THE MANILA TIMES | FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Banks’ 2018 income boosted by rate hikes Story on B1 ++

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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Andaya threatens to bring budget issue before SC CABINET Secretary Karlo Nograles should be wary in crafting President Rodrigo Duterte’s veto or rejection of pork barrel INSERTIONS IN THE NEWLY RATIkED BUDGET measure amid his alleged conspiracy with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, House appropriations panel chairman Rolando Andaya Jr. warned over the weekend.

Andaya, who described Nograles as “the new spokesperson� for Diokno, said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) continues its moves to restore the

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Trusted since 1898 COTA B ATO M AYO R Q U E S T I O N S P L E B I S C I T E

‘Govt, MILF conspired to ensure BOL victory’ FULL DEVOTION Devotees flock to touch, see and pray to the incorruptible heart of St. Camillus de Lellis, the patron saint of the sick and the founder of the Order of Clerks Regular Ministers to the Sick, at the Our Lady of the Peace and Good Voyage Cathedral in Antipolo City on Sunday.

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PHOTO BY RUY L. MARTINEZ

Q Happily injecting the defective vaccine, for political and financial purposes?

Q Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani Sayadi PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

BY WILLIAM B. DEPASUPIL

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OVERNMENT officials, the military and EVEN ELECTION OFkCIALS allegedly conspired the XCLUSIVE with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) ahead of a January 21 referendum to ensure Cotabato City would fall under the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Cotabato City Mayor Frances Cynthia Guiani Sayadi claimed on Sunday.

WTF! It was Aquino’s Dengvaxia graft that weakened public trust in vaccines

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Did DU30 get a new kidney?

WO comFIRST plemenTHINGS tary sources, FIRST neither of which wants to be named, have claimed that on Wednesday morning, Jan. 29, 2019, President Rodrigo Duterte underwent a successful kidney transplant surgery amid rumors that he had fallen seriously ill.

Sayadi told The Manila Times the

FRANCISCO S. TATAD

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Duterte to help boost vaccine info drive IN an attempt to rebuild the trust of the public in the government’s immunization program, President Rodrigo Duterte himself would help in disseminating information REGARDING VACCINES A -ALACAÄANG OFkCIAL said on Sunday.

The President’s move came after a measles

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What’s inside PALACE TO COMMUNISTS: ACCEPT DEFEAT, RETURN TO SOCIETY NewsA2 THE MYTH OF PH’S COLLAPSED LABOR MARKET

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THUNDER ROAR BACK TO SHOCK ROCKETS SportsC1

JINGGOY ESTRADA RECALLS KIM DOMINGO’S PRISON VISIT

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Japan vows to continue Mindanao aid JAPANESE Foreign Minister Taro Kono had expressed desire for the Japanese government to continue its support for the development of Mindanao, MalacaĂąang said on Sunday.

Kono made the commitment upon meeting President Rodrigo Duterte in a courtesy call on Saturday at Matina Enclaves in Davao City. “Foreign Minister Kono said Japan welcomes THE RATIkCATION OF THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW He also mentioned that Japan would like to continue to support the development of Mindanao,â€? a news release from MalacaĂąang read.

Kono also expressed Japan’s sympathy to the victims of the twin blasts that rocked Jolo in Sulu province on January 27. ³AidA2

DEVELOPMENT PARTNER

President Rodrigo Duterte meets Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono at the Matina Enclaves in Davao City on Sunday. MALACAĂ‘ANG PHOTO

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News

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MONDAY February 11, 2019

Palace to communist rebels: Accept defeat

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BY RALPH U. VILLANUEVA

ALACAĂ‘ANG on Sunday urged anew Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founding chairman Jose Maria Sison and his comrades to end their arm struggle and rejoin society. “It is time to rejoin society. There is nothing dishonorable in accepting defeat. There is another path for change other than armed struggle.

Filipinos cannot continue killing Filipinos,� Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo said in a statement. “Sison must step down from his ivory tower and extend his hands

Q CONSPIRED FROM A1

Govt, MILF -),& WHICH SECURED WIDER AUTONOMY under a 2014 peace deal and is expected to lead the Barmm, sent 20,000 men to polling places across the city and encountered no resistance from the military.

3AYADI SAID THE -),& WAS BENT on taking control of Cotabato City through the BARMM because it was the only progressive city within the existing Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) but was not part of it.

Thus, Cotabato City needed to vote during the January 21 plebiscite to ratify THE "ANGSAMORO /RGANIC ,AW "/, IF it wanted to join the BARMM. The “Yes� vote won, with 36,682 votes, versus 24,994 “No� votes. “They have plans of making it as the capital of BARMM,� Sayadi said. “They want Cotabato City because compared to other cities we have the biggest malls, the biggest internal revenue allotment (share of national government tax collections), and the city is multiawarded,� she alleged.

3AYADI SAID THE PRESENCE OF -),& men, some in uniform and with kREARMS RESULTED IN THE MASSIVE DISenfranchisement of registered voters. “There was really a conspiracy [among the members of the plebiscite committee or board of election inspectors, the military and the police].

Registered voters were not able to vote [because they were being harassed and intimidated by members of the -),&= u 3AYADI CLAIMED “We’re talking here of approxiMATELY -),& MEMBERS inside Cotabato City. They were already in Cotabato three days before the January 21 plebiscite,� she added.

Village chiefs detained The mayor also alleged that on the eve of the plebiscite, she was in constant communication with military OFkCIALS WHO SHE SAID ASSURED HER that the military had a standing orDER TO DISPERSE THE -),& MEMBERS “They (military) told me that THEY WILL REMOVE THE -),& AROUND polling centers, and they will no

Q AID FROM A1

Japan The Japanese official is in the COUNTRY FOR A THREE DAY OFkCIAL VISIT as part of his agenda in the inauguration ceremony of the Japanese #ONSULATE 'ENERAL IN $AVAO He said Japan was pleased to be able to open up a new consulate general in the city of Davao.

Kono was accompanied by Japa-

for peace, for his own sake, for his followers, for the Filipino people, for his country he loves so well,� he added.

In a speech on Friday, President Rodrigo Duterte said he was willing to reopen peace negotiations with the communist rebels if they stopped their extortion or “revolu-

tionary taxes.�

Speaking on the President’s offer, Panelo said of Sison: “To miss this golden opportunity will only reduce him to a historical footnote and thrown him into the dustbin of history. That will be tragic and such a waste,� he said.

Sison rejected Duterte’s demand, saying it was an insult to the revolutionary movement as it would result in the “suicide� of their government. “The people’s government needs kNANCIAL RESOURCES FOR ADMINISTRAtion and social programs, including public education, land reform, raising production, health and sanitation, people’s self-defense, cultural work, and so on,� he said.

longer be there in the morning. So there’s nothing to worry. I have a lot OF TEXT ;MESSAGES= TO 'EN ;#IRILITO= Sobejana (military commander) and his answers were always ‘noted, noted, copy,’ but no corresponding action,� she further said.

On the day of the plebiscite, 24 of the 37 village chiefs were instructed to go to the headquarters of the Philippine Army’s 6th Infantry Division to attend a seminar on what is prohibited on election day.

But they were practically detained and were only released, Sayadi said, when she called the commanding OFkCERS TO RELEASE THEM The series of events, the mayor stressed, only proved that events that transpired in Cotabato City were all “preplanned.� “Even before that, Presidential Peace Adviser retired general Carlito 'ALVEZ TOLD ME THAT #OTABATO #ITY would be placed under Comelec CONTROL )T SEEMS THAT 'ENERAL 'ALVEZ HAS ALREADY MADE A PLAN u she added.

Ejercito: Punish parents of child offenders

Mocking Sison’s statements, Panelo said: “Oh... they have a government? The armchair illusory rebel chieftain must be running berserk with his imagination,� he said. “No wonder his ground forces no longer follow him. He has to wake up from his daydreaming lest he gets a nightmare that will cut short his bourgeoisie lifestyle in The Netherland,� he added.

Duterte terminated peace talks between the government and the communists in November 2017 amid the rebels’ continued attacks on state troops.

He then declared the CPP and its armed wing, the New People’s Army, terror organizations and ordered the arrest of rebel leaders.

SEN. Joseph Victor “JV� Ejercito wants harsher penalties against parents who use their children to commit crimes.

The senator also pressed for similar penalties against criminal syndicates who employ children for their illegal activities.

Ejercito stressed this during a debate among senators aired on television Saturday evening.

Asked by a fellow senatorial candidate whether he supports the lowering of the minimum age of criminal responsibility (MACR), Ejercito, in Filipino, said, “I believe that the Juvenile Justice Act has good intentions of protecting minors, protecting children.�

The House of Representatives has passed a bill amending the juvenile justice law by lowering the MACR from 15 years old to 12. “In my experience as a former mayor, I observed that this [law] has been used and abused by

criminals and sometimes by their own parents as well,� Ejercito said. “Sa akin ang dapat ay harsher penalties ‘dun sa mga adult, sa mga magulang, sa mga kriminal na gumagamit sa mga bata (There must be harsher penalties against adults, parents, criminals who use children [for their illegal activities] insofar as I’m concerned),� he said.

Ejercito added: “Kaya ako ay naniniwala na dapat nating buksan ang usapin (That’s why I believe it is necessary to start discussions on this matter).�

The senator, who is seeking re-election, noted that the international standard for MACR is between 11 and 12 years old.

The House’s original proposal for MACR is nine years old, which Ejercito rejected. “The age of nine is too low. That’s too young. I have a young child,� he said.

BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

VALENTINE’S WEEK Early buyers of Valentine’s Day merchandise purchase heartthemed products along Carriedo Street in Manila. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

Teachers replaced She also pointed out that poll workers who replaced teachers who had failed to report for poll duties because of threats, were not registered voters of Cotabato City and not government teachers. They were confirmed sympathizers and supporters of THE "/, 3AYADI SAID Even the Commission on Elections, she pointed out, refused to furnish her THE COPIES OF CERTIkED CERTIkCATES OF canvass from Cotabato City. “There was really a conspiracy,� she said.

4HE MAYOR SAID THE -),& ALSO DID IT IN )SABELA #ITY AND ,ANAO DEL 3UR

but did not succeed because there were only a few members of the -),& THERE UNLIKE IN #OTABATO #ITY

which was only an hour away from Camp Darapanan, the headquarters OF THE -),& She admitted getting informaTION PRIOR TO THE -),& S ACTION BUT SAID SHE FELT CONkDENT THAT NOTHING would happen because of the assurances given to her by the military. “If I was only told by the military that they would not take action on THE PRESENCE OF -),& WE COULD HAVE prepared,� she added. nese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda and Davao Consul 'ENERAL 9OSHIAKI -IWA Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Foreign Affairs Secretary 4EODORO ,OCSIN *R &INANCE 3ECRETARY Carlos Dominguez and Philippine !MBASSADOR TO *APAN *OSE ,AUREL WERE also present during the courtesy call.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said Kono’s visit was a “testament to the strengthened strategic partnership between the Philippines and Japan.�

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Q THREATENS FROM A1

Andaya controversial P75 billion in the kNAL PRINT OF THE 'ENERAL Appropriations Act, hence a veto message which he and Diokno may have prepared should be elevated to the Supreme Court (SC) for some clarifications in line items. “In case the two Cabinet members succeed in this evil scheme OF VETOING THE '!" 'ENERAL

Q VACCINE FROM A1

Duterte outbreak in several areas in the country was announced by the Department of Health (DoH). “I heard the President say that he will help DoH Secretary [Francisco] Duque in trying to gain the public’s trust [in] the DoH’s immunization program,�

Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office said in an interview aired over state-owned Radyo Pilipinas. “The President himself will help in the communications, he will say something in one of the coming events,� he added.

Andanar said the Health departMENT HAD ASKED HIS OFkCE FOR HELP in the vaccination program over the Dengvaxia vaccination scare. “You know, that is really the negative effect, the bad effect of the issue of Dengvaxia because the other immunization programs are affected,

Appropriations Bill) to restore the P75-billion insertion, I will join 3EN 0ANFILO ,ACSON AND 3EN [Franklin] Drilon in questioning the veto message before the Supreme Court,� he added. “My unsolicited advice to Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles, the new spokesperson of DBM Secretary [Benjamin] Diokno: Be careful with the crafting of the veto message for it will just lead back to where it all started,� Andaya said.

(E ECHOED A STATEMENT OF ,ACson that the P75-billion insertion in the National Expenditure Pro-

gram was “a conspiracy between the DBM and the previous House leadership.� ,ACSON AND $RILON WHO VOTED against the spending bill, said the P3.757-trillion national budget, which now awaits Duterte’s approval, would test the latter’s political will in removing pork insertions.

Diokno has been facing allegations of being responsible for various budget irregularities.

-INORITY ,EADER $ANILO 3UAREZ said the Budget chief was still not off the hook for repeatedly snubbing House hearings on DBM’s

questionable allocations.

Nograles said that Duterte was prepared to use his veto to ensure “clean� items in the budget.

He previously defended Diokno from lawmakers’ accusations against the Budget chief.

The House and Senate agreed to realign the P75-billion “DBM PORKu BEFORE THEY RATIkED THE BUDget measure on Friday.

After both chambers made the correction, Andaya claimed that Diokno and Nograles were “back in the drawing board� to restore it via a veto message. GLEE JALEA

measles, and other diseases like pneumonia and other illnesses that can be avoided through immunization,� he added.

The vaccine scare was caused by controversy over the anti-dengue Dengvaxia vaccine, which was used in the massive vaccination campaign.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) was tapped to assist those whose children died after being inoculated with the vaccine.

PAO chief Persida Rueda-Acosta earlier said she did not need to be a medical professional to know that the Dengvaxia vaccine is dangerous.

In the wake of the Dengvaxia controversy, immunization coverage in 2018 slid to 40 percent from at least 70 percent in the last few years, the Health department said.

It said there were no direct links between the vaccine and the deaths. )N A NEWS BRIEkNG LAST WEEK 0ALace spokesman Salvador Panelo said Acosta cannot be blamed for the vaccine scare since she was only doing her job.

But he noted that Duque believed that Acosta aggravated the SITUATION BY kLING CASES AGAINST THE Health secretary. “Nobody blamed anybody there. But Secretary Duque was complaining how the PAO had impleaded him in several cases, and that is one of the reasons why [according to him] people are hesitant [because they lost trust in the government] because of [the] Dengvaxia [scare],� Panelo said.

Acosta on Sunday told The Manila Times that Duque was resorting to diversionary tactics instead of doing his job of putting up a good vaccination campaign.

She said Duque should face his day in court to answer questions on the deaths caused by the Dengvaxia vaccine.

Several criminal charges were slapped against the Health chief before the Department of Justice by families of the victims. *USTICE 3ECRETARY -ENARDO 'UEvara gave assurances that the charges of reckless imprudence resulting

in homicide and violations of the Anti-Torture Act and Consumer Act against Duque shall be resolved based on evidence.

'UEVARA SAID -ALACAĂ„ANG WILL not have a hand in a resolution of the DoJ on the charges against Duque and other respondents, including former Health secretary *ANETTE 'ARIN Another complaint was filed before the DoJ against former President Benigno Aquino 3rd, former Budget secretary Florencio Abad AND 'ARIN FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF the Dengvaxia vaccine.

They were charged with technical malversation for using the savings FROM THE kSCAL YEAR -UTUAL "ENEkT 0ERSONNEL &UND FOR THE IMmunization program.

The respondents were also charged with multiple homicide and physical injuries through negligence under the Revised Penal Code by the families of the victims.

RALPH U. VILLANUEVA AND JOMAR CANLAS

˜ The Manila Times

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Lower power rates, Aquino urges govt

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BY BERNADETTE E. TAMAYO

EN. Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino 4th on Sunday called on the government to take the necessary steps to lower electricity rates.

The senator reiterated his proposal to remove the value-added tax (VAT) on electric generation, transmission and distribution as consumers face another electricity rate hike.

“Kawawa naman ang ating mga kababayan (Our fellowmen are pitiful),” Aquino said. “They have not yet overcome the effect of increase in prices [of basic goods] and now they have to face the burden of the increase in electricity [rate],” he said in Filipino.

“The government must act immediately to ease this burden,”he added. !QUINO EARLIER kLED 3ENATE "ILL SEEKING

to lower power rates by removing VAT from the sale of electricity by all electric companies and cooperatives.

He pushed for the removal of VAT on electric generation, transmission and distribution, saying these costs were passed on to consumers.

He said government must prioritize energy infrastructure projects to help address the country’s supply issues.

There is also a need to remove red tape to enhance competition and encourage more players in power generation, Aquino said.

I’m not quitting – DoST chief SCIENCE and Technology Secretary Fortunato de la Peña on Sunday denied reports that he WAS QUITTING SAYING HE HAD FOUND FULkLLMENT in government service.

De la Peña said rumors of him stepping down should not be given attention because science and technology are his cup of tea. g) kND FULkLLMENT IN SERVING OUR PEOPLE and since I have worked with the science and technology sector for almost four decades now, I think I can contribute to the President’s desire of reducing inequality, of creating new opportunities, and expanding our country’s

potentials for growth-particularly through science, technology and innovation,” he told The Manila Times in an interview.

De la Peña, 69, taught at the University of the Philippines College of Engineering for 43 years. He was among the original members of President Rodrigo Duterte’s cabinet.

“At this stage, I intend to continue helping our President and our government in improving the lives of Filipinos through science technology and innovation. The rumor that I am quitting government is not true,” he said.

ED VELASCO

Hefty oil price hike looms OIL companies are set to increase their pump prices on Tuesday, a week after implementing a minimal price rollback.

“Expect fuel prices to go up next week. Diesel should go up by P0.50 to P0.60 [per liter] and gasoline should go up by P0.80 to P0.90 per liter,” Unioil Philippines said in its advisory on Saturday.

An industry source said the cost of diesel

might go up by 55 centavos to 65 centavos per liter and gasoline by 95 centavos to P1.05 per liter.

The oil price projections came amid a decline in global crude prices. ,AST WEEK OIL kRMS REDUCED THE COST OF GASOline by 35 centavos per liter, gasoline by 60 centavos per liter, and kerosene by 20 centavos per liter.

JORDEENE B. LAGARE

News

MONDAY February 11, 2019

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Opinion

MONDAY February 11, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

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Time to retire the term ‘pork barrel’ from our political culture

T is coincidental that one, 2019 has been designated as the ‘year of the pig’ in the Chinese calendar, and two, that our public life today is roiled by quarrels over the so-called pork barrel in the national budget.

Seriously, it is a mark of naivetĂŠ and amateurism of Philippine politics that Filipinos, politicians and citizens alike, REMAIN kXATED ON THE TERM gPORK BARRELu AND EVERYTHING unpleasant associated with it.

The world some time ago moved away from the term, and called it something else.

In the United States, where the practice and tradition of pork BARREL SPENDING WAS INVENTED IT IS SIGNIkCANT THAT !MERICANS AND the media no longer use the term ‘pork’ or pork barrel.

Pork originally denoted funds from the federal and state treasury into which politicians dipped for funds for political projects. It became part of the lexicon when legislation was passed by Congress to provide “morsels for scores of congressmen� in the form of appropriations for dams and piers, highways and bridges.

The term went into disuse when it became known that the phrase is derived from the pre-Civil War practice of periodically distributing salt pork to the slaves from huge barrels.

One journalist wrote: “The eagerness of the slaves would result in a rush upon the pork barrel, in which each would strive to grab as much as possible for himself.� “Members of Congress in the stampede to get their local appropriations items into the omnibus pier and harbor bills behaved so much like Negro slaves rushing the pork barrel, that these bills were facetiously styled ’pork barrel’ bills.�

Today, American legislators consciously use the term “earmarks� in place of pork barrel.

According to Wikipedia, “an earmark is a provision inserted into a discretionary spending appropriations bill that directs FUNDS TO A SPECIkC RECIPIENT WHILE CIRCUMVENTING THE MERIT based or competitive funds allocation process.�

In the US, the term “earmarkâ€? is used in relation with the congressional allocation process. Discretionary spending, which is set by the House and Senate appropriations committees and their various subcommittees, usually through APPROPRIATION ACTS IS AN OPTIONAL PART OF kSCAL POLICY WHICH differs from mandatory spending for entitlement programs in the federal budget. !CCORDING TO THE FEDERAL /FkCE OF -ANAGEMENT AND "UDGET (OMB) the term earmark referred to, “funds provided by the Congress for projects, programs, or grants where the purported congressional direction‌circumvents otherwise applicable MERIT BASED OR COMPETITIVE ALLOCATION PROCESSES OR SPECIkES the location or recipient, or otherwise curtails the ability of the executive branch to manage its statutory and constitutional responsibilities pertaining to the funds allocation process.â€?

Pork barrel today is mainly remembered as a metaphor for the appropriation of government spending for localized projects secured solely or primarily to bring money to a representative’s district.

When the Philippine Supreme Court declared on Nov.18, 2013 that the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) was unconstitutional, it made no mention of the pork barrel.

The high court voted 14-0-1 against the PDAF, the multi-million-peso discretionary funds received by lawmakers every year.

Pork barrel was immortalized with the exposure of the P10-billion pork barrel scam, allegedly masterminded by businesswoman Janet Lim-Napoles, and involving senators and congressmen, which resulted in several being charged and tried on graft charges.

3EN 0ANkLO ,ACSON WILL LOSE HIS ONE AND ONLY SONG IF OUR political vocabulary grows up and adapts to the modern world.

His loss notwithstanding, this will be better than having our legislators portrayed as no different from slaves. ~

MONDAY February 11, 2019

The Manila Times

VOLUME 120 NUMBER 122

DANTE A. ANG, Chairman Emeritus RENE Q. BAS, Publisher Emeritus NERILYN A. TENORIO, Publisher-Editor ARNOLD E. BELLEZA, Executive Editor FELIPE F. SALVOSA II, Managing Editor LEENA C. CHUA, News Editor LYNETTE O. LUNA, National Editor TESSA MAURICIO-ARRIOLA, Lifestyle Editor PERRY GIL MALLARI, Sports Editor LEA MANTO-BELTRAN, Supplements Editor JOMAR CANLAS, Chief of Reporters RENE H. DILAN, Chief Photographer DANTE F. M. ANG 2ND, President and CEO BLANCA C. MERCADO, #HIEF /PERATING /FkCER RODA A. ZABAT, Advertising Director VICENTE P. CRUZ, JR., Circulation Director DENISE O. CALNEA, Marketing Communications and Services Director Telephone All Departments: 524-5665 to 66; Subscription: 524-5664 Local 222 Advertising: 524-5664 Local 121 Telefax: 310-5895 or e-mail advertising@manilatimes.net www.manilatimes.net • e-mail newsdesk@manilatimes.net Letters to the Editor THE MANILA TIMES is published daily at 2/F Sitio Grande, 409 A. Soriano Avenue, Intramuros, Manila 1002 The owners, managers, publishers and editors do not necessarily share the opinions expressed and the statements made by individual authors of columns, commentaries and other articles published in The Manila Times.

The myth of PH’s collapsed labor market According to research group IBON, the Philippine labor market has collapsed. Rappler concurs. Forbes agrees. But what’s the economic reality?

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N mid-January, the IBON research GROUP PRESUMABLY BASING ITS kNDings on data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), warned that the Philippine economy was slowing AND THAT IN ITS kRST TWO FULL YEARS THE Duterte administration registered the “lowest level of job creation among post-Marcos administrations.�

In the 2000s, annual job generation had been 800,000 to 850,000. In the Duterte era, it had plunged to barely 81,000, or so the story went.

Two weeks later, Rappler released J.C. Punongbayan’s jobs commentary, which relied almost entirely on the IBON piece, however. He exclaimed that “the previous Aquino administration created jobs at an annual rate more than 10 times faster than Duterte government’s current performance.�

A week after the Rappler jobs piece, US-based business magazine Forbes published its take, “Can the Philippines survive Rodrigo Duterte?�

Like Rappler’s Punongbayan, Forbes contributor William Pesek relied entirely on the IBON report.

He attributed the collapse of the Philippine labor market to increasing corruption, deadly drugs war and, oddly enough, a Duterte-Marcos conspiracy. The conclusion was dire: “Dutertenomics is sputtering.�

does not allow for extrapolation across years and decades.

But has Philippine labor market collapsed, really?

DAN STEINBOCK So, how are these systematic comparisons possible across three decades? Well, strictly speaking, they aren’t. The PSA released its first nationwide labor turnover survey only last fall. The rate seems to have decreased from 1.9 percent TO PERCENT BETWEEN THE kRST AND third quarter. Yet, inadequate data

Rising employment, declining unemployment Last fall, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reported that investment-led growth and sustained supply pressures in the Philippines have likely raised employment with renewed wage demand pressures. )NDEED THERE IS A SIGNIkCANT DIFference between the Aquino and

Duterte eras in the Philippine labor market. During the Aquino administration, employment rate—the number of people who have jobs as a percentage of the labor force— stayed around 92 percent to 94 percent. In the Duterte era, it has progressively increased from 93.5 percent to 95 percent. Conversely, in the Aquino era, the unemployment rate varied around 8 percent to 6.5 percent, whereas in the Duterte era it has declined to 5 percent.

In the Philippines, such percentage points represent millions of

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PHILIPPINE EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT, 2009-2019

False claims by the CPP-NPA

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HE battle for Central Negros rages on, on the ground and in cyberspace.

The New People’s Army recently claimed that its military offensives in Central Negros in January resulted to the death of not less than 23 soldiers belonging to the Philippine Army’s 94th Infantry Battalion in Guihulngan City alone.

However, aside from one member of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) who was liquidated by the NPA on January 6, not a single soldier was killed or seriously wounded or injured.

Before 5 in the morning of January 19, the NPA attacked a group of soldiers near the barangay hall of Brgy. Tacpao in Guihulngan City. “Ni-reyd ng mga kasama ang [Peace and Development Team of 94th Infantry Battalion] sa barangay hall at Day Care Center ng Tacpao gamit ang mga command-detonated na explosibo (CDX). ‌ Namatay sa naturang reyd ang 12 sundaloâ€?, !NG "AYAN THE OFkCIAL PUBLICATION of the Communist Party of the Philippines, reported in its January 21, 2019 issue. Such a slaughter would obviously have been difficult to hide from the local residents.

What actually happened was that the attackers fled after a brief firefight, leaving behind several rounds of assorted ammunition, a pistol, three caps, and bloodstains. Three NPA members were wounded according to 19-year old Efren Canumay

RESURGENCE

MARIT STINUSCABUGON who participated in the attack but later surrendered to the troops.

The Leonardo Panaligan Command (NPA Central Negros) not surprisingly denied having Efren in their roster and also denied recruiting minors. Efren joined the NPA when he was 17.

That the NPA recruits minors is old news. No amount of denial

by JB Regalado, the spokesperson of the NPA in Central Negros, can take away the fact that the NPA recruits minors, sometimes as young as 15. Didn’t the NPA take great pride in having more than 100 youth, including students, parade in a remote corner of Guihulngan City in connection with the recent 50th founding anniversary of the CPP? The CPP-NPA is increasingly experiencing problems getting its propaganda and narrative out to the public as its social media accounts and websites have been under attack lately. The National Union of Journalists in the Philippines on December 26 complained that “alternative MEDIA OUTkTS "ULATLAT AND +Odao ‌ were taken down almost simultaneously. That these assaults on freedom of the press and of free expression took place on the 50th founding an-

niversary of the CPP is clearly no coincidence.� Obviously, as the CPP-NPA-NDFP’s website www. philippinerevolution.info became inaccessible too.

Facebook accounts of the NPA in Negros have less if any activity with other accounts taking over the posting of updates. Fake accounts, some using the names and photos of the NPA accounts, have emerged posting anti-NPA comments, photos and memes on Facebook walls of the CPP-NPA, allied organizations and individuals. +ODAO 0RODUCTIONS THAT FEATURED CPP’s 50th anniversary in Bicol, in 2016 covered the anniversary with the NPA in Central Negros. On that occasion, Juanito Magbanua of the NPA’s Apolinario Gatmaitan .EGROS #OMMAND TOLD +ODAO that the gathering was the “largest event� the NPA in Negros had “ever hosted.� Magbanua bragged that more guerrilla fronts were being developed. And true enough, the Mt. Cansermon Command was activated sometime late 2017, becoming THE kFTH .0! COMMAND IN .EGROS In December 2016 President 2ODRIGO $UTERTE S CEASEkRE WAS STILL in force. Troops were being pulled out of Negros. But the situation is different today with soldiers again being deployed in Negros – 220 additional a few days ago - and the Duterte Administration no longer having intentions of giving political or military concessions to the CPP. The plan last year for a standdown agreement (to have taken

effect June 21 2018) seems to have been the last hoorah of those who, despite all the evidence of the CPPNPA-NDFP’s real intentions and lack of sincerity, still believed in formal peace talks.

The government is luring both regular NPA members and its mass base to abandon the communist cause and avail of the programs offered to rebel returnees. In Bohol, 77 CPP-NPA supporters “surrendered� last year to avail of the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) jointly offered by the provincial and national governments. The number of surrenderees – mass base and combatants - in Negros Island in 2018 was a modest 19 (The Daily Guardian, February 8, 2019). HowEVER AS THE GOVERNMENT INTENSIkES its anti-insurgency campaign in Negros – militarily, propagandawise and through civil-military initiatives - more NPA mass base AND kGHTERS ARE LIKELY TO SEE THE wisdom of surrendering.

A government that fails to address the needs and concerns of the people is usually the biggest recruiter for insurgent movements. However, while the communists often raise valid points against the government, armed attacks on soldiers only make life more miserable for the local population. Furthermore, UNTRUE CLAIMS OF LOSSES INlICTED on government troops have the CPP-NPA look like just another purveyor of fake news.

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Q TATAD FROM A1

Cardinal Santos or Davao?

According to the first source, DU30 checked in at Cardinal Santos on Tuesday evening, after attending the premier presentation of former PNP chief and senatorial candidate Bato de la Rosa’s biopic at SM Mega Mall, Ortigas Center. The next day he underwent his surgical procedure. He reportedly spent the next couple of days recuperating in a medically furnished luxury suite at Ortigas Center before he flew to Davao.

The second source tried to add a personal testimonial by saying that he himself had a kidney transplant late last year, and that he and the President now shared the same transplant doctor. His operation was virtually painless, he said, and he was back on his feet less than a day after the operation. He said the latest protocol on kidney transplants allows the doctor to attach a third kidney, which takes the place of the old pair, without touching them, unless they cause problems such as high blood pressure or infection.

This was what the doctor did to him, he said, and this was likely what the doctor did to the President as well. But he insisted it happened at a medical facility in Davao, not in San Juan. Upon hearing this, I went back to my first source to ask them if there wasn’t any chance they could have confused Cardinal Santos for Davao. They stood firm on their original claim, pointing out the great inconvenience of doing it in Davao. Indeed, if DU30 was in Manila on Tuesday and was going to undergo a major surgery the next day, it made no sense to fly to Davao the evening before, when he could have rested in Manila on Tuesday evening to prepare for the surgery the next morning.

A difficult story It is not easy for me to report this story. The President is particularly sensitive about his state of health, and he tends to take personal offense at any discussion of it in the press. I write regularly as a critic, but I want to keep whatever goodwill exists between me and the

President. Still, we each have our respective duties. At the beginning of his presidency, DU30 disappeared from public view during the New Year holidays. His spokesman then, Ernesto Abella, could not say where he was—no one had seen him in Davao or in Manila, and yet Abella insisted he never left Davao. When the media pressed him on this point, Abella finally said, “Maybe he left Davao, after all.�

As a former presidential spokesman for at least 10 years, I found this unacceptable. So I asked: “Where then did he go? Did he, by any chance, go to the Fuda cancer hospital in Guangzhou, as someone had suggested online?� I was more interested in getting a competent and responsible statement from the Palace spokesman than in tracking down the President’s actual whereabouts. But my query drew not only a negative reaction from the Palace, and also a confirmatory report from one foreign diplomatic observer who reported seeing a photo (a “selfie�) of a Filipino health worker with the President in Fuda.

The Fuda case I was not interested in staying with the story, so I told the National Security Adviser Gen. Hermogenes Esperon during a Manila Hotel social function that I had dropped it altogether, but that he should tell the President about the alleged photograph from Fuda which could surface anytime in the mainstream or social media without my intervention. I was doing this against my interest as a newspaperman, but I thought the President could use a little help at the time.

The gesture was, however, completely misunderstood, for a few days later, in a speech before the troops in Mindanao, DU30 mocked me for allegedly spreading the news about his visit to the cancer hospital. He then confirmed having gone to Fuda, but only to find out, he said, where “Tatad had himself circumcised� so that he could have his own faulty circumcision fixed too.

It was coarse humor, but it’s DU30’s kind of humor and I did not take it against him. I continued to write about the President, but tried to avoid writing about his health, unless completely unavoidable, for obvious reasons. But the matter cannot be avoided now, in the face of this claim by two complementary sources that he had undergone a major surgical operation. The President and his spokesman may want to dismiss it mechanically as “fake news,� but it is bound to

occupy some political space for some time.

The better course would be for the President’s official physician rather than his spokesman to issue a medical bulletin on his state of health and general well-being. This will not stop all the speculations, but it would show the President’s respect for the right of the public to be informed about his physical and mental well-being.

Marcos’ kidneys This is not the first time I got caught up in a story of this type.

In 1983 and 1984, after I left the Cabinet, where I had been press secretary, presidential spokesman and secretary of public information from 1969 to 1980, and returned to journalism, I helped expose then-President Marcos’ two secret kidney transplants. Dr. G. Baird Helfirch, director of renal transplants for Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.and Dr. Edgar Milford at Harvard’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, performed Marcos’ first transplant in August 1983.

Dr. Barry Kahan, director of transplantation at Houston’s Hermann Hospital, performed a second transplant in 1984, after Marcos suffered a rejection of his 1983 donated organ.

The Palace tried to hide these procedures from the public, but with the help of civic-minded individuals, these were ultimately uncovered. Dr. Enrique Ona, one of the country’s leading kidney specialists, who eventually became president of the Philippine National Kidney Foundation (PNKF) and later Secretary of Health, confirmed these transplants years after Marcos fell from power in 1986 and died in 1989. On Nov. 2, 1984, Dr. Potenciano Baccay, PNKF vice president and one of Marcos’s personal physicians, was found stabbed to death, “supposedly by the communists,� after reportedly talking to the foreign press about the transplants.

Effects on the Constitution Toward the end of his days, Marcos was rumored to be suffering from lupus. But his authoritarian control of government put the state of his health beyond the reach of the press and the public.

This created such an enormous political grievance that when Cory Aquino’s appointive constitutional commission wrote the 1987 Constitution, they included, among other things, Section 11 of Article VII, which provides as follows: “ W h e n e ve r t h e P r e s i d e n t transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he

is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President. “Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers AND DUTIES OF HIS OFkCE THE 6ICE President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of THE OFkCE AS !CTING 0RESIDENT u Section 12 of the same Article provides: “In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines shall not be denied access to the President during such illness.�

Urgent questions Given the private claims about the President’s reported kidney transplant, a number of questions arise. —Is the President suffering from an actual “serious illness�?

Neither the Constitution nor any existing law defines this term, so who will define it? A kidney transplant is normally regarded as a major surgical procedure. According to Wikipedia, the following risks could occur: allergic reaction to general anesthesia; bleeding; blood clots; leakage from the ureter (the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder); blockage from the ureter; an infection; rejection of the donated kidney; failure of the donated kidney; heart attack; a stroke. —Assuming the information coming from private informants is correct, does the situation activate the provision of Sec 12, Article VII, of the Constitution?

But this provision is poorly written. It merely provides that the Cabinet members in charge of national security and foreign relations and the AFP Chief of Staff (which means Defense Secretary $ELkN ,ORENZA .ATIONAL 3ECURITY Adviser Hermogenes Esperon, Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and Gen. Benjamin Madrigal) shall not be denied access to the President during his illness, but nothing compels the President TO SUMMON THESE OFkCIALS AND reveal his precise health condition on his own. And nothing COMPELS THESE OFkCIALS TO INQUIRE into the President’s state of health should he decide to keep them guessing.

The President must oblige us with a full statement.

fstatad@gmail.com

A5

s

Did DU30 get a new kidney?

The first source said a team led

by Dr. Rose Marie Rosete-Liquete, the nation’s first woman kidney transplant doctor and executive director of the National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), performed the procedure at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan, Metro Manila. The second source said the same doctor performed the same procedure on the same patient on the same day, but in Davao.

Opinion

LACK OF HEALTH WORKERS AND SERVICES ACCOUNTS FOR RISE IN MEASLES CASES AS the bickering between the Department of Health (DoH) and the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) continues to escalate in the midst of a measles epidemic, the Coalition for People’s Right to Health (CPRH) reminded the health department that the continued shortage of health workers and health services in communities all over the country is the more significant cause for the increasing cases of measles.

While it cannot be denied that deaths attributed to Dengvaxia sowed fear among parents and children and made them wary of other vaccines, the absence or lack of health workers and services in many of our communities still account for why preventable and curable diseases like measles continue to increase.

In areas not very far from Metro Manila, Dumagat communities in Tanay, Rizal and General Nakar, Quezon reported increased cases of measles from last year. Although parents from these indigenous people communities want to have their children vaccinated and access health services as soon as they become sick, the reality is that the health workers only visit their communities once or twice a year. These visits are not maximized by the residents because it is unannounced. Inundation and the difficult terrain of the Sierra Madre also pose great challenges to the people’s access to health facilities.

