Manila Standard - 2017 November 28 - Tuesday

CRISIS FEARED AMID HOUSE-SC CLASH

By Macon R. Araneta and Maricel V. Cruz TWO senators cautioned the House justice committee against provoking a constitutional crisis by issuing a subpoena to Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno to force her attendance at the impeachment proceedings against her.

Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon, in response to a threat by committee chairman and Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali to subpoena Sereno, urged the House to use “extreme caution” in using its coercive powers on the chief justice.

“The House Committee on Jus-

tice cannot force Sereno to attend and testify in an impeachment hearing against her. It cannot be done without triggering a constitutional crisis,” Drilon said.

He added that Congress can issue a subpoena and order the arrest of a witness who refuses to comply only in investigations in aid of legislation, not in impeachment proceedings.

Drilon said requiring Sereno to testify against herself “would place her under the strongest temptation to commit perjury, and subject her to an extortion of confessions by duress.”

This, he added, would violate Sereno’s constitutional rights and

the principle of separation of powers enshrined in the Constitution.

Senator Francis Escudero also warned that a constitutional crisis would result if Sereno refuses to comply with a subpoena.

Also on Monday, the justice committee ordered two of Sereno’s lawyers as well as Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Roberto Cadiz to explain why they should not be cited for contempt for casting aspersions on the panel.

Deputy Speaker Gwendolyn Garcia took exception to statements by lawyers Joshua Santiago and Aldwin Salumbides, spokespersons for Sereno, for saying the

House proceedings have turned into “a dog and pony show.”

She also complained that Salumbides had told an interview that they could not expect fair treatment, presumably from the panel.

1-SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta moved to amend Garcia’s motion to include Cadiz for supposedly saying that the panel’s proceedings are governed by the “law of the jungle.”

Santiago, Salumbides and Cadiz were ordered to submit a written explanation within 72 hours why they should not be cited for contempt.

VOL. XXXI • NO. 284 • 3 SECTIONS 16 PAGES • P18 • TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 • www.manilastandard.net • editorial@manilastandard.net

JUDICIAL REFORMS. Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, facing an impeachment complaint in the House of Representatives, meets the press Monday at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros for the third time in as many months to discuss judicial reforms in this file photo.

‘Sereno’s SALN missing’ UP can’t account for 2001-09 data

By Maricel V. Cruz

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HIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN) from 2001, 2003-2009 are missing from her 201 file at the University of the Philippines, where she was employed before she was appointed Supreme Court associate justice in 2010.

At the impeachment hearing Monday, the section head of the UP records section, Rosemarie Fabiona, told the House committee on justice that Sereno’s 2002 SALN was all they had, but could not say what had happened to the missing documents because she only became a custodian in 2014.

Angela Escoto, chief of the UP Human Resource Department Office, told lawmakers she could not

COMEBACK CROWN. Miss South Africa Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters (left) reacts as she is crowned Miss Universe 2017 by Miss Universe 2016 Iris Mittenaere in Las Vegas, Nevada. During the telecast, a familiar crown made its comeback: the Mikimoto crown, last used in 2007 by Japan’s Riyo Mori. It was first worn in 2002 when Oxana Federova of Russia was crowned. It has since been kept by the Miss Universe Organization after switching to the crowns by Diamond Nexus Lab and the Diamond International Corporation. (Story on A2) AFP

Vigilantes vs rogue cops?

PNP chief hems and haws PHILIPPINE National Police chief Director Ronald dela Rosa on Monday raised the possibility of leading a vigilante group against rogue police officers when he retires next year.

Dela Rosa vowed to go after scalawag cops up to the last minute of his service.

And if there were others who would continue their illegal activities after his retirement, he would hunt them down.

But only hours later within the day, dela Rosa clarified would only join a vigilante group in very extreme circumstances.

He told a news conference, speaking in Filipino, “what I said, if we are already very frustrated, you have reached a point that you could no longer do anything and the drug lords would be lliterally lording it over our society, there is no

Aquino in-law linked to P8-b road scam

By Rey E. Requejo A WITNESS on Monday identified Eldon Cruz, the brother-in-law of former President Benigno Aquino III, as the one who endorsed the release of payments for the alleged “ghost” road right-of-way claims

amounting to P8.7 billion in General Santos City.

In a press conference with Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Roberto Catapang Jr. admitted that he was part of a syndicate that facilitated the documentation and application for financial settlements of private prop-

erties subject to expropriation by the state to pave the way for the construction of government roads.

Catapang said the properties were covered by spurious land titles and other documents that he and other members of their syndicate

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question, which has hounded the country’s often troubled south for decades.

“I will work very hard for it. I will ask Congress to [convene] a special session just to hear you talk about this,” Duterte said.

In related developments: • In Sultan Kudarat, the country’s main Muslim guerrilla group staged a huge Next page

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3 justices need SC okay to testify vs chief justice

By Rey E. Requejo and Maricel V. Cruz THREE associate justices of the Supreme Court have asked the House committee on justice for more time to comply with its invitation to testify in impeachment proceedings against Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, saying they need to get approval from the full court.

The committee has invit-

ed Associate Justices Teresita Leonardo-De Castro and Noel Tijam and retired associate justice Arturo Brion to appear before the hearing on separate issues raised in the impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon against Sereno.

The three magistrates said they needed more time to answer the invitation because they would seek permission Next page

Time, Meredith seal deal worth $2.8 b

Rody asks Congress to hold special session on Moro bill PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he would be asking Congress to convene a special session just to discuss the longawaited proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL).

In his speech before leaders of Moro separatist groups in Maguindanao, Duterte vowed to have an “inclusive” peace talks to resolve the Bangsamoro

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recall any instance when UP professors failed to file their SALNs, which were submitted to the Office of the Ombudsman every year.

She added, however, that her predecessor might have turned all the documents over to the Ombudsman.

Escoto, who has been head of UP’s HRD Office, said the best way to find the missing SALNs was to check with the Ombudsman.

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HOT CAR. Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena shows Monday a 2012 Lamborghini, part of those seized by the Bureau of Customs valued at P24.2 million of used sports cars and overweight steel products at the Manila International Container Port. (Story on A3) Norman Cruz facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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WASHINGTON―Time Inc. is selling for $2.8 billion to media conglomerate Meredith Corporation, backed by the billionaire Koch brothers known for supporting conservative causes, in an unlikely ending to a saga over the future of CNN’s parent company.

Time, which also publishes its eponymous magazine Fortune, and Sports Illustrated, began looking for a buyer late last year before giving up several months later, while welcoming options.

Meredith had expressed interest in buying Time earlier this year, and then walked away because it could not secure the necessary financing.

Time revealed in October an aggressive plan to boost revenue that included focusing less on magazine journalism and more on digital activities.

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BUYING TIME. Undated file photo shows President Rodrigo Duterte on the cover of Time magazine. Time Inc. is selling for $2.8 billion to media conglomerate Meredith Corp., backed by the billionaire Koch brothers known for supporting conservative causes, in an unlikely ending to a saga over the future of CNN’s parent company.

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Reds told: Give up the fight

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE communist rebels should “move on” and abandon the armed struggle, Malacañang said Monday.

Describing the 49-yearold communist insurgency as a lost cause, presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said the communists had been waging a protracted armed struggle for so long that they could soon “land

on the Guinness Book of World Records.”

“Ano ba ‘yan? Kailangang umusad na. Move on na kayo,” Roque told reporters in Davao City.

But he said the leftists in the Duterte administration

would be staying for now despite President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to terminate the peace talks with the communists.

“For as long as they remain in their posts, they enjoy the trust and confidence of the President. When they go, the president then obviously had ceased to have trust and confidence in them,” Roque said.

There remains three leftleaning personalities in the

Duterte administration: National Anti-Poverty Commission Secretary Liza Maza, Presidential Commission for the Urban Poor Chairman Terry Ridon, and Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod.

Roque said other previously communist countries had espoused capitalism as he dismissed Communist Party of the Philippines’ founder Jose Maria Sison who called the President a “political swindler.”

“That’s really foul. I will not even dignify the namecalling,” he said.

Roque said Duterte had even supported the rebels’ party-list groups and appointing leftists to his Cabinet.

But on Thursday last week Duterte signed Proclamation 360 declaring the termination of the government’s peace talks with the communist rebels.

He said he would soon declare the CPP as a terrorist

group, and at the same time told the communist leaders out on bail to participate in the peace talks to surrender.

“I have ordered the release of about 30 to 40 communist leaders from Muntinlupa,” Duterte said.

“Now, I will consider the Communist Party of the Philippines as a terrorist group.

I am ordering those I have released temporarily to surrender. You have to go back to where you belong.”

‘Sereno’s...

South African model takes Miss Universe crown

The panel chairman, Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, then ordered the committee secretary to ask the Ombudsman to furnish them with copies of Sereno’s SALNs, including those from 2001 and 2003 to 2009.

Lawyer Larry Gadon, who filed the impeachment complaint against Sereno, said the chief justice of received hefty lawyers fees between 2004 and 2009, which should have been declared in 2010, and which should have been reflected in her real properties, cash deposits in banks and investments.

Gadon filed the impeachment complaint against Sereno for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust, corruption and other high crimes.

One of his allegations is that Sereno did not properly declare all her assets in her SALNs—the same charge that was used by the previous administration to oust her predecessor, Chief Justice Renato Corona.

Sereno has denied the allegations but has refused to attend the House hearings to determine probable cause to send the complaint to trial in the Senate.

Sereno was an appointee of former President Benigno Aquino III. She was appointed chief justice in 2012, after Aquino’s allies in Congress ousted Corona by impeachment.

LAS VEGAS—Beauties from across the globe converged in Las Vegas Sunday (Monday in Manila), where Miss South Africa was crowned Miss Universe.

Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 22, edged out her rivals from Colombia and Jamaica to take the crown.

Nel-Peters, a graduate in business management, said her disabled half-sister had been among her great inspirations.

Philippine bet Rachel Peters failed to reach the Miss Universe Top 5, ending her journey early in the competition held at The Axis at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.

In the pageant’s 66th year, nearly 100 women from around the world—including first-timers from Cambodia, Laos and Nepal— took part.

The runner-up was actress Laura Gonzalez of Colombia, who was followed by second runner-up Davina Bennett of Jamaica.

The current Miss Universe, Iris Mittenaere from France, crowned her successor to a din of squeals and cheers.

American comic turned TV host Steve Harvey hosted the

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Time,...

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Time Inc was spun off from media and entertainment giant Time Warner, which was seeking to shed its journalism assets.

Meredith’s offer is for $18.50 per Time share, up about 10 percent from the shares’ closing price of $16.90 on Friday. Share prices rose over the past week on speculation over the purchase.

The boards of both companies have approved the transaction, which is due to be finalized in the first semester of 2018, Meredith said in a statement.

The all-cash transaction includes about $1.7 billion for the company assets plus more than $1 billion in debt.

Among the funds financing the purchase are $650 million from Koch Equity Development, a fund belonging to Charles and David Koch.

“We are creating a premier media company serving nearly 200 million American consumers across industry-leading digital, television, print, video, mobile and social platforms positioned for growth,” said Meredith Corporation chairman and CEO Stephen Lacy.

The transaction will create a company with a combined revenues of $4.8 billion for 2016, including $2.7 billion of total advertising revenues with nearly $700 million of digital advertising revenues.

Meredith also anticipates savings of $400 million to $500 million in the first full two years of operation thanks to synergies.

Meredith’s portfolio includes 17 local television stations in 12 US markets, as well as publications such as Better Homes & Gardens, Allrecipes, Parents and Shape. AFP

event for the third time, making several jokes at his own expense.

In 2015 he famously made a mistake heard round the world when he announced the wrong person as Miss Universe, resulting in an extremely uncomfortable, tense correction and a deluge of internet memes.

Grammy-winning singer Fergie and pop star Rachel Platten provided the musical entertainment for Sunday’s show.

In the “Final Word” portion of the competition, Nel-Peters said “Miss Universe is a woman who has overcome many fears, and by that she is able to help many women overcome their fears.”

“She is a woman that nothing is ever too much to ask for,” she said. “And I think that is exactly who I am.”

Peters advanced to the top 16 via wildcard and sashayed the pageant stage for the swimsuit round. She then made it to the top 10 where she participated in the evening gown competition wearing a pale bluish-gray dress by designer Val Taguba.

South Africa’s Nel-Peters

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from the Court en banc to attend the hearings Tuesday.

“As soon as the said clearance is granted, I shall honor your invitation to attend the aforementioned hearing,” De Castro said in a letter to the House panel.

In a separate letter, Tijam said: “Considering that this issue involves the actions of the members of the Court, the undersigned deems it appropriate to first secure their approval before participating in the aforesaid proceedings. Likewise, there is a need to collate records for an informed and accurate recollection of relevant information.”

Tijam was invited to testify be-

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had manufactured in cahoots with corrupt government employees.

However, Catapang admitted that he never met Cruz nor saw him speak with public officials to facilitate the multi-million-peso transactions in the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Budget and Management.

Aguirre, who presented the witness to the media, advised the witness to answer questions from the media pertinent to the contents of his sworn affidavit.

When Catapang asked the Justice Secretary him if he could name Cruz, Aguirre nodded and said: “You have the documents. Show them

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rally at its southern headquarters that attracted Christians and rival rebels, in a joint effort with the government to reignite a stalled peace process.

Duterte was scheduled to speak at the event at the main base of the 10,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front on Monday afternoon, with both sides hoping peace will help quell the rising threat of the Islamic State group.

Muslims have been waging a rebellion since the 1970s seeking autonomy or independence in the southern areas of the mainly Catholic Philippines that they regard as their ancestral homeland.

was declared winner besting 91 other delegates and became the second South African woman to be crowned Miss Universe after Margaret Gardiner’s win in 1978.

The 22-year-old model and business management graduate from North-West University was crowned by outgoing Miss Universe Iris Mittenaere of France with the US$250,000 pearl-encrusted Mikimoto crown, which was last used by the pageant in 2009.

Nel-Peters teaches selfdefense courses for women inspired by her own experience.

She was held at gunpoint by three carjackers in June as she was driving through Johannesburg, about a month after she was crowned Miss South Africa.

A Good Samaritan saw her fleeing the scene and drove her to safety, and she escaped unharmed.

During the competition’s Q&A portion, host Steve Harvey asked Nel-Peters about what she thought was the most important issue facing women in the workplace.

“In some places, women get

paid 75 percent of what men earn for doing the same job, working the same hours— and I do not believe that this is right,’ she said. ‘I think we should have equal work for equal pay for women all over the world,” she said.

Miss Colombia Laura Gonzalez finished as first-runner up while Miss Jamaica Davina Bennett was named secondrunner up. Also in the Top 5 were Miss Venezuela Keysi Sayago and Miss Thailand Maria Poonlertlarp.

Miss USA Kára McCullough, Miss Canada Lauren Howe, Miss Spain Sofia del Prado and Miss Brazil Monalysa Alcântara also made the Top 10 list. Rounding out the Top 16 were China’s Roxana Qiu, Croatia’s Shanaelle Petty, Ghana’s Ruth Quashie, Great Britain’s Anna Burdzy, Ireland’s Cailín Toíbín and Sri Lanka’s Christina Peiris.

“It has been 39 years since a South African wore the Miss Universe crown and I promise to dedicate and commit myself to ensure the crown will once again be on South African soil,” Nel-Peters said earlier after the winning the right to

represent her country which was won under controversy after fellow contestants alleged that she had a “special relationship” with two of the judges.

The Miss Universe Organization implemented a new mechanics for the coronation event, selecting the top 16 per continent. Four candidates from The Americas (North America, Central America, South America, Caribbean), four candidates from Europe, four candidates from Asia, Africa, and the Oceania, plus four wild cards.

Making their debuts in this year’s pageant were Laos’ Souphaphone Somvichith, Cambodia’s By Sotheary and Nepal’s Nagma Shrestha.

Named best in National Costume Contest was Japan’s Momoko Abe. Seated on the judges tables were Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach, Hollywood Today host Ross Mathews, fashion correspondent Jay Manuel, top internet influencer Lele Pons, UFC backstage reporter Megan Olivi, hair care/spa products company founder Farouk Shami, and Miss Universe 1998 Wendy Fitzwil-

cause of Gadon’s claim that the Sereno interfered his handling of a request from Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II to transfer the venue for criminal cases against members of the Maute terrorist group.

Sereno has contested this allegation, saying she, not Tijam, was the justice in charge.

Brion, for his part, said he would also await the decision of the Court en banc, even though he has already retired from the judiciary.

De Castro, who earlier reportedly agreed to testify, was invited by the Houseto shed light on an internal memo she filed in theSupreme Court in July questioning several administrative orders of Sereno, including the appointment of a Philippine Judicial Academy (Philja) official and provision for

travel allowances for her staff.

In the memo, De Castro assailed the appointment of Brenda Jay Mendoza as Philja chief of office for the Philippine Mediation Center, which she said violated their Administrative Order No. 33-2008 that required the appointment for the post to be approved by the SC collegially.

The magistrate also assailed Sereno’s grant of foreign travel allowance to members of her staff without the required approval from the full court.

Lastly, De Castro questioned the “long delay” in the appointment in vacant key positions in the Court pending before Sereno’s office, “which is prejudicial too the best interest of service.”

These issues were among the al-

legations raised by Gadon in the impeachment complaint against her.

Aguirre, meanwhile, will testify Tuesday on the allegation that Sereno deliberately delayed the order to transfer of cases of Maute members from Cagayan de Oro to Metro Manila.

“I will attend the hearing on Tuesday,” Aguirre said, in an interview.

In his impeachment complaint, lawyer Larry Gadon cited 27 acts where Sereno allegedly betrayed public trust, committed corruption, and other high crimes, particularly the untruthful declaration of her wealth in her statement of assets, liabilities and net worth (SALN)—the same grounds that allies of former President Benigno Aquino III used to oust then Chief Justice Renato Corona in 2012.

your documents.”

“Apparently, they were using his name always, not just a few times.

Sorry sir. It’s sir Eldon Cruz,” Catapang told the media.

“Actually, this is the talk of the town in the DPWH. The people in central (office) know that. They had been talking about it during the time of President Aquino,” he said.

To back up his claim, Catapang showed a letter dated Jan. 12, 2011 that Cruz allegedly sent to then Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson requesting the release of payment for road right-of-way claims.

But the single-page letter did not bear Cruz’ full name, but only his supposed signature.

“According to them (his cohorts), that’s his (Cruz) signature,” Catapang said.

“I know you have your own sources in the DPWH. You can ask for copies of the letters there,” the witness said.

He admitted that the letter was only given to him by a friend and that it was not a certified true copy.

Catapang also admitted that he saw at least two more letters of endorsement allegedly signed by Aquino’s brother-in-law with one of them bearing a letterhead of Malacañang.

Aside from Cruz, Catapang also implicated Singson and former Budget Secretary Florencio Abad in the alleged road right-of-way claims anomaly.

Aguirre earlier directed the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the alleged scam.

Catapang said the members of the

syndicate would submit fake land titles using the name of non-existent individuals to secure payment for the right-of-way.

Aguirre said syndicate managed to process more than 300 such claims using fake documents, adding that Abad apparently approved the release of the payment for the road right-of-way claims of the syndicate as requested by Singson.

Catapang said the syndicate was also in cahoots with officials from the DPWH, BIR, the city assessors office of General Santos City, the Registry of Deeds and the Commission on Audit.

Also on Monday, Aguirre issued an immigration look-out bulletin order against 43 individuals involved in the alleged scam, including Abad and Singson.

The conflict has claimed more than 120,000 lives.

Duterte also said the government was willing to grant the Moro people an inclusive self-governance where Muslims, Christians and Indigenous Peoples’ Tribes could live in harmony, under one republic.

The President said he wanted to push the passage into law of the BBL, even by asking Congress to hold special session days to deliberate on the proposed charter of a Moro-led regional government.

Duterte said the government wanted in place a BBL in which no sector would be left out, be they Moros, Christians or the Lumads, and where they could “enjoy (the fruits of their) natural resources.”

But the President said “There

must be one republic— the Republic of the Philippines for all—Moro and Christians.”

For his part, Chairman Murad Ibrajim of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said in its quest for just peace, “the MILF has transformed into a social movement delivering its commitment of peace to our people in partnership with the government International community; non-government organizations; state universities and colleges, the media and peace advocates.”

The MILF, the biggest rebel group, signed a peace deal in 2014 that would give the nation’s Muslim minority self-rule over parts of the southern region of Mindanao, but a proposed law to implement the pact has not been able to get through Congress.

The immediate objective of

Monday’s rally was to build support for the proposed law.

“There is no way that we can find peace forever if we do not give them back at least a part of their heritage,” Duterte said in a speech last week, referencing Filipino Muslims who consider the south their homeland.

“If we do not give them that, there will be trouble because they will open really to (join a) cabal with the other terroristic activities or the terrorists there.”

The MILF had said it wanted a million people to turn up on Monday at its sprawling Camp Darapanan base just outside of Cotabato city in Mindanao.

No firm crowd numbers were immediately available on Monday morning but an AFP journalist at Camp Darapanan reported seeing tens of thousands

Morales mum on threat to oust her OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales on Monday brushed off a planned filing of an impeachment complaint against her, possibly joining Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno who is being impeached at the House of Representatives.

“No, it doesnmatter, it does not worry me at all,” Morales said of the case that the group Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption has threatened to file against her.

The group accuses Morales of inordinately delaying high-profile cases and allegedly being partial to former President Benigno Aquino III on the case filed against him over the massacre of 44 policemen in Maguindanao in 2015.

“That’s their opinion, I have no reaction to that,” Morales said.

She made the statement at the sidelines of a turnover ceremony where she accepted the chairmanship of the Southeast Asia Parties Against Corruption from Myanmar.

“We will hit corruption, not necessarily eradication, but at least we can minimize the incidence of corruption,” Morales said.

Duterte has encouraged the impeachment cases against Morales and Sereno, whom he accuses of working with those who want to oust him from power.

The House justice committee is still conducting hearings on the impeachment complaint against Sereno despite the admission of complainant Larry Gadon that he has no personal knowledge on some of his allegations.

Vigilantes...

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more law and order, I would become a vigilante against criminals, particularly narco-poliuce and drug lords.”

“That is a very, very extreme situation next to impossibility,” he added.

Dela Rosa said many rogue police officers were making plans to continue their illegal activities after his retirement next January.

