Manila Standard - 2016 August 29 - Monday

Come clean, De Lima, Espino told

By Christine F. Herrera

REMEMBERING HEROES. An unidentified man sprinkles water (left) on the tombs of soldiers at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, first established in 1947 as a resting place for Filipino military personnel from privates to generals who served during World War II, and eventually designated as the official place of burial for deceased Presidents, national artists and scientists while another (right) arranges flowers in front of the monument of Andres Bonifacio, depicting the Cry of Pugad Lawin, originally referred to as the Cry of Balintawak, the beginning of the Philippine Revolution against Spain. Ey Acasio/Andrew Rabulan

Envoys to UK, Brunei named

By Sandy Araneta PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has nominated a former political envoy and a businessman to serve as the country’s new ambassadors to the United Kingdom and Brunei, replacing career diplomats whose tours of duty haven’t ended in those countries, an online report said Sunday.

The Commission on Appointments website said Antonio Lagdameo, who previously served as ambassador to Spain and the UK under then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, will be returning as Manila’s envoy to London.

It also showed that businessman James Lao has also been recommended for the Brunei post.

Their appointments have already been submitted for confirmation to the bicameral Commission on Appointments, a legislative body that approves assignments and promotions of the military, government and career officials, and political appointees.

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VOL. XXX • NO. 198 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 • WWW.THESTANDARD.COM.PH • EDITORIAL@THESTANDARD.COM.PH

HOUSE leaders on Sunday urged beleaguered Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. to go on leave and urged Senator Leila de Lima to “face the music” to clear their names, after President Rodrigo Duterte linked them to the illegal drug trade in New Bilibid Prison.

House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and Deputy Speaker Fredenil Castro said they found “compelling reasons” to summon De Lima to a hearing on the NBP drug trade, saying the senator had a lot of explaining to do.

In an interview over radio dzBB, Castro said Espino and De Lima could not ignore the House probes as they were implicated and tagged as conspirators in the drug trade inside the NBP. Castro said De Lima had to be investigated because the mansion that she allegedly gave to her alleged ex-driver lover Ronnie Dayan was “a product of a crime.”

“This house, if it is proven that it is a product of a crime, will have to be probed during the investigation,” Castro said in Filipino. “Dayan, the former driver of secretary de Lima, had no money before. How come he was able to construct a house that is worth millions of pesos?

You have to trace where the money came from, if it was the product of their participation in the drug operations in Bilibid.”

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IS-linked group raids Lanao jail Frees Maute leader 6 days after detention

By Lance Baconguis

O

ZAMIZ CITY—Muslim extremists carrying Islamic State group insignia stormed the Lanao del Sur provincial jail Saturday, freeing 28 detainees in the latest in a series of mass escapes.

About 50 heavily armed members of the Maute group raided the local jail in the southern city of Marawi on Saturday, freeing eight comrades who had been arrested barely a week ago, police said.

Twenty other detainees, held for other offenses, also escaped in the raid, provincial police chief Senior

Supt. Agustine Tello said.

The freed members of the Maute group were arrested on Aug. 22 after soldiers manning an army checkpoint found improvised bombs and pistols in the van they were driving.

The Maute group is one of several Muslim gangs in Mindanao.

The group has carried out kid-

FOI faces delay amid debates on budget bill CONGRESS may not be able to pass the long-delayed Freedom of Information bill this year because lawmakers will be preoccupied with passing next year’s national budget, Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez said Sunday.

He said there would be a slim chance that Congress will take up the FOI bill since they would be busy deliberating on the P3.35-trillion budget for 2017.

“Due to time constraints, we will miss out on the passage of the FOI bill within the year,” Alvarez said.

“From now until about November, that period will be devoted to the budget hearing. Let us see if we can pass it [the FOI bill] by next year.”

Alvarez made his statement even as Malacañang on Sunday released the proposed Freedom of Information manual.

The 30-page manual will be reviewed as the Justice department and the Office of the Solicitor General have listed 166 exceptions to President Rodrigo Duterte’s executive order implementing an Next page

WEATHER MOONSOON rain that may trigger flash floods and landslides are likely over the Ilocos, Cordillera and Central Luzon, the weather bureau said Sunday.

Cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and isolated thunderstorms are expected over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, while partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over the rest of the country.

nappings and bombings and is believed to have led an attack on an army outpost in the Mindanao town of Butig in February.

The fighting there lasted a week, leaving numerous fatalities and forcing tens of thousands to flee their homes as helicopter gunships fought off the attackers.

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Drug users crave quick fix despite bloodbath

CAPTURED. This photo taken on Aug. 23, 2016 shows Philippine soldiers guarding members of the Maute extremist group aboard a military vehicle in Marawi City in Mindanao, a day after they were arrested at a military checkpoint and who were later on August 27 freed by their comrades in a daring jailbreak. AFP

PEDICAB driver Reyjin dives into a neighbor’s house for a quick meth fix, fearful of taking a bullet to the head in President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal war on drugs but unable to quit.

More than 2,000 people have died violent deaths since Duterte took office two months ago and immediately implemented his scorched-earth plans to eradicate drugs in society, ordering police to shoot dead traffickers and urging ordinary citizens to kill addicts.

The bloodbath has seen unknown assailants kill more than half the victims, according to Next page

NIA urged: Explain P26-b fund, rice import plan Zika virus

By Christine F. Herrera A LAWMAKER on Sunday demanded answers from National Irrigation Authority as to why the country needed to import one million metric tons of rice this year when P26 billion has been allocated for irrigation systems that are supposed to reverse the continuing decline in palay production.

Camarines Sur Rep. LRay Vil-

lafuerte noted that while the NIA continues to allocate a huge chunk of its budget for the “construction, expansion and rehabilitation of irrigation systems” nationwide, its efforts appear to have had no impact in helping farmers mitigate the effects of the El Niño-induced drought, which was the primary cause of the decline in agricultureal output in the first half of the year.

“Sadly, from being one of the

world’s top rice producers, the Philippines has now become one of the world’s top rice buyers, with the government set on importing one million metric tons this year to ensure sufficiency of our staple,” Villafuerte said.

“President Rodrigo Duterte has submitted a P3.35-trillion proposed national budget for 2017, which promises to bring about ‘real change.’ It’s about time that

real change also comes to the NIA and it can only start by providing free irrigation to farmers,” added Villafuerte, who represents Camarines Sur’s 2nd district.

By providing free irrigation to all irrigable farm lands and restructuring the NIA, the Bicol solon said the government could realize its goal of attaining rice self sufficiency before the end of Duterte’s term in 2022. Next page

CPP-NDF relays interim truce declaration to NPA THE Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army on Sunday said they had announced a “unilateral interim ceasefire” as a result of the resumption of its peace negotiations with the government.

In a statement, the CPP-NPA said the Central Committee of the twitter.com/ MlaStandard

Communist Party of the Philippines and the National Operational Command of the NPA “hereby declare to all commands and units of the NPA and people’s militias an interim ceasefire in line with the recommendation of the Negotiating Panel of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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and in pursuit of the August 26 Joint Statement of the NDFP and Government of the Republic of the Philippines on the resumption of formal peace negotiations.”

The CPP said the ceasefire was being issued to further promote its peace negotiations with the government in an effort to accelerate it.

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It said it reciprocates the indefinite ceasefire issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on Aug. 21.

“This unilateral declaration of interim ceasefire shall take effect today [Aug. 28] and will remain valid during the course of the peace negotiations until superseded Next page

infects 4 in S’gapore SINGAPORE―Singapore on Saturday reported the first locally-transmitted case of the Zikavirus, with three other suspect infections pending confirmation.

Authorities identified the confirmed patient as a 47-yearold Malaysian woman residing in the city-state.

“As she had not traveled to Zika-affected areas recently, she was likely to have been infected in Singapore,” the Ministry of Health and the National Environment Agency said in a joint statement late Saturday.

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IS-linked...

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The gunmen attacking the jail Saturday were seen carrying black flags of the Islamic State group, and bandanas bearing the jihadists’ insignia were later found in their base, the military said.

Authorities said they were investigating why the jail’s guards did not resist the raid or why security had not been increased after high-risk suspects were brought in.

Marawi City Chief Insp. Parson Asadil said the armed men freed their leader, Hashim Balwawag Maute, who pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.

The men were well armed, he added, and even carried rocket propelled grenades during their assault on the provincial jail.

“Clearly this is a rescue operation aimed at freeing their members,” Asadil said of the Maute group.

On Aug. 22, a joint ArmyPhilippine National Police checkpoint in Lumbayanague town in Lanao del Sur arrested eight men, including Hashim Balawag Maute, leader of the Maute group, Abdul Jabbar Tominaman Macabading, Jamil Batoa Amerul, Muhammad Sianodin Mulok and Omar Khalil, who were reportedly involved in various terrorist activities in Lanao del Sur. The jailbreak is just the latest mass escape from poorly secured jails, with the incidents often involving Muslim extremists.

In 2009, more than 100 armed men raided a jail in the strifetorn southern island of Basilan, freeing 31 prisoners, including several Muslim guerrillas. With AFP

News

‘Deferred polls means Comelec budget hike’ Come...

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Castro added: “De Lima cannot evade this, because she is not just being implicated or being accused as a conspirator. These illegal activities happened under her watch as Justice secretary. There is no chance for her to escape this investigation.”

Castro said any member of the House could be expelled from the rolls if found guilty by the committee on ethics of being involved in criminal activities.

“Being a member of Congress, he or she should maintain an untainted name. Not one of us has the right to represent our constituents or even sit in Congress if the name is compromised,” Castro said.

While he is on leave, the House can designate another congressman from Pangasinan as a caretaker for Espino’s district, Castro said.

Castro urged Espino to go on leave to avoid perceptions that the beleaguered congressman would use his powers and unduly influence the planned investigation to be held by the House committee on ethics.

Alvarez, who earlier said De Lima will not be forced to ap-

pear in the House probe due to inter-parliamentary courtesy, on Sunday said there were issues and evidence that only De Lima could answer personally.

He cited as an example a video of her and Dayan, whom Duterte said was her bagman for payoffs from drug lords jailed at the NBP. “De Lima cannot keep saying she had nothing to do with this. She has to explain that,” Alvarez said.

Castro agreed that the House would not be contented with De Lima’s denials in the press.

“The President’s revelation on the love affair [between De Lima and her driver] has established the connection because Dayan was given an authority to operate inside the NBP. So we could also look into the love affair,” Castro said.

Castro allayed fears that the House members would protect one of their own and allow Espino to go free.

It was to Espino’s benefit, he added, that he submit himself to the House investigation.

The deputy speaker said the House committee on ethics has oversight power over members that could on their own conduct an investigation into a lawmaker’s behavior as House members were expected to have an “exemplary reputation” that should serve as a

good example as public officials.

Castro also said it was important to find if De Lima and Espino’s alleged links to the illegal drug trade was continuing.

Alvarez, for his part, said the Justice department was securing several witnesses who were willing to testify in the House probe versus De Lima.

The Speaker said since De Lima has filed many cases against public officials during her stint as Justice secretary, she should be the first one to understand that “that is how democracy works.”

“De Lima has to face the music,” Alvarez said.

“There is such a thing as interparliamentary courtesy. We will accord Senator De Lima that. We will not force her to appear. But if there is something that she has to explain, then it would be better for her to appear before the House and explain,” he said in Filipino.

Castro denied that the hearings would be a fishing expedition.

“If there is no hard evidence against Congressman Espino, then he would be cleared by the ethics committee,” he said.

Castro said the only way for De Lima to clear things up once and for all was to “waive the interchamber courtesy.”

On Sunday, police killed two

more suspected drug dealers in Manila’s Tondo district.

Manila Police District Station 7 investigators said an undercover police officer was buying P300 worth of methamphetamines or shabu from suspects Alexander Cuyugan and an alias Jeje Reyes.

But the suspects realized what was going on and they tried to shoot it out with police.

Several sachets of shabu and two .38 caliber pistols were taken from the slain suspects.

Cuyugan’s aunt, in a report on dzBB, said that they knew the suspect was dealing drugs. He had even attempted to turn their home into a drug den.

She added that the family had tried to convince Cuyugan to surrender to the authorities, but he refused and continued his illegal activites.

Another suspect was killed in a second buy-bust operation in Manila, in the city’s Sta. Ana district.

Dagonoy Police Community Precinct commander Senior Insp.

Dave Abarra said an undercover police officer attempted to buy P200 worth of shabu from a suspect known as “Buwaya” at 3 a.m.

The suspect realized that he was dealing with an undercover cop, and was killed when he allegedly tried to use his gun. Sandy Araneta

drugs to him and other residents.

“She was sitting in the alley when she took two bullets to the head,” he said.

Such riding-in-tandem murders are one of the most common forms of killings by the shadowy assassins.

Often a piece of cardboard, with “drug peddler” or “drug addict” written on it, is placed on the corpse. This has led to the war on crime becoming known as “cardboard justice.”

Meanwhile, police have reported killing 756 people they have branded drug suspects.

National Police Chief Ronald dela Rosa has repeatedly defended his officers, insisting they only kill when their own lives are in danger.

However, two policemen have been charged with murder over the jailhouse deaths of a father and son, whose autopsies showed to have been beaten so badly be-

fore being shot that their limbs were broken.

The United Nations, the US government and human rights groups have expressed alarm at the bloodshed, with some critics warning the Philippines is in the midst of a reign of terror as authorities act with no regard for the law.

Duterte and Dela Rosa have repeatedly insisted they are acting within the boundaries of the law, while accusing their critics of siding with the drug traffickers and ignoring the devastating consequences of what they describe as a national shabu crisis.

They say most of the unexplained deaths are being carried out by drug syndicates waging war on each other.

Yet on the day he was sworn into office, Duterte gave a speech to a crowd in a Manila slum in which he called on them to kill drug addicts in their own community.

And in an address to a group of drug addicts who had surrendered to police last week, Dela Rosa called on them to kill their suppliers and burn down their homes.

Dela Rosa later apologized for the comments, saying they were made because he was angry, but they nevertheless added to an atmosphere of a dramatic breakdown in the rule of law.

In Reyjin’s Manila slum, the violence and security presence has slowed the drug trade and made shabu more expensive.

But lots is still available, in what could be a worrying sign for Duterte who vowed during the election campaign that he could completely wipe out the trade within six months.

“If you want to buy, you just go stand there on the street and somebody will approach you,” said Reyjin, who took his first hit of shabu when he was 13. AFP

tocol, ambassadors cannot be officially recognized as their country’s representative until their credentials have been formally presented in person and accepted by the host government.

It remains unclear where Garcia and Montealegre would be assigned.

Philippine presidents have the privilege to assign diplomatic posts to non-career individuals as long as the designations will not exceed the number of appointees mandated by law or outnumber career Foreign Service diplomats.

Republic Act No. 7157 or the Philippine Foreign Service Act

allots 51 percent of diplomatic positions to career officers and 49 percent to political appointees.

On the other hand, Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar said the information about the nominations of Lagdameo and Lao needs to be verified first, as he could not confirm it yet.

Also on Saturday, the Department of Transportation said the head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has resigned.

A report from radio dzBB said CAAP Director General Antonio Buendia Jr. submitted his resignation Aug. 19.

FOI...

Drug...

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FOI mechanism in the executive branch.

A draft of the FOI Manual of the Presidential Communications Office shows as one of its annexes 158 “exceptions to FOI” and eight more listed as “other exceptions.”

The draft of the FOI manual was released to the media by the Presidential Communications Office on Aug. 22.

Alvarez repeated his commitment to push for the FOI bill’s enactment into law despite another year of delay.

“I have no problem with that [bill]. However, all House committees have not yet been filled in. We still have not come up with the complete membership of each committee,” Alvarez said.

“So give us a little time because, right now, we are also busy in the deliberation of the 2017 national budget.”

Rep. Antonio Tinio said it was a realistic target to pass the FOI bill within the year, although that was just an initial target.

The right to information is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, but the desire for greater transparency and accountability fueled the filing of the first FOI bill in Congress by the late senator Raul Roco in 1987.

The 16th Congress last year failed to pass the FOI bill, along with the Bangsamoro Basic Law, the anti-political dynasty bill and another bill that would amend the Constitution. Rio N. Araja and Sandy Araneta

police statistics, raising fears that security forces and hired assassins are roaming through communities and shooting dead anyone suspected of being involved in drugs.

Armed police constantly circle in Reyjin’s Manila slum community, but he continues to snort the fumes of the highly addictive methamphetamine known as “shabu” that Duterte has warned is destroying the lives of millions of poor Filipinos.

“It’s scary because I could be next,” said the gaunt, gap-toothed 28-year-old, speaking to AFP on the condition his identity not be revealed for security reasons.

The father-of-three said two masked motorcycle gunmen riding in tandem on a motorcycle had shot dead a woman who sold small amounts of

The appointments were received by the commission on Aug. 23, its website said.

An online report from GMA News Online said the posts given to Lagdameo and Lao are currently occupied by career diplomats—Evan Garcia in London and Meynard Montealegre in Brunei, whose tours of duty have not run out.

Garcia, former Foreign undersecretary for policy, was assigned to London during former Presi-

dent Benigno Aquino III’s time only in May. Montealegre still has one more year to go before he is recalled to the Home Office in Manila.

Removing them from their posts prematurely is considered by some diplomats as impractical and costly since they would have to be relocated to new posts, the sources said.

Garcia was removed from the post in favor of Lagdameo since he has not yet presented his credentials to Queen Elizabeth II at the Buckingham Palace in London, the report said.

According to diplomatic pro-

NIA...

Pernia said.

Pernia said now is the best time to import rice when prices are low.

He said the plan is to import the grain in three tranches through government-to-government deals and private sector purchases.

Citing Philippine Statistics Authority data, Pernia said palay production fell by 8.13 percent to 7.65 million metric tons in the first semester partly because of the decline in harvest areas and average yield in areas severely affected by El Niño, such as the regions of South Cotabato-Cotabato-Sultan Kudarat-General Santos City

(SOCCSKSARGEN), Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Caraga and the Visayas regions.

Corn production also went down by 16.35 percent to 2.83 million metric tons during the same January-June period.

The PSA said the gains in the livestock and poultry sub-sectors, which grew 1.12 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively, were not enough to offset the drop in crop production.

This is the third consecutive quarter that the agriculture sector registered a decline.

Villafuerte has filed House Bill 2133, which seeks to provide free irrigation to farmers and restructuring unpaid irrigation fees, along with converting the NIA into an attached agency of the Department of Agriculture.

The proposed measure, he said, would allow the NIA overhaul its old system and arrest the sharp drop in agricultural production attributed mainly to the dry spell, especially now that even the local government units have started asking the DA to prod the NIA to provide free irrigation to farmers.

Villafuerte was referring to the request of the provincial government of Pampanga to DA Secretary Emmanuel Piñol to urge the NIA to give free irrigation to farmers in the province and to condone any debts they owe the agency.

“It cannot be business as usual for the NIA. The agency should shape up and keep in step with the new administration so that it could be an effective instrument in helping realize President Duterte’s goal of inclusive growth,” said Villafuerte, who was a three-term governor of Camarines Sur from 2004 to 2013.

and recovering,” it added.

The health ministry is screening the woman’s close contacts and is carrying out tests on other people living and working in the area exhibiting symptoms of fever and rash.

The statement said three other suspect cases―two from a family who live in the area and another individual who works nearby― had preliminarily tested posi-

tive for the mosquito-borne virus based on their urine samples.

The results, however, are being confirmed through further tests, the statement added.

“I encourage those who are unwell and with these symptoms to visit their doctors for medical attention,” said Health Minister Gan Kim Yong.

The Zika virus outbreak began

in Brazil in early 2015 and has spread to neighboring countries.

Singapore in May reported the first imported case of Zika virus infection―a 48-year-old male Singapore resident who had traveled to Sao Paulo in Brazil earlier in the year.

In the United States more than 2,500 people have been diagnosed with Zika, with most of them being

infected while traveling abroad.

Until now, global health authorities have been primarily concerned with the danger Zika poses to pregnant women and their fetuses.

Zika causes only mild symptoms for most people. But in pregnant women it can cause microcephaly, a deformation in which babies are born with abnormally small brains and heads. AFP

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Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia, the director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said the massive rice imports were necessary to secure the supply of the grain through next year and keep its prices stable.

Palay production is expected to reach 18.13 million metric tons this year, flat from 2015 and reflecting crop losses in the first half of the year because of El Niño,

Zika...

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The woman developed fever, rash and conjunctivitis on Thursday and tested positive for the virus two days later at a local hospital, where she has since been under observation, the statement said.

“The patient is currently well

Envoys...

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I

F THE October barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections are postponed for a year, the Commission on Elections’ 2017 budget must be increased to finance the estimated P3.4billion estimated cost of electing the officials of the country’s 42,028 barangays, Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto said Sunday.

As both houses of Congress finalize legislation that will postpone the October village polls, Recto raised as “the missing link in the discussions” the need to appropriate funds for next year’s elections in the 2017 national budget.

He made his statement even as the National Youth Commission expressed alarm over the reported plan of some legislators to abolish the Sangguniang Kabataan after the impending postponement of the Barangay and SK polls.

Group chairwoman Aiza Seguerra appealed to the legislators to reconsider their plan because it would disenfranchise the Filipino youth.

“The SK is a unique feature of Philippine democracy,” Seguerra said.

“It is the most concrete expression of the constitutional mandate that encourages civic engagement among young people. By providing this venue for young people to participate in governance, we are investing in the next generation of effective local and national leaders.”

Recto said that, from P16.2 billion this year, the Comelec’s budget would fall to P3.3 billion next year “on the assumption that no national election will be held in 2017.”

The Senate is about to report out a bill postponing the Oct. 31, 2016 joint Sangguniang Barangay and SK elections to the last Monday of October 2017.

To enforce the postponement, Recto said, the Comelec must be given additional funds in its 2017 budget.

“The postponement bill must have as its companion measure the national budget,” he said.

He said that while the Comelec could still use the budget for this year’s barangay and SK elections for next year, “there are appropriations there which are valid for only one year, so there will be deficiencies.”

There would also be new expenditures, such as the registration of first-time voters.

“Also, for the sake of transparency and accuracy, it would be better if such a large expense will be spelled out in the national budget,” Recto said.

Explaining the need to set aside funds, Recto warned that, “by postponing the elections without providing funds, some quarters might speculate that we will file another bill next year postponing the elections again.”

He said the argument that postponing the elections would save funds was not true, “for you are not canceling the election but only postponing it.” Macon Ramos-Araneta

CPP-NDF...

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by a ceasefire agreement to be issued jointly by the NDFP with the GRP within the next 60 days, or until a notice of termination of this ceasefire declaration takes effect 10 days after receipt of said notice by the GRP Negotiating Panel from the NDFP Negotiating Panel,” the statement says.

The CPP said it was encouraged by the positive outcome of the resumption of the formal talks that were held in Oslo on Aug. 22 to 26. Sandy Araneta

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

SC project gains headway T

HE Supreme Court’s program aimed at expediting the resolution of cases was found effective when it was pilottested in Quezon City in 2013 and in the other courts in Metro Manila where it is also being implemented.

“This one-time case decongestion program launched in 2013 has so far recorded a 30-percent reduction rate of caseload for Quezon City,” Chief Justice Maria Lourdes

Sereno says in her annual Judiciary report on the “Hustisyeah! project.”

She says the project was piloted in 33 courts in Quezon City with help from five law-

yers, 24 law graduates and 53 law students.

She says data from the Office of the Court Administrator as of February 2016 shows that the pending cases in 119 courts in the cities of Makati, Angeles, Davao, Manila, Pasig, San Juan and Taguig were also reduced by 17.21 percent or from 95,025 to 78,670.

“Since its inception in 2013, the Hustisyeah! case decongestion program of the Supreme Court has significantly reduced

the dockets of the 175 heavily congested courts participating in the program,” Sereno says.

The program involves three activity phases: the inventory of court dockets to weed out dormant cases, the formulation of case decongestion plans to speed up the processing of the remaining cases, and the implementation of the decongestion plans.

Sereno says another project that is also helping the courts speed up the resolution of cases

is the continuous trial system that is now being implemented in 52 pilot regional trial courts in Quezon City, Manila and Makati.