This is not the first time that indigenous and geographically isolated communities have faced a measles outbreak in our country. And given the poor safeguards in a broken health system, it will not be the last.

Data from the DoH shows that overall, the percentage of fully immunized children has been below 70 percent over the past few years, way below the target of 95 percent needed to assure herd immunity, or the protection of society against these communicable illnesses.

The isolation of these communities from basic services makes them all the more vulnerable to infectious diseases. This occurs on top of food insecurity and malnutrition, which also lead to decreased immune function and even vaccine failure. We know that Dengvaxia is but one of the many failings of the government in providing for the people’s health. Therefore, we have to look at the broader situation while also seeking accountability for such failings.

Joshua L. San Pedro, M.D. Co-convener Coalition for People’s Right to Health cprh.ph@gmail.com

Q STEINBOCK FROM A4

The myth of PH’s collapsed labor market people and can thus make or break the future of Filipino families.

In the Aquino era, the number of employed Filipinos increased from 36 million to about 40 million.

Yet, the number of unemployed stayed at around 2.5 to 3 million.

In the Duterte era, the number of the employed has climbed to close to 42 million, whereas the number of the unemployed has fallen to 2 million to 2.2 million.

Here’s the bottom line based on existing longer-term indicators: the Aquino administration spoke eloquently about reducing unemployment and attracting foreign investment, yet failed in both efforts.

Another manufactured friction In each of the three articles—IBON, Rappler and Forbes—the myth of the collapsed Philippine labor market is attributed to the Duterte administration, while the Aquino administration is portrayed as “10 times better,� even though it employed fewer and had more unemployed.

Unlike the Aquino administration, the Duterte government has succeeded in creating a momentum for investment-led growth for years to come. So, why do manufactured fric-

tions continue to spill from questionable research to biased commentaries to international denunciations?

In 2016 election, Duterte won the presidency by a landslide, whereas the Liberal Party (LP) suffered a meltdown. In most countries, electoral losses encourage the opposition to examine what went wrong and what can be done about the future. However, that was not the case in the Philippines.

Instead of adjusting to new realities at home, some of the party’s leaders seek to revive LP extraterritorially—hence the effort to exploit foreign governments, agencies and lobbies, billionaire speculators, international NGOs and media.

It is a very polarizing path in an era when the world economy hovers at the edge of a Cold War. It does not bode well for the future of the LP. It has diminished the country’s international reputation.

And it certainly does not contribute to job creation at home.

Dr. Dan Steinbock is the founder of Difference Group and has served at the India, China and America Institute (US), Shanghai Institute for International Studies (China) and the EU Center (Singapore). For more, see http://www.differencegroup.net/

FOCUS

Racism and redemption: Virginia blackface row sparks national debate RICHMOND, United States: Can a politician come back from revelations about racist behavior from their past?

What if that behavior evoked the darkest chapters of American history, from slavery to segregation?

That’s a question the state of Virginia has been grappling with since its governor, Ralph Northam, was caught up in a row over blackface: the caricaturing of African Americans by crude methods of skin darkening as a means of entertaining white people since the minstrel shows of the 1830s.

The 59-year-old has so far refused TO RESIGN AFTER kRST ADMITTING HE APpeared in a yearbook photograph showing a person in blackface and another wearing Ku Klux Klan robes, only to deny a day later that either individual was him.

Northam’s deputy has since become embroiled in a sexual misconduct row while the next official in succession for the top job has admitted to engaging in

blackface in college too.

Virginians—and Americans as a whole—are now asking themselves how to weigh the transgresSIONS FROM A PUBLIC OFkCIAL S PAST against their record as a whole, and whether even an authentic apology can help regain voters’ faith.

For James “JJ� Minor, president of the Richmond chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the episode has brought to the fore the painful legacy of the state’s past. “Black face is dehumanizing, it’s evil,� Minor, who is black, told AFP in an interview at the state capital’s railway station in the Shockoe Bottom district, once home to a booming slave auction industry that featured in THE kLM g 9EARS A 3LAVE u

‘Old Dixie’ Sometimes known as the “Cradle of America,� Virginia was

home to four of the country’s first five presidents.

But it was also one of the most SIGNIkCANT REGIONS FOR THE !TLANTIC slave trade, the main battleground of the mid-19th century Civil War that was fought over slavery, and later one of the states most resistant to the civil rights movement that brought an end to segregation.

In 2017, the Virginia city of Charlottesville hosted an alt-right rally which saw a neoNazi ram his car into a crowd of counter-protesters, killing one and wounding 28.

The Northam episode has shown “that Sweet Old Dixie is still around,� Minor, 44, said, using a nickname for the Southern states of the Confederate era.

The NAACP’s position is for Northam to resign immediately, a stance shared by the state assembly’s powerful Black Caucus. “The legacy of slavery, racism, and the Jim Crow era remains

an albatross around the necks of African Americans,� the lawmakers said in a statement. “We can no longer hide behind a facade of unity, we must fiercely and intentionally combat the hatred of the past that still lives today.�

But a Washington Post-Schar School poll showed Virginians deadlocked on the issue with equal numbers for and against his resignation—and support for Northam STAYING IN OFkCE HIGHER AMONG !FRIcan Americans than among whites.

Some like Reverend Dwayne Whitehead, the African American pastor of Richmond’s World Overcomers Church, argue forcefully against punishing Northam for decades-old wrongdoings. “I’m not as devastated by blackface and neither will I hold a person accountable for what they did 35 years ago, when this election for him as governor was not based upon who he was 35 years ago,�

said the gray-suited 52-year-old. “To do so, would violate any principles I have of faith that says a person cannot change,� he told AFP. For Whitehead, the impulse to oust the governor stems from a bandwagon mentality, and weakens the Democratic Party at a time when racial violence has spiked nationwide—linked by critics to incendiary rhetoric and policies by Republican President Donald Trump. “I know that sometimes,�

Whitehead argued, “it’s a case of ‘I’m supposed to respond like this.’ And ‘this is what’s expected of me’.�

‘Different person’ The blackface controversy has exploded into a full-blown crisis for Northam’s Democratic Party after it emerged his deputy Justin Fairfax had been accused by two women of sexual misconduct, likely ruling him out

of contention should his boss bow to calls to step down.

The third-in-line to the governorship, Attorney General Mark Herring, has since pre-emptively announced that he too wore brown makeup and a wig to imitate a rapper while in college in 1980.

Jasmine Leeward, a spokeswoman for the New Virginia Majority progressive advocacy group, said Herring’s open admission of what appeared to be a “one-time incident� and the “authenticity in his approach� left more room for forgiveness.

On that basis, her organization wants the governor to resign but Herring to stay. “He has been a very articulate champion of some of the issues,� the 25-year-old black woman said, CITING WORK kGHTING FOR MIGRANTS from several Muslim countries when the Trump administration announced its travel ban.

ÂłRacismA6

A6

Opinion

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Age is wealth

F

ROM the date of birth, the countdown to non-productivity begins. Officially, a Filipino becomes part of the labor force at age 15.

In July 2018, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported there were 71.5 million Filipinos, 15 years old and over. Close to 43 million are in the labor force, and 28.5 million out of it.

Labor participation peaks between the age 15 to 24 and declines from then on to age 65.

Having a job, however, does not ensure survival, much less on a decent level.

In the Philippines, 21.6 percent of the population lived below the national poverty line in 2015, based on Asian Development Bank data.

Just how much should a FiliPINO FAMILY OF kVE NEED IN ORDER to survive? Initially, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said P10,000 a MONTH SHOULD BE SUFkCIENT !FTER being called to task for its unrealistic pronouncement, NEDA head Socioeconomic Planning SecreTARY %RNESTO 0ERNIA CLARIkED THAT the amount should be P42,000.

Using the highest average daily wage of Filipinos across all industries from PSA data, the average worker gets only P9,622.80 a month, working six days a week.

MIGRANT MATTERS

CRISPIN R. ARANDA Little wonder then that those Filipinos who can, aspire to work overseas.

In fact, 2.3 million Filipinos worked abroad during the period April to September 2017; workers from Calabarzon represent the largest proportion. OFWs sent an estimated P205.2 billion in remittances during the same period.

Calabarzon has the largest proportion of OFWs, and it had more female workers 25 to 29 years old and over. Only 1.3 million had post-secondary degree; 5.6 million had college degrees or higher.

A post-secondary degree and college diploma is equated as well with good communications skills and, for those aspiring to WORK ABROAD %NGLISH PROkCIENCY Age, education and language proficiency are the three most important criteria for pursuing a successful career overseas.

Having a job that pays more than thrice what a Filipino worker gets at home is great, even if the job comes with the risk of exposure to disease, decapitation or death.

It is public knowledge that an OFW in the Middle East would want to look for other destinations which would enable them to earn the same if not more than what they are getting in the oil-rich Kingdoms during their productive years. )N THIS SCENARIO THE kVE COUNtries with permanent migration programs come into view.

Permanent residency in any of these countries ensures not just the same – if not higher earnings – but respect for human rights, access to social services, world class education for OFWs and their children and overall a quality of life for a better future.

Or at least until they have contributed enough to the social security system of the country where they are permanent residents (or naturalized citizens) of and could then return home to retire—should that be an option—during their golden years.

To qualify for permanent residency The 2.3 million OFWs are part of the 10 to 12 million Filipinos overseas. Over 4 million are in the US, with the second largest concentration of permanent residents in Canada, the UK and

Europe, then Australia and bringing up the rear, New Zealand.

The US admits an average of 1 million yearly in the numerically limited and non-quota classes focusing on family-based migration: 226,000 are allocated for family-sponsored categories, 140,000 for those in various OCCUPATIONS IN kVE EMPLOYMENT based categories.

The spouse, minor children and parents of US citizens are exempt from the annual quota, thus bringing the yearly total to over a million.

The three other countries –Australia, Canada and New Zealand – offer a points-based migrant selection system, giving preference to workers in occupations that are in demand or in short supply.

Australia has a current list of eligible occupations including those in the short- and middleterm skills list. New Zealand has the Long-Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL). Canada used to have a list of occupations eligible for permanent migration through the Federal Skilled Workers Program (FSWP).

Currently, skilled workers and professionals in any occupation may pursue permanent residency in Canada as long as they meet the minimum requirements in

Q TIGLAO FROM A1

Aquino’s order If Acosta spewed “lies and hysterics,� could she have done so if Aquino had not ordered a mass vaccination of a defective vaccine? How can one not be passionately concerned as Acosta if everyday poor people have been trooping to her office crying for justice for their dead children who had been well before they were inoculated by Aquino’s health department with Dengvaxia, and then died of dengue?

Why did Aquino risk the

Qualifying age While New Zealand offers migration chances for the 50 to 55-year-old worker, the points for age get lower. Essentially, the aspiring New Zealand skilled migrant must increase the points

to be earned in other criteria, particularly the three Es: English, education and experience.

However, it will take time to complete a master’s or doctorate degree. The same with experience. Each year spent towards education and experience reduces THE POINTS FOR AGE %NGLISH PROkciency then becomes the achievable variable to enhance the chance of permanent migration.

In this case, Canada leads THE WAY %NGLISH PROkCIENCY IS given the highest priority. An APPLICANT S LANGUAGE PROkCIENCY combined with experience and education adds much needed bonus points towards an invitation to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

The US does not have an age ceiling, but migration is not points-based. Unless an OFW or aspiring immigrant has a citizen or permanent resident relative eligible for sponsorship, a job offer is required. The immigrant selection system of Canada, Australia and New Zealand allows for migration without arranged employment if the applicant meets the requirement for the other selection criteria.

Age may just be number, but it is one that comes with a wealth of opportunities.

FOCUS

WTF! It was Aquino’s Dengvaxia graft that weakened public trust in vaccines I am especially angry because in one of the dozen columns that I wrote last year on this Dengvaxia graft, I said that what made it so despicable was that in the long run it would weaken people’s confidence in vaccines, thereby risking the lives of millions of Filipinos.

And now the Yellows blame the PAO for the alleged loss of confidence in vaccines that is seen as the likely cause of the recent measles outbreak?

That Yellow senator for whom President Aquino 3rd threw hundreds of millions of pesos for her to win, Risa Hontiveros, even had the gall to ask for Acosta’s resignation. She claimed that Acosta’s “lies and hysterics contributed directly to the erosion of public trust in our vaccination programs.�

Such delirium from this donothing-complain-everything senator is an extreme case of the insanity of “killing the messenger� of bad news.

Wasn’t it Hontiveros’ boss, Aquino, who rushed the mass inoculation of 800,000 children with Dengvaxia in the last half of 2016? This was despite the fact that the World Health Organization (WHO) had categorically declared that since its group of experts was still evaluating the new vaccine, it should be used with caution and under tight supervision of a doctor who would have to determine that the subject had not contacted dengue before, or had been exposed to the virus that causes it.

This information was crucial as many doctors suspected— which the WHO later determined—that if a recipient of the Dengvaxia vaccine had not been previously exposed to the dengue virus, were to later contract the disease, the result could be more severe symptoms, resulting even in death.

any of the three federal migration programs (which include the FSWP) and the Provincial Nomination Program (PNP).

Quebec has its own immigrant selection scheme.

A comparison of each country’s selection criteria is shown to help our OFWs and aspiring immigrants choose the most viable pathway.

All countries prefer younger worker with the best communication skills, since these two factors are essential in pursuing a successful career based on one’s occupation. Younger workers contribute more over a longer period keeping the retirement fund programs viable and dynamic.

Workers contributions ensure receipt of social benefits and services such as free or low-cost comprehensive health insurance coverage, free education, unemPLOYMENT AND DISABILITY BENEkTS

child care and elderly care programs, to name a few.

health and lives of one million children (the target to be inoculated with the drug)?

The first likely reason was that it was used as propaganda in the election campaign for the president and other national offices in May 2016. The line the Yellows used was that they were giving this vaccine for free, even if it cost at least P5,000 for the three necessary injections.

But I suspect there were hundreds of millions of reasons why Aquino and his gang were so reckless in undertaking this mass inoculation. The cost of the vaccine was P3.5 billion.

With the purportedly usual 10 percent commission for such purchases, the “commission� would have been P350 million.

Anatomy of corruption Those familiar with the anatomy of corruption in this country will instantly recognize such rushed purchases as neon-red flags pointing to graft. The speed at which the purchase was undertaken looked puzzling until one sees it as a ‘graft project’: --December 2, 2015: Aquino MET WITH 3ANOk OFkCIALS IN 0ARis—the second time he did so— and as the meeting adjourned, he ordered Garin to rush the order to purchase the vaccines.

--December 22: The Food and Drug Administration, headed

by Garin approved the use of Sanofi’s Dengvaxia. It normally takes two years for the FDA to give its approval for new drugs, and longer for risky vaccines since these are essentially weakened forms of the virus introduced into the body in the hope that it would develop its own immunity.

--December 29: The budget department’s authorization (SARO) for the purchase of the P3.5 billion vaccines was issued.

--January 2016: Garin (who had replaced Enrique Ona as health secretary in January 2015) announces that the mass vaccination program would be undertaken starting in February.

--March: The education department and the interior and local government department issued memorandums on their personnel’s participation in the program.

--April: The mass injection of 733,000 fourth-grade students with Dengvaxia begins.

Never before Never before has such a major

government program, a health program at that, involving a risky new vaccine, been undertaken in the span of just a few months.

Because of the risks of Dengvaxia, only the Philippines in the entire world has undertaken a government-sponsored mass vaccination program using the drug on such a scale, with the aim of inoculating a million children.

There was no plague-like outbreak of dengue at the time (or ever, really), with the disease only ranked as the ninth most prevalent disease in the country.

The only urgency was the fact that the national elections were coming up in a few months’ time, and Aquino had to yield his seat to the next president.

Most everyone, too, including media, would be distracted by the heat of the political contest.

There is just no evidence that the rise in measles cases it was caused by parents’ refusal to have their children vaccinated against the disease.

Measles cases have decreased ever since vaccination was introduced through the DOH Expanded Program on Immunization in the Philippines, which was started in 1976 during the Marcos martial law regime.

However, despite high vaccine coverage, a nationwide outbreak occurred in 2013 to 2014, with over 67,000 children downed by the disease. Reported measles cases last year was 18,000, and so far this year about 1,500.

But the outbreak has been global, from 287,000 in 2017 to 358,000 last year.

Measles cases Other than our case simply relECTING THE GLOBAL TREND ONE REAson why measles cases could have increased, particularly in 2016, is that the health department simply hasn’t been providing enough vaccines for the disease, with the P3.5 billion used to buy Dengvaxia in 2016 eating up the entire DoH budget for vaccines.

Why all these clearly stupid claims that Acosta is responsible for the outbreak of measles?

Blaming Acosta is a despicable smokescreen intended to hide one of the most abominable cases of corruption in the country, Aquino’s mass vaccination program using a defective vaccine, for political and most probably financial reasons.

It has been a well-planned propaganda campaign, with the current health secretary

Francisco Duque falling for it, unfortunately. Duque issued a statement that “the remarks of the PAO chief have contributed to a decline in vaccine confidence and a rise in cases of measles and other vaccine preventable diseases.�

Where did he base this conclusion? Apparently on an alleged poll purportedly done by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine that showed just 32 percent of 1,500 Filipinos surveyed trusted vaccines in 2018, down from 93 percent in 2015.

Fake poll That poll is fake.

It wasn’t really a poll by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

It was an “unsolicited� commentary titled “Vaccine confidence plummets in the Philippines following Dengue vaccine scare� submitted to the journal Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics . It was a 500-word piece (half the length of this article) and had three authors, one of whom indeed was with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the other a statistician from another British university.

The third author was a Filipino, Dr. Kenneth Hartigan-Go. Who is he?

He was the Food and Drug Administration head who anomalously pushed for his agency to green-light for the use of Dengvaxia in 2015, despite several experts’ objections. He is one of three doctors that the joint congressional committee that investigated this colossal case of corruption, had recommended should be criminally charged for the Dengvaxia debacle.

Yet the article had a prominent note: “Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.�

What a liar this Hartigan-Go is.

On Wednesday, I will discuss why this article is so patently a piece of propaganda that tried to pass itself off as an academic paper, in order to be used in Manila as a major input for the Yellows’ PROJECT TO DElECT BLAME FOR THE Dengvaxia debacle from Aquino.

Email: tiglao.manilatimes@ gmail.com Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao Twitter: @bobitiglao Archives at: www.rigobertotiglao.com

Humanitarian aid used as weapon in Venezuela conflict CARACAS: Desperately needed aid being stockpiled at Venezuela’s door is at the heart of a political duel between the two men fighting to lead the oil-rich nation: Juan Guaido and Nicolas Maduro.

Guaido, recognized as Venezuela’s interim president by around 50 countries, has pressed the all-critical military to allow the mostly American humanitarian aid to reach the most vulnerable population, or around 300,000 people.

Maduro insists the shortages plaguing the country are caused by Washington’s punitive sanctions, and he has vowed to stop the “spectacle of fake humanitarian aid.�

The aid “is at the heart of the struggle between two pillars of power,� political scientist Luis Salamanca told AFP. “This struggle is playing out as concerns the future of the armed forces. Guaido is trying to get the military on his side, while Maduro tries to keep it behind him.�

Using a tanker truck, two container trucks and barriers, the army has been blocking the Tienditas border bridge since Thursday.

Several hundred meters from there on the Colombia side are the hangars where the emergency aid is being stockpiled.

For John Magdaleno of the Polity consultancy, the confrontation between the two men is a “major event� that “is inevitably leading toward an escalation� between the government and the opposition, as well as between Maduro and the countries supporting his adversary. “In the end, it’s in the hands of the United States. They are the ones who can use force,� Magdaleno said.

President Donald Trump’s administration, which has insisted that “all options are on the table�—has frozen the accounts of Venezuelan leaders and unveiled fresh sanctions to bar Maduro from accessing revenues from oil his country sells in the US. Before possibly resorting to force, Washington is exploring “all other options� first, Magdeleno said, adding that “this chapter on humanitarian aid foreshadows a far more significant escalation that could trigger a military intervention.�

However, Assistant Secretary of State

for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier has insisted that the US has no intention of entering Venezuelan territory by force to distribute food and medicine.

Politicized aid The United Nations said it’s ready to send emergency aid to Venezuela, but only if Caracas agrees. “Humanitarian aid should never be used as a political pawn,� UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said Thursday.

Venezuela has faced a major political and economic crisis in recent years. Expropriations have hurt industry and oil production, which finances 96 percent of the national budget, thus reducing imports of basic goods.

More than 80 percent of medicine and medical equipment are missing in a country that has the world’s largest proven oil reserves, according to the pharmaceutical federation. There are constant cuts of basic services such as water and electricity.

Maduro accuses the United States of setting up an “international coalition... to intervene militarily in Venezuela under the pretext of a non-existing humanitarian crisis.�

For the National Assembly’s former president and opposition lawmaker Henry Ramos Allup, the government’s refusal to allow humanitarian aid to enter the country “reveals once more to the world the regime’s human rights violations.�

The anti-Maduro camp has also denounced the regime’s decision—while Venezuela grapples with such a dire situation—to send 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Cuba to assist the communist island in the wake of a recent hurricane.

The government faces a “strategic dilemma� because “regardless of its decision, it loses,� Magdaleno said.

If Maduro relents and allows the aid in, this means he finally acknowledges that there is, in fact, a humanitarian crisis. “Maduro is going to put his foot down.

It doesn’t matter much anymore to him.

He is playing a game that seems to be entering its last phase,� which threatens his hold on power, said Salamanca. AFP

Q RACISM FROM A5

Racism and redemption “It makes the case that he has made the effort to become a very different person.�

Where Northam is widely seen as having failed was his reaction to the yearbook revelation: a confused sequence that saw him kRST ADMIT THEN DENY APPEARING in the photo, only to apologize instead for wearing blackface on another occasion while imitating

the late Michael Jackson.

Yet despite that, Reverend Whitehead said he continued to support him because of initiatives like a yearlong dialogue about racial justice, announced days before the blackface row.

Northam has since told The Washington Post he plans to dedicate the rest of his term to the same cause.

AFP

Regions Unexploded bombs still litter Marawi A ˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 11, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY DEMPSEY REYES

LMOST two years after it was declared liberated from terrorists, Marawi City, capital of Lanao del Sur province in southern Mindanao, was still filled with unexploded ordnances, causing delay in its rehabilitation, the Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Sunday.

Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, military spokesman, said around 40 unexploded ordnances, mostly

air bombs dropped by military aircraft during the Marawi siege in 2017, were yet to be retrieved.

This was based on the information from Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, according to Arevalo.

“I asked him (Brawner) about that and he said there are around 40 more [unexploded] ordnances that we still need to recover,” he said in an interview over dzRH radio.

Recovering the unexploded bombs would be hard, Arevalo said, because some of the bombs

came from an air assault and went directly to the ground.

“That is why there is a need for us to detect where these are and we need to be careful in retrieving these items,” he added.

Arevalo said authorities were able to “clear” 80 percent of the main battle area in Marawi City.

4HE kGHTING BETWEEN GOVERNment troops and the Islamic State-inspired Maute Group LASTED kVE MONTHS FROM -AY TO October in 2017.

The government is having a hard time in completely rehabilitating Marawi City, which was still in ruins when Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr., the military chief, visited the former battle ground. !REVALO CLARIkED THAT THE MILITARY S role in Marawi was only to support Task Force Bangon Marawi, which was primarily in charge of rehabilitating the besieged city.

“We cannot do this alone, the Armed Forces is just part of it.

A7

What I have been explaining to the public is this is not just an ordinary digging like what we are doing in digging for yams,” he explained.

“This requires a lot of processes because even if we locate all of those [ordnances] that need to be located, we still have to observe certain procedures, even with those who have expertise in ordnances, but they are the ones who could help in unearthing these items,” Arevalo said.

Aftershocks continue Calabarzon governors unite to back ex-SAP in Surigao del Norte A SERIES of aftershocks from the magnitude 5.9 earthquake recorded on Friday continues to hit Surigao del Norte province in southern Mindanao, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The latest aftershock was recorded at magnitude 2.3 at 1:24 p.m., but the strongest felt on Sunday was magnitude 4.5 at

11:06 a.m., Phivolcs said.

This aftershock was of tectonic origin and recorded at 47 kilometers northeast of General Luna, Surigao del Norte with a depth of 6 kilometers.

The strongest aftershocks after Friday were two magnitude 4.9 quakes recorded on Saturday at 5:09 a.m. and 5:48 a.m.

DIVINA NOVA JOY DELA CRUZ

Bong Go now adopted son of Legazpi City CITING his involvement in pushing for infrastructure projects lined up for the Bicol Region via the “Build, Build, Build” program when he was still in the government, initiating the Malasakit Center at the Bicol Regional Teaching and Training Hospital (BRTTH), as well as his exemplification of the true spirit of a native of Legazpi City, Albay, the city council declared former special assistant to the President (SAP) and aspiring senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go as an adopted son of Legazpi.

The declaration was contained in a resolution of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (City Council) of the City of Legazpi, dated February 4.

Presented to the former SAP on Friday, the resolution was certified by temporary secretary Aaron Apistar, city councilor Lilian Ramirez and acting Vice Mayor Vicente Baltazar 3rd.

Go also received a plaque that recognizes him as an adopted son of Legazpi City for “his invaluable time and effort in bringing to the President’s attention and in helping in the speedy resolution of the Batocabe case.”

AKO Bicol party-list Rep. Rodel Batocabe was shot dead last December, allegedly on orders of political rival and Daraga (Albay) Mayor Carlwyn Baldo.

Go was in Legazpi City to attend the AKO Bikol Youth Summit organized by the AKO Bikol party-list.

He spoke to an audience composed of Albay government officials and youth sector leaders.

In the event, Go reminded the audience that the government of President Rodrigo Duterte “is in service for the helpless and hopeless” and urged them to support Duterte during his last three years as the nation’s leader.

He made time to visit nearby Barangay 28 that was razed by a fire that started on the same day, leaving one dead and 131 families homeless.

Go and his team dropped by to assure the survivors that he would be providing them food that they could eat immediately, as well as grocery items.

He promised school uniforms and school supplies for students who were affected by the fire so that they could go back to school as soon as possible.

Go guaranteed the residents who were affected by the fire that, in coordination with the barangay (village) captain, he would be contacting his friends in various government agencies so that residents may receive additional aid and support.

A candidate for the Senate in the May 2019 midterm elections, his legislative agenda includes programs for agriculture, housing, education, improved healthcare services delivery, anti-illegal drugs and criminality drive, anticorruption drive, long-term sports development, fire safety and prevention, creation of a Department of overseas Filipino workers, barangay welfare, and improved benefits for senior citizens.

Angono prepares for Arts Month ANGONO, a town in the eastern part of Rizal province, prides itself in being the “Art Capital of the Philippines” and, February being Arts Month, it starts the celebration on Monday with “Serenata” to mark the birthday of one of its eminent sons, National Artist for Music Maestro Lucio San Pedro at the Angono Lakeside Ecopark.

Serenata will start at 5 p.m. and feature local bands and ensembles.

Art exhibits are being held until the end of the month.

These are “Back to Homebase 2” by the Kuta Art Group, “Hakab”

by Dolpee Alcantara at Angkla Art Gallery and “Sibol II” at Blanco Art Gallery.

At 6 p.m. on Thursday, there will be a Valentine’s Acoustic Night at Angono Plaza.

Other activities include a RizaLIANA DOCUMENTARY kLM SHOWING

a singing contest and recital and a lecture on the history of the higantes (giants) in Angono on February 15, 18 and 21, respectively.

These events are anchored on the theme for this year’s Arts Month, “Ani ng Sining” (Harvest of Arts). GABRIELA G. BARON

THE governors of Calabarzon exPRESSED THEIR UNIkED STAND IN SUPPORT of the Senate bid of former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go at a meeting on Sunday at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City.

Present were the Calabarzon governors Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite, Ramil Hernandez of Laguna, Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, Rebecca Ynarez of Rizal and David Suarez of Quezon.

Calabarzon groups the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.

Suarez said this was a historic event since Calabarzon might be THE kRST REGION TO EXPRESS SUCH UNIkED COMMITMENT TO A CANDIDATE for the Senate.

Calabarzon has almost 8.8 million voters and contributes 17 percent to the country’s gross domestic product, he added.

Suarez said Go had shown con-

TOP CHOICE

Calabarzon Governors (from left) Hermilando Mandanas of Batangas, Rebecca Ynarez of Rizal, Jesus Crispin Remulla of Cavite, David Suarez of Quezon and Ramil Hernandez of Laguna sign a manifesto of support for former special assistant to the President Christopher Lawrence ‘Bong’ Go (standing) in his Senate candidacy. PHOTO BY BELLY M. OTORDOZ cern for the welfare of the people, (villages) of Quezon were strongly Go thanked all the governors and MOTIVATING THE kVE GOVERNORS TO supporting Go’s candidacy. vowed to help them back in all their support his campaign.

Remulla said President Rodrigo programs to improve the lives of the “He has launched numerous Duterte’s best gift to the people Filipinos, especially the poor.

Malasakit Centers in several prov- was when he allowed Go to run Also present at the meeting were INCES BENEkTING THE POOR AND HE as senator, and that his province presidents of Mayors’ League, Counpledged assistance to all our re- would try its best to place Go in the cilors’ League and Sangguniang Kaquests for infrastructure projects,” top 3 in their winning candidates bataan (Youth Council) Federation he added. for the Senate in May midterm presidents in the region.

Suarez said the 1,242 barangay elections this year.

BELLY M. OTORDOZ

News DILG convenes mayors on bay rehab A8

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 11, 2019

w w w.manilatimes.net

BY DEMPSEY REYES

I

NTERIOR Secretary Eduardo AĂąo will convene on Monday, February 11, chief executives from cities and municipalities to discuss with them efforts being undertaken to rehabilitate Manila Bay and to seek their support.

)N A STATEMENT ON 3UNDAY

AĂąo said 178 municipal and CITY MAYORS WOULD GATHER AT THE .EW 7ORLD (OTEL IN -ANILA

WHICH WAS NEAR THE BAY g , O C A L G OVE R N M E N T U N I T S ,'5S SHOULD BE AT THE FOREfront of efforts to clean-up, rehabilitate and preserve the

WATERS OF -ANILA "AY u !Ă„O SAID in a statement. g4HEY SHOULD THEREFORE BE MORE PROACTIVE IN ENCOURAGING the support and cooperation of their constituents and other STAKEHOLDERS TO BRING BACK THE GLORY OF -ANILA "AY u HE ADDED The forum aims to keep the

local leaders aware of their “critical roles and responsibiliTIESu IN REHABILITATING -ANILA "AY AS CITED UNDER THE 3UPREME Court mandamus order on December 2008.

4HE HIGH TRIBUNAL ORDERED CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENcies to “clean up, rehabilitate, AND PRESERVE -ANILA "AY AND restore and maintain its waters TO 3" LEVEL TO MAKE THEM FIT FOR SWIMMING SKIN DIVING

and other forms of contact recreation.�

3" LEVEL ACCORDING TO $EPARTment of Environment and Natural Resources Administrative

Order 34, Series of 1990, refers TO #LASS " WATER gPRIMARILY CONTACT RECREATION SUCH AS BATHING

SWIMMING SKIN DIVING ETC u Aùo cited the Supreme Court’s order and resolution dated Feb. 15, 2011 that mandates the Department of the Interior and ,OCAL 'OVERNMENT $),' AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO REHABILITATE -ANILA "AY TO PREVENT THE gCONTINUOUS CYCLE OF man-made pollution.�

4HE $),' HAS DIRECTED ALL ,'5S IN #ENTRAL ,UZON 2EGION

#ALABARZON 2EGION AND -ETRO -ANILA WITHIN THE -ANILA "AY WATERSHED AREA TO DO THEIR

part for the clean-up dubbed as g"ATTLE OF -ANILA "AY u $URING TODAY S FORUM MAYORS WILL HOLD DIALOGUES WITH AGENCY heads to discuss problems and ISSUES HAMPERING THE REHABILITATION OF THE BAY Provinces and cities located within the watershed area of -ANILA "AY INCLUDE THE CITIES OF -ANILA AND -ALABON AND THE PROVINCES OF "ATAAN "ULACAN

0AMPANGA AND #AVITE 4 H E F O R U M S E T F O R T O D AY will also tackle the results OF THE ,'5 %NVIRONMENTAL Compliance assessment as well as the status report of

informal settlers.

Apart from the local chief EXECUTIVES THE MUNICIPAL AND CITY ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL resource officers and represenTATIVES OF SEVERAL AGENCIES ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND THE FORUM !S THE BAY CLEAN UP CONTINues, authorities have banned SWIMMING IN THE BAY AS THE COLIFORM LEVELS REMAIN HIGH 4HE CLEANUP OF -ANILA "AY AND SURROUNDING AREAS STARTED ON *ANUARY %XPERTS SAID THE BAY S REHABILITATION COULD TAKE YEARS AND could cost P47 billion.

WITH FRANCIS EARL CUETO

Village officials deserve better benefits – Go FORMER special assistant to the president (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong�

Go said barangay (village) officials who were at the forefront of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality deserve better benefits. “Barangay welfare, Magna Carta for barangay officials, isa po yan sa aking priorities (that is one of my priorities),� Go, who is seeking a Senate post in the May elections, said in his message during the AntiDrug Seminar of Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council for all barangay captains and councilors held at the Ynares Sports Complex in Rizal on Saturday.

Under the Magna Carta for barangay officials that Go envisions, village officials will receive additional benefits and social protection. Go also said he would look into the possibility of extending the term of current barangay officials to allow them to continue their programs and projects.

At present, barangay officials only receive honoraria, but do not receive other benefits such as hazard pay, representation and transportation allowance, personnel economic relief allowance, productivity incentive bonus, clothing allowance, and 13th month pay.

Go had also called for the lifting of the limit on the maximum number of tanod (sentries) per barangay, which was fixed at 20. He said villages with bigger areas or with higher crime incidence should be allowed to appoint additional tanod.

He lauded the officials of Rizal Province and recognized the importance of the seminar. He said it would help build a unified front in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Earlier, Go proposed the institutionalization

of Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADAC) in every local government unit through legislation, noting that these councils existed by virtue of directives from the Department of the Interior and Local Government. “Pag naisabatas na ito mabibigyan ng sariling pondo lahat ng mga ADAC ng mga LGU para mas maraming magawang hakbang laban sa ilegal na droga (If the ADAC is legislated, LGUs can be given funds so they can do more to fight the illegal drug menace),� Go said.

Go told the village officials that his advocacies included increased bed capacity of public hospitals and the establishment of Malasakit Centers in all provinces and urban centers in the country.

A Malasakit Center makes it easier and faster for poor patients to avail of medical and financial assistance from the government by bringing together in one room key agencies such as the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. “It’s a continuing program of the President at plano po nating magkaroon ng Malasakit Center dito sa probinsya ng Rizal (and out plan is to have a Malasaki Center here in Rizal province),� Go said.

Go recalled that he had no plans to run for public office but President Rodrigo Duterte asked him to throw his hat in the political arena. “Sabi niya: Bong tumakbo ka. At hindi ka magkakamali basta unahin mo ang Pilipino. (He said run for the Senate. And you would not make a mistake for as long as you place first the welfare of Filipinos) Serve the Filipino first,� Go said.

OH, GROOT!

A buyer holds vases that look like Groot at a stall selling succulents at the Quezon City Memorial Circle. Groot is a fictional character appearing in movies and comic books by Marvel. PHOTO BY ROGER RAĂ‘ADA

Police want Chinese in ‘taho’ incident kicked out 4(% .ATIONAL #APITAL 2EGION 0OLICE /FkCE .#20/ WILL RECOMmend that the Chinese student WHO THREW TAHO OR SOYBEAN DESSERT AT A POLICE OFkCER BE DECLARED AN “undesirable alien.�

It said this would be the basis for the deportation of Jiale :HANG

:HANG THREW A CUP OF TAHO AT A POLICE OFkCER AT THE "ONI STATION OF -24 -ETRO POLICE CHIEF 'UILLermo Eleazar said.

Eleazar commended Police /FFICER 7ILLIAM #RISTOBAL FOR DISPLAYING THE gHIGHEST STANDARD OF DISCIPLINEu WHEN :HANG REFUSED TO surrender her drink before enterING THE TRAIN PLATFORM g7E IN THE 0HILIPPINES WE HAVE policies here, when we are in other countries, we also follow their EXISTING RULES AND LAW u HE SAID IN a statement.

(E SAID :HANG DISRESPECTED

THE OFFICER WHO WAS HELPING THE -24 MANAGEMENT AND THE Department of Transportation IMPLEMENTING THE BAN ON FOOD and drinks.

The transportation sector, parTICULARLY THE ,24 AND -24 MANAGEMENTS BANNED THE BRINGING OF LIQUID INSIDE TRAINS AFTER RECEIVING a bomb threat last month. /N 3ATURDAY :HANG A FIRST YEAR FASHION DESIGN STUDENT OF 3/&! $ESIGN )NSTITUTE WAS ABOUT TO STEP ONTO "ONI STATION S PLATform when Cristobal stopped HER BECAUSE SHE WAS HOLDING A cup of taho. &URIOUS :HANG THREW THE CUP SHE WAS HOLDING AT THE POLICE OFkCER She was arrested and taken TO THE -ANDALUYONG #ITY POLICE station where she was detained PENDING THE kLING OF DIRECT ASSAULT CHARGES DEMPSEY REYES

Q Jiale Zhang is booked at the Mandaluyong City police station after throwing a cup of taho (soybean desert) at a police officer.

