Manila Standard - 2016 September 10 - Saturday

VOL. XXX • NO. 210 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

MARKET VISIT. President Rodrigo Duterte (center) and Indonesian President Joko Widodo (center, right) visit Tanah Abang market in Jakarta Friday, only hours after American investors in the Philippines warned that Duterte’s anti-drugs campaign and foul-mouth outbursts could jab foreign investments. AFP

Du30 renews outbursts Hits out at State Department, describes UN chief as ‘fool’

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RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte insisted Friday he had not intended to insult US leader Barack Obama, but immediately took aim at another global figure by labelling UN chief Ban Ki-moon a “fool.”

SHAMELESS MASSACRE A photo from http://rarehistoricalphotos.com/ titled ‘US soldiers pose with the bodies of Moro insurgents, Philippines, 1906’ is captioned: The bodies of Moro insurgents and civilians killed by US troops during the Battle of Bud Dajo in the Philippines, March 7, 1906.

‘Massacre in Jolo: US’ extra-judicial killings’ PAYBACK time, so it seemed.

This, when President Rodrigo Duterte unreeled before newsmen, on the eve of his departure for the Asean Summit this week in Laos, what he described as extrajudicial killings in the country’s far south

by Americans in the 20th century rollover.

The President was giving context to his reaction to reporters’

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Friday said the Philippine expression putangina should not be taken at face value, and it was “an ordinary expression [used] by everyone.”

“It’s son of a bitch or son of a gun. It’s not son of a whore,” he told an audience of Filipinos during a visit to the Indonesian Next page capital Jakarta.

2 solons slapped with suspension

By Rio N. Araja

queries in the event US President Barack Obama would raise the issue of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines less than 100 days after he assumed the presidency on June 30.

Duterte, the first head of state from Mindanao where the extrajudicial killings occurred during the pacification campaign on the Muslim dominated island, reNext page plied to questions:

THE Sandiganbayan, the anti-graft court, ordered a 90-day preventive suspension on Pangasinan Rep. Amado Espino Jr. and Camarines Sur Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte Jr. on separate graft charges.

Espino faces three counts of graft for allowing black sand mining in Lingayen Gulf in 2011 when he was still governor, while Villafuerte is being held accountable for the irregular procurement of P20 million worth of petroleum products for the Next page provincial government in 2010.

ESPINO

VILLAFUERTE

Rody sneers at Leila, gives her an ‘X-rating’

No prelude to Martial Law—House SPEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez on Friday appealed to the public not to conclude that the proposed suspension of the writ of habeas corpus might lead to the declaration of Martial Law. Alvarez, secretary general of PDP-Laban, said the declaration of Martial Law “will never happen under the Duterte administration.”

“President Duterte will not do that, he will not do anything that violates the Constitution,” Alvarez said.

“I know him well. He will not do such a thing.”

Alvarez made his statement even as the group Sanlakas said a congressional resolution to suspend the writ of habeas corpus was a resolution to violate human rights.

“Hence, Sanlakas opposes the proposal to empower President Rodrigo Duterte to suspend the

Duterte sparked a storm on the eve of an Asian summit this week by labelling Obama a “son of a whore,” prompting the US president to cancel a planned meeting. The pair met briefly later at the gathering in Laos after Duterte expressed regret.

But acid-tongued Duterte on

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon Ramos-Araneta

LEILA IN DILEMMA. Senator Leila de Lima is interviewed by newsmen Friday, four days before the Senate committee on ethics and privileges sits down to decide on whether or not to give due course to the complaint filed against her over her alleged links to the drug trade. Lino Santos

WITHOUT mentioning names, President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday took another dig at Senator Leila de Lima, referring to her as a porn actress.

Saying he is the favorite whipping boy of human rights advocates, Duterte said the person who hates him most was the subject of an X-rated film.

“And there was—a now famous actress on a short run of an

x-rated film, she would taunt me always. And I knew then, and I know now that she is arrogant,” Duterte said.

Duterte has never denied his animosity for De Lima, who had sought to pin him to vigilante killings in Davao City when he was still mayor, and when she was still the commissioner on Human Rights and later, when she was Justice secretary.

In an earlier speech, Duterte insinuated that De Lima had a sex video with her long time driver-bodyguard, Ronnie Palisoc Dayan.

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WEATHER

Cops deploy in metro amid terror plot

ISOLATED rain showers or thunderstorms will prevail over Metro Manila, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Benguet, Kalinga, Ifugao, Apayao, Abra, Mt. Province, Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Aurora, the weather bureau said Friday. PNA

METRO Manila police Chief Oscar Albayalde on Friday ordered the deployment of SWAT and K-9 units to schools and universities in the area due the series of bomb threats following the bomb attack in Davao City that killed 14 people and wounded 70 others.

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He gave the order even as National Police chief Ronald Dela Rosa ordered his men to intensify their checkpoint operations to protect key cities and urban centers from criminals and terrorists.

In Davao City, the police are still studying all clues that will lead to the arrest of the suspect

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behind the bombing of the Roxas night market on Sept. 2.

The terrorist group Abu Sayyaf claimed responsibility for the attack, but Chief Inspector Andrea dela Cerna said they were looking at all the possible suspects.

“We are not focusing on a single group.”

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China offers rehab center

By Sandy Araneta and Sara Susanne D. Fabunan CHINA has promised to help the Philippines build a drug rehabilitation center in Nueva Ecija, President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday.

In a speech before the Filipino community in Indonesia, Duterte said a drug rehabilitation center is being built in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

“China offered to build the rehab. I think they have already started in Magsaysay. They are bringing the materials there already... only China will help us,” Next page Duterte said.

6 get life term for P2-b shabu A COURT in Olongapo City sentenced six people to life in prison on Friday after they were caught in possession of more than 400 kilograms of shabu worth P2 billion in Subic three years ago.

Judge Raymon Viray of RTC Branch 75 imposed the sentence on Albert Chin, Romeo Manalo, Joselito Escueta, Coronel Disierto, Dennis Domingo and Emmanuel Tobias and ordered them to pay P1 million each in fines.

In Pasig City, NBI agents on Friday arrested a married couple for possession of shabu and materials for producing illegal drugs.

The NBI identified the couple as Marcos Castañeda Jr. and his wife Alma Castañeda.

Viray found Chin and Romeo Manalo guilty of selling dangerous drugs and the four others of possessing illegal drugs.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

News

DSWD defends dole program V IENTIANE―Social Welfare Secretary Judy Taguiwalo on Friday defended her decision to provide rice aside from money to the poorest of the poor following criticism from lawmakers.

P23.4 billion for the rice subsidy program for 4Ps beneficiaries next year on top of the P49.4billion budget for the CCT for 2017.

The funds are lodged under the P130-billion proposed budget requested by the Department of Social Welfare and Development next year.

Several lawmakers had earlier proposed to remove the rice subsidies promised by President Rodrigo Duterte as an addition to the monthly stipend received

“There is an average of 1,500 pesos per month, and on top of that there are 20 kilos of rice per household that will be given by the government [under its conditional cash transfer program],” Taguiwalo said in an interview.

“This is to ensure that the beneficiaries will be able to send their children to school as long as they are enrolled within the 4Ps program.”

The Duterte administration has already earmarked an additional

Du30...

leashed a barrage of criticism of the US president, saying he would not be lectured about human rights over his crackdown on narcotics, which has seen police and shadowy assassins kill nearly 3,000 people.

The crackdown has seen Duterte’s domestic popularity soar but has prompted widespread international condemnation from the United Nations and human rights watchdogs, and the American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines said it was also damaging investor sentiment.

The “increased number of killings during the heightened anti-drug campaign is harming the country’s image... some investors are now asking whether this campaign reduces the rule of law,” it said in a statement Friday.

The US is the Philippines’ largest trading partner after China, and a key source of foreign direct investment.

The traditionally strong ties between the US and the Philippines have been “strained by language from Philippine leaders” which is also creating “investor concern,” the statement said.

Relations saw a spectacular setback this week when Duterte branded Obama a “son of a whore” after being told the US president planned to raise concerns about his war on drugs.

Obama later briefly met with Duterte on the sidelines of a regional summit in Laos, urging him to conduct his crime war “the right way.”

The high-profile spat “could harm the long-standing optimism of American business to invest in the Philippines,” the chamber of commerce added.

Indonesia on Friday asked the Philippines to transfer its unused hajj-quota to Indonesia, a source re-

vealed.

In an interview, an Indonesian source privy to the meeting said that President Joko Widodo has asked Duterte to transfer the country’s unused hajj quota to avoid its nationals from using illegal foreign passports.

Two weeks ago, 117 Indonesian nationals who were bound for Medina, Saudi Arabia, were arrested by the immigration authorities at the Naia for carrying authentic Philippine passports.

They were apprehended when authorities discovered that they could not speak Filipino.

They were allegedly attending the pilgrimage but failed to acquire a hajj passport as Indonesia had used up its quota.

The Indonesians who were arrested last week allegedly paid $6,000 to $10,000 each to join the pilgrimage under a quota the Saudi government reserves for Filipino pilgrims.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr., said the passports were issued at the DFA’s Aseana Office in Metro Manila and based on the certification from NCMF. He said he suspects an erring DFA staff could have been a contact for the Indonesians.

In the wake of the scandal, Yasay suspended the issuance of hajj passports.

Duterte on Friday said the expletives he uttered were not directed at Obama.

“You can review the tapes,” he told Filipinos in Indonesia.

Duterte blurted out the invectives during his pre-departure press conference in Davao City on Monday when asked how he intends to respond if Obama brings up human rights and extrajudicial killings in their scheduled one-on-one meeting.

Sandy Araneta, Sara Susanne D. Fabunan, AFP

2 solons...

Ponferrada, Herrera and Miranda, however, gave Espino 15 days to file a plea.

Earlier, Espino filed an opposition challenging the Sandiganbayan’s suspension order.

He said only the House of Representatives can suspend him, and that his suspension was “in violation of the wishes of general public” as it “will deprive his constituents of their voice in Congress.”

Espino ran in the May 9 congressional race and won a seat.

In 2011, the former governor authorized the issuance of permits to Xypher Builders Inc. and Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures Inc. to conduct black sand mining in Lingayen Gulf.

Based on court records, the two firms were not registered with the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board and did not have a clearance from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Espino was tagged as a narco-politician in the drug matrix of Presi-

dent Rodrigo Duterte.

He met with Duterte, denied any drug involvement and even vowed to support the President’s anti-war drive.

Alvarez said Friday the House would study Espino’s case thoroughly and come up with a collective decision as to whether to implement the anti-graft court’s decision.

Alvarez said he would likely refer the Sandiganbayan order to the House committee on rules.

Majority Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas, chairman of the committee on rules, said his panel would include the anti-graft court’s ruling in its business of the day for members of the House to decide in plenary.

