Businessmirror march 20, 2016

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LTFRB plans to hear Uber fare adjustment proposals on April 6

Ericsson: 5G tech set to ‘invade’ PHL by ’20

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HE chief of the local arm of Swedish multinational communication technology and services provider Ericsson is predicting that the fifth generation (5G) technology for mobile broadband will come to the Philippines by 2020.

With fourth generation (4G) subscriptions in the Philippines seen rising to 40 percent of the population, Ericsson Philippines and Pacific Islands President and Country Manager Sean Gowran said he is bullish that the techsavvy nation will be ready for the fifth generation of mobile connectivity in four years.

By Lorenz S. Marasigan

W

ITH fares for ridehailing apps surging by as much as 500 percent during peak hours, the need to regulate these services becomes more and more pressing.

And with global oil prices dropping at constant rates, the chief of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) finds it fitting to review the possibility of adjusting the fares for transport network vehicle services (TNVS).

TNVS in the Philippines are the driver partners of Uber, Grab, Wunder and Uhop.

The hearing, Chairman Winston M. Ginez said, has been set for April 6 at the regulator’s headquarters in Quezon City.

The Board, under an executive order, has the power to determine, prescribe and approve, and periodically review and adjust reasonable fares, rates and other related charges, relative to the operation of public land-transportation services See “LTFRB,” A2

40%

PHL subscribers who use 4G tech “What we can see is that there will be a sizable percentage of the mobile population with LTE subscriptions, with devices that will allow them to make full use of LTE or 5G. It will be exciting to see what services and applications are available in the country by 2020,” he said.

The GSMA said there are two definitions of 5G. First is that the technology is a service-led view which sees 5G as a consolidation of 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi and other innovations providing far greater coverage and always-on reliability.

The second view is driven by a step change in data speed and order of magnitude reduction in end-toend latency. However, these definitions are often discussed together, resulting in sometimes contradictory requirements.

5G technology can run up to 1 gigabit per second, making it the fastest mobile-Internet connection when it has been deployed.

The technology “offers enormous potential for both consumers and industry, as well as the prospect of being considerably See “Ericsson,” A2

PALM SUNDAY Inson Pasco (foreground) from Laguna is in front of the Baguio City Cathedral to sell palm fronds to mark the start of Holy Week.

Along with other vendors, he has made the palm fronds works of art to entice believers to buy. MAU VICTA

DOE to reduce energy use by 45% by 2035

By Lenie Lectura

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HE Department of Energy (DOE) is finalizing an updated Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program (PESLP), expected to be a key contribution to attain the country’s aspirational target of reducing energy intensity by 45 percent by 2035.

The PESLP initially covers room air-conditioners, split-type aircons, refrigerators with 5 cubic feet to 8

PESO exchange rates n US 46.4430

cu. ft. storage capacity, three types of fluorescent lamp (CFL, linear and circular) and electronic ballasts.

An updated PESLP would cover a wider range of appliances and lighting systems. It would also include light-duty motor vehicles, DOE Officer in Charge-Assistant Secretary Patrick T. Aquino said.

“We’re almost done updating the Philippine Energy Standards and Labeling Program,” Aquino said.

He said comments and suggestions raised during the public consultations held in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao in Febru-

ary were given substantial weight in the finalization of the PESLP to make the policy more responsive to the needs of all stakeholders.

The PESLP is in line with the agency’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Program, a major aspect in cutting down the country’s carbon emissions.

The agency, meanwhile, reiterated its warning to the public of the dangers of peddling liquid fuels in any container, or more known as bote-bote.

Energy Secretary Zenaida Y.

IMF’s Lagarde: Negative rates have assisted global economy grow

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HE world economy would be worse off without negative interest rates, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

Negative rates in Europe and Japan have helped support global growth and price gains, she said in an interview in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday. The finance sector may need to implement new business models as a result, she said.

“If we had not had those negative rates, we would be in a much worse place today, with inflation probably lower than where it is, with growth probably lower than where we have it,” Lagarde said.

“It was a good thing to actually implement those negative rates under the current circumstances.”

Central banks in Europe and Japan have deployed negative interest rates to stimulate the economy, and Federal Reserve (the Fed) Chairman Janet Yellen said the US central bank is taking a look at the tool “in the event that we needed to add accommodation.” The policy moves have triggered concerns that they could have unintentional consequences, such as hurting bank profits.

Negative interest rates are a fairly new economic tool and more time is needed to assess the policy, Lagarde said.

“So let’s see whether it kickstarts the process of fueling credit to the economy, changing the behavioral pattern of people and changing the strategy of banks, as well,” she said. “It may be good for the economy—maybe not forever, but for a period of time.”

Former Fed Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said in a blog post later on Friday that negative interest rates “ appear to have both modest benefits and manageable costs” and that market anxiety over below-zero borrowing costs, “seems to me to be overdone.”

While the chances of the Fed going negative are low for the foreseeable future, the central

LAGARDE bank should probably analyze the option further, he wrote.

Separately, Lagarde said the IMF may raise its 6.3-percent growth forecast for China due to the nation’s planned economic reforms and stimulus. The figure could be increased “a little more” after an assessment of a recently announced economic package, she said.

“We believe China will continue to grow,” Lagarde said. “If those reforms are implemented and the stimulus announced also directed to the most efficient leverage in societies, which we believe is more consumption than necessarily investment that would be fueled by credit, then the recipe should be quite good for China to lead a continued quality growth.”

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang opened the annual National People’s Congress by announcing this year’s economic-growth target would be 6.5 percent to 7 percent. He said in his work report to the ceremonial legislature that such a pace “will allow for relatively full employment.”

Li also outlined plans to cut back inefficient industries and avoid mass layoffs while achieving growth targets that are challenged by rising debt and a global economic slowdown. The debt levels in the blueprint raised concern among some analysts about the sustainability of China’s economic growth. Bloomberg News

See “DOE,” A2

n japan 0.4168 n UK 67.2309 n HK 5.9892 n CHINA 7.1721 n singapore 34.3997 n australia 35.4592 n EU 52.5688 n SAUDI arabia 12.3855

Source: BSP (18 March 2016 )

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

A2 Sunday, March 20, 2016

news@businessmirror.com.ph

Zambales to require miners for ISO compliance

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By Henry Empeño | Correspondent

BA, Zambales—The Zambales provincial government will set a stricter policy on mining in the province, which will require mining companies to comply with international safety standards in their operations.

Gov. Hermogenes E. Ebdane Jr. said in his “Ulat sa Bayan” (Report to the People) address last Thursday, that his administration will require mining firms operating

in Zambales to conform with ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

“From now on, ‘No ISO certification, no mining operation’ will be our policy,” Ebdane told his au-

dience of mostly government officials, employees and residents.

“This is our challenge to the companies that were given permit by the national government to mine in Zambales: The bottom line is they should be ISO 14001 certified and OHSAS 18001 compliant.”

ISO 14001 sets out the criteria for an Environmental Management System (EMS) and maps out a framework, which a company or organization can follow to minimize how their operations negatively affect the environment; comply with applicable laws, regulations and other environmentally oriented requirements; and continually improve in the above.

OHSAS 18001, or the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems-Requirements,

is an inter nationa l ly applied British Standard for occupational health and safety management systems. It provides a framework that helps to identify and control health and safety risks; reduce the potential for accidents; aid legal compliance; and improve overall performance.

Ebdane said that requiring the internationally accepted standards from miners would be the logical next step after the provincial government sought a moratorium on mining in November last year because of damage caused by mining operations on communities in Santa Cruz town.

Among the ills that residents blamed mining for were air pollution, destruction of roads and the nickel siltation of rivers, farms, fishponds and coastal areas in com-

munities near mining sites.

In a public hearing last year, Ebdane directly called for a halt in mining operations, saying there is a need to draw an action plan that would prevent environmental problems spawned by mining activities.

He added that safety measures should be in place first before mining companies are allowed to operate again, but the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources, which regulates all largescale mining operations, had thus far failed to implement the moratorium sought by the Zambales government.

On Thursday, Ebdane recalled that mining explorations began in 2005 under then-Gov. Vicente Magsaysay, while full-blast operations started in 2007 under

former Gov. Amor D. Deloso.

“My bad luck was that environmental problems began to manifest under my watch,” said Ebdane, who first won as governor in 2010. “But we should not blame my two predecessors because it is the national government, not the local government, with jurisdiction over large-scale mining.”

“The truth is we cannot declare Zambales to be ‘mining-free’ because the province, as well as the national government, earns from this industry. But we can ask companies to conform to standards that would protect the environment,” he said. “Responsible mining is what we need for our province to fully develop. Mining should not destroy our mountains and neither should it abuse the environment,” Ebdane said.

Camiguin sets eyes on solar, wind energy M

AMBAJAO, Camiguin— Gov. Jurdin Jesus M. Romualdo said the island province of Camiguin will have its 5-megawatt (mW) solar and 3-mW wind- power plants to sustain its development within the next three years.

Romualdo made this announcement during the launch of the Mounts Timpoong-Hibok-Hibok Natural Monument (MTHNM) as the 37th Asean Heritage Park (AHP) here recently.

Interviewed by the BusinessMir ror , Romu a ldo sa id t he province will pursue renewable energy, but declared that the is-

land province will be “off-limits” to investors who want to explore geothermal energy.

The province has 14 volcanoes, which he said would not be allowed to be explored under his watch, or during his reign as the clan’s patriarch, to protect the island province’s environment and natural resources.

“I have been talking to potential investors and the government of Spain to develop solar power and wind energy,” Romualdo said.

The development of clean, renewable energy will be pursued, except for geothermal energy.

“In exploring geothermal energy,

I was told by the DOE [Department of Energy] that they will cut trees in exploring geothermal energy. I said no. I will not allow it,” he said.

The governor, whose three consecutive terms expire in June, will run for mayor of Mambajao.

Members of the family, including his son Rep. Xavier Jesus D. Romualdo, who is running for reelection, and Mayor Ma. Luisa D. Romualdo, a candidate for governor, are all running unopposed this coming May 2016.

Romualdo said protection and conservation of the island province’s environment and natural

tion of the MTHNM as an AHP will help attract more foreign and local tourists.

The province, he said, only has a total of 150 rooms available for visitors who frequent the island to visit its beaches.

The official boldly predicted a double-digit grow th of the tourism sector in the next six years because of the ag g ressive promotion of Camiguin as an ecotourism destination in Northern Mindanao.

“What other provinces in Mindanao have, we also have in our island. Kung ano meron ang iba, meron din kami. Malinis na hangin, bundok at tubig,” he said, bragging that the province also have white sand beaches and pristine waters comparable to that of Boracay, “only better.”

Romualdo maintains that the province will continue to promote home stays to accommodate the expected influx of tourists, particularly during the summer season.

Primarily an agricultural province, Camiguin is fast becoming an ecotourism destination in Northern Mindanao. Ecotourism, he said, contributes about 6 percent to the annual income of the province. Romualdo expects this to go up from 12 percent to 15 percent.

“By that time, everyone in the island will strongly feel the benefit of ecotourism,” he added.

resources is important in developing ecotourism. “The people want Camiguin to remain the way it is. Ever since, it has been my environmental policy,” he said.

However, Romualdo added that he will keep the province’s dieselpower plant running for “back up” power source, even if some residents have opposed its use to generate some 5 MW of electricity.

Romualdo said that compared to coal-fired power plant, the dieselpower plant is “cleaner” and will ensure a steady supply of electricity in the island. Currently, the province is connected to the power grid in the main island of Northern Luzon, via underwater cable.

Romualdo said several investors have expressed their intent to put up malls and hotels in the island.

He said within the next six years, he sees the construction of at least three hotels and two malls—Gaisano and Starmall.

However, he maintained that the hotels and malls to be built will be limited to five storys each. It has been the policy of the province’s top official that structures to be built in the island would only reach up to three stories.

“We will now allow buildings up to five stories,” he said.

He said putting up hotels and malls will further boost the island province’s ecotourism potential, noting that the declara-

LTFRB…

Continued from a1

provided by motorized vehicles.

“Recent developments in the global oil market prompted the Board to rev iew the existing fare rates of TNVS to determine if an adjustment is necessar y.

In hearing the matter, we want to ensure that we strike a balance in making a decision that

DOE…

Candice Naomi B. Dael, the provincial ecotourism officer of Camiguin said that last year a total of 660,000 tourists visited the province. Every tourist, she said, spends about P2,500 per day. This year, she expects it to go up.

Dael said the province currently has 20 tourist guides.

“We are continuously training tour guides,” she added.

Jimmy Barientos, a tour guide accredited by the Department of Tourism, is helping train local tour guides.

“Camiguin has a lot potential. We have very friendly people, we have some of the best tourist destinations and our people are willing to learn,” he said.

The tourism expert, who is also from Mambajao, said there is a need to improve the people’s communication skills, noting than close to half of the tourists visiting Camiguin are foreigners.

“We also need to familiarize the people about places and enhance their peoduct knowledge. We need to promote our products more,” Barientos said.

With the declaration of the MTHNM as an AHP, Roberto V. Oliva, Executive Director of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity, which acts as secretariat of the Asean Heritage Parks Program said funding for biodiversity conservation is expected to increase. Jonathan L. Mayuga

would be fair for both the TN V [transport network vehicle] operators and the riding public,” he said.

Parties contesting or opposing the approval of the proposed fare adjustment must file their written oppositions on or before April 6 and appear before the agency to submit

their evidence or position papers.

Fuel prices have been dropping since December 2014 as the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries decided to maintain current production levels despite a glut in the market with an estimated oversupply of 1.5 million to 2 million barrels daily.

Continued from a1

Monsada said “peddling of liquid fuels in any container, such as soda bottles, plastic bottles, jugs and other similar portable containers, is strictly prohibited,” which is stipulated under the existing Department Circular 2003-11-010, also known as the Retail Rules.

She also said improper handling

Ericsson…

faster than existing technologies, 5G holds the promise of applications with high social and economic value, leading to a ‘hyperconnected society,’ where mobile will play an ever more important

of liquid fuels may lead to accidental fire, illnesses due to inhalation of hazardous fumes and undesirable effects to the environment.

In order to eliminate the “botebote” scheme, the DOE encourages persistent participation of the consuming public, mostly motorists, in this advocacy by buying from

authorized and formal gas stations only, instead of patronizing illegal liquid fuel peddlers, as this does not assure the public of “proper fuel quality and right quantity.”

Motorists, she added, should realize that they may actually be short changed and end up spending more for repairs or, worse, accidents.

Continued from a1

role in people’s lives,” the GSMA said in a report.

Not a single country in the world runs on 5G technology to date.

Ph i l ip pi ne L on g D i s t a nce Telephone Co. Chairman Manuel

V. Pangilinan has said his group is in talks with several tech developers for the introduction of the technology in the Philippines in the midterm.

Lorenz Marasigan

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

www.businessmirror.com.ph • Editor: Dionisio L. Pelayo

Philippines, US address economic issues in talks

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HE Philippines and the United States renewed their commitment to a partnership for mutual prosperity in the 21st century in a meeting under their Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (Tifa) held last week in Washington, D.C. The Philippine delegation was led by Trade Undersecretary Ceferino S. Rodolfo, and composed of Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo R. Serrano, Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Director General Josephine Santiago, Trade Assistant Secretary Anne Robeniol, and other officials from the departments of Trade and Industry, Agriculture and Health; the IPO; the Civil Aeronautics Board; and the Philippine Embassy.

In their opening remarks, Rodolfo and Ambassador Robert Holleyman, deputy US trade representative (USTR) for Asia and the Pacific, emphasized the strength and vitality of PhilippinesUS economic relations, and the importance of the Tifa meetings in maintaining open channels of communication between the two countries on trade and investment matters.

The annual Tifa meeting provides a forum to address specific issues and concerns of interest to both countries with a view to improving cooperation and enhancing opportunities for trade and investments.

The morning of the daylong meeting was devoted to discussing the keen interest of the Philippines in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). USTR officials provided an extensive and substantive briefing to the Philippine delegation on key TPP chapters of interest, including intellectualproperty rights, investment, government procurement, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, customs and rules of origin, competition and state-owned enterprises, and dispute settlement.

They also briefly touched on small and medium enterprises, development, business facilitation and competitiveness and cooperation, and capacity-building. The two sides agreed to have further technical consultations on TPP outcomes, including through videoconferences or personal meetings among embassy officials in Manila or Washington, D.C. Recto L. Mercene

Sunday, March 20, 2016 A3

Comelec eyes longer voting period

By Ferdinand G. Patinio | Philippines News Agency

T

HE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is thinking of prolonging the voting period and also an early start in the voting on election day.

Comelec Chairman Juan Andres D. Bautista said the poll body is looking at the possibility of starting the voting one hour earlier, or from 7 a.m. to 6 a.m., and to hold the polls for at least 12 hours, or from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. “ We a re lo ok i n g i nto t he possibility of earlier start of voting, probably 6 a.m.,” he said in an interview.

“We want to take advantage of the light. As much as possible, we want voting to be finished while there is still daylight,” he said.

The poll body was earlier ordered by the Supreme Court (SC) to issue receipt to voters, and is now focusing on the preparations for the printing of the receipts that will not have any security features.

Bautista said the Comelec would start the procurement process for the almost 93,000 boxes that will serve as receptacles of the voter receipts and some 100,000 roundedge scissors, which will be used to cut the voter receipts.

The commission has allocated P300 budget for ever y box, while the budget allocation per scissor is P12.

On the other hand, Bautista noted that they have included in the specifications of the thermalpaper poll body is already bidding out the need to have an “early warning” mechanism.

“We required that toward the end part of the paper roll, there should be a red mark. So when the Board of Election Inspectors see it, they can already replace the roll, which will minimize incidents of paper jams,” he said.

The Comelec had already invited interested suppliers for about 1.1 million thermal-paper rolls with a budget allocation of P85.8 million, or P78 per roll.

Meanwhile, Bautista said they were also looking at cutting down the screen time of the onscreen verification, from its current setting of 15 seconds.

“During the oral arguments,

it was pointed that the onscreen verification is not necessar y.

That’s why we are looking at reducing the 15 seconds. We cannot remove that feature anymore, since it would necessitate a new source code. But we can certainly shorten it,” he said.

‘Comelec intransigent’

FORMER Sen. Richard J. Gordon on Saturday called on voters “not to let the Comelec’s seeming inability and refusal to fully comply with the requirements of the law rob you of the opportunity to have a clean, honest, transparent and credible elections on May 9.”

Gordon made the call in the wake of the poll body’s statement that it will comply with the Supreme Court’s order to print voters’ receipts, but the vote-counting machines (VCNs) will only print simple receipts without security features, such as hash code, precinct number and time of voting.

“Inasmuch as the Comelec again will not put the time stamp and precinct number on the voterverified paper audit trail [VVPAT], let us show them we are not helpless against their refusal and seeming inability to stringently implement the requirements of the law,” he said.

“For myself, when I vote and get my printed receipt, I will sign my name, write my precinct number and time I voted. Then I will put

it in the receipt box.”

Gordon earlier pressed the need for the VVPAT to show the precinct number, the time of voting and the hash code to be an effective tool for voter verification, adding that it would merely be just a piece of paper if it will not have such security features.

After the oral arguments on Thursday, the Court made a unanimous decision to affirm its decision ordering the Comelec to enable the VCMs’ VVPAT feature. The decision was final and executory.

Bautista said that since the SC has decided, the Comelec will comply and try to do its best to ensure credible elections in May. He assured that the VCMs that will be used in the 92,059 clustered precincts around the country, as well as at least 100 units overseas, will print receipts.

However, Bautista said these will be simple receipts, without identifiable marks, such as hashcodes and precinct names, since they won’t be able to repeat the trusted build of the VCMs in time for the May 9 elections.

Gordon, author of Republic Act 9369, or the Amended Automated Elections Systems Law, which requ ired t he sa id safeg uard, said it could still be done in the remaining period that the Comelec has if it had the willpower and commitment to ensuring credible elections.

SundayV

Busine

A4 Sunday, March 20, 2016 • Editor: Angel R. Calso

editorial

To the makers of e-vehicles

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HAT’S the latest on the e-jeepney and the e-tricycle, the vehicular innovations that have the potential of changing the traffic situation in Metro Manila for the better?

As reported, these vehicles are superior to the current jeepney and tricycle, in terms of passenger capacity and gas consumption. They should now be taking over the transportation business in the Metro Manila area.

But no, the e-vehicles are not doing such a thing. As a matter of fact, the business, we understand, is not exactly basking in the brilliant light of success. It has apparently sold only a few units since its entry into the market.

What gives, e-vehicle manufacturers? The potential demand is there, consisting of the growing number of institutional users, including private realestate developers, local governments and tourist resorts. There is also the Department of Transportation and Communications planning to phase out diesel-fed jeepneys that are older than 15 years; and the Department of Energy expecting to replace 100,000 of the estimated 3.5 million tricycles in the country with e-tricycles. This is not to mention the thousands of households who would want to own an e-vehicle for the pride of ownership.

Manufacturers should, of course, know better than rely on demand from government departments. Though they have unlimited public money at their disposal, government departments have the habit of reneging on contracts, when they are not making the collection from them almost impossible. Better to direct the sales effort to the general public. Whether institutional or individual, the private-sector customer will want to know whether acquisition of an e-vehicle will impact favorably on his bottom line.

This is where the dog is buried. Our suspicion is that the problem of minuscule sales lies on the financial side of the business, not on the technological side, which can be assumed to be cutting edge. Is the price being charged for the e-vehicle affordable to the individual operators of jeepneys and tricycles who constitute the market? Are there credit and banking facilities to support prospective buyers? Remember, current operators of jeepneys and tricycles are middle-class people, not the wealthy families owning and managing the bus companies. In addition to an attractive price, they will need financial support in order to change to the new technology.

Clearly, manufacturers need to go back to the drawing board—and take a close look at their pricing scheme. To mention the superfluous, their duty is to set the price at that level that will convince the prospective buyer that acquisition of an e-vehicle will be more profitable than sticking it out with vehicles of vintage technology. This should decisively bolster the sales pitch for the e-vehicles. While waiting for the glorious long-term solutions, lightrail transits and subways, among them, we need the e-vehicles to get to our destinations on time and psychologically intact. We need them also to divert our attention away from the current mess of our transportation system.

The untold stories of Aquino human-rights violation Part Five

The Marcos human-rights records

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N Ferdinand E. Marcos’s nine years of martial rule (from September 1972 to January 1981), by comparison, only 32 journalists were killed in line of duty. The Philippine Movement for Press Freedom has the complete names of the slain 84 journalists from Marcos, to Corazon C. Aquino and to Fidel V. Ramos. The irony was that the figures showed it was even worse during Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s time.

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Gospel

Sunday, March 20, 2016

Taking the issue of human rights head on, perhaps, it would be prudent to admit that practically all states today, one way or the other, are guilty of human-rights violation. Violations may vary in degree, but once the propensity to violate becomes frequent, one could well assume that such act of state-sponsored violence could graduate to genocide or “ethnic cleansing,” as many political analysts would say it today. Often the inhabitants are systematically slaughtered because of their religious affiliation, political creed or caused by deep racial enmity.

Surprisingly, it was not the traditional ally of the imperialists, the oligarchy, that purposely brought those cases against the Marcoses for compensation to the United States, but the militant Left. For their infamous decision, they unmasked themselves as sordidly antinationalist and anti-Filipino.

The Left indulged itself in the most shameful act of judicial mendicancy.

What the people saw was a complete turnaround from their original role of acting as would-be liberators to one we might say “revolutionaries” who would not hesitate to put a monetary price for their failed revolution.

Even if one has to assume that all states have, one way or other, committed acts to violate the rights of their own people, still every act has to be analyzed whether the agent of the state, such as the military, police or the civilian paramilitary personnel, committed those

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acts in pursuit of a state policy, or that the act is merely an individual perversion without the knowledge and consent of the state.

On this context, one can assume that the human-rights violations committed by the agent of the state can only be imputed since these are committed in violation of the law adhered to by the civilized community of nations, which is also prohibited by the state.

It was a perverted act that came from a perverted agent of the state and, therefore, imputable only to him or her, and to a less extent the state, only if there was gross negligence in supervising its security agents.

Under the circumstance, how could victims or their relatives make President Marcos, who is a lawyer himself, be made culpable of those charges?

Even if Marcos declared martial law, suspended the writ of habeas corpus and detained several persons involved in the conspiracy to violently overthrow the government, still that exercise of power that was vested in him under the 1935 Constitution could not automatically result in his being accused of violating human rights.

In the 20 years that Marcos was in power, the country had not evolved to become a criminal state. The country, under his leadership, had not declared war, attacked any state or plucked its enemies abroad in defiance of the United Nations Charter. A criminal-state could always get away with punitive actions because the reality of international law is based on the reality of its power to enforce what would serve to advance its interest.

All Marcos did was to exercise the power of the state to uphold its sovereignty, maintain national unity and preserve the territorial integrity of the Republic. Those isolated violations of human rights stemmed from the perverted acts of individual government agents acting on their own.

The certification made by then-

ND when the hour came, He sat at the table, and the apostles with Him. And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I tell you, I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” And He took a cup, and when He had given thanks, He said, “Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I tell you that from now on, I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

And He took the bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.” And, likewise, the cup after supper, saying, “This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My Blood.

Chairman of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Aurora P. Navarrete-Recina issued on May 4, 1997, attested that there was no formal complaint that was filed or is pending against Marcos in the local courts because no alleged humanrights victim can come out to say he or she has the evidence to directly point that Marcos acted personally to make himself liable.

Nonetheless, the statistical facts about the human-rights violations in the Philippines, as noted by the CHR, belied the accusation of Marcos as a human-rights violator compared to those recorded during the time of Presidents Aquino, Ramos, Estrada and Arroyo.

President Ramos, for the six years he stayed in office (from 1993 to 1998), more than 7,000 alleged human-rights violation were recorded, while on the three-year rule of Estrada (from 1998 to 2000) just over 100 incidents of alleged human-rights violations were recorded.

In the case of the Arroyo administration, it turned worse because more than 900 cases of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances alone were recorded. More worrisome was the fact that the CHR, the Karapatan Foundation and Ibon Foundation have already listed an aggregate of more than 10,000 alleged human-rights violations, a figure that caught the attention of the United Nations representative on human rights.

The issues of torture, disappearances and extrajudicial killings were matters the government should take responsibility for, and Marcos was prepared to confront these because he believed it offered him a chance for vindication.

They never gave him that chance. Neither was Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos given a chance to confront Mrs. Aquino, former Sen. Jovito R. Salonga and her other accusers in the New York trial.

To be continued

To reach the writer, e-mail cecilio.arillo@ gmail.com

“But behold the hand of him who betrays Me is with Me on the table. For the Son of man goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!” And they began to question one another, which of them it was that would do this. A dispute also arose among them, which of them was to be regarded as the greatest.

And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For which is the greater, one who sits at table, or one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at table? But I am among you as one who serves.”— Luke 22:14-23:27

Voices

essMirror

opinion@businessmirror.com.ph • Sunday, March 20, 2016 A5

Do not despair D

O not despair over the seeming pointlessness of the Senate probe of the theft of $81 million from a foreign account, and of the laundering of the same through a Philippine bank and a Philippine money changer, after taking a commission even if it was not a success; hence, the investigation. Parties in this case are not just crooked; they are stupid. That sums it all up neatly for now.

Free Fire

By Teddy Locsin Jr.

The crime may be broken down as follows: 1. Stealing, not hacking, but stealing. Hacking is not a crime; it is how you commit a crime. 2. Receiving stolen property. 3. Washing and ironing it. 4. Returning the laundry pressed and ready to wear, but with a tag that says it was stolen.

Hence, again, the investigation.

The first fruit of the Senate investigation is that the bankers are so stupid it is a wonder they are paid more than janitors. The bank cannot invoke bank secrecy with regard to banking procedures, because that is not a specific account owned by a particular depositor. That is just about how banks go about their business. That cannot be a secret; in fact, it is a course called banking, the sort of chicken feed you learn in a

commerce school, like Wharton.

Further, the bank cannot invoke bank secrecy, even with regard to a particular bank account, when recorded owner, Mr. William Go— whether he is lying—denies he owns it. So there is no bank depositor whose secret the bank needs to keep at the risk of being sued by nobody. Therefore, the bank must talk all about that deposit and all about an account that is not even real, according to the depositor.

Remember the Corona impeachment? The bank chairman, no less, spilled, nay vomited the beans; naming names, accounts, transactions, with complete impunity. President Noynoy did not order the Department of Justice to prosecute him for violating the bank-secrecy law.

Finally, there is absolutely no

Jesus and today’s food animals

By Michelle Kretzer | People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals/TNS Forum

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T’S the most important day in the Christian calendar. Easter Sunday is the day when we celebrate the fact that Jesus conquered death and darkness so that His followers could have eternal life, and it is the foundation of our faith. We go to church to hear the Easter story every year, and we shake our heads in disgust as our pastors describe the extreme barbarism with which religious and government leaders tortured and killed Him. But what if similar abuse were being meted out to this very day—every day—to others who are just as innocent?

The similarities between the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and the ways in which animals are raised and killed to be eaten are uncanny and undeniable. Jesus was killed because people refused to believe that He

could truly be the Son of God sent to save the world from sin. Animals are killed by the billions every year, because people refuse to believe that they could be thinking, feeling, intelligent, emotional beings, whom God created and blessed, and whom He loves very much.

The soldiers, who were responsible for guarding Jesus after He was arrested, mocked and beat Him. Numerous People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) investigations have exposed farmworkers who mocked and beat the animals for whom they were responsible.

Peta’s eyewitness investigation of a New York state dairy farm found that workers routinely jabbed and

struck cows in the face, udder or hindquarters with a pole or a cane.

A manager electroshocked at least one cow in the face repeatedly and cussed a downed cow.

At a pig factory farm in Iowa, Peta’s eyewitnesses documented that workers beat pigs with metalgate rods and a herding board, jabbed clothespins into their eyes and defended their own violence by saying things like, “You gotta beat the pig and make her cry.”

Similar abuse has been revealed at farms across the country. Jesus’ broken body was nailed to a cross, and He was left hanging there to die. In slaughterhouses, animals are routinely strung up by their legs, their throats are cut—often, while

connection, so far, between the business of casinos and this particular piece of banking business. Sure, Kim Wong is a junket operator. He takes gamblers to casinos to play there. But there is nothing to show that he used the casinos for any purpose other than that. Playing is not a crime even if I told Cory Aquino to shut down Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. because gambling is wrong and cannot ever be right. And besides, Stanley Ho left a note I found on Imelda’s bedside urging her to kill everyone at Edsa. I showed her the note with a veiled threat to turn it over to the media. I was ignored. So any suggestion that including casinos in the Anti-Money Laundering Act because of this crime must come from the Macau casinos, that are suffering from

the competition here, because Beijing is cracking down on gambling there.

So a lawmaker who suggests as much might be working for Macau.

And I don’t give a s___ if he is a senator. And finally, but only for now, you will notice that every suspect in this case has come forward boldly, but only to say they cannot talk about the crime. What they can talk about is the crying need to reform the banking system and amend the antimoney-laundering law, but they will not say how. That would show how they commit crimes behind the curtain of bank secrecy.

As for those characters sitting beside the witnesses, what can we say except to quote Shakespeare that “the first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”

they’re fully conscious—and they are left hanging there to die.

The soldiers stripped Jesus of His clothes and cast lots for them.

Animals are skinned and cut into pieces, often, while still conscious, and their body parts are sold for profit. One worker at a cow slaughterhouse told The Washington Post, “They die piece by piece.”

The major difference between the Easter story and the fate of animals who are killed for food is that, while Jesus didn’t want to suffer and die, He, nevertheless, offered Himself up as an innocent sacrifice, in order to save God’s children from death.

Animals value their own lives, too, but they have not offered themselves up and don’t want to die just

to give humans a fleeting taste of their flesh.

At the Last Supper, Jesus commanded the apostles—and all of us—to “love one another.” The name of the day on which we remember the Last Supper, Maundy Thursday, even comes from the word “mandate.”

But there is nothing loving about the ways in which animals are abused and killed for our plates.

Each animal is God’s perfect creation, an individual with the ability to feel pain, joy, fear and love. And, thus, each human has a choice to make three times on Easter Sunday and every day when sitting down to eat: Shall I contribute to suffering, or shall I extend mercy?

Putin’s Syria gamble has already paid off

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LADIMIR Putin says he is withdrawing most Russian forces from Syria because his “objectives” have been achieved.

How to judge that boast?

On such goals as keeping the dictator Bashar al-Assad in power, increasing Russian influence in the Middle East, restoring Moscow’s seat at the table of global power, and sending a message of strength to Islamic extremists inside Russia’s own borders, the jury is still out.

But it’s not too early to consider Russian success on another front: showcasing military strength to potential adversaries, allies and arms buyers.

“Essentially, Russia is using their incursion into Syria as an operational proving ground,” retired Air Force General David Deptula told the New York

Times last year. And Moscow proved quite a bit. The Russian military had not been in a conflict of this scale since its disastrous pullout from Afghanistan decades ago. The closest it came was the five-day border fracas with Georgia in 2008, and while the campaign was a political success, the Kremlin’s military was highly unimpressive against a weak opponent. Among other woes, its intelligence operations were slipshod, with troops repeatedly being sent into ambushes; it lost six planes to either Georgian air defenses or “friendly fire”; and its tanks proved underarmored and ill-suited to night fighting. There were reports that Russian troops took to stripping dead Georgian soldiers of their superior body armor.

Just seven years later the Russians have done a great deal to redeem them-

selves. In what was primarily an air campaign, they showed a good ability to keep up the tempo of sorties—by one estimate, at least 1,000 a month from its Syria-based squadrons of SU24 fighter-bombers and SU-25 groundsupport craft—indicating efficient base crews and impressive logistics.

Long-range bomber attacks from bases in Russia hinted at improved air-to-air refueling capabilities. As for accuracy, it was hard to judge the efficiency of Russia’s upgraded GPS guidance system because the planes used a lot of “dumb” munitions like the cluster bombs that devastated civilian areas. Russia also allowed brief glimpses of its new Mi35M gunship helicopter.

The red flag here is the shooting down of an SU-24 fighter by Turkey’s Americanmade F-16s last November. Given the

Yazidi woman’s story of horror D

By Trudy Rubin | The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS Forum

OHUK, Iraq—This week I met a young Yazidi woman who escaped after a year’s captivity as a slave of the Islamic State (IS). Haifa’s horrifying story reminds me of the misguided debate in Washington over whether to label the effort to destroy the Yazidis (and other Iraqi minorities) a genocide, which Secretary of State John F. Kerry did on Thursday.

By itself, this label is of little value to Haifa or to the 2,500 or so other female Yazidi escapees (never mind the thousands who remain enslaved).

These traumatized women have become a symbol of the jihadis’ depravity, of why the IS must be rooted out of the region. But Yazidi survivors need concrete assistance, not just labels or flowery words. I met Haifa (not her real name) through an extraordinary non-governmental organization called Yazda, which provides services to displaced Yazidis.

More than 900 female survivors have contacted the group looking for help.

Sitting with arms crossed, wearing a long mauve skirt and sweater and a brown head scarf that set off a lovely,

troubled face, 24-year-old Haifa kept wringing her hands as her story poured out. On August 3, 2014, 25 jihadis in trucks surrounded her village and demanded that the families come out and turn over their gold, phones and money.

The IS had attacked all the major cities, villages and towns belonging to the Yazidi religious minority, ethnic Kurds whose heartland sits in northern Iraq.

Around 50,000 fled to the mountains, where they were ultimately rescued, with the help of US air strikes.

But around 5,000 men were slaughtered and 5,000 women and children taken captive. The jihadis were out to destroy a religious group, whose esoteric faith they denounce. In Haifa’s village, most of the men were taken away, while the women were shoved into trucks to begin a horrifying odyssey. (Luckily, her husband was away working.) A blackclad, bearded jihadi held a gun to her head and told her to convert. Terrified for her 5-month-old daughter and 2 -year-old son, she and the other women agreed.

It made no difference. They were held in another village for two days and a night,

without food or water. After another mass move, the jihadis took the older women away and seized all children ages 3 and above, including her sister-in-law’s three boys, ages 6, 8 and 11. Their captors said the boys would be trained to be fighters and suicide bombers. I don’t want to think of what became of the little girls. Soon, hundreds of families were herded into trucks used to transport sheep and taken to a wedding banquet hall in Mosul.

“There were so many people, we could only sit, not lie down, and the children were all crying,” she recalled. “We got some rice only once a day. There were no toilets inside.” She took a breath and paused. “They told the men that they were going to kill them and take their wives. And they yanked the earrings from my daughter’s ears.”

Soon after, the remaining men, including her two brothers-in-law, were bound and blindfolded and taken away. She never saw them again. For the next several months, the women were moved constantly. At one point, Haifa recalled, around 400 women

unresolved ambiguities of the situation, it’s hard to draw any firm conclusions, and in any case the Russian plane wasn’t designed for the sort of dogfighting at which the F-16 excels.

The Russians also showed surprising capabilities in smart weapons. Last October they launched 26 cruise missiles from Buyan-M-class corvettes floating in the Caspian Sea. While Western intelligence claims that some fell way short of the target—in Iran, actually—the fact that such small warships were capable of employing the sophisticated Kalibr NK missile system came as a shock.

Last December cruise missiles fired underwater by a super-stealthy Rostovon-Don submarine in the Mediterranean struck targets near Islamic State’s de facto capital, Raqqa. Given that such seabased missiles are vastly more expensive

than dropping bombs from planes, one can assume that the real aim was sending a message to Washington, D.C. Russia also deployed some hardware that there was little reason to suppose would ever be used: sending the missile cruiser Moskva off the coast of Syria and placing advanced S-400 ground-toair missile systems at the airbase near Latakia. This impressive air-defense assemblage might have seemed a bit much given that the Syrian rebels and Islamic State jihadists didn’t have a single plane, but the real point was flexing muscles, and the United States clearly took notice.

The Syria campaign should do nothing to hamper Russia’s soaring arms sales, at 25 percent of the global market as compared to America’s 33 percent over the last five years, despite Ukrainerelated sanctions. Bloomberg News

and kids were crammed into a locked refrigerated truck for one day, with no water, food or bathroom. While the historical details are vastly different, IS sadism is certainly redolent of Nazi methods. (The Holocaust Museum in Washington has labeled the Yazidi case a genocide.)

The IS finally took Haifa and the other women to Raqqa, their main Syrian headquarters, where they packed them into an underground prison and said they would be walled in to die. But the jihadis finally figured out how to make a profit from their female captives, registering them by name, date of birth and number of children.

“Then they took us to a market for selling,” she said. “Daesh sat in a circle.

The women had to walk around, and they read off each woman’s information to people who came to buy.”

Although Haifa never discussed the details—and I didn’t press her—the women slaves are raped over and over, and are often resold when their owners tire of them. Girls, as young as 11, are sold into this hell. The first to purchase

her was a Saudi who threatened to take away her son. “My son was crying and kissing the man’s feet and saying, ‘No, she is my mom.’”

One month later, she was sold to a Syrian, who gave her bloody knives to wash, which she worried meant that he was beheading captives. Her third owner, another Syrian, kept her and her children locked in a room in an IS-controlled village near Aleppo. Her son found a small knife under a table and she broke the lock.

Dressed in enveloping black, she fled to the street and knocked on a nearby door in desperation. By sheer chance, the person who answered was willing, for a price, to contact smugglers. Networks of Syrians and Iraqis are willing to risk their lives to extract Yazidi women in return for hefty sums that desperate families borrow and then have terrible difficulty repaying.

Haifa was finally smuggled back into Iraq via Turkey. But her in-laws have no funds to ransom her sister-in-law, nor can her parents afford a ransom for her sister. Her whole family has lost everything and lives in a refugee camp.

NewsSunday BusinessMirror

A6 Sunday, March 20, 2016

Meralco tells homeowners to ensure electrical safety

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By Lenie Lectura

HE Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) advised its customers to ensure electrical safety at home, especially for those who will head out of town during the Holy Week break.

Meralco Public Information Office Head Joe Zaldarriaga said: “For a worry-free vacation, we encourage our customers to heed electrical safety and efficiency

measures. This includes keeping combustible materials away from outdoor lighting and other sources of heat, and using only light bulbs of specified wattage.”

Zaldarriaga also reiterated the importance of turning off and unplugging appliances not in use when on vacation to avoid overheating and waste of energy consumption.

Other tips include adjusting the thermostat of refrigerators to slightly warmer setting when going on a short vacation. For an extended vacation, turn off and empty the refrigerator, and keep its door open to prevent growth of molds.

Zaldarriaga added that, apart from the regular maintenance and upgrading of facilities, Meralco is ready to provide round-the-clock assistance during the Holy Week.

He said Meralco personnel will also be on standby to respond to any contingency or unexpected power interruptions.

O ne Me r a l co Fou nd at ion (OMF), the company’s social responsibility arm, is also partnering with TV5 for the “Gabay Byahe” program to ensure the safety of motorists and provide assistance to travelers this Holy Week.

OMF has also set up free electronic device-charging stations at the Araneta Bus Center Terminal beginning Holy Monday (March 21) until Maundy Thursday (March 24).

MisOr gets 12.5MW of power from solar farm

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IRAHON Solar Energy Corp.

(Kirahon Solar) has completed its 12.5-megawatt (MW) solar farm in Villanueva, Misamis Oriental.

The Kirahon Solar Farm can supply clean power for up to 23,500 local households each year. As a renewable resource, the solar farm will offset some 18 million kWh (kilowatt-hour) per year of diesel power-plant output and 14 million kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year, or about 387 tons of CO2 emissions over the life of the project.

The solar farm, which was developed in joint partnership with Solar Pacific Energy Corp. and Mindanao Energy Systems Inc. (Minergy), operates under a bilateral 25-year power-supply agreement (PSA) between Kirahon Solar and Cagayan Electric Power and Light Co. (Cepalco).

Kirahon Solar is the first solar- power project in the Philippines to obtain approval from the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) of its bilateral PSA contract. It is also the first solarpower project in the Philippines to be financed with nonrecourse local debt project financing.

www.businessmirror.com.ph

US forces may use 4 air bases, Army camp under Edca

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By Recto L. Mercene

HE government has granted access to the US military to four air bases and a large Army camp under the RP-US Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca).

US forces may now build facilities in Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City; and Benito Ebuen Air Base in Mactan, Cebu.

The five Philippine military installations to be used by the US military were identified during the sixth RP-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington, D.C., last week.

The annual dialogue was cochaired by Foreign Undersecretary Evan P. Garcia and of National Defense Undersecretary Pio Lorenzo F. Batino for the Philippines and Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel and Assistant Secretary of Defense David Shear for the US, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., said in a statement.

Under Edca, the US cannot only increase its military presence in the country, but also build facilities in local bases under the supervision of the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces.

The Edca, in ef fec t, ex tends the covergage of the RP-US Visiting

Forces Agreement.

The Edca was signed on the eve of US President Barack Obama’s visit to the Philippines on April 28, 2014. It was signed

by Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin and US Ambassador to Manila Philip Goldberg.

The agreement was subsequently declared constitutional by the Supreme Court.

The tensions in the South China Sea figured prominently in the March 17 and 18 talks, with the Philippines and the US sides voicing “their firm opposition to the ongoing militarization of outposts in the South China Sea and…their common view that the installation of new military assets on the outposts escalates tensions,” as well as “options to address further militarization and unilateral actions” in the vital sea lanes, the Phlippine Embassy statement said.

Both sides also reiterated their position that any ruling by the arbitral tribunal before which the Philippines has filed a case against China “would be legally binding” on both countries.

They also discussed US assistance to the Phlippine military’s modernization, including the US Defense Department’s proposal to allocate “a significant amount under the Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative” in the 2016 fiscal year “for mutually agreed projects that directly support the [Philippines’s] maritime security priorities.”

‘AMA not involved in Boracay dispute’

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Lopezes support Al Gore forum

Former US Vice President and global climate activist Al Gore (center) poses for a photo with Oscar M. Lopez (right), chairman emeritus of the OML Center for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk Management Foundation Inc. (OML Center); and Federico R. Lopez, OML Center chairman, during a dinner held in Manila in honor of Gore. Oscar and son Federico participated in the Climate Reality Leadership Training that Gore’s nonprofit Climate Reality Project conducted recently in Manila.

“We are delighted and honored to bring clean renewable energy to the local communities of northern Mindanao, where energy shortages continue to be a major challenge,” Kirahon Solar Chairman Vince Pérez said.

“Due to the commitment and visionary leadership of our customer

Cepalco, these communities can now benefit from localized, clean, affordable power generation. We are also honored to partner with Minergy and to be part of the first ERC-approved bilateral solar contract, which signals the new competitiveness of solar power with fossil-fuel energy,” he added.

Cepalco, Perez said, is the solarenergy pioneer of the Philippines, having developed the first on-grid solar power plant in the country with a capacity of 1 MW. At the time of its inauguration in September 2004, the Cepalco 1-MW solar project was considered the largest on-grid project in Southeast Asia.

M A Educ at ion System (A maes) has bewailed alleged attempts to drag it in over ownership of a parcel of land on Boracay Island off Malay, Aklan.

Arnel Hibo, Amaes SVP and COO, said in a statement it was “grossly unfair for FHI [Friday’s Holdings Inc.] to drag us into its business squabble with a certain Mila YapSumndad in media statements and periodic disclosures to the PSE [Philippine Stock Exchange] with regard to the ownership of a property occupied by Friday’s Boracay Beach Resort in Aklan.”

“FHI should know that its disclosures, even if baseless, will, sooner or later, find their way into the media and become news.”

“As an institution devoted to the pursuit of learning, Amaes has no interest in resort development, whether in Boracay or elsewhere, and neither does it intend to do so in the future,” Hibo said.

He also clarified that Amaes is not involved in the business feud

between FHI and Sumndad over a 1,447-square-meter parcel of land occupied by Friday’s resort in Boracay.

AMA is the largest educational network in Asia that runs AMA University and 10 other educational institutions here and abroad.

News reports indicate that FHI has been in a legal tussle with Sumndad even before the 25-lease agreement between Sumndad’s family and FHI expired in 2014.

The news reports alleged that after this lease agreement expired in 2014, Sumndad repossessed her parcel of land occupied by Friday’s to implement a court decision giving her possession of the property, which she claims by virtue of a tax declaration registered in her name.

Reports also said Sumndad’s late parents were among Boracay’s or ig ina l sett ler-fami l ies and owned a 2,564-sq -m beachfront property that the Yap couple leased to FHI in 1989.

Lubao to build ₧71-million local government complex

By Joey Pavia | Correspondent

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UBAO, Pampanga—Officials of this town are creating more business and employment opportunities by building a P71-million municipal complex along the national highway in Barangay Santa Catalina here.

Lubao Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab and her parents, Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda and businessman Rodolfo Pineda, and Vice Mayor Robertito Diaz led the groundbreaking ceremony for the first phase of the project worth P14.7 million at the 8-hectare property on Jose Abad Santos Avenue on Friday.

Jasa is a newly improved highway that is widely used by commuters en route to Bataan and Zambales provinces.

The first-class town is gearing up to host the Third Lubao International Hot Air Balloon festival from April 14 to 17 at the Pradera Verde, Barangay Prado Siongco. It is expected to draw thousands of local and foreign tourists.

The whole complex, including the town hall, will cost P71,840,000. The two-term governor will give additional funds for the project, the mayor said.

Cayabyab thanked her father, Rodolfo, for donating the lot for the project and

the development of the property, including back filing and fencing. She also expressed gratitude to Lilia for teaching the importance of being a dedicated and hardworking public servant.

“This municipal hall will create more businesses and employment,” Cayabyab said.

“The location will also be free from floods,” she added. The municipal hall in Plaza Lubao is affected by floods during the rainy season.

Cayabyab also traced history during his speech, saying that the former location of the San Agustin Parish Church was in Santa Catalina, when constructed in 1572.

“It’s but fitting we return the seat of the local government in Santa Catalina,” she added.

Cayabyab said the town government will also construct a satellite campus of the Don Honorio Ventura Technical State University (DHVTSU) in the area to serve future college students of the town. She added that the province will help provide the P65 million for the DHVTSU campus.

Lubao has 215 registered businesses in 2015, and its total budget last year was some P240 million. It has a P268-million total budget in 2016.

LUBAO Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab (left) assists her mother, Pampanga Gov. Lilia G. Pineda (center), during the groundbreaking ceremony for the P71-million local government complex in Barangay Santa Catalina, Lubao, Pampanga. Joining them are businessman Rodolfo Pineda and other dignitaries. Deng Pangilinan

Sports BusinessMirror

WARRIORS DOWN MAVS D

Dallas Mavericks forward David Lee (42) blocks a shot by Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry. AP

ALLAS—Stephen Curry had several dazzling plays on his way to 31 points, fellow “Splash Brother” Klay Thompson scored 39 and the Golden State Warriors tuned up for a showdown in San Antonio with a 130-112 victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Friday.

Among a number of displays that drew roars from the Dallas crowd, Curry stole the ball from Dirk Nowitzki near midcourt, before hitting a 35-footer over him at the first-quarter buzzer. He then glanced a three-pointer off the glass from the corner with Nowitzki in his face again in the second quarter.

The Warriors made 14 of

KELLY TRIUMPHS IN ONE FC MYANMAR Gilas five signs sports apparel deal with Melmac

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HE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) inked a partnership with Melmac Sports as its official licensee for Gilas Apparel and Merchandise, as avid Filipino fans can now show their support for the national team’s stint for the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in July.

Melmac Sports CEO Mel Macasaquit and Gilas Head Coach Tab Baldwin announced the agreement in a news conference in Libis, Quezon City.

“For the longest time, Gilas doen’t have its official apparel. But today, we now have the partnership with the national team for their merchandise,” Macasaquit said.

Macasaquit added that a portion of every T-shirt to be sold will help the SBP’s grassroots program for basketball and further develop the sport. “Our main intention is to support the program of SBP. We are trying to support the team in a very small way, and, at the same time, give back to the country through their development program,” Macasaquit said.

Together with Smart Sports, part of the revenue of sales will go directly to the SBP, in its mission to spread and hone talents all over the Philippines. The official Gilas apparel is now available at all Robinsons Department Store nationwide, while online buyers can shop at Takatack.com. PayMaya users can also pay for their merchandise in all stores equipped with PayMaya Swipe terminals.

The flagship kiosk outlets will be launched this April at SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall and SM North Edsa. Selected SM Department Stores will soon sell merchandise in May. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

Sunday, March 20, 2016 A7

DWARD Kelly saved a near-disastrous campaign of Filipino fighters as he salvaged a comeback submission victory over Jordan Lucas in the “ONE Championship: Union of Warriors” on Friday night at the Thuwanna Indoor Stadium in Myanmar.

Kelly, fighting from the famed Team Lakay of Benguet, came back strong after his Australian foe managed to control the tempo in the opening bell with vicious takedowns.

Lucas locked down Kelly on the mat as the grappling specialist attempted to submit early the 32-year-old Baguio native on the canvass.

Edward, the younger brother of featherweight star Eric Kelly, scooped up, but found himself on the ground again from a double-leg takedown of Lucas midway into round one.

This time, Kelly sneaked in for a rear-naked choke and the 22-year-old bantamweight fighter tapped out in the 3:47-mark of the first round for his first professional loss, after eight wins. Kelly, meanwhile, improved to seven wins against three losses, as he redeemed his morale after a stinging technical knockout defeat in the hands of another Australian, Martin Nguyen, last November.

His impressive victory brought the country to the win column in Myanmar after Eugene Toquero and Robin Catalan suffered first-round setbacks against their Brazilian counterparts.

Toquero (8-3) got trapped in a brabo choke of Adriano Moraes (14-2) in the 4:53mark, while Alex Silva (4-2) forced Catalan (5-2) to tap out with a arm-triangle choke at 4:25. Ramon Rafael Bonilla

their first 17 from long range, finished 22 of 38, and won their seventh straight. Now they try to tackle the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) longest losing streak on another team’s court—32 straight at the Spurs, going back to February 14, 1997.

The Warriors (62-6) have won seven straight, and are now two games ahead of Chicago’s pace, when the Bulls set the NBA record with 72 wins in 1995-1996, while the Spurs (58-10) have won 43 straight on their home floor.

“Right now, by NBA standards, this is bigger than the Rolling Stones on tour,” Dallas Coach Rick Carlisle said. “Wherever they go, there’s a mass of people and a huge following.”

In other games, Kyrie Irving scored 26 points and LeBron James had 18, including a lay-up and pair of free throws down the stretch, to help Cleveland hold off Orlando, 109-103, and clinch a playoff spot.

Channing Frye came off the bench to make four three-pointers and score 14 against his former team, as the Cavs beat the Magic for the 14th consecutive time. A rested James returned to the lineup after

taking off on Wednesday’s home victory over Dallas, and finished six-of-15 shooting with eight assists and seven rebounds.

Victor Oladipo had a career-high 45 points for Orlando, but only scored six in the fourth quarter.

Russell Westbrook recorded his leagueleading 13th triple-double with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, and Kevin Durant had 26 points and 13 boards to lead Oklahoma City to a 111-97 victory over Philadelphia.

Westbrook’s 13 triple-doubles tie Grant Hill (1996-1997) and Jason Kidd (2007-2008) for the most in a season over the last 25 years.

Enes Kanter contributed 16 points for the Thunder, who also clinched a playoff spot with the win.

In Toronto Kyle Lowry scored 32 points and Luis Scola had all of his 17 in the first quarter, as the Raptors beat Boston, 105-91.

Lowry was nine for 14 from the field, including five for eight from three-point range, and Toronto led the entire way in its third straight victory.

Isaiah Thomas scored 20 points for Boston, who matched a season worst with

LADY TAMARAWS EDGE BULLDOGS F

TENPIN BOWLING TOURNAMENT SET

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HE Tenpin Bowling Affiliation of Makati Inc. (TBAM) will hold the prestigious 27th TBAM-Boysen Easter Open Bowling Championship and 2016 TBAM Juniors-Prima Pasta Challenge from March 27 to April 4 at the Superbowl, Makati Cinema Square in Makati City.

Organized by Tournament Director Bonnie Solis, the annual tournament will have the mixed open, men’s graded, men’s associate, men’s seniors, ladies’ seniors, mixed Ladies, mixed youth and mixed rookie divisions.

“The 27th TBAM Easter Championship is the most prestigious and longest-running tenpin-bowling event in the country,” Solis said. “We are expecting the best bowlers to compete in the tournament. We are also holding a traditional Easter mass at 11:00

a.m. during the opening day.”

The tournament offers a total prize of P700,000 in gift certificates and will be given to winners of the competition, sponsored by Boysen Paints and Prima Pasta.

The tournament is also being supported

by Cebuana Pera Padala and Alveo Land.

More than 300 bowlers all over the country are expected to compete in the tournament.

Defending mixed open champion Krizziah Tabora will lead the cast, along with the country’s elite bowlers, headed by Kenneth Chua, Enzo Hernandez, Bea Hernandez, Alexis Sy, Liza Del Rosario and world campaigner Biboy Rivera.

The Masters finals is set from April 2 to 4.

For more details, please contact Tina Villaluz (0917-8221215).

Far Eastern University’s Jeanette Villareal (right) tries to block the attempt of Jaja Santiago of National University. ALYSA SALEN

PETRON, RC COLA prevail

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GO JOHNNY, GO!

Johnny Arcilla prepares for a return shot against Elberto Anasta during their semifinal match of the Peugeot Philippine Open Tennis 2016 at the Valle Verde Country Club. Arcilla won, 6-4, 6-2, to reach the finals. STEPHANIE TUMAMPOS

its fourth straight loss.

Damian Lillard was knocked to the floor by a vicious Kendrick Perkins forearm, but recovered to score 33 points and lead Portland to a 117-112 victory over New Orleans.

Perkins’s hit put Lillard flat on his back and resulted in some brief shoving, as well as Perkins’s ejection. The dust-up enlivened the Pelicans, who fought back from a 20-point deficit and briefly held slim leads in the final minutes, until C.J. McCollum, who had 30 points, hit a three to put Portland ahead for good with a minute left.

New Orleans’ Anthony Davis sat out the second half with a left knee injury, the severity of which was unclear.

Elsewhere, Detroit pulled into a virtual tie with Chicago for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference by beating Sacramento at home, 115-108. Marcus Morris scored 20 of his 24 points in the first half.

James Harden had 29 points and 14 assists, as Houston beat Minnesota, 116111, and Phoenix held on for a 95-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers after nearly blowing a 19-point lead. AP

ETRON cruised past Foton, 14-25, 25-16, 25-22, 25-7, to end its preliminary round of the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) Invitational Conference women’s volleyball tournament on a high note on Saturday at the Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

The Tri-Activ Spikers bucked a sluggish start before heating up in the next three sets to win their fifth match in the final preliminary round of the interclub tourney bankrolled by Asics, Mueller, Senoh, Mikasa and Grand Sport, with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

After dropping the opening set, Petron got its acts together and swept the next three sets to end the preliminaries on a winning note.

Meanwhile, the Tri-Active Spikers were joined by RC Cola-Army on top, after the

latter posted a convincing 25-16, 25-14, 2519 win over Cignal in the second match.

The Lady Troppers also ended their elimination campaign, with 5-1 win-loss mark, and eliminated the HD Spikers (3-3) in the final phase.

F2 Logistics (4-2) was given a free ride to the next stage with the Cignal’s loss.

Also joining them in the final round of the invitational tournament is Est Cola of Thailand.

Foton Petron continued to sizzle in the fourth set with a commanding 14-7 lead then momentarily scored 11 straight points to finish the four-set affair in their rematch against 2015 Grand Prix champion Foton.

The Tri-Activ Spikers finished the conference with 5-1 win-loss card advancing the final round with RC Cola-Army and F2 Logistics. Lance Agcaoili

AR Eastern University (FEU) outlasted National University (NU) in five thrilling sets, 27-25, 25-17, 22-25, 26-28, 1510, to boost its Final Four bid in the University Athletic Association ofthe Philippines (UAAP) Season 78 women’s volleyball tournament on Saturday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Lady Tamaraws trio of Bernadeth Pons, Chin Basas and Jerrili Malabanan registered career-highs to lead FEU to a crucial win, as it improved to 6-5 win-loss mark for the fourth spot. “I told them that they have to give everything because, first of all, we can’t afford to lose because of the standings is so close,” FEU Head Coach Shaq de los Santos said. “Once we lose, it would be dangerous for us, so we need to be all-out in every point of the game.”

Pons posted a career-best 30 points on 27 kills, two service aces and a block, including an excellent floor defense of 20 digs and 14 excellent sets. Basas matched her own career-high of 21 points she made on February 21 in a win against University of the Philippines, while Malabanan also played her breakout game, tallying 20 hits.

Team Captain Remy Palma provided the solid contribution for the trio with 13 markers while setter Kyle Negrito had 27 excellent sets for FEU. The Lady Tams had a chance to end the match in the third set after a pair of come-from-behind wins in the first two sets, but they lost steam and allowed the Lady Bulldogs to force a decider.

The fifth set was tied at six-all, then FEU scored the next four points to take a 10-6 separation and never let the lead slip away in the match that lasted for two hours and 18 minutes.

“We expected that the match will be long, even if we had a good first and second set, because when pressure comes and momentum shifts, it’s hard to contain,” de los Santos said. “We relaxed in the next two sets and, at the same time, our service and receives were limited by NU, that’s why the momentum shifted.”

The Lady Bulldogs dropped to 5-6 card for fifth spot, as they have now lost five of their last six games.

Jaja Santiago also wound up with a career-high in a losing effort with 28 points on 22 attacks, four aces and two blocks, while skipper Myla Pablo added 17.

In men’s play, Ateneo became the first team to secure a seat in the Final Four, following a convincing 25-18, 21-25, 25-19, 25-16 victory over University of Santo Tomas.

Skipper Isay Marasigan topped all scorers with 17 hits on 12 attacks, four blocks and an ace. Reigning Most Valuable Player Mark Espejo chipped in 16 markers highlighted by 15 spikes, including four digs, while Rex Intal and Joshua Villanueva added 12 markers each. Setter Esmilzo Polvorosa was also stellar with 44 excellent sets and five points for Ateneo.

The Blue Eagles stretched their winning streak to eight games and have now won 10 of their last 11 matches. The Growling Tigers slid to 4-7 slate.

Meanwhile, Adamson survived the upset-conscious De La Salle in five sets, 17-25, 25-21, 19-25, 25-20, 15-13, and spoiled Raymark Woo’s UAAP record of 39 points. Lance Agcaoili

Sports BusinessMirror

DJOKOVIC-NADAL SEMIS I

NDIAN WELLS, California—Novak Djokovic dominated both tiebreakers to beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, setting up a semifinal against Rafael Nadal, featuring two players who own a combined seven titles in the California desert.

Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori 6-4, 6-3, connecting on 89 percent of his first serves in the match played in 91-degree Fahrenheit (32° Celsius) heat under a relentless sun. Nadal is a three-time winner at Indian Wells.

Serena Williams rallied after squandering a 3-0 lead in the second set to beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4, 7-6 (1), and reach the final for the first time since 2001, when she won and then boycotted the event for 14 years.

Williams hit 41 winners and had 29 unforced errors to 18 winners and just 10 unforced errors by Radwanska, who fell to 0-10 in her career against the world’s top-ranked player.

Radwanska had chances to break Williams in the fifth and seventh games of the first set, when she led 3-1. But Williams earned breaks in two of the last three games to take the set, smacking a forehand winner off Radwanska’s second serve on the last point.

Trailing 3-0 in the second, Radwanska won three straight games to tie it up. Williams’s backhand volley went side, giving Radwanska a 6-5 lead. But Williams hit a forehand crosscourt winner on the run to tie it up 6-all, forcing the tiebreaker, which she won with another forehand.

Victoria Azarenka faced Karolina Pliskova in the other women’s semifinal.

Djokovic crushed Nadal 6-1, 6-2, to win the Qatar Open in January in one of the most lopsided matches in their long rivalry, which Djokovic leads 24-23.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse, in a way, mentally, who is going to be on top first, who is going to take over the control usually ends

up as winner,” Djokovic said. “I know that very beginning of the match is very, very important.

Going to try to start well.”

Shadows had begun creeping onto the main stadium court by the time Djokovic outlasted Tsonga, who has lost to the world’s top-ranked player in 13 of their last 14 meetings. Four-time tourney champion Djokovic improved to 20-1 this year, heading into Saturday’s match against Nadal, who is 12-4.

“The fact that I have played somebody that was feeling good throughout the week, somebody that serves very, very big and plays very quick and efficient, precise forehands that gave me a lot of trouble today to win in straight sets and to win in two tiebreaks, it’s going to help definitely my confidence,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic capitalized on a slew of errors by Tsonga in the first tiebreak. The Serb led 3-1 when Tsonga reeled off three straight errors, including two off his forehand that extended Djokovic’s lead to 6-1. Tsonga was serving to stay in the tiebreak down 6-2, but he netted a backhand to lose it.

Djokovic led 5-4 in the second set and had two match points on Tsonga’s serve in the 10th game. But the Frenchman pulled out a big serve to hold at 5-all. Tsonga came up with another key hold at 6-all, with a forehand winner and another serve that Djokovic couldn’t handle to force another tiebreak.

Leading 6-2, Djokovic closed out the match on his second serve, which Tsonga returned wide.

“He didn’t give one point

in those tiebreaks, which was not my case,” Tsonga said.

Nadal trailed 3-1 before he won five of the next six games to take the opening set in 45 minutes. He got an early break in the second to build a 4-2 lead. His forehand error allowed Nishikori to break back and trail 4-3. But Nadal quickly recovered in the next game to break the sixth-ranked Japanese player and won the match on his serve with a forehand down the line.

“He started so quick hitting all the balls very well, very aggressive, and serving great,” Nadal said. “Then he started to miss some first serves and I was returning very well the second set serve, returning very aggressive. That was so important.”

A resurgent Nadal has reached one final—losing to Djokovic in Doha—and three semis this year.

Serbian Novak Djokovic returns to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France during their quarterfinal match at the BNP Paribas Open. AP

“I feel myself strong mentally. I feel myself with the right energy,” he said. “I am able to fight for every ball. I am able to keep going during the whole match, believe in myself again, and that make me play with more energy, less nerves.

That’s so important for me. It’s the way I play during all my career, and this week is being very, very positive for me.” AP

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unday, March 20, 2016 mirror_sports@yahoo.com.ph sports@businessmirror.com.ph Editor: Jun Lomibao Asst. Editor: Joel Orellana

DAY BUILDS 2-SHOT LEAD; MCILROY 11 SHOTS BEHIND

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RLANDO, Florida—Jason Day felt like he was bearing down on each shot. He made it look much easier on Friday in the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Day made a pair of long birdie putts and otherwise put on a clinic at Bay Hill for a 7-under 65, which gave him a two-shot lead over Henrik Stenson, going into the weekend.

“It was great,” he said. “I felt like I couldn’t do anything wrong out there.”

Day was at 13-under 131, and was five shots ahead of Jamie Lovemark (68) when he finished.

Stenson faced a daunting task— eight shots behind when he teed off in the afternoon—and he shot 31 on the back nine for a 66 to stay in the game. Justin Rose also had a 66 and was three shots behind.

“It’s motivating,” Stenson said of the deficit he faced. “You can’t let it be frustrating that you’re eight shots back. He played great, and you’ve just got to go and do the same, and I managed to do that.”

Day, Stenson and Rose will play together on Saturday because tee times have been moved forward to avoid the threat of storms.

Rose wasn’t bothered to see Day so far ahead. His objective was to take care of the par 5s and keep a clean card, and he did both. Rose is now 9 under on the eight par 5s he has played this week. And he was bogey-free on Friday.

“Yesterday was a colorful scorecard,” Rose said of an opening round that included two eagles and a double bogey. “Today a little bit more solid.”

Day was driving it long and straight, hitting his irons well and making big putts. It’s a great combination for anyone, particularly a player who reached No. 1 in the world last year by winning four out of six tournaments, including his first major.

Rory McIlroy was able to watch the whole show. McIlroy, who opened with a 75, was in the group behind Day and saw the Australian start to pull away from the field. McIlroy had his own issues on Friday, starting with a chance to play for two more days. He handled that with ease, making four birdies on the back nine to get above the cut line and posting a 67.

But he was all but ready to concede that the tournament was out of his reach.

“I was looking at Jason in front of me and I was thinking if I could maybe get within six going into the weekend,” McIlroy said. “And now it’s 11.... Even playing well, I’m not sure that’s quite going to be enough that far behind Jason.

At the same time, I can get confidence from that and bring it on to the next week and ultimately into the Masters.”

Stanford junior Maverick McNealy, chosen to play by his colleagues at the Palmer Cup, had a 71 and was at 4-under 140. It’s the second straight week that an amateur has made the cut; Georgia senior Lee McCoy finished fourth last week in the Valspar Championship.

US Amateur champion Bryson DeChambeau shot another 72 and made the cut on the number at even-par 144.

Day, however, appeared to be in his own world on the immaculate Bay Hill course.

A pair of two-putt birdies on the par 5s on the back nine helped him extend his lead, and he added a 35-foot birdie putt on the 17th. It was after Day had to scramble for par on the par-5 fourth hole, making a 10-foot putt, that he took off. He rolled in a 10-foot birdie on the next hole, got up-and-down from a bunker for birdie on the par-5 sixth, and finished his round with a 35-foot birdie on the ninth hole. AP