Revenue (ACRR) including, but not limited to, the following: i.

Variations between the actual and forecasted (a) RE Generation from Eligible RE Plants resulting from overand under- generation, (b) Annual National Sales and (c) applicable Forecast Cost Recovery Rates and Actual Cost Recovery Revenues;

ll.

The timing difference of the collection and billing cycle for the FIT-All and Actual Cost Recovery Revenue; and, Any other collection or payment shortfall.

Ill.

64. The WCA amount for collection is expressed as:

41. The Total FIT Revenue appearing in the formula in Paragraph 27 was obtained by multiplying the Eligible RE generation per technology summarized in Table 2 by the corresponding appropriate FIT rates in Table 3. This was done on a per plant basis. For 2019, which is required only for the computation of the Working Capital Allowance that will later be discussed, the Adjusted FIT-rates for 2018 were used for simplicity of assumption.

The resulting levels are given as:

WCAt+1

Is the Working Capital Allowance to be funded during Year t+1

Forecast Annual Payoutt+2

Is the projected amount of payables out ofthe FIT-All Fund for year t+2 consisting of forecasted Total FIT Revenues, forecasted Administration Allowance and forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Year t+2. The forecasted Total FIT Revenues for Year t+2 is the sum of the product of the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plantx for Yeart+2 multiplied by the appropriate FIT Ratex for Year t+2. The forecasted Administration Allowance for Yeart+2 is the Administration Allowance for Year t+1, less any non-recurring expenditures such as those relating to the initial filing of the FIT -All, adjusted for forecast CPI for Year t+2- The forecasted Disbursement Allowance for Year t+2 is the projected level of payment to the Trustee Bank in Year t+2.

WCA Ending Balancet

Is the ending balance of the Working Capital Allowance account in Yeart including any interest income earned in the WCA account and all other component accounts of the FIT-All Fund; if this is not available at the time of filing, the ending balance for the month immediately preceding the month of filing, subject to updating by the ERC of the actual ending balance of the WCA account in Year! if it shall become available prior to the issuance of its Decision on the FIT-All application.

Factor Rate

Is the factor rate approved by the ERC, upon recommendation of the NREB, reflective of funding requirements of the FIT-All Fund, adjusted by (i) a period factor based on the billing and collection cycle of the Collection Agents as described in the Guidelines; and (ii) the collection efficiencies of Collection Agents. Data for the initial year shall be sourced from PSALM for its collection of the Universal Charge. Data for succeeding years shall be based on FIT-All historical collection efficiency rate.

Table 4. TotaI FIT Revenue by Technology, in Mn Pesos Technology Biomass Hydropower Solar

2012-2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

3,544,711

5,778,615

7,151,440

7,422,175

526,815

603,356

1,582,221

3,374,267

3,381,405

1,419,306

5,692,240

6,704,265

7,682,023

7,642,438

1,857,981

Wind

6,319,167

7,593,383

8,992,209

9,777,046

9,777,046

Total

10,195,270

17,433,690

23,057,311

27,984,776

28,223,064

42. It is worthy to note that in the absence of ERC issuances on the matter, no adjustments of FIT rates have been applied for eligible RE plants for the years 2016 and 2017. Computation and actual payment of FIT revenues for actual generation in 2016 up to present have been based on unadjusted FIT rates.

65. From the foregoing, it may be gleaned that an initial Forecast Annual Payout for the year 2019 needs to be determined since it is envisioned that buffer requirements for the following year should be collected and built up during the current year. Hence, aside from the 2018 levels for Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue, FD, AA and DA, the 2019 projected levels were also established.

II.3. Forecast Cost Recovery Rate

66. For the purpose of computing the WCA, the FCRRs used by TransCo for 2019 were set at the same level as the 2018. The same holds for the FIT Rates.

43. Simply put, the Forecast Cost Recovery Rate (FCRR) is the projected generation rate that the Eligible RE Plant would likely receive had it not been under the FIT System.

44. Under Section 1.4.1.2 of the Guidelines, the manner by which the FCRR is forecasted and applied to a particular Eligible RE Plant shall be based on whether or not the Eligible RE Plant operates in a Grid where the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) is operational or not.

46. The FCRR to be applied for Eligible RE Plants where WESM is non-operational (Mindanao) shall be the weighted average of the generation cost of the Host Distribution Utility (Host DU) from all its other generation sources, excluding generation from any Eligible RE PlantNon-WESM with a Renewable Energy Supply Agreement (RESA) with the Host DU, for the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the filing of the application for the setting of the FIT-All. 47. TransCo requested the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation (PEMC) for an update on the LWAP for the period June 2014 to May 2017 which the latter provided through a letter dated June 16, 201713.

48. Consequently, TransCo came up with the following thirty-six (36)-month averages for Luzon and Visayas:

Luzon 3.6506

Visayas 3.4013

49. For Mindanao, the following Host DUs were identified from the lineup of projects and their location: Host DU

67. Summarizing Table 7 and Table 8, we have the following inputs in computing the Forecast Annual Payout for 2018: Table11. 2019 Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue and FIT Differential, in Mn Pesos Technology

FORECAST COST RECOVERY REVENUE

Plant Name

RE Developer

FIT DIFFERENTIAL

Biomass

3,473,789

3,948,386

Hydropower

1,947,653

1,433,751

Solar

2,651,209

4,991,229

Wind

3,987,981

5,789,065

Total

12,060,632

16,162,432

68. The projected AA for 2019 is estimated to be Php 9,815,451.0217.

69. For simplicity, the estimated trustee fee/ Disbursement Allowance for 2019 is set at the 2018 level of PhP1,136,493.58 as stated in Paragraph 81.

70. Combining the results and assumptions given in Paragraphs 67 to 69, the Forecast Annual Payout for 2019 is as follows: Table 12.2019 Forecast AnnuaI Payout in Pesos Technology

Table 5. Average LWAP, PhP/kWh

2019

Forecast Cost Recovery Revenue

12,060,632,424

FIT Differential

16,162,431,576

Administration Allowance

9,815,451

Disbursement Allowance Forecast Annual Payout

1,136,494 28,234,015,945

71. The Guidelines further provide the use of a Factor Rate that will be multiplied to the Forecast Annual Payout for 2019.

DASURECO

Tudaya 2 Hydroelectric Power Project

HedcorTudaya, Inc.

COTABATO LIGHT

13.5 MW Biomass Power Plant Project

Lamsan Power Corporation

COTABATO LIGHT

3 MW Biomass Power Plant Project

Philippine Trade Center, Inc.

BUSECO

Manalo Fortich 1 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

BUSECO

Manalo Fortich 2 HEP

Hedcor Bukidnon, Inc.

FIBECO

Kibawe Solar Power Project

Asian Green Energy Corporation

SOCOTECO I

Centrala Solar Power Project

NV Vogt Philippines Solar Energy One, Inc.

SUKELCO

3.5 GEEC MW Biomass Cogeneration System

Green Earth Enersource Corporation

72. Pursuant to the Guidelines, the NREB recommended a formula for the Factor Rate in the 2014-2015 FIT -All Application. Using the same formula for this Application but with updated inputs, a factor rate of 9.1154%,18 was derived.

50. TransCo used the twelve (12}-month average of the Actual Weighted Average Generation Cost of DASURECO, calculated at PhP 4.6627/kWh, which covered the period June 2016 to May 2017. Data were lifted from the monthly submission to TransCo of DASURECO as Host DU for Tudaya 2.

73. Further, the Guidelines define the WCA Ending Balance to be the balance of the WCA component account for the immediately preceding month prior to the month of filing.

However, TransCo deemed it best to project the level up to year-end 2017 for a more realistic determination. Given the deficiency in the fund balance to address even the FD to date, the WCA in fact has no balance. Truth to tell, the amounts TransCo uses to augment the ACRR remittance of PEMC and pay the Interest Expense billed by Eligible RE Developers, constitute negative fund balance. TransCo has estimated a WCA Ending Balance of -PhP 600,679,190.0319, which represents the projected deficiency for ACRR and estimated accrued interest until end of 2017.

51. FIBECO and SOCOTECO I submitted their Actual Weighted Average Generation Cost covering January 2016 to January 2017 and April 2016 to April 2017 Billing Months, respectively. TransCo then appended data up to May 2017 billing month which are available through the Host DUs submissions to TransCo for actual billing purposes. The resulting twelve (12)month Weighted Average Generation Cost for FIBECO and SOCOTECO I are PhP 4.7303/kWh and PhP 5.5160/kWh, respectively.

74. However, given that the WCA sub-account has considerably not been funded or established over the years due to the deficit, TransCo opines that establishing the WCA from scratch without consideration of an adjustment for prior period’s ending balance, will conceptually suffice in setting the buffer requirement. As such, TransCo proposes not to consider the amount of PhP 600,679,190.03 or PhP 0.0071/kWh as an addition to the WCA for 2018, given the subtraction of a negative number in the WCA formula. In other words, TransCo is proposing to set the WCA Ending Balance term for this Application to zero (0).

52. For the other possible Host DUs, TransCo has yet to receive the data that it requested. In the meantime, TransCo used figures from www.kuryente.org.

75. From the given information, the combined buffer required for 2018, which is equivalent to the 2019 fund requirement multiplied by the Factor Rate less the WCA ending balance, is PhP 2,573,633,043.18, derived as: Table 13. Determination ofWCA., in Pesos Technology

Table 6. FCRR for Host DUs, PhP/kWh

25. TransCo computed the projected 2017 level by increasing the historical 2016 level by the computed CAGR (2014-2016). Then, TransCo again computed for the rolling 3-year CAGR and so on.6 TransCo came up with the following Forecast National Electricity Sales for 2017-2018:

2,651,209

Solar

34. Regarding Solar plants, a total capacity of 526.4 MW was covered due to the commercial and technical indivisibility of projects.

53. Here is a summary of the FCRR14:

Where: V (to) = start value V (tn) = finish value = number of years tn-to

1,947,653

15,978,558,934.90

45. Where WESM is operational, the FCRR for the Eligible RE Plant shall be equivalent to the average of the monthly system Ex-Ante Load Weighted Average Price (L W AP) of the WESM for the Luzon and the Visayas Grids for the thirty-six (36) months immediately preceding the filing of the application for the setting ofthe FIT-All.

FD + WCA + AA +DA FNS

3,473,789

1,947,585

2018 FIT Differential -2018 Gen

12. The imposition, collection, and disbursement of the FIT-All is further covered by the “Guidelines on the Collection of the Feed-in Tariff Allowance (FIT-All) and the Disbursement of the FIT-All Fund” (Guidelines) issued and approved by the ERC in its Resolution No. 24 dated 16 December 2013.

15. On 01 December 2016, TransCo filed the application for 2017 FIT-All Rate, which is currently pending ERC’s approval.

3,405,509

959,026

57. By the end of the billing and payment cycle for 2017, it is estimated that the FIT-All Fund will have a deficit of Php 8,668,804,005.7715 in terms of collection vis-a-vis payables.

33. TransCo limited the determination ofthe FIT-All rate to include only Eligible/Projected Eligible RE capacities up to the installation targets set by the DOE as follows: 500 MW for Solar up to March 15, 2016; and 400 MW for Wind after the RE Law of 2008 and 33 MW for preRE Law plants. For FIT-Eligible Biomass, only 144.69MW was considered and for Hydro, 107.89 MW, following the DOE letter dated May 15, 2017.

11. On 19 November 2012, the ERC issued Resolution No. 15, Series of 2012, designating TransCo as the FIT-AIl Fund Administrator tasked with the establishment, management/ administration, and disbursement/settlement (thru the Trustee Bank) ofthe FIT-All Fund.

14. On 18 December 2015, TransCo filed the application for the 2016 FIT-All Rate4.

Correspondingly, on 16 February 2016, the ERC granted TransCo’s application for Provisional Authority to implement a 2016 FIT-All rate of PhP/kWh 0.1240 which was implemented starting the April 2016 billing period. On 09 May 2017, the ERC approved the 2016 FIT-All Rate of Php/kWh 0.1830 effective on the succeeding billing period following the receipt of the decision by TransCo, which was 18 May 2017. Thus, the 2016 FIT-All Rate was implemented starting June 2017 Billing Period.

2,748,260

336,793

56. The under-recovery results from the fact that the estimated collection for 2017 is less than the estimated amount of payables that will be billed to TransCo by Eligible RE Developers until the last billing month of 2017. TransCo prepared the estimates under the assumption that the provisionally approved FIT-All rate of P0.1830/kWh will prevail until the last billing month of 2017.

31. For some Biomass plants, TransCo followed the monthly projection provided by DOE (See Annexes “D-40” to “D-40A”). On the other hand, for Solar, Biomass, and Hydro plants without forecast submission, TransCo generally followed the annual projection from DOE and applied the monthly seasonality indices9 used in the 2017 FIT-All Rate Application in determining the monthly generation forecast.

10. The FIT-All, on the other hand, is a uniform charge (in PhP /kWh) billed to all ongrid electricity consumers who are supplied with electricity through the distribution or transmission network. The FIT-All shall be established and set by the ERC on an annual basis and taking into account the following: the forecasted annual required revenue of the Eligible RE Plants; previous year’s over or under recoveries; administration costs; forecasted annual electricity sales; and, such other relevant factors to ensure that no stakeholder is allocated with additional risks in the implementation of the FITs.3

13. Under the FIT-All Guidelines, TransCo has to make an annual determination ofthe FITAll rate and file its application with the ERC not later than end of July of each year for the FIT-All rate that will be implemented for the following year.

1,444,100

302,913

55. 2017 Under-recoveries. The last term in the formula for FIT Differential is the amount of under-recovery or over-recovery of the FIT Differential. For this Application, TransCo has determined that there will be an under-recovered FIT Differential by the end of 2017.

30. For those Eligible RE Developers already billing the FIT-All Fund, TransCo generally adopted their 2016 to 2019 energy generation forecast submissions, (See Annexes “D” to “D-39” ,)

32. Starting 2018, no additional projects were included in the list of projects submitted by DOE, consistent with its thrust to have a review of policy after the first three (3) years of FIT implementation. As such, the determination of 2019 annual payout requirement in connection with the WCA level setting was computed based on the 2017 line-up of FITEligible RE projects.

922,329

Hydropower

Similarly as for the FIT rates, the 2018 FCRRs were adopted for 2019 since these are merely intended for the determination of the Working Capital Allowance, a buffer fund, as discussed below.

is the Forecast RE Generation of Eligible RE Plantx (in kWh),

II.1. Forecast Annual Renewable Energy Generation

THE APPLICANT 1.

Forecast Gen x,t+1

Biomass

Data Source

DASURECO

4.6627

FIT-All Fund ACRR Payment of DASURECO

COTABATO LIGHT

2.8784

kuryente.org

BUSECO

3.7339

kuryente.org

FIBECO

4.7303

ACRR Rate from Host DU

SOCOTECO I

5.5160

ACRR Rate from Host DU

SUKELCO

3.7456

kuryente.org

Host DU

2016

2017

9.1154%

Equals: Portion of Annual Payout Less: WCA Ending Balance (Year n) Working Capital Allowance WCA, Php/kWh

2,573,633,043 2,573,633,043 0.0303

76. The table above provides the corresponding PhP /kWh level of the WCA for 2018, which is PhP /kWh 0.0303.

IV. Administration and Disbursement Allowance

Table 7. Total Forecast Cost Revenue by Technology, in Mn Pesos 2012-2015

2019 28,234,015,945

x Factor Rate

54. Multiplying the forecast eligible RE Generation summarized in Table 2 by the appropriate FCRRs (done on a per plant and per month basis) gives the following total FCRR in pesos:

Technology

2018

Forecast Annual Payout

Weighted Average Generation Cost

2018

2019

77. As provided for in Section 2.5 of the FIT Rules, the FIT- All shall also take into account the Applicant’s administration costs to defray expenses of the Administrator in connection with the performance of its functions as FIT-All Fund Administrator (Administration Allowance).

78. For the year 2018, TransCo proposes an Administration Allowance of PhP 9,962,472.96 as shown in Annex “T”.

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Sports

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

79. A similar fee may be imposed by the designated Trustee of the FIT All Fund in accordance with the Trust Agreement approved by the ERC to defray standard administrative costs in establishing and managing the actual collection and disbursements of the FIT-All Fund and all other monetary collections authorized by the FIT Rules (Disbursement Allowance).

80. From the Trust Agreement entered into by Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP)-Trust and TransCo on 03 March 201520 and subsequently approved by the ERC, TransCo shall pay a fixed fee of P720,000 per annum plus some variable components.

81. Based on TransCo’s estimates of fund balances which will be the major basis of the variable component that is the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Supervision Fee, the Disbursement Allowance or the service fee of LBP for 2018 is PhP 1,136,493.58.21 V.