Villafuerte, the son of former Camarines Sur governor Luis Villafuerte, was charged with graft for the procurement of fuel products amounting to P20 million, which was awarded to Jeffrey Lo, owner of the Naga Fuel Express ZonePetron Naga Fuel Express without a bidding when he was then the governor.

Conduct has been dealt with by the Asean region,” Andanar said.

Andanar said Duterte also called on his fellow leaders to “be on the side of peace.”

“International disputes should inspire us to work together with adherence to the rule of law and international governing bodies; put words into actions and be on the side of peace,” he quoted Duterte as saying during the meeting.

Andanar said Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was “stoically listening” when Duterte delivered the statement.

Leaders who attended the AseanChina meeting agreed that the South China Sea row should not define the relationship between the regional bloc and the emerging superpower.

“Relations are broader than any singular issue in terms of China and the Asean and China’s success is important to Asean and vice versa,” Andanar said.

The Philippines and China are locked in a territorial dispute over the South China Sea also called the West Philippine Sea, where more than $5 trillion in trade passes through every year.

China claims historic rights over about 90 percent of the area while Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei and Taiwan have overlapping claims.

In 2013, the Philippines, under President Benigno Aquino III, questioned the legality of China’s sweeping territorial claim, calling it “exaggerated” and “excessive.”

A Hague-based arbitral tribunal

ruled in favor of the Philippines last July and declared that China’s ninedash line claim in the South China Sea has no legal basis.

China has refused to honor the decision, calling it “illegal since Day One.” Duterte has expressed readiness to hold bilateral talks with China to settle the dispute.

He has also asked former President Fidel Ramos to hold backchannel talks with Chinese representatives.

Despite the conciliatory talk, a Chinese coast guard vessel blocked four Filipino fishing boats from entering the Panatag Shoal, GMA News reported Friday.

The Chinese not only blocked the boats, but also cut their anchors, GMA News said.

It added that the Chinese coast guard allegedly threatened one group of fishermen and bore a hole on the boat.

Residents of Palawan confirmed the increased presence of Chinese vessels around the shoal.

On Thursday, China denied that there was an increasing presence of Chinese vessels in the contested Scarborough Shoal.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying slammed individuals who he said were spreading incorrect reports that may increase tension to the region.

“I can tell you that there has not been any change to the Huangyan Island situation. China has also not taken new actions,” Hua said.

From A1 He insisted his remarks were not directed at Obama but at the US State Department, which has raised concerns over potential human rights violations in Duterte’s anti-crime campaign which has left almost 3,000 dead in just over two months.

“I got really angry about these threats over this human rights issue.

This is the fault of the crazy people in the State Department,” he said.

Duterte said he had clarified his comments to Obama when they met.

Duterte has become famous for his profane outbursts, and has branded Pope Francis and the US ambassador to Manila “sons of whores.”

The United Nations has also spoken out against his crime crackdown and on Friday Duterte added UN chief Ban, who spoke at the Asian summit, to the list of those he has insulted.

“I told myself, you’re just one more fool,” Duterte said of Ban. “I will continue the campaign against the criminals. I do not have any pity for them,” he added.

“I don’t give a shit. I am the president of the Philippines, not the republic of the international community.”

Duterte was elected to office in a landslide this year after pledging to kill 100,000 people in an unprecedented war on crime. But his brutal crackdown has sparked a wave of international condemnation.

American investors in the Philippines on Friday warned that Duterte’s brutal drugs war and foulmouthed tirades could hit foreign investment.

Obama canceled a meeting with Duterte after the firebrand leader un-

From A1 The anti-graft court’s Sixth Division, in a resolution written by Associate Justice Rodolfo Ponferrada, said Espino will face trial for the issuance of permits to Xypher Builders Inc. and Alexandra Mining and Oil Ventures Inc. to conduct soil remediation and mineral extraction in Barangay Sabangan in Lingayen for the exportation of P10.750 million worth of minerals to China when he was provincial governor.

Associate Justices Oscar Herrera and Karl Miranda concurred with the decision.

The resolution said the suspension was not a penalty because it was not imposed as a result of judicial proceedings, the court said.

“In fact if acquitted, the official concerned is entitled to reinstatement and to salaries and benefits which he failed to receive during suspension,” the resolution read.

The anti-graft court directed Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to enforce the 90-day suspension order.

China...

From A1 “I would like to thank China for being generous to us,” the President added.

Duterte then explained that he has yet to build a rehabilitation center because he is operating on a budget approved by the previous administration.

“The budget does not include treatment and rehabilitation for 3.7 million drug addicts,” Duterte also said.

The Philippines and China have expressed the need to craft a framework for a code of conduct for claimants in the South China Sea and to settle territorial disputes peacefully.

The overlapping maritime claims in the region was one of the topics discussed during the Asean-China meet held Wednesday in Vientiane, Laos attended by heads of state, including Duterte.

“China was vigorously asking to begin with the Code of Conduct as well as Singapore, and our president of the Philippines—President Duterte—also expressed his approval of having this framework of Code of Conduct initiated,” Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar said in a press briefing in Vientiane.

The trend to resolve differences will be good, there is now positive direction in our relations, and the (code of) conduct in the South China Sea should happen next year after the framework of the Code of

by the 4Ps beneficiaries, saying the additional grant could be used to send more children to school or for medical checkups.

Taguiwalo said her department was now formulating a mechanism to clean up the list of dole recipients with a nationwide evaluation coming up “to see who should be included and excluded” from the program.

Earlier, she allayed the fears of beneficiaries who had been identified to have improved their income that they would

continue to receive their regular cash grants.

Her department earlier found out that more than 1.3 million out of the 4.4 million 4Ps beneficiaries had transitioned to non-poor status.

The department will still have to validate this figure by meeting with the families. Further assessment will be undertaken to ensure that appropriate interventions will be developed to sustain their improved status.

John Paolo Bencito

‘Massacre...

which the Philippines was acquired for $20 million, but the Filipinos refused the takeout and waged a war.

On July 4, 1902, US President Theodore Roosevelt declared the war over after subjugating the insurrectionist Filipino forces, and in his own proclamation said, “except in the country inhabited by the Moro tribes, to which this proclamation does not apply.”

The Moro Province was created in 1903, comprising the southern Mindanao and the Sulu islands.

Unlike the other provinces, the Moro Province was to be staffed by US Army officers, simply because Washington believed the Moro Province was backward and needed to be civilized and educated on democracy.

The Americans capitalized on the tribal divisions of the Moro Province and subdued them that way.

Except those in Jolo. Despite three years of persuasion by Woods, the leader of the Jolo tribes refused to recognize the US as the ruler of the country.

In 1906, hearing words that the Americans were going to invade, the Jolo people fled to the 15-hectare wooded crater of Bud Dajo, an extinct volcano, believing that the spirits of the volcano would protect them.

The “victory” earlier celebrated in the US was immediately tainted with shame after the US Congress realized there were women and children among the dead.

From A1 “Who is he [Obama]? At the turn of the century, before the Americans left the Philippines, there were 600 Moros who died. If you (sic) can answer this question and apologize, I will answer him [the US President],” Duterte said.

Duterte was referring to the Battle of Bud Dajo in 1906, when US Commander Woods ordered his officers to gather 800 of his men from the 6th and 19th Infantry, the 4th Cavalry, the 28th Artillery Battery, the Sulu Constabulary, and sailors from the gunboat Pampanga led by Col. Duncan to proceed to Jolo.

According to Duterte, the Americans were armed with mountain guns, rifles, bayonets, fast-firing pistols and grenades while the Moros, who sought refuge in Bud Dajo, were armed with just kris, baromngs and spears.

The Moros were ruthlessly wiped out.

And then Duterte, his usual defiant self, said “The Philippines is not a vassal state, we have long ceased to be a colony of the US...I do not respond to anybody but to the people of the Republic of the Philippines.

“Who is he (Obama) to confront me. As a matter of fact, America has one too many to answer for the misdeeds in this country.”

It was in 1898 when Washington signed a treaty with Madrid, under

OPLAN SITA. Members of the Quezon City Police District’s Task

Force Oplan Sita conduct a random checkpoint at the University of the Philippines in Quezon City as part of the police’s nationwide full alert following the Davao City bombing that killed 15 people and injured 70.

Manny Palmero

Rody...

From A1 Duterte called his rival as an “immoral woman” and an “adulterer,” adding that Dayan collected drug money for the former Justice secretary from drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison.

De Lima had since repeatedly denied having a sex video tape, adding that the President is trying to manufacture evidence against her.

Meanwhile, failed senatorial candidate Francis Tolentino asked the Senate Electoral Tribunal to nullify the “fraudulent and sham” proclamation of De Lima.

De Lima ran under the ticket of the then ruling Liberal Party of former President Benigno Aquino III while Tolentino ran as independent candidate allied with Duterte.

De Lima obtained 14,144,070 over Tolentino’s 12,811,098 or a difference of 1,332,972.

No prelude...

From A1 writ of habeas corpus in light of the recently declared State of National Emergency,” Sanlakas secretary general Aaron Pedrosa said in a statement.

“Senator Dick Gordon is set to file a Senate resolution granting the President said emergency power.”

Perdosa said the President may suspend the writ of habeas corpus only when public safety required it.

Reps. Harry Roque, Carlos Zarate and Edcel Lagman also criticized Gordon’s proposal.

“It is patently unconstitutional.

Section 18, Article VII of the 1987 Constitution states that the privilege of writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended by the President by

In a 60-page amended election protest, Tolentino asked the SET to compel the Comelec to open the Automated Election System (AES) to forensic audit and investigation to determine the nature, extent, effect and consequences of the unauthorized manipulation made by Smartmatic’s Marlon Garcia and to order the Comelec to institute adequate measures to correct such unauthorized access to, and interference with the AES. Senate President Pro Tempore Franklin Drilon said they already had a briefing on the amended election protest filed by Tolentino, former chairman of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

They had agreed to come out with the decision before the end of the present Congress.

Drilon could not say if they would accept the protest and hear the complaint, saying procedural aspects, including payment of fees, needed to be ironed out. reason of invasion or rebellion, and subject to legal and judicial challenge on legal and factual basis,” Roque said.

“The writ of habeas corpus has been, and still remains, the best guarantee of the right to liberty.”

Roque said “suspending the writ of habeas corpus and revoking civil liberties is a slippery and dangerous path to Martial Law.” Zarate said the proposed suspension of the writ of habeas corpus was unwarranted as it might lead to more human rights violations.

“As it is, some concerns on the guidelines of Presidential Proclamation 55 on warrantless arrests are already being raised and should be clarified by Malacañang,” Zarate said. Maricel V. Cruz and Sandy Araneta

‘Ber’ season prompts smuggle alert THE Customs bureau has raised the alarm against illegal shipments with the onset of “ber” months leading to the holiday season.

