Manila Standard - 2017 January 06 - Friday by Manila Standard

VOL. XXX • NO. 328 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

LONG ARM OF THE LAW.

Mohammad Jaafar Maguid (in an undated picture inset circulated by security authorities), leader of a Daesh-linked group, has been killed and three of his followers —Matahata Dialawe Arboleda, Ismael Sahak, and Morhaban Veloso—at an undisclosed beach resort in Mindanao Thursday morning. Mark Navales and AFP

Terrorists in MM target IS-linked group leader killed; 3 pals nabbed Nazarene, says Sueno By Francisco Tuyay By John Paolo Bencito THE Maute terrorist group may already be in Metro Manila to carry out a terrorist attack during the Jan. 9 Black Nazarene procession, which draws a mammoth crowd of devotees

every year, Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno said Thursday. “There is a threat possibly from the Maute group and the Abu Sayyaf, but more likely from the Maute group, which is connected with ISIS,” Sueno Next page

SECURITY forces stormed a beach resort in Sarangani province at dawn Thursday, killing a terrorist leader with ties to the Islamic State and capturing three of his companions. Killed in the attack was Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, the commander of the Ansar Al-Khilafa

Philippines, a local group with links to ISIS. Chief Supt. Cedric Train said Maguid was killed when agents of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and police stormed the Angel Beach Resort in Kiamba town at about 12:10 a.m. Maguid was said to be a notorious kidnapper and a bomb expert.

The terrorist group was named after its founder, Ansar Khilafa, formed in Sarangani province. “Tokboy is a notorious bandit leader with affiliation to ISIS. He and his group have escaped several government operations to neutralize them,” Train said, referring to Maguid by his alias. “They fly the ISIS flag in their camps. They want to be recog-

nized by the ISIS,” Train added, referring to the Islamic State group by one of its acronyms. Government agents seized two M16 riﬂes, two hand grenades, eight magazines, short magazines, bandoleers, various ammunition and documents. Maguid was wanted for murder, arson, robbery, extortion and Next page

De Lima gets 6 case th

Drug trafficking, graft charges filed By Rey E. Requejo

NOTHER criminal complaint—this time for drug trafficking and graft—has been filed against Senator Leila de Lima, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre III said Thursday. The National Bureau of InvestigationThis is the sixth criminal case filed filed the charges against De Lima, her against the former Justice secretary afformer driver and lover Ronnie Dayan ter she was implicated in the illegal drug and alleged drug lord Kerwin Espinosa, trade in two congressional inquiries. Aguirre said. The five earlier complaints were filed

by the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, the NBI, former NBI deputy directors Ruel Lasala and Reynaldo Esmeralda, inmate Jaybee Sebastian and House leaders. Aguirre said the latest case against De Lima involves Espinosa’s testimony in the Senate that he delivered P8 million in drug money to De Lima and Dayan. Aguirre said the new case would not be consolidated with the ﬁve earlier cases. The case for disobedience to summons ﬁled by House leaders was already Next page

Palace, solon insist 2017 budget pork-free By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz MALACAÑANG on Thursday insisted that the P3.35-trillion national budget this year was compliant with a Supreme Court ruling that declared discretionary and lump sum funds illegal. “The President is particularly abhorrent to giving favors to particular individuals in line with his inaugural vow to

serve every one and not only one,” presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said in a statement on Thursday. He made his statement after Senator Panﬁlo Lacson claimed that the Calamity Fund in this year’s budget had apparently been reduced for “political favors and alliances.” In the House, Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles said Lacson was “confused” when he claimed that the 2017 national

budget was rigged with “pork barrel” insertions. Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said the P3.35trillion national budget this year was pork-free and compliant with the Supreme Court order against pork barrel funds. “There is no pork barrel. There is no PDAF [Priority Development Assistance Fund] in the budget,” Nograles said. Next page

SENATOR LEILA DE LIMA

‘Comeleak’: Poll chief rapped for data breach By Vito O. Barcelo THE National Privacy Commission found the Commission on Elections liable for violating the Data Privacy Act of 2012 and recommended the criminal prosecution of Chairman J. Andres D. Bautista for “the worst recorded breach on a government-held personal database in the world” last March.

ON THE CHASE. Villagers give way Thursday to enraged soldiers using an armored personnel carrier in their angry hunt for more than 100 escaped inmates in the wooded mountains of Kabacan in Cotabato following one of the country’s biggest jailbreaks, with authorities saying 34 escapees had been rearrested. AFP

110 Kidapawan inmates still on the run KIDAPAWAN CITY—Philippine authorities said Thursday they had captured 34 inmates who escaped in the nation’s biggest jailbreak but more than 110 remained on the run in vast farm-

lands and isolated villages of the nation’s strife-torn south. Suspected Muslim guerrillas stormed a decrepit jail in one of the major southern cities on Wednesday, freeing 158 inmates and killtwitter.com/ MlaStandard

ing a guard, in what authorities said was a bid to free fellow rebels. Thirty-four of the inmates had been recaptured by Thursday morning, adding to ﬁve who were

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In a decision, dated Dec. 28, on NPC Case No. 16-001, the NPC underscored Bautista’s “lack of appreciation” of the principle that data protection is more than just implementation of security measures. “The wilful and intentional disregard of his duties as head of agency, which he should know or ought to know, is tantamount to gross negligence,” the decision read. Next page

THE Philippines will try to conclude the talks on the draft Code of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea as it takes the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which coincides with the group’s 50th

thestandard.com.ph

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta

anniversary this year, the Foreign Affairs department said Thursday. “One of our main goals this year in cooperation with China is to try and arrive at a framework for the Code of Conduct for the South China Sea by the end of the year. That will be one of our priorities,” Foreign Affairs

A PARTY-LIST lawmaker on Thursday urged the Finance and Budget departments to raise the value-added tax on so-called “sin products” instead of increasing the excise tax on diesel. Puwersa ng Bayaning Atleta party-list Rep. Jericho Nograles said diesel and other fuel products are basic commodities that have a direct impact on the dayto-day survival of the country’s poor and increasing its cost would run counter to President Duterte’s social reform agenda. Nograles, vice chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said that imposing higher excise tax on diesel would greatly diminish the purchasing power of Filipino consumer because this would mean

With PH hosting Asean, Du30 to push for sea code By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

Tax liquor, not diesel, says solon

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IS-linked... From A1

attacks on military detachments in Mindanao. Supt. Romeo Galgo, spokesman for the police regional office, said Maguid carried a P300,000 bounty. Sources said the AKP had been disbanded last year for still unknown reasons. Its members later joined the newly formed Daulah Islamiya or Islamic State of Lanao. Included in its composition were the Alkhobar terror group and the Maute brothers, tagged as the most prominent ISIS unit in Mindanao, outside of the Abu Sayyaf group of Isnilon Hapilon. Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno warned in a Palace press briefing that Maguid’s slaying could bring violent repercussions. “They might retaliate so we have to double our preparations,” Sueno said, citing the Black Nazarene procession next week as a possible target. The PNP earlier tagged the AKP as the terror group behind the foiled bomb attack on the US Embassy in Manila on Nov. 28. Maguid, 32, appeared in a video circulated on social media networks last year with the leaders of other local militant groups pledging allegiance to ISIS. The military killed eight Ansarul Khilafa members in a clash in November 2015 at Maguid’s Mindanao hometown of Palimbang. Ansarul Khilafa was behind an attack that left two civilians dead in Mindanao in 2008 as well as a series of robberies and other crimes, according to Sidney Jones, director of the Indonesia-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict. Maguid was arrested in 2009 but escaped eight months later, Jones said in a research paper published in October last year. Train said the authorities had also been looking into Ansarul Khilafa’s role in a bombing in Davao, Mindanao’s largest city in September last year that killed 15 people and injured dozens of others. Authorities placed General Santos City and the neighboring areas under heightened alert following the killing of Maguid early Thursday. Sr. Supt. Leonardo Suan, deputy regional director for operations, said they are monitoring the movements of the remaining members of the Ansar Al-Khilafah Philippines group, which had been tagged as behind a string of terror attacks in the area since 2008. “We’re closely monitoring if a new leader of the group will emerge,” Suan said in a press conference at the PRO12 headquarters in Barangay Tambler. Officials presented Maguid’s three companions, one of whom is a female, who were arrested during the operation. The three were identified as Matahata Dialawe Arboleda, Ismael Sahak alias Mael, and Morhaban Veloso alias Bugoy. Sr. Supt. Joseph Semillano, Sarangani police director, said their intelligence operatives initially received information on Wednesday night that Maguid was sighted at the Angel Beach Resort. He said they immediately informed the other units about the report and embarked on an operation. “At 10 minutes after midnight, we were able to neutralize Tokboy,” Semillano said. The police official said Maguid’s group arrived at the resort Wednesday night aboard a red Toyota Wigo sedan with temporary license plate 12190176 and rented a cottage. With John Paolo Bencito, AFP, PNA

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Undersecretary Enrique Manalo told reporters. He made his statement even as Rep. Harry Roque said the potential joint exploration of the West Philippine Sea by the Philippines and China would be legal and constitutional. He said the idea of coming to mutual agreements over natural resources was allowed by the 1987 Constitution.

Russian Navy embarks on ‘charm offensive’ T

HE Philippine Navy will do the passing exercise or passex with the Russian warships once they sail out to sea from the Manila on Jan. 7, spokesman Captain Lued Lincuna said on Thursday. He said the traditional naval passex was given to all navy counterparts visiting the country. Lincuna made his statement even as Malacañang said the Philippines was open to strengthening its military engagements with Russia by holding more joint military exercises

in the future. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said President Rodrigo Duterte had expressed his interest in working with both China and Russia “to make this world peaceful” and to enhance its ties with them. “It also is an indication that maritime cooperation can fur-

ther be enhanced to enhance diplomacy and camaraderie,” Abella said. The World War II-vintage Rajah Humabon will lead the Russian Admiral Tributs warship during the passex. Lincuna said the passex would not be the first though for the Russian Navy warships. “The first was in 2012, then in 2016. The third will be on January 7,” Lincuna said. The visiting Russian warships arrived recently for supply replenishment, maintenance, rest and recreation and humanitarian activities. Lincuna said the passex will

take about an hour and 30 minutes somewhere on Manila Bay. “During the passex there will be voice contact through radio, then afterwards our navy will bid farewell to the Russian warships,” he said. The Russian Navy visited the country as President Rodrigo Duterte is slowly veering away from its military dependence on the Unites States. Duterte is even exploring buying modern military equipment and arms from Russia and China despite Manila and Beijing’s dispute in the West Philippine Sea. Florante S. Solmerin and John Paolo Bencito

Terrorists... From A1

said at a Palace briefing, referring to the Islamic State. “There are intelligence reports that they’re already here in Manila. Because these terrorist groups maybe funded from the outside, there is a strong possibility that they’re already here,” Sueno said. Sueno said the county’s security forces are on full altert on Jan. 9 to prevent any terrorist attack. “We have been receiving intelligence reports on this. That’s why we are not leaving everything to chance. We are doing everything to prepare,” he said. “General or specific [threats], we are really preparing,” he added. The Maute group, which has been the subject of recent military operations in Butig, Lanao del Sur, has been linked to last week’s bombing attack in Leyte where over 30 people were hurt and the Christmas Eve bombing in Midsayap, North Cotabato that killed 12 people. The group was also said to be behind the Davao City night market bombing last September that killed 15 people and wounded 70 others. The group claims to support the international terrorist group ISIS. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana had earlier raised alarm over the possible connections of the recent bomb attacks to the terrorist Maute group and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, saying they had formed a tactical alliance to spread terror. In Thursday’s briefing, Sueno also warned that other bandit groups might retaliate following the killing of Mohammad Jaafar Maguid, alias Tokboy, leader of the Ansar Al-Khilafah group in a shootout yesterday, known to be the most wanted person in Sarangani. “They might also retaliate. That’s why we have to double, triple our security,” he said. Despite these threats, the government will not recommend having the procession canceled nor discourage people to attending the religious feast, as it did in 2012 during the previous administration. “No, I do not think that the government will advise the cancellation of this traditional practice,” Sueno said. “So, we will just try our best to really keep our people safe. This is why we have the PNP, the military, and the other armed groups in our government to really help contain the--or maintain peace and order and keep our people safe because we heard there will be 18 million who will participate. This is a very big event,” he noted. “Even if we discourage them... they firmly believe that God will protect them.” Asean’s 10 members and China agreed in 2002 on a Declaration of Conduct as several countries claim parts of the South China Sea. It was supposed to result in a COC that would effectively manage the tensions in the disputed area. But the COC has been stalled after failing to get a consensus among the dAsean nations, four of which claim parts of the South China Sea: Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines. China has refused to acknowledge the results of an arbitral tribunal’s decision

Berroya takes helm of LRTA THE directors of the Light Rail Transit Authority have elected retired Police Director Reynaldo Berroya as the agency’s new administrator. Berroya was earlier appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as a member of the LRTA board. The LRTA manages the LRT2 train system (Santolan-Recto) and oversees or monitors the performance of the Light Rail Manila Corp., the private operator and maintenance contractor of the LRT-1 system (BaclaranRoosevelt). Berroya vowed to improve the LRTA to better serve the riding public. “I’m committed to support Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade’s initiative to improve the conditions of our mass transit system”, he said. Under the new rules of the Governance Commission for Government-Owned or -Controlled Corporations, the heads of government–run corporations are chosen by their respected boards. Darwin G. Amojelar

Tax... From A1

GOODWILL VISIT. Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev, left, and Russian Naval Rear Admiral Edward Mikhailov lay wreath at the monument of Filipino National hero, Dr. Jose P. Rizal, as part of the Russian Navy's four-day goodwill visit at Manila's Rizal park. The Russian naval vessel that anchored at the Port of Manila this week will conduct a Passing Exercise on Jan. 7 to cap its visit, the Philippine Navy said on Thursday. Public Affairs chief Capt. Lued Lincuna said the anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs of the Russian Navy and the country's BRP Rajah Humabon will participate in the exercise. Ey Acasio

110... From A1

killed on Wednesday, jail authorities said, but they emphasized there were many obstacles in the manhunt. “This is a very wide area. Aside from sugar, rubber and coconut plantations, there are areas and camps held by rebels that we cannot easily enter,” jail warden Peter Bongngat told AFP. The southern Philippines is home to a decades-old Muslim separatist insurgency, as well as extremist gangs that have recently declared allegiance to the Islamic State. The southern region of Mindanao is the ancestral homeland of the Muslim minority in the largely Catholic Philippines. The badly overcrowded jail in Kidapawan, 950 kilometers south of Manila, contained rebels from the various groups as well as members of criminal gangs that thrive in the corruption and poverty of the south. The jail, which housed about

De Lima... From A1

filed before a Quezon City regional trial court, while the other four have already been submitted for resolution. “I think the new case will be resolved separately because I believe the first four cases will be resolved already by this month,” Aguirre said. Aguirre said while Espinosa was included by the NBI in the latest complaint against De Lima, the charges against him could later be dropped. The DoJ chief also admitted that Espinosa has been accepted by the DoJ as a state witness after passing the criteria under the witness protection program. invalidating its nine-dash line claims in the disputed waters. Manalo said the Philippines’ work as Asean chairman will be consistent with the environment. “The whole purpose of the Code of Conduct is to try and see how these disputes can be managed in a peaceful way and in a non-confrontational way,” Manalo said. On Thursday, the Palace announced that the Philippines’ chairmanship of the Asean would kick off on Jan. 15 in Duterte’s hometown Davao City.

1,500 inmates, is a run-down former school building that militants have targeted repeatedly over the past 15 years. In 2007, Khair Mundos, a Filipino who would later become one of the world’s most wanted accused terrorists escaped along with 48 other inmates. Mundos, with a $500,000 bounty from the US government, was recaptured in Manila seven years later. However Wednesday’s jailbreak was the biggest in the nation’s history, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology spokesman Xavier Solda told AFP. Solda said 13 “high-value targets”--seven Muslim rebels and six organized crime gang members--had not been able to escape on Wednesday. However, Solda and Bongngat were not able to tell AFP who was still on the run, saying their identities were still being “verified.” On Wednesday, Bongngat said the attackers were believed to be militants who had broken away from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the nation’s largest Mus-

lim rebel organization which is in peace talks with the government. The MILF, which has about 10,000 armed followers, has been fighting since the 1970s for independence or autonomy. The rebellion has claimed more than 120,000 lives although the MILF has in recent years observed a ceasefire as part of the peace process. MILF spokesman Von al-Haq insisted Thursday that none of its members was involved in the raid, adding the group was willing to coordinate with government to allow searches in its communities. “The commander named to be the leader of the raid was 100 percent a notorious criminal. He was never a member of the MILF,” AlHaq told AFP. Al-Haq said the commander, known by an alias of Commander Derby, had broken into the jail to release a relative who was the leader of the Muslim inmates. Al-Haq said the relative and the leader of the Christian inmates were among the first to escape, and remained on the run. AFP

“He [Espinosa] was placed under permanent coverage of the WPP before Christmas,” he said. “The prosecution will later on ask for the dismissal of charges against Kerwin or for the dropping of Kerwin as one of the accused. But it will still depend on the court,” Aguirre said. Witnesses covered by WPP are given several privileges, including provision of a housing facility or safe house that could be extended to members of their families, financial assistance, assistance in obtaining means of livelihood, payment equivalent of salary as compensation for absences in work, travel expenses and medical expenses. In cases of death, they would also be given benefits, including

free college education for their children. Aside from drug charges, Espinosa is facing a separate case for possession of illegal drugs and firearms before a Leyte court. Aguirre on Thursday responded to De Lima’s attacks on him as “a Justice secretary without balls” by saying this was a “frailty of her character.” “Instead of facing the charges filed against her with concrete evidence in the many opportunities given to her, she can only come up with names for me like a despicable lying bastard, a chronic liar, a Secretary of Justice without balls. It is indeed not the kind of conduct that the Filipino people expect from a public official of her stature,” Aguirre said, in a press conference.

Palace...

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao was restored when data from the Budget department showed that the same amount was taken from the calamity funds and moved to Public Works and about P500 million more was given to the department. He said the irregularity remained even with reports that the P8.5 billion was reallotted as funds to subsidize the tuition of poor students in state colleges and universities. He said the free tuition scheme through the P8.5billion allotment remained.

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“There are no post-enactment projects in the budget. You will only see specific lineitem projects that have been identified by different agencies and departments of government. I think that Senator Lacson is confused about this issue.” Earlier, Lacson said the P8.5-billion fund that he had sought to be removed from the Public Works budget for the

higher transport costs and a dramatic increase in prices of goods including basic commodities. “Increasing excise tax on diesel would have inflationary effects on our economy. Our jeepneys, buses, farm implements, cargo trucks and haulers and even some of our power plants are run by diesel. Imposing a higher excise tax on diesel will mean increased cost in operating these vehicles and facilities. Obviously, all added costs will be passed on to our consumers,” Nograles said. Nograles said imposing a higher excise tax on diesel is not the right way to go even if he agrees with the observation of the Finance Department that they need to raise revenues to finance the government’s infrastructure spending and other programs intended to fight poverty. He said increasing the excise tax on diesel “is like punching someone to the ground and then helping him get on his feet to treat him for a free meal.” “To me, that doesn’t make a lot of sense,” he said. Nograles also doubted the Budget Department’s claim that diesel consumers can easily absorb the added cost as the price of diesel in the Philippines is still very high compared to other Asian countries. “Our economic managers should continue to remain faithful to the commitments of President Duterte. The President wants a better life for all Filipinos especially the poor and that’s the track that we should take,” Nograles said. Instead, Nograles suggested that government economic managers should push for the swift approval of legislative measures that are designed to increase revenues by imposing higher excise and value-added tax on sin products such as alcohol.

‘Comeleak’: ... From A1

“The lack of a clear data governance policy, particularly in collecting and further processing of personal data, unnecessarily exposed personal and sensitive information of millions of Filipinos. “A head of agency making his acts depend on the recommendations of the Executive Director or the Information Technology Department amplifies the want of even slight care. The duty to obey the law should begin at the top and should not be frustrated simply because no employee recommended such action,” the NPC added. But Bautista denied committing any wrongdoing for what has since been called the “Comeleak” that occurred between March 20 and 27 last year and argued that the NPC’s allegations were based on a “misappreciation” of several facts, legal points, and material contexts. Bautista challenged the NPC to file charges against him and will face any case, even impeachment, in connection with the massive leak of millions of voters’ personal information from the Comelec database.

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IN BRIEF Ombudsman sacks CHED’s Vitriolo OMBUDSMAN Conchita Carpio-Morales on Thursday ordered the dismissal from the service of Commission on Higher Education executive director Julito Vitriolo for grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, incompetence and inefficiency, and violation of the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees or Republic Act No. 6713. She indicted Vitriolo for graft and ordered the filing of charges with the Sandiganbayan. Vitriolo “acted with gross negligence for failing to heed the demand to investigate and stop the diploma mill, and for allowing the Pamantansan ng Lungsod ng Maynila to issue transcripts of record and diplomas based on a suspended education program,” the Ombudsman’s joint resolution read. Rio Alma

Poet Almario named new NCCA chair UNSCHEDULED SHOCKER. Members of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Group undergo Thursday morning a surprise drug test at the Philippine National Police Headquarters in Camp Crame—part of the government’s sweeping campaign against illegal drugs. Manny Palmero

Militant fishers tell PCCI: Hands off Laguna de Bay By Sandy Araneta

HE country’s largest business group Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry has earned the ire of the militant ﬁsherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas over the former’s meddling in the Laguna de Bay rehabilitation and master plan.

“Thanks, but no thanks, to these businessmen. Laguna lake ﬁshers and settlers don’t need their backing. PCCI has nothing to do with the master plan and development of Laguna de Bay for no less than the municipal ﬁshermen and settlers, who are the user-manager of the lake, are the ones who know and are capable to revive the dying lake.

GSIS allots P2.2b in loans for pensioners THE Government Service Insurance System has allotted P2.2 billion in emergency loan for its members and pensioners hit by Typhoon ‘‘Nina’’ in Catanduanes, Albay, and Camarines Sur. A total 62,339 active members and 11,115 old-age pensioners from the said areas will benefit from the loan window. Application deadline for the loan is Feb. 2, 2017, it said in a press statement. Qualified to apply for the loan are active members residing or working in the areas, not on leave of absence without pay, have no arrears in paying premium contributions, and have no unpaid loans for more than six months. Members who are availing themselves of the loan for the first time may apply for a P20,000 emergency loan, while those with loan balance may borrow P40,000. The loan is payable in 36 equal monthly instalments at six percent interest rate per annum computed in advance. It is covered by a loan redemption insurance, which deems the loan fully paid in case of the borrower’s demise provided the loan repayment is up to date. Active members may apply through any GSIS Wireless Automated Processing System kiosk in GSIS branch and extension offices; provincial capitols; city halls; selected municipal offices; large government agencies such as the Department of Education; Robinsons Malls; and selected SM City branches in North Edsa, Manila, Pampanga, Cebu, and SM Aura in Taguig.

[The] past administrations’ projects and programs [had] put the lake at its dying stage in the ﬁrst place,” Fernando Hicap, Pamalakaya chairperson, said in a statement. The PCCI supports the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ order to dismantle ﬁsh pens in the 90,000-hectare brackish lake which will commence

this year, saying it could also help in transforming the country’s largest lake into an eco-tourism and business hub. But the ﬁsherfolk group casts doubt about the business group’s intention over Laguna de Bay. Pamalakaya denied the PCCI’s statement that domestic wastes were the primary reason behind Laguna de Bay pollution, saying industrial, commercial and government projects through widespread reclamation activities were the overall culprits behind the destruction of the lake. Thousands of factories and commercial establishments along the lake have been irreverently dumping its various wastes in the lake for years now. Rampant reclamation activities in several parts of Laguna de Bay have also aggravated the worsening condition of the lake.

“Blaming the residents as the main factor behind Laguna de Bay pollution might lead to their displacement in the guise of preserving the lake. We fear that letting this group of businessmen intrude into Laguna de Bay affairs would lead to total conversion of our productive fishing zone into their money-making ventures that could also put the lake at its final death bed,” Hicap said. The PCCI is backing the government’s move to stop issuing fishing permits for Laguna Lake. In a statement, the country’s largest business group said it fully supported the initiative of the government not to renew the permits to operate fish pens at Laguna Lake, which expired this month. PCCI also welcomed the announcement made by the Secretary of the Department of the En-

vironment and Natural Resources that the government would dismantle other big ﬁsh pens starting January next year. The group likewise supports the plan to convert Laguna Lake into an eco-tourism zone. PCCI president George Barcelon said the government initiatives would go a long way in preserving Laguna Lake which serves as an important resource in the country. Laguna de Bay is a shallow freshwater lake of about 90,000 hectares. Not only does the lake provide livelihood to ﬁsherfolks, it also serves as source of water for domestic use and for agricultural irrigation. Data from the Laguna Lake Development Authority show 81 percent of pollution in the lake come from the domestic sector, while 19 percent are from industries.

POET, literary historian and National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario was elected Thursday the new chairman of the National Commission for Cvulture and the Arts. The San Miguel, Bulacanborn Almario, also known by his pen name Rio Alma, is at present the chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino, the government agency mandated to promote and standardize the use of the Filipino language. Almario’s election will go to Malacañang for conﬁrmation and formal appoointment by President Rodrigo Duterte. John Paolo Bencito

Duterte names ‘Mocha’ MTRCB board member CONTROVERSIAL starlet and blogger Margaux “Mocha” Uson has been appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte as board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classiﬁcation Board, Malacañang announced Thursday. Uson, who was appointed for a term expiring on Sept. 30 was chosen by the President for her long stint in the entertainment industry, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said. John Paolo Bencito

‘Cojuangco-Aquinos, Lorenzos liable for trafﬁcking of sacadas’ By Sandy Araneta THE Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas on Thursday said migratory sugarcane harvest farmworkers or sacadas from Bukidnon are waiting to be rescued from Hacienda Luisita in Tarlac, owned by the Cojuangcos and the Aquinos. “They are victims of human trafﬁcking and exploitative labor practices in Central Azucarera de Tarlac and Hacienda Luisita perpetrated by the CojuangcoAquino clan and the Lorenzos,” said KMP in a statement. The KMP said the the sacadas who are members of

the Organisasyon sa Yanong Obrerong Nagkahiusa, and residents of Pangantukan, Bukidnon were recruited last November by South Cotabatobased labor contractor Greenhand Labor Service Cooperative to render services to Agrikulto Inc., a private company engaged in sugarcane farming. There was no immediate reaction from the CojuangcoAquinos nor the Lorenzos. KMP has said the Agrikulto Inc. is a subsidiary of Central Azucarera de Tarlac. Among members of its board of directors is Cojuangco scion Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco Jr.

The Lorenzo family of Lapanday banana plantation are majority shareholders of Central Azucarera de Tarlac, the labor group said. According to the KMP, the sacadas who came all the way from Barandias, Bismin, Mendez, Adtuyon and Poblacion villages in Pangantukan, Bukidnon were promised by their recruiters P220 per ton with free meals and lodging and better working conditions. The recruiters paid each sacada family P7,000 in cash advance and loaned P3,400 to each sacada for their fare from Bukidnon to Tarlac.

Prosecutors deny Roque’s bum rap By Rio N. Araja THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday denied Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque’s accusations that government prosecutors received bribe money for the dismissal of high-profile cases at the Sandiganbayan. The Ombudsman’s Office of the Special Prosecutor reacted to the allegations of Roque that “nagkakalagayan sa OSP” or prosecutors were being paid off. Special Prosecutor Wendell Barreras-Sulit denied Roque’s statement. “We register our vehement objection to this unfounded and libelous statement as if [Roque] has personal knowledge of the bribery. We challenge him to come out with the names of prosecutors

tainted with this despicable reputation,” she said. She urged Roque to identify prosecutors whom he knew had accepted bribe money to lose the case at the Sandiganbayan. The Sandiganbayan has acquitted, for lack of evidence, Sen. Joseph Victor Ejercito over supposed misuse of San Juan City’s calamity fund to buy ﬁrearms when he was then the city mayor. The anti-graft court’s Second Division also absolved former agriculture undersecretary Jocelyn “Joc-joc” Bolante over the P723million fertilizer fund scam. Ex-Makati City Mayor Elenita Binay was also cleared of graft over the alleged rigged bidding for the purchase of furniture and ofﬁce partitions in 2000.

The Sandiganbayan also dropped the graft and malversation raps against then representative Sherwin Gatchalian and former Local Water Utilities Authority chief Prospero Pichay, graft and reckless imprudence resulting in multiple homicide and multiple physical injury cases against Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian and plunder and graft raps against former president Gloria Aroryo in the NBN-ZTE broadband deal. “As an ofﬁce, we can be proud of our accomplishments and the records will show that in 2016, we have garnered a 70 percent conviction rate, as against the 30 percent which were unfortunately dismissed,” Barreras-Sulit said. The OSP is Ombudsman’s prosecutorial arm.