Under this system, the courts handling criminal cases will try cases such as bouncing checks, cases involving minors, drugs, estafa, illegal recruitment and select commercial cases continuously until resolved.

The high court has said it is confident that, with the system,

Party-list solon loses hold on Harbor Center

THE Court of Appeals has nullified a ruling last June of the Pasig City Regional Trial Court stopping construction magnate Reghis Romero II and his firms from claiming ownership of the disputed Harbor Center Port Terminal Inc. (HCPTI).

In an 18-page decision dated August 18, the CA’s 17th Division granted the petition of Romero seeking a reversal of the order of Pasig City RTC Branch 167 Judge Rolando G. Mislang favoring One Source Port Support Services Inc. of Romero’s son Michael.

Michael, now the representative of 1Pacman party-list group, is also facing qualified theft cases before the Manila RTC and the Department of Justice filed by his father’s camp.

“The assailed order, having been issued by RTC of Pasig with grave abuse of discretion and in excess of jurisdiction, cannot be enforced as it is void and of no legal effect. It cannot be the source of any right nor the creator of any obligation. All acts performed pursuant to it and all claims emanating from it have no legal effect,” said the decision penned by

Associate Justice Ramon Cruz.

Mislang’s June 9 order required Romero and his firms, R-II Holdings, Inc., and R-II Builders Inc., to refrain from representing themselves as owners of HCPTI in any judicial or administrative proceedings.

Law enforcement agencies were also directed to assist in the order’s implementation.

“It is legally absurd to touch upon and indirectly resolve in the Specific Performance case the issues on ownership of HCPTI. In doing so, the RTC of Pasig acted in excess of its jurisdiction as it had prejudged the merits of the case and encroached upon the jurisdiction and preempted the decision of the other courts,” the CA ruled.

The Pasig RTC also committed grave abuse of discretion because the order would effectively prevent Reghis from pursuing his cases with other courts, even up to the Supreme Court.

The appellate court also noted the order was issued without any hearing, and that it expanded upon a Dec. 1, 2014 temporary restraining order whose 20-day period had long lapsed.

the trial time of cases will be reduced to 90 days from three to five years.

Sereno says the continuous trial system has shown that roughly 70 percent of the pilot courts were able to conduct arraignment or pre-trial within 30 days under the Rules of Criminal Procedure, effectively shortening trial time.

The performance data on the length of the trial itself will be submitted in October.

Rey E. Requejo

GODFATHER.

President Duterte pays homage to Davao Archbishop Romulo Valles during the 50th wedding anniversary rite for Undersecretary Jesus Melchor Quitain and her wife Anita at St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Davao City on August 27. Malacañang Photo

‘Cut red tape to encourage taxpayers’ SENATE Minority Leader Ralph Recto urged the administration to scout for frivolous and unnecessary expenses which could be cut or totally done away with before jacking up tax rates that would bring in two-thirds of a trillion pesos in fresh revenues annually.

To encourage more people to pay taxes, he said government must also “simplify, shorten and streamline” procedures in revenue offices.

Cutting red tape is an effective tax administration measure, he said. “The tax program must be predicated on eliminating red tape first.”

Recto believes “many taxpayers are willing to pay their dues if only revenue processes are not cumbersome and complicated.”

“The Income Tax Return is 11 pages long. A small business has to undertake 36 tax-related

transactions annually. Because of complicated tax rules, a small trader has to put in his payroll an employee whose sole job is to liaise with government offices full time,” he said.

Recto said “steep penalties, high fines, short compliance period, and arbitrary levying of surcharges” should be reviewed and tempered as these prevent individuals from coming for-

ward to comply.

“Tax payment is always by confession. Others are scared due to the huge penalties. They want to pay the right taxes, but they are discouraged by the waiting penalties,” he said.

Citing a report from the World Bank last October, Recto noted that red tape costs the country P140 billion in opportunity losses annually.

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Opinion

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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EDITORIAL

Keeping the guns silent

T

HE indefinite ceasefire announced during the resumption of peace talks in Oslo last week between the government and communist rebels was a welcome development in efforts to end Asia’s longest-running insurgency.

The Norwegian government, which acts as a go-between for the two sides, announced that the indefinite ceasefire was a way to facilitate negotiations for a lasting peace. “[T]he two sides commit to unilateral ceasefires without a limitation in time,” the Norwegian foreign ministry said in a statement after government and rebel negotiators ended two

Adelle Chua, Editor

days of initial talks.

The government, in a bid to speed up the peace process, has proposed to discuss outstanding issues of social and economic reforms, political and constitutional changes, and measures to end hostilities simultaneously, instead of one at a time, as in the past. The proposal is pragmatic, and may well

succeed in meeting the government’s stated goal to have a peace agreement in a year’s time.

In another welcome development, the communist New People’s Army released three police officers that they had seized as prisoners of war, just as the Oslo talks drew to a close, in what might be viewed as a goodwill gesture.

Somewhat less welcome are accusations, coming from the communists just one day later, that government troops are being left in communities despite the promise to recall them from combat operations.

“The CPP strongly criticizes the Armed Forces of the Philippines [AFP] for

maintaining their presence and continuing to make aggressive moves in and around the areas of operations of the NPA,” the CPP said in a statement.

“There have been persistent reports of continuing presence of armed operating troops of the AFP in barangay centers, occupying barangay halls, community schools and day care centers, senior citizen centers and other civilian structures.

They continue to set up detachments or physical bases in the center of civilian population,” the group added. “The presence and operations of the AFP in rural communities undermine the credibility of the Duterte government… as it projects an image of disunity... or refusal of

the AFP to abide by the order of its commander-in-chief.”

The CPP added: “According to our reports, when questioned, field commanders invariably justify their presence with claims of ‘peace and development’, ‘anti-drug’, ‘anti-logging’ and ‘visitations’. To the people, these are nothing but thinly-veiled pretexts to impose their armed presence and to carry out psywar, surveillance and search and combat operations against the NPA.” The military, on the other hand, says that routine law enforcement operations and patrols will continue despite the ceasefire to ensure the safety of their bases and the community.

Given the ideological

differences on both sides, it’s tempting to dismiss such accusations as so much rhetoric, but disagreements such as this must be nipped in the bud immediately, if the ceasefire is to hold.

Both sides clearly need to refine the ceasefire agreement so that it spells out exactly what actions are expected of each other.

It would make sense, too, to establish an international ceasefire monitoring team, similar to the one at work in Muslim Mindanao.

The ceasefire isn’t the final objective, of course, but it does set the correct environment for discussing a lasting peace. Both sides need to do more to assure that the shooting doesn’t resume.

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

Mental gridlock equals traffic

Constitutional Law 102 (101 is Structure of Government)

PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO ONCE more, the exchange between the President and the Chief Justice was curt, with an undeniable hint of annoyance on Digong’s part. It might help to restate key rules from the Constitution, constitutional jurisprudence and the Rules of Criminal Procedure.

1. No one can be arrested without a validly issued warrant of arrest that only a court of law can issue.

2. From No. 1, it follows that no law enforcement officer can arrest anyone without a courtissued warrant of arrest.

3. An arrest without a warrant is legal when a crime is committed in the presence of the arresting officer who adverts to the commission of the crime. (Because even if a crime is committed in his presence, if his attention is elsewhere, the requisite element is absent.)

4. An arrest without a warrant is likewise legal when, on the basis of personal knowledge (not information acquired from or supplied by others), the arresting officer entertains the reasonable belief that the subject of the arrest has committed the offense that has just occurred or is committing an offense.

5. Information supplied by “assets” that Pokwang is a dealer or a pusher IS NOT personal knowledge and does not justify a warrantless arrest.

6. A search of a residence conducted without a validly issued search warrant is illegal, and the evidence seized therefrom is the proverbial fruit of the poisonous tree and cannot be used in evidence against the accused.

7. A search incidental to a lawful arrest—whether the arrest be by virtue of a warrant or one of the valid forms of warrantless

These are some key rules that might be helpful.

arrests—is lawful, but is confined to the person of the suspect, as well as to his immediate surroundings where he may conceal weapons harmful to the arresting officer or destroy evidence.

8. When law-enforcement officers show up at your doorstep and ask to search your home without a search warrant because they suspect of you of concealing contraband, you have the right to refuse.

9. The refusal to consent to a

warrantless search does not constitute probable cause that justifies a warrantless search.

If that were so, that right to refuse a warrantless search would not be a real right.

10. When police had no reason—except information from assets—to be at your doorstep, and from there, see sachets of shabu or packets of prohibited substances, the plain view doctrine WILL NOT justify the search and seizure because the police had no business being where they were to see the contraband in plain view.

11. When the flurry of activity at your residence becomes suspicious—people coming in and out, apparently purchasing or retrieving something in a hurry— there is justification for a warrantless search, and whatever is in plain view when the search is conducted is admissible in evi-

dence against the suspects. And when the items seized are dangerous drugs, you may then be lawfully arrested without a warrant because mere possession of these items is a crime.

12. When you are arrested and media personalities are around, and you make admissions to them about your involvement in the narco-business, your admissions can be used against you, even if made without the assistance of counsel. Media personalities are not agents of the State.

13. When you are invited for questioning or taken in for custodial investigation, you have the right to be assisted by counsel, and if you choose to waive the right, the waiver must be in writing, assisted by independent counsel. A police officer who is a lawyer is not independent counsel, neither is the mayor, or Turn to A5

THE traffic gridlock gripping Metro Manila is going to be with us for quite some time.

This, if we are to believe Senator Grace Poe who was dismayed that Metro Manila Development Authority officials didn’t have a clear plan on solving the monster traffic jams in the metropolis.

“Even if you don’t have a master plan yet, you have to be passionate about the work to be done ahead,” said Senator Poe who chairs the Senate committee on public services during a hearing last week. She said the MMDA officials could not even track the problems, much less lay out the solutions to be implemented.

This is the core of the inutile public transport in Metro Manila, particularly the Metro Rail Transit and the Light Rail Transit. Both are a testimonial to Aquino’s failure of government. It cannot be called a system because the officials running it don’t have a system, nor a service because commuters are not served. Surprisingly, Duterte and his officials have not laid the blame on the Aquino administration unlike PNoy who pinned all his failures to the Arroyo administration that came before him.

The MRT and LRT woes are traced to former Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya who let his management team award the service maintenance contract to an inexperienced and undercapitalized company owned by a relative of MRT manager Al Vitangcol who has been charged with graft. Curiously, Abaya has not been charged even as he has direct supervision over Vitangcol, the MRT and the LRT. Meanwhile, the country’s rice sufficiency goal has been set back from 2018 to 2021.

This latest timetable was announced by Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol who said his department’s budget was slashed to P50.6 billion, lower than the P71 billion sought by the DA which had Turn to A5

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Published Monday to Sunday by Philippine Manila Standard Publishing Inc. at 6/F Universal Re Building, 106 Paseo de Roxas, corner Perea St., Legaspi Village, Makati City. Telephone numbers 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558 (connecting all departments), (Editorial) 832-5554, (Advertising) 832-5550. P.O. Box 2933, Manila Central Post Office, Manila. Website: www.thestandard. com.ph; e-mail: contact@thestandard.com.ph

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Opinion LKY and RRD MY GOOD friend Vince Dizon, the wunderkind in the last election campaign that saw Rodrigo Duterte smashing all competition, sent me days ago a video clip of an interview by BBC’s Tim Sebastian over Hardtalk. The interviewee was the legendary Lee Kuan Yew, by that time all of 74 years old.

Asked about the number of drug dealers killed in Singapore during the many years of LKY’s rule, referring to Amnesty International accounts, with Sebastian asserting that the deaths were higher per capita than in the US of A itself, the Prime Minister had this retort: “Per capita of what? How do you measure per capita?

Per capita of drug traffickers or per capita of our population? Per capita of Nigerians coming to Singapore bringing drugs? Or Dutchmen with Singaporean friends coming in with drugs?...What is Amnesty International talking about? Do they even know what they are talking about?”

PM Lee added: “Because the rewards are too enormous, these drug traffickers take the risk, despite the death penalty.

“They [referring to his Western critics] may believe that if you are kind to drug traffickers you have a better society…but many [states] there have returned the death penalty…why, death is too kind to these, because they are killing the family every day whose sons or daughters for years and years will suffer.”

The interviewer, Sebastian, was flustered, and in the end, he asked what PM Lee wished beyond his (then) 74 years, after having presided over the economic miracle that was Singapore.

Earlier, Lee had asked rhetorically, “would anybody be interested in Singapore if it was a failure?”

“At 74, I don’t talk anymore about my wishes…

What I have done I am not ashamed of.”

Earlier during the interview, when Sebastian noted that Lee was called “ruthless,” the prime minister answered by saying that if he were ruthless, he would get Sebastian (and others like him) into a corner, and ask him pointedly: “Why do you start with the assumption that your interviewee is always dumb and you are smarter than him?

Why do you assume that Asians are somehow unable to understand Western ways of life and that they will be much better if they will become more like the West?” *** Last week, a foreign journalist, Jonathan Miller, asked President Rodrigo Duterte: “At the risk of being shot down (with chuckles from the other journalists present), the number of people killed in the Philippines since you came to power has risen to a thousand…they are accusing you of unleashing a national death squad. When is this gonna end? Some say the social fabric of the Philippines is at risk here.”

Our President answered: “[In the past] no one would move against the drug lords because it was too risky… even the police. The standard practice here in the Philippines is that if you accuse one, he hires lawyers to file charges against the police in return…any answer that could give them leverage.

They will use that leverage against the policemen.

“Remember that in this country, no lawyer is provided to the policeman and the security officers when they are in trouble with the law. They are left at the mercy of the law when he is accused…So they are left behind. When I became mayor, and [policemen] are confronted by a criminal, I say…if you feel that your life is in danger, by God, shoot them first. And if they are brought to court, I provided

Constitutional...

From A4 vice mayor who may happen to be a lawyer!

14. A private citizen who sees another person purchasing a substance that suspiciously looks like shabu or any other dangerous drug (an Ecstasy tablet, for example) need not call for the police. He can effect a citizen’s arrest.

15. The essence of the arrest is not physical restraint (handcuffs are usually for dramatic effect, if the subject of the arrest does not in fact offer any resistance or post a threat) but bringing him within the jurisdiction of the court.

16. When law enforcement officers have received plenty of information from vari-

Mental...

From A4 been planning a 100-percent rice sufficiency level within three years by spending on high-yielding seeds, irrigation, fertilizers and purchase of vast tracts of farmlands.

What the budget cut and Piñol’s dire picture of rice productivity mean is that the country will continue importing the grain from Vietnam and Thailand, two of our Asian neighbors who have attained rice sufficiency way ahead of us. It also casts a dark shadow that the usual suspects of the import cartel will continue to make money with the connivance of DA and National Food Authority officials. We hope Piñol does not let the rice cartels continue their nefarious trade at the expense of the small farm tillers and the poor rice consumers.

To be fair, it’s not all minuses for Duterte. You have to give him a plus for coming out with an executive order on Freedom of Information. A law has yet to be enacted

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

OUT OF THE BOX

them a l a w ye r…

SO they are I SEE protected here, and LITO for the BANAYO time they are suspended, (and) they lose their job, and the hearing of these cases can take an eternity… their families are provided for.”

Miller reminded Duterte: “You as a lawyer…being deemed innocent until otherwise proven…”

The President cut him short: “PDEA said 2 years ago there are some 3 million drug addicts in this country…that was two years ago… let us assume an incremental increase of 700,000, that’s let us say 3.7 million.

And just in the last few months, 600,000 have voluntarily come out and admitted… How do you call this crisis? Just a police problem?

It’s not just an epidemic. It is a pandemic.”

“What am I supposed to do as a president? Empower the military and the police, for after all they are there to protect the people” Miller was persistent: “At the expense of gang law, sir?”

But Duterte was unfazed, and brought the issue hurled back to the reporter: “In America the police shoot black men. How many times has it happened in the past?

That is why there are violent demonstrations there. What is the difference between America and us? Nothing.

For one black man there, you have five here? So what is the difference? What did the Americans do to the black people there? Is this not a rub-out? Is that not appalling?

“When you bomb Syria and Iraq, and you kill communities… old people and children, what do you call it? I do not hear anyone from that stupid body [UN] …complaining about the stench of death there. Look at that iconic boy all bloodied seated in an ambulance

[reminding all of that depressing and pitiful picture just days before, which has been repeated over and over in other senseless lives of the innocent lost or impaired].”

“Are we here for the counting, or the basic principle of human rights?” the President asked.

Miller was speechless, and could only say a quick “thank you”. *** Less than a year ago, when everybody was yet guessing as to whether the long-time mayor of Davao City was going to take the plunge for the presidential elections, my friend Joey Leviste invited me to the launch of his latest book at the Manila Polo Club.

There, in the distinguished company of Filipinos of distinction, among them former President Fidel V. Ramos, former Prime Minister Cesar E.A. Virata, former Agriculture and Environment Secretary Sonny Dominguez (now re-incarnated into public service as Finance Secretary), former Senator Kit Tatad, and many others, we listened to accounts of “What if?”

“What if we had a Lee Kuan Yew…could we have progressed just as much?” asked PM Virata.

Seated beside one of my most admired Filipinos and his wife Joy, a legend in the theater arts herself, Virata asked me: “tatakbo ba talaga?”

Some weeks after, then reluctant candidate Duterte sought the former finance and prime minister’s advice about the Philippine economy.

The rest is contemporary Philippine history.

Yet, while LKY had been leader for almost two generations of his countrymen, RRD will be in office for just six years, as elected president under our Constitution.

Which probably explains why he is in such a hurry, and why things are happening with breathtaking speed, his statements generating both shock and awe.

ous assets about the criminal activity of a suspect, the correct procedure is to apply for a search warrant, and then to file with the Prosecutor’s Office the necessary Complaint so that the Information may be filed in Court and the warrant of arrest may issue.

17. If the tips supplied by assets are compelling, but no warrant can be issued because no case has yet been filed in court, the most expedient thing for law-enforcers to do is to apply for a search warrant IF THEY ARE DEAD SURE that they will find contraband. Armed with the search warrant, they conduct the search, and when they find the suspects in possession of drugs or in the act of vending them, they can then validly arrest them without a warrant.

18. In sum, all arrests are by virtue of a warrant. BUT in those cases where a crime is committed in the presence of a law-enforcement officer (or even of a private citizen) or when a crime has just occurred and the law-enforcement officer has sufficient indicia from personal knowledge or information engendering a reasonable belief that the person has committed, or is committing it, then such an officer may arrest the suspect even without a warrant.

19. Should one surrender when there is no warrant? It depends—if the warrantless arrest is one authorized by law, then refusal to surrender may constitute resisting arrest.

by Congress. It took all of Aquino’s sixyear term to sit on the FOI which he promised to deliver during his presidential campaign. Duterte must also be given credit for pursuing the recent peace talks in Oslo, Norway which has resulted in an indefinite ceasefire between government troops and the communist New People’s Army. The Philippine panel headed by chief negotiator Jess Dureza and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello deserve congratulations for forging the ceasefire agreement. A patient Norwegian government oversaw the on-and-off talks between Manila and the Communist Party of the Philippines headed by Jose Ma. Sison and the National Democratic Front of Satur Ocampo.

The Oslo talks were preceded by the exchange and release of prisoners. The CPPNPA released two policemen held by the rebels to Senator Manny Pacquiao while the government freed Benito and Wilma Tiamzon the communists called “political prisoners.” The husband-and-wife pair were given safe conduct to travel and were able to

join the peace talks in Oslo.

Both sides took a big step in the right direction matching demands and concessions.

Further talks in Manila in October will determine whether the decades-old strife, one of Asia’s and the world’s longest rebellions, would finally end.

But that’s only one front of the battle Manila is waging on three fronts. There’s still the bloody Muslim secessionist movement in Mindanao and an even more challenging external threat posed by China in the West Philippine Sea. Duterte’s relentless war on drugs has drawn worldwide criticism because of the rising body count—nearing 1,000. But as they say, the jury is still out and its success yet to be determined. There is a mounting outrage from human rights groups and the relatives of drug suspects shot dead by police The common thread that runs along the policemen’s narrative is that the suspects were shot dead for allegedly firing guns at them. Duterte ‘s fire and defend yourself order might have given law enforcers the license to kill.

rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

RITA LINDA V. JIMENO

An unintended outcome THERE has been no public outrage at the spate of drugrelated killings. The Filipino people, in general, seem to accept that this is a necessary evil if we are to stop the country from turning into a narco-state. A great majority—even lawyers and some members of the judiciary I know—believe that unorthodox means are called for, to end the illegal drugs trade that have destroyed what would have been productive citizens and have turned many a user to become the most evil of criminals.

I, too, have always supported the President in his war on drugs. Never mind that the world criticizes us or talks about us derisively. Defending the fight against drugs, I even told my American brother-in-law, who emailed me out of concern for what was happening in the country, that there was no cause for concern as the present administration was only doing what the previous administration failed to do. Yet, I began to be alarmed as more and more disThis is one turbing stories unfoldof several ed. A barangay tanod I was speaking to last major legacies week narrated how a Mr. Duterte motorcycle-riding person whose face was could leave as always covered with a President of the black hood and whose country. motorbike had no plate, roamed with a high powered weapon shooting and killing certain persons. It was not known, he said, if the shooter had a personal grudge against those he killed, whether it was a drug-related killing, or if some of those who died were victims of mistaken identity.

This, now, is the problem that confronts the police and the government. Some elements could easily take advantage of the government’s war on drugs and use it to commit crimes with impunity. Then came the news that a fiveyear-old girl died from a gunshot that hit her head when someone shot her grandfather, hitting him in his stomach.

Questions come to mind. How many innocent lives have been wasted? How many of those who have been killed were really drug pushers and dealers? How many of them were drug users—victims themselves—deserving not punishment but rehabilitation? An unintended outcome is happening. Would this chaos not put to waste and discredit the President’s worthy goal of putting an end to the illegal drugs trade?

Then, too, last week the names of those allegedly involved in the New Bilibid Prison Drugs cartel hogged the headlines of all newspapers. What if some of those named are innocent? For example, the former undersecretary of Justice, Francisco Baraan, in his statement to the media swore that he was not the undersecretary in charge of the Bureau of Corrections. He said it was never his task to oversee the operations of the National Bilibid Prison—not on the ground and not from a distance. His only task involving the national penitentiary, he said, was purely desk work; that is, reviewing BuCor contracts endorsed and recommended for approval by the Technical Services Section of the Bureau. His wish, he said, is that a complaint be filed against him so that he could have the chance to clear his name. Due process is, after all, guaranteed by our Constitution. The rule of law still governs us. *** It cannot be denied though that great changes are indeed happening. The five-decade old problem with Communist insurgency in the Philippines has bright prospects of permanently ending. The world witnessed the signing in Oslo, Norway last week of a joint statement between the Presidential Peace Adviser, Jesus Dureza, and GRP Panel Chairman, Silvestre Bello, on one hand and the Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman, Jose Maria Sison, on the other. The joint statement issued after the first round of talks expressed firm commitments from both sides to stop offensives against each other indefinitely while they work out the substance of the mutual agreements.

The peace talks which resumed in barely two months since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office was stalled for the past five years. The next rounds of the talks will focus ultimately on the substantive agenda of the peace negotiations which is envisioned to result in a Comprehensive Agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms, considered the heart and soul of the peace negotiations. If a final peace agreement is forged between the government and the insurgents, the Philippines can expect accelerated progress as investors will no longer fear threats to their investments by the rebels. Taxpayers’ money will no longer be wasted on fighting insurgency and thousands of lives will be spared. As President Duterte has said, we need to stay the course. This is one of several major legacies he could leave as president of the country.

Email: ritalindaj@gmail.com Visit: www.jimenolaw.com.ph

News

A6

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

RH implementation hit Christine F. Herrera

H

ouse Senior Deputy Minority Leader Lito Atienza on Sunday chided the government’s economic managers for sticking to the flawed and wrong policy of the past administration by blaming the country’s economic woes on rapid population growth.