“I am aware there are many scalawags there who hate me, particularly the ninja cops. You are free to come and hunt me down. I won’t step back even if by then I would already be retired,” he said.

“Remember, it’s my life or your life,” he added.

Dela Rosa said he was ready to die and would ensure that he would bring the rogue cops dead with him if that would happen.

The PNP chief, meanwhile, said his earlier pronouncement would not encourage violence and vigilantism.

He added vigilantism should be a “last resort” when people had become hopeless and suicidal.

He said his statement was hypothetical, adding he still believed in the criminal justice system and the PNP as the country’s main law enforcement agency.

“What I said was not definite, not a fixed statement. That is a hypothetical situation. We still have faityh in the criminal justice system and the PNP as the country’s main law enforcement agency,” dela Rosa said.

Dela Rosa said when he retires next year, he becomes a civilian and the Office of the Ombudsman would not be able to go after him if he gets frustrated and goes after rogue policemen.

Dela Rosa said it would be his duty as a Filipino to defend the country from bad elements.

of people.

Among those in attendance were Cardinal Orlando Quevedo, the archbishop of Cotabato and the highest Catholic Church official in Mindanao, as well as members of the MILF’s main rival, the Moro National Liberation Front.

The rally came about a month after Duterte declared the southern city of Marawi “liberated” from IS supporters who attacked it in May in a bid to put up a caliphate.

The President said he would be asking Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari to be there also so there would be a chance to reconcile the different versions of the BBL pending before Congress.

“I will ask Congress, I said, one day, one session. Nur …

would be there to present their platform then we’ll work out. If it’s not in consonance with each other, then we work [it] out.

But at least the Filipino people should be given a day [on] what we intend to do,” he said.

“Me? I support you. [But] do not ever, ever, question me.

Delay? Of course it entails delay,” he added.

“It takes forever to move.

[But] somebody has to push it, because there are thousands of concerns.”

Last July 17, the Bangsamoro Transmission Commission turned over their draft BBL to the President. The House of Representatives, meanwhile, filed the draft BBL submitted to Congress by Malacañang just last September. With AFP, Nash Maulana

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

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Palace asks AFP nod on Martial Law

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE Palace on Monday called on the military to come up with its recommendation whether the implementation of martial law in Mindanao needs to be extended before Congress adjourns its sessions on December 15.

“They asked for 30 days.

I think we should wait word from the Armed Forces of the Philippines on or before the date of expiration but I think it has to be done before Congress goes on break,” Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque Roque said in a news briefing at Davao City.

“Because expiration is on the 31st, if we decide for an extension, then Congress may have to call a special session and cut short its Christmas

break,” he added.

Roque’s statement came after the AFP had expressed its intentions to request for another extension of the martial law to fully address remaining threat groups, including the Abu Sayyaf group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, which have reportedly pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

Congress is scheduled to adjourn session for the Christmas break on December 15, and

will return to session on January 15 next year.

Last July 22, Congress, in a joint session, overwhelmingly approved Duterte’s request to extend martial in Mindanao until December 31, 2017.

A 60-day martial law was initially declared by Duterte in Mindanao on May 23 following the attack of the Maute group in Marawi City. The city has since been declared “liberated from terrorist influence” last October 17.

Meanwhile, the Palace also said that it sees no reason to establish a revolutionary government in the light of mass actions on November 30 by President Rodrigo Duterte’s supporters in support of the initiative.

“We appreciate the calls of the President’s supporters for revgov but I think there’s no factual or legal basis as of now,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in the same press briefing.

“The President has said that he will consider a revolutionary government if destabilizers will persist in their plan to have him removed from office.

Now, I stress, we don’t see any such threat in the near future,” he added.

Roque said the President continues to enjoy “tremendous public support,” as he cited Duterte’s 80-percent approval rating, according to a Pulse Asia survey conducted last September.

Oil firms hike diesel, kerosene prices

By Alena Mae S. Flores OIL players raised pump prices by P0.35 per liter for diesel and P0.25 per liter for kerosene starting Tuesday to reflect the movement of world oil prices.

The oil players, however, did not move gasoline prices. Oil prices move on a weekly basis.

World oil prices went up amid expectations that the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will continue to cut supply while the Canada to US pipeline shutdown due to a spill also helped pushed up prices last week.

The OPEC is expected to meet on November 30 and traders expect an announcement that the production cut will be extended beyond March next year.

“Seaoil will adjust pump prices per liter effective 6am, November 28 as follows: gasoline, no change; diesel, increase of P0.35 and kerosene, increase of P0.25, per liter,” the company said in its advisory.

KIDNAP SUSPECTS. Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa and members oof the PNP-Anti-Kidnapping Group present to the media the four suspects of a kidnap-for-ransom group composed of Korean nationals Cha Jae Young, Cha Dae Sun, Kim Min Wan and their Filipino cohort, Raymund Villamor during a press conference held at Camp Crame. Lino Santos

Gov’t revokes Lopez’s license; actress told to pay P8,000 fine

By Joel E. Zurbano THE government has decided to revoke the driver’s license of veteran actress Maria Isabel Lopez for breaching a lane designated for delegates of Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit last Nov. 11.

The suspension was reported by Metro Manila Development Authority assistant general manager for planning Jose Arturo Garcia Jr. after the Land Transportation Office came up with the decision on Monday in

connection with the case of the former beauty queen.

Garcia said the LTO also prohibited Lopez from applying and reacquiring a license for the next two years and ordered the actress to pay P8,000 for the three traffic violations she committed — Reckless Driving, Disregarding Traffic Signs and Anti Distracted Driving Act — when she breached the special lane on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue on the evening of Nov. 11.

Lawyers from the MMDA Legal Division were the ones who recom-

mended to the LTO that Lopez’s driver’s license be “permanently revoked,” as well as to bar her “perpetually” from either applying or obtaining a license.

In a letter submitted to LTO on Nov. 13, MMDA lawyer Victor Pablo Trinidad said “(Lopez) shameless conduct and unlawful act of breaching the security protocol during an international event in our country make her an ‘improper person to operate a motor vehicle’ which would endanger the public.”

“We’re just the recommending par-

ty. Giving of penalties is not up to us, its with the LTO. We are satisfied with the decision,” said Garcia.

“At least there was a fair decision.

Whatever the decision made, we leave it there and that’s fine for us because there was a due process,” added MMDA spokesperson Celine Pialago.

Pialago said the incident should serve as a warning and reminder to the public that the MMDA and other government agencies are working hard to do things for the benefit and welfare of the people.

Custom officials seize two luxury cars, household items

By Vito Barcelo THE Bureau of Customs seized a Ferrari and two Lamborghini sports cars, steels and household goods worth some P24.2 million at the Manila International Container Port.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña said the shipments came from Australia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and China.

The customs chief said that the Lamborghini Glardo was consigned to a certain Allan Garcia while the Lamborghini Murcielago was addressed to a certain Veronica Angeles, and the white Ferrari F430 was named to a certain Mary Joy Aguanta.

MICP district collector Ruby Alameda issued a warrant for seizure and detention on the cargoes because of overstaying in the container yard of ICTSI, Lapena said.

Also confiscated were household goods and steels which were all misdeclared to defraud the government of correct duties and taxes.

Meanwhile, two shipments of steel consigned to Hongtaisheng Steel Inc. was seized due to a discrepancy in declared weight.

“The shipments were seized due to violation of Section 1400 of the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act while the luxury cars were seized due to overstaying and lack of Authority to Release Imported Goods,” he said.

CebuPac cancels all flights to Bali as volcano erupts

By Joel E. Zurbano THE Cebu Pacific Air has announced that it has cancelled its flight to and from Bali, Indonesia scheduled today (Nov. 28) following the eruption of Mt. Agung.

The warning came after Indonesian authorities raised alert levels to maximum, accelerated a mass evacuation and closed its main airport, in Bali’s capital Denpasar, leaving thousands of tourists stranded on the Indonesian resort island.

Some 445 flights were cancelled, affecting more than 59,000 passengers, officials said.

Authorities said massive columns of thick grey smoke

that have been belching from Mount Agung since last week have now begun shooting more than three kilometers (two miles) into the sky, forcing hundreds of flights to be grounded.

“In light of the eruption Mt. Agung and the closure of the Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Cebu Pacific is cancelling its flights to and from Bali, Indonesia tomorrow, Nov 28, 2017,” Cebu Pacific said in its airline stated in its advisory Monday.

The affected flights are 5J 279 (Manila - Denpasar) with 3:50 am scheduled departure and arrival at 7:50 am, and 5J 280 (Denpasar - Manila) with scheduled 8:35 am departure and arrival at 12:40 pm.

All Filipinos should have access to toilets, DOH says

By Macon RamosAraneta

Participants in the elementary category of the 6th “Paru-Paro” Festival 2017 in Dasmariñas City in Cavite on Sunday wear colorful butterfly costumes while showcasing their skills in a street dancing competition held at the City Hall grounds. PNA

DOJ gets new fiscals’ manual from US gov’t

By Rey E. Requejo and Sara Susanne Fabunan THE United States government on Monday turned over more than 2,000 copies of the 2017 edition of Manual for Prosecutors and Developed Projects Outputs to

the Department of Justice that is expected to help prosecutors to speed up resolution of cases pending in the DOJ. Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II accepted the manual of prosecutors from US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim, American Bar Association-Rule of Law

Initiative country director Robert La Mont and International Development Law Organization field program director Atty.

Cathleen Cagaanan during the turnover rites held at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

Aguirre said the copies of the manual will be immediately distributed to the prosecutors.

According to the Justice Secretary, the updating of the 2008 vintage Manual of Prosecutors is a welcome development, noting that the latest edition of the manual is not only a cherished improvement but it is also in line with the agency’s efforts to improve its services to the people.

HEALTH Secretry Francisco Duque said on Monday that all Filipinos should have access to toilets, which he said is a basic necessity, than cellphones.

“We have more Filipinos with mobile phones than those with functional toilets,” Duque said, citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Based on official demographic data, the PSA said 84 percent of households own a mobile phone while only 70 percent have improved toilet facilities that are not shared with other households.

During yesterday’s celebration of the World Toi-

let Day at the Department of Health (DOH) central office in Manila, Duque noted the importance of having a basic toilet facility to achieve universal health care, during the The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), approximately seven (7) million Filipinos still practice open defecation, mostly in rural areas.

“When our neighbors defecate in the open, in fields and waterways, our children will more likely experience frequent bouts of diarrhea, have worm infections, and grow up stunted and undernourished,” said UNICEF country representative Lotta Sylwander.

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Opinion

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

T

Shining the spotlight on violence

HERE are stories on the violence that women and girls around the world endure, and they are horrifying. These are realities so extreme and so unthinkable to us, but are commonplace for them. Denial of education, genital mutilation, marriage to men twice or thrice their age and deaths in the name of “honor” are just some examples. They are abominable to us but are widely practiced in some societies—these are overwhelming challenges that may take decades to eradicate, or at least lessen significantly.

There are, on the other hand, stories that are not quite as extreme but are still happening even in our supposedly modern, enlightened societies.

Even in what are known

to be progressive nations, women are still seen as inferior to men, deserving of less pay, fewer opportunities, and remain passed on like property from fathers to husbands.

There are women who endure traumatic experiences of domestic violence or sexual harassment, hesitant to come out and name their abusers, because it might cause them their jobs, or reputations, or both.

In recent weeks, and spurred by accusations of sexual harassment and violence against a powerful Hollywood producer, more women came forward to say they too have experienced some form of abuse, from their superiors or colleagues, family members, intimate partners

and even strangers. Surprise, surprise—they are not generally monsters or criminals, but seemingly ordinary persons living among us.

Aided by social media, the message they wanted to send was that they no longer had to suffer in silence or fear blame or judgment. These are women who are supposedly intelligent, strong and successful. The nearuniversality of the experience of violence tells us how insidious and widespread the menace is.

On Saturday, Nov. 25, the United Nations led

the world in marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The UN says that around the world, more than one in three women have experienced physical violence, sexual violence, or both in their lifetime.

For the next few days until December 10, International Human Rights Day, the campaign to end violence against women will be ramped up “to raise public awareness and mobilize people everywhere to bring about change.”

But change is not like-

ly to come in the form of a sudden stop to any shocking practices. Realistically, it will be through individuals’ acknowledgment that we should never allow acts, or words, of violence to be swept under the rug.

Women should not be cowed into silence, refusing to name their abusers for fear of retaliation or stigma. Men should snap out of their lockerroom mentality and call out one of their own who does it.

Violence is never to be endured or tolerated. It is never okay.

TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

More killings PRESIDENTIAL spokesman Harry Roque said that while the return of the Philippine National Police as lead enforcer of the administration’s war against drugs is not yet final, President Rodrigo Duterte is seriously thinking about it.

It has been reported that the President is not happy about how the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is going about the war, primarily because it only has about 2,000 personnel nationwide, and the job is tremendous. This makes me think that the President wants more killings!

How do the people feel about the PNP taking control of the war on drugs again?

Dog-and-pony show LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES ON this, I will agree with the lawyers of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno: The House of Representatives committee on justice’s hearings on the impeachment case filed against the country’s top magistrate are starting to look like a totally unnecessary dog-and pony-show.

My online dictionary defines “dog and pony show” as “a highly promoted, often over-staged performance, presentation or event designed to sway or convince opinion for political or... commercial ends.”

And I really wonder why the House committee just doesn’t decide either way

on the matter of removing Sereno—or allow the other bodies that can make that decision to do so.

By definition, the committee of Rep. Reynaldo Umali has already done its job when it ruled on the sufficiency in form and in substance of the complaint against Sereno last September. By rights, the Umali committee must already have taken the matter of Sereno’s impeachment to the House plenary, which can decide to bring the case up to the Senate, assuming two-thirds of the entire lower chamber vote to impeach.

But instead of just ruling on the form and substance of the complaint filed by lawyer Larry Gadon, the complainant, the Umali panel took the unprecedented step of conducting

a preliminary investigation. The committee held gratuitous public hearings that seem designed to a) allow individual members to grandstand; b) telegraph legal strategies and present

The Umali committee should let the House plenary vote on the Sereno case right now. evidence better evaluated at an actual trial; or c) both.

Understand that it is still the full House that will ultimately decide on whether

or not to bring the Sereno case to trial in the Senate.

Either that, or Sereno could follow the lead of former Commission on Elections Chairman Andres Bautista, who resigned after the plenary overruled the Umali committee’s findings by a two-thirds vote, after the House panel failed to find both the form and substance of the complaint against Bautista sufficient.

I gave Umali and his fellow committee members the benefit of the doubt when they said they wanted to carefully evaluate the evidence first before going for a plenary vote. But that preliminary evaluation, which doesn’t really have to be held in public, is already long done.

I don’t know if Umali still insists that he and his colleagues don’t want to

be accused of railroading similar charges against both former President Joseph Estrada and the late Chief Justice Renato Corona. But I am convinced that they’ve already immunized themselves from those accusations by taking their sweet time to rule on sufficiency in form and substance in the subsequent complaints against Bautista and Sereno.

In the case of the current chief justice, they’ve really pushed the limits of the committee’s mandate.

And people are starting to wonder why.

The Umali committee should let the House plenary vote on the Sereno case right now. Nobody needs this elaborate dog-andpony show—not the people who want Sereno removed, not those who want her to

stay and not everyone else in between, who only want to know why Umali and his committee are wasting so much time, effort and official resources on a case that is already beyond their control. *** Commissioner Sheriff Abas’ appointment to the chairmanship of the Commission on Elections over the weekend raised some eyebrows—and some incipient legal objections.

The main question being about whether or not Abas is fit to serve as chairman despite apparent constitutional problems and a 1990 Supreme Court ruling.

If Abas is to serve only the unexpired term of Bautista, then he will be Comelec chairman until 2022, when Bautista was Turn to A5

The prospects of the President’s bloody war on drugs raises questions like, will this mean a revival of Oplan Tokhang where cops raided poor communities and shot drug suspects who they claim put up a fight?

This prospect has sent chills down the spine of many observers and the public as a whole. It would seem that the killing spree enjoys the go-ahead of the President.

On the first day of the oral arguments for the petition to declare as illegal the war on drugs, two Supreme Court justices— Antonio Carpio and Marvic Leonen—said the war was illegal indeed. Cops forced their way to poor communities without a warrant. They also violated privacy and coerced the drug suspects—a violation of the Anti-Torture Act. These observations do not constitute the final decision of the Supreme Court, but we can already see the thinking of the justices in connection with Tokhang!

With the police again in charge of the campaign Turn to A5

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Opinion

THE impeachment complaint filed by lawyer Lorenzo Gadon against Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno has been in the news since October this year. So far, its media coverage has not been illuminating for many, particularly those who are not familiar with the impeachment process.

Commentaries for and against the impeachment of Serreno also add to the confusion.

On account of the highly controversial nature of this issue, some clarification is in order, not to favor the chief justice or to condemn her, but to set the record straight—at least, from the perspective of a neutral party.

Section 2, Article XI of the Constitution provides that the president, vice president, justices of the Supreme Court, commissioners of the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, and Commission on Audit, and the Ombudsman “may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, and betrayal of public trust.”

Further, Section 3(1), Article XI of the Constitution provides that “the House of Representatives shall have the sole power to initiate all cases of impeachment.

Although Section 3(2) of the charter allows a citizen of the Republic of the Philippines to file a verified complaint for impeachment with the House, that complaint cannot proceed any further without the endorsement of at least one member of the House.

Sections 2 and 3(1) above must be construed in the light of Section 3(6), which states that “the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.”

From a holistic perspective, therefore, Chief Justice Sereno is an official who may be subjected to impeachment proceedings; that the House has the exclusive power to initiate the impeachment complaint against Sereno; that after the House acquires the required number of votes (at least one-third of the House membership pursuant to Section 3[3]) to impeach Sereno, her case automatically goes to the Senate for trial and decision.

In other words, impeachment is not to be mistaken for outright removal from office. Impeachment takes place when the House finds sufficient grounds to believe that articles of impeachment should be filed in the Senate against the impeachable public officer, for any of the causes enumerated in Section 2, Article XI of the Constitution.

Once impeached by the House, the public officer concerned must face trial before the Senate. At the end of the trial, the Senate may either vote to acquit or convict the public officer.

Conviction requires a vote of at least two-thirds of all the senators—or 16 votes out of 23 even with the resignation of ex-Senator Alan Cayetano who was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs.

Upon conviction, the only penalty that may be imposed on the public officer is removal from office and disqualification from holding any public office in the future. Nonetheless, the party convicted remains liable for criminal prosecution, trial and punishment before the regular courts of law.

The Constitution explic-

itly provides that public office is a public trust. Since justices of the Supreme Court enjoy security of tenure and, therefore, hold office until reaching the compulsory retirement age of 70 years, the only way to hold them accountable to the people is through impeachment. Precisely because the justices enjoy security of tenure, erring justices of the Supreme Court may be removed from office only by impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate, before criminal charges may be lodged against them.

Contrary to the opinion of Representative Edcel Lagman, when the impeachment complaint is filed by a citizen, and not by a member of the House, that complaint must be construed liberally, and every opportunity to correct errors in form should be given to the complaining citizen. In other words, the impeachment complaint should not be dismissed on a mere technicality.

The reason for requiring liberal treatment of impeachment complaints filed by a citizen is in the Constitution itself.

First, there are only two instances expressly recognized in the Constitution when a citizen may directly file a case against an official act of any high ranking government official, even when that citizen has no actual involvement in the questioned act—a petition in the Supreme Court questioning the basis for the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, both under Section 18, Article VII; and a verified complaint for impeachment filed with the House under Section 3(2), Article XI. Since the Constitution itself explicitly allows extraordinary direct action by the citizenry in those two instances, and considering that Section 1, Article II of the charter provides that “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them,” the liberal treatment is not only warranted; it is mandatory.

Second, Section 3(5), Article XI states that “no impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within a period of one year.” This provision is clearly an exception to the general rule on the public accountability of all public officers.

Therefore, to dismiss an impeachment complaint on mere technical grounds is to exempt the public officer concerned from public accountability for a whole year, and will thus render the concept of public accountability, a cornerstone of democracy and republican government, a teasing illusion. Likewise, dismissal on technical grounds is tantamount to allowing form to prevail over substance, and to letting the exception unjustly assume the status of the general rule. All that, of course, is unacceptable.

Accordingly, where the impeachment complaint filed by a citizen is not verified, or its verification is insufficient or does not conform to the form prescribed by the House for impeachment complaints, the complaining citizen should be allowed to amend the complaint, or to file a compliant pleading.

As in all proceedings that may eventually lead to a trial, substance must always prevail or form or technicality.

To be continued

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mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Constitutional crisis in the making

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Understanding the impeachment process

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

IT IS time for everyone to calm down. The Sereno impeachment train has already left the station. Its destination should now be the Senate. The House Committee on Justice should just send the Gadon complaint to the plenary of the House for a final vote.

Given the super majority of the administration in that body, it is likely there are enough votes to send the complaint to the Senate for the trial. In that chamber, because of the nature of the proceeding as in fact a trial, the constitutional rights of the Chief Justice is assured.

Sereno’s right to counsel and to confront witnesses, denied to her by the House Committee of Justice, will surely be respected.

Last week, the committee under its chairman, Rep. Reynaldo Umali, conducted its first hearing on the impeachment complaint. Among others, abandoning accepted practice in the House, the Committee barred non-members from participating in the hearing. Sereno’s lawyers were also prohibited from crossexamining the witnesses against her, prompting them to leave the meeting.

According to Alex Po-

blador, this was not a walkout as they did ask the leave of Chairman Umali.

As the hearing continued, it became clear that Larry Gadon, the complainant, obviously did not have personal knowledge of the acts supposedly attributed to the Chief Justice, something he attested to when he filed the complaint. This was pointed out by members of the Committee, not necessarily pro-Sereno, when it was disclosed by Gadon himself that he acquired his information from other people.

This is hearsay evidence and therefore inadmissible.

Among others, a representative suggested that Gadon should not be the complainant in this case but some other personality who can better testify on the allegations.

For instance, in the alleged falsification of Supreme Court resolutions and a temporary restraining order by Sereno - Gadon, when asked whether he could personally substantiate his claim, could only mumble the names of other persons such as Associate Justice Teresita De Castro or newspaper reporter Jomar Canlas who supposedly talked to her. At one juncture, when pressed for the names of his sources, the complainant said that he could no longer remember their names.