NOTICE OF DECREASE IN AUTHORIZED CAPITAL STOCK OF CLARK WATER CORPORATION Notice is hereby given that the Board of Directors of Clark Water Corporation (the “Corporation”), during its regular meeting held on 11 November 2016 at the PVAP Office, 3rd Floor, UP Town Corporate Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, approved the amendment of the Seventh Article of the Amended Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation decreasing the authorized capital stock of the Corporation from One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php100,000.00) divided into Three Hundred (300) common shares and Seven Hundred (700) redeemable preferred shares, both with a par value of One Hundred Pesos (Php100.00) per share, to Thirty Thousand Pesos (Php30,000.00) divided into Three Hundred (300) common shares, with a par value of One Hundred Peso (Php100.00) per share, for the purpose of removing the Seven Hundred (700) redeemable preferred shares, through the retirement of the said preferred shares, all of which have been redeemed and are held in treasury. Notice is likewise given that the decrease in authorized capital stock of the Corporation was approved by the stockholders owning and/or representing at least two-thirds (2/3) of the outstanding capital stock of the Corporation at a special meeting held on 11 November 2016 at the PVAP Office, 3rd Floor, UP Town Corporate Center, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. This announcement serves as notice to all concerned parties of the amendment of the Articles of Incorporation and the decrease of the authorized capital stock of the Corporation. Quezon City, 4 January 2017.

JOSEPHINE F. PAGDANGANAN Corporate Secretary Standard – Jan. 6, 2017

Opinion

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Rough ride

HE economy may be in for a rough ride this year, given the specter of rising US interest rates and crude prices, a new president in the United States and President Rodrigo Duterte’s unpredictability.

The Philippine macro-economic fundamentals have so far been kept intact by economic managers, but the phased US interest rate hike this year will surely weaken the peso further against the American dollar and

Adelle Chua, Editor

curb investments in the local stock market, as foreign fund managers seek more attractive returns elsewhere. President Duterte’s fiery outbursts and his repeated diatribes against donor countries and international fig-

ureheads are certain to dampen the sentiments of foreign investors and may eventually translate into lost investment opportunities. The stock market in the latter part of 2016 entered the bear territory—the index lost 16 percent from a peak in mid-July to end the year down 1.6 percent—while the peso teetered toward the 50 level against the greenback. But the Philippine

economy can weather numerous challenges in the global economy, local political distractions and President Duterte’s foul mouth as long as Manila sticks to its plan of ramping up infrastructure spending and keeping the fiscal house in order. The country’s three main dollar earners— migrant Filipino workers, business process outsourcing companies and tourism—will con-

tinue to churn out revenues to cushion the downward pressure on the peso. The promised infrastructure spending, meanwhile, will hopefully generate jobs that, in turn, increases domestic consumption. The inflation rate may act up in the wake of firmer crude prices abroad, while local interest rates could tick up (which means higher cost of money) in response to the US Fed

move. Despite the changing global economic landscape, however, the Philippine economy is poised to expand solidly, thanks largely to a big population and the vibrant domestic demand. The growth path will not likely reverse its course, unless Mr. Duterte makes a U-turn and tears up the economic fundamentals built by his predecessors. VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Grant the P2k pension hike

01-06-17

Mocha and Abaya LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES HE HAD the political pedigree, graduated from a top military school in the United States, had held a Congress seat and delivered the vote of a strategic constituency. And yet Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya was probably the worst person to have held a Cabinet position ever. Abaya, in his five years as transportation and communications secretary, left behind a swath of destruction that is more closely associated with the aftermath of a super-typhoon than with an appointee to government. Abaya bequeathed the nation with a legacy of broken, sold-off and anomalously maintained train systems, horrendous, world-beating traffic and airports bedeviled by chaos, unprecedented delays and preda-

tory “laglag bala” law enforcers, among many other great feats; the man could not even issue license plates, drivers’ licenses and sticker tags that every other administration had no problem delivering, for crying out loud. And yet, Abaya’s good buddy, Noynoy Aquino, never saw or heard anything bad that his transportation secretary did. In a now-famous “joke,” Aquino even said he and Abaya would lie down on a stretch of railroad track and allow themselves to get run over by a train, if they weren’t able to complete the extension of the LRT Line 1 to Bacoor, Cavite. (Of course, the remark only became a joke when it became clear that the extension project would not be completed—or even started—during Aquino’s term. If Abaya had somehow beaten the odds and completed the project, it would be another of those great achievements of the Great Leader of the Yellow regime, naturally.)

I remembered the departed, unlamented Abaya yesterday, when I heard the usual Yellow suspects tear up again because President Rodrigo Duterte had

I imagine Duterte signing Uson’s appointment with glee, because he knows just how the Yellows will react to it. appointed popular blogger Mocha Uson to the board of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board. You’d think that the sky had fallen,

the way the Yellows carried on about how Uson was being repaid for her efforts to get Duterte elected—as if their now-quiet idol from Times Street never did the same thing and with more terrible consequences, as in the case of the appointment of the aforementioned Abaya. But then, Uson has always enraged the Yellows, who somehow seem to think that the sexy dancer and online superstar is to blame for everything that is wrong in this country—apart, of course, from Duterte himself. Uson’s millions of fans and online followers, of course, revere her for her politics and her way of connecting with the Duterte mass base, something that angers the elitist Yellows even more. Uson received a foretaste of the Yellows’ wrath when she was appointed “ambassador” of the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. Even earlier, when it was reported that she was being considered for the

post of social media consultant of the Bureau of Customs, Uson was pilloried and called the same names that used to be reserved in the previous administration for presidential sister Kris Aquino. Of course, the elitist anger that Uson elicits from the Yellows is only a fraction of what her idol Duterte has been reaping for himself as the ultimate outsider who turned politics as usual on its head with his election. The people who have decided that Duterte is all wrong for the presidency because he cusses and supposedly kills are the same ones who sniff—as one online report did, upon Uson’s appointment—that “[b]efore the campaign, Uson was known for giving sex tips online.” Joseph Abaya never did anything salacious like that that we know of. But whatever Uson does as MTRCB board member (she’s not even the chairman), she’s never going to be able to damage the entire country like Turn to A5 Abaya did.

I DON’T believe the BS that the Social Security System would go bankrupt in 10 years if it didn’t pay the P2,000 additional monthly pension being sought by a bill awaiting signature by President Duterte. The SSS is one of the largest, most liquid, most profitable and one of the best-run companies in the Philippines. Its annual revenues of P162 billion rank SSS as the ninth largest company in the Philippines. In terms of profits, SSS is the No. 1 company in the country. Only San Miguel Corp. (P678 billion), Top Frontier Investment Holdings (677.76 billion), Petron Corp.,(P361 billion), SM Investments Corp. (P296 billion), Manila Electric Co.(P258 billion), JG Summit Holdings (P231 billion), Ayala Corp.(207 billion) and PLDT (P171 billion) make more revenues. These figures are culled from BizNewsAsia’s list of 1000 largest corporations for 2015 out this week. In terms of profits, no other company makes more. Only SSS. SMC, Petron, SM, Meralco, JG Summit, Ayala and PLDT have to deliver a good product or a good service and do excellent marketing to generate their revenues and profits. They hassle for every peso of revenue and profit. SSS does not need to do these fancy things to generate income. In fact, SSS can render such a really bad service and still grow its revenues year after year. Why? Because SSS makes money from the compulsory contributions of its members—numbering 34 million. If SSS members don’t pay their premium they are penalized—through denial of benefits and even a lawsuit. SMC does not punish you if you don’t buy its beer, its chicken, its petrol, its electricity, or patronize its tollways. Same with SM, Ayala, JG Summit, and PLDT. These companies are forced to offer excellent product or service to generate revenue or make it profit. They live in a competitive world. Not SSS. It has a monopoly business. And it is a bad monopoly. You can appoint a dog or a rat as president and CEO of SSS and the system still will make a lot of money. Why? Because you, members, are required by law to contribute to it. And the worse its service, the more SSS makes money. That’s why for SSS, making money is a noTurn to A5

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Opinion

Necessity needs no law

VERY recently, Bryan TioAnd in light of these janco wrote an intelligent distinctions, how does the and provocative piece that argument for EJKs, for he entitled “What lawyers short-cuts taken by podon’t get about Duterte”. lice officers, and for the Acutely distinguishing be- summary “disposals” of tween “legality” and “legiti- suspected drug peddlers macy”, I do not think it was stand to the test and to the ever his intention to argue challenge of reason? Lefor EJKs. It is rather his po- gitimacy is not a matter of sition that the body count, counting noses. It has to that has been sufficiently do with claims, challenges bemoaned, will continue to to claims and the responsirise for as long as this draco- bility with which an advonian measure is perceived cate advances reasons in to be necessary to defend support of those claims as the country. This places well as how well such reathe entire debate where it sons stand the test of refushould be—in the sphere of tation and rebuttal. And legal philosophy and consti- that is just the trouble with tutional theory. the EJK issue, because Mr. Tiojanco’s position plenty of what we get in demands that one be willing purported support of the to distinguish two charac- violence that has marked terizations: “legal” and “le- the aggressive campaign gitimate”, and another way against drugs and their inof putting that is to say that dubitable proliferation has not everything legal need be taken the form of unintellilegitimate, and what is le- gent trolling —comments gitimate may a n d posts on not always be social provided for by the law. media The To be sure, sites proa distinction discussion viding a n a logo u s prime to this has must examlong been continue. ples of maintained non seq u it u r s in the history and unof thought. Scholastic philosophers pardonable speciousness! distinguished between the In fact, labelling and “moral” and the “legal”, slandering are the antithalthough it was difficult esis of rational argumento maintain distinctness tation, and of that, we in view of their insistence have plenty from the very that law be “ordo rationis… vocal supporters of the an order of reason”, which present administration’s is exactly what a moral measures. In the end the norm was also supposed elemental questions must to be: a dictate of right be answered whether the reason. More recently, summary execution of however, legal positivists persons suspected of drughave stressed the distinc- dealing can be supported tion—and advocated the by sound argument—and stringent separation. Norms whether its proponents have authority because they can offer sound answers are recognized as such by to the objections pointedly “rules of recognition” that raised. Absent that, it will are antecedently accepted. not do to try to find justifiJurgen Habermas, for his cation for what is undoubtpart, in an attempt at what edly “illegal” by appealing one may characterize as a to “legitimacy”. “reconstruction of natural If anything at all, the law theory” hinges his en- discussion must continue tire argument on the differ- —and urgently, and the ence between the facticity scrutiny of reason must be of norms and their valid- as relentless and as thority—their worthiness of ough. The commonly inadherence and acceptance. terposed objection—Who In Habermas, as in Finnis will judge?—is a specious, —an advocate of a revived non-issue: Anyone with the natural law theory—there faculty of judgment will is appeal to reason. Haber- judge, and that is what dismas calls on the power of course is all about. To deny communicative action: the this is to deny our capacity reasoned common defini- for discourse and to leave us tion of a situation and the all to the mercy of strategic juris-generative power of action as the only way of refree and untrammeled ex- solving disputes. This canchange. not be our lot. rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@outlook.com

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Russian bear, Chinese dragon

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO SOME foreign observers are alarmed the Philippines is being locked in the embrace of the Russian bear and the Chinese dragon. This was after the recent ports of call by Russian vessels at the South Harbor and President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to hold military exercises between Filipino and Russian troops even as he threatened to scrap the same war games between the Philippines and the United States. The US-PHL “Balikatan” war exercises are held annually under the Mutual Defense treaty, Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement between the two countries. The three defense agreements are sanctioned and signed by officials of both governments. Is the planned Philippine-Russian war exercises covered by such official agreements? There are

now concerns President Duterte has delivered the country into the hands of the Russian bear and the fire-breathing Chinese dragon. In the light of Chinese encroachment and military buildup in the South China Sea, the Philippines has become even more vulnerable without the US defense umbrella. US State Department spokesman John Kirby, however, downplayed news of the Moscow-Manila defense cooperation, saying the US bilateral relations with the Philippines remain strong. Along with the recent development, the US announced the deployment of patrol boats in the South China Sea. The US boats will sail in international waters but close to the artificial islands the Chinese built to install naval stations including an airstrip. The US deployment is meant to keep free vital international shipping lanes in the South China Sea. The SCS is a flashpoint in the region owing to the simmering territorial dispute among China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia and Taiwan.

With the Russkies coming in, the South China Sea is going to be more crowded. A volatile situation arising from a miscalculation and a collision of ships of the three military powers cannot be ruled out. So what happens to the US pivot to Asia and its rebalancing of forces to remain a Pacific power? The Philippine president, as seen by international observers, might have just thrown a monkey wrench to America’s grandiose Pacific plan. Against this looming perfect storm in the South China, we have to hear from Foreign Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. The formulation of foreign policy more or less emanates from the executive. But it is expected that our foreign secretary at least has a hand in its conceptualization and formulation of foreign policy that redounds to the benefit of the country instead of delivering us to the barbarians at the gates.

government also has to cope with expenditures. President Duterte’s plan to raise the salary of soldiers and policemen, along with the monthly pension of retirees, has come into money problems. Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno tried to defend the President saying Mr. Duterte cannot be held down to his promise during the election campaign. The realities, Diokno, said is that there are not enough funds and to raise the pension would bankrupt the Social Security System in the long run. Why didn’t the President’s financial advisers factor in the cost and contribution of workers into SSS coffers? In the insurance business, this is done by experts called actuaries. They project the life span of beneficiaries vis-a-vis the monthly premium paid by the insured. That is the problem with recycled Cabinet members like Diokno who served as budget secretary in the administration Money problems of former President Joseph EsAs if it were not enough that trada. Instead of thinking out the country has to deal with ex- of the box, they are straitjackternal and internal threats, the eted by old-school practice.

China can’t quit the dollar By Christopher Balding CHINA’S leaders are hardly disguising their fears about money leaving the country. They’ve just imposed new disclosure rules limiting how Chinese—who are allowed to convert up to $50,000 worth of yuan into foreign currency each year— can spend that money overseas. Simultaneously, they’re striving to tamp down worries about the tumbling yuan, which has fallen to an eight-year low against the US dollar. At the end of December, the government added 11 currencies to the basket against which it now values the yuan. While the Chinese currency fell 6.5 percent against the dollar in 2016, its value measured against the broader basket has remained largely stable since July. The idea, at least in part, is to persuade ordinary Chinese that their nest eggs are safe in renminbi. Unfortunately, this latest effort isn’t likely to work any better than earlier ones. The yuan remains inextricably bound to the US dollar—and everyone knows it. The People’s Bank of China created the exchange-rate basket roughly a year ago. The goal was twofold—to shift attention away from the yuan’s precipitous

decline against the dollar and to reduce China’s dependence on the US currency. The latter was widely seen as humiliating—an affront to a rising superpower and the world’s second-largest economy. That resentment helped drive China’s effort— since stalled—to internationalize its currency. Yet any cursory review makes clear that the link between the yuan and the dollar remains as tight as ever. In November 2016, 98 percent of turnover in China’s foreign-exchange market took place between those two currencies. Flows of capital into and out of China show an only slightly less lopsided pattern. Between them, the US and Hong Kong dollars (the latter is hard-pegged to the US currency) account for 91 percent of China’s non-yuan international bank transactions. The smaller currencies that make up nearly half of the basket comprise only 1.7 percent of international bank payments and receipts. Even the Bank for International Settlements estimates that 80 percent of China’s local loans in foreign currency are denominated in dollars. That’s the number that really matters: If the yuan continues to fall against the dollar, companies are going to have a harder time

paying back those loans regardless of what the renminbi is or isn’t worth against the government’s official basket. All this is clear to ordinary investors. During my nearly eight years in China, I’ve never heard any Chinese citizen worry about the value of the yuan against the Emirati dirham. So as long as the yuan continues to depreciate in dollar terms, Chinese are going to look for ways to get their money out of the country, despite any barriers the government might throw in their way. China’s options for preventing further outflows are limited. The PBOC could continue to deplete the country’s $3 trillion in foreign exchange reserves in an effort to prop up the yuan. That’s a risky game, though, as it reduces the stockpiles of hard currency needed to repay foreign-denominated debt and provide liquidity for international trade. As others have argued, reserves should be deployed strategically, not squandered defending bad policy. The implicit dollar peg shrinks the government’s other policy options. With the Federal Reserve set to raise rates at least once and possibly as many as three times this year, the PBOC faces pressure to

raise rates too —or to let the yuan fall even faster. Simply put, the link to the dollar limits the independence of China’s monetary policy. Tweaking the currency basket isn’t going to help. One intermediate step China could take is to make it easier to trade and transact in currencies other than the dollar. The government has already eased rules on central banks and institutions trading Chinese fixed income and yuan in order to jumpstart what officials hope will become a broader market. The government could take similar steps to encourage growth in non-USD payments and trading—paying for steel imports in Korean won, for example, or acquiring a Thai factory in baht. Ultimately, of course, the only way to break free of the dollar is to accept a floating currency without capital controls. The government shows no appetite for the volatility this would entail, not least because in the short run, downward pressure on the yuan would prompt even larger outflows. But cosmetic changes to a basket of currencies—most of which don’t even trade with the renminbi—are no substitute. Bloomberg

to confuse Duterte. After all, if they had any sense at all, they would understand that Uson is not being promoted beyond her capabilities and experience as a show business personality for the past decade or so. It’s not as if Uson was being asked to negotiate with the People’s Republic of China in back-channel talks. And Uson is definitely more qualified for a board seat at the MTRCB—and

has a better chance of succeeding—than Antonio Trillanes was to become our country’s de facto envoy to the Chinese government, right? And why should Duterte not be allowed to appoint someone like Uson, who was his secret online weapon during the last elections, to some harmless government post? Did the Yellows really want Duterte to give the position to their political fellow

travelers Jim Paredes, Leah Navarro or Cynthia Patag? The Yellows really should focus more on their reported plans to remove Duterte during the first quarter of this year instead of wasting their energy decrying Uson’s appointment. There are bigger problems that they have to solve, after all— like how to get more people to join their on-again, off-again rallies, for instance.

Mocha... From A4 *** I can imagine Duterte signing Uson’s appointment with glee, because he knows just how the marginalized Yellows will react to it. And if there’s anything we know about the new president, he likes to thumb his nose at the people who are doing everything they can to make sure that he doesn’t succeed. But perhaps the Yellows should be a little less predictable, just

Grant... From A4 brainer. That’s why anyone appointed president or CEO invariably end up being a corporate genius. Managing SSS is like a picnic or a walk in the park. In fact, its managers don’t bother to walk in the park. They simply smile all the way to the bank. According to former Rep. Neri Colmenares, SSS currently collects only 24 percent of its potential revenues. This implies that if SSS were a little more efficient, it could easily double, triple or even quadruple its potential revenues. SSS could make P500 billion in annual revenues, ranking it behind only money powerhouse San Miguel. Note that SSS has 34-million members. Of that, 20 million are not paying premiums or are inactive. Could you imagine

the extra SSS income if those people were located by SSS? Comes now our populist President Duterte breaking a campaign promise to grant pensioners’ P2,000 a month pension increase. The tough- guy chief executive’s so-called economic managers have scared him out of his wits that SSS would go bankrupt if he made good on his promise. Economists by nature can be heartless analysts. They are not affected by emotions. They cannot assign numbers to such abstract concepts as social justice. But politicians like Duterte are very good at perceiving what is social justice. Digong is a socialist. He also likes to render quick justice. Look at the some 6,000

killed in his anti-drugs war. They are all in the name of having a good society. Come on, Pareng Digong. Nothing can be further from truth that SSS would be bankrupt in eight to 10 years with the simple grant of P2,000 a month pension increase. SSS is not that weak an institution. Simple math will solve your problem, Mr. President. I finished college and I am not an SSS pensioner (SSS does not recognize me as a member), so I can do the SSS math with some objectivity. According to SSS data, its granting the P2,000 pension increase per month would mean P64 billion a year additional drain on its income (doubt those figures). P64B divided by 12 is P5.33 billion a month.

SSS makes a P40.695 billion in profits a year (2015 data). That’s P3.39 billion net income a month. Not even the largest of our banks or the largest of private companies make that much money. Deduct P3.39 billion from the additional expenditure of P5.33 billion a month (to meet the P2K a month pension increase), the SSS income deficit would be P1.998 billion a month or P23.976 billion a year. SSS has a reserve fund of P470 billion (October 2016 data). That’s cold cash. Divide 470B by 23.976B. You get 19.6. That’s the number of years SSS would use up its cash reserve fund if it charged the pension deficit of P23.976 billion a year— assuming SSS did nothing else to increase

its revenue and its profit. Could it happen that SSS could improve its reserve fund in the next 20 years? No. D ba? As I have said, SSS managers are geniuses. They are also backed up by a law that penalizes non-payment of SSS contributions. By the way, did you know what is SSS’s product or service? It is not collecting contributions. It is not making money from its investments. It is social justice. Social justice is the cornerstone of a stable society. Sans social justice, you have a revolution. I am not suggesting that the 2.2-million pensioners storm the SSS barricades, although that may not be a bad idea.

News

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Manila traffic rerouted T By Joel E. Zurbano

Those using Taft Avenue northbound shall turn right at Antonio Villegas St. (Arroceros), right at Quezon Bridge to point of destination while northbound motorists coming from southern Manila on Roxas Boulevard from T.M. Kalaw to P. Burgos should turn right at Kalaw Street to point of destination. Motorists coming from Quezon City using España Boulevard shall turn right at P. Campa Street, left at Andalucia, right at Fugoso, left at T. Mapua to point of destination. All public utility jeepneys and other light vehicles coming from España going to South Pier Zone must take Nicanor Reyes, right at CM Recto,

HE Metro Manila Development Authority and the government of Manila will reroute trafﬁc in connection with the annual procession of the Black Nazarene, locally called “traslacion,” in Quiapo on Jan. 9. During the procession, motorists coming from the northern part of Manila are advised to take the southbound lane of Bonifacio Drive in the Port Area and turn right at Roberto S. Oca Street, left at Delgado and take 25th Street to Bonifacio Drive, right at

A. Soriano to Magallanes Drive, right at P. Burgos, go straight to Lagusnilad to Taft Avenue. The MMDA advisory also stated that other vehicles going southern Metro Manila must take A. Soriano to their destination.

straight to Jose Abad Santos, left at Reina Regente, left at Juan Luna, left at San Vicente, take Jones Bridge to point of destination. Motorists coming from Divisoria using the stretch of Claro M. Recto are advised to take T. Alonzo, right at Fugoso, left at Oroquieta, right at Alvarez, left at Andalucia to point of destination. All vehicles coming from Legarda shall turn right at Recto or left at Mendiola to point of destination while vehicles or cargo trucks coming from Pier South shall take President Osmeña, right at President Quirino to Nagtahan via Arsenio Lacson to Capulong and vice versa.

MMDA chief warns erring bus companies NINE out of 16 bus companies plying the busy Epifanio de los Santos Avenue in Pasay City were found to have violated new traffic regulations meant to ease traffic on primary thoroughfare traversing Metro Manila. Metro Manila Development Authority acting chairman Thomas Orbos said the bus firms are Aranda Line, RMB Liner, Grand Transport, Diamond Star, Ma Victoria Transport Inc., DLTB Co., Dimple Star, St. Jude Bus Lines and C. Bragais/Pamar Bus Co., which terminals are situated

near Tramo Street corner Edsa. Orbos said the bus companies failed the “nose in, nose out” test during their surprise inspection on Wednesday and most of the firms also lacked the maneuvering space at their own terminals, a clear violation of the policy. Orbos warned the bus companies if they will not comply with the policy until next week, the MMDA in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, they will be sanctioned. “We will give them enough time

Republic of the Philippines ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF EMERGENCY CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROJECTS 2015-2016 OF LEYTE V ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. (LEYECO V) WITH AUTHORITY TO SECURE LOAN AND MOTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY, LEYTE V ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE INC. (LEYECO V), Applicant. x------------------------------------------------------x

ERC CASE NO. 2016 -162 RC

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 18 August 2016, Leyte V Electric Cooperative, Inc. (LEYECO V) filed an Application (With Motion for the Issuance of Provisional Authority) seeking the Commission’s approval of its Emergency Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Projects for 2015-2016, with authority to secure loan. LEYECO V alleged the following in its Application: I.

THE APPLICANT

The applicant, LEYECO V is a non-stock, non-profit Electric Cooperative duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the Presidential Decree 269, as amended, with capacity to sue and be sued, with principal office address at San Pablo, Ormoc City, Leyte where it may be served with summons and other legal processes, represented in this instance by its General Manager, ENGR. JUANITO E. JORDA, JR., who is authorized to file this application per Board Resolution No.125 series of 2015 dated November 30, 2015, copy of which is hereto attached as “Annex A”.

Herein applicant is the exclusive franchise holder issued by the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to operate an electric light and power services in the City of Ormoc and 11 municipalities in the 3rd & 4th Congressional Districts of Leyte Province. A copy of Applicant LEYECO V’s Certificate of Franchise is hereto attached as “Annex B”.

II.

THE ANTECEDENT FACTS

Prior to this filing, applicant’s Capital Expenditure Projects under its 20112015 Distribution Development Plan (DDP) was approved by the Honourable Commission through ERC promulgated Decision dated April 13, 2015 under ERC Case No. 2011-136 RC.

The aforementioned ERC Decision has confirmed some of the CAPEX projects funded through National Electrification Administration (NEA) fund subsidy for Yolanda Recovery Rehabilitation Plan (YRRP); other proposed CAPEX projects were approved for acquisition and commissioning; and several projects were deferred; This Application covers the items of CAPEX projects 2011-2015 that though deferred by the Honourable Commission, but due to present existing circumstances, are badly needed to be acquired and commissioned on the year 2015 to 2016, details of which are as follows:

PROJECT PROJECT DESCRIPTION 2015 2016 CODE Network Projects (Substation Development Plan) (NP-SDP) NP-SDP-01 New 20M VA Ormoc Substation 18,900,000 23,000,303 New 10 M VA Palompon 13,200,000 28,334,303 Substation NP-SDP-02 Construction of 69kV Line for the 4,635,540 1,986,660 Proposed 10 M VA Palompon Substation Non-Network Project (NNP) NNP-01 Accounting 3,388,000 Computerization System NNP-02 Reliability Analysis Software 240,000 NNP-03 Short Circuit Analysis Software 356,000 TOTAL PROJECT COST 40,719,540 53,321,266 6.

TOTAL 41,900,303 41,534,303 6,622,200

3,388,000 240,000 356,000 94,040,806

On January 14, 2016 herein Applicant filed similar case before the Honorable Office of Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) docketed as ERC Case No. 2016-004 RC. During the scheduled Public Hearing of the aforementioned case on August 9, 2016, the said ERC Case No. 2016-004 RC was ruled as non-compliant with the ERC Order dated 21 June 2016 with respect to jurisdictional requirement specifically on: “the publication of the Notice of Public Hearing in two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines, twice (2x) within two (2) successive weeks, the dates of publication not being less than seven (7) days apart, ...” Though Applicant LEYECO V made the publications in two (2) national newspapers; but, the dates of publications were only five (5) days apart, contrary to the directive of seven (7) days apart; and some certifications issued by LGUs have no seal mark. Despite the manifestations and appeal for reconsideration by herein Applicant, the ERC through its Hearing Officer ruled otherwise, dismissing the ERC Case No. 2016-004 RC for non-compliance to jurisdictional requirement. However, the ERC Hearing Officer, in open court, had advised the Applicant LEYECO V to re-file the case the soonest possible time. Hence, herein Applicant LEYECO V is respectfully re-filing this similar case, as captioned above, for approval of its Emergency Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Projects 2015-2016 implementation, with Authority to Secure Loan and Motion for the Issuance of Provisional Authority.

III.

LEGAL BASIS FOR THE APPLICATION

This emergency CAPEX Application is in compliance to Resolution No. 26, series of 2009, “A Resolution Amending the Rules for the Approval of Regulated Entities’ Capital Expenditure Projects” adopted by the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) pursuant to Section 43 of the Republic Act No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, in relation to ERC Resolution No. 20, series of 2010, which categorically provides that all capital expenditure projects shall be submitted for approval of the Honourable Commission prior to their implementation.

Moreover, the prayer seeking for authority to secure loan from the Honourable Commission, to finance the aforementioned Emergency CAPEX, is being filed pursuant to the power of ERC mandated under Section 20, parag. (g) of the Commonwealth Act Bo. 146, known as The Public Service Law.

IV.

STATEMENT OF FACTS OF LEYECO V’s DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

Though LEYECO V’s Distribution System was devastated by super typhoon Yolanda last November 8, 2013, most of its facilities were already restored through the help of the National Electrification Administration (NEA) under its Yolanda Restoration and Rehabilitation Program (YRRP).

to find space where they will put their buses. We will give them until Tuesday, then talk to LTFRB,” said Orbos. Orbos said he is also considering issuing citation tickets to the bus companies if they continue ignoring the policy. “Even if we have to issue tickets every day,” he said. The policy, according to Orbos, requires buses to get in and out of the terminals in one simple maneuver and they are not allowed to load and unload outside their respective terminals.

