Manila Standard - 2016 August 19 - Friday

De Lima hits out at ’abuse of power’

By Macon RamosAraneta

VOL. XXX • NO. 188 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

NO LAUGHING MATTER. Senator Leila de Lima (right) asks PNP Director General Ronaldo dela Rosa questions relating to the government’s campaign against illegal drugs during the public hearing Thursday jointly conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs as well as the Committee on Civil Service Government Reorganization and Professional Regulation, Health and Demography, National Defense and Security, Youth and Finance. Lino Santos

‘Economy fastest growing in Asia’

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Crisis averted as China ship sails away A CHINESE Coast Guard ship sailed 73 to 100 nautical miles within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone near the Scarborough Shoal off Masinloc, Zambales, recently, and an official said Thursday that had been normal in the past―but not anymore.

“With the new Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling, it has been established that [that area] is part of our exclusive economic zone,” Coast Guard Chief William Melad said.

“We can now go there and fish anytime we want.”

Melad was reacting to questions about a report about the Next page

6.7%

5.9%

THE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has shouldered the expenses of overseas Filipino workers who were laid off and stranded in the oil-rich country.

The Saudi Arabia embassy announced that King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has provided SR 100,000,000 or P1.2 billion to provide the OFWs housing, food, sanitary and health services, and free airline tickets to those who want to fly home.

Roughly 11,000 Filipinos are among tens of thousands of work-

7%

5.6% 5.2% 4.0%

Q1 2015

Q1 2016

PHILIPPINES

CHINA

VIETNAM

INDONESIA

3.5%

Q2 2015

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AVAO CITY—Boosted by a robust performance from the industry and services sectors, the economy expanded seven percent in the second quarter, making it the fastest growing in Asia so far, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

The second quarter expansion brought growth in the first half of the year to 6.9 percent.

Economic and Planning Secretary Ernesto M. Pernia said the growth in the first six months made it likely that the economy could hit the government’s fullyear target of six percent to seven percent, despite the usual slowdown in the second half of an election year.

Pernia also said the smooth transition to a new administration and assurances that there would be consistency and continuity in macroeconomic policies are like-

Scandal’s her own doing, says Duterte

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon RamosAraneta

ly to keep business and consumer confidence strong.

The second quarter growth was faster than economists predicted, giving a boost to President Rodrigo Duterte’s bid to attract more investment and speed up infrastructure spending.

The seven percent growth was higher than the median estimate of 6.6 percent in a Bloomberg survey of 21 economists and beat the first quarter’s 6.8-percent expansion.

Duterte is seeking to relax business restrictions and cut taxes in a

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday kept up the attack on Senator Leila de Lima, saying she had only herself to blame for the scandal that has befallen her. “[De Lima] created the scandal, she know she’s a public official -- but she kept on making scandals herself [when she was chairperson of the Commission on] Human Rights, and doing the same as secretary of Justice,” Duterte said in an interview with reporters during a visit at Camp Sinsuat in Maguindanao. “[You’re in] public office, De Lima -- your life is an open book,” he added.

On Wednesday, Duterte said De Lima had links to drug syndicates inside the National Bilibid Prison through her driver-lover,

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Killings no reason for UN to meddle in drug war PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday hit out at “stupid” United Nations’ criticism of his controversial crime war that has claimed 1,000 lives, warning the global body not to interfere.

The political outsider, who swept to a landslide election victory in May largely on a pledge to kill tens of thousands of criminals, said he would continue his anti-drug crackdown despite mounting criticism, including from UN chief Ban Ki-moon.

“Why would the United Nations be so easily swayed into interfering in the affairs of this republic? There are only 1,000

S Arabia comes to aid of crisis-stricken OFWs

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

7%

6.8%

MALAYSIA

POLICE Chief Roland dela Rosa on Thursday heeded a senator’s call to appoint a qualified civilian to head his agency’s Internal Affairs Service.

Senator Grace Poe, during a joint-committee hearing, repeated her call on the PNP to appoint a civilian as head of its IAS, saying a number of policemen were reportedly also involved in the illegal drug trade.

Dela Rosa made his decision even as three soldiers died

PH GDP GROWTH

THAILAND

Senator proposes, PNP chief takes heed

By Gabrielle Binaday

SENATOR Leila De Lima on Thursday lashed out at President Rodrigo Dutere for abusing and misusing executive power when he accused her of being an “immoral woman” and an “adulterer” for having a married man—her driver, as a lover and as a collector of drug money.

“I don’t think the Constitution has ever contemplated such abuse of power on such scale, as it assumes every President to conduct himself in a manner befitting the office he holds,” said De Lima.

“It seems that this is not the case for this President,” said De Lima of Duterte who also had recently picked up a fight with Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno.

A visibly upset De Lima said words could not express what she was feeling right now.

“I guess no one can, because no one has ever been attacked in such a manner by no less than the highest official of the land, until now,” she said Next page

ers affected by financial troubles at the kingdom’s major construction firms.

“Their salaries have not been paid, some of them for as long as eight months,” Iric Arribas, charge d’affaires at the Philippine Embassy said.

“It turned into a humanitarian crisis.”

Workers were unable to renew their residency permits, meaning they could not leave the country and could not access their bank accounts, he said.

Some living in company accommodation “did not have food”, Arribas added. Next page twitter.com/ MlaStandard

(killed),” he said at an event marking the 115th anniversary of the police force.

Ban Ki-moon in June condemned Duterte’s apparent support for extra-judicial killings, saying they were “illegal and a breach of fundamental rights and freedoms”.

The UN’s anti-drugs office also this month said it was “greatly concerned” by reports of extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers and users in the Philippines.

The UN has made “a very stupid proposition”, Duterte said, warning them not to meddle in the country’s politics. Next page

13 Reds get bail to join Oslo talks AT LEAST 13 detained consultants of the communist National Democratic Front have been granted bail to allow them to join the resumption of the peace talks between their group and the government in Oslo on Aug. 20.

The fishermen’s group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas praised their release on Thursday.

“Peace is in the air and we can smell it,” group spokesman Fernando Hicap said in a statement.

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GOV’T TABLOID. The bi-monthly publication Mula Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa is now off the press, with an initial printing of 5,000 copies to be distributed free through the Philippine Information Agency with Communications Asst. Secretary Mon Cualoping as editor in chief. The tabloid’s maiden issue banners President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs. Pearl Gajunera

First, tabloid; next, TV show THE Presidential Communications Office on Thursday finally announced the launching of the government’s new tabloid ahead of its planned national broadcast of President Rodrigo Duterte’s

thestandard.com.ph

TV show.

“Ladies and gentlemen, while the TV show is not yet ready, we are still preparing the studio in Malacañang. Please welcome the Mula Sa Masa, Para Sa Masa tab-

loid,” Communications Secretary Martin Andanar told reporters in Davao City.

Masa is to be published bimonthly with an initial print run of Next page

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China wants Asian solution to sea row clashing territorial claims on what the Asian superpower calls the South China Sea. “That’s the mutual aspiration of the Asean and China, especially the Philippines, because it is consistent with our position to have a expeditious conclusion to the negotiation for the COC,” Jose said.

The Declaration of Conduct signed in 2002 between China and the Asean is a non-binding edict aimed at reducing tensions in the

region and preventing claimantcountries—i.e. China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan—from aggressively pursuing their claims.

The COC, on the other hand, is a more binding edict enshrined in the DOC. It hopes to further promote peace and stability in the economically vital sea lane.

“We reached a broad consensus on pushing forward the negotiations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea. All sides agreed to raise the frequency of the negotiations in a situation without interference, and seek to finish a draft framework of the code of conduct by the middle of next year,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin said.

Beijing-owned news site

China Daily, on the other hand, said that aside from agreeing to craft a framework for the COC by mid-2017, China and the 10-member Asean is also set to approve guidelines for a China-Asean hotline for maritime emergencies.

“It shows that as the situation in the South China Sea is getting more and more complicated, especially with the interference of external forces. Asean countries and China have realized that we have to grasp the key to the South China Sea issue in our own hand,” Liu said.

On July 12, the United Nations Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines and invalidated China’s excessive nine-dash line claim on the West Philippine Sea.

half growth was boosted by a surge in government spending ahead of the May general election. Second-half GDP growth just above five percent would be enough to meet the government’s target of six percent to seven percent expansion this year, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez said in an interview on Bloomberg TV. The services industry, the largest in the economy, expanded 8.4 percent in the second quarter from a year earlier, while industrial output rose 6.9 percent and agriculture fell 2.1 percent. Consumer spending climbed 7.3 percent and government expenditure surged 13.5 percent.

Lifting the investment rate further may be the key challenge for the Philippines, said Timothy Condon, a Singapore-based economist with ING Bank. The rate was at 25 percent of GDP in the first quarter and an increase to 40 percent would be needed to set up the economy for sustained growth of about seven percent, he said.

“I’m very heartened by the acceleration in investment growth since

2015,” Condon said by e-mail. “This is all about the locals seeing it worthwhile to invest in their economy.”

The National Economic and Development Authority said among the major Asian emerging economies, the Philippines likely remains the fastest or second fastest-growing economy in the second quarter of 2016, followed

by China, which grew by 6.7 percent, Vietnam by 5.6 percent, Indonesia by 5.2 percent, Malaysia by 4.0 percent, and Thailand by 3.5 percent. Data for India are not yet available but some forecasts put it above seven percent.

“The previous administration gave us a strong and stable economy that we can build on further by maintaining the sound macroeconomic, fiscal, and monetary policies already in place. It is also encouraging to note that the growth has been investmentdriven,” Pernia said.

“The challenge is to make this growth inclusive so that more people contribute to, and benefit from it. For this, we must improve the competitiveness of our markets and business climate to take advantage of the new

surge of investments in the region.

Importantly, we must look at the sectors and geographic areas that have been lagging behind and determine how to improve their access to these opportunities,” he added.

On the demand side, investments had the highest contribution of 5.7 percentage points to GDP growth. Investments in durable equipment rose 42.8 percent and private sector investments in construction grew 8.3 percent from 8.1 percent in the first quarter.

This growth was driven by stronger business confidence, low interest rates, and strong performance of the construction sector, the government said.

Public spending remained strong, driven by the boom in public construction and government consumption, which grew by 27.8 percent and 13.5 percent, respectively.

Similarly, private consumption grew stronger in comparison to the previous quarter and year due to the low inflation and interest rates, improved labor market conditions, and steady consumer confidence. With Julito G. Rada, Bloomberg

“What’s the problem? You inject politics. Only one thousand died and you put my country in peril, in jeopardy,” he said.

He told foreign human rights watchdogs not to “investigate us as though we are criminals,” and warned they would not be treated well in the Philippines.

Duterte, who took office on June 30, ordered a bloody war on crime that has left 1,054 people dead since the May elections, according toABSCBN. This includes people killed in police operations, and more than 400 people murdered by mysterious vigi-

lantes.

Duterte won the election on a promise to wage a war on illegal drugs and other crime that would claim tens of thousands of lives.

He has ordered police not to hesitate to kill and even urged ordinary citizens and communist guerrillas to join in the bloodshed.

He has repeatedly scoffed at human rights groups opposed to the killings.

The Foreign Affairs Department said Thursday the Duterte administration does not condone extrajudicial killings.

In a text message, DFA spokesman Charles Jose noted that President Duterte has already ordered an investigation into the killings of supsected drug users and pushers.

UN human rights experts, however,

said allegations of drug trafficking should be judged in a court of law, not by gunment on the streets.

“We call on the Philippines authorities to adopt with immediate effect the necessary measures to protect all persons from targeted killings and extrajudicial executions,” said the new UN Special Rapporteur on summary executions, Agnes Callamard.

“Claims to fight illicit drug trade do not absolve the Government from its international legal obligations and do not shield State actors or others from responsibility for illegal killings,” Callamard said. “The State has a legally binding obligation to ensure the right to life and security of every person in the country, whether suspected of criminal offences or not.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the

right to health, Dainius Pūras, noted that “however necessary, responses to the illicit drug trade must be carried out in full compliance with national and international obligations and should respect the human rights of each person.”

“Concerning drug-dependency, this should be treated as a public health issue and justice systems that decriminalize drug consumption and possession for personal use as a means to improve health outcomes,” Pūras said.

A United Nations official commentary on President Duterte’s latest tirades against the international agency scored the ongoing “war against drugs” of the administration as a “human rights disaster unfolding in real time.” AFP, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

S Arabia...

Scandal’s...

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

he Philippines welcomed the plan of China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to finish the general framework of the Code of Conduct by June 2017.

On Wednesday, China announced that it agreed with the Asean to finish by June 2017 the framework for a COC to resolve West Philippine Sea maritime disputes. However, it still insisted on finding a solution independent of Western intervention.

In a press conference, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose, however, noted that the 10-member countries and China must soon draft detailed guidelines for settling

Economy...

From A1 bid to attract more foreign investment and build on the economic success of his predecessor. His administration sees a steady acceleration in growth to seven percent to eight percent in the medium term, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said at a briefing after the GDP release.

The government’s growth outlook is “certainly not outlandish,” Vishnu Varathan, a Singapore-based economist with Mizuho Bank Ltd, said by e-mail. “They do have good demographic dividends to exploit. And if the infrastructure catchup maintains while manufacturing investments follow, this is feasible.”

The Philippines Stock Exchange Index reversed an earlier decline to advance as much as 0.6 percent after the data was released. The index was little changed at 7,948.77 as of 12:52 p.m. in Manila.

Pernia said the economy may slow down for the rest of this year as first-

Killings...

From A1

From A1 About 7,000 of the Filipinos worked for Saudi Oger Ltd., while 3,000 were with Saudi Binladin Group and the rest with other firms, Arribas said.

Saudi King Salman earlier this month ordered various measures to help affected foreign workers.

These include a waiver of penalties for expired work and residency permits, payment for flights home, and for food and accommodation when the employers were no longer meeting their obligations.

Lawyers hired by the Saudi government will handle claims for delayed salaries, even if workers leave the country.

Arribas said Philippines officials and the Saudi labor ministry are coordinating “to implement the general provisions of the directive from the king.”

Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello on Wednesday thanked Salman for his help.

Bello, who met his Saudi counterpart Mufarrej al-Haqbani, handed over a letter of gratitude from President Rodrigo Duterte, Arribas said.

Before leaving for Saudi Arabia Bello said Duterte wants the workers back as soon as possible.

“The majority of them would like to go home” and perhaps return to work in the kingdom later, Arribas said.

The stranded Filipinos worked in a variety of jobs including engineering, technical and office positions.

Sources in March said delayed receipts from the government, whose oil revenues have dropped significantly over the past two years, left employees of the kingdom’s construction giants struggling while they wait for salaries.

From A1 receiving money from the illegal drug trade to bankroll her successful 2016 senatorial bid.

Duterte also accused De Lima of having an illicit affair with her driver, Ronnie Dayan -- a long time staff of hers whom he implicated in the illegal drug trade.

A teary-eyed De Lima said that the attacks against her were “foul” and accused the President of abusing and misusing his executive powers.

Duterte, however, said everything he said about her was true.

“It’s because it’s true that she was caught [having an affair.] Imagine, she took an oath, but is taking in [her] driver as paramour,” he said.

He also denied that he had gone overboard in his attacks.

“I did not, but she did when she

13...

From A1 “The release of these peace consultants is a very good start toward the just and lasting peace that everyone longs for.”

In Cagayan de Oro City, Archbishop Antonio Ledesma hosted a dinner Wednesday night in his house for NDF consultant Alfredo Mapano and his family and friends.

Ledesma hosted the dinner just hours after Mapano was released from the Misamis Oriental Provincial Jail to join the peace talks in Oslo.

Jaime Soledad, another NDF consultant, was acquitted of murder last week, Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said.

Those allowed to post bail and

blamed police [for the extra-judicial killings]. Son of a bitch, police are dying. Why is she speaking without evidence?” Duterte said.

He told reporters he had the goods on De Lima and said they would use her driver as a witness against the senator.

Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo shot back against the De Lima, saying that she should answer the allegations against her instead of grandstanding before media.

“The question that the good senator should respond to is: Is the information given by President Duterte on her true or not? In her press conference she called she did not deny nor refute the information,” Panelo told the Manila Standard.

Duterte said that De Lima was the only one who was not aware that she had a “driver-lover” whom she failed to acknowledge all these time while facing the media. were recently released were Adelbert Silva, Maria Concepcion Araneta-Bocala, Tirso Alcantara, Ariel Arbitrario, Kennedy Bangibang, Alex Birondo, Winona Birondo, Renante Gamara, Eddie Genelsa, Alan Jazmines, Ernesto Lorenzo, Alfredo Mapano and Ruben Saluta, Palabay said.

CPP chairman Benito Tiamzon and his wife, CPP secretary general Wilma Tiamson, who were detained in Quezon City after their arrest in Cebu in March 2014, will lead the other NDF consultants in Oslo.

They will be joined by former Rep. Satur Ocampo, Fidel Agcaoili and Edre Olalia.

Presidential peace adviser Jesus Dureza will lead the government panel in the talks along with Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and former Alaminos, Pangasinan Mayor Hernani Braganza.

First...

From A1 5,000 copies. It will be distributed free through the Philippine Information Agency, which is under the PCO. The tabloid’s first issue will banner Duterte’s war against illegal drugs. It will have regular News, Opinion, Sports and Entertainment sections.

Andanar said Communications Assistant Secretary Mon Cualoping serves as the tabloid’s editor in chief, while Benjie Felipe serves as its associate Editor.

But academics raised concern over the lack of bylines and names in the staff box in printed publications, which “inhibits the feedback mechanism as media consumers have no way to reach out to the publication if they ever need clarification or have suggestions.”

“Among others, primarily readers’ not being able to hold the authors and publisher accountable and not being able to correct whatever errors may be in the articles,” said Luis V. Teodoro, former dean of the College of Mass Communication at the University of the Philippines.

“The staff box gives credibility to the publication since it proves that there are people who have ownership of what’s been published.

Therefore, we have someone to take responsibility for the printed word.

The absence of the staff box also implies that there is no one willing to take responsibility for the stories that are released for mass consumption.”

But Andanar said the Presidential Communications Office was “ready to face” any libel charges that might arise from any article published in the government paper. John Paolo Bencito

Commuters join uproar over port tariff increase

By Joel E. Zurbano A COMMUTERS’ welfare group has questioned the 37.45-percent tariff increase petition of the Manila North Harbor Port Inc., saying it was unjustified for the port operator to hike its fees since it is already acting as a monopoly.

“It will have a heavy impact on the public, not just on cost of freight and consumer goods but also on petroleum products, which eventually will jack up transportation costs,” said Elvira Medina, president of the National Center for Commuters Safety and Protection.

“They cannot justify this increase. They are already acting like a monopoly, and now they get to dictate the price? The public will always be at the losing end,” she added.

Medina urged the Duterte administration to give priority to the interest and welfare of the local traders and commuting public, before any tariff rate adjust-

De Lima..

From A1 “How does one defend oneself, when the attacker is immune from suit, and has all the backing of executive power to support him in his personal attack?” she asked.

If this is his way of stopping the Senate’s investigation on the extrajudicial killings, De Lima said the President can try until he finally silences her or the Senate.

“But I think it is already clear that what is being done to me is what will happen to anyone who does not bow to the wishes of the President.

If stopping the Senate investigation is the only way for these personal attacks by the President and his men to also stop, believe me I have already thought about that,” also said De Lima.

De Lima, whose marriage had been annulled, said she was hurt, scared and worried for her family and her loved ones.

She said she had considered stopping the investigation into the spate of summary executions of drug suspects, if this was what Duterte wanted to end the personal attacks on her.

“It also entered my mind to stop the investigation in exchange for a peaceful life. But if I do that, it would appear that I have turned my back on my own person, and betrayed my own convictions and beliefs. I would no longer stand as the public’s representative in the Senate.... It

Senator...

From A1 aiding the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Navy Petty Officer 3 Darwin Espallardo, Corporal Jose Miravalles, and Private First Class Jaypee Duran died when they were fired upon as they entered a village in Midsayap, North Cotabato, to serve a an arrest warrant to a group of big-time drug traffickers.

They were the first casualties of the Philippine Navy after President Rodrigo Rodrigo Duterte declared an all-out war against illegal drugs.

Another suspect allegedly involved in illegal drugs was shot dead by Manila police during a shootout in Tondo, Manila, before midnight Wednesday.

The police said they recovered a .30 cal. pistol and six sachets containing suspected shabu from the suspect.

Two drug pushers were arrested and an estimated P2.7 million worth of shabu was recovered from them during a buy-bust operation Thursday in Golden Ribbon, Butuan City, said Supt. Agosto Daskeo, regional chief

Crisis...

From A1 new incursions by Chinese vessels on the country’s EEZ despite the PCA ruling rejecting China’s claims to the West Philippine Sea. It appeared that China’s newest incursion happened three weeks ago.

Beijing has continued to defy the PCA ruling, which is gaining more and more believers who are questioning China’s real intentions in the vital sea lane where $5 trillion worth of cargo pass each year.

Melad said Chinese vessels could claim “innocent passage” but they had no right to fish within Philippine territory or to prevent Filipino fishermen from fishing in their traditional fishing grounds.

ment is even considered.

“This attitude of not giving consideration to the public, to ordinary Filipinos—that is the identity of the past administration. If the Duterte administration is really serious in effecting change, it must disallow MNHPI’s petition,” Medina said.

“All stakeholders must be proactive in opposing this. People can no longer bear additional costs,” she added.

The commuters group is the latest to oppose MNHPI’s tariff hike petition which is now pending before the Philippine Ports Authority.

Earlier, United Filipino Consumers and Commuters (UFCC) president Robert Javellana Jr. appealed to the PPA to conduct democratic consultations first before making a decision on the petition.

“Consumers will ultimately be burdened by this planned tariff hike because traders will just pass on the added costs to the public,” Javellana said. would seem that I have buried my own person.”

The former Justice secretary said he would rather have Duterte and his administration bury her rather than she burying herself. She also said she knew the present administration was preparing charges against her, but said she is ready to face them.

If she will be afforded by the government the opportunity, she would explain herself and give her side, she said.

De Lima said she has received information that evidence against her would be fabricated and that she would continue to be maligned if she did not stop criticizing the policies of the administration.

“I hope you have not shut your mind from hearing my side before you continue destroying my image before the public and nation,” she said. “Please give me the chance to defend myself, especially in this situation where the nation’s President has declared that he is my enemy and is personally accusing me.”

Addressing Duterte directly, she added: “You are the President. I am only a senator. I only ask for a fair fight. I hope you grant me that which the law and the Constitution provide to an accused under the legal system,” she added, But if the President were bent on destroying her, De Lima said, Duterte should have the decency to spare her colleagues, friends and family.

“Enough of the intimidation and shaming. Let’s go back to the orderliness set by the law and by basic respect for a fellow man,” she said. of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.

Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna on Thursday led city councilors in a surprise drug test aimed at ridding the city government of officials who might be hooked on illegal drugs.

After submitting himself to the drug test, Estrada said he would not hesitate to dismiss and file criminal and administrative charges against any city hall official testing positive for illegal drugs.

Poe earlier this month filed Senate Resolution 70 to look into the continued non-implementation of the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998, which mandates that the IAS head be a civilian.

Dela Rosa had told her that he thought it best to keep a cop as IAS head since appointing a civilian as IAS head could threaten his safety.

But Poe said the PNP leadership should abide by the law.

“We would like to acknowledge that the campaign against drugs is very important. On the other hand, we also have to maintain the rule of law and make sure that the rights of every individual are protected,” Poe said. PNA, with Sandy Araneta and Florante S. Solmeri On Thursday, Melad led his men in a turnover ceremony in Manila for a search-and-rescue vessel lent by the Japan International Cooperation Agency to the Coast Guard.

Tokyo has been helping the Coast boost its maritime and surveillance equipment to defend and protect its territory from China’s bullying. Japan has its own maritime dispute with China in the East China Sea. Melad said his men and the men from the Chinese vessel had an exchange of radio messages, and then the Chinese sailed away.

“It was very polite. They introduced themselves and we introduced ourselves,” he said.