While he charges the

respondent of tampering and or falsification. Gadon curiously failed to present documentary evidence to prove the allegation, such as the copies of the resolutions and decision allegedly falsified. This prompted the committee chair to require the complainant to submit a list of his sources and/ or documents that may be subpoenaed.

Justice De Castro has strongly denied providing any information to Canlas.

The latter has also denied that De Castro is his source and has refused to divulge his sources, invoking his rights and obligations as a journalist. Chairman Umali’s words are ominous: As reported by media, Chairman Umali suggested that among Canlas, De Castro, and Gadon, somebody was lying: “Somebody is not telling the truth. Somebody is lying . . . I will refer that perhaps to the court or probably to the [Department of Justice] to investigate.”

Justice De Castro should weigh these words of the Chair very carefully. I would not attend the hearings in the House if I were her. It’s a trap and she will be put in a compromised, unwinnable situation while also damaging irreparably Supreme Court. Wisdom and prudence should stop her from testifying.

She should run away from

Gadon as far as possible.

Association with the complainant will taint a solid reputation built for decades and will also damage the institution she has worked for most of her professional life and one she undoubtedly loves very much.

In my view, the Supreme Court must deliberate very clearly the precedents it will create for future impeachment proceedings against other Justices if they allowed Justice De Castro to disclose internal documents. It would be open season for any of them every time the Court decide a case that powerful interests do not like.

The presence or absence of probable cause to impeach the Chief Justice is what the committee must establish. This is a constitutional duty and should not be tainted by partisanship or partiality. Due process has to be followed in such proceeding. Otherwise, it is a sham. This is what we are seeing now.

This could get even worse if Chairman Umali follows through on his threat to have the Chief Justice arrested if she does not make an appearance at the hearing. That would be a declaration of war against another branch of government. That would lay down the precedent for such coercive measures even against the President and all other

impeachable officials. Ironically, such an arrest order, if restrained by the Court, can lead to a suspension for months of the impeachment proceedings against Sereno.

The truth is that the House of Representatives can decide to forego any additional process and can just send this to the Senate for trial. If that is the intention, it might be best to do that. But if the intent is to continue an unfair process in the House to embarrass the Chief Justice, such a strategy would clearly backfire.

As I have written before, in my view, there is no chance that impeachment will prosper in the Senate.

I am confident Sereno will not only get the minimum votes so the two third’s majority for conviction is not reached but in fact will get a majority of Senators to vote for her acquittal. Gadon’s allegations of facts are not true; and even if they did, the offenses attributed to the Chief Justice are not impeachable as they are at their worst lapses in judgements.

It’s time for everyone to calm down and do the right thing. Dismiss the impeachment complaint or go to the Senate now for trial.

Those are the good choices moving forward.

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Maybe China shouldn’t open up

By Michael Pettis CHINA needs reform. This has long been the consensus advice from economists and multilateral institutions such as the World Bank, whose recent “China 2030” report argues that Chinese leaders should strengthen the role of markets and liberalize legal, financial and other institutions governing the economy. Their to-do list is virtually gospel by now: free up trade and investment, unshackle the exchange rate and ease capital controls.

Such reforms are held not only to be worthy in themselves, but critical to solving China’s biggest problem: its debt, which has skyrocketed to well over 260 percent of GDP from 162 percent in 2008. The speed and scale of credit expansion has raised fears of a financial crisis, even from such normally staid figures as central bank governor Zhou Xiaochuan. The hope is that reforms will boost productivity enough to allow China to outgrow its debt burden before that crisis hits.

This logic is flawed for two reasons. First, China

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against illegal drugs, will we see a killing spree again? Even the President has said the police is rotten to the core. So why is he doing this again?

I can understand the President’s frustration. Initially he promised to end the drug menace between three and six months. And then he asked for an extension. Now he is on his second year in office and the war does not appear as though it would end soon.

As I have been saying all along, so long as there is demand for illegal drugs, the supply will always find a way to get into our shores. This is made easier by the corruption at the Bureau of Customs.

I have for so long been suggesting to the President to make rehabilitation a priority. There are 3 mil-

is unlikely to suffer a financial crisis, and this is precisely because of the government’s ability to restructure banking-sector liabilities at will.

The real threat is different.

Once a country’s debt burden is high enough to create uncertainty about allocating future debt-servicing costs, the debt itself becomes an obstacle to growth. This process—known as “financial distress”—is well-understood in finance theory but is still unfamiliar to many economists.

So, unfortunately, is the corroborating history. In the past two centuries, there have been dozens of cases of overly-indebted countries whose policymakers have promised to implement liberalizing reforms meant to allow the country to outgrow its debt. None has succeeded. No excessively indebted country has ever outgrown its debt until a meaningful portion has been forcibly assigned to one economic sector or another.

There are many ways this can occur. Mexico restructured its debt at a discount in 1990, thereby forcing the cost onto creditors. Germa-

ny inflated the debt away after 1919, forcing the cost onto pensioners and others with fixed incomes. A decade ago, China forced the cost onto household savers through negative real interest rates.

If it is going to regain sustainable growth, China, too, must deleverage. The only healthy way to do so is first, to force local governments to liquidate assets and assign part of the proceeds to debt reduction, and second, to wean China off its dependence on excessive investment by transferring wealth from local governments to households, so they can consume more.

One way or another, deleveraging is a necessary condition for further growth.

Even those countries that have avoided financial crises have nonetheless had to deleverage, but have done so in the form of “lost decades” of very low growth—most notably the Soviet Union in the two decades after 1967 and Japan in the two decades after 1990. In each case, the country’s share of global GDP collapsed by 6070 percent. This is not a desirable alternative to crisis.

The second problem is

that orthodox reforms implicitly assume that, as businesses and investors try to channel resources into higher-productivity investments, they’re constrained mainly by low savings and institutional distortions. If that were true, liberalizing finance, enhancing capital flows and freeing up the market would indeed boost productivity.

But, in a deeply unbalanced economy with an insolvent financial system, incentives are warped in ways that undermine this assumption. China’s financial sector is dominated by speculative investing and capital flight. Meanwhile, heavy state influence has distorted corporate governance and kept afloat insolvent companies.

Under such conditions, opening up the financial sector would only further accommodate distortions and worsen the misallocation of investment. The notorious behavior of US savings-and-loans institutions in the 1980s is a classic example of how liberalizing a highly constrained and insolvent banking system increases abuses and multiplies the eventual cost of

resolution. There are other terrifying examples.

Moreover, as noted earlier, China has avoided a financial crisis precisely because its banking system is closed and its regulators can restructure liabilities at will. Removing constraints on capital flows would strip the government of the weapons needed to defend against a crisis.

In the end, while standard macroeconomic reforms may work in theory—albeit under an unrealistic set of assumptions—they’ve never worked in practice.

Rather than eliminating the controls that protect China from a financial crisis, leaders should confront their debt problem head-on and begin deleveraging.

For that to happen, it would help if the decisionmaking process were more, not less centralized. Only forceful action from the top can overcome the tremendously powerful vested interests that are blocking the redistribution of localgovernment wealth. A more liberal China may be desirable in the abstract -- but not until a more controlled China gets a handle on its debt problems. Bloomberg

lion to 4 million drug users nationwide. *** The President’s proclamation to finally cancel the peace talks with the communists means that Mr. Duterte has finally realized that the Reds do not really want peace. What they want is a so-called coalition government.

I have been saying all along that the communists speak with a forked tongue. While they talk peace with the government abroad, here the New People’s Army continues to attack government forces.

It’s a matter of sincerity, really.

The bottom line is that they are enemies of the state. They are rebels and terrorists. *** House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez is pushing a bill that removes from the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation

its 36 nationwide casinos.

It will only have regulatory powers. I say it’s about time.

But I smell danger when Alvarez said he wanted the licensing powers of Pagcor to be given to Congress.

Members of the House of Representatives will just have another opportunity to commit anomalies. Why make Dracula the manager of the blood bank? It’s a recipe for corruption!

Yes, there is a need to privatize Pagcor’s 36 casinos. But what the Speaker has in mind is dangerous.

This has to be stopped. *** I have a suggestion for spokesman Harry Roque.

If he really wants to feel the public pulse , he should take the train during rush hour, every day, for at least a week.

The irony is that the Transportation Department keeps telling us the MRT is safe.

Dog...

the term of the official replaced.

Then there’s the Supreme Court ruling (Brillantes versus Yorac, G.R. No. 93867, Dec. 18, 1990) which found the designation of Commissioner Haydee Yorac as acting Comelec chairman was null and unconstitutional.

If Abas has been appointed by Duterte only as acting chairman, then this ruling—which voided the appointment of Yorac by then President Corazon Aquino as acting chairman to replace Hilario Davide —would apply.

Of course, the overriding concern about Abas’ appointment is still this: Will the Comelec hire its usual automation provider, Venezuela-based automation provider Smartmatic, to oversee future elections? I’m sure a lot of people would like to hear Abas speak out on all of these burning questions.

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scheduled to serve out his seven-year term. On the other hand, if Abas is only designated acting chairman, this would go directly against a ruling of the high court.

Abas, a relative of Moro Islamic Liberation Front chieftain Mohaqer Iqbal, was appointed to the commission in 2015 by then President Noynoy Aquino.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him to replace Bautista as chairman of the commission.

But according to some lawyers I’ve talked to, the 1987 Constitution bars the reappointment of Comelec commissioners (Article X, Section 1, Paragraph 2).

Furthermore, according to the same provision, any appointee to a vacancy in the commission can only serve the remainder of

News

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Senate okays EVOSS bill

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

W

ITH 13 affirmative votes, one negative vote and no abstention, the Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill that seeks to lower the costs of electricity in the country and build a robust energy sector.

Senate Bill No. 1439, or the “Energy Virtual One Stop Shop Act of 2017,” was sponsored and authored by Senator Sherwin Gatchalian and co-authored by Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri.

Gatchalian said the bill primarily focuses on eliminating red tape, or bureaucratic inefficiencies, redundancies and overlaps in the energy sector.

“This legislation seeks to streamline the permitting process of new energy generation projects, thus cutting the

length of the permitting process in half,” Gatchalian said.

He said the bill mandated the establishment of the EVOSS under the supervision of the Department of Energy.

The EVOSS is an online system that allows single submission and synchronous processing of required data and information, and provides a single decisionmaking portal for the evaluation of new power generation projects, the bill stated.

“Greater efficiency under the EVOSS system will result in a welcome bump in disposable income for the average Filipino family. We will be putting a lot of money back where it belongs— in the pockets of Filipino families struggling to pay their basic day to day expenses,” Gatchalian added.

Under the bill, the EVOSS would ensure the “secure, accessible and paperless” processing of documentary requirements, assessment and payment of charges and fees, status updates and progress monitoring, not only for applicants but also for national and local government offices and entities involved in the permitting process of energy generation projects.

Gatchalian said platform effectively eliminates repetitive form submission,

the need to physically transport documents from one agency to another, and existing constraints that prevent multiple agencies from simultaneously processing applications.

To ensure the timely processing of applications, Gatchalian said each public body involved in the process would “be required to resolve all papers pending before them within a prescribed period of time.”

Under the bill, specified government agencies are given time frames to release actions on applications.

For example, the DOE and all its attached agencies and offices would be given 60 days to release actions on applications, the senator said.

The Department of Agrarian Reform and its attached agencies would be given 90 days, while the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources would have 75 days to act on the applications.

Failure of agencies to act within the specified timeframes would render applications to be deemed approved, the bill stated.

Government officers or employees who fail to comply with the set timeframes would be subjected to administrative penalties, ranging from a 30-day suspension without pay to dismissal and perpetual disqualification from public service.

At present, Gatchalian said developers of run-of-river hydro plants in the country have to secure 359 signatures from 74 regulatory agencies and attached bureaus in a permitting process that takes around 1,340 days—three and a half years—to complete.

He said the bill aims to rejuvenate and infuse greater competition into the local energy sector, which would result in a larger energy supply and cheaper generation costs in the country.

“Based on my conversations with industry analysts and our own internal research, cutting down red tape could reduce consumer electricity prices by as much as P1 per kWh,” he said.

He said this would translate to a total consumer savings of P55.2 billion a year, or annual savings of P2,400 for ordinary families in the metropolis.

“An extra P2,400 can do a lot for a family. That is enough to buy a sack of rice with some extra cash to spend on tuition and school supplies for the children, healthcare, and other essentials,” he said.

NHA set to dole out houses to Kadamay

By Rio N. Araja THE National Housing Authority said on Monday it is ready to redistribute houses to members of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap or Kadamay, who occupied NHA-built houses in five areas in Pandi, Bulacan for uniformed personnel, once a law is passed to formalize the redistribution.

Elsie Trinidad, Resettlement and Development Services Department head and agency spokesperson, however said the NHA’s hands are still tied over a restriction under the General Appropriations Act of 2012 to 2014, preventing the agency from allocating the units involved to non-uniformed personnel.

Trinidad noted at a news conference at the NHA central office in Quezon City that an enabling law must be passed to allow the redistribution of the houses to Kadamay.

“While the House of Representatives has passed its version to authorize the NHA to reallocate the units originally awarded to the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Bureau of Fire Protection, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police, the Senate has yet to approve its own version of the measure,” she told reporters.

While awaiting the enabling law, the NHA has already come up with the proposed resolution’s implementing rules and regulations ahead of time “so we could readily redistribute the units anytime,” Trinidad said.

“We are prepared once the resolution has been approved,” she added The redistribution of shelter units, however, is not absolute, according to Trinidad.

“Not all those who occupied the housing units for the uniformed men and women can be awarded. We made our own homework. We have this eligibility screening.

All of their names will go to our database (of beneficiaries) for validation,” she said.

HIGH-TECH TOY. Children watch in wonder as two Alpha1 Pro robots, in 12-inch humanoid forms, play soccer during a demonstration at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Touted as the ‘perfect gift’ for Christmas, the Alpha1 is programable and controlled via a smartphone app, both for entertainment and educational purposes. Norman Cruz

Immigration bureau promotes 800 workers to port posts

By Vito Barcelo MORE than 800 employees of the Bureau of Immigration have been promoted to officers to occupy positions under the bureau’s port operations division, Immigra-

tion Commissioner Jaime Morente said Monday.

“Many of these career civil servants are seasoned immigration officers whose promotions are long overdue. They deserved to be rewarded for their long years

of service and dedication to their job as border control officers of the country,” Morente said.

Besides being veteran employees, those who will be promoted “are punctual and have good attendance re-

cord,” the BI chief said.

BI officer Grifton Medina said the promoted employees will be appointed to occupy most of the 887 new immigration officer positions the DBM created under the Port Operations Division headed

WINNING PAINTERS.

Nippon Paint Philippines officials Bernice Bobadilla (left), senior marketing manager, and Michael Alfred Francisco, general manager, flank the winners of the Asia Young Designer Award (AYDA) during the awarding ceremony of the event with the theme ‘You for Tomorrow: Future Living as Envisioned Today.’ Marie Eirine Fabon of the University of the Philippines (second from left) was Gold Winner in the Architectural Design Category, while Diana Marie Manansala of University of Santo Tomas (second from right) claimed gold in the Interior Design Category.

Lino Santos

by Marc Red Mariñas.

Most of the promoted officers will be assigned to the NAIA and other international airports and seaports throughout the country.

The promotion of BI employees is part of the agency’s efforts to uplift the morale of its employees and facilitate the delivery of more efficient services to the traveling public.

Morente said promoting the employees became possible after the Department of Budget and Management created last April nearly 900 new positions for immigration officers in the BI plantilla.

The promoted BI personnel were recommended to Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, have been working at the bureau for many years, and some are about to retire from the service.

BI is under the administrative control and supervision of the DOJ, thus its regular employees who are hired or promoted are all appointed by the Justice secretary.

Senators approve Bam Aquino’s ‘Balik Scientist’ bill on third and final reading

THE Senate approved Monday on third and final reading a bill that seeks to institutionalize benefits and incentives for scientists, engineers, and innovators of Filipino descent residing overseas, to encourage them to return to or stay in the country and work for national development.

Senate Bill No. 1533 or the Balik Scientist Act was principally authored and sponsored by Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV. It was approved

with 13 affirmative votes, no negative vote and no abstention.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and Senators Juan Miguel Zubiri, Joel Villanueva, Richard Gordon, Grace Poe, Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito and Cynthia Villar served as co-sponsors of the measure.

Aquino said the measure would institutionalize the Balik Scientist Program, which was first launched in 1975 “to bring back Filipino

scientists, engineers, and technology entrepreneurs to work in various fields, including heath, food and agriculture, information and communications technology, and even alternative energy.”

“It is about time that we institutionalized and strengthened the Balik Scientist Program so that more brilliant Filipino minds residing abroad can help our nation move forward into prosperity,” the senator said.

Among the benefits, incentives and

privileges to be made available to returning scientists under the program are tax and duty exemptions to importation of professional equipment and materials, exemption from licensing or permitting requirements, free medical and accident insurance “covering the duration of the engagement awarded by the Department of Science and Techonology, reimbursement of expenses for baggage related to scientific projects, and even exemption from “renouncing their oath of allegiance

to the country where they took the oath.”

Grantees can participate in Grantsin-Aid (GIA) research and development projects of the DOST with an initial lump sum research subsidy of P500,000 for short-term program, up to P2 million for the medium-term program, and over P2 million for the long-term program, in accordance with relevant government rules and regulations and the need of the program involved. Macon Ramos-Araneta

More biz players needed in telco REACTING to reports that the Philippines has the slowest average internet speed in Asia Pacific, Senator Joel Villanueva on Monday called for the opening of the country’s telecommunications sector to other players to create competition and increase investments in the industry.

Based on content delivery provider Akamai’s Global State of the Internet report, the Philippines has an average of 5.5 megabits per second (mbps), much lower than the global average internet connection speed at 7.2 mbps.

Villanueva said allowing the entry of another telco would let more players come in and offer better services, amid consumer problems on the country’s slow and expensive internet offerings.

At present PLDT and Globe Telecom are dominating the local industry, with a handful of startup challengers.

Considering this industry duopoly, Villanueva said it is high time to declassify the country’s telecommunications sector as a public utility.

Under Senate Bill No. 695 authored by Villanueva, which aims to amend the 80-year-old Public Service Act or Commonwealth Act No. 146, telecommunications will be excluded from the definition of a public utility.

The Supreme Court has defined a public utility in one of its rulings as a business or service engaged in regularly supplying the public with some commodity or service of public consequence such as electricity, gas, water, transportation, telephone or telegraph service. Public utilities are permitted to operate as regulated monopolies for providing basic services necessary to public consumers.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

Israel, PH put labor accord on hold

By Sara D. Fabunan THE bilateral labor agreement proposed in 2015 between the Philippines and Israel has yet to be signed by either country, even after a recent bilateral meeting.

Foreign Affairs Migrant Workers Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said in a press release that she and Israel Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely have instead signed another “agreement” that would serve as a “pilot” for the succeeding negotiations to other countries that also deploy caregivers to Israel.

“The meeting focused on the proposed Philippine-Israeli Bilateral Labor Agreement (BLA) and the negotiations that are currently undergoing,” Arriola said in the DFA statement.

“The signed agreement would serve as pilot agreement for the succeeding negotiations with other countries that send caregivers to Israel such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, and India,” it added.

Arriola’s office did not disclose when the two countries planned to sign the BLA, but said she went to Jerusalem to discuss developments in 60 years of bilateral relations.

Israel is host to about 20,000 Filipino caregivers who enjoy excellent labor conditions in the Middle East, the DFA said.

Israel’s BLAs with other countries have led to a significant reduction in the recruitment fees being charged to foreign workers in the Holy Land, the DFA noted.

Sports

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

France nails 10 Davis Cup title th

L

ILLE, France—Lucas Pouille throttled Belgium’s Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-1, 6-0 in Sunday’s decisive fifth rubber to clinch a 10th Davis Cup title for France in front of a passionate Lille crowd.

Belgian ace David Goffin levelled the final at two points apiece after beating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets in Sunday’s opening reverse singles, but a revitalised Pouille propelled France to a first victory since 2001.

Pouille was beaten convincingly by Goffin in Friday’s first singles tie, but the world number 18 shook off that defeat to

swat Darcis aside in one hour and 34 minutes.

“There’s nothing better than winning as a team, with my mates, in front of the fans, my family and my friends,” Pouille told French television.

“We’re going to celebrate and make the most of it. I’m proud of my team.”

France’s triumph received a presidential seal of approval,

with French head of state Emmanuel Macron posting on Twitter: “Bravo to all the winning team which has made all of France proud.”

It was a third victory as captain for Yannick Noah, who returned for a third stint in charge in 2015 after two spells as skipper in the 1990s.

Noah, the last Frenchman to win a Grand Slam tournament at the 1983 French Open, was vindicated in his selection after surprisingly picking Richard Gasquet to partner Pierre-Hugues Herbert for Saturday’s crucial doubles victory.

“To have four different players win the three points is great,” an emotional

Noah told BeIN Sports.

“Everyone wanted this, we favoured the spirit of the group above individuals...

I’m so happy.”

Pouille broke Darcis, who had sent Belgium through to the final by winning the deciding rubber against Australia in September’s semi-final, at the first attempt to lay the foundation for a memorable triumph.

That proved enough to wrap up the first set, with three further breaks in the second firing Pouille and France to the brink of the title.

Darcis, the world number 76, was powerless to stop a rampant Pouille as the 23-year-old dismantled the

Belgian in the third set— winning 25 of 34 points— to end France’s run of three straight finals defeats.

Belgium’s hopes of claiming a first title in the venerable competition rested with their in-form number one Goffin, who downed Tsonga 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-2 after withstanding sustained early pressure.

Goffin’s efforts in vain Goffin saved a set point while serving at 5-6, as Tsonga was left to rue his inability to capitalise on any of six break points in a marathon first set.

World number seven Goffin, the runner-up to Grigor Dimitrov at the season-

ending ATP Finals in London last weekend, snatched a 75-minute opening set with a blistering backhand return in the tie-break.

Tsonga, who brought France level in Friday’s second singles with a crushing win over Darcis, then surrendered his serve in the second set with a costly double fault as Goffin surged 4-2 ahead before seizing a twoset lead.

Goffin stormed to a double-break lead in the third set as Tsonga’s resistance crumbled, and closed out the match with minimal fuss, but Darcis was unable to reproduce previous heroics against an inspired Pouille. AFP

Day 3 strokes behind lead; Spieth struggles SYDNEY—Jason Day made a spectacular return to the Australian Open on Thursday, finishing the first round three shots off the lead as defending champion Jordan Spieth struggled in tricky conditions.