Just last week, Customs-Enforcement Group deputy commissioner Arnel Alcaraz issued 50 alert orders on various shipments that arrived at the Manila International Container Port.

Three of the containers were declared as “foodstuff and potato crisp” by Lusitano Inc., with business address of 1379 San Gregorio Street in Paco, Manila, Customs official said.

Marlon Alameda, acting director of the Enforcement and Security Service (ESS) in MICP, requested the alert for Lusitano’s shipment on possible “violation of Section 2503 in relation to Section 2530 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP).”

They said the three containers entered the MICP from the United States last August 22, but these were placed under alert the next day.

On the same week, other alerted shipments involved those consigned to Goldsmith Trading, which contained 1095 PK Fabric Woven Fabric and assorted men’s and ladies’ cotton shirts. These arrived on August 25 from China.

The EG had also put on hold the release of the shipment of Trikris Enterprises. This was loaded with rubber shoes for adult and kids, 270 CT shirt dress pants, slippers, and sling bags, among others.

Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon has formed a ‘‘special committee’’ which will report directly to him in a bid to curtail smuggling.

Under Customs Special Order (CSO) 44-2016, the Special Studies and Project Development Committee (SSPDC), shall conduct “special project missions as may be directed by the commissioner.”

Based on the document, the SSPDC shall be composed of a commander, a deputy for operations in charge of supervising a “Rapid Deployment Force” and several teams covering the National Capital Region and the areas of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

While the SSPDC is to coordinate with other government agencies, it also has the authority over the enforcement of laws covering other unlawful acts such as those related to “immigration and movement of citizens, human trafficking, fugitives on international travel, control of human diseases, quarantine of animals, illegal drugs, hazardous materials, weapons and endangered species.”

To ensure public safety, the bureau also doubled its alert against anti-social goods such as firecrackers, substandard Christmas lights and other electronic decorations.

Joel Zurbano

6 get...

From A1 The shabu was seized during a raid conducted by the police on a house in Subic, Zambales, on Aug. 11, 2013.

The raid came after five months of surveillance, authorities said.

The shabu was contained in 22 gym bags and balikbayan boxes, and it took the police 18 hours to finish hauling the drugs to the police station.

Rey E. Requejo, Francisco Tuyay and Sandy Araneta

Cops...

From A1 Albayalde ordered all police units to help the military secure the cities and provinces.

He said the deployment of security personnel in schools and universities was a response to the request of the Education Department to help secure Metro Manila.

He ordered his men to coordinate with school authorities and to deploy bus marshalls.

“The police are on top of the situation,” Albayalde said.

“However, we request that any information, any observation must be reported immediately to the nearest police stations so that we can respond correctly and appropriately.” Joel E. Zurbano and F. Pearl A. Gajunera

News

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Palayan mayor denies farmers’ charges

By Rio N. Araneta and Sandy Araneta PALAYAN City Mayor Adrianne Mae Cuevas denied on Friday involvement in the killing last week of four farmers in Nueva Ecija as Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano ordered an investigation into the series of farmer killings in Nueva Ecija and Isabela over the past few days.

But Cuevas, through her counsel Poblador Bautista & Reyes Law Office, denied involvement in the incident as claimed by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

In a letter to the Manila Standard, the law firm said the statements of KMP official Joseph Canlas, of the KMP are “false and defamatory” and cannot even suggest that the mayor was involved in the killing of four farmers inside Fort Magsaysay, “None of these statements against our client is true. Our client is not a landgrabber, and has no involvement, directly or indirectly, in the killings,” the law firm said.

“In fact, there is nothing in the statements of Mr. Canlas which would serve as basis to implicate her in said crimes,” said the lawyers, lamenting the serious and irreparable injury to their client’s reputation.

The Manila Standard tried to contact Mayor Cuevas on Friday, using the number published on the city government’s website bit the mayor could not be reached through those numbers.

Meanwhile, Mariano on Friday ordered personnel of the Department of Agrarian Reform to probe the farmers’ deaths in Laur, Nueva Ecija on Sept. 3 and Isabela on Sept. 7 and bring to justice the perpetrators of the crime.

He tasked Undersecretary for Legal Affairs Office Luis Meinrado Pangulayan to lead the fact-finding team that would look into the two separate incidents.

Pangulayan will be assisted

by LAO Assistant Secretay Elmer Distor, along with the regional director of the concerned regions, provincial agrarian reform program officers and chief legal division officials, and a farmer-representative from a recognized farmers’ organization as well as a representative from Mariano’s office.

DEMOLITION BLUES. A demolition team member tries to prevent a female from taking an item seized from illegal vendors on Manila sidewalks on Friday. AFP

Sincerity of DoTr officials questioned

By Maricel V. Cruz

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PEAKER Pantaleon Alvarez slammed some officials of the Department of Transportation whom he accused of defending the interests of big corporations instead of the interests of the whole nation.

“I want to know whose interest you are serving in the Department of Transportation,” said Alvarez, who was himself a former secretary of transportation and communications. “It seems that large corporations put their people in areas of their core business in every administration.”

“And then when the administration of one president is over, they return to their mother corporations. That was done by [former] secretaries [Rene] Almendras, [Rogelio] Singson, [Joseph Emilio] Abaya and [Finance secretary Cesar] Purisima,” Alvarez said.

Alvarez reiterated that the

House leadership is bent on supporting the success of the Duterte administration, which is why he wants to make sure that everyone will work for the interest of the government.

“We will look at your budget’s integrity or whether the interests of your principals are involved. Let’s be frank and blunt about this,” Alvarez declared.

But DoTR Secretary Arthur Tugade assured Alvarez that he personally handpicked his team in the department and is confident of their expertise, integrity and the heart to really serve the public.

“I need them so I will be guided [properly],” Tugade said.

“But if I see conflict of interest, I will not wait for an investigation.

I will immediately ax them because I am here to serve the nation and our President,” Tugade said.

“I will not surround myself with people who have vested interests. If I see conflict of interest, I will not take that sitting down,” he stressed.

Although it may seem that little has been done to address the problems plaguing the department, Tugade assured congressmen that he is on top of everything and making sure that all legalities are considered.

He said his department will deliver on the promises made by Duterte, more so if they will be granted special powers to accelerate the implementation of their plans and programs.

Majority Floor Leader Rudy Fariñas reminded the DoTR officials of the significant relationship between the departments and the House of Representatives, as the one with the man-

date to exercise the power of the purse.

He said that, in the performance of its mandated functions, the department should put the interests of all Filipinos above everything else.

Meanwhile, Alvarez advised DoTr’s air transport sector Undersecretary Roberto Lim, who admitted that he has only visited Davao Airport in his 70 days in office, to personally visit all the 80 airports in the country to know the real situation on the ground.

Alvarez likewise reminded the department, through Undersecretary Annelie Lontoc, on the still unresolved issues of unissiued license plates, driver’s licenses and vehicle registration certificates.

“I am worried about that because the President always mentioned that during the campaign.

But it has been almost 100 days since he was elected and there are still no car plates, still no licenses and no OR/CR,” he added.

‘Brilliant,’ Yasay says of Asean trip

Water, power before internet

By John Paolo Bencito

SENATE Minority Leader Ralph Recto on Friday said the rush to bring internet connectivity to schools should not lead us to overlook the fact that one in four schools has no clean water and one in six schools are not connected to a power grid.

He stressed that the absence of these basic utilities in places where our children spend their day should be given the same attention as illegal drugs.

He said the Department of Education should now treat providing clean water and reliable power to schools priority expenditures and must be regu-

VIENTIANE—President Rodrigo Duterte’s first appearance in an international summit was “brilliant” despite criticisms of his “colorful” language and awkward moments on the world stage, according to Foreign Affairs Secretary Perfecto Yasay Jr. Yasay made the assessment in Jakarta after the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit at Vientiane, which landed him at the international headlines because of foul language he used before he left the Philippines earlier

this week.

“He was brilliant and superb, and on a scale of 1 to 10… I give him a high score of 8.5.” Yasay said, citing remarks of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Indonesian President Joko Widodo.

“They were impressed with his performance, what he said, his insights and diplomatic decorum, and his ability to understand what was happening around the world,” he added.

Duterte himself thought more than well of his first international appearance as the Philippines’ head of state.

JV blasts ‘political’ govt dole program ALTHOUGH poverty alleviation has been costly for the government, Senator JV Ejercito on Friday noted it has only produced few significant results that changed the lives of poor Filipino families because the programs did not benefit the real poor and were used for political purposes.

“Somehow this has to end and we have to come up with a good exit mechanism,” said Ejercito who recently filed Senate Resolution No. 123 urging an investigation of the government’s dole program.

The senator also noted anomalies in a Commission on Audit report, citing that some Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiaries’ accounts remained idle and had unwithdrawn funds.

During the coming Senate budget hearing of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Ejercito said he will raise other discrepancy issues in the agency like lack of proper monitoring of beneficiaries and unliquidated funds since 2010 amounting to billions of pesos. Macon Ramos- Araneta

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

larly included in its annual budget.

“Water pipes and power lines are as important as broadband cables,” Recto said. “In fact, electricity is a predicate of ICT-aided education.”

The senator said water and power should now be included in “the scoreboard of school facilities” delivered, together with “traditional items” like books and classrooms.

“Erasing the backlog in water and power is the new frontier in education challenges,” he said.

Recto said “zero-water” schools number 3,628 out of 46,739 nationwide, according to a presentation by the Department of Education last March.

WHAT, ME WORRY?

While the booths of illegal vendors were being demolished in another part of the city, an ambulant vendor pedals away with his fried pork rinds, locally called chicharon, on Roxas Blvd. in Manila. Lino Santos

IN BRIEF Poe hopeful extra powers to be okayed AMID the ongoing deliberations on the proposed P3.35-trillion national budget, Senator Grace Poe is confident the bill that seeks to give President Rodrigo Duterte emergency powers can hurdle the Senate before the Christmas break.

She said the Senate is resolved to swiftly deliberate on the emergency powers being sought by President Rodrigo Duterte to address the massive transport crisis and provide immediate relief to the public.

“We are all affected by the problems on traffic and we want to put an end to this calvary,” said Poe. The senator said her committee is currently scrutinizing the Department of Transportation proposal, initially noting that projects in other urban areas, such as Cebu and Davao, should have formed part of the submission by the DOTr. Public hearing will resume on Sept. 22 with local government heads, transportation officials and stakeholders invited.

Among others, the proposal authorizes the President, for a duration of three years, to reorganize DoTr, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Civil Aeronautics Board, Metro Manila Development Authority, Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group and all other agencies in the transportation sector and rationalize their functions. Macon Araneta

Leyte flood structure completed THE Department of Public Works and Highways has completed the rehabilitation of a mega floodcontrol structure in Leyte which expected to boost agricultural productivity of farmers, especially this rainy season.