Delgra rapped over fare hikes

Last month, MMDA traffic personnel and other members of the InterAgency Council on Traffic conducted a dry run operation to remind provincial bus operators and owners of the long existing regulation. Under MMDA Resolution 16-06, Series of 2016, the agency reiterates the Nose-In, Nose Out policy of provincial buses entering and exiting the terminals located along Edsa, stressing that there should be no queuing of buses along the major thoroughfare at anytime. Joel E. Zurbano

By Rio N. Araja AFTER only six months in office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board Chairman Martin Delgra III is already facing charges of gross neglect of duty, graft and violation of code of ethics before the Ombudsman for his supposed failure to act on fare hike petitions. Efren de Luna, national president of the Alliance of Concerned Transport Organization, also included in the complaint sheet board members Ronaldo Corpus and Lourdes Lizada. He also urged Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales to place Delgra under a 90-day preventive suspension. In a four-page complaint filed before the Ombudsman, De Luna accused Delgra, Corpus and Lizada of “undue delay, inaction and efficiency” to the inconvenience of the operators, drivers and the riding public. He alleged Delgra did not act on the petitions to reverse the minimum jeepney fare to P7.50 in May 2016 and October 2016, and another petition to implement a rush-hour rate for passenger jeepneys in Metro Manila in March 2016. “It is frustrating that the LTFRB would not take any action on the above cases concerning PUJ fares while it allows the transport network companies (TNCs), such as Uber and Grab, to unilaterally implement its own fare scheme enabling them to impose surge pricing and rush hour rate without having undergone the mandatory process under the Public Service Act,” the complaint read. Moreover, the LTFRB did not act on the operators’ applications for dropping and substitution. “Without a plate, they will have no source of income. The continued delay in acting upon these applications affects the living of these operators,” De Luna lamented.

10. And on April 13, 2015, the ERC granted the go signal to herein Applicant LEYECO V to proceed with the acquisition and implementation of some of its proposed 2011-2015 CAPEX projects, re: reclosers; power capacitor; renovation of engineering building; procurement of service utility vehicles; procurement of hydraulic boom trucks; procurement of tools and equipment. However, other proposed 2011-2015 CAPEX projects were deferred and suggested to be included in the next CAPEX proposal for 2016-2020.

24. It bears to repeat that this instant Application is being filed ahead of the regular CAPEX timeline, for the same is considered ‘Emergency CAPEX’ which must be implemented starting this year 2015 and must be finished on 2016; otherwise, LEYECO V Substations in Ormoc and in Tabango will be overloaded. Further delay on the implementation of this line-up “Emergency CAPEX’ will result to frequent power interruptions and non-accommodation of new consumers into the system.

11. At present, some households and establishments which were affected by super typhoon Yolanda, have now re-applied for power connections to LEYECO V’s distribution system, and consequently power demands are rapidly increasing within the franchise area of LEYECO V. Please see LEYECO V System Energy (kWh) Sales Forecast in 2016 to 2028, “Annex C”.

25. Considering the foregoing, Applicant respectfully prays that while the instant application is pending, it be granted a provisional authority to proceed in securing a loan for the acquisition and commissioning of the proposed ‘Emergency CAPEX’, pursuant to Rule 14, Section 3 of ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure. 26. In support to this request for provisional authority pending final approval of the instant Application, a judicial affidavit of LEYECO V’s Planning & Energy Trading Division Head is hereto attached and made integral part of this application and marked as “Annex X”.

12. Recent assessment and evaluation of LEYECO V’s existing loading and available substation capacity showed that its 20MVA Substation in Ormoc City is critically loaded up to 95.70% this year 2015. The situation of the power transformer is at the critical level, wherein at any time soon, it could be busted considering the growing demand in Ormoc City. Moreover, the Tabango Substation which has a present load of 66.17% will surely exceed the 70% loading criterion come 2016. Please see Substation Capacity Analysis, “Annex D”. 13. Hence, to avoid power interruptions and accommodate rapidly increasing power demands from existing and new consumers, the aforementioned proposed Emergency CAPEX Network Projects are needed and must be implemented this 2015-2016. 14. On the other hand, LEYECO V is at present encountering difficulties in restoring its computerization system, after the same was struck and destroyed by super typhoon Yolanda on November 8, 2013. In fact, Applicant is relying at present on its old and almost obsolete 1998 Manual Accounting System. Thus, the proposed procurement of Accounting Computerized System Software & Hardware. 15. Since then, LEYECO V has no reliability software that can be used to simulate its system performance. Manual assessment of its system’s reliability was so tedious considering that LEYECO V distribution line is composed of thousands of nodes. Thus, the proposed acquisition of ‘Reliability Analysis Software’ will enable the Applicant to accurately simulate its system’s reliability performance and comply its multi-year CAPEX application within the timeline.

IX. SUPPORTING DATA AND DOCUMENTS 27. In support of this Application, LEYECO V has hereto submit attached documents for ERC evaluation, and are being made integral parts hereof, to wit: ANNEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N 0 P Q

16. Likewise, LEYECO V has no short circuit analysis software that can be used to simulate its system’s safety performance. Again, the proposed acquisition of ‘Short Circuit Analysis Software’ would enable the Applicant to accurately do simulation test and processes, and readily comply its multi-year CAPEX preparation. V.

URGENCY OF THE PROPOSED CAPEX 2015-2016 ACQUISITION

R S

17. The instant Application requesting immediate acquisition and commissioning of aforementioned ‘Emergency CAPEX Projects 2015-2016’ is actually a remedial action/solution proposed by applicant, LEYECO V to avert impending busting of its Ormoc City Sub-Station due to overloading, which at present already exceeds the 70% capacity limit. Likewise, the proposal if granted will avoid the overloading of LEYECO V’s Palompon Sub-Station, and maintain compliance of performance standard criteria required under Philippine Distribution Code (PDC) and the safety standards of the Philippine Electrical Code (PDC). 18. The proposed Non-Network projects are equally urgent for acquisition and implementation, for LEYECO V to improve its service efficiency and to accurately simulate its complicated Distribution System. The same are necessary in the preparation of LEYECO V’s multi-year CAPEX projects and in periodic evaluation & analysis of its Distribution System. VI. INDICATIVE RATE IMPACT 19. Applicant LEYECO V has existing Reinvestment Fund for Sustainable Capital Expenditure (RFSC) at a rate of P0.2904 per kWh. Computing the RFSC for the year 2015, the total revenue expected to be earned at 95% collection efficiency is PhP44,153,287.20. Obviously, this revenue is not enough to finance the said ‘Emergency CAPEX’ requirement, more so that Applicant is still recovering from the devastation brought about by super typhoon Yolanda. However, proceeds of the RFSC starting the year 2015 can be used in financing the annual amortization of a loan. As such, the projected cash inflow for the years 2015 to 2021 are as follows: Simulation of RFSC Revenue Vs Debt Servicing Cash INFLOW RFSC Sub Total Collection Efficiency (%) Net Cash Flow

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

44,153,287.20 45,760,070.40 47,563,454.40

49,367,128.80

51,170,222.40

52,973,606.40 54,777,280.80

44,153,287.20 45,760,070.40 47,563,454.40 95% 97% 98%

49,367,128.80 99%

51,170,222.40 99%

52,973,606.40 54,777,280.80 99% 99%

41,945,622.84 44,387,268.29 46,612,185.31

48,873,457.51

50,658,520.18

52,443,870.34 54,229,507.99

Cash 2015 2016 2017 OUTFLOW DEBT SERVICING 20,016,460.50 48,724,501.76 37,586,162.54 Current CAPEX 1 555,992.55 2,236,189.81 3,474,288.41 Others 293,727.99 CAPEX2 5,661,969.59 CAPEX 3 ERC Capex 305,396.55 399,909.49 Approval Fees Sub Total 21,171,577.59 51,360,601.06 46,722,420.53

2018

.2019

2020

U V w X Y

COMPLIANCE WITH PRE-FILING REQUIREMENTS 28. Applicant LEYECO V has duly complied with pre-filing requirements mandated under Rule 3, Section 4 (e) of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of the EPIRA, and as required in Section 2, Rule 6, of ERC Rules of Practice and Procedure, by furnishing copies of the Application together with its supporting annexes to the Sangguniang Bayans of 11 municipalities in 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts of the Province of Leyte; in Sangguniang Panlungsod of Ormoc City; and in Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Province of Leyte. It likewise published the Application in its entirety in a newspaper of general circulation in the Province of Leyte, where the franchise area of Applicant LEYECO V is located. Proof pre-filing compliance are hereto attached as “Annex Z - onwards” and made as integral part hereof. PRAYER WHEREFORE, PREMISES considered, it is most respectfully and humbly prayed of this Honorable Commission that pending evaluation and hearing, PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY be issued to Applicant LEYECO V, authorizing it to secure loan from NEA of the needed funding for the immediate implementation of identified EMERGENCY CAPEX, and that after due notice and hearing, the instant APPLICATION BE DULY APPROVED.

2021

34,415,120.31 7,032,465.89

33,809,815.60 6,753,705.89

33,049,716.28 32,872,153.16 6,497,509.21 6,243,559.59

5,661,969.59 7,410,519.02

54,520,074.80

53,636,010.09

0 20,774,045.25 (6,973,332.77) (110,235.22) (5,646,617.29) Add: 20,774,045.25 13,800,712.48 13,690,477.26 Previous years Balance Accumulated 13,800,712.48 13,690,477.26 8,043,859.97 balance

(2,977,489.91) 8,043,859.97

(175,843.75) 5,066,370.05

2,041,306.64 4,890,526.30

5,066,370.05

4,890,526.30

6,931,832.94

5,661,969.59 7,410,519.02

52,619,714.09 52,188,201.36

20. With the above simulation WHICH RESULTED TO AN ACCUMULATED RFSC BALANCE OF Php 6.9M, the current RFSC in the amount of Php0.2904 is still considered to be enough and sufficient to finance both the existing and forecasted loan payment. Thus, LEYECO V WILL NOT REQUEST additional RFSC for this proposal. VII. REQUEST FOR AUTHORITY TO SECURE LOAN 21. The total fund requirement of this instant ‘Emergency CAPEX’ 2015-2016 in the amount of Ninety Four Million Forty Thousand Eight Hundred Six Peso (PHP94,040,806) will be sought from financing program of the National Electrification Administration (NEA). Applicant LEYECO V has existing approved credit line from NEA, and the aforementioned fund requirement was applied for loan at interest rate of 6.5 % per annum for a loan term period of ten (10) years with grace period of one (1) year. The loanable amount will be released by NEA in two (2) tranches (2015 & 2016). 22. Considering the urgency of this matter, Applicant LEYECO V has already started the bidding of the above-listed equipment under ‘Emergency CAPEX’. In fact, the land where the Sub-Station will be established was already negotiated and secured. Hence, LEYECO V is respectfully praying for the Honourable Commission to likewise give the needed ‘Authority to Secure Loan’ upon approval of this ‘Emergency CAPEX Application’. Please see attached write-up on ‘Authority to Secure Loan’ marked as “Annex M” and supporting documents marked as “Annexes N to W”. VIII. MOTION FOR ISSUANCE OF PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY 23. All the foregoing allegations are repleaded by reference in support of the instant Motion for the issuance of provisional authority.

NATURE OF DOCUMENT Board Resolution No. 125 series of 2015 dated November 30, 2015 A copy of LEYECO V’s Certificate of Franchise LEYECO V System Energy (kWh) Sales Forecast in 2015 to 2028 Substation Capacity Analysis Palompon Substation Lot Justification Accounting Computerization System Total Estimated Cost Accounting Computerization Software Proposal Reliability Analysis Software Proposal Reliability Software Economic Analysis Short Circuit Analysis Software Proposal Short Circuit Analysis Software Economic Analysis ERC Decision dated April 13, 2015 on LEYECO V CAPEX 2011-2015 under ERC Case no. 2011-136 RC Authority to Secure Loan for Emergency CAPEX 2015-2016 Copy of Audited Financial Statement including notes for test year 2013 Copy of Audited Financial Statement including notes for test year 2014 Letter of Approval of Lending Institution from where loan is to be secured. Details or Specification of the equipment projects and/or items to be purchased/built and their estimated cost to which the proceeds of the loan will be utilized. Bases/Reasonableness of the estimated cost per project/equipment Amortization Schedule showing principal and interest payments of loan and the exchange rate at the time of payment Detailed schedule of Utilization (Annual RF/MCC Utilization - Test year and prior 2 years) Computation of indicative rate impact of the projects Computation of Financial Ratios (test year and projected years of payment of loans). Justifications, study, computation and benefits resulting from securing loans NEA Loan Profile 2014 to present Judicial Affidavits in support of the prayer for Provisional Authority General Assembly Resolution No. 01, Series of 2016. Authorizing the LEYECO V Management to Secure Loan for Emergency CAPEX 2015-2016 in the amount of Php94,040,806.00

Other reliefs, just and equitable under the premises are likewise most respectfully prayed for. The Commission has set the Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 18 January 2017 at one o’clock in the afternoon (1:00 P.M.), at LEYECO V’s principal office at Brgy. San Pablo, Ormoc City, Leyte. All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the instant case may become a party by filing with the Commission a verified Petition to Intervene at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure, indicating therein the docket number and title of the case and stating the following: i. ii. iii.

The petitioner’s name and address; The nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and A statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the case may file their Opposition or Comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before Applicant rests its case, subject to the requirements under Rule 9 of the 2006 Rules of Practice and Procedure. No particular form of Opposition or Comment is required, but the document, letter, or writing should contain the following: 1) The name and address of such person; 2) A concise statement of the Opposition or Comment; and 3) The grounds relied upon. All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Application may request from Applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 8th day of December 2016 at Pasig City.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO Standard – Dec. 30, 2016 & Jan. 6, 2017

Sports

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

League-leading SMB battles Elite F By Jeric Lopez

OLLOWING more than a week-long break, the Philippine Basketball Association resumes action today with a ﬁery doubleheader in the continuing 2017 Philippine Cup. League-leading San Miguel Beer (5-1) looks to tighten its grip on first place but dangerous Blackwater (4-3) stands in its way. The two squads meet at 7 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Prior to that, two teams on the

slump and in dire need of a win clash. GlobalPort (3-3) and Meralco (2-4) figure in a 4:15 p.m. tussle in the league’s first game of the year. Another win for the defending champion Beermen, who are on a two-game winning streak, will

virtually guarantees a seat in the quarterfinals as they keep their place at the top. “We have to start the year on a winning note and continue being consistent,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria. In their last outing, the Beermen had an easy time dismantling Meralco, 101-86, in 2016’s final game last Dec. 28 where Marcio Lassiter played his best game of the tournament so far with 21 points. One downside for the Beermen is the unavailability of star guard

Alex Cabagnot, who is currently recuperating from a broken nose that he suffered in the team’s last game against the Bolts. In his absence, San Miguel’s other point guards, Chris Ross, RR Garcia and Brian Heruela are expected to collectively fill the void left by Cabagnot. The Elite, on the other end, will enter its clash against San Miguel hoping to bounce back from a disappointing, 93-97, to Mahindra in an upset last Christmas day. Both Meralco and GlobalPort

are facing must-win situations as they are currently riding losing streaks. The Bolts are looking to arrest a three-game slide while the Batang Pier is on a two-game skid of its own. The San Miguel Beermen will be looking to follow up their rousing, 101-86, victory over Meralco at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City last year. Lassiter finished with a teamhigh 21 points to lead the Beermen to victory. Cabagnot scored 17 of his 20 in the first half before

being sidelined by an injury. Ross added 18 points and six steals, as the Beermen led the standings with a 5-1 record. Meralco’s executed its game plan perfectly. They threw multiple defenders at June Fajardo and dared San Miguel to beat them from the outside. The ploy worked but Meralco still lost. With Fajardo double teamed inside multiple Beermen gunners were left open. Lassiter and the other Beermen drained their outside shots to post the decisive victory.

Lee defends title against Huang ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee faces her most dangerous challenge when she defends her title against rising star Jenny Huang at ONE: Warrior Kingdom on March 11 in Bangkok, Thailand. Victor Cui, CEO of ONE Championship said, “Our last event in Bangkok was absolutely epic and we can’t wait to tell our fans that we are going to do it all over again next March. We have an amazing main event planned for you guys as Angela Lee is set to defend her ONE Women’s Atomweight World Championship against rising star Jenny Huang.” Lee of Waipahu, Hawaii is one of the promotion’s most promising young prospects regardless of division and weight class. Lee, who is of mixed Canadian and Korean descent, has roots in Singapore and trains at Asia’s premiere mixed martial arts gym, Evolve-MMA. Lee’s beautiful combination of solid striking and grappling skills has proven to be a potent formula for success as she remains unbeaten in her MMA career. In her last bout, Lee captured the inaugural ONE Women’s Atomweight World

Championship with an awe-inspiring victory over Mei Yamaguchi. Lee will now make the first defense of her title against Huang. Lee was confident and like her chances against Huang. “I am so excited for my first title defense! I had back to back fights leading up to the title fight, and after I won the belt I took some time off. The goal for 2017 is to be an active champion and to stay busy. I’m really looking forward to headlining the card in Bangkok, Thailand! “I absolutely love the people and their culture. I know that the crowd is gonna go crazy on fight night! Since my last fight, I’ve been training extremely hard, improving my skill set and I can’t wait to show everyone, come March 11th.” The 25-year-old Huang hails from Taiwan. Unbeaten with a professional MMA record of five wins and no losses, Huang also owns three highly-impressive submission victories. In her most recent bout, Huang electrified the arena by executing an extremely rare submission via gogoplata, overcoming a spirited performance from Filipino fighter April Osenio.

ONE Women’s Atomweight World Champion Angela Lee (right) misses with a left straight as opponent Mei Yamaguchi ducks for cover. Lee defends her title against dangerous Jenny Huang in Bangkok, Thailand next. ONE Championship

Koreans help launch Philippine Sports Institute By Peter Atencio A DELEGATION from Korea is coming to Manila to help the Philippine Sports Commission in efforts to revive and relaunch the Philippine Sports Institute. National training director Marc Edward Velasco, who worked at the Hong Kong Institute of Sports for eight years before he was invited back to work at the PSC, said this, some two weeks before the relaunch of the PSI. “They will help us by sending experts here, or we send athletes and experts there in Korea to train. It’s i n de -

velopment. It’s one of the things that we are planning,” said Velasco. The Korean Sports Science Institute is headed by Dr. Myung Chun-Lee, and has been helping development Korean athletes since its formation in 1990. The relaunch of the PSI is on Jan. 16 at the Multipurpose Arena of the Philsports Complex in Pasig City. The PSC has earmarked P50-million for the purchase of sports equipment that the PSI will need to help develop athletes both at the grassroots and elite level. A yearly budget of P300-

million will help fund the operations and program of the PSI. Its thrust will have to do with efforts directed towards taking care of the needs of the elite athletes, and providing the means to develop athletes at the grassroots level. Officials of the PSC have big plans for the PSI, which will be the centerpiece program of the National Sports Development Program. It will have a four-stage programs which are dedicated for both athletes identification and the training of a pool of researchers.

Under the grassroots development program (GSDP), talented kids who are between the age of 8 to 15 years old will be chosen to undergo training. This is a program which the Velasco developed while working closely with deputy director Dr. Henry Daut, who came aboard last October. The four stages of the GSDP will involve the training of the pool of researchers, the testing phase of selected athletes, the selection of the athletes, and their inclusion in the Smart Kids program. President Rodrigo Duterte will be the guest speaker during its launch.

Katsuragawa storms ahead

Yuto Katsuragawa hits his drive on No. 1 to storm ahead of the 2017 Philippine Amateur Golf Championship at Riviera’s Couples course, yesterday.

SILANG, Cavite—Yuto Katsuragawa sustained his fiery form and shot a three-under 69 but Paolo Wong rallied late in the day with a 71 as they took the 1-2 spots at the start of the 2017 Philippine Amateur Golf Championship at the Riviera’s Couples course here yesterday. Riding the crest of his victory in the NGAP National Doubles Championship with Carl Corpus last week at Aguinaldo, the 18-year-old Japanese continued to sizzle even in the rain, gunning down three birdies against a bogey at the back to cap a 3534 card and seize control of the tough international field. He actually stood five shots clear of Aniceto Mandanas and two other foreign rivals until Wong came in with two birdies in the last three holes to card a 71 and assume the challenger’s role. While Katsuragawa thundered at the back, Mandanas blew a two-under card after 10 holes with four bogeys in the last eight holes, finishing with

a 74 in a tie with Koreans Joo Hyung Kim and Min Jun Lee and thai Sadom Kaewkanjana in the four-day championship held under the PLDT Group National Amateur Golf Tour and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation, Smart and Metro Pacific Investment Corp. Joo birdied the par-2 No. 5 but floundered and hobbled with three bogeys in a six-hole stretch from No. 7 and settled for pars the rest of the way while Min made two bogeys in a birdie-less stint and Kaewkanjana stumbled with four bogeys against two bogeys to force a four-way tie at second. Corpus carded a decent 37 at the front but reeled with a double-bogey mishap on No. 11 to lead the 75 scorers, who included Taiwanese Han Wei Chiu and local bets Carlo Quimson, Ira Alido and Luis Castro. Rupert Zaragosa failed to follow-up on a birdie-comeback on No. 9 after three bogeys with a closing 42 marred by two double

bogeys as the former champion limped with an 80 and fell to joint 31st, 11 strokes behind the hot-starting Katsuragawa, who also anchored Manila Southwoods’ dominant win in the FilAm Championship in Baguio recently. Korean Jun Sik Kim birdied the 18th for a 76 for a share of 11th with Liam Cully, Lucas Lam and Nik Gatmaytan while Aidric Chan, Eric Gallardo and Korean Seong Hyeon Lee all carded 77s in the event which also serves as part of the selection process for the SEA Gamesbound national team. A confident Katsuragawa parred the first three holes, birdied two of the next four against a bogey then parred the last two at the front to tie Mandanas in the early lead. The duo stayed on top after birdying the 10th, but the Japanese hit another birdie on No. 13 then dropped a stroke on the par-4 15th before birdying the last par-5 at No. 16.

Younger rugby players may take place of veterans in SEAG A YOUNGER set of players could make it to the national rugby 7s squad in the coming 2017 Southeast Asian Games. Officials of the Philippine Rugby Football Union (PRFU) are studying this possibility after the Philippine Junior Volcanoes, placed fourth last month in the Asia Rugby Under 19 Division 1 Championship at International

School of Manila field in Taguig. “No matter the result, we find players here who can compete in the SEA Games, players who can compete in the men’s division and the Asian Games. That’s what this program is all about,” said Jake Letts, PRFU’s head of national teams. The main focus of the PRFU’s preparations will be on the rugby

sevens competitions of the biennial meet in Malaysia. The Philippines Volcanoes are the defending champions and they are determined to extend their reign. On the other hand, the Philippines Lady Volcanoes are dead set on improving their third place finish last time. Skipper Robert Gray Mc-

Cafferty, who is recovering from a leg injury, is expected to make it to the roster with prolific scorers Ryan Santos and Fil Norwegian Kai Stroem. In the 2015 edition of the SEA Games, Letts and the men’s side swept their five assignments in the preliminaries and then pulled of a 24-7 disposal of Malaysia in the gold medal match.

On the other hand, the national women’s team split its four preliminary outings for a spot in the bronze medal match, and eventually prevailed over Malaysia, 22-0. Their stint in the biennial meet will kick off the PRFU’s four-year program, which culminates in their plans to qualify to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Peter Atencio

Ringia, Vicencio advance to finals TOP seed Janus Ringia of South Cotabato defeated fourth seed Aljohn Talatayod, 6-4, 6-2, on Thursday to reach the boys’ 16-under final of the 28th Andrada Cup Junior Tennis Championships at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center. Ringia, a bronze medalist in the 2015 Palarong Pambansa, will face second seed Marcus del Rosario, who survived third seed Jose Antonio Tria, 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the semifinal round. In the girls’ 16-under class, third seed Michaela Vicencio pulled off a 6-3, 7-5 upset win over No. 1 Gennifer Pangente to arrange a championship showdown with unseeded Crystal Mildwaters in the Group 1 tournament supported by former Philta vice president Manuel Misa of Altamar Shipping, Thaddeus Sporting Goods and official ball Babolat. Mildwaters ousted fifth seed Macie Carlos, 6-1, 6-0 in their semifinal encounter. She eliminated No. 4 Blanche Lagrisola, 6-1, 6-0, in the second round. Carlos consoled herself with a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Justine Maneja in the 14-under class, the win setting her up against second seed Gaby Zoleta in the final. Zoleta won over Kryshana Brazal, 6-2, 7-5. In the boys’ 12-under category, No. 1 Andrei Jarata outplayed fourth seed Axl Lajon Gonzaga, 6-3, 6-4, to advance in the final against No. 6 Exequiel Jucutan, who eliminated second seed Samuel Nuguit, 6-1, 6-2. Playing in the 10-under unisex final are No. 1 Tennielle Madis, a 4-0, 4-1 winner over Sam Salazar, and No. 2 Chad Quizon, who prevailed over Marielle Jarata, 4-0, 4-0.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

Sports

CSB nears NCAA Final Four berth

COLLEGE of St. Benilde what San Beda is going to do bucked a sputtering start as it than we are should do that really turned back San Beda, 12-25, slowed us down in the first set. 25-17, 25-23, 25-19, yesterday Good thing we changed our atto get back at second spot in the titude and played more aggreswomen’s section of the the 92nd sive,” said Carino. NCAA volleyball tournament at The Red Spikers skidded to the Filoil Flying V Center in San 5-3 and out of the magic four Juan City. and on the brink of Games Wednesday (Jan. 11) Rachel Anne elimination. (Filoil Flying V Center) Austerio paced In the men’s di8 a.m.- AU vs CSB (jrs) her team with vision, Johnvic de 9:30 a.m.- AU vs CSB (m) 11 a.m.- AU vs CSB (w) 13 points while Guzman towed St. p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (w) Jeanette Panaga, 12:30 Benilde to a 25-19, 2 p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (m) last year’s Finals 3:30 p.m.- UPHSD vs SSC (jrs) 25-23, 25-17 win MVP, Jan Ariover San Beda to anne Daguil and Ranya Musa grab the solo lead with a 6-1 mark. chipped in 11 hits apiece to help The Lions slid to second with propel St. Benilde to its sixth a 6-2 card. victory against a defeat. St. Benilde thus kept pace with And another victory will en- Lyceum of the Philippines U sure St. Benilde, which takes on which bucked the Holiday SeaArellano U on Jan. 11 and un- son jitters and downed Emilio beaten leader San Sebastian Jan. Aguinaldo last Wednesday also 25, at least a playoff for a slot in at the Filoil Flying V Center. the Final Four while two would Cherilyn Jhane Sindayen, the seal it an automatic berth there. team captain, had a hard time But San Beda appeared like finding her groove but still manit would defeat this same St. Be- aged to score 12 points while nilde squad it beat in the Shakey’s Christine Mirales, Czarina PauV-League Collegiate Conference line Orros and La Rainne Fabay a year ago after the former domi- pinched in 12, 12 and 10 hits, renated the latter in the first set. spectively, to help propel the Lady But St. Benilde turned the Pirates to win No. 5 in six outings. tables on San Beda and played After the game, LPU coach more aggressive from there to Emil Lontoc blamed his team’s preserve the win. early game struggles to lack of “We were more concerned on familiarity with the court.

Cojuangco to adopt Brazilian system By Peter Atencio PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose “Peping” Cojuangco said he is keen on adopting the system of Brazilian sports science expert Prof. Luis Cameron, who was in the country last November. Cameron introduced a laboratory tool called “sportonomics” in studying the metabolic profile and nutrition of athletes. The system is reportedly effective in aiding their performances of athletes. “Mukhang hindi basta-bastang alaga (sa atleta ito). Matapos kong Makita ang numbers. Our friend from Brazil is ready to come back on February. We can start this by then,” said Cojuangco. Cameron, who is a neurochemist and a member of the Brazil High Performance Institute, made his lectures and demonstration with athletes and coaches last November. After testing four members of the national team, Cameron made his point with Filipino sports officials. Cameron’s system is about the study of blood samples of athletes. It determines how they use the nutrients they get, whether they are the right ones for their respective sports and if they are getting the most out of it. Cameron explained that all of the Brazilian national athletes who underwent the blood-testing process “were able to improve their performance.” Long jumper Marestella Torres, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Allora, both Rio Olympic veterans; and 800-meter runner Mervin Guarte, a 2015 Singapore Southeast Asian Games gold medalist, were among those who underwent metabolic profiling while Cameron was around.