Day, playing his national open for the first time in four years, made the most of his early morning tee time, rolling in eight birdies in perfect sunshine for a superb round of fiveunder-par 66.

The former world number one finished the opening day tied for third place with Nick Cullen and Alex Edge, as Cameron Davis set the pace with a blistering round of 63 to lead by two strokes from Taylor Macdonald at The Australian Golf Club.

Spieth, playing in the afternoon when the wind had picked up, battled his way to an up-anddown round of one-under-par 70

Rose wife to caddy for him in Indonesia HONG KONG—Justin Rose and his wife have devised a novel way of celebrating their wedding anniversary—she will caddy for him at the Indonesian Masters next month, he has revealed.

Speaking after his final round at the Hong Kong Open on Sunday, where he finished tied 10th, he said: “I enjoy [playing in] Asia. Going to have the missus caddy for me.

“It’s over our wedding anniversary, so it’s going to be a whole different type of challenge.

“Finish with a flourish and all that,” he joked.

When asked if his wife —former British gymnast Kate Phillips—was a strong reader of golf greens, he added: “She knows as much about golf as my little eight-year-old. We’ll make it fun.”

The English world number six announced last week that he would play in the Jakarta event in December, which is the finale of the Asian Tour.

“There’s going to be a lot of guys grinding to have a good week and it’s an important week for a lot of guys,” said Rose.

“For me, it’s a nice week to continue to play right before Christmas, but more of a fun trip for us than anything else.”

The Indonesia event —which will be the first time Rose’s wife has carried the bag for him— wraps up a busy schedule for the Olympic champion, who shot a solid but unspectacular 273 on the par-70 Hong Kong Golf Club course.

In the past month he has won tournaments in China and Turkey, before being pipped to the European Tour title in Dubai by Tommy Fleetwood last week. AFP

to end the day seven shots off the pace on a heavily congested leaderboard.

Unable to build any momentum after making bogey at his first two holes, the American dropped three more shots but brightened up his card with six birdies, including a 20-foot putt at the final hole that fell into the cup.

“I take a lot of pride in bounceback stats—after a bad hole, coming back and making a birdie.

I did that, but then I was on the other end of it,” Spieth said.

“I bogeyed just about every hole (after) I made a birdie.

Fortunately, we finished on 18 with a birdie. I can’t bogey the 19th hole.”

Playing the back nine first, Day dropped a shot at the parthree 15th hole when he drove into the trees, then doublebogeyed the eighth hole, his second last. AFP

France’s team hold the trophy after winning the Davis Cup World Group final tennis match between France and Belgium at The Pierre Mauroy Stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq near Lille. AFP

Junior Maroons edge UE Squires for 1st win in 3 tiffs

By Peter Atencio SHOOTING guard Jacob Estrera struck with a triple in the last 3.4 seconds, lifting the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons to an 83-81 beating of the University of the East Squires last Sunday at the Arena in San Juan.

The 6’0” Estrera only had

nine points, but his baskets sent the Junior Maroons to their first win in three games in the 80th University Athletic Association of the Philippines junior basketball tournament.

“He (coach) told me to be confident and take every opportunity,” said the 18-yearold Estrera, whose basket came after the Junior Maroons fought their way out of a six-

point deficit in the last four minutes.

Matt Santiago led with 19 points, including a threepointer in the last 2:02 that put UPIS close, 73-74.

“We were focused on our offense in the first three quarters. On the fourth, du’n sila nag-focus sa defense,” said UPIS coach Paolo Mendoza, who used to play for the team

when he was still in high school.

Their 1-2 win-loss slate allowed them to catch up with the Adamson Baby Falcons.

Agem Miranda made 23 points for winless UE, while Dustin Angeles shot 13.

The Nazareth School-National University Bullpups and the Ateneo Blue Eagles share the lead after posting

their third straight wins.

The Bullpups banked on Rhayyan Amsali, Terrence Fortea and Matthew Manalang in the last period to put away the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 89-85.

The Blue Eaglets, led by Enrico Manuel with 16 points, pummeled the defending champion Far Eastern University Baby Tamaraws, 59-47.

Foton faces UST, eyes solo PSL lead Games Today:

(Filoil Flying V Centre) 4:15 p.m. – Sta. Lucia Realty vs Cocolife 7:00 p.m. – UST vs Foton

REIGNING champion Foton guns for the solo lead when it tangles with lowly Victoria Sports-UST in the Chooks to Go-Philippine Superliga Grand Prix today at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.

Clash starts at 7 p.m. following the tiff between Sta. Lucia Realty and Cocolife in the 4:15 p.m. curtainraiser of this prestigious club tourney bankrolled

by Mikasa, Grand Sport, Senoh, Mueller, Island Rose, Cloudfone and UCPB Gen. The Tornadoes are arguably the hottest team in this league that also has Gerflor and Gold’s Gym as technical sponsors and ESPN5 as official broadcast partner.

After bowing to bitter rival Petron last Nov. 14, the Foton bounced back with a pair of impressive wins that fueled speculations that it is still capable of making another strong run to the title.

Their latest victory—a five-set conquest of erstwhile-unbeaten F2 Logistics at the Batangas City Sports Centre over the weekend—gave them their sixth win, putting them in a three-way tie with the Cargo Movers and the Blaze Spikers entering their final match in the single-round eliminations.

In that match, import Sara Klisura of Serbia had a historic night as she sparkled with 41 points that shattered the existing scoring record and towed the Tornadoes past the Cargo Movers.

Foton coach Moro Branislav lauded his ward, but emphasized that the job is not yet done.

“She is definitely one of the best players in this tournament,” said Branislav referring to Klisura, who broke the 40-point performance that American guest player Kristy Jaeckel tallied two years ago.

Villanueva carries Defenders to victory Games on Thursday

(Pasig City Sports Center) 2 p.m. - Judiciary vs PDEA 3:30 p.m. - DA vs NHA 5:30 p.m. - PNP vs AFP

VOLLEY CHAMPS. Adamson University bet Gracelchen Ave and Hannah Infante receive their championship trophy from Philippine Volleyball Federation president Edgardo ‘Tito Boy’ Cantada (left) and deputy secretary general and former national champion Gerard Cantada during the awarding ceremony of the 1st PVF-Tanduay Athletics Under-18 Beach Volleyball Invitational at the Cantada Sports Center in Taguig City. A total of 31 teams, including delegations from Baguio City, Isabela, Zambales, Pangasinan and Marinduque played in the one-day, entry-free tourney sponsored by Tanduay Athletics of Bong Tan and PVF chairman Mikey Arroyo.

Diaz...

From A8

quest for the country’s first-ever gold medal in the Olympics.

Marc Velasco, director of the Philippine Sports Institute, was put in charge by PSC chairman Butch Ramirez to make ensure that the selected focused athletes for the Olympics are well taken care of.

“We are not putting any pressure on her. We want to make sure that we provide sufficient environment for her to perform

better. We want her to be more comfortable than what he she had experienced before,” Velasco told Manila Standard through FB video call.

National coach Tony Agustin said they are motivated now more than ever due to the full support given by the PSC, through the PSI and Siklab.

“Mas maganda ang preparations namin dahil lahat ng kailangan namin, including better nutrition, are provided by the team,” said Agustin. “It’s too early to expect Hidilyns’ peak.

Mahaba haba pa ang byahe natin.

SENATOR Joel Villanueva was on fire on Sunday as he buried five triples to lead the Defenders to an impressive win over the DOH Health Achievers, 93-58 in the UNTV Cup Season 6 at the Pasig City Sports Center.

“We got our rhythm early on. Ang pina-practice namin, talagang ‘yun ‘yung nangyayari sa game. We are confident and natutuwa kami dahil lumabas ‘yung game plan namin against DOH,” Sen. Joel Villanueva said.

Senator Villanueva, with a total of 23 points, and James Ryan Mangaran, who made 20 points, with 4 rebounds and 1 assist, were hailed as the Best Players of the Game.

With the win, the Senate Defenders grabbed the top spot of Group A with a 4-1 slate, while DOH stayed at the bottom with a 5-1 record.

Meanwhile, Malacañang-PSC toppled the Ombudsman Graft Busters, 128-79.

Although it had been tough for the Graft Busters, they did not give up until the last second of the game.

We have set our target and we are focused on meeting that target,” said Agustin.

Although Hidilyn is threekilograms overweight, it doesn’t really pose a major problem.

Velasco, who was a strength and conditioning coach in Hong Kong Sports Institute before coming back home to join the PSC, said he it is not unusual for weightlifters to be overweight because they increase loading during training.

“Hindi naman kagaya ‘yan ng boxing na tapering ‘pag malapit na ang competition. Sa weight-

Malacañang-PSC Kamao’s Christian Luanzon barrels his way inside against Ombudsman defenders in the UNTV Cup Season 6 at the Pasig City Sports Center.

“Nandito na kami, sayang ‘yung opportunity na makapaglaro. So ibuhos mo na. Hindi naman lahat ng government agencies nabibigyan ng opportunities like this. So might as well play with all your heart, play with passion kahit na alam mo dehado ‘yung team mo,” Ombudsman’s Atty. Laure Quijano said.

In the Judiciary-DA hard-

lifting, increasing ang lifting load mo ‘pag malapit ang competition,” said Velasco. “I am not concerned so much of her weight, I will be concerned if she is not lifting the target weight coming in the competition.”

Team Philippines, which also includes sports psychologist, Dr. Karen Trinidad, did eight days of training in Los Angeles before moving to Anaheim for the final phase of their preparation.

“Everything looks good. Hidilyn and Kristel had a good progression in preparation for the worlds,” added Velasco.

court battle, the two-time champion Magis gained a 4-1 win-loss standing after defeating the Food Masters, 112-103.

The Food Masters now have a 2-3 card and need to win their remaining game against the NHA Builders on Thursday to advance to the second round elimination of the season.

LOTTO RESULTS 6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

P0 M+ P0 M

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

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TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

Sports

PBA scribes to honor SMC president Ang THE man behind the steady success of the San Miguel Corp. will be honored by the PBA Press Corps with one of its highest individual awards during the staging of its 24th Annual Awards Night on Thursday at the Gloria Maris Restaurant inside the Gateway Mall of the Araneta Center in Cubao.

Ramon S. Ang, president and chief executive officer of SMC, is the recipient of the Danny Floro Executive of the Year honor to be handed out by the group of sportswriters from the various national broadsheets, tabloids, and sports websites during the formal gathering presented by Cignal TV. Ang, 63, was chosen for the honor after teams under the San Miguel umbrella completed a three-conference sweep of the entire PBA 42nd season. Its flagship ballcub, the San Miguel Beermen won the Philippine Cup and Commissioner’s Cup, respectively, before sister-team Barangay Ginebra Kings foiled their ambitious grand slam bid by copping the season-ending Governors Cup. This will be the second Executive of the Year title—

Officials, coaches and players of the Magnolia Hotshots, formerly Star Hotshots, are presented to the media.

Fresh start for Magnolia as it shoots for PBA title

By Jeric Lopez

N

EW name, new era.

In hopes of a fresh start, the storied Purefoods’ franchise will carry a new team name in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The then Star Hotshots will now be known as the Magnolia Hotshots moving forward.

Magnolia, featuring its players, coaching staff and management, was unveiled in an official launching yesterday at the Ynares Center in Pasig City.

The team is hoping that its new name can lead it

back to the Promised Land after falling short the previous seasons.

“The challenge for the team is to win championships again as we’re set to carry a new name with a fresh start,” said team manager Alvin Patrimonio, the franchise’s most iconic player in its history.

Patrimonio is particu-

larly excited of the name change.

“Every time na nagpapalit ng name ‘yung team, nagtsa-champion kami,” Patrimonio said.

Magnolia coach Chiro Victolero is up to the task as he and his players embrace this new ray of light.

“This is a new challenge for us and we’re accepting it,” said Victolero. “We’re looking forward to the next season.”

“We want to build on what we achieved last season in terms of team chemistry and we aspire to be a serious contender for the title this coming Philippine Cup,” Vic-

an established league like the PBA,” said San Miguel Pure Foods Company, Inc. president Francisco S. Alejo III. The team is one among those with the most titles in the league, capturing 13 titles including a grand slam in 2014. The Magnolia Hotshots are composed of a mix of young talents and well-known veterans like Rafi Reavis, Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, PJ Simon, and Marc Pingris. Team governor Rene Pardo, Alfrancis Chua and Robert Non of San Miguel Corp. were all present at the event. With Jospher de Leon

Diaz aims to equal personal best at world lift tourney

By Randy Caluag THE Philippines’ weightlifting queen Hidilyn Diaz begins her quest for another stint in the Olympics as she goes for precious points in the International Weightlifting Federation World Championships on Friday (Sunday, Manila time) at Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Diaz, who settled for a silver medal in last year’s Rio Olympics in Brazil, said she is focused on meeting her personal best of 98 kgs in snatch and 118 kgs. in clean and jerk, but she’s not discounting a gold-medal finish.

“Nag-target din kami ni coach (Agustin) ng 95 and 120.

Siyempre gold pa din po gusto ko, tingnan na lang natin sa laro,” said the proud Zamboanguena, who also took the bronze medal in the 2017 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (AIMAG) in Turkmenistan last Semtember.

Diaz is competing with compatriot Kristel Macrohon, who also bagged a bronze in Turkmenistan.

Diaz will compete in the 53-kg category on Nov. 30 (Dec. 1 in Manila), while Macrohon plunges into action on Dec. 2 (Dec. 3 Manila time) in the 69-kg division.

They are using the tournament as part of their preparation for the Asian Games slated next year in Indonesia and ultimately for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.

Diaz got the bronze in the 2015 World Championships in Houston, Texas.

“Mas mahigpit po ang laban ngayon, pero laban lang,” said the three-time Olympian, who expects to fight it with tough best from Chinese Taipei, Korea, Thailand and Uzbekistan.

Diaz is one of the athletes selected by the Philippine Sports Commission and its corporate partner, Siklab Foundation, to be given full support in their Turn to A7

Lertvilai, Andrew seek golf breakthrough

Del Rosario places 6th in World Bowling tilt LIZA del Rosario of the Philippines missed the women’s singles Final Four by just 18 pins and landed 6th overall among 176 competitors in the elimination round opener Sunday (Monday morning in Manila) of the World Bowling Championships at the South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas.

Del Rosario actually finished third behind Futaba Imai (1322) and Shion Izumune (1298) in the second squad (Group B) battle but her overall score was good only for sixth overall.

World Cup titlist Krizziah Lyn Tabora (1228) finished at 13th and Liza Clutario (1227) placed 14th.

The elimination matches in the first squad (Group A) was topped by Hong Haeni of Korea, Chan Shuk Han of Hongkong and Maiginge Jensen of Denmark. The Philippines’ Lara Posadas placed 10th with 1237 points.

Merwin Tan, Kevin Cu and John Paul Macatula also missed the cut in the men’s singles’ play.

Team manager Bong Coo said Macatula, Tan and Cu will return to the lanes today for the men’s doubles eliminations. Macatulad is paired with Raoul Miranda, Tan with Kenneth Chua and Cu with Jomar Jumapao.

tolero added.

From its historic Purefoods name, the franchise already underwent several facelifts as it carried names such as B-Meg Derby Ace, San Mig Coffee and Star in the past as well.

While the Hotshots made the semifinals in each of the three conferences last season, they failed to get over the hump and return to the big stage.

“We trust that the team’s winning culture will further bolster Magnolia Chicken as a brand, not only to its existing market, but also other untapped and less developed markets as well through

named after the late amiable Crispa Redmanizers’ team owner Danny Floro—in four years for Ang after likewise being honored with the same distinction in 2014 when the Star Hotshots—now known as Magnolia Hotshots—won the league’s last grand slam under coach Tim Cone.

Notable Executive of the Year honorees in the past include TNT Katropa team owner Manny V. Pangilinan, Alaska counterpart Wilfred Uytengsu, Rain or Shine co-team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que, among others.

Ang is expected to share the limelight with the winner of the Coach of the Year award being held in honor of the late great mentor Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan.

Others to be honored during the program are Kelly Williams (William ‘Bogs’ Adornado Comeback Player of the Year), Chris Ross (Mighty Sports Defensive Player of the Year), and Jio Jalalon (Mr. Quality Minutes).

A first-time award to be given is the Game of the Season, which goes to the Governors’ Cup duel between Barangay Ginebra and Star.

Ian Andrew of Indonesia

THAI Pasavee Lertvilai and Ian Andrew of Indonesia try to end a string of heartbreak finishes on the Philippine Golf Tour Asia as they head 41 other foreign aces seeking an end to the locals’ domination in the CAT (Central Azucarera de Tarlac) Open beginning tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Luisita Golf and Country Club in Tarlac.

Lertvilai blew his first crack at the PGTA crown with a playoff loss to unfancied Rene Menor at Splendido last September and lost steam in a final round duel with Zanieboy Gialon and Justin Quiban at Wack Wack two weeks ago, settling for joint third in the fourth leg of the region’s newest circuit ruled by Tony Lascuña.

Andrew, on the other hand, slugged it out with the country’s top shotmakers Miguel Tabuena and Angelo Que for three days, only to fade in the final day and finish third in the PGTA kickoff leg at Manila Southwoods last August.

But they, along with the likes of WIsut Artjanawat, Americans James Bowen, Paul Harris and Lexus Keoninh, and Aussies Andrew Campbell, Rick Coleman and Daniel Morgan, exude confidence heading to this week’s $100,000 event, ready to challenge the local aces in the 72-hole championship sponsored by ICTSI. But they will be as much tested as the Filipino bets with Lascuña hoping to ride the momentum of his recent victory, 2017 PGT Order of Merit winner Clyde Mondilla out to rebound from an abbreviated campaign at Wack Wack and a slew of others all primed up for a shot at the $17,500 top purse in the event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments Inc. More than length, emphasis will be on accuracy and short game with the tight Luisita layout expected to challenge the field’s patience and mental toughness with the water hazards coming into play in all 12 holes, in-

cluding the signature No. 17.

A select group of pros will test the par-72 course one last time in today’s (Tuesday) pro-am tournament where they will be paired with the amateurs and guests of the event’s chief backers, including Custom Clubmakers, Meralco, Champion, Summit Mineral Water, K&G Golf Apparel, BDO, Sharp, KZG, PLDT and M.Y. Shokai Technology, Inc. Ninety-nine players from 17 countries are entered in the event capping the PGTA five-leg calendar for the year with a number of elite events being lined up for next year, including the Solaire Philippine Open in March.

Other local players tipped to contend are Zanieboy Gialon, Jay Bayron, Elmer Salvador, Michael Bibat and Jhonnel Ababa along with Jobim Carlos, Ira Alido, Keanu Jahns and Quiban, who is due for a big win after a series of top five finishes.

Nazareth School crowned Rebisco volley champ NAZARETH School of National University recovered strong from a second set defeat by dominating the next two as it walloped De La Salle Lipa, 2523, 24-26, 25-14, 25-12, to capture the first 18-and-under Rebisco Volleyball League crown at the Sta. Rosa MultiPurpose Sports Complex in Laguna late Sunday.

Stung by their only set loss in the entire tournament, the NSNU girls showed their true might in the next two, banging in hits virtually from all angles while foiling their rivals’ attacks with solid net defense and superb court coverage.

Faith Nisperos lived up to her billing, leading NSNU’s offense with crisp attacks while ace setter Joyme Cagande kept the team’s offense going

all throughout as the Lady Bullpups completed their domination of the weeklong event sponsored by Rebisco and organized by Metropolitan Sports and Events Group, Inc. headed by Freddie Infante.

On its way to the championship, NSNU swept the Pool A elims, including title contender Hope Christian High School, then ripped host Holy Rosary College, also in three, in the crossover semifinals of the event backed by Mikasa and Asics which drew 12 of the top high school squads in the NCR, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The victory also augured well for NSNU’s title bid in the UAAP girls volleyball against fancied UST. Nisperos also went on to bag the MVP

honors with teammates Ivy Lacsina and Alyssa Solomon copping the first Best Middle Blocker and first Best Outside Attacker trophies. Other awardees were HCS’s Ethan Arce (second Best Middle Blocker), and De La Salle-Lipa’s Mary Bautista (second Best Outside Attacker), Alleiah Malaluan (Best Opposite Attacker), Janel Maraguinot (Best Setter), and Reign Lumbera (Best Libero).

Meanwhile, HRC wore down HCHS in a thrilling five-setter, carving out a 14-25, 25-22, 25-27, 25-19, 20-18 decision to clinch third place honors.

Trisha Mae Genesis atoned for a couple of lackluster games with a 28-hit explosion, including a left-handed drop shot that clinched the hard-earned victory for the host squad.

Ivy Lacsima (16) and Joyme Cagande (6) underscore Nazareth School of National U’s solid blocking as they foil De La Salle-Lipa’s Jamie Frago during their title clash for the first Rebisco Volleyball League crown in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Puregold gets SEC clearance to merge

B2

Business

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

CAB eyes strong ‘18 air travel growth

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monday, November 27, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency Unit US Dollar Peso

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE Civil Aeronautics Board said it expects domestic air travel to grow at double digits next year despite the lack of aviation infrastructure.

“We continue to grow we are the fastest growing in Southeast Asia now, despite the infrastructure limitations. We have been [growing at] double digits for many years,” CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said.

Arcilla attributed the growth to the airports being developed outside Metro Manila and the increase in the number of domestic tourists.

Data from CAB showed that domestic passenger traffic went up 12.8 percent to 12.79 million in January to June from 12.26 million passengers in the same period last year.

Cebu Pacific remained the country’s largest domestic airline, carrying total passengers of 6.14 million in the first semester, lower by 4.6 percent than last year’s 6.44 million passengers.

This was followed by PAL Express with total passenger traffic of 3.35 million, up by 36.7 percent from last year’s 2.45 million passengers.

Philippines Air Asia Inc. came third with 1.5 million passengers, higher by 18.65 percent than last year’s 1.34 million passengers.

CEBGo, the subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, posted a 24.8-percent increase in passenger traffic to 907,297 passengers from last year’s 727,000 passengers.

Philippine Airlines carried 554,835 passengers, down 51.4 percent from last year’s 1.14 million passengers.

Other airlines―AirSwift Transport Inc., Magnum Air and Air Juan Aviation―flew 93,611 passengers, 136,396 passengers and 8,893 passengers, respectively.