Disinheriting an adopted child Dear PAO, I am a retired overseas Filipino worker now living in Zamboanga. During my prime years, I adopted a child and named her Samantha. During her early years, I genuinely treated her as my own child. I gave her almost everything that life has to offer, but, unfortunately, now that I am old and Samantha is at the peak of her career, she cannot reciprocate the love I gave her. She even maltreated me and asked me to leave the house because I am of no use and a burden to her. I have several real properties left and I want to rescind the adoption decree of Samantha because she doesn’t care about me, and all that matter to her are the properties that I will leave at the time of my death. Can I rescind the adoption of Saman-

OF AN ADOPTEE CONSIDERING THAT adoption is for the best interest of the child.

DEAR PAO “Section 19. Grounds for Rescission of Adoption. — PERSIDA Upon petition of the adoptee, the assistance of the ACOSTA with Department if a minor or if tha due to her faulty attitude? OVER YEARS OF AGE BUT IS Is there something I can do to INCAPACITATED AS GUARDIAN protect my properties?

COUNSEL THE ADOPTION MAY BE Thank you very much, RESCINDED ON ANY OF THE FOLElaine LOWING GROUNDS COMMITTED Dear Elaine,

BY THE ADOPTER S A REPEATED Under Section 19 of Republic PHYSICAL AND VERBAL MALTREATAct 8552, or the “Domestic MENT BY THE ADOPTER S DESPITE Adoption Act of 1998,� which HAVING UNDERGONE COUNSELING was reiterated on the Rule on B ATTEMPT ON THE LIFE OF THE !DOPTION SPECIkCALLY DOMESTIC ADOPTEE C SEXUAL ASSAULT OR ADOPTION IT IS STATED THAT ONLY VIOLENCE OR D ABANDONMENT THE ADOPTEE MAY RESCIND THE AND FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH ADOPTION UPON kLING OF THE PETI- PARENTAL OBLIGATIONS TION 0ARENTHETICALLY THE ADOPTg!DOPTION BEING IN THE er cannot rescind the adoption best interest of the child, shall

NOT BE SUBJECT TO RESCISSION BY THE ADOPTER S (OWEVER THE ADOPTER S MAY DISINHERIT THE adoptee for causes provided in Article 919 of the Civil Code.� %MPHASIS SUPPLIED 4HE ONLY WAY TO PROTECT YOUR properties is to disinherit the ADOPTEE BASED ON THE GROUNDS for disinheritance provided under the New Civil Code, PARTICULARLY !RTICLE THEREOF

WHICH STATES g!RTICLE 4HE FOLLOWING SHALL BE SUFkCIENT CAUSES FOR THE disinheritance of children and DESCENDANTS LEGITIMATE AS WELL AS ILLEGITIMATE 7HEN A CHILD OR DESCENDANT HAS BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF AN ATTEMPT AGAINST THE LIFE OF THE testator, his or her spouse, descenDANTS OR ASCENDANTS 7HEN A CHILD OR DESCENDANT

has accused the testator of a crime for which the law prescribes imPRISONMENT FOR SIX YEARS OR MORE

if the accusation has been found GROUNDLESS 7HEN A CHILD OR DESCENDANT HAS BEEN CONVICTED OF ADULTERY OR CONCUBINAGE WITH THE SPOUSE OF THE TESTATOR 7HEN A CHILD OR DESCENDANT

BY FRAUD VIOLENCE INTIMIDATION

OR UNDUE INlUENCE CAUSES THE TESTATOR TO MAKE A WILL OR TO CHANGE ONE ALREADY MADE ! REFUSAL WITHOUT JUSTIkABLE cause to support the parent or ascendant who disinherits such CHILD OR DESCENDANT -ALTREATMENT OF THE TESTATOR

BY WORD OR DEED

BY THE CHILD OR DESCENDANT 7HEN A CHILD OR DESCENDANT LEADS A DISHONORABLE OR DISGRACEFUL LIFE

#ONVICTION OF A CRIME which carries with it the penALTY OF CIVIL INTERDICTION

A u As stated above, Article 919 PROVIDES THAT gMALTREATMENT OF THE TESTATOR BY WORD OR DEED

BY THE CHILD OR DESCENDANTu IS ONE OF THE GROUNDS FOR DISINHERITANCE THUS YOU MAY DISINHERIT Samantha.

7E HOPE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUERIES 4HIS ADVICE IS BASED SOLELY ON THE FACTS YOU have narrated and our appreciation of the same. Our opinion MAY VARY WHEN OTHER FACTS ARE CHANGED OR ELABORATED

%DITOR S NOTE $EAR 0!/ IS A DAILY COLUMN OF THE 0UBLIC !TTORNEY S /FkCE 1UESTIONS FOR #HIEF !COSTA MAY BE SENT TO DEARPAO MANILAtimes.net

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www.manilatimes.net

DELOITTE. ON THE DOT

Banks’ 2018 income boosted by rate hikes

BY MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

D

OUBLE-DIGIT interest income growth allowed 0HILIPPINE BANKS TO POST PROkT GAINS LAST YEAR despite bad debts and investment losses.

Preliminary central bank data indicated that the banking system’s net income hit P178.83 billion in 2018, 6.4 percent higher compared to the

P168.07 billion posted in the previous year.

Aggregate operating income totaled P660.21 billion, up 11.7 percent from

P590.78 billion in 2017 as net interest income increased 13.9 percent to P509.72 billion from P447.39 billion.

The impact of key interest rate hikes — a total of 175 basis points — ordered by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas last year in response to surgING INlATION IS STILL kLTERING THROUGH THE kNANCIAL SYSTEM Banks’ non-interest income, meanwhile, grew 4.9 percent to P150.48 bil-

TEACHING TOOL

House-shaped coin boxes made from cardboard are being sold in Quiapo, Manila. The seller says the P60-80 “piggy banks� are mostly bought by parents wanting their children to start saving money at an early age. PHOTO BY J. GERARD SEGUIA

lion last year — compared to P143.38 billion in 2017 — due to higher dividends, fees and commissions, and TRADING PROkTS Dividend earnings rose by 1.2 percent to P3.36 billion, fees and commissions expanded by 6.9 percent to P90.65 billion, and trading income gained 3 percent to P41.76 billion.

Banks, however, incurred P2.89

Earnings, trade talks to dictate market tack

THE Philippines could seek South Korean funding to implement the initial phase of the tax bureau’s electronic invoicing project, the Finance department said. “The Philippines is eyeing a $7.3-million grant from Koica (Korea International Cooperation Agency) for the implementation of Phase 1 of the e-invoicing project,� the department said in a statement on Sunday.

It noted that the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR), in cooperation with Koica, was preparing a feasibility study for the implementation of the Electronic Receipt, Invoice and Sales Reporting System mandated under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (Train).

Under the Train law, large taxpayers and exporters are required

ÂłGrant B2

High-stakes trade talks resume WASHINGTON, D.C.: With a March 1 deadline fast approaching, US and Chinese officials resume negotiations this week to prevent escalation of a trade dispute that has major implications for the global economy.

China’s economy already has shown signs of slowing, while the trade war has shaken the CONkDENCE OF 53 BUSINESSES AS retaliatory tariffs have raised prices

and helped choke off a key export market.

And President Donald Trump’s aggressive strategy has failed to produce a reduction in the US TRADE DEkCIT WITH #HINA WHICH HE set as a primary goal.

Under the looming threat of a surge in tariffs once the 90-day truce expires, financial markets worldwide have lost ground in recent days as comments about

the status of the talks turned more cautious.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin will lead the US delegation for the third round of talks on Thursday and Friday in Beijing.

7HILE OFkCIALS SEEMED OPTIMIStic after talks last week in Washington, more recent comments

ÂłTalks B2

Rice imports to counter El NiĂąo impact IMPORT-BOOSTED rice stocks will be enough to counter the inflationary impact of an expected El NiĂąo, a senior Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) official said.

The weather phenomenon, central bank Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo told reporters last last week, “is one important factor but remember that the National Food Authority (NFA) Council already approved outquota importation.�

He was responding to a query if the Bangko Sentral’s reuduced 2019 infla-

tion rate forecast of 3.07 percent had factored in the impact of droughts on rice supply and prices.

Guinigundo noted that as of January 18, 174 firms and cooperatives had already applied for permits to import about 1.2 million metric tons (MMT) of rice. “If there is going to be an El NiĂąo phenomenon that could happen any time during the year, this could be addressed by such mitigant as out-quota importation,â€? he said. “In other words, during El NiĂąo,

there’s a good fallback position in terms of out-quota importation,� he added.

Latest government data showed that total rice stocks were up 11.40 percent to 2.55 MMT as of the start of the year. The tally, however, was down 6.23 percent from 2.72 MMT in the previous month.

Rice stocks in commercial warehouses climbed by 40.59 percent to 1.21 MMT but stocks in households and NFA depositories fell by 5.88 percent to 1.25 MMT and 8.37 percent to 97,910 MT, respectively.

MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

ÂłHikes B2

SHARES OUTLOOK FOR THE WEEK:

EARNINGS results due this week and reports about continued USChina trade talks are expected to determine the stock market’s direction this week.

In a comment issued during the weekend, Eagle Equities Inc. research head Christopher Mangun said he expected trading to be fuelled by earnings announcements and also by continued foreign FUND INlOWS Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. and Ayala Land Inc. are among the LISTED kRMS SCHEDULED TO ANNOUNCE their 2018 performance this week. “[I]f earnings disappoint or if FOREIGN MONEY CEASES TO lOW WE may continue to see it (the market) trade between 7,800 and 8,100 for the following weeks as it builds momentum to go higher in the longer term,� Mangun said.

PH eyes Korean grant for BIR project

B2

W

MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Business Times

B1

In a separate comment, online brokerage firm 2tradeasia. com said global markets could trade either way in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s statement last week that he would not meet his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, before a March 1 deadline for a trade deal.

Markets fell last week as the news sparked fears that talks due to resume this Thursday and Friday in Beijing could fail, sparking a resumption of the US-China trade war.

7ALL 3TREET ENDED lAT ON &RIDAY

however, recovering slightly from declines earlier in the week.

On the domestic front, 2tradeasia.com said investor attention would also be on where INlATION WAS HEADED GIVEN HIGH-

ÂłTack B2

P327M for UBP’s 15 board execs in 2017

I

F the public investors will be interested to know the layers after layers of ownerships of listed companies, they have to examine the layers and layers of ownerships of Cemex Holdings Philippines Inc. (CHP). They could have been among the company owners having bought from the company 2.338 billion CHP common shares under an initial public offering (IPO). The IPO represents 45 percent of the present outstanding CHP common shares.

However, said layers and layers of ownerships are not a Cemex monopoly. Other listed companies do the same and, in some cases, are even worse by making the public their majority stockholders.

Cemex, according to the website of the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), is “a subsidiary of Cemex Asian South East Corp.

(CAEC)� which, in turn, “is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary

of Cemex Espana S.A., which is indirectly owned by Cemex S.A.B. de C.V.�

In the same PSE website, Cemex said it has “two operating subsidiaries� — Apo Cement Corp. and Solid Cement Corp., “which,� it said, “are both involved in the production, distribution and sale of cement and other cement products in the Philippines.�

Foreign units Cemex, the locally listed company, also wholly owns foreign subsidiaries such as. Falcon Re Ltd. and Cemex Asia Research A.G.

ÂłPerez B2

Business Times

B2

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Bill deposit collections by power firms hit P26.3B

BY JORDEENE B. LAGARE

A

total of P26.28 billion was collected by distribution utilities (DUs) as bill deposits from consumers as of January this year.

(Laneco); Misamis Occidental II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Moelci II); and Lanao del Sur Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lasureco) did the same thing. “ERC commends these Electric Cooperatives for exerting efforts to reduce their consumers’ electric bill by not charging and collecting Bill Deposits and, thus, increasing their purchasing power,� ERC chairperson Agnes Devanadera said. “We encourage the other DUs to forego the charging of bill deposit, considering that there is no additional cost incurred and accrued to them. If foregoing the collection of Bill Deposit is not possible, it is but fair and appropriate that the customers be entitled to some interests which the commission is now ironing out,� she added.

The ERC is currently revisiting its rules on bill deposits to in-

clude provisions that will protect consumers’ interests. Under the draft rules, all DUs are required to submit the total amount of bill deposits collected and interest earned at the end of the following month, the total amount of bill deposits and interest refunded FOR THE LAST kVE YEARS AND SAMPLE electricity bills showing the refund of bill deposit and/or amount of interest credited to their monthly bills, all within 90 days following the effectivity of the rules.

It also mandates DUs to prepare and submit a periodic report about details of the total amount of bill deposit collected including interest earned and the amount credited or refunded to its customers on or before May 31 of every year.

They should also post on their websites details regarding bill deposits in clear and simple language understandable to the customers.

Bill deposits are collected from electricity consumers applying for new and/or additional service and from disconnected consumers who were previously not subject to bill deposits.

It should be equivalent to the estimated billing for one month based on the load schedule of the consumer to guarantee payment of his bills.

The amount represents the total bill deposits collected by both private utilities and electric cooperatives as of January 23, 2019, the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) said in statement.

Meanwhile, the ERC com-

mended 10 electric cooperatives for waiving the collection of bill deposits from their respective customers. In Luzon, these are Benguet Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Beneco); Lubang Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Lubelco); Nueva Vizcaya Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Nuvelco); Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Ormeco); and Quirino Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Quirelco).

In Visayas, these are the Cebu I Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Cebeco I) and Bantayan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Banelco) while in Mindanao, these are Lanao del Norte Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Q HIKE FROM B1

PCCI chief calls for more flexible rules

Banks’ 2018 income boosted billion in losses from the sale or redemption of securities, a reversal from the P11.32-billion income recorded in 2017.

The banking system’s provision for credit losses on loans and OTHER kNANCIAL ASSETS MEANWHILE

totaled P35.19 billion in 2018, marginally higher than the P34.97 billion recorded the previous year.

Losses from bad debts written off by banks also increased by 1.8 percent to P3.35 billion, from P3.29 billion in 2017.

During last month’s annual BSP reception for the banking comMUNITY CENTRAL BANK OFkCIALS SAID the Philippine banking system remained sound and stable in 2018 despite challenges such as higher DOMESTIC INlATION AND VOLATILITY overseas. “The consistently sound and stable condition of the Philippine banking system — a product not only of prudent regulation and risk-based supervision, but of earnest cooperation from the sector itself — is a key anchor of our growing economy,� central bank Governor Nestor Espenilla said in a speech read by Deputy Governor and officer-in-charge Chuchi Fonacier.

Philippine banking system was said to have continued to expand, due mainly to deposit growth. “Most of these deposits were deployed to lending for productive activities. Loan quality remains satisfactory as banks continue to adhere to sound credit underwriting standards,� Espenilla said.

In the meantime, capitalization continues to build, with capital ratios remaining well above national and international thresholds, he noted.

Q PEREZ FROM B1

P327M Falcon was incorporated in Barbados. It “reinsures the Cemex Reinsurer of property, non-damage business interruption and political risks.� It also owns 100 percent of Cemex Asia Research A.G., which was registered in Switzerland, and “is the licensee for the certain trademarks and intangible assets of the company.� Company refers to Cemex, the local unit.

The public stockholders of Cemex, according to the public ownership report (POR), hold 2,336,341,065 CHP common shares, or 44.96

citing the latest draft of the foreign investment negative list (FINL), which allows 100 percent foreign ownership in five sectors, including the internet business. “Foreign companies come in to some of the public works and in the e-platform. Those are flexibilities but we wish they’d be more flexible,� he said.

Meanwhile, the PCCI expressed support for Senate Bill 2102 or Foreign Investment Act (FIA) amendments that are currently pending in the Senate. “Yes, I am in favor of that,� Barcelon said, adding that he is awaiting the chamber’s decision.

The bill seeks to relax the rules on allowing foreign professionals to practice in the country and reduce the company size requirement for foreign firms with full ownership in the domestic market.

TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD

THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) wants more flexibility in market regulations to boost investments even though the government has already opened additional opportunities for foreign investors. “We wish they (government) would be more flexible so we can attract foreign direct investments (FDI),� PCCI chairman George Barcelon told The Manila Times in an interview.

Barcelon said the Philippines should seek parity with the other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as they are “maybe more open or extending more incentives.� He said adapting to other Asean countries’ framework could provide a “level-playing field� for the Philippines and make it more attractive as an investment destination.

The PCCI chief also called for improvement in the government’s tax incentive to raise the country’s

competitiveness. The Tax Reform for Attracting Better and Higher Quality Opportunities (Trabaho) bill, which seeks to reduce corporate income tax from 30 percent to 20 percent in 10 years, is still pending in Congress.

Further, Barcelon said the government should invest in human resource development to increase the skill set of the work force. “The government must incentivize companies that impart technical skills. That’s important. We want the higher value investment rather than the low-tech skills. That can also be an attraction for a company to say that they have a nice program on human resource development,� he added.

Other issues like cost of doing business and port congestion should also be addressed, Barcelon said.

Barcelon appreciated the fact that the government was now ‘more open’,

Q TACK FROM B1

higher generation costs.

On Friday, the bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index dropped by 0.36 percent or 29.41 points to close at 8,070.89. The wider All Manila Electric Co. last week an- Shares declined by 0.21 percent or nounced that it would raise rates POINTS TO kNISH AT

FOR THE kRST TIME THIS YEAR CITING ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Earnings, trade talks er power rates for February and the implementation of increased water tariffs.

separating the two sides.

the business community for the two sides to resolve the dispute, CNBC cited a senior administraDeadline extension? tion official saying the March While China has offered to buy 1deadline could be pushed back.

HAVE JARRED kNANCIAL MARKETS AM- MORE 53 SOYBEANS AND BEEF OFkCIALS “Right now it is in place but that plifying concerns about how the have yet even to agree on a draft of a IS RIGHT NOW u THE OFkCIAL TOLD #."# dispute will affect global growth. deal that would address key US con- “It could change via telephone.�

US President Donald Trump cerns, according to media reports.

The White House said there said last Thursday that he did not Washington is demanding far- would be a preparatory meeting of expect to meet his Chinese coun- reaching changes from China to SENIOR OFkCIALS BEGINNING &EBRUARY terpart Xi Jinping before a March address unfair practices it says are 11 and the talks would include of1 deadline for the two economic deeply unfair, including theft of kCIALS FROM THE !GRICULTURE %NERGY superpowers to reach a deal.

American intellectual property and and Commerce Departments.

4RUMP HAD SAID kNAL RESOLUTION the massive Chinese trade surplus.

The main delegation also inof the trade dispute would depend The dispute has escalated to cludes David Malpass, whom on the meeting with Xi “in the near encompass $360 billion in trade President Donald Trump has future� but told reporters it had between the two economic super- nominated to be president of the not yet been arranged. powers, and without an agreement World Bank and who has worked Top White House economist by the start of March, the Trump to limit the bank’s assistance to Larry Kudlow also said Thursday administration is poised to more Beijing. that while Trump was “optimistic� than double the punitive duties However, strident White House about prospects for a deal, there on $200 billion in Chinese goods. China critic Peter Navarro was not remained a “sizable distance�

However, amid pressure from listed as part of the US team. AFP

Q TALKS FROM B1

High

percent of outstanding CHP common shares. When computed, the publicly-owned CHP common shares represent 44.969 percent of outstanding CHP common shares.

Despite their ownership of close to 45 percent, the public stockholders are not entitled to even a directorship.

If Cemex and other owners and majority stockholders of listed companies were as serious as they tend to show in their PORs, they would have entertained the entry of their public stockholders into their boards.

Compensation The general information sheet (GIS) of the Union Bank of the Philippines (UBP) listed the com-

pensation of the bank’s 15-person board at P327,107,322 in 2017.

(OWEVER THE BANK S DEkNITIVE information statement (DIS) showed the “chairman of each committee is paid a per diem of P85,000 per meeting actually attended and a committee member receives per diem of P60,000.�

The compensation of UBP’s 15 directors is lumped together with the COMPENSATION OF gALL OTHER OFkCERS & directors as a group unnamed�.

As a group, they received salary of P2.133 billion in 2018; P2.019 billion in 2017; and P1.711 billion in 2016. Their salary is on top of their bonuses of P533.148 million in 2018; P504.777 million in 2017; and P427.686 million in 2016.

-EANWHILE 5"0 S TOP kVE EXecutives would have received salary of P149.791 million in 2018.

They were paid P223.202 million in 2017; and P203.839 million in 2016. They also received the following bonuses: P37.448 million in 2018; P55.8 million in 2017; and P50.96 million in 2016.

Since UBP disclosed the compensation in its 2018 DIS, it said IT CLASSIkED ONLY AS gESTIMATESu THE pays and perks of the board and of THE TOP kVE EXECUTIVES Nevertheless, aren’t UBP’s public stockholders wondering how the board arrived at these amounts of compensation? Just asking.

esdperez@gmail.com

Building the finance team you need DELOITTE. N ON THE DOT

OWADAYS, you’d be hardpressed to think of an industry or a job sector that hasn’t been disrupted by technology.

People who have spent years honing their skills in a particular kELD THAT HAS SO FAR BEEN THE SOLE province of humans are now worried about being replaced by technology. Finance teams are no exception.

-ANY kNANCE LEADERS ARE ALready acknowledging the possibility that they will be overseeing vastly altered finance departments in the not-so-distant future, one where “talent� comes in multiple forms. In a Deloitte SURVEY OF CHIEF kNANCE OFFECERS (CFOs) from some of the largest AND MOST INlUENTIAL COMPANIES in the US, 73 percent of respondents said they will implement technology to replace talent, up from 58 percent a year ago. CFOs also expect to increase utilization of outsourced, contingent, or gig workers.

The shift is driven partly by CFOs’ awareness that their teams are expected to be an insightsdriven department. They see their teams allocating more time to analysis, prediction, and decision support rather than to repetitive jobs such as those in accounts receivable/payable and invoicing.

But what if the skills needed to meet these expectations are not the skills your current team has?

Bridging the gap between the kNANCE TEAM YOU HAVE AND THE one you need starts with a series of questions.

How does your future digital strategy address talent?

IMELDA TAPAY-LAPRES purpose.

How does the future of work change access to talent?

-ANY kNANCE DEPARTMENTS ARE struggling to find talent with the right skills. Using digital technology to source, select, and hire may help. If you’re looking for highly experienced people, ARTIkCIAL INTELLIGENCE !) TOOLS can help identify candidates with high probability of switching JOBS BY USING DATA TO kND ORGAnizations that are contracting, for EXAMPLE OR TO kND PEOPLE WHO have logged a comparatively long tenure in their posts.

CFOs can also work with the human resource (HR) to draft job postings to attract digitally sophisticated recruits. Instead of focusing on credentials and YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN kNANCIAL reporting, consider postings that stress activities, such as understanding the underlying drivers of growth, or possessing skills in the engineering and science domain. Playing up your organization’s differentiating aspects, SUCH AS lEXIBLE WORK HOURS WILL also make you a more attractive employer.

How to develop a workforce experience for future workforce?

Speaking of being an attractive employer, organizations have to realize that the agile, technologically sophisticated talent they are looking for have their own expectations when it comes to workplaces. Exceptionally talented workers are looking for something more than salary and BENEkTS 4HEY RE OFTEN INTERESTED in a company’s values and a mission that resonates.

Many digital natives prefer workplaces devoid of hierarchy, that allow them to work in teams, and that value work-life balance. Offering ample growth opportunities and demonstrating transparency in leadership How does leadership will also help make you a more development need attractive option for your target job seekers. to change?

Considering the technologies One major challenge for CFOs is available now, the extent by enabling existing employees to which CFOs can innovate and transition to a more analytical ENHANCE THE VALUE THE kNANCE DEAPPROACH TO kNANCE %MPLOYEES partment brings to the organizawill have to be agile, able to tion is vast. But smart machines learn, and capable of perform- are still just smart machines. Fiing productively in a changing nance leaders will need the right environment. talent to harness that technology There are several practical and draw out what matters most: tactics finance executives can insights based on data. use to retrain people, such as starting a reverse mentoring The author is a Partner with the program. Pairing older work- Business Process Solutions diviers with younger digital natives sion of Navarro Amper & Co., the will pave the way for transfer of LOCAL MEMBER kRM OF $ELOITTE necessary knowledge. A CFO can Southeast Asia Ltd. – a member ALSO SET UP ROTATIONS FOR kNANCE of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu staff – within the function and Limited – comprising Deloitte outside of it – to give employees practices operating in Brunei, better understanding of the dif- Cambodia, Guam, Indonesia, ferent parts of the business and, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, therefore, a more holistic view of Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, their team’s responsibilities and and Vietnam.

Technology can take over some tasks currently performed by people, but not all. CFOs need to know the kinds of work best done by smart machines and the types that should be left to humans. This way, he or she will be able to blend human inventiveness and creativity with cognitive technologies, thereby enhancing the finance team’s problem-solving capabilities.

Organizations also have to identify the skills needed for the ROLES TO BE kLLED BY PEOPLE SO THAT leaders can work on the gaps in the current workforce.

staged a consultative forum with stakeholders last year. g4HE REVIEW OF THE kNAL REPORT and the terms of reference of the Asian Development Bank-funded WITHIN THE NEXT kVE YEARS TO ELEC- consultants is now ongoing for tronically issue invoices/receipts as the e-invoicing project,� he added. well as report sales data to the BIR Dominguez has said that the at the point of sale. implementation of an e-invoicing BIR Deputy Commissioner system would improve tax colArnel Guballa was quoted hav- lections, noting that it would be ing told Finance Secretary Carlos gMORE EFkCIENT TO FOLLOW AN ELECDominguez 3rd that a Koica team tronic rather than a paper trail.� had visited last year to gather data The BIR recently said it netted in preparation for the feasibility P1.961 trillion last year, up 10.1 study. percent from a year earlier but Guballa also said that the BIR short of the P2.043-trillion goal.

HAD ALREADY IDENTIkED THE LIST OF It is expected to collect P2.339 100 pilot taxpayers that would trillion this year. take part in the project, and also MAYVELIN U. CARABALLO

Q GRANT FROM B1

PH eyes

Stock Watch Mislatel franchise transfer fails to lift Chelsea shares N ˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

B3

MONDAY February 11, 2019

30-DAY STOCK PERFORMANCE

HIGH

LOW

AVERAGE

CLOSE

BY ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

EWS that the Senate had approved a franchise transfer to the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. (Mislatel) consortium failed to lift Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. — one of the firms behind the joint venture — given questions over the so-called third major player’s capability to service its service commitments.

Chelsea, which along with parent firm Udenna Corp. and foreign partner China Telecommunications Corp. comprise the Mislatel consortium, saw its share price tumble to P6.73 on Thursday from an intra-day high of P7.20, and down further to P6.66 on Friday. This compared with a 0 kNISH ON 7EDNESDAY WHEN the Senate approved the franchise ownership transfer.

Timson Securities Inc. trader Jervin de Celis attributed the drop to PROkT TAKING BY INVESTORS 7EEK ON week, the company’s shares were up by 1.37 percent and by 3.09 percent on a year-to-date basis.

Since it debuted on the Philippine Stock Exchange in August 2017, Chelsea has only twice breached its P10.68 initial public offering price (IPO) price — on August 25 and Sep. 11, 2017 when it settled at P10.72 and P10.78,

30-day high: P7.20 30-day low: P6.06

Q MT Chelsea Cherylyn, a cargo ship owned by Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. PHOTO GRABBED FROM CHELSEA LOGISTICS WEBSITE respectively. As of Friday, its share price was down by 37.6 percent compared with the IPO price. “I guess we have to see good kGURES FROM THEIR TELCO VENTURE AT LEAST IN THE NEXT THREE TO kVE YEARS for the stock price to recover,� de Celis noted. “[The current] time frame will likely be their most crucial since this is going to be capital intensive which means more outlays for rolling out their services and of course, taking market shares from PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. will be a challenge,� he added.

The Mislatel consortium has challenged the duopoly of PLDT and Globe, committing to provide internet speeds of 27 megabits per second within its first year operation, said to be at par with Singapore, and 55 Mbps starting the following year.

In a separate comment, Eagle Equities Inc. research head Chris-

topher Mangun said Chelsea’s value would depend on how soon Mislatel rolled out its committed service levels.

He added that from a technical STANDPOINT THE kRM S SHARE WAS mirroring that of ISM Communications Corp., which Udenna is using for a backdoor listing and is set to be renamed as Udenna Holdings Corp.

Philstocks Financial Inc. research associate Piper Chaucer Tan said trading in Chelsea would remain active as market players await third telco developments.

The consortium has until FebruARY TO SUBMIT POST QUALIkCATION

Value

Chg

%Chg

PSEi

8,070.89

-29.41

Ĺş

All Shares

4,896.32

-10.25

Ĺş

Financials

1,847.39

-10.43

Ĺş

Industrial

11,678.17

-116.15

Ĺş

Holding Firms

8,033.00

17.69

Ÿ

Services

1,619.34

-0.56

Ĺş

0LQLQJ DQG 2LO

8,739.62

-0.15

Ĺş

Property

3,997.85

-10.57

Ĺş

Stock indices as of February 8, 2019

PSEi

ALL SHARES

2XWVWDQGLQJ VKDUHV

Date

Close

Date

Close

Feb 08, 2019 Feb 07, 2019 Feb 06, 2019 Feb 04, 2019

6.66 6.73 6.79 6.57

Jan 17, 2019

6.83

Jan 16, 2019

6.76

Jan 15, 2019

6.79

Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019

6.57 6.62 6.49 6.23 6.43 6.52

Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019

Jan 14, 2019

6.78

Jan 11, 2019

6.78

Jan 10, 2019

6.7

Jan 09, 2019

6.86

Jan 08, 2019

6.82

6.62 6.61 6.65 6.67

Jan 07, 2019 Jan 04, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019

6.99 6.92 6.57 6.43

Dec 28, 2018

6.46

6.76

Dec 27, 2018

6.54

*amounts in peso

*amounts in peso

PROFITABILITY Date Feb. 4 Feb. 5 Feb. 6 Feb. 7 Feb. 8

P/E ratio 29.96 29.51 29.98 55.50

P/E growth (%) 1.58 85.12

Price to book ratio 0.9037 0.9340 0.9257 0.9161

2015 -

Net income (loss) Earnings per share Book value per share *Net Income (loss) in 000 00

2016 131 0.26 3.12

THIRD QUARTER REPORT NET INCOME P(310,775,353)

2017 161 0.12 7.22

TOTAL ASSETS P30,868,234,456

TOTAL LIABILITIES

*amounts in peso

P17,614,867,204

FINANCIAL RATIOS

FINANCIAL CONDITION Year

Total Assets

2015 2016 10,759,904 2017 26,379,614 *amounts in thousand pesos

HOLDING FIRMS

Index

documents to the National Telecommunications Commission as well as a performance security FOR THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIkCATE OF public convenience and necessity. #OMPANY OFkCIALS HAVE CLAIMED that the third telco would be ready to operate by the middle of the year.

Based on its latest financial statements, Chelsea earned P43 million as of end-September last year, down 71.7 percent from a year earlier.

In the third quarter alone, Chelsea widened its net loss by 147 percent to P310.8 million from P125.8 million in the comparable 2017 period.

Market capitalization: P12,261,909,348.95

SERVICES

MINING AND OIL

Total Liabilities 9,199,235 13,222,225

Shareholders’ Equity 1,560,668 13,157,388

Year

Return on Assets (%)

Return on Equity (%)

TOTAL EQUITY P8,279,175,000 Debt to Equity ratio

Common ratio

2015 2016

1.22

8.44

5.8944

0.3982

2017

0.61

1.23

1.0049

1.1344

FINANCIAL RATIOS Return on Assets 1.01% Return on Equity 2.34% Debt to Ety Ratio 1.3291 Common Ratio 0.5674

TOP ACTIVE STOCKS No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. International Container Terminal Services, Inc. Bloomberry Resorts Corp.

Ayala Land, Inc. %'2 8QLEDQN ,QF SM Prime Holdings, Inc. Ayala Corp.

SM Investments Corp.

Bank of the Philippine Islands PLDT Inc. Megaworld Corp.

Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp.

Petron Corp.

Jollibee Foods Corp.

Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. JG Summit Holdings, Inc. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. Alliance Global Group, Inc. Manila Electric Co. Greenergy Holdings Inc.

Last Price 6.50 114.00 12.06 45.00 139.20 38.65 927.00 1,010.00 91.70 1,240.00 5.29 1.26 7.20 316.20 2.47 65.40 83.40 13.78 367.20 3.21

Chg 0.31 2.90 0.50 -0.25 -1.00 -0.05 -6.00 10.00 -1.30 -43.00 0.00 -0.11 -0.46 -6.80 -0.11 0.40 0.20 -0.08 -3.80 0.06

%Chg 5.01% 2.61% 4.33% -0.55% -0.71% -0.13% -0.64% 1.00% -1.40% -3.35% 0% -8.03% -6.01% -2.11% -4.26% 0.62% 0.24% -0.58% -1.02% 1.90%

Ÿ Ÿ Ÿ ź ź ź ź Ÿ ź ź ź ź ź ź Ÿ Ÿ ź ź Ÿ

Volume 123,520,900 5,269,130 39,681,500 10,289,800 2,628,240 7,210,300 295,600 261,250 1,880,590 127,535 28,551,500 110,448,000 17,755,900 397,410 46,902,000 1,752,970 1,340,180 6,829,400 222,890 25,636,000

Value 802,411,295 592,288,142 481,435,820 463,286,315 365,417,444 278,712,300 273,801,100 261,364,438 173,568,752 159,589,620 150,405,525 142,017,300 129,490,132 125,851,690 117,107,050 114,105,051 111,768,947 93,907,262 82,212,750 81,723,570

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP GAINERS FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

PROPERTY

INDEX HISTORY Date Feb 08, 2019 Feb 07, 2019 Feb 06, 2019 Feb 04, 2019 Feb 01, 2019 Jan 31, 2019 Jan 30, 2019 Jan 29, 2019 Jan 28, 2019 Jan 25, 2019 Jan 24, 2019 Jan 23, 2019 Jan 22, 2019 Jan 21, 2019 Jan 18, 2019 Jan 17, 2019 Jan 16, 2019 Jan 15, 2019 Jan 14, 2019 Jan 11, 2019 Jan 10, 2019 Jan 09, 2019 Jan 08, 2019 Jan 07, 2019 Jan 04, 2019 Jan 03, 2019 Jan 02, 2019 Dec 28, 2018 Dec 27, 2018 Dec 26, 2018

Open 8,091.70

High 8,096.47

Low 8,035.84

Close 8,070.89

8,093.17 8,091.45 8,131.55 8,038.65 7,999.41 8,038.77 8,086.93 8,071.12 8,075.66 8,000.65 7,941.05 8,023.84 8,055.48 7,932.11 7,866.42 7,983.46 8,009.08 7,886.40 7,965.44 7,931.87 7,775.21 7,820.26 7,800.88 7,657.18 7,507.48 7,496.57 7,497.16 7,465.04 7,436.73

8,127.08 8,213.71 8,148.88 8,165.66 8,099.23 8,046.95 8,087.39 8,143.61 8,116.23 8,068.48 7,989.65 8,029.80 8,067.08 8,057.57 7,937.98 7,990.65 8,027.92 8,024.14 7,965.44 7,992.33 7,919.67 7,826.08 7,900.70 7,801.50 7,680.60 7,540.26 7,507.29 7,514.33 7,453.22

8,087.73 8,058.45 8,068.74 8,038.65 7,999.41 7,912.16 8,014.94 8,042.20 8,038.94 8,000.65 7,901.64 7,979.14 7,964.06 7,919.50 7,865.13 7,848.70 7,976.43 7,818.95 7,855.69 7,898.63 7,765.91 7,702.12 7,787.66 7,657.18 7,490.28 7,465.76 7,466.02 7,447.22 7,378.88

8,100.30 8,058.45 8,069.48 8,144.16 8,007.48 7,979.95 8,050.82 8,053.92 8,053.20 8,064.90 7,989.65 8,008.67 8,007.46 8,047.12 7,927.20 7,864.70 8,013.42 8,024.14 7,904.09 7,985.23 7,919.67 7,702.12 7,787.66 7,761.11 7,680.60 7,489.20 7,466.02 7,482.66 7,450.01

CLOSE

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Macay Holdings, Inc. Keppel Philippine Holdings, Inc. “A�

Concrete Aggregates Corp. “B�

Concrete Aggregates Corp. “A�

The Philodrill Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Philippines, Inc. Bogo-Medellin Milling Co. Xurpas Inc. 2PLFR &RUS Bright Kindle Resources & Investments Inc. Manila Mining Corp. “A�

I-Remit, Inc. Philippine Business Bank Marcventures Holdings, Inc. Millennium Global Holdings, Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc. Crown Asia Chemicals Corp.

Abra Mining & Industrial Corp.

Araneta Properties, Inc. LBC Express Holdings, Inc.

Volume 876,800 5,000 10,640 21,420 161,600,000 34,813,000 410 28,814,000 3,730,000 2,277,000 88,000,000 39,000 42,100 3,093,000 25,500,000 123,520,900 1,027,000 1,390,000,000 594,000 1,104,300

Value 13,326,882 27,850 862,860 1,686,134 1,939,600 51,691,280 39,581 50,585,150 2,756,050 3,536,360 746,200 57,940 585,132 3,527,790 5,683,080 802,411,295 1,845,750 3,048,600 1,085,480 17,023,672

Last Price 16.32 5.95 88 71.1 0.013 1.51 97.7 1.78 0.76 1.53 0.0086 1.48 14.36 1.15 0.22 6.5 1.83 0.0023 1.84 15.76

Chg 5.44 1.05 14.95 6.55 0.001 0.11 6.7 0.12 0.05 0.1 0.0005 0.08 0.76 0.06 0.011 0.31 0.08 0.0001 0.08 0.66

%Chg 50.00% 21.43% 20.47% 10.15% 8.33% 7.86% 7.36% 7.23% 7.04% 6.99% 6.17% 5.71% 5.59% 5.50% 5.26% 5.01% 4.57% 4.55% 4.55% 4.37%

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

TOP LOSERS

HIGH

No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Security Name Zeus Holdings, Inc. Chemical Industries of the Philippines Cirtek Holdings Philippines Corp. US-Denominated Preferred B-2 Shares United Paragon Mining Corp.

