Manila Standard - 2016 August 26 - Friday

De Lima’s wish—a love life to help her cope with Duterte EMBATTLED Senator Leila de Lima said Thursday she had two wishes for her 57th birthday on Saturday and one of those was personal: a love life.

“This one is a personal wish. I hope I will have a love life so I will have a partner to share what I have been going

VOL. XXX • NO. 195 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

through,” De Lima said.

She said it was very difficult if the person fighting you was the President.

President Rodrigo Duterte and De Lima have been engaged in a word following De Lima’s accusation that Duterte Next page

‘Leila, Espino in cahoots’ They protected each other’s illegal activities—sources

By Christine F. Herrera, Funny Pearl Gajunera and John Paolo Bencito

P

ANGASINAN Rep. Amado Espino Jr. and Senator Leila de Lima, who were tagged by President Rodrigo Duterte as part of a narcotics web that he made public Thursday, protected each other’s illegal activities, sources told the Manila Standard.

The sources are likely to testify against Espino, De Lima and her alleged ex-lover Ronnie Dayan.

“Espino protected De Lima to fly in and out undetected of the mansion to visit Dayan when the then Justice secretary would want a “private and undisturbed sexual tryst” with her lover, sources privy

Espino, Baraan in spate of denials

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brothers, who also served as their bagmen.

Then Department of Justice undersecretary Francisco Baraan III, who was in charge as supervisor of Bureau of Corrections, was trusted by De Lima; and brother Raffy Baraan, who served as Espino’s provincial administrator,

took care of all of Espino’s illegal activities and collections.

A graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 72, Espino, over the years, was able to build connections and drug and jueteng networks with his fellow PMAers, whom he tapped to Next page

Drug Link Matrix revealed by President Rodrigo Duterte Raffy Baraan Former Justice undersecretary

Francisco Baraan III

By Maricel V. Cruz and Macon Ramos-Araneta FORMER governor and incumbent Rep. Amado Espino Jr. of Pangasinan on Thursday denied his alleged links to the drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Espino also told a radio interview that he was surprised by the disclosure of President Rodrigo Duterte that named him, provincial administrator Raffy Baraan and Gen. Franklin Bucayo as being in a drug matrix that he shared at a press conference in Davao City.

Espino also said he was innocent and that the accusation of the President was false.

Espino said the first and last time he went to the national prison was 13 years ago when he visited convicted rapist, former Zamboanga Rep. Romeo Jalosjos.

He said it has been a long time also that he saw former Justice

to the illegal operations told the Manila Standard.

The trysts happened in a mansion brought by De Lima in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan for Dayan allegedly using “drug money” from inside the New Bilibid Prison.

Espino and De Lima were brought together by the Baraan

involved as former supervisor of the Bureau of Corrections

Pangasinan provincial administrator and brother of former Usec. Baraan who handled all illegal activities of Espino

Leila De Lima

Pangasinan Rep.

Amado Espino Jr.

Senator Leila de Lima, the highest-ranking public official involved in the drug trade when she was still Justice secretary

former Pangasinan governor, also involved in black sand mining and jueteng

Franklin Bucayu resigned as BuCor head over alleged involvement in illegal drug trade inside Bilibid

Ronnie Dayan

De Lima’s alleged former driver-turned-boyfriend, known as a ‘case fixer’ in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan who received a monthly payola from Bucayu

Ex-gov built P4-b fortune on illegal acts

By Christine F. Herrera PANGASINAN Rep. Amado Espino Jr. has allegedly amassed an estimated P4 billion in ill-gotten wealth out of unlawful activities such as illegal drugs, black sand mining, quarrying, illegal numbers games, massive land grabbing and corruption when he was governor, a source told the Manila Standard Thursday.

The source said in Bugallon alone, the Espinos owned 300 hectares of land, allegedly acquired through land grabbing and harassment using his powers as governor.

Espino, he said, built mansions, resorts and restaurants and built roads and bridges leading to these properties using capitol funds.

“In 2014, using capitol funds, Espino bought dredging materials worth P30 million to reclaim a 10-hectare island, where a

resort-mansion and a swimming pool were built. Around that island was a 20-hectare fish pond in Barangay Dupo, Binmaley.

Roads leading to the resort were built using public funds,” the source said.

The source said Espino also used public funds, capitol equipment and manpower to build a mansion in Urduja, Lingayen and what the Pangasinenses called a “White Next page House Mansion” in Bautista.

House to dig up more dirt on Bilibid ‘players’

By Maricel V. Cruz THE House of Representatives will summon everyone linked to the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison when it launches its own investigation into the matter, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Thursday.

In an interview, Alvarez said the resource persons would include personalities mentioned in the “matrix” President Rodrigo Duterte has released that showed their alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade inside the national penitentiary.

“Everyone who has anything to do with what we are investigating

FAMILY FORTUNE. Some of the assets and businesses allegedly acquired by the family of former governor Amado Espino Jr. from 2007 to 2016.

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Rody calls Lagman bluff

Sy richest among top 50 Pinoys; Sia polevaults to 17th

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday dared Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman to proceed with his suggestion to slash the higher confidential and intelligence funds that he requested from Congress on

RETAIL tycoon Henry Sy Sr. is still the Philippines’ richest person and has remained so for the ninth consecutive year, according to Forbes Asia.

The magazine placed Henry Sy

the condition that Lagman solve the worsening problem of illegal drugs on his own.

Speaking in defense of the Office of the President’s proposed Next page

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S

and his family’s net worth at $13.7 billion.

The 91-year-old billionaire’s core businesses are retailing, banking and property development. His SM Investments Corp. is one of the

thestandard.com.ph

county’s biggest conglomerates.

John Gokongwei of JG Summit Holdings Inc. came in second with a total net worth of $6.8 billion. Gokongwei has interests in air transportation, banking, food,

hotels, power, chemicals, real estate and telecommunications.

The Aboitizes ranked third with $5 billion. The Aboitiz family owns the listed Aboitiz Equity Next page

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Abu Sayyaf beheads hostage T

HE military will deploy more troops to Sulu and Basilan to eliminate the Abu Sayyaf once and for all, Western Mindanao Command spokesman Maj. Filemon Tan said Thursday.

He announced the deployment Sayyaf decapitated a kidnap vicof more troops after the Abu tim in Sulu.

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secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima and her supposed loverdriver Ronnie Dayan.

De Lima and Dayan were both included in the “Muntinlupa Connection” drug matrix of President Duterte.

“I saw them in Pangasinan.

There was a wedding and they were there, three or four years ago,” Espino said in Filipino. “I was surprised to see De Lima make a gesture of respect (mano) to Dayan’s father.”

Espino said his brother-mayor and relatives who campaigned for President Duterte in the last elections were disappointed with the President for linking him to the drug trade.

He also asked how he could be conniving with De Lima when it was her undersecretary, Francisco Baraan, the brother of Raffy Baraan, who prosecuted them.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said the House leadership would give due process to Espino.

Alvarez said the House would not do anything “drastic” against Espino unless he is proven guilty.

“Even if the name of Espino is listed in the drug matrix, that does not mean that Congress will do anything drastic against him,” Alvarez said.

“We have to look into that. We

Rody...

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budget before Congress, Duterte said the more than P2.5 billion in confidential and intelligence funds, up from this year’s P500-million budget, will be spent wisely.

“I have so many fights. He can be very sure that that money will go to either the soldiers or to the police,” Duterte said in another midnight press briefing in Davao City.

“I should have a budget to buy information. I’m fighting a crisis, but in the end there should be no worry. If you don’t want to give it to me it’s okay, but you take care

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Ventures that has interests in power, banking, food, land development and biofuels.

Last year, AEV partnered with global building materials company CRH and acquired a majority stake in the operations of Lafarge in the Philippines.

Rounding up Forbes Asia’s top 50 Richest Filipinos list were Lucio Tan and family ($4.9 billion), George Ty and family ($4.6 billion), Tony Tan Caktiong and family ($4.3 billion), Jaime Zobel de Ayala and family ($4.1 billion), Enrique Razon Jr. ($3.5 billion), David Consunji ($3.1 billion), Andrew Tan ($3 billion) Lucio and Susan Co ($2 billion), Manuel Villar ($1.8 billion), Robert Coyiuto Jr. ($1.7 billion), Inigo and Mercedes Zobel ( $1.5 billion), the Gotianun family ($1.3 billion), Ramon Ang ($1.21 billion), Edgar Sia ($1.2 billion), Roberto Ongpin ( $1.19 billion), Dean Lao ($1.15 billion), Eduardo Cojuangco ($1.14 billion), the Yap family ($1.1 billion), the Ricardo Po family ($950 million), Oscar Lopez ($940 million), Vivian Que

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In 2015, Espino acquired Riverside Resort and Restaurant in Bugallon and built a bridge over Agno River leading to the resort and the inland roads leading to the bridge and resorts were grabbed by his armed men.

Espino also put up an airconditioned poultry that could house as many as 50,000 chickens in Barangay Portic in Bugallon.

Another cockfighting farm

have proper committees to look into the complaint [that may be filed against him on the issue],” Alvarez said.

Former Justice Undersecretary Francisco Baraan called Duterte’s accusation that he tolerated the illegal drug trade in NBP “a total misconception.”

In a statement released Wednesday, Baraan denied the President’s allegations and maintained he had limited authority over the Bureau of Corrections, which directs the prison in Muntinlupa.

Duterte released the matrix after a heated argument with Senator Leila de Lima, whom he said was also in the list, over the spate of drug-related killings across the country.

On Wednesday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said they will present the evidence and witnesses against the senator and Baraan for their alleged links to the drug trade.

De Lima on Thursday labeled Duterte’s drug matrix as “scrap paper that belongs in a garbage can.”

In an official statement provided by her Office to the Senate media, De Lima asked: “Was it a joke? Like most of his jokes before, this latest one he will surely regret. But yes, please amuse me at how his men have desperately tried to link me with the ‘Muntinlupa Connection’ flick. Where is the so-called drug link or links?” of the problem.”

Duterte made his statement even as NBI agents arrested the wife of a Nigerian national for possession of illegal drugs during a raid in Silang, Cavite, on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, embattled Albuera, Leyte, Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. sought police protection as he executed an affidavit on Wednesday disclosing the names of government officials allegedly protecting the illegal drug traders in Eastern Visayas.

Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said although Espinosa provided them the list, the authorities will not use it against the mayor but rather as a “tactical value.” John Paolo Bencito and Sandy Araneta, with PNA Azcona ($900 million), Alfredo Yao ($810 million), Betty Ang ($800 million), Beatrice Campos ($700 million), Carlos Chan ($550 million), Frederick Dy ($480 million), the Concepcion family ($450 million), Jorge Araneta ($430 million), Alfonso Yuchengco ($400 million), Mariano Tan Jr. ($370 million), Manuel Zamora ($300 million), Michael Cosiquien ($265 million), Wilfred Steven Uytengsu Jr. ($260 million), Edgar Saavedra ($255 million), Eric Recto ($250 million), Jacinto Ng ($200 million), Jose Antonio ($195 million), Tomas Alcantara ($190 million), Gilberto Duavit ($185 million), Menardo Jimenez ($180 million), Ben Tiu ($175 million), P.J. Lhuillier ($170 million), Bienvenido Tantoco Sr. ($165 million), Felipe Gozon ($160 million), Juliette Romualdez ($155 million), Michael Romero ($150 million) and Luis Virata ($145 million).

Forbes Asia noted that several tycoons engaged in development and construction enjoyed a particularly robust year and were likely to continue to benefit under Duterte’s administration given its thrust to boost infrastructure spending. Jenniffer B. Austria that houses thousands of fighting cocks was owned by Espino as he was “fond of cockfighting.”

Also in Poblacion, Bugallon, Espino put up a quarry for his black sand mining operations and incorporated the Jumel Construction Corp., named after his youngest son, now Bugallon Mayor Jumel Espino.

“The family also owned a crushing plant and ashphalting plant in Barangay Hacienda Espino near the Hacienda Espino Elementary School, not minding schoolchildren were suffering from lung

He said the extra troops would come from Luzon, the Visayas and from the battalions now not engaged due to the ceasefire declared by the New People’s Army, Tan said.

He declined to say exactly how many more troops will be deployed but said the extra troops would be handy in searching the

forested areas where the group’s members were hiding.

There are now 5,000 soldiers in Sulu and another 2,500 in Basilan.

Tan made his statement even as President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the Armed Forces to destroy the Abu Sayyaf after they decapitated Patrick Jhames Almodavar.

“My order to the Police and to the Armed Forces is to seek them out and destroy them,” Duterte said.

Tan said Almodavar’s head was recovered by local police in Kadjatan village in Indanan, Sulu.

He said the head was wrapped in a plastic bag and was left by three alleged members of the Abu

Sayyaf aboard a motorcycle. Almodavar was abducted on July 16 in Asturias village in Jolo.

Duterte said the family of a businesswoman who was kidnapped by the Abu Sayyaf along with her husband and son earlier this month paid P50 million for their freedom.

PNA, with John Paolo Bencito and Florante S. Solmerin

Lorenzana stays in DND; Gibo begs off “Maybe, ‘disenchanted’ would be the word. You know, he ran for president,” the President added.

In a speech Tuesday, Duterte said he wanted Teodoro to take over the Defense department, since he never hid his admiration for him. The problem of who to appoint as Philippine ambassador to the United States was raised in the Cabinet.

The President then in jest appointed Lorenzana, his newly named Defense chief as ambassador.

Teodoro was the secretary of national defense of former President Gloria Arroyo from August 2007 until November 2009.

Shortly after Duterte won the presidency, Teodoro visited him at the Presidential resthouse in Panacan, Davao City but rejected his offer of a Cabinet post for personal reasons.

Lorenzana, meanwhile, who was the special presidential representative of the Office of Philippine Veterans Affairs in the United States before he accepted Duterte’s offer to be Defense chief, had expressed his wish to stay in the country and retire following his long service overseas. “[Lorenzana] told me that he believed the appointment to

Washington was an order, but he said that he’s too old. He said that since he’s already old, he wanted to stay in the country. That is the dream of every [retiree],” the President added.

Lorenzana, a member of the PMA Class 1973, was a high school classmate of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a trusted friend of the President in Parang, Cotabato, and was the 601st Brigade Commander in Malungon, Sarangani in 2000.

Duterte said he is still looking for an ambassador to Washington, with which the Philippines has “strong, enduring ties.”

branded the allegation as “old hat” and “politically motivated” because he was at the time running for reelection for governor against Alaminos City Mayor Hernani Braganza of the Liberal Party.

Espino at the time was running as an official candidate of the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the second largest party in the country. Pangasinan was declared a “free zone” in the 2013 midterm polls.

The source said former Interior secretary Manuel Roxas II was with Orduna when the latter held a news conference in Camp Crame against Espino. Official records show Orduna said Espino had pocketed a total of P1 billion from jueteng operations alone.

Orduna said he delivered jueteng kickbacks amounting to P2.5 million every Saturday when he was congressman.

“Mayor Orduna was dropped like a hot potato and was left holding an empty bag by Mar Roxas and Pnoy [President Benigno Aquino III]. Orduna had to uproot from Pangasinan for fear for his life. The protection promised by Mar Roxas never came and the last thing we heard, Espino and Mar Roxas became allies versus the Cojuangcos of the NPC in the 2016 elections,” the source said.

“Not contented with the P1 billion that he acquired when he was merely a jueteng protector and congressman, Espino became bolder and greedier when he became governor and started engaging in illegal drugs, became a jueteng lord, operated illegal black sand mining and quarrying operations and all kinds of illegal activities,” the source said.

“Yes, I will testify against Espino if asked by President Duterte.

Espino has destroyed many lives and families due to his illegal ac-

tivities,” the source said.

In Davao City, Duterte bared a matrix containing seven names of drug operators in the NBP that were allegedly jointly operated by De Lima and Dayan.

Duterte gave out copies of the matrix to the members of the media, early Thursday and did not give any statement related to the matrix.

The matrix shows that Dayan served as a case fixer of wellknown politicians in Urbiztondo, Pangasinan.

“De Lima gave a house and lot, a Montero, a Kia Sedan, money and employed Jonathan Cardeso Carabto at DoJ [Department of Justice] upon the recommendation of Dayan,” the matrix states.

The matrix states that he used a certain Ms. Cardenosa as a dummy for his properties.

“Ronnie Palisoc Dayan AKA Boss De Lima received monthly payola from Gen. Bucayu through SPO1 Palisoc of PRO 1,” it added.

It also divulged the connection of former Bureau of Corrections chief Franklin Bucayu and Pangasinan 5th District Representative Amado T. Espino Jr. “He [Espino] is charged with plunder/ on bail on illegal mining case. Involved in black sand mining, quarrying and jueteng,” the matrix said.

It added that according to Board Member Raul Sison, Espino is the richest politician in the Northern Luzon.

The matrix also shows the involvement of brothers Francisco Baraan III and Raffy Baraan.

Raffy is a loyal follower of Espino, while his brother Francisco is a trustee of De Lima and was supervisor of the Bureau of Corrections. “[Raffy] designated as Pangasinan Provincial Administrator, [but was] dismissed by the Ombudsman

because of black sand mining and quarrying,” the matrix shows.

According to the matrix, Raffy was used to cover all his illegal activities.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communication Office chief, Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said that the drug matrix revealed by Duterte is based on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police investigation.

Duterte said that he worries for the future generation especially with illegal drugs destroying the country.

“Three million addicts and you expect me to remain passive?

Destroy them, that is my order,” Duterte said.

He added that if there is anybody who should go to prison because the authorities’ keeps on hunting the drug personalities, it should be him since the order came from him.

“I am not trying to pin down any resident, but they let this things happen that is why we have a big problem right now,” he said.

He also said he will help all policemen who will be charged with cases in line with their anti-illegal drug operation.

“I will protect them,” he said “I don’t care as long as it is in the line of duty.”

However, Duterte warned all police officers involved in illegal drugs: “You are dead… you cannot suppress the truth.”

Another player in De Lima’s drug apparatus is former Pangasinan provincial board member Raul Sison whose father is the mayor of Urbiztondo, Martin Raul Sison II. Raul is a cousin of De Lima’s driver, Dayan.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said Thursday that Duterte’s matrix had undergone a process of validation.

is sanctioning the killing of the people involved in illegal drugs and Duterte’s accusation that she was involved in illegal drugs when she was Justice secretary.

De Lima, whose marriage had been annulled, said her desire to have a love life was not a joke.

“I’m bearing with all of this on my own because, as much as possible, I don’t want to involve my family who are hurting and sad,” De Lima said.

“This is really unimaginable, phenomenal and unprecedented.”

Despite wanting to have a love life, De Lima said, she had no intention to remarry.

After the annulment of her marriage, she made a commitment to herself and her two children that she would not remarry.

“Now I have no love life. I’m thinking that with all the things that I’m going through, maybe I need a partner. Please help me.

That’s my feeling,” De Lima said.

She denied the President’s claim that her new boyfriend was a certain “Warren,” an employee of the MMDA who served as her motorcycle escort.

She said Warren was assigned to her after she requested a motorcycle escort.

“That was an official request, but I don’t think it’s personal. Is that an evidence of my relationship? My God!” De Lima said her having no love life belied the accusation by

Duterte that Warren was her new boyfriend.

But she remained mum about her relationship with her former bodyguard and driver Ronnie Palisoc Dayan, who has been accused by Duterte as the one who collected drug money for De Lima during the last election campaign.

De Lima merely said she became close to Dayan, but refused to expound on their relationship.

Her first wish was for Duterte to end the “madness.”

“I hope the President takes pity on me and ends his attacks. This is already madness, Mr. President,” De Lima said.

He called on Duterte to focus on far more important concerns than wasting “government time” attacking her.

Macon Ramos-Araneta

problems,” the source said.

The Espinos’ construction firm now owns a 20-fleet truck and heavy equipment that corners all infrastructure projects of the provincial capitol that benefited the Espinos’ crushing and asphalting plants.

“Espino did not know conflict of interest from Adam,” the source said.

Espino’s eldest son, Amado Espino III, is now governor of Pangasinan.

Espino’s brother Amadeo Espino is mayor of Bautista where several hundreds of hectares of agri-

cultural lands and three fish ponds were owned by the Espinos.

Espino’s nephew, Joseph Espino, son of the mayor, is vice mayor of Bautista.

The Espinos also own the Jumel Aqua-Culture Development Corp. that monopolized the fish pond (bangus or milk fish) business in Pangasinan.

When he was governor and his son succeeded Espino, they acquired hundreds of hectares of agricultural lots and prime properties in Tupa, Bolinao; Bical Bayambang; and Cabauan, Bautista.

The Espinos also own three big fish ponds in Bautista and two fish ponds in Oaoa, Bayambang.

They have a residential lot in Urdaneta City and three parcels of lands in Alaminos City.

Outside of Pangasinan, the Espinos own a residential lot in Culiat, Quezon City, four residential lots in Angeles City and a condominium unit in Katipunan, Quezon City.

Outside of the Philippines, Espino bought for his daughter a house in an exclusive subdivision in Vorhees, Township in New Jersey, USA.

By John Paolo Bencito SECRETARY Delfin Lorenzana will keep his post at the Defense department after former DND chief Gilbert Teodoro declined President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer of a second term as Defense secretary.

Thus, Lorenzana will no longer be the country’s ambassador to Washington, as earlier reported.

“I don’t really have a choice right now. Gibo really washed his hands of government service,” Duterte told a press briefing early Thursday morning.

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protect De Lima and Dayan from their illegal activities in NBP, the sources said.

“Most of Espino’s mistahs are now generals in the national police and the armed forces,” the source said.

Espino was a full colonel when he first became a congressman, the source added.

In turn, De Lima protected Espino from any legal cases that would result from the former governor’s illegal activities.

“De Lima is such a liar. The President was correct when he said De Lima is lying through her teeth. She did not file any case against Espino. She sat on it. She protected him. The illegal black sand mining operations case was filed in 2011. All the time that she was DoJ secretary, nothing happened to it until close to the elections, but Espino was spared and it was Raffy Baraan, who was made the sacrificial lamb and was dismissed from the service,” one of the sources, who requested anonymity, told the Manila Standard.

De Lima, the source said, also did nothing when there was a plunder complaint filed against Espino, who was tagged as a jueteng lord in Pangasinan.

In a 2012 sworn affidavit, a copy of which was furnished the Manila Standard, former Bugallon Mayor Rodrigo Orduna, an alleged bagman of Espino, said Espino started as a protector of jueteng lords when he was congressman for two terms but became a jueteng lord himself when he became a governor for another two terms.

Espino, in a news conference,

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will be invited so that we can get a complete picture,” Alvarez said in Filipino.

Alvarez is the principal author of House Resolution No. 105 seeking investigation into the illegal drug trade in the NBP that flourished when Senator Leila de Lima was still secretary of Justice.

However, Alvarez said the House will not compel De Lima to appear before the committee on justice because of inter-parliamentary courtesy.

But even without De Lima’s participation, Alvarez said the House will press its effort to ferret out the truth behind the illegal drug trade in the prison.

Alvarez said the probe is meant to find out why the drug trade flourished inside the national penitentiary and was not specifically targeted against De Lima.

Alvarez also said the House probe is not a duplication of the Senate work, noting the focus of the investigation of the Senate was the spate of summary executions of drug suspects.

Alvarez added that the House would look into the alleged involvement of incumbent Pangasinan 5th District Rep. Amado Espino Jr. and give him the chance to explain his side. With Sandy Araneta

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Impunity concerns Sereno, judiciary

By Rey E. Requejo

Judiciary report. Supreme Court Chief Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno expresses alarm over impunity in the country during her annual Meet the Press forum on her fourth year in office at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila on Thursday. Danny Pata

DAR deals out 358-ha Aquino land in Tarlac

By Rio N. Araja

T

HE Department of Agrarian Reform ordered on Thursday the distribution of a 358.22-hectare agricultural estate in Tarlac City owned by the Tarlac Development Corp.-Hacienda Luisita Inc. belonging to the family of former President Benigno Aquino III. “Only a temporary restraining order of the Supreme Court can tie the hands of DAR,” said Secretary Rafael Mariano.

“Even before June 15, 1988, during which the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, the [Tadeco] property is an agricultural land up to [the department’s] June 2015 [assessment].”

Mariano issued DARCO Resolution MS1608-238 to give way for the distribution of eight

parcels of land, which were covered by notice of coverage in December 2013.

“In effect, the protest and supplemental protest filed by Tadeco for lack of merit are denied and the said property is covered under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program,” the order read.

Mariano maintained the validity of the publication of notices of coverage of the eight parcels of land put into ques-

tion by Tadeco.

He instructed the DAR provincial office of Tarlac in Region 3 to proceed with and complete the land acquisition and distribution process over the subject properties pursuant to Section 30 of Republic Act 9700.

Also, he denied all ancillary motions filed by Tadeco for lack of merit.

“It is still an agricultural land even as I speak today. Tadeco does not have the basis of its claim over the property,” Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Operation Luis Meinrado Pangulayan said.

Undersecretary for Field Operations Office Mario Risonar Jr. said it will take 45 days to start with the preliminary survey of the eight parcels of land covered by Mariano’s order, and another 45 days to conduct an actual survey.

“The screening and identi-

fication of farmer-beneficiaries will take about 50 days. We need 195 days all in all to be able to generate and distribute the certications of land ownership award,” he added.

According to Mariano, Tadeco may file a motion for reconsideration with the Office of the President.

“If the Office of the President junks Tadeco’s appeal, Tadeco can file with the Court of Appeals or elevate its motion to the Supreme Court,” he said.

Tadeco, then owned and controlled by the Jose Cojuangco Sr. Group, bought the sugar estate known as the Hacienda Luisita from its Spanish owner Compañía General de Tabacos de Filipinas (Tabacalera).

On Aug. 23, 1988, Tadeco organized the Hacienda Luisita Inc. as a spin-off corporation, and then assigned and conveyed its

4,915.75-hectare property to HLI. In the present protest, aside from those properties conveyed to HLI, Tadeco is also the registered owner of the properties which were the subject of notices of coverage caused by DAR to be published in a newspaper on Dec. 17, 2013.

The Alyansa Ng Manggagawang Bukid Ng Asyenda Luisita Inc., an organization farmworkers in the sugar estate known as Hacienda Luisita, located in Central Luzon filed a petition seeking for the coverage of the subject properties under the agrarian reform program.

Mariano clarified the 358.22 hectares is outside the 4,915 hectares HLI property subjected to CARP by the Supreme Court.

“The contested land is fenced with barbed wires, and is heavily secured with guards armed with guns,” Pangulayan told reporters.

Be warm Poe still unsure of special powers to peace, AFP told

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the police and the military to be more “friendly” with the communist rebels to give the peace talks a chance to succeed.

In a late night speech in Davao City on Wednesday, Duterte said: “I’m joining the Communist Party of the Philippines in its desire to seek peace for this nation.

“In the same manner, I am ordering the Armed Forces of the Philippines, including the Philippine National Police, that as of today, we have a ceasefire. So we avoid hostile actions against each other, we do not go into any antagonistic behavior in front of whoever.”

“I am encouraging people in government: the military and the police to be friendly with the forces of the revolutionary government of the Communist Party of the Philippines,” he added.

On Wednesday, the government and the communist rebels resumed formal peace negotiations in Oslo, Norway.

They have acknowledged three of five substantive issues for the peace talks to proceed, including a formal commitment to accelerate the process of forging a political settlement during Duterte’s administration.

