Manila Standard - 2016 August 12 - Friday by Manila Standard

HOME IS THE HEROINE. Olympic

weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz holds her silver medal up for the press upon her arrival at Naia Terminal 3 in Pasay after a brilliant performance at the Rio Olympics. A hero’s grand welcome, P1.5-million prize and other rewards for her feat await Diaz, who becomes the ﬁrst Pinay to win a silver medal at the Games. Danny Pata

VOL. XXX • NO. 181 • 5 SECTIONS 24 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

‘Kill-order backfires’

AI warns lawlessness to worsen By John Paolo Bencito

MNESTY International on Thursday expressed concern over President Rodrigo Duterte’s “shoot to kill” orders and his public naming and shaming of drug suspects, saying these did not only violate fundamental rights, but also worsen lawlessness.

AGAINST KILLINGS. Human rights advocates backed by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines offer prayers and light candles as they call for due process amid the war on drugs initiated by President Rodrigo Duterte. The event was held at the Redemptorist Church in Parañaque City. Danny Pata

Solons House sets overdrive for budget, Cha-Cha press for ‘powers’ oversight By Christine F. Herrera

LEGISLATORS are duty-bound to review and monitor the implementation of the emergency powers that Congress is poised to grant President Rodrigo Duterte to solve the country’s trafﬁc problem, Senator Grace Poe said Thursday. She said an oversight committee would be established under the measure being deliberated on to solve the country’s trafﬁc woes. The committee will be composed of members from the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is one of the safeguards that lawmakers say are necessary during the implementation Next page

Midnight DoJ ‘reso’ on hold JUSTICE Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre has recalled all the “midnight” resolutions issued by his predecessor―former acting Justice Secretary Emmanuel Caparas―from May 1 to June 30, 2016. In Department Order 524 dated Aug. 3, Aguirre ordered the deferment of the implementation and execution of the resolutions and motions for reconsideration promulgated by Caparas, particularly those issued a month before he bowed down from ofﬁce. Aguirre’s order is addressed Next page

THE House plans to work overtime with a ﬁve-day session week, instead of three, to accommodate and expedite Charter Change debates, the granting of emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte and the passage of priority bills. The proposal came ahead of Monday’s submission by the Palace of a P3.35-trillion national

budget proposal for 2017. The House committee on appropriations led by Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexie Nograles is scheduled to begin budget deliberations starting Aug. 22. Nograles said the budget is 11.6 percent higher than this year’s budget of P3.001 trillion. Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Ray Villafuerte said the House and Senate could work even faster by adopting his proposal for a ﬁve-

day session week. “Holding sessions from Mondays to Fridays would give us enough time and make us work faster in performing our lawmaking duties along with the extra workload of amending the Constitution via the.. [Constituent Assembly] route,” Villafuerte said. At present, Congress’ calendar observes a three-day session week from Monday to Wednesday to allow the lawmakers to travel to

their home provinces to do their district duties the rest of the week. Villafuerte said by stretching their workweek, House members could ﬁnish budget deliberations ahead of schedule and then begin discussions on federalism before the year ends. He said Charter Change deliberations could also be done right away by setting aside speciﬁc days per week for lawmaking and Next page

‘Make China pay for reef damage’ THE Philippines could ﬁle a new case against China to quantify and seek damages for its illegal exploitation of its resources in the West Philippine Sea, Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said Thursday. He told a forum that the Permanent Court of Arbitration had ruled that China had severely damaged the environment it did not own, and that Manila would have a strong case against Beijing if it ﬁled one. Manila could demand compensation from Beijing for illegally exploiting the resources of the West Philippine Sea. Next page

“The actual or suspected use of drugs cannot constitute grounds for violating the rights of individuals, irrespective whether the applicable drug control regime allows for imprisonment or other sanctions,” the group added. The group said Duterte’s “shoot-to-kill” directive and frequent hints that policemen and soldiers would not be held accountable for obeying his wishes would “further exacerbate the culture of impunity among law enforcement ofﬁcials for human rights violations.” Next page

Martial Law provokes senators’ reactions By Macon RamosAraneta

JAPANESE VISITOR. President Duterte welcomes Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida at the Presidential Guest House in Panacan, Davao City. (Story on A2) Malacañang Photo

THE drug menace is not a ground to declare Martial Law, Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said Thursday, as he chided President Rodrigo Duterte’s chief legal counsel for claiming it was. “Even a freshman law student can easily debunk attorney Salvador Panelo’s statement as having no legal basis. I do not know which Constitution he has learned in law school but our present Constitution has only provided two grounds for the declaration of Martial Law— invasion or rebellion,” said Drilon. Drilon said Panelo would want people to believe that the Next page

Law justiﬁes hero’s burial 3 ‘burdensome’ agencies face abolition for Marcos, says Duterte By John Paolo Bencito MALACAÑANG insisted Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte glossed over nothing when he decided to proceed with the burial of former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani or Heroes’ Cemetery. “You’re talking of a historical perspective, but we’re doing twitter.com/ MlaStandard

something based on a presidential decision that is based on law,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said. He made the statement when asked if giving the strongman a hero’s burial was a way of diluting the essence of the law recognizing the abuses committed

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A SENIOR Cabinet ofﬁcial on Thursday bared a plan to abolish at least three national agencies, including the National Food Authority, the National Irrigation Administration and the National Electriﬁcation Administration. In a speech in Bohol province, Cabinet Secretary Leoncio Evasco said he will propose that Presi-

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dent Rodrigo Duterte abolish the three national agencies following a thorough review, saying they were an unnecessary burden on the people. The NFA could be abolished or turned into a purely regulatory body that does not interfere with market forces by buying and selling rice. The NFA, which is under the Agriculture Department, has an

outstanding debt of P167 billion. The NIA, on the other hand, is tasked to construct and maintain big irrigation dams, but has wasted funds and submerged many barangays, Evasco said. Evasco said small impounding facilities would probably be better than the large dams. The NEA is also on Evasco’s endangered list of agencies. Next page

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10 flights canceled after PAF plane’s tire bursts at Naia By Joel E. Zurbano and John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Ernesto Abella and key officials of the Armed Forces emerged safe after a Philippine Air Force (PAF) Fokker 27 plane busted its tire upon landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport late Wednesday night. The state-owned F27 plane was given clearance to land at runway 06-24 by the Manila control tower after flying in from Cebu City, but the aircraft’s tire exploded as it touched down on the country’s premiere gateway, forcing the aircraft to swerve at the Rapid 1 exit way. Ten international flights were delayed while two others were diverted to Clark International Airport after the incident. No one was reported hurt in the incident, which is now being investigated by airport authorities. In a press briefing at the Palace Thursday, Abella assured the media that he’s well. “It’s an interesting ride that can happen anytime. Overall, I’m good, everyone’s good,” Abella said, who admitted being surprised after his plane mishap landed in the news. Information officers of the Manila Interna-

House... From A1

for constituent assembly days for federalism. Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III and House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez have agreed to discuss and approve the 2017 national budget between now and November so lawmakers could buckle down to work to propose amendments to the Constitution beginning January next year. The two leaders said they have yet to agree on the mode of amending the Constitution, however. “We have no decision yet. It was a free flowing discussion which we agreed to continue as often as possible,” Pimentel said. “Between now and November this year, we will give focus to the consideration and passage of the proposed General Appropriations Act for 2017, and other vital issues, before redirecting attention to the revision of the Constitution by January,” Alvarez said. Villafuerte, a staunch advocate of federalism, said convening Congress as a constituent assembly to amend the Constitution would be much faster and more economical than an elected constitutional convention. Alvarez and Pimentel said the leaders reached a consensus that the House and the Senate could focus on constitutional amendments starting January 2017.

‘Make... From A1

“The Tribunal agreed and even expanded on that, and because of that we can file a new case before the UNCLOS [United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea] tribunal to recover damages,” Carpio said. He said the Philippines could also bring its case before the International Court of Justice. He cited the case of Nicaragua versus the United States in which the court ruled that the American government had violated international law and the territorial integrity of Nicaragua by mining the harbors. “We can do the same, we can file a new case to quantify the damages that we are entitled to,” Carpio said. In his presentation, former Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario expressed concern over the degradation and destruction of the ecosystem in and around the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. “The lack of meaningful attention to this issue is a little surprising. As Filipinos living in an archipelago, the wellbeing of our surrounding seas is of vital importance to the country,” Del Rosario said. He said the most “destructive and distressing” activities in the West Philippine Sea was the building of artificial islands by China. “In this domain, the pace of change has been so rapid,” Del Rosario said. “To my understanding, the old reefs that have been transformed into Great Walls of Sand cannot be returned to their former state. It is all the more important that the reefs and shoals that have not been built upon should not suffer the same fate.” Sara Susanne D. Fabunan and Rey E. Requejo

tional Airport Authority said Runway 06/24 was cleared after more than an hour following the incident. Among the international flights affected by the incident were Xiamen Air, United Airlines, Tiger Air, Qatar Airways, Oman Air, Japan Airlines and China Southern. MIAA officials also said Philippine Airlines flight PR307 from Hong Kong and All Nippon Air flights from Japan were diverted to Clark. Only last month, more than a hundred of commercial flights were affected when the MIAA decided to close the main runway after damage on the pavement was discovered. The affected flights include 53 departing planes, 76 arrivals, with eight international flights and four domestic flights canceled. Hundreds of passengers also experienced inconvenience and were dismayed when their flights were diverted to Clark. The MIAA decided to close the major runway to give way for the repair work of a damaged runway measuring four-inch deep pothole to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers. The repair was completed a day after. Fire and rescue personnel from the MIAA immediately responded to the incident and helped in the recovery of the disabled aircraft.

SAFE AND SOUND. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella is all smiles at the daily media at Malacañang on

Thursday, hours after the air force plane carrying him and 26 other ofﬁcials had a landing mishap at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Japan ODA to fund Manila-Bulacan railway By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

AVAO CITY—The Japanese government’s continuing assistance to the Philippines will include a subway station connecting Metro Manila, Tutuban and Malolos, Bulacan, Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida told Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay.

In November 2015, the two loan for the construction of the countries signed a $2-billion above mentioned 36.7-kilometer

'Kill-order... From A1

The international human rights organization, which previously urged the Duterte administration to break the cycle of rights violations, said that his “shoot to kill” directive and frequent hints that policemen and soldiers would not be held accountable for obeying his wishes “will further exacerbate the culture of impunity among law enforcement officials for human rights violations.” “Under international human rights law, including treaties which legally bind the Philippines, the right to life… cannot be restricted even in times of crisis.” Anti-narcotics strategies based on the use of force and militariza-

Solons... From A1

of Duterte’s extraordinary powers, which will be limited to two to three years. ‘‘We are not abdicating our role in checking on the executive,” said Poe, head of the Senate committee on public services. “That it is really important. We have to tread a fine line between being supportive and being permissive and being cautious and being an obstructionist.” Poe made her statement even as Malacañang on Thursday assured the public that Duterte would not go overboard should Congress give him emergency powers to solve the worsening traffic situation in the country, particularly in Metro Manila. “The emergency powers being requested are not absolute and are limited to traffic,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella told reporters. Transportation officials told senators during Wednesday’s Senate hearing that there was an urgent need to deal with the traffic nightmare, but vowed the extra powers to be granted the President to do so would not be abused. Poe earlier said government transactions must be transparent and compliant with the Freedom of Information order from the Executive, adding such was a non-negotiable principle. Macon RamosAraneta and John Paolo Bencito

North to South subway station. The said project will be the largest single project in the country funded by Japan’s Official Development Assistance, according to the DFA. The agreement was signed after the bilateral meeting between former President Benigno Aquino III and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Pasay City. Along with this, Kishida also vowed to continue its strategic partnership with the Philippines, particularly in maritime security and counterterrorism.

He said they will gradually deliver 10 vessels to the Philippines to further enhance its maritime law enforcement. Like the Philippines, Japan also has a dispute with China over the Senkaku Island in the East China Sea. Kishida said his country and the Philippines agreed not to use force or coercion in resolving their maritime conflicts with China. “We agreed that in pursuit of a resolution to maritime conflict, it is important to base action

to the rule of law and peaceful means and not through force and coercion,” he said. Yasay said the Philippines shared the same sentiments on addressing the West Philippine Sea dispute with China. He said they urged China to enforce maritime security based on the rule of law that should be “uncompromisingly respected.” “Using force and provocation in order to assert territory is not the kind of action mandated by international law,” Yasay said.

tion “increased levels of violence, intimidation and corruption usually associated with drug markets,” the group added. Palace Spokesperson Ernesto Abella, however, defended that the President, saying he “has never ordered extrajudicial killings” and that he was “deeply concerned about what’s happening.” But Amnesty International reminded the Duterte administration that the government should “protect people from all forms of violence, including an obligation of due diligence to prevent or to promptly, independently and impartially investigate” all killings. The group also said perpetrators of the increasing vigilante-style executions of drug suspects must be brought to justice. Meanwhile, students from dif-

ferent universities in Metro Manila held simultaneous candle-lighting protests Thursday, to demand justice for the victims of summary executions and extrajudicial killings in the country. “We light these candles as expression of the youth’s strongest condemnation against all the killings experienced by the Filipino people. This is not just for the victims of drug-related killings, but also to denounce the persistent killings of our lumad brothers and sisters,” Kevin Castro, National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) spokesperson said. “Such atrocities have to end. President Duterte promised to have the lumad return home after years of displacement from their ancestral land. The President needs to keep

his word and immediately execute orders to pull out all military forces from their lands.” “Regarding the war-on-drugs campaign of the administration, we are urging the state to uphold due process with their drug-related operations,” the students said. Vigilante killings, they added, would not stop the country’s drug problems but uphold the worsening culture of impunity. The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines on Thursday called on the government to concentrate its efforts on alleviating poverty and not killing suspected drug pushers and users. Romblon Bishop Arturo Bastes, CBCP-Episcopal Commission on Mission chairman, said poverty is the root cause of drug pushing for many families to survive.

3...

Martial...

Constitution. “I think Panelo is rewriting the Constitution,” Drilon said. The Senate leader said Article VII, Section 18 of the 1987 Constitution states that, “In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding 60 days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.” “I think it is time that attorney Panelo review basic legal principles to better serve the country as the President’s chief legal counsel and to avoid issuing erroneous and reckless statements,” Drilon, a top Liberal Party official, said. Panelo shot back and insisted that the magnitude of drug cases may warrant the declaration of martial law. “Mr. Drilon, this is the Duterte

Constitution or the 1987 Philippine Constitution. Read it with depth, not superficially,” he said. Also on Thursday, another Liberal Party member, Senator Leila de Lima described as “worrisome” Duterte’s off-the-cuff remark about declaring martial law. She said the threat to declare martial law was disproportionate the problem at hand. Some senators said Duterte’s threat should not be taken seriously. “Let us not trivialize martial law. I know his style at least from what we’ve seen in the past and even while he was still a mayor. I’ve heard him say a lot of controversial things, funny things sometimes but controversial nonetheless,” said Senator Grace Poe, who ran for president against Duterte but lost. With John Paolo Bencito

Law...

of the proceedings in court if any of Caparas’ resolutions had been elevated in court. He required the Department of Justice’s docket section to immediately turn over all case records with motions for reconsideration filed by the party or parties aggrieved by the resolutions issued by Caparas to his office. Earlier, businessman and newly elected 1-Pacman Party-list Rep. Michael Romero sought the stay of execution of Caparas’ resolution ordering

his and two other people’s indictment for qualified theft for issuing corporate checks worth P9 million. The resolution dated June 13, 2016, which was issued by Caparas, reversed the June 18, 2015 resolution of the Justice Department that upheld the joint resolution dated March 6, 2015, and the resolution dated April 21, 2015, issued by Assistant State Prosecutor Susan Dacanay as acting City Prosecutor of Quezon City. Rey E. Requejo

From A1

Constitution allows the President to declare martial law, not only in case of invasion or rebellion, but also when public safety requires it. But Drilon, who served as Justice secretary, said the1987 Constitution only allows the declaration of martial law upon the concurrence of two requisites: one, when there is actual invasion or rebellion and two, when public safety requires it. These two requisites must be present, which Panelo conveniently disregarded, he noted. Drilon lectured Panelo, saying that the phrase “when public safety requires it” under the present Constitution is not a ground upon itself, but a condition that qualifies the two grounds provided under the

Midnight... From A1

to Prosecutor General Claro Arellano, all senior deputy state prosecutors, senior assistant state prosecutors, assistant state prosecutors, prosecution attorneys and all regional, provincial, city prosecutors and their deputies, senior assistants and assistant prosecutors. Aguirre also ordered prosecutors to move for the suspension

From A1

The NEA’s mandate has already ended, but is causing trouble to some 129 electric cooperatives nationwide, he said. Evasco acknowledged that many people would lose their jobs if the national agencies were abolished, and said his proposals would have to be studied further. Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella added that nothing was final. “The Cabinet secretary was discussing the matter with some Bohol mayors and other government officials when he floated the idea of abolishing the NIA, NEA and NFA to get the actual pulse, and to determine the viability of said offices. Nothing is final,” Abella said.

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against the victims of Martial law. Human rights groups and the victims of Martial Law have appealed to Duterte to “reconsider his decision” to confer national honors on Marcos, “a dictator, a murderer and a plunderer.” “The move, if pursued, [would be] a mockery of and an insult to the Filipinos’ sacrifices and struggle for freedom and democracy,” said Cristina Palabay, secretarygeneral of rights group Karapatan. “It [would be] a thickheaded whitewash of the crimes that Marcos committed against the people.” But Abella said burying the late dictator at the Libingan ng mga Bayani would not dilute the essence of Republic Act 10368, or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, which is seen as the official recognition by the government of the atrocities that the Martial Law regime committed against its own people and for which it will grant reparation. Amid the continuing opposition from critics and even his closest allies, Duterte has maintained he will allow Marcos’ burial, a promise he made during the presidential campaign. Marcos’ body has been preserved for the longest time in a refrigerated crypt in Ilocos Norte. John Paolo Bencito

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DoJ raps 4 cops for bogus drug raids By Rey E. Requejo THE Department of Justice has approved the indictment of four so-called “ninja cops” for failure to account for two suitcases of shabu and two vehicles from an allegedly unreported buybust operation in Pampanga. In a 22-page resolution, the DoJ found probable cause to file charges of violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2007 against Chief Inspector Bienvenido P. Reydado, Senior Inspector Romel N. dela Vega, Senior Police Officer 1 Rommel C. Raquipiso, Chief Inspector Arnulfo G. Ibañez and eight John Does. The respondent policemen were tagged as “ninja cops” or police officers who are part of an anti-drugs operating group, but conduct illegal activities like reselling of the contraband. The case arose from the complaint filed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit through Senior Superintendent Albert Ignatius D. Ferro.

IN BRIEF Caloocan poll case dismissed THE Commission on Elections junked the protest filed by former Caloocan mayor Enrico Echiverri against incumbent Mayor Oscar Malapitan due to “insufficiency in form and content.” The decision of the poll body’s 1st Division, comprised of Commissioners Christian Robert S. Lim, Luiz Tito Guia and Ma. Amelia Rowena Guanzon, said Echiverri failed to specify which of the city’s 4,312 precincts or 963 clustered precincts where supposed anomalies occurred. In the last elections, Malapitan garnered more than 300,000 votes while Echiverri got more than 160,000. The 130,000 difference could be translated to a victorious landslide against Echiverri, the public information office said. Jun David

Binay Jr. allowed to travel THE Sandiganbayan on Thursday granted the plea of former Makati City mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay to go out of the country to take his six-year-old daughter to the United States of America for a medical checkup. “The Court, over the prosecution’s opposition, hereby resolves to grant accused permission to travel abroad to Los Angeles, California, United States of America to accompany his daughter on her appointment with immunologist Dr. Ricardo Tan,” the resolution read. The anti-graft court directed Binay to post a travel bond of P680,000. Binay ﬁled a motion to travel with the Third Division to travel to Los Angeles with his daughter to see an allergist and immunologist about his daughter’s skin condition.

Toll-free holidays proposed PARAÑAQUE City Rep. Eric Olivarez urged Congress to pass a law mandating all tollway operators to implement toll holidays on Christmas and New Year Days. He authored House Bill 1169, or Toll Free Holiday Act, seeks to give a toll free holiday starting 10 p.m. every Dec. 24 until 6 a.m. until Dec. 25 and from 10 p.m. every Dec. 31 until 6 a.m. of Jan. 1. “The toll free eves on Christmas and New Year has been a tradition of toll way operators of the Skyway System, South Luzon Expressway and Star Tollway for many years as a way of expressing their gratitude to the motoring patrons and as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he said. Rio N. Araja

THE FIGHT CONTINUES. Victor Rodriguez, lawyer of Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., hands over a pleading to a clerk of the Commission on Elections in Intramuros, Manila in relation to the election case of Marcos. Ey Acasio

No August salary hike, Diokno says By John Paolo Bencito and Macon R. Araneta

HE salary increase that President Rodrigo Duterte promised to security forces cannot yet be implemented in August or even the rest of the year because there is no appropriation in the budget for the purpose, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno told senators on Thursday.

“We cannot promise this August because, as you know, there is nothing in the budget for that. I don’t want to commit a violation of the [Disbursement Acceleration Program] rule [of the Supreme Court]. We cannot

spend on something that is not authorized by Congress,” Diokno said. The budget department, however, is “looking at a threeyear trajectory” to ﬁx the current salaries and at least increase

the “take home pay” of soldiers, if not their full salary, Diokno said. “Maybe [in the] last quarter, we’ll give them rice allowance of 20 kilos per month,” the same amount allotted for beneﬁciaries of the conditional cash transfer program, “but we’re very careful not to spend for something Congress never authorized,” he said. In previous speeches, Duterte vowed to give an “incremental’ salary raise for soldiers and other uniformed personnel by August, asking Diokno to ‘look for a way’ to raise the money for the promised salary increase. “I told Secretary Diokno that I will lose face in front of soldiers if I don’t give the increase. I told him that he needs

to look for a way. Starting next month, you will have incremental increase in your salaries. I promise double, you will get it,” Duterte said. As part of his plan to end the drug menace, Duterte had repeatedly promised to security forces that he will increase their gross pay but that would require P70 billion—P50 billion for active personnel and P20 billion for retired ofﬁcers, Diokno said. Diokno said he could not reveal speciﬁcs because he would need Duterte’s approval “but the idea is really to double their take-home pay, not necessarily the basic pay because, as you know, this has an implication [on] the pension[s] of the military,” he said.

Lawmakers deny abetting Reds By Rio N. Araja THE Makabayan bloc and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate on Thursday denied giving out government funds to the New People’s Army to ﬁnance its rebellion against the government. The two organizations have “always been transparent in our

funds” since they joined the par- government went to the NPA to ty-list elections in 2001, he said. buy arms. “We are not funding the NPA,” he “It has been the same during the stressed. Arroyo administration, wherein He tagged as “dangerous” the we were viliﬁed. This is dangerous allegations of the Duterte adminsince such viliﬁcation resulted in Manila istration accusing some party-lists the killings of many of our memStandard of having links to the CommunistTODAY bers,” he said. Party of the Philippines, and that Speaking before government the funds they received from the troops in Labanga, Zamboanga del

IBP supports SC ruling on judges THE Integrated Bar of the Philippines on Thursday backed the Supreme Court’s order requiring the Ofﬁce of the Executive Secretary to submit a formal complaint against four incumbent judges named by President Rodrigo Duterte as allegedly involved in illegal drugs trade. The IBP, through its national president and chairman of the board Rosario Setia-Reyes, appealed to Malacañang to respect the separation of powers amidst its all-out war policy against illegal drugs in the country. The country’s mandatory organization of lawyers said while judges and justices are appointees of the President, it is a basic rule that disciplinary power over them is lodged ex-

clusively in the SC. “Separation of powers ensures that no branch of government is controlled or subjected to the influence of another,” the IBP said in a statement. “The principle finds no more cogent application than in the case of our judges who are sworn to be impartial and must resolve cases based only on the facts and the applicable law,” it added. The IBP stressed that the SC acted well within its powers in ordering Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to submit a formal complaint-affidavits against the four judges within seven days and furnishing the judges with a copy of the complaint. The group said directive is in line with the rules of administrative due process.

Sur last, President Rodrigo Duterte accused several party-lists of getting money from government so they could fund the activities of the communist NPA. He also called for the abolition of party-list system, saying many of its representatives do not belong to the poor and marginalized sector of society.

Fight vs poliovirus continues —Health By Cathrine Mae V. Gonzales ALTHOUGH the last polio case in the country was in 1993, the Department of Health reiterated that Filipino children cannot be considered safe from the illness because the poliovirus-2 easily moves from one country to another. “We will not stop until the whole world is polio-free,” Health Secretary Paulyn Jean Rosell-Ubial said as she led a ceremonial destruction of infected samples. “This will be another milestone towards polio eradication,” Ubial said, adding that poliomyelitis dipped by 99 percent worldwide from an estimated 350,000 cases to 74 reported last year, according to the latest data of the World Health Organization. “Imagine how many children were saved,” Ubial said during the ceremony which is part of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative [GPEI] which now aims to ensure that all wild poliovirus stocks are safely contained by 2018. Last year, it also destroyed all WPV isolates and clinical samples. The Health secretary also explained that surveillance and immunization are the most important steps in the global ﬁght.