Atienza was particularly disappointed with National Economic Development Authority director-general Ernesto Pernia who attributed the slow economic growth to the failure of government to implement fully the Reproductive Health Law.

“I am very disappointed that the President’s economic planners are still in the habit of using the country’s growing population as an alibi for failure, as previous administrations have done before them,” Atienza said.

Atienza questioned Pernia’s

statement that the full implementation of the RH Law could have helped speed up poverty reduction in the country.

During the presentation of the Palace-proposed P3.35-trillion national budget for 2017, Pernia said it was “a nagging puzzle” that the country obtained economic poverty incidence reduction remained slow.

Pernia insisted that growth has not been broadly shared across socioeconomic classes and regions and that inequality persisted in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Mimaropa, Eastern Visayas and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

These regions, Pernia said, had even slower growth in 2010 to 2015 than in 2004 to 2009.

“Food price, particularly rice, rose and poverty line increased by almost 30 percent during the period 2009 to 2015,” Pernia said, attributing the slow growth with Filipinos increasing by 10 million during the period.

To address the poverty incidence problem, the Neda chief urged Congress and local government units to carry out the “full, rapid and sustained implementation of the RH law.”

“The economic projections for our country are all upbeat and positive. So why is it that

our economic planners are giving this administration an alibi for failure by blaming the country’s growing population for the slow alleviation of poverty in the country?” Atienza said.

“Instead of implementing genuine poverty alleviation programs like employment generation and providing livelihood opportunities for the poor, government is still blaming the population for the country’s poverty. It is very ironic that the country’s growing population is again being conveniently used as an alibi for government’s failure to effectively address poverty.”

STAR WARS. Kids pose with Darth Vader and Stormtrooper cosplayers on the last day of the AsiaPOP Manila ComiCon at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Ey Acasio

Erap orders crackdown on cleaners with cyanide

By Sandy Araneta MANILA Mayor Joseph Estrada on Sunday ordered the City Health Office to launch a crackdown against local jewelry shops that are selling silver jewelry cleaners containing the deadly cyanide compound.

Estrada said City Ordinance No. 8178 passed in 2008 prohibits the retail of all metal and jewelry cleaners containing cyanide and imposes a P5,000 fine or a one-year jail term for violators.

“We will enforce the city ordinance against the selling of these cyanide-containing silver cleaners, and the silver polish itself, we will get rid of it immediately. This product is lethal,” Estrada said.

He issued the directive after the EcoWaste Coalition urged mayors and local health and police chiefs to crack down on vendors of silver jewelry cleaners.

On August 20, EcoWaste Coalition conducted a “test buy” and managed to purchase silver cleaning products in a shopping mall in Quiapo, in a beads and accessories store in Villalobos Street, and in another silver jewelry store in Carriedo Street, proving that such harmful merchandise is still being openly sold despite government regulations against it.

Estrada directed City Health Officer Benjamin Yson to coordinate with the Manila Police District in conducting surprise raids against the erring business establishments.

“We will continuously monitor these stores to make sure that silver cleaners are not sold for household use. It’s supposed to be for limited industrial use only.

Violators will be duly penalized,” Estrada said.

SSS receives highest number of complaints

By Sandy Araneta THE Social Security System received the most number of complaints out of the 4,421 calls made to Hotline 8888 between August 1 to 14, the Civil Service Commission said on Sunday.

Liz Agamata, CSC director for public assistance and information, said most of the

complaints were about the slow pace of transactions, the failure of agencies to act on requests due to missing signatories, discourtesy of some staff and the presence of fixers.

Agamata also noted that the SSS rank in the list is not surprising, considering that it has millions of clients.

On the upside, she said the

SSS had the fastest response rate of all the government agencies.

The local governments of Manila and Quezon City placed second, Agamata said.

Other agencies that received most of the complaints were the Land Transportation Office, Pag-IBIG Fund, Land Registration Authority, Bureau of Internal Revenue, De-

partment of Foreign Affairs, Government Service Insurance System, Philippine National Police and Commission on Elections.

Hotline 8888 was launched last August 1 following President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for the establishment of a direct line between the government and the public.

JV wants long-term solutions to traffic

By Macon Ramos-Araneta SENATOR Joseph Victor Ejercito is pushing for long-term solutions to the “hellish” traffic conditions in Metro Manila and other urban centers.

He cited the need to prioritize transportation projects like railways that would efficiently move goods and people while occupying less space.

“I have been vocal in sharing my advocacy of upgrading the railways across the country, particularly of the Philippine National Railways [PNR] in the last five years,” said Ejercito.

“Unfortunately, the same traffic and transport concerns that we had in 2010 when I was still a member of the House of Representatives remain unresolved up to this day, and the situation is much more aggravated,” he said.

“Now, traffic costs us at least P3 billion daily,” lamented Ejercito, vice chairperson of the Senate Public Services Committee.

One of the earliest measures he filed was Senate Bill No. 154 which seeks to grant special powers to the President to address the transportation crisis.

The senator also filed Senate Resolution No. 63 to probe air traffic congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, while pushing for measures like the Philipine National Railways Modernization Act and the Train Protection Act. Ejercito said his “Transportation Crisis Act of 2016” bill seeks to reorganize the country’s transportation sector in the long run through a comprehensive road map which shall reform national public transportation to ensure an efficient, sustainable, safe, clean and integrated air, land and sea transportation system.

“I believe there is no other way than the railway system (to) address the traffic congestion and hasten the movement of goods and shipments from Metro Manila to other areas,” said Ejercito.

He cited Singapore’s success with its own railway system which he wants to see replicated in the Philippines.

Ejercito pointed out the pressing need to rehabilitate the trains, upgrade the service and operations, fix other infrastructures and facilities such as elevators, escalators and washrooms; and to provide for additional wagons for the MRT, LRT, and PNR.

CoA disputes Davao City’s cash advances

By Rio N. Araja THE Commission on Audit has questioned the Davao City government’s P353-million cash advance in its 2015 payroll.

In its Aug. 26 audit report, the state auditors challenged the city government’s use of the cash advance system to distribute the wages and other benefits of nonpermanent employees in 2015.

CoA said the scheme to pay workers’ salaries through cash advance was not advisable, particularly when many people were involved since this was time-consuming and would only expose public funds to risks, loss or fraud.

“The system of paying employees’ salaries in cash is an outdated and inefficient process…[due] to significant loss of man-hours for the paymasters, who draw cash advances and release them to individual

payees. Likewise, there is also a risk of loss or misapplication of funds by the disbursing officers, who handle large amounts of cash at any given time,” the audit report read.

Based on the breakdown of the number of people in Davao City’s 2015 payroll presented by the city administration, there were 2,744 plantilla personnel augmented by 4,760 hired on job order basis and another 5,610 on contract of service.

A 2015 summary of the cash advances to “disbursing officers” showed that P20.445 million had been drawn in January, P9.575 million in February, P13.336 million in March, P31.713 million in April, P29.821 million in May, P40.85 million in June, P49.622 million in July, P35.877 million in August, P19.061 in September, P20.149 in October, P38.508 million in November, and P44.462 million in December.

DRUG WAR. Police raid 11 houses across Ozamiz City Sunday morning in search for firearms and illegal drugs. Lance Baconguis

Air Force suspends retrieval for chopper crash victims

By Eric B. Apolonio RETRIEVAL operations for the bodies of two helicopter crash victims were abandoned on Sunday after strong winds and heavy rains caused zero visibility,

preventing rescue helicopters from going over the crash site in the mountainous area of General Nakar in Quezon province.

Rescuers from the Philippine Air Force 505th Search and Rescue Group

will attempt to reach the area again early morning today, if good weather prevails.

On Saturday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the single-engine light helicopter

AS350B2-type operated

by Macroasia Air Taxi Services that went missing on Monday last week was located by search and rescue teams.

CAAP Operations and Rescue Coordinating Cen-

ter identified the fatalities as Capt. Miguel Logronio and his aircraft mechanic engineer Jay Gregorio.

The two were on a mission to pick-up and rescue several stranded engineers and miners working at the

Sumag river diversion tunnel in General Nakar when the accident happened.

Efforts to locate the missing chopper took several days because of the bad weather condition in the area.

Sports

A7

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Arcilla, Joven clinch PCA doubles’ crown T OP seeds Johnny Arcilla and Ronard Joven bagged the men’s doubles crown of the 35th Philippine Columbian Association OpenCebuana Lhuillier men’s tennis tournament at the PCA indoor shell-clay court in Paco, Manila.

Arcilla and Joven banked on familiarity and vast experience to beat Elbert Anasta and Marc Anthony Alcoseba, 6-3, 6-3, in the finals that lasted for an hour.

“Unti-unti naming nakabisado ang galaw namin kaya alam na naming ‘yung gagawin namin sa loob ng court. Naging madali ‘yung adjustments namin dahil may sinusunod din kaming strategy,” Arcilla said.

Arcilla and Joven pocketed the P20,000 top purse, while Anasta and Alcoseba settled for the P10,000 runner-up prize in the tournament supported by Dunlop, WhirlpoolFujidenzo, Chris Sports, Mary

Grace, Aseana City, PVL Restaurant, Maverick, Compass, Babolat, Just Jewels, Rexona, Palm Rock, Coca Cola Femsa Philippines, Pearl Garden Hotel, Pearl Lane Hotel, Sen. Manny Pacquiao, L&M, Broadway Motors, Stronghold Insurance and Monte.

The tandem of Arcilla and Joven also earned a spot in the main draw of the PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier Asian Tennis Federation Tour scheduled on Sept. 1 to 4 at the same venue.

Arcilla and Joven reached the finals by ousting Ruben Santiago and Arn Procianos, 6-2, 6-2; Joshua Mi-

randa and Dennis Vitaliano Jr., 6-2, (retire); and Kim Saraza and Joseph Arcilla, 6-2, 6-4.

Arcilla was playing Patrick John Tierro in the men’s singles finals at press time.

“We continue to support sports events like the PCA Open year after year as Cebuana Lhuillier Sports is committed to empower Filipino athletes. Projects like this provide a platform that allows us to discover and gauge the potential of our tennis players while giving them the motivation to deliver their best performance,” said Cebuana Lhuillier CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier.

“I’m particularly excited for this year’s edition as it features top players from our Asian neighbor countries. This will give our players the opportunity to gain world-ranking points and be exposed to top-notch Johnny Arcilla makes a backhand return as his partner Ronard Joven looks on during the doucompetition,” Lhuillier added. bles’ finals of the PCA Open-Cebuana Lhuillier men’s tennis tournament.

Cobras nail 5th triumph

BEEM BEAMS. Singer-songwriter So-

phie Beem performs in the stadium show during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day prior to the start of the 2016 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

THE SOUTHWESTERN University Phinma Cobras notched their fifth straight win with a 72-61 rout of the Cebu Webmasters in the 16th edition of Cebu’s premier collegiate league, the CESAFI, at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday.

The Cobras set the pace at the start of the first quarter with a 14-0 run that gave them a comfortable 22-8 spread over the Webmasters and padded their lead to 19 points when two-time MVP Mark Tallo buried a triple to beat the half time buzzer.

The Webmasters refused to give up and rallied to trim the lead to nine points behind the shooting of Justine Dacalos, Gilent Delator and Peter Codilla to make it a 57-66 score, but were hampered by time constraints.

A resurgent Bernie Bregondo sparked a Webmasters’ rally with 16 points and 9 rebounds, while former Perpetual Help’s standout rookie guard Shaquille Imperial added 15 points, 7 boards , 5 assists and 4 steals, but it was too little too late and the Webmasters dropped to a record of 2-3.

Dacalos was the Webmasters’ leading scorer with 21 points, while Delator added 11 but a member of the pre-season tournament mythical five JR Puerto once again failed to make an impact and ended with only three points.

Romero makes it to Forbes’ top 50 richest list

FOR the second time, Globalport team owner Mikee Romero made it to the list of Forbes magazine’s top 50 richest Filipinos.

A party-list representative (1Pacman) in the Congress, Romero is ranked 49th with a value of $150 million or nearly P7 billion. The bulk of his fortune comes from his port operations.

Aside from his real estate business and various stock investments, Romero, 43, is also vice chairman of AirAsia Philippines. He also has a large art collection.

Romero credited his business success to his being a sportsman. Aside from basketball – he played for La Salle during his college days – Romero is also into shooting, martial arts and polo.

He has staged several international polo tournaments in the country where the rich and powerful took part.

“I am always a sportsman and it is from sports where I get my energy when I do business,” said Romero who plays basketball every Thursday. “Because of sports, I learn to be aggressive and dynamic.”

“His passion for sports is the same as in business,” said Erick Arejola, Romero’s trusted lieutenant.

That’s why in the House of Representatives, Romero is making sure that sports won’t be neglected.

He’s also an advocate for the creation of a department of sports.

Romero is not the only sportsman in the Forbes’ richest list.

San Miguel Corporation bosses Ramon Ang and Danding Cojuangco are ranked 16th at $1.21 billion (P56 billion) and 20th at $1.14 billion (P53 billion), respectively, having owned three PBA teams and the latter being the chief backer of the La Salle basketball team.

Wilfred Uytengsu, owner of Alaska in the PBA and also an organizer of triathlon competitions, is at No. 37.

Sharp as Ever, Our Cab driver stuns former world champ Guerrero Angel’s Dream win

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

CARMONA, Cavite--Jockey CV Garganta’s Sharp As Ever won the Philippine Racing Commission Cup during a busy racing festival at the San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite recently.

Sharp As Ever took home the P240,000 top purse, the same prize money secured

by Spring Collection, ridden by MM Gonzales, as they prevailed in the Manila Jockey Club Cup. Jockey Conrad Henson’s Our Angel’s Dream ruled the fifth leg of Philracom’s imported/local challenge race, with a top prize of 300,000.

“It was an exciting day for race fans,” said Philracom Chairman Andrew Sanchez.

“From the races in the Ramon Bagatsing Centennial Classique down to our very own (Philracom) races, I think everyone went home satisfied with the top-quality races that we offered.”

Meanwhile, nine-year-veteran Arnold Asuncion and his four-year-old mare Atomicseventynine chased down longshot Love To Death to win the 1750-meter 2016 Resorts World Manila-Challenge of Champions Cup.

It was a long pursuit right from the start, as Asuncion and two other favorites, Kanlaon and Court of Honour, were 20 paces behind Love to Death, which had jockey JB Hernandez on board.

But patience and Asuncion’s experience in dealing with Atomicseventynine’s temper allowed them to keep a steady pace, and finally slip past Love to Death in the last 500 meters to win in one minute, 45.4 seconds.

Val Dilema’s Kanlaon and RA Base’s Haley’s Rainbow also sprinted past Love to Death to take second and third, respectively, at the podium.

This earned Asuncion and trainer A.L. Francisco the top purse of P600,000 out of the guaranteed P1million purse.

In preparing for the race, Asuncion had training runs at the Naic track with Atomicseventynine in an effort to keep her temper in check. “‘Pag mainit ang ulo ng kabayo ko, hindi nagpapaawat.

Kaya naturuan namin sa Naic. Mga 1950 meters din yung haba. Napalamig ko ang ulo,” said Asuncion.

ARGENTINE cab driver David Emanuel “El Pirata” Peralta stunned former world champion Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, winning a 12-round split decision in the main event of Premier Boxing Champion on Spike Saturday night from the Honda Center in Anaheim.

Scores were 116-112 and 115-113 for Peralta and 115113 for Guerrero in the main event of the televised tripleheader promoted by TGB Promotions.

Boxing Scene reported that Guerrero opened strong in the first two

rounds, scoring at will over the slower Peralta.

Guerrero continued to have success in the third stanza as they traded back and forth throughout the round. But Peralta started to mount a consistent attack in the fifth round, upping the tempo and using movement to keep the oncoming Guerrero at bay.

The middle rounds featured excellent exchanges, with Guerrero using a blistering uppercut to score points against Peralta. However, Peralta who is handled by well-known international promoter and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz turned the tables in the ninth, seemingly scoring a knockdown,

which wasn’t called and landing right hands at will on Guerrero.

Peralta continued to land and score in the final three rounds earning the split decision.

In a post-fight interview, the victorious Peralta said: “I was a cab driver in Argentina. I was offered a chance to fight in the US and came away victorious. I came to fight and I knew I would win. He is a very good fighter but I hit him with the harder shots.”

Peralta added: “Yes, I want to fight bigger names now, no way I’m going to retire now. I’ll be ready again to fight soon, this was no Argentine David Emanuel Peralta, the El Pirata, who stole joke and I can beat a lot of a win against former world champion Robert “The Ghost” great fighters.”

Guerrero, is interviewed by the panel after his victory.

Superal climbs to 7th in LPGA school PRINCESS Superal knocked down three straight birdies from No. 10 and went on to shoot a four-under 68 to safely make it to the final round of the LPGA and Symetra Tour Qualifying SchoolStage I at Rancho Mirage, California Saturday.

Superal, who stood at joint 20th after a 70 at the Gary Player course Thursday and 72 at the Dinah Shore layout Friday, thus moved to a share of seventh with

three others at six-under 210, just two shots off American Mariah Stackhouse and four others, who pooled 208s and who led the top 120 players plus ties from a huge field of 340 into the final round of the first phase of the grueling elims leading to stints in the world’s premier ladies circuit.

The top 90 plus ties after the final round will move to Stage II slated Oct. 20-23 at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in

Venice, Florida.

“Cess is safely into Stage II but she wants to top the first stage and I believe she can with the way she’s playing. She’s only two-down behind the leaders,” said Team The Country Club coach Bong Lopez, who carries the bag for his prized ward seeking to become the next Filipina to play on the LPGA Tour.

Superal’s strong finish also already assured her of a Symetra Tour status for 2017.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

Alaska Aces crush Elite

Sports

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

A8

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

By Jeric Lopez

T

he Alaska Aces exploited the absence of injured import Eric Dawson to destroy the Blackwater Elite 107-87 in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup yesterday August 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Games Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum): 4:15 p.m. - TNT KaTropa vs. GlobalPort 7 p.m. - San Miguel

Alaska Aces import LaDontae Henton (center) tries to get a shot off a pair of Blackwater Elite defenders Art Dela Cruz (left) and Kyle Pascual. Henton tallied 33 points to lead the Aces past the Elite, 107-87, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup yesterday, August 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Mequi, Juico to address sports summit

By Peter Atencio TWO former chairmen of the Philippine Sports Commission will take part in a top level consultative meeting on the proposed master plan for Philippine sports on Sept. 1 and 2.

Educator Aparicio Mequi and sports executive Philip Ella Juico will lend their expertise when they speak before sports leaders

and stakeholders during a twoday gathering set from Sept. 1 and 2 at the Cachina Room of the Sheraton Hotel in P.Ocampo St., Malate, Manila.

PSC chairman William ìButchî Ramirez said the meeting will discuss how the PSC will go about its plans to revive the Philippine Sports Institute.

They will set the sports policy for the Philippine government to

follow.

We want a clear direction for the PSI. We will have a strong grassroots program through the PSI,î said Ramirez.

This will be done in partnership with the Philippine Olympic Committee and the various national sports associations that are under the POCís wings.

With the revival of the PSI, Ramirez believes the PSC will

have a chance to discover good sources of athletes and coaches by having them undergo programs in education, sports sciences and administration.

To monitor the progress of the PSI, Ramirez said he will appoint a national sports training director to oversee the training of athletes and define the role of coaches.

Various disciplines in train-

ing athletes, like sports medicine, sports psychology, nutrition, physiology, education, as well as strength and conditioning will also be addressed by the PSI. There is also a plan to enter into memorandum of agreements with various local government units in their effort to set up training centers in the provinces.

Teodoro Braves, Cubs try to keep share of basketball lead chosen NC player of the week TEYTEY Teodoro continues to lead Jose Rizal University which has been transformed from a struggling team in the first round to one of the hottest teams in the NCAA Season 92 basketball wars.

The Heavy Bombers have won four straight matches including three in the second round to get back in the thick of the fight in the race to the Final Four. They now occupy a share of fourth spot with Mapua in the team standings with a 7-5 win-loss card.

Teodoro is the biggest reason why the Heavy Bombers are on a roll.

The JRU point guard scored 21 points in their 68-58 win over Lyceum last Friday. The performance was a follow-up to his 23-point output in the overtime victory over reigning champion Letran, 75-68, last Tuesday.

JRU coach Vergel Meneses sees a lot of potential in Teodoro, who was named the ACCEL Quantum/3XVI-NCAA Press Corps Player of the Week.

“I believe he will make it big in the PBA,” said Meneses in Pilipino. “What I’ve heard is that a lot of PBA coaches are interested to have him. He only needs to improve on his defense.”

The JRU guard has been nothing but clutch for the Heavy Bombers this week. Teodoro hit eight points in the win over the Knights, atoning for his blunder in regulation where he decided to pass the ball, instead of taking the final shot, in the final play of the fourth quarter.

Against the Pirates, Teodoro also delivered with a gameclinching triple with six seconds to play to end Lyceum’s bid for a come-from-behind win.

Games today (Aug. 29) (The Arena, San Juan) 9 a.m.- Arellano vs Letran (jrs) 10:45 a.m.- San Beda vs Perpetual (jrs) 12:30 p.m.- Mapua vs LPU (jrs) 2:15 p.m.- St. Benilde vs San Sebastian (jrs) 4 p.m.- Jose Rizal vs EAC (jrs)

Team Standings Arellano U San Beda Mapua CSB LPU

WL 11 1 11 1 10 2 93 65

Letran Perpetual Help Jose Rizal San Sebastian EAC

57 48 2 10 1 11 0 11

ARELLANO U and San Beda try to keep their stranglehold of the lead as the two tackle Letran and Perpetual Help, respectively, today in the 92nd NCAA juniors basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

The Braves turned back the Jose Rizal Light Bombers while

the Cubs downed the Lyceum of the Philippoines U Junior Pirates, 80-66, to remain atop the heap with identical 11-1 (winloss) records.

Another win in their morning duels will push them a win closer from clinching at least a playoff for a berth in the Final Four.

Both Arellano and San Beda are also looking to stay in the top two for the all-important twice-to-beat advantage in the next round.

“Our goal is to make the Final Four first. If we can achieve it,

we’ll start to think of the twice-tobeat edge,” said San Beda coach JB Sison.

The Mapua Red Robins are just a game behind with a 10-2 mark. They tangle with LPU (6-5) at 12:30 p.m. hoping to catch up with the leaders.

St. Benilde-La Salle Greenhills is currently at No. 4 with a 9-3 card. The CSB Junior Blazers battle the San Sebastian Staglets at 2:15 p.m.

Jose Rizal (2-10) and Emilio Aguinaldo (0-11) face off at 4 p.m.

The Aces played like a perennial contender, easily pummeling lowly Blackwater for a much needed morale-boosting victory.

Alaska import LaDontae Henton was brilliant. He scored a game-high 33 points to pace the Aces.

Kevin Racal added 12 markers, on a perfect four-of-four shooting from the field, while Ping Exciminiano had 11.

Alaska badly needed this victory to keep its chances of making the top eight and the quarterfinals alive as it now improved to 3-5 in the standings.

On the other hand, the woeful Elite is back in the cellar with a league-worst 1-6 mark. It now needs to win its last four games to have a crack at entering the quarters.

The Aces left the helpless Elite in the dust in the second period.

Led by Henton, Alaska blasted Blackwater and outscored it 2613 in a huge surge in the last eight minutes of the second to break the game wide open.

By halftime, the Aces were already in firm grip of the contest, leading by 18 big points, 54-36.

They never looked back. The game was in the bag for Alaska by halftime.

“We really needed this win.

We need to do whatever it takes to make it to the next round,” said Henton.

Henton fired 23 points after the first 24 minutes. He was on target right from the get-go.

The Aces had their most efficient game of the tournament thus far, even leading by as much as 30 points twice in the second half.

The Elite just didn’t give them much problems at all.

Chris Banchero was a solid contributor as well for Alaska. He dished out a career-high 12 assists along with eight points.

The Elite was just overpowered without Dawson who sat out his second game this conference because of back spasms.

Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra (5-2) is currently looking to move a step closer to securing a spot in the quarters as it is taking on lowly rival Star (1-5) as of this report.