John Paolo Bencito

SENATOR Grace Poe, chairman of the Senate Committee on public services, is not convinced President Rodrigo Duterte should be given emergency powers to solve the traffic problems gripping Metro Manila and other cities in the country.

“We still cannot say because they have not submitted what’s really their problem, their projects;

so we cannot tell if we can already give [him the] emergency power,” she said Thursday after presiding over the hearing on the grant of emergency power, attended by officials of the Department of Transportation and Metro Manila Development Authority.

She noted that emergency powers should have specific time frame, clear and specific scope to ensure that it will not curtail-freedom.

She clarified that the Senate

and the House of Representatives will also have the right to suspend the emergency powers of Duterte if it’s not properly implemented and will be used for other purposes.

According to Poe, they will need two weeks to prepare (a recommendation) as they still plan to invite mayors to know the impact on their constituencies.

But Poe believes emergency powers are needed in the acqui-

sition of right of way to speed up the infrastructure projects that will improve the country’s transport system.

The Department of Transportation, the proponent of the emergency powers for President Duterte, said it needs a total P200 billion to cover infrastructure projects, of which P150 billion was intended for railway system that will decongest traffic in Metro Manila roads.

CHIEF Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno on Thursday voiced concern over the situation of impunity arising from the spate of extrajudicial killings attributed to the intensified anti-drug campaign of the Duterte administration.

“I am alarmed by the situation of impunity in our country whereby our court processes are not effected by law enforcement agencies,” Sereno said, during her annual Meet the Press forum to mark her fourth year in office.

Even the New York Times published on Sunday an editorial cartoon showing President Rodrigo Duterte holding a shoulder-launched assault weapon, targeting a wormy apple on the head of the man representing the Philippines.

The image is the latest take of a foreign news organization on the state of the drug war in the Philippines.

Sereno also expressed convern at the security of judges and journalists.

“I view the security of our judges very seriously. Since January 1999 up to date, a total of 26 judges have already been slain in service,” she said.

Sereno also cited the case involving the 2005 killing of journalist Marlene Esperat and other criminal cases where arrest warrants issued by regional trial courts were not enforced by police.

“It is difficult for the courts, if after bravely issuing arrest warrants, the police will not effect it,” she said.

According to her, the judiciary has been doing its part to protect constitutional rights of the people and make sure due process is observed.

“We are very proactive— as proactive as we can be—in trying to ensure constitutional rights are to be respected but you must remember that our role comes in when a justiciable controversy is before us,” she stressed.

But she lamented that the courts’ actions to address impunity are limited as these are dependent on cooperation of law enforcers, especially in cases of writs of habeas data, habeas corpus and amparo.

“You must remember that the judiciary does not have a single field investigation officer. It keeps on requesting help and issuing directives to the investigating agencies. And the hope of the people is that they will do their mandate,” she said.

Sereno also assured that the judiciary is addressing the illegal drug menace within its power.

Manila

Duterte rules out Bangsamoro army

Standard

TODAY

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ruled out the formation of any regional armed forces and police under the proposed Bangsamoro enabling law to ensure its passage in Congress.

“What I cannot give...is the formation of a regional Armed Forces, and a regional armed Police. I’m sorry, I cannot give that,” Duterte said in another late Wednesday night press briefing in Davao City.

Duterte said: “Let me just stress also a point here: I am committed to give to the Moro people what I promised.

“Just remove the Constitutional issues in the [Bangsamoro Law] so that there won’t be anymore conflicts, no court, no litigation, no nothing; and if, in the fullness of God’s time, we’ll have a successful talk, we can have a Constitution that is [contains] whatever you want.”

Earlier, Duterte said he was “ready to concede” the Bangsamoro enabling law to achieve lasting peace in conflict-stricken Mindanao.

Duterte hopes Congress could pass a version of the law without the supposedly unconstitutional provisions of the failed Bangsamoro Basic Law which suffered a huge setback after an encounter between PNP Special Action Force and members of Moro Islamic Liberation Front resulted in the deaths of 44 police commandos and members of the Moro group on Jan. 25, 2015 in Mamasapano, Maguindanao.

Turnover and Blessing of Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) marked another year of apostolic productivity together with the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao as they completed the full reconstruction of the Our Mother of Perpetual Help Parish in Nannarian, Peñablanca, Cagayan. The parish is a half-century old and is the first chapel to be erected as a parish by Tuguegarao Archbishop Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, D.D. Both termite infestation and the growing number of mass goers pushed for its dire construction which the WCKF gladly undertook. In photo are (clockwise) Peñablanca Mayor Marilyn J. Taguinod, Parish Priest Fr. Josef Hugo Aggabao, Tuguegarao Archbishop Most Rev. Sergio L. Utleg, D.D. together with Executive Director of the WCKF, Mr. Alexander Wongchuking receiving the plaque of recognition from church and government officials.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Urban renewal

M

ETRO Manila—with all the chaos in traffic, crimes mostly associated with drug abuse, and squatters clogging its major waterways—definitely needs an urban redevelopment program.

The expanding economy is actually shaping the capital region into a typical modern metropolis dotted with many skyscrapers.

But Metro Manila has not developed into a megalopolis with a lush and green landscape, comparable with Tokyo, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

Previous government planners did not come up with a

comprehensive redevelopment plan for the capital region. Such a plan may have never taken off amid budget constraints, an ineffective Metro Manila Development Authority and the myopic approach of local government executives.

But it is not too late. The current administration can start redeveloping Metro Manila, or at least certain sections of it, in step with the demands of an expanding economy.

The government of President Rodrigo Duterte can start it off with the recommendations of the Japan International Cooperation

Agency in addressing the worsening traffic in Metro Manila.

Jica has favored the relocation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the Manila North Harbor to decongest the capital region.

The transfer of the two major facilities will prompt the government to provide a seamless and integrated transportation system that will require additional roads or a rail network for the affected commuters.

The relocation of the harbor, meanwhile, will provide the capital city of Manila an opportunity to redevelop the 600-hectare wa-

terfront property into a possibly mixed-used project. Manila can also use part of the proceeds from the conversion of the estate to finance a massive low-cost housing program around the Tondo area and partly rid itself of the slums that often depict the city.

An urban renewal program will be a tough job to do, given the the enormous budget needed to implement it and the political divisions within Metro Manila. President Duterte, however, should initiate the process soon if his administration wants to introduce real change as he promised during the campaign season.

Is China’s super-bus a scam?

By Adam Minter

Kuwait BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO IT’S literally a killing job if you’re a domestic helper in Kuwait.

Our domestic workers deployed in oil-rich Kuwait are fleeing their abusive employers almost daily. There is rising demand to stop the DH deployment but only on a temporary basis. A moratorium had been imposed before for the same reason of hostile working conditions, but after a few months the Department of Labor and Employment and the Department of Foreign Affairs allowed the redeployment to Kuwait. Are we that desperate that we would allow our people to be fed into the meat grinder?

Labor recruitment agencies whose primary concern is the money earned from these desperate-for-work Filipinos, are of course, opposing the moratorium move.

The Philippine ambassador to Kuwait, Renato Pedro de Villa, when interviewed by ABS-CBN Channel 2 on Tuesday, appeared unperturbed. He said conditions of the migrants are being monitored and the Embassy is working with Kuwaiti officials to talk to the employers. It’s doubtful these Kuwaiti employers will change their abusive treatment of foreign household help.

Our domestic workers, particularly women are raped, beaten, maltreated and not fed well despite working more than eight hours a day.

A 35-year-old Filipino maid in Saudi Arabia, Irma Avila Edloy was repeatedly raped by her Arab employer. She eventually died in a hospital after suffering from the trauma of the sexual violence. Another Pinay domestic, Rehana Bayan, also died after being raped by her Arab employer. That her family name is Bayan is symbolic of the rape and abuse committed on our Filipino maids in the Kingdom. Although the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh initially doubted she was raped, it is now looking at

the fact that a heinous crime has, indeed, been committed. Our embassy officials, specially in the Middle East, should be more vigilant against crime of this nature. Our poor workers who go the Middle East looking for work often come home in a coffin.

Yet, when Filipinos are the

Are we that desperate that we would allow our people to be fed into the meat grinder? ones who commit a crime, they are for sure beheaded under Islamic law.

These incidences of violence against women is not only pervasive in Saudi Arabia but also in Kuwait. Some years ago,

a Filipino domestic helper in Dubai, Sarah Balabagan, killed her Arab employer for attempting to rape her. Through the intercession of the late Ambassador Roy Seneres who provided legal assistance, she was acquitted and was able to return to the Philippines.

War on drugs targets poor From the nearly 1,000 suspects killed in President Duterte’s war on drugs, it seems the campaign targets the poor. There is no rich, well-known personality who has been killed because he resisted arrest and fired at police. Although a list of top police generals and a Leyte town mayor have been bared by Duterte , they have not been summarily executed as the other small-time pushers and police “assets.” Almuera mayor Espinosa, who surrendered to PNP chief Ronald de la Rosa, was even allowed to stay in the former’s “white house” residence inside Camp Crame.

After posting bail, Espinosa returned to his post as mayo of Almuera. His son , Kerwin, Jr., also a drug trafficking suspect, is still at large.

The President has dropped another bombshell on Senator Leila de Lima, alleging she has a new boyfriend and is still receiving money from detained drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa. If Dutere’s plan is to turn De lima’s driver, Ronnie Dayan, against her, then the motive is clear. For sure, if it’s not only Dayan who might come forward to implicate De Lima. But unless documentary evidence is presented by the President, the case against the former justice secretary might not be enough.

Why does the House want Senator De Lima to appear in its probe of drug money and her alleged link? There is such as a thing as inter-parliamentary courtesy and Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III is right in not letting De Lima attend the House hearing. With the socalled “supermajority” in the lower chamber, Senator De Lima is good as toast if grilled by the congressmen.

VAT for senior citizens Senior citizens and persons with disability are aghast the

IT LOOKED like the future: a wide, elevated Chinese bus that would speed atop tracks straddling the road while multiple lanes of traffic flowed below. And the future looked surprisingly near. In early August, a prototype of the Transit Elevated Bus—or TEB—was tested in northern China.

Just as international excitement began to build, however, the TEB story went off the rails. According to China’s state media organs, previously big boosters of the project, the TEB was little more than a publicity stunt—one of the dozens of peer-to-peer lending scams that have duped retail Chinese investors in recent years by promising unreal annual returns.

The bus bust has thus become a symbol of a different— and far more damaging—kind of Chinese ingenuity. The TEB’s promoters promised investors 12-percent returns on their money, despite the fact that the prototype bus seemed likely to tip over, couldn’t clear most urban bridges and wasn’t tall enough to accommodate most vehicles underneath it.

They could get away with it in part because those kinds of numbers are par for the course in China’s P2P lending industry, which averaged returns of 13.3 percent in 2015.

Demand for such loans has exploded in recent years, growing in volume from $4.3 billion in 2013 to $71 billion in 2015.

The appeal is twofold. First, China’s big state-owned banks have traditionally focused their attention on other companies in the state sector, at the expense of consumers and small businesses. A budding entrepreneur, or a young couple looking to pay for a wedding, often had to rely on the goodwill and deeper pockets of friends and family, loan sharks and, more recently, unregulated “shadow” lenders that specialized in expensive, short-term loans.

Meanwhile, cash-rich Chinese are anxious to find yields higher than the anemic rates paid by China’s state banks, which typically fall below three percent.

China’s dodgy stock markets aren’t a terribly appealing alternative, while the attractiveness of Chinese real estate varies by region. In big cities where property can still produce good returns, the price of entry is oftentimes too rich for China’s middle classes. And for retirees looking for little more than a steady income, it’s too much of a gamble.

On the surface, P2P products seem like a tantalizing investment alternative, especially Turn to A5

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Opinion PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

State responsibility NOW we know.

President ally do not see how one can even Digong is fearsome when he is come close to pinning him down incensed. I hope, though, that for crimes against humanity.

What we should meaningfully he reins in the presidential temper and cuts back on the telecast be talking about however is the fulminations because fear and doctrine of “state responsibility.” respect are not necessarily the Any act or omission that violates same thing, and what a presi- an international obligation atdent needs really is the respect tributable to the State triggers state responsibility. It is true of the nation he leads.

I am not too sure how all this of course that the victims are talk about haling the President Filipinos. I do not have data on before the International Crimi- foreigners shot by police officnal Court that sits at The Hague ers and victimized by vigilantes. came about. I really do not But the execution before a fair know who started it all. The trial of anyone— Filipino or forICC, on which a kababayan— eigner—is not only a matter of and a personal friend—sits as Philippine municipal law, but of judge, Judge Raul Pangalangan international law. The Universal —is governed by the Treaty of Declaration of Human Rights— Rome, which is the Court’s stat- most of which is now part of ute, and exercises jurisdiction, customary international law— theoretically over four crimes, and such basic documents as the but actually only over three: Covenant on Civil and Political Genocide, crimes against hu- Rights clearly make of it an inmanity, war crimes and aggres- ternational wrong to deprive sion. Over cases under the last anyone of his life on the basis of heading, the ICC cannot take a mere suspicion that he is a pedany cognizance because there is dler, a manufacturer or a pusher. no settled definition of aggres- Since the police have themselves sion. Surprising, really, consid- admitted to killing suspects, alering that aggression has many beit with the defense that there times been charged against was violent resistance or threat other states, and has often been to their own lives, at least, the used as a pretext for interfering issue of state responsibility must in the affairs of others! Going be raised. This is why it does not to the ICC may at first sound help President Digong to make tempting to those who wish to rash statements that can be taken get back at Digong and his dra- as encouragement of summary conian ways, because rank and execution. It is important that official position are no obstacles on several occasions, he subseto prosecution before the court. quently clarified his remarks to But I do not see how legally make them fall within the ambit feasible that move can be. First of the recognized rights of suspects and of of all, one will have to charge the accused. the President In the case before the Interwith one of the national Court crimes over We stand to of Justice that which the court dealt with the has jurisdiction, lose too much if occupation by and mention has we pretend that militants of been made of “crimes against state responsibility the diplomatic premises in h u m a n i t y.”

Tehran, and But for these —and other the taking crimes, there is doctrines of of embassy what is known personnel as as a “chapeau international law hostages, the requirement”— court refused a basic prem- —do not matter to attribute ise: that there at all. to the state of is a systematic, Iran the initial widespread attack on a civiloccupation ian population. and hostageSo when a fanatical Christian taking, although the Ayatollah arms himself to the teeth and Khomeini had made remarks enopens fire on every Muslim couraging the student-militants village he passes by, there will to take whatever moves they be many deaths, and the dam- might deem needful against the age will be massive. But there US and Israel, Iran’s foes. The will be no crime against hu- court held that these were indemanity, although there cer- pendently initiated by militants tainly will be multiple murder who were not acting as agents or or, at least homicide, because servants of the state. However, the elements—widespread or the subsequent remarks of the systematic— are just not pre- Ayatollah announcing his apsent. The famed Akayesu case proval of the taking of hostages decided by the International and the continued occupation of Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda diplomatic premises made the required showing of a “common Iranian state responsible for the policy” so that attack may be continued detention of the hosconsidered “systematic”. As for tages and the violation of the im“widespread”, more than being munity of diplomatic premises. a matter of numbers, it is a mat- That is what often meant by attribution and imputability. ter of magnitude and scale.

We stand to lose too much if Now, obviously, those planning on the prosecution of the we pretend that state responsibilPresident before the ICC will ity—and other doctrines of interbring up the killings related to national law—do not matter at the aggressive—some will say all. Salvador Panelo and his cu“ruthless”—campaign against rious remarks (his reading of the drugs. Many policemen, after requisites of a declaration of marall, have admitted shooting the tial law is one sterling example) victims fatally because, it is al- notwithstanding, they do matter. most always alleged, they resist- And how the world looks at our ed arrest violently or attempted running dispute with China over to wrest the firearms of the ap- its refusal to honor a judgment prehending officers. Whatever rendered under international law the truth-value of this averment will depend a lot on whether we might be—rendered suspicious conduct ourselves in accordance by the frequency with which it is with law or not. I am not saying used — whoever wishes to indict that state responsibility lies, but I Digong will be hard put to prove do think it is the relevant doctrine a “systematic attack”—a policy that we should be discoursing on, of deadly assault on a civilian rather than speculating on the population. The police—and by chance of sending Digong to the reason of the chain of command dock at the Hague! At the same and organization, the President— time, we can use the reminder have on their side the penal laws that the resoluteness with which of the Philippines on the manu- we deal with the real menace that facture, peddling and vending of the narco-industry has become in drugs, and the enforcement of the the Philippines is meaningful and law and apprehension of offend- sustainable only in the context of ers are inherent appurtenances law, and that human rights are not to the sovereignty of a State. But a consideration to be dismissed in there are unknown perpetrators, cavalier fashion—the way Chito as well: the executioners in what Gascon is sometimes treated as a has come to be called “cardboard pesky interloper. These are rights justice”—after the cartolina plac- that have to do not only with our ards hung on the necks of the vic- laws, but with our commitment to tims announcing the drug-related the community of nations! “crimes.” Until it is proved that the President directed, abetted, rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph approved and encouraged this rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph vigilante killings, once more I re- rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

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Moguls should donate for drug rehab centers VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ ON AUGUST 11, San Miguel Corp. announced it was donating P1 billion to the Duterte administration to build drug rehabilitation facilities.

The gesture is unusual. First, because no company has done it before. It sets a precedent.

Second, because the amount involved is huge. P1 billion for drug addicts? What is the cost benefit of such a donation?

After listening to President Duterte’s 1 a.m.-to-3 a.m. press conference on Sunday, August 14, I now believe the SMC donation makes a lot of sense. The major companies in the Philippines should follow in SMC’s footsteps and make similar donations, preferably on the same scale as SMC’s.

In his press conference, Duterte was exasperated that the government has no money “to buy [or provide] beds, blankets, pillows, water, buildings, doctors, and nurses” for them. More than 600,000 have surrendered to authorities claiming they are drug users or drug dealers. Normally, a person will not incriminate himself. In the case of drug addicts, they do.

Why? Because they fear for their lives. If Duterte is not able to send them to drug rehab facilities, he might as well eliminate them, which is a more economical final solution. He doesn’t consider these people victims.

He thinks they are a menace to society. And they are. Still, while they may be criminals, but they are still people, entitled to

decent medical care from their government.

This is where the private sector can pitch in.

“In the fight against illegal drugs, rehabilitation is crucial to providing drug dependents a chance at restoring their lives and becoming part of the solution to a better Philippines,” SMC Vice chairman and president Ramon Ang explained when he made his astonishing donation. Between 2012 and 2014, SMC also spent P1 billion for a social cause—the construction of 5,000 houses for typhoon victims.

There are many companies as large and as financially endowed as SMC. Some of them employ huge bureaucracies trying to avoid or evade paying taxes to government. Of the Philippines’ 20 richest individuals, only two—Ramon Ang and Eduardo Cojuangco Jr., both of SMC—are in the Top 20 largest individual taxpayers.

Meanwhile, another company or individual has offered a huge chunk of his wealth to the government—for drug rehab facilities.

Roberto V. Ongpin has offered to donate P20 billion—the value of his holdings in beleaguered gaming firm PhilWeb in which he owns 53 percent.

According to Ongpin, P20 billion can build at least 1,000 state-of-the-art drug rehab centers nationwide.

Each drug rehab center, per PhilWeb studies, costs P20 million (provided it is built on existing government land or if existing health centers are converted around the country).

The President himself has said many times that doing away with drug lords and pushers is not enough to eliminate the drug menace successfully. An effec-

tive drug rehabilitation program must, therefore, be in place to complement it.

Each of Ongpin’s P20-million state-of-the-art rehab facilities can handle as many as 200 patients a year. He thinks these facilities can handle the entire population of 3.7-million addicts that Duterte says stalk the length and breadth of the land, victims or perpetrators of what he calls a pandemic of drug addiction.

Ongpin coursed his donation through the state-owned Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. which hands out gaming and casino licenses. On August 10, Pagcor canceled PhilWeb’s egaming license thus denying the latter a large source of revenue and profits. PhilWeb was running the e-gaming outlets on behalf of Pagcor, the actual owner of the outlets.

Strangely enough, Pagcor has rejected the P20-billion donation, taking its cue from Duterte who doesn’t seem to like the property and gaming tycoon, believing perhaps Ongpin is conducting grassroots-level electronic illegal gambling that hurts the poor and the penniless whom the President wants to rescue from the harm done by drug lords and gambling mega-lords.

If Ongpin wants to bankroll with his money the rehabilitation of the entire population of drug addicts, which effort is like cleaning the Augean stables, the government should let him walk the talk, take his money and proceed to build the 1,000 drug rehab centers that can be built with his P20-billion donation.

In my estimates, neither Ramon Ang’s P1 billion nor Ongpin’s P20 billion will be enough to build facilities to rehabilitate up to 3.7 million drug addicts.

At P20 million per drug rehab center, 200 inmates per facility staying for at least a year at a cost of P50,000 per inmate, and with 3.7-million drug addicts, you will need up to 18,000 drug rehab centers immediately, now.

The cost to build those centers?

Up to, maybe, P370 billion.

Ongpin’s P20-billion donation should have been accepted by Pagcor. It is sheer lunacy to reject it. It is denying at least 200,000 drug addicts their second chance to turn a new leaf and stop being a menace to society.

By the way, Ongpin insists PhilWeb has never engaged in illegal gambling. All the company’s revenues and facilities are approved and sanctioned by Pagcor. PhilWeb is merely a technology service provider to Pagcor.

If it is the government’s policy to also eradicate gambling, all of Pagcor’s licensees including the huge casinos in Pagcor City should be closed down. As a matter of fact, Pagcor itself needs to be abolished.

But this would also be sheer lunacy. Pagcor is the thirdlargest revenue earner for the government (after the BIR and BoC). Legalized gaming is allowed in many countries around the world and is a major source of revenue for them. The entire gaming industry provides employment to hundreds of thousands of Filipinos.

In considering offers of donations for drug rehab centers, Pagcor, and indeed, all government agencies, should not behave like drug addicts themselves, people lacking in reason and sound judgment. The task, after all, is Herculean. And there is only one Hercules. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Those were the days FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO AUGUST used to be a month when the entire Social Security System would be agog preparing to celebrate its September 1 anniversary.

SSS officials would have a long list of things to announce on that day—increase in pension, sickness, maternity and funeral expense benefits, liberalization of loan requirements, and innovations in service delivery.

They would also have condonation of contribution and loan delinquency penalties, new types of calamity loans, and creative investment strategies.

A high-ranking public official would be invited to formally announce them during the main anniversary program. But if SSS officials knew that these announcements would be significant, they would have patiently lobbied Malacañang months earlier to have the President deliver the main anniversary message.

The most anticipated would be the pension increase, which pensioners wanted to hear being announced as if it could still be increased a notch higher in the last minute.

The program would last for an hour, thus, a separate one would be held to recognize outstanding employers and banks for their contributions in the success of SSS projects in the previous year.

The SSS employees would

Is China’s..

From A4 when they’re linked to glitzy projects such as high-end real estate or futuristic, road-straddling buses.

But as far too many investors have learned in recent years, the opportunities for abuse are rife, with many lenders collecting funds before they ever have a targeted loan—or any intention of lending. In those cases, P2P might be better described as peer-to-Ponzi.

Late last year, China’s top banking regulator warned that over 1,000 of the country’s P2P lenders

Kuwait...

From A4 Duterte government is considering the abolition of the Value Added Tax exemption for them.

The VAT exemption is a buffer for senior citizens against the steep prices of medicines. To

have their own program late in the afternoon, where they’d perform the entertainment numbers themselves. But usually, celebrities would also come to spice up the celebration.

To advertise its achievements, SSS officials would call a press conference and publish a 4-page supplement in three major newspapers.

Indeed, SSS anniversary celebrations used to be fiesta time.

But in August this year, SSS employees and officials had barely prepared to celebrate their forthcoming 59th anniversary next week.

First of all, their president and board members have expired terms of office since June 30.

They are now occupying their positions on a mere hold-over capacity. After six years in office, they have become lame ducks.

This time, they cannot release to themselves any performancebased bonus for 2015, which amounted to almost a million pesos for each in the past. The Governance Commission for GOCCs has left pending the approval of its bonus.

The agency’s service delivery of its ID card releasing and pension processing has been unsatisfactory for some time now, and no matter how often its officials trumpeted their achievements in non-essential undertakings, complaints have kept pouring in large numbers. Thus, many are no longer surprised that SSS is consistently receiving the highest number of complaints from among callers in the newly-

opened hotline 8888 for public complaints of President Duterte.

SSS has again made the public worry about its financial position when news broke out that it had lost millions of contribution records due to a computer glitch.

Some even thought that it had lost not only records, but contributions as well.

SSS officials won’t admit that they had lost these records. According to them, they could manually recover them, anyway, from the agency’s antiquated microfilm record system.

Thus, they had been quietly re-encoding for years now these missing contributions in the five-year period 1985-1989, and re-computing pensions.

The maximum adjustment is five years x 2 percent or 10 percent of the average monthly salary credit and would thus amount to P1,000 per month for a P10,000 AMSC. How much have these adjustments amounted to? Three of my senior citizen friends have received their accumulated adjustments of more than P100,000 each. So far, 154,357 pensioners had already received their accumulated adjustments, and they amounted to P7.2 billion or nearly P50,000 each.

The reencoding job must be so massive that SSS officials could only commit its completion in June 2017.

SSS officials must now disclose the value of these recentlydiscovered financial obligations.

Otherwise, they must be compelled to make the disclosure by virtue of President Duterte’s

recently-issued Freedom of Information executive order.

Are these financial obligations the real reason why SSS officials are stubbornly refusing to grant the P2,000 pension increase?

They say that granting it would bankrupt the institution.

Many do not believe them.

President Duterte even promised during the campaign period that he’d grant it as soon as he got elected president. So far, however, he has not reiterated this promise nor initiated anything about its grant.

Perhaps, he is just waiting to sign into law any of the bills granting the increase that Senators Cynthia Villar and Antonio Trillanes and two dozen congressmen led by Rep. Ruffy Biazon have all filed in the current 17th Congress.

They are almost the carbon copy of each other. Sadly, however, none has hinted about how it would be funded.

Despite the gloomy realities that SSS is facing on its 59th anniversary, 2 million pensioners still see a glimmer of hope that they would receive that P2,000 pension increase. After all, this would be their first SSS anniversary under President Duterte.

Even half or a quarter of P2,000 would be enough to bring tears of joy and relief to them.

Instead, they would likely hear from defensive SSS officials a pedagogical lecture on why the increase would bankrupt it.

Yet, if only they were more dynamic and caring, they would seize the occasion to propose their solution on how to reform our now-Jurassic pension system.

were “problematic.” Not long after, Ezubo, once of the biggest, collapsed, taking $7.6 billion invested by 900,000 Chinese with it.

The idea for an elevated bus was cooked up long before anybody had heard of online P2P. In 2010, its inventor claimed that the TEB was about to undergo a much-touted trial in Beijing. That test was canceled amid doubts about the technology and the integrity of the people behind it.

Lacking funds, the TEB disappeared until the technology was acquired last year by Bai Zhiming, a property developer with no background in mass transit. He resuscitated the project using a P2P lending

platform, Huaying Kailai, that raised $26 million promising high returns to be paid out years in advance of any potential deployment of the technology. According to an executive at Huaying Kailai, at least 200 investors have now requested refunds.