FIT-ALL RATE FOR 2018

82. Applying the above components to the formula for FIT-All, we have the following, in PhP /kWh:

FIT-All

=

FD + WCA + AA +DA FNS

= =

0.3001 + 0.0303 + 0.0001 + 0.00001 0.3305

83. In more detail, the components and result of the FIT-All calculation may be summarized in the following table: Table 15. Summary of 2018 FIT-All Rate Computation Components

Amount (Php)

FD 2018 FIT Differential -2018 Gen 2018 FIT Differential -2015 Gen 2018 FIT Differential -2016 Gen 2018 FIT Differential -2017 Gen 2017 Under Recovery

Rate (P/kWh)

Share

25,474,028,307 15,978,558,935 163,683,781 528,598,054 134,383,531 8,668,804,006

0.3001 0.1882 0.0019 0.0062 0.0016 0.1021

90.79% 56.95% 0.58% 1.88% 0.48% 30.90%

WCA

2,573,633,043

0.0303

9.17%

AA

9,962,473

0.001

0.04%

DA

1,136,494

0.0001

0.00%

Total FNS, kWh

28,058,760,317 84,889,570,430

FIT-All, Php/kWh

0.3305

84. However, TransCo would like to present some additional computations that show the estimated 2018 FIT-All at different categories of FIT-eligible/-candidate RE Projects: Table 16. Incremental Movement of the 2018 FIT-All for Different RE Plant/Project Categories (as of July 5,2017)

A7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com Manila

Standard

TODAY

Thompson steers Dubs past Spurs, 112 to 92

L

OS ANGELES—Klay Thompson scored 27 points as the Golden State Warriors recovered from an early mauling to score a 112-92 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday.

A stormy encounter between the two Western Conference big guns saw Warriors coach Steve Kerr lose his cool on the sidelines before Spurs counterpart Gregg Popovich was ejected late in the game.

Popovich was tossed in the fourth quarter after picking

up a second technical foul following an altercation with a member of the officiating crew.

Courtside microphones picked up Popovich swearing at the referee before he was given his marching orders.

Kerr also risked ejection in the first quarter, and needed

to be held back by assistant Mike Brown after he was handed a technical foul.

The tirade by the Warriors coach came as the Spurs jumped out to a 28-12 first quarter lead.

“We might as well start every game here down 20—other than the playoffs last year, that’s been four or five straight games where that’s happened,” Kerr said afterwards.

“They have an edge on us with their size and strength and we weren’t ready to battle early, and that’s

why we fell behind.

Once we started competing and running and pushing the ball, we got into a good groove.”

The reigning NBA champions gradually began chipping away at the deficit and had closed the gap to 3424 by the end of the first quarter.

Thompson’s 27 points led the scoring for the Warriors, with three rebounds and two assists.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry also weighed in with 20-point hauls as the

Warriors improved to 6-3 and climbed to third in the Western Conference.

Durant scored 24 points with eight rebounds while Curry had 21 points. Draymond Green also cracked double digits with 16 points.

“In the first half, our intensity was there, or focus was there, but we just gave up too many offensive rebounds and broken play open 3s—and they hit a bunch of them,” Curry said.

“Against this team if we can get stops,

Blu Girls primed up for Asian softball tilt

Based on the above table of FIT-All calculation, attached as Annex “W” is a list ofRE Plants/Projects per category.22 85. TransCo has deemed it reasonable to give more weight to plants that have already been inspected by the DOE to have achieved at least 80% electromechanical completion.

Further, under the Honorable Commission’s Decision in ERC Case No. 2014-109 RC23 limiting the forecast RE generation included in the computation of the FIT -All to those RE plants with Certificate of Endorsement (COE) for FIT eligibility from DOE, TransCo has opted to recommend and seek the Honorable Commission’s approval of a FIT-All rate lower than the total computed level of PhP /kWh 0.3305, considering project status.

Inasmuch as there are only two (2) additional plants (total of 2.6MW) that have been issued a nomination for FIT eligibility by the DOE but have not yet been issued FITeligible Certificate of Compliance (COC) by the ERC, TransCo has considered at least the nomination by DOE for FIT eligibility as the criterion for its recommendation.

86. The computed 2018 FIT-All rate covering RE Projects with at least nomination from the DOE as of 05 July 2017 for the FIT system is PhP /kWh 0.2932. These projects, have ongoing construction and have reached at least 80% electromechanical completion, thus, are almost sure to operate within the period under consideration, if not already operating to date.

ALLEGATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 87. TransCo repleads the foregoing allegations insofar as they may be applicable.

88. It is respectfully submitted that the computation of, as well as the data used by, TransCo are all in accordance with the FIT Rules and the Guidelines issued by the ERC. 89. On this basis, TransCo most respectfully moves for the immediate issuance of a “Provisional Authority” pursuant to Rule 14, Section 324 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures to allow applicant TransCo to timely implement the FIT-All Rate of PhP /kWh 0.2932 effective January 2018 without prejudice to the final and actual rate pending the final disposition of its present Application.

90. The grant of a Provisional Authority will allow TransCo to perform its duties to make a timely payment of the FIT Rate to RE Developers to which they are entitled, thereby allowing their continued operations.

91. In support of the foregoing allegations in this Application, including those for the issuance of the provisional authority, TransCo hereby submits the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Dinna O. Dizon, Manager of TransCo’s Compliance Monitoring Department (CMD).25 PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed of this Honorable Commission that: a.

Pending hearing on the merits of the present Application, provisional authority to collect the FIT -ALL of PhP /kWh 0.2932 effective January 2018 billing period be issued;

b.

The Collection Agents - DUs, RES, and NGCP - be directed to bill, collect and remit the FIT-All to the FIT-All Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidelines;

c.

PEMC and the Host DUs be directed to remit the ACRR to the FIT-All Fund as provided in the FIT-All Guidelines;

d.

The Factor Rate resulting from an updating of inputs in the recommended formula by the NREB under the 2014-2015 FITAll Application (ERC Case No. 2014-109RC) be approved and applied in the computation of the WCA and the FIT-All Rate for 2018;

e.

After due notice and hearing, a FIT -All Rate of PhP/kWh 0.2932 for 2018 computed for RE Projects with at least nomination from DOE for eligibility under the FIT system be approved; e.1. OR IN THE ALTERNATIVE, after due notice and hearing, a FIT-All Rate for 2018 based on new evidence presented at the trial but not available to the Applicant at the time of the filing of the present application be approved; and

f.

TransCo be exempt from payment of permit/supervision fees, if any.

Other reliefs as may be just and equitable under the premises are likewise most respectfully prayed for.

The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: DATE

TIME

VENUE

PARTICULARS

21 November 2017 (Tuesday)

1:00 P.M

ERC Mindanao Field Office Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave. cor. Sales St., Davao City

Jurisdictional Hearing and Expository Presentation

28 November 2017 (Tuesday)

9:00 A.M.

ERC Visayas Field Office St. Mary’s Drive, Banilad, Cebu City

Expository Presentation

06 December 2017 (Wednesday)

10:00 A.M.

ERC Hearing Room 15th Floor, Pacific Center Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference and Evidentiary Hearing

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 A statement of the relief desired.

3)

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

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and their 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 Officer-in-Charge (OIC), Chairman and CEO ALFREDO J. NON, and the Honorable Commissioners GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 6th day of October 2017 in Pasig City.

FOR AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE COMMISSION:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

9

10 11 12 13 14

15

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

25

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal

See Section 5, RE Law IRR. Section 4, FIT Rules.

Section 2.5, FIT Rules.

Docketed as ERC Case No. 2015-216 RC The DOE e-mail dated 10 May 2017 providing for the Electricity and Sales Consumption, in MWh for years 2003 to 2016 is attached hereto as Annex “A” to “A-1” to form an integral part hereof.

The FNS computation for 2017-2018 is attached hereto as Annex “8” to form an integral part hereof.

The DOE letter dated 15 May 2017 providing “Updated List of Renewahle Energy (REl Projects under the Feed-In-Tariff System (FIT) for filing of the 2018 FIT-All Rate Petition”, including attachments, are attached hereto as Annexes “C” to “C-8” , to form integral parts hereof.

The 2017 to 2019 energy forecast generation per eligihle RE Plant are summarized in the “List of FIT Eligible Renewable Energy Developer Generation Forecast” and its attachments marked hereto as Annexes “D” to”D-40A” to form an integral part hereof, Monthly Seasonality indices used in the 2017 FIT-All Rate Application hereto attached as Annex “E” The 2012 to 2017 levels are a mix of actual and forecast values.

Section 1.4.1.1, Guidelines.

Details of computation of the assumed adjusted FIT rates including the Peso per US Dollar Rate and Monthly Consumer Price Index are hereto attached as Annex “F”, “G”, and “H” and form integral parts hereof.

The PEMe letter dated 16 June 2017 on the “Data on Load Weighted Average Price (LWAP) for Luzon and Visayas”, including its attachment hereto attached as Annexes “I” to “I-1” to form an integral part hereof.

Printouts of DASURECO’s actual Monthly CRR Rate from June 2016 to May 2017, CLPC Effective Rate for Residential Customer for the period January 2014 to December 2014, SUKELCO Effective Rate for Residential Customer for the period January 2014 to December 2014, FIBECO Power Suppliers Generation Cost from May to December 2016 and January 2017 and applicable CRR Rate from February to May 2017 from TransCo FIT Administration Data, SOCOTECO I monthly generation cost from May 2016 to April 25, 2017 submitted thru its letter dated May 17, 2017 and applicable CRR Rate for May 2017 from TransCo FIT Administration Data, BUSECO Effective Rate for Residential Customer for the period March 2014 to February 2015 from the website WW’W.kuryente.org are attached hereto as Annexes “J “to J-12”, “K” to K-11”, “L” to “L-11”, “M” to ‘’’M-7’’, “N” to “N-3”, and “0” to “0-11”, respectively, to form integral parts hereof.

Table showing the details of computation of the 2017 FIT Differential deficiency is hereto attached as Annex “P” and made an integral part hereof. “Summary of 2015- 2017 FIT Differential charged to 2017 FIT-All Rate Computation is shown as “Annex Q” to form an integral part hereof.

Projected Administration Allowance for years 2018 and 2019 is hereto attached as Annex T to form integral part hereof 2018 Factor Rate computation using the formula recommended by NREB in its Resolution NO.3 Series of 2014 is attached hereto as Annex “R” to form an integral part hereof.

2017 Estimated WCA-Ending Balance determined s of 2014 is attached hereto as Annex “S” to form an integral part hereof.

Copy of the Trust Agreement dated 03 March 2015 is hereto attached as Annex “U” to “U-24” and made an integral part hereof.

Details of computation of the proposed DA is hereto attached as Annex “V” and made an integral part hereof.

List of FIT-Eligible/Potentially Eligible RE Plants as of July 5,2017 is hereto attached as Annex “W” In the Matter of the Application for Approval of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance for Calendar Years 2014 and 2015 Pursuant to the Guidelines for the Collection ofthe Feed-In Tariff Allowance and Disbursement of the Feed-In Tariff Allowance Fund, with Prayer for Provisional Authority 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 (sic) that applicant or petitioner has submitted and the comments or opposition filed by any interested person, if there be any.”

A copy of the Judicial Affidavit of Ms. Dinna O. Dizon is attached hereto as Annex “X” to form an integral part hereof.

(MS-NOV. 4/11, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

especially when they have their bigs out there and our playmakers rebound and push and run the wings, things will work in our favor.”

LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 24 points and 10 rebounds while Kyle Anderson added 16 points.

Spanish veteran Pau Gasol was the only other Spurs player to reach double figures, with 11 points.

The defeat saw San Antonio fall to 10th with a 4-4 record.

BOWLING WORLD CUP CONTENDERS. Jomar Jomapao (second from left) and Krizziah Tabora receive their plane tickets from Jose G. Puyat III (left), vice president of Puyat Sports Group, and Engr. Gilbert V. Gavino, Coronado Lanes General Manager, as the Philippines’ representatives to the Bowling World Cup International Finals in Hermosillo, Mexico. Winners of the men’s and women’s national championships, Jumapao and Tabora left yesterday to take a crack at the world crown on Nov. 4 to 12.

Diwa, Reinsch rule Cebuana netfest ANNIKA Diwa from Balanga, Bataan and German Jimmy Reinsch led the winners at the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age-Group Tennis Championship Series leg inside Clark in Pampanga, winning two individual titles each.

Diwa was impressive as she blanked separate opponents, beating Tristen Dee Kitang from Urdaneta, Pangasinan, 6-0, 6-0, in the 12-under and duplicating it, this time over Lucena City bet Julia Ignacio, 6-0, 6-0, in the 14-under.

Reinsch met Bacoor, Cavite’s Rainier Angelo Selmar in two different championship matches but with the same results. He swept Selmar, 6-1, 6-3, in the boys’ 14-under for the crown,

then retired the same opponent, 4-2, in the first set of the boys’ 16-under finals for his own backto-back wins in the tournament now on its 11th year and backed

by Dunlop as the official ball.

“The Cebuana Lhuillier AgeGroup Championship Series is living up to expectations as it continues to discover new talents in the provinces like the case here in Clark. We are confident that there will be more discoveries in the remaining legs this year,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and one of the top supporters of grassroots tennis development in the country.

Jed Justin Labasano from Angeles City salvaged local pride as he emerged champion in the boys’

18-under following a straight-set victory over Jair Aquino from Tarlac, 6-0, 6-1, with sibling Jeremiah Caleb Labasano setting the tone earlier in the 10-under unisex age group as he defeated Ivin John Decena, 4-0, 4-0, in the finals.

Visiting player Martina Naredo from Quezon City made short work of Chara Iselle Bernarte, 6-1, 6-1, in the girls’ 18-under to claim the crown, emerging as the third player to win two singles’ titles as she also swept Nueva Ecija’s Renee Ysabelle Esteban, 6-1, 6-2, earlier in the girls’ 16-under.

Another visitor, Ralph Adrian Selmar from Cavite, was an easy 6-1, 6-3 winner over Mandaluyong City’s Don Joaquin Bermejo for the boys’ 12-under title.

Filipino batters notch 1st win in Japan FILIPINO batters bounced back with an 8-4 stopping of Pakistan in the 2017 Baseball Federation of Asia Under-15 Championship in Shizuoka, Japan.

Their first win came after they took a 0-10

loss to Japan and a 0-15 setback to Korea.

The Philippines took charge with a one run in the bottom first inning, and then three more in the third inning, according to Philippine Amateur Baseball As-

sociation secretary general Chito Loyzaga in a Viber message.

In another encounter, Japan pulled off its third straight win, posting a 4-0 blasting of Chinese Taipei.

Support from a small community of Filipinos

fired the boys up in their campaign, according to Loyzaga.

“A small community of Filipinos, mostly parents, cheered the team on every run scored by the boys,” wrote Loyzaga. Peter Atencio

THE Philippine Blu Girls set out for the Asian Softball Championship slated Nov. 28-Dec. 4 in Taiwan, brimming with confidence following a pair of solid outings in the World Cup of Softball XII and the Canada Cup International Softball Championship.

“We have beaten Asia’s No. 3 Chinese Taipei in the recent World Cup so I’m confident we could finish in the top three in Taiwan,” said Amateur Softball Association of the Philippines (ASAPHIL) president Jean Henri Lhuillier. “The girls are training hard for this and I’ve always believed that we have what it takes to excel globally in softball.”

The long-time sports patron added that the Asian tilt will help gauge the team’s readiness to qualify in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The Phl Blu Girls made quite an impression in the World Cup and Canada Cup by upsetting world No. 3 Canada twice in front of the home crowd. They also stunned world No. 4 Australia and toppled ninth-ranked Chinese-Taipei then defeated No. 10 Mexico twice.

The Blu Girls, beefed up

by Filipinos based abroad and vastly-improved homegrown players, will be using the Asian Championships as part of their preparations towards the goal of making it to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The upcoming Taiwan meet serves as a qualifying tournament for the 2018 Asian Games and World Championships.

The Phl Blu Girls are targeting to play in three Olympic qualifying tournaments in 2018 and 2019, namely the World Championships, Asia-Oceania tournament, and the World Open tournament.

Enablers take on Furies in UNTV Cup

the Enablers in three.

ROOKIE team Commission on Games on Sunday Ex-pro basketball Audit Enablers will face the GSIS (Pasig City Sports Center) players Estong Ballesteros Furies at 2 p.m. this Sunday in the 2 p.m. GSIS vs. COA and Arnold Gamboa are UNTV Cup Season 6 at the Pasig 3:30 p.m. DA vs. Malacañang expected to lead the COA City Sports Center.

5 p.m. Senate vs. PNP team.

Enablers’ coach Freddie HubOn the other hand, alde admitted his side needs to step Rene Boy Banzali and Dennis Bunyi will up its preparations in order to get a win.

“Nakita na namin sila (Furies), so sig- spearhead the GSIS team.

Meanwhile, Sunday’s second game at 3:30 p.m. uro magdo-double effort kami sa depensa.

At saka talagang kailangang madagdagan will be packed with action as the Department pa ang stamina ng player, kasi kinukulang of Agriculture Food Masters take on Malacakami pagka nagta-transition defense,” the ñang-PSC Kamao.

The third game at 5:30 p.m. features basketball legend said.

Both teams have yet to win this season, powerhouse team Senate Defenders and dewith the Furies having played two games and fending champion PNP Responders.

PSC...

From A8

Aside from the RMSC, the Philsports Complex in Pasig and the Amoranto Stadium in Quezon City are also in the pipeline for repairs.

The makeover at Rizal Memorial Coliseum will also involve the National Commission for Culture and the Arts,

which is the overall policymaking body, coordinating and grants-giving agency for the preservation, development and promotion of Philippine arts and culture.