Continuing its caravan of charitable acts. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) gave away school kits consisting of a backpack with notebooks, a milieu of school supplies and food packs to the 300 kinder and grade school pupils of Jose Magsaysay Elementary School in Brgy. Olympia, Makati City. In photo are (L-R) WCKF volunteer Ms. Sophia P. Gonzalo, WCKF head volunteer Gen. Edilberto P. Adan (ret.), faculty and staff of Jose Magsaysay Elementary School, WCKF volunteer Mr. Camelo Noel H. Navarro, WCKF Scholar and Volunteer Ms. Juliana V. Adviento WCKF coordinator Ms. Cristina C. Villanueva and WCKF volunteer Ms. Gladys M. Lopez.

Opinion

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Adelle Chua, Editor

EDITORIAL

Single authority

“SINGLE, synchronized” authority to effectively manage the traffic system in Metro Manila has emerged as one of the initial solutions to the major problem besetting commuters. The Senate committee on public services started hearings on the proposal to grant President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers to solve the country’s transporta-

tion problems. The traffic mess in the metropolis, however, is caused by many factors; it requires long-term solutions that emergency powers may not provide. Pinpointing the immediate causes of the problem is a start. Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade noted in Wednesday’s hearing the unwieldy set-up in Metro Manila’s traffic manage-

ment, which is shared among the Metro Manila Development Authority, the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, the Land Transportation Office and local government units. Tugade also raised the possibility of suspending the power of LGUs relating to traffic systems for the duration of the implementation of the

emergency powers. The specific proposal is relevant if the emergency power results in the creation of a single authority to deal with the traffic in the national capital region. The current role of the LGUs in managing traffic is a mockery of the MMDA. LGUs in the past have defied MMDA’s administrative and supervisory objectives, resulting in uncoordinated traffic

management. LGUs and their executives have limited perception of the problem at hand because of the priority they give to their constituents. Beyond traffic management, President Duterte’s emergency powers should lead to the fast-tracking of roads, rail networks and other infrastructure projects that will serve as the long-term solution to the traffic

chaos. For starters, the special powers should be used to remove provincial bus stations along major thoroughfares. These terminals contribute significantly to traffic congestion, which are surprisingly tolerated by the LGUs. Mr. Duterte’s emergency powers cover a limited period. They should be judiciously used so that they can produce immediate results. VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ

Traffic and graft

On the precipice BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO WE ARE living in dangerous times. It’s the open season for killing drug suspects. The government is not only standing on dangerous ground. President Rodrigo Duterte has brought us to the precipice. By his own words, a collision course between the executive and the judiciary could bring the country into a constitutional crisis. In office only 40 days, the President is already talking about declaring Martial Law? This, after a heated verbal exchange with Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno over his warrantless war on drugs and release of a list of high-profile suspects. Realizing the backlash of the President’s veiled threat, the Palace press office issued

a statement saying Mr.Duterte was only asking a rhetorical question. Malacanang’s clarification, however, ran counter to the President’s statement he would direct all officials of the Executive branch not to follow any high court order that would hamper the anti-drug war. Duterte was incensed that a high public official, no less than the chief magistrate, had questioned his unorthodox method in the anti-drugs campaign. He said Sereno was appointed during the Aquino administration that did nothing in six years to fix the pervasive drug problem. Chief Justice Sereno knows going down the level of Duterte’s diatribe is a no-win situation. She has wisely chosen not to engage the President in a further war of words. In essence, Duterte threatened to assume emergency powers and bypass all those who are obstructing his plan to effect change in the shortest time possible. Congress is already proposing emergency

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powers for the President to solve the traffic problem. Some senators, however, are skeptical about cloaking the President with too much power, more than he needs to solve even Metro Manila’s traffic mess.

What has President Duterte done?” Duterte warned of a constitutional crisis if the “obstructionists” continue to stand in his way. If the President is now under pressure to perform, he should not forget he’s the one who had put a self-imposed deadline of stopping crime and drug-trafficking within three to six months upon assumption of office. Duterte has drawn flak over the spate of killing of drug suspects and his release of a list of police and lo-

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

cal officials who are protecting drug lords. Like Sereno, former Justice secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima said due diligence should be exercised before such a list is made public. This is to be fair to those who are still just suspects without hard evidence against them. Duterte’s list included people who are already dead. What else has Duterte done to put the Philippines on the precipice? Well, he has called the American ambassador in Manila “bakla” (gay). This coarse and undiplomatic language isn’t done in civil international relations. For this breach of protocol, the US State Department summoned the charge d’affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Washington to explain this unprecedented remark against the representative of another government—a major ally at that. Duterte’s offensive remark against Ambassador Philip Goldberg was apparently caused by the US envoy’s comment about the President’s rape joke over an

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Australian missionary who was waylaid in Davao. Duterte said he he should have been first in line as Davao mayor when the missionary was gang raped. Goldberg had commented that such a serious crime against women was not a light matter to be joked about. For this correct comment, Goldberg got Duterte’s goat. State Department spokeperson Elizabeth Trudeau also expressed concern over the Duterte administration’s extrajudicial killings of drug suspects. The United Nations, like the US, is alarmed at the series of summary killings. It has come to a point when Duterte could be doing more damage to the country’s reputation than the drug dealers he’s going after. Our embassy in Washington is still without a chief of mission since Ambassador Jose Cuisia turned own Duterte’s offer to extend his appointment. Cuisia had the good sense not to accept 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

I CAUGHT parts of the televised five-hour Senate hearing Wednesday on the proposed grant of emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte so he could deal with the severe traffic and transport crisis in Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. Like an excellent lawyer and self-made logistics entrepreneur that he is, Transportation Secretary Art Tugade made a solid case in portraying the severity of the country’s traffic and transportation problem. With emergency powers from Congress given President Duterte, Tugade needs two years to deal with the two-headed monster. Metro Manila has the worst traffic situation on earth according to Waze, the traffic avoidance app. Metro Manila has 0.2 percent (620 sq kms) of the total national land area but 13 percent (13 million at night and 14 million by day) of the total population. The capital needs 8,000 kms of roads. It only has 5,000 kms. The 3,000-km shortage is the distance between Manila and Tokyo. In six years of the BS Aquino administration, his men did nothing with traffic and transportation, except to mess it up some more with large-scale graft and massive indifference. I don’t think the President needs emergency powers to be able to procure and manufacture locally pronto 6.7-million driver’s licenses and 5.4-million vehicle plates. Drivers and motorists have been able to make do with having no license cards and car plates for the past three years although they have been, in effect, held up by their very own government which ran on the mantra of “kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap” when they were told to pay in advance for the licenses and plates without the Land Transportation Office being able to deliver them. Asked by Senator Ralph Recto whether LTO would refund motorists for undelivered licenses and plates, Secretary Tugade mumbled something about refunds not being possible because the motorists are not apprehended anyway even if their cars do not have LTO plates and they carry only paper driver’s licenses. BS Aquino’s transport people led by the much maligned

Joyce Pangco Pañares Adelle Chua Romel J. Mendez Roberto Cabrera

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Opinion Marcos should be buried at the Libingan

Constitution never set. I refuse to blame him for every single act of abuse of his suborFR. RANHILIO dinates, considering that if that CALLANGAN were our mode of reckoning, all our past presidents would be AQUINO condemnable on account of one WHEN a man is gone, human or the other wicked deed of some decency dictates that he be re- underling. membered for the good he acThe most important reason, complished, and not for his mis- however, is that I do not want takes. None of us wants to be one version of history to be abremembered solutized and for his failings, enshrined and worse, to as historical be condemned dogma. This is I do not want to oblivion bethe version of cause of our one version of those who opfrailties. If that pose Marcos, rule is good for history to be because there is us all, then it another version absolutized and must be good of the story (one for Ferdinand enshrined as which I favor) Marcos. that maintains On many historical dogma.” that he acted in counts he was his best lights, an outstanding as the law and Filipino: outthe system at standing as a law student, out- that time allowed, and commitstanding as a lawyer, outstand- ted the sins and faults to which ing as a legislator, with a degree all of us must in one way or the of intelligence few Filipinos have other plead guilty! matched and can match. My real question is this: What He had the courage to do what exactly is the opposition to his burwas unpopular though needful ial at Libingan ng mga Bayani? By at the time: declare martial law what logic? By what philosophical —something the Constitution principle? By what ethical norm? of 1935 allowed him to do, the By what legal precept? By what metes and bounds of which, that equitable standard?

PENSEES

The Olympics don’t have to be a disaster By Megan McArdle THE Rio Olympics have not yet proved to be the disaster that some had feared. Zika still lurks about, of course, but we haven’t heard the kind of humiliating tales of catastrophes small and large that dogged the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. The best case, however, is still a disaster—for the host. Brazil has spent an estimated $12 billion on the games, and while much of it has gone to upgrading infrastructure, much of it has gone to the sort of infrastructure that doesn’t have great long-term payoffs, like arenas in which to stage little-watched events. When I was in Greece last year to report on the elections and the refugee crisis, virtually everyone I spoke to agreed that the 2004 Athens Olympics had been the apex of modern Greece. Virtually everyone I spoke to also agreed that the Olympics had dealt a painful blow to Greece’s economic condition. The government borrowed a great deal of money to spend on facilities that couldn’t be used for anything after the games had passed. Nor is this unusual. Local boosters frequently argue that the Olympics will produce a wave —a veritable tsunami—of economic benefits. The reality, as the Economist says, is that “prudent city governments should avoid the contests at all costs.” This does not really capture it. Start with all those custom facilities, which have to be built quickly and to an absolutely hard deadline. (Hello, cost overruns!) Add in the need to transport people between the venues, requiring costly infrastructure upgrades. Toss in the fact that after the Olympics has passed on to the next population center, all those sites will need to be maintained, or turned into something else. And the economic benefits? Cities that host the Olympics don’t even necessarily see a

On the... From A4 the offer of extension, sparing himself from a difficult and embarrassing position to explain his President’s odd if not bizarre behavior. We will not name the embassy’s charge d’affaires to spare him the embarrassment and discomfort he’s feeling at the moment no doubt. It must be hard for the country’s ambassadors to serve this President and more so his spokesmen who have to speak from

burst of tourism. And while some of the facilities can later be repurposed for revenue-generating sports, that’s less comfort than you’d think, because publicly financed stadiums in general have a lousy record at boosting local economic activity. The debt to finance these “investments,” on the other hand, is permanent and can be a heavy burden to countries in financial trouble. We could, as Megan Greenwell recently suggested in Wired, hold the Olympics in multiple cities, so that the pain will not fall too heavily on any one place. Allow various cities to invest in permanent venues for one sport they do particularly well, which would both minimize the cost and allow countries to get really, really good at hosting their one sport. But this sort of gives up on the idea of the Olympics, which is supposed to be a great coming together of athletes from every country and many sports. There’s another alternative: We have a traditional Olympics. Really traditional. As in, we hold it in the same spot every time. Somewhere like … Greece. That is the suggestion of Paul Glastris, editor of the Washington Monthly. Olympic Games, after all, do not just involve a lot of investment in physical capital; they also involve developing human capital, which is completely wasted when the Olympics leaves town. Picking a single city sidesteps this problem. And making it Athens sidesteps a lot of the problems of choosing a city, which will inevitably be fraught with political bitterness between north and south, east and west. Greece, unlike the rest of the international community, really does have a uniquely strong claim to become the permanent host of the Games. Granting that claim would let the rest of us off the hook for quadrennial white-elephant exhibitions. That’s a bargain, any way you look at it. Bloomberg both sides of their mouth to explain and make excuses for their boss.. Some are born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Others a foot. They are usually the ones who love to hear the sound of their own voice and pander to the crowd.

LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES Mr. Robles’ column will resume Tuesday.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

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PhilHealth as model in merging SSS and GSIS FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO IT WAS in the summer of 1972— the year Martial Law was declared —when our Medicare program paid its first benefits almost three years since the enactment into law on August 4, 1969 of the Philippine Medical Care Act of 1969. The Social Security System was assigned to administer the program for its members and dependents, while the Government Service Insurance System had to separately administer it to its own. The program that both Systems implemented was the same, yet for some reasons, the separate implementation by two independent agencies resulted in contrasting quality and standard. Notably, the original proponents of the Medicare program envisioned and mandated its extension within three years to all others who were not members of either SSS or GSIS. The program steadily expanded nationwide as more and more hospitals were constructed in remote areas in the next 25 years. Its benefits, however, could only afford to support a small part of actual hospital bills. Medicare was inadequately financed by a low contribution rate. It could not support increases in benefits that would increase the program’s support value and significantly reduce the out-of-pocket hospital expenses of its beneficiaries.

The program had a contribution rate of only 2.5 percent of monthly pay, which was capped initially at a maximum of P300. Even when this cap was increased later to P1,000, the maximum contribution remained at P25 a month. By 1995, a member could still contribute selectively at P0.60 a month and be entitled to the same uniform set of benefits that was being granted to all. Moreover, its coverage remained limited to members of both Systems and extended to self-employed persons and their dependents only after SSS included them in its regular program beginning on Jan. 1, 1980. SSS officials were opposed to any abrupt extension of the program to the remaining uncovered low-income groups for fear of further worsening the program’s precarious financing. They were anticipating that this would happen once these highly-subsidized groups started outnumbering the subsidizing members. The consensus by early 1990s was that Medicare’s vision as a universal and meaningful program would not be realized under its present legislative mandate. Still, the clamor for extending social health insurance to the rest of the population was loud and unstoppable. Thus, on Feb.14, 1995, President Fidel Ramos signed into law the National Health Insurance Act of 1995, which consequently repealed the Medicare Act of 1969 and other laws that had amended it. PhilHealth was created and became the sole administrator of the national social health insurance

for all Filipinos, including SSS and GSIS members and their dependents. Effectively, the SSS and GSIS Medicare programs were merged into a unified and universal PhilHealth. GSIS officials apparently welcomed this development and immediately turned over their Medicare operations to PhilHealth officials in October 1997. In contrast, SSS officials reluctantly turned over, six months later in April 1998, their more extensive Medicare operations and bigger assets to PhilHealth officials. They anticipated that more would be spent administratively by PhilHealth considering that it would have to put up its own personnel and operating infrastructures. Moreover, SSS officials considered unfair that the Medicare funds they had prudently accumulated in the past 25 years would be spent away to subsidize new PhilHealth beneficiaries who have never contributed to SSS before. Truly, in the 2011 website dashboard of PhilHealth, which showed for the last time its premium distribution, employees of government and private sectors contributed 84.2 percent of the total premiums. In return, they only received 52.1 percent of the total benefits paid. Almost 20 years after its creation, PhilHealth as of Dec. 31, 2015 was providing coverage to 93,445,053 Filipinos. This is 92 percent of the population. How did PhilHealth achieve this almost universal coverage? Presidents Gloria Macapagal

Arroyo and Benigno Aquino III made sure that they personally handpicked as PhilHealth presidents and chief executive officers only those who have unquestionable loyalty to them. They then supported—through the national budget—the financial requirements of extending the program to the vast non-paying indigents and barely-paying overseas Filipino workers. For instance, PNoy didn’t hesitate in realigning from the 2016 General Appropriations Act P43.83 billion to subsidize the PhilHealth premiums of indigent families and senior citizens. In contrast, not a single centavo ever came from general revenues for the coverage of any Medicare member and his dependents. Keen observers say, however, that they did it for political considerations, and made their support more pronounced during election years when they actively used PhilHealth to pursue their political agenda. For instance, while campaigning for her election in 2004, PGMA widely distributed PhilHealth cards that carried her photo. In a presidential debate last election, PhilHealth immediately came out publicly to prove the point of PNoy’s anointed candidate against then Mayor Digong Duterte. Sooner or later, we’d pop out the inevitable question—was the merger of the SSS and GSIS Medicare programs into a unified and universal PhilHealth good? If so, why don’t we use it as our model in merging the pension systems of SSS and GSIS?

Confucius has some advice for trading with China By Michael Schuman CONFUCIUS was once asked if there was a single word that could act as a guide throughout one’s life. “Reciprocity,” the sage responded. He then preached a form of the Golden Rule: “What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.” It sometimes seems that China’s policy makers have forgotten this ancient wisdom. More and more, Chinese companies are taking advantage of the openness that the U.S.-led global economic system ensures, but Beijing isn’t reciprocating by allowing foreign companies similar liberties in China. This imbalance is becoming a major impediment for Western companies: While they’re unable to fully benefit from the expansion of the Chinese economy, Chinese companies are buying up vital technologies and setting up new operations around the world, to their great competitive advantage. Despite promises to continue “opening up,” China’s government still bars or restricts foreign companies from engaging in many basic business activities. Chinese automaker Geely purchased Swe-

Traffic... From A4 Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya are thought to be corrupt to the core, that is why so many people are suffering today. For instance, for want of a five-percent kickback, BS Aquino’s henchmen entered into a rotten P3.8 billion yearly contract to maintain the 16-kilometer MRT3 which carries more than 500,000 passengers and which suffers at least one accident daily. But the favored contractor did not maintain the trains because that precisely was the way to make money—pocket it outright without having to spend for maintenance. But if BS Aquino’s Matuwid na Daan henchmen just wanted five percent or P190 million, why didn’t they just grab the money elsewhere? Like getting it from casino winnings and Pagcor would have been just too willing to cooperate with the scam. NCR traffic costs the economy P3 billion a day plus $400 million in annual medical expenses because of traffic pollution. MRT3 accounts for 42 percent of daily passenger traffic, mean-

den’s Volvo in 2010, but foreign carmakers can still only manufacture in China with a local partner. Property group Wanda is busy buying a Hollywood empire—purchasing theater operator AMC in 2012 and production house Legendary Entertainment earlier this year—but foreign firms still face limits when investing in the movie business in China. The Bank of China bought itself a ritzy new office in Manhattan, while in China the expansion of foreign banks and insurance companies has been constrained by regulators. The list goes on. As China grows richer and more powerful, this double standard is increasingly irking its trading partners. But current policies for challenging China’s behavior don’t work particularly well either. The World Trade Organization ruled in 2012 that Chinese regulations discriminated against foreign card-payment companies (such as MasterCard and Visa) in domestic yuan transactions, yet Beijing took four years to even release guidelines to make it possible for them to apply for a license. Reciprocity offers a better solu-

tion. The US and other countries should place restrictions on Chinese companies to match those China imposes on foreigners. These should be narrowly defined and carefully targeted, and the US should remember that investment from China could be an important source of future jobs. But if Chinese bureaucrats are slowing the advance of foreign financial firms, for instance, the US should restrict the expansion of Chinese financial companies in its own market. Unlike tariffs, such reciprocity wouldn’t have a huge impact on American households. With so many choices already on the market, it won’t matter to the average American if the expansion of certain Chinese companies is impeded. Over the long term, such steps may actually help the American economy by keeping important technologies out of Chinese hands and ensuring that US companies maintain an edge in know-how versus their hard-charging rivals. This isn’t the type of reciprocity Confucius had in mind. He would’ve advised the West to take the moral high ground and maintain its liberal policies, in the expectation

that China would eventually see the light and respond in kind. To many in the US, a reciprocal approach might seem a gross violation of the country’s cherished free-market principles. But what the West has to realize is that China isn’t wedded to those same principles. It engages the global economic system without feeling bound by its norms, and crafts economic policies to advance its national agenda. The US and its allies have to reciprocate to protect their interests. China might respond by slapping even more controls on foreign businesses. That would be bad for all sides. But the reality is that China is already making it harder for foreign companies to do business there:. Even Confucius realized that there’s a fine line between being a gentleman and being a chump. He was once asked whether wrongdoing should be met with kindness. “With what then will you recompense kindness?” he asked. “Recompense injury with justice and recompense kindness with kindness.” In trade as in life, that’s good advice. Bloomberg

ing if MRT3 had been properly maintained, the economy would have saved about P1 billion in traffic expenses. Graft is also the main reason why LTO has no licenses and car plates. Aquino’s henchmen, again led by Abaya, thought of requiring all motor vehicles, old and new, to change their license plates and to pay P430 per car per pair of plates. Bribery was also the idea behind the lack of driver’s licenses. How do you make money? Collect the money but do not deliver the product. Aquino’s Matuwid na Daan men blamed the Commission on Audit and the courts for disallowing the entry and use of imported plates. CoA disallowed it because LTO did not have a budget approved by Congress to contract and import so many car plates. The courts because the foreign manufacturer of the plates sued for not being paid for his plates. Neat, di ba? So now, Tugade’s problem is reduced into three Cs—cash, CoA and the courts. The DOT wants cash badly so he can buy, short and long term, new trains and train parts for

MRT3 and the three other train systems—LRT1, LRT 2 and the Philippine National Railways. The money can be pooled into what he calls a sinking fund and not sourced from the annual government budget. As for CoA and the courts, Duterte doesn’t need emergency powers to deal with them. He can always apply his shockand-awe formula—meaning threaten them with arrest, if not lethal prejudice, in the same manner he has threatened to declare Martial Law if the Chief Justice hamstrings the summary killings of alleged drug lords and their victims. I am sure intelligence agents of the army and the police can compile nasty narratives about erring CoA people to make them toe the line. And being the appointing authority for judges, he can threaten judges and would-be judges with not only “shock and awe” (or death threats), but also with outright removal, demotion or promotion, depending on the circumstances. This leaves the issue of cash. Can Tugade be trusted with so much emergency cash not sub-

ject to usual audit and procurement rules? Yes, I must say, based on my first impression of him. Can the men under him be trusted? The Transport chief says he should be held responsible for the actions of his men. Pending in the Senate are three bills granting emergency powers to Duterte to deal with the traffic and the transport shortage. Frank Drilon’s proposed Transportation Crisis Act authorizes the President “to adopt alternative methods of procurement for the construction, repair, rehabilitation, improvement and maintenance of the transportation projects.” In effect, the Senate would want the President to fast-track procurement and to abolish and create new offices without the usual safeguards. Also, the courts cannot intervene with their restraining orders. Senate Public Services Committee Chairman Grace Poe says emergency power must comply with three things: it should be compliant with the freedom-ofinformation-law, it should not result in higher costs for consumers, and it should have a deadline, like two years.

Sports

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 A6 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Bayron takes charge with a 5-under 66, leads by 4 shots SILANG, Cavite—Rufino Bayron took advantage of benign condition despite a late tee-off then bucked the terrors lurking on Langer’s tough greens to fire a five-under 66 and storm to a four-stroke lead as erstwhile leader Micah Shin bombed out at the finish halfway through the ICTSI Riviera Classic here yesterday. Bayron, seeking an end to a two-year title spell, came away with three birdies in the last seven holes at the front to complete a 3234 card in the last flight then found himself with a huge lead as Shin blew what had been another solid start with a shaky finish of four bogeys in the last seven holes at the back for a 72. That enabled Bayron, who shot a 67 Wednesday, to wrest control at nine-under 133, moving him 36 holes away from nailing his first victory since topping the Asian Development Tour leg at Orchard in 2014. Shin, impressive with an opening 65, looked headed for another superb round after he birdied No. 10 for the second straight day to go three-under. But he missed the par3 12th, dropped another stroke on No. 14 then bogeyed the last two.

He slipped to joint second at 137 in a tie with a charging Clyde Mondilla, who continued to outplay last week’s Aboitiz Invitational winner Jay Bayron and Philippine Golf Tour four-leg winner Tony Lascuña and carded a three-under 68. Nicolas Paez, who had a so-so 72 in the first round of the P2 million championship sponsored by ICTSI, made an early charge of eagle-birdie feat at the back and birdied No. 1 to wheel back into contention. But the American, who led in the middle rounds at Wack Wack last week but fumbled in the final day, missed a couple of birdie chances and bogeyed No. 8 to settle for a 68 and a share of fourth with Jobim Carlos and Jay Bayron at 140, seven strokes off the pace. Carlos squandered a two-under card with bogeys on Nos. 14 and 17 for a 71 while Jay Bayron, eyeing a second straight win following his two-shot win over Malaysian Gavin Green at Wack Wack, missed grabbing solo fourth with a bogey on the ninth for a 69. Rico Depilo carded a 70 to grab solo seventh at 142 while Artemio Murakami and John Rey Pactolerin fired identical 70s

to join Charles Hong and Rey Pagunsan, who both shot 71s, and Jhonnel Ababa, who wavered with a 73, at 144. Lascuña, who strung up three straight wins at Eagle Ridge, Forest Hills and Bacolod, hardly recovered from an opening 74 with an even par 71 for a share of 13th at 145 with Japanese Shotaro Onuki and Korean Jun Min Seok, who turned in a pair of 70s, Paul Echavez, who fumbled with a 72, and Alvin Engino, who hobbled with a 76. Elmer Salvador, back-to-back champion of this event organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc. and backed by Custom Clubmakers, adidas, KZG, Summit Mineral Water, Srixon, Pacsports, TaylorMade, Sharp and Champion, virtually bowed out of title race with a second 73 for a 146, falling behind by 13 strokes. Rufino Bayron, who missed the cut at Wack Wack but came out strong here with a 67, rammed in three birdies against a bogey at the back yesterday then after a birdiebogey start at the front, the former national standout birdied Nos. 3, 5 and 7 to find himself towing a talent-field.