San Beda College spiker Francesca Racraquin (right) avoids the blocking hands of College of Saint Benilde blocker Jeanette Panaga (6). CSB beat SBC yesterday to gain a share of second spot in NCAA women’s volleyball. Roman Prospero

Butler leads Bulls past Cavs L

OS ANGELES—Jimmy Butler scored 14 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Chicago Bulls beat short-handed NBA champion Cavaliers 106-94 in Cleveland on Wednesday. Butler, coming off a 52-point performance in a win over Charlotte on Monday, struggled to find is groove early, scoring just three points in the first half. But the Bulls roared back from their slow start against a Cavs team ravaged by an array of ailments and injuries. Cavs superstar LeBron James was fighting the flu in the match-

up with his former Miami teammate Dwyane Wade. Channing Frye also played despite feeling ill, Kyrie Irving missed a third straight game with a troublesome hamstring, and Kevin Love was absent as he continued to battle debilitating effects of food poisoning. In New York, Giannis Antetokounmpo drained a step-back jumper

as time expired to lift the Milwaukee Bucks to a 105-104 NBA victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Milwaukee’s standout Greek forward made the first game-winning shot of his 3 1/2-year NBA career. He posted his 16th double-double of the season with 27 points and 13 rebounds for the Bucks, who improved to 18-16. His streak of 13 straight games with 20 or more points is the longest by a Milwaukee player since Michael Redd had 14 in a row in 2006. Lance Thomas did all he could

to defend the shot, but after dribbling through traffic and turning, Antetokounmpo managed to make some space and seal the win for a Bucks team that had battled back from a 16-point third-quarter deficit. “I work on that shot a lot,” Antetokounmpo said. “I was patient. I knew I could shoot the ball over the top of anybody at any time. I wanted to make sure I took the last shot.” Antetokounmpo’s teammates mobbed him in celebration, and Bucks coach Jason Kidd said the final moment was a team effort. “The guy who makes the shot

gets all the credit, but passing the ball, getting the ball to Giannis is important,” Kidd said. “He (Antetokounmpo) is going to play thousands of games so he is going to have thousands of opportunities to hit game-winners. Tonight, I thought he got to his strength and he took his time. It wasn’t a rushed shot. It shows his growth.” Antetokounmpo scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter. He came up with a huge defensive play with eight seconds remaining, slapping Derrick Rose’s inbounds pass off the Knicks star’s leg to set up Milwaukee’s final possession.

Murray survives Melzer challenge in Qatar tilt DOHA, Qatar—World number one Andy Murray claimed his 26th consecutive victory on Wednesday with a battling 7-6 (8/6), 7-5 win over Austria’s Gerald Melzer to reach the Qatar Open quarter-finals. He was joined in the last-eight by second seed Novak Djokovic who eased past Horacio Zeballos 6-3, 6-4 in just 72 minutes before being stunned by his Argentine opponent’s request for a selfie of the pair on court. “Making a selfie, that’s the first time I have had this experience in my career,” said Djokovic. “Horacio—well done, very original.” Murray’s two hour 23 minute match proved the most exciting of the evening though, and possibly the whole tournament so far. In a 78-minute first set, Melzer, playing some inspired tennis, saved eight set points before eventually succumbing in a hard-fought tie-break.

The pair traded baseline passing shots, with Melzer the world number 68, matching Murray and looking like he could bring the world number one’s winning streak to an end. As the match wore on, Murray looked increasingly frustrated by his own game and some of the line calls. “I was a bit lucky to get through,” said Murray. “He played great, great tennis, he was winning large parts of the match.” He added: “It was a really good match. I was happy with how I handled it. “It wasn’t easy because I was having to do a lot of defending and I wasn’t able to impose myself as I would’ve liked. “But the positive was in the important moments I stayed strong.” Murray will play Spain’s Nicolas Almagro in the last eight. Almagro beat Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 7-6 (7/5),

7-6 (8/6). Djokovic next faces 38-yearold Radek Stepanek after the Czech knocked out Belgium’s Arthur De Greef, 14 years his junior, 6-3, 6-2. Stepanek is a former Wimbledon quarter-finalist who turned professional in 1996, just four years after De Greef was born. His victory means he is the oldest ATP quarter-finalist since a 42-year-old Jimmy Connors played in the 1995 Halle grass court event in Germany. Stepanek said afterwards that he would continue playing for several years and “will be fighting Jimmy Connors” to make history. The number three seed Tomas Berdych beat Czech compatriot Jiri Vesely 7-6 (7/5), 1-6, 6-1, to set up an intriguing clash with France’s JoWilfried Tsonga who blasted past Germany’s Dustin Brown 6-1, 6-3 Britain’s Andy Murray returns the ball to Austria’s Gerald Melzer during the second round of the ATP Qatar Open tennis competition in Doha on January 4. AFP in less than an hour. AFP

French centenarian sets world cycling record

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand, 105, accepts the cheers of fans after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547m in the over-105 age group, at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines race track on January 4. AFP

SAINT-QUENTIN-ENYVELINES, France—A 105-yearold Frenchman set a new onehour cycling record for his age Wednesday. Robert Marchand pedaled for 22.547 kilometres (14.01 miles) in the national velodrome in SaintQuentin-en-Yvelines west of Paris to the cheers of hundreds of spectators—and when he had finished he said he could have gone faster. “I didn’t see the sign saying there were 10 minutes to go, otherwise I would have speeded up,” the wiry champion told a scrum of reporters who sur-

rounded him at the finish. Marchand dismounted and although a coach put a steadying arm around him, he walked off the track without difficulty. “I’m not tired, my legs aren’t hurting, but my arms are. It has to hurt somewhere!” he said after doing 92 laps of the track. “I feel emotional—and I’m even asking myself if all this is real!” said Marchand, who was born in 1911, three years before World War I began. When a reporter asked if he was going to do another lap, he said emphatically: “No!”

Age is slowing him though— three years ago he managed to ride 26.927 km in one hour, a record for someone aged over 100. There was no known existing mark for someone of 105, so Marchand truly blazed a trail on Wednesday. “Now I’ll wait and see if anyone wants to take me on,” he said with a chuckle. By comparison, the one-hour world record is 54.526 km, set by British Tour de France winner and multiple Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins. Marchand, a retired firefighter

who was a national gymnastics champion and a boxer, attributes his enduring fitness to a healthy diet—and lots of exercise. “I’ve done sport all my life, eaten loads of fruit and vegetables, not too much coffee,” he said before the record attempt. “I do between 10 and 20 kilometres a day (cycling), but I don’t train outside. I’m afraid I might catch flu!” One of his coaches, JeanMichel Richefort, said he felt “really emotional” about his not-so-young charge’s achievement. AFP

Stocks, peso rally; SBC leads gainers B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

IN BRIEF SSS plans to hike investments abroad

HOLCIM’S AWARD.

STATE-RUN Social Security System said it plans to increase gradually its offshore investments exposure by 2.5 percent annually until it hits 20 percent by 2022. SSS president and chief executive Emmanuel Dooc told reporters the plan was to increase the recent cap for overseas exposure from 7.5 percent of total investible fund to 20 percent. “This is just a proposal. What we are proposing is to achieve what we have stated of making the pension fund as an economic tool for economic activity when it comes to foreign investments. But this is not yet approved,” Dooc said. “We feel that there is greater and better opportunities to get better income. We are positioning ourselves because we realized it was unpalatable to relay on increase in contribution. So we also have to harness opportunity to derive higher gain from investments,” Dooc said. He said aside from seeking higher yield in offshore investments, the fund manager would also push for legislative initiatives to help strengthen SSS in facing challenges. Dooc earlier said the pension fund planned to increase members’ contribution rate to 17 percent from the current 11 percent. Gabrielle H. Binaday

Construction solutions company Holcim Philippines Inc. is recognized during the 2016 Don Emilio Abello Energy Efficiency Awards by the Department of Energy as among the large industrial firms that efficiently operate its facilities. Shown receiving the award in Pasay City is Holcim Philippines engineer Hazel Madegyem (third from left) from (left) Energy undersecretary Jesus Posadas, Secretary Alfonso Cusi and Utilization and Management Bureau director Patrick Aquino.

Singapore eyes more ﬂights to PH

11 firms eye Sangley airport By Darwin G. Amojelar

leven companies expressed interest in joining the bidding to rehabilitate and repair Sangley Airport in Cavite province, the Transportation Department said Thursday. The agency said 11 companies attended the pre-bid conference for Sangley Airport Development Project, including Holcim, MR7 Corp., Emeco and Partners, BSP Construction Company, DM Wenceslao and Associates, Granby Trading and Construction, JD Legaspi Construction, Cavdeal, San R Mining and Construction Corp.,

Tokwing Construction Corp. and C.B. Garay. The P552.8-million Sangley project involves the overlaying of the runway, re-blocking of concrete pavement, construction of ramp and drainage system, construction of four hangars and passenger terminal building and other building facilities. The project aims to urgently ad-

dress congestion issues in Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Completion of the project is expected to take 12 to 15 months after the awarding. The repair works will not in any way conﬂict with the possible future development, if any, of the Sangley Airport, the department said. It said the overlay runway and drainage repairs would be useful for any future improvements. The Transportation Department said it had not yet received any unsolicited proposal on constructing a new Sangley airport or any related development, but received a 30-page description of plan or concept from AllAsia Resources and Reclamation

Corp., which was being considered by the agency as a letter of intent. Unsolicited proposals should be in accordance with the BuildOperate-Transfer law, and should comply with requirements such as a feasibility study and draft contract, it said. ARCC said earlier it was proposing to build Philippine Global Gateway project worth P1.3 trillion which would decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Under the project, ARRC plans to build an international airport, seaport, economic zone and real estate components in Sangely Point. Meanwhile, Metro Paciﬁc In-

vestments Corp. said it planned to submit unsolicited infrastructure projects in areas outside Metro Manila. “It’s a whole range of possibilities. I guess we have to decide internally. We don’t know yet which project,” Metro Paciﬁc chairman Manuel Pangilinan said. Pangilinan said the group was looking at power and agricultural projects and was awaiting the government’s decision on the bidding of ﬁve regional airports. The Transportation Department is reviewing the P108.2billion regional airports project under the previous administration’s public-private partnership program.

December inflation rose to two-year high of 2.6%

PSE COMPOSITE INDEX Closing January 5, 2017

8300 7840 7380

By Julito G. Rada, Gabrielle H. Binaday

6920 6460 6000

7,209.44 178.49

PESO-DOLLAR RATE

Closing JANUARY 5, 2017 43.00 45.40 46.60 47.80

P49.460

49.00

HIGH P49.430 LOW P49.620 AVERAGE P49.531 VOLUME 879.000M

P425.00-P650.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.90-P47.90 Unleaded Gasoline P28.25-P30.10 Diesel

OPRICES IL TODAY

OFW ASSISTANCE. Labor Secretary Silvestre H. Bello III (third from left) hands over to Arianne Jane

Franista (fourth from left), wife on an overseas Filipino worker who died in Kuwait, the P120,000 Overseas Workers Welfare Administration ﬁnancial assistance and $10,000 insurance claim beneﬁt from Charter Ping An Insurance Corp.

Meralco expects lower power rates in January

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene P20.75-P21.75 Auto LPG

By Alena Mae S. Flores

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, January 5, 2017

F OREIGN E XCHANGE R ATE Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

49.7320

Japan

Yen

0.008522

0.4238

Pound

1.232700

61.3046

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128944

6.4126

Switzerland

Franc

0.979912

48.7330

Canada

Dollar

0.751428

37.3700

Singapore

Dollar

0.694975

Australia

Dollar

0.728100

36.2099

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

132.0482 13.2590

34.5625

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266610

Brunei

Dollar

0.692569

34.4428

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000074

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.027926

1.3888

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.5414

Euro

1.048800

52.1589

Korea

Won

0.000836

0.0416

China

Yuan

0.144288

7.1757

India

Rupee

0.014733

0.7327

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.222420

11.0614

New Zealand

Dollar

0.696100

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031128

34.6184 1.5481 Source: PDS Bridge

SINGAPORE expressed interest in increasing its investments in the Philippines and adding more ﬂights to Manila in anticipation of increased demand for air travel between the two countries, the Finance Department said Thursday. Singapore Ambassador to Manila Kok Li Peng said in a recent meeting with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III that Singaporean businessmen would like to explore new growth opportunities in the Philippines, particularly in the retail, transportation, infrastructure and tourism sectors. He said Singaporean businessmen planned to schedule the next meeting of the Philippines-Singapore Business Council in Davao City and meet with President Rodrigo Duterte to discuss new business and investment activities in the Philippines. “We’re trying to get a mixed meeting of the PSBC here. They want to bring the members to Davao to meet with the president,” Kok said. Singapore’s investments in the Philippines―valued at P16.8 billion in 2015―were mostly in real estate activities, electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply and manufacturing. Singapore was the Philippines’ fourth largest trading partner in 2015. The country’s total exports reached $3.8 billion in 2015. Gabrielle H. Binaday

POWER rates are expected to go down in January because of lower generation cost in the previous month, an ofﬁcial of distributor Manila Electric Co. said Thursday. “There is a strong possibility that we will see a gen charge reduction this January,” Meralco senior vice president and head of utility economics Lawrence Fernandez said. Fernandez said prices at the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market and the foreign exchange were relatively stable during the December supply month. “We expect reductions in

charges from PSAs [power supply agreements] due to the annual reconciliation of outage allowances as provided for in the ERC [Energy Regulatory Commission] approved contracts,” he said. Meralco announced in December a slight increase in power rates of P0.1011 per kilowatthour, bringing the household rate to P8.36 per kWh. Meralco attributed the increase last month to the upward movement in the generation charge. Meralco’s generation charge went up to P3.9351 in December from P3.8436 per kWh in November, on the signiﬁcant depreciation of the peso against the US dollar.

INFLATION rate accelerated to 2.6 percent in December, the fastest in 24 months, on higher prices of food, beverage and petroleum during the holiday period, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday. Data from PSA showed the December 2016 figure was faster than the 2.5-percent inflation rate in November and 1.5 percent in December 2015. It was also the fastest increase in consumer price index since it was registered at 2.7 percent in December 2014. This brought the average inflation rate in 2016 to 1.8 percent, higher than 1.4 percent recorded in 2015, but below the government’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the inflation print in December was expected and was in line with the assessment that inflation would inch up towards the government’s target. “We will continue to monitor global and domestic financial market developments, shifts in global demand and supply of commodities, changes in global growth prospects to see how these would impact the domestic inflation dynamics, and whether there will be any need to make adjustments to our policy levers,” Tetangco said. The National Economic and Development Authority said the uptick in inflation was pushed partly by strong demand in the holiday season and supply constraints in some food items. Food inflation rose to 3.7 percent in December from 3.5 percent in the previous month.

GDP likely to expand up to 7.5% this year THE Philippine economy has the chance to grow between 7 percent and 7.5 percent this year, driven by higher government spending, foreign direct investments and strong consumer demand, economists from First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia & the Pacific said Thursday. The economists said in a news briefing in Makati City that sustained remittance inflows and revenues from business process outsourcing industry would continue to support economic growth in 2017. Remittances and BPO revenues accounted for around $50-billion inflows annually. Remittances alone contributed 10 percent to GDP. “The Philippine economy will continue to be robust and out-

perform its Asean peers in 2017. There will also be a lot of internal and external changes and threats that will impact the country’s economy but we are optimistic that given our sound macroeconomic fundamentals and compelling investment story, the economy will remain strong,” First Metro president Rabboni Francis Arjonillo said. Prof. Bernardo Villegas of the UA&P said among the engines of economic growth were the young population, BPO sector, infrastructure, domestic tourism, skilled Filipino workers abroad and private-public partnership projects. “We are very much in advantage because of our young and productive population. The BPO sector

is one area of certainty,” Villegas said. The economy grew 7 percent in the ﬁrst three quarters of 2016, at the upper bound of government’s target range of 6 percent to 7 percent. Professor Victor Abola of UA&P said the economy also likely expanded 7 percent in the fourth quarter. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said the economy would continue growing this year despite the threats that could emanate from the external and domestic fronts. Tetangco said in a speech during the Rotary Club of Manila meeting in Makati City that the economy would be able to weather 2017 relatively well despite “various surprises that are more surreal than those in 2016.” Julito G. Rada

Business

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Wilcon readies P8-b initial public offering By Jenniffer B. Austria HOME improvement and construction supplies retailer Wilcon Depot Inc. is pushing through with its planned P8-billion initial public offering in the first quarter of 2017, according to the underwriter handling the deal. First Metro Investments Corp. executive vice president Justino Juan Ocampo said Wilcon IPO would proceed in the first quarter as the window of opportunity for fund raising activities would be better in the first half than the second half. Ocampo said the first-half period would be hectic for the capital market as people anticipated a possible hike in interest rates. Issuers would also want to take advantage of the fact that the market remained very liquid. “We see a hectic runway in the first half. Although a number of factors need to be watched, the

market remains liquid which is very conducive for potential issuers,” Ocampo said. Ocampo said he expected Wilcon to get a good offer price as the company was a market leader in sector. Wilcon ﬁled an IPO application with the Securities and Exchange Commission in November. It plans to sell up to 1.393 billion common shares at an offer price of up to P5.68 per share. Net proceeds from the fund raising activity will be used to ﬁnance store expansion, debt repayment and other general corporate purposes Wilcon said of the expected proceeds, it planned to set aside P6.08 billion for store network expansion from 2017 to 2019. It plans to expand its presence in Cavite, Zamboanga, Iloilo, Tacloban, Cabanatuan, Bicol, General Santos, Davao, Lucena, Isabela, Tagum, Tuguegarao, Surigao and Cabanatuan.

Stocks, peso rally; SBC leads gainers T By Julito G. Rada

HE peso and local stocks climbed Thursday, as investors returned to emerging markets including the Philippines after digesting minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s December meeting. The peso gained P0.19 Thursday to close at 49.46 against the greenback. It was the local currency’s strongest level since it settled at 49.35 a dollar on Nov. 16, 2016. Total volume traded reached $879 million, higher than $529 million that changed

hands Wednesday. “Market jitters from Trump triumph and US Fed fear seem to be easing. Markets seem to be digesting the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of the Philippines,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa

Guinigundo said in a text message. He said markets also appeared to be “appreciating the solid tax reform package of the government which represents a progressive tax policy which would produce net positive results and expand ﬁscal space.” Stocks also rallied for a third day, pushing the benchmark index to a two-month high as investors returned to emerging markets including the Philippines after digesting minutes from the US Federal Reserve’s December meeting. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 178 points, or 2.5 percent, to close at 7,209.44 Thursday. This

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JANUARY 5, 2017

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

FINANCIALS 3.84 555,000 48.1 329,500 92 2,783,620 3.84 2,000 112 4,908,070 1.48 94,000 38.3 30,100 16.2 28,900 18.74 229,400 6.55 300 0.71 11,000 1.75 48,000 824 30 0.63 12,058,000 76 4,111,780 0.78 176,000 14.4 51,900 55.75 43,290 239 6,950 139.9 330 90 7,430 35.45 25,400 220 2,992,290 1,671 20 75 37,210

2,132,590 15,816,645 255,045,367.50 7,680 544,206,344 140,900 1,157,105 468,242 4,279,412 1,965 7,780 84,000 24,040 7,687,440 309,989,810.50 136,240 745,340 2,389,940.50 1,659,384 41,016 668,750 899,400 634,681,628 33,420 2,793,388.50

60,960 15,260 -6,625,413.50 139,284,107 -1,464,300.00 -2,479,380 32,993,462 113,502.50 -781,558 14,400 -453,600 141,810 224,841,072 181,706

42.35 4.44 0.85 1.28 19.2 0.195 88 11.36 16.02 22.8 20 58.7 90 95 1.92 6.5 12 11.54 6.1 7.21 5.12 21.55 68 16.3 6.1 1.69 206 70.2 2.5 3.51 26.95 29.05 26.4 14.68 277.2 0.238 3.2 10.2 11.7 2.29 5.55 1.37 71 4.8 227 4.99 2.15 2.72 11.6 4.25 0.143 1.55 165 1.79 1.1

INDUSTRIAL 43.5 9,727,500 4.53 749,000 0.87 685,000 1.31 1,132,000 19.6 900 0.195 100,000 88 100 11.48 22,187,600 16.06 4,240,400 23 9,600 20 4,600 59.9 13,260 90 1,830 104 470 1.95 154,000 6.5 585,500 12.2 41,500 11.78 3,054,200 6.26 657,100 7.31 1,538,500 5.15 11,843,100 21.9 4,153,900 68.4 246,060 16.5 1,285,000 6.11 140,600 1.69 1,091,000 214 1,127,830 70.2 100 2.55 119,000 3.8 6,000 26.95 500 29.5 1,630,100 27.3 1,323,400 14.9 534,600 279.4 662,620 0.238 40,000 3.22 8,361,000 10.3 5,858,400 11.7 4,000 2.4 7,177,000 5.7 718,400 1.42 449,000 71.95 1,773,720 4.93 586,000 230 1,690 4.99 13,089,700 2.25 7,000 2.75 152,000 11.68 2,812,300 4.28 60,000 0.146 1,450,000 1.62 668,000 168 2,402,110 1.93 18,130,000 1.15 52,000

422,045,160 3,386,130 585,330 1,480,090 17,566 19,500 8,800 253,316,062 68,203,566 220,590 92,775 778,688.50 165,198 47,890 298,020 3,822,065 500,382 35,759,862 4,106,533 11,202,354 61,213,932 90,492,605 16,796,633 21,111,766 860,197 1,866,990 239,830,966 7,020 304,360 21,640 13,475 47,950,585 35,232,595 7,947,178 185,485,120 9,520 26,922,690 60,266,376 46,850 16,939,850 4,121,669 628,440 127,472,879.50 2,823,380 387,950 65,448,085 15,450 420,520 32,872,910 256,580 210,410 1,078,070 404,102,004 34,069,880 57,250

-222,730,645 4,020 -12,398,384 -21,662,968 -626,005 -24,930 13,020 9,680 14,144,786 -2,453,121 -5,469,977 3,846,782 28,074,440 -7,595,404.00 -4,042,926 200,734 -106,570 93,350,670 -6,287,305 -1,770,425 257,640 74,508,294 244,350 14,706,004 -3,510.00 9,333,150 -2,133,658 13,850.00 83,931,248 737,150 -190,900 271,777 12,191,952 4,250 1,440 -64,907,994 753,320 -

0.415 71.85 13.08 1.11 5.97 0.3 760.5 8.54 13.4 8 5.59 6.5 0.181 1,326 71.8 1.14 7.79 12.9 0.455 6.7 0.037 1.96 2.5 95.9 650 0.84 1.25 263 0.3 0.18 0.24

HOLDING FIRMS 0.425 7,640,000 72.5 2,087,820 13.1 7,882,100 1.16 234,000 6 194,800 0.31 1,190,000 790 722,750 8.64 863,400 13.46 14,181,800 8.12 93,500 5.59 20,000 6.5 5,000 0.186 410,000 1,350 181,430 73.15 3,961,480 1.17 2,791,000 7.98 3,887,000 13.04 2,712,100 0.455 20,000 6.93 38,492,400 0.038 13,000,000 1.99 793,000 2.6 140,000 97.8 437,230 689 781,120 0.89 66,000 1.28 502,000 265 3,000 0.305 180,000 0.183 450,000 0.246 40,000

3,205,500 153,097,271 103,949,666 260,340 1,168,665 361,150 564,808,545 7,446,836 190,517,082 749,608 111,800 32,500 76,930 244,951,335 290,266,678.50 3,260,780 30,714,319 35,356,170 9,100 264,516,363 493,800 1,573,790 360,120 42,885,360.50 532,953,855 56,490 636,950 793,064 54,050 86,480 9,680

21,050 34,978,883.50 -33,697,756 -994,200 116,448,080 3,041,679.00 -29,577,598 77,951,780 17,613,715 39,630 3,227,153 -13,267,366 39,946,944 79,800 -485,180 3,505,585 277,946 -

7.36 1.07 6.3 2.35 0.455 32.95 3.14 0.56 1.05 1.42 0.161 0.58 41.85 0.69 1.6 1.02 1.21 3.68

PROPERTY 7.52 108,700 1.11 1,450,000 6.4 8,400 2.42 1,665,000 0.465 10,350,000 34.15 17,414,300 3.27 3,841,000 0.58 6,925,000 1.05 27,000 1.46 587,000 0.175 95,530,000 0.6 8,289,000 47.8 2,068,000 0.71 97,000 1.62 7,266,000 1.05 7,958,000 1.21 643,000 3.72 56,166,000

804,349 1,598,060 52,940 4,074,610 4,855,300 594,234,415 12,401,750 3,946,640 28,350 847,210 16,407,540 4,922,080 92,990,620 68,690 11,777,700 8,211,850 780,240 209,733,210

-2,125 0 1,231,600 137,374,760 937,720 -144,000 18,900 2,446,375 8,692,090 -576,800 -88,047,010

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

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

3.43 48 90.5 3.84 110.5 1.49 38.4 16.2 18.58 6.55 0.68 1.75 790 0.67 74 0.76 14.38 55.2 239 121.2 90 35.5 200.6 1,671 75

3.99 48.1 93.1 3.84 112 1.54 38.45 16.36 18.84 6.55 0.71 1.75 824 0.67 76.75 0.79 14.4 55.75 239 143 90.5 35.5 220.2 1,671 75.2

3.43 47.95 89.8 3.84 109 1.37 38.3 16.2 18.58 6.55 0.68 1.75 790 0.62 73.65 0.76 14.2 54.6 238 120 90 35.25 200.6 1,671 75

ABOITIZ POWER 42.35 AGRINURTURE 4.5 ALLIANCE SELECT 0.87 ALSONS CONS 1.31 ASIABEST GROUP 19.82 BASIC ENERGY 0.195 BOGO MEDELLIN 88 CEMEX HLDG 11.4 CENTURY FOOD 16.2 CIRTEK HLDG 23.15 CNTRL AZUCARERA 20.75 CONCEPCION 58.7 CONCRETE A 93 CONCRETE B 95 CROWN ASIA 1.96 DAVINCI CAPITAL 6.55 DEL MONTE 12.1 DNL INDUS 11.78 EEI CORP 6.12 EMPERADOR 7.21 ENERGY DEVT 5.17 FIRST GEN 21.7 FIRST PHIL HLDG 68.1 HOLCIM 16.4 INTEGRATED MICR 6.12 IONICS 1.7 JOLLIBEE 206 LIBERTY FLOUR 70.2 LMG CHEMICALS 2.66 MABUHAY VINYL 3.51 MACAY HLDG 26.95 MANILA WATER 29.5 MAXS GROUP 26.7 MEGAWIDE 15 MERALCO 277.2 MG HLDG 0.238 PEPSI COLA 3.25 PETRON 10.22 PHINMA 11.78 PHINMA ENERGY 2.3 PHX PETROLEUM 5.7 PHX SEMICNDCTR 1.39 PILIPINAS SHELL 71.1 PRYCE CORP 4.83 PUREFOODS 227 RFM CORP 5.04 ROXAS AND CO 2.18 ROXAS HLDG 2.72 SHAKEYS PIZZA 11.76 SPC POWER 4.28 SWIFT FOODS 0.143 TKC METALS 1.55 UNIV ROBINA 165 VITARICH 1.95 VULCAN INDL 1.1

43.7 4.6 0.87 1.34 19.82 0.195 88 11.62 16.3 23.15 20.75 59.9 93 105 1.96 6.78 12.2 11.82 6.37 7.31 5.25 22.15 68.55 16.5 6.2 1.74 219.4 70.2 2.68 3.8 26.95 29.9 27.3 15 282 0.238 3.25 10.32 11.8 2.41 5.8 1.42 72.05 4.93 230 5.04 2.25 2.78 11.76 4.28 0.146 1.65 170.5 1.95 1.15

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

0.43 74.9 13.36 1.16 6.03 0.31 790 8.66 13.5 8.14 5.59 6.5 0.198 1,390 74 1.18 8 13.14 0.455 6.95 0.039 2 2.6 99 690 0.89 1.28 265 0.305 0.194 0.246

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

0.425 71.85 13.22 1.11 6 0.3 767 8.55 13.5 8.14 5.59 6.5 0.181 1,330 71.8 1.18 7.8 12.9 0.455 6.7 0.039 1.97 2.5 96 657 0.84 1.28 264 0.3 0.194 0.24 7.36 1.07 6.3 2.35 0.46 33.3 3.15 0.58 1.05 1.42 0.161 0.6 41.85 0.71 1.63 1.03 1.22 3.7

7.52 1.13 6.4 2.55 0.48 34.85 3.28 0.58 1.05 1.46 0.177 0.61 47.9 0.71 1.64 1.05 1.22 3.8

VOLUME

NAME

OPEN

HIGH

LOW

VOLUME

VALUE

NET FOREIGN BUYING/(SELLING), PHP

18,470,000 240,000 850,000 889,000 200 3,704,400 100,000 3,000 19,362,700 5,857,000 2,200 1,850,000 10,369,400