As such scandals spread, the potential for a backlash among angry investors has Chinese leaders deeply worried. Earlier this year, the government began demanding that local officials shut down retail P2P storefronts and suspend registration of companies with finance-related names. State media is reporting that further regulations are in the works, including caps on loan size.

Yet frauds keep turning up, in part because the P2P industry isn’t just a local problem. Lenders operate across cities, regions and provinces, and tackling them requires a legal and technical sophistication that’s beyond the capabilities of many local governments. Ultimately, officials in Beijing are going to have to bring to bear the kind of regulatory firepower they already apply to the state-owned banking sector.

That’ll erode some of the dynamism that’s made Chinese P2P lending so attractive, not to mention bring down those ludicrous returns.

Some innovations, though, can ride a bit too high. Bloomberg

remove it would be like a death knell for senior citizens who depend a lot on medications that can help prolong their lives. Retired workers have contributed a lot of their services whether in the public or private sector. The automatic deductions from their salaries went into the Government Service Insurance System

and the Social Security System pension fund. Why deprive them of well-deserved perks?

Now retirees and the elderly are going to suffer so the Duterte administration can source the funds for the salary hikes the President promised policemen and soldiers at the forefront of his war on drugs.

The extrajudicial killings have been raised as a concern in the United Nations. Now it’s the European Union with which the Philippines do a lot of trade, threatening to review trade deals with Manila. Duterte cannot threaten to pull out the Philippines from the EU because the country is not a member of the EU.

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News

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Good to delay SK polls over cost, Rody agrees

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday expressed no objection to proposals to postpone the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections for at least a year, citing budget constraints.

“You know, it’s too expensive.

You know, the budget preparation is a one year’s work. I only entered in mid-stream, only halfway. I have many problems [to solve],” Duterte said in a press briefing Thursday.

“I don’t have money. I would be saving millions, as these officials would win anyway,” he added.

On Wednesday, Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, who heads the Senate committee on local government, said the barangay and Sangguniang

Kabataan elections will likely be postponed following overwhelming support for its deferment from Congress and other sectors.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday said he supports a joint resolution filed in Congress seeking the postponement of the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections initially scheduled in October.

Alvarez said holding off the elections would be practical.

“I think it’s just practical to post-

pone the elections because as we know, when there is an election, we cannot appoint or remove people from their posts,” he told reporters.

Several resolutions had been filed in the Lower House calling for the postponement of the village and youth polls slated for October.

Earlier, Citizens Battle Against Corruption (Cibac) party-list Rep. Sherwin Tugna, chairman of the House committee on suffrage and electoral reform admitted that majority of his colleagues in the House of Representatives would want to defer barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Tugna said this prompted his panel to conduct a hearing next week to reach a consensus on several proposals to suspend the scheduled Oct. 31, 2016 barangay and SK elections pursuant to

Section 1 of Republic Act 9164 as amended by RA 9340.

“During consultations with them, majority of lawmakers said they were in favor of resetting the barangay and SK polls,” Tugna earlier said. “But this is unofficial, we are waiting for the majority to take an official stand on the matter, possibly during a caucus.”

“By next week, we will start our initial deliberation on the matter,” Tugna said.

Bills deferring the twin elections were filed by Senators Angara, Alan Peter Cayetano, Leila de Lima and Joel Villanueva in the Senate, and L-Ray Villafuerte, Emmie Calixto Rubiano in the lower house.

Angara said the prevailing sentiment among stakeholders including local government unit, the National Youth Commission and

IN BRIEF Holidays in Cavite announced

the Department of the Interior and Local Government is for the deferment of the polls.

The Commission on Elections said the polls should be moved to a later date to avoid “election fatigue” in the country following the May national elections.

Still, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said the National Printing Office is “ready to start the printing of the 85 million ballots that will be used for the October barangay and SK polls” despite various proposals from Congress to postpone it.

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista said they are hoping to receive an advisory from Congress whether or not to push with the elections by the end of August so the Comelec can halt the preparations and the money spent would not be wasted.

‘Politics blocking Marcos burial’

Duterte: Quietude at Asean

Special polls for Senate a possibility WORK AT THE MILL. Leyte Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez (right) chats with House Minority Leader Rep. Danilo Suarez (left) and Deputy Speaker Rep. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (center) during the privilege hour at Congress on Thursday. Romualdez is the author of House Bill 342 seeking to establish a National Cancer Center of the Philippines. Ver Noveno

PH has 13,000 kidney failures yearly

By Cathrine Mae V. Gonzales surpassing inflammation which live a normal life,” the physician Uriarte added.

AROUND 13,000 new cases of kidney failure are recorded every year, but patients who receive organ transplants has plateaued to only around three percent of the figure, physicians said Thursday.

Kidney experts bared this data as they also launched the Renal Gift Allowing Life for Others (Regalo) advocacy that aims to increase awareness of kidney donation and encourage more Filipi nos to become organ donors.

To date, diabetes and hypertension, which are both lifestyle diseases, are now the top causes of kidney failures in the country,

was previous primary cause.

“Kidney donors in the country are not sufficient,” said Dr. Romina Danguilan, Regalo organizing committee head.

Filipinos who undergo kidney dialysis continue to increase by 15 percent every year, but Danguilan noted that organ donation remains the most preferable treatment for its lasting effects.

“In kidney transplant, you get a better survival and a higher quality of life,” she said.

The advocacy also targets to clear the “myths” on organ donation, such as health and social threats to the donor.

“All of us have two kidneys, but we can donate one and still

explained.

But organ donation in the country still suffers from bumps, including contradicting policies, lack of information, misconceptions and lack of inclusive support from health groups, said Dr. Remedios Uriarte, executive director of the Kidney Foundation of the Philippines. “[The process] is hard. We don’t just need financial assistance. We need other groups and individuals to work with us,” she said.

“The longer we become indifferent, the more [end-stage renal disease] patients will be deprived of transplantation and the more they will die,”

Former President Fidel Ramos, who also lost one of his kidneys in 1950 but continues to lead a productive life for 66 years now, urged Filipinos to help those who need transplants.

“Giving up one of your organs is daring for [the sake of] others, for our country, for those in need,” he said. “Let us replicate the message of caring, giving, sharing, and daring. This is our duty as Filipinos.”

The doctors also noted that both living and deceased donors can help fill the gap in organ donation. Living donors will undergo serum creatinine or blood test, urinalysis, and blood pressure examination.

THE Commission on Elections may issue writs of election to fill any vacancy in the Senate should a senator resign in disgrace or dies in office.

“The Comelec will hold a special election to fill a Senate vacancy,” said an official of Comelec’s Law Department, who asked not to be identified for lack of authority to speak on the matter. “The nearest or closest candidate to the last winning senatorial candidate cannot assume the vacancy unlike to local elected officials such as city councilors.”

He said only those candidates who ran but lost in the last election are allowed to run in the special election that should be held within 60 to 100 days after the vacancy occurs.

Govt offers legal aid to Filipina in Brussels

By John Paolo Bencito PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte vowed to make a “soft landing” in his first international trip as President, since he felt that the 28th and 29th Association on Southeast Asian Nations Summit scheduled in September was not the venue for attacking China.

“There are critical issues but it is not the proper time to be ranting, raising hell or whatever. We are better off just, you know, biding our time,” Duterte said Thursday in Davao City.

The President warned, however, that the Philippines and other Southeast Asian countries will stand by the arbitration ruling that debunked China’s nine-dash-line claims. The arbitration court ruled that China had no historical title over the South China Sea and it had breached the Philippines’ sovereign rights.

“I’ll go to Laos and I will avoid talking about the issue. Now, if another country brings the matter up, that is not within my control. My participation there is to listen to the issues confronting the Asean,” Duterte said.

BI arrests 98 fugitives THE Bureau of Immigration’s sustained campaign against criminals and suspected terrorists has netted nearly a hundred foreign fugitives during the first seven months of the year.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said the 98 foreign fugitives arrested from January to August 10 is more than double the 43 wanted aliens who were apprehended in the same period last year.

Morente said that last month alone when the bureau started to operate under his watch, a record 26 foreign fugitives were arrested by immigration agents belonging to the bureau’s fugitive search unit. Five more fugitives were collared in the first week of August.

By John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday said the Liberals who continue to oppose the burial of the late Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani were politicizing, and insisted that he will enforce the law on heroes’ burials.

Meanwhile, congressmen belonging to the minority remain optimistic the Supreme Court would eventually allow the burial.

Saying that he would no longer argue with those who oppose his decision to bury the late strongman in the cemetery for heroes, Duterte said that politics was the only thing that is blocking it.

“I will explain it to you once again.

I am serious. This issue has divided the nation. Ilocanos who are Filipinos too resent the opposition to the burial. The Yellows [Liberals] like my late mother oppose it because of Martial Law issues,” he added.

“You’re crazy. I do not care.

That’s what the law is telling. I’m a lawyer, and the law says president or a soldier. Now, you’re telling me that he’s not a hero. Who we are to say that? This is not the time of the Japanese Occupation. Who we are to dispute? To answer questions, there’s an official who gave him a medal. So why are you insisting that he’s not a hero?” Duterte asked.

The President said that even if the Marcos were not given medals for his war feats, he (Duterte) would still enforce the law.

House Minority Leader and Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez on Thursday expressed strong optimism that the SC at the proper time will allow former President Ferdinand Marcos to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City.

MALACAÑANG on Thursday announced special nonworking holidays in Cavite City in celebration of their cityhood anniversaries.

Proclamation No. 52 signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on August 23 declared special non-working days in the Cavite City in celebration of their 76th Charter Anniversary and 445th Foundation Year on September 24.

The city used to be the provincial capital of Cavite from the latter’s establishment in 1614 until 1954, when it was transferred to Trece Martires City near the center of the province.

John Paolo Bencito

By Sara D. Fabunan

ROLE OF CHINA. Chinese Academy of Social Sciences director and professor Zhang Yuyan talks about the economic situation of China at a forum on the Role of China in Global Economic Affairs at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City. Ey Acasio

THE Philippine government will still provide legal assistance to a 52-yearold Filipina who stabbed three people in the Belgian capital of Brussels.

Department of Foreign Affairs spokesman Charles Jose, however, said the Filipina whose name was withheld from the press may escape from criminal charges once the Brussels police proves that she is suffering from mental illness.

“She ran amuck. Good thing no one died...she will be undergoing psychological exams to determine her mental state,” Jose told reporters Thursday.

The Filipina reportedly

stabbed a person in a shopping mall and two others on a bus.

A policeman shot her twice after she got off the bus and resisted arrest. Jose said the woman was now comatose but her condition was stable. Once the suspect’s condition stabilizes and when she recovers, she will undergo a series of psychiatric tests to determine her mental status.

The DFA spokesman said that once she was proven to be mentally incapable, the suspect may escape criminal charges.

Jose said they are determining whether the suspect was an overseas worker, a tourist, or a permanent resident.

The officer who is han-

dling the case said that “terrorism is not the most likely case.”

The Brussels authorities said the Filipina is facing an attempted murder charge.

“The result of the psychiatric test will decide whether or not she will be charged. And if the victims file a case against her, we are ready to provide legal assistance,” Jose assured.

“But if the psychiatric tests reveal that she is not mentally stable, she may not be charged,” he added.

Since a man ran over and killed 85 people in Nice, France in July on Bastille Day and the suicide bombing in Brussels in March, European nations have been on high alert.

Sports

A7

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Day aims to defend Barclays title

L

OS ANGELES—World number one Jason Day headlines the marquee trio at this week’s The Barclays tournament which kicks off the first round of the PGA Tour playoffs.

Defending champion Day is joined by Dustin Johnson and Adam Scott at the event which will cut the FedEx Cup playoff field to 100 and give others a chance to bid for spots in the Ryder Cup. Also in the field of 121 is Justin Rose who is fresh off winning the gold medal in the Rio Olympics. Rose will tee it up on Thursday at Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, New York in a

group with Zach Johnson and Kyle Reifers.

Australia’s Day, Johnson, of the US, and Scott have combined for seven wins this season and are the top three players in the playoff standings.

All three are coming off a break, having not played since last month’s PGA Championship in New Jersey.

Scott is trying to get back to the form that saw him win two

CHARITY OPERATIONS. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office Vice-Chairman and General Manager Atty. Jose Ferdinand Rojas II (center) briefs the charity operations to Senator Manny Paquiao (right) during the organizational meeting of the Committee On Games And Amusement, chaired by Sen. Panfilo Lacson . At left is PCSO Board of Director Francisco Joaquin III. Joseph Muego

Wild Spikers’ Turf semifinal race up PERPETUAL Help and Na- tougher assignment against the tional University gear up for a Eagles on Monday. fierce showdown for the first The Tigers will close out their semifinal berth while Far East- elims campaign against also-ran ern U and La Salle prime up for Emilio Aguinaldo College Gentheir own duel next week as the erals next Wednesday. race to the Spikers’ Turf SeaThe Taneo brothers, Rey son 2 Collegiate Conference and Relan, along with Manuel semis heats up at The Arena in Doliente, libero Jack KalingkSan Juan tomorrow (Saturday). ing and setter Warren Catipay The Altas, Bulldogs, Tams are expected to lead the Altas’ and Archers are all charge against the tied at 3-1 in Group Bulldogs, who are Games tomorrow (The Arena, San Juan) A elims with the top tipped to be led by the a.m. – SBC vs NCBA two advancing to the 1210 power-hitting duo of noon – Perpetual vs NU Final Four, making Bryan Bagunas and the Perpetual-NU Madzlan Gampong and FEU-La Salle duels a pair along with Kim Malabunga, of KO matches for the coveted libero Ricky Marcos and playberths in the mid-season confer- maker Kim Dayandante. ence organized by Sports Vision La Salle, meanwhile, will be and backed by Accel as official headed by the crisp-hitting Rayoutfitter. mark Woo, Arjay Onia, Cris The Archers and the Tams Dumago, Mike Frey and setter dispute the other slot next Geuel Asia with guest player RaWednesday. fael Del Pilar hoping to step up The Group B race, meanwhile, along with top libero Jopet Movis reduced to a three-team battle ido, who leads the league in digs although defending champion is with 3.31 norm per set. assured of a playoff for the other But FEU remains a tough riFinal Four seat with a 4-0 slate. val with the Tams to rely on the University of the Philippines veteran Greg Dolor, top blocker and University of Santo Tomas, Paul Bugaoan, Richard Solis, toting identical 3-1 slates, are set Jude Garcia and Joel Cayaban to slug it out for the other slot al- along with libero Rikko Marmethough the Maroons will have a to and setter Kris Silang.

Canino, Capilitan top Shell chessfest in CDO ROMEO Canino dominated his last three matches to snare the juniors’ crown, while Euniel Capilitan sustained his form to nail the kiddies’ title in the 24th Shell National Youth Active Chess Championship’s Northern Mindanao leg held at the Cyberzone of SM City Cagayan de Oro last Sunday.

Canino, half-a-point behind Aaron Caresosa after six rounds, swept his last three games, including a final-round romp over Marc Villarojo, as the Liceo de Cagayan University stalwart emerged solo champion in the 13-16 category with 8.5 points.

Aldin Ranario of MOGCHS, tied with Canino heading into the last three rounds of the Swiss system tournament sponsored by Pilipinas Shell, racked up 2.5 points, including a final-round victory over Ronald Canino, to finish second with 8 points and clinch the other berth in the national finals.

On hand during the awards rites were Melanie Bularan, Social Performance and Social Investment Manager of Pilipinas Shell, and Shell Active chess alumnus Randolf Christopher Dalauta, now with the Engineering Department of Xavier University, along with Shell executives Janot Barretto, Social Perfomance Advisor of Pilipinas Shell, Rocci Litao, Social Perfomance Assistant of Pilipinas Shell, Janice Manzon, Execu00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ tive Assistant of Vice President for External Relations of Pilipinas Shell.

00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ Caresosa sputtered at the finish, scoring just 1.5 points in the last three DIGITS 00-00-00-00-00-00 rounds and fell short at third with 7.5 points and DIGITS 00-00-00 missed the grand finals, which features the top finishers of the five-leg EZ2 00-00 nationwide elims.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/49 6/42 6 3 2

straight tournaments earlier this season in Florida. He has just one top-10 finish since those victories.

In 2012, Johnson tied for third at this event, the last time it was held at Bethpage, located 62 kilometres (39 miles) east of New York.

England’s Rose is entering the playoffs at number 51 in the FedEx Cup standings.

So the first Olympic golf champion since 1904 has some work to do in the next three weeks because he must get into the top 30 to qualify for the Tour Championship.

“I really enjoyed my Olympic experience,” Rose said. “I was obviously one of the golfers ex-

cited about the prospect of going down there to Rio, and just embracing representing your country and embracing being an Olympian.

“And obviously now to come away with a gold medal and be called Olympic champion is quite clearly just a huge carrot.”

Phil Mickelson will be seeking his first win of 2016 on a course where he has had a couple of noteworthy second-place finishes. He was runner-up at both the 2002 and 2009 US Opens.

American Patrick Reed enters this week on the bubble for the Ryder Cup. Reed is clinging to the eighth and final automatic qualifying spot. AFP

Roger, Rafa to team up NEW YORK—Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will play doubles together in a new competition pitting Europe against the Rest of the World in a Ryder Cupstyle tennis team event.

The Laver Cup was launched in New York on Wednesday with Federer and Nadal, who have won 31 Grand Slam titles between them, both committed to the event which will be held for the first time in Prague from September 22-24 next year.

Former Grand Slam heavyweights Bjorn Borg and John McEnroe will be the captains.

Organizers of the tournament,

named after Rod Laver, the last man to achieve the calendar Grand Slam in 1969, are hopeful that the current top two in the world—Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray— will also be persuaded to play.

The new tournament would likely be played just a week after the Davis Cup semi-finals.

“It’s going to be unbelievable to be on the same side of the net as Rafa finally. It’s a great feeling not facing the big forehand,” said 35-year-old Federer, who attended the launch despite injury ruling him out of the US Open which starts in New York on Monday. AFP

Sports

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

Orlan Sumcad (right) looks ahead after a solid drive on No. 10, while Marvin Dumandan checks his distance on the third fairway.

Perpetual stays in hunt for twice-to-beat bonus

By Peter Atencio

B

RIGHT Akhuetie tallied 15 points and Gab Dangagon added 12 as the University of Perpetual Help Altas put away the winless College of St. Benilde Blazers, 70-45, on Thursday at The Arena in San Juan.

This handed the Altas their ninth triumph in 13 games in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament, putting them in contention for a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four semifinals.

They are now close behind the Arellano University Chiefs, who

have a 9-2 slate in second place.

The Altas’ zone defense forced the Blazers to 11 turnovers in the second half. They outrebounded them, 19-11, in their effort to bounce back from a 55-71 setback they suffered at the hands of the San Sebastian Stags last week.

“Galing kami sa talo. So kailangan gawin ng lahat ang tama. Sa defense, at least 90 percent at umayos naman,” said Altas coach Jimwell Gican.

Ardy Dizon had 11 points, while Prince Eze made 10 for the Altas, who led by as much as 31 points.

In another senior game, the Arellano University Chiefs, led

by Jiovani Jalalon with 21 points, repeated comebacks to turn back the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 83-74, and catch up with the San Beda Red Lions in the lead with their 10-2 slate.

The Generals turned the ball over six times and scored only

Games Today

(The Arena in San Juan) 12 nn San Sebastian vs Mapua 2 p.m. Lyceum vs JRU 4 p.m. Letran vs San Beda

one of two charities in the last three minutes, allowing the Chiefs to escape with a ninepoint lead at endgame.

In the junior division, the Mapua Red Robins and the La Salle Greenhills Greenies posted contrasting victories and stayed on track for Final Four semifinal berths.

Jasper Salenga led three others in double-digits as he fired 21 points for the Red Robins, who smashed the University of Per-

petual Help Junior Altas, 92-82.

The Greenies banked on the big plays of Unique Naboa in the last period to repulse the Letran Squires, 71-69.

The Robins stayed behind co-leaders, the Arellano Braves and the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs, after clinching their 10th win in 12 matches.

Salenga, who fought off cramps in the last period, struck hardest in the first half, making eight in the first period as he led the Red Robins to a 27-18 edge.

Then, he combined for 16 points with Romuel Junsay as they widened their edge to 13, 53-40, at halftime.

Along with the honor, Diaz also received some P1.4 million from congressmen as added cash incentive for ending the country’s 20-year Olympic medal drought.

“Please allow me to take this moment of pride to urge this august chamber to join me in the pursuit of legislation that will cater to the development of sports in our country,” said Romero, who was one of the officials of the PH delegation during the London Games four years ago being the head of the shooting association then.

“I’m doubly lucky as our PH flag bearer then was Diaz and she was the one who ended the country’s 20 years of agonizing wait,” said Romero.

“Hidilyn’s dream now is to use her reward money to buy

a lot across from their home and turn it into a gym for children. May I quote from Ms. Hidilyn Diaz’s own words: ‘This is the time to promote sports in the grassroots level,’” said Romero.

“Expect many of our athletes to make serious attempts to bring home international competition honors soon. They will surely draw inspiration from what Diaz has been reaping so far,” said Romero.

The 5-foot Diaz was earlier accompanied by her own congressman Celso Lobregat, who led her to Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and other key leaders of the chamber.

Diaz is the second athlete to receive the gold-plated Medal of Distinction after boxing icon and now Senator Manny Pacquiao.

Foton PH absorbs back-to-back losses FOTON Pilipinas absorbed a pair of sorry setbacks, but these did not dampen team spirit in its campaign in the 2016 Select Tuna Thailand Volleyball League at the Wi Sommai gymnasium in Sisaket Province, Thailand.

The Tornadoes fell prey to Bangkok Glass, 20-25, 22-25, 2520, 18-25, on Thursday following a three-set meltdown to EPA Sisaket, 13-25, 10-25, 18-25, in their debut late Wednesday in this prestigious tourney that serves as warm up for the AVC Asian Women’s Club Championship set from Sept. 3 to 11 at the Alonte Sports Center in Binan, City.

Foton Pilipinas head coach Fabio Menta said the twin setbacks was highly expected as they have yet to find their rhythm and develop their chemistry, especially with the inclusion of imports Ariel Usher and Lindsay Stalzer as well as guest players Jen Reyes of Petron, Aby Marano of F2 Logistics and Jovelyn Gonzaga of RC Cola-Army.

Gonzaga, however, didn’t make the trip as she failed to secure a travel permit from the Philippine Army, while prized middle blocker Jaja Santiago also stayed behind as she had to attend to some pressing academic matters at National University.

LIPA City, Batangas—Orlan Sumcad shouldered himself past Jay Bayron and Marvin Dumandan with a blistering charge at Mt. Lobo and shot a six-under 66 to grab a twostroke lead over the erstwhile joint leaders midway through the P2 million ICTSI Classic here yesterday.

Sumcad used his power off the tee and superb iron play to set up birdie chances but surprisingly made the long ones and flubbed a couple from shorter range on a surface that has started to firm up after days of rain.

Still, his 31-35 card proved enough for the long-hitting Bacolod shotmaker to wrest control at eight-under 136, counting his opening 70, putting him 36 holes away from finally nailing the elusive win on the country’s premier tour sponsored by ICTSI. “My ball-striking and iron play clicked, made some long putts but missed the shorter ones,” said Sumcad, who has turned in seven top 10 finishes in the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., including a joint runner-up with Zanieboy Gialon in the ICTSI Forest Hills Championship last June.

He tries to stay on top and in the hunt for the top P360,000 purse as he slugs it out with Bayron and Dumandan in the featured threesome today after the Davaoeño shotmakers carded similar 71s and remained tied for the second straight day at 138.

Mars Pucay, tied with Sumcad at fourth at the start of the round, made one brief charge at Mt. Malipunyo with a 33, added another birdie on No. 1 but bogeyed two of the last seven holes and settled for another 70 for solo fourth at 140, four shots off the pace.

Clyde Mondilla, who also opened with an eagle-spiked 70, fumbled early with a double-bogey and bogey from No. 5 but fought back with three straight birdies and gunned down another on No. 14 to save a 71 and tied obscure Erwin Arcillas, who fired a 69, at fifth at 141.

Jhonnel Ababa and Elmer Salvador also shot 69s to tie Gialon and Charles Hong, who carded 70s, and Dutch Guido Van der Valk, who matched par 72, at seventh at 142 while Rico Depilo and Cassius Casas turned in a pair of 70s, Albin Engino made a 71 and Jobim Carlos sputtered with a 73 for joint 12th at 143.

Vigil back for UP Maroons

More laws for athletes pushed 1PACMAN Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero has vowed to create more laws that will not only give additional financial incentives for athletes and coaches, but also build state-of-the-art facilities to help spur the growth of sports in the country.

The PBA team owner, in his privilege speech last Wednesday, also called on fellow members of Congress to heed the yearnings and passion of Rio Games silver medal Hidilyn Diaz for a genuine grassroots’ sports programs.

“Let us help this courageous champion and make double time in our own work herein the hallowed halls of Congress,” said Romero as he led the Congress in awarding Diaz the Congressional Medal of Distinction.

Sumcad seizes 2-shot golf lead

Hidilyn Diaz shows off the silver medal she won in women’s 53-kilogram competition in weightlifting in the Rio Games in Brazil. With her are 1Pacman Party-list Rep. Mikee Romero (left) and Zamboanga City Rep. Celso Lobregat.

League leaders TNT, Mahindra clash

By Jeric Lopez A CLASH of league-leaders is bound to take place as top-ranked TNT Katropa faces a stiff challenge from upstart second-running Mahindra in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. Consistently keeping their places at the top the entire tournament, the still unscathed Tropang Texters (6-0) and the surprising Enforcers (5-2) finally get the chance to test each other when they collide at 4:15 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

Following this, an important match between NLEX (3-4) and Phoenix (2-4) takes place at 7 p.m., with both teams needing a win to enhance their chance of making it in the Top 8.

While Talk ‘N Text is enjoying its

Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum): 4:15 p.m. - Mahindra vs. TNT Katropa 7 p.m. - Phoenix vs. NLEX

place at the top with its unbeaten record, the Enforcers are currently in a three-way tie for second place with Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel.

Still, Texters’ coach Jong Uichico said that despite his team’s stand, there’s still a lot of work to be done as they aim to finish as high as they can in the elimination round.

“Malayo pa ‘yan. We’re in a good place, but we still want to win as many games as we can to get the best placing for the playoffs,” he said.

These two teams are almost secured of a spot in the quarterfinals.

Regardless of the result, the Tropang Texters, who whipped

the Fuel Masters, 124-117, last Friday in their last win, will remain in first place. A win for them, though, will formalize their entry into the quarterfinals.

The game is vital for the teams upstairs who are shooting for a Top 4 finish to clinch a twice-tobeat incentive in the next phase.

Should Mahindra, which is coming off a dominant 97-88 drubbing of Blackwater last Sunday, pull off yet another upset win, it will put itself in a really good spot to finally clinch its first playoffs berth in franchise history.

“The players are really playing inspired and we are all motivated to finally make the playoffs. We need to keep our focus and continue what we’ve started,” said Mahindra deputy coach Chris Gavina.

MAINSTAY Louie Vigil will be back for one final season for the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers in the coming 79th season of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament, which fires off Sept. 4 Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Now the skipper of the team, Vigil will not be affected by a new league ruling which lowers the age limit of its athletes from 25 to 24.