“We had been patrolling the area and assisting our fishermen. That was why our ship was there. It is within our exclusive economic zone.” Florante S. Solmerin

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solons assured on flight diversions

By Maricel V. Cruz TRANSPORTATION Secretary Arthur Tugade has assured the 14-member Eastern Visayas Bloc in the House of Representatives the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport (DZR) in Tacloban City will not be singled out in the diversion of flights to Clark International Airport (CIA) in Pampanga.

The diversion is aimed at decongesting the worsening air traffic problem at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila, Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie M. KittilstvedtRomualdez said Thursday.

She said Tugade made the statement during a meeting at the House of Representatives Wednesday afternoon, telling the legislators that only half of the regular daily flights from Manila to Tacloban City and vice versa will be transferred to ClA, formerly the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The 14-member group, led

by Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone, is composed of 12 regular district congressmen of Leyte, the Samar provinces, Biliran and Southern Leyte, as well as two party-list groups— An Waray and A-Angat Tayo.

“The good secretary assured us that some of the flights from various airports in the country will also be transferred to Clark airport,” said Romualdez, wife of former House Independent Bloc Leader and ex-Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of the Philippine Constitution Association and Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats.

“We are very much satisfied with his [Tugade] very credible explanation that this is about championing people’s interests,” Romualdez stressed.

She added their bloc supports the policy statement of President Rodrigo Duterte during his first State of the Nation Address to address air traffic problem in the country.

“Let us support President Duterte’s program to seriously curb congestion at the Manila airport. We are very glad to contribute,” said Romualdez, a stalwart of the Lakas-CMD. Tugade has given assurances “the Duterte administration will strike a balance and achieve a successful decongestion program without jeopardizing the business and tourism industry of a particular province and region.”

WORLD CLASS HIDILYN. Philippine Air Force chief Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina pins new chevrons on Olympic weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz, after she recently won a silver medal at the Rio Games, during a promotion ceremony where she was promoted to airwoman first class at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City. Danny Pata

Teen pregnancies cause P33-b loses A

BOUT P33 billion is lost in potential lifetime income of women who get pregnant or give birth in their teen years, according to a study on teenage pregnancy in the Philippines.

At a recent forum on young parenthood, health economist Dr. Alejandro Herrin calculated that a teenager who gets pregnant and does not finish high school may potentially lose earnings up to PHP 83,000 a year when she gets paid for work at age 20.

He said this is about 87 percent of the potential annual income of a 20-year-old woman who completed her high school education and did not get pregnant in her teen years.

Using 2012 and 2013 data from several surveys of the Philippine Statistics Authority, Herrin predicted that early childbearing will reduce the probability of high school completion. Early childbearing refers to either getting pregnant or

FOI exceptions released Aug. 28

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The exceptions in the Freedom of Information that President Rodrigo Duterte signed on July 23 will be released on August 28, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said.

Andanar said by then the people will be informed on what will be the restriction of the FOI the president signed.

But he said one of the restrictions would have to do with police and military intelligence gathering.

During the media forum here, Andanar was asked if Duterte would be willing to reveal his sources about the latter’s revelation on Senator Leila de Lima’s alleged immorality and usage of narco-money.

He said it is the prerogative of Duterte if he will reveal his sources or not.

“I doubt if [Duterte will reveal his sources] because anything has to do with intelligence gathering and anything that can ruin operations of our military or police... will not be accessible to the public,” Andanar said.

giving birth during the teenage years.

He then estimated the daily wage rate profile of Filipino women who began childbearing before their 20s. “There is a wide gap in the estimated daily wage rate between a girl who got pregnant early and a girl who gets to finish school,” said Herrin.

The study shows that completing high school education increases daily wage rates of women by PHP 300. At age 20, a girl who began childbearing before age 18 may only earn about PHP 46 a day, compared to the PHP 361 per day estimate for someone who completed high school and did not get pregnant early.

“When taken altogether, the

potential lifetime earnings lost due to early childbearing is PHP 33 billion which is equal to 1.1 percent of our gross domestic product in 2012,” Herrin added.

Herrin’s study underscored the economic implications of teenage pregnancy. His estimates showed that early childbearing reduces high school completion rates and eventually decreases the predicted daily wage rate profile of women in the Philippines.

On average, 72 percent of women aged 18-19 years are expected to complete high school if they did not begin childbearing before age 18 years. The predicted completion rate for teens who began childbearing early is lower at only 65 percent.

“These results suggest that policies on reducing early childbearing are likely to have substantial impact on the education and economic conditions of women and their families,” concluded Herrin.

After the release of a regional report citing the rising prevalence of teen pregnancy in the

Philippines, the United Nations Population Fund commissioned several studies on early pregnancy and young parenthood in January 2016.

The Center for Health Solutions and Innovations Philippines Inc., a non-government organization, recently presented the research findings of Herrin and other experts, at a forum for advocates of teen health.

“We need to realize that teen pregnancy is not just a health issue. When a girl gets pregnant, her health, education and relationships with her family and community all get entangled in a life-changing roller-coaster,” said UNFPA country representative Klaus Beck.

Another study by renowned demographer Dr. Corazon Raymundo cited risk behaviors and effects of teenage pregnancy on the social environment of a Filipino girl.

Using data from the 2013 Young Adult Fertility and Sexuality Survey, Raymundo presented an alarming profile of a pregnant teen.

House: Con-Ass still best option

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives sees no other mode to amend the Constitution other than by a Constituent Assembly which may be financed thru a supplemental budget, a House official said on Thursday.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said Congress did not allocate any amount for Char-

ter Change as it is focused on “affordable” Con-Ass whose members will be composed of lawmakers.

“There is no budget for Charter Change because we’re now looking [at] Con-Ass as our mode,” Nograles told a news conference.

Under Con-Ass, Congress, through its constituent power, constitutes itself into a body which will perform the task of rewriting the 1987

Constitution.

The two other modes to amend the Charter are by a Constitutional Convention and by a people’s initiative.

Unlike Con-Ass, Con-Con will require the election of delegates.

On the other hand, registered voters may also launch a petition to revise the Constitution.

It should be signed by 12 percent, or 6.6 million, of 54.4-million registered voters.

NHA stays focused on subsidized housing COMMITTED to housing indigent Filipinos, the National Housing Authority maintained its mission to provide adequate and affordable housing to lowincome and underprivileged families.

“The NHA under the Duterte administration ensures the public that it will address the country’s housing needs as it will lead the construction and development of new communities and maximize government resources,” said NHA Acting General Manager Marcelino P.

Escalada Jr. NHA said its housing program only caters to the lowest 30 percent, the poorest of the urban population and it is mandated to provide housing and related assistance to ISFs living along danger zones and areas affected by government infrastructure projects.

Specifically, the national government prioritizes housing programs within the six year Philippine Development Plan which is the basis of NHA’s target each year.

IN BRIEF LTFRB chief bares reshuffle DAVAO CITY—Heads will roll in all the regional offices of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Presidential Communication Office Secretary Martin Andanar said.

This developed after LTFRB chairperson Martin Delgra exposed what he called the corruption in the regional offices.

Andanar said that President Rodrigo Duterte has been clear in his message to stop any form of corruption in all the government offices.

“The President’s message has been very clear even from the start, that all corruption must stop and it will not be tolerated under his term,” Andanar said.

On Monday, Delgra warned LTFRB employees that cases would be filed against them if proven that they have links to anomalies under their term in the office. Pearl Gajunera

Palace issues holiday list for 2017 MALACAÑANG on Thursday released the list of regular holidays and special non-working holidays for 2017.

Under Proclamation No. 50 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on August 16, the following regular holidays and special days for 2017 shall be New Year’s Day - January 1 (Sunday), Araw ng Kagitingan - April 9 (Sunday), Maundy Thursday April 13, Good Friday - April 14, Labor Day - May 1 (Monday), Independence Day - June 12 (Monday), National Heroes Day - August 28 (Last Monday of August), Bonifacio Day - November 30 (Thursday), Christmas Day - December 25 (Monday) and Rizal Day - December 30 (Saturday).

The special non-working holidays will be Chinese New Year - January 28 (Saturday), Edsa People Power Revolution Anniversary - February 25 (Saturday), Black Saturday - April 15, Ninoy Aquino Day - August 21 (Monday), All Saints Day - November 1 (Wednesday), Last Day of the Year - December 31 (Sunday), Additional special (non-working day) - October 21 (Tuesday).

Arraignment of Biazon set Sept. 6

OATH TO CHANGE. Makati Mayor Abigail Binay administers the oath of reformation to 1,057 individuals who voluntarily surrendered to the police due to drug use. Lino Santos

THE Sandiganbayan Seventh Division has scheduled for September 6 the arraignment of Muntinlupa City Rep. Ruffy Biazon regarding the three criminal cases filed against him in connection with the alleged irregular use of pork barrel funds or Priority Development Assistance Fund.

The schedule was made after the anti-graft division denied his motion for reconsideration to dismiss his malversation of public funds, graft and direct bribery cases. Maricel V. Cruz

A4

Opinion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Q

UEZON City Councilor Hero Bautista admitted this week that he used prohibited drugs but insisted that he was a “victim,” and not a protector of narcotics traffickers.

Delivering a privilege speech at the city council, Bautista, the younger brother of Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista, said he was taking a leave of absence to undergo rehabilitation.

“I take the moral high ground and in order to protect my name, I am

Adelle Chua, Editor

What high ground? volunteering to embark on a journey; a journey of soul-searching and self-discovery,” the newly elected councilor for Quezon City’s fourth district, said.

The councilor’s journey of self-discovery, however, seems to have been a reluctant one, at best, and there seems very little that puts him on the “moral high ground.”

Would he even be admitting to using illegal substances had he not tested positive in a surprise drug test of city hall’s legisla-

tive employees?

Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte, who spearheaded the surprise drug test, said the councilor had initially complained that the tests were erroneous, and that he demanded to be tested again, even though he had tested positive, too, in the conformity test.

The vice mayor also said she had informed the mayor about the drug tests in early August, but kept silent so he could make the announcements.

On Aug. 10, a public affairs information officer

said the mayor admitted during the weekly executive committee meeting with city hall’s department heads that his 44-year-old brother had tested positive for drug use.

The public affairs information services officer said the younger Bautista would have to take a leave of absence during his six-month rehabilitation treatment, and that his position would not be filled up since he would still be allowed to go back to work. He added that the councilor would not be subjected to ex-

pulsion proceedings.

While the councilor talked about the moral high ground, what were the voters who elected him to office supposed to feel about their lack of representation while he is away discovering himself for six months?

Or about the councilor’s misrepresentation of himself during the campaign as a responsible candidate worthy of their votes? And assuming the councilor returns after a six-month rehabilitation period, are Quezon City residents expected

to welcome him back with open arms and push away reasonable doubts that a recovering junkie could just as easily fall off the wagon again when nobody is looking?

It might be tempting to dismiss the case of Hero Bautista as a local one, but it is yet another example of the double standard at work in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Ordinary junkies get the bullet; junkies with a name get a journey of self-discovery—then get the opportunity to fool us again.

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

Ending ‘endo’

Answer the charges LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES WHO is Ronnie Dayan? And why has he not come forward, now that Senator Leila de Lima’s private life is once again in the news?

Dayan’s name was first revealed in an affidavit submitted two years ago by Sandra Cam, the former whistleblower in the illegal numbers game of jueteng, when she attempted to block the confirmation of then-Justice Secretary De Lima before the Commission on Appointments. Now that President Rodrigo Duterte has brought up the supposed links of De Lima’s driver to the illegal drug syndicates inside the New Bilibid Prison (without identifying Dayan by name) perhaps it’s time that someone finally sought him out.

According to Cam in 2014, Dayan, whom she claimed was 46 at the time, was an employee

of the Department of Justice. Because of his illicit relationship with De Lima, Cam said, Dayan wielded a lot of influence in the department.

Dayan, Cam claimed, was able to secure the appointment of Rafael Ragos as deputy director of the National Bureau of Investigation in September 2011. The appointment of Ragos, whom Cam said was not even a lawyer, was protested by then-NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula, to no avail.

In return, Ragos “supervised” the construction of a multi-million house for Dayan’s wife Norly Magallanes in Manapla, Negros Occidental, Cam alleged. Dayan supposedly built the house for Magallanes, who had been married to him since April 30, 1991, so that she would not complain about Dayan’s affair with De Lima.

At the time, Cam claimed that Dayan had “substantial” deposits in the millions of pesos at the Land Bank of the Philippines branch on Padre Faura, Manila and the Bank of the Philippine Islands branch in Philcoa, Quezon

City. Cam said Dayan also owned a farm in Barangay Galarin, Urbiztondo, Pangasinan that was bought for him by De Lima.

Just two months after Cam’s exposé, Dayan would be charged for allegedly indiscriminately

Perhaps it’s about time that she did that, instead of just saying that she is being persecuted for doing her job.”

firing a gun in Urbiztondo, where the farm is located. He was also accused of punching a policeman, identified as Ariel Hardinoza of the Alcala, Pangasinan police station, and threatening to kill

a barangay watchman named Buddy Palisoc.

The Urbiztondo police vowed at the time that it would conduct a fair investigation of the incident involving Dayan. But nothing further was heard on the matter.

Cam also alleged that De Lima had an affair with Cesar Mancao, one of the police officers accused of pulling off the massacre of members of the Kuratong Baleleng robbery gang, while Mancao was under the government’s Witness Protection Program. But her opposition to De Lima’s confirmation on the grounds of her alleged lack of fitness for the justice secretary’s post was all for naught. *** “Which is more serious, your claim that I kill criminals or your prison where they manufacture shabu, where women are allowed to enter, where they record albums and where there is a night club? How about the lives destroyed by these prisoners?”

That was Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte railing against

Justice Secretary De Lima in May last year. At the time, Duterte was not yet even being considered as a candidate for the 2016 elections—but he was already feuding publicly with De Lima, who accused the mayor of putting up the so-called Davao Death Squad of anti-crime vigilantes.

Duterte also accused De Lima of kidnapping former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in November 2011, when the latter was about to leave the Manila airport for medical treatment abroad.

De Lima, according to Duterte, prevented Arroyo and her husband Jose Miguel from leaving the country even if, at the time, “there was no case yet [filed against Arroyo] in court.”

In that celebrated case, De Lima possessed no hold departure order or warrant of arrest against Arroyo, Duterte said. De Lima also ignored a temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court preventing her from stopping the Arroyos from leaving.

Turn to A5

THE Senate last week started its hearings on the contentious issue of “endo.” As any one desperate to find employment knows, this is the onerous practice of business companies to get around the labor law of granting workers benefits. By terminating workers’ contract in five months, the greedy companies are able to skip paying their employees separation pay, remitting their share to the Social Security System and the releasing the prescribed 13th month pay. Hence “endo”— short for end of contract—the new word in the constantly evolving Filipino language.

This practice is pervasive in the service sector, department stores, construction companies and even in some government agencies who hire workers for road projects.There are an estimated 500,000 workers affected by contractualization. By outsourcing their workers directly from employment agencies, these employers do not have any employer-employee relationship with them. No demanding labor unions, no labor problem. It’s all about business profits and the merry sound of the cash register, This is why our people risk the hardships of working in the Middle East, away from their families just to be able to get a decent pay , provide for them and send their children to school.

Under this one-sided labor climate, these profit-onlydamn-social-inequity companies only get bigger and become conglomerates with business interests ranging from retail merchandising to real estate development , ownership and operation of public utilities. You don’t know yet who they are? Where have you been all these years—or are you from another planet?

Whether the Senate committee on labor, management and human resources chaired

by Senator Joel Villanueva can have the political will to end contractualization is not exactly encouraging, despite proposed measures filed by Senators Paolo Aquino, Risa Hontiveros and Miguel Zubiri.

We have to keep in mind that many of our politicians are also employers and own businesses. You know who they are in the Senate. Those who are not employers have links to the big companies who contribute large sums to their political campaign. Why kill the goose that lays the golden egg? Why bite the hand that feeds you?

Turn to A5

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Opinion

Beyond the slur and the slime

I NEVER feel good about the Leila de Lima pointed out repeathighest officials of the land fling- edly. In a system that purposely ing filth at each other. It demeans creates three coordinate branches their persons and the institutions of government, some degree of of government. It was the same check is granted the branches over revulsion I had for Senator Miri- each other. Calling for a Senate am Santiago’s philippics against inquiry could not have been meant Senator Juan Ponce Enrile—two as a slight to the President. It was people to whom I still give con- the proper exercise of the legislasiderable credit as statesmen, al- tive authority of oversight. though at that time, I felt that the This to me is the difficult chalproper thing for the senators to lenge with which national governdo would have been to walk out ment must deal: the calibration of of the chamber. But then, we, as a the powers of the Chief Executive people, are thrilled by high drama —who resents dilly-dallying and and will seldom walk away from has no time for pointless niceone. So even if I think that it was ties—and the values enshrined in nothing more than the proclivity the Constitution and the laws that for intrigue that made the poor ex- congressional investigations purcuse of a journalist ask President port to safeguard. In fact, it is not Digong to name the lady-senator only with the legislature that this he slammed in a recent speech problem has surfaced. Not too leaving hardly any doubt as to the long ago, President Digong took referent, it was, really inevitable. offense at what he thought was the And even if I think that the unfor- Chief Justice’s “obstruction” of his tunate incident is best kept behind campaign. Fortunately, the Chief us, the verbal thrust and parry will Justice played her cards well. For be re-run and talked about for days one thing, it will have to be clear to to come. I want to look beyond the the nation that the values espoused slur and the slime. by the Executive Branch are the The President is in earnest about very same values championed and waging a no-holds-barred bat- safeguarded by both the Legislatle against drugs and the convo- ture and the Judiciary. Any disluted network of sonance in this crimes that the respect would narco-industry be disastrous has spawned. to the nation.

Calling for a We need that And then too, passion and the President zeal. After all Senate inquiry must navigate the danger is could not have his way steadily, clear, present d e t e r m i n e d ly and real! And if been meant as but carefully it looks like it is through the small fry that he a slight to the labyrinthine can get his hands President. It ways of checks on, he has a and balances plausible expla- was the proper to preserve the nation: the real Republic, while lords of the trade exercise of the Legislature are outside the and the Judicithe legislative country, holed ary must, when up in China or authority of it is proper, acother countries cord more defprobably within oversight.” erence to what the region. The is properly and point is that he crucially execuintends to spare tive, guarding at none: big-time financiers, middle- every turn against more expansive level distributors, petty peddlers claims of jurisdiction!

—even users—all are his sworn Finally, what is manifest once enemies towards whom he will more is the nation’s fascination and show no mercy. He has done what yes, infatuation, with strong men. none, except probably Ferdinand In my home province, at one time, Marcos, has dared to do: read a list Rodolfo Aguinaldo was a renegade of notorious undesirables—includ- colonel who had ensconced himself ing friends—for an entire nation to in the foothills of a northern town be informed and to be forewarned. of Cagayan. But when he threw his And he has results to show for all hat into the political ring, he was this aggressiveness: Many, fear- swept into power by a very conful of ending up as statistics, have vincing majority, and rose to besurrendered, owned up to their come governor and then congressinvolvement in the drug circuit, man of Cagayan. People knew that supplied the police with their biom- he had tortured NPA sympathizers. etrics and promised to amend their He was their nemesis. They knew lives and to avoid the near occa- with what ferocity he chased the sions of sin! What should shock us enemies of State down mountain even more is that the National Peni- passes and trails. But they wanted tentiary was a thriving center of the a strong man for Cagayan, and they narco trade, so that it really paid to voted him to office by a very clear be sentenced and jailed, defeating majority. It is the same thing with every concept of penalty that justi- Digong now. He appeals—because fies imprisonment and the depriva- he is strong, and many Filipinos are tion of liberty! just peeved by what they decry has There is however, in counter- been a flaccid government. And poise, the universal requirement for all the noise made at Luneta not of due process, so that resolute- too long ago against Marcos’ burial ness may not trample on sacred at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, the rights and liberties. The question overwhelming majority of Filipihas not yet really been answered: nos really do not mind that he is The figures of the slain are ris- interred there, and a good number ing, and the police and other law- will support the decision to lay him enforcement agents can offer no to rest there. Bongbong Marcos better excuse than a re-run of the commanded a very respectable now well-worn story: The suspect share of the electorate, and many fought back, he tried to snatch the believe he won. The point is that arresting officer’s firearm—and while authoritarian rule tarried so was shot. But how many of a tad too long under Marcos, he them were really culpable? There is still considered by many to be is also the reasonable fear that the epitome of that determination, summary executions are an effi- drive, zeal and yes, authoritariancient and sure way of getting rid ism, that many Filipinos believe is of potential witnesses against the needed to tame our rambunctious perfidy of law-enforcers. And democracy! that is why due process cannot be compromised. The law can right- rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph ly be upheld only by observing the rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph law, and that was what Senator rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

Answer...

From A4 “We all know that one can be arrested only if there is a warrant of arrest and you cannot be stopped at the airport unless there is a hold departure order,” Duterte said. “Actually, what they did was they kidnapped or forced the Arroyos to go with them.”

De Lima at the time explained that “justice had been served” because she did not allow the former president to leave, despite claims from Arroyo’s camp of illegal detention and of depriving her of the right to travel. But De Lima said Arroyo could not be allowed to depart because the government

was still planning to file charges against her—and days after Arroyo was prevented from leaving, an arrest warrant was indeed served on her at the hospital room where she had been detained.

Why do I bring up all of this now? Simple: I want to know why De Lima has not, this late in the day, ever directly responded to the charges hurled against her by Cam, Duterte or anyone else.

Perhaps it’s about time that she did that, instead of just stonewalling (what she did during the Aquino years) and appealing to the public that she is being persecuted for doing her job as “fiscalizer” (her strategy now). How about it, Manay Leila?

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Ongpin’s P21-b donation

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ ON WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17, businessman Roberto “Bobby” Ongpin offered to donate nearly half or 49 percent of listed company PhilWeb to the stateowned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the country’s biggest gambling operator and the third biggest revenue maker of the government.

Another 4.7 percent is to be donated to the Ateneo de Manila’s JV Ongpin Foundation which sends some 200 poor students to school. The 49 and the 4.7 percent both belong to Ongpin, his 53.7 percent ownership of PhilWeb. In February 2016, three months before President Duterte’s election, gaming firm PhilWeb was valued at P28 per share or P40.2 billion based on its 1.435 billion shares outstanding. Of that, 771 million shares (Ongpin’s 53.7 percent) were valued then at P21.588 billion.

In effect, Bobby Ongpin is divesting himself totally from PhilWeb. His holdings, worth P21.588 billion last February, were valued of yesterday at P9.18 per share, or only P7 billion.

PhilWeb’s stock price hit a low of P3.02 on Aug. 9, 2016, the day President declared Ongpin an oligarch embedded in government who must destroyed. At that 52week low price, Ongpin’s equity ownership was worth P2.328 billion.

In just seven months, Ongpin’s ownership of PhilWeb gyrated in value from a high of

P21.58 billion to a low of P2.32 billion then to the current market valuation of P7 billion.

By any measure, P7 billion is money one cannot sneeze at. It is equivalent to the combined tax payments of the country’s 35 biggest individual taxpayers in 2014. It is more than two times what Pagcor makes in a year from its casinos.

Bobby’s offer to donate thus is not an empty gesture. The man is donating a net worth and a business, valued as of yesterday at P9.33 billion. PhilWeb can easily claim back its P40-billion market value if Pagcor makes the right moves and Duterte scales down his anti-Ongpin rhetoric.

Unknown to many, the biggest beneficiary of PhilWeb’s business is Pagcor which gets 42 percent of the company’s earnings from e-Games. That amounted to P2.1 billion in 2015. Another 28 percent goes to the PhilWeb’s operators (286 of them), 2 percent for marketing, and the remaining 28 percent to PhilWeb. So If Duterte wants to phase out PhilWeb, he is in effect harming Pagcor. Ironically, the biggest individual beneficiary of Pagcor is the President of the Philippines who draws as much as P2 billion a year in special fund, a glamorized Priority Develomen Assistance Fund.

With Manila being developed as a gaming (or if you may, casino) city to rival Macau and Singapore, and with 120 million Chinese travelling overseas a year looking for fun and sun, PhilWeb’s outlook was certainly bright.

After Duterte sought to destroy Ongpin and PhilWeb, the beleaguered tycoon called a meeting of the company’s stock-

holders and tried to auction his 53.7 percent of the company.