B1

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

CITYMALL OPENS LOCAL STORES.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (fifth from right) together with DoubleDragon chief executive Edgar “Injap” Sia (fourth from right) and president Ferdinand Sia (sixth from right) lead the inaugural launch of 22 Go Lokal! Stores nationwide, with the ceremonial launch conducted in CityMall Imus, Cavite. CityMall is the fifth mall partner of Go Lokal! that will feature world-class products of Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises in high-foot traffic areas free of charge.

United States Dollar

1.000000

50.6850

Japan

Yen

0.008980

0.4552

UK

Pound

1.334000

67.6138

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128075

6.4915

Switzerland

Franc

1.021242

51.7617

Canada

Dollar

0.787154

39.8969

Singapore

Dollar

0.743163

37.6672

Australia

Dollar

0.761700

38.6068

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653224

134.4787

Saudi Arabia Rial

0.266652

13.5153

0.740412

Brunei

Dollar

Indonesia

Rupiah 0.000074

0.0038

Thailand

Baht

1.5510

UAE

Dirham 0.272301

13.8016

Euro

Euro

1.194500

60.5432

Korea

Won

0.000923

0.0468

China

Yuan

0.151451

7.6763

India

Rupee

0.015463

0.7837

Malaysia

Ringgit 0.242984

0.030600

37.5278

12.3156

New Zealand Dollar

0.687500

34.8459

Taiwan

0.033358

1.6908

Dollar

Source: PDS Bridge

SMDC spending P39b in 2018

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

M Development Corp., the residential development unit of property developer SM Prime Holdings Inc., is spending a record P39.2 billion in capital expenditures for 2018, as it remains aggressive with launches and expansion outside Metro Manila.

SMDC’s planned 2018 spending represents more than double the P17.2-billion capital expenditures it earmarked for 2017, based on investors’ presentation.

SM Prime said SMDC

also planned to launch 15,000 to 18,000 units in 2018, about the same pace as in 2017.

The residential group earlier said it planned to accelerate project launches

from the current average of 15,000 to 18,000 units to 30,000 units annually, over the next couple of years, after it venture into affordable hosing projects.

The group said while project launches would accelerate, the sales value of affordable housing units would be lower than condominium units being sold in Metro Manila.

The group has also been acquiring properties in the provincial areas and secondary cities to support the

planned expansion.

SMDC has a land bank of 464.54 hectares, including more than 397 hectares outside Metro Manila and 67 hectares within Metro Manila. The current land bank is enough to keep the company busy over the next five years, it said.

SMDC is to break ground this week for its first community development in Marilao, Bulacan called Cheer Residences.

SMDC, which accounts for 32 percent of SM

Prime’s consolidated revenues, booked a 10-percent growth in sales in the first nine months to P20.5 billion from P18.66 billion a year ago.

Reservation sales in the nine-month period increased 18 percent to P42.08 billion from P35.52 billion, while unit sales went up 3 percent to 12,963 units from 12,579 units in the same period last year.

The group also has 2,789 ready-for-occupancy units.

The property firm earlier

552-MW Mindanao coal facility to open next year

ABS-CBN expanding broadband business

By Alena Mae S. Flores arm of the Ayala Group AC ENERGY Holdings Inc. said subsidiary GN Power Kauswagan Ltd. Co. is on track to complete a 552-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Kauswagan, Lanao del Norte next year.

AC Energy president and chief executive John Eric Francia said the project reflected the company’s commitment to help address the increasing power demand in Mindanao.

“AC Energy believes in the strong economic potential of Mindanao. GNPK offers low cost and dependable power to the region, which will help unlock its potential,” Francia said.

GNPK is a subsidiary of AC Energy, the power

IN BRIEF PH firms adopt inclusive business A NUMBER of Filipino companies expressed interest to adopt the inclusive business model that the Board of Investments and Trade Department are pushing under the Investment Priorities Plan 2017.

A study jointly conducted by BoI, the United Nations Development Programme and Istanbul International Center for Private Sector in Development showed that Philippine companies were now ready to embrace inclusive business.

“There are companies doing IB now but they are not aware of it. We are now on the process of working with the companies,” said BoI assistant secretary Felicitas Agoncillo-Reyes.

The country has a number of emerging IB models in agriculture, tourism, health and education, but many of these companies are not aware that they are already undertaking IB practices.

Social enterprises showed the highest levels of inclusiveness with the highest scores in all entry points, followed by large national companies, multinational corporations and small and medium enterprises.

Based on the definition of G20 Inclusive Business Framework, Inclusive Business is a “private sector’s approach to providing goods, services and livelihoods on a commercially viable basis, either at scale or scalable to people living at the base of the economic pyramid, making them part of the value chain of companies’ core business as suppliers, distributors, retailers or customers.” Othel V. Campos

Privatization office remits P500m THE Privatization and Management Office remitted more than half-a-billion pesos to the Bureau of the Treasury in the first nine months.

PMO said in a report to the Finance Department the disposition of state properties for privatization along with cash dividends and other forms of revenue raised from still unsold government assets generated P554.442 million in January to September.

in partnership with Power Partners and the Philippine Investment Alliance for Infrastructure Fund.

The 552-MW plant will operate as a baseload plant to support the region’s power demand and contribute to the economic development of Mindanao.

GNPK is expected to deliver power to the Mindanao grid next year and signed a memorandum of agreement with Silangan Mindanao Mining Co. Inc. for a 55-MW power purchase service agreement to provide the power requirements of Silangan copper and gold mining project in Surigao del Nort for the next 12 years.

Gerard Chan, the acting chief privatization officer, reported to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that PMO remitted the amount to the Bureau of Treasury as of Sept. 30, 2017, exclusive of authorized retention amounts of P22.8 million.

PMO turned over to the Bureau of the Treasury P289,485,684.91 on Oct. 19. “This is the biggest amount remitted by PMO so far from January-September 2017 collection, which came from the sale of shares in Asean Finance Corp. and special cash dividend from Semirara Mining Corp.,” Chan said.

Besides the proceeds from the sale, PMO remittances in January to September also came from the proceeds of lease, CARP-covered landholdings, interest income and other disposition. Julito G. Rada

BCDA gives P4.8b to armed forces STATE-RUN Bases Conversion and Development Authority said its contribution to the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization program in 2017 tripled to P4.8 billion, the highest amount in 10 years.

The amount represents a 300-percent increase from the average annual contribution of P1.5 billion since 2006 to 2015. It also doubled from the 2015 remittance of P2.2 billion.

BCDA raised a total of P36.6 billion for the AFP modernization program which is allocated for the purchase of military equipment to ensure sustained capability upgrade of the Armed Forces.

It said of the amount, P25.2 billion accounted for the AFP share while P11.4 billion was for the replication of military facilities such as housing units, hospitals, churches and museums.

This is in line with the agency’s mandate to strengthen the Armed Forces while building great cities.

BCDA said that since its creation in 1992, it contributed to strengthening and enhancing the capabilities of the AFP through the disposition and development of former military bases into productive civilian use, which now serve as the country’s economic hubs like the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City and Newport City in Pasay City. Othel V. Campos

announced it would diversify into provincial areas and begin offering affordable house and lots to address the huge housing backlog in the country.

The company initially acquired properties in Metro Manila’s nearby provinces like Bulacan and Cavite for the planned diversification.

It also plans to launch projects in Davao, Cebu, Iloilo and other areas in Visayas and Mindanao where there the SM shopping malls.

INTERNATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR. Philippines’ franchise ambassadress and ‘mother of Philippine franchising’ Ma. Alegria Sibal Limjoco (second from right) receives the prestigious International Women Entrepreneurs Challenge 2017 award from Princess Noor of Jordan (second from left), retired US Ambassador Ruth Davies (center) and IWEC chairperson Nancy Ploeger (right) at the 10th Annual IWEC Conference at Microsoft main office in Washington, USA. Limjoco, president of Central Banks and director of Phoenix Publishing, is the chairman for membership of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a twoterm president and currently the vice chairman of the Philippine Franchise Association and a three term president and the vice chair of the Philippine Retailers Association.

Over 20 solar firms offer output to Meralco

MANILA Electric Co. said it received offers from over 20 solar power developers to supply the power retailer with renewable energy.

“We’re looking at renewables, but renewables that will be beneficial, not only in terms of environmental performance, but will be beneficial in terms of being within our blended generation. We don’t want to go into this and push our generation charge. They have to be able to support our drive to keep generation charge low,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes said.

Meralco is the country’s biggest power distributor with over six million customers in its franchise area.

It sources its power require-

ments from power supply agreements, independent power producers and the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

“There are many interested. I think we’ve received 20 proposals, or more than, since over the last, shall we say, 18 months. The price points are different,” Reyes said.

Reyes challenged the power suppliers to be more price competitive and efficient. Meralco recently received and accepted the P2.99 per kilowatt-hour offer of Solar Philippines for 85 megawatts of capacity.

“So we’re challenging them [power generators] to try to have more cost efficient and competitive proposals. They in turn have

to lean on their vendors and suppliers in order to bring the price down,” he said.

Reyes earlier announced that Meralco was eyeing an additional 50 MW to 100 MW of solar capacity from power generators to boost its generation portfolio.

“We’ll see if it can still accommodate 50 MW to 100 MW more and then we will take a look at the impact on the grid on certain circuits, if there’s capacity to do more at the right price that’s beneficial to our overall generation charge,” Reyes said.

Meralco so far signed up 185 MW of solar capacity from two suppliers includoing Solar Philippines and PowerSource First Bulacan Solar Inc. Alena Mae S. Flores

THE cable unit of ABSCBN Corp. is optimistic about its broadband business amid the growing demand from its subscribers.

“If you actually look at the requirements of the Philippines, there is a lot of opportunity for a broadband service. That’s why we think, the reason why our broadband service from Sky Cable is growing because there is really a need for a broadband service and this is an area we can be competitive in terms of pricing.

Not the type we would lose in terms of pricing because we have the infrastructure for the broadband service,” ABS-CBN chief financial officer Aldrin Cerrado said.

“I did mention that our homes passed for broadband is about a million.

And you’ve seen the total number of subscribers we have. In terms of opportunity, there is still about 750,000 homes that our infrastructure can service but they haven’t converted into Sky Broadband. Even say a 35-percent penetration of those household, would definitely increase subscriber base by about 100,000 immediately and 100,000 is almost 50-percent increase,” he said.

Sky Cable Corp.’s total subscribers hit 1.3 million as of end-September, up 23.9 percent from last year.

SkyCable’s net income amounted to P75 million in the first nine months of the year, up by 8.7 percent from 69 million in the same period last year.

Revenues rose by 6.86 percent to P6.85 billon in the January to September period from P6.41 billion last year.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Stocks end flat; Meralco dips

T

HE stock market closed nearly flat Monday on consolidation, ignoring another strong lead from Wall Street over the weekend, where the S&P 500 and Nasdaq chalked up fresh records on expectations of strong sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index fell 3.42 points, or 0.04 percent, to 8,361.69 on a value turnover of P6.3 billion. Losers beat gainers, 102 to 96, with 46 issues unchanged.

Manila Electric Co., the biggest retailer of electricity, dropped P2, or 0.6 percent, to P317 on profit-taking, while SM Investments Corp. of retail tycoon Henry Sy Sr.,

lost 1.4 percent to P970. Manila Water Co. Inc., which distributes water in the western zone of Metro Manila, declined 2.6 percent to P28.05.

Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc., a major cement producer, rallied 8.8 percent to P4.47 The rest of Asian markets fell Monday after last week’s volatility, but the euro held on to gains thanks to healthy economic data and hopes that German Chancellor Angela Merkel is close to forming a government.

With little to drive buying on Monday, Asian profit-takers sold up, with eyes on the release of key data in major economies this week—from China to the United States.

Shanghai slipped almost one percent, with dealers still on edge after Thursday’s sharp losses fueled by concerns about a crackdown on speculative trading.

Hong Kong was down 0.6 percent, while Tokyo closed 0.2 percent lower. Seoul shed

1.4 percent, dragged down by Samsung Electronics’ more than five percent slump in response to Morgan Stanley’s decision to cut its price recommendation for the firm.

Singapore lost 0.2 percent and Taipei retreated one percent, but Sydney edged up 0.1 percent while Wellington put on 0.6 percent.

In currency trading the euro stood firm against the dollar, after surging on Friday in reaction to healthy economic data. A gauge of the German business climate hit an alltime high in November despite political uncertainty.

There are also hopes Merkel can hammer out a deal to form a new government for Europe’s biggest economy.

The Social Democrats said they were ready to hold talks with the chancellor, who is facing pressure to reach an agreement to end weeks of turmoil.

The euro plunged last week after talks to

form a new government with the pro-business Free Democrats and the left-leaning Greens broke down, raising the prospect of fresh elections.

Adding to the upbeat euro sentiment were last week’s dovish Federal Reserve minutes that have led some traders to lower their expectations on the pace of US interest rate rises, while the European Central Bank is looking more bullish.

“Too many positive developments to ignore suggests the market will set sights on the $1.2000 level,” Stephen Innes, head of Asia-Pacific trading at OANDA, said in a commentary.

“The market continues to underprice the ECB risk, but with the recent string of uproarious EU economic data, surely this will be too difficult for the ECB to ignore, and at minimum moderate their ‘lower for longer’ stance in spite of inflation undershooting expectations.” With AFP

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW MONDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.4 16,000 59.75 21,200 103.2 1,090,800 3.8 2,000 144.7 1,190,880 2.48 11,948,000 33.3 130,300 15.5 60,500 34.95 1,704,100 1.73 3,000 0.58 1,805,000 93.9 1,296,060 0.82 577,000 12 2,400 24.1 200 56.5 52,710 240 1,950 99 50 89.5 10 56.25 174,970 251.4 196,010 1,880 130 87.15 24,650 1.27 51,000

54,600 1,257,158.50 111,845,435 7,690 172,168,538 28,360,600 4,344,480 941,472 60,020,455 5,190 1,050,630 122,108,868 473,330 28,800 4,820 2,982,915.50 467,236 4,950 895 10,152,489.50 49,265,186 244,650 2,146,784.50 64,690

988,205 -18,015,464 -56,569,778 -82,780 6,680 20,997,180.00 -11,800 41,095,495 -2,430 15,600 265,112 2,367,725.50 -32,226,892 56,400 -606,085 -

39.9 12.2 0.71 1.32 17 0.219 113.9 4.12 15.26 40.65 20.5 63 63 1.98 5.46 11.1 10.66 14.72 10.94 7.21 5.73 17.04 61.45 23.5 11.8 18.84 2.06 253.6 60 4.03 3.51 20.95 28.05 17.98 18.04 315.4 0.199 8.02 2.42 6.1 9.16 7.2 9.2 1.56 11.9 58 6.42 525 4.78 4.5 1.95 12.82 6.52 0.138 1.15 134 3.17 1.93 0.61

INDUSTRIAL 40.1 1,253,600 12.2 1,121,500 0.72 181,000 1.32 499,000 17.4 3,300 0.22 880,000 114 150 4.47 37,285,000 15.3 44,000 42.4 824,500 20.6 5,100 64 89,350 63 130 2.03 2,930,000 5.56 35,500 11.1 400 10.66 3,859,300 14.76 140,500 10.94 124,000 7.25 348,300 5.73 6,821,100 17.3 3,893,500 61.65 72,350 23.6 235,500 11.9 25,200 19.1 414,000 2.36 22,829,000 254 551,030 60 80 4.03 87,000 3.6 19,000 21.65 8,500 28.05 2,492,900 18 632,800 18.1 1,400,000 317 1,901,990 0.2 670,000 8.5 141,900 2.46 494,000 6.29 142,300 9.22 5,003,400 7.8 760,200 9.31 19,000 1.57 289,000 12.1 205,500 58.05 9,500 6.9 200 528 32,020 4.97 262,500 4.5 36,000 1.96 706,000 12.9 324,200 6.8 768,500 0.138 130,000 1.15 160,000 135 1,285,990 3.17 3,000 1.95 8,615,000 0.63 530,000

50,246,710 13,806,886 129,140 663,970 56,630 193,920 17,090 161,123,320 672,444 34,066,510 104,860 5,717,400 8,195 5,955,530 196,094 4,480 41,391,658 2,073,884 1,363,694 2,519,707 39,239,207 66,521,014 4,456,748.50 5,609,785 299,140 7,910,710 52,038,860 140,155,496 4,800 350,970 67,570 178,260 70,469,960 11,395,912 25,405,084 605,747,988 133,480 1,198,007 1,214,160 873,249 46,139,862 5,731,918 176,836 452,950 2,471,484 553,262.50 1,332 17,004,540 1,281,523 162,000 1,390,670 4,181,278 5,226,014 17,940 184,450 173,529,371 9,510 16,868,740 327,330

-26,826,845 -231,742 92,600 -7,446,810 -19,936 -5,284,500 767,000 2,288,520 8,810,048 501,978 -478,152 1,077,541 -28,668,083 57,792,096.00 -1,524,973 -16,680 0 3,720,174 -1,397,930 21,009,928 -10,294,615 3,903,184.00 -2,870,680 304,315,844 20,000 -984,270 65,142 13,516,161 -11,193 -74,480 -194,956 -189,491.50 4,647,295 -13,500 -985,790 3,852,204 108,710 23,000 -63,326,695 9,700 -

0.33 72.55 15.7 1.03 7 0.37 0.375 1,032 7.71 15.1 7.99 0.198 1,200 72.1 5.1 0.65 5.65 19 6.69 3.31 0.047 1.26 2.06 113.4 2.87 982 1.95 190 286.8 0.23 0.184 0.19

0.315 68.9 15.36 1.03 7 0.365 0.365 1,016 7.42 14.62 7.9 0.185 1,180 70.75 5.1 0.61 5.5 18.9 6.59 3.31 0.046 1.11 2.06 112 2.85 955 1.76 190 280.2 0.23 0.18 0.185

HOLDING FIRMS 0.33 240,000 72.55 583,060 15.7 4,665,900 1.03 1,000 7 60,400 0.37 2,120,000 0.365 70,000 1,030 154,790 7.45 7,073,200 15.1 982,600 7.98 134,900 0.185 230,000 1,200 89,520 72 840,930 5.1 8,000 0.63 1,644,000 5.5 53,600 19 2,130,300 6.69 8,265,100 3.31 10,000 0.047 16,600,000 1.23 886,000 2.06 521,000 112.6 532,210 2.85 58,000 970 261,210 1.77 24,973,000 190 100 286 3,460 0.23 250,000 0.18 1,010,000 0.185 600,000

76,900 41,431,794.50 72,198,118 1,030 422,800 782,700 25,750 158,486,625 52,711,216 14,755,852 1,076,503 42,680 106,638,105 60,079,435.50 40,800 1,025,270 298,517 40,433,122 54,770,594 33,100 767,800 1,057,140 1,073,260 59,945,268 165,460 251,623,370 46,214,710 19,000 976,320 57,500 182,350 113,280

-16,654,161.50 -32,921,718 -22,034,215 -7,603,623 -4,848,926 40,700 14,419,675 -8,798,743.50 158,839 11,533,112 11,863,981 9,200 74,040 -206,000 9,176,358 -70,472,645 3,500,940 -96,136 -

5.7 0.95 10.2 2.4 0.94 44.55 3.7 4.72 5.35 0.48 1.12 1.21 0.223 0.485 37.95 0.68 0.138 1.83 1.51 0.78 5.6

5.59 0.92 10.1 2.34 0.88 43.65 3.66 4.65 5.34 0.47 1.12 1.14 0.212 0.46 37 0.67 0.138 1.77 1.49 0.77 5.46

1,224,849 2,824,000 21,310 307,370 7,637,590 302,015,570 725,130 7,853,870 20,307 4,869,400 15,680 137,650 9,726,120 104,100 17,501,060 128,980 13,800 15,933,250 4,728,660 319,520 64,568,807

-288,285 8,800 34,637,030 -437,810 -18,880 18,450 -63,500 43,400 843,815 700 -13,800 -8,007,380 -82,400 -13,950,485

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

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

3.42 59.8 103.5 3.89 145.1 2.05 33.5 15.7 35.8 1.73 0.58 95 0.83 12 24.1 56.65 238 99 89.5 59.05 254.4 1,885 86.95 1.25

3.42 59.8 103.5 3.89 145.5 2.51 33.5 15.78 35.8 1.73 0.59 95 0.83 12 24.1 57 240.4 99 89.5 59.2 254.4 1,885 87.3 1.29

3.4 57.7 100.2 3.8 143.9 2.05 33.3 15.5 34.95 1.73 0.58 93.8 0.81 12 24.1 56.5 238 99 89.5 56.25 250.6 1,880 86.9 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 LIBERTY FLOUR LMG CHEMICALS MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG 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

40.5 12.4 0.71 1.34 17.46 0.22 113.9 4.12 15.32 40.65 20.5 63 63.1 2.06 5.46 11.5 10.8 14.8 11.2 7.23 5.78 17.1 61.5 24.5 11.9 19.2 2.06 258.2 60 4.06 3.58 20.95 28.9 18.12 18.44 318.2 0.2 8.49 2.5 6.15 9.16 7.6 9.32 1.58 12 58.55 6.42 534 5 4.5 1.95 12.9 6.98 0.138 1.18 137.1 3.17 1.95 0.61

40.5 12.5 0.72 1.34 17.46 0.221 114 4.5 15.36 42.4 20.6 65 63.1 2.1 5.56 11.5 10.88 14.8 11.2 7.25 5.78 17.3 61.9 24.5 11.9 19.4 2.4 258.2 60 4.06 3.6 21.65 28.9 18.2 18.44 322.8 0.2 8.55 2.5 6.48 9.37 7.87 9.32 1.58 12.12 59 6.9 545 5 4.5 2.01 12.98 6.98 0.138 1.18 137.1 3.17 1.98 0.64

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

0.33 69.95 15.54 1.03 7 0.37 0.375 1,018 7.57 15 7.99 0.198 1,194 71 5.1 0.65 5.65 18.98 6.62 3.31 0.047 1.14 2.06 113 2.85 982 1.79 190 283 0.23 0.184 0.19

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

5.7 0.95 10.1 2.36 0.94 44.5 3.66 4.72 5.34 0.475 1.12 1.2 0.212 0.46 37.95 0.68 0.138 1.82 1.5 0.78 5.6