2,650,090 66,750 345,050 3,356,150 7,965 99,825,320 157,980 9,840 580,466,685 6,542,430 14,750 1,677,820 52,140,125

15,750.00 -39,800 10,382,865 47,964,705 5,550 -7,281,374.00

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

0.144 0.26 0.415 3.85 42.65 26.5 1.6 3.28 29.6 1.1 6.35 0.89 5.1

0.146 0.28 0.415 3.89 42.65 27.4 1.6 3.28 30.7 1.13 7 0.93 5.1

0.141 0.26 0.4 3.67 37 26.45 1.56 3.28 29.6 1.1 6.35 0.88 5

0.145 0.26 0.405 3.79 37 27.1 1.59 3.28 29.8 1.12 7 0.89 5.01

2GO GROUP ABS CBN ACESITE HOTEL APC GROUP APOLLO GLOBAL BERJAYA BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR CENTRO ESCOLAR DFNN INC FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A IMPERIAL B INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME IPEOPLE IPM HLDG ISLAND INFO ISM COMM JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES MACROASIA MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP PAL HLDG PAXYS PHIL SEVEN CORP PHILWEB PLDT PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP STI HLDG TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT

7.6 44.2 1.36 0.53 0.042 5.33 6.37 0.068 2.56 93 9.9 8.5 955 1,520 6.2 16.8 2.74 15.1 120 72.9 0.0089 12 9.05 0.229 1.32 3.25 15.8 4.02 2.5 3.94 4.12 18 2.65 5.15 3 132 9.88 1,459 1.2 0.495 39.35 73.85 6.06 2.69 1.04 3.3 0.35

7.6 44.5 1.41 0.55 0.047 5.33 6.55 0.069 2.6 93.4 9.9 8.52 975 1,585 6.3 17 2.84 17.76 120 72.9 0.0089 13 9.05 0.237 1.36 3.25 15.8 4.36 2.58 4.09 4.4 18.6 2.9 5.45 3.04 132 10.3 1,516 1.34 0.495 40 76 6.14 2.69 1.04 3.33 0.365

7.5 44.2 1.35 0.53 0.042 5.2 6.26 0.064 2.47 92 9.9 8.2 950 1,520 6.2 16.6 2.71 15.04 119.9 71.55 0.0089 12 9 0.221 1.31 3.25 15.18 4 2.45 3.92 4.09 18 2.65 5.15 3 132 9.6 1,458 1.19 0.475 38.95 73.8 6 2.61 1 3.28 0.335

SERVICES 7.6 35,000 44.4 11,000 1.36 145,000 0.55 777,000 0.047 217,800,000 5.22 24,500 6.45 4,218,100 0.069 18,570,000 2.5 6,634,000 92.9 393,540 9.9 200 8.5 479,800 975 370 1,585 113,635 6.3 616,500 16.82 109,800 2.76 7,862,000 17 63,900 120 570 71.8 1,082,500 0.0089 4,000,000 13 11,000 9.05 510,000 0.236 46,040,000 1.34 854,000 3.25 11,000 15.22 6,400 4.34 1,596,000 2.56 85,000 4.07 8,534,000 4.29 14,614,000 18.6 1,300 2.83 14,156,000 5.45 43,600 3 63,000 132 160 10.06 1,229,800 1,488 220,560 1.33 89,586,000 0.48 4,950,000 39.5 3,660,300 75 1,385,250 6.13 686,400 2.63 1,273,000 1.02 18,735,000 3.29 657,000 0.35 1,040,000

265,568 488,430 198,670 419,610 9,713,600 128,448 27,149,572 1,247,090 16,762,310 36,540,045.50 1,980 4,051,185 352,050 178,640,700 3,859,289 1,849,964 21,783,010 1,075,128 68,398 77,825,984.50 35,600 142,000 4,614,160 10,584,940 1,137,970 35,750 100,068 6,660,090 216,150 34,179,670 62,907,300 24,020 39,605,250 226,200 189,120 21,120 12,316,931 326,983,000 113,738,330 2,395,200 144,207,090 103,496,282.50 4,188,869 3,361,910 19,047,480 2,168,050 369,900

92,500 -565,721 -6,130 1,536,280 7,371,755 -17,650 -66,000 -27,711,861 -12,000 -224,300 -34,240 -25,500 -14,056,720 -14,044,990 1,647,390 150,000 -893,844 51,548,930 -380,450 -18,248,535 4,140,318 297 -446,470 620,600 -1,726,340 -

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

0.0033 2.72 4.97 2.12 2.35 0.51 0.48 12.36 3.17 0.26 0.205 0.209 0.012 2.51 7.99 2.78 0.5 1.09 0.011 4.11 0.012 8.66 3.48 132.8 3.09 0.009

0.0033 2.9 5.13 2.25 2.35 0.53 0.495 12.6 3.31 0.26 0.218 0.218 0.013 2.7 8.31 2.87 0.52 1.16 0.011 4.11 0.013 9.09 3.65 136.6 3.09 0.009

0.0032 2.7 4.95 2.12 2.35 0.5 0.475 11.8 3.17 0.255 0.205 0.209 0.012 2.51 7.95 2.78 0.475 1.09 0.011 4.04 0.012 8.66 3.48 131.4 3.08 0.009

MINING & OIL 0.0033 218,000,000 2.9 392,000 5.13 286,000 2.25 9,000 2.35 1,000 0.5 703,000 0.49 2,600,000 12.5 53,000 3.21 10,380,000 0.26 310,000 0.213 18,870,000 0.217 3,060,000 0.012 5,500,000 2.61 3,782,000 8.25 9,385,100 2.85 79,000 0.475 130,000 1.15 1,122,000 0.011 2,900,000 4.11 8,000 0.013 6,900,000 9.08 7,350,500 3.61 2,335,000 132.8 2,302,250 3.08 5,000 0.009 5,000,000

704,500 1,113,060 1,439,050 19,210 2,350 356,660 1,259,800 651,888 33,556,790 79,850 3,979,980 649,000 66,100 9,910,520 76,946,542 223,760 65,850 1,276,160 31,900 32,600 82,900 65,900,618 8,402,380 310,008,815 15,430 45,000

64,000 -820,500 7,094,140 -25,560 -36,200 -20,387,472 -14,000 -24,000 21,110,387.00 699,120 55,769,564 -

ABS HLDG PDR ALCO PREF B DD PREF FGEN PREF F GMA HLDG PDR GTCAP PREF B MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2B SMC PREF 2B SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2I

44.4 103 104.1 107.2 5.87 1,025 107.3 1,155 77.35 80.5 77.5 79.7 78

44.4 103 104.1 107.2 5.95 1,025 107.5 1,155 77.35 80.5 77.5 79.7 78

44 103 103.8 107.2 5.87 1,025 100 1,155 77.35 80.25 77.5 79.7 77.25

PREFERRED 44.2 269,700 103 1,920 103.8 610 107.2 10 5.91 1,108,700 1,025 730 105 41,450 1,155 100 77.35 100 80.25 3,720 77.5 1,200 79.7 6,000 77.75 128,050

11,872,505 197,760 63,330 1,072 6,562,671 748,250 4,351,909 115,500 7,735 299,085 93,000 478,200 9,902,420

-10,529,805 -6,363,460 -120,375 -

LR WARRANT

2.18

2.33

2.17

WARRANTS 2.33 473,000

1,063,570

23,000

ALTERRA CAPITAL 9.21 ITALPINAS 4.45 XURPAS 9

9.45 4.6 9

9.21 4.39 8.5

SME 9.27 4.4 8.7

1,884,707 1,265,240 24,072,815

92,850 44,000 -9,428,449

FIRST METRO ETF 116.5

119.9

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 116.5 118.8 17,770

2,097,352

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

29,431,608

INDUSTRIAL

132,882,933

HOLDING FIRMS

104,107,552

PROPERTY

282,115,394

SERVICES

476,226,692

MINING & OIL

302,034,461

GRAND TOTAL

1,330,067,209

202,400 287,000 2,761,200

VALUE 1,743.80 (up) 49.30 1,888,738,251.00 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,047.85 (up) 175.58 2,297,839,510.16 HOLDING FIRMS 7,360.87 (up) 218.66 2,486,353,515.15 PROPERTY 3,250.53 (up) 68.29 SERVICES 1,362.09 (up) 22.34 1,715,344,684.68 MINING & OIL 12,387.81 (up) 265.04 1,345,964,085.80 PSEI 7,209.44 (up) 178.49 516,879,481.81 All Shares Index 4,336.77 (up) 88.99 10,280,441,444.73 Gainers: 146; Losers: 55; Unchanged: 32; Total: 233

brought total gains this year to 5.4 percent, following last year’s 1.6-percent loss. The broader all-share index also rose 88 points, or 2.1 percent, to settle at 4,336.77, on a value turnover of P10.3 billion. Advancers overwhelmed losers, 146 to 55, while 32 issues were unchanged. All six major sectors advanced, while 18 of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by Security Bank Corp. which soared 8.9 percent to P2.20 and SM Investments Corp. which climbed 6 percent to P689. Ayala Corp. gained 4 percent to P790. Meanwhile, the Hang Seng index headed for the highest close in three weeks, and Singapore shares jumped the most since November. The greenback weakened as the Fed minutes highlighted concerns about the impact of a strong currency on the new US administration’s stimulatory economic policies. Uncertainty over the path of US ﬁscal policy weighed heavily on the Fed’s discussion of the economy and the path of monetary policy when it decided to lift rates last month, minutes from that meeting showed. Despite growing attention to the risks of ﬁscal policy spurring faster growth than currently forecast, most on the committee reiterated that a “gradual” pace of rate hikes over the coming years would likely remain appropriate. Stocks have rallied with the dollar, while Treasuries have plunged since Trump’s election.

CebuPac set to hire 300 crew BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific said it will hire 300 new cabin crew this month to support its expansion. Cebu Pacific said it would hold recruitment fairs in Manila, Dumaguete and Tagbilaran in January to recruit as many as 300 cabin crew to add to its growing family of nearly 4,000. The recruitment fairs will be held in Manila (Cebu Pacific Building, Pasay City) on Jan. 14; Dumaguete City (La Residencia Almar Hotel, Rizal Blvd., Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental) on Jan. 28; and Tagbilaran City (Metro Centre Hotel and Convention Center, C.P. Garcia Ave., Tagbilaran City, Bohol) on Jan. 29. More opportunities for interested applicants will be made available all throughout 2017, as CEB will be conducting more recruitment fairs on later dates at chosen areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. “Last year’s recruitment fair in Manila alone was visited by about 1,000 aspiring Juans. This year, we aim to make the fair even bigger by reaching out to more areas in the Philippines. We encourage everyone to take on the challenge to be part of the Philippines’ leading airline and contribute to bringing people together through safe, affordable, reliable and fun-filled air travel,” said Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs JR Mantaring. Cebu Pacific said it would process the applications on the same day, between 9 a.m. And 3 p.m. Acceptance of updated curriculum vitae with 2x2 photo will be until 1 p.m. only. “Applicants must possess a dynamic personality, height of at least 5’3” for female, and 5’7” for male, weight that is proportional to height, clear complexion, good eyesight and a catchy smile, among others. Responsibilities include guaranteeing the safety of guests on board the aircraft, and ensuring that guests have a fun and pleasant flying experience,” it said.

Motoring

Volkswagen outpaces Volvo in Sweden F OR THE ﬁrst time in more than half a century, Sweden’s best-selling car of the year was not a Volvo but the Volkswagen Golf, according to the Swedish automakers’ association.

The Golf represented 5.9 percent of the new cars market in 2016 ahead of Volvo’s three most popular models -the V70, S90 and V90 -- with 5.7 percent shares of the market together. “It’s been 54 years since an-

other brand than Volvo topped this statistic,” Volkswagen Sweden said in a statement. “The last time this happened was in 1962 and Volkswagen was at the top even then,” it added, referring to the Volkswagen Beetle.

But the market share for Volvo remained the highest in the Swedish market with 21.5 percent. Volkswagen came in second place with 15.7 percent followed by Audi with 7,3 percent. Volvo, which produced its first car in 1927, is cherished by Swedes who take pride in the brand’s reputation for Scandinavian know-how and quality. This past year marked a new record of Swedish car sales with 372,300 new reg-

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

FASTLANE

istrations an 8 percent jump compared to 2015, the year when a previous record of 1988 was beaten. “The strength of the automotive market in 2016 is explained by the strong economic situation, robust purchasing power, record low interest rates and a stable labour market,” said the Swedish automakers’ association Bil Sweden which, however, expects a 3 percent drop in the market in 2017. AFP

Protection by Maxliner

Faraday unleashes ‘fastest’ electric car A YEAR after wowing the CES crowds with a conceptual electric hypercar, Faraday Future has returned to the consumer technology showcase with its first production model, the FF91. However, rather than a sleek and slippery rechargeable Bugatti challenger, the FF91, visually at least, has more in common with the Bentley Bentayga or Jaguar FPace as it’s a wedge-shaped SUV. At its official unveiling, executive VP of engineering, Nick Sampson declared the car: “The first of a new species.” In terms of performance, this could be true. The car has a 0-100km/h time of 2.39 seconds, which, if supported by independent testing would make it the world’s fastest production EV. Likewise its range between

recharges is 378 miles (based on US testing standards) and 435 miles using European criteria. That would put it head and shoulders above even a Tesla Model S. However, since the company burst onto the scene in January 2016, the electric vehicle landscape has changed beyond recognition. As well as established marques like Tesla and now GM, the FF91 will have to stand up to the Lucid Motors Air -- a 1000hp, 400 miles-on-a-single-charge, BMW 7 Series competitor; the Volvo-developed Lynk & Co 1 SUV; and the NextEV NIO EP9. Although, like Faraday Future, NextEV has come from nowhere, it is a company packed full of some of the industry’s biggest talents. What’s more, the company’s

first car has real-world data to back up its makers’ claims. It goes from 0-100km/h in 2.7 seconds, 0-200km/h in 7.1 seconds and has officially lapped the Nurburgring in seven minutes, 5.12 seconds. And, in 2018, when the FF91actually goes into production the competition and choice will be greater still. Jaguar will have an all-electric SUV on sale, Porsche will be readying the production version of its Mission-E four-seat super coupe and Henrik Fisker will have returned to the electric automobile fray with the EMotion, a 161mph luxury coupe with a 400-mile range. Still, according to BMW, choice is great for the consumer. “This industry is vibrant, it is

still moving forward and part of that is the competitive landscape,” said BMW’s global head of Sales and Marketing, Dr. Ian Robertson, when asked about new companies with new technologies challenging the likes of Ford and GM in the mainstream and BMW and Mercedes in the upper echelons. “I don’t underestimate any current competitors or any future competitors. I am absolutely sure that in this era that we are now entering there will be a lot of new players.” Still, whether or not they can establish themselves like Tesla, or whether they’re acquired by bigger, older car companies remains to be seen. Either way, the electric car landscape has never looked more exciting.

CURRENTLY the world’s biggest outfitters of SUV’s and trucks, Maxliner encourage you to maximize your vehicle’s flexibility and toughness by protecting your flat bed with their line of bed liners. Like its line of bedliners, the Maxbox is tough and designed for all-weather reliability and theft proof for additional safety to store your personal gear and equipment. Maxliner bedliners are also easy to install and fits most pick-up models such as the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hi-Lux, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Strada, Nissan Navara and the Ford Ranger. Based in Thailand, Maxliner is an OEM certified supplier of global brands such as Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Ford,

Nissan, General Motors, and Tata. Designed and built to ISO 14001 BVQI standards, Maxliner bed liners are made of High Density PolyEthylene (HDPE) material for high impact strength and makes your truck’s bed water and corrosion resistant. Maxliner bed liners have also undergone stringent testing in harsh environments to meet the demands of a global market to conform with global ISO standards. Check out Maxliner’s range of SUV and pickup accessories and other outdoor adventure equipment at the Outdoors Club in at the Ground Floor of the Banco de Oro Bldg. 2, Ortigas Avenue, West Greenhills, San Juan, with Tel. numbers 744-6367.

Honda Cars breaks ground in Baliuag

From left Franciso Dela Cruz (COO, ANC Group, Danilo Santos (Lot Owner), Anthony Cheng (Chairman, ANC Group), Delﬁn De Guzman (VP & Head, HCPI Corporate Strategy and Planning Ofﬁce), Norman Millare (SAVP & Division Head, HCPI Customer Service Division), Masanao Kataoka (SAVP & HCPI Adviser for Sales), and Dr. Mike Tan (President, ANC Group)

HONDA Cars Philippines, Inc. (HCPI), Honda’s automobile business unit, has held a groundbreaking ceremony in Bulacan last December 20 to signify the start of construction of the second Honda car dealership in Bulacan, Honda Cars Baliuag. Honda Cars Baliuag will be located at Doña Remedios Trinidad National Highway, Baliuag Bulacan and will sit in a total of 3,648 square meters with 40 meter frontage lot area. HCBG will offer Honda’s full vehicle line-up in their dealership as well as services of

preventive maintenance and general repairs. In attendance during the ground breaking ceremony were: Delfin De Guzman (VP & Head, HCPI Corporate Strategy and Planning Office), Norman Millare (SAVP & Division Head, HCPI Customer Service Division), Masanao Kataoka (SAVP & HCPI Adviser for Sales), Anthony Cheng (Chairman, ANC Group), Dr. Mike Tan (President, ANC Group) and Francisco Dela Cruz (COO, ANC Group). Inauguration rites for HCBG will be held in the third quarter of this year.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN Edi tor DIN O DIREC TO III A ss t . Edi tor

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

Motoring

AMG GTR side: The car sits low to the ground for better traction

Inspired by the Green Hell By Dino Ray V. Directo III

T IS a car inspired and bred from the world’s most technical and demanding race track. Prior to its introduction into the global arena, the boys from Affalterbach wanted a sports car that packed enough punch to knock out any comers from Italy, Japan and the United States.

Never before has AMG packed so much motorsports technology into a production car than into the all-new AMG GT-R. AMG also stated that this vehicle is at the totem pole of the AMG fleet. “Our sports-car and performance brand AMG has its roots in motorsport and, ever since its formation, has repeatedly faced up to the competition on the racetrack. These genes are particularly prevalent in the new AMG GT R. Boasting a wealth of technological innovations, the new top-of-the-range model is proof of the close collaboration between our constructors of racing cars and road-going

vehicles,” states Professor Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes Benz Cars Development. This front-mid-engined beast with transaxle sports car comes equipped with a twin-turbo V8 rated with a 585bhp engine, and sits on a heavily modified suspension system to keep the car glued to the ground. AMG engineers even went as far as giving the car more aerodynamics and an intelligent lightweight construction to give it that edge when it goes head-on against the World’s su-

2017 Mercedes Benz GTR: The “Shark Nose” front end and green color are the distinct features of the Benz GTR

percars. It is wrapped in a special “AMG Green Hell Magno” color scheme to visually reveal the car’s origins and where it spent most of its development, the Nurburgring. “With the new AMG GT R, we have reached the next level of driving performance. This road-going sports car with motorracing genes and innovative technical solutions offers an ultimate driving experience that allows people to feel our motorsport origins in every fiber. It combines the driving dynamics of our AMG GT3 racing car with the everyday practicality of the AMG GT. Those with petrol in their veins will be thrilled by the radical longitudinal and lateral acceleration, the precise turn-in, and the sensational grip. We have modified all performance-relevant components and linked them together intelligently for maximum driving dynamics,” says Tobias Moers, CEO of Mercedes AMG GmbH. Wider front and rear wings allow an increased track width for optimum grip and even higher

cornering speeds. The new front fascia with active elements, the large rear aerofoil and the new rear fascia with double diffuser enhance aerodynamic efficiency and help ensure optimum grip. The lightweight forged wheels shod with cup tires as standard are likewise designed for maximum driving dynamics. The same applies to other new features such as the active rear-wheel steering, the nine-way adjustable traction control system and the adjustable coil-over suspension with additional electronic control. What is more, the new AMG Panamericana grille emphasizes the unique standing of the AMG GT R. Its characteristic form with vertical fins celebrated its world première on the Mercedes AMG GT3 customer-sport racing car and now for the first time features on an AMG production vehicle. Looks fast even when parked The distinctive “shark nose” and low-slung front section, plus forwards-inclined radiator grille make the car appear to sit lower

AMG GTR engine: This twin turbo V8 pumps out 585bhp

AMG GTR rear: The rear wing helps in keeping the car glued to the ground at high speeds

on the road. At the same time, this shape lowers the vehicle’s backpressure point, enhancing the flow of cooling air and the car’s aerodynamic performance. The wide front splitter reduces lift at the front axle. Additional Air Curtains on the outside of the front fascia calm the airflow, improving the Cd value of the AMG GT R. Thanks to their narrow, vertical openings, the Air Curtains also guide the air specifically towards the wheel arches, optimizing the flow properties in this area. To ensure ideal airflow through the double wheel arch radiators, the AMG GT R additionally features new and unique wheel arch liners with special cooling-air slits. A special engineering feat is the completely new active aerodynamics profile, which is concealed almost invisibly in the underbody in front of the engine. At a speed of 80 km/h in RACE mode, this carbon component, weighing only about two kilograms, automatically moves downward by about 40 millimetres and changes the

airflow considerably. This process results in what is known as the Venturi effect, which additionally “sucks” the car onto the road and reduces the front-axle lift by around 40 kilograms at 250 km/h. This innovation was developed using computer simulation at first and then optimized during many hours in the wind tunnel. The results were confirmed in extensive test drives, including on the North Circuit of the Nurburgring. The suspension of the new AMG high-performance sports model is also systematically designed for racetrack use. Wishbones, steering knuckles and hub carriers on the front and rear axle are manufactured entirely out of forged aluminium in order to reduce the unsprung masses. The double-wishbone concept locates the wheel firmly, with minimal elastic movements. The high camber and toe-in stability results in high cornering speeds and also provides the driver with an optimum feel for the road when cornering at the extreme limits. Photos by AMG AG

Mitsubishi Motors boosts Montero Sport lineup MITSUBISHI Motors Philippines Corp has introduced the Montero Sport GLX two wheel drive with 6-speed manual transmission, adding to the current Montero Sport line up. With less than a year of introduction the Montero Sport gained several commendations from both motoring groups and its customers due to its performance, features and riding comfort. Its recent accolade is the Car of the Year (COTY)- Philippines award which validated the Montero Sport as the best SUV, winning both the 2WD and 4WD categories. The addition of the Montero Sport 2WD GLX 6MT brings the total line up to five (5), which includes the GLS 2WD 8AT, GLS Premium 2WD 8AT, GLS 4x4 6MT and the GT 4x4 8AT. Key features of the Montero Sport GLX 2WD 6MT are as follows: Engine As with the other Montero Sport variants, the GLX 2WD 6MT is also powered by the

4N15 2.4L Clean Diesel Engine which features only one in its class with variable valve timing control system known as Mitsubishi Innovative Valve timing Electronic Control (MIVEC). This quiet, powerful and fuel efficient diesel engine delivers an outstanding maximum output of 181Ps at 3500 RPM and torque of 430Nm at 2500 RPM for highly satisfying response during every day driving. For a feeling of total control that many enthusiasts demand, the GLX variant house a 6-speed manual transmission with wide gear ratio and highly efficient clutch operation. Exterior and Interior Similar to the GLS variant, the GLX variant flaunts an 18-inch Alloy Wheels, Projector-Type Halogen Headlamps and front foglamps with incorporated day time running lights (DRL). The Montero Sport GLX 2WD 6MT is available in seven exterior body colors such as the Savanna White,

Sterling Silver Metallic, Virgil Gray, Deep Bronze Metallic, Sedona Red, Mystic Blue and Pyrenese Black. To add up to the sleek design

and classy appearance of the Montero Sport, the GLX variant boasts a Floor Center Console in Silver with Piano Black Accent. Meanwhile, the interior features

of the Montero Sport GLX 2WD 6MT are almost the same features as the higher variants. It also has Central Door Lock System, Power Windows equipped with Driv-

er Side One-Touch Auto Down, Window Switch Illumination, Multimedia Entertainment System and an Automatic Climate Control System. Safety Features The Montero Sport GLX is equipped with the Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Three-Point ELR Seatbelt with Double Pretensioners which tighten the belts in the event of a collision to help restrain the driver and front passenger. Pricing and Warranty Keeping the outstanding value for money proposition, the new Montero Sport GLX is available at all Mitsubishi Motors authorized dealership at a Net introductory price of Php 1,280,000. Its Suggested Retail Price is Php1,395,000. For a worry free ownership MMPC will backed it up with a three years or 100,000 kilometers warranty whichever comes first.

Cops get video of 3 Leyte bombers

TACLOBAN CITY—Police Chief Supt. Elmer C. Beltejar, Police Regional Office 8 Director, on Thursday said its Special Investigation Task Group will soon identify the suspects of the bombing that injured 35 people at the Plaza Rizal in Barangay Central Poblacion in Hilongos, Leyte last December 28. Beltejar said their initial investigation revealed three unidentified male suspects leaving the blast site—a boxing ring during an amateur boxing event at the Hilongos town square—as captured on closed-circuit television camera footage police were still studying. “We already have a lead towards the solution of the incident, but we cannot divulge information yet as it may compromise the ongoing investigation,” SITG Commander Police Senior Supt. Allan T. Cuevillas said. Police crime scene investigators recovered components of the improvised explosive that used pieces of 60mm and 81mm mortar rounds placed in two separate locations near the boxing ring, which were detonated remotely by cellphones, Cuevillas said. The Leyte Police Provincial Office said that as of press time, only three out of the 35 injured persons were still confined at the Leyte Provincial Hospital in Palo, Leyte. Mel Caspe

LGUs

Jimbo Owen Gulle, Editor Roger M. Garcia, Assistant Editor jimbo.gulle@gmail.com mslocalgov@gmail.com

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

Plaza Rizal in Hilongos, Leyte remains full of debris—with even the boxing ring intact—as police in Eastern Visayas continue to investigate the bombing that injured 35 people there on Dec. 28. Crime scene operatives have recovered parts of the improvised explosive made from mortar shells (inset) that caused the explosion. Mel Caspe

Herbert OKs property tax proposals By Rio N. Araja

HE Quezon City Council’s proposed ordinances to increase the city’s realproperty taxes has won the approval of Mayor Herbert Bautista.

Ares Gutierrez, the city’s Public Affairs and Information Services Office head, confirmed Bautista’s nod to implement the revision of the fair market values

of land, and basic unit construction costs for buildings and other structures pursuant to the Local Government Code. “[The mayor] told me he had

already signed the tax hike, when I asked him about it sometime in December,” he told Manila Standard. On Dec. 13, the City Council passed on third and final reading Ordinance No. 20CC-141, Ordinance No. 20CC-175 and Ordinance No. 20CC-176, the latter two granting real-property tax discounts to senior citizens and solo parents, respectively. District 3 Councilor Allan Benedict Reyes, in a previous in-

terview, said he hoped Bautista would not veto the measures. Reyes said after the mayor’s approval, the three measures would be published in major newspapers for at least three consecutive weeks in January before they are implemented. City officials also belied speculations of a 500-percent tax increase with the passage of Ordinance No. 20CC-141. Rodolfo Ordanez, City Assessor’s Office head, said the QC

government will just tax the assessed value of properties at five percent only. As far as the Quezon City chapter of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. is concerned, the increase in the real-estate tax and construction cost of a unit is a welcome development. Dr. Carl Balita, PCCCI-QC chairman, said the hike was “long overdue.” “The short-term effect is we

Longer payment hours for QC taxes

‘More land needed for dramatic growth’ By Sandy Araneta MAYOR Joseph “Erap” Estrada said Manila needs more reclamation projects, such as the multibillion-peso Solar City project in Manila Bay—for the city to experience “dramatic” economic growth, saying the capital has no more room for expansion except towards the sea. Estrada said the city government’s revenue collection has been rising over the last three years, but it is not enough to propel Manila to new economic heights compared to other highly urbanized cities such as Quezon City, Makati, and Taguig. “As much as we want to, even if our income is steadily increasing, it is not enough to affect a dramatic economic growth, simply because we no longer have available land for future development, except, of course, if we take land from the sea, from Manila Bay,” he said. Estrada said the only solution is land reclamation, and of the three reclamation projects underway in Manila, the closest to fruition is the Solar City project of the Manila Goldcoast Development Corp. Billed as a state-of-the-art tourism, commercial and residential district in Manila Bay, Solar City will be built on three reclaimed islands where business centers and an international cruise ship terminal will be put up. Estrada said reclaiming 148 hectares from Manila Bay will surely expand Manila’s present land area of 42.88 square kilometers, where virtually every square inch is already occupied, mostly by informal settlers. City Treasurer Rizal Del Rosario backed up Estrada’s claim, saying Manila “is an old, crowded city of 1.7-million people” that needs major rehabilita-

tion and redevelopment. “Our problem here in Manila, it no longer has sufficient space for expansion to invite new investors. There is no more space,” Del Rosario pointed out. “What we need is a major taxable economic activity to realize more income. We cannot do so even if we have long-term investment plans. Where will we place them? Binondo, Divisoria are all squatter areas,” he added. With projects like Solar City, Del Rosario said Manila can easily collect up to P10 billion yearly in real property taxes alone. When Estrada assumed office in 2013, he said the city’s revenue collection was at P4 billion, going up to P7 billion in 2014, P9 billion in 2015, and P10.6 billion in 2016. Del Rosario attributed it to the mayor’s sound fiscal management. “But even if we have five to six percent economic growth yearly up to 10 years, this will be the limit. It’s not dramatic [growth], just slowly [increasing],” Del Rosario stressed. Unlike Quezon City, which has the Araneta Center and the Eastwood business district, Makati with its Central Business District, and Taguig with its Bonifacio Global City, Manila has no revenue-generating major business hub of its own, he added. “We have no big companies. Most of the businesses we collect taxes from are in Divisoria and Binondo, small retailers and stall holders, just small ones, most of them don’t even pay,” Del Rosario lamented. The bulk of the city’s annual budget allocation, he added, is spent on social and health services, including hospital modernization. For 2017, Manila has set aside P14.88 billion.

will really feel the increase, but just think of the long-term impact (that will be) translated into more public services and higher valuation of our properties,” Balita told Manila Standard. He allayed fears the increase in Quezon City’s fair market values would cause a rise in rental fees of commercial establishments and the prices of commodities. “The price is driven by demand and supply,” Balita said.