He will be joined by veterans Kent Lao, Jamil Sherriff, Marvin Bonleon, Marvin Lee and Jeepy Faundo.

New coach Boy Sablan has assembled a lineup which will also have 10 players coming from Team B, and this includes slotman William Afoakwah, Zachary Huang, Joco Macasaet, Jason Strait, Regie Basibas, Oliver de Guzman, Justin Arana,Enrique Caunan and Tsutomo Tateshi.

The Growling Tigers are set to take on the Ateneo Blue Eagles at 4 p.m. in their opening game at 4 p.m., also on Sunday.

The University of the Philippines Maroons will take on the Adamson Falcons earlier at 2 p.m.

Vigil averaged 9.3 points for the Tigers last season and became one of the starters after Kevin Ferrer, Ed Daquiaog and Karim Abdul, who are the Top 3 scorers of the squad last year, finished their college eligibility.

According to the newly released schedule, the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws will start their campaign by playing the La Salle Green Archers on Sept. 7.

The rivalry between Ateneo and La Salle will be on Oct. 2.

Peter Atencio

Petron readies P20-b fixed rate bond issue B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

B1

Duterte backtracks on gaming S

HARE prices of PhilWeb Corp. and Leisure & Resorts World Corp. soared in Thursday trading after President Rodrigo Duterte said he might allow online gambling to resume with some conditions.

Shares of PhilWeb, which used to supply software to government-licensed Internet gambling cafes, jumped by the 50 percent daily limit to P8.10 at the close of trading, the most since August 1999. Leisure & Resorts, the country’s largest operator of electronic bingo games, also surged 50 percent.

The companies said in separate statements to the stock exchange they were unaware of the reason for the surge in their shares.

Philippine gaming shares have plummeted since the start of July, after Duterte ordered a stop to online gaming at his first cabinet meeting. The nation’s gaming agency said on Aug.

19 it won’t issue new permits or renew licenses for both electronic bingo and games. PhilWeb slumped as much as 49 percent on that day and Leisure & Resorts plunged the most in almost eight years. Duterte said Thursday he might reconsider the ban if operators pay “proper” taxes and electronic casinos are located away from schools and churches.

“There’s hope for online gaming stocks after Duterte’s comments,” said Harry Liu, president of Summit Securities Inc. “All these government policies are already there, gaming companies just have to follow them. If they

play it straight and ensure there’s no hanky-panky, they can stay out of trouble.”

Duterte, who was elected president in May and took office June 30, said earlier this month he planned to “destroy the oligarchs that are embedded in government.”

Former PhilWeb chairman Roberto Ongpin, singled out by Duterte in his campaign to end the influence of big businesses on the government, had offered to donate his stake in the company to the state.

“We have to go back and clarify” with the President, Philippine Amusement & Gaming Corp. chief executive officer Andrea

Domingo said in an interview on Thursday. “We are ready with a more reasonable, more stringent and a more socially responsible set of requirements for e-Games and e-Bingos.”

Domingo said 169 out of 350 bingo stations have violated the requirement that the site must be at a 200-meter radius from a school and church. The regulator may also extend this to 500 meters and a site must not stand alone but must be in three-star hotels, malls or arcades, she said.

Operators must also be corporations and not single proprietorships, she added.

PSe comPoSite index

PhilWeb may seek a permit from the gaming agency to operate electronic casinos again, president Dennis Valdes said on Wednesday, reacting to Duterte’s comment.

Leisure & Resorts controls 35 percent of the Philippines’ bingo market, with 8,585 e-bingo machines installed across the archipelago as well as more than 100 bingo halls. Online bingo is the most popular form of electronic gambling in the country, making up three-quarters of Internet gaming revenue in the first half, data from the gaming agency show. Bloomberg

IN BRIEF

Closing August 25, 2016

8300

ORE slams order

7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,854.54 11.59

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing AUGUST 25, 2016 48.00 46.00 45.00

P46.350

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P46.340 LOW P46.580 AVERAGE P46.489 VOLUME 509.500M

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

oPriceS il P today

P24.35-P27.75 Diesel

STATE-OF-THE-ART. Manila Electric Co. inaugurates its Banawe 115kV/34.5kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear substation facility in Quezon City.

Leading the inaugural rites are (from left) Meralco first vice president and head of networks Ronnie Aperocho, chief technology advisor Gavin Barfield and senior vice president and head of customer retail services and corporate communications Alfredo Panlilio. Inset photo shows the facade of the Meralco Banawe GIS substation.

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Thursday, August 25, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

46.5810

Japan

Yen

0.009957

0.4638

UK

Pound

1.323500

61.6500

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128976

6.0078

Switzerland

Franc

1.034661

48.1955

Canada

Dollar

0.773754

36.0422

Singapore

Dollar

0.738389

Australia

Dollar

0.761200

35.4575

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655267

123.6850

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266660

12.4213

Brunei

Dollar

0.735673

34.2684

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000076

0.0035

Thailand

Baht

0.028890

1.3457

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

12.6841

Euro

Euro

1.126600

52.4782

Korea

Won

0.000893

0.0416

China

Yuan

0.150128

6.9931

India

Rupee

0.014900

0.6941

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247831

11.5442

New Zealand

Dollar

0.730600

34.0321

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031515

34.3949

1.4680 Source: PDS Bridge

Imports increased 15% to $6.85b in June—PSA

By Gabrielle H. Binaday MERCHANDISE imports grew 15 percent to $6.85 billion in June this year from a year ago as strong domestic consumption and investment supported inbound shipments, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

The July shipments brought total imports in the first six months of 2016 to $38.746 billion, up 18 percent from $32.917 billion year-on-year.

The National Economic and Development Authority said the Philippines was one of the region’s top import performers in the six-month period.

“This performance shows the strength of domestic demand in the country particularly in consumption and investment, as reflected by the latest real GDP growth of 7.0 percent in the second quarter,” said Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia.

PSA data showed the bal-

Megaworld investing P8.5b on hotels

By Jenniffer B. Austria MEGAWORLD Corp. is investing P8.5 billion to expand its own two hotel brands, namely Savoy and Belmont, in key cities across the country.

Megaworld said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it would spend P5 billion to build three Savoy Hotel in Boracay, Manila and Cebu and another P3.5 billion to build two additional Belmont Hotel, also in Boracay and Cebu.

Megaworld is bringing its local hotel brands outside Metro Manila to increase recurring income.

Megaworld said the P2.2billion Savoy Hotel in Boracay Newcoast was set to open by the end of this year.

The 530-room Savoy Hotel Boracay will be a firstclass resort hotel rising on the 150-hectare tourism township in the eastern part of the island.

It will feature the country’s first concert pool arena, overlooking the Sibuyan Sea. Another Savoy Hotel with

684 rooms is also set to open in the 25-hectare Newport City in Pasay City next year.

It will be the last hotel to open in the leisure and entertainment township Resorts World Manila.

The company is building another Savoy Hotel in its 20-hectare The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

The 18-storey hotel will have 547 rooms and is scheduled to 2018.

“Megaworld is spending P5-billion to build the three Savoy Hotels in Boracay, Cebu and Manila. Part of our goal is to make this hotel brand visible in our other townships across the country,” said Megaworld senior vice president Jericho Go. Megaworld allocated an additional P3.5 billion to expand its Belmont Hotel brand. The first Belmont Hotel operates in Newport City, offering 480 rooms and featuring first-class amenities such as podium gardens, 24-hour fitness center and workout area, a penthouse pool

bar and Café Belmont.

Belmont Hotel will open in Boracay Newcoast by 2018 with 407 rooms and another one in The Mactan Newtown in Cebu with 550 rooms a year after.

“Our rapid expansion of our very own hotel brands is an indication of Megaworld’s diversification as a real estate company, and at the same time, our commitment to support the country’s tourism industry,” said Megaworld senior vice president Jericho Go. Another local hotel brand owned by Megaworld—Richmonde Hotel—has presence three areas in the country, namely Richmonde Hotel Ortigas, Eastwood Richmonde Hotel and Richmonde Hotel Iloilo, with a total of 449 rooms.

Also set to open under the Richmonde hotel brand is Twin Lakes Hotel in the 1,200-hectare Twin Lakes in Alfonso, Batangas near Tagaytay. The new hotel will offer 126 rooms and is set to be completed next year.

ance of trade registered a deficit of $2.098 billion in June, higher than the gap of $576.80 million on year.

Latest import data in June also showed the Philippines outperformed Vietnam (1.9 percent) Malaysia (-1.0 percent), Indonesia (-6.8 percent),India (-7.3 percent), People’s Republic of China (-8.4 percent), and Thailand (-10.1 percent).

ING Bank regional chief economist Tim Condon said rising investments to support the strong import growth would result in a positive re-rating of all financial assets.

“However, we also think the swing to a current account deficit, which we expect will persist, after more than a decade of surpluses requires a negative re-pricing of the Philippine peso; it is the only currency in Asia excluding Japan

that we do not consider subject to structural appreciation pressure,” Condon said in an email.

Inward shipments of capital goods jumped 65 percent in June 2016 to $2.2 billion.

“This bodes well for the economy as it signals robust investment activity in industry and services moving forward,” Pernia said.

Imports of consumer goods increased 33 percent to $1.2 billion.

“The trend of imports growth is expected to remain positive, albeit at a slightly lower pace due to a relatively weak outlook for electronics exports, which will affect the importation of electrical equipment. However, strong construction activity will continue to boost spending on durable equipment and capital goods,” said Pernia.

ORIENTAL Peninsula Resources Group Inc. said Thursday the suspension order imposed by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau on unit Citinickel Mines and Development Corp. was “prematurely and improperly issued.”

Citinickel operates two mining projects—Narra in Narra town and Pulot in the town of Sofronio Española.

The government earlier this year suspended the operations of Citinickel due to the cutting of trees without permit. Citinickel was also earlier found to be mining in a new area outside of what the government approved.

“The suspension order dated July 22, 2016... was prematurely and improperly issued as there was no prior audit conducted on the operations of Citinickel...,” said ORE in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Anna Leah E. Gonzales

Weaker peso better THE government should maintain a balance in the exchange rate of the peso against the US dollar to enable migrant Filipino workers and exporters to benefit, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Thursday.

“For me I would prefer a peso that is slightly weak.

Because our (workers) benefit, and also, the exporters benefit,” he said.

Dominguez added the economy was stable and would remain relatively as such next year.

“We will slightly weaken because the dollar interest rate might go up, but I don’t think it will be very serious, that our peso will go 50 (against the US dollar). I think it will stay around where we are at the moment,” he added.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

WORLD-CLASS SERVICE. Port users of Batangas Container Terminal can expect fast and efficient services from the Bureau of Customs after its Batangas collection district, led by Collector Reynaldo Galeno (seated third from left), is recertified ISO 9001:2008 compliant by TUV Asia Pacific. ISO 9001:2008 is the international standard for Quality Management System and BOC Batangas is the only collection district in the entire bureau to have achieved the certification. BCT is operated by listed Asian Terminals Inc.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Petron readies P20-b fixed rate bond issue

By Jenniffer B. Austria PETRON Corp., the biggest petroleum retailer, said it plans to raise up to P20 billion in five and seven year fixed rate bonds in October.

The P20-billion fixed rate bonds represent the first tranche of the P40 billion worth of bonds it earlier filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Petron said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission it would use the proceeds from the bonds to refinance existing debts and fund working capital requirements.

The oil company will initially issue P15 billion, with an oversubscription option of up to P5 billion. The balance of P20 billion, assuming the oversubscription will be exercised, will be

placed under shelf registration for issuance within three years.

Petron hired BDO Capital & Investment Corp., BPI Capital Corp. and SB Capital as joint issue managers and joint underwriters for the offering.

The bonds, which will be listed with Philippine Dealing & Exchange Corp., have been rated PRS Aaa by Philippine Ratings Services Corp.

PRS Aaa is the highest rating assigned by PhilRatings. Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk.

The rating was arrived at after considering Petron’s leading market position in the Philippines and an increasing presence in Malaysia, and its defined strategies to support future growth.

Stocks slip; BDO, Metrobank decline

HE stock market fell Thursday in cautious trading ahead of a key speech

by Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen on Friday.

T

The Philippines Stock Exchange Index lost 11.59 points, or 0.2 percent, to 7,854.54 on a value turnover of P7.4 billion.

Ayala Land Inc. fell 1.8 percent to P39.30, while BDO Unibank Inc., the biggest lender in terms of assets, dropped 1.1 percent to P113. Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co., the second-largest bank, declined 1.7 percent to P87.75.

PLDT Inc., the biggest telecommunications company, gained 1.7 percent to P1,831.

Asian energy firms, meanwhile, suffered further losses Thursday after another sharp fall in oil prices, while currency traders moved cautiously the day before a key speech by Federal Reserve boss Janet Yellen.

World markets have struggled

to gain traction this week with few catalysts to spur business ahead of Yellen’s talk at the annual Jackson Hole symposium of global central bankers.

Oil was hammered Wednesday on data showing a surprise jump in US stockpiles last week, with West Texas Intermediate shedding 2.8 percent and Brent down 1.8 percent. WTI has now lost almost five percent since the end of last week while Brent has slipped 3.6 percent.

The losses come after a seven-day oil rally that saw it enter a bull market—a 20 percent rise from recent lows—on hopes for an output limit deal at a meeting next month between key producers

THE STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, AUGUST 25, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 10.4 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 75 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 6.12 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 58 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance 3.5 Asia United Bank 47.65 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 114.30 Bank of PI 105.00 China Bank 38.4 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.80 Bright Kindle Resources 1.51 COL Financial 16.2 Eastwest Bank 21 Filipino Fund Inc. 6.85 I-Remit Inc. 1.87 Manulife Fin. Corp.

595.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.600 Metrobank 89.25 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.89 Phil Bank of Comm 24.00 Phil. National Bank 59.40 Phil. Savings Bank 100.3 PSE Inc. 280 RCBC `A’ 32.25 Security Bank 218.4 Sun Life Financial 1395.00 Union Bank 73.80 Vantage Equities 1.5

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 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5 5.25 12.98 15 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 2.65 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

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

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.9 Agrinurture Inc. 3.15 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.85 Alsons Cons.

1.78 Asiabest Group 15.26 Cemex Holdings 12.14 Century Food 16.76 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 140 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 24.85 Concepcion 57.5 Crown Asia 2.24 Da Vinci Capital 5.79 Del Monte 12 DNL Industries Inc. 11.040 Emperador 7.95 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.80 EEI 8.48 First Gen Corp.

24 First Holdings ‘A’ 72.6 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.80 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.00 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.55 Ionics Inc 2.270 Jollibee Foods Corp.

250.00 Liberty Flour 49.90 LMG Chemicals 2.1 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.15 Macay Holdings 28.90 Manila Water Co. Inc. 26.6 Maxs Group 31.6 Megawide 13.92 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 313.00 MG Holdings 0.285 Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp. 5.00 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.27 Petron Corporation 11.08 Phinma Corporation 11.52 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.10 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.61 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.45 RFM Corporation 4.19 Roxas Holdings 3.7 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 218 Splash Corporation 3.05 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.153 TKC Steel Corp.

1.85 Trans-Asia Oil 2.27 Universal Robina 179.5 Victorias Milling 4.7 Vitarich Corp.

2.51 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.32

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 5.29 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 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 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 49.55 3 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 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 F&J Prince ‘A’ Filinvest Dev. Corp.

Forum Pacific GT Capital JG Summit Holdings Keppel Holdings `A’ Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Pacifica `A’ 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

0.395 75.30 16.28 1.20 6.26 0.380 0.385 899.5 1050.00 8.83 11.96 6.1 7.08 0.212 1541 79.80 5.15 7.85 0.78 16.78 7.33 0.0350 1.900 83.60 690.50 1.39 0.99 210.000 0.3100 0.2030 0.280

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 5.6 1.44 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 8.54 31.8 2.29

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 2.8 0.79 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 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 Cebu Prop. `A’ 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. Estates Corp.

Phil. Realty `A’ Primex Corp.

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

7.950 6.89 1.31 3.060 0.265 40.000 3.06 5.11 5.6 0.570 0.162 0.610 58.9 0.780 0.146 1.08 1.93 1.20 4.83 0.120 0.2800 0.420 3.2 31.50 1.68

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.65 3.5 47.65 47 114.30 112.10 105.40 102.90 38.5 38.45 3.80 3.51 1.52 1.45 16.66 16.12 21.1 20.8 6.87 6.85 1.94 1.87 595.00 595.00 0.680 0.650 89.2 87.7 0.9 0.88 24.00 23.50 59.50 59.20 100.3 97 280 279 32.45 32.25 220.2 214.6 1400.00 1400.00 73.80 73.50 1.5 1.5 INDUSTRIAL 46.3 45.6 3.24 3.12 0.85 0.81 1.8 1.76 15.1 14.8 12.34 12.04 16.76 16.68 152 120 24.85 24.3 57.5 57 2.23 2.21 5.98 5.7 12.4 11.92 11.080 10.900 7.95 7.80 5.88 5.80 8.48 8.20 25.75 24 72.65 72.1 12.82 12.80 16.70 16.00 6.5 6.19 2.330 2.220 254.00 251.00 50.00 49.00 2.16 2.1 4.15 4 30.00 27.10 26.8 26.45 32.5 31.2 14 13.8 312.80 311.80 0.280 0.265 5.00 5.00 3.27 3.15 11.00 10.88 11.62 11.50 6.10 6.00 1.63 1.61 3.63 3.45 4.21 4.18 3.7 3.7 217 215 3.04 3.04 0.155 0.152 1.85 1.79 2.29 2.25 180 178 4.71 4.69 2.64 2.5 1.33 1.22 HOLDING FIRMS 0.400 0.385 76.50 75.25 16.28 16.10 1.27 1.27 6.40 6.26 0.380 0.370 0.380 0.375 900 892.5 1025.00 1000.00 8.81 8.68 12.00 11.90 6.49 6.1 7.12 6.90 0.209 0.200 1543 1530 79.85 7.00 6.14 6.14 7.88 7.67 8 0.78 17 16.42 7.31 7.26 0.0360 0.0340 1.920 1.900 84.10 83.20 690.00 682.50 1.36 1.27 1.08 0.93 209.800 209.200 0.3100 0.3050 0.2020 0.1980 0.290 0.275 PROPERTY 7.950 7.800 6.70 6.70 1.35 1.29 3.160 3.010 0.270 0.260 39.850 39.250 3.12 3.04 5.1 5.1 5.6 5.6 0.58 0.570 0.165 0.161 0.620 0.600 59.55 57.2 0.790 0.780 0.146 0.146 1.09 1.06 1.94 1.92 1.17 1.15 4.92 4.84 0.128 0.120 0.2800 0.2550 0.420 0.420 3.29 3.15 31.90 30.80 1.72 1.68

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.58 47.6 113.00 104.90 38.5 3.70 1.50 16.3 21 6.85 1.93 595.00 0.650 87.75 0.89 24.00 59.20 100.3 279 32.3 219.6 1400.00 73.80 1.5

2.29 -0.10 -1.14 -0.10 0.26 -2.63 -0.66 0.62 0.00 0.00 3.21 0.00 8.33 -1.68 0.00 0.00 -0.34 0.00 -0.36 0.16 0.55 0.36 0.00 0.00

56,000 2,300 1,991,750 4,168,340 5,600 204,000 202,000 31,900 254,800 3,600 6,000 20 3,586,000 2,493,300 466,000 5,500 89,800 920 400 12,200 229,600 20 44,410 5,000

45.8 3.2 0.84 1.77 14.92 12.3 16.7 149 24.85 57 2.22 5.85 12.18 11.060 7.95 5.85 8.26 25.65 72.35 12.80 16.50 6.39 2.290 251.00 49.00 2.16 4.05 28.90 26.8 32.5 13.9 312.80 0.280 5.00 3.15 10.98 11.62 6.10 1.62 3.55 4.20 3.7 215 3.04 0.152 1.82 2.27 179.5 4.71 2.6 1.24

-0.22 1.59 -1.18 -0.56 -2.23 1.32 -0.36 6.43 0.00 -0.87 -0.89 1.04 1.50 0.18 0.00 0.86 -2.59 6.88 -0.34 0.00 3.13 -2.44 0.88 0.40 -1.80 2.86 -2.41 0.00 0.75 2.85 -0.14 -0.06 -1.75 0.00 -3.67 -0.90 0.87 0.00 0.62 2.90 0.24 0.00 -1.38 -0.33 -0.65 -1.62 0.00 0.00 0.21 3.59 -6.06

1,165,200 1,235,000 251,000 558,000 16,900 6,262,600 1,794,400 2,690 12,119,600 12,160 1,054,000 397,400 19,900 1,415,700 407,400 7,117,100 1,591,700 5,051,600 126,210 500 673,300 2,951,400 1,982,000 552,790 300 135,000 70,000 6,500 112,500 630,600 2,436,600 48,630 800,000 100 254,000 1,387,200 10,200 453,300 330,000 460,000 60,000 1,000 14,920 15,000 3,370,000 1,444,000 570,000 4,435,340 3,000 50,824,000 1,567,000

0.400 75.50 16.20 1.27 6.29 0.375 0.375 899 1000.00 8.8 11.90 6.49 7.08 0.209 1543 79.25 6.14 7.88 0.78 16.6 7.3 0.0340 1.900 84.00 689.00 1.35 1.03 209.200 0.3100 0.2020 0.280

1.27 0.27 -0.49 5.83 0.48 -1.32 -2.60 -0.06 -4.76 -0.34 -0.50 6.39 0.00 -1.42 0.13 -0.69 19.22 0.38 0.00 -1.07 -0.41 -2.86 0.00 0.48 -0.22 -2.88 4.04 -0.38 0.00 -0.49 0.00

80,000 1,848,320 2,574,800 1,000 10,100 11,150,000 2,780,000 186,580 40 355,200 3,251,700 1,600 1,026,300 420,000 69,600 1,229,170 1,500 1,352,700 88,000 2,084,200 29,110,000 8,200,000 1,554,000 107,010 418,310 1,842,000 697,000 1,300 580,000 820,000 130,000

7.900 6.70 1.32 3.120 0.270 39.300 3.11 5.1 5.6 0.570 0.161 0.620 59.55 0.790 0.146 1.06 1.93 1.17 4.86 0.121 0.2800 0.420 3.29 31.70 1.7

-0.63 -2.76 0.76 1.96 1.89 -1.75 1.63 -0.20 0.00 0.00 -0.62 1.64 1.10 1.28 0.00 -1.85 0.00 -2.50 0.62 0.83 0.00 0.00 2.81 0.63 1.19

176,800 700 4,181,000 1,489,000 320,000 11,206,300 767,000 30,000 115,000 2,879,000 9,250,000 2,514,000 590,430 10,100 1,000 4,016,000 7,074,000 32,000 61,310,000 12,200,000 520,000 160,000 621,000 1,948,000 216,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 4 1700 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 2.58 830 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 3.2 1 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 0.650 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

0.0098 5.45 17.24 25 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 8.2 49.2 4.27 1.030 3.06 0.020 0.021 7.67 12.88 10.42 0.040 420 9 0.016

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

1,863,336.00 -8,276,604.00

70

33

7,108,292.00

120

101.5

30,541,365.00 -31,419,438.00

8.21 12.28 1060

5.88 6.5 997

1047 78.95 84.8

1011 74.5 75

6.98

0.8900

80,920.00 -98,706,064 -14,280,725.00 -26,950.00 -339,360.00 -821,415.00 -3,435

-186,120,549.50 -1,496,860.50 -13,840.00 -77,420 -64,282,360.00 1,605,338.00 -18,909,965.00 -476,560.00

13,417,790.00 -12,644,196.00

88,800.00 463,360.00 6,806,546.00 -231,413.00 1,599,597.00 -5,233,726.00 80,832,535.00 517,238.00 3,308,040.00 972,080.00 77,970.00 -17,236,006.00

1,675,275.00 -7,213,335.00 -10,603,832.00 1,485,536.00 144,490.00 -2,914,504.00 -36,022.00 -628,042.00 24,150.00 -242,280.00 -21,040.00 -355,070.00 12,240.00 66,470.00 -172,701,450 4,669,230.00

-6,346,453.00 -3,797,386.00

48,137,025

-508,307.00 -7,508,470.00 -81,360,437.00 -173,273.00 -15,426,060.00

57,792.00 -76,560.00 -780,000.00 -78,400.00 -228,937,620.00 532,430.00 17,100.00 8,276,876.00 -214,000.00 -7,593,560.00 -47,590,530.00 37,800.00 77,730.00 -12,870,775.00

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

Close

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

SHARES

FINANCIAL

15,927,137

INDUSTRIAL

116,217,346 74,185,538

PROPERTY

138,528,412

SERVICES

338,613,986

MINING & OIL

455,049,909

GRAND TOTAL

1,143,775,636

3.34 29.40 0.97 1.030 6.030

Low

3.33 3.25 29.45 28.85 0.96 0.95 1.050 1.010 6.020 5.930 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.26 7.26 7.2 ABS-CBN 49.85 51 49.4 APC Group, Inc. 0.590 0.600 0.590 Asian Terminals Inc. 11.48 11.48 11.48 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.8 5.8 5.8 Bloomberry 5.37 5.54 5.03 Boulevard Holdings 0.0930 0.0940 0.0920 Calata Corp.

3.39 3.5 3.12 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 121.7 124.3 121.4 Centro Esc. Univ.

9.5 9.8 9.75 Discovery World 2.2 2.25 2.2 DFNN Inc. 4.70 6.24 5.06 Easy Call “Common” 3.02 3.02 3.02 FEUI 941 942 942 Globe Telecom 2106 2140 2106 GMA Network Inc. 6.35 6.35 6.30 Golden Haven 15.50 15.78 15.30 Harbor Star 1.60 1.66 1.54 I.C.T.S.I. 80.5 81.8 80.55 Imperial Res. `A’ 22.20 23.95 22.30 Imperial Res. `B’ 159 170 160 IPeople Inc. `A’ 11.1 11.78 11.78 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0088 0.0093 0.0089 IPM Holdings 9.30 9.30 9.00 Island Info 0.295 0.300 0.290 ISM Communications 1.4000 1.5600 1.4300 Jackstones 3.8 3.83 3.6 LBC Express 12.4 12.34 12 Leisure & Resorts 3.45 5.17 4.80 Liberty Telecom 2.15 2.21 2.15 Lorenzo Shipping 1.02 1.03 1.02 Macroasia Corp.

2.29 2.22 2.10 Manila Bulletin 0.570 0.590 0.580 Melco Crown 3.73 3.82 3.6 Metro Retail 5.27 5.39 5.17 NOW Corp.

3.640 3.790 3.500 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.12 11.34 11.16 PAL Holdings Inc. 6.06 6.03 5.90 Philweb.Com Inc. 5.40 8.10 8.10 PLDT Common 1801.00 1850.00 1801.00 PremiereHorizon 0.450 0.450 0.430 Premium Leisure 0.890 0.920 0.880 Puregold 45.15 45.30 44.90 Robinsons RTL 81.95 83.40 81.75 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.30 6.35 6.26 SSI Group 3.24 3.25 3.22 STI Holdings 0.620 0.620 0.600 Transpacific Broadcast 1.84 1.85 1.85 Travellers 3.48 3.5 3.48 Waterfront Phils.