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

CLOSE

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

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

0.435 0.38 0.56 6.71 21.5 2.09 3.19 36 1.03 7.49 0.83 6.1

0.44 0.38 0.56 6.71 21.95 2.35 3.2 36.8 1.03 7.49 0.87 6.1

0.415 0.37 0.53 6.22 21 2.07 3.19 35.6 1.01 7.49 0.83 5.92

0.425 0.38 0.55 6.32 21.85 2.34 3.2 36.8 1.03 7.49 0.87 6

246,630,000 660,000 5,757,000 5,534,200 4,343,800 12,160,000 57,000 6,775,000 262,000 1,000 5,000 2,353,300

106,207,250 248,950 3,145,910 35,471,602 94,031,565 27,187,900 182,370 245,344,005 267,140 7,490 4,230 14,100,251

579,500 -45,000 -530 -1,917,247 -19,736,925 -348,430 4,954,165 -839,752

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL ASIAN TERMINALS BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR CHELSEA DFNN INC DISCOVERY WORLD FAR EASTERN U 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 PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRANSPACIFIC BR TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT WILCON DEPOT

16.9 36.15 1.36 0.47 0.047 11.02 10.14 0.08 100.5 8.85 9.02 7.06 3.19 960 1,799 5.9 17.58 3.97 2.34 106.5 8.35 0.147 1.37 3.09 15.12 3.63 1.22 22.3 0.52 3.65 6.76 3.97 16 3.11 11.1 4.95 150 8.88 1,617 1.3 48.05 96 6 3.23 1.72 1.92 3.75 0.96 8.15

17 36.7 1.4 0.47 0.047 12 10.32 0.082 100.5 8.85 9.05 7.1 3.31 960 1,816 5.9 17.58 4.23 2.34 107.1 8.37 0.148 1.37 3.18 15.7 3.69 1.22 22.45 0.52 4 7.12 3.97 16 3.16 11.1 4.95 151 8.93 1,619 1.31 49.3 97 6.24 3.27 1.8 1.92 3.75 1 8.32

16.7 36.15 1.36 0.465 0.046 11.02 10.14 0.078 99 8.85 8.64 7.06 2.72 960 1,783 5.76 17.58 3.65 2.3 103.5 8.3 0.145 1.37 3.03 15.12 3.62 1.18 21.6 0.52 3.62 6.75 3.9 16 3.01 11.1 4.95 145 8.67 1,550 1.29 48.05 92 5.85 3.15 1.7 1.92 3.69 0.96 8.15

SERVICES 16.78 36.4 1.37 0.47 0.046 12 10.16 0.079 99.8 8.85 9.05 7.1 3 960 1,800 5.85 17.58 4.12 2.31 107.1 8.37 0.147 1.37 3.18 15.7 3.69 1.19 21.9 0.52 3.62 7.1 3.91 16 3.04 11.1 4.95 145 8.88 1,570 1.3 49.2 97 5.86 3.21 1.78 1.92 3.69 0.98 8.2

15,200 16,700 130,000 1,470,000 53,200,000 3,200 4,941,900 49,950,000 172,200 1,000 5,572,500 30,300 485,000 260 108,715 393,700 1,100 48,782,000 42,000 342,400 310,000 2,060,000 28,000 98,000 1,800 321,000 568,000 1,444,900 121,000 4,136,000 24,193,700 322,000 600 19,602,000 1,000 9,000 10,740 1,222,800 136,020 3,091,000 406,800 573,290 160,300 1,153,000 12,598,000 4,000 358,000 4,698,000 4,751,700

255,302 608,850 179,980 690,850 2,472,800 36,882 50,447,332 3,996,420 17,197,968 8,850 49,595,348 214,018 1,474,480 249,600 194,719,520 2,283,666 19,338 191,734,240 97,040 36,009,599 2,588,784 302,860 38,360 298,950 28,028 1,167,670 672,620 31,701,410 62,920 15,690,880 171,434,998 1,258,290 9,600 60,536,800 11,100 44,550 1,584,893 10,728,366 213,739,010 4,028,450 19,969,240 54,834,991.50 963,380 3,666,440 22,244,050 7,680 1,329,420 4,595,470 39,094,104

36,180 145,600 13,195,932 6,312,549 9,128,309 -42,518,345 -683,020 -17,857,539 51,450 62,050 59,500 336,360 -27,550 132,464,663 566,410 -542,630 -923,963 -62,782,845 -305,650 -1,517,105 2,468,962.50 459,713 -771,660 3,250,500 583,460 -12,520 13,731,489

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

0.0023 1.66 4.81 1.7 1.95 1.6 0.355 2.88 0.237 0.15 0.151 0.01 0.011 1.77 6.59 1.52 0.45 0.91 0.012 0.012 0.011 2.1 6.88 10.32 36.5 0.007

0.0023 1.68 4.9 1.7 2 1.64 0.36 2.88 0.237 0.151 0.152 0.01 0.011 1.83 6.59 1.52 0.46 0.91 0.012 0.012 0.012 2.15 6.88 10.68 38 0.007

0.0023 1.65 4.8 1.7 1.7 1.6 0.355 2.8 0.236 0.15 0.15 0.01 0.011 1.77 6.5 1.48 0.45 0.88 0.012 0.012 0.011 1.88 6.71 10.2 36.4 0.007

MINING & OIL 0.0023 90,000,000 1.66 5,289,000 4.82 290,000 1.7 22,000 1.85 78,000 1.62 1,806,000 0.36 900,000 2.84 2,776,000 0.237 30,000 0.151 1,130,000 0.15 23,590,000 0.01 10,300,000 0.011 2,600,000 1.8 578,000 6.5 2,534,300 1.52 14,000 0.46 140,000 0.9 153,000 0.012 300,000 0.012 300,000 0.011 218,900,000 2.15 140,000 6.71 762,000 10.38 5,837,400 38 570,900 0.007 2,000,000

207,000 8,797,350 1,393,660 37,400 140,490 2,934,110 322,000 7,856,590 7,100 170,090 3,557,480 103,000 28,600 1,037,160 16,528,382 21,240 64,300 137,400 3,600 3,600 2,457,900 284,000 5,167,528 60,509,466 21,137,345 14,000

-14,500 66,600 94,200 -13,590 -3,066,038 15,200 -1,291,373 280,168 -8,754,035 -

ABS HLDG PDR AC PREF B2 DD PREF GLO PREF P GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B LR PREF MWIDE PREF PNX PREF 3A SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

36.55 520.5 104.6 539 5.4 1,040 1.08 109.4 103 77.5 81.3 78.95 79.5 81.5

36.55 535 106 539.5 5.44 1,040 1.08 109.5 104 77.5 82 79 79.5 81.5

36.5 520 104.6 537 5.4 1,040 1.08 109.4 103 77 81.25 78.95 79.5 81.5

PREFERRED 36.5 500 531 1,190 106 6,450 537 740 5.42 318,900 1,040 5 1.08 2,000 109.5 3,200 104 4,500 77 1,960 82 6,520 79 12,610 79.5 29,150 81.5 7,000

18,270 621,800 682,420 398,780 1,726,356 5,200 2,160 350,390 465,500 150,925 529,963.50 995,760 2,317,425 570,500

-1,445,556 -

LR WARRANT

2.25

2.29

2.24

WARRANTS 2.27 268,000

602,420

-

ITALPINAS MAKATI FINANCE PHILAB HLDG XURPAS

11.66 2.9 3.3 3.88

12.1 2.9 3.45 3.89

11 2.9 3.2 3.71

11.8 2.9 3.42 3.89

18,288,016 2,900 399,680 6,720,400

154,272 230,330

FIRST METRO ETF

126.6

126.6

125.6

471,887

-

35,000

-

MS

PROPERTY 5.64 0.92 10.2 2.4 0.91 44 3.66 4.68 5.35 0.47 1.12 1.15 0.221 0.47 37 0.68 0.138 1.78 1.5 0.77 5.5

217,600 3,034,000 2,100 131,000 8,534,000 6,873,900 197,000 1,676,000 3,800 10,300,000 14,000 119,000 44,520,000 220,000 470,500 191,000 100,000 8,908,000 3,152,000 413,000 11,785,300

USD DMPL A1

10

10

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

24,992,530

INDUSTRIAL

111,795,180

HOLDING FIRMS

75,204,120

PROPERTY

391,780,775

SERVICES

255,211,753

MINING & OIL

372,054,649

GRAND TOTAL

1,234,521,542

10

SME

1,577,700 1,000 122,000 1,772,000

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 125.6 3,750 10

DDS

3,500

VALUE 2,090.42 (DOWN) 16.98 1,062,577,288.71 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 10,852.98 (DOWN) 114.35 1,655,679,050.94 HOLDING FIRMS 8,515.18 (UP) 22.91 972,751,985.45 PROPERTY 3,930.18 (UP) 10.98 1,633.82 (UP) 3.24 1,212,822,163.695 SERVICES MINING & OIL 12,142.24 (UP) 169.74 1,283,010,581.762 PSEI 8,361.69 (DOWN) 3.42 132,955,323.835 All Shares Index 4,888.32 (DOWN0 0.80 6,345,701,912.94 Gainers: 96; Losers: 102; Unchanged: 46; Total: 244

Puregold gets SEC clearance to merge

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission approved the merger of Puregold Price Club Inc. with three grocery companies it recently acquired.

Puregold said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Monday the SEC cleared the merger with Daily Commodities Inc., First Lane Super Traders Co. Inc. and Goldtempo Company Inc. Puregold is the surviving entity.

The three grocery firms own 17 stores, mostly located in Cabanatuan City and the provinces of Rizal, Bulacan and Aurora.

Puregold said it would soon rebrand and convert the 17 stores into Puregold outlets.

“The company intends to consolidate all stores catering to the same market group into one company.

The company expects better inventory management, efficient cash management and simplified reporting to government agencies as a result of this merger,” Puregold said.

Puregold reported a net income of P3.9 billion in the first three quarters of 2017, up seven percent from P3.64 billion recorded year-on-year.

Puregold’s consolidated net sales increased 11 percent to P87.6 billion in the first nine months of 2017 due to the strong consumer demand from its existing Puregold, S&R Membership warehouse clubs and S&R New York Style Pizza stores.

UBP opts to increase notes offer to $500m

By Julito G. Rada UNION Bank of the Philippines, the 10th largest lender in terms of assets, said Monday it increased the size of its senior notes due 2022 by $100 million from $400 million to $500 million on strong demand from foreign investors.

The notes are issued under Union Bank’s medium term note program, which was established on Nov. 14, 2017. The notes are rated “Baa2” or investment grade by global debt watcher Moody’s Investors Service and will be listed in the Singapore Stock Exchange.

“The proceeds of the notes will be used to refinance Union Bank’s existing liabilities, expand its funding base and for other general corporate purposes,” the bank said.

Citigroup Global Markets Ltd. and Standard Chartered Bank acted as joint lead managers and joint book-runners for the transaction.

Union bank earlier said the issuance followed a successful roadshow for Singapore and Hong Kong investors from Nov. 16 to 17, 2017.

“The issue was more than eight times oversubscribed, with orders reaching over $3.2 billion. Settlement will be on Nov. 29, 2017,” the bank said.

Union Bank said with a strong order book from the investors across Asia, Europe, Middle East and Africa, the transaction represented the largest order book garnered by a Philippine bank issuer.

Business/World

Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN TUESDAY, MAGENTA YELLOW28, BLACK NOVEMBER 2017

B3

extrastory2000@gmail.com

Pope on critical trip to Myanmar Y

Indonesia palm oil industry criticized JAKARTA―Greenpeace slammed Indonesia’s palm oil industry Monday for failing to live up to a pledge to halt deforestation, as the lucrative sector faces possible restrictions in Europe over environmental concerns.

Palm oil is used in everything from soap to frozen pizza, but a consumer backlash has forced dozens of the world’s largest food and drink manufacturers to address its ecological impact.

Vast swathes of rainforest are destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations, threatening endangered species and pushing indigenous people off their lands.

International corporations, including Unilever, Kellogg and Mondelez, have pledged to adopt environmentally friendly supply chains by 2020.

But Greenpeace said in a report published on Monday that large palm oil traders are failing on that commitment.

The environmental group found that most of the 11 major traders operating in Indonesia did not have strict systems to monitor the origin of their goods and were not calling out non-compliant producers.

“Broadly, the palm oil industry has agreed to end deforestation. The issue―and it is a critical one―is only two of the 11 [traders] we looked at was actually able to say when they are going to end deforestation,” Richard George, a UK-based forest campaigner at Greenpeace, told AFP. None of the firms contacted by AFP replied to requests for comment on the report.

The Greenpeace report comes against the backdrop of mounting concerns about palm oil’s environmental impact.

The European Union, the world’s second largest consumer after India, passed a resolution in April calling for tougher environmental standards for palm oil linked to deforestation. AFP

ANGON―Pope Francis arrived in mainly Buddhist Myanmar Monday on a highly sensitive visit to a country facing sharp global criticism for the alleged ethnic cleansing of its Rohingya Muslim minority.

ARRIVAL. Pope Francis adjusts his skull cap as he prepares to disembark from a plane as he arrives at Yangon International Airport on November 27, 2017. Francis arrived in Myanmar at the start of a highly sensitive fourday trip to a country facing global condemnation over its treatment of Rohingya Muslims. AFP

Russian strikes kill 53 civilians in Syria BEIRUT―At least 53 civilians, including 21 children, perished early Sunday morning when Russian air strikes hit “residential buildings” in a village held by the Islamic State group in eastern Syria, a monitor said.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes hit the village of AlShafah in Deir Ezzor province, on the eastern bank of the Euphrates River.

The Observatory relies on a network of sources inside Syria, and says it determines whose planes carry out raids according to type, location, flight patterns and munitions used.

The monitor had initially given a death toll of 34 civilians but the number spiked after more bodies were recovered.

“The toll increased after removing the debris in a long day of rescue operation,” Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP, adding the strikes hit “residential buildings”.

At least 18 people were also wounded in the air raids, he added.

Russia is a close ally of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad, and in September 2015 began a military intervention in support of his government that has gradually helped Damascus regain territory.

Syria’s Deir Ezzor is one of the last places IS jihadists hold territory in the country, after being driven from their major strongholds including their onetime de facto Syrian capital Raqa city.

The oil-rich eastern province that borders Iraq was once almost completely under IS control, but the jihadists now hold just nine percent of Deir Ezzor, according to the Observatory.

They have faced two separate offensives there, one led by the regime with Russian backing and the other by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

More than 340,000 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011 with anti-government protests.

The latest strikes come as the United Nations tries to revitalize its flagging efforts to end a sixyear civil war that has left Syria devastated and huge swathes of its population refugees.

On Tuesday, the eighth round of UN-brokered talks will kick off.

They have achieved little so far, but may be bolstered by the opposition’s decision to bring a unified delegation to Geneva for the first time.

For progress to happen rival sides will need to overcome the

hurdle that has derailed past discussions: the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

He retains Moscow’s support but is loathed by much of Syria’s rebel opposition who want him gone.

Backed by Russia’s decisive military support, Assad’s government has regained control of 55 percent of the country, including major cities Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, and around two-thirds of the population lives in regime-held areas.

The rest is carved up between rebel factions, jihadists and Kurdish forces.

Some experts believe that Russia has clearly put itself in the driver’s seat in recent months, especially as US President Donald Trump’s administration has pulled back from Syrian diplomatic front.

Russia, fellow regime ally Iran and rebel-backer Turkey have hosted negotiations in the Kazakh capital Astana that led to the creation of four “de-escalation zones” which produced a drop in violence, though deadly air strikes and battles continue in some areas.

And this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin called for a “congress” of Syrian regime and opposition figures, a move backed by Ankara and Tehran.

AFP

treatment of cigarettes was practically a no-brainer. Not only would the inelastic demand for cigarettes – economists’ term for the continued high demand for cigarettes despite increases in their prices – make higher excise taxes produce higher government revenues, but the nation’s savings in terms of reduced spending on the treatment of lung cancer and respiratorydisease cases would be greatly enhanced.

In proposing sharp increases in the excise taxes on cigarettes Manny Pacquiao did not blaze a new trail or do anything that was not already widely recognized.

Low-lying fruit or not, no-brainer or not, Senator Pacquiao nonetheless deserves commendation for trying to do something about a situation that has long cried out for correction, to wit, the inexplicably generous attitude of Congress toward the tax status of the Philippine cigarette manufacturing industry. Considering the inelastic demand for cigarettes in this country, there is no acceptable explanation for the demonstrably lax tax treatment of cigarette sales.

With his tax measure, Manny Pacquiao, the man with world championships in eight different boxing divisions, is trying to fly high. During his first year and a half in the Senate, Mr. Pacquiao has been flying low, unquestionably supporting every Duterte administration proposal and trying hard to participate credibly in hearings and debates on matters like national security and bureaucratic performance. With his tax measure he has switched to a high-flying stance.

Keep trying to fly high, Senator Pacquiao.

Even if you have to stick to the low-lying fruit.

E-mail: romero.business.class@gmail.com

these peoples, my presence is a sign of affinity and hope.”

His visit is a historic chance for Myanmar’s flock to get close to the head of their church.

Myanmar’s estimated 700,000 Catholics make up just over one percent of the country’s 51 million people and are scattered in far-flung corners of the nation, many of them roiled by conflict.

Around 200,000 Catholics are pouring into Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial capital, by plane, train and car ahead of a huge open-air mass on Wednesday.

“We are ready to welcome the Pope cheerfully... with pure hearts,” a woman from the northernmost state of Kachin told AFP, one of hundreds waiting near the archbishop’s residence in Yangon.

But the Rohingya crisis frames the pope’s visit.

The army, which ran the country with an iron fist for nearly half a century, insists its Rakhine operation was a proportionate response to Rohingya “terrorists” who raided police posts in late August, killing at least a dozen officers.

But rights groups, the UN and the US have accused the army of using its operation as cover to drive out a minority it has oppressed for decades.

That is at odds with views inside the country.

“The vast majority of people in Myanmar do not believe the international narrative of abuse against the Rohingya and the refugee numbers that we’re seeing in Bangladesh,” said Myanmar-based political analyst Richard Horsey. AFP

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Sur Local Government Unit Santiago Ilocos Sur INVITATION TO BID The Municipality of Santiago, Ilocos Sur through its Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), invites registered contractors to apply for eligibility and if found eligible to bid for the hereunder contract: 3. Name of Project

: Rehabilitation/Improvement of Farm to Market Road including ROW Acquisition : San Jose, Santiago, Ilocos Sur : Construction/Rehabilitation/Improvement

Location Brief Description Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) : 19,400,000.00 Source of Fund : RA 7171 Contract Duration : 90 CD Cost of Bid Documents : 25,000.00

Low-lying fruit for a low-lying Senator SOME of the fruits on a tree are more accessible than the others because they lie low on the branches. Because of this attribute of greater accessibility, low-lying fruit is the name given to things—targets, objectives, goals—that are attainable with little or no difficulty. Thus, individuals are more disposed to go after low-lying fruit rather than highly placed fruit.

There are low-lying fruits in almost every aspect of human endeavor. Making laws is no exception. In any society there are so many remedial or corrective interventions by the legislature. Some of these things are in the area of taxation.

Some taxes are either inadequate or excessive with respect to certain classes of people and incomes. Whereas some activities are heavily taxed, others have escaped taxation completely. And some tax laws are so worked as to invite confusion and misinterpretation.

Some of the lowest-lying of the taxationrelated low-lying fruit are taxes that clearly are inadequate in relation to the character or use of the taxed things or activities. Cases in point are taxes on things or activities that are generally regarded as unhealthy, dangerous or conducive to immorality.

Boxer-turned-legislator Manny Pacquiao recently filed in the Senate a bill seeking to increase sharply one of the ‘sin taxes’ – the tax on sale of cigarettes. The tax was clearly inadequate, said the Senator from General Santos City. He hinted that Congress’s generous treatment of the cigarette manufacturing industry was traceable to the successful work of the industry’s lobbyists.

Clearly, pushing for increases in the excise taxes on cigarettes was lowlying fruit. So high are cigarettes on the Department of Health’s list of harmful-tohealth things that proposing tougher tax

Catholics in colorful ethnic traditional dress waved flags and danced at Yangon’s airport in a joyful welcome for the pope, making the first visit to the country by a pontiff.

The visit comes as Myanmar’s military stands accused of waging an ethnic cleansing campaign against the Rohingya Muslims. More than 620,000 have fled a crackdown in northern Rakhine state for neighboring Bangladesh over the past three months.

The pope’s four-day visit intensifies pressure on Myanmar over its treatment of the stateless minority, a group he has called his “brothers and sisters” in repeated entreaties to ease their plight.

His speeches will be scrutinized by Buddhist hardliners for any mention of the word “Rohingya”, an incendiary term in a country where the Muslim group are reviled and labeled “Bengalis”―alleged illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.

Francis will meet civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel Peace Prize winner whose luster has faded because of her failure to speak up publicly for the Rohingya.

He will also hold talks with army chief Min Aung Hlaing―a meeting between a religious leader who has championed the rights of refugees and the man accused of overseeing the brutal campaign to drive out the Rohingya.

Speaking to a crowd of 30,000 people in St Peter’s Square, shortly before he left Rome, the pontiff said: “I ask you to be with me in prayer so that, for

The BAC will conduct the procurement process in accordance with the Revised IRR of RA 9184. Bids received in excess of the BAC shall be automatically rejected at the opening of bid.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION OFFICE OF THE EX-OFFICIO SHERRIF QUEZON CITY

Regional Trial Court, Hall of Justice Bldg., Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, will sell thru public auction to the highest bidder for cash, in Philippine Currency, the following WEST MANSIONS CONDOMINIUM described real property/ies with all the improvements existing ASSOCIATION INC., thereon, to wit: Mortgagee, -versus-

FRE NO. 11965

RAMON A. DOMINGO. Mortgagor/s x-----------------------------------x

C O N D O M I N I U M CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. -5663Registry of Deeds for Quezon City

NOTICE OF EXTRA-JUDICIAL SALE OF REAL PROPERTY (WEST MANSION INC.) Seventh Floor – Residential UNDER ACT 3135 Unit No. 708 Area-39.78 sq.m.

(AS AMENDED) in the diagrammatic floor Pursuant to Act 3135, as plan appended to the enabling amended by Act 4118 in or master deed of the relation to Section 20 R.A. condominium project annotated 4726 (Condominium Act) which on Trans Certificate of Title No. provides “xxxxx such liens may 49082 which embraces and be enforced in the same manner describes the land located at provided for by law for the judicial Diliman, Quezon City with an or extrajudicial foreclosure of area of 563.80 Square Meter, mortgages or real property. xxx xxx.