CENTENNIAL YEAR TOAST. Muntinlupa City government officials led by Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (right) make a toast on Jan. 3, the first working day of 2017, to mark the start of the city’s Centennial Celebration at the city hall quadrangle. Muntinlupa will be celebrating its 100th Founding Anniversary on Dec. 19 this year.

Makati caravan serves 8,000 By Joel E. Zurbano THE city government of Makati announced on Thursday its Caravan Public Service program has benefited more than 8,000 residents in 11 barangays since it was launched in August last year. The caravan, a brainchild of Mayor Abigail Binay, aims to bring city government services directly to Makati residents. It is a one-stop-shop program scheduled twice a month that offers a wide range of services for free from various frontline city hall offices, in partnership with J.C. Binay Foundation and other nongovernment organizations. Binay said from August to December, the caravan has served 8,489 residents in 11 barangays—Pio del Pilar, Guadalupe Viejo, Pinagkaisahan, Valenzuela, South Cembo, Bangkal,

Southside, San Isidro, Pitogo, Carmona and Pembo. During that period, over 2,600 residents availed of free medical consultations with doctors from the Makati Health Department. About 728 clients were given antihypertensive drugs. Free diagnostic services were also made available to residents, such as blood screening for 651 clients, X-ray for 540, and ECG for 386 clients, the mayor added. Volunteer dentists also gave free dentures to some 394 clients, and 1,778 patients got new reading glasses, courtesy of the Office of Vice Mayor Monique Lagdameo. Residents of all ages and genders enjoyed the free haircut and massage services provided by the Makati Social Welfare Department, with more than 800 clients each. The learning camp and other activities conducted by the Youth and

Sports Development Department drew over 1,400 Makati children. They also received free books and toys, courtesy of partner NGOs. Over 6,000 residents also benefited from the feeding program. The free vaccination program was also a hit among pet owners, with 1,140 dogs and cats vaccinated by the City Veterinary Services Office. The caravan has also consolidated several essential services, including the processing of new applications or renewal of Yellow Card, BLU Card, White Card, and PhilHealth registration by the MSWD, and the services of the City Civil Registration Office. Processed during the 11 caravans conducted were 569 Yellow Cards, 336 birth certificates and similar documents, 584 PhilHealth memberships, 105 solo parent cards and 45 PWD cards.

THE Quezon City government on Thursday announced the extension of its tax payment hours. Mayor Herbert Bautista urged taxpayers, especially those renewing their business permits and licenses, to take advantage of the extended business days and hours in city hall offices involved in tax assessments and payments. The extended working hours means that all revenuegenerating offices at city hall will be open from 8 a.m. and will extend beyond 5 p.m. on weekdays. Offices will also be open on Saturdays and Sundays while there are taxpayers to be served. The deadline for tax payments without penalty, as provided under the Local Government Code, is on Jan. 20. Meanwhile, Acting City Treasurer Ruby Rosa Guevarra said her office has managed to collect P19.45 billion in gross revenues in 2016. The amount represents an increase of over P2 billion to Quezon City general fund compared to the same period in 2015. Based on the Dec. 29, 2016 collection report submitted by the City Treasurer’s Office, the city posted a budget surplus of P679.74 million in 2016. Business taxes, which serve as Quezon City’s major revenue source, made up the bulk of the collection, at P8.3 billion. The amount represents an increase of nearly P745 million compared to the same period last year. Rio N. Araja

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

Republic of the Philippines

CC F

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

= Contracted Capacity = Outage Factor as derived using the following formula to be used.

Where:

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT BETWEEN COTABATO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES POWER CORPORATION, WITH PRAYER FOR PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY AND CONFIDENTIAL TREATMENT OF INFORMATION,

Where: TMED

ERC CASE NO. 2016-069 RC

21.

Rate Implication. An analysis was conducted to determine the estimated impact of the implementation of the PSA on CLPC’s generation costs, a copy of which is attached as Annex “I” hereof. The following table shows the indicative rate impact: Generation Charge

= Monthly Actual Energy Delivered TMED = Theoretical Maximum Energy Delivered being the Contracted Capacity multiplied by the hours in the relevant month, less any adjustments made for Allowed Outage, limitation due to Buyer’s dispatch order, and allowable start-up time due to period of non-generation due to a Buyer dispatch order, and any other hours as a consequence of Buyer’s failure to perform any of its obligations

22.

Annex

If ƩED = ƩTMED, F=1 If ƩED < ƩTMED, F<1

TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 28 April 2016, Cotabato Light and Power Company (CLPC) and Southern Philippines Power Corporation (SPPC) filed a Joint Application for Approval of Power Sales Agreement with Motion for Confidential Treatment of Information (Joint Application) seeking the Commission’s approval of the Power Supply Agreement (PSA) entered into by both parties on 07 April 2016.

Applicants may be served with notices, orders and other processes of the Honorable Commission through their respective undersigned counsels.

CPin

Thus, to augment its supply requirements, CLPC sought separate competitive offers from any peak load generation source and base load generation source from prospective suppliers. For the peak load generation source requirement, only one bid was received for each of the two competitive biddings conducted by CLPC, resulting in a failed bid. Thus, CLPC entered into direct negotiations with SPPC.

CPIo

WPCn

= Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination

Sample Computation of the Monthly Payments

Financial Model

SPPC 2015 Audited Financial Statements

= Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for as of December 31, 2013.

EUn

= Euro-Peso Exchange Rate for the period of price determination as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

23.

As mentioned above, the financial model attached hereto as “X” is hereby submitted under a motion to treat information confidential (“Motion”).

EUo

= Euro-Peso Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2013 as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

24.

The financial model discloses the basis for the tariff under the PSA. It includes all the formulas and calculations as well as the assumptions and values considered therein.

FPPIn

= Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for the period of price determination as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

25.

In accordance with Section 1, Rule 4 of this Honorable Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure (“ERC Rules”), Applicant SPPC respectfully moves that the financial model be treated as confidential information for the following reasons:

= 1 if the foregoing formula results in F being greater than 1

18.

Project Cost and Operating Expenses. A summary of the costs of the project and its supporting documents are attached as Annexes “P” and series. A detailed breakdown of the projected operating expenses is attached hereto as Annex “Q”

Variable Operation & Maintenance Fee (VOMF) The Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee (VOMF) covers the cost of the use of, among other items, chemicals, lubricants and spare parts, that are directly related to the generation of the Power Station. It shall be computed according to the following formula:

It must be stressed that, in accordance with the relevant policy of this Honorable Commission, SPPC shall derive no revenue whatsoever from the fuel supply.

Environmental Compliance Certificate. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has issued the necessary Environmental Compliance Certificates (“ECC”) covering the Power Station. A copy of the ECC is attached hereto as Annex “T.”

= Variable O&M Fee Rate of Php 0.18/kWh

= kWh delivered during the billing period

CPin

= Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/ NSO for the period of price determination

Salient Terms and Conditions. The PSA contains the following salient features and conditions:

CPio

Term. The PSA shall be effective from the Effective Date until two (2) years from Commencement Date (“Term”) or unless otherwise earlier terminated or extended in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

= Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/ NSO as of December 31, 2013.

EUn

= Euro-Peso Exchange Rate for the period of price determination as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

EUo

= Euro-Peso Exchange Rate as of December 31, 2013 as published by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas

FPPin

= Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing for the period of price determination as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

FPPio

= Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing as of December 3·1, 2013 as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

The PSA may be extended for an additional one (1) year period after the end of the original Term, at the option of the Buyer and under the same terms and conditions of the PSA.3

19.3.

Adjustments to Contracted Capacity and Dispatchable Energy. At any time during the Term of the PSA, the Parties may agree to permanently increase or decrease the Contracted Capacity and Dispatchable Energy. Any additional Contracted Capacity and Dispatchable Energy agreed by the Parties shall be paid for by the Buyer at the same rates specified in Schedule B (Payments to the Seller).5

19.4.

19.5.

In the case “Air Philippines Corporation vs. Pennswell Inc,” Court defined “trade secret” as follows:

WPCn

Allowed Outages. The PSA provides for an Allowed Outage not exceeding 6,570 MWh in the relevant Contract Year, or the proportionate number of hours if a Contract Year is less than 12 months. 6

WPCo

Replacement Capacity and Energy. During any period of Outage within the Allowed Outage and subject to the availability of Replacement Capacity and Energy from the System, the Seller shall use its best efforts to deliver Replacement Capacity and Energy to the Buyer. If Replacement Capacity and Energy is requested by the Buyer, the Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost of the Replacement Capacity and Energy delivered by the Seller to the Buyer shall be a full pass-through cost to the Buyer. 7 The cost of transmission line losses and congestion from the Receiving Point, or Alternative Receiving Point in the case of Replacement Capacity and Energy, to the Buyer’s substation shall be for the account of the Buyer. 8

the Supreme

26.

Also, the financial model was prepared and developed for the exclusive use of SPPC, and is designed for the specific use of the company in its power generation business. Consequently, should the financial model be disclosed to the public, it could easily be copied or used by SPPC’s competitors or other entities engaged in the power business for their own benefit, and to the prejudice of SPPC. Thus, the commercial value of the said model will be diminished significantly.

27.

Given the foregoing, the financial model qualifies as “confidential information” as defined under Section 2, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules.

28.

In accordance with Section 1 (b), Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, an electronic copy of the financial model is contained in one compact disc and submitted in a sealed envelope marked with the word “Confidential.”

29.

Further, all parties furnished copies of the present Application are not furnished copies of the model subject the present motion.

30.

In accordance with Sections 3 and 4, Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, Applicant SPPC reserves the right to use the financial model and its contents as evidence, and respectfully moves for the issuance of a Protective Order.

31.

VOMFR

Contracted Capacity. The Contracted Capacity is five megawatts (5 MW) as may be increased or reduced in accordance with the PSA.4

25.2.

Allegations in Support of the Prayer for Provisional Authority = Variable O&M Fee, in Pesos

19.2.

The financial model qualifies as a “trade secret” as under existing jurisprudence.

Where: VOM

19.1.

25.1.

“A trade secret is defined as a plan or process, tool, mechanism or compound known only to its owner and those of his employees to whom it is necessary to confide it. The definition also extends to a secret formula or process not patented, but known only to certain individuals using it in compounding some article of trade having commercial value. A trade secret may consist of any formula, pattern, device, or compilation of information that (1) is used in one’s business; and (2) gives the employer an opportunity to obtain advantage over competitors who do not possess the information. Generally, a trade secret is a process or device intended for continuous operation of the business. for example, a machine or formula. but can be a price list or catalogue or specialized customer list. It is indubitable that trade secrets constitute proprietary rights.” (Emphasis supplied)

If ƩED = ƩTMED, F=1 If ƩED < ƩTMED, F<1

Salient Terrns and Conditions of the PSA 19.

Allegations in Support of the Motion for Confidential Treatment

A summation of the ED & TMED for a given Contract Year shall be made to determine true F during the Contract Year. Such yearly F factor shall be basis for adjustment of the CRF for the Contract Year. The adjustment shall be guided by the following conditions:

Certificate of Compliance. This Honorable Commission has issued the necessary Certificate of Compliance for the Plant. A copy of the said certification is attached hereto as Annex “V.”

Project Cost

Certificate of Compliance issued by the Energy Regulatory Commission

DOE Accreditation. The Department of Energy has accredited the Power Station as a Block Power Production Facility under the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Executive Order No. 215. A copy of the pertinent certificate of accreditation is attached hereto as Annex “U.”

Specific Fuel Oil Consumption Certificate of the Power Station

Certificate of Accreditation issued by the Department of Energy

= Theoretical Maximum Energy Delivered being the Contracted Capacity multiplied by the hours in the relevant month, less any adjustments made for Allowed Outage, limitation due to Buyer’s dispatch order, and allowable start-up time due to period of non-generation due to a Buyer dispatch order, and any other hours as a consequence of Buyer’s failure to perform any of its obligations

17.

Brief description of the technical characteristics of the Power Station

TMED

16.

General Information Sheet of SPPC for the Year 2015

WPCo

Overview of the 55 MW2 SPPC Power Station

15.1.

F= Monthly Actual Energy Delivered TMED

Fuel Supply. In order to ensure the supply of fuel for the operations of the Power Station, SPPC is currently in the process of selecting a fuel supplier. A copy of a document on the fuel procurement process is attached hereto as Annex “S.”

SPPC’s Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

= Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/ NSO as of December 31, 2013.

Thus the instant Application.

15.

Demand Side Management (DSM) Programs of CLPC

Environmental Compliance Certificate issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Where:

Contract for the Supply of Electric Energy between CLPC and PSALM

Fuel Procurement Process

= Outage Factor as derived using the following formula to be used.

Project Finance; Weighted Average Cost of Capital (“WACC”). The project is being funded through loans and equity. A computation of the WACC indicating the debtequity ratio, and the interest cost is attached hereto as Annex “R.”

Rate Impact Analysis

14.

I J

Computation of the WACC with Debt-Equity Ratio and Interest Cost

Section 45 (b) of Republic Act No. 9136, or the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001, provides that distribution utilities may enter into bilateral power supply contracts subject to review by the ERC. In connection with this, ERC Resolution No.2, Series of 2015, provides that the distribution utilities and generation companies jointly file with the Honorable Commission their respective power supply agreements.

13.

Secretary’s Certificate re Board Resolution on the authority of CLPC to enter into the supply agreement and CLPC’s authorized signatory

The specific fuel oil consumption (“SFOC”) of the Power Station shall not be greater than 0.2464 kg/kWh at site condition of 32 deg. C ambient temperature. The SFOC is based on a bunker C fuel oil density of 0.9855 kilogram/liter. A copy of a certification on the Power Station’s specific fuel oil consumption rate is attached hereto as Annex “ O.”

= Consumer Price Index for Metropolitan Manila Area (National Capital Region), all items published by NEDA/ NSO for the period of price determination

= Finland Producers’ Price Index for Manufacturing as of December 31, 2013 as published in the International Financial Statistics of IMF

12.

Secretary’s Certificate re Board Resolution on CLPC BAC Evaluation Reports

Detailed Breakdown of the Projected Operating Expenses

FPPIo

The Generation Facilities. SPPC shall supply power under the PSA from its 55 MW bunker C-fired diesel power generating plant located in Alabel, Saranggani Province (the “Power Station”). A brief description of the technical characteristics of the Power Station is attached hereto as Annex “N.”

Accordingly, CLPC and SPPC entered into a Power Sales Agreement (PSA) for the supply of five megawatts (5 MW) for two (2) years from the Commencement Date, as defined in the PSA. The term may be extended for an additional one (1) year period.

11.

CLPC BAC Evaluation Reports and Letter Request to Negotiate a PSA

10.

Offer of Alsons Power Group for SPPC

P and series = Fixed O&M Fee Rate of PHP 219.00/kw/month

Moreover, CLPC’s firm supply contract for 2 megawatts of capacity with one of its suppliers will expire on April 28, 2016.

Power Sales Agreement

FOMR

2nd Invitation to Submit Proposal for the Supply of Power

CLPC Distribution Development Plan

Where:

A major contributing factor to this deficit is the El Niño phenomenon that is adversely affecting Mindanao, resulting in the reduction in the capacity allocation to CLPC by its hydroelectric power plant suppliers such as NPC/PSALM.1 From December 26, 2015 to April 12, 2016, NPC/PSALM, on the average, allocated only about 7.77 MW per month from a maximum contracted capacity of 15.68 MW, or the average equivalent energy of 8,472 MWh per month from the maximum contracted energy of 11,664 MWh in the month of February for the said period.

SPPC is a generation company duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at the 4th Floor Alphaland Southgate Tower, corner EDSA and Chino Roces Extension, Makati City.

Based on the demand and supply outlook of CLPC for the remaining months of 2016 up to 2020, CLPC sees a deficit between its current supply portfolio and its current and projected demand requirements. This deficit is projected at an average of 6.2 MW, with a projected peak deficit of 8 MW by 2020.

1st Invitation to Submit Proposal for the Supply of Power

CLPC is a corporation duly organized and existing under and by virtue of the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with office address at Sinsuat Avenue, Cotabato City. CLPC is a duly authorized distribution utility of electric power to the end-users in the City of Cotabato and portions of the Municipalities of Sultan Kudarat and Datu Odin Sinsuat, all in the province of Maguindanao (“CLPC Franchise Area”) pursuant to its franchise under Republic Act No. 10637.

Statement of Facts

Document

Fixed Operation & Maintenance Fee (FOMF)

Applicants

0.1882

The Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee (FOMF) covers the operating and maintenance costs of the Power Station. It shall be computed according to the following formula:

CLPC and SPPC alleged the following in their Joint Application 1.

Impact

3.9585

In support of the instant application, the following documents are attached as annexes hereof:

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

With SPPC

3.7703

Total (Php/kWh)

= 1 if the foregoing formula results in F being greater than 1

COTABATO LIGHT AND POWER COMPANY, AND SOUTHERN PHILIPPINES POWER CORPORATION, Applicants.

Without SPPC

32.

The Applicants move for the issuance of a provisional approval of the PSA pending trial on the merits for the following reasons: a.

Mindanao Power Crisis and upcoming May 9, 2016 Presidential Elections. Due to the continuing power shortage in Mindanao, the area served by CLPC continues to suffer power outages. From December 28, 2015 to April 12, 2016, CLPC was compelled to implement rotational brownouts from 2 to 4 hours as a result of the tight supply. Hence, the PSA with SPPC will greatly aid in narrowing the power supply gap that CLPC requires in order to minimize the power outages in its franchise area. Minimizing power outages due to lack of supply has become especially urgent with the upcoming presidential elections in May 9, 2016.

Continuing demand growth. As illustrated in the DDP, CLPC is expecting a growth in the total demand of its end-users. This, coupled with the lack of supply in Mindanao and the continued reduction in the supply allocation by NPC/PSALM will result in a widening of the supply gap, which CLPC may not immediately attend to. This will greatly disadvantage the end-users of CLPC who will then be forced to suffer frequent and prolonged outages.

The immediate approval of the PSA will allow CLPC to immediately draw power from an available plant in order to serve the power needs of its customers. Thus, the immediate approval of the PSA will ultimately redound to the benefit of the customers of CLPC in terms of continuous, reliable, efficient and affordable power supply. Attached as Annex “Z” of this Application is the Judicial Affidavit of Mr. Mark Sam P. Banluta, in support of the request for Provisional Authority. PRAYER WHEREFORE, in view of all the foregoing, it is most respectfully prayed that this Honorable Commission:

= Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO for the period of price determination = Wholesale Price Index for Mineral Fuels, Lubricants and Related Materials for the Philippines as published by NEDA/NSO as of December 31, 2013.

ISSUE an Order declaring the financial model attached as Annex “X” as confidential information within the purview of Rule 4 of the ERC Rules, as well as directing that the financial model be treated with confidentiality and be protected from public disclosure;

ISSUE the corresponding Protective Order in accordance with Sections 2 and 4 of the said Rule 4;

Pending trial on the merits PROVISIONALLY APPROVE, the PSA, including all the rates, fees, charges and tariff adjustment mechanisms set out therein; and

After trial on the merits, APPROVE with FINALITY the PSA, including all the rates, fees, charges and tariff adjustment mechanisms set out therein.

Actual Fuel Cost (AFC) The Actual Fuel Cost (AFC) is the fee paid to the Seller as payment for the procurement and delivery of the fuel oil (Bunker C) used in the operation of the SPPC Power Station. The Actual Fuel Cost shall be computed as follows: AFC = FC x EC x ED

Other reliefs just and equitable are likewise prayed for.

Where:

19.6.

Backup Capacity and Energy. During any Forced Outage,9 the Seller shall have the obligation to deliver Backup Capacity and Backup Energy to the Buyer.10

= Fuel Cost; The average MOPS price of Bunker C Fuel Oil/ Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) deliveries during the period of price determination in Peso/liter

19.7.

Monthly Payments.11 Commencing on the Commencement Date and continuing throughout the Term, the Buyer shall pay to the Seller an amount (the “Monthly Payment”) calculated in accordance with the formula set out in Schedule B (Payments to the Seller). Subject to Section 6.3 (Settlement), billings shall be based on the Contracted Capacity and monthly energy delivered to the Buyer at the Receiving Point or Alternative Receiving Point and in accordance with the provisions of Schedule F (Measurement and Recording of Electricity).

The Commission has set the Joint Application for determination of compliance with the jurisdictional requirements, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference, and presentation of evidence on 26 January 2017, Thursday, at nine o’clock in the morning (9:00 A.M.), at ERC’s Mindanao Field . Office at Mintrade Bldg., Monteverde Ave. corner Sales St., Davao City.

= Efficiency Cap; 0.2464 kg/kwh 0.9855 kg/liter

= Energy Delivered, kwh

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

The Buyer, on a pro rata basis of the capacity of the Power Station allocated to the Buyer, shall pay the Seller Start-Up Costs for the cost of starting up the SPPC Power Station, or any portion thereof, after a period of shutdown due to any reason attributable to the Buyer. The Start-Up Costs shall be computed based on the prevailing price of diesel fuel at the time of the Start Up and paid in accordance with the following:

All Ancillary Service charges, taxes, fees, imposts and other similar charges shall also be included in the monthly billing. The Monthly Payment in respect of a Billing Month shall include Replacement Capacity and Energy Costs and Backup Capacity Costs and Backup Energy Costs to the extent applicable. The Monthly Payment shall be subject to further adjustments if there are new taxes, fees, imposts and similar charges, or any increase in existing taxes, fees, imposts and charges. 19.8.

Type of Start-Up

Liters of Diesel Fuel per Unit

Cold Start-up (more than 10 hours of shutdown)

600

Warm Start-up (less than10 hours of shutdown)

300

Schedule B (Payments to the Seller) of the PSA is reproduced below: SCHEDULE B

PAYMENTS TO THE SELLER The Buyer shall make the following payments to the Seller in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement: 1.

Start-Up Costs (SC)

The Monthly Payments shall be paid to the Seller on a monthly basis in accordance with the following formula:

The Buyer shall pay the Seller Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost in accordance with the invoice provided by the supplier of Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost.

A concise statement of the Opposition or Co1nment; and

The grounds relied upon.

Backup Capacity and Backup Energy Costs Fee (if applicable)

Value Added Tax

VAT = (CRF + FOMF + VOMF + AFC + SC + RCEC + BCEC) X 0. 12

1.1

CRF shall be computed as follows: CRF

= CRFR x CC x F

Where: CRFR

= Capital Recovery Fee Rate of PHP250.18/kw/month

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the Joint Application may request from Applicants that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. Applicants are hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the Joint Application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the Joint Application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours. WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR (On Leave), and the Honorable Commissioners ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARUC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 28th day of December 2016 at Pasig City.

This computation notwithstanding, the VAT to be paid by the Buyer to the Seller is as collected by the Buyer from its Customers.

ATTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

Overdue Charges. Any amounts not paid on or before the Payment Due Date shall earn interest at the 91-day T-Bill Rate plus three percent (3%) per annum, from the day after the Payment Due Date until the date upon which such amount was received by the Seller.12

19.10. Payment Made Prior to Due Date. The Buyer shall be given a one and a half percent (1.5%) prompt payment discount on the payment in full of the applicable Capital Recovery Fees twenty (20) days prior to the relevant Payment Due Date. 13

1 2 3 4 5 6

20.

A statement of the relief desired.

The name and address of such person;

Where: CRF FOMF VOMF AFC SC RCEC BCEC Taxes

19.9.

The relative Value Added Taxes (“VAT”) of the above fee payments of 12% shall be computed as follows:

Capital Recovery Fees Fixed Operation and Maintenance Fee Variable Operation and Maintenance Fee Actual Fuel Cost Start-Up Costs Replacement Capacity and Energy Costs Back-up Capacity and Energy Costs Value-Added Tax as collected from CLPC’s customers and other applicable taxes, if any, net of any withholding tax, as applicable. Capital Recovery Fee (CRF)

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

Monthly Payments = CRF+ FOMF + VOMF + AFC + SC + RCEC + BCEC + Taxes = = = = = = = =

The petitioner’s name and address;

Replacement Capacity and Energy Cost Fee (if applicable)

The Buyer shall pay the Seller Backup Capacity and Energy Cost equivalent to the Monthly Payment had there been no Forced Outage.

Monthly Payments

Financial Model. A copy of SPPC’s financial model is attached hereto as Annex “X.” The said financial model is subject to a motion for confidential treatment of information as discussed below.

Further, Applicant SPPC respectfully manifests that the said financial model is only for the purpose of illustration and does not reflect the real tariff basis of SPPC.