Discussions on the fate of the RMSC was also taken up after the PSC announced the cancellation of the staging of the Philippine National Games that were supposed to be held in Cebu City from

Commission on Audit Enablers’ (22) Arnold Gamboa, together with fellow ex-pro baller Estong Ballesteros, is expected to carry the team against GSIS Furies this Sunday in the UNTV Cup Season 6 elimination round.

Nov. 10 to 16.

Ramirez explained that the PNG will now be held from April 15 to 21.

He said lack of billeting quarters was among the main reasons for the cancellation.

The classrooms, which are supposed to house the athletes in selected schools, are currently in use in the ongoing schoolyear.

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

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

A8

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

Sports

FEU must win last 3 tiffs to advance

WARRIORS CRUSH SPURS. Klay Thompson (11) of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against three San Antonio Spurs’ defenders at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. The Dubs won, 112-92. AFP (Story on A7)

SMC group extends hand of peace to rival PBA bloc

By Peter Atencio

A

MEETING of minds is set to take place in a bid to resolve issues concerning the Philippine Basketball Association.

The issues, which have the pro league’s future direction in mind, will be tackled during the upcoming Annual Planning set on Nov. 14.

“With the best interest of the league in mind, we have come to an agreement to reach out to the other members of the Board to resolve this impasse as a collegial body, not as individuals, to maintain the integrity of the PBA (Philippine

Basketball Association) and protect the interest of fans nationwide,” said a group of PBA team owners, led by San Miguel Beer governor Robert Non. The group which did not approve of moves to fire Commissioner Chito Narvasa, is appealing to the other members of the board to refrain from issuing any statements, making further comments, assumptions and judgments on is-

sues surrounding the league.

“Accordingly, the PBA will proceed with the normal course of its business operations within the parameters of its bylaws and Constitution,” the statement said.

The statement added that all five teams composed of San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Star Hotshots, Globalport and Kia Picanto will also continue to make available its players to the Philippine team preparing for the FIBA-Asia World Cup qualifier.

“We believe this should not be adversely affected by the board members’ differences in opinion,” the

statement said.

They also feel that politics has no place within the boardroom of the PBA. “We will do all we can not to allow this body to succumb to politicking and abandon basic human decency. We are still, after all, composed of people who uphold values and principles that made this league great through the years,” they added. “We reiterate that we are doing this to protect the league we all love, the game of basketball and the millions of fans who continue to support us.”

On Thursday, seven board members of the PBA banded together to “oust”

Turn to A7

Bacolod City hosts PSL games today BACOLOD CITY—Intense women’s volleyball action returns after a brief holiday lull as the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix resumes with an explosive triple-header Saturday at the University of St. La Salle gymnasium in this beautiful city.

F2 Logistics makes its highly anticipated debut when it takes on unbeaten Petron at 6 p.m., following the 4 p.m. clash between Cocolife and Cignal HD in this prestigious club tourney bankrolled by Cignal, Mikasa, Senoh, Mueller, Grand Sport, Rebisco, Island Rose, Cloudfone, UCPB Gen and Asics.

Also seeing action in the league’s first offering of “Spike on Tour” in this season-ending conference is two-time champion Foton, which will battle GenerikaAyala in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m.

Matches will be shown live over ESPN5, the league’s official broadcast partner.

Games Today

(University of St. La Salle) 2 p.m. – Generika-Ayala vs Foton 4 p.m. – Cocolife vs Cignal HD 6 p.m. – F2 Logistics vs Petron

No less than Bacolod City Rep. Greg Gasataya is tipped to do the opening serve and formally roll out the red carpet to their homegrown athletes like Petron playmaker April Ross Hingpit and Bernadeth Pons, Cignal HD assistant coach Michelle Laborte and F2 Logistics spiker Fritz Gallenero.

“Bringing the Superliga to our city means a lot to our local fans,” said Gasataya during a press conference graced by PSL president Ramon “Tats” Suzara.

“This is our opportunity to showcase Bacolod City, not just as the sugar source of the Philippines, but we also want to show how much we support the sport. We want to inspire our youth by giving them premium volleyball entertainment,” he added.

N Sang fighting for his countrymen

PSC needs P2B to repair, rehabilitate sports facilities AROUND P2 billion will be needed for the initial cost of renovations and repair of facilities inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex and those that are under the care of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Executive Director Sannah Privaldo said this is the ballpark figure that they have come up in undergoing makeovers that are supposed to take place in the last quarter of the year.

“That’s the ballpark figure that we are presenting,” said Privaldo, who discussed the rehabilitation program they working on with PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The PSC has taken this budget up before Senate president Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel Jr. and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez in a series of meetings over the past weeks.

“I believe they’re coming up with a budget. And we’re hoping that it will be included,” added Privaldo.

Ramirez said the planned rehabilitation of the complex in Vito Cruz has not yet included the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the football stadium.

Coordination will still have to be done with the National Historical Institute over the two venues.

Narvasa as commissioner of the league, although according to the rules, the league needs eight members to do so.

In an emergency board meeting at the league office in Libis, Quezon City, the seven board members from Meralco, Talk N’ Text, NLEX, Blackwater, Rain or Shine, Alaska and Phoenix voted to “remove” Narvasa as they didn’t give him a consensus vote of confidence.

The move may have stemmed from SMB’s move to acquire KIA’s no. 1 draft pick via trade, which the Beermen used to nab 6’8” standout Christian Standhardinger.

THE Far Eastern University Games Today Tamaraws still have a good (Araneta Coliseum) chance of making it to the 2 p.m. Ateneo vs UST 4 p.m. La Salle vs NU Final Four.

And they have to win their last three games in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament.

Coach Olsen Racela said their fate will now depend on how they will fare in their last assignments in the second round.

“Those games are very important. Right now, we’re tied at no. 4. We have to get as many wins as possible,” said Racela after their 56-59 setback to the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

Because of this, the UP moved to a share of fourth place with their 5-6 record with FEU. On Sunday, FEU clashes with University of the East at 2 p.m., the first of its last three matches for the second round.

Later, the Adamson Falcons, who are close to the third Final Four seat at 8-4, meet that Fighting Maroons at 4 p.m.

In today’s games at the Araneta Coliseum, the unbeatean Ateneo Blue Eagles will meet the winless University of Santo Tomas Tigers at 2 p.m., while the La Salle Green Archers take on the National University Bulldogs at 4 p.m.

The Tams’ next games are against National University and Adamson.

Last year, the Tamaraws advanced to the playoff round in Season 79 after finishing third in the team standings with 9-5 record.

Then, the Tams eventually lost to the Ateneo in the Final Four.

Against the UE Warriors, they will miss injured Richard Escoto for the second straight game.

The 6’4” Escoto, who is the Tams’ top power forward, is recovering from an ankle injury. Peter Atencio

By Reuel Vidal

Aung La N Sang (right) unloads at opponent Vitaly Bigdash with both fists during their fight won by N Sang which earned him the ONE Middleweight World crown. ONE Championship

YANGON, Myanmar —ONE Championship World Middleweight Champion “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang, who is battling heavyweight Alain Ngalani at ONE: Hero’s Dream at Thuwunna Indoor Stadium as we went to press Friday, says he is not just fighting for himself but for his entire nation.

“This fight is for all my countrymen who give me all the strength through their support. It is an honor for me to represent my country and I will not let them down,” said N Sang in an interview with Manila Standard hours before his fight.

N Sang is confident enough in his abilities to take on a full blown heavyweight in Ngalani.

“My game plan is to keep the pressure on him throughout. Whatever opening he gives I will take. If he gives an arm I will take it and beat him with an arm bar. If he leaves his face or head open then I will hit him.

I believe in my standup.

I believe I can defeat him,” N Sang said.

Ngalani is a fearsome opponent and will be N Sang’s most formidable challenge in his professional MMA career. Ngalani is a many-time Muay Thai and kickboxing heavyweight world champion. He has numerous knockouts over heavyweights in his MMA career and is much heavier than N Sang when they entered the cage.

“He has very good

pedigree,” said N Sang of Ngalani. “But I’ve seen all his fights. He is super athletic. But I feel I am a more complete fighter. I expect to come out with a win. I expect to finish him in two rounds.”

The middleweight champion said that as a fighter he doesn’t want to turn down fights. He was given a good offer to take on Ngalani and accepted it. But for his next fight he plans to go back down to middleweight and defend his crown.

“I want to become a dominant middleweight champion. I want to defend my title against the best challengers many times. So going up in weight often is not really a good idea if you want longevity. I am going back to middleweight for

my next fight,” N Sang said.

N Sang is a hero in Myanmar not just for being a fighter but also as role model. He exemplifies the importance of discipline and sacrifice.

He has shown that anyone can achieve success with perseverance. He has a wife and a twoyear-old son. He says he has no objections if his son decides to become a fighter.

“I will teach my son self-defense. If he is persistent then I would even coach him. But being a fighter is a whole different thing. It requires so much sacrifice and you have to go through so much hardship. It may not be for him. I will be happy to teach him to be a good human being first,” said N Sang.

Ravena wants to follow in father’s footsteps

By Jeric Lopez TWENTY-FIVE years ago, a young Bong Ravena was drafted by Swift head coach Yeng Guiao in 1992 in the Philippine Basketball Association as he felt the youthful do-it-all wingman can do wonders.

True enough, Ravena made his presence felt immediately as he won Rookie of the Year honors and had

a fruitful and lengthy PBA career.

Exactly 25 years later, Guiao was in a similar position as he just recently drafted another Ravena in hopes of turning NLEX into a contender in the 43rd PBA season.

Kiefer Ravena, son of Bong, was an obvious choice for Guiao and his Road Warriors at No. 2 in the recently concluded 2017 PBA Draft given his well-rounded talent

and star quality.

The younger Ravena will look to justify the selection and trust that Guiao accorded him as he looks forward to playing in the PBA and help NLEX whichever way he can.

“It’s my childhood dream to play in the PBA and now I’m here. I’m looking forward to doing my best in helping NLEX’s development,” said Ravena.

No wonder, Ravena is

well aware of the similarities between his and his father’s entry in the league with both of them having picked by Guiao.

“I’m hopeful that I can follow what my father did and have a significant and wonderful career in the PBA as well,” said the younger Ravena.

Ravena is set to teamup with rising spitfires Kevin Alas and Alex Mallari in manning the NLEX backcourt.

Second overall pick Kiefer Ravena is flanked by his NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, team officials and members of the Road Warriors.

Ayala’s IMI posts net profit of $24.1m B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandard.net extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

B1

PAL finally settles airport debt

By Darwin G. Amojelar

P

HILIPPINE Airlines settled its P6-billon unpaid air navigational charges to the government ahead of the December 2017 deadline, the Department of Transportation said Friday.

PAL vice president for legal affairs Clara De Castro brought the company checks to the office of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines in Pasay to settle the airline’s financial obligations to the government.

The check amounting to P5,677,887,615 was turned over to CAAP chief accountant Raul Eusebio.

A check worth P258,594,230.33, net of taxes, meanwhile, was turned over to Manila International Airport Authority assistant general manager for finance and administration Arlene Britanico.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier threatened to close the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 if PAL did not settle its unpaid navigational fees to the government. PAL operates domestic and international flights at NAIA Terminal 2.

PAL earlier said it was expecting to

post a net loss this year due to the unpaid navigational fees and other charges to the government.

PAL Holdings Inc., the parent firm of PAL, earlier reported a total comprehensive loss of P1.05 billion in the January-to-June period, a turnaround from a profit of P4.62 billion last year.

Total revenues in the first half reached P67.76 billion, up 17.7 percent from last year’s P57.57 billion. Total expenses for the period increased 32.5 percent to P52.31 billion.

PAL is also finalizing a new proposal to MIAA and Department of Transportation to build a new passenger terminal

beside its current hub at the NAIA Centennial Terminal 2.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. said PAL’s contract with a former management of the state-run gaming corporation only included the use of the rented property as “an aircraft parking ramp/apron facility.”

PAL, thus, was prohibited from using the leased premises for any other business or purpose, including the construction of a new terminal without prior written consent from Pagcor.

PAL plans to build a P20-billon passenger terminal at the former Nayong Pilipino complex, which could handle

12 million to 15 million passengers a year. It would have aerobridges capable of serving 12 to 17 wide-bodied and single aisle jets.

PAL expects to start construction of the new terminal by December 2020 and operate it by July 2021.

NAIA’s four terminals are currently serving 42 million passengers a year, 12 million or 40 percent more than their design capacity of 30 million.

Constructing a new, 89,000 squaremeter air terminal north of NAIA 2 would help decongest the airport and provide PAL passengers much-deserved space, amenities and modern conveniences.

SM Investments open to trade liberalization

By Othel V. Campos SM Investments Corp., unlike other retail owners, is embracing the further liberalization of Philippine retail trade while looking forward to the entry of small foreign brands.

SM Investments vice chairman Tessie Sy-Coson said foreign retailers still needed to team up with a local investor, who is more familiar with the local business terrain.

“There’s always the threat (from foreign retail) but there’s also the positive and negative. You have to live through that. For big ones like us, if you can’t beat them, join them,” she said at the sidelines of the pre-event briefing in Makati City for the Asean Business and Investment Summit.

SM Investments, which owns the biggest retail chain in the country, said foreign retailers would have a difficult time learning and adapting to the peculiarity of the Filipino market, “so they have to partner somehow or hire Filipinos as part of their team.”

Despite the proposed lower financial hurdle, SM Investments said the trade liberalization would lead to increased foreign investments.

Sy-Coson conceded the reduced ceiling of $200,000 was a bit small for an investment.

But “this should not come from my perspective only. Let’s hear (what) other people (has to say). I guess it depends upon how the country will see what is small or how legislators will see it,” she said.

Globe’s net income rises 11% to P12.98b

P5-B METROBANK LOAN. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. signs a P5-billion, five-year loan agreement with AEV CRH Holdings Inc., a joint venture between Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and CRH International, a leader in the global building materials industry. Sealing the agreement are (from left) Omar Bhamjee, divisional controller and treasurer, CRH Asia Pacific; Roman Azanza III, director and treasurer, AEV CRH Holdings; Mary Mylene Caparas, head, institutional banking sector, Metrobank; and Antonio Ocampo Jr., head, corporate banking group, Metrobank.

IN BRIEF

No sanction vs BDO on card skimming incidents

Tokyo Gas seeks LNG depot

By Julito G. Rada

TOKYO Gas Co. Ltd. of Japan submitted a letter of intent for the Philippines’ planned liquefied natural gas terminal, Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said Friday.

“Tokyo Gas submitted their letter for intent for LNG terminal. I just received it,” Cusi said.

Tokyo Gas’ interest was an offshoot of President Rodrigo Duterte’s latest visit to Japan to promote trade and strengthen ties between the two countries.

Cusi said last year Tokyo Gas was keen on the government’s plan to put up an LNG facility in Batangas through state-owned Philippine National Oil Co. “Tokyo Gas, they are interested,” Cusi said. Tokyo Gas is the main provider of gas in key cities in Japan.

“PNOC is studying putting up LNG receiving stations in Batangas.

That’s where these Japanese investors are looking at,” he said.

Alena Mae S. Flores

Meralco installs EV stations

MANILA Electric Co. and Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. plan to put up electric vehicle charging stations in four locations in the country.

“Aligned with the company’s goal of pioneering innovative energy solutions, Meralco supports sustainability in transportation via the company’s initiatives in helping create an effective and viable electric vehicle ecosystem,” Meralco spokesman Joe Zaldarriaga said.

“We have actually partnered with several customers from the government, academe and business sectors who have ventured into this greener path, with collaborations on EV charging stations development,” he said.

Meralco, Mitsubishi and the Departments of Trade and Industry and Environment and Natural Resources recently held a groundbreaking ceremony at the DENR headquarters in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City as a kick-off activity for the construction of four electric vehicle charging stations. Alena Mae S. Flores

BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will not impose any sanction against BDO Unibank Inc. for card skimming incidents reported in June, saying the country’s biggest bank has been complying with banking regulations.

A high-ranking Bangko Sentral official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters BDO had been following the regulations of the regulator. “...

They are doing something about it. They are complying with BSP regulations,

so no sanction,” the official said.

“The report has been submitted and maybe you can put it this way: The bank is compliant with the requirements of the BSP. They’re able to address it at that time,” the official said.

BDO in June received reports of potential automated teller machine fraud through card skimming.

The bank advised customers with unauthorized transactions to reach out to the bank through formal channels so that their cases might be properly investigated and deserve reim-

bursement.

But the bank said the incident was nothing out of the ordinary, adding ATMs were compromised every now and then. It said banks took the precautionary measure of disabling cards if there were reasons to believe they might have been compromised.

BDO also assured the public that it exerted all efforts to protect cardholders and their transactions.

Posts on social media, espoecially on Twitter, said a number of depositors lost money possibly due to card skimming or copying of the

ERC asked to roll bacK FIT

SEVERAL consumer groups could take the lead from a petition filed

by Victorio Mario Dimagiba, president of the consumer group Laban Konsyumer Inc., asking the Energy Regulatory Commission to revert the feed-in-tariff allowance (FIT-All) of National Transmission Corp. to its original application in 2016, instead of the May 2017 decision.

