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DoubleDragon beefs up tourism portfolio with 1,001-room hotel in Boracay

DOUBLEDRAGON Properties Corp. is ramping up the expansion of its hospitality segment as it plans to build a 1,001-room hotel in the tourism estate of Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI) in Boracay.

In a statement issued Thursday, the listed property developer said it will be developing Hotel101 Resort-Boracay, which it claims will be the country’s biggest hotel in terms of room count.

DoubleDragon’s subsidiary Hotel of Asia, Inc. is partnering with Newcoast South Beach, Inc. for the project, which is located in Boracay Newcoast.

“It will certainly boost DoubleDragon’s recurring revenues through the years and will also significantly help generate economic benefits to the people of Boracay as well as contribute to pump-prime further the world-class reputation of the island and the Philippines as a tourist destination,” DoubleDragon Chairman Edgar J. Sia II said in a statement.

The hotel will occupy two hectares on the beachfront cove of Boracay Newcoast, which in turn covers a total of 150 hectares. Among its amenities are a pool and outdoor deck, business center, meeting rooms and function hall, and retail, food and beverage offerings.

DoubleDragon said it will be employing eco-friendly initiatives with the construction and operation of the hotel to reduce and reuse energy, waste, and water. Some areas of the property will have solar panels and a rainwater harvesting system as well.

GERI, the leisure and tourism arm of Megaworld Corp., will also be developing in Boracay Newcoast commercial, retail, and residential condominiums surrounded by its own golf course.

“This new development by Hotel101 Resort-Boracay group will become a major provider of comfort and convenience for tourists visiting Boracay. Their eco-friendly hotel blends well with Boracay Newcoast’s sustainable development model,” Megaworld Senior Vice-President Kevin Andrew L. Tan  said in a statement.

Boracay will be Hotel101’s fourth location in the country, after Manila, Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, and Davao City.

“We envision Hotel101 to become the largest and most recognized hotel chain in the Philippines, significantly contributing to the recurring income of DoubleDragon, and at the same time providing the market with an innovative, safe and secure investment platform,” Mr. Sia said.

DoubleDragon is targeting to have 5,000 hotel rooms in the country under its 2020 vision. It currently has around 800 rooms under the Hotel101 and Jinjiang Inn brands.

The company also looks to have a total of 1.2 million square meters of leasable space and 100 community malls under the CityMalls brand during this period.

DoubleDragon booked P812 million in attributable profit in the first nine months of 2017, up 8% year on year, as revenues grew 105% to P4.08 billion.

Shares in DoubleDragon gained 60 centavos or 1.57% to close at P38.80 apiece at the Philippine Stock Exchange on Thursday. — Arra B. Francia

Love sounds: Kris Lawrence joins Kuh Ledesma for QC Valentine’s eve concert

CELEBRATE the eve of Valentine’s with some of the most beautiful voices of the country as Maria Socorro “Kuh” Ledesma and Kristoffer “Kris” Lawrence take the stage on Feb. 13 in a concert titled Love Matters at the ABS-CBN Vertis Tent in Quezon City.

“I made a conscious decision to hold my Valentine’s concert in Quezon City because very seldom are shows done here and I’ve never done a Valentine’s concert here,” Ms. Ledesma told the media during a press conference on Jan. 29 in Vertis North mall in Quezon City.

Ms. Ledesma popularized songs like “Dito Ba,” “Bulaklak,” and “Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan,” all from her self-titled debut album released in 1980.

Her other hits include “Til I Met You” and “I Think I’m in Love,” among others.

Ms. Ledesma has come out with a total of 21 albums and performed in over 1,000 concerts here and abroad in her almost four decade career.

“In my entire career, I’ve only missed performing on Valentine’s two or three times,” Ms. Ledesma said.

While she didn’t reveal what specific songs she’ll sing during the Feb. 13 concert, in keeping with the theme, she said she’d be singing love songs

“It’s so much fun to sing love songs. It’s a no-brainer because it comes naturally to me. The mushier [the song is], the better,” she said.

Joining Ms. Ledesma on stage are R&B singer and so-called “Prince of R&B” Kris Lawrence.

