Manila Standard - 2016 July 29 - Friday

Drug war: Cops train gun on rich and famous AS PART of its intensified antidrug campaign, the Philippine National Police on Thursday said it will look into affluent people and celebrities who are linked to illegal drugs.

Southern Police District acting director Sr. Supt. Tomas Apolinario said from the PNP’s anti-drug operations also aims to curb the prevalence of party drugs such as “ecstasy.”

He recalled the five fatalities at the Closeup Forever Summer concert in Pasay City last May 21 who used Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and alcohol.

MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, is a psychoactive drug used primarily as a recreational drug.

Apolinario said party and concert organizers are now coordinating with the police to ensure that their events will not be used as a venue for the distribution of illegal drugs as these are usually attended by wealthy youth and celebrities.

Despite the deployment of civilian-clothed and uniformed policemen during concerts or parties, Apolinario admitted that it is difficult to track down people who use drugs before going to an event.

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‘No truce if Reds pursue kill-spree’

By John Paolo Bencito

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday warned communist rebels that he would call off a unilateral ceasefire unless they explained why they ambushed a group of militiamen in Kapalong, Davao del Norte, less than a week after his first State of the Nation Address.

President reverses himself on drug slays

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday slammed the continuing extrajudicial killings of suspected drug suspects as he defended himself from criticism that he supported the executions.

In his speech before members of the League of Cities and Provinces of the Philippines, Duterte called himself the whipping boy of human rights groups, who have denounced the growing number of drug-related executions.

“Who wants to kill a person?

We cannot build a nation over the dead bodies of our own citizens,” Duterte said late Wednesday night.

The statement contrasted sharply with his previous statements in which he promised to kill hundreds of drug pushers in an anti-narcotics campaign that would create a boom for funeral parlors.

Duterte’s latest statement came after the Integrated Bar of Next page

Sections E, F

LATEST EDITION. This was the Miss Universe crown worn by Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach. The Philippines hosts next year’s Miss Universe beauty

pageant.

PH to host Miss Universe again after 23 years THE Philippines will host the next edition of the prestigious Miss Universe pageant, Tourism Secretary Wanda Tulfo-Teo confirmed Thursday.

In a press briefing, Teo said the pageant will take place on Jan. 30, 2017, at the Mall of Asia Arena, with the private sector shouldering the funds to run the prestigious beauty tilt.

“We have a President who comes from Mindanao, and our Miss Universe is from Mindanao,

so I think this is the best time for us to do the Miss Universe here in the Philippines,” Teo said.

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea confirmed to Teo that President Rodrigo Duterte had already agreed to hosting the pageant and asked her to make the announcement.

Teo confirmed the government will not spend on the pageant, which is estimated to cost $11 million, as several individuals and companies from the private sec-

tor—including tycoon Henry Sy and Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada--have expressed their interest in sponsoring the event.

Reigning Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach along with the officials from the Miss Universe Organization last week met with Duterte in a courtesy call at Malacañang to convince him to accept the Philippine bid to hold the pageant here.

The Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe tilt in 1994, which

crowned Sushmita Sen of India as winner. The country first hosted the pageant in 1974, when Margie Moran relinquished her title to Amparo Muñoz of Spain.

The last Miss Universe was held in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Wurtzbach won the crown, ending a 42-year drought for the Philippines.

Binibining Pilipinas Universe Maxine Medina will represent the Philippines in the pageant. John Paolo Bencito

“If you do not honor and you kill a single soldier, a single cop or a soldier of the republic, let’s forget these ceasefire. We will fight,” said Duterte, who used his Sona to declare a truce with the communists.

“Just before I came out, there were Cafgu (Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit) that were ambushed. I called up one of their congressmen [aligned with the communists]… are you in to this truce or are we not?

Give me an answer tonight because if not, I will remove the unilateral ceasefire. We will return to fighting,” Duterte told troops at his visit to Camp Nakar in Lucena, Quezon province.

“I am demanding an explanation from the Communist Party of the Philippines, and just like us, if we have men that need to get punished, we punish our men.

I expect the same, and I demand an answer [and] whoever is liable must be put [disciplined].”

A Cafgu member and four others were wounded during an ambush early Wednesday morning in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte, Capt.

Rhyan Batchar, chief information officer of the 10th Infantry Next page Division, said.

Preggy Du30 pushes French model for federal govt teeners’ IN HIS push for Charter Change, President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday urged Congress to adopt the French model of a federal parliamentary republic, which puts a strong system of checks and balances into place.

“My advice is copy.. the French set-up,” Duterte said in a speech before members of the League of Cities and Provinces of the Philippines at the Palace Wednesday night.

“We have to have a president because the Filipino wants to vote for a president. You can’t take it away from them,” Duterte said.

In his first State of the Nation Address, Duterte warned against establishing a purely parliamentary system because there would be “no single apparatus from the commander-in-chief down.”

“You must have a president,” he said, suggesting that the chief executive’s powers could be limited to the ceremonial except in times of need.

Duterte said he was willing to call for a presidential election the day a parliamentary system of government is approved, saying Next page

Contra Sona bucks bid to revive death penalty OF THE 293 House members only one, Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman from the bickering minority, was brave enough to deliver a Contra-Sona or counter-State of the Nation Address to the one delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday.

Lagman slammed as “retrogressive measures” the proposed re-impositon of the death penalty and the reduction of the minimum age of criminal responsibil-

ity to nine years old from 12.

While the House has yet to officially recognize the duly elected Minority Leader, Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, his group is nonetheless slated to unveil the “minority agenda” on Monday.

Kabayan Rep. Harry Roque, the incoming House Deputy Minority Leader under Suarez, will also deliver his Contra-Sona speech against extra-judicial killings on Monday.

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ranks growing SOCIOECONOMIC Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia on Thursday cited a study from the University of the Philippines Population Institute saying one in 10 Filipinas get pregnant in their teens.

He said 10 percent of 10 million Filipinas aged between 15 and 19 were getting pregnant.

“One million [teenagers] get pregnant during those years. It’s not going to help poverty reduction,” Pernia said.

He said once teenage girls got pregnant, many of them would fail to join the workforce because they had to take care of their children. “[The young] Mothers are left rearing their children instead of working and contributing to the family income,” Pernia said.

If poor mothers were freed from excessive child-bearing and rearing, Pernia said, they could participate in skills programs so they could join the labor market or get into some entrepreneurship.

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AFTER THE SPEECH. President Rodrigo Duterte is mobbed by members of the League of Province of the Philippines and League of Cities of the Philippines after delivering his keynote speech to the two groups in Malacañang Wednesday night.

Casualties mount in Mindanao clash HOSTILITIES again flared in Central Mindanao on Thursday following a running gun battle between security forces and fighters of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front that caused scores of casualties on both sides, an official said Thursday.

The battle between Army contingents and two base commands

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of the MILF on the outskirts of Shariff Saydona raged despite the intervention of the Coordinating Committees on the Cessation of Hostilities, said Col. Cirilito Sobejana, commander of the Army’s 601st Infantry Brigade.

He said the MILF’s 105th and 118th Base Commands consisting of about 100 heavily armed fighters

engaged Army troops in gun battles.

Sobejana made his statement even as an official said Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari was helping the government recover seven Indonesian sailors who were abducted by the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in the waters of Sulu Sea last month.

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Palace forms ad hoc panel on FOI M

ALACAÑANG on Thursday announced the creation of an ad hoc committee to prepare the guidelines for implementing President Rodrigo Duterte’s Executive Order No. 2 institutionalizing Freedom of Information in government agencies by giving the public access to government records.

Executive Secretary Salvador Secretary Martin Andanar of Medialdea made a ceremonial the signed, sealed and stamped turn-over to Communications EO that mandates the Presiden-

'No...

From A1 He did not identify the militiaman nor the four others wounded in the attack.

“This is a clear disregard by the NPAs [New People’s Army] to the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire by President Duterte,” Batchar said.

In line with the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire, many Cafgu members were ordered to pull out from their positions in the mountains and were asked to return to their bases.

The NPA, however, ambushed the militiamen before they could return to base, Batchar said.

In his Sona Monday, Duterte declared a unilateral ceasefire with the communist rebels, calling for an “end to the violence on the ground” and an environment conducive to the resumption of peace talks.

He also urged the communist leaders to “end these decades of ambuscades and bloody skirmishes.”

The Communist Party of the Philippines—National Democratic Front had earlier welcomed the President’s announcement for ceasefire, and vowed to recipro-

Preggy...

From A1

He said unwanted pregnancies had been prevalent over the years among the poor families.

To address this concern, he said, the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte will implement a law granting the poor free contraceptives and birth control education “speedily and fully.”

He said population control is one of the priorities of the new administration.

Sex education in schools, as provided by the Reproductive Health Law, will help curb teen pregnancies.

cate the actions.

Both sides are scheduled to return to the negotiating table in Oslo, Norway, on Aug. 20.

A source, who asked not to be named on Wednesday night confirmed that the President has ordered the military not to jeopardize the implementation of the unilateral ceasefire that he declared with the communist rebels, which took effect July 25.

The military said, however, that it would retaliate against any attacks on soldiers of communities.

“Commanders must clearly understand the strategic implications of any actions so as not to jeopardize the implementation of the [ceasefire] and more importantly, the realization of the President’s intent for a lasting agreement with the CPP,” part of the documents obtained by the Manila Standard from a source, read.

“In cases of actual NPA violent attacks, the AFP shall treat the incidents as law enforcement operations in coordination with the PNP and immediate use of military force to repel and defeat the attack is authorized,” the instructions from AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Ricardo Visaya read.

“We need to implement speedily and fully the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law so couples, especially the poor families, will have an informed choice,” Pernia said.

“It’s plain lack of familiarity or knowledge about sexuality, and that is why one important provision in the RH law is sexual education.

“We will not listen to any sermonizing about family planning being abortifacient... That’s all nonsense.”

Pernia said one-third of all pregnancies in the country were “unintended, unwanted and unplanned” and were affecting mostly poor couples. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Casualties...

From A1 Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza made the statement as he echoed President Rodrigo Duterte’s wish for Misuari to come out in the open and participate in the peace process.

“Let me disclose to you that last night, Misuari sent word to me that he is already marshaling his forces there in order to try and work out the release of seven or 10 Indonesians that are being held [by the Abu Sayyaf],” Dureza said in a forum organized by the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

Sobejana said the MILF rebel group led by Wahid Tundok, commander of the 105th Base Command, had joined forces with the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters under Commander Shiek Muhiddin Animbang alias Commander Karialan, a first cousin of Tundok.

He said the fighting, which started last week, escalated late in the afternoon Thursday after Army troopers hunting BIFF rebels tracked down the hideout of Karialan, prompting Tundok’s men to secure his cousin.

When asked if they considered Tundok an ally, Sobejana admitted they were friends “but lately they have already signified alliance with Karialan because they are cousins, so blood is thicker than water.”

He estimated that the BIFF force supporting the MILF and fighting government forces consisted of about 30 heavily-armed men.

Sobejana could not give any estimate on the numbers of casualties as the fighting was still raging.

He had already submitted a report to AFP spokesman Brig. Gen. Restituto Padilla saying the fighting was between them and the MILF. Francisco Tuyay and John Paolo Bencito

tial Communications Office, which he heads, to prepare a manual and guidelines for implementing the EO. On Wednesday, the Palace expressed its high hopes that the Freedom of Information bill would finally be implemented by the “super majority” in Congress controlled by Duterte.

“There is a super alliance in Congress and I think that they will cooperate with the President for his projects to prosper,” Chief Presidential Legal Coun-

sel Salvador Panelo said in a television interview.

“It’s much better now that he has made an executive order.

He’s saying that I already made the move, now it’s their move now to follow.”

In his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, Duterte challenged Congress to pass a similar law, noting he had already done his part for the Executive branch.

Both leaders of Congress― Senate President Aquilino Pi-

mentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez―earlier committed to seeing the FOI bill turned into law.

FOI Advocates like the Right to Know, Right Now Coalition, officials of the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and World Bank representatives are waiting for the passage of the EO, saying it’s a landmark and timely move by President Duterte to get rid of corruption in government bureaucracy.

“The EO is definitely a

welcome development in the people’s struggle for our right to access information as enshrined in the Constitution. We challenge Congress to prove itself equally responsive by finally overcoming their resistance to FOI and enact a progressive FOI law,” the Right to Know, Right Now Coalition said in a position paper.

Senator Juan Edgardo Angara and Rep. Carlos T. Zarate have vowed to work for the passage of the FOI. John Paolo Bencito

Drug...

From A1

4 DIED HERE. A top view of houses gutted by fire which claimed the lives of four people in Pasay City on Wednesday evening. Danny Pata

Du30...

From A1 he would not seek the highest office again under a federal system of government.

“If you can give me that document [to establish a federal parliamentary system], I will urge you to call for an election the following day or the following week.

Even if there are still two or three years left, I will go,” he said.

During the campaign, Duterte repeatedly said that the current centralized form of government leads to neglect of areas far from the seat of power.

In the Senate, Senator Franklin Drilon and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III have already filed resolutions calling for an elected constitutional convention to propose revisions to the 29-year-old Constitution.

President...

From A1

the Philippines expressed alarm over the rising bodycount in the government’s war on drugs rising since he took office.

Police reports showed that 194 drug suspects were killed from July 1 to 19 or 10 deaths every day, on a national scale.

The IBP also called for an investigation into the killings of drug suspects by the police and vigilante groups.

Malacañang on Thursday defended the President as they welcomed the IBP call for a probe, but said there would be no letup in the anti-drug campaign.

“The President reiterates that he will not tolerate extrajudicial killings and there is hell to pay,” Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo told the Manila Standard, adding that the President is “strict on drug operations and on drug killings.”

In the same speech, Duterte lamented that drug sales continue to flourish because drug suspects have “protectors” and

Contra...

From A1

Lagman said although Duterte failed to mention the two measures in his delivered Sona after he meandered from his prepared speech and missed reading them, those legislative initiatives had previously been announced by him and were now contained in priority administration House Bill 001 (reimposition of the death penalty) and House Bill 002 (reduction of the minimum age of criminal responsibility).

Lagman also called for a prior thorough study of the merits and demerits of a shift to federalism, a constitutional change that appears to be the centerpiece agen-

While Duterte had previously said he prefers an elected convention, House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday the President now prefers a constituent assembly made up of lawmakers from both chambers of Congress.

Alvarez said the government might not be able to afford the election of convention delegates, which could cost as much as P7 billion.

“Budgetary considerations and priorities by the administration may make a constituent assembly the preferred mode of amending the Constitution compared to convening a constitutional commission,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez said that while the President preferred an elected convention, the administration is now more inclined to use the

use modern technology.

“How are we supposed to deal with the problem? I wanted to confront them. But the problem is not only here but it’s everywhere, in Asia,” he added.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Immigration said four foreigners arrested for manufacturing and smuggling illegal drugs into the country will have to serve their sentence before they are deported to their own country.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said three of the aliens were Taiwanese nationals who were arrested in a shabu laboratory in Las Piñas and a Chinese woman caught attempting to smuggle shabu at the Mactan International Airport in Cebu City.

The Taiwanese were identified as Shi Ming Tsai, Kuo Chuan Cheng and Chun Ming Lin, who were arrested during a raid by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency agents on July 5 at a house in Las Piñas City where some 298 kilos of shabu was found.

The Chinese woman was Zhou Liming, who was apprehended by Customs agents at the Mactan airport for allegedly trying

da of the new administration.

Lagman said the “anchorage of the proposed federalism is nebulous and the projected benefits are grossly tentative.”

“We must not be galvanized into frenzied approbation of the proposed federal system―which is principally based on motherhood statements of purported superior efficacy and unvalidated benefits,” Lagman said.

However, before demurring from some of the President’s policy statements and directions, Lagman underscored the minority’s qualified agreement with the following presidential pronouncements, either in the Sona or previously pronounced: • The President’s commitment to fully implement the responsi-

money to fund salary increase for policemen and soldiers.

Under a constituent assembly, both houses of Congress will convene to propose amendments to the Constitution.

In a presentation before the Management Association of the Philippines, Alvarez said a unitary presidential system was “incompatible with Philippine historical experience.”

He said that the presidential system, which was imposed by the country’s colonizers, “has contributed to the cycles of inter-generational conflict, hampered economic growth and stunted development.”

Alvarez said that the states to be created under a federal government would have real autonomy to chart their respective courses, with the goal of fostering lasting peace and achieving

to bring in more than five kilos of shabu.

Also on Thursday, at least two soldiers and a civilian employee were tested positive for illegal drug use during a surprise test, Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Felimon Tan Jr. said.

Tan declined to name the three until there is result from confirmatory tests of their blood samples.

“The testing was done in Camp Navarro gymnasium where 373 military officers and enlisted men to include civilian personnel of the Westmincom underwent the said examination. Of that number, two military and one civilian personnel of the Western Mindanao Command were found positive for use of illegal drugs and will undergo a confirmatory test at a testing center duly accredited by the Department of Health,” Tan said.

He also declined to give the rank of the two soldiers.

Drug tests are mandatory to military and police units and all officers and employees of government agencies in line with Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

ble parenthood and Reproductive Health Law with adequate funding support. This should be complemented by the immediate implementation of the mandated reproductive health and sexuality education; • The outlawing of labor contractualization or what is commonly known as “Endo” or end of contract, a scheme many employers use to avoid giving workers permanent status; • The uncompromising campaign to obliterate the drug menace, arrest and prosecute drug lords and pushers, dismantle drug syndicates and rehabilitate drug users and dependents―but all must be within the parameters of due process and the rule of law.

• Giving priority to the construc-

As a precaution, Apolinario said that they will deploy drug-testing kits in the entrance of the event.

Meanwhile, Apolinario has ordered two police officers who initially tested positive for illegal drugs and later failed a confirmatory drug test to explain within 15 days.

Apolinario did not identify the two police officers but said they were detailed in Makati and Pateros, respectively.

Earlier, PNP Chief Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said the drug test aims to show transparency in the organization and ensure the public that high-ranking PNP officials are capable of being role models in leading the fight against illegal drugs. PNA economic growth.

“Through federalism, by granting more and specific powers to the state governments, the red tape that leads all the way to Manila will be cut, thus reducing delays and uncertainties inimical to businesses,” Alvarez said.

“The shift to federalism will address and eventually end historical injustices that have caused human sufferings and destruction of properties,” he added.

“Peace is good for people and for business,” he said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has launched an information drive on federalism, in cooperation with the People’s National Movement for Federalism, a private group that advocates a shift to a federal form of government.

John Paolo Bencito, PNA

Just recently, the Philippine Army conducted drug testing of all its more than 3,000 personnel based at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City, with 13 people tested positive for illegal drug use.

Later on, six were found to be negative in confirmatory tests, Army spokesman Col. Benjamin Hao said.

Five more people—a notorious gun-forhire and four drug personalities—were killed by police in a shootout at dawn Thursday inside the Navotas Fish Port in Navotas City.

Northern Police District acting director Senior Supt. Roberto Fajardo said the authorities were about to serve arrest warrants on Jun-Jun Tibay, Joel Dumas Carbonel and Kevin Garren when they were met with a volley of gunfire.

Lawmen fired back, killing Tibay and Roman Apita.

In Sampaloc, Manila, a policeman who was absent without leave, Antonio Capule, was killed during a buy-bust operation, the Manila Police District said.

With Vito Barcelo, Florante S. Solmerin, Jun David, Sandy Araneta

tion and development of railway systems in the country like the PNR South (Bicol) Line because the “carcass of the antiquated Bicol Railways is beyond resuscitation, and a modern system must be constructed and developed”; • The liberation of impoverished individual farmers from the burden of irrigation fees, which must include the condoning of their rental arrears.

Lagman said the death penalty violates human rights and should not be revived because: • It is not a deterrent to the commission of heinous crimes as validated by worldwide and empirical scientific studies; • What deters the commission of crimes are certainty of apprehension, speedy prosecution and inev-

itable conviction once warranted; • The death penalty is antipoor because the indigent and marginalized accused cannot afford to pay top lawyers to secure their acquittal; • Human justice is fallible; • Rehabilitation, not retribution, is the thrust of modern penology; • Only God can forfeit life. No human authority has the power to kill even if judicially mandated as a recompense for another lost life; • The death penalty exacerbates the culture of violence and emboldens the monster in man.

Lagman also said that “since children lack adequate discretion and discernment, they must not be saddled with criminal culpability at the tender age of nine.”

Christine F. Herrera

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‘Inoculate infants within 24 hours’

By Macon Araneta

REFORM NOW OR ELSE. San Juan City Mayor Guia Gomez gives some advice to Abdullah Magarang and Teejay Sammy Calub, who were arrested for drug dealing, about reforming for their own good. The suspects were presented to the mayor by Eastern Police District chief Senior Supt. Romulo Sapitula and San Juan police chief Senior Supt. Victor Arevalo.

Manny Palmero

IN BRIEF Rody to take usual flight procedures PRESIDENTIAL flights will no longer be accorded “quasiemergency” take-off and landing procedures and should be treated as a regular flight in accordance with the wishes of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Antonio Buendia, director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, issued a memorandum to that effect after the Department of Transportation and Communications advised him of Duterte’s wishes about presidential flights, called “Kalayaan [Freedom]”.

Joel E. Zurbano

Sueno warns vs poseurs INTERIOR and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno warned the public and local government units on Thursday against impostors using his name to extort money from unscrupulous politicians in exchange for the resolution of pending cases before the department.

“Beware of con-men who pose as the DILG secretary or his staff and extort money from you,” Sueno said. “I will not destroy the trust of President Duterte or besmirch my own name just to extort money or other illegal activities.”

Sueno said they had received a report from a congressman that certain individuals approached two mayors whose municipalities did not receive fire trucks from the DILG and purportedly asked for P50,000 as downpayment for the purchase of the fire trucks.

He also said a suspended mayor reported that he shelled out P300,000 to an individual who claimed he would take care of his case at the DILG. Franciso Tuyay

Tesda unveils new program THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority unveiled on Thursday its longterm plan to increase access to technical vocational education and training.

“We will seek out those who have been neglected and have experienced little or no attention from the government, introduce them to skills training, and help them realize their potential to be productive members of society,” says Tesda director general Guiling “Gene” Mamondiong.

Aside from the training given by more than 4,000 TVET providers in the country, Tesda plans to bolster its training efforts using approaches such as communitybased training, expanded scholarships, Mobile Training Program, Tesda Online Program, Barangay Empowerment thru TVET, compact mobile units and onsite training and assessment.

Jun David

Stand and deliver, Bangsamoro told

By John Paolo Bencito

R

IVAL and sometimes warring groups of Moro rebels were challenged to stand and deliver peace and development as Peace Secretary Jesus Dureza announced an upcoming executive order granting more powers to the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process.

“The paradigm shift is that you have to come up with peace and development, both simultaneously, not one after the other,” Dureza said during a forum of the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines. “[President Rodrigo Duterte] has approved amendments to the charter of

my office, from crafting and negotiating peace agreements to also delivering development projects,” said the 68-yearold peacemaker who is on his third stint as presidential troubleshooter.

He said the changes in the OPAPP charter will enable him to help groups-in-conflict deliver the growth and

development they have been promising their supporters and have become the main causes of their rebellions.

“The President believes you can sign a hundred peace agreements but if you don’t improve the lives of the people it will be all for naught,” he said.

“So we are going to do that paradigm shift and accelerate socio-economic programs and of course what I refer to as constituency building,” he added.

Dureza noted that Duterte himself in his State of the Nation Address last Monday asked Congress to consider a new Bangsamoro law that will weed out unconstitutional provisions that were presented to the 16th Congress.

He reiterated that Duterte wants a new law that will consolidate the concessions the government agreed to in

its agreement with the MILF in 2014, MNLF in 1996, Cordillera people in 1986 plus other stakeholders affected by the conflict.

As regards the Moro people, Dureza said all Bangsamoro groups will be required to unify under the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, which will comprise of eight from the MILF and seven from other Bangsamoro groups.

“We will task them first to work among themselves and when they are able to unify, they should draft another enabling law. That is the next best thing we can do,” he said.

He stressed that the new enabling law should not only cover the MILF and MNLF, but also address the existent Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao Law and indigenous peoples.

Envoy: Edca not about sea dispute

By Vito Barcelo UNITED States Ambassador Philip Goldberg on Thursday reiterated that the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement is not directly related to the country’s dispute with China over the West Philippine Sea but is more about helping the Philippines as a close ally.

“The Edca should be seen in terms of the mutual security relationship between

the US and the Philippines, wherein the Armed Forces of the Philippines can be modernized and will be able to conduct joint operations with their American counterparts as treaty allies,” Goldberg said in a TV interview.

“People should understand that that’s the basis of our relationship, and that this is not aimed at China or any other claimants in the South China Sea. That should be resolved in a diplomatic and legal fashion,” Goldberg

Bullying victim to sue ‘exposer’

said in an interview.

The US envoy made the remark a day after US Secretary of State John Kerry that the United States did not want a confrontation in the South China Sea after an international tribunal issued a decision in favor of the Philippines.

Kerry said the US wanted China and the Philippines to engage in talks and agree on confidence-building measures that will prevent confrontation.

SAYING that over 90 percent of children are at risk of chronic hepatitis infection, Health Secretary Paulyn Jean RosellUbial urged mothers to demand that their babies be inoculated against the Hepatitis B virus within 24 hours from birth.

Launching the celebration of World Hepatitis Day Thursday, Ubial said Hepatitis B inoculations have been available for free at government health facilities across the country for several years now but the coverage remains at only 51 percent.

“I encourage all mothersto-be and their loved ones to demand from health workers that their newborns be immunized against Hepatitis B within 24 hours after birth,” Ubial said, adding that the inoculation has been covered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. for some time already.

She also reminded government hospitals to ensure that they have a sufficient supply of vaccines to ensure infants are inoculated and protected from chronic hepatitis infection later in life.

After the initial shot with the first 24 hours of life, succeeding doses should be administered to infants at age 1½ month, 2½ months and 3½ months in the form of a pentavalent vaccine against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, Haemophilus influenzae B and Hepatitis B. “We know that all vaccines have the potential to bring us that much closer to a world where millions of children no longer die from causes we could prevent,” Ubial said, urging public support for the vaccination program.

Ubial said the DoH will also undertake an information campaign among pregnant women and their immediate families about the importance of newborn inoculation.

Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. Most acute Hepatitis B infections are without symptoms or cause mild illness that mostly remain unnoticed.

Other times the virus causes a long-term infection, which is chronic Hepatitis B. Over time, it can damage a person’s liver (cirrhosis). Babies and young children infected with the virus are more likely to get chronic Hhepatitis B. In the Philippines, Hepatitis B is a significant public health problem. It is the leading cause of liver damage and the leading of cause of liver cancer. Experts say that about 7.3 million Filipinos are chronically infected with Hepatitis B.

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By Sandy Araneta and Francisco Tuyay THE man who was mistaken to be the suspect in the road rage killing in Quiapo, Manila Monday night is threatening to sue an editor of a motoring magazine for implicating him in the killing of a cyclist on their Facebook page. “’Sorry but sorry does not cut it,” said Nestor Punzalan, whom Top Gear Philippines editor-inchief Vernon Sarne identified as the gunman who shot bicyclist Mark Vincent Geralde dead after an altercation on Monday. “What they did to me was gravely wrong. They must pay for it.”

“They accused me of being a killer. I was traumatized. My family was traumatized. In their messages and comments [in the viral video], it’s as if they also wanted to kill me,” Punzalan said.

Both the Manila Police District and the National Bureau of Investigation cleared Punzalan of any wrongdoing even as they identified the real suspect as Vhon Martin Tanto, an Army reservist with a reputation in his own neighborhood of being quarrelsome.

Punzalan’s lawyer DJ Jimenez said Sarne committed a form of cyberbullying which is punishable under the Cybercrime Prevention Act. “That is a civil liability. They must face the charges before a court. They are liable based on the Cybercrime Prevention Act since this is a form of cyberbullying,” Jimenez told reporters at the NBI. Sarne admitted posting the photo that identified Punzalan and offered an apology.

STRENGTHENING FAITH. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) recently sponsored and organized the celebration of the Feast Day Mass in honor of St. Josemaria Escriva at the Immaculate Conception Parish Cathedral & Minor Basilica, Malolos, Bulacan. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of people as Malolos Bishop Most Rev. Jose F. Oliveros, D.D presided the Mass. In top photo are (center) WCKF director and corporate secretary Ms. Helen W. Chua, Bishop Jose F. Oliveros and WCKF head volunteer Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan (ret.) surrounded by volunteers and parish staff.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

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National railway

EDITORIAL

T

HE government, finally, is coming up with a national railway system to spur countryside development and decongest traffic in urban centers.

The Philippines really requires a total railway system to speed up the flow of goods and services and achieve inclusive growth.

Philippine planners can take lessons from the experience of the United States after America built its first transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. The

Adelle Chua, Editor

US railroad network revolutionized the economy, produced jobs and created allied industries and many economic opportunities.

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address Monday, said his government would pursue train systems in Metro Manila and major key points in the country, including the Mindanao Rail Project.

He revealed plans to build the Davao Transit System, Cebu Transit System, the North

and South Luzon Railways and Panay Railways Project through a partnership with the private sector.

The Transportation Department in 2011 proposed to build a rail project that would span the whole Mindanao with a total length of 2,000 kilometers. Obviously, the proposal did not take off, like other similar infrastructure projects that never went past the planning stage during the term of former President Benigno Aquino III.

The railway system is one of the most efficient modes of transporting crops and other farm produce from the agricultural fields to major gateways like seaports and airports.

It can significantly reduce freight cost when the goods are shipped by bulk and avoid road perils, especially during the rainy season. It is also a good alternative for the commuting public and offers a more predictable travel time when properly managed.

The rail system, moreover, is expected to decongest traffic.

The plan of port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. and a unit of Manila Electric Co. to invest P10 billion over two years to revive a container rail service from Manila to Calamba, Laguna is one example. The companies offered to operate a freight train service along the existing tracks of Philippine National Railways, or a minimum

of eight round trips per day, with an average daily container transfer of 600 twentyequivalent units from the ICTSI-owned Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal and vice versa.

The Duterte administration should pursue all these railway networks in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. The Philippines needs a total railway network to link every production center in all corners of the country to strategic markets.

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

‘Passion will change this land’

It’s Trump against Hillary BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO IN A show of strength and unity, the Democratic Party nominated Hillary Clinton its presidential candidate against the Republicans‘ Donald Trump. Hillary was nominated by acclamation to the resounding ayes in the Philadelphia convention hall after Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders endorsed his rival. The former first lady, New York senator and Secretary of State is the first woman nominated by a major US political party.

She will make bigger history if she wins as the first US woman president. America already made political history when it elected the first Catholic president in John Fitzgerald Kennedy and Barack Obama as the first black to

occupy the White House. The polls and signs augur well for a Clinton victory over Trump.

Americans in November will decide between her and the billionaire businessman.

Trump with his abrasive campaign style had to put down a “dump Trump” undercurrent before he won the GOP nomination in Cleveland.

NSC meeting The National Security Council convened by President Rodrigo Duterte for the first time brought together the incumbent and four former Presidents: Joseph Estrada, Fidel V. Ramos, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III. Aquino never convened the NSC, not even once, during his six-year term. This, despite pressing national security concerns like China’s West Philippine Sea encroachment, the Mamasapano massacre of 44 PNP-SAF commandos by a combined force of Moro Islamic Libera-

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The signs augur well for a Clinton victory.”

tion Front and Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters.

How to proceed with caution on the Bangsamoro Basic Law which Duterte wants to implement is also on the NSC agenda. How would it affect peace in Mindanao and the proposed federal system of government?

The NSC meeting turned out to be an awkward moment for Arroyo and Aquino.

GMA meet her jailer Aquino for the first time in six years.

She had been ordered freed by the Supreme Court after it ruled that evidence against

Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Maan Ilustre Edgar M. Valmorida

her in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office plunder case was insufficient.

Aquino tried to avoid Arroyo by skipping Duterte’s State of the Nation Address last Monday where the two of them would have been seated side by side with Ramos and Estrada. But not attending the NSC would have been a dereliction of duty for former President Aquino. National security concerns such as the South China Sea territorial tension and the Mamasapano massacre happened during his watch.

Meanwhile, the office of former President Ramos wrote in to say FVR is up to the job of special envoy to China.

While we are confident that he is, the problem is in dealing with the duplicitous Chinese officials across the table.

China is firm and steadfast in keeping the military bases it has built on the man-made islands in the Spratlys.

Chairman Board Member & Chief Legal Adviser Treasury Manager Advertising and Marketing Head Circulation Manager

Being a military man (West Point graduate and former AFP Chief of Staff), Ramos would have the keen mind how those Chinese military outposts affect Philippine national security and what its ramifications are for the rest of the region.

Perhaps FVR should also bring former Secretary Rafael Alunan along during the bilaterals. It’s always good to have another person’s viewpoint on how the Chinese are playing us. Why not Chito Sta. Romana, too, who speaks fluent Mandarin having spent years as an exile in China and as Beijing bureau manager of the American ABC TV network?

These bilateral talks with China, being a non-government unofficial mission, is expected to be exploratory and its outcome non-binding to both sides. It would, nevertheless, be a good start to smooth out strained relations between

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Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher Ramonchito L. Tomeldan Managing Editor Chin Wong/Ray S. Eñano Associate Editors Francis Lagniton News Editor Emil P. Jurado

SO SAID President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

Duterte is a leader whose heart is sincerely for the poor.

Basically, Duterte promised a better life for most Filipinos, specifically the poor, the marginalized, minorities, and former rebels.

“By the end of my term, I hope—I hope and pray—to hand over an economy that is much stronger, characterized by solid growth, low and stable inflation, [strong] dollar reserves, and robust fiscal position,” the President said. He didn’t elaborate what the targets are in numerical terms.

The economy currently averages six percent economic growth (in Gross Domestic Product or GDP) terms.

While that may be among the highest growth rates in Asia, it is poor, compared with the Philippines’ potential (under President Arroyo, we proved we could do growth as high as 8.9 percent, in one quarter at least). At 6-percent real GDP rise per year, the economy cannot generate the 1.5-million jobs a year needed to solve the persistent unemployment (7 percent of the work force) and underemployment (22 percent of the work force) problem nor lower the gnawing 26 percent (of the population) poverty rate.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has among the highest inflation rates (at less than five percent) in the Asean and among the highest interest rates for borrowed money (bank lending rates average 5.60 percent). The first harms the poor, the bulk of our consumers (and consumption is the driving force of the economy). The second hurts business which creates employment.

Foreign reserves are now at $85 billion, a near record.

Reserves, though, can dissipate easily. Also, they are not useful, especially in boosting business and in solving the poverty problem. We have had $80-billion plus level of reserves in the past 10 years and yet the peso against the US dollar continues to gyrate

Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

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City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

CHILDREN were better off being rounded up after midnight rather than left roaming the streets, exposed to the elements and to predators and prowlers.

But that measure of protection has been stayed by the Supreme Court after some, in the name of children’s rights, sought to interdict all further attempts at enforcing a curfew for minors, citing a rather silly provision of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. A status offense is one that a child can commit but that an adult cannot. It is an act which, when committed by a child, submits the minor to criminal sanction, but not when committed by an adult. The argument seems to be one from fairness: What is crime for children must be crime for adults, or it is not crime at all.

In the first place, if curfew confines itself to curfew, strictly speaking, there is no “offense” committed, when offense is taken to mean “delict” or “felony.” It is wrong to be on the streets after curfew, but all that that should mean is that the police pick you up, take you to your home or summon your parents to take you home, or, in the case of the homeless, to DSWD shelters. What is wrong about that? And what can be wrong about treating children as a status apart, which in fact they are?

It is wrong for children to be at computer shops all day long, even during class hours. It is wrong for them to purchase liquor and spirits—and they should not be sold these items.

It is wrong for them to ask for permanent means of contraception without the consent of their parents. Is this status categorization and discrimination? But it is fundamental constitutional law that classifications need not be anathema, as long as there is

reason to them, that they are made for purposes relevant to the law, and that they apply to all members of a class.

An equally ancient doctrine is that the country is the “parent” of its people. And the trouble, unfortunately, with many parents is that they are doing a bad job at parenting—which is why the State must fulfill its duties as parent to its people.

This might be paternalism of sorts, but one that is necessary.

As for the liberties of movement and travel that, it is argued, are needlessly curtailed, there are always acceptable limits to such rights, even in the case of adults. It should not take much to show that there

I have never favored lowering the age of criminal liability. ” is need to put some limit to the movement of children on streets and blighted places especially close to midnight or in the wee hours of the morning.

I have never favored lowering the age of criminal liability. That part of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act is good as it stands. But let us take another look at the prohibition against status offenses because that particular provision stands against facts. Contra factum, non valet argumentum…there can be no argument against a fact. And the fact is that minors are a status apart. rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

Why more women are winning at musical chairs

By Melvyn Krauss ONCE considered a protected male preserve, symphony orchestras are becoming the most gender-blind employers in the US. The St. Louis Symphony had 18 women out of 88 musicians in 1964. In 2016, more than half of its musicians were women.

During the same period, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra went from three women out of 104 to 41 out of 102. And the New York Philharmonic went from no women to 41 women out of 100.

Today, over 50 percent of the chairs in the top 250 US orchestras are filled by women.

Fairness, feminism and affirmative action has very little to do with this development. Most experts credit blind auditions— where aspiring candidates try out for vacant chairs behind a curtain—for the increasing proportion of women in orchestras.

Forced by the competition for skilled talent in a world of increasingly technical standards of playing (and also by widely available recordings that made it possible for people living anywhere to hear what a good orchestra sounds like) most orchestras realized that blind auditions were a better way of filling vacancies than the traditional alchemy of contacts, cronyism and personal recommendations.

The music-lover has benefited: The growing use of blind auditions has been accompanied by a rise in the technical standards as modern symphony orchestras demand more of their musicians.

But while improved playing standards were forcing symphony orchestras into gender-blind policies for musicians, the same hasn’t held true for highly visible orchestral leadership posts, such as conductors and other principal jobs.

In progressive San Francisco, less than five percent of the concerts of the San Francisco Symphony will be led by female conductors this coming season.

But that redoubt of male chauvinism too seems to be disap-

pearing. When Andris Nelsons left the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO), he was replaced by the very talented 29-year-old Lithuanian, Mirga Grazinyte-Tyla. Susanna Malkki’s recent appointment as principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is another sign things are changing; she is only the third person in LA history to have held the post, the other two being Simon Rattle and Michael Tilson Thomas.

Doors are beginning to open for female conductors not due to any delayed sense of fair play, however, but for the simple reason that there are more women in symphony orchestras these days and they are much less resistant to being led by a woman than the male-dominated orchestras of the past.

There is also a chance factor at work here favoring women: While there are many competent young to middle aged male conductors around at the moment, there are precious few extraordinary ones, giving talented females like Mirga the chance they need.

The floodgates are about to open for female conductors in the next decade. You already see this at place. The young are recognizing new opportunities for women in the conducting business and are readying themselves for it.

It may take a while for the public to get used to having female conductors—the symphony audience is a very conservative one.

But they will.

As an indication of the times, the Lucerne Festival in Switzerland, starting Aug.12, is making female conductors and musicians the central focus of its prestigious one-month music festival. Twelve top female conductors including Malkki, Grazinyte-Tyla and Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, are scheduled to perform. Those lucky enough to attend can judge for themselves the depth of the current pool of top female conductors. Bloomberg

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Biting the pension bullet

PENSEES

Children are a status apart

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO THE conviction of the former bosses of the Retirement and Separation Benefits System for investing its funds in overpriced real estate properties has raised once again our interest in how our pensions should be funded.

But no matter how we decide, we can’t simply abolish military pensions. After all, they have been part of our social life for over a century now.

The Americans handed to us this government program through the Philippine Commission, which approved on Feb. 6, 1903 Act No. 619 to promote good order and discipline in the Philippine Constabulary. The Act created for its officers and enlisted men who would get disabled or die in the line of duty our first public pension system.

It was a contributory fund that required deductions “from the monthly pay of each captain and inspector, one dollar” and “each enlisted man, ten cents.”

Act No. 1638 improved it on April 30, 1907 with the creation of the Pension and Retirement Fund of the Philippine Constabulary, which included the payment of retirement pensions for those who had rendered 20 or more years of continuous, actual, and satisfactory service.

At retirement, an officer or enlisted man was to receive an

“annual compensation equal to two and one-half per centum, for each year’s active service theretofore rendered by him, of the total current pay received annually.” This was capped at seventy-five percent and payable for life.

Notably, this very same pension formula is what GSIS is now implementing, although subject to a more generous 90 percent cap.

With the inauguration of the Philippine Commonwealth on Nov. 15, 1935, a new Retirement System for the Philippine Army was created under Commonwealth Act 190.

It absorbed the existing constabulary pension fund, but lowered the pension formula.

It set a lower cap of fifty percent for commissioned officers, and 60 percent for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers. It also reduced the pension to two percent of basic pay for each year of active service, which is what the Social Security System is implementing now for its private sector members.

Unlike its predecessors, the new scheme was non-contributory, and was funded through the annual appropriations for personnel of the Philippine Army.

The provisions of C.A. 190 were further improved by Republic Act No. 340 or the “Armed Forces Retirement Act” that was signed into law on July 26, 1948. This time, the retirement benefit was restored back to two and a half percent of the base and longevity pay for each year of active service, and was capped higher at sev-

enty-five percent.

The retirement pay became payable “in equal monthly installments” or in monthly pensions.

The pension scheme remained non-contributory and funded through annual general appropriations.

The police and military personnel pensions continued to be enhanced thereafter. By now, they could be as low as 50 and as high as 90 percent of base and longevity pay.

Moreover, they are now adjusted automatically according to the prevailing pay of their counterparts who are in the active service.

Singling out the military pensions, President Ferdinand Marcos recognized that “no separate fund or scheme to insure payment of said benefits has ever been established resulting in complete reliance upon the yearly appropriations” and “entailing a staggering sum every year which drains a substantial portion of the appropriations for the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”

To remedy this, he created RSBS to pay the retirement and separation benefits of the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by signing into law on Dec. 30, 1973 Presidential Decree No. 361.

But this task has remained a mission impossible despite the passage of 43 years. RSBS only succeeded in collecting from our officers and enlisted personnel four percent of their monthly pay deduction, which it refunded at retirement or separation. It never paid a sin-

gle peso of the contemplated benefits. Thus, Congress had to continue appropriating for them annually.

RSBS was unintentionally programmed to fail considering its actuarially inadequate funding of only 4 percent of pay versus its generous pension benefits.

No brilliant investment strategy—even if decided by the AFP Chief of Staff and approved by the National Defense Secretary— could have made this scheme viable and sustainable. Its investment fiasco only worsened this funding failure.

But even if RSBS is abolished—as what Presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Benigno Aquino had attempted to do—we still must find its proper replacement.

Otherwise, we’d continue funding indefinitely these pensions from general appropriations.

Both our military and police personnel must now bite the bullet. To fund their own pensions, they must contribute 9 percent of their pay.

The adequacy of 9 percent has been demonstrated. It’s what GSIS members contribute for the same level of pensions that our soldiers and policemen now receive. Government could then add 12 percent to bring to 21 percent of pay their total pension contributions.

What can we do to soften its impact on our soldiers and policemen? We can adopt the Chilean solution when its pension system was reformed in 1981: Increase their pay to meet their new pension contribution deduction.

Ending Asia’s coal addiction Bloomberg editorial ASIAN nations lead the world in new investment in wind, solar and nuclear power. And all that clean energy should help them meet their commitments to cut greenhouse gases. Standing in the way, however, are ongoing plans to build thousands of new coal plants—even though the market for coal power is shrinking fast.

In China, demand for coal appears to have peaked in 2014, far earlier than expected. In India, electricity from coal plants coming online in 2020 is expected to cost more than solar energy does today. Yet both countries—and also Japan, the region’s third big economy—continue to add capacity.

China has enough projects on the books to build a new coal plant every week for nearly seven years, according to Greenpeace.

By 2020, it could have 400 gigawatts more coal-fired power

‘Passion...

From A4 in times of political and economic uncertainty. Besides, at one point, under the BS Aquino administration, the Bangko Sentral lent $1 billion out of our reserves to the bankrupt banks and countries of Europe (at giveaway rates) rather than lend them to our small businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Fiscal position refers to budget deficit and government borrowings. Under BS Aquino, government debt hit a record P5 trillion.

So we reduced the budget deficit as a percentage of the value of GDP by borrowing more. So our children and grandchildren already owe taxpayers money even before they are born.

In any case, President Duterte pledged that “my administration shall be sensitive to the State’s obligations to promote, and protect, fulfill the human rights of our citizens, especially the poor, the marginalized and the vulnerable and social justice will be

It’s...

From A4 Manila and Beijing. That is, if China is willing to concede a few and certain conditions that will no doubt prevail in these talks.

The bilateral talks with China come after the recent affirmation by the Supreme Court of the

than it needs—more than all coal power in the US combined.

And India’s expanding coal fleet will be bigger than what’s needed to meet the country’s electricity demands through 2022.

As for Japan, if it moves ahead with all its coal projects on the drawing board, it risks stranding nearly $60 billion worth of assets, as the sector succumbs to overcapacity and competition from other forms of energy with lower marginal costs, such as nuclear and renewables.

The downsides of all this excess capacity are obvious: More coal burning means tens of thousands more people dying from air pollution, and much more carbon dioxide flowing into the atmosphere. In India and China, coal also crowds wind and solar power off the grids. Already some 15 percent of China’s wind power goes unused.

Given these realities, one might hope that market forces

would derail any new coal construction. Yet in China especially, there’s institutional resistance to changing course. While the Chinese government has put a cap of sorts on new coal capacity, this doesn’t cover all provinces and all types of coal-fired plants. Closing these loopholes will take some political will, given that local governments too often view new plants as an easy way to generate economic growth and preserve mining jobs.

In China—as well as in India and Japan—plans haven’t been adjusted to account for the rapidly falling costs and additional capacity of wind and solar power. Japan could be doing more to show that it can run its nuclear power plants safely, further shrinking any demand for coal.

Asian governments also need to push harder to get utilities to make room for renewable energy—either by setting minimum

operating hours for the grid to use solar and wind or, as China already has, forcing utilities to pay for unused renewable energy.

Operations should be transparent, so the public can see when and why utilities choose to use coal over wind and solar. In India, increasing interstate trading of electricity should give solar and wind generators more opportunities to sell their energy.

Energy investments across Asia are trending away from greenhouse gases, as are the economics of renewables. But governments need to make sure their policies push in the same direction.

pursued, even as the rule of law shall at all times prevail.” So a better life is not only about money and jobs. It also means being treated equally before the law, whether one is poor or rich. That, of course, is a dream never realized since the time of Lapu-lapu.

President Duterte said he would not blame BS Aquino for the mistakes of the past. But he will prosecute grafters and malcontents under the Aquino administration. He will probably go against the malcontents and grafters sooner than we realized. He said on Monday: “As a former prosecutor, I know there are always—ways of knowing how fast or how slow cases go. What I did was to look into the number of postponements and the time difference between each postponement and the next setting. It was simple as that. I will appreciate deeply if we all in government attend to this urgent need.”

“I was determined then as I am now determined, and better positioned, to wage war against

those who make a mockery of our laws including those who make life for us all miserable.”

Duterte also does not want people waiting under the sun nor rain in seeking permits, licenses and in doing business with government Car plates could be issued by car dealers and driver’s licenses will be good for 10 years, not five. And there will be strict enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. But please, Mr. President, make the payments of fines fast and easy, like doing it through bank ATMs rather than wasting one’s time at the LTO the whole day just to retrieve a license.

Another major Duterte promise: “This will be a clean government.” I am not sure what Duterte means by that. Even he is not so sure.

In fact, he said at the Sona, “I cannot guarantee their honesty and competence at all times,” referring to the more than three million government workers.

He added, ad-libbing in Taga-

log: “Cabinet members, yes.

Pero yung sa baba—yung procurement, yung magbi-bidding diyan.” (Cabinet members, yes —I can guarantee, but those below them, like procurement, the bidding, I am not quite sure).

In fairness to the President, even Jesus Christ could not guarantee no corruption. He was sold by one of His own disciples.

Concluding his Sona, Duterte declared: “We should not despair. Like someone wrote: It is when the night is darkest, that dawn breaks.”

“We are imbued with resiliency that has been tested and proven. More difficult times as in the past. We have a bond to act together. We have to help each other. For then and only then can we truly prevail. And the Filipino, disciplined, informed, involved, shall rise from the rubbles of sorrow and pain. So that all the mirrors in the world will reflect the face of a passion that has changed this land.”

validity of the PHL-US Defense Cooperation Agreement and the visit of Secretary of State John Kerry.

Kerry reiterated that the US would stand alongside the Philippines against external attacks even as he affirmed the US commitment to the freedom of navigation and over flights in international waters and air-

space in the disputed area of the South China Sea. This is where the danger lies. A miscalculation by either US or Chinese airplanes or warships could spark an armed conflict in the powderkeg SCS situation.

This is something we all hope does not happen because the Philippines will surely be caught in the crossfire between

the world’s two superpowers.

This scenario is too scary to contemplate. Any armed confrontation might not be confined to a conventional ground war. Both the US and China have nuclear capability and it takes only one itchy finger on the nuclear button to trigger a global destruction and casualties in the millions.

Mr. Robles’ column will resume Tuesday.

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Sports

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Mighty Sports notch 5th straight triumph NEW TAIPEI CITY, Taiwan—Philippine representative Mighty Sports Apparels survived an early scare and crushed India, 101-81, to further boost its title drive in the William Jones Cup Thursday at the Xinzhuang gym here.

Korean league veteran Dewarick Spencer and former PBA import Al Thornton starred for the team’s fifth straight win as they sparked the team’s furious third-quarter run to rip the game wide open and notch their fifth straight win in the nine-team tournament.

It all started with a 20-4 run that saw them take a 68-52 advantage before closing the quarter with an 11-4 salvo that all but shattered India’s spirit.

That was enough to give coach Bo Perasol the luxury of fielding his homegrown players.

But more than that, it pushed Mighty Sports within two wins from raising the championship trophy last won

by Gilas Pilipinas four years ago.

The win will likewise serve them in good stead as they clash with defending champion Iran in an all-important

Games Today

(Xinzhuang gym) 1 p.m. – India vs Taiwan-B 3 p.m. – Mighty Sports vs Iran 5 p.m. – Japan vs Korea 7 p.m. – Taiwan-A vs Egypt

showdown today—a game every Filipino fan here is looking forward to watch.

With a clean record, Mighty Sports can virtually clinch the title if they beat Iran today and Egypt tomorrow.

Their last assignment is against Taiwan-B which is no longer in the mix after slipping to 2-2.

Iran, which fell to a 3-1 record following a shocking 67-50 loss to the 3-2 Koreans the other day, were playing against Taiwan-A at presstime. They will still face Japan on Saturday and India on Sunday.

The 6’4” Spencer was simply outstanding, notching the tournament’s first triple-double of 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Thornton was as hot as the weather outside as the former NLEX import produced a tournament-high 30 points on a remarkable 13-of-16 shooting from the field.

PH-China faceoff highlights MMA tilt

By Maxine Lagman FILIPINO Mixed Martial Arts fighter and Manny Pacquiao lookalike Mario Sismundo puts national pride on the line as he fights China’s Keremuaili Maimaitituoheti in the first World Series of Fighting Global Championship to be held in the Philippines, set on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The two fighters are expected to steal the spotlight as the co-main event because of the controversial relationship between the Philippines and China due to their dispute over territories in the West Philippine Sea. The 37-year-old Sismundo is determined to prove that his one punch, 19-second victory last year over John Rey Larena was no fluke.

Sismundo’s resemblance to boxing great Pacquiao also pushes him to train hard in the hopes of approximating the success of the Filipino ring icon.

WSOF owners Vince and Dunessa Hesser are pumped up to help Filipinos like Sismundo make a mark in the Philippine MMA scene. “[Filipinos] have the heart and the raw talent. They have great spirit and they have the experience. I think that one thing that Filipinos don’t have is a venue to showcase what they could do, that’s why we bring the WSOF (here),” said Vince Hesser on Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

The veteran WLC lightweight fighter Sismundo dropped to 145 pounds to face Chinese fighter Maimaitituoheti, nicknamed the ‘Mountain Eagle.’ With a 3-1 win-loss mark, he is eager to earn another win and add a devastating loss to Maimaitituoheti’s 5-3 mark.

Besides the 10 exciting fights which will feature fighters from 11 countries from five continents, WSOF owners, together with Local UGB MMA CEO Ferdie Munsayac said they will give away P1 million to one lucky audience on fight night.

“It will be an exciting match to look forward to for the fighters and an even more exciting one for the audience, who could bring home P1 million.

This is to make up for our fans, because we always want to give back as much as we can,” Dunessa Hesser said.

‘ABSENCE OF RUSSIAN STARS DAMAGES OLYMPICS.’ Russian Olympic team members attend a farewell ceremony for the Rio Games at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport. President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said the absence of some Russian stars at the Rio Games would hit the quality of the competition. The Russian strongman was speaking to 49 competitors including track and field stars Yelena Isinbayeva and Sergey Shubenkov who will miss the Games. AFP

Perfect Murray ready for more Olympic glory L

ONDON—Andy Murray has revealed the secret behind the personalised notes that fuelled his Wimbledon triumph and will inspire his bid for more Olympic glory.

Murray was often seen reading a sheet of paper in breaks between games as he marched to a historic second Wimbledon title in July. The Scot offered a rare insight into the motivational scribblings after his success at the All England Club.

The 29-year-old, who has worked with a sports psychologist in the past, writes down important aspects of his game-plan to focus on during each match and sprinkles in inspirational reminders of his qualities.

As Murray prepares to defend the Olympics singles gold medal he won so memorably in London four years ago, the world number two will again turn to his notes for guidance in Rio.

“They’re personal notes. Some of them stay the same the whole time. They’re basic things I remind myself to do during the matches,” Murray said.

“When I play my best tennis I feel like I’m doing these things.

“They would be like, Make sure you’re moving your feet when you’re nervous.

People have a tendency when they’re nervous to not move, not use their legs.

“I think when I play my best tennis, I do this, X, Y and Z, whatever it is on the notes. Then I have some notes of the tactics for the match.

“Sometimes when you’re in the heat of a second set tie-break in a slam final, it’s easy to forget exactly what you’re trying to do.

Imperious “Sometimes I just look at the tactics that I’ve written down for the match. I refer to them at change of ends. I find it helps me.”

Murray’s notes are typical of the perfectionist nature of the British star, who will travel to Brazil refreshed after a long break in the aftermath of his draining fortnight at Wimbledon.

His imperious march to the title culminated in a final victory over Milos Raonic which made him the first British man to win multiple All England Club crowns since Fred Perry in the 1930s.

Determined to recover mentally and physically in time for the Olympics, Murray opted out of Great Britain’s Davis Cup quarter-final win over Serbia and also pulled out of the Toronto Masters 1000 event.

That will leave the three-time Grand Slam champion with no match action under his belt since Wimbledon.

GOOD LUCK. The

SMART/MVP Sports Foundation Philippine taekwondo team is hopeful of doing well in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Kirstie Elaine Alora (left), who qualified for the women’s +67kg competition, is in fit form and ready to overcome the challenges.

Shown with Alora are coach Roberto Cruz and Ricardo Santiago Jr. (right), who was selected by the World Taekwondo Federation out of 15 Filipinos to be one of the international referees in the prestigious event. Alora and her two companions left recently with the Philippine delegation.

Instead, Murray was due to fly to Mallorca to begin his Olympic preparations with a 10-day training camp including practice time with injury-plagued Spanish star Rafael Nadal.

For all Murray’s success at the majors, the Olympics will always retain a special place.

Having lost in a tearful Wimbledon final to Roger Federer, Murray returned to the All England Club weeks later to avenge that painful defeat.

Inspired by seeing Mo Farah and a host of other British athletes take gold on home turf, Murray routed Federer in the Olympic final—becoming the first British man to win the singles gold medal in tennis since 1908. He also earned a silver medal with Laura Robson in the mixed doubles.

It was a far cry from Murray’s Olympic debut in 2008 when he suffered an embarrassing first round loss to Taiwan’s Lu YenHsun in Beijing. AFP

Sulaiman to receive humanitarian award

By Ronnie Nathanielsz WORLD Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman will receive the golden Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award from the top brass of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame at a special ceremony on July 30 in Las Vegas.

The WBC reported that the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame presents this award to members of the boxing family “for their outstanding humanitarian effort, work and achievements.”

The official statement said that Mauricio “has done dozens of kind, heartfelt and wonderful actions year by year.”

It said: “They recognize, admire and praise the WBC President, for tirelessly, selflessly and constantly striving to bring a vital array of benefits within the reach and into the grasp of hundreds of boxers and former boxers, via tangible medical and economic support.”

The Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame noted that Sulaiman’s work “inspires, enables and gives fortitude to them to win the fight against poverty” and is done in the tradition of the Sulaiman family with an ethic and a love Mauricio inherited from his father, Don Jose Sulaiman Chagnon, the man who “dared to dream and to transform this into marvelous and practical projects to help people in need throughout the great boxing family.”

The citation stressed that Don Jose Sulaiman will “live forever through his achievements, but also highlights that Mauricio is writing his own pages of history, step by step, achievement by achievement, deed by deed.”

During this event, all-time boxing greats will be honored, namely Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, Christy Martin, Badou Jack, Ava Knight, Pernell Whitaker, Ray Mancini, Riddick “Big Daddy” Bowe, Freddy Little, and trainer Johnny Tocco.

Top seeds dominate Shell National Youth chess in Cebu NO. 1 seed Chris Aldritz Pondoyo outdueled fellow University of Cebu stalwart Adrian Basilgo in the sixth round, then closed out with three more wins to capture the juniors’ crown in the Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship’s Visayas leg at SM City Cebu, Cebu City last Sunday.

Pondoyo, who was half-a-point behind Basilgo halfway through the nine-round Swiss system tournament, foiled the erstwhile solo leader with the black pieces in the sixth round, then toppled Remigio Galenzoga III, Philgymn Villajuan and Marc Villarojo to wind up with 8.5 points and capture the crown in the 13-16 age bracket.

Jerish Velarde of Marie Ernestine School also emerged solo champion in kiddies’ play with 8.5 points, while University of San Jose-Recoletos’ Jethro Esplanada finished with eight points and nipped fellow USJ-R ace Allan Pason in the tiebreak to snare the seniors’ title as the top seeded bets lived up to their respective billings to dominate the third leg of the five-stage circuit sponsored

by Pilipinas Shell for the 24th year.

Basilgo rebounded with victories over Jeremy Tanudra, Aaron Sinining and Galenzoga to place second with eight points.

Meanwhile, Natori Biazza Diaz of Sagay National High School scored 3.5 points in

the last four rounds to finish with seven points. Diaz edged Jane Quinanola and Mico Villanueva in the tiebreak to clinch third place and the lone female berth in the group in the national finals.

On hand during awards rites were Isaias Culanag Jr., Shell Marine Lubricants account manager (Philippines/Thailand/Guam), and Michael Pagaran, a Shell active chess alumnus and now a full-pledged chess trainer.

Velarde, who shared the lead with Jave Peteros after five rounds, won their sixth round faceoff then scored 2.5 points in the last three rounds to finish ahead of Arje Villarin of Cabancalan National High School, who swept

his last four matches for eight points for solo second and a spot in the national finals of the annual event set Oct.1-2 at SM Megamall.

Alphecca Gonzales of Dunggoan Elementary School bounced back from a sixth round setback to Adrian De Luna by winning her last three games in the 7-12 age division and nailed the lone female slot in the grand finals.

Esplanada recovered from a third round loss to Spencer De Guzman as he won his next six games to end up on top with eight points and bag the seniors diadem. Pason matched that output with a sweep of his last four games but settled for second after the tiebreak.

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Constantino sails to 8-shot golf win L

IPA City, Batangas—Harmie Constantino nailed her biggest victory in a young career the easy way, claiming the ICTSI Malarayat Ladies Classic via an eight-shot romp over Thai Saraporn Chamchoi with a closing four-under 68 at the Mt. Malarayat composite course here yesterday.

While most would toil to realize a dream pro victory, the 15-year-old Constantino needed just three solid rounds to dominate a badly outclassed international field and become the third amateur to win in this year’s ICTSI Ladies Philippine Golf Tour.

“I’m overwhelmed since I didn’t expect to win. I just went out there and played my game,” said Constantino, the reigning national champion who came into the 54-hole event sponsored by ICTSI in top form with a couple of top three finishes in the national stroke and match play championships and a victory in last month’s Gary Woodland Championship in the US. “I’m so proud of my feat, especially after beating the Thais,” added the diminutive shotmaker, who completed her

remarkable three-day stint with an 11-under 205, spiked by a 66 Wednesday, and beat Chamchoi, who struggled with a 74 for a 213, by eight.

Gaining a two-shot cushion over Chamchoi with that six-under card in the second round, Constantino braced for a final round shootout with two Thai pros, including Chatprapa Siriprakob. But instead of wilting under pressure, the Villamor ace instead showed up her more experienced rivals, hitting a birdie on No. 2 then stringing three straight birdies in impressive fashion from No. 6 to pull away.

It was virtually over from there as Constantino’s opening 32 put her unassailably ahead of Chamchoi, who fumbled with a 38 and fell by eight and the rest also failed to at least match the young

Asian, local aces gear up for Aboitiz golfest THE Aboitiz Invitational shifts to a fourth venue for the fourth straight year, bracing for a spirited battle for top honors among the leading players from the Asian Development Tour and the country’s ace shotmakers at one of the country’s toughest courses.

The fabled East course of the Wack Wack Golf and Country Club has been kept in championship form all-year long and is expected to provide a different kind of challenge to the elite field clashing in the $100,000 event set Aug. 3-6 and serving as the 18th leg of the ADT and 11th of the ICTSI Philippine Golf Tour.

The Aboitiz Invitational held its first three tournaments in Cebu from 2011 with Jay Bayron winning the inaugurals and Elmer Salvador ruling the next two. The event then moved to Riviera in 2014 with Tony Lascuña nailing his first Aboitiz and ADT win before Juvic Pagunsan dominated the elite field at Manila Southwoods last year.

Pagunsan is expected to be back and defend the crown along with Lascuna, Salvador and Bayron but the local aces will be hard-pressed to keep the crown on home soil given a slew of ADT top shotmakers and Wack Wack East’s unpredictability.

“We are proud to welcome the return of the Aboitiz Invitational and we are looking forward to working with the ADT, whom

we share a strong relationship with. I’m confident that we can see some great action from the talented players in the region on the difficult Wack Wack course,” said Erramon Aboitiz, president and chief executive officer of Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc. Ricky Razon, chairman and president of Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. (PGTI), said: “We hope to discover more talents through the staging of this event.

The ADT has always been a great platform for budding golfers to hone their skills and advance their careers. We are happy to do our part in helping these players.”

Asian Tour Associate Director Irfan Hamid lauded the strong commitment from Aboitiz.

“The return of the Aboitiz Invitational reinforces the growing strength of the game in the Philippines and across the region.

We would like to express our appreciation to Aboitiz for their unwavering support over the years,” said Irfan.

The ADT will reward the topfive finishers on the Order of Merit at the end of this season with Asian Tour cards for 2017.

Like all other ADT events, the Aboitiz Invitational, co-organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., will offer Official World Golf Ranking points to the top six players and ties based on a sliding scale.

ANCOP Global Walk set Aug. 14 at MOA grounds TO provide scholarships to poor students from elementary all the way to college, Answering the Cry of the Poor holds the sixth edition of its annual Global Walk, with an expected 80,000 walkers of all ages, young and old alike expected to converge at the Mall of Asia grounds on Aug. 14.

The walk targets to raise enough money to help 4,000 students nationwide this schoolyear.

“This event is for those who really want to study but cannot on their own. On our part, we do not set high grades to qualify, we even provide tutoring to those who need it to help them pass,” said Event Marketing Head Milagros Garcia, adding that in her area of responsibility in Mandaluyong and San Juan, five years ago, there were only 30 scholars they could help, but this year, the target is to help 200 kids .

Vice President Leni Robredo has endorsed the event and even committed to walk with those who will join, with the event to be assisted by Cyclist for Christ as marshals.

“Aside from this event, we get donations from companies and individuals here and abroad, including Couples for Christ. We are inviting everyone to join and bring the whole family, including babies and even pets. Entry fee is only P300 and we ac00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ cept both online and onsite registration,” added 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ Garcia.

For those interested, contact number is DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 7094868, loc. 49, look for Janine or Che, or go to the DIGITS 00-00-00 ANCOP Global Walk FB page, where registration forms can be filled up and EZ2 00-00 sent online.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 6/42 6 3 2

shotmaker’s scorching start.

Chihiro Ikeda, who took three years to record her first pro win at Orchard last month, did turn in a 34 after nine holes but settled for two birdies against the same number of bogeys at the back. She finished with a 70 and failed to get past Chamchoi for third at 214.

Chamchoi, who had hoped for a breakthrough after a couple of near-misses in the country’s premier ladies circuit, took the top P150,000 purse in the sixth leg of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Sharp, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Champion, TaylorMade and Pacsports.

Jayvie Agojo and amateur Chanelle Avaricio carded identical 74s and finished tied for fourth at 220 while Siriprakob, after back-to-back 72s, made four straight bogeys from No. 12 and hobbled with a 77 for 221.

Apple Fudolin shot the day’s best of 67 on a sizzling five-birdie splurge to close out her 34-33 card and salvaged a share of seventh with last year’s Sherwood Hills leg winner Sarah Ababa, who made a 73, for 223s.

Harmie Constantino beams as she holds her low amateur and overall championship crowns after dominating the ICTSI Malarayat Ladies Classic.

Sports

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

A8

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Cignal HD scrambles past Amy’s L

IPA CITY—Cignal made up for a sluggish start with a furious finish to coast to a 14-25, 25-27, 25-13, 25-14 win over Amy’s in the second round of the 2016 Philippine Superliga (PSL) All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament Thursday at the La Salle Lipa Sentrum.

It was a total team effort, but Cherry Vivas was the most impressive as she punched holes in the Spikers’ defensive blanket in the third and fourth sets en route to their victory in this prestigious club tourney sponsored by KLab Cyscorpions, Mueller, Mikasa and Asics with TV5 as official broadcaster.

Vivas delivered all her 10 points on kills while Janine Navarro, Carmela Tunay and Jeanette Panaga chipped in nine points each for the HD Spikers, who bounced back after a sorry loss to Generika in their first game of the second round.

The HD Spikers need to win their last game against Standard Insurance-Navy

on Saturday to place well in the standings after the classification phase.

“Our best finish will be fifth (place),” said Cignal coach Sammy Acaylar, who drew a 23-set effort from Djanel Cheng. “But it’s okay. We’re still motivated to claim that fifth spot. I just tell them to do their best because something good will happen if we give our hundred percent every game.”

But against Amy’s, a team that is being handled

by Acaylar in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), Cignal lost its strength early on.

The Spikers displayed their might in the early stretch as Cindy Imbo buckled down to work early, delivering back-to-back

Security tightens as Games approach RIO DE JANEIRO – As the 2016 Rio Olympics draws closer, security gets tighter at the different venues and around the thousands of delegates, including the lean Philippine team that’s here to end a 20-year medal drought.

Over 10,000 athletes and 6,000 officials from 206 countries will converge in this city of samba and the famous Ipanema Beach for the Games set from Aug. 5 to 21. Half a million tourists are expected to fly in to enjoy the Games.

Different heads of states, including the French president, and sports ministers will be at the Maracana Stadium for the opening ceremony.

There are threats of the Zika virus, a mosquito-borne disease that mostly affects pregnant women, and the state of political instability in the country. But the one that has raised the biggest concern is the threat on security.

“It’s always a threat. Security is always a concern during events of this magnitude. There is the threat of terrorism and it’s around us here,” said Philippine Olympic Committee vice president and chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta.

Security in Rio de Janeiro is at a very high level.

Even inside the Athletes Village, members of Brazil’s Special Forces are on standby, most of them carrying long firearms. Police visibility around the city is strong.

Col. Antonio Tamayo, POC second vice president and in charge of security for the Philippine delegation, issued his own threat assessment just eight days before the Summer Games unfold amid previous calls for a postponement.

Games Saturday (FilOil Flying V Center) 2:30 pm – Amy’s vs Generika 4:30 pm – Cignal vs Standard Insurance-Navy 6:30 pm – Petron vs Foton

aces to give Amy’s an early 8-5 lead in the first technical timeout.

That lead swelled to nine, 21-12, with Cignal failing to come up with an answer to the hot smashes of Imbo and Jowie Verzosa.

“I told the team to respect our opponent,” Acaylar said, referring to Amy’s, which has yet to win since joining the league as New San Jose Builders in the PSL Invitational Conference.

“Fortunately, they got their acts together in the second and third sets.

Then, their confidence grew in the fourth set as they started to enjoy the game.”

Imbo tallied nine hits and three aces to finish with 12 points while Verzosa had nine markers for Amy’s, which is composed of the members of NCAA powerhouse University of Perpetual Help.

Lourdes Clemente of Amy’s-Perpetual Help Lady Altas beats Cherry May Vivas and Micmic Laborte as they joust at the net during the Philippine Super Liga game between Amy’s and Cignal HD. Roman Prospero

Tropang Texters seek share of PBA lead

By Jeric Lopez TNT Katropa wants a piece of the tournament lead and it can attain that should it continue its rousing start in the continuing 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Armed with a 2-0 start, the Tropang Texters are playing gallantly but they are set to face an acid test when they take on rejuvenated Alaska Aces (1-1) at 7 p.m. in the main event at the

Ynares Center in Antipolo City in a battle of heavyweights.

Prior to that, a tiff between the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and the Blackwater Elite, which both tote a 1-1 slate, serves as the curtain-raiser at 4:15 p.m.

Having an underwhelming season, Talk ‘N Text is starting to pick up the pieces and this solid start might be what it needs to possibly get back in contention for a title. A win will allow it to tie surprising leader Mahindra Enforc-

ers (3-0) at the top of the heap. The Tropang Texters downed the Elasto Painters in their conference opener before tripping erstwhile unbeaten sister team Meralco Bolts, 98-95, in their last game last Saturday behind 24 points from star Jayson Castro.

TNT Katropa coach Jong Uichico is positive that the few days off that they got will benefit the Texters against the Aces, who will miss the services of superstar Calvin Abueva who was suspended by the league for one game.

“We had a couple of days off and plenty of time to prepare for Alaska. Hopefully, that works in our favor,” said Uichico.

They will face the pumped up Aces, who themselves scored a morale-boosting 109-100 overtime win against Barangay Ginebra last Sunday to break into the winning column.

“We’re kind of in control lately,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

“We’re still getting our rhythm and we’re slowly getting there.”

Games Today

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City) 4:15 p.m. - Blackwater vs. Rain or Shine 7 p.m. - Alaska vs. Tropang TNT

In the Alaska win, Abueva elbowed Ginebra’s Chris Ellis in the face early in the fourth period.

He was able to escape any penalty the game. But the league slapped him with a Flagrant Foul Penalty 2 upon review of the game and he was handed a one-game suspension and a P22,000 fine.

Newly crowned world champ Tapales receives hero’s welcome

By Ronnie Nathanielsz world champion, InternaNEWLY crowned World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Marlon “The Nightmare” Tapales received a hero’s welcome when he arrived Thursday afternoon in Manila.

Tapales then took a connecting flight to Cebu, where the Rex “Wakee” Salud fighter is based.

The Filipino boxer is the fourth world champion nurtured by Salud, who previously charted the careers of brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry Penalosa and Malcom Tuñacao.

Tapales became the fourth Filipino world champion alongside WBO light flyweight king Donnie Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino

tional Boxing Federation flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero and WBO super bantamweight and five-division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire.

Tapales and Salud both thought it was the end of Tapales’ lifelong dream when he was dropped twice in the fifth round by hard-hitting and rugged two-time champion Pungluang Sor Singyu. Tapales grimaced in pain, but Puerto Rican referee Ramon Peña felt there was still some fight left in the Filipino, who used quick combinations to set the pace in the early rounds.

The long-awaited fight took place at the Ayutthaya City park. Pungluang began to pressure Tapales in the 3rd

Marlon Tapales and Wakee Salud.

round. He pushed Tapales Boxing Scene’s James against the ropes and con- Goyder reported that Tanected with three solid right pales “circled out and anhands in quick succession. swered with a quick com-

bination of his own with a right uppercut followed by a straight left cross.”

The Thai champion pressured Tapales in the 4th round and connected with a straight right to the body before once again trapping the challenger against the ropes to connect with solid right hands to the head and body.

The action exploded in the 5th round when Pungluang dropped Tapales with a vicious right hook to the body. Tapalese beat the count but he was clearly hurt. Pungluang swarmed all over him and dropped him for a second time with another right to the body.

It took Tapales a long time to get to his feet and referee Pena looked like he would

call a halt. The courageous Filipino continued to cover up and fight back even as the champion tried to finish him off. Tapales was behind on the scorecards of all three judges because of the two knockdowns. But Pungluang appeared to tire. Tapales turned aggressive and connected with what was described as “a clubbing right hand” that dropped Pungluang whose punch output dropped almost totally after the knockdown.

Pungluang returned to pressure Tapales in the 7th round who landed a low blow. After a brief respite Pungluang returned to the fray with a series of punches that Tapales caught on his arms.

Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference starts Saturday ACTION in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 resumes Saturday, with the Collegiate Conference featuring teams gearing up for their respective varsity leagues clashing in what promises to be another thrilling midseason offering of the country’s premier women’s volleyball league.

National U sets out to defend the crown it won over Ateneo via sudden death last year but eight other teams are bringing in

souped-up rosters, guaranJorelle Singh. The Lady EaGames Saturday teeing a slam-bang action in gles, now without former ace (Ynares Arena, Pasig) the two-month tournament Alyssa Valdez, who has grad4 p.m. UP vs San Beda sponsored by Shakey’s for 6 p.m. San Sebastian vs Perpetual uated, will pin their hopes on the 13th straight year.

Jhoanna Maraguinot, Kim Lanky Jaja Santiago, the UAAP Season Gequillana, Bea de Leon, Ana Gopico, Ju78 best spiker, will banner the Lady Bull- lia Morado and Michelle Morente. dogs’ title-retention bid along with Fil-JapEight other teams are raring to prove their anese recruit Risa Sato, Jasmine Nabor, Joy worth, including reigning NCAA champion Doromal, Aiko Urdas, Gayle Valdez and St. Benilde, vastly-improved University of

the Philippines, many-time NCAA titlist San Sebastian College, Technological Institute of the Philippines, University of Perpetual Help System-Dalta, Far Eastern University, San Beda College and many-time V-League titlists University of Santo Tomas.

UP and San Beda kick off hostilities at 4 p.m. while SSC and Perpetual tangle in the 6 p.m. main game to be shown live over ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel 23.

Aboitiz’s net income climbs 34% to P10.5b B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

B1

Lopez closes 2 Palawan mines

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

T

HE government suspended two more mining operations in Palawan province because of environmental violations, Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said Thursday.

Lopez said the government stopped the mining operations of Berong Nickel Corp. in Quezon town and of Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. in Sofronio Española and Narra towns.

“So far we have suspended six mining operations. The first four are all located in Zambales,” Lopez said.

Lopez said her department

would also start the audit of mining operations in Surigao provinces this week.

“We’re gonna assess the operations of six mining companies in Surigao this week and then next week we will finish all the mine sites in Mindanao,” Lopez said.

“The audit is not just physical and technical, it’s also social and

environmental. It also involves the community. It’s a total impact evaluation of the operations of the mine,” she said.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno said the audit started in Mindanao, following the request of Lumad residents.

“The Lumads complain about the Surigao mines, so initially, there will be four mines that will be visited by the auditing team.

Then, we will try to finish the rest within the week,” Jasareno said.

Jasareno said members of the audit team would come not only from the Environment Department, but would also include the Agriculture Department for the effects on farmlands, Bureau of

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources for the impact on waters, representatives from the Social Action Center for the effects on communities and Health Department for the outcome on health.

“The audit team has a set of criteria that embodies the principles of the secretary of DENR. A mining operation must help in the improvement of the life of the people,” Jasareno said.

Jasareno said the government would deploy 14 audit teams, with each team given a month to submit the report to the Environment secretary.

“Even I will not see the report because the instruction to them was to prepare the report in the region and then submit it directly

to the secretary,” Jasareno said.

Jasareno said 40 percent of all operating mines were currently facing complaints.

“The secretary believes that if you have an industry that is clean and stable, they will attract investments. The industry has to be populated by responsible miners in its truest sense and that will give confidence to the investors because they know that the industry will last,” Jasareno said.

Lopez earlier said she would not allow the $5.9-billion Tampakan mine project to operate under her term.

Sagittarius Mines Inc., which is controlled by Indophil Resources NL, is developing the Tampakan project, which could

Energy studies higher oil taxes

PSe comPoSite index Closing July 28, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

8,024.98 75.50

By Alena Mae S. Flores

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing July 28, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.070

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P47.065 LOW P47.120 AVERAGE P47.085 VOLUME 385.000M

P427.00-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.35-P43.45 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

SM PRIME LISTS BONDS. SM Prime Holdings Inc. marks its third listing of retail bonds with its issuance of P10 billion fixed-rate bonds

P24.75-P29.60 Diesel

due on 2026. With SM Prime’s bond issuance, the total listed amount of the SM Group on Philippine Dealing Exchange shall be P84.83 billion, representing 14.47 percent of the total corporate fixed-income issues in the organized secondary market. Shown during the bell ringing ceremony at PDEx are (from left) SM Prime vice president for investor relations Alexander Pomento, chief finance officer John Ong, executive vice president Jeffrey Lim, vice president for finance Teresa Cecilia Reyes-Agsalud, assistant vice president for treasury Maricel Ranola, president Hans Sy and SM Investments senior vice president for treasury Marcelo Fernando Jr.

P34.55-P39.15 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, July 28, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.1560

Japan

Yen

0.009489

0.4475

UK

Pound

1.322200

62.3497

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128921

6.0794

Switzerland

Franc

1.014713

47.8498

Canada

Dollar

0.758323

35.7595

Singapore

Dollar

0.738934

34.8452

Australia

Dollar

0.749000

35.3198

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651395

125.0292

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266724

12.5776

Brunei

Dollar

0.736214

34.7169

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028588

1.3481

UAE

Dirham

0.272279

12.8396

Euro

Euro

1.106200

52.1640

Korea

Won

0.000884

0.0417

China

Yuan

0.149925

7.0699

India

Rupee

0.014912

0.7032

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.245489

11.5763

New Zealand

Dollar

0.707200

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031247

33.3487 1.4735 Source: PDS Bridge

be one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.

The Alcantara Group bought Glencore Plc. out of SMI last year.

“I don’t like Tampakan at all.

That open-pit mining will be on top of rice fields, agricultural lands and will affect four provinces and six rivers. Why do we even consider it at all?” Lopez said.

Lopez said the Tampakan project was as large as 700 football fields. “I will not consider it at all. There are many poor farmers there. I have to be honest, I will have to live by my principle.

There is no way I would ever, ever allow a 700 football field open-pit mine on top of agricultural land,” Lopez said.

Govt imposes P5 fee on hotlines—Globe

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Thursday it is ready to comply with the government’s directive to provide access for the country’s emergency and complaint hotlines.

Globe said the 911 and 8888 hotlines for voice services would be available starting Aug. 1 and it would change its own hotline to more than 57 million subscribers.

Globe said it had been us-

ing the 8888 number as its own customer hotline and would therefore advise subscribers for a new hotline.

The telecom company also said it did not impose a P5 charge for the emergency calls, adding it was the government running the hotline.

Globe spokesperson Yolanda Crisanto said the government was the one that imposed the P5 fee for the calls to discourage prank calls.

The government is currently

charging P5 when calling the 117 hotline.

TXTPower, an advocacy group, said in a statement the charge defeated 8888’s public service objective, which was to connect people with the government.

“Instead, Globe appears to make it yet another revenue stream, under the guise of discouraging prank calls,” TXTPower said.

The group said the Filipino people had the right to demand

such free service from a private grantee of a most valuable franchise to public airwaves and frequencies.

“We call on President Duterte to stop the planned charging of calls to 8888,” it said.

The National Telecommunications Commission earlier issued an order, directing all telecom companies to connect to “8888” calls to the Civil Service Commission and the Presidential Action Center Citizens.

THE Energy Department will study the proposed additional excise taxes on gasoline and diesel, an official said Thursday.

Energy spokesman Felix William Fuentebella cited a need to further study the proposal “because it will definitely lead to an increase in pump prices.”

“It will also be subjected to 12-percent VAT [value added tax]. For 2015, the DoE data show that the country’s consumption of gasoline was 5.22 billion liters, while diesel was 9.34 billion liters,” he said.

Fuentabella said ultimately, Congress would have to decide on the issue.

The Finance Department earlier disclosed a proposal to increase excise taxes on fuel products amid the slump in global oil prices.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said “now is the time to do it, because the price [of fuel] is low.”

“We have to [adjust], because [the last adjustment] was set in 1997. It’s P4.50, something like that since then. P4.50 then [is] not worth as P4.50 right now.

So we have to adjust it, at least to index it,” he said.

The proposal came after Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association founding chairman and president Fernando Martinez asked the government to increase taxes on petroleum products.

“There is an excellent opportunity for the next administration to impose a specific tax of around P3 to P5 in all petroleum products,” Martinez said.

BSP likely to keep rates after Fed’s move

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas will likely keep policy rates unchanged in the coming months, after the US Federal Reserve decided to maintain its own interest rates, Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said Thursday.

Tetangco said the latest move by the US Federal Reserve would be positive for emerging market economies such as the Philippines.

“The markets have viewed the Fed statement to be more hawkish than they had anticipated.

With the assessment that nearterm risks to the economic outlook have diminished, analysts see that there could be a move as early as September although the statement did not strongly point towards one,” Tetangco said in a statement Thursday.

“That assessment should be overall positive for EMEs, including the Philippines, as it reflects a move towards normalization, and that the US will indeed

be another post for global growth going forward,” Tetangco said.

The Federal Reserve kept interest rates steady Wednesday but said “near-term risks to the US economic outlook had diminished, opening the door to a resumption of monetary policy tightening this year.”

The Fed said the economy grew at a moderate rate and job gains were strong in June. It also said that household spending had been “growing strongly.”

Tetangco said with the latest development, domestic monetary authorities might not consider changing the current monetary policy settings at the moment.

“That said, this would still not be reason enough for us to change the stance of monetary policy. The outlook for domestic inflation remains well-anchored, and domestic demand continues to be solid,” Tetangco said.

Prospects of a sustained robust domestic economic growth and stable inflation encouraged Bangko Sentral’s Monetary

Board to maintain the benchmark interest rates steady in its latest meeting on June 23.

Interest rates were kept stead at 3.5 percent for overnight lending, 3 percent for overnight borrowing and 2.5 percent for deposit facilities. Reserve requirement ratios were also left untouched.

The Monetary Board’s decision was based on its assessment that the inflation environment continued to be manageable.

Latest forecasts showed that average inflation would likelysettle near the lower edge of the 2 percent to 4 percent target range in 2016 and rise toward the midpoint of the target range in 2017 and 2018.

The Duterte administration expects gross domestic product to grow between 6 percent and 7 percent this year, on robust domestic demand and investment.

The target was a downward revision of the Aquino administration’s previous forecast of 6.8 percent to 7.8 percent for 2016.

RCBC PLAZA’S GREEN CERTIFICATE. RCBC Realty Corp., which provides real estate development and management services under the Yuchengco Group of Companies, launches a bid to get a gold certification for RCBC Plaza from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a US-based verification practice for green buildings worldwide. Shown during the launching ceremony are (from left) RCBC Realty Corp. president Medel Nera, YGC chairperson Helen Dee and Makati City mayor Abby Binay-Campos.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Holcim’s Q2 profit up by 42% to P2.2b

By Jenniffer B. Austria CEMENT manufacturer Holcim Philippines Inc. reported a 42-percent increase in second-quarter net income to P2.2 billion amid strong demand from the upbeat construction activities from both the public and private sectors.

Holcim Philippines president and country chief executive officer Eduardo Sahagun said revenues in the second quarter of 2016 rose 14 percent to P10.7 billion from P9.4 billion year-on-year on strong volume growth.

Sahagun also credited the company’s strong second-quarter performance to operating efficiency programs that the company started early in the year.

The company raised prices by an average of 2.2 percent in the second quarter of 2016.

Sahagun is optimistic about Holcim Philippines’s business prospects for the remainder of the year.

“The new administration’s vow to further increase infrastructure investments to 7 percent of GDP [gross domestic product] bodes well for the entire country,” Sahagun said.

“Holcim Philippines stands ready to support the country’s sustained development by working to keep the market supplied through the timely completion of our project increasing cement capacity to 10 million tons and through the introduction of more innovative construction solutions...,” he said.

Aside from increasing spending, the Duterte administration also plans to continue projects under the public-private partnership scheme to speed up infrastructure development.

Stock market falls; Cebu Air advances

S

TOCKS retreated Thursday along with most Asian markets on profit taking and worries over the size of the Bank of Japan’s expected stimulus.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 75.50 points, or 0.9 percent, 8,024.98 on a value turnover of P10.1 billion. Losers beat gainers, 121 to 70, with 53 issues unchanged.

Ayala Land Inc. fell 2.4 percent to P40, while parent Ayala Corp. lost 2 percent to P890.

SM Prime Holdings Inc., the biggest integrated property de-

veloper, slipped 1.7 percent to P29.55, while JG Summit Holdings Inc. of industrialist John Gokongwei skidded 3 percent to P84.25. Unit Cebu Air Inc., the largest budget carrier, surged 5.2 percent to P105.20.

The dollar, meanwhile, sank Thursday after the Federal Reserve indicated it would take a slow, measured approach to any

interest rate hikes, while Tokyo led most Asian markets lower.

After a closely watched meeting the Fed held borrowing costs but noted the world’s top economy had improved and expressed less fear about the impact of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union last month.

The meeting followed a string of positive readings—particularly on jobs growth and key consumer spending— that has fanned speculation of a tightening in monetary policy despite weakness in most other global economies.

“There is a lot of data between now and the mid-September policy meeting, so more evidence of solid growth

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2016

52 Weeks

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High Low

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7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance 3.61 Asia United Bank 47.4 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 114.30 Bank of PI 97.70 China Bank 38.1 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 4.10 Bright Kindle Resources 1.70 COL Financial 17.04 Eastwest Bank 20.4 Filipino Fund Inc. 6.83 I-Remit Inc. 1.94 Manulife Fin. Corp.

600.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.630 Metrobank 96 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.91 PB Bank 14.62 Phil. National Bank 63.65 Phil. Savings Bank 99.95 PSE Inc. 280 RCBC `A’ 32.75 Security Bank 213.8 Sun Life Financial 1410.00 Union Bank 71.75 Vantage Equities 1.57

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.2 Agrinurture Inc. 3.5 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.91 Alsons Cons.

1.94 Asiabest Group 13 Bogo Medelin 52.2 Cemex Holdings 12.04 Century Food 17.12 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 170 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 21.9 Concepcion 61 Crown Asia 2.4 Da Vinci Capital 5.88 Del Monte 12.8 DNL Industries Inc. 10.100 Emperador 7.50 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.95 EEI 9.80 Euro-Med Lab 1.8 First Gen Corp.

25.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 72.2 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.00 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.64 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.74 Ionics Inc 2.350 Jollibee Foods Corp.

258.00 Liberty Flour 40.00 LMG Chemicals 2.06 Mabuhay Vinyl 3.7 Macay Holdings 32.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 26.6 Maxs Group 28.7 Megawide 10.7 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 325.20 MG Holdings 0.270 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.23 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.46 Petron Corporation 10.94 Phinma Corporation 11.66 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.70 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.6 RFM Corporation 4.34 Roxas and Co. 2.3 Roxas Holdings 3.82 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 210.4 Splash Corporation 3.04 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.156 TKC Steel Corp.

1.96 Trans-Asia Oil 2.38 Universal Robina 203 Victorias Milling 4.5 Vitarich Corp.

1.29 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.29

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Abacus Cons. `A’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor `A’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp `A’ BHI Holdings Inc. Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Mabuhay Holdings `A’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp `A’ Seafront `A’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.400 80.15 16.30 1.26 6.20 0.395 0.395 908 1199.00 8.19 13.00 5.98 6.96 0.225 1560 6.74 86.90 7.76 0.74 15.9 0.480 7.47 0.0330 1.270 1.960 82.35 2.41 1021.00 1.27 0.89 194.500 0.3350 0.2020 0.305

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 5.6 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 2.8 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop `A’ Arthaland Corp.

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Cebu Holdings Cebu Prop. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’

8.140 1.33 2.410 0.285 41.000 3.25 5.15 5.73 0.630 1.03 1.060 0.136 0.710 59.9 0.850 1.14 1.98 1.20 5.1 0.131 0.2850 0.495

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.62 3.6 47.35 46 114.30 113.50 98.60 96.80 38.2 38 4.13 4.05 1.73 1.68 17 16.8 20.7 20.4 6.87 6.86 1.94 1.94 595.00 595.00 0.640 0.610 96.15 94.5 0.92 0.92 14.7 14.66 64.30 62.40 101.9 99.95 286 280 32.7 32.1 215 212.8 1460.00 1405.00 72.00 71.75 1.57 1.54 INDUSTRIAL 45.4 44.85 3.58 3.4 0.96 0.87 1.9 1.79 13.02 12.68 51.25 51.25 12.3 12.04 17.04 16.7 169 160 22 21.6 61 57.5 2.44 2.32 5.9 5.75 13 12.7 10.160 9.780 7.58 7.41 5.93 5.81 10.16 9.70 1.75 1.75 26 25.15 72.4 71.5 12.10 12.00 15.98 15.64 5.75 5.7 2.370 2.330 258.00 255.80 40.20 40.20 2.15 2.02 3.7 3.5 33.40 32.00 26.6 25.9 29 27.95 11.52 10.72 325.20 323.00 0.275 0.270 4.49 4.49 3.43 3.43 10.94 10.60 11.66 11.66 6.03 5.90 1.75 1.69 3.7 3.46 4.36 4.20 2.31 2.3 3.82 3.8 229 210.6 3.04 3.04 0.156 0.154 2.00 1.88 2.38 2.34 202.8 199.8 4.5 4.5 1.46 1.28 1.30 1.29 HOLDING FIRMS 0.420 0.395 81.45 77.40 16.44 16.10 1.26 1.23 6.20 6.16 0.405 0.380 0.395 0.390 907 882 1250.00 1250.00 8.19 7.98 13.06 12.82 6.3 6 6.98 6.90 0.233 0.233 1565 1548 6.87 6.70 86.90 84.00 7.88 7.6 0.77 0.75 15.88 15.5 0.480 0.480 7.49 7.41 0.0330 0.0330 1.270 1.250 1.990 1.960 83.10 81.95 2.42 2.42 1029.00 1012.00 1.27 1.26 0.87 0.87 194.800 194.000 0.3550 0.3300 0.2040 0.2040 0.310 0.295 PROPERTY 8.140 8.050 1.35 1.24 2.420 2.350 0.285 0.285 40.950 39.850 3.26 3.23 5.12 5 5.8 5.8 0.65 0.610 1.02 1.02 1.050 1.030 0.141 0.133 0.730 0.690 61.4 57.3 0.850 0.830 1.15 1.09 1.99 1.96 1.21 1.20 5.15 5.05 0.136 0.117 0.2900 0.2900 0.495 0.470

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.6 47.35 114.30 98.60 38.1 4.13 1.72 16.8 20.4 6.86 1.94 595.00 0.610 95.4 0.92 14.7 62.75 101.9 280 32.45 214.6 1460.00 71.75 1.54

-0.28 -0.11 0.00 0.92 0.00 0.73 1.18 -1.41 0.00 0.44 0.00 -0.83 -3.17 -0.62 1.10 0.55 -1.41 1.95 0.00 -0.92 0.37 3.55 0.00 -1.91

64,000 4,300 1,734,230 1,193,360 17,100 25,000 625,000 127,300 253,900 11,100 77,000 50 1,653,000 2,013,920 45,000 5,500 211,730 150 16,360 39,000 858,910 25 210,060 240,000

45.35 3.5 0.88 1.83 12.98 51.25 12.18 17 160.2 22 58.9 2.35 5.75 12.72 9.880 7.50 5.90 9.75 1.75 26 71.75 12.10 15.88 5.73 2.340 258.00 40.20 2.12 3.5 32.00 26 29 11.3 324.60 0.275 4.49 3.43 10.78 11.66 6.03 1.73 3.52 4.36 2.3 3.8 214 3.04 0.154 1.89 2.35 200 4.5 1.4 1.29

0.33 0.00 -3.30 -5.67 -0.15 -1.82 1.16 -0.70 -5.76 0.46 -3.44 -2.08 -2.21 -0.63 -2.18 0.00 -0.84 -0.51 -2.78 0.39 -0.62 0.83 1.53 -0.17 -0.43 0.00 0.50 2.91 -5.41 0.00 -2.26 1.05 5.61 -0.18 1.85 6.15 -0.87 -1.46 0.00 1.34 1.76 -2.22 0.46 0.00 -0.52 1.71 0.00 -1.28 -3.57 -1.26 -1.48 0.00 8.53 0.00

3,218,900 3,753,000 2,486,000 12,366,000 2,800 10 24,810,900 932,800 1,860 10,239,900 6,550 3,943,000 717,500 192,900 7,559,000 3,320,500 10,297,300 1,374,400 11,000 2,366,500 269,070 18,500 379,800 181,300 1,115,000 811,570 500 120,000 19,000 9,500 2,233,300 432,300 7,509,400 275,100 100,000 22,000 101,000 6,323,800 1,600 173,800 788,000 1,423,000 137,000 8,000 14,000 137,440 755,000 1,910,000 3,963,000 3,771,000 1,276,510 2,000 116,703,000 17,000

0.400 78.00 16.14 1.25 6.16 0.390 0.390 890 1250.00 8.1 13.00 6.1 6.98 0.233 1565 6.80 84.25 7.67 0.75 15.8 0.480 7.45 0.0330 1.270 1.980 83.00 2.42 1025.00 1.26 0.87 194.500 0.3300 0.2040 0.300

0.00 -2.68 -0.98 -0.79 -0.65 -1.27 -1.27 -1.98 4.25 -1.10 0.00 2.01 0.29 3.56 0.32 0.89 -3.05 -1.16 1.35 -0.63 0.00 -0.27 0.00 0.00 1.02 0.79 0.41 0.39 -0.79 -2.25 0.00 -1.49 0.99 -1.64

5,050,000 2,204,600 4,869,100 285,000 27,400 8,820,000 280,000 354,720 30 1,966,100 12,143,900 158,100 234,100 10,000 151,495 45,900 3,441,900 579,000 244,000 7,158,700 100,000 48,376,500 1,700,000 189,000 130,000 172,140 15,000 343,645 189,000 26,000 13,780 28,000,000 10,000 3,070,000

8.070 1.25 2.410 0.285 40.000 3.24 5 5.8 0.640 1.02 1.040 0.140 0.690 57.5 0.840 1.09 1.97 1.21 5.12 0.117 0.2900 0.480

-0.86 -6.02 0.00 0.00 -2.44 -0.31 -2.91 1.22 1.59 -0.97 -1.89 2.94 -2.82 -4.01 -1.18 -4.39 -0.51 1.03 0.39 -10.69 1.75 -3.03

344,200 10,775,000 1,981,000 30,000 9,779,800 400,000 171,000 2,000 19,388,000 102,000 59,000 29,930,000 20,496,000 3,033,040 1,519,000 12,127,000 44,295,000 29,000 37,260,200 54,530,000 70,000 490,000

52 Weeks

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STOCKS

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High

Low

27 4,300 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

23

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

39.60

2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

10.5 66 1.09 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 0.63 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95

1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.8 6

20,043,430.00 534,244.50 12,000.00 -146,072.00 9,695.00 106,566,838.00 106,566,838.00

1.040 22.8 6.41 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

-42,796,135.00 -2,528,220.00 5,303,338.00 42,649,792.00

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

2GO Group’ 7.35 ABS-CBN 50.5 APC Group, Inc. 0.600 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.99 Bloomberry 5.90 Boulevard Holdings 0.1000 Calata Corp.

2.84 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 100 Centro Esc. Univ.

10.1 Discovery World 1.93 DFNN Inc. 5.90 Globe Telecom 2270 GMA Network Inc. 6.32 Golden Haven 16.60 Harbor Star 1.20 I.C.T.S.I. 65.95 Imperial Res. `A’ 23.15 Imperial Res. `B’ 180 IPeople Inc. `A’ 11.98 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0090 IPM Holdings 9.38 Island Info 0.350 ISM Communications 1.7500 Jackstones 2.69 LBC Express 12.74 Leisure & Resorts 6.58 Liberty Telecom 3.09 Lorenzo Shipping 1.08 Manila Jockey 1.99 Melco Crown 3.65 Metro Retail 5.67 NOW Corp.

3.530 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 12.1 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.10 Phil. Racing Club 8.61 Phil. Seven Corp.

137.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 16.10 PLDT Common 2120.00 PremiereHorizon 0.440 Premium Leisure 1.130 Puregold 48.50 Robinsons RTL 84.90 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.49 SSI Group 3.20 STI Holdings 0.650 Transpacific Broadcast 1.9 Travellers 3.6 Waterfront Phils.

0.330 Yehey 6.550 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0041 Apex `A’ 2.99 Atlas Cons. `A’ 4.27 Basic Energy Corp.

0.229 Benguet Corp `A’ 6.9400 Benguet Corp `B’ 6.7000 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.65 Coal Asia 0.490 Dizon 8.65 Ferronickel 0.880 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.290 Lepanto `A’ 0.231 Lepanto `B’ 0.250 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0120 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0130 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.8 Nickelasia 5.52 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.83 Omico 0.5700 Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.1500 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0120 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0120 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.15 Philex `A’ 8.50 PhilexPetroleum 4.06 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

119.50 TA Petroleum 3.7 United Paragon 0.0110

17.1 16.8 33.85 32.75 1.79 1.75 3.34 3.32 30.05 28.90 0.98 0.94 6.98 6.21 1.180 1.050 6.250 6.000 SERVICES 7.4 7.3 50.6 49.35 0.610 0.590 6.08 5.99 5.89 5.55 0.1180 0.1010 2.9 2.82 106.1 101 10.1 10.1 1.92 1.86 5.89 5.51 2280 2238 6.34 6.30 16.70 16.06 1.22 1.19 66.05 65 23.50 20.80 175 170 11.02 11 0.0090 0.0087 9.39 9.25 0.360 0.340 1.7500 1.7000 2.82 2.68 12.8 12.68 6.70 6.54 3.21 3.07 1.10 1.06 2.02 2.02 3.66 3.4 5.77 5.52 3.530 3.390 12.08 11.94 5.24 5.10 8.62 8.35 138.00 134.80 16.10 15.70 2136.00 2098.00 0.455 0.435 1.130 1.110 48.70 47.00 86.15 84.90 6.54 6.35 3.24 3.15 0.650 0.630 1.88 1.87 3.6 3.56 0.335 0.330 6.700 6.610

47,320.00 1,968,768 15,115,812.50 -41,300.00 1,092,000.00 -705,720.00

49,600.00 23,755,086.00 3,813,311.00 1,313,256.00 153,265 61,148,666.00 29,200.00 142,732.50 -13,423,865.00 -18,000.00 72,400.00 81,119,864.00 -4,023,736.00 -9,720.00 -32,450 429,200.00 -2,560.00 -13,833,849.00 -5,057,823.00 -6,522,563.00 -114,945.00

343,000.00 23,316,146.00 46,330.00 112,020.00 -4,300.00 -1,181,466.00 31,200.00 2,467,000.00 58,887,120 -1,457,540.00

-68,263,166.00 27,976,094.00 -30,900.00 -44,534,795.00 5,261,107.00 83,113,490.00 1,396,000.00 34,091,915.00 -10,615,266.00 382,698.00 78,540.00 52,381,144.00 145,230,016.00

70 553 525 515 8.21 12.28 111 1047 78.95 84.8

4,420,714.00 -16,890,635.00 6.98 -239,303.00 27,200.00

15 12.88

203,500.00 -86,000.00 -198,220.00 -73,403,970.00 269,610.00 -62,000.00 -140,000.00 -833,220.00 25,663,751.00 66,584,150.00 -15,157,460.00 160,340.00

130.7

17 33.15 1.78 3.3 30.05 0.97 7 1.140 6.210

Close

39.50

0.0041 0.0041 3.50 3.00 4.29 4.24 0.232 0.230 6.94 6.5 7.1600 6.7000 0.65 0.63 0.490 0.480 8.65 8.56 0.890 0.870 0.295 0.290 0.238 0.229 0.250 0.244 0.0120 0.0120 0.0130 0.0130 1.8 1.79 5.72 5.52 2.89 2.79 0.5800 0.5500 1.1400 1.1200 0.0120 0.0110 0.0130 0.0120 4.15 4.12 8.75 8.58 4.08 3.90 0.0120 0.0120 120.00 118.90 3.95 3.7 0.0110 0.0110 PREFERRED 33 ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 49.5 51.45 48.05 490 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 520 520 519.5 500 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 545.5 545.5 545 CDD Pref 105 105.1 103 480 GLOBE PREF P 543 545 545 5.88 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.1 6.1 6.1 6.5 Leisure and Resort 1.07 1.07 1.07 101 MWIDE PREF 111.8 112 111.8 1011 PF Pref 2 1021 1021 1021 74.5 SMC Preferred B 77 77 77 75 SMC Preferred C 81.5 81.15 81.1 SMC Preferred E 79 79 79 SMC Preferred F 79 79 79 SMC Preferred G 79 79.85 79.85 SMC Preferred H 77.1 77.1 77.1 SMC Preferred I 77.1 77.2 77.1 WARRANTS & BONDS 0.8900 LR Warrant 2.710 2.820 2.700 SME Alterra Capital 5.15 5.1 4.75 3.5 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.46 3.49 3.47 Italpinas 5.8 6.28 5.45 5.95 Xurpas 17.96 18.18 17.48 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 105.6 First Metro ETF 132.4 132.5 131

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

25,521,353

INDUSTRIAL

238,712,929

HOLDING FIRMS

131,454,549

PROPERTY

294,154,424

SERVICES

913,671,600

MINING & OIL

659,271,721

GRAND TOTAL

2,285,732,881

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

39.00

39.00

-

1

.

5

2

16.8 33.00 1.77 3.32 29.55 0.96 6.98 1.070 6.150

-1.18 -0.45 -0.56 0.61 -1.66 -1.03 -0.29 -6.14 -0.97

232,900 3,889,400 476,000 34,000 16,201,500 2,966,000 1,900 7,742,000 13,528,500

7.32 49.6 0.610 5.99 5.58 0.1180 2.85 105.2 10.1 1.86 5.73 2254 6.33 16.48 1.20 65.8 21.95 170 11 0.0088 9.39 0.345 1.7000 2.68 12.8 6.58 3.09 1.06 2.02 3.4 5.67 3.410 12.02 5.24 8.35 137.00 15.88 2110.00 0.445 1.130 48.35 86.00 6.35 3.20 0.650 1.87 3.59 0.335 6.640

-0.41 -1.78 1.67 0.00 -5.42 18.00 0.35 5.20 0.00 -3.63 -2.88 -0.70 0.16 -0.72 0.00 -0.23 -5.18 -5.56 -8.18 -2.22 0.11 -1.43 -2.86 -0.37 0.47 0.00 0.00 -1.85 1.51 -6.85 0.00 -3.40 -0.66 2.75 -3.02 0.00 -1.37 -0.47 1.14 0.00 -0.31 1.30 -2.16 0.00 0.00 -1.58 -0.28 1.52 1.37

1,970,200 130,810 478,000 16,100 9,879,900 777,030,000 1,739,000 2,892,140 1,400 52,000 421,900 60,645 156,200 583,400 176,000 931,280 240,400 920 3,500 35,000,000 341,900 16,630,000 2,048,000 85,000 9,600 465,000 427,000 8,000 1,000 11,558,000 14,783,400 8,225,000 38,400 9,500 6,300 670 171,400 126,940 1,860,000 4,882,000 1,654,500 797,960 1,296,000 2,326,000 6,886,000 16,000 4,179,000 370,000 99,600

0.0041 3.19 4.26 0.230 6.6500 7.1600 0.63 0.480 8.56 0.880 0.290 0.230 0.244 0.0120 0.0130 1.79 5.7 2.88 0.5800 1.1200 0.0120 0.0120 4.15 8.69 3.90 0.0120 119.20 3.73 0.0110

0.00 6.69 -0.23 0.44 -4.18 6.87 -3.08 -2.04 -1.04 0.00 0.00 -0.43 -2.40 0.00 0.00 -0.56 3.26 1.77 1.75 -2.61 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.24 -3.94 0.00 -0.25 0.81 0.00

405,000,000 4,198,000 182,000 210,000 5,900 1,200 787,000 250,000 28,600 9,189,000 120,000 29,390,000 5,560,000 69,900,000 32,900,000 285,000 4,167,200 609,000 245,000 406,000 6,800,000 7,300,000 10,000 3,755,800 8,224,000 62,100,000 640,910 255,000 6,500,000

49 520 545 104.2 545 6.1 1.07 112 1021 77 81.1 79 79 79.85 77.1 77.2

-1.01 0.00 -0.09 -0.76 0.37 0.00 0.00 0.18 0.00 0.00 -0.49 0.00 0.00 1.08 0.00 0.13

60,600 2,860 4,300 244,100 30 400,000 15,000 5,550 510 27,570 61,100 71,500 420 12,480 784,900 61,910

-321,250.00 -1,414,400.00

2.710

0.00

349,000

59,620.00

4.91 3.47 5.69 17.68

-4.66 0.29 -1.90 -1.56

8,440,800 360,368.00 12,000 11,827,500 4,203,358.00 2,651,700 -1,102,906.00

131.8

-0.45

14,240

-341,400.00 71,475,220.00 -18,715,100.00 13,910.00 740,178.00 -13,885,964.00 -1,208.00 8,799,069.00 -2,500,000.00 42,780.00 75,144,671.00 80,514.00 -53,138,030.00 -153,102.00 -28,694,431.00

and rising inflation could lead the Fed to act,” Richard Jerram, chief economist at Bank of Singapore, said in a note.

“However, they tend to err on the side of caution so we think it is more likely that they wait until December.”

The Dow and S&P 500 ended slightly lower, while in Asia the dollar retreated against most other currencies.

The Japanese government’s announcement Wednesday of a 28 trillion yen stimulus— without releasing details— was unable to provide much excitement in Tokyo, where the Nikkei index ended 1.1 percent lower.

Elsewhere, Hong Kong slipped 0.2 percent by the close and Singapore was 0.9 percent off in the afternoon while Seoul ended down 0.2 percent and Manila dived 1.4 percent. Sydney, however, added 0.3 percent, while Shanghai edged up 0.1 percent after suffering a hefty loss Wednesday.

“Investors are wary that the BoJ will disappoint and it’ll lead to a bout of selling,” Mitsushige Akino, a Tokyobased executive officer at Ichiyoshi Asset Management, told Bloomberg News.

The greenback fell to 104.75 yen from 105.31 yen in New York. The euro rose to $1.1091 from $1.1062, and well up from $1.0989 seen earlier Wednesday in Asia.

With AFP

3,004,150.00 -86,250.00 3,610.00 1,823,411 -135,960.00 5,610,660.00 15,891,743.00 314,650.00

-34,146.00 -285,692.00 42,722,570.00 11,344,660.00 2,092,449.50 63,500.00 509,190.00 128,000.00 -4,383,880.00

-92,550.00 4,210.00

1,072,670.00 293,870.00 -75,130.00 3,317,154.00 31,900.00

11,738,877.00 -3,021,270.00 14,529,248.00 -11,370.00

61,880.00 -2,440,000.00

-2,433,100

-2,299,122.00 547,410.00

VALUE 1,828.02 (up) 2.09 2,344,965,047.04 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 12,181.98 (down) 79.55 2,024,921,627.08 HOLDING FIRMS 7,887.34 (down) 89.05 2,309,679,250.915 PROPERTY 3,619.29 (down) 64.49 1,656.73(down) 6.04 1,715,556,445.52 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,099.19 (up) 37.82 1,380,193,257.335 PSEI 8,024.98 (down) 75.50 204,454,926.302 All Shares Index 4,790.67 (down) 32.03 10,138,381,226.195 Gainers: 70; Losers:121; Unchanged: 53; Total: 244

Maynilad completes reservoir in Cavite MAYNILAD Water Services Inc., a unit of Metro Pacific Investments Corp., completed the construction of the P466-million Toclong Pumping Station and Reservoir in Kawit, Cavite province.

Maynilad said the facility, which could store up to 35 million liters of water, was equipped with high-efficiency pumps to increase water pressure for some 19,000 households in Cavite, especially the municipalities of Noveleta and Rosario and the cities of Cavite and Kawit.

The pumping station and reservoir is expected to start operations in September this year.

The new reservoir will enhance Maynilad’s waterholding capacity and enable it to store water during nonpeak hours and bring the stored water to customers during peak demand, especially in elevated areas.

“Maynilad currently has about 800,000 customers in Cavite, but there are still a lot of people in this area who are not yet connected to our network. Building new pumping stations and reservoirs will enable us to bring potable surface water to more areas in Cavite, where we hope to end communities’ reliance on groundwater supply,” said Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ramoncito Fernandez.

Fernandez cited that the over-extraction of groundwater had a negative impact on the environment.

Maynilad said it now has 27 pumping stations and 26 reservoirs in strategic locations in its concession area, up from the seven operational pumping stations and seven reservoirs in 2006 before the company was re-privatized.

Maynilad earlier said it was spending some P1 billion this year for the construction, upgrade and rehabilitation of pumping stations and reservoirs.

The water company is set to build these new facilities in north Caloocan and Cavite.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Business

B3

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

PHILIPS-FITNESS FIRST PARTNERSHIP. Leading

healthy innovations brand Philips signs a partnership agreement with Fitness First to continue its mission in leading the Filipinos towards a healthier and more comfortable life.

From June to November, all 14 Fitness First gyms in the country will host a Philips Lifestyle cube – a showcase of state-of-the-art healthy technologies. Shown sealing the agreement are Fitness First senior general manager Gene Matthew Scott (left) and Philips Philippines commercial leader for personal health sector RJ Buenaventura.

Giving transgender women a voice THE election of Geraldine Roman as Bataan representative has focused attention once more on the issue of transgender women. This time, under a more positive light, unlike the high profile death of another transgender in the hands of a young American soldier. Roman—who follows in the footsteps of her parents Antonino and Herminia who both served as Bataan 1st District representatives—has broken the proverbial glass ceiling as her win (by an overwhelming 62 percent of the votes) indicates that Filipinos are indeed becoming more accepting of the members of the LGBT community, seeing them for the individuals that they are and focusing on their qualifications instead of giving in to long-held biases. Not an easy feat considering that the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country.

Roman after all has the credentials and qualification – not to mention the political pedigree which in this country, matters a lot to the electorate (whether for good or bad is on a case-tocase basis. Compared to other legislators (the Senate included), Roman has better qualifications. She is after all well educated, having attended Ateneo and the University of the Philippines, obtaining two master’s degrees from the University of the Basque in Spain according to her published CV. And oh, she reportedly speaks several languages—Spanish, French, Italian.

A journalist by profession, Roman is expected to add her voice to the 17th Congress and perhaps focus on issues close to the heart of the LGBT community like gender discrimination, for instance. During the campaign, she admitted having been bullied in school but it was her parents who gave her the confidence and the strength to stay true to her “identity.”

Geraldine (who had sex reassignment surgery and had her gender legally changed) of course is more fortunate than others who continue to suffer from discrimination and bullying. Even those who go through sex reassignment and other procedures to become totally female in appearance still go through rough times—and this usually happens the minute they open their mouths because the voice that comes out is that of a male’s (baritone for many).

Can you just imagine the moment when an attractive female in a sexy getup, who’s getting second and third looks from interested guys who try a pickup line suddenly responds in an unmistakably masculine voice? According to reports, this small clinic in South Korea is slowly gaining a reputation as the go-to surgical facility for “voice feminization” surgeries.

Known as the Yeson Voice Center (whose tagline goes “A Better Life With A Newer Voice”), this facility is said to be South Korea’s first and largest institution that provides specialized care and surgery for voice. Going through the website with its medical explanations will probably cause one to “nosebleed” but the bottom line is that it has helped a lot of trannies have a voice – literally – that can make a big difference in their lives.

According to reports, the state-of-the-art “phonoplasty” center started offering voice feminization surgery in 1999 and to date, has treated almost 400 patients that come from all over the globe, with Americans being the top patients (almost 25 percent). The clinic’s fame has spread by word of mouth and through the power of social media with interest spiking up when a happy patient created a video diary of her experience. Since then, Dr. Hyung Tae Kim, the hospital director, has become in demand, so to speak. Yeson by the way is a combination of the Chinese word “ye” which means art, and the French word “son” which means sound. In other words, “artistic sound.”

••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo. com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/happyhourmanilastandard. We’d be very happy to hear from you. Cheers!

HERO IT IS one of those mental exercises we like to ask students to engage in. Imagine your retirement party. What kind of career would you want to be able to look back upon? What would you like people to say about you?

This week, we had exactly that sort of gathering for one of the professors of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM).

Jesus “Jess” Guinto Gallegos, Jr. turned 70 this month and Wednesday this week, the AIM community came together to wish him well in his retirement and to celebrate his almost 40 years of teaching in AIM. Lessons In 2007, the AIM Master in Business Management class of 1973 published a book called Taking AIM. Jess wrote one of the chapters. He begins the chapter with this statement: “Experience is the worst teacher, for it gives the test before presenting the lesson.”

In fact, one of the reasons the case method can be so effective and powerful is that it allows students to learn the lessons of experience, without having to risk the consequences of mistakes. And this is what Jess writes about. He takes his own experiences and distills them into a few lessons, illustrated by his own personal experiences as a leader and management professional.

Jess summarizes his leadership lessons in three short statements: “Be the difference. Walk the Talk. Live the

Aboitiz’s net income climbs 34% to P10.5b C

By Alena Mae S. Flores

onglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. said Thursday net income jumped 34 percent in the first half to P10.5 billion from P7.8 billion a year ago, on the back of higher power sales.

Aboitiz Equity said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the higher income translated into P1.89 in earnings per share.

Power accounted for 67.1 percent of total income, followed by banking and financial services with 16.8 percent, food with 7.8 percent, infrastructure with 7.6 percent and land strategic business with 0.7 percent.

AEV incurred a non-recurring

gain of P100 million in the first half, versus last year’s one-time loss of P110 million, which largely resulted from the power unit’s gain on step acquisition of East Asia Utilities Corp.

AEV said adjusting for these one-offs, unit Aboitiz Power Corp.’s core net income hit P10.4 billion, up by 31 percent from a year ago.

“Our two-pronged strategy

of organic growth in our existing businesses and diversifying our income streams from our fifth leg—infrastructure-related businesses—is on track and paying off. We are very pleased with the strong contribution of our cement business and the prospects of infrastructure moving forward,” said AEV president and chief executive Erramon Aboitiz.

Aboitiz Power’s first-half bottomline performance recorded a 24 percent year-on-year increase to P10 billion from P8 billion, which translated into earnings per share of P1.35.

The revaluation of consolidated dollar-denominated assets and liabilities resulted in a non-recurring loss of P70 million, down from last year’s loss of P142 million.

Adjusting for the foreign exchange losses and the one-offs recognized by the parent in the second quarter, Aboitiz Power’s core net income in the first semester amounted to P9.8 billion, up by 20 percent from a year earlier.

“Together with our partners, our net sellable capacity has grown to 3,350 MW. We are pursuing more projects – baseload, solar, biomass, hydro and geothermal—that will allow us to strengthen our balanced mix portfolio,”Aboitiz Power president and chief operating officer Antonio Moraza said.

Moraza said it was important to provide a balanced mix of energy to support the needs of the country with adequate, reliable and competitively priced power.

DA seeking P71-b budget next year Philex

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales to achieve rice sufficiency status THE Agriculture Department is asking for a higher budget of P71 billion in 2017 to boost rice production, Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said Thursday.

“The new budget I submitted to Budget Department is no longer P46 billion, but P71 billion because that already includes the first tranche of the three-year rice productivity enhancement program,” Piñol told reporters.

Piñol said the rice program would cost the government a total of P64 billion over the next three years. The first tranche of the budget will be P31 billion, he said.

He said the government aimed

absolutes.”

One of my favorite sections in what he wrote is this: “When you’re the right person at the right time, take on the higher calling.” In this section, he references his experience as Dean of the AIM. This was a time when the roles of the AIM leadership team were very clear.

The president was the chief executive officer, public face, and chief fundraiser for the Institute. The dean was chief operating officer, responsible for the dayto-day running of the institute.

Leader Jess was Dean and Chief Operating Officer of the Asian Institute of Management from 1995 to 2000. At the end of his Deanship, AIM was ranked number one in Executive Education, number one in Executive MBA, number 3 in the full-time MBA and number 3 in Reputation in all of Asia.

These milestones were not achieved during a time of plenty. When the Asian financial crisis hit in 1997, AIM had a dollar-denominated loan and in the AIM faculty conference in January of 1998, we determined that AIM would run out of cash in three months. Jess allowed the finance faculty to address the immediate financial concerns and then went to the Board and the rest of the Institute. He did not propose a solution. Rather, he laid out the situation and galvanized support.

Jess, you see, was walking the talk.

Jess says this about his empowerment experience: “If you want power, give it away. And if you want to be effective, do not be in control.”

Jess always says that he thanks the entire AIM community for pulling through during this time of great difficulty. But the best and simplest way to understand his essential management style is to listen to what

by 2019.

“For next year, I reduced the allocation for the farm-to-market roads. Our focus will be on production and on seeds, inputs, new harvest areas, fertilizers and more irrigation projects,” Piñol said.

Data from the department set a palay (unmilled rice) production target of 18.517 million metric tons in 2017, 20.342 million MT in 2018 and 21.626 million MT in 2019.

Piñol said there was a need to attain rice sufficiency, on the effects of climate change.

“The climate change changed the whole scene in the agriculture sector. Nobody could assure me that there will be no El Niño in the next years,” Piñol said.

Rose Quiambao, who was his chief of staff when he was dean says about it: “For Jess, we were part of the solution, not part of the problem.” What Jess has always understood is that when you give people your support and your confidence, they will deliver.

At the end of Jess’ term as AIM COO, in May of 2000, AIM had a cash reserve of over 200 million pesos.

Absolutes When George Tan, then Chief Financial Officer left AIM to take a corporate job at the end of 1997, Jess asked me to be his CFO. One of the first things he asked me to do was to take a tour of AIM. He said this: you cannot manage something you do not completely understand. When you make a recommendation to Jess, you must be utterly certain you have all your facts straight.

However, as cerebral as he is, Jess is a thoroughly warm human being.

Not only is he universally admired and respected – that’s not too hard for an AIM professor. Jess is well-loved. Jess, you see, is intensely curious about people and really, truly cares – not just in the abstract collective but in the tangible specific. I once sat beside him on a four hour flight and he spent that entire flight interviewing me. He has this need to truly understand the people he works with. When Jess gives you advice, he seeks to understand the situation from your point of view. But also, he pulls at you to choose the higher path. Jess is always teaching.

Of all his leadership lessons, I love the last one best. “Live the absolutes.” When he was Dean and I was his CFO, there was one question he would keep going back to: What is the right thing to do? It was not what is easy or what is profitable or even what is required – although we, of course, were always legally compliant.

Piñol said under the rice program, farmers would also be obliged to open an account where they would deposit the equivalent of the input or seeds given to them for free.

“We will do this so that next planting season..., farmers will have funds to buy seeds,” Piñol said.

Pinol earlier said that aside from achieving rice sufficiency, the government would also aim to have enough rice stock for the country.

“At the end of the term of the president, my vision is to be able to come up with a grain surplus stock, good for six months. And we will be putting up grain silos in critical areas all over the country,” Piñol said.

The essential goal was to do what is right. No matter how difficult or painful, the goal was to do what is right. Jess doesn’t just teach ethics, he lives it and he demands it of those he works with.

Better There are friends who celebrate with you, and friends you run to when you are sad or need advice. For me, Jess is all of those. But he is also more. Jess is what I call a “challenge-friend.” On the day I told him that I had successfully defended my dissertation, he gave me all of a few minutes to bask in his congratulations and then he asked this: “What’s your next mountain?”

You see, Jess truly believes in all those absolutes. He lives in an enduring faith that anything worth doing is worth doing well. He believes life should be lived at full throttle, to the best of your ability.

And even on those days you give up on yourself, he will refuse to give up on you. He will poke you and prod you and make you stand up, and move again. He will force you to name a fresh dream, set out on a fresh path. He is the friend that almost forces you to be a better human being.

Jess has been many things to me: wise mentor, shoulder to cry on, refuge, pillar to lean on, role model, inspiration. Yet the one word he uses to describe me is the one I value the most. Jess calls me friend.

It was a pleasure and an honor to work with Jess. But it is an enduring joy to be his friend. Thank you Jess for everything, and happy birthday!

Readers can email Maya at integrations_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http://integrations. tumblr.com.

earned P757m in first half PHILEX Mining Corp. said Thursday net income grew 34 percent in the first half from a year ago, on higher copper output and improved gold prices.

Philex said in a disclosure to the stock exchange net income reached P757 million in January to June, up from P565 million in the same period last year.

Core net income, which excludes one-time gains, jumped 49 percent in the six-month period to P774 million from P520 million a year ago.

Philex said Padcal mine in Benguet province milled 4.7 million metric tons of ore, up by 5 percent from 4.47 million MT in the first half of 2015.

Gold production went down to 49,589 ounces from 53,689 ounces on lower grades and metal recovery caused by an increasing presence of slimes at the current draw points.

Copper production, however, increased 3 percent to 17.3 million pounds from 16.9 million pounds last year.

Gold revenues increased to P2.95 billion from P2.84 billion on higher gold prices in the world market. Average realized prices reached $1,263 per ounce, or 6 percent higher than in the previous year.

Copper revenues reached P1.795 billion, down from P1.87 billion a year earlier, as average realized copper prices fell 18 percent to $2.14 per pound.

Philex said because of higher income during the six-month period, it declared a regular cash dividend of P0.03 per share to shareholders of record as of Aug. 10, 2016 and payable on Aug. 24, 2016.

“From an operational and financial standpoint, the pricing environment, at least for gold, has so far been favorable to us during the first half of the year,” said Philex president and chief executive Eulalio Austin Jr. “We hope this trend is sustained for the remainder of the year, which we aim to take full advantage of by further ramping up our production, which already started during the month of June,” Austin said.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

B4

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Heavy duty facility Isuzu inaugurates truck service and repair center

The service facility was designed for general repair and maintenance of medium to heavy trucks.

Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III

T

he country’s diesel authority Isuzu Philippines Corporation (IPC) solidified their dominance in the domestic truck industry with the recent inauguration of its massive truck facility. Held early this week at a newly constructed wing of Isuzu Manila, the truck service and repair center was built to accommodate medium to heavy truck customers.

“The Philippines’ robust economy presents both new opportunities and challenges for the business community, and the transport sector is not ex-

cluded from this position. With the opening of a new dedicated service center for large commercial-use vehicles in Isuzu Manila, Isuzu Philippines Corporation is

ensuring that companies involved in transporting goods and services have immediate and convenient access to highly qualified facilities, putting their respective businesses at an advantage,” IPC President Hajime Koso said.

Strategically located at the heart of the automotive row in Otis, Manila, Isuzu’s truck service shop is specifically designed to accommodate Isuzu F-Series, C-Series and E-Series truck models. The introduction of the new facility is a proactive response by IPC to present its clients the option of having their medium- and heavy-duty truck models repaired and maintained at a dedicated service center. Previously, servic-

ing of these types of trucks had to be conducted at clients’ respective premises.

Joseph Bautista, IPC’s Product Development head also revealed that the service facility keeps in stock an inventory of parts and components for Isuzu medium- and heavy-duty trucks, a move that would cut the possible downtime caused by delays in the delivery of required parts to customers. Other Isuzu dealerships only stock Preventive Maintenance Service (PMS) parts for these truck models. The additional service facilities at Isuzu Manila include a comprehensive parts stock bay, as well as a new customer lounge.

FASTLANE are active 4-wheelers know first-hand the demands made on protection equipment.

You won’t find a more thoroughly designed and manufactured vehicle protection system than Overland’s line of front, rear, side bumper protection and now the Atlas Series Roll Bar system. Designed to look good and to be functional, the Atlas Series is made of high quality iron, high strength and lightweight material and is available in black or glossy gray color. The Atlas Series also has limited edition version of which only 200 pieces will be made available worldwide.

Protect and enhance the capacity of your SUV with Overland. It is available in dealers nationwide and at the Overland showroom in Banawe, Quezon City.

THE Association of Vehicle Importers and Distributors (AVID) registered 103% growth or 45,420 units in the first half of 2016 from 22,371 in same period of 2015. Second quarter 2016 sales alone expanded by 74% with 24,260 units compare to 13,296 units the previous year.

Passenger Car (PC) sold 16,618 units which is an 87% rise from the 8,876 units recorded in the 1st semester of 2015. Second quarter PC sales was even more phenomenal as the group recorded a 93% growth primarily driven by Hyundai with 6,021 units sold.

The Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment, on the other hand, surged by 113% in first half of the year with 28,802 units versus 13,495 units from the same period last year. This growth is largely boosted by 16,054 units sold by Ford which joined AVID in May 2015.

In the 2nd Quarter of 2016 alone, the group managed to hit 15,251 units which is 65% higher compared to the figures recorded last year.

Sales Outlook Anchored on sound macroeconomic fundamentals, PH economy significantly grew by 6.9% in Q1 2016 which is the highest since the second quarter of 2013 and makes the country the fastest growing economy in the region. This growth was mainly investment-driven from the demand side and fairly broad-based in terms of supply side. GDP growth is expected to sustain its momentum as the new administration vowed to continue macroeconomic policies implemented by the Aquino administration.

Externally, the heightened regional tensions coming from the recent arbitration ruling which favored Philippines over China on competing claims in the West Philippine Sea will likely keep key investors and markets on their toes. Nonetheless, auto purchase is seen to be tilted on the upside in light of increased consumer confidence and attractive roster of products.

Maxliner’s floor mats: Affordable protection

Engineered for off-road use BEHIND every Overland product are specially engineered and designed off-road equipment and gear like grille guards and brush guards that add protection and rugged looks to your vehicle. Roll bars add an appeal without overpowering the front of your vehicle. Most are made from heavy gauge steel tubing, and the Atlas roll bar system can also double as an equipment carrier and light bar base.

Engineering a roll bar requires careful consideration of a number of factors to ensure it properly serves its purpose.

Factors such as vehicle design, crush rate, accessory fitment, strength, weight and aesthetics are accessed in every Overland roll bar system before it enters production. Overland designs are engineered by people who

Isuzu’s large commercial vehicles have seen tremendous growth figures in the first half of 2016. Deliveries of Isuzu heavy-duty Category V trucks led IPC’s model range for the same period by logging an unparalleled 833.3-percent spike.

The record is aided by the increases achieved by Isuzu’s Category IV buses, which grew 25 percent, and Category IV trucks, which posted a 16.6-percent rise in sales. Combined, sales of IPC’s commercial trucks and buses in the first six months of the year have totaled to 2,703 units, a 36.7-percent surge from the 1,977-unit tally for the same months in 2015.

On a roll: Car group chalks up 10% sales

The two pillars of Child Safety Initiative: 50-meter Junior Driving Course and Child Seat Corner with age-appropriate child safety seats.

Volkswagen PH spreads news on child safety via mall tours VOLKSWAGEN Philippines steps up its award-winning Child Safety Initiative campaign this August to November 2016 by holding five mall tours in various urban centers.

The campaign introduces early childhood safety awareness to children as young as 4 to 8 years of age and imparts important road safety habits to their parents. The project also provides benefits during the rainy season as both motorists and pedestrians are exposed to increased risk of accidents caused by wet, slippery roads and poor visibility during inclement weather.

Volkswagen PH kicks off its CSI campaign on August 6 and 7 at Robinsons Magnolia in New Manila, Quezon City; August 20 and 21 at Robinsons Place Las Pinas; October 1 and 2 at Robinsons Place Lipa in Batangas; October 15 and 16 at Robinsons Galleria Cebu; and, November 5 and 6 at Robinsons Place Manila.

For these upcoming CSI tours at Robinsons malls, new features and attractions have been added

to the setup. Apart from the miniature simulated roadway within a community (complete with road signages, stoplights, and miniature vehicles) for the kids’ use at the Junior Driving Course, as well as the Child Seat Corner, there will also be a “Pledge Wall,” where children and parents can sign their commitment to the slogan “Child road safety begins with me” using a 6x6inch pledge sticker that they will sign and subsequently post at the Pledge Wall. Car stickers bearing a similar design as the pledge sticker will also be distributed as souvenirs to participants.

The CSI campaign will also highlight the Petron Seatbelt Impact Simulator in selected malls.

The simulator will demonstrate the crash impact of a vehicle running at 5 kph.

Wolfi, the Volkswagen mascot, will be present to liven up the venue and to attract more kids to participate. Wolfi will also serve to enhance the interaction between participants and the CSI

IT IS quite a hassle when a liquid substance is spilled in your car’s carpet. Not only will it leave a stench inside your vehicle, worse, you will have to pay a hefty amount of money to have the interiors of your car cleaned and detailed.

Recently, Maxliner, a known OEM supplier of bedliners introduced an innovative product to address spillage problem inside our vehicles. The 3D digital mapped floormats is an inexpensive and basic universal floor mat designed to provide some protection for your car’s carpet or spruce up an older car on a tight budget.

With Maxliner’s experience as an OEM supplier of bedliners for big name brands such as Toyota, Ford, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Chevrolet, Maxliner spent a considerable amount of money, time and effort to come up with the 3D digital mapped floormats.

Unlike basic universal floor mats, they’re designed to precisely fit specific vehicles, providing edge-to-edge coverage of the foot wells. They also have raised edg-

es around their perimeters to trap and contain liquid. All of this better protects your car’s carpets from water, dirt, mud and other messy things that can get trapped into the vehicle’s carpets or spilled onto the floor. “Our products also have patterns around the floormats that channel away fluids from your feet to a reservoir at the rear edges. Since Maxliner is an OEM supplier, our 3D digital mapped floormats are easy to install, remove and fits most cars, pick-ups and SUV’s,” explains Peter Vargas of the Outdoors Club. “Our floor mats are also designed to not move around or slip on the floor and the best thing about it is they are easy to clean,” adds Vargas.

With 200 hours spent on research development, Maxliner’s 3D digital mapped floormats are the most affordable and best designed in comparison to its nearest competitor which is double the price. It is also the floormat of choice of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Dino Ray V. Directo III This premium and affordable floormat offers protection for your car’s interior.

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

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NOCTURNE. In spite of scattered thunderstorms the Manila Bay sunset remains mesmerizingly gloomy. SONNY ESPIRITU

ARMM islands electrified

By A. Perez Rimando

C

OTABATO CITY—The Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s island provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BaSulTa) will soon see a stable supply of electricity after an IndonesianIndian firm decided to make available a P400-million eight-megawatt diesel-fed power barge in each of the three areas, an ARMM official said.

IN BRIEF 17 Eastern Visayas cops promoted ORMOC CITY—Seventeen police commissioned officers in Region 8 (PRO8) were promoted Monday morning in simple ceremonies at the PRO8 Grandstand of Camp Ruperto K. Kangleon in Palo, Leyte.

The Ormoc City Police Office announced the promotion of Police Senior Insp. Sherylle Conejo, who heads the Women and Childrens’ Protection Branch and for a time was OCPO administration officer.

The rest of the promoted officers belonged to the Regional Public Safety Battalion 8.

The OCPO said the promotion comes with greater responsibility and higher expectations from their subordinates and peers.

Meanwhile, police personnel were also cited for operational accomplishments particularly successful buy-bust operations, like in Sogod, Southern Leyte; in Catarman, Northern Samar; in Tacloban City and in Ormoc. Mel Caspe

Lawyer Ishak Mastura, the chairman of the Regional Board of Investments, said the Kaltimex Rural Energy Corp., known for its experience in providing power in off-grid islands in Indonesia, will initially put up the diesel-fed power barge in Tawi-Tawi after securing a power purchase agreement from the Tawi-Tawi Electric Cooperative.

Mastura said the “project will later expand its electric power capacity through co-generation with a solar power plant,” adding that Kaltimex will also establish a

similar project in Sulu and Basilan even as he stressed that the company’s investment strategy “is to provide services in off-grid and isolated island electric power markets or small power utilities groups in southern Philippines.”

The regional BoI chairman noted that BaSulTa suffers from perennial brownouts in many of its areas, and it is “literally gripped by darkness because electricity coverage is sporadic with some localities having no access at all to electric power.”

He claimed that “even if there is electricity in some parts of BaSulTa, there is a long-running energy deficit due to lack of additional power generation capacity and dilapidated equipment, causing them to suffer from regular brownouts.”

Stressing that electric power access brings social, economic and technical benefits to residents, Mastura said the Kaltimex project seeks to improve “the dire situation in ARMM’s island provinces in terms of human and economic development.”

PCAARD teaches scientific cocosugar making DAVAO del Sur coconut farmers, through a Science and Technology-based (S&T) Community-based Farm (STCBF) project, were taught how to boost coco sap and cocosugar production, processing and promotion in the local and international markets, the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development reported.

In a statement, PCAARRD said the project—STCBF on Coco Sap Production and TechnoMart Projects: Propelling the Cocosugar

Industry Development in Davao del Sur—was implemented by the Southern Philippines AgriBusiness and Marine and Aquatic School of Technology and funded by the Department of Science and Technology and the council itself.

The project saw a 43.64-percent increase in the number of accredited and organized coco sap gatherers. The coco sap gatherers were trained in fertilizer application, good manufacture practice, and food safety, while the adopters were trained in initial sap boiling. Some 1,096

coconut trees were rehabilitated using vermicast and salt.

The products were promoted in 19 trade fairs and exhibits where promotional materials and product brochures were distributed. They were also promoted in TV and radio programs.

Currently, the cocosugar products are distributed in the United States, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom.

The 1st National Coconut Sap Sugar Congress cited the cocosugar industry as a sunrise industry and cocosugar as new

Musician shot dead in drug buy-bust

Pasay fire kills 4 minors, hurts 1 more Fire officials are investigating the cause of a blaze that killed four minors and hurt another child in a densely populated area in Pasay City Wednesday night.

The fire, which was started around 9 p.m., also razed 75 houses, mostly built with light materials, at the Sitio Wella Compound in Merville. It reached Task Force Charlie and rendered more than 150 families homeless Three of the victims were reportedly from the Guarino family.

The children were locked inside their house when the fire hit the community.

Responding firemen and fire volunteers coming from various parts of Southern Metro Manila placed the fire under control after six hours.

Pasay City-Bureau of Fire Protection officials have not yet identified the cause of the blaze but a number of residents believed it was caused by a candle left unattended.

Mayor Antonino Calixto urged the community and business establishments to practice fire safety precautions to avoid the detrimental effects of fire accidents. Joel E. Zurbano

Lamitan City village chief slain LAMITAN CITY, Basilan—A newly elected barangay chairman here was shot dead Tuesday afternoon by two motorcycle-riding men on the outskirts of his Colonia home village, police said.

Senior Insp. Gean Gallardo, Lamitan City chief of police, said Colonia barangay chief Reynaldo Trota, 43, was visiting Sitio Suyugan when the suspects, wearing helmets and camouflage uniforms, suddenly stopped beside him.

The man behind the driver fired several times at Trota and the suspects escaped.

Trota, who sustained four bullet wounds, was rushed by concerned passersby to the Lamitan District Hospital that declared him dead on arrival.

Responding policemen, who recovered spent shells of a .45cal. pistol at the crime scene, believed that politics was behind Trota’s gunslaying.

Meanwhile, Gallardo informed the media that some local law enforcers, who are graduates of education courses, have been tapped as substitute public school teachers under the city’s “Titser Ko, Pulis Ko” program.

He said the program was initiated due to the lack of qualified substitutes when incumbent teachers go on maternity or sick leave. A. Perez Rimando

superstar in the export industry. It has a low Glycemic Index (GI) compared with other natural sweeteners that are sugarcane-based. Low GI products can help control diabetes mellitus, reduce bad cholesterol and control weight.

The project is one of the finalists in the development category of the 2016 National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development held on Wednesday at the DoST-PCAARRD Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.

TOKHANG. Suspected drug users and sellers join the Mass oathtaking during the Transformation and Skills Development Program of the Guian Municipal Police Station and the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council headed by Mayor Christopher Gonzales. MEL CASPE

‘SC must stop circumvention of TRO’

By Rio A. Araja YOUTH group Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan assailed Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista for what they called his “blatant and malicious attempt to circumvent” the Supreme Court’s temporary restraining order on Ordinance No. 2301, or the Quezon City Discipline Hours for Minors.

Spark said they will file a motion for clarification with the SC to prevent a circumvention of the TRO. For his part, Bautista denied accusations that the city government was bent on circumventing the SC ruling.

“As I’ve said, we in the Quezon City government welcome the filing of the petition and the subsequent issuance of the TRO

as an opportunity to validate if the LGUs are on the right track.

That’s the essence of the checks and balances provided by our Constitution,” he said.

“Barangay governments are authorized to promulgate ordinances within their political territories. We in the QC government are not influencing the barangays or even circumventing the law and the order of the Supreme Court. The counsel of the petitioners know that the TRO only covers the ordinances of Manila, Navotas and Quezon and NOT the barangay ordinances.”

Spark claimed that anonymous yet sympathetic residents of Quezon City warned them that the Barangay Operations Center of the city government have contacted barangay secretaries and

other local officials inquiring about the status of their curfew ordinances and ordering them to implement them promptly.

If there is none, the barangay officials were instructed to immediately draft an ordinance and prioritize its inclusion in the next session of the barangay council for its speedy approval.

“Mayor Bautista cannot trample on our constitutional, this is precisely why we sought the high court’s intervention in the first place,” Spark spokesman Joanne Lim exclaimed.

Atty. Jesus Falcis, Spark’s legal counsel, said he found Bautista’s statement “troublesome” because it was issued in a radio interview.

Falcis clarified that “if a city does not have the power Turn to C2

CATBALOGAN, Samar—A local musician who was a member of the Philippine Army here was killed in a shootout with police operatives Wednesday after a drug buybust conducted by the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group.

The police identified the suspect as Albert Julaton, a resident of P5 Canlapwas in this city.

Based on the police records, the PNP task group bought a sachet of metamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” from Julaton at 10 p.m. in front of a grocery store at Pier 1, Barangay 6.

When the suspect realized that his customer was a policeman and sensed the presence of other police operatives in the area he immediately fled on his motorcycle eastward on Curry Avenue.

Julaton was cornered by chasing policemen at P2 of Barangay 7, this city, and reportedly drew a short firearm, prompting the police to open fire at him.

The suspect was brought to the Samar Provincial Hospital that declared him dead-on-arrival from bullet wounds.

The spot report of the city police states that Julaton is one of the new drug personalities on their updated most-wanted list based on the statements of the PNP Oplan Tokhang surrenderees.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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LGUs

TODAY FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

Road rage victim recovering

By Sandy Araneta

M

ANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada vowed to continue road clearing operations in the city to prevent a recurrence of the road rage shooting in Quiapo that injured an 18-year-old student.

Republic of the Philippines

Province of Bataan MUNCIPALITY OF LlMAY INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay will be accepting bids for the procurement of the ff: Approved Cost of Location ofSources Cost Bid FUNDS Duration Budget Doc’s.

(ABC) 1. Supply and Delivery of Limay, General 30 Days 4,658,260.44 5,000.00 Radio Communications Bataan Fund for LDRRMC

The victim, Rosell Bondoc, who was hit by a stray bullet is slowly recovering after a successful surgery at Mary Chiles Hospital, Dr. Domingo Reyes disclosed today.

Estrada again directed the Manila Police District (MPD) to capture the gunman, identified as Vhon Martin Tanto, and make him answer for his crime.

As of this writing, police have recovered Tanto’s Hyundai Eon car with conduction sticker MO 3745 in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya.

“I call on the other witnesses to please come out and

help the police authorities.

We’re also asking the public’s cooperation for the immediate arrest of the suspect.

Any information will be a big help to our law enforcers,” the Manila mayor, who has been closely monitoring the case since Monday, said.

Estrada admitted that traffic congestion and the poor condition of some streets not only in Manila but in the entire metropolis might have contributed to the road rage killing.

Police said the altercation started when Tanto’s car hit the

Name of Project/Contract

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

Delivery of Goods shall not exceed thirty (30) calendar days upon winning bidder’s receipt of the Notice to Proceed. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act.” The Bidding Documents is available at the office of the BAC Secretariat, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building, National Road, Barangay Townsite, Limay, Bataan and may be acquired by interested bidders through payment of nonrefundable fee for the bidding documents.

AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOP

RESERVE YOUR AD SPACE NOW! CONTACT US AT 832-5547

1st Level Glorietta 3 Ayala, Makati and its branches in Majalco Bldg., Buenavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L & R Bldg., Pasay Road, Makati auction sale on August 05, 2016, 3:00 pm Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas, Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave., Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City at 9:30 am.

All items pawned March 31, 2016. Notary Public

NOTICE Notice is hereby given that LUIS L. ONG married to JOSEFINA C. ONG (owners) and ARKILAND, INC. (developer) have filed this Board a sworn registration statement for the sale of condominium units at APARTMENT 20 located at No. 20, Kamuning Road, Quezon City specifically described as Lot 6, Blk. K-2 Bsd-7365-A covered by TCT No. N-197596 containing an area of 450 square meters.

All papers relative thereto shall upon request and payment of processing fee, be available for inspection during business hours by any person having legal interest thereon.

Absent any legal impediment, the above-cited project is deemed registered and a certificate, in evidence thereof, shall forthwith be issued after five (5) days from the last day of publication.

Quezon City, Metro Manila, July 21, 2016 (Sgd.) ALFRED GIL M. TAN II Regional Director (MS-July 29 & Aug. 5, 2016)

(TS-JULY 29, 2016)

SCHEDULE July 26 August 12, 2016

VENUE Procurement Office, Ground Floor, Limay Municipal Bldg

Pre-Bid Conference

August 5, 2016, 2:00 P.M.

Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building

Submission/ Opening of Bids

August 19, 2016, 2:00 P.M.

Conference Room, Ground Floor, Limay Municipal Building

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

Invitation to Bid for the Supply and Delivery of Five (5) Lots Wines and Ten (10) Lots Premium Spirits under ITB No. PB16-073COR-07 (Re-Bidding) The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming re-bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Five (5) Lots Wines and Ten (10) Lots Premium Spirits under ITB No. PB16-073COR-07.

Brief Description

Lot 1 2 3 4 5

The Pre-Bid Conference shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Lot 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

For further information, please contact:

(TS- JULY 29, 2016)

Description Red Wine (AC: 11.50%) White Wine Red Wine (AC: 14.50%) Champagne Red Wine (AC: 13.00%)

Quantity 108 bottles 46 bottles 48 bottles 33 bottles 30 bottles 388 bottles 45 bottles 20 bottles 134 bottles 36 bottles

Description Premium Brandy Scotch Whisky 750ml Brandy Premium Cognac Extra Old Whisky Scotch Whisky 1L Blended Premium Scotch Whisky Blended Scotch Whisky Fine Champagne Cognac Fine Champagne Cognac Extra Old

*Bidders may bid on any or all of the lots

Delivery Period

Within fifteen (15) calendar days from the effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

The total ABC is in the amount of Two Million Forty-One Thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Pesos and 83/100 (PhP2,041,780.83), VAT-Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction.

The ABC for each of the five (5) lots of wines and ten (10) lots premium spirits, VATExclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction, were as follows: Wines

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

The National Housing Authority (NHA), through the Corporate Budget approved by the NHA Board for the year 2016 intends to apply the sum of the Approved Budget for the Contracts (ABCs) to payments for the following contracts: Ref. No.

Projects

ABC/ Source of Funds (P)

Duration (c.d.)

Work Description

2016 -08184

Trucking Services for the Belongings of ISF’s affected by the NLEX Segment 10 Road Project along PNR Property, Caloocan City

8,440,633.50 NG Subsidy

78

Transport Services (Vans) to Transport the Elderly, Women, Children & Person with Disability (PWD) of Informal Settler Families (ISF’s) affected by the NLEX Segment 10 Road Project along PNR Property, Caloocan City

3,431,541.75 NG Subsidy

Provision of trucks to transport belongings of ISF’s affected by the NLEX Segment 10 Road Project along PNR property in Caloocan City to designated resettlement sites in Caloocan City and Bulacan Provision of vans to transport the elderly women, children & Person with Disability (PWD) of 1,950 ISFs affected by the clearing of PNR Property in Caloocan City to designated resettlement sites in Caloocan City and Bulacan

78

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The NHA now invites bids for the above-cited contracts. Delivery of the Goods is required within the duration herein cited upon receipt of Notice to Proceed. Bidders should have completed, within five years from the date of submission of bids, a single contract similar to the Project costing at least fifty percent (50%) of the ABC. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines.

A complete set of Bidding Documents shall be issued only to bidders/ authorized official representatives or employees of the bidder who can show proof of Notarized Authority to secure bid documents for the specific Project and Official Company ID upon submission of a Letter of Intent (LOI) and upon Cash Payment of non-refundable fee of P8,400.00 for Ref. No. 2016-08-184 and P3,400.00 for Ref. No. 2016-08-185 at the Office of the NHA-BAC 2 Secretariat, 2nd Floor NHA Main Building, Diliman, Quezon City starting on July 29, 2016. For further information, the NHA BAC 2 Secretariat may be contacted at Tel/FAX. No. 928-8272.

The NHA will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 11, 2016, 9:00 a.m. at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City, which shall be OPEN only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

Bids must be delivered at the Operations Center, 3rd Floor NHA Main Building, Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City on August 23, 2016, not later than 9:00 a.m. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount as stated in BDS. Bid opening shall follow immediately after the deadline of submission of bids at the same venue. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The NHA reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Description

ABC VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction

1

Red Wine (AC: 11.50%)

Thirty-Three Thousand Seven Hundred NinetyThree Pesos and 33/100 (Php33,793.33)

2

White Wine

Eighteen Thousand Pesos (Php18,000.00)

3

Red Wine (AC: 14.50%)

Fourteen Thousand (Php14,100.00)

4

Champagne

Thirty-One Thousand Eight Hundred Seventy-Five Pesos (Php31,875.00)

5

Red Wine (AC: 13.00%)

One Hundred Fourteen Thousand Six Hundred Sixty-Six Pesos 67/100 (Php114,666.67)

Lot

Invitation to Bid

2016 -08185

Quantity 137 bottles 12 bottles 15 bottles 15 bottles 215 bottles

Spirits

The BAC of the Municipality of Limay reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Ms. Raquel A. Leongson BAC Ground Floor, Limay Municipal Building, National Road, Brgy. Townsite Telephone No. 613-8011 (Sgd.) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI Chairman, Bids and Awards Committee

Wines

One

Hundred

Pesos

Spirits Lot 1

Premium Brandy

2

Scotch Whisky 750ml

3

Brandy

4

Premium Cognac Extra Old

5

Whisky

6

Scotch Whisky 1L

7

Blended Premium Scotch Whisky

8

Blended Scotch Whisky Fine Champagne Cognac Fine Champagne Cognac Extra Old

9 10 Source of Funds

Description

ABC VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction One Hundred Five Thousand Five Hundred Seventy pesos (Php105,570.00) Fifty-Five Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (Php55,200.00) Twenty-Two Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty Pesos (Php22,720.00) Two Hundred Eighty-Eight Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php288,750.00) Thirty-Three Thousand Three Hundred SeventyFive Pesos (Php33,375.00) Four Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Eight Hundred Fifteen Pesos (Php474,815.00) Two Hundred Seventy-Two Thousand Eight Hundred Twelve Pesos and 50/100 (Php272,812.50) Thirty-Six Thousand Two Hundred Fifty Pesos (Php36,250.00) Three Hundred One Thousand Fifty-Three Pesos and 33/100 (Php301,053.33) Two Hundred Thirty-Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Pesos (Php238,800.00)

Internally Funded

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents

Schedule July 29, 2016 to August 22, 2016

2. Pre-Bid Conference

August 8, 2016; 2:00 p.m.

3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids

August 22, 2016; 2:00 p.m.

4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

August 22, 2016; 2:00 p.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Procurement Department (PD), acting as the BAC Secretariat, upon payment of the non-refundable fee for the sale of bidding documents based on the following matrix: Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000.00 and below

Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos) 500.00

More than 500,000.00 up to 1 Million

1,000.00

More than 1 Million up to 5 Million

5,000.00

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the sale of bidding documents not later than the date of the submission of bids. The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Fee Slip for the Sale of Bidding Documents, which may be secured from the BASD, or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been post-qualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1. In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.

2. The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee through PD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Telephone 524-3911, 521-1542 locals 223 or 617.

(SGD) VICTOR C. BALBA Chairperson, Bids and Awards Committee 2 (BAC 2) NATIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY ( T S - J U LY 2 9 , 2 016)

REELECTED North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza on Thursday pleaded “not guilty” in the graft case filed against her in connection with the alleged anomalous P2.4million purchase of diesel from a fuel station owned by her mother.

During her arraignment at the Sandiganbayan First Division, Mendoza, accompanied by her lawyer, entered a “not guilty” plea after the information of the case was read to her by the clerk of court.

Mendoza is facing before the anti-graft court’s First Division three counts of violation of Section 3 (e) of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act. Section 3(e) of RA 3019 “prohibits a public official from giving of unwarranted benefit, advantage, or preference to any party or causing any party, including the government, undue injury.”

Last April, the Office of the Ombudsman filed the cases against Mendoza who was said to have approved in 2010 the release of P2.4 million from the provincial funds to pay for 49,526.72 liters of fuel used for one road grader and four dump trucks supposedly used during the two-day road rehabilitation projects in the province.

Based on the investigation conducted by the Ombudsman, no public bidding was held for the purchase of the fuel.

Instead, Mendoza allegedly directly contracted the Tal-

‘SC...

From C1

to implement a curfew, neither do its component barangays.”

Lim also took a swipe at Rep. Beth Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon party-list, who recently told reporters that, “It’s an ordinance, it should be honored. A TRO cannot be issued against it because it has been in effect for a long time.”

Herrera announced that she is

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

(Sgd.) CELESTINA R. ADOR Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 4

iño Shell Station, a fuel station owned by her mother, it said.

Immediately after her “not guilty” pleas, Mendoza left the courtroom as the anti-graft court scheduled the preliminary conferences on her case on Nov. 2, 3, 4, and 9.

Meanwhile, the court set Mendoza’s pretrial of the case on Nov. 10, when the prosecution and the defense are expected to submit to the court their final list of witnesses and documentary evidence that they intend to present during the trial proper.

But Mendoza, in her motion for judicial determination of probable cause, asked for the dismissal of the cases, saying the Ombudsman failed to establish that the purchase of the fuel was executed in bad faith.

Mendoza said the move to contract the Taliño Shell Station as the supplier of the fuel was decided upon by the bids and awards committee based on valid grounds, among them because “it offered the lowest price; it was the only gas station in the area and closest to the road projects; and it agreed to supply on credit.”

Nevertheless, the court denied Mendoza’s motion in June and maintained that there was sufficient ground to conduct a fullblown trial on the cases.

Mendoza was also accused of perpetrating a violent dispersal of farmers and lumads (indigenous peoples) in Kidapawan City last April, where two farmers and a civilian were killed and several others injured. drafting a bill to implement a nationwide curfew. She explained the need for a uniform curfew system nationwide which covers the same hours and penalties.

“The answer to the root causes of petty crimes and rebellious youth is a holistic approach providing free and accessible education for all, equal opportunities for work and livelihood and draconian measures against the syndicates that exploit the youth,” the activists retorted.

CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED SYNOPSIS OF THE ANNUAL STATEMENT * As of December 31, 2015 ASSETS

Investments in Trust Funds Insurance Premium Fund Cash on Hand & in Banks Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Accounts / Notes Receivable Other Assets Total Assets

P 35, 852,332.41 ** 300,000.00 60,405,010.04 12,153,361.36 185,634,895.28 216,839.12 15,713,262.38 1,355,026.03 P 311,630,726.62 LIABILITIES

Pre-need Reserves Insurance Premium Reserve Other Reserves Planholders’ Benefits Payable Planholders’ Deposits Counselors’ Bond Reserve Accounts / Notes Payable Taxes Payable Accrued Expenses Other Liabilities Total Liabilities

S T O C K H O L D E R S’ E Q U I T Y Paid-up Capital Stock Special Surplus Funds: Fluctuation Reserve - Investments in Trust Funds Fluctuation Reserve - Stocks Retained Earnings Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity CITYPLANS, INCORPORATED Consolidated Trust Fund Annual Statement As of December 31, 2015

P 33,837,949.60 235,372.69 16,505,922.58 2,851,706.24 31,144.19 7,181.43 3,179,230.50 201,282.89 537,174.20 1,639,720.89 P 59,026,685.21 P 125,000,000.00 489,136.50 7,946,655.93 119,168,248.98 252,604,041.41 P 311,630,726.62

ASSETS Government Securities Cash in Savings/Time Deposits Short Term Investments Corporate Bonds Planholders’ Loans Stocks Real Estate Accrued Investment Income Other Assets

Pension P 21,494,849.24 3,048,944.11 3,828,931.68 1,178,188.06 202,256.17 1,451,664.47 4,297,980.10 189,445.64 432,484.18 P 36,124,743.65

LIABILITIES Trustee Fee Payable Other Liabilities

P

FUND EQUITY Trust Fund Fluctuation/Revaluation Reserve

* ( T S - J U LY 2 9 , 2 016)

the scene of the crime.

Dungca said they are worried about Rosell’s studies.

The victim is a sophomore Physical Therapy student at the Universidad de Manila (UDM), where she is a city government scholar.

Estrada earlier vowed to provide every help needed to speed up Rosell’s complete recovery. He said he personally knew the victim and in fact recommended her to the cityrun university.

Rosell’s grandmother Eugenia Dungca called on the suspect to surrender.

N. Cotabato governor denies graft charges

By Maricel V. Cruz

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman Quezon City

The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: ACTIVITIES Issuance of the Bidding Documents

bicycle of one Mark Vincent Garalde on the cramped street of P. Casal in Quiapo.

Reyes said they have removed the bullet that penetrated the lower back of Rosell and damaged her kidney. She will be transferred from the intensive care unit to a recovery room tomorrow.

According to Rosell’s aunt Rowena Dungca, her niece has regained consciousness and can now communicate with them through sign language.

Rosell is an orphan and lives with the Dungca family on P. Casal Street in Quiapo, near

**

12, 068.49 260,342.75 P 272,411.24

P 35,363,195.41 489,137.00 35,852,332.41 P 36,124,743.65

This synopsis, prepared from the 2015 Annual Statement, approved by the Insurance Commissioner is published pursuant to Section 44 of the Pre-Need Code of the Philippines.

Trust Fund Deficiency was subsequently covered up in full.

(TS-JULY 29, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

Republic of the Philippines Department of Health FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION

hazard evaluation, and (3) the recall classification as categorized below:

FDA CIRCULAR No. 2016-012 : ALL LICENSED ESTABLISHMENTS OF HEALTH PRODUCTS AND OTHER CONCERNED STAKEHOLDERS

5.3.3.1.2 Class II Recall - product defects/conditions that could cause poisoning or temporary/ medically reversible adverse health problem or mistreatment.

SUBJECT : Guidelines on Product Recall 1.

Republic Act No. 3720, also known as the “Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act””, as amended, and Republic Act No. 9711. also known as the “Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Act of 2009” and its Implementing Rules and Regulations were all enacted to establish an effective regulatory system for the authorization, registration, and monitoring of health products.

Section 5 (i) of Republic Act No. 9711 mandated the FDA to require all manufacturers, traders, distributors, importers, exporters, wholesalers, retailers, consumers and non-consumer users of health products to report to the FDA any incident that reasonably indicates that a product has caused or contributed to the death, serious illness or serious injury to a consumer, a patient, or any person. Moreover. Section 5 (k) of the same law empowers the FDA. after due process, to order the ban, recall, and/or withdrawal of any health product found to have caused the death, serious illness or serious injury to a consumer or patient, or is found to be imminently injurious, unsafe, dangerous, or grossly deceptive, and to require all concerned to implement the risk management plan which is a requirement for the issuance of the appropriate authorization.

Recall is the method of withdrawing or correcting unsafe or hazardous health products from the distribution chain that may present a health hazard to the consumer or user. It is an action taken by establishments involved in the supply chain (e.g.. manufacturers, distributors, or retailers) as (I) part of their responsibility to protect the public health and well-being. (2) compliance to the appropriate good practices (e.g., good manufacturing, distribution, or storage practices), and (3) compliance to existing standards and regulations.

2.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this FDA Circular is to provide guidelines in the conduct of product recall.

3.

SCOPE

This FDA Circular shall apply to all licensed manufacturers, traders, distributors (importers, exporters, and wholesalers), and retailers of health products.

4.

5.3.3.1.3 Class III Recall - product defects/conditions that may not pose a significant hazard to health, but withdrawal may have been initiated for other reasons.

RATIONALE

GENERAL GUIDELINES 4.1. Triggers for recall may arise after review of a safety issue, efficacy concern, if applicable, and quality defect discovered by either FDA, the Market Authorization Holder (MAH), other regulatory agencies, healthcare professionals, or members of the general public.

The PRC shall call for a conference with the MAH, within forty eight (48) hours, to present the PRR. In the same event, MAH shall present their appropriate recall strategy. Agreement by both FDA and MAH on the recall strategy to be implemented must ensue for the commencement of the recall. Otherwise, a Product Recall Order (PRO) shall be issued and recall shall be implemented by the FDA at the expense of the MAH.

5.

IMPLEMENTING MECHANISM

5.1.1.1 Director 5.1.1.2 Division Chief. Licensing and Registration Division (LRD) 5.1.1.3 Division Chief. Product Research and Standards Development Division (PRSDD) 5.1.1.4 Senior Officer from Laboratory (CSL)

the

Common

Services

5.1.1.5 Senior Officer from the Field Regulation Operations Office (FROO) 5.1.1.6 PRC Secretariat from PRSDD 5.1.2. The PRC shall perform the following functions: 5.1.2.1 Review the triggers for recall 5.1.2.2 Conduct appropriate communications 5.1.2.3 Oversee the recall system 5.1.2.4 Recommend the order of recall and/or the termination of recall of any unsafe and hazardous product to the FDA Director General 5.2 Triggers for Recall Triggers may come from the different post-marketing surveillance (PMS) activities conducted by the FDA which may include, but not limited to: 5.2.1 Health product quality/complaints processing: 5.2.2 Adverse Events (AEs) monitoring and Events-based Surveillance Response (ESR) reports; 5.2.3 Post-licensing inspection, monitoring, and investigations; 5.2.4 Post-evaluation of acknowledged notifications; 5.2.5 Advertisements and promotional articles monitoring; 5.2.6 Coordination with regulatory agencies and international partners.

Triggers may also come from reports submitted by MAHs as a result of their own PMS activities.

5.3 Product Recall Review 5.3.1 Review of Trigger Triggers that have been initially reviewed by the responsible offices are submitted to the PRC for health hazard evaluation.

5.3.2 Health Hazard Evaluation Health hazard evaluation is conducted to determine whether a health product in question arising from a trigger should be recalled or not. The factors considered in the conduct of health hazard evaluation is attached as Annex A. Any conclusion documentation.

shall

be

supported

by

scientific

5.3.3 Decision 5.3.3.1 If a trigger is deemed for recall: Conference with the MAH The PRC prepares a Product Recall Resolution (PRR) containing information on (1) the trigger and related evidences. (2) the result of the health

SEPARABILITY CLAUSE If any provision in this Circular, or application of such provision to any circumstances, is held invalid, the remainder of the provisions of this Circular shall not be affected.

9.

EFFECTIVITY This Circular shall take effect 15 days following its publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation and submission to the University of the Philippines Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR).

MARIA LOURDES C. SANTIAGO, MSc, MM OIC, Director General

A recall strategy consistent with the RMP shall be developed by the MAH. The following elements shall be included: 5.4.1.1 Depth of Recall, specify the level in the distribution chain (e.g. consumer level, retail level or wholesale level)

Annex A Factors Considered in Health Hazard Evaluation The following are factors to be considered in the decision to recall:

5.4.1.2 Recall Communications containing the identified list of establishments as per distribution records to be contacted and contents of such communications

A. Disease, injury, illness, or poisoning has already occurred from the use of the health product;

5.4.1.3 Recall operation instructions and corresponding timelines of completion

C. Hazard to various segments of the population (e.g. pregnant women, children, surgical patients, geriatric, pets, livestock, etc.). who are expected to be exposed to the health product. Particular attention is given to more vulnerable population;

5.4.1.4 Recall status reporting of MAH to FDA, specifying the frequency of submission 5.4.1.5 Disposal strategy 5.4.2 Communication Activities Appropriate communication activities shall be undertaken

by FDA and the MAH to protect the public.

5.4.2.1 Issuance of FDA Advisory An FDA Advisory shall be issued for Class I recalls, and as deemed necessary and appropriate

by FDA. Such advisory shall be posted in the FDA website and/of other forms of media to alert the public.

5.4.2.2 Communication The MAH shall promptly notify all concerned parties (e.g. establishments involved in the supply chain, hospitals, outlets and health facilities, healthcare professionals, and the general public) on the product recall, copy furnishing the FDA. The minimum information required for any communication is attached as Annex B. 5.4.3 Recall Operations The responsibility to conduct recall shall be assumed by the MAH, with proper coordination with all stakeholders involved. Throughout the operation, recall status reports shall be submitted according to the frequency specified in the recall strategy. For Class I. products are immediately pulled out of the selling area.

C.

The content of recall status reports is attached as Annex

B. Any existing condition(s) that may lead to exposure of the population;

D. Severity of the hazard to which the population at risk may be exposed; E. Likelihood of occurrence of the risk of exposure to which the population may be exposed; F.

Completion of recall operation refers to the complete retrieval of all products ordered to be recalled nationwide (both rural and urban) as verified by FDA. Upon completion, the MAH is required to submit the Final Recall Status Report, including details on the final inventory and disposition of the recalled products for the termination of the recall.

5.4.5 Termination of Product Recall The list of documents required to be submitted for termination of product recall, depending on the final disposition, is attached as Annex D. Upon receipt of the documents, the PRC shall verify if the product has been completely retrieved and has been properly disposed in accordance with the strategy: 5.4.5.1 If the PRC has determined that the product recall has been completed, a Termination Letter to that effect shall be issued to the MAH indicating such. An FDA Advisory concerning the termination of the recall shall be issued, whenever applicable.

5.4.5.2 If the PRC has determined that the product recall has not been satisfactorily completed, appropriate action shall be conducted by FDA. 5.5 Effectiveness Checks of Recall Procedure 5.5.1 FDA Effectiveness Checks FDA thru the FROO shall monitor the effectiveness of the product recall conducted by an MAH through review of recall status reports, periodic inspection, disposal (if warranted), and monitoring of involved establishments.

Effectiveness checks by MAH is conducted to ensure that all concerned, within the depth of the recall specified, have received the communication and their compliance to the recall operations. These checks shall be part of the recall status report.

5.6 Responsibility of MAH Is to Initiate Recall MAHs have the overall responsibility for continuously ensuring the safety, efficacy, and quality health products. This is consistent with the requirements of good practices and part of product stewardship.

Whenever triggers have been observed, MAHs are expected to review the risks involved and apply appropriate risk mitigation activities consistent with their RMPs. Should a recall be deemed necessary, the MAHs shall coordinate with the responsible Center for a conference, discussing the health hazard evaluation conducted by the MAH that prompted the decision to recall and the proposed recall strategy to be implemented. Media announcement from the MAH is required for Class I and II voluntary recalls.

5.7 Product Recall Order A Product Recall Order (PRO) shall be issued by the FDA, signed and approved by the Director General, when (1) the MAH refuses to conduct a recall after the PRC has established the need for recall, or (2) the MAH fails to effectively conduct the recall as agreed.

The PRO shall specify the violation, the product recall classification, depth of recall and the recommended duration of recall to be undertaken by the MAH from receipt up to the complete removal of the concerned health product from the market. Any other instructions appropriate to the conduct of the recall may also be included.

Short- and long-term consequences of the health effects;

G. Risk of gross deception to the general public; H. Non-compliance to FDA standards; I.

Misdeclaration of hazardous substance/content;

J.

Materials that contaminated the product whether accidental or intentional; and

K. Other factors that an attending circumstance may warrant.

Annex B Minimum Information Required for Communications Communications must convey, at the minimum, the following information: A. Details of the product to be recalled (product name, percent active ingredient, pack size, registration/notification number, lot/batch number, any other pertinent descriptive information of the health product), and use of the health product, where applicable; B. Reason for recall and associated health risk; C. Urgency of action; D. Warning that further distribution, dispensing, selling and immediate cessation of use of any remaining health product: and E. Instructions on what to do with the health product.

F.

Instructions to notify the MAH of compliance

G. Initial preventive measures to reduce health risks

5.4.4 Completion of Product Recall

5.5.2 MAH Effectiveness Checks

5.2.2 Sampling, testing, and verifying of health products;

8.

5.4.1 Recall Strategy

5.1. Product Recall Committee 5.1.1. A PRC shall be created in each Center, composed, at the minimum, of the following members:

Bureau Circular No. 8 s. 2001, as well as provisions on previous circulars and memoranda that are inconsistent with this issuance are hereby withdrawn, repealed, and/or revoked accordingly.

5.4 Product Recall Process

4.5. All other establishments involved in the supply chain shall coordinate and cooperate with the MAH.

4.7. Risk Management Plan (RMP) is a key component in the conduct of recall.

REPEALING CLAUSE

The trigger is returned to the endorsing office for consideration of other more appropriate regulatory action.

4.4. The overall responsibility of conducting recall lies with the MAH, including the conduct of appropriate communication with stakeholders, healthcare professionals, and the public, following an effective and efficient recall strategy.

4.6. The primary role of the FDA is to closely monitor and supervise the effectiveness of the conduct of the recall by the MAH. Nonetheless, the FDA is not precluded to intervene and enforce any regulatory action and to provide scientific, technical and operational advice.

7.

5.3.3.2 If not deemed for recall

4.2. A Product Recall Committee (PRC) for each Center shall oversee the recall system for health products under their respective jurisdiction. All PRCs report directly to the Office of the Director General (ODG).

4.3. Decision to recall shall be based on appropriate evaluation of available evidences and applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

VIOLATIONS Violations of any provision of this FDA Circular, in line with the provisions of Republic Act No. 3720 and Republic Act No. 9711 and its implementing rules and regulations shall be a ground for the filing of appropriate administrative charges that could lead to the imposition of administrative sanctions such as, but not limited to, imposition of fines, suspension, cancellation or revocation of any market authorization issued by FDA.

5.3.3.1.1 Class I Recall - product defects/conditions that are potentially life threatening or could result to severe health risk, health impairment or effects such as permanent damage to health or death.

25 JUL 2016

TO

6.

Annex C Content of Recall Status Reports At the minimum, recall status reports shall contain the following information: A. Number of establishments, date and method of notification; B. Number of establishments responding to the recall communication and quantity of health products on hand at the time it was received; C. Number of establishments that did not respond (if needed, the identity of the non-responding consignees may be requested by the FDA); D. Number of health products returned/accounted by each establishment communicated; E. Results of effectiveness checks by MAH; F.

Estimated time of completion of the recall;

G. How the health product is being quarantined.

In addition to the abovementioned information, (1) the initial status report shall contain details on the media announcement (for Class I and II MAH-initiated recalls) and (2) the final status report shall contain (a) details on the final disposition of the recalled health products including destruction if warranted and the (b) final inventory.

Annex D Documents Required for the Termination of Product Recall A. Where destruction is deemed necessary, whether actual health products or labeling materials, the following must be complied with: 1) Presence of an FDA authorized representative is required and notice must be given not later than one (1) week prior to the actual destruction activity; 2) Performed only in a duly accredited Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) waste treatment facility; 3) The following documents shall be submitted after the destruction: (a) Certificate of Destruction issued by the DENR accredited third party waste treatment facility (b) Photographs of the whole destruction activity covering even the transport of stocks meant for destruction (c) Copy of the signed FDA inspection report of destruction, signed by all relevant officers during the actual destruction B. Where the health product is to be redressed, PRC approval is necessary. The health product should comply with its registered specifications and applicable CMP requirements. The following documents must be submitted: 1) Copy of the signed FDA inspection report of redressing 2) Submission of actual labeling material C. Where the MAH intends to return the affected health products to the source country, the MAH shall secure approval from the PRC. If granted, the following must be complied with: 1) Notice must be given no later than one (1) week prior to the actual activity 2) Presence of an FDA authorized representative is required during inventory, sealing and packing of the recalled products at the appropriate warehouse of the MAH 3) Copy of the signed FDA inspection report 4) Returned shipment documents must be provided within fifteen (15) calendar days upon receipt of concession The Standard – July 29, 2016

C4

World

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

DOWN UNDER. Dancers audition for the famous Parisian Moulin Rouge dance troupe in Sydney on July 28, 2016.The Moulin Rouge team is travelling in Australia to pick up new talents who will perform on the stage of this famous cabaret, which has been illuminating Paris since 1889. AFP

Trump dares Russia: Hack Hillary’s e-mails MIAMI—Donald Trump sensationally challenged Russia on Wednesday to hack into Hillary Clinton’s emails as a furious Democratic campaign accused the Republican nominee of inviting foreign spies to meddle in the US presidential election.

At a wide-ranging news conference, the New York billionaire tried to undermine his White House rival, implied that Vladimir Putin used a racial slur against President Barack Obama and promised a heyday of USRussian relations under a Trump presidency.

His remarks provoked outrage from the Clinton campaign and left some Republicans wincing as his running mate hurriedly clarified that the party was not soft on Moscow and Trump tried to roll back his remarks.

Attacking Clinton as she prepares to accept her party’s formal nomination, Trump turned his guns on the email scandal dating back to her time as secretary of state and more than 30,000 emails deleted on grounds of being personal and not related to her job.

“Russia, if you’re listening, I hope you’re able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,” Trump said.

Meanwhile, WikiLeaks released audio recordings Wednesday apparently hacked from the Democratic National Committee’s servers, including a message from an irate Hillary Clinton supporter demanding the party stop “bending over backwards” for Bernie Sanders. AFP

Child terror suspects tortured U

nited Nations, US—Thousands of children have been detained and many tortured during security operations carried out in response to threats from extremists such as the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria, and Boko Haram in Nigeria, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

In a new report, the US-based rights group documented an increase in the detention of children in six conflict-affected countries: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq, Israel and the Palestinian territories, Nigeria and Syria.

“As governments try to respond to armed conflict and the rise of armed extremist groups like ISIS and Boko Haram, we’ve been seeing a very alarming trend,” said Jo Becker, HRW’s director of advocacy for children’s rights.

“Governments are detaining

thousands of children, without charge, often for months or years, and often subjecting them to torture and ill treatment.”

In Syria, now in its sixth year of war, at least 1,433 children have been detained, but only 436 have been released, the report said quoting the Violations Documentation Center in Syria.

At least 100 of the thousands of tortured detainees documented in the “Caesar” photographs smuggled by a Syrian defector were boys under the age of 18, according to Human Rights Watch.

These include 14-year-old Ah-

mad al-Musalmani who was arrested in 2012 when Syrian officers found a recording of a song protesting Bashar al-Assad’s rule on his cellphone. He died in detention.

- Confessions from children In Iraq, where security forces are battling to re-take territory held by IS jihadists, at least 314 children including 58 girls have been charged or convicted of terrorism-related charges, the report said quoting UN figures.

Women and children are arrested for alleged terrorist activities by men in their families, and in some cases subjected to severe

beatings, burns with cigarettes, and electric shocks to obtain confessions, said the report.

A 10-year-old boy who was arrested by Iraqi security forces in 2012 described how the men held his head near a car tire and threatened to run him over unless he told them where his parents allegedly hid weapons.

Nigeria’s military battling the Boko Haram insurgency has rounded up and detained thousands of people, mostly men and boys as young as nine.

Amnesty International estimates that at least 120 children are

still held in appalling conditions in Giwa barracks, with many locked up for months or even years.

The report cited UN figures showing that children detained in Afghanistan had been subjected to torture more frequently than adults, possibly because authorities felt they could extract information more easily from child detainees.

All six countries cited in the report are signatories of the UN convention on the rights of children, which recognizes that any person under the age of 18 must benefit from special protection measures under international law. AFP

Second French church jihadist attacker named PARIS—French investigators have identified the second jihadist who attacked a church and killed a priest—a young man who was known to authorities after having tried to travel to Syria, a source in the prosecutor’s office said Thursday.

They named him as Abdel Malik Petitjean, 19, who was killed by police in the attack along with Adel Kermiche, also 19, who had been awaiting trial on terror charges and had been fitted with an electronic tag despite calls from the prosecutor for him not to be released.

The two men stormed into a church in the northern town of Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray during morning mass Tuesday and slit the 86-year-old priest’s throat at the altar before being gunned

down by police.

Another man was left seriously injured in a hostage drama, while three nuns and a worshipper escaped unharmed.

The two jihadists pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group, a video posted on the Islamic State group news agency Amaq showed Wednesday.

The prosecution source said Petitjean had no prior convictions and police did not have his fingerprints or DNA on file, which had slowed the identification of his body.

But he was on police files since June 29 for having tried to enter Syria from Turkey, the source said.

DNA samples from his mother enabled investigators to identify him. AFP

Brazil fines Facebook $11.6m for secrecy RIO DE JANEIRO—A judge in Brazil on Wednesday slapped an $11.6-million fine on the local Facebook branch over the company’s refusal to surrender data from its WhatsApp messenger program to a police investigation.

The order came from a judge in the northern state of Amazonas, saying Facebook was failing to meet its legal obligations.

Facebook Brasil has “shown tremendous disregard for Brazilian institutions,” prosecutors added.

WhatsApp has been owned by social media giant Facebook since February 2015.

The long-running dispute pits Brazilian authorities’ insistence that they need access to commu-

nications between criminal suspects against Facebook’s argument that it is protecting privacy and freedom of communication.

Specifics of the police investigation were not disclosed.

Facebook did not immediately respond to an e-mail seeing comment on the fine.

Earlier this month, Brazilian authorities temporarily blocked WhatsApp across the country for the third time in less than a year.

The repeated shutdowns have angered users reliant on the free app. Fees for texting and calls are high in Brazil and WhatsApp’s group chat and image-sharing functions have become embedded in everyday social interaction. AFP

CONSERVATIVE. A burqa-clad Afghan woman walks along a road in Herat on on Thursday. AFP

Vatican finance chief probed over child abuse SYDNEY—Australian police said Thursday they are investigating child abuse complaints against Vatican finance chief George Pell, but had not yet decided whether to press charges.

It follows explosive allegations against the cardinal aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Wednesday, which he strongly denied.

“That’s a matter that we investigated and still are investigating,” Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said of the claims.

They include allegations from two men, now in their 40s, who

said they were groped by Pell in summer 1978-79 at Eureka pool in Ballarat, where the cleric had grown up and worked.

“You know, his hand touching your genitals and stuff on the outside of your bathers or shorts.

And then that slowly became (a) hand down the front of the pants or your bathers or whatever you call them,” one of the complaints Lyndon Monument told the ABC. The broadcaster also alleged Pell was naked in front of three young boys, believed to be aged eight to 10, in a Torquay surf club changing room in summer 1986-87.

It said it had obtained eight police statements from complainants, witnesses and family members that have been helping the police investigation.

Ashton said the matter had been sent to the Office of Public Prosecutions for their assessment on whether there was a case to answer.

“We’re waiting to hear back from them at this stage,” he told Melbourne radio station 3AW, adding that while Pell had not been interviewed, detectives may be sent to Rome to do so.

Asked if charges were possible,

he said: “Anything is possible at this stage.”

Pell, Australia’s most senior Catholic cleric, has denied the allegations and suggested there was a conspiracy against him.

“He denies the claims absolutely,” said a statement from the 75-year-old’s office, adding that they were “nothing more than a scandalous smear campaign, which appears to be championed by the ABC”.

The archbishops of Sydney and Melbourne both said Pell deserved the presumption of innocence. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

DESTINATIONS

Okada Manila to open soon

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

D1

A SIGHT TO BEHOLD. Integrated resort Okada Manila will showcase a dancing water display and light show that will delight guests at its iconic feature The Fountain

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T 44 hectares, Okada Manila is the most impressive, and the third integrated resort to open in the Entertainment City in Parañaque. Owned by the Tiger Resort, Leisure and Entertainment Inc, it is located three kilometers away from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and is at the foreshore of Manila Bay, so visitors can catch a great view of the world’s most beautiful sunset, which is truly a captivating sight to behold.

According to Okada Manila President Steve Wolstenholme, guests can expect a seamless integration of the Japanese people’s respectful demeanor, passion for creativity, and hunger for innovation and the Filipinos’ hard work, hospitality and cheerful spirit, in terms of quality service.

“And with these guiding principles and values, the resort expects to bring people around the world together through fun and entertainment by providing unique experiences that no one else can deliver,” Wolstenholme added.

Indeed, life’s pleasures can be found here.

Okada Manila is expected to have something for everyone—from the entertainment, food, retail, leisure and gaming enthusiasts from the Philippines and around the world. According to Wolstenholme, the Philippines is the perfect place for the next entertainment, gaming, and tourism destination in Asia. “It has the potential to compete with the entertainment and gaming giants from across the region with its best natural resources– its hospitality and warmth,” he said.

Extraordinary facilities and offerings

Okada Manila’s structure complements its substance as well. The hotel

Okada Manila President Steve Wolstenholme, Tiger Resort Board of Director Antonio Cojuangco and Okada Manila Chief Operating Officer Takahiro Usui led the launch of Okada Manila

Tiger Resort’s new property at the Entertainment City in Parañaque will house entertainment, food, retail, leisure and gaming establishments and facilities

will feature an iconic design that will house two hotel wings, a premium retail promenade with both exclusive and casual outlets, luxurious and spacious gaming floors, a spa and wellness center, dome nightclub and indoor beach club, casual and signature dining restaurants. The most iconic of all of its features will be the dancing water display and light show of The Fountain.

Quite unique to Okada Manila is its Y-shaped hotel that gleams a bright gold color during sunset. According to Wolstenholme, gold is one of the key themes of Okada Manila. “Naturally, it symbolizes abundance and, at the same time, represents the hue of Manila Bay’s famed sunset,” he explained.

The two wings of the hotel will be connected by two sky bridges and will have 15 floors each.

Guests will surely enjoy a pleasurable stay at Okada Manila. The hotel offers a total of 993 rooms ranging from spacious 60 sqm to luxurious 1,400 sqm villas. A most stunning display also awaits guests, as all rooms will feature awe-inspiring views of either the Manila Bay or the hotel’s majestic dancing waters, light and fountain display.

Okada Manila will also feature one of the country’s most impressive attractions, its grand fountain. It will be a one-of-a-kind venue for special events and concerts, Okada Manila’s US$30-million investment measures 37,464sqm and is open 365 days a year.

Discover life’s pleasures

In Okada Manila, much luxury abounds. For one, Okada Manila will also be the largest casino resort in the Philippines, with up to 500 table games and approximately 3,000 Electronic Gaming Machines (EGM).

Foodies’ cravings will also be satisfied with Okada Manila’s 21 self-operated restaurants for casual, buffet, and international dining. There will be K.O. Dining, which carries signature restaurants

by Michelin-starred chefs as well as other dining outlets such as The Sky Casino, Sports Book & Bar, Yu Lei, Catch Live Seafood, Fujishiro, Museum Café, Enbu, Goryo Korean Barbecue, Imamura, and Ginza Nagaoka.

Shoppers will definitely have the best time of their lives, as the best local and international brands will have space at Okada Manila, with a total floor area of 8,409 square meters, and over 50 premiere and luxury brands.

Also a haven for those who want to relax, Okada Manila has spa facilities that indulge all the senses. Expect a world-class spa that features luxury treatment suites, foot spa thrones, relaxation rooms, spa gardens, and aqua therapy facilities. Different spa offerings will be situated in each wing. One wing will have the main spa, where guests can get pampered in top-notch spa facilities. On the other hand, health and wellness facilities and services can be found in the second wing.

Not to forget the nightlife, Okada Manila will be the most happening place for club-goers. Its 9,000-sqm entertainment venue will be enclosed in a glass dome (100m in diameters and 30m in height) and will have 33 cabanas and bungalows equipped with amenities such as private jacuzzis, dining rooms, media and karaoke rooms, and hotel-inspired private restrooms. With a maximum capacity of up to 4,500 guests, The beach club also features real white sand beach, lily pads, daybeds, luxurious locker and shower room facilities for all guests, UV protected beach club, a sunset deck overlooking the bay, a 700-sqm butterfly pool, two expansive stages and five distinct bars offering unique artisanal cocktails for a more modern resort feel. It is the largest indoor beach club in Southeast Asia.

Once Okada Manila is completed in November, it will be committed to giving an elevated and complete experience in hospitality and entertainment, and will have all-inclusive products and services that will consistently delight, surprise, and exceed expectations of Filipinos and the rest of Asia and the world. “Okada Manila will redefine the concept of Philippine entertainment and gaming,” said Wolstenholme.

“We envision it to become the country’s iconic landmark for world-class entertainment and limitless fun that will delight and charm visitors from within the Philippines and all over the world.

Fly Singapore Airlines and SilkAir with MasterCard

DISCOVER new destinations and enjoy the luxury of flying Singapore Airlines and SilkAir. Until July 31, MasterCard cardholders and KrisFlyer members can avail of amazing deals for travel until March 31, 2017 on Singapore Airlines and Silk Air. On top of that, every purchase using your MasterCard credit, debit or prepaid card gives you a chance to win a MasterCard Priceless Experience to Dusseldorf, Germany or Cape Town, South Africa.

Singapore Airlines flies to 50 destinations from Manila via Singapore.

MasterCard-exclusive fares are available for Economy Class, Premium Econ-

omy Class and Business Class. Enjoy discounted fares when you fly SilkAir from Cebu, Davao and Kalibo. Book your flights now for travel until March 31, 2017 through singaporeair.com or silkair.com, or go to one of the ticketing offices in the city of your departure.

MasterCard cardholders who are also KrisFlyer members are treated to more than just promotional fares, but a chance to win a MasterCard Priceless Experience for two. Every purchase of an Economy Class ticket by a KrisFlyer member using a MasterCard card to pay is equivalent to one raffle entry; every purchase of a Premium Economy

Class ticket is equivalent to five raffle entries; while 10 raffle entries can be earned for every purchase of a Business Class ticket.

One lucky winner of the raffle will enjoy Business Class travel (for two) to Dusseldorf, Germany with MasterCard’s Priceless Package, and another lucky winner will enjoy Premium Economy Class travel (for two) to Cape Town, South Africa with a MasterCard Priceless Package. Both winnings are inclusive of 4D/3N luxury hotel accommodations, airport transfers, private guided tours and exclusive dining experiences.

MasterCard card holders have a chance to win a Priceless Experience in Dusseldorf or Cape Town

No KrisFlyer membership yet? Just the exclusive fares and the chance to visit krisflyer.com to register and enjoy win exciting prizes.

Life

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FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Canada’s Flower Town

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RAMPTON is a suburban city in the Greater Toronto Area and it earned the aforementioned tag because of its large industry of greenhouses, those transparent structures usually made of glass, in which plants requiring regulated climate conditions are grown.

It all started when an immigrant from England, Edward Dale, established a flower nursery, Dale’s Nursery, which eventually became the town’s biggest and most successful employer. It had a thriving business exporting flowers around the globe, and it became so prominent and well respected, it even developed a flower grading system. At the peak of its popularity, the company had 140 greenhouses, and was the largest in North America, producing an average of 20 million blooms yearly.

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

Dale’s Nursery also produced its own rose and orchid varieties, as demanded by the market, and its success gave encouragement to other investors to put up many other flower nurseries in town.

Starting in 1963, the town put up a highly successful Flower Festival annually, putting it in the consciousness of flower aficionados all over Ontario province and the rest of the country, eventually tagging the town as The Flower Town of Canada. Living up to its tag, anywhere you go in the city,

The author with (from left) SSI Marketing Communications Manager Malu Francisco, SM Hotels and Conventions Senior Vice President Peggy Angeles and businessman Raffy Camus

you’ll find attractive blooms aplenty.

But Brampton is not known only for its flowers. It is also where you find the headquarters of Loblaw Companies Limited, which operates a large supermarket chain with over 2000 outlets all over Canada, most of which were rebranded as Real Canadian Superstore.

Ten years ago, designer Joe Mimram put up his fashion creations in some of these supermarket locations.

Inspired by the thousand-and-one color combinations of the attractive flowers the city is known for, his designs became an instant hit, so this encouraged Loblaw Companies Limited to make them available in almost all of its outlets, including in some standalone locations. The designs were now labeled as Joe Fresh, probably alluding to the fresh produce found in supermarkets. Its unprecedented success has made it possible for this fashion brand to open its own retail stores, It is currently promoted as stylish and affordable apparel and accessories that include adult and children’s wear, handbags, beauty products, jewelry, beauty products, shoes, and bath items. The brand has already tapped the American market with its flagship store on Fifth Avenue in New York City and other retail outlets in other parts of the US East Coast.

Not too long ago, Joe Fresh, with its colors of a thousand flowers, opened its first outlet here in the Philippines, at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall, another pioneering establishment operated

by Anton Huang’s Stores Specialists Inc. Preceded by a fashion show featuring the town’s young ramp models, the well-attended launch, as expected, was as colorful as the flowers from the brand’s origin city.

The activity center of the mall was peppered with stylish millennials in their attractive get-up, good-looking figures sashaying on a long ramp, and a whole wall of freshly cut flowers serving as a solid backdrop to the show.

With these colors, the venue looked like one big flower show, reminiscent of Brampton’s Flower Festivals.

Now, who would have thought that flower gardens could lead to an entirely new fashion generation, and a booming business at that? Flowers, anyone?

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

Attractive blooms are a dime-a-dozen in downtown Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Canadian apparel brand Joe Fresh offers products that cater to the young set of stylish consumers

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE A FRUSTRATED HUSBAND IN FRONT OF HIS LAPTOP: Dear Google, Please do not behave like my wife. Please allow me to complete my sentence before you start guessing and suggesting.

LEISURE SPOTS

Best deals in life

Imagine taking a few days off your busy schedule to go on vacation at a five-star beachfront stay in Palawan. Or perhaps, spending some quality time with your family by indulging in an award winning weekend buffet.

Visualize yourself receiving the best pampering experience you can ask for.

Citi credit cards and Deal Grocer make these and more possible.

As part of its #LovetoClick promotion offering a wide range of exclusive online deals, Citi is teaming up with Deal Grocer to offer its cardholders an additional 10 percent off at Deal Grocer, the Philippines’ favorite online shopping site for the best value on top resorts, leading hotels, premium restaurants and world-class services.

To avail the offer, Citi cardholders must log on to their accounts at dealgrocer.com, either through any web or mobile browser or the smartphone app. Upon choosing a deal, cardholders must use their valid Citi cards to pay for their single-receipt bill. At the check-out page, they must input the voucher code “CITI” plus the first six digits of the same card, and click the Apply button.

Whatever getaway, feast or premium experience you have in mind, Citi’s limited-time offer with Deal Grocer makes it easy to bring them to life. This offer lasts only until Sept. 30.

For more information on this promotion and to know more about other online privileges exclusive to Citi cardholders, log on to www.citibank.com. ph/lovetoclick or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at (02) 995-9999.

Staycation at half the price

Rainy Days and Sundays at B Hotel QC

Get 50 percent off at Seda Hotels with Citi Credit Cards when you go on a staycation or a trip around the country for business or pleasure.

Enjoy modern comforts and highly personalized service at any Seda hotel and get a 50 percent discount on published room rates, Fridays to Sundays, simply by using your Citi credit card or debit card.

What’s more, get 20 percent discount whenever you dine at their signature Misto restaurant, which offers a range of classic international and local dishes. Book now until Sept. 30 to avail of the special room rate on weekends, valid for stays until Dec. 30 at the following Seda hotels: Seda Atria, Iloilo; Seda Abreeza, Davao City; Seda BGC, Metro Manila; Seda Centrio, Cagayan de Oro; and Seda Nuvali, Laguna.

For more travel deals and promotions, visit www.citibank.com.ph or call the 24-hour CitiPhone at (02) 995 9999.

The rainy season is upon us and at The B Hotel QC, raindrops prompt a rate drop.

Ongoing until August 31, 2016 is a special discounted rate of P3,999 nett for an overnight stay in a Superior Room that includes buffet breakfast for two at The Lobby Café, two-hour use of the videoke in a private room, 10 percent discount at The Lobby Café and Mezzanine Bar, and two complimentary umbrellas. As an added treat, guests need only to pay P3,400 nett for an overnight stay in a Superior Room with breakfast for two for all Sundays of August. Located at 14 Scout Rallos in Barangay Laging Handa, the only mid-scale businessman’s hotel in Quezon City has gained popularity among traveling executives as well as weekenders with its industrial-chic interiors and well thought-out amenities.

For inquiries, call B Hotel QC at tel. no. (02) 990-5000 or visit www.bhotelqc.com.

Amelie Hotel Manila on rainy days and nights

Located in the old bohemian district of Malate, Amelie Hotel Manila is near the airports, cultural sights, malls, and restaurants that make for a well-rounded city experience. Plan a cozy, rainy day staycation by booking an overnight stay for two, with breakfast, and complimentary brewed coffee and cookies from Braska – the hotel’s newest cosmopolitan Filipino restaurant – to welcome you at check in.

Rates start from P3100.00 in a Deluxe Room; P3400.00 in a Deluxe 2 Room; and P4100 in an Executive Room.

With your stay get a further 20 percent discount at Braska and free WiFi, local landline city calls, and use of the gym and swimming pool. These special rates are valid up to September, 2016, and are subject to availability.

Book a room now and feel the warmth of a great stay at Amelie Hotel Manila. For more information call tel. (02) 874-7888, cel. (0917) 585 4639 or email hello@ameliehotelmanila.com. Visit the website at www.ameliehotelmanila.com. Amelie Hotel Manila is located at 1667 Bocobo St., Malate, Manila.

Value card fuels flights faster WHERE would you fly to if you had an instant 25,000 GetGo bonus points? Start planning your vacation to Sydney, Bali, Hong Kong, or any dream travel destination as GetGo, the lifestyle rewards program of Cebu Pacific, gives loyal Petron customers more exciting reasons to gas up.

With the Petron and GetGo Fuel Your Flights raffle promo, Petron Value Card holders not only fly for free by turning gas into boarding pass, they can also get a chance to be one of six lucky winners of 25,000 GetGo points by simply presenting their Value Card when they gas up at any of the 2,000 Petron service stations nationwide.

To join the bonus points raffle promo, simply convert a minimum of 500 Petron Value Card Peso points to GetGo points. Two Petron Peso points are equal to three GetGo points. Simply email petronvaluecard@petron.com to request for conversion.

One GetGo point converted is equivalent to one e-raffle entry. So that’s automatically 750 GetGo points and 750 e-raffle entries. Deadline for conversion is until September 30, 2016 while the raffle draw is on October 7.

Aside from filling up with gasoline, diesel, kerosene or autoLPG fuel, customers can also earn Petron Peso points when they purchase engine oils and Petron Gasul at participating stations. GetGo points can also be redeemed for Cebu Pacific add-on products such as baggage, insurance and meals.

To register for a GetGo account, simply visit www.GetGo.com.ph, click JOIN, fill out the application form, and for only a P150 membership fee, have your personalized GetGo card delivered to your doorstep.

For more information on exciting promos, memberships, and partners, visit www.GetGo.com.ph, or call (02) 71-GETGO (43846). The latest updates are also on GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Showbiz

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FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

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SIA’S Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista remains loyal to the Kapuso network. He signed another two-year exclusive contract with GMA Network.

Being welcomed by GMA’s top executives, Christian feels glad and fulfilled about his renewal of contract with the Kapuso station.

“I’m very happy to be with great people, great family and a great support group. The last three years have been amazing, expanding, and building my talent in acting and hosting. I’m proud to be Kapuso.”

He is currently a member of the cast of

the primetime series Encantadia as Apitong and he said it’s a dream come true.

“I’m very happy to be part of Encantadia now. I really had to do my best sa audition, to fit the role. I want it talaga. There are more guests coming, more twists. The fact that a star from Game of Thrones is in Encantadia, that’s a big thing.”

During the contract signing, CEO and

Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon has nothing but praises for Christian and considers him as one of the talented and versatile artists of the network, “Tayo ay natutuwa na pumirma na naman sa atin si Christian. Mahusay kumanta yan, marunong umarte, we consider ourselves lucky to have an actor like Christian in our station. He is not just a singer, he is a good actor.”

SOLID KAPUSO. Balladeer Christian Bautista renews his ties with GMA Network

Christian Bautista renews exclusive contract with

GMA Network

Piolo Pascual

in Lifestyle’s newest food and travel show

JOIN the ultimate Filipino heartthrob, Piolo Pascual, as he whets everyone’s appetite through his multistop food trip around the land of the rising sun in Lifestyle’s newest food and travel show called The Crawl.

Promising a mouth-watering and experiential view of Japanese cuisine in Osaka, Japan, Pascual, together with his travel buddy Lui Villaluz, takes on the food crawl challenge and hits the favorite dining spots of the locals to score the best Ramen and Okonomiyaki in the city.

From this culinary expedition, viewers will also discover a different and more authentic side to the multiawarded actor as he steps out of the showbiz limelight and throws his diet out of the window for a few days to give you a taste of Japan through his very own eyes and palate.

The Crawl is also a feast for the eyes as viewers are treated to breathtaking sights in Osaka. Universal City Walk Osaka , the Kuromon Market, the Takoyaki Museum, and the Hozenji Temple are some of the historical landmarks and attractions that serve as delightful breathers for Piolo in between crawl spots.

The Crawl is a food and travel special that aims to showcase the cuisine and the many delicious delicacies of a featured place. It is inspired by the favorite foodie recreational activity of hitting the streets of urban cities and towns to restaurant-hop and sample different kinds of food or a particular dish that the place is known for. The show also aims to give tips on surviving the challenging task and provides insights on how to maximize the food and travel experience.

Lifestyle is available on SKYcable channel 52.

For updates, like their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LifestyleTVPH , follow their IG accouNt LifestyleTVPH and Twitter account @Lifestyle52.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, July 29, 2016

ACROSS 1 Getting close 5 Hangs back 9 Foretelling 13 Shrink’s reply (2 wds.)

14 Excuse me!

15 Road rally 16 Mortgage, e.g.

17 Conjurer’s first word?

18 Postkindergarten 19 Way to the top?

21 Movie-lot locale 22 Liverpool poky 23 White wader 25 Whom Zeus visited as a swan 27 Night light 31 Praying — 35 Eager 36 Clingy fabric 38 Do chestnuts 39 Einstein’s hometown 40 Hero’s horse 42 Pasture murmur 43 Sherpa’s land 46 Gambling stake 47 Wild tusker 48 More pale 50 Air Supply’s genre (2 wds.)

52 Prepare a shotgun

54 Pharaoh’s river 55 Burlap fiber 58 Ottoman ruler, once 60 Locust tree 64 Out of range 65 Sink 67 Family men 68 Thank you, in Kyoto 69 Like helium 70 Tiring expedition 71 NFL broadcaster 72 Prefix for “trillion” 73 Bad actors DOWN 1 Mental power 2 Three oceans touch it 3 Marsh grass 4 Patching up 5 London lav 6 Flight routes 7 Thin porridge 8 Word with solar or nervous 9 Kitchen herb 10 Actress — Powers 11 Parrot 12 Mr. Diamond 14 Horror-film sounds 20 Subside

24 Yuletide figure 26 — es Salaam 27 — Kea volcano 28 Stares rudely 29 Pep 30 Demeanors 32 Forbidden 33 Abraham’s son 34 — raving mad 37 Wyoming range 41 Rebellious 44 Pilot’s flap 45 August kid, maybe 47 Scope 49 Animal in a

warren 51 Best medicine?

53 Colonial diplomat Silas — 55 Green mineral 56 Foreign visitors?

57 Pack firmly 59 North Sea tributary 61 Dear, in Italy 62 Footnote word 63 Grills, maybe 66 Rollover subj.

Vice Ganda brings good vibes in ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’ VIEWERs are set to have nights filled with good vibes as the Unkabogable Star Vice Ganda joins the cast of the country’s number one primetime series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

After their team up in the record-breaking hit movie Beauty and the Bestie, Vice and Coco are now bringing their successful tandem to television, which fans should watch out for every night.

Don’t miss Vice as he plays Ella, the leader of online scammers that disguise themselves as women to lure foreigners and steal money.

Also joining the It’s Showtime host in giving comic treat to viewers are comedians Pooh and Chokoleit and Kapamilya actor Thou Reyes.

What kind of danger will Ella bring? Can Cardo stop himself from falling for Ella? Will he be able to stop the group of online scammers?

Meanwhile, aside from cyberscamming, the toprating series also sheds light on the rampant case of illegal selling of dog meat led by characters of Emilio Garcia, Manuel Chua, and Kiko Matos.

Watch out for the action-packed scenes in the no.1 teleserye, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, weeknights on ABS-CBN or on ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable Ch 167).

TV host and comedian Vice Ganda joins primetime’s most watched action drama playing a pivotal role

Viewers can also catch up on the program’s past episodes via iWanTV.com and skyondemand.com.ph for Sky subscribers.

More Filipinos tuned in to ABS-CBN’S SONA coverage Whether it’s on TV or online, Filipinos continue to trust the comprehensive and nationwide news coverage of ABS-CBN in the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 25.

Data from Kantar Media show that the Pangako ng Pagbabago: SONA 2016 special coverage of the country’s largest news organization led the coverage by various networks with 21.5 percent national TV rating. GMA 7’s DU30 Unang SONA, meanwhile, was a distant second with 14.8 percent.

TV Patrol, the flagship newscast of ABS-CBN, which consistently lands in the Top 5 among daily programs, garnered a very high 32.2

percent rating to the paltry 18.3 percent of 24 Oras.

As proof of its growing digital strength, the company’s live coverage on Facebook of the SONA earned 1.7 million views, more than the 1.1 million of PTV4, 632, 000 of Rappler, and the 510, 000 of GMA. Meanwhile, the ABS-CBN News website news.abs-cbn.com managed to earn 7.6 million pageviews on July 25. The videos about the SONA raked in 1.4 million views on YouTube wherein more than 200,000 watched the whole speech during the SONA. The largest news organization in the land was able to provide nationwide coverage helmed by its top

anchors and broadcast journalists in the airing of synergized programs on Free TV, cable TV via ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel ABSCBN, DZMM TeleRadyo, on radio via DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 and online through news.abs-cbn.com, which offered livestreaming and had social media postings engaging and informing citizens.

Several netizens partook in the discussion, posting their thoughts and feedback to the president’s speech using the hashtag #Du30SONA2016.

ABS-CBN News is the country’s largest news organization and is the news arm of ABS-CBN Corporation, the Philippines’ leading entertainment company.

Showbiz

ISAH V. RED, Editor NICKIE WANG, Writer isahred@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2016

2016 GMA Network Excellence Award winner Ronalyn P. Pordan graduated magna cum laude in BA Communication at FEU

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ROM among an impressive crop of candidates in the 2016 GMA Network Excellence Award (GNEA), Far Eastern University exemplary alumna Ronalyn P. Pordan was hailed as this year’s winner in the Network’s search for outstanding student achievers.

The GMA Network Excellence Award is bestowed upon a bona fide Filipino graduating student who best embodies exemplary leadership, stellar academic performance, and proactive social responsibility.

GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty.

Felipe L. Gozon led the awarding ceremonies held on July 22 at the GMA Network Center.

Atty. Gozon together with GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela J. Cruz awarded Pordan with a trophy and P5,0000.00 cash.

This year’s GNEA panel of judges included GMA First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa S. Valdellon, YesPinoy Foundation Chairman Jose Sixto “Dingdong” Dantes III, and GNEA lead advocate and Kapuso star Benjamin Alves.

Pordan graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication at Far

From left: GMA Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela J. Cruz, YesPinoy Foundation Chairman Dingdong Dantes, GMA First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa S. Valdellon, GNEA 2016 winner Ronalyn P. Pordan, GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, and GNEA lead advocate Benjamin Alves

GMA Network names 2016

Excellence Award winner Eastern University, and was also an awardee of the Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines-NCR. She is the proud founder of the MariKit Movement, an organization that empowers women by teaching them how to protect themselves with the aid of educational sessions and self-defense trainings.

After winning the Excellence Award, Pordan hopes to inspire others to be initiators of

change. “Gusto ko po sanang maging inspirasyon sa iba pang mga kabataan, sa iba pang Communication graduates, na hindi lang kami basta Communication majors lang, kung hindi meron kaming magagawang mabuti para sa lipunan [I would like to be an inspiration to my fellow youth and other Communication graduates, that we are not simply Communication

majors, but we can also do something good for society],” she said.

Despite besting the six other finalists chosen from entries sent in from all over the country, she hopes to work with her fellow achievers in creating a positive impact in society. “Gusto ko lang po na sana maging allies po kami. Hindi po kami competitors, kung hindi maging allies kami para sa pagbabago dito sa lipunan [I would just like us to become allies. We are not competitors, but we should be allies for change in society],” furthered the latest addition to the Network’s roster of Excellence Awardees.

Pordan intends to take up Law in her alma mater while continuing to champion her present advocacies.

Meanwhile, Gozon says the award encourages the youth of today to excel in every aspect of their daily lives, as they are the hope for the future. “Ito ay ating ginagawa taun-taon sapagka’t gusto nating bigyan ng inspirasyon ang mga kabataan. Dahil sabi nga ni Rizal, nasa kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan. Magagaling itong crop ngayon [We mount this each year because we want to give inspiration to the youth. As Rizal said, the hope for our country lies with the youth. This crop [of candidates] is an excellent one.],” he shared.

GMA’s partner institutions in this educational excellence initiative are the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication, Don Bosco Technical College, Angeles University Foundation, YesPinoy Foundation, and Airfreight 2100, Inc..

PEOPLE …are talking about Julie Anne San Jose If records sale is the basis, it’s safe enough to call her the brightest female local music star of her generation. You cannot argue with multi-platinum and a diamond selling records achieved in just two years. Now, Julie Anne is promoting another album called Chasing The Light. And mind you, it’s topping local iTunes for a week now since its release.

Paolo Ballesteros In May, he began posting photos of himself as some of the lady characters in Game of Thrones.

Now, Paolo is getting the world’s attention with his makeup transformation skills. And oh, we heard through the grapevine that he’s in talks with TAPE Inc. big bosses. Paolo has been suspended from hosting Eat Bulaga after a controversial Facebook post. These are nothing but good developments.

Julie Anne San Jose drops her new record and validates her status as the brightest music star of her generation

Hence, we expect more from her.

1-hour-40-minute speech of the president was tolerable but viewers noticed something unusual.

Mendoza attempted to give the audience a different perspective by playing up with the camera angle alJinkee Pacquiao most giving the audience a nice POV of Digong’s Simplicity won in the SONA but Pacman’s wife nostrils. Good thing, no shaky shots incorporated to and Saranggani Vice Governor obviously didn’t get give the SONA an indie feel. Mendoza didn’t get the memo. While she may have gone against the the memo, too. modicum at the President’s first SONA it was still her right to wear whatever she wanted, thanks but no thanks to her her husband who lavished her with a new dress by Gucci. Obviously she wanted public attention. And she got it, but for the wrong reason.

…are not talking about

It Takes Gutz to be a Gutierrez Are there still people who watch the Kardashians wannabe reality show? The audience already lost interest in the show after its first season. Reason being, the show lacks originality and it’s noticeably scripted (amid Annabelle Rama’s claims that it is a spontaneous show). No wonder no one from the Gutierrezes has reached superstar status – they are all terrible acColeen Garcia Her first appearance in an episode of Maalaala tors.

Mo Kaya was a defining moment of her acting Brillante Mendoza career. She was a revelation. People didn’t know The Cannes Festival Best Director awardee she could really act since most of the projects was commissioned to direct President Rodrigo previously assigned to her didn’t require any skill in acting. We can treat this as a good start. Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address. The

Brillante Mendoza receives mixed reaction on his assignment as director of the 2016 SONA

A not-so-Palme D’Or worthy SONA TV coverage WHOEVER told PCO Secretary Martin Andanar that filmmaker Brillante Mendoza would make an excellent TV ISAH V. RED director for President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s first ever State of the Nation Address last Monday must be reeling in embarrassment after the coverage got a lot of flak from netizens and even ordinary TV audience.

Mendoza, in his earnest to prove he is of international caliber with a Palme D’Or up his sleeves, muddled the coverage with unconventional shots (normally used in cinema but not on television) that there were times I had a feeling I was watching a horror or thriller movie.

Many people were even asking, what’s with the extreme close ups (ECUs) and shots taken from the camera positioned below the podium.

Okay, that was really something new and perhaps because most of the people were intently listening to the President anticipating his plans for the next six years that they forgot about the cameras of Mendoza.

Some of us, though, were disturbed by the Cannes Film Festival Best Director’s attempt to make a breakthrough in the President’s SONA coverage.

And if I have to give it a laurel, as in the laurel at Cannes, I’d give it just a half. Sorry, Brillante, but you didn’t impress me at all. **** We met Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr., his wife Lisa, and son Zandro at Victorino’s for lunch last Tuesday.

Contrary to what many people might be thinking after Leni Robredo was proclaimed Vice President after the hotly contested elections, the former Senator looked relaxed and optimistic that Electoral Tribunal would give him a fair play on the electoral protest he filed questioning the proclamation of Robredo.

Members of the entertainment press and the author (fifth from from right) with former Sen. Bongbong Marcos (center) and his wife, Lisa and eldest son Sandro

He is looking at the resolution of the case from six to one year.

Meanwhile, he said while the electoral protest is ongoing, he will continue being a public servant. He said he could serve the current administration in private capacity since there’s a one-year ban among candidates who ran in the previous elections to be appointed to a government position.

But if he would be asked to be of service to the Duterte administration, he’d choose to be in education sector as he believes he can do something to help the country, especially the indigent families in ac-

quiring education for their children. **** There’s an attempt to push a rivalry between Daniel Padilla and Alden Richards. Guess what’s the battlefront? Hot dogs…that’s what.

See, Alden is endorsing Pure Foods Tender Juicy hotdogs while Daniel pitchess Swift Mighty Meaty hotdogs.

The fact is….despite Padilla’s pitch for Swift, it has not been able to topple Pure Foods Tender Juicy yet. So, there’s no rivalry. The competition is between San Miguel and RFM. That’s it.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Planting a new

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SOWING A BRIGHTER FUTURE. Bulacan Provincial

Environment and Natural Resources Office official Celia Esteban, Philippine Manila Standard Publishing, Inc. Assistant Corporate Secretary Atty. Jennelyn Go-Sison with daughter Gabby, and PMSPI Publisher Rolando Estabillo led the 6th sowing of Manila Standard’s corporate social responsibility, dubbed ‘Adopt a Tree’

Manila Standard employees join the 6th Adopt a Tree project

By Bernadette Lunas

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MPLOYEES of Philippine Manila Standard Publishing, Inc. and Kagitingan Printing Press Inc. took part in the company’s sixth tree planting project, dubbed “Adopt a Tree,” on July 23 on the back of consistent efforts to lessen the effects of climate change.

But this year’s tree planting was a special one as every seedling planted on the 1.5-hectare land at Ipo Dam in Barangay San Mateo in Norzagaray, Bulacan symbolized a new chapter for Manila Standard.

“With this tree planting activity, we want to make sure that the trees grow together with the Standard,” publisher Rolando Estabillo said in his opening remarks.

On Jul. 25, The Standard reverted to its old name Manila Standard and previous broadsheet format after more than a year in tallboy size “We are not growing old because of so many reverts that we did,” Estabillo said in recollection, adding, “Hopefully, when these trees grow, they would be symbolic to the growth of Standard—that we live longer this time.”

Manila Standard employees were likewise optimistic for the new page the newspaper is on as they participated in the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts.

Initiated by Circulation Manager Edgar Valmorida, the “Adopt a Tree” project kicked off at Ipo Dam Watershed in Norzagaray, Bulacan on Nov. 28, 2009.

“At first, I introduced the idea of planting a tree for every new subscriber that will subscribe to then Manila Standard Today.

When we (Valmorida and former Advertising Manager Gina Versoza) presented the idea to the then President and CEO Rogelio Salazar, he approved it and made it our CSR project,” related Valmorida.

The first leg of the tree planting activity was then followed by planting events at Halamanang Pilipino in Luneta Park, Manila; brought to Paco Park and Pook ni Mariang Makiling in Los Baños, Laguna; took place at Marikina Riverbanks in Marikina City in 2010 as part of the government’s rehabilitation program following the onslaught of Typhoon Ondoy that crippled the city; and returned to Ipo Dam for another batch of tree seedlings.

Now on its sixth sowing, the tree planting activity brought Advertising, Circulation, Editorial, Finance, Human Resources, MIS, Production and Purchasing employees back to Ipo Dam Watershed in Barangay San Mateo for the third time.

Previously a lush range, it has been Turn to E3

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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Manila Standard’s Advertising, Circulation, Editorial, Finance, Human Resources, MIS, Production and Purchasing employees returned to Ipo Dam in Barangay San Mateo, Norzagaray, Bulacan for the third time to plant another batch of tree seedlings in a bid to lessen the effects of climate change

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PRODUCTION STAFF Executive-in-Charge Rolando G. Estabillo

Director Isah V. Red

Executive Producer Ramon L. Tomeldan

Assistant Directors/Writers Bernadette Lunas Nickie Wang Photography Sonny Espiritu

Producer Annie Grefal OIC - Operations/Sales Seedlings were planted under the advertisers and subscribers’ respective names in gratitude for their support to Manila Standard

Sales and Advertising Support Shiela Suarez Joan Velasco Edelyn Elamparo Eric Jutic Distribution Edgar Valmorida

Planting...

From E1 denuded due to illegal poachers, according to Celia Esteban of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) of Bulacan. But Manila Standard is working together with other companies to help the area return to its original state.

Along with Esteban, Manila Standard employees were welcomed by Roger Encarnacion and Julie Mustafa of PENRO. The one-day activity was co-presented by San Miguel Corporation. Major sponsors included DENR, Metro Pacific Investments and First Gen Corporation.

Support from Jollibee, McDonald’s, National Power Corporation, Hapee Toothpaste and CDO Foodsphere, Inc. helped make the affair successful.

In gratitude for their support, seedlings were planted under the advertisers and subscribers’ respective names.

“You will see however small it is, this symbolizes the importance of public and private cooperation. It doesn’t have to be a big project, it’s the sincerity and consistency [that count],” said Estabillo.

He added, “This one is our sixth sowing, and you can see that we are really consistent in our effort to help

preserve Mother Nature.”

Valmorida bared plans to continue with the company’s environment projects in the coming years.

“We have a plan to adopt an area in Antipolo. Or opt to plant in other areas where our contacts in DENR Central Office might offer, or we can do river or coastal cleanups or mangrove planting depending on what is permissible,” shared the Circulation department chief.

Both Estabillo and Valmorida recognize the importance of the tree planting activity in fostering stronger relationship among Manila Standard employees—on top of helping protect the environment.

“This is a way to bond and at the same time give back to the community that supports Manila Standard. This project is not only for the present but also for the future,” enthused Estabillo.

For his part, Valmorida said the affair was a chance for the Manila Standard staff to be together in doing something that will benefit the environment.

“Not only are we promoting camaraderie amongst our employees, we are also giving them the privilege of contributing something good to the future of the country. We are also extending the activity not only to our advertisers and subscribers but to the families of our employees as well,” said Valmorida.

Production Design Chief Romel Ismit Mendez Designers Linda Apalisok Alice Estrella

Production Manager Alfonso Maria Constantino

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

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Average Filipino’s guide to solar rooftops

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emonstrating the benefits of solar energy will call attention to the slow progress of renewable energy uptake in the country's energy mix. This will increase the pressure on newly elected officials to do their part in speeding up the shift to clean, renewable energy, which is also the key to the Philippines' energy independence.

Best of all, you get to play an active role in the imminent transition to a 100 percent clean energy future.

Here's a step-by-step guide toward embracing renewal energy source: Step 1. Get to know solar power It’s always a good idea to get yourself acquainted with new technology, and how others are using it. The use of solar power is no different, and getting behind cleaner, more sustainable energy starts with eliminating any doubts you may have, once and for all.

Local celebrity solar champions have teamed up with Greenpeace for the Juana Solar Busts a Myth in Minutes series (you can watch them on http://www.iwantsolar.ph) to break the most common renewable energy myths that bring about these doubts.

Solar panels are designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating

Ask a friend or relative who’s a solar consumer directly about his/her experience. It's also a great idea to look into first-hand accounts from solar energy users.

These solar stories are where you’re most likely to get the answers you're looking for.

It's also worth reading up on how light energy is converted into electricity. Many sites offer comprehensive yet newbie-friendly materials on the science behind solar panels, like Save On Energy’s

article on how solar panels work.

Step 2. Do an energy audit It’s necessary to find out how much energy you consume. It’s a crucial step in determining the solar equipment you’ll need, and also helps you determine how much you can save in terms of both energy efficiency and production.

With a bit of research, you can conduct the energy audit yourself or seek the help of a solar panel provider. Most

providers can even give you an estimate of how much you can save on your monthly electricity bill with each specific number of solar panels you install.

Once you know the amount of power you need after installing energy efficient systems, then you can decide on and ask your preferred provider about the following: Partial System vs. Full System - you can opt to acquire a system to power your Turn to F2

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ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Win cash daily by dialing Jollibee’s #8-7000 nationwide delivery hotline

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ollibee delivery customers can once again win P87000.00 cash daily as Jollibee brings back the P87K Everyday Giveaway promo. Now, winning is made easier with the nationwide 8-7000 delivery hotline, with only one number to dial for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Until Sept. 15, customers who will call the 8-7000 delivery hotline to order a Jollibee Value Meal with any Coca-Cola product, automatically becomes eligible to win P87000.00 cash, tax-free. A unique transaction number will be produced and enlisted for the draw.

Weekly draws will be done every Monday throughout the duration of the promo. A Jollibee representative will call winners for delivery address verification. Winners will also be announced in Jollibee’s official Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Just like how one can’t get enough of the great tasting, langhap-sarap Jollibee treats, there’s also no limit to the number of entries. As long as the delivery transaction is deemed valid for the promo, the caller keeps earning entries and increases his chances of winning.

“The ‘P87K Everyday Giveaway’ promo is another way of living up to the Jollibee Express Delivery’s promise of bringing joy and happiness to

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entire home or start with having certain appliances or parts of your house powered by solar energy.

Off-grid setup vs. Grid-tied setup - An off-grid setup allows you to be independent from the power supplier in your area. With an off-grid setup you’ll need a controller, inverter, and batteries to be able to store energy for nighttime use. With a Grid-tied setup, you produce solar energy from solar panels and sell the energy back to your local electric company. This setup can lower your electricity bills with net metering.

Type and size of panels (including size of battery, charge controller and inverter, if not connected to the grid) - The type and size of panels will depend on your budget, energy needs, available space and location. It’s best to consult with your provider on this.

Step 3. Financing There are already many financing options available for those looking to solarize their homes or businesses. Some solar panel providers offer in-house financing in easy installments, while banks like BPI and BDO offer loans specifically for solar home installations.

PAG-IBIG also offers loans for the purchase and installation of solar panels to members who want to save on electricity costs with renewable energy through the agency’s Home Improvement Loan.

Step 4. Purchase & Installation Another thing to consider when you purchase solar panels is finding the optimal space for it in your home.

We highly recommend that you leave the installation to experts to avoid safety hazards. Most providers can tell the optimal location and orientation of the panels.

You may visit http://www.iwantsolar.ph/solarize-your-home for a downloadable list of solar panel providers in the Philippines.

Step 5. Reap the benefits and share your story If it’s good to connect with like-minded individuals early on, it’s even better to share your experience with many more who are scared of taking the first step. Your solar story can change lives.

FedEx and PDRF team up to deliver relief aid

Filipinos’ doorsteps. With the one number #8-7000 nationwide delivery hotline, and the launch of the promo, we hope that our customers will continue to experience a more convenient and

hassle-free way of getting their favorite Jollibee meals while earning a chance to win P87,000 cash daily,” said Manjie Yap, Jollibee Vice President for National Business Channels.

So hurry and call Jollibee Express Delivery’s centralized hotline, 8-7000 and get the chance to open up your door to not just your langhap-sarap meal, but also P87,000.00!

Disaster preparedness in Tanay, Rizal IN partnership with DZMM TeleRadyo, Eveready recently concluded its series of disaster preparedness seminars at the Bakasyunan Resort in Tanay, Rizal during DZMM’s Red Alert Emergency Expo.

The series of seminars were previously held in Quezon City, Dagupan, and Batangas.

According to Martin Valenzuela, Brand Activation Manager of Eveready Philippines, the culminating event is focused towards institutionalizing emergency preparedness among the general public—a longstanding commitment that the company initiated to help Filipino families equip themselves with the right products during natural and man-made catastrophies.

The Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the Asia Pacific region. Recent reports revealed that the country was among the top ten countries with the most number of people affected by disasters.

It is for this reason that Eveready Philippines and DZMM TeleRadyo embarked on a program to educate the public on the value of disaster preparedness by not only knowing what to do in such an event but also how to equip families and homes with life-saving es-

Average...

ABS-CBN and Eveready Philippines executives collaborate in staging disaster and preparedness seminars

sentials that help increase the chances of survival.

“Having the right knowledge when it comes to disaster preparedness will go a long way in saving your life, as well as your loved ones’,” Valenzuela said. “It is necessary to have the will to live and knowledge to survive, but this starts with the right preparations.”

He continued, “Eveready is one with DZMM in creat-

ing a solid community where everyone is prepared. This is also where we are anchoring all our efforts on—we believe that a community that’s ready to face what comes ahead is a safe community.”

Emergency expert Louie Domingo demonstrated how families can equip themselves during emergencies by showing a bucket filled essential items like afirst-aid kit, canned goods, portable

radio, umbrella, lifebuoy, Eveready flashlights and batteries, and other necessities.

According to Valenzuela, Eveready’s wide-range of reliable flashlights have been proven as the best lighting companion by families in the Philippines and around world. Compared with cheap rechargeable flashlights that need to be charged longer than its running time, Eveready’s own roster of flashlights are tried and tested for different tough situations.

On the other hand, Eveready’s affordable batteries complement batteryoperated home devices such as wall clocks, remote controls and cordless phones— making it the right choice for families.

“Demand for reliable flashlights and batteries significantly increases during calamities, primarily because of its need. This is good news for us because this means that people are now more aware of the preparations they need to do even before the worst disasters come,” Valenzuela said.

“Why we need to prepare is very simple: kung gusto mong mabuhay, mag-prepare ka,” Domingo said. “It has always been important and it has always been relevant kasi nga buhay ang pinag-

FEDEX has a long history of providing charitable assistance to local communities in times of crisis. As a proof, FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp., in cooperation with 2GO, teamed up with the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation (PDRF) to deliver truckloads of relief goods to communities affected by natural calamities in the country.

The delivery, containing donations from Accenture Inc. and Philex Mining Corporation, will benefit at least 100 families in Barangays Villa Flor and Conception in Isabela, Cagayan Valley.

These farmers were recently affected by extreme weather changes that destroyed crops and affected their livelihood.

FedEx provided logistics support to deliver sacks of rice, assorted noodles, canned

goods, and other necessities to the affected families.

“We recognize the need for a proactive, multi-stakeholder approach to disaster management. By providing donors and non-profit organizations with what we do best—logistics support—we do our share in disaster relief and recovery efforts to help communities affected by these events,” said John Peterson, FedEx Express acting Managing Director for the Philippines, Indonesia and Brunei.

Disaster readiness, relief and recovery are critical components of the FedEx humanitarian culture and values.

FedEx team members exemplify the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism by seizing opportunities that lessen the impact of natural disasters to far-flung communities in the country.

FedEx Express delivered donations to local communities affected by extreme weather changes

uusapan. ‘Paghandaka, hindi mo lang naililigtas ang buhay mo. Naililigtas mo na rin ang buhay ng mga taong nasa paligid mo.”

On top of the disaster preparedness seminar, DZMM TeleRadyo—through its Red Alert Emergency Expo— also discussed hostile environment rescue operations and simple self-defense techniques that attendees can follow. The representatives from the program also conducted fire safety drills, water and flood rescue demonstrations, and open street map training.

For its part, Eveready Philippines conducted a game, which allowed participants the chance to take home Eveready lighting products for free. More than fifty residents participated in the game wherein 14 of them

won Eveready products.

“Preparedness is very important in a disaster-prone country like the Philippines.

Disaster affects everyone, whether you’re a student or an elderly. The best we can do is to prepare—and the best preparation you can do for yourself is to be informed,” said Ralph Quidlat, a professor who attended the expo.

Valenzuela concluded, “Being prepared is a neverending responsibility, which is why we will continue to disseminate information on disaster preparedness so that people will always be ready for anything.”

For more details about Eveready, the website at http://www.eveready.com.ph/ Eveready2/ or follow their Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/EvereadyPH/.

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Numerous initiatives are in place to maintain the quality of water in Donsol, Sorsogon to ensure survival of the ocean’s gentle giants

Practice...

From F4 tion as an essential means to promote positive social and environmental change, to encourage both its competition, companies in other industries, and start-up businesses to follow suit.

“So, when we talk about CSR, it’s all about sustainability, which means building our business for the long term by balancing social, environmental and economic considerations in the decisions we make,” concludes Brian.

Apart from the environmental component, companies invest on communities through bloodletting and reading programs

TESDA teaches women acquire skillls in traditionally male-dominated jobs THE Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and global detergent brand Ariel, through its AhonPinay campaign, have recently signed an agreement to implement a program that will empower women in the workplace, particularly in the tech-voc sector.

The TESDA-Ariel partnership will enable the implementation of eveningclasses for competency-based training in several tech-voc courses like Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) SCII, Plumbing NC II, Automotive Servicing NC II and Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) NC II. “We want to open more opportunities for women in the workplace, even in traditionally male-dominated jobs, and empower them to reach their potentials,” TESDA Director General Irene Isaac said after signing a memorandum of agreement with Procter and Gamble (P&G), makers of Ariel, as represented by Jaryd Chan, the company’s brand manager.

The partnership entails including women in the various labor sectors, even those that are traditionally male-dominated like welding, plumbing, electrical installation, utility services and manpower, which are the in-demand jobs in the country and abroad. Apart from challenging themselves by taking on these tasks, these women are also trained to aim for a better financial future.

The agreement is part of Ariel’s AhonPinay, an advocacy campaign mounted in cooperation with the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) to help uplift the civil and labor rights of women, and raise awareness on gender equality and resolve gender-centered problems.

AhonPinay is part of P&G Ariel’s global advocacy along with the #Sharetheload campaign online in India, and the Rise Women campaign in Vietnam.

Multinational companies, including start up businesses, are committed to decreasing their carbon footprint

ENGAGING STORIES, REFRESHING BRANDS With over 70 years of serving well-loved beverages to Filipinos, Pepsi Philippines has witnessedcolorful stories of people who have grown up with our exciting brands and product offerings.

From sari-sari stores to restaurants and supermarkets, we are present in over 700,000 outlets, as well as through our extensive distribution and manufacturing network that spans the entire country.

We support livelihoods and communities through our business operations and our TAYO NA! corporate social responsibility commitment (which stands for Talino, Asenso, Yaman, Oras), focusing on nutrition, education, livelihood, environment, and employee volunteerism.

Stories of success from our customers and consumers renew our drive to keep our communities refreshed and ready for new stories to unfold. www.pepsiphilippines.com

(L-R) Emergency expert Louie Domingo; Mahar Lagmay, DZMM Red Alert host; and Martin Valenzuela, Brand Activation Manager of Eveready, team up to educate the residents of Tanay, Rizal on the importance of disaster preparedness during DZMM’s Red Alert Emergency Expo.

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A PRACTICE THAT GOES BEYOND THE USUAL BUSINESS

Defining corporate social responsibility

By Nickie Wang

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very weekend, some 20 out-of-school youths visit an office building in Quezon City to attend a whole day seminar. They are provided with learning modules and other reading material about business communication. It’s a 10-week crash course on the English language, personality development, public speaking, and project presentation.

The seminar is for free and the instructors are mostly managers and subject matter experts employed by a leading financial institution. Participants are nominated and chosen based on their collective household income or those families that can be considered less privileged.

The goal of the seminar is to equip participants with the right tool to develop their communication skills, to help them pass an interview and eventually land a job in business process outsourcing or in other industries that give high premium on the applicants’ ability to communicate well in English, both

written and oral.

Apart from this weekly activity, employees of the financial institution participate in other well-meaning initiatives like volunteering in scientific studies conducted in Donsol, Sorsogon that find better ways to maintain water quality to ensure survival of the whale sharks. Independently, it has regular feeding and reading programs among public schools pupils, and tree planting, fun run and bloodletting initiatives, which are mostly conducted twice a year.

Interestingly, none of these were heard in public or had been publicized in major dailies – no photo

Corporate Social Responsibility’s social component also talks about the impact of the initiatives impact on communities than on the firm

ops of the institution’s big bosses and their beneficiaries. Brian, who prefers to be called by his first name and one of the senior man-

A great amount of research has been dedicated to protect the marine life

agers of the financial institution, which he asked not to be mentioned, explains: “While our main priority is to grow our business in the country, we also acknowledge our responsibility as a multinational company to give back.”

At the moment, Brian is part of a team that aims to cut down their Philippine sites’ carbon emission. They have implemented defined measures and see to it they are rolled out in different departments and each employee is aware of the mandate.

They have even changed their suppliers that manufacture greener material.

“Our employees’ participation in any kind of events and programs is essential.

Their unparalleled commitment defines the success of our projects. We conduct these activities sans publicity because it will defeat the purpose. You don’t help

someone or do something meaningful and tell it to the whole world,” says Brian.

The financial institution that has business interests across the region, Europe and North America divides its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities into three components: finance, operations and communities. They address environmental, social and ethical developments, which present risks or opportunities for the business contributes to its financial success. Employees and executives are not impelled to participate.

Involvement is voluntary.

Reports are sent not to the media but to its business partners. A monthly newsletter is sent to its employees and to its customers and stakeholders via email and every case study conducted is available on its website.

“We rely on word of mouth.

The business grew like that.

We protect the interest of our business partners, we make our employees feel proud to be working with us, and we satisfy our clients and customers by making them realize they chose a company with a conscience – a company that takes its non-business activities seriously, too,” the executive furthers.

He expounds on creating an overall positive reputation because it’s how their business expands. In every corporate policy implemented and business partnership undertaken, there are underlying economic, social and environmental benefits considered. It is a significant opportunity to generate value and discuss what the company can do more to sustain its business not just for next few years. It’s basically about building its business for the long term.

And as a financially powerful company, it sees it posiTurn to F3