Five made bids—three foreign companies and two local firms.

Obviously, PhilWeb is an attractive buy. How else can you explain its nearly tripling its price, from a low of P3.02 share to yesterday’s P9 a share, despite its present vicissitudes?

In his pained letter to Pagcor on Aug. 17, Ongpin said he was making “a final attempt to save the jobs of about 700 PhilWeb employees, plus about 5,000 others who are employed by the PAGCOR operators in 286 eGames sites. They all have been out of work since PhilWeb’s license expired on Wednesday last week, August 10.”

Ongpin limited his donation to Pagcor to 49 percent “to avoid PhilWeb being classified as a government-owned and controlled corporation, which would make the various restrictions applicable to GOCCs result in making PhilWeb’s operations untenable.”

The remaining 4.7 percent, meanwhile, could easily double, or even triple the 200 students financed by Ateneo’s JVO Scholarship Fund (named after Bobby’s late brother, Jimmy, but funded by the elder brother).

There is only one implied condition with Bobby’s donation— Pagcor should renew PhilWeb’s license. Renewal enables Pagcor to continue receiving more than P2 billion in annual gains from PhilWeb. More importantly, perhaps, it will save the “livelihood of about 6,000 employees and their families,” says Ongpin.

Analysts (which include me) say it will be insane for Pagcor not to give PhilWeb the lifeline it sorely needs, the renewal of its

license.

Ongpin insists PhilWeb’s e-Games casinos are actually owned by Pagcor but operated

by PhilWeb as a technology service provider. “It is not online gaming,” he asserts.

He elaborates: “Online means that it can be accessed from a computer, whether at home or in the office. One can only play if one physically goes to an eGames establishment. In addition to the stringent conditions of entry into an e-Games unit, each patron is subjected to stringent identity requirements to ensure that they are of the proper age and that they are not employees of government entities and other criteria.”

Duterte thinks PhilWeb’s business is nothing more than gambling and that it hurts small people.

Pagcor itself, in addition to its own casinos, has licensed four brand-new large casino operators. The bulk of their clients are not foreigners but Filipinos. The bulk of those Filipinos are not the rich and famous. They are small Filipinos (the tsinelas or laylayan class of Leni Robredo) who are dear to Duterte’s heart.

So Duterte has to be true to himself. Renew PhilWeb’s license. Or shut down his own Pagcor and all the casinos authorized by Pagcor. The President seems to think Pagcor is fun. He recently appointed entertainers and comedians to its board and top management.

Just like drugs, gambling is a vice that cannot be compartmentalized. It hurts everyone, rich and poor, saints and sinners.

How about it, idol? biznewsasia@gmail.com

Real change for SSS pensioners FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte in proposing his first national budget—which he named “A Budget for Real Change”—stating in simple but clear words that: “It is a Budget that gives flesh and bone to the promise by which I won as President: to fight for social justice. It was designed to realize change in the here and now.”

But his proposed budget for 2017, which Budget Secretary Ben Diokno submitted last Monday to House Speaker Bebot Alvarez and Majority Leader Rudy Fariñas, was only worth P3.35 trillion.

It was merely 11.6 percent more than the “Paggugol na Matuwid: Saligan ng TuloyTuloy na Pag-Unlad” budget that his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III, last submitted.

Isn’t this almost single-digit percent increase what corporations on a “coasting along” or “business-as-usual” mode impute in their annual operating budgets?

How could it enable President Duterte to accomplish the kind of change that he wants us to have?

His proposed budget is increasing by 14.5 percent or to P50.2 billion government’s subsidy to PhilHealth. But this amount is only to cover the increase in the number of our subsidized poor members.

Ending...

From A4 I have written about the anomalous practice of contractualization as early as three years ago and I may sound like a broken record saying the same things again. Still, someone has to keep doing it to the point of repetition. There’s a small chance these shameless companies will have a change of heart and realize not everything is about making money. They can still make money, profit being the essence of doing business. But a strong consumer society resulting from workers secure in their jobs with money to spare is also good for business and the wellbeing of society. It works both ways.

Bombshell You want a bombshell that shocks and awes? Well, President

Like previous budgets, his proposal is again allocating the same P2,400 as annual premium contribution for each of the 15.4 million indigent families and 5.4 million senior citizens who comprise more than half of PhilHealth’s membership.

This subsidy is not even enough to maintain the low support value of PhilHealth benefits.

As a consequence, PhilHealth’s members cannot expect any improvement in benefits.

Instead, they should brace themselves for higher out-of-pocket expenses. Health providers such as hospitals and medical professionals have not adjusted their fees for some time. Most likely, they would invoke inflation— real and imaginary—and justify charging higher medical care costs in 2017.

The proposed budget is also continuing to support the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino program or 4Ps with a P78.7billion budget for 4.62 million families. It is including, for the first time, the distribution of rice worth P23.4 billion to 3 million of these households for 12 months at 20 kilos each, or at P32.50 per kilo.

But only P1,400 is being allocated monthly to each family, which is the same unadjusted amount of the first 4Ps in President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration.

Thus, despite the 4Ps budget being increased by 25 percent, not much is being added to the poor man’s dining table.

President Digong has practically nothing for pensioners, too.

Worse, he is even forewarn-

ing the military and uniformed personnel about the phaseout of their long-standing pension tradition where their pension payments are appropriated by Congress. Instead, they would be required to contribute, through salary deductions, under “a new pension fund that is similar to, or part of the Government Service Insurance System.”

The President’s budget message didn’t say anything about the P500 social pension.

It’s a good thing that Secretary Diokno had earlier assured us that P17.9 billion had been set aside for the social pensions of 2.8 million indigent senior citizens.

Summing up, P146.8 billion is being allocated to the poor who are beneficiaries of PhilHealth, 4Ps and social pensions. In fact, even if these programs—which we interchangeably call subsidies, dole or welfare—are not being administered by Social Security System, they are considered social security benefits.

SSS could have been tasked to pay out the P500 social pensions, similar to how PhilHealth is administering the social health insurance of indigent families and senior citizens whose contributions are paid through the Department of Health from national budget allocations.

The social pension allocation is released to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, but it could likewise turn over the social pension’s administration to SSS. But for now, not a single peso is being allocated from the national budget to SSS members

and its pensioners.

The Budget for Real Change seems to have left out its 2 million pensioners.

Remember the P2,000 pension increase that they thought they’d receive early this year?

It would have been a meaningful follow-up to the 5-percent pension increase that PNoy approved in 2014. It was so insignificant that it adjusted their P1,200 minimum pension by only P60, and their P10,000 pension by P500.

If forced to grant that P2,000 pension increase but without the corresponding funding, SSS would soon face bankruptcy. As fiduciary, it really has no choice but to oppose it.

But when then-Mayor Digong supported its grant during the campaign period, SSS pensioners thought he had promised its release to them once he got elected.

Now president, he may have already forgotten his promise because he has not allocated for it even a single peso in his first proposed budget.

Hopefully, he would later ask Congress to insert a one-time subsidy to finance the first year funding of this increase.

Immediately thereafter, Congress could pass a law mandating the reform of SSS and prioritizing the increase of its contributions.

These actions would then usher the real change in our national pension system.

Without them, SSS pensioners could cry and despair day in and day out, but still the decision to deny them the P2,000 pension increase would not be changed.

Rodrigo Duterte dropped one on Senator Leila De Lima, days ahead of her Senate investigation into the extra-judicial killings of drug suspects. The President directly named De Lima and her married driver-lover for allegedly collecting money from convicted drug lords at the National Penitentiary (New Bilibid Prison) in Muntinlupa. The Bureau of Corrections was under De Lima who was then justice secretary. The money collected from the detained drug lords was allegedly used for De Lima’s campaign for a Senate seat wherein she landed last at 12th place.

Duterte’s bombshell without doubt preempted and took away any explosive revelation that might come up in De Lima’s Senate justice committee hearing. De Lima’s dilemma is now how to deliver a mutually assured destruction that

could hurt Duterte. She had been dropping bits and pieces of allegations about Duterte’s death squad when he was Davao City mayor.

Unless De Lima presents key witnesses and evidence on Duterte’s direct hand in the hundreds of slain criminal suspects in Davao or the current killings of drug suspects in his nationwide campaign against the illegal trade, she will have a hard time recovering from Duterte’s bombshell. This, even if the Present has yet to present evidence against De Lima and her alleged driver-collector cum lover.

This is the peril of going against an incumbent president. De Lima is at a disadvantage. What she says against weighed against what he says (whether true or not), the president’s words carry a lot more weight than the words of lesser mortals. Call it pulling rank or

throwing his weight around. Duterte has the advantage of harnessing and marshaling all government resources at his disposal to use against his adversaries.

We have been hearing about De Lima’s dalliance with her driversecurity man even before she announced her Senate bid. But what was new in the President’s explosive revelation was the connection to dirty drug money for funding her campaign.

There is another ugly rumor circulating around about an official, higher-ranked than De Lima who allegedly also has a lover. Although no money is involved, she could be liable for immorality and unseated if the allegations are proven to be true.

You cannot mess with this President unless you ‘re prepared to risk all, including your reputation.

A6

News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Solons laud Digong for ‘shock and awe’

By Maricel V. Cruz

ADMINISTRATION lawmakers on Thursday gave a thumbs-up to President Rodrigo Duterte whose presidency has been focused in fighting massive illegal drugs in the country, with one of them describing it as a show that shocks and awes.

Reps. Karlo Alexei Nograles of Davao City, Celso Lobregat of Zamboanga City, Mark Aeron Sambar and Jericho Nograles of PBA partylist and Oscar Garin of Iloilo commended Duterte’s effort to effect “real change” in governance.

“His trust rating is so high – an indication of the Filipino people’s trust and confidence in his presidency,” Nograles, chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said.

Nograles also cited that Duterte’s intensified campaign illegal drugs is now being implemented even at the village level.

Lobregat, vice chairman of the House committee on appropriations, said if there are two word to describe President Duterte’s accomplishments in his first 50 days they are shock and awe.

“We could really see that change is here. We have a President who is serious on what he is doing,” Lobregat said.

Sambar and the younger Nograles, also vice chairmen of the appropriations committee, shared a similar view.

“I think the President has [began to deliver] his promise of change.

A lot of campaign promises he did and one by one he started to deliver... We will see more of this coming,” Sambar said.

“We dream of having clean and corrupt-free government, and we see that is really possible. The people see that it can be done after all,” he added.

Nograles said that reforms and changes in government that are promised by the Duterte administration cannot be immediate.

“That is why Congress will thoroughly scrutinize the [proposed P3.32 trillion national budget for 2017 to find out] whether his (President Duterte) proposal will bring changes in his administration.”

Quezon City Rep. Alfred Vargas said the Duterte government’s peace and order effort was “so far, so good.”

DEADLY ACCIDENT. A motorcycle rider was pinned to his death under this 14-wheel truck loaded with sand in an early morning accident after the truck went out of control and injured four people along the Circumferential Road 5 in Bagong Ilog, Pasig City. Manny Palmero

New passports released starting Monday—DFA

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

HE Department of Foreign Affairs will start distributing new electronic passports on Monday and said the new design is untamperable and “one of the most secure” passports in the world, Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose said Thursday.

Although there are no incident of fake passport production, Jose said that this help enhance the integrity of this 44-page passbook.

“Ever since we introduced this e-passport it has become more secured. We have to maintain the integrity of the passport,” Jose told reporters in a press conference.

The maroon-color passport con-

tains a drawing of the Philippine eagle, the Banaue Rice Terraces, Mayon Volcano and a line of the Philippine national anthem written in each page of the booklet.

“From Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. They have unique images,” Jose said, adding the passports also contain enhanced security features, such invisible UV fluo-

rescent ink and thread, and upgraded microchip.

He assured the public that they can still use the old passport until it expired. “The validity of the passport is still five years,” Jose added.

He added that the proposed 10-year expiration period is up to Congress to approve and if it is, they will add more pages and produce a new one.

Jose said the cost remains at P950 for regular processing while P1,200 for express.

The DFA has embarked on producing the electronic passport in 2009 under the Arroyo administration as part of the commitment to the United Nations International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to computerize travel documents.

The first contract of E-passport was with French firm Oberthur Technologies which partnered with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for the printing of the e-passport.

Then Foreign secretary Albert del Rosario, meanwhile, signed a new contract in 2015 with stateowned printing firm APO Production Unit to handle the production of the e-passport.

However, Del Rosario and former foreign secretary Alberto Romulo are facing graft charges before the Ombudsman for the supposedly overpriced e-passport.

The Anti-Trapo Movement filed the complaint before the Ombudsman and claimed that Romulo and Del Rosario violated the AntiGraft and Corrupt Practices Act

in connection with the implementation of the e-passport and machine readable passport and visa projects.

ATM said APO has no track record for printing security documents, operating with an outdated printing equipment and is not even considered a top commercial printer.

To make up for its shortcomings, APO entered into a third party contract with United Graphics Expression for the lease of its state-of-the-art printing equipment in Malvar, Batangas.

UGEC is a private printing company that specializes in packaging materials, ads and promos and collaterals. It has a huge printing facility in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

IN BRIEF Baby, family get free flights CEBU Pacific Airlines awarded a baby girl, who was born during a flight from Dubai to Manila last Sunday, one million “Get Go” points which she and her family can use for their future flights free of charge.

The Get Go points is the airline’s lifestyle rewards program for new and regular customers to book and enjoy domestic and international flights for free.

The baby girl, named Haven, was born four hours after Flight 5J015, with 406 passengers, including six babies and 13 flight crew members, left the Dubai International Airport on Aug. 14.

The flight diverted to Hyderabad, India to ensure that the mother and the baby received medical assistance. Both the mother and the baby, who was born premature at 32 weeks, are being assisted by CEB’s Customer Care team. Joel E. Zurbano

LWUA official rapped for trip

Govt to start impounding cars in Tarlac

Tax raps vs PhilRem dismissed

By Joel E. Zurbano

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Metro Manila Development Authority will start bringing apprehended vehicles for illegal parking and out-of-line violations to the government’s impounding area in the province of Tarlac, where all expenses, including the toll will be shouldered by the car owners.

MMDA Towing Operations Group chief Victor Nunez announced this Thursday after the Department of Transportation gave them the go-signal to bring the excess impounded vehicles from the University of Life impounding site in Pasig City to the impounding area of Land Transportation Office and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board in Tarlac.

“We intensified our anti-illegal parking operations and that is why we are asking car owners to find the right place where they can park their vehicles properly, if not, we will bring their cars to Tarlac,” said Nunez.

The vehicles to be brought to the Tarlac impoundment facility are those apprehended for illegal parking and out-of-line public utility vehicles.

The MMDA disclosed earlier that an average of 30 out-of-line vehicles and illegally parked vehicles are apprehended daily since it launched the campaign last month.

Nunez said a memorandum of agreement will be signed by the members of the interagency committee to formalize the transfer of the impounded vehicles.

Meanwhile, the National Police-Highway Patrol Group has expanded its scope in managing traffic and will no longer be confined to Epifanio de los Santos Avenue.

Manila

THE Department of Justice has dismissed the tax evasion case filed by the Bureau of Internal Revenue against the PhilRem Service Corp. and its owners for allegedly failing to pay the government P35.61 million in taxes.

The DoJ found no probable cause to indict PhilRem president Salud Bautista and treasurer Michael Bautista for alleged willful attempt to evade paying the gross receipts tax, deliberate failure to file percentage tax returns (PTR), and unlawful pursuit of business from 2005 to 2014.

PhilRem became controversial after it was implicated in the $81-million money laundering scandal early this year, involving funds of the Bangladesh Bank THE BRP Tubbataha, one of the stolen from the Federal Reserve 10 multi-role response vessels ordered from Japan, was formally Bank of New York.

The company was accused of delivered to the Philippine Coast having acted as conduit to the Guard Thursday morning.

PCG Spokesperson Commandmoney transfers covering the $81 million from the Rizal Commer- er Armand Balilo said the handocial Banking Corp. branch on ver took place around 9 a.m. at Jupiter Street in Makati City to Pier 13, Manila South Harbor.

BRP Tubbataha was delivered the casinos—where the money

by Japan Marine United Corporawas supposedly laundered—and tion sailing personnel with 12 obother benefactors that included servers from the PCG. It departed junket operators. the JMUC shipyard in Yokohama, In its resolution, the DoJ, the Japan last Aug. 11. Balilo said the CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK BIR filed the complaints with commissioning date is tentatively “unreasonable haste” and did set on Aug. 22. not give PhilRem enough time to The BRP Tubbataha and the nine respond to the investigation into other MRRVs would be classified the alleged tax liabilities. as “Parola (lighthouse)” class ves“The records also show that sels and named after lighthouses. there is no valid service of PAN The Tubbataha Reef, a marine (Preliminary Assessment Notice), reservation area in Palawan, has a formal letter of demand, and as- lighthouse similarly named.

The MRRV is equipped with sessment notice to PhilRem since the complainant-agency (BIR) filed special features for search and resthe criminal complaint merely two cue and law enforcement operadays from respondent’s (PhilRem) tions such as fire monitors, night vireceipt of Letter of Authority,” As- sion camera, radio direction finder sistant State Prosecutor Karla Torres and a workboat. It also has a bulletproof navigational bridge.

Cabel said, in a resolution.

Standard

TODAY NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

CENTURY LUXURY PROPERTIES, INC. CENTURY LUXURY PROPERTIES, INC. announces that it is dissolved as of April 7, 2016. This notice shall serve as public notice that the Company requests that persons with claims against CENTURY LUXURY PROPERTIES, INC. present them in writing to the Company with complete information on the identity of the claimant and substance of such claim. All claims must be sent to the Company’s principal address at 21st Floor, Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat cor.

Makati Ave., Makati City on or before September 30, 2016.

(Sgd) CARLOS BENEDICT K. RIVILLA IV Corporate Secretary (MS-AUG. 19,22 & 29, 2016)

JAPANESE AID. The BRP Tubbataha arrived at the Philippine Coast Guard headquarters in

Manila on Thursday. The new vessel was acquired through the assistance of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The welcome ceremony was led by Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade. Danny Pata

Don’t disrespect dead, LFS told

By Florante S. Solmerin THE Philippine Army has slammed leftist activists from the League of Filipino Students for supposedly disrespecting the full-honor burial of one of its commanding generals at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

Army spokesman Colonel Benjamin Hao said around 60 to 70 LFS members staged a rally in front of the gate, very near where the ceremonial honors were being given to the late army chief major general Rodolfo Canieso.

“There was ceremony for General Canieso,” Hao said. “He was being buried and there came this bunch of protesters who were shouting and using a loudspeaker at a cemetery,” Hao lamented.

“They had a loud system. They even had a program at the cemetery. Although they also left after a few minutes, they

disrupted honors being given to a former general who also served the country,” Hao said, adding that the protesters only left after the police persuaded them to leave the cemetery.

“We respect their right to air whatever grievance they may have but they should also respect our right to honor our dead.

They should respect that kind of activity.

Let’s maintain the peace and tranquility of the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

“There’s a time for everything. And that was not really the time to do that.

That is disrespect for the family. That is lack of respect for Filipino tradition,” he added.

Canieso died Saturday at the age of 84.

He was the first Army chief during the presidency of the late Corazon Aquino. After he retired from the service, he was appointed National Intelligence Coordinating Agency director general.

THE Ombudsman indicted on Thursday an ex-Local Water Utilities Administration official for unliquidated travel expenses five years ago.

Ombudsman Conchita Carpio Morales directed the filing of charges against former administrator Daniel Landingin for violation of Article 218 of the Revised Penal Code over failure to account for cash advances of P57,698.94.

The funds covered the incidental expenses of his official travel to Singapore in March 2011. The Ombudsman said Landingin was only able to fully account for the pre-travel expense of P1,500 but the amount of P57,698.94 remained unliquidated 60 days after his return to the Philippines.

Landingin was also notified as a final demand pursuant to CoA Circular 2012-004 to liquidate the funds by Jan. 31, 2013. Despite the demand, he failed to account for the funds.

BRP Tubbataha arrives from JP

Sports BWC titles up for grabs SIXTEEN top Filipino pintopplers—eight men and eight ladies—will dispute the 2016 Qubica/AMF Bowling World Cup national titles starting at 9:30 a.m. today for the right to represent the Philippines in the international finals in Shanghai, China.

Bidding for the men’s crown at the North EDSA Center in Quezon City are Raoul Miranda, Nicco Olaivar, Merwin Tan, Jay R. Tan, Sammy Say Sy, Paulo Valdez, Alex Ngoi and Kevin Cu, while seeking the ladies’ crown are Liza del Rosario, Lara Posadas, Liza Clutario, Krizziah Tabora, Mades Arles, Rochelle Munsayac, Jo Anne Bonifacio and Myrna Bautista.

Del Rosario closed out her 10-game, second-day performance Wednesday at Paeng’s Midtown Bowl by rolling sizzling games of 268 and 259 to finish with 4257 and pull away from Posadas, who carded 4090.

Clutario came in third with 3866, followed by Tabora (3778), Arles (3726), Munsayac (3655), Bonifacio (3535) and Bautista (3508).

With their scores carried over, the eight quarterfinalists will bowl a one-round robin format and positioning on the eighth game, with every game winner getting 30 points and 15 points each for a tie.

The top three men’s and ladies’ finishers will advance to the best-of-three semifinals and finals. The No. 1 finisher advances to the finals with the two others fighting for the right to challenge for the crown.

All matches will be played from scratch.

The champions will compete in the 2016 BWC international finals set on October 14-23 at Hao’s Bowling Center in Shanghai.

A7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Swimming, IOC scandals overshadow Bolt’s feat R

IO DE JANEIRO—Brazilian police detained two US swimmers and arrested a top International Olympic Committee official as scandal overshadowed the Rio Games and Usain Bolt’s progress toward a new gold.

Jack Conger and Gunnar Bentz were taken off a flight leaving Rio de Janeiro by authorities investigating doubts over their claim of having been mugged.

That came hours after top European Olympic official Patrick Hickey was arrested in an investigation into black market Olympic ticket sales.

Conger and Bentz along with star US swimmer Ryan Lochte and squad member James Feigen said they were held up at gunpoint

in the early hours of Sunday.

However Brazilian judge Keyla Blank ordered the passports of all four to be seized to prevent them leaving the country. Lochte had already gone home.

The Globo media organization posted a video online showing Conger and Bentz walking into a police station on Wednesday.

The G1 news site, which is part of Globo, reported that Bentz, 20, and Conger, 21, were detained for questioning and that Feigen, 26,

was still in the country.

Bentz and Conger left the airport in the middle of the night in a car that passed by a crowd of journalists, according to an AFP reporter. They were scheduled to appear before Rio tourism police on Thursday.

The four made headlines with their terrifying account while returning from a party.

Lochte said they were held up by muggers posing as police as they left a party just after 4 a.m. In interviews, he described how he had a hand gun put to his head and handed over his money and wallet.

Victims laughed However, the judge said their story was full of inconsistencies.

US television channel NBC quoted witnesses as saying the swimmers were at the party until daybreak.

And Britain’s Daily Mail obtained video surveillance showing the four laughing as they returned to the athletes’ village at 6.56am on Sunday.

Hickey, an IOC executive member, head of the European Olympic Committees and the Irish national committee, spent Wednesday night in hospital after being detained at his luxury hotel.

Accused of ticket scalping, ambush marketing and conspiracy after tickets were seized from another Irish businessman, Hickey has “temporarily” stood down from his posts.

Following a raid similar to the arrest of seven top FIFA officials at a Zurich hotel last year, Hickey was shown in media video answering his hotel room door un-

Thai star back for Suzuki tilt

Jamaica’s Usain Bolt (right) laughs with Canada’s Andre De Grasse after they competed in the Men’s 200m Semifinal during the athletics event at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Rivera brothers savor victory in Phoenix slalom THE Rivera brothers once again savored a double victory as they topped the ninth leg of the 2016 PHOENIX National Slalom Series recently at Robinsons Antipolo.

The siblings and teammates from Tough Gear Racing ruled the competition with Milo Rivera clocking in 46.84, while his brother Estefano came in second with 46.92 seconds, followed by Dr. Peewee Mendiola of Team Big Chill at 48.24.