Premiere Horizon Alliance Corp.

Petron Corp.

Central Azucarera De Tarlac Ayala Corp. Preferred Class “B� Shares Grand Plaza Hotel Corp.

Asiabest Group International Inc. Synergy Grid & Development Phils., Inc. Coal Asia Holdings Inc. City & Land Developers, Inc. Geograce Resources Philippines, Inc. Cemex Holdings Philippines, Inc. Italpinas Development Corp.

3DFLÂżF 2QOLQH 6\VWHPV &RUS Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. F & J Prince Holdings Corp. “Aâ€?

PTFC Redevelopment Corp.

*amounts in peso, except for volume, %chg

Volume Value Last Price Chg % Chg 56,700,000 20,103,650 0.34 -0.04 -10.53% 530 66,970 126.1 -13.7 -9.80% 10,000 9,304 0.91 -0.09 -9.00% 101,000,000 834,900 0.0078 -0.0007 -8.24% 110,448,000 142,017,300 1.26 -0.11 -8.03% 17,755,900 129,490,132 7.2 -0.46 -6.01% 3,700 61,784 16.5 -1 -5.71% 9,400 4,361,364 452 -27 -5.64% 4,500 52,004 11 -0.62 -5.34% 254,400 6,647,165 25.9 -1.4 -5.13% 110 48,452 441.2 -23.8 -5.12% 30,000 9,000 0.3 -0.015 -4.76% 64,000 53,440 0.82 -0.04 -4.65% 14,590,000 4,813,950 0.32 -0.015 -4.48% 46,902,000 117,107,050 2.47 -0.11 -4.26% 396,000 1,828,700 4.55 -0.2 -4.21% 30,300 282,484 9.33 -0.41 -4.21% 2,728,000 3,824,790 1.39 -0.06 -4.14% 1,000 4,800 4.8 -0.2 -4.00% 70 3,312 48 -2 -4.00%

B4

Corporate News

MONDAY February 11, 2019

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Cebu Pacific studying additional Japan routes N

BY LISBET K. ESMAEL

AGOYA, Japan: Philippine budget carrier Cebu 0ACIkC IS LOOKING TO BOOST EXPAND lIGHTS TO *APAN

BY ADDING MORE ROUTES A COMPANY OFkCIAL SAID

#EBU 0ACIkC #OUNTRY -ANAGER *APAN Tomohiko Matsumoto told visiting reporters that the carrier’s Japan-PhilIPPINES OPERATION HAD SEEN SIGNIkCANT growth over the last four years due INCREASED lIGHTS TO .ARITA .AGOYA

Fukuoka and Osaka.

g.OW WE RE lYING THOSE ROUTES DAILY Our Narita to Manila is actually double daily,� he noted on Saturday.

Asked if the listed airline operator was looking to add new routes, Matsumoto said they were looking at possible destinations like Haneda and Sapporo.

Strengthening its network will also reQUIRE A lEET UPGRADE WHICH #EBU 0ACIkC is currently undertaking. Late in January, the company announced the delivery of ITS kRST BRAND NEW !IRBUS ! NEO The carrier ended 2018 operations WITH AIRCRAFT 4HIS YEAR #EBU 0ACIkC expects to receive 12 more jets, including SIX !IRBUS ! NEOS kVE ! NEOS AND an ATR 72-600. g7E HAVE BEEN OPERATING A BUT now we are trying to change it to 321 which is about 50 seats more,� Matsumoto said.

g7ITHOUT NEO WE ARE NOT BE ABLE TO lY FROM -ANILA TO 3APPORO BECAUSE THE lYING hours is too long ... Our network planning [people] will be studying it,� he added.

Another factor that must be considered is that of securing slots at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. g7E HAVE TO STUDY THE CAPACITY PLUS the also the Manila slots ‌ we have to make the study on how we make the new routes ... successful,� he said. ,AST YEAR #EBU 0ACIkC lEW MILLION passengers between the Philippines and Japan, Matsumuto said.

Bench owner to build office building in Clark SUYEN Corp., the owner of clothing brand Bench, is planning to build an office tower within the 177-hectare Clark Global City in Pampanga.

In a statement on Sunday, Suyen said it had signed a memorandum of agreement with Dennis Uy-led Global Gateway Development Corp.

(GGDC) to sublease a 2,886-square meter (sqm) area for the office building development.

Suyen said it wanted to take advanTAGE OF BOOMING DEMAND FOR OFkCE spaces at the Clark Freeport Zone.

g7E THANK 3UYEN FOR CHOOSING TO invest in Clark Global City and for sharing our vision for a central business district that will create more opportunities for Filipinos beyond the country’s major cities that have become highly congested,� GGDC Chairman Dennis Uy said.

Suyen Chairman and CEO Ben #HAN MEANWHILE SAID g7E RE BULLISH on the Philippine economy and seeing how it’s slowly but surely extending to key cities outside of Metro Manila.� “Our government has been working

hard to promote Clark and to make it much more accessible. There’s a lot that’s been done to develop Clark and even more that can be done to help it reach its full potential, so it’s not hard to see it becoming the next big metropolis it’s poised to be,� he added.

Clark Global City is a P6-billion development located on the former US military base. GGDC originally envisioned it as an aviation-focused logistics park BUT NOW EXPECTS IT TO HOUSE OFkCE BUILDings, upmarket retail outlets, academic and sports centers, an urban park, an

iconic tower and an integrated resort and casino. g7E SEE THE SIGNIkCANT ROLE OF #LARK Global City in helping sustain and even accelerate our economy’s growth,� Uy said. “Through Clark Global City, we hope to attract more businesses and investors to expand in the Philippines and thereby create more and better employment opportunities for our COUNTRYMEN 7ITH OUR PARTNERS WE look forward to realizing our vision as soon as possible,� he added.

ANGELICA BALLESTEROS

Feb-March close set for PAL-ANA deal THE SALE OF A MINORITY STAKE IN lAG CARRIER 0HILippine Airlines (PAL) to Japan’s ANA Holdings, )NC !.! ($ IS EXPECTED TO BE kNALIZED BEFORE the end of this month or mid-March at the latest. “The parties are targeting to close the transaction within the period from 28 February 2019 to 15 March 2019, subject to completion of their RESPECTIVE INTERNAL PROCEDURES u 0!, S PARENT kRM 0!, (OLDINGS )NC SAID IN A kLING ON &RIDAY Once completed, foreign ownership in PAL will climb to 18.27 percent from 8.77 perCENT 4HE CARRIER S PUBLIC lOAT WILL REMAIN AT 10.32 percent.

ANA HD, the operator of All Nippon Airways, plans to buy a 9.5-percent stake for $95 million from PAL Holdings majority shareholder 4RUSTMARK (OLDINGS #ORP THE kRMS ANNOUNCED last month. g7E ARE HONORED AND EXCITED THAT A PREMIER airline group such as ANA HD has decided to purchase shares in PAL Holdings. The Philippines and Japan have a long-standing relationship with complementary strengths,� PAL Holdings and Philippine Airlines President Jaime J. Bautista said.

4HE CARRIER IS MARKING SEVEN DECADES OF lIGHTS to and from Japan. PAL currently mounts 84 lIGHTS WEEKLY ON NINE ROUTES IN *APAN WHILE !.! RUNS lIGHTS WEEKLY ON TWO ROUTES TO the Philippines. “Asia is a key growth market and we believe Philippine Airlines is in an excellent operational position to capitalize on both the strong uptick IN AIR TRAFkC GROWTH AS WELL AS THE VIBRANT EXpanding Philippine economy,� Shinya Katanozaka, president and CEO of ANA HD, also said.

LISBET K. ESMAEL

Foreign Business

Crude prices lead to gushing profits for oil firms

P

ARIS: The world’s top energy companies BOOKED ENORMOUS PROkTS LAST YEAR THANKS to higher oil prices and keeping a tight lid on spending, even if that risked limiting their medium-term production capacity.

4HE kVE gSUPERMAJORSu ‡ 53 kRMS #HEVRON AND %XXON-OBIL

Britain’s BP, Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch Shell and Total of France — earned nearly $80 billion in net PROkTS LAST YEAR They all boosted their bottom line, with some hitting levels not seen since a plunge in crude prices from their perch above $100 per barrel in 2014.

Higher oil prices didn’t hurt, of course, although the fourth quarter was marked by strong volatility.

Overall, the price of Brent crude

was $71 per barrel last year, compared with $54 in 2017.

But that’s not the whole story.

The supermajors have also mainTAINED THE kNANCIAL DISCIPLINE ‡ cost-cutting and reducing investments — that they adopted following the 2014 crash in crude prices.

They tightened their belts enough to become profitable even when oil prices were low. And when crude prices rise again, their PROkTS SURGE g4OTAL S JOB IS TO BE PROkTABLE and to lower the break-even point

no matter what the price of oil is,� said chief executive Patrick Pouyanne this past week. g7E RE GOING TO MAINTAIN DIScipline, there’s volatility� in the market, he added.

The rollercoaster that crude prices have been on in recent months, due in large part to geopolitical uncertainty as the United States and China face off in trade dispute with major repercussions for the global economy, means that the supermajors can’t rest on their laurels.

BP chief Bob Dudley expects, like his fellow oil chiefs, oil prices “to remain volatile, with many uncertainties, including how markets respond to evolving sentiment around ongoing trade discussions� as well as a crisis

situation in Venezuela.

Under-investment The investments will thus remain limited.

7HILE INVESTMENTS IN EXPLORAtion and production rose seven percent last year to $382 billion, according to IFP Energies Nouvelles research group, they are still 40 percent below their 2014 peak.

Moreover, they remain concentrated in North America where they are targeted at exploiting shale oil and gas.

IFP Energies Nouvelles expects a modest increase of three to eight percent in investment spending this year.

The oil services sector — made up of firms contracted to carry

out lots of the exploration and production work — were hit hard as the supermajors cut back and TIGHTENED kNANCIAL DISCIPLINE 7HILE THE NUMBER OF TENDERS FOR work has increased, the “market recovery is slow�, said Gael Bodenes, chief executive of Bourbon which offers marine services for offshore oil and gas projects.

But this restraint in investment also poses a risk over the medium term as oil installations need regular injections of cash to continue producing and new ones need to BE BROUGHT ONLINE TO REPLACE kELDS that are exhausted. “Each year the world needs to replace 3 million barrels per day OF SUPPLY LOST FROM MATURE kELDS while also meeting robust demand growth. That is the equivalent

of replacing one North Sea each year,� the International Energy Agency warned.

7HILE SOME SUPERMAJORS ARE STILL increasing production, sometimes considerably, that is the result of investments launched years ago, not of a recent effort.

The long lead time to build new oil and gas installations means the effects of low investment now may not be felt in terms of supply shortfalls for several years. “This industry has invested little for four years�, since the collapse of crude prices, said Total chief Pouyanne. “One day we’ll see that the capacity not launched risks being missed on the market� if US shale PRODUCTION FAILS TO kLL THE GAP He said this could happen sometime between 2021 and 2023. AFP

China entertainment endures ‘bitter winter’ after crackdowns DONGYANG, China: #HINESE kLM AND television are reeling from what industry insiders call a “bitterly cold winter� of sharper government scrutiny that is expected to lead to more Communist Partyfriendly content.

The entertainment sector had blossomed in recent years, with OFkCIAL ENCOURAGEMENT BY A GOVernment keen to replace foreign content with homegrown fare and develop the industry as a global “soft power� asset.

But a nationwide push for more party-approved material across media, music and entertainment has combined with a clampdown on spiralling screen-star salaries to cloud the outlook. “[It’s been a] cold winter, a bitterly cold winter,� said Yu Zheng, screenwriter and producer of the hugely popular series “Story of Yanxi Palace.�

The period drama set amid Qing dynasty court intrigue drew 18 billion views on Chinese platform iQIYI and was the most “Googled�

TV show in the world last year, due in part to popularity among the Chinese diaspora.

The program, since concluded, was kLMED AT (ENGDIAN 7ORLD 3TUDIOS IN the eastern province of Zhejiang.

7IDELY CONSIDERED g#HINA S Hollywood�, the sprawling studio complex has around a dozen kLM SETS INCLUDING FAUX VERSIONS of Beijing’s Forbidden City and, soon, Shanghai’s Bund riverfront.

Around 70 percent of China’s kLM AND TELEVISION SHOWS ARE SHOT there, Chinese newspaper Economic Observer reported in 2017.

But studio chairman Sang Xiaoqing told AFP in an interview that Hengdian was bracing for a slowdown, particularly after tax authorities late last year targeted A-list actress Fan Bingbing in a crackdown on alleged widespread tax dodging and exorbitant pay for big-name stars. “Judging from the current situation, [the entertainment industry] will be in the process of slow recovery in 2019,� Sang said. “Some crew have postponed their shooting plans and some have even cancelled. The business OPERATIONS OF kLM AND TELEVISION companies were also impacted by the strengthened tax reform.�

Sang said he expected to see A SHIFT TO MORE kLMS OR 46 PROgrams focused on the revolution that brought the Communists to power in 1949, particularly as this October will mark the event’s

70th anniversary.

Krypt Chen, a Shanghai-based media analyst, said: “[Government] scrutiny has been stricter year after year since 2016. It was already quite harsh last year and may be even stricter this year.� #HINA S kLM INDUSTRY EARNED A record of nearly 61 billion yuan BILLION IN BOX OFkCE REVenue last year, up nine percent from 2017, state-run Xinhua news agency reported, though growth slowed from the previous year.

Radio and TV revenue, meanwhile, rose 20 percent in 2017.

But the tightened scrutiny has Chinese studios feeling the heat.

Entertainment giant Huayi Brothers Media Corporation’s share price was almost halved last year, and Hengdian stock shed more than 20 percent.

President Xi Jinping is waging a campaign to sanitize media content, which has resulted in a crackdown on art forms like rap, while even tattoos are believed to have been banned from television.

Investment ‘bubble’ Historical shows like “Yanxi Palace� had seemed safe as they don’t deal with contentious contempo-

Q In this photo taken on Jan. 29, 2019, actors film a scene for a Chinese TV series at Hengdian World Studios in Dongyang. Chinese film and television are reeling from what industry insiders call a “bitterly cold winter� of sharper government scrutiny that is expected to lead to more Communist Party-friendly content. AFP PHOTO rary issues.

But a commentary by Beijing Daily AN OFkCIAL #OMMUNIST 0ARTY newspaper, last month touched off a debate by criticizing period dramas for glamorizing lavish imperial lifestyles and palace intrigue instead of promoting “the core values of socialism.�

Since then, similar shows appear to have gone into hiatus. “Yanxi� producer Yu said he felt his show was in line with Xi’s goals of promoting and exporting

Chinese culture. “I think criticism is ok. But please don’t cut [all period dramas] across the board,� he told AFP in a phone interview. g#HINA kNALLY HAS A 46 SHOW that has been recognized by the WORLD 7HY CAN T WE BRING OUT China’s good, luxurious things and let foreigners pay their respects?�

Hengdian chairman Sang said optimistically the newspaper commentary could result in content with more “positive energy�, while

Chen, the analyst, said this would mean more traditional values.

Sang said demand remained high and he expected to see a shift toward BETTER DEVELOPED PLOTS kNELY TUNED production quality, and less reliance on big-name stars. “There was excessive, bubblelike, investment,� Sang said. “Now, as people become rational and have calmed down, many good companies will have the opportunity to distance themselves from competitors.�

AFP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Turkey slams China’s treatment of Uighurs ANKARA: Turkey on Saturday condemned China’s treatment of its Muslim ethnic Uighur people as “a great embarrassment for humanity,� adding to rights groups’ recent criticism over mass detentions of the Turkic-speaking minority. “The systematic assimilation policy of Chinese authorities towards Uighur Turks is a great embarrassment for humanity,� Turkish foreign ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement.

The northwest Xinjiang Region of China, where most Uighurs live, has been under heavy police surveillance in recent years, after violent inter-ethnic tensions.

Nearly one million Uighurs and other Turkic languagespeaking minorities in China had reportedly been held in re-education camps, according to a United Nations (UN) panel of experts.

Beijing says the “vocational education centres� helped people steer clear of terrorism and allowed them to be reintegrated into society.

But critics said China was seeking to assimilate Xinjiang’s minority population and suppress religious and cultural practices that CONlICT WITH #OMMUNIST IDEOLOGY and the dominant Han culture.

“It is no longer a secret that more than one million Uighur Turks — who are exposed to arbitrary arrests — are subjected to torture and political brainwashing in concentration centres and prisons,� Aksoy said in a Turkish foreign ministry statement . “Uighurs who are not detained in the camps are also under great pressure,� he added.

Turkey called on the international community and UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres “to take effective steps to end the human tragedy in Xinjiang region.�

Most mainly Muslim countries have not been vocal on the issue, not criticising the government in China, which is an important trading partner.

Aksoy also said Turkey had learned of the “tragic� death in custody Saturday of Uighur poet and musician Abdurehim Heyit. “We’ve learned with great sorROW THAT DIGNIkED POET !BDUREhim Heyit, who was sentenced to eight years in prison for his compositions, died in the second year of his imprisonment,� he said. “This tragic incident has further strengthened the Turkish public’s reaction to the serious human rights violations in Xinjiang Region.�

AFP

Abe cracks down on child abuse in Japan TOKYO: Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Saturday vowed to crack down on the increasing number of child abuse cases in Japan after the death of a 10-year-old girl, allegedly killed by her abusive father, shocked the country.

Mia Kurihara was found dead in the bathroom of her home in Chiba near Tokyo last month after authorities failed to respond to her repeated pleas for help.

Her parents have been arrested on suspicion of assaulting their daughter after her father reportedly abused her regularly and refused to allow her to go to school.

The tragedy came more than a year after she asked her teacher to help stop her father from “beating and kicking� her.

She was temporarily protected by child welfare officials, but returned to relatives about two months later. She was then brought back to her parents in March last year.

Police have found a video on her father’s mobile phone showing him hitting her, local media said,

adding that she cried in the footage saying: “Dad, I’m sorry.�

The high-profile case has drawn huge media attention, prompting the government to take action amid growing public awareness over child abuse.

Abe told members of his ruling Liberal Democratic Party that his government had ordered child welfare centers across the nation to confirm within a month the safety of all children suspected to have been abused.

Abe also said the government would raise the number of child welfare workers by some 1,000 for the next fiscal year starting in April from the current 3,200. “It was a painful case, which is all too regrettable,�

Abe said. “Protecting children’s lives is our adults’ responsibility,� he added.

Police reported the suspected abuse of a recordhigh 80,104 minors to child welfare authorities in Japan in 2018, Kyodo News said.

The figure rose by 22.4 percent from a year earlier, it said.

AFP

Worldinbrief PROTESTER LOSES HAND IN PARIS CLASHES PARIS: A French “yellow vest� protester’s hand was ripped apart Saturday (Sunday in Manila) during violent clashes in Paris as demonstrators tried to storm the French National Assembly in a 13th consecutive week of unrest. Police said the injured protester lost four fingers as police swooped in to stop protesters from breaching the parliament’s exterior. Police could not confirm French media reports that the hand of the demonstrator, who is now being treated in the hospital, was blown up by a grenade used to disperse unruly crowds. As scuffles broke out in front of the National Assembly and French police responded with tear gas, paramedics huddled around the injured protester at the National Assembly gates. Police used batons and fired tear gas in Paris to disperse demonstrators, some of whom threw debris at riot police. Cars, motorbikes and trash bins were set ablaze as the protest moved toward the city’s Invalides monument and onto the Eiffel Tower.

BAHRAIN AIR FORCE PLANE VIOLATES QATAR AIRSPACE QATAR has informed the United Nations Security Council and the UN Secretary-General about a violation of Qatari airspace by a Bahrain Air Force aircraft on Dec. 27, 2018. The Bahraini plane entered Qatar’s airspace without the prior authorisation of the competent Qatari authorities, it was said in a message sent on February 7 by HE the Permanent Representative of Qatar to the UN Ambassador Sheikha Alya Ahmed bin Saif al-Thani to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, and to Permanent Representative of Equatorial Guinea Ambassador Ndong Mba, who is the President of the Security Council for this month. In her message, HE Sheikha Alya called upon the United Nations to take the necessary measures to put an end to the tendentious

World Thai party pulls plug on princess’ run for PM B MONDAY February 11, 2019

ANGKOK: Thai Princess Ubolratana’s unprecedented attempt to become the country’s next prime minister was abruptly nixed Saturday after her party agreed to comply with a command from the king opposing the plan.

The party’s announcement effectively blocking Ubolratana’s candidacy came after an extraordinary rebuke by her brother King Maha Vajiralongkorn, and removes a hurdle for the ruling junta to hold onto power after the March 24 VOTE ‡ THE kRST SINCE A coup.

4HE 4HAI 2AKSA #HART PARTY AFkLiated with the powerful Shinawatra political clan, had announced the princess as their candidate Friday morning.

The move rattled the status quo and threatened the ambitions of the generals who have controlled Thailand since they toppled the administration of Yingluck Shinawatra almost five years ago.

Her brother Thaksin was ousted AS PREMIER IN A coup.

But the Thai king torpedoed his sister’s bid in a sharply worded statement the same day that said bringing senior royal family members into politics was against tradition and “highly inappropriate�.

Thai Raksa Chart responded swiftly, cancelling a campaign event Saturday and issuing a statement saying it “complies with the royal command.� “Chin up and keep moving forward! We learn from past experiences but live for today and the

future,� Thaksin Shinawatra wrote on Twitter late Saturday.

Thailand has some of the most severe lese-majeste laws in the world and the king’s word is seldom challenged.

Royalist Thais and celebrities praised the intervention on social media after the order, writing “long live the king.�

Others expressed unhappiness with Thai Raksa Chart.

An activist who called himself #HAMP SAID HE WAS gDISAPpointed� with the idea of a prodemocracy party enlisting a royal family member and would now vote for a different party.

Analysts say the events of the past day would help the military to consolidate power and tilt the odds in favour of junta chief Prayut Chan-O-Cha. Prayut is standing as premier for the Phalang Pracharat party, a group aligned with the regime.

The military has “gained the upper hand,� said professor Anusorn Unno from Thammasat University, adding that it was poised to perform well in the vote.

Even before Thai Raksa Chart’s reversal, many warned the palace statement had ended the princess’ chances.

“The palace disapproval invalidates her candidacy,� said Puangthong Pawakapan, professor of political science at Chulalongkorn University. !N %LECTION #OMMISSION OFkcial said it was reviewing all candidate applications and would finish the process this week, though few expect it to divert from the royal order.

Historian Chris Baker said that while he could not predict what

B5

would happen next, the language in the palace statement was strong AND gVERY kRM u Thailand is a constitutional monarchy and has not had a royal RUN FOR FRONTLINE OFkCE SINCE 4HE YEAR OLD PRINCESS HAS yet to address the rebuke head on.

She thanked supporters Saturday on her widely followed Instagram account, saying vaguely that she wanted Thailand to “move forward.�

AFP

MILITARY’S BET

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who led the 2014 coup that ousted Thailand’s last elected government, on Friday accepted his selection as candidate to lead the next government by Palang Pracharat Party, widely seen as a proxy for the military. AP PHOTO

NEW YEAR REVELRY Performers do a lion dance during a competition to mark the Lunar New Year in Yangon’s Chinatown district in Myanmar. AFP PHOTO Bahraini violations in order to maintain international peace and security, in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations. GULF TIMES

AASIA BIBI STILL CAN’T LEAVE PAKISTAN ISLAMABAD: A Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy after spending eight years on death row in Pakistan had been transferred from a secret location near the capital to another in Karachi, but was still unable to leave the country to join her daughters in Canada, a friend said Saturday. Aman Ullah, who spoke to Aasia Bibi by telephone Friday, said the 54-year-old Bibi was being held in a room in the southern port city. He said Bibi, who faces death threats by radical Islamists, was frustrated and frightened, uncertain of when she would be able to leave Pakistan. “She has no indication of when she will leave ... they are not telling her why she cannot leave,� said Ullah, who fled the country Friday after receiving threats from extremists angered by his assistance to Bibi, which began while she was on death row. Ullah has been a liaison between Bibi and European diplomats, who have sought to assist her.

AP

MALAYSIAN ‘SLAVES’ PROMISED $1,500 SALARY PHNOM PENH: Malaysian detainee Aron Naldy Muhammad Ting Abdullah, 22, who is among 47 detainees, alleges that they were promised $1,500 monthly to work in Cambodia but was instead treated like bonded slaves in Poipet, Banteay Meanchey province here. Khmer Times has learnt that the detainees, aged between 19 and 44, including 10 women had been accused of cheating, opening and managing illegal gambling, and were awaiting prosecution. “We do not know why we have been arrested. We hope to come home soon,� arrated the Sibu-born to a verified source over the telephone conversation on Friday. Below is the narrative provided by the source, who cannot be named for security reasons: “We were made to work from 8am to 4pm daily, learning on a tablet how online gambling works. We were not allowed to go out or speak to anyone outside of the house. They confiscated our phones and personal documents. Although we went along with it, we did feel like something was wrong.�

KHMER TIMES

China slams Modi visit to east border

BEIJING: China on Saturday protested the visit by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, a contested region located on the border between the two countries. “The Chinese government has never recognized the so-called @!RUNACHAL 0RADESH AND IS kRMLY opposed to the Indian leader’s visit,�

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hua Chunying said in a statement. “China urges the Indian side to... refrain from any action that may lead to the escalation of disputes or complicate the boundary question,� added Hua, some hours after Modi’s visit to the contested area, during which he inaugurated building work for two airports.

Relations between New Delhi and Beijing have been marked by distrust since a brief but bloody BORDER WAR DURING WHICH the two fought over Arunachal Pradesh, with Chinese troops

temporarily capturing part of the Himalayan territory.

The dispute remains unresolved, with India considering Arunachal Pradesh one of its northeastern states, while China CLAIMS ABOUT SQUARE KILOmetres of the territory. “Indian leaders visit Arunachal Pradesh from time to time, as they visit other parts of India. This consistent position has been conveyed to the Chinese side on several occasions,� India’s foreign ministry said in a statement Saturday. )N THE TWO !SIAN GIANTS WERE involved in a high-altitude standoff in Bhutan’s Doklam region after the Indian army sent troops to stop the construction of a military road

by China.

After two tense months, the troops from both countries withdrew and last April, Modimet with Xi Jinping in an effort to reset bilateral relations.

AFP

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World

˜ The Manila Times w w w.manilatimes.net

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Trump may get $1.6-B wall fund W ASHINGTON, D. C.: Congressional bargainers are working toward a border security deal amid indications that the White House is preparing to accept a bipartisan agreement that will give President Donald Trump a fraction of the money he has demanded for his proposed southern border wall.

Participants said they expect money for physical barriers to end up well below the $5.7 billion that Trump had sought to begin construction of the wall, WHICH HAD ATTAINED ICONIC SIGNIkcance for him and his conservative supporters. Underscoring the clout he had lost during a battle that had dominated the opening weeks of divided government,

the amount seemed sure to fall much closer to $1.6 billion, the PARTICIPANTS SAID A kGURE THAT was in a bipartisan Senate bill last year. “That’s what we’re working toward,� said Rep. Lucille RoybalAllard, California Democratic, one bargainer.

An agreement will also avert a new partial federal shutdown

next weekend. Trump has warned he might trigger a new closure of agencies if he did not get his way, but that threat had become toothless because of solid opposition from GOP (Republican) lawmakers burned by the record 35-day closure that he initiated in December.

One White House aide said Trump was expected to back whatever compromise emerges and acknowledged there was no will among congressional Republicans for another shutdown. The aide spoke on condition of anonymity to describe internal discussions.

Coupled with a widespread expectation that the agreement will not use the term “wall,� the pact

WILL REPRESENT A SIGNIkCANT RETREAT for Trump, for whom “Build the wall!� has been a battle cry since his presidential campaign.

Democrats seemed to draw a kRM LINE ON SPENDING “Throughout the talks, Democrats have insisted that a border security compromise not be overly reliant on physical barriers,� said Evan Hollander, spokesman for Democrats who control the House Appropriations Committee. “We will not agree to $2 billion in funding for barriers.�

In another signal that Trump was reluctantly preparing to give ground, the White House has been considering accepting the deal, but also using executive action to secure additional barrier funding without

lawmakers’ approval. That plan was described by two people familiar with White House thinking, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Depending on what Trump does, such an action could spark lawsuits or congressional votes of disapproval.

Trump supporters have said there are other executive powers Trump could use to divert money from the budget to wall construction, though it was unclear if they would face challenges in Congress or the courts. One provision of the law lets the Defense Department provide support for counter-drug activities.

"ESIDES THE DOLLAR kGURE TALKS were focusing on the type and

Cardinal hits Pope for wrong teachings VATICAN CITY: The Vatican’s former doctrine chief has penned a “manifesto of faith� to remind Catholics of basic tenets of belief amid what he says was “growing confusion� in the church today.

Cardinal Gerhard Mueller did not name Pope Francis in his four-page manifesto, released late Friday. But the document was nevertheless a clear manifestation of conservative criticism of Francis’ emphasis on mercy and accompaniment versus a focus on repeating Catholic morals and doctrine during the previous two papacies.

Mueller wrote that a pastor’s failure to teach Catholic truths was the greatest deception — “It is the fraud of the anti-Christ.�

Francis sacked Mueller as prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in 2017, denying the German a second kVE YEAR TERM In the document, which was published by conservative Catholic media that have been critical of Francis, Mueller repeats basic Catholic teaching that Catholics must be free from sin before receiving Communion. He mentions divorced and remarried faithful, in a clear reference to Francis’ opening to letting these Catholics receive Communion on a caseby-case basis after a process of accompaniment and discernment with their pastors.

Mueller also repeats that women could not be ordained priests and that priests must be celibate. &RANCIS HAS REAFkRMED THE BAN ON ordination for women, but has commissioned a study on women deacons in the early church. Francis has also reaffirmed priestly celibacy, but has made the case for exceptions where “pastoral necessity� might justify ordaining

married men of proven virtue. “In the face of growing confusion about the doctrine of the faith, many bishops, priests, religious and lay people of the Catholic Church have requested that I make a public testimony about the truth of revelation,� Mueller wrote. “It is the shepherd’s very own task to guide those entrusted to them on the path of salvation.�

The manifesto was the latest jab at Francis from the conservative wing of the church. Already, four other cardinals have called on the Jesuit Pope to clarify his outreach to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics.

And the Vatican’s former ambassador to the US has demanded Francis resign over what he claimed was the pope’s 2013 rehabilitation of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, despite knowing the high-ranking American slept with adult seminarians. McCarrick is likely to be defrocked in the coming days after he was more recently accused of sexually abusing minors.

Mueller’s manifesto carries the date of February 10 — the eve of the sixth anniversary of Pope Benedict 16th’s historic announcement that he would resign. Many conservatives are nostalgic for the doctrinal clarity and certainty of Benedict’s reign.

It was published after Francis penned a joint declaration of “fraternity� with a prominent Muslim imam during his recent trip to the United Arab Emirates.

Some conservatives say the document’s claim that the pluralism of religions was “willed by God� muddies Catholic belief about the centrality of Christ. Francis has defended the document as doctrinally sound.

AP

US, SKorea agree on funding for troops

VIOLENCE

A car burns in front of the Eiffel Tower during a demonstration in Paris on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as the “yellow vests� (gilets jaunes) protesters take to the streets for the 13th consecutive Saturday. AFP PHOTO

Egypt next African Union president ADDIS ABABA: Rwandan President Paul Kagame, who led an active, reformist tenure as African Union (AU) chairman, on Sunday passes the baton to Egypt, seen as more likely to focus on security issues than expanding the powers of the body.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah AL 3ISI WILL OFkCIALLY TAKE OVER THE post of ceremonial head of the AU, which rotates between the five regions of the continent at the start of a two-day summit in Addis Ababa.

While multiple crises on the continent will be on the agenda of heads of state from the 55 member nations, the summit will also focus on institutional reforms, and the establishment of a continent-wide free trade zone.

The Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) was agreed by 44 nations in March 2018, but only 19 counTRIES HAVE RATIkED THE AGREEMENT

with 22 needed for it to come into effect.

4HE SINGLE MARKET IS A lAGSHIP OF the AU’s “Agenda 2063� program, conceived as a strategic framework for socioeconomic transformation.

Cairo is backing the initiative, but analysts say it would be less likely to

FOCUS ON THE kNANCIAL AND ADMINIStrative reforms pushed by Kagame.

Sisi is, however, expected to focus more on security, peacekeeping and post-war reconstruction, issues closely tied to the AU’s 2019 theme of “Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons�. “Egypt has an interest in Africa, they want to strengthen their position on the African continent and they don’t want to be seen as a country only focused on the Arab world,� said Liesl Louw-Vaudran, an analyst at the Institute for Security Studies.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Saturday that peaceful elections in DR Congo, Mali and Madagascar, as well as peace deals in South Sudan and Central African Republic and the truce between Ethiopia and Eritrea, were signs of a “wind of hope� on the continent.

Resisting AU power Kagame, who has been leading institutional reforms since 2016, pushed for a continent-wide import tax to fund the AU and reduce its dependence on external donors, who still pay for more than half the institution’s

location of barriers, participants said. Also in play were the number of beds the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency could have for detained migrants and the amount of aid included for natural disaster relief.

Money for high-tech surveillance equipment and more personnel was also expected to be included.

No one ruled out last-minute problems, especially with Trump’s penchant for head-snapping turnabouts. But the momentum was clearly toward clinching an agreement that Congress can pass by next Friday. The next day, many government agencies will run out of money and have to close again without a deal.

AP

annual budget.

But member states have resisted this along with reform of the AU Commission, its executive organ.

In November 2018, most states rejected a proposal to give the head of the AU Commission the power to name deputies and commissioners.

Like other regional heavyweights Nigeria and South Africa, Egypt was not keen on a powerful AU, an African diplomat told AFP. Especially because Cairo had “never forgotten� its suspension in 2013 after Egypt’s army deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who in 2012 BECAME THE COUNTRY S kRST DEMOcratically elected president, the diplomat said. “Traditionally, leaders of big powers have not really helped the position of AU chairperson, as they don’t want an AU which is too strong or too intrusive,� said Elissa Jobson of the International Crisis Group. “The AU and the AU commission are only as strong as its members want them to be. Unlike the EU, African countries have not transferred some of their sovereignty to the AU.�

AFP

Mexican broadcast journalist shot dead MEXICO CITY: A Mexican radio journalist was shot dead Saturday (Sunday in Manila) in a restaurant in Tabasco State, east of the capital, the latest victim in what has become one of the world’s deadliest countries for the press.

Jesus Ramos Rodriguez was killed in the town of Emiliano Zapata, an official from the local prosecutor’s office told AFP. According to local media, Ramos had hosted a news bulletin for the 99.9 FM radio station for more than two decades.

The El Universal Daily quoted witnesses as saying his assailant got out of a car and headed straight towards him, shooting him more than eight times at point blank range.

The killing comes weeks after a community radio station director was murdered in the northern state of Baja California Sur, in the

first such case of 2019.

Rafael Murua, who had received death threats for his work, was found dead in a ditch on January 20, after being reported missing.

Murua, 34, had been under the Mexican government’s protection program for journalists and rights activists.

Racked by violent crime linked to the country’s drug war and fueled by political corruption, Mexico has registered more than 100 journalist murders since 2000, with 10 killed last year alone.

In December 2018, watchdog group Reporters Without Borders ranked Mexico the third-mostdangerous country for reporters after war-torn Afghanistan and Syria.

The vast majority of cases have gone unpunished — as do more than 90 percent of violent crimes in Mexico.

AFP

SEOUL, South Korea: South Korea and the United States struck a new deal Sunday on how much Seoul should pay for the US military PRESENCE ON ITS SOIL AN OFkCIAL said, after previous rounds of failed negotiations caused worries about their decades-long alliance.

Last year, South Korea provided about $830 million, roughly 40 percent of the cost of the deployment of 28,500 US soldiers whose presence is meant to deter aggression from North Korea. President Donald Trump has said South Korea should pay more.

The allies had failed to reach a new cost-sharing plan during some 10 rounds of talks. On Sunday, Seoul’s Foreign Ministry said the countries signed a new deal. ! kVE YEAR DEAL THAT COVERED South Korea’s payment last year had expired at the end of 2018.

Some conservatives in South Korea voiced concerns over a weakening alliance with the US amid a stalemate in negotiations with North Korea to deprive it of its nuclear weapons. They said Trump might use the failed military cost-sharing negotiations as an excuse to pull back some US troops in South Korea as a bargaining chip in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Trump told CBS’ “Face the Nation� last Sunday that he had no plans to withdraw troops from South Korea.

Trump announced last week that he would sit down with Kim for a second summit in Hanoi, Vietnam in late February. Their kRST SUMMIT IN 3INGAPORE LAST *UNE resulted in Kim’s vague commitment to “complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula,� a term that his propaganda machine previously used when it argued it would only denuclearize after the US withdraws its troops from South Korea.