Higher courts might intervene and issue a temporary restraining order against the ERC decision to resolve the issue.

Dimagiba sought to nullify the ERC decision that raised Transco’s 2016 FIT allowance from P0.1025 per kWh to P0.1830 per kWh for lack of jurisdiction.

Dimagiba said ERC should render its decision void and order an immediate rollback of the FIT Allowance in the amount of ₱0.0805/ kwh for the benefit of all on-grid electricity consumers retroactive to January 2016.

ENTREPRENEURS SUPPORTER. Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (third from left) urges members of the franchising industry to be role models, inspire Filipinos to be entrepreneurs, and help the government in uplifting the lives of those at the bottom of the pyramid during Francorp’s 20th anniversary October 24, 2017 in Taguig City. With Lopez are (from left) Francorp managing director Manuel Siggaoat Jr., chief executive officer Alegria Sibal-Limjoco, chairman Samie Lim, cofounder Manuel Siggaoat and chief marketing officer Christopher Lim.

SBMA’s move to terminate $200 accreditation fee welcomed SUBIC Bay International Terminal Corp., a unit of International Container Terminal Services Inc., lauded Subic May Metropolitan Authority for terminating the $200 accreditation fee for new logistic firms that will transact and do business at the Freeport.

“We support and laud this SBMA initiative of waiving the Freeport’s accreditation fee. Not only will this foster brisk business in Subic, it will further position Subic as a key logistics hub in the country with new logistics firms expected to hold their

offices and operations in the Freeport,” SBITC general manager Robert Locsin said SBMA from October 18 to December 31 waived the $200 accreditation fee for the first 80 new business entrants and the first 20 accredited entities due for renewal provided they guarantee to bring in at least one container within one month from filing of application or renewal of SBMA’s accreditation certificate.

“On our end, we assure SBMA and the Subic logistics firms—

existing, new and upcoming— of ICTSI’s brand of world-class operations and services at the New Container Terminals (NCT) 1 and 2, including our new container freight station (CFS) facility. You have an international trading gateway that has access to global markets,” Locsin said.

The accreditation fee holiday is also in line with SBMA’s 10-point agenda that will further promote small and medium enterprises, including supply chain businesses, in the Freeport, and

as SBMA’s contribution in the promotion of inclusive business.

“We need to provide added value to stakeholders and businesses in the supply chain by assuring them that Subic is the best place to do business: we have an efficient, world-class port, faster processing times with our onestop-shop, a CFS inside the terminal to assist a seamless supply chain, the latest in port technology, and innovations in the nation’s port system,” said Locsin.

Darwin G. Amojelar

details of accounts through hijacked ATM machines.

These incidents occurred one week after Bank of the Philippine Islands on June 7 suspended access to its electronic services after an internal processing error that resulted in transactions from April 27 to May 2 being double-posted.

BDO has over 3,000 ATMs nationwide, conveniently located in malls, department stores, hypermarkets, hospitals, transport terminals, convenience stores, fast food outlets, hotels, gasoline stations and selected corporate offices.

GLOBE Telecom Inc. booked a net profit of P12.98 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 11 percent from P11.72 billion year-on-year, boosted by the mobile and home broadband businesses.

Core net income, meanwhile, fell 5 percent to P11.21 billion from last year’s P11.75 billion.

“We take pride in our accomplishments for the first nine months of the year with the sustained recordlevel revenues and EBITDA [earnings, before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization]. These achievements continue to inspire us to do excellent work in all aspects of our business,” Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu said.

“As we focus more on the network improvement and differentiated customer experience, we expect to maintain our current momentum, and round out the year with a stable growth performance,” he added.

Globe’s service revenues amounted to P95.14 billion in the first nine months of the year, up 6 percent from P89.43 billion on year.

Mobile revenues stood at P73.1 billion as of end-September 2017, up 7 percent year-on-year, driven by the strong uptake in mobile data.

Globe’s home broadband business reported an 8-percent year-on-year growth, delivering a total of P11.7 billion revenues as of endSeptember this year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks retreat; MacroAsia surges T HE stock market declined Friday on profit-taking after the benchmark index jumped to a record high Thursday, ignoring the gains in the regional market and Wall Street.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index sank 139.89 points, or 1.6 percent, to 8,376.13 on a value turnover of P9.8 billion. Losers beat gainers, 108 to 77, with 58 issues unchanged. The index jumped 150 points, or 1.8 percent, the other day to 8,516.02, beating the previous record finish of 8,497.74 on Oct. 17.

JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei fell 3.8 percent to P74, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications company, dropped 3.5 percent to P1,660.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third-biggest lender, slumped 4.2 percent to P95.60, while parent Ayala Corp.

retreated 2.7 percent to P1,061.

MacroAsia Corp., a leading provider of aviation-related support services in the Philippines and controlled by airline and tobacco tycoon Lucio Tan, bucked the market correction, surging 7.3 percent to P20.90.

The rest of Asian shares rose Friday, as investors tracked Wall Street gains after a new Federal Reserve chair was nominated and Apple suppliers benefited from the company’s strong earnings report.

The Dow finished at a fresh record after US President Donald Trump chose Jerome Powell to lead the Fed, viewed as a non-controversial choice unlikely to radically change the gradual tightening monetary policies that stock markets like.

But optimism over a long-awaited tax cut plan unveiled by Congressional Republicans –intended to slash corporate rates and speed economic growth—

was tempered by internal dissent and Democrat opposition.

Hong Kong shares rose 0.3 percent.

Retail figures for the city were due out Friday, with a jump in mainland Chinese visitors expected to give a healthy reading, Bloomberg reported.

Taiwan rose 0.1 percent, while South Korea gained 0.3 percent to a new record high.

But Shanghai was down 0.3 percent, as Beijing moved to tighten regulations on foreign acquisitions.

Investors Friday also awaited the release of a key US jobs report giving non-farm payroll figures. A sharp rebound in employment levels was expected by the market, after September’s numbers were hit by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Meanwhile, Apple suppliers in Asia rose as the company said profit had climbed 19 percent to $10.7 billion, and predicted bumper sales for its 10th

anniversary iPhone X. South Korea’s LG Display and Taiwan’s Largan Precision rose, as did Hong Konglisted Cowell E Holdings and Sunny Optical Technology.

Apple’s latest smartphone was launched in more than 50 countries and territories Friday including in many Asian markets, with lengthy overnight queues at stores as chief executive Tim Cook described “very strong” orders.

Meanwhile, Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba said soaring sales fueled a 132 percent increase in net profit in what it called an “outstanding” quarter.

Alibaba raised revenue expectations as it continues to profit from the Chinese e-commerce boom that it helped to ignite.

Hong Kong-listed Tencent, a fellow giant in the sector, saw shares rise in Hong Kong Friday.

Japanese markets were closed for a public holiday. With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 4.82 1,165,000 59.95 30,820 95.6 2,571,460 3.9 7,000 144 3,175,660 2.26 577,000 33.45 70,600 9.89 100 15.88 400 32.45 260,000 8 1,700 1.7 77,000 0.65 730,000 90 1,759,150 0.81 1,406,000 12.62 1,200 25 3,500 58 67,780 241 210 104.9 190 58.85 162,940 248.8 328,490 1,930 100 87.15 8,650 1.25 14,000

5,830,640 1,831,354 249,187,202.50 27,300 462,928,258 1,333,840 2,359,050 989 6,352 8,428,075 13,600 131,740 472,360 158,749,351.50 1,130,310 15,144 87,750 3,931,878 50,504 19,206 9,598,567 83,450,738 193,200 753,689.50 17,500

107,960 1,492,956 -39,454,295 127,607,017 22,650 404,545 -113,675 45,282,826 105,200 -2,988,805 12,000 -4,419,344 3,683,878 -173,700 -13,076.50 -

40.5 11.7 0.73 1.35 18.98 0.217 102 4.35 14 43.6 18.12 63 68 1.9 6.1 11.3 10.24 14.8 12.44 7.14 5.79 17.7 63.05 15.54 12.1 17.96 1.73 248.2 4.12 3.03 30.3 19 17.32 290.2 0.2 10.82 2.81 6.3 9.65 7.06 9.5 1.68 11.48 62.45 6.52 307.2 4.7 4.76 2.06 12.88 4.71 0.139 1.18 141.5 3.25 2.09 0.94

INDUSTRIAL 40.5 1,769,400 11.8 1,735,500 0.76 192,000 1.38 572,000 19.7 2,000 0.221 4,820,000 102 100 4.39 3,897,000 14 3,921,000 44.3 421,300 18.12 500 63.75 897,400 68 760 1.9 103,000 6.1 69,400 11.52 3,800 10.24 1,963,100 14.96 2,629,900 12.46 112,900 7.18 715,600 5.84 4,072,700 17.96 1,632,400 63.15 73,690 15.54 100 12.1 388,800 18.8 3,107,200 1.75 289,000 248.2 792,110 4.15 611,000 3.14 25,000 31 477,900 19 257,200 17.36 858,500 290.2 847,110 0.205 7,290,000 11 40,100 2.81 78,000 6.44 24,200 9.65 3,282,500 7.33 86,500 9.5 76,300 1.7 2,053,000 11.7 314,900 62.5 146,170 6.54 42,500 308 20,490 4.7 14,000 4.8 66,000 2.1 288,000 12.94 1,240,900 4.71 46,000 0.14 610,000 1.19 274,000 142 3,237,240 3.25 15,000 2.12 4,245,000 0.94 50,000

73,005,050 20,761,806 144,220 778,580 38,594 1,054,350 10,207 17,204,030 55,911,752 18,590,935 9,060 57,388,515 52,162 196,540 425,212 43,512 20,185,972 39,311,756 1,406,238 5,126,754 23,816,141 29,369,494 4,662,793 1,554 4,704,682 57,532,410 503,370 198,642,294 2,541,500 76,880 14,812,110 4,894,644 14,917,364 248,882,394 1,467,610 438,210 221,020 153,469 31,970,483(13 621,110 725,878 3,472,030 3,660,338 9,142,370.50 278,079 6,310,780 65,800 314,450 603,880 16,063,386 218,330 85,290 324,800 459,680,154 48,750 9,010,760 47,050

-9,722,990 -558,896 7,400 53,430 -512,610 -6,276,470 214,260 48,570 56,441,102.50 1,270,422 955,880 -854,274 371,975 -9,452,327 2,878,232 -3,630,504.50 -297,660 -397,602 1,780 -24,928,402 12,120 293,785 20,958.00 11,187,004 71,426,602 202,500 -147,150 ,292,642.0001) -725,878 1,494,000 -185,964 -1,168,012.50 -6,261,620 -14,400 11,613,006 -61,900 66,424,410 -48,750 -428,590 -

0.35 75 16.12 1.08 7.08 0.455 0.455 1,093 8.5 15.94 7.76 5 0.192 1,209 78.6 5.13 5.37 0.82 5.87 17.88 6.93 0.053 1.42 2.1 2.61 104 1,005 1.45 297.6 0.26 0.186 0.212

0.34 72 15.8 1.04 6.96 0.43 0.43 1,054 8.48 15.6 7.7 4.9 0.192 1,195 74 5.05 5.37 0.79 5.75 17 6.73 0.05 1.3 2.08 2.61 101.3 967 1.43 288 0.26 0.185 0.202

HOLDING FIRMS 0.35 470,000 72 1,745,800 15.86 9,724,100 1.08 122,000 7.06 52,200 0.445 10,960,000 0.445 2,610,000 1,061 790,930 8.49 950,000 15.6 3,424,800 7.75 101,100 5 2,100 0.192 20,000 1,200 179,720 74 2,489,290 5.05 1,500 5.37 300 0.82 627,000 5.8 4,854,100 17 4,161,900 6.74 18,616,900 0.053 24,240,000 1.3 2,143,000 2.1 240,000 2.61 1,000 101.3 171,480 967 1,197,750 1.44 246,000 297.6 940 0.26 160,000 0.185 150,000 0.212 1,010,000

162,300 126,613,281 155,310,708 128,560 366,997 4,822,350 1,156,750 852,258,185 8,071,586 53,820,086 783,462 10,450 3,840 215,866,725 188,223,584.5 ( 7,665 1,611 512,040 27,988,444 18 72,580,890 126,936,561 1,230,370 2,905,460 501,500 2,610 17,612,693 1,187,960,140 353,240 278,240 41,600 27,780 205,160

-3,400 1,755,947 38,318,616 -320,700 -149,205,315 6,891,372 723,734 120,598,365 16,381,706.5) ,943,409.9999 29,790,020 -33,297,682 6,018,333 130,759,385 -11,860 -39,000 -

5.54 1.07 2.52 0.99 45.2 3.92 4.92 5.4 0.52 1.26 1.26 0.203 0.48 40.4 0.68 0.142 2.02 1.54 0.9

5.28 1.04 2.42 0.97 43.9 3.82 4.85 5.4 0.51 1.26 1.25 0.199 0.46 40 0.66 0.142 1.99 1.51 0.81

6,575,763 4,807,240 751,190 1,011,140 724,081,735 8,339,520 2,406,470 50,760 2,303,000 37,800 20,130 1,151,680 200,450 11,454,785 1,180,770 15,620 17,336,470 3 4,047,110 6,855,380

-325,760 -2,080 56,235,815 87,750 38,870 50,220 25,500 46,000 2,637,725 -143,880 -7,100.00 ,115,449.9997 368,850

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

4.89 59.9 99 3.9 144 2.34 33.35 9.89 15.88 32.2 8 1.73 0.65 89.8 0.82 12.62 25 58 240 105 60 257.6 1,950 87.15 1.25

5.11 59.95 99 3.9 148.1 2.38 33.55 9.89 15.88 32.6 8 1.79 0.66 90.9 0.82 12.62 25.5 58.15 244.2 105 60 264 1,950 87.15 1.25

4.82 56.75 95.6 3.9 143.8 2.26 33.25 9.89 15.88 32.1 8 1.7 0.64 89.8 0.78 12.62 25 57.9 240 100 58.75 248.8 1,930 87 1.25

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BASIC ENERGY BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CNTRL AZUCARERA CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS EAGLE CEMENT EEI CORP EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA HOLCIM INTEGRATED MICR IONICS JOLLIBEE LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO MG HLDG PANASONIC PEPSI COLA PETROENERGY PETRON PHIL H2O PHINMA PHINMA ENERGY PHX PETROLEUM PILIPINAS SHELL PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP ROXAS HLDG SFA SEMICON SHAKEYS PIZZA SPC POWER SWIFT FOODS TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS VITARICH VULCAN INDL

42.25 12.12 0.74 1.36 19.98 0.226 102.1 4.49 14.92 44 18.12 64 68.9 1.93 6.12 11.52 10.32 14.88 12.46 7.18 5.85 17.7 63.2 15.54 12.1 18.3 1.75 251.4 4.2 3.05 31.2 19.06 17.36 292 0.21 10.9 2.86 6.3 9.85 7.21 9.61 1.71 11.78 62.55 6.75 308 4.7 4.77 2.06 12.88 4.85 0.139 1.23 143 3.25 2.1 0.95

42.75 12.14 0.77 1.4 19.98 0.226 102.1 4.49 15 44.3 18.12 64.1 69 1.93 6.3 11.52 10.34 14.96 12.5 7.22 5.89 18.24 64 15.54 12.16 18.8 1.75 254.4 4.27 3.14 31.2 19.3 17.48 296 0.21 11 2.86 6.44 9.9 7.35 9.61 1.71 11.78 62.6 6.75 308 4.7 4.8 2.13 13 4.85 0.14 1.23 143 3.25 2.14 0.95

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR ATN HLDG A ATN HLDG B AYALA CORP COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL JG SUMMIT JOLLIVILLE HLDG KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP METRO PAC INV PACIFICA PRIME MEDIA PRIME ORION REPUBLIC GLASS SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG

0.345 75 15.88 1.04 7.06 0.43 0.43 1,086 8.5 15.8 7.75 4.9 0.192 1,200 76.95 5.13 5.37 0.82 5.77 17.52 6.92 0.051 1.39 2.1 2.61 104 990 1.45 288 0.26 0.186 0.205

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

5.3 1.07 2.52 0.98 44.45 3.82 4.91 5.4 0.51 1.26 1.26 0.2 0.46 40 0.67 0.142 2.02 1.54 0.81

VOLUME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

5.69 0.32 0.375 0.52 6.67 25.3 1.81 3.21 37.95 1.01 0.87 6.15

5.76 0.34 0.425 0.54 6.78 25.75 1.82 3.22 38 1.03 0.87 6.15

5.58 0.315 0.365 0.52 6.52 24.65 1.81 3.2 36.95 1.01 0.86 6.01

5.64 0.335 0.41 0.54 6.75 24.65 1.81 3.22 37.4 1.03 0.86 6.07

73,401,800 58,320,000 22,370,000 2,785,000 2,121,200 2,255,500 955,000 394,000 7,492,300 1,006,000 52,000 9,693,200

415,982,806 19,238,050 8,870,500 1,471,050 14,127,987 56,406,195 1,728,660 1,266,770 281,745,715 1,028,420 44,730 58,825,164

74,891,118 -130,650 230,414 10,047,325 1,554,790 15,523,820 96,900 43,860 -360,927