Meanwhile, Dion Ortiz of AF Racing Team bagged

the Novice title with a time of 50.70, followed by Keith Cayanan with 50.98.

Ronz Yuzon of Cabanatuan Auto Club won the Front Wheel Best Time of the day with 48.68, followed by Richard Gallardo with 49.54 and Mike Simbulan with 51.88.

Winners of the eighth leg were awarded, while all class winners received four liters of Phoenix Accelerate fully synthetic motor oil and sports bottle.

The 2016 Phoenix National Slalom Series is powered by Phoenix Pre-

mium 98 and Phoenix Accelerate fully synthetic oil and co-sponsored Federal Tyres, Outlast Battery and Robinsons Antipolo.

It is also supported by Starbright Body Kits, Auto Transporter and Aeromed; Media Partners Stoplight TV, Inside Motoring, DZRJ-Am, Pinoy Speed sa mga Pahayagan, Spin.

Ph Sports Interactive Network, C! Magazine, Ride and Drive Philippines, Targa Pilipinas, Auto Industriya and Power Wheels Magazine.

All events are sanc-

tioned and affiliated by the Automobile Club of the Philippines.

The 10th leg for the year will be on Sept. 4 back at Robinsons Antipolo, while the second leg for the Phoenix Slalom Invitational will be on Aug. 21 at Robinsons Calasiao Pangasinan.

For details, contact Bing Bang Dulce at 09178119337; email racemotorsportsclub@yahoo. com. or Facebook page racemotorsportsclub and phoenixpetroleum.

Peter Paul Duran

Powee Base, the youngest driver in the Novice category of PMMS Racing Team

Otico, Olivarez upend seeded foes

Bryan Otico hits a backhand return to Fritz Verdad Jr.

BRYAN Otico and Eric “Jed” Olivarez Jr. dished out a pair of superb all-around games to topple No. 4 Fritz Verdad Jr. and seventh ranked Rolando Ruel Jr., respectively, and barge into the quarterfinal round of the seventh Olivarez Cup Tennis Championship at the Olivarez Sports Center in Sucat yesterday.

Otico, a Philippine Tennis Academy mainstay and ranked No. 13 in the 64-player field, broke Verdad twice in the opening set then dominated the next to fashion out a 6-3, 6-1, victory while Olivarez, playing out of Western Michigan U, also outplayed Ruel and carved out a 6-2, 6-2, romp to clinch berts in the Last 8 of the men’s Open singles of one of the country’s premier tournaments sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop.

No. 5 Ronard Joven scored a walkover win over Manuel Balce III to arrange a Last 8 face-off with Otico of De La Salle-Zobel, while Olivarez, 18, will take on second seed Patrick John Tierro, who eased out Noel Damian Jr., 6-4, 6-2.

Top seed Johnny Arcilla cruised to the quarters with a walkover win over Jet Asilo but is expected to face stiff resistance against Michael Madrio, who came away with a 7-6(1) ret. win over No. 9 Deo Talatayod, in the quarters of the event and staged 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 discover fresh talents.

“We expect more reversals both in the men’s and ladies divisions with a bump-

er crop of young players eager to prove their worth,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Third seed Elbert Anasta and No. 6 Leander Lazaro arranged a quarters duel after the former subdued Jan Godfrey Seno, 6-4, 6-3, and the latter won by default over Marcus del Rosario in the event backed by Milestone Guaranty and Assurance Corp. and Slazenger as official ball.

Meanwhile, De La Salle-Zobel I posted a pair of 3-0 routs over Letran and Ateneo to roll into the semifinals of the inter-school team men’s competition. The Alabang-based school will play UST I, which also swept UP II, 3-0, while UST II nipped UP I, 2-1, to likewise advance against La Salle, which tripped Letran, 3-0, in the lower half of the draw.

Penn takes on The Bully in comeback MMA fight WHEN BJ Penn sets foot once again inside the Octagon after his brief retirement, expect rabid Pinoy MMA fans to salivate when “The Prodigy” completes his comeback at UFC Fight Night Manila at the MoA Arena.

But more than the fight fans aching to watch the MMA icon’s return, the man opposite him inside that ring on Oct. 15 shares the same bit of enthusiasm, especially if he’s slugging it out with a future Hall of Famer.

Penn (16-10-2) coming out of a hiatus

clothed before putting on a bath robe.

Police said they suspect he had changed rooms to try to evade arrest.

Hickey’s wife was in another room and at first told them Hickey had left the country, police told reporters.

Brazilian police have launched a widening investigation after seizing more than 1,000 premier tickets for Games events, including the opening ceremony.

Tickets with a face value of about $1,000 dollars were sold for $8,000, in a racket prosecutors said yielded profits of $3.0 million.

The head of a sports ticketing firm, THG Sports, was detained with the tickets on August 5. AFP

after retiring in 2014, will take on No. 4-ranked UFC Featherweight contender Ricardo Lamas (16-5-0), with the “The Bully” cherishing the opportunity to fight someone he looks up to.

“I look forward to the fight. It means a lot,” said Lamas during the media launch of the main event at Conrad Hotel in Pasay, Wednesday.

“For me, in this sport, it’s all about creating memories that I can pass on to my grandchildren. Now, one of the memories I’ll be able to pass on is the new ‘Thrilla in Manila’ with the

two-division world champion BJ Penn,” the 34-year-old Lamas added.

Meanwhile, Penn focuses his eyes on a bigger prize, hinting a challenge to current Featherweight champ Connor McGregor and his fight with Lamas is certainly a launching pad for that to happen.

“I’m very excited. I’m at 145 and I’m going to climb the ladder. I’m going to get that belt,” said the 37-year-old Penn whose last win dates back 2011.

“I’m the only one going for a third world title and I got a great test in front of

me,” he added.

UFC Fight Night Manila will also feature a showdown between No. 3-ranked Japanese title contender Kyoji Horiguchi and Russian Ali Bagautinov in the main card.

Tickets are priced at P12,500 (VIP), P9,500 (Patron), P7,200 (Lower Box A), P6,000 (Lower Box B), P2,350 (Upper Box), and P1,350 (General Admission) plus applicable service charges.

Tickets can be purchased at all SM Tickets outlets or through www.smtickets.com. Peter Paul Duran

SIDELINED with a knee injury last year, gifted midfielder Charyl Chappuis will likely be back in harness for Thailand when it defends its Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup trophy in November, the official Suki Cup website reported on Thursday.

The 24-year-old Thai-Swiss, who once played for Swiss Super League Club Grasshoppers, is coming back from a knee injury and was named to the 23-man Thai squad mentored by Kiatisuk Semanuang for the third round of the Asian FIFA World Cup qualifiers kicking off in September.

He will see action for the Thais on Sept. 1 against Saudi Arabia in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

Now playing for Suphanburi in the Thai Premier League, Chappuis, with his midfield wizardry, was a thorn in the flesh for the Philippine Azkals in the semifinals of the region’s blue-ribbon soccer competition two years ago.

Although the Fiipino booters held the Thais to a scoreless draw in their home game at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, the baby-faced Chappuis presided in the War Elephants’ emphatic 3-0 triumph in front of a roaring Thai gallery at the packed Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok to advance to the finals versus Malaysia.

He scored a goal each in the home-and-away finals against Malaysia as the charges of Senamuang, the Thai “Zico,” sealed a tense 4-3 aggregate victory in capturing their fourth Suzuki Cup championship.

The competition proved to be Chappuis’ last outing before going down with knee injury that left him sidelined for the entire 2015 season, missing a chance to play for the Thai Under-23 squad in the 28th Singapore Southeast Asian Games.

He played a starring role for the Thais when they copped the SEA Games gold medal in the Myanmar edition of the meet in 2013.

The midfield maestro, who has scored five international goals for Thailand, will be one man that Azkals’ coach Thomas Dooley will be looking out for when the host squad plays Thailand in its last Group A match on Nov. 25 at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan.

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

Sports

Cage fans mourn Baby D’s passing Games Today

(Ynares Center, Antipolo City) 4:15 p.m. - TNT Katropa vs.

Phoenix Petroleum 7 p.m. - GlobalPort vs. San Miguel

By Jeric Lopez

IT’S US VS SPAIN IN SEMIS. An overview shows USA’s forward Draymond Green (L) scoring by Argentina’s small forward Gabriel Deck during a Men’s quarterfinal basketball match between USA and Argentina at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Kevin Durant scored 27 points to power the Americans over Argentina 105-78, stretching their Olympic win streak to 23 games and their 10-year overall win streak to 74. Defending champion United States and European champion Spain booked a Rio Olympic semi-final showdown of NBA stars with triumphs Wednesday while Australia, boasting four NBA champions, earned a last-four date with Serbia. Spain routed France 92-67 to book a Friday semi-final rematch with a USA side that beat them 107-100 in the 2012 Olympic final and 118-107 for 2008 gold. Australia dumped Lithuania 90-64. AFP

Beijing gold medalist doesn’t scare PH’s Alora R

IO DE JANEIRO—Three days before she plunges into action, the Philippines’ only remaining bet in the 2016 Rio Olympics spent time reviewing the opposition.

Kirstie Elaine Alora of taekwondo is the only one left to carry the fight for the country. Her fellow Filipino athletes are over with their competition schedules.

Alora, who arrived here last July 23, will see action in the women’s +67 kg on Aug. 20. She faces 2008 Beijing Olympics gold medalist Maria Espinoza at 10:30 in the morning (9:30 p.m. in Manila on Saturday).

The 26-year-old Alora, bronze medalist in the 2014 Asian Games, is unfazed of Espinoza’s

credentials, and is confident that she can pull it off against an opponent who doesn’t enjoy any height advantage over her.

Alora will need three wins to get to the finals, and that’s if she gets past the No. 1 seed in her division. Of 16 entries in the +67 kg class, the Filipina is ranked 16th.

Still, she said she’s happy with the draw.

“The taller opponents are in the lower bracket,” said Alora, referring to jins from China (No. 2),

Serbia (No. 6) and France (No. 7), who all stand above six feet.

At 5’8”, Alora has the same height as Espinoza’s. They’ve met once before, just after the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and the Mexican won a close fight, 2-1.

“Kaya ko ‘yan (I can handle her),” said Alora even weeks before.

Alora has a couple chances to win a medal here and give the Philippines its best finish in the Olympics. Either she wins three straight bouts and gets to the finals or if she drops her opening match she falls into the repechages, as long as Espinoza reaches the finals.

In the repechages, Alora can land in the battle for the bronze medal.

Two bronze medals are awarded in each division in taekwondo.

“The only problem is that if I land in the repechages, I will move to the lower bracket and most likely end up fighting the taller entries. That’s why I think it’s more difficult to win the bronze here than get to the finals,” she said.

“Mas maganda dito for me is to win three straight matches and get to the finals straight. I can’t lose my first match or in the semis only to face the taller ones in the repechages. I would rather go straight to the finals,” added Alora.

“If I’m not successful against Espinoza, I will only get a possible shot at the bronze medal if she goes straight to the finals,” she said.

Alora reviewed the draw sheet

with his coach, Kitoy Cruz, the former finweight king in the Southeast Asian Games and veteran of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

“Kaya ni Elaine ‘yan,” said Cruz of Alora’s chances against Espinoza.

If Alora wins a medal of any color here, the Philippines will surpass its best finish in the Olympics of three bronze medals in 1932 in Los Angeles.

Weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz is the only one with a medal to show for Team Philippines here in Rio, a silver in the women’s 53 kg class that came 11 days ago.

Eleven other athletes have bowed out of competition, all failing to advance to the next round of their respective events.

Demecillo keys Cargo Movers’ Superliga title romp

By Peter Atencio CYD Demecillo hardly saw action in the 2016 Philippine Super Liga All Filipino Conference.

But when the former outside hitter of the La Salle women’s varsity team came on board in the second set of their title match, things turned around for the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers, who went on to win their first PSL title.

Her explosive game in the second set allowed the Cargo Movers to move away from a 10-all dead-

lock and eventually overpower the Foton Tornadoes, 18-25, 25-18, 2521, 25-19.

“We adjusted by using Cyd. I didn’t use her much before. She wasn’t scouted and they weren’t prepared for her,” said F2 coach Ramil de Jesus.

The 5’8” Demecillo scored six crucial points. Her placement shot off a block, followed by two aces, allowed the Cargo Movers to gain a 14-10 edge.

From then on, the Cargo Movers worked to protect the lead

they gained.

De Jesus felt that the Tornadoes were playing with so much energy when they took the first set. He made adjustments in the second set when De Jesus felt that the Tornadoes would not able to sustain their intensity.

Demecillo was again around when they neared match point, 2417, late in the fourth set.

“I prepared myself. I knew I can contribute something to this title win,” said Demecillo after the game.

THE Filipino basketball community is mourning the passing of legendary coach Virgilio ‘Baby’ Dalupan.

The man called as ‘The Maestro’ passed away late Wednesday night at his home in Quezon City due to pneumonia and advanced age. He was 92 years old.

Tagged as one of the greatest coaches in Philippine basketball history, Dalupan first made a name for himself by leading University of the East to seven consecutive crowns in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines from 1965 to 1971, before taking his act to a higher level in the Philippine Basketball Association.

In the PBA, Dalupan was the architect of a total of 15 championships, a record that stood the test of time before being eclipsed two years ago. He led Crispa, Great Taste and Purefoods to multiple titles.

“A legend has passed on.

Maraming, maraming salamat Coach Baby! Rest in His loving peace,” said the PBA in a statement.

He was also the first PBA Grand Slam coach as he steered the Redmanizers to a championship sweep in 1976.

One of his players in Great Taste, Ricardo Brown, shared his affection for his beloved coach in his Facebook account.

“A true iconic, Philippine basketball legend like no other left us all last evening. You can rest in peace now, coach. Love you always, Coach Baby. Take good care and God Bless,” said Brown.

Fellow legendary coach Tim Cone of Barangay Ginebra, the only mentor with more PBA titles than the late tactician, is a self-confessed huge fan of Dalupan.

“Baby Dalupan was my idol.

He inspired me to be a basketball coach and he’s the one I really looked up to since I started my career,” said Cone.

Just early last a year, a tribute book was written and published to honor Dalupan and his accomplishments.

Meanwhile, still Talk ‘N Text (5-0) goes for its sixth straight victory when it squares off with another streaking team in Phoenix (2-3) at 4:15 p.m. today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

In the second game, defending champion San Miguel Beermen (4-1), also a team on a serious roll, shoots for a third straight triumph when it plays GlobalPort (1-4) at 7 p.m.

Bombers stun Cards Games Today (The Arena in San Juan) 12 noon San Beda vs Perpetual Help 2 p.m. EAC vs San Beda 4 p.m. CSB vs Arellano

Members of the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers display their trophy and championship banner. Roman Prospero

Nietes wants to fight boxing’s big names

By Ronnie Nathanielsz WORLD Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, reiterated his desire that he is relinquishing his light flyweight title to move up to flyweight so he could fight “the big names in boxing.”

This begins when he faces former world champion Edgar Sosa at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on Sept. 24.

Nietes told a media gathering at Gerry’s Grill opposite ABS-CBN, the giant network that will cover the fight also on The Filipino Channel, that he’s done with the 108-pound division because “there’s nothing left for me there. I think it’s time for me to challenge other world champions and I feel much more comfortable now at 112 pounds.”

He said he wants to fight WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez,” the unbeaten pound-for-pound No.1 from Nicaragua.

“I want to prove to everyone that I still have a lot to achieve as a fighter. I can still fight for my family, gym and country,” said Nietes, even as he asked for the support of his countrymen.

WHENEVER Bernabe “Teytey” Teodoro comes up with explosive plays, things turn out well for the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers.

The 22-year-old Teodoro led with 22 points and struck hard in the last two minutes to power the Heavy Bombers to a 65-60 stunner over the Mapua Cardinals yesterday at The Arena in San Juan.

The 5’8” point guard unleashed a triple and scored on a drive with 1:13 left, allowing the Heavy Bombers to move away, 65-58, and eventually post their second consecutive triumph in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

The win allowed the Heavy Bombers to take solo sixth, ahead of the Lyceum Pirates with their 5-5 win-loss record.

Meanwhile, the multi-titled San Beda Red Cubs and their worthiest challenger, the Arellano University Braves, smothered their foes in the junior division.

The Red Cubs were in charge all throughout, and posted a quick and easy 86-63 victory over the JRU Light Bombers, with Ry de la Rosa showing the way with 15 points. Peter Atencio

Airlines to collect airport fees B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

B1

Pagcor rejects Ongpin’s offer

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

S

TATE-RUN Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. on Thursday rejected businessman Roberto Ongpin’s donation of a 49-percent stake in PhilWeb Corp. worth billions of pesos.

“The issue is not RVO [Roberto V. Ongpin] or PhilWeb per se. It is the president’s and his government’s opposition to online and onsite gaming because of the social ills and decay they foist on our communities as they cater to the more economically vulnerable portion of our population,” Pagcor chairman Andrea

Domingo said in a statement.

Domingo’s response came a day after Ongpin offered to donate 49 percent of his entire 53.76-percent stake in PhilWeb to Pagcor, exhausting all means to save the firm from winding down operations.

“The campaign to correct or stop previous gaming policies

that bring about such pernicious social conditions just had to start with PhilWeb, simply because its license had expired,” Domingo said.

Domingo said aside from PhilWeb, Pagcor would deal with similar cases with other parties, although she did not name them.

Ongpin said in a letter addressed to Domingo that while he received five bids for his 53.76-percent stake in Philweb, he would not award the shares to any bidder, after Pagcor stated that PhilWeb’s gaming license would not be renewed under any circumstances.

Ongpin said he would do-

nate, or sell for P1 to Pagcor, his 49-percent stake in PhilWeb and the balance of 4.7 percent to Ateneo de Manila JVO Scholarship Fund, which was named after his late brother Jaime.

“Why 49 percent? This is to simply avoid PhilWeb being classified as a governmentowned and controlled corporation, which would make the various restrictions applicable to GOCC’s result in making PhilWeb’s operation untenable,” Ongpin said.

Ongpin, who earlier said he was ‘struck by lightning’ when President Rodrigo Duterte named him an oligarch that his administration wanted to destroy, said

there was no reason why Pagcor would be prevented from being the largest shareholder in PhilWeb. He said under its charter, the state-owned gaming firm was both a regulator and operator of casinos.

“I also wish to point out that this donation comes with no strings attached. Thus, Pagcor can decide whether to retain it as a permanent investment or auction all or part of it off to the highest bidder,” Ongpin said.

Ongpin said with this move, he was hoping that Pagcor would renew the license of PhilWeb and in the process save the jobs of about 6,000 employees.

PLDT, Globe take over Liberty

PSe comPoSite index Closing August 18, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,952.81 6.62

By Darwin G. Amojelar

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 18, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.275

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.230 LOW P46.400 AVERAGE P46.306 VOLUME 595.200M

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

oPriceS il P today

P24.35-P27.75 Diesel

INNOVATION CENTER. Trade undersecretary for regional operations group undersecretary Zenaida Maglaya (second from left) attends the opening of the Innovation Convergence 2016 at the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City. The Innovation Convergence 2016 opened four centers which include FabLab Mindanao, Negosyo Center, Ideya - Technology Business Incubation and the InnoHive, to ensure a sustainable innovation for micro, small and medium enterprises. Shown with Maglaya are (from left) MSU-IIT chancellor Sukarno Tanggol, Trade regional director for Region 10 Linda Boniao and Science Department regional director for Region 10 Alfonso Alamban.

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 18, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.3730

Japan

Yen

0.009976

0.4626

UK

Pound

1.304600

60.4982

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128966

5.9805

Switzerland

Franc

1.040150

48.2349

Canada

Dollar

0.778634

36.1076

Singapore

Dollar

0.745045

34.5500

Australia

Dollar

0.765400

35.4939

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655337

123.1359

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266752

12.3701

Brunei

Dollar

0.742280

34.4218

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028830

1.3369

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.6268

Euro

Euro

1.129100

52.3598

Korea

Won

0.000903

0.0419

China

Yuan

0.150741

6.9903

India

Rupee

0.014952

0.6934

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.249377

11.5644

New Zealand

Dollar

0.724600

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031851

33.6019 1.4770 Source: PDS Bridge

“This has not been an easy decision for me to make, but I can only face reality,” Ongin said.

“I hope and pray that Pagcor will seriously consider the offer contained in this letter. My only objective and consolation is that if Pagcor agrees to accept this donation, I would have saved the jobs and livelihood of some 6,000 people, including PhilWeb employees,” Ongpin said.

PhilWeb’s stock climbed 35.4 percent to close P8.80 Thursday, before Pagcor made the announcement. Ongpin’s share in the company is valued at more than P5 billion.

Mindanao railway’s construction to start in 2017 DAVAO CITY—Construction of the Mindanao railway is expected to start next year, after Japan, China and South Korea expressed interest to fund the project, the National Economic and Development Authority said Thursday.

Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia told reporters the 2,000-kilometer Mindanao railway system would likely begin construction in 2017.

“It’s going to start soon, perhaps next year,” Pernia told re-

porters at the sidelines of the government’s announcement of second-quarter gross domestic product data at SMX Convention Center in this city.

The railway system is expected to connect major cities such as Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao, Davao and General Santos.

Neda deputy director-general Rolando Tungpalan confirmed there were several offers from different countries to finance the project.

“There were offers from the

governments of Japan, China, Korea. But right now, the feasibility study is silent about who will finance it,” Tungpalan said.

“It is part of the study to determine the best way to structure the project for the expediency, so we do not want to preempt but we’re aware of the current offers,” Tungpalan said.

Tungpalan said financing could be in the form of official development assistance loans or public-private partnership scheme.

“That will be a decision that will have to await the feasibility study. We don’t want to say PPP because some of it might require just a purely government investment such as the rolling tracks.

We have not reached a determination,” he said.

Pernia said four major Filipino companies were also eyeing to join the major project, including San Miguel Corp., Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Ayala Corp. and Megawide Construction Corp.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. on Thursday formally took over the operations and management of Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc., which was previously controlled by San Miguel Corp.

“The company will enter a new phase which will commence [Thursday ] with the election of a new set of directors,” Bienvenido Banas, outgoing president and chief executive of Liberty Telecoms, said during the company’s special stockholders’ meeting.

Banas said representatives of PLDT and Globe, as new members of the board of Liberty Telecoms, would elect a new set of officers.

“They will elect the officers and they will determine what is the best for the company,” Banas said.

PLDT head for regulatory affairs Ray Espinosa, chief operating officer Anabelle Chua and executive vice president Eric Alberto will represent PLDT in Liberty’s board. The company also nominated former Supreme Court chief justice Artemio Panganiban in the board.

Globe, however, did not disclose its representatives in the board.

PLDT and Globe jointly acquired a 100-percent equity interest in San Miguel’s Vega Telecom Inc. for P52.08 billion and the assumption of P17.02 billion of liabilities in May. Vega owns an 87-percent stake in Liberty Telecom, the unit formed by San Miguel. Vega also owns direct and indirect stakes in companies including Bell Telecommunication Philippines Inc., Eastern Telecom Philippines Inc., Express Telecom and Tori Spectrum.

Megaworld unveils sixth Iloilo tower

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp., the country’s largest developer of integrated urban townships, said Thursday it expects to generate up to P1.5 billion in sales from the planned sixth residential tower in its 72-hectare property in Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Megaworld said the 10-story Saint Honore would offer 168 condominium units ranging from studio to executive two-bedroom units, costing P2.9 million to P9 million a unit.

Select units will have their own lanai or balcony with a view of the township or Iloilo skyline.

Saint Honore will have its own lifestyle amenity deck on the third floor composed of a swimming pool, a pool lounge, a kiddie pool, a Jacuzzi, function halls and a fitness center.

“Ilonggos will get to experience the world-renowned beauty of Paris with Saint Honore.

Amidst all of its grandeur and Parisian lifestyle, future residents are assured of utmost exclusivity, privacy, and serene atmosphere in this first-of-its-kind residential enclave in Iloilo,” Jennifer Palmares-Fong, vicepresident for sales and marketing at Megaworld’s Iloilo Business Park said.

The atrium, located at the ground level, will serve as the centerpiece of the development, with garden landscape with trellised seating, while a strip of boutiques and retail shops will border the ground floor area of the property. The podium parking will also have its own driver’s lounge with washroom.