8 9 10 11 13 14

NPC stands for National Power Corporation. PSALM stands for Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management Corporation. Net Dependable Capacity See Section 3.2., PSA. Section 1.1 (Definitions), PSA. Par. 3, Section 4.1, PSA. See Definitions, Section 1.1 of the PSA. See Section 6.6, PSA. See paragraph 3, Section 5.5, PSA. “Forced Outage” means, after the Commencement Date, any Outage in excess of the Allowed Outage, whether due to unplanned partial or total plant shutdmvn, for reasons other than Force Majeure. Par. 1, Section 6.7, PSA. Section 7.2 of the PSA. See Section 7-4 (a), PSA. Section 7-4 (b), PSA. G. R. No. 172835, 13 December 2007. (MS-JAN. 6/13, 2017)

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IN BRIEF Iran denies violating Syria ceasefire TEHRAN―Iran has hit back at “unconstructive” Turkish allegations that Tehran’s allies were violating a fragile ceasefire in Syria, accusing rebels of breaking the truce. “The current ceasefire in Syria has been violated repeatedly by the anti-government armed opposition groups,” foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said Wednesday. “(Turkey) should take necessary measures to deal with several instances of ceasefire violation by these groups and at the same time refrain from taking unreal stances and accusing other parties.” He was responding to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, who on Wednesday accused Syrian President Bashar alAssad’s government of violating a ceasefire Ankara brokered with regime backer Moscow last week. Cavusoglu warned that the “violations” were jeopardizing planned peace talks in Kazakhstan later this month. Ghasemi criticized the “unconstructive remarks” and said they could “further complicate the current situation” in Syria. Despite backing opposite sides in the conflict, Ankara and Moscow have worked closely to broker the ceasefire and plan the Astana talks, which Cavusoglu said could take place on January 23. Regime ally Iran is also involved in organizing the talks, and top official Alaeddin Boroujerdi was in Damascus on Wednesday for talks with Assad. AFP

11 killed in road accident in Kenya NAIROBI-Eleven people were killed in Kenya Thursday when the driver of an overloaded minibus lost control of the vehicle which rolled over and landed in a ditch, traffic police said. The vehicle, known as a matatu, was traveling from Sirare on the Tanzanian border to the port city of Kisumu when the accident took place. “Officers collected eight bodies at the scene. Unfortunately three others passed on while being rushed to the hospital,” said traffic official Andrew Naibei. Local police commissioner Mohammed Maalim said the minibus was carrying too many passengers “and we expect a thorough investigation (into) how such an overloaded matatu could travel all the way from Sirare,” he said. According to Kenya’s traffic department, some 3,000 people die annually on the country’s roads, which are clogged with trucks and other vehicles whose drivers often carry out dangerous manoeuvres to pass each other on busy sections. But the World Health Organization believes the figure could be as high as 12,000. In December a tanker carrying flammable materials plowed into 11 vehicles, causing a fireball that left over 40 dead. AFP

Iraq launches offensive against IS BAGHDAD―Iraqi forces on Thursday launched an offensive aimed at retaking towns still under the control of the Islamic State group in western areas near the border with Syria, commanders said. “A military operation has begun in the western areas of Anbar to liberate them from Daesh,” said Lieutenant General Qassem Mohammedi, commander of the Jazeera Operations Command, using an Arabic acronym for IS. He said the operation was led by the army’s 7th division, police, and ﬁghters from local tribes that have opposed the jihadists, with aerial backing from the US-led coalition. The main targets of the operation are Aanah, Rawa and Al-Qaim, the westernmost Iraqi towns along the Euphrates Valley. The jihadist hub of Al-Qaim, which lies 330 kilometers northwest of Baghdad, is still a long way down the road and the most immediate target of the new offensive is the town of Aanah. “Our forces started advancing from Haditha towards Aanah from several directions,” Mohammedi told AFP. Haditha was never seized by IS when the group swept across much of Iraq’s Sunni Arab heartland in 2014 and is home to a tribe that has led the ﬁght against the jihadists in the area. AFP

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Scars haunt Colombia rebels V EGAEZ, Colombia―Jair’s missing right leg reminds him of many things: the heavy price he paid for fighting in the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the pain he inflicted on others. The 25-year-old guerrilla came of age in the FARC, which he believed was ﬁghting to create a more just Colombia. Now, the Marxist rebels are gathering in disarmament camps after reaching a peace deal to end the half-century conﬂict. Preparing to disarm has given Jair a chance to think about how the violence has shaped his life. Six years ago, he was pursuing an enemy soldier in the country’s northwest when he stepped on a land mine. Blown through the air, he landed 15 meters away, covered in blood and wearing nothing but his underwear, even though he had been dressed in combat fatigues just seconds before. “It’s very hard when you’ve never been taught how to live after losing a leg,” he told AFP at a FARC camp in the jungle along

the Arquia river, in the northwest. The camp sits near one of the demobilization zones where the rebels are now due to surrender their weapons, in a process overseen by the United Nations. Wearing shorts and a T-shirt, the handsome Jair seems like any other 20-something from the waist up. But he feels ashamed when civilians see his “ugly scar,” he said. “We’re at peace, but obviously this thing happened to you during the war. It’s a reminder you’re left with,” he said. A native of Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Jair joined the FARC because he believed in their ﬁght for social justice in a country with an ugly history of exploiting its impoverished masses. But he struggles with the destruction his own actions wrought

Venezuala’s opposition regroups in crisis CARACAS―Crisis-hit Venezuela’s divided opposition relaunches fraught efforts on Thursday to oust Socialist President Nicolas Maduro. Despite presiding over an economic disaster that has led to food shortages and deadly riots, Maduro still has the upper hand, analysts say. Here are five reasons his opponents have failed to turn popular discontent to their advantage in the year since they took control of the legislature. The MUD vowed to hold Maduro to account for the shortages that have sparked deadly riots. But citizens’ hardship has only worsened this year, with soaring inflation and a shortage of banknotes. “There were very high expectations that were not met” in 2016, Jesus Torrealba, secretary of the center right-led MUD coalition, admitted recently. As spokesman for the MUD, he is one of the opposition’s most visible faces, but not necessarily its most influential. The broad coalition contains numerous parties whose leaders have disagreed with Torrealba and one other. “The opposition has lacked a leadership strategy,” Torrealba said. Divisions in the opposition deepened after authorities in October blocked its efforts to hold a popular vote on removing Maduro. Torrealba and others later agreed to Vatican-sponsored talks with the government. But opposition figures such as jailed party leader Leopoldo Lopez branded that a ploy by Maduro to calm protests. “These are not superficial divisions,” said political analyst Luis Vicente Leon, president of the polling firm Datanalisis. “Within the MUD there are structural differences between moderates and radicals over what path to take to deal with the problem of Maduro. And its leaders have conflicting interests.” Ordinary citizens may be struggling, but Maduro is still managing to pay the bills to keep himself in power. He has the backing of the military high command. He retains the political loyalty of senior figures in the “Socialist revolution” launched by his late predecessor Hugo Chavez. And so far his government has not defaulted on its debts to foreign creditors. All this leaves the opposition “in a doubly difficult situation,” said Leon. “They are struggling against a force that holds economic, military and political power, and they are divided in doing so.” Maduro on Wednesday named a hardline former security minister as his new vice-president, Tareck El Assaimi. He would take over as head of state if Maduro were by any chance removed from office this year. Maduro’s popularity has plunged in the crisis. But so has the opposition’s. A recent survey by Datanalisis showed nearly 80 percent of Venezuelans disapproved of Maduro’s leadership. But a study by consultancy Keller and Associates showed support for the opposition MUD coalition had fallen to just 38 percent. On Thursday the opposition lawmakers who hold a majority in the legislature are due to name a new speaker and other congressional leaders. They are also scheduled to announce a new strategy in their bid to censure Maduro for his handling of the crisis. But since the opposition majority took over the assembly a year ago, its motions have been overruled by the president’s allies in the Supreme Court. The opposition walked out of the talks last month, accusing the government of breaking its promises. The government last week freed seven opposition leaders, but that does not appear to have saved the talks. “These releases are a one-off,” said political scientist Ricardo Sucre. “They do not get to the root of the problem, which is a lack of trust” in the government. “That is why the [negotiation process] is dead.” Sucre said the opposition’s only option for challenging Maduro’s power now is by winning posts in local and regional elections this year. AFP

on other people’s lives. “It weighs on me, because it’s a war between poor people. We’re killing each other,” he said. The Colombian conflict, which grew out of a crushed peasant uprising in the 1960s, has drawn in not only the army and the FARC, but several other leftist rebel groups as well as drug gangs and right-wing paramilitary units funded by wealthy landowners. It has killed more than 260,000 people and left 60,000 missing. Mileidy, 19, also struggles with the scars left by the conflict. A year ago, army air strikes hit the camp where the teenage guerrilla and her comrades were hiding out. Shrapnel tore into her legs and right arm. She still has metal fragments lodged in her body. “It feels like an electric current that just keeps growing. It really hurts,” said the rebel. She said she had no regrets about her role in the conflict. “They (the army and paramilitaries) were shooting to kill. So how could we feel bad about capturing and killing them?” she said with a severe gaze.

RESERVE YOURAD SPACENOW!

Notice of Loss Stock Certificate

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP NAT. CASE NO. 16-0016-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ORDER In today’s hearing on the Motion to Reset filed by the counsel for the petitioner, Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan manifested that the reason why a second Motion to Reset was filed is because as per information provided to him the Bureau of Printing, the first available printing of Official Gazette will be on January 16, 2017 and pursuant to the law it requires that the same be set at least six (6) months after the last publication. Finding the merit in the Motion to Reset, the same is hereby granted. Let the initial hearing of this petition be reset to August 24, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. as prayed for. SO ORDERED.

Notice is hereby given that Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Stock Cert. No. 18312 for 1,000 shares with par value of P1.00, issued to Arellano J. Quan was lost. If no contest is received, a new stock cert. will be issued. Affidavit of Loss of the said stock certificate was executed under Notary Public Atty. Crisanto Pascual, Jr. at Bacoor, Cavite Doc. No. 228 Page No. 46 Book No. VIII Series of 2016.

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(MS-DEC. 30,2016, JAN. 6 & 13, 2017

Republic of the Philippines National Capital Judicial Region REGIONAL TRIAL COURT City of Makati Branch 60 IN RE: PETITION FOR RECONSTITUTION OF THE ORIGINAL COPY OF TRANSFER CERTIFICATE OF TITLE NO. 217906,

Marikina City, this 24th day of November, 2016.

(Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO Judge Copy Furnished: Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Counsel for the Petitioner Manpreet Kaur Pabla Petitioner Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry, Marikina City Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)

ORDER Acting on the Motion to Reset Hearing filed by the petitioner through counsel on November 7, 2016, finding the merit thereof, the same is granted. The hearing set on February 9, 2017 is hereby cancelled and reset to June 29, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. SO ORDERED.

R-MKT-16-02667-LR

SPOUSES RICHARD O. AFATEN AND MIRIAM ANDREA C. ESPIRITU-AFATEN, Petitioners. x---------------------------------x ORDER Petioners SPOUSES RICHARD O. AFATEN AND MIRIAM ANDREA C. ESPIRITU-AFATEN filed this PETITION which the Court received on November 14, 2016 for the reconstitution of the Original Copy of Transfer Certificate of Title No. 217906 registered in the name of Cynthia Espiritu married to Jose Marie De Castro, Dulce C. Espiritu, Belinda C. Espiritu, Edwin C. Espiritu and Petitioner Miriam Andrea C. Espiritu-Afaten of the Makati City Register of Deeds. Attached the PETITION were the following: 1) Photocopy of the Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) No. 217906 (Annex “A”, Expediente pp. 6 to 7); 2) Photocopy of the Declaration of Real Property (Annex “B”) pp. 8 to 10); 3) Certification from the Office of the Barangay Captain, Barangay Bangkal, Makati City (Annex “C” pp.12); 4) Deed of Absolute Sale dated April 25, 2016 (Annex “D” pp.12 to 14) and 5) Certification from tha Land Registration Authority dated August 30, 2016 (Annex “E”). Finding the PETITION to be sufficient in form and substance, this Court hereby: (a) sets the case for hearing on February 21, 2017 at 8:30 in the morning. (b) orders Petitioner (1) to serve within twenty four (24) hours from receipt of this Order, copies of the PETITION and its annexes, to the Office of the Prosecutor, City of Makati, the Administrator, Land Registration Authority, East Avenue, Quezon City, the Register of Deeds of Makati, 5th Floor New Makati City Hall Bldg., Poblacion, Makati City; and (2) to show proof of said service to this Court. (c) orders all persons interested in this PETITON (1) to appear on said date and time before this Court-Regional Trial Court, Branch 60, City of Makati; (2) to show cause, if any, why the PETITION should not be granted; (d) orders the Branch Clerk of Court to furnish copies of this Order to the Petitioners, the counsel, the City Prosecutor of Makati, the Land Registration Authority and the Register of Deeds of Makati. Pursuant to OCA Circular No. (108-2010, “Guidelines for the Temporary Replacements of Clerks of Court in the Handling Case/s from which they are Disqualified under Section 1, Rule 137 of the Rules of Court, as amended,” in relation to A.M. No-08-4-1-SC, the counsel of the Petitioner, is hereby ordered to file on or before the presentation of jurisdictional facts a written manifestation under oath, whether or not he or his clients are related to the Branch Clerk of Court, stating therein the degree of relationship by affinity or consanguinity. Let the PETITIONER at her expense, publish this ORDER once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks prior to the intended hearing on February 21, 2017, in a newspaper of general circulation to be chosen in a raffle to be conducted by the Office of the Clerk of Court, Regional Trial Court, City of Makati. Moreover, Linda B. Fallorin, designated Process Server to this Court is hereby directed to post this ORDER at the Bulletin Board of the Makati Hall, the Regional Trial Court, City of Makati, 11th Floor New Makati City Hall Bldg., Bulletin Board, and the Barangay Hall of bangkal, City of Makati. The Court Process Server is directed to submit proof of posting to this Court within five (5) days after completion thereof. SO ORDERED. Given in chambers on November 22, 2016. HON. CEZAR L. AGANON Presiding Judge ((MS-DEC. 23 / 30, 2016/ JAN. 6, 2017)

But now, “we’re in a peace pro- with massacres, kidnappings and cess. You have to make friends revenge killings. with them,” she said. Last October, voters rejected “Nobody likes war,” said Se- the peace deal after opponents vebastian, a guerrilla who lost his hemently condemned the concesright eye in a 1998 skirmish with sions made to the FARC, which paramilitary fighters who accord- will become a political party. ing to the FARC had been killing The opposition campaign arpeasant farmers. gued that President Juan Manuel He was 19 years old at the time. Santos gave the rebels seats in “Combat isn’t good, but some- Congress when he should have times you have to do it,” he said, jailed them for war crimes. still dressed in the camouflage Santos, who won the Nobel uniform he has worn for more Peace Prize five days later, sent than 20 years. his negotiators to work out a re“But now there won’t be any vised deal with the FARC. more battles. We have to forgive.” The second time around, he It remains to be seen how ready had it ratified in Congress. Colombian society is to forgive Critics complain the final deal the FARC, however. still grants the FARC impunity Over the decades the rebels and was never put to a popular have themselves wrought YELLOW terror vote. AFP CYAN MAGENTA BLACK

Marikina City, this 10th day of November, 2016.

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES REGIONAL TRIAL COURT NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (Also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner, x-------------------------------------------------x

1. Petitioner is MANPREET KAUR PABLA, an Indian national, single, fondly called DAISY by her friends, a bona fide resident of the Philippines, specifically residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, where she may be served with copies of pleadings, motion, summons, orders, resolutions, judgment, decisions and other court processes; 2. She was born in Chandigarh, India on 28 December 1984, and is now 31 years old. Copy of her authenticated Certificate of Birth is hereto attached as Annex “A” to form part thereof; 3. Her personal description is: racial color Indian; complexion, brown; height, 165.1 cm.; weight, 54 kg.; color of hair, black; color of eyes, black; other visible distinctive marks scar on the chin. Copies of her two (2) photographs is hereto attached as Annexes “B” and “C” to form parts hereof; 4. Prior to petitioner’s transfer to No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, she and her parents were living at No. 20-E Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, Marikina City from 1985 to June 1994; 5. She migrated to the Philippines from Del-Delhi, India, when she was barely 5 month old, via AF-AIR FRANCE through the passport of her mother, Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port of Manila on or about 26 May 1985 as shown by the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration which shows her lawful entry for permanent residence in the Philippines. Copies of the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration and Alien Certificate of Registration as Annexes “D” and “E” to form parts hereof; 6. Although petitioner entered the Philippines under her mother’s passport, she was allowed to use the surname PABLA because it is allowed under Indian law. Subsequently, her parents used the same surname, PABLA. Copies of petitioner’s parents Marriage Certificate, Passports and pertinent portion thereof, Alien Certificates of Registration and Affidavits of Publication are hereto attached as Annexes “F”, “G”, “H”, “I”, “J”, “K” and “L” to form parts hereof; 7. She took and finished her Elementary and Secondary Educations at Infant Jesus Academy situated at Russet Street, Rancho Estate IV, Marikina City, where Philippine history, government and civics are being taught and one of the requirement to finished the course. Copies of her True Copy of Grades for Elementary and High School issued by Infant Jesus Academy are hereto attached as Annexes “M” and “N” to form parts hereof; 8. She also studied and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University situated in MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, where Philippine history, government and civics are likewise being taught and one of the requirements to finished the course. Copies of her Official Transcript of Records and Diploma issued by Our Lady Fatima University are hereto attached as Annexes “O” and “P” to form parts hereof; 9. Petitioner continuously resides in the Philippines since she arrived on 26 May 1985, and never left the Philippines, except for short vacations and tours, to wit: Date of Departure 4 April 1989 27 March 1996 6 April 1998 6 April 2004 9 March 2007 16 November 2010

Copies of petitioner’s travel record issued by the Bureau of Immigration and pertinent portion of her Passport are hereto attaché as Annexes “Q” and “R” to form part hereof. 10. Petitioner is not an anarchist, polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy; 11. She has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor is she suffering from any mental alienation or incurable contagious disease. Copies of her Barangay Clearance, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Court Clearance, Fiscal (Prosecutor’s) Clearance and Bureau of Immigration Clearance are hereto attached as Annexes “S”, “T”, “U”, “W” and “X”; 12. One year prior to the filing of the instant petition, petitioner had filed and submitted to the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines her verified declaration of intention to become a Filipino citizen in compliance with Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, as amended. Copy of the said document duly received by the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), through its Docket Management Service, on 17 August 2015, with file No. 6660, as well as the Official Receipt issued by the OSG, are hereto attached as Annexes “Y” and “Z” to form parts hereof; 13. Petitioner is willing, upon being admitted to Philippine citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly India, of which at this time she is a citizen or subject; 14. Thus, petitioner practically grew up in the Philippines and was raised as a Filipino and have mingled socially with the Filipinos and she have learned to love and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos, and she believe in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitutions; 15. Petitioner is a person of good moral character, good repute and morally irreproachable. Copies the Affidavits of Vice Mayor JOSE FABIAN I. CADIZ, Filipino citizen, a resident of Marikina City, Philippines, with postal address at Office of the Vice Mayor, Legislative Building, Marikina Cityhall, Brgy. Sta. Elena, Marikina City, and KARL VINCENT B. ALMENARIO, Filipino citizen, with postal address at No. 69 Santan Street, San Isidro Village, Concepcion 1, Marikina City, attesting to petitioner’s good moral character, good repute and irreproachable morality and she is a resident of the Philippines since her childhood and has all the qualifications and none of the dis-qualifications are hereto attached as Annexes “AA” and “BB” to form part hereof; 16. Petitioner possesses all the qualifications for the grant of Filipino citizenship, being not less than 21 years of age, has been residing in the Philippines continuously for more than ten (10) years, of good moral character, believes in the principle underlying the Philippine Constitution, conducted herself in a proper and irreproachable manner during her entire residence in the Philippines, never been convicted nor charge criminally, owner of a real property in the Philippines worth not less than five hundred thousand pesos, studied in schools where Philippine history, government and civics are taught as part of the school curriculum during her entire residence in the Phillippines, socially mingled with Filipinos and able to speak and write Pilipino and English, and none of any of its disqualifications. Copy of the Certificate of Condominium Title is hereto attached as Annex “CC” to form part hereof; WHEREFORE, premises considered, it is most respectfully unto to the Honorable Court to grant the petitioner FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP and all the rights, duties, responsibilities and obligations appertaining thereto. Other reliefs, just and equitable, under the law are likewise prayed for. 22 August 2016, Makati City, Philippines.

(Sgd.) ATTY. RASSEL A. DINGLASAN

ORDER Before this Court is a verified Petition for Naturalization filed by petitioner MANPREET KAUR PABLA, through counsel Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan. Petitioner alleged that she is an Indian national, single, fondly called Daisy by her friends, a bona fide resident of the Philippines, residing at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, where she may be served with copies of pleadings, motion, summons, orders, resolution, judgment, decisions and other court processes. Petitioner was born in Chandigarh, India on December 28, 1984, and is now 31 years old. Petitioner’s personal description is Indian racial color; brown complexion, brown; 165.1 cm. height; 54 kg. weight; black hair color; black eye color with other visible distinctive marks scar on the chin. Prior to petitioner’s transfer to NO. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, petitioner and her parents were living at No. 20-E Agricultores Street, Sto. Niño, Marikina City from 1985 to June 1994. Petitioner migrated to the Philippines from Del-Delhi, India when she was barely 5 months old, via Af-Air France through the passport of her mother, Jagdish Kaur, and arrived at the port of Manila on or about May 26, 1985 as shown by the Certification issued by the Bureau of Immigration indicating lawful entry for permanent residence in the Philippines. Petitioner entered the Philippines under her mother’s passport, she was allowed to use the surname PABLA because it is allowed under Indian Law. Subsequently, her parents used the same surname, PABLA. Petitioner took and finished her elementary and secondary educations at Infant Jesus Academy situated at Russet Street, Rancho IV, Marikina City, where Philippine history, government and civics are taught and one of the requirements to finish the course. Petitioner also studied and graduated with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Our Lady of Fatima University situated in MacArthur Highway, Marulas, Valenzuela City, where Philippine History, government and civics are likewise being taught and one of the requirements to finish the course. Petitioner continuously resides in the Philippines since she arrived on May 26, 1985 and never left the Philippines, except for short vacations and tour, to wit: Date of Departure April 4, 1989 March 27, 1996 April 6, 1998 April 6, 2004 March 9, 2007 Nov. 16, 2010

Date of Return to the Philippines May 8, 1990 May 27, 1996 May 31, 1998 June 11, 2004 March 12, 2007 Nov. 23, 2010

Petitioner is not an anarchist, polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy. Petitioner has not been convicted of any crime involving moral turpitude nor is she suffering from any mental alienation or incurable contagious disease. Petitioner had filed and submitted to the Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines her verified declaration of intention to become a Filipino citizen in compliance with Section 5 of Commonwealth Act No. 473, as amended. Petitioner is willing, upon being admitted to Philippine citizenship, renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potente, state, or sovereignty, and particularly India, of which at this time she is citizen or subject. Petitioner practically grew up in the Philippine and was raised as a Filipino and have mingled socially with the Filipinos and she have learned to love and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos, and she believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution. Petitioner is a person of good moral character, good repute and morally irreproachable. Petitioner declares that she possesses all the qualifications for the grant of Filipino citizenship, being not less than 21 years of age, has been residing in the Philippines continuously for more than ten (10) years, of good moral character, believes in the principle underlying the Philippine Constitution, conducted herself in a proper and irreproachable manner during her entire residence in the Philippines, never been convicted nor charge criminally, owner of a real property in the Philippines worth not less than five hundred thousand pesos, studied in school were Philippine history, government and civics are taught as part of the school curriculum during her entire residence in the Philippines, socially mingled with Filipinos and able to speak and write Pilipino and English, and none of any disqualifications. Petitioner prays that the Court grant her Filipino citizenship and all the rights, duties and responsibilities and obligations appertaining thereto. Finding the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, notice is hereby given that the said petition will be heard by this Court sitting at the 3rd floor, Justice Hall Building, Marikina City on February 9, 2017 at 8:30 A.M. at which place, date and time, all interested persons are hereby cited to appear and to show cause, if any, why the petition should not be granted.

Date of Return to Philippines 8 May 1990 27 May 1996 31 May 1998 11 June 2004 12 March 2007 23 November 2010

Counsel for the Petitioner Unit 441 Cityland Pasong Tamo Tower, 2210 Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City IBP Lifetime Membership No. 04338 Quezon City Chapter PTR No. A-2966337; 4 MAY 2016; Taguig City; Roll No. 43756 MCLE Compliance No. V-0022609 Issued on 29 June 2016 VERIFICATION / CERTIFICATION OF NON-FORUM SHOPPING I, MANPREET KAUR PABLA, also known as Daisy K. Pabla, is of legal age, Indian citizen, single, and with residence and postal address at No. 4 (40) Ephesian Street, Oro Vista Subdivision, Concepcion Uno, Marikina City, after having been duly sworn to in accordance with law, hereby deposes and says, that: 1. I am the petitioner in the above-entitled case; 2. I have caused the preparation and filing of the foregoing petition and the allegations contained therein are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and/or based on available authentic records; 3. I hereby certify that I have not commenced any action or petition involving the same issue in any court, Court of Appeals, Supreme Court, tribunal or quasi-judicial agency and to the best of my knowledge, no such other action or petition is pending therein, and if I should thereafter learn that the same or similar action or petition has been filed or pending, I shall report such fact to this Honorable Court within five (5) days from knowledge thereof. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I hereby affix my signature this AUG. 20, 2016 day of ________ 2016 in CITY OF MAKATI.

(Sgd.) Manpreet K. Pabla (a.k.a. Daisy K. Pabla) Petitioner SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, in the CITY OF MAKATI, this AUG. 30, 2016 day of ______ 2016 the affiant to me her Philippine Bureau of Immigration Alien Certificate of Registration No. E304907 Cert. of Res. ICR-248162 issued on 04-0202012 and valid until 04-02-2017. Doc. No. SI Page No. 13 Book No. XII Series of 2016. Copy furnished: Office of the Solicitor General Of the Philippines Amorsolo Street, Legaspi Village Makati City

ANNEXES ANNEX “A”

ANNEX “B” ANNEX “C” ANNEX “D”

ANNEX “F” ANNEX “G”

ANNEX “I-1”

ANNEX “G-1”

ANNEX “J”

ANNEX “E”

ANNEX “H”

ANNEX “I”

ANNEX “K” ANNEX “L” ANNEX “M” ANNEX “N”

Let this Order be published, at the expense of the petitioner, for three (3) consecutive weeks in the Official Gazette and in a newspaper of general circulation, and a general notice of hearing posted in a public and conspicuous place where petitioner’s residence is located. Petitioner is likewise directed to cause the service of this Order together with the copy of the petition and its annexes to the Office of the Solicitor General. Let a copy of this Order be sent to the Local Civil Registry of Marikina City, the petitioner and her counsel.

ANNEX “O” ANNEX “O-1”

ANNEX “P”

ANNEX “Q” ANNEX “Q-1”

SO ORDERED. Marikina City, this 3rd day of October, 2016.

(Sgd.) ACEREY C. PACHECO Judge Copy Furnished: Atty. Rassel A. Dinglasan Counsel for the Petitioiner Manpreet Kaur Pabla Petitioner Office of the Solicitor General Local Civil Registry, Marikina City OCC-RTC, Marikina City Philippine Statistics Authority (NSO)

ANNEX “R” ANNEX “S” ANNEX “T” ANNEX “U” ANNEX “V” ANNEX “W”

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES NATIONAL CAPITAL JUDICIAL REGION REGIONAL TRIAL COURT BRANCH 165 MARIKINA CITY IN THE MATTER OF THE PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION/APPLICATION FOR FILIPINO CITIZENSHIP

ANNEX “X” ANNEX “Y” ANNEX “Y-1” ANNEX “Y-2” ANNEX “Z”

ANNEX “AA” TO “AA-4”

ANNEX “BB” TO “BB-5

NAT. CASE NO. 16-0013-MK MANPREET KAUR PABLA (also known as DAISY KAUR PABLA) Petitioner x-------------------------------------------------x

ANNEX “BB” TO “BB-5

ANNEX “CC” ANNEX “CC-1”

PETITION FOR NATURALIZATION COMES NOW, the petitioner, through the undersigned counsel, and unto this Honorable Court, most respectfully avers that:

(MS-Dec. 23, 30, 2016 & Jan. 6, 2017)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

Cesar Barrioquinto, Editor

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

Australia denies claim on soldiers SYDNEY―Australia Thursday rejected claims it tried to “recruit” Indonesia’s best soldiers as Jakarta moved to tone down a rift after military ties were suspended. The two neighbors revealed Wednesday military cooperation had been put on ice last month after teaching materials deemed offensive to Indonesia were found at an Australian army base. Cooperation including joint exercises and education and exchange programs were halted after a visiting Indonesian ofﬁcer raised concerns about the materials at the facility in Perth. Indonesia’s military chief General Gatot Nurmantyo told reporters Thursday it involved “unethical stuff” which “discredits Indonesia and its military, even the nation’s ideology”. “It’s about soldiers in the past, East Timor, Papuan independence and ‘Pancasila’,” he said, referring to the nation’s founding philosophy. The ABC also broadcast footage Thursday of Nurmantyo giving a lecture in November, voicing fears Canberra was trying to recruit soldiers sent to Australia for training. “Every time there is a training program -- like recently -- the best ﬁve or 10 students would be sent to Australia. That happened before I was chief so I let that happen,” he said in translated remarks, according to the broadcaster. “Once I became chief commander of the national forces, it (the students being sent) did not happen again. They will certainly be recruited.” Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne denied Canberra had targeted Indonesian soldiers to be potential agents. “No, that is not the case and it is something which we would not countenance of course,” she said. Payne added that an investigation into the teaching materials that sparked the spat was almost complete and the government took the concerns seriously. “We are working closely with our counterparts both at the military and at the political level to rectify any concerns, to address any concerns and to resume the relationship in its entirety as soon as possible,” she said. Despite military ties being suspended, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said relations with Canberra remained robust. “I think the relationship between Indonesia and Australia is in good condition, but perhaps on the operational level it still needs to be discussed so things will not heat up,” he said. AFP

ANNIVERSARY. Indian Sikh devotees eat a communal vegetarian meal, known as ‘langar’ (free food), at The Sikh Shrine The Golden Temple in Amritsar on January 5, 2017. as a ‘Jalau’ took place on the occasion of the 350th birth anniversary of the tenth Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. AFP

Spy chiefs to testify on Russian hacking W ASHINGTON―Top US spy chiefs will testify in Congress Thursday on alleged Russian interference in the US election as President-elect Donald Trump continued to question intelligence that Moscow was behind the hacking of Democratic party computers.