0.340 0.335 0.335 Yehey 6.450 6.420 6.040 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0039 0.0040 0.0039 Apex `A’ 2.99 3.06 2.93 Atlas Cons. `A’ 3.89 3.98 3.86 Atok-Big Wedge `A’ 9.62 11.50 10.10 Basic Energy Corp.

0.215 0.219 0.212 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1000 2.35 2.1 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.1300 2.6000 2.4900 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.56 0.57 0.55 Coal Asia 0.410 0.415 0.400 Dizon 8.39 8.50 8.16 Ferronickel 0.870 0.870 0.830 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.275 0.280 0.270 Lepanto `A’ 0.202 0.202 0.200 Lepanto `B’ 0.220 0.210 0.210 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.66 1.7 1.62 Nickelasia 6.31 6.45 6.07 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.85 2.94 2.78 Omico 0.5300 0.5800 0.5800 Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.0000 1.0000 0.9900 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0120 0.0110 0.0110 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.15 4.10 4.00 Philex `A’ 8.40 8.50 8.19 PhilexPetroleum 3.68 3.66 3.60 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

113.00 113.00 111.70 TA Petroleum 3.51 3.55 3.41 United Paragon 0.0094 0.0094 0.0090 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 49.7 50 50 DD Pref 103.8 104 103.4 First Gen G 119 120 120 FPH Pref C 510 505 505 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.05 6.09 6.07 Leisure and Resort 1 1.03 1.01 PCOR-Preferred A 1040 1040 1040 PCOR-Preferred B 1140 1062 1050 PF Pref 2 1034 1030 1030 SMC Preferred B 78.95 78.55 78.3 SMC Preferred C 81.5 81.55 81.05 SMC Preferred D 77.95 76.5 76.5 SMC Preferred E 77 77.2 77 SMC Preferred F 79.2 79.5 79.2 SMC Preferred G 79 79 79 SMC Preferred H 77.1 78 77.2 SMC Preferred I 78 78 77.7 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 1.780 3.500 2.650 SME Alterra Capital 4.3 4.25 3.9 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.75 4.05 3.72 Italpinas 5.05 5.17 5.03 Xurpas 15.6 15.98 15.5 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 129.5 129.4 128.7

TRADING SUMMARY HOLDING FIRMS

High

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.28 29.45 0.96 1.030 6.000

-1.80 0.17 -1.03 0.00 -0.50

364,000 6,388,700 436,000 193,000 9,304,800

7.25 50 0.600 11.48 5.8 5.40 0.0930 3.16 123 9.8 2.25 5.20 3.02 942 2128 6.32 15.70 1.59 81 23.75 160 11.78 0.0090 9.30 0.295 1.4900 3.78 12.2 5.17 2.17 1.03 2.20 0.590 3.68 5.39 3.700 11.3 5.90 8.10 1831.00 0.430 0.880 45.10 81.80 6.33 3.23 0.620 1.85 3.48 0.335 6.420

-0.14 0.30 1.69 0.00 0.00 0.56 0.00 -6.78 1.07 3.16 2.27 10.64 0.00 0.11 1.04 -0.47 1.29 -0.63 0.62 6.98 0.63 6.13 2.27 0.00 0.00 6.43 -0.53 -1.61 49.86 0.93 0.98 -3.93 3.51 -1.34 2.28 1.65 1.62 -2.64 50.00 1.67 -4.44 -1.12 -0.11 -0.18 0.48 -0.31 0.00 0.54 0.00 -1.47 -0.47

614,900 11,400 279,000 500 800 25,124,400 13,370,000 17,019,000 1,042,010 4,300 15,000 1,497,000 6,000 120 55,535 49,200 74,900 2,914,000 1,873,510 359,900 60 400 97,000,000 2,466,900 9,800,000 4,288,000 495,000 3,200 28,306,000 3,677,000 42,000 102,000 120,000 11,675,000 2,444,100 7,915,000 26,100 29,000 6,394,100 71,585 1,680,000 33,491,000 3,407,200 790,600 4,453,100 4,258,000 7,385,000 4,000 725,000 110,000 54,400

0.0040 2.93 3.86 11.20 0.212 2.3000 2.5000 0.57 0.415 8.33 0.830 0.280 0.200 0.210 0.0110 1.62 6.38 2.83 0.5800 1.0000 0.0110 0.0110 4.10 8.50 3.62 0.0120 112.40 3.55 0.0091

2.56 -2.01 -0.77 16.42 -1.40 9.52 17.37 1.79 1.22 -0.72 -4.60 1.82 -0.99 -4.55 0.00 -2.41 1.11 -0.70 9.43 0.00 -8.33 -8.33 -1.20 1.19 -1.63 0.00 -0.53 1.14 -3.19

26,200,000 660,000 256,000 2,600 100,000 112,000 38,000 1,366,000 520,000 1,500 19,986,000 1,180,000 14,510,000 210,000 5,300,000 476,000 9,519,100 257,000 10,000 123,000 98,800,000 2,400,000 95,000 1,698,300 1,998,000 6,400,000 466,560 166,000 25,000,000

50 103.5 120 505 6.09 1.01 1040 1050 1030 78.3 81.05 76.5 77.2 79.2 79 77.8 78

0.60 -0.29 0.84 -0.98 0.66 1.00 0.00 -7.89 -0.39 -0.82 -0.55 -1.86 0.26 0.00 0.00 0.91 0.00

423,500 -1,000,000.00 79,880 500 2,000 20,000 -121,738.00 11,136,000 1,620 2,060 500 10,000 -784,050.00 51,230 1,400 7,940 76,660 31,600 1,508,020 106,120

-60,158,655.00 1,000.00 -19,846,074.00 -2,467,880.00

-32,471,005.00 47,730.00 65,178,693.00 -2,238,960.00 -29,255,360.00 -153,244.00 123,800.00 -707,771.50

90,000.00 -14,600.00 -78,916,680 188,240.00

-21,981,960.00 -3,528,386.00 81,560.00 -177,390.00 50,233,090.00 86,000.00 -19,100,630.00 -4,478,085.00 -26,096,872.50 3,146,030.00 -1,915,030.00 115,625.00 128,700.00 14,770.00 -101,210.00

127,050.00 1,890,650.00

4,717,626.00

-631,966.00 217,200.00 8,446,725.00 24,010.00

3.500

96.63

30,985,000 1,191,260.00

4.1 4.05 5.1 15.96

-4.65 8.00 0.99 2.31

3,896,000 5,000 474,900 769,600

103,370.00

129.4

-0.08

2,810

12,940.00

1,490.00 -3,929,314.00

VALUE 1,829.63 (DOWN) 9.62 1,400,711,667.89 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,877.74 (UP) 46.38 1,892,691,127.58 HOLDING FIRMS 7,796.17 (DOWN) 16.91 1,338,979,422.976 PROPERTY 3,564.07 (DOWN) 17.70 1,579.27 (UP) 20.64 1,131,011,610.128 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,587.33 (DOWN) 64.33 1,500,601,573.535 PSEI 7,854.54 (DOWN) 11.59 163,301,780.8426 All Shares Index 4,663.70 (UP) 1.16 7,458,612,206.256 Gainers: 98; Losers: 97; Unchanged: 44; Total: 239

including the Opec cartel and Russia.

Comments to AFP from key Opec member Iran that it had yet to take any decision on agreeing to a ceiling, or even on taking part in the meeting, also weighed on buying sentiment.

But bargain-buying helped both contracts make small gains Thursday, with WTI up 0.2 percent and Brent 0.1 percent higher.

The softening oil prices filtered through to energy firms across the region, with CNOOC and PetroChina in Hong Kong sinking, although earlier sharp losses were pared. Japan’s Inpex and JX Holdings were each down more than 1.5 percent and Sydney-listed Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton also suffered heavy falls.

On broader equity markets Tokyo ended the morning 0.3 percent lower, Shanghai closed down 0.6 percent while Hong Kong ended marginally higher. Sydney gave up 0.4 percent, and Seoul closed marginally lower.

In early European trade London and Frankfurt lost 0.4 percent and Paris shed 0.5 percent.

“Global markets have rallied over the past seven weeks, but those gains have looked increasingly exhausted over the past three,” James Woods, a strategist at Rivkin Securities in Sydney, said. With AFP

CEB set selling 7 aircraft to Allegiant

By Darwin G. Amojelar THE operator of Cebu Pacific will stop using its Airbus A319 aircraft by 2018 as part of a strategy to utilize more fuel efficient jets.

The airline company owned by industrialist John Gokongwei said its remaining seven A319 aircraft were set to be delivered to Allegiant Travel Company between 2016 and 2018.

The airline’s three A319 jets were delivered to Allegiant last year.

Cebu Pacific signed agreement with Allegiant to sell six Airbus 319 aircraft in February last year and another four A319 aircraft in May this year.

Cebu Pacific president and chief executive Lance Gokongwei had said the agreement was in line with the airline’s efforts to expand operations both in the Philippines and abroad.

“We remain invested in upgrading our fleet with fuel efficient, versatile aircraft. Between 2016 and 2021, we are anticipating the delivery of 30 Airbus A321neos, for longrange capability, and 16 ATR 72-600 turboprop planes, for better inter-island connectivity,” Gokongwei said.

Cebu Pacific earlier signed a purchase agreement with Airbus SAS for the order of two A330-300 aircraft for $512.8 million.

The two A330 aircraft are expected to be delivered in December this year and May 2017.

Cebu Pacific currently operates one of the youngest fleets in the world, with an average age of 4.82 years. Its 57-strong fleet is comprised of 7 Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, 6 Airbus A330 and 8 ATR 72-500 aircraft.

The airline earlier posted a net income of P7.68 billion in January to June, up 47 percent from P5.2 billion in the same period last year.

Business

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Spanish economy rises amid impasse

IN THE RED. People shop at a Woolworths store in Sydney on August 25, 2016. Australian supermarket giant Woolworths on August 25 reported a large annual net loss of A$1.23 billion (US$940 million), its first since listing more than two decades ago, following a failed push into hardware and a slump in food sales. AFP

THE Spanish economy overcame the country’s political impasse to grow more than forecast in the second quarter, keeping the pace of the recovery alive.

Output grew 0.8 percent in the three months through June, the Madrid-based National Statistics Office said Thursday, beating an initial reading of 0.7 percent expansion. The median estimate of economists in a Bloomberg survey also called for 0.7 percent growth. From a year ago, the economy expanded 3.2 percent, while adding about 484,000 new jobs.

Household consumption jumped 0.7 percent in the three months through June, the statistics office said, while investment in construction, a sector battered by the economic crisis, ticked up 0.9 percent in the same period. Exports rose 4.3 percent.

The country has been grappling with a political impasse after two inconclusive elections that stripped caretaker Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy of his parliamentary majority.

The latest data come as Rajoy prepares to face a confidence vote on Aug. 31 in his bid for a second term in office. While his People’s Party has struck a preliminary agreement with the Liberals of Ciudadanos, he’s still running short of support as the Socialist party refuses to endorse him. Without their backing, even in the form of an abstention, he’s likely to lose the vote and put the nation on track for a third election in a year.

Spain could also miss a September deadline to draft a budget for 2017 that should be submitted to officials in Brussels by October if there’s no government in place. After dodging a fine for missing its deficit goal last year, Acting Economy Minister Luis de Guindos said Spain is fully committed to narrowing its budgetary shortfall below 3 percent of gross domestic by 2018 as agreed with European authorities.

Despite the political deadlock, the Rajoy administration sees the economy growing to 2.9 percent this year up from a previous forecast of 2.7 percent, before slowing to 2.3 percent in 2017.

Bloomberg

Markets await Yellen speech

W

ASHINGTON, D.C.―If US Federal Reserve chief Janet Yellen chooses to use her closely watched address on Friday to clear the air, she will have plenty of clearing to do.

Yellen, who will address a ballyhooed annual gathering of central bankers in the crisp climate of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, presides over US monetary policy now derided by market watchers as “schizophrenic.”

On the health of the economy and the dangers of inflation, her colleagues on the committee

that sets key interest rates are at odds with each other―with one member perhaps unfairly chided in the business press for appearing to contradict himself more than once in the space of a single week.

All members of the Federal Open Markets Committee agree that interest rates will have to rise.

The only question is how soon.

But the central bank this year has retreated from its announced course of rate hikes, fearing for the resilience of the US economy in the face of Brexit, slowing Chinese growth and domestic signs of weakness.

The question for Yellen, and for global markets affected by her decisions, is whether the American economy is strong enough again.

“I think the problem is we’re all completely befuddled as to their next move,” said Jared Bernstein, former economic adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.

William Dudley, the influential president of the New York Fed,

suggested this month that a rate hike was possible in 2016.

Dennis Lockhart of the Atlanta Fed said there could even be two.

John Williams, president of the San Francisco Fed, appeared to agree, telling The Washington Post on August 11 that rates could rise this year but then publishing an essay just four days later saying the time had come “to critically reassess” prevailing interest rate policy and speaking of “limits to what monetary policy can and indeed should do.”

For good measure, three days later, Williams, who does not currently have a vote on the FOMC, said publicly that a

rate hike would be a good idea “sooner rather than later.”

Futures traders currently put the likelihood of at least one rate hike by December at 51 percent.

Bernstein told AFP the Fed was experiencing a moment of policy ferment.

“I think they themselves are legitimately questioning some of their most basic guideposts,” he said. “That’s definitely confusing to a lot of market participants.”

The “new normal” that policy makers are contending with is an era of predominantly low interest rates and productivity growth, when rising employment fails to produce the expected gains

in inflation and GDP growth is sluggish.

Donald Kohn, who was Fed vice chair until 2010, said that on leaving office he had expected to see a quicker recovery from the Great Recession of 2008-2009 but had been surprised by longerterm trends in productivity, demand and interest rates.

“As a consequence, even highly accommodative monetary policy hasn’t been as stimulative as I anticipated,” he told AFP. “It has taken longer than I expected to get the US economy back to the region of full employment and inflation climbing back to the two percent target.” AFP

Japan expands floating wind farms amid global competition

By Chisaki Watanabe JAPAN’S ambition to lead in the development of floating wind turbines is facing stiff competition from rivals in Europe―most notably from France―as companies and governments press to lower costs and prove the technology can rival other sources of clean energy.

At the center of Japan’s effort is a demonstration project off the coast of Fukushima north of Tokyo. The largest floating turbine project of its kind at the moment consists of a 2-megawatt turbine, a 7-megawatt turbine, a substation, and a 5-megawatt model, which was towed into place last month and is expected to begin generating power soon.

The project, funded by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, is being developed by a 10-member consortium including Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. One of the goals is to show whether floating offshore wind can be commercially viable.

“Japan is completely behind Europe” in the development of wind turbines, said Takafumi Shigemura, who’s overseeing the project for Marubeni Corp., the Japanese trading company that leads the consortium. “But we are ahead in making floaters to build up our expertise, and there are many docks for shipbuilding available. So we have an advantage.”

The Fukushima project’s 5-megawatt turbine, the last of the turbines to be installed, is made by Hitachi. The turbine has been moored and testing will begin as early as next month before it becomes fully operational later this year.

Seaborne construction Given Japan’s relative lack of expertise in seaborne construction compared with European rivals experienced in offshore oil and gas development, costs tend to be high, said Tsukasa Sato, a deputy director at the new and renewable energy division for

the trade and industry ministry.

“The task is to study how to reduce cost,” Sato said.

That’s not easy for a project that’s testing various technologies for the first time. The 7-megawatt turbine supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy, which deploys a hydraulic drive train instead of mechanical gears, is expected to restart in January after tests led to extra construction work, the company said by e-mail.

Globally, investment in floating offshore wind was a fraction of that for turbines fixed to the bottom of the sea. The floating offshore market is valued at $490 million to date, including both demonstration projects and a commercial venture off the coast of Scotland that’s yet to produce power. That compares with $113.4 billion invested in traditional offshore wind farms with concrete foundations on the bottom of the seabed, according to data compiled by Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

Floating offshore wind is likely to remain a bit player. By 2020, $530 million more is expected to be funneled into floating offshore globally, while $50 billion will be added to fixedbottom, according to BNEF. Japan’s trade and industry ministry has so far set aside 50 billion yen ($499 million) for the Fukushima project, which is now in its fifth year.

Though costly, the payoff for Japan may be great. The resource-poor nation has 500 gigawatts of potential floating wind capacity, according to a June 2015 report by Carbon Trust, an environmental group.

Japan first plied the waters of offshore floating wind off Nagasaki in southwestern Japan where a pilot project saw the installation of a 2-megawatt turbine in October 2013.

In Europe, two demonstration projects are underway with the 2-megawatt Hywind project 10 kilometers off the southwest coast of Norway and Portugal’s 2-megawatt WindFloat program.

France emerging A few more projects are soon expected to come online that will exceed Fukushima’s 14 megawatts. Scotland’s 30-megawatt Hywind project, now under construction, has secured financing and is expected to go online in 2017, according to Tom Harries, a wind analyst for Bloomberg New Energy Finance. A 25-megawatt project in Portugal is in the process of securing backing, and may go online around 2018.

Meanwhile, France has the potential to be a big player. The country has awarded financial support to two floating projects, each with 24 megawatts of capacity which are to be commissioned by 2020, according to

Harries.

“Besides a few demonstration turbines, Japan is yet to show any clear support for floating wind on a larger scale,” Harries said. “To grow and sustain a floating wind industry, Japan will have to demonstrate more transparency on support for future projects and on a longer time horizon,” he said, adding that France is planning another auction for floating projects.

In Japan, operators of the Fukushima project have said installation of the first 2-megawatt turbine cost about 2 million yen a kilowatt.

Even with offshore wind operators winning more favorable tariffs compared with onshore projects, costs must still come down to at least 500,000 yen a kilowatt, Marubeni’s Shigemura said.

Getting permission to develop offshore wind is also a hurdle, with local fishermen and others potentially claiming a say in the matter, Shigemura said.

“For developers, this poses a risk,” he said.

Fukushima findings Below are some of the findings from the Fukushima demonstration project so far: The world’s first floating substation, set up to increase transmission efficiency, has been trouble-free since its installation in 2013, said Takeshi Ishihara, a professor at the University of Tokyo who has been leading the project.

A V-shaped design has been shown to reduce the number of components needed for the floating structure on which a turbine is installed, allowing for a 40 percent reduction in cost a megawatt, according to Ishihara.

A winch fixed to the floater to pull up mooring chains eliminates the need to deploy a crane,

boosting work efficiency and safety, according to the professor.

Bloomberg AUCTION SALE ACME PAWNSHOP

1st Level Glorietta 3 Ayala, Makati and its branches in Majalco Bldg., Buenavidez St., Legaspi Village, Makati and L & R Bldg., Pasay Road, Makati auction sale on September 05, 2016, 3:00 pm Alabang Town Center, Alabang Zapote Road, MJ Holding Bldg., Almanza Las Piñas, Circle C G14, #17 Congressional Ave., Bahay Toro D1, Quezon City at 9:30 am. All items pawned April 30, 2016. Notary Public (MS-AUG 26, 2016)

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES TARIFF COMMISSION NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Pursuant to Sections 1608/1609 of Republic Act 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), the Tariff Commission will conduct a public hearing on Philippine participation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Area(AHKFTA) negotiations, specifically with respect to its impact on Philippine tariffs imposed on products falling under Chapters 1 to 97 of the 2012 ASEAN Harmonized Tariff Nomenclature (AHTN). The AHKFTA is a proposed FTA between the ten Member States of ASEAN and Hong Kong, China.

Interested parties shall be afforded reasonable opportunity to be present, to produce evidence,and to be heard.

The hearing will be held on 14 September 2016 (Wednesday), 9:00 A.M., at the Tariff Commission Conference Room, 5th Floor Philippine Heart Center Building, East Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City.

For particulars, please inquire from the Research, Investigation and International Trade Analysis Service (RIITAS) at telephone numbers 9268731 or 9288419.

Issued this 24thday of August 2016, Quezon City, Metro Manila

MARILOU P. MENDOZA Officer-In-Charge (MS- AUG. 26, 2016)

RAMON L. TOMELDAN EDITOR

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

Motoring The XM concept is a peek into Mitsubishi’s future mobility

Suzuki’s sub compact Ignis is an off-roader’s delight

Sporty elegance is the character of this Lexus RCF-GT3

Indonesia stages

Gaikindo Autoshow Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

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AKARTA—Indonesia rolled out the red carpet for the 24th staging of the Gaikindo International Autoshow (GIIAS), held recently at the massive Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) in BSD City, Jakarta. This year’s theme was “Green Technology for a Better Future”, which aims to encourage and embrace “green” environment friendly motoring, with automotive manufacturers highlighting eco-friendly models.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla expressed his hopes for the advancement of the Indonesian automotive industry during the VP’s Opening remarks, “By presenting an internationally scaled automotive event like the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show, we are showing the World that Indonesia indeed has a strong automotive industry, and the potential to keep growing, “ This year’s Gilas featured 361 exhibitor stands from the Indonesian automotive industry, including 31 vehicles brands from authorized brand holders (APMs), consisting of 25 passenger car brands such as Audi, BMW, Chev-

rolet, Datsun, Daihatsu, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu, Jaguar, Jeep, KIA, Land Rover, Lexus Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Suzuki, Tata Motors, Toyota, Volkswagen, Wuling and 6 commercial vehicle brands including FAW, Hino, Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, Tata Motors and UD Trucks.

Crowd drawers were display booths of the the big guns in the automotive industry such as Toyota, Mitsubishi and Nissan, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz.

There were cars on display which hopefully will make it on our local shores. Toyota highlighted the Sienta, a seven seater MPV and

Protect and preserve your pick-up bed MAXLINER, one of the World’s biggest outfitters of OEM bedliners just made your pick-up safer against thieves, while preserving your bedliner from the elements of nature.

Introduced early this year at the Bangkok Motor Show, Maxliner‘s Maxcover Hard Tonneau bed cover is made of vacuum formed ABS plastic material for high impact strength and makes your truck’s bed water, corrosion resistant and theft proof. The Maxcover Hard Tonneau bed cover bed have also undergone stringent four seasons testing to meet the demands of

a global market to conform with global ISO standards.

Maxliner Hard Tonneau bed covers are also easy to install and fits most pick-up models such as the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Hi-Lux, Mazda BT-50, Mitsubishi Strada and the Ford Ranger. Based in Thailand, Maxliner is an OEM certified supplier of global brands such as Toyota, Isuzu, Honda, Ford, Nissan General Motors, and Tata. Like the its popular line of bedlinesr, the Hard Tonneau bed cover is tough and designed for all-weather reliability and theft proof for additional safety.

Toyota’s Sienta 7-seater MPV has the Mobilio on its sights

their bet to counter the brisk sales of the Honda Mobilio. Honda on the other hand had on display the new Brio and its CRZ Super GT 300 race car. Powerhouse Mitsubushi had their Montero SUV on center stage with concept cars such as the XM MPV Concept sharing the limelight. Lexus drew attention with their Lexus RCFGT3 concept race car. Another variant which I think will make a difference in the local market is the Suzuki Ignis, a sub-compact off-roader and the Hyundai i20 hatchback CRDi. About GAIKINDO and GIIAS Established in 1969, The Association of Indonesia Automo-

tive Industries (Gaikindo) is a non-profit organization. All Gaikindo members are companies of brand-holder agents (APM) that comprise producers, distributors, and manufacturers. Domestically, Gaikindo facilitates its members’ interests in relation to the Government’s policies regarding the automotive industry. In its global role, Gaikindo is a partner of the automotive industry associations in various countries, mainly where the automotive industry has become a backbone of the economy, and in particular, with the principal countries whose products enter the Indonesian automotive market.

SWEET STUFF. Farm workers in Barangay Luna, Claveria town in Misamis Oriental load ground cassava into sacks after drying it for a day. Lance Baconguis

LGUs

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Taiwan students visit MM, Tagaytay A GROUP of 20 university students from the Republic of China (Taiwan) will visit the Philippines from August 29 to September 4, as part of the annual Taiwan Youth Ambassadorship Program.

Headed by Minister OdiShriren Sun, the delegation is scheduled to stage a public performance at the Medicine Auditorium of the University of Santo Tomas on August 31 at 4 p.m.

They will also visit Philippine senators, the governments of Makati and Tagaytay, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and prominent national newspapers.

Dr. Gary Song-Huann Lin, Representative of Taiwan (ROC) to the Philippines, said this year’s visit of the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors, with the theme “Dynamic Youth, Friendly Taiwan,” would further strengthen the growing peopleto-people interactions between Taiwan and the Philippines.

They are here to promote goodwill, showcase authentic

Taiwanese culture and enhance their understanding of the Philippines, as the two countries are close neighbors.

The visit of the Taiwan Youth Ambassadors is very timely as the ROC government under newly elected President TsaiIng-wen has launched the “New Southbound Policy.”

Under this policy, the Philippines, which has always been on top of the agenda, will be the gateway and major partner for Taiwan to expand an array of multifaceted cooperation and partnership among Asean countries.

Under the policy, Taiwan will step up and broaden its cooperation with the Philippines not only in trade and investment, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, SMEs, ICT, climate change, but especially in education and culture.

For more information on Taiwan Youth Ambassadors, please call TECO’s Press Division at (02) 887-66-88 ext. 141 or emailpressdivisionteco@gmail.com. PNA

Erap: 800 street lights in 2017

By Sandy Araneta

T

O MAKE Manila the country’s “City of Lights” like Paris, Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada will allocate P300 million to his street-lighting project next year.

Davao reviews aerial spraying

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Councilor Diosdado Mahipus admitted that the anti-aerial spraying ordinance of the city that was recently junked by the Supreme Court lacked supporting evidence.

Mahipus said that even during the conception of the said ordinance in 2004 he already manifested that they “cannot ban something which is not inherently illegal.”

“My manifestation before was we cannot make a conclusion unless we have very strong validated information that spraying is really detrimental to public health and then there is a clear and present danger,” he said.

Mahipus said the content of the ordinance when the city

council drafted it in 2007 was based on speculations that aerial spraying is dangerous to our health and to the environment.

Being a lawyer, however, he voted for the aerial spraying ordinance because it was the consensus of his party.

Mahipus said that the city council must find evidence to prove spraying was detrimental to public health to open a new discussion in the city council and even in the court.

Meanwhile, an anti-aerial spraying group, IDIS, expressed their dismay at the SC’s declaration that the ordinance was “unconstitutional.”

Mary Ann Fuertes, IDIS executive director, said they waited for seven years and hoped that the SC ruling would favor them.

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GLEANER. A child collects fallen whole rice grains at harvest time on a farm in Lala, Lanao del Norte.

Lance Baconguis

‘Ban provincial buses on Edsa’

By Rio N. Araja A QUEZON City councilor wants to ban the operation of provincial buses on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue as well as the building of their terminals and garages.

District 2 Councilor Ramon Medalla filed a proposed measure—the No-Provincial Bus Terminal/Garage in Quezon City—designed to decongest traffic along Edsa, a highway that runs through six local gov-

ernment units, and other major thoroughfares in Quezon City.

Under the proposed ordinance, operators of provincial bus companies would only be allowed by the city government to use their terminals either as a ticketing or sales office, and that no buses should be allowed to enter such premises, “be it for repair or safekeeping.”

The proposed measure, principally authored by Medalla and District 4 Councilors Victor Ferrer Jr. and Anthony Peter Crisologo, is

now pending before the council’s committees on laws, transportation and public order and safety.

Operators of bus terminals caught violating provisions of the ordinance shall be dealt with fines and penalties.