Mr. Lawrence burst onto the music scene in 2006 after releasing a self-titled debut album which featured “Kung Malaya Lang Ako” and a cover of Bad English’s hit “When I See You Smile.”

His second album, Moments (released in 2009), included covers such as George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” Richard Marx’s “Right Here Waiting,” and Christopher Cross’ “I Will Take You Forever.”

He has released four albums so far, with the most recent being the Most Requested Playlist in 2015.

“We’re spreading love and good vibes. And it will be such a great honor performing with one of our most-respected pop icons,” Mr. Lawrence said in a press release.

Also performing on stage are Ms. Ledesma’s daughter Isabella Gonzales, and actor Gabby Concepcion.

“We’re performing in front of a virgin audience… I do hope they appreciate [our performance,]” Ms. Ledesma said.

Love Matters is on Feb. 13, 8 p.m. at the ABS-CBN Vertis tent located at Luna, Vertis North,Quezon City.

Tickets are available at TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) and at the Ayala Malls concierge at 901-5700 (TriNoma), 621-3275 (UP Town Center), or 718-5000 local 6366 (Vertis North). Tickets are at P4,500 and P3,200. — Z.B. Chua

Legal experts, local execs divided over ‘Cha-cha’

By Camille A. Aguinaldo

LEGAL EXPERTS and local government leaders bared a sharp difference in views in Thursday’s Senate hearing on Charter change.

Local officials called for Charter change in order to empower local government units, especially in terms of access to the government’s revenues. But legal experts warned about the possible effects of amending the Constitution to pave the way for federalism, the system of government being pushed by President Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Former Supreme Court associate justice Vicente V. Mendoza warned that federalism would weaken and divide the country as it would “open fissures and promote regional difference” in society.

“A shift to a federal system will weaken our Republic and render naught the years spent to attain national unity, when regional development can be more effectively achieved by meaningful and more vigorous decentralization of national power without need of constitutional amendment,” he said.

He proposed instead the implementation of “greater decentralization” in the country.

“I would say stop at decentralization because beyond that is a cliff into which we might fall and never be able to come back,” Mr. Mendoza said.

Lawyer Christian S. Monsod, one of the framers of the 1987 Constitution, criticized the proposed federalism model of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), describing its version as “disappointing.”

“Why is it pushing for a federal-parliamentary system which they admit does not directly, but only indirectly, address the twin problems of mass poverty and gross inequalities?…” he said.

Mr. Monsod also questioned the motives of PDP-Laban over its 11-year transition to federalism.

“If the plebiscite is held in May 2019, the transition will end at the earliest in 2030. During the transition, with existing local government officials constituting the Regional Commission with both executive and legislative powers until the organic laws for each region are enacted, and the regional officials are elected, that’s the carrot for them to deliver the votes for the Cha-cha train — a term of 11 years from 2019-2030,” he said.

While clarifying that he was not against federalism, Mr. Monsod stressed that it was not yet the right time to transition toward that system.

“A messed-up structure change is virtually irreversible and may lead to the ruin of our democracy. I submit that there may be an alternative to consider rather than an immediate structural change by 2019,” he said.

He said the issues raised on the need to shift to federalism could be solved through legislation, such as enacting a fiscal decentralization measures and an anti-dynasty law.

Meanwhile, in its position paper, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) expressed its reservations on federalism over concerns on Muslims and Lumad groups in Mindanao.

“A major objection to a federal system that devolves power to the Federal States on an equal basis will not satisfactorily address the aspirations of the Muslims and Lumads in Mindanao for self-determination and respect for ancestral rights,” the CBCP said in part.

Batangas Governor Hermilando Mandanas of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) argued the Constitution should be changed, especially on its provisions on local autonomy.

Mr. Mandanas said local government units wanted to increase their share in the national government’s internal revenue collection from 40% to 60%. He also urged greater control and supervision of LGUs of their natural resources.

He also recommended Charter change through people’s initiative, another mode of amending the Constitution where amendments may be directly proposed upon a petition by at least 12% of registered voters.

Cavite City Governor Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, meanwhile, underscored the need to change the Constitution in order to address the disparity of budget allocations among local government units.