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

19.2 39 1.51 0.53 0.052 11 5.02 9.71 0.067 111.5 8.95 9.42 7.45 2,042 5.92 18.16 2.9 2.6 105.3 8.39 0.151 1.38 3.15 15.4 4.05 1.31 19.58 0.58 2.72 7.1 4.08 17.14 2.27 11.02 5.08 2.94 183 8.8 1,720 1.41 0.39 52 96.9 5.95 3.8 1.83 3.91 0.98 8.47

19.28 39.5 1.55 0.53 0.052 11 5.02 9.95 0.068 111.5 8.95 9.77 7.5 2,046 5.92 18.5 3.05 2.65 106 8.39 0.161 1.4 3.29 15.4 4.06 1.34 20.9 0.58 2.75 7.25 4.08 17.18 2.41 11.02 5.09 2.99 183 8.99 1,724 1.43 0.395 52 97.5 6.05 3.91 1.84 3.91 1.01 8.47

19.14 38.9 1.5 0.52 0.05 11 5.02 9.7 0.067 108 8.2 9.41 7.12 2,030 5.89 18.12 2.76 2.58 101.5 8.35 0.151 1.37 3.1 15.4 4 1.27 19.52 0.55 2.71 7.04 4.03 17.14 2.26 11 5.07 2.9 177 8.51 1,660 1.4 0.39 51.1 93.5 5.92 3.8 1.77 3.87 0.96 8.2

SERVICES 19.28 39.3 1.5 0.52 0.051 11 5.02 9.9 0.067 108 8.2 9.77 7.4 2,030 5.92 18.5 2.83 2.6 101.5 8.37 0.159 1.4 3.23 15.4 4 1.28 20.9 0.55 2.73 7.04 4.03 17.18 2.37 11 5.07 2.9 177 8.53 1,660 1.41 0.395 51.1 93.5 6.04 3.8 1.79 3.87 0.98 8.33

60,300 14,700 156,000 1,709,000 69,680,000 1,900 2,500 14,445,500 18,580,000 186,780 1,100 1,331,400 8,500 33,745 547,400 3,500 28,675,000 24,000 1,051,050 458,100 6,970,000 285,000 56,000 600 2,041,000 1,410,000 8,544,400 30,000 192,000 2,997,100 169,000 4,200 4,135,000 11,700 14,400 45,000 360 2,633,300 111,275 2,469,000 200,000 2,759,630 706,000 40,700 2,747,000 19,554,000 314,000 8,830,000 4,905,400

1,157,198 577,065 235,950 890,980 3,514,860 20,900 12,550 142,588,124 1,251,700 20,396,329 9,770 12,914,732 61,035 68,639,900 3,229,597 64,104 83,134,470 62,480 108,611,184 3,834,019 1,092,520 398,490 176,790 9,240 8,196,200 1,840,210 172,504,948 19 16,560 525,070 21,255,823 683,030 72,004 9,731,350 128,750 73,135 133,540 64,880 22,846,950 187,221,900 3,496,950 78,100 142,389,908.50 68,199,696.50 242,356 10,562,820 35,007,740 1,217,120 8,658,810 40,699,434

-7,550 -253,980 68,823,843 -16,080 -8,466,792 -43,845 4,807,740 416,060 5,200 11,019,518 -12,600 -4,175,630 ,045,927.9996 3,764,479 -181,770 51,440 57,414 -9,827,737 -5,238,625 -48,480 -59,720,944 2,483,892.50 -5,038,510 11,065,060 290,450 -11,080 -13,468,635

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK BENGUET B CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE LEPANTO A LEPANTO B MANILA MINING A 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

0.0024 1.73 5 14.04 2.18 1.68 0.38 8.08 2.97 0.255 0.176 0.184 0.01 1.99 7.46 1.8 0.48 1.1 0.012 0.014 0.011 2.3 7.8 7.96 41.75 0.0075

0.0024 1.79 5.05 15.44 2.18 1.7 0.39 8.12 3.17 0.265 0.176 0.184 0.01 2.08 7.58 1.85 0.5 1.11 0.012 0.014 0.012 2.3 7.92 8.89 42.5 0.0075

0.0024 1.71 5 14.02 2.18 1.65 0.38 8.01 2.97 0.255 0.172 0.181 0.01 1.99 7.38 1.75 0.48 1.02 0.012 0.014 0.011 2.28 7.78 7.87 41.3 0.0075

MINING & OIL 0.0024 154,000,000 1.74 11,801,000 5.04 282,000 15.44 1,200 2.18 1,000 1.65 2,933,000 0.385 890,000 8.03 8,700 2.97 46,927,000 0.265 60,000 0.174 17,590,000 0.184 1,260,000 0.01 11,100,000 1.99 1,963,000 7.4 17,219,300 1.81 348,000 0.495 146,000 1.07 1,861,000 0.012 20,900,000 0.014 3,300,000 0.012 50,800,000 2.29 26,000 7.9 1,620,400 8.89 12,506,900 41.3 2,202,900 0.0075 15,000,000

369,600 20,666,980 1,410,480 16,986 2,180 4,898,020 340,800 69,950 144,481,710 15,600 3,052,170 228,880 111,000 4,001,070(2, 128,151,689 625,760 72,435 1,973,730 250,800 46,200 559,100 59,500 12,722,166 107,102,041 91,676,700 112,500

-15,000 43,080 -144,400 -2,092,340 -181,190 038,629.9997) 44,533,359 45,000 371,259 7,561,719 -45,901,970 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B1 AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF A LR PREF MWIDE PREF PF PREF 2 PNX PREF 3A PNX PREF 3B SFI PREF SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

38.6 532 530 105.7 539.5 5.6 1,039 1.06 109.9 1,009 106 107.5 1.95 75.7 81.3 78.1 82.45 79.1

39 532 530 105.7 539.5 5.61 1,039 1.07 112.9 1,009 106 108.3 1.95 75.75 81.7 78.1 82.45 79.1

38.6 532 530 105.3 539.5 5.58 1,039 1.06 109 1,007 106 107.5 1.95 75.3 81.25 78.1 82.45 79.1

PREFERRED 38.8 12,900 532 250 530 220 105.3 10,300 539.5 500 5.58 714,800 1,039 195 1.06 26,000 112.9 4,530 1,007 1,000 106 10,010 108.3 1,200 1.95 1,000 75.3 8,910 81.7 40,250 78.1 114,520 82.45 1,240 79.1 100

500,050 133,000 116,600 1,085,940 269,750 4,002,158 202,605 27,570 496,587 1,008,150 1,061,060 129,800 1,950 672,680.50 3,270,425 8,944,012(8, 102,238 7,910

-185,510 -491,216 -3,250,060 944,011.9998) -

LR WARRANT

2.46

2.46

2.38

WARRANTS 2.39 281,000

674,200

-

72,893,259 463,540 6,571,051

14,842,821 3,700 677,180

8,322,280

-

NAME

MS

PROPERTY 5.4 1.04 2.48 0.98 44 3.85 4.91 5.4 0.51 1.26 1.25 0.202 0.48 40.05 0.68 0.142 2 1.51 0.86

1,213,800 4,605,000 304,000 1,030,000 16,327,600 2,165,000 492,000 9,400 4,515,000 30,000 16,000 5,760,000 430,000 285,800 1,777,000 110,000 8,664,000 2,661,000 7,954,000

ITALPINAS PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

7.4 3.8 5.29

9.2 3.8 5.42

7.4 3.68 5.27

FIRST METRO ETF

129

130

127.8

T RADING S UMMARY FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL HOLDING FIRMS

7.88 3.75 5.32

SME

8,857,500 124,000 1,237,600

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 127.8 64,440

SHARES

VALUE

13,928,558

1,167,094,247.40

61,026,869

1,510,773,033.392

106,002,435

3,466,141,433.97

PROPERTY

241,037,166

1,727,385,393.30

SERVICES

223,530,749

1,309,798,807.35

MINING & OIL

374,831,111

523,067,349.482

GRAND TOTAL

1,030,641,763

9,792,515,734.50

FINANCIAL 2,036.16 (down) 28.30 INDUSTRIAL 10,826.34 (down) 109.03 HOLDING FIRMS 8,555.68 (down) 185.61 PROPERTY 4,003.48 (down) 11.47 SERVICES 1,677.62 (down) 34.53 MINING & OIL 13,280.95 (up) 79.37 PSEI 8,376.13 (down) 139.89 All Shares Index 4,898.90 (down) 58.07 Gainers: 77; Losers: 108; Unchanged: 58; Total: 243

Ayala’s IMI posts net profit of $24.1m

By Jenniffer B. Austria INTEGRATED Micro-Electronics Inc., a unit of conglomerate Ayala Corp., reported a net income of $24.1 million the first nine months of the year, up 16 percent year-on-year, on higher revenues.

IMI said in a disclosure to the stock exchange ninemonth revenues grew 29 percent to $795.2 million due to the positive effects of recent acquisitions and rising demand in the automotive and industrial segments.

“IMI today is different from the IMI more than ten years ago in the way we do things.

We are now in the forefront of taking electronics to the next level penetrating high reliability markets and moving forward to a more advanced automotive electrification and autonomous driving,” IMI chief executive Arthur Tan said.

Revenues from Europe and Mexico operations rose 15 percent year-on-year to $263.4 million, driven by increased demand for automotive lighting, an innovative global megat rend for safety and performance.

IMI said expansions and new product introductions carried out in the Mexico plant to support North America requirements also bolstered the group revenues.

Meanwhile, revenues from Philippine operations inched up four percent to $197.9 million, boosted by new industrial applications despite a drop in demand in the security and medical device business.

Revenues from China operations stood flat at $198.2 million as a result of lower demand in the telecommunications infrastructure business, but offset by the positive growth in automotive and industrial segments.

ABS-CBN, GMA both claim higher TV ratings

By Darwin G. Amojelar ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. claimed they both sustained higher television ratings in October.

ABS-CBN of the Lopez Group posted an average national audience share of 46 percent in October, up 23 percent compared with rival GMA Network Inc. with 33 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

ABS-CBN took the lead in all territories, including Mega Manila where it scored an average audience share of 36 percent against GMA’s 34 percent, and in Metro Manila with 41 percent against GMA’s 27 percent.

ABS-CBN also won in Total Luzon with 43 percent compared with GMA’s 34 percent, in Total Visayas with 53 percent against GMA’s 28 percent and in Total Mindanao with 50 percent against GMA’s 33 percent.

ABS-CBN also led other networks across all time blocks in October, including the morning block, where it scored an average audience share of 39 percent against GMA’s 32 percent.

GMA, meanwhile, said it maintained its supremacy in the nationwide television ratings competition in October based on data from Nielsen Phils. TV Audience Measurement.

According to GMA, its ratings in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM) posted an an average total day people audience share of 41.7 percent from October 1 to 28, higher compared with ABS-CBN’s 38.1 percent.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard TODAY

World

TODAY

Central Asia’s terror attackers were radicalized abroad

US planes overfly Korean peninsula WA S H I N G T O N ― U S bombers overflew the Korean peninsula Thursday as part of an exercise with Japanese and South Korean warplanes, the US Air Force said, days before President Donald Trump arrives in the region for a trip set to be dominated by the nuclear-armed North.

Tensions are high over Pyongyang’s ballistic missile and atomic programs, which in recent months have seen it test ICBMs and carry out its sixth nuclear blast.

Trump’s visit will throw a spotlight on the issue, after the US President and North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un traded insults and threats of war.

Flights by supersonic B-1B Lancer bombers in the area always infuriate North Korea, which condemned the drill as “blackmail” early Friday. AFP

B3

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017 Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

BISHKEK, KyrgyzstanWhen Sayfullo Saipov used a truck to mow people down on a New York street, ultimately killing eight according to terror charges, he guaranteed his former homeland Uzbekistan would receive the worst kind of headlines.

People from ex-Soviet Central Asia have been at the heart of high-profile attacks

this year in the United States, Russia, Sweden and Turkey.

Yet Saipov, according to official accounts, came into contact with radical Islamic ideologies not in the country of his birth, but in the one he adopted seven years ago: the US. Saipov moved to America in 2010 under a visa program―President Don-

ald Trump’s response to Tuesday’s attack was to announce tougher vetting for immigrants.

“Most of these attackers come from rather secular backgrounds and tend to radicalize in their country of destination rather than origin,” said Yan Matusevich, research officer at the Vienna-headquartered International Center for Migra-

tion Policy Development.

Thousands of former residents of the region’s five countries known as the “stans”―Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan― have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq since 2011.

However, the incidents involving violent extrem-

ism at home have been relatively rare.

But if one single theme does link the Central Asia-born assailants of very different backgrounds accused of attacks this year in New York, Istanbul, Saint Petersburg and Stockholm, it is migration.

Uzbek national Abdulgadir Masharipov, who killed 39 people in a January 1 at-

tack on a nightclub in Istanbul, had lived and trained as a militant in Afghanistan and Pakistan, according to Turkish authorities.

Another Uzbek, Rakhmat Akilov, who plowed a truck into a crowd of pedestrians in Stockholm in April, killing five, was a failed asylum seeker reportedly at risk of deportation. AFP

Puigdemont’s arrest sought M

ADRID―A Spanish judge was set Friday to issue an arrest warrant for Catalonia’s deposed leader Carles Puigdemont over his region’s contested independence drive, in a move likely to further escalate tensions in Spain’s worst political crisis in decades.

The European arrest warrant was due a day after a large chunk of Puigdemont’s government was thrown behind bars pending probes in Madrid into their role in Catalonia’s push for secession.

Puigdemont, dismissed last week as Catalan president by the Spanish government and who has since been holed up in Belgium, had failed to show up at a Thursday court hearing in Madrid.

Judge Carmen Lamela, who on Thursday had Puigdemont’s deputy Oriol Junqueras and

seven other deposed regional ministers detained pending a potential trial for alleged sedition, rebellion and misuse of public funds, will issue the warrant “during the day Friday,” a judicial source in Madrid told AFP. Puigdemont’s Belgian lawyer Paul Bekaert had earlier told Flemish television channel VRT that he expected the Spanish judiciary would then send an extradition request to Belgian federal prosecutors, adding that his client would appeal if a Belgian judge approved the request.

As television footage showed images of police vans with flashing blue lights taking Puigdemont’s former ministers to different prisons, Catalans took to the streets in anger and disbelief.

There were protests in front of the Catalan parliament in Barcelona, the regional capital, with police estimating a crowd of 20,000. Others gathered outside town halls across the region including 8,000 people in both Girona and Tarragona.

Those in Barcelona held up their mobile phones like candles

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

suffering from mental alienation or from any incurable contagious disease. The country of which I am a citizen or subject is not at war with the Philippines and grants to Filipinos the right to be naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

001447

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON NATURALIZATION IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION OF SUN MI HWANG to be naturalized as Filipino citizen pursuant to Republic Act No. 9139.

PETITION Pursuant to the provisions of Republic Act No. 9139, petitioner hereby submits a petition for naturalization to become a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines and respectfully declares:

15. Attached hereto as annexes and made part of this petition are the duplicate originals or certified photocopies of the following documents (please check the appropriate box):

1. My full name is SUN MI HWANG, but I have also been known since childhood as SUN MI or I have been judicially N/A . authorized to use the alias name(s)

[ / ] a. Petitioner's birth certificate [ / ] b. Petitioner's alien certificate of registration (ACR) [ ] c. Petitioner's native-born certificate of residence (NBCR) [ ] d. Petitioner's marriage certificate, if married [ ] e. Death certificate of his/her spouse, if widowed [ ] f. Court decree annulling his/her marriage or granting legal separation, if such was the fact [ ] g. Birth certificates of petitioner's minor children [ ] h. ACRs of petitioner's minor children [ ] i. NBCRs of petitioner's minor children [ / ] j. Affidavits of financial capacity by the petitioner, duly supported by bank certifications, passbooks, stock certificates, or proof of ownership of other properties [ / ] k. Affidavits of at least two (2) credible witnesses who must be Filipino citizens of good reputation in petitioner's place of residence [ / ] l. Medical certificate from a government hospital stating that petitioner is not suffering from mental alienation or a user of prohibited drugs or otherwise a drug dependent and that he/she is not afflicted with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), or any incurable contagious disease. [ / ] m. School diploma and transcript of records of the petitioner from the school/s he or she attended in the Philippines [ ] n. Certifications stating that petitioner's minor children are enrolled in public schools or private educational institutions duly recognized by the DECS, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and prescribed as part of the school curriculum and where enrollment is not limited to any race or nationality [ / ] o. Petitioner's income tax returns for the past three years [ / ] p. Petitioner's receipts of payment of income tax for the past three years

2. My present place of residence is 12-A TIMES ST., WEST TRIANGLE City/Municipality of QUEZON CITY Province of METRO MANILA and all my former places of residence are (please indicate periods of residence) 4-B EXAMINER ST., WEST TRIANGLE, Q.C. (15 YEARS) 3. I was born on JULY 13, 1994, in QUEZON CITY, Philippines. I have been a resident of the Philippines since birth. At present, I am a citizen or subject of SOUTH KOREA. 4. My father's name is YOUNG SOO HWANG and he was born on NOVEMBER 05, 1964, in DAEGU, KOREA. He is a citizen or subject of SOUTH KOREA. My mother's name is HYEON JEONG HWANG and she was born on JULY 16, 1969 in SEOUL, KOREA. She is a citizen or subject of SOUTH KOREA.

with their belongings in Palongkhali after crossing into Bangladesh’s Ukhia district. AFP

Iraqis hail end of jihadist rule AL-OBEIDI, Iraq―For Abu Ahmed, the arrival of Iraqi forces in his village on the border with Syria has ended a three-year ordeal at the hands of the Islamic State group that might never have been.