First-time offenders shall be fined P3,000.

The fine will increase to P5,000 for second-time offenders, while a P5,000 fine and possible cancellation or revocation of permits to operate will be meted on third-time offenders.

Low-cost developers buck bureaucracy

GROUPIES. The Estilo Art Group’s ‘Harbor View’ exhibit of paintings runs at the Manila Yacht Club on Roxas Boulevard in Manila from August 26 to September 5. Rodrigo Aniag, the group’s president and the show organizer, said the exhibit shows the Estilo members, each with his own style, composing within a group.

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY— The Organization of Socialized Housing Developers of the Philippines, Inc. is calling on the government to streamline the requirements for building housing projects.

OSHDP chairman Christopher Ryan Tan said that currently 68 regulatory permits must be secured to build a lowcost socialized housing project.

“That would take at least two years to accomplish and the housing need rises while we are still processing permits.”

At the 7th OSHDP national convention here, Tan said that for the last 21 years, their organizations have supported government programs for affordable socialized housing, giving inputs based on their studies.

Earlier this week, Vice President Maria Leonor Robredo, citing records from the National Housing Authority, said there is a backlog of 5.7 million houses in 2016.

Tan said the OSHDP is supporting the creation of the Department of Housing that would cater to the needs of the housing sector.

“We are supporting the need to create a department of housing, the same way we are supporting the Land Use Act,” he said.

Tan added that they are also studying the proposal to remove the value-added tax exemption for social housing.

“We are also studying the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Moratorium on Land Conversion as this will affect access to land that is needed to develop housing projects,” he said.

Estrada said he wants the entire city lighted up, from major thoroughfares to barangay streets, as an anti-crime measure at night and in continuance of his urban renewal and beautification program.

“I would like to see Manila as the ‘Paris of Asia’ and at the same time ensure the safety of our constituents at nighttime. No single street or alley will be left unlighted,” he said on Wednesday.

For 2017, about 800 more new street lights are planned.

“Next year, we’ll be concentrating in District 1, the area of Tondo.

Then the entire city will be lighted,” engineer Lorenzo Alconera, city electrical division chief, said.

“There will be no let up. The mayor doesn’t like the dark,” Alconera said.

Well-lighted roads, the mayor pointed out, also help promote trade in commercial and tourist areas such as Malate and Ermita.

Since 2015, the city government has installed new lamp posts worth over P100 million on 91.1 kilometers of streets, Alconera said.

They were installed on Dapitan, Moriones, Del Pilar, Mabini, Pedro Gil, Onyx and Oroquieta as well as portions of Roxas Boulevard, Taft Avenue, Vito Cruz, United Nations Avenue and Quirino Avenue, among others.

The city government has also recently inaugurated 51 new street lights from Pedro Gil to Quirino, part of Manila’s tourist belt area.

This was followed by 56 more units put up on Quirino Avenue up to Sta. Ana Church.

In 2015, Estrada allocated P61 million for the project and P128 million more in 2016; close to 2,000 LED lamp posts have so far been installed throughout Manila.

The installation of street lights has drastically reduced street crimes throughout the city, particularly at night time, barangay officials confirmed.

The project is also in line with the city government’s urban renewal program aimed at reviving Manila’s old glory. The program includes improved landscaping, renovation of historic parks and monuments, and added convenience in facilities.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

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CLASSIFIEDS

TODAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

Republic of the Phillippines Department of Health National Capital Regional Office VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER BIDS AND AWARD COMMITTEE

Manila

H. No. 6012

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FUNDING SOURCE: The Valenzuela Medical Center (VMC) through INCOME/GAA/GOP intends to apply the amount of Eigth Million Seven Hundred Forty One Thousand Three Hundred Twenty Four Pesos Only (P8,741,324.00), being the Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC) for the provision of public bidding for drugs & medicines CY 2016 (2nd Semester) for oneyear contract. Bids received in excess of the ABC shall be automatically rejected at Bid Opening.

The Valenzuela Medical Center now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for Drugs & Medicines Cy 2016 (2nd Semester). The description of an eligible Bidder is contained in Section II of the Bidding Documents’ ITB. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using nondiscretionary pass/fail criteria as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations Parts A (IRR-A) of Republic Act No. 9184 (RA 9184), otherwise known as the Government Procurement Reform Act, and is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, 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 and regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to Republic Act 5183 (RA 5183) and subject to Commonwealth Act 138 (CA 138). Only Bids from bidders who pass the eligibility check will be opened. The process for the eligibility check is described in Section II of the Bidding Documents, ITB. The Bidder with the lowest calculated bid (LCB) shall advance to the post-qualification stage in order to finally determine his responsiveness of the bid to the technical and financial requirements of the project. The contract shall then be awarded to the Lowest Calculated and Responsive Bidder (LCRB) who was determined as such during the post-qualification procedure.

Interested Bidders may obtain further information from Valenzuela Medical Center and inspect the Bidding Documents at the address given below from 9:00 –11:00 A.M. and 2:00 – 4:00 P.M. starting August 26, 2016.

The Valenzuela Medical Center will hold a Pre-Bid Conference open to all interested parties on September 6, 2016, 10:00 a.m. at VMC Conference Room, 4th Floor, Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City which shall be open only to all interested parties who have purchased the Bidding Documents.

A complete set of Bidding Documents may be purchased by interested Bidders from the address below and upon payment of a non-refundable fee in the amount of 1Million up – 5 Million/ Five Thousand Pesos Only (P5,000.00); and 5 Million up – 10 Million/ Ten Thousand Pesos Only (P10,000.00). The method of payment will be in cash, manager’s check, bank guarantee and surety bond. The Bidding Documents shall be received personally by the prospective bidder or his authorized representative. 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.

Eligibility Check and Bid Opening will be on September 20, 2016. Bids will be opened in the presence of the Bidders’ representatives who choose to attend at the address below.

Bids and eligibility requirements must be delivered to the address below on or before September 20, 2016, 10:00 am, BAC Office. All bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security in the form of Cash, Manager’s Check or Cashier’s Check Bank Draft or Bank Guarantee of two (2%) percent of the total amount to bid. Late Bids shall not be accepted.

The Valenzuela Medical Center reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to the contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected Bidder or Bidders.

VALENZUELA MEDICAL CENTER IMELDA M. MATEO, MD, MBAH, FPCP, FPCCP District Health Officer II Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City 291-4259/294-4625 (SGD) DONA D. SALMOS, RN, MAN BAC Chairperson

(TS-AUG. 26, 2016)

A Sure Bet for Progress in Gaming, Entertainment and Nation Building

Invitation to Bid for the Supply and Delivery of Five (5) Lots Consolidated I.T. Equipment of Corporate Departments and SOGs for 2nd Semester CY2016 under ITB No. PB16-082COR-08 The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) is inviting all interested bidders in its forthcoming public bidding for the Supply and Delivery of Five (5) Lots Consolidated I.T. Equipment of Corporate Departments and Satellite Operations Groups (SOG) for 2nd Semester CY2016 under ITB No. PB16-082COR-08.

Brief Description

Lot 1: Supply and Delivery of Various Computers, Printers & Peripherals Item Quantity Description 1 26 units Branded Laptop Computer 2 2 units Branded Desktop Computer (High-end) 3 39 units Branded Desktop Computer 4 31 units Clone Desktop Computer 5 2 units Clone Desktop Computer with 21.5” LCD Monitor 6 15 units Printer, Inkjet plus Additional Ink Cartridges Deskjet/Inkjet (Printer, Scanner, Copier) plus Additional Ink 7 22 units 3-in-1 cartridges 8 6 units Printer, Continuous Ink Tank System plus Additional Ink Cartridges 9 1 unit Printer, Receipt Printer 10 4 units Scanner, Flatbed (Low-end) 11 1 unit Scanner, Flatbed (High-end) 12 115 units 650VA Electrical UPS 13 19 units Hard Drive, External, 2TB 14 1 unit USB Flash Drive, 32GB 15 5 units 21.5” - 22” LED Monitor 16 240 units Keypad, Numeric 17 2 units Webcam

Lot 2: Supply and Delivery of Branded Ultra Small Form Factor Computer w/ 22” LCD Full HD Widescreen Monitor Item Quantity 1 6 units 2 6 units

Description PC, SFF CPU with Numeric Keypad 22” Branded LCD Full HD Wide Screen Monitor (Mountable)

Lot 3: Supply and Delivery of Branded Notebook Computers Item Quantity 1

1 unit

2

1 unit

Description Branded Notebook Computer, Mid-level processor, 2.5GHz; (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz) Branded Notebook Computer, Mid-level processor, 2.7GHz; (Turbo Boost up to 3.1GHz), with accessories

Lot 4: Supply and Delivery of Four (4) units Barcode Scanner, Box Type Lot 5: Supply and Delivery of Three (3) Units Barcode Reader, Slot Type Delivery Period

Within thirty (30) calendar days from effectivity date specified in the Notice to Proceed

Approved Budget for the Contract (ABC)

The total ABC is in the amount of Five Million Nine Hundred Forty-Seven Thousand Six Hundred Four Pesos and 32/100 (PhP5,947,604.32), VATExclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction.

The ABC for each of the five (5) lots of IT Equipment were as follows: Description

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Supply and Delivery of Various Computers, printers & Peripherals

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Supply and Delivery of Branded Ultra Small Form Factor Computer w/ 22” LCD Full HD Widescreen Monitor Supply and Delivery of Branded One Hundred Thirty-Four Thousand Eight Notebook Computers Pesos and 33/100 (PhP134,008.33) Supply and Delivery of Four (4) units Sixty-Eight Thousand Pesos (PhP68,000.00) Barcode Scanner, Box Type Supply and Delivery of Three (3) Units Sixteen Thousand Five Hundred Pesos Barcode Reader, Slot Type (PhP16,500.00)

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Source of Funds

ABC VAT Exclusive, Zero-Rated Transaction Five Million Four Hundred Ninety-Two Thousand Ninety-Five Pesos and 99/100 (PhP5,492,095.99) Two Hundred Thirty-Seven Thousand Pesos (PhP237,000.00)

Lot

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Internally Funded

Bidders should have completed, within the last three (3) years before the date of submission and receipt of bids, a contract similar to the Project. The description of an eligible bidder is contained in the Bidding Documents, particularly, in Section II. Instructions to Bidders. Bidding will be conducted through open competitive bidding procedures using a non-discretionary “pass/fail” criterion as specified in the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act (RA) 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement Reform Act”.

Bidding is restricted to Filipino citizens/sole proprietorships, partnerships, or organizations with at least sixty percent (60%) interest or outstanding capital stock belonging to citizens of the Philippines, and to citizens or organizations of a country the laws or regulations of which grant similar rights or privileges to Filipino citizens, pursuant to RA 5183 and subject to Commonwealth Act 138.

All particulars relative to Pre-Bid Conference, Detailed Evaluation of Bids, Post-Qualification and Award of Contract shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of R.A. 9184 and its IRR. The schedule of activities is listed, as follows: Activities 1. Issuance of the Bidding Documents 2. Pre-Bid Conference 3. Deadline for the Submission and Receipt of Bids 4. Opening and Preliminary Examination of Bids

Schedule August 26, 2016 to September 19, 2016 September 5, 2016; 10:30 a.m.

September 19, 2016; 10:00 a.m.

September 19, 2016; 10:00 a.m. onwards

Complete details of the project are indicated in the bidding documents which will be available to prospective bidders at the Procurement Department (PD), acting as the BAC Secretariat, upon payment of the nonrefundable fee for the sale of bidding documents based on the following matrix: Approved Budget for the Contract 500,000.00 and below More than 500,000.00 up to 1 Million More than 1 Million up to 5 Million More than 5 Million up to 10 Million

Cost of Bidding Documents (in Philippine Pesos) 500.00 1,000.00 5,000.00 10,000.00

Prospective bidders may also download the Bidding Documents free of charge from the following websites: www.pagcor.ph and www.philgeps.gov.ph and may be allowed to submit bids provided that bidders shall pay the non-refundable fee for the sale of bidding documents not later than the date of the submission of bids.

The Pre-bid Conference is open to all prospective bidders. Prospective bidders should present to PAGCOR’s Cashier located at the Sixth (6th) Floor, PAGCOR Corporate Office, New World Manila Bay Hotel, 1588 M.H. del Pilar Street corner Pedro Gil Street, Malate, Manila either the Fee Slip for the Sale of Bidding Documents, which may be secured from the BASD, or a copy of this ITB in effecting payment for the Bidding Documents.

All bids must be accompanied by a bid security in any of the acceptable forms and in the amount stated in ITB Clause 18.

PAGCOR assumes no responsibility whatsoever to compensate or indemnify bidders for any expenses incurred in the preparation of their bids.

In accordance with Government Procurement Policy Board (GPPB) Circular 06-2005 - Tie-Breaking Method, the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) shall use a non-discretionary and non-discriminatory measure based on sheer luck or chance, which is “DRAW LOTS,” in the event that two or more bidders have been postqualified and determined as the bidder having the Lowest Calculated Responsive Bid (LCRB) to determine the final bidder having the LCRB, based on the following procedures: 1.In alphabetical order, the bidders shall pick one rolled paper.

2.The lucky bidder who would pick the paper with a “CONGRATULATIONS” remark shall be declared as the final bidder having the LCRB and recommended for award of the contract.

PAGCOR reserves the right to accept or reject any Bid, and to annul the bidding process and reject all Bids at any time prior to contract award, without thereby incurring any liability to the affected bidder or bidders.

Please address all communications to the Bids and Awards Committee through PD, Room 203, Second (2nd) Floor, PAGCOR House, 1330 Roxas Boulevard, Ermita, Manila, Telephone 524-3911, 521-1542 locals 223 or 617.

(Sgd.) RODERICK R. CONSOLACION Chairperson Bids and Awards Committee (BAC) 2

San Miguel Avenue, Pasig City

Third Regular Session

INVITATION TO APPLY FOR ELIGIBILITY AND TO BID DRUGS & MEDICINES CY 2016 (2nd SEMESTER)

(MS-AUG. 26, 2016)

Republic of the Philippines

TODAY ENERGY REGULATORY COMMISSION

Sixteenth Congress

Padrigal St., Karuhatan, Valenzuela City Telefax No. 294-4625 Email addressvmc_bac@yahoo.com

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Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-seventh day of July, two thousand fifteen.

[REPUBLIC ACT NO. 10900] AN ACT EXTENDING FOR ANOTHER TWENTY-FIVE (25) YEARS THE FRANCHISE GRANTED TO BELL TELECOMMUNICATION PH IL IPPIN E S. INC., AMENDING FOR THE PURPOSE REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7692, ENTITLED “AN ACT GRANTING TO BELL TELECOMMUNICATION PH IL IPPIN E S, INC., A FRANCHISE TO INSTALL, OPERATE AND MAINTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS THROUGHOUT THE PHILIPPIN E S AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES”

IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF VARIOUS SUBTRANSMISSION LINES/ASSETS OF THE NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANS CO) TO CAGAYAN ELECTRIC POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (CEPALCO), AS COVERED BY A SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT TO SELL DATED 20 MAY 2015 ERC CASE No. 2015- 212 RC NATIONAL TRANSMISSION CORPORATION (TRANSCO) AND CAGAYAN ELECTRIC POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY, INC. (CEPALCO), Applicants.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: SECTION 1. The franchise of Bell Telecommunication Philippines, Inc. granted under Republic Act No. 7692 is hereby amended to read as follows: “SECTION 1. Nature and Scope of Franchise. - Subject to the provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and applicable laws, rules and regulations on public telecommunications, Bell Telecommunication Philippines, Inc., hereunder referred to as the grantee, its successors or assignees, is hereby granted the right, privilege and authority to carry on the business of providing telecommunications services in and between provinces, cities and municipalities in the Philippines and between the Philippines and other countries and territories and, for this purpose, to establish, operate, manage, lease, maintain and purchase telecommunications systems, including mobile, cellular and wired or wireless telecommunications systems, fiber optics, satellite transmit and receive systems, and other telecommunications systems and their value-added services such as transmission of voice, data, facsimile, control signals, audio and video, information service bureau, and all other telecommunications systems technologies as are at present available or be made available through technical advances or innovations in the future, or construct, acquire, lease, and opera te or manage transmitting and receiving stations and switching stations, both for local and international services, lines, cables or systems, as is, or are, convenient or essential to efficiently carry out the purposes of this franchise.”

“SEC. 2. Manner of Operation of Stations or Facilities. - The stations or facilities of the grantee shall be constructed and operated in a manner as will, at most, result only in the minimum interference on the wavelengths or frequencies of existing stations or other stations which may be established by law, without in any way diminishing its own right to use its assigned wavelengths or frequencies and the quality of transmission or reception thereon as should maximize rendition of the grantee’s services and/or the availability thereof.”

“SEC. 3. Authority of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). - The grantee shall secure from the NTC a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity or the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction, installation and operation of its telecommunications systems/facilities.

In issuing the certificate, the NTC shall have the power to impose such conditions relative to the construction, operation, maintenance, or service level of the telecommunications system. The NTC shall have the authority to regulate the construction and operation of its telecommunications systems.

The grantee shall not use any frequency in the radio spectrum without authorization from the NTC. Such certificate shall state the areas covered and the date the grantee shall commence the service.

The NTC, however, shall not unreasonably withhold or delay the grant of such authority, permit or license.”

“SEC. 4. Excavation and Restoration Works. - For the purpose of erecting and maintaining poles or other supports for said wires or other conductors for the purpose of laying and maintaining underground wires, cables or other conductors, it shall be lawful for the grantee, its successors or assignees, with the prior approval of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) or the local government unit (LGU) concerned, as may be appropriate, to make excavations or lay conduits in any of the public places, roads, highways, streets, lanes, alleys, avenues, sidewalks, or bridges of the province, cities, and/or municipalities: Provided, however however, That a public place, road, highway, street, lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or bridge disturbed, altered or changed by reason of erection of poles or other supports or the underground laying of wires, other conductors or conduits, shall be repaired and replaced in workmanlike manner by said grantee, its successors or assignees, in accordance with the standards set by the DPWH or the LGU concerned. Should the grantee, its successors or assignees, after the ten (10)-day notice from the said authority, fail, refuse or neglect to repair or replace any part of public place, road, highway, street lane, alley, avenue, sidewalk, or bridge altered, changed or disturbed by the said grantee, its successors or assignees, then the DPWH or the LGU concerned shall have the right to have the same repaired and placed in good order and condition at double expense to be charged against the grantee, its successors or assignees. “ “SEC. 5. Responsibility to the Public. - The grantee shall conform to the ethics of honest enterprise and not use its stations/facilities for obscene or indecent transmission, or for dissemination of deliberately false information, or willful misrepresentation, or assist in subversive or treasonable acts.

“The grantee shall provide basic or enhanced telephone service in any city and/or municipality in the Philippines where it has an approved Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for the establishment, operation and maintenance of a local exchange service, without discrimination to any applicant therefor, in the order of the date of their applications, up to the limit of the capacity of its local telephone exchange and, should the demand for the telephone service at any time increase beyond the capacity thereof, the grantee shall increase the same to meet the demand: Provided, That in case the total demand to be satisfied by the expansion is Iess than the smallest viable local exchange available in the market as determined by the NTC, the grantee shall not be obliged to furnish such service unless the applicant for telephone service defrays the actual expenses for the installation of the telecommunications apparatus necessary for the services and in such case, the NTC may extend the time within which the grantee shall furnish the service.

“The grantee shall operate and maintain all its stations, line , cables, systems, and equipment for the transmission and reception of messages, signals, and pulses in a satisfactory manner at all times, and as far as economical and practicable, modify, improve, or change such stations, lines, cables, systems, and equipment to keep abreast with the advances in science and technology.”

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES: Notice is hereby given that on 18 December 2015, National Transmission Corporation (TRANSCO) and Cagayan Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO), filed an Application’ for the Approval of the Sale of Various Sub-transmission lines/assets of TRANSCO to CEPALCO as covered by a Second Amendment to the Contract to Sell dated 20 May 2015.

In their Application, TRANSCO and CEPALCO alleged among others, the following: 1.

TRANSCO is a government-owned and controlled corporation created and existing by virtue of R.A.No. 9136, otherwise known as the Electric Power Industry Reform Act of 2001 (EPIRA), with principal office address at the TRANSCO Main Building, Quezon Avenue corner BIR Road, Diliman, Quezon City.

2.

CEPALCO is an electric distribution utility (DU) duly organized and existing under the laws of the Republic of the Philippines, with principal office address at 8/F Strata 100 Bldg., Emerald Avenue, Ortigas Center, Pasig City, Philippines.

3.

By virtue of Section 8 of the EPIRA, TRANSCO assumed the electrical transmission functions of the National Power Corporation, and the responsibility of the latter for the planning, construction and centralized operation and maintenance of high voltage transmission facilities, including grid interconnections and ancillary services.

4.

Section 8 ofthe EPIRA and Rule 6, Section 8 (e) ofthe EPIRA’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) also mandate the segregation of the transmission and subtransmission functions and assets for transparency and disposal, and authorize TRANSCO to negotiate for, and to transfer such subtransmission assets (STAs) and facilities to qualified distribution utilities (DUs).

5.

Pursuant thereto, this Honorable Commission promulgated the “Guidelines on the Sale and Transfer of the TRANSCO’s Subtransmission Assets and the Franchising of Qualified Consortiums” (ERC Guidelines) dated 17 October 2003, as amended by Resolution NO.3, Series of 2005 dated 17 March 2005 which set forth among others, the standards to distinguish TRANSCO’s transmission assets from its sub-transmission assets and establish the approval process prior to the final sale and transfer of STAsto DUs.

6.

Consistent with the ERC Guidelines, TRANSCO adopted its own Guidelines on the Sale of Subtransmission Assets (TRANSCO Guidelines) [Annex “A”] as approved by TRANSCO Board Resolution No. TC-2003-067 dated 28 November 2003 [Annex “A-1”], as further amended by TRANSCO Board Resolution No.TC-2004-009 dated 16 March 2004 [Annex “A-2”].

7.

On 16 July 2011, this Honorable Commission issued Resolution No. 15, Series of 2011 entitled “A Resolution Adopting the Amended Rules for the Approval of the Sale and Transfer of TRANSCO’s Subtransmission Assets and the Acquisition by Qualified Consortiums.”

8.

In accordance with the aforesaid ERC Guidelines, and based on a thorough evaluation conducted by TRANSCO, it was determined that the Iponan-Carmen 69 kV line is a subtransmission asset.

9.

On 28 December 2010, CEPALCO concluded with Misamis Oriental I Electric Service Cooperative, Inc. (MORESCO I) a Compromise Agreement [Annex “B”], the pertinent provision of which stipulates, as follows:

“SEC. 6. Rates for Services. - The charges and rates for telecommunications services of the grantee, except the rates and charge on those that may hereafter be declared or considered as nonregulated services, whether flat rates or measured rates or variation thereof, shall be subject to the approval of the NTC or its legal successor. The rates to be charged by the grantee shall be unbundled, separable and distinct among the services offered and shall be determined in a manner that regulated services do not subsidize the unregulated ones.”

“SEC. 7. Right of Government. - A special right is hereby reserved to the President of the Philippine ,in times of war, rebellion, public peril, calamity, emergency, disaster or disturbance of peace and order: to temporarily take over and operate the stations, transmitters, facilities, or equipment of the grantee; to temporarily suspend the operation of any station, transmitter, facility, or equipment in the interest of public safety, security, and public welfare; or to authorize the temporary use and operation thereof by any agency of the government, upon due compensation to the grantee, for the use of said stations, transmitters, facilities, or equipment during the period when these shall be so operated.

“2.1. Sub-transmission assets that are located from Lugait to Opol, Misamis Oriental shall be purchased exclusively by MORESCO I, while those that are located in Cagayan de Oro City, or particularly from Iponan up to Carmen, Cagayan de Oro City shall be purchased exclusively by CEPALCO.” 10.

On 19 December 2011, TRANSCO and CEPALCO Concluded a Contract to Sell [Annex “C”] covering the aforesaid asset amounting to Eight Million Nine Hundred Thirty Four Thousand Nine Hundred Forty One and 23/100, Philippine currency (PhPS,934,941.23) based on the 200S rolled forward Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) Valuation.

11.

Subsequently, TRANSCO and CEPALCO concluded an Amended Contract to Sell [Annex “D”] dated 27 February 2012 to include in the sale package the Carmen Substation Transformer amounting to Twenty Two Million Two Hundred Fifty Six Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty, Philippine currency (PhP22,2S6,720.OO).

12.

With the above contract revision, the original purchase price of PhP8,934,941.23 was increased to Thirty One Million One Hundred Ninety One Thousand Six Hundred Sixty One and 23/100 (PhP31,191,661.23).

13.

On 23 October 2014, CEPALCOwrote TRANSCOto request for a Second Amendment of the Contract to Sell to cover the length of the Opol-Carmen (part of Lugait-Carmen 69 kV Line) due to the new tapping point at Structure No. 223 located at the Opol Substation and the inclusion of the Carmen Sub-station associated equipment ofthe 10MVAtransformer.

14.

The proposed new tapping point will form part of the Opol Substation to be constructed by the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) as evidenced by ERC Case No. 2012- 066 RC.

15.

On 20 May 2015, TRANSCOand CEPALCOexecuted a Second Amendment to the Contract to Sell dated 19 December 2011 [Annex “E”] covering the aforesaid asset for the amount of Thirty Eight Million Two Hundred Nineteen Thousand One Hundred Eighty One, Philippine currency (PhP38,219,181.00) plus twelve percent value-added tax (12% VAT) of Four Million Five Hundred Eighty Six Thousand Three Hundred One and 72/100, Philippine currency (PhP4,586,301.72), or for a total amount of Forty Two Million Eight Hundred Five Thousand Four Hundred Eighty Two and 72/100, Philippine currency (PhP42,805,482.72).

“The radio spectrum is a finite resource that is part of the national patrimony and the use thereof is a privilege conferred upon the grantee by the State, and may be withdrawn anytime after due process.”

“SEC. 8. Term of Franchise. - This franchise shall be in effect for a period of twenty-five (25) years from the date of the effectivity of this Act, unless sooner cancelled. This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two (2) years.”

“SEC. 9. Tax Provisions. - The grantee shall be liable to pay the same taxes on its real estate, buildings and personal property exclusive of this franchise, except on its antennas, radios, base transceiver stations, telecommunications and electronic communications equipment, machineries and spare parts needed in connection with the busine s from the grantee, as well as the self-supporting, monopole and/or guyed towers, and other similar structures and facilities on which said antennas, radios, telecommunications and electronic communications equipment, machineries and spare parts are installed, which shall be exempt from real property taxes, customs duties, tariffs, and other taxes and fee . In addition thereto, the grantee shall pay value-added tax on all gross receipts of the business transacted under this franchise in the Philippines, in lieu of any and all taxes of any kind., nature or description, including, but not limited to, local business taxes, local franchise taxes, tower fees, supervision fees, local communication taxes levied, established or collected., or may be levied, established or collected., by any city, municipality, provincial or national authority, from which the grantee is hereby expressly exempted effective from the date of approval of this Act: Provided, That the grantee shall continue to be liable for income taxes payable under Title II of the National Internal Revenue Code pursuant to Section 2 of Executive Order No. 72 unless the latter enactment is amended or repealed., in which case the amendment or repeal shall be applicable thereon.”