“Saint Honore will be a short walk to and from Richmonde Hotel, Marriott Courtyard Hotel, the Iloilo Convention Center and the Festive Walk Mall. Walkability around the township is a key selling point of this develop-

ment,” said Palmares-Fong.

Iloilo Business Park, which was masterplanned to be the biggest business and tourism hub in Western Visayas, is a vibrant integrated urban township of Megaworld where everything is within easy reach.

It is home to three condominium projects, including One Madison Place, Lafayette Parksquare and The Palladium; the Iloilo Convention Center, Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, modern BPO office towers and the Festive Walk Mall.

Megaworld launched One Madison Place, the first residential project in Iloilo Business Park in 2013.

It said the value of residential properties increased by 58 percent since 2013, for an average increase of 18.6 percent annually in terms of value appreciation.

CLASSROOM DONATION. Vita Coco, one of the world’s leading coconut water brands, and Hope, the group behind the “Hope In A Bottle” brand, complete six new classrooms in a poor district in General Santos City, providing a modern school for hundreds of students. The classrooms built by Hope and Vita Coco, under the Education Department’s “Adopt A School” program, are now being used by 508 students in Grades 7 to 9.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Trans-Asia’s profit rises 43% to P542m

By Alena Mae S. Flores TRANS-ASIA Oil and Energy Development Corp. said Thursday consolidated net income grew 43 percent in the first half to P542 million from P377 million in the same period last year.

Trans-Asia, the energy arm of the Phinma Group, said in a statement revenue from the sale of electricity increased 11 percent in the first six months to P7.1 billion.

The company said available energy increased as unit South Luzon Thermal Energy Corp. started the commercial operations of the second 135-megawatt unit of a circulating fluidized bed coalpowered plant in February.

The first 135-MW unit of the South Luzon coal plant started commercial operations in April

2015. South Luzon is Trans Asia’s joint venture with Ayala Corp.’s energy arm AC Energy Holdings Inc. Trans-Asia said energy supply increased in the six-month period, boosted by commercial operations of Power Barges 101 and 102 in February. A third facility, Power Barge 103, is undergoing rehabilitation prior to commercial operations in the second half.

Trans-Asia Renewable Energy Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the group which operates a 54-MW wind farm in San Lorenzo, Guimaras delivered 61.3 gigawatts of electricity in the first half.

Another affiliate, Maibarara Geothermal Inc., operated at a high level of capacity in the first half, except for mandatory maintenance in February.

Stock market rises; PhilWeb, IMI climb

S

TOCKS rose Thursday, after the government said the Philippine economy grew 7 percent in the second quarter and Federal Reserve minutes tempered speculation US interest rates will rise this year.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, picked up 6 points, or 0.1 percent, to close at 7,952.81. The bellwether was up 14.4 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, also gained 10 points, or 0.2 percent, to settle

at 4,707.58, on value turnover of P8.3 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 109 to 80, while 51 issues were unchanged.

Eight of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by PhilWeb Corp. which surged 35.3 percent to P8.80, after owner Roberto Ongpin offered to donate his shares in

the company to state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

Integrated Micro-Electronics Inc., a subsidiary of Ayala Corp., climbed 22.9 percent to P7.40, after it announced the acquisition of a 76-percent stake in Via Optronics GmbH of Germany, a leading optical bonding and display solutions provider, for 47.4 million euros or P2.47 billion.

Meanwhile, most Asian stocks ticked up Thursday, tracking gains on Wall Street after minutes from the Federal Reserve’s July meeting showed caution about raising interest rates, supporting markets.

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 75 91.5 80 361.2 57 180 124

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 52 276 41 118.2 59

AG Finance 3.45 Asia United Bank 47.5 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 114.00 Bank of PI 104.10 China Bank 38.2 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.85 Bright Kindle Resources 1.46 COL Financial 16.5 Eastwest Bank 21.75 I-Remit Inc. 1.93 Manulife Fin. Corp.

520.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.630 Metrobank 89.95 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.89 PB Bank 14.68 Phil Bank of Comm 24.30 Phil. National Bank 60.70 Philippine trust Co. 310 PSE Inc. 277 RCBC `A’ 32.4 Security Bank 217 Union Bank 73.50

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 6.75 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.86 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 2.3 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 3 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 1.65 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 2.09 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.7 Agrinurture Inc. 3.25 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.82 Alsons Cons.

1.82 Asiabest Group 12.62 Cemex Holdings 12.42 Century Food 17.04 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 150 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 23.4 Concepcion 59.85 Crown Asia 2.24 Da Vinci Capital 5.77 Del Monte 12.7 DNL Industries Inc. 11.400 Emperador 7.56 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.95 EEI 9.18 Euro-Med Lab 1.8 First Gen Corp.

24.9 First Holdings ‘A’ 71.1 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.20 Holcim Philippines Inc. 15.90 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.02 Ionics Inc 2.360 Jollibee Foods Corp.

251.20 Liberty Flour 39.00 LMG Chemicals 2 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.05 Macay Holdings 30.50 Manila Water Co. Inc. 27 Maxs Group 33 Megawide 13.88 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 326.00 MG Holdings 0.270 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.49 Petron Corporation 11.22 Phil H2O 3.16 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.25 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.63 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.48 RFM Corporation 4.21 Roxas and Co. 2.2 Roxas Holdings 3.7 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 223 Splash Corporation 3.04 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.153 TKC Steel Corp.

1.92 Trans-Asia Oil 2.32 Universal Robina 184.2 Victorias Milling 4.7 Vitarich Corp.

2.04 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.23

.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 9.66 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 3 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

Forum Pacific GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings `B’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.400 75.10 16.00 1.26 6.18 0.390 0.385 900 1004.00 9.08 12.10 6.90 0.220 1539 6.55 82.00 5.28 7.65 0.78 16.98 7.22 3.14 0.0360 1.210 1.910 86.00 692.00 1.36 0.97 207.000 0.3050 0.2080 0.280

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 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 31.8 2.29

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 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 22.15 1.6

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

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

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

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

7.900 6.60 1.27 2.860 0.265 41.200 3.16 5.16 0.590 0.165 0.640 58.85 0.790 0.146 1.08 1.95 1.20 4.92 0.128 0.465 40.50 3.25 31.05 1.78

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.45 3.3 47.7 46.6 115.00 113.70 105.00 104.10 38.2 38.15 3.85 3.80 1.50 1.40 16.78 16.5 22.25 21.55 1.93 1.92 600.00 590.00 0.630 0.610 90 89.8 0.9 0.89 14.68 14.66 24.00 24.00 61.00 60.50 321 321 283 277 32.5 32.2 217.2 210.8 73.50 73.00 INDUSTRIAL 46.4 45.6 3.29 3.1 0.83 0.8 1.85 1.76 13.6 12.76 12.52 12.2 17.3 17.04 152.9 149 23.5 23 58 58 2.26 2.22 5.85 5.66 12.72 12.5 11.480 11.280 7.69 7.56 6.02 5.93 9.55 9.18 1.8 1.8 25.6 24.95 71.3 70.9 12.80 12.80 16.24 15.60 9.03 6.78 2.380 2.300 252.80 250.40 42.00 42.00 1.98 1.96 4.1 4.03 30.00 30.00 27.05 26.7 33 32 14.38 13.8 326.80 324.40 0.260 0.255 3.41 3.4 11.32 11.10 3.16 3.16 6.35 6.19 1.65 1.62 3.99 3.54 4.21 4.19 2.21 2.21 3.71 3.68 230 223 3.04 3.04 0.159 0.154 2.03 1.90 2.38 2.32 190.7 187 4.72 4.71 2.15 2.02 1.27 1.23 HOLDING FIRMS 0.405 0.385 75.75 74.70 16.30 15.90 1.26 1.20 6.16 6.16 0.390 0.380 0.385 0.380 900 891 1300.00 1001.00 9.1 9 12.30 12.04 7.00 6.85 0.226 0.202 1543 1527 6.54 6.54 83.00 81.65 5.28 5.26 7.75 7.6 0.82 0.78 17.9 16.78 7.33 7.23 3.1 3.1 0.0370 0.0360 1.210 1.200 1.900 1.900 86.00 85.50 695.00 684.00 1.38 1.36 0.96 0.96 210.000 206.000 0.3150 0.3150 0.2070 0.1980 0.285 0.265 PROPERTY 7.950 7.900 5.67 5.67 1.27 1.24 3.010 2.850 0.270 0.265 41.850 41.050 3.16 3.1 5.17 5.15 0.6 0.570 0.171 0.165 0.650 0.630 59.95 58.8 0.800 0.780 0.148 0.146 1.12 1.07 1.96 1.93 1.20 1.20 5.07 4.88 0.130 0.125 0.435 0.435 40.00 39.50 3.43 3.26 31.25 30.10 1.77 1.7

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.45 47.7 113.90 104.70 38.15 3.80 1.48 16.5 21.55 1.92 600.00 0.630 89.8 0.89 14.68 24.00 60.60 321 280 32.3 215.8 73.25

0.00 0.42 -0.09 0.58 -0.13 -1.30 1.37 0.00 -0.92 -0.52 15.38 0.00 -0.17 0.00 0.00 -1.23 -0.16 3.55 1.08 -0.31 -0.55 -0.34

76,000 22,600 998,930 1,632,190 42,800 4,000 131,000 71,700 973,000 51,000 120 1,413,000 2,257,110 140,000 99,200 5,200 259,070 10 61,160 64,000 1,080,720 59,960

45.85 3.2 0.83 1.8 12.82 12.38 17.16 152.9 23.5 58 2.24 5.69 12.5 11.300 7.69 6.00 9.22 1.8 25.6 71.3 12.80 15.90 7.4 2.320 252.80 42.00 1.96 4.05 30.00 26.8 32 14 325.00 0.260 3.4 11.32 3.16 6.34 1.63 3.93 4.21 2.21 3.7 223 3.04 0.157 1.97 2.35 190 4.71 2.15 1.25

0.33 -1.54 1.22 -1.10 1.58 -0.32 0.70 1.93 0.43 -3.09 0.00 -1.39 -1.57 -0.88 1.72 0.84 0.44 0.00 2.81 0.28 4.92 0.00 22.92 -1.69 0.64 7.69 -2.00 0.00 -1.64 -0.74 -3.03 0.86 -0.31 -3.70 -2.58 0.89 0.00 1.44 0.00 12.93 0.00 0.45 0.00 0.00 0.00 2.61 2.60 1.29 3.15 0.21 5.39 1.63

1,175,100 901,000 581,000 3,111,000 4,900 21,514,900 2,295,100 350 1,967,000 3,140 233,000 96,200 190,300 2,790,800 750,400 17,159,700 1,568,600 4,000 2,979,900 385,600 3,800 6,100 25,277,700 888,000 277,070 500 20,000 59,000 100 1,015,400 883,000 6,721,600 355,420 380,000 929,000 1,196,900 85,000 1,803,900 256,000 3,426,000 17,000 55,000 49,000 45,840 60,000 5,040,000 2,529,000 596,000 6,169,540 7,000 48,794,000 1,271,000

0.390 75.00 16.30 1.25 6.16 0.390 0.380 895 1050.00 9.07 12.22 7.00 0.219 1530 6.54 82.20 5.28 7.75 0.79 17.7 7.3 3.1 0.0370 1.210 1.900 85.75 695.00 1.38 0.96 210.000 0.3150 0.2050 0.285

-2.50 -0.13 1.88 -0.79 -0.32 0.00 -1.30 -0.56 4.58 -0.11 0.99 1.45 -0.45 -0.58 -0.15 0.24 0.00 1.31 1.28 4.24 1.11 -1.27 2.78 0.00 -0.52 -0.29 0.43 1.47 -1.03 1.45 3.28 -1.44 1.79

430,000 1,958,140 3,446,200 49,000 300 5,510,000 530,000 194,780 155 2,855,300 5,293,300 415,800 8,040,000 214,265 800 1,232,210 3,900 1,445,800 102,000 8,502,800 23,661,100 2,000 21,700,000 37,000 222,000 83,150 2,000 148,000 2,000 13,420 210,000 2,540,000 320,000

7.950 5.67 1.27 2.880 0.270 41.200 3.11 5.15 0.590 0.166 0.650 59.7 0.800 0.146 1.09 1.94 1.20 4.89 0.126 0.435 40.00 3.32 30.25 1.76

0.63 -14.09 0.00 0.70 1.89 0.00 -1.58 -0.19 0.00 0.61 1.56 1.44 1.27 0.00 0.93 -0.51 0.00 -0.61 -1.56 -6.45 -1.23 2.15 -2.58 -1.12

253,500 1,500 2,949,000 8,643,000 350,000 4,879,300 421,000 96,800 6,879,000 7,410,000 6,116,000 626,680 13,000 230,000 4,432,000 59,340,000 18,000 48,500,000 3,650,000 50,000 1,700 441,000 2,235,600 431,000

691,130.00 -28,376,627 32,983,829.00 76,300.00 -891,154.00 -7,153,885.00 62,000.00 -60,815,985.50

-11,316,986.50 4,213,510.00 81,190 -8,297,834.00 455,542.50 19,465,945.00 -158,050.00 66,700.00 41,595,660.00 -2,332,178.00

4,786,892.00 513,904.00 10,426,802.00 -3,606,662.00 30,095,645.00 -159,482.50 38,394,211.00 -6,240,660.00

6,521,540.00 -1,828,040.00 11,639,558.00 -10,618,644.00 12,750.00 2,647,400.00 -743,724.00 -3,222,892.00 2,976,980.00 20,950.00 -1,377,672.00 76,400.00 -85,187,441 2,239,980.00

23,863,558.50 27,745,720.00

-11,650.00 46,154,700.00 10,106,994.00 -12,411,146.00 2,162,790.00 -104,372,780.00 -43,931,851.00 -1,213,319.00 -21,677,836.00 5,451,125.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

4.9 21.35 1.06 7.56 1.62 8.59

3.1 15.08 0.69 3.38 0.83 5.73

0.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 1600 5.95

1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

0.0043 1.72 6.47 9.43 0.236 6.5 5.11 0.85 0.77 5.99 1.17 0.305 0.2130 0.2160 0.013 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 0.365 1.54 0.012 0.013 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

70 553 525

33 490 500

118 8.21 12.28 1060

101 5.88 6.5 997

1047 78.95

1011 74.5

6.98

0.8900

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

-704,226.50 -13,700.00 26,858.00

1,687,440.00 25,000.00 -1,349,770.00 -90,211,555.00 -403,710.00 74,836.00 84,190.00 96,200.00 3,759,434.50

42,175,950.00 -118,160,230.00

-25,959,310.00 -1,700.00

Close

Shang Properties Inc. SM Prime Holdings Sta. Lucia Land Inc. Starmalls Suntrust Home Dev. Inc. Vista Land & Lifescapes

SHARES

9,767,081

INDUSTRIAL

170,341,404

HOLDING FIRMS

164,401,115

PROPERTY

190,565,564

SERVICES

242,523,145

MINING & OIL

536,175,127

GRAND TOTAL

1,319,218,810

3.37 29.35 0.96 6.85 1.030 6.350

Low

3.36 3.27 30.05 28.95 0.97 0.95 6.85 6.85 1.050 1.020 6.350 6.150 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.25 7.25 7.2 ABS-CBN 50.5 50.5 50.15 Acesite Hotel 1.26 1.26 1.25 APC Group, Inc. 0.600 0.600 0.590 Asian Terminals Inc. 11.56 11.5 11.5 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.55 5.65 5.55 Bloomberry 6.50 6.50 6.30 Boulevard Holdings 0.0970 0.0980 0.0950 Calata Corp.

2.8 2.82 2.74 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 123 123.2 122 Centro Esc. Univ.

9.75 9.75 9.5 Discovery World 2.3 2.29 2.28 DFNN Inc. 5.43 5.57 5.39 Easy Call “Common” 3.15 3.19 3.04 Globe Telecom 2126 2156 2106 GMA Network Inc. 6.34 6.37 6.30 Golden Haven 16.70 17.00 16.70 Harbor Star 1.38 1.40 1.36 I.C.T.S.I. 85 86 80.75 Imperial Res. `A’ 20.60 21.25 20.35 Imperial Res. `B’ 157.1 171.5 157 IPeople Inc. `A’ 11.5 11.58 11.02 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0088 0.0087 0.0086 IPM Holdings 9.33 9.30 9.25 Island Info 0.300 0.300 0.290 ISM Communications 1.4800 1.5600 1.4800 Jackstones 3.61 3.65 3.43 LBC Express 12.64 12.64 12.6 Leisure & Resorts 5.89 5.90 5.74 Liberty Telecom 2.88 2.88 2.80 Lorenzo Shipping 1.08 1.04 1.03 Manila Broadcasting 21.95 21.90 19.60 Manila Bulletin 0.600 0.600 0.570 Manila Jockey 2 2 1.99 Melco Crown 3.97 4 3.8 Metro Retail 5.30 5.30 5.23 NOW Corp.

3.840 3.950 3.880 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.42 11.4 11.38 PAL Holdings Inc. 6.10 6.23 6.00 Paxys Inc. 2.6 2.51 2.5 Phil. Seven Corp.

134.50 135.00 130.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 6.50 9.22 7.20 PLDT Common 1870.00 1868.00 1809.00 PremiereHorizon 0.435 0.440 0.435 Premium Leisure 0.990 0.990 0.960 Puregold 46.00 46.50 45.00 Robinsons RTL 79.60 82.00 79.30 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.38 6.38 6.28 SSI Group 3.33 3.38 3.24 STI Holdings 0.610 0.620 0.610 Travellers 3.49 3.53 3.48 Waterfront Phils.

0.330 0.330 0.330 Yehey 6.600 6.450 6.060 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0040 0.0041 0.0040 Apex `A’ 3.13 3.18 3.04 Atlas Cons. `A’ 3.90 4.29 3.87 Atok-Big Wedge `A’ 10.00 9.62 9.62 Basic Energy Corp.

0.223 0.225 0.220 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.4400 2.4 1.92 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.4400 2.5800 2.3200 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 0.59 0.58 Coal Asia 0.430 0.430 0.425 Dizon 8.12 8.28 8.01 Ferronickel 0.860 0.860 0.820 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.280 0.280 0.275 Lepanto `A’ 0.194 0.202 0.195 Lepanto `B’ 0.210 0.217 0.210 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.6 1.73 1.6 Nickelasia 5.36 5.7 5.34 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.67 2.74 2.7 Omico 0.5100 0.5100 0.5100 Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.0300 1.0400 1.0000 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Philex `A’ 8.70 8.70 8.62 PhilexPetroleum 3.95 3.98 3.81 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

103.70 107.20 104.80 TA Petroleum 3.66 3.7 3.58 United Paragon 0.0098 0.0098 0.0095 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 50.2 50.75 49.85 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 539.5 537.5 537.5 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 539.5 539.5 539.5 DD Pref 103.6 104.5 104 First Gen F 116 103 103 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.09 6.09 6.05 Leisure and Resort 1.02 1.03 1.03 PCOR-Preferred A 1041 1041 1040 PCOR-Preferred B 1150 1150 1150 PF Pref 2 1038 1030 1030 SMC Preferred B 78.9 78.9 78.5 SMC Preferred D 77 77 76.3 SMC Preferred F 79 79.1 79 SMC Preferred H 77.55 77.8 77.55 SMC Preferred I 77.8 77.8 77.7 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.200 2.200 2.110 SME Alterra Capital 4.9 4.97 4.66 Makati Fin. Corp.

4 4.24 3.94 Italpinas 5.26 5.34 5.09 Xurpas 16.36 16.4 16.3 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 130.5 131.1 130.3

TRADING SUMMARY FINANCIAL

High

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.28 29.30 0.96 6.85 1.030 6.340

-2.67 -0.17 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.16

131,000 12,861,200 826,000 600 316,000 11,867,000

7.21 50.2 1.26 0.590 11.5 5.65 6.42 0.0950 2.76 122.5 9.75 2.29 5.40 3.04 2150 6.31 16.70 1.39 82 20.40 171.5 11.58 0.0087 9.25 0.295 1.5300 3.56 12.6 5.80 2.80 1.03 20.10 0.570 1.99 3.89 5.30 3.930 11.38 6.10 2.5 130.00 8.80 1809.00 0.435 0.960 45.00 80.50 6.38 3.25 0.620 3.51 0.330 6.450

-0.55 -0.59 0.00 -1.67 -0.52 1.80 -1.23 -2.06 -1.43 -0.41 0.00 -0.43 -0.55 -3.49 1.13 -0.47 0.00 0.72 -3.53 -0.97 9.17 0.70 -1.14 -0.86 -1.67 3.38 -1.39 -0.32 -1.53 -2.78 -4.63 -8.43 -5.00 -0.50 -2.02 0.00 2.34 -0.35 0.00 -3.85 -3.35 35.38 -3.26 0.00 -3.03 -2.17 1.13 0.00 -2.40 1.64 0.57 0.00 -2.27

97,400 64,950 23,000 360,000 700 13,100 9,905,200 82,090,000 1,801,000 745,670 2,800 35,000 54,700 10,000 70,900 182,700 519,300 602,000 2,306,930 60,400 540 55,800 37,000,000 2,507,700 14,390,000 5,488,000 352,000 2,300 225,300 123,000 38,000 8,500 73,000 136,000 9,303,000 3,098,500 2,884,000 245,400 70,400 5,000 150 16,868,200 149,010 800,000 31,914,000 3,072,100 1,381,210 480,500 7,129,000 541,000 1,339,000 10,000 44,400

0.0040 3.10 4.29 9.62 0.225 2.2500 2.5500 0.59 0.430 8.08 0.850 0.275 0.200 0.216 0.0110 0.0120 1.7 5.7 2.73 0.5100 1.0000 0.0110 0.0110 8.70 3.89 0.0120 105.80 3.65 0.0098

0.00 -0.96 10.00 -3.80 0.90 -7.79 4.51 -1.67 0.00 -0.49 -1.16 -1.79 3.09 2.86 0.00 0.00 6.25 6.34 2.25 0.00 -2.91 0.00 0.00 0.00 -1.52 0.00 2.03 -0.27 0.00

131,000,000 403,000 215,000 400 220,000 343,000 66,000 238,000 450,000 13,900 25,338,000 1,910,000 1,242,000 1,820,000 10,400,000 85,800,000 1,634,000 4,319,600 6,000 8,000 404,000 29,100,000 800,000 643,500 2,325,000 106,200,000 1,159,240 210,000 116,000,000

50.15 537.5 539.5 104.5 103 6.09 1.03 1040 1150 1030 78.5 76.3 79 77.55 77.7

-0.10 -0.37 0.00 0.87 -11.21 0.00 0.98 -0.10 0.00 -0.77 -0.51 -0.91 0.00 0.00 -0.13

57,190 10 9,160 61,300 47,950 25,000 370,000 50 5 2,100 150 14,340 3,130 25,010 57,900

2.110

-4.09

332,000

4.87 4.24 5.21 16.36

-0.61 6.00 -0.95 0.00

3,493,000 74,000 970,100 884,300

130.7

0.15

4,510

9,840.00 -132,124,585.00 -4,110.00 2,729,380.00 -279,748.00

-12,997,174.00 22,320.00 52,492,362.00

25,520.00 9,750,620.00

-18,862,931.00

But Tokyo’s main index sank as the dollar fell against the safe haven Japanese currency, slumping below 100 yen for the second time this week and hitting Japan’s exporters.

US Federal Reserve policy makers last month believed risks to the US economy had lessened but wanted to keep their interest rate policy “options open”, according to minutes released Wednesday, dampening hopes for an imminent rate hike.

The Federal Open Market Committee remained divided on the near-term danger of inflation, with some seeing little threat but others worried that there could be a sudden upward push on prices as the labour market continues to tighten.

“The message from the Fed is that they’re going to be cautious in raising rates,” Shane Oliver, Sydney-based global investment strategist at AMP Capital Investors Ltd. told Bloomberg News.

“That’s supportive of the share markets.”

Hong Kong stocks rallied 1.2 percent in morning trade, while Shanghai was up 0.1 percent, and Seoul added 0.3 percent.

Wellington and Jakarta also rose.