Randy del Rosario, DPWH chief information officer, said agricultural lands, particularly those from Baybay City, are now protected against flood damages, with the completion of the P134-million rehabilitation and improvement of Dungcaan River Basin Flood Control Structure.

Flood-mitigating measures composed of dredging activities and reconstruction of concrete wall were implemented for prevention of flood waters from entering the southern substream in Poblacion of Baybay.

Del Rosario said through the rehabilitation of Dungcaan River Basin, flooding will be mitigated and reduced in the area, hence, damages to fields, communities and infrastructure in the province during rainy days will be prevented.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

No rock stars

E

VERY day we lose a little more respect for the people who temper the statements of our intemperate President, who this week showed off his colorful verbal skills before the world stage.

We tell ourselves to get used to having a President who does not care about the repercussions of his words.

As early as the campaign, we had known that President Rodrigo Duterte was a maverick who says rightly or wrongly, exactly what is on his mind.

It is likely that his stark difference from his tactful predecessors was the reason for his 16-million-vote mandate in last May’s elections.

We resign ourselves to the fact that for the next six years, this “colorful” former mayor will chart our course as a nation and be our face before the international community.

We try not to cringe at how he seems oblivious to basic courtesies that make a statesman and a leader worthy of respect. Perhaps he is also still getting used to being a national figure.

But we deplore Mr. Duterte’s allies who deny what happened, put the statements “in the proper context,” and blame the media for asking the questions they are supposed to ask and reporting what in fact transpired.

For example, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano said the administration was the victim of the media’s imagination and that it was the international and

local press that created the excitement about whether Duterte would sit between US President Barack Obama and UN Secretary General Ban Kimoon at an Asean dinner.

It turned out it was the Palace itself that had distributed the press release about the seating arrangement.

Communications Secretary Martin Andanar later on clarified that the arrangements may still change.

Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, referring to the President’s cursing at Obama, said that Mr. Duterte was not attacking anyone by his words and was just emphasizing that a head of state should be given due respect.

Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol questioned the media’s

translation of the President’s curses and said the uproar over the “son of a whore” comment against Obama would not have happened had the media not blown it up.

The nation needs to talk about real challenges in the next few years, specifically economics and peace.

Millions of Filipinos are oblivious to this ado about words, and are waiting for the change that had been promised them.

These officials should not waste their time undoing the effects of Mr. Duterte’s words. They should instead advise him how to deliver his message.

He needs to be seen as a serious, sober national leader and global player— certainly not a rock star, a jester, or an unhinged thug.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Arguments for Marcos burial at Libingan (Part 1)

to get away from the negative effects of dirty and harmful energy.

Every fossil fuel plant we build today ties us to that fossil fuel plant for at least 40 years more with its attendant emissions, pollution, and expense. This delays our move away from expensive and pollution-causing fossil fuels.

As already said, nuclear energy is clean energy that emits nothing. It cannot harm people and our environment. If we are concerned with global warming and climate change, and we want to lower Carbon Dioxide (CO2), then we cannot be against nuclear power. It is the way to go because there simply is no other low/no carbon technology like nuclear.

9 BNPP is a valuable and high-quality asset. It is unwise and wasteful to keep it idle when it can benefit our country, our people. The BNPP was built by Westinghouse, a most reliable company that will not attach its name to something that is of questionable quality. Those concerned about the BNPP’s

TOMORROW, Sept. 11, 2016, marks the 99th birth anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Almost to the date, the Supreme Court ruled that the plan of President Rodolfo Duterte to have the remains of the late strongman buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani may not be carried out—for the month of September, at least. That temporary edict could not have come at a more unsettling time for the Marcos family. Two dates in September are important in the Marcos timeline, namely, September 11, and September 21, the day President Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 which placed the entire country under martial law.

It will be recalled that many weeks earlier, several antiMarcos personalities filed petitions in the Supreme Court for the purpose of stopping the Marcos burial at the Libingan.

As expected, stories of human rights abuses allegedly committed during the authoritarian regime were cited by the anti-Marcos petitioners and invoked as grounds for their proposition that Marcos is not a hero and, being so, he cannot be buried at the heroes cemetery.

Several non-lawyers brought along by the antiMarcos petitioners spoke in the Supreme Court about the crimes allegedly committed against them by the martial law regime. Why those particular witnesses were chosen to testify for the petitioners was not disclosed by the antiMarcos camp.

For their part, the Marcos family and supporters of the late strongman argued that there is no judicial pronouncement categorically convicting Marcos of the crimes attributed to him by the petitioners.

Marcos’ lawyers also stressed that the late president was a decorated soldier who saw action in Bataan in 1942 when the Japanese invaded the Philippines in the Pacific theatre of World War II. After Bataan fell to the Japanese, Marcos was among the many prisoners of war forced by

Turn to A5

Turn to A5

9 benefits of operating the BNPP POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO (Conclusion) THIS is the concluding piece on looking at the benefits of running the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant especially now that the administration’s Department of Energy has expressed some interest in nuclear power and in particular, the BNPP. As indicated last week, the bene™fits indicated here are from former Pangasinan Representative Mark Cojuangco who is recognized as among the, if not the foremost Filipino advocate of nuclear energy and the operationalization of the BNPP. For the longest time, people (including this writer) had very negative impressions of BNPP despite the absence of real effort to understand it minus political

rhetoric. This piece is an attempt to provide some balance in the discourse.

To recap last week’s article, the first five benefits according to Cojuangco are the following: 1 Operating the BNPP will allow us to save foreign exchange.

2 BNPP will result in cheap electricity.

3 It is strategically more secure because the physical volume of needed fuel every 18 months is quite small.

4 Nuclear energy is clean, and thus, good for the environment.

5 Nuclear energy saves lives.

Moreover, 6 Cheap electricity is a powerful anti-poverty agent. Our per capita KWh consumption is one of the lowest in the region. This defines us as poor. Electricity is an enabler if people are able to afford and use it for their benefit, including livelihood. If it is too expensive, electricity cannot be maximized by people. Let us make electricity cheap so people can benefit more, and make lives better from it. Since the BNPP

will make electricity significantly cheaper for those who will use it, expenses will be less, and there will be more electricity that can be used to enable them to earn.

Cheap electricity will make our country competitive because at present, electricity cost here is among the highest in the world.

Most of the M opposition can be traced to lack of knowledge.

It is a disincentive to possible investors resulting in opportunity loss for us.

7 Nuclear will address shortage of power supply. We are perennially under threat of power supply shortages. We see it manifested in Meralco’s announcements of variously colored alerts. This is

an abnormal situation unheard of in other countries. The shortage results in brownouts that have become “normal” in some parts of the country. Needless to say, brownouts wreak havoc on businesses, our primary source of jobs. Also, they cause major inconvenience in our personal lives. Such need not happen if we have given nuclear energy a chance to be used by our people.

Moreover, the National Economic and Development Authority says that the country will need to double our power supply capacity by 2030. To further complicate the problem, our current fleet is already old and unreliable. Soon they will need replacing. If we are not ready, power supply shortage will be a much bigger problem.

Using nuclear energy, as already shown by the experience of other countries, will result in abundant capacity with adequate reserves to roll us through crisis and emergencies.

8 Using nuclear power and operating the BNPP will enable us

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Philippine Press Institute The National Association of Philippine Newspapers

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ManilaStandard

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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Justice Leonen on democracy and stereotypes

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Freeing the genie I DO not claim to be a netizen, agenda for public discussion, and to know the language used and manipulate its outcome by what we consider nerds, but based on their pre-conceived certainly the advent of computer views, and often reflecting the technology has opened the gates interest of big business, and the to what we now call the social values promoted by the social media revolution. The social institutions commonly referred media are contrasted from the to as the establishment.

Even if the social media has mainstream media in the sense that they are made up of hoi polloi become so popular, many inseeking to express and participate sist on calling it an alternative in the discussion of issues that af- media. However, it is far differfect them through the magic of ent from the alternative media used by the student activists in online communications.

Online communication has the 60s where they attempted transformed democracy from to compete with the establishbeing abstract to alive. The in- ment media. Their efforts were teractive participation of peo- doomed to fail because of finanple in the discussion, which is cial constraints. Many of them, an important element of online though, have their own politicommunication, is what distin- cal inclinations to differentiate guishes social media from the them from the establishment mainstream or establishment media. Their rejection of almost media. Wikipedia defines “so- anything that represents the escial media” as the collection of tablishment has become their online communication channels trademark.

Moreover, unlike the early dedicated to community-based input, interaction, content-shar- activists who argued much in ing and collaboration. Websites rejecting the institution, the disand applications dedicated to ciples of social media seek to forums, microblogging, social identify their views with people networking, social bookmark- who share, but not necessarily ing, social curation, and wikis adhere to their ideology, to a are among the different types of given issue. Among themselves, they have a broad range of difsocial media.

On other hand, Wikipedia re- ferences. Each articulates on a fers to “online communications” particular issue, but they easily to the ways in which individuals coagulate on issues to which they happen to can communisubscribe. cate with each The advent other over a of online comcomputer netmunication work, such as People changed all the internet. that. The tradiThese include: participate in tional or estabchat rooms; lishment mee-mail; fill- online discussions dia was badly ing out online no matter affected that it forms; forums; had to change instant mes- how illogical, its strategy to saging; post- irrelevant, nasty maintain its ing comments monopoly in on websites, and nonsensical the disseminasuch as blogs; tion of inforsocial network- they sound. mation. Some ing sites; and attempted to VoIP. Among put up their the prominent examples of online social media own online social media outfit are Facebook, Twitter, Google, but that proved futile. The soYouTube, Instagram, Wikipe- cial media, being the creation of dia, LinkedIn, Snapchat, Reddit, online communication, placed 8chan, 4chan, Voat, YikYak, etc. the mainstream media on the Although online communica- defensive in warding off the tion is taken as integral to social public who disagree with their media, the latter has its own newsfeed and canned editorials style, objective or advocacy that that are meant to sway public suits the interest of the internet opinion to favor them.

Online social media cannot user. It may range from personal exchange of information, which debate or argue against their has become a rich source of data subscribers to accept their preby spooks, for people who want conceived ideas of the order of to indulge in Hawkins-type dis- things without affecting their cussion about quantum physics, credibility. Disagreement often and to one we might say risqué results in a spectacle of scurriltopic like learning how misogy- ous and libelous debate among nist behave, why pedophiles are its online participants.

What bothers many is that attracted to children, child pornography, cultist religion, and an increasing number of people violence which is the favour- who have access to the internet ite of war freaks. Everybody are likely to patronize the sois free to participate including cial media not as their primary business freeloaders advertis- source of information but to anaing their products hoping to get lyze and participate in the disaway with the taxes through on- cussion of issues no matter how illogically, irrelevantly, nastily or line transactions.