The South Korean ministry has not immediately revealed the exact amount of money Seoul will pay this year under the new deal.

Yonhap news agency reported that South Korea would provide about 1.04 trillion won ($924 million) in 2019. Yonhap said the US had previously demanded 1.13 trillion won ($1 billion) from South Korea.

The US military arrived in South Korea to disarm Japan, which colonized the Korean Peninsula from 1910 to 1945, following its World War 2 defeat. Most US troops were withdrawn in 1949, but they returned the next year to kGHT ALONGSIDE 3OUTH +OREA IN THE 1950 to 1953 Korean War. South Korea began paying for the US military deployment in the early 1990s, after rebuilding its war-devastated economy. The big US military presence in South Korea is a symbol of the countries’ alliance, forged in blood during the war, but also a source of long-running anti-American sentiments.

AP

˜ The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net

Pag-IBIG Fund grants 21,000 socialized housing loans to low-wage earners in 2018 PAG-IBIG Fund released P8.36 billion for socialized housing in

BENEkTING BORROWERS WHO ARE MINIMUM WAGE AND LOW INCOME EARNERS “Pag-IBIG Fund released an allTIME HIGH OF 0 BILLION IN HOME LOANS IN 0 BILLION OF THIS AMOUNT WAS FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING )N TERMS OF UNITS OF THE

HOMES kNANCED BY 0AG )")' &UND IN WERE FOR LOW INCOME BORROWERS 0AG )")' &UND CONTINUES TO HEED THE CALL OF 0RESIDENT 2ODRIGO 2OA $UTERTE TO PROVIDE SOCIAL BENEkTS TO MORE &ILIPINOS AND STRENGTHENED ITS POSITION AS A KEY MOVER IN THE "!,!) "UILDING !DEQUATE ,IVABLE !FFORDABLE AND )NCLUSIVE &ILIPINO #OMMUNITIES 0ROGRAM OF THE GOVERNMENT S HOUSING SECTOR u SAID 3EC %DUARDO DEL 2OSARIO CHAIRPERSON OF THE (OUSING AND 5RBAN $EVELOPMENT #OORDINATING #OUNCIL (5$## AND 0AG )")' &UND "OARD OF 4RUSTEES 0AG )")' &UND #HIEF %XECUTIVE /FkCER !CMAD 2IZALDY -OTI EXPLAINED THAT 0AG )")' S TAX EXEMPT STATUS

ENABLES THE AGENCY TO SUBSIDIZE THE LOW RATES FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING LOANS AND IMPROVE ITS PROGRAMS TO CATER TO THE NEEDS OF THE UNDERSERVED SECTOR )N 0AG )")' &UND REDUCED THE INTEREST RATE FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING FROM PER ANNUM TO ONLY PERCENT PER ANNUM FOR SOCIALIZED HOUSING UNITS WORTH UP TO 0

WHICH IS THE BEST RATE IN THE SOCIALIZED HOUSING MARKET !ND WHILE THE PRICE OF SOCIALIZED HOUSING CEILING WAS RAISED BY THE (5$## TO 0 FOR HORIZONTAL HOUSING PROJECTS IN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF AFFORDABLE HOMES OFkCIALS OF 0AG )")' &UND DECIDED TO KEEP THE RATE LOW 5NDER ITS !FFORDABLE (OUSING 0ROGRAM WHICH IS EXCLUSIVELY FOR MINIMUM WAGE AND LOW INCOME EARNERS 0AG )")' STILL OFFERS PER ANNUM FOR LOANS UP TO 0

4HIS MEANS THAT QUALIkED BORROWERS OF THE !FFORDABLE (OUSING 0ROGRAM WILL ONLY HAVE TO PAY 0 A MONTH FOR THE kRST kVE YEARS OF A 0 LOAN WITH A TERM OF YEARS

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Public Square

B7

LWUA goes to Bataan and Bulacan for water information and sanitation campaign

Q Participants (left) were given pails and dippers during the program.

Conducting the event are, from left: Reynaldo Mallari, LWUA’s acting div. manager, Engineering Services; Eduardo Sulangi, MWD Board Chairman; Minerva de Leon, MWD general manager with members of LWUA’s Gender and Development (LWUA-GAD).

2

%3)$%.43 OF -ORONG "ATAAN GET A REFRESHER ON WATER CONSERVATION AND PERSONAL HYGIENE AS BENEkCIARIES OF THE "UHAY +954 +ALUSUGANG 9AMAN 5GNAY SA 4UBIG 0ROGRAM IMPLEMENTED BY THE ,OCAL 7ATER 5TILITIES !DMINISTRA-

TION ,75! IN PARTNERSHIP WITH -ORONG 7ATER $ISTRICT -7$ #ATERING TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN

THE CAMPAIGN IS AN ONGOING EFFORT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF ,75! !CTING !DMINISTRATOR *ECI ,APUS TO PROMOTE CLEANLINESS AND RESPON-

Q CWD General Manager Ronnie Lagrado (front) leading the hand washing activity at the school’s newly-donated wash basin facility with Board Chair Arthur Carlos (extreme end). Staff members (right) of CWD distributed individual hygiene kits to the youngsters.

SIBLE USE OF WATER -EANWHILE ,75! "UHAY +954 GOES TO #ALUMPIT "ULACAN TO SHARE WITH STUDENTS OF 0ASCUAL / #RUZ -EMORIAL %LEMENTARY 3CHOOL A PROJECT ON WATER AND SANITATION 4HIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH #ALUMPIT

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GTFI, MBFI celebrate Chinese New Year through ‘Bags of Blessing’

PRA’s stand on Chinese Nationals in PH IN LINE WITH THE INlUX OF #HINESE NATIONALS ALLEGEDLY WORKING IN THE COUNTRY DOING JOBS EXPRESSLY RESERVED BY LAW TO &ILIPINO NATIONALS TO THE PREJUDICE OF THE STATE THE 0HILIPPINE 2ETIREMENT !UTHORITY 02!

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VISA WITH RESTRICTIONS g.OT 6ALID FOR 3TUDY %MPLOYMENT OR 0RACTICE OF 0ROFESSIONu HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO

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VISA WITH RESTRICTION OF g.O #ONVERSIONu SHOULD UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES BE ACCEPTED FOR PROCESSING AND FURTHER CONVERSION TO 3226 4HE ORDER IS FOR DISSEMINATION

AND DUE NOTICE FURNISHED TO ALL CONCERNED ESPECIALLY 02! S !CCREDITED -ARKETERS 02! IS MANDATED TO DEVELOP AND PROMOTE THE 0HILIPPINES AS A RETIREMENT HAVEN TO FOREIGN NATIONALS AND FORMER &ILIPINOS WITH 3226 !S A PUBLIC OFkCE CONFERRED WITH PUBLIC TRUST 02! IS ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PUBLIC AND SHALL IN NO WAY ALLOW THE USE OF 3226 TO CIRCUMVENT THE LAW

Kaspersky Lab wins 2018 CEIA Cybersecurity Award !&4%2 FOUR MONTHS OF RIGOROUS APPRAISAL AND TWO ROUNDS OF COMPETITION +ASPERSKY ,AB WON THE #YBERSECURITY #ATEGORY !WARD ON *AN FOR ITS LEADING SECURITY SOLUTIONS AND TECHNOLOGIES g+ASPERSKY ,AB THROUGH ITS +ASPERSKY !DAPTIVE 3ECURITY &RAMEWORK HAS BEEN PROVIDING HOLISTIC END TO END SOLUTIONS TO BEEF UP THE DEFENCES OF OUR USERS FROM THREAT HUNTING TO RISK MITIGATION CONTINUOUS MONITORING UP TO INCIDENT MANAGEMENT u SAID 3TEPHAN .EUMEIER +ASPERSKY ,AB !SIA 0ACIkC MANAGING DIRECTOR g)NDEPENDENT AWARDS LIKE #%)!

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SAP PH officially recognized as 2019 Top Employer 3!0 0HILIPPINES HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS THE 4OP %MPLOYER FOR EMPOWERING BEST PEOPLE PRACTICES AND HAVING EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE WORKING CONDITIONS 4HIS IS THE SECOND YEAR THAT 3!0 0HILIPPINES RECEIVED THIS DISTINCTION 4HE ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH UNDERTAKEN BY THE 4OP %MPLOYERS )NSTITUTE RECOGNIZES LEADING EMPLOYERS AROUND THE WORLD THAT PROVIDE EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE CONDITIONS NURTURE AND DEVELOP TALENT THROUGHOUT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND STRIVE TO CONTINUOUSLY ADVANCE BEST IN CLASS EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES #RUCIAL TO THE 4OP %MPLOYERS PROCEDURE IS THAT PARTICIPATING COMPANIES MUST COMPLETE A STRINGENT RESEARCH PROCESS AND MEET THE REQUIRED HIGH STANDARD ACROSS MULTIPLE CONTINENTS AND COUNTRIES 4HE 4OP %MPLOYERS )NSTITUTE EVALUATED 3!0 S EMPLOYEE OFFERINGS ON THE CRITERIA OF TALENT STRATEGY

WORKFORCE PLANNING ON BOARDING

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INCREASES EVERY YEAR THUS FORCING COMPANIES TO TAKE EACH YEAR S CERTIkCATION PROCESS JUST AS SERIOUSLY AS THE PREVIOUS YEAR S !S SUCH ONLY THE WORLD S LEADING EMPLOYERS BECOME CERTIkED AS 4OP %MPLOYERS #OMPREHENSIVE INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FROM 4OP %MPLOYER )NSTITUTE HAS DISCLOSED THAT 3!0 0HILIPPINES PROVIDES EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEE CONDITIONS NURTURES AND DEVELOPS TALENT THROUGHOUT ALL LEVELS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND HAS DEMONSTRATED ITS LEADERSHIP STATUS IN THE (2 ENVIRONMENT ALWAYS STRIVING TO OPTIMIZE ITS EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES AND TO DEVELOP ITS EMPLOYEES %DLER 0ANLILIO MANAGING DIRECTOR OF 3!0 0HILIPPINES SAYS g7E ARE DELIGHTED TO BE RECOGNIZED AGAIN FOR OUR @PEOPLE FIRST (2 PRACTICES THROUGH THIS CERTIkCATION FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW )T IS TRULY OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE AT THE CORE OF OUR VISION TO HELP THE 0HILIPPINES RUN BETTER AND IMPROVE THE LIVES OF &ILIPINOS 4HIS HONOR WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE MUTUAL TRUST AND CONkDENCE FROM OUR 3!0 COLLEAGUES u &OR MORE INFORMATION VISIT THE 3!0 .EWS #ENTER

Q During the “Bags of Blessing” event, Metrobank Chairman Arthur Ty (3rd from left); Federal Land Chairman and GTFI President Alfred Ty (2nd from right); GT Foundation Vice President Anjanette Dy Buncio (leftmost); GT Foundation Assistant Vice President Alesandra Ty (2nd from right), Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto Sobrepeña (rightmost) and the beneficiaries of the program.

'4 &OUNDATION )NC '4&) AND -ETROBANK &OUNDATION )NC -"&) KICKED OFF THIS YEAR S g"AGS OF "LESSINGu A WEEK LONG DISTRIBUTION OF 0 MILLION WORTH OF FOOD PACKAGES TO FAMILIES ON &EBRUARY AT 3AN !GUSTIN #HURCH IN )NTRAMUROS -ANILA 3IMULTANEOUS DISTRIBUTIONS ALSO HAPPENED IN 3AN &ERNANDO #ITY

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Cemex PH inks partnership with Unilever PH 4/ VALUE CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES #EMEX (OLDINGS 0HILIPPINES AND 5NILEVER 0HILIPPINES INKED A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING -O5 FOR THE INTENSIkED IMPLEMENTATION OF 43%+ 4AMANG 3EGREGASYON PARA SA +ALIKASAN A SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM INITIATED BY #EMEX 0HILIPPINES &OUNDATION g/UR #32 EFFORTS FOCUS ON THE %NVIRONMENT #OMMUNITY AND %DUCATION u #EMEX 0HILIPPINES 0RESIDENT AND #%/ )GNACIO -IJARES SAID g! PROGRAM LIKE 43%+ IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW WE CAN ACHIEVE A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

BY IMPACTING BEHAVIOR CHANGE AMONG THE MEMBERS u 5NDER THE -O5 5NILEVER PRODUCTS WILL NOW BE A PART OF THE

Q Signing the memorandum, from left: Chito Maniago, Cemex Holdings Philippines Corporate Communications and Public Affairs director; Ignacio Mijares, Cemex president and CEO; Benjie Yap, Unilever CEO and chairman; and Rondell Torres, Unilever senior manager for Sustainable Business and Communications.

REWARDS GIVEN THROUGH 43%+ S SEGREGATED PLASTIC WASTES COLLECTED CUS AREA IN #EMEX S g"UILD THE g"ASURAFFLE u 5NILEVER WILL ALSO FROM PARTNER LOCAL GOVERNMENT .ATION 4OGETHERu UMBRELLA #32 COORDINATE WITH AFkLIATED STORES TO UNITS TO THE #EMEX 3OLID #EMENT PROGRAM WHOSE ADVOCACIES ARE HELP IN THE INFORMATION DISSEMINA- 0LANT IN 2IZAL FOR CO PROCESSING DEDICATED TO UPLIFT LIVES COMMUTION OF 43%+ AND HAUL AND DELIVER ! GREEN ENVIRONMENT IS A FO- NITIES AND -OTHER %ARTH

Ramon Chua leads Oriental Tin Can with his father’s legacy of quality and innovation /2)%.4!, 4IN #AN /4# 0RESIDENT 2AMON #HUA LEADS THE COMPANY AS A TRAILBLAZER IN THE METAL PACKAGING AND QUALITY TIN CANS IN THE 0HILIPPINES 7ITH EMPHASIS ON INNOVATION AND QUALITY /4#

THE COMPANY HIS FATHER #HUA 4EE STARTED IN THE S HAS BECOME A HOUSEHOLD NAME IN THE INDUSTRY

AND CURRENTLY SUPPLIES A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTRY S FOOD CANNERIES IN ,UZON 6ISAYAS AND -INDANAO 4HE SUCCESS OF /4# CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO 4EE S PHILOSOPHY THAT gQUALITY NO MATTER WHAT PRODUCT YOU MAKE WILL BE THE KEY TO SUCCESS u (E PASSED ON THIS GUIDING PRINCIPLE TO HIS SON %NGINEER 2AMON #HUA WHO NOW HELMS THE BUSINESS TO THE GRANDSON %NGINEER &ELIMON $EXTER #HUA %NGR #HUA EXPANDED THE

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AND SOON DEVELOPED INNOVATIONS SUCH AS #OMPUTERIZED .UMERICAL #ONTROL #.# MACHINERY TO ENGINEER ITS PIECE CANS m A FEAT WHICH GAINED THE COMPANY MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL AWARDS .OT ONE TO REST ON HIS LAURELS

%NGR #HUA TOGETHER WITH HIS GRANDSON SON &ELIMON $EXTER #HUA ARE CONSTANTLY INNOVATING /4# WILL SOON HAVE ITS OWN %ASY /PEN #AN ,IDS %:/

Q Oriental Tin Can President Ramon Chua with his family.

MONDAY M O NDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019

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PH participates in Asean Tourism Forum 2019 in Vietnam Love blooms at Crimson Hotel

Q Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat (center, seated) leads the ATF 2019 delegation with TPB COO Venus Marie Tan (right, seated) and Tourism Undersecretary Benito Bengzon (left, seated).

ITH an estimated $475,000 retary and TPB Chairman Ber- is deemed imperative.

Venus Tan. “We’re totally excited business leads generated, nadette Romulo-Puyat, TPB’s TPB showcases an inviting array about the many activities we’re the Philippines participation in goal for visiting tourists is to of local destinations, attractions, rolling out as a revitalized and the recently concluded Asean enjoy an optimal travel experi- and special interest programs the invigorated TPB, as we ramp up Tourism Forum (ATF) was a re- ence, thus extending their stay Philippines has to offer. our efforts towards placing the sounding success for the Tourism and spending more while in “Our fruitful participation to 0HILIPPINES BACK IN THE GLOBAL Promotions Board (TPB) with the the country. To achieve this, its the Asean Tourism Forum 2019 tourism map through targeted, Department of Tourism (DoT), active presence in international REALLY GOT US kRED UP AS WE KICK HIGH IMPACT MARKETING PROMOheld in Hanoi, Vietnam. forums and events with high at- off our various programs for the tional activities, and an array of Spearheaded by Tourism Sec- tendance of global influencers New Year,� said TPB COO Marie exciting events,� Tan added.

W

#Grabtoshop with SM advantage GRAB users can now ride and shop at SM using the points they’ve earned from every ride by converting it to SMAC and BDO Rewards points. This exciting new tie-up between GrabRewards and SM Advantage was recently formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement signed at Midas Hotel & Casino. “At SM Advantage, we’re always LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIP SO THAT our members can earn reward points beyond the malls or beyond the stores. We’re happy now that through our partnership with Grab our members can now convert their GrabRewards points to SMAC points wherein they can use it as GOOD AS CASH IN CHECKOUT

counters nationwide,� says Baldwin Golangco, president and CEO for SM Advantage. “We always see partnership as strategic and innovative in creating space, and we recognize SM as the best partner. This GrabRewards and SM Advantage will give us an opportunity not just the leading Riding App but also the leading payment provider platform for both customers and passengers for their shopping convenience,� says, Alan Liu, Business Development and Partnerships director for Grab.

For more infornation, visit the GrabRewards Catalogue in your Grab Mobile App or visit www. smadvantage.com.

Q During the contract signing, from left: SM Advantage President and CEO Baldwin Golangco and Grab Business Development and Partnerships Director Alan Liu together with SM Advantage Assistant Vice President for Partner Management, Iya Quintana and Grab Philippines Country Marketing Head Cindy Toh.

his Bachelor of Music degree at St. Paul University along with Chaguz Antonio Oca, who is studying Music Education with a major in Technical Theater.

The most experienced in the group, Michael Jacinto has been conducting professionally for both marching bands and full orchestras. With the OPPA scholarship grant, he is now able to further hone his craft with a Master of Arts in Conducting degree at the University of Sto. Tomas, together with Jan Romina Montenegro and April Jasmine Rosales who are both WORKING TOWARDS THEIR "ACHELOR of Music in Music Theater degrees.

The only non-musical artist to be granted an OPPA scholarship THIS YEAR IS %LISSA *OY /kLADA A young poet and writer who is now enrolled in the Bachelor of Fine

Arts, Major in Creative Writing program of Ateneo de Manila. g/00! IS TAKING HUGE STRIDES to nurture young homegrown talents since our inception in 2015,� shares OPPA president and First

Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo.

Visit WWW RWMANILA COM CSR to learn more about RWM’s CSR inititatives. To learn more about OPPA, visit www.oppafoundation.org.

TripAdvisor names Jpark among Top 25 Family Resorts TRIPADVISOR has once again PLACED *PARK )SLAND 2ESORT 7ATERPARK -ACTAN #EBU ON ITS Traveler’s Choice list for 2019.

4HE WORLD S MOST INlUENTIAL travel site recently named the 0HILIPPINES kVE STAR PREMIER WATERPARK RESORT AS ONE OF THE 4OP 25 Family Resorts in the country.

Featured alongside with the high ratings given by first-time AND RETURNING TRAVELERS TO *PARK Island Resort are also commendations on being a familycentric resort with friendly and

dependable service, a fun-filled WATERPARK RESORT WITH SIX THEMED pools and three exciting waterslides, superb culinary choices with over 10 dining outlets to choose from and with the numerous activities available daily INSIDE THE STAR WATERPARKRESORT The award, which honors hospitality excellence, is given only to establishments that consistently attain outstanding reviews on TripAdvisor.

For more information, visit WWW JPARKISLANDRESORT COM

Gumtect for more foodie moments WHILE Filipinos are still up for exciting FOOD TRIPS IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF our oral health and be ready for non-stop EATING AND DRINKING WE ALL ENJOY DOING As oral healthcare advocates for Gumtect, Doug and Chesca Kramer share how IMPORTANT IT IS THAT THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR teeth and gums, so they don’t miss out on any foodie moments when they get together with their friends and family. “Despite our busy schedules, we enjoy the gatherings and reunions to relax and catch up over food,� shared Doug. “For me to be able to just enjoy the food, I also

for the couples to share.

Crimson Hotel also offers not one BUT FOUR ROOM PACKAGES FOR THAT 6ALentine’s getaway. Choose among the Retreat to Romance, Better Together, Spoil Her More, or the Starry Night for the perfect couple escape.

For more information, visit HTTP WWW CRIMSONHOTEL COM MANILA

Luxent Hotel offers fiery February promos VALENTINE’S is one of the most anticipated days in the year, and ,UXENT (OTEL KNOWS HOW MUCH Filipinos love the idea of romance and various other expressions of love during this season. The hotel is giving couples a night to remember with various room and F&B promoTIONS FOR THEIR LOVE kLLED MOMENTS The couples are in for a truly great NIGHT WITH THE 6ALENTINES 2OOM 0ACKage. Included in this offer is a comfy STAY IN ONE OF ,UXENT S kNE DELUXE rooms, with a complimentary buffet BREAKFAST FOR TWO 4OPPING OFF THAT already-great pair is an exquisite wine set-up in the room for the couple’s sheer pleasure, along with a gift from us: a relaxing Urban Escape Massage session for two at the Reluxe Spa, as well as 10 percent off for orders at the Lush Bar and Lounge. Available for all days of February 2019.

Luxent Hotel also boasts of several other options for people to spend time with their loved ones on February 14 and 15. Those who

prefer to express their love through A ONE OF A KIND DINING EXPERIENCE MAY OPT FOR A DINNER DATE AT THE 3KY Lounge, where they can chill to the city’s shimmering evening view with a lavish 6-course dinner served by a personal butler. Completing the air OF ELEGANCE AND kERY ROMANCE IS A complimentary bottle of wine and a violinist playing live.

For more information, visit www. luxenthotel.com.

Romantic Valentine’s awaits at Hilton Manila

OPPA lets Filipino talent take flight NINE young, aspiring artists have BEEN NAMED AS THE kFTH BATCH OF scholars of the Original Pilipino Performing Arts (OPPA) Foundation.

The nine students receiving full scholarships for their respective arts courses, mostly in music performance, in four OPPA partner schools: St. Scholastica’s College, St. Paul University Manila, University of Sto. Tomas, and Ateneo de Manila University.

All three of the St. Scholastica’s #OLLEGE SCHOLARS ARE ON TRACK TO GET their Bachelor’s degrees in music.

Jose Marie Eserjose and Marloe Kyril Maruyama are Performance Majors for Violin and the Double Bass, respectively. Francine Allyros Tapaoan’s major is in Music Education with Violin Principal.

Charmers Bersaba, a violinist SINCE CHILDHOOD IS TAKING ON

WHATEVER you plan for a hotel staycation to bond and cuddle, Crimson (OTEL &ILINVEST #ITY -ANILA WILL MAKE hearts happy this Valentine’s Day. On Feb. 14, utter sweet notions over a five-course dinner with Dine Under the Stars, a one-night exclusive event at the alfresco vibe OF THE $ECK TO REMINISCE ON BEST memories together and start a whole load of new ones.

For indoor dining, CafÊ Eight restaurant and the hotel’s culinary TEAM WILL MAKE 6ALENTINE S $AY EXtra special as the buffet spread will come alive with international cuisines and signature dishes—ideal

ENSURE TO TAKE CARE OF MY GUMS AND TEETH so there’s no hassle of gum problems.�

Doug advocates oral care with the use of Gumtect Gum Care toothpaste, which WORKS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY GUMS PROTECTS against harmful mouth bacteria, and moisturizes and strengthens the gums.

As for Chesca, she shared that with her SENSITIVE TEETH SHE NEEDS TO TAKE CARE OF her gums so sensitivity doesn’t get in the way of her indulging in her favorite dishes with her loved ones.

For more information, visit www.faceBOOK COM 'UMTECT

Q Gumtect advocates Doug and Chesca Kramer

IN this season of love and romance, Hilton Manila has some special Valentine’s dining and staycation offerings to impress and delight.

7IN YOUR SIGNIkCANT OTHER S HEART all over again with a picture-perfect romantic Valentine’s Day dinner by the expansive resort-style lagoon POOLSIDE FEATURING AN INDULGENT kVE course degustation menu.

Cap off a sumptuous dinner WITH DRINKS AND BAR BITES WHILE catching a live band entertainMENT AT THE .EW 9ORK INSPIRED Madison Lounge and Bar. Surprise your loved one with a staycation to remember in one of its stylish and contemporary guest

rooms that comes with Hilton’s signature features such as the Serenity bed, 55-inch smart LED TV, a wellappointed bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower, plush bathrobe and towels, and Crabtree and Evelyn premium bathroom amenities.

For more information, email mnlph_f&inquiry@hilton.com.

Experience romance, indulgence and luxury at City of Dreams Manila CITY of Dreams Manila celebrates the season of love and passion with romantic offerings that include epicurean experiences at signature restaurants The Tasting Room, Crystal Dragon, and Nobu Manila; sweet treats from Chocol8 and CafÊ 3OCIETY 6ALENTINE S WEEKEND ACOUStic nights at The Garage; a dreamy STAYCATION PACKAGE AT .OBU (OTEL and revitalizing spa treatments at Nobu Spa and Nuwa Spa. Bringing in a Michelin-star dining experience of contemporary French cuisine infused with Asian INlUENCES 4HE 4ASTING 2OOM IS A kTTING CHOICE FOR A MEMORABLE Valentine’s indulgence.

Meanwhile, Crystal Dragon is featuring a Romantic Dinner Set Menu for a dining experience that captures the heart and palate from February 13 to 15.

Ideal for a standout Valentine’s dinner that explores Japanese0ERUVIAN lAVORS .OBU PRESENTS A kVE COURSE 6ALENTINE S 7EEKEND /MAKASE WITH 3AKE #OCKTAIL 0AIRing from February 14 to 16.

Impressive Valentine’s gifts for love ones is not complete without indulgent chocolate treats, hampers and other sweet delights from Chocol8 and CafÊ Society

from February 1 to 15.

Similarly, CafÊ Society captivates those with a sweet tooth, through its Valentine’s treats from February 11 to 15.

For singles, couples, families and friends, The Garage, an entertainment and dining destination with a VR :ONE AND FOOD PARK IS A PLACE TO COME together for a Valentine’s celebration WITH MUSIC AND FREE lOWING DRINKS Meanwhile, Nobu Hotel provides a blissful escapade with its $REAM #ELEBRATION PACKAGE A contemporary Japanese oasis with signature massages, Nobu Spa highlights the Romantic Indulgence PACKAGE FOR TWO 2OMANCE AND luxury goes hand in hand at Forbes Four Star Awardee Nuwa Spa. For more information, visit www. cityofdreamsmanila.com.

Sports

MONDAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019

www.manilatimes.net

Thunder roar back to shock Rockets L

Q Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (No. 0) and Houston Rockets forward Kenneth Faried (right) vie for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday in Houston.

AP PHOTO

OS ANGELES: Russell Westbrook matched the NBA record with a ninth straight tripledouble and Paul George scored 15 of his 45 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) as the Oklahoma City Thunder roared back from A POINT DEkCIT TO BEAT THE (OUSTON 2OCKETS

Westbrook had 21 points, 11 assists and 12 rebounds. His ninth straight triple-double -REACHING DOUBLE kGURES IN THREE KEY STATISTICAL CATEGORIES MATCHED THE RECORD SET BY 7ILT Chamberlain in 1968.

Westbrook connected on just eight of 21 shots FROM THE kELD "UT HIS EFFORT WAS ENOUGH TO HELP THE 4HUNDER TO THE WIN DESPITE A POINT PERFORmance from Rockets star James Harden. g-Y GAME IS NOT PREDICATED ON ME MAKING shots,� Westbrook said. “I do other things to IMPACT THE GAME ) DO IT EVERY SINGLE NIGHT u Harden produced 30 points for the 29th STRAIGHT GAME TWO SHY OF #HAMBERLAIN FOR THE SECOND LONGEST STREAK IN LEAGUE HISTORY BUT STILL A LONG WAY AWAY FROM #HAMBERLAIN S record stretch of 65 straight 30-point games.

(ARDEN MADE OF SHOTS FROM THE kELD AND OF FREE THROWS BUT THE STREAK TOOK a backseat as the game evolved into a fourthQUARTER DOGkGHT 4HE kNAL PERIOD FEATURED SEVEN LEAD CHANGES 7ESTBROOK S LAYUP PUT /KLAHOMA #ITY AHEAD WITH SECONDS LEFT TO PLAY Harden then missed a three-point attempt and 'EORGE CORRALLED THE REBOUND AND WAS FOULED (E MADE TWO FREE THROWS BEFORE (OUSTON TURNED OVER THE BALL AND THE 4HUNDER HELD ON FOR THE WIN The Rockets had appeared headed for a romp WHEN THEY TOOK A LEAD INTO HALFTIME "UT THEY MADE JUST SIX OF THEIR SHOTS IN THE third period, including just one three-pointer.

g7E HAD OUR CHANCES BUT WE DIDN T FINISH UP u 2OCKETS COACH -IKE $ !NTONI said. “We came out flat the second half FOR WHATEVER REASON u

Clippers rally 4HERE WAS A BIG COMEBACK IN "OSTON AS WELL AS THE NEW LOOK ,OS !NGELES #LIPpers erased a 28-point second-quarter DEkCIT TO STUN THE #ELTICS -ONTREZL (ARRELL FORCED TWO TURNOVERS AND 0ATRICK "EVERLEY HIT TWO THREE POINTERS IN THE kNAL TWO MINUTES AS THE Clippers completed the biggest regularSEASON COMEBACK IN CLUB HISTORY "OSTON PLAYERS LEFT THE COURT TO boos from their home fans. To make MATTERS EVEN WORSE #ELTICS STAR GUARD +YRIE )RVING DEPARTED LESS THAN THREE MINUTES BEFORE HALFTIME WITH WHAT THE #ELTICS SAID WAS A SPRAINED RIGHT KNEE 4HE #ELTICS WERE UP BY AT THE TIME )RVING DIDN T RETURN AND THE #LIPPERS PLAYING WITH FOUR NEW PLAYERS ACQUIRED AT THE TRADE DEADLINE OVERCAME A POINT DEkCIT FOR A VICTORY FOR THE THIRD TIME IN THEIR LAST kVE GAMES %IGHT ,OS !NGELES PLAYERS SCORED IN DOUBLE kGURES LED BY FROM (ARRELL 2OOKIE ,ANDRY 3HAMET NEWLY ARRIVED FROM 0HILADELPHIA SCORED OF HIS POINTS IN THE SECOND HALF 4HE #LIPPERS HAD SLICED THE DEkCIT TO kVE

POINTS HEADING INTO THE kNAL QUARTER AND BACK TO BACK THREE POINTERS FROM 3HAMET KNOTTED THE SCORE AT WITH TO PLAY $ANILO 'ALLINARI S STEP BACK JUMP SHOT PUT THE #LIPPERS UP AND THEY WOULDN T TRAIL AGAIN g4ONIGHT WAS AMAZING u SAID #LIPPERS COACH $OC 2IVERS g"ECAUSE WE DIDN T HAVE ANYTHING !T HALFTIME ) TOLD THE GUYS EVERYBODY S PLAYING UPTIGHT 3TOP TRYING TO IMPRESS EACH OTHER AND GET OUT OF EACH OTHERS WAY u *ABARI 0ARKER AND "OBBY 0ORTIS RETURNED TO

Magic Johnson plans to hug Lakers after NBA trade deadline EAST LANSING, Michigan: Magic Johnson plans to hug it out with the Los Angeles Lakers to help them cope with the fallout from the NBA trade deadline. “It’s a part of business, it’s a part of being a professional athlete,� he said Saturday (Sunday in Manila) . “I’m going to hug ‘em and tell them that we got to come together and our goal is still in reach, which is to make the playoffs.�

The team president and Hall of Famer spoke with reporters at Michigan State, where he and the 1979 national championship team he led were celebrated before the ninth-ranked Spartans beat Minnesota.

The Lakers were in pursuit of disgruntled New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis and many of their players were mentioned as possibly being dealt before the deadline Thursday.

The franchise ended up trading Michael Beasley, Ivica Zubac and rookie Svi Mykhailiuk in a pair of deals to acquire Reggie Bullock and Mike Muscala. “I love our team. I love the guys,� Johnson said. “It’s a tough part of our business whether you’re mentioned in trade talk, or you get traded. It’s a tough part of professional sports, but they came together and played great against Boston.

My job is to make sure we stay together as a

Q Magic Johnson AFP FILE PHOTO

team and stay focused on the goal, which is to make the playoffs.�

The Lakers, who are in 10th place in the Western Conference, play at Philadelphia on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Toronto, Milwaukee and Philadelphia made their moves. Anthony Davis will have to

wait until the summer for his.

The New Orleans Pelicans held onto Davis but dealt Nikola Mirotic to the Bucks, one of the Eastern Conference contenders who fortified their teams Thursday before the NBA trade deadline.

The Raptors are getting former

All-Star center Marc Gasol from Memphis. The 76ers, a day after acquiring forward Tobias Harris from the Clippers, sent Markelle Fultz to Orlando and will hope Jonathan Simmons can provide some production where the former No. 1 pick couldn’t.

AP

#HICAGO‡ THE TEAM THAT TRADED THEM THIS WEEK ‡AND SCORED POINTS BETWEEN THEM TO HELP THE 7IZARDS TO A VICTORY OVER THE "ULLS "RADLEY "EAL LED THE 7IZARDS WITH POINTS AS THE 7IZARDS WON FOR THE SECOND TIME SINCE acquiring Parker and Portis and a draft pick FROM THE "ULLS IN EXCHANGE FOR /TTO 0ORTER *R Parker scored 20 points off the bench and Portis chipped in 10 points and 12 rebounds AS THE 7IZARDS RESERVED OUTSCORED THEIR "ULLS COUNTERPARTS AFP

C1

Manuel delivers as Mighty Sports bags bronze JETT MANUEL shone as Mighty Sports Philippines bagged the bronze with a 9176 romp over Homenetmen Beirut Basketball Club of Lebanon in the 30th Dubai International Basketball Championship at the Shabab Al Ahli Club in United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Saturday night.

The 26-year old wingman Manuel, who recently retired from the PBA, fired a team-high 19 points in a balanced attack that fueled the country’s best finish in the annual Dubai tournament.

Mighty wrapped up its campaign with six wins against a lone loss—a huge improvement from the lone victory in seven games for the Philippines two years ago.

The Filipino ball club swept the eliminations against American University in Dubai UAE national team, Homenetmen and Al Wahda Sports Club of Syria before drubbing Al Nift Oil Sports Club of Iraq in the quarterfinals.

Mighty lost though to Sporting Al Riyadi Beirut, 84-89, in the semifinals.

American center Randolph Morris notched 11 points and six rebounds while Fil-Am forward Roosevelt Adams added 10 markers in the battle for third.

PBA import Justin Brownlee chipped in 10 points, six assists and four rebounds while former NBA star Lamar Odom scored a tournament-high eight markers.

All but one of head coach Charles Tiu’s wards contributed on the offensive side.

After a closely-contested first half, Manuel and the locals rallied to give Mighty a commanding 77-55 lead early in the fourth quarter.

The Filipino squad never relinquished its sizeable advantage from then on, only allowing the Lebanese club to inch within 15 points en route to sealing the podium finish.

Mighty capitalized on the absence of Homenetmen’s spitfire guard Walter Hodge, who finished with a hefty 42-point output in the Filipino ball club’s 96-89 win over the Lebanese side last week.

Jerar Hadidan led Homenetmen with a game-best 23 points on top of eight rebounds while Elias Rustom had 20 markers.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

C2

Sports

The Manila Times

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MONDAY February 11, 2019

Whittaker pulls out with injury, Adesanya wins at UFC 234 M

ELBOURNE, Australia: Robert Whittaker provided most of the early drama at UFC 234 in Australia and Israel Adesanya quite a lot at the end.

About eight hours before their scheduled kGHT !USTRALIA S 5&# MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMpion Whittaker withdrew from his championship defense against Kelvin Gastelum because of a serious abdominal injury and subsequent emergency surgery due to a perforated hernia.

That moved up the highly anticipated No. 1 contender match between rising New Zealand star Adesayna and Brazilian veteran Anderson Silva (34-9) to the main event on the sold-out Rod Laver Arena card. )N AN EVENLY MATCHED kGHT OVER THE kRST TWO ROUNDS !DESAYNA LANDED THE kRST BLOW ‡ AN OUTSIDE KICK TO 3ILVA S LEG ‡ THEN FOLLOWED IT UP with a kick to his opponent’s right thigh, but Silva fought back with two shots to Adesayna’s CHIN $ESPITE THE LATE lURRY !DESAYNA APPEARED TO HAVE MARGINALLY TAKEN THE kRST ROUND Silva appeared to have won the second round, and chants for the Brazilian went UP IN THE CROWD TO START THE THIRD AND kNAL round. But Adesayna, now 16-0, dominated the third for a unanimous decision, 29-28, 30-27, 30-27 as per the judges’ cards. “This is like, for a kid, if I played basketball against Michael Jordan... this is it for me,� Adesanya said. “Anderson, thank you. You’ve been doing this for a long time my friend, I appreciate you.� !FTER THE kGHT 3ILVA WAS HEARD SAYING TO Adesanya: “I pass the baton onto you.� “I’m very happy, guys. Thank you God, for giving me one more chance to come here and do my best. I love my job,� Silva said at ringside during the presentations.