But Tokyo dropped 0.4 percent, as the stronger yen put pressure on exporters such as Toyota and Nissan, as it makes them less competitive overseas and tends to dent profits.

With AFP, Bloomberg

-4,625,000.00 -18,360.00 219,661

-7,795,000.00 -3,246,624.00 116,700.00

-684,808.00 -125,242,010.00 -10,990,560.00 44,269,560.00 -40,581,434.50 13,498,960.00 5,580.00 -2,639,100.00

237,300.00

-21,500.00 -4,036,700.00

1,029,700.00 381,330.00 5,038,554.00

-1,831,598.00 -258,930.00 -34,800.00 3,222,751.00

966,373.50

4,938,850.00 -109,232.00

-47,580.00 51,000.00 -7,848,490.00

VALUE 1,835.14 (down) 0.15 821,595,949.394 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 12,163.55 (up) 144.59 2,701,208,788.661 HOLDING FIRMS 7,868.27 (up) 26.72 1,616,520,256.74 PROPERTY 3,623.79 (down) 8.04 1,590.12 (down) 28.42 1,366,635,366.59 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,354.96 (up) 225.48 1,589,920,789.73 PSEI 7,952.81 (up) 6.62 197,423,207.0015 All Shares Index 4,707.58 (up) 10.47 8,330,527,462.825 Gainers: 80; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 51; Total: 240

LandBank gets global award for excellence THE Asia Pacific Quality Organization named Land Bank of the Philippines as one of the winners in the prestigious Global Performance Excellence Awards.

LandBank received the Quest for Excellence Award, the third highest award under the non-profit or government entity category.

It joined 29 other organizations from ten Asian and Pacific countries that were recognized as “exemplary companies of world-class quality performance”.

LandBank was nominated by the Development Academy of the Philippines to participate in GPEA, following its conferment of the level-2 recognition for proficiency in quality management from the Philippine Quality Award.

The bank was recognized for having demonstrated effective and systematic approaches to the overall requirements of the globally-accepted business excellence framework.

“We are honored and grateful for this prestigious recognition, which affirms LandBank’s commitment to quality management and business excellence.

This award inspires us all the more to intensify our efforts to continue building a culture of excellence that translates to world class performance, and serve as role model for other organizations across countries,” said LandBank officer-incharge and executive vice president Cecilia Borromeo.

GPEA is an international recognition of national quality award recipients based on the Baldrige Criteria Framework of the Malcolm Baldrige Quality Award.

LandBank is the only Philippine bank and the only government entity that made it to this year’s roster of winners.

The awards will be presented at the 22nd APQO International Conference on Quality in Rotorua, New Zealand on Nov. 20 to 23, 2016.

Business

B3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Airlines to collect airport fees

By Othel V. Campos

T

HE Tourism Department said local airlines agreed in principle to integrate airport terminal fees into airline tickets.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo said the consensus was the result of an industry meeting that took place Thursday—the third consultation attended by Civil Aviation Authority officials and airline executives.

The airlines will collect the domestic passenger service charge, commonly known as

terminal fee, as a part of ticket payment in a bid to ease queuing and delays at the airport.

“This one is pursuant to the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. He has mentioned, time and again, the importance of facilitating processes and systems in government. In this case, we are working together with the dif-

ferent airlines and our partner government agencies in making it easier for the traveling public.

And we do that by integrating the various fees that are collected,” said Tourism undersecretary for development planning Benito Bengzon Jr..

Bengzon chaired the exploratory talks between the Tourism Department, CAAP and the airlines.

The Tourism Department is giving the integration scheme at least a month’s lead time for the International Air Transport Association to prepare and ensure “the level of acceptance and sup-

port would be higher.”

The local air carriers and CAAP board should first agree with the terms and conditions in the memorandum of agreement presented by the Tourism Department, he said.

“Hopefully, once we finalize the memorandum of agreement, we can have the principals all sign the document, and we can make that big announcement, which I am sure the traveling public would appreciate,” Bengzon said.

Local carriers, including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Sea Air, Sky Jet, Air Juan and

Air Asia are expected to submit the draft agreement in time for CAAP’s board meeting next week.

If approved, the plan would be implemented in all airports under CAAP’s management. There are 81 CAAP terminals, but only 38 terminals have commercial operations and collect terminal fees.

The Tourism Department pushed for the removal of the “processing fee” once imposed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority for the issuance of certificates of travel tax exemption and reduced travel tax.

Muslim scientist takes over PhilRice

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales AGRICULTURE Secretary Emmanuel Piñol has appointed a Muslim rice breeder and scientist from Maguindanao as the new executive director of Philippine Rice Research Institute.

Piñol said he signed the apppointment of Dr. Sailila Abdula as officer-in-charge/executive director of PhilRice last week. Abdula replaced Calixto Protacio.

Abdula, chief science research specialist and Gawad Saka Outstanding Agricultural Researcher awardee for Central Mindanao Region, is known for his achievements in rice science.

A native of Patadon, Kidapawan City and previously head of PhilRice Station in Midsayap, North Cotabato, Abdula is credited with the breeding and development of two new rice varieties - NSIC Rc120 and Rc226.

The new rice varieties, known to be pest-resistant, were developed by Abdula to address the ‘tungro’ rice disease in Southern Mindanao.

Abdula is also credited for breeding the ‘Sigue-Sigue’ rice variety whose performance is comparable to expensive hybrid seeds developed by multi-national and large seed companies.

Abdula, 43, finished his PhD in Agriculture at Chungbuk National University in Korea.

“When I publicly announced his appointment during the farmers’ forum in Kidapawan City last month, I also asked Dr. Abdula to institute reforms in the premiere rice research agency of the country,” Piñol said.

Piñol said he instructed Abdula to look into the presence and operation of PhilRice Foundation Inc., a private foundation whose members are both active and retired members of PhilRice, but is operating inside PhilRice’s premises and offices.

IN BRIEF Scania eyes BRT project

SCANIA, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks and buses, said Thursday it is interested in the planned bus rail transit systems in the Philippines.

“Yes, absolutely. We are talking with the government and we are talking to anyone who are interested.

We do BRT in many countries like America and Africa. So,we have a good experience in BRT,” Marie Sjodin Enstorm, managing director of Scania Southeast Asia told reporters during the launch of Scania Marcopolo.

The Duterte administration is looking at building BRT systems in Metro Manila, Davao and Cebu to resolve traffic congestion in these areas.

“Scania buses and coaches are inspired by the people who are traveling and those who drive them. We’re dedicated to creating vehicles that provide the best results possible, whether that’s happy passengers on the daily commute or profitable solutions of fleet managers,” Enstrom said.

“We know that today’s operators face tough challenge in providing quality service levels whilst maintaining low running costs. The new Scania Marcopolo is the answer, offering a total transportation solution for today’s discerning customers,” she said. Darwin G. Amojelar

Motorcycle sales seen rising

CHINA EXPO. Midea Group, the largest central heating ventilation and air-conditioning system manufacturer in China, joins the China Machinery and Electronic Brand Show in the Philippines. Shown is China Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua (second from right) as he tests Midea’s product at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. The event is organized by China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products and managed by Global-Link MP Events International Inc.

SEC imposes penalties on 6 brokerage companies

By Jenniffer B. Austria THE Securities and Exchange Commission said Thursday it penalized six brokerage companies for failing to comply with the new requirements under the 2015 implementing rules and regulations of the Securities Regulation Code.

The corporate regulator identified the brokers as Equitiworld Securities Inc., First Orient Securities Inc., IGC Securities Inc., Regina Capital Resources Management and Securities Corp., SJ Roxas & Co. Inc. and The First Resources Management and Securities Corp.

SEC said the penalties ranged from P30,000 to P60,000, with a stern warning that heavier sanctions would be imposed on them if they continued to violate

the regulatory requirements.

SEC said the brokers, all trading participants in the Philippine Stock Exchange, were issued notices regarding the penalties by SEC’s markets and securities regulation department.

SEC said the brokers failed to submit new requirements prescribed under 2015 SRCIRR such as risk management and internal control procedures, business continuity and disaster recovery plan, comprehensive information technology plan, updated written supervision and control procedures and copies of proposed contract of outsourced activities or services.

It said the new requirements were designed to improve market structures, enhance investor protection and strengthen the anti-money laundering framework. These are based on

global practices and standards as being done in leading markets, it said.

The 2015 SRC-IRR took effect on Nov. 9, 2015. SEC also extended the deadline for brokers to comply with the new requirements.

SEC vowed to fully enforce the new rules following the lapse on March 10, 2016 of the 20day temporary restraining order issued by the court against some provisions of the 2015 SRC-IRR. Sanction letters are also being prepared for market participants who are not compliant with the new rules, it said.

The Philippine Association of Brokers and Dealers Inc., an association of stockbrokers and dealers, earlier sought to invalidate some of the provisions of the 2015 SRC-IRR. PASBDI questioned the

requirement that brokers and dealers should provide SEC with a comprehensive information technology plan, business continuity, disaster recovery plan, risk management manual and internal control procedures as a pre-requisite for registration.

SEC said these requirements sought to ensure the competence of brokers and dealers to promote and protect the investments of their customers.

The group also questioned the amendments requiring disclosure of beneficial owners of shares of stocks, a requirement necessary to further efforts against money laundering and to comply with Supreme Court directive in Gamboa v. Teves requiring SEC to look into the beneficial ownership of corporations and ensure compliance with the limit on foreign ownership.

MOTORCYCLE Development Program Participants Association, a group of Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, said Thursday it expects sales to rise 30 percent to 1.1 million units this year from 850,509 units in 2015.

MDPPA president Rodel Pablo said the introduction of affordable but reliable motorcycle models propelled the sales performance of the group.

“What we originally forecast was as much as 15 percent increase in sales in 2016. But the economy seems to have improved significantly in the first half since sales practically went up by 42 percent,” Pablo said in a news briefing in Makati City.

The group said sales in the first half already reached 544,699 units, up from 382,365 units sold a year ago. It said in terms of motorcycle type, the moped model or the underbone motorcycle sold the most number of units in the first half of 2016, overtaking the business models category that led the growth in the first semester of 2015. Othel V. Campos

Semirara denies toxic waste

SEMIRARA Mining & Power Corp. of the Consunji Group said it does not use toxic chemicals in its mining process, as it only involves extraction, stockpiling and shiploading.

The company sent a letter to the Energy Department, which raised environmental concerns over its mining operations in Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi sent a letter dated Aug. 12 to Semirara chief executive Isidro Consunji, ordering the company to explain in writing the collateral issues such as toxic waste, sulfur content, mining overburden, land-grabbing and livelihood, which were raised by Environment Department.

The Environment Department also issued a show cause order to Semirara on alleged mining violations. Semirara said it was registered with the Environment Management Bureau as hazardous waste generator to cover its equipment and facilities for hazardous materials such as oil, batteries, electronic equipment, among others, which were maintained and operated by the company.

“SMPC do not utilize toxic chemicals or materials in its operations,” it said. Alena Mae S. Flores

NBI nabs trader of fake cigarettes AGENTS of the National Bureau of Investigation in Cabanatuan District Office nabbed a vendor of fake cigarettes in Talavera, Nueva Ecija as the government stepped up the crackdown on contraband cigarettes.

Fortunato Gatmaitan of Peryas, Barangay La Torre, Talavera was caught in possession of fake Mighty and Marvels cigarettes.

NBI agents, armed with a search warrant issued by Cabanatuan City regional trial court branch 24 executive judge Ana Marie Joson-Viterbo, went to a warehouse in Peryas, Barangay La Torre which was purportedly owned by a certain Steven Go, who was not in the site at that time.

The search yielded 692 reams of counterfeit Mighty and Marvels cigarettes. A

representative from Mighty Corp. confirmed that the seized items were fake products.

The arrest was pursuant to section 5, rule 113 of the revised rules of the court during the implementation of search warrant for possession of fake Mighty and Marvels cigarettes.

The suspect was charged with violating Section 155 (trademark infringement) in relation to Section 170 of Republic Act 8293, otherwise known as the Intellectual Property Code of the Philippines.

NBI acted on the complaint filed by Malolos, Bulacan-based cigarette manufacturer Mighty Corp. about the rampant sale and distribution of fake Mighty products.

The incident was the latest in the government’s

continuing crackdown on the manufacture and distribution of fake cigarettes and the sale of smuggled tobacco products across the nation.

Aside from the Mighty and Marvels brands, authorities also noted the proliferation of other smuggled and fake cigarette brands such as Marlboro, Winston, Far Star, Fort, American Legend, Union, Navy and Gudang Garam.

The smuggled brands are reportedly manufactured in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Cambodia.

Authorities renewed their warning against the manufacture, sale and distribution of fake cigarettes and vowed to round up retailers, distributors and importers of smuggled and counterfeit cigarettes.

MONDELEZ ADOPTS SCHOOLS. To mark its 53rd year in the country, Mondelez Philippines is adopting

three new public elementary schools under the Joy Schools program, together with partner Philippine Business for Social Progress. These schools are Esteban Abada Elementary in Quezon City, Nangka Elementary in Marikina City and La Huerta Elementary in Parañaque City. Started in 2013, the Joy Schools program has been adopting public elementary schools with the aim of improving the nutrition of undernourished students. It focuses on providing access to fresh food - critical to well-being of students, through a comprehensive ninemonth feeding program.

Motoring

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

A TRD sump guard protector assures worry offroad driving.

A TRD spec roll bar makes the pick up safer in case of a rollover.

The TRD version can be differentiated by its overfenders, TRD wheels and side step bar.

A honeycomb style grille with a TRD badge says it all.

Sporty working man’s truck Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

A

fter a decade or so of dominance in the domestic market, Toyota’s reliable pickup is in need of a makeover to make itself competitive against the mighty Ford Ranger, The tech-savvy Nissan Navara and the Pinoys favorite underdog, the Isuzu D-Max which is the workhorse to beat in the provinces.

As part of Toyota’s Innovative International Multi-Purpose Vehicle Platform or IMV, this sports utility is admittedly one of the brand’s most successful nameplates. It shares components with the Fortuner SUV and the Innova MPV. Like an ageing supermodel, Toyota had to remodel it and come up with a special edition Toyota Racing Development (TRD) model to get a firmer grip on its loyal fanbase. They basically got a standard 2.5 G model Hi-Lux from the assembly line and bolted on some nifty TRD parts and accessories. Did it make the grade?

Well, aesthetically, the Hi-Lux TRD version is just a customized H-Lux without the TRD go fast goodies under the hood.

Toyota should have gone the extra mile and bolted on at least a TRD air filter element or better yet, a more performance oriented TRD intercooled turbine.

Knowing the Filipino’s penchant for customizing their rides, the new TRD matte black roll bar, skid plates, side step board, 18inch black TRD wheels and TRD grille is spot on. The black over fenders on this test unit made the wider stance of the pick-up more aggressive. The bumper guard goes well with the fog lamp clusters which is finished off by a TRD matte black honeycomb grille. The rear is finished off by a TRD carbon fiber finish tailpipe.

There is nothing new to write your Grandma about the interior, it is the same as the other H-Lux models although the head unit

offers a touch screen entertainment system. The standard two-DIN radio is CD/MP3 playback, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port with iPod control. auxiliary port and has navigation. Separate tweeters give a slightly improved sound as well with six speakers blasting off from the inside.

Got some grunt When first introduced in 1968, the first-generation H-Lux had a measly 1500cc four cylinder gasoline engine that produced only 57kw of power. Thanks to technical and

engineering evolution, patrons of the mighty Hi-Lux have more than that thumping under the hood.

Starting up with the typical diesel gurgle, the 130kW/420Nm 2.5-liter common rail engine with variable nozzle turbo and intercooler has some go, but nothing compared with when you push the ‘Power Mode’ button down near the gear lever. Once I press it, I genuinely have to alter my driving style because of how much quicker this two-ton beast HiLux takes off. The acceleration of this manual transmission version is spectacular that all I can say is was a loud “WTF!”, as the Hi-Lux leaped from a standing start.

As a guy who lives near the boundary of the Sierra Madre mountains, I gamely took the TRD Hi-Lux 4x4 to an off road trail around my vicinity to take the heavy duty suspension through it paces. Not surprisingly, this offroad behemoth handled the steep, rough, muddy roads quite easily.

THIS TRD VERSION HAS THE ‘WOW’ FACTOR.

On my way out of the five kilometer trail, I encountered soft mud because it was raining, and the wheels began to spin. At a touch of a button, I switched to four low and made good use of the rear differential lock. Half an hour later, I made it out with a big grin on my face, and a muddy TRD Hi-Lux. While the weather has been less than ideal for camping when the TRD Hi-Lux was with me, I can imagine how perfect this pick-up would be with a load of camping gear in the bed, along with maybe a tool box or two thrown in as well.

Despite some stiff competition from dual-cab utes out there all vying for attention and sales and driving the HiLux TRD for a week, I learnt that while the 2016 Toyota HiLux may not be the best ‘family car’, but it is a highly capable workhorse that’s able to handle almost anything you can throw at it. Think of it as a tank given the TRD treatment.

Self-driving cars: Navigating real-world situation HOW can a car with no one at the wheel give way to a cyclist at a junction or signal to another road user at the same intersection that it intends to go? By learning and replicating human driving behavior.

The reason why the replicants are so difficult to track down in the cult sci-fi classic “Blade Runner” is because the company that created them, the Tyrell Corporation, lives by the motto “More human than human” Those developing autonomous driving technologies must adopt the same motto if they truly want cars to one day become a self-driving reality, capable of navigating real-world driving situations.

It’s why Nissan has recruited anthropologist Melissa Cefkin. “Adding this autonomous dimension to [cars] will bring around further changes in society, all the way down to the everyday way in which we interact and behave on the road,” said Cefkin. “We’re trying to distill out of our work some key lessons for what an autonomous vehicle will need to know .”

These issues will be greatest when autonomous cars still represent a tiny minority of vehicles on the road, because how can a car without a driver signal an intention, other than to turn left or right, to anoth-

er road user?

Cefkin points to the four-way intersection with stop signs as a prime example. “It’s open to a lot of interpretation,” she explained. “Yeah, I’m supposed to stop, (but) once I’ve stopped it doesn’t tell me when to go again, so that’s up to me to figure out.”

Cefkin’s team studied this situation in depth and realised that cyclists and pedestrians will make eye contact with drivers or physically signal them to signal their intent. “[We are] bringing insights and the kind of understanding that we have about human practices and human experience right into the fundamental design of the system,” she said.

Nissan is not alone in trying to codify the “unwritten rules” of the road.

Goodyear and the London School of Economics (LSE) are currently how human drivers will treat autonomous cars on the road.

“A key question for this year’s research is how the unwritten rules and driver behavior that we employ will apply to self-driving cars, and to what extent self-driving cars will need to learn the common sense humans use to make everyday driving situations work,” said Dr. Chris Tennant, who is leading the research project at the LSE. AFP

FASTLANE

HINO-DPWH PARTNERSHIP. Hino Motors Philippines Corp. and the Department

of Public Works and Highways conclude their ceremonial turnover of dump trucks at the Bureau of Equipment in Taguig City on July 28, 2016 From left: Wilfredo C. Delizo (DPWH Chief for Planning & Programming Section), Oscar O. Isidro (DPWH Chief Equipment Maintenance Division), Amador A. Andrade (DPWH Assistant Bureau Director, Concurrent Chief, Equipment Planning Division), Torbio L. Ilao (BOE Director), Vicente T. Mills, Jr. (HMP Chairman), Oliver Dela Cruz (HMP Sales Manager), John M. Cruz (HMP Sales Supervisor), Ferdinand R. Fugaban (DPWH Chief Floating Equipment Division, Adlai C. Cabuyadao (DPWH Chief Utilization Section), and Sonny Ong (Hino Central Sales Manager).

MG’S NEW SUV. Engineer Morgan Say, chairman of Morris Garages poses beside the new SUV of Morris Garages Philippines the MG GS, during the official launching held on Wednesday at the Fashion Walk area of Greenbelt-5 in Makati City. Lino Santos

LGUs

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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SILVER LINING. Fiery red clouds

hover at the skyline of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Despite the recent storms, the Philippine economy has grown by seven percent and the BGC is one of its growth drivers. Sonny Espiritu

Food terminals eyed near MM

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales and Dexter A. See

T

HE government will establish two farmers’ and fishermen’s trading centers in Taguig City and Bulacan in an effort to provide facilities for food producers coming from Northern and Southern Luzon.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol said the facilities would include not only areas for vegetables but also for fish,

chicken, fruits, meat, sea products and even cut flowers and it would be equipped with cold storage facilities.

“We are looking at Taguig City as one possible location for a center that will serve farmers from Bicol, Quezon and other food producing provinces south of Luzon,” Piñol said.

He said Taguig City Mayor Lani Cayetano has already approved the idea and is looking forward to the collaboration, which follows the concept of the Food Terminal Inc. For produce coming from the North, the DA is eyeing Meycauayan in Bulacan and Valen-

zuela City as possible locations for the trading center.

“I will still be discussing this with Department of Transportation Secretary Art Tugade, but there is an old PNR [Philippine National Railways] facility in Bulacan which can be used,” Piñol said.

“To quickly serve our farmers, we may set up temporary tents at the Bureau of Plant Industry compound in San Andres, Manila for the meantime,” he said.

Piñol said the food terminals

will give vegetable farmers a wider market for their produce.

“We have to continue finding ways to help our farmers market their produce and provide them sustainable sources of livelihood,” Piñol told hundreds of agriculture industry stakeholders at the multi-million Benguet Agri Pinoy Trading Center in La Trinidad, Benguet on Thursday.

Aside from putting up food terminals near Manila, the agriculture official said, the government will continue providing

adequate financial and technical support to the farmers to improve the quality of their produce and allow highland vegetables to be traded in the international market through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Free Trade Agreement.

Benguet, some parts of Mountain Province and Ifugao supply over 82 percent of the country’s demand for highland vegetables since semi-temperate vegetables thrive in the cooler weather of the three provinces.

Davao Cops rescue 35 Mindanao women from agent provides free Wi-Fi

By Jun David

THE Caloocan City police on Tuesday night rescued 35 female workers, mostly from Mindanao, who were promised jobs abroad but were held by their agent Joseline Joy Francisco Banoga.

Police arrested Jaybert Santos,

47, the son of the suspect, and caretaker Romuli Almadin, 51.

Banoga remains at large.

City police commander Senior Supt. Johnson Almazan said the girls were freed from the Joseline International Manpower Corp. whose office is at 51 Tawilis St., Kaunlaran Village, Caloocan.

According to Supt. Ferdie del Rosario, deputy chief for operations, they received a news report from a concerned media man who claimed that more or less 80 girls were being held against their will at the said agency.

Immediately, the police in coordination with the personnel from

the city social welfare and development office conducted the raid.

Investigators found that the girls’ passports and cellular phones were confiscated. The girls’ movements inside the recruitment’s holding area were also monitored, according to one of the girls.

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Public parks and the entire city hall building are now Wi-Fi hot spots and everyone can enjoy internet connectivity in these areas for free.

Ricarte Franco, City Information and Technology Center (CITC) chief, said the free WiFi project was a joint project with the Department of Information and Communication Technology and was launched just as the city is celebrating the annual Kadayawan sa Dabaw festival.

Franco said the city is among the first local government units chosen for the national government’s free internet access project “Juan Konek.”

Free Wi-Fi is provided at the People’s Park, Osmeña Park, Quezon Park and Rizal Park.

Franco said a user can enjoy up to 100 megabytes (MB) of free data everyday.

After the 100-MB limit is consumed, Franco said data connection will be throttled.

A user must wait for the next day for a fresh 100-MB data allocation, he said.

Pornographic sites are banned at the city hall, Facebook, YouTube, and other social networking sites are not available.

The modem and internet connectivity is provided by the DICT, while the city’s counterpart is to secure the equipment, provide power connection, and provide a technical person for the Wi-Fi operation and maintenance.

Franco said the project is in line with the vision of the CITC to make the Davao a WiFi free city.

They said they were not allowed to go out of the recruitment office since they were billeted there.

To their dismay, the jobs promised them did not materialize.

Almazan said that if the agency is found to be illegal, the owner will be charged with human trafficking.