Notably, the term mainstream nonsensically they might attempt media has reference to large to express themselves. Being an news organizations that control online form of communication, and own, not only the major it brings to life the meaning of newspapers but also broadcast freedom of communications. and television networks, and are Here, online social media saw able to broadcast nationwide, the convergence of freedom of and their broadsheets widely communication and democracy, circulated. Strictly speaking, and their blending now threatens the mainstream media amount or demolishes certain assumpto a monopoly in the dissemina- tions and values projected by the tion of information. The advent mainstream media.

It is completely democratic beof online communication forced the establishment media to cause the dissemination of inforchange its name to what we now mation and ideas is not a one-way call mainstream media to distin- traffic. The participants are free guish itself from the social me- to disagree, or if one runs out of dia as if to denigrate the latter as argument, he can simply switch confined to community-based to another online server or switch off his internet, and nobody can issues or a channel to chat.

According to Wikipedia, stop him. The other party can “this concentration of media equally delete or unfriend people ownership has raised concerns who are nasty, rude and uncouth, of a homogenization of view- but nobody cares because there points presented to news con- are millions out there waiting to sumers. Consequently, the term become a friend and eager to parmainstream media has been ticipate in the discussion.

Maybe the inventor of online widely used in conversation and the blogosphere, often in oppo- communication never anticipatsitional, pejorative, or dismiss- ed that he would open the genie ive senses.” They often set the that could overwhelm the main-

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA LAST Aug. 20, 2016, Justice Marvic Leonen delivered a remarkable commencement speech to the graduates of the Ateneo School of Government.

It would be a mistake to interpret Leonen speech as anti-Duterte.

In fact, it is a systematic reflection on democracy, on the universality of human rights, on the rejection of stereotypes (doing so kills people), on the ultimate significance of politics and the challenge to all of us to build a good society. If you cheer or like it because you think he is only talking about Duterte, then you have not learned and profited from such a wonderful text from a great thinker.

See for example these excerpts on democracy and on avoiding stereotypes as that causes enormous suffering and injustice.

According to Justice Leonen: “Authentic democracies are not solely equivalent to elections. Democracy, reduced to the elections, becomes a recipe for entertainment, with eventual disappointment as dessert. It is only during the electoral exercises that candidates attempt to resonate their views with the opinions of the masses. Often, these views are in terms too general to be of any use for concrete assessment of credibility and workability. General statements are passed on as profound political platforms. They grab our attention almost as much as the song-and-dance numbers performed on a political stage.

Leonen then points out how, during elections, citizens are reduced to become mere spectators: “We imbibe a culture of learned helplessness. We surrender our ability to do collective

Arguments...

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the enemy to join the infamous Bataan Death March. Inasmuch as Marcos was a war hero, the Marcos camp maintained, Marcos is entitled to be buried at the Libingan.

Be that as it may, the parties are expected to submit to the Supreme Court their respective written summations within the month. In the meantime, the planned burial remains enjoined.

A few observations have been made regarding the developments in this controversy.

It is most unusual that the supposed witnesses brought along by the anti-Marcos petitioners were allowed to testify before the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court itself has repeatedly asserted in numerous pronouncements that it is not a trier of facts, which means that testimonies from witnesses are received by trial courts, and on some occasions by the Court of Appeals, but not by the Supreme Court.

At any rate, under the rules governing court procedure, a witness who testifies in court

9 benefits...

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age need not worry because it has three identical sisters abroad that remain operational and award winners for uptime and efficiency. It is no longer credible to just say that BNPP is a lousy and defective plant. The evidence to the contrary is just overwhelming.

Those concerned about what happened in Fukushima should stream media and facilitate the rapid flow of information. The uncanny part about the information revolution is that both the mainstream and the social media are using the same medium.

Aside, from the necessity of having a computer as their vehicle, both use the same search engine to gather data, and use the same online communication as their

action after the elections. After the elections, we endow the winners in an electoral contest with undeserved entitlement. We create kings and queens rather than public servants. We succumb to the narrative that the votes cast in an election legitimize their every program even before these winners have articulated their plans and implemented them.

This should not be the case. Public officers who win elections are not our masters. They are our agents.”

On why we must avoid stereotypes in governance, politics and law, Justice Leonen begins by citing Antonio Gramsci, the Italian Marxist philosopher.

Recognized for developing and elaborating the concept of hegemony, proposed that certain individuals are “subalterns”.

As such, subalterns “are unable to participate in the creation of ideas that can dominate a particular culture because they are politically and culturally forced into the margins.”

Leonen then asserts: “Successfully caricaturing a group leads to their dehumanization.

Stereotyping another human being is itself an inhuman act.”

The Justice gives concrete examples from our history: “We are familiar with these stereotypes: those who belong to nonChristian tribes are uncivilized and have a low level of intelligence. Muslims are terrorists who believe in a religion without ethics, always the legitimate subject of privacy violations and law enforcement. Communists are godless and, therefore, legitimate targets of fundamentalist religious crusades. A sexually active woman is a slut who could be publicly shamed and shunned.

Drug pushers are dogs. Drug addicts are beyond redemption.”

Leonen comments further about drug pushers and addicts: “If drug pushers are dogs then they can be killed at the slight-

est provocation. If drug addicts are beyond redemption, then it is acceptable to segregate, marginalize, and shun them from society. Thus, they can be ferreted out through searches of homes and private spaces without warrants. If drug pushers are dogs and drug addicts are wasted homo sapiens, then those who coddle them are worse and, therefore, can be named and shamed without first assessing the testimony and the evidence of those who have provided their names in an impartial proceeding, which would afford them with the opportunity to be heard.”

Leonen warns that society unfortunately “will be blind to the fundamental human and constitutional rights of those who are dehumanized by stereotypes if those of us who can fail to critically assess these assertions.”

This should motivate us to be vocal against acts of government based on these false ideas.”

I agree with Justice Leonen: “We are complicit when we are not critical. We are part of the conspiracy of the powerful if we remain silent.”

Justice Leonen is right: “Stereotypes are dangerous. Stereotypes should be stopped.”

I agree with Justice Leonen: “Intolerance grows on fertile ground when the public ceases to be sensitive to the humanity of others. An intolerant society is breeding ground for violent secular fundamentalists. Death squads—for whatever cause— are valorized and protected rather than condemned and arrested.

Impunity legitimizes abuse.

Fear, not good governance, will become the foundation of our government.”

Like Justice Leonen, “I also believe that government should direct its efforts to understanding the complexity of addiction: not simply the effects of drugs on our bodies, but the effect of

marginalization, oppression, and poverty on the psyche of those who choose to be addicted.”

Justice Leonen is right, that: “to fully unleash the coercive, violent resources of the state without ensuring effective and efficient means to address the weaknesses of our law enforcement, prosecutorial, and judicial institutions is a recipe for disaster. Impunity for public officers at any level—from former Presidents, to prosecutors, to judges, to tax collectors, to police officers—will cause untold abuses when state violence is unleashed and encouraged.”

I agree with Justice Leonen: “Due process of law should be respected. The State cannot claim divine omniscience. Deliberate killing is a universal moral wrong. In our jurisdiction, it is a crime. One who deliberately takes the life of another without the required legitimate and legal provocation assumes an undeserved superiority over the victim. The perpetrator assumes that the acts of the victim define his or her whole humanity. Never mind the conditions under which he or she lived.

Never mind if, in the soul of the victim, there still exists the possibility for rehabilitation. Never mind if he or she is capable of atonement. Never mind his or her role and relations with family, friends, and community. To those who kill deliberately, the grief of others is irrelevant. One who kills deliberately judges with irreversible finality. It is without appeal. It is the exercise of unsanctioned absolute power.

It is my conviction that a policy of deliberately taking human lives—no matter what the justification—is not sanctioned by our laws.”

Justice Leonen is absolutely right: “Murder is murder.”

must be subjected to cross examination by the opposing party, Unless the cross examination is waived by the opposing party, the testimony of a witness who is not subjected to cross examination is considered hearsay and treated as inexistent. The witnesses relied upon by the anti-Marcos petitioners were not subjected to cross examination. What weight the Supreme Court will give to their testimonies without the requisite cross examination is anybody’s guess.

Likewise, the rules provide that a testimony must be reduced to a judicial affidavit, and properly served on the adverse party. It is not clear if that rule was followed in the proceedings.

The anti-Marcos petitioners want the Supreme Court to decide if Marcos is deserving of a hero’s burial. That being said, the question must be asked— Does the Supreme Court have the constitutional power to decide who is deserving to be called a hero in the first place?

Marcos was a military veteran who saw action in World War II, and he received at least one medal for valor in that bloody

war. Can alleged abuses during the martial law dispensation erase the fact that Marcos was a World War II veteran?

For that matter, can heroism be quantified in the first place? If heroism cannot be quantified, the Supreme Court may have a tough time deciding when one is and is not deserving of a hero’s burial.

From all indications, therefore, the issue about the Marcos burial is a political one, and one attended with military considerations inasmuch as Marcos was a war veteran. Being so, that issue ought to be left to the sound judgment and discretion of the President, as commanderin-chief of the military establishment.

Considering that President Duterte has already decided to allow the burial at the Libingan, perhaps the only ostensible issue for the Supreme Court to resolve is whether or not President Duterte committed a grave abuse of discretion in allowing the burial. Inevitably, therefore, it must be established that President Duterte committed such grave abuse of discretion before the judiciary may step in and disallow the exercise of the ex-

clusive presidential prerogative to decide who gets buried at the heroes cemetery.

Grave abuse of discretion is characterized as a whimsical, capricious and arbitrary exercise of a prerogative. Accordingly, the applicable standard is not whether President Duterte acted correctly, but whether he acted arbitrarily, in allowing the remains of the late strongman to be buried at the Libingan.

When he was campaigning for the presidency earlier this year, President Duterte said that the country must move on from its political past, and that progress cannot be realized if the nation remains politically divided. Towards this end, Duterte told the voters that if he wins in the May 2016 polls, he will allow Marcos to be buried at the Libingan. Duterte won by an overwhelming, unprecedented mandate from the electorate.

By allowing the burial, President Duterte kept his campaign promise to the sovereign Filipino people who elected him. How then can his decision allowing President Marcos to be buried at the Libingan be tainted with grave abuse of discretion?

(To be continued)

know that the BNPP is extremely safe. It is at twice the seismic design basis compared with Fukushima. Moreover, BNPP’s location is three times the elevation of Fukushima. This means that a tsunami, unlike what happened in Japan, would not even wet the BNPP. Fukushima survived the intensity 9 earthquake well and it was built with only a 0.18G seismic design basis. BNPP’s 0.40 design basis which is more than twice as strong will easily survive a 9 quake and most

probably, a much stronger one.

These benefits that the BNPP could bring our people should at the very least make us study the option sans politics.