UP Lady Maroons gun for V-L semis vs NU

ShakeysVLeague: FEUís Kyle Negrito (12) fails to return a hit from SSCís Joyce Sta. Rita even as fellow FEU Lady Tamaraw Jerrili Malabanan looks on.

UNIVERSITY of the Philippines hopes to sustain its surge as it faces defending champion National University today, gunning for a victory and a berth in the Final Four of the Shakeyís V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

The Lady Maroons repulsed the Ateneo Lady Eagles, 25-18, 14-25, 25-20, 25-18, over the weekend to bolster their semis drive at 2-1 with two playdates left in the short quarterfinal phase of the midseason conference of the league where it all started.

After disposing of their fellow Katipunan-based school, UP coach Jerry Yee said they might do away with their usual practice to conserve his wardsí energy

and strength given their grueling quarters schedule where they, like the Lady Eagles, are slated to play three tough games.

We donít know if weíre still going to have to practice but definitely weíll have a meeting,î said Yee after his wards toppled the Lady Eagles to move up to third behind the Lady Bulldogs and the Far Eastern U Lady Tams, who tote identical 3-1 cards.

Game time is at 4 p.m. with the Lady Maroons facing a wellrested Lady Bulldogs squad, which nipped the Lady Tams in five last Wednesday. UP will next play San Sebastian at the close of the quarters phase of the tournament sponsored by Shakeyís on Wednesday.

Bulldogs foil Altas, reach Spikers’ Turf semis NATIONAL U came away with a 25-21, 25-22, 25-22 straight sets victory over the Perpetual Help Altas last Saturday to clinch the first semifinal berth in Group A of the Spikers’ Turf Season 2 Collegiate Conference at The Arena in San Juan.

The Bulldogs proved steadier

than the Altas in down-to-thewire set finishes to complete the 74-minute sweep and advance to the Final Four of the mid-season conference of the league organized

by Sports Vision and backed by Accel as official outfitter.

Madzlan Gampong fired 12 hits, including three blocks, while

Bryan Bagunas and Fauzi Ismail combined for 21 points as the Bulldogs overcame the Altas’ superb hitting and blocking.

The Bustillos-based school also pounced on their rivals’ poor service reception to score four aces while Kim Dayandante produced 28 excellent sets, eight more than

the combined Perpetual Help effort.

The win was NU’s fourth against a loss to close out its elimation round campaign on top while booting erstwhile group co-leader Perpetual out of the semis picture with a 3-2 card.

Far Eastern U and La Salle, toting identical 3-1 slates, dispute

the other semis seat in Group A on Wednesday.

Relan Taneo unloaded nine kills for an 11-hit effort but emerged as the lone Perpetual player to churn out a double-digit output as brother Rey Taneo ended up with nine. Esmail Kasim chipped in seven markers.

More firms eye solar projects B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

B1

NFA to lose import functions

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

T

HE Cabinet recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte the abolition of National Food Authority’s commercial functions, including rice importation, the National Economic and Development Authority said.

Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia cited a consensus among Cabinet secretaries to split up the regulatory and commercial functions of NFA, the state-run grains agency.

Pernia said, however, the rec-

ommendation was still subject to the approval of Duterte and the amendment of the NFA charter.

“We had a meeting with the NFA, and it’s not official yet, but our collective decision was going to be proposed to the president and I’m sure he will like it.

It is to remove the proprietary and commercial activity of NFA and focus on its core function of regulation,” Pernia said.

He said the heads of the Finance, Budget and Agriculture Departments and National Economic and Development Authority met to arrive at the decision.

He said NFA would no longer be engaged in buying and selling, meaning it would focus on regulation to ensure adequate buffer stock of rice and other grains.

“They should have a buffer stock. Buffer stock is really reserved. It should always be there, in case of contingencies,” said

Pernia.

He said the NFA rice commercially sold to accredited store owners in public markets would be gone, once the proposal was approved.

Pernia, however, assured that low-priced rice would remain available to the public such as NFA rice through the importation by the private sector.

“The imported rice is always cheaper than homegrown rice.

It’s very expensive to grow rice in our country,” he said.

Pernia said the splitting of NFA’s commercial and regulatory functions would also resolve

the rice smuggling problem.

“It also removes the smuggling problem. The problem with NFA is that it buys high and sells low, which results in losses. The accumulated debt of NFA is already P165 billion,” Pernia said.

Pernia said while the government was required to settle the debt of NFA, the grains agency could liquidate some of its assets to pay for the losses.

“That’s a government debt, but NFA has certain assets that can be sold, assets all over the country, land and building. So those can be liquidated or sold to partly pay for the debt,” he said.

Calata seeking Pagcor license

MODERN MELBOURNE CONTAINER TERMINAL.

Daniel Muscat, a member of operations team of Victoria International Container Terminal Services Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Manila-based port operator International Container Terminal Services Inc., demonstrates how state-of-the-art cranes pick up containers from trucks using the automated system of the most modern container terminal in Australia at Webb Dock East in Port of Melbourne. ICTSI, which is led by businessman Enrique Razon Jr., invested Au$550 million or $400 million in the new terminal that is expected to start commercial operations before the end of the year.

Roderick T. Dela Cruz

By Jenniffer B. Austria

MNTC set to build Govt moves to reduce underemployment Bataan expressway

By Darwin G Amojelar MANILA North Tollways Corp. plans to start the expansion of the North Luzon Expressway to Bataan province by 2018, a top executive said over the weekend.

“We are just restarting the feasibility study. It’s a 44-kilometer road that’s in our original concession. It would be from Apalit in Pampanga to Tipo in Bataan,” MNTC president and chief executive Rodrigo Franco said.

Franco said the project suffered delay after the alignment was affected by the 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

“We may need to divert the alignment. We need an approval from the Toll Regulatory Board. If ever, we can start it by 2018,” Franco said. He said the original project cost was P10 billion.

Franco said once completed, the project would be connected to Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway.

MNTC is currently constructing Segment 10 of NLEx Harbour Link, a 5.6-km elevated expressway costing P10.5 billion and running from Valenzuela City to C3 in Caloocan City. The project is expected to be completed by the second half of 2017.

Other MNTC projects are the P2.6-billion Segment 2 and 3 NLEx road-widening project to accommodate growing vehicle traffic.

The project will expand the existing two-lane portion of NLEx between Sta. Rita and San Fernando to three lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides, while the current one-lane stretch between Dau and Sta. Ines will be expanded to two lanes in each direction.

The Toll Regulatory Board issued a conditional notice to proceed with the construction of C5 Link Expressway, which is a part of the existing Cavitex network and a P10billion project spanning 7.6 kilometers to link C-5 Road in Taguig to R-1 (Coastal) Expressway. Construction is expected to start by the first quarter of 2017 upon approval of the final engineering design.

The Public Works Department continues to secure rights of way for the Cavite-Laguna Expressway whose construction is expected to begin by next year. Metro Pacific Tollways Corp., the parent company of MNTC, was awarded the 35-year CALAx concession in 2015.

Pernia said while the proposal was expected to raise a lot of objections, the Cabinet secretaries were firmly pushing for the proposal, “There’ll be a lot of objections, as there a lot of individuals who would like to maintain NFA, because it’s a milking cow,” Pernia said.

“It’s a good time to do it now, because President Duterte has strong support in Congress. Like the tax reform, it will also benefit from his strong support in congress, with super majority. So many things have to be done now that he still has that large political capital,” he said.

GOVERNMENT economic managers set a goal to reduce underemployment rate in the country to below 14 percent from the latest data of 18.4 percent.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters in a media roundtable discussion the target would be included in the Philippine Development Plan for 2017 to 2022.

Latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed underemployment rate, which refers to those who were working but wanted more work, hit 18.4 percent in April 2016, exceeding the 17-percent target for 2016.

This means that 7.3 million Filipi-

nos were underemployed mostly in the agriculture and services sectors.

“Underemployment I think needs more attention actually. It is still at double-digits, so we should try to reduce that, maybe by another five percentage points,” Pernia said.

Pernia, who is also the director general of the National Economic and Development Authority, the agency in charge of the formulation of PDP, said the government would try to address the issue of underemployment rate before President Rodrigo Duterte stepped down in 2022.

He said while unemployment rate would be difficult to be trimmed

down, the reduction in the underemployment number would be a good start to further pull down the unemployment rate in the long term.

“We will resolve to reduce unemployment rate, especially underemployment rate, which is really the bigger problem. That should be doable and that should be good enough because it’s very hard to reduce unemployment,” Pernia said.

Pernia said the way to reduce the underemployment rate was to generate better-quality jobs.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

OKADA’S COURTESY CALL. Japanese casino mogul Kazou Okada (right) and Tiger Resort Leisure and Entertainment Inc. board member Antonio Cojuangco (fourth from left) pay a courtesy call on Parañaque City mayor Edwin Olivarez (second from right) at the city hall. Okada assured Olivarez that Okada Manila will hire thousands of city residents when the hotel and casino resort complex opens in November. Okada Manila, a world-class integrated resort at the Pagcor Entertainment City, intends to employ 8,000 workers that will cover positions in casino gaming, club operations, security and surveillance, facilities management, hotel and operations, food and beverages and cage operations. Also shown are (from left) councilors Binky Favis and Chris Aguilar and Parañaque Rep. Eric Olivarez.

A GROUP led by Calata Corp. said it expects to secure a gaming license from state-run Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. by the end of 2017 for its P65-billion gaming and leisure complex in Cebu.

Calata Corp. teamed up with Sino-America Gaming Investments Group Llc and Macau Resources Group Ltd. to acquire and develop a 14-hectare property on Mactan Island in Cebu into an entertainment and gaming complex called Mactan Leisure City.

Calata said in a reply to inquiry from the Philippine Stock Exchange the project secured letters of no objection and support from the governor of Cebu, mayor of Lapu-lapu City, business and civic groups and the Catholic church and resolutions of no objection from the city council of Lapu-lapu and barangay council of Mactan.

Calata said the letters were long standing mandatory Pagcor application requirements for all gaming projects outside Entertainment City in Parañaque City.

“The target submission of the complete application with Pagcor will be by late October 2017,” Calata said.

Calata said last week it teamed up with Sino-America and Macau Group to form a company that would acquire various real properties which shall then be leased to developers and third parties.

The parties intend to transform the corporation into a real estate investment trust company to be listed with the Philippine Stock Exchange.

B2

Business

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market monitors Fed rate hike

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

TOCKS are expected to move sideways this week, despite a possible increase in US interest rate by the Federal Reserve before the end of the year.

US Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said in a global monetary policy conference over the weekend the case for a rate increase grew stronger after a lot of new jobs were created as the US economy expanded at a moderate pace.

Investors in the Philippines will only be able to react to this news on Tuesday, as the market will be closed today, in observance of National Heroes Day. F. Yap Securities said the impact of news on whether or not a rate hike would be upheld by the Federal Open Market Committee

would likely be subdued.

“We believe a neutral stance or rate hike possibility has already been factored into share prices, with emphasis shifting to trends in investment and consumer spending,” F. Yap Securities said.

Analysts said with the end of the ghost month, improvement in value turnover was expected in September.

Investors will also remain focused on the pace of fiscal spending, including the specific details of the Duterte administration’s economic growth agenda. Interest could revert to consumerspending staples and infrastructure bets, possibly property and construction.

“Participants will also heed details on spending-driven tax drives, particularly the lowering of corporate and income taxes, as well as other revenue-offsetting measures,” F. Yap Securities said.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company bellwether, closed lower by 1.1 percent last week to 7,845.49, while the broader all-share index declined 0.8 percent to 4,661.61.

Except for mining and oil and services, which went up by 1.4 percent and 0.4 percent respectively, all other sub-indices posted week-on-week declines.

Foreign investors were net sellers of P3.53 billion last week, as total foreign selling reached P22.15 billion while foreign buying amounted to P18.61 billion.

Top gainers last week were PhilWeb Corp. which surged 67.5 percent to P9.48, Calata Corp. which jumped 22.6 percent to P3.36 and Robinsons Land Corp. which climbed 6.6 percent to P32.

Calata said last week it teamed up with Sino-America Gaming Investment Group Ltd. to establish a real estate and investment trust for a P65-billion gaming and leisure complex in Cebu.

Heavy losers last week were Liberty Telecoms Holdings Inc. which dropped 24.8 percent to P2.18, Pepsi Cola Products Philippines Inc. which fell 11.4 percent to P3.10 and Bloomberry Resorts Corp. which declined 9.9 percent to P5.80.

Meralco negotiates 300-MW power deals

By Alena Mae S. Flores RETAILER Manila Electric Co. is negotiating with power producers for a 300-megawatt supply agreement to cover mid-merit requirements.

“I think for our baseload, we are sort of already contracted. We are in discussions for our midmerit for gas,” Meralco president Oscar Reyes told reporters.

Reyes said aside from gas, Meralco could tap other sources of power such as geothermal for the mid-merit requirements,

THE MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS WEEKLY STOCKS REVIEW STOCKS

AUGUST 22-26, 2016 Close Volume

AG Finance Asia United Bank Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. Bank of PI China Bank BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. Bright Kindle Resources Citystate Savings COL Financial Eastwest Bank Filipino Fund Inc. First Abacus I-Remit Inc. Manulife Fin. Corp.

MEDCO Holdings Metrobank Natl. Reinsurance Corp.

PB Bank Phil Bank of Comm Phil. National Bank Phil. Savings Bank PSE Inc. RCBC `A’ Security Bank Sun Life Financial Union Bank Vantage Equities

3.7 47.65 113.80 105.10 38.5 3.99 1.48 9 16.3 21 6.85 0.68 1.87 595.00 0.660 87.8 0.88 14.68 24.00 59.20 100.3 278 32.45 218.4 1400.00 73.75 1.53

Aboitiz Power Corp.

Agrinurture Inc. Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. Alsons Cons.

Asiabest Group C. Azuc De Tarlac Cemex Holdings Century Food Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Concepcion Crown Asia Da Vinci Capital Del Monte DNL Industries Inc. Emperador Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) EEI Euro-Med Lab First Gen Corp.

First Holdings ‘A’ Ginebra San Miguel Inc. Holcim Philippines Inc. Integ. Micro-Electronics Ionics Inc Jollibee Foods Corp.

Liberty Flour LMG Chemicals Mabuhay Vinyl Macay Holdings Manila Water Co. Inc. Maxs Group Megawide Mla. Elect. Co `A’ MG Holdings Panasonic Mfg Phil. Corp.

Pepsi-Cola Products Phil.

Petron Corporation Phil H2O Phinma Corporation Phoenix Petroleum Phils.

Phoenix Semiconductor Pryce Corp. `A’ RFM Corporation Roxas Holdings San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ Splash Corporation Swift Foods, Inc. TKC Steel Corp.

Trans-Asia Oil Universal Robina Victorias Milling Vitarich Corp.

Vulcan Ind’l.

45.65 3.18 0.84 1.77 15.2 204.00 12.2 16.72 149 25 57 2.16 5.95 12.2 11.000 7.96 5.73 8.30 1.85 25.35 72.55 12.80 16.68 6.53 2.270 253.00 45.00 2.18 4.262 29.00 26.75 33 14.08 313.00 0.265 5.00 3.1 10.98 3.01 11.66 6.11 1.61 3.65 4.21 3.7 215 3.06 0.153 1.88 2.26 180.1 4.71 2.89 1.24

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

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.390 75.30 16.40 1.27 6.20 0.375 0.375 894.5 1000.00 8.75 12.00 6.1 6.01 6.96 0.210 1543 6.32 78.00 3.9 5.75 7.87 0.81 16.88 7.24 0.0350 1.200 1.900 2.60 84.00 2.3 690.00 1.29 1.01 188.00 211.000 0.3150 0.2080 0.285

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 City & Land Dev. Cityland Dev. `A’ Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Keppel Properties Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

7.850 6.60 1.31 3.340 0.275 38.700 3.12 5.1 5.6 0.590 1.01 1.000 0.161 0.620 60 0.780 0.158 1.06 1.91 1.18 4.70 4.94 0.117 0.2900

Value

FINANCIAL 2,639,610.00 2,444,215.00 784,858,534 1,024,800,594.00 8,034,245.00 1,338,170.00 1,201,150.00 15,346.00 3,978,278.00 57,203,970.00 316,799 21,699,620 262,400.00 341,870.00 24,642,700.00 1,241,591,574.50 510,840.00 2,947,306.00 222,945.00 38,487,826.50 104,588.00 3,104,780.00 14,940,965 1,623,361,276.00 90,875 30,391,720.50 307,130.00 INDUSTRIAL 12,023,700 551,725,945.00 6,145,000 19,301,020.00 3,932,000 3,318,030.00 4,838,000 8,604,140.00 551,000 8,233,052.00 70 13,344.00 50,222,300 624,845,212.00 8,034,100 135,340,260 6,980 990,958.00 62,083,900 1,518,027,295.00 27,320 1,568,448 5,184,000 11,420,270.00 1,521,000 8,915,268.00 375,500 4,601,050.00 13,919,900 154,871,080.00 6,993,800 54,949,458.00 60,212,200 351,334,316.00 6,027,700 51,681,208.00 26,000 46,900.00 13,086,300 328,899,240.00 1,458,040 107,097,801.50 23,100 287,342.00 2,293,200 37,982,512.00 19,801,000 133,293,753.00 7,123,000 16,262,090.00 2,340,280 589,879,240.00 10,500 480,785.00 335,000 712,700.00 399,950 600,810.00 11,300 320,210.00 3,017,500 80,528,375.00 2,562,700 82,346,830.00 30,381,200 425,983,434.00 534,860 167,122,322.00 13,000,000 3,614,900.00 50,200 246,494.00 2,179,000 7,069,540.00 14,834,800 164,813,214.00 67,000 203,260.00 14,200 164,228.00 3,116,600 19,206,083.00 2,149,000 3,505,700.00 4,378,000 16,509,470.00 17,769,000 74,804,890.00 17,000 62,800.00 45,660 9,948,268.00 532,000 1,621,910 34,490,000 5,291,450.00 13,363,000 25,115,970.00 5,354,000 12,216,040.00 20,211,140 3,666,075,541 13,000 60,560.00 326,542,000 821,299,960.00 3,582,000 4,518,210.00 HOLDING FIRMS 1,081,000 874,300.00 11,593,160 873,076,535.50 21,003,700 343,468,742.00 281,000 347,260.00 35,000 217,955.00 40,390,000 15,461,450.00 8,990,000 3,428,500.00 1,112,170 998,421,530 40 40,375.00 5,389,700 47,743,995.00 44,412,700 541,358,392.00 139,300 850,918.00 1,200 7,212.00 1,921,300 13,600,918.00 1,350,000 279,260.00 529,240 814,883,235.00 170,300 1,089,568.00 8,203,660 657,425,636.50 1,000 3,900.00 3,000 17,863.00 11,726,800 92,656,298.00 441,000 353,220.00 31,483,500 531,031,814.00 164,143,800 1,193,659,894.00 92,900,000 3,259,000.00 10,000 12,000.00 3,028,000 5,760,500.00 20,000 52,000.00 611,590 51,185,996.50 105,000 240,810.00 1,782,850 1,228,054,595.00 21,486,000 30,299,660.00 8,438,000 8,873,270.00 100 18,800.00 32,800 6,882,578.00 5,720,000 1,769,800.00 3,650,000 729,410.00 2,030,000 569,100.00 PROPERTY 1,517,800 12,086,358.00 6,500 41,177.00 31,306,200 43,744,680.00 32,247,000 101,280,490.00 2,598,000 741,200.00 50,530,200 2,013,217,190.00 2,838,000 8,749,600.00 59,000 300,617.00 371,000 2,077,000.00 25,502,000 14,788,680.00 49,000 50,540.00 362,000 364,870.00 71,010,000 11,422,650.00 40,084,000 24,986,720.00 2,986,680 178,648,092.00 1,087,100 925,710.00 21,000 4,500.00 18,243,000 19,826,030.00 59,574,000 115,444,330.00 508,000 597,870.00 20,000 94,000.00 252,592,500 1,244,358,004.00 72,890,000 8,791,800.00 750,000 197,400.00 731,000 51,300 6,908,520 9,797,630 209,500 367,000 812,000 1,700 243,700 2,675,600 46,200 29,311,000 140,000 570 35,919,000 13,995,660 577,000 200,300 9,300 640,390 1,070 11,100 462,100 5,391,770 65 412,970 205,000

AUGUST 15-19, 2016 Close Volume Value 3.45 47.6 113.20 105.00 38.3 3.70 1.50

293,000 125,800 9,226,900 14,035,200 192,400 139,000 981,000

982,520.00 5,933,625.00 1,049,766,532 1,314,033,161.00 7,357,225.00 534,950.00 1,406,240.00

16.4 21.25 6.95 0.78 1.87 580.00 0.690 89.8 0.89 14.7 24.00 60.60 100.2 280 32.3 215.6 1395.00 73.40 1.5

255,900 10,846,000 31,700 35,025,000 454,000 870 45,018,000 38,463,380 199,000 491,700 19,700 653,960 1,380 165,510 999,300 5,956,450 10 236,690 218,000

4,209,026.00 234,880,650.00 220,332 28,094,700 867,350.00 488,650.00 31,717,040.00 3,442,838,487.00 177,230.00 7,222,286.00 473,120.00 39,662,038.50 134,354.00 46,285,688.00 32,236,280 1,277,304,144.00 13,950 17,373,555.50 328,590.00

46.4 3.13 0.83 1.8 14.18 207.80 12.66 16.84 147 23.5 59.85 2.23 5.78 12.7 11.300 7.72 6.00 8.99 1.79 25.2 72.2 12.20 16.00 6.75 2.320 252.60 41.00 2 4.15 29.75 26.5 32.1 14.24 313.00 0.270 4.80 3.5 11.36 3.16 11.50 6.33 1.68 3.86 4.21 3.7 220.2 3.05 0.153 1.99 2.36 191.5 4.68 2.24 1.24

5,488,600 13,608,890 3,312,000 9,963,000 26,700 120 123,196,900 22,186,500 6,220 47,425,700 17,410 3,234,000 1,604,200 592,100 20,355,400 3,937,600 76,451,400 5,215,900 26,000 11,387,800 1,337,330 52,900 462,300 36,006,900 5,703,000 1,892,160 1,200 824,000 248,000 6,000 5,009,100 5,131,600 28,734,600 1,456,000 1,300,000 95,000 5,027,000 21,528,200 100,000 87,600 5,513,000 1,944,000 5,911,000 1,630,000 126,000 81,550 592,000 21,850,000 7,419,000 3,947,000 27,232,620 83,000 204,236,000 2,613,000

252,821,150.00 17,033,090.00 2,680,590.00 18,142,780.00 344,170.00 22,204.00 1,486,358,766.00 376,718,936 928,072.00 1,107,274,365.00 1,013,905 7,300,090.00 8,392,411.00 7,501,364.00 230,201,790.00 30,022,345.00 457,326,974.00 47,909,047.00 46,170.00 287,052,905.00 95,441,836.00 648,282.00 7,434,730.00 261,309,136.00 13,238,500.00 477,882,160.00 49,000.00 1,644,410.00 1,036,150.00 172,675.00 134,639,655.00 170,829,050.00 402,058,590.00 469,009,680.00 336,550.00 469,681.00 17,395,630.00 243,516,842.00 318,560.00 1,007,920.00 34,495,989.00 3,191,720.00 22,600,210.00 6,832,450.00 467,210.00 18,586,470.00 1,803,230 3,357,920.00 14,441,900.00 9,237,200.00 5,118,416,000 385,350.00 421,319,070.00 3,222,370.00

0.390 75.65 16.04 1.22 6.18 0.390 0.385 896 1050.00 8.81 12.70 6.28

2,580,000 10,540,060 19,503,100 142,000 73,600 20,110,000 11,080,000 1,132,040 155 14,896,400 37,234,500 173,300

1,025,150.00 792,718,665.50 311,193,744.00 176,280.00 455,447.00 7,938,200.00 4,263,200.00 1,016,234,020 165,845.00 132,634,728.00 457,684,638.00 1,092,380.00

7.05 0.215 1530 6.49 82.00 4.02 5.15 7.77 0.78 17.38 7.29 0.0360 1.210 1.900 2.63 84.00 2.28 988.00 1.37 0.95 188.00 207.000 0.3100 0.2010 0.285

1,390,000 8,600,000 1,151,750 21,500 9,905,900 6,000 3,300 8,996,600 754,000 52,962,500 166,026,000 108,700,000 130,000 1,119,200 19,000 1,478,070 13,000 1,413,040 3,669,000 736,000 120 42,110 7,430,000 6,030,000 7,580,000

9,609,018.00 1,822,190.00 1,761,403,835.00 137,862.00 813,976,503.00 24,170.00 16,991.00 69,303,720.00 589,030.00 899,366,846.00 1,201,310,412.00 3,836,200.00 157,030.00 2,455,610.00 49,430.00 125,507,261.00 29,400.00 969,885,270.00 4,983,430.00 726,150.00 22,560.00 8,708,586.00 2,327,100.00 1,215,740.00 2,049,800.00

7.990 6.99 1.25 2.950 0.260 41.100 3.1 5.11 5.6 0.570 1.07 1.000 0.160 0.650 59.95 0.800 0.146 1.08 1.94 1.14

2,940,900 4,700 8,901,000 21,217,000 3,060,000 35,564,800 4,512,000 183,000 1,338,200 34,313,000 19,040 741,000 103,950,000 43,534,000 2,933,160 7,610,000 460,000 14,562,000 160,552,000 1,585,000

23,295,823.00 30,884.00 11,240,640.00 60,697,620.00 805,400.00 1,474,246,055.00 14,108,280.00 940,711.00 7,494,622.00 20,338,470.00 15,270.00 741,750.00 16,984,060.00 27,322,200.00 173,167,402.00 5,988,550.00 67,250.00 15,687,180.00 307,563,780.00 1,819,820.00

4.88 0.128 0.2900

267,263,900 36,140,000 1,850,000

1,331,414,054.00 4,578,060.00 483,100.00

STOCKS

AUGUST 22-26, 2016 Close Volume

Phil. Realty `A’ Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

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

0.420 38.00 3.28 32.00 1.7 3.32 29.00 0.96 1.040 5.980

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

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

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

Manila Broadcasting Manila Bulletin Manila Jockey Melco Crown Metro Retail NOW Corp.