“SEC. 10. Acceptance and Compliance. - Acceptance of this franchise shall be given in writing to the Congress of the Philippines, through the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Public Services of the Senate, within sixty (60) days from the effectivity of this Act. Upon giving such acceptance, the grantee shall exercise the privileges granted under this Act. Nonacceptance shall render the franchise void. As a guaranty that it has accepted this franchise in good faith, the grantee shall, within thirty (30) days, deposit with the National Treasury the sum of one hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) in cash or negotiable instruments of the Philippine Government and file a bond in the amount of one million pesos (P1,000,000,00).

“Should the grantee fail, refuse or neglect to begin the business of providing a telephone service within two (2) years of the grant of the Certificate of Public Convenience and necessity and for any reason other than an act of God, act of the public enemy, military power, martial law, riot, civil commotion, or unavoidable cause, then the deposit prescribed under this section shall be forfeited in favor of the National Government as liquidated damages. Should the grantee perform on time the undertaking for which the deposit is required, then the deposit shall be returned to the grantee and its bond cancelled within six (6) months of commencement of service.”

“SEC. 11. Right of Interconnection. - The grantee is hereby authorized to connect or demand connection of its telecommunications systems to other telecommunications systems installed, operated, and maintained by any other duly authorized person or entity in the Philippines for the purpose of providing extended and improved telecommunications services to the public, under the term and conditions mutually agreed upon by the parties concerned; this right shall be subject to the review and modification of the NTC.” “SEC. 12. Gross Receipts. - The grantee, its successors or assignees, shall keep a separate account of the gross receipts of the business transacted by it and shall furnish the Commission on Audit (COA) and the National Treasury a copy of such account not later than the thirty-first (31st ) day of January of each year for the preceding twelve (12) months.”

“SEC. 13. Books and Accounts. - The books and accounts of the grantee, its successors or assignees, shall always be open to the inspection of the COA and its duly authorized representatives. It shall be the duty of the grantee to submit to the COA two (2) copies of the quarterly reports on the gross receipts, the net profits and the general condition of the business.”

“SEC. 14. Warranty in Favor of the National and Local Governments. - The grantee shall hold the national, provincial, city, and municipal governments of the Philippines free from all claims, accounts, demands, or actions arising out of accidents or injuries, whether to property or to persons, caused by the construction or operation of the stations, transmitters, facilities, or equipment of the grantee.”

“SEC. 15. Sale, Lease, Transfer, Usufruct, or Assignment of Franchise. - The grantee shall not lease, transfer, grant the usufruct of, sell nor assign this franchise or the rights and privileges acquired thereunder to any person, firm , company, corporation or entity, nor merge with any other corporation or entity without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines. Neither shall the controlling interest of the grantee be transferred, whether as a whole or in parts and whether simultaneously or contemporaneously, to any such person, firm, company, corporation or entity without the prior approval of the Congress of the Philippines: Provided, That the foregoing limitations shall not apply to: (a) any transfer or issuance of shares of stock in the implementation of the requirement for the dispersal of the grantee’s ownership pursuant to Section 16 of this Act; (b) any transfer or sale of shares of stock to a foreign investor or investors; (c) any issuance of shares to any foreign or local investors pursuant to or in connection with any increase in the grantee’s authorized capital stock which shall result in the dilution of the stockholding of the grantee’s then existing stockholders; (d) any combination thereof where such transfer, sale or issuance is effected in order to enable the grantee to raise the necessary capital or financing for the provision of any of the services authorized by this Act and/or to carry out any ofthe purposes for which the grantee has been incorporated or organized: Provided, further further, That any such transfer, sale or issuance is in accordance with any applicable constitutional limitations. Any person or entity to which this franchise is validly sold, transferred or as igned shall be subject to all the same conditions, terms, restrictions, and limitations of this Act: Provided, furthermore, That Congress shall be informed of any sale, lease, transfer, grant of usufruct, or assignment of franchise or the rights and privileges acquired thereunder, or of the merger, or transfer of controlling interest of the grantee, within sixty (60) days after the completion of said transaction: Provided, moreover, That failure to report to Congress such change of ownership shall render the franchise ipso facto revoked: Provided, finally, That any person or entity to which this franchise is sold, transferred, or assigned, shall be subject to the same conditions, terms, restrictions, and limitations of this Act.” “SEC. 16. Dispersal of Ownership. - In accordance with the constitutional provision to encourage public participation in public utilities, the grantee shall offer to Filipino citizens at least thirty percent (30%) or a higher percentage that may hereafter be provided by law of its outstanding capital stock in any securities exchange in the Philippines within five (5) years from the commencement of its operations.”

“SEC. 17. Reportorial Requirement. - The grantee shall submit an annual report ·to the Congress of the Philippine , through the Committee on Legislative Franchises of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Public Services of the Senate, on its compliance with the terms and conditions of the franchise and on its operations on or before April 30 of every year during the term of its franchise. The reportorial compliance certificate issued by Congress shall be required before any application for permit or certificate is accepted by the NTC.” “SEC. 18. Penalty Clause. - Failure of the grantee to submit the requisite annual report to Congress shall be penalized with a fine in the amount of five hundred pesos (P500.00) per working day of noncompliance. The fine shall be collected by the NTC from the delinquent franchise grantee separate from the reportorial penalties imposed by the NTC.” “SEC. 19. Equality Clause. - Any advantage, favor, privilege, exemption, or immunity granted under other existing franchises, or which may hereafter be granted, upon prior review and approval of Congress, shall become part of this franchise and shall be accorded immediately and unconditionally to the herein grantee: Provided, That the foregoing shall neither apply to nor affect provisions of telecommunications franchises concerning territory covered by the franchise, the life span of the franchise or the type of service authorized by the franchise.”

“SEC. 20. Separability Clause. - If any of the sections or provisions of this Act is held invalid, all other provisions not affected thereby shall remain valid.”

“SEC. 21. Repealability and Nonexclusivity Clause. - This franchise shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress of the Philippines when the public interest so requires and shall not be interpreted as an exclusive grant of the privilege herein provided for.”

Copies of the Report regarding the nature of the assets, List of STAs for sale to CEPALCO and the Single line diagram are attached as Annexes “F”, “G” and “H,” respectively.

16.

The subject STAs are valued in reference to the Sinclair Knight Merz (SKM) valuation pursuant to ERC Resolution No. 01, Series of 2009, as amended. An excerpt from the SKM report for the 3rd regulatory period is attached as Annex “I.”

17.

TRANSCO has clearly established that CEPALCO satisfies the financial and technical capability criteria under Article IV of the ERC Guidelines in acquiring, operating, maintaining, upgrading and expanding the subject STAs. Attached are copies of the Financial Qualification Evaluation [Annex “J”] and Technical Qualification Evaluation [Annex “K”] conducted by TRANSCO on CEPALCO, as well as the latter’s Audited Financial Statements as of 31 December 2013 and 31 December 2014 [Annex “L”].

18.

Finally, applicants respectfully submit the following documents in compliance with the Honorable Commission’s requirements: a. Draft Deed of Absolute Sale [Annex “M”]; b. Franchise Description [Annex “N”]; c. List of Connected Distribution Utilities and Directly Connected Entities [Annex “0”]; and, d. Secretary’s Certificate dated 02 September 2015 [Annex “P”] .

19.

The proposed sale has satisfied all of the requirements and criteria set by the EPIRA and its IRR, as well as the ERC and TRANSCO’s Guidelines on the Sale of Subtransmission Assets.

20.

The approval by this Honorable Commission of the instant Joint Application shall pave the way for the attainment of a reformed electricity industry under the EPIRA, which would ultimately best serve the interest of the consuming public.

21.

TRANSCO and CEPALCO prayed that the Commission will approve the instant Joint Application for the approval of the sale of TRANSCO’s sub-transmission assets in favor of CEPALCO under the terms provided in the Second Amendment to the. Contract to Sell dated 19 December 2011 and grant such other just and equitable relief.

The Commission has set the application for initial hearing, expository presentation, Pre-trial Conference and evidentiary hearing on 20 September 2016 (Tuesday) at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 A.M.) at CEPALCO’sPrincipal Office at CEPALCOAdministration Building, Fr. Masterson Avenue, Upper Balulang, Cagayan de Oro City.

All persons who have an interest in the subject matter of the proceeding may become a party by filing, at least five (5) days prior to the initial hearing and subject to the requirements in the ERC’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, a verified petition with the Commission giving the docket number and title of the proceeding and stating: (1) the petitioner’s name and address; (2) the nature of petitioner’s interest in the subject matter of the proceeding, and the way and manner in which such interest is affected by the issues involved in the proceeding; and (3) a statement of the relief desired.

All other persons who may want their views known to the Commission with respect to the subject matter of the proceeding may file their opposition to the application or comment thereon at any stage of the proceeding before the applicant concludes the presentation of its evidence.

No particular form of opposition or comment is required, but the document, letter or writing should contain the name and address of such person and a concise statement of the opposition or comment and the grounds relied upon.

All such persons who wish to have a copy of the application may request from the applicant that they be furnished with the same, prior to the date of the initial hearing. The applicant is hereby directed to furnish all those making such request with copies of the application and its attachments, subject to the reimbursement of reasonable photocopying costs. Any such person may likewise examine the application and other pertinent records filed with the Commission during the standard office hours.

WITNESS, the Honorable Chairman, JOSE VICENTE B. SALAZAR, and the Honorable Commissioners, ALFREDO J. NON, GLORIA VICTORIA C. YAP-TARDC, JOSEFINA PATRICIA A. MAGPALE-ASIRIT, and GERONIMO D. STA. ANA,, Energy Regulatory Commission, this 5th day of July, 2016 at Pasig City.

SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, orders, resolutions, instructions and rules and regulations or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby deemed repealed or modified accordingly.

SEC. 3. Effectivity Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

(MS-AUG. 26 & SEPT. 2, 2016)

ATTY. TTY. NATHAN J. MARASIGAN Chief of Staf Staff Office of the Chairman and CEO

Approved, FRANKLIN M. DRILON President of the Senate

FELICIANO BELMONTE JR. Speaker of the House of Representatives

This Act which originated in the House of Representatives was passed by the House of Representatives on September 21, 2015, amended by the Senate on January 18, 2016, and which amendments were concurred in by the House of Represen atives on May 23, 2016.

OSCAR G. YABES Secretary of the Senate

MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP Secretary General House of Representatives

BENIGNO S. AQUINO III President of the Philippines

(MS-AUG. 26, 2016)

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World

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

C3

9 dead in Kabul US university raid K

ABUL—At least nine people were killed after militants stormed the American University of Afghanistan in Kabul, officials said Thursday, in a nearly 10-hour raid that prompted anguished pleas for help from trapped students.

Explosions and gunfire rocked the campus after the attack began Wednesday evening, just weeks after two university professors—an American and an Australian—were kidnapped at gunpoint near the school.

No group has so far claimed responsibility for the assault, but it occurred as Taliban insurgents ramp up their nationwide summer offensive against the Western-backed Kabul government.

“Seven students were martyred, and 30 other students and lecturers were wounded,” interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told Agence France Presse, adding that two policemen were also killed.

Hundreds of students were rescued during the overnight operation, he said, many of whom tweeted desperate messages for help, with some using classroom furniture to barricade the doors.

Among them was Associated Press photojournalist Massoud Hossaini, who was said to be wounded and later managed to escape with some fellow students.

The attack began just after dusk, when the private university is usually packed with students, many of them working professionals doing part-time courses.

“I heard explosions and gunfire is going on close by... our classroom is filled with smoke and dust,” an anxious student told AFP by telephone, before fleeing the campus.

‘Nokor missiles can hit US, Pacific’

Authorities refused to confirm whether any hostages had been taken.

NATO military advisers were helping Afghan forces to respond to the attack, a US official said, without specifying how many troops were involved.

Many of the wounded were rushed into waiting ambulances outside the university on stretchers, as erratic gunshots rang out through the night from inside the complex.

“We send our thoughts and prayers to the families of those killed and our heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery to those wounded,” the US National Security Council said in a statement, strongly condemning the attack.

The elite American University of Afghanistan, which opened in 2006 and enrolls more than 1,700 students, is seen as a highprofile target for militants partly because it attracts foreign faculty members.

The two foreign professors at the university were seized from their vehicle on August 7, as the kidnappers smashed the passenger window and hauled them away at gunpoint.

It was apparently the first reported abduction related to a private university in Afghanistan.

Their whereabouts are still unknown and no group so far has publicly claimed responsibility for the abductions, the latest in a series of kidnappings of foreigners in the conflict-torn country. AFP

3 die, 18 pagodas fall in Myanmar quake BAGAN—Officials picked through the wreckage of toppled spires and crumbling temple walls in Myanmar’s ancient capital Bagan Thursday after a powerful earthquake rattled the top tourist destination, leaving three dead.

Clouds of dust settled over the damaged pagodas as officials took stock of the destruction caused by the 6.8 magnitude quake, which struck just south of the famous archaeological site Wednesday, killing two young girls and a man in nearby towns.

Police blocked tourists from entering Bagan’s vast field of some 2,500 Buddhist monuments—among the country’s most venerated religious sites— as workers cleared piles of bricks and swept the grounds.

“I heard sounds after I paid homage at a pagoda. There were foreign tourists there as well,” said Khin Maung Toe, a Myanmar man who was visiting Bagan for the first time when the earthquake struck.

“My wife barely escaped outside as the pagoda collapsed,” he told Agence France Presse.

Officials said the quake damaged at least 185 pagodas— many around 1,000 years old— at the site, which is a top attraction for foreign tourists flocking to the country as it emerges from decades of military rule.

The UNESCO office in Yangon, Myanmar’s largest city, has deployed experts to assess the damage, said office head Sardar Umar Alam.

The government is also sending teams from its culture and geology departments, he added.

“It takes time to know how the structures are stabilised and how bad the actual damage is—if a roof collapses, how much it affects different walls and mural paintings,” Alam said.

Bagan’s vast expansive of temple ruins—which make for a staggering sunset vista—have survived wars, earthquakes and centuries of tropical sun.

In its heyday the city, which was the capital of a powerful kingdom from the 9th to 13th centuries, was one of Asia’s most important centers for learning. AFP

PEACE. Japanese National Security Council Chief Shotaro Yachi (left) shakes hands with Chinese State

Councilor Yang Jiechi (right) ahead of a meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Thursday. AFP

Embattled Tsai nears 100th day in office TAIPEI—Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen urged the island’s army to improve its performance after a string of accidents, promising to help upgrade equipment as she presided over military drills Thursday.

The war games in the southern county of Pingtung, the first of Tsai’s presidency, are part of an annual military exercise which simulates incoming attacks from China, the biggest threat to Taiwan’s security.

Tsai is battling falling popularity and increased pressure from Beijing as she approaches 100 days in office marred by controversy.

Since she took the leadership in May, Tsai has been faced with a litany of challenges, from a missile mistakenly fired towards

to China, to labor protests and rows over personnel appointments.

Ties with rival Beijing— which has a deep distrust of Tsai—have become increasingly frosty, with China recently saying it has cut off official contact with Taipei.

The public support that swept Tsai into power by a landslide is now wavering. Her support ratings have fallen to around 50 percent in recent surveys, from highs of 70 percent.

Ahead of her 100th day in office Saturday, Tsai admitted her new government “hasn’t done well enough.”

“I hope that others do not use 100 days to judge the success or failure of my leadership,” she told reporters last week.

“Reforms need time.”

Voters backed Beijing-sceptic Tsai after many saw a rapprochement with China under previous president Ma Ying-jeou as benefiting big business, not ordinary Taiwanese.

There were also fears closer cross-strait relations would threaten Taiwan’s sovereignty— China still sees the self-ruling island as part of its territory to be reunified.

Since she took the reins, Tsai has apologized to the island’s aboriginals for historic injustices, pushed for pension reform and launched a budget she says will boost new industries and social care.

But some voters feel she has focused on the wrong issues.

AFP

SEOUL—North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un declared a submarine-launched missile test the “greatest success,” state media said Thursday, as the United Nations weighed a condemnation of the launch which appears to advance Pyongyang’s nuclear strike capability.

The US mainland and the Pacific are now “within the striking range” of the North’s army, the official KCNA news agency reported Kim as saying after Wednesday’s launch.

The missile was fired from a submarine submerged off the northeastern port of Sinpo on Wednesday, according to South Korea’s military. It flew 500 kilometers (around 300 miles) towards Japan, far exceeding any previous sub-launched tests.

The UN Security Council met for two hours on Wednesday to discuss North Korea’s latest provocative move and agreed to consider a statement condemning the launch.

“There was a general sense of condemnation by most members of the council and therefore we will have to see how we would then be phrasing the press statement,” said Ramlan bin Ibrahim from Malaysia, which currently holds the council’s presidency.

However diplomats expected further haggling with China, Pyongyang’s main ally, over the wording.

Earlier this month, North Korea fired a land-launched ballistic missile directly into Japanese-controlled waters for the first time, drawing an outraged response from Tokyo.

But the Security Council failed to condemn the move after China sought to include language in a statement opposing the THAAD missile defense system that the United States plans to deploy in South Korea.

Kim said the latest launch proved the North had joined the “front rank of the military powers fully equipped with nuclear attack capability.”

Pyongyang’s top newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried 24 photos of him observing the launch, including one with his hands on his hips roaring with laughter at an observation post, and other watching through a pair of binoculars.

“He appreciated the test-fire as the greatest success and victory,” it said.

Kim called for his nation’s scientists to work towards mounting nuclear warheads on all types of ballistic missiles and to be able to deliver them in order “to cope with the unpredicted total war and nuclear war with the US imperialists.”

“I do not guess what ridiculous remarks the US and its followers will make about this test-fire, but I can say their rash acts will only precipitate their self-destruction,” he was quoted as saying. AFP

Balinese protest $15-b reclamation

DUST TO DUST. The ancient Sulamani temple is seen shrouded in dust as a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Bagan on Wednesday. AFP

SANUR—Not far from tourists sipping cocktails on Bali’s tropical, palm-fringed beaches, thousands of protesters in sarongs and headdresses waved banners and chanted during a noisy protest.

It was an unusual sight on the “Island of the Gods,” which is better known for hordes of foreign visitors, its ancient Hindu culture and picture-postcard temples.

But a proposed $15-billion project that involves constructing artificial islets to host luxury resorts in Benoa Bay has sparked the biggest protest movement seen on the resort island for years.

Critics say the last thing the overcrowded tourist hub needs is the major land reclamation, which they claim will damage

the environment, destroy fishermen’s livelihoods and desecrate holy sites in the pocket of Hinduism in Muslim-majority Indonesia.

Environmentalists fear new resorts will create a lot of waste that may end up being dumped in to the bay. There are also concerns the islets would disrupt the flow of water from several rivers out to sea—leading to dirty water being pushed back to Bali, and may cause flooding.

“There will be floods in the future, the water will be dirty and smelly,” said protest leader Wayan Gendo Suardana at the demonstration, which brought together thousands of villagers and environmentalists, with music provided by local pop stars.

He also warned: “Benoa Bay is a holy site for Balinese Hindus

which needs to be protected.”

Tourism on Bali, which is home to most of Indonesia’s Hindu minority, began to take off in the 1970s and has been accompanied by a boom in resort construction.

The industry has developed steadily in the decades since— although tourist numbers dipped for a time following deadly bomb attacks in 2002 and 2005—and Bali last year welcomed four million foreign visitors.

There have long been concerns that rapid development is threatening the island’s beauty, as some popular beaches become increasingly dirty, but the Benoa Bay project has sparked an unusually large protest movement, with demonstrations almost every week for the past year. AFP

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

World

Italy earthquake claims 247 lives

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CCUMOLI—The death toll from a powerful earthquake that shook central Italy rose to 247 on Thursday, officials said, as rescuers desperately searched for survivors in the rubble of devastated mountain Hundreds of others were injured, some critically, and an unknown number were trapped under the ruins of collapsed buildings after Wednesday’s pre-dawn quake.

Amid scenes of carnage, dozens of emergency services staff and volunteers were determined to attempt to pluck more survivors from the ruins.

Rescuers had pledged to work through the night in the hope of finding people alive in the mangled wreckage of homes.

Prime Minister Matteo Renzi had earlier warned that the toll would likely rise after visiting the badly hit village of Amatrice.

Hundreds of people spent a chilly night in hastily assembled tents with the risk of aftershocks making it too risky for them to return home.

Scores of buildings were reduced to dusty piles of masonry in communities close to the epicenter of the quake, which had a magnitude of between 6.0 and 6.2.

It hit a remote area straddling Umbria, Marche and Lazio at a time of year when second-home owners and other visitors swell the numbers staying there. Many of the victims were from Rome.

The devastated area is just north of L’Aquila, the city where some 300 people died in another quake in 2009.

Most of the deaths occurred in and around the villages of Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto.

Guido Bordo, 69, lost his sister and her husband after they were trapped inside their holiday house in the hamlet of Illica, near Accumoli.

“There’s no sound from them, we only heard their cats,” he told AFP before the deaths were confirmed.

“I wasn’t here. As soon as the quake happened, I rushed here. They managed to pull my sister’s children out, they’re in hospital now,” he added, wringing his hands in anguish.

Among the victims was a nine-month-old baby girl whose parents survived, an 18-monthold toddler and two other young children who died with their parents in Accumoli.

Two boys aged four and seven were saved by their quick-thinking grandmother, who ushered them under a bed as soon as the shaking began, according to reports. She also survived but lost her husband. AFP

London’s hottest day: 5 dead LONDON—Five beachgoers died as Britain sweltered on the hottest day of the year Wednesday, officials said, bringing to 12 the number of people to have perished in the past week.

Millions have headed to the coast to escape a heatwave that has hit towards the end of the school holidays and officials have warned holidaymakers to stay at a safe distance from the water.

The bodies of two men were found at Camber Sands, southeast England, hours after three men died after being pulled from the sea.

The cause of death was not immediately given.

Police said emergency services were called to the beach in the early afternoon after the first

person was spotted in the sea.

Two others were seen in difficulty and brought ashore, but despite rescue efforts all three men died.

“This has been an incredibly tragic situation. At this stage we are doing all we can to establish who the men are and to identify next of kin,” police Chief Superintendent Di Roskilly said in a statement.

Roskilly added that authorities were still trying to establish what happened, with no information given as to the identity of the victims.

The coastguard and police were not immediately available to comment on the circumstances of the deaths, which came on the hottest day of the year with temperatures reaching 33.9 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit). AFP

Colombia signs historic peace pact HAVANA—Colombia’s government and FARC rebels announced Wednesday that they have reached a historic peace deal to end their half-century civil war that cost hundreds of thousands of lives.

After nearly four years of negotiations in Cuba, the two sides announced a final deal, which President Juan Manuel Santos said would be put to a decisive referendum on October 2.

“The Colombian government and the FARC announce that we have reached a final, full and definitive accord... on ending the conflict and building a stable and enduring peace,” the two sides said in a joint statement read out in Havana by Cuban diplomat Rodolfo Benitez.

“We don’t want one more victim in Colombia.”

In a national address just after the announcement, Santos—who has staked his legacy on the peace process—said the deal marked “the end of the suffering, the pain and the tragedy of war.”

He immediately launched his campaign for a “Yes” vote in the referendum, which he said would be the most important election of voters’ lives.

“This is a historic and unique opportunity... to leave behind this conflict and dedicate our efforts to building a more secure, safe, equitable, educated country, for all of us, for our children and grandchildren,” he said.

The conflict began with the founding of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) in 1964, at a time when leftist guerrilla armies were fighting to sow revolution throughout Latin America.

Over the years, it has killed 260,000 people, uprooted 6.8 million and left 45,000 missing.

Along the way, it has drawn in several leftist rebel groups and right-wing paramilitaries.

Drug cartels have also fueled the violence in the world’s largest cocaine-producing country.

Three previous peace processes with the FARC ended in failure.

But after a major offensive by the army from 2006 to 2009—led by then-defense minister Santos—a weakened FARC agreed to come to the negotiating table.

Over the past few days, the two sides had been discussing a range of unresolved topics, and worked late into the night Tuesday to draft their joint statement, sources from the two delegations told Agence France Presse in Havana.

The peace deal comprises six agreements reached at each step of the arduous negotiations.

They cover justice for victims of the conflict, land reform, political participation for ex-rebels, fighting drug trafficking, disarmament and the implementation and monitoring of the accord. AFP

Women invade Norway Social media abused by army

MUTANT? Competitor Jamie Rahn attends “American Ninja Warrior” screening and course demonstration In celebration of the show’s first Emmy Award nomination, at Universal Studio, in Universal City, California, on Wednesday. AFP

extremists—UK solons

LIFE SAVING. Australia Govenor-General Peter John Cosgrove (center) hands out awards to surf life

savers at the Surf Life Saving Australia’s headquarters in Sydney on Thursday. The governor-general of the Commonwealth of Australia officially welcomed Surf Life Saving Australia back to its “spiritual home” at Bondi Icebergs. AFP

LONDON—Facebook, Twitter and Google are not doing enough to prevent their social networks from being used by extremists for a recruitment drive, a panel of British MPs said Thursday.

Failure to act would lead to the sites becoming “the ‘Wild West’ of the internet,” the home affairs committee warned.

The report was published after the number of counter-terrorism arrests in Britain increased 35 percent between 2010 and 2015, although the country has not seen a mass casualty extremist attack since 2005’s London bombings.

An estimated 800 people with links to Britain have traveled to fight in Syria and Iraq.

Britain’s official international terrorism threat level is currently set at “severe,” meaning an attack is considered highly likely.

Keith Vaz, a senior MP from

the main opposition Labor party who chairs the committee, called the internet “the lifeblood of Daesh and other terrorist groups”.

Daesh is another term for Islamic State jihadists, also known by the acronyms of ISIS and ISIL. “Huge corporations like Google, Facebook and Twitter with their billion-dollar incomes are consciously failing to target this threat and passing the buck by hiding behind their supranational legal status, despite knowing that their sites are being used by the instigators of terror,” Vaz said.

The committee added: “These companies have teams of only a few hundred employees to monitor networks of billions of accounts and Twitter does not even proactively report extremist content to law enforcement agencies. AFP

SETERMOEN military base— They sweat together, they sleep together: in the name of gender equality, Norway has introduced compulsory military service for women, even bunking them in mixed dorms with their brothers-in-arms.

The military’s gender balance is not entirely equal yet, but almost a third of the Norwegian army conscripts born in 1997 were women this summer.

At the Setermoen army base just above the Arctic Circle, new recruits in an armored battalion are learning to handle assault rifles for use on combat missions. Here and there, long ponytails stick out behind the recruits’ caps.

“It gives me a bigger recruitment pool to choose from,” the battalion’s chief, Lieutenant Colonel Pal Berglund, says of the new gender equal draft.

AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

DESTINATIONS

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Rich, Royal

Maranao culture is one of the most colorful cultures in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

By Ayunan Gunting

Marawi

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HE Islamic City of Marawi in Lanao del Sur is working to polish an image that has long been tainted by violence and unrest. Its newly elected mayor, Atty. Majul Gandamra, wants to discard this reputation. He’s bent on turning his city into a tourist destination and he intends to accomplish this by showcasing Marawi’s distinct location, the scenic spots and the Maranao heritage.

“Marawi City is blessed with cool climate, a rich culture, exquisite Maranao cuisine,” he said.