Unless otherwise provided All sealed bids must be for in the declaration of the restrictions, the management submitted to the undersigned at the aforesaid office on the above body shall have power to bid the foreclosure sale.

The stated date and time. condominium owner shall have Interested parties are hereby the same right of redemption enjoined to investigate for as in cases of judicial or themselves the title to the extrajudicial foreclosure or said property/ies and the mortgages xxxxx” WEST encumbrances thereon, if any MANSIONS CONDOMINIUM there be.

ASSOCIATION INC. of No. 3 In the event that public auction Zamboanga St., West Ave., should not take place on said Barangay Nayong Kanluran, date due to fortuitous event or Quezon City, Metro Manila, if the same be declared a nonPetitioner/Mortgagee filed an working holiday, it shall be held extra-judicial petition against on JANUARY 16, 2018 at the R e s p o n d e n t / M o r t g a g o r same time and place without RAMON A. DOMINGO married further notice. to Sherwin M. Domingo – Unit Quezon City, Metro Manila, No. 708 West Mansions Condo.

No. 03 Zamboanga St. West November 8, 2017.

Ave. Quezon City/# 11 Jacinto (Sgd.) RANDY C. BERNARDO St. Malabon City, to satisfy the Sheriff IV accumulated condominium dues and other assessments in (Sgd.) GREGORIO C. TALLUD the total sum of Php 910,067.12 Clerk of Court VII and as of September 30, 2017 Ex-Officio Sheriff plus interest, penalties costs WARNING: It is absolutely prohibited remove, deface or Destroy this No(including attorney’s fees) and to tice of Sheriff’s Sale on or Before the date of the auction sale under penalty other charges, together with all of the law. the lawful fees and expenses Copy Furnished: of foreclosure sale, the Ex- ATTY. NARCISO O. MORALES Officio Sheriff of the Regional PRESIDENT WMCA INC. 283 Delmonte Avenue, Trial Court of Quezon City and/ No. Quezon City or his duly authorized Deputy RAMON DOMINGO married to Sherwin Sheriff, hereby announces that M. Domingo on JANUARY 9, 2018 between Unit No. 708 West Mansions Condo.

03 Zamboanga St. West Ave., the hours of 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 No. Quezon City P.M. at the Office of the Clerk # 11 Jacinto St. Malabon City (MS-Nov. 14, 21 & 28, 2017) of Court & Ex-Officio Sheriff,

To bid for this contract, a contractor must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), purchase bid documents and must meet the following major criteria) prior registration with Local Government Unit-Santiago, Ilocos Sur (b) Filipino citizen or 75% Filipino-owned partnership, corporation, cooperative, or joint venture, (c) completion of a similar contract costing at least 50% of ABC within a period of 10 years, and (d) Net Financial Contracting Capacity at least equal to ABC, or credit line commitment for at least 10% of ABC. The BAC will use non-discretionary pass/fail criteria in the eligibility check and preliminary examination of bids.

Unregistered contractors, however, shall submit their applications for registration to the Local Government Unit-Santiago, Ilocos Sur before the deadline for the receipt of LOI. The Local Government Unit-Santiago, Ilocos Sur will only process contractor’s applications for registration, with complete requirements, and issue the Contractor’s Certificate of Registration (CRC).

The schedule of BAC activities is as follows: BAC Activities

Schedule

1.Advertisement/Posting of 21-Nov-17 Invitation to bid/Request for Expression of Interest 2. Issuance of Bid Documents

Nov. 21 to Dec. 11, 2017

3. Pre-bid Conference

November 29, 2017 @ 10:00 AM

4. Receipt and Opening of Bids

Dec. 11, 2017 @ 10:00 AM

The BAC will issue hard copies of Bidding Documents (BD’s) at Local Government Unit-Santiago, Ilocos Sur, upon payment of a non-refundable fee as stated. The Pre-bid Conference shall be open only to interested parties who have purchased the BD’s. Bids must be accompanied by a bid security, in the amount and acceptable form, as stated in Section 27.2 of the Revised IRR. Mailed intends shall not be entertained.

Prospective bidders shall submit their duly accomplished forms as specified in the BD’s in two (2) separate sealed bid envelopes to the BAC Chairman. The first envelope shall contain the technical component of the bid, which shall include the technical component of the bid, which shall include a copy of the CRC. The second envelope shall contain the financial component of the bid. Contract will be awarded to the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid as determined in the bid evaluation and the post-qualification.

The Local Government Unit of Santiago, Ilocos Sur reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bid and to annul the bidding process any time before Contract award, without incurring any liability to the affected bidders.

Approved by: (SGD) NESTOR C. PERALTA, JR. BAC Chairman (MS-NOV. 28, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

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

B4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

Makati gives out anti-JE vaccines

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Joel E. Zurbano

‘PAILAW SA UP.’ Lanterns of various shapes and sizes surround the Oblation statue, the iconic symbol of the University of the Philippines, and lighten up UP’s Diliman campus in an event Friday in Quezon City. PNA/Noel D. Velasco

ARMM learns lessons

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OTABATO CITY―The Mamasapano clash in 2014 may have torpedoed the planned Bangsamoro Transitional Authority, but the lessons from it also helped the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao prepare for the five-month terrorist-driven crisis in Marawi City and pave the way for a better future for the strife-torn region.

This and other points were raised by ARMM Regional Governor Mujiv Hataman in his recent State of the Region Address at

the Shariff Kabunsuan Cultural Complex here.

Hataman said the regional government will continue “to help and meet

the needs” of the residents of Marawi and its environs, five months after Abu Sayyaf and Maute Groupled terrorists laid siege to the lakeside city in a bid to claim it for the Islamic State.

The regional government has already set aside P450 million for Marawi’s relief efforts this year, and another P930 million in 2018 to aid the city’s rehabilitation, the governor added.

Hataman told ARMM officials and guests that when

he delivered his regional report in 2014, he thought it would be his last SORA. “I thought then, and even you probably did too, that the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority would temporarily replace the ARMM regional government while the real Bangsamoro government would be built,” the governor said.

But the Mamasapano incident, which saw 44 Special Action Force policemen slain in Maguindanao province in

an attempt to capture or kill wanted Malaysian terrorist and bomb-maker Zulkifli Abdhir alias Marwan, dashed the hopes for that Bangsamoro government, Hataman noted.

Now, the ARMM is weathering the crisis brought about by the attempted takeover of Marawi, which led President Rodrigo Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao.

“We may be facing this test now, but the lessons

we learned from Mamasapano and other crises we have been through allowed us to respond faster to the situation in Marawi,” Hataman said.

This allowed the regional government to quickly organize a Crisis Management Committee, made up of employees and volunteers that had also put up the ARMM Hotline and Emergency Response Center, the governor added.

Ayunan Gunting-Al-Hadj

IN BRIEF

Puerto get 2nd SGLG in a row PUERTO PRINCESA CITY ―Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron and his administration have received the prestigious Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of Interior and Local Government for the second straight year, a testament to his outstanding leadership and governance of the city.

Bayron and 20 other local chief executives in Region lV-B or Mimaropa were top awardees from among the 448 winners of the tough SGLG contest for 2017.

In an interview, Bayron said his administration passed all parameters of all of the SGLG’s essential areas: business friendliness and competitiveness (for the residents’ business and employment opportunities); environment management (safeguarding the integrity of the environment); and tourism, culture and the arts (the city’s efforts to promote and develop its tourism industry).

Benjamin B. Chavez

THE Makati City government on Monday launched a Japanese Encephalitis (JE) vaccination program for some 60,000 public school students and city government employees after health officials warned that the number of deaths related to the disease could continue to rise.

There were already nine reported deaths in the country as of September, according to the Department of Health.

Mayor Abigail Binay led the program at the Makati City Hall where top city officials, councilors and department heads were vaccinated against the deadly mosquito-borne virus.

Makati is the first local government unit in the country to implement a public vaccination program against Japanese Encephalitis.

“As Mayor, I would like nothing more than see the city’s children healthy and protected from all possible illnesses. After the success of our dengue vaccination in August and September, as well as our on-going flu vaccine drive, we have decided that it would be in their best interest to also be protected against Japanese Encephalitis,” said Binay.

She added that JE vaccination was also included in the Employees Health and Wellness Program, which focuses on preventive care.

Binay gave Makati Health Department officer in charge Dr. Bernard Sese the directive to vaccinate all city government employees as well as public school students from Kinder to Grade 6. All in all, the first run of the JE vaccination program will cover some 60,000 individuals.

Vizcaya opens P88m FMR for Bagabag

Puerto Princesa Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron (left photo) receives the trophy for his city’s second consecutive Seal of Good Local Governance award. It was the same one garnered by the contingent from Quezon Province represented by Governor David C. Suarez (center, right photo) and (from left) Mayor Ferdinand ‘Dingdong’ Llamas of Mauban, DILG Region-4A Director Manuel Gotis, San Antonio Mayor Ariel Wagan, and Unisan Mayor Nonie Puache.

Inset photo shows Suarez again with officials of the Quezon provincial government.

Benjamin Chavez and Benjie Antioquia

Quezon province leads ‘Seal’ winners from Calabarzon

By Benjie A. Antioquia LUCENA CITY—The provincial government of Quezon was awarded the 2017 Seal of Good Local Governance from the Department of the Interior and Local Government, joining the provinces of Laguna and Rizal in the Calabarzon or Region-4A. Webster Letargo, provincial government chief of staff to

Quezon Gov. David “Jayjay” Suarez, said the award was certified and signed by Director Manuel Gotis and Girlie Zara of Bureau of the Local Government Supervision and Melany Quiton of the Local Government Operation unit.

The SGLG, formerly the Seal of Good Housekeeping, is conferred by the DILG on local government units that advance the principles of

accountability and transparency in local governance.

Nine cities and 23 municipal governments in Calabarzon also got the Seal this year. They are Antipolo in Rizal province; Batangas City, Batangas; Biñan, Calamba, San Pedro and Sta. Rosa cities in Laguna; and Bacoor, Dasmariñas and Imus in Cavite.

Seven municipal governments of Quezon were among

the 23 SGLG awardees: Gumaca, Mauban, Mulanay, Pagbilao, Panukulan, San Antonio and Unisan.

Other awardees from Calabarzon are Bauan and Malvar in Batangas; Carmona, Kawit, Magallanes, Maragondon, Naic, Rosario and Silang in Cavite; Kalayaaan, Nagcarlan, Pagsanjan in Laguna; Angono, Binangonan, Tanay and Taytay in Rizal.

More cops on Manila streets STARTING Thursday, November 30, the public will be seeing more policemen deployed along major roads in Manila and in commercial areas and establishments in anticipation of the expected crime surge during Christmas season, Mayor Joseph Estrada said on Monday.

Estrada has tasked the Manila Police District to implement its holiday security measures to protect the people, in particular Christmas shoppers in the city’s major commercial areas—Diviso-

ria, Binondo, Ermita, and Malate.

“We’ve been doing this every year so don’t be alarmed. This is just to protect you against petty criminals and to maintain peace and order,” Estrada said.

The fielding of extra uniformed policemen along major roads and so-called places of convergence such as malls, public markets, parks and plazas, transport terminals, and churches are “routine” procedures during Christmas season, Estrada reminded.

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya― Provincial and municipal officials recently opened an P88-million farmto-market road project to boost agricultural production of farmers in a remote barangay of Bagabag town.

Governor Carlos Padilla said the Kinacao-Kurasay-Kinalabasa Road Concreting Project was funded jointly by the provincial government and the Department of Interior and Local Government through the “Konkreto at Ayos na Kalsada ang Daan Tungo sa Pangkalahatang Kaunlaran Project” (Concreted Roads Toward Overall Progress) during the term of former governor Ruth Padilla, his wife.

“This has been a long dream of farmers in the three barangays to uplift their agricultural production. Portions of this road project has been earlier funded by the provincial government along with other national government agencies,” Carlos Padilla said.

Infrastructure development projects such as the KKK-RCP are now focused in the inner villages of the province to boost agricultural production, the governor said. Ben Moses Ebreo

NV gets P7m as Corn Quality Hall of Famer BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The Department of Agriculture recently elevated the province to the Hall of Fame and awarded it P7 million during its 2017 National Quality Corn Achievers Awards at the Philippine International Convention Center in Metro Manila.

Governor Carlos Padilla said the award is attributed to the efforts of corn farmers in the northern towns of Nueva Vizcaya such as Quezon, Bayombong, Solano, Diadi, Bagabag, and Villaverde.

“This fund incentive will be used to further boost our agricultural resources, technologies and corn plantations to sustain the quality of our corn products,” he said.

Padilla also underscored the huge contribution of the province’s farmers in sustaining the quality of corn products. Ben Moses Ebreo

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

TRAVEL AND LEISURE

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

C1

Awesome airline cabin

and other in-flight offerings SUITE IN THE SKY. The Suites Class in Singapore Airline’s A380 aircraft features plush bed and furnishings, along with other luxurious in-flight amenities to let flyers comfortably work or unwind up in the clouds.

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USTOMERS travelling on Singapore Airlines’ latest Airbus A380 aircraft, featuring the airline’s newly launched cabin products, can look forward to a wide range of in-flight offerings including soft furnishings, amenities, an exquisite dining experience and highly advanced in-flight entertainment system.

The finer touches

created for a distinguished few, each of Singapore Airlines’ Suites will feature a plush mattress bedding, two pillows and a fluffy cotton duvet, complete with embroidery crafted by the French luxury brand, Lalique. Complemented with a stylish sleeper suit, slippers, eyeshades and socks, customers can lounge in comfort before drifting into peaceful sleep in their private cabin in the sky.

The relaxed and contemporary setting in Business Class is enhanced by a stylish combination of padded bed sheets, blankets as well as a larger pillow. These soft furnishings provide a relaxed atmosphere on board, bringing greater comfort for customers as they work or unwind during the flight.

Luxurious in-flight amenities

suites customers on selected flights will receive an amenity kit with toiletries and perfumes or a unisex kit containing lifestyle items, specially designed and created under the co-brand partnership with Lalique. Each of the separate his-and-hers amenity kits will consist of a fragrance, lip balm and a specially designed pouch. In ad-

dition, the ladies’ set includes a face moisturizer and hand cream while the men’s set includes a body lotion and aftershave balm.

The unisex kit containing lifestyle items is designed as a collectible item, featuring a Lalique candle, scented soap, lip balm and body lotion. For a limited period only, the lifestyle kit will also include a miniature ornamental crystal fish from Lalique. The design of all three amenity kits will be refreshed regularly.

Suites customers can freshen up in the two stylishly furnished lavatories with a special citrus-scented facial mist, body lotion and fragrance by Lalique.

Business Class customers can look forward to a pampering treat, with a range of Penhaligon’s washroom amenities available on board such as hand lotion, facial mist and fragrance.

Customers travelling in Premium Economy Class will receive an amenity kit featuring a special A380 livery to commemorate the launch. The amenity kit consists of a toothbrush, toothpaste and anti-slip socks.

In Economy Class, customers on selected flights will receive an amenity

Work or sleep in peace in a Business Class seat featuring padded bed sheet and blanket, and large pillow

High-speed in-flight Wi-fi service is available on Airbus A380 for customers to enjoy connectivity and entertainment while onboard

kit which includes a toothbrush, tooth- customers will be spoilt for choice. paste and socks. Children’s amenities As part of Singapore Airlines’ comfrom Disney will be available in all mitment to enhancing sustainability cabin classes for young customers. practices, Suites customers can look forward to meals created by the InternaExquisite in-flight dining experience tional Culinary Panel (ICP), featuring To further enhance the culinary expe- more sustainable ingredients and fresh rience, Suites customers will dine with local produce. The new menus will be Wedgwood serviceware and Lalique- initially introduced to Suites customers designed crystal glassware. With every on selected routes, and progressively meal complemented by a selection of made available in other classes. fine wines and champagnes specially In the Business Class cabin, customput together by a panel of wine experts, ers can look forward to an even more

refined service and dining experience with all meals served on Narumi-designed chinaware. Coupled with Singapore Airlines’ world-class service, customers will enjoy a truly delightful experience as they wine and dine on board.

KrisWorld in-flight entertainment system Customers flying on the new A380s entering Singapore Airlines’ fleet in the

Turn to C2

iPHOTO Paolo Garrido (third from left) is named the grand winner of #AirAsiaCreateCamp competition, besting three other finalists (from left) Jaip Saluba, Cara Durano, and Ray Baguilat

Asian Grand Legacy Hotels, Arak Holding Group announce management agreement

AirAsia’s first storyteller grand winner AIRASIA revealed the grand winner of its first-ever social media reality contest called #AirAsiaCreateCamp: The Search for the Next AirAsia Storyteller.

Paolo Garrido from Mapua Institute of Technology bested four other finalists from Baguio, Cebu, and Iloilo and officially named a member of AirAsia’s community of storytellers. #AirAsiaCreateCamp is AirAsia’s social media reality search for young, aspiring, and creative individuals with photography and videography skills.

The competition aims to develop and

empower young Filipino talents by providing mentorship programs and technical know-how.

After an initial judging period from over 500 entries, participants were narrowed down to 50 with a select panel of judges declaring five finalists in August based on creativity, originality, and quality of storytelling.

AirAsia Philippines CEO Captain Dexter Comendador said, “Aside from the quality of work, admirable level of skills and creativity, we would like to emphasize the value of hard work, at-

titude, and passion among the youth.

Paulo represents these values during the rigorous camp that took them from highlands to islands for one month period.”

The grand winner received over a million pesos worth of prizes composed of AirAsia Philippines flights to domestic and international destinations, an Apple Macbook Pro 13, a Nikon D5600 camera, a fully sponsored 3D/2N stay at Amorita Resorts in Bohol, and is now an official member of the AirAsia Storytellers community.

Asian Grand Legacy Hotels International Pte Ltd. (Singapore), a management and consultancy company, and Arak Holding Group, a Qatar based real-estate owner, are pleased to jointly announce the recent signing of an agreement for a hotel property in Doha, Qatar, the boutique Grand Legacy Hotel, the first of their three hospitality projects.

In a statement, Arak Holding Group expressed. “Our vision is to change the world of hospitality through investment and innovation to leave an exceptional heritage for future generations in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030”.

Photo shows the signing ceremony witnessed by Arak Holding Group Chairman Shiekh Ali Hassim A J alThani, General Manager Adel Imam Ghatwari, Asst. General Manager Ahmed Awad Mohamed Elmatbouly, Howcon Main Contractor Executive Manager Alfzal Khan, Asian Grand Legacy Hotels International PTE Ltd., Directors Miguel G. Cerqueda and Roger Begre.

Life

C2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Brave the rain

THE rainy season can be such a bummer for today’s dynamic and active city dwellers. After all, the rain can ruin OOTDs, wreck outdoor adventures, and cause endless traffic jams.

Realizing urbanites’ need to be on top of the game, one-stop shop Urbanize has brought to market a slew of urban lifestyle solutions that help urbanites conquer day-to-day hurdles, from commuting and keeping up with socials to thriving at work, even during the rainy season!

Bags to protect gadgets from heavy rains

The spacious couples’ treatment room with a breathtaking view of Manila Bay and its sunset

A wellness destination MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

S

INCE pre-historic times, our early ancestors believed that bathing in mineral water has curative powers, and is a relaxing way to treat several types of illness. In fact, archaeologists discovered, in areas near hot springs in Europe, some Bronze Age offerings paired with ancient weapons, indicating that there must have been some ritual purifications connected with the presence of these bodies of water.

Accessories to keep valuables dry

Conrad Manila GM Harald Feurstein and Conrad Spa Manager Tanya Talreja

Historians confirmed tribes from the myself, “What do I really want from a spa?” tain unique combinations of plant and maearly civilization believed in the heal- Complete relaxation, feeling of rejuvena- rine ingredients and essential oils. When ing and purifying properties of water tion, quality facilities and impeccable ser- asked what other treatments they offer that by indulging in complex bathing rituals. vice come to mind. may be considered out-of-the-ordinary, TalThese made people travel long distances The recently launched Conrad Spa seam- reja quipped that their Milk Bath, patterned just to take a bath in the hot springs, giv- lessly integrates health and wellness treat- after those of the ancient Egyptians, results ing rise to the discovery of interesting ments and activities with the panoramic, in a smooth and soft skin. They can also places along the way, a boost to what was breathtaking and calming view of Manila give a Beer Bath, which is European in orithen the start of tourism.

Bay and its famous sunset. Its signature gin, and is designed to improve circulation.

The location of these hot springs gave treatments in a luxurious setting is deeply Since I could not imagine myself bathing rise to what we now call a “spa,” in a tub filled with beer, I dewhich the dictionary defines as a cided to try out the spa’s regular place where mineral-rich spring services, and subjected myself YOUR TUESDAY CHUCKLE water is used to give medicinal to their popular three-hour treatbaths. Some early chroniclers ment. First, I was given a very A completely naked lady hails a taxi. Before she could said the name was actually relaxing whole body massage, get in, the Chinese Driver looks at her from top to bottom lifted from a town in Belgium loosening up the tense, seemrepeatedly. Irked, the lady asks, “What’s wrong with you? with the same name, which had ingly knotted muscles from my Haven’t you seen a naked woman before?” The Chinese the most popular mineral spring head all the way down to my Driver retorted,” I no look you naked. I plenty frightened. I look sought after by people from diftoes. This was immediately follook¼ where you keep money to pay me?” ferent parts of Europe suffering lowed by a facial, which started

from various illnesses. Others also said the word originated from “Espa,” a word, in a Belgian dialect referring to a “fountain.”

Whatever the word’s origin is, spas are now very popular all over the globe, frequented by the elite and the upper middle class who are always looking for ways to counter today’s frenetic pace of life. Although the current spa locations may not have natural hot springs where guests can take their thermal baths, entrepreneurs have, nevertheless, opened them up by offering facilities that simulate the rituals that provide the same effects.

Here in the country, any metropolitan area offers many spas to choose from.

Many fall below, while a few exceed our standards. It is quite amusing to see the plethora of choices one has. Because of the prevalence of these establishments, I asked

Awesome airline...