He was only meant to be visiting when he returned to the tiny settlement of AlObeidi in eastern Iraq for his mother’s funeral in September 2014.

But two days later the jihadists swept in, trapping him for years under their brutal rule and far from his home in the capital Baghdad.

That all ended this week when government troops pushing a final offensive against IS in Iraq seized Al-Obeidi as they closed in on the largest remaining jihadist-controlled town of Al-Qaim just to the west. AFP

Trump wants death penalty for attacker NEW YORK―President Donald Trump called Thursday for the man charged over the New York truck attack to be executed, as a picture emerged of an Islamic State group sympathizer radicalized after struggling with life in America.

Trump had said he was considering sending Sayfullo Saipov, 29, to the military’s notorious Guantanamo Bay detention center, but backed off the idea in a blast of tweets calling for the death penalty.

“Would love to send the NYC terrorist to Guantanamo but statistically that process takes much longer than going through the Federal system,” he tweeted.

“There is also something appropriate about keeping him in the home of the horrible crime he committed. Should move fast. DEATH PENALTY!” AFP

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late GILDA CATALINA C. LIM was extrajudicially settled by and among her heirs as per affidavit executed on November 03, 2017 and entered as Doc. No. 324, Page No. 65, Book No. 8-A Series of 2017 of the notarial registry of Atty. Jose B. Dunluan, a notary public for and in the City of Mandaluyong.

(MS-NOV. 4,11 & 18, 2017)

For fast ad results, please call

Advertising Department 832-5547

5. My trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which I derive an average annual income of N/A , inclusive of bonuses, commissions and allowances.

My wife's/husband's trade, business, profession or lawful occupation is N/A and from which she derives an average annual income of P N/A .

(Where the above does not apply): I am exempt from the requirement of lucrative trade or occupation and from submitting income tax returns for the past three (3) years because I am a college degree holder [please state (1) degree obtained:BS SPORTS SCIENCE, (2) name of school: UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS and (3) years graduated: 2016] who cannot practice my profession (the practice of which requires a government licensure examination) by reason of my citizenship.

6. My civil status is SINGLE, I was married on N/A in N/A. My wife's/husband's name is N/A and she/he was born on in N/A. She/he is a citizen or subject of N/A and presently resides N/A

Item Qty Item Description No

8. I have N/A child/children, whose names, dates and places of birth and residences are as follows:

Dated at Makati City, Metro Manila, this 29 day of JUNE, 2017.

Date of Birth N/A

Place of Birth N/A

N/A

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

2

1

PhP596,000.00

1

Goldstamping Machine (Heidelberg) Barcode Number Printing Machine (Atlantic Zeiser)

BSP-QC

3

BSP-QC

PhP447,000.00

4

1

Special Double Semi-Automatic Book Pressing Machine (Zechine)

BSP-QC

PhP790,000.00

5

1

Pressing Machine (La Fornigrafica) Double Book Pressing Machine (Zechine) Automatic Folding Machine (ShoEi 2) Perforating Laser Machine (Atlantic Zeiser) Sheet-Fed/Double Deck Offset Printing Press Machine (Komori)

BSP-QC

PhP288,000.00

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

1

1

Auto Printing Machine (Unomatic)

BSP-QC

6

1

7

1

8

1

9

1

Floor Price PhP17,955,000.00

BSP-QC

PhP418,000.00

BSP-QC

PhP1,206,000.00

BSP-QC

PhP10,520,000.00

BSP-QC

PhP112,244,000.00

The schedule of activities is as follows:

The BSP reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to declare the bidding a failure, to annul the bidding process and to reject all bids at any given time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability to the bidders.

Furthermore, the BSP reserves the right to waive any minor defect or formality and to accept the proposal most advantageous to the Bank.

25 October 2017

(SGD) ARIEL C, CHUIDIAN Chairperson ( M S - N O V. 3 , 4 & 5 , 2 017 )

SUN MI HWANG Name and Signature of Petitioner Address: 12-A TIMES ST., WEST TRIANGLE, Q.C. Telephone Number: 0927-1386914

Name of School

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

Name of Child

1. Issuance of Bid Documents Room 403, Starting date: 8 November 2017 4th Floor, Building A, BSP-SPC, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 2. Inspection of Items for Auction Date/Time: 8-10 November 2017 at 9:00 am and 1:00 p.m.

3. Opening of Bids 3/F Staff Dining Room Date/Time: 16 November 2017 at 10:00 a.m.

PRAYER

Residence

Place of Dates of Highest Grade School Study Completed Q U E Z O N C I T Y QUEZONCITY 2000 to 2004 GRADE 4 CHRISTIAN ACADEMY M I R I A M C O L L E G E KATIPUNAN 2004 to 2008 GRADE 7 GRADE SCHOOL MIRIAM COLLEGE HIGH KATIPUNAN 2008-2012 4th YEAR SCHOOL

Location

NBI, BARANGAY, POLICE, RTC, MTC AND OFFICE OF THE PROSECUTOR CLEARANCES

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

N/A

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), through its Disposal Committee, invites bidders to participate in the public auction for the sale, on an “as is, where is” basis, of the following:

16. Other documents submitted by the petitioner in support of his/her petition:

7. I am legally separated from my spouse; my marriage was annulled, per decree of legal separation/annulment dated N/A granted by N/A. (please indicate the particular court which granted the same). I am a widower/widow and my spouse died on N/A in N/A.

Name

SECURITY PLANT COMPLEX (SPC) DISPOSAL COMMITTEE NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION

13. It is my true and honest intention to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state or sovereignty, and, particularly, to SOUTH KOREA of which at this time I am a citizen or subject. I will reside continuously in the Philippines from the date of the filing of this petition up to the time of my admission to Philippine citizenship.

14. My character witnesses are GENITA T. MENDOZA and LEONOR G. ZAMORA both Filipino citizens, of legal age, and residing at 137 MALAKAS ST., DILIMAN, Q.C. and 137 PRK. 2 BRGY. STA LUCIA, CALUMPIT, BULACAN respectively, who have executed sworn statements attached hereto in support of my instant petition, together with: (a) brief biographical data about themselves; (b) detailed statements on the dates they first came to know me, the circumstances of our initial acquaintance and the reasons and extent of our continuing familiarity; and (c) the number of times they have acted as character witnesses in other petitions for naturalization.

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

STRANDED. Rohingya refugees who had been stranded in the ‘no-man’s land’ between Myanmar and Bangladesh wait

and waved separatist flags―red and yellow stripes with a white star-also holding black-andyellow “libertad” [“freedom”] signs.

The crowds, who included elderly couples and young parents carrying toddlers, chanted “Free political prisoners” and “This isn’t justice but dictatorship.”

“It makes you angry even when you don’t vote for independence because every time a disproportionate measure is taken, it only fuels independence,” said retired teacher Dolores, 66. AFP

N/A

Name and Place of School N/A

Date of Enrollment N/A

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

I am not opposed to organized government or affiliated with any association or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized governments. I am not defending or teaching the necessity or propriety of violence, personal assault or assassination for the success and predominance of one's ideas. I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. I have not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude. I am not

Right Thumbmark of Petitioner

Petitioner's signature and right thumbmark

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES) CITY/MUNICIPALITY OF QUEZON CITY) S.S. I, SUN MI HWANG of legal age and a resident of 12- A TIMES ST., WEST TRIANGLE, Q.C. after being duly sworn, depose and say that I am the petitioner herein, that I have read the foregoing petition and know the foregoing petition and known the contents thereof, and that the same is true of my own knowledge.

SUN MI HWANG Name and Signature of Petitioner Driver`s License No. N25-12-608984

SUBCRIBED AND SWORN to before me at QUEZON CITY, this 22 day of JUNE 2017.

(MS-NOV. 4,11 & 18, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

The e-Canter represents the future of commercial trucking

Dino Ray Directo III, Editor

B4

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

FUSO

beats Tesla in e-Trucks production

Metal FRESH

Trucks &Buses

M

itsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC), part of Daimler Trucks - the global market leader with truck brands like Freightliner, Mercedes-Benz and FUSO – recently staged the global launch of the FUSO eCanter in New York City. The FUSO eCanter is the world’s first series-produced allelectric light-duty truck and will be delivered to customers starting this year in the US, Europe and Japan.

MFTBC is planning to deliver 500 units of this generation to customers within the next two years.

Larger scale production is intended to start in 2019.

Marc Llistosella, President and CEO of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation and Head of Daimler Trucks Asia: “In times, when everybody is talking about electric trucks, we are the first to actually commercialize a series produced all-electric truck. Having a long history in alternative drivetrains, we are proud to step into this new era. Our FUSO eCanter comes with years of customer testing, and the assurance of parts, services, and warranty through our global FUSO dealership network.”

“Our new FUSO eCanter now addresses the increasing global demand for products to meet and exceed high CO2 emission standards. It offers an attractive and cost-effective alternative to combustion engines and makes electric trucks key to the future of inner city distribution”, Llistosella added.

First all-electric trucks provided to UPS and four New York City based NGOs At the global launch, FUSO today also announced the company’s first U.S. commercial partner for the eCanter: UPS will use the zero-emission trucks with an eye to moving their fleet toward being more sustainable.

Carlton Rose, President, Global Fleet Maintenance & Engineering, UPS: “At UPS, we constantly evaluate and deploy advanced technologies that enable sustainable, innovative solutions for our fleet. Electric trucks make our fleet both cleaner and quieter, adding to our already more than 8,500 alternative drivetrain vehicles in service today. We have a long-standing global relationship with Daimler, and we welcome the opportunity to trial the Fuso eCanter as UPS continues to realize the benefits of electric trucks.”

In coordination with the office of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, FUSO also will supply a fleet of local zero emission FUSO eCanter trucks to well-known New York based not-for-profits, including: Wildlife Conservation Society, New York Botanical Garden, Habitat for Humanity

FUSO's e-Canter is the Japanese response to Tesla's challenge of who gets to launch first

Give your truck some attitude with alloy wheels Alcoa, the inventor and global leader of forged aluminum wheels, rolled out the most advanced aluminum wheel alloy in 45 years.

The new material opens the door for lighter weight wheels at increased strength with the same corrosion-resistant characteristics as the industry standard, also made by Alcoa.

“Alcoa is making truck wheel history with our innovative aluminum material,” said Tim Myers, President, Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products. “No manufacturer has produced a wheel with an alloy superior to Alcoa’s 6061 material. Our MagnaForce alloy wheels open the door to production of the strongest, lightest wheels to increase fleet payload, improve fuel efficiency and enhance sustainability.”

Alcoa has been the industry leader since inventing the forged aluminum wheel in 1948 using an alloy it had developed for the aerospace industry. In 1968, Alcoa set the industry standard again when it launched its 6061 alloy for forged aluminum wheels. Alcoa’s 6061 material provided a strong, durable alloy, re-

sistant to corrosion that is used to this day by all major forged aluminum wheel manufacturers. During that time, Alcoa’s experts have continually met increasing demands for lighter weight wheels, engineering products that today are 10 pounds lighter than wheels from 20 years ago, using the same alloy.

About Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products Alcoa Wheel and Transportation Products, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, serves the commercial vehicle, automotive, and defense markets with products used in a range of applications including forged alu-

minum wheels, premium products such as DuraBright®, Dura-Flange®, LvL ONE® and MSeries™ medium duty truck wheels, as well as a variety of other aluminum components for these markets. Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of alumina. In addition to inventing the modernday aluminum industry, Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets over the past 125 years. AWTP is composed of three divisions: Commercial Vehicle Wheels, Forged Specialty Wheels and Transportation Products. It employs 1,500 people at 13 locations worldwide.

In the Philippines, Alcoa is exclusively distributed by Pioneer Truck Parts and Equipment Corporation. Its showroom is located at 341 G. Araneta Avenue, Bgy. Santol, Quezon City. For inquiries you may call (02) 713-1898; 788-2190 or you may log on to www.pioneertrucks.ph

Hino opens new dealership HINO Motors Philippines (HMP), the exclusive distributor of Japan’s leading brand of trucks and buses in the country, celebrates another milestone with the grand opening of its newest dealership along United Nations Avenue in Manila on October 12.

This recent dealership was awarded to One Alliance Motor Source, Inc. (OAMSI) under the Broadway Motors Group (BMG), one of the most respected companies in the automotive business since 1961. Their continued success is now highlighted by the addition of yet another prestigious brand - Hino.

Hino’s reputation for quality, durability, and reliability will be on full display, featuring a top-of-the-line fleet of light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks which have been trusted by businesses in the Philippines for more than 40 years.

The One Alliance Motor Source, Inc.(OAMSI) , through its Hino U.N. Avenue Dealership, is forging on with its mission statement, which is: “Helping Build the Nation,” in response to the national government’s call for private partners to become solutions providers that effectively participate in spurring economic growth and development in the transport and logistics industry. President and CEO Leoncio Lei Yee, Jr. takes the reins as the company actively participates to advance this agenda and contribute to the robust Philippine economy by pro-

viding quality vehicles necessary to support the demands of a fastgrowing infrastructure.

“Hino remains in full throttle on further expanding our footprint nationwide. After a dealership opening in CDO and a ground breaking in General Santos Mindanao, we are also strengthening our presence in Metro Manila with this new dealership opening. We extend our commitment to bring total customer satisfaction as a one-stop shop for all trucking needs in Manila. HMP will work hand in hand with Hino U.N. Avenue to ensure smooth operations,” HMP President Mr. Hiroshi Aoki said.

This new partnership between One Alliance Motor Source, Inc. (OAMSI) and Hino Motors Philippines (HMP) also aims to foster local entrepreneurship through strategic plans and programs in the near future.

New York City, and Big Reuse Brooklyn.

To celebrate the launch, FUSO set up a temporary installation in New York City’s East Village called “Energy Station of the Future”. The event was the perfect backdrop for FUSO’s vision of how using the zero-emission, zeronoise eCanter will help transform New York City, and other urban areas, into cleaner and quieter places for everyday deliveries.

FUSO eCanter environmentally friendly and economical for users The all-electric light-duty truck is MFTBC’s answer to the public’s need for a zero-emission, zero-noise truck for continuously increasing inner-city distribution. In addition to being an eco-friendly vehicle, it is cost-efficient and economical for users, as already proved within customer tests in Europe.

The FUSO eCanter has a range of 100 kilometers and a load capacity up to three and a half tons – depending on body and usage. The vehicle’s electric powertrain contains six high voltage lithium ion battery packs with 420 V and 13.8 kWh each. In comparison with a conventional diesel truck, it offers savings up to 1,000 Euro per 10,000 kilometers on operating costs.

Result of intensive research and customer testing The global launch of the new FUSO eCanter is not just a product launch – it’s a revolution several years in the making: At the 2010 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover, Germany, FUSO presented a first prototype of an electrically powered Canter E-Cell, leading into a pre-series production for testing purposes in 2014. The FUSO eCanter benefits from extensive experience of customer trials conducted in Portugal and Germany with the preseries vehicles between 2014 and 2017.

In May of 2017, MFTBC announced its first commercial customer for the new in-line series production vehicle in the Japanese market. Seven-Eleven Co., Ltd. will be operating 25 units of the eCanter in their fleet. After unveiling the first charging station in Japan and kicking off production at the OEM’s factory in Portugal, today’s global launch event underlines the commitment of both FUSO and New York State to developing & embracing sustainable and reliable transportation solutions to benefit society and the planet.

Series-producing the eCanter and establishing electric trucks, FUSO will also make full use of the Daimler knowledge pool of partner companies, like Mercedes-Benz Energy – a provider of local power storage, ChargePoint – a provider of charging station networks, and as just announced today: an invest in StoreDot – a company that develops ultraquick charging battery technology.

FUSO eCanter first all-electric truck in series production After years of research and intensive customer testing, the FUSO eCanter will be fully integrated in the production line for the conventional combustion Fuso Canter truck. This past July, MFTBC celebrated the start of production of eCanter in Tramagal, Portugal. The production plant will assemble all eCanter vehicles for the European and U.S. markets. The Portuguese government has been continuously supporting the development of the eCanter since the early stages in 2010 until today, and for the future to come.

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

HealtH and environment

satuRday, noVemBeR 4, 2017

C1

Nature reserve

in Las Piñas-Parañaque area one WitH natUre. The Boardwalk at the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area allows visitors to check out the sanctuary’s mangrove area.

T

HINkING of a place to bring your family on weekends?

Try bringing them to the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Eco-Tourism Area (LPPCHEA), an urban sanctuary where visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and enjoy being one with nature.

LPPCHEA is a 175-hectare nature reserve situated south of Manila Bay. Considered as the “last natural bastion” in Metro Manila, the area serves as sanctuary for varied flora and fauna, including more than 80 bird species, some come from as far away as Siberia, and 11 mangrove trees species.