“The Maranao hospitality is palpable. The city sits on high ground; so it is cool all year round. Its pleasant climate makes it the summer capital of the Autonomous Region for Moslem Mindanao.”

Those who’ve visited the city would agree with Mayor Gandamra. First-time visitors are immediately disarmed by the serene character of the place, which is a sharp contrast to its turbulent past. Tree-lined streets and majestic mosques make it one of the country’s most picturesque cities. Ensconced at an elevation of roughly 2,300 feet, the city overlooks the largest lake in Mindanao, Lake Lanao, just right where the mouth of Agus River is located.

Marawi City’s inhabitants have been predominantly Muslim.

This has been so since the 14th century when an Arab-Malay, Sharriff Mu-

Colorful malongs and other ethnic fabrics are popular in Maranao culture

hammed Kabunsuwan journeyed to the Lake Lanao region from Johore, Malaysia and introduced Islam to the native population.

Islam thrived in the region through the centuries even as the country became a Spanish colony. The Spaniards did make attempts to conquer Marawi and they finally did so just prior to the arrival of the Americans.

Yet at present, roughly 92 percent of the city’s population is composed of Muslims.

The influence of the Spaniards and Americans had failed to make an impact on the people. Thus the heritage of the Maranaos remains intact in Marawi City.

To have a taste of the genuine Maranao culture, it’s best to explore the Padian market located in the Banggolo district, where the vendors are garbed in traditional Maranao attire. This market is a showcase of fresh produce, fried and skewered fish. The food here is similar to the Malay cuisine. It’s rich with coconut milk, fresh turmeric and spices. Laced with yellow ginger, olive oil and laurel leaves, the Maranao rice goes with palapa, a meat dish with caramelized shallots, ginger and red chili and beef rendang with coconut milk and spices.

One can also shop for shijabs, stunning

The majestic view of the iconic Lake Lanao—the largest lake in Mindanao

Maranao cuisine has a distinct similarity to Malay food

Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra

malongs and other ethnic fabrics, and brassware. Such exotic items share space with a few modern products such as cell phone covers, fancy umbrellas and just about every consumer item there is. It’s a bustling, colorful place and a haven for bargain hunters.

The city’s old world character is enhanced by the imposing homes of the well-to-do Maranaos. The houses, dubbed the torogan, highlight a distinct architectural style that is characterized by such bright and sinuous okir patterns and the panolong which are carved beams that use a serpent pattern. Malongs serve as curtains that hang from the rafters.

One of the most important landmarks in Marawi City is the flagship campus of the Mindanao State University. Its school buildings echo the architecture of the torogan house, what with their high gable roofs, flaring eaves, stilts and other embellishments. The main entrance itself is framed by two towers with domed caps.

The campus has a panoramic view of Lake Lanao, which is sometimes shrouded in mist in the early mornings, making the place seem so mystical.

Another campus attraction is the Aga

those who are about leave, the marker serves as a reminder of the captivating heritage that thrives in the city they had just explored.

Asked my relatives and friends, how important is heritage, culture and tradition to the Maranaos and how they express these in their daily life, “The Maranao heritage is something very important to me and family. Foremost is the idea of marriage. Although we have the opportunity to meet people from across the globe with my daughter asking me when she was six why she is the only white girl in school who has black hair, I emphasize that I want them to be married to someone Maranoa. I think it's a challenge for us who have chosen to live outside of the Philippines to have this ideal but I consider it a must. Although not necessarily unique to Maranaw culture, clothing is something we also are careful about. Not much exposure as my daughter calls it.

I live in Florida surrounded by beaches and my friends have accepted us being fully clothed while everybody else are in their two-piece bikinis,” Dr. Samerah Ariman Guro proudly shared. She is an assistant Professor at Florida State University College of Medicine.

Khan Museum of Islamic Arts, which houses the country’s largest collection of Muslim artifacts from the various ethnic groups in Mindanao. And there’s the fascinating doll collection of Dr. Sainuddin Malawani Moti. His company, D-Doll Enterprise, produces dolls dressed as the characters from the Maranao adventure epic, Darangen. The costumes of these dolls look so authentic; they’re painstakingly embroidered and encrusted with beadwork.

Another famous landmark is the Mindanao Islamic Center Mosque, which is famous for its very regal-looking turret and tranquil courtyard. It’s the most ideal venue for prayer. Even the city’s most prominent hotel manages to make its own contribution to the exotic skyline of Marawi. The Marawi Resort, which is located within the campus of the Mindanao State University, also highlights the torogan architectural style.

It’s also hard to miss the Kilometer 0.000 marker that welcomes motorists to the city. Serving as a sort of gateway to Marawi, the marker features an eyecatching Okir pattern. For those arriving in the city, the marker serves as a foretaste of the sights to behold. For

Life

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

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ATANGAS shines brighter as a tourism, business and leisure hub as Lima Park Hotel (LPH) earns four-star rating from the Department of Tourism (DOT), affirming its reputation as a premier business and leisure establishment.

The citation was given during the Recognition and Awarding of Certificates and Plaques for Star Rating Hotel ceremony held at the DOT IV-A office in Calamba, Laguna.

The plaque was awarded by Rebecca Villanueva-Labit, regional drector, DOT IV-A and the certificate handed over by Marites T. Castro, head of Standards and Accreditation of DOT. LPH is the only four-star hotel in Batangas and one of two in Region IV-A to receive the coveted award.

Labit commends LPH for its effort to exceed expectations. “There were very few establishments which was able to comply with the standards that were set forth by the Department of Tourism when we started the program for the star rating. Today is a truly proud moment for us because we are awarding your seal of excellence as a four-star-rated hotel. We congratulate Lima Park Hotel for continuously pursuing excellence in its facilities and service,” she says.

Edilberto P. Evangelista Jr., resident manager of LPH says, “We thank the Department of Tourism for its vote of trust and confidence. We

Lima Park Hotel

Receives 4-Star Rating from DOT

Lima Park Hotel officials accept the certification and plaque for its four-star rating from the Department of Tourism. Present during the ceremony are (from left) DOT Standards and Accreditation Head Marites Castro, LPH Resident Manager Edilberto Evangelista Jr., DOT IV-A Regional Director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit, and LPH Director for Marketing and Corporate Communications Rosalind Landicho

also thank our guests whose feedback ing excellence in our standards. With comes greater challenges and bigger helped shape our vision for pursu- this four-star rating and accreditation responsibilities. We are both humbled

and inspired by this latest recognition, and we commit to provide every guest the best experience for their every stay at Lima Park Hotel.”

The assessment was done by regional tourism officers and third party professionals who are involved in the hospitality industry.

LPH, situated in the heart of Malvar, Batangas, has gone through significant changes through the years. From its initial offering of 60 rooms, LPH now provides 136 rooms ranging from Superior, De Luxe, Premiere Luxe, Suite, Executive Suite and Governor’s Suite.

LPH’s amenities is a cut above the rest. The hotel houses the biggest grand ballroom that can accommodate 1,000 individuals, a 250-capacity premiere ballroom, an all-glass 150-capacity function room by the garden (Occasions Garden House), and nine events spaces for meetings, conferences, conventions, corporate events and personal milestones like weddings, birthdays and debut, among others.

LPH, also a culinary destination, offers a curated menu in its restaurants, Asian Flavors and La Terrazza Bar, which serves pizza, pasta, bar chow, and cocktails.

Guests can also enjoy top-notch facilities such as a gym, a horizon swimming pool, a playground, and a team building park.

PH, Thailand spur ‘exchange tourism’ THE Philippines has embarked on an “exchange tourism” agreement with Thailand in what is expected to encourage more Thai tourists to visit the country.

This developed during the four-day visit of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo to Bangkok last week upon the invitation of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) as part of the celebration of the 84th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit.

Teo met with Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports, who offered collaboration between the two countries in farm tourism, youth development, and women and indigenous community projects.

During the working visit to “The Land of Smiles,” the DOT chief also met with the Thai Travel Agents

Association (TTAA) at Tawana Ramada Hotel.

As a result, TTAA President Suparerk Soorangura announced his group would come to the Philippines in September for the Philippine Travel Exposition (PHITEX) and tour the cities of Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro. Soorangura, who claims he heard about the Philippines only three years ago, said they wanted to see Mayon Volcano, go deep-diving, shop and get a taste of authentic Filipino cuisine.

Teo, who was a top travel executive and tourism advocate herself, expressed great appreciation, saying she can learn a thing or two from Thai authorities, who catapulted Thailand’s tourism to the top, besting most Southeast Asian countries.

She was treated to a grand reception by Royal Thai Navy and tours to the Royal Grand Palace, the Emerald Buddha Temple, the Queen Sirikit Textile Museum, the Bang Pain Summer Palace, Bang Sai Royal Folks Arts and Crafts Center, and the AsiaTique River Front.

The two countries, in fact, share so much in common that Teo felt somewhat at home during her four-day working visit to Bangkok last week.

“I realized that one would find their sceneries somewhat familiar to those that we have here but what struck me is the fact that we have a lot more to offer,” Teo said.

The DOT chief was invited to promote the Philippines in the Thai International Travel Fair in February next year.

Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo (right) receives a gift from Thai Travel Agents Association President Suparerk Soorangura

DOT Secretary Teo with the Thai Travel Agents Association, led by President Soorangura

Top 6 finalists in travel photography SIX young aspiring photographers have been selected from over 500 participants in this year’s search for AirAsia Travel Photographer. The photo contest, now on its second year, is part of AirAsia’s continuous effort to inspire, engage and empower the youth to pursue their goals by traveling and sharing their stories through stunning images and photographs.

The six finalists went through rounds of judging and were selected based on their personality, creativity, content, originality and technical or visual presentation.

The six selected finalists were Neil Michael Cardano, a hotel front desk officer in Puerto Princesa City; Mithilaya Miclat, a nutritionist-dietician and social entrepreneur in Davao City; Eliseo Zuniga, a lawyer from Taguig; Kimberly Pauig, a writer from Pasig

City; Daniel Magbanua, a fashion photography student from Quezon City and Dave Poblete, a BPO employee in Makati City.

The panel of judges consisted of young leaders and veterans in the field of photography, branding and visual arts. Nachi Ugarte, creative director of GRID magazine; Jacob Maentz, documentary photographer; Wawi Navarrosa, artist/photographer, founder of Thousandfold; and Rudy Khaw, AirAsia Group’s head of branding, all shared their thoughts and advice to participants during the selection process held at Café Italia in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.

The six finalists will be traveling to Shanghai, China this month for the final leg of the competition that includes a series of challenges in landscape, portrait and food photography. The grand win-

AirAsia Travel Photographer 2016 finalists (second from left) Dave Poblete, DJ Magbanua, Neil Michael Cardano, Eliseo Zuniga, Kimberly Pauig and Mithilaya Miclat with AirAsia Flight Attendants

ner will be declared as "AirAsia Travel Photographer of the Year" and will receive 200,000 AirAsia BIG Points, surprise vacation package and more prizes from partner brands including GRID magazine and Flight 001.

Travel and photo enthusiasts also have the chance to win 50,000 AirAsia BIG Points and other exciting prizes by voting in the AirAsia Travel Photographer 2016 – People’s Choice Award. All they have to do is visit

www.airasiatp.com, proceed to the voting page and log in using their Facebook account. Then they can select their favorite contender and share the activity on their Facebook timeline.

Contest will run until Sept. 8.

Showbiz

VIBRANT AND COLORFUL. UP

Diliman’s resident ethnic music and dance ensemble Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, popularly known by the acronym KONTRA-GAPI, livens up the Eid’l Fitr Festival at SM City North EDSA

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HE recent Eid’l Fitr Festival was celebrated with art, music, and film at The Block, SM City North EDSA.

The three-day festivities at the Atrium of The Block featured a tribute to the late National Artist Dr. Abdulmari Imao through sculptures and dioramas by his son Toym. It also presented a display of Muslim weaves from Maguindanaon, Yakan, Tausog, and Sama; as well as

OLD school will always be cool. The comeback of trends from the 90s—Pokémon, brown lipstick and Doc Martens boots — only shows it was the best era ever. It was also the golden age of Pinoy rock music.

And when you say Pinoy rock, the first band that comes to mind is the Eraserheads. Ely Buendia, Marcus Adoro, Raymund Marasigan, and Buddy Zabala are the four men behind the Eraserheads, one of the most important bands in the history of Pinoy rock music.

The last time the Eraserheads performed together on one stage was in 2009. Recently, Smart was able to bring them back together for a special private performance.

Individually, Ely, Marcus, Raymund, and Buddy are talented artists but together as the Eraserheads, they are legendary. Their time apart has only served to hone their talents and personalities. Other artists can perform Eraserheads songs well but no one can do “Magasin,” “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” “Ligaya,” and “Pare Ko” like the original.

And as they say, “iba talaga ‘pag kumpleto.” Whether it is entertainment or anything else, people look for the whole package. In the same way, Smart’s prepaid call and text bundles are awesome, and its surf bundles equally so. But if you combine call, text and mobile internet, you have the most comprehensive prepaid deal ever.

On Aug. 19, the telco launched ALLOUTSURF 30, the first complete data, call and text, offer in the market. For P30.00, prepaid subscribers get 2 days of

a showcase of Muslim Clothing and Fashion.

Mall visitors also had a glimpse of Muslim culture through special performances by the Kontra-GaPi with founder Professor Pedro R. Abraham Jr. featuring traditional Muslim dances

and music. Another highlight of the festivities was the special screening of multi awarded filmmaker Brillante Mendoza’s Thy Womb. The masterpiece, which has won many international awards, depicts life in beautiful TawiTawi, where it was filmed.

Eid’l Fitr, the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This important event usually falls on the first day of Shawwal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. It’s a time of joy, forgiving, and

Smart brings together

Eraserheads

Members of the iconic OPM band Eraserheads are reunited for special private performance organized by Smart

300MB data with free access to Facebook, unlimited texts to all networks, and 30 minutes calls to Smart, TNT and Sun. There is more.

“The All Out Surf campaign, like the Eraserheads’ performances, will show how being complete is always the best thing, whether it refers to a band or a promo. Seeing them together brings back so many memories and shows the power of being complete,” said Kathy C. Carag, Smart Mobile Business head.

“Never miss out on anything that you’re passionate about, whether it’s your family members’ and friends’ posts on Facebook or

browsing your favorite new websites. ALLOUTSURF 30 makes sure you’re connected when you need to be and don’t miss out on anything important,” she added.

Now, there’s no need to choose between call, text, and mobile data. You can have it all with ALLOUTSURF 30, the first promo offer to give subscribers what they want and need.

If you’ve just booked an Uber ride home and you need to call or text your driver, no problem. You can also check your email messages and social messaging apps. Information is just a click or a swipe away with ALLOUTSURF 30.

“Smart’s nationwide

network makes sure you can keep in touch via call & text, and access the Internet for the things that matter like emails and online messages,” said Carag.

ALLOUTSURF 30 was created for today’s active digital users — from the student on a budget who always has to choose between two promos, or the young professional who always relies on Wi-Fi, to the grandma who loves to play Candy Crush and needs Facebook for “lives.”

For more information about ALLOUTSURF 30 and other promos, go to smart.com.ph/alloutsurf. To avail, text ALLOUT30 to 9999.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, August 26, 2016

ACROSS 1 Cream puff 7 Soyuz destination 10 Xavier’s ex 14 Raspy-sounding 15 Wildebeest 16 Sprouted 17 Thread holders 18 Underhand throw 19 Light pink wine 20 Sky lights (2 wds.)

23 Family men 26 Compost 27 Mother’s sisters 28 Tiant or Aparicio 29 Hosp. personnel 30 Dorsal — 31 Subject for Keats 32 Misfortune 33 Wood trim 37 Cal Tech rival 38 Washboard — 39 Prehistoric tool 40 London lav 41 Pimpernel color 43 Rainbow band 44 Charged particle 45 Hirt and Pacino 46 California fort 47 It turns litmus blue

48 Get the lead out?

51 — -Magnon 52 Policy addendum 53 Big worm (2 wds.)

56 Feasible 57 Rough shelter 58 Latest news 62 Rocky Mountain people 63 Lyric poem 64 — counter 65 Toward sunrise 66 Get spliced 67 Rains ice DOWN 1 Codgers’ queries 2 Badge wearer 3 Philosopher — -tzu 4 Savory smells 5 Dots in the ocean 6 Crash, so to speak 7 Dome homes 8 Pony’s comment 9 Bench warmers 10 Stuck, as a ship 11 Saute 12 Assail 13 Big pitchers

21 Pyle or Borgnine 22 Damaged the crops 23 Purple fruits 24 Mr. Goldfinger 25 Ship of 1492 29 Loose garments 30 Taken in 32 Card holders 33 Bone tissue 34 Old war story 35 Cowboy’s loop 36 Hopeless case 42 Most foolhardy 46 Gave an address 47 Badminton

target 48 Result 49 Lariat 50 “The Eve of St. —” 51 Unrefined 52 Drive back 54 Chuck wagon meal 55 Totes 59 Census info 60 Lunar New Year 61 Uh’s cousins

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Music, art, and movies at Eid’l fitr celebrations thanksgiving among Muslims as they take the occasion to strengthen ties with family and friends, give gifts and alms, and feast together. Here in our country, Republic Act No. 9177 declared Eid’l Fitr a national holiday.

The event lays strong foundations for stronger social, economic, and cultural partnerships and creates a positive environment of mutual trust and confidence between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Spearheaded by the Magbassa Kita Foundation, Inc. (MKFI ) and

the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy (PCID) together with the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF), the holding of festivities in Manila is an excellent springboard to build a better understanding and appreciation among Filipinos of ethnic, racial, and religious diversity in the country.

The Eid’l Fitr Festival is one of the many exciting cultural events at SM City North EDSA.

New Cinemax

original drama A BRAND-NEW eight-episode thrilling action drama series, Quarry, will premiere in Asia at the same time as the U.S., on Sept. 10 at 10 a.m; with a same day primetime encore at 10 p.m. exclusively on Cinemax. Subsequent new episodes of Quarry will air on Saturdays at the same time. It will also be available on HBO GO. Set in and around Memphis in the early 1970s, it tells the story of Mac Conway, a Marine who returns home from a second tour of duty in Vietnam, only to find himself stigmatized by his involvement in a highly publicized massacre while fighting abroad.

Though he and his fellow Marine Arthur Solomon have been exonerated of wrongdoing, they are greeted with hostility and rejection in Memphis, with neither able to land a decent job.

With Mac’s relationship with his wife Joni growing tenuous, he and Arthur are tempted by a lucrative offer from The Broker, a shady criminal involved in a network of killing and corruption that spans the length of the Mississippi

River. At first, Mac refuses to offer up his services to The Broker, but after Arthur opts to trade his principles for quick cash, Mac – whom The Broker codenames “Quarry” – finds himself conscripted against his better judgment into The Broker’s crew, a turn of events that has dire consequences for both himself and Joni.

The series stars Logan MarshallGreen as Mac Conway, whose decision to return to Vietnam cost him a “normal” life; Jodi Balfour as Mac’s wife Joni, whose job at a local newspaper led to a regrettable decision during Mac’s absence; Peter Mullan as The Broker, whose promises come with cruel demands; Nikki Amuka-Bird as Ruth Solomon, wife to Mac’s Marine pal Arthur and mother of two; and Damon Herriman as Buddy, an eccentric member of The Broker’s team.

Based on the novels of Max Allan Collins (who also wrote Road to Perdition), the eight episodes are directed and executive produced by Greg Yaitanes.

American actors Jodi Balfour (left) and Logan Marshall-Green (right) in a scene from the eight-episode thrilling action drama, ‘Quarry’

Showbiz

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

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2016

HAPPY TIMES.

TJ (Tom Rodriguez) with his wife, Joanna (Lovi Poe), before he is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease

PEOPLE ...are talking about James Reid He is a walking example of a perfect transformation. From a lanky lad when he joined PBB Teens, James sports a muscular physique now that looks desirable in every angle.

And this physical change is a testament that showbiz stars should not settle for just being cute because as they age, their audiences age, too. No wonder, James is the top choice of a big brand that promotes healthy lifestyle. It’s an endorsement other stars can only aspire for.

Role in ‘Someone To Watch Over Me’ eye opener for

Dolce Amore The romantic series is a show that is not so difficult to love amid its predictability. For one thing, the undeniable chemistry between stars Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil carries the whole show, a perfect follow up to Forevermore and a worthy replacement to Pangako Sa ‘Yo. What we’re really trying to say is, any show that LizQuen stars in is expected to leave a mark on local TV. UPeepz The University of the Philippines Dilimanbased hip hop dance crew made a surprise appearance on social media sites when news broke that it was named the Grand Champion in the International Hip Hop Dance competition held at The Westin Lake Las Vegas Resort. The group, who failed to even make the semifinals in 2014, persevered and trained harder to get the gold this time and put the country on the world hip hop dance map once again. The tilt is the same competition that Philippine All Stars has dominated a few times.

...are not talking about

Tom Rodriguez W

HEN actor Tom Rodriguez accepted the assignment in the new soap opera Someone To Watch Over ISAH V. RED Me, he wasn’t ready to confront the character he’d be playing. After all he is at the peak of his youth, and the little he knows about Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t match both his physical state and age.

Yet, after he read the first pages of the pilot script, he began to be curious. And he started thinking, there’s early onset of the disease and this can strike anyone, even younger men like him. And so, he embarked on a journey to seek answers to some questions that have formed in his mind, like the physical manifest of the disease, the behavioral changes a patient goes through, and most importantly, how do his loved ones cope with his condition.

We met Rodriguez and his co-stars in the soap – Lovi Poe and Max Collins.

Poe plays Rodriguez’s wife, while Collins the ex-girlfriend whom he remembers more than his wife when his condition begins to worsen.

We asked the three how they are facing the situation in the soap when, in fact, none of them has had first hand experience with an Alzheimer’s patient.

“Thanks to direk Maryo J. de los Reyes,” the three piped. “He guides us on how we must react to situations in the various scenes we shot for the soap.”

Rodriguez, particularly, pinpoints the behavioral

nuances of his character when he starts losing his memory. He can even explain the medical aspects of the condition to you, thanks to his voracity in imbibing facts from medical books and journals he has been reading to help him in creating the character.

Poe and Collins can’t help but be amazed at their co-star’s geeky ways to get into the role he has been assigned to play. “Well, if all of you thinks he is such a geek on the set, it’s the opposite. Tom is very playful, but when he gets into a scene, he is very focused,” said Poe who has been assigned the role of the lead male character’s wife who will stay on to take care of him in spite of and despite his condition.

“I think Tom is very conscientious in trying to bring to life his character, and through his research he is able to do it and very effectively,” Collins added. “Not many actors will do thorough research for a character he plays in a soap opera.”

Rodriguez, meanwhile, said that he has discovered a lot of things about Alzheimer’s in the course of his reading stuff. “It is really an eye opener and I have lost my apprehensions in

playing the role. Since I understand now what an Alzheimer’s patient goes through, thanks to the medical journals, it has become easier for me to portray the character I play.”

For Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez, playing the role thought him a lot.

“You know, what I learned here is that hindi lang pala sakit pangmatanda ang Alzheimer’s, kaya dapat mas lalo pa ang mga kabataan ngayon, na maging involved sila at aware dahil hindi lang ito nangyayari sa mga lolo at lola nila. Malamang pati sa kanila na rin mismo mangyari. It’s definitely a timely thing, napapanahon na mapag-usapan ‘yung ganitong material,” Rodriguez concluded. *** Those who are becoming both afraid and mad at the character Vaness del Moral plays in the telefantasya Encantadia are growing in numbers.

In fact, Del Moral is said to have second thoughts in leaving her house just about any time of the day.

As Gurna, she is one of the ladies that encourages Pirena (Glaiza de Castro) to do evil things.

But, despite the growing number of haters, Del Moral is grateful that the same fans think she is playing her role very effectively. “Thank you so much guys dahil nabubuwisit kayo sa ‘kin. Actually natutuwa ako. ‘Pag pinapanood ko ‘yung character ko, natatawa ako. Isang beses pa lang akong pumupunta sa mall simula nung mag-start ‘yung Encantadia, grocery pa ‘yun. When asked if she’s ready if fans would deluge her in madness, “Actually hindi ko alam kung ano’ng gagawin ko. Hindi ko sure kung paano ko siya iha-handle kaya so far, bihira talaga ako lumabas ng bahay lalo na kapag wala akong kasama. Usually kasama ko boyfriend ko para may magtatanggol sa ‘kin,” she says.

Aga Muhlach Returning to the limelight even after a short hiatus is rarely easy. Hence, we cannot say that the Oki Doki Doc star who made a recent public outing to announce his comeback as a Kapamilya is back in the game. The public has been very discriminating when it comes to choosing who they want to see on their TV screens. And apparently, aging actors are not included on their list.

Encantadia Good news! Alden Richards is going to be part of the fantasy series. We’re positive, AlDub fans will rejoice via a Twitter party to make the whole world know that they’re watching the show. The bad news is, Alden’s inclusion in Encantadia gives people the impression that the current cast doesn’t have enough star power to pull the show’s ratings up. Numbers don’t lie, as they say. So, check out the latest ratings data from AGB Neilsen and Kantar Media. You’ll see that the struggle is real.

John Lloyd Cruz Like what you may have already known, the actor is now being linked to Maja Salvador after he’s been spotted a few times acting in a romantic way towards the latter. The two may have struck up a real-life romance but, obviously, the “blossoming” relationship is not attracting the public interest unlike his previous high-profile affairs. Perhaps, since they’re no longer as prominent as they were before can explain why people pay no attention.

Benilde Student-Artists Win Awards in HK

r mentors, ther with thei ge to , ns ea ld mpetition of the Beni e Cup Dance Co A wacky shot ng le al Ch ng g Ko during the Hon

STUDENT-ARTISTS from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde won top prizes in the jazz and ballet categories at the recently concluded Hong Kong Challenge Cup Dance Competition held at the Y-Theatre, Youth Square, Chai Wan, Hong Kong.

The contingent was composed of the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Dance Majors and the Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC) members.

Among the 27 contestants from the Jazz Division, Cir-Anthon Garing’s solo rendition Paolo Garing

of “Trinitas”, together with Carlos Serrano lll and Elijah Erick Mendoza’s duo performance of “ISAyaw”, and Neil John Casagan and Ghian Renzo Arboleda’s presentation of “Bounce”, were all awarded Gold Medals with accompanying certificates.

Casagan and Arboleda got the highest distinction when they were recognized with the Gold Cup for Best Performance in Contemporary / Jazz. Their number was choreographed by the program chairman and

SBRDC trainer Christine Crame.

From a total of 43 competitors in the Ballet Division, Olivia Bugayong, coached by Brezhnez Larlar, bagged the gold for her interpretation of Kitri variation, while Bryan Aaron Panopio copped the silver for his execution of La Bayadere.

The merits were granted according to the points obtained by the finalists during their presentations. Participants who achieved a score of 90 points and above received gold, silver for 85-89 points, and bronze for 80-84 points.

The judges likewise commented on the dancers’ remarkable technique, form and choreography.

The group underwent trainings at the Integrated Body Arts to complement their rigorous daily rehearsals. “We are grateful for the support of Director Cecilia Sicangco Ibarrola.” says Crame.

The aspirants were accompanied by Dang Comedido of the Department of Student LifeOffice of Culture and Arts and Dr. Sunita Mukhi, Benilde’s School of Design and Arts Associate Dean for the Culture and Arts Cluster.