The Nigerian-born Adesanya, 29, is conSIDERED ONE OF THE 5&# S MOST HIGH PROkLE TITLE CONTENDERS WITH A SPECTACULAR kGHTING style that reminds many of the 43-year-old Silva in his prime.

Also elevated on the card was the lightweight bout between American Lando Vannata and Brazilian Marcos Mariano, which Vannata won by submission near the end of THE kRST ROUND 6ANNATA IMPROVED TO

two by no contest, while Mariano fell to 6-5.

UFC president Dana White said the 28-yearold New Zealand-born Whittaker, who has a record of 20-4, became ill Saturday night and complained of pain in his abdomen before being diagnosed at a hospital with a hernia. White said Whittaker could have died if he went into

Q Nigeria’s Israel Adesanya, left, and Brazil’s Anderson Silva fight during their middlewesight bout at the UFC 234 event in Melbourne, Australia on Sunday.

AP PHOTO the ring with such an injury.

In a later statement, UFC said Whittaker had undergone emergency surgery due to a “severe abdominal injury.�

Whittaker’s manager Titus Day said Whittaker first reported some issues around 6 p.m. on Saturday. “Rob said he was a bit bloated and a little bit tired which is not uncommon when you are going through the process they are going through, reloading and

putting some food back in your body,� Day told Australian Associated Press. “Then about 10 o’clock we got a call FROM 7HITTAKER S WIFE 3OkA SAYING HE S got some bad stomach cramps and he’s in quite a lot of pain and can’t sleep ... it got to the stage at about three in the morning where he was taken to hospital.�

Gastelum tweeted with “much sorrow�

THAT THE kGHT WAS OFF “I wish @robwhittakermma a speedy

recovery champ! Get well soon!�

Tickets for the 15,000-seat arena sold out in eight minutes. UFC has offered full refunds due to the cancellation of the main bout.

It marks the second time Whittaker has been FORCED TO WITHDRAW FROM A SCHEDULED TITLE kGHT IN !USTRALIA )NJURIES KEPT HIM FROM kGHTING Luke Rockhold at UFC 221 in Perth last year.

Earlier this week, White had said the winners of the Whittaker-Gastelum and Adesanya-Silva fights would

Morales bests Indonesian ace Saleh in Ronda Stage 3 TWO-time champion Jan Paul Morales of Navy-Standard Insurance showed why he’s one of the country’s top sprinters as he bested everyone in a mass finish to rule Stage Three of the LBC Ronda Pilipinas 2019 that started in Iloilo and ended at the Roxas City Hall in Roxas City on Sunday.

Morales, who reigned as Ronda king in 2016 and 2017, needed a big push in the final 500 meters to take the 179.4-kilometer lap in four hours, 35 minutes and 18 seconds as he edged Dominic Perez of 7Eleven Cliqq-Air21 by Roadbike Philippines and Indonesian Projo Waseso Nex Cycling Team, who finished second and third clocking the same time.

The stage win was the first for the 33-year-old Morales in a UCI-sanctioned race.

The triumph was made extra special by the fact that Morales outsprinted two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Mohd Harriff Saleh, a Malaysia who rides for powerhouse Terengganu Inc. TSG Cycling Team. “I’m so happy because this first time a won a stage in a UCI race and I beat my idol (Saleh),� said Morales, whose closest brush to winning one came in 2011 when he finished second to an Australian in one of the stages in the Le Tour de Filipinas, in Filipino.

It was the second time that a Filipino topped a stage here after Marcelo Felipe of 7Eleven bested 2018 Le Tour titlist El Joshua CariĂąo of Navy-Standard to snare the Stage Two win the day before in Guimaras.

Tour de France veteran Francisco Mancebo Perez of Matrix Powertag Japan emerged the Stage One winner.

Morales’ recent feat, however, failed to make a dent in the individual and team general classification as the 42-year-old Mancebo and his Matrix Powertag Japan team continued to lead both divisions by a mile.

Mancebo, whose best finish in the Tour de France came in 2005 when he placed fourth, rode intelligently and successfully defended the lead and checked in at ninth in the stage in that frantic finish Morales won.

It was enough to keep Mancebo comfortably perched on top with an aggregate time of 12:22:46, or 3:52 minutes ahead of reigning Ronda champion Ronald Oranza of Navy-Standard and 3:55 atop Perez, who registered his second podium finish after winding up second in Stage One in Iloilo.

Morales (4:35 behind) remained at No. 4, Matrix’s Joo Daeyeong (4:53) at No. 5 and 7Eleven’s Irish Valenzuela (5:20), the 2012 Ronda winner, at No. 6.

Rounding up the top 10 were Army-Bicycology’s Mark Julius Bordeos (5:20) and 7Eleven’s Rustom Lim (5:28) and Marcelo Felipe (6:26).

Mancebo’s Matrix squad kept its stranglehold of the overall team lead with a total clocking of 37:20:07 ahead of 7Eleven (3:31) and Navy-Standard (8:30).

Mancebo will continue to wear the symbolic leader’s LBC red jersey in today’s 146.9km Stage Four that will start and end at El Pueblo here.

Ronda is presented by LBC, powered by MVP Sports Foundation and supported by Versa 2-Way Radio, Juan Movement Partylist, Joel P Longares Foundation, Standard Insurance, Bike Xtreme, Green Planet, Prolite, Celeste Cycles, Maynilad, 3Q Sports, Boy Kanin, Mega World, Festive Walk, Seda Atria and LBC Foundation and in partnership with the Department of Tourism, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Iloilo City and the Province of Guimaras.

Halep, Pliskova off to winning Fed Cup starts PARIS: Former world number ones Karolina Pliskova and Simona Halep won their opening rubbers as the Fed Cup clash between defending champions Czech

Republic and Romania ended 1-1 on Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) opening day.

Pliskova, her country’s top player in the absence of world number

two Petra Kvitova, swept past Mihaela Buzarnescu 6-1, 6-4 before Halep disposed of Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-0 to bring Romania level.

The wins set up a mouthwatering clash between Pliskova, ranked five in the world, and number three Halep on the indoor hard courts of Ostrava on Sunday. “I’m excited but I can’t afford to get over-excited,� said Australian Open semi-finalist Pliskova, who is hoping to inspire the Czechs to an 11th successive appearance in the last four of the Fed Cup. Her caution is understandable as she trails Halep 6-2 in career meetings.

However, Pliskova won their last clash on clay in Madrid in 2018 as well as coming out on top in a 2016 Fed Cup World Group clash over three sets.

French Open champion Halep has already vowed to win a first Fed Cup for Romania before she retires, describing it as “the first thing on her bucket list now� having ticked off a maiden Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros last year.

In Liege, two-time champions France dominated Belgium for a 2-0 lead.

Top 20 player Caroline Garcia, returning to the French squad for the first time in two years after a bitter fall-out with teammates following the 2016 final, earned the opening point with a 7-6 (7/2), 4-6, 6-2 win over Alison Van Uytvanck. “There was a little stress, a little tension,� admitted French number one Garcia. “But it was the same thing the last time I came back to the team -- nothing different, nothing more.�

Q Simona Halep of Romania serves to Katerina Siniakova of Czech Republic during their first round match at the Fed Cup tennis tournament between Czech Republic and Romania on Sunday, in Ostrava. AFP PHOTO On the back of an 86-minute first set, Alize Cornet then made it 2-0 by seeing off Belgian number one Elise Mertens 7-6 (8/6), 6-2.

It was Cornet’s first win in the competition in five years as she made a mockery of the 30 places separating her from Mertens in the world rankings.

Belarus, the 2017 runners-up, comfortably moved 2-0 ahead of Germany in Braunschweig with straight sets wins for Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Aryna Sabalenka.

Sasnovich defeated Tatjana Maria 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 before world number nine Sabalenka needed just over an hour to defeat Andrea Petkovic.

The winners of that tie will face either 18-time champions United States, who were runners-up to the Czechs in 2018, or Australia, the Fed Cup victors on seven occasions.

The competition’s two most successful nations were locked at 1-1 in Asheville, North Carolina after Saturday’s opening singles.

Ashleigh Barty extended her Fed Cup winning streak to nine by seeing off Sofia Kenin 6-1, 7-6 (7/2) before world number 17 Madison Keys easily defeated Kimberly Birrell, ranked 157, in straight sets 6-2, 6-2 to pull the United States level.

AFP

Davis destroys Ruiz to retain WBA super featherweight world title LOS ANGELES: Gervonta Davis retained his World Boxing Association super featherWEIGHT WORLD TITLE WITH A VICIOUS kRST ROUND knockout of former world champion Hugo Ruiz on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Unbeaten Davis lived up to his knockout-artist reputation with his 20th win inside the distance out of his 21 victories.

The powerful southpaw hurt Ruiz with a straight left and then followed up with a three-punch combination capped by a right hook to the side of Ruiz’s face that dropped the challenger to a knee.

Ruiz, blood streaming from his nose, was able to rise but referee Jack Reiss CALLED A HALT AT OF THE kRST ROUND “Tonight I just wanted to put on a great performance,� said Davis, who posted his 12th straight knockout.

Ruiz was a late replacement for threedivision champion Abner Mares, who withdrew from the bout two weeks ago with a detached retina in his right eye.

Ruiz, a former super bantamweight world champion, was coming off a unanimous 12-round decision over Alberto Gue-

vara on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s 12-round demolition of Adrien Broner and TOOK THE kGHT ON DAYS NOTICE 2EISS SAID HE STOPPED THE kGHT WHEN 2UIZ failed to say if he felt he could continue. “Ruiz didn’t answer me,� Reiss said. I told them clearly in the dressing room that you’ve GOT TO SHOW ME YOU WANT TO BE IN THIS kGHT “When I asked him ‘Can you continue’ in Spanish he kind of just looked down and didn’t answer. He was really hurt, that nose was broken earlier and then he got hit on it again.�

AFP

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Q Paul Casey of England plays his shot from the 12th tee during the third round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am at Spyglass Hill Golf Course on Sunday in Pebble Beach, California. AFP PHOTO

MONDAY February 11, 2019

Casey leads Mickelson by three at Pebble Beach S

!. &2!.#)3#/ %NGLAND S 0AUL #ASEY kRED SIX BIRDIES IN A kVE UNDER PAR ON 3ATURDAY 3UNDAY IN -ANILA TO PULL AWAY TO A THREE STROKE LEAD OVER kVE TIME MAJOR WINNER 0HIL -ICKELSON AT THE 0EBBLE "EACH 0RO !M Casey played at Spyglass Hill, one of three courses in use OVER THE kRST THREE ROUNDS AND AFTER A BIRDIE AND BOGEY ON THE FRONT NINE HE BIRDIED kVE HOLES COMING IN Having started the round in a four-way tie for the lead, HIS GAVE HIM A UNDER PAR TOTAL OF AND A THREE shot lead over Mickelson, who carded a two-under par AT 0EBBLE "EACH FOR A UNDER TOTAL OF -ICKELSON AMONG THE LEADERS STARTING THE ROUND

WAS EVEN FOR THE DAY THROUGH NINE AFTER THREE BOGEYS AND THREE BIRDIES !FTER A SECOND STRAIGHT BOGEY AT THE TH HE RALLIED WITH A BIRDIE AT THE TH WHERE HE LANDED A WEDGE THREE FEET FROM THE PIN AND AN EAGLE AT THE PAR kVE TH WHERE HE STUCK HIS SECOND SHOT WITHIN FOUR FEET “I actually thought it was a successful round,�

SAID -ICKELSON WHO SAID THE SOMETIMES HEAVY SHOWERS MADE THE GOING TOUGH AT TIMES g)T WAS DIFkCULT OUT THERE ESPECIALLY AROUND THE TURN THERE u HE SAID g)T WAS VERY DIFkCULT BUT ) WAS ABLE TO COME BACK WHEN IT CLEARED UP g) VE GOT A GOOD CHANCE GOING INTO TOMORROW u ADDED -ICKELSON WHO WILL BE PLAYING IN THE kNAL GROUP ON 3UNDAY FOR THE SECOND TIME IN HIS LAST THREE STARTS -ICKELSON WHO MADE HIS TH CAREER CUT on Saturday, could join Mark O’Meara as the ONLY kVE TIME WINNERS OF THE EVENT -ICKELSON S MOST RECENT TRIUMPH COMING IN “I just have to play a good solid round,� MickELSON SAID g/BVIOUSLY 0AUL IS PLAYING SOME GREAT GOLF (E S GOING TO BE TOUGH TO CATCH u #ASEY COMING OFF A RUNNER UP FINISH IN

Zaragosa seeks big W Express finish RUPERT ZARAGOSA tries to cap a checkered amateur career with a victory in the W Express RVF Cup Amateur Golf Championship, which gets going Tuesday at Canlubang Golf and Country Club’s North Course in Laguna.

The former national champion and manytime winner of various tournaments in the ranks tied for second in the recent Qualifying School to gain a full card in the pro circuit which resumes next month with the diminutive shotmaker upbeat of his chances to nail another victory on a course he calls home.

But a slew of rivals is out to foil his bid, including Aidric Chan, Carl Corpus and Sean Ramos along with Don Petil, Jolo Magcalayo, Pierre Ticzon, Paolo Wong, Kristoffer Arevalo, Leandro Bagtas, Weiyu Gao, David Guangco, Jonas Magcalayo and Josh Jorge.

That should guarantee four days action among the cream of the crop and the rising junior players in the annual championship held in honor of the late National Golf Association of the Philippines president and long-time golf patron Rod V Feliciano.

Also vying in the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and Cangolf and held as part of the PLDT Group National Amateur Tour are Koreans Lee Sang Min, Rho Hyun Ho, Kim Tae Soo, Jung Jae Hyun and Kim Sang Jin. Sofia Chabon, Nicole Abelar and Missy Legaspi also brace for a fierce duel in the ladies side along with Junia Gabasa, Laurea Duque, Jona Magcalayo, Sunshine Baraquiel, Sophia Blanco, Laia Barro, Samantha Dizon, Kayla Nocum, Rianne Malixi, Rafaela Singson, Arnie Taguines and Eagle Ace Superal with Koreans Baek Yeun Jae, Kang Da Yun, Kim Seo Yun and Kwon Tae Yon boosting the cast.

Spicing up the event is the Special Division for boys and girls serving as part of NGAP’s grassroots program, featuring the youngsters from Apo and Del Monte.

The practice round is set today (Monday). For details, call NGAP at telefax (02) 706-5926 or email ngap2009handicap@yahoo.com or at Cangolf at (049) 543-2670 or visit www.ngaponline. netor www.facebook.com/ngap/circuit.

Ormsby takes charge at Vic Open GEELONG, Australia: 6ETERAN 7ADE /RMSBY TOOK A TWO SHOT LEAD AT THE 6IC /PEN on Saturday as he searches for a second %UROPEAN 4OUR WIN WHILE !MERICAN +IM +AUFMAN LEADS THE WOMEN IN A CONCURRENT ,0'! 4OUR EVENT 4HE PIONEERING TOURNAMENT SOUTH OF

-ELBOURNE IS THE ONLY ONE IN THE WORLD WITH MALE AND FEMALE kELDS PLAYING IN ALTERNATE GROUPS ON THE SAME COURSE AND FOR EQUAL PRIZE MONEY )T HAS BEEN CO SANCTIONED THIS YEAR BY THE %UROPEAN 4OUR AND 53 ,0'! 4OUR FOR THE kRST TIME

!FTER SOME LOW SCORING DURING THE FIRST TWO DAYS THE PLAYERS WERE MET WITH BRUTAL WINDS AND A FIERCE BAND OF EARLY RAIN 3ATURDAY MAKING LIFE DIFFICULT AROUND THE TH "EACH ,INKS COURSE %NGLAND S #ALLUM 3HINKWIN AND

Kaya to host AFC Cup home matches at Panaad KAYA FC-Iloilo will have to host its home matches in the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup from the Iloilo Sports Complex (ISC) in Iloilo to the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.

Kaya Iloilo’s management said in a statement that despite refurbishing, the Iloilo Sports Complex (ISC) did not meet AFC’s stringent stadium standards. “The club wanted nothing more than to bring AFC Cup football to the Iloilo Sports Complex, but despite exhausting all efforts to prepare the venue, ISC remains short of the stadium standards required to host an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) contest,� a part of the statement reads.

The Panaad pitch is the home of Kaya FC’s local rival Ceres Negros FC. The Rizal Memorial Football Stadium, which hosted Global Cebu FC’s AFC Cup games last season, is undergoing renovation in preparation for the Philippines’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games late this year. “The Negros Occidental government, along with Ceres Negros, have been gracious in welcoming us,�

Kaya said in the statement.

Kaya will play its first AFC Cup home fixture against defending AFC Cup Asean zone champion Home United FC of Singapore on March 13.

The Philippine domestic league runner-up will then take on Indonesian team PSM Makassar on April 17 and Laos champion Lao Toyota FC on April 30.

Kaya qualified for the AFC Cup this season after winning the Copa Paulino Alcantara against Davao Aguilas FC last year.

The 23-year old Filipino club will return to Asia’s second-tier club competition after a three-year absence.

Kaya reached the knockout stage of the AFC Cup in 2016.

JEREMIAH M. SEVILLA

Sports C3

Q Wade Ormsby of Australia hits to the green during the final round of the joint EPGA and LPGA Vic Open golf tournament at the 13th Beach Golf Links at Barwon Heads near Melbourne on Sunday. AFP PHOTO

the Singapore Open in January, said that PERFORMANCE AT 3ENTOSA 'OLF #LUB HAD ENERGIZED HIM

Casey playing better g4HE JUICES WERE GOING "ECAUSE OF THAT ) M PLAYING BETTER u SAID #ASEY WHO WAS ENJOYING THE 0RO !M EXPERIENCE WHICH CAN TEST the patience of the pros -- especially with the kind of soaking weather that has further SLOWED THINGS THIS WEEK g)T S TRICKY ON OCCASIONS BUT YOU HAVE TO EMBRACE IT u #ASEY SAID g4HE BIT YOU CAN T control, the weather, you’ve just got to cross YOUR kNGERS AND HOPE YOU RE AT THE RIGHT PART OF THE GOLF COURSE AT THE RIGHT TIME “It’s such a joy playing these courses,�

ADDED #ASEY WHO IS SEEKING A THIRD 53 0'!

4OUR TITLE g) VE ALWAYS LOVED 0EBBLE HOW could you not?� !MERICANS 3COTT 0IERCY AND ,UCAS 'LOVER SHARED THIRD PLACE ON ! LATE BOGEY AT -ONTEREY 0ENINSULA SAW 'LOVER DROP FROM UNDER TO UNDER AFTER A 0IERCY CARDED A AT 3PYGLASS Jordan Spieth, who was tied for the lead THROUGH HOLES WHEN RAIN HALTED THE SECOND ROUND ON &RIDAY RETURNED WITH A LATE BOGEY TO START THE THIRD ROUND ONE OFF THE PACE (E WAS IN THE HUNT UNTIL TWO DOUBLE BOGEYS ON THE BACK NINE AT 0EBBLE "EACH LEFT HIM EIGHT ADRIFT AFP South Africa’s Justin Harding were UNDETERRED SHOOTING IMPRESSIVE S

BUT THE ROUND OF THE DAY WENT TO !USTRALIA S -ATT 3TIEGER WHO OVERCAME THE ELEMENTS WITH A )T LEFT HIM TIED FOR SECOND WITH 3HINKWIN TWO BEHIND !USTRALIA S YEAR OLD /RMSBY WHO CARDED A AS HE AIMS TO ADD TO HIS FIRST %Uropean Tour success at last season’s Hong Kong Open, which he achieved AT TH ATTEMPT g7E GOT HAMMERED WITH THE RAIN FOR ABOUT THREE OR FOUR HOLES THERE

so it was really good to get through that stretch,� said Asian Tour regular 3TIEGER AFTER SINKING SEVEN BIRDIES TO STAY IN THE HUNT g.O BOGEYS TODAY WHICH IS REALLY NICE *UST STUCK TO MY GAME PLAN OUT THERE u Overnight leaders Jason Scrivener and Nick Flanagan didn’t fare as WELL BOTH STRUGGLING TO S LEAVING THEM FIVE ADRIFT +AUFMAN WHO IS TARGETING HER FIRST ,0'! 4OUR WIN HAD A TWO SHOT LEAD OVERNIGHT BUT BY THE SIXTH HOLE SHE HAD BEEN REELED IN BY *APAN S (ARU .OMURA 4HE !MERICAN THEN HOLED A DIFkCULT BIRDIE FROM THE FRONT BUNKER AT THE short par-three seventh -- known loCALLY AS @THE POSTAGE STAMP AFTER THE FAMOUS PAR THREE AT 2OYAL 4ROON IN 3COTLAND TO REGAIN CONTROL 3HE HOLED FURTHER BIRDIES AT THE NINTH AND TH BEFORE A DOUBLE BOGEY AT THE TH TARNISHED HER SCORECARD !FTER A SOLID START .OMURA S TOUCH DESERTED HER ON THE BACK NINE WITH THREE BOGEYS LEAVING HER THREE OFF THE PACE &RANCE S #ELINE "OUTIER SHOT A TO PUT HERSELF IN CONTENTION TWO BEHIND +AUFMAN AND ALONGSIDE !USTRALIAN 3U Oh in second placE AFP

PSG wins, but Cavani causes new injury headache before Manchester Utd clash PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain coach Thomas Tuchel admitted he might need to resort to “Plan D� in the approaching Champions League showdown with Manchester United after Edinson Cavani sparked a new injury scare on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

Cavani appeared to hurt his leg while taking the penalty three minutes before half-time that gave PSG a 1-0 win over Bordeaux at the Parc des Princes in Ligue 1.

Television replays showed the Uruguayan grimacing and asking to be substituted. He left the pitch moments later and was replaced by Kylian Mbappe at half-time.

Losing Cavani, who is PSG’s all-time leading scorer and has netted 22 times this season, would be another huge blow to the French champions ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League last 16, first leg at Old Trafford. “I don’t know if he can play. He came off after taking the shot, it is a muscle problem,� said Tuchel. “We will have to wait another night and day to have a clearer idea and get more tests done.�

PSG are already missing Neymar for the tie against a resurgent United, with the Brazilian not expected

back from a metatarsal injury until early April.

He was in attendance at Saturday’s game, which saw Marco Verratti make his return to action after three weeks out with an ankle injury. “It is too much. These are quality players for decisive matches. Not everyone can play at that level in the Champions League. We don’t have a second ‘Edi’�, Tuchel told Canal+, but he later insisted that he did have solutions in mind if needed.

‘We’ll be ready’ “We have lots of Plan Bs. Without ‘Ney’, maybe without Marco, maybe without ‘Edi’. We have a Plan D. “We must analyse Manchester United, and remain calm and confident. “If two or three key players are not there, it is our responsibility to find solutions. “It is super difficult, and if we are missing several players, the challenge is even greater. But we will be ready on Tuesday.�

At least the win allowed PSG -- whose shirts carried the players’ names in Mandarin in a nod to the Chinese New Year -- to get back on track after last week’s 2-1 loss at Lyon, their first Ligue 1 defeat this season.

The reigning champions are 13 points clear at the top with a game in hand on second-placed Lille, who visit Guingamp on Sunday.

Such is their margin for error domestically that Tuchel could afford to wrap a host of key players in cotton wool with the Champions League in mind.

As a result, Mbappe started on the bench while Angel di Maria, Marquinhos, Juan Bernat, Thilo Kehrer and Julian Draxler —all probable starters in midweek — were left out completely.

Verratti lasted just under an hour before making way for recent signing Leandro Paredes, and Tuchel must now decide whether to start the Italian playmaker in England.

Applause for Sala Cavani and Moussa Diaby came close for the home

side in the first half-hour, either side of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting being denied by a terrific save from Bordeaux ‘keeper Benoit Costil.

Bordeaux held PSG at home when the teams met in December, but they were undone late in the first half here as Nicolas de Preville fouled Thomas Meunier in the box, and Cavani netted from 12 yards.

Mid-table Bordeaux slumped to a fourth straight loss between league and cup, although they nearly equalised on the hour when Francois Kamano’s shot from 20 yards was superbly saved

by Gianluigi Buffon.

Across France, a minute’s applause was held before all games in tribute to Emiliano Sala, and his old team Nantes will wear black shirts as they mourn the Argentine striker in their game against Nimes on Sunday.

European hopefuls Strasbourg lost 2-1 at home to Angers on Saturday, while Amiens beat Caen 1-0 to climb above Monaco and out of the relegation zone.

Mario Balotelli and Lucas Ocampos scored as Marseille won 2-1 at Dijon on Friday.

AFP

MONDAY M OOND N DAYY FEBRU FEBRUARY UARYY 11, 2019

Expats&Diplomats

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New US, PH partnership to improve broadband access T HE US Embassy in the Philippines awarded a P23.8 million grant to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to support implementation of the Philippines National Broadband Network Project. US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim and DICT Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. signed the grant during a ceremony at DICT headquarters on February 7.

The grant, issued through the US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), will fund technical assistance to help DICT advance its plans to provide broadband access to underserved markets throughout the Philippines. The advisors, who WILL BE SELECTED BY $)#4 FROM QUALIkED 53 kRMS

WILL ASSIST $)#4 IN REkNING TECHNICAL AND OPERAtional designs, assessing future market demand, and preparing documentation required for the kNANCING AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NETWORK “The US is a strong friend, partner, and ally of the Philippines, and I am proud to expand

Q Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Acting Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. and US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim at the DICT headquarters. our partnership in technology and communications,� said Ambassador Kim. “This grant supports the Philippine government’s goal of improving connectivity across the country and transitioning towards a digital economy,� he added.

USTDA links US businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster

economic growth in partner countries.

USTDA Acting Director Thomas Hardy explained, “This grant demonstrates USTDA’s commitment to supporting the development of quality information and communications infrastructure and broadband capabilities in the Philippines. At the same time, this project will expand opportunities for US companies to deliver innovative technologies and solutions in the Philippines market.�

Japan dispatches monitoring mission for plebiscite on BOL ratification

Q The international observers in Cotabato City.

JAPAN dispatched a monitoring team to Cotabato City as international observers of the first PLEBISCITE FOR THE RATIkCATION OF THE Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) on January 21.

The mission, headed by Honorable Norikazu Suzuki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, had a total of 13 members representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs OF *APAN THE /FkCE OF THE #ABINET Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

On the plebiscite day, the team visited Sero Central Elementary School in Cotabato City and Q Parliamentary observed the opening of the votVice Minister ing precinct, voting by registered Norikazu Suzuki voters and counting of the votes, signs election and the canvassing of votes by the returns as an Cotabato City plebiscite board of observer. canvassers. Parliamentary ViceMinister Suzuki said he was very impressed by the passion of the voters who cared about the future of their region, and praised the dedication of public school teach-

ers who conducted the procedure IMPARTIALLY WITH A kRM ATTITUDE Meanwhile, on January 22, Parliamentary Vice-Minister Suzuki and the mission met with Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Galvez and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) Chairman Murad. He explained that Japan dispatched this plebiscite monitoring mission as a partner of the Philippines, with whom it has stood shoulder-to-shoulder for more than 10 years in the Mindanao peace process. He also assured that Japan will strengthen its support according to the progress of the peace process, and underscored the importance of the smooth implementation of the decommissioning of MILF combatants.

Secretary Galvez and Chairman Murad both expressed their gratitude for the support and assistance from Japan, their expectations for the continuing warm relations between the two countries, and THEIR kRM RESOLVE TO IMPLEMENT the peace process.

Health coverage for migrants of Asean-member states WITH g-IGRANT (EALTHu BEING IDENTIkED AS ONE of the 20 priorities under the Asean Post-2015 Health Development Agenda, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) in collaboration with the Department of Health recently held a three-day workshop on the development of Asean guidelines on health coverage for documented migrants including migrant workers and special populations (mother and child) at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City.

The event served as a venue for experts on migration and health from Asean Member States (AMS) to take stock of the recent developments and updates on various policies, commitments, EFFORTS AND INITIATIVES IN THE kELD OF MIGRATION and health; conduct assessment and situational analysis of health coverage among documented migrants in the Asean region including migrant workers and a special population (mother and child); and to dialogue with other stakeholders on current health issues being faced by documented migrants.

The project builds on the previous work of the AMS focusing on the development of the said guidelines. An initial workshop on Migrant Health was held last June 2012 in Bogor, Indonesia, where a draft terms of reference on the

Q PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Roy Ferrer. implementation of Migrants’ Health activities in the AMS was discussed.

The workshop showcased 10 country presentations from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

In his message, PhilHealth Acting President and CEO Dr. Roy Ferrer said that the conduct of the workshop is timely, especially at this point in time where various reforms toward universal health care are being undertaken in most AMS. “Truly there can be no universal health care if the health of migrants is left behind� Ferrer asserted.

3OME OF THE CHALLENGES IDENTIkED DURING THE workshop are the lack of robust database system for monitoring for valid insurance coverage, accessibility to health services, fraud, physical and mental abuses, life-threatening drugs, unhealthy/unsafe working conditions, limited health insurance coverage, No Balance Billing

BY REIMBURSEMENT BASIS AND DIFkCULTY TO ASCERtain work-related injuries required for claims.

The workshop arrived at recommendations which include a practical platform for consulting, negotiating, and handling health issues, reporting of focal point on the implementation progress of the Asean Consensus, inclusion of migrant workers in the SHI scheme of the receiving countries, portable SHI in the region, access to emergency services regardless of status, harness Asean’s open dialogue approach, ensure accountability in the implementation of resulting guidelines, UHC and migrant health as part of the social protection agenda, and that all sending countries need to ensure that their citizens are provided with health insurance during their stay in the receiving country.

Ferrer encouraged everyone to continue to work towards the realization of a common vision where all Asean people as well as the migrants remain healthy.

Q Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar

Q DILG Undersecretary Martin DiĂąo

Indian Food Festival a success THE Embassy of India in Manila is celebrating the commencement of 70 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines which began in November 1949.

As part of the observance, the Embassy has organized an Indian Food Festival held on January 27 in collaboration with Mercato Centrale in Bonifacio Global City, Filipino Indian Commerce and Welfare Society and Royal Indian Curry House.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Martin DiĂąo along with various dignitaries from the Philippine government, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic and business community, and distinguished members of the Indian community graced the event.

Meanwhile, famous Indian Chefs from India Tourism Development Cooperation (ITDC) namely Harmeet Singh and Prasanta Mondal held a live cooking demonstation.

An array of native Indian handicrafts was also exhibited, while a cultural program with Indian dances like Bhangra and Bollywood enticed the audience.

Other concessionaires including Indian travel agencies, retailers and artisans also participated in the event.

The Indian Food Festival proved to be not only a festivity of food but a celebration of India’s culture RElECTED IN THE DISHES !S ONE OF the world’s most diverse cuisines, Indian food is characterized by its sophisticated and subtle use of the many spices, vegetables, grains and fruits grown across India.

The cuisine of each geographical region includes a wide assortment of dishes and cooking techniques RElECTING THE VARIED DEMOGRAPHICS of the ethnically diverse Indian subcontinent. The Filipinos have learned to embrace these dishes and have been available in many restaurants in the metro.

IGI

DOF taps Israel for technology, construction sectors FINANCE Secretary Carlos Dominguez 3rd invited Israel to explore possible partnerships with the Philippines in the technology and construction sectors to enhance the government’s capability in implementing big-ticket infrastructure projects under the “Build, Build, Build� program and applying digital innovations to expand the financial access of unbanked Filipinos.

During a recent meeting with Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz, Dominguez also welcomed Israel’s proposal to establish a financial protocol with the Philippines to promote bilateral trade and investments.

Recognizing Israel’s status as one of the world’s most active hubs of technology innovation and “green� or eco-friendly construction, Dominguez said the Philippines can learn much from Israel’s expertise in these fields to ensure that the “Build, Build, Build� program is implemented efficiently by optimizing the use of labor and other resources. “There are ample opportunities for bilateral cooperation between the Philippines and Israel in the technology and construction sectors. We have invited Israeli experts in these fields to visit the Philippines to explore possible cooperation arrangements,� Dominguez said.

Undersecretary Mark Dennis Joven, who heads the International Finance Group (IFG) of the Department of Finance (DOF), was tasked to coordinate with the Israeli Embassy on these matters, Dominguez added.

Dominguez said he has also asked Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Chuchi Fonacier to meet with Israeli officials to discuss ways of tapping Israel’s technological innovations in cybersecurity, as the Philippines increasingly uses electronic payments systems to facilitate trade and expand the financial

access of unbanked Filipinos.

Ambassador Harpaz, for his part, welcomed Dominguez’s proposals and offered Israel’s assistance in improving the Philippines’ capacity to utilize “green� technologies in implementing infrastructure projects as well as digital solutions to improve BSP’s cybersecurity system.

He also cited the need to establish a financial protocol with the Philippines, especially now that at least 10 Israeli companies have expressed interest in investing in New Clark City in Pampanga, which is being showcased by the Duterte administration as the country’s first smart and green metropolis. “It is something we can look into,�

Harpaz said during the meeting, as he pointed out that Israel has already concluded and signed financial protocols with some countries in the region.

Total bilateral trade between the Philippines and Israel amounted to $170.57 million in 2018.

Israel ranked 42nd among the markets for Philippine exports in 2018, with electrical machinery and equipment, commodities, preparations of meat, fish crustaceans, nuclear reactors, and medical instruments making up 71 percent of the goods exported to that country. The Philippines, in turn, had imported mostly electrical machinery, nuclear machinery, arms/ammunitions and fertilizers from Israel.

The two countries signed these three agreements during President Duterte’s state visit to Israel in September last year: the Memorandum of Agreement on the temporary employment of homebased Filipino caregivers; Memorandum of Understanding on scientific cooperation; and Memorandum of Intent on the collaboration on promotion of bilateral direct investments.

Indian prime minister condemns Jolo attack HIS Excellency the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, Shri Narendra Modi has sent a signed message of condolence to President Rodrigo Duterte on the recent terrorist incident in Jolo, Sulu happened on January 27. “I wish to express my deep condolences at the loss of lives and injuries that many Filipinos sustained in the terrorist attack in Jolo,� the letter read. “Violence and terrorism have

no place in democratic and pluralistic societies such as ours.

India condemns such acts of terrorism in the strongest terms and is ready to work with the Philippines in all possible ways to counter this global menace.�

The deadly twin blasts at the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral of Jolo was carried out by a pair of suicide bombers. This resulted to dozens people killed and over 100 others wounded in the blasts.

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MONDAY February 11, 2019

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Solution to puzzle

» CROSSWORD

BY EUGENE SHEFFER

»HOROSCOPE Today’s Birthday (02/11/19). Collaborate with friends for a rich reward this year. Carefully plan and coordinate. Fresh energy floods your work this summer, leading to a reflective reorientation phase. Winter spiritual or personal insights inspire new physical and health practices. Strengthen connections with people you love, respect and admire.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re earning your pay. A balanced bank account is only part of the story. Make an important and potentially lucrative connection. A dream seems within reach.

TAURUS (APRIL 20-MAY 20) -- Today is a 9 -- You’re looking especially good. Your status is rising; the good work you’ve been doing is getting attention. Meditate on what you’d like to create.

GEMINI (MAY 21-JUNE 20) -- Today is a 6 -- In quiet moments, inspiration hits. Create plans and visions. The artistry is in the details.

Craft your steps and sequences. Get help from kindred spirits.

CANCER (JUNE 21-JULY 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Win through teamwork. Listen with your heart. Make sure everyone’s needs get met. Monitor social media and local news. Arrange connections ahead of time.

LEO (JULY 23-AUG. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- A professional test or challenge has your attention. Someone’s saying nice things about your work. Collaborate with an expert for best results. Learn from the competition.

VIRGO (AUG. 23-SEPT. 22) -- Today is an 8 -- Grow through higher education, travel and research. Explore and discover. Pursue a dream or possibility. Pick up the pace and move. Follow a passion.

BY NANCY BLACK LIBRA (SEPT. 23-OCT. 22) -- Today is a 9 -- Use what you’re learning to cut costs and reduce waste. There’s growth potential for shared accounts. Collaborate for common gain. Grab a golden opportunity.

SCORPIO (OCT. 23-NOV. 21) -- Today is an 8 -- Work closely with your partner. Exchange promises and monitor progress. Another appreciates your skills. Express your own appreciations. Collaborate for a shared win.

SAGITTARIUS (NOV. 22-DEC. 21) -- Today is a 9 -- Pick up the pace! Physical action can move at a higher velocity. Prioritize your own health and vitality. Exercise feeds your heart, mind, body and spirit.

CAPRICORN (DEC. 22-JAN. 19) -- Today is a 9 -- Go for love.

Enjoy the company of someone you admire and respect. Creativity blooms with arts, games and romance. Indulge a passion. Practice random kindness.

AQUARIUS (JAN. 20-FEB. 18) -- Today is an 8 -- Home seduces you into cozy comfort. Conserve resources. Cook simple fare with family and friends. Beautify your environment with candles, flowers or soft lighting.

PISCES (FEB. 19-MARCH 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Write your story. ,QVSLUDWLRQ ÀLFNHUV DFURVV \RXU NH\ERDUG 6KDUH \RXU PHVVDJH ZLWK \RXU networks. Communication and creativity blossom. Express your view.

Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Black’s legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like today’s Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.)

NANCY BLACK. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC

» SUDOKU

BY ROGER SEVILLA

Complete the grid so that every row, column and 3x3 square contains the digits 1 to 9 with no repeats.