Ruﬁno Bayron watches his drive on No. 9

PH’s Suzuki Cup hosting key to Azkals’ campaign N

OW more than ever, football ofﬁcials and players alike believe that the country’s hosting of the Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup group stage for the ﬁrst time in November will be pivotal in the Azkals’ campaign of achieving a new milestone in the regional football showcase. “Our hosting the Suzuki Cup is very important because we will be playing in front of our own fans,” said Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta Jr. “We are very hopeful that we can top the group and avoid meeting (defending champion) Thailand in the semifinals.” Aside from the Thais, the hosts are bracketed in Group A with the Singaporeans and In-

donesians, who will be playing in their first major international senior tournament since the International Football Federation lifted their country’s suspension in the recent FIFA Congress held in Mexico. Araneta revealed that while the Filipino booters would have some tuneup games overseas before the tournament, “we have scheduled majority of their test matches to be held at the Philip-

pine Sports Stadium in Bulacan so they can fully familiarize themselves with the field.” He pointed out the fact that majority of the players in the national pool are playing with local clubs in the United Football League “so they be can be easily assembled by Coach Thomas Dooley. The league will finish early enough so they can start training as soon as possible for the Suzuki Cup. “We would like to thank the continued cooperation of the UFL clubs in releasing these players to the national team.” Filipino-Iranian striker Misagh Bahadoran, whose career has blossomed under Dooley’s watch, was also bullish about the staging of the group eliminations in the country “because we want to show our rivals that

we cannot be easily beaten at home.” Bahadoran acknowledged that the Thais, who booted out the Filipinos in the Suzuki Cup semis two years ago, would be tough. “But I believe we can beat Singapore and Indonesia and reach the semifinals once again.” Bahadoran is banking on the hometown crowd to come out in full force and watch the games at the Philippine Sports Stadium. “This is because they provide us with the inspiration and energy we need so we can perform extremely well and beat our opponents,” he said. Stallion FC coach Ernie Nierras sees the hosting as a “golden opportunity for Azkals to go beyond the semifinals, enter the finals and quite possibly win their first championship.

“Under coach Thomas and with most of our players (in the national pool) in the UFL, the time is ripe for Philippine football to attain a new breakthrough.” Also the Stallion FC team co-owner, the former national women’s team mentor also urged the other UFL clubs to become engaged and launch their own campaigns in drawing fans to pack the 25,000-capacity Philippine Sports Stadium to the rafters and watch the Azkals play. “The PFF cannot do it alone in promoting the Azkals and the Suzuki Cup. Like what Stallion FC is now doing, I urge our fellow UFL clubs to go door-todoor and woo our sports fans and support this major event and our team,” Nierras said.

IEE-Mitsubishi cagefest begins

Miteku, IEE President Ramoncito Ocampo, Assistant Vice President Francis Sarrondo and IEE Vice President Melecio Vicencio presented Cristina Abril, the winner of the muse competition during the Basketball tournament

INTERNATIONAL Elevator & Equipment, Inc., one of the leading suppliers of elevators and escalators in the country and a member of Mitsubishi Electric Group of Companies, hosted its annual invitational basketball tournament at the San Andres Sports Complex, Manila with 12 participating teams. “We started from four teams back in 2014 when the tournament was initially created and now I am happy to announce that we have a total of 12 teams. We believe that through this tournament, we will develop stronger friendship and a closer partnership with our clients,” said Melecio Vicencio, IEE Vice President. All the teams in their assigned colors complete with their jersey uniforms paraded, while serenaded by the Muntin-

lupa Lyre Band. The games were officially opened by IEE President, Ramoncito Ocampo, with L.R. Punsalan & Associates and W. V. Coscolluela & Associates clashing in the first game. Meinhardt Philippines and ELS Consultancy played last. Other companies that took part in the cagefest include Casas + Architects, IEE, RTM Mechanical Engineering Services, R. J. Calpo & Company Inc., RMDA Architects, TCGI Engineers, A.F. Navarette and Partners and ECO Solutions. Participants were treated with gifts through a raffle, while several IEE products were given away including pocket ninja, survival kit, mini fan, VR box, humidifier, ventilator, jet towel and some luggage organizers. The tournament will run until Sept. 1.

45 keglerettes vie in Bowling World Cup on Sunday FORTY-FIVE lady pintopplers, led by seasoned international performers Liza del Rosario and Liza Clutario, will shoot 10 games on Sunday at Coronado Lanes (Starlanes) at they bid for honors in the 2016 Bowling World Cup national finals. Other well-known Filipino lady bowlers who made it to the national finals after hurdling the elimination and center fi-

nals in 13 different centers are Mades Arles, Krizziah Tabora and Lara Posadas. The top 34 finishers after Sunday’s competition will advance to the second round scheduled on Wednesday, August 17 at Paeng’s Midtown. They will play an additional 10 games with lane changes after each game to determine the top eight who will compete on the third day on August 19 at SM

North Edsa. The ladies’ champion, together with the men’s winner, will represent the Philippines in the 2016 BWC international finals set on October 14-23 at Hao’s Bowling Centre in Shanghai, China. Del Rosario also carried the national colors in last year’s international finals at Sam’s Town in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The lady finalists are: Ann Itaraldde, Gelyn Pulayan, Dhel Marquez, Leah Naorbe, Juvy Santiago, Arcelita Ledesma, Jessica Rivera, Tina Ocampo, Rochelle Munsayac, Winifred Kilito, Silva Yap, Gina Varilla, Sherry Ann Cruz, Pure Anselmo, Donie Bautista, Allen Joy Laigo, Krizzia Taborah, Bea Camille Santarin, Elvira Khen Abad, Editha Sarmiento, Ayed Luzon;

Chit Leoncio, Susan Viray, Lara Posadas, Chilet de Leon, Evelyn Gamboa, Arlena Bucao, Jo Anne Bonifacio, Chato Martirez, Ofelia San Jose, Louise Sophia Santarin, Mades Arles, Cita Yumul, Andy Bea, Liza Clutario, Liza del Rosario, Liza Pabico, Glen Cadag, Tina Veranga, Cindy Edquilane, Lani Quilatan, Mildred Estrellado, Ophelia Ireberri and Myrna Bautista.

Western Michigan bet joins net meet ERIC “Jed” Olivarez Jr., taking time out from his studies at Western Michigan U, hopes to make the most of his vacation as he joins the elite men’s Open field in the seventh Olivarez Cup which gets going Sunday (Aug. 14) at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque. A member of the seven-man Broncos tennis team, Olivarez finished 12-6 in singles, including an 8-4 record in Fall tournaments during the 201516 campaign. He kicked off the season by winning five straight matches and ended it winning his last four. But he is expected to have his hands full against a slew of talented players in the fullpacked 64-man field, headed by veteran Johnny Arcilla, Patrick John Tierro, Elbert Anasta and Fritz Verdad. Olivarez is listed as No. 12 and drew an opening round bye in the six-day tournament, capping a three-week long tennis festival put up 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 help in the talent-search. He will take on the winner between Jacob Martin and Raymund Diaz on Monday. With Palawan Pawnshop as chief backer and the Slazenger as the official ball, the Olivarez Cup also features the juniors age-group and the inter-school. “It is our desire to help and further develop the sport and produce world class players because we believe that Filipino netters can be at par with the world’s best,” said Palawan Pawnshop COO Bobby Castro. Heading the ladies Open singles cast are Marian Capadocia, Clarice Patrimonio, Maia Balce, Marinel Rudas, Christine Patrimonio, Hannah Espinosa, Rafaella Villanueva and last year’s winner Khim Iglupas. Meanwhile, 16 teams gear up for a fierce showdown for the seventh Olivarez Open men’s interschool team championship which fires off tomorrow (Saturday) with Ateneo clashing with Perpetual Help and Letran tangling with La SalleZobel starting at 7 a.m. Also on tap are the UST 1-Rizal Technological U duel, the Enderun College-UP II faceoff, UST II-Arellano I clash, the La Salle-Zobel II-UP 1 matchup, the Letran I-Jose Rizal U match, and the Arellano II-La Salle showdown.

Sports

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Bolt takes center-stage as athletics seeks redemption R IO DE JANEIRO—The history-chasing exploits of Usain Bolt will take center-stage as the Olympic track and ﬁeld competition begins on Friday with the drug-tarnished sport seeking rebirth after a year of shame.

Ten days of competition in Rio de Janeiro’s Olympic Stadium get under way with officials keen to draw a line under a miserable 12 months which has left the athletics’ image languishing at an alltime low. As ever, it will be left to track and field’s greatest showman, Bolt, to restore the feel-good factor as the sport attempts to turn the page on the Russian doping scandal and corruption allegations. In his last Olympics, Jamaican

star Bolt is gunning for 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay gold after sweeping the titles in 2008 and 2012. The first leg of Bolt’s “Treble Treble” quest gets under way on Saturday, with the opening heats of the 100m before the final on Sunday. “As a young kid you grow up looking forward to the big games,” said Bolt. “Championships are what matters. This is what I do.” Just as he was at the World Championships in Beijing, Bolt is likely to find himself cast as the

good guy in a hero vs. villain duel with long-time rival Justin Gatlin. Bolt has the 9.58sec 100m world record, but Gatlin is the fastest man in the world this season over 100m and he continues to polarise opinion over his two doping bans. At an Olympics which has seen ugly spats in the swimming pool involving athletes with drug-tainted records, it is a safe bet that Gatlin will once again find his past under scrutiny. Treated with courtesy Sebastian Coe, the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), says he hopes Gatlin will be treated politely by fellow competitors. “I can’t change my view on (Gatlin) but he’s eligible to compete and he should be accorded the

same courtesy as any athlete who is within these rules is accorded,” said Coe, who last year said the thought of Gatlin winning the 100m in Beijing made him “queasy”. Coe said he hoped fans watching track and field would cast aside cynicism, even if the “the last year has sorely tested all of us.” “I genuinely hope that those people that are watching our sport are watching with hope and they’re watching with excitement and they’re watching with belief,” Coe said. The first of 47 gold medals —and 141 overall—will be decided on Friday with the women’s 10,000m, where Ethiopia’s defending champion Tirunesh Dibaba will attempt to make Olympic history by becoming the first woman

to win three consecutive times in an individual athletics event. Dibaba’s tilt at history is just one of several compelling storylines unfolding over the second week of the Games. Saturday’s action will see another star chasing three-peat immortality, when Jamaica’s ShellyAnn Fraser-Pryce attempts to complete an unprecedented hattrick of Olympic gold in the woman’s 100m. The 29-year-old however could face a stiff challenge from compatriot Elaine Thompson, the fastest woman in the world this year with a time of 10.70 seconds. Flying Dutchwoman Dafne Schippers could also be in the hunt for medals, but is widely seen as the bigger threat in the 200m. AFP

Scribes, Poker King in semis Games Friday

(Rizal Memorial Coliseum) 7:30 p.m. Bangko Sentral vs Full Blast Digicomms 8:45 p.m. Poker King Club vs Sportswriters

THE Sportswriters and Poker King Club came away with convincing wins Wednesday night to set up a semifinal clash in the 2016 Friendship Cup - Para Kay Mike Basketball for a Cause Tournament at Rizal Memorial Coliseum. Top seed Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas also prevailed over Sports 5 via forfeiture to clinch a semifinal berth. BSP will meet Full Blast Digicomms for a place in the finals. The Sportswriters, whose campaign is supported by MJM Productions and GlobalPort, hammered out a 93-75 victory over Sports Photographers. Roy Cayanan fired 33 points, while Cedelf Tupas of Philippine Daily Inquirer wound up with 27 points on seven three pointers as the Sportswriters shook off a rough start. The Sportswriters, who finished the elimination phase as the No. 2 team, also drew solid games from Jerome Lagunzad of Fox Sports PH, Reuben Terrado and Jan Ballesteros of Spin.ph, Rudolf Retuya and Manny Angeles. PKC overwhelmed Philippine Sports Commission, 10086, while Full Blast Digicomms slipped past Pagcor, 80-78, in another quarterfinal duel. The tournament is held for the benefit of Bandera sportswriter Mike Lee, who suffered a stroke during a coverage in Antique in November last year. Proceeds of the tournament will go to Lee’s CT scan, medical tests, rehabilitation and therapy. Supporting the tournament are F2 Logistics Cargo Movers and SportsCORE, as well as the PSC under chairman Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. The Scores: Poker King Club (100)—Rabe 34, Gonzales 27, Docto 22, Rivera 7, Mendoza 6, Tech 2, Brion 0. PSC (86)—Nazal (34), Goboli 16, Seguilla 11, Eder 9, Samorin 6, Arreja 4, Marbida 2, Velarde 2 Cortel 0. Quarterscores: 26-23, 44-39, 75-53 100-86 Sportswriters (93)—Cayanan 33, Tupas 27, Lagunsad 9, Retuya 7, Angeles 6, Terrado 4, Cardenas 4, Leongson 2, Cagang 1, Ballesteros 0. Photographers (75)—P. Santos 37, N. Santos 19, Heramis 6, Calvelo 6, Rubio 5, Reyes 2. Quarterscores: 20-17, 46-32, 64-46, 93-75.

Usain Bolt dances during a Jamaican Olympic Association and Puma press conference at the Cidade Das Artes in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Golf back for games’ battle

RIO DE JANEIRO—Brazilian professional Adilson da Silva will hit the first Olympic golf shot for 112 years on Thursday as the sport makes its return already fighting for its place in the Games. On a Rio Olympic course that has a caiman crocodile or two hiding among the traps, golf highlights the sixth day of competition along with Australian sisters Cate and Bronte Campbell battling for the women’s 100 metres freestyle in swimming and gymnastics star Simone Biles bidding for a new gold. The 44-year-old da Silva, who is based in South Africa, will be joined by Canada’s Graham Delaet and South Korea’s An Byeong-Hun in the first group out at 1030 GMT. Golf has been campaigning for a long time to get into the Olympics. But the absence of the world’s top four men—Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy—has raised eyebrows. Without openly criticizing golf, International Olympic Committee chief Thomas Bach said the presence of top stars would be “one of the main categories” considered in an evaluation after Rio for inclusion in Tokyo 2020. The IOC will also be looking for a top quality contest from the likes of golf millionaires Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar who are at the Olympic Village. Rugby Sevens, the other new sport in Rio, will see its first men’s champions decided. Favourites Fiji will take on Japan and Britain play South Africa in the semi-finals. Cate Campbell set a new Olympic record qualifying for the women’s 100m freestyle swimming final on Wednesday. But Bronte came in fifth behind American Simone Manuel in her semi-final. Cate is the world record holder and Bronte has the world title. It will be a tough battle, but Manuel and reigning Olympic champion Ranomi Kromowidjojo of the Netherlands will be in there too. AFP

NCAA features All-Star game, dunk, shootout today THE National Collegiate Athletic Association showcases its best talents in the third NCAA All-Star today that features an All-Star game, a slam-dunk competition, a three-point shootout and the newly introduced Shooting All-Stars and the Skills Challenge at The Arena in San Juan City. The East’s Jio Jalalon of Arellano and the West’s Rey Nambatac of Letran lead a stellar cast that also included Arellano’s Kent Salado, Perpetual Help’s Bright Akhuetie, San Beda’s Davon Potts and

Donald Tankoua and Jose Rizal’s Teytey Teodoro and Paolo Pontejos in the one-day festivities that begin at 1 p.m. “This year’s NCAA All-Star edition offers more excitement because we’ve introduced a pair of new events,” said NCAA Management Committee chair Jose Mari Lacson of Season 92 host San Beda. “Also, we also have some new talented players that came out from this year’s batch that should add more spice to an already talent-

laden cast,” he added. The East will also be composed of San Beda’s Dan Sara, Arellano’s Julius Cadavis, Jose Rizal’s Ervin Grospe, Perpetual Help’s Gab Dagangon and AJ Coronel, San Sebastian’s Michael Calisaan, Ryan Costelo and Jerick Fabian are the other members of the East squad. Letran’s McJour Luib and Jomari Sollano, Mapua’s Darell Menina, Andrew Estrella and Exe Biteng, Lyceum of the Phl U’s Ian Alban, MJ Ayaay and Wilson Baltazar, Emilio Aguinaldo’s Jorem Mo-

rada, Francis Munsayac and Sidney Onwubere, and St. Benilde’s JJ Domingo, Yankie Haruna and Christian Fajarito complete the West’s roster. The West, which was mentored by ex-Letran coach Aldin Ayo, edged the East, 89-88, with former St. Benilde standout Jonathan Grey and ex-Letran star Mark Cruz delivering the clutch plays to even up their series at one game apiece. The East will come in as the slight favorite though after the West will be without reigning MVP

Armenian dislocates elbow

Armenia’s Andranik Karapetyan sustains an injury while competing during the Men’s 77kg weightlifting competition at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

RIO DE JANEIRO—Armenian weightlifter Andranik Karapetyan was rushed to hospital in agony after appearing to dislocate his elbow during the men’s 77kg competition at the Rio Olympics. The 20-year-old was in contention for a bronze medal when he attempted to lift 195kg in the clean and jerk. Halfway through the attempt his left elbow seemed to pop out and

Karapetyan screamed in agony before being helped off the platform in tears by members of his coaching team. A short while later he was loaded into an ambulance on a stretcher, with a saline drip attached to him, as several of his team-mates and Armenian staff looked on distraught. Kazakhstan’s Nijat Rahimov won gold while Lyu Xiaojun of China

Blue Eagles, NU Bulldogs on track for Spiker’s Turf II IF THEY stay the course, Ateneo and National University are headed for another face-off for the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference crown. The Eagles and the Bulldogs have hurdled their first two games in emphatic fashions and are looking mean and fierce as they step up their respective bids in the short tournament where every game counts. Only the top two teams from each group of six after the single round robin elims will advance to the crossover semis, making each match important.

Ateneo, which swept NU to clinch the inaugural crown last year, toppled San Beda in three and needed an extra set to repulse another title contender Emilio Aguinaldo College in Group B. The Bulldogs turned in a more impressive start, routing the Far Eastern U Tams and the Philippine Merchant Marine School side in three sets to pace Group A. Perpetual Help has also posted a 2-0 start to share the lead with NU while La Salle and FEU tote identical 1-1 slates and St. Benilde and PMMS have a lot of catching

Allwell Oraeme and CJ Isit of Mapua, Mike Nzeusseu of LPU and Hamadou Laminou of Emilio Aguinaldo, whose names were not submitted by their respective schools due to various reasons. The three-point shootout and slam-dunk competition should also generate the same attention as the game with St. Benilde’s Yankie Haruna and LPU’s Wilson Baltazar out to finally win the dunk and shootout title, respectively, after coming close to win it a season ago.

up to do with 0-2 marks. In Group B, Ateneo actually shares the lead with the equally hot-starting University of Santo Tomas and University of the Philippines with EAC and National College of Business and Arts, last year’s third and fourth placers, respectively, and EAC down with 0-2 slates. While Ateneo dominated its first two rivals, UST and UP beat their opening game foes the easy way but went through a wringer next with the Tigers repulsing the Lions, 25-14, 24-26, 23-25, 25-22, 15-

13, and the Maroons also escaping with a 25-12, 27-25, 23-25, 25-27, 15-13 decision over the NCBA Wildcats. The Eagles, bannered by Marck Espejo, Rex Intal and Paul Koyfman, set out against the Wildcats tomorrow while the Bulldogs, led by Madzlan Gampong, Francis Saura and Bryan Bagunas, gear up for a tough outing against the Archers on Monday, both looking for another win and closer to another semis stint in the league backed by Mikasa as official ball and Accel as official outfitter.

took silver and Egypt’s Mohamed Mahmoud claimed bronze. It comes after China’s Xiang Yianmei earlier dropped a barbell stacked with 118kg on the back of her head, drawing gasps from the crowd. She brushed off the incident to win the women’s 69kg category. “I got hurt a little bit and it feels sore now when I nod my head,” she said later. AFP

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Sports

Carmelo Anthony (15) of the USA Basketball Men’s National Team and his teammates wave to the crowd after beating Australia, 98-88, on Day 5 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Barra Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janerio, Brazil. AFP

Golfer Tabuena leads 5 remaining PH athletes R

IO DE JANEIRO—From 13 athletes, the Philippines is left with only ﬁve bets who will carry on the ﬁght with 10 more days of action in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Jasmine Alkhaldi swam on a chilly day and vied in the women’s 100m freestyle Wednesday, but could not get to the semis at the Olympic Aquatics Center. She wished the remaining Filipino athletes here the best as they try to duplicate weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’ feat and give the Philippines its best finish ever in the Olympics. “Good luck and enjoy the moment. Enjoy being one of the very few Filipinos competing in the Olympics,” said Alkhaldi. That was the same message Diaz, who handed the Philip-

pines its first Olympic medal in 20 years, gave to her fellow athletes before she flew out of Rio. Diaz arrived last night and was expected to receive her P5-million incentive from the Philippine Sports Commission. Chef-de-mission Jose Romasanta echoed Diaz’s farewell message. “Inspired by Hidilyn’s medal feat and heeding her call, ‘Walang bibitiw. Laban lang’ (Don’t quit. Keep up the fight), our remaining five athletes vowed to do just that,” said Romasanta. “We don’t want to put pres-

sure on our remaining bets but another medal of any color will give the Philippines its best-ever finish in the Olympics,” he said. In 1932, the Philippines won three bronze medals courtesy of Simeon Toribio in men’s high jump, Jose Villanueva in men’s boxing (bantamweight) and Teofilo Yldefonso in men’s 200m breaststroke. With Diaz’ silver, another medal of any color here will surpass that 1932 finish. The 23-year-old Alkhaldi, who holds the Philippine record in the 50m, 100m and 200m freestyle, clocked 55.94 seconds, just a fraction off her best time of 56.10. Alkhaldi, who did 57.13 in the 2012 London Olympics, good for 34th among 50 entries, this time landed 33rd

from among 46 competitors. “Overall it was okay. I’m happy with the results. I would have been happier if I swam faster but we got the time that we trained for,” said Alkhaldi. As she headed back to the Athletes’ Village with her American coach Jennifer Buffin, the student at University of Hawaii is still thinking of what’s next for her. “I don’t know yet. I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m not sure yet,” said Alkhaldi, who should end up competing in the 2016 SEA Games in Malaysia. Now left the carry the fight for the Philippine are golfer Miguel Tabuena who competes against some of the world’s best starting Thursday here; marathoner Mary Joy Tabal on Aug. 14; long jumper Maresttella Torres Sunang and 400m hurdles bet

Eric Cray on Aug. 16; and taekwondo’s Kirstie Elaine Alora on Aug. 20, the penultimate day of competition. Tabuena, 21, is confident of putting up a good show in Rio. He’s enjoying his finest season as a pro and has brought his own caddy here from Baguio, Clayton Besset, and swing coach Joel Altea. Tabuena’s father, Luigi, is also here. Filipino sports officials led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco are providing moral support for Tabuena, the reigning Philippine Open champion. “I feel confident,” said Tabuena, adding that if he can only keep his drives on the fairway he will have a good chance at scoring low.

JOVELYN Gonzaga sizzled with 22 points as she led the RC Cola Army Lady Troopers to a 25-18, 25-23, 21-25, 19-25, 15-11 stopping of the Petron Tri Activ Lady Spikers Thursday in the 2016 Philippine Superliga All-Filipino Conference women’s volleyball tournament. Her efforts carried the Lady Troopers to third place when their two-hour battle ended at The Arena in San Juan. Gonzaga struck hardest in the fifth and final set as the Lady Troopers stepped on the gas and took charge with a 6-0 run in the deciding phase of the match. Her big game made up for the absence of injured Rachel Anne Daquis. Gonzaga’s kill shot and a sideout from defenders Frances Molina and Mary Grace Masangkay finally put the Lady Troopers out of trouble, 8-2. “Sabi ko sa kanila, kailangan nating tapusin nang maganda ang conference. Nag-respond naman sila. Iyung service namin sa huli, nakar-

gahan namin. Marami kasing error ng third and fourth,” said Lady Trooper coach Kungfu Reyes. This will be Gonzaga’s final stint with the Lady Troopers in six months as she is going on a long layoff to undergo a candidate soldiers’ course in the Philippine Army, along with seven others. The Lady Troopers, who also got 15 points from Honey Royce Tubino, took the first two sets before the Tri Activ Spikers bounced in back in the third and fourth sets. Petron, with Bernadeth Pons producing 17 points, forced seven deadlocks in the third before they moved away, 22-19, off Cherry Rose Nunag’s placement shot at the net, followed by an ace from Kyle Negrito and an Army error. They took a 19-14 edge in the fourth after Gonzaga committed a service error and Gonzaga fired an ace. Cristina Salak’s jump spike, followed by Gonzaga’s block off Jennylyn Reyes Mina Aganon of Petron scores against Genie Sabas and Sarah Jane Gonzales of RC Cola. allowed Petron to come to within, 21-24. Roman Prospero

Surprising Mahindra faces Phoenix, shoots for solo PBA lead By Jeric Lopez SURPRISE co-league leader Mahindra gets the chance to continue wowing the league and grab solo leadership when its joyride resumes in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. The scorching-hot Enforcers (40) shoot for their fifth straight win when they take on a rejuvenated

Phoenix Fuel (1-3) at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Capping the double-header is an important battle between struggling teams Star and NLEX, which are also toting a dismal 1-3 card like Phoenix, at 7 p.m. as both of them are in dire need of a victory. Currently tied with fellow unbeaten TNT Katropa (4-0) at the top of the pack through its best start in franchise history, Ma-

Games Today

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

hindra can go further as it now has the opportunity to go for solo first place. Enforcers’ deputy head coach Chris Gavina shared the approach that has given Mahindra its initial success.