Pasay mall hosts college expo

STREET ART. A fairly large mural executed by volunteer artists makes a formerly drab wall on Magsaysay venue in Baguio City more picturesque . David Chan

4 Mindanaoans among 10 best cops

By A. Perez Rimando ZAMBOANGA CITY—Four of the 10 Country’s Outstanding Police Officers (COPS) named by the Metrobank Foundation Inc., the Rotary Club of New Manila East and the Philippine Savings Bank are from Mindanao MBFI’s Aniceto Sobrepeña said the 2016 COPS awar-

dees included four police commissioned officers and six noncommissioned officers who were given gold medals, trophies and P500,000 cash each.

Sobrepeña identified the four Mindanaoan COPS awardees as Police Supt. Jemuel Felongo Siason of the Sultan Kudarat Police Provincial Office based in Tacurong City; Senior Police Officer 3 Hamid-

han Tebbeng of the Zamboanga Anti-Kidnapping GroupMindanao Field Unit; SPO3 Ezrael Lantingan of the Alabel, Sarangani Municipal Police Station; and SPO2 Jeffrey Ojao of Cabadbaran City (Agusan del Norte) Police Station.

Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of this year’s COPS board of judges, said “it is an enriching experience and I was inspired by

the stories of the policemen and women who did their duty well.”

Villar stressed the affair also “opened my eyes to the priorities of COPS, their drive for integrity and their passion for public service.”

Sobrepeña said the formal COPS awarding rites will be on Sept. 5 “to highlight Metrobank’s 54th anniversary celebration.”

STUDENTS who wish to explore their options for tertiary level education are invited to the first Expo for Higher Education or ExHEd at Hall 4 of the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City on Oct. 21 to 23, 2016.

ExHEd, a three-day educational exhibition will feature universities, colleges, senior high school, graduate and vocational schools, creative arts institutes and other organizations for tertiary level education.

Organized by World Expos and Concepts Inc., this exhibition also include a series of presentations, career talks and other activities to aid students as they make a choice for their future.

ExHEd will also provide students with options for studying abroad. Representatives from academic institutions in Australia, Spain and Hungary will be present to orient the students and their parents on the application procedures of universities overseas.

For more information on sponsorship opportunities or how to exhibit at ExHEd2016, please call (632) 855 8341-44 or visit www.expoforhighereducation.com.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

LGUs

DoH trains nurses in drug treatment T

HE Department of Health regional office in Tacloban City is planning to train 800 public health nurses to help rehabilitate thousands of self-confessed drug dependents in Eastern Visayas.

The health department last week trained 300 nurses, representing the first batch of local health workers tasked to assess the status of surrendered drug personalities.

DoH Regional Director Minerva Molon said they are seeking more funds to train more local health workers, including city and municipal health officers.

The initiative prioritizes health workers trained by the national government to deal with cases of mental disorders after Super Typhoon “Yolanda” ravaged the region in 2013.

“Currently, the DoH-Treat-

ment and Rehabilitation Center has only 10 assessors who can evaluate 60 drug dependents daily,” Molon said.

The DoH will also meet provincial health officers to find out which district hospitals are less utilized. These health facilities can be tapped for outpatient treatment and temporary confinement of drug dependents with mental disorders.

The health department earlier deployed 1,600 nurses and half are engaged in communitybased drug rehabilitation and treatment. The rest retained their post as implementers of health programs. PNA

Cebu senior citizens receive P2,000 each THE Cebu City government will distribute the next tranche of P2,000 in financial assistance to some 67,300 senior citizens in the city on Saturday.

The city has set aside P134.6 million for the purpose, a part of the P12,000 annual financial assistance given to each qualified senior citizen in the city.

The cash assistance is usually distributed in the respective barangays in the city.

But some members of the city council questioned Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s order for the cash assistance to be distributed in some private residences of his supporters.

They warned the executive department of possible administrative liability considering that the transaction involves public funds.

In a privilege speech, Cebu

City Councilor Jose Daluz III, a lawyer, said he is very much concerned about the matter.

He said City Ordinance 2453, which laid down the guidelines for the release of the senior citizens’ cash assistance, required that it be done “by the barangay.”

“We have a valid ordinance.

The distribution of the financial assistance is sourced from public funds, thus, it should be given in areas which are public in character like barangay halls, sports complexes or schools.

Why would a private citizen be involved in the giving of the cash aid?” he asked.

Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella said he has written the Office of the OmbudsmanVisayas about the matter and asked them to intervene so public funds will be protected. PNA

CHARITY. The Muntinlupa city government and local private companies provided relief assistance to 321 families hit by a fire in Sitio Pag-Asa, Alabang last Saturday. Mayor Jaime Fresnedi distributed groceries and other goods to the victims temporarily sheltered in Tuloy Foundation in Don Bosco, Alabang on Tuesday. The local government is preparing a financial assistance resolution for the affected families.

Cavite bank clients get insurance Japan builds oil distillation plant

THE Philippine Deposit Insurance Corp. announced that deposit insurance claims from clients of the closed Rural Bank of Amadeo (Cavite), Inc. may be filed at the PDIC Public Assistance Center, 3rd Floor, SSS Bldg., 6782 Ayala Avenue corner V.A. Rufino Street, Makati City until May 14, 2018. Claims may also be filed by mail.

The Rural Bank of Amadeo, Inc., which was ordered closed on May 13, 2016, has P46.6 million in total estimated insured deposits involving 1,579 accounts. A total of P28 million in insured deposits covering 158 accounts was paid during the onsite claims settlement operations (CSO).

Another P11.3 million was settled through postal money orders sent via registered mail to 1,263 accounts of depositors with balances of P100,000 and below where filing of claims was waived by the PDIC. As of June 1, 2016, the PDIC has yet to receive deposit insur-

ance claims for P7 million covering 143 accounts. In accordance with the provisions of the PDIC Charter, the last day for filing deposit insurance claims in the said bank is on May 14, 2018. After that date, PDIC shall no longer accept any deposit insurance claim.

When filing deposit insurance claims at the PDIC Public Assistance Center, depositors are advised to present an original evidence of deposit and two valid photo-bearing IDs with signature. When filing claims through mail, the same set of documents, including a duly accomplished Claim Form, must be enclosed. The Claim Form may be downloaded for free from the PDIC website, www. pdic.gov.ph.

Depositors who are below 18 years old should submit either a photocopy of their birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or a duly certified copy issued by the local civil registrar as an addition-

al requirement, with the claim form signed by the parent.

Claimants who are not the signatories in the bank records are required to submit an original copy of a notarized special power of attorney. In the case of a minor depositor, the SPA must be executed by the parent. The format of the Special Power of Attorney may be downloaded from the PDIC website.

In addition, all depositors who have outstanding loans or payables to the bank have to coordinate with the duly authorized PDIC loans officer prior to the settlement of their deposit insurance claim.

The procedures and requirements for filing deposit insurance claims are likewise posted on the PDIC website.

For more information, depositors may contact the Public Assistance Department at telephone numbers (02) 841-4630 to 31, or e-mail at pad@pdic.gov.ph. Depositors outside Metro Manila may call the PDIC Toll Free Hotline at 1-800-1-888-PDIC (7342).

Region 9 has more teachers than NZ

By A. Perez Rimando PAGADIAN CITY—Zamboanga Peninsula (Region 9) has more public elementary and secondary school teachers than New Zealand, newly retired Department of Education Region 9 Director Walter Albos said.

Albos, who recently toured NZ with a group of Filipino field school executives, said it has only about 25,000 public school mentors compared to the nearly 40,000 tutors of Region 9, that comprises the schools divisions of Zamboanga del Sur, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga del Norte, Dipolog City, Pagadian City, Isabela City and Dapitan City.

He noted that each NZ school is decentrally governed by a lo-

cal board of trustees that implements the national government’s educational program from preschool to Level 1 (elementary) and Level 2 (secondary).

NZ’s public education, Albos said, is free and compulsory with students not paying even miscellaneous fees for Parent-Teacher Associations, Red Cross, Boy and Girl Scouts, schools’ light and water consumption, anti-TB and others that Filipino parents have to shoulder.

School participation in that Asian country is 100 percent as parents who do not send their children to learning centers are punished by the state; hence, school dropouts are unheard of.

The shortage of Philippine schools and teachers results in crowded classrooms. A NZ class enrolls a maximum of 20 pupils

who perform most of the class activities—with the teacher’s attention focused mainly on management and supervision.

In a Philippine classroom, Albos said, a Filipino teacher does almost all the talking with the pupils virtually doing nothing but listen.

He observed that NZ instruction “is very informal with every classroom having a socialized atmosphere where children usually sit or squat on the floor. Classroom walls are full of colorful instructional devices and reading materials are displayed on side shelves.

Albos noted that the NZ government provides students with free school buses service which bring them to school in the morning and return them to their homes after classes.

AN eco-friendly lemongrass oil distillation plant was recently opened in Barangay. Mambugsay in Cauayan, Negros Occidental.

The plant was built as part of the Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).

The turnover ceremony on August 8 was attended by the Japan Embassy First Secretary Kenji Terada, Agriculture Assistant Secretary for the Visayas Hansel Didulo, Management Committee of Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. (AIDFI) Head Auke Idzenga and 30 farmer beneficiaries and other guests In 2013, the Embassy of Japan (EOJ) provided assistance to AIDFI amounting to $76,722 or approximately P3 million for the construction of the plant.

Negros Occidental is known as the “Sugarbowl of the Philippines” for its sugarcane production. However, in Barangay.

Mambugsay, Cauayan, Negros Occidental, local farmers are suffering extreme poverty because the farmland of the barangay is in the mountain and not suitable for sugarcane production. This situation has hindered the economic growth of the community.

AIDFI focused on lemongrass as an alternative crop, which is more suitable to the soil. Through GGP, AIDFI also bought a vehicle for the transport of lemongrass. It is expected that production of lemongrass oil will provide local farmers a more stable income.

The Government of Japan, as the top ODA donor to the Philippines, launched the GGP in the Philippines in 1989 to help reduce poverty incidence.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

TODAY

World

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

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Turkey blast: 3 people killed, 40 wounded I

STANBUL—Three people were killed and 40 more wounded on Thursday in a car bomb attack in Turkey’s eastern city of Van carried out by Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants, a local official said.

The attack targeted a police headquarters in the central Ipekyolu district of Van city, Van deputy governor Mehmet Parlak was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency, blaming the “regional terror group,” the official phrase for the PKK. Parlak said that the three killed were all civilians while two of the 40 wounded were police.

Anadolu said that after the bombing police were sent to the scene, identifying a militant named M.O. suspected of bringing the car bomb in front of the police station.

He had been wounded and was detained and taken to the main police headquarters in Van city for questioning, it said.

The Turkish security forces have been hit by near daily attacks by the PKK since a two-and-

a-half year ceasefire collapsed in 2015, leaving hundreds of police and soldiers dead.

But Van, a city with a mixed Kurdish and Turkish population and a popular tourist destination, has generally been spared the worst of attacks like those seen in the nearby city of Diyarbakir.

The PKK has kept up its assaults in the last weeks even after the unsuccessful July 15 coup by rogue elements in the military aimed at unseating President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Eight people—five police and three civilians—were killed on Monday in a PKK car bomb attack on a police traffic control building on a highway leading southeast from Diyarbakir.

The government has vowed to press on with the campaign to eradicate the PKK from eastern Turkey despite a purge in the army for those responsible for carrying out the coup.

Over 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK first took up arms in 1984 with the aim of carving out an independent state for Turkey’s Kurdish minority, although now it focuses more on rights and demands for greater autonomy.

It is proscribed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. AFP

Boko Haram ambush 5 in reopened highway KANO—Boko Haram killed five traders in an ambush on a highway in northeast Nigeria that was recently reopened after coming under repeated attack from the Islamist group, a military source said Wednesday.

A convoy of vehicles carrying Nigerian immigration officials and a group of traders were travelling from Gamboru, on the border with Cameroon, to the city of Maiduguri when they came under fire on Monday.

“Three (immigration) officers were hit and injured in the fire exchange. The immigration men drove off towards Maiduguri, leaving the traders behind,” an army officer told Agence France Presse on condition of anonymity.

The five traders had joined the official convoy thinking it would be a safer way to reach the Borno state capital than traveling the notorious road alone.

The traders’ two trucks were looted and set alight, Gamboru resident Umar Ari told AFP by phone, also confirming the toll of five dead.

The Gamboru to Maiduguri highway is a strategic 140-kilometer (87-mile) trade route in the region, and provides an important link with neighbouring Cameroon.

The highway was closed for safety reasons at the height of the Boko Haram unrest some two years ago, but was reopened by the Nigerian authorities following a string of suc-

Bolivia opens Army school to combat imperialism WA R N E S — B o l i v i a n President Evo Morales inaugurated a new “anti-imperialist” military academy Wednesday, calling it a response to the former School of the Americas, a US program that provided training to Latin American military regimes.

The leftist leader said the new academy was needed to “confront the empire’s cultural, ideological, political and economic domination and capitalist structure.”

Morales, who has had rocky relations with the United States and expelled the US ambassador in 2008, told the inaugural class of 100 cadets that their mission would be “to defend the people, not the empire.”

The head of the armed forces, General Gonzalo Duran, said the new school, located in the eastern town of Warnes, would teach about “de-colonization, gender equality, intercultural understanding and social inclusion.”

The program will be mandatory for soldiers seeking to be promoted to captain.

Bolivia returned to democracy in 1982, after a series of coups.

Its Cold War-era military regimes received money and training from a United States alarmed over the emergence of militant leftist movements in the region. AFP

cesses against the militants.

“Since the Maiduguri-Gamboru highway was reopened two months ago convoys of trucks carrying goods and other vehicles conveying traders have been coming to Gamboru under military escort without any incident,” said resident Ari. Boko Haram, which seeks to impose strict Islamic law in northern Nigeria, has been blamed for some 20,000 deaths and displacing more than 2.6 million people since 2009.

A counter-offensive spearheaded by Nigeria since January last year has recaptured swathes of territory lost to the Islamist militants in 2014.

But sporadic attacks continue and security remains a major concern in the region. AFP

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID PROCUREMENT OF CT SCAN 16 SLICES 1.

The Valenzuela Medical Center, through the General Fund intends to apply the sum of Twenty Five Million Pesos Only (Php25,000,000.00) being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) to payments under the contract for CT SCAN16 SLICES. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at bid opening.

2.

The Valenzuela Medical Center now invites bids for Procurement of CT Scan1.

Delivery of the Goods is required 180 days. Bidders should have completed, within CY 2014 to 2015 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.

3.

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, otherwiseknown as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”. (i)

4.

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 Valenzuela Medical Center and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below during 9:00 AM to 4:00pm.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders on [August 19, 2016 to September 16 , 2016 from the address below and upon payment of a nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents in the amount of Twenty Five Thousand Pesos Only (Php 25,000.00).

It may also be downloaded free of charge from the website of the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and the website of the Procuring Entity, provided that Bidders shall pay the nonrefundable fee for the Bidding Documents not later than the submission of their bids.

5.

The Valenzuela Medical Center will hold a Pre-Bid Conference on August 31, 2016, 10:00 AM at BAC Office, 2nd Floor, VMC Annex Bldg., Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City, which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

6.

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before September 16, 2016, 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.

Bid opening shall be on September 16, 2016, 10:00 AM at the VMC Conference Room, 4th Floor, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City. 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.

7.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, to annul the bidding process, and to reject all bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

8.

For further information, please refer to: IMELDA M. MATEO, MD, MBAH, FPCP, FPCCP VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER Medical Center Chief II Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax no. 294-46-25, Email vmc_bac@yahoo.com (sgd.) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN BAC Chairperson

1

A brief description of the type(s) of Goods should be provided, including quantities, location of project, and other information necessary to enable potential bidders to decide whether or not to respond to the invitation.

(MS-AUG. 19, 2016)

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

World SINKING. This handout photo taken on Wednesday by the Indonesian

Marine Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and released on Thursday shows 11 illegal fishing boats being sunk in the Natuna sea off the coast of Indonesia.

Indonesia sank dozens of impounded foreign boats to mark Independence Day, an official zsaid on Wednesday, as President Joko Widodo steps up a campaign to stop foreign fishermen from “stealing” in its waters. AFP

Dilma answers impeach raps BRASÍLIA—Brazil’s suspended president Dilma Rousseff will take the stand to defend herself at her impeachment trial in the Senate, an aide said Wednesday, setting up a dramatic showdown with her accusers.

Rousseff, who is accused of fiddling the national budget to make Brazil’s tanking economy look better, will be allotted time to testify on August 29, said the chief justice of the Supreme Court, Ricardo Lewandowski, who will preside over the trial.

A spokesman for the suspended leftist leader confirmed she would defend herself in person.

“She’ll be there,” he told Agence France Presse.

Rousseff, Brazil’s first woman president, accuses her opponents of trumping up the charges against her to remove her in a “coup.”

But she looks almost certain to lose the final vote in the Senate, ending 13 years of rule by the leftist Workers’ Party.

The trial is due to open on Thursday, August 25, four days after the Olympic Games end in Rio de Janeiro.

Senate president Renan Calheiros said the vote would likely take place on August 30, the day after Rousseff testifies.

The trial will start with procedural matters, followed by witness testimony, according to the schedule set down by Lewandowski and Calheiros.

The prosecution plans to call two witnesses and the defense four. They will answer ques-

tions from Lewandowski, from senators and from lawyers for both sides.

Questioning is expected to run through Friday, August 26, but could stretch through the weekend, Lewandowski said.

After that, Rousseff will have 30 minutes to speak, then face questioning.

The Senate will then debate her fate. Each senator will have 10 minutes to speak, followed by closing statements from the lawyers.

As has been the case at each stage of the nine-month impeachment battle, marathon sessions are likely.

Lewandowski acknowledged the timeline was tentative.

“There’s no deadline to finish,” he said.

Rousseff, a former leftist guerrilla who was imprisoned and tortured under Brazil’s military regime in the 1970s, said she was ready for whatever mud her enemies in the Senate might sling.

“I’ve never been afraid of that. I’ve endured much worse tension in my life. This is an exercise in democracy,” she told the newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo.

On Tuesday, Rousseff, 68, read out a letter to the Brazilian people admitting she had made mistakes but proclaiming her innocence.

The suspended president’s popularity has plunged amid Brazil’s worst recession in 80 years and an explosive corruption scandal centered on state oil giant Petrobras. AFP

Britain urged to act vs racial inequality L

ONDON—A United Kingdom government body on Thursday called for urgent action to tackle race inequality, warning new figures showed the country’s reputation for tolerance was under threat following the Brexit vote.

In a broad overview of life in Britain for black people and ethnic minorities, the Equality and Human Rights Commission report found the situation has worsened on numerous fronts over the past five years.

Race was the motive in 82 percent of hate crimes recorded in England and Wales, while the two nations saw an “unprecedented spike” in hate crimes since Britain voted on June 23

to leave the European Union.

Black people were found to be more than twice as likely than white people to be murdered in England and Wales than white people, and three times more likely to be prosecuted and sentenced.

Overall white people are more likely to be employed, better paid and in positions of power, the commission said.

“Following the Brexit vote,

these issues should be of even greater concern.

“Our nation’s hard-worn reputation for tolerance is arguably facing its greatest threat for decades, as those who spread hate use the leave result to legitimise their views,” the report said.

Researchers found black workers with degrees are paid on average 23.1 percent less than their white counterparts.

The unemployment rates for white British people was recorded as 6.3 percent, compared to 12.9 percent for ethnic minorities.

The parliamentary commission said there had been some progress, with an increase in the number of people from ethnic

Louisiana floods recede WALKER—Flood waters receded in much of southern Louisiana on Wednesday, after a days-long deluge that inundated vast areas, claimed at least 11 lives and impacted some 40,000 homes.

Residents were cleaning up and trying to assess the scope of the devastation left by unrelenting rains that overwhelmed rivers and sent them flooding into residential areas.

“Right now, in our neighborhood it feels like we had an atomic bomb go off,” said 57-year-old Sonya Sims, who described an area where every home had flooded.

Her family has owned her home in Denham Springs—a city of 10,000 east of the state capital Baton Rouge—for 65 years. She expects it will be torn down.

“Today, we just pulled everything out that we could, and stacked it up, and sorting through the rubble to see what we can find to save,” Sims said.

The most cherished possession she saved were childhood photos of her two children, Sims said.

While many areas were drying out, the National Weather Service forecasted that all waterways would not fall below flood stage until as late as Friday.

“There’s still record flood water,” Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards told local news media while touring disaster areas.

“I don’t want anyone to think that we turned the page.”

Rescue crews were still going to every home and flooded car they could reach, to check for bodies or survivors.

The confirmed death toll remained at 11 on Wednesday.

In places where residents were able to return to their neighborhoods, they were salvaging what they could and gutting their homes in a race against mold.

In Walker, a town of 6,000 people east of Baton Rouge, heaps of belongings were outside waterlogged homes. Scrapbooks, television sets, furniture, dry wall, carpeting and insulation were strewn on front lawns.

President Barrack Obama has declared 20 parishes disaster areas—freeing up federal money to aid victims.

Sims is among many without flood insurance who will depend on federal assistance.

More than 70,000 people had already registered for help, according to White House Deputy Press Secretary Jen Friedman.

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson planned to travel to Louisiana on Thursday to review recovery efforts.

“Well over 75 percent of our parish has been touched by this,” Sheriff Jason Ard of Livingston Parish said during a Tuesday news conference. His parish is home to more than 130,000 people.

“It is something that is going to take months upon months to recover from,” Ard said.

The scope of the disaster meant the wait for home inspections alone could be days, if not weeks.

The American Red Cross launched a donation campaign for flood victims, and deployed 67 emergency response vehicles, according to spokesperson Patrick Pannett who was interviewed by local TV station WAFB. AFP

Renzi, Merkel, Hollande discuss Brexit

REWARD. In this picture taken on Tuesday, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) pins a Labor Medal first class as he honors Colonel Hoang Xuan Vinh, Vietnam’s first ever Olympic gold medal in the men’s 10-meter air pistol during a ceremony held at the Premier’s cabinet office in Hanoi. Vietnam’s prime minister has said Olympic hopefuls faced inadequate nutrition and training equipment before the games, including a lack of bullets in shooting—a discipline that won the nation’s first ever gold. AFP

ROME—Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande on an Italian island on Monday to discuss the EU’s way forward after Britain’s shock vote to quit the bloc.

The gathering on the island of Ventotene comes three weeks before an informal EU summit in Bratislava, which is to be held without Britain and is intended to map out a post-Brexit course for the European Union.

Renzi chose the small island off Naples as the meeting place for Monday’s talks because of

the role Ventotene played in the EU’s founding history, the Italian government said in a statement Wednesday.

The island served as a prison for political opponents of the country’s fascist government during World War II, and it was there that inmates Ernesto Rossi and Altiero Spinelli co-wrote the “Ventotene Manifesto,” considered by many to be a key driver behind the movement for European unification.

The 1941 manifesto called for a federation of European states which would create a bond between the member countries and

prevent war.

Britain stunned Europe when it voted to leave the bloc in a referendum two months ago, triggering debate about the grouping’s future and the need for reforms.

At their first post-referendum talks in late June, Hollande, Merkel and Renzi—the leaders of the eurozone’s three largest economies—urged “a new impulse” for the EU. Last month, Renzi said the Brexit vote was “a political defeat” for Europe and a “wake-up call” that showed urgent change was needed. AFP

minorities gaining degree-level qualifications.

Last year’s national elections furthermore saw the proportion of MPs from ethnic minorities increase from 4.2 to 6.3 percent, although the commission said much more progress was needed.

“The combination of the postBrexit rise in hate crime and deep race inequality in Britain is very worrying and must be tackled urgently,” said commission chair David Isaac.

“If you are black or an ethnic minority in modern Britain, it can often still feel like you’re living in a different world, never mind being part of a one nation society,” he added. AFP

Trump overhauls campaign anew NEW York—Donald Trump on Wednesday shook up his campaign team for a second time in just two months, fending off suggestions that his presidential run is in crisis as polls show Hillary Clinton cruising toward victory.

The Republican White House nominee, who is tanking in swing states, hired a news executive from a virulently antiClinton website as his campaign chief executive and promoted a leading Republican strategist to campaign manager.

Stephen Bannon is executive chairman of Breitbart News, and Trump’s new manager is leading Republican pollster Kellyanne Conway.