From C1

coming months will be offered even greater control over their in-flight entertainment (IFE) experience with the launch of myKrisWorld, a new IFE interactive feature. This personalised IFE experience includes features which are new in the industry, making the Airline the first to offer these to our customers. Such features include content recommendations based on customer preferences and viewing history, and KrisFlyer members being able to bookmark and re-

Urbanites can finally prevent the rain from damaging costly gadgets such as cameras and phones. With the Elecom DGBS023 2 STYLE Camera Backpack, urbanites can keep their cameras protected as they scurry around the metro shooting photos during rainy days.

Urban photographers hoping to better look the part LOQI Hokusai The Great Wave Eco Bag can wear the Elecom DGB-S023 2 STYLE Camera Backpack as a casual camera bag “off toco”, while conveniently pulling out and accessing their camera to document urban adventures through its water-repellent built-in double fastener. And as the bag features a detachable camera inner case, urbanites can easily convert it into a normal backpack for their everyday use when they are not taking photos—they can switch from using one to two compartments by simply removing the partition inside the bag. Urbanites can even store wallets and other essentials inside the backpack’s convenient front fastener pocket as well as stow a laptop inside its 13.3-inch laptop compartment.

With thieves on the loose during the rainy season, urbanites, especially commuters, need to take extra precautions to protect their belongings. And Lewis N Clark Secura™ RFID-Blocking AntiTheft Commuter wards off both thieves and rain with its waterresistant PU-coated durable nylon exterior, an anti-slash adjustable shoulder strap with an internal stainless steel cable, and EN388compliant cut-reistant Magnaloft fabric panels. Urbanites can even fasten the bag to a chair, bar or post to deter grab-and-go thieves.

But aside from being theftproof and rainproof, the bag packs a punch, too: Its compact design, exterior locking, internal pockets, and RFID-protected card slots efficiently and securely store essentials, including passport, hotel room keys and credit cards.

Meanwhile, fashion-forward urbanites hoping to brave the heavy rains in style need look no further: The LOQI Hokusai The Great Wave Eco Bag is water resistant and lightweight, allowing commuters to easily bring their valuables along with them, even when commuting. Featuring vibrant prints and functional zip pockets, the bag allows urbanites to carry everything they need without getting out of style this rainy season.

rooted to local culture and, if required, may even be availed of together with a healthy cuisine curated by the hotel’s Executive Chef Daniel Patterson.

The facility is serviced by a staff of 16 and is managed by Tanya Talreja, a former local resident, schooled at the local international School Brent, and later moved to Singapore to put up her own company.

Conrad’s wellness facility has six treatment rooms, including two couple rooms with sauna and bath tub for friends or couples who might want to enjoy together the spa’s services. It makes available only indigenous ingredients for a holistic and natural treatment that always results in the ultimate sensory experience.

The Conrad Spa features ESPA products known for its tri-active formulas that con-

sume content, as well as customise and save preferences on myKrisWorld for subsequent flights.

KrisFlyer members travelling across all classes can also select their choice of playlists from the SingaporeAir mobile app prior to the flight, and transfer their selections to the onboard system when they connect to myKrisWorld to continue with their IFE experience. KrisFlyer members, as well as Suites and Business Class customers, will also have access to additional in-flight entertainment content choices. In addition, KrisFlyer members travelling in Suites will be able to control the lighting in their pri-

with a cleansing procedure, using a dual-action Shave Mud, followed by an invigorating face wash.

Then my face was exfoliated with a clarifying Skin Scrub, after which the attendant made a firm Mask on my face, ending with a hydrator Moisturizer.

When the entire procedure was over, I never felt so good, so relaxed, so rejuvenated. Certainly, I was on my optimum state of wellbeing. Now I understand why early travelers bravely crossed miles and miles of terrain, even some uncharted territories, just to reach a spa. There’s nothing like feeling fresh and relaxed. With the Conrad Spa within easy reach, I don’t mind making a habit of this “journey to feeling good.”

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

vate cabin, and save their lighting preferences for future flights.

In-flight connectivity

Customers can also experience high-speed in-flight WiFi service on Singapore Airlines’ new A380, the world’s first GX-enabled A380 aircraft. The aircraft will be equipped with Inmarsat GX Aviation’s broadband connectivity system, offered through SITAONAIR. Currently available on selected Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in Singapore Airlines’ fleet, this service will be progressively introduced on aircraft that are equipped with SITAONAIR’s Internet and mobile in-flight connectivity.

iPhone-using urbanites no longer need to worry about their iPhones getting damaged after getting wet during the rainy days: The US military drop test- compliant ELECOM PM-A16MZEROH Zeroshock iPhone 7 Case delivers shock protection, with a 3-layered shock absorbing film for 360 protection, a back bumper that relieves impact from the back and ΑGEL coating, a powerful impact absorber. Urbanites can also handle their iPhones better Elecom PM-A16MZEROH Zeroshock and reduce the probability of iPhone 7 Case iPhone falls under the rain with the case’s slip-resistant side grip design.

On the other hand, urbanites embarking on weekend trips can finally add an additional layer of security while traveling: Urbanize is offering the LOQI Travel Small Luggage Cover—Venice Gondola, made from 85 percent polyester and 15 percent spandex. Aside from its tight wrap that deters thieves from stealing, the luggage cover keeps the luggage dry with its water-resistant and washable material. And the durable luggage cover, which has a 310 GSM material strength- is easy on the eye too, complementing the chic urbanite’s weekend OOTD. Meanwhile, urbanites traveling for work can better keep their urban gears safe and dry during their business trips, with the shatterproof, polycarbonate UST Watertight Container 1.0. The case features Oring seals, which help business travelers organize keys, credit cards and other valuables more effectively while keeping water out.

Functional accessories for rainy days

Here’s a boon to help urbanites chase the rainy blues away: The compact and lightweight ELECOM LBT-HPC31WPBK Bluetooth Earphones deliver a superb Bluetooth listening experience, allowing urbanites to enjoy their favorite music and answer phone calls easily on Elecom LBTrainy days. Commuting during HPC31WPBK rainy days can be less stressful Bluetooth too: Urbanites can simply insert Earphones the Bluetooth earphones into their ears and relish balanced sound quality that spans bass to high-range, thanks to the earphones’ 10mm full range driver. And as the ELECOM LBT-HPC31WPBK Bluetooth Earphones feature highly waterproof substrate coating and HZO coated electronic boards, urbanites can listen to their favorite music under the rain without worrying about their earphones getting damaged by water.

City girls can also look great and stay neat during the rainy days.

Inspired by Cowgirls, Bananarama and Levi 501s, Popband Denim 5S Hair Bands keep ponytails in place all day long, allowing city girls to make a fashion statement, even in the rain!

Effortlessly conquer the urban jungle this rainy season with Urbanize products, which are available in Urbanize outlets at U.P. Town Center, Gateway, Shangri-La, The 30th, Glorietta3, Uptown BGC, Venice Grand Canal, Kiss & Fly NAIA Terminal 3, Alabang Town Center, The District-Imus, Solenad and Serin—Tagaytay.

For more information, please visit the Urbanize website and follow Urbanize’s Facebook

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

HAZEL FAITH DE LA CRUZ, singer, actress, songwriter CURVE Entertainment artist Hazel Faith de la Cruz will undoubtedly be pleased to no end to be called singer-actresssongwriter. That will be unique to be labeled as such. Yet, Hazel Faith refuses to think of labels. For her, as long as she can be creative in whatever medium, then she’s happy and fulfilled.

While Hazel Faith was in college, she joined the Glee Send Off To Hollywood contest, launched by Solar Entertainment, the network that aired the series locally.

Being an avid fan of the TV musical series, Hazel Faith performed her original song, “Can’t Comprehend .” For her once-ina-lifetime experience, she was fortunate enough to go to the US and was given a walk-in part in the show.

After that brief, but memorable stint in Glee, Hazel Faith received a number of acting opportunities locally. She played the protagonist in the historical musical, Ang Kababaihan ng Malolos. She also did a bit role in the GMA 7 afternoon series, Kasalanan Ba’ng Ibigin Ka and became part of GMA 7’s Bayani Serye, Ilustrado.

In 2014, Hazel Faith played best friend to Jodi Sta. Maria in the highly successful ABS-CBN daily morning series, Be Careful With My Heart. Then, Hazel Faith got a rare chance to work with Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, in director Jeffrey Jeturian’s Ekstra. The young artist relished that great opportunity to be seen on the big screen with the award-winning actress.

Recently, Hazel Faith was seen in the comedy-drama film, Bar Boys, directed by Kip Oebanda. She will be seen next in the TV series adaptation from the Wattpad hit, Operation Break: The Cassanova’s Heart, starring Ella Cruz and Julian Trono. Soon, Hazel Faith will be starring in a Korean indie movie and another local indie film.

When it comes to music, Hazel Faith has a number of Tagalized K-pop songs that have merited significant number of hits on YouTube, like Black Pink’s “Boombayah” and “Whistle,” as well as 2NE1’s “Missing You” and “Come Back Home.”

Hazel Faith’s latest recording under Curve Entertainment, the upbeat pop song, “Kinikilig,” was recently released and got a best dance recording nomination at the 30th Awit Awards. To date, the song has charted over a million hits on YouTube.

“Kinikilig: is one of the tracks in the Extended Play (EP) of Hazel Faith’s Keep the Faith album. Other selections include “Di Na Kita Mahal” featuring Michael Pangilinan, “I Love You Goodbye,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Plastic,” and “Love Fades”, the current single. A special holiday single, “Santa Dear,” will also be released.

Recording artist Hazel Faith

Singers and other talents sign with GMA Records Members of the boy group One Up are now official GMA Records artists

G

MA Records welcomes Aiai de las Alas, Gabbi Garcia, One Up, Papa Obet, and Kristoffer Martin to their family as they inked separate deals with the Network’s recording arm on Nov. 7 and 8.

To reach a wider audience and relate to the younger generation, De las Alas signed a distribution deal with GMA Records to release her single with the vocal group Ex Batallion. Her single, despite being about the complex and in-depth interpretation of love, boasts a mixture of upbeat sounds and rapping.

She explains, ““Kumbaga, gusto kong makilala rin ako ng mga millennial, and at the same time ‘‘yung Ex Battalion,

gusto ko rin naman na makilala sila ng fans ko.” This partnership with GMA Records is also her way of reaching her dream of having a hit single, another notch on the belt she is yet to achieve.

Her single, “Walang Pinipili,” was released for download and streaming on Nov.19 on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and over 180 digital stores worldwide.

Gabbi Garcia also inks a distribution deal with GMA Records who recently released her debut single “All I Need,” which she wrote. The single was coproduced by Christian Bautista. “I am glad that my single will be distributed

by GMA Records. I’m also thankful to all the people who appreciated my first single.”

Meanwhile, One Up thanks GMA Records for the trust it has given them. The boy band is slated to release “Smile” written, produced and arranged

by Kiko Salazar. “Maraming salamat po sa GMA Records sa opportunity.

Nagpapasalamat rin kami sa lahat ng sumusuporta sa amin, sa group namin.

Sobrang hinintay po namin itong time

Aiai delas Alas signed with GMA Records for the distribution of her new single

talagang i-share yung music ko sa marami pang tao,” he shares. Kristoffer Martin’s single “Paulit-ulit” is a product of Filscap Songwriting Camp, penned

by Jam Ruiz.

ABS-CBN airs Chinese remake of ‘Meteor Garden’ ABS-CBN officially bagged the exclusive rights to air China’s remake of the phenomenal hit Meteor Garden, the idol drama that captivated the hearts of Filipino fans and started the Asianovela craze in the country.

In a press conference in Shanghai, China, the new F4 members were formally introduced namely Dylan Wang, 19, as the Dao Ming Si; Chen 22, as Hua Ze Lei; Connor Darren Chen, Leong 23, as Mei Zuo; and Caesar Wu, 21, Leong, as Xi Men. Rookie Chinese actress Shen Yue, meanwhile, bagged the coveted role of Shan Cai. According to the series’ original producer Angie Chai, the cast was chosen based on their personalities that are similar to the Taiwanese version of F4.

The production group started its casting call in June this year, and various auditions were held in major cities’ first tier Universities – Taipei, Hong Kong, Singapore, Los Angeles, and China. The production team received over 30,000 applications and resumes from F4 hopefuls.

When asked why Angie thought of rebooting Meteor Garden in 2018, she said, “It is fate that led me to producing this new version of Meteor Garden, considering that it has been 15 years already since the launch of the Taiwanese version. The original manga for me seems ‘unfinished’ and that’s why I think I did not produce the series completely. At least now, I have gotten once more the trust and license approval of the original author, and I am very happy that I get to relive the events 15 years ago and feel youthful once again.”

Based from the Japanese manga Hana Dango Meteor Garden tells the story of Yori Dango, simple girl Shan Cai who gets involved with four popular and rich young boys in school who call themselves F4 or Flower 4.

The first and original Meteor Garden, topbilled Taiwanese actor Jerry Yan, aired on ABS-CBN in 2003when the fever began for Filipino fans.

After six years, the fever is very much alive, this time with the Korean remake titled Boys Over Flowers, which also aired on ABS-CBN. The KBS-produced adaptation formally introduced international supertstar Lee Min Ho to Pinoy viewers, who is now dubbed as the King of Asianovelas in the country.

ABS-CBN still is the home of Meteor Garden on Philippine television.

Chinese actor Dylan Wang playing Daoming Si in “Meteor Garden” reboot

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Tuesday, November 28, 2017

ACROSS 1 Seashore 6 Nashville’s — McEntire 10 Up to the task 14 Golfer Lorena — 15 Pamplona shouts 16 Kitchen worker 17 Loses fur 18 Very small 20 Farm 22 Smidgens 23 Sierra Madre gold 24 Fabric meas.

25 Uncertain 29 Fixed, as attention 33 Cube inventor 34 Gave up territory 35 Canister 37 Grad-school exam 38 Camel halts 39 — -splicing 40 Fold-up bed 41 Ocean fliers 42 Handbag logo 43 — and dearest 45 Feed abundantly 46 Kind of jacket 47 Not worth a — 48 Pointed remarks 51 Finicky

na ito and finally ito na. Magkakaroon na kami ng single,” says one of their members.

Excited when he finally release his first single, “Una Kong Pasko” on Nov. 21, Barangay LS FM DJ Papa Obet feels grateful for the opportunity that GMA Records has given him. “Ito talaga ‘yung passion ko, ‘yung pagkanta. Naging madali ang pag-uusap namin ng GMA Records at talagang tinutulungan nila ako, so nagpapasalamat ako sa kanila na tinanggap nila ‘yung song ko,” the DJ adds. The single will be available for streaming and download on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon and over 180 digital stores worldwide Lastly, Kristoffer Martin feels very happy to be part of GMA Records’ roster of talented musicians and he looks forward to sharing his music to more audience. “Sobrang saya ko kasi gusto kong i-pursue yung singing career ko talaga kaya I’m thankful to GMA Records for giving me the opportunity to be part of the team. Gusto ko kasi

57 In a luxurious manner 59 Makes sharp 60 Glassmaker — Lalique 61 Film purchase 62 Fierce whales 63 New singles 64 On vacation 65 Like an old joke DOWN 1 Nonsense!

2 Parrot 3 “Excuse me...”

4 Morse invention 5 Footstool 6 Lover in a play 7 Name in essays 8 Stoop 9 Tempe inst.

10 Buttonhole 11 Exchange of blows 12 Albright or Falana 13 Really skimps 19 Put up cedar shakes 21 Hear a case 24 First name in fashion 25 Gator kin 26 A Great Lake 27 Subside 28 Not even one

29 Adjust a clock 30 March 15, in Rome 31 Cockpit button 32 Sock hop 34 Soup containers 36 Horse’s brake 38 Layered cookie 39 Kind of instinct 41 Remove chalk 42 Argentine cowboys 44 Walks slowly 45 Attacker 47 Furtively

48 Fail to amuse 49 Triangle tip 50 Viking letter 51 Put in the overhead 52 She, in Seville 53 Civil wrongdoing 54 Early Peruvian 55 Scaloppine base 56 To be, to Brutus 58 Firearms lobby

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2017

T

EEN artist Bailey May is set to bring the country into the global spotlight after American Idol producer Simon Fuller picked him to be part of his upcoming global pop group called Now United.

The confirmation of his selection came months after he flew to Los Angeles together with three other teen hopefuls to join the Now United boot camp.

Although still managed by Star Magic, Bailey will now be part of the culturally diverse 14-member sing and dance group while touring the globe.

Despite bringing pride to the country, Bailey humbly claimed he never considered himself a “shoo-in” at the weeklong boot camp, that assessed the nearly 50 participants’ singing, dancing and social media presence.

According to him, he found out he was officially selected by Simon and his team back in August, during their last day at the boot camp.

“My heart was racing, I was so nervous. I thought my life could change in a matter of minutes and then he said my name and then like just a burst of happiness rushed through my body. Ever since then it’s been on my mind,” said Bailey.

Bailey assured that he would be working very hard in making sure that he represents the country well on the international scene even if his feat hasn’t sunk on him yet.

“Yeah I’m very proud because there are three other people who came to audition to Now United.

And to be able to represent the Philippines, the place where I grew up, where I was born is a dream come true,” he said.

Now, United’s Project Manager Yonta Taiwo, meanwhile, confirmed that loads of projects are to be expected from the group following their launch.

“We’re currently in the process of selecting because there are lots of offers coming from different promoters throughout Asia and internationally. So we’re just assessing where the best place is to be the launchpad for Now United,” shared Yonta.

But with Bailey onboard, Yonta assured that his fans can see him in person soon enough.

In the end, Bailey thanked his supporters who happily welcomed this new chapter in his career.

“Sobrang miss ko kayo at maraming salamat sa pagsuporta sa akin. Since day one, you’ve been supporting me, and you, I’m so blessed to have you as a fan of mine. You know I pray that the future has good things for us as a fanbase. Mahal ko kayo,” he ended.

Now United is the first ever global pop group created by Simon fuller featuring 14 artists from 14 different countries. The artists are between the ages of 14-19 year old (boys/girls) and can all sing and dance.

After a series of audition and boot camps, Kapamilya teen star Bailey May is selected as one of the official members of the global pop group

SIMON FULLER

picks Bailey for Now United

‘My Husband’s Lover’ and ‘Carmela’ on Thai TV FOUR of GMA Network’s biggest artists – Carla Abellana, Tom Rodriguez, Dennis Trillo, and Alden Richards – flew to Bangkok, Thailand recently for the launch and to promote the first-ever GMA dramas that will be aired in that country.

Through the successful partnership between GMA’s program syndication arm GMA Worldwide, Inc. and Thailandbased JKN Global Media, Thai audience will now enjoy the well-loved Filipino drama series My Husband’s Lover and Carmela.

The GMA stars visited Thailand on Nov. 5 to 8 for their the television appearances and also to grace JKN’s biggest and most glamorous event for 2017, JKN Mega Showcase: Diamond Gold.

Carla, Dennis, and Tom were reunited to promote their groundbreaking 2013 Kapuso primetime series My Husband’s Lover – the story of a wife and her husband’s scandalous affair with his male best friend. It was the very first gay-themed TV series in the Philippines, which earned various awards and commendations for the actors’ powerful and outstanding performances. The drama was also acclaimed for its honest and artistic portrayal of homosexuality, homophobia, and infidelity.

Joining the trio in Thailand was Alden Richards, the leading man in the 2014 drama series Carmela with Marian Rivera-Dantes.

To date, JKN has acquired over 700 hours of GMA’s top-rating afternoon and primetime dramas.

Kapuso stars Tom Rodriguez, Carla Abellana, Alden Richards, and Dennis Trillo headline JKN Global's event in Bangkok

San Miguel Holdings CFO Raoul Romulo, Private Equity Guru Gil Camacho, Asian Appraisal Company President Anthony Te and Former Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez with Atty. Carlos Ocampo and Atty. Mannix Manalo

Law firm celebrates 20 years THE Ocampo Manalo Law Firm reached a milestone in October and celebrated 20 years of business over dinner at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel with its employees, clients, business partners, friends, and associates.

The company has grown from the dreams of founder and Senior Partner Carlos T. Ocampo and Senior Partner Manolito A. Manalo.

“We feel blessed to have been able to survive and thrive in our very unpredictable economic environment dating back to when we started in 1997,” says Ocampo.

“And we continue to be very excited about our future.

We have stuck to our formula of being focused on solutions and properly assessing our clients’ respective situations and circumstances. Law firms who are not completely focused on their clients’ matters and working hard, are likely to fail their clients, not just disappointing them but harming them in the process as well.”

“While we do consider 20 years as a tremendous achievement for the firm” adds Manalo. “This would have not have been possible without the help of our partners and associates that we’ve had over the years; our friends and family who have been our most ardent supporters and marketers and of course, our clients, no matter how big or small, who have entrusted us with their business and personal concerns. These have fueled us to persevere so much so that the last two decades went by so fast leaving us with plenty of energy to go for another twenty years and more ” The partners are unanimous in saying that whatever success that the firm has reached is a product of hard work and perseverance and their belief that real success

is not achieved by taking shortcuts. And 20 years ago, the partners could not even imagined how things would be in 2017; and by taking each day as they come while maintaining a relentless pursuit of fleshing our their formula, here they are and they sure have come a long way.

Giving accolades to the firm that evening were: Ambassador and Mrs. Monthip Upathising of Thailand, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian, congressmane Emi Calixto Rubiano (and husband Egay), Victor Yap , Ed Olivares of the 1st District of Paranaque, Gus Tambunting of the 2nd District of Paranaque, Noel Bonoan of KPMG, lawyer Tony Abad of Harvard Club, Jorge and Maita Lichauco, congressman Martin Romualdez, Eldon and Ballsy Cruz, Nilo Cruz, president of Veterans Bank, lawyer Mon Hermosura, General Legal Counsel of Ayala Corporation, lawyer JT Gonzales, General Legal Counsel of Aboitiz, Capt. Dexter Comendador, CEO and president of Air Asia Phils., Tristan Dumlao, president of MIASCOR Holdings, Jose Oscar Salvacion, president of Kajima Philippines, Salve Duplito, Joann Camacho, Anthony Te, Raoul Romulo and Gen. Peter Suchianco of San Miguel Corporation, Rizal Mayor Eli Pillas, lawyer Juan Lorenzo Tañada director of Coca Cola FEMSA, Deputy Director of NBI Ferdie Lavin and retired Justice Ranada.

Also seen at the scene were lawyer Anna Mae Uy Lamentillo, chairman, Build BuildBuild Committee –DPWH, lawyer Ambrosio Valdez of PATTS College of Aeronautics with his wife, and representatives of the Austrian Embassy.