RIO DE JANEIRO—With the United States in danger of losing for the first time since 2006, NBA stars Carmelo Anthony and Kyrie Irving took command Wednesday to subdue stubborn Australia at the Rio Olympics. The Americans outlasted the upset-minded Aussies 98-88 as Anthony scored a game-high 31 points, 14 of them in the fourth quarter, and Irving sank 12 of his 19 in the last period. “At the end of the day I was in my zone,” Anthony said. “My teammates found me when I was open.” The Knicks star is seeking to become the first three-time gold winner in men’s Olympic basketball. His 31 points leave him as the all-time USA scorer at the Games with 293 points, surpassing LeBron James. San Antonio Spurs guard Patty Mills helped keep Australia in the preliminaryround game with 30 points. The Americans improved to 3-0 in Rio and 83-1 under coach Mike Krzyzewski, who took over not long after the last US loss at the Olympics, a 2004 semi-finals defeat to Argentina that still stings. Australian teams are 0-19 against the US, but the fullgame test they posed may fuel belief among other teams that the US squad can be threatened and perhaps denied a third consecutive gold medal. “We’re a bit disappointed. We lost,” star Aussie center Andrew Bogut said. “We had every opportunity to win the game. That’s an attitude change. We have a different feeling now and we want to keep that going.” The Aussies have four NBA champion players and established themselves as perhaps the Americans’ biggest rivals for gold. Asked if the game was a USA wake-up call, US guard Paul George said: “It definitely got real.” “We’re probably going to see them again and we’ve got to do a better job of matching them,” he said. AFP

Nietes training early By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Gonzaga lifts RC Cola to Superliga 3rd place By Peter Atencio

Carmelo powers US past Australia

“Coming into this conference, we really wanted to be extremely prepared and it is paying off,” said Gavina. “We have our skills honed for any kind of environment we’re going to face.” The Enforcers will continue to miss the services of ace point guard LA Revilla, who is recovering from a broken nose. Mahindra’s meeting with a reenergized Fuel Masters’ side is in-

triguing as Phoenix got a new lease on life through its prolific new reinforcement, Eugene Phelps, who had a sensational debut. He scored a season-high 52 points to give Phoenix its first win of the conference, a 120-107 rout of hapless GlobalPort last July 31. Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia admitted that the addition of the talented Phelps instantly uplifts his team’s play.

WHEN the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, World Boxing Organization light flyweight Donnie Nietes moves up to test the waters at flyweight in a showdown with former world champion and current worldrated No. 4 Edgar Sosa, it may not be an easy fight as some local fight fans believe. Nietes himself conceded that Sosa will be a tough opponent as most Mexicans are and that’s why he began training earlier than usual. While Nietes is always in shape and maintains his skill level, Sosa cannot be taken for granted when they meet at the StuHub Center in Carson City, California on Sept. 24. Sosa was enthusiastic about his return after suffering a secondround TKO loss to pound-forpound No. 1 Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez of Nicaragua. He then scored a six-round unanimous decision over Orlando Garcia Guerrero last Feb. 13 in a bout he used to regain his rhythm. Sosa previously won the World Boxing Council Silver title with a stunning second-round knockout of another former world champion in Ulises Solis, which will be featured on this week’s presentation of The Main Event on Pinoy Box Office over Sky Cable at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, with a replay at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday. The program will also showcase Nietes in action against Mexico’s Juan Alejo in the initial ALA Promotions-ABS-CBN presentation in the United States, also at the StubHub Center. The Main Event will also feature highlights of The Rob Rose Cup, staged by multi-awarded Australian promoter Peter Maniatis, headlined by unbeaten Jason Moloney against Filipino Virden Rivera from the “Bebot” Elorde Stable.

Govt shuts down two Eastern Samar mines

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Ayala eyes auto manufacturing SMC donating P1b for drug rehab sites

SAN Miguel Corp. said it is donating P1 billion to the government to build new drug rehabilitation facilities in areas to be determined by concerned agencies. The conglomerate said the donation was in response to calls for the private sector to help President Rodrigo Duterte’s government in the ongoing war against illegal drugs. It is the second time the company is allocating a signiﬁcant amount for a social cause, following the P1 billion it spent from 2012 to 2014 to build new houses for typhoon victims. The amount is considered the largest donation by a Philippine company to a social cause. “Peace and order is key to our country’s progress and de-

velopment,” SMC president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang said. “More significantly, our human capital is key. By supporting government in this endeavor, we are helping create an environment that will enable various sectors of our society to participate in and contribute to our country’s growth,” he said. “In the fight against illegal drugs, rehabilitation is crucial to providing drug dependents a chance at restoring their lives and becoming part of the solution to a better Philippines,” Ang said, adding that this way, “we save lives, protect families and build better communities”. The company said it already conducted initial talks with Philippine National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa to discuss the initiative. San Miguel has diversified from its traditional food, beverage and packaging businesses to industries key to national development. These include infrastructure, power generation and oil refining and marketing. The company said the private sector could have a huge impact on government’s efforts when corporate social responsibility objectives were aligned with government initiatives.

By Jenniffer B. Austria

ONGLOMERATE Ayala Corp. is in talks with four automotive companies for a possible joint venture in car manufacturing. Arthur Tan, president of Ayala Industrials, said the plan to venture into car manufacturing was part of the conglomerate’s Asean strategy. “In an ideal setting, we want the Philippines to be the site for car manufacturing. But we are not precluding ourselves because we can also be an Asean partner [of these foreign car manufacturers],” Tan said. Tan did not identify the car manufacturers Ayala Corp. was seeking as partners, but hinted they might

not be Japanese companies. Ayala Corp. has equity investments in Honda Cars Philippines Inc. “We have to be very strategic in whom we should talk to and how we should take the deal. To bang our heads with the Japanese— Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda which have already invested billions in full-scale production plants in Thailand, whom we have 100 percent FTA [free trade agreement] with—why?” Tan said. Ayala Corp. is diversifying

into other businesses, including automotive, energy and infrastructure. The conglomerate said net income climbed 32 percent in the first half to P13.8 billion as its banking, real estate, power and automotive businesses delivered robust results. Equity earnings from business units reached P16.4 billion in the first semester, or 24 percent higher than a year ago, boosted by strong contributions from Bank of the Philippine Islands which jumped 32 percent and property unit Ayala Land Inc. which expanded 16 percent. Ayala Corp.’s unlisted businesses also registered solid performance in the first semester led by AC Energy and Ayala Automotive, which both expanded threefold. “Most of our business units re-

corded an overall strong performance in the first half of the year. Among our new businesses, our power unit is starting to contribute significantly to our bottomline,” Ayala Corp. president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala said. “We continue to strengthen our portfolio by entering new industries or reinventing our existing businesses. For instance, we are developing an automotive and manufacturing portfolio in order to maximize synergies in the Ayala group and take advantage of the exciting opportunities in this space,” Zobel said. The conglomerate’s balance sheet remained healthy as cash at the parent level hit P31.2 billion as of end June, with debt at P81.4 billion.

Bangko Sentral keeps benchmark rates steady By Julito G. Rada THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, on Thursday kept the benchmark interest steady, amid manageable inﬂation and sustained economic growth. Bangko Sentral Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said in a news brieﬁng the board maintained the policy rates at 3.5 percent for overnight lending, 3 percent for overnight borrowing and 2.5 percent for overnight deposit facility. “The board’s decision was

based on its assessment that the inflation environment remains manageable. Latest forecasts continue to indicate that average inflation is likely to settle slightly below the 2 percent to 4 percent target range in 2016 and rise toward the mid-point of the target range in 2017 and 2018,” Tetangco said. The bank last reduced the rate in May and narrowed the band around it to make monetary policy more effective. Tetangco, however, said upside risks to inflation could emanate from pending petitions for adjustments in electricity rates.

He also said that slower global economic activity remained a key downside risk to inflation outlook. Tetangco said economic conditions continued to be firm, backed by solid private household consumption and investment, buoyant business and consumer sentiment and adequate credit and domestic liquidity. He said given these considerations, the board believed that current policy settings remained appropriate. The manageable inflation environment prompted the board to reduce the inflation forecast this year to 1.8 percent

from the previous estimate of 2 percent. Inflation forecast for 2017 was also cut to 2.9 percent from 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, inflation forecast for 2018 was kept at 2.6 percent. Tetangco said inflation was expected to remain manageable in the coming months despite risks to the outlook this year. The Philippine Statistics Authority said inflation rate stood at 1.9 percent in July. This brought the average inflation in the first seven months to 1.4 percent, below the Bangko Sentral’s target range of 2 percent to 4 percent for 2016.

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

EDC’s 1st half profit nearly flat at P4.68b By Alena Mae S. Flores ENERGY Development Corp. of the Lopez Group on Thursday said core income reached P4.68 billion in the ﬁrst six months of the year, slightly higher than P4.66 billion posted year-on-year. EDC, the country’s largest geothermal and wind energy company, said inclusive of nonrecurring items, consolidated net income attributable to equity holders of the parent stood at P4.91 billion, seven percent higher than P4.61 billion on year. EDC in a statement attributed the increase to higher revenues from power projects and lower operating expenses. The company said consolidated revenues improved to P17.01 billion in the ﬁrst half, up P23 million from P16.78 billion in the

same period last year. EDC said major contributors to the improved sales were driven by plants with largely contracted capacities, including the Tongonan-Palinpinon geothermal plants which saw an increase in sales to P420 million on lower unplanned outages. Pantabangan-Masiway hydro plants contributed P33 million due to higher water levels in the dam, while Burgos wind and solar power plant accounted for P16 million following the resolution of its curtailment issues after the completion of the Laoag-San Esteban transmission line. Meanwhile, plants that were exposed to the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market such as Bacman saw a decrease in sales to P54 million and Nasulo to P9 million despite an increase in sales volume.

Stocks fall; PLDT, GT Capital retreat

HE stock market retreated Thursday following a slump in the oil price driven by fresh indications of oversupply.

The Philippine Stock Exchange Index dropped 70.05 points, or 0.9 percent, to 7,981.35 on a value turnover of P17.6 billion. Losers beat gainers, 137 to 61, with 39 issues unchanged. GT Capital Holdings Inc. of tycoon George Ty sank 4.1 percent to P1,554, while PLDT Inc., the biggest telecomunications ﬁrm, lost 4 percent to P1,830. Metro Paciﬁc Investments Corp., which is into toll roads,

water and electricity distribution, and hospitals declined 3.3 percent to P7.23. Megaworld Corp., the largest lessor of ofﬁce spaces, fell 5.5 percent to P5.17. The dollar, meanwhile, rose against some Asia Paciﬁc currencies but gains were capped as traders are still awaiting clearer signals on the timing of a possible US interest rate hike, with expectations that the Fed will move cautiously.

The New Zealand dollar bucked the trend, rising against the greenback after the country’s central bank slashed interest rates to a record low of 2.0 percent and said further easing might be necessary. South Korea on Thursday opted to keep its key rate unchanged at 1.25 percent for August but the central bank governor held out the prospect of another reduction. Japanese ﬁnancial markets were closed for a national holiday. “The biggest risk to the market at the moment is a huge drop in oil prices,” James Woods, a

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 11, 2016

52 Weeks

AG Finance 3.53 Asia United Bank 47.75 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 119.50 Bank of PI 103.90 China Bank 38.3 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.90 Bright Kindle Resources 1.49 COL Financial 16 Eastwest Bank 20.25 Filipino Fund Inc. 6.94 I-Remit Inc. 1.93 MEDCO Holdings 0.650 Metrobank 93.35 PB Bank 14.88 Phil Bank of Comm 24.60 Phil. National Bank 62.80 Phil. Savings Bank 100.8 PSE Inc. 281 RCBC `A’ 32.4 Security Bank 222 Union Bank 74.05 Vantage Equities 1.5

3.5 47.7 119.50 103.80 38.5 3.90 1.59 16.5 20.25 6.96 1.94 0.640 93.8 14.9 24.50 62.50 100 281.2 32.7 220 74.10 1.5

3.33 47.6 117.90 102.20 38.1 3.84 1.49 16 19.7 6.96 1.93 0.620 92.9 14.78 24.50 61.85 95.6 278.8 32.25 218.4 73.75 1.49

3.39 47.7 118.30 103.00 38.4 3.85 1.50 16.2 19.78 6.96 1.94 0.630 93.2 14.78 24.50 61.85 100 280 32.3 220 74.00 1.5

-3.97 -0.10 -1.00 -0.87 0.26 -1.28 0.67 1.25 -2.32 0.29 0.52 -3.08 -0.16 -0.67 -0.41 -1.51 -0.79 -0.36 -0.31 -0.90 -0.07 0.00

127,000 7,100 2,641,270 1,531,360 311,400 73,000 117,000 35,000 1,021,300 1,800 22,000 703,000 1,150,960 61,700 600 108,810 200 10 376,700 480,170 105,410 39,000

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.37 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp. 45.95 Agrinurture Inc. 3.37 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.84 Alsons Cons. 1.98 Asiabest Group 12.5 C. Azuc De Tarlac 180.00 Cemex Holdings 12.1 Century Food 17.9 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 154 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 22.5 Concepcion 60.2 Crown Asia 2.27 Da Vinci Capital 5.98 Del Monte 12.8 DNL Industries Inc. 11.080 Emperador 7.39 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 6.09 EEI 9.80 First Gen Corp. 24.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 71.5 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.04 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.7 Ionics Inc 2.360 Jollibee Foods Corp. 252.20 LMG Chemicals 2.06 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.21 Macay Holdings 29.70 Manila Water Co. Inc. 25.65 Maxs Group 33.05 Megawide 12.6 Mla. Elect. Co À’ 324.00 MG Holdings 0.260 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 4.48 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.49 Petron Corporation 11.46 Phil H2O 3.48 Phinma Corporation 11.50 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.10 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.65 Pryce Corp. À’ 3.43 RFM Corporation 4.24 Roxas Holdings 3.98 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods À’ 225.2 Splash Corporation 3.05 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.159 TKC Steel Corp. 2.02 Trans-Asia Oil 2.38 Universal Robina 204.8 Victorias Milling 4.6 Vitarich Corp. 1.79 Vulcan Ind’l. 1.24

46.3 3.36 0.84 1.97 12.56 180.00 12.08 17.8 155 22.55 60.65 2.28 5.98 12.8 11.460 7.40 6.10 9.80 25.1 71.4 12.40 16.08 5.7 2.360 254.60 1.96 4.47 29.70 26.45 33.5 13.1 325.00 0.270 4.90 3.6 11.40 3.48 11.66 6.09 1.71 3.43 4.24 3.94 227 3.04 0.162 2.15 2.38 206 4.6 1.94 1.29

45.4 3.26 0.82 1.93 12.3 180.00 11.82 17.46 153.2 22.15 57.05 2.2 5.77 12.72 11.000 7.27 5.79 9.41 24.5 71.05 12.10 16.00 5.66 2.320 252.20 1.96 4.21 29.70 25.5 31.4 12.6 323.60 0.260 4.49 3.5 11.00 3.48 11.66 5.95 1.66 3.36 4.20 3.76 223.2 3.04 0.156 1.99 2.36 203.6 4.34 1.75 1.24

45.65 3.3 0.83 1.94 12.48 180.00 11.98 17.56 153.2 22.55 60 2.26 5.77 12.78 11.460 7.29 5.89 9.44 25 71.1 12.30 16.00 5.68 2.350 253.00 1.96 4.38 29.70 26.2 33.2 12.88 324.80 0.270 4.90 3.5 11.10 3.48 11.66 5.95 1.67 3.36 4.23 3.77 224 3.04 0.156 2.05 2.36 203.6 4.6 1.75 1.29

-0.65 -2.08 -1.19 -2.02 -0.16 0.00 -0.99 -1.90 -0.52 0.22 -0.33 -0.44 -3.51 -0.16 3.43 -1.35 -3.28 -3.67 0.40 -0.56 1.65 -0.25 -0.35 -0.42 0.32 -4.85 4.04 0.00 2.14 0.45 2.22 0.25 3.85 9.38 0.29 -3.14 0.00 1.39 -2.46 1.21 -2.04 -0.24 -5.28 -0.53 -0.33 -1.89 1.49 -0.84 -0.59 0.00 -2.23 4.03

1,210,700 651,000 727,000 881,000 2,900 20 14,426,900 2,388,500 840 10,351,400 14,570 1,039,000 501,600 26,000 10,987,200 738,800 25,522,200 756,500 4,225,000 253,360 39,900 302,500 194,100 1,003,000 643,940 6,000 209,000 11,000 6,528,700 1,541,200 8,737,200 91,220 130,000 112,000 631,000 2,809,200 1,000 2,700 323,000 288,000 105,000 392,000 39,000 4,490 5,000 4,200,000 8,095,000 1,034,000 801,860 27,000 75,077,000 345,000

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 5.29 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 0.71 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 390 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 0.580 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 170 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Abacus Cons. À’ Aboitiz Equity Alliance Global Inc. Anglo Holdings A Anscor À’ ATN Holdings A ATN Holdings B Ayala Corp À’ Cosco Capital DMCI Holdings Filinvest Dev. Corp. Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings À’ Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp. Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. LT Group Mabuhay Holdings À’ Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. Pacifica À’ Prime Media Hldg Prime Orion San Miguel Corp À’ SM Investments Inc. Solid Group Inc. South China Res. Inc. Transgrid Top Frontier Unioil Res. & Hldgs Wellex Industries Zeus Holdings

0.410 75.95 16.42 1.26 6.41 0.400 0.395 900 9.3 13.00 6.95 0.233 1561 6.70 83.35 5.3 5.82 7.78 0.78 16.04 0.465 7.53 0.0370 1.220 1.930 84.30 700.00 1.40 0.85 195.00 205.000 0.3150 0.2200 0.295

0.390 74.70 15.98 1.20 6.21 0.385 0.395 894.5 8.89 12.60 6.71 0.233 1540 6.70 82.05 5.13 5.28 7.6 0.76 15.86 0.465 7.11 0.0360 1.220 1.900 83.30 691.00 1.33 0.85 188.00 200.000 0.3050 0.2000 0.285 PROPERTY 7.820 1.30 2.590 0.260 40.900 3.2 5.13 0.610 1.000 0.168 0.630 56 0.810 0.158 1.08 1.92 1.18 5.09 0.121 0.455 38.50 15.1

0.410 75.10 16.00 1.26 6.41 0.385 0.395 896.5 8.95 12.80 6.90 0.233 1554 6.70 82.35 5.13 5.28 7.65 0.76 16.02 0.465 7.23 0.0370 1.220 1.900 84.00 693.50 1.39 0.85 188.00 200.000 0.3100 0.2150 0.290

5.13 0.20 -2.44 -0.79 1.75 -3.75 0.00 0.06 -3.76 -1.39 -0.72 -0.43 -4.07 -1.33 -0.84 -11.86 -9.28 -0.52 -1.30 0.12 0.00 -3.34 -2.63 0.00 -1.04 -0.36 0.00 8.59 0.00 -3.59 -2.34 0.00 -2.27 -1.69

280,000 3,061,600 4,274,300 6,000 8,400 7,190,000 250,000 293,070 10,060,100 7,507,000 724,700 20,000 658,705 5,000 1,502,240 13,800 400 2,095,600 57,000 8,344,900 20,000 61,226,700 73,900,000 45,000 33,000 73,060 240,080 9,812,000 38,000 580 4,830 2,020,000 2,930,000 3,070,000

8990 HLDG A. Brown Co., Inc. Araneta Prop À’ Arthaland Corp. Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. À’ Cebu Holdings Century Property Cityland Dev. À’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp. Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport À’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Realty À’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

8.000 1.34 2.670 0.275 41.150 3.21 5.12 0.630 1.030 0.173 0.650 56 0.810 0.159 1.12 1.96 1.21 5.47 0.132 0.470 38.50 16.08

FINANCIAL

INDUSTRIAL

HOLDING FIRMS

7.880 1.34 2.710 0.275 41.200 3.27 5.13 0.64 1.020 0.176 0.660 58.2 0.820 0.158 1.12 1.96 1.21 5.48 0.134 0.470 38.50 15.92

Trade/Buying

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 0.225 78 17.8 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 59 2.65

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.39 23 2.69

Low

Net Foreign

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 1.01 100 30.5 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 124 3.26

0.390 74.95 16.40 1.27 6.30 0.400 0.395 896 9.3 12.98 6.95 0.234 1620 6.79 83.05 5.82 5.82 7.69 0.77 16 0.465 7.48 0.0380 1.220 1.920 84.30 693.50 1.28 0.85 195.00 204.800 0.3100 0.2200 0.295

High

Change Volume

STOCKS

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.72 27 8.54

High Low

7.860 1.30 2.590 0.265 41.050 3.27 5.13 0.620 1.000 0.170 0.640 56.95 0.810 0.158 1.09 1.92 1.18 5.17 0.126 0.455 38.50 15.92

-1.75 -2.99 -3.00 -3.64 -0.24 1.87 0.20 -1.59 -2.91 -1.73 -1.54 1.70 0.00 -0.63 -2.68 -2.04 -2.48 -5.48 -4.55 -3.19 0.00 -1.00

62,000 3,861,000 2,380,000 2,720,000 7,974,400 1,069,000 100 8,391,000 362,000 25,730,000 4,837,000 507,190 783,000 10,000 7,775,000 26,428,000 165,000 85,304,600 28,480,000 430,000 200 193,900

281,040.00 66,361,412 85,735,239.00 759,005.00 -19,250.00 -327,000.00 -6,189,398.00 34,020.00 -26,944,311.50 -740,000.00 -1,674,984.50 5,298,310 -16,445,568.00 739,493.00 13,339,500.00 -163,550.00 707,850.00 15,090,888.00 -31,693,814.00 -101,025.00 385,204 178,300.00 52,904,788.00 -1,581,799.00 17,767,494.00 948,491.00 22,575,045.00 -665,181.00 -2,662,270.00 -53,670.00 -27,960.00 21,669,702.00

-8,292,160.00 1,244,940.00 23,420,926.00 3,254,536.00 1,778,690.00 3,060,256.00 -302,520.00 8,450.00 -697,330.00 -179,920.00 -28,860.00 8,200.00 1,093,500.00 -882,806 -1,710,060.00

24,153,731.50 11,979,506.00

65,678,000.00 29,027,162.00 24,930,822.00 1,378,100.00 -216,380,645.00 17,408,571.50 -6,837,656.00 107,282,714.00

52 Weeks

High Low

STOCKS

31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

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

32.00 1.78 3.34 30.25 0.95 1.050 5.970

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

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

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 3.2 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

2GO Group’ ABS-CBN APC Group, Inc. Berjaya Phils. Inc. Bloomberry Boulevard Holdings Calata Corp. Cebu Air Inc. (5J) Centro Esc. Univ. Discovery World DFNN Inc. Globe Telecom GMA Network Inc. Golden Haven Grand Plaza Hotel Harbor Star I.C.T.S.I. Imperial Res. À’ Imperial Res. `B’ IPeople Inc. À’ IP E-Game Ventures Inc. IPM Holdings Island Info ISM Communications Jackstones LBC Express Leisure & Resorts Liberty Telecom Lorenzo Shipping Macroasia Corp. Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp. Pacific Online Sys. Corp. PAL Holdings Inc. Paxys Inc. Philweb.Com Inc. PLDT Common PremiereHorizon Premium Leisure Puregold Robinsons RTL SBS Phil. Corp. SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils. Yehey

7.29 50.15 0.620 5.65 5.75 0.1030 2.81 124 10 1.91 5.05 2150 6.38 15.36 20.30 1.28 63.55 21.15 168 11.48 0.0086 9.35 0.325 1.4100 3.19 12.32 5.78 2.86 1.04 2.40 0.580 2 3.56 5.45 3.990 11.5 6.16 2.65 4.25 1906.00 0.445 1.070 47.90 87.00 6.45 3.39 0.610 1.86 3.52 0.335 6.200

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

Abra Mining 0.0040 Apex À’ 3.51 Atlas Cons. À’ 4.00 Atok-Big Wedge À’ 9.63 Benguet Corp À’ 6.3000 Benguet Corp `B’ 6.6000 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 Coal Asia 0.450 Dizon 8.10 Ferronickel 0.810 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.280 Lepanto À’ 0.217 Lepanto `B’ 0.237 Manila Mining À’ 0.0120 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0120 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.72 Nickelasia 5.6 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.81 Omico 0.5200 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.9700 Oriental Pet. À’ 0.0120 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0120 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 3.99 Philex À’ 8.48 PhilexPetroleum 3.73 Philodrill Corp. À’ 0.0120 Semirara Corp. 115.90 TA Petroleum 3.75 United Paragon 0.0100

120 8.21 12.28 1060 1047 84.8

-53,331,331.00 3,600.00

-9,300.00

3.5

-11,650.00

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6 First Metro ETF

140,173,550.00 888,010.00 334,310.00 -106,580.00 -10,240.00 2,598,789.50 1,100.00 13,406,870.00 -15,430.00 -44,890,091.00 -70,000.00

Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp. Italpinas Xurpas

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

9,009,416

INDUSTRIAL

194,945,778

HOLDING FIRMS

205,895,401

PROPERTY

245,385,738

SERVICES

539,824,342

MINING & OIL

444,181,538

GRAND TOTAL

1,643,584,283

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

32.00 1.78 3.34 30.05 0.97 1.030 5.900

0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.66 2.11 -1.90 -1.17

1,208,700 86,000 81,000 8,829,100 6,350,000 1,110,000 16,725,400

7.29 53 0.610 5.8 6.10 0.1030 2.82 123 10 2.35 5.40 2152 6.38 15.88 21.80 1.39 67.95 21.25 173 11.44 0.0087 9.35 0.325 1.5600 3.2 13.8 6.10 2.86 1.03 2.40 0.580 2 3.68 5.53 4.240 11.5 6.20 2.65 6.37 1897.00 0.445 1.070 48.00 87.95 6.54 3.40 0.620 1.86 3.48 0.330 6.800

7.2 50.5 0.600 5.65 5.55 0.0950 2.68 115 9.9 2.25 5.05 2110 6.29 15.22 21.70 1.27 63.6 20.55 160 11.44 0.0086 9.30 0.315 1.4200 3.04 12.98 5.78 2.75 1.03 2.30 0.580 2 3.45 5.20 4.030 11.48 6.10 2.65 3.55 1830.00 0.440 1.030 44.85 86.00 6.43 3.30 0.600 1.86 3.41 0.325 6.230