Pacific Online Sys. Corp.

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

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

SSI Group STI Holdings Transpacific Broadcast Travellers Waterfront Phils.

Yehey

7.3 50.05 1.26 0.590 11.48 5.8 5.80 0.1000 3.36 122 9.9 2.2 5.40 3.02 950 2080 6.32 15.70 20.40 1.75 84.5 23.00 156.1 11.8 0.0094 9.29 0.295 1.4800 3.82 12.9 4.92 2.18 1.03 2.39 21.50 0.590 1.99 3.84 5.39 3.690 11.34 5.80 2.5 9.19 137.50 9.48 1845.00 0.430 0.870 44.90 82.75 6.33 3.26 0.620 1.85 3.49 0.340 6.410

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

Benguet Corp `A’ Benguet Corp `B’ Century Peak Metals Hldgs Coal Asia Dizon Ferronickel Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. Lepanto `A’ Lepanto `B’ Manila Mining `A’ Manila Mining `B’ Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. Nickelasia Nihao Mineral Resources Omico Oriental Peninsula Res. Oriental Pet. `A’ Oriental Pet. `B’ Petroenergy Res. Corp.

Philex `A’ PhilexPetroleum Philodrill Corp. `A’ Semirara Corp.

TA Petroleum United Paragon

0.0039 3.09 3.86 11.20 0.219 2.3100 2.5000 0.57 0.420 8.50 0.850 0.280 0.217 0.220 0.0120 0.0130 1.64 6.4 2.9 0.5300 1.0000 0.0120 0.0120 4.01 8.60 3.64 0.0120 111.80 3.49 0.0110

ABS-CBN Holdings Corp.

Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ DD PREF First Gen G FPH Pref C GLOBE PREF P GMA Holdings Inc. Leisure and Resort MWIDE PREF PCOR-Preferred A PCOR-Preferred B PF Pref 2 PNX PREF 3A SMC Preferred B SMC Preferred C SMC Preferred D SMC Preferred E SMC Preferred F SMC Preferred G SMC Preferred H SMC Preferred I

50.4 538 535 104 118 505 530 6.09 1.02 108 1040 1119 1030 104.8 78.85 81.05 76.5 78.8 79.5 79 78.05 78.2

LR Warrant Alterra Capital Makati Fin. Corp.

Italpinas Xurpas

2.960 4.58 3.9 5.01 15.98

First Metro ETF

129.3

AUGUST 15-19, 2016 Close Volume Value

Value

930,000 1,800 5,791,000 8,226,500 1,645,000 2,753,000 55,231,900 6,086,000 1,005,300 28,768,400

394,700.00 68,835.00 19,156,440.00 257,221,570.00 2,791,090.00 9,096,810.00 1,600,539,095.00 5,853,560.00 1,408,050.00 174,814,510.00 SERVICES 1,040,800 7,547,375.00 127,090 6,372,215.50 33,000 41,650.00 2,898,000 1,724,790.00 47,500 544,724.00 56,700 320,533 97,372,400 551,368,030.00 407,230,000 39,324,500.00 148,525,000 519,326,640.00 4,369,080 538,332,937.00 26,600 253,861.00 99,000 223,090 3,287,700 17,344,554.00 25,000 76,320.00 1,420 1,340,350.00 286,260 605,304,750 714,000 4,523,632.00 719,800 11,202,192.00 204,700 503,880 30,460,000 50,396,070.00 10,805,620 877,883,117.00 1,072,700 24,734,390 3,360 537,867 116,900 1,340,188.00 285,000,000 2,564,900.00 10,674,400 98,934,710.00 45,428,000 15,735,950.00 10,836,000 15,736,730.00 3,858,000 14,496,980.00 22,000 267,846.00 69,083,700 330,324,816 19,812,000 44,625,300.00 80,000 82,020.00 174,000 383,050.00 3,600 75,285 279,000 162,860.00 80,000 159,860.00 67,412,000 269,018,040.00 14,720,300 78,492,390.00 31,964,000 118,497,270.00 1,979,300 22,360,000.00 425,600 2,547,409 5,000 12,500.00 100 919.00 6,500 875,300.00 37,720,300 292,976,425.00 381,610 693,918,200.00 13,450,000 5,924,800.00 178,304,000 164,812,410.00 25,400,000 1,146,495,425.00 9,612,880 794,245,461.00 18,214,100 117,276,829.00 25,060,000 82,952,620.00 22,738,000 14,030,440.00 15,000 27,750.00 12,138,000 42,409,650.00 2,340,000 779,450.00 173,200 1,070,669.00 MINING & OIL 531,468,000 4,073,900.00 3,496,000 10,472,200.00 2,244,000 8,731,200.00 3,300 34,254.00 620,000 133,840.00 1,486,000 3,268,420.00 149,000 344,060.00 2,042,000 1,136,920.00 2,900,000 1,181,350.00 119,400 1,008,999.00 228,122,000 192,689,560.00 1,600,000 441,150.00 145,090,000 29,871,380.00 4,230,000 924,550.00 593,500,000 6,710,000.00 29,200,000 329,500.00 3,067,000 5,088,550.00 85,807,800 535,126,484.00 2,555,000 7,341,760.00 15,000 18,040.00 615,000 608,690.00 118,400,000 1,308,600.00 7,000,000 80,600.00 357,000 1,476,920.00 7,388,200 62,763,817.00 9,138,000 33,884,890.00 76,900,000 922,800.00 4,046,100 457,317,695.00 697,000 2,434,060.00 73,000,000 711,300.00 PREFERRED 1,308,350 65,554,476.50 6,510 3,464,860.00 16,700 8,925,470 430,780 44,686,442.00 1,036,400 122,266,200.00 2,000 1,010,000.00 1,910 1,001,800.00 865,300 5,267,667.00 22,066,000 22,236,010 10,790 1,202,900.00 2,520 2,624,200.00 3,570 3,792,125.00 5,810 5,997,100.00 48,900 5,085,840.00 41,630 3,266,244.50 661,590 53,735,635 1,570 120,356.50 86,340 6,677,688.00 238,060 18,880,937.00 138,500 10,921,750.00 2,661,620 206,151,118.50 717,160 55,893,244.00 WARRANTS & BONDS 53,077,000 160,183,550.00 16,196,000 71,743,110.00 206,000 820,660.00 3,392,300 17,010,684.00 5,708,100 90,285,206.00 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS 31,650 4,098,296.00

0.450 39.00 3.37 30.00 1.69 3.29 28.65 0.94 1.030 6.360

1,218,000 17,100 7,224,100 9,317,200 1,788,000 294,000 60,132,810 6,875,000 1,323,000 61,419,000

885,300.00 705,140.00 36,256,606.00 286,838,115.00 3,079,200.00 968,000.00 2,276,612,830.00 6,557,520.00 1,363,010.00 385,187,342.00

7.16 50.3 1.26 0.600 11.6 5.75 6.44 0.0950 2.74 122 9.13 2.1 5.06 3.05 941 2146 6.37 15.80 20.40 1.36 80.6 21.00 171.5 11.58 0.0087 9.30 0.300 1.4900 3.5 12.6 4.60 2.90 1.02 2.35 21.45 0.570 1.99 4.18 5.40 3.910 11.26 6.09 2.5 9.19 130.00 5.66 1824.00 0.440 1.020 45.40 82.00 6.35 3.24 0.640

373,900 216,590 219,000 4,504,000 297,400 116,600 97,876,100 534,740,000 10,196,000 4,753,090 35,500 244,000 2,102,800 40,000 3,870 341,645 586,000 2,728,100 51,000 5,485,000 21,657,230 485,300 1,350 106,900 97,000,000 5,527,000 90,820,000 13,176,000 5,090,000 15,800 7,721,500 901,000 92,000 60,000 32,300 309,000 267,000 77,104,000 30,167,300 34,727,000 464,400 959,400 13,000 1,200 1,780 61,380,700 627,915 6,030,000 311,943,000 8,460,100 6,540,230 6,482,100 57,893,000 9,054,001

2,694,728.00 10,896,935.50 281,290.00 2,665,210.00 3,417,710.00 656,896 632,562,731.00 51,919,030.00 28,047,440.00 574,557,687.00 332,538.00 538,650 11,557,928.00 125,250.00 3,649,170.00 727,252,990 3,722,291.00 44,723,022.00 1,037,880 7,611,020.00 1,751,245,974.00 10,208,893 217,930 1,210,680.00 840,100.00 51,245,185.00 27,282,350.00 19,568,220.00 20,343,530.00 200,608.00 37,977,260 2,619,030.00 96,430.00 140,040.00 672,377 177,270.00 532,330.00 302,994,040.00 148,519,417.00 135,479,810.00 5,296,982.00 5,824,254 33,590.00 10,627.00 237,245.00 459,897,882.00 1,163,097,165.00 2,640,250.00 311,393,490.00 383,253,270.00 533,139,690.50 40,990,084.00 190,668,090.00 6,996,180.00

3.5 0.330 6.390

8,351,000 650,000 183,400

29,142,170.00 214,350.00 1,156,999.00

0.0040 3.12 4.00 9.62 0.215 2.2100 2.5500 0.58 0.425 8.31 0.840 0.275 0.198 0.217 0.0110 0.0110 1.7 5.74 2.74 0.5100 1.0300 0.0120 0.0120 4.14 8.74 3.90 0.0130 112.00 3.54 0.0095

724,000,000 2,275,000 1,631,000 4,400 1,600,000 1,508,000 616,000 1,628,000 4,800,000 126,500 50,973,000 6,830,000 61,702,000 5,336,000 94,300,000 92,500,000 5,214,000 21,726,400 761,000 117,000 1,399,400 146,900,000 6,400,000 83,000 7,151,100 20,818,000 452,800,000 11,335,180 832,000 264,000,000

2,898,500.00 7,100,270.00 6,362,820.00 42,463.00 353,980.00 3,919,860.00 1,575,610.00 939,290.00 2,051,050.00 1,025,605.00 42,837,720.00 1,880,750.00 14,305,550.00 1,224,850.00 1,037,600.00 1,109,900.00 8,595,180.00 120,109,920.00 2,023,700.00 60,350.00 1,431,500.00 1,658,900.00 72,400.00 338,650.00 237,689,892.00 81,890,920.00 5,452,300.00 1,194,586,457.50 3,013,950.00 2,539,400.00

50.4 538 539.5 104 119

205,370 2,580 9,820 286,750 4,000

10,322,492.00 1,370,975.00 5,301,300 29,872,018.00 476,000.00

527 6.08 1 110 1040 1150 1038 111 78.5 81.5 78 79 79 79 77.25 77.7

10,130 85,600 11,377,000 730 2,650 25 4,130 1,110 52,000 87,430 55,840 135,400 48,560 2,460 1,899,490 485,110

5,324,840.00 520,514.00 11,516,450 80,220.00 2,760,210.00 28,750.00 4,270,110.00 123,134.00 4,077,356.00 7,058,870 4,581,802.00 10,696,600.00 3,815,299.00 194,500.00 147,186,523.50 37,706,977.50

2.000 4.75 4.1 5.13 16.2

3,583,000 50,522,600 170,000 5,283,200 9,890,000

7,298,380.00 269,664,722.00 687,150.00 28,080,730.00 161,121,946.00

131.3

26,740

3,494,052.00

WEEKLY MOST TRADED STOCKS Manila Mining `A’ Abra Mining Boulevard Holdings Vitarich Corp.

IP E-Game Ventures Inc. Megaworld Ferronickel Premium Leisure Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Calata Corp.

VOLUME 593,500,000 531,468,000 407,230,000 326,542,000 285,000,000 252,592,500 228,122,000 178,304,000 164,143,800 148,525,000

STOCKS Universal Robina Ayala Land `B’ Security Bank SM Prime Holdings Cirtek Holdings (Chips) Megaworld Metrobank SM Investments Inc. Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

Puregold

VALUE 3,666,075,541 2,013,217,190.00 1,623,361,276.00 1,600,539,095.00 1,518,027,295.00 1,244,358,004.00 1,241,591,574.50 1,228,054,595.00 1,193,659,894.00 1,146,495,425.00

which fill the gap between peaking and baseload power plants.

“It can also be some other mid-merit plants [aside from gas], because you can have a mid-merit geothermal,” Reyes said.

Reyes said Meralco aimed to finalize the power supply contract by the first half of 2017.

Meralco signed on April 3 about 551 megawatts of power supply agreements with seven power generators.

Only one agreement was approved to date.

The Energy Regulatory Commission provisionally approved Meralco’s supply agreement with Panay Energy Development Corp., a subsidiary of Global Business Power Corp.

Meralco will source 70 megawatts from Panay Energy which owns and operates a 150-MW coal-fired power generating facility in Barangay Ingore, La Paz, Iloilo. The plant was scheduled to become operational

by Aug. 26.

Panay Energy will initially supply 28 MW starting Aug. 26 and later increase it to 70 MW starting Feb. 26, 2017.

Other pending supply agreements were 225 MW with Redondo Peninsula Energy Inc., which is initially building a 300-MW coal plant in Subic, Zambales.

RP Energy is majority controlled by Meralco PowerGen Corp., the power arm of Meralco.

The company also has a pending supply agreement with St. Raphael Power Generation Corp. for the purchase of up to 400 MW of electrical output with the ERC.

NGCP to build 3 projects in Negros NATIONAL Grid Corp. of the Philippines, operator of the power grids, will build three projects to resolve the transmission line constraints in Negros Island, with the entry of more than 316 megawatts of solar capacity.

National Grid spokesman Cynthia Perez-Albanza told reporters the grid improvement timeline could not cope with the fast construction of the solar plants, “causing constraints of existing transmission facilities.”

She said the intermittency of solar plants resulted in voltages and frequency fluctuations in Negros, thus requiring the need to invest in additional transmission facilities.

The three transmission projects include phase one of the Cebu-Negros-Panay transmission project, which consists of the Negros-Panay submarine cable project and transmission line from from EB Magalona to Bacolod.

The second phase of CNP project involves the Magdugo-Cebu transmission line while the third phase includes the Cebu-Negros submarine and transmission line. The three projects are expected to be completed by 2019.

“Based on the SIS [system impact study], additional solar plants in the island of Negros will not be fully dispatched until the CNP 3 project is completed. This has been clearly communicated to the RE developers and they were made aware that curtailment will be implemented if their generation capacity exceeds the existing transmission line capacity,” Albanza said. Alena Mae S. Flores

Business

B3

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

More firms eye solar projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores

M

ORE comnpanies have expressed interest to put up solar power plants with a combined output of 2,916 megawatts, documents from the Energy Department showed over the weekend.

The bulk of the pending applications, or 2,030.40 MW, are proposed in Luzon, followed by Visayas at 708 MW and Mindanao at 177 MW as of June 30.

The large projects in Luzon pending approval from the department include the 100-MW

Magsingal solar power station of Neoenergy Corp. in Ilocos Sur province.

Also pending are the 100-MW Sual, Pangasinan solar power project, the 100-MW Sison-Binalonan-San Manuel Pangasinal station of Solar Philippines Com-

mercial Rooftop and another 100 MW from Solar Power Utilities Generator Corp. in Pampanga.

Other pending applications are the 120-MW Bacolod City solar power project of Asian Solar Options Corp. in Negros Occidental, 70-MW Cadiz City Solar plant of Pentre Al Sol Inc. also in Negros Occidental, 100-MW San Miguel of Sunpalo Solar Energy inc. in Leyte and 60-MW Manolo Forthich of Pilipinas Crosthwait Energy Corp in Bukidnon.

The department, however, not responded to the request of the National Renewable Energy Board to install an additional 500

MW of solar and 500 MW of additional wind capacity.

Energy officials earlier said a thorough study of the proposal was needed due to the impact of the power rates of consumers.

The Energy Regulatory Commission, meanwhile, has asked grid operator National Grid Corp. of the Philippines for operational data of solar companies that were given endorsements by the department for feed-in tariff eligibility.

The move is part of the regulator’s ongoing evaluation of the applications of solar for certificate for feed-in tariff.

“The Commission requests for operational data of solar power plants, particularly the power generated and actually delivered by RE power plants to the transmission and/or distribution network,” ERC chairman Jose Vicente Salazar said in a letter to National Grid president Henry Sy Jr. Salazar said the data should cover a six-month period from the date of commercial operations of 24 solar power plants with total capacity of 525.95 MW. The ERC requested the operational data for the following

companies: San Carlos Energy Inc. phase 1 (13 MW), San Carlos Energy phase 2 (9 MW), Raslag Corp. phase 1 (10 MW), Energy Development Corp. (4.1 MW), Philippine Solar FarmLeyte Solar Power Plant (30 MW), Solar Philippines Commercial Solar Rooftop Project (1.5 MW) and San Carlos Solar phase 1C and 1D (23 MW).

Some solar developers earlier asked the ERC to look at the bases for the Energy Department’s endorsement of certificate of eligibility under the first and second wave of installation target totaling 500 MW.

PAL gets $38-m loan from Taiwanese bank

By Darwin G Amojelar PHILIPPINE Airlines borrowed $38 million from one of the largest commercial banks in Taiwan to partly finance the purchase of a new aircraft.

The airline, owned by tycoon Lucio Tan, signed a syndicated term loan with Cathay United Bank Co. Ltd. PAL received its sixth Airbus A321 on Saturday.

The A321 is the largest member of the best-selling A320 Family, which has the lowest seat mile costs of any single aisle aircraft.

As with other members of the A320 Family, the aircraft offers a wider cabin than competing single aisle products, with wider seats, a wider aisle and more personal space.

The list price of A321 is $114.9 million.

The airline will operate its new A321s primarily on international routes across the Asia, as well as on selected domestic flights.

PAL earlier signed a deal with Airbus to acquire six A350-900 jets worth $1.8 billion, with an

option to buy six others to support its long-haul operations.

PAL plans to deploy the A350 XWB (extra wide body), which seats more than 300, on new routes to North America and Europe. The first A350 is scheduled to be delivered in 2018.

Its parent firm, PAL Holdings Inc., posted a comprehensive net income of P4.62 billion in the January-to-June period from P5.94 billion in the same period last year.

PAL Holdings in the second quarter reported a total comprehensive income of P1.92 billion, down 11 percent from P2.16 billion last year.

Revenues in the six-month period reached P57.57 billion, up 2.3 percent from last year’s P56.28 billion. Total earnings in the second quarter amounted to P28.45 billion from P28.30 billion last year.

PAL Holdings atrributed the increase mainly to the depreciation of the peso, which averaged at P47.19 per $1 in the first half from P44.55 year-on-year.

ENERGY PLAN. Department of Energy officials present their new plans to stakeholders in a forum organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute

and consumer advocate Citizen Watch on August 25, 2016 in Pasig City. Shown are (from left) Tim Guanzon, senior policy advisor SSG Advisors, LLC; RP Manhit, chief operating officer of Stratbase; Oscar Reyes, president of Manila Electric Co.; Debora Layugan, director of market operations, Energy Regulatory Commission; Rep. Lord Velasco, Committee chairman on Energy, House of Representatives; Energy Undersecretary Wimpy Fuentebella; Sen. William Gatchalian, Senate committee chair on energy; Richie Ramos, assistant secretary and spokesperson of DoE; Jay Layug, former energy undersecretary; Efren Cortez, committee secretary of Committee on Energy; Ernest Leung, treasurer, Foundation for Economic Freedom; William Pamintuan, senior vice president of Merlaco; and Kaye Clemente, executive director of Stratbase-ADRi.

BSP not likely to increase interest rates

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas sees no compelling reasons to tweak the current monetary policy stance, even if the US Federal Reserve decides to increase interest rates later this year, because of a manageable inflation environment, Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said over the weekend.

US Federal Reserve chairman Janet Yellen on Friday said the case for a rate hike became stronger, citing a lot of new jobs were being created and US economic growth would likely to be sustained.

“The Fed chair’s statement is more or less as expected, well balanced and nuanced. The BSP will not necessarily have to move in sync with the Fed

should they indeed hike either in September or December as the Fed chair’s comments indicate that they are getting closer to their next move,” Tetangco said in a text message.

“Our current inflation outlook continues to be manageable,” Tetangco said.

The average inflation in the first seven months of 2016 settled at 1.4 percent, or below the Bangko Sentral’s target range of 2 percentto 4 percent for 2016.

However, Tetangco said local monetary authorities would remain mindful of the possible some near-term financial market volatility as markets react to the Fed statement and rebalance dollar holdings.

“Nevertheless the BSP has tools to keep market volatility in check. We will continue to monitor develop-

ments including changes in tax levies and weather-related disturbances that could impact on domestic price and demand dynamics, and make adjustments to our monetary policy stance as appropriate,” he said.

The Fed raised rates in December last year, the first time in nearly a decade, and projected another four increases this year. But it scaled that projection back to two amid a global growth slowdown, financial market volatility and uncertainty in meeting its 2 percent inflation goal.

The Monetary Board, the policymaking body of Bangko Sentral, on Aug. 11 kept the benchmark interest steady due to the manageable inflation environment and sustained domestic economic growth.

200TH 7-ELEVEN OUTLET.

Cebu franchisees of 7-Eleven celebrate the opening of its 200th outlet.

The store opening marks the company’s strategic expansion campaign for 2016 in the Visayas region.

At the store opening are Kristine Louise Yap (regional planning team leader), Andrew Bravo (business development section manager), Councilor Cynthia Remegio, franchisee Nicole Caparas, Gil Abad (regional operations manager), Councilor Kevin Cabahug, franchisee David Jose Caparas, and Prudencio Padlan Jr. (design and construction manager).

Govt body offers help to small exporters

By Othel V. Campos THE Export Development Council plans to improve the capability of exporters to overcome non-tariff measures, including those concerning sanitary and phytosanitary standards, fumigation testing and labeling requirements.

The EDC’s technical working group on non-tariff measures met recently to find ways to boost the export competitiveness of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises stymied by burdensome non-tariff measures.