Solution from yesterday’s puzzle.

2/11/19

PAGE FROM THE PAST

Today, we look back at an old front page of The Manila Times, the oldest national daily that was founded on October 11, 1898. (Note: This image was adjusted to fit the page.)

MONDAY M O N DAY FEBRUARY 11, 2019

Entertainment

D4

Mariel de Leon’s foursome date on Valentine’s

www.manilatimes.net

Jinggoy Estrada recalls Kim Domingo’s prison visit

B

PLUS: New Netflix series to delve into stories on nature

ARELY six months since his release from his three-year detention in Camp #RAME IN RELATION TO THE PORK BARREL kasco, life for former senator Jinggoy Estrada is now back to normal. He is currently busy doing the rounds of the Philippine Islands, all the more so when the national campaign season begins on February 12, in a bid to return to the Senate.

Before the weekend too, he was feted at an advanced birthday party in San Juan for showbiz friends, exactly 10 days before his actual birthday on February 17.

The luncheon was held in a family property in San Juan, which according to Jinggoy was his choice for a celebration since it is where his family is rooted and where he started his political career.

Not to forget that her 28-year-old daughter Janella is running for mayor of San Juan as well, the former senator told In the Know,

with surveys always showing him somewhere between the eighth and 15th spot, but he says he cannot be complacent especially with many detractors working against him.

Gratefully, Jinggoy said he is buoyed by the support of true friends — many of them from showbiz — who never left his side during his toughest times. They are all behind him in his Senate bid and so his spirits are high.

Cajoled into some lighthearted conversation since it is his birthday month, In the “Dito nanggaling Know and a huddle ang pamilya ko of guests asked him so it’s just perwho were the most fect to make memorable visitors this a homehe had while he was coming as well. in Crame. And before Dito ako lumaki.� he could even reJinggoy’s hopes ply, everyone teased of returning to the him if he would Senate seems to say sexy actress Kim be on track as the Domingo was one campaign season Q Kim Domingo of them. goes full swing INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Earth and produced in partnership with World Wildlife Fund.

Premiering on April 15, Netflix debuted its first trailer two Sundays ago at the Super Bowl, which was considered a big deal since IT WAS THE kRST TIME A NATURE docu was featured as a spot within the coveted airtime of the major sporting event.

This eight-part series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, will explore the unique and precious wonders of our natural world from the creator of the award-winning series. In partnership with World Wildlife Fund, Our Planet combines stunning photography and Q Jinggoy Q JJii EEstrada t d T TWITTER WIT T TER R PHOTO PHO HOTO OTO O technology with an unprecedented, neverLaughing at the usual naughtiness of showbiz folk, Jinggoy said BEFORE kLMED LOOK AT THE PLANET S for the record, “Nililinaw ko lang remaining wilderness areas and walang issue ‘yon ha! Dumalaw their animal inhabitants.

The ambitious four-year project lang siya kasi kasama siya ni Nanay Lolit [Solis] nu’n. Memo- WAS kLMED IN COUNTRIES ACROSS ALL continents of the world, with over 600 rable ba? Nakakaaliw lang.� crew members capturing more than NNN 3TREAMING SERVICE GIANT .ETlIX kLMING DAYS )T IS FOCUSED ON has just allocated a major chunk the breadth of the diversity of habitats of their billion-dollar funds for around the world, from the remote content acquisition in a landmark Arctic wilderness and mysterious deep natural history series called “Our oceans to the vast landscapes of Africa Planet� from the creator of Planet and diverse jungles of South America.

IN THE KNOW MJ MARFORI

FORMER Binibining PilipinasInternational and classical singer Mariel de Leon will go on a “foursome� date on Valentine’s this Thursday all while she’s on the concert stage.

De Leon happens to be one of Ogie Alcasid’s special guests on his February 14 concert, “Master of Love� with National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, and will have her proud celebrity parents Christopher de Leon and Sandy Andolong together with her non-showbiz boyfriend watching her from the audience. g)T S MY kRST TIME TO SING IN A major concert so they’ll all be there for me,� said de Leon who has a singing group named The Opera Belles. “After the show, we’ll probably go to dinner and double date.�

Asked if her parents approve of her on-and-off boyfriend of some time, she replied, “They do because we’ve become more serious in our relationship over the

past two years. But then, I’ll be moving to New York soon to take up Classical Music for four years, so we’ll see.�

Ever a realist, de Leon added, “I’m the type of person who takes relationships seriously but I will always put myself AND MY DREAMS kRST AND I don’t want to force him to move with me to the States if he doesn’t want to.�

For now, de Leon is looking forward to perform with two of the most talented men in Philippine music on Thursday night’s concert at the Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts theater, after which is also eager for a change of pace once she starts her course in the US. “It’ll be more of a quiet life than being an actress or a beauty queen,� she smiled.

As for marriage plans, the 25-year-old said she only sees herself settling down when she nears 30. “Like I said earlier, we’ll see,� she ended.

A co-production of Anna Puno’s Star Media Entertainment and RWM, tickets to Master of Love are available at all Ticket World outlets and at Resorts World -ANILA BOX OFkCE TMA

All for Love

Q The former beauty queen and opera singer is excited to perform in her Valentine's concert as guest of Ogie Alcasid.

Âťtvlandia'slatest The power of music in ‘Inagaw ng Bituin’ A STORY about big dreams and love for family begins today on free TV as GMA Network gives its breakout artist Kyline Alcantara her biggest project to date in “Inagaw na Bituin.â€?

Bound to be a compelling musical-drama on weekday afternoons, Bituin sees Alcantara playing the role of Anna, the only daughter of a popular showbiz couple. She grows up TO BE A KIND AND RESPECTFUL GIRL BUT kERCELY protects those she loves. An unfortunate incident changes her life, however, when she is suddenly taken away from her parents.

Traumatized, Anna forgets about her past and begins anew as Elsa with strangers she believes to be her family. What is left with Q Angelu de Leon and Kyline Alcantara as Anna/Elsa. her is her love for music, which she pursues with a passion, hardly knowing it will bring her closer to her real mother.

Playing equally significant roles in Bituin is a powerhouse ensemble comprised of Therese Malvar, Sunshine Dizon, Angelika Dela Cruz, Gabby Eigenmann, Angelu de Leon, and Marvin Agustin.

Completing the cast are Renz Valerio, Manolo Pedrosa, Patricia Tumul a k , A l ya n n a Asistio, Melbeline Caluag and Jackie Lou Blanco.

Directed by Mark Reyes, it will air weekdays beginning today on GMA Afternoon Prime.

Q On screen rivals Kyline Alcantara and Therese Malvar.

Classified Ads

advertising@manilatimes.net 524-5664 local 121, 3105895 and 3105582

w w w.manilatimes.net

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE WITH DEED OF DONATION

NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION Notice is hereby given that the Amended Articles of Incorporation of SHICHI ELECTRO + WORKS CORP. shortening the term of its existence up to May 2, 2018 thereby dissolving the said corporation on the said date has been approved by the Board of Directors and Stockholders.

All persons having claims against said corporation are requested to present the same at 2nd Floor, 5 Axis Bldg., B3A – L1A Pulo – Diezmo Road, Brgy. Pulo, Cabuyao, Laguna for immediate settlement.

This announcement will serve as notice to all concerned of the legal dissolution of the aforesaid corporation.

Nathaniel R. Jose 3UHVLGHQW 2IÂżFHU

NOTICE OF EXTRAJUDICIAL SETTLEMENT OF ESTATE

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late EMILIO A. CABRERA has been extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs as per Deed of Extrajudicial Settlement of Estate with Deed of Donation executed on December 18, 2018 and entered as per Doc. No. 447; Page No. 88; Book No. XXVI; Series of 2018 of the notarial registry of Atty. Jose Floro Crisologo notary public for and in Marilao, Bulacan.

MT - Jan. 28 & Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

MT - Feb. 7, 11 & 18, 2019

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late MARCOS PULIDO, parcel of land covered by Tax Declaration No. 10 0020 10034, was extrajudicially settled by and among his heirs on September 18, 2018 and acknowledged as Doc. No. 371 on Page No. 64 of Book No. XIV Series of 2018 before Atty. Magno Toribio Jr., a notary public for and in Trece Martires City.

MT – Feb. 8, 11 & 18, 2019

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

YOUR ADS HERE GET RESULTS

7.2 Plan 15 covers the six (6) watersheds over which it has complete jurisdiction and control by virtue of EO 224, San Roque Watershed (Lower Agno) which is being managed by NPC for San Roque Multi-Purpose Project by virtue of PD No. 2320, and Lake Lanao-Agus River and Pulangi Watershed Area which Petitioner has a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);¡

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE AVAILMENT OF ENVIRONMENT CHARGE/SHARE FROM THE UNIVERSAL CHARGE FOR THE REHABILITATION AND MANAGEMENT OF WATERSHED AREAS (PLAN 15), WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

8. Plan 15 complies with ERC Case Res. Nos. 18 Series of 2011 , which requires it to conduct consultation with the Local Government Units (LGUs) and LGAs where projects will be situated. Reference is made with those of the environmental projects of the LGUs and LGAs so that no duplication in the funding of projects will occur. Concerns of the stakeholders are brought to the attention of concerned WAT and this serves as the latter’s guide in the packaging of Plan 15. This also ensures the support of the LGUs and the local communities for the proposed projects; 2

ERC CASE NO. 2018-103 RC NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Applicant x-------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

9. In order to attain the objectives of Plan 15, it would need to avail and utilize the funds from the UC-EC amounting to a total of Two Hundred Thirty Nine Million Three Hundred Fifty Thousand Three Hundred Eighty Six & 41/100 Pesos (Php239,350,386.41), as shown in the Consolidated Financial Proposal (CFP) (from the 11 Watershed Area Teams and WMD EDVHG +HDG 2IÂżFH 7KLV ZDV computed based on existing rules and regulations prescribed for government projects;

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 15 October 2018, National Power &RUSRUDWLRQ 13& ¿OHG DQ $SSOLFDWLRQ GDWHG 2FWREHU VHHNLQJ IRU the Commission’s approval on the availment of environment charge / share from the Universal Charge (UC) for the rehabilitation and management of watershed areas (Plan 15), with prayer for provisional authority (Application).

In the said Application, NPC alleged the following:

10. As of date, in compliance with Section 2 (b), Article II of the Rules, it furnished a copy of the Application to the Sangguniang Panlunsod DQG 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 0D\RU RI Quezon City where it principally operates, and publish the same in the newspaper of general circulation;

1. It is a government owned-and-controlled corporation created and existing under and by virtue of Republic Act No. 6935, as amended 13& &KDUWHU ZLWK SULQFLSDO RIÂżFH DGGUHVV DW 13& 2IÂżFH %XLOGLQJ Complex, Quezon Avenue Corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City;

In support of this, it submitted the following documents, to wit: 2. Under its Charter, particularly Section 3, paragraph (N) thereof, it is vested with the power to exercise complete jurisdiction and control over watersheds surrounding the reservoir of plants and/or projects it constructed;

Annex ³1´ ³2´

3. To further strengthen its jurisdiction and control over watersheds, Executive Order (EO) No. 2241 was issued on 16 July 1987, wherein it was granted complete jurisdiction, control and rehabilitation over the following watershed areas and reservations: (1) Upper Agno Watershed as covered by Proclamation No. 548; (2) Angat Watershed Reservation as covered by Proclamation Nos. 505 and 599; (3) Caliraya-Lumot Watershed Reservation as covered

by Proclamation No. 573; (4) Makiling-Banahaw Geothermal Reservations as covered by Proclamation No. 1111; (5) Buhi-Barit Watershed as covered by Proclamation No. 573; (6) Tiwi Geothermal Reservation as covered by Presidential Proclamation No. 739; 4. It’s jurisdiction and control over watersheds was again recognized and reiterated in Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the “Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001� (EPIRA) and its Implementing Rules and Regulations(IRR), particularly Section 6 (c), Rule 23 of the IRR, wherein it is mandated to continue to be responsible for watershed rehabilitation and management;

11. NPC prayed for the Commission to: a) Grant the provisional authority for the availment of environment charge / share from the Universal Charge for the rehabilitation and management of watershed areas (Plan 15); b) Decision be rendered approving the instant Application; and c) NPC likewise prayed for other equitable reliefs proper under the premises.

Finding the said Application WR EH VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG VXEVWDQFH ZLWK the required fees having been paid, the same is hereby set for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues:

5. Under the EPIRA, NPC is entitled to the Environmental Charge (EC) equivalent to one-fourth of one centavo per kilowatt-hour sales (Php0.0025/kWh), which forms part of the Universal Charge (UC). This environmental fund is intended solely for watershed rehabilitation and management and is being managed by NPC under existing arrangements. In order to avail said EC, it is required to submit to the Commission a petition for availment of the UC-EC in relation to the proposed watershed rehabilitation and management projects on or before March 15 every year;

'$7( DQG 7,0( VENUE )HEUXDU\ (5& 0DLQ 2IÂżFH 7KXUVGD\

15th )ORRU 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU 9:00 A.M. Building, San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City )HEUXDU\ 9LOOD &DFHUHV +RWHO 7KXUVGD\

DoĂąa Jamora Hall, Magsaysay 1:00 P.M. Ave., Naga City 0DUFK 2019 7KXUVGD\

1:00 P.M. $SULO 7KXUVGD\

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6. In support of the above Application, it submitted copies of the following documents, to wit: Annex Âł$´ Âł%´ Âł&´ Âł'´ Âł(´ Âł)´ Âł*´ Âł+´ “Iâ€? Âł-´ Âł.´ Âł/´ Âł0´

1DWXUH RI 'RFXPHQW Availment of the UC-EC for the rehabilitation and management of the watersheds¡ Executive Summary of Plan 15 Consolidated Financial proposal Angat WAT Plan 15 Buhi-Barit WAT Plan 15 Caliraya-Lumot WAT 15 +HDG 2I¿FH 3ODQ Lake Lanao WAT Plan 15 Makiling-Banahaw WAT Plan 15 Pulangi WAT Plan 15 San Roque WAT Plan 15 Tiwi WAT Plan 15 Upper Agno WAT Plan 15

7. Plan 15 is crafted in order to intensify and strengthen its undertakings to address the issue on the uncontrolled deforestation especially in watershed areas. For the past 16 years ( 2002- 2018 ), it has embarked on non-stop vegetative rehabilitation initiatives in its various watershed areas which have gained acceptance and cooperation by its stakeholders. In line with the Greening Program of the National Government, its Watershed Management Department (WMD) and its Watershed Area Teams (WAT) are committed to reforest idle/ open and denuded areas and promote the use of indigenous species (Rainforestation) combined with fruit bearing trees in its Reforestation and Agroforestaion programs, WMD intends to raise planting stocks primarily to share and disperse to TXDOLÂżHG EHQHÂżFLDULHV WR SODQW WUHHV LQ WKHLU UHVSHFWLYH FRPPXQLWLHV 3ODQ LV FRPSRVHG RI SURJUDPV DQG SURMHFWV VSHFLÂżHG in Section 1 of Article II of the Rules and Procedure Governing the Utilization and Disbursement of UC-EC (Rules) with the proposed modes of procurement in implementing the same. In particular, Plan 15 involves the following and projects: (1) Watershed Rehabilitation (Vegetative Measures, Project Evaluation, Project Sustainability, Project Operations and Regulation and Project Management); (2) Watershed Protection and Law Enforcement (Watershed Protection and Law Enforcement Program; Bantay Watershed Protection Program, Operationalization of Watershed Management Management Council, Program on Indigenous People, Project Management, Project Management, Project Operations and Regulation, Database Management and Acquisition and Maintenance of Tools and Equipment); and, (3) Resource Development (Livelihood Program and Planting Stocks Production for Dispersal). These programs and projects were recommended by concerned WATs. And the same were UHYLHZHG DQG HYDOXDWHG E\ WKH +HDG 2IÂżFH WMD. (Attached as Annexes “Dâ€? to “Mâ€? are the proposed plans of the WATs assigned in Angat, Buhi-Barit, Caliraya-Lumot, Lake LanaoAgus River, Mak-Ban, Pulangi, San Roque, Tiwi, Upper Agno 5LYHU DQG WKH :0' +HDG 2IÂżFH ZKLFK IRUPV DQ LQWHJUDO SDUW hereof);

1DWXUH RI 'RFXPHQW Copy Furnished of the Application to the Sangguniang Panlunsod Copy Furnished of the Application WR WKH 2IÂżFH RI the City Mavor of Quezon City

+L\DV &RQYHQWLRQ &HQWHU Provincial Capitol, Malolos Citv, Bulacan ;DYLHU 8QLYHUVLW\ $WHQHR GH &DJD\DQ

Mini Amphitheatre Corrales Ave., Cagayan De Oro City

Expository Presentation for South Luzon Stakeholders Expository Presentation for North Luzon Stakeholders Expository Presentation for Mindanao Stakeholders

1) The petitioner’s name and address; 2) The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and 3) A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission ZLWK UHVSHFW WR WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ¿OH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before NPC rest its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: a) The name and address of such person; ¡ b) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and c) The grounds relied upon.

(This space is intentionally left blank) All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from NPC that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. NPC is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application DQG RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ during WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH KRXUV WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO, AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN, and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 7 January 2019 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Commissioner

2

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

“Vesting on the National Power Corporation the Complete Jurisdiction, Control and Regulation over Watershed Areas and Reservations Surrounding its Power Generating Plants and Properties of said Corporation� ‘’A Resolution Adopting the Rules and Procedures Governing the Utilization and Disbursement of the Universal Charge - Environmental Charge�

MT - Feb. 3 & 11, 2019

For subscription, please call the Circulation Department at 524-5664 local 222 or 310-5584 or email circulation@manilatimes.net ----------------------------To a d v e r t i s e , e m a i l u s a t a d v e r t i s i n g @ m a n i l a t i m e s . n e t o r call 524-5664 local 121

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

E1

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

NOTICE

PAUNAWA

NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that RCD LAND, INC. (Owner/Developer) KDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of commercial lots at RCD ROYALE HOMES – BATANGAS PHASE 3 located at Brgy. Sabang, Tuy, Batangas and more particularly described as portion of Lot 1, Psu-103873, Lot 2, Psu-103875 & Psu-103873 and covered by TCT No. T-055-2016000804 to T-0552016000806. The project is under EO 648.

Ipinagbibigay-alam na ang RCD LAND, INC. (May-ari/Debeloper) ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng komersyal na lote sa RCD ROYALE HOMES – BATANGAS PHASE 3 na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Sabang, Tuy, Batangas at sinasakop ng mga bahagi ng Lote Blg. 1, Psu-103873, Lote Blg. 2, Psu-103875 at bahagi ng Psu-103873 na sumasailalim sa mga Titulo Blg. T-055-2016000804 hanggang T-055-2016000806. Ang proyekto ay nasa ilalim ng EO 648 (Commercial Subdivision).

Notice is hereby given that CATHAY LAND METAL (Owner) and CATHAY LAND INC. (Developer) by virtue of a Joint Venture Agreement dated )HEUXDU\ KDV ¿OHG ZLWK WKLV 2I¿FH D VZRUQ UHJLVWUDWLRQ statement for the sale of commercial lots in MALLORCA VILLAS PHASE 3 – COMMERCIAL located at Brgy.

Maguyam, Silang, Cavite and more particularly described as Block 2, Psd-04-211891 & Block 19, Psd-04203039 and covered by TCT Nos. T-83575 and T-78963. The project is under EO 648.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Calamba City, Laguna, 30th day of January 2019.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika30 ng Enero 2019.

Recommending Approval:

Recommending Approval:

6*' (QJU (00$18(/ * GLIPO Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

6JG (QJU (00$18(/ * */,32 Head- Permits, Registration and Licensing Unit

Approved by: (SGD.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered DQG D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH

days from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 6th day of February 2019.

Recommending Approval: 6*' (QJU (00$18(/ * GLIPO Head- Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

6JG $WW\ 5,&+$5' / 0$1,/$ 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

(SGD.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR) NOTICE

PAUNAWA

PAUNAWA

Notice is hereby given that CATHAY LAND METAL (Owner) and CATHAY LAND INC. (Developer) by virtue of a Joint Venture Agreement dated February KDV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKLV 2IÂżFH D VZRUQ registration statement for the sale of residential lots in MALLORCA VILLAS PHASE 3 located at Brgy. Maguyam, Silang, Cavite and more particularly described as Block 2, Psd-04-211891 & Block 19, Psd-04-203039 and covered

by TCT Nos. T-83575 and T-78963. The project is under PD 957.

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang CATHAY LAND METAL (May-ari) at CATHAY LAND INC. (Taga-debelop) sa pamamagitan ng “Joint Venture Agreement� ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng “residential lots� sa MALLORCA VILLAS PHASE 3 na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Maguyam, Silang, Cavite at sinasakop ng mga Bloke 2, Psd-04-211891 at Bloke 19, Psd-04203039 na sumasailalim sa mga Titulo Blg. T-83575 at T-78963. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa PD 957.

The foregoing project is utilizing the Participation Through Investment – Incentivized Compliance by depositing the amount of THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFTY-ONE PESOS AND 90/100 (P 3,558,951.90) in Trust Account under Escrow Agreement dated January 22, 2019 by and among CATHAY LAND INC., HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD (REGIONAL OFFICE) and ASIA UNITED BANK CORPORATION (AUB), as its compliance to Section 18 of Republic Act No. 7279 as amended by Republic Act No. 10884.

Ang nasabing proyekto ay ginagamit ang Participation Through Investment – Incentivized Compliance, sa pamamagitan ng pag deposito ng “THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED FIFY-ONE PESOS AND 90/100 (P 3,558,951.90)� sa Trust Account sa ilalim ng Escrow Agreement na may petsa ika-22 ng Enero 2019 sa pamamagitan at sa gitna ng CATHAY LAND INC., HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD (REGIONAL OFFICE) at ASIA UNITED BANK CORPORATION (AUB), bilang pagsunod sa Seksyon 18 ng Republic Act No. 7279 na na-ameyendahan ng Republic Act No. 10884.

Ipinagbibigay alam na ang CATHAY LAND METAL (May-ari) at CATHAY LAND INC. (Tagadebelop) sa pamamagitan ng “Joint Venture Agreement� ay naghain sa Tanggapang ito ng sinumpaang aplikasyon para sa pagbebenta ng “commercial lots� sa MALLORCA VILLAS PHASE 3 – COMMERCIAL na matatagpuan sa Brgy. Maguyam, Silang, Cavite at sinasakop ng mga Bloke 2, Psd-04-211891 at Bloke 19, Psd-04-203039 na sumasailalim sa mga Titulo Blg. T-83575 and T-78963. Ang nasabing proyekto ay sumasailalim sa EO 648.

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-6 ng Pebrero 2019.

6JG (QJU (00$18(/ * */,32 Head- Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Recommending Approval:

6JG $WW\ 5,&+$5' / 0$1,/$ 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

Ang mga kasulatang kaugnay nito ay maaring suriin ng sinumang tao na nagtataglay ng ligal na interes doon pagkatapos ng wastong aplikasyon at kaukulang bayad.

Absent legal impediment, the abovecited project is deemed registered and D FHUWLÂżFDWH LQ HYLGHQFH WKHUHRI VKDOO IRUWKZLWK EH LVVXHG DIWHU ÂżYH GD\V from the last day of publication.

Calamba City, Laguna, 6th day of February 2019.

Approved by:

Republic of the Philippines 2I¿FH RI WKH 3UHVLGHQW +RXVLQJ DQG 8UEDQ 'HYHORSPHQW &RRUGLQDWLQJ &RXQFLO HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD SOUTHERN TAGALOG REGION – (STR)

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Recommending Approval:

Pagkaraan ng limang (5) araw mula sa huling araw ng pagkalathala ang proyektong nabanggit ay ituturing na rehistrado na at maaring bigyan ng sertipiko bilang katibayan nito kapag wala nang sagabal na ligal.

Lungsod ng Calamba, Laguna, ika-6 ng Pebrero 2019.

Recommending Approval:

6*' (QJU (00$18(/ * */,32 Head- Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

6JG (QJU (00$18(/ * */,32 Head- Planning, Registration and Licensing Division (PRLD)

Approved by:

Approved by:

(SGD.) Atty. RICHARD L. MANILA 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

ACTIVITY Jurisdictional and Expository Presentation

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant FDVH PD\ EHFRPH D SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ to Intervene DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU WR WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ DQG VXEMHFW to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following:

1

MONDAY February 11, 2019

6JG $WW\ 5,&+$5' / 0$1,/$ 5HJLRQDO 2IÂżFHU

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

MT - Feb. 11 & 18, 2019

Republic of the Philippines DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND HIGHWAYS REGIONAL OFFICE V Regional Government Center, Rawis, Legaspi City INVITATION TO BID NO. 2019-01-001 Sealed bid in three (3) copies subject to the General Terms and Conditions, for the sale of ³$6 ,6 DQG :+(5( ,6´ basis for the unserviceable/disposal properties as stated below will be received by the Disposal Committee, 9:00 A.M., March 6, 2019, at which time and date will be opened in the presence of the bidders or their authorized representatives to witness.

NAME OF OFFICE/ 1DPH RI (TXLSPHQW Lot 1, EMD-ECCS Airport Site, Legazpi City Lot 2, AES, Cam. Norte Daet, Cam. Norte Lot 3, AES, Cam. Sur Conception Grande, Naga City Lot 4, AES, Albay Paulog, Ligao City Lot 5, AES, Cam. Sur Conception Grande, Naga City Lot 6, EMD Compound, Legaspi City D8-5 Lot 6, AES, Cam Sur D10-1 TOTAL AMOUNT

APPRAISAL $VVRUWHG 9DULRXV Obsolete 8QVHUYLFHDEOH No. Est. 3DUWV /DQG %DVHG of Weight 7LUHV DQG :DWHU Unit (Tonnage) (Est. (TXLSPHQW weight in DQG $VVRUWHG Tonnage) 2EVROHWH SDUWV 11

35.20

4

18.10

15

33.10

6

6.90

P986,740.00

2 1

56

P 675,000.00

1

69

P 720,000.00 P2,381,740.00

That above-mentioned unserviceable/disposable properties can EH LQVSHFWHG RQ WKH VDLG ORFDWLRQ GXULQJ RI¿FH KRXUV $ 0 to 5:00 P.M.) Mondays to Fridays and bidders are required to enclose the amount equivalent to the appraised value (Minimum Government Selling Price) of the items being bid for as Bidders bond, in the form of cash, cashier’s check or manager’s check. %LG )RUPV FDQ EH VHFXUHG DW WKH RI¿FH RI WKH 7HFKQLFDO :RUNLQJ *URXS 7:* (TXLSPHQW 0DQDJHPHQW 'LYLVLRQ $LUSRUW 6LWH Legaspi City.

The Department of Public Works and Highways reserves the right to reject any or all bids, waive any defect contained therein and accept the offer most advantageous to the government.

(SGD.) ESMERALDO S. SARMIENTO OIC-Asst. Regional Director Chairman, Regional Disposal Committee Rawis, Legaspi City Noted: (SGD.) VIRGILIO C. EDUARTE, CESO IV Regional Director MT – Feb. 11, 12 & 13, 2019

E2

˜ The Manila Times

MONDAY February 11, 2019 Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection. “(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00);

IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED NEW SUBSIDIZED APPROVED GENERATION RATE (SAGR) WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY

“(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Nine pesos (P9.00);

ERC CASE NO. 2018-048 RC NATIONAL POWER CORPORATION, Petitioner. x--------------------------------------------------x NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 24 May 2018, the National Power Corporation 13& ¿OHG D Petition seeking for the Commission’s approval of the proposed new Subsidized Approved Generation Rate (SAGR), with prayer for the issuance of provisional authority.

In its Petition, NPC alleged, among others, the following: 1. NPC is a government owned and controlled corporation created and existing under Republic Act No. 6395, as amended (NPC Charter) with principal DGGUHVV DW 13& 2IÂżFH %XLOGLQJ &RPSOH[ FRUQHU 4XH]RQ $YHQXH DQG %,5 5RDG Diliman, Quezon City.

2. Pursuant to Section 70 of Republic Act No. 9136 or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), NPC shall remain as a National-Government RZQHG DQG FRQWUROOHG FRUSRUDWLRQ WR SHUIRUP WKH PLVVLRQDU\ HOHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IXQFWLRQ through its Small Power Utilities Group (NPC-SPUG) and shall be responsible for providing power generation and its associated power delivery systems in areas that are not connected to the transmission system.

3. On 22 August 2011, the Commission approved and issued Resolution No. 21, Series of 2011 entitled “Amended Guidelines for the Setting and Approval of (OHFWULFLW\ *HQHUDWLRQ 5DWHV DQG 6XEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ $UHDV´ providing for the guidelines for the setting and approval of electricity generation UDWHV DQG VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV IRU WKH Âż[LQJ RI DQG DYDLOPHQW RI VXEVLGLHV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ DUHDV DV ZHOO DV WKH FDVK LQFHQWLYHV IRU WKH 5HQHZDEOH (QHUJ\ 5( 'HYHORSHUV IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ IURP WKH 8QLYHUVDO &KDUJH IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 8& 0(

4. 13& ÂżOHG WKH LQVWDQW SHWLWLRQ LQ LWV FDSDFLW\ DV WKH LPSOHPHQWLQJ DJHQF\ IRU 0LVVLRQDU\ (OHFWULÂżFDWLRQ 0( ZKLFK IXQFWLRQ VKDOO EH IXQGHG IURP WKH UHYHQXH from sales in missionary areas and from the universal charge (UC) to be collected from all electricity end-users as determined by the Commission and as provided under Section 2 (a) of the EPIRA Implementing Rules and Regulations.

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10963 (TRAIN LAW) 5. Republic Act No. 10963, otherwise known as the Tax Reform for $FFHOHUDWLRQ DQG ,QFOXVLRQ 75$,1 LV WKH ¿UVW SDFNDJH RI WKH FRPSUHKHQVLYH WD[ reform program (CTRP) envisioned by the current administration, which seeks to FRUUHFW GH¿FLHQFLHV LQ WKH WD[ V\VWHP 6. The Tax Policy Reform is one of the major parts in the government’s CTRP. The goal of the reform is to create a more just, simple, and more effective system of tax collection, address the collection gap from high-income earners, and shift the tax burden from low and middle-income households to the high-income sectors. It aims to achieve, among others, a high-income country status but still in keeping with the principles of a sound tax system.

7. The Tax Policy Program includes the adjustment of Excise Tax on Petroleum products which has not been adjusted since 1997. The corresponding excise tax on Manufactured Oils and Other fuels, as stated in Section 43 of the TRAIN LAW, amends Section 148 of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).

The applicable provision of the TRAIN law provides: “Section 43. Section 148 of the NIRC, as amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: “Sec. 148. Manufactured Oils and Other Fuels.- There shall be FROOHFWHG RQ UHÂżQHG DQG PDQXIDFWXUHG PLQHUDO RLOV DQG PRWRU IXHOV the following excise taxes which shall attach to the goods hereunder enumerated as soon as they are in existence as such: “Effective January 1, 2018 “(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Eight pesos (P8.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection; “(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Eight pesos (P8.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; “(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Seven pesos (P7.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in the UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG QDWXUDO JDV during the non availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production of petroleum SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ DQG for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be exempt from excise WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDVHV DQG VLPLODU RLOV having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH barter or exchange, for the purpose of further processing or blending into ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW WR H[FLVH WD[ XQGHU WKLV 6HFWLRQ “(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Seven pesos (P7.00); “(g) Aviation turbo jet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); “(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Three pesos (P3.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; “(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P2.50); ÂłM /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 2QH SHVR 3 3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH SURGXFWLRQ of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, shall be taxed zero (P0.00) per kilogram: Âł3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU shall be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; “(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Eight pesos (P8.00); “(l) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P2.50): Provided, however, That the excise taxes paid on the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and Âł P 3HWUROHXP FRNH SHU PHWULF WRQ 7ZR SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV (P2.50): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00). “Effective January 1, 2019 “(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject

“(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; “(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline, and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in WKH UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG natural gas during the non-availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV of distillation and for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be H[HPSW IURP H[FLVH WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP gases and similar oils having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical SURGXFWV VKDOO EH VXEMHFW WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV Section, except when such by-products are transferred to any of the ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH EDUWHU RU H[FKDQJH IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI IXUWKHU SURFHVVLQJ RU EOHQGLQJ LQWR ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW to excise tax under this Section; “(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Nine pesos (P9.00); “(g) Aviation turbo jet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); “(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; “(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the VDPH JHQHUDWLQJ SRZHU SHU OLWHU RI YROXPH FDSDFLW\ )RXU SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ centavos (P4.50); Âł M /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 7ZR SHVRV 3

3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH production of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per kilogram, zero (P0.00): 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU VKDOO be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; “(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Nine pesos (P9.00);

w w w.manilatimes.net “Provided, That the Department of Finance shall perform an annual review of the implementation of the excise tax on fuel and shall, based on projections provided and recommendations of the Development Budget Coordination Committee, as reconciled from the conditions as provided above, recommend the implementation or suspension of the excise tax on fuel: Provided, further, That the recommendation shall be given on a yearly EDVLV 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW DQ\ VXVSHQVLRQ RI WKH LQFUHDVH LQ H[FLVH WD[ shall not result in any reduction of the excise tax being imposed at the time of the suspension.â€?

THE REVISED SAGR FOR THE SPUG AREAS 8. The existing SAGR is based on CY 2003 cost level which was approved by the Commission on 16 December 2005 under ERC Case No. 2004-449 RC for the First Wave Areas and on 7 March 2011 under ERC Case No. 2006-020 for the remaining NPC-SPUG areas.

9. In compliance with the Order of the Commission issued in ERC Case No. 5& PDQGDWLQJ 13& WR UH ÂżOH WKH 8&0( IRU &< WR DQG WR include a study and assessment of the existing SAGR of each NPC-SPUG Areas, 13& ÂżOHG D &RQVROLGDWHG 3HWLWLRQ RQ 6HSWHPEHU XQGHU (5& &DVH 1R 2014-135 RC1 which is still pending for Commissionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s decision.

10. In view of the enactment of the TRAIN Law, the electricity prices will be affected since NPC-SPUG uses diesel and bunker fuels in its power plants. There shall be an increase in fuel cost due to excise tax that must be imposed pursuant to the said law which, in turn, translates to an increase in the operating cost in the SPUG areas.

11. Accordingly, increase in electricity prices is evident since NPC-SPUG uses diesel and bunker fuels in its power plants. The increase in fuel cost due to the new rates of excise tax is tantamount to an increase in the operating cost in the SPUG areas effectively contributing to the increase of the UC-ME, which the main grid customers also pay along with the off-grid customers.

12. Hence, it is imperative to adjust the SAGR to address the impact of fuel cost due to excise tax on NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s operating expense in order to mitigate the impact of the TRAIN Law to main grid consumers. The increase in the SAGR will not overburden island consumers since the recovery of the existing 3rd Generation Rate Adjustment Mechanism (GRAM) and 3rd Incremental Currency Exchange Rate Adjustment (ICERA) have already been fully implemented. Consequently, the existing island grid rate is reduced by P0.9492/kWh for Luzon, P1.1950/kWh for Visayas, and P1.4680/kWh for Mindanao.

13. The proposed adjustment of SAGR is calculated based on existing SAGR plus the impact of excise tax taking into account NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contract with the fuel suppliers for the Supply and Delivery of Oil Based Fuel to SPUG Power Plants and Barges for CY 2018 and projected fuel cost for CY 2019 and CY 2020 which have yet to include provision for excise tax under the TRAIN Law on Diesel, Bunker, Lube Oil products at the time of bidding of CY 2018 fuel requirement and calculation of projected fuel for 2019 and 2020.

14. The following tables will show the proposed increase in SAGR by grid and in the areas with corresponding increases under this instant petition: 7DEOH 3URSRVHG ,QFUHDVH LQ 6$*5 GXH WR ([FLVH WD[ GRID

3 N:K 2019 1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

2018 0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

Luzon Visayas Mindanao

2020 1.9648 2.2084 1.9835

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(l) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos and ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV 3 3URYLGHG KRZHYHU 7KDW WKH H[FLVH WD[HV SDLG RQ the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and

The above proposed increase in SAGR given the impact of Excise tax is without prejudice to the pending ERC decision on SAGR Petition under ERC Case 1R 5& ÂżOHG RQ 6HSWHPEHU DV PHQWLRQHG DERYH

Âł P 3HWUROHXP FRNH SHU PHWULF WRQ )RXU SHVRV DQG ÂżIW\ FHQWDYRV (P4.50): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00).