7.21 50.9 0.600 5.79 5.96 0.0950 2.7 119.5 9.99 2.25 5.19 2120 6.29 15.42 21.80 1.27 67.95 20.60 173 11.44 0.0086 9.35 0.315 1.5100 3.04 13.16 6.00 2.86 1.03 2.35 0.580 2 3.6 5.39 4.050 11.48 6.16 2.65 6.37 1830.00 0.440 1.050 45.20 86.50 6.54 3.38 0.610 1.86 3.45 0.325 6.800

-1.10 1.50 -3.23 2.48 3.65 -7.77 -3.91 -3.63 -0.10 17.80 2.77 -1.40 -1.41 0.39 7.39 -0.78 6.92 -2.60 2.98 -0.35 0.00 0.00 -3.08 7.09 -4.70 6.82 3.81 0.00 -0.96 -2.08 0.00 0.00 1.12 -1.10 1.50 -0.17 0.00 0.00 49.88 -3.99 -1.12 -1.87 -5.64 -0.57 1.40 -0.29 0.00 0.00 -1.99 -2.99 9.68

93,000 144,280 2,359,000 5,500 19,575,100 271,520,000 6,664,000 961,400 1,300 11,000 945,300 65,460 348,500 316,900 900 2,817,000 5,650,650 61,800 550 300 42,000,000 811,400 15,370,000 8,674,000 216,000 44,000 475,600 507,000 15,000 175,000 6,000 13,000 12,875,000 10,751,800 53,020,000 98,100 429,100 4,000 10,161,000 169,055 4,680,000 15,324,000 5,939,800 315,270 1,291,900 9,820,000 953,000 8,000 3,102,000 200,000 577,200

0.0040 3.62 4.02 10.00 6.25 7.0000 0.6 0.465 8.10 0.850 0.285 0.216 0.230 0.0120 0.0120 1.8 5.61 2.84 0.5300 0.9600 0.0120 0.0120 4.05 8.56 3.73 0.0120 117.40 3.76 0.0100

0.0040 3.21 3.97 10.00 5.95 7.0000 0.59 0.450 8.07 0.780 0.280 0.200 0.220 0.0110 0.0120 1.63 5.5 2.68 0.5300 0.9200 0.0110 0.0110 3.98 8.12 3.63 0.0120 108.10 3.7 0.0097

0.0040 3.21 3.97 10.00 6.2500 7.0000 0.59 0.450 8.07 0.850 0.280 0.204 0.230 0.0110 0.0120 1.67 5.5 2.79 0.5300 0.9200 0.0110 0.0110 4.05 8.44 3.63 0.0120 109.00 3.75 0.0097

0.00 -8.55 -0.75 3.84 -0.79 6.06 -1.67 0.00 -0.37 4.94 0.00 -5.99 -2.95 -8.33 0.00 -2.91 -1.79 -0.71 1.92 -5.15 -8.33 -8.33 1.50 -0.47 -2.68 0.00 -5.95 0.00 -3.00

144,000,000 3,103,000 117,000 2,500 43,500 500 168,000 1,010,000 5,200 53,571,000 180,000 41,210,000 2,470,000 18,000,000 73,800,000 1,132,000 4,656,100 668,000 216,000 808,000 24,900,000 2,500,000 16,000 1,836,200 2,372,000 49,600,000 1,269,150 95,000 16,100,000

52.9 104.8 119 6.09 1.03 1040 1022 81.5 76.2 79 78.5 79 77.5 77.5

50 103 119 6.05 1.01 1040 1022 81.5 76 79 78.5 79 77.35 77.5

51 104 119 6.09 1.03 1040 1022 81.5 76 79 78.5 79 77.45 77.5

2.00 -0.19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.65 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.32 0.39

54,560 264,030 14,100 1,183,100 2,127,000 5 1,250 12,000 419,900 1,630 129,320 35,800 134,300 78,900

2.410

2.050

2.250

2.27

2,414,000

4.99 3.82 5.14 16.66

5.21 3.82 5.27 16.8

4.99 3.8 5.03 16

5.19 3.8 5.07 16.68

4.01 -0.52 -1.36 0.12

2,995,000 8,000 714,800 607,700

132.3

130.8

131.1

-0.91

4,070

2.200

0.8900 LR Warrant

31.50 1.77 3.3 29.80 0.95 1.020 5.840

50 104.2 119 6.09 1.03 1040 1022 81.5 76.5 79 78.5 79 77.2 77.2

6.98

Low

32.20 1.78 3.34 30.70 0.98 1.060 6.170

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. DD Pref 101.5 First Gen G 5.88 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.5 Leisure and Resort 997 PCOR-Preferred A 1011 PF Pref 2 75 SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

-304,715.00 47,150,870.00 -185,470.00 -24,650.00

246,560.00 -551,550.00

High

SERVICES

MINING & OIL

PREFERRED

WARRANTS & BONDS SME

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

7,880,750.00 42,044,430.00 -90,300.00 21,005,375.00 -393,138.00 -31,800.00 12,821,763.00 714,760.00 185,030.00 -22,006,649.00 -481,342.00 -45,964,620.00 1,542.00 143,397,106.00

142,200.00 70,610.00 -3,212

-5,744,930.00 -6,645,948.00 9,486,490.00

-1,290,470.00 -101,245,845.00 132,000.00 -7,418,960.00 19,553,540.00 4,483,271.50 20,565,590.00 1,200.00 -876,790.00

-275,080.00 23,890.00

229,500.00 19,368.00 16,598,730.00 -23,000.00

18,293,287.00 -53,700.00 106,000.00 -189,280.00 -29,200.00 -574,227.00 -291,630.00 7,737,966.00 -11,250.00 1,739,620.00 1,030,500.00 -439,129.00 20,400.00 -978,000 119,555.50 872,135.00

202,860.00 -5,814,216.00

VALUE 1,864.01 (down) 13.11 766,007,510.55 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 12,293.51 (down) 50.8 1,876,072,355.47 HOLDING FIRMS 7,846.24 (down) 70.82 10,901,762,437.2235 PROPERTY 3,662.97 (down) 27.56 1,553.97 (down) 19.38 1,468,578,284.41 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,383.52 (down) 351.97 2,252,900,583.13 PSEI 7,981.35 (down) 70.05 264,025,389.585 All Shares Index 4,742.41 (down) 36.48 17,559,091,337.3335 Gainers: 61; Losers: 137; Unchanged: 39; Total: 237

strategist at Rivkin Securities in Sydney, told Bloomberg news. Oil prices have been fluctuating since entering a “bear” market last week, falling more than 20 percent from recent highs above the $50 a barrel seen in early June and closing below $40 a barrel for the first time since April. Shanghai fell 0.5 percent dragged down by falls in smaller companies. Sydney ended down 0.6 percent, while Taipei tumbled 0.8 percent. Wellington was flat after the rate reduction which was in line with market expectations. Seoul rose while Hong Kong stocks also gained 0.4 percent, spurred by financial companies. Weekly figures released Wednesday by the US Energy Department showed that crude stocks remained high last week at 523.6 million barrels, up 0.2 percent from the prior week and still more than 15 percent above the same point last year. At about 0830 GMT, West Texas Intermediate was trading at $41.25 while Brent was at $43.68. “Oil is increasingly pulling back towards the US$40 a barrel level again and many in the markets are concerned that the shorts may even be looking for prices to drop down towards the $35 level,” Angus Nicholson, a strategist at IG Markets, said in a note. With AFP

Vista Land optimistic on leasing revenues By Jenniffer B. Austria VISTA Land and Lifescapes Inc. of the family of former senator Manuel Villar expects rental income to hit over P4 billion this year, as the company starts to transform itself from a purely residential developer into an integrated property company. Vista Land president and chief executive Manuel Paolo Villar said in a press briefing the company was on track to hit its target of 1 million square meters of leasing portfolio by 2017, after adding malls and office space starting next year. Vista Land generated P2.1 billion in rental income in the first six months of 2016, up 64 percent from P1.3 billion year-on-year. It accounted for 23 percent of the group’s cash-flow and 13 percent of revenues, “I remain confident about the company’s prospects for the rest of the year as we continue to expand our rental spaces which compliment our existing core and stable enduser housing business,” Villar said. “We ended the period with a gross floor area of over 860,000 square meters of investment properties. A significant proportion of our Ebitda now comes from our recurring commercial leasing business and this proportion is growing as we continue the expansion of our investment properties,” he added. Meanwhile, Vista Land said net income in the first six months of the year rose 11 percent to P3.9 billion from P3.5 billion on year. Consolidated revenues increased nine percent to P15.7 billion from previous year’s P14.5 billion. Revenues from residential development rose three percent in the first half of the year to P12.5 billion from P12.18 billion on year.

Business Riding the Olympic bandwagon FILIPINOS all over the world are rejoicing at the silver medal finish of Hidilyn “Haidie” Diaz, the 25-year-old weightlifter who ended the country’s 20-year Olympic medal drought. As expected, people are falling all over themselves to congratulate the Zamboanga City native whom they have probably never even heard of prior to her win. Not many remember that she was the flag bearer during the 2012 Olympics where unfortunately, she was one of the two athletes who registered a DNF (did not finish) as official result. Politicians are pledging cash rewards, some groups are promising a house and lot and we heard a private gym will be built for Hidilyn who has expressed a desire to encourage others to take up the sport. Even a certain pizza brand is capitalizing on the euphoria, coming out with a congratulatory message showing a cartoonized version of the weightlifter who said she likes pizza with lots of cheese – as “cheesy” as Hidilyn. All well and good – because the girl deserves all the praise and accolade for this great honor she has given the country. One can’t help but wonder however – had Hidilyn not won any medal, would all these praises and promises of support still be made? Probably not. Because if one were to believe the whispers from a stoolie, some companies based in Mindanao refused to extend any support to Hidilyn and the other members of the national weightlifting team who, interestingly, also come from Zamboanga City, like Nestor Colonia (who also competed in Rio but was not as fortunate), and 21-year-old Karl Macrohon. There was one company, however, that readily showed its support for Hidilyn, Colonia and their coach Alfonsito Aldanete (who should also get a share of the praises for the silver finish of his ward) – and that is Alsons Power Group, a Mindanao-based independent power producer. Prior to the weightlifting team’s departure, the power company gave $3,500 cash “pabaon” to show support for Diaz, Colonia and Aldanete – all of whom were naturally gratified at the generosity of the company. Alsons has subsidiaries also located in Zamboanga City, namely the Western Mindanao Power Corp. that operates a 100-MW diesel power plant in Sangali, and the San Ramon Power, Inc., a baseload coal power plant in Talisayan that is scheduled for construction this year. More than the money, the gesture was doubly meaningful because it provided a morale boost for the athletes who left for Rio in high spirits, happy that their efforts are being recognized and that somehow, their sport is getting support from a private entity like Alsons which has been operating in Zamboanga City since the late ‘90s. It’s a well known fact that sports like weightlifting which are not as popular as boxing or basketball do not get enough support, and the athletes themselves have to make do with what little they have by way of training facilities. At the Rizal stadium which is supposed to be a national training center, there are only two decent sets of barbells and these are used by Diaz and Colonia for obvious reasons. Friends of Colonia say he had a poor showing during the 2014 Asian Games because his food reportedly did not arrive on time, leaving him weak during the competition. A lot of Colonia’s supporters are angry at a basher who mocked his inability to lift 154 kg, virtually calling him a weakling because Diaz was able to lift 200kg. Obviously, the basher is ignorant of the fact that the 200kg is the total weight lifted by Hidilyn in her two successful attempts. In any case, we should all be proud of our athletes whether they bring home the medal or not. And most of all, give them the support they need when it is needed most – during training, to give them a fighting chance against the competition and prove to everyone that Filipino athletes have what it takes to become Olympic champions. ••• For comments, reactions, photos, stories and related concerns, readers may email to happyhourtoday2012@yahoo. com. You may also visit and like our Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/happyhourmanilastandard. Cheers!

Go DO YOU have Pikachu? Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock, you should know that Pokemon Go became available in the Philippines last Saturday, Aug. 6, exactly a month after its global debut on July 6. Phenomenon The game is a global phenomenon, with estimates of ﬁrst-day revenue ranging from $3.9 million to $4.9 million. On the Monday after its US launch, Nintendo, the company that owns the Pokemon franchise, saw its stock price surge over 24 percent in one day. Google’s play store shows over a hundred million downloads of the app and the game had more ﬁrst week downloads from the Apple App store than any other app in history. An online post by Craig Smith collects some interesting statistics. His most recent estimate of the amount of time users spend in the app daily—26 minutes. Estimated accumulated global revenue as of Aug. 8 was $200 million. As of Aug. 2, the estimated daily average revenue was $10 million. This compares with the daily revenue average of $1.6 million estimated by Techcrunch’s Darrell Etherington a few days after the global release (posted 11 July). As of July 13, Kurt Wadner (recode.net) estimated 9.5 million daily active users. By contrast, estimates of the core active users of

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Govt shuts down 2 E. Samar mines By Anna Leah E. Gonzales

HE Environment Department suspended the mining operations of two chromite and nickel mines in Homonhon Island and threatened to shut down a coal mine in Semirara Island. Environment Undersecretary and head of the mining audit team Leo Jasareno said the agency suspended the operations of Mt. Sinai Mining Exploration and Development Corp. and Emir Mineral Resources Corp., which were operating mines in Homonhon Island, Guiuan, Estern Samar. “The audit team has determined that Mt. Sinai which mines chromite is causing siltation in coastal waters,” said

Jasareno. He said Mt. Sinai was not practicing engineered mining methods and caused deforestation in the area. The miner produced 50,000 tons of chromite last year. Jasareno said Emir Mineral Resources, which operates a nickel mine in the same area, was also suspended due to the same violations. Emir Mineral produced 150,000 tons of nickel, which were shipped to

China in 2015. The government has so far suspended the mining operations of 10 mining companies, including eight nickel producers. Jasareno said all suspensions were indeﬁnite. “The DENR will still be looking into the violations and then depending on the gravity of the violations, they may be allowed to resume operations, suspend or cancel permanently,” Jasareno said. Meanwhile, Environment Secretary Regina Lopez said she asked Sagittarius Mines Inc., Semirara Mining and Power Corp. and Century Communities Corp. to explain why the government should not cancel their environmental compliance certiﬁcates. “They will be given seven days

to respond and if they don’t fulﬁll, then I will cancel the ECC,” Lopez said. Jasareno said there were complaints against Semirara, including massive clearing affecting the island ecosystem, degradation of water quality and siltation of the marine environment. “ The problem with Semirara is the open pit mine is now below sea level. How would DMCI [Holdings] rehabilitate the area?” Jasareno said. Jasareno said the Semirara Island covers an area of only 5,000 hectares while the pit occupies 40 hectares. He said a new expansion area covers 600 hectares in the middle of the island. Lopez, however, said the government “cannot just closed it [Semirara].”

Japanese company to upgrade Subic golf By Othel V. Campos

PTT SUPPORTS REFORESTATION. Laguna Lake Development Authority teams up with oil distributor PTT Philippines Corp. for a three-year program to plant 50,000 indigenous and fruit-bearing trees on 100 hectares in the upper Marikina watershed. Shown during a forum in Quezon City are LLDA general manager Nereus Acosta (left) and PTT Philippines president and chief executive Sukanya Seriyothin. Manny Palmero

Bloomberry posts P1.3-b net proﬁt By Jenniffer B. Austria BLOOMBERRY Resorts Corp., operator of Solaire Resort & Casino, returned to proﬁtability in the second quarter as gaming revenues surged, bucking the downtrend in other Asian markets. Bloomberry said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it booked a net income of P1.33 billion in the second quarter, a reversal of the P787-million net loss recorded in the same quarter last year as all gaming segments reported strong volumes. Second-quarter revenues increased 40 percent to P8.37 billion on the back of record mass table and electronic gaming revenues and high VIP volume.

Ingress, the ﬁrst augmented reality game, range from a low of 350,000 to a high of 7 million. And Ingress is a game that is four years old! To keep things in perspective, let us remember that the Pokemon franchise is itself a phenomenon. Techcrunch estimates over 279 million copies of the game have been sold to date. At the height of its popularity, the franchise included a highly popular cartoon series and a host of licensed toys and other merchandise. More importantly, the generation that grew up with the Pokemon franchise are tech natives. The mobile phone is their default communication device. Even more importantly, they are now in their late teens to mid-twenties—precisely the age when they have spending money, are likely single, and, partly due to the credit crisis, globally the generation that is still able to depend on their parents for housing and food. Lessons There are lessons to be learned here—and no, I don’t mean game tips. Although, by now, I hope you already know how to get Pikachu. Lesson No. 1. The easiest people to sell to are those who are already customers. The game play for Pokemon Go is nearly identical as that for Ingress. However, Ingress relies on entirely new intellectual property and a new story line. This means that it has to attract an entirely new market—selling not only the idea of an augmented reality game but also the story line and game play. Interestingly, the Ingress game play is very similar to the underlying game play of the original Pokemon game—one involving discovering things and duels. By contrast, Pokemon has a huge customer base, one that has strong positive memories of the franchise and the main characters of the franchise.

“Our hard stance policy on cost and capital management, coupled with our aggressive marketing campaign, has proven to be effective as shown by these outstanding results. We are bucking the trend in regional gaming which has been showing weakness. We are confident that this growth streak will continue,” Bloomberry chairman and chief executive Enrique Razon Jr. said. Bloomberry also booked a net proﬁt of P174 million in the ﬁrst half, a turnaround from the P1.32-billion net loss reported in the same period last year. It said excluding the P434million drag from Korea, the company would have reported

P608-million proﬁt in January to June. First-half revenues increased 14 percent to a record P14.11 billion from P12.329 billion a year ago. Gross gaming revenues and non-gaming revenues grew 17 and 29 percent to P18.148 billion and P1.123 billion, respectively, the highest achieved since Solaire opened in March 2013. Solaire’s VIP volume rose 22 percent in the ﬁrst half while mass table drop and EGM coinin grew eight and 14 percent, respectively. Bloomberry said in June it agreed to sell its Jeju casino property in South Korea to Iao Kun Group Holding Company Limited.

At this point, if you do happen to have been living under a rock and have no idea what an augmented reality game is, here’s a quick definition. An augmented reality game involves superimposing game information on real life. In Pokemon Go, the game uses GPS information and a map in order to track player movement. Players earn points through visiting special areas (called Pokestops), catching Pokemon (creatures in the Pokemon game), dueling with their Pokemons, and walking. Lesson No. 2. Build on what you have. Pokemon Go is the result of a cooperation between Nintendo, the creator and owner of the Pokemon franchise and Niantic, the makers of Ingress. The game uses the underlying logic, and the maps created by Niantic for Ingress as the skeleton of the game. In fact, Niantic and Nintendo brought together two of the key components of any successful product—a large existing market and a core product structure. Lesson No. 3. Take advantage of normal human behavior. We always hear that one of the best ways to market a product is through word of mouth. It’s free and satisfied customers are credible. The great thing about these games that require you to go out and find things in the real world is you then have a great reason to interact with others. Also, you profit from having many people playing the game – so you tend to tell people about it. The advantage of Pokemon Go over Ingress is that Pokemon has a massive base of people who already know the characters. And while they were children when they first fell in love with Pokemon, now they actually have their own income. So what? There are, of course, glitches. The game is so popular that servers can get overwhelmed. Players

THE Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority said it approved a $30-million investment in a golf course and a 2,000-unit residential project of a Japanese group led by Smart Community Co. Ltd. founder Masafumi Miyamoto. SBMA chairman Roberto Garcia said the Japanese company would develop Subic Bay golf course into a world-class venue for tournaments and a housing facility for the elderly and retirees. Smart Community is the first and largest continuing-care retirement community in Japan. “This project is a gamechanger for Subic,” said Garcia. The project will use the existing fairways left idle in recent years and is expected to attract more visitors into the area that will generate more economic activities. SBMA said on top of the $30-million development cost, the project will pay a fixed annual rental fee of $350,000 and a five-percent gross revenue share payable to SBMA for a 50-year lease period. Garcia said that in awarding the lease development contract to Miyamoto, SBMA considered the overall concept of the project, the proponent’s financial capability, market availability and business plan presented to agency officials in December last year.

can get so involved that they end up endangering themselves. The game actually stops if it senses you are moving too fast and reminds you that you should not be playing while driving. Clearly, there is still room for improvement. However, there is also much opportunity for monetizing. As most business people know, any product or service that enables the gathering of many people to a speciﬁc area, be it virtual or real, has enormous potential for use in drawing potential customers. AR games such as Pokemon Go can be used to gather people to real places, not just websites. The game allows the placement of “lures”—essentially a feature that results in a high concentration of Pokemon in a single place. This, of course, results in a concentration of people. There is a report of one zoo opening during the night, when most of the animals are asleep, and actually beating their regular day’s receipts simply because they ﬁlled the zoo with lures. In Manila, lure parties are already being announced online. But the most important job for the folk at Niantic is this: How do they keep the game continually engaging? How do they cater to the needs of those who don’t necessarily want to travel the world to collect all of the 150 something Pokemon? And something they don’t necessarily want to discuss with the folk at Nintendo: what other things can they build with their core infrastructure? Starting is hard. Growing and sustaining – well, that can be harder. It’s a brave new world. But the basics of business remain the same. Readers can email Maya at integrations_ manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her site at http:// integrations.tumblr.com.

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Motoring

650

reasons to lust after

Camaro ZL1

HEN Chevrolet announced that it was planning something special for its signature muscle car—the Camaro —on its 50th birthday, it wasn’t hyperbole to distract diehard petrol-heads and gear-heads from what Ford was doing with the latest-generation Mustang. With 650hp on tap it is the fastest, most powerful Camaro in the car’s history. The 2017 ZL1—which will be offered in coupé and convertible form when it goes on sale later this year—uses a 6.2-litre supercharged V8 engine to output 650hp and, when specified with the optional 10-speed automatic transmission, a phenomenal 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds. To put those figures into perspective, the current Shelby Mustang GT350 delivers 526hp

and a 0-60mph time of 4.3 seconds—or 3.9 seconds in R trim, but that means losing the rear seats to cut weight. In fact with 650hp under the hood, the Camaro is as powerful as Chevrolet’s flagship Corvette Z06, yet is twice as practical. “The Camaro ZL1 offers supercar performance with dailydriver refinement, a combination that stacks up against any other

sports coupe—at any price— around the world,” said Steve Majoros, director, Chevrolet marketing. And at $62,135 for the ZL1 coupe and $69,135 for the drop-top (including destination charges, but not tax, title or other dealer fees), both cars are as competitive on price as they are in terms of performance. But the company’s not finished there and has decided to make its 1LE track-ready package available as an option on any Camaro, rather than simply the SS model. Depending on the base Camaro model the tweaks can include suspension upgrades, magnetic dampers and an electronic limited-slip differential. When fitted to the LT model, it results in a 0-60mph time of

5.2 seconds while on the SS, the 0-60mph time is an impressive 4.2 seconds as is the lateral gforce it can handle -- 1.02g. “Building on Chevrolet’s well-established recipe for trackfocused performance, the new 1LE packages expand the performance envelope of the Camaro SS and, for the first time, the Camaro LT,” said Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer. All of which could give anyone other than the biggest diehard Ford fans that are taking delivery of a Mustang a tiny pang of regret. However, proving that competition is good for everyone, Ford is reportedly developing an even more potent 800hp Mustang that could make an appearance as early as next January’s Detroit auto show. AFP

How to drive safe during heavy rain Text and photo by Dino Ray V. Directo III RAIN does not only reduce visibility; it also decreases the amount of grip on your car’s tires despite advancements in thread design. Heavy rains also cause flash floods which make it more risky for motorists to drive from point A to B. With driver and commuter safety in mind, the Manila Standard has come up with a basic guide on how to drive safely and defensively during inclement weather. These simple rules to remember can make your journey easier and safer during wet weather driving. Check and use your headlights If you do decide to venture out, the last thing you need are busted headlights. Take a moment to check them and see if both sides are working properly. Check also your car’s rear tail lights. When the rain does start to fall, you should turn your headlights on and don’t be an idiot by switching on your hazard lights because this might mislead other drivers on the road that something is wrong with your car. If it’s zero visibility, the best thing to do is switch on your fog lamps and headlights. This will improve your vision, and enable other drivers to see you in good time. If you have automatic headlamps, make sure these are activated – or if you can’t, override them manually by turning the headlamp switch to the dipped beam setting. Choose the correct headlamp and fog lamp bulbs With dozens of headlight bulbs being sold in the local market, it is advisable to use bluish white bulbs for your front headlamps and yellow bulbs for your foglamps. The Land Transportation Office guidelines say that you should only use your fog lamps when the visibility drops below 100m. A good rule of thumb is to think about whether you can see the tail lights of the car in front of you. If you can’t, and you know it isn’t that

It’s being bruited about as the fastest Camaro in the car’s history with 650 horses on tap.

FASTLANE

Premium look and ultimate protection PROTECT your investment and give it that premium look with Foilacar. Known as the innovator in paint protection technology and colored film wraps, one can change the color of your car in a snap, without the hassles of going through a tedious paint makeover process. “It is the ultimate in car protection and aesthetics, initially developed for industrial use. We have different color hues to choose from and a professionally trained service crew. Imagine lesser maintenance and change of color an-

ytime at a practical price. We also offer clear film protection to protect your valuable investment,” says Lester Codog, managing partner of Foilacar Industries. “My guideline is that Foilacar guarantees the paint job of the car to be preserved. We can guarantee it to be scratch and weather proof and can last for at least five years. After five years and you decide to sell the car, we simply remove the foil and your car’s paint job is still shiny from the day it left the showroom floor,” adds Codog.

