Manila Standard - 2016 August 11 - Thursday

Martial law ‘rhetoric’ spurred by drug woes

Sereno: No need to worsen word war

By John Paolo Bencito

VOL. XXX • NO. 180 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

MALACAÑANG said Wednesday that President Rodrigo Duterte’s Martial Law statement was a rhetorical question but his chief legal counsel said putting the country under military rule would be “constitutionally valid” because the drug menace poses an imminent threat to public safety.

“The President merely asked a rhetorical question and it said [that] under the context that his anti-drug campaign cannot wait for the slow wheels of justice,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a statement Tuesday.

“We have an action man for a President who believes justice delayed is justice denied. He is the type, who at the onset of his presidency, simply wants to hit the ground running and rid society of drugs, crime, and corruption with urgency,” he added.

Andanar assured the public that the President has made use

Du30: IS disease spreading to PH

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By Joyce Pangco Pañares

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte warned Wednesday that the Islamic State terrorist threat will be a major problem three to seven years from now, noting that indoctrination has already begun in Mindanao.

Duterte’s remarks came a day after officials of the Department of Tourism confirmed that an IS-related group is planning to bomb the Miss Universe beauty contest to be held in the Philippines next year, describing the threat as “serious.”

“As I see it, three to seven years from now, we will have a

problem with the ISIS. In some parts of Mindanao, there are white people–I suppose they are Arabs. They are here as missionaries. They don’t have arms. But they are into indoctrination. That’s what we should be scared of,” the President said in a speech before troops of the

By Rey E. Requejo CHIEF Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Wednesday refused to be drawn into a word war with President Rodrigo Duterte, who said he could declare Martial Law if she interfered with the government’s anti-drug campaign.

“Many things have been said. The Chief Justice sees no need to add to what are being said,” Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te told reporters when asked to comment on Duterte’s tirades against her.

Earlier, the President warned the chief justice against interfering in the government’s antidrug campaign or he might consider imposing Martial Law. On Monday, Sereno bewailed the move by President Duterte to publicly name seven judges for their allegedly coddling drug lords, describing it as “premature” and saying it could endanNext page ger their lives.

Duterte insists US envoy a ‘homo’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday repeated his disapproval of outgoing United States Ambassador Philip Goldberg who, he claims, has been meddling in his affairs.

He particularly cited the controversial remarks he made over a rape case during the campaign and which Goldberg had criticized.

“Let it be because what I said about the ambassador is true,” Duterte said.

He had called Goldberg a homosexual and an annoying person last week.

He said Goldberg should have made his remarks during the campaign in which he said he wanted to have been the first to rape an Australian woman who was raped and murdered in a prison riot in 1989.

“You should not have meddled. That is our business. It was the campaign season,” Duterte Next page said.

President Rodrigo Duterte checks the firearms recovered from the New People’s Army rebels during his visit to Camp Edilberto Evangelista in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. Malacañang Photo

Shabu, bombs seized from Espinosa’s house

By Mel Caspe ALBUERA, Leyte—An estimated of P88 million worth of shabu was seized from the house of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Ronald Espinosa Sr. early Wednesday morning, police said.

Armed with a search warrant, police raided Espinosa’s home in Sitio Tinago, Barangay Benolho in Albuera town at about 6:20 a.m.

Albuera police chief Jovy Espinedo said they found 11 kilograms of shabu there, and seized 12 camouflage uniforms and various materials that could be used for making bombs.

Police also combed Espinosa’s house on Tuesday and found several high-powered firearms.

President Rodrigo Duterte had named the mayor a drug coddler on Aug. 1.

Espinosa surrendered to the Philippine National Police the following day and later admitted that his son, Ronald “Kerwin” Espinosa, is a top drug trafficker in Visayas. He denied involvement in the drug trade, however, and returned to Leyte.

Espinosa, who was tagged as a protector of his son Kerwin, was not at home when police raided his house.

In Northern Samar meantime, Mayor Madeleine Ong, who was included in Duterte’s list of drug suspects, insisted she was an antidrug advocate and had waged war on illegal drugs since she became mayor in 1986.

“Under my term, the municipal government has waged war against illegal drugs. We have been doing that even before President Duterte assumed office,” Ong said. Next page

Rights group seeks end to ‘culture of impunity’ PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte should focus his efforts on tackling the country’s persistent human rights problems, Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday.

“Duterte needs to act decisively to signal that his government will protect the rights of all Filipinos and roll back the country’s culture of impunity,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

“President Duterte has an opportunity to reverse the failings of previous administrations by giving priority to the human rights problems that have persisted in the country.”

Kine made his statement even

as the League of Filipino Students expressed alarm over what it called the increasing cases of extra-judicial killings in the country.

“It is utterly disturbing that extra-judicial killings in the country continue to rise. The armed state forces are on a killing spree,” group spokesman JP Rosos said.

“The series of murders committed by the police and military must stop. We call on President Duterte to act on this immediately.

“While we express our utmost support to President Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, it should not involve summary executions.

We vehemently condemn the killings.”

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It’s time to bury hatchet on Marcos, solons urge Police seize shabu, high-powered firearms and bomb-making materials from the house of Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa, a suspected narco-politician, during a raid on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2016, the second in as many weeks. Mel Caspe

Dengue cases on the rise; hospitals activate alert lane METRO Manila is again a dengue hot spot even as the dengue cases nationwide hit almost 71,000 in the first six months of the year, the Department of Health said Wednesday.

That happened after Longos village in Malabon, Novaliches,

Fairview and Payatas in Quezon City reported a surge in dengue cases.

The department said 47 barangays nationwide were also dengue hot spots following its monitoring of dengue cases for the period Jan. 1 to July 23 this year. twitter.com/ MlaStandard

It said dengue cases occurred the most in Barangay Fatima (General Santos City), Santa Cruz and Santo Niño (Koronadal City), Lake Sebuh in Poblacion (Norala), Centrala, Colongulo and Lamian (Surallah), Almonan, Bulao, Palisin, Poblacion and Tubeng in

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South Cotabato.

Benguet also posted a high incidence of dengue cases in Barangays Bakakeng Central, Camp 7, Irisan, Kias, Santo Tomas proper and Trancoville (Baguio City), and Barangays Alapang, Pico and Poblacion (La Trinidad). Next page

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A PARTY-LIST lawmaker who claims to be a Martial Law victim says the late President Ferdinand Marcos should be allowed to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani or Heroes’ Cemetery in Taguig City.

Rep. Lito Atienza appealed to the Filipino people’s sense of “maturity, fairness and justice” to let the former leader be laid to rest to a place where, he said, he deserved to be.

He said Marcos’ declaration of Martial Law during his presidency brought some positive effects to the nation.

“The hatred that used to be within my system, my heart and

my soul is now blended with maturity, fairness, justice and, above all, the interest of the nation to unite finally and rest this issue once and for all,” Atienza said.

He made the statement during his response Tuesday night to the privilege speech of Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman, another Martial Law victim who opposes Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani that President Rodrigo Duterte had approved.

“I would like to appeal to everyone that Mr. Marcos lived a full life, Mr. Marcos transcended different generations―my father, myself and my children,” Atienza said.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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Tugade: Extra powers time-bound

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

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RANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade on Wednesday vowed that if President Rodrigo Duterte will be granted emergency powers to solve the country’s transport problems, everything will be compliant with the Freedom of Information executive order, accountable and time-bound.

Tugade, together with other transport officials made this assurance before senators at the hearing on emergency powers chaired by Senator Grace Poe, chairman of the committee on public services.

Describing the country’s transport problems as “chaotic,” he said “we will give you a timeline in our pursuit to what we think is necessary for this country. We shall be open and transparent when it comes to cost.”

Tugade stressed among the department’s priorities was to first create a single, synchronized authority to manage the traffic system in Metro Manila.

Traffic management is currently shared by the Metro Ma-

nila Development Authority, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Land Transportation Office and local government units.

The Transportation secretary did not make it clear if a traffic czar was needed but raised the possibility of suspending the power of LGUs relating to traffic systems for the duration of the implementation of emergency powers.

He also said he would want to open roads of private subdivisions to vehicles to help ease traffic but Senator Vicente Sotto III objected to this idea.

Tugade assured the solons that the government would ensure the safety of homeowners because

Rights...

Japan envoy to meet Duterte, Yasay

From A1

Kine said that during the presidential campaign and his first weeks in office, Duterte encouraged the use of lethal force against drug dealers and users, resulting in an alarming increase in the killing of suspected drug dealers and users by unidentified gunmen and the police.

Duterte should publicly disavow vigilante violence and the excessive or unnecessary use of force by the police, urge respect for human rights and the legal process, and launch an immediate and impartial investigation into the upsurge in killings since he took office.

Widespread impunity for members of the state security forces involved in serious human rights abuses remained a problem, Human Rights Watch said.

Duterte should direct the military to stop targeting leftist activists, including indigenous and labor leaders, and press for the full investigation of summary killings and forced disappearances.

Duterte should also address health issues that remain a major concern, Human Rights Watch said. Sandy Araneta

It’s time...

From A1

“But we cannot say with certainty that there is nothing good in this man but totally bad. I used to debate with my own father over dinner because he cautioned me not to hate but rather to understand, so now I know the wisdom of my father’s words. Do not hate Mr. Marcos.

See also what he had done for the nation.”

Rep. Rodante Marcoleta echoed Atienza’s views.

“The sentiments against Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani are misplaced,” Marcoleta said.

“The burial of Marcos is a fitting act of burying the hatchet and allowing history to eventually judge the man.”

Atienza said Marcos had been a strong leader like Duterte, who has been tough on his anti-drug campaign and the eradication of poverty.

He said Marcos also served the country well despite the controversies and public condemnations following the human rights abuses committed by his regime.

“To condemn him altogether and to continue this vilification of a man who has also served our nation in times of peace, in times of war... may not be in the best interest of our people,” said.

“I stand here as one of the victims of Martial Law. I stand here today as one who fought Mr. Marcos all the way the moment he declared Martial Law. We contested that and we fought him in the streets of Manila.”

Maricel V. Cruz

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade briefs senators on the land and air transports system and the need for a law granting special powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to resolve the traffic crisis. Ey Acasio

the choice of private roads will not be arbitrary or whimsical.

“We will not compromise safety of subdivisions. Security mechanisms and security expenses will be borne by the government,” he said.

The Transportation chief also said roads inside subdivisions

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan JAPANESE Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida is scheduled to discuss bilateral and regional issues with President Rodrigo Duterte and Kishida’s counterpart Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. today.

The Japanese official arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 9 p.m. on Wednesday night and is expected to leave the country on August 12.

The Philippines is the destination of Kishida’s first official visit following his reappointment to the position of foreign minister after a Japanese cabinet reshuffle on August 3.

The three-day state visit of Kishida, who arrived on Wednesday, preceded the official turnover of one of the 10 patrol boats provided by Japan through its Official Development Assistance on

Martial...

From A1 of the executive powers at his disposal, “knowing fully well the limits of these powers, and without undermining the constitutional separation of powers nor infringing upon the rights of citizens.”

“He is working very hard to deal with the drug menace head-on, by removing fear from among the civilians and bringing it back to the hearts of drug protectors, criminals and corrupt officials,” he added.

Andanar made these statements after President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday threatened to declare Martial Law should Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno interfere with his war against drugs.

Duterte said that a constitutional crisis will happen should Sereno continue assailing his anti-narcotics efforts, including publicly naming more than 150 politicians, judges, soldiers and police allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, however, said the present situation already allows Duterte to do so under the Constitution.

“It depends on him, but the President is not saying that there is a crisis of such magnitude, the President is saying that there is ‘war.’ He is not calling [the drug menace] as an epidemic, but rather a pandemic. If public safety requires him to declare Martial Law, then he can do it,” Panelo said in an interview with reporters.

“The Constitution is saying that the President can declare Martial Law

Shabu...

From A1 Ong has not reported to Camp Crame but said: “I will cooperate with authorities to clear my name once and for all.”

In Quezon City, Mayor Herbert Bautista admitted that his younger brother, District 4 Councilor Hero Bautista, tested positive for illegal drugs in a surprise drug test.

Ares Gutierrez, public affairs information services officer, confirmed the mayor told the weekly executive committee meeting attended by city hall’s department heads that his brother tested positive for drug use.

He said the younger Bautista will have to take a leave of absence during his six-month rehabilitation treatment, and that his position will not be filled up since he will still be allowed to go back for work.

The councilor will not be subjected to expulsion proceedings, he added.

Majority floor leader Franz Pumaren of District 3 is tasked to appoint a caretaker during Hero’s duration of

would only be used at certain times, such as during peak hours.

“There are so many cars on the road. Really excessive. So we have to reduce the number of vehicles, build roads or use the roads of others, such as privately owned in subdivisions,” he said.

August 18.

Kishida’s visit is timed amidst the ongoing and rising concerns of China’s excessive claims on the disputed South and East China Sea. The Japanese foreign chief said his visit is meant to affirm Tokyo’s “friendly ties” with the newly elected President.

On August 11, the foreign minister is expected to meet with Duterte and Yasay in Davao City. Duterte will treat Kishida to a merienda cena.

Kishida is also expected to confirm Japan’s cooperation in urging China to accept and respect the recent Arbitral Tribunal ruling invalidating China’s nine-dash line claim to the disputed waters.

A source, who is privy with the defense cooperation between the two countries, said Duterte is set to personally accept the first patrol boat when it arrived in the Philippine waters.

not only in case of invasion or rebellion, but when public safety requires it and now the safety of the public is in eminent danger,” he added.

“Since he has already information relative of this magnitude [on the drug war], then he has the sole authority whether or not, given the circumstances that he is informed with, then he would declare Martial Law as an informed decision.”

Panelo scored Sereno for “misconstruing” and mis-appreciating” the statements of Duterte when she chided him for naming judges allegedly involved in illegal drugs, saying this was premature and could endanger their lives.

Panelo said Duterte was not forcing the arrest or surrender of judges but was merely asking them to come forward to defend themselves.

He said Duterte had to act swiftly and take extraordinary measures, even if it will eventually lead to the declaration of Martial Law. He also said Sereno had stepped over the line by calling out the President.

“From the tone of the letter, she was in effect reprimanding the President by saying that we were not notified of this earlier. We could have [taken] preventive measures. How can you [take] preventive measures when that drug involvement has already been done?”

Panelo also chided Sereno for advising the judges named not to surrender to the police in the absence of an arrest warrant.

“Due process only starts when formal complaint is filed. Until such time, you cannot be speaking of due process,” he said.

Earlier, the Supreme Court said

it would begin an investigation into the four active judges that Duterte named, saying it would take Duterte’s remarks as a complaint.

The leftist Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on Wednesday scored the President’s remarks, saying that they would only heighten fears of more rights violations.

“Whether in jest or out of frustration over the failures of the legal system, threats of Martial Law and defying a co-equal branch of government should not be made by the President in the course of his campaign against illegal drugs. Such remarks, amid the spate of drugrelated killings, only serve to raise fears of more violations of the law,” Bayan chairperson Carol Araullo said in a statement.

“The executive and judiciary should now do their jobs and investigate the persons allegedly involved in illegal drugs and file the appropriate criminal and administrative charges if necessary. That will ensure due process and accountability, dispelling any notions that the list of personalities is either intended to terrorize or to set up people to be killed by the death squads,” she added.

Lawmakers on Wednesday said the exchange between Duterte and Sereno was merely a case of miscommunication.

Reps. Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City, Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte, Raneo Abu of Batangas, Fred Castro of Capiz and Jose Antonio Alvarado of Bulacan said it would be best also for Sereno to support the President, especially if the campaign against illegal drugs is for the benefit of many Filipinos.

absence, Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

“The councilor was tested positive in the first drug test. Also, he tested positive in the conformity test,” she said.

Hero complained the tests were erroneous, and that he demanded to be tested against in, she added.

Belmonte said that as early as last week, she had already told the mayor about the drug tests of his brother and the rest of the councilors.

She said she kept silent on the drug results to give the mayor the opportunity to make the announcements.

The Office of the Vice Mayor spearheaded the surprise drug test of employees from the legislative department.

None of the legislative employees, except Hero, tested positive.

Police said a total of 30 local government officials who surrendered to the police because they were named

by President Duterte as coddlers of drug pushers denied the accusations against them.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group director Chief Supt. Roel Obusan said these included mayors,

vice mayors, a congressman, a councilor, a jail employee, and others who voluntarily submitted themselves to the CIDG together with their counsels and gave their statements.

Out of this number, a former mayor and an incumbent mayor gave their statements with confessions, while a Maguindanao incumbent mayor submitted an affidavit.

Most of the local government officials denied the accusations against them.

The Justice Department on Wednesday filed criminal charges against the Chinese national arrested last Friday in a warehouse in Angeles City in Pampanga where some P100 million worth of shabu was seized.

No bail is allowed for the charge of illegal possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia filed against Chen Yiye before the Angeles City regional trial court.

Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Juan Pedro Navera recommended the filing of the drug charges after finding probable cause on the complaint filed by arresting agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

With Rio N. Araja, PNA

But Sotto said using privatelyowned roads would do little to solve the bottlenecks. Instead, he urged Tugade to go after illegally parked vehicles.

“Remove illegally parked vehicles in the entire Metro Manila and you’ll practically solve 50 percent of the traffic problems,” said Sotto as he noted that there is no traffic problems in Singapore because parking on the streets is prohibited and vehicles are only allowed to park in designated parking lots.

He urged Tugade to concentrate more on clearing city streets of illegally parked vehicles than opening private subdivisions.

“We have rights to these roads in Metro Manila, but we just cannot use them. Nobody is passing through them because they were turned into parking lots, left and right,” said Sotto.

The senator told Tugade it might be better to study on opening first city streets. He said community-based traffic and navigation mobile application Waze demonstrates how viable city streets are to help

decongest gridlocks.

During the hearing, Transport Undersecretary for Roads and Infrastructure Anneli Lontoc said emergency powers could also help the agency address the backlog in license plates and even acquire a plate-making machine so plates could be made in the Philippines instead of relying on the Dutch-Filipino consortium that bagged the car plate deal.

Undersecretary for Air Bobby Lim, meanwhile, said powers would also be needed to address air traffic congestion by transferring general flights operations in Manila to other airports such as Clark and Sangley.

On the other hand, Undersecretary for Rails and Toll Roads Noel Kintanar said powers would be needed to relax procurement rules for the acquisition of railway system parts.

MMDA Officer-in-Charge Emerson Carlos ended the transport presentation by saying that Metro Manila will also need 3,000 more kilometers of roads to alleviate traffic congestion particularly in Edsa.

Du30...

on raising ransom from kidnappings than propagating an ideology.

Meanwhile, Duterte blamed the Mamasapano incident in 2015 to the greediness of some officials who were running after the $5-million bounty for the head of Malaysian terrorist Zulkifli bin Hir, alias Marwan.

“What happened in Mindanao, it was a question of greed,” the President said.

At least 44 commandos of the PNP-Special Action Force were killed in Mamasapano, a carnage that Duterte vowed will never happen under his watch.

“These are the things that will not happen during my time. I will not allow another clumsy decision. It’s very stupid. You can count on me: I will not allow it to happen,” he said.

The Foreign Affairs Department, meanwhile, said it is ready to extend assistance to a Filipina who was arrested in Kuwait for allegedly pledging allegiance to the Islamic State.

Department spokesman Charles Jose confirmed the arrest but said the Kuwait authorities have yet to officially advise them of the arrest. With Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, AFP

From A1

1st Infantry Division in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. He said the problem should be addressed before Mindanao gets contaminated with the “ISIS disease.”

“There’s something wrong with their minds–killing people unnecessarily, with no rhyme nor reason,” Duterte said.

On Monday, a pro-IS social media channel tracked by the terror-monitoring SITE Intelligence Group showed a video on how to “create a bomb for Miss Universe,” referring to the beauty pageant to be held in Manila in January 2017.

“We consider this as serious,” the Tourism Department said.

The threat would be referred to an intelligence group assigned to the pageant, Philippine National Police spokesman Senior Supt.

Dionardo Carlos said.

“That’s going to be looked at,” he said, without giving details.

Filipino Muslim militants operating in Mindanao have in recent years pledged allegiance to IS, though security officials and analysts said they were more focused

With PNA

Sereno...

From A1 In a four-page letter to Duterte, Sereno said she would also caution the judges implicated by the President not to surrender to the police in the absence of an arrest warrant.

“Mr. President, a premature announcement of an informal investigation on allegations of involvement with the drug trade will have the unwarranted effect of rendering the judge veritably useless in discharging his adjudicative role,” Sereno said.

“With all due respect, Mr. President, we were caught unprepared by the announcement. It would matter greatly to our sense of constitutional order, if we were given the chance to administer the appropriate preventive measures without the complications of a premature public announcement,” she added.

While the Supreme Court, which supervises all trial courts nationwide, supports Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs, Sereno said it has been careful in handing investigations and administrative cases against judges.

The administrative process in the judiciary was very sensitive so as not to affect the good reputation of judges, which is their “primary badge of credibility and the only legacy that many of our judges can leave behind.”

Sereno also expressed concern on the safety of the judges named by Duterte.

“Too many of our judges have been assassinated, 26 since 1999, a large proportion of them reportedly at the behest of crime lords, more specifically, drug lords… Our judges may have been rendered vulnerable and veritable targets for any of those persons and groups who may consider judges as acceptable collateral damage in the war on drugs,” she said.

Duterte...

From A1 Goldberg had seconded Australian Ambassador Amanda Gorely’s statements over the social networking site Twitter that rape and murder should never be trivialized, which did not sit well with Duterte, who was then mayor of Davao City.

Duterte even dared the United States and Australia to cut off diplo-

Dengue..

From A1 Health Secretary Eric Tayag said the National Capital Region was included in the list of regions with an increasing number of dengue cases in the past four weeks.

He said 70,697 dengue cases were reported during the first half of the year, or 19 percent more than the number of cases recorded in the same period in 2015.

“If you look at the trends by week, it is still under the alert threshold

matic ties with the Philippines after their respective envoys commented on his “rape joke.”

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau, however, summoned Filipino charge d’affaires Patrick Chuasoto to explain the “inappropriate comments” made by Duterte.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the ties between the Philippines and the United States remained strong despite the issue. John Paolo Bencito based on our three-year average, but compared to last year the cases have already increased by 19 percent,” Tayag said.

He called on the hospitals in the barangays considered as dengue hot spots to reactivate their express lanes to hasten the admission of suspected and confirmed cases.

The Health department launched its anti-dengue vaccination program in April and covered more than 700,000 Grade 4 students in the National Capital Region, Central Luzon and Calabarzon. Macon RamosAraneta and Catherine Mae V. Conzales

News IN BRIEF Graft raps vs ex-Ilocos lawmaker THE Ombudsman ordered the filing of graft raps against former Ilocos Sur representative Salacnib Baterina before the Sandiganbayan for his alleged involvement in the anomalous use of P35-million pork barrel fund in 2007.

Baterina is facing three counts of Republic Act No. 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, three counts of malversation and one count of direct bribery.

The Ombudsman said from January to February 2007, the Department of Budget and Management released P35 million as part of Baterina’s Priority Development Assistance Fund supposedly to fund livelihood and farm input projects for his constituents.

Field investigation, however, revealed that none of the projects were implemented and thus considered as “ghost” projects.

Rio Araja

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Rody: Leftist groups aiding armed struggle

By John Paolo Bencito

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday claimed that some leftist partylist groups are using government funds to aid the communist insurgency and that is one of the reasons he is insisting the abrogation of the party-list representation in Congress.

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“That is why I disagree with that party-list [system]. If it’s not controlled by one family, children and spouses, there are also communists there,” Duterte told army troopers during a visit

to the headquarters of the First “Tabak” Division in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur. “The money, where will it go? To their groups so they can buy guns,” he added, reiterating

that he will insist the removal of the party-list system in the new Constitution that he hopes the 17th Congress will produce within his term.

“If there will be a change in the [new] Constitution, which is being discussed now, I will no longer allow party-lists,” Duterte said.

Although the party-list system was provided by the 1987 Constitution, its enabling law— Republic Act No. 7941—was not enacted until 1995 and was only implemented in the elections of 1998.

Arguing that the Philippine “national democratic”

movement should also engage in parliamentary struggle, some left-leaning groups were able to utilize the system with success even as their comrades pressed with their armed struggled in the countryside.

In a separate speech, Duterte expressed disapproval to the communist movement’s practice of collecting so-called “revolutionary taxes” from communities.

“That is not taxation, it’s extortion,” Duterte said. “They survive because of extortion money.”

“The [New People Army] are

crazy. They are boastful, just like [Communist Party of the Philippines founder Jose Ma.] Sison. You NPA are s*** of b******,” he added.

Duterte noted that he had wanted a ceasefire enforced but he was piqued when the communists attacked a group of militiament in Davao del Norte.

He said he was irritated because the CPP-NPA keeps on complaining about government violations of international agreements like the Geneva Conventions and yet they employ land mines that are also prohibited by international agreements.

POEA exec sacked over extortion LABOR Secretary Silvestre Bello III ordered the dismissal from the public service a Philippine Overseas Employment Administration employee for extorting money to applicants wanting to work abroad.

Bello said that the DoLE Legal Service found Roland Quintos, Labor and Employment Officer II of POEA, liable for serious dishonesty, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Bello said that aside from the penalty of dismissal, Quintos also faces cancellation of eligibility, forfeiture of retirement benefits, and perpetual disqualification for holding public office and bar from taking civil service examination.

Based on the findings of the Legal Assistance Division on the separate complaints against Quintos, it was found out that he was demanding money from Edielyn Vega, Belinda Fausto, Susan Carbonilla, Maria Rina Rilla, and Florence Fajardo in exchange of the return of their travel documents and departure.

Vito Barcelo

Fugitive Korean arrested A KOREAN woman wanted in her own country for various charges was nabbed by immigration operatives as part of the bureau’s continued drive against foreign fugitives hiding in the country.

Nabbed was Eom Jae Hwa, who is wanted for swindling, according to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

She is set to be deported to her home country.

Morente said Eom was arrested on the strength of a deportation warrant that was issued against her by the BI Board of Commissioners on Dec. 2 last year.

Vito Barcelo

LOVE IN THE STRUGGLE. Spouses Benito and Wilma Tiamzon, both high-ranking communist leaders captured in Cebu in 2014, raise their fists during a hearing at a Manila court over their supposed involvement in the killings of 15 of their rebel comrades in Inopacan, Leyte in 1985. Danny Pata

GMA eyed as deputy House speaker Cebu Pac

By Maricel V. Cruz FORMER President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Wednesday confirmed her imminent appointment as deputy speaker in the House of Representatives.

When asked if she would be given any committee chairmanship, Arroyo, chairperson emeritus of the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, replied to reporters: “Yes, I will be a deputy speaker.”

Arroyo made the remark during her visit to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to

donate dialysis equipment at the state-run hospital. She was accompanied by her husband, Mike Arroyo.

Arroyo’s appointment as the newest deputy speaker is expected to be announced next week in plenary session at the lower chamber.

The former president won her reelection bid despite the plunder case leveled against her in connection with the alleged misuse of P366 million in Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office intelligence funds from 2008 to 2010.

She had been in hospital detention since

2010 until the Supreme Court dismissed her plunder case last July 22.

The High Court said that Arroyo’s participation in approving the P366-million intelligence fund releases was just “ministerial” and does not constitute any “overt act” of plunder.

This developed as Arroyo expressed her full backing to President Rodrigo Duterte’s legislative agenda, including the planned Charter Change towards federalism.

“I filed a resolution for Con-Ass [Constituent Assembly],” Arroyo told reporters.

DILG belies ‘midnight appointments’

By John Paolo Bencito THE Department of Interior and Local Government on Tuesday denied any ‘midnight appointments’ supposedly made by high-ranking officials from the previous administration who supposedly closed ranks against new officials appointed by

President Rodrigo Duterte.

“There is no truth to the reported ‘midnight appointments’ as alleged in the newspaper report,” said Assistant Secretary For Finance, Comptrollership and Administration Ester Aldana in a statement.

Aldana said all vacancies that are being filled undergo a selection process in accor-

dance with the policies and rules of the Civil Service Commission.

She said vacancies are posted in the Government Management Information System, the Department’s website and were even published by the CSC as part of the government’s policy on transparency and control measures.

DoH team to help Filipinos in Saudi

By Cathrine Mae V. Gonzales and Macon Ramos-Araneta

FEELING FOR THE SICK. Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, now a congresswoman of Pampanga, visits a patient of the Veterans Memorial Medical Center where she was detained for almost five years. Arroyo, accompanied by her lawyer-husband Jose Miguel Arroyo, donated to the hospital two dialysis machines for the use of the hospital’s patients. Manny Palmero

THE Department of Health will send 14 medical and paramedical professionals to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to provide health services to thousands of jobless overseas Filipino workers stranded there.

Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said the team will conduct medical and psychological examinations and treatments and will assess the sanitation condition in the OFWs’ camp sites for at least two weeks.

“It is a priority to provide immediate assistance to those without food and in dire need of medical care,” Ubial said.

Other agencies involved in the operation are the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and Public Attorney’s Office.

President Rodrigo Duterte assigned these agencies to assess the situation and attend to the basic needs of stranded OFWs. “The Duterte administration wants these stranded OFWs given the option and means to go home as soon as possible,” Ubial said.

crew sues passenger

By Joel E. Zurbano A CEBU Pacific flight attendant filed a criminal complaint against a passenger who she said slapped her hours after members of the cabin crew asked the passenger to stow her baggage properly before the takeoff of a Davaobound plane late last month.

Charged with slander by deed and slight physical injuries before the Davao Assistant Prosecutors Office was Vicenta Tello, a resident of Cotabato City, who was charged Cebu Pacific flight attendant Madel Ty, a cabin crew of Cebu Pacific flight 5J955 from Manila to Davao on July 30.

In a related development, Cebu Pacific Airlines also decided to place Tello under its blacklist of passengers in connection with the incident.

“Cebu Pacific [CEB] extends full support to its Cabin Crew member who today filed charges against the passenger who slapped her on the face upon deplaning from flight 5J955 Manila-Davao last July 30, 2016,” said the airline in a statement sent to members of the media on Wednesday.

The decision came more than a week after the airlines conducted its own investigation of the case.

“Following thorough investigation on this incident, CEB’s Blacklist Committee has decided that the passenger who carried out the assault will not be allowed to board any of CEB’s flights, until further notice,” the airline stated.

“Meanwhile, CEB has yet to receive communication from the passenger involved in this incident. We will welcome any opportunity to further clarify our cabin crew’s primary duties and responsibilities, to prevent similar cases in the future.”

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Speech patterns

T

HE head of the Executive Department, President Rodrigo Duterte, received a letter from the head of the Judicial Department, Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno on Monday. The letter was in response to Duterte’s naming of seven judges as among the officials involved in the protection of the illegal drug trade.

Sereno said it was important that the Supreme Court, being the institution that has jurisdiction over the judges, know the source and basis of the allegations.

The premature announcements, Sereno said, had the effect of “rendering the judge veritably useless in discharging his adjudicative role.” They would also make those on the list targets for persons and groups who may see them as acceptable collateral damage in the so-called war

on drugs. Sereno said she would caution any of the named judges against surrendering to any police authority without a warrant of arrest.

Duterte took offense at Sereno’s letter: “Not just because you’re the Supreme Court, you can order me. I will not follow you” he said. “Do not create a constitutional issue [because] there will be,” Duterte said.

“Please do not provoke me, I am not a fool. If this continues, stop me. But would you rather I declare martial law?”

The mention of Martial Law then triggered headlines and speculation—fires which the Duterte camp had to put out the following day. The Palace said Duterte’s statement was a mere rhetorical question, supposedly a way to emphasize how serious the President is in fighting the drug menace.

Palace spokesman Martin Andanar assured the public that Mr. Duterte knows “fully well the limits of these powers, and without undermining the constitutional separation of powers nor infringing upon the rights of citizens.”

Meanwhile, lawmakers—who belong to the second of three branches of government—had mixed reactions to the Martial Law statement. Senator Juan Edgardo Angara does not think what Duterte said was a serious remark. Senator Panfilo Lacson said that by now, the people should already be familiar with the antics of the President.

That President Duterte makes bold, sweeping statements only to distance himself from them the next day is nothing new. He or his supporters may claim that the words were taken out of context, as if the listener were at fault. They

may expound on the matter, providing details not previously given. They may even fault the public for a failure to understand what was said. Always, always, there is deniability.

We are still getting used to a chief executive who rambles and curses. We are still trying to focus on the substance of what he says rather than on how he says them. But we cannot wrap our brain around a president who says one thing with passion, only to deny that he meant what we thought he meant.

We better get used to the speech patterns of this President, we are told. But perhaps his advisers can remind him that his office demands no less than simple, forthright, speech. We need a president who speaks simply and authoritatively, one we can take seriously—without need for annotation.

DUTY CALLS FLORENCIO FIANZA

Protecting our cultural heritage

LOWDOWN

Critic-shaming no more

JOJO A. ROBLES I’VE been given a copy of House Resolution 1135, filed by the late Sorsogon Rep. Salvador Escudero III during the 15th Congress on March 23, 2011 and co-authored, signed and adopted by a clear majority of 214 other lawmakers. The document is entitled “A resolution urging the administration of President Benigno C. Aquino III to allow the burial of the remains of former President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani.”

I’m told that more than 150 of the congressmen who signed the 2011 resolution remain in the House of Representatives today as members of the 17th Congress. They still constitute a majority in the current House, even if some of them are now opposed to the burial of Marcos at the military’s cemetery.

One of these is new Deputy Speaker Romero “Miro” Quimbo of Marikina City. Quimbo is a known ally of Aquino even if he

also served in the administration of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as president of Pag-IBIG Fund.

While Quimbo signed the Escudero resolution, which praised Marcos as a “well-decorated soldier” who “built the modern foundations of the Philippines” and was “a patriot to the end of his life,” he now sings a different tune. Quimbo, reacting to the current plan to bury Marcos at the cemetery, protested the attempt to “wash away the sins” of the Marcos family.

“We need to resolve what happened during Martial Law and recover stolen wealth,” the deputy speaker said. What happened, Miro? *** First it was the human rights of the suspected drug pushers and users that were being violated. Then the feelings and sacrifices of the victims of the Marcos regime were being grossly disrespected.

Now, it’s the supposed im-

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In the past couple of weeks, for some people, Duterte can’t seem to do anything right anymore.” minent return of martial law, to be imposed by the new president, the same one who is no respecter of the rights of drug suspect and Marcos victim alike.

Never mind if bringing back military rule was not really the intention of the president, who was just highlighting his frustration with the national drug problem by citing an extreme but totally rhetorical example.

If you’re starting to see a pattern Benjamin Philip G. Romualdez Former Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno Anita F. Grefal Maan Ilustre Edgar M. Valmorida

or a disturbing historical throwback here, you’re not alone. In the past couple of weeks, for some people, President Rodrigo Duterte can’t seem to do anything right anymore.

I am well aware of the irony: it was just six years ago, a colleague and acquaintance wrote recently, when his friends asked him to not be so “nega” and to just contribute what he can to improve the nation. Now the shoe is on the other foot and the same people watch another new president like a hawk, ready to pounce on every perceived error or misguided pronouncement from Malacañan Palace with withering criticism.

“I had so many friends criticize me for my comments about the previous administration’s major f—ups,” Mike Besa wrote.

“They all told me to contribute and not just criticize.”

“Now the same people are waiting on every statement the President makes and criticizing

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

[him] no end. They could all do with a healthy helping of their own advice.”

I can sympathize. If I had a peso for every time that I was accused of undermining the nation by writing a newspaper column critical of the government, I’d be well on my way to joining the ranks of the oligarchs by now.

The remnants of the old Yellow regime are no longer engaged in their old pastime of critic-shaming. No, they have become, in just a couple of months, the staunchest advocates of the rule of law, human rights, democracy and every other liberty that they think the new government is trampling upon.

Whatever happened to not being so negative and contributing to the country by not being a critic? If you don’t know, well, there’s this election that happened some months back.

The candidate of the current critics didn’t make it. So they’ve

Turn to A5

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

IT HAS been said that a country that cannot preserve its cultural heritage is really poor no matter how rich it is.

Amid the current national controversies is a heartbreaking story about the demolition of an old house in Majayjay Laguna, reputed to be the second oldest house in the Philippines. Constructed in 1744 and owned by the Ordoveza family for two-and-a-half centuries, it was bought and demolished late last year by Jose Rizalino Acuzar who owns Las Casas Filipinas located in Bagac, Bataan.

The house is now being reconstructed.

Why the town of Majayjay, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and other agencies with the mandate of protecting our cultural heritage did not prevent the sale and destruction of the house, no one knows. Jose Acuzar—in addition to being the brother-in-law of former executive secretary Jojo Ochoa—is also the owner of Real Savings Bank, the fastest growing savings bank during the last administration.

This practice of Acuzar of buying old Spanish colonial houses then reconstructing them has its critics and supporters. But judging from the picture, before and after the destruction of the house, not much of the original materials must have been usable.

It probably would have been better to build an imitation. Now, there is absolutely nothing that can be done.

But how about the many remaining structures still standing, deserving of government protection? We cannot simply allow Mr. Acuzar to buy and demolish every old historical building for his own gratification. Based on what has already happened with so many cases, it is a losing war for conservationists. That monstrous tall building in Luneta will no longer be demolished. The original Army Navy club in Luneta is also gone. The historical commission should just concentrate on protecting historical buildings instead of getting embroiled in purely political issues like the burial of the late President Ferdinand Marcos at Fort Bonifacio.

In my own backyard of Baguio City, two historical buildings are about to go. The post office constructed by the last American mayor of the city is so dilapidated that the original structure can no longer be recognized. In spite of an effort in social media to generate support for the purpose of restoring it to its original condition, nothing has happened. The structure

Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

Chairman Emeritus, Editorial Board

Turn to A5

City Editor Senior Deskman Art Director Chief Photographer

Opinion TO THE POINT EMIL P. JURADO

Leave the Supreme Court alone THE problem with the expo- committed shortcomings, like sure of the so-called narco-pol- when he singled out internaiticians by President Duterte is tional businessman Roberto that those on the list can easily “Bobby” Ongpin as an oligarch.

Mr. Duterte may have failed be judged for their involvement in illegal drugs—whether it is to realize that in his war against true or not. As such, they could oligarchy embedded in governbe targets of summary and vigi- ment, he failed to mention the family of his Environment and lante killings.

Malacañang says the public Natural Resources Secretary has a right to know. Yes, we do Gina Lopez, the Ayalas, and the want to know who these people Villars. I can go on and on.

Bobby Ongpin, for his part in high places are so that the law earned his millions through can take its course.

In the case of the four (of the excellent entrepreneurship and seven in the list) judges, they managerial expertise. He did have become useless as mag- not inherit his money like that istrates. Shorn of credibility, the Ayalas and Tuasons. Most honesty and integrity, a judge is importantly, he amassed his fortune not by smuggling or cornothing.

I see the concern of Chief ruption but by sheer hard work.

I am saddened for Bobby Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno who wrote a letter to President whose credentials and integrity Duterte saying that any indis- I believe in. *** cretion or violation of the law Fighting corruption is one of by a member of the Judiciary is within the ambit of the Supreme the issues that catapulted PresiCourt. Thus, Sereno warned dent Duterte to the presidency. the judges not to present them- And the common public percepselves unless a search warrant is tion is that the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal served on them.

Sereno, my gulay, was just Revenue are the most corrupt following the rule of law. Du- agencies. President Duterte has terte must know this, being a also mentioned the Land Translawyer and former prosecutor portation Office as another one. *** himself.

A recent ruling that brought Thus, when the President reacted adversely to Sereno’s let- back to sharp focus the issue ter—even threatening to declare of corruption is the uniformed martial law—I got to thinking services (AFP and PNP). The what a president should and Court of Appeals annulled two decisions of former President should not do.

BS Aquino who I have gone had ordered the on record as dismissal from praising Duthe service of terte as a leadChief Special er. He walks his Prosecutor talk. He means Wendell Barbusiness and he ras-Sulit of the acknowledges Office of the he is responOmbudsman. sible and acNews recountable for separation of ports said that his acts. The the CA Special public never powers.”

10th Division had this from ordered the reBS Aquino. instatement of But when Sulit, who was Mr. Duterte messes with the line that divides dismissed by BS Aquino for the government into three—the entering into a plea bargaining executive that implements the agreement in 2013 with Major law, the legislature that crafts it, General Carlos Garcia, former and the judiciary that interprets controller of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, who was beit —that’s something else.

Duterte must realize that ing tried for corruption. Under there are some things he cannot the deal, Garcia returned to the do like discipline members of government more than P135.433 the judiciary. That’s within the million in stolen money.

The Court ruled that the plea purview of the Supreme Court as a co-equal and independent bargaining deal “was the outbranch of government. He also come of a prudent, reasonable and practical evaluation of the cannot dictate on Congress.

The President must use ex- cases against Garcia,” and that tra caution. He must remember it carried the approval of the that he is no longer a city mayor Office of the Solicitor General, who can rule his turf the way the Sandiganbayan, the Antihe likes it. Every word he utters Money Laundering Council and has repercussions and implica- then Ombudsman Merceditas tions on the lives and futures of Gutierrez.

Garcia was accused of plunmore than 101 million Filipinos der in connection with the under his watch.

I don’t know if the President scandal involving the grant realized what he said when he of millions of cash gifts to at threatened to declare martial least three former AFP Chiefs law if a constitutional crisis of Staff. A lifestyle check also occurred. He should read once showed Garcia had amassed again Article VII, Section 18 of hundreds of millions and real the charter to realize that mar- property including an expential law, as contemplated by sive condominium unit in New Cory Aquino’s appointed del- York City.

Garcia’s case was just one egates, is toothless.

Wasn’t Duterte told that as of the many instances of corCommander-in-Chief, he can ruption, like the questioned only call the Armed Forces of helicopter deal and the “euro the Philippines to prevent law- generals” that caused the AFP less violence, invasion or rebel- and the PNP to be perceived as lion? A declaration of martial the most corrupt agency of the law must be submitted to Con- government. In fact, in March gress, which can revoke such this year, Ombudsman Conproclamation. Even the Su- chita Morales reported that the preme Court can review such PNP and the AFP ranked as the second and third most corrupt proclamation.

In his determination to end agencies with officials of local the illegal drug trade once and government units coming out, for all, Duterte threw caution too. This has been the trend in to the wind by telling the police the last five years, Morales disthat they would be protected by closed.

In what must come as a pleashim in going against drug lords and dealers. The result: summa- ant surprise to Customs people, ry killings to the tune of almost Morales said cases against BOC a thousand now, the surrender personnel have been in a downof thousands of dealers and ad- trend in the last five years. This dicts worsening the congestion puts Customs as just no. 10 in in jails. This has also highlight- the Ombudsman’s 2015 corruped the need for rehabilitation tion list. centers and sounded the alarm All along, the public’s percepon loose firearms and private/ tion is that Customs and BIR are vigilante armies. the most corrupt government *** agencies. But now, it appears In the process of meeting that these agencies have been his own deadline of eradicat- replaced by the AFP and PNP. ing crimes, illegal drugs and This fact assumes a particular corruption within three to six significance with the appointmonths, the President may have ment of former Marines Cap-

President Duterte is a lawyer. He knows the principle of

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

The other side of the coin MINORITY REPORT DANILO SUAREZ TRUE to his campaign promises, President Rodrigo Duterte continued his public identification of government officials who are allegedly involved in the drug trade.

On Sunday morning, the President read a long list which included several local government officials—incumbent and former mayors, congressmen, provincial board members, and several members of the judiciary. The public identification of these officials happened during the early morning hours which made for a hearty breakfast for all law-abiding Filipino citizens. While the majority basked in the warmth of this new experience of a politician delivering immediately and effectively on his campaign platform, a noisy few again mouthed off protestations based on legal principles that should be used, in principle, to safeguard the innocent.

Never mind that these noisy protests are emanating from a particular group which lost badly last elections despite their

anointed’s obvious incapability to address the alarming drug situation in the country which had been an open secret during their time at the helm.

Make no mistake about it: The drug industry is not in the business of merely giving pleasurable sensation. The victim does not just get “high.” These illegal drugs damage the very core of one’s being such that a user is incapable of distinguishing right from wrong. A user will not exhibit any compunction in committing heinous crimes such as rape with homicide and murder when under the influence of drugs. The user is also compelled by his addiction to commit petty crimes just to finance his habit. The illegaldrugs business here in the country has been very successful in glamorizing its image, associating use to high society and glitz just to mask its ugly effects on society.

Drugs have been a significant component of crime in the country. Of the total crime incidents reported in the country, the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management estimates that about 40 percent are street crimes and 34 percent are drug-related cases. An even more alarming

study conducted by the Dangerous Drugs Board revealed that a staggering 80 percent of heinous crimes committed are drug-related. Let me reiterate that between 60 percent and 80 percent of our inmates are inside our prisons because of drug-related offenses. Most cases of rapes happen due to the illegal use of drugs.

Those protesting the public identification of drug coddlers and protectors do not seem to know the gravity of our drug problem. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, there are approximately 1.3 million drug users in the country. At a low estimate of P100/day, the profits from the illegal drugs trade would be P130 million/day which would translate to almost P4-billion profits per month.

This amount is certainly more than the annual profits of the largest companies operating in our country, including multinational companies.

The amount involved is staggering and can be used to buy the protection of the whole bureaucracy. Let me reiterate that our drug problem has been an open secret for so long. How can one explain the mansions, expensive watches, millionpeso fleet of cars, and multiple

vacations abroad of our public officials when we all know that under our present Salary Standardization Law, the highest monthly salary is just P120 thousand/month which belongs to the President?

The values of our society have been warped for so long that society pages celebrate expensive tastes of our public officials with no other known sources of income other than the protection that their positions can provide the illegal drugs trade.

I say that it is high time that this problem is recognized publicly at the highest echelons of power in our country. The time has finally come that hedonistic lifestyle as a result of illegal activities is described as shameful.

The time has come that the impunity which is afforded to public officials who profit from the illegal drugs trade and openly exhibit their ill-gotten lifestyle is changed to public embarrassment. We should all learn that the other side of the coin for accumulating drug-related wealth is shame and not adulation.

I say that the President’s public shaming of government officials involved in the illegal drugs trade is the best use of the presidential immunity from suit in our history.

China just wants K-Pop

By Adam Minter SOUTH Korean soap stars are unlikely geopolitical pawns. But with the Chinese government furious over South Korea’s decision to host a US anti-missile battery on its soil, that’s exactly what they’re becoming. In the past week, public appearances

by Korean television and music stars have been postponed and even canceled in China, while shares in some of South Korea’s biggest entertainment companies have sunkover fears that the country’s cultural exports are now in the line of fire.

The threat is real. Hallyu, a blanket term for South Korea’s wildly popular film, television and music products, has become an economic and cultural juggernaut in East Asia.

Last year, exports of South Korean culture surged by 13.2 percent, accounting for tens of thousands of jobs, even as the country’s total exports declined by eight percent. The benefits don’t flow just to the studios, either: In 2014, one popular Korean soap generated nearly $500 million in economic activity, including through tourism and cosmetic sales (the lipstick favored by the lead female character was particularly popular). Nobody is buying more—or watching

Critic-shaming...

From A4 decided to take on the cloak of defender of all things sacred and patriotic against the human rights violators and flouters of all the other laws now ensconced in the presidential palace.

These people derive consolation and hope from the presence of a vice president more after

Protecting...

From A4 is now a veritable one-stop shop

complete with an ukay ukay outlet, a beer house, and small stores.

Another is the old Baden Powell building owned by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines along Governor Pack road where all the bus stations are located. The big historical market in front of the building has not protected the structure from encroachment. The original building is now surrounded by business establishments.

We Filipinos at this stage of our development are probably more focused on survival or where to earn money so that we can eat three square meals a day. Someday in the future, there will be nothing left of our cultural heritage for future

tain Nicanor Faeldon, who has confessed that he knows nothing about Customs administration, policies, rules and procedures.

So, in addition to his being a member of the AFP, which is considered the most corrupt agency, his competence is also

more—than the hundreds of millions of rabid Hallyu fans in China. And despite their government’s best efforts, they’re unlikely to change channels.

The sheer intensity of Chinese enthusiasm for Hallyu is difficult to exaggerate. In April, a new episode of “Descendants of the Sun,” a military-themed melodrama, rang up 2.3 billion Chinese views in just two days.

For weeks, Chinese social media was overwhelmed by discussion of the show, while the traditional news media reported on all kinds of related manias, including a fan who (allegedly) nearly went blind binge watching the series. The situation became so extreme that China’s Ministry of Public Security warned that watching Korean dramas could lead to divorce, legal troubles and gratuitous plastic surgery (a distraught Chinese husband evidently sought out face work after his wife fell for a Hallyu actor).

To an extent, all this enthusiasm is by South Korean design.

In the 1990s, as the Korean government sought to diversify its economy beyond manufacturing, entertainment became a favored vehicle. Ever since, upward of one percent of the government’s hefty budget has been spent on culture.

South Korea also has one ma-

jor advantage over China in the culture business: Its creative class isn’t subject to censorship.

In China, television has been obsessed with two politically safe subjects—historic dramas set during the imperial dynasties and World War II—for three decades. Though there are exceptions, the writing tends to be awful, the characters wooden and the production values poor. Even a casual viewer can sense the difference when a Hallyu drama comes on the air. The production is first-rate, the scripts are extremely well written and the subject matter (typically family dramas and romance) are relatable.

But more important, the Hallyu shows are quite skillful at expressing the values of contemporary South Korean and Chinese society, including respect for traditional gender roles and an enthusiastic materialism. One of the most significant is the belief that social class determines character— and social class can be bought.

Unsurprisingly, Cinderella stories, in which a rich “prince” transforms the life of a hardworking (and beautiful) middle-class girl, are among the most enduring Hallyu tropes.

Likewise, K-pop, the energetic musical genre that’s crossed

over into China, eschews the transgressive elements of Western pop music for a more wholesome image that plays well in East Asia.

This hasn’t gone unnoticed in Beijing. In 2014, Wang Qishan, China’s feared anti-corruption czar, outed himself as a casual viewer of Korean dramas at a National People’s Congress meeting (he’s also rumored to be a “House of Cards” fan).

“The core and spirit of Korean dramas is the exact sublimation of Chinese traditional culture,” he told the meeting. Meanwhile, China’s most influential military newspaper has praised “Descendants of the Sun” as an ideal advertisement for conscription—one that should be copied.

All of which suggests that China’s retaliatory strike against South Korean soaps is likely to be limited. South Korean culture speaks Chinese values and aspirations in a way that much modern Chinese entertainment simply can’t. Cutting off access to it—even in the heat of a diplomatic spat —would only highlight how unsuccessful China has been in fostering homegrown competition and voices. In the war for Chinese hearts and minds, South Korean soap stars are clearly the winners. Bloomberg

their heart, convinced as they are that the current Chief Executive will self-destruct. Of course, they also see it as their patriotic duty to speed up the process of Duterte’s political suicide and eventual ouster.

The gloves have come off now, barely a month after Duterte has been sworn into office. And if you’re also starting to have Joseph Estrada flashbacks right

about now, I really can’t blame you.

After all, even the Americans have gotten into the act, after taking offense at Duterte’s derogatory remarks about the sexual preference of the current US ambassador. No wonder Leni Robredo, who is now in the Land of the Free, sees no problem with attacking Duterte about the drug killings and the Marcos burial,

even while she remains in Duterte’s Cabinet; perhaps her audience really isn’t the Fil-Ams that she’s speaking to, but the White House and the State Department.

The anti-Duterte campaign has started in earnest, I believe. And the people behind it are the same ones who advised us not to criticize their clueless, do-nothing puppet six years ago.

generations to appreciate and enjoy if we do not start getting serious in protecting what is left. *** The idea of asking the public to donate a peso so that Vice President Leni Robredo will have money to defend herself from the electoral protest of former Senator Bongbong Marcos is not a good plan.

It smacks of hypocrisy, considering that the Robredo campaign spent almost half a billion pesos during the campaign. It stretches this honesty business a little too far. This is the brainchild of Edwin Lacierda who wasted no time in migrating to the vice president after his very profitable six years of service with former President Aquino. He must be missing the perks and the trappings of power he once enjoyed. If I were the vice president, however, I would be very careful with this guy

lest he drag me to the abyss.

One wonders why Mr. Lacierda has to burden the public by asking for donations. Why can he not simply donate a small portion of his share from the monthly allocations he has been receiving from a government-run corporation for the last five and a half years? Surely, a donation of P10 million will hardly dent his total take which according to a document in my possession shows something like P1.3 billion.

Yes, folks, this was what Mr. Lacierda made in his six years of government service excluding the other perks as a senior government official. This is probably what he misses and like the early bird who wants to catch the worm, he would like to be there with the vice president in case she eventually makes it to the presidency. But that is a long journey fraught with a lot of twists

and turns.

How did I get this figure of P1.3 billion? The senior government official in charge of the distribution apparently kept a meticulous record of the share of everyone. Lacierda’s share was one of the smallest so this should give the public an idea of the kind of money being stolen by these thieves masquerading as anti-corruption crusaders. It also befuddles me why the bagman kept a meticulous record of all the transactions. Perhaps, he wanted to keep the records so that in case of trouble, he will not go down the drain all by himself. According to reliable information, this bagman together with all the members of his family are out vacationing in Europe for two months. Well, nothing beats a well-earned vacation funded by public money after six very profitable years.

and deputy collectors. Santa Banana, what do these neophytes know about Customs rules and procedures, trade facilitation, product valuation, tariff application, BOC’s 24/7 operations, misdeclaration and other ways of smuggling?

The threat of Faeldon to “kill” corrupt Customs personnel has earned the ire of 3,500 members of the Customs Employees Association. My gulay, how can Faeldon achieve its collection targets at the rate he is going? People are running circles around him.

open to serious question.

Now read this: In spite of the military reputation, Faeldon is said to have brought in some 20 former mutineers belonging to his Magdalo faction, and supposedly recommended new bar passers as district collectors

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Coach Ems: Helping others fulfill their running dreams

By Peter Paul Duran

Coach Ems Nillusguin (right) running side by side with her ward Khatelyn Chua. Peter Paul Duran

Bike for a cause in Clark lures 1,500 riders

By Lito Cinco AROUND 1,500 bikers are expected to answer the starting gun in this Sunday’s 5th Bike for a Cause inside the sprawling Clark Economic Zone, starting and ending at the CDC Parade grounds.

Organized by R.O.X., the event is part of a monthlong Bike Fair celebration that features community bike outs, two of which have been conducted in Baguio City and Cagayan de Oro with two more set in Nuvali also this Sunday, and on Aug., 28 in Davao.

The 30K and 50K Bike for a Cause is expected to benefit elementary and high school students of Concepcion Integrated School in San Simon, Pampanga.

Part of the proceeds of the race will be used to buy bike gears and equipment,s while R.O.X. is also donating additional bike racks for the students’ use in their school.

R.O.X has also put up donation boxes from any bike equipment, new or second hand for donation to the students of said school.

“Most of the students here come from indigent families in the area and it is a big help for them to be able to use bikes in going to and from their school, and keep them safe. This is our way of extending help to them,” said Vida Marie de la Cruz from the company’s marketing division.

Registration fee is P700 for the 30K course and P800 for the longer 50K distance that will feature hilly parts to make it more challenging.

Juico’s mom passes away MARIA (Lily) Ella Juico, mother of Philip Ella Juico, former Philippine Sports Commission Chairman and current PATAFA president and Chairman of the Philippine Super Liga, passed away at the age of 94, at the Manila Doctors’ Hospital.

Ms. Juico’s body lies in state at the Santuario San Antonio in Forbes.

Interment will be on Sunday, August 14, after the 2 p.m. Mass will be at Santuario San Antonio.

She is survived by Philip and daughter Jenny and sons Sonny, George, Francis and Alfred and the children’s spouses and her grandchildren and great grand children.

EMILY “Ems” Fabros Nillusguin has always considered the Milo Marathon her Moby Dick.

She first joined the prestigious running event alongside her husband Ron back in 2010, but fate would perennially play the spoiler’s role in her bid to snatch a medal at the Manila leg of the marathon.

Year after year, the elusive accolade eluded her.

Her wait was finally over last week.

After six years of coming up short, the 38-yearold runner finally fulfilled her life-long dream of standing at the podium of the Milo Marathon after finishing 10th in the Womens’ 10K race.

Ems finally fulfilled a dream that was six years in the making, only to find out that some things are more important than personal goals—helping others achieve theirs.

Khatelyn Chua, one of the kids that Ems and her husband have been training for the past two years under the Liksi Youth Runners, finished 7th in the 3K event. It was also the first time that the young runner copped a medal at the Milo Marathon, adding to the delight of her mentor.

“Masaya ako ngayon dahil first time ko umakyat ng stage ng Milo, kasi talagang ‘yun ang matagal ko nang pinapangarap. Pero mas fulfilling para akin na masabitan ng medal ‘yung bata namin,” said Coach Ems, as she is fondly called by some 40 kids she teaches in their neighborhood in Brgy. Sto. Niño in Marikina.

The 12-year-old Khatelyn was taken under the tutelage of the ‘barefoot couple” back in 2014, when Ems and Ron started a grassroots program to train kids around their area in running, and the sacrifices of the two certainly bore fruit.

“Ang sarap sa pakiramdam (makita silang manalo) kasi naglalaan kami ng oras para sa kanila para mailabas nila ‘yung kanilang talent,” said Ems, whose hoarse voice during an interview at the Mall of Asia was due to the countless hours spent training kids.

“Sobrang saya ko, dahil lahat ng hirap namin, lahat ng itinuturo namin sa kanya ay may ibinunga,” added Ems of the young running prospect whom she trains along the banks of the Marikina River every afternoon.

The attention the couple accords the young Khatelyn is given a more special meaning by the fact that the runner’s older sister objects to her running passion.

Khatelyn, despite turning 13 this year, is still in 4th grade at Sto. Niño Elementary School due to poverty. But she is just grateful that someone like Coach Ems is willing to guide her on the right track.

“Salamat po kanila coach kasi pinupursigi po nila kami sa pagtuturo at pagte-training,” she said shyly while beside her coaches.

“Masaya po ako, kahit makulit po kami, matiyaga pa rin po silang nagtuturo sa amin. Salamat po at may gumagabay sa ‘min,” added the young lass who will be moving up to the 5k event next year.

Ems’ wish this time is for her students to pay it forward.

“Ang lagi naming sinasabi sa kanila na sana balang araw, sila naman ‘yung tumulong sa iba. Tumulong sila na walang hinihintay na kapalit, Diyos na bahala magsukli,” said Coach Ems, trying to hide her emotions but failed to hold back a tear.

And why wouldn’t she?

Thanks to Milo, two dreams were fulfilled that day.

National finals of Bowling World Cup roll off Aug. 13 T

HE five-day 2016 Bowling World Cup national finals kicks off on Saturday, August 13 with 80 men’s finalists bidding for the right to join the international finals slated on Oct. 14 to 23 at Hao’s Bowling Center in Shanghai, China.

Headed by regular BWC participants Paulo Valdez, Kevin Cu, Raoul Miranda, Jeff Carabeo, Sammy Say Sy and Benshir Layoso, the men’s aspirants will roll a series of 12 games at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes) to determine the top 34 who will advance to the second day of ac-

tion set on August 16 at Paeng’s Midtown.

The 40-strong ladies’ finalists led by veteran Liza del Rosario will open their bids on Sunday, August 14 also at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes). The female pintopplers will play 10 games also to determine who will advance to

the second day of competition on Wednesday, August 17 at Paeng’s Midtown.

The final day of competition will be held on Friday, August 19 at SM North Edsa, with the men’s and ladies’ champions earning the right to represent the Philippines in the international finals in Shanghai.

The men’s finalists are: Paulo Valdez, James Fajardo, Noel Abad, Vicente Valdez, Larry Tinio, Ernie Jacinto, BJ Aganus, Renato R. Meneses, Alvin Pastrana, Lito Fabros, Ramel Francisco, Jun Garcia, Boyet Delfino, Paul Eluna, Eric Luciano Aranez

Jr., Jorel Simbulan, July Vargas, Norman Lising, Angelo Constantino, Ezzie Gan, Kap Aguila, Raul Imperial, Merwin Tan, Don Tungala, Obet Bayot, Randall Go, Alex Ngoi, Proceso Surell; Angel Dilig, Edgar Gamboa, Lito A. Mondragon, John Christopher Dee, Allen Albert Laygo, Ruel Bucao, Benshir Layoso, Eugene Suarez, Wilson Sua, Norberto Ulgado, Sammy Say Sy, Reuel Rallos, Joebert Buenafe, Jules Pedrajas, Rene Rodelas, Jomin Wong, Simple Villajin, Gilbert Virata, Ronnie Javier, Rodel Tungala, Kevin Cu, Nicco Olayvar, J. R. Tan, Ronald Cruz, Dumo Be-

jare, Rodante Unay; Boy Roman, Raoul Miranda, Kurt Mendoza, R. J. Alquiza, Anton Alcazaren, Steward Dominic Ngo, Paul Angelo Sia, Nichole Andrew Jimeno, John Paule G. Macatula, Ren Cremen, Scott Uy, Art Gamolo, Marlon dela Cruz, John Paul Genciano, Jansen Collantes, Joe Cabatulan, Jeff Carabeo, Jerome Kuizon, Francis de Leon, Andy Sta. Ana, Lawrence Ang, Evaristo Feliciano, Cesar Marquez, Fernand Manalo, Robert Plucena and Rjay Lawrence Magana

Sports+Action to air Fight Farm TV series

FOOTBALL FOR A BETTER LIFE. Over 400 kids from different provinces joined the recent two-day free football clinic and age-group competitions at the launching of the inaugural leg of the PRU-Life UKbacked Football For A Better Life series, hosted by Gingoog City in Misamis Oriental. Organized by Spears Activation PR, in cooperation with the Azkals Foundation and regional football associations, the event had former Azkal skipper Chieffy caligdong, current Azkal Misagh Bahadoran and Meralco UFL player Fil-Briton Graham Caygill supervising the football clinics. Gingoog Mayor Marie Guingona welcomed the FFABL delegation. Photo shows the kids, who joined the clinic together with the players.

IN LINE with its commitment to champion sports and Filipino athletes, ABS-CBN Sports + Action, together with the URCC and the Academy Fighting Championship will bring to viewers “Fight Farm,” the first ever locally produced MMA documentary reality TV series.

“Fight Farm” will follow the journey of 16 amateur mixed martial arts fighters who will battle each other for a fighting contract with the URCC, Asia’s longest running MMA promotions.

“Fight Farm” will premiere on ABS-CBN Sports + Action on Sunday at 7 p.m., and will feature fighters with varied backgrounds and personal struggles but are all ready to fight and give their all on the mat to fulfill their dreams, to help their family, and for the love of the sport.

“This is part of our advocacy.

In order to promote the sport, we need to be able to show sto-

ries of ordinary people who can compete, show that anyone can be a MMA fighter with hard work, dedication, and discipline.

We believe in MMA, we believe in local talent. Suportahan natin sila hindi lang sa laban nila sa ring, kundi pati sa laban nila sa buhay,” ABS-CBN Sports + Action channel head Vince Rodriguez said regarding their new program.

“Fight Farm” will feature amateur MMA fighters from different backgrounds and with different motivations in joining the program. Jiar Castillo is one of the fighters raring to make it big, despite being born with one eye blind.

Edison Cashela, who was trained in taekwondo as a kid by his father who and was teaching people about MMA in his father’s gym before experiencing difficult times wants to give his career and gym a re-birth.

Velez, Pague, Tria share net honors

Jose Maria Pague (left) and Patricia Velez hold their trophies, including the MVP plums, for their impressive campaign in the Olivarez Cup juniors tournament.

PATRICIA Velez pulled off a pair of victories in varying fashions to dominate the girls’ category while Jose Maria Pague and Nio Tria ruled their respective sides in the boys’ division of the Olivarez Cup 2016 presented by Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

Velez survived Melanie Dizon, 7-6 (5), 2-6, 6-2, in the semis before subduing Miles Vitaliano, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, in the finals to snare the 16-and-under crown then the ace Davaoeño cruised to the 18-U championship with a 6-3, 6-2 romp over Bettina Bautista.

Pague eked out a tough 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 escape over Godfrey Seno in the semis then took the 18-U title without swinging his racket as Janus Ringia withdrew due to injury. The Zamboanga Sibugay find also gained a crack at the 16-U title against Manuel Balce III with the duo disputing the crown on Saturday.

Pague and Velez also went on to bag the MVP plums in their respective sides for their superb performances in the ranking junior tournament sponsored by Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez along with Rep. Eric Olivarez and Dr. Pablo Olivarez as part of

the family’s long-time commitment to develop the sport and at the same time help in the country’s talent-search sanctioned by Philta.

Nia, playing out of Ateneo, repulsed John David Velez, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, in the semis then fended off Elvin Geluz, 7-6(2), 6-2, to capture the 14-U crown, while the second seed Velez turned back No. 1 Marc Andre Jarata, 6-0, 6-4, to claim the 12-U title in the event, which served as the kickoff of a three-week tennis festival that also features the centerpiece Open Championship and the team and inter-school competitions.

Sports

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Phelps cements legendary st status with 21 swim gold R IO DE JANEIRO—In an unforgettable display of Olympic power, Michael Phelps won two more finals to take his historic all-time record load to 21 golds and cement his legendary status.

His majestic display came on a day that Hungary’s ‘Iron Lady’ Katinka Hosszu took her third gold of the week while American gymnast Simone Biles made a flying start to her bid for a record five Rio Olympic golds. But tennis star Serena Williams crashed out of what could be her final Games.

Phelps beat Japan’s Masato Sakai by just four hundredths of a second to take the 200m butterfly and later anchored the US 4x200m freestyle relay team to victory.

At 31—the oldest individual Olympic swimming gold medalist ever— Phelps is still the master of the pool.

After claiming his 20th title in five Olympics—beating old rival Chad le Clos in the process —Phelps stood in the water striking a pose like a Roman emperor, soaking up the acclaim.

The 200m butterfly was his first world record in 2001 and he was determined to win back the Olympic title he lost to South Africa’s Chad Le Clos in 2012. But

Phelps said that was also the last time he would race it.

“That event is kind of like my bread and butter,” Phelps said.

“There wasn’t a shot in hell I was losing that race,” he added.

“And if I did, I was leaving everything in the pool.”

Phelps returns on Wednesday for the heats and semi-finals of the 200m individual medley.

But nothing could beat Tuesday night’s dramatic action in the pool, with Hosszu completing the individual medley double by winning the 200m final in an Olympic best 2:06.58.

Katie Ledecky, leading the new generation of American swimming stars, captured her second gold of the Games by holding off a brave charge from Sweden’s Sar-

ah Sjostrom to take the women’s 200m freestyle final in 1:53.73.

The United States is also looking forward to a new era of gymnastics domination with Biles helping the USA women’s team to victory by eight points over Russia.

She is aiming for an unprecedented five titles this week.

“It’s everything and more than I’d hoped it to be,” said the tiny 19-year-old Texan who has set gymnastics alight with 10 world titles in the past three years.

As her Olympic odyssey got underway, another crumbled as defending tennis champion Williams suffered a shock 6-4, 6-3 defeat to Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in the third round.

Williams, hampered by a shoulder injury, served five double

Pacman confirms bout with Vargas

faults in one game of the second set as her own bid to reach five gold medals ended.

The 34-year-old and her sister Venus were knocked out of the women’s doubles, the three-time champions’ first ever defeat together in Olympic competition.

“It was a great opportunity. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but at least I was able to make it to Rio. That was one of my goals,” she said.

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza also crashed out, losing 6-1, 6-1 to Monica Puig of Puerto Rico.

In diving, competitors were perplexed to find the water had turned from light blue to green overnight, although organizers insisted it was safe. AFP

Bloody Olympic boxing puts focus on headguards RIO DE JANEIRO—A victorious Algerian boxer says he fears getting headbutted in his next bout after he sustained a nasty cut in a bloody showdown with an equally wounded Russian at the Rio Olympics on Tuesday.

The angry-looking cuts to lightweights Reda Benbaziz and the vanquished Adlan Abdurashidov will shine a harsh spotlight on a decision by amateur boxing’s governing body to ditch headguards for men for the first time since the 1984 Games.

The AIBA says dumping the headwear will result in fewer concussions, and while many boxers are happier without them, some said in the lead-up to Rio that it could mean more cuts and more intentional headbutts.

And with so many fights crammed into a fortnight, it gives precious little time for those wounds to heal between bouts.

Benbaziz, 22, who won on unanimous points, is back in action in three days in the quarter-finals and fears his Mongolian foe could intentionally target his messed-up right eye, after the two fighters clashed heads on Tuesday.

The fight was stopped twice in the second round for a tournament doctor to treat each bloodied man.

The Algerian, who blamed the clash on the Russian, said as he headed off to see a doctor: “My next fight will hopefully be less physical. I wish I could wear headgear.

“I will have to be careful and try not to let the other fighter use his head, but if he does, it could affect me a lot.”

Abdurashidov, whose deep cut left him with blood smeared on his neck and cheek, said the clash contributed to his defeat, which means he now goes home.

“In the first minute after I got the cut, I was in a lot of discomfort and I ended up taking more punches,” he said.

“In general I prefer not to wear headgear and feel it’s better for me, but today was a minus.” AFP

The USA’s Michael Phelps celebrates after winning the Men’s 200m Butterfly Final during the swimming event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Serena’s 5-gold dream ends in Rio

American Serena Williams reacts during her women’s third round singles tennis match against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina at the Olympic Tennis Centre of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO—Serena Williams’ hopes of a fifth Olympic gold medal were crushed by Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina on Tuesday as the battle for the women’s title in Rio was blown wide open.

Top seed and defending champion Williams was clearly struggling with a right shoulder injury as she was stunned 6-4, 6-3 by Svitolina, 13 years her junior.

“The better player won,” said Williams, who served up eight double faults, including five in one game in the second set.

She also hit 37 unforced errors.

“It was a great opportunity. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to, but at least I was able to make it to Rio. That was one of my goals.”

Satomi and I MS. SATOMI Suzuki arrived at the Manila AirSYLVIA LOPEZ port in 2015. The ALEJANDRO first thing she did, being a bridge enthusiast (“I am still addicted with Bridge)” was to find out a Bridge Club, which she can join. In my own experience, when we were considering what apartment to buy in Los Angeles, the first question I posed for myself was: “Is the location close to a Bridge Club?”

From the web, she located the Alejandro Duplicate Game which I run and direct on Tuesday at the Forbes Park. “I called Sylvia who organizes on Tuesday the games. She welcomed me from her heart.”

I told Satomi the Lopez family were in Japan during the time when my dad, former Congressman Pedro Lopez was appointed the Philippine representative during the Tojo trials. My mother then Masay Lopez , became Masay vda. De Yulo when Dad died with the President Ramon Magsaysay at the Manunggal airplane crash. Mom taught to me how to play bridge while going by boat to the United

States right after the war. While we were staying at the Fujiya Hotel in Hakone, Mom called me in to sub at their bridge games with the wives of the U.S. generals.

After this warm welcome, I invited Satomi to be my partner and play bridge at the Thursday games being hosted by Chris Tweddell, wife of then Australian Aambassador Bill Tweddell. Dear Cris was an equally addicted bridge player. At our first outing, Satomi and I topped the game.

I briefed Satomi as to my bridge background where I had played at a bridge Olympiad and other international events ending with recent wins on the Nations Events: Alejandro-Giguere triumphs at National Open pairs. A glorious triumph by Alejandro, Albert Quigue. Satomi’s narrative on her bridge history: “I started playing bridge in the Netherlands in 2010. Since then I have played at least twice a twice a week regularly.

In 2014, the last year when I was in Armsterdam, I won the first prize of the Liberation Cup out of 73 pairs.

Satomi and I agreed to play at the Pen on the third Wednesday of the month. In a previous column, I wrote about the sudden demise

Defeat for the 34-year-old means that the Rio tournament has lost both its number one players before the quarter-finals after Novak Djokovic went out in the first round.

Only three of the top 10 seeds have made it to the last-eight of the women’s draw.

The Rio Games—and possibly her Olympic career—are now over for Serena after she and sister Venus were deposed as doubles champions in the first round.

Williams was joined at the exit on Tuesday by third seed and French Open champion Garbine Muguruza who lost to Puerto Rico’s Monica Puig.

However, there were no such problems for defending men’s champion Andy Murray and 2008 winner

of my dear friend, Ms. Margaret Kwok. Margaret and I were regular partners at the Pen and my Duplicate game at Forbes Park.

At the Pen on July 27, 2016, we happily (Satomi and I) topped the overall rank: Sylvia Alejandro & Satomi Suzuki Mila Camus & Eleanor Esteban Sussan Kwee & Justo Manlongat *** Happily, I found the World Bridge Bulletin and will feature regularly with excerpt.

The column by Micke Melonder” Another Tight Battle In the qualifying round-robin Poland played solid bridge against Sweden, winning the match 21-0. That gave them a carry-over lead of 10.5 IMPs. It took Sweden another three boards before they finally managed to score their first IMP against Cookies help us deliver our services. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies.

Board 5 Dealer North NS Vul. North ♠AKJ642 ♥Q32 ♦85 ♣54 West East ♠87 ♠Q95

Rafael Nadal who coasted into the third round in straight sets.

Svitolina, 21, will face two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova for a place in the semi-finals.

Wimbledon champion Williams was clearly hampered by the shoulder injury which forced her to skip the Montreal event.

At one point, she screamed in pain, “shoulder, shoulder”.

She even served up five double faults in the seventh game of the second set as she suffered her earliest ever loss at an Olympic singles event.

“I didn’t expect that I could win. I stayed in the moment, relaxed and went for my shots especially in second set because it was really tight,” said Svitolina, the world number 20. AFP

♥KJ1097 ♥A54 ♦1043 ♦KQJ6 ♣KQ9 ♣A86 South ♠103 ♥86 ♦A972 ♣J10732 Gawrys had an easy ride for 10 tricks when the ten of spades was led. Ace and king of spades and a diamond that went to South’s ace were the first three tricks.

Without doubt. North now held the queen of hearts since he had opened the bidding.

Closed Room WEST NORTH EAST SOUTH Sylvan

Jassem

Wrang

Mazurkiewicz

2♦* 2NT Pass 3♦* Pass 3♥ Pass 3NT Pass 4♥ All Pass For same reason Wrang went one off in the same contract, where three rounds of spades were played. South naturally pitching a club on the third round. Knowing that North had ace-king jack six times in spades he surely didn’t have much more than a jack. When the heart finesse lost to the queen it was 10 IMPs to Poland.

Sweden soon scored a huge wing.

Comments to: sylvia.alejandro@yahoo

FILIPINO boxing hero Manny Pacquiao confirmed on Wednesday that he is coming out of retirement to fight World Boxing Organization welterweight champion Jessie Vargas in November.

The 37-year-old, who has won world titles in eight weight divisions, made the announcement after meeting with promoter Bob Arum in Manila on Tuesday.

“Yes, the fight is on. I have agreed to a November 5 fight with reigning WBO welterweight champion Jessie Vargas,” Pacquiao said in a statement to AFP. “Boxing is my passion. I miss what I’d been doing inside the gym and atop the ring.”

After winning a unanimous decision against American Timothy Bradley in April, Pacquiao had said he would retire to focus on his political career.

Pacquiao was elected to the Philippine senate in May but even before taking office, he said he was open to fighting again.

“Boxing is my main source of income. I can’t rely on my salary as a public official.”

“I’m helping the family of my wife and my own family, as well. Many people also come to me to ask for help and I just couldn’t ignore them,” he said on Wednesday.

Vargas (27-1, 10 KOs), a 27-year-old American, said last week he was in talks with Pacquiao’s camp to hold a fight in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao’s manager Michael Koncz confirmed Wednesday a promotional tour for the fight would be held from September 8 to 10 in Los Angeles, and said a contract would be signed soon.

Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) said he would return to the Philippines straight after promoting the fight to fulfil his political duties.

“My entire training camp will be held here in the Philippines so I can attend to my legislative work. This is my campaign promise and I’m determined to keep it,” said Pacquiao.

During his previous stint as a congressman before being elected to the upper house, Pacquiao faced criticism for being among the top absentee lawmakers. AFP

MEGAFIBER backs iGan THE 15th iGan Cup gets support from longtime partner MEGAFIBER, one of this year’s Gold Sponsors, when it tees off on Aug. 12 at the Eastridge Golf and Country Club in Binangonan Rizal.

MEGAFIBER, touted as the standard in food fiber, continues to back the golf tournament which aims to raise funds for the advocacies and programs of the iGAN ng Pilipinas Foundation with children as its primary beneficiaries. “iGan Foundation’s continuous efforts to help poor children with life-threatening diseases is something that we commend and support,” said Albert M.G. Garcia, President and CEO of Whealth, Inc, which conceptualizes and markets innovative health supplements such as MEGAFIBER. “Moreover, the event is a perfect fit to what we advocate through MEGAFIBER and our other brands—the promotion of preventive health care among Filipinos through a healthy lifestyle that includes the right diet and regular exercise by engaging in sports and other activities,” he added.

This year’s iGAN Cup dubbed “Fore!

A Cause… Fore! D kids” adopts a double shotgun format with 7:30 a.m. and the 12 noon tee off.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

Sports

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

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Schedule Today Jasmi Alkhaldi

Swimming Women’s 100-m Freestyle /Preliminaries Heat 3 12:08 a.m. Manila Time

Bolts get back on winning track Games Friday

(Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. - Mahindra vs. Phoenix 7 p.m. - Star vs. NLEX

By Jeric Lopez MERALCO hardly broke a sweat in getting back on the winning track as it used a booming jumpstart to dominate the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 109-102, and improve its stand at the resumption of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Allen Durham got going as he scored a game-high 32 points, along with 12 rebounds. He added five assists as well in 41 minutes of play in a complete game to pace the Bolts’ attack.

While the Bolts improved to 3-2 to move back to the upper half of the ladder, the Elasto Painters saw their two-game winning run snapped as they fell to 2-2. Meralco is now at fifth, while Rain or Shine is right behind at sixth.

It was all Meralco from the get-go as the Bolts emphatically opened the game with a deadly barrage.

In pursuit of ending their two-game slide, the Bolts came out blasting as they started the game with an astonishing 16-0 blast in less than four minutes to immediately establish a tight grip on the contest.

They never looked back.

“Our first quarter gave us a good start and set the tone for the game,” said Black. “We really wanted to have a good start on both ends. It also helped us that Allen Durham played a better game today. He came out very aggressive for us.”

By the end of the first, Meralco held a 35-21 spread. Just a few seconds into the second frame, the separation got wider after Jonathan Uyloan sank a trey to give the Bolts a 38-21 cushion with over 11 minutes left in the opening half.

The Bolts kept their huge advantage at halftime. They held a big 65-47 lead after a 19-10 run to close the second quarter.

Durham and Chris Newsome led Meralco’s first half explosion as they combined for 32 points.

The import had 20 while the high-leaping swingman added 12 in the first 24 minutes of action.

Italy’s Matteo Marconcini (white) competes with Philipinnes’ Kodo Nakano during their men’s -81kg judo contest match of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro6. AFP

Diaz back today; 6 PH bets left to carry fight R

IO DE JANEIRO—Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz bid her teammates goodbye Tuesday, then boarded an Emirates flight back to the Philippines where she will be treated like a queen the moment she lands at the airport.

Diaz joined the Philippine delegation here in a thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Philippine Olympic Committee. From the restaurant, she and fellow weightlifter Nestor Colonia, and coach Alfonso Aldanete were brought to the airport.

They were scheduled to depart at 2 a.m. Wednesday for a journey that will take at least 25 hours via Dubai. POC second vice president Col. Jeff Tamayo accompanied the small but victorious group in the long flight back home.

Diaz was toasted and cheered during the dinner of Brazilian steak, salad and wine. The Philip-

pine Ambassador to Brazil, Jose Burgos, graced the affair, among other guests, including Brazilians who work for the Games.

The 25-year-old Diaz, who gave the Philippines its first Olympic medal in 20 years, held back her tears as she bid her teammates, including those who are still in contention, goodbye. Most of them have been here in Rio since July 23.

“Excited na ako umuwi pero malungkot din ako kasi iiwan ko na kayo. Napamahal na ako sa lahat ng kasama ko dito,” said Diaz, who added that she can’t wait to see her parents, Eduardo and Emelita, once she arrives in Manila.

Diaz’s parents will be flown to Manila from Zamboanga City.

From the NAIA Terminal 3, the country’s first weightlifter to win an Olympic medal will be accompanied by officials of the Philippine Sports Commission to Davao City, where she is meeting President Duterte.

“Good luck sa inyo. Kaya niyo yan,” said Diaz, referring to six of her teammates who are still seeing action it the Rio Olympics.

They are swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi, who will race in the women’s 100m freestyle at 1 p.m.

Wednesday, golfer Miguel Tabuena who will compete from Aug. 11 to 14, marathoner Mary Joy Tabal who will race on Aug. 14, and long jumper Marestella Torres Sunang and 400m hurdles entry Eric Cray who will both see action on Aug. 16.

Taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora will be the last Filipino athlete to compete in this Summer Games, in the women’s +67 kg

class on Aug. 20, which is the eve of the closing ceremony.

“Like everybody else in our team, I will do my best,” said Alkhaldi, who’s in her second straight Olympics. She said she worked hard in training in Hawaii, under coach Jennifer Buffin, and hoped to do better than she did in 2012 in London.

“I felt I was too young then. I felt like a baby in the waters,” said the 23-year-old Alkhaldi. “This time I’m more comfortable. I feel better competing now.”

Tabuena, who’s enjoying the best season of his young professional career, is confident that he can put up a good show against the world’s best, including Justine Rose, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson.

Not in the field are top guns Jason Day and Rory McIlroy.

“I guess that makes it a little easier for us,” said Tabuena, will

Duterte to meet Hidilyn

Lady Tams reach quarterfinals FAR Eastern University made up for an erratic start with a sweep of the next three sets in emphatic fashion, beating San Beda College, 2325, 25-6. 25-11, 25-14, and advancing to the quarterfinal round of the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

After yielding the opening frame with a rash of errors, the Lady Tams regrouped and toughened up on their net and floor defense while Toni Rose Basas, Bernadeth Pons and team captain Mary Joy Palma took turns in offense to clobber the Red Spikers and notch their second straight win in Group B. Joining FEU in the next round are University of the Philippines and University of Santo Tomas, which also swept their first two

Games Saturday

(Philsports Arena) 10 a.m. – Ateneo vs NCBA (S Turf) 12 noon – PMMS vs FEU (S Turf) 4 p.m. – San Beda vs St. Benilde (V League) 6 p.m. – UST vs UP (V League)

matches in the mid-season conference of the country’s premier women’s volley league sponsored

by Shakey’s.

San Beda fell to 0-3 in a tie with St. Benilde and out of the quarters race.

The top three teams in the twogroup, five-squad tournament advance to the quarters with their respective elims records with the top four moving to the best-ofthree series.

“We’re happy we made it to the quarters, that’s our first goal,” said Shaq delos Santos, coach of FEU, one of the pioneers in the

league where it all started and backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

Basas led all hitters with 19 points while Pons and Palma added 14 and 13, respectively.

Kyle Negrita came off the bench to dish out 41 excellent sets, outplaying teammate and starting setter Maria Angelica Cayuna, who had 19 excellent sets in their first game but struggled a bit this time.

In the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference, UST hacked out a pulsating 25-14, 2426, 23-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory over San Beda to force a threeway tie for the Group B lead while FEU bounced back from straight-set blowout to NU with a 25-17, 26-28, 25-15, 25-21 win over St. Benilde in Group A.

By Peter Atencio

San Beda’s Satriani Espiritu (10) connects on a hit against FEU’s Toni Rose Basas (16) as Lady Tam Jerrili Malabanan tries to provide help during their Shakey’s V-League Collegiate Conference duel at the Philsports Arena.

Shin storms ahead with a 65, leads ICTSI golf by 2 shots SILANG, Cavite—Micah Shin cashed in on a good streak of form, showing up the elite field with a six-under 65 for a two-stroke lead over Rufino Bayron as the fancied bets wavered at the start of the P2 million ICTSI Riviera Classic at the Langer course here yesterday.

The reed-thin Shin, who turned in a pair of back-to-back top three finishes in the Philippine Golf Tour’s two legs in Bacolod last month and tied for ninth in last week’s Aboitiz Invitational, put on a superb display of shotmaking and iron play while making the

most of the lift, clean and place rule to gun down seven birdies against a bogey that put the Davao-based American to the top of the heap.

“I always dream to become a champion that’s why I always Shin give it my best shot. But on this course, I have to hit the center and try to give myself birdie chances,” said Shin, who did just that on a course that requires accuracy and conservative play on most holes.

Bayron, who has had a number of strong starts marred by poor finishes, was at it again, shooting a 67 behind a sizzling backside start while Clyde Mondilla outgunned Jay Bayron and Tony Lascuña in the featured threesome and shot a 69 for joint third with Alvin Engino and Jobim Carlos.

Mondilla, seeking a rebound from a third round withdrawal at Wack Wack with a back injury, blasted in five birdies in a nine-

tee off at the par-71 Olympic Golf Course at 9:47 a.m. (8:47 p.m. in Manila), together with Yuta Ikeda and Roope Kako.

Filipino athletes who have bowed out of the competition here are boxers Charly Suarez and Rogen Ladon, table tennis’ Ian Lariba, swimmer Jessie Khing Lacuna, judoka Kodo Nakano and Colonia.

Nakano, a last-minute substitute, was overpowered by Italy’s Marconcini Mateo in only one minute and 19 seconds by Ippon Tuesday morning.

Nakano, a first-time Olympian, couldn’t handle his Italian opponent, a silver medalist in the Almaty Grand Prix in Kazahkstan only last May. “Malakas. Magaling,” said Nakano.

The Filipino-Japanese was still feeling the effects of jetlag, arriving here in Rio barely four days ago as a late replacement for an Iranian who withdrew at the last minute.

hole stretch from No. 9, including three straight from No. 15 to go four-under with one hole left.

But the back-to-back winner at Eastridge and Calatagan also failed to join or get past Rufino Bayron, fumbling with a doublebogey on the closing par-4 hole to drop to a share of third.

Carlos, seeking a maiden victory on his rookie season on the tour sponsored by ICTSI and organized

by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., also stumbled at the finish at the short but tricky, hazard-laden layout, bogeying the last two holes

to settle for a 35-34.

Engino actually upstaged Shin in a flight that included Jet Mathay with a solid 32 start at the back but reeled back with three straight bogeys from No. 2, needing to birdie the eighth to salvage a 37 and join Mondilla and Carlos at third.

Behind Engino by one after nine holes, Shin drew level with a birdie on No. 1 then took control as Engino struggled and the young American sustained his form and rammed in back-toback birdies from No. 4 before parring the rest to wrest control.

SILVER medalist Hidilyn Diaz will be given a heroine’s welcome by President Rodrigo Duterte in Davao City.

Upon Diaz’s arrival from a 25-hour flight from Rio de Janeiro, officials of the Philippine Sports Commission will join her in another flight to Mindanao to meet Mr. Duterte.

She will be brought to Panacan, considered as the Palace of the South, according to acting PSC executive director Ronnel Abrenica, who is from the Davao Sports Division.

The President is expected to welcome Diaz at around 9:30 p.m.

Taiwan’s Hsu Shu-ching won gold in the women’s 53kg on Monday in the weightlifting competitions of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Diaz, who placed second in that contest, boarded an Emirates flight Tuesday for Manila.

Her flight came after the Philippine delegation to the Rio Olympics honored her in a thanksgiving dinner at a restaurant with fellow lifter Nestor Colonia and her coach Alfonso Aldanete.

PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez and Zamboanga Rep. Celso Lobregat will join Diaz in her flight to Davao City, along with her parents Emelita and Eduardo.

SMC’s income doubles to P32b B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Ongpin divesting entire 53.7% stake in PhilWeb

By Jenniffer B. Austria

B

USINESSMAN Roberto Ongpin, who was tagged as an ‘oligarch’ by President Rodrigo Duterte, on Wednesday announced his plan to fully divest from PhilWeb Corp., to protect the electronic gaming company and its more than 5,000 workers.

“Exactly one week ago, Aug. 3, I was struck by lightning and named as an ‘oligarch that must be destroyed.’ The lightning was obviously meant for me and me alone and not for other shareholders of PhilWeb numbering 1,500, employees, and employees of PhilWeb numbering 679 people nor the 135 entities who operate 286 e-Games

throughout the country [and] who employ an estimated 5,000 people,” Ongpin said.

“They are all innocent bystanders, who beginning midnight tonight will be all out of jobs,” Ongpin said in a speech during PhilWeb’s emergency stockholders’ meeting.

The Philippine Stock Ex-

change on Wednesday approved PhilWeb’s request for a voluntary trading suspension until Aug. 23.

The gaming company’s shares have fallen 70 percent since Aug. 3 through Tuesday, wiping out about P14 billion ($300 million) in market value. The stock exchange’s main index rose 2 percent during the period.

Ongpin said as a final effort to save the company and thousands of jobs that would be affected by the non-renewal of PhilWeb’s gaming license, he would sell his entire 771,749,896 shares, equivalent to 53.76 percent of the total outstanding shares of PhilWeb via open auction.

He said while no floor price was set, interested bidders

should have financial capability.

The open auction will run for one week. The winning bidder will be announced Aug. 18.

Ongpin said the winning bidder would also have the option to withdraw from the deal in case the company failed to secure a new contract with state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. by Aug. 31, 2016.

“I am totally mystified by why I was hit by this lightning. I never met the president [Duterte] and never stepped on any toes of anyone that are his close associates,” Ongpin said.

Ongpin last week resigned as chairman and director of PhilWeb to protect the company.

He said his resignation was

not enough and that he had to be totally out of PhilWeb. PhilWeb president Dennis Valdes said he was hopeful the company would be able to get a new gaming license from Pagcor.

“We hope to re-start business after this short suspension of operations,” Valdes said.

Ongpin said PhilWeb was a valuable company generating P4 billion in cash-flow every year.

He said of the P4 billion, P2.5 billion went to Pagcor while P1.5 billion remained with PhilWeb. The Philippine Stock Exchange on Wednesday approved PhilWeb’s request for a voluntary trading suspension until Aug. 23.

Car sales rose 22% in July —Campi

PSe comPoSite index Closing August 10, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

8,051.40 3.66

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 10, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.750

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.730 LOW P46.825 AVERAGE P46.777 VOLUME 451.000M

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

oPriceS il P today

P24.35-P27.75 Diesel P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, August 10, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate

By Othel V. Campos VEHICLE sales rose 22 percent in July from a year ago, despite the late deliveries of some models, two industry groups said Wednesday.

The Chamber of Automotive Manufacturing of the Philippines Inc. and the Truck Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc. said in a joint report their members sold 29,967 vehicles in July, up from 24,569 units delivered in the same month last year.

Sales, however, dropped 9.2 percent from a record 32,993 units sold in June 2015, as all categories suffered slower sales month-onmonth ranging from negative 6 to negative 12.5 percent.

Campi president Rommel Gutierrez said the month-onmonth decline in sales was due to late deliveries of some models.

Sales in the first seven months increased 26.5 percent to 197,448 units from 156,034 units recorded a year ago.

“With appealing financial plans and continuous marketing efforts, we were able to outshine our record in July 2015. A chunk of last month’s sales records was due to arrival of the past month’s demands. We expect to keep up with the market for the second half of 2016,” said Gutierrez.

Data showed passenger car sales rose 9.9 percent to 11,230 units in July from 10,221 units in the same month in 2015 while commercial vehicle sales surged 30.6 percent yearon-year to 18,737 units from 14,348 units.

B1

Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.8830

Japan

Yen

0.009763

0.4577

UK

Pound

1.304100

61.1401

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128924

6.0443

Switzerland

Franc

1.018434

47.7472

Canada

Dollar

0.760341

35.6471

Singapore

Dollar

0.742721

34.8210

Australia

Dollar

0.765000

35.8655

Bahrain

Dinar

2.651465

124.3086

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266652

12.5014

Brunei

Dollar

0.739973

34.6922

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028590

1.3404

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.7656

Euro

Euro

1.109500

52.0167

Korea

Won

0.000904

0.0424

China

Yuan

0.150130

7.0385

India

Rupee

0.014970

0.7018

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247831

11.6191

New Zealand

Dollar

0.713600

33.4557

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031828

1.4922 Source: PDS Bridge

RETAILERS’ CONFERENCE. The 23rd National Retailers Conference and Stores Asia Expo 2016, organized by Philippine Retailers Association, attracts over a thousand top executives of retail giants in the local and international markets. Shown cutting the ribbon during the opening ceremony at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City are (from left) Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. first vice president Juan Victor Hernandez, PRA president Paul Santos, Senator Miguel Zubiri (3rd from left), PRA vice president for research and information Rosemarie Ong, PRA vice chairman and Robinsons Land Corp. president Frederick Go, PRA vice chairman Ma. Alegria Sibal- Limjoco, ABS-CBN Corp. president and chief executive Carlo Joaquin Tadeo Katigbak, PRA vice chairman and president of SM Retail Inc. Jorge Mendiola.

Now Telecom wants to challenge PLDT, Globe

By Darwin G. Amojelar A telecom company owned by the Velarde family said Wednesday it is seriously looking at challenging the duopoly of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom Inc. as it asked the Duterte administration to assign to them mobile frequencies.

“We received the CMTS [cellular mobile telephone service] license as early as 2006, but they never gave us mobile cellular frequencies. The politically favored telcos accumulated frequencies. Under the Duterte administration, we have a

chance to get the frequencies,” Mel Velarde, president of Now Telecom Inc., formerly Next Mobile Inc., told reporters.

“We wrote them [National Telecommunications Commission] last July, requesting for issuance of mobile cellular frequency, whatever is available,” he said.

Velarde said his company could roll out mobile telephone service in a year or once the NTC granted its request for frequencies.

“Let’s say we get frequencies now, we can activate in a year’s time at first around 300 cell sites,” Velarde said. He

said a cell site would cost about $150,000.

Velarde said Now Telecom would concentrate on quality mobile data service. “People are willing to pay for quality data. I think there is room for premium mobile cellular player in the country,” he said.

Velarde said the company was open to foreign partnership for its mobile telephone foray by next year. “There is a room for a third player or more due to high demand,” he said.

Velarde said Now Telecom was interested in the 700-megahertz bandwidth surrendered by PLDT and Globe and 3G fre-

quency and other mobile frequencies.

He said Now Telecom was serious in becoming the third player in the telecom industry.

“We are banking to be the third player, but we are small now. Of course dreaming is free. ABS-CBN Convergence and Now Telecom are the two entities with CMTS license,” Velarde said.

San Miguel Corp. earlier sold its telecom assets for P70 billion to PLDT and Globe after the conglomerate abandoned its $1-billion mobile phone joint venture with Australia’s Telstra Corp.

8990 investing P1.8b to develop Vitarich lot

P&G HONORS CUISIA. P&G Philippines and the US-Philippines Society pay tribute to former Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Cuisia Jr. during a cocktail reception hosted by P&G in his honor. Shown are (from left) US-Philippines Society president John Maisto, P&G Asia-Pacific selling and market operations President Magesvaran Suranjan, Cuisia, P&G Philippines general manager Shankar Viswanathan and P&Gers Fund chairman Johnip Cua.

MASS housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. said Wednesday it plans to spend P1.8 billion to develop a 14-hectare former Vitarich Corp. property in Marilao, Bulacan into a residential project.

8990 Holdings said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the project would have a mix of townhouse units, which would be sold at P1.4 million to P1.5 million and medium-rise buildings which would be sold at P1.2 million for studio units and P1.7 million for two-bedroom units.

“We are excited about the opening of 8990’s newest branch in Marilao. Bulacan is one of the growing provinces north of Metro Manila. We are very positive about the impact

of this new project,” 8990 Holdings president and chief executive Januario Jesus Atencio said.

Under the plan, 819 townhouse units will be developed while the 28 medium-rise buildings will have a total of 3,788 condominium units.

“The location of the project is ideal for potential homeowners working in Quezon City, Caloocan and other northern parts of Metro Manila. Plus, the prices are appealing to the growing millennial market of 8990. This gives our target market another option for owning a home,” Atencio said.

The company said since the project was launched in July, it had received 116 letters of intent for the project. Jenniffer B. Austria

Foreign capital inflows hit $3.9b

By Julito G. Rada NET inflows of foreign direct investments declined 9.6 percent in May to $364 million from $403 million a year ago, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Wednesday.

Data, however, showed that total investments in the first five months more than doubled to $3.9 billion from $1.6 billion in the same period last year, following a record $2.2-billion inflows in April.

Bangko Sentral said all FDI components recorded net inflows in May, with debt instruments posting net inflows of $220 million, up by 15.4 percent from $191 million a year ago.

Net equity capital recorded net inflows of $79 million, as equity capital placements of $86 million more than offset withdrawals of $8 million.

The bulk of equity capital placements in May came from Thailand, the United States, Hong Kong, Germany and Singapore. These were channeled mainly to real estate; manufacturing; wholesale and retail trade; and electricity, gas, steam and air0conditioning activities.

Meanwhile, reinvestment of earnings amounted to $65 million in May. Bangko Sentral said net inflows in January to May hit $3.9 billion, as all FDI components registered increases in their net inflows.

“Specifically, debt instruments, which contributed largely to the increase in FDI during the period, grew by 143.7 percent to $2.1 billion from $878 million,” Bangko Sentral said.

B2

Business

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Megaworld’s profit grows 11%

By Jenniffer B. Austria

P

ROPERTY developer Megaworld Corp. said Wednesday it booked a net income of P6.03 billion in the first half, up 11 percent from P5.43 billion a year ago, as it pursued aggressive township developments in Metro Manila and other key areas.

First-half consolidated revenues rose 4.5 percent to P23 billion from P22 billion a year ago, as real estate sales, which accounted for the nearly 60 percent of total revenues, reached P13.4 billion.

Rental income in January to June contributed 21 percent to total revenues, and jumped 15 percent to P4.84 billion from a year ago.

The property firm attributed the increase in rental income

month period from P358 million a year ago.

“The government’s thrust to expand economic opportunities to the regions is parallel to Megaworld’s direction in expanding its developments outside of Metro Manila where the company is already strong. The beauty behind our diversification story is that it is intrinsically part of our drive towards nation building— we bring growth where we are headed,” Megaworld treasurer Francis Canuto said.

Megaworld said in the

to aggressive expansion of the group’s leasing portfolio, escalation of rental rates and high demand for office space from BPO companies.

The company is scheduled to deliver 150,000 square meters of office space and 75,000 square meters of commercial space annually until 2020.

It is set to breach the 1-million-square-meter mark in terms of total leasable space this year.

Revenues from hotel operations also jumped 64.8 percent to P590 million in the six-

second quarter alone, it registered P3.39-billion net income, an increase of 10.4 percent from P3.07 billion net profit booked in the same quarter last year. Secondquarter revenues were flat at P11.56 billion.

Meanwhile, consolidated core revenues of Megaworld Group, including subsidiary brands Global-Estate Resorts Inc., Empire East Land Holdings Inc. and Suntrust Properties Inc. reached P23 billion in the first half, up by 5 percent from P22 billion a year ago.

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10, 2016

STOCKS

Open

High

Low

FINANCIALS

AG FINANCE ASIA UNITED BANK PH ISLANDS BDO LEASING BDO UNIBANK BRIGHT KINDLE CHINABANK COL FINANCIAL EAST WEST BANK IREMIT 1.91 MANULIFE 590 MEDCO HLDG METROBANK NTL REINSURANCE PB BANK 14.7 PHIL NATL BANK PHIL STOCK EXCH RCBC 32.35 SECURITY BANK SUN LIFE 1,410 UNION BANK

3.39 47.75 103.8 3.9 117 1.62 38.35 16.6 20.75 1.96 590 0.65 93.7 0.93 14.88 63 283 32.5 222 1,410 74.1

3.53 47.75 103.9 3.9 119.5 1.62 38.5 16.6 20.8 1.91 580 0.66 93.75 0.93 14.7 63 283.2 32.2 224.6 1,395 74.15

3.37 47.25 101.6 3.9 116 1.48 38.25 16 20.05 1.93 580 0.64 93.1 0.93 14.88 62 280 32.4 221.4 1,395 73.75

ABOITIZ POWER AGRINURTURE ALLIANCE SELECT ALSONS CONS ASIABEST GROUP BOGO MEDELLIN CEMEX HLDG CENTURY FOOD CIRTEK HLDG CONCEPCION CONCRETE A CROWN ASIA DAVINCI CAPITAL DEL MONTE DNL INDUS 11.2 EEI CORP 9.56 EMPERADOR ENERGY DEVT FIRST GEN 25.1 FIRST PHIL HLDG GINEBRA 12.1 HOLCIM 16 INTEGRATED MICR IONICS 2.35 JOLLIBEE 257 LIBERTY FLOUR MABUHAY VINYL MACAY HLDG MANILA WATER MAXS GROUP MEGAWIDE MERALCO 324 MG HLDG 0.26 PEPSI COLA 3.5 PETRON 11.2 PHIL H2O 3.08 PHINMA 11.5 PHX PETROLEUM PHX SEMICNDCTR PRYCE CORP PUREFOODS RFM CORP 4.26 SPLASH CORP SWIFT FOODS TA OIL 2.38 TKC METALS UNIV ROBINA VICTORIAS 4.59 VITARICH 1.68 VULCAN INDL

46 3.4 0.85 1.95 12.52 51.1 12.1 18.26 22.25 59.95 155.1 2.25 5.93 12.86 11.26 9.9 7.56 6.02 25.35 71.8 12.1 16.28 5.7 2.37 257.8 41.45 4.21 29.7 25.85 33.7 11.68 324.2 0.26 3.5 11.6 3.49 11.66 6.14 1.66 3.53 219 4.26 3.05 0.165 2.4 1.96 203.4 4.59 1.83 1.25

46.1 3.4 0.85 1.98 12.52 51.1 12.18 18.26 22.5 60.2 155.1 2.29 6 12.9 10.98 9.55 7.6 6.14 24.9 71.95 12.1 16 5.7 2.3 251.2 41.45 4.21 29.7 25.85 33.7 13 323.8 0.26 3.49 11.16 3.08 11.5 6.14 1.68 3.53 232 4.23 3.05 0.165 2.37 2.07 206.8 4.4 1.65 1.25

45.85 3.3 0.82 1.92 12.38 51.1 12.02 17.9 21.95 55.6 154 2.25 5.88 12.8 11.08 9.8 7.35 5.98 24.9 71.4 12.1 16.04 5.66 2.36 252.2 41.45 4 29.7 25.4 32.8 11.68 324 0.26 3.49 11.46 3.48 11.5 6.09 1.65 3.41 218.8 4.24 3.05 0.158 2.38 1.9 203.4 4.45 1.79 1.24

ABACORE CAPITAL ABOITIZ EQUITY ALLIANCE GLOBAL ANGLO PHIL HLDG ANSCOR 6.16 ATN HLDG A AYALA CORP BHI HLDG 1,002 COSCO CAPITAL DMCI HLDG FILINVEST DEV FJ PRINCE A 6.3 FORUM PACIFIC GT CAPITAL 1,624 JG SUMMIT84 KEPPEL HLDG B LODESTAR 0.77 LOPEZ HLDG LT GROUP 16 MABUHAY HLDG METRO PAC INV MJC INVESTMENTS PACIFICA 0.037 PRIME ORION SAN MIGUEL CORP SM INVESTMENTS SOLID GROUP TOP FRONTIER UNIOIL HLDG WELLEX INDUS ZEUS HLDG0.295

0.415 74.95 16.4 1.28 6.43 0.4 897 1,002 9.1 12.98 7.1 6.74 0.23 1,635 84 5.82 0.78 7.65 16.16 0.465 7.48 3.15 0.038 1.89 84.2 697 1.28 200.2 0.31 0.21 0.295

0.415 75.15 16.44 1.28 6.16 0.4 900 1,002 9.3 13 7.1 6.3 0.235 1,613 83.05 5.82 0.77 7.7 16 0.465 7.55 3.15 0.036 1.92 84.3 697.5 1.29 204.8 0.315 0.228 0.295

0.39 74.7 16.28 1.22 6.3 0.39 892 1,002 8.82 12.8 6.95 6.6 0.23 1,620 83.05 5.82 0.77 7.58 16 0.465 7.46 3.11 0.038 1.89 83.2 689 1.28 200.2 0.31 0.21 0.295

ARTHALAND CORP 8990 HLDG 7.9 A BROWN 1.31 ANCHOR LAND ARANETA PROP AYALA LAND BELLE CORP 3.17 CEBU HLDG CENTURY PROP CITY AND LAND CROWN EQUITIES CYBER BAY 0.66 DOUBLEDRAGON EMPIRE EAST FILINVEST LAND GLOBAL ESTATE IRC PROP 1.19 MEGAWORLD MRC ALLIED PHIL REALTY PRIMEX CORP ROBINSONS LAND ROCKWELL 1.76 SHANG PROP SM PRIME HLDG

0.275 8.01 1.34 6.93 2.85 40.95 3.23 5.1 0.63 1.01 0.17 0.66 55.5 0.82 1.97 1.13 1.21 5.41 0.131 0.465 15.96 32.6 1.78 3.33 30.25

0.285 7.86 1.29 6.94 2.85 41.25 3.16 5.12 0.64 1.01 0.18 0.64 56.5 0.83 1.99 1.14 1.19 5.51 0.137 0.47 16.08 32.6 1.76 3.34 30.4

Close

3.53 47.75 103.9 3.9 119.5 1.49 38.3 16 20.25 42,000 140 0.65 93.35 0.93 25,800 62.8 281 94,400 222 575 74.05

INDUSTRIAL

45.95 3.37 0.84 1.98 12.5 51.1 12.1 17.9 22.5 60.2 154 2.27 5.98 12.8 4,681,100 1,048,800 7.39 6.09 1,218,200 71.5 200 96,300 5.7 1,436,000 431,770 41.45 4.21 29.7 25.65 33.05 12.6 237,810 200,000 982,000 9,097,300 3,000 31,000 6.1 1.65 3.43 225.2 228,000 3.05 0.159 1,560,000 2.02 204.8 18,000 91,967,000 1.24

HOLDINGS FIRM

0.39 74.95 16.4 1.27 182,200 0.4 896 10 9.3 12.98 6.95 8,800 0.234 180,400 1,818,600 5.82 10,000 7.69 3,819,000 0.465 7.48 3.12 69,300,000 1.92 84.3 693.5 1.28 204.8 0.31 0.22 350,000

PROPERTY

0.275 8 1.34 6.53 2.65 40.55 3.21 5.1 0.62 1.01 0.169 0.65 55.5 0.81 1.95 1.1 1.21 5.4 0.13 0.465 15.58 31.8 1.78 3.33 29.9

0.275 195,800 2,482,000 6.53 2.67 41.15 332,000 5.12 0.63 1.01 0.173 6,238,000 56 0.81 1.96 1.12 77,000 5.47 0.132 0.47 16.08 32 260,000 3.34 30.25

Volume Value

Net Foreign Buying/Selling

15,000 7,400 958,060 37,000 2,407,760 125,000 240,500 91,900 449,300 80,900 82,250 102,000 1,432,520 67,000 382,884 229,580 11,940 3,057,015 1,243,360 806,100 170,670

50,900 352,800 99,275,371 144,300 284,989,155 188,230 9,204,945 1,489,660 9,148,985 66,240 133,745,487.50 62,310 -281,232 14,397,069.50 3,358,100 -695,410 275,961,448 -314,550 12,631,585.50

309,945 44,524,419 156,199,430 38,300 -1,077,210 -3,175,780

972,800 501,000 1,430,000 2,068,000 300 30 17,689,300 2,143,600 11,243,800 84,530 560 288,000 315,600 22,700 51,964,192 10,240,555 1,001,800 44,397,200 30,639,775 87,340 2,420 1,561,864 301,100 3,353,510 109,358,176 700 62,000 100 2,437,000 1,556,800 15,931,900 77,047,740 52,000 3,433,470 103,604,302 10,050 356,726 183,100 249,000 58,000 32,640 966,770 319,000 4,280,000 3,720,880 2,533,000 1,380,750 81,550 161,040,720 90,000

44,694,520 1,662,750 1,197,950 4,052,090 3,740 1,533 213,939,730 38,610,662 251,393,195 5,029,062.50 86,785 651,840 1,869,770 291,660 13,265,386 452,283 7,440,314 269,462,490 -3,784,660 6,256,030 1,298,310.00 1,713,959 28,320 -32,108,002 29,015 254,410 2,970 62,281,745 51,426,395 199,983,386 -15,622,370 3,122,420 -8,203,820 1,120,289 412,710 199,250 7,345,400 -245,970 972,950 683,910 1,201,900 5,087,650 282,193,056 -2,615,400 112,100

11,505,295 1,705,130 -25,571,116 -13,926,444 177,500 3,959,905 -7,680

60,000 6,030,530 1,981,100 16,000 1,129,775 9,850,000 342,220 10,020 9,415,100 6,631,800 146,100 58,036 520,000 293,482,620 151,116,936 100 7,710 976,600 61,312,084 10,000 48,702,100 6,000 2,559,800 115,000 275,350 146,930 50,000 7,640 2,320,000 14,140,000 103,250

23,900 451,152,650 32,451,388 20,060 3,900,900 306,608,155 86,555,334 85,985,016 1,017,068 120,050 143,194,200 40,931,198 582 7,487,989 16,908,770 4,650 365,067,046 18,830 7,400 220,020 23,167,960 101,799,485 64,170 1,561,292 720,200 3,114,460 -32,450

-331,794,024.50 -6,696,134.00 -

370,000 1,561,416 3,253,380 1,500 4,747,000 6,109,500 1,062,160 3,000 6,192,000 1,000 64,100,000 4,044,880 302,980 478,000 22,992,000 9,218,000 92,370 39,678,300 12,650,000 70,000 60,200 2,357,300 460,710 141,000 12,991,900

104,150 835,605 105,600 10,321 12,881,390 251,011,085 -501,770 15,330 3,909,070 1,010 11,352,590 331,500 16,986,031.50 391,780 45,128,800 10,359,340 -36,300 216,998,586 1,692,400 32,600 951,342 75,722,135 470,040 392,611,855

-9,023,781.50 -1,075,830.50 334,794 29,084,194 -801,993

-2,869,493 5,777,708.00 1,537,699 -647,520 -11,043,680 -3,187,480 48,835,338

-305,760 -2,102,684 -63,570.00 -19,238,602 -

32,659,435 30,561,651 13,039,072 173,750 -455,813 -21,745,866 -1,751,542 -1,704,450 -

9,015 292,050.00 -37,199,065 -529,170 1,545,830 16,200 25,917,640 7,770 18,025,885 46,595,375 -27,359,720

STOCKS

Open

High

Low

Close

STA LUCIA LAND STARMALLS 6.45 SUNTRUST HOME VISTA LAND

0.95 6.84 1.06 5.93

SERVICES 2GO GROUP ABS CBN 50.15 APC GROUP ASIAN TERMINALS BERJAYA 5.89 BLOOMBERRY BOULEVARD HLDG CALATA CORP CEBU AIR 121.3 DFNN INC 5.06 DISCOVERY WORLD FAR EASTERN U GLOBE TELECOM GMA NETWORK GOLDEN HAVEN HARBOR STAR IMPERIAL A 21 IMPERIAL B 174 INTL CONTAINER IP EGAME 0.0088 IPEOPLE 11.48 IPM HLDG 9.35 ISLAND INFO ISM COMM 1.41 JACKSTONES LBC EXPRESS LEISURE AND RES LIBERTY TELECOM LORENZO SHIPPNG MACROASIA MANILA BULLETIN MELCO CROWN METRO RETAIL MLA BRDCASTING NOW CORP3.58 PACIFIC ONLINE PAL HLDG 5.99 PHIL RACING PHIL SEVEN CORP PLDT 1,910 PREMIUM LEISURE PRMIERE HORIZON PUREGOLD 48.3 ROBINSONS RTL SBS PHIL CORP SSI GROUP 3.3 STI HLDG 0.62 TRAVELLERS WATERFRONT YEHEY CORP

0.95 6.45 1.06 6.04

0.94 6.84 1.05 5.93

0.95 2,100 1.05 5.97

414,000 13,584 507,000 5,869,600

391,330 532,680 35,112,486

7.29 50.25 0.62 10.64 5.9 5.9 0.101 2.84 124 5.2 1.91 940 2,190 6.48 15.22 1.29 21.45 175 61.55 0.0089 11.48 9.35 0.32 1.45 3.13 12.1 5.7 2.91 1.04 2.48 0.58 3.59 5.45 19.98 3.99 11.48 6.16 9.49 135 1,920 1.07 0.45 48.45 87 6.53 3.39 0.63 3.55 0.335 6.4

7.3 50 0.63 11.3 5.65 5.9 0.104 2.84 120.8 4.86 1.91 965 2,190 6.54 15.46 1.29 20.6 166 63.6 0.0086 11.48 9.3 0.325 1.35 3.2 12.32 5.8 2.91 1.09 2.48 0.58 3.64 5.55 19.98 3.55 11.52 5.99 9.9 135 1,900 1.07 0.455 47.8 87 6.59 3.26 0.61 3.55 0.335 6.4

7.28 50.15 0.61 10.64 5.65 5.75 0.101 2.79 124 5.05 1.91 940 2,146 6.37 15.22 1.26 21.15 168 61.5 0.0086 11.48 9.35 0.32 1.41 3.05 12.1 5.57 2.85 1.04 2.4 0.58 3.5 5.31 19.98 3.99 11.48 6.16 9.49 132 1,906 1.05 0.445 47.9 86 6.45 3.39 0.61 3.52 0.335 6.2

7.29 48,010 0.62 11.3 22,600 5.75 0.103 2.81 962,160 1,227,900 1.91 965 2,150 6.38 15.36 1.28 29,600 100 63.55 121,000,000 500 696,500 0.32 3,808,000 3.19 12.32 5.78 2.86 1.04 2.4 0.58 3.56 5.45 19.98 33,225,000 11.5 162,300 9.9 132 182,540 1.07 0.445 779,700 87 6.45 6,593,000 863,000 3.52 0.335 6.2

426,900 2,406,708 1,713,000 101,000 129,265 1,773,100 82,490,000 12,367,000 117,552,893 6,105,869 6,000 18,280 98,710 617,300 62,900 163,000 618,425 17,310 6,065,630 1,054,300 5,740 6,501,275 15,000,000 5,318,860 214,000 900 484,100 662,000 21,000 113,000 5,000 6,189,000 9,871,800 600 128,251,240 72,700 995,072 1,400 1,300 348,285,260 4,746,000 2,890,000 37,429,545 754,050 823,800 22,003,880 530,450 702,000 90,000 13,800

3,113,187 1,059,570 1,097,440 10,309,676 8,449,380 34,622,470 9,956,415 -81,024 11,460 17,195,150 212,917,110 3,959,791 966,700 208,630 378,710,434 4,800,650 -675,000 663,590 10,992 2,769,341 1,895,080 21,940 274,000 2,900 21,955,290 53,801,831 11,988 584,010 836,030 13,327 172,500 -7,319,950 5,055,880 1,290,150 -11,915,140 65,601,811.50 5,374,114 9,234,090 2,477,050 30,150 85,600

ABRA MINING APEX MINING ATLAS MINING ATOK 9.63 BASIC ENERGY BENGUET A CENTURY PEAK COAL ASIA HLDG DIZON MINES FERRONICKEL GEOGRACE 0.285 LEPANTO A 0.214 LEPANTO B 0.237 MANILA MINING A MANILA MINING B MARCVENTURES NICKEL ASIA NIHAO 2.76 ORNTL PENINSULA ORNTL PETROL A PETROENERGY PHILODRILL0.012 PX MINING 8.5 PX PETROLEUM SEMIRARA MINING TA PETROLEUM UNITED PARAGON

0.004 3.16 4.04 9.63 0.22 6.28 0.6 0.455 8.08 0.82 0.285 0.218 0.237 0.011 0.012 1.88 5.67 2.85 1 0.011 4.01 0.012 8.6 3.8 116.8 3.71 0.01

0.0041 3.65 4.05 9.63 0.22 6.3 0.6 0.455 8.12 0.82 0.28 0.213 0.237 0.012 0.012 1.88 5.71 2.75 1.04 0.012 4.01 0.012 8.41 3.81 118.9 3.78 0.01

0.004 3.16 3.97 9.63 0.218 6 0.6 0.45 8.08 0.79 0.28 0.217 0.237 0.011 0.012 1.7 5.55 2.81 0.94 0.011 3.97 0.012 8.48 3.7 114.5 3.7 0.01

0.004 3.51 4 2,900 0.218 6.3 0.6 0.45 8.1 0.81 5,750,000 22,090,000 80,000 0.012 0.012 1.72 5.6 18,000 0.97 0.012 3.99 4,600,000 1,699,400 3.73 115.9 3.75 0.01

397,000,000 15,724,000 319,000 27,927 220,000 10,400 107,000 810,000 500 35,699,000 1,610,100 4,775,940 18,960 59,300,000 51,600,000 1,445,000 4,604,400 49,980 781,000 6,200,000 17,000 55,200 14,421,157 1,616,000 1,228,500 19,000 16,000,000

1,593,000 55,079,490 1,276,540 48,160 64,551 64,200 364,900 4,049 28,566,110 705,000 619,200 2,516,940 25,851,899 -2,850 756,000 68,500 67,940 -1,321,787 6,040,920 141,961,957 70,530 160,000

AC PREF B2 550 ABS HLDG PDR DD PREF 104.4 FGEN PREF G GLO PREF P 525 GMA HLDG PDR LR PREF 1.06 MWIDE PREF PCOR PREF 2A PF PREF 2 1,022 SMC PREF 2C SMC PREF 2E SMC PREF 2F SMC PREF 2G SMC PREF 2H SMC PREF 2I

550 49.85 104.5 119 525 6.09 1.06 111.5 1,050 1,022 81.5 79 78.5 79 77.2 77.2

550 54.8 104.2 119 507 6.1 1.01 111.5 1,050 1,022 81.5 79 78.5 79 77.2 77.5

550 49.7 104.2 119 507 6.08 1.03 111.5 1,040 1,022 81.5 79 78.5 79 77 77.2

16,500 36,590 13,585,846 50,000 1,301,090 780,900 4,209,820 500 3,230 2,779,840 4,160 100,000 2,000 12,210 126,380 20,410

1,831,422.50 5,950,000 -702,590 4,755,751 -206,000 55,750 3,360,270 -2,779,840 339,040 7,900,000 157,000 964,590 9,742,206 1,578,188

LR WARRANT

2.15

2.23

2.04

2.2

799,000

1,722,570

-

ALTERRA CAPITAL ITALPINAS 5.1 MAKATI FINANCE XURPAS 16.58

5.12 5.16 3.86 16.72

5.12 5 3.86 16.56

4.99 5.14 3.82 16.66

4.99 592,200 3.82 315,800

2,436,900 2,997,041 6,000 5,260,792

12,222,214 150,700 23,040 -3,718,556

192,178

FIRST METRO ETF

132.3

132.3

630

83,061

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

SHARES

8,202,310

INDUSTRIAL

225,477,089

HOLDING FIRMS

182,596,794

PROPERTY

198,984,938

SERVICES

326,443,639

MINING & OIL

627,609,773

GRAND TOTAL

1,572,666,073

MINING

PREFERRED

30 50 130,140 119 2,510 6.09 4,070,000 111.5 1,040 2,720 81.5 79 78.5 79 77.2 77.2

WARRANTS SME

TRADED EXCHANGE FUNDS 131.3

132.3

Volume Value

Net Foreign Buying/Selling -24,533,193 -2,658,191 186,000 1,076,160 -3,390,453 83,700 -107,750,250 53,760 -62,950,805.50

16,000 122,942 -74,360 10,216,940 -1,551,908 9,420 -2,126,690 -13,292,799 155,450 14,359,120 -11,960 9,621,290

5,219,695 -83,410 -29,193,739 3,640 -

-320,108 -5,950,000 -3,814,976 -3,255,270 -339,040 -79,000 120,890 655,300 -115,800

-

-

VALUE 1,877.12 (up) 8.08 913,724,932.777 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 12,344.31 (down) 45.35 2,135,758,559.538 HOLDING FIRMS 7,917.06 (down) 24.97 2,225,338,346.445 PROPERTY 3,690.53 (up) 7.35 SERVICES 1,573.35 (up) 2.61 1,100,772,148.08 MINING & OIL 10,735.49 (up) 69.15 1,530,872,339.34 PSEI 8,051.40 (down) 3.66 286,884,634.762 All Shares Index 4,778.89 (up) 0.33 8,213,937,108.94 Gainers:83; Losers: 106; Unchanged: 41; Total: 230

Exports in June fell 11% to $4.8b

By Gabrielle H. Binaday EXPORTS tumbled 11.4 percent in June from a year ago, as the fragile global economy led to lower demand for machinery and transport equipment, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed Wednesday.

This marked the 15th straight month of export contraction, following a 3.8-percent decline in May. The National Economic and Development Authority said weak demand for major exports, including electronic products, pulled down the total export revenues. Electronic products declined 5.1 percent to $2.42 billion in June.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the competitiveness among industries should be improved to offset the exports drop. “We must continue to improve our efforts in ensuring an enabling environment where industries can upgrade and improve their competitiveness,” Pernia said.

Bank of the Philippine Islands associate economist Nicholas Antonio Mapa said the expected exports to rebound in the remaining months of 2016.

“I do expect some rebound in exports toward the end of the year as the US is projected to grow strongly, possibly offsetting the weakness in our other trade partners like China and Japan,” Mapa said in an e-mail.

Meanwhile, PSA said factory output rebounded 8.5 percent in June, with basic metals and transport equipment materials leading the expansion.

Market ends flat; ICTSI leads advances STOCKS closed flat Wednesday amid lackluster trading, as traders turned cautious after US government figures showed a decline in productivity.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed just 3 points, or less than 0.1 percent, to close at 8,051.40. The bellwether was still up 15.8 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also closed flat at 4,778.89, on a value turnover of P8.2 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 106 to 83, while 41 issues were unchanged.

Thirteen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by poultry producer Vitarich Corp. which climbed 9.8 percent to P1.79 and Megawide Construction Corp. which rose 7.9 percent to P12.60. Port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc., which is opening a container port in Australia this year, gained 3.3 percent to P63.55.

Meanwhile, traders were cautious, with markets flitting in and out of positive territory despite a positive lead from Europe and in the US, where the technology-rich Nasdaq ended at a new record on Tuesday.

The dollar dropped to 101.43 yen from 101.88 yen in New York and was sharply down from 102.44 yen in Tokyo Tuesday, after the US Labor Department reported second-quarter productivity had fallen 0.5 percent.

The Japanese unit is seen as a safe haven in times of uncertainty, but a stronger yen is negative for Japanese shares because it dampens the overseas profitability of exporters.

Bloomberg, AFP

Business

B3

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

SMC’s income doubles to P32b

By Jenniffer B. Austria

D

IVERSIFIED conglomerate San Miguel Corp. said net income in the first half surged 107 percent to P32.28 billion from P17.01 billion a year ago, on the strong performance of traditional businesses and one-time gain from the sale of its telecommunications business.

First-half net sales, however, pany said in a disclosure to the dropped 1 percent to P328.1 bil- stock exchange. lion from P334 billion, the comIncome from operations

jumped 19 percent in January to June to P48.75 billion from P41.09 billion a year earlier.

The sale of its telco business enabled San Miguel to book a one-time gain of P11.8 billion, representing mainly recovery of costs/losses, interest expenses and provisions incurred in previous years.

Beer unit San Miguel Brewery Inc. performed strongly during the period with consolidated revenues increasing 19 percent to P47.4 billion and operating income gaining 16 percent to

P12.6 billion. Net income rose 20 percent to P8.3 billion.

Liquor unit Ginebra San Miguel Inc.’s domestic volumes reached 11.4 million cases, up by 12 percent from last year. Revenues increased 13 percent to P8.4 billion while net income rose to P138 million.

San Miguel Pure Foods Inc. also sustained its momentum in the first half as it reported consolidated revenues of P53.2 billion, or 5-percent higher than last year.

Meanwhile, San Miguel

Packaging Group’s revenues rose 12 percent to P13.5 billion, driven mainly by its glass business and Australian operations, which posted doubledigit growth. Operating income amounted to P1.33 billion, up 21 percent.

Oil unit Petron Corp. posted a consolidated net income of P5.3 billion in the first half, a 55-percent increase from the previous year. The company attributed the growth to a surge in sales volumes, aggressive network expansion, improved production

and cost efficiencies and focused customer-centric campaigns.

Meanwhile, SMC Global Power’s consolidated off-take volume reached 9,264 gigawatt-hours in the first half, or 14 percent higher than 2015.

As a result, consolidated revenues rose 2 percent to P41.1 billion.

Infrastructure unit San Miguel Holdings Corp. generated consolidated revenues of P9.78 billion, or 14 percent higher than last year. Operating income rose 9 percent to P5 billion.

Suspicious power shortage alerts PHILIPPINE elecricity rates remain one of the highest in Asia despite a wide-ranging reform that overhauled the power sector.

Past presidents failed to straighten out the convoluted power tariff system amid complaints from local industries and foreign investors.

Lowering electricity rates significantly, thus, should be one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s priorities during his six-year term.

Cheaper power rates reduce production cost and will make the Philippines more competitive in this part of the world. They will attract more investments, which in turn, create jobs.

The road to lower electricity rates, however, is far from being smooth. The rates will likely spike next month after the forced or unplanned outage of several plants with a combined output of 1,297 megawatts early last week. The situation prompted National Grid Corp. of the Philippines to place Luzon in yellow alert.

The unplanned outages have led some to suspect that a number of power companies were pushing the government into letting them raise electricity rates.

The Energy Regulatory Commission quickly ordered a probe on brownouts affecting Luzon consumers and the spate of yellow and red alerts declared over the main grid.

ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar called the attention of the market surveillance committee of Philippine Electricity Market Corp. to find out if some private companies were cashing in on an apparent power shortage to sell electricity at higher prices. One such alert was interestingly issued on a Saturday, leading many to ask how a power supply shortage could happen when most factories, offices and other establishments were on a weekend break.

Salazar was opiqued when several companies failed to submit reports on the power outages despite an ERC directive. The failure may have led the ERC head to warn that he woulde probe “firms which may have taken advantage of the tight supply to drive up spot prices for their own benefit or that of their affiliates.”

Priority agenda President Duterte should put the power sector in his list of priority concerns to address the problems bedeviling the industry.

Government agencies like the ERC and the Department of Energy so far have been doing their share to keep electricity rates at reasonable levels. But a clear signal from the President that he is monitoring the situation should send a powerful message to the industry. After all, the President gave a campaign promise that he would look into the issue of high power rates.

ERC’s Salazar, meanwhile, is determined to implement the provisions in the law opening the door to greater competition among service providers in the power sector. The ERC also appears bent on making sure industry players do not connive with their affiliates and that the process of buying and selling electricity is transparent.

Salazar, of course, may face stiff challenge, especially from those opposing the reform. This is also a major challenge to Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi.

Cusi so far has stayed on the same course as President Duterte in giving consumers relief from high power rates. The new energy chief can initiate an amendment to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act, if necessary, to finetune the law and make electricity rates more competitive, especially in the trading floor of the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market.

Cusi and Salazar should find a way to implement the provisions in the law that promotes greater competition and lower rates.

Cusi, on the other hand, 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 following last week’s outages.

“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,” says Cusi.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@thestandard.com. ph or extrastory2000@gmail.com

NEW SHIPYARD. Construction company Chua Group of Companies inaugurates a new ship repair and shipbuilding facility in Albuera, Leyte. The

shipyard with 3,000 deadweight tonnage capacity and port facility of Megaship Builders Inc. was partially financed by Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP). Shown are (from left) Aquilino Salsado of the Chua Group of Companies, Chua Group chairman Manuel Chua, Glowinco Fababeir of Banton Liner Transport Services, Chua Group treasurer Theresa Chua, Mario Pagalan of Camotes Ferry Services, Chua Group president Francis Lloyd Chua, Marjun Pagalan of Camotes Ferry, DBP senior assistant vice president Raymond Valdez, DBP assistant manager Kaycelline Cunanan, DBP senior manager Michael Rodrigo Mondoy and DBP assistant manager Stephanie Mariano.

Nickel Asia’s profit plunged 98% in first half

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales depreciation and amortization caused by the prolonged rainy NICKEL Asia Corp. said Wednesday net income in the first six months plummeted 98 percent to P24.4 million from P1.49 billion a year ago, on lower shipment and value of nickel.

Nickel Asia said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the drop in income was also affected by its share of the losses on its 22.5-percent equity interest in Taganito HPAL Nickel Corp. and its 100-percent equity interest in Coral Bay Nickel Corp.

“The profitability of the two plants was affected by very low nickel prices realized during the period,” Nickel Asia said.

Earnings before interest, tax,

fell to P1.84 billion from P3.54 billion in 2015. Revenues also dropped to P5.52 billion from P7.97 billion.

Nickel Asia said it sold 8.54 million wet metric tons of nickel ore in the six-month period, down from 9.68 million WMT in the same period last year.

It said of the total volume of ore shipped, 2.76 million WMT was saprolite ore and 5.78 million WMT was limonite ore, which included 3.40 million WMT delivered to both Coral Bay and Taganito processing plants.

Nickel Asia said the lower shipment volume was due to the delayed start of shipments from Hinatuan and Cagdianao mines

season in northeastern Mindanao, where the two mines are located, and a temporary reduction in the deliveries of limonite ore to the Taganito HPAL plant while it was undergoing remedial work.

The company realized an average price of $3.92 per pound of payable nickel on its shipments of ore to the two HPAL plants, down from an average price of $6.22 per pound of payable nickel sold in the same period last year.

Nickel Asia said for export sales, it achieved an average price of $18.21 per WMT this year, down from $23.20 per WMT in 2015.

Nickel Asia president and chief executive Gerard Brimo

would be able to reduce poverty to 15 percent and create some 30 million more middle-class Filipinos.

He said even Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, in a recent interview over Radio Veritas, took note of President Duterte’s decisiveness in a good light and said the “decisiveness of the new government is something you have never seen in many decades . . . the new leadership is really

SM, Ikea in talks for joint venture

By Othel V. Campos

WWF-COMCO PARTNERSHIP. WWF-Philippines, the country’s leading conservation organization, signs a partnership with ComCo Southeast Asia, a coalition of premier brand architects and communication trailblazers in the region. Shown the signing the contract are (from left) WWF-Philippines communications and media manager Gregg Yan, WWF-Philippines president Joel Palma, ComCo Southeast Asia regional managing director Ferdinand Bondoy and ComCo Southeast Asia internal affairs director Christine Li.

Salceda expects annual economic growth rate of 7.7% LEGAZPI CITY—The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte is poised to achieve an annual gross domestic product growth of 7.7 percent over the next six years, according to Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Sarte Salceda.

Salceda of PDP-Laban Party said given Duterte’s decisiveness, clarity of strategy and cohesive team of pragmatists in the cabinet, his administration

said the company’s mining operations continued to show great resiliency and remained profitable despite record low nickel prices.

“Our first-half performance was, however, affected by our investments in our downstream processing plants, which, as with most other processing plants world-wide, could not maintain profitable operations during this dismally low price environment,” Brimo said.

in the right track.”

Salceda, a noted economist, recently drafted a concept paper titled “Philippine Socio-Economic Prospects under the Duterte Administration,” which identified a tailor-fit program of government for the current administration, hinged on what he termed as the “six pillars designed to foster a more inclusive society.”

The paper, an economic blueprint subtitled “Active Citizen-

ship and Responsive Institutions, Competitive Economy and Inclusive Development,” also gives a glimpse of the country’s energy situation and six-year growth prospects.

Salceda, former Albay governor and chair of the Luzon Area Development Council and the Bicol Regional Development council for six years and nine years, respectively, said the Duterte administration opened

up an opportunity for a strong, inclusive society based on his winning platform of change, law and order, federalism and social justice.

He said Duterte’s victory indicated that “Filipinos yearn for a competitive economy and inclusive society through a competent, compassionate and corruption-free government that works with a sense of urgency for the people’s better welfare.”

SM INVESTMENTS Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, said Wednesday it is negotiating for a partnership or possibly a joint venture with Swedish furniture brand Ikea.

SMIC vice chairperson Tessie Sy-Coson said SM was one of several companies that Ikea was looking at as possible partners in the Philippines.

“We have no decision yet.

Ikea has a different retailing model unique from retailers here in the Philippines,” SyCoson said in a chance interview at the sidelines of the ongoing National Retailers Conference and Exhibition 2016 at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

She said Ikea was also in talks with several other retail companies, “so it’s not special that we are talking with them.”

“The way they see the Philippines is different. They have some requirements that we are supposed to deliver.

These are yet to be met. I can’t tell you what those are.

And we have not finalized anything yet,” she said.

Sy-Coson said when Ikea sent feelers that it wanted to go to the Philippines, that alone “made everyone interested.”

Ray S. Eñano, Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Business

Dishonoring Paris pact is ill-advised SHORTLY after his proclamation as President, Rodrigo Duterte did one of the most controversial things in his controversy-filled Presidency. He declared that he—Duterte is wont to speak in terms of himself rather than his administration— would not honor the UN-sponsored treaty on climate change signed in Paris in December 2015 by over 160 countries and territories. He offered a two-part rationale for his decision.

The first part of President Duterte’s rationale for his administration’s refusal to honor the Paris treaty related to the place of the Philippines and other developing countries in the chronological order of development of the world economy.

The second part relates to the cause-and-impact relationship of a reduced carbon footprint on the future development of the Philippine economy.

The US, Germany, the United Kingdom and the other industrial countries went through an Industrial Revolution—from the seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries—in the process spewing out millions and millions of tons of carbon emissions. Duterte’s thesis is that they should shoulder almost the entire burden of reducing the decrease in global carbon emissions to the target level, viz., a maximum 2 degrees centigrade above the preIndustrial Revolution level; the developing countries should, he believes, be made to bear only a small part of the burden because they joined the industrialization game much later.

Apart from the truth that for mankind’s program nations should not dwell on the past, Duterte has failed to grasp the fact that in proportional terms a 20 percent-of-carbon-emissions commitment by the US and other leading countries—particularly China, Japan and India–-is of far greater impact on the global environment than the 70 percent commitment that the Philippines has made under the treaty. Besides, can it be said that all the advances and innovations made possible by the Industrial Revolution did not benefit the rest of the world economy? Surely, the combustion engine, steel-making electrical conduction, the telegraph etc.— all of which were developed with the use of carbon-emitting production techniques—benefited the Philippines and other developing countries also.

As for the second part of President Duterte’s rationale for his decision to not honor the Paris climate-change treaty— that the growth of the Philippine economy will be hindered by this country’s commitment under the treaty—three things bear pointing out to the Chief Executive. These facts are (1) that the timeline for the fulfillment of the 70 percent commitment is fifteen years, i.e., 2030, (2) that the Philippine economy showed during the period 2012-2015 that it is capable of GDP (gross domestic product) growth in excess of 6 percent and (3) that steady improvement has been taking place in the energy-supply mix of the Philippine economy, with solar and wind power— especially the former—increasing their shares of the mix.

With sound policymaking of the economic planning and fiscal authorities, fulfillment of the 15-year timeline need not seriously hurt the growth prospects of the Philippine economy.

Furthermore, President Duterte failed to factor into his I-willnot-honor decision the facts that most of today’s Philippine GDP is accounted for not by smokestack industries but by service industries such as BPO (business process outsourcing) and that the present Philippine carbon footprint is accounted for largely by the transportation and energy industries? With a governmentsupported movement away from fossil fuels, and with progressive rationalization of the transportation sector—especially the Mega Manila transportation situation—the 2030 timeline for fulfillment of the Philippines’ Paris treaty commitment is, in my view, attainable.

Above all else, what Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to dishonor is a treaty that took all of 21 Committee on Climate Change meetings to complete and in the crafting of which the Philippines was deeply involved throughout. The treaty is by no means an overnight product and this country’s commitment was given to the UN only after exhaustive study and extensive governmentprivate sector consultation. How unstable international relations would be if every incoming national administration repudiated every preceding-administration commitment on the basis of bias or intellectual laziness?

Finally, how will the Philippines, which is one of the world’s most environmentally vulnerable countries and which is invariably at the receiving end of international assistance, look to the international community now that President Duterte has repudiated the Philippines’ Paris Treaty commitment?

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

British billionaire Grosvenor, 64, dies LONDON―British billionaire Gerald Cavendish Grosvenor, one of the world’s richest people, died on Tuesday according to his estate.

The 64-year-old Duke of Westminster died at a hospital in Lancashire, north-west England, a spokeswoman for his estate said.

He had been taken there from his sprawling country estate Abbeystead where he had “suddenly been taken ill,” she added, without giving further details of the illness.

“His family are all aware and they ask for privacy and understanding at this very difficult time.” AFP

Dollar falls on weak Fed Reserve reaction T

HE dollar weakened on speculation the Federal Reserve will be slow to raise interest rates amid uneven global growth, boosting precious metals and bonds. Most Asian stocks fell and futures foreshadowed a retreat in European equities.

The US currency slid against all major peers, dragging the Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index down for a second day. A gauge of emerging-market currencies climbed to the highest level since July 2015, gold extended Tuesday’s rally from this month’s low and China sold debt at a lower yield than was forecast. Crude oil lingered below $43 a barrel after industry data showed an increase in American stockpiles.

While better-than-expected US jobs data briefly buoyed the dollar on Friday, odds of the

Federal Reserve raising interest rates in 2016 remain below 50 percent amid evidence of faltering growth elsewhere. Global equities climbed over the last four days amid optimism central banks from London to Tokyo will keep expanding stimulus.

India’s monetary authority said Tuesday its policy stance remains accommodative, while the Reserve Bank of New Zealand is forecast to lower its benchmark interest rate to a fresh record on Thursday.

“The overriding issue in the

Asia basket is the Goldilocks principle that the US economy is healthy but not so buoyant enough to elicit any sort of Fed response,” said Stephen Innes, a currency trader at Oanda Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. in Singapore.

There’s a perception that “central banks are going to remain accommodative for the foreseeable future.”

Japan reported a bigger-thanexpected increase in machinery orders for June and a measure of consumer confidence in Australia climbed, reports showed Wednesday. France is scheduled to release industrial output data and earnings are due from companies including Prudential Plc and Sun Life Financial Inc. Currencies The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index, which tracks the greenback against 10 major peers, fell 0.4

percent as of 7:19 a.m. London time. The MSCI Emerging Market Currency Index added 0.4 percent, climbing for the fifth day in a row.

The yen added 0.5 percent to 101.38 per dollar, while South Korea’s won led gains in Asia with a 1.3 percent surge. New Zealand’s dollar strengthened 0.6 percent, while Australia’s currency advanced 0.3 percent.

“The US dollar is unlikely to rally significantly against the commodity-sensitive currencies,” said Elias Haddad, a senior currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia in Sydney. “Monetary policy settings around the world are going to be loose or looser going forward, and fiscal policy is expected to be more accommodative. That will support the global economic recovery and underpin commodity prices.” Bloomberg

SLOW DAY. Souvenir shops are pictured in an empty street near the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in the Montmartre district of Paris on August 9, 2016.

France’s already-battered tourism industry took a further hit in late July during what should have been the height of the season as foreign visitors stayed away after 84 people were killed in Nice on Bastille Day. Between January and July 10 arrivals to France by air were down 5.8 percent, and down 11 percent to Paris. Flight reservations to France following the Nice attack were down 20 percent. AFP

Japan’s declining jobless rate is due to aging AS PRIME Minister Shinzo Abe sees it, Japan’s tight labor market is a key success of his economic strategy: the unemployment rate is the lowest in 21 years and the job-to-applicant ratio is the highest in 25 years.

Analysis of data over a longer period indicates that the nation’s aging and declining population is the driving force, and that while more than 1 million new jobs have been created since Abe came to power in late 2012, labor-market rules mean most of the change is in non-permanent, lower-paying positions.

Hisashi Yamada, the chief economist at the Japan Research Institute, said that what he sees is a shrinking workforce, rather than something positive, such as growing demand.

The job-to-applicant ratio stood at 1.37 in June, the highest since 1991, while the unemployment rate was 3.1 percent, the lowest since 1995, according to government data.

This tightening is linked to the number of people aged 15-64 continuing to get smaller, while the number of elderly Japanese grows.

Companies in the construction

industry are struggling to find workers, which may become a growing problem as Tokyo accelerates the building of sports facilities and infrastructure for the 2020 Olympics. The services sector is also having trouble, particularly in elderly care.

“The most important thing is for people to move from stagnant industries to growing sectors, but regulatory reforms aren’t happening to allow for this,” said Yamada.

Wages are little changed and national income has been flat since the global financial crisis.

An explanation lies in a breakdown of the types of new jobs created during Abenomics: The net gains have been in non-regular jobs, including part-time and temporary positions. The number of regular jobs is still below what it was at the end of 2012, although the gap is shrinking. It remains to be seen if shrinkage will continue.

When senior workers retire and leave well-paying full-time jobs, companies are replacing them with non-regular employees on less-generous contracts, according to Yamada. Bloomberg

Oil prices dip on oversupply woes

NATIONAL MONUMENT. People take photos along the track of historic Tanjong Pagar railway station, open to the public to mark Singapore’s 51st National Day celebrations, in Singapore on August 9, 2016. Tanjong Pagar railway station, gazetted as a national monument, opened in 1932 when the train platforms were designed to accomodate the longest trains at that time. The station closed in 2011. AFP

Singapore―Oil prices extended losses in Asia on Wednesday after industry data showed a rise in US crude stockpiles, supporting oversupply concerns.

The American Petroleum Institute said overnight Tuesday that crude supply had increased by around 2.1 million barrels last week.

Investors are now waiting for official data on US commercial crude stockpiles for the week ending August 5 due later Wednesday, which will give further indication of demand in the world’s top oil consumer.

“The API figures have added pressure on prices, which are likely to continue to fluctuate until we see official figures from the US Department of Energy later tonight,” said IG Markets strategist Bernard Aw.

At about 0630 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate for September was down 13 cents to $42.64 while Brent crude for October was down eight cents to $44.90 a barrel.

Oil prices have been fluctuating since entering a “bear” market last week, falling more than 20 percent and closing below $40 a barrel for the first time since April.

They rebounded after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said Monday that it would hold talks on the sidelines of the International Energy Forum in Algeria from September 26 to 28, ahead of a planned meeting due at the end of November.

The announcement was seen as a hint Opec could take action to stabilize the crude market, amid rumors

it may freeze output.

“The crude supply overhang is going to keep the price from rallying too strongly,” David Lennox, a resources analyst at Fat Prophets in Sydney, told Bloomberg News. “Until we see supplies return to historical averages, significant price gains will be capped.”

Aw added there was instability in the market as investors remain unsure about what to expect from the Opec meeting.

The last time Opec met in April it could not come to an agreement about the production freeze and its members have been pumping crude at record high levels.

“After twice in a row of not succeeding, the markets are more cautious, but I would say it is cautiously optimistic,” Aw said. AFP

LGUs

QC, LTO ink info-sharing agreement

By Rio A. Araja

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THE Quezon City government and the Land Transportation Office today signed a memorandum of agreement interconnecting the city’s traffic apprehension database and the agency’s motor vehicle and driver’s license database.

The pact signed by Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and LTO chief Edgar Galvante also paves the way for the creation of an alarm in the LTO’s motor vehicle registration and driver’s licensing systems.

The agreement was signed as the Quezon City government formally launched its state-of-theart command, control and monitoring system at its Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office building on Kalayaan Avenue.

“We hope that this information sharing would help improve our traffic systems as well as help strengthen our drive to combat illegal motor vehicle use such as the use of colorum and smuggled vehicles, car theft, among others,” Bautista said.

Under the scheme, traffic constables from the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC DPOS) may make a query using a mobile app or via text messaging to the LTO motor vehicle and driver’s license database and check the violation record of a registered vehicle and/or a driver’s license holder.

QC DPOS constables will then be able to ascertain any unsettled violations.

The LTO will also allow the QC DPOS to upload data of its recorded offenses or violations and their settlement.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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Binay wages war on drugs in exclusive villages

By Joel E. Zurbano MAKATI City Mayor Abigail Binay on Tuesday reiterated her call for residents and officials of the six exclusive villages in the city to cooperate with the city police in ridding their communities of drug problems.

Binay said the city government’s effort in close coordination with barangay officials and the local police headed by Supt. Rommil Mitra contributed to the successful arrest of more than 1,000 drug personalities in the city since her assumption on July 1.

“I commend the Makati police and our barangay officials and residents for bringing the figure to over 1,000 in a span of two weeks, from over 700 individuals who surrendered in the first half of July,” Binay said.

Mitra, for his part, said that of the 1,049 who gave themselves up to the police last month, 199 were selfconfessed drug dealers while 850 were dependents.

Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada on Tuesday ordered the chief of the Manila Police District to conduct a deeper background investigation and lifestyle check on every officer and member of the city’s police force, as more “narco-officials,” judges and policemen were named

by President Rodrigo Duterte.

Estrada issued the directive as MPD director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel revealed they have identified 10 “ninja cops” who resell illicit drugs they have confiscated in police operations. The 10 are reportedly still in active duty with the MPD. “This is the time MPD should prove that they are really the ‘Manila’s Finest.’ They have to weed out their members who are into drugs,” he said.

He reported to Binay that Barangay South Cembo yielded the most number of pushers, 25 in all, followed by Barangay Rizal with 23, and Barangay West Rembo, 14. On the other hand, Barangay Pembo recorded the most number of users with 91, followed by Pitogo, 71, and South Cembo, 55.

Lawyer Michael Arthur Camina, city legal officer and Binay’s spokesman, said the mayor and ranking city policemen are set to meet with barangay officials of the six exclusive villages of Magallanes, Dasmariñas, Forbes, San Lorenzo, Urdaneta and Bel-air.

ENTERPRISE. A pedicab-driving businessman sells local handicrafts along the national highway in La union. Sonny Espiritu

Erap slams Recto protection racket

By Sandy Araneta

M

ANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Wednesday ordered an investigation into allegations that unscrupulous individuals have long been using his name to collect millions in protection fees from vegetable truckers and dealers in Divisoria Market.

Estrada was enraged after a group of vegetable traders told him that they each pay P2,800 every week to this group to be able to use a portion of Recto Avenue to unload their cargo.

They said this has been going on since the 1980’s.

Estrada was first elected as Mayor of Manila in 2013 and was reelected in 2016, but this problem persisted even during his first term as mayor of the city.

“My name and reputation is being destroyed here. It’s been there since the time of [former mayors Lito] Atienza and [Alfredo] Lim,” Estrada said.

Estrada called on the vendors and vegetable dealers to name those mulcting money from them.

“My office is always open to anyone,” he added.

Estrada ordered Senior Supt.

Marcelino Pedrozo, deputy director for operations of the Manila Police

District, and Che Borromeo, head of Task Force Manila, to look into the vendors’ claims.

Estrada gave Pedrozo and Borromeo one week to identify every member of the extortion gang and those backing them up.

“I always tell everyone to not oppress the poor who are struggling to earn a living because they are already suffering and we must help them,” Estrada said of the protection racket in Recto and Divisoria.

During a meeting with Estrada, vegetable dealers, most of whom were from Benguet, claimed they shell out P80 a day for a bogus “business permit” and P300 “intelligence fee,” aside from the weekly P2,800 fee.

In return, they are allowed to park unhampered along Recto Avenue leading to Divisoria. But since last week, the Manila Traffic and Park-

ing Bureau (MTPB), as directed by Estrada, prohibited the vegetable dealers from traversing Recto Avenue; they were advised instead to use the side streets so as not to disrupt traffic flow.

This was an offshoot of the series of road clearing operations in Divisoria and other areas in Manila.

Dennis Alcoreza, head of the MTPB, said about 20 to 30 vegetable trucks from Benguet, Baguio, and other provinces unload their cargoes along the subject portion of Recto Avenue every night, disrupting traffic flow.

Worse, the vegetable dealers leave their mounds of trash, mostly vegetable peelings and leftovers, in the street which the city government spends so much time and effort collecting, he said, adding that the vegetable traders leave behind 16 truckloads of garbage in the street every day.

DA to renovate Davao market

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The Department of Agriculture is proposing to renovate the Bankerohan Public Market of this city to make it a modernized trading center.

DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the modernized public market can improve the bottomlines of businessmen.

Piñol said he plans to convert the city’s biggest public market to a farmer’s exchange center.

He said they will turn the public market into a mall-like supermarket that is clean and attractive to buyers.

Piñol said it will be equipped with modern facilities such as food storage for vegetables and meat products.

“The renovating will be based on the international standards,” he said, adding that the renovation would also house wholesale and retail sections for local products.

Piñol said he has proposed

the project to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte and recommended it to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Sara, on her part welcomed the proposal of the secretary, saying that it will generate more income, employment, business opportunities and improved the income of many Dabawenyos.

Piñol said modernization of the Bankerohan Public Market is expected to begin by 2018, and it will also be included in their proposed budget.

Birthing moms get free transfusions

GRATITUDE. Former Senator Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. brought his ‘Pasasalamat Tour’ to Las Piñas

City Hall and thanked former Las Piñas City Mayor Vergel ‘Nene’ Aguilar. Marcos won by more than 30,000 votes over his closest rival in Las Piñas in the vice presidential race. He also thanked Aguilar’s wife, Las Piñas City Mayor Imelda Aguilar, her Vice Mayor Louie Bustamante, and all the city officials who supported him.

THE Department of Health said blood and blood products transfused to mothers giving birth in hospitals should be 100 percent covered and paid for by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp.

DoH Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said they are making this recommendation as they con-

tinue to explore means to improve the benefit packages of PhilHealth in line with the universal health care (UHC) or “Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” program.

Ubial noted that ideally, such service should not be included in the case rates of PhilHealth among the mothers giving birth.

She cited that while it is true

that some pregnant women giving birth need units of blood, there are many others who do not need blood transfusion during and after delivery.

As an example, she said, in cases where mothers give birth through caesarian section, some will require at least 10 bags of blood because of postpartum hemorrhage. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

LGUs

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TODAY THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

‘Inspect PH’s biggest co-op’

By Vito Barcelo

A

WORKERS’ group has urged the Department of Labor and Employment to assess and monitor the country’s biggest workers’ cooperative which deploys more than 30,000 contractual workers in the country as part of the government’s promise to end contractualization in private establishments.

The Partido ng Manggagawa said that more than 5,000 contractors are to be assessed this year by the DoLE and asked the department to put Asiapro Multi-Purpose Cooperative on top of its list.

“Asiapro Multi-Purpose Cooperative, according to its website, deploys between 33,000 to 35,000 workers in more than 200 clients, among them multi-

national agribusiness firms Dole and Del Monte in Mindanao,” according to Rene Magtubo, PM national chairman.

“Moreover, Asiapro’s ‘worker co-op’ model has been an object of controversy and has been the subject of legal cases and labor disputes. We urge the DoLE to seriously investigate if Asiapro complies with existing laws and

regulations, especifically the prohibited practice of labor-only contracting,” he said.

Magtubo added that “It boggles the mind that one cooperative can have the expertise and the tools to engage in a full spectrum of businesses from agribusiness to real estate to manufacturing to merchandising and retail, and even mining. Only in

the Philippines!”

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello earlier said that the DoLE’s initial target was 5,150 registered subcontractors and their 26,194 principals.

“Of the 416,343 workers deployed by contractors, Asiapro alone accounts for almost 10 percent of the deployment of contractual workers,” Magtubo said.

950 Dipolog studes to get scholarships Siocon and Tampilisan towns where the 950 student qualifiers were enrolled last school year.

The city executive said most of the scholar recipients are now enrolled in agriculture and related areas, as well as in engineering courses which, Uy said, are considered in-demand professions in highly agricultural Zamboanga del Norte which the National Census Coordinating Council earlier described as “one of the poorest provinces in the country.”

Uy said each of the selected scholars, many of whom completed their secondary education working students, is entitled to an annual financial aid of P5,000 plus provision for necessary school supplies and materials.

By A. Perez Rimando DIPOLOG CITY, Zamboanga del Norte—The Dipolog local government has granted college scholarships to some 950 poor but deserving students in the city and rural municipalities in Zamboanga del Norte.

Dipolog Mayor Evelyn Uy dubbed the scholarship program “Swingapore 2030 to emphasize the local government’s vision to make the fastgrowing coastal city as progressive as Singapore.”

Uy said the student scholars passed an examination of thousands of qualified applicants

by Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dapitan City and its satellite campuses in Katipunan,

Pangasinan cites outstanding tutor on Monday approved Provincial Resolution 64-2016 congratulating Cancino, a grade school teacher from Matalava, Lingayen, for winning the award.

“In her 19 years in the service as public school teacher, Ms. Cancino has shown untiring dedication and commitment to her duty to selflessly teach and hone every child,” the resolution reads.

By Dexter A. See LINGAYEN—The provincial government led by Gov. Amado Espino III formally recognized Rujealyn Cancino’s promotion of quality education that earned her a spot in the elite list of winners of the 2016 Metrobank Foundation Search for Outstanding Teachers.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan in its regular session held

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay invites registered contractors to apply for eligibility to bid of the following projects/ contracts; Name of Project/ Contract

Location

Source of FUNDS

Duration

Approved Budget Cost(ABC)

Cost of Bid Doc’s.

1. Construction of Partitions, C.R., Trusses and Cable Trays at Training Shop No. 1 and other Improvements at Limay Center for Excellence(manpower Development center)

Brgy.

Alangan, Limay, Bataan

General Fund

150 c.d.

13,035,185.00

15,000.00

2. Construction of Entrance Road with Drainage System, Covered Pathwalk, Parking Pavement and Electrical Supply Line at Limay Central(Elementary) School.

Brgy.

Townsite, Limay, Bataan

SEF Fund

180 c.d.

13,288,500.00

15,000.00

HAZARD. Double parking of cargo trucks slow down traffic flow along Dagat-Dagatan Avenue in Caloocan City. Andrew Rabulan

Army camps to reform 3m drug users

By Florante S. Solmerin THE vast tracks of agricultural lands within military camps can be used to reform and turn the estimated three million drug addicts into good and productive citizens again, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said, in line with President Rodrigo Duterte’s plan to eliminate the drug menace that breeds criminality in the country.

Lorenzana said, however, that not all camps can serve this purpose since the rehabilitation of drug addicts could take years and their stay will be temporary by nature.

“It was the President’s idea [to use military camps for reforming drug addicts]. We are ready to offer the camps to him because they’re large and are secured and owned by the government. The rehabilitation of these drug addicts could take longer than expected and while

they are there we can train them as ROTC [Reserve Officers Training Course] so the government can productively employ them as good citizens of the country,” he said.

The President had wanted to revive the ROTC for college students as one of the ways, he said, of instilling discipline and patriotism among the youth instead of wrecking their future through drugs.

The arrest of drug dependents and pushers since Duterte assumed the presidency has caused extreme congestion of detention facilities of the local government units and the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

In the proposal, Lorenzana said the requested minimum area in military camps for rehabilitating drug addicts is five hectares.

He said the larger camps that can accommodate the drug addicts are the ones in Nueva Eci-

Bidders should have completed, within ten(10) 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, Instruction to Bidders.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Interested bidders may obtain further information from the BAC Secretariat of the Municipality of Limay and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Cost of Bidding Documents.

A Pre-Bid conference will be held at Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building on August 16, 2016 at 3:00 P.M. Bids must be delivered to the BAC-Secretariat/TWG Office, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building on or before August 30, 2016 until 1:00P.M. and to be opened at 2:00 P.M. of the same day at the Conference Room, 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building. All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and/or in the amount stated in ITB. 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.

Submission of Class “A” documents and Financial Statements at least seven(7) calendar days and the Technical documents(completed/on-going projects) at least fifteen(15) calendar days before the deadline for the submission of opening of bids.

The Municipality of Limay reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

For further information, please refer to:

(SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC Chairman (MS-AUG. 11, 2016)

our reservists in the military is declining. We need more reservists not only for military purposes but they are our first responders during times of calamities.

We are the only country without ROTC,” he said.

The news of reviving the ROTC also elated Army chief Lt. Gen. Eduardo Ano. “It is good news and we welcome that. It is the duty of every citizen to defend our country in times of war or emergency so it is really important that all citizens of the country be well trained or at least trained by the military so that when the time comes that we need to mobilize the citizenry we are ready, that is madated by the national defense act,” he said.

“It [ROTC] will make the country better and more prepared for any eventuality and help the government fight corruption an maintain peace and order,” he added.

Iloilo erases ‘most shabulized’ city tag

Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

RAQUEL A. LEONGSON BAC Office 2nd Floor, Limay Municipal Building, National Road, Brgy. Townsite Limay, Bataan (047)6138026

ja, Iloilo, Bukidnon and Rizal.

“Those are huge camps where they can program the rehab process of these drug dependents. If they want to till the land and cultivate gardens, they can do so. They can produce their own food supply and even produce surplus for income,” Lorenzana said.

He said these drug addicts are “not inmates.”

Lorenzana emphasized that these rehab areas inside military camps can be used temporarily until the problem is solved. They [camps] will be used for other purposes by the government,” Lorenzana said.

Meanwhile, the Kabataan Party-list has opposed the revival of the ROTC which they said was tainted by corruption and hazing.

But according to Lorenzana, the ROTC must be revived not only to instill discipline and patriotism but for national security.

“We observed the number of

RED-HANDED. Philippine Ports Authority personnel arrested P03 Ian

Jay Mogol, now assigned at Gasan Municipal Station in Marinduque, who was allegedly caught carrying suspected illegal drugs at the Lucena port’s X- ray baggage machine at Barangay Talao-Talao yesterday.

THE Iloilo local government said the city’s latest tag as “most shabulized” area for the prevalence of metamphetamine hydrochloride use will not discourage the tourism sector from pushing Western Visayas as a destination.

“This office considers this newly acquired attribute given by no less than the President of the Philippines as a challenge to propel the region, especially Iloilo City, to greater tourism heights,” said Atty. Helen Catalbas, regional director of the Department of Tourism in Western Visayas.

Catalbas, in a statement Monday, expressed that the new tag will not discourage them from “doubling their effort to engage in programs and projects aimed to increase tourist arrivals, tourist receipts, employment and investments in tourism.”

“We call on our partners in the tourism industry of Western Visayas, especially Iloilo City, to close ranks and rally behind the tourism platform.

It is only through unity and strong resolve coupled with positive action that we will be able to push the tourism sector forward despite natu-

ral and man-made calamities,” she stressed.

Catalbas likewise expressed support for the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against drugs, criminality and corruption.

Tourism is considered an economic driver of the region and its growth is expected to continue with new destinations opening in Western Visayas.

Regional director Ro-Ann Bacal of the National Economic and Development Authority in one of her briefings cited DoT data that show 4,632,331 tourists visited Western Visayas in 2015 bringing some P102 billion in receipts.

Another fast-growing destination in Western Visayas is the Isla de Gigantes in northern Iloilo, which boasts of its white sands and pristine beaches.

Last month, Local Government Secretary Mike Sueno, during the basic orientation for new city mayors from Manila, named Iloilo City as “the best place to live.”

Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog, one of the local chief executives Duterte linked to illegal drugs, talked on local economic development during the seminar held last July. PNA (TS-JULY 29, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

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Turkey demands Gulen’s extradition

ASHFALL. Dukono volcano spews ash during an eruption as seen from North Halmahera, Maluku islands, on Wednesday. A 900-meter high cloud of volcanic ash from the Mount Dukono eruption has covered 12 nearby villages in ash and forced a temporary closure of Gamar Malamo airport. AFP

UN unable to sanction Nokor for missile test U

nited Nations—The UN Security Council failed to agree Tuesday on a statement condemning North Korea’s launch of a missile that landed near Japan after China sought to include language opposing the US missile defense system in South Korea.

The United States had circulated a draft statement that strongly condemned the August 2 launch and expressed particular concern that the ballistic missile landed near Japan.

China proposed adding that “all relevant parties shall avoid taking any actions which could provoke each other and escalate tensions, and shall not deploy any new anti-ballistic missile

stronghold in Northeast Asia with an excuse of dealing with threats of the DPRK nuclear and missile programs,” according to a draft obtained by Agence France Presse.

US Ambassador Samantha Power called for a “strong, swift response from the Security Council” following an emergency meeting last week to discuss the latest missile test.

Power had said that the US agreement with South Korea to deploy the THAAD missile defense system was “purely defen-

sive” and in response to North Korea’s drive to refine its capabilities.

China, Pyongyang’s closest ally, had sought to delete from the text a sentence expressing concern that the missile “impacted near Japan.”

Diplomats said negotiations on the council statement, which must be agreed by consensus, had reached a dead end.

It was the second time in two months that the council has been unable to agree on condemnation of North Korea, due to ob-

jections from China.

The council last adopted a statement condemning North Korea for two medium-range missile tests on June 23.

North Korea has been hit by five sets of UN sanctions since it first tested an atomic device in 2006.

The 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

ANKARA—Turkey warned the United States on Tuesday not to sacrifice bilateral ties over Pennsylvania-based preacher Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara blames for the failed coup and wants to see extradited.

“If the US does not deliver (Gulen), they will sacrifice relations with Turkey for the sake of a terrorist,” Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag told reporters during a televised briefing in the capital Ankara.

Turkey has repeatedly pressed Washington to extradite the 75-year-old cleric to face trial over the July 15 attempted putsch, which saw a rogue military faction try to oust President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Gulen strongly denies Ankara’s accusations and his lawyer on Friday said Turkey had failed to provide “a scintilla” of proof to support its claim.

Bozdag asked rhetorically how Washington would react if a person responsible for violence in the US was being hosted by Turkey.

“What if there was an attempted assassination of (President Barack) Obama while he was on holiday with his wife and children, if the White House was bombed, if tanks were driven over people, if soldiers shot at people from helicopters and the terrorist head responsible for all this was in Turkey?”

The coup attempt took place while Erdogan was on a family holiday in southern Turkey and saw both the parliament and the area around the presidential palace bombed from the air.

US State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said some of the rhetoric coming from Turkey was not “helpful” and that Washington expected Turkish officials “to be responsible in their statements”.

“We believe our relations and our partnership and our friendship with Turkey is strong,” she told reporters, adding that any extradition of Gulen would be “a legal, technical process... governed by the 1981 extradition treaty signed by both of our countries”.

She condemned claims in the Turkish press that the Wilson Center, a US academic institution, was involved in the coup. AFP

Colombians migrate to America via Panama

Pokemon Go players rile Cambodia ex-prisoners

PANAMA CITY—Panama promised Tuesday to help hundreds of migrants who have crossed its jungle border from Colombia to carry on toward the United States.

President Juan Carlos Varela said Panama would make an exception to its immigration restrictions for migrants who have recently crossed into Panama’s Darien jungle.

“The border will remain closed to irregular migrants, but those that are using these points to cross and have already reached our territory will be given humanitarian assistance so they can continue on their way,” he said.

“Panama will not allow anyone who has crossed into our country to die on our territory,” he added, in a public speech.

Around 800 US-bound migrants, most of them from Haiti, Africa, Asia and Cuba, are in dense jungle on the Panama-Colombia border, Varela said Friday.

He described it as “another migration crisis.”

A further 2,500 are stranded in Panama’s northern neighbor, Costa Rica, since the next country on the trail, Nicaragua, has tightened immigration controls.

Colombian authorities say they have deported thousands of migrants trying to reach Panama from its northern territory.

Varela said last week that many of the migrants were Haitians who had gone to Brazil after a 2010 earthquake devastated their country.

Brazil’s current deep recession has driven them to try to get to the United States through Central America. AFP

PHNOM PENH—Survivors of the Khmer Rouge hit out at Pokemon Go players on Wednesday after they flocked to one of the regime’s notorious prisons—now a museum to Cambodia’s brutal genocide—to catch digital monsters.

The mobile app was made available in Cambodia on Saturday alongside a host of other Southeast Asian nations, with fans flocking to well known landmarks in recent days.

But the game—which encourages users to hit the pavements in search of the virtual creatures— has sparked anger after players appeared at Tuol Sleng prison, where up to 15,000 people were sent to their deaths during the Khmer Rouge’s 1975-79 rule.

“It is an insulting act to the souls of the victims who died at there,” Bou Meng, 76, one of a handful survivors from Tuol Sleng, told Agence France Presse.

“It is a place of suffering. It is not appropriate to play the game there,” he said, calling for museum to be excluded from the game’s maps.

Youk Chhang, director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia, which researches the Khmer Rouge atrocities, echoed Bou Meng’s call.

The museum is “not a shopping mall nor a playground to catch Pokemon. It is a grave site,” he said.

Chhay Visoth, the director of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, confirmed some visitors had played Pokemon Go inside the prison. AFP

ETHNIC. Dani tribespeople participate in the 27th annual Baliem Valley Festival in Walesi district in Wamena, Papua Province. Performances at the 27th Baliem Valley Festival, which took place from August 8 to 10, feature mock battles of highland tribes of Dani, Yali and Lani to symbolize the high spirit and power that have been practiced for generations. AFP

No end in sight to 5-year battle for Syria’s Aleppo BEIRUT—The battle for Syria’s Aleppo, which is key for both the regime and rebels and the most important so far in a five-year civil war, is likely to be protracted.

Both sides have massed troops around the country’s northern second city, which has roughly been divided since 2012 between a regime-held west and a rebelcontrolled east.

The Army of Conquest—which in 2015 drove the regime out of most of the northwestern province of Idlib—is the main rebel coalition in this battle against forces loyal to President Bashar al-Assad.

The alliance includes a dozen

groups including the Fateh alSham Front—which used to have ties with Al-Qaeda—and the Islamist faction Ahrar al-Sham.

According to military experts, the alliance consists of 30,000 to 40,000 well-trained and motivated fighters including around 10,000 in Aleppo province.

Among them are several thousand foreign jihadists.

They have tanks, armored personnel carriers and artillery— mostly captured from the Syrian army. They also have US-made anti-tank TOW missiles.

Syria analyst Charles Lister said groups involved in the Aleppo offensive have for the first

time received American-made weaponry normally reserved only for US-backed forces fighting the Islamic State jihadist group.

But the rebels’ most effective weapons remain car bombs, able to breach their enemy’s lines of defense, and suicide bombers to sow panic on the opposing side.

What of the regime’s firepower?

The rebels face the Syrian army and its militia ally the National Defense Forces, as well as fighters from Iran, Iraq and the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah.

Pro-regime website Al-Masdar News reported that regime forces had at least 100 tanks, 400 troop

carriers and 30,000 to 40,000 men on the ground.

But not all are of the same caliber. Beside the more experienced soldiers are also conscripts who would rather run.

The army includes several thousand assault troops devoted to Colonel Suhail Hassan, who is nicknamed “The Tiger”, the country’s elite Republican Guard, its special forces and Hezbollah’s elite troops, Al-Masdar said.

As for firepower, regime forces have tanks, artillery, warplanes and the support of Russia’s very precise airplanes.

There is much at stake for both sides. AFP

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

World

US sells $1.15-b tanks, weapons to S. Arabia W

ashington—The United States has approved the possible sale to Saudi Arabia of up to 153 tanks, hundreds of machine guns and other military gear in a deal worth $1.15 billion, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

The announcement coincided with news that Saudi-led coalition warplanes had resumed air strikes on Yemen’s capital for the first time in three months, killing 14 people and shutting the airport after United Nations-brokered talks were suspended.

State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau said she was “very concerned” by Tuesday’s casualty reports, but did not directly comment when asked if the State Department worried

US weapons being sent to Saudi Arabia could be used against civilians.

“We regularly talk to our partners and our allies around the world. You know, civilian casualties are obviously of grave concern to us,” she said.

According to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), Riyadh had requested the possible purchase of up to 133 American M1A1/A2 Abrams tanks that would be configured

to Saudi needs, plus another 20 to replace damaged tanks in their fleet.

Additionally, the deal would include 153 .50-caliber machine guns, 266 7.62-millimeter M240 machine guns, smoke grenade launchers, armored recovery vehicles and a range of other hardware.

The US State Department has approved the “possible” sale and notified Congress on Monday, the DSCA said.

Congress has 30 days to block the sale, though is unlikely to do so.

“This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional

partner which has been and continues to be a leading contributor of political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the DSCA said in a statement.

“The addition of these tanks and recovery vehicles to the (Saudi military’s) inventory will enhance Saudi Arabia’s ability to support its soldiers in the field and to defend the Kingdom’s borders.”

The Pentagon announcement made no mention of the conflict in Yemen, where the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March last year after Shiite Huthi rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh overran Sanaa.

Tuesday’s raids included a strike on a food factory in Yem-

en’s rebel-held capital Sanaa, medics said.

Factory director Abdullah al-Aqel gave a higher toll of 16 killed and 10 wounded, adding that all the victims were workers.

The Al-Aqel factory, which makes potato chips and is near a military equipment maintenance center targeted in the raids, was struck during working hours, he added.

The UN says more than 6,400 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Yemen since the coalition air campaign began last March.

The fighting has also driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 percent of the population needing humanitarian aid. AFP

IMPEACHMENT. Senators approve the impeachment committee report during the voting session in plenary in Brasilia late on Tuesday. Brazil’s Senate early Wednesday voted to hold an impeachment trial for the nation’s suspended president Dilma Rousseff, a process that could see her permanently removed from office. AFP

LA craves vegetarian donuts, burgers LOS ANGELES—Vegan diets are considered by most as healthy and environmentally responsible, with celebrity poster children touting benefits like weight loss, clear skin and increased energy.

But even vegans—who eschew all animal products like meat, eggs and dairy—crave junk food.

As the movement becomes more and more popular, temptations including donuts, pizza and mock hamburgers allow vegans to eat just as badly as everybody else.

“There are a lot of unhealthy options. It’s hard to resist at first,” Jessica McCully, 28, said at a vegan food festival in the Los Angeles area, a fake chicken taco in her hand.

McCully is a new convert to “mock meat” thanks to her girlfriend, and says that in just two months of adopting a vegan diet, she feels happier and “more energetic.”

According to a Harris Interactive study, between seven and eight million Americans identify as vegan, especially in the US epicenter of clean eating, California. AFP

Mechanic brings Olympic spirit to poor Brazil kids RIO DE JANEIRO—Crowned by wreaths, faces filled with emotion, the athletes mount the podium to the strains of the Brazilian national anthem and receive their medals.

Yet these champions are not in one of Rio’s stadiums. They are residents of a poverty stricken suburb where one man is trying to

bring the Olympic dream—if not the actual Games—\a bit closer.

Jarbas Meneghini, 47, once had his own dream of becoming a professional footballer. That didn’t work out and he became a mechanic, but his devotion to sport didn’t fade.

Meneghini has turned his

house in Campo Grande, a huge working class neighborhood west of Rio de Janeiro and 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the center, into a shrine to the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

The Olympic flag as well as those of numerous countries flutter in the wind outside. The

Olympic rings occupy his garage.

In a window sit a cluster of sports trophies and colored statuettes of the Christ the Redeemer monument.

Inside, there are dozens of trophies and medals that Meneghini made himself, as well as portraits of him with his footballing idols like Neymar, Pele and Romario. AFP

Signature campaign vs Maduro set in Oct CARACAS—The decisive step to trigger a recall referendum against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro could happen late October, authorities said Tuesday, probably too late for the opposition to oust his government.

Maduro’s opponents must hold a recall referendum by January 10 if they are to succeed in not only removing him from power but sparking new elections to replace his administration.

The National Electoral Council (CNE) has approved the first of two petitions required to organize a referendum, which they aim to do by the end of this year.

The council’s president Tibisay Lucena said on Tuesday that the gathering of signatures for the second petition “would take place around the end of October” on condition that “all the regulatory requirements are fulfilled.”

Lucena said in a speech to top officials that if the opposition gathered the four million signatures required to spark a referendum, the CNE would then have a month to verify them.

After that, she said, the CNE would have up to three months to hold the referendum.

That appeared to make it unlikely a referendum will be held

by January as the opposition Democratic Unity Roundtable (MUD) demands.

In line with the constitution, if Maduro loses a referendum held after January 10, he would just transfer power to his handpicked deputy.

The MUD blames the socialist president for an economic crisis that has led to food shortages, riots and looting in the volatile South American country.

A recent survey by pollster Venebarometro indicated that nearly two-thirds of voters would vote against Maduro.

He has branded the economic crisis and the efforts to unseat him a capitalist conspiracy.

He has launched legal challenges against the referendum drive, alleging fraud in the petition process, and vowed there will be no recall vote this year.

Constitutional expert Jose Ignacio Hernandez calculated that the referendum could be held by January 4.

But he said that depends on the will of the CNE. The opposition says Maduro controls the electoral authorities and accuses them of delaying the referendum procedures.

Electoral affairs specialist Eugenio Martinez said the referendum may not happen until February “if the CNE makes an effort to impose unnecessary delays.”

The only top CNE member close to the opposition, Luis Emilio Rondon, told reporters “there is no legal, technological or logistical obstacle” that should prevent the signatures from being gathered before October.

The opposition has called for a major national protest march to Caracas on September 1.

Senior opposition leader Henrique Capriles branded Lucena’s announcement “an exercise in cynicism and lies.”

The CNE “does not dare to say (openly) that there will not be a referendum this year,” he told a news conference. AFP

Trump criticized for gun rights slur versus Clinton WA S H I N G T O N — W h i t e House hopeful Donald Trump, already deserted by some fellow Republicans, came under sharp scrutiny Tuesday over controversial comments that some people interpreted as a threat of violence against his rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump’s intended message was not immediately clear, but lawmakers, former national security officials and other critics expressed concern that he had advocated, possibly in jest, that Clinton or her Supreme Court nominees could be shot.

“Hillary wants to essentially abolish the Second Amendment,” Trump told a rally in Wilmington, North Carolina, referring to the US Constitution’s clause that enshrines the

right to bear arms.

“If she gets to pick her judges, nothing you can do, folks,” Trump said. “Although the Second Amendment people—maybe there is, I don’t know.”

Trump earlier appeared more focused on delivering his typical campaign stump speech about Clinton, telling supporters she would represent four more years of President Barack Obama, “but maybe worse,” and sparring with her over policy.

“I gave a massive tax decrease yesterday,” Trump said, referring to economic plans he unveiled Monday. “Clinton, she’s going to double up your taxes.”

But then Trump drew attention away from his message with his “Second Amendment” remarks. AFP

UNHEALTHY. Vegan donuts for sale are seen at Donut Farm in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

WELLNESS & ENVIRONMENT

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

D1

KISS AGING GOODBYE

Personal care store Watsons launches its Kiss Aging Goodbye sale that features discounted products that help fight and prevent skin aging

D

Nicole Anderson

ID you know that 20 is the new 30?

Yes, that’s right!

With all the stress and bad habits that come with our hectic lives, women are aging faster than ever before. And the signs – internal and external, visible and invisible – start to manifest as early as in your 20s.

If you’re not careful, those cute little laugh lines, now making an early guest appearance, might just stay on until they’re full-fledged crow’s feet.

But fear not, fellow Filipinos. Watsons is helping thousands “Kiss Aging Goodbye” in its latest anti-aging campaign.

What is it?

Watsons Marketing Director, Viki Encarnacion, explains, “The Kiss Aging Goodbye campaign is what Watsons is all about. It’s an educational effort with a two-pronged approach, teaching our customers how to prevent the negative effects of aging by taking care of their own selves, inside and out. We are literally helping people ‘Look good. Feel great.’ And it’s a wonderful thing.”

Here’s how the t wo -pronged approach works.

Looking good when you’ve been bad – that’s the first challenge most of us face. We abuse our bodies in our younger years with long days at work and late nights out, to the point

Watsons brand ambassador and host Patty Laurel Filart

Watsons Marketing Director Viki Encarnacion

that wrinkles, circles, saggy skin and dark spots can seem almost inevitable.

Thankfully, they’re not. If you just take the right measures early on, you can prevent the physical manifestations of aging from ruling your future regardless of your past. To help you kiss those wrinkles goodbye, try L’Oreal Dermo Expertise Revitalift Range — a skin care solution inspired by laser, that promises younger looking skin in four weeks. Or, bring back your baby skin with Collagen by Watsons Intensive Nourishing Facial Mask, enriched with Collagen and Vitamin E to repair dryness and enhance skin’s elasticity.

Feeling so great inside it shows on the outside – that’s the second lesson in keeping yourself young. Topicals and creams are a great start to your anti-aging regimen, but stop there, and you’re only scratching the surface. A lot of the signs of aging we see on the outside is caused by the body breaking down on the inside. Calcium deficiency and lack of collagen are two common culprits.

To help prevent a haggard look, you should give yourself the added nutrition you need in the form of food supplements and ingestible beauty aids.

One of Watsons’ favorites is the iVi Collagen Ready-To-Drink, with 10,000 mg of Collagen that helps smoothen fine lines, and lighten dark spots for that forever-young glow.

There you have it, the ins and the outs of anti-aging according to Watsons. But before you run to the store, here are three things to remember. One, if you want to keep your beauty longer, keep your beauty bases covered from nutrition to skincare, inside and out. Two, you’re never too young to start looking old. Start preventive maintenance in your early 20s. If that ship has sailed, start as early as now. Three, there’s no better place to start your anti-aging regimen than the store that always brings you great beauty advice, amazing products, and fantastic prices. Head over to Watsons to take advanmtage of the Kiss Aging Goodbye sale.

TPB lends a helping hand in Leyte THREE years after super typhoon Yolanda hit Leyte, efforts to help the Visayan province recover from the destruction continue to come in—and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) joins the legion of supporters to help the hard-hit area get back on its feet.

TPB employees recently visited Leyte as part of its corporate social responsibility program.

TPB started their outreach program by bringing cheer to the orphaned and underprivileged children from the Social City Welfare, as well as the elderly from the Pope Francis Complex Center for the Poor. They donated school supplies, toys, books, canned goods, toiletries and clothes to children and elderly.

To help in protecting the coasts of Leyte from another fortuitous event,

TPB employees also planted mangroves along the shores.

To cap off their charitable mission, they visited some of Leyte’s tourist attractions, such as the Sto. Niño Church, Palo Church, Sto. Niño Shrine and Museum, San Juanico Bridge, MacArthur Landing Memorial National Park and the Leyte Provincial Capitol.

Mangroves are planted along the shores to help protect the coasts of Leyte

Tourism Promotions Board employees bring fun to the elderly at the Pope Francis Complex Center for the Poor

They also visited M/V Eva Jocelyn, one of 17 cargo ships that was washed ashore by the storm surge during typhoon Yolanda from the waters of the Port of Tacloban City to a side of a hill in Barangay 37 which was turned into a monument and a mini-park; and the Tzu Chi Great Love Village in Palo, a Taiwanese Buddhist foundation which provides livelihood and shelter for the victims of the typhoon.

“Apart from promoting the country’s wonderful tourist spots, we at TPB are also committed to help communities and preserve the environment. We hope that in our humble efforts, we not only protect

our natural wonders, but more importantly, uplift the spirits of our fellow Filipinos,” says TPB Chief Operating Officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III. TPB’s visit to Leyte is the 2nd leg of its CSR program this year, which started in Occidental Mindoro and will conclude in Palawan. They also had similar activities in Boracay, Bohol and Camiguin last year.

By setting an example, TPB’s charitable works hope to inspire not just its employees, but also other agencies and the general public to help the country in restoring its beauty and making the Philippines more fun.

Life

D2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Piso Bakuna launched G

LOVAX Biotech Corp. CEO and founder Giovanni Alingog led the launch of “Piso Bakuna for Teachers” in May at the Manila Hotel, attended by luminaries from the company’s international and local partners.

“PisoBakuna” is a vaccination program that provides teachers with flu vaccine at the cost of one peso per day.

Glovax, supplying vaccines for the last 12 years, chose teachers to be the ambassadors in spreading the awareness to students and families. It also tied up with the PPSTA (Philippine Public School Teachers Association) to gather more beneficiaries and program partners.

PPSTA Regional Head Bong Arante and ACT Teachers party-list Representative France Castro boasted their aim for 500,000 teachers or more nationwide to get a vaccine.

Alingog, in his speech, revealed how he started the company and shared that when he and his pediatrician wife, Gjen, were struggling to find a supply for vaccines he started thinking big with his businessman’s attitude, after all he is a certified public accountant. He sold their wedding gifts for P80000.00 and started the business as a social enterprise.

He built Glovax to help low-income families or “the missing middle,” with free vaccination to all those who attended the launch, including members of the mass media and industry partners.

The Glovax web and app and the “vaccination kiosk” were also introduced to

the public. The app once downloaded will automatically give you free flu vaccine.

The kiosk is available at the Fisher Mall.

Steve Okun and representatives from USAID, Ropali, PR Savings Bank, PLDT voyager, PPSTA, and JCI Capitol attended the event.

In a related development, two bank officials were criminally indicted “for making an erroneous credit report” that caused Glovax massive actual and moral damages. In an 11-page complaint filed on May 13 at the Makati City fiscal’s office, Glovax, charged Fabian S. Dee and Ramir M. Leung (President and Vice President of Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. Metrobank, respectively) for causing damages against Glovax when Metrobank allegedly “made a false credit report that Glovax’s loan with Metrobank is “past due,” a bank terminology which means that the debtor has defaulted in the payment of his or her obligation.

Alingog, accompanied by lawyer Romulo Macalintal, filed the criminal complaint before the City Prosecutor’s office in Makati.

Alingog stated he has proofs that his existing loan with Metrobank has always remained current and updated. But for unknown reason, Metrobank reported their account as “past due.” Other banks where Glovax has existing transactions/credit lines saw the allegedly false report by Metrobank, in effect instantly affecting its credibility. Thus, Glovax was forced to close five branches and lost large business opportunities of close to P60M per annum and its planned expansion had to be cancelled.

Glovax founder and chief executive officer Giovanni Alingog

Make bath time fun and safe for your baby

Babyflo Oatmeal and Soap-free Bath soap are both gentle to use in cleaning and moisturizing baby’s sensitive skin

BATH time should always be enjoyable for both parents and babies.

It’s an opportunity to play and bond while keeping your baby clean. Al Although there are a lot of precaution precautionary measures to remember, you can still make sure that bathing your baby is always a pleasant and safe experience. Here are five things to keep in mind so bath time is a guaranteed fun time: 1. Give your baby your 100 percent attention Bathing a newborn can be a little daunting, especially since they are more sensitive. But you can prevent accidents by giving your baby your undivided atten attention. For new parents, remem remember to support the infant’s head and neck. Make sure also that the baby bathtub isn’t too deep and that it has a tread or wash washcloth at the bottom to prevent your baby from slipping. It’s the

little details that count.

2. Put your baby in the tub last Your baby should go in the tub last. So before starting, lay out everything you need near the tub, such as a cup for pouring water, washcloths, cotton balls, bath toys, towel, lotion or oil, diaper and a set of clean clothes. Also make sure that the water temperature is just right, ideally lukewarm. Pediatricians say that the right temperature is 48.8 degrees Celsius. Another good indicator is to check the temperature by dipping your elbow into the water – it should be warm.

3. Hold your baby with one arm and bathe with the other hand If you are alone, you better use your two hands wisely. One hand should be placed under the neck of your baby and the other hand for bathing since it is important to keep your baby’s face above the water to prevent him from accidentally

drinking the water or drowning in it. This is crucial because your baby is susceptible to various infections when he accidentally drinks his bathing water that may contain soap and even germs.

4. Don’t use strong soap to avoid dry skin Your baby’s skin is very sensitive and it is just right to avoid strong soaps and shampoos so as not to irritate and dry his skin. Dry and irritated skin is uncomfortable for babies. So avoid testing and trying various soaps especially those that contain fragrances. Although these soaps smell good, they might not be good and sensitive enough for the skin.

5. Use Babyflo Oatmeal or SoapFree Bath “Look for products that don’t have added perfume or dyes, which can irritate sensitive skin,” said Ari Brown, M.D., co-author of Baby

411, about choosing the right products for your precious little one.

Babyflo’s Oatmeal Bath and Babyflo Soap-Free Bath are two good choices to consider.

Both are dermatologically tested and it will just be a matter of preference. Babyflo’s Oatmeal Bath is mild and gentle, and can best moisturize your baby’s skin because of its colloidal oats that can absorb and seal in moisture. Meanwhile, Babyflo’s Soap-Free Bath is fragrance- and paraben-free, perfect for babies with hypersensitive skin.

Oh, and here’s a final tip: Be quick but calm and gentle but in control. Baby’s bath time is a memorable milestone that you will surely cherish. Have a fun and safe bath time.

Babyflo Oatmeal Bath and Babyflo Soap-Free Bath are available in all Mercury Drug stores and other leading supermarkets nationwide

Thousands for Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run ROBINSONS Supermarket’s (RSC) 9th Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run was held recently at Bonifacio Global City.

The annual run hosted by the country’s largest health and wellness supermarket chain was not only attended by recreational runners taking on the journey to a healthier life but also celebrity advocates of the active lifestyle.

The Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy run is testament to RSC’s steadfast commitment to promote a healthier lifestyle among Filipinos.

Power couples graced the run, with Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo hosting the event, and Coaches Jim and Toni Saret leading the warm up and post-run cool-down exercises.

Around 4,500 runners joined the 5K and 10K races, including triathlete and 28th SEA Games Gold medalist Nikko Huelgas.

Top finishers each took home exciting prizes. The second and third placers of the 5K run received P8000.00 worth of Robinsons gift certificates, while 10K runners got P15000.00 worth of Robinsons GCs. The first placer of the 5K run won a 3D/2N trip with accommodations for two to El Nido, Pala-

wan and the 10K winner received a 3D/2N trip for two to Bali, Indonesia with accommodations.

The 9th Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run was made possible by RSC’s wellness partners – Nestle Philippines, Johnson & Johnson, Nivea and Fonterra, among others – all of which share RSC’s mission to provide more health and wellness options to Filipinos.

Take on a health and wellness journey with Robinsons Supermarket.

Like it on Facebook w w w.fa c e b o o k . com/RobinsonsSupermarketOfficial or visit its official website at www.robinsonssupermarket. com.ph to stay updated on the activities that it has in store and learn more about the # I L oveWe lln e s s campaign.

Chris Everingham of Philippine Volcanoes rugby team

Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run participants join the warm-up exercises led by coaches Jim and Toni Saret

1st place winners of 10km run receive an all-expense-paid trip to Bali, Indonesia for three days and two nights

Thousands of runners take on the journey to a healthier lifestyle as they participate in this year’s Robinsons Supermarket’s 9th Fit and Fun Wellness Buddy Run

Top buddy finishers of the 5km race receive an all-expense-paid trip to El Nido, Palawan

Showbiz

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Spruce up your ride in this week’s ‘Wheels’ IT’S all about sprucing up your ride this week in PhilStar TV’s premier motoring show Wheels. Join the audacious team of motoring journalists Matteo Guidecelli, Kap Maceda Aguila, Manny Delos Reyes, Ulysses Ang and Angel Rivero as they give a rundown on how to pimp your automobile.

Discover a unique way to upgrade and modify your ride as Matteo visits a topnotch car boutique and tries his hand at foiling an auto. Could he properly foil-acar?

Join Uly as he gives tips on keeping your car’s delicate interior and engine spotless and sleek. Learn the proper and safe way to clean and make them long lasting.

Meanwhile, Angel goes on an adventure with her significant other on a Peugeot.

Explore the French automobile’s remarkable features and performance as they effortlessly drive their way to Tagaytay.

Lastly, join Manny as he meets up close and personal with the man behind Lexus

Manila’s success, Danny Isla. Find out how he effectively manages the luxury marque.

It’s all these and more on the fourth season of Wheels, your guide to life on the fast lane. Catch it every Thursday, 10:30 p.m., on ABS-CBN Sports + Action Channel.

For firsthand info on the latest happenings in motoring, like and follow Wheels on facebook.com/PhilStarWheels, @PhilStar_Wheels on Twitter and @ PhilStarTV_Wheels on Instagram.

Actor and car racer Matteo Guidicelli tries his hand at foiling an automobile in the latest episode of ‘Wheels’

Pia Wurtzbach is ‘Sexiest

woman alive’ T

HAT’S according to the monthly men’s magazine Esquire Philippines, which features the reigning Miss Universe on the cover for its August issue. The Esquire Facebook post read, “Seven months after her coronation and more than halfway into her reign, Miss Universe comes home, strips down, and bares the heart beneath her confident beauty. She speaks to Esquire about pageantry, persistence, and practicing what she preaches.”

Reining Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach lands on the cover of Esquire Philippines

Meryl Streep in ‘Florence Foster Jenkins’ FROM Stephen Frears, director of The Queen and Philomena, comes an unforgettable heartwarming and funny story that will bring the audience to tears.

Florence Foster Jenkins is the inspiring true story of the eponymous New York heiress who

obsessively pursued her dream of becoming a great singer. Starring two of the well loved actors worldwide, Meryl Streep and Hugh Grant, the film celebrates the human spirit, the power of music, and the passion of amateurs everywhere.

The voice Florence (Streep) heard in her head was divine, but to the rest of the world it was hilariously awful. At private recitals, her devoted husband and manager, St. Claire Bayfield (Grant) realized he had perhaps bitten off more than he could chew.

Florence Foster Jenkins score is composed by Alexandre Desplat who incorporates wonderful music, from popular songs to golden classics.

Florence Foster Jenkins opens Aug. 24 from OctoArts Films International. Trailer link: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAsgjz3wcGg

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, August 11, 2016

ACROSS 1 Port near Gibraltar 6 Mild expletive 10 Kahuna’s spud 14 “Forget” a letter 15 “— wife had seven sacks ...”

16 Big-ticket — 17 Quay 18 Stead 19 Livy’s togs 20 Harrow rival 21 Beach find (2 wds.)

23 Power source 25 Lives as a permanent resident 26 Mir successor, briefly 27 Bridle parts 29 Gorges 32 Toe woes 33 Gem-grade coal 36 Jump through hoops 37 Lengthwise 38 Hacker’s pets?

39 Nanny’s offspring 40 Wind around 41 Access the Web (2 wds.)

42 Eggy desserts 43 Checkbook amt.

44 Real

47 Dessert wine 51 For the most part (2 wds.)

54 Jagged rock 55 Heavyweight sport 56 Yukon, briefly 57 Edible paste 58 NFL broadcaster 59 “La — Bonita” (Madonna tune) 60 Take up or let out 61 Hens and mares 62 Four six-packs 63 Flakes off DOWN 1 Superstar 2 Comics queen 3 Piece of turf 4 Recognize 5 Final letter 6 Postpone 7 Drought relief 8 Breezed through 9 Thumping 10 Boxers’ goals 11 Ring-shaped reef 12 Queenly 13 Sharif et al.

21 Almost grads 22 Pays for 24 Dangerous curve 27 Pawn takers

28 Marine bird 29 Stir-fry pan 30 Teahouse attire 31 Was out in front 32 Plaid wearers 33 Lively dance 34 Environmental prefix 35 Half a score 37 Skilled in reasoning 38 Atom’s home 40 Shutter part 41 Terhune collie 42 Japanese bedrolls

43 Ebenezer’s cry of disgust 44 Basilica areas 45 Squeeze hard 46 Fiesta Bowl town 47 Carmen of jazz 48 Fit to be tied 49 “Bolero” writer 50 Petri dish gels 52 Oater backdrop 53 WWW addresses 57 Opening

The Esquire Philippines’ honor came on the heels of Pia Wurtzbach’s inclusion in the FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women List for 2016 debuting at 16th place, just five places ahead of another debutante, the Dubsmash Queen Maine Mendoza who landed at the 21st spot. FHM cited Wurtzbach “for being confidently beautiful with a heart. Gorgeous inside and out—no wonder she’s the most beautiful woman in the universe.”

As in her confusion-marred crowning as Miss Universe, Wurtzbach’s inclusion in the FHM Sexiest list did not pass without controversy coming off FHM’s Sexiest Woman 2016 Jessy Mendiola’s acceptance remark that winning over the likes of Pia Wurtzbach made her “confidently sexy with a heart.”

Mendiola was bashed online for it and Wurtzbach quickly twitted to tell everyone to stop sending hateful comments to the actress. “Enough with the Jessy hate. Confident Filipinas should be celebrated, not condemned.

What I saw was a girl who was just really ecstatic to be given that recognition. There is nothing wrong with that,” the confidently beautiful Miss U wrote adding the hashtags #NoToBodyShaming and #NoToBullying.

Adding to her FHM Sexiest List debut, Wurtzbach also made Wonderlist’s Ten Most Beautiful Women of 2016. Wonderslist, a dedicated blog that presents top 10 lists from around the world in a variety of categories, e.g. top 10 sexiest Hollywood actresses, most memorable

Hollywood cars, fastest electric cars today, described their selection as restricted to women who have achieved a fair level of celebrity, based on the strongest, intelligent, desirable, popular, attractive, hot and most successful women of 2016.

Wonderlist placed Wurtzbach at no.10. Others who made the list were Game of Thrones star Emilia Clarke (9), Brazilian supermodel and Victoria’s Secret angel Adriana Lima (8), former Miss World and 2015 Sexiest Asian Woman Priyanka Chopra (7), hot Hollywood actress and Johnny Depp’s wife Amber Heard (6), UK chart-topper pop singer Pixie Lott (5), India’s highest paid actress and top sex symbol Deepika Padukone (4), K-pop member and Real Men 4 star Nana Im Jin-Ah (3), FilAm actress/model and Dolce Amore star Liza Soberano (2) and topping the list is former Disney star and singer Selena Gomez.

Wurtzbach also appeared as special guest at the recent Miss Teen USA 2016 pageant at the Venetian Theater in Las Vegas, Nevada. Wearing a beautiful floral gown by Sherri Hill, she joined Miss USA 2016 Deshauna Barber and Miss Teen USA 2015 Katherine Haik to crown Miss Teen USA 2016 Karlie Hay. Miss USA 2015 Olivia Jordan, who cohosted the pageant, reunited with Wurtzbach embracing her like a long lost friend after she introduced her on stage.

Wurtzbach expressed her support to Hay after the discovery

of racist tweets she made in 2013 and 2014 that used the N-word hours after she was crowned winner. Hay issued an apology saying her use of racist language on social media a “careless mistake” influenced by friends but added she has since grown up and hoped that others would learn from her mistake. “I am honored to hold this title and I will use this platform to promote the values of the Miss Universe Organization and my own, that recognize the confidence, beauty and perseverance of all women,” Hay tweeted after critics called for her to step down.

Meanwhile, Maxine Medina, the country’s bet at the 2017 Miss Universe, said during a press briefing that she was thrilled at the announcement of Manila as host of the next Miss Universe adding it has boosted her selfconfidence. Looking like she is a hundred percent ready for the competition, the 25-year-old interior designer, said she was focused on her daily training, biding her time as the pageant is still months away. She added that Wurtzbach has promised to guide her during the pageant.

News of the country’s hosting of the 2017 Miss Universe was also greeted with excitement by Miss Universe 1993 Dayanara Torres. She posted on Instagram that she missed the country she considered her second home and attached photos of Filipino delicacies like Cebu’s dried mango, polvoron and the Philippine flag which quickly garnered thousands likes from netizens. Eton B. Concepcion

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

Showbiz ISAH V. RED

‘Game of Thrones’ star Conan Stevens in a special appearance in ‘Encantadia’ as Vish’ka

OMG!

Maine Mendoza

gives good cracklin’ fun Thespian John Arcilla as Encantadia’s Haring Hagorn

W

HEN you’re treated to lifesize eight-bit arcade games you loved growing up, you know you’re up for just plain ol’ retro fun.

The Oishi Snacktacular 2016 just showcased an amusement bonanza, a larger-than-life arcade experience that spelled throwback fun for the kids and kids-at-heart.

It was a field of wholesome fun, making Maine Mendoza the ideal addition to Oishi’s Team O. As an actress and host, Maine has become a household name for all ages, just by being her bubbly and energetic self. And like her animated facial expressions that everyone loves, Maine’s wacky antics pair perfectly with her snack — there’s no holding back when it comes to that anghasim face.

The young television personality was unveiled as the newest ambassador for Oishi Cracklings at the recent Oishi Snacktacular 2016. A true snacks lover at heart, the cheerful host said that she didn’t think twice when she was offered to be an ambassador for Oishi. And as it turns out, Oishi Cracklings are her favorite Oishi snack.

In fact, Maine loves sharing the anghang at asim combo of the Ribbed Cracklings with her friends

ENTERTAINMENT website PUSH.com.ph once again honors the people who power digital media – stars and fans alike – as it reopens the biggest digital media awards in the country, PUSH Awards.

Last year’s first-ever PUSH Awards saw the tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (KathNiel) dominate the top tandem categories.

Which stars will be declared the brightest in the top individual categories this year?

To vote and see the complete list of nominees, just log in to PushAwards.com and register using your Facebook account.

Only one vote per category will be accepted per day.

Like in last year’s format, celebrities who have a high influence on Facebook are nominated as PUSH Like Female Celebrity, PUSH Like Male Celebrity, PUSH Like Group/Tandem, PUSH Like Newcomer, and PUSH Like Music Artist.

The most retweeted, most favorited, most followed, and most mentioned personalities who can make anything trend on Twitter are also recognized in the competition as PUSH Tweet Female Celebrity, PUSH Tweet Male Celebrity, PUSH Tweet Group/Tandem, PUSH Tweet Newcomer, and PUSH Tweet Music Artist nominees.

Instagram users who have

Maine Mendoza shares fun with her fans in O, Wow! event

so much, that she and her reallife barkada starred in a Ribbed Cracklings hugot commercial together!

In an interview with Maine, she says, “I’m very happy to be part of Team O. It’s definitely an O, Wow! Moment to be part of such a fun group.”

Maine aims to create more O, Wow! moments for friends and fans together with the rest

of her fellow teammates – Alex Gonzaga, Daniel Padilla, Elmo Magalona, Kathryn Bernardo, Ramon Bautista, and Slater Young.

Everyone’s O, Wow! moments just got better with Maine’s genuine personality.

Stay updated with the latest #OishiOWow news on Facebook and @oishiph on Instagram and @oishi_tweets on Twitter.

**** John Arcilla has new recruits to Hathoria in the intensifying nightly telefantasya Encantadia.

Due to the extraordinary strength of the three Sang’gres of Lireo against the “brilyante” in the possession of Pirena (Galiza De Castro), the soldiers of Hathoria had to retreat led by Hagorn (Arcilla). He crossed the invisible boundary between Encantadia

Keepers of the stones: (clockwise) Sanya Lopez as Danaya, , Kylie Padilla as Amihan Glaiza de Castro as Pirena and Gabbi Garcia as Alena

and Earth to recruit mortals to be Hathoria’s soldiers. Says Hagorn, “Lahat sila para sa HATHORIA!!!

Atayde Hathoria!!!”

Meanwhile, Encantadia has been trending since its premiere a couple of weeks ago. Netizens have been posting positive feedback on Twitter, Facebookm, and Instagram. The members of the cast can only say “thank you” to all of the show’s supporters.

And here’s good news to all

Encatadics. Conan Stevens, the actor from the popular HBO series Game of Thrones will soon make his much awaited appearance in Encantadia.

He’s going to play Vish’ka, a legendary warrior from Higantes.

According to the actor, his built is perfect for the character he is going to play. He has been taping for the episodes in which he will be featured. He finds it challenging to speak Nchan or the Encantadia language.

KathNiel, LizQuen, Yeng, Anne

lead nominees in PUSH AwardS 2016

From left: Donald Lim, Richard Reynante and Domi Espejo at the PUSH Awards 2016 press conference

the most number of followers and engage their fans with their posts are also up for competition in the PUSH Gram Female Celebrity, PUSH Gram Male Celebrity, PUSH Gram Group/Tandem, PUSH Gram

Newcomer, and PUSH Gram Music Artist categories.

Finally, famous YouTubers who create videos with the most hits will be honored in the PUSH Play Female Celebrity, PUSH Play Male

Celebrity, PUSH Play Group/Tandem, PUSH Play Newcomer, and PUSH Play Music Artist categories.

Winners of these Digital Media categories via online voting will then be deliberated on by a distinguished judging panel to receive the Push Elite Awards: Push Female Celebrity of the Year, Push Male Celebrity of the Year, Push Group/Tandem of the Year, Push Newcomer of the Year, and Push Music Artist of the Year.

Once again leading the list of nominees are today’s hottest love teams KathNiel and LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), who are both nominated in four categories – PUSH Like Group/ Tandem (Facebook), PUSH Tweet Group/Tandem (Twitter), PUSH Gram Group/Tandem (Instagram), and PUSH Play Group/Tandem (YouTube).

Leading in the individual categories are Yeng Constantino, who is nominated in PUSH Like, PUSH Tweet, PUSH Gram, PUSH Play Music Artist, and PUSH Play Female categories.

Anne Curtis, on the other hand, is competing across the four PUSH Female categories, while, James Reid and Vice Ganda are nominated in three PUSH Male categories. Darren Espanto is also nominated in one PUSH Male and two PUSH Music Artist categories.

Hashtags member and former PBB 737 housemate Zeus Collins, meanwhile, leads the fresh faces and names in the four PUSH Newcomer categories.

Aside from honoring online movers and shakers in major Digital Media categories, PUSH Awards is also recognizing the most talked about and well-

loved personalities in the following Awesome Awards categories: Popular Celebrity Baby, Popular Celebrity Mommy, Popular Celebrity Daddy, Popular Male Fashion Icon, Popular Female Fashion Icon, Popular Song Cover, Popular Dance Cover, Popular Movie Performance, Popular Sports Personality, Popular LOL Video, Popular TV Performance, and Popular Showbiz Blogger.

And to give back to fans who give their all to make their favorites win, PUSH Awards is also bringing back the PUSH Ultimate Fan Award, which will be given to the fans club that will post the most number of tweets using the hashtag #PushAwards.

The nominees with the highest number of votes in each category will be declared the winners and will be awarded with a special trophy in a ceremony in October this year.

ABS-CBN, the country’s leading media and entertainment company, is home to the nation’s toprating TV programs, box-office films, and best-selling books and music. With the ability to harness the latest in technology and innovation, the company is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies, and a growing list of digital properties. ABS-CBN was also first in the country to offer content online and on mobile, and even pioneered digital television in the nation.

Vote for your favorites on PUSHAwards.com and get your daily dose of entertainment news, information, and trivia by logging in to PUSH. com.ph.