7DEOH 7RWDO LPSDFW RQ 6$*5 SHU $UHD ZLWK WKH DSSURYDO RI ERC Case No. 2014-135 RC

In the event that the pending Petition under ERC Case No. 2014-135 RC is approved, shown below is the total impact on SAGR for CY 2018 to CY 2020:

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Effective January 1, 2020 â&#x20AC;&#x153;(a) Lubricating oils and greases, including but not limited to, basestock for lube oils and greases, high vacuum distillates, aromatic extracts and other similar preparations, and additives for lubricating oils and greases, whether such additives are petroleum based or not, per liter and kilogram, respectively, of volume capacity or weight, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, That lubricating oils and greases produced from basestocks and additives on which the excise tax has already been paid shall no longer be subject to excise tax: Provided, further, That locally produced or imported oils SUHYLRXVO\ WD[HG DV VXFK EXW DUH VXEVHTXHQWO\ UHSURFHVVHG UHÂżQHG RU recycled shall likewise be subject to the tax imposed under this Subsection. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(b) Processed gas, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(c) Waxes and petrolatum, per kilogram, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(d) On denatured alcohol to be used for motive power, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, That unless otherwise provided by special laws, if the denatured alcohol is mixed with gasoline, the excise tax on which has already been paid, only the alcohol content shall be subject to the tax herein prescribed. For purposes of this Subsection, the removal of denatured alcohol of not less than one hundred eighty degrees (180°) proof (ninety percent (90%) absolute alcohol) shall be deemed to have been removed for motive power, unless shown otherwise; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(e) Naphtha, regular gasoline, pyrolysis gasoline and other similar products of distillation, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00): Provided, however, That naphtha and pyrolysis gasoline, when used as a raw material in the production of petrochemical products, or in the UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOH SRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ H[WUDFWHG QDWXUDO JDV during the non availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, further, That the production of petroleum SURGXFWV ZKHWKHU RU QRW WKH\ DUH FODVVLÂżHG DV SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ DQG for use solely for the production of gasoline shall be exempt from excise WD[ 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW WKH E\ SURGXFW LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDVHV DQG VLPLODU RLOV having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject WR WKH DSSOLFDEOH H[FLVH WD[ VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH barter or exchange, for the purpose of further processing or blending into ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK DUH VXEMHFW WR H[FLVH WD[ XQGHU WKLV 6HFWLRQ

$UHDV Mindoro Marinduque Palawan Puerto Princesa Coron/Busuanga Catanduanes Masbate Tablas Romblon Bantayan Camotes Siquijor Tawi-Tawi Basilan Sulu Other Luzon Group 1 Group 2 Other Visayas Other Mindanao

,PSDFW of Excise Tax 0.9392 0.9392 0.9392

NEW SAGR FOR ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES & LGU CUSTOMERS 2018 2019 2020 ,QFUHPHQWDO ,QFUHPHQWDO ,QFUHPHQWDO ,PSDFW ,PSDFW ,PSDFW GXH ,PSDFW GXH ,PSDFW GXH TOTAL of TOTAL of WR SHQGLQJ WR SHQGLQJ WR SHQGLQJ IMPACT Excise IMPACT Excise SAGR SAGR SAGR Tax Tax Application Application Application 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 2.4101 1.9648 0.9492 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 2.4101 1.9648 0.9492 0.9492 1.8884 1.4609 0.9492 24101 1.9648 09492

TOTAL IMPACT 2.9140 2.9140 2.9140

0.9392 0.9392 0.9392 0.9392 1.0499 1.0499 1.0499 0.6703 0.6703 0.6703

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

1.8884 1.8884 1.8884 1.8884 2.2449 2.2449 2.2449 2.1383 2.1383 2.1383

1.4609 1.4609 1.4609 1.4609 1.6294 1.6294 1.6294 1.4793 1.4793 1.4793

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

2.4101 2.4101 2.4101 2.4101 2.8244 2.8244 2.8244 2.9473 2.9473 29473

1.9648 1.9648 1.9648 1.9648 2.2084 2.2084 22084 1.9835 1.9835 1.9835

0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.1950 1.1950 1.4680 1.4680 1.4680

2.9140 2.9140 2.9140 2.9140 3.4034 3.4034 3.4034 3.4515 3.4515 3.4515

0.9392 0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

1.8884 1.8884 2.2449 2.1383

1.4609 1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

2.4101 2.4101 2.8244 2.9473

1.9648 1.9648 2.2080 1.9835

0.9492 0.9492 1.1950 1.4680

2.9140 2.9140 3.4030 3.4515

Note: Coron/Busuanga is included in the PSP Area per MEDP 2012-2016 As shown in Table 2, the total impact on existing SAGR for CY 2018 is P1.8884/kWh, P2.2449/kWh and P2.1383/kWh for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, respectively.

Effectively, should the above rate be applied, the Proposed New SAGR for CY 2018 as shown in Table 3 below will be P7.5288/kWh, P8.5002/kWh and P7.2550/ kWh for the PSP areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao respectively, except Masbate with Proposed SAGR of P7.0051/kWh, Other Luzon Group 1 of P6.6908/ kWh, Other Visayas P7.8853/kWh and Other Mindanao of P6.9407/kWh: 7DEOH 3URSRVHG 1HZ 6$*5 SHU $UHD

â&#x20AC;&#x153;(f) Unleaded premium gasoline, per liter of volume capacity, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(g) Aviation turbojet fuel, aviation gas, per liter of volume capacity, Four pesos (P4.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(h) Kerosene, per liter of volume capacity, Five pesos (P5.00): Provided, That kerosene, when used as aviation fuel, shall be subject to the same tax on aviation turbo jet fuel under the preceding paragraph (g), such tax to be assessed on the user thereof; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(i) Diesel fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Six pesos (P6.00); Âł M /LTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV SHU NLORJUDP 7KUHH SHVRV 3

3URYLGHG 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV ZKHQ XVHG DV UDZ PDWHULDO LQ WKH production of petrochemical products, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per kilogram, zero (P0.00): 3URYLGHG ÂżQDOO\ 7KDW OLTXHÂżHG SHWUROHXP JDV XVHG IRU PRWLYH SRZHU VKDOO be taxed at the equivalent rate as the excise tax on diesel fuel oil; â&#x20AC;&#x153;(k) Asphalts, per kilogram, Ten pesos (P10.00); â&#x20AC;&#x153;(I) Bunker fuel oil, and on similar fuel oils having more or less the same generating power, per liter of volume capacity, Six pesos (P6.00): Provided, however, That the excise taxes paid on the purchased basestock (bunker) used in the manufacture of excisable articles and forming part thereof shall be credited against the excise tax due therefrom; and â&#x20AC;&#x153;(m) Petroleum coke, per metric ton, Six pesos (P6.00): Provided, however, That, petroleum coke, when used as feedstock to any power generating facility, per metric ton, zero (P0.00). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Petroleum products, including naphtha, LPG, petroleum coke, UHÂżQHU\ IXHO DQG RWKHU SURGXFWV RI GLVWLOODWLRQ ZKHQ XVHG DV LQSXW feedstock or as raw material in the manufacturing of petrochemical SURGXFWV RU LQ WKH UHÂżQLQJ RI SHWUROHXP SURGXFWV RU DV UHSODFHPHQW IXHO IRU QDWXUDO JDV ÂżUHG FRPELQHG F\FOHSRZHU SODQW LQ OLHX RI ORFDOO\ extracted natural gas during the non-availability thereof, subject to the rules and regulations to be promulgated by the Secretary of Finance, per liter of volume capacity, zero (P0.00): Provided, That the by-product LQFOXGLQJ IXHO RLO GLHVHO IXHO NHURVHQH S\URO\VLV JDVROLQH OLTXHÂżHG petroleum gases, and similar oils having more or less the same generating power, which are produced in the processing of naphtha into petrochemical products shall be subject to the applicable excise tax VSHFLÂżHG LQ WKLV 6HFWLRQ H[FHSW ZKHQ VXFK E\ SURGXFWV DUH WUDQVIHUUHG WR DQ\ RI WKH ORFDO RLO UHÂżQHULHV WKURXJK VDOH EDUWHU RU H[FKDQJH IRU WKH SXUSRVH RI IXUWKHU SURFHVVLQJ RU EOHQGLQJ LQWR ÂżQLVKHG SURGXFWV ZKLFK are subject to excise tax under this Section. â&#x20AC;&#x153;For the period covering 2018 to 2020, the scheduled increase in the excise tax on fuel as imposed in this Section shall be suspended when the average Dubai crude oil price based on Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) for three (3) months prior to the scheduled increase of the month reaches or exceeds Eighty dollars (USD 80) per barrel.

Note: Coron/Busuanga is included in the PSP Area per MEDP 2012-2016 15. As basis for future GRAM applications, provided below is the proposed fuel component of the revised SAGR. TABLE 4

GRID

Luzon Visayas 0LQGDQDR Luzon Visayas 0LQGDQDR Luzon Visayas 0LQGDQDR

)XHO &RPSRQHQW ,PSDFW GXH of CY2002 WR SHQGLQJ 8QEXQGOHG SAGR Rates application 2018 2.0285 0.9492 3.8942 1.1950 3.2787 1.4680 2019 2.0285 0.9492 3.8942 1.1950 3.2787 1.4680 2020 2.0285 0.9492 3.8942 1.1950 3.2787 1.4680

,PSDFW GXHWR Excise Tax

3URSRVHG Fuel &RPSRQHQW of SAGR

0.9392 1.0499 0.6703

3.9169 6.1391 5.4170

1.4609 1.6294 1.4793

4.4386 6.7186 6.2260

1.9648 2.2084 1.9835

4.9425 7.2976 6.7302

16. The proposed increase in SAGR averaging P0.8293/kWh due to excise tax will result to an additional projected SAGR revenue amounting to PhP 463 Mn for CY 2018. This is about 16% of the existing SAGR level.

7KH 1DWLRQDO 3RZHU %RDUG DSSURYHG WKH ÂżOLQJ RI WKLV LQVWDQW SHWLWLRQ pursuant to NP Board Resolution No. 2018- 11 dated 22 March 2018, with Excerpts RI WKH PLQXWHV RI WKH UHJXODU PHHWLQJ RI WKH 1DWLRQDO 3RZHU %RDUG FHUWLÂżHG E\ WKH Board Secretary attached in the Petition.

18. The herein proposed New SAGR is also based on the pertinent documents attached in the Petition, as following follows: a.

Awards of Contract for the Supply and Delivery of Oil Based Fuel to SPUG Power Plants and Barges - Fuel Contract for CY 2018 under

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

w w w.manilatimes.net PR No. HO-FMG18-001 (Excluding Excise tax provision under TRAIN Law) b.

25 June 2019 (Tuesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 27June 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Projected Fuel Cost for CY 2019 to CY 2020 (Excluding Excise tax under the TRAIN Law)

c.

NPC-SPUG Projected Energy Sales for CY 2018-2020

d.

Calculation of the impact of Excise Tax 0DUFK (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

ALLEGATIONS SUPPORTING THE APPROVAL OF THE NEW SAGR IN SUPPORT OF THE PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 19. The issuance of a provisional authority under the instant petition is DSSURSULDWH EDVHG RQ WKH IROORZLQJ MXVWLÂżFDWLRQV a. The fuel cost has increased to about 114% since the last level of SAGR approval in CY2003 even without TRAIN Law. b.

c.

0DUFK (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Due to the TRAIN Law, the fuel cost will increase by P0.8293/kWh in CY2018, P1.4815/kWh in CY2019, P1.9919/kWh in CY2020. The impact of the increase in fuel cost will greatly affect NPCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s power plant operations if the corresponding cost will not be immediately recovered by NPC as incurred.

0DUFK (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

TRAIN Law affects all the electricity end users both main grids and off-grids.

Existing NPC approved budget has provision to cover for the impact of the TRAIN Law. Hence, NPC needs the corresponding funding source.

8 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

H &KDUJLQJ WKH ÂżQDQFLDO LPSDFW RI WKH 75$,1 /DZ WKURXJK *5$0 mechanism may not be fair and reasonable to NPC as recovery thereof is deferred. On the other hand, if NPC will be allowed to charge the increase real time in the island grid as part of the SAGR, this will reduce the UCME requirement as well as the burden imposed on the main grid consumers. Moreover, real time payment recovery LV IRXQG LPSHUDWLYH HVSHFLDOO\ WKDW WKH H[FLVH WD[ RQ IXHO ZLOO GHÂżQLWHO\ HDW XS SDUW RI 13&ÂśV FDVK Ă&#x20AC;RZ IRU RSHUDWLRQV

9 May 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

d.

f.

Adjusting the level of SAGR as proposed herein will address the clamor of the main grid consumers on increasing UCME. Higher SAGR will likewise promote energy conservation in the island grid as they become aware that their electricity cost is subsidized.

g.

In order to guarantee continuous power supply and timely payment of fuel purchases to fuel suppliers, it is not only essential but also incumbent upon NPC to limit the disparity between the actual cost and the fuel component of the SAGR.

22 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 24 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

20. The issuance of a provisional authority is allowed under Section 3 Rule 14 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure. Likewise, the authority of the Commission WR LVVXH D SURYLVLRQDO DXWKRULW\ LV FRQÂżUPHG E\ WKH 6XSUHPH &RXUW LQ WKH FDVH of Freedom from Debt Coalition, et. al. vs. ERC, et. al., G.R. No. 161113 (June 15, 2004), when it held that â&#x20AC;&#x153;the power to approve provisional rate increases is included among the powers transferred to the ERC by virtue of Section 44 since the grant of that authority is not inconsistent with the EPIRA; rather, it is in full harmony with the thrust of the law which is to strengthen the ERC as the new regulatory body.â&#x20AC;?

6 June 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

2 July 2019 (Tuesday ) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00A.M.) 4 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

21. NPC-SPUG is thus praying for the issuance of a provisional authority under the foregoing premises.

COMPLIANCE 22. In support of this petition and in compliance with Rule 6 of the ERC Rules of Practice and Procedures under ERC Resolution No. 38, Series of 2006 as well as Section 4(e) Rule 3 of the EPIRA IRR, Petitioner attached and submitted the following: a.

Proof of Publication of the Petition once in a newspaper of general circulation.

b.

Proof of service of this Petition to the Legislative Bodies of the Local Government Units where NPC principally operate.

25 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 AM.) 1 August 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

PRAYER 23. NPC prays that: a.

Pending the hearing on the merits, an Order be issued granting PROVISIONAL APPROVAL for the adoption of the New SAGR and the fuel component (Table 3 & Table 4).

b.

After the hearing on the merits, the instant petition be GRANTED by the Commission.

c.

Other just and equitable reliefs.

8 August 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 AM.)

$SULO (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00A.M.)

The Commission has set the Petition for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, pre-trial conference, and presentation of evidence on the following dates and venues: 'DWH DQG 7LPH )HEUXDU\ (Thursday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

)HEUXDU\ (Friday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 AM.)

Venue Luzon Quezon II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (QUEZELCO II) Main 2IÂżFH %UJ\ *XPLDQ Infanta, Quezon Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BATELEC II) Main 2IÂżFH $QWLSROR /LSD &LW\ Batangas

)HEUXDU\ ERC Hearing Room, (Thursday) at two 15th )ORRU 3DFLÂżF &HQWHU Building, San Miguel oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon Avenue, Pasig City (2:00 P.M.) 0DUFK Kalinga-Apayao Electric (Wednesday) at nine Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning .$(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH (9:00 A.M.) Magsaysay, Tabuk, Kalinga

0DUFK (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Isabela II Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ,6(/&2 ,, 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Alibagu, Ilagan, Isabela

0DUFK (Wednesday) at ten oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.)

Camarines Sur IV Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (CASURECO IV) Main 2IÂżFH 7DORMRQJRQ 7LJDRQ Camarines Sur

0DUFK (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

Albay Power and Energy Corporation (APEC) W. Vinzons St., Albay District, Legazpi City, Albay

0DUFK (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) $SULO (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) $SULO (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.)

$SULO (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 3 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 15 May 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 17 May 2019 (Friday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 30 May 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Batanes Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BATANELCO) Main 2IÂżFH %DVFR %DWDQHV First Catanduanes Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (FICELCO) Main 2IÂżFH 0DULQDZD %DWR Catanduanes Occidental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 20(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH 6DQ Jose, Occidental Mindoro

3DUWLFXODUV Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of QUEZELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of BATELEC II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of KAELCO Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ISELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of CASURECO IV Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ALECO Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing for OMECO and Lubang Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LUBELCO) Jurisdictional Hearing, Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and Evidentiary Hearing

Oriental Mindoro Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 250(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Simaron, Calapan City, Mindoro Aurora Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, $85(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Reserva, Baler, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Aurora areas within the franchise area of AURELCO Palawan Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 3$/(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and National Highway, Puerto Evidentiary Hearing for Princesa City, Palawan PALECO Busuanga Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, %,6(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Coron, Palawan Evidentiary Hearing Marinduque Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 0$5(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Boac, Marinduque Evidentiary Hearing

10 July 2019 (Wednesday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 11 July 2019 (Thursday) at nine oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.) 18 July 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

15 August 2019 (Thursday) at two oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;clock in the afternoon (2:00 P.M.)

Tablas Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 7,(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Odiongan, Romblon Evidentiary Hearing Romblon Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 520(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Romblon, Romblon Evidentiary Hearing Visayas Northern Samar Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, (NORSAMELCO) Main Pre-trial Conference, and 2IÂżFH &DWDUPDQ 1RUWKHUQ Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Samar areas within the franchise area of NORSAMELCO Samar I Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 6$0(/&2 , 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Carayman, Calbayog Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG City, Samar areas within the franchise area of SAMELCO I Jurisdictional Hearing, Samar II Electric Expository Presentation, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pre-trial Conference, and (SAMELCO II) Main Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG 2IÂżFH %UJ\ $UDGR areas within the franchise area Paranas, Samar of SAMELCO II Jurisdictional Hearing, Biliran Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (BILECO) Main Expository Presentation, 2IÂżFH &DUD\ &DUD\ 1DYDO Pre-trial Conference, and Biliran Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas of BILECO and Maripipi Multi- Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (MMPC) Southern Leyte Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 62/(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Nasaug, Maasin City, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Southern Leyte areas within the franchise area of SOLECO Iloilo III Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s (ILECO Expository Presentation, ,,, 0DLQ 2IÂżFH %UJ\ Pre-trial Conference, and Preciosa, Sara, Iloilo Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of ILECO III Guimaras Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, *8,0(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. San Miguel, Jordan, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Guimaras areas within the franchise area of GUIMELCO Masbate Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 0$6(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Pinamarbuhan, Moho, Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Masbate areas of MASELCO and Ticao Island Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TISELCO) Bantayan Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, %$1(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Bantayan Island, Cebu Evidentiary Hearing Camotes Island Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, &(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Poblacion, Poro, Camotes, Evidentiary Hearing Cebu Jurisdictional Hearing, Bohol I Electric Expository Presentation, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pre-trial Conference, and %2+(&2 , 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Evidentiary Hearing for Cabulijan, Tubigon, Bohol SPUG areas within the franchise area of BOHECO I Antique Electric Jurisdictional Hearing Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, $17(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Funda, San Jose, Evidentiary Hearing for Antique SPUG areas within the franchise area of ANTECO Province of Siquijor Jurisdictional Hearing, Electric Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, 3526,(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Brgy. Nonoc, Larena, Evidentiary Hearing Siquijor 0LQGDQDR Zamboanga City Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, (ZAMCELCO) Main Pre-trial Conference, and 2IÂżFH 0DULD &ODUD / Evidentiary Hearing for Lobregat Highway, Putik, SPUG areas within the Zamboanga City franchise area of Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative, Inc. (ZAMCELCO), Basilan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BASELCO), Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SULECO), Siasi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SIASELCO), Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative, Inc. (TAWELCO) and Cagayan de Sulu Electric Cooperative, Inc. (CASELCO) Davao del Norte Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, '$1(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Tagum City, Davao del Evidentiary Hearing for Norte SPUG areas within the franchise area of DANECO Davao del Sur Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, '$685(&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Pre-trial Conference, and Cogon, Digos, Davao del Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG Sur areas within the franchise area of DASURECO Sultan Kudarat Electric Jurisdictional Hearing, Cooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Expository Presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and 68.(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Tacurong, Sultan Kudarat Evidentiary Hearing for SPUG areas within the franchise area of SUKELCO Jurisdictional Hearing, Dinagat Island Electric Expository Presentation, PreCooperative, Inc.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s trial Conference, and ',(/&2 0DLQ 2IÂżFH Evidentiary Hearing for Justiniana, San Jose, SPUG areas within the Dinagat Island franchise area of DIELCO and Surigao del Norte Electric Cooperative Inc. (SURNECO)

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may EHFRPH D SDUW\ E\ ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ D YHULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ WR ,QWHUYHQH DW OHDVW ÂżYH GD\V SULRU WR WKH LQLWLDO KHDULQJ DQG VXEMHFW WR WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV XQGHU Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: 1)

The petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s name and address;

2)

The nature of petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and

3)

A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with UHVSHFW WR WKH VXEMHFW PDWWHU RI WKH FDVH PD\ ÂżOH WKHLU 2SSRVLWLRQ RU &RPPHQW thereon at any stage of the proceeding before NPC rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1)

The name and address of such person;

2)

A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and

3)

The grounds relied upon.

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

NPC is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Petition and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Petition and RWKHU SHUWLQHQW UHFRUGV ÂżOHG ZLWK WKH &RPPLVVLRQ GXULQJ WKH VWDQGDUG RIÂżFH hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairperson and CEO AGNES VST DEVANADERA, and the Honorable Commissioners ALEXIS M. LUMBATAN and CATHERINE P. MACEDA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 12th day of December 2018 in Pasig City.

JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT Oversight Commissioner for Legal Service

1

In the Matter of the Consolidated Petition for the Approval of the Proposed SAGR and UCME for the years 2015-2016

MT - Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

MONDAY February 11, 2019

E3

Republic of the Philippines City of Manila COMMITTEE ON AWARDS INVITATION TO SUBMIT LETTER OF INTENT AND TO BID 7KH &LW\ RI 0DQLOD WKURXJK LWV &RPPLWWHH RQ $ZDUGV LQYLWHV TXDOLÂżHG interested persons, natural or juridical, to submit letters of intent and sealed bids for the proposed lease through public auction of the City-owned property.

3URSHUW\ /DQG ,WHP ,GHQWLÂżFDWLRQ $UHD No. No. (PIN) VT P

1

117-13-719001-009

Location

Lot 33-B, 32-B-1, 590.73 Block 610 Maytubig St., Malate Manila

$SSUDLVHG Total Value Rental Value/ 3KS VT P Month (PhP) 160.82

95,000.00

The complete schedule of activities is listed, as follows: $FWLYLWLHV 6FKHGXOH

1. Issuance of bid documents February 5 - 11 2. Last day for submission of Letter of Intent February 12 3. Pre-bid Conference February 14 2:00 p.m.

Thursday 4. Bidding/auction proper-opening of bid February 18, 2:00 p.m. envelopes Monday

The lease of the above-described property shall be on an as-is-where-is basis and may be visited/inspected by the prospective bidders any day before the bidding date.

Upon submission of the Letter of Intent, a complete set of bidding GRFXPHQWV PD\ EH DFTXLUHG IURP WKH &LW\ *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2IÂżFH WK Ă&#x20AC;RRU Manila City Hall Building, A.J. Villegas St., Ermita, Manila.

The City of Manila reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annual bidding process, and to reject any and all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

For further information, please refer to: ATTY. RACQUEL GARCE-MEJIA Chairperson TWG-Committee on Awards 2IÂżFH RI WKH 'HSXW\ &LW\ $GPLQLVWUDWRU 2nd Ă&#x20AC;RRU 0DQLOD &LW\ +DOO %XLOGLQJ (SGD.) FRANCIS F. YENKO 2,& &LW\ *HQHUDO 6HUYLFHV 2IÂżFH DQG Chairman, Committee on Award

MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 4 & 11, 2019

MARKETS AND SECURITIES REGULATION DEPARTMENT IN THE MATTER OF

: : CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. : REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES (Registrant) : (Unsecured Fixed-Rate Peso : Denominated Retail Bonds) x--------------------------------------------------------------x NOTICE Notice is hereby given that on -DQXDU\ D VZRUQ VWDWHPHQW ZDV ÂżOHG with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the â&#x20AC;&#x153;Commissionâ&#x20AC;?) for and on behalf of CENTURY PROPERTIES GROUP, INC. for the registration of Unsecured Fixed-Rate Peso Dominated Retail Bonds in the aggregate amount of up to PhP3,000,000,000.00 at an issue price of 100% of the face value.

According to the papers presented on January 30, 2019, the following persons are WKH GLUHFWRUV DQG RIÂżFHUV RI WKH FRUSRUDWLRQ 1DPH Amb. Jose E.B. Antonio John Victor R. Antonio Jose Marco R. Antonio Jose Roberto R. Antonio Jose Carlo R. Antonio Ricardo Cuerva Rafael G. Yaptinchay Amb. Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. Stephen T. CuUnjieng Carlos E. Ejercito Atty. Danny E. Bunyi Domie S. Eduvane Gerry Joseph Albert Ilagan Carlos Benedict K. Rivilla, IV Ponciano S. Carreon Maria Theresa Fucanan-Yu Atty. Isabelita Ching Sales Ramon S. Villanueva III John Paul Flores Gerardo A. Morales Ricardo S. Cuerva Gerardo R. Mina Ritchelle T. Cordero Ricky M. Celis

Position Chairman of the Board, President and CEO Director and Co. COO Director and Co. COO Co-Managing Director Co-Managing Director Director Co-Managing Director Independent Director Independent Director Independent Director Corporate Secretary Senior Vice President for Legal and Corporate Affairs Executive Vice President for Century Worldwide Services and Sales Management Operations Vice President For Corporate Affairs and Assistant Corporate Secretary &KLHI )LQDQFLDO 2IÂżFHU DQG ,QYHVWRU 5HODWLRQV Head Vice President for Corporate Communications &KLHI ,QIRUPDWLRQ 2IÂżFHU DQG &RPSOLDQFH 2IÂżFHU 7D[ &RPSOLDQFH 2IÂżFHU Comptroller Treasurer Senior Vice President for Design Innovation and Material Management Group Vice President for Property Management Head for Human Resources and Administration President for Affordable Housing Business Segment

Said registration statement and other papers/documents attached thereto (collectively referred to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;RSâ&#x20AC;?) and the subsequent updates are open to inspection by interested parties during business hours, and copies thereof, photostatic or otherwise, shall be furnished to every party upon request at such reasonable fees as the Commission may prescribe. Said RS may also be downloaded from the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website: http://www.century-properties.com.

VICENTE GRACIANO P. FELIZMENIO, JR. Director MT â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Feb. 9 & 11, 2019

WARNING TO THE PUBLIC The Manila Times is warning the public that certain individuals posing as our employees have been threatening to publish articles against some companies. Anyone who receives a call from these extortionists should report the matter to the police.

The Manila Times DOES NOT ask for money to stop news articles from being published. This paper does not condone any form of blackmail.

E4

Classified Ads

MONDAY February 11, 2019 Republic of the Philippines REGIONAL TRIAL COURT National Capital Judicial Region Branch 166, Pasig City

1DWLRQDO &DSLWDO -XGLFLDO 5HJLRQ REGIONAL TRIAL COURT PASIG CITY %UDQFKBBBBBB IN RE: PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION

IN RE: PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION R-PSG-18-03091-SP JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------------x ORDER Filed with this Court is a Petition for Naturalization of Mr. James Arthur Watkins, a resident of U-4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. Petitioner arrived in the Philippines on October 2, 2001 aboard Eva Airways BR271 Petitioner resides in the Philippines for not less than ten (10) years as permanent resident immediately preceding the date of this Petition. Petitioner was born in Dayton, Washington, United States of America on November 20, 1963, under whose laws Filipinos may become naturalized citizens of subjects thereof. He married Liezel O. Watkins, a Filipina, on October 20, 2001, and they were blessed with a child, Samuel James Watkins. In relation to this instant petition, Liezel O. Watkins and Dartagnan Jutie, shall testify as witnesses. )LQGLQJ WKH YHULÂżHG IRU QDWXUDOL]DWLRQ WR EH VXIÂżFLHQW LQ IRUP DQG VXEVWDQFH WKH &RXUW hereby sets the initial hearing on 2FWREHU DW RÂśFORFN LQ WKH PRUQLQJ WR EH KHOG EHIRUH WKLV &RXUWÂśV VDOD ORFDWHG DW th )ORRU %XOZDJDQ QJ .DWDUXQJDQ %XLOGLQJ &LW\ +DOO &RPSRXQG 3DVLJ &LW\ at which date, place and time, all interested persons are directed to appear and show cause, if any, why this petition should not be granted.

Let a copy of this Petition and this Order be published at the expense of the petitioner once a week for WKUHH FRQVHFXWLYH ZHHNV LQ WKH 2IÂżFLDO *D]HWWH DQG LQ D QHZVSDSHU of general circulation in the place where the petitioner resides, and to have copies of said petition and this Order posted in WKUHH FRQVSLFXRXV SODFHV )XUQLVK D FRS\ RI WKLV RUGHU DV ZHOO DV WKH SHWLWLRQ DQG LWV DQQH[HV WR WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO 2IÂżFH RI WKH &LW\ 3URVHFXWRU 3DVLJ &LW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI )RUHLJQ Affairs, the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, Camp Crame, National Bureau of Investigation, Station Commander and Pasig City Police Station. Notify the petitioner and his counsel.

Petitioner and counsel are directed to coordinate with this Courtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Branch Clerk of Court IRU WKH H[SHGLWLRQV VHUYLFH RI QRWLFHV DQG LVVXDQFH RI UHTXHVW IRU UDIĂ&#x20AC;H SO ORDERED. Pasig City, December 3, 2018.

(SGD.) ROWENA DE JUAN-QUINAGORAN Presiding Judge Republic of the Philippines

6SHF 3URF 1R 63 JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, Petitioner. x-------------------------------------------------------x PETITION Petitioner, thru the undersigned counsel and before this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers: 1. Petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s full name is JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS. His present place of residence since year 2009 is at U-4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. He formerly resided at Lot 34, Block 3, Phase 5, Greenwoods Executive Village &DLQWD 5L]DO $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH FRS\ RI 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 5HVLGHQF\ VLJQHG and issued by the Administrator of Phoenix Heights Condominium $QQH[ Âł$´ .

2. Petitioner was born in Dayton, Washington, United States of America on 20 November 1963, under whose laws Filipinos may become naturalized citizens or subjects thereof.

3. He married Liezel O. Watkins (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lizielâ&#x20AC;?), of legal age and a Filipina on 20 October 2001. $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH FRS\ RI 0DUULDJH &HUWLÂżFDWH RI /LH]HO DQG 3HWLWLRQHU :DWNLQV (Annex Âł%´ They have one child, Samuel James Watkins born on 18 January 2002, who is currently studying at the Reedley International School. Attached hereto is the Authenticated Copy of Birth &HUWLÂżFDWH RI 3HWLWLRQHUÂśV VRQ $QQH[ Âł&´

4. Petitioner arrived in the Philippines from the United States of America on 2 October, 2001 at the port of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, boarding BR271 of EVA $LUZD\V $WWDFKHG KHUHWR LV WKH 3HWLWLRQHUœV FHUWL¿FDWH RI DUULYDO VLJQHG DQG LVVXHG E\ WKH Commissioner of Bureau of Immigration of the Philippines $QQH[ ³'´

5. Petitioner has resided continuously in the Philippines for not less than ten (10) years as a permanent resident immediately preceding the date of this Petition; to wit: since 2 October, 2001 and in the City of Pasig since year 2009 for at least 8 years and 11 months.

6. Petitioner speaks and writes English and understands and Filipino.

7. He, is currently the Chairman of Race Queen Inc., Emerald Pedistal Properties, Inc., DQG /RNL 7HFKQRORJ\ ,QFRUSRUDWHG ZLWK RI¿FH DGGUHVV DW 8QLW &LW\ODQG 7RZHU %OGJ #156 HV Dela Costa St., Ayala Ave., Makati City; U-2920 AIC Burgundy Empire Tower, ADB Ave Ortigas Center, Brgy. San Antonio, Pasig City; and L29 Joy Nostalg Centre, 17 ADB Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City respectively. Attached hereto are the copies of General Information Sheets for 2018 of Race Queen Inc., Emerald Pedistal Properties Inc., and Loki Technology Incorporated $QQH[HV ³( ´ ³( WR ( ´ 8. Apart from putting up businesses, Petitioner and wife Liziel also invested in several properties in the country. They bought a real property in Cainta Rizal which is covered by TCT No. 068-2017000674 and condominium covered by CCT No. 011-2010000137. They also bought farms in Benguet which are covered under TCT No. 016-2016002546 and TCT No. 016-2016002542, and in Ibaan Batangas which are covered by CARP 2017000059 DQG &$53 $WWDFKHG KHUHWR DUH WKH FRSLHV RI &HUWL¿FDWH RI 7LWOHV RZQHG E\ the Petitioner and his wife Liziel $QQH[HV ³) ´ ³) WR ) ´

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9. Petitioner believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution, is of good moral character and has conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of his residence in the Philippines in his relations with the constituted government as well as with the community in which he lives; has mingled socially with the Filipinos; and has evinced a genuine desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideas of the Filipinos.

3HWLWLRQHU LV QRW RSSRVHG WR RUJDQL]HG JRYHUQPHQW RU DIÂżOLDWHG ZLWK DQ\ DVVRFLDWLRQ or group of persons who uphold and teach doctrines opposing all organized government; that he does not defend or teach the necessity of propriety of violence, personal assault, or assassination for the success and predominance of their ideas; that he is not a polygamist or a believer in polygamy or in the practice of polygamy; that he has never been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude; that he is not suffering from mental alienation or incurable contagious disease; and that he is not a citizen or subject of a nation at war with the Philippines.

11. Petitioner has complied with all the requirements of the Naturalization Law (C.A.

UHJDUGLQJ WKH ÂżOLQJ ZLWK WKH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO RI KLV ERQD ÂżGH LQWHQWLRQ WR become a Filipino citizen of the Philippines.

12. It is his intention in good faith to become a citizen of the Philippines and to renounce DEVROXWHO\ DQG IRUHYHU DOO DOOHJLDQFH DQG ¿GHOLW\ WR DQ\ IRUHLJQ VWDWH RU VRYHUHLJQW\ LI WKLV Petition is granted, and particularly to the United States of America of which at this time he is a citizen or subject and that he will reside continuously in the Philippines from date of ¿OLQJ WKLV 3HWLWLRQ XS WR WKH WLPH RI KLV DGPLVVLRQ WR 3KLOLSSLQH FLWL]HQVKLS 3HWLWLRQHU KDV QRW KHUHWRIRUH ¿OHG DQ\ SHWLWLRQ IRU FLWL]HQVKLS ZLWK DQ\ FRXUW 14. Liziel O. Watkins, of legal age, residing at 4th Flr. Phoenix Heights Condominium, Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City and Dartagnan I. Jutie, of legal age, residing at No. 434 Purok I Poblacion, Tanauan, Batangas City; who are Filipino citizens, will appear and WHVWLI\ DV ZLWQHVVHV DW WKH KHDULQJ RI WKH 3HWLWLRQ $WWDFKHG KHUH WR DUH WKH FRSLHV RI $I¿GDYLWV of the witnesses $QQH[HV ³*´ WR ³* ´

15. Finally, attached hereto and made integral parts of the Petition are, to wit: a. Signed copy of petitionerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Declaration of Intention to become a citizen of the 3KLOLSSLQHV GXO\ ÂżOHG EHIRUH 2IÂżFH RI WKH 6ROLFLWRU *HQHUDO $QQH[ Âł+´

b. NBI/Regional Trial Court / Metropolitan Trial Court and Police clearances $QQH[HV ³, ´ ³, WR , ´

c. Two photographs of Petitioner, duly autographed and signed $QQH[ ³-´

PRAYER WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully prayed that after due proceedings, Petitioner be duly admitted as citizen of the Republic of Philippines.

LOZADA & TIBLANI Counsel for Petitioner Unit B â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 12th Floor, The World Centre Building 330 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City Telephone No. (632) 833-98-50 By: (SGD.) LEYTON LORD LOZADA PTR No. 6615519; 03 January 2018; Makati City

Ë&#x153; The Manila Times

IBP No. 020688; 03 January 2018; Makati City Roll of Attorneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 44964 MCLE V Compl. No. 0023045; 20 July 2016, Pasig City COPY FURNISHED: OFFICE OF THE SOLICITOR GENERAL Counsel for the Republic 134 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati City VERIFICATION WITH CERTIFICATION OF NON FORUM SHOPPING I, JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS, of legal age, and with residential address at 4F Phoenix Heights Condominium, 40 Canley Road, Bagong Ilog, Pasig City, after having sworn in accordance with law, hereby depose and say that: , KDYH FDXVHG WKH SUHSDUDWLRQ RI WKH LQVWDQW 9HULÂżHG 3HWLWLRQ DQG KDYH UHDG WKH VDPH and understood the contents thereof and all the allegations therein; I hereby verify that all the averments therein are true and correct of my own personal knowledge and as called from the records; I further certify that I have not commenced any other action or proceeding involving the same issues raised in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; I further certify that to the best of my knowledge, no such action or proceeding is pending is pending in the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other tribunal or agency; 6KRXOG , OHDUQ WKDW D VLPLODU DFWLRQ RU SURFHHGLQJ KDV EHHQ ÂżOHG RU LV SHQGLQJ EHIRUH the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, or its different Division thereof, or any other WULEXQDO RU DJHQF\ , XQGHUWDNH WR DFFRUGLQJO\ QRWLI\ WKLV +RQRUDEOH &RXUW ZLWKLQ ÂżYH

days from such notice. $IÂżDQW IXUWKHU VD\HWK QDXJKW IN WITNESS WHEREOF, , KDYH KHUHXQWR DIÂż[HG P\ VLJQDWXUH 1RY DW Makati City.

(SGD.) JAMES ARTHUR WATKINS $IÂżDQW SUBCRIBED AND SWORN WR EHIRUH PH WKLV 1RY DIÂżDQW H[KLELWLQJ WR PH KLV Driverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s License No. X01-09-003170 which expires on 20 November 2022, at Quezon City.

Doc. No. 205; Page No. 42; Book No. XVI; Series of 2018.

MT - Feb. 4, 11 & 18, 2019