MSMEs have pointed out the scarcity of fumigation companies in the Philippines.

They cited one region where a lone fumigation company serves the needs of the whole area and the lack of competition that allowed the firm to monopolize business and impose high prices.

The working agreed to make fumigation a more viable business in the country.

It also seeks to engage the Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority to map all fumigation establishments to identify

gaps and spread out their presence, especially in the countryside.

On labeling concerns, especially on the varied requirements over language, font size, and text location, the group committed to work in promoting greater access to information on market destinations, including tapping the services of commercial attaches.

Other recommendations include enhancing training and guidance programs for MSMEs on correct labeling, setting up an institution to help in compliance and improving exporters’ access to official and technical translations.

Termination Blues WHEN you are hired as warning that repetition an employee, you must of the same offense will sign a contract with the be dealt accordingly JOAN CARLA E. company to secure your with higher penalty.

ESTEPA rights. You then protect Failure of the REEN IGHT employee to respond yourself from any unlawful actions that positively to the first and the company may impose on you. For second reprimand results in suspension example, if you are illegally dismissed, without pay. If the employee continues you can file a case against your employer. to defy the policies, rules and standards If you win, all your legal fees and damages of performance of the company despite will be compensated by your employer. repeated warnings and suspension, he The right to know may be terminated from employment.

When you are being dismissed at Likewise, any employee who committed work, you may feel that you are unfairly grave or serious offense shall be judged by your employer if the process terminated even for a single violation of of your dismissal is not properly handled the company rules and regulations. and discussed with you. You may take Life after termination it negatively and this leads to anger and In the US, outplacement counselling hate toward your employer. However, is available for employees who will be if the methods and procedures of your dismissed. I am not even sure if there are dismissal are consistent, unbiased, companies in the Philippines who offer accurate, correctable, representative and such services. It is basically a service ethical, your reaction will be positive offered to help employees who will be and you can willingly accept it. As an dismissed at work to prepare themselves employee, you have the right to know to get a new job. This service offers the details why you are being dismissed career counselling, job search support, at work. resume critiques, job interviewing As an employer, terminating an training and provision of networking employee with the application of the six opportunities. determinants of procedural justice may However, I question the effectivity help the employee and make the situation of outplacement counselling. This a little lighter and in a positive manner service aims to help employees to still where the employee will not feel being believe in themselves and be confident unfairly judged by the management and that there are better opportunities for he will willingly accept his dismissal. them outside the company. They may Being mindful and sensitive be assured that their skills are needed Terminating an employee has to be by others, but not the company they are explained well and implemented in currently serving. a socially sensitive, considerate and True enough, counselling may lead empathetic manner. Employers have to be employees to realize that they have to mindful and sensitive about the situation work on themselves and improve their and the outcome of the dismissal. They skills and attitude, so that the company must assure the employee leaves the would never let them go. This may also company with dignity and his contribution boost their competitiveness in their fields. to the company will be recognized by the Termination is not always the end of employer. the world for a terminated employee. It An employer cannot just terminate an may even serve as a new step forward to employee. There is a procedure and law a greater future. that the management has to follow. The employee has to be given a chance to Joan Carla E. Estepa is an MBA student change and correct his wrong doings. of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of In our company handbook, a verbal Business at De La Salle University. This reprimand is given for a first offense. It reflection essay is part of the requirements is a disciplinary action whereby an erring of the course, Strategic Human Resource employee is orally admonished for his Management. initial infraction or violation or minor offense under the company policy, rules The views expressed above are the and regulations. For the second offense, author’s and do not necessarily reflect the the employee will get a written reprimand official position of De La Salle University, given by immediate supervisor with a its faculty, and its administrators.

G

L

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

B4

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

India to double mining output INDIA expects to woo 1 trillion rupees ($15 billion) of investment over five years to double mining output and cut mineral imports.

The government’s goal is to fast-track exploration, including upfront payments for discovered deposits when the mines are auctioned, Mines Minister Piyush Goyal said in an interview. The administration will invite foreign companies to participate, he said, while acknowledging challenges such as land acquisition and environmental hurdles.

“We’re working to change the rules of the game from doing small amounts of exploration in an incremental fashion to doing it on a fast-track, one-shot, bigpicture way,” Goyal, 52, said on Saturday in New Delhi. There’s “easily” scope to pour 50 billion rupees into the search for deposits, he said.

The world’s fastest-growing major economy will need increasing supplies of everything from iron ore to coal to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s objective of faster development powered by more manufacturing. Rio Tinto Group and steelmaker Posco are among foreign companies that have put Indian plans on hold because of red tape and difficulties in acquiring land, an indication of the challenges Goyal’s agenda faces.

India in 2015 embraced competitive auctions as the best longterm approach to resource allocation after bruising corruption scandals over discretionary or free allotments. The nation auctions exploration and mining rights.

Officials earlier had worked out a policy of paying explorers a royalty over the life of a mine, rather than upfront, after critics said there wasn’t enough incentive for companies to scour for minerals.

Goyal, who is energy minister and added mining to his portfolio when Modi reshuffled his Cabinet in July, said mineral exploration in India is “nascent.”

He recommended that overseas explorers and miners consider ventures with local partners— and install largely Indian management—to increase their chances of success in the $2-trillion economy. Bloomberg

Business

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (right) stands up next Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) during the opening of the TICAD (Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in August 27, 2016 Nairobi.

Japan will pour $30 billion in investment in Africa by 2018, including $10 billion in infrastructure development, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Saturday at a summit in Nairobi. AFP

Asian currencies face more volatile trading A

sian currencies look set for a bumpy ride over the next three months after Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said Friday that the case for an interest-rate rise has strengthened, amid growing speculation the hike could come as early as next month.

Yellen’s statement will create some volatility over the next three months, Raymond Yeung, chief economist at ANZ Banking Group in Hong Kong, said by phone. “The cost of the US funding will increase, and Asian currencies will be under downward pressure.”

Still, some Asian nations would be willing to sacrifice capital outflows in exchange for the boost in export competitiveness that a

weaker currency would provide, Yeung said.

The Fed next meets Sept. 20-21 just hours after the Bank of Japan announces the results of its comprehensive review and decides policy, with Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda saying the review wouldn’t lead to a shrinking of policy.

“A rate move in the short term may not be that welcome by the equities side but from a global growth perspective, it does anchor US as the engine of growth,” said Song Seng Wun, an economist at CIMB Private Banking in Singapore. “A stronger US would be beneficial for global confidence and in turn for export-oriented economies like Singapore and other Asian economies.”

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. sees increased odds of an rise next month―with a 40 percent chance now compared with an earlier 30 percent―economists led by Jan Hatzius wrote in a note the primary dealer published Friday. ANZ expects an interest rate hike in December, but there’s also very high chance

that a rate may come in September given Yellen and other board member’s comments, Yeung said.

One market that will be watching the Fed decision closely is Hong Kong, which pegs its currency to the US dollar. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority raised its base rate for the first time in nine years and flagged the risk of rising capital outflows from the city immediately after the Fed hiked rates in December 2015.

A rate increase was one factor that could lead to capital outflows, Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju Yeol said this month, before noting that this was dependent not only on the rate gap between the US and South Korea but also on other countries monetary policies and the outlook for Korea’s economy.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas “will not necessarily have to move in sync with the Fed,” though it is mindful of near-term volatility, Governor Amando Tetangco said in a text message after Yellen’s speech. Bloomberg

Ambitious projects to help ‘build future of Istanbul’ ISTANBUL, Turkey―Turkey is seeking to “build the future of Istanbul” with a brace of ambitious projects including a third bridge spanning the Bosphorus Strait linking Europe and Asia, Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan told AFP. The bridge―once hailed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “star project” and opened on Friday―is only one of the grandiose projects aimed at modernizing the face of Istanbul and transforming the city of 16 million people.

A former mayor of Istanbul, Erdogan has often boasted of pet mega projects under his rule that also include a new airport and even a Panama-style canal to relieve pressure from the Bosphorus.

“Everyone should know that we are building the future of Istanbul and in the same way we protect its history,” Arslan told AFP ahead of the opening of the bridge, named after sixteenth century Ottoman Sultan Selim the Grim.

The bridge includes an eightlane road and twin railway tracks to create a new highway linking Asia and Europe in the north of Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city.

“It is another record that we had completed it within 27 months,” Arslan said.

The bridge aims to ease traffic problems on the two existing bridges over the Bosphorus and relieve pressure on the vessel-

A picture taken on August 26, 2016 shows red and white air-balloons flying in the skye next to the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge in Istanbul during the inauguration of the Yavuz Sultan Selim bridge. It is the widest suspension bridge in the world with a width of 58.5 meters. Its span of 1,408 meters is the longest in the world between the supporting pylons. AFP

clogged waterway, the minister said.

“The bridge will take about 30 percent of Istanbul’s burden, the traffic pressure on the other two bridges will be eased,” he added.

There are already two other bridges across the Bosphorus: the First Bosphorus Bridge, which opened in 1973, and the

Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge, which was completed in 1988.

Critics argue Erdogan’s selfstyled “crazy projects” are excessive and damaging to the environment.

Up to four million trees were chopped during the construction of the third bridge alone, environmentalists have claimed. But Arslan, however,

said about 382,000 trees had been relocated.

“In return for those 382,000 trees we have planted 2.5 million. That’s not all,” he said.

“We will plant a total of 5.1 million trees―15 times as many as we relocated.”

In order to preserve nature, he noted, Turkey has also built “ecological bridges” to facili-

tate the crossing of wild animals on both sides of the Bosphorus.

The government’s other grandiose projects for the city include the Eurasia tunnel― a road passage underneath the Bosphorus―expected to be inaugurated on December 20, the minister said.

This will complement the undersea Marmaray railway tunnel opened in 2013 that was the first such successful project beneath the Bosphorus in the history of the city.

Potentially the most significant development for visitors to Istanbul will be a gargantuan third airport meant to rival mega-hubs like Dubai.

Even though construction only began just over a year ago, Arslan said it was already 35 percent finished.

“In the first quarter of 2018 we will open the first phase of the airport that will serve 90 million passengers and in next stage that will increase to 200 million,” Arslan said.

The minister noted that the third airport and third bridge are complementary because the bridge and connected highways are also linked to Sabiha Gokcen airport on the Asian side of the city.

The government is currently working on a separate project to build “Kanal Istanbul,” an artificial strait to bypass the Bosphorus to ease the boat traffic in the narrow waterway. AFP

Japan pledges $30b to Africa JAPAN will invest $30 billion to boost Africa’s economic growth and infrastructure over the next three years, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said as he sought to win over national leaders already being wooed

by China and the US. The Asian economy’s planned investment in the continent of 1.2 billion people shows it has “faith in Africa’s future,” Abe told the heads of states gathered in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, for the sixth Tokyo International International Conference on African Development.

Thirty-four heads from across the 54-nation continent, including those from South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Uganda, are attending the highlevel gathering being held outside Japan for the first time. The amount pledged includes private sector investment and $11 billion left over from a $32-billion commitment made at the previous meeting in 2013.

In pledging more support, Japan is competing for influence in the continent with the US, China and former European colonial powers such as Britain and France.

China, whose investments in sub-Saharan nations have increased 40-fold since 2003, pledged $60 billion for the continent at a similar summit by President Xi Ping in South Africa last year. The money was to be spent on interest-free loans, preferential financing and funding to support development. The US, on the hand, said it would give $14 billion at the US-Africa Leaders Summit in 2014.

About $10 billion of Japan’s planned investment is earmarked for electricity-generation projects and upgrading urban transport systems and ports, Abe said.

The nation will work with the African Development Bank to boost private sector investment on the continent struggling with intermittent power outages, dilapidated infrastructure, poor sanitation and grinding poverty. Bloomberg

Guptas selling all firms in S. Africa JOHANNESBURG, South Africa—South Africa’s wealthy Gupta family with influential ties to President Jacob Zuma said Saturday they plan to sell all their business interests in the country by the end of the year.

The family, who had immigrated from India in the 1990s and owns a business empire with interests ranging from media to mining, said it was already in talks with “several international prospective buyers.”

“As a family, we now believe that the time is right for us to exit our shareholding of the South African businesses which we believe will benefit our existing employees, and lead to further growth in the businesses,” said a statement issued by their holding company Oakbay Investments.

The Gupta family companies led by brothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh, have over the years been embroiled in scandals, including accusations of having undue influence over Zuma.

Some members of Zuma’s family were once employed in Gupta companies, including his son Duduzane who used to be their business partner.

In April, the Guptas stepped down from all executive and non-executive positions in Oakbay Investments, following intense scrutiny over their dealings with the government.

The move was also reportedly linked to the closure of the firm’s accounts by two major banks.

The extent of the Guptas’ political influence came to light early this year when a deputy minister revealed that the family had offered him the position of finance minister before Zuma suddenly removed then minister Nhlanhla Nene in December 2015. AFP

LGUs

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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CALM. Boats float lazily on a cozy Manila Bay afternoon oblivious to dark clouds that bode bad weather.

Mobile app to protect Cotabato forest AT LEAST 120 forest rangers and technicians can now use a web-based mobile application to gather critical information in real time and address threats to the Cotabato region’s natural forest and biodiversity.

The forest field men recently underwent training on the application called Lawin (Landscape and Wildlife Indicators) Forest and Biodiversity Conservation System.

Director of the region’s environment office, Datu Tungko M. Saikol encouraged the forest rangers to learn and apply the system as they perform their duties.

“You should practice this technology as this would make your job easier and [more] efficient,” Saikol said, noting that the system provides features that would help the rangers identify threats to the natural forests and biodiversity.

Under the system, patrol rangers can quickly issue alerts on an impending destruction in the forest and wood areas, such as illegal logging activities.

“It can be used as evidence and it can be sent to the law enforcement officers for necessary action,” Saikol said.

Rodolfo Aragon, specialist of the environment department’s Biodiversity and Watersheds Improved for Stronger Economy and Ecosystem Resilience Land Evaluation, reminded forest rangers and field workers of the importance of their role in environmental protection.

“Lawin will tell you that you have to go and patrol the forest. If the forest is under threat, we have to eliminate the threats. The LFBP system will only work for you if you go to the forest,” Aragon explained.

“It is your eyes on the ground.

However, it is useless without enforcement,” he added.

Rodolfo Santos Jr., B+WISER monitoring and evaluation specialist, meanwhile, emphasized that the Lawin system is an innovation of the government that would help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, such as Life on Land and Climate Action.

The system also records data on wildlife indicator species for healthy forests to determine how the forest ecosystem is responding to management interventions.

Project Lawin was developed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the B+WISER of the United States Agency for International Development. It aims to improve the response mechanism to address observed threats and ensure the sustainability of conservation efforts inside the country’s protected areas over the long-term.

Saikol said public support is necessary for the success of this new system in monitoring and enforcing wildlife laws, particularly in areas considered hot spots for timber and wildlife poaching. PNA

Calamba City gets ISO 9001:2008 certificate Dispositions and Compositions

By Cathrine Mae V. Gonzales YOU will not see a common theme when you enter an Estilo Art Group exhibit. What they give the public is not a single concept that might “box” the artist, but a set of diverging, free-flowing ideas dramatized on the canvas.

Estilo opened on Friday an exhibit of its members’ works at the Manila Yacht Club on Roxas Boulevard, and, unless they are by the same artist, no two paintings are similar.

For Rodrigo Aniag, the group’s president and the show’s organizer, the absence of an exhibit theme gives each painter’s

talent a broader playground.

“There is no particular theme.

We always hold open-themed exhibits like this so that each artist can express his creativity and hone his talents,” Aniag said.

“We can express ourselves better and diversify our styles if we don’t adopt a theme,” added Jerry Dean, also a member of the group.

Since 2012, Estilo has known the importance of exhibits to an artist’s profile and portfolio, so the group puts up at least 13 shows every year.

“As you organize more exhibitions, your field widens, your name is known by more clients,” Aniag said.

But even though each Estilo painter does not espouse any concept, an artist still cannot separate himself from his artworks, and he forges his own path.

“If you look at the artist and his painting, you will see him in his work. Our members have their own styles. You will be able to tell which of the displayed paintings is the work of one member by relating it to his personality,” Dean said.

The Manila Yatch Club exhibit will last until September 5.

The group will hold another exhibit by the end of the year. We can expect distinct ideas spoken through brushes.

T

HE city government of Calamba on Friday formally received the Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) Accredited Registration Certificate for ISO 9001:2008 during the advanced celebration of its 274th Foundation Day at the city hall lobby.

Laguna 2nd District Rep. Joaquin Chipeco Jr., who was a three-term mayor of the city, was the speaker and guest of honor at the celebration and received the award for the city.

Larissa Malinao, the assistant city administrator, said Anglo Japanese American (AJA) Registrars Inc., the certifying body, commended the city’s efforts in establishing and implementing a management system that met the stringent requirements of ISO 9001:2008.

Malinao said the scope of the certification included the Business Permits and Tricycle Franchising Office, the City Treasury Management Office, the City Assessment Management Office and the City Civil Registry Office, all located at the Ground Floor of the New City Hall Building in Real Village here.

However, the city’s certification confirmation was earlier received

by Mayor Justin Marc Timmy Chipeco from Paul Bagatsing, AJA vice president. The mayor said the city government intends to contin-

ually improve the effectiveness of the management system to consistently attain client satisfaction and expand the scope of the certification to include other departments in the future.

Malinao concluded that the ISO 9001:2008 certification is the latest recognition of the city. It was also recognized as the Most Business Friendly Component City in 2012 by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It received the Seal of Good Housekeeping in 2012 and 2013 as well as the Seal of Good Local Governance in 2014 from the Department of Interior and Local Government. It was cited as the Most Child Friendly City in 2015 by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Historical records displayed Calamba was just a part of Tabuco, now known as Cabuyao City. On August 28, 1742, Calamba became a pueblo, separating it from Cabuyao and became a component city on April 21, 2001 by virtue of Republic Act 9024. PNA

Manila e-trike project memorandum signed ESTILO ART GROUP

San Jose del Monte has new health center THE SM Foundation announced the opening of its 119th FTS Wellness Center, also the 29th improved SM Community Health Center, in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan recently. Locally known as City Health Center III, it will serve 12 barangays with a total population of 95,594 individuals.

A medical and dental mission was also conducted on the day of the center’s inauguration and turnover.

City Health Center III is biggest of the five City Health Centers in San Jose Del Monte. Each one houses the Felicidad Sy Wellness Centers for Children and the Elderly, a reception & waiting area, a newly improved Dental/Laboratory/Treatment/ Family Planning/Records-Supply and Doctors consultation Rooms.

To safeguard maternal health,

the Foundation also completed the Center’s Birthing Station. Obstetric delivery beds and hospital beds were donated to ease labor and recovery of pregnant women.

The Center’s Out-patient Benefit Package (OPB) has PhilHealthaccreditation. With the improvement and refurbishment, it will requalify to complete the 3-1 Philhealth accreditation for Tuberculosis-Directly Observed Treatment Strategy (TB-DOTS) & Maternity Care Package (MCP).

The San Jose del Monte City Health Center III has the following programs: family Planning, Maternal and Child Health, Dengue Control Program, Control of Diarrhea disease, Cancer Control Program, Comprehensive Nutrition Program, Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control Program, National HIV/STD Prevention and

Control Program, Expanded Program for Immunization and Medical Consultation. Pre-natal, delivery and post-partum are among its special programs including tuberculosis control program. Patients ranging from 60-80 a day seek medical attention daily in the Health Center.

The Center traces its history to 1960 when the National Housing Authority constructed a small health facility to service the health and medical needs of informal settlers relocated to the area. Six years later, the Missionary Sisters took over the Center and provided four beds for delivery.

Free medicines and consultations were given by the missionaries. In 1967, it officially became a health facility of San Jose del Monte and improvements were later done by the Department of Health.

ELECTRIC vehicle maker Bemac Electric Transportation Philippines, Inc. has awarded a service shop accreditation to Caltex Quirino through a memorandum of agreement signed on August 16.

Caltex personnel will receive onsite training as part of the Manila City E-trike project under Bemac and the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization .

Bemac is palnning to accredit and train more service shops and area dealerships in order to support rapid deployments of electric tricycles nationwide.

Interested parties may contact Bemac at (632) 847-1111 or send an e-mail to info@bemac-beet.com.

The MoA signing was witnessed

by Takahiro Yamazaki, business development manager of Bemac Philippines; Roxanne Agcaoili, executive officer for operations of Achievers Fuel & Service Center, Caltex Quirino; Elar Granado, chief accounting officer of Achievers Fuel & Service Center, Caltex Quirino; Noel Dimaano, sales associate of Bemac Philippines; Rene Agcaoili, president & chief executive officer of Achievers Fuel & Service Center Corp., Caltex Quirino; Marilou Agcaoili, general manager of Achievers Fuel & Service Center Corp., Caltex Quirino; and John Marasigan, sales and after sales manager of Bemac Philippines.

SUPPORT. Private and government organizations in Rosario Cavite on Friday sign the manifesto supporting the Philippine National Police campaign against illegal drugs and the search for a new life for surrenderees.

Danny Pata

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK Manila

Standard

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TODAY MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

LGUs

Upi town gets Gawad Kalasag award T HE Office of Civil Defense in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (OCD-ARMM) on Saturday honored the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) of Upi, Maguindanao after it bested other MDRRMCs in the region’s “Search for Gawad Kalasag 2016” under the Best LDRRMC 1st-3rd class municipality category.

Manila Standard Josefino Dabuco, Upi MDRERRORS & OMISSIONS In Classified Ads section must be brought to our attention the very day the advertisement is published. We will not be responsible for any incorrect ads not reported to us immediately.

TODAY NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION

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

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

RMO, said the local government unit of Upi was inspired anew as it looked forward for another year of strengthening the disaster risk reduction implementation.

“We are very excited after winning this year’s Gawad Kalasag, and as part of our DRRM endeavor, we are bound to focus more on the Family Based Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (FBDRRM) mechanism,” Dabuco said.

Dabuco said every household from Upi’s 23 barangays must be supported and organized before any disaster strikes.

“We would want to instill in the minds of our communities that they must be self-reliant and should not rely solely in the aid

from government as a substitute for self-reliance and sustainability,” Dabuco added.

He said that a project known as the “Community-Driven Disaster Response and Adaptation Program (CDRAP)” was developed recently to institutionalize a culture of disaster preparedness and response among the families and various Tri-People communities.

“There is ongoing collaboration between the Local Government Unit through the MDRRM Office and 10 identified barangays, the Teduray Day-School Project and

the USAID-ENGAGE Project,” Dabuco said.

The CDRAP is in support to the implementation of the disaster risk reduction and management as well as climate change adaptation interventions of the barangay and CYAN LGU. MAGENTA YELLOW BL the municipal As part of the CDRAP effort, the Upi MDRRMC has distributed emergency “grab bags” to 250 identified at-risk families from the Barangays of Blensong, Borongotan, Bugabungan, Darugao, Kaba-kaba, Kiga, Kinitaan, Nangi, Nuro and Rempes. PNA

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

WARNING. Tacloban City Mayor Cristina Romualdez leads the launch of the Community Climate Guide and Response Text Alert System at the Tacloban City Hall on Friday. The CCGR is a 24-hour centralized text alert system that monitors weather changes and emergencies and sends updates to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, the Bureau of Fire, the Tacloban City Police Office and the Tacloban Rescue Unit. Mel Caspe

Iloilo opens sanitary landfill SECRETARY Gina Lopez of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources opened and inaugurated Iloilo City’s engineered sanitary landfill facility in Barangay Calajunan in Mandurriao district over the weekend.

Joren Sartorio, chief of the city general services office, said the DENR chief inspected the P200-million facility covering 3.3 hectares inside the 23-hectare Calajunan dumpsite owned by the city government.

Sartorio said the sanitary landfill project was mandated under Republic Act 9003 or the Solid Waste Management Act. The sanitary landfill facility was realized with a loan from the Development Bank of the Philippines in 2014. The project, which is a joint venture undertaking by contractors Persons and Sta Clara, includes several cell sites, ponds, wash bay and water treatment of the leacheate from garbage water.

