Manila Standard - 2016 August 5 - Friday

Drug war brings terror to slums VOL. XXX • NO. 174 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

THE CHECKERED PUNISHER. President Rodrigo Duterte appreciates two custom-made figures of himself: One clad in denim jeans and his trademark checkered polo shirt; the other, a movie character resembling ‘The Punisher’ as he has been known to pursue an iron-fist policy in his war on crimes. Malacañang Photo

UN slams killings; drug lords tagged More public officials linked to illegal drugs

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera and Mel Caspe DAVAO Occidental Gov. Claude Bautista on Thursday named former congressman Marc Cagas as the drug personality that President Rodrigo Duterte referred to in his speech Wednesday.

“It is Marc Cagas. It was a known issue in Davao del Sur that he is an addict,” said Bautista, a rival of the congressman’s father, jailed Davao del Sur governor Douglas Cagas.

Bautista said Marc had already been put in a rehabilitation center three times.

“I don’t care if they file a case against me, his son is a drug dependent, a drug addict,” Bau-

tista said of Cagas.

He said that Marc was untouchable when Cagas was governor, which was the reason the number of drug addicts in Davao del Sur ballooned.

Bautista ran for governor in 2010 but he was defeated by Cagas. In 2013, Bautista won the gubernatorial seat.

The Manila Standard repeatedly tried to contact Cagas, but text messages and phone calls were left unaswered.

In Tacloban City, the Philippine National Police regional command said it was preparing to file cases against Mayor Roland Espinosa Sr. of Albuera, Leyte, initially on drug-related charges and murder.

By John Paolo Bencito

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HE United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on Thursday slammed the Duterte administration for the sharp increase in drug-related killings, following the appeal of more than 300 anti-narcotics and human rights groups from around the world to condemn the governent’s apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings.

The Palace, however, said Thursday that warring drug groups were behind the spate of vigilante-style killings of suspected drug dealers.

In a statement from Vienna, Austria, UNODC Executive Di-

rector Yury Fedotov said he joined UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon in “condemning the apparent endorsement of extrajudicial killings.” “[Extrajudicial killings] is illegal and a breach of fundamental

rights and freedoms,” Fedotov said in a statement.

Fedotov, who heads the UN anti-drug body, said that the apparent rise of drug-related killings “contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions” and “do not serve the cause of justice.”

Fedotov also reminded President Rodrigo Duterte that during a special session of the UN General Assembly on the world drug problem, governments committed to ensuring that “all people can live in health, dignity and peace, with security and prosperity.”

“Such responses contravene the provisions of the international drug control conventions, Next page

MEN shot and left to bleed out on busy streets, mutilated corpses dumped in vacant lots. The bodies are piling up as President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war brings terror to Filipino slums.

Hundreds of people have died since Duterte won a landslide election in May, promising to rid society of drugs and crime in six months by killing tens of thousands of criminals.

In one viral image summing up the human cost, a young woman howls in pain as she cradles her partner’s blood-soaked body under the glare of television lights as horrified bystanders look on from behind yellow police crime tape.

“My husband was innocent.

He never hurt anyone,” Jennilyn Olayres said of her partner Michael Siaron, 30, a tricycle driver--refuting the crude cardboard poster left behind by the motorcycle-riding gunmen killers saying “drug pusher.”

Police figures showed this week that 402 drug suspects had been killed since Duterte was sworn in at the end of June. That figure does not include those slain by suspected vigilantes.

ABS-CBN, reported that 603 people had been killed since Duterte’s May election, with 211 murdered by unidentified gunmen.

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402

suspected drug pushers killed

600,000 suspects surrendered

5,418

suspects arrested Source: Philippine National Police

Leila on negligence rap: Smear drive 11 Reds in govt’s bid for 10.5m rate selves as poor bailout FEWER Filipinos or 45 percent consider themselves poor compared with 46 percent two months before, a recent Social Weather Stations survey showed Thursday.

More than 10.5 million Filipino families or 45 percent rated themselves poor based on the

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results of a June 24-27 survey of 1,200 adults nationwide.

An April survey had a higher 46 percent of the respondents saying they were poor.

Since the SWS conducted its Indicators of Governance and the Economy, the lowest self-rated Next page

MALACAÑANG on Thursday accused Senator Leila de Lima of negligence in the anti-drug and criminality campaign during her term as Justice secretary.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo said De Lima, who served as Justice secretary under the Aquino administration, had already been told of the drug problem inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa involving drug lords.

“My question to you is, the President is telling you by public pronouncements that in

Muntinlupa, there is shabu being cooked,” Panelo told the Manila Standard.

“But it took you years to even look into the problem of drug lords lurking inside [the New Bilibid Prisons].

“Assuming that you have done something, why is it that until now the illegal drug trade haven’t been stopped? It means that you haven’t done your work thoroughly and that would only mean negligence during your term.”

In response, De Lima said Panelo’s statement was just one of the

vicious attacks against her by the officials of the Duterte administration and his allies following her push for a congressional inquiry into the summary executions of drug suspects.

She said her critics and detractors were trying hard to malign her good name and reputation in order to discredit her.

“I will not go into that good night without nary a whimper while all these misguided men use the President’s war against drugs as their platform to destroy Next page

Rody sets Misuari’s turn to be seen, heard

Accused tells all on fertilizer fund scam

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will be meeting with Moro National Liberation Front chairman Nur Misuari on Aug. 12, during his second visit to Basilan since he took over the presidency, an official said Thursday.

“The President will be speaking with Nur next Friday,” said Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo who will be accompanying Duterte.

The President has repeatedly said he is eyeing to talk with Misuari, who is at large following the failed 2013 Zamboanga siege, to focus on building the framework for the Bangsamoro peace process that will include the Moro Islamic Liberation Front.

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THE Sandiganbayan will conduct a full-blown investigation into the plunder case against former Agriculture Secretary Luis Ramon Lorenzo and his Undersecretary Jocelyn Bolante over the P728million fertilizer fund scam during the Arroyo administration.

That became clear after the anti-graft court on Thursday released its resolution on the matter in which the prosecution dropped Jose Barredo Jr. as an accused and made him a state witness against Lorenzo and Bolante.

“This Court recognizes that the right to determine who to prosecute is essentially an executive function, and not a judicial one,” the court said in its Next page resolution.

CONSOLATION. National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa offers comforting words to Genaire

Bumagat, wife of senior police officer 4 Edmar Bumagat who was killed while trying to serve a warrant of arrest against a murder suspect in Makati City. The PNP through Dela Rosa extended financial assistance to the cop’s family. Danny Pata

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By Rey E. Requejo THE Palace has asked the Supreme Court to order the temporary release from detention of 11 leaders of the National Democratic Front to allow them to participate in peace talks in Oslo, Norway, later this month.

In an urgent motion, Solicitor General Jose Calida asked the Supreme Court to allow the release of Tirso Alcantara, Alex Birondo, Winona Birondo, Maria Conception Bocala, Reynante Gamara, Alan Jazmines, Ma. Loida Magpatoc, Adelberto Silva, Benito Tiamzon, and Wilma Tiamzon, who are standing trial for various crimes.

Calida also pleaded the release of Rafael Baylosis, another NDF leader who already posted bail in a criminal case but forfeited the bail grant after failing to appear in hearings.

The chief state lawyer said that all 10 NDF leaders would have a “crucial role” in the peace talks where they are supposed to serve as consultants.

The chief state lawyer specifically asked the high court “to issue an order to the individual regional trial courts to order the conditional and temporary release” of the 10 detained NDF members and the grant of bail to Baylosis upon posting of another bail.

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Rody to Gina: Destroy Laguna fish cages

By John Paolo Bencito, Sandy Araneta and Anna Leah E. Gonzales

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Paz Lopez to destroy the fish pens crowding the Laguna de Bay and instead transform it into an economic haven.

Laguna Bay is a 911-square-kilometer body of water into which 21 river tributaries drain. It reportedly supplies 30 to 40 percent of the total fish requirement of Metro Manila.

Its 90,0000 hectares of brackish water experienced deterioration

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[and] do not serve the cause of justice,” Fedotov said.

“UNODC stands ready to further engage with the Philippines and all countries to bring drug traffickers to justice with the appropriate legal safeguards in line with international standards and norms, and promote prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and reintegration approaches based in evidence, science, public health and human rights,” he added.

Human rights groups had expressed alarm over the spate of killings of suspected drug peddlers, with dozens of cadavers of suspected criminals abandoned in streets with “cardboard signs,” stating their supposed crimes allegedly perpetrated by the police-akin to forms of vigilante-style extrajudicial killings that saw an increase since Duterte took office.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo however, said that the supposed claims of police killings “aren’t anymore surprising,” saying further that it’s not the police, but the drug lords themselves who are readily cutting ties with their apparatuses just prevent them from getting caught.

“We view these killings as being perpetrated by the drug lords themselves,” Panelo told the Manila Standard in an interview.

“These are not vigilantes, they are killing each other to prevent themselves from being exposed, from those will surrender or will not surrender,” he added.

Since the beginning of the administration’s “war on drugs,” more than 5,418 drugs offenders have been arrested and 120,000 reported drug offenders voluntarily surrendered, including 7,000 pushers.

However, conservative figures from the Philippine National Police show that more than 402 drug suspects had been killed a month into Duterte’s presidency. The figure does not include those allegedly slain by vigilantes.

Duterte, in various speeches, reiterated his assurance to policemen to perform their tasks without having to worry about being prosecuted for killing suspected drug traffickers and pushers.

An estimated of 1.3 million Filipinos are drug users and more than 99 percent of Metro Manila barangays are affected, the Dangerous Drugs Board said.

Metamphetamine or “shabu” is the drug of choice, imported by the Chinese and Mexican cartels, and now produced locally. It is also considered one of the most addictive substances.

Duterte said Thursday he does not care about the rising number of drug suspects who were killed under his term.

“I do not care, I really do not care,” Duterte said in a speech at Ateneo de Davao University. “I know that a user will always be a user.”

courtesy of the past administrations’ development projects under the Laguna Lake Basin 2020 scheme, which aims to convert the Laguna de Bay into a full commercial, industrial and economic hub in the year 2020.

He said that an addict needs someone to support his drug addiction, which is why many of them become criminals.

The Commission on Human Rights, however, challenged PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa’s order to shoot a drug suspect on sight, saying this was murder.

“The presumption of innocence of all persons is basic,” said Commissioner Leah Tanodra Armamento.

“The existing legal framework or laws in no instance allows killing in the apprehension of suspects nor killing after conviction as there is no death penalty,” she told the Manila Standard.

“Shoot on sight is a violation of basic human rights--right to life, right to be presumed innocence and right to due process. “Clearly, shoot on sight is murder as it contains all the elements of murder,” she said. “(There are) intent to kill with evident premeditation and abuse of superior strength.”

Senator Panfilo Lacson on Thursday also hit the rash of vigilante killings, saying this was the “ugly side” of the administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“As of last count, yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, I was talking to a police officer who’s knowledgeable on the statistics. When I mentioned to him about the alarming number of vigilante killings which was more than 200, he corrected me right away. He told me, actually sir, it’s not just 200, it’s around 600 already,” Lacson told Thursday’s regular “Kapihan sa Senado.”

Lacson said he was more surprised when he heard the figure, and even questioned the police officer if what he just said was true.

Lacson said he was also told that the 600 did not include those killed in police operations.

“I have yet to hear a pronouncement from the Palace and even from General Dela Rosa that they are (doing something) to resolve those cases or find solutions to the summary killings,” Lacson said.

Also on Thursday, the Department of Foreign Affairs confirmed that a Filipina was arrested in Hong Kong for carrying cocaine.

“Our consulate in Hong Kong has confirmed the case. She appeared in court on Aug. 1 for the reading of the charge and now awaits the bail hearing and start of trial,” DFA spokesman Charles Jose said.

He said a representative of the Philippine Consulate General in Hong Kong has already visited the Filipina in her detention.

“The Philippine consulate will extend the necessary consular and legal assistance,” Jose said.

He said the department cannot divulge the identity of the detained Filipina “as a matter of policy.” With F. Pearl A. Gajunera, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, Rio N. Araja and Macon Ramos-Araneta

“One of these days, I will destroy the fishpens. They cannot remain for all time at the expense of the poor fishermen. I’ve warned their owners,” Duterte said during the courtesy call of the Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting late Wednesday night.

“I’m saying in a diplomatic way that Laguna Lake shall be transformed into a vibrant economic zone showcasing ecotourism by addressing the negative impact of the watershed destruction, land conversion and pollution,” Duterte added.

The President’s order comes in the wake of militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya-Pilipinas) warning

Police raids of suspected drug dealers’ hideouts have led to nearnightly deaths. Most of the dead suspects--often found face-down in pools of blood--had pistols lying next to them in the act of resisting arrest, according to authorities.

Suspected sympathy killings by anti-drug vigilantes have also left a trail of death. One man was attacked as he drove his tricycle, his body left hanging from the humble vehicle as blood dripped onto the street.

Other people have simply turned up dead in deserted streets and vacant lots at night, their faces cocooned in packaging tape and with cardboard signs accusing them of being drug dealers hanging on their chests.

At his first State of the Nation Address to Congress, Duterte defended his anti-crime campaign and described the scene at Siaron’s shooting as a parody of Michelangelo’s 15th century Pieta marble sculpture.

“And there you are, dead and portrayed in a broadsheet like Mother Mary cradling the dead cadaver of Jesus Christ,” the President said, describing the tableau as “drama.”

For an alleged drug dealer, Siaron did not have a lifestyle like Mexican or Colombian cartel kingpins.

The rented hovel that was home to him and his girlfriend, made of scraps of plywood and iron sheeting, was not much bigger than a pig pen. It stood precariously on stilts atop a smelly, garbage-choked open sewer.

“At times we slept until late on purpose so we only had to worry about lunch and dinner,” Olayres, a street vendor, said at her partner’s wake.

Held in a hall at a local government office, two more of the dead were being mourned at the same time. Olayres said Siaron was among the more than 16 million Filipino voters who had catapulted Duterte to office.

The attacks have left wives and relatives crying and fainting at the carnage, but also driven drug users and small-time dealers into frantic mass surrenders to district officials. Police say a staggering 565,806 have turned themselves in.

Many of those who presented themselves with pledges to straighten out their lives wore rubber wristbands bearing Duterte’s name-materials used during his election campaign.

Before the bodies started piling up, Manila police also launched a campaign, codenamed Oplan Rody--the incoming president’s nickname--to rid the streets of drunks and shirtless men, who were made to do 40 pushups to avoid jail time.

John Paolo Bencito

Leila...

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terte administration for allegedly carrying out a “demolition job” against her.

But Duterte went soft on De Lima in a speech the same day after De Lima vowed to investigate the rising body count in the war against illegal drugs through a Senate inquiry.

“I do not blame De Lima. That’s her job,” Duterte said.

De Lima has filed a Proposed Senate Resolution 9 that will investigate, in aid of legislation, the

alleged extra-judicial killings and summary executions in the Duterte administration’s war against drugs.

Malacañang said it had no problems with De Lima’s initiative.

“We welcome the investigation.

We have no problem,” Panelo said as he repeated Duterte’s message that there would be a “relentless campaign against drug lords and there will be thorough campaign on extra-judicial killings.” John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

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have to give them a safe-conduct pass, or at least a sense of security to face you and talk to you about what’s bugging the country,” Duterte told reporters on Monday.

“If I won’t talk, how do I fix this thing?”

Even while hiding, Misuari has been helping the government to recover seven Indonesian sailors who were abducted by the terror group Abu Sayyaf in Sulu last month, according to Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza.

He said Misuari’s lawyers could have his case reviewed.

“The effort is to bring him out of Indanan,” Dureza said.

“The warrant is out and he is considered a fugitive. Any effort to get him out must go through the legal process. It is for his lawyers to initiate a reinvestigation of his case.”

Misuari aside, Duterte will also be giving a safe-conduct pass to exiled communist leader Jose Maria Sison to start the peace talks at the end of the year. John Paolo Bencito

poverty rate was 43 percentage points, which was recorded in March 2010 and which matched the all-time low hit in March 1987.

Some 31 percent of the respondents, meanwhile, considered them-

any elected public official who dares question the methods by which this war is waged,” De Lima said.

On Tuesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said De Lima was under investigation for her alleged links to the illegal drug trade.

De Lima responded through a privilege speech the next day, slamming the officials of the Du-

Misuari, who founded the MNLF, is said to be hiding in Sulu, where he is mingling with the people loyal to him and protecting him from the authorities.

Duterte has repeatedly stressed he is willing to give Misuari a safe-conduct pass to start the talks between the government and the Moro rebels.

“When you talk to the rebel, you

ing on Laguna Lake, Antazo said.

“Let’s say fish from Laguna de Bay isn’t safe anymore due to pollution; does transforming it to an ecozone significantly solve the problem? No, because untreated water wastes dumped into the lake come from thousands of industrial and commercial establishments around it,” he said.

Transforming the lake would also create a major shortage of fish in the National Capital Region, Pamalakaya said.

Lopez recently bared “initial plans” to carry out the President’s order which include removing fish pens from the lake, reconfiguring the sewage systems of the lakeside communities and reforestation of the mountains around it.

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selves poor based on the self-rated Food Poverty, the lowest for two survey periods since April 2016.

The Filipinos who said they were poor declined in the Visayas (52 percent from 57 percent) and Balance Luzon (44 percent to 41 percent) over a two-month period, while increases were reported in Metro Manila (32

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Lopez about the possible implications of transforming the Laguna de Bay into an eco-tourism zone following reports that fish products from the lake acquired high level of toxic chemicals that are dangerous to human’s health.

“This is not the first time fish contamination was reported in the media but it was never proven. The people around the lake and even the whole of Metro Manila consume the fish from the lake and yet there were no reported bad effects,” said Roman Antazo, Pamalakaya secretary general and a fisherman from Laguna Lake, in a statement.

If the conversion pushes through, it would affect tens of thousands of fisherfolk families living and rely-

percent from 30 percent) and Mindanao (54 percent from 53 percent).

The SWS Indicators of Governance and the Economy had sampling error margins of ±3 points for national percentages and ±6 points each for Metro Manila, Balance Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

ESPINOSA'S ARSENAL. Police region 8 officers led by Chief Supt.

Elmer C. Beltejar, acting Regional Director , unload an assortment of firearms and rounds of ammunition recovered from the residence of suspected drug-dealer Mayor Rolando Espinosa in Barangay Benolho, Albuera, Leyte after a shootout between cops and his alleged hitmen, six of whom died. Mel Caspe

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In a press briefing Thursday, PNP OIC regional director Chief Supt.

Elmer Beltejar said the police had been gathering evidence that linked the mayor to previous killings.

“The PNP is ready to file a case against Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. because there are people willing to testify,” Beltejar said. “There are many willing witnesses coming out to provide vital information, unlike in the past, where people were scared to testify.”

The mayor and his son, Rolando Jr., known as Kerwin, reportedly controlled a private army.

Six of the mayor’s men were killed in a shootout with police outside the mayor’s home on Wednesday.

The armed group was reportedly behind the killings of the town’s former police chief, a newly-elected town councilor and a police asset.

These killings took place between May and July this year.

On Thursday, police presented to the press some 21 assorted long firearms, 16 short firearms, hand grenades and ammunition seized after a firefight.

Some were turned over to the police by members of the Espinosa group, who surrendered to the police.

Espinosa is under police custody in Manila, after he surrendered, saying he feared for his life.

Earlier, President Duterte had warned Espinosa if he did not turn himself in, the police would shoot him on sight.

The mayor’s son Kerwin, who has been accused of being a big drug lord, is still at large.

Meanwhile, the vice mayor of Albuera, Rosa Meneses, said that a municipal official approached her saying “something might happen” to anyone who replaced Espinosa.

“I find that to be a threat. That’s why I was in hiding for two days,” Meneses said in a TV interview.

She said Espinosa did not designate her OIC before he went to Manila to surrender.

Meneses added that it was “common knowledge” that the mayor’s family had links to the illegal drug trade.

Meneses said several Espinosa supporters were accusing her of implicating him so she could take over as mayor.

Duterte had earlier called on the mayor and his son Kerwin “to surrender or be shot dead,” after Espinosa’s two bodyguards and three employees were arrested in a buy-bust operation that netted P1.9 million worth of shabu.

Mayor Espinosa surrendered Tuesday but denied any wrongdoing.

On Thursday, PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa said Kerwin Espinosa, whom the President identified as the “No. 1 drug lord in Eastern Visayas,” has sent surrender feelers.

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“We therefore grant leave to the prosecution to amend the Information and admit the amended information excluding Jose B. Barredo Jr. as one of the accused.”

The P728-million fertilizer scam, allegedly planned by Bolante and several other Agriculture officials, was allegedly a fund-raising campaign for the 2004 presidential bid of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who has been cleared by the Office of the Ombudsman on the matter.

The regional director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said the younger Espinosa also manufactured narcotics in Cebu City before transferring his illicit business to Leyte.

The younger Espinosa is said to have flown to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 21, more than two weeks before Duterte assumed the presidency.

On Wednesday, President Duterte is ready to face any sanctions or trial before the United Nations regarding concerns about extrajudicial killings in connection with the government’s war on drugs.

“I am ready to face the UN, if you are ready to solve it for us. I am ready for you,” Duterte was quoted as saying.

He also challenged the UN to recommend actions on how to stop the drug menace in the country instead of condemning his anti-crime policies.

Hundreds of suspected drug users and pushers have been killed in an aggressive nationwide anti-drug campaign since Duterte took power with a pledge to wipe out lawlessness.

In a related development, former police general and now Daanbantayan Mayor Vicente Loot denied alleged links with the younger Espinosa, which reportedly popped up in an intelligence report submitted to President Duterte.

Loot, who was one of the five police generals linked by President Duterte to the illegal drug trade, said the so-called intelligence report was unbelievable.

He said he first heard the name of Espinosa in 2010 but he never met the man personally.

Loot also denied reports that he visited Espinosa during his arrest in Tacloban in 2015.

The PNP said Thursday that three unnamed mayors in Lanao del Sur, who were believed to have ties to the illegal drug trade, have been asked to surrender to the police or risk being killed.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Police Director Chief Supt. Agripino Javier, however, did not identify the mayors.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo had earlier said that the President had named in a Cabinet meeting a total of 27 local chief executives, including governors and mayors who had been under surveillance.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said Thursday that Peter Lim, a suspected drug lord who surrendered to Duterte, was the same on its list of targeted drug personalities.

Lim had earlier surrendered to the President, who let him go but asked him to subject himself to a National Bureau of Investigtion probe.

With Rio N. Araja and John Paolo Bencito The case stemmed from the allegation that Bolante, Lorenzo and seven others allegedly approved the procurement of 2,133 liters of Bio Nature Liquid Fertilizer from supplier Feshan Philippines Inc. in 2004 using the fertilizer funds.

In August 2014, however, the antigraft court said the prosecution failed to come up with solid evidence that Bolante misused or accumulated at least P50 million to push with its case.

The court then ordered the Ombudsman to prove its case by asking it to submit additional evidence to improve

Sandigan trial: JV ‘ready to be jailed’ IF PROTECTING the lives of his constituents by equipping San Juan policemen with highpowered rifles to fight off armed robbers and stem the spike of criminality is wrong, then Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito says he is ready to go to jail for making such executive decision.

The senator aired this sentiment at the Sandiganbayan Fifth Division hearing on Monday. His case stemmed from his purchase of 20 high-powered rifles for the poorly-armed San Juan police force in 2008.

“I’m hoping, I’m praying for a fair and just trial,” Ejercito said. “I want to believe it’s [trial] based on merits. I know in my heart that I did not do wrong.”

The firearms being questioned by prosecutors were bought through a public bidding at a time when there were bank robberies and holdups in San Juan almost every day. Two policemen were killed in one of those heists.

“In San Juan, several were already killed because of robberies and two of our policemen were killed. So, we rushed the purchase of high-powered rifles to protect the lives of my constituents,” Ejercito said.

“If that is my fate, if they want me jailed, what I know is I protected the lives of my constituents at the time. I’d rather not add to the number of those getting killed at the time,” the senator said.

The senator said the 20 firearms bought for P2 million via public bidding when he was mayor are still being used by the San Juan police force.

“I’d rather suffer than allow other lives to be lost just like in 2008 when criminality was rampant in Metro Manila,” he added.

Prosecutors are questioning Ejercito’s use of calamity funds to buy the firearms in 2008.

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The NDF leaders face four different criminal cases, including a multiple murder case involving the killing of 15 suspected government spies in Inopacan, Leyte in 1985 pending with the Manila regional trial court and where Baylosis and the Tiamzon couple stand as accused.

In seeking temporary release of the NDF leaders, the OSG has proposed several conditions to the Supreme Court.

The Solicitor General suggested that the accused be released “only for the purpose of their attendance and participation in the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway commencing in August 2016, and that the period of their temporary release shall not exceed six months.”

Calida also proposed that a cash bond of P100,000 each be posted with the Office of the Clerk of Court, the NDF leaders must provide complete contact information both in the Philippines and Norway and shall undertake to return to the Philippines after the formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway.

The NDF leaders should also be required to report to the Philippine embassy in Norway whenever needed, the motion said.

In the case of Baylosis, the OSG said he should first surrender and submit to the jurisdiction of the RTC before being granted relief by the Supreme Court.

The OSG said the attendance of the members of the NDF panel in the peace negotiations “is crucial to the success of the peace talk agreement.”

The government peace panel met with the NDF panel in Oslo last June. They agreed to resume the peace talks this month under the auspices of the Norwegian government as third party facilitator.

Presidential peace process adviser Jesus Dureza earlier said the talks were moved from July to August to ensure that the NDF, Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army will well represented.

its plunder case against Bolante and his co-accused after they allegedly received P265.64 million in kickbacks.

That prompted the Office of the Special Prosecutor to submit in March 2015 an amended information that pushed for the dropping of Barredo as an accused, saying his testimony would be “very relevant” in the prosecution of the case.

Citing his sworn affidavit, the Ombudsman said Barredo, a private fertilizer supplier, was the alleged “runner” in the plan to forge the deal with local officials and to deliver kickbacks from the transactions. Maricel V. Cruz

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IN BRIEF SC asked to extend voter list-up THE Supreme Court has been asked to require the Commission on Elections to extend the registration period for the Sangguniang Kabataan elections in October because youth groups argued the law requires that the period last for 30 days.

In a petition, the youth groups led by Akbayan Youth and SK Reform Coalition pleaded the SC to order the Comelec to extend for another 15 days the registration period that ran from July 15 to 30.

The youth groups stressed that the decision of the poll body to limit the period of registration to just two weeks violated Republic Act 10742 or the SK Reform Act, which provides for a period of up to 30 days.

20 airport employees terminated THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines fired 20 of the 23 personnel who tested positive for drug use following a series of urine testing on more than 2,000 workers at 26 airports nationwide during the first half of the year.

Of the 2,620 employees who underwent screening for narcotics during that period, only 23 were found guilty of using methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as shabu.

In his report submitted to CAAP director general Antonio Buendia, physician Rolly Bayaban, head of the agency’s Office of the Flight Surgeon and Aviation Medicine (OFSAM), said the 20 employees have been dismissed while the case against three others remains under review.

Erap orders crackdown vs drug lairs MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Thursday ordered the Manila Police District to conduct search-and-destroy operations against drug lairs in Manila after the Manila City Government and the police discovered a drug den under a bridge in Binondo on Wednesday.

Estrada, who is still furious about the discovery of a clandestine drug den under a bridge, also directed the 896 barangay chairmen to take part in the campaign and act as the “eyes and ears” of the police during the operations.

Sandy Araneta

LAND DISPUTE. Farmers of Hacienda Tulungan in Mulanay, Quezon urged the congressional Commission on Appointments not to approve the appointment of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre III because of the alleged oppression that they experienced over the hacienda which was shut closed by Aguirre’s family because of an ownership dispute.

Francisco Tuyay

‘New constitution may take 3 years’

By MariceL V. Cruz

HE House of Representatives may take up to three years to come up with a new constitution but Majority Leader Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas of Ilocos Norte believes a Constituent Assembly is still the most representative mode to craft a new charter.

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Fariñas admitted that crafting a new charter is a gargantuan task and may even force the 17th Congress to place the task of legislating new laws in the back-burner.

“The legislation may stop because we are revising the Constitution,” Fariñas told report-

ers, adding that some measures, like a new death penalty law, may even be swept aside while Congress is considering a new constitution.

But he said the Lower House can still attend to the most important measures. “We can attend to it, sa every other week.

Legislative power then constituent power,” Fariñas explained.

He said the House and the Senate are scheduled to hold a caucus Tuesday next week to discuss whether congressmen and senators would be voting separately and jointly when Congress convenes into a Constituent Assembly.

But he assured the public that Congress will not railroad any provision and that every member of the 293-man chamber will be given the chance to give their inputs during the debates on Charter change.

“For everything we do, we will need 219 votes. But for an ordinary law, we only need a majority,” Fariñas explained.

“We will vote on it then we

will submit it to the people. ConAss is the best guarantee of protection for the people from vested interests. Why? Because we have to come up with something acceptable to them. Otherwise, the people will reject it. We will just waste time,” he said.

“We have to consult. We will listen to the people. We will not do anything that will not be voted upon by our people. We will be better representatives because we know our constituencies,” Fariñas said.

“Whatever we do, we will submit it to the will of the people. What we will do is not final.

There will be a lot of debates before it is presented to the people.

The best way to do it is through Con-Ass,” Fariñas stressed.

CA upholds increased LTO fines House eyes more

By Rey E. Requejo THE Court of Appeals has affirmed the validity of the order issued by the Land Transportation Office increasing the penalties for violations of traffic rules.

The CA’s Tenth Division through Associate Justice Zenaida Galapate-Laguilles dismissed the petition filed by 1-United Transport Koalisyon (1-UTAK) assailing the increased fines and penalties the LTO imposed in

2008, through Department Order No. 2008-39.

“There exists no absolute right to drive. On the contrary, it is a privilege heavily regulated,” the appellate court ruled, adding that the LTO order cannot be considered an exercise of Congress’ power to tax.

“Department Order No. 200839 indeed imposes administrative fees, charges, fines and penalties. These raise revenues, just as levied taxes would. But such

are merely incidental and hardly the primary purpose for which they were imposed. Department Order No. 2008-39 enforces administrative fees, charges, fines and penalties principally as regulatory measures and deterrents,” the appellate court stressed.

LTO Department Order 200839 which came into effect on March 2009 imposes a penalty of P5,000 on drunk drivers and P10,000 on drivers under the influence of drugs.

deputy speakers

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives is looking at increasing its number of deputy speakers from the traditional three to 12 to ensure regional representation of lawmakers especially in the event that federalism pushes through, House Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said.

Fariñas said lawmakers agreed to increase the numbers of deputy speakers during a majority caucus last Tuesday, calling it a “trial balloon” toward federalism.

“We could try if it is viable to

divide ourselves into 12 ‘states.’

We will see how the grouping will work politically, for more efficient harnessing and coordination of members. We consulted with all the members, all parties were represented, and they were in favor that we do that, a division of political boundaries,” Fariñas told reporters.

“The matter of increasing the number of deputy speakers was discussed in the majority caucus because the thrust of the Duterte administration is toward federalism. We looked at this as a possible creation of states which we could later become federal states and we came up with 12,” Fariñas said.

Federalism won’t cure all, Pimentel concedes

By Macon Araneta

GIVE PEACE A CHANCE. Various organizations pressed the government to resume peace talks with communist insurgents during a press briefing in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

WHILE admitting that federalism will not cure all the country’s problems, Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said it will likely address lingering problems rooted in the country’s cultural diversity.

Speaking in yesterday’s “Federalizing the Philippines” forum hosted by the Senate Economic Planning Office, Pimentel acknowledged that federalism is not a perfect system but the public will be duly informed of its advantages

and disadvantages.

“I am more concerned by the [survey] result that 73 percent of respondents have no or almost no knowledge of the Constitution.

PDP-Laban believes in consultative democracy, and every Filipino must have their say armed with the proper information on which to base their decision,” said Pimentel.

“My party will intensify its information campaign on federalism and the Constitution to allow our people to make an informed choice on the matter of constitutional change,” he added.

Aguirre linked to land dispute

By Francisco Tuyay LAND reform beneficiaries in Quezon urged the Commission on Appointments not to confirm the appointment of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre who is allegedly trying to eject them from the l50-hectare Hacienda Tulungan in Mulanay, Quezon that had already been awarded to them in 1994.

Carlos Icaro, president of Hacienda Tulungan Farmers Settlers Association, said Aguirre’s appointment as justice secretary only emboldens him and his family to commit more abuses against the farmers who have been tilling the land for almost 50 years.

“There have been several times we suffered physical and verbal abuse from him and his people for not heeding his order to pay P300 monthly rental for the land that is rightfully ours under the land reform program,” Icaro told Manila Standard.

The group is also preparing corruption charges against Aguirre for allegedly forcing them to pay rental for land which was already paid for by the government on behalf of land reform beneficiaries.

But Aguirre denied oppressing the farmers as he was never directly involved in managing Hacienda Tulungan and clarified that the farmers were referring to 40 hectares that were never awarded to the farmers and were left to the company that owned the land.

Aguirre blamed Mulanay Mayor Joselito Ojeda for instigating the farmers against the Aguirre family, but the mayor denied he had any interest in the hacienda and only the Aguirres stand to benefit from the dispute with the farmers.

Icaro maintained that many farmers will testify against Aguirre and his brother Rodolfo, one of the Hacienda Tulungan land reform beneficiaries who has since been acting as the manager of the estate.

“Aguirre’s Gestapo-like manner against us lowly farmers who only derived our daily living to the land we till, should be stop,” Icaro said, asking senators to look into their complaint against the Aguirres.

Sometime November last year, Icaro said armed men, identified with the Aguirre family, prevented them from repairing the damage caused by a tuphoon and blocked the road toward their homes.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Overcrowded cells

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HE government’s plan to transfer some 160 high-risk inmates from the New Bilibid Prison to Caballo Island east of Corregidor Island at the entrance of Manila Bay will do little to decongest the country’s main detention center. But it’s an idea that could lead to the development of bigger, isolated islands in the archipelago into

more humane prisons, and the decongestion of other jails.

Thousands of drug dealers and users have sought the safety of detention centers over the risk of death on the streets, pushing the capacity of jails over the limit.

Newspaper photos of inmates in a detention center sleeping on the floor side by side have caught the attention of

Human Rights Watch.

Phelim Kine, deputy director for the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, was appalled by the photos that showed the horrific overcrowding in jails and detention centers. Kine described it as “an image straight out of Dante’s ‘Purgatory,’ hundreds of half-naked men sprawled on the pavement in the sweltering

heat, desperately trying to sleep amid the cramped chaos.”

The pictures reflect the worsening humanitarian crisis inside local jails, which are already plagued by serious sanitation and health problems, including widespread tuberculosis.

Human Rights Watch has learned that many local jails fail to meet the minimum United Nations standards by

not providing adequate amounts of food and sanitation.

The Manila City Jail, for instance, has more than three times the amount of prisoners for which it was designed. Around 3,700 prisoners are detained in the jail compared with its original plan to accommodate only 1,200 inmates.

President Rodrigo Duterte should make

it his priority to uplift the conditions in local detention centers, along with his campaign against drug dealers and users. Jails and detention centers are not the ideal homes for those who violated the laws, committed crimes and are awaiting court trials. They, however, deserve more humane treatment and compassion from the government.

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

Fear of federalism

Rab from Bangladesh Bank’s financial intelligence unit, their lawyer Ajmalul Hossain will join Bangladesh Ambassador to the Philippines John Gomes in meeting officials from the Anti-Money Laundering Council, the Department of Justice, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., the report added.

The Bangladesh Bank is obviously pressuring various government entities to help it get back its money, even asking the new Senate to reopen its inquiry into the sensational hacking scam. But Senate President Koko Pimentel has, quite understandably, publicly wondered what this would accomplish, since the chamber cannot really act as the collection agent of the Bangladeshis.

What the Bangladesh central bank should really do is to Turn to A5

Turn to A5

Rescuing Leni

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES I THOUGHT I’d heard the last of Edwin “Dawende” Lacierda after his principal left Malacañang Palace to return home to Times Street at the end of June to spend the rest of his days doing whatever he was doing before he stumbled into the presidency in 2010. And true to form, Lacierda is still talking about things he completely fails to understand.

Lacierda, you see, has called on all those who voted for Leni Robredo to donate “a minimum of one peso” to pay for the Vice-President-Under-Protest’s legal fees. If all of them do that, he explained, Robredo would be out of the “tight spot” she’s in of not having money to defend herself before the Supreme Court, which is hearing the electoral protest against her filed by former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “There were 14,418,817 who played a role to ensure her vic-

WHO’S afraid of federalism?

While there are many who welcome change, including federalism and a parliamentary form of government, there are just as many who have trepidation that this shift might not be as ideal as it is being touted to be.

Christian Monsod, a member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission , cautions against federalism saying most of these changes planned in federalism can be implemented in the laws in the Local Government Code. He also cited the uneven revenue income of each province which would result in a disparity in progress.

Then, there’s also the downside that federalism might empower political dynasties even more.

Against this backdrop of looming change, it seems the charter change train is on course. President Rodrigo Duterte is the train engineer with House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez his trusted conductor who will orchestrate how the supermajority plays it in the House.

So it looks like Congress is going Con-Ass and will con us.

The dictionary defines the word “con” as to deceive or to dupe.

Riot in Rio Brazilians protested in the streets of Rio de Janeiro even as the Olympic torch arrived at the scenic city venue of the 2016 Olympic Games which opened today. The homeless, unemployed and unpaid government workers took their grievances to the streets to make known to the world their plight amid government’s massive spending to host the quadrennial Olympic Games.

Brazilian riot police fired rubber bullets and rear gas to disperse the thousands of protesters who are mostly from the city’s slum communities.

The public protests against Brazil’s failure to address social issues come at a time when the Games are also rocked by a doping scandal against Russian athletes. The scandal could cause the organizers to ban their participation.

The International Olympic Committee investigated the alleged use of performanceenhancing drugs against Russian athletes and found basis for a probable ban or suspension. The only action being decided by the IOC is whether the whole Russian team would get shut out of the

tory in the VP race,” Lacierda wrote on Facebook. “If each one of us will donate a minimum of one peso to her legal defense fund, she would not have to worry about her case and she can focus on her job as vice president.”

But Lacierda’s Piso Para Kay Leni Legal Defense Fund, like many of the bright ideas of the administration he once worked for, suffers from not being thoroughly thought out first. At least one Robredo critic, Dela Salle University Professor Antonio Contreras, thinks the initiative is solicitation, which is illegal under the Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees, or Republic Act 6713.

Contreras said that if Robredo accepts any amount raised

by Lacierda and his “Piso” volunteers for her legal defense, she would be in even deeper trouble with the law, which

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Robredo doesn’t have problems with money; she is just trying to win sympathy in the eyes of the public.” prohibits state officials from soliciting or accepting gifts.

“Actually, Robredo could already have committed solicitation when she accepted a free private jet ride to Naga City to speak recently before a local Rotary Club,” Contreras said.

Like Robredo, Lacierda is also a lawyer. Like her, as well, Lacierda is not known for being particularly well-versed in matters of law—which made

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

him perfect for a high post in the previous administration.

Personally, I think Lacierda erred in thinking that Robredo was seriously calling for donations for her legal defense. I am convinced that if Robredo was able to raise the most money among all candidates last May (all P418.6 million of it) when she still not VP, she will have no problem doing so now that she is just a proverbial heartbeat away from the presidency.

Robredo doesn’t have problems with money; she is just trying to win sympathy in the eyes of the public. Lacierda, as usual, just doesn’t get it. *** A high-level delegation from Bangladesh, a Reuters report said, is in town to seek the recovery of $63 million out of a total of $81 million stolen by hackers from that nation’s central bank early this year. Debaprosad Debnath and Abdul

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

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

Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

NOT TOO long ago, broadsheet and television networks alike showed us pictures of Manila’s congested city jails that made them really look disgustingly like one huge human sewer.

And that is just my protest: Jail is one of the most dehumanizing places one can be. All talk of rehabilitation and reform is just ludicrous in such circumstances. Our jails, many of them, are a present-day rendition of the horrors of the infernal pit Dante Alighieri immortalized!

And every day, especially under the aegis of President Digong’s relentless, even brutal, war on drugs, we send even more yet into this horrid cesspool of broken humanity.

No, it cannot be right to treat people the way we treat our detainees and our prisoners, and no one emerges from such horrid conditions a better person.

Such inhumane treatment only fills the heart with bitterness and hatred, and an insatiable desire for revenge that truly deforms the soul and irreparably perverts the spirit. No one deserves the cramped, squalid and blatantly dehumanizing conditions of our jails because no one truly ever deserves to be stripped of his humanity. It dehumanizes us all to dehumanize others the way we do the persons we throw behind bars.

What disgusts me equally, however, is that we seem to be so intellectually bankrupt and so bereft of imagination that the only solution we propose is to build even larger and more capacious jailing facilities—proposing even a Philippine revival of the Alcatraz that the United States itself abandoned! We seem to have accepted as an immutable truth that to every offense, there corresponds a number of days, months or years in prison and that—by our skewed reckoning—sets society aright again. Most do not see that the whole system of depriving persons who have breached the law of their liberty and keeping them in jails is a construct of much earlier, more naive times and that the time to deconstruct, to look at alternative theories of penalty, is long overdue.

The Revised Penal Code —as do special penal laws —establishes a mythical correspondence between the supposed gravity of an offense and the number of years one must “pay the debt” to society by doing time and insofar as the proposed Code of Crimes to which a lot of work has been given of late subscribes to this myth, it really makes no progress. Now, that clearly is a lot of fiction. Debt to society?

Who is exacting that, when many of the members of society, by the same standards,

should also be doing time, except that by bribe or craft or ruse or scheme they are able to override the penal system!

And just how is that debt paid by doing time? But we seem to be devoted to this conceptual fossil: crime means time!

The question, in fact, remains unanswered: How is justice served when a crime is committed by worsening the lot of the offender? How does the suffering of the offender improve the lot of the victim? It does satisfy the desire for revenge, in some measure, but we were supposed to have outgrown a long time ago the urge for revenge that is actually so destructive and unproductive!

Rescuing...

From A4

a company of cyber-security giant FireEye, whose thirdparty investigators pointed to the central bank’s weaknesses as the reason why the hackers succeeded in stealing the $81 million that ended up in the Philippines? It seems that the Bangladeshi central bankers are hell bent on blaming everybody but themselves.

Let’s not forget that the reason why the central bank’s money got stolen from its accounts in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York was because the latter received authenticated instructions through the SWIFT system from the Bangladesh central bank to release the funds. At the end of the day, the Bangladeshis cannot expect anyone, least of all Philippine authorities, to help them fix their own vulnerabilities.

The bulk of the money isn’t even here anymore, having already been spirited overseas.

And we’re sure as hell not going to be responsible for that.

file a case in the courts instead of trying to find shortcuts to get back its money. But if the central bank goes that route, it will have to make sure that it has a strong case.

The biggest problem confronting the Bangladeshis is their own apparent culpability in the scandal. After all, their own finance minister once accused the central bank’s officials of participating in what was really an “inside job.”

The Philippine government has already done everything for the Bangladeshis, who have not been transparent with us about the whole caper. Why, for instance, have Bangladeshi authorities never disclosed to local authorities the results of their own investigation of the heist?

Is it also true that the Bangladeshis prematurely ended their contract with Mandiant,

How is justice served when a crime is committed by worsening the lot of the offender?”

Much of the objection to the rather creative provisions of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act springs from that unarticulated belief that the “diversion measures” that the particular law provides are “just not enough” — meaning, of course, that it does not seem right that 15-year-olds should be spared the horrors of hell in jail! It is, to my mind, not the lack of prison facilities that is the problem but our puerile infatuation with an outmoded penal theory.

And it is this perverse romance with jails and prisons —going back to the days that people started chaining the vanquished in war, or trading them as slaves, or throwing them into dungeons—that has stunted the thinking that should go into reshaping our penal theory. If, as I think, the goal of penalty is allowing society to progress from its painful experiences of crime and offense and if punishment should consist in requiring the offender to make good the detriment inflicted on society’s progress and on the humanity of his victim, then we should be truly thinking “humanity” and “humanization.” And the fetid pits into which we throw what we perversely think of as “unsalvageable human material” are the very antithesis of all that for which a sound penal theory should aspire! rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

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Oligarchs in government

PENSEES

Congested jails?

Change our penal theory!

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ WHO or what is an oligarch?

The ordinary concept of oligarchy is that it is a rule by the few, from the word “oligos,” meaning “few.” Oligarchs follow the Golden Rule, which is, he who has the gold rules.

Gold means wealth, of course.

Wealth creates power which in turn generates more wealth.

In this country, there are four ways of creating wealth—inheritance, entrepreneurship, corruption and crime, and excellence in professional management.

The Ayala, Madrigal, and Tuason families are classic examples of wealth by inheritance, the first category. Their ancestors got access to huge tracts of land and now all the heirs have to do is employ professional managers to manage the wealth while they sit on their asses or pretend to conduct corporate social responsibility projects (to assuage perhaps their conscience why they were born to so much privilege).

Henry Sy, John Gokongwei Jr., Manny Villar, Andrew Tan, Tony Tan Caktiong, and Edgar Sia are primal examples of wealth by entrepreneurship.

Corrupt political families (easily 90 percent of our politicians) and drug lords and smugglers are prototypes of wealth by corruption and crime.

Ramon S. Ang, Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin are fine examples of wealth by professional management excellence. To me, the hardest wealth to accumulate is that through professional management (because you have to lick the assess of the first three categories before you are recognized on your own), followed by wealth by entrepreneurship.

The problem with wealthy

people is that they gravitate towards political power. They sponsor it or buy it outright during elections. So the wealthy start ruling two ways—through their stranglehold of the economy, and through their stranglehold of politics. In so doing, they end up owning the people and owning the country.

Only 100 families have ruled this country in the last 100 years. That is why we cannot say the Philippines is a true democracy. It is a rule by the elite, the 0.02 percent of the population. It is a rule by a few oligarchies. In cruder times, a guy like Pol Pot would know how to deal with them.

Or ask Rodrigo Duterte, today the most popular president ever, and whose solution to every major problem is the bullet—by biting it or by releasing it with lethal effects.

The question of oligarchy has suddenly become relevant after President Duterte speaking Wednesday night before free election advocates in Malacañang, the presidential palace, disclosed his real motive behind constitutional change—it is to destroy oligarchs, especially those embedded in the government. He then cited a particular example of such an oligarch, Roberto “Bobby” V. Ongpin, the chair of the Alphaland real estate, high-end resorts, and wellness center conglomerate.

Bobby Ongpin should be the last to be cited by Duterte, usually an extraordinarily perceptive person and politician, as the epitome of an oligarch, much less an oligarch embedded in government.

Ongpin is not an oligarch embedded in government. There are a few others who come first and foremost—the primus inter pares of the oligarchy. Let me mention a few.

There is Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Gina Lopez of the powerful

Lopez clan which owns huge media, energy, infrastructure, and property assets. A basic natural resource is coal. Being the cheapest source, coal accounts for half of energy generation in the Philippines. The Lopez family is into energy, renewable energy whose price double that of coal-sourced energy. If you ban coal, you make RE attractive. If RE is viable, only because of massive government subsidy which subsidy at times is higher than the price of coal-sourced energy. It is like selling hamburger for only P50, even if your cost is P100, simply because half of the cost is shouldered by government subsidy.

The Lopez family’s ABSCBN, feared by all politicians, including Duterte, claims to be No. 1 nationwide (with a claimed 41 percent share) and has a market cap of P41.68 billion ($886.8 million). Her uncle, Manolo Lopez has been chair and CEO of the family holding company, Lopez Holdings Corp. (market cap: P35.27 billion), even while serving as ambassador to Japan under the BS Aquino administration. Now, that is what I call an oligarchy embedded in government.

There is Mark Villar, the congressman-son of tycoonpolitician Manuel B. Villar Jr., who once served as speaker of the House and president of the Senate, the first to hold both positions since 1946. Manny is worth $846 billion based on his ownership in Vista Land which has a market value of P76.78 billion. He has another $139 million based on his ownership of his memorial park company Golden Haven which has a market cap of P7.7 billion. Mark Villar is the Public Works and Highways secretary of Duterte. His wife is a congressman who inherited the post. Villar epitomizes dynasticism and oligarchy at its best—and worst. Mark claims there is no conflict of interest in his DPWH position since his job

is roads and highways while the family business is subdivisions.

Have you ever heard of a subdivision not traversed by roads and highways? Villar is what I call an oligarchy embedded in government.

The most classic of the oligarchs is the Ayala family.

Their Ayala Corp. has a market cap of P545.7 billion of which 49.01 percent is owned by the family, inherited from their aunt, Mercedes McMicking.

No Ayala is in government.

But their subalterns are embedded in sensitive sectors of government having to do with the Ayala businesses. A former Globe Telecom senior vice president, lawyer Rudy Salalima, is the secretary of the new Department of Information and Communication (DIC, for short), which is in charge of telcos. Globe had assets of P195 billion, revenues of P122.67 billion, and profits of P16.48 billion (P1.37 billion a month profits) in 2015. Four of every P10 of Globe profits go to Ayala Corp.

Another ex-Ayala exec, Noel Kintanar, is the railways chief of the Department of Transportation and Communications.

Ayala is going big into railways having bagged the extension of the LRT to Cavite and gotten P8 billion in advance from the BS Aquino government. In effect, Ayala is jump-starting LRT expansion using taxpayers’ money.

Finally, we have the affable Secretary of Finance, Sonny Dominguez. He used to run Ayala’s smallish BPI Agricultural Bank. Of course, he now is wealthy on his own, having become rich by professional management.

If you believe Ongpin is an oligarch embedded in government, what do you call Gina Lopez, Mark Villar, the Ayala boys, and Sonny Dominguez?

Crusaders for democracy. Don’t laugh. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Right to understand our pension system FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO WHEN President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency last June 30, he also signed his first executive order which consolidated 12 anti-poverty agencies under his Cabinet Secretary to make their programs more effective and responsive to the needs of our poor.

We thought that he would immediately follow it up with a flurry of executive orders on social protection and pensions.

But he didn’t. Yet, we weren’t disappointed even if he signed his second EO only after 23 days because it was about our longsought freedom of information.

Neither were we unhappy that it applied only to agencies of the executive branch.

The EO operationalized henceforth our right to obtain any records, documents, papers, reports, letters, contracts, minutes and transcripts of official meetings of these government agencies.

It should trigger the enactment soon of an equivalent FOI law for all three branches of government. And a determined Congress could simply pass the bill that Senator Grace Poe had already sponsored during PNoy’s presidency.

The EO is in pursuant of Section 28, Article II of our 1987 Constitution. In fact, all FOI

Fear...

From A4 competition or whether the ban would apply only to individual athletes found positive for steroid use.

It would be a shame if Russia, a world power in sports competition, gets locked out in Rio. The Russians in the 2012 Olympics finished third in medal standings behind the United States and China. Russia had finished first and second in medal haul in past Olympiads. But other countries, particularly China and Great Britain, have over the years improved their performance. Competition has really gotten tight.

Sadly, we cannot say the same of our Filipino athletes. We have

regulations are also anchored on Article 19 of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the Philippines had adopted 68 years ago on Dec. 10, 1948: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

But we may still have to wait for another 120 days before the EO could be implemented in any of the executive agencies, which it mandated to formulate their own People’s FOI Manual.

We realize, of course, that President Digong’s real object in issuing the EO is to achieve a clean government where all public transactions are free from any graft and corruption.

To attain this, he is making sure that such transactions are transparent and open to the public.

For us, pensioners and senior citizens, the EO would not simply satisfy our curiosity for trivial information or quench our thirst for useless data.

We would use it to deepen our understanding of how and why our pension system developed and became ineffective and irrelevant. We could then use it as a means to elevate social protection into playing a central role in our society, as what it does in most countries worldwide.

Specifically, we would invoke the EO in asking officials

of the Social Security System, the Government Service Insurance System, and PhilHealth about a number of vital information about their programs.

How much pensions and other benefits should they provide?

How much were they in the past, and how much would they be at the end of President Digong’s administration in 2022?

If SSS pensions could not be increased today, would they ever be increased in the future? Is increasing the contribution rate the only way to increase them?

How should these programs be financed—from contributions alone, or together with government subsidies?

Should our social protection programs be funded on a payas-you-go basis, where contributions are raised just enough and only in time to settle current obligations?

Or, should they be fully funded from the very start? If so, why were unfunded liabilities not settled by government?

How much of the funding should come from investment income? During the time of President Ferdinand Marcos and Administrator Bert Teodoro, it was illegal to invest the SSS funds in private stocks and loans to corporations. Why was this bad?

But beginning in 1987, President Cory Aquino and Administrator Joey Cuisia reversed this investment policy. Has this given SSS better returns?

Should they have a perpetual life with an unfunded liability of zero? From which document

or book is this funding principle anchored?

How are these programs financed in other countries?

The American social security program is a well-known model of a pay-as-you-go system. It is presently funded from a contribution rate of 12.9 percent of salary, and derives investment income only from government securities. Unlike our SSS, it doesn’t lend salary loans nor does it invest in the stock market.

And as reported by its Board of Trustees on June 22, its retirement trust funds are projected to be depleted in 2034.

In other words, it now has an actuarial life of only 18 years.

The information that we seek may not be available in these agencies. After all, they are not the usual that have been asked, documented or published.

For instance, if indeed GSIS does not regularly keep track of the amounts of its average pensions, how could it readily make public these amounts during the past ten years?

Naturally, officials have no choice but to decline to give us the documents that they don’t have, such as their actuarial valuation and 2015 annual reports.

But more than ever, it is now their duty to publish these documents and make them available to us.

And before President Digong asks for these documents, they’d better start creating and beefing up their research and public information departments.

yet to win a single gold medal in Olympic competition. Our two silver medals came from boxers Anthony Villanueva and Mansueto Velasco.

It’s not our athletes’ fault that they perform poorly. This is more the fault of the sports officials in charge of athletes’ training and of the management of a sound sports program.

Miss Universe in Manila The street scene in Rio could be duplicated here when Manila hosts the next Miss Universe beauty pageant. The same social conditions— unemployment, homelessness, graft and crime—are pervasive despite good economic indicators that are not felt by the poor.

Although the month-old administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is addressing the crime and

illegal drugs problems, the basic issues of poverty and lack of jobs will take years to solve or alleviate.

Will the homeless poor be swept out of sight from Manila’s streets so they won’t be seen by tourists and the Miss Universe contestants?

Those against the hosting of Miss Universe here cite the enormous funds government would underwrite to promote tourism and foreign investment. Will staging Miss U really bring in the tourists and foreign investors? This is only a short-term effect. In the end, it will be the government’s sound investment policy and infrastructure component of tourism like modern airports and good roads leading to resorts and tourism spots that would matter. Underspending for marked Aquino’s six years in office.

London armed to the teeth Some 600 heavily armed policemen have been deployed on the streets of London. Authorities said the city was drawing lessons from the series of terrorist attacks in France, Belgium and Germany where hundreds were killed.

During halcyon days before global terrorism, London policemen did not carry guns while on patrol. Firearms were only brought in by cops when confronting a heavily armed criminal. What is the world coming to? Global terrorism and ISIS happened, that’s what.

British authorities justified the deployment of armed policemen as “it’s not a matter of if, but when.” London experienced terrorist attacks in its underground railway system and street buses on July 7, 2005 during which 52 were killed by Islamist terrorists.

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Sports

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Reigning champ UE, SSC debut in kickfest REIGNING UAAP women’s champion University of the East and San Sebastian College debut as the MVPSF-Meralco Philippine Taekwondo League resumes after a two-week break with two days of actionpacked matches at the SM BF Paranaque tomorrow and at SM Valenzuela on Sunday.

The Lady Warriors and the Lady Stags kick off hostilities at 12 noon at SM BF Paranaque in Group A of the senior women’s division of the event organized and sanctioned by the Philippine Taekwondo Association and sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and Meralco.

UP and Letran also make their debut in Group B of the men’s senior division at 1 p.m., while San Sebastian battles UP in another Group A match at 2 p.m. of the competition also supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Other Group B senior men’s matches pit NU against Letran at 3:30 p.m. and UP versus NU at 5:30 p.m., sandwiching the last Group A senior women’s match between UE and UP at 4:30 p.m..

Over at SM Valenzuela the next day, Mapua and La Salle

Generals surpass last year’s showing

By Peter Atencio Games Today (The Arena in San Juan) 12 noon Lyceum vs Letran 2 p.m. San Beda vs San Sebastian 4 p.m. JRU vs Arellano

THE Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals got big plays from Sidney Onwuberre, Hamadou Laminou and Remy Morada to smother the College of St. Benilde Blazers, 76-56.

Onwuberre drilled in a gamehigh 16 points for the Generals, who posted their third win in nine games at the end of their firstround assignment Thursday in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

Coach Ariel Sison expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Generals, who surpassed their showing last season when they only had two wins.

“Very sweet. At least we surpassed our record last season,” said Sison.

Laminou provided 14 points, while Morada had 13 for the Generals.

They got a combined 22 points from Onwuberre, Laminou and Morada in moving away, 40-33, at halftime.

In the junior division, the Mapua Red Robins drew 15 points from newcomer Clint Escamis and Sherwin Concepcion as they smashed the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 100-76.

The Robins stayed on course for a Final Four seat with their 6-2 record in third.

“Nakabawi na kami,” said Red Robins’ coach Randy Alcantara as they rebounded from a previous loss to the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs.

La Salle Greenhills, led by Troy Mallinlin with 22 points and Haribon Espinosa and Vincent David with 14 and 12 points, respectively, outplayed the EAC-ICA Brigadiers, 87-74, to improve to 5-3 and stay in fourth spot.

“We’re playing catch up with our win. There are three other teams seeking to move up, and we are aware of that. The boys had an attitude of being complacent in the first half. But it was the defense in the second half that did it,” said LSGH coach Marvin Bienvenida.

Meanwhile, the University of Perpetual Help Altas held the Mapua Cardinals to just eight points in the first period to pull off a 71-51 rout.

The Altas, led by Gab Dangangon with 20 points and 11 rebounds, went on to post their fifth second triumph, finishing the first round in second spot with their 7-2 win-loss card.

take a bow in Group C of the men’s senior division at 1 p.m. after the junior division match in Group C at 12 noon between La Salle and FEU-FERN. Other senior matches in Group C has La Salle tackling FEU at 3:30 p.m. and FEU battling Mapua at 5:30 p.m., while the remaining junior jousts sees FEU taking on Emilio Aguinaldo College ICA at 3 p.m. and EAC meeting La Salle at 4:30 p.m.

PTL tournament director Stephen Fernandez reiterated that the meet serves as the breeding ground for promising taekwondo talents aspiring to make the national team and represent the country in top international competitions.

As part of exposing the participants to actual tournament conditions overseas, the PTL uses the electronic scoring system and the protective scoring system, according to Fernandez, an international referee accredited by the World Taekwondo Federation.

Fighters wear head gear and body armor embedded with sensors, with corresponding points registering on the scoreboard whenever they connect with solid blows either to the head or body, he added.

Aries Capispisan of UST (right) trades kicks with Paul Ivan Narombaba of FEU using the latest international protective scoring system, which automatically registers points on the scoreboard when blows to the body and head connect solidly.

Drugs’ storm hovers over Olympics; stadiums empty R IO DE JANEIRO—The first sporting action of the 2016 Olympics began in a nearly empty stadium on Wednesday as sport’s top court confirmed it had opened a record number of cases following the Russian doping scandal.

With the formal opening ceremony of the sporting spectacular just two days away, the women’s football tournament started with Sweden defeating South Africa 1-0.

There were just a few hundred spectators in the 60,000 Rio Olympic Stadium for the kickoff of the first of six games taking place across the country.

The stadium was closer to capacity for the second match at the same venue later Wednesday, when hosts Brazil, led by Marta, made their bow against China.

But tickets remained available for many top Olympic attractions coming up in the days ahead, including blue-riband athletics races such as the 100m final.

The women’s football tournament launched what Brazilian fans hope will be a golden campaign for their men’s and women’s teams.

The first matches of the men’s tournament will take place on Thursday, with Brazilian superstar Neymar spearheading the host nation’s quest for a first ever Olympic football gold medal -- the only international title to elude the five-time World Cup winners.

The first sport of the Games came as a welcome diversion for Olympic chiefs, who have been mired in the fallout from the drugs scandal involving Russia.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)

said that a “record” 18 appeals, mostly involving Russian athletes, had been launched ahead of the Games.

CAS on Tuesday rejected appeals by 17 Russian rowers—treated as one case— against their exclusion from the Games.

With appeals involving a dozen other Russian swimmers, wrestlers and weightlifters still to be decided, the row over state-run doping blamed on the Russian government threatened to overshadow Friday’s opening ceremony.

International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said the Russia scandal, which he has described as “contemptuous,” had exposed deficiencies in WADA. “Recent developments have shown that we need a full review of the WADA antidoping system,” he told an IOC session that continued Wednesday.

The IOC session meanwhile signalled its trend towards attracting the next genera-

tion of Olympic fans by announcing five new sports for the 2020 Games in Tokyo —surfing, skateboarding, climbing, karate and baseball.

“This is really a milestone in the innovation of the Olympic programme, which we can then experience in four years from now in Tokyo 2020,” Bach said.

- Security fears Ensuring security at the Games has been an ongoing headache for organizers in a region which has witnessed a 17 percent spike in murders in the first half of 2016, according to official figures.

Chinese athletes and officials say they have been affected by several cases of crime since arriving in Brazil for the Games.

Among the latest to register a complaint was Chinese hurdler Shi Dongpeng, who was quoted by state media as saying that his personal computer was stolen on arrival. AFP

Russians in show of defiance

Rio-bound weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia (third and fourth from left) with coach Alfoncito Aldanete (second from left) are flanked by Alsons Power executive vice president and Chief Executive Officer Tirso G. Santillan and San Ramon Power, Inc. plant manager Engr. Archie Donato during the turnover of the $3,500 cash donation from the Alsons Power group and its Zamboangabased subsidiaries SRPI and the Western Mindanao Power Corporation.

Filipino weightlifters backed THE Alsons Power Group – the first and most experienced independent power producer in Mindanao – demonstrated strong support for national sports via a $3,500 cash donation for weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz, Nestor Colonia and national coach Alfoncito Aldanete.

Diaz and Colonia, who will be competing in the 2016 Rio Olympics in Brazil, each received $1,000, while Aldanete received $1,500 during simple ceremonies at the power company’s headquarters in Makati City.

Diaz and Colonia, who both hail from Zamboanga City, expressed their gratitude for the financial support adding that the recognition from a Mindanao-based company such as Alsons – whose subsidiary the Western Mindanao Power Corp. operates a 100-MW diesel power plant in Sangali, Zamboanga City while the 105-MW San Ramon Power, Inc. baseload coal plant targeted for construction this year is located in Talisayan, also in Zamboanga City – was a morale-boosting gesture that adds to their determination to bring home the gold.

The members of the Philippine Air Force, are ranked 3rd and 4th in the world, respectively.

Diaz will be competing in the 53-kg division while it will be the 56-kg division for Colonia.

This will be the third time for Diaz to go for an Olympic gold, having first competed during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and then in 2012 in London where she was flag bearer during the opening ceremonies.

Both Diaz and Colonia have been harvesting medals in regional and international competitions, including a bronze for Colonia in the recent world championship in Houston, Texas and two golds and one silver for Diaz in the Asian Youth/Junior weightlifting Championship in Jeonju, South Korea.

According to Alsons Power corporate communications head Oscar Benedict Contreras III, the company welcomes the opportunity to help out athletes whose potential to bring home the gold is strong.

“A lot of our athletes are in dire need of financial support especially those engaged in sports that are not as high profile as boxing, basketball or athletics. As a company that is active in Zamboanga City, we feel that it is incumbent upon us to help out athletes such as Hidilyn and Nestor who are from Zamboanga City,” Contreras said, disclosing that they were also pleasantly surprised to learn that the whole national weightlifting team all come from Zamboanga.

RIO DE JANEIRO—Russian Olympians turned out in force to see their flag raised over the athletes’ village in Rio on Wednesday in an impressive show of defiance.

Numerous Russian sports stars, including their entire track and field squad, have been barred from the Games in Rio due to a string of damaging doping scandals.

But for tennis player Svetlana Kuznetsova, a two-time Grand Slam winner, it was vital for those allowed to compete to show their commitment to the cause by making their presence in the vil-

lage—and in front of the world’s media -- highly visible.

“It’s very sad that so many top athletes cannot be here with us because we’re a big country,” she said at the Russian welcome ceremony in the Olympic Village.

Whereas other major nations sent a small contingent for their ceremonies, the entire team of the embattled European powerhouse were present.

“It’s important for us to see our flag raised in the village,” added Kuznetsova, the US Open champion in 2004 and Roland Garros winner in 2009.

“We’re here to give a boost to our country at this important time.”

More than 100 sportsmen and women who were part of the original Russian team have been blocked from taking part in Rio. Earlier on Wednesday, an International Olympic Committee spokesman said the final list of Russian athletes —expected to be about 270 out of an original 387— is close to being fixed.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has received what it described as a record number of cases this week, mostly from Russians contesting their bans from the Olympics. AFP

Coach E opens classes in 2 venues YOUNG aspirants from Quezon City will get their turn to experience excellence as Coach E Basketball School opens classes at the Celebrity Sports Plaza and Ateneo covered court, completing the seven venues that will cater to the participants of the first semester.

Classes at the Celebrity Sports Plaza begin today, from 5 to 7 p.m. and runs until Sept. 11.

Sessions at Ateneo will start the following day, Aug. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.

These two venues were the latest to hold classes after Coach E Basketball School

opened at The Zone in Makati, Mother Goose Nursery School in San Juan, Valle Verde 2 in Pasig City, Greenhills West in San Juan, San Beda College in Alabang.

Parents of interested participants can contact 6311195 / 6684347 and mobile no.09088846947.

You can also email usa t c o a che b a s ke t b a l l@ gmail.com.

Online payment is available through Coach E website, www.coache.com, via Paypa,l while registration is walk-in.

This semester, Coach E Basketball School, which is known for providing low coach-to-

student ratio has partnered with Nike Prodigy Young Athletes.

The Nike Prodigy Young Athletes is the first and only Nike youth store in the Philippines catering to the athletic gear requirements of children aged 0-13 years old, offering product assortment for all major sports. They currently have three stores located in Kidzania, BGC, Fairview Ayala Terraces, and Nuvali Solenad.

Coach E Basketball School has also offered a year-round program to its participants to ensure continuity of learning.

Sports

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Local elite, CEO bets gear up for Ironman W HILE spotlight is primarily on the world-class pros, competitors in the Filipino Elite, CEO, agegroup, and relay divisions look to make their own marks in the Cobra Energy Drink Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship presented by Ford on Sunday in Cebu.

Tim Reed and Caroline Steffen defend their respective titles against a stellar roster of pros, including world champs, to highlight action in the As-Pac tilt that’s held for the first time in Asia, outside Australia and New Zealand.

As determined to race for top honors as the 33 pros are 27 Filipino elite aces, 15 CEO tri racers and close to 3,000 age-groupers and mixed, all-male, and all-female relay participants.

Forty countries are represented in 1.9K swim, 90K bike, 21K run race backed by Cobra Energy Drink as title sponsor with Ford as presenting sponsor and Globe Telecom as official wireless and broadband services partner and produced and organized

by Sunrise Events, Inc. The Ironman 70.3 As-Pac is the biggest triathlon event to be held in the Philippines.

Correspondingly, it offers the largest purse at $75,000 plus 50 slots to next year’s Iron-

man 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

The race takes competitors on a swim at the beach front of Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa, a bike ride traversing the cities of Talisay, Mandaue, Cebu, and Lapu-Lapu, and a two-loop run on Lapu-Lapu’s generally flat roads that finishes at Shangri-La. Activities officially kicked off yesterday with the opening of the swim course, athletes’ registration, expo and bike service with the pros taking center stage today (Friday) with the traditional press conference.

Young triathletes aged 6-14, meanwhile, take center stage first tomorrow (Saturday) as they slug it out for top honors in the Alaska IronKids Triathlon II. Meanwhile, for the first time, the Ironman 70.3 As-Pac can be viewed live via streaming on go.globe.com.ph and www.ironman. com through Globe Telecom’s new original productions arm, Globe Studio which will

handle the live broadcast of the event, giving triathlon fans and enthusiasts outside of Cebu the rare chance to experience the action in the keenly-awaited swim-bike-run.

Sunrise Events, Inc. is targeting 2 million viewership worldwide.

With its strong support for the multi-sport community, Globe senior advisor for Consumer Business, Dan Horan said, “this live stream service allows us to provide a oneof-a-kind experience to our customers. This gives sports fans a chance to watch their favorite athletes or teams conquer the competition, staying up-to-date on the championships right on their mobile devices.”

Other backers of the event are Philippine Airlines, Summit Water, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board, 2Go Express, Asics, Gatorade, Prudential Guarantee, Oakley, Timex, Alaska, David’s Salon, Intercare, Gu gel, Kenneth Cobonpue, Megaworld Mactan Newtown, Sun Life Financial, TYR, media partners The Philippine Star, ABS-CBN Sports+Action, TriLife Magazine, AsiaTri, Finisher Pix, technology partner Xurpas, official hotels Shangri-La Mactan Resort and Spa, Be Resorts Mactan, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Waterfront Hotel and Casino Mactan, Movenpick Hotel Mactan Island Cebu and official registration partner Active Network.

STUFFED TOYS are piled up at the official Olympics megastore on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro on August 1, 2016 ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. AFP

Triathlon fever heats up at The Mactan Newtown

The Smart/MVP Foundation team members and officials are shown after the awarding ceremony. Kneeling, from left, are: Micah Angelica Torres, Algenne Marhee Amiruddin, Jesella Fermo, Allyah Dominique Eusalan, Siamelle Grace Manalad, Mikee Rose Regala, Ma. Katerina Mercurio, Mary Lleanne Amiruddin and Liezel Haboy; Standing, from left: Cesar Oliver Basilio, Pablo Calatong Jr., Margarita Ebora, Zoi Buslig, Japeth Romi Anga-Angan, Jeffrey Jay De Jesus, Luke Ebora, Marc Jullian Navat, Godwin Jacob Calupitan, Dylan Reyes, Rey Emmanuel Azcarraga, Zachary Aguirre, Lance Oliver Ortillo, Charmaigne Gay Calatong, Joven Venancio and Ricardo Santiago Jr.; Seated, from left: Sean Falsis, Saeed Faris Faraown Loong, Don Mustapha Faraown Loong II, Ahren Hendrick Balbuena, Xenicah Manangbao, Dominic Navarro and Joaquin Antonio Marte.

Smart/MVPSF jins bag 24 golds in Korea tourney FILIPINO jins made another spectacular international performance recently when the Smart/MVP Sports Foundation team bagged 24 gold medals in the 2016 World Taekwondo Culture Expo competition in Jeonju City, Jeollabuk-do, Korea.

Supported by PLDT and Meralco, the Smart/MVPSF athletes pocketed 13 golds in kyorugi (free sparring) and 11 more in poomsae (forms) in the event which drew 2,100 participants.

The Filipinos also brought home 16 silvers – six in sparring and 10 in poom-

sae – and 19 bronzes – 10 in sparring and nine in poomsae.

The gold medalists were Godwin Jacob Calupitan, Joaquin Antonio Marte, Dylan Reyes, Sean Falsis, Mikee Rose Regala, Allyah Dominique Eusalan, Ma. Katerina Mercurio, Dominique Navarro, Marc Jullian Navat, Zoi Buslig, Japeth AngaAngan, Xenicah Manangbao, Algenne Marhee Amiruddin (sparring), Lance Oliver Ortillo, Joaquin Antonio Marte, Sean Falsis, Zachary Aguirre, Mikee Rose Regala, Allyah Dominique Eusalan,

Eagles ready to soar again in Spikers’ Turf ONE win doesn’t make a repeat champion. But Ateneo’s emphatic 25-19, 25-23, 2518 romp over San Beda last Wednesday augured well for the Loyola-based squad’s titleretention drive in the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Championship.

“We just want to start the conference with a victory and we achieved that,” said Ateneo coach Oliver Almandro.

With an intact roster firmed up by 6-8 Russian-American Anthony Paul Koyfman, the Eagles still loomed as the team to beat in the country’s premier men’s volley league organized

by Sports Vision.

Never mind if 11 other teams have also put up equally strong rosters to slug it out for the league’s mid-season conference crown. For Almandro, the more the merrier and the stronger field the better not only for his awesome Eagles but also for the fledgling league.

“It’s noticeable that all the teams are strong, anyone can beat anyone. It’s good for the league and the players because everyone would come out stronger after the competition,” said Almandro.

UAAP and league MVP Marck Espejo is Ateneo’s main man who fired 13 points against the Lions while veteran setter Ish Polvorosa never missed a beat during the offseason and dished out 29 excellent sets.

Bolstering the Eagles’ bid for a repeat is Koyfman, who debuted with 11 hits, including nine attack points, and a couple of stinging service aces.

“He’s doing waell and hopefully he’ll get to improve more,” said Almandro of his prized recruit.

Ateneo is bracketed in Group B alongside San Beda (0-1), University of Santo Tomas (1-0), University of the Philippines (1-0), Emilio Aguinaldo College (0-1) and National College of Business and Arts (01) while Perpetual Help (1-0), National U (1-0), La Salle (1-0), St. Benilde (0-1), Far Eastern U (0-1) and Phl Merchant Maritime School (0-1).

With the league just on its first week, Ateneo still has a long to go but the Eagles are ready to face and take the challenge the opposition head-on, be it UST, La Salle, EAC, Perpetual, St. Benilde or NU.

Marc Jullian Navat, Lizel Haboy, Cesar OIiver Basilio and Micah Angelica Torres (poomsae).

The silver winners were Ahren Hendrick Balbuena, Rey Emmanuel Azcarraga, Pablo Calatong Jr., Liezel Haboy, Micah Angelica Torres, Mary Lieanne Amiruddin (sparring), Luke Ebora, Jesella Fermo, Dylan Reyes, Zoi Busig, Japeth Anga-Angan, Don Mustapha Faraown Loong II, Algenne Marhee Amiruddin, Mary Lleanne Amiruddin, Saeed Faris Faraown Loong and Jeffrey Jay De Jose (poomsae).

The bronze medalists were Luke Ebora, Lance Oliver Ortillo, Jesella Fermo, Siamelle Grace Manalad, Zacharry Aguirre, Charles Lorenzo Jacob, Cesar Oliver Basilio, Don Mustapha Faraown Loong II, Saeed Faris Faraown Loong, Jefrrey Jay De Jose (sparring), Margarita Ebora, Godwin Jacob Calupitan, Ahren Hendrick Balbuena, Rey Emmanuel Azcarraga, Siamelle Grace Manalad, Charles Lorenzo Jacob, Charmaigne Gay Calatong, Xenicah Manangbao and Ma. Katerina Mercurio (poomsae).

LAPU-LAPU CITY--Spectators and participants of the Iron Man 70.3 Asia-Pacific Championship are sure to find plenty of reasons to stop by The Mactan Newtown as the grandest triathlon event in the Philippines kicks off this Sunday in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The Mactan Newtown, Megaworld’s 30-hectare township development featuring its own beachfront, has rolled out exciting events, attractions and activities as it looked to indulge tourists and participants in an authentic Cebuano cultural experience.

Beginning August 5, The Mactan Newtown will hold an all-day live roasting of Cebu’s culinary pride, the Lechon, in its newly launched Lechon Pit located at the 500-seater Mactan Alfresco, a Singaporean inspired, hawker-style food strip that houses Cebu’s most popular restaurants.

No less than Cebu’s top lechon-makers and Mactan Alfresco mainstays Ayers Lechon, Cebu Lechon Belly, Ana’s Lechon, will be preparing and roasting their signature lechon dishes in the Lechon Pit, allowing tourists and guests to witness live lechon roasting before enjoying a serving of the world’s best pork dish.

Guests at Mactan Alfresco can experience a slice of the famed Cebuano culture with live cultural performances from 6 to 8 p.m.

Spectators can also witness the race at various viewpoints as it makes its way around the township during Race Day on Aug. 7.

Moreover, supporters of the triathletes can also watch all the action at the special Race Day coverage at Mactan Alfresco from 5AM to 6PM. A sumptuous food exhibit will also greet hungry race fans at Mactan Alfresco’s beachfront area from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fil-Canadian Pagulayan in ‘fantastic four’

By Ronnie Nathanielsz FILIPINO-CANADIAN Alex Pagulayan, who won the World 9-ball Championships in 2004 in Taipei but represents Canada since he has been neglected by Philippine pool authorities, is in what WPA press officer Ted Lerner described as “the fantastic final four” in Doha, Qatar.

Lerner reported that after a week of arguably one of the most highly competitive tournaments in World 9-ball history, Pagulayan takes on Austria’s Albin Ouschan, who finished runner-up in Doha two years ago.

In the second semifinal, America’s No. 1 pool superstar Shane Van Boening, who is aiming for another crack at glory, faces off with Taiwan’s Yushuan Cheng, the current

holder of the US Open crown.

“Cheng is playing absolutely dominating pool,” said Lerner, who lives in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Ouschan, the current China Open champion and one of the planet’s best players, will clash with Pagulayan, who won this very event in Taiwan in 2004.

After fading away from pool for several years, Pagulayan has recently rekindled his love of competitive 9-ball.

Proof of this came in the US, where Pagulayan won the last two Master of the Table titles at the prestigious Derby City Classic in Indiana.

In the other semifinal, the USA’s Shane Van Boening, a runnerup here last year and a four-time US Open champion, is streaking towards another another crack at glory. But in his way stands

Cheng, who currently holds the US Open crown and is playing absolutely dominating pool.

Van Boening lost in an epic final last year to Taiwan’s amazing Ko Pin Yi last year and has, since then, continued to play top level pool in every single tournament he has entered.

The trajectory of his amazing career seems to be moving straight to the winner’s circle of the World 9-ball Championship.

Except for one hiccup in the group stages, the 33-year-old Van Boening has played impeccable pool this week.

Yesterday, he showed that he can handle any situation and any player. In the round of 16, the American found himself down, 4-1, early against Kuwaiti upstart Omar Al Shaheen. Unshakeable,

Van Boening simply took his time, stayed in stroke, and flattened Al Shaheen, 11-5.

“I feel confident, comfortable. I know how everybody plays. Alex is a grinder, he likes to take his time.

And I just do what he does and I play all the right shots. I’m just here to have fun. It’s not about the money. I’m just going to do the best I can. I don’t feel the pressure from American fans. I’ve won other tournaments, the World Cup of Pool, the World Pool Masters, US Open. This is just another tournament. “ The other semi-final features the classic matchup between the young gun, Albin Ouschan who has been knocking on the door of greatness, against the veteran exworld champion Pagulayan who is traveling the long road back to redemption.

Maersk crowned football champ LOTTO RESULTS MAERSK FC bested Red Card FC, 3-0, to emerge as the Primera division champions of the 6th Urban Football Challenge last Saturday at the McKinley Hill Stadium in Taguig City.

Bannered by the division’s MVP Jesus Cubides and Best Female Player Kristine Vinzon, Maersk FC captured the championship after

finishing the double-round robin on top of the table with six wins and two losses for a total of 18 points.

Twister United finished second, while Alabuelo FC settled for third place in the Primera division of the tournament organized by Urban Football Philippines. Torba and Red Card FC round up the finishers.

The tournament also featured six teams in the Segunda division.

Established in 2012, UFP is not only organizing tournaments for football enthusiasts but it been also involved in Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday night open plays and football camps at the McKinley Hill Stadium and The Turf in BGC.

6/49 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6/42 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 6 DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Sports

Maretella Torres-Sunang wants to advance to the final round of the Rio Olympics games’ long-jump competitions.

Marestella’s diet is key to her bid

By Peter Atencio LONG jumper Marestella Torres-Sunang is making sure her last campaign in the Olympics will be a memorable one. And this, she said, can be achieved if she reaches the finals.

“Sa kundisyon ko ngayon, ang goal ko ay makapasok sa finals,” said Torres-Sunang, who at 35, is the oldest competitor in the women’s long jump of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

To make it to the finals, a competitor needs to clear around 6.5 meters or more, just like in the 2012 London Olympics.

“Hindi ko na tinitingnan ngayon kung anong distance ang nagagawa ko. Nu’ng 2012, ang makagawa ng 6.5 meters pasok na finals,” added Torres-Sunang, a mother to a 2-year-old boy.

This time around, she had added yoga meditations to her list of activities while training for the Olympiad.

Torres-Sunang has been doing this over the last two years, ever since she signed up for main supporter James Laffterty’s adopt-an-Olympian program.

“Malaking tulong ito. Nagkakaedad na kasi ako. Lalo na sa jumps, flexibility ang kailangan. ‘Pag mas flexible, iwas sa injury,” added TorresSunang.

To make it to the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, she went through several Olympic qualifiers, the last being in the Kazakhstan nationals in Almaty, where she went past the Olympic qualifying standard of 6.72 on her final attempt.

Sunang is currently ranked no. 30 by the International Association of Athletics Federations.

To be in the medal hunt, she needs to jump longer and be in the 6.8-meter range.

To do this, the Joebert Delicano-coached Torres-Sunang is following the advise of Laffterty to follow a strict diet, which will enable her to lose a

lot of body fat.

“Her is diet is important,” said Lafferty, who noted that Torres-Sunang will be plunging into action by Aug. 16.

He said Sunang now has 10.1% body fat in her system and it has to go down to nine.

“Nine percent is where we want her to be. It’s perfect,” said Lafferty.

At present, American Brittany Reese is the long-jump favorite after having cleared 7.31 meters in Oregon, followed by Soustene Mouguenara of Germany, who is in contention with her clearance of 7.16.

Then, there’s Brooke Stratton of Australia (7.05 meters).

Less of a worry for TorresSunang are nine out of 10 Russian long jumpers, who were among those banned from the Olympiad for doping.

Russia will have only one track and field athlete in Darya Klishina, who is also model.

She is training in Florida at the time of the ban imposed by the IAAF on Russian athletes.

Klishina, who has cleared 6.84 meters to make the cut, was given an exemption because she is based at the IMG academy in Bradenton, Florida, away from her peers.

Among the nine Russians banned was Svetlana Biryukova, who is in Torres-Sunang’s range at 6.71.

Under the adopt-an-Olympian program, Torres-Sunang became the first athlete to train under Lafferty.

Lafferty, the CEO of the British-America Tobacco in the Philippines, inked a pact with the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association in 2014 to help the country snag its first Olympic medal, through a holistic approach in the training program that Lafferty’s group is following.

“She really wanted this and I saw how hard she worked to get to her third Olympics.

She deserves to be there,” said PATAFA president Philip Ella Juico.

PH’s Rio hopes now rest on 13 athletes R

IO DE JANEIRO—At the last minute, the doors to Rio opened for Fil-Japanese judoka Kodo Nakano, who will get to compete in the 2016 Olympics and add more beef to the Philippine participation here.

The good news was relayed to Filipino chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta by Philippine Karatedo Federation president Dave Carter Wednesday morning Rio time.

According to Carter, who is in Manila, the 23-year-old Nakano has been informed of the development, and will immediately fly to Rio de Janeiro.

Nakano is expected to arrive here no later than Aug. 6 or just in time

for the judo competitions on Aug. 9.

He will vie in the 81-kg class.

Romasanta welcomed the entry of Nakano, who becomes the 13th Filipino athlete to compete in the Rio Olympics that formally opens on Aug. 5.

“Of course, any addition is a welcome addition,” he said.

Romasanta explained that Nakano has long been in the list of Filipino hopefuls to the Rio Olym-

pics. But after he failed to earn an outright berth, he only hopes for a late inclusion.

The doors opened when an Iranian athlete suddenly withdrew from the competition.

“Nakano’s name and passport details were submitted to the sport entries department long before. He was in the list as a possible replacement,” said Romasanta.

“But now we were just informed

by Mr. Carter that the IF (international federation) has invited Kodo Nakano by virtue of withdrawal by the entry of Iran in the 81 kg,” he added.

Romasanta said the first thing he did after his conversation with

PBA All-Star weekend starts today

By Jeric Lopez Schedule Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. - Skills Showcase (Obstacle Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, Slam Dunk Contest) 7 p.m. - Blitz Game: Greats vs.

Stalwarts

Generika players celebrate after scoring a point. Roman Prospero

Generika bucks rusty start, nips Amy’s Games Tomorrow (FilOil Flying V Center) 2:30 pm – Cignal vs Standard Insurance-Navy 4:30 pm – F2 Logistics vs Petron MALOLOS CITY—Generika shrugged off a rusty start and pulled off a 21-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-14 conquest of Amy’s in the classification phase of the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament Thursday at the Malolos Sports and Convention Center here.

With Chloe Cortez carrying the fight, the Lifesavers caught fire down the crucial stretch of the third set before ripping the match wide

open to complete the highly crucial win in this prestigious interclub tourney bankrolled by KLab Cyscorpions, Mueller, Mikasa and Asics with TV5 as official broadcast partner.

With the win, the Lifesavers will face the winner between Cignal and Standard Insurance-Navy in the battle for 5th to 6th places on Sunday, when the league rolls back to the The Arena in San Juan.

The HD Spikers and the Corvettes are set to lock horns on Saturday.

A rising star for University of Santo Tomas in the UAAP, Cortez stood tall with 16 attacks, four blocks and an ace to finish with a game-high 21 points for Generika,

which has yet to lose a single match in the second round.

Middle blocker Gen Casugod was also impressive with nine points, while seasoned playmaker Rubie de Leon tallied nine markers on top of 19 excellent sets.

“As usual, our problem was our service errors,” said Generika coach Francis Vicente, who missed three games in the second round after guiding the Philippines’ under-19 national team to a pair of Asian tourneys in Bangkok.

“We had so many service errors that’s why we couldn’t execute in the first set. But it’s a good thing that the team recovered later on.”

True enough, nothing went right for the Lifesavers in the first set.

Snyder, Bayron share provisional Aboitiz Invitational golf lead AMERICAN American Blake Snyder and Filipino Jay Bayron both rallied at the front to fire a 68 and 71, respectively, and shared the provisional lead at six-under 138 in a weather-delayed second round of the $100,000 Aboitiz Invitational at Wack Wack’s East course Thursday.

Nicolas Paez, also of the US,

birdied No. 12 coming out of a two-hour long delay due to lightning and stood at seven-under overall with three holes to go when play was stopped due to darkness.

Paez, who strung up three birdies from No. 3 to tie Snyder and Bayron, moved ahead with a birdie on the 12th. He parred the

Carter was to check with Rio sports entries’ list officials about it.

“They confirmed it and they have issued him his credential,” he said.

“What we’re worried about is the jetlag factor because the events of judo will start Aug. 9,” said Romasanta.

Nakano joins Pinoy track and field bets Marestella Torres, Eric Cray and Mary Joy Tabal, boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, swimmers Jessie Khing Lacuna and Jasmine Alkhaldi, weightlifters Hidilyn Diaz and Nestor Colonia, table tennis’ Ian Lariba, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora and golfer Miguel Tabuena in the Rio squad.

next two for a running four-under card before organizers called off play due to darkness.

Those stranded will finish their games at 6:30 a.m. today (Friday) with the top 50 plus ties moving to the last 36 holes of the event put up by Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and sponsored

by ICTSI with the Asian Devel-

opment Tour and Pilipinas Golf Tournaments as co-organizers.

Despite the suspension of play, Paez, Snyder and Bayron loomed as the three bets to dispute the crown and the top $17,500 purse as the next best player lay six strokes off Paez although no lead is big on a tough course as the fabled WW East.

Thai Rattanon Wannasrichan birdied two of the last six holes to shoot a 71 for a 143 while Swede Malcolm Kokocinski and Indonesian George Gandranata matched par 72s for the second straight day for 144s in a tie with Aussie David Gleeson, who carded a 71 and American Micah Shin, who also shot a pair of 72s.

THE 2016 Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Weekend begins as a day full of activities is set to take place Friday.

Annual skills showcase such as the Obstacle Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Slam-Dunk Contest are bound to unfold starting 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The main attraction of the night will be the Blitz Game, pitting current PBA players, D-League Players and PBA Legends, which will feature the Greats against the Stalwarts at 7 p.m. in the nightcap.

Representing the Greats are PBA legends Johnny Abarrientos, Noli Locsin, Bong Ravena and Richard Del Rosario as well as current players Maverick Ahanmisi of Rain or Shine, Kevin Alas of NLEX, Anthony Semerad of GlobalPort and Ian Sangalang of Star. They will be joined by D-League standouts Ed Daquioag, Mac Belo, Roger Pogoy, all of which are from Phoenix, and Jonathan Grey of Racal.

On the other side, the Stalwarts will be led by legends Alvin Patrimonio, Ronnie Magsanoc, Nic Belasco and Topex Robinson and they will be joined by current gunners Chris Banchero (Alaska), David Semerad (San Miguel), Raymond Almazan (Rain or Shine) and Senator Manny Pacquiao (Mahindra), who is a replacement for teammate LA Revilla.

Rounding out their team will be D-League players Mike Tolomia (Phoenix), Russell Escoto (Phoenix), Ael Banal (Racal) and Bryan Cruz (Cafe France).

Govt orders review of power companies B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

B1

Ongpin quits as PhilWeb chair

By Jenniffer B. Austria

E

MBATTLED businessman and former trade minister Roberto Ongpin stepped down as chairman and director of online gaming company PhilWeb Corp., dragging the stock price by 36.9 percent Thursday.

“I hereby tender my resignation, with immediate effect, as chairman and director of PhilWeb Corp. and all of its subsidiaries,” Ongpin said in a letter addressed to the board of directors of PhilWeb which was disclosed to the stock exchange.

PhilWeb said the reason for Ongpin’s resignation was to en-

able him “to focus on the real estate projects of Alphaland Corp.”

Ongpin’s resignation came a day after he was named by President Duterte as an “oligarch.”

Duterte said he planned to “destroy the oligarchs that are embedded in government,” in a speech late Wednesday, and

named Ongpin as an example.

“These are the guys who just sit in their jets and in their mansions everywhere, and their money trickle like a taxi meter,” according to a video and transcript of the president’s speech. The president did not specify any actions he planned to take on Ongpin.

The Securities and Exchange Commission said it was studying the filing of a criminal case against Ongpin for alleged insider trading involving Philex Mining Corp.’s shares in 2009.

SEC last month ordered the disqualification Ongpin from the board of any publicly listed company and asked him to pay a fine P174 million, or P1 million each

from alleged 174 counts of insider trading, based on Section 54.1 of the Securities regulation Code.

These charges, however, only involved the administrative aspect of alleged insider trading.

Share price of PhilWeb plunged 36.9 percent to close at P8.95 Thursday.

The stock has been plunging since the start of July, after Duterte ordered a stop to online gambling at his first cabinet meeting. The president’s speech was the main trigger for PhilWeb’s dive, said Astro del Castillo, managing director at First Grade Finance Inc. in Manila. “Duterte is known to walk the talk and always hits the bull’s-eye. Ongpin

has a problem,” he said.

Ongpin, who had served as trade minister of late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos and was a former deputy chairman of Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post newspaper until last year, didn’t reply to a call and text message to his mobile phone. PhilWeb’s office didn’t return three calls seeking comment.

PhilWeb President Dennis Valdes said when reached by telephone that he was in a meeting and couldn’t speak.

SEC said it would strongly oppose Ongpin’s injunction petition filed with the Court of Appeals.

“While the SEC abides by the

SMIC’s income rises 11% to P15b

PSe comPoSite index Closing August 4, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,978.57 90.13

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 4, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P47.020

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.975 LOW P47.045 AVERAGE P47.014 VOLUME 335.200M

P400-P640.00 LPG/11-kg tank P34.15-P41.20 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P24.35-P27.75 Diesel

SMIC FINANCIAL BRIEFING. SM Investments Corp. reports a consolidated net income of P15 billion in the first half, up by 11 percent from

a year ago, as revenues rose 8.5 percent to P151.1 billion. Shown during the company’s media and analyst briefing at SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City are (from left) SMIC executive vice president and chief finance officer Jose Sio, senior vice president for finance Franklin Gomez, executive vice president for investment portfolio Frederic Dybuncio and SM Prime Holdings Inc. executive vice president Jeffrey Lim. BOBBY CABRERA

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 4, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

47.0310

Japan

Yen

0.009879

0.4646

UK

Pound

1.333000

62.6923

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128889

6.0618

Switzerland

Franc

1.028066

48.3510

Canada

Dollar

0.765404

35.9977

Singapore

Dollar

0.745768

35.0742

Australia

Dollar

0.758800

35.6871

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651816

124.7176

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.5413

Brunei

Dollar

0.742997

34.9439

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028628

1.3464

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.8059

Euro

Euro

1.115100

52.4443

Korea

Won

0.000896

0.0421

China

Yuan

0.150682

7.0867

India

Rupee

0.014980

0.7045

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.246548

11.5954

New Zealand

Dollar

0.715700

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031567

33.6601 1.4846 Source: PDS Bridge

TRO, it believes that its issuance does not satisfy the stringent requisites for the issuance of the extraordinary writ. The CA, while citing the complexity of the issues involved, considered “not the amount of fine imposed upon Ongpin but the penalty of disqualification and the order for him to relinquish or resign from the positions of director or officer,” SEC said.

SEC chairperson Teresita Herbosa said that under the Securities Regulation Code, the corporate regulator was mandated to “minimize if not totally eliminate insider trading and other fraudulent or manipulative devices and practices.”

Qualfon opens 580-seat call center in Manila

By Darwin G. Amojelar AMERICAN company Qualfon Inc. said Thursday it expanded its operations in the Philippines with the opening of a 580-seat contact center in Manila.

“We have started in provincial locations to stay away from hyper competition in Manila, but Manila is the center of the universe for the BPO [business process outsourcing] industry. It’s part of the market credibility and there’s a lot of tremendous talent in this area,” Qualfon chief exec-

utive Mike Marrow told reporters in a news briefing.

Marrow said the contact center in Paco, Manila would employ up to 1,200 people at full capacity. It now has 50 employees who provide customer services.

The 580-seat center sits nears the historic core of Manila, at the doorstep of the University of the Philippines Manila and just a mile or two from 20 other colleges and universities.

“Qualfons’s Manila locations denotes our new neighborhood contact center strategy, which is

all about putting job opportunities in the university communities and neighborhoods where the young people of Manila study and live,” Marrow said.

“This strategy is rooted in our mission to make people’s lives better and the reality that connecting with families and local communities build stronger relationship that result a deeper engagement and superior service,” he said.

Manuel Alcobendas, site director of Qualfon Manila, said the company expected the Paco

center to create a significant impact on its ability to engage employees through increased agent retention rates and lower absenteeism.

“At the same time, the neighborhood strategy provides a new level of convenience for employees, who shave hours off their commute times. Qualfon always aims to build cents where they deliver benefits for everyone involved. This is just another illustration of how we’re designing intelligent outsourcing locations,” he said.

CONGLOMERATE SM Investments Corp. said Thursday net income climbed 11 percent in the first half to P15 billion from P13.5 billion a year ago, on the strong performance by banking, property and retail businesses.

SM Investments chief finance officer Jose Sio said in a news briefing the company would likely sustain its positive performance for the rest of the year on favorable economic condition.

First-half revenues increased 8.5 percent to P151.1 billion from P139.2 billion in the same period last year.

“Our strong first-half performance reflects continued economic growth, boosted in part by election spending. We continue to focus on cost efficiencies and operating margin improvements.

With the merger of our retail businesses we now cater to a much wider range of consumer needs and we look forward to benefiting from increasing consumer spending,” SM Investment president Harley Sy said.

Sy said the property business contributed the most to consolidated net income with a 41-percent share, followed by banks with 38 percent and retail with 21 percent.

SM Retail said total sales increased 9 percent to P105.1 billion, while net income rose 14 percent to P3.5 billion.

SM Retail had 328 stores as of end-June, including 55 SM Stores, 47 SM Supermarkets, 45 SM Hypermarkets, 147 Savemore stores and 34 WalterMart stores.

Jenniffer B. Austria

Neda unit endorses P136-b projects

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Investment Coordination Committee-Cabinet Committee on Thursday endorsed projects worth more than P136.35 billion for approval of the National Economic and Development Authority board headed by President Rodrigo Duterte.

The ICC-CabCom in its first meeting under the Duterte administration recommended 10 projects for the Neda board’s approval.

“These recommended projects are a good start towards the government’s goal of improving government investments in infrastructure, especially in transportation and health, and agribusiness. We are optimistic that these projects will significantly contribute to the development and improvement of their target areas and communities,” said Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia.

Neda said these projects includ-

ed the North-South Railway Project – South Line, Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit- Edsa, Plaridel Bypass Toll Road Project, Metro Manila Flood Management Project and Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project for the Philippine Coast Guard.

Also approved were the Expansion of Passenger Terminal Building Area of Bicol International Airport Project, Change in Scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project, Modernization of the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital and the Inclusive Partnerships for Agricultural Competitiveness..

The South Line of NorthSouth Railway proposed by the Transportation Department is set to be undertaken through publicprivate partnership scheme in two separate projects. These are the commuter line from Tutuban to Los Baños and the long haul

line from Los Baños to Sorsogon with a branch from Calamba to Batangas City. The project has a 34-year concession period, including the four-year construction stage for the commuter line.

The hong haul line’s concession period is based on the payment timeline prescribed under the repayment scheme. The Transportation Department will resubmit the project under the proposed standard gauge rail system. The full cost of the project remains to be determined.

The Metro Manila BRT- Edsa project will span 48.6 kilometers with 63 base stations along Ayala Avenue, Ortigas-BGC and Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

It will add accessibility infrastructure such as greenways, pedestrian walkways and bikeways. The total project cost is estimated at P68.26 billion, with a public sector component cost of P37.76 billion. Implementation is expected in 2017 to 2019.

COMPETITIVENESS SUMMIT. Trade Secretary and National Competitiveness Council chairman

Ramon Lopez (front row, fourth from left) asks participants of the 4th Regional Competitiveness Summit in Pasay City to strive for one day or less business permit processing. He says this is one of the several coherent policies and programs pursued by the Trade Department to improve the country’s competitiveness in both local and global markets. Shown with Lopez are Trade assistant secretary Rafaelita Aldaba (front row, eighth from left), undersecretary Nora Terrado (back row, nine from left) NCC co-chairman Guillermo Luz (front row, third from left) and employees of this year’s most competitive highly urbanized city Quezon City, led by administrator Aldrin Cuna (center).

B2

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Manila Water’s profit increases 3% to P3.1b

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales MANILA Water Company Inc. said Thursday net income in the first half grew 3 percent to P3.13 billion from P3.03 billion in the same period last year, on higher billed water volume.

The east zone concessionaire said in a disclosure to the stock exchange revenues rose 4 percent to P8.77 billion in January to June from P8.45 billion a year ago.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization reached P6.08 billion, up from P5.83 billion in 2015.

Manila Water said total billed volume increased 4 percent to 355.2 million cubic meters from 340 mcm a year earlier.

Billed volume in the Metro Manila’s east zone grew 5 percent to 239 mcm while Boracay Water’s billed volume climbed

12 percent to 2.5 mcm. Cebu Water’s billed volume jumped 40 percent to 5.1 mcm.

Manila Water said Kenh Dong Water in Vietnam reported a total billed volume of 28.9 mcm, or 4 percent higher than 27.7 mcm in 2015.

The company said its other Vietnamese unit, Thu Duc Water, saw a 1-percent decrease in billed volume to 53.9 mcm.

Water service connections in the east zone grew 3 percent to 992,614 from 962,490 connections in 2015.

Manila Water currently provides water and wastewater services to over 6.2 million residents of eastern Metro Manila and Rizal province.

The company earlier said it planned to provide water services to industrial parks in Southeast Asian countries. Manila Water said this would enable the company to double its earnings by 2020.

Market rebounds; Melco, PLDT climb

S

TOCKS rebounded from their biggest two-day decline in a month, following a positive lead from Wall Street and strong demand for higher-yielding assets.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, rose 90 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 7,978.57 Thursday. The bellwether was also up 14.8 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also advanced 39 points, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 4,730.81 on a value turnover of

markets also rose Thursday as investors look ahead to an expected Bank of England rate cut and the release of US jobs data.

Oil prices extended gains in Asia, giving a lift to energy and mining stocks after mixed data from the US Department of Energy showed crude supplies up, but falling gasoline stock.

A better-than-expected reading on US private jobs also supported a Wall Street rally, with payroll firm ADP reporting that private US companies added 179,000 jobs in July, slightly better than expected.

“Oil has once again established

P7.1 billion.

Fifteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led

by Melco Crown (Philippines) Resorts Corp. which climbed 8.5 percent to P3.69 and Metro Retail Stores Group Inc. which gained 4.2 percent to P5.92.

PLDT Inc. advanced 3.6 percent to P1,932.

Meanwhile, other Asian stock

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

Asia United Bank 47.55 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 114.00 Bank of PI 99.65 China Bank 37.95 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.90 Bright Kindle Resources 1.55 COL Financial 16.6 Eastwest Bank 20 I-Remit Inc. 1.93 Manulife Fin. Corp.

600.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.640 Metrobank 96 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.91 PB Bank 14.7 Phil. National Bank 62.80 PSE Inc. 278 RCBC `A’ 32.15 Security Bank 224.4 Sun Life Financial 1390.00 Union Bank 73.25 Vantage Equities 1.5

47.65 116.00 102.00 38.05 3.95 1.65 17 20.3 2.03 595.50 0.660 96 0.91 14.8 63.10 282.2 32.5 226.2 1459.00 73.25 1.51

47.1 114.10 99.00 37.9 3.90 1.65 16.4 20 2.03 580.00 0.630 92.5 0.91 14.7 62.70 278 32.1 224.4 1459.00 72.95 1.51

47.65 114.80 102.00 38 3.93 1.65 16.8 20.2 2.03 580.00 0.650 93 0.91 14.7 63.00 281 32.5 225.6 1459.00 72.95 1.51

0.21 0.70 2.36 0.13 0.77 6.45 1.20 1.00 5.18 -3.33 1.56 -3.13 0.00 0.00 0.32 1.08 1.09 0.53 4.96 -0.41 0.67

18,600 140,080,142 2,659,060 83,500 19,000 6,000 29,400 64,500 6,000 230 669,000 3,640,840 10,000 20,100 67,240 1,220 523,700 659,410 5 180,310 1,000

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 148

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 32

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 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 4.02 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.35 Agrinurture Inc. 3.42 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.87 Alsons Cons.

1.92 Asiabest Group 12.48 Bogo Medelin 51.2 C. Azuc De Tarlac 195.00 Cemex Holdings 12 Century Food 17.2 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 160 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 22.3 Concepcion 57 Crown Asia 2.25 Da Vinci Capital 5.81 Del Monte 12.78 DNL Industries Inc. 10.080 Emperador 7.55 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.80 EEI 9.06 Euro-Med Lab 1.83 First Gen Corp.

24.3 First Holdings ‘A’ 69.55 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.74 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.58 Ionics Inc 2.440 Jollibee Foods Corp.

253.80 Liberty Flour 40.40 LMG Chemicals 1.96 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.11 Macay Holdings 28.20 Manila Water Co. Inc. 25.75 Maxs Group 28.9 Megawide 10.2 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 324.00 MG Holdings 0.265 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.24 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.4 Petron Corporation 10.18 Phinma Corporation 11.60 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.66 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.4 RFM Corporation 4.27 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 215 Splash Corporation 3.04 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.162 TKC Steel Corp.

1.88 Trans-Asia Oil 2.35 Universal Robina 201.4 Victorias Milling 4.38 Vitarich Corp.

1.4 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.27

45.7 3.47 0.88 2.01 12.66 54 190.00 12.02 17.6 161 22.45 57.4 2.27 5.95 12.8 10.200 7.68 5.91 9.20 1.86 24.95 70.75 12.10 16.80 5.59 2.500 260.00 40.00 1.97 4.7 30.00 26.1 29.2 10.68 326.00 0.265 4.30 3.5 10.62 11.66 5.98 1.70 3.4 4.29 217 3.04 0.164 1.90 2.38 204.2 4.78 1.51 1.27

45.2 3.3 0.86 1.88 12.4 54 190.00 11.94 17.18 155 21.95 57.2 2.21 5.8 12.68 9.980 7.59 5.78 9.02 1.73 24.3 69.65 12.10 16.22 5.55 2.400 253.00 40.00 1.97 4.12 26.30 25.65 28.85 10.06 323.80 0.265 4.26 3.4 10.46 11.66 5.84 1.66 3.2 4.25 215 3.04 0.161 1.86 2.35 201.8 4.38 1.39 1.25

45.4 3.37 0.88 1.99 12.58 54 190.00 12 17.58 161 22.35 57.2 2.27 5.94 12.68 10.000 7.68 5.91 9.05 1.73 24.75 70.5 12.10 16.44 5.59 2.400 260.00 40.00 1.97 4.3 28.50 25.9 29 10.36 324.20 0.265 4.30 3.46 10.56 11.66 5.98 1.68 3.29 4.28 215.4 3.04 0.164 1.87 2.35 204.2 4.4 1.51 1.26

0.11 -1.46 1.15 3.65 0.80 5.47 -2.56 0.00 2.21 0.63 0.22 0.35 0.89 2.24 -0.78 -0.79 1.72 1.90 -0.11 -5.46 1.85 1.37 0.00 -1.79 0.18 -1.64 2.44 -0.99 0.51 4.62 1.06 0.58 0.35 1.57 0.06 0.00 1.42 1.76 3.73 0.52 0.50 1.20 -3.24 0.23 0.19 0.00 1.23 -0.53 0.00 1.39 0.46 7.86 -0.79

1,774,900 1,518,000 220,000 15,721,000 10,100 200 50 8,353,100 3,236,300 1,830 11,482,600 10,060 1,034,000 287,100 11,300 2,546,700 772,800 18,335,000 648,100 24,000 2,333,100 94,100 100 78,300 153,300 3,542,000 605,700 4,400 1,000 575,000 113,300 1,199,300 452,000 37,832,700 111,540 20,000 12,000 2,501,000 4,269,500 1,000 219,800 134,000 466,000 5,845,000 320 472,000 3,460,000 1,207,000 955,000 1,226,340 30,000 24,365,000 423,000

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.72 27

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.39 23

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

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

0.410 74.95 15.84 1.29 6.15 0.385 0.385 880 1480.00 8.09 12.70 7 7.01 6.91 0.230 1557 6.60 81.30 7.64 0.75 15.86 7.3 0.0340 1.240 1.920 82.50 682.50 1.28 0.85 192.00 195.000 0.3250 0.2040 0.300 7.820 1.27 2.430 0.285 39.850 3.11 5.1 0.620 1.03 1.030 0.176 0.640 53.7 0.800 0.149 1.04 1.94 1.25 5.06 0.137 0.495 39.00

FINANCIALS

INDUSTRIAL

HOLDING FIRMS 0.440 76.30 16.00 1.28 6.30 0.400 0.400 895 1619.00 8.13 13.04 6.97 7.01 6.99 0.221 1599 6.60 82.90 7.7 0.81 15.98 7.5 0.0360 1.290 1.930 82.50 687.00 1.29 0.85 195.00 197.000 0.3200 0.2070 0.305

0.415 74.95 15.80 1.21 6.15 0.380 0.380 885 1100.00 8 12.68 6.53 7.01 6.91 0.221 1530 6.60 81.20 7.58 0.75 15.84 7.3 0.0340 1.290 1.910 80.70 675.00 1.26 0.85 195.00 195.000 0.3100 0.2030 0.300

PROPERTY 7.860 1.27 2.440 0.280 40.600 3.16 5.05 0.63 1.03 1.030 0.190 0.660 55.75 0.820 0.149 1.06 1.97 1.24 5.15 0.141 0.470 38.60

7.810 1.25 2.370 0.280 39.900 3.11 5.05 0.620 1.02 1.030 0.171 0.640 53.65 0.800 0.145 1.04 1.94 1.20 5.04 0.130 0.465 38.60

Close

Trade/Buying

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

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’ F&J Prince ‘B’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

Low

Net Foreign

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

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.6 1.15 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 170 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

High

Change Volume

STOCKS

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 3.68 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

Close

%

High Low

0.415 75.50 15.84 1.28 6.25 0.400 0.400 895 1400.00 8.08 13.00 6.97 7.01 6.93 0.221 1599 6.60 82.90 7.65 0.79 15.98 7.45 0.0350 1.290 1.920 82.00 678.00 1.26 0.85 195.00 197.000 0.3200 0.2030 0.305 7.860 1.27 2.440 0.280 40.600 3.15 5.05 0.620 1.03 1.030 0.182 0.660 55.5 0.800 0.145 1.06 1.94 1.24 5.06 0.140 0.470 38.60

1.22 0.73 0.00 -0.78 1.63 3.90 3.90 1.70 -5.41 -0.12 2.36 -0.43 0.00 0.29 -3.91 2.70 0.00 1.97 0.13 5.33 0.76 2.05 2.94 4.03 0.00 -0.61 -0.66 -1.56 0.00 1.56 1.03 -1.54 -0.49 1.67 0.51 0.00 0.41 -1.75 1.88 1.29 -0.98 0.00 0.00 0.00 3.41 3.13 3.35 0.00 -2.68 1.92 0.00 -0.80 0.00 2.19 -5.05 -1.03

8,830,000 3,170,460 2,618,300 68,000 46,700 7,320,000 470,000 298,160 125 406,500 10,965,200 123,500 100 3,800 200,000 98,010 55,000 1,076,950 1,655,800 2,141,000 2,060,700 23,154,500 74,500,000 2,000 522,000 100,890 272,630 83,000 4,000 10 2,570 6,120,000 50,000 640,000 71,300 454,000 529,000 90,000 7,983,400 252,000 5,300 4,682,000 18,000 15,000 240,880,000 3,964,000 610,540 471,000 460,000 3,225,000 32,819,000 118,000 22,504,500 36,140,000 120,000 100

785,030.00 135,565,466.00 -2,257,885.00

-487,020.00 35,840.00 -89,511,190.00 323,407.00 -317,530.00 271,085 -12,238,742.00 -6,071,661.50 10,234,385.00 -73,960.00 12,804,990.00

55,378,796.00 -2,516,486.00 -220,500.00 57,200 -198,880.00 10,762,818.00 3,047,111.00 50,960,829.00 -3,760,005.00 961,850.00 3,601,869.50 659,000.00 -86,418.00 -57,490.00 45,246,480.00 13,800.00 11,700.00 -444,145.00 -217,358,672.00 3,571,898.00 5,300.00 1,366,980.00 10,948,176.00 -414,380.00 -24,382,450.00 -3,040.00 -16,100.00 16,595,764 340,760.00

12,171,647.50 -22,743,968.00

-4,000.00 121,513,650.00 2,019,706.00 30,531,086.00

-30,194,830.00 -13,435,076.00 3,245,438.00 24,903,692.00 -25,108,421.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

178,646.00 -48,800.00 85,861,315.00 336,920.00 -36,580.00

Close

2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

Primex Corp.

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

16 31.90 1.77 3.25 29.25 0.92 1.010 5.950

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 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 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

17.02 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 3.2 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.95 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Asian Terminals Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp.

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

Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. `A’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. `A’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Macroasia Corp.

Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Phil. Seven Corp.

Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp.

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

7.3 49 0.600 10.6 5.62 5.78 0.1050 2.84 111 10.1 1.85 5.57 2238 6.27 15.62 20.30 1.20 63.1 22.00 185 11.02 0.0092 9.35 0.320 1.7100 3.35 12.5 6.49 3.01 2.58 0.560 2 3.4 5.68 3.470 11.5 5.35 2.61 128.00 14.18 1865.00 0.470 1.060 46.75 86.10 6.48 3.26 0.630 1.85 3.56 0.330 6.600

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining 0.0041 Apex `A’ 3.09 Atlas Cons. `A’ 4.22 Atok-Big Wedge `A’ 11.80 Basic Energy Corp.

0.220 Benguet Corp `A’ 6.4900 Benguet Corp `B’ 6.5000 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 Coal Asia 0.475 Dizon 8.20 Ferronickel 0.850 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.285 Lepanto `A’ 0.224 Lepanto `B’ 0.241 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0120 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.64 Nickelasia 5.53 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.83 Omico 0.5300 Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.1000 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0120 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.13 Philex `A’ 8.73 PhilexPetroleum 3.60 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

118.00 TA Petroleum 3.6 United Paragon 0.0100

70

33

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 48.85

553

490

515 8.21 12.28 78.95 84.8

480 5.88 6.5 74.5 75

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ DD Pref GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

6.98

0.8900 LR Warrant

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

9,881,170

-73,400.00 156,000.00 5,725,697.50

INDUSTRIAL

158,809,763

HOLDING FIRMS

147,732,140

27,630.00

PROPERTY

383,637,204

13,031,480.00

SERVICES

395,267,848

-15,245,144.00 92,000.00

High

8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

1,503,561.50 -57,747,380.00

72,300.00

STOCKS

MINING & OIL

199,259,804

GRAND TOTAL

1,297,850,825

Low

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

16.04 32.50 1.8 3.37 29.35 0.94 1.060 6.010

15.22 31.80 1.77 3.33 29.00 0.92 1.010 5.950

15.32 32.50 1.79 3.33 29.25 0.93 1.030 5.950

-4.25 1.88 1.13 2.46 0.00 1.09 1.98 0.00

65,000 1,524,300 594,000 66,000 21,863,000 778,000 761,000 2,539,400

7.3 50.5 0.600 11.2 5.6 5.95 0.1050 2.85 114.5 10 1.85 5.56 2272 6.35 16.20 20.30 1.23 64.9 23.20 180 11.5 0.0091 9.35 0.330 1.7200 3.66 12.52 6.49 3.09 2.50 0.610 2.18 3.73 5.92 3.600 11.7 5.50 2.61 129.00 13.20 1950.00 0.480 1.090 48.20 86.50 6.49 3.41 0.630 1.86 3.59 0.330 6.500

7.22 49 0.600 11.2 5.6 5.78 0.1010 2.82 111 10 1.85 5.25 2240 6.29 15.40 20.30 1.20 63.2 20.70 168 11.3 0.0088 9.33 0.320 1.5200 3.1 12.5 6.39 3.01 2.50 0.580 2 3.33 5.65 3.470 11.5 5.30 2.61 128.00 7.12 1880.00 0.465 1.050 46.70 84.80 6.31 3.22 0.610 1.86 3.55 0.330 6.410

7.22 49.8 0.600 11.2 5.6 5.90 0.1030 2.83 113.2 10 1.85 5.35 2258 6.30 16.08 20.30 1.20 63.95 21.60 170 11.4 0.0088 9.35 0.325 1.5700 3.26 12.5 6.40 3.01 2.50 0.600 2.07 3.73 5.92 3.490 11.52 5.50 2.61 129.00 8.95 1950.00 0.470 1.080 47.50 86.10 6.31 3.33 0.620 1.86 3.59 0.330 6.500

-1.10 1.63 0.00 5.66 -0.36 2.08 -1.90 -0.35 1.98 -0.99 0.00 -3.95 0.89 0.48 2.94 0.00 0.00 1.35 -1.82 -8.11 3.45 -4.35 0.00 1.56 -8.19 -2.69 0.00 -1.39 0.00 -3.10 7.14 3.50 9.71 4.23 0.58 0.17 2.80 0.00 0.78 -36.88 4.56 0.00 1.89 1.60 0.00 -2.62 2.15 -1.59 0.54 0.84 0.00 -1.52

41,400 54,800 261,000 2,300 15,600 3,174,100 157,150,000 1,792,000 696,610 2,800 20,000 815,800 88,905 105,900 269,000 400 243,000 1,198,380 117,400 630 1,700 78,000,000 577,000 13,750,000 29,644,000 1,701,000 3,300 525,200 53,000 157,000 151,000 1,265,000 21,892,000 17,439,600 1,517,000 2,188,200 93,300 4,000 200 5,215,800 177,065 3,280,000 20,517,000 665,800 822,240 850,500 22,644,000 1,003,000 3,000 189,000 100,000 178,400

0.0042 3.09 4.22 10.52 0.221 6.52 7.0000 0.63 0.480 8.30 0.860 0.295 0.225 0.241 0.0120 1.68 5.67 2.88 0.5500 1.1100 0.0120 4.13 8.84 3.85 0.0120 120.00 3.72 0.0110

0.0041 3.02 4.19 10.50 0.220 6.46 6.8000 0.6 0.470 8.07 0.840 0.285 0.221 0.240 0.0110 1.63 5.49 2.82 0.5400 1.0900 0.0120 4.12 8.60 3.60 0.0120 117.60 3.63 0.0100

0.0041 3.03 4.22 10.50 0.221 6.4600 6.8000 0.63 0.480 8.18 0.850 0.285 0.223 0.241 0.0120 1.65 5.63 2.85 0.5500 1.0900 0.0120 4.13 8.77 3.67 0.0120 117.80 3.64 0.0100

0.00 -1.94 0.00 -11.02 0.45 -0.46 4.62 5.00 1.05 -0.24 0.00 0.00 -0.45 0.00 0.00 0.61 1.81 0.71 3.77 -0.91 0.00 0.00 0.46 1.94 0.00 -0.17 1.11 0.00

35,000,000 262,000 228,000 5,800 510,000 9,400 1,300 522,000 210,000 23,200 11,726,000 180,000 7,510,000 4,050,000 57,400,000 425,000 3,998,100 103,000 14,000 183,000 23,600,000 9,000 1,299,800 6,646,000 36,600,000 548,800 68,000 8,100,000

SERVICES

MINING & OIL

PREFERRED

49.7

1.74

519.5 104.8 546 6.09 1.07 77.5 81.1 76.05 79 79 77 77.3

50.3 48.5 50,086,325.00 519.5 519.5 105.9 104.7 548 546 6.09 5.9 1.08 1.06 78.5 78 81 81 76.2 76.1 80 79 79 79 77.2 77 77.4 77.3

519.5 105.7 548 6.09 1.06 78 81 76.1 79 79 77.2 77.3

0.00 0.86 0.37 0.00 -0.93 0.65 -0.12 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.26 0.00

230 18,390 440 304,800 1,725,000 70,000 34,490 5,400 96,240 700 273,880 184,440

2.540

261.000

2.510

2.600

2.36

158,000

5.02 3.63 5.08 16.76

5.1 3.63 5.28 17.08

4.97 3.6 5.05 16.64

4.98 3.6 5.15 16.8

-0.80 -0.83 1.38 0.24

1,420,500 55,000 425,200 1,357,200

131.2

130

131.2

1.23

4,990

129.6

WARRANTS & BONDS SME

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

-7,930.00 -18,703,970.00 -269,500.00 1,252,745.00 -6,561,588.00

-687,890.00 102,030.00 296,100.00 12,718,931.00 130,777.00 -86,195,720.00

-39,100,124.50

itself as the central thematic behind the world’s financial markets,” said Chris Weston, an analyst for IG in Melbourne.

“US data was largely upbeat, with the ADP private payrolls providing some belief that Friday’s non-farm payrolls will not be a repeat of the woeful print we saw in May.” The US is due to announce official job creation data for July on Friday, with markets looking for signs that could increase the likelihood of a hike in US interest rates.

Sydney rose 0.2 percent, while Hong Kong also got a lift after a heavy sell-off in the previous session, putting on 0.5 percent. Seoul added 0.2 percent while Jakarta, Manila and Bangkok were also up.

Tokyo rose 1.1 percent— with a weaker yen helping exporters—following a more than three percent drop in the previous two days.

The greenback climbed to 101.52 yen from 101.25 yen Wednesday in New York.

Shanghai ended up 0.1 percent as investors await the release of economic data next week, including on trade, investment and retail sales.

The gains in Asia came after British stocks dipped as data suggested an economic hit from the Brexit vote, just ahead of a key Bank of England policy decision.

With AFP, Bloomberg

32,750.00 371,680.00

-205,000.00 4,541,050.00 6,893,104.00 247,290.00 294,265.00 -12,900.00 2,789,337.00 -44,747,440.00 -400,100.00 -13,428,570.00 10,412,275.00 -10,178,786.00 63,800.00 70,340.00 -157,480.00 -7,130.00 -973,682.00

-16,770.00

-9,400.00 3,345,690.00 4,820.00 -392,480.00 -2,517,891.00

3,862,495.00 -5,089,280.00 16,122,683.00 -14,880.00 -17,000.00

1,140,500 -523,500.00 -1,715,720.00 -3,900,005.00 -2,793,690 -411,010.00

7,730,000.00

100,130.00 16,060.00 -3,756,960.00

VALUE 1,851.78 (up) 5.03 939,252,540.69 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 12,225.76 (up) 154.34 1,787,481,914.575 HOLDING FIRMS 7,833.06 (up) 72.72 1,415,079,978.665 PROPERTY 3,608.41 (up) 36.97 1,598.07 (up) 32.79 1,301,486,017.03 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,969.48 (up) 27.09 1,517,307,535,7305 PSEI 7,978.57 (up) 90.13 141,721,528.327 All Shares Index 4,730.81 (up) 39.68 7,135,330,283.5805 Gainers: 130; Losers: 60; Unchanged: 47; Total: 237

Globe raising P7b for capex

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Thursday it is borrowing P7 billion from a local bank to partly finance capital expenditures this year.

“We do need financing for our capex. We have another P7 billion more to fund, but the facility is already in place,” Globe acting chief finance officer Rizza Maniego-Eala told reporters in a news briefing.

Eala said the company expected to sign the P7-billion loan with a local bank “in the next few days.”

The telecom unit of Ayala Corp. programmed $750 million for 2016 capex.

Globe spent $370.4 million to expand its data network in the first half.

Globe said it had 28,992 base stations, with close to 19,000 base stations for 4G, to support the service requirements of customers.

Globe said it was seeking consent solicitation for five year and three months, 5.75-percent fixed-rate bonds due 2017 and 2020.

The consent solicitation exercise aims to amend the trust indenture of the bonds to allow Globe to maintain a higher consolidated debt-toequity ratio of 2.5:1 from the current 2:1.

“It gives us the flexibility to be able to prepare for any future capex that we need,” Eala said. The transaction is expected to free-up about $600 million a year on its balance sheet, she said.

Globe earlier reported a net income of P8.97 billion in January to June, up from P8.71 billion a year ago. Core net income, which excludes the impact of nonrecurring charges, foreign exchange gains and markto-market charges, rose 2 percent to P8.8 billion from a year earlier.

Business

B3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Trigger-happy WE DON’T know if funeral parlors are already thriving in Metro Manila or if more branches have sprouted. After all, it was President Rodrigo Duterte himself who suggested that enterprising businessmen put up a funeral business since he had already anticipated that a big number of people will be killed in the course of the government’s war against illegal drugs.

While he may have said this in jest, it still made us cringe to hear this coming from the chief executive—who even promised that if the funeral business slows down, he will ask the police to step up the campaign to boost earnings. One problem though is that since these drug “suspects” killed by the Philippine National Police supposedly during legitimate operations are mostly small fry, their families may not have the money to pay for the funeral expenses. The same goes for victims of summary executions by self-styled vigilante groups as these are pedicab or tricycle drivers, and bums—some of whom are said to be police assets.

Out of the 400-plus drug suspects killed during police operations, a big majority are small fish.

A lot of people may not like Senator Leila de Lima but many agree—what’s happening is really disturbing, especially since some reports indicate that there are instances of “overkill,” to put it mildly. Remember this supposed shootout in Sta. Ana where a criminology student was killed? Photos of the crime scene show some of the victims lying facedown. Imagine, you are engaged in a shootout—with your back against the door?

This puts credence to suspicions that the young men—two of whom are suspected drug runners – were shot in cold blood. And the criminology student? Turns out he was a scholar who had the misfortune to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, because he was sleeping over since a sister gave birth and there was no space for him in their house with the new baby and all.

Let’s be clear on one thing though—we support efforts to get rid of this drug scourge because it destroys families, destroys the future of young men and women who metamorphose into thieving fiends just to support their habit, destroys lives not only of users but others who become victims of drug-crazed criminals.

But what bothers us is that policemen seem to be afflicted with trigger-happy mentality as they go about their work. It may not be drug-related, but what happened to John dela Riarte is a case in point. The young man figured in a traffic altercation and ended up dead with four bullets pumped into him, on the neck, chest, waist.

Granted that he went berserk and was resisting arrest – photos and videos show that the 27-year-old was already handcuffed, his hands behind his back while he was being led to a waiting police car. A video taken by a bystander showed him getting punched and then slapped by one of the police.

And then next thing you know, Dela Riarte is dead because he reportedly tried to grab the gun of one of the accompanying HPG police officers. Are the HPG men so inutile, clueless and unprepared that a handcuffed suspect can jump them and take their guns away? In case some of you didn’t know, it’s a mortal sin for a man in uniform to lose his gun.

The policemen involved in the incident insist that Dela Riarte was uncontrollable, making them suspect that he was under the influence of drugs but reports say he was “negative” for drugs.

Relatives also allege that the victim’s money (as down payment for a new motorcycle he was planning to buy according to the brother Robert dela Riarte) and his ring are missing. That probably explains why the victim was struggling with the MMDA and HPG men, some people believe.

Another video uploaded on YouTube—presumably taken by owners of the vehicle that figured in the traffic altercation with Dela Riarte, had a woman snickering, “Ayan sinuntok na siya ng pulis,” fulminating at Dela Riarte whom she described as “mayabang.” At some point, the victim stuck out his tongue at the person/s taking the video and moments latter, one of the men could be seen opening the red belt bag of the victim. In one other video of the incident, one could hear someone saying, “may pera pa, o” (look, there’s money).

The victim’s family has turned to the National Bureau of Investigation for help. Hopefully, there will not be any whitewash.

We are all for punishing the guilty and making them pay for their offenses – but not this way. Not like this.

••• 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!

MICRO-INSURANCE PARTNERSHIP. Cebuana Lhuillier, in partnership with Pioneer Insurance, celebrates National Pilipino Protektado Day, as a million Filipinos now receive free micro-insurance cover to highlight its importance in disaster and risk management. Shown are (from left) PJ Lhuillier Inc. integrated marketing and communications group head Michael Sena, Pioneer Insurance and Surety Corp. president Betty Medialdea, Cebuana Lhuillier Services Corp. vice president Andre Lhuillier, PJLI president and chief executive Jean Henri Lhuillier, Insurance commissioner Emmanuel Dooc, Pioneer Life Inc. president Lorenzo Chan Jr. and Cebuana Lhuillier Insurance Solutions general manager Jonathan Batangan.

Govt orders review of power companies T

By Alena Mae S. Flores

he Energy Department will review the standards used by power generation companies in running their plants amid the thin reserves in the Luzon grid in the past several days.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi directed the department to assess whether there were enough measures or standards to ensure the power plants were always in good condition and able to meet their obligations to their respective customers.

The department noted that the lack of power supply since last week was due to the forced

outages of several generating plants in Luzon.

“We are keen on improving the power supply situation in the country. We will strengthen the policies and programs and we will work with the Energy Regulatory Commission to ensure that all standards are enforced to ascertain reliable, stable and reasonably priced

electricity, because we cannot let the people suffer from power interruptions,” Cusi said.

The department is looking into the provision of replacement power for contracted capacities and the creation of technical audit teams to assess the operations and contracts of generation companies and distribution utilities.

System operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines on Thursday placed the power supply situation in Luzon in yellow alert status following the forced or unplanned outage of various plants totaling 1,297 megawatts.

These power plants include the 50-MW Angat Main Hydropower Plant Unit 4, the 180-MW Kalayaan Hydroelectric Power

Megaworld set to expand in 3 cities Cirtek’s

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., a leading residential and office developer, plans to build up to 225,000 square meters of office leasable space within its three huge township developments in the cities of Iloilo, Cebu and Bacolod by 2020.

Megaworld senior vice president Jericho Go said in a statement the company was initially targeting 175,000 square meters of office space in the three key cities in the next three years to form the so-called ‘Visayas BPO Triangle.’

The property firm plans to increase the leasable space up to 225,000 square meters by 2020, depending on market demand.

“So far, the demand goes up, so we see this as a big possibility,” Go said.

Once completed, Megaworld

expects to generate around 50,000 full-time direct jobs in the BPO sector in the three Visayan cities.

Megaworld will have an inventory of 80,000 square meters of office space in Cebu with the opening of two office towers within its 30-hectare development called Mactan, Newtown. These are Tower One Plaza Magellan slated to be completed this year and Pacific World Tower by 2017.

“In Cebu, there is a growing preference for BPO locators to be in Mactan Island because of the traffic problem and congestion in Cebu City. We see LapuLapu City as a big alternative location for BPOs in Central Visayas, especially that the new and bigger Mactan-Cebu International Airport will be completed soon,” Go said.

Megaworld is also increasing

office space inventory within 72-hectare Iloilo Business Park to 33,000 square meters by the end of the year with the completion of the 8,700-square-meter Three Techno Place.

Two more office towers are up for completion next year and 2018, offering 22,000 square meters of office space.

“By end-2018, we will have around 65,000 square meters of office spaces in Iloilo Business Park and we will have more first time locators lined up for Iloilo,” Go said.

The company plans to build office towers in its 34-hectare The Upper East township in Bacolod with an initial inventory of 30,000 square meters. To date, the company has already started the land development of the area, which was formerly the site of Bacolod-Murcia Milling Co.

ChinaBank’s income surges to P3.27b; UCPB nets P1.8b

By Julito G. Rada CHINA Banking Corp., the eighth-largest lender in terms of assets, said consolidated net income in the first half jumped 30 percent to P3.27 billion year-on-year due to sustained strength in its core and fee-based businesses.

ChinaBank said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday the first six months’ performance translated into a return on equity of 10.74 percent and a return on assets of 1.22 percent.

“We are encouraged by the strong positive results in the first semester despite the challenging market conditions,” president and chief executive Ricardo Chua said in a statement.

“Our core business drivers are showing healthy growth, our various initiatives are gaining traction, and China Bank Savings is well on its way to make a significant contribution to group profitability this year,” Chua said.

Net revenues before operating expenses grew 15 percent to P10.85 billion, with net interest revenues up 7 percent to P7.95 billion, driven by the 12-percent

growth in loan portfolio.

United Coconut Planters Bank, the country’s 12th-largest lender in terms of assets, meanwhile, said net income in the first half rose 42 percent to P1.796 billion from P1.268 billion a year ago on the back of increased demand for consumer loans and trading gains.

UCPB president and chief executive Jeronimo Kilayko said in a statement Thursday UCPB was capitalizing on the country’s sustained economic growth that led to a strong demand from corporate and retail borrowers.

“The banking industry in general has seen its loan portfolio grow steadily in the past months. This has allowed the bank, with the help of its associates and business partners, to serve its clients and perform at par with competition,” Kilayko said.

UCPB loan portfolio surged 21 percent to P138.6 billion as loan segments performed well. Consumer loans, which comprised 43 percent of the total loan portfolio, increased 29 percent as demand for real estate and auto loans continued to grow.

Plant Unit 1, the Makban Geothermal Power Plant Unit 1 and Unit 10 with a combined capacity of 83 MW, the 60MW Limay Cogeneration Plant Block 5, the 382-MW Pagbilao Coal-Fired Power Plant U2, the 122-MW South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. Coal-Fired Power Plant Unit 1, 280-MW Malaya Thermal Power Plant Unit 1 and the 140-MW Southwest Luzon Power Generation Corp. Coal Fired Power Plant Unit 2.

Power plants on planned maintenance shutdown are the 180-MW Kalayaan Unit 2, 265MW Sta. Rita Unit 2, the 55-MW Bacman Geothermal Power Plant and the 600-MW Ilijan Natural Gas Power Plant Block B.

RENEWABLE ENERGY CONTRACT. Misamis Occidental I Electric Cooperative Inc. adds one megawatt to its renewable energy mix after signing a renewable energy supply agreement with the Manolo Fortich hydropower project of Aboitiz Power Corp. subsidiary Hedcor. Signing the agreement in Dipolog City are (from left) AboitizPower energy sales first vice president Rochel Donato Gloria, Hedcor vice president for Mindanao operations Rolando Pacquiao, MOELCI-1 general manager Ruben Bonalos and MOELCI-1 president Rey Roger Villanueva.

net profit increases to $3.5m

By Alena Mae S. Flores CIRTEK Holdings Philippines Corp. posted a net income after tax of $3.5 million in the first half, up 8 percent year-on-year on the back of higher revenues.

Cirtek Holdings said in a statement consolidated revenues rose to $32.5 million, up 15 percent increase compared with the same period in 2015.

“The sales contribution of the RF/Microwave/Millimeter wave business accounted for 37 percent of the company’s first half consolidated revenues, compared to 28 percent in the same period in 2016,” Cirtek Holdings said.

Cirtek Holdings said that as the company continuede to move up the technology value chain, the revenue mix was expected to shift more toward newer businesses, while the semiconductor business was expected to sustain its steady growth.

The company in the second quarter reported consolidated revenues of $17.5 million and net income after tax of $2 million, representing increases of of 23 percent and 10 percent, respectively, from a year ago level.

Core earnings, or those from business operations excluding earnings from non-recurring items, in the second quarter amounted to $2 million, up 10 percent from $1.8 million yearon-year.

“The increase in revenue for 2Q 2016 was due to the growth of the company’s broadband and antenna systems business.

Semiconductor sales continued to be stable,” it said.

Cirtek Holdings is currently evaluating acquisition opportunities that will either significantly scale up its semiconductor manufacturing operation, give it access to highend research and development capabilities or enter into new markets.

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

B4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 , 2016

Building dreams with

Honda Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A

s a child, this writer remembers role playing as a fireman or a race car driver.

My friends and I would wear our plastic helmets and raingear and pretended for hours on end that we were fighting a fire in a high rise building, or hopping on our pedal powered go-karts and raced along the streets of our community.

These thoughts came to mind after Honda Cars Philippines Inc in cooperation with Kidzania, recently launched a program aimed at building family values and development of kids by providing an environment on which they can have an idea of what their future holds for them. Situated at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Kidzania is an interactive and educational environment designed for kids to discover, explore and learn about the adult World by way of simulated and exciting role playing activities. Kidzania Manila was established based on letting kids visualize an ideal World on how to be a contributory factor in community development.

Honda created an interactive World that would let kids simulate creating, designing and selling automobiles in an easy and fun way. “Honda is committed to

The F1 replica car was the most popular among the visitors of Kidzania

support such activities that will cultivate family values and hard work. With the Honda Design, Dealership and Honda Pit Crew modules, Honda will somehow aid in developing the next generation and to encourage the children to start building their dreams,” explains Toshio Kuwahara, President and GM of HCPI. The media were given an up close and personal tour of the Honda Kidzania experience and I must admit that this generation is lucky to have this facility at their disposal. The Honda Car Design monitor gave kids a fun way to design the cars of their imagination and what features they would like to include in the design. One kid even designed a solar powered car with six wheels. Others opted for the Honda Dealership portion where a professional staff assisted kids on how to demonstrate the features of a car and how to recommend a Honda ve-

hicle that suits the requirements of the buyer.

The module that got my juices flowing was the Honda Pit Crew Training facility. With a childspec Honda Formula One replica car as their disposal, kids were given an idea of how a race car is prepped with actual kid friendly tools designed to simulate a tire change, refueling and how to strap in a race car driver. “Honda believes that the Power of Dreams drives to create intelligent products to enhance mobility and increase the joy in people’s lives,” adds Kuwahara.

As a brand known for reliability and innovative design, Honda is developing and participating in activities that will promote and encourage strong family ties and Filipino values. The Honda Kidzania experience is a fun and exciting way to develop the next generation of race engineers, race car drivers, designers and sales executives.

GT Academy on 2nd season NISSAN Philippines Inc (NPI) recently launched the second season of the GT Academy in the Philippines at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia. ‘‘We had a very successful start last year when the Philippine team competed against other racers in GTA Asia at Silverstone UK, and we bested them by producing the first-ever Filipino GT Academy Asia champion,’’ said Ramesh Narasimhan, NPI President and Managing Director. ‘‘We hope that this

year, we can call on more Filipino talents to enter the competition and make the country the breeding ground for outstanding racing drivers.’’

Joining Narasimhan in the opening ceremony was 2008 GT Academy winner Lucas Ordoñez.

He recounted, ‘‘Back then, I was just studying for my MBA. When I saw an ad for a new competition called ‘GT Academy,’ I knew I had to join and take this shot to be the racing driver I dreamed to be. Now, here I am racing on

every possible tournament. It felt great to have taken that move. I hope Filipinos will grab this opportunity too.’’ Ordoñez completed a podium finish in the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Nissan GT Academy is slated to run its recruitment session nationwide, with the following scheduled Live Events and their venues: August 5-7 at SM Manila; August 12-14 at the Atrium of SM Pampanga; and August 13 and 14 at SM Southmall.

This Overland equipped Ford Ranger is ready for any terrain

Take on the rugged terrain

NPI President and Managing Director Ramesh Narasimhan (left) with Nissan GT Academy 2008 inaugural champion Lucas Ordoñez trying out the new Gran Turismo Sport game in the virtual racing pod at the launch of the new season of the GT Academy in the country.

AS YOU drive thru that raging river somewhere around Mt. Pinatubo, have you taken into consideration the amount of work behind every off-road equipment or gear? Surely, most of us have noticed that off-road rigs look far more different from the garden variety pick-up or SUV. Those massive steel bumpers, step boards, and lift suspension systems surely serves a purpose.

As a company known for extreme off-roading, Overland makes it their business to protect your SUV from the harsh elements Mother Nature. With its vast experience and knowledge of taking on the rugged terrain, specially engineered

and designed Grille guards and brush guards were designed to add protection and rugged looks to the front of your vehicle. Bull bars and light bars add good looks without over-powering the front of your vehicle. Most are made from heavy gauge steel tubing grille guards provides the ultimate custom appearance.

Shown here is a Ford Ranger in Overland trim.

Overland designs are engineered by people who are active 4-wheelers who know first-hand the requirements on how to protect your off-road rig. Overland 4x4 bumpers are designed to minimize vehicle damage and keep you moving. The standard Bull Bar replaces the front

bumper completely with a robust steel bumper designed specifically for each application. You won’t find a more thoroughly designed and manufactured vehicle protection system than Overland’s line of front, rear and side bumper protection. Engineering a bull bar requires careful consideration of a number of factors to ensure it properly serves its purpose. Factors such as vehicle design, crush rate, air bag deployment, approach angles, accessory fitment, strength, weight and aesthetics are taken into consideration.

Protect and enhance the capacity of your SUV with Overland.

It is available in dealers nationwide. Dino Ray V. Directo III

CEB flies Aklan-S. Korea daily in Oct. TOURISM in Western Visayas is seen to increase once daily direct international Cebu Pacific flights from Kalibo, Aklan to Incheon, South Korea begin in October.

The added flights will accelerate the region’s steady tourism growth, Department of Tourism Region VI Director Helen Catalbas said. Western Visayas is one of the regions with the highest share in the country’s earnings from tourism in 2015.

“This newly added direct flight shows that more Korean tourists choose Western Visayas as their destination in the Philippines with Kalibo as the nearest gateway to Boracay Island,” Catalbas said. PNA

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

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Region 9 sets wage hike

By A. Perez Rimando

Z

AMBOANGA CITY—The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of the Department of Labor and Employment recently approved a daily salary increase of P16 for workers and P500 monthly for household helpers in Zamboanga Peninsula, a labor executive here said.

Sisinio Cano, DoLE regional director and RTWPB chairman, said the board has issued Wage Order 18 implementing the salary increment for the two groups of workers.

Cano stressed the wage hike, which was reviewed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission (NWPC), was “based on the series of consultations the board had

earlier undertaken as well as on the consumer price index, the inf lation rate and purchasing power.”

Under the new wage order, he said, compensation of nonagriculture sector workers including those in private hospitals, educational institutions, security agencies, janitorial and retail/service establishments with 30 or more employ-

ees, will go up from P280 to P296 daily.

Cano added the daily wage hikes of the other sectors are as follows: plantation agricultural enterprises, from P255 to P271; non-plantation agricultural enterprises, from P235 to P251, and retail service establishments are leveled to P283 by end-October next year.

The DoLE Region IX chief an-

nounced that the monthly minimum pay for household workers or kasambahay in cities and first class municipalities in Zamboanga Peninsula will be raised from P2,000 to P2,500 while those in other towns will go up from P1,500 to P2,000.

The RTWPB last enforced the salary increase in Region 9 in 2013 through Wage Order 18, Cano said.

Water district officials sacked

By A. Perez Rimando OROQUIETA CITY—The Office of the Ombudsman has ordered the dismissal from the government service of 10 top officials of the water district in this capital city, a court report recently stated.

The report said Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales found the officials of the Oroquieta City Water District “guilty of grave misconduct.”

The Ombudsman identified the discharged executives as general manager Ricardo Ravacio, corporate account analyst Leonita Loma, board member Diego Yew; division managers Rosalyn Policarpio, Aljun John Berenguel and Bobith Baloncio; finance officers Nelda Antonette Cabatingan, Arleen Adlaon and Joey Kim Villabert; and former district chairman Evelyn Catherine Silagon.

The report said the aforementioned OCWD top personnel were meted “the accessory penalties of cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, perpetual disqualification from reemployment in the public service and barred from taking the civil service examinations.”

The Ombudsman, in a separate decision, added that “the respondents would be indicted for multiple counts of malversation of public funds.”

The report noted that graft investigators confirmed the findings of the Commission on Audit that the accused local water district officers “caused 91 fund withdrawals totaling P790,515.80 which were spent as organizational costs and debt write-offs despite insufficient supporting documents.”

The Ombudsman further said “another P5,543,716.85 in public funds were also disbursed with no appropriate supporting papers.”

DEADLY. A blacksmith displays an array of sundang, an ancient bolo produced in the pre-Hispanic town of Carigara, Leyte. Mel Caspe

Pangasinan to build Muslim graveyard in Bugallon town

By Dexter A. See LINGAYEN—The Muslim community in Pangasinan will soon have a solemn resting place for their departed loved ones that will be built in a two-hectare lot in Laguit Padilla, Bugallon town.

Gov. Amado Espino III, in a meeting with top Pangasinan Integrated Muslim Assembly (Pima) officials, recently vowed to support the establishment of a public cemetery for Muslims in a lot donated by Oscar Angeles, a philanthropist from Mangaldan.

The sole burial ground of

Muslims in Alaminos City is now congested and they are calling for a new public cemetery.

Espino likewise vowed to sustain the good partnership of the provincial government and the Muslim communities in the province in development advocacies and initiatives.

Pima president Guia Macmod, on behalf of about 60,000 Muslims in the province, expressed their gratitude to the lot donor and the provincial government.

“The proposed site for our new public cemetery is also in a strategic location in the central part of

the province,” Macmod said.

“I am doing this because I want to help my Muslim friends,” said Angeles during the meeting, as he disclosed that the processing of legal documents and records for the transfer of rights of the property to be donated is jointly undertaken by the provincial assessor’s and legal offices.

Macmod has also lobbied for funding from the governor for the construction of a road leading to the proposed site of cemetery.

Espino’s meeting with Pima and the family of the donor was held during the callers’ day of the governor.

Inday Sara closes Davao night market

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Mayor Sara Duterte has ordered the closure of the night market of the city following complaints that the vendors do not follow the rules of the city.

Duterte said that in a meeting with the heads of the night market Human Resource Management office chief, Erwin Alparaque and City Transport and Traffic Management Office chief Rhodelio Poliquit, the latter recommended the closure of the night market and the mayor agreed.

The reasons for the closure are: vendors would not agree with the one family-one stall policy; they want to choose their own stall; the vendors in the night market are dummies of big financiers; the stalls were now rented by different people; and there are people who insist

on putting up a stall claiming they have bought it.

“The city will not compromise with them as long as they will not follow the rules of the city,” Duterte said.

She said she was ready for the negative reactions of more than 700 vendors in the market.

Still, Duterte is open for talks with the vendors if they promise to abide by the rules set by the city.

According to Poliquit, the closure will only be until they have decided on how they are going to rearrange the vendors.

“The mayor has the power to close it or temporarily stop it if they will not abide by the law,” he said.

From January to March this year, the city earned P1.75 million from the night market.

The night market revenue also increased from P2.24 million in 2014 to P5.47 million in 2015.

MNTC northern PH travel fair expanded

AID. The local government of Muntinlupa is extending zero-interest loans to constituents to support budding entrepreneurs’ business start-ups.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi (center) led the distribution of financial assistance amounting to almost P1.5 million to 180 beneficiaries of the Joint Resource Financing-Dagdag Puhunan program and the Sustainable Livelihood Program Association at the City Hall on Wednesday. Qualified entrepreneurs can borrow from P3,000 to P75,000.

VISITORS to the “NLEX Tara na sa Norte” can expect a bigger event this year as the Manila North Tollways Corp. celebrates 10 years of tourism efforts in the northern Philippines.

Top officials from government agencies and private entities will lead the opening of the “NLEX Tara Na Sa Norte” Tourism and Travel Fair today 4 p.m., at the Glorietta Activity Center, Makati City.

Among the dignitaries expected at today’s opening rites are Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay, MNTC president Rodrigo Franco, MNTC chief operating officer Raul Ignacio, Ayala Land director Jose Emmanuel

Jalandoni, Philippine Travel Agencies Association president Maria Michelle Reyes-Victoria, Clark Development Corp. travel processing manager Noemi Garcia and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority business development manager Bing Francisco.

On Aug. 6, NLEX Road Warriors Sean Anthony, Rob Reyes, Harold Arboleda, Mac Baracael and Pamboy Raymundo will lead the NLEX Road Warriors Shootout.

Organized by the MNTC, this much-awaited travel fair has over 90 exhibitors participating, mostly hotels, resorts, travel agencies, tour organizers, traders, airlines and government agencies.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

LGUs

Manila

Standard

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TODAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Dingalan eyes move to Ecija

By Ferdie G. Domingo

D

INGALAN, Aurora—The only Aurora municipality in the southern portion of the province is making a strong case to exit from its mother province into the waiting hands of the more adjacent province of Nueva Ecija.

First-term Mayor Shierwin Taay said he was open to an old proposal to annex or incorporate his town to Nueva Ecija but only if his townmates vote for it in a referendum.

“If the people of Dingalan want it, then why not?,” replied Taay when asked if he was willing to have the town become the 28th town of Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon’s biggest province in

terms of land area.

“But I would like to have a dialogue first,” he said, with the leadership of Aurora, starting with Gov. Gerardo Noveras and his predecessor, former threeterm governor and now Rep. Bellaflor Angara-Castillo.

“The question is, is it more practical to be part of Nueva Ecija than with Aurora?” Taay said.

The new mayor, a former executive director of the National Youth Commission, received a popular mandate in the last elections over a long-reigning political family.

“For a start, may be we can transfer jurisdiction of national government agencies under Aurora to Nueva Ecija such as the Social Security System, the National Bureau of Investigation, Government Service Insurance System, the Philippine Health Insurance Corp., the Philippine Statistics Authority, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine National Police,” he said.

The proposal to transfer this 54-year-old, third-class town from the administrative supervision of Aurora to Nueva Ecija

was first floated when Renato Diaz, a former presidential adviser for Central Luzon, was still a congressman representing the first congressional district of Nueva Ecija in the 1990s.

Aurora itself was formerly a province of Calabarzon, composed of the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. But it was transferred to Central Luzon by virtue of an executive order issued in 2003 by then-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo because it was nearer Region 3 than Region 4.

Pound for pound and resources for resources, Aurora is very much poorer than Nueva Ecija.

Aurora covers eight municipalities and has an annual Internal Revenue Allotment of about P500 million.

In contrast, Nueva Ecija covers five component cities and 27 municipalities. Its IRA is more than P2 billion.

Diaz reasoned out that Dingalan will make an ideal port for Nueva Ecija, a land-locked province.

But this proposal was opposed

by Angara-Castillo who said “she would leave no stones unturned to block the move.”

Diaz’s proposal never prospered, stymied by the presence of former Senate President Edgardo Angara and Angara-Castillo.

Former Nueva Ecija three-term fourth district congressman Rodolfo Antonino also signified an interest to have Dingalan annexed to his province but to no avail.

Some local groups in the town have been pressing for the transfer of Dingalan to Nueva Ecija,

citing the fact that they can reach Palayan City—the provincial capital—through the well-paved roads of Gabaldon and Laur in less than an hour.

In contrast, Dingaleños who have businesses to transact with the provincial government have to travel to the provincial capital of Baler the route of which snakes through the Nueva Ecija towns of Bongabon, Rizal and Pantabangan and takes about three hours.

Because of geographical and isolation issues, they complained that the town gets only scant attention not only from the national government but even from the provincial government itself.

Taay admitted that patients from his town often seek medical relief in Cabanatuan City instead of traveling to Baler.

NATIVE. Former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. (right) receives a token of appreciation from Caloocan Mayor Oscar Malapitan for gracing the city’s ‘Buwan ng Wika’ celebration.

Marcos took the opportunity to thank the city for the support given him last May. Looking on (center) is Vice Mayor Macario Asistio.

Jun David

ERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads s e c ti o n m u s t b e brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Extra Judicial Settlement Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Felipe V. Verceles has been extrajudicially settled with Deed of Sale with transfer of rights among his heirs as per Doc. No. 488, Page No. 99; Book No. 07; Series of 2016 before Atty. Roper John B. Estepa. Notary Public PTR No: 4728973/Jan. 7, 2016. ( M S - A U G . 5 ,12 & 19 , 2 016)

HOUSING AND LAND USE REGULATORY BOARD Expanded National Capital Region Field Office 2nd Floor, HLURB Building, Kalayaan Avenue, Diliman Quezon City

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)

NOTICE CHANGE OF BUSINESS NAME From

: Buldon Construction and Trading Co. (Partnership) To : RODMIN BULDON CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION Address : No.17 5th Street, Don E Sero, RH-5 Cotabato City License No.: 05388 AMO : Lala M. Torejas (TS-AUG. 5, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines Province of Ilocos Norte MUNICIPALITY OF BANGUI INVITATION TO BID July 29, 2016 The MUNICIPALITY OF BANGUI, through the 2014 Supplemental Fund and 2015 LDRRMF intends to apply the sum of Three Million Three Hundred Seventy Thousand Pesos (P3,500,000.00) in payment for the contract for the Procurement of Two Units Dumptruck Forward, Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

The Municipality of Bangui now invites bidders for the Procurement of Two Units Dumptruck, Forward Bangui, Ilocos Norte. Delivery is required 15 days upon receipt of notice to proceed. Bidders should have completed, within 2 years from 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”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from Municipality of Bangui and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on July 29 – August 17, 2016, Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm. from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of P5,000.00.

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on August 17, 2016, 1:30 PM at Bangui Municipal Hall. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

Pre Bid Conference will be on August 5, 2016 at 2:00 pm, BAC Conference Room.Bid opening shall be on August 17, 2016, 2:00 PM at Conference Room, Bangui, Ilocos Norte Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below. Late bids shall not be accepted.

The Municipality of Bangui 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.

For further information, please refer to: MR. AZAREL B. CALAPINI BAC Secretariat baroabangui@yahoo.com BAC Office, Municipal Building Bangui, Ilocos Norte Tel. No.: (077) 676-0259 Approved by:

(MS-AUG. 5, 2016)

(SGD) IZA C. SARIBAY BAC Chairman

Maternal-child deaths prevented

By Brenda Jocson A JAPAN-BASED organization is intensifying a mission to carry out its maternal health care project in Abra province to prevent maternal-child mortality.

With the local government unit, the Japan International Cooperating Agency conducted another local health zone meeting for a project focusing on maternal health care which will be spread from the urban areas to the most remote places.

JICA has identified the municipalities of Dolores, Lagangilang and San Juan in northern Abra and the municipalities of Peñarrubia, Pilar and Villaviciosa in southern Abra as having a fast-growing number of deaths.

The Japanese agency said it is determined to achieve zero maternal and child mortality in the province.

Fude Takayoshi, JICA

chief advisor, said the project started in 2012 and will end in February 2017.

Takayoshi said that in the last four years of project implementation, they provided medical equipment, birthing facilities and doctors to rural health units.

JICA has also conducted seminars and workshops to the RHU teams to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills in serving the patients.

The LGU officials said JICA has provided assistance and facility provision to help them deliver quality health services to the people, especially pregnant women and children in the remote villages.

“JICA has been a great help to the health department here and its legacy will continue even after its termination next year,” Manuela Munar, the JICA field consultant in Abra, said.

Davaoeños urged to grow veggies

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera ganic gardening.

DAVAO CITY—The City Agriculture Off ice is working to make Davao the organic container gardening center of the countr y, said CAO head Leo Brian Leuterio.

The CAO will introduce organic urban gardening to Davaoeños despite the limited space in the residential, office and other parts of the city for vegetables and other backyard crops.

“We want to encourage urban organic gardening on top of buildings, in garages, in parking lots and even in the private and gover nment off ices,” Leuterio said.

He said they would like to change the mentality of the people that organic gardening requires a large space.

Leuterio said their project will also promote or-

The CAO is working hand-in-hand with the Department of Agriculture in helping the farmers ensure food security in the city.

“We are currently making sure that the farmers are predictably producing their products, despite the climate change and other eventualities,” the CAO chief said.

He said they are now scanning and identifying areas in the city that are affected

by La Niña, to counter the farmers’ possible loss of income.

The CAO also encouraged the barangays to continue the Gulayan sa Barangay to make the communities self-suff icient in vegetables.

Davao City still produces high-value crops such as cacao, coconut, banana and pineapple.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

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War displaces 7m Colombians T

RUJILLO—Ferney Santa knows how hard it is to start over. He was forced to flee his home twice by fighters in Colombia’s long civil war.

Casualty. A private ambulance crew remove a body from Russell Square in London early on August 4, 2016, after a woman in her 60s was killed. The woman was killed and five people injured in a knife attack in central London late on Wednesday which police said they are investigating for possible terrorist links. AFP

GOPs mull over backing Clinton WASHINGTON—Internal party turmoil over Donald Trump spilled into public alarm Wednesday after unprecedented self-inflicted mistakes by the Republican nominee, as some conservatives prepared to do the unthinkable: vote for Democrat Hillary Clinton.

While “dump Trump” calls have continued since the 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney trashed the billionaire’s candidacy early this year, it is unclear whether the trickle of defections to Clinton’s camp will become a

flood after a series of bad stumbles by Trump.

A nightmare 48 hours for the embattled Republican flagbearer—he deepened his public feud with the parents of a fallen Muslim American soldier, refused to back House Speaker Paul Ryan’s re-election bid and used crass language while accepting a supporter’s Purple Heart as a gift—has highlighted Republicans’ concerns.

Trump allies openly upbraided their candidate Wednesday for his inability

to stay on message, demanding more self-discipline by the political neophyte.

“He has not made the transition to being the potential president of the United States,” former House speaker Newt Gingrich, a loyal Trump defender, told Fox Business Network Wednesday.

In another interview, he warned that Trump will hand Clinton the election unless he changes tack.

“Trump is helping her to win by

proving he is more unacceptable than she is,” Gingrich told The Washington Post.

Meanwhile, a Fox News poll showed Clinton with a 10-point lead over Trump, at 49 to 39 percent. Just a month ago that figure stood at six points, Fox News said.

Trump sought to dispel panic earlier Wednesday, reassuring voters at a Daytona Beach, Florida rally that his campaign has “never been so well united.” AFP

Italy may allow US to use airbases for Libya strikes ROME—Italy’s defense minister Roberta Pinotti said Wednesday that Rome would positively consider a US request to use airbases and airspace for Libya strikes.

“The government is ready to positively consider a request to use airbases and national airspace, and support the operation, if it is believed that it would lead to a more rapid and effective conclusion of the ongoing action,” Pinotti said during parliamentary question time.

US warplanes began carrying out air strikes on positions of the Islamic State jihadist group

in its Libyan stronghold of Sirte on Monday in response to a request from Libya’s Government of National Accord.

“The government keeps and open, direct and constant line of dialogue with both our Libyan counterparts and our American allies to keep an eye on the operation’s developments and the need for indirect support,” Pinotti said.

She added that Rome believes “success in the fight to eliminate IS’s terrorist centers in Libya” was of “fundamental importance to the security, not only of that country, but of Europe and Italy.”

Pinotti said that the raids had not yet used Italian airbases or airspace.

On Tuesday, Italy’s foreign minister Paolo Gentiloni welcomed the air strikes said his government would evaluate any US request to use the Sicilian Sigonella military air base in the campaign.

The Tripoli-based GNA launched an operation in May to retake the IS bastion of Sirte, the hometown of slain strongman Moamer Kadhafi which the jihadists have controlled since June 2015. AFP

The farmer, now 51, and his family were driven from their home in Trujillo, in the Cauca Valley in western Colombia.

In 1998 it was fighters of the leftist National Liberation Army (ELN) that chased them out. In 2005 it was a right-wing militia.

“We had to struggle to survive,” he said.

But he wants to help former fighters return to normal life as he did. At last he has an opportunity to do so.

The Colombian government has signed a landmark disarmament deal with the biggest rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). It hopes to do the same with the ELN. The sides hope June’s ceasefire and disarmament deal soon will be followed by a full peace accord. If a final agreement is reached, the FARC’s demobilization will go ahead.

“People need to get out of the armed groups in order to work and earn a living. Life as a fighter cannot be very good,” Ferney Santa said.

He is one of the many victims of the country’s half-century conflict who will have to learn to live alongside former fighters.

“Soon, when they sign the peace agreement, we will not have to worry about those groups anymore,” he said.

“As long as they are willing to work, we can work with them.”

One of his neighbors, coffee grower Alba Santa—no relation to Ferney—fled with her family in 1990 after receiving threats from right-wing paramilitaries.

“They accused us of helping the guerrillas.”

She ignored the threats, she said, until “people started to disappear” in the area.

They went to live with one of her cousins in another town.

“I hope that what we lived through at that time never happens again. But those people deserve a second chance,” Alba, 62, said of the armed groups.

“We were very afraid and everything, but we do not seek revenge on those people.”

Colombian authorities estimate that nearly seven million people have been displaced during the conflict, which started as a peasant uprising in 1964.

The United Nations says that is the highest number of internally displaced people in any country in the world.

If thousands of former FARC fighters demobilize over the coming months as hoped after a peace deal is signed, Colombia will have to start to heal painful divisions.

As well as preparing to reintegrate the fighters, the state is working to return displaced people’s land to them.

“You can have the biggest military force in the world, but if you don’t manage to generate income for these families, their children will very easily get involved in illegal activity,” said Ricardo Sabogal, director of the state Land Restitution Unit (URT).

“To make sure this conflict never happens again, you have to generate sustainable income, housing and qualifications,” he told Agence France Presse (AFP).

In the Cauca Valley, the URT has so far handed back 7,200 hectares (nearly 18,000 acres) of land out of a total 189,000 that the courts have ordered to be returned to the displaced.

The region was ravaged by fighting from the late 1980s to 2013. It was a strategic route for drug trafficking which fueled the conflict. Some 328,000 people were displaced in the region, authorities say. AFP

Rapper chronicles woes of Latina housemaids SAO Paulo—A Brazilian housemaid-turned-rapper has cast a spotlight on the suffering of Latin America’s millions of exploited domestic workers by chronicling the abuse they receive from their employers.

For seven years Joyce Fernandes was one of six million workers that cook, clean and mind children for Brazilian families.

Now 31, she is a qualified history teacher, recorded rap artist, anti-racism activist and all-round celebrity.

She is better known by the alias Preta Rara, or “Strange Black Woman.”

Over melodic hip-hop beats she voices fierce calls for social justice.

Her face with its bright blue lipstick and nose-ring has appeared in media around the world.

After leaving domestic service, she started writing about some of her experiences online in a Facebook page titled “I, Housemaid.”

“Joyce, we hired you to cook for us, not for yourself. Please bring your own food and cutlery,” she recalled her employer telling her.

“Eat before us at the kitchen table if possible. It is a question of maintaining order in the

household.”

Fernandes’s tales prompted countless others to post their ordeals in domestic work: working long hours without food for snobby families.

“I think it is the voice of domestic employees who have wanted to speak out for a long time but had no particular channel to do so,” Fernandes told Agence France Presse.

“My memoir was a trigger that awakened other stories and opened up a discussion,” she added.

“We are making our voice heard. With this site I want to provoke and shake up the model of the traditional Brazilian family which will recognize itself in most of these stories.”

A report by the International Labor Organization in 2013 showed Latin America was the region with the most household employees in the world.

Some 7.5 percent of employees in Latin America worked in that sector compared with 0.8 percent overall in the developed world, according to the study.

Brazil employs more domestic help than any other country in the region: around six million, most of them women, according to the IBGE state statistics institute.“ AFP

Lighting up. Fireworks are tested for the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Wednesday. AFP

Champagne makers seek grapes that beat climate change REIMS—France’s Champagne country has little to celebrate as global warming threatens to wreak havoc on production, forcing winegrowers to take a sober look at their future.

“We are taking a very longterm view,” says Thibaut Le Mailloux of the Champagne Committee, a trade association of independent winegrowers and

merchants.

Climate change has already had an effect on the champagne production cycle.

The past 20 years has seen the harvest brought forward by about two weeks; grapes are bigger and the alcohol content has risen by around one degree.

For the time being these factors help production, but they

could spell disaster if, as experts predict, average global temperatures rise by up to five degrees Celsius between now and the end of the century.

“We really must start researching now as in 25 years it will be too late,” Le Mailloux says.

The Champagne Committee is looking to develop new, more

resistant grape varieties while retaining all the properties of the “King of Wines.”

Joining forces with the National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) and a winegrowers institute in the southern region of Montpellier, they have embarked on a 15-year program to create grape varieties that will beat climate change. AFP

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

World

BLAST. This picture taken on Wednesday shows a forensic unit inspecting the site where a Thai army vehicle carrying six volunteer officers were wounded in a motorcycle bomb attack by suspected separatist militants in the Takbai district of Thailand’s restive southern Narathiwat province. More than 6,500 people have died—the majority civilians—since 2004 in fighting between Malay Muslim rebels and Thai troops and police who blanket the area. AFP

US demands sanctions vs Nokor U

NITED Nations—The United States and its allies on Wednesday pressed the UN Security Council to condemn North Korea after it test-fired a missile into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, but they encountered resistance from China.

The 15-member council met behind closed doors for emergency talks called by the United States, Japan and South Korea over the ballistic missile launch, the latest provocation from Pyongyang.

US Ambassador Samantha Power called for a “strong, swift response from the Security Coun-

US denies ransoming 4 prisoners in Iran WASHINGTON—The White House on Wednesday denied renewed accusations that it paid Iran ransom for the release of four American prisoners, parrying a tidal wave of condemnations from Republicans.

Amid revelations that the US helped airlift $400 million worth of Swiss francs and euros to Iran after a prisoner release, the White House insisted the two were not linked.

In January, five American prisoners were released as Washington granted clemency to seven Iranians and withdrew arrest warrants for 14 others.

Within hours President Barack Obama announced he had also agreed to repay $1.7 billion owed to Tehran—one of a string of agreements that followed a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program.

The White House said it was returning cash from a 1970s Iranian military order that was not fulfilled because of the Islamic Revolution.

On Tuesday the Wall Street Journal reported a chunk of that cash was loaded on wooden pallets and secretly airlifted to Iran in an unmarked cargo plane.

“This $400 million is actually money that the Iranians had paid into a US account in 1979 as part of a transaction to procure military equipment,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest. AFP

cil” after the meeting, describing the missile test as “another grave threat to international peace and security.”

“This missile landed incredibly close to Japan and this program poses a threat that goes well beyond any particular country,” she told reporters.

The United States was expected to circulate a draft council statement condemning North Korea, but China’s ambassador Liu Jieyi urged caution.

“Nothing should be done to exacerbate tension on the Korean Peninsula,” said Liu. “There is a real risk. I think we need to work responsibly.”

The council met in emergency session after North Korea fired two intermediate-range missiles simultaneously, but one appeared to explode on takeoff.

The second missile landed in the Sea of Japan (East Sea), some 250 kilometers (155 miles) off Ja-

pan’s northern coast and within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

The council has repeatedly condemned North Korea’s missile launches, but a US-drafted statement circulated last month hit a wall during negotiations with China, Pyongyang’s closest ally.

Britain’s Deputy Ambassador Peter Wilson said: “This is the first time that a DPRK missile has landed in the Japanese EEZ. I think this is something that the council should take extremely seriously.” DPRK stands for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name.

Wilson said the latest launch

was “a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions” that prohibit North Korea from developing missile technology.

The United States, Japan and 10 other countries have meantime asked the UN sanctions committee to investigate the July 18 launch of three Scud ballistic missiles and a No Dong intermediaterange missile, according to a letter obtained by AFP. The 10 Security Council members along with Australia and South Korea asked the committee to review details of the launch and “take appropriate action,” according to the letter sent last week.

The investigation could identify individuals and companies involved in North Korea’s missile program who could face targeted sanctions including a global visa ban and assets freeze.

China and Russia did not back the request.

North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.

The Security Council in March adopted its toughest sanctions resolution to date, banning exports of coal, iron and other minerals from North Korea and imposing other restrictions, in particular in the banking sector. AFP

China sues human rights lawyer TIANJIN—A prominent Chinese human rights lawyer was put on trial Thursday on subversion charges, a court said—the third such case this week as authorities crack down on dissent.

Lawyer Zhou Shifeng was director of the Beijing Fengrui law firm, which has defended victims of sexual abuse, members of banned religious groups and dissident scholars, among others.

It was at the center of the so-called “709 crackdown”—named for the July 2015 date on which it began—which saw more than 200 activists and lawyers detained for involvement in cases considered sensitive by China’s ruling Communist party.

Zhou was “suspected of subverting

state power” and his trial began Thursday morning, the Second Intermediate People’s Court in the northern city of Tianjin said on a verified social media account.

The proceedings were held under airtight security, with scores of police and plainclothes personnel—identifiable by small gold star pins—stationed for blocks around the court, clustered every few yards and filming those present on camcorders and phones.

Traffic on the court side of the street was entirely cut off about 300 metres to either side of the entrance, with journalists diverted from the site and then closely trailed.

Zhou is the third 709 detainee to go on trial in Tianjin this week.

Authorities insist the Tianjin trials are open, with the court stating that 40 people including politicians, legal scholars, and “civilian representatives from all walks of life,” as well as mainland and foreign media outlets, were present at Zhou’s proceedings.

But family members of those detained, particularly their wives, complain of being constantly surveilled and forcibly being kept away from the court or seeking further information.

The court said in a social media post that Zhou had twice stated in writing that he did not want his relatives to attend his trial.

It included a photo of what it said was a handwritten letter signed and fingerprinted

by Zhou, reading: “Given that my family

ISLAMIC. A picture taken in July shows a vendor walking past the Grand Mosque, a marvel of Afro-Brazilian ancient architecture in Benin’s administrative capital of Porto-Novo. Unless urgent steps are taken, hundreds of historic buildings are at risk of collapse in the centre of Porto Novo on Africa’s Gulf of Guinea coast, according to residents and local specialists. AFP

IS weakening in Iraq—Pentagon

Singapore street food stall gets Michelin star SINGAPORE—A queue 100-people long snakes out from a tiny food stall in Singapore’s Chinatown, each customer impatiently waiting their turn for a taste of Chan Hon Meng’s prized soya saucebraised chicken.

He has always had loyal customers but in the days since he was awarded a Michelin star, waves of new gourmands have descended on his stall in such numbers that he’s struggling to keep up with demand.

Chan is one of two “hawkers”—so-called because many started out as street peddlers—awarded one star by the culinary bible when it launched its inaugural Singapore guide in late July.

Only one restaurant, French chef Joel Robuchon’s eponymous outlet, secured the coveted three-star rating.

“I’d heard of the Michelin guide but I thought they only gave those out to restaurants,” Chan told

members are all farmers who are not very well-educated, having them come to the court to attend my hearing would be of no benefit to either me or them.”

AFP was not given access to the court Thursday, and in previous cases only court-appointed defense lawyers have been present.

Zhou’s trial follows those of activists Zhai Yanmin and Hu Shigen, who were both found guilty by the same court of subverting state power.

Zhai was on Tuesday handed a three-year suspended sentence—considered relatively lenient by standards of Chinese dissident prosecutions—for crimes that included waving banners and shouting slogans.

Agence France Presse while chopping up chicken, which is served over rice or thin yellow noodles topped with his now famous dark soya sauce.

A plate costs just Sg$2.50 ($1.85), making it one of the cheapest Michelin-starred dishes in the world.

“The fact I have this star shows that simple food like ours is worthy of a global award too,” said Malaysian-born Chan. AFP

WASHINGTON—Islamic State fighters inside the jihadist group’s Iraqi stronghold of Mosul are “weakening” and showing signs of frustration ahead of a battle to recapture the city, a US military official said Wednesday.

Iraqi and Kurdish forces, backed by US-led coalition trainers and air power, have for months been edging toward Mosul, Iraq’s second city and home to two million people. The Islamic State group has controlled it since June 2014.

“We see them weakening inside Mosul,” said Colonel Chris Garver, a coalition spokesman. “We do see some indications that morale is lower.”

For instance, senior commanders are executing subordinates for “failure on the battlefield,” Garver said, adding that IS leaders are “not happy with where they are in Mosul.”

Jihadists, concerned that city residents are communicating with Iraqi security forces, have started cutting off internet access.

The same thing happened in Fallujah and Ramadi before each of those cities was recaptured, Garver said.

Still, he cautioned, the eventual fight for Mosul—which is expected to begin in the coming months—will not be easy.

“We still anticipate that somewhere between 5,000 or so fighters are inside Mosul,” Garver said. “We’re still anticipating a tough fight.” AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, JAUGUST 5, 2016

DESTINATIONS

The amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations inside the Underground River. Photo courtesy of gov.ph

By Nickie Wang

I

WAS sipping cucumber lemonade at a restaurant near the airport when a colleague received a call from our companion who was already aboard the airplane. Stunned, we fidgeted from the couch like military men hearing the command “attention,” grabbed our backpacks and rushed to the airport.

We entered through the exit gate and argued with the airport guards who did not have a choice but to let us in. The ground steward was already looking for us when we reached the departure area.

We’re the last people to board the plane, we were told. Then, we boarded the aircraft. With our hearts pounding twice the normal rate, we walked to our seats at the rear of the plane. Everybody was staring at us. It was like a walk of shame.

Remember when Cersei, the famous character in The Game of Thrones, was forced to perform a walk of atonement by the High Sparrow? That’s how it felt.

We were chuckling when we fastened our seat belts.

No, we were not late. We were at the airport exactly two-and-a-half hours before our flight but when we heard that it was going to be delayed because of air traffic at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, we took it upon ourselves to wander outside the airport vicinity and look for a place to kill time. And that was a bad decision, obviously.

I wasn’t all giddy about the trip, as I was in Coron the other month. I joined my friends who first stayed in Puerto Princesa for four days before finally heading to Coron. Their feedback?

Nothing much to do and nothing much to see in the city except, of course, for a trip to the underground river that recently became one of the New Wonders of Nature in 2012.

On my first day in Puerto Princesa, I was able to prove them wrong.

Our group stayed at a charming hotel, just five minutes away from the airport. Named after the owners’ mother, Hotel Fleuris is a 47-room three-star hotel with relatively modern convenience and basic amenities including a courtyard pool with a jacuzzi, a fit-

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Falling in love with Puerto Princesa Karst rock formation near the UNESCO World Heritage Site

A view of the entrance to the Puerto Princesa Underground River

Underground River visitors on a paddle boat

ness gym, a Japanese restaurant that also serves continental and other Asian cuisines, a piano bar and a function hall.

And the entire hotel is wired with strong Wi-Fi access.

Our amiable host told us that the hotel is already 17 years old and is celebrating its anniversary in September.

In a city where similar hotels are standing along its commercial avenue, Hotel Fleuris boasts the friendliest and most efficient hotel staff. Located in the heart of Puerto Princesa, it is just a few minutes drive to the town plaza, too, our first pit stop in our three-day stay in the city.

The Immaculate Conception Cathedral and Plaza Cuartel are situated near the town plaza. Built in 1872, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, with its blue facade and pointed symmetrical arches, make it the centerpiece of the plaza apart from being a historical landmark on Rizal Avenue.

Just across the cathedral is a site with a rather eerie yet dramatic background.

Plaza Cuartel served as the location of the Hollywood film The Great Raid that

starred Filipino actor Cesar Montano. It was a silent witness to many horrifying stories during the Japanese-American war in the Philippines, or World War II. According to our guide, more or less 150 American prisoners of war (POWs) were detained in underground bunkers in the area. They were brutally massacred by the Japanese Imperial forces. Eleven of the detainees survived. A few decades later, one of them managed to return to Palawan to tell his story.

This episode is now commemorated with a bronze marker at the center of Plaza Cuartel with the names of those who both perished and survived.

As I wandered around the Cuartel, I realized that Puerto Princesa, indeed, has a rich history and the best way to learn of Palawan’s past, is of course, to visit its museum.

Called Palawan Museum, the edifice is a repository of relics and artifacts found across the country’s last frontier.

Many of these artifacts have been unearthed from Tabon Caves, including a skullcap of the remains of a caveman

carbon dated back to the early Paleolithic Era about 22,000 years ago.

A tour inside the museum is like a virtual journey that will make one understand why the people of Palawan are proud of their roots, and why they care so much about their environment.

No wonder, apart from being the least densely populated city in the Philippines, it’s also regarded as the cleanest and greenest in the country and has been internationally recognized for environmental excellence.

Cool drops, okay

Our second day in Puerto Princesa was the most exciting. After our city tour that covered a visit to historical sites, crocodile farm, Baker’s Hill and the Vietnamese village, it was time to meet the real princess of the province— the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River or more popularly known as Underground River.

Upon our arrival, we were briefed at the entrance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site by our boatman who’s also our tour guide. One of the things that

I could hardly forget was his warning about cool drops and warm drops inside the cave. He said cool drops were okay, it was normal in any cave but warm drops were not because these came from the nocturnal inhabitants of the Underground River. Yes, warm drops are bat poops and there are around eight bat species in the cave.

This 8.2-kilometer navigable underground river winds its way underneath a mountain range, through the St. Paul Underground River Cave, and then goes out into the South China Sea. The journey through the cave system alone is 24 kilometers long.

The entire area where the Underground River is located is a national park and a model of biodiversity and is home to more than 800 plant species, including almost 300 trees, 195 bird species, 30 mammals and 19 reptile species. This basically explains why this tourist attraction is a must-see. One will not just marvel on the amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations, he will also appreciate how Mother Nature compressed her other wonderful creations in just one place.

Last day

The simple facade of Hotel Fleuris, a charming hotel located five minutes away from the Puerto Princesa airport. Photo by Klara Fernandez

Members of the press pose for a photo op at the lobby of Hotel Fleuris before heading back to Manila. Photo by Klara Fernandez

In any trip, the last day is always the time when you get to have some moments to spare. You can just stay in your hotel or you can explore the city, visit the places or do activities travel websites and magazines wouldn’t mention.

Puerto Princesa is a charming city, slowly booming with commercial centers rising, yet still very eco-friendly.

Probably, the next time I visit the city on my own, I will try to immerse myself in the local culture. The people make what the city is today. Perhaps knowing Palaweños on a different level can give big city dwellers some valuable lessons about sustainable living and environmental care.

Philippine Airlines flies to the city province three times a day. It’s not that hard to go back.

Life

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

F

ORMER Tourism Secretary and my dear friend Mina Gabor never ceases to amaze me.

Long after her stint at the Department of Tourism ended, she is still actively pursuing projects that help the industry take big and bold steps forward.

Seven years ago, together with a group of professionals with extensive experience, she put up the International School of Sustainable Tourism (ISST) at Subic Bay Freeport Zone to train and educate people towards empowering them to help uplift communities with ecological resources that need to be preserved.

The school continues to enjoy good enrolment figures, even attracting students from other countries concerned with sustainable tourism, the current buzzword among countries with tourism as among their top dollar earners.

Sustainable Tourism is the type that minimizes damage to the environment and the local culture and traditions, making the local community benefit from visitor arrivals through economic opportunities that generate income while the ecosystems are being protected.

Not content with her success with ISST, Mina is now moving heaven and earth to promote Farm Tourism, which attracts visitors to agricultural areas, for educational and recreational purposes. The industrialization of farms here and abroad brought about this form of Sustainable Tourism.

Agri-business corporations and farmers, especially those with small, family-owned farms, realized that Farm Tourism could be another way of generating income.

The current trend of health and wellness consciousness all over the world is also a big factor in the rapid growth of Farm Tourism. Many consumers are now looking for local, naturally grown food and new experiences that promote healthy living. The need for farmers to

Fun At The Farms Patches of organically grown vegetables inside Gourmet Farms

diversify income and the desire of consumers to reconnect with nature come together in Farm Tourism.

Why is Farm Tourism getting popular now?

Visitors find their accommodations right on the farm, to commune with nature, as they go fruit-picking, horseback riding, fishing, or even livestock feeding.

They can also go on guided walks along farm trails, and whatever items they fancy, usually fresh produce, they can easily buy from the farm’s gift shop.

These farms can also be venues for special events, like weddings, baptisms, and anniversaries, or even for training sessions on the farm’s best practices.

The popularity of Farm Tourism has pushed my trailblazing friend, Mina, to organize a yearly Farm Tourism Conference these past four years. The latest one was held not too long ago at the Summit Ridge Hotel in Tagaytay, and had a Farmers Market as an added attraction. Participated in by approximately 350 delegates from within the country, and a few from within the Southeast Asian Region, Farm Tourism experts shared their knowledge and best practices.

Former Department of Tourism secretary Mina Gabor is now an educator and Farm Tourism advocate

The imposing facade of Gourmet Farms' dining room

The management of Gourmet Farms and other successful operators also opened their farms to delegates for experience-based learning, and these lecture-discussions and farm tours provided a holistic approach to a full understanding of this sunrise industry.

It was a very interesting three days for me. It gave me many insights as to what could be done to the little farms in Cebu and in Leyte owned by my family, and how we could make the most out of their revenue-generating potential. I also learned that when your garden be-

comes the home of many bees, it only nursery rhymes, “The farmer in the means that such specific area has a very dell, heigh ho the derry-o, the farmer well balanced ecosystem, good for the in the dell.” health of everybody living on or near it.

So, let’s have fun at the farms, eveFor feedback, I’m at ryone, as we sing one of my favorite bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE A MARRIED MAN’S PRAYER: Dear God, You gave me childhood, you took it away. You gave me youth, you took it away. You gave me a wife, it’s been years now, am just reminding you.

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) is implementing two far-reaching programs to develop surfing as a major tourism product for the country.

One program calls for the classification and accreditation of resorts, surf camps or other facilities that provide surfing lessons to clients. Accreditation of such will require these training facilities to retain certified surfing instructors to teach or supervise the teaching of their students. It will also require them to have the essential teaching equipment and gear, such as soft training surf boards and rash guards; adequate spaces for class lessons, lockers, toilets and showers.

Most importantly, they must have emergency rescue and crisis response capabilities including first aid kits and communications equipment for handling urgent conditions.

A National Criteria for the certification and classification of surf training facilities has been completed and subjected to public consultation. It is now undergoing final refinement.

Another vital component of this product development program is the upgrading of local coaches to bring them to the level of internationally certified professional surfing instructors and place

Surfing

as a major tourism product

them at par with the world’s best surfing coaches and increasing the number to retain certified instructors to teach or supervise the teaching of their students.

To be certified, an instructor must undergo an intensive Surfing Instructors Certification Course.

For this project, the DOT has partnered with Australia’s Academy of Surfing Instructors (ASI) and its local chapter, the Academy of Surfing Instructors Philippines (ASIP). ASI is the world’s leading professional education, certification and accreditation standard for these. ASIP’s role is to execute all ASI functions, such as conducting instructor certification courses in the Philippines under strict ASI supervision.

So far, some 50 surfing instructors have received their ASI Level 1 certification and 15 more from Mati, Davao Oriental will soon join their ranks. At least two more runs are scheduled for this year: one in Baler, Aurora and another in Zambales, and these are expected to produce 50 more ASI Level 1 Certified instructors.

This program also aims to professionalize the local surf industry and provide more job opportunities to the coastal and surfing communities.

Hong Kong favorites were a big hit at the Travel Madness Expo AVID travelers and adventure-seekers all gathered at the SMX Convention Center last July 8 to 10 for the highly anticipated Travel Madness Expo. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) joined in on the excitement to share the amazing line up of summer activities in Asia’s World City, Hong Kong.

The HKTB pavilion highlighted the best places to SHOP, EAT and PLAY in Hong Kong this season as well as tons of special offers. Travel bugs at the event were able to seek out awesome deals, discounts and promos such as round-trip ticket promos from top airlines Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines.

Visitors were in for a treat at the HKTB pavilion. For every purchase of a round trip Hong Kong ticket or package, they also got to take home Abbey Sy’s personally designed Hong

Kong Pasalubong bags. These specially designed totes were made to be the perfect bag to take on a shopping trip, and it seems like there’s going to be a flock of Pinoy travelers flying to Hong Kong this season as all 1,600 bags were redeemed.

Also featured by HKTB was a taste of Hong Kong’s street food.

Mammy Pancake is a Michelinrecommended shop famous for f lavored twists on the original egg waff les. Visitors were definitely delighted as they were treated to this favorite street food eat every day of the expo. “I found that most Filipinos have not tried the egg waff les, so this was a great opportunity for them to taste and try something authentic to Hong Kong,” explains Kwong, co-owner of Mammy Pancake Tsim Sha Tsui franchise. More treats were given away as everyone

who took a selfie at the HK Pavilion and downloaded the “My Hong Kong Guide” App also received a special gift from HKTB. Visitors were also able to learn about the awesome tour packages and attractions the whole family can visit, plus fun-filled activities for kids and adults to enjoy. Some of the featured attractions were Hong Kong Disneyland, Madame Tussauds Wax Museum and Ocean Park.

For family-friendly activities visitors learned about the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show, Ani-com and Games, Food Expo, Hong Kong Summer International Film Festival and the Lan Kwai Fong Beer and Music Fest.

The vibrant city of Hong Kong is definitely packed with fun and excitement, and many Filipinos will get to experience all its offerings

Travel Madness Expo guests and customers get a taste of Hong Kong from Mammy Pancake's original egg waffles

after the expo. If you missed out on the event, you can still plan your Hong Kong getaway by logging on to DiscoverHongKong.com. Book your f light now and get to shop, eat and play in Asia’s World City.

If you missed out on the event, you can still find out more here: https:// www.dropbox.com/s/he3vfia4m9pqkav/ HKTBfinal_720p.mp4?dl=0 For more information, log on to DiscoverHongKong.com.

Showbiz In the movie, Jackie Chan plays a detective from Hong Kong who teams up with an American gambler (Johnny Knoxville) to battle a Chinese criminal

Kapamilya Myrtle Sarrosa is new Sisters ambassador

High grossing, adrenaline pumping

Jackie Chan T

HE latest Jackie Chan film has proven the star’s bankability once again. Skiptrace has knocked out all competition (such as The Legend of Tarzan, and the Japanese animation Doraemon: Nobita and the Birth of Japan) in the Chinese box office, grossing up to $60 million during its first four days. Skiptrace is said to be the highest debut of Chan’s 50-year career, in which he has made over 150 films. This comedy action blockbuster started with $14.7 million earnings on its opening day (July 21) in China.

Jackie Chan plays Bennie Chan, a Hong Kong detective who has been tracking notorious crime boss Victor Wong for over a decade. His goddaughter Samantha, played by one of China’s premier actresses Fan Bingbing (X-Men: Days of Future Past), unfortunately gets in trouble with Wong’s syndicate.

Bennie finds out that a fasttalking American gambler, Connor Watts, played by Johnny Knoxville (MTV’s Jackass movie trilogy), is somehow responsible for Samantha’s predicament, and knows valuable information that would bring Wong to justice. As Bennie races against time to bring Connor to Hong Kong, director Renny Harlin (Die Hard 2, Cliffhanger) points out that “the glittering casinos of Macau, the urban jungles of Hong Kong, the grasslands

movie of Mongolia, the sand dunes of the Gobi Desert, the rapids of the Yellow River, and the breathtaking mountain ranges (lend) an unforgettable backdrop” to the perilous adventure of this unlikely pair trying to escape their relentless enemies.

“Skiptrace is in fact an idea I’ve had for at least 20 years,” says Chan.

“I liked the film Midnight Run (starring Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin) very much so I wanted to do something in that vein, like a highway movie,” he expounds. He also heard that so many people marveled at the beautiful Chinese scenery in the Karate Kid film (2010), and that inspired him to create a film that went even further in showcasing the striking and diverse locales of his country, as well as other places in Asia.

“We filmed in Russia, Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Macau and Hong Kong,” enumerates Chan.

“The most memorable location for me would be Inner Mongolia and Guangxi, because of their unique costumes and traditions,” he adds.

Of course, moving the 400-person production crew across China and abroad was not an easy task, “but it was critical to the spirit of the movie and I’m certain the audience will feel the payoff of all that work,” says Harlin.

But, aside from it being a travelogue of sorts, Harlin asserts that the film is “about friendship and honor, and (he) enjoyed exploring the journey of these two characters, who, first reluctant to be friends, have to fight for not only justice, but also for their own survival.”

“Johnny Knoxville makes the perfect partner for Jackie – they are both famous for their crazy stunts,” says Harlin. The actor gained recognition as the co-creator and star of the MTV reality stunt show, Jackass, in early 2000.

Chan and Knoxville in a scene from action comedy ‘Skiptrace’

Drawn to the movie because of “the amazing script and the opportunity to work with Jackie Chan”, Knoxville is thankful that his idol did not insist on giving him a stunt double.

“Jackie Chan has let me do more stunts in this movie than any other Hollywood movie that I’ve done,” says the actor. Of his performance, Jackie gives a compliment, “(Johnny) impressed me with his ability to bounce back after doing complicated set ups. Very few actors can do that while having a smile on their face.”

Knoxville recalls one stunt that Jackie improvised during a shoot, “We were sitting in inner Mongolia and he asked me if I could do a summersault.

I told him I couldn’t, but I could try.

Next thing I know, I’m handcuffed and he flips me over a fence. It’s amazing that he thinks of stuff like that.”

Meanwhile, Jackie Chan picks a very dangerous scene as his most memorable moment on the set. “I was on a raft with Johnny and I was supposed to fall into the river and

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, August 5, 2016

ACROSS 1 By —!

5 Satisfy a debt 10 Mixes in 14 “Jeopardy!” host 15 Wax theatrical 16 Air show stunt 17 Make hay 18 Sword handles 19 Comet’s luminous cloud 20 Remote 22 Tori Spelling’s dad 23 Cook shack items 24 Grandeur 26 Barely warm 29 Commerce 33 Like Crusoe before Friday 34 Opossum grippers 35 RSVP word 36 Chess piece 37 Church ringers 38 Roquefort hue 39 Handy abbr.

40 Signatures 41 Vote in 42 Updates, maybe (hyph.)

44 Liver pastes 45 Golden Rule word 46 Z — — zebra 48 Wingless insects

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

51 55 56 58 59

Some mice Douse a donut Rose pest Was, to Ovid He wrote “Picnic” 60 Mine timber 61 Not very thick 62 Poker unit 63 Saddle — 64 Nomad’s dwelling DOWN 1 Jostles 2 Tub in the fridge 3 Young beef 4 Running out 5 Detox, perhaps 6 Qatar rulers 7 Many, in combos 8 Courtroom fig.

9 Winner’s cry 10 Marryin’ Sam’s creator (2 wds.)

11 Easy way through 12 Major- — 13 Wingspread 21 Course of events 22 Band gear 24 Donahue and Silvers 25 Old masters 26 Grasping sort

27 “In” crowd 28 Puerto Rican port 29 Red-tag events 30 Cay 31 Nephew’s sister 32 Floods the market 34 Rhythm 37 Tackle-shop buy 38 Most vacant, as a look 40 They have their orders 41 Colossal 43 Shook in one’s

boots 46 Mrs. Kramden 47 Facets 48 S&L protector 49 Moon goddess 50 Cal Tech grad 51 Blacken with heat 52 Dashiell’s peer 53 Come down hard 54 Bill, briefly 56 Sit-up targets 57 Golf instructor

pretend I didn’t know how to swim…

The river was very rough and I nearly got myself drowned,” he reveals.

Knoxville also shares his point of view of this story, “On (the director’s) ‘Action’, Jackie fell out of the boat and into the rapids at a point where the current was really strong, and he was supposed to deliver the line, ‘I can’t swim’…while he tried to deliver his line, water filled his mouth and I watched his expression go to ‘I’m no longer acting – now I’m truly struggling.’ In that moment, I threw him a stick to get back on the boat…”

“To have worked with him is a dream come true. His energy is infectious… nothing makes me happier than thinking, ‘I was in a Jackie Chan film,’” says Knoxville.

A film that boasts “a compelling story, adrenaline pumping action, and multilayered characters,” Skiptrace opens in Philippine cinemas on Aug. 10. It is distributed by VIVA International Pictures and MVP Entertainment.

FROM a simple girl in Iloilo, she became a well-known cosplayer, SK President, PBB Big Winner, artista, host, courtside reporter, a recording artist and now a songwriter.

But among her achievements, the closest to her heart is being a student- a Broadcast Communication senior at the University of the Philippines Diliman, a cum laude candidate.

Myrtle Sarrosas and Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners share the same vision and passion for education. With a common advocacy, Megasoft Hygenic Products Inc, makers of Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners launched “Sisters’ School Is Cool” with Myrtle as its campaign ambassadress.

The campaign recognizes outstanding students and teachers of different schools around the country. It also aims to inspire students to finish school, which is a step closer to fulfilling their dreams.

Recently, the first set of Sisters’ Choice Awards was handed out at Norala High School in South Cotabato and later at Gingoog City Comprehensive School in Misamis Oriental. The schools were also given assistance as part of the campaign.

“Sisters’ School Is Cool” is set to visit Davao and Negros Occidental.

Another fun-filled event is the I Love My Sisters Mall Concerts.

Myrtle, together with fellow Sisters endorsers, Hotlegs’ Nesh, Labb, Cath and Alex, will be performing in malls nationwide including SM Dasma on Aug. 6, SM Baguio on Aug. 20, and SM Rosales Pangasinan on Aug. 21. It will also be part of the Kadayawan Festival at Gaisano Grand Mall, Davao on Aug. 19.

The much- awaited “Sisters’ Day” celebration with the theme “We Are One, We Are Sisters” happens on Aug. 7 at Starmall Alabang.

Myrtle and the Hotlegs will be joined

by Nash Aguas, Joaquin Reyes, John Bermundo, Brace Arquiza and Grae Fernandez, collectively known as Gimme 5. Songs, dances, fun games, prizes and surprises await our sisters.

As Myrtle puts it, “Sisters Sanitary Napkins and Pantyliners give me Confidence, Comfort, Fun, Happiness and Love. I Love My Sisters” Expect more exciting events from Myrtle and Sisters Sanitary Napkins Check out www.megasoft.com.ph, megasoft hygenic (@sisters_ph) and facebook.com/sistersph

Cosplayer and former PBB Teen Big Winner Myrtle Sarrosa is the new face of Sisters Sanitary Napkins

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2016

Showbiz

Reminisce the 70s and 80s sound with The New Minstrels and the Circus Band in a reunion concert at The Theater in Solaire

People ...are talking about

New Minstrels and Circus Band Reunion in September T

HEY are at it again. The singing icons of the New Minstrels and the Circus Band are reuniting in a special show. This is titled See You in September and will be held at The Theatre of the Solaire Resorts and Casino on Sept. 2.

All set to thrill music lovers and nostalgia trippers are Louie Reyes with her “All Of My Life,” Ding Mercado and his “You’ll Never

ISAH V. RED

“Disco Queens Medley,” “Natalie Cole Medley,” “60s Boy Band Medley” and many others.

See You In September is a Viva Live Production.

Tickets are now available at TicketWorld 891-9999 and Viva Live 687-7236 at very reasonable prices– P2966.15 for Orchestra seats; P2426.85 for the Premium Gold section; and P1348.25 for the Balcony.

Back-to-back Tawanan Nights

EVERY Thursday and Friday nights, GMA Network brings to its viewers a relaxing way to cap off a tiring week via its comedy shows A1 Ko Sa’Yo and Bubble Gang.

Last night, the naughty comedy show A1 Ko Sa’Yo got the audience glued, I’m pretty sure, to their television screens as Kaycee (Denise Barbacena)’s class adviser wants to meet Rolly (Gardo Versoza) and Digna (Jaclyn Jose) to discuss an urgent matter. As Digna suspected that Kaycee was probably neglecting her studies and secretly dating a boyfriend, she spotted Kaycee and Errol (Ervic Vijandre) together in a mall. She secretly followed them around to spy and prove her suspicions right.

While Primo (Roi Vinzon) was also at the mall for a secret “eyeball” date with his long time chatmate, Tintin (Gee Canlas) was on an unusual task with Miley (Solenn Heusaff) on a sideline gig in one of the mall’s boutique stores.

Meanwhile, tonight Kapuso artists Jak Roberto, Jay Arcilla, Arra San Agustin, Marlann Flores, Arianne Bautista and Barbie Forteza visit the hilarious yet amazing world of Bubble Gang.

Michael V. will make everyone roll in laughter in “Basa Basa Pik” where he asks questions about Bubble

Jennylyn Mercado shares her passion for cooking in a new show called ‘Everyday Sarap with CDO’

Find Another Love Like Mine” and Eugene Villaluz and his ‘Nat King Cole Medley’ of The New Minstrels and Jacqui Magno with ‘Bridges’

and Pat Castillo with ‘Somewhere In Time’ of the Circus Band plus Ray An Fuentes with “She Believes In Meb” Fuentes was once part of both groups.

Though all of them are at present busy either as solo artists or in various endeavors, they still, from time to time, do performances together to the delight of their loyal fans. It is a sure thing that they will also enjoy special numbers like “MacArthur Park,” the

Gang’s history and the one chosen must answer correctly or else he/she will fall into the dunk tank.

Find yourselves laughing out loud with the witty parody of GMA News’ documentary show Reporter’s Notebook as Bitoy announces to the press the government’s new program that will let netizens send help to the people in need through the use of social media site Facebook. * * ** Learn how to prepare delicious and budget-friendly recipes for the whole family as GMA News TV and CDO Foodsphere, Inc. launch the newest cooking show Everyday Sarap with CDO beginning Aug. 7.

This program is hosted by no less than Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado as she shares her passion for cooking in creating healthy, unique and satisfying meals using new CDO products including Danes Cheese Spread, Idol Cheesedog, CDO Sweet Preserves and CDO Ulam Burger.

Jennylyn—who has been very outspoken about her love for cooking— shares that she really enjoys hosting the program because it teaches her new dishes that delights her family, most especially her son Jazz.

“Very happy ako hosting this cooking show kasi alam niyo naman na gustunggusto ko talagang magluto. Sa bahay mahilig ako mag-bake at magluto. Kaya enjoy ako sa show na ito kasi madami akong natututunan. At least pag uwi ko, may bago akong alam na pwede kong gawin at lutuin for Jazz.”

Jen also says she is thankful for the trust and continued support that CDO has been giving her for the past years.

“I am grateful and

masaya at the same time kasi natutuwa sila sa performance ko. And nakikita nila na I give my best in everything I do,” Jen said.

Noel Añonuevo directs Everyday Sarap with CDO, Monday to Friday at 8:20 to 8:30 a.m., 3 to 3:10 p.m. and 7 to 7:10 p.m.; on Saturdays at 8:20 to 8:30 a.m., 3-3:10 p.m. and 4:50 to 5 p.m.; and on Sundays at 12:25 to 12:55 p.m., 4:50 to James Reid posted this photo on his Twitter 5 p.m. and 5:40 to 5:50 account on June 1 with the caption: “Enjoying p.m. on GMA News TV. exploring The Canadian Rockies with my new Get the latest updates #FujiFilmXPro2 #LakeLouise” about Everyday underestimated.

Sarap with CDO from its When he recently posted photos Facebook page—facebook.com/ taken with his FUJIFILM cameras everydaysarapwithCDO. from his showbiz gigs and travels **** with girlfriend and love team Red-hot young leading partner Nadine Lustre, their man James Reid’s popularity followers went wild with feverish and influence cannot be excitement.

FUJIFILM, one of the world’s most trusted photographic brands, was quick to notice James’ creativity and “eye for photography”.

James owes his peaking popularity to hard work, patience, good looks, and young, hip appeal which translates to hit movies and TV soaps, concerts and albums.

FUJIFILM is thus eyeing him to be the brand’s newest endorser.

JaDine Teen Vogue singled out James Reid and Nadine Lustre calling the pair “the love team you need to know.” The article furthers that it is imperative to be an all-around performer before someone can be called a certified star in the Philippines.

While many raised their eyebrows with JaDine as the only love team mentioned, they couldn’t argue with the fact that James and Nadine are just among those few local celebrities who can really act and excel on the dance floor and concert stage at the same time.

Pia Wurtzbach Move over “Queen of Sexy” because the “Sexiest Woman Alive” is here. Esquire has named the reigning Miss Universe the sexiest woman in the land just right after another popular magazine catapulted a young actress into the limelight.

With Pia’s accomplishments and untarnished personality, people easily agreed that the Beauty Queen can genuinely represent women of all shapes and sizes and be called sexy and beautiful amid their flaws.

Derrick Monasterio He has been playing his cards right and yet he still doesn’t get all the exposure and support he needs. We have seen his finest hour in an afternoon soap. And people believe that this guy deserves to be in a primetime show and not just in a low-key work.

Good thing someone like Regal Entertainment has noticed the young actor’s huge potential. We hope he finally gets to boost his stock.

...are not talking about Encantadia The show is supposedly destined for success across the pond. But obviously, the show is failing in many aspects we could think of.

You can’t completely blame GMA Network for reviving the fantasy show, but feel free to.

They were very ambitious believing they could replicate the success of the original Encantadia relying so much on its popularity and captured audience. Had they just come up with an original series, people would have appreciated their effort.

Pinoy Big Brother The show has become too expensive to be shut down. You see, they had to fly the housemates and a number of crew to Vietnam just to give the reality show a different twist. But viewers don’t seem to buy PBB’s gimmicks anymore. It has become too passé people would rather turn off their TV sets. Don’t get us wrong, PBB definitely had its time, but we just don’t see it flying high again, anymore.

Kris Aquino We’ve noticed of late that a couple of media outfits have been quoting her comments on local movies that hit the commercial screens as if she’s a reliable movie critic.

For someone who has her share of mostly terrible movies, we doubt her idea of a good acting and wellmade film can be considered legit. Next time, see the movie for yourself and don’t rely on someone who thrives purely on publicity.