“I am committed to doing whatever it takes to win this election and ultimately become president,” the New York billionaire announced.

Critics warned that Bannon, a former Goldman Sachs banker, was unlikely to make the populist candidate, who has upended the Republican establishment, any more palatable to moderate voters or any less controversial.

“There is no new Donald Trump. This is it,” Clinton told a rally in Ohio.

“He is still the same man who insults Gold Star families, demeans women, mocks people with disabilities and thinks he knows more about ISIS than our generals.”

Her campaign’s manager accused Bannon of presiding over a website that “peddles divisive, at times racist, antiMuslim, anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.” AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

DESTINATIONS

D1

The Safari Gallery of Baluarte, an interactive wildlife sanctuary in Vigan, houses all of the preserved animals that former Ilocos Governor Luis 'Chavit' Singson hunted in different parts of the globe

A day of fun

with animals in Vigan’s

Baluarte

By Joseph Peter R. Gonzales Photos: Marcelino Panevino

V

IGAN, the capital city of the province of Ilocos Sur, is known for the vestiges of old Spanish architecture. For the longest time, many are amazed with how the city was able to preserve its classic and rustic ambience. Walking along the famous Calle Crisologo with its long stretch of centuries-old houses instantly brings back golden memories of an era when Vigan’s rich lived in the area. Definitely, this is one main factor why Vigan made it to the elite list as one of the New Seven Wonder Cities of the World.

Interestingly, apart from its preserved Spanish architecture which catapulted it to fame, Vigan has another tourism goldmine these days in Baluarte, a 100-hectare paradise owned and maintained by former Ilocos Governor Luis “Chavit” Singson. The interactive wildlife sanctuary has created a strong buzz among local and foreign Singson established Baluarte to facilitate education on wildlife as well as conserve and protect endangered species

Up close and personal with Singson's favorite tiger

Guests can witness fun tricks and learn fascinating facts about the different animals that thrive in the 100-hectare wildlife sanctuary

tourists in recent years and continues to pack in guests and visitors at present as a proof of its popularity.

“To be honest, what inspired me to put up Baluarte is my hunting

Exotic birds at Baluarte

Life

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

I

’VE been to many beach resorts here in the country and in many other parts of the world, but I’ve never been impressed as much as I have been with The Bellevue Resort in Bohol. It was not so much its de luxe accommodations, superb cuisine and excellent facilities, but what I found awesome was its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

This five-star resort in Panglao Island has a valuable ace up its sleeve that other components of our Tourism industry may find hard to match. Having discovered that 40 percent of fourth graders in public schools still do not know how to read, The Bellevue Resort, together with Worldwide Familia Mission, put up a small Kindergarten School aptly called STEPS (Specialized Training and Education for Pilipino Students). The school focuses on teaching children Reading and Phonics.

The program was actually established in Manila as early as eight years ago by the Mission but was brought to Bohol only five years ago, with the help of the Resort’s managing company which poured in P3 million of its own funds to build the small school on the 180-square-meter lot diagonally across the Resort.

Currently, the pre-school has 50 pupils mentored by one full-time and two part-time teachers. It also handles a Phonics Course for 80 Grade 1 pupils from various elementary schools in the locality. Its programs follow Department of Education standards through continuous monitoring by the principals of the various elementary schools it is affiliated with.

Tuition is free but the parents are made to sign a commitment that they will participate in their children’s learning process by also teaching them at home. The happy reward that the Resort’s management got is the documented proof that the pupils who go through STEPS rate are among the top 10 in their respective schools when they move on to Elementary grades.

Small wonder why the Resort’s top executives and the school’s Manager, Emmanuel Gamonez, beamed with pride and contentment as they shared with me

The Bellevue Resort…

Beautiful, With A Heart

The Bellevue Resort on Panglao island in Bohol features deluxe accommodations, superb cuisine and excellent facilities

Some of the pupils at STEPS

The organic garden grows a variety of herbs and vegetables

everything I wanted to know about this important and unique CSR initiative.

As if that was not enough, The Bellevue Resort impressed me some more when I found out that they have their own organic garden at the 1800-squaremeter lot adjacent to the school. Established four years ago, the garden grows vegetables (lettuce, tomatoes, eggplants, gourd, patola) and culinary herbs (tarragon, dill, parsley, coriander, fennel). Monthly harvest reaches up to 100 kilos of vegetables and about 60 kilos of herbs, all for the use of the Resort.

The Bellevue Resort also takes pride in being environmentally friendly, as it won

The five-star hotel's luxurious room serves as a relaxing sanctuary to its guests

the ASEAN Green Hotel Award, adopting energy conservation measures to achieve sustainable tourism. The criteria for this award include energy efficiency, water efficiency, air quality management indoor and outdoor, and other hotel policies that preserve the beauty of Mother Earth.

Of course, the Resort banners with pride its luxury accommodations. Every room has a balcony facing the sea and, since my room was on the topmost floor, you can imagine the beautiful view I had, from sunrise to sunset. The facilities are world-class, especially the Spa which became my favorite sanctuary at the end of a long day of fun and frolic.

The superb culinary treats offered every mealtime tasted so much like home cooking, like the delectable dishes my late mother used to prepare for special guests. My friends and I raved about the food, and the choices at the buffet made me feel like I was in a Food Festival every day.

The Bellevue Resort made my recent trip to Bohol definitely memorable. It showed me how a luxury world-class Tourism establishment could also have a world-class compassion for the community it is in…truly beautiful, with a heart!

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE A man gifted his wife a very expensive diamond necklace for their anniversary and the wife didn’t speak to him for 6 months! FAKE? Noooo! That was the deal!

Lucky AUB Credit Cardholder off to Napa Valley AFTER almost a three-month-long promotional campaign, Marvin Lloyd Castro, 30, an AUB gold cardholder, was chosen as the lucky winner of the bank’s Napa Valley Vineyard Priceless Experience promotion. Marvin, together with his companion, will travel to California in September.

Launched on May 16, the campaign offered all AUB cardholders the opportunity to see the gorgeous sceneries and taste the best wines that one of the world’s greatest viticulture regions has to offer. This promotion was open to all cardholders who frequently use

their AUB Mastercard credit card.

For every P5000.00 single-receipt purchase with their Mastercard, cardholders got one e-raffle entry for a chance to win a Napa Valley vineyard trip to California for two.

The prize included a four-day tour package, a business class airfare/ roundtrip tickets, hotel accommodation, and a tour around Napa Valley vineyards. Hosted by a world-class winemaker, the trip affords the winner the experience to an exclusive reception and tour of premium winery, enjoy wine tasting, blending and pairing, and dining in a Michelin

star restaurant overlooking the Napa Valley vineyard.

Mastercard Philippines Vice President Ailea Zialcita points out that these tailored experiences further enhance how cardholders enjoy and maximize the use of their AUB Mastercard. “We wanted to provide a customized priceless experience package that rewards our cardholders’ patronage and preference for using their AUB Mastercard for their various purchasing needs” she said.

To learn more about the features and latest promotions of AUB credit cards, visit www.aub.com.ph/creditcards.

PATA Travel Forum A day of fun... features foreign experts From D1

THE Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter will host the third edition of its highly successful Pinoy Chikka Travel Forum with this year’s theme—Global Trends and Challenges. Slated for 9 a.m. of Aug. 23 at the Plenary Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center, this milestone Tourism event will once again feature a stellar lineup of experts widely known for their success stories in their respective careers on the international scene.

Known as a Business Growth and Operational Management Specialist, Tim Wade, CEO of Wade Pte. Ltd. in Singapore, will talk about “A Changing World and the Coming Wave of Opportunity.” Leslie Choudhury, a marketing and communications guru and also his own company’s CEO and based in Singapore, will share his expertise on “Innovative Storytelling, A Major Component in Destination Marketing.”

Joining them from the local scene is Eduardo Mapa, Jr., an advertising and

marketing specialist, also CEO of Digital Arts Network. He will discuss “The Digitalization of the Travel Industry.”

PATA, the biggest travel organization in the world, was founded in Hawaii in 1951 and counts over 40,000 members from governments, destinations, transport, hotels, tour operators, travel agencies, educational institutions, financial and consultancy services and media. Its mission is to enhance, encourage and support the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific.

The Philippine Chapter helps translate these global objectives into action in the local travel and hospitality industry.

Tickets are affordably priced and will include a Certificate of Attendance and a raffle stub which could win valuable airline, hotel and restaurant prizes.

These may be purchased from the PATA Secretariat at (02) 881-7372 or 524-5676 (Manila); 736-0717 (Quezon City); or 816-2201 (Makati). Students’ tickets may be purchased through (02) 5278251 local 167.

hobby. Initially, I didn’t think of establishing a zoo until I realized that my collection has grown huge. I thought that it would be great to use it as a means to facilitate education apart, of course, from conserving and protecting endangered species. The rest, they say is history.

“Now, I’m happy that it’s fast becoming the ultimate zoo destination considering its interactive nature. I want the people of Ilocos, especially the young ones, to see or witness all the exotic animals I brought home from my hunting expeditions so that they no longer need to go to Manila or even in other countries for said purpose. They’ll see it all here…for free,” says Singson.

Nowadays, the premiere fortress is not without flocks of people who want to experience its enticing offerings.

“First, there’s the Safari Gallery where they can see all the preserved wild animals that are products of my hunting sojourns in different parts of the globe like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Australia, Sweden and New Zealand to name a few. Some of these animals

Marvin Lloyd Castro (third from left) receives his prize from AUB and Mastercard officials

which I shipped to the Philippines are elephant, crocodile, buffalo, rhino, deer, lion, zebra, hippopotamus and bear that now serve as main attractions. As I’ve said earlier, there’s no entrance fee. Everyone will learn a lot about these wild animals as they go around the gallery and can take pictures of them as well.

“Then, we have a free animal show that runs four times daily. In each batch, my Baluarte staff provides fun and fascinating trivia and leads our trained animals to perform certain skills. They also pick volunteers from among the audience who are game enough to have a feel of some bizarre animals. After the show, the guests can take photos with the animals like my favourite tiger which people often see in my pictorials.

“Meanwhile, for guests who opt to stay for a few days, the Mansion House can accommodate them. It’s a lovely spot actually, considering that it’s settled on top of the hill and has a delightful view of the entire city and the China Sea. It’s a mixture of grandiosity and nature with all the surrounding fruit-bearing trees (like the white, pink and burgundy macopa, duhat and elongated carabao mangoes) and calming sea breeze.”

The former governor, now councilor in nearby Narvacan, is proud of the vast

array of animals that thrive in Baluarte.

“Actually, they’re almost complete.

We have zebras, cats, boars, peacocks (like the Rare White), lizards (like the Green Iguana and Eastern Barde Dragon), sugar glider, wallabies, camels, miniature horses, exotic birds (like the Crested Serpent Eagle, San Conor and Blue Nape Parrot), the Binturong or bearcat and snakes (like the Albino Burmese Phyton). Some are still arriving in the coming days and I assure that it will be worth the wait.”

Definitely, Baluarte is getting more exciting over the years since it was first built.

“Oh yes! When I finished my term as Ilocos Sur Governor, I had more time to travel and hunt so, more animals were added in here. They surely provide more excitement and fanfare to the place.”

Luis “Chavit” Singson is determined to further develop the renowned wildlife sanctuary.

“I’ve always been very vocal in saying that I want Baluarte to become the ultimate fauna spot in the country. This is also one way to give back to the people since they were instrumental in my success. I want those who cannot afford to fly to other countries to experience it firsthand here and to reiterate, free of charge.”

Showbiz

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Showbiz folks should learn from the young actress because stressing yourself out on bashers is a complete waste of time and energy.

week to attend the mass oath taking for the recent appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte. Not discounting Liza’s contribution as a struggling actor, some people are question her capability to head the Film Development Council of the Philippines. We see better position fit for her and it’s not FDCP for some reasons.

Karylle Many argue that her personality is bland and that she lacks sex appeal.

Perhaps they’re correct but we can’t argue on what international audience saw when she was cast as one of the lead characters in the top-rating show Kitchen Musical.

And it’s happening again. Karylle is set to play an important role in an upcoming Asian television series, which is currently being filmed in Singapore.

They must have seen something in Karylle that most local audiences hardly notice.

PEOPLE

...are not talking about

Pinoy Big Brother The premise of reality shows such as the local version of Big Brother is to present the audience an unscripted situation. But viewers are intelligent enough not to believe that idea. It’s a common knowledge that any gimmick, including manufactured arguments between housemates, is nothing but staged. Hence, it’s downright insensitive and irresponsible to humiliate the Badjao Girl on national TV. For what, just to boost the dwindling ratings?

Andi Eigenmann The person who constantly begged for privacy and personal space has just taken her feud with ex flame Jake Ejercito to Twitter. The onand-off lovebirds are calling each other names as they virtually throw dirt and even rub it on each other’s faces.

Yet, it’s funny how these walking contradictions are still being given too much attention by their fans although they know that at the end of this online squabble they’d be back together sooner than we expected.

...are talking about Liza Soberano WE WOULDN’T be surprised if in the next coming months, another set of male concert acts would invite the Kapamilya star to watch their show in the country. After The Vamps member personally asked Liza to watch their concert early this year, it’s now Charlie Puth’s turn to show admiration for the teen star. Unfortunate for Charlie, Liza was not so jiggy about the invitation and she was too busy to attend his gig at the Kia Theater. “Haba ng hair,” right?

Julia Barretto Responding positively to an Internet troll is an act unknown to many celebrities these days. Hence, it’s commendable when Julia replied to a basher, who was obviously attacking her way below the belt, in a rather classy fashion.

Liza Diño If her name rings a bell it is because she’s the partner of former child star and singer Aiza Seguerra.

Together, they went to Malacañang early this

SM Cinema tickets

available through GMovies EPLUS, the country’s leading entertainment loyalty and payment system, partners with top mobile money solutions, GCash, in making SM Cinema tickets available to customers through Globe’s all-in-one solution for movie tickets on-the-go: GMovies. ePLUS, in partnership with GCash, is now the exclusive payment gateway for GMovies that allows SM Cinema patrons to purchase movie tickets in any of the 58 SM Cinema branches nationwide. To purchase seats from SM Cinema through GMovies, open your GMovies mobile app or log on to www.gmovies.ph on your desktop.

Select your desired movie schedule, the SM Cinema branch, and your preferred seats. Choose GCash as your payment option and log on to your GCash account to confirm the transaction. Your GCash load will now automatically be converted to ePLUS movie credits. After successful payment, you will receive an e-ticket via email, which will also

be saved in your phone gallery. With priority access, patrons can head straight to their assigned cinema and scan their e-ticket at the SM Cinema turnstile.

The partnership between ePLUS and GCash further extends the reach of the cashless payment innovation in the country, letting more Filipinos enjoy benefits that are well beyond customer convenience. Sahara Jean Garnica, assistant vice president for ePLUS shares, “e-PLUS and GCash share the same vision of making cashless transactions more accessible to the Filipinos. This partnership allowing SM Cinema movie ticket purchase via GMovies is just a first of many more innovations that ePLUS and GCash are committed to bringing to the market very soon.”

SM Cinema is now available in the GMovies website and in Google Play while iOS users may download and enjoy the app this August. For more information about GMovies, please visit www.gmovies.ph.

Energizer’ Martin Valenzuela (left) and MJ Tiquia (right), congratulate the lucky winner of ‘Trip for two to Warner Brothers Australia’ promo, Mark Diosdado de Guzman (second from left), accompanied by his partner, Ramfhel Hazel Palomar (second from right)

ENERGIZER, a global leader in portable batteries and lights, recently awarded the grand prize to Mark Diosdado De Guzman for winning in the Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice movie promo.

Diosdado won a trip for two to Warner Bros. Movie World Theme park in Australia. The awarding of the prizes was held at the Energizer Philippines office in Pasig City.

De Guzman, a technical support representative, won via an electronic

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, August 19, 2016

ACROSS 1 From Jan. 1 till now 4 Traveled about 9 Crams in 13 Perry Mason’s org.

14 Tiny-capped mushroom 15 Shade of blue 16 Time warps 18 Stan’s comic foil 19 Tedium 20 Origin of the collie 22 Wanted badly 25 Influence 26 Televise again 28 Rural crossovers 32 Break in 35 Windblown sand 37 Pass, as a bill 38 Iowa college town 40 Kin of neon 42 Wound a matador 43 Old Turkish VIP 45 Concrete strengthener 47 I am, to Caesar 48 Rainbow and others 50 Freaky 52 Links cry 54 Stock holder?

58 Silencing 62 Eucalyptus eater 63 — — costs 64 It’s orange and black (2 wds.)

67 Leaf collectors 68 Madonna role 69 Grande or Bravo 70 “Moonstruck” star 71 Update a watch 72 Craving DOWN 1 Wobbled, as a rocket 2 Rib-eye kin (hyph.)

3 Fixes a sock 4 Ended a layoff 5 Lennon’s Yoko 6 Remote abbr.

7 Is very thrifty 8 DJ’s platters 9 Humoring up 10 Auel heroine 11 Chief 12 Husky’s burden 15 Turn on an axis 17 California’s — Woods 21 Startled cries 23 — de vie (brandies) 24 Train restaurant 27 Ms. Zellweger 29 Vietnam

neighbor 30 Pale brown 31 Quell 32 Enthralled 33 FitzGerald’s poet 34 Kiss south of the border?

36 Drab, as colors 39 Card game starter 41 Tourist center of Japan 44 Coral reefs 46 Hockey buffs (2 wds.)

49 51 53 55 56 57 58

— Lanka Green sci.

Put in a log Dangerous J.R.’s mom Synthetic fabric Cleopatra’s wooer 59 Four Corners state 60 Like some furs 61 Hand over 65 KP workers 66 Dog days in Dijon

Trip for two to Warner Brothers Australia

raffle. His prizes included airfare, hotel accommodations, pocket money and two passes to the popular movie theme park.

According to MJ Tiquia, brand activation manager, this activity was the company’s way to announce to the public that the improved Energizer Max AA batteries is now 35 percent longer lasting. It is also the brand’s way to share ‘‘positivenergy’’ with its loyal consumers by treating them to a blockbuster movie experience.

“We know how supportive Filipinos

are of these DC comics’ heroes and how excited they are for the movie. The Batman vs. Superman movie promotes positive energy that is Energizer’s brand campaign.” she added.

Aside from the grand prize, Energizer also gave away Batman vs. Superman figurines as minor prizes.

Tiquia concluded, “I believe that the success of this promo is proof of our consumers’ trust for Energizer in as much as they were excited by the movie,” she concluded

Showbiz

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

D4

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2016

‘Game Changer Philippines’ launches 4th season

G

AME Changer Philippines, with host Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez ISAH V. RED of the third District of Negros Occidental, returns for its fourth season on the ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) with a brand new lineup of innovative ideas, enterprising inventions and compelling stories in a re-launch press conference at Victorino’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

Negros Occidental’s Congressman Alfredo “Albee” Benitez returns to TV via the newest season of ‘Game Changer Philippines’

After three successful seasons, Game Changer goes “inclusive” as it encourages the audience, aspiring inventors, and students to be game changers themselves by suggesting topics, submitting prototypes of inventions and submitting their own segments on what they consider as trailblazers in their communities or society.

“We are excited to bring to our loyal viewers more informative and very useful segments on the latest trends in technology and other fields, including proudly Filipinomade products and services,” said Benitez.

“And this season, Game Changer fans can also do their part in spreading the word about innovators in their communities.”

Another reason why Benitez is excited about this season is because his son Javi will join him and share hosting chores with him.

Taking a break from his studies abroad, the younger Benitez will represent the views and interests of the social media generation and the gadget-savvy millenials.

“I’m glad my father gave me this opportunity to co-host his great show. I hope to infuse my own character in the program the makulit-in-a-good way, inquisitive person that I am. I think I’m he perfect foil for Dad’s sometimes too-serious demeanor,” Javi said in jest.

Game Changer, which airs on ANC every Saturday at 9:30 p.m. (with replays every Sunday at 9:30 a.m.), has become part of the weekly viewing habit of the tech-conscious and those who simply want to see how pioneering concepts impact the lives of people, including the marginalized and disadvantaged.

The show is also a favorite of young

entrepreneurs and start up businessmen who want to see fresh ideas on emerging fields and disciplines and how they can hook up with like-minded people to source capital and establish connections. Profiles on exemplary Filipino pioneers like that of Dado Banatao, the farmer’s son-turned Silicon Valley legend, are also a staple on the show.

According to the older Benitez, enjoining students to submit their own video presentation for airing on the program will make them more aware and appreciative of the selfless efforts of individuals and groups who want to initiate change in our society. A full-fledged Game Changer video contest will soon be launched, with the full endorsement and cooperation of government agencies, like the Department of Education. Valuable prizes await winning students and their respective schools, including a round-trip ticket to Hong Kong and a high-tech teaching tool called the Alternative Learning Board.

Meanwhile, he added that encouraging inventors to show off their prototypes in the program could embolden the inventor in every Filipino. Experts would rigorously put the invention to the test, at the same time providing newbies with tips and advice on how to patent their creations. To move things along from the prototype stage, promising inventions would then be hitched up with prospective investors.

This is not the first time Javi is going in front of the camera. He was part of a group that hosted a show called Sports Kidz about 10 years ago. Javi said he’s re-learning his on cam “mojo”, although Game Changer is a lot different from his previous hosting experience.

“The show is more of an advocacy for me and my Dad. To be able to meet interesting

Javi, Cong. Benitez’s son, joins the lawmaker in the docu-magazine program that showcases ideas,concepts and technologies that inspire, aspire and change people’s lives

people is remarkable enough. To be able to present their life-changing stories is an honor for me, “ he added.

Part of his responsibilities for the show is to help produce the Good Habits, Bad Habits interstitials - short audio-visuals where Javi would encourage great habits and practices while doing away with harmful or wasteful ones.

In the three seasons previously, Game Changer had consistently rated high among ANC’s 80 shows and had topped the list a number of times. Right on the first episode of the current season, the show was again ranked no.1.

“The show’s rise in the rankings is phenomenal, especially for a new show. We hope it stays consistent in its production and, of course, in its advocacy,”says ANC’s Johann Abellaneda.

Produced by Benitez with BP/LGE Digital Productions Inc., Game Changer is known for innovative production as well, with state-of-the-art equipment including a full-chroma studio for the hosts’ spiels and virtual interviews.

The BP/LGE Digital Productions offices are located at the 8th Floor, President Tower, Timog Ave. cor.

Ybardolaza St., Barangay South Triangle,Diliman, Quezon City with telephone numbers 931-2373, 413-9045 and 461-2755.

Janice’s daughter now a Kapuso INAH de Belen, the eldest daughter of actors Janice de Belen and John Estrada, signed an exclusive contract with GMA Artist Center.

Coming home to GMA, Inah feels very excited to be part of the Artist Center. She will star in an

upcoming afternoon prime series alongside Kapuso actors Jake Vargas and Jeric Gonzales. “I’m very excited and I’m very happy to be finally part of the GMA family. The network already has plans for me and I’m thankful for that.”

Kadayawan Festival live on SKY Cable, SKY On Demand SKYCABLE and Destiny Cable digital subscribers can join the merriment of Davao’s Kadayawan Festival, the city’s annual thanksgiving celebration for good harvest, wealth of culture, and peaceful living, right in the comforts of their homes.

SKY will provide exclusive full coverage of the festivities from today until Aug. 21 via the Kadayawan Free

View on SKYcable, Destiny Cable, and on SKY On Demand.

SKYcable and Destiny Cable digital subscribers in Metro Manila, including CAMANAVA and Rizal (Ch. 211 SD and Ch. 242 HD), as well as those in Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Baguio, General Santos, and Dumaguete (Ch. 64 SD and Ch. 702 HD) can catch the events “Hiyas sa Kadayawan” from 6 p.m. today

until 12 midnight, “Indak Indak sa Kadalanan” on Aug. 20 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. “Pamulak sa Kadayawan” on Aug. 21.

To enjoy the Kadayawan Free View on SKY On Demand, subscribers need only to go to www.skyondemand. com.ph and register for free or watch it on the go via the app available on the App Store or Google Play.

Following in the footsteps of her parents, Inah de Belen is giving show business a try by inking a management contract with the Kapuso Network