The GSO is also requesting the Environment and Management Bureau (EMB) of the DENR to conduct water testing and determine the water quality to be drained towards the creek.

Iloilo City produces 260 metric tons of garbage daily. Only residual or excess wastes are to be dumped at the landfill facility.

An organization of women salvagers was organized two years ago and is now producing fancy jewelry items and household decors made from recyclable scraps gathered from the dumpsite.

Some of their products are sold in the local markets and exported to Saudi Arabia for overseas Filipinos. PNA

BJMP to revive Iloilo town jails THE Bureau of Jail Management and Penology is considering the revival of selected municipal jails in Iloilo in anticipation of the possible increase of detainees as a result of the massive anti-criminality campaign, especially against illegal drugs, of the Philippine National Police.

Sr. Insp. Jimmy Britanico, community relations service officer and concurrent chief of the Regional Investigation and Prosecution Division of BJMP in Western Visayas, said they may revive three or four municipal jails in the province.

“We are currently planning to revive the old municipal jails that have stopped operations in the past years,” Britanico said.

The district jail at Barangay Un-

gka in Jaro district of this city has stopped accepting inmates since it already houses 900 detainees, way beyond its 300-person capacity.

The BJMP official said they are sending inmates to the Iloilo District Jail Male Dorm in Barangay Nanga, Pototan, which is one of the biggest jails in the region.

“As to physical improvements, the jail in the village of Nanga in Pototan, Iloilo could still accommodate as much as 500 inmates in the next two years,” he said.

As of now, the jail in the town of Pototan houses more or less 1,400 inmates.

Meanwhile, Britanico said the provincial government of Antique through Gov. Rhodora Cadiao has granted their request for a one-hectare lot in Bugasong, Antique for

the establishment of the Antique District Jail.

He said he hopes for the construction of another jail facility in Iloilo City as the local government units were planning to donate a similar lot in Lanit, Jaro.

“After the donation, we will request for budget from our national headquarters for the construction of the facility,” he said.

Currently, there are more or less 4,200 inmates in the region distributed in 16 jails.

On Friday, chief superintendent Jose Gentiles, acting regional director of the Police Regional Office 6 urged the BJMP to increase the capacity of their facilities in anticipation of more apprehensions as they intensify their anti-drug operations. PNA

GROWTH DRIVER.

Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian presents the city’s flagship Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects before over 100 representatives from the private and public sectors gathered by the Department of the Interior and Local Government through the Local Governance Support Program for Economic Development program to discuss the challenges in fostering local economic growth in the country. Andrew Rabulan

Bulacan starts TB screening of inmates THE provincial government of Bulacan, through the Provincial Public Health Office, on Friday kicked off its tuberculosis (TB) mass screening at the Bulacan Provincial Jail here.

The screening was in line with the observance of Lung Month this August.

In partnership with the Department of Health-Regional Office 3, USAID-IMPACT project, Philippine Business for Social Progress, and the International Committee of the Red Cross, the mass screening that will cater to more than 3,000 detainees, jail guards and staff will

run for eight weeks.

The project aims to improve case detection of drug-susceptible and drug-resistant TB cases and ensure that they are successfully treated in recognition that places of incarceration harbor TB that if left untreated, threatens not only the inmates but also the prison staff, visitors and the larger community.

Vice Gov. Daniel Fernando explained to the detainees that their health was as important as the wellbeing of people outside jail.

“Your health is important to us.

This is being given for free by various government agencies,” Fernan-

do said.

Dr. Allan Fabella, service delivery specialist of the USAID-IMPACT, said the detainees will be interviewed about symptoms, they will be xrayed, their sputum will be examined under the Gene Xpert strategy and, if positive, another interview and orientation on the medication will be conducted and finally the medication itself will be administered.

Meanwhile, retired Police Sr. Supt. Fernando Villanueva, jail warden of BPJ, said there are 43 TB patients and one MDR patient at the Bulacan Provincial Jail that are under medication. PNA

Lanao Sur workers get their salaries via ATMs FOR the first time in Lanao del Sur’s 39 municipalities, government workers are getting their salaries through automated teller machines, officials said.

To ensure a corruption-free system, local officials in the town of Lumbatan in Lanao del Sur have experimented on paying workers via the ATM.

Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman said he supports the move of Lumbatan Mayor Allan Lao to adopt a bank payroll system for municipal employees.

Lao told reporters that the municipal legislative body, headed

by Vice Mayor Mohidin Camid Lao Mua, has given its full sup-

port to the mayor’s plan to adopt an ATM payroll system for employees of the Lumbatan local government unit.

Hataman also told reporters he was expecting other towns in Lanao del Sur to follow suit in a bid to professionalize the municipal bureaucracy.

A sixth class municipality in

Lanao Sur’s second district, Lumbatan had a population of 16,700 in 2010and more than 1,000 are government employees.

Lao is now working with the Land Bank of the Philippines to put up an ATM booth in the town hall so workers will not have to go to Marawi City to withdraw their salaries. PNA

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

World

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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Suu Kyi faces tough test Y

ANGON―Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi faces what could be the toughest test of her leadership yet when she opens a major ethnic peace conference Wednesday aimed at ending wars that have blighted the country since its independence.

The five-day talks will bring hundreds of ethnic minority rebel leaders to the capital, along with military top brass and international delegates such as UN Secretary-General Ban KiMoon.

The conference is Suu Kyi’s flagship effort to quell the longrunning rebellions rumbling across Myanmar’s impoverished

frontier states, fueled in part by the illegal drugs, jade and timber trades.

Myanmar is home to more than 100 ethnic groups and many minorities harbor deep seated historical suspicions of the Bamar majority group― which includes Suu Kyi―complaining that they have endured decades of discrimination.

Suu Kyi,a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has made ending the nearly 70 years of fighting the first priority of her newly minted government, which took over from the military in March after sweeping the first free election in generations.

“If you ask me what my most important aim is for my country, that is to achieve peace and unity among the different peoples of our union,” she said during a recent visit to China.

“Without peace, there can be no sustained development.”

The 71-year-old is hoping to expand a shaky ceasefire signed last year between some rebel armies and the military-backed

government.

This week’s conference will include both signatories to the ceasefire agreement and nonsignatories, although some groups are still locked in intense fighting with government forces and their role in the talks remains unclear.

Success also depends heavily on the military, which controls key levers of government and whose leaders are thought to have made billions from the vast natural resources of Myanmar’s borderlands.

“Anyone who is suggesting there could be any sort of agreement in the coming days or weeks is dreaming,” said Antho-

ny Davis, a security analyst and writer for IHS-Jane’s, predicting the negotiations could take “many years”.

The conference has nevertheless been hailed as an important first step and one loaded with symbolism in a nation emerging from a dark military past.

It is dubbed the ‘21st Century Panglong’, a reference to a 1947 agreement signed by Suu Kyi’s independence hero father that granted a level of autonomy to the major ethnic groups.

The deal collapsed after Aung San was assassinated months later, precipitating half a century of brutal junta rule.

Suu Kyi has followed in her

father’s footsteps with similar pledges to form a federalist state―though she has never spelled out the details.

A spokesman for the UNFC, one of the rebel coalitions attending the talks whose 11 ethnic groups include both ceasefire signatories and non-signatories, said the conference would be “like a grand opening ceremony”.

Ethnic groups will be allowed to give brief speeches, but there will be no time for follow-up debates and plans are already in the works to hold more talks every six months.

One rebel leader, who asked not to be named, put it more frankly. AFP

Trump, if elected, to start deporting WASHINGTON―Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump linked illegal immigration and employment Saturday, pledging to start deporting offenders as soon as he is sworn in should he become the White House’s next occupant.

Trump all the while courted the black vote, claiming that the shooting of basketball star Dwyane Wade’s cousin will make African Americans support him, but the move instead triggered a firestorm of criticism.

“On Day One, I am going to begin swiftly removing criminal illegal immigrants from this country―including removing the hundreds of thousands of criminal illegal immigrants that have been released into US communities under the Obama-Clinton administration,” Trump told supporters in Des Moines, Iowa.

Trump’s Democratic rival Hillary Clinton served as secretary of state during President Barack Obama’s first term in office. The next president will

be sworn in on January 20.

“I am going to build a great border wall, institute nationwide e-verify, stop illegal immigrants from accessing welfare and entitlements and develop an exit-entry tracking system to ensure those who overstay their visas are quickly removed,” Trump warned.

The billionaire real estate magnate and former reality TV host―in a white baseball cap― said that “If we don’t enforce visa expiration dates, then we have an open border. It’s as simple as that.”

“A vote for Trump is a vote to have a nation of laws, a vote for Clinton is a vote for open borders,” he stressed.

Details of Trump’s immigration policies remain scant. He rallied much of his primary support with a controversial hardline tone against illegal immigrants and his plan to build a wall on the Mexican border.

Some of his advisors are now reportedly urging him to tone down his signature policy priority. AFP

ONSTAGE. Musical group Sheer Mag performs onstage during the FYF Fest 2016 at Los Angeles Sports Arena on August 27 in Los Angeles. AFP

Shoddy repairs eyed in quake in Italy ROME―Shoddy, price-cutting renovations, in breach of local building regulations, could be partly to blame for the high death toll from this week’s devastating earthquake in central Italy, according to a prosecutor investigating the disaster.

As questions mount over the deaths of nearly 300 people, prosecutor Giuseppe Saieva indicated that property owners who commissioned suspected substandard work could be held

responsible for contributing to the quake’s deadly impact.

Saieva, who works in the Rieti region between Rome and the quake’s epicenter, said the tragedy could not simply be filed away as an unavoidable natural disaster.

“If the buildings had been constructed as they are in Japan they wouldn’t have collapsed,” he told La Repubblica.

Within hours of the quake hitting on Wednesday Saieva was in Amatrice, the small mountain

town hit hardest by the quake.

He is inspecting the damage there before opening a preliminary investigation for possible culpable homicide and causing a disaster.

The crushed partition walls of a collapsed three-story villa were among the sights that caught his eye. “I can only think it was built on the cheap with more sand than cement,” he said.

A number of engineering and architectural experts have highlighted the widespread use of

relatively cheap cement beams for house extensions and renovations as a possible factor explaining why so many buildings collapsed.

Heavy and inflexible, the cement beams become deadly if released by shaking because they will crush older walls beneath them.

“If it emerges that individuals cut corners, they will be pursued and those that have made mistakes will pay a price,” the prosecutor said. AFP

N. Korea rejects council’s criticism SEOUL―North Korea hit back on Sunday at a UN Security Council statement condemning its latest test-firing of a submarine-launched ballistic missile, and threatened to take further steps as “a full-fledged military power”.

The 15-member council agreed on Friday to “take further significant measures” against North Korea, just days after the SLBM launch.

North Korea is barred under UN resolutions from any use of ballistic missile technology, but has carried out several launchings following its fourth nuclear test in January.

A spokesman for the North’s foreign ministry labeled the UN statement a “product of brigandish acts of the US” and said Washington had ignored a warning about “hurting its dignity.”

“Now that the US posed threats to the dignity and the right to existence of the DPRK [North Korea] defying its serious warning, it will continue to take a series of eventful action steps as a full-fledged military power,” the spokesman said. AFP

SHOWCASE. Indian models showcase creations by designer Shantanuand Nikhil during the Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2016 in Mumbai on August 27, 2016. AFP

Final witnesses defend Rousseff BRASILIA―The final witnesses in the defense of suspended Brazilian president Dilma Rousseff testified late Saturday in her senate impeachment trial, days before a vote that could permanently remove her from power.

Rousseff, 68, is accused of taking illegal state loans to help bridge budget shortfalls and mask the true state of the economy during her 2014 reelection campaign.

The one-time Marxist guerrilla, who was imprisoned and tortured under Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, says the charges against her are trumped up and amount to a right-wing coup.

Testifying on the third day of the impeachment trial were former economy minister Nelson Barbosa and Rio State University law professor Ricardo Lodi.

Both testified that Rousseff― who was suspended from office in May―did not break the law or harm the economy, which is now in deep recession.

“There is no basis to say that the president is criminally responsible,” Barbosa said.

He insisted that decrees that Rousseff issued at the time were fully constitutional.

“There is nothing remotely illegal,” Barbosa said. “You cannot act retroactively with a new interpretation of the law.”

The same argument was de-

livered Friday by a first batch of witnesses testifying on Rousseff’s behalf who said that such budget maneuvers have long been common practice, and that Brazil’s economic decline was entirely unrelated.

Rousseff’s accusers laid out their case on the trial’s opening day Thursday, arguing that she was criminally irresponsible and helped run once booming Brazil into the ground.

Brazil’s economy shrank 3.8 percent in 2015 and is forecast to drop a further 3.3 percent this year, a historic recession.

Inflation stands at around nine percent and unemployment at 11 percent.

Tension is building ahead of Monday when Rousseff, from the leftist Workers’ Party, will take the stand for the first time and face her accusers.

She will be accompanied by her mentor and predecessor in the presidency, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Lula rose from poverty to found the Workers’ Party and become one of Brazil’s most popular presidents ever before helping Rousseff take his place.

The once all-powerful pair are now demonized by the right, blamed for Brazil’s economic shambles and tainted by the revelation of a gigantic corruption scheme at state oil giant Petrobras which peaked during the Lula presidency. AFP

Quiet battle for the sound of silence in UK shops LONDON―Nigel Rodgers is in hell. A campaigner against piped music for decades, he stands in a shoe shop on London’s Oxford Street which is blaring out loud pop music, wincing visibly.

“It’s just as bad as passive smoking,” said the 63-year-old, sporting a blue blazer with a red handkerchief in the top pocket and eagerly eying the exit.

“It really is enough to drive

most people bonkers if they have got any sensitivity at all.”

Rodgers has campaigned against the canned music which is common in British shops and other public spaces for 24 years but his group Pipedown recently scored its biggest success yet.

One of the country’s top department stores, Marks and Spencer, said it would stop playing music after a letter writing

campaign by hundreds of Pipedown’s 2,000 members.

Now the group hopes to persuade other major retailers to follow suit as sister organizations take off around the world, including in Germany and the United States.

Rodgers is far more comfortable sipping a cup of tea in the relative calm of the Marks and Spencer cafe a few doors down on London’s busiest shopping street.

Here, he gently explained how he believes the mechanization of society has turned up the volume on the modern world, causing health problems like hearing damage and raised blood pressure.

“We live in a continuously noisy environment,” he said.

“We’re being artificially stimulated all the time in a way we’re not designed to.”

Rodgers, who also writes books

on art history and philosophy, founded Pipedown aged 38 after becoming frustrated by piped music in a restaurant where he was dining with a girlfriend.

The group kept growing and, as well as letter writing campaigns, many supporters now go shopping armed with cards complaining―politely of course― about piped music which they hand to shop workers. AFP

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NIYOGYUGAN Festival

MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

SPECIAL FEATURE

QUEZON’S NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL

NOW ON ITS 4TH YEAR

By Benjie Antioquia and Quezon PIO

Q

UEZON province is gearing to make its annual Niyogyugan fiesta as the next major festival in the country to boost tourist arrivals and generate interest on the humble coconut tree, its primary product which is also considered the “tree of life.”

A portmanteau of the words “niyog” (coconut) and “yugyog” (to dance), the festival, which was originally conceptualized by former Rep. Aleta Suarez, showcases the province’s culture and natural bounty.

This year’s two-week celebration, with the theme “Tara nasa Quezon: Niyogyugan Festival 2016” is expected to have gathered more than 200,000 visitors, with total festival sales projected to reach P12.7 million.

A blood-letting activity kicked off the festivity on August 15, followed by the opening of an agri-tourism exposition at Perez Park in Lucena City. Each of the Niyog-based products of the 39 towns and municipalities and two cities of the province are showcased in individual booths. Revelers also enjoyed local delicacies such as pancit habhab, longganisa and suman.

On August 19, to mark the 138th birthday of the late President Manuel Quezon, the province held its Quezon Medalya

CALAUG BOOTH

INFANTA BOOTH

GEN. LUNA ENTRY

SAN ANTONIO BOOTH

MAUBAN ENTRY

ng Karangalan Awards where five outstanding residents were feted for their accomplishments: Msgr. Leandro Castro from Lucena City (spiritual leadership), Nestor Pestelos of Tiaong (public service and community development), Josephine Fabre of Lucena City (music), Milada Valde of Lucban (culinary), and Ricardo Salumbides of Pagbilao (farming).

“Without the late President Quezon, there would be no Quezon Niyogyugan Festival to celebrate. The festival

Best Booth Competition Winners: Catergory A 1st - infanta - P3M 2nd - Tagkawayan - P2M 3rd - Gumaca - P1M 4th Sariaya - P500,000 5th Mauban - P300,000 6th Tayabas - P200,000 7th Pagbialo - P150,000 Lucena - P150,000 showcases our excellence and creativity,” said Governor David Suarez in his speech during the floral-offering ceremony near the monument of President Quezon.

Other activities includes Bb. Niyogyugan and hands-on training on weaving, lambanog production, and coco sap and virgin coconut oil processing. A grand parade, float competition, and street dance capped the celebrations on August 27.

According to Quezon Rep. Danilo Suarez, the province will work with various hotels and travel agencies to include Niyogyugan in their brochures, pamphlets and other promotional materials.

COCO TWINING

The lawmaker said their festival is unique being the only one to promote the coconut industry as other celebrations across the country are mostly religious and cultural.

The Niyogyugan Festival started in 2012 as a mere trade fair showcasing products derived from the coconut tree produced by local farmers.

Suarez said he expects more tourists to attend in the future with the completion of the South Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 Project (TR4) that will link Santo Tomas, Batangas and Lucena City, Quezon. The project, to be completed in 2019, will cut travel time between the two towns from four hours to just one hour.

Category B 1st - Buenavista - P3M 2nd - Padre Burgos - P2M 3rd - Sampaloc - P1M 4th Guinayangan - P500,000 5th SanAntonio - P300,000 6th Macalelon - P200,000 7th Quezon - P150,000 Consolation Prizes: P100,000

* All the prizes are worth of projects

Life

Braised sea cucumber and baby abalone in a clay pot, with a $25,000 crystal dragon centerpiece in the background

SIP & SAVOR

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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Of Phoenixes and Dragons and Good Luck T

HE Mid-Autumn Festival, also known as the Mooncake Festival, is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities in China. On the 15th day of the eighth lunar month of the year, the moon will appear at its roundest and brightest, THE JOYCE OF EATING JOYCE BABE PAÑARES and the Chinese population around the world will gather for a family reunion to partake of traditional dishes that symbolize prosperity, happiness, and unity.

Older Chinese would tell folk stories, including the legend of the lunar deity Chang’e, who fled to the moon after drinking the elixir of immortality and was said to be accompanied by a jade rabbit. Another legend associated with the festival is how, during the Yuan dynasty, messages calling for a revolt were hidden inside special mooncakes.

Some of these folk stories may have been forgotten as they are passed on Steamed marinated pork ribs with sausage and mushrooms

from one generation to another, but the tradition of gathering family members for a sumptuous meal and exchanging mooncakes continue.

At Crystal Dragon, one of Crown Towers’ signature restaurants, chef de cuisine Chan Choo Kean prepared exclusive a la carte dishes to usher in luck and good harvest in time for the festivity on Sept.15. And if you book the restaurant’s private room, you get to enjoy your food with a $25000.00 crystal ball surrounded by several dragons as centerpiece.

Popular Vietnamese street eats on the go

THE recently opened Banh Mi Kitchen on the 4/F of SM Megamall is serving Vietnam’s most loved sandwich with a twist, and as filling healthy alternatives for office workers and people on the go.

Sink your teeth into these deliciously creative takes on the traditional street food fave and choose from six Banh Mi flavors. The Classic fulfills cravings for an authentic taste; the lighter Kani Bonito has crabstick and tuna flakes for a Japanese twist while big eaters will be more than satisfied with the Protein Monster that combines three meats in a handy meal. Start your day right with the Wagyu Tapa, a perfect breakfast choice with fluffy

All Around

“We want our guests to enjoy succulent dishes that are auspicious as they are delicious,” Chef Chan said.

The tasty Sea Treasure in clay pot – braised sea cucumber and baby abalone with bean curd – represents good fortune, he said. Abalones symbolize gold, a n auspicious element according to Chinese beliefs, while bean curd is seen to bring wealth and happiness.

Roasted Peking duck served two ways Homemade snow skin mooncake

Crystal Dragon also of offers roasted Peking duck, which can be ordered whole and done two ways – the slices of crispy skin with just the right amount of fat and a thin layer of meat are wrapped in rice paper and lathlath ered with hoisin sauce while the remaining meat is shredded and cooked with rice ver vermicelli. Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture, and the roasted Peking duck’s red-

omelet inside; go for a richer, complex flavor with the Beef Rendang’s smoky beef and coconut milk, or try the Lemongrass Pork that packs a sweeter punch to the original flavor.

Every Banh Mi Kitchen sandwich is served on its signature crunchy baguette, made using a special recipe that includes no preservatives. Pair these stand out crunchy and savory sandwiches with Banh Mi Kitchen’s Viet Iced Coffee or Viet Iced Tea. Banh Mi Kitchen will also soon be serving in Bonifacio Stopover Pavillion. For more information, offers on limited edition Banh Mi flavors and special promos, follow Banh Mi Kitchen on Facebook and Instagram.

Banh Mi Kitchen’s The Classic variant offers an authentic taste of the traditional Vietnamese street food, banh mi

dish skin symbolizes happiness.

The restaurant’s wok-fried Bos Boston lobster tails with salt and pepper and

stewed chicken with wine sauce also pay tribute to the symbolism of the dragon and the phoenix in Chinese culture. The chicken (phoenix) represents the coming together of families while the lobster (which is literally dragon shrimp in Chinese) is considered auspicious.

Chef Chan also decided to offer sumptuous dishes that are not traditionally served during the Mid-Autumn Festival, such as the steamed marinated pork ribs with pork sausage and mushContinued on D2

Life

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

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FTER months of speculation and a barrage of teasers, Bondi & Bourke revealed its second home at Forbes Town Center, Bonifacio Global City.

The 106-seater space is located on Forbes Town Road in Manila’s trendy Burgos Circle. Bondi & Bourke offers a fun, casual vibe with a bigger dining area (two floors), high ceiling, brightly lit interiors perfect for brunch or dinner, and a brand new bar for late night lingering affairs. Al fresco dining is also an option for smokers or for diners who wish to feel Manila’s light cloudy day breeze.

The secret of Bondi & Bourke’s success begins with multi-awarded Australian chef and owner, Wade Watson, who curates straightforward, comfort food favorites and prepares them with the best ingredients. He has cooked around the world, with postings in Canada and Australia, and as executive chef to the famed Lan Kwai Fong group in Hong Kong. He was previously the executive chef of the Abaca Boutique Resort in Cebu.

Chef Wade credits the atmosphere, service, and hard work to the restaurant’s success.

“We are focused on good food. It’s basically dishes you want to come home to after a day’s work,” he says. “There is no magic to it, really. It’s just simple food in a relaxed atmosphere, and having a team of dedicated, hardworking staff.”

Apart from a view of the chef working busily in the open kitchen, the dishes come with an added bonus: all serv-

Chef Wade Watson

Eat like an Aussie and try With The Lot burger which is made of US prime ground beef, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, beetroot and fried egg

Bondi & Bourke opens second branch

ings are in good size portions enough for big groups to share.

Bondi & Bourke boasts a collection of imported meats and seafood, offer-

ing choices of U.S., Australian, and Creekstone Prime rib-eye steaks, Australian lamb chops, and snapper fillets accompanied by delicious side dishes.

For those who cannot decide on the meat, try the best-selling mussel and oyster selections: spicy red Thai curry, moules mariniere, kilpatrick, mornay,

and fresh-shucked with mignonette.

When dining at Bondi & Bourke, why not eat a burger the Australian way— “With The Lot” as it is coined, stacked with a layer of U.S. prime ground beef, lettuce, tomato, grilled onions, and slices of beetroot topped with fried egg.

For dessert, the sticky toffee pudding is a crowd favorite as well as the Land Down Under’s signature creation, the lamington (available flavors are chocolate, strawberry and pandan).