The American public could get a better idea of the strength of the evidence on the alleged hacking as the Senate Armed Services Committee holds a hearing led by strong Russia critic John McCain, who on Wednesday called Moscow’s actions to subvert the US presidential vote an “act of war.” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper and National Security Agency Director Michael Rogers are due to testify amid a heated rift between Trump and the intelligence bodies he will rely upon for crucial advice when he becomes president on January 20. In tweets this week, Trump ridiculed the CIA and FBI conclusions, which are supported by outgoing President Barack Obama, that hackers working at the bidding of the Russian government stole embarrassing Dem-

ocratic Party documents from the party’s computers and leaked the via WikiLeaks to undermine the presidential campaign of Trump rival Hillary Clinton. Referring to a planned presentation to him by intelligence chiefs, Trump tweeted: “The ‘Intelligence’ brieﬁng on so-called ‘Russian hacking’ was delayed until Friday, perhaps more time needed to build a case. Very strange!” He then added to the insult by citing WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange in his dismissal of the ﬁndings of multiple US agencies that Russia was behind the hacking. “Julian Assange said ‘a 14 year old could have hacked Podesta’ - why was DNC so careless?” Trump said, referring to the thousands of emails and documents robbed from the computers of the

Democratic National Committee and from Clinton campaign chief John Podesta. Trump’s taunts have boosted pressure on the White House, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Director of National Intelligence to back up their claims last month that the Russian government was behind the hacking, intentionally divulging the documents via WikiLeaks to disrupt the election and help Trump. The intelligence chiefs and Obama have pointed the ﬁnger at Russian President Vladimir Putin, saying no such operation could go on in Moscow without the highest level of approval. On December 29, Obama retaliated, expelling 35 Russian “intelligence operatives,” placing sanctions on Russian government ofﬁcials and intelligence services, and alleged hackers. But the evidence made public by the agencies remains thin, allowing Trump, who has made clear he wants to improve fraught relations with Russia, to mount a challenge to the US intelligence establishment. The Wall Street Journal reported late Wednesday that Trump

is already working on a plan to restructure the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which Trump believes “has become bloated and politicized,” the Journal reported, citing people official with the planning. The plan could also include revamping the CIA, cutting back its headquarters staff while boosting deployment of agents in the field, the Journal said. Trump will be briefed Friday by the heads of the CIA, FBI and DNI on the evidence behind their conclusion on Russia election interference. And a declassified version of a White House report on the case is expected to be released next week. But he meanwhile rankled officials in both political parties and angered the intelligence community by his choice of Assange as a reference for his views. In a radio interview Wednesday, Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan branded Assange “a sycophant for Russia.” “He leaks, he steals data, and compromises national security.” Democratic Senator Mark Warner said Trump showed “frankly flabbergasting” disrespect for the intelligence officials. AFP

Charges against president rejected SEOUL―The impeachment trial of South Korea’s President Park Geun-Hye got under way Thursday, with her lawyers arguing there is no evidence to back the corruption allegations that threaten to force her from office. Parliament voted to impeach Park last month over an influence-peddling scandal that has brought hundreds of thousands of protesters onto the streets every week demanding her removal. Park is accused of colluding with a longtime friend, Choi Soon-Il, to strong-arm donations worth tens of millions of dollars from top firms which were then funneled to dubious foundations. The president is also accused of using her influence to ensure the merger of two Samsung units in 2015 to help facilitate a father-to-son power succession of Samsung’s founding family, allegedly in return for bribes given to Choi. The National Assembly, which must have its vote upheld by the Constitutional Court, accused Park of a “serious breach of the constitution” during the first full hearing in the impeachment case. “The court is requested to fire the president so that impaired constitutional order can be restored”, said Kwon SeongDong, a lawmaker representing the parliament. “The president has betrayed the trust and mandate from the people”, he added. The Constitutional Court’s initial hearing on Tuesday was curtailed after Park failed to attend. It decided to proceed on Thursday regardless of whether she was present. Park’s lawyers said there was no proof the president had issued any directive, oral or written, to tell her aides to ensure the National Pension Fund -- the largest shareholder of one of the two Samsung units -- voted for the merger. They urged the court to overturn the impeachment vote, saying the motion had been based on “likelihood at best” and insisted she be reinstated as president immediately. “There is no solid evidence to back the impeachment”, Park’s lawyer Lee Jung-Hwan told the court. Park is also accused of ordering aides to leak state documents to Choi, who has no official title or security clearance, and allowing her to meddle in state affairs including the appointment of top officials. Park also allegedly failed to carry out her official duties as the head of state during her response to the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster that claimed more than 300 lives, mostly schoolchildren. The court has asked Park’s lawyers to clarify the mystery surrounding her seven-hour absence at the time of the disastrous sinking. Unconfirmed media reports have suggested a wide range of theories about Park’s whereabouts, including a romantic liaison, participation in a shamanistic ritual, cosmetic surgery or a 90-minute haircut. AFP

Looting as gas price protests go on

IN MEMORIAM. This ﬁle photo taken on February 27, 2007, shows actress Carrie Fisher, left, and her mother actress Debbie Reynolds arriving for Dame Elizabeth Taylor’s 75th birthday party at the Ritz-Carlton in Lake Las Vegas. Screen icon Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, ‘Star Wars’ legend Carrie Fisher, are to be buried side by side among many stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age, US media reported on January 3, 2017. ABC News said a private memorial service limited to family and close friends would take place on January 5, 2017. Reynolds’ son Todd Fisher told ABC’s ‘20/20’ on Friday he was planning a joint service at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills with the help of Billie Lourd, his niece and Carrie Fisher’s daughter. AFP

MEXICO CITY―Looting broke out at dozens of stores in Mexico on Wednesday on the sidelines of protests against a steep gasoline price increase as authorities detained more than 200 people. Mexicans have blocked service stations, disrupted highway trafﬁc and staged protests since the government increased fuel prices by 20.1 percent on January 1. Vandalism and looting erupted amid the rising tension, prompting Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong to instruct the National Security Commission to support local authorities. The National Association of Self-Service and Department Stores said 79 shops were looted while access to more than 170 was blocked, mainly in the state of Mexico, the capital, the central state of Hidalgo and the western state of Michoacan.

The government of the state of Mexico, which surrounds the capital, said in a statement that 161 people, including 35 minors, were detained for “various acts of vandalism and thefts at shops” in six municipalities. The statement said “some groups of people have seized on the situation to commit thefts and acts of vandalism under the pretext of protesting the liberalization of the price of gasoline.” Media images showed people using motorcycles and pick-up trucks to steal goods. Mexico City Mayor Miguel Angel Mancera told the Televisa network that 23 shops were looted in the capital and 64 people were detained. Some shops closed in the afternoon, but city secretary general Patricia Mercado told local radio “there’s no need for that” as she vowed to police would prevent further vandalism.

Federal police said 20 new protests and roadblocks have been reported in various parts of the country on Wednesday. State energy company Pemex warned on Tuesday that the blockades were affecting the distribution of fuel and that it had reached a “critical situation” in the northern states of Chihuahua and Durango and the central state of Morelos. President Enrique Pena Nieto defended the price increase, saying it was necessary due to a rise in global oil prices. “I understand the irritation and anger among the population in general,” he said, arguing that not increasing the prices would have been more painful for the economy. The government says the increase is a ﬁrst step before letting the market dictate how much drivers will pay in March as part of a sweeping energy reform. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

SHOPPING

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Turn your phone into your wallet SMART subscribers are in for a whole lot of treats with exclusive prepaid load and online shopping discounts through PayMaya, the country’s leading digital payments mobile app that allows users to get an instant virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard that they can use for digital purchases. By downloading the PayMaya app on their Android or iOS phones and registering with their Smart, TNT or Sun mobile number, subscribers will be able to instantly get a virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard which they can load up at PayMaya load-up centers and use in more than 36 million merchants worldwide that accept MasterCard. Smart subscribers who download the PayMaya app and use their virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard can also get as much as 10 percent discount on Smart prepaid load when they buy in-app, as well as enjoy exciting perks and discounts from Zalora, Jollibee and many other big brands that will be announced in the coming weeks. “With a vast majority of ‘uncarded’ Filipinos, many are still unable to experience the life-changing benefits that digital services offer today. With the Smart and PayMaya partnership, we aim to once again help our customers

break barriers and experience new ways of transacting and engaging,” said Katrina Luna Abelarde, SmartWireless Consumer Operations head. “We are happy to join forces with Smart, the leader in mobile, so their subscribers can get more out of their purchases through the virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard. With Smart’s reach and ‘nationwidest’ presence, we can all, in turn, help bring the many benefits of digital payments to more Filipinos,” said Kenneth Palacios, PayMaya Philippines director and vice president for International Platforms. PayMaya is the globally recognized digital payments app from PayMaya Philippines, the digital financial services arm of PLDT and Smart. Launched in September last year, the app has been the consistent no. 1 in the Google Play Philippines charts under the finance app category. The PayMaya mobile app serves as a digital prepaid wallet where users can link virtual and physical prepaid cards, among them the Smart MasterCard. PayMaya Philippines is regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas to ensure all user transactions are secure. With their virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard, users will be able to:

• Transact online and use digital services. With the instantly generated 16-digit card number in their virtual MasterCard, users will be able to do online shopping and subscribe to their favorite digital services that require a credit, debit or prepaid card as a payment option. • Get discounts on prepaid load packages. Users will be able to purchase prepaid credits and enjoy up to 10 percent discounts to load their own Smart prepaid numbers or send as gifts to family and friends. • Pay bills. Through the app, users will be able to pay their Smart, Sun, PLDT, Maynilad, Cignal, Meralco and a host of other bills using credits they have loaded to their PayMaya account. Users can load up their PayMaya accounts in any of the over 15,000 touch points nationwide, which include Smart Stores, SM Malls Business Centers, Robinson’s Department Stores, UnionBank ATMs, 7-Eleven stores with Cliqq Kiosks, TouchPay Kiosks, and Smart Padala Centers, on top of online banking via BDO and UnionBank. With the PayMaya app, users will be able to instantly see a list of all their transactions and manage their usage. At the same time, they will receive

Smart subscribers who download the PayMaya app and use their Smart MasterCard can enjoy exciting perks and discounts from Zalora

timely SMS notifications each time they use their virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard anywhere. Smart and PayMaya also introduced a physical Smart MasterCard payment card and an NFC-enabled Smart MasterCard payment sticker, which users

can link to the PayMaya app and use in millions of brick-and-mortar merchants that accept MasterCard here and abroad. To know more about Smart MasterCard, visit smart.com.ph or www.paymaya.com.

Digital payments mobile app PayMaya allows users to get an instant virtual prepaid Smart MasterCard that they can use for digital purchases from more than 36 million merchants worldwide that accept MasterCard

Life

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017 isahred@gmail.com

Pets’ costume party D

OG and cat lovers recently had a grand time with their furry friends in the Pet Express Petrifying Trail: Pet Costume Party Year 7 at the SM Mall of Asia.

Grumpy feline buddies in their adorable pumpkin costumes

Cute fairy Spitz

Organized by Pet Express, the onestop-shop for your dog and cat needs, the event showcased lovable pets at the stage with their fun, delightful and creative—and sometimes frightful— costumes. Dogs and cats dressed like their pet parents in costumes of vilely villains like Joker and Harley Quinn; smashing superheroes like Thor, Batman and Robin; or Anime characters like Pokemon’s Ash Ketchum, and Sailor Moon. Others sim-

pups had trick or treat time at the Alpo, Our Dog and Pedigree booths. Participants also had their petrifying moments immortalized by photo booking all about their pet at the Photobook Worldwide booth. Bryan Pacho and his pet, on the other hand, won an Overnight Stay at the Acquaverde Pet Express Petrifying Trail: Pet Costume Party Year 7 was held in partnership with Alpo, Good Boy, Our Dog, Vitakraft, Pedigree, Friskies, Our Cat, Coco Green, Miao Cat Café, Pet One, Muddy Paws, Pawtography PH, Acuaverde, Hisense and Metromart.com.

ply dressed-to-scare with costumes of characters like Jack Skellington of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the Corpse Bride, or fairy tale characters The Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan and Tinker Bell. At the the event, many dog and cat enthusiasts had the chance to enjoy freebies from different booths, get yummy treats and win cool Visit Pet Express stores are at SM Mall prizes for their pets. Cats of Asia, SM Hypermarket Makati, SM had the chance to play at the C i t y North Edsa, SM Megamall, Cocogreen Cat ClimbSM City Fairview, SM City ing Gym and take Masinag, SM Dasmariñas refreshments at the Cavite and Pet Express branchMiao Cat Café; while es at Greenhills and Alabang Hills.

Duncan in his cowboy-themed attire

Get 'Thor-i-fied' with Chowder and his hammer wielded thunder

Scary and cute is this Chihuahua wearing a 'The Nightmare Before Christmas'-inspired costume

A FURRY PARTY. Pet parents and their furry friends had a wonderful time showcasing their creative costumes and winning special prizes at the 'Pet Express Petrifying Trail: Pet Costume Party Year 7'

Pet Food Institute shares tips on proper etiquette on dog walking TAKING a walk out in the park or neighborhood with your furry companion is a great way to provide social activity, help your dog stay healthy and prevent obesity. Pets need regular exercise—such as daily walks—to keep at a recommended weight, plus walks allow you and your dog to get acquainted with other pets and pet parents. While dog-walking is a fun and worthwhile activity, it can also be full of potential mishaps that could adversely affect other park-goers if proper etiquette is not observed. As an advocate of responsible pet ownership, Pet Food Institute, through its campaign “Well-Fed, Well-Nurtured” in partnership with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines, shares some tips for an enjoyable, worryfree dog-walking experience.

helpful in getting you out of the most unfortunate pickle. Enticing a stubborn pet with a tasty treat will help shift their focus on you instead of unfriendly dogs or cats. Remember to treat responsibly, however, in order to prevent obesity. Treats should make up no more than 10 percent of a pet’s daily calories. Dog tags – Make sure the leash and collar are sturdy and won’t slip off, that your pet is wearing identification tags with your address and phone number. Poo bag – One of the most important items to bring is a waste bag to pick up the poo. It can be bothersome to see unsightly and smelly poo on the street, much more step on it. Do have the courtesy to clean up the waste with a sealable bag or paper and throw it in the proper trash bin.

Make sure your pet is in good health

Maintain a safe space

Before you step out with your fourlegged friend for a stroll, ensure that your pet is in good shape and is well trained to meet different pets and people outdoors. There may be strangers, both human and pet, who will approach your pooch, so it is important that your furry friend already had its entire series of vaccinations.

Bring all the important things

Keep a harmonious atmosphere by maintaining a safe distance with other pets. There’ll be many episodes of unfamiliar canines trying to get friendly with your dog by doing nose and butt sniffing, which is their instinctive and natural way of saying “hi.” But before they do, get a feel of your dog’s tension and energy if he/she is open for interaction. If so, then by all means let them get acquainted with each other. Of course, you don’t want them to get sniffing too long. Not all dogs have the same disposition and some may value their own privacy more than the other. If a dog feels invaded or threatened, its natural reaction will be snarling, barking or biting, so keep the interactions short and sweet.

Before you get to the door and begin the walk, make sure you have all the important things with you for a hassle-free adventure with your dog. Water – Hydration is essential to your pet’s health and helps his or her body systems function properly. Your pup may get dehydrated after doing the occasional sprints and leaps, so a bottle Take full control of water is essential to keep Fido hydratBeing the pet owner, you must have ed especially on hot and humid days. full control of the dog’s behavior. You Treats – A handful of treats will be may have gained familiarity of your

dog’s movements and sensitivities, but also be cautious of its unpredictability. Start off with a good quality leash to lead on or lead away your pet. Young Fido may be the friendly type of pup that wants to play with people, but keep in mind there are some individuals who are fearful of dogs. Having a shorter leash gives you a better advantage of controlling your dog, so in case when something or someone comes your way, your pet remains by your side. On the other hand, there are also dogs that are not too socially adept with people. Give the eager individual a friendly warning before he/ she pets your dog. When controlling your pet, do it calmly and quietly. Yanking the leash abruptly or calling your pet loudly translates differently with your dog and could be a cause of commotion.

Positioning is key

When you are walking your pet with other dog-walkers in the neighborhood, make sure your canine is positioned away from the fellow walker and his/ her pet. The ideal image would be dogowner, owner-dog to allow safe and peaceful walking. When walking on the roadside, ensure that the pet is led away from the vehicle lanes.

Let them do their business in a proper place

You may be prepared to clean up your dog’s dirty crime scene, but the bigger question lies on where it should take place. In many residential areas, this is the most important unspoken rule. Seeing someone else’s excrement is a big downer for property owners who have worked hard on their lawns and landscapes, so make a courteous gesture by averting your dog from trespassing and dumping in a private property.

It is important to know the proper etiquette on dog-walking before you and your pooch venture on a leisurely stroll outdoors

It is best to train your mutt to defecate For more information on responsible pet or leak in general areas such as grass care, visit www.petfoodinstitute.org and strips in the middle of the sidewalk. follow PFI on Twitter @USPetFood.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

People to WATCH OUT for in 2017

Bryan Cranston and James Franco in "Why Him?"

the next Matteo Do in the GMA remake of My Love From the Star opposite Jennylyn Mercado.

VERY year a fresh crop of newcomers arrive on the scene determined to break out of obscurity and become the next Alden Richards or Nadine Lustre. While many of the newcomers fall short of that goal, a few faces rise and start to make a name.

Now, who will be 2017’s breakout stars? We have put together a list of six upand-coming names that we think are going to create an interesting mark on the local showbiz scene this year. Joshua Garcia As the star of one of the biggest films of 2016 (Vince & Kath & James), everyone is going to be paying close attention to this young actor. Billed as the next John Lloyd Cruz, the teen actor is working his way up using his biggest advantage – his acting skill. Slowly but surely, the former PBB Teen housemate transitions from TV actor to bona fide movie star. Joshua is currently filming Bloody Crayons, a follow up to his recent movie. Kim Domingo For a long time, nobody knew who she was until the audience watched her regularly in Bubble Gang and a cover of a popular men’s magazine featured her sexy self. To start off a very promising year, Kim is cast as Vhong Navarro’s leading lady in the remake of Mang Kepweng. It’s her first major role in a film in eight years, not to mention her first lead role. Gil Cuerva Who, you may be asking? Let us introduce you to the next possible big star in television. The 21-year-old showbiz newbie is halfSpanish and he’s one of the most soughtafter print and ramp male models on the local fashion scene. Gil is no stranger to the spotlight, and now all eyes are on him as

Gabbi Garcia The 18-year-old actress earned a place in our shortlist for 2017 breakout contenders when she joined the cast of the hit series Encantadia as Alena. Although she’s already appeared in a few Kapuso shows, it’s only recently when people started noticing the young star as the love team with Ruru Madrid also gains numbers among TV viewers. Ronnie Alonte It’s hard to believe that the Hashtags member was picked up by our radar, he is not in one, but in two movies last playing important roles. Both ﬁlms were entries to the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. Will he be the next big leading man? That’s what we need to ﬁnd out this year since his mother network is grooming him as a matinee idol. He just needs to go through a couple more acting workshops to address what he really lacks. Elisse Joson Her biggest break was her being cast in a fast-food commercial, which promoted the concept of welcoming change and moving forward after a heartbreak. The TVC itself went viral online and trended worldwide on Twitter. She then became a part of the “lucky” group of housemates in the reality TV series Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7 and then in the primetime TV series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. It’s just going to be a busy year for the millennials’ “hugot queen.”

A funny movie on in-laws 20TH Century Fox’s Why Him? starring James Franco and Bryan Cranston reveals more of an overprotective father and a well-meaning but foulmouthed boyfriend who find themselves at wit’s end trying to prove something to each other. Following a sentimental moment before visiting her college daughter, Stephanie (Zoey Deutch), Ned (Cranston) along with his wife Barb (Megan Mullally) and Scotty (Griffin Gluck) felt awfully surprised upon meeting his daughter’s boyfriend, internet billionaire Laird Mayhew (Franco). After an awkward initial meeting with the shirtless Laird, the family soon warms up to Laird but not Ned. The tension grew at its most intense when Laird revealed to Ned that he’s about to pop the question to Stephanie. Determined that he’s not good enough for his daughter, Ned goes on an all-out war with Laird to stop him from asking his daughter to marry him. Why Him? is an original story by director John Hamburg along with Jonah Hill and Ian Helfer, produced by a team of guaranteed blockbuster filmmakers consisting of Shawn Levy, Ben Stiller and Dan Levine. Why Him? trailer link here https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=GZ_XZVeCeRc. A hilarious kind of date movie for clashing in-laws, Why Him? opens Feb. 1 in cinemas nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.

Beauty that flows in the veins By Robbie Pangilinan NEWS anchor, TV host, actress, and entrepreneur Dianne Medina celebrated her birthday at Child Haus, a foundation that houses and supports young cancer patients undergoing treatment in government hospitals in Manila. She was in Beautiful Strangers last year with Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe and Rocco Nacino. Dianne is continuing her mother’s advocacy of supporting cancer patients. Her mom fought cancer for 10 years. She is taking extra care of herself, not only maintaining her physical beauty, but more importantly, keeping her health in check. “I take vitamin supplements for my complete nutrition. I know that taking vitamins also gives me a beauty boost

because vitamins B, C, and E can make the skin glow and appear softer and healthier because the nutrients come from within,” says Dianne, who started out in showbiz as the winner in Studio 23’s Wazzup Wazzup 2006 Tadjock Search. However, experts say that when you take oral supplements, only a small amount is actually absorbed by your body while the rest goes to waste. “When you take vitamins orally, not everything is absorbed in the bloodstream. For one, our stomachs have acids to digest food and these acids break down the oral supplement in the stomach, allowing the body to absorb only a small amount of the vitamins,” says Dr. Olga Reyes Roque, Actress and TV host Dianne Medina resident doctor of YSA Skin and Body Experts. inject it directly to the veins. Injectable If you want your body to absorb almost Glutathione treatments have been 100 percent of the vitamins you take, popular for years already. Glutathione

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, January 6, 2017

ACROSS 1 Didn’t give way 5 No. 2’s 10 — -back (easygoing) 14 Fridge stick 15 Sir — Newton 16 Gorby’s domain 17 Sharif of the movies 18 Hull filler 19 “Wool” on clay sheep 20 Initialize a disk 22 Most brighteyed and bushytailed 24 Green-egg layers 26 Feel giddy 27 Lacking any comfort 30 Silt deposits 34 Iron pumper’s pride 35 Litterbugs 38 Banister post 39 Poetic adverb 40 Win every game 42 Memorable decade 43 Prevent 46 Andrew’s ex 48 Snag 49 Just say no 51 Slushy fruit

drink 53 London lockup 55 Boot part 56 Soup morsel 60 Account book 64 Jog 65 Hint 67 Chan rejoinder (2 wds.) 68 Handle 69 Take potshots at 70 Earns as profit 71 Musher’s vehicle 72 Bellows 73 Afternoon socials DOWN 1 Horseshoe site 2 Tar’s patron saint 3 Nonsense poet Edward — 4 Attic window 5 Food 6 NASA counterpart 7 O.K. Corral gunfighter 8 Beeper 9 Made a basket 10 Ball or Clifton 11 Arthur of Wimbledon 12 Osiris’ beloved 13 Heck!

21 23 25 27 28 29

Tsp. and oz. Quick-witted Buffaloes Opera prop Vex Back forty’s forty 31 Punk 32 Craggy abode 33 Insults 36 Lillie or Arthur 37 Vassals 41 Early releases? 44 Corrected 45 Romanov title

47 Comet — -Bopp 50 Foot 52 Bookish one 54 Greene of “Bonanza” 56 Natural elevs. 57 Europe-Asia range 58 Hand ender 59 Body armor 61 Clarified butter 62 Is, in Madrid 63 Mr. Perot 66 An NCO

is used to detoxify the liver and improve the immune system. It is the ultimate antioxidant that removes excess free radicals and helps the body ﬁght common diseases. Its positive side effects are whole body skin whitening and the reduction of acne, pimples and other skin blemishes. YSA Skin and Body Experts introduces the Beauté Drip, a 30-minute intravenous procedure that pushes a high dose of Glutathione and vitamins directly into your veins for fast, even instant results. “The Beauté Drip helps in lightening, rejuvenation, regeneration, and detoxiﬁcation at the same time reduces age spots, pigmentation and freckles,” says YSA Skin Care Corporation Operations Director Shiela Nazal. Because it boosts the immune system, the drip is recommended especially for

travelers to protect them from viruses they may contract in other places. And this is Dianne’s favorite beneﬁt. “I always travel and am prone to sickness outside. So I need this and I am happy that I can get it at YSA clinics,” says Dianne who has trusted YSA Skin and Body Experts since she started in showbiz. “Vitamin C and Glutathione work together to give amazing results. They stimulate collagen production for skin repair. Vitamin B improves energy, boosts metabolism, burns fat, detoxiﬁes the liver, increases red blood cell production, keeps the nerves healthy, and produces serotonin or the “feel good” chemical,” explains Dr. Roque. Join Dianne and get your Beauté Drip at all YSA Skin and Body Experts clinic nationwide for only P5,000 per session.

EDITORS' UNITED.

Ofﬁcers and members of the Society of Entertainment Editors of the Philippines celebrated their second Christmas party with friends from the media, television networks, public relations and talent agencies

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017

SHOWBIZ EDITORS’ Christmas party

ISAH V. RED

ARELY editors of entertainment section of both broadsheets and tabloids gather together for a night of food and fun to celebrate the holidays that would keep all of them busy attending other companysponsored parties and other private gatherings. And so, the members of the year-old Society of Philippine Entertainment Editors, Inc. decided to hold theirs on the ﬁrst day of December, preempting all other parties scheduled on the following weeks. Thanks to Boybits Victoria, sales manager of Victoria Sports Tower on Edsa (adjacent to GMA Network), who offered one of the function rooms for the group to hold their second Christmas party. At around 6 p.m., guests started to arrive at the venue that looked Christmassy with Christmas trees and a crèche by production designer Sander Andan. Among the early birds were GMA Network’s AVP for CorpComm Angel Javier who also lent the group the screen and projector for the AVP. She was with her team – Marian Domingo Antonio, Lendl Fabella, Nish Berida, among others. Also among those who came early was former GMA Network’s head of Corporate Comunication, now doing public relations on his own, Butch Raquel who came with Globe’s Yoly Crisanto and Unilab’s Claire de Leon Papa. Also, talent manager of PPL

Regal Entertainment's Mother Lily Monteverde (center, seated) with columnist Ethel Ramos (ﬁrst from right, seated) and ofﬁcers of SPEEd

From left: Tessa Mauricio-Arriola (The Manila Times), GMA Network's AVP for CorpComm Angel Javier, and Nestor Cuartero (Tempo)

came with his wards, Sunshine Dizon, Rochelle Pangilinan, and Carlo Gonzales. The Kapamilya team also came led by CorpComm Head Kane Choa with Aaron Domingo, and Henry Barrameda among others. After dinner, SPEEd members Dondon Sermino (Abante), Tessa Mauricio-Arriola (The Manila Times), and Ervin Santiago (Bandera) delighted the guests that at that time included Viva’s June Ruﬁno and Regal matriarch Lily Y. Monteverde with a Christmas ditty, Nat King

Cole’s “The Christmas Song.” By nearly 9 p.m. the hall was ﬁlled with guests, mostly friends of members of SPEEd, including la doyenne of showbiz writing Ethel Ramos who for years was skeptical a group of editors would ever be formed. The members were a bit overwhelmed by the turn out of guests. Though there were not many TV/movie celebrities, as expected, because most editors, I understand, don’t hang around on the sets of TV series, ergo the stars don’t know them very well or they don’t understand what

PPL's Perry Lansigan (second from right) and his talents (from left) Rochelle Pangilinan, Sunshine Dizon, and Mika dela Cruz

editors do in the papers, the party was, to everyone’s assessment, was a big success. Thanks to those who sent in their Christmas cheers, like TAPE’s Tony Tuviera, Piolo Pascual, Regine Velasquez, Congressman Vilma Santos, Kim Chiu, Boy Abunda, Senator Chiz Escudero and wife Heart Evangelista, former Senator Manny Villar and wife Senator Cynthia Villar, former Senator Bong Revilla and wife Lani Mercado, UNTV’s Daniel Razon…oh there were a lot of them. Thanks Annabelle Rama for the lechon.

One Up members bond with fans GMA Artist Center’s newest boy group – One Up – had a bonding session with some of their most supportive fans in Sky Ranch Tagaytay. While some members were not present, the fans still had a great time trying the rides with Ralf King, Brent Valdez, Kevin Sagra, Jay Arcilla, Joemarie Nielsen, and Arjan Jimenez. They spent the whole afternoon trying the thrilling rides at the amusement park, exchanging stories over lunch, and posing for photos that they posted on their social media accounts. Everyone also happily went home with giveaways from event sponsors Selecta Moo and Boardwalk.

GMA Artist Center's newest boy group One Up

It will take a lot of space to mention all of those who made SPEEd’s second Christmas Party memorable. As president of the group, I am thanking all those who took time to join us for the second time our Christmas Party that we held, ﬁrst and foremost, to raise funds for air-conditioning units we promised an orphanage in Bulacan. Thus far, I have gotten two pledges, and we will be working for two more. SPEEd also has a scholarship program that we launched last year. This year we will add

two additional scholarships we will grant to indigent but bright students. And, in the ﬁrst quarter of this year, the group will hand out its very ﬁrst awards that we are calling Editors’ Choice for movies and TV shows. We will be announcing the nominations soon. So, it has been another year for SPEEd, and as we move on and face another year, we are even more determined to make our mark, not only in entertainment journalism, but as one with social responsibility. See you in December!