According to former Rep. Cojuangco, he looks at the BNPP with hope that this administration will judge it on its merits and potential, rather than on some obscure ideology and false sense of pride. “It is the only way through the nuclear door that is implementable within the single term of any president. It

holds the promise of a shift in paradigm for our economy and people, where ‘kuryente’ abundance, utility and affordability is the norm. Let us build an ever larger nuclear fleet for our energy future to help end poverty, enable our prosperity, and enhance the quality of our health and life. It all starts with BNPP,” Cojuangco ended.

a bloc with political, ideological, or religious beliefs, they easily unite on certain issues often opposed by the mainstream media.

Many of those sentiments reflect the inequities in our society and contempt for the elitist system.

Online communications tore down the wall that once prevented outsiders from participating. As participants to online social me-

dia, they are numerically superior, and their contrasting views have greatly eroded the credibility of poll surveys, which have been used as tools by the mainstream media to assert as true its stand on issues, and prediction of candidates of their choice.

arena to fight for their ideas, beliefs and principles.

At first, the debate in the social media was something of a fracas because every participant has his own idea and information to peddle in the so-called “free market of ideas.” Slowly, they are now seeking to form their group to find solace in being heard as a voice.

Even if they are not identified as

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

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IN BRIEF Davao safety agency links with Interpol DAVAO CITY—The Public Safety and Security Command Center in the city has established a partnership with Interpol over the agency’s agenda to beef up security measures in the city.

PSSCC chief, retired general Benito de Leon said one of the items in his agenda when he assumed the office last Monday is to intensify intelligence monitoring in the city through their recent partnership with Interpol.

“We are using other means (to gather intelligence) particularly through the Interpol databases and the fusion of all the intelligence network in the city and outside the city,” De Leon said.

He said that Davao City is the first local government unit to partner with Interpol in the entire country and that will allow the PSSCC to access the agency’s database to better monitor any international threats entering the city.

De Leon, however, was quick to clarify that the partnership with Interpol is not because they are monitoring international terrorist groups that caused the recent Roxas night market bombing that claimed the lives of 15 individuals and injured 70 others.

MMDA retrains workers in fast calamity response

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

ETRO Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos has ordered the 7,000 employees of the agency to undergo a refresher course to address a possible calamity in the National Capital Region where nearly 13 million of the country’s 102 million people live.

Orbos ordered all units of the agency on Friday to retrain all personnel to become first responders in time of emergencies and calamities, saying “as part of the MMDA, all of us should be

first responders and know how to deal with emergency situations and incidents.”

In a meeting with the employees, Orbos said he has instructed the heads of MMDA’s Public

Safety and Road Emergency Group (REG) to come up with a training module for the refresher course.

REG chief Edward Gonzales said the first part of the module can be basic life support and fire response drill.

The MMDA has an existing memorandum of agreement with private emergency response group, the Binondo-based TxtFire, which the agency could tap for the retraining, Gonzales said.

He said the retraining of the MMDA personnel should be done in groups, with the first batch numbering around 50 to

100 persons.

Gonzales said the retraining should strengthen the knowledge and skills already acquired by the personnel during the initial training.

The second part of the module will discuss and retrain employees on Earthquake, Landslide Search and Rescue Operations (ELSARO) course, first administered to MMDA personnel in 2012.

In 2004, the Japan International Cooperation Agency conducted a study in close coordination with the MMDA and Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Customs revenue targets lowered

Funny Pearl Gajunera

PAL system breaks down THE Philippine Airlines checkin system at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport-Terminal 2 went down Friday afternoon prompting its management to manually check-in passengers.

This was disclosed by Manila International Airport AuthorityPublic Affairs Department chief Connie Bungag. She said at press time, airport maintenance and technical personnel are fixing the glitch.

PAL spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna apologized for the inconvenience encountered departing passengers caused by the problem.

In a statement, Villaluna said PAL check-in system in International Wing of Naia Terminal 2 experienced a technical glitch beginning 4:50 p.m.

“PAL is now carrying out manual check in procedures as it assures passengers that is has coordinated with concerned service provider and entitles to resolve the problem soonest. We apologize for the inconvenience caused by this technical issue,” she said. Joel E. Zurbano

Shape up, PPA tells workers PHILIPPINE Ports Authority general manager Jay Daniel Santiago has directed all PPA employees to strictly observe and follow the government’s anticorruption campaign in light of the video showing one of its personnel caught allegedly accepting grease money.

The female PPA employee involved in the alleged anomalous transaction has since been relieved from her post and now under investigation.

In a statement, Santiago stressed that strict adherence to government ethical standards is the only way to prevent similar cases from happening again.

On Wednesday, Customs Commissioner Nicanor Faeldon showed to the media a video footage of the PPA employee allegedly receiving money from “importers/brokers transacting and processing papers to avail [themselves] of gate passes.”

Closed-circuit television cameras were strategically installed at the Customs and PPA offices as part of the government’s efforts to promote transparency and curb corruption.

“Based on our initial investigation, our employee caught on CCTV deviated from the prescribed transaction procedures, the very reason why she’s in this mess right now,” Santiago said.

He added: “Procedures and guidelines are put in place specifically to prevent this kind of scenarios, that is why I am directing all PPA personnel not to deviate from any of our procedures to avoid similar instances from happening again. Joel Zurbano

Based on the study, the cities identified as vulnerable sites in case a Big One—a reference to a major earthquake—strikes were Manila, Quezon City and Pasig.

The MMDA initiated the conduct of a metro-wide shake drill in Metro Manila last year after the Phivolcs came up with a warning of a massive temblor if the Valley Fault System moves.

The system comprises the 10-kilometer East Valley Fault in Rizal, and the 100-kilometer West Valley Fault, which passes through six Metro Manila cities and parts of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

BUSTED. Quezon City police chief Senior Supt. Guillermo Eleazar announced on Friday the arrest of three supposedly big-time drug pushers, identified as Philip Mendoza Salonga, Edward Nelson Jose and Nathaniel Adrian Cruz, who were allegedly in possession of the designer drug ecstasy and marijuana during their arrest. Manny Palmero

‘State of emergency not martial law’ PDP-Laban Policy Study Group Head Jose Antonio Goitia said President Rodrigo Duterte’s proclamation of a state of national emergency is loud and clear because its objective is to protect the people from future attacks and to bring the perpetrators to justice.

According to Goitia, the cowardly and terrorist attack of defenseless civilians in Davao City last Friday necessitates a swift and firm action from the President as the commander in chief of the armed forces.

“The proclamation merely asserts President Duterte’s full command of the security forces, both the military and the police, to suppress violent threats in Mindanao and prevent its escalation and spread

in other parts of the country,” said Goitia, who is also the head of PDP-Laban Membership Committee National Capital Region Council.

“However, the proclamation clearly stated that the proclamation is to be exercised with due regard to civil and political liberties.”

He stated that as a lawyer and former prosecutor, Duterte knows the bounds of his duty and power and he means to exercise it responsibly with public safety as priority and even law experts have opined that there is nothing unconstitutional in the declaration.

Goitia reminded that the Arroyo and Estrada administrations also used their power over the military and deployed them to secure public safety

after terrorist attacks in 2000 and 2003. But unlike Arroyo, Duterte exercised prudence by not curtailing any civil and political liberties in carrying out his duty as commander in chief in the face of terrorist threats.

As a man of law, he knows that the 1987 Constitution, as reaction to the authoritarian regime that preceded its creation, has enough safeguards against the declaration of Martial Law. “Those who are raising the Martial Law bogey are either ignorant of these safeguards or falling for the fear-mongering trap of the terrorist themselves,” Goitia said. “Martial Law alarmist are sowing more confusion and are more concerned with lambasting the President. Instead of supporting actions to prevent further

attacks and bringing the perpetrators to justice, they are distracting the administration in its performance of its duty to secure the public and hunt down the terrorists.”

“Discrediting President Duterte and his administration in the face of terrorist threat is not only insensitive and opportunistic, it is also indirectly tantamount to abetting the goal of the terrorists to sow fear and terror and create divisiveness among the people,” added Goitia. “I will not be surprised if anti-Duterte forces will further stoke the fires hysteria to bring down the President as he persevere to crush the threat of violence and criminality. Amidst such threats, the people should all the more be vigilant.”

THE collection target of the Customs bureau this year has been lowered by P89 billion, from from P498.67 billion to P409 billion, according to the agency’s public information office.

The revision of the collection goal came after some district collectors reportedly asked the Department of Finance and the Development Budget Coordination Committee to lower the target to make it doable and enable them to achieve the target.

The collectors said the DBCC, an interagency that sets the target of the Bureau of Internal Revenue and the BoC, should consider setting monthly revenue targets attainable by every collection district.

The recalculation followed continuous decline in oil prices and imports levels in recent months.

This new target is 17.6 percent lower than the original cash collection target of P488.7 billion, as indicated in the 2016 Budget Expenditures and Sources of Financing (BESF), originally set using the computation methodology of two-year actual average cash collections by type and source of tax of 2014 and 2015.

The recomputed cash collection target remains higher by 12.6 percent compared to the 2015 actual cash collection of P357.4 billion.

With the bureau’s actual first six months collection reaching P190.6 billion, the remaining amount to be collected for this year to reach the new target is P218.4 billion.

Given this revision, the total target for the year to be reached by each of the 17 ports are: Port of San Fernando (P2.1 billion); Port of Manila (P66.9 billion); Manila International Container Port (P121.3 billion); Ninoy Aquino International Airport (P36.1 billion); Batangas (P92.3 billion); Legaspi (P201 million); Iloilo (P2.1 billion); Cebu (P17.2 billion); Tacloban (P164.3 million); Surigao (P10.4 billion); Cagayan de Oro (P9.8 billion); Zamboanga (P186 million); Davao (P11.3 billion); Subic (P15.1 billion); Clark (P1.4 billion); Aparri (P242.8 million) and Limay (P26.2 billion).

For the first half of the year, the bureau collected only P190.27 billion out of its P238.32-billion target, for a P48.05-billion shortfall.

Customs officials said several factors accounted for the shortfall, which included the international trade, peso fluctuation, and leakages from smuggling and corruption.

With the revised collection goal, district collectors are hopeful in meeting the assigned target. Joel E. Zurbano

Court reinstates BI official transferred to DoJ freezer THE Court of Appeals has sustained the reinstatement of the head of the Bureau of Immigration’s Intelligence Division who was transferred by then Justice Secretary and now Senator Leila de Lima to a division in the Department of Justice five years ago.

In a 10-page decision, the CA’s First Division, through Associate Justice Romeo Barza, dismissed the petition for review of the BI and upheld the decision of the Civil Service Commission declaring as “not in order” the 2011 directives issued by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, removing Atty. Faizal Hussin as chief of the bureau’s Intelligence Division.

The appellate court directed the Secretary of Justice to restore Hussin to his original position until the

case reaches finality.

The case arose when on March 3, 2011, De Lima designated lawyer Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang as acting chief of the BI’s Intelligence Division and Bernard Cruzata II as technical assistant to the acting chief of the same division.