Family-oriented MVP

Driver and commuter safety should be the foremost consideration.

far away, you turn your headlights and fog lamps on for better visibility. A technology which is appropriate for rainy day use is a product from PIAA of Japan. PIAA wanted to perfect LED lighting when they designed reflector-facing bulbs and new “first-in-theindustry” reflector technology. The innovative design offers significantly improved lighting and beam control compared to conventional LED and halogen lamps with forward-facing bulbs. PIAA lamps put the light were you need it most: On the Road. The result is greater visibility for drivers. PIAA has LED bulbs for both headlights and fog lamps as well. However, rain does not mean you need to use your main beam headlamps. Use them only in heavy rain, and most of the time, turning on your park lights and fog lamps is appropriate enough. Drive defensively on the wet Cast your mind back to your driving test, and you’ll remember that stopping distances increase in the wet. In actual fact, it takes about twice as long to stop on a wet road as it does on a dry one. So you should increase the distance between you and the car you’re following by at least a car and a half to allow some safe brak-

ing distance. A good rule of thumb is that you should be around four seconds behind the car in front of you if the road is wet. That way, if that car has to stop suddenly – or worse still, crashes into a car in front – you will have time to stop, or take avoiding action. To check you’re far enough away, watch for the car in front to pass an object – a lamp post, bridge or sign. Then count how many seconds go by before you pass the same object. If it’s under four seconds, you should back off and allow more space. Driving in the wet isn’t just about leaving more space, though. You should also try and avoid sudden moves that might unbalance the car, such as sharp steering or braking. Doing so increases the likelihood of your car skidding. Keep an eye on what’s around you, too. And remember that large vehicles kick up more spray, so if you’re about to pass one, you should be prepared to increase the speed of your windscreen wipers to compensate. Also, if another driver is following you too closely or driving aggressively, don’t be tempted to react. It’s easier and safer to concentrate on your own driving, perhaps pulling over to let them go on their

merry way if you’re able to, than to do something provocative that might cause them to crash into you. How to react against aquaplaning Aquaplaning is a phenomenon that happens when your car’s tires encounter a substantial amount of water on the road which causes the tires to lift away from the road surface due to water build up under the tire. Once it loses contact with the tarmac, you’re effectively ‘surfing’ along, with little or no grip. You can usually tell if you’re aquaplaning because your steering will suddenly feel light and unresponsive, and you can hear the displaced water roaring against the inside of the car’s wheel arches. If it happens to you, resist the temptation to brake – doing so will almost certainly cause you to skid, which could have disastrous consequences. Instead, you should stay as calm as you can, take your foot off the accelerator pedal gently, and allow the car to slow down by itself, while keeping the steering pointing in the direction of travel. Eventually, the tires will bite down through the water and come back into contact with the road, at which point you should regain control.

THE Volkswagen Touran has a special place for every member of the family within its spacious confines: adjustable seating configurations, more than twenty possible storage compartments, generous cargo space. These andmore features make every trip a family “getaway,” whether it be Dad’s treat to a family camping trip, or Mom’s weekend rendezvous in the supermarket, or maybe even big brother’s big game at the college gym. It’s no surprise that the German automaker designed its MPV precisely as a family-oriented vehicle, prioritizing comfort and power with its Touran Comfortline and Comfortline Plus variants.

The Touran represents the German automaker’s distinctive take on the fast-rising MPV category. Designed and engineered using Volkswagen’s automotive craftsmanship, the seven-seater Touran epitomizes full functionality and versatility powered by the latest in diesel engine

technology. The Touran features the 2.0-liter TDI (turbo direct injection) diesel engine with a 6-speed DSG (direct shift gearbox) that optimizes power and achieves low fuel consumption and emissions. The Touran is able to generate 110 ps of power and 280 Nm of torque from as low as 1,750 rpm. To harness that power safely, the Touran is fitted with a number of safety systems, such as the Proactive Occupant Protection System that automatically tightens seatbelts and closes windows at the onset of a potential accident in order to maximize the functionality of the airbag system (six airbags: driver, passenger, side and head curtain). The Touran is also equipped with the Electronic Stabilisation Program (ESP) with Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL) to enable the vehicle to avoid skidding, wheel spinning or over/ under steering in critical road conditions. Other useful safety features of the Touran include the Park Distance Control, automatic headlight activation, and the ISOFIX mounts for child safety. The power, fuel efficiency, flexible seating configurations, generous load space, and numerous safety features ensure an enjoyable and comfortable everyday driving experience for all members of the family.

LGUs

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera

HE Kadayawan is one of the most awaited festivals in the country because it showcases the different cultures of the 11 tribes of Davao City. In the past years, the festival was a grand celebration thronged by local and foreign revelers, but visitors are in for a different treat this year. Aside from the 2016 celebration being the longest ever, the local government has decided to promote the reason for the festival, the 11 colorful tribes and thanksgiving for the abundant harvest.

Every year, the dabawenyos and tourists await the grand street parties that they can join, but this year, there will be no more street dancing in the city proper and all official activities must abide with the theme for this year, i.e oneness with the plight of the lumads and the Muslims. One of the different activities centered on the customs of the indigenous people is the tribal convergence called Panagtagbo, which symbolizes the unity that the city is known for, the harmony between all the 11 tribes and the Christians as well. The city is well-known for the peaceful coexistence of the Christians, lumads and Muslims. Through Panagtagbo, the local government envisions that this good relationship will continue and all the tribes will converge as the years go by. Another festival highlight is the Dula Kadayawan which fea-

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

ETHNIC. Dabawenyos join the street dancing in the 2015 Kadayawan festivities. This year’s celebrations will be the longest and most meaningful. Department of Tourism photo

Kadayawan celebrates lumad, Muslim pride tures the traditional games of the lumads and Muslims. Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte said that recognizing the struggles of the lumads and Muslims is the real essence of the festival, despite the simple celebration this year. “If we continue to turn a blind eye to the light of our lumad and Muslim brothers and sisters, Kadayawan will be meaningless,” Duterte said. He said that through this year’s simple celebration the city can show their unity with the travails of the indigenous peoples and Muslims over the past years. After the city’s pronouncement, the lumads’ joy and excitement

shone in their eyes at the thought that “at last we are the main cast.” For years, they joined the celebration, parading their costumes and culture with pride and honor, but this year everything will be all about them, and yes, they will be the stars. But beyond the attention that the city government has given them for this year’s celebration, the meaning of the Kadayawan festival for the 11 tribes will always be the same every year. For Datu Mohammad Buhisan of the Maguindanao tribe, the Kadayawan festival helps them preserve their culture. “If not for Kadayawan, we

might have forgotten our culture,” he said. Buhisan explained that because of Western influence on many of the tribes, most of the younger generation have forgotten their own traditions. He said that through Kadayawan they keep their identity and culture alive to their children. Meanwhile, for Datu Rody Mandi of the Matigsalog tribe, the Kadayawan festival assures them that they are now accepted by the Christian community. “Kadayawan helps us by boosting our confidence. For us it is the nation’s way of saying that it is accepting us for

who we are, we are free to live with other Filipinos,” Mandi said. According to councilor Al-Ryan Alejandre, “we really inspire the tribes to showcase and promote their music, dance, arts and way of life.” He said that the festival will remind the tribes that the City will always be thankful for their presence, for sharing their culture and protecting the environment. For Kadayawan Chairperson Arturo Boncato Jr., the festival is the soul of Davao City. “The peaceful image of Davao City can be connected to the unity of the 11 tribes living here. There is no quarrel between them, even

the Christians have a harmonious relationship with them,” he said. The Kadayawan festival is not just about showcasing the exotic beauty of every tribe here in the city, but also to pay their respect to the ancestors who kept the environment clean and abundant. Davao City is not just about durian, Mt. Apo, waling-waling and peace and order, it is also about the beauty of every dabawenyo who respect differences in culture and conserve the beauty of nature. Throughout the year and not just during the festival, the city has lived its mantra. Truly, ‘‘Life is Here.’’

LGUs

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 TODAY

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BFAR rebuilds Sangali Port By A. Perez Rimando

AMBOANGA CITY—The Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources has allocated more than P120 million for the rehabilitation of the old Barangay Sangali Fishing Port, some 20 kilometers northeast of the city proper, a ﬁshery ofﬁcial said.

BFAR executive director Asis Perez announced in a recent visit here that the amount would be utilized to renovate the fishing port and all its facilities, including its cold storage and warehouse. Perez informed Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar that the highly urbanized city, also known as the country’s Sardine Capital with its numerous sardine factories, will also receive a P2-million

incentive for hosting the First Sardine Industry Conference which focused on the theme “Sardinas: Cuida Para Sustente la Vida.” Salazar thanked Perez and the eight local sardine canning factories for the assistance they have been extending to local residents, especially those who were displaced during the September 2013 Zamboanga siege staged by Moro National Liberation Front rebels.

She also cited the move of the Investment Incentives Board which lured new investors to open new companies in the coastal city. The city executive further shared that in a recent trip to China for the 12th China-Asean Exposition in Nanning City, she observed the massive infrastructure for the fishing and aquatic resources. “We may be lagging behind China in terms of infrastructure

buildup, but I noted that we have equally abundant aqua-culture resources,” Salazar said even as she called on local inhabitants ”to take care of our precious sardines industry which supplies most of the needs of Metro Manila and other urban areas of the country.” She stressed “The future of sardines industry, with the abundance of tamban fish here, depends on us.”

Tilapia ice cream bags gold award DAERRYS Tilapia Ice Cream won the Salon International de L’Agroalimentaire (SIAL) Innovation Gold Award during the SIAL Asean Manila 2016 at the World Trade Center, Pasay City, Manila. A project of the Central Luzon State University (CLSU), the tilapia-flavored ice cream was selected among 350 exhibitors from 25 countries. Made with tilapia fillet, allpurpose cream, condensed and fresh milk, chopped walnuts and diced cheese, Tilapia Ice Cream has no fishy smell and aftertaste. The flavor was a result of the study of assistant professor Dana Vera Cruz. The recipe was developed from the idea of Dr. Tereso Abella. The product name, Daerrys, was coined from the combination of the proponents’ nicknames, Dana and Terry. The Tilapia Ice Cream line includes Original Flavored Tilapia

Ice Cream, Tilapia Sansrival, Tilapia Ice Cream Pops, and Tilapia Ice Cream Sandwich. As recipient of the Innovation Gold Award 2016, Tilapia Ice Cream will be showcased in the SIAL networks in Paris, Canada, China, Middle East, and Indonesia. The event was organized by the Comexposium Group and Manila Foods and Beverages Expo, and is part of the SIAL Network, the world’s largest food and beverages exhibition network. In support of product development using tilapia, the Department of Science and Technology funded the National Tilapia S&T Program, which was then monitored by the Inland Aquatic Resources Research Division of the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development of the DoST.

ERRORS & OMISSIONS

In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

Extra Judicial Settlement

Notice is hereby given that the estate of the late Felipe V. Verceles has been extrajudicially settled with Deed of Sale with transfer of rights among his heirs as per Doc. No. 488, Page No. 99; Book No. 07; Series of 2016 before Atty. Roper John B. Estepa. Notary Public PTR No: 4728973/Jan. 7, 2016. ( M S - A U G . 5 ,12 & 19 , 2 016)

Republic of the Philippines CITY OF SAN PEDRO Province of Laguna

BIDS AND AWARDS COMMITTEE

INVITATION TO BID The City Government of San Pedro Laguna through the Performance Challenge – DILG Special Project intends to apply the sum of Php 2,999,982.53 being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for the hereunder project: NAME OF PROJECT LOCATION ABC SOURCE OF FUND CONTRACT DURATION

: : : : :

Proposed Patching and Asphalt Overlay Molave St., Brgy. Calendola Php 2,999,982.53 Performance Challenge –DILG Special Project 30 Calendar Days

The City Government of San Pedro, Laguna now invites contractors registered with and classified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board (PCAB) to apply for eligibility and if found eligible, to bid for the above-mentioned projects. Completion of the Works is required on or before the contract duration. Bidders should have completed, two (2) calendar years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bids received in excess of the Approved Budget for the Contract shall be automatically rejected at bid opening

COMMANDER. President Rodrigo Duterte poses with the troopers of 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army in Camp Edilberto Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. Duterte pledged to protect uniformed personnel in the conduct of their duty. Lance Baconguis

Espino rewards Pangasinan choral singing champions By Dexter A. See GOV. Amado Espino III gave a cash reward to the Pangasinan State University (PSU)-Caboloan Performing Arts Guild who bagged the gold medal at the recently concluded 5th Bali International Choir Festival. True to his promise, Espino bestowed a P20,000 cash award to the collegiate chorale group during their courtesy call on him recently at the Urduja House, Capitol Compound in Lingayen. “I am very proud as a gover-

nor. I know that their parents, the Pangasinenses and PSU are very proud of them,” he said. Espino said his predecessor, now Rep. Amado Espino Jr., started a tradition of rewarding Pangasinense international competition participants, especially when they bring home the bacon. The 18-member Caboloan ensemble was accompanied by representatives from the PSU administration, vice president for sports services extension and training Manolito Manuel,

deputy director for culture, arts and heritage studies Romary Lincod, deputy director for public relations, publication and information office Philip Queroda and Lingayen Campus executive director Armando Junio. Espino advised the chorale group to inspire more young people to hone their talents by sharing them with everyone. He said he also told the Pangasinan Provincial Chorale to train new and young talents who will step in when some of their members retire.

Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using non-discretionary pass/fail criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted, unless otherwise stated, to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least seventy five percent (75%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA 138).Only bids from eligible bidders will be opened. In accordance with the IRR-A of R.A 9184, the contract/project shall only be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder who was determined as such during post-qualification. Interested bidders may obtain further information from the City Government of San Pedro, Laguna and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 8:30AM to 9:30 AM only. Office of BAC Secretariat 4/F Conf.Rm. City Administrator’s Office San Pedro City Hall

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address above and upon payment of a non-refundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of PESOS: 5,000.00. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before August 30, 2016 at 10:00AM: Office of BAC Secretariat 4/F Conf.Rm. City Administrator’s Office San Pedro City Hall

Pre-Bid Conference :

August 18, 2016 at 10:00 am

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18. Bids will be opened in the presence of the bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address above. Late bids shall not be accepted. All particulars relative to Eligibility Statement and Screening, Bid Security, Performance Security, Pre-Bidding Conference, Evaluation of Bids, PostQualification and Awards of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). The City Government of San Pedro, Lagunareserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders. For further information, please refer to: Mr. Merlin B. Paala Office of the BAC Secretariat San Pedro City Hall San Pedro, Laguna Telefax No. 808.2020 loc.320 (sgd) ENGR. FILEMON I. SIBULO Chairman Bids and Awards Committee (MS-AUG.12, 2016)

REVELERS. Young dancers perform on Wednesday at the Mayaw-Mayaw Festival in Pinabacdao, Samar.

Mel Caspe

DoLE moves vs ‘endo’ in C. Luzon By Romeo Dizon SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Department of Labor and Employment officials are validating whether about 620 companies in Central Luzon are still practicing end of contract (“endo”) every six months. The ending of “endo” was one of the election promises of President Rodrigo Duterte who accused the employers of becoming rich at the expense of poor employees. The validation of the companies started this month and will last until next year.

Jerry Borja, public information officer of the DoLE in Central Luzon said the companies are mostly service providers, including security agencies, manpower recruitment, and constructions firms. Borja said the validation is in line with the Department Order 18-8 which prohibits the hiring of employees every six months without benefits, as provided by labor laws. The order also aims to help small and medium companies comply with the instruction so that they can continue operating, he said.

Labor officials were ordered to close companies who refuse to follow labor laws and continue to practice contractualization by canceling their permits. The practice contracts workers to work for six months and denies them regularization. Labor laws mandate that these workers are entitled to complete benefits. Employees who are being victimized by employers were urged to sue their employers before the National Labor Relations Commission to stop exploitation and uphold labor laws.

QC sets up emergency operations center ALMOST three million Quezon City residents will avail of a modern system of quick response in case of disasters and emergencies before the end of this year. Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, who led the launching of the QC government’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) today at the city’s disaster risk reduction management council building, said the center will be fully operational by November with the installation of 243 highdefinition IP (internet protocol) surveillance cameras in major intersections and primary hot spots all over the city. The EOC, the mayor told guests including Land Transportation Office chief Edgar Galvante, Metro Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge Emerson Carlos, QCPD acting director Senior Supt. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar and QC fire marshal Supt. Jesus Fernandez, will improve not only the city’s crime watch and prevention mechanisms but also its response capability during disaster and other emergency situations and its vehicular traffic monitoring. The city’s emergency operations center, housed at the newly constructed disaster risk reduction management building at the city hall, is equipped with high-end servers, networking and communication equipment and an integrated video wall. The center also boasts of an advanced automatic telephone switching system. The mayor said the 243 units of high-definition IP surveillance cameras are connected to P300million state-of-the-art equipment fully equipped with video analytics of face recognition, vehicle and crowd counting, license plate recognition, flood monitoring, and video image enhancement. Other features of the emergency response system are underground fiber optic cable deployment on national roads, back-up wireless communication network, high definition surveillance cameras, computer-aided dispatch application system, LED display boards on major roads of the city and a 36-kilowatt solar hybrid system which will act as an emergency power supply for the city’s emergency operations center in cases of prolonged power outages during calamities.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Russia sets 3-hour daily ceasefire in Aleppo City M

oscow— Russia’s defense ministry on Wednesday said it would hold ﬁre around Syria’s ravaged city of Aleppo for three hours each day to allow humanitarian aid in, an initiative the United Nations (UN) said is insufﬁcient to meet the city’s needs. “To guarantee total security for the convoys to Aleppo there will be humanitarian windows established from 1000 to 1300 local time starting tomorrow during which all military hostilities, aviation strikes and artillery strikes will be halted,” Lieutenant General Sergei Rudskoy of the Russian army’s general staff told journalists. The pause would take place daily from Thursday from 0700 GMT to 1000 GMT, although Rudskoy did not specify how many days it would continue. Shortly after Moscow’s announcement, the UN’s top aid official said that halting fire for three hours a day would not be enough to ensure that civilians’ humanitarian needs are met. “To meet that capacity of need, you need two lanes and you need to have about 48 hours to get sufficient trucks in,” Stephen O’Brien, UN under-secretary general for humanitarian affairs, told reporters. “When we are offered three hours, you have to ask what can be achieved in those three hours.” The UN has called for urgent aid access to Aleppo and 48-hour weekly pauses for the aid deliveries, warning that civilians are at grave risk from water shortages and disease as fighting has intensified. Up to two million people in Aleppo have gone without running water for the past four days, UN agencies said. O’Brien said he had not been fully briefed on the Russian proposal but that there were complicated logistics to address, such as ensuring that truck drivers have enough time to safely make the trip to the city and back. On Wednesday the markets in opposition-held districts of Aleppo were the fullest they have been in weeks as food stalls and shops had been empty of customers after a government siege of the eastern districts led to rising prices and shortages. AFP

DEVOTION. A schoolgirl holds a portrait of Queen Sirikit to celebrate her birthday in Thailand’s southern province of Narathiwat on Thursday. The queen consort of revered monarch Bhumibol Adulyadej will turn 84 on Friday. AFP

Colombia, Venezuela resolves border row BOGOTA—Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Colombian counterpart Juan Manuel Santos will meet Thursday in Venezuela to discuss ending a row that has kept their border closed for nearly a year, officials said. The Colombian president’s office said the two leaders would seek to “normalize” the situation along the border, which Maduro closed last year after an attack on a Venezuelan army patrol. Maduro blamed the raid on right-wing paramilitaries from Colombia. The leftist leader has briefly reopened the border in recent weeks to allow Venezuelans to stock up on food, medicine and other basics. Venezuelais facing severe shortages amid an economic crisis fueled by the global crash in the price of oil, its main export. AFP

Indonesia has no room for gay community JAKARTA—Indonesia said Thursday there was “no room” for the gay community in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, as activists blasted officials for an unprecedented series of LGBT attacks. A wave of angry rhetoric directed at homosexuals earlier this year—including a call to ban them from university campuses—was the first time senior officials had publicly attacked the Southeast Asian nation’s gay community,

Human Rights Watch said in a report released Thursday. Indonesia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) citizens have long been targeted by vigilante Islamist groups. But the community experienced an “immediate deterioration” in their rights following a sustained assault by ministers, religious hardliners and influential Islamic organizations over a twomonth period, HRW said. In response, the government

said protecting LGBT rights was not a priority. “Rights of citizens like going to school and getting an ID card are protected, but there is no room in Indonesia for the proliferation of the LGBT movement,” presidential spokesman Johan Budi told Agence France Presse. Some of the most high-profile figures making anti-gay statements during the backlash—which activists believe may have been triggered by media coverage of the US

decision to legalize same-sex marriage—were government ministers. The higher education minister called for a ban on LGBT organizations on university campuses, while the defense minister likened homosexual rights groups to a “type of modern warfare.” In their report, HRW said that “what began as public condemnation quickly grew into calls for criminalisation and ‘cures,’ laying bare the depth and breadth of officials’ individual prejudices.”

Republic of the Philippines Province of Bataan MUNICIPALITY OF LIMAY

Twitter suit over IS accounts junked SAN FRANCISCO—A US judge Wednesday tossed out a lawsuit accusing Twitter of abetting terrorism by allowing Islamic State (IS) propaganda to be broadcast using the messaging platform. District Court Judge William Orrick granted a motion by Twitter to dismiss the case, reasoning that providing a platform for speech is within the law and that the company did not created the content. The Communications Decency Act protects online plat-

forms from being held responsible for what users post. The suit was filed in San Francisco federal court by the families of two government contractors killed late last year while working at a police training center run by the United States in Amman, according to court documents. A Jordanian police captain studying at the center shot the two men to death, and IS later claimed the captain was a “lone wolf” working for the group’s cause, the judge recounted in

his ruling. “As horrific as these deaths were, under the CDA Twitter cannot be treated as a publisher or speaker of ISIS’s hateful rhetoric and is not liable under the facts alleged,” Orrick said in the decision. The suit accused Twitter of providing “material support” to by letting accounts spread the message of the extremist group. The judge left open the option of re-filing an amended version of the suit. AFP

Sydney Opera House gets $190-m acoustics upgrade

RENEWAL. This picture taken on August 3 shows Japan’s reconstruc-

tion minister, minister in charge of revival from the nuclear accident at Fukushima, Masahiro Imamura attending a press conference in Tokyo. Imamura visited a Tokyo war shrine on August 11, local media said, in a ritual that could anger China and South Korea, where memories of Japan’s military and colonial record remain raw. AFP

SYDNEY—The Sydney Opera House is set to undergo a multimillion-dollar overhaul, with an emphasis on improving its acoustics, once described as worse than an aircraft hangar, officials said Thursday. The Aus$247 million (US$190 million) revamp is the biggest since Australia’s most recognisable building opened in 1973 and includes other upgrades to the main concert hall and the foyer, along with a new function centre. Describing the landmark as a “symbol of modern Australia,” New South Wales state deputy Premier Troy Grant said the renovations were necessary to help the Opera House—the country’s busiest performing arts center— meet demand. The refurbishments in the concert hall will involve the installation of a new acoustic ceiling, specially designed acoustic reflectors, automated draping and a 3D surround-sound system. The second-largest performance space, the Joan Sutherland Theatre, is also being redeveloped. There has long been criticism of the acoustics of the concert hall, which is located inside the largest roof sail of the Opera House. US actor John Malkovich in

2014 said the acoustics were so hideous they “would do an aeroplane hangar a disservice.” “It’s lovely to drive by on a motor boat and it has a very nice crew, and very capable, but the acoustics are hideous,” the American star told a local newspaper then. In 1999, Sydney Symphony Orchestra chief conductor Edo de Waart threatened to boycott the venue during the 2000 Olympics, calling its acoustic reflectors “a joke.” “The doughnuts (clear, circular reflectors above the platform) are a joke. They might as well be toilet seats. They do nothing whatsoever,” de Waart told the ABC then about his frustrations, which were shared by his predecessors. “It’s very frustrating. You get no help from this hall. It actually takes away from the sound the orchestra makes.” Danish architect Jorn Utzon began work on the harborside structure in 1957 but quit the project in 1966 during construction following a storm of controversy over budget blow-outs and his artistic vision. Changes to the interior design after Utzon departed left the building—which was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2007—with acoustics criticized as inadequate for international opera standards. AFP

The spike in anti-LGBT vitriol, predominantly during January and February this year, has intensified violence against sexual minorities throughout Indonesia, the report said. Indonesia’s largest Muslim group, Nahdlatul Ulama, in February described gay lifestyles as perverted and a desecration of human dignity. In Aceh, the only Indonesian province that applies Islamic law, the local government urged business owners to refuse to hire gay citizens. AFP

INVITATION TO BID The Bids and Awards Committee of the Municipality of Limay through the GENERAL FUND Budget CY2016 invites registered companies/service providers to apply for eligibility and if found to be eligible to bid, hereunder the projects/contracts. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening. Name of Project/ Contract

Janitorial Services for all Public Buildings and other Areas Security Services for all Public Buildings and other Areas

Location

Sources of FUNDS

Duration

Approved Budget Cost (ABC)

Cost of Bid Doc’s.

Limay, Bataan

GEN FUND

7 Months

7,716,973.40

10,000.00

Limay, Bataan

GEN FUND

7 Months

11,093,510.87

25,000.00

Bidders should have completed, within two previous years from the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138. Interested bidders may obtain further information from BAC OFFICE, Limay Municipal Building, National Road, Brgy. Townsite, Limay, Bataan at the given address during office hours, 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on August 15 to August 26, 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents . The Bids and Awards Committee will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 18, 2016, 2:00P.M.. at Limay Municipal Building, which shall be open to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents. Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 1:00P.M., August 31, 2016. All Bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in the Bid Documents. Bid opening shall be on 2:00P.M., August 31 , 2016 at Limay Municipal Building. 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/ongoing projects) at least fifteen (12) calendar days before the deadline for the submission or opening of bids. The Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) of the Municipality of Limay reserves the right to accept or deny any bid, to annul 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, refer to: RAQUEL A. LEONGSON BAC OFFICE Tel. No. : 613-8011

(MS-AUG. 12, 2016)

(SGD) ROMARIO C. PANANGUI BAC – Chairman

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

World

France, Portugal battle forest fires VITROLLES—France mobilized 1,500 firefighters Wednesday to tackle wildfires in countryside north of Marseille that have gutted buildings and forced more than 1,000 people to flee their homes. Whipped up by strong winds, the blaze took hold around 3:30 pm (1330 GMT) and has spread over 2,260 hectares (5,600 acres) of scrubland, grass and some wooded areas, according to firefighters. “We haven’t seen a situation like this for a very long time,” the fire service said, first calling the wildfires “out of control” but later describing more favorable conditions in the night. Meanwhile, three people have died in raging forest fires on Portugal’s holiday island of Madeira where flames damaged homes and a hotel and forced around 1,000 people to flee. Portugal urged its European partners Wednesday to help in battling multiple blazes on the island known as the “Pearl of the Atlantic”. The three perished in their homes close to the historic centre of the capital Funchal, while a hotel overlooking the town was destroyed and other buildings were licked by flames, officials said. Firefighters worked through the night training jets of water high on to the orange flames against the dark night sky in Funchal’s narrow streets to try to protect its historic heart. In France, homes were destroyed in the town of Vitrolles, some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of Marseille, with more than 1,000 people forced to seek shelter in local sports centers. AFP

Trump says Obama, Hillary co-founded IS WASHINGTON—Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Wednesday accused President Barack Obama of founding the Islamic State (IS) group. Addressing supporters at a rally in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the real estate tycoon said the jihadist group is “honoring President Obama.” “He is the founder of ISIS,” Trump said, using a term for the IS group. “He’s the founder of ISIS, okay?” he added. “He’s the founder! He founded ISIS.” The brash billionaire went on to criticize his Democratic rival for the White House.

“And I would say, the cofounder would be crooked Hillary Clinton,” he said. Trump has suffered what critics insist is a long string of missteps that have marred his campaign since he officially won the nomination last month. Earlier on Wednesday, Clinton sternly warned Trump about his “casual inciting” of violence, saying he “crossed the line” after he caused a firestorm by suggesting that people who support gun rights could take action to stop her from appointing US Supreme Court justices if elected president. AFP

NONAGENARIAN. This ﬁle photo taken on June 21, 2004 shows Cuban President Fidel Castro saluting the public during a speech at a rally in front of the US Interest Section in Havana. After surviving more than 600 assassination attempts, defying 10 US presidents and shaping half a century of history, Fidel Castro celebrates his 90th birthday Saturday. AFP

Drug trader suspected of media killing nabbed X

alapa—A suspected local chief of the notorious Zetas cartel was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the murder of a journalist, ofﬁcials said Wednesday.

Soldiers acting under a court Mexican state of Veracruz, state order captured the suspect— prosecutor Luis Angel Bravo told identified only as Manuel N and reporters. his alias “El Cachorro”—in the “The detainee is head of a

group calling itself a criminal part of the Zetas,” Bravo said. Investigations showed he was among a group of armed men who burst into the home of Anabel Flores Salazar before dawn in February and took her away. Her bound and half-naked body was discovered the following day with her head covered with bags on a road in the neighboring east-

ern state of Puebla, the authorities said. The 32-year-old mother of two died of asphyxiation. She worked as a crime reporter for the newspaper El Sol de Orizaba in Veracruz. Another man accused of taking part in the murder and also identified as a Zetas member was arrested in May. Wracked by a wave of drug-

related violence, Mexico is considered one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, with more than 90 journalists killed and another 17 reported missing since 2000, according to press freedom group Reporters Without Borders. Veracruz is the most dangerous region for journalists inside Mexico, with 19 journalists murdered in the last six years. AFP

Putin accuses Ukraine of incursions in Crimea

2 WORLDS. Larry King (left) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speak onstage during the special event for the latter hosted by Brett Ratner and David Raymond at a Private Residence on Wednesday in Los Angeles, California. AFP

MOSCOW—Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday accused Ukraine of waging “terror” over alleged attempted incursions into annexed Crimea that Kiev has fiercely denied. Russia’s security agency announced it had thwarted “terrorist attacks” in Crimea by Ukrainian military intelligence and beaten back an armed assault, claims that have ratcheted up tensions first sparked by Moscow’s 2014 annexation of the strategic Black Sea peninsula. The FSB security service said in a statement that one of its officers was killed in armed clashes while arresting “terrorists” on the night of August 6-7, while a Russian soldier died in a firefight with “sabotage-terrorist” groups sent by the Ukrainian defense ministry on August 8. “This is very alarming news. In fact, our security services prevented an incursion into the

territory by a sabotage-reconnaissance group from Ukraine’s defense ministry,” Putin said. The Kremlin leader accused the authorities in Kiev of “practicing terror” and warned the deaths of the two Russian officers would have consequences. “From the Russian side there were losses -- two servicemen killed. We obviously will not let such things slide by,” Putin said. “This is a very dangerous game. We will of course do everything to assure the security of infrastructure, citizens and will take additional measures to provide security, including serious additional measures.” Moscow and Kiev have been locked in a bitter feud since the Kremlin seized Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014 after Russian-backed president Viktor Yanukovych was ousted. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Moscow’s claims were “senseless and cynical”. AFP

World Social Forum woos Montreal widealists MONTREAL—Fifteen years after the World Social Forum (WSF) began with a huge gathering in Porto Alegre, Brazil, organizers are hoping to breathe new life into the anti-globalization movement. But critics say the latest edition being held in Montreal is a pale copy of the original, with attendance hitting an all-time low. A mere 15,000 committed anti-globalization activists have registered for this year’s event, which runs until Sunday, compared to 100,000 at its height. “When I talk with Montrealers, no one is aware of this forum and so few people know about the WSF in general, whereas everyone knows Davos,” said Henry Mintzberg, a professor at McGill University in Montreal, contrasting the WSF with its nemesis, the World Economic Form held each year in the posh Swiss Alps resort. “It’s less in tune with the times, we hear less about it than before,” sociologist Andre Drainville told Agence France Presse. This first edition of the WSF in a Group of Seven nation (Canada) is also now competing with several upstart social movements that have been more agile and focused. “In 2011, (Spain’s) Indignados movement or Occupy Wall Street in the US did not look to the social forum. Instead they took to the streets,” said WSF organizer Raphael Canet. The WSF’s struggle for relevance is also linked to a lack of cohesion among its supporters, according to experts. AFP

Life DESTINATIONS

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

James Cameron’s

passion for New Zealand

Canadian filmmaker James Cameron and his wife Suzy hiking on the popular Mount Alfred in New Zealand's Southern Alps that offers a breathtaking view of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps

ILMMAKER James Cameron is sharing his love of New Zealand, fronting a new video that gives the world a glimpse of what it is about the country that captivates him like nowhere else. Cameron’s personal connection with New Zealand stems from his very first visit in the mid-90s. “I came as a stranger, I knew very little about New Zealand, and I left in love with it. Not just the beauty of the land that is very seductive, but the dynamic spirit of the people. I had never felt a connection to a place that strongly before. And I never really lost that dream.” That same charm that has captivated Cameron is luring Filipinos in droves to this rising travel destination. Filipino tourist arrivals in the country have reached 16,880 as of June this year, up 32.2 percent from last year. With Cameron’s new video, it’s easy to see why. In collaboration with Tourism New Zealand, Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis Cameron spent four days filming, taking in the natural wonders of New Zealand’s spectacular South Island. The couple walks on the Tasman Glacier, kayaks through a Dart River canyon and takes in the sweeping views of Blanket Bay by helicopter. They hike on the alpine Routeburn Track, cycle beside Lake Pukaki and visit Mount Alfred in the Glenorchy area near Queenstown. The Cameron family has a coastal estate north of the capital city, Wellington, where he is immersed in the development of the next Avatar. They divide their time between New Zealand and California.

He says, “There is so much to see and experience and you can do it all because everything is so close together. We go on hikes, cycle the incredible trails, kayak in the ocean and walk through the forest. If you enjoy the outdoors and you enjoy a sense of adventure, you’re not going to be able to beat this place anywhere in the world.” A world-renowned explorer and environmentalist, Cameron is passionate about discovery. “When you see something you have never seen before, it’s a wonderful experience. It’s like a living painting; it’s never the same view two days in a row.” The Cameron video will roll out in Tourism New Zealand’s key markets around the world and Regional Manager for South and Southeast Asia Steve Dixon is confident it will inspire more Filipinos to visit New Zealand. He says, “Having someone of the caliber of James Cameron sharing his personal stories and insights while exploring some of New Zealand’s most beautiful places is of immeasurable value for New Zealand. Filipinos would feel right at home with New Zealand’s beautiful landscapes and welcoming, creative people.” To view James Cameron’s video head to goo.gl/WI0jGk. PHOTOS BY ALISTAIR GUTHRIE

James and his team gather among the tussocks on the summit of Mt. Alfred

James and Suzy take a jet-boat down the Dart River

Behind the scenes with James and his film crew as they explore New Zealand's longest and largest glacier, the Tasman Glacier

Life

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

“T

HE Beauty of Los Cabos” is the phrase that reverberates in my head every time I look back to that trip I made a few years back to one of the playgrounds of the world’s MERCURY RISING rich and famous. I can’t help but BY BOB ZOZOBRADO think in Spanish when I relive that experience, which always elicits a smile on my face, as I relish the thousand-and-one beautiful moments that came with that visit. Los Cabos is in the southern tip of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula and is composed of two towns—Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, including the row of beach resorts that connects the two. It used to be a practically deserted area, scarcely populated, but about two decades ago, the Mexican government developed Cabo San Lucas for tourism because of its conducive climate. Adding to its lure is its unique geography—the desert leading on to the sea—with its waters ideal for sport fishing. Beautiful golf courses also dot the area, making it even more attractive to high-end business travelers. The trip was made even more memorable because it was a reunion for me, my sons and only daughter who lives in Seattle. I’ve never been to that part of Mexico before so it was a trip I was very excited about. The flight from Los Angeles to Los Cabos took only two hours and a half, and the moment we stepped into the airport terminal, everybody was talking to me in Spanish, thinking that I was Mexican, too. I didn’t stop them from doing so because it was the best way to brush up on my Spanish. Having haggled, in Spanish, over the best price for a limo, in no time we were

on our way to our hotel. The road trip from the airport to downtown Cabo San Lucas, the bigger of the two towns in Los Cabos, took about 40 minutes. We drove through part of the Carretera Trans-Peninsular, or the Trans-Peninsular Highway, which is actually 1711 kilometers long and extends all the way to Tijuana. I learned from our driver that the highway was the site of that exciting race scene in one of the Fast and Furious movies. Our hotel was the all-suite Villa del Arco Beach Resort and Spa, a highend resort on El Medano Beach, with a spacious balcony in each suite facing the famous El Arco. A famous natural landmark in the area, this is a white arch made of limestone, protruding into the blue Pacific. The hotel had the usual accouterments of a luxury property, but what I enjoyed most was their Pirate Ship Bar, which is right next to the large pool. My children and I would just laze around in the bar late afternoons, after swimming either in the pool or in the ocean, just in time to watch the splendor of the golden sunset over the blue Pacific Ocean. I thought that was the best view of the glorious sunset, until my children

La Belleza de Los Cabos

El Arco, a natural formation of limestone rock, is one of the many tourist attractions in Los Cabos, Mexico

and I decided to have dinner in the town’s most popular specialty restaurant, Sunset da Mona Lisa. Prior to our trip, we read about this restaurant from the lifestyle pages of The New York Times. The paper labels it as not just a de luxe restaurant with excellent European cuisine, but a way to indulge one’s senses with the soothing sound of waves crashing on the limestone rocks, and the most glorious sunset one can ever see. All these were true, but I hasten to add that the restaurant’s most potent claim-

to-fame is its being situated on top of a cliff, overlooking the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, with the cool wind blowing from all directions, adding to the surreal experience of a lifetime! We had a table right on the edge of the veranda, which is also the edge of the cliff, and the congruence of several factors made it a perfect dinner, a perfect moment—a breathtaking view and superb cuisine in the company of all my children. What more could I ask for? During the day, we walked around downtown Cabo San Lucas for the usual souvenirs, and had our fill of real Mexican tacos, burritos and fajitas, taken in with either cerveza or tequila. There were a few other tourist attractions that the super-friendly hotel staff suggested for us to visit, mostly beach-

es. But staying at the Villa del Arco and having dined at the Sunset da Mona Lisa were more than enough exhilaration for a weeklong stay. This was one trip I found myself repeatedly verbalizing my praise for God’s creation. Everything about the place deserves the highest accolades— the warm and hospitable people, the unparalleled views, and the excellent cuisine, made even more special with the presence of all my children. Having had enough practice in Spanish, I can safely say, “Esos bellos momentos en Los Cabos seran siempre permanecera en mi Corazon.” (Those beautiful moments in Los Cabos will always be in my heart.) For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE

The author (right) and his children (from left) Ignacio, Miguel, Carlos and Ana relaxing at the Pirate Ship Bar

The view from the varanda of Cabo San Lucas' most popular restaurant, Sunset da Mona Lisa

A couple was having dinner at a fancy restaurant. As the food was served, the husband right away said, “Yummy! Let’s eat.” The wife gently interrupted, “Honey, at home we always say prayer before eating.” Husband countered, “That’s at home, sweetheart. Here, the chef knows how to cook.”

REAL DEALS Processing fee on travel tax exemption scrapped DISCOVERY PRIMEA’S ‘IPACKAGE REWARD PROGRAM’ EFFECTIVE July 25, Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will no longer charge “processing fee” for the issuance of certificates of Travel Tax Exemption and Reduced Travel Tax. "The processing fee of P200.00 charged on those exempted from or entitled to reduced travel tax rates is just an additional burden to the travelers," said Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, also the chairman of the TIEZA Board. “The removal of this processing fee shall also alleviate the situation of long lines at the TIEZA and travel counters at the airport. Those exempted from travel tax payments and those entitled to reduced rates will just have to present their documents to get the corresponding cer-

tificate of exemption or reduced travel tax rate,” Teo said. In 2015, at least 738,734 passengers had to pay the P200.00 processing fee just to receive a certificate of exemption or entitlement to reduced travel tax rates. The TIEZA Board decided to scrap the P200.00 processing fee for the benefit of OFWs and their dependents, balikbayans, and Filipino permanent residents abroad that come and stay in the country for less than one year. “We will further review the Travel Tax System as the Philippines’ travel tax is already 60 years old. We would like to ensure a simplified and streamlined travel tax collection, and that its use shall be properly consistent with tourism development purposes,” Teo added.

Enchanted Kingdom’s #EKHugot Instagram Promo TO commemorate August as “Buwan Ng Wikang Pambansa,” Enchanted Kingdom (EK) launches its online contest to encourage guests to join in the fun of illustrating just how colorful and expressive the Filipino language truly is. To join the #BuwanNgWeEka #EKHugot Instagram contest, follow the official Enchanted Kingdom Instagram account @ek_philippines and upload your own photo of a ride, attraction, show or just about anything that can be found at Enchanted Kingdom accompanied by a matching “Hugot” line or caption and the hashtags #BuwanNgWeEKa and #EKHugot. Each post must tag and mention @ek_philippines in the caption/photo. The Instagram account

should be set to public for the duration of the promo, as chosen entries will be shared by the EK Instagram account. Get friends and family to “Like” your photo to have bigger chances of winning. The wittiest and most hugot-worthy entries will be chosen during the contest period of July 26 to Sept. 2. Five lucky weekly winners will win one EKsperience the Magic card worth P2500.00 each, which will allow them to enjoy EKsclusive perks and privileges including a whole year of unlimited entrance, freebies, and invites to exclusive park events. To view the full mechanics of the promo and the criteria for judging, visit the official Enchanted Kingdom Facebook page www.facebook.com/ enchantedkingdom.ph

DISCOVERY Primea, Makati City’s newest luxury business hotel, has launched a special offer that allows clients to reward themselves with hightech gadgets, when booking events or functions until end of September. Rewards are determined by the event revenue and include an iWatch, an iPhone 6S with 16GB, or an iPad mini 4 with 64GB, among others. With contemporary furnishings and equipment, an adjacent Business Center for secretarial needs, and a dedicated Meetings Concierge, the hotel’s banquet and meeting spaces inspire ideas for intimate business meetings and corporate trainings. Spacious accommodations—ranging from 40 square meters in a Business Flat to 125 square meters in a Primea Loft—are all equipped with modern luxuries such as High Speed Internet Access for multiple devices, a Nespresso machine, and Internet Protocol Television

(IPTV), for the convenience of the business executive. With the hotel’s unique, personalized brand of service and impeccable range of

amenities, Discovery Primea has since become a popular hotel destination for business travelers who want to be close to the city center.

For inquiries on the iPackage Program, please contact the hotel’s Events Team at (02) 9558888 or via email dpevents@discovery.com.ph

LUXURIOUS RAINY DAY TREATS

MAKATI Shangri-La, the city’s premiere luxury hotel, invites guests, including families and business travelers, to enjoy a tropical retreat right in the heart of the Metro amid the rainy days through “The Grand Getaway: La Filipiniana” vacation package. The La Filipiniana package offers a full experience of unparalleled comfort and luxury while reigniting that spark for nationalism by bringing the country’s glorious past into the present through various services and activities. Guests can book a Deluxe Room any day of the week from P6800.00++ inclusive of a sumptuous breakfast buffet with remarkable selection for everyone’s taste at Circles Event Café. Those in need of a little indulgent pampering can head

to the Makati Shangri-La’s The Spa for a signature Filipino hilot massage, offered with 20 percent special discount. An idyllic mid-day tea buffet featuring Filipino flavors such as Cassava Cake, Ube Halaya,

and Brazo de Mercedes are offered on Saturdays and Sundays from 3pm to 6pm at the Lobby Lounge buffet. Guests can sample the best of Filipino Merienda Buffet flavors for only P920.00++ per head.

The package also includes a Cultural Pass, which provides discounts to nearby Ayala Museum where collections and exhibits from notable Filipino artists are on display. It also includes discounts to the Museum Shop, the Museum Café and upcoming Art Classes. In addition, guests stand a chance to win FINO Leatherware products worth P20,000.00, or an overnight weekend stay for two with buffet breakfast, lunch or dinner for two at Circles Event Café as part of the package. For room reservations and details, please call (02) 8138888 or email reservations. SLM@shangri-la.com. Follow Makati Shangri-La on facebook.com/MakatiShangriLa and @MakatiShangriLa on Instagram and Twitter.

Showbiz

F YOU are one of those who pine for the smooth and sweet love songs of yesteryears, then you would surely enjoy watching The Stylistics on Aug. 14 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Soul music group The Stylistics returns to Manila for a one-night concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

The quartet hailed as one of the most successful soul vocal groups of the ‘70s is returning to Manila in the twin bill dubbed The Stylistics with The Main Ingredient featuring Cuba Gooding, Sr.. Live by Ovation Productions, A frequent Manila visitor in the past several years, The Stylistics is expected to awe and thrill audience with its classic soul hits, such as “Stop, Look, Listen,” “You Are Everything,” “Betcha By Golly, Wow,” “People Make The World Go Round,” “I’m Stone In Love With You,” “Break Up To Make Up” and “You Make Me Feel Brand New.” The Main Ingredient, on the other hand, gained popularity for its biggest hits, “Everybody Plays The Fool,” “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely,” “Girl Blue,” “I’m So Proud,” “Spinning Around” and “Who Can I Turn To,” while the group’s lead singer, Gooding, Sr., himself attained international success in his brief solo career for “Happiness Is Just Around The Bend.” The Stylistics was inducted into the Vocal Group of Fame in 1994 in recognition of its achievements in the music and recording industry. The present Stylistics is composed of Airrion Love (1968-present), Herb Murrell (1968-present), Eban Brown (2000-present) and Jason Sharp (2011-present). (The Stylistics with The Main Ingredient featuring Cuba Gooding, Sr. Live is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with FOX and UBIX. Tickets are priced at P4,755, P4,225, P3,170, P2,115, P1,060 and are available at all regular Ticketnet outlets and online through www. Ticketnet.com.)

The Stylistics’ smooth,

sweet love songs of ‘70s

RECORDING artist Shirley Vy and bank corporate FX officer Jan Louise Ngo bested 28 Chinese-Filipino candidates and were named 2016 Mister and Miss Chinatown during pageant’s finals at Resorts World Manila’s Newport Performing Arts Theater in Newport City, Pasay recently. Vy, a native of Tacloban City and graduated at Leyte Progressive High School, has recorded a bossa nova album Simply Bossa and an OPM single “Sabihin Mo” under Universal Records. She won best in swimwear and bagged the Miss Chinatown Oriental and Miss Chinatown Shimian titles. Vy will represent the Philippines in the Miss Chinese International pageant in January 2017. Ngo, a former Mr. College of Business and graduate of Management of Financial Institutions at De La Salle University Manila and presently working as Corporate FX Officer at the Bank of Philippine Islands, was named best in swimwear and Mister Photogenic. Vy and Ngo will act as new Chinatown cultural ambassadors to promote the preservation of ChineseFilipino culture and heritage. Lin Zeng, an honor graduate at Grace Christian College, Miss F&H DLSU campus model 2015 and a presidential awardee, was named first runner up of Miss Chinatown 2016. Sherwin Yao, a Jiu-jitsu Master who supports antibullying movement, was named first runner up Mister Chinatown 2016. Pichie Lim, a swimming medalist from Immaculate Concepcion Academy and Wryan Chua, a cinephile, photographer and swimmer from Philippine Cultural College, were named second runners up. Lim also won Miss Philippine Airlines while Chua won Mister Shimian. Miss Chinatown 2014 Nicole Cordoves, whose Chinese name is Ding Ni Ke, crowned the new Miss

Corporate FX ofﬁcer and Bossa Nova singer win Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2016

Shirley Vy and Jan Louie Ngo (center) are named the newest ambassadors of the Chinese-Filipino community at the coronation night of Mr. and Ms. Chinatown 2016

Chinatown. Cordoves competed in the Bb. Pilipinas 2016 pageant and won the Bb. Pilipinas Grand International title. Mister Chinatown 2014 Kurt Ong also passed on his title to winner Ngo. Amidst the South China Sea territorial crisis, the Mister and Miss Chinatown pageant gave the opportunity to represent the excellence of the Chinese-Filipino youth in areas such as leadership, the arts, entrepreneurship and academics. More than just about showcasing the beauty and good looks of Chinese-Filipinos the Chinoy pageant also shares the culture and cultivation of both the traditional and modern values amidst the changing times. “I believe this is the perfect time to take on a project that really reﬂects our overall vision to create avenues that would forge unity amongst the Filipino and Chinese communities. I trust that despite the diversity, unity will always prevail,” said Alvin Kingson Tan, president of Fil-Chi Media Productions, Inc., producer of the third edition of the nationwide search. “Mr. and Miss Chinatown Philippines is based on the very essence of the Fil-Chinese roots – having the best of both worlds in being uniquely both Chinese and Filipino. Areas known as ‘Chinatown’ exists throughout the world, but the oldest Chinatown in the world exists right in Binondo in the heart of the city of Manila,” said Alexis Sy Go, DMD, director of Miss Chinatown Philippines, Inc. Gretchen Ho and Robi Domingo hosted the Mr. and Miss Chinatown 2016 coronation night. It was telecast on ABS-CBN on Aug. 7 right after Gandang Gabi Vice. Eton B. Concepcion

Perpetual’s dance troupe wins at IYF World Cultural Dance Festival THE University of Perpetual Help Las Piñas Campus’ Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw won the silver prize award at the 2016 International Youth Fellowship (IYF) World Cultural Dance Festival in Chonbuk National University, Jeon-Ju City, South Korea. The World Cultural Dance Festival, which is on its ﬁfth year was participated in by 11 teams from different countries, namely Cambodia, China, Japan, India, Korea, Ukraine, the Philippines, Thailand,

University of Perpetual Help’s Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw receiving the the silver prize at an international dance tourney

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, August 12, 2016

ACROSS 1 Clear the windshield 6 Finish a piecrust 11 It’s to jump for 14 Open-mouthed in amazement 15 Slow train 16 S&L offering 17 Lost cause 18 It’s often bid 19 Lemon — 20 Part of N.B. 22 Dull finish 24 Alemaker’s craft 28 Got bit by bit 30 Flattens 31 Pablo’s girl 32 Dorm climbers 33 Poser 37 Kind of instinct 38 “Alfie” star 39 Flamenco shout 40 Paid attention 43 Hawks 45 Legends 46 January stone 47 Says confidently 50 Fast-track vehicles 51 Light wood 52 Family men 53 Caustic solution 54 Fly the shuttle

57 Leave no choice 62 Sixth sense 63 Jack, in cards 64 Pick on 65 Compost 66 Organic compound 67 Internet search engine DOWN 1 Mr. Hammarskjold of the U.N. 2 It may be fragile 3 Blower 4 Unseal, to a poet 5 Pets in a cage 6 How trolleys go 7 Grabbed a cab 8 Here, to Henri 9 “Diamond Lil” 10 Bird cover? 11 Dumps, in a way 12 Take the dais 13 Fishtailed 21 Naval off. 23 Cold — — icicle 24 “Bounty” skipper 25 Ziegfeld offering 26 A Peron

27 Very little 28 Revise 29 Pittance 31 Sign after Pisces 33 Glazier’s units 34 Metaphysical poet 35 Tribal adviser 36 Sits down 38 Old Roman foe 41 Tpks. 42 Bar sing-along 43 First-string team 44 Sooner than 46 Traipse around

47 Better trained 48 Authority (hyph.) 49 Lay dormant 50 Feed en masse 52 Sharp decline 55 MD assistants 56 Vampire — 58 Give — — break 59 Cry of disdain 60 Paul Anka’s “— Beso” 61 Tolstoy’s name

and Cote d’Ivoire. The Grand Prize was awarded to China ($5000.00), the Gold Prize ($3000.00) to Cote d’Ivoire, the Silver Prize ($2000.00) to the Philippines - Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw, and the Bronze Prize ($1000.00) to Korea (Righteous Stars). The Sanlahi Pangkat Mananayaw is composed of talented Perpetualites who uphold the belief that they are catalysts in preserving, promoting, and developing the Philippine culture and the arts in

the university. The group is regularly performing their repertoire of folk, and contemporary dances in dance festivals and invitational performances for various organizations around Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) gave the Perpetual Sanlahi Pagkat Mananayaw a commendation for the “outstanding achievement to represent the country with a deep sense of pride of our unique and vibrant culture.”

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Showbiz PEOPLE

Pop and R&B band Freestyle provides entertainment during OBMPH’s 10th year anniversary celebration

OBMPH’s Double

Celebration O

UTBOX Media PowerHouse recently celebrated its 10th year in the events organizing business at the Mall of Asia Seaside’s Movie Stars’Café.

The event theme was Superheroes hideout. All superheroes and allies (clients and future clients) were called to meet for the ofﬁcial unboxing of Outbox Media’s new identityOutbox Media Powerhouse Corporation. The guests were asked to be in their ‘‘I am a Civilian’’ disguise, for them to have a break from their Superhero duties. The event was hosted by an out of this world host—a virtual host. Rafﬂe also had an awesome gimmick; an augmented reality photo that the guests needed to decode. First 10 successful decoders received a portable speaker each. It was a double treat for the OBMPH Staff: 1) Commander Rossel Taberna turned 31; 2) the Commander’s Commander Anthony “Ka Tunying” made sure that the Missus, staff, guests and loyal clients had a memorable good time. The night was capped off with the performance of Freestyle. Outbox heroes wished for more decades of successful event-organizing. After all, OutBox Media has been acknowledged as the “No. 1 Events’ Organizing Company” and Rossel is undeniably “The Queen of Events.” *** GMA Network’s Yan Ang Morning celebrates Marian Rivera-Dantes’ birthday with special episodes this week. The Primetime Queen had a fun and exciting tour at SM By The Bay. Kapuso stars Jeric Gonzales, Thea Tolentino, Migo Adecer, and Klea Pineda joined Marian in this episode as they enjoy the different rides in the amusement park. They will also take viewers

on an educational tour inside Explorium in SM Mall of Asia. The weeklong birthday celebration of Marian continued yesterday as she returned to one of her favorite places in the country - Baclaran. She frequents the Our Lady of Perpetual Help shrine together with her Lola Francisca before she joined show business. Marian visited the church and Berma Mall together with Betong and her best friends Boobay and Roxanne Barcelo. The episode today is deﬁnitely, be a royal day for Yan Ang Morning with the Primetime King Dingdong Dantes as Marian’s special guest. On the day of her birthday, she takes viewers on a gastronomic tour around Bonifacio Global City together with her husband. Aboard a big bike, they visit two of their most favorite restaurants. Dingdong will also prepare a special dish for Marian. Yan Ang Morning airs at 9:30 a.m., Monday to Friday on GMA. *** For mothers who have children struggling with their studies, Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) might just have found a breakthrough. The Mind Sync Project is probably the best gift for the children as they might be able to become smarter after attending a two day-long midbrain activation training course. Children can do blindfolded book reading, blindfolded card puzzle, or even blindfolded block walking and speed reading too after their middle brain is activated. Meanwhile, fashion photographer Norman San

Diego’s FAB (Fashion, Arts and Bodies) is making waves with his colorful and inventive creations. The latest hair fashion craze for men today is Hair Tattooing. Hair tattoos can be a unique style statement for men and some women as well. Gandang Ricky Reyes Salon offers the service free of charge when you avail of a regular haircut.

Hidilyn Diaz It was a TV moment when the 25-year-old Filipina athlete won silver in the weightlifting event at the 2016 Rio Olympics. While it was her shining moment, her victory became a glaring reminder how pitiable our national sports program is. With the elusive gold yet to be won by our athletes, it begs the question whether we lack the talent or the Olympic Committee is not giving our athlete the highest standard of training that can make them highly competitive in the international arena. Anne Curtis Proving she is just more than a pretty face, the Kapamilya actress spent weeks learning tactical combat, training Pekiti Tirsia Kali (a Filipino martial art), and running with Scout Rangers all for the sake of preparing for her role in the upcoming Erik Matti ﬁlm, Buy Bust. More than three million viewers have seen the training video in less than a weeks since the ﬁle was uploaded on Facebook. Many suggested that this training seems like her preparation for the much-coveted Darna role. Well, we will see about that.

ISAH V. RED

Poised to be the next big thing in the health industry is Transdermal Magnesium as lack of this mineral is said to be the cause of many ailments afflicting us today. Tune in this Saturday, Aug. 13, 9 to 10 a.m. to Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) on GMA News TV with host Ricky Reyes as he shares more about all these in.

Liza Soberano Does she need any makeup to look good? We don’t think so. She’s pretty with or without any cosmetics to enhance her features. Nonetheless, being the face of a global beauty brand’s newest campaign is a welcome addition to her growing number of endorsements. A beauty brand has expanded its stable of stars in the country and chosen the teen actress as the new face of its beauty line. And, we couldn’t say anything more apart from giving our big nod of approval.

…are not talking about TV5 Olympic Coverage Has the TV network done anything to enhance our Olympic viewing experience? That’s the million-dollar question. From its terrible coverage of the opening ceremony to the regular competitions in the sporting event, TV5 has given the public a big reason not to trust the network’s capacity to deliver a seamless coverage. Not only that it has given people the impression that nobody in TV5 knows what kind of competition Filipinos enjoy watching, it also validated its being unreliable in handling historic events such as the Olympics. Kris Aquino Rumors are circulating that the host-actress is planning to hop from ABS-CBN over to GMA-7. But will the Kapuso bite the bait? We heard through the grapevine that Kris was not happy when the ﬁve-year contract she was asking from the Kapamilya network was cut down to just two years and her take-home pay was reduced to an amount that’s way below her expectation. Perhaps, her mother network has ﬁnally realized that she has been given too much attention. Enough already was the network’s new mantra.

ROYAL DAY. Kapuso’s Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera in a special episode of the morning show, ‘Yan Ang Morning’

New level of movie experience THERE’S something new at Greenbelt 3’s Ayala Malls Cinemas. Recently, the chain unveiled two exciting cinema concepts that will surely make Makati cineastes fall in love again and again with the experience of watching movies at the big screen. First is the game-changing cinema technology 4DXTM theater, the ﬁrst in Makati and the third of Ayala Malls Cinemas (the other two are in Bonifacio High Street and U.P. Town Center). Greenbelt 3 cinema 5 is now equipped with 144 magical motion seats and an auditorium ﬁlled with environmental

…are talking about

effects that will fully immerse you in each scene and let you experience being in the movie. The precise choreography of motion system and environmental effects will thrill you. 4DX™ motion chairs heave up and down, roll side-toside, and pitch forward and backward to allow you to physically participate in the action on-screen. These motions will be harmonized well with featured effects such as bottom and back shaker, water, fog, scents, wind, lightning, face air, bubbles, leg tickler. The 4DXTM is in partnership with CJ 4DPlex, the world’s ﬁrst 4D cinema

company for feature ﬁlms. Another exciting experience at Greenbelt 3 - cinema 4 now houses 92 fully motorized leather recliner seats. Moviegoers will be treated to movie entertainment in luxury and full comfort. For your convenience, recliner seats are also equipped with usb port for gadget-charging needs and foldable tables for snacks. Now, with these cinema advancement, there’s more reason to head out to Ayala Malls Cinemas Greenbelt 3 and book that next blockbuster movie. See it in the big screen; see it in Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Pacquiao brothers Whatever happened to the huge billboard of Jimuel and Michael in Guadalupe is actually none of our business. But it’s good to know that the big tarp is no longer there. For a time, we were bothered by the idea that anyone can be a Bench model even if they don’t have what it takes to be put alongside legitimate image and brand models. We hope that’s the last time the clothing apparel features pseudocelebrities whose main audience are nobdy but their relatives, and if they’re lucky, some friends.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Discriminating buyers boost local car sales T

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

Passenger Car (PC) sold 16,618 units which is an 87 percent rise from the 8,876 units recorded in the first semester of 2015. Second quarter PC sales

were even more phenomenal as the group recorded a 93 percent growth primarily driven by Hyundai with 6,021 units sold. The Light Commercial Vehi-

cle segment, on the other hand, surged by 113 percent in first half of the year with 28,802 units versus 13,495 units from the same period last year. This growth is

largely boosted by 16,054 units sold by Ford which joined AVID in May 2015. In the second quarter of 2016 alone, the group managed to hit 15,251 units which is 65 percent higher compared to the figures recorded last year. Anchored on sound macroeconomic fundamentals, PH economy significantly grew by 6.9 percent in the first quarter of 2016 which is the highest since the sec-

ond quarter of 2013 and makes the country the fastest growing economy in the region. This growth was mainly investmentdriven from the demand side and fairly broad-based in terms of supply side. GDP growth is expected to sustain its momentum as the new administration vowed to continue macroeconomic policies implemented by the Aquino administration.

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

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

T WHEELS AND GADGETS

A gearhead’s guide to your next purchase

Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

ACH model improvement or launch is a much awaited event for any car enthusiast. The experience for a car hack like me everytime I attend a car launch is like going out on a prom date with your high school crush. You don’t know what to expect and you have so many expectations for the night that lies ahead.

The same basically holds true for every new car that comes around the block. In the next coming months, some of the cars in my list might make it here or not depending on the automotive manufacturer, the supply and the market demand for these high profile pocket rockets. Some lucky gearheads who have money to burn will have these in their garages. For us ordinary mortals who work the hours from 9am to 5pm, these rolling artworks of carbon fiber and aluminum are just pipe dreams or posters on our bedroom walls. Mazda MX5 RF First in my list is this stunning Mazda MX5 RF or Retractable Fastback, which debuted recently at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. After a successful introduction at the New York Motor Show last March, the RF took center stage at the Goodwood event last June together with other Mazda cars such as the one-millionth production MX-5, the MX-5 Spyder and the Speedster concept cars. Designed to offer a new dimension of open-top driving fun, while at the same time staying true to the rationale of the previous generation MX-5 retractable hardtop, the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF’s ‘fastback’ styling gives it a unique appearance roof up or down, broadening the appeal of the world’s best-selling two-seater sports car. “With the all-new Mazda MX-5 RF we freed ourselves from traditional ways of thinking and took on fresh challenges in order to create something new. Our aim was a convertible sports car with gorgeous fastback lines when the roof is closed and an exhilarating open air feeling when open,” commented Nobuhiro Yamamoto, Mazda MX-5 Program Manager. The MX-5 RF’s retractable hardtop consists of front, middle and rear roof sections, and a rear screen. When the top is lowered the front and middle portions are stowed together, while the rear glass sits behind the seats, leaving the rear roof section in place to create a unique opentopped look, and a cabin feeling that combines a sense of open air freedom with the impression of being securely ensconced within the car. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X Final Edition Based on the GSR variant, the 2016 Final Edition Evolution X is basically the same as the car that arrived almost a decade ago. Aimed squarely at drivers who value speed and handling above all else, the Evolution feels like the love child of an economy sedan and a Space X rocket. Powertrains include a 291-hp 2.0-liter turbo four with a five-speed manual in GSR models and a six-speed dual-clutch automatic in MR models; the Final Edition makes 303 hp with the five-speed. Allwheel

drive is standard on each version; so, too, is a harsh ride. Sadly, this icon has been discontinued and won’t be replaced in the lineup. Originally developed in the 1990’s as a replacement for the heavy and unsuccessful Galant VR4, the Lancer Evolution proved to be more competitive in the World Rally Championship (WRC). Early road going versions of the Lancer Evolution were simply Lancer’s with a 4G63 racing engine, equipped with stiffer suspensions and aerodynamic kits. The Evolution would eventually improve and get better every year up to a time when the Lancer Evolution V to VII became synonymous with WRC dominance. Ford GT Only a select crop of lucky and wealthy bastards will be accorded the privilege of owning a Ford GT, and in the next couple of months, one might just find its way here in our shores. With sticker prices most likely to begin around the $400,000 range, the GT boasts of the most stunningly exotic bodywork and perhaps the most powerful engine to date from the Blue Oval. Highlights of this American super car include a mid-engine twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 making more than 600 hp, carbon-fiber construction and body panels, active aerodynamics, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic; and Ford insiders say that engineers ditched the manual transmission. The wide front end is reminiscent of the classic Ford GT40, but the rest of the design is fully supercar-modern. The tight, two-seat passenger cell tapers to a point above the two cannon-sized central exhaust outlets, and the rear fenders sit entirely apart from the main fuselage. Power comes not from a supercharged V-8 as in the previous GT, but rather Ford’s next-generation twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine. Ford promised that this Italian slayer will produce more than 600 horsepower. The previous GT was amazing and a supercar by every standard, but it was also fairly conventional and done more to pay homage to Ford’s Ferrari-slaying GT40s of the past than to advance the breed. This GT, on the other hand, reads like those original GT40s, it will be a shot that’s going to be heard around supercar factories around the Globe. It’s as if Ford’s engineers fancied poking the eyes of its rivals once again by churning out the Shelby GT350 and the new F-150 Raptor. This bad ass GT would make Italians scream Mama Mia in disbelief. La Ferrari hypercar As if the La Ferrari was not dead gorgeous and mean enough, Ferrari put one over its competitors by creating a convertible conversion of the La Ferrari hypercar. Maranello is keeping a tight lid about any Information, but from what I gathered, this red beast will have the same engine as the hardtop LaFerrari, a V12 hybrid producing 949 hp, and identical performance figures, with a Turn to E3

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

Protect and

preserve your

pick-up bed M

AXLINER, one of the World’s biggest outﬁtters of OEM bed liners just made your pick-up safer against thieves, while preserving your bedliner from the elements of nature. Introduced early this year at the Bangkok Motor Show, Maxliner‘s Maxcover Hard Tonneau bed cover is made of vacuum formed ABS plastic material for high impact strength and makes your truck’s bed water and, corrosion resistant and theft proof. The Maxcover Hard Tonneau bed cover have also undergone stringent four seasons testing to meet the demands of a global market and conform with global ISO standards. Maxliner Hard Tonneau bed covers are also easy to install and fit most pick-up models such as the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hi-Lux, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Strada

and the Ford Ranger. Based in Thailand, Maxliner is an OEM certified supplier of global brands such as Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Ford, Nissan General Motors, and Tata. Like the its popular line of bedliners, the Hard Tonneau bed cover is tough and designed for all-weather reliability and theft proof for additional safety. Check out Maxliner’s range of SUV and pick-up accessories and other outdoor adventure equipment at the Outdoors Club at the Ground Floor of the Banco de Oro Bldg. 2, Ortigas Avenue, West Greenhills, San Juan, with Tel. numbers 744-6367.

Brembo to give huge discounts at Vios Cup weekend AS the 2015 Toyota Vios Cup comes to an end this weekend, Brembo brakes, the official brake system of the Toyota Vios Cup and exclusively distributed by Autoperformance Ph Inc., will have a special discount bonanza in homage to the one make race. Big discounts on Brembo accessories, brake pads and calipers are up for grabs during the two-day race weekend. “In honor of Brembo’s partnership with Toyota, it’s time to give something back to the community, and this sacrifice sale is our way of saying thank you to all of you,” says Francis Aguila of Autoperformance Ph. The penultimate race will be held at the Subic Freeport Zone, and each Vios Cup car is equipped with Brembo’s exclusive Red Shim brake pads. Engineered for street use, these pads were quality and race tested by the Tuason Racing team to assure the maximum safety and performance. Brembo’s Red Shim brake pads are available for most Japanese and European cars, as well as select Korean and American vehicles. Prices of the Red Shim brake pads start at P2,500 per set. “Brembo’s legendary quality, safety and performance at an affordable price,” adds Francis Aguila of Autoperformance. For inquiries, call Autoperformance PH Office. No.: (02)808-0485

A gear... From E2

top speed of 217 mph. One remarkable achievement is that the car will have the same drag coefficient as the hardtop even with the top removed. The new limited edition special series will be available with a carbon fiber hard top and a soft top. It has the same running gear and performance figures as the original LaFerrari, sporting a 800 cv V12 ICE (with a specific power output of 128 cv/l) coupled with a 120 kW electric motor (163 cv), unleashing 963 cv in total. Significant and extensive modifications have been made to the chassis with the aim of retaining the same torsional rigidity and beam stiffness as the coupé version. The car’s aerodynamics have also been further honed to guarantee the same drag coefficient even without the roof. Nissan GT-R Nismo The Nissan GT-R is already one of the best production performance cars on the planet, and the NISMO in-house tuning division has made it that much better. The 3.8 liter twin turbocharged V6 remains, but now with an additional 35 horses and final out-

put of 600 horsepower. A more moderate torque jump from 467 to 481 lb-ft is also achieved. The large diameter turbochargers are used in GT3 competition. Like the standard GT-R, each engine is carefully built by one of the Takumi, skilled craftsmen at Nissan’s Yokohama plant. An aluminum plate on the front of each engine bears the Takumi’s name. Aerodynamic and styling changes include a new front bumper with layers of carbon fiber sheets, and canards to better airflow around the vehicle. The amount of downforce generated by the new GT-R NISMO is the highest of any Nissan production car ever. Like the GT-R Premium, the GT-R NISMO’s front end features a freshened face highlighted by an aggressive new fascia. To help cool the car’s high-output engine, the dark chrome “Vmotion” grille has been enlarged to collect more air, without diminishing the car’s aerodynamic performance. A new significantly reinforced hood avoids deformation at extremely high speeds, allowing it to keep its aerodynamic shape. Honda Civic Type R The Civic Type R last saw production in 2010, but it’s returning to the global scene

once again. The newest version features a huge step up in performance output. The old Type R saw horsepower figures of 222 hp (Japan) and 197 hp (Europe), while the newest model makes the leap to 306 hp. At 306 hp from a 2 liter inline-4 means a high output of 153 hp per liter. However, that doesn’t come at the expense of tractability and low end power, as the maximum torque of 295 lb-ft is available at a mere 2500 rpm. Honda claims the key to these number is their new turbocharger with VTEC (Valve Timing Electronic Control) technology, which gives abundant power across the rpm range. The new 2015 Civic Type R will be powered by the most extreme and high-performing engine in the 22-year history of the red ‘H’ badge, signaling the start of a new performance era for the Honda brand. At the heart of the Civic Type R is an all-new, direct-injected turbocharged 2.0 litre VTEC TURBO petrol engine, which delivers power, torque and performance figures unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment. Peak power output is 310 PS at 6,500 rpm, and peak torque is

EXTEND your car battery’s life cycle with Sweden’s CTEK line of automatic battery car chargers. Designed and engineered for charging accuracy and compact usage, this 12V charger comes equipped with an intelligent micro processing unit that utilizes four different modes for charging and an overarching, automated, 8-stage recharging sequence. The CTEK’s line of car chargers include all the safety features such as insulated, spark-resistant clamp and an automated charging feature that is programmed to prevent overloading your batteries. The charger will automatically sense when the maximum charge has been delivered and then stop supplying power. The CTEK charger also features a reverse polarity warning light that turns on if you have placed the clamps on the incorrect battery post. One of the best features of the CTEK car battery charger is its ability to charge nearly every battery type available. This includes the common acid-lead batteries found in most automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, golf carts, lawn mower and boats, and can also charge deep-cycle, gel-cell and automated glass mat, or AGM batteries. “While it is not truly equipped to be portable, the small, compact size of the CTEK car charger makes it easy to store and even install permanently in your garage or shop. CTEK’s patrons are usually showrooms, car collectors, fleet operators and car/motorbike enthusiasts who want to maximize or prolong their battery life,” says Johann Tiu of CTEK Philippines. Because this battery booster automatically analyzes the charge and type of battery you connect it to, you can charge the batteries of your vehicle without worrying about using an incorrect setting or overcharging your battery.

400 Nm* at 2,500 rpm – both higher than for any previous Honda Type R model. Redlining at 7,000 rpm, the engine – part of Honda’s nextgeneration Earth Dreams Technology series– features an advanced new turbocharger with VTEC technology that boosts low-end torque and delivers sustained acceleration. The Civic Type R’s blistering performance is unmatched in the front-wheel drive hot hatch segment: the 0-to-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint is covered in just 5.7 seconds—making it the fastest accelerating performance frontwheel drive hatchback—and top speed, where permitted, is a class-leading 270 km/h (167 mph). The new engine is mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission, safeguarding an intimate, rewarding connection with the drivetrain, and power is directed through the front wheels.

Intelligent battery charger

Subaru Impreza WRX STi This Impreza STi hatchback version will surely send chills down the spine of its rivals at Ford, Mitsubishi and Toyota. A closer look of this soon to be released hatchback version subtly reveals its heightened capabilities with aggressive touches like deeper front air intakes, narrowed “falcon eye” headlights, burlier fenders and an oversized rear wing that screams WRC! Power comes from a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer fourcylinder that produces 305 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 290 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. STI buyers will need to know how to drive stick - a slick-shifting six-speed manual is the only transmission available. It helps the sedan to accelerate from zero-to-60 mph in a claimed (and likely conservative) 5.1 seconds. Brembo brakes bring the action to a halt, including four-piston calipers w it h

13.0-inch rotors up front, and two-piston calipers clamping 12.4-inch rotors at the rear. Setting the WRX STI further apart from the standard WRX is its Multi-Mode Driver Controlled Center Differential mated to Subaru’s existing all-wheel-drive system. A planetary-type center differential delivers a nominal 41/59 torque split (front/rear), while a mechanical limited slip center differential helps apportion that power fore and aft in one of three automatic modes. A manual mode lets drivers pick one of six pre-selected center differential locking levels for various driving situations. Unlike the standard WRX, as well as the Impreza economy sedan with which it shares a platform, the STI uses an inverted strut front suspension to improve cornering. Aluminum lower L-arms up front reduce unsprung weight. The Impreza WRX STI has definitely set its sights on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X, its biggest competitor, the Volkswagen Golf R and the Ford Focus RS.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2016

T WHEELS AND GADGETS

Mitsubishi Motors to stage Montero test-drive at MoA

FTER the successful provincial series of the Mitsubishi Montero Sport Head to Head Test Drive Challenge (H2H), Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corporation (MMPC) is pleased to announce that they are bringing this one of a kind test drive event in Manila. From August 13 to 14, 2016 customers are invited to take the Montero Sport H2H Test Drive Challenge at the Block 12 of SM Mall of Asia. It’s now Manila’s turn to take the challenge and test-drive the all new Montero Sport and other competitive brands in a track specifically laid out to demonstrate the power and classleading features of the Montero Sport. The test-drive track features design to let customers see the power, easy handling, maneuverability, riding comfort, among others of the Montero Sport. This is the best opportunity for customers who are still having a hard time in choosing which midsize SUV to purchase. This unique test-drive event will allow customers to decide which among the available midsize SUVs in the market offers the best features for them. Customers who will test-drive the Montero Sport and other brands can personally experience and compare each vehicle and make better decision. Aside from the test-drive, there will also be available displays of Mitsubishi’s bestselling vehicles at the venue. Customers who will join the test-drive are entitled to exclusive discounts and exciting freebies. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to test drive the Montero Sport and its competition in one venue. You may test-drive from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. only.

Stylish luggage for kids GONE are the days when kids made do with packing their stuff in mom and dad’s luggage. Not anymore. With the generation X’ers influencing their kids to get stoked on car culture, what better way is there to immerse your tikes with everything automotive starting with their own personal luggage? Ridaz, a spin-off company of known toy maker Welley, has just made travelling stylish and hip with their latest line of licensed carry-on cases. Made from a durable plastic shell with two retractable handles, the Ridaz carrying case was designed for travel, everyday use and storage. Designed and engineered with kids and (kids at heart) in mind, a retractable metal carrying handle allows it to be used as a suitcase. Let your kid pull the luggage using the retractable elastic strap. Additional safety for personal belongings is provided by a hinged body with two safety latches, plus elastic tie-down straps inside the case to keep the clothes in place. Ridaz Kids Luggage comes in a variety of colors and in different car makes such as the Lamborghini Huracan (yellow and orange), Ford Mustang GT (red and yellow), Toyota 86 (black and orange), Chevrolet Camaro (red, sky blue and yellow) and the Batmobile in Dawn of Justice. Ridaz Kids Luggage is available in Hobbes and Landes branches in BGC, Rockwell, Greenbelt, and Greenhills or visit their Facebook page/RidazLuggage.Ph or call 09175754812.