Senator Cynthia A. Villar, who has been leading the fight to protect and preserve the area, is now promoting the concept “voluntourism” to increase awareness of this natural oasis amidst a highly urbanized area.

“Apart from having leisurely walks along the coast and getting the chance to see colorful birds, families, students, and communities can also do other activities such as coastal cleanups and tree-planting activities at the wetland park,” Villar said.

Villar stressed that park is a critical site that needs special protection especially from manmade threats. “Not only is it home to various species of birds, including the endangered Black-Winged Stilt, Chinese Egret and the Philippine Duck, the area also serves as first-

Students participate in cleanup activities line of defense against storm surges and other natural disasters.”

LPPCHEA has 36 hectares of mangrove forest, the thickest and most diverse among the remaining mangrove areas in Manila Bay. There are currently 11 mangrove species growing in the area. “These mangroves serve as spawning and nursery grounds for coastal fishes. The more mangroves we have, the fish population in the area grows, thus providing a vital source of livelihood

Exhibit at the Wetland Center for more than 300,000 fisherfolk in Manila Bay,” Villar said. Apart from mangroves, Villar also opened a bambusetum or a bamboo museum inside the park.

In 2013, LPPCHEA was included as one of the world’s most important wetlands in the world by the Ramsar Convention. Other world-renowned sites in the Philippines that made it on the list include the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park in Sulu and the Underground River in Palawan.

Villar continues to organize site visits, cleanups and tree-planting activities in LPPCHEA. Recently, she hosted a tour and bird watching activity for the participants of the 12th Session of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or CMS-COP12.

Villar, chairman of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, presented to the delegates the conservation efforts at the

wetland park, including the facilities that now make visiting the park more convenient.

“After successfully protecting this area from various threats, including reclamation, we are now working to letting other people see and experience its natural biodiversity as an eco-tourism destination,” Villar said.

For those interested to visit LPPCHEA, contact DENR NCR LPPCHEA Management at (02) 435-2410, look for Aida Esguerra, Rey Aguinaldo or Lito Castañeda.

World expert on dental implants to hold conference in Manila DENTAL practitioners will have a rare chance to listen to oral maxillofacial surgeon and dental implant authority, Dr. Peter Moy in a special one-day conference in the Philippines. He will be flying from Los Angeles to share his knowledge on dental implants. The conference will be on Nov. 19 at the Rizal Ballroom, Makati Shangri-La Hotel.

A clinical professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry, Dr. Moy is the first person to hold the Nobel Biocare Endowed Chair in Surgical Implant Dentistry, and the current Director of Straumann Surgical Dental Clinic at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry.

He is a visiting professor at the School of Stomatology, Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, China, and at the Guanghua College of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. He is also the author of Volume I Fundamentals of Implant Dentistry: Prosthodontic Principles, Volume II Fundamentals of Implant Dentistry: Surgical Principles, Immediate Function & Esthetics in Implant Dentistry, and Esthetic Implant Dentistry: Soft and Hard Tissue Management.

Aside from being in the academe, Dr. Moy maintains a private practice in oral and maxillofacial surgery in Brentwood, California.

Dr. Moy’s expertise in dental implants is the result of his extensive training under Dr. Per-Ingvar Branemark, considered the father of modern dental implantology. The late Dr. Branemark’s work in osseointegration led to the development and widespread acceptance of dental implants in dental school and training programs.

At the conference, Dr. Moy will discuss the latest development in osseointegration, including a live surgery. Through this confer-

Benilde VC for Academics Geronio Ulayao and SDEAS Dean Nicky Templo-Perez with partner representatives from private sectors

Companies, institutions

supporting the hearing impaired honored Dr. Peter Moy ence, Dr. Moy hopes to motivate and inspire Filipino practitioners to elevate the standards of dental implants in the Philippines.

“My main mission is to train professional dentists the proper methods in implant dentistry,” said Dr. Moy. “As doctors, what we want to establish is the commitment to want to be better. Our aim is to improve skills and knowledge. ” The Dental Implant Conference is presented by Straumann Philippines, the world leader in implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry, in partnership with the Philippine Academy of Esthetic Dentistry and Philippine Prosthodontic Society.

For more details and registration, contact Straumann Philippines at 0917-8868266 or 0923-583-257 or email straumannph@gmail.com.

IN CELEBRATION of its 25th anniversary, the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) honored partner individuals and organizations for their assistance in promoting the advocacies of the hearing-impaired community.

Giselle Montero, director of SDEAS Center for Partnership and Development, said the recognition was for program development allies who helped develop SDEAS curriculum; community partners including schools, organizations and local government units, for providing students immersion venues and opportunities to give back; employers for assisting graduates in their respective jobs; and media partners including TV stations, theater and film venues.

“If DLS-CSB is working in making the school inclusive, SDEAS is working with external organizations to make society inclusive.” Montero said.

Among the companies and individuals that provided employment opportunities to the school’s graduates include the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), Makati ShangriLa Manila, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Ristorante delle Mitre, Sevilla Candle Factory, Resources for the Blind, Inc., San Isidro Labrador Parish, and Rotary Club University District of Manila.

Media, theater, and film associates ABSCBN News Channel (ANC), GMA Network Inc., TV5, Red Turnip Theater, and filmmaker Myrna ‘Mirana’ Miranda were likewise cited for providing sign language interpretation in major political and cultural events, including the annual Presidential State of the Nation Address and televised election debates, and milestone occasions, such as the visit of Pope Francis.

The Philippine National Association of Sign Language Interpreters (PNASLI)

and the Philippine Federation for the Deaf have been liaising with Benilde for sign language interpretation assistance for special coverage. The initiative to interpret for the deaf community is Benilde’s vision of inclusion.

On the other hand, Nippon Foundation, PEN-International Dr. James De Caro, the Embassy of the United States in the Philippines, and former SDEAS Dean Christine B. dela Torre, among many others, were recognized for their continued support of SDEAS students and programs.

All the awardees received Plaques of Appreciation in the form of a flame that symbolizes the passion for service and resource sharing for the development of the deaf community in the country.

For those who may wish to partner with the School for Deaf Education and Applied Studies, email to deaf.partnerships@benilde.edu.ph.

Life

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saturday, november 4, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

SunShine Place’S

3rd anniversary celebration

Zoom-to-the-Beat instructors of Sunshine Place giving the musical ‘Chorus Line’ a Zumba touch

t

he Stars of Sunshine brightly sparkled during the recent third anniversary get-together of the Sunshine Place, showing everyone that talent indeed is ageless, and fun is forever.

the senior center’s growing family took part in the “Stars of Sunshine” anniversary show, which showcased the Broadway and movie musical experience through wellloved songs and dances straight from the Great White Way. the Sunshine Place management and staff delighted the members and guests with their “Singin’ in the rain” dance performance; while instructors of the dance classes gave fresh interpretations of iconic Broadway musicals. Le Bran instructors highlighted the Phantom of the Opera as a pasotango dance; while Zoom-to-the-Beat mentors gave Chorus Line a Zumba touch. the anniversary show was also a recital for members participating in the center’s various classes who were joined by their instructors in their performances. Pop jazz class members led by instructor Ida Ramos showed they still had the moves in their Disco Inferno number; while social ballroom and yeba class members were marvelous in

their “new york! new york!,” “Xanadu,” and “Cabaret” medley with instructor Nikki Camasura. although she was recovering from losing her voice, Maricor Mendoza sang “i Could have danced all night” from the musical My Fair Lady; while Hannela Bolus, also a voice class student and daughter of Sunshine Place member Camie Bolus, sang “tomorrow” from the musical Annie.

One of the highlights of the event was a special performance by atty. Tony Pastor who sang and played the piano, serenading the members with classics from rodgers and hammerstein musicals. Later on, he was joined by Jade Riccio, and sang duets from the Phantom of the Opera, Carousel and Sound of Music, accompanied by pianist Mary Anne Baclao.

Mrs. Felicidad Sy was the guest of honor during the event, and was joined by Sunshine Place president Lizanne Uychaco, manager Gilda Reyes, painting instructors

Fidel Sarmiento, Tere Buiser, and Robert Fernandez, writing instructors Barbara Gonzalez and Dr. Oscar Peñaranda, porcelain painting instructor Mee Lee Casey and dance instructor Danny Vinculado.

Sunshine Place, a senior hub under the Felicidad tan Sy Foundation, is a venue for adults to live actively, through engaging in recreational classes and age-appropriate physical training programs. it is the venue to be entertained, to socialize and to reflect; a place of happiness and wellness for one’s mind, body and soul. the center offers a wide range of activities for its members and guests. there are ikebana (Japanese art of flower arrangement) tutorials, writing classes, music and voice lessons; yeba and social ballroom dance classes; and nutrition counseling and customized fitness training programs. One can also take time to reflect in the chapel that is open every day and holds a 12:15pm mass every Friday.

Felicidad Sy with Sunshine Place member senator Santanina Rasul, Atty. Salma Rasul and rose siaco

For more information, visit the Sunshine Place at #56 Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati City; or call (02) 856-4144 and (0917) 515-5656; and email seniorhubjupiter@gmail.com.

Retire Smart helps build a solid game plan for retirement Whatever dreams you want to pursue, it’s easier to make it happen by having a solid game plan. this is especially true for long-term goals like planning for retirement. after all, the hard work you put in over so many years should yield to a prize in the future. the prize of living what you love when you retire is possible, whether it’s setting up your own business, ticking off places on your bucket list, or just spending more time with your family. Using its expertise and experience in investments, aXa employs modern portfolio management techniques to maximize the growth of your investment while you’re young, while minimizing volatility as you grow closer to your target retirement date. have the flexibility to choose your investment fund – retire Smart 2030, 2035, 2040, and 2045 – depending on which one is closest to your target retirement year. retire Smart also comes with a life insurance coverage equivalent to at least five to up to 25 times your annual basic premium, to ensure that your family is taken care of in the event of any unforeseen circumstances. “aXa Philippines knows the value of having a solid game plan. to be able to pursue what you are passionate about when you retire, you need the right plan to achieve financial independence.

With retire Smart, we offer a flexible invest-

Retire Smart is a flexible retirement package that allows you to enjoy life when you retire ment package that allows you to truly enjoy your life when you retire,” said Rahul Hora, President and CeO of aXa Philippines. travelling around the world, opening your own business, and spending time with your family and friends may seem like distant dreams, but with your investment in retire Smart today, you can start preparing to pursue those dreams and

live the life you love when you retire. aXa Philippines, a joint venture between the aXa Group and the Metrobank Group, is one of the country’s largest and fastest growing life insurance companies in the country, offering financial security to more than 800,000 individuals through its group and individual life insurance products.

2,000 benefit from NEELS OddySeyFOUndatiOn inc. (OFi), the corporate social responsibility (CSr) arm of CdO-Foodsphere, extended assistance to more than 2,000 beneficiaries under its nutrition, education, environment, Livelihood and Service to humanity (neeLS) program in fiscal year 2016-2017.

OFi executive director Alejandro A. Danao Jr. said the neeLS program represents the five pillars that the foundation is operating on, in its bid to contribute to nation building. in its 2016 accomplishment report, OFi said 1,197 mostly undernourished children benefitted from its nutrition program called Gabay nutrisyon that aims to provide the physical nourishment the children need to grow and become healthy and productive individuals. in the fiscal year 2016-2017, OFi administered supplemental feeding projects in several barangays in valenzuela; Malvar, Batangas; and dona remedios trinidad in Bulacan, to a total of 881 beneficiaries. “an average of 75-percent increase in weight of the beneficiaries was noted based on national nutrition Council standard,” OFi said in a report. the foundation also teamed up with other non-government organizations such as aBS-CBn Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation inc., trinity home for Children and religious groups to conduct nutrition programs among 554 children in different parts of the country. this brought the total number of children beneficiaries reached

by Gabay nutrisyon Program to 19,500 as of March 30, or since OFi launched the program more than a decade ago. in its education program, OFi reached out to 300 beneficiaries, who are mostly indigent elementary school students and children with special needs. the foundation distributed school supplies to four public elementary schools in valenzuela and hygienic kits to children with special needs.

Cdo-Foodsphere’s Csr program has extended assistance to more than 2,000 beneficiaries OFi said its environment program had 100 beneficiaries last year. the program involved tree planting and waste management activities as well as adopt-an-estero project. another 501 beneficiaries benefited from Gabay hanapbuhay, the livelihood program of OFi last year. the foundation conducted livelihood training to equip beneficiaries with the necessary skills in several barangays in Quezon and valenzuela cities. OFi is now using post-evaluation tools to assess the effectiveness of the project.

On the Service to humanity leg of the program, OFi reported 232 beneficiaries, including 50 families in tacloban who transferred to their new homes in June 2016, after their former houses were flattened by typhoon yolanda in 2013.

OFi teamed up with habitat for humanity Philippines for the housing project for yolanda typhoon victims. OFi also conducted medical missions in valenzuela City and Malvar, Batangas last year. the foundation is led by CdO-Foodsphere founders Corazon D. Ong and Jose J. Ong as chairwoman and vice chairman, respectively.

PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi and UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Carmencita Padilla cut the ceremonial ribbon at the launch of Care for Rare awareness campaign

Care for Rare awareness campaign

aS Part of the continuous efforts to promote public awareness on rare diseases, the Philippine General hospital, UP national institutes of health, and the Philippine Society of Orphan disorders together with the department of health, is pioneering the Care for rare awareness campaign held at the Philippine General hospital Out-Patient department. the campaign runs until nov. 16. during this month-long campaign, an information table is set up with health volunteers giving out informational materials about rare diseases specifically Lysosomal Storage disorders like: Pompe disease, MPS i &ii, Fabry disease and Gaucher disease. Patients can approach these volunteers to inquire about the diseases as well. as a globally competitive medical and health facility, the Philippine General hospital is strongly committed to render quality healthcare to the Filipino people through networking and teamwork of its competent, compassionate and ethical health professionals, and by being a center of excellence and leadership in health care training and research that impacts on health policies.

Guided by this mission, this PGh Care for rare campaign aims to bring national attention and awareness on the impact of rare diseases among people and the ways by which families and communities can help realize the spirit and intention of r.a. no.

10747 or the rare disease Law. the Philippines has achieved a very important milestone when the rare disease act was passed into law which seeks to improve the access of patients with rare diseases to comprehensive medical care and to timely health information that would help them cope with their condition. rare diseases do not only affect patients

but also their families. thus the presence of a rare disease law somehow alleviates the position of which families with a rare disease patient are in. “as of the moment, the implementing rules and regulations for the rd law are still being finished and parents of rd patients like me are looking forward to its implementation because that will ensure that budget will be allocated to rd programs. this law gives us hope in making sure that people with rare diseases are given a chance at life,” says Cynthia Magdaraog, president of the Philippine Society for Orphan disorders and parent of a Pompe disease patient. in the Philippines, a disease is considered rare if it affects one in every 20,000 individuals or less. those afflicted with rare disease or orphan disorders suffer from social abandonment due to lack of existing network of support to aid them. the nature of rare disease is hardly known as well due to lack of information; and only few medical professionals in the country are aware of these disorders and how to diagnose and address these conditions. Medical help is also elusive under the conditions of the country’s health priorities. With this information campaign, both private and government organizations working behind it are hoping to address the need for effective identification and diagnosis of rare diseases among our country’s population.

Public awareness plays a very important part in comprehensive healthcare; and a comprehensive healthcare respects everyone’s right to life. the campaign for national rare disease awareness is a shared responsibility and there is a great need to work together for this to be successful.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2017

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Isah V. Red, Editor • Nickie Wang, Writer

BEA BINENE

produces advocacy film

B

EA Binene ventures into film producing. She is behind Fading Paradise, an advocacy film that tells the story of millennials trying to find a missing island in Bicol.

Fading Paradise emphasizes that excessive waste and its improper disposal pose a threat to our lovely islands. Two best friends played by Binene and Krystal Reyes try to find the paradise island that Bea grew up in, but as they reach their destination they realize that the paradise they once knew is now just a beautiful memory.

Coming up with the project, Bea shares that she always wanted to make something out of passion and it is primarily where Fading Paradise is rooted. Through films like this, she will be able to spread awareness and do something relevant to the recent issues that the world is facing.

“My mom and I wanted to have an indie film na may cause and gusto

namin siyang i-tour sa mga schools.

So we came up with the concept na magaan lang but can still educate others. So we really aim to show this to the millennials, the students,” explains the Kapuso star.

She feels grateful to have her celebrity friends join her passion project and with their help, she was able to come up with an informative film about what it is like to take advantage of nature’s beauty.

Directed by Aurel Ayson, Fading Paradise stars Binene, Reyes, Coleen Perez, Kenneth Paul Cruz, Mark Castillo, and Angelo Serno, with the special participation of Alma Moreno. The film was featured at the recent 2017 QCinema Film Festival.

PASSION PROJECT. Kapuso star Bea Binene produced and topbilled a film that aims to educate millennials on climate change

‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ NOW ON TV EMOTIONS run high in three movies premiering on television including 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Ang Mananaggal sa Unit 23B, and Double Barrel via SKY Movies Pay Per View until Nov. 10.

Reminisce youth and the pangs of unrequited love with JC Santos and Bela Padilla in the hit indie movie 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, the story of love-struck stuttering Fidel (JC Santos) pining for carefree rocker Stella (Bela Padilla). Moving away from light-hearted teen romance, it was a hit among millennial audiences becoming the top-grosser and winning the Audience Choice Award at the first Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino by the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

Another movie to watch is Prime Cruz’s Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B. Cruz’ sophomore offering uses the ma-

nananggal folklore to shape an entertaining feature. Jewel (Ryza Cenon) is a manananggal in modern Manila. She is in search, not of food, but for someone who will love and accept her for who she is.

Cruz won Best Director at the 2016 QCinema Film Festival for this modern day supernatural Romeo and Juliet.

Fans of Seklusyon’s Phoebe Walker can look forward to watching her in Double Barrel. She plays Martha, the wife of a former drug peddler roped into killing drug lords with her husband to keep him from prison. Toto Natividad directs.

Get unlimited access to SKY Movies PPV for seven days for only P99.

SKY Movies PPV is available to all ONE SKY, SKYcable, Destiny Cable, and to SKYbroadband subscribers through SKY on Demand.

Will Smith (left) in a scene from the Netflix urban fantasy action crime thriller, “Bright”

Smith in new thriller THE streets of Los Angeles will never be the same. This December, Will Smith and Joel Edgerton bring the heat (and some hardcore deadly magic) to fans across the world in the Netflix film Bright. Directed by David Ayer, known for the box-office hits such as Suicide Squad and Training Day, this action-thriller follows the story of two LAPD police officers played by Smith (Officer Ward) and Edgerton (Officer Jakoby).

In Bright, the unlikely duo are working around the

clock to keep the mean streets of Los Angeles safe from a sinister underworld filled with gang violence and dark forces at work.

The Netflix film also stars Noomi Rapace, Lucy Fry, Edgar Ramirez, Ike Barinholtz, Enrique Murciano, Jay Hernandez, Andrea Navedo, Veronica Ngo, Alex Meraz, Margaret Cho, Brad William Henke, Dawn Oliveri, and Kenneth Choi.

Bright will be available in select theaters and on Netflix starting Dec. 22.

Bela Padilla-JC Santos starrer indie film, “100 Tula Para Kay Stella,” debuts on cable TV

5 Reasons to visit Parolan at the Araneta Center PEOPLE say the Christmas season in the Philippines is the longest in the world. As early as September, Filipinos decorate their homes, schools and offices with various ornaments and trinkets to really get into the Christmas spirit. Soon enough, houses will be lit up with strings of sparkling lights, and carols fill the air even in shopping malls.

Just as Christmas decorating is an age-old practice, visiting the Parolan Christmas Bazaar at the Araneta Center in Quezon City this time of the year has also become a tradition among many Filipinos. Those looking to find a bargain know this is one of the places one must check out before Christmas comes around.

Here are five reasons why Parolan is worth a visit: 1. Christmas is just around the corner

The Christmas bazaar opened on Oct.1 and will remain in operation until the end of the year. With just a little over two months to go before Christmas, Parolan is one of the top destinations in the Metro for Christmas décor shopping. Visit it now and take advantage of the fact that the Christmas rush and the heavy traffic it entails are not yet in full swing.

2. Not far-la la la la: the bazaar is accessible Parolan may be in a new location, but it still offers the same Christmas decorating staples.

The Christmas bazaar is now located on Times Square Avenue, in front of the Araneta Center Bus Station, behind Shopwise. Like anything else at the Araneta Center, Parolan is very accessible through any means of transportation.

At the center of the city, Araneta Center is the true transportation hub, and can be reached from the north to the south, the east to the west, thanks to several jeepney and bus lines, as well as MRT-3 along EDSA and LRT-2 along Aurora Boulevard.

Just a few minutes’ walk from the train stations, Parolan’s strategic location in the metro benefits shoppers.

3. The gifts that keep on giving Parolan promises the public some good deals for their choice of Christmas decorations.

A Christmas tree bargains for as cheap as P250 to as much as P3,500 depending on their size and materials. Some stores sell Christmas trees already adorned with lights, ribbons and other decorations for as low as P5,000.

Lanterns or parol sell for as low

as P500. Capiz balls with lights sell for P1,300 to P1,500.

These prices are already cheap compared to those in other stores, but the good thing is, buyers can still haggle with the sellers.

They can also test their purchases to make sure that they are safe and of good quality. Some stalls also offer repair on decors bought from them.

4. Merry Choice-mas: Various products abound The Christmas bazaar has a wide array of products. Whether you are looking for traditional decors or thematic displays, chances are, the sellers in the bazaar have the products you want and need.

Aside from the usual Christmas trees and lanterns, some stores also offer heavy-duty LED rope lights which retail for P2,500 to P4,000.

The technique is to patient-

ly sweep through the 12 stalls to find the displays you want.

5. Bibingka and puto bumbong bring the cheer Hunger—or worse, that feeling of being “hangry”—will not be a problem for shoppers at the Parolan Christmas Bazaar. A stall there sells bibingka and puto bumbong, traditional Christmas treats that are big hits among Pinoys.

Owner Nanay Erlinda says she maintains the quality of the ingredients of her traditional sticky rice cakes that is why they continue to be a favorite among shoppers.

Puto bumbong sells for P40 to P50, while the bibingka retails for P60 to P70 depending on the variety.

There are also scores of other food establishments in the area that a visit to buy Christmas decors may just turn into a food trip as well.

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SATURDAY,OCTOBER 21, 2017

Big hit house-hunting Stress-free Tradespeople’s Flow of living Housing challenges

B

ANCREA Homes, together with mass-housing advocate 8990 Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor Holdings Inc., recently unveiled jdlacsamana@gmail.com rainmakerwww.BancreaHomes.com, select, the ansgrohe, one of the leading shower pieces areitsthewebsite, raindance E, the unica E, and some newof features that a SMALLmakers to largeof contractors often deal with the decutting edge which offers a range SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4,water 2017 releases from the Axor collections (Seen mand offiprecision, accuracy and alignment in their xtures recently released traditional property brokerage firm does here). construction applications. products in the Philippine market normally The unica E not shower set is provide. a flexible that allow users to easily choose handheld piece with a flat and round showerhead, plus a glassy finish. Rainmaker setheir options, and enjoy care-free lect are multi-jet overhead showers which wash and shower experiences.

favorite friend

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Hansgrohe is known for its functional select water control, and extra-large showerheads known as the XXL feel-good shower collections.

Following the flow of big and premium

These include the “ASK REA:24/7”, a dedicated live chat hosted by real-person customer service staff; an “E-Refer Kita” app, where every visitors can refer a sales lead, check the status of their referral, and earn a commission on the lead; and a lead generation and exchange service whose dedicated Customer Relationship Management

(CRM) platform, powered by Aggrego.io, can organize and track sales leads and virtually manage a network of real estate brokers and agents.

To make site trippings less stressful , Bancrea Homes also introduced a “Book-A-Tour”—via a ride-sharing app—where one can schedule visits at their own time, and also ride for free.

under the microscope

uses both air and water pressure to produce bath rain.

Hansgrohe products are distributed by Kuysen enterprises, importer of over global bathroom and kitchen brands.

Walk the less trodden path this Christmas

A single misalignment is one of the quickest ways to ruin the project that may affect the design and STELTZ, the Gallery recently unveiled a list Laof quality aspects of the infrastructure altogether.

“Christmas specials,” sophisticated lighting fi xtures ser devices such as Bosch’s GCL 2-15 G professionby designers like Philippine Starck, Antonio al renowned combi Laser level device are designed to simplify Citterio, Gilad, Achille Castiglioni, Bouroullec precisionRon work for tradespeople such as carpenters, Brothers, and E. Barber &and J. Osgerby.

Philippe Starck’s electricians, installers drywallers—even in unBon Jour Unplugged, for example, is aasgreat addition to favorable lighting conditions such bright environany work space. ments.

They have proven to be a reliable companion in positioning windows exactly, or hanging ventilation ducts and ceilings accurately. The device also notifies the user when there are irregularities in the surface: the product’s laser lines will flash if the device notices any serious abnormalities.

Big buy in Manhattan

G

Property showcase event

lobal real estate website Lamudi solution to address the country’s housing developments; representatives from the design backlog of approximately 6.9 million units, and innovation sector; and those from the recently partnered with the amidst the backdrop of households increasing residential and affordable housing segments.

Subdivision and Housing by 435,000 each year.

“A looming lifting of the VAT suspension on Developers Association (SHDA) for low-cost housing and a reduced housing budget “The event will gather the industry’s thought leaders The one-day conference to THE Outlook, Outlook byaLamudi—a com- acknowledging the industry’s best and director Bhavna Suresh Chathamfrommost the design andconcerns innovation secare two of the pressing that the for a day of discussion knowledge sharing on discuss thereport findings a nationwide prehensive on of Philippine of the best what usingdrives datathe generated beth. tor; and those from the residential sector needs to focus on,” observed SHDA real estate sector,” promised Lamudi’s survey of 10,000 propertyreal estate— will Filipino be launched from the saidmanaging survey. director Bhavna Suresh TheChathambeth. thought leaders, she said,president and affordable housing segments. national Christopher Narciso. seekers. on November 29 at the Marquis “The event will gather the in- will come from the industry’s maLamudi’s research team is cur-

“SHDA also aims to increase awareness Theleaders thought will come from the Events Place in Taguig. dustry’s thought for aleaders day jor sectors—namely, top-level rep- rently analyzing the results of To kick off on November 29 at the Marquis on inclusive growth, which in essence industry’s major sectors—namely, top-level The unveiling of the nationwide of discussion and knowledge shar- resentatives from real estate players the survey, and a first look ofisthean Events in Taguig, The Outlook tackle help available us solve in the from specializing real estatein mixed-use players important survey Place of 10,000 property seek- will ing on what representatives drives the real estate or town- factor report that will will be made crucial issues such as fi nding a collaborative housing backlog.” specializing in mixed-use or township ers will coincide with an event sector,” said Lamudi’s managing ship developments; representatives early November.

Value for money for Kapampangans

This small table version of Bon Jour by the French designer is ideal for cordless portable use. The lamp has a micro USB rechargeable battery and comes in chrome, matte chrome, copper.

The Piani lamp by Roland and Erwan Bouroullec is both practical and playful with its colorful forms inspired by post-war pop design. It features a flat base and a flat top, and combines a bright LED down-light with functional storage tray.

Steltz’s featured products this holiday season are marked at special prices.

Must buy ovens

Sun-kissed community ASCOTT Residence Trust (Ascott Reit) recently acquired the 224-unit DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel New York – Times Square South for US$106 million (See photo).

The freehold property is located in Midtown Manhattan near Times Square, one of the most visited locations in the world, with more than 40 million visitors each year.

“This acquisition would strengthen our foothold in New York, which saw record high visitor arrivals in 2016,” said Bob Tan, Ascott Residence Trust Management Limited’s (ARTML) chairman.

Ascott Reit’s serviced residences are mostly operated under the Ascott, Citadines and Somerset brands. They are mainly located in key gateway cities such as Barcelona, Berlin, Brussels, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, London, Manila, Melbourne, Munich, New York, Paris, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.

Ascott Reit is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CapitaLand Limited, one of Asia’s largest real estaterecently companies.

LG launched its line of home appliances

Work-home balance through innovation

that are more responsive to the demands of modern everyday life. The LG ‘InstaView door-in-door refrigerator asks you to knock twice in order to get a visual on the contents of its easy access compartment. So no more opening the refrigerator door over and over again to find out what drinks or food are inside.

LG’s ‘SmartThinQ’ is a convenient way to control the functions of this refrigerator, even when you’re outside. The ‘LG TWINWash’ cuts down your laundry time by allowing you to do two separate loads with different settings at the same time: the main TWINWash is for your regular load and the TWINWash Mini is for delicates and special laundry.

SmartThinQ lets your phone function as a smart remote control so you can start your laundry even when you’re already far from home. You can also monitor how your load is coming along and have push alerts sent to your phone when the cycle is complete, or an error occurs in the machine.

The energy monitoring function takes the guesswork out of doing the laundry, and LG’s HomeChat service allows you to check the status of the washing machine using everyday natural language.

JENRA, the Pampanga-based retail chain , recently opened its newest branch, Jumbo JENRA Dolores, in San Ferndando city.

The fifth store in Tan Song Bok (TSB) Realty and Development Corporation’s line of commercial shopping centers, Jumbo Jenro Dolores will be the biggest in terms of selling area, and is envisioned to be a retail shopping haven amidst the bustling community of Dolores.

The development of JENRA supermarkets around Pampanga has increase urbanization of the province.

The brand introduced state-of-the-art facilities for BEKO, oneshopping of the Europe’s ‘split&cook’ allows on you improved conveniences for that residents most popular appliance to split the oven into two the province. brands, recentlyis the unveiled separate cooking zones so TSB Realty developer of JENRA establishits new line of smart oven you can have two different ments in Angeles City and Mabalacat. cookers.

If you need an temperatures without Other JENRA locations are in Sto. Rosario; Angeoven to carry out most of mixing the scents les City ; Dau, Mabalacat City; and Sindalan. and your everyday cooking, flavors of your dishes; the Beko’s range of single ‘multi-dimensional cooking’ ovens come in 65L to feature that cooks evenly and extra-large 82L capacities. efficiently through the use of The company’s ovens multiple dishes that traps its come in conventional, own supply of hot air; and fan, and multi-functional safety features such as ‘gas modes. These also have safety and flame failure’ integrated self-cleaning that automatically cut off features clean away dirt, the gas flow when the fire is germs and food debris accidentally extinguished by quickly and thoroughly. the wind or any liquid. Beko Beko’s line-up offer Philippines has been in the features, such as the local market since 2015.

PLAYA Laiya, an up- stretches for 1.5 kilome- the strength of the tourscale residential area in ters, and can be enjoyed ism of San Juan, BatanSan Juan, Batangas was by Playa Laiya’s residen- gas, and this has been the recently launched by real tial community everyday. inspiration of Landco to estate developer Landco.

The residential prop- develop a leisure tourism The development of- erty comes with the estate in the area,” said fers beach homes that are privilege of being able Cris M. Zuluaga, Landjust two and a half hours to access the Playa Laiya co CEO. Playa Laiya’s ROCKWELL LIFESTYLE IN KATIPUNAN. Rockwellbeach Land Corporation recently away from Metro Manila. Beach Club. properties range broke ground for The Arton in Katipunan avenue, Quezon City. The project is a 1.9-hectare highBut the biggest attraction “The beach front of from 200-450 sqm, averrise residential property with 80% open space that will feature three towers at 24, 28, and 34 isstoreys the pristine beach that Tower Laiya has available always for been agingwhich at Php,16,000/sqm. respectively.

The West is already pre-selling, is the closest tower

to the retail and service establishments in the ground floor. Residents from The West Tower will also be the first to experience the Rockwell Lifestyle in Katipunan as it rises in 2021. The North Tower, containing the most amenities, is set to launch next year. The Arton is Rockwell Land’s joint venture project with Japan’s largest real estate company, Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd. At the ceremony were Rockwell Land Chairman Amb. Manuel Lopez; President and CEO, Nestor Padilla; the Nakamura PhilButYoshitsugu most consumers and executives from Mitsui FudosanLIVING Co., Ltd, ledin

by Tomoo and Homma, ippines, which goes have different standards along with other Rockwell executives.

The groundbreaking was a milestone for Rockwell, the through months of monof quality when it comes Arton being its first project in Quezon City.

No cracking sealant

soon every year, means long days of rain. The smartest way to protect your house is to apply sealants to repair cracks and leaks.

to sealants. Since they discover leaks only when they’ve started already, they think the quick drying variant is the most effective. It is not.

The sealant that easily dries up and hardens like cement has a tendency to crack because it becomes brittle. Sure Seal’s “iwas crack” comes in handy.

It is an all purpose “elastomeric sealant”,

which has “iwas crack” technology. This slowcuring sealant is transformed into a tough, rubber-like gasket which offers reasonable motion, contraction and expansion, without cracking, or losing adhesion.

High-rise living in Mandaluyong

Commanding view AYALA Land, Inc. has big plans for Ayala Triangle Gardens, particularly an 18,150 square meter lot in the corners of Paseo de Roxas and Makati Avenue.

A 39-stories office building will rise here, a marriage of modern architecture and interior design amidst sprawling greens and open spaces.

Good news for runners, dog-walkers and other leisure junkies.

Aside from having a commanding view of town, ALI vows the development will have green building features with an eye towards an award from LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environment Design).

And looks like it will be a diverse place as well: besides an amphitheater, multipurpose hall for special events, and restaurants, its immediate neighbour will be the spanking new, and definitely sorely missed, 24-storey Mandarin Oriental.

Both projects will be completed in 2020.

FILINVEST Livable Condos recently launched Pioneer Pointe, a 28-story condominium project of Filinvest Livable Condos at the center of Mandaluyong City.

Close to burgeoning central business districts and major thoroughfares such as EDSA and C5, the project is accessible to business and job opportunities, as well as educational institutions, namely, Saint Pedro Poveda College and the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Features that set Pioneer Pointe apart are the amenities , including a function room, swimming pool, a pocket garden with children’s play area, podium parking, and full CCTV security coverage and fire safety systems.