THREE-WAY MARITIME STANDOFF EMERGING IN SPRATLYS — THINK TANKMANILA — A three-way maritime standoff among China, Malaysia and Vietnam isdeveloping in the disputed Spratly islands in the South China Sea, aWashington-based think tank reported on Saturday.The Center for Strategic and International Studies-Asia MaritimeTransparency International (CSIS-AMTI), in its latest monitoring of theSouth China Sea dispute, said the developing standoff stemmed fromMalaysia’s gas and oil exploration within its declared fields that sit onblock ND1 and ND2 in the archipelago.“A months-long standoff over oil and gas operations in the South China Seais playing out between Malaysian, Chinese and a small number of Vietnamesevessels, though all three governments are keeping the episode out of thepublic eye,” AMTI said.AMTI had been closely watching the developing standoff since late last yearusing the vessels’ Automatic Identification System (AIS) broadcasts, andthrough captured commercial satellite imagery.Various Chinese Coast Guard vessels, a Malaysian patrol vessel and itsmissile firing ships, and two Vietnamese boats are now reportedly involvedin the three-way standoff at the disputed archipelago.While the area where the current developing tension is near the contestedmaritime boundaries of Malaysia and Vietnam, it is also within China’suncharted nine-dash-line territorial and maritime claim that covers almost90 percent of the South China Sea.While the Philippines is not a party to the prevailing maritime dispute, thearea of the mounting conflict is just south of Filipino outposts in theKalayaan Island Group (KIG).The Chinese vessels involved in the ongoing conflict with Malaysia andVietnam, also came from Beijing’s key naval facilities sitting onartificial islands at Zamora (Subi), Panganiban (Mischief) and Kagitingan(Fiery Cross) reefs.These three reefs are among the seven features within thePhilippine-declared KIG that China occupied before transforming them intohighly fortified military naval and air facilities.“Data collected reveals a dangerous, ongoing game of chicken involving lawenforcement, militia and civilian vessels,” AMTI said.The heart of the standoff, it said, is the West Capella, a drillshipoperated by London-managed Seadrill and contracted to Malaysia’s Petronas.ABS-CBN TO SENATE: WE DID NOT VIOLATE ANY OF THE FRANCHISE PROVISIONSMANILA - ABS-CBN on Monday maintained that it did not violate any of theprovisions of its franchise, and emphasized that it operated based on itsmission to be in the service of the Filipino people.In his opening statement at the Senate hearing on the company's allegedfranchise violations, ABS-CBN President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L.Katigbak countered claims that the company violated franchise terms."We would also like to state that we have not broken the law or violated anyof the provisions of our franchise. We thank the Senate for inviting ustoday, and we welcome the opportunity to shed light on the issues that havebeen raised against us," he told Senators.Katigbak highlighted that the company, while not perfect, has delivered a"meaningful and valuable" service to Filipinos in its 25 years ofbroadcasting."In the last twenty-five years of our existing franchise, we believe we havedelivered a service that is meaningful and valuable to the Filipino people,"Katigbak said."While our commitment to serve is genuine, we also acknowledge that we arenot a perfect organization. Where we have shortcomings, we acknowledge them,and work to correct them. This is all part of our journey to becoming abetter organization," he added.The largest media broadcasting company in the country is also "one of theprimary connections" of overseas Filipino workers to the Philippines,Katigbak said."More than 3 million individuals tune in to TFC to stay in touch with home,or to help ease the pain of their loneliness and sacrifice," he said.ABS-CBN also used its resources to "help Filipinos where we can" thorugh itsfoundation, Katigbak added."Bantay Bata has rescued thousands of children from child abuse, and hasgiven them new hope in life. Sagip Kapamilya has provided relief goods tovictims of natural or man-made calamities and has provided help to over 12million families since 2009," he said.MAKATI ALLOTS P3.3 BILLION FOR EDUCATION THIS YEARMAKATI — The city government of Makati has allocated P3.3 billion foreducation programs this year for the benefit of students in public schools.Of the amount, P1.16 billion will be used to fund Project FREE or freerelevant and excellent education.Under the administration of Mayor Abby Binay, several items have been addedto free school supplies being distributed to public school students in thecity, including Special Education (SPED) and Alternative Learning System(ALS) learners.“Educating the youth is the best way to prepare them for the challenges theymeet in life. Education gives the youth hope and a good future,” Binay said.