“If we are allowed to decentralize through federal system, our country will be strengthened. The problem is that people under the centralized form of government will never yield the power of the purse to local government. That needs to be seized,” he said.

Assistant Secretary Jonathan E. Malaya of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) cautioned against “piecemeal legislation” on Charter change, saying this would only lead to “stunted growth” instead of economic development.

“If you wish to improve the lives of the vast majority of people… we have to adapt true decentralization. To us, federalism is a more viable alternative. It is the highest form of decentralization,” said Mr. Malaya, executive director of the PDP-Laban Federalism Institute and a contributing author in the book, The Quest for a Federal Republic: The PDP-Laban (Partido Demokratikong Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan) Model of Philippine Federalism 1.0, which was launched also on Thursday.

At the book launching, Senate President Aquilino Martin L. Pimentel III said Senator Francis N. Pangilinan had given his “commitment (that)…we will not be an obstructionist.”

House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez had earlier pointed that the agenda to pursue constitutional amendments cannot push through in the Senate because the Senate committee on constitutional amendments and revision of codes is chaired by Mr. Pangilinan, the president of the opposition Liberal Party.

Mr. Pimentel, for his part, said his “only request” to Mr. Pangilinan is to “be fair” and “keep an open mind.”

“(W)e will, in good faith, adhere and pursue all the referrals to this committee. We will proceed at a reasonable pace, and then also be open and transparent,” Mr. Pimentel said.

Mr. Pimentel said the committee on Mr. Pangilinan’s watch “may now study the proposal from the administration or ruling party.”

“So if ever we can come up with an agreement, mayroon na pong produkto ’yan (there’ll be a product), that is a bipartisan report,” the Senate leader also said.

On a related matter, he said Congress is looking at May 2019 being the target date for the plebiscite but added that, in case the proposed amendment is so simple and can be done by June or July this year, there will be no need to wait until that time.

He said Congress can spend at least P7 billion to P8 billion for a stand-alone plebiscite if the situation calls for it.

Mr. Pimentel further clarified there will be elections by 2022 and no term extensions.

For his part, Julio C. Teehankee, one of the members of the consultative committee organized by President Rodrigo R. Duterte and also a contributing author in the book, said Mr. Duterte gave them six months to complete their review of the 1987 Constitution .

Mr. Malaya, for his part, said the department will “head the campaign for federalism.”

“Since the change of the Constitution requires approval of the people, then the DILG is going to undertake a long period of campaigning up to the barangay level and we will be producing materials to help the people understand better why federalism is important and why the President is pushing for federal system,” he said. — with Minde Nyl R. dela Cruz

Tencent forms electronic dance music label with Sony

HONG KONG — Tencent Music Entertainment Group, the music arm of Tencent Holdings, on Wednesday announced with Sony Music Entertainment that they are forming a new music label, marking Tencent’s first move into having its own music label.

The new label, called Liquid State, will be dedicated to promoting electronic and dance music by showcasing Asian and international DJs in a genre that Tencent Music chief executive Cussion Pang said was getting increasingly popular in Asia.

Tencent, China’s largest gaming and social media company, competes against Alibaba Group and NetEase, Inc. for China’s growing digital music market, where more and more young people are willing to pay for content.

Revenue from live broadcast, video streaming and music streaming contributed to a 18% rise in Tencent’s third-quarter social networks’ revenues to 15.28 billion yuan.

According to consultancy iResearch, digital music subscription income in China is expected to more than double from 2 billion yuan ($318 million) in 2016 to 4.7 billion yuan in 2018.

Tencent Music, which is expected to be spun off from its parent for an initial public offering this year, says it has 700 million monthly active users across its apps including QQ Music, Kugou Music and Kuwo Music.

The companies declined to comment on the amount of investment in Liquid State.

Tencent and Swedish music streaming company Spotify last month announced a stake swap agreement to gain a minority stake in each other in order to increase exposure in each other’s core markets. — Reuters

Endorse UN inquiry into drug war, HRW urges gov’t

THE PHILIPPINE government should “urgently support” a United Nations (UN)-led investigation into the killings in its war on drugs, New York-based advocacy group Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement on Thursday.

“The glaring disparity between the Philippine government’s official death toll and those of credible independent observers underscores the urgent need for a UN-led independent investigation into killings since the drug war began in June 2016,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at HRW. “The government should welcome a UN effort to establish an impartial and verifiable death toll as a crucial first step in accountability for wrongful deaths.”

“UN member countries at the Human Rights Council should press for a UN-led investigation into the ‘drug war killings,’” HRW also said. It noted further that Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter S. Cayetano told UN Secretary-General António Guterres in October last year that the Philippine government would “fully cooperate and work with” UN independent experts “to conduct a fair an objective assessment of the human rights situation in the country.” The Philippine government has not followed through on this commitment, HRW said.

“The Philippine government can either seek UN assistance to investigate abuses in its anti-drug campaign or be the subject of a UN Human Rights Council resolution creating an investigatory body to do the job,” Mr. Kine said. “Ultimately, those responsible for drug war murders will be brought to justice. The question for Philippine officials is whether they want to be assisting the prosecutor or facing one.”

Construction of LRT extension to Cavite possible by midyear

By Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo
Reporter

LIGHT RAIL Manila Corp. (LRMC) may start by midyear the construction of the Light Rail Transit (LRT)-1 extension to Cavite.

LRMC President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Juan Alfonso said they have signed the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with French company Bouygues Travaux Publics.

“We’ve actually already signed with an EPC contractor which means we are committed. We are trying to do this as soon as possible. Our guess right now is for it to be,…we want the actual construction to start, if we can, by the middle of this year. If we can do it quicker, if issues are solved faster, we’ll do it quicker,” LRMC’s Mr. Alfonso told reporters.

Mr. Alfonso said they are already in the detailed design phase of the project and are “ironing out” right-of-way issues.

“(W)e are now entering the detailed design phase with our EPC. We’ve actually signed up with an EPC contractor. We still have a few things we are trying to iron out with our right of way which we feel will be solved quite soon, this 2018. And then from there, we’ll start with the Cavite extension. But we’ve already signed with the EPC contractor… It’s really clearing the path for the actual construction because sometimes, they say the right of way is completed but actual structures have to be completed and moved, whether it’s residents or utility lines or, sometimes, alignments.”LRMC and the Department of Transportation (DoTr) broke ground on the P64.9-billion project in May last year.

The current LRT Line 1 will be extended starting from Baclaran Station to the future Niyog Station in Bacoor, Cavite, which is approximately 11.7 kilometers (kms). The whole stretch of the integrated LRT 1 will have a total length of approximately 32.4 kms and will be operated and maintained by the private proponent.

LRMC, the consortium of Ayala Corp., Metro Pacific Light Rail Corp., and Macquarie Infrastructure Holdings (Philippines) Pte. Ltd., bagged the public-private partnership (PPP) project in September 2015..

LRMC also anticipates increased ridership with the impending implementation of the 60-kph running speed of the train system from the current 40 kph, possibly in the second quarter.

“The 60 kph will be adding about 15%, 10, 15% more trips per day, using the same trains, so people will be spending less time at the stations. And we feel if the system is more efficient, people will use it more,” Mr. Alfonso said.

LRT-1 ridership increased by 16% from 2015 to 2017, a study commissioned by LRMC said.

There was also a 37.5% increase in passengers from socioeconomic classes A, B, and C1, LRMC said in a statement.

The study was conducted by PHAR Philippines, Inc (PHAR) and TNS (part of Kantar Media), surveying 5,500 riders between 2015 and 2017. Regarding a proposed fare increase, chief operating officer Rodolfo Chansuyco said they are still in negotiations with the government. Metro Pacific Investment Corp. is one of three Philippine subsidiaries of Hong Kong’s First Pacific Co. Ltd., the others being PLDT, Inc. and Philex Mining Corp., Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., maintains an interest in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group.

Dionne Warwick is no diva

EVEN IF she’s had earned her share of Grammy trophies and triumphs, Billboard achievements, and released a great number of popular ballads, Dionne Warwick does not like to be called a “diva.”

“The word or label ‘diva’ is an operatic term and I do not sing opera, therefore I cannot and do not accept being called as such,” she was quoted as saying in a press release.

The singing legend and popular music icon will be performing on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino.

“I’ve been to Manila several times… Manila audiences are wonderful, they have always seemed to enjoy my show,” she said.

She described the repertoire for Dionne Warwick: A Valentine Concert as “Songs I am expected to sing and a few surprises… it will just be two nights of wonderful musical evenings.”

The singer is best known for songs like “Don’t Make Me Over,” “Walk On By,” “Do You Know The Way to San Jose?” “Alfie,” and “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” among many others.

She shares, “All of my songs are close to my heart as they are like my children. The success of these songs; I attribute both to the wonderful composers and lyricists.”

What are the ingredients for a great song? Warwick replies, “Lyrics first, as I must believe in the words I sing, and of course, a memorable melody.” She has, after all, had long and successful partnerships with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

In a career that spans five decades, Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest hit makers of the entire rock era, based on the Billboard Hot 100 Pop Singles Charts, with 56 of the legendary American singer’s singles making the Billboard Hot 100 between 1962 and 1998 and 80 singles making all Billboard charts combined.

Warwick received her first Grammy in 1968 for “Do You Know the Way to San Jose?” and her second in 1970 for “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again.” She won the Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Déjà Vu” in 1980. She became the first female artist in the history of the Grammys to win in two categories on the same year.

For tickets to Dionne Warwick: A Valentine Concert, visit solaireresort.com or call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Magnolia shoots for top spot against Blackwater

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

HAVING won their last four games that has seen them move their way to a tie for the top spot in the PBA Philippine Cup, the Magnolia Hotshots look to extend it some more and seize solo lead when they go up against the Blackwater Elite today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Currently in joint first place with the defending champions San Miguel Beermen at 5-1 midway into the elimination round of the season-opening tournament of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), the Hotshots, which will take on the Elite in the 4:30 p.m. game, have shed their iffy start and gone on to become one of the formidable and hottest teams in the league right now, something they hope to sustain moving forward.

In its last game against the TNT KaTropa, Magnolia bucked an injury to key cog Paul Lee (ankle) early in the second half to get the better of their opponents, 91-83.

The rest of the team stepped up to compensate for the loss of Mr. Lee, resulting in a multipronged attack by Magnolia, which TNT had a hard time keeping in step with all the way to the end.

Mark Barroca came off the bench to lead the Hotshots with 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Justin Melton finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds and Marc Pingris had 13 markers.

“With Paul going down, the players really stepped. They kept their focus and I’m happy and proud of their effort,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero.

He also made mention of the good defense they showed against TNT, limiting a potentially explosive squad to just 83 points.

As of this writing, there is no word yet if Mr. Lee, whose injury was ruled a sprain, would play today but Mr. Victolero said that in the event that the player has to miss games, he hopes it would not be long a time.

SLIDING
While the Hotshots are streaking upward, their opponents today, the Elite, have gone in the opposite direction.

After winning two of its first three matches, Blackwater has slid considerably, dropping its last three games that pushed it down in the standings at 2-4, good for joint ninth place.

The latest of the Elite’s defeat came at the hands of the Alaska Aces, 88-84, last Jan. 27, a game that the former was in a position to win but just could not deliver in the end.

JP Erram had a stellar double-double of 14 points and 21 rebounds, on top of five blocks, for Blackwater with Mac Belo and Michael DiGregorio each adding 15.

They just could not answer back to Alaska when push came to shove down the stretch en route to dropping another game.

“We had our chances during this losing streak but we just could not take advantage of them. We must do a better job in our next games,” said Mr. Erram.

Meanwhile, playing in the 7 p.m. game are the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-3) and Meralco Bolts (2-4).

Glee actor Mark Salling, 35

LOS ANGELES — US actor Mark Salling, known for his role in the hit musical TV series Glee, died Tuesday, weeks before being sentenced for possession of child pornography, his lawyer said. He was 35.

News outlet TMZ, citing law enforcement, said Salling had committed suicide by hanging.

“I can confirm that Mark Salling passed away early this morning,” his lawyer Michael Proctor said in a statement.

“Mark was a gentle and loving person, a person of great creativity, who was doing his best to atone for some serious mistakes and errors of judgment.”

Salling faced a sentence of between four to seven years in prison under the plea agreement he reached with prosecutors, the Justice Department said in December. He had been arrested in late 2015, and charged in 2016.

He was allowed to remain free as his case was heard, and was scheduled to appear in court on March 7 for sentencing.

Authorities reportedly found more than 50,000 pornographic images and videos of children, mainly girls, on his laptop and an external drive.

On Glee, Salling played Noah Puckerman, an angry football player outside his comfort zone when he joins the high school glee club.

According to TMZ, he had previously attempted suicide in August.

Another actor on the hit series, Canadian Cory Monteith, died in July 2013 of an overdose of drugs and alcohol.

“The Salling family appreciates the support they have been receiving and asks for their privacy to be respected,” Proctor said. — AFP/Reuters

Communist consultant Baylosis nabbed for firearms possession

By Arjay L. Balinbin

A CONSULTANT and peace talks panel member of the communist group National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) was arrested last Jan. 31 on charges of illegal possession of firearms.

Rafael Baylosis, who sat at the now terminated negotiations with government as a member of the NDFP Reciprocal Working Group on Political and Constitutional Reforms, was nabbed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group-National Capital Region (CIDG-NCR), police Spokesperson John C. Bulalacao confirmed yesterday.

A companion of Mr. Baylosis, identified as Roque P. Guillermo, Jr., was also arrested.

Mr. Bulalacao said the operation against Messrs. Baylosis and Guillermo was based on intelligence information received by the CIDG last Tuesday, Jan. 30.

“They received information that two suspicious individuals carrying firearms were seen in the vicinity… near the corner of Katipunan and Aurora Boulevard,” Mr. Bulalacao said in an interview with ANC on Thursday morning.

“Dahil do’n (Because of that), they (the CIDG) launched an intel operation and they conducted surveillance. And Jan. 31… at 3:45 in the afternoon, they were able to arrest Rafael Baylosis and Roque Guillermo while they were in possession of firearms,” he added.

In a media statement, NDFP National Executive Committee member Luis G. Jalandoni said that the arrest and detention of Mr. Baylosis was “illegal” and “a flagrant violation of the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG, 1995).”

“President Duterte must be held accountable for this trampling upon a valid peace agreement that assures all consultants and those participating in peace negotiations immunity from surveillance, harassment, search, arrest, detention, prosecution and interrogation or any other similar punitive action,” Mr. Jalandoni said.

On the other hand, Presidential Spokesperson Herminio Harry L. Roque, Jr. said the JASIG is no longer in effect as the government has terminated the peace talks through an order issued late last year by the president.

“Wala namang saysay ang JASIG ngayon dahil wala nang peace talks,” Mr. Roque said at a press conference in Baguio City.

The spokesman also explained that “if there is an existing warrant of arrest or if there is a basis for a warrantless arrest, then they should be arrested… If they think the arrest was illegal other than on the basis of JASIG, they may file a petition for writ of habeas corpus, there is no martial law in Luzon.”

Mr. Roque stressed that “it is President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s duty to implement the law.”

“They (NDFP members) are not exempt from full compliance with our penal laws,” he further said.

Meanwhile, the Public Interest Law Center that serves as counsel for Mr. Baylosis said in a statement that its client “was surveilled and arrested by a joint team of the police and military despite no pending warrant of arrest against him.”

“He had just alighted from a tricycle and was walking along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City, when six men pounced on him and whisked him off in a white van to PNP CIDG-NCR, together with Roque P. Guillermo, Jr.,” reads the statement with Atty. Rachel F. Pastores cited as managing counsel.

“The armed men who took him forcibly and violently did not read him his constitutional rights, or even present him with any charge sheet, contrary to the PNP press release. He was not allowed access to family, lawyers, or even to a phone, until the following morning. In a worn-out attempt to legitimize his arrest, he and Guillermo now face fabricated, trumped up charges of illegal possession of firearms,” Mr. Baylosis’ counsel said.

UAAP volleyball time

By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter

COLLEGIATE volleybelles from the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) now take front and center with the start of the volleyball tournament for Season 80 this weekend.

Happening at the Mall of Asia Arena, all eight competing teams get to take the floor in the first two play dates of the new season and all aiming to get their respective campaigns to a winning start.

Defending champions De La Salle Lady Spikers, gunning for their third straight UAAP title and 11th overall, open their title defense against the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Golden Tigresses in the 4 p.m. match on opening today.

On Saturday, Feb. 3, the Adamson Lady Falcons taking on the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs in the curtain-raiser at 2 p.m.

On Sunday, Feb. 4, the University of the Philippines (UP) Lady Fighting Maroons and University of the East (UE) Lady Warriors open the festivities at 2 p.m. to be followed by the Ateneo Lady Eagles against the Far Eastern University (FEU) Lady Tamaraws at 4 p.m.

Still under multi-titled coach Ramil De Jesus, Taft-based La Salle will be bannered by reigning league most valuable player Majoy Baron, libero Dawn Macandili and finals MVPs Kim Dy and Desiree Cheng.

Star setter Kim Fajardo, a key component in the La Salle program in the last couple of years, has played out his eligibility but the Lady Spikers have expressed their “readiness” to pick up the cudgels.

In place of Fajardo is Michelle Cobb, who had her moments in La Salle’s championship run last year as an understudy.

UST GOLDEN TIGRESSES
Looking to spoil La Salle’s Season 80 debut while exacting some payback on the team for booting it out in the Final Four last season is UST.

Some stalwarts from last season, notably EJ Laure and Rhea Meneses, are not suiting up this time around for varying reasons, leaving the likes of Sisi Rondina and Dimdim Pacres to carry the bulk of the load and tow their team in the tournament.

UST coach Kung Fu Reyes said they will rely on team effort for Season 80 and that he is hopeful that other players would step up, including hitter Carla Sandoval, who is expected to take the place of Laure, who is skipping the season to have a chronic shoulder injury heal properly.

“We will try to play as a team and get contributions from as many people as possible,” said Mr. Reyes.

The Tigresses finished third in the standings with a 9-5 record in Season 79 before losing to eventual champion La Salle in the semifinals.

Ateneo had the best record of 12-2 at the end of the elimination round last year, beat number four team FEU (8-6) in the Final Four but fell to the Lady Spikers in the finals.

UP and NU narrowly missed the playoffs with identical 7-7 records while UE and Adamson scrapped the bottom with similar 1-13 cards.

Japanese experts auditing MRT-3 ahead of rehabilitation

JAPANESE experts have begun an audit of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT)-3 system ahead of the system’s rehabilitation, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.

In a statement, the DoTr said that more than 50 railway engineers and experts engaged by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) started performing due diligence on the commuter rail line yesterday.

The department said that the audit is part of an agreement with the Japanese government for the rehabilitation works of the train system.

Last month, the Philippine and Japanese governments exchanged notes on official development assistance (ODA). The arrangement with Japan involves ODA financing under JICA’s Special Terms for Economic Partnership (STEP).

The Japanese government will nominate a rehabilitation provider. The department said that the joint venture of Sumitomo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is being considered due to their previous experience of designing and maintaining the MRT.

The DoTr said that the due diligence performed by JICA experts is separate from the ongoing Independent Audit and Assessment (IAA) by TUV Rheinland for the entire MRT-3 system. DoTr last month awarded TUV Rheinland the contract for the IAA to evaluate the 48 train cars procured by the past government from CRRC Dalian.

DoTr in November terminated its contract with Busan Universal Rail, Inc. (BURI), citing BURI’s alleged failure to ensure efficient operations and the availability of trains, as well as failure to procure spare parts.

BURI said in a statement that since the contract was terminated, the DoTr inherited a total of 21 running trains ready for revenue service. Currently, there are between five and eight trains running during peak hours, as against the contract requirement of 18 running trains. — Patrizia Paola C. Marcelo

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