Sample the Australian offerings at Bond i& Bourke.

For dinner reservations, make sure to book weeks ahead.

Reservations can also be made via Booky app (with special Booky Prime discounts). Follow @BondiBourkePH on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook for their latest promos and offerings.

Use the hashtag #BondiAndBourkeBGC for any social media posts.

Bondi & Bourke offers Australian food such as (from left) Classic Australian Meat Pie, Australian Lamb Chops and Oysters Mornay

Vote wisely for DEWmocracy MUCH like their iconic green bottle, Mountain Dew is making another historic mark by launching the country’s first ever DEWmocracy. With two new and exciting flavors, #DewBlueShock and #DewLivewire, they are inviting you to take a stand and let your voice be heard.

The two limited-edition flavors are Blue Shock, the Dew charged with Raspberry Citrus and Live Wire, the Dew with a blast of Orange. Between the two, Blue Shock is known to be cool and stunning. It lets action do the talking and leaves you, well, in shock. It has a distinct raspberry-like flavor that is unique to Filipinos. On the other hand, Live Wire is loud and electrifying. It is the Dew that hypes the crowd before jumping. As an orange flavor, Filipinos are sure to like its taste of familiarity.

“The goal of DEWmocracy is to listen to what our consumers have to say and to allow them to engage with the brand. With DEWmocracy, every Filipino has a chance to take a stand, be heard, and select the flavor they want.

In the end, your chosen flavor will remain,” said Brand Manager Kay Paras Mountain Dew has always been known to champion innovation on all levels. Over the years, each campaign the Dew brand has created focuses on creativity, adventure and passion, empowering each Dew drinker to embrace new experiences and try new things. From action to sports to enter-

tainment to art to gaming, Mountain Dew is always on hand.

Two of the country’s top influencers are to lead each flavor to victory —Team Leader Sam YG for Live Wire and Team Leader Ramon Bautista for Blue Shock—to make the campaign more exciting. “Iba talaga ang tama ng #DewBlueShock for me. It’s something that completes the excitement of my day,” says Ramon.

However, Sam defends his title too by saying that #DewLiveWire is something that “definitely hits the spot.

Pare, ito na ang bagong drink of choice ko! What a way to be unique!”

“With a campaign such as this, it’s impossible for us not to think of ways to make it extra fun and exciting for our consumers. Adding the two wellrenowned influencers is a sure fit for each limited-edition flavor as well as the brand,” added Paras Be heard and make your stand. Everyone has a voice. Are you #DewBlueShock or #DewLiveWire? Vote now on Twitter and Instagram to make your votes count. Voting period starts August 13 and voting will close on October 31. Voters of the winning flavor will have a chance to win a brand new pickup, perfect for your next wild adventure.

How Urban Warriors can #DefyTheDay with Kratos Strong Coffee

URBAN warriors today live a multifaceted life. From full hectic days at work, to night outs with friends, to weekends of leisure or adventure, young professionals today live their lives to the full.

When the going gets tough, urban warriors need to be mentally and physically prepared for what lies ahead. You need to defy the day and whatever challenges it brings, to ensure that you stay in charge of life. That means you need to anticipate what’s coming, prepare for anything and everything expected of you, and defy expectations by outdoing yourself all the time.

deserved weekend road trip, Kratos keeps you focused and always in the game.

When the daily grind gets to you, reach out for a can of Kratos Strong Coffee, which comes in four variants: Double Shot Espresso Black, Original Latte; Single Shot Espresso Vanilla Latte, and Cafe Mocha.

No doubt, Kratos will help you follow your passion and exceed your expectations. Break free from the chains of the daily grind with a can of Kratos Strong Coffee that can help you #DefyTheDay. Check out Kratos Strong Coffee on Facebook.

Kratos is infused with double shot of espresso that will help individuals stay strong and awake

Make sure to stay updated with DEWmocracy at Mountain Dew Philippines’ official Facebook page www.facebook. com/mountaindewPH/ and don’t forget to follow @MountainDewPH on Twitter.

Krispy Kreme celebrates its 79th birthday HAPPY birthday Krispy Kreme! July 13 marked the 79th year of our favorite sweet treat. After the doughnut shop first opened its doors in 1937, the beloved brand has been spreading fun and joy all over the globe, including the Philippines.

And as this year’s milestone rolls around, Krispy Kreme is treating everyone to awesome anniversary promos that are a real cause for celebration.

Savor new scrumptious flavors with the arrival of the anticipated Birthday Doughnuts. The mouthwatering lineup includes Chocolate Chip & Kreme, featuring an all-time fave dolloped with cookie dough and drizzled with chocolate; Nutty Butter & Kreme, indulgently dipped in peanut butter icing, dolloped

You can, of course, choose to #defytheday by making sure you have your daily fill of Kratos Strong Coffee, the weapon of choice of urban warriors who want to win all their battles.

Brewed to let you deal with your multifaceted life, Kratos is a ready to drink coffee product made from dark roasted coffee beans. Infused with a double shot of espresso to give you that strong, refreshing taste, it is yours to enjoy anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re racing from one meeting to the next, unwinding with your friends at night, ending your day with a fast paced workout, or enjoying a well-

with peanut butter cookie dough icing and sprinkled with roasted peanuts; and Kremey Cookie, with rich cookie dough filling, dipped in dark chocolate ganache, and then finished with crushed Oreos and a white chocolate drizzle. Sounds amazing right?

Enjoy the perfect pairing – you and Krispy Kreme’s world-famous Original Glazed doughnuts, and its equally popular coffee.

Share a box of joy with as many as you can. Krispy Kreme is giving you every reason to do just Celebrate the best birthday every day with awesome treats from Krispy Kreme.

Of Phoenixes...

From D1

Krispy Kreme turns 79 and is offering its Birthday Doughnuts lineup composed of Kremey Cookie, Chocolate Chip & Kreme and Nutty Butter & Kreme

rooms, sautéed sea grouper with mushrooms, honey beans and celery, and braised superior shark’s fin soup with crab claw and truffles.

The celebration, of course, will not be complete without mooncakes – traditional Chinese pastries filled with lotus or red bean paste and egg yolk. Crystal Dragon offers both the traditional mooncake imported from Macau, and its homemade snow-skin mooncake with custard and chocolate fillings. The snow skin mooncake’s crust is made from glutinous rice, which is frozen, thus its name.

According to anthropologist Michael Tan, in his essay “A brief history of mooncakes” published in an online news site in 2014, the exchange of mooncakes is a matter of displaying status, depending on who will receive it. Family members, close friends, and

VIPs get the more expensive versions, usually with lotus seed paste rather than the more pedestrian beans.

Tan said “fusion mooncakes” have also emerged, with fillings influenced by Western cultural tastes, such as chocolate, truffles, ice cream and even alcoholic beverages like champagne. On the other end of the spectrum, he said, are mooncakes based on local ingredients, such as monggo, pandan, and ube.

“We therefore find more aristocratic mooncakes with imported ingredients on one hand, together with more plebian mooncakes with local ingredients, sometimes really just glorified hopia,” Tan said.

But whether or not we believe in the symbolisms of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the occasion is always a good excuse to get together and eat, with an abundant amount of good vibes and good luck.

For feedback, send comments to joyce.panares@gmail.com

Showbiz

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FTER six long years, Aga Muhlach is back in ABS-CBN as he will be one of the main judges in the station’s soon-toair new musical reality show titled Pinoy Boyband Superstar.

“Well, it feels good to be back!” he says. “Everyone knows that I’ve been a Kapamilya for 19 years. My career practically grew with them. I will always be grateful to them. It’s nice that my comeback project is with them.”

The award-winning actor has an interesting story about his decision to give showbiz another try.

“The reason why I accepted ABS-CBN’s offer is that I realized I still want to do something in the industry. I know that I have still a lot left in the tank, so to speak. It’s just that there came a point when I became accustomed to the regular life, enjoying my private time with the family. Perhaps, it’s because I got burnt-out with working, like following a hectic schedule for a very long period of time already.

“But then, one day last year, it just dawned to me that at 46, I’m still too young to retire from the ‘biz. Honestly, I don’t really mind but deep within, I know that there is still something that I want to do.

Then, I thought it’s hard to make a comeback. I didn’t know where to start. It’s providential that ABSCBN offered me this judging stint for Pinoy Boyband Superstar, which is actually a good stepping stone towards the realization of my goal.”

Incidentally, the show gives him the ideal working terms.

“Oh yes! I’m thankful because it’s light. It’s a different genre from what I used to do like drama and sitcom. I’m part of the four main judges so it doesn’t offer huge pressure, a perfect vehicle for me who’s just coming back to the scene after a lengthy absence. The taping schedules are also light, which means I can still spend quality time with my family while working,” avers Aga. Since it’s a reality show, many ask if it’s just okay if it appears he’s not its main attraction.

“That’s no issue. It’s no big deal, really if the show isn’t focused to me. At this point, I just want to give back and be instrumental to someone else’s triumph. Mentoring these kids defi-

nitely gives me a sense of purpose and fulfillment. So, it’s simply nice to start off things with such mindset.”

If there’s really one thing that the be-dimpled actor misses in showbiz, it’s doing movies. His last mainstream appearance was in 2012’s Of All the Things opposite Regine Velasquez.

“That’s right. It’s good that Star Cinema has always been there and I’m always in contact with them. The thing is, there are problems in scheduling plus my overweight issue. I found it hard to lose weight then because as I’ve pointed out earlier, I was very happy leading a regular life.

“But I guess, there will be changes now after I accepted their offer to be one of the main judges for Pinoy Boyband Superstar.It’s a good starting point for me to get motivated to really shed weight.

In fact, Star Cinema just handed over a script for me to study. If in case everything turns out fine and the schedule will permit, I might do a film once again,” ends Aga. *** Julia Montes is so happy that her afternoon soap Doble Kara is still going strong in the ratings chart since it started airing last year.

“It makes me feel proud that until now, it holds strong viewership. It’s been a year and not all afternoon soaps are lucky enough to reach this far. I’m thankful for the viewers’ support,” she states.

On the swell reviews she receives for her delineation of dual characters in the story, the lovely star reveals it’s not that easy.

“Playing Sarah and Kara at the same time is hard. They are two different characters. Most of the time, I get emotionally drained after each take.”

What’s the secret of her effective portrayal?

“I guess, I just stay focused all the time. I concentrate on not mixing the nuances I have for each character. So far, I think I’m doing it right. It feels great after wrapping up a difficult scene involving the two. It’s fulfilling as an actress!” Julia avers.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Doc Aga is in!

After six years of absence, the actor returns to television as judge in the upcoming reality show ‘Pinoy Boyband Superstar’

Back in Kapamilya’s harness

Every day’s a lucky day with GMA News TV Panalo EXCITING prizes are up for grabs daily and weekly in GMA News TV Panalo, the newest proof-of-purchase promo of the country’s leading news channel, GMA News TV. Beginning Aug. 28 until Oct. 8, Kapuso viewers nationwide may be among the 5 daily winners of P1,500.00 cash and 3 daily winners of home appliances. The winners will be announced daily.

Meanwhile, the weekly draw will have 2 winners of an e-loading kit with a cellphone, and 5 winners who will each receive groceries worth P3,500.00. All prizes are tax-free.

There will be winners from all over the country, as winning entries will be drawn from each drop box located at GMA TV and radio stations nationwide. Additionally, all non-winning entries sent within the playing weeks will still be eligible for the raffle draw in the succeeding promo weeks. The more entries you send, the higher chances of winning.

Winners will be announced on GMA News TV Channel 11 and via the promo’s official Facebook page.

To join, interested participants must write down their name, age, complete home address, telephone or cell phone number and handwritten signature, and enclose it in a white envelope, along with the proof-of-purchase (POP) from one of the participating sponsors.

Each entry must have only one of the following POP: 2 empty sachets of any variant of Sunsilk, Cream Silk or Surf Powder, or 4 empty sachets of Maggi Magic Sarap 8g.

At the back of the envelope, participants must write GMA News TV Panalo, along with the brand enclosed and their area of residence – NCR, Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao – and drop or send the entry at the designated drop boxes located at GMA Network Center in Quezon City, and all GMA Regional TV and radio stations nationwide.

For more details, watch out for the GMA News TV Panalo mechanics plug on GMA News TV Channel 11. Visit and like the official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ GMANewsTVPanalo.

For inquiries, call the promo hotline 9227372 (Metro Manila) or 1800-10-922-7372 (outside Metro Manila).

Per DTI-FTEB SPD Permit No. 8102 Series of 2016

ABS-CBN’s Cory Vidanes ‘Media Personality Of The Year’ ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer of broadcast Cory Vidanes was named “Media Personality of the Year” by the SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards for her contribution in creating a positive impact on the tourism industry through excellent content on television, film, and other platforms of the country’s leading media and entertainment company.

Vidanes was honored along with other business leaders at the SKAL International Tourism Awards at the New World Hotel in Makati.

“Like all of you, I share and support your advocacy in promoting tourism through excellent content in television, film, print, digital and all our other platforms,” she said. “In

ABS-CBN, the core of being in service of the Filipino people is to be trusted. In many ways, we share the same vision of SKAL International – to be a trusted Voice in travel and tourism.”

The SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards honors individuals for their accomplishments that help boost the country’s tourism industry. The awards are handed out by different chapters of SKAL International, a group of travel and tourism professionals that was established in 1932 that aims to promote global tourism and friendship.

Vidanes also said ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Incorporated also offers eco-tourism packages that enable Filipinos to enjoy breathtaking views while supporting livelihood projects as well as protecting

and maintaining natural ecosystems spread across the country.

Among the packages offered are surf and skimboard camps in Sorsogon and Leyte, ziplining and caving in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, river cruises in Buhatan, Sorsogon and Iwahig, Palawan, an eco-village in Sohoton Caves, and agritourism communities in Samar, Leyte, Iba, Zambales, Lobo, Batangas, Antipolo, Guimaras, and Mindoro, and more.

The company also has travel website called Choose Philipines, a comprehensive guide that provides information about Philippine travel and exploration, which allows Filipino families to create, capture, and share their meaningful experiences.

“Through Choose Philippines and The Filipino Channel, we make

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Monday, August 29, 2016

ACROSS 1 Comply 5 Very pleased 9 Did a car job 14 Bone-dry 15 Focal points 16 Singer — Cara 17 Oodles (2 wds.)

18 Belonging to us 19 Char 20 Down for the count 21 Have the blues 22 Fragrant trees 23 Beyond rad 25 Failing that 26 No. 27 Admirer 28 Zoologist’s eggs 31 Fill with 34 Toll booth sites 36 Apollo acronym 37 Dress lengths 38 Cleaning cloths 39 Oxford rival 41 Pyramid builder 42 Check fig.

43 To — — (exactly) 44 However 45 Montand of film 46 Hushed 50 Garage job 53 Happy rumble 54 Id companion

55 56 57 58

Avowed Whiskey grains Grand Ole — Captain Nemo creator 59 Fume 60 Intuit 61 Reporters 62 Goes into hibernation 63 Chapeau’s place DOWN 1 Port near Kyoto 2 Look out —!

3 Form a butte 4 Still 5 Dim 6 Jeweler’s lens 7 North-forty unit 8 Insult, slangily 9 Gets smart (2 wds.)

10 Hitch — — 11 Lucy Lawless role 12 Cal Tech grad 13 Report-card woes 21 Tiny particle 22 Feud participants 24 Pigeon dish 25 Creepy 27 Barely move

28 Not super 29 First-magnitude star 30 Club, briefly 31 Empire founder 32 Polite address 33 Cellar, briefly 34 Surf makers 35 Burnt up 37 Carpentry joint 40 Arroyos 41 California’s — Woods 44 Spurts 45 Knitting basics 46 Chess piece

47 Home of a brave 48 Long-plumed heron 49 Moriarty’s creator 50 Invitation addendum 51 Still-life subject 52 Leaf opening 53 Ceremonial fire 56 P.O. service 57 Frequently

global Filipinos proud of their country and want to come home. We excite people from other countries to discover and share our treasures. We want them to make our country and our countrymen part of their story and this story shared to the rest of the world,” she said.

As ABS-CBN transitions to a digital company, with its content not only broadcast on television, but also streamed online through news sites like ABS-CBN News online and mobile apps like iWantv, TFC.tv, and Sky on Demand, the company remains committed to support Philippine tourism. Its popular tourism website has also launched the “Choose Philippines Awards” which recognize people, destinations, and even food that have added meaning to the experience of various locales in the country.

TOURISM ADVOCATE. Cory Vidanes is awarded by

SKAL International Tourism Personality Awards for her contribution to the tourism industry through excellent media content

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

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MONDAY, AUGUST 29, 2016

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MA7’s most-sought after leading men – Aljur Abrenica, Rocco Nacino, Derrick Monasterio, and Jake Vargas – are together for the first time in a major concert titled Oh, Boy! at the Music Museum 8 p.m. on Sept. 23, Friday.

Winning the Ultimate Hunk title on GMA-7’s reality search program Starstruck in 2006, Aljur Abrenica has proven that he is a well-rounded artist.

One of Cosmo’s favorite bachelors, Aljur became more than just a hunk when he showed his acting chops in various GMA-7’s toprating drama programs such as Coffee Prince, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin, and top billed in the fantasydrama series Machete, his first solo lead role. He took over the big screen in 2012 where he played alongside Rhian Ramos in My Kontrabida Girl. His latest film stint is the historical biopic film Hermano Puli and his recently concluded primetime series is Once Again with Philippine Fashion Muse Janine Gutierrez. He first lived out his passion in music back in 2010 when he recorded an album with GMA Records, and this year he is back with an album under MCA Music and a concert next month.

Another heartthrob to capture hearts this September is Starstruck V Second Prince Rocco Nacino, whose acting skill

was acclaimed by different award-giving bodies in the 2011 Cinemalaya Film Festival when he starred in the film, Ang Sayaw ng Dawalang Kaliwang Paa. He was chosen by the Philippine Movie Press Club as New Movie Actor of the Year in the 28th PMPC Star Awards for Movies and as “Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor” by the Entertainment Press Society (Enpress) in the 9th Golden Screen Awards.

This critically acclaimed actor and 2010 Top 10 Cosmo Centerfold is also a registered nurse, who currently plays Aquil in the 2016 requel of the epic fantaserye Encantadia.

Also in the spotlight is Derrick Monasterio, son of former actress Tina Monasterio and a talent of GMA Artist Center since 2009. He won the Best Male New TV Personality in the 25th PMPC Star Awards for TV in 2011 and also received the German Moreno Youth Achievement Award in the 60th Famas Awards. Last year, he was hailed as one of the Top 10 Centerfolds of Cosmopolitan magazine and he recently concluded

Showbiz

Kapuso Network’s most sought after leading men, (from left) Jake Vargas, Derrick Monasterio, Rocco Nacino and Aljur Abrenica, join forces in a one-night concert at the Music Museum

Kapuso

leading men in

‘Oh, Boy!’ concert his afternoon prime series Hanggang Makita Kang Muli with love team Bea Binene.

His first single “Kailangan Kita” under GMA Records has been widely received and he feels humbled with this achievement. Aside from being a passionate actor, he is also a crooner who is behind the movie theme songs of The Witness, My Kontrabida Girl and Sinner or Saint.

Lastly, tagged as the Prince of Mall Shows, Jake Vargas has been winning the hearts of every crowd he performs for. Best known for playing the role of young Tristan in GMA Network’s remake of the Koreanovela Stairway To Heaven, he is also a favorite

in various Kapuso programs such as Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts, Captain Barbell, and Home Sweet Home. He became a recording artist in 2010 and performed his top hits such as “Ngiti,” “Kahit Umiwas Pa,” “Miss You Like Crazy,” “Basta’t Kasama Kita,” “When I Look Into Your Eyes,” and “Can Be Mine.” He will soon star GMA-7’s new drama series Oh, My Mama where he will be paired with GMA Artist Center’s new talent, Inah de Belen.

The four GMA Artist Center heartthrobs are thrilled to perform, as they promise a night full of fun and good music. Aside from jamming

to sweet love songs and getting fueled up with sultry dance moves, expect the show to be full of excitement and surprises.

The concert promises a night of pure entertainment as Asia’s Pop Sweetheart Julie Anne San Jose joins them as their special guest, with Soc Mina as their musical director and Marvin Caldito as stage director.

Oh, Boy! is produced

by Dreamstar Events in cooperation with Bluewater Day Spa and GMA Corporate Communications.

Ticket prices are available at P1,500.00, P2,000.00 and P2,500.00 in all Ticketworld and Ticketnet outlets.

Love for family drives teen housemates to accomplish tasks PINOY Big Brother Lucky Season 7 teen housemates successfully completed their second lucky task, which paved the way for Rita to spend time with her family. Knowing how Rita loves and misses her family, the boys worked together in reconstructing her home so Rita’s wish will be granted.

With Yong leading the boys, they were assisted by Rita’s father to successfully complete the task.

In their brief exchanges, the boys learned the true meaning of family as Tatay Danny explained his own struggles for Rita and his family to the boys.

More than having their weekly budget, the male housemates were driven to finish the task just to make Rita, whom they consider as their ‘bunso’ in the group, happy. With strong determination, Rita also accomplished a special task so as she can give her youngest

MEN ON THE BLOCK.

Badjao Girl Rita (second from left) is given a brief chance to see her family after the male housemates are able to successfully complete their weekly task

sibling spaghetti, hotdog, and sopas for her birthday. The youngest teen housemate bravely took on Kuya’s challenge with her fellow girl housemates cheering for her and

motivating her to complete the task.

Prior to these tasks, the housemates also showed genuine love for their family during the first week when Kuya asked them to describe

their families one by one. Teen housemates Yong and Rita, who both came from impoverished families, broke down into tears as they expressed how much they want to help their family and improve their lives. Heaven, meanwhile, who has been beside her mom in her battle against cancer, also shed tears as she recounted how she’s doing her best to stay strong for her mom.

Since its launch in 2005, Pinoy Big Brother has mirrored the hopes, plight, and aspirations of Filipinos through its diverse mix of housemates.

Big Brother formulates tasks and challenges for the housemates to bring out their best, test their strengths, and foster camaraderie as they undergo a transformative journey inside the house.

Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7 airs Monday to Friday after Born For You on ABS-CBN or on ABSCBN HD (SkyCable Ch 167).

Badong Bernal retrospective at Benilde show THE different design projects of National Artist for Theater Design Salvador “Badong” Bernal will be featured in the retrospective exhibit Badong: Salvador Bernal Designs the Stage, on view at the School of Design and Arts (SDA) Campus Gallery of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) from Sept. 29 to Dec.17.

The presentation highlights his creative output in ballet, opera, theater and film from the ’70s till he passed on in 2011. Promoted are scale models, costumes and digital images of Bernal’s many obra maestras, notably those he created for dance legends Alice and Denisa Reyes for Ballet Philippines and the late theater icon Rolando Tinio for Tanghalang Pilipino, when Bernal was then Resident Designer of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

The show was originally mounted at the CCP and went on tour to Quezon City, Lingayen, Angeles City, Los Baños, Batangas City, Dumaguete City, Bacolod City, Iligan City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Tagum City.

The Benilde showcase is the 11th leg of this moving display.

Bernal led the creation of the CCP Production Center as a division under the then CCP Performing Arts Department, which he headed from 1981-1994. He also initiated the founding of the Kapisanan sa Pilipinas ng mga Production Designer (KAPPROD), and later became the Philippine Association of Theater Designer and Technician (PATDAT) President.

Considered to be the Father of Philippine Theater Design, Salvador Floro Bernal enriched original Filipino works in theater, dance and music with his brilliant body of works that span over 300 productions. He once said, “A designer not only needs a sense of the past, but also the present and the future.”

The show is guest curated by close collaborators of the artist to include Dr. Nicanor Tiongson and Gino Gonzales.

Under the leadership of DLS-CSB Center for Campus Art Head Gerry Torres, a gallery will be set up beside the exhibit to display the works of Benilde’s students in the AB Production Design class of Eric Pineda, who was an apprentice of Bernal. The participation of the pupils will trace an unbroken link to the future production designers of the country, and thus establishes Bernal’s lasting legacy.