“Makati has always believed in teaching our people how to fish. This is whywe have decided to arm children with the best public education andsupplemental learning that we can provide,” she added.NO WORK, NO PAY ON PEOPLE POWER ANNIVERSARYMANILA — Workers who will not report for work tomorrow won’t get their dailypay, according to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).The agency said the “no work, no pay” principle applies on Feb. 25, whichhas been declared a special non-working holiday to commemorate the 34thanniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.“Unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collectivebargaining agreement (CBA) granting payment on a special day, the ‘no work,no pay’ principle shall apply,” it added.However, those who opt to work Tuesday will receive an additional 30 percentof their daily pay for the first eight hours of work done during the specialnon-working day, it also said.For work in excess of eight hours, DOLE said the employee shall be paid anadditional 30 percent of hourly rate.Employees who opted to work during the special non-working day that alsofalls on their rest day, shall be getting an additional 50 percent of theirpay for the first eight hours of work and another 30 percent of hourly ratefor services in excess of eight hours.DOLE has issued an advisory to guide employers and workers on the proper payrules for tomorrow.“Employers in the private sector are reminded to observe the following ruleson the payment of wages for the said special non-working holiday,” it said.NEWLYWEDS SARAH, MATTEO JOIN JUDY ANN, RYAN FOR AN INTIMATE DINNERMANILA – A few days after their controversial civil wedding, a photo ofMatteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo surfaced online much to the delight oftheir fans.Apparently, the newlyweds spent their Sunday night with their friends,including celebrity couple Judy Santos and Ryan Agoncillo.Santos considers Geronimo her younger sister after they became close whiledoing the 2010 movie "Hating Kapatid." Guidicelli and Agoncillo, on theother hand, are also close since they used to train for triathlons together.As seen in the photo shared by Bianca Rufino, Guidicelli and Geronimo wereall smiles with their hands intertwined as their friends surrounded them atthe dinner table.“Celebrating life. Thank you for the yummy backyard BBQ feast Judy Ann, Ryanand cutie Agoncillo babies. Congratulations again Sarah and Matteo. Nothingbut love. Ashmatt strong,” Rufino wrote.The post quickly became viral, with fans noting that this is actually thefirst photo of the couple that became public since the wedding.The couple exchanged vows in a clandestine ceremony at a hotel in BonifacioGlobal City on Thursday night. It was supposedly kept even from the bride’sparents who have long been cold toward the relationship.Following a leak that resulted in a preemptive report from columnist RickyLo, it appears Geronimo’s mother, Divine, caught wind of the event andshowed up uninvited.A bodyguard employed by the Geronimo family, Jerry Tamara, reported to thepolice that Guidicelli accused him of informing Divine, supposedly leadingto the altercation.At that point, after the ceremony had finished, Divine insisted on speakingwith her daughter, according to the blotter.Guidicelli already denied punching anyone while Geronimo has yet to releasea statement on the incident.5 POINTS FROM GILAS' WIN OVER INDONESIA IN FIBA ASIA CUP PLAYMANILA – It was a big first win by the Philippines in the FIBA Asia CupQualifiers — a 100-70 triumph over host Indonesia at the Britama Arena inJakarta.The match was close in the first half as Indonesia stayed close, hittingmore of their 3-point shots and taking the ball inside. The Philippines oncemore took a lot of shots from the outside and were missing.Furthermore, Indonesia played better interior defense, rejecting threePhilippine incursions.Come the second quarter, better defense and rack attacks saw the Philippinesget a grip on the game. When CJ Perez pilfered a sloppy cross-court pass andskied in for a dunk, the score was 27-17.Yet Indonesia continued to stay close. Had hit two free throws at the end ofthe second quarter, Gilas would have had only a seven-point advantage. As itwas we went into the half with a 37-28 lead.The second half saw a more relaxed Philippine team as they continued to putIndonesia at bay. By the fourth period, they broke the resistance of thehost squad for a runaway win. But you have to appreciate the Indonesians asthey are getting better.The scores:GILAS PILIPINAS 100 – T. Ravena 23, Pogoy 16, Perez 11, K. Ravena 10, Gomezde Liano 10, Rosario 7, Chua 6, Tratter 5, Erram 5, Ramos 5, Go. 0INDONESIA 70 – Prastawa 28, Grahita 17, Hardian 6, Lakudu 5, Wisnu 4,Kosasih 4, Gemilang 4, Sitorus 2, Joni 0.Quarter-scores: 18-15, 37-28, 67-53, 100-70.