At the same time, De Lima also designated Hussin as officer-in-charge of Certification Division in the Department of Justice.

This prompted Hussin to question De Lima’s department order transferring him as OIC of DOJ’s Certification Division.

Acting on Hussin’s appeal, CSC found De Lima’s DOs as “not in order” even as it directed then DOJ chief to restore Hussin to his original

position until final resolution of his appeal.

In its ruling, the appellate court also admonished former Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison for not complying with the CSC’s order.

“Clearly, Commissioner Mison is deliberately openly ignoring the clear directive of the CSC with his refusal to abide by the CSC’s decision to restore Hussin to the subject position,” the CA ruled.

“Disobedience of or resistance to a lawful writ, process, order, judgment, or command of a court, or injunction granted by a court or judge, constitute indirect contempt,” it said.

Associate Justices Andres Reyes Jr. and Agnes ReyesCarpio concurred with the ruling. Rey Requejo

SMART ENERGY. The Biomass Energy panel during EnergySmart conference held last August 31-September 2. The panel was moderated by Gerard Ostheimer (left) with the participation of Alberto Dalusung III, president of the Biomass Renewable Energy Association; Senator Juan Miguel ‘Migz’ Zubiri, current chairman of the Senate trade, commerce and entrepreneurship; lawyer Job Ambrosio, director of the Ethanol Producers Association of the Philippines; and Rafael Diaz, director of the Asian Institute of Petroleum Studies.

Sports

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

It’s Pliskova-Kerber in finals; Serena crashes

Boxer Manny Pacquiao speaks at a press conference with Jessie Vargas in Beverly Hills, California, announcing their November 5th fight .AFP

Enriquez is double winner in net meet MULTI-TITLED Sydney Ezra Enriquez from Salug, Zamboanga del Norte emerged as the sole double winner at the recent Cebuana Lhuillier Age Group Tennis Champioship Series leg in Pulacan, Zamboanga del Sur as she ruled both the 16-under and 18-under titles, besting different opponents in the finals.

Enriquez took care of 14-under champion Ella Ramirez from Oroquieta City, 8-5, in the finals of the 16-under, but had a more difficult time in the 18-under championship match against local bet Dhiana Matarul before prevailing, 8-5, for her second crown in the tournament that lured 132 entries from the region.

Tubod, Lanao del Norte also made its presence felt in the tournament backed by Dunlop Sports, with Dunlop as official ball, as its young tennis players won four age groups, led by 18-under champion John Renest Sonsona, who posted an easy 8-1 victory over Amando Magallanes from Ipil, Zamboanga del Sur. Other Tubod bets, who emerged winners were all familiar names, Brent Sigmond Cortes in the 12-under as he bested Oroquieta’s Nash Agustines, 8-0, in the finals; Kristine Guia Bandolis, a 4-0, 4-1 winner over Zamboanga del Sur’s Rica Labrador for the girls’ 12- under; and Heinz Asian Carbonilla, who stamped his class anew in the 10-under sweeping Kurt Galvan Bandolis, 4-0, 4-1, in the finals.

“This was a big turn out of entries and bodes well for the development of tennis in Mindanao as we also see a lot of young tennis players joining our legs here,” said Jean Henri Lhuillier, President/CEO of Cebuana Lhuillier and current Philippine Tennis Association Chairman.

The grassroots tennis developmental series, now on its first decade of producing champions, was initiated by Lhuillier as part of his continued support for tennis.

NEW YORK—Karolina Pliskova shattered Serena Williams’s bid for a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title Thursday, her 6-2, 7-6 (7/5) win setting-up a US Open final against new world number one Angelique Kerber.

The win for Czech 10th seed Pliskova meant the 34-year-old American was deposed as the world’s top player, losing her chance to stay at the peak for a record 187 weeks.

In Saturday’s championship match, Pliskova will tackle second seed Kerber who marked her coronation as the new world number one with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over twotime runner-up Caroline Wozniacki.

It will be Pliskova’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final while Australian Open champion Kerber will be in her third of the year having finished runner-up to Williams at Wimbledon.

Williams, who also lost in the semifinals last year which ended her bid to claim a rare calendar Slam, said she had been suffering from a knee injury in the run-up to the semi-final.

“When you’re hampered you’re thinking of other things,” said the American, a six-time

US Open champion.

“Like I was making errors that I never make, and definitely I didn’t make in this tournament in particular.

“So many simple, simple shots that I easily could have made. I just blame that on just mentally thinking about my leg and just not thinking about the shot.”

Pliskova, the first Czech woman in the US Open final since Helena Sukova in 1993, said she had not noticed that her opponent was carrying an injury.

The 24-year-old preferred to focus on finally making a Slam championship match after never making it past the third round of a major in 17 prior attempts.

“I knew I had the chance to beat anyone if I played my game. I am excited to be in the final and to beat Serena as she is such a great champion,” said the 6pht 1in (1.86m) Czech who had also beaten Venus Williams in the fourth round.

“Even when she was down a set and break she was still fighting. I had to fight hard to win.”

Despite the injury, Williams admitted Pliskova earned her victory. AFP

Pacman: Retiring a mistake M ANNY Pacquiao said he knew almost as soon as his retirement began that he had made a mistake, revealing that loneliness and love for the sport had drawn him back into the ring.

The legendary Filipino icon, who hung up his gloves after what was supposed to be a farewell victory over Timothy Bradley in April, ended his short-lived retirement in early August.

The 37-year-old fighter is now targeting a slice of the world welterweight title when he faces World Boxing Organization champion Jessie Vargas in Las Vegas on November 5.

Pacquiao had initially planned to focus on his political career after being elected to the Philippines Senate in May. But politics proved to be no substitute for pugilism in the eyes of the Filipino great, who showed

he had plenty left in the tank with his stylish win over Bradley five months ago.

“First when I hung up my gloves I realised,” Pacquiao told AFP on Thursday.

“I felt lonely. And thinking about it over and over, I thought ‘Boxing still likes me. Boxing still loves me.’ So why stop my boxing career? So that’s why I decided to continue my journey as a boxer.”

‘No surprise’ Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s long-serving cornerman revealed the fighter had made up his mind to scrap his retirement before he had even flown back to the Phil-

ippines from Las Vegas following the Bradley bout.

“Before he left for the airport after the last fight, he told me very clearly ‘We will fight again’,” Roach told AFP. “It was no surprise.”

The only surprise, Roach said, was the timing.

“I knew that after he became a Senator he would fight again. I just thought it would be next year.”

Pacquiao insists that while his boxing career is now firmly back under way, he remains committed to politics, maintaining that he has had a “perfect” attendance record in the Senate since his election.

“I’ve learned a lot and not only talking about the problems. The most important thing is common sense,” Pacquiao said.

The only challenge has been fitting his fitness regime around his duties in the Senate.

“In the morning I’ll go for a jog and then rest a little bit, and then

start work in the office,” he said.

“By 10 o’clock I go to the Senate building and attend committee meetings. And after the committee meetings, attend the full session.

“And after the session I go straight to the gym, which is only 500 meters away from the Senate, and then train. After training, back home and rest.”

Hard worker Roach said he had been impressed by Pacquiao’s conditioning after seeing him this week.

“He works out every day. He’s in pretty good shape,” he told AFP. “He’s the hardest worker I’ve ever seen.”

Many commentators have speculated that Pacquiao views his election to the Senate as a stepping stone for a presidential run.

Pacquiao dismissed the suggestion however. “That’s not in my mind right now,” he said “My

Lazaro rises to shock Tierro in tunafest tilt

Tarlac hosts Football for a Better Life series ACTION in the ongoing Football For A Better Life, a nationwide 10-leg grassroots football developmental program backed by PRU-Life UK, shifts to Luzon this weekend, with Tarlac City hosting the fourth leg following earlier stops in Gingoog, Dumaguete, and Dipolog.

Fil-Italian twins Marwin and Marvin Angeles and Eduard Sacapano, together with Azkals training pool member Mike Cases and former Azkals skipper Chieffy Caligdong, also the FFABL Project Director, will be conducting a free football clinic this Saturday at the Robinson’s Field in Hacienda Luisita to be followed by a football festival among local teams in the region.

Organized by Spears Activation in partnership with the Azkals Foundation and different regional football asso-

ciations all over the country, the FFABL is on its second year of this developmental program, which has touched the lives of thousands of young football players in the provinces since the program took off last year.

From last year’s total of 63 participating teams for the football festival, four more teams have been added for a total of 67 teams, including 13 in the girls’ Under 18 category.

Fifteen teams are entered in the boys’ U-16 , 13 in the boys’ Under-12, 12 in the boys’ U-14, eight in the Under-10 and six are joining the Under-8. Participating teams come from different cities and provinces in Northern Luzon.

The Tarlac City leg will be followed by the Southern Luzon leg in Laguna a week after, according to series organizer Albert Almendralejo.

Brazilian swimmer Clodoaldo Silva holds the Paralympic

torch to light the Paralympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro. AFP

Asian Poker Tour returns to Resorts World Manila ONE of the leading poker tours around the world, the Asian Poker Tour returns to the country’s pioneering integrated lifestyle hub Resorts World Manila for APT Philippines III 2016 on Sept. 14 to 22.

RWM has hosted the prestigious international tournament since 2010 including the record-breaking 2010 APT-RWM Iron Man Challenge, which stands as the longest continuous poker tourney at 48 hours, 55 minutes, and 58.5 seconds, and the 2014 APT Series Poker Finale wherein Vietnamese Huy Pham emerged as the winner of the P3.18M prize pot besting over 2,000 participants from around the globe.

Now, RWM welcomes back the APT APT Philippines II 2016 main event for another lucrative event pitting the winner Shinichiro Tone from Japan. best players from around the globe as the local live poker scene continues to Prior to the upcoming event, RWM also earn more public interest in the country. played venue to the APT Philippines 2016

focus is to serve honestly, and to pass laws that will help less fortunate families.”

In the near-term though, Pacquiao’s gaze is firmly fixed on his date with Vargas (27-1 with 10 knockouts) at the 19,000-capacity Thomas and Mack Center.

Mexican-American Vargas says he is aiming to avenge Pacquiao’s numerous victories over Mexican fighters during his career.

Pacquiao smiled when asked for his reaction to Vargas’s comments.

“This is not a movie. This is not a revenge movie. This is sport.

Do your job and I’ll do my job,” he said.

As part of his determination to return with a bang, Pacquiao also ensured that 7,000 tickets for the fight were made available for the rock-bottom price of $50.

As of Thursday, 2,000 of the tickets had already been sold. AFP

in April and its second leg in July which was opened by the APT-RWM $50,000 Guaranteed Opening Event.

For the first APT Philippines tournament of the year, Korea’s Jeon Seung Soo emerged victorious over 180 entries to earn the US$116,100 purse. Japan’s Shinichiro Tone, meanwhile, took home first-place winnings for APT Philippines II amounting to $56,600 over a field of 114 players.

Those interested to join the APT Philippines III 2016 must simply register with the APT to be able to participate in the event.

Accepted players will be issued a Player Registration Card to be presented to tournament registration staff during tournament day. Players must secure a tournament receipt to be paid and verified at the venue cashier to secure a seat card. Main Event Buy In is at US$1,650.

For more information on the upcoming APT Philippines III 2016, visit www.theasianpokertour.com.

RWM is the first one-stop, non-stop entertainment and leisure destination in the Philippines that features recreational thrills, world-class performances, unique events, and exciting lifestyle options.

Also home to RWM is Newport Mall, which features international luxury brands, state-of-the-art movie theaters at Newport Cinemas, an award-winning, ultra-modern Newport Performing Arts Theater, and a cozy, 24/7 entertainment hub at Bar 360. Dine in one of almost 50 restaurant outlets offering a diverse selection of local and world cuisine, prepared by top Filipino and foreign chefs and paired with a wide selection of the finest wines and popular liquors.

LEANDER Lazaro pulled through in a tight first set duel then mastered fancied Patrick John Tierro in the next to carve out a 7-5, 6-1 reversal and arrange a title clash with Johnny Arcilla in the Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala Tuna Festival Open Tennis Championship at the Gen. Santos City Tennis Club in Gen. Santos City Friday.

The former National U standout leaned on his solid baseline game and pounced on the second seed Tierro’s miscues to pound out the victory, his biggest since steering the Bulldogs to their fourth straight championship early this year. Lazaro’s win also ended the second ranked Tierro’s quest for a three straight championship after sweeping Arcilla in the two PCA Open events recently.

Lazaro, a former two-time UAAP MVP and rookie of the year, took the next two points after Tierro forced a deuce in the 11th game to hold serve then surprised the latter in the next to break and win the opening frame.

Tierro never recovered from that setback as Lazaro broke the former again via a shut-out in the second game of the second set then won the next three games to go 5-0 before Tierro broke the slump and held serve and Lazaro rattled off four straight points to clinch the set and the match.

The 23-year-old ace from Malabon, who reached the quarters of the recent Olivarez Cup, hopes to complete his remarkable campaign when he takes on Arcilla at 1 p.m. today (Saturday).

LOTTO RESULTS 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0.0 M+ 4 DIGITS 00-00-00-00 3 DIGITS 00-00-00 2 EZ2 00-00

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

Sports

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

China Ba’Yi Shenzheng players Yan Wang, Jingsi Shen and Qi Wang fall down on the floor in an effort to keep the ball alive during the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s Club Championship at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City. The Chinese beat the Foton Tornadoes, 25-16, 25-18, 25-14. Roman Prospero

Foton bows to Chinese

By Peter Atencio BINAN, Laguna— Foton Pilipinas held its ground in the first two sets, but a vastly experienced China Ba’Yi Shenzheng side still prevailed, 25-16, 25-18, 25-14, Friday in the Asian Volleyball Confederation Asian Women’s Club Championship at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City.

Lindsay Stalzer and Jaja Santiago led the Tornadoes’ bid to keep up with their Chinese rivals with nine and seven points during their 69-minute encounter.

But, Liu Yanhan, an open spiker, who was adjudged as the most valuable player in the Asian U23 Women’s Championship last year in Manila, proved to be more productive.

She delivered 19 points to lead the Chinese spikers to the semifinals with NEC Red Rockets of Japan, which turned back Taipei T Grand, 25-6, 25-23, 25-13.

Also coming up big were Chen Yao, who had 12, and the duo of Wang Yunlu and Wang Qi with 11 each.

“We played well today. We prepared.

Every game is hard,” said Chen, the team skipper.

The Chinese played the Filipinas to a 3-all deadlock when Liu’s long placement shot went out of bounds.

Afterwards, Liu redeemed herself after she, and teammate Wang and Chen began finding ways to avoid the Tornadoes’ frontline blockers to their crosscourt spikes. They eventually took the upperhand, 6-3, off Chen’s drop shot.

An 8-4 edge came China’s way following Chen’s hit off Stalzer’s block, and Jovelyn Gonzaga’s net miscue. Chen then got past Stalzer’s block again, allowing China to gain more distance, 12-7.

Chinese coach Yu Juemin commended the Filipinas for playing good in the first and second sets.

Warriors boost quarterfinal bid 35 points on top of 13 rebounds to lead the way for the Road Warriors.

LEX stepped it up once again, For the second straight game, particularly in the second half, as it deadly sniper Garvo Lanete went wild from the perimeter, hitting strengthened its bid for a berth in the five from beyond the arc on his quarterfinals by routing GlobalPort, 114-98, for way to a career-high 25 points as his tandem with Walker did wonits second straight win in the 2016 Philippine again for NLEX. Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Friday ders The crucial win sent NLEX night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. into a 5-5 tie for sixth and seventh places with sister team After being more of a facili- Walker was back in scoring Meralco, with only a game left. tator in their last game, Henry mode, tallying a game-high Its chances of securing a berth

By Jeric Lopez

N

‘The Main Event’ airs Ancajas win

in the next phase got better with this victory.

“We did a good job of stopping their top scorers in the second half,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez. “We’re still not in the playoffs and we play Alaska next Friday so we need that win as well.”

On the contrary, this third straight loss was a painful one for the Batang Pier as it dropped to 3-7 in 10th place, needing to win its final assignment and hope that the teams

smooth finish.

Stanley Pringle led GlobalPort with his team-high 27 points.

The scores: NLEX 114—Walker 35, Lanete 25, Villanueva J. 14, Alas 11, Taulava 11, Baracael 5, Anthony 4, Khobuntin 4, Villanueva E. 3, Akl 2, Monfort 0, Reyes 0.

GLOBALPORT 98—Pringle 27, Romeo 26, Glover 21, Salvacion 7, Semerad 6, Mamaril 5, Washington 4, Yeo 2, Taha 0.

Quarters: 25-31, 51-59, 88-79, 114-98

Sadorra draws with world chess champion Carlsen

By Ronnie Nathanielsz THE rousing victory of Filipino southpaw Jerwin Ancajas over Puerto Rico’s IBF super flyweight champion McJoe Arroyo will be featured on the top rating Viva Sports weekly boxing show “The Main Event” over Pinoy Box Office on Sky Cable at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, with a replay at 10:30 a.m. the following day.

The show will also include pre-fight interviews with Ancajas and Arroyo and Juan Martin Elorde, the grandson of the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and the current WBO Oriental lightweight champion.

Sean Gibbons, the matchmaker, who helped well-known international promoter and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz to win the purse bid for MP Promotions of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, earlier told the Manila Stanard that Ancajas was given an opportunity to fight for the world title before his hometown fans at the air-conditioned Navy Gym in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and grabbed the opportunity with an impressive performance that stunned the Puerto Rican’s handlers.

Arroyo won the vacant title with a 10th-round technical decision over previously unbeaten ALA Promotions fighter King Arthur Villanueva at the Don Haskins Convention Center in Texas in July last year.

Ancajas sent McJoe through the ropes with a vicious flurry of punches in the eighth round and won handily on the scorecards of all three judges to the delight of the crowd, who cheered the Filipino.

Ancajas said after the fight that the support of the fans helped him rise to the ocassion and give the Philippines its fourth world title.

above them lose so that they can at least gain a playoff for a spot in the quarters.

Following a slow start wherein it trailed 51-59 at the half after a sub-par first half, NLEX erupted in the third canto, pulverizing GlobalPort, 37-20, to turn the tide and grab an 88-79 advantage into the fourth.

The Road Warriors never looked back and pounced on the helpless Batang Pier further in the last 12 minutes as they led by double figures en route to a

World champion Magnus Carlsen takes a drink while Ino Sadorra psychs himself at the start of the Philippines-Norway clash in the 42nd Chess Olympiad. Picture from the Facebook page of Lilibeth lee Barcenilla.

Tigers play Warriors, eager to bounce back COACH Boy Sablan is upbeat of para sabihin mong beterano,” the University of Santo Tomas said Sablan.

During their match with AtGrowling Tigers as they try to bounce back when they face the eneo, Blue Eagle cagers Thirdy University of the East Warriors at Ravena and Aaron Black sparked 2 p.m. Saturday in the 79th Uni- a decisive 14-2 run to start the fiversity Athletic Association of nal period for the Blue Eagles.

Louie Vigil showed the Philippines men’s Games Today the way for UST with basketball tournament.

(Araneta Coliseum) 21 points, while Jan By this time, the team 2 p.m. UE vs UST should have overcome 4 p.m. UP vs La Salle Macasaet made 12 for the Growling Tigers, their opening-day jitters, and after they took a 69-73 who put up a stand in the end.

The Warriors, who drew 18 loss to the Ateneo Blue Eagles points from rookie Edison Balast Sunday.

Most of the players, who were tiller, are also seeking to recover mostly playing off the bench last from their 66-72 setback to the year, are just starting to get used National University Bulldogs.

Later, La Salle Green Archers, to their new roles as regular, Sawho got a game-high 28 points blan explained.

“Practically, kalahati sa 12 na from Jeron Teng when they turned ginamit ko, bench players. Ha- back the defending champion Far los ngayon lang sila nagkaroon Eastern University Tamaraws, 83ng playing time at hindi naman 78, clash with University of the sila regular na ginamit last year Philippines at 4 p.m. Peter Atencio

INO Sadorra, the Philippines’ top player now based in the US, drew with world champion Magnus Carlsen as the Philippines held their higher-rated foe to a 2-2 draw in the sixth round of the 42nd Chess Olympiad in Baku.

Sadorra grabbed the initiative after Carlsen chose a tame, but potent opening against the Filipino’s French Defense. He was a pawn up against the world champion when time trouble prevented him from exploiting his advantage. The game was drawn in 41 moves.

“He even gave up a pawn for pressure, but it was dubious and I was pushing....it was only time trouble that kept me from converting the advantage,” said Sadorra in a postgame interview with former women’s world champion Susan Polgar.

The draw result with Norway, with all four boards ending in a truce, hoisted the Fili-

pinos to 19th place, with nine match points from four wins, one draw and one loss. The Filipinos meet Italy in Round 7 tonight, keeping the same lineup of Sadorra, John Paul Gomez, Eugene Torre and Rogelio Barcenilla Jr. “If we keep playing this way, maybe we can hit the Top 10,” said Sadorra in the same interview.

The surprising Indian team is leading the field after slipping past the Netherlands.

The women’s side routed Mexico, 3-1, but rookie Shania Mae Mendoza took her first loss in three games.

The Filipinas climbed to their best placing so far of 19th place but their resolve will be tested by Hungary in the seventh round.

The Hungarians are led by Hoang Thanh Trang, