Metro Express No. 13

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Doctors by now may have already given CRISTINE REYES (right photo) a clean bill of health following her bout with dengue. So we presume shooting on her upcoming movie and TV series “Reputasyon” must be rolling by now.

1st-APLUMA

(Unang Alyansang Makabayang Mamamahayag)

PAGE 6

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Vol. 1. No.13

Manila, PHILIPPINES

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011

C2 aviation rating costing Ph billions Conquer the skies with.....

ISSUE(S) OF THE WEEK

BY ISMAEL “EL” AMIGO MANILA — Away from the hustle and bustle of political manoeuvrings, crucifixion and what have you, is the concern of the long-lingering FAA downgrading of Philippine aviation from Category 1 to Category 2.

AILEEN CLEMENTE PTAA President

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Classic, classic match — Arum Manny Pacquiao and Mexican champ Juan Manuel Marquez’s fight on November 12 will go down in history as a “classic” bout although this is a rematch of sorts.

This was the “fearless forecast” given by no other than Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum at a press conference at the Manila Hotel on Saturday kicking off the two boxers’ world press tour for the Las Vegas match.

“The world of sports will see a classic, classic match,”

So goes the lead paragraph last week in “1st-APLUMA Says...” column where it tackled a topic on veritable aviation and tourism revenue losses in billions of muchneeded cash that could have feed and provided basic services to millions of our less fortunate brothers and sisters.

Continued on page 2 Sana naman GUMILING, este, GUMALING na (..ano ka ba Lolo Eug gulo u ha?) si Idol Ms. Cristine R. (photo above). Wawa aman sya ‘di makapag-shoot ng “Reputasyon” na-dengue raw. Kate-text lang nya pramis mga inggetero!

A.Z. Kal

BOB ARUM

Arum was quoted by the working press as saying. “This

Cont’d on page 6

P12.00

Trainer Mario Entrolizo coaxes “Mindanao” to engage him in an “Eagle Dance” inside the Philippine Eagle Foundation(PEF) compoundin Davao City last week. The PEF breeds the endangered Philippine “Monkey-eating Eagle” and reintroduces them to their natural environment.

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BUSINESS & LEISURE:

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P-Noy comes home with $13B economic package “Mission accomplished.”

That would ably describe the result of President Benigno Aquino’s state visit to China last week where he allegedly netted around $13 billion in actual and proposed investments from China to the Philippines.

President Aquino and his delegation of top Philippine businessmen arrived in Manila early Saturday evening.

He immediately faced the working media and summarized the results of his state visit that was allegedly worth around $13 billion “of actual and planned Chinese investments in the Philippines.”

36 meetings In all, President Aquino said “he had 36 meetings with Chinese businessmen that netted pledges of $1.282 billion in new investments, $3.8 billion in “almost certain” investments, and another $7.9 billion worth of possible investments from corporations that showed interest in the country.”

“We succeeded in putting across the message we want to bring: the door of the Philippines is open to investments from China,” President Aquino said in his speech speech at the Naia Terminal II. Business opportunities “With our economic managers, we showed them the business opportunities in the Philippines.

President Aquino delivers his message on National Heroes Day at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City Monday (August 29) or before departing for a five-day state visit to China where he accordingly netted more than $13B economic package for Ph.

In agriculture, infrastructure, energy, tourism, the two governments saw the good results of

Chinese continuing to look for investment opportunities.”

James Villarino

2

Metro Express

NEWS

Sept. 5 - Sept 12, 2011

LRT/MRT & THE METROPOLIS

MMDA starts imposing fines on PUBs not complying on roof-tagging scheme Seven months after it got the approval from Metro Manila mayors, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will now begin apprehending drivers of passenger buses that still have not complied with the agency’s vehicle-tagging scheme.

At the same time, the MMDA will start imposing fines on the apprehended drivers of buses without the required “tags” or license numbers painted on the vehicle’s MMDA CHAIR TOLENTINO front, sides, back and roof.

MMDA Chairman Francis Tolentino said the agency has given enough time to bus operators to comply with the scheme which was approved by the Metro Manila Council (MMC) last February.

The scheme calls for the tagging of all registered and franchised public utility vehicles (buses, jeepneys, GT and Asian Utility Vehicles, taxis, school buses, tourist shuttle buses and cargo trucks) plying major and secondary thoroughfares in the metropolis.

The MMC, whose members are the 17 Metro Manila mayors, is the MMDA’s policy-making body.

Tolentino said they gave bus operators a seven-day dry-run last week to allow them to paint the numbers on their vehicles.

“They have no reason that they cannot comply; we give them time to meet the terms,” Tolentino said, adding that as early as 5 a.m. on Monday, he will personally lead traffic enforcers along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City in flagging down buses without the required tags.

Drivers of buses without tags apprehended for the first time will be fined P500.

For subsequent offenses, the MMDA said it will recommend the suspension or cancellation of the bus firm’s franchise to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

According to the MMDA guidelines, vehicle tagging means the painting of the license plate numbers on the roof, front, back, and two sides of the PUVs using a color scheme for easy classification.

DSWD says Mandaluyong officials back CCT program Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon “Dinky”Juliano-Soliman said that Mandaluyong Mayor Benhur Abalos and Rep. Neptali Gonzales have expressed their whole- hearted support to the agency’s conditional cash transfer (CCT) project.

Both officials also stressed that there was no need to tar and politicize the DSWD’s CCT program as it was doing its best to help the country’s marginalized sector.

Abalos also said that the convergence platform of the DSWD “creates endless possibilities and opportunities for program beneficiaries.

More schools As this develops, Gonzales also

pledged to build more schools and hospitals to enable compliance of the beneficiaries to the conditions of the program on health and education.

The CCT is a rights-based program that invests in the condition of children by giving assistance to poor households so they can continue sending their children to school and provide them proper health care and nutrition.

Good health The program believes that by promoting the right of children to have education and good health, poor families have fair chances of rising out of extreme poverty.

Beneficiaries received P1,400 monthly to buy additional food and other necessities for their family.

Alarming cases of dengue rocked the metropolis in recent weeks and that concerned government agencies stay in the watch specially in the Quezon City area where dengue victims abounds according to reports. Photo shows Infant dengue victims lay in beds at an undisclosed hospital.

E-bus operator seeks incentives Local firm Green Frog Zero Emissions Transport is asking government to provide incentives to allow the entry of electric bus manufacturers into the country.

“Our bus manufacturing partner is willing to discuss opening an assembly plant after local demand is proven. They want to see how fast the first 50 zero emissions buses are absorbed into the market,” Philip Go Apostol, Green Frog managing director said.

He said the company will be importing up to 62 e-buses from a Chinese firm to help bring down transport costs and promote a cleaner environment.

Green Frog targets a total of 62 e-buses to be operational before the end of 2012.

The 36-passenger e-bus will initially be plying different routes in Makati and will charge only P8 per passenger. Its charging station will also be located in Makati.

Apostol said he cannot disclose the cost of manufacturing an e-bus although he expects the price to come down following the announcement of China to introduce 10,000 “new energy buses” in 25 cities start-

PH’s C2 aviation rating costing...

Correct, the group said PH has now racked up more than P66.30 billion in tourism revenue losses simply because of that C2 downgrade.

And that figure, the group said, comes from the United States market alone because of our dear Philippines’s Category 2 status.

Aileen Clemente, president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA), said PH’s Category 2 status is delaying expansion of routes by local airlines to the US and other countries.

A good example to this she said is no other than Cebu Pacific whose plans of spreading its wings further to the US of A remain in the back burner because of C2.

C2 really denies the country of additional tourist arrivals from North America (read: zero tourism revenues) observers aver.

This, they said must be studied, reviewed by the Aquino Administration, as soon as possible spearheaded by no other than brandnew DOTC Secretary and close P-Noy ally Mar Roxas.

The CAAP is a line agency of the DOTC. Of course, there is no need explaining it as the former Senator and DTI Secretary the economic effects of FAA’s C2 as he knows Philippine economy better that anybody else.

Again, without further explanation, C2 also resulted into Europe’s banning against Philippine air carriers’ entering into their radars notwithstanding the telltale unfavorable travel advisory to the Philippines.

Indeed, according a foreign aviation expert who requested anonymity, the operational ban issued by the European Union against Philippine Air Carriers has significant consequences for the economy.

As it was mentioned by the PTAA, one side effect of the ban is that tourists from EU countries would not be able to get travel insurance when travelling on any Philippine carrier for inter-island travel.

Aside from Philippine air carriers being banned from flying to Europe, European citizens are likewise advised and discouraged by their countries from travelling into the Philippines since the safety rating of our aviation industry has tremendous implications on their life insurance policies.

In other words, travel aboard a Philippine aircraft is an uninsurable risk for any European citizen. A logical consequence of this would be that European tourists would opt to go to neighboring Asean countries that offer similar tropical conditions for their recreational activities.

(From page 1)

It’s also worth mentioning about the limitations on air traffic expansion for Philippine Air Carriers to the United States and its consequential impact to the local labor force.

Clearly therefore, the C2 Rating has a significant impact on the business operations, labor and profitability of any Philippine air carrier.

Plans of Cebu Pacific in expanding to the United States are likewise put on hold which therefore limits its ability to increase operations, generate more jobs, and have greater revenue which redounds to the benefit of the country.

Erosion of investor confidence At the outset, the Category 2 Rating and operational ban of Europe had influenced Saudi Arabia, Japan, South Korea, and Australia to impose similar restrictions against the Philippines.

It was only through diplomatic channels and negotiations that the Civil Aviations Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was able to avert the actions of such states from likewise banning Philippine air carriers in their respective jurisdictions.

The recent political movements at CAAP through the insertion of political appointees accordingly threatened and undermined the legal framework and professional processes of CAAP which should be an independent safety regulator. The same source added that these controversies have “exacerbated the problems of C2 since it resulted in the postponement of the International Civil Aviation Organization audit that would have resulted into the reinstatement of the Philippines to Category 1.”

“The Category 2 rating is a strong message against the state of the aviation industry which therefore discourages economic growth and investor confidence. The continued derogatory status of the Philippines and its failure to achieve Category 1 may lead to other countries following the initiative of the European Union and ban Philippine carriers due to safety considerations,” the source said.

It was way back January 14, 2008 that a newspaper report came about the US’s Federal Aviation Administration downgraded to the Philippines to C2 quoting a statement from FAA’s website as “unsafe port of origin.” Countries under C1 are those compliant with aviation safety standards of the ICAO. Failure to meet its stringent standards automatically nets C2 rating.

Other countries with C2 ratings are are Bangladesh, Cote Dâvoire, Ghana, Guyana, Indonesia, Ukraine, Serbia and Montenegro (formerly Yugoslavia), and Nauru.

ing this year.

“Their (China) national government is subsidizing all the new energy buses to decrease pollution levels in their cities. This is a coordinated effort from the national and local government to invest in the manufacturers, subsidize purchases and speed up regulatory approvals,” he said.

Apostol said unlike China, there is still no government incentives in the Philippines for importing and operating completely built-up zero emissions buses.

“A couple of departments helping out but nothing concrete yet. What a difference between China and our country,” he said.

“They (government) should help jump start the industry initial by waiving import duties in CBU’s then tax breaks for manufacturing,” Apostol added.

Apostol declined to disclose the financial terms of the e-bus project but said local banks have agreed to extend financing.

“Our first batch of buses will be financed by a friendly forward looking local private bank. Awaiting PhilExim approval for the loan guaranty for the next batch buses,” he said.

Apostol said government regulatory approvals are taking longer than planned which pushed back introduction of the zero emissions buses.

Apostol earlier said he expects the first batch to arrive in August.

He the City of Makati, Department of Energy, Department of Transportation and Communications and the Board of Investments have been putting a lot of effort into getting the immensely e-bus project going.

NBI sets up special lane for OFWs The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has set up a special lane for overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to speed up issuance of clearances.

OFWs are considered as “modern Filipino heroes” for keeping up the Philippine economy afloat, especially during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, through remittances of their hard-earned money that runs to millions of dollars.

The NBI, which is the Philippines’ premier investigating body, is an attached agency of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Alfredo Palmiery, president of the Filipino Association of Man-

power Exporters, Inc. (FAME), in a statement, said that NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula already agreed with their proposal of creating a special lane that would attend to the applicants coming from FAME. FAME is the umbrella organization with 700 members for several country associations deploying OFWs to various countries.

The secretariat of FAME will endorse applicants to the NBI to the special lane , which will issue NBI clearance within three days required by the embassies together with the visa application for a work permit.

Bernabe says Paranaque upgrading biometric registry As part of its modernization program, the city government of Parañaque upgraded its biometric attendance registry system as it replaces the old biometric machines with a new type that has advance features.

Mayor Florencio Bernabe said that the new time registry biometrics read finger impression, typical of a fingerprint compares to the old set that used the palm signature recognition signature.

No PIN code and hard pressing are required; a soft touch of a finger (index or thumb) will be sufficient to make the system match the finger signature of the user with the same inputs that were gathered beforehand, actually, it only takes 1 second to log in/out, Bernabe said.

A total of 40 Model 628 Double Engine ZK Finger Print Stand Alone Time Recorders were purchased by the city government for the purpose. The city government installed 15 units at the city hall and the rest in barangay halls and other local government facilities.

BUSINESS

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011

3

METRO EXPRESS

Smart beefs up postpaid lineup with ‘All-in’ plans Telco giant Smart Communications Inc. last week announced it has enhanced its postpaid plans to gain more market shares.

Called the “ultimate in consumable,” Smart all-in allows postpaid subscribers to use their subscription package as they please.

“While the competition’s ‘addon’ postpaid plan stack one service on top of the other like building blocks, Smart’s All-in plans lets you ‘add-in’ services as if you’re filling a box,” Guido Zaballero, head of Smart Mobile marketing said.

Zaballero said all-in is like prepaid on postpaid, adding that Smart subscribers have full control on how they want to use their monthly service fees.

Available all-in services include the popular UnliTalk, UnliText and UnliSurf packages as well as consumable browsing, and BlackBerry packages that include email, in-

“Demand for services has clearly changed. Our postpaid subscribers want to be able to avail of the same packages available to our prepaid subscribers and that’s exactly what we did,” Zaballero said.

stant messaging, and social networks, and browsing for BlackBerry users.

“Demand for services has clearly changed. Our postpaid subscribers want to be able to avail of the same packages available to our prepaid subscribers and that’s exactly what we did,” Zaballero said.

At end-June, the group of Philippine Long Distance Telephone

Co. (PLDT) has 430,336 postpaid subscribers, lower by two percent from 439,844 postpaid subscribers in the same period last year.

Of the total, Smart had 429,752 postpaid subscribers and Red Mobile, 584 postpaid subscribers.

Revenues from postpaid accounts amounted to P3.14 billion in the first six months, down from P3.4 billion in the same period last

year.

Including prepaid subscribers, the PLDT group had total cellular subscriber base of 47.8 million subscribers, five percent or 2.2 million up from the end of last year.

Smart recorded net additions of 800,00 subscribers to end with 26.5 million subscribers while Talk ‘N Text likewise added about 800,000 subscribers to end with 19.8 mil-

JICA grants US$10-M intelligence grant to BoC

lion subscribers.

Red Mobile, the brand owned by Smart subsidiary, CURE, had about 1.5 million subscribers at the end of the period, having added 600,000 new subscribers.

Red Mobile was relaunched in March 2010 and positioned to meet market demand for unlimited services, particularly for “second SIM” holders.

President Aquino poses for posterity with Chinese businessmen during a series of business meetings at the China World Hotel Wednesday (August 31) in line with his five-day state visit to China.

Gold puts Benguet in black with P580M income in first half Benguet Corp. posted a consolidated net income of P580 million in the first six months, a reversal from the net loss of P88 million in the same period last year.

This was also the first time since 2001 that Benguet registered positive operating results for a fiscal semester, Benguet said in a statement.

The strong earnings performance during the first half of 2011 was the result of increased production output in nickel and gold operations, higher world metal pric-

es, as well as, by the non-cash gain resulting from the continuing discounted settlement of the company’s obligations.

Operating revenues expanded by 179 percent to P374 million from P134 million for the same period in 2010. Mining operations largely contributed to this rise, at P331 million, or 89 percent of operating revenues, the company said.

The Sta. Cruz Nickel Project contributed P173 million, while the Acupan gold operation shared P152 million.

The Acupan gold mine reported net earnings of P46 million for the first semester of 2011, or 48 percent higher than the P31 million in the same period in 2010. This was attributed to increased production and strong market price of gold.

Acupan continues its expansion program to bring production to 150 tons per day within the year and 300 tons per day by 2012.

BenguetCorp Nickel Mines, Inc. (BNMI), a wholly owned subsidiary, generated net earnings of P28 million from nickel ore shipments

from its Sta. Cruz Nickel Project in the first six months, as against nil in the same period in 2010. BNMI is currently undertaking a feasibility study to develop a processing capability for value added nickel products.

The Balatoc Gold Resources Corp. (BGRC), another whollyowned subsidiary and operator of the Balatoc Tailings Project (BTP) has signed contracts for detailed engineering, rehabilitation of the tailings ponds and reinforcement of the silt dam.

BTP is expected to be the country’s first large scale gold recovery project from mill tailings. Financial closing of the project is expected within 2011.

“The overall performance of Benguet Corporation in the first half of the year fulfills management targets for 2011”, said its president and chief executive Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez. “We will continue to build strong foundations for generating recurring income, while taking advantage of favorable metal prices,” he said.

PPA to expand, BOC seizes P2.5M worth of smuggled onions improve port ...but it may not reverse facilities in P-Noy’s decision to fire him CDO, Tacloban Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) General Manager Juan C. Sta. Ana announced that the agency will expand and further develop port facilities serving Cagayan De Oro and Tacloban.

“At this time, the current ports structure plan of PPA has put premium in pursuance of its mandate to provide the country’s sea traveling public with more efficient, appropriate and modern port facilities and equipment on our key ports or major gateways like the Cagayan de Oro (CDO) Port, which is the only major port serving the entire CDO and its neighboring provinces,” the PPA chief emphasized.

“To date, the CDO port caters to an average of 1,200 passengers daily during regular, and 2,500 passengers daily on peak seasons (and on) vessel calls, the port receives seven vessels a day ranging from superferries, liners and tramping vessels,” Sta. Ana added.

On cargoes, the port has a monthly averages around 12,500 twenty-foot equivalent unit.

He said other PPA improvement in CDO will include the paving of

Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez directed the seizure at the Port of Manila of three 40-footer container vans loaded with P2.5 million worth of red onions from China.

This is the sixth time in the past “I was expecting someone who can four months that the Bureau of do the same job (of apprehending smugCustoms (BOC) thwarted the glers), but look what happened? I’m not eventual entry and distribution happy with his performance (at BoC ) of smuggled onions in the country. anymore.”

“Their combined losses have That was President Noy speaking to now run up to more than P33 milreporters during his state visit to China lion,” Alvarez said referring to all recently and the subject is no other than the six anti-smuggling operaCustoms Commissioner Lito Alvarez. tions.

Alvarez is allegedly on his way out The BOC chief said the latest following the unexplained disappearance contraband, misdeclared by their consignees Interwide Trading of around two thousand dutiable conand Airfreight Alliance Incorpotainer vans transhipped from Manila to rated as pickles and juice, arrived Batangas. in POM last week without an imHIs replacement could not be deterport permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).

Relatively, Customs Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement Horacio Suansing said discovery of the misdeclared onions was made through a tip received by agents of the Enforcement Group and the Operations and Intelligence Office that the shipments were not properly covered by Import and Photosanitary Permits.

It can be recalled that the BOC confiscated last week more than 3,500 bags of smuggled onions worth more than P2 million in Tondo,

around 20,500 square-meter newly developed operational back-up area to provide additional space for storage of container cargoes; the construction of a new two-story passenger terminal building designed to accommodate 1,500 pas-

sengers at any given time, and the construction of three “roll-on, rolloff” berths that would accommodate large long-haul R0-R0 vessels of gross register tons (GRT) ranging from 6,500 to 19,000 GRT and with a minimum draft requirement

Manila. Bulk of these items were found openly sold at warehouses along Bilbao Street and more than a thousand bags were confiscated from two vans parked near one of the warehouses.

Last August 11, the Bureau also seized at the POM two containers of onions worth more than P4 million from China that were tried to pass off as juice.

In mid-July, a BOC team also seized some 4,000 bags of onion with a retail value of P3.5 million that were kept at the Marcelo Cold Storage in Navotas.

Also, some P6.4 million worth of onions from China that were Alvarez loaded in eight forty-footer conmined at presstime but Palace Spokestainer vans were confiscated by Customs personnel last May in man Edwin Lacierda confirmed to reportDavao. ers President Noy had a talk with losing However, the biggest operasenatorial candidate Ruffy Biazon. tion, so far, was made last May 26 when some 26,000 bags of smuggled onions worth P16 million were seized in a cold storage facility in Meycuayan City, Bulacan.

Alvarez said these operations should come as a welcome development for local onion growers who have long been complaining of unfair competition from imported onions.

He also thanked the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magsisibuyas ng Nueva Ecija (KASAMNE) for continuously providing the necessary information to fight against illegally imported onions

of 7.0 meters.

While the ”Tacloban Port Improvement/Rehabilitation Project (TPIRP) involves the “expansion” of the existing wharf of the port.

“This would require the installation of steel pipe sheet piles and

waling (1,456 MT), rockworks (15,378 cu. m.), fill materials (37,544 cu. m.), and tie rods (14 sets of 32 mm x 18 m and 90 sets of 70 mm x 24 m). This port handles both foreign and domestic cargoes.

(Press Release)

The Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided the Bureau of Customs (BOC) a US$ 10 million which will allow it to improve its customs intelligence systems.

The latter is anchored on a database platform where important information regarding customs transactions are stored, gathered and systematically retrieved to enhance revenue collection, trade facilitation and enforcement of customs regulations.

For BOC to obtain the grant, the agency must first upgrade its electronic-to-mobile (E2M) system and the acquisition of additional hardware, software and other equipment for data extraction, as stated by the Philippine Customs Intelligence System (PCIS) Project.

PCIS requires the enhancement of BOC’s information communication technology-based infrastructure to collect, process, organize and disseminate operations-related information.

Benefits to be derived from the implementation of the PCIS project include: plugging the traditional leakages in the tax collection effort; undervaluation and misdeclaration of shipment would be checked because of the comparisons that can be made in similar transactions; and customs examiners/inspectors, intelligence and enforcement officers and post-entry auditors would be able to carry out more timely and deeper scrutiny of daily operations.

The PCIS was conceptualized in mid-2003 and approved in March 2004 by the Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee of the National Economic and Development Authority.

DI Dawn hikes investment portfolio MARIVELES, Bataan — D.I. Dawn Patrol Manufacturing Corporation (DIDPMC), one of the locators at the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB), has recently increased its capital stock, signifying an upward trend in doing business at the FAB barely a year after it became operational.

DIDPMC has increased its capital stock from P10 million to almost P100 million, a sign of economic health at the FAB. The rise in the company’s stock indicates the company’s run on additional proceeds to invest in projects or machinery that will increase corporate profits and/or efficiency.

“This additional investment proves the viability of doing business at the FAB and the trustworthiness of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) as an authority that will stand by its promise to ensure locator satisfaction,” AFAB chairman and administrator Deogracias Custodio said.

The firm, which manufactures quality outdoor products particularly harnesses and packs, was recognized by the AFAB as one of the top ranking export/import companies in the FAB for 2010.

DIDPMC is also among the many companies that enjoy the FAB’s superior incentives that include income tax holiday (ITH) from four years to eight years; fivepercent tax in lieu of local and national taxes after ITH period; duty free importation of capital equipment, raw materials, consumer goods and personal items; exemption from wharfage dues, export taxes, imports and fees; domestic sales allowance of up to 30 percent of total sales; and special visas for investors.

The FAB is set to become the new model for global freeport Asia as it is also the only freeport where investors can own real property.

OPINION Metro Express

4

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12 , 2011

VIEWS, COMMENTARIES, OPEN FORUM

The Metro Express is published and distributed weekly at Philippine Economic Zones, LRT Lines 1 & 2, MRT, Congress, the Senate and other government offices by el amigo media solutions. For press, photo releases and advertising inquiries, text or call Hotlines Globe 0915-5517486 and Smart 0949-1661022. Emails: 2011metroexpress@gmail.com and esns03@yahoo.com. el amigo media solutions Publisher Ismael ‘El’ Amigo Editor Fitzgerald Cecilio Asst. Editor A.Z. Kal Art Director Eugene Labadan PR, Marketing & Circulation Manager Benjie Alejandro, Ana Cheza Montana, Noel Dolor Editorial Contributors

They all serve at the pleasure of the President of the land. And with it, government appointees do come and go.

F’rinstance, Bertie Lim is now out and Ramon Jimenez, a marketing and advertising guro, is now on the saddle at the Department of Tourism.

The sad thing about appointees, is the fact that they must all deliver at President Noy’s pleasure otherwise, the Chief Executive of the land will not think twice accepting his/her courtesy resignation or if not, the President would send feelers on his displeasure of an appointees’ performance.

But Customs Commissioner Angelito Alvarez, although President Noy already sent feelers about his displeasure on the former’s performance, seems unconvinced that the President is already convinced/decided of sacking him on the wake of the missing dutiable container vans numbering around two thousand.

He is very much at work, if only to convince the President that he is very much dedicated to his job.

According to reports, while the President was away in China, Alvarez “directed the seizure at the Port of Manila of three 40footer container vans loaded with P2.5 million worth of red onions from China.”

This is the sixth time in the past four months that the Bureau of Customs (BOC) thwarted the eventual entry and distribution of smuggled onions in the country, the report said.

“Their combined losses have now run up to more than P33 million,” Alvarez said referring to all the six anti-smuggling operations.

“The BOC chief said the latest contraband, misdeclared by their consignees Interwide Trading and Airfreight Alliance Incorporated as pickles and juice, arrived in POM last week without an import permit from the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI).”

Truly, Alvarez is doing his job. Give it to the man.

But the question the good commissioner cannot answer/explain is the case of the missing container vans right now.

The President was quoted as saying “I’m not happy anymore.”

Let’s wait and see.

EDITORIAL

HEADLINES Last Week Aquino and Hu Jintao share positive assessment of development in PHL-China relations DBM releases P3.07B for classroom construction, repair De Lima displeased over ‘grandstanding’ reports 3 former Chief Justices oppose changes to JBC rules Chinese consortium calls on Aquino in Shanghai Aquino witnesses signing of agreements between PHL and Chinese businesses PNP files plunder raps vs. ex-FG Mike Arroyo, 25 others Aquino, Hu Jintao agree to make 2012-2013 ‘years of friendly exchanges’ for PHL and China De Lima calls for speedy resolution of pending cases of nominees to Judiciary The country faces graft and corruption as modern-day oppressor, says Coloma The greatest advantage of investing in PHL is the Filipino workforce – Aquino 1,700 indigent families in Pampanga to be enrolled in DSWD’s 4Ps Iloilo solon says CCT helps in solving education problem Folks hail restoration of old Gabaldon building in Pangasinan Lobregat : ‘I’m not one of top 10 peace spoilers’ Suspected drug courier, militiaman killed in Central Mindanao Baguio City gov’t makes available P90M for calamity rehabilitation Luistro sees no need to include ‘cybersex’ in curriculum 6.7-hectare Iloilo City property up for auction this year Council allows mayor to sign contract with relocation site beneficiaries (Source: balita.ph) EDITOR’S NOTE: All commentaries and or opinions submitted by columnists and herein published shall remain as personal opinion of Metro Express’ column writers. As such, these cannot and never be construed nor considered as similar to that of this publication (Metro Express)’s stand on issues discussed. Be that as it may, Metro Express shall not be held liable on any legal issues related/pertaining to, or any column/ commentaries that may appear herein.

SO IT’S ALL BUT RIGHT, or to their belief, to paste a penis replica on Jesus Christ’s face? At least for them, perhaps, led by bespectacled main man of “Kulo,” the infamous “nakakakulo ng dugo” art exhibit at CCP. Will somebody give them a penis, err, penny for their thoughts please and “lakas ng loob” yet to stage a mass action to express their right to peste, err, paste? Take note of the placard that says “CENSORSHIP IS OFFENSIVE.” So, whose work or deed is not offensive? We’re just asking. Marami po ang paraan para sumikat na hindi tayo makaka-offend sa kapwa.

Classic match; congrats to P-Noy! Manny Pacquiao and Mexican champ Juan Manuel Marquez’s fight on November 12 will go down in history as a “classic” bout although this is a rematch of sorts.

This was the “fearless forecast” given by no other than Top Rank founder and CEO Bob Arum at a press conference at the Manila Hotel on Saturday kicking off the two boxers’ world press tour for the Las Vegas match.

“The world of sports will see a classic, classic match,” Arum was quoted by the working press as saying. “This match will be a credit to boxing and will be eagerly followed by all sports fans.”

Arum added that a good indicator to this is the fact that “only around 50 of the more than 16,000 tickets for the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are left unsold.”

It was also claimed by Arum the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch would be similar to that of the two boxers’ previous fights in Las Vegas, where hundreds if not thousands of Filipinos flooded the fight venue.

“In the week of the fight, Mandalay Bay becomes little Manila... becomes a Filipino oasis,” Arum claimed.

Arum also assured boxing fans not to be alarmed by the remaining 50 tickets as Top Rank has already ordered reprints aside from live telecast just outside the boxing venue where around 20,000 people can view the fight as added privileges.

“They can gain free admission to the weigh-in and will be around all the excitement,” said Arum adding that the world press tour was significant especially because it started in Pacquiao’s homeland in the Philippines.

After the Philippines, the promo proceeds to New York and Las Vegas before winding up in Mexico, Marquez’s home country.

Marquez arrived in the Philippines last Thursday and was warmlywelcomed by no other than Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim fanning further the local chief executive’s sentiment against Pacquaio who allegedly snubbed Lim’s invitation after Pacquiao’s fight with Shane Mosley.

That too, makes one foreign boxer’s visit to RP “classic.”

Understandably, Mayor Lim can’t get over yet with the Representative from Saranggani’s noshow on the former’s official invitation then.

Mayor’s Lim followers however aver Manny Pac’s actuation is an act unbecoming an “adopted son” of the city and be that as it may have been endowed by Mayor Lim’s political rival in former Manila Mayor and DENR Sec. Lito Atienza.

Photos of Manny Pac’s motorcade with then Manila Mayor Lito ARIELLE NIAMBI DELOS Atienza abound in the internet.

REYES-AMIGO You can check it out if you want proof. *** This humble representation congratulates President Aquino who arrived in Manila early Saturday evening from China with nearly $13 billion worth of possible investments from China to the Philippines.

President Aquino said his meetings (36 in all) with Chinese businessmen “resulted in pledges of $1.282 billion in new investments, $3.8 billion in “almost certain” investments, and another $7.9 billion worth of possible investments from corporations that showed interest in the country.”

Along with leading businessmen from the Philippines, the President and his delegation touched down at around 6:40 p.m. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

LIVE WITH IT

Ph’s ‘back to zero’ retrogression in peace proposal to MILF could ruin talks MANILA – Talks between the Government of the Philippines power.” Jaafar said the MILF wants change and prosperity to (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) teetered on be “balanced,” to be inclusive also of the ordinary citizens of

By MARYA SALAMAT the brink of collapse last Aug 23 in Kuala Lumpur, as the the Bangsamoro state. Such “brand-new change” is what the Bulatlat.com government peace panel finally submitted its counter-proposal MILF said they hoped to bring about in establishing a which the MILF peace panel described as “starting from zero.”

Bangsamoro state.

The MILF-GPH peace negotiations have been going on for 14 The Moro is not just a segment of Filipino population, said years now.

MILF peace panel member Michael Mastura, as he cited Mohagher Iqbal, chairman of MILF peace panel, said a examples of the Moro people in Mindanao conducting “heaven and earth” gap exists between the GPH proposed peace settlement and the themselves politically, culturally and militarily vis-à-vis other nations. They have had draft compact submitted by the MILF last February. That is, despite the fact that the treaties, for example, with other nations. “We have a different history, power structure MILF has already scaled back their demand from secession to genuine autonomy, and culture,” said Iqbal. But because this is different from that of the Philippine Iqbal said, in a round-table discussion with Moro Christian Peoples Alliance (MCPA) government, he reiterated the solution in their draft compact for the Bangsamoro selfshortly after arriving from Kuala Lumpur. Iqbal and the rest of the MILF panel had governance and real autonomy. decided to reject the GPH proposal, and to send a copy to the MILF central committee From the point of view of the GPH, it would just be a “substate” because, based on with the recommendation to reject it.

MILF draft compact, in some major governance issues such as coinage, foreign In an interview with DZRH after the August MILF-GPH formal talks was cut short, affairs, postal services and armed defense, the Bangsamoro state would still be under Ghazali Jaafar, MILF vice-chairman, said “it is our proposal that was rejected by the the Philippine government. The MILF just wants their authority to govern themselves GPH.” He said the MILF peace panel had expected the Aquino government to be respected and recognized, in such a way that they would have sufficient power that comment on the MILF draft compact “commission by commission,” especially after the they would not have to ask the Philippine government for money, said Jaafar.

Tokyo consensus of MILF chair Murad and GPH President Aquino to “fast-track the But the GPH draft counter-proposal, according to Iqbal, did not even mention the peace negotiations.” word “substate.” Instead of granting the MILF’s scaled-back demand for semiThe peace problem in Mindanao is a Bangsamoro problem, Jaafar said. “We know independence or real autonomy, the GPH proposed a transition government where the this problem better than the GPH, so the GPH should have listened to us,” he added.

MILF would constitute just a third of the governing authority. The other two would be The GPH had reportedly tried to delay putting their counter proposal on the shared by the GPH and representatives of civil service organizations. negotiating table in their latest round of talks, as it had sought first to discuss the case Iqbal said the MILF proposal embodies “continuity from 1987 to now,” they have of Ameril Omra Kato, an MILF commander whom the GPH’s military troops had incorporated in it the results of their peace agreements with the Philippine government, branded as “rogue.” The Aquino government has been pressuring the MILF to expel but the GPH proposal “started from zero.” The MILF is proposing “real governance,” Kato and his troops, a move that would allow the Philippine government troops to freely the GPH reverted to integration, said Iqbal. The MILF reframed the MOA-AD to excise target Kato and his troops. what its opponents had found as objectionable; the GPH did not even attempt to But the MILF did not brand their “brother” as rogue; neither did they fully remove correct the MOA-AD that it had initialed. Instead, its proposal has “retrogressed”, Iqbal Kato, who is not just a commander but an ulama (a Muslim leader), too, from the explained. From a proposed “compact agreement,” he said the Aquino government roster of the MILF, as they said they have not yet fully exhausted all efforts to reach reverted to “integration.” out to him.

Given the Aquino government’s derogating or setting aside previous peace Jaafar said Kato is not a problem. If they sign a peace settlement with the Philippine agreements, Mastura of MILF said the counter-proposal submitted by Marvic Leonen in government and it proves to be the solution to the Moro question in Mindanao, then “all their latest formal talks in Kuala Lumpur is “not an act of the GPH but just an act of the our brothers including Nur will support that.”

Aquino peace panel.”

Going for a ‘brand-new change’ In a news report published in Interaksyon, August 27, Leonen was quoted as saying Not even an overhaul could remedy the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao that the GPH stands by its proposal: “The government rejects the MILF’s rejection of (ARMM) because it is already “paralyzed” and beyond help, said Jaafar. The MILF our proposal.” does not recognize the ARMM. They have in fact rejected overtures from the Aquino Leonen asserted, “The government proposal is the most principled, realistic and government to head it, and they branded as “malicious” the recent inclusion in the list practical approach to resolving the decades-old armed conflict in the south.” of possible temporary heads of ARMM of at least four leaders of MILF. Mastura, on the other hand, said that in the GPH proposal of transition government After more than 15 years of ARMM, there is still no change in the lives of the where the MILF would just be a minority, the transition government would also fall Bangsamoro people, Jaafar said, adding that “If there had been change, it occurred “directly under the office of the President,” and it will be created with a new organic only on the lives of the ARMM leaders whose wealth had increased as they assumed law. Mastura concluded that the GPH proposal gives them “nothing but crumbs.”

Inbox

`

Alvarez out; Jimenez in

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011

LEGIS/EXEC NEWS

Metro Express 5

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SENATE & EXECUTIVE BEATS

ATTENTION NURSES WORKING AT CALL CENTERS

Gov’t to hire 12,500 new nurses this year -- Drilon Senator Franklin Drilon said the government is planning to hire an estimated 12,500 nurses for new nursing positions this year, a work in progress that aims to cut the surplus of nursing graduates in the country.

Drilon, who is the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, bared that Department of Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad has given the go-signal to grant Health Secretary Enrique Ona an authorization to hire an additional 10,000-12,500 nursing professionals in the government workforce.

287,000 unemployed “We agreed that between now

Sen. DRILON

and the end of the year, the Department of Health should be giv-

en an authorization to hire 10,00012,500 nurses,” Drilon said in a radio dzBB interview, This, despite the DOH’s admission during the agency’s budget hearing that there are currently 287,000 nursing graduates who are either unemployed or underemployed.

Over the weekend, it was announced that another 37,513 examinees passed the Nurse Licensure Examination administered in July.

Additional 4,000 During the Finance committee’s hearing, it was discovered that the DBM disallowed the hiring of an additional 4,000 in the DOH workforce due to a ban on hiring of ad-

ministrative positions, apparently because of the discrepancy with the way the DBM interpreted administrative posts.

Drilon said that there is glaring deficiency of nursing staff in state hospitals, compounded by the fact that the allowed staffing pattern is not actually filled up, particularly in regional government hospitals.

“This is good news... I am glad that our health system will be given a temporary relief due to the hiring of additional nurses,” he added.

Drilon said they will study the proposed budget for next year to determine how many new nursing positions will be made available.

Villar cautions gov’t vs increasing fees to contain budgetary deficit Senator Manny Villar cautioned the government against implementing the plan to increase fees imposed by agencies as part of efforts to contain the budget deficit.

Villar, chairman of the Senate committee on economic affairs, said aside from looking at the projected increase in government revenues, there is a need to assess the effects of the planned increase in fees on the ordinary citizen who regularly transact business with government agencies.

“The economic managers of the country must look behind the data, figures and statistics because any increase in the rate of government fees will result in an increase in prices of goods, services, commercial transactions as well as trade that are regulated or directly deal

Sen. VILLAR

with these government agencies,” Villar said.

Villar noted that the government is facing a budget deficit of around P300 billion or 3.2 percent of the

Gross Domestic Product and that the slowdown in global trade constricted the economy to a lower growth rate of 4.9 percent in the first quarter of 2011.

In a budget hearing, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima revealed that the administration plans to raise the fees and charges imposed by government agencies to contain the budget deficit. ”The simultaneous increase in the prices of petroleum, transportation, prime commodities and other products saddened me and now here the government planning to raise fees and charges. The finance department should review this plan,” Villar said.

These fees include those charged by the Land Transportation Office, the Land Registration

Authority, National Statistics Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Land Transportation and Franchise Regulatory Board and the National Bureau of Investigation.

“Special attention must be given to the effect of the proposed increase on the most vulnerable sectors of our society most specially that as early as February 2011, the recorded inflation rate already reaches 3.5 percent,” he added.

Villar filed Proposed Senate Resolution No. 568 directing the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs and the Committee on Trade and Commerce to look into the proposed increases and assess the economic as well as the financial impact of its implementation.

Escudero pushes for BuCor modernization With its day-to-day operations still based on the Prison Law of 1917, the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) is in dire need of an overhaul to cope with the modern demands of penology.

Senator Francis ‘Chiz’ Escudero filed Senate Bill No. 2933 seeking for the modernization and professionalization of the country’s national correction facility to make it compliant with the United Nations (UN) standards.

Escudero, chairman of the Sen. ESCUDERO Senate committee on justice and human rights, said the present state of BuCor is in subhuman conditions and rather than being reformatory, Philippine jails have become more punitive, which runs contrary to penology standards set by the UN. “BuCor has been running in obsolescence. Its laws, facilities and equipment, and organizational structures are all outdated and outmoded. It needs to be restructured so it can be as efficient and as effective to implement its mandate on day-to-day operations,” Escudero said.

BuCor has not seen a major legislative updating since 1905, except for a change in its name –formerly called the Bureau of Prisons– pursuant to the Revised Administrative Code of 1987.

In 2009, the inmate population was at 35,400 and manned by 2,632 employees, or a prison-guard to inmate ratio of 1:81. The international standard of guard-inmate ratio is 1:6.

The agency has the same number of employees it had since 1989. The ratio is continuously increasing at an average rate of five percent annually.

“The BuCor was created specifically to be in charge of safekeeping and instituting reformation programs to national inmates sentenced to more than three years. Reform isn’t anywhere with its dilapidated facilities, congested prisons and archaic operational system and structure,” the senator explained.

In his bill, Escudero is pushing for the safekeeping of inmates that shall include decent provisions of quarters, food, water and clothing in compliance with established UN standards.

Likewise, BuCor’s custodial force consisting of corrections officers will be undertaken with a ranking system and salary grades similar to its counterpart in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP).

BuCor lags miserably behind BJMP in terms of personnel remuneration. Entry level for a jail officer at BJMP is Salary Grade (SG) 10, while its counterpart at BuCor receives a salary equivalent to the pay of SG 5.

Unlike BJMP, BuCor custodial personnel are not considered uniformed and therefore are not entitled to salary increases, bonuses and other standard benefits.

“Promotion system in this agency has also been subjective. There are prison guards who are retiring after 40 years or more in service without having a taste of promotion,” Escudero said.

Escudero added that BuCor can only achieve modernization and professionalization if its facilities are upgraded, the number of its personnel increased, the level of qualifications of their personnel upgraded and its base pay, retirement and other benefits are standardized.

Gov’t releases P1.42B for national roads improvement Sec. De Lima welcomes CA ruling stopping jai-alai operations outside Cagayan

The Aquino administration’s bid to pave all national roads by 2014 has started through the release by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) of P1.42 billion for this purpose.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio Abad said the fund would be used for the preventive maintenance of national roads and installation of road safety devices around the country.

He said maintenance works on roads and bridges were priority projects under President Benigno Aquino’s term as part of his social contract with the Filipino people.

“These infrastructure projects sustain the on-going economic development efforts of the Aquino administration to bring direct, immediate and substantial benefits to the citizens,” he said.

Abad said the fund was released to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and P1.33 billion of which would finance the 152 preventive maintenance projects covering 141.26 kms of national roads.

He said another P85 million would be used for road safety projects, citing that “installation of adequate road safety devices along national roads is important because it prevents and reduces deaths, injuries and damage to properties.”

The Public Works department has also vowed to pave all secondary roads by 2016.

For next year, the priorities and goals include the preservation of road assets, decongest traffic in Metro Manila and other urban areas, support infrastructure for tourism destinations, access roads to airports, and flood control and convergence program with the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) and Department of Agriculture (DA).

The other major activities set for 2012 include the completion of the ongoing or unfinished projects that will be generally given preference over new projects, strengthening or upgrading of national bridges and replacement of temporary bridges into permanent ones.

PNP receives P1.75B for modernization program The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has released P1.75 billion for the fourth year of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) five-year modernization program.

Budget and Management Secretary Florencio B. Abad said the fund would strengthen the Aquino administration’s bid to increase PNP’s capability to effectively fight criminality and maintain peace and order around the country.

He said the fund would be used to purchase around 11,000 units of brand new guns, 750 units of digital base mobile and hand-held radio and police cars.

He said that they made sure about the accountability in the use of the

modernization fund.

“Considering the recent investigation on anomalies in the purchase of helicopters by PNP during the past administration, we have exercised caution in determining the amount of funds released for the PNP’s modernization program,” he said.

Abad said the P1.75 billion was charged against the PNP’s budget for Capability Enhancement Program of P2 billion.

He also said that this year’s budget release for PNP’s modernization program will be used to finance tools for the police’s intelligence and investigative activities, to strengthen its capability to manage civil disturbance, improve information /communications tech, data management.

Sokors top list of foreign students enrolled in PHL - BI South Koreans has topped the list of foreign students presently rnrolled in various schools throughout the country, followed

by Chinese and Iranians.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Ricardo David said these were proof that the Philippines was fast emerging as a major educational hub in the Asia-Pacific region.

OBEY TRAFFIC RULES!

S

So that others may live.

Of more than 26,000 foreign students in the Philippines, South Koreans have 11,612, followed by 3,961 Chinese and 3,225 Iranians.

About 17,000 foreign students are taking up college courses while the remainder are studying in the elementary and high school, or taking short-term language courses.

Those enrolled in colleges are holders of student visa while elementary and high school students are issued special study permits (SSPs).

David said both the student visa and SSP are issued by the BI to qualified foreign students pursuant to Section 9(f) of the Philippine Immigration Act. However, all foreign students

are required to update their stay while studying in the country as they are still considered temporary visitors or tourists.

David said that at least 104 duly-

accredited schools and learning institutions in the country are authorized by the bureau to admit foreign students.

BI MEDIA BUREAU

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima welcomed the Court of Appeals’ (CA) ruling stopping permanently the operations of jai-alai betting and gaming stations outside Cagayan province.

“That is good,” De Lima told reporters in an ambush interview.

De Lima said that it only showed that the Executive Department had a point when the DOJ, together with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), issued Sec. LEILA DE LIMA the joint memorandum targeting the closure of operations of the illegal number betting stations and arrest their operators.

De Lima said the DOJ hoped that the CA ruling would have some bearing on a similar petition pending before another division of the CA. The CA Special Sixth Division, which handles a separate case on jaialai, issued a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of the DOJ-DILG joint memorandum.

The case before the CA Special Sixth Division is still pending.

The CA’s Special Third Division, in a restraining order issued on Aug. 18 against jai-alai operations, upheld the cease-and-desist order (CDO) of Games and musement Board (GAB)against 13 jai-alai off-fronton betting stations operated by Meridien Vista Gaming Corp. (MVGC) in Metro Manila and Rizal province.

The CA junked the findings of the Aparri, Cagayan Regional Trial Court (RTC), which issued a TRO and an injunction order against the GAB in favor of MVGC. It said that GAB’s ruling was in order by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 871, enacted by then President Ferdinand E. Marcos in 1975, which established the GAB as the regulator of professional basketball games and other professional games.

The CA said that the Aparri RTC committed grave abuse of discretion in issuing the TRO and the injunction, as the place it covers is beyond its territorial jurisdiction.

MVGC has a franchise given by the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) to conduct jai-alai games inside the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Free Port (CSEZFP).

It argued that GAB had no authority over its jai-alai operations.

However, the CA said that jai-alai operations fall under GAB’s supervisory authority.

“Since pelotaris play in consideration of prizes and monetary compensation, jai-alai is a professional game under GAB’s supervisory authority pursuant to PD 871. As PD 871 has not been repealed by any subsequent legislation, GAB thus retains the powers conferred on it by virtue of said decree,” the decision said.

Make way for Cristine!

Anne Curtis is ‘Icon of the Year’ ACTRESS/HOST Anne Curtis was named as this year’s Icon of the Year recipient during the “Us Girls August Awards 2011”.

The said award honored Anne’s

Hosted by Iya Villania, Chesca Garcia-Kramer and Angel Aquino, the lifestyle magazine show on television also honored the local industry’s most influential person-

SHOWBIZ

Metro Express 6 Sept.5 - Sept. 12, 2011

ANNE CURTIS outstanding accomplishments in personal life and career in show business. Anne was chosen by the “Us Girls” staff, hosts and the Studio 23 management for excelling in her craft and her influence as a fashion icon.

Aside from dominating the local showbiz scene, Anne is also known for her numerous commercial endorsements and charitable works.

alities in the field of fashion, entertainment, and beauty.

Named as the Faces of the Year were television princesses Maja Salvador, Julia Montes, Jennylyn Mercado, and Marian Rivera.

Celebrity stylist Liz Uy, models Isabelle Daza and Georgina Wilson, actress Kim Chiu and host Bianca Gonzales received the Most Fashionable Female trophy while actors Sam Milby, John Lloyd Cruz, Ger-

ald Anderson, Dingdong Dantes and entrepreneur Hayden Kho were named as Most Fashionable Males.

“Us Girls August Awards” also introduced the Sexiest Male and Female categories this year. Model-actors Daniel Matsunaga, Derek Ramsay, Xian Lim, Matteo Guidicelli, and Azkal player Phil Younghusband topped the list for sexiest males in the biz.

Lorna to take a break from showbiz VETERAN actress Lorna Tolentino will take a much-needed breather after her her drama series, “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin” (MLKI), recently ended.

“Papahinga muna, rest muna.

Siyempre ilang months rin kaming nag-work nang mahaba kaya kailangang pahinga muna,” said Lorna.

Lorna said she will miss the rest of the cast because they are like family due to the bond that they have developed while taping the entire series.

“Yung pagsasama naming lahat.

Lately naging 4 times a week na kami sa halip na 3 times a week.

Kaya lang siyempre ang paggawa Doctors by now may have already given CRISTINE REYES (above photo) a clean bill of health following her bout with dengue. So we presume shooting on her upcoming movie and TV series “Reputasyon” is rolling by now.

Matteo says Maja is free to date anyone

FS &

UN

LORNA T ng soap laging mahirap ‘pag patapos [dahil nagpapaalam na kayo].

‘Yung gitna ‘yan ‘yung nagkakakilanlan na kayo, nagkakakuwentuhan talagang medyo relax ng konti,” she said.

Meanwhile, the veteran actress said she is not surprised that both her sons, Rap and Renz, have also

PORTS PAGE

Did you know that...

What is the world’s 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK? Text your answers to 0927-6098929!

Music Facts

FROM THE e-MAIL •

The best selling rap/R&B album ever in the US is CrazySexyCool

by TLC, surpassing MC Hammer.

•

Best selling latin album was spanish singer Julio Iglesias, with reported global sales of over 200 million albums.

•

Best selling world music album was the 1998 Grammy award-winning album Buena Vista Social Club (1997).

•

Hip Hop was first used as the name of culture by Africa Bambatta back in the early 80’s.

•

“Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson was the first video to air on MTV by a black artist.

•

Michael Jackson won the most grammy’s ever with a total of eight.

•

The Beatles holds the top spot of album sales in the US (106 million).

•

U2 was originally known as Feedback. To date, U2 have sold more than 70 million records, grossing $1,5 billion.

•

The top selling singles of all time are Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind ‘97".

•

In May 1997, Paul McCartney broke his own world record by obtaining his 81st gold disc.

•

The longest song to reach number one on the Billboard charts on LP was “I’d Do Anything For Love” by Meatloaf.

•

The first pop video was Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen, released in 1975.

•

Duran Duran took their name from a mad scientist in the movie Barbarella.

THAT’S RIGHT! The Philippines is the world’s 3rd largest English-speaking nation, next to the USA and the UK.

And, this week’s puzzle...

What antibiotic did Filipino doctor Abelardo Aguilar codiscover? Hint: Brand is Ilosone, named after Iloilo.

Sagot: Erythromycin.

‘Classic, classic match...’(From page 1) MAJA

MATTEO ACTOR Matteo Guidicelli clarified he is not jealous over Maja Salvador-Coco Martin closeness while taping their recently concluded primetime soap “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.”

Matteo said that he’s very professional when it comes to work and Maja has a mind of her own.

“I’m very happy for her kasi sobrang pumatok yung love team nila.

Ang ganda and ang galing nilang pareho.”

When asked what if Coco will court Maja, is the actress still available to go out with other guys? Matteo replied: “Free world naman tayo and okay lang naman na manligaw siya, wala naman talagang problema.”

But it was reported that both him and Maja are now exclusively dating and has an understanding already.

“We are not committed or anything but we are really very, very close.

We have an understanding together but no commitment. We are just happy.”

Matteo reiterated that they are not officially together but he’s happy when she’s around and the lady inspires him to better his craft.

The Cebuano actor and Maja are set to continue taping their first movie together entitled “Basted”, which is expected to be released by fourth quarter of this year.

COMICS

match will be a credit to boxing and will be eagerly followed by all sports fans.”

Arum added that a good indicator to this is the fact that “only around 50 of the more than 16,000 tickets for the fight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas are left unsold.”

It was also claimed by Arum the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch would be similar to that of the two boxers’ previous fights in Las Vegas, where hundreds if not thousands of Filipinos flooded the fight venue.

“In the week of the fight, Mandalay Bay becomes little Manila... becomes a Filipino oasis,” Arum claimed.

Arum also assured boxing fans not to be alarmed by the remaining 50 tickets as Top Rank has already ordered reprints aside from live telecast just outside the boxing venue where around 20,000 people can view the fight as added privileges.

“They can gain free admission to the weigh-in and will be around all the excitement,” said Arum adding that the world press tour was significant especially because it started in Pacquiao’s homeland in the Philippines.

After the Philippines, the promo proceeds to New York and Las Vegas before winding up in Mexico, Marquez’s home country.

Marquez arrived in the Philippines last Thursday and was warmly-welcomed by no other than Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim fanning further the local chief executive’s sentiment against Pacquaio who allegedly snubbed Lim’s invitation after Pacquiao’s fight with Shane Mosley.

What A.Z. Kal says on “weather, weather”!

NOON Mainit na, summer na!

A.Z. Kal

SAHOD NA HABANG MAY TULO...

No. 02

NGAYON Maulan na, summer na!

A.Z. Kal

ventured into the entertainment industry.

“Talagang dun din naman papunta ang mga anak ko,” Tolentino said.

“Actually siguro talagang mas dedicated sila. ‘Yung mga bata ngayon ‘yung passion, yung fire naroon. ‘Yung fire na magkaroon sila ng achievement kaya hindi mo na kailangang sabihan, makikita mo eh. Dedicated sila, professional all at the same time, lahat ng katrabaho nila kilala nila ang pangalan,” she added.

Asked about rumors saying that Renz is courting young actress Kim Chiu, Tolentino said, “Hindi daw.

Baka magalit ang mga Kim-Gerald [Anderson fans] niyan, wala naman, hindi pa. Sa akin naman wala namang commitment si Renz sa ngayon.”

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Subic Freeport remits P3.71B to National Treasury (From page 8)

Metro-Subic

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SUBIC BAY, PHILIPPINES

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011

Asian port officials hold 2nd ACTA meeting in Subic SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – Officials from different cruiseship terminals in Asia, including the biggest port in the world, converged here Thursday (September 1) for the second Pro-Tem committee meeting of the Asia Cruise Terminals Association (ACTA).

Representatives from the International Cruise Terminal Development Co., Ltd., which oversees Shanghai Wu Song Kou port, currently the world’s largest port, led delegates from Singapore, Japan and Malaysia during the committee meeting.

The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), which is a founding member of ACTA, was ably represented by Raul Marcelo, the agency’s deputy administrator for business, and Capt. Perfecto Pascual, who is general manager of the SBMA Seaport Department.

Marcelo said the meeting was held in preparation for ACTA’s formal launch this October. The Pro-Tem committee, he explained, acts as an interim committee which oversees ACTA before its formal launch.

In June alone, BoC-Subic collected a total of P661.48 million, the highest in the six-month period, followed by P623.02 million in April.

Apart from this, BOC posted non-cash collections of P299.82 million from government-to-government transactions.

Meanwhile, the Subic revenue district registered a first-semester cash collection of P587.75 million.

This represented a surplus of P79.32 million or 15.6 percent over its collection goal of P508.43 million for the said period.

The Subic BIR office also said its actual collection dipped by

39.64 percent, or P385.98 million, when compared to the P973.72 million it collected in the first half of 2010.

Not included in the BIR collections in Subic, however, was the two per cent share of the corporate taxes paid by business locators in the Subic Bay Freeport, which were directly collected by the SBMA through a new collection scheme and released to local government units (LGUs) that are either contiguous to or affected by the Freeport.

The LGU shares, which are provided for under Republic Act 7227, which created the Subic Bay Freeport, are intended to finance development projects and provide

for basic support services and livelihood programs of the seven municipalities and one city that are adjacent to the Subic Freeport.

Early this month, the SBMA distributed revenue shares collected under the new scheme for the first half of this year.

The beneficiaries are Olongapo City, which received P16.75; Subic, Zambales, P9.28 million; Dinalupihan, Bataan, P8.19 million; San Marcelino, Zambales, P7.87 million; Hermosa, Bataan, P6.59 million; Morong, Bataan, P5.78 million; San Antonio, Zambales, P5.77 million; and Castillejos, Zambales, P5.41 million.

SBMA PR Office

WHEN IN SUBIC...

TRAFFIC REMINDERS AND ADVISORIES 1. Make a full stop at intersections with stop sign or flashing red light or solid white line painted across the road. A full stop means a complete cessation of movement, not a rolling stop.

6. Obey all traffic lights and hand signals of traffic officers.

7. Load and unload at designated areas only.

8. No driving under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs.

2. Yield to vehicle traveling a road with a right of way and those which have approached the intersection first.

9. No parking on yellow painted curbs.

3. Approach with caution or slow down at any intersection with yellow flashing traffic light.

10. Always have driver’s license and latest vehicle registration when driving.

4. All motorists should pull over to give way stop to emergency vehicles (Red Light/Siren).

11. Fasten seatbelt.

12. No traveling downgrade on neutral gear.

5. Observe proper lane usage and speed limits, and give the proper signal to other motorists.

SBMA Fire Department shows off their skills in rescuing victims during the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training simulation.

“The Subic meeting will also serve as a venue for the validation and ratification of the ACTA constitution and by-laws, which was discussed during the first Pro-Tem meeting in Singapore,” added Marcelo, who was there to represent Subic along with Pascual.

ACTA is a non-profit organization created in response to a need for common understanding among owners and operators of cruise terminals and ports across Asia to upgrade to an international level of services and operations that cruise lines expect.

The association aims to provide for a cruise-friendly environment, and a vehicle for regional cooperation in terminal development, operations and management.

The group also seeks to promote cruise terminal facilities and services internationally, targeting to establish an influential alliance leading to the emergence of a captivating Asia cruise playground.

13. No wearing of headphone/earphone while driving.

Marcelo said that as part of SBMA’s thrust to make Subic Bay a prime logistics, maritime and tourist hub, the agency will

facilitate the development of Subic as a cruise-ship destination by being an active member of ACTA. (SBMA Media)

F HEALTH & MYSTERIES AITH,

Unsolved

MYSTERIES If someone asked you, “Are you a Christian?”, what would you say? Probably “Yes.” But what if they asked, “Why?” That’s where a lot of us have problems. I could be stumped if someone asked me that and tempted to say something like, “Well, my parents raised me as a Christian” or even, “Because I believe in God.” But lots of people believe in God, and what if my parents had raised me wrong? No, that is not the reason I am a Christian. When it really comes down to it, what would I say? What would you say?

The True Definition of a Christian. The reason you are a Christian is not because you do good things like go to church or read the Bible. It is not because you were raised in a “Christian” home or nation. It’s not even because you believe in the concept of God. It is because you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the King that will reign for eternity. Your faith in Jesus is what makes you a Christian—pure and simple.

The Proof. Look at this contrast of two men as proof. Jesus was hanging on the

cross between two criminals. Can you picture them? Neither of these men were “good” people, but they had very different attitudes toward Jesus. The one made fun of Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you supposed to be the Messiah? Prove it!”

But the other one was deeply humble and replied, “We deserve to die; this man doesn’t.” Then he turned and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). That’s the clincher: He truly believed that Jesus was the Son of God. And Jesus’ response is the proof that salvation is by faith alone: “I assure you, today you will be with Me in paradise’" (Luke 23:43).

Let It Sink In. Your salvation—eternal life when you die and the complete forgiveness of your sins—is not a matter of good deeds, family heritage, or general belief in God. It is founded on your belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He will come back to bring you into His great kingdom. Let this simple fact be the answer to those who ask you why you are a Christian and give you great peace.

Apply It: Explain to someone this week the true definition of a Christian. Let us know if you did it by responding to this e-mail!

BASIC WAYS TO LOSE WEIGHT It seems like there is a never ending quest for the great secret to weight loss. Everything from great grandma’s recipe to modern scientific discoveries have been used and abused in an effort to lose that extra poundage. Advertisements and commercials promise immediate and fully successful weight loss with just the use of a few pills each day.

Numerous diet plans are available that supposedly provide the perfect plan for trimming down.

Of course none of these special plans or pills are free, they all come at a price, and often a rather expensive price tag at that! Unfortunately, all too many of these purported weight purging techniques are nothing more than that another technique. There will always be another person with another idea at the expense of a naïve or desperate society.

So, how can a person truly lose weight?

What is the right plan?

We tend to run with greedy eyes to the newest fad, the newest diet, and all too often with great disappointment. Sometimes going back to the basics is the best way to accomplish some of the most formidable feats of life. Losing weight doesn’t have to be a great struggle or costly process. There are some basic ways to lose weight that are both workable and affordable.

First, the right mindset is essential to accomplish any task or goal in life. If I am going to lose those extra pounds, I have to be determined in my own mind that it is something I can and will achieve.

Human nature tends to dictate to Father Almighty. + us that if at first I don’t succeed

TRUST GOD.

then I need to simply stop. Weight loss is not an easy task. It takes determination and time. The miracle weight loss programs that make their grandiose claims of phenomenal, and speedy weight loss, are for the most part scams.

Unfortunately, they tend to build a mindset that I will look like that toned actor on television who supposedly used that weight loss product and lost an incredible 50 pounds in an unbelievable short time. I have to remind myself that no one product can really do that, and if I am to lose weight I must be determined that I can do this, but it may take a great deal of dedication and time. The right mindset is the beginning place of losing weight.

Second, a healthy weight loss diet is highly recommended, but not one that requires a drastic reduction of calories. The best rule is to take it easy, and slowly reduce certain foods and calories. As the body begins to lose weight it requires less calorie intake to maintain endurance and good physical health. Yet, this takes time. Once again, patience is going to be a key to success. Make sure that you look carefully at a variety of food plans, and choose one that best fits your needs.

Third, eating right is great, but doing so with no physical activity is senseless. A basic exercise or workout plan is essential to burning those calories and ultimately losing those extra pounds. Start easy and build as your strength and endurance builds. Just as one diet plan is not good for everyone, so no one exercise program will work for everyone.

Find a program that works for your particular, weight, age, and time economy then get at it! Make it a routine or habit for your life!

There are many ways to lose weight. Check them out. See what program best meets your needs and set your mind to do it! You must own the program in your mind, will, daily routine, and diet. If you do then you will be on the right path to weight loss.

OF THE WORLD Alexander III of Macedon (20/ 21 July 356 – 10/11 June 323 BC), commonly known as Alexander the Great (Greek: ÌÝãáò ëÝîáíäñïò, Mégas Aléxandros), was a king of Macedon, a state in the north eastern region of Greece, and by the age of thirty was the creator of one of the largest empires in ancient history, stretching from the Ionian Sea to the Himalaya. He was undefeated in battle and is considered one of the most successful commanders of all time.[1] Born in Pella in 356 BC, Alexander was tutored by the famed philosopher Aristotle. In 336 BC he succeeded his father Philip II of Macedon to the throne after Philip was assassinated. Philip had brought most of the city-states of mainland Greece under Macedonian hegemony, using both military and diplomatic means. Upon Philip’s death, Alexander inherited a strong kingdom and an experienced army. He succeeded in being awarded the generalship of Greece and, with his authority firmly established, launched the military plans for expansion left by his father. In 334 BC he invaded Persian-ruled Asia Minor and began a series of campaigns lasting ten years.

Alexander broke the power of Persia in a series of decisive battles, most notably the battles of Issus and Gaugamela.

Subsequently he overthrew the Persian king Darius III and conquered the entirety of the Persian Empire.i[›] The Macedonian Empire now stretched from the Adriatic Sea to the Indus River. Following his desire to reach the “ends of the world and the Great Outer Sea”, he invaded India in 326 BC, but was

ALEXANDER THE GREAT eventually forced to turn back by the near-mutiny of his troops.

Alexander died in Babylon in 323 BC, without realizing a series of planned campaigns that would have begun with an invasion of Arabia. In the years following Alexander’s death a series of civil wars tore his empire apart which resulted in the formation of a number of states ruled by the Diadochi – Alexander’s surviving generals. Although he is mostly remembered for his vast conquests, Alexander’s lasting legacy was not his reign, but the cultural diffusion his conquests engendered. Alexander founded some twenty cities that bore his name. His settlement of Greek colonists and the resulting spread of Greek culture in the east resulted in a new Hellenistic civilization, aspects of which were still evident in the traditions of the Byzantine Empire until the mid-15th century. Alexander became legendary as a classical hero in the mold of Achilles, and features prominently in the history and myth of Greek and non-Greek cultures. He became the measure against which generals, even to this day, compare themselves and military academies throughout the world still teach his tactical exploits.

Subic Bay Freeport remits Metro-Subic P3.71B to National Treasury

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Express

Subic Bay, PHILIPPINES

Sept. 5 - Sept. 12, 2011

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Administrator & CEO Armand Arreza said that while there was only a slight increase of 6.46 percent in revenue, this still goes to show that the SBMA has sustained growth both in terms of investments and workforce.

ADMINISTRATOR/CEO Armand Arreza

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Freeport has remitted P3.71 billion to the National Treasury in the first half of this year, an increase of P225 million over the P3.48 billion posted in the same period last year.

The remittances came from cash collections of the Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) in this free port.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) administrator Armand Arreza said that while there was only a slight increase of 6.46 percent in revenue, this still goes to show that the SBMA has sustained growth both in terms of investments and workforce.

Based on the records submitted to the SBMA, the BoC posted cash collections

totaling P3.12 billion in the first semester of this year.

These came from duties and taxes taken from for ship calls, transshipment operations, and the importation of various inputs, including oil, motor vehicles, and other general merchandise.

The BoC report also disclosed that cash collection in Subic in the first half surpassed last year’s P2.51 billion by 24.33 percent, or a difference of P611 million.

However, the Subic revenue district fell slightly short of its target of P3.29 billion in the first six months by 5.22 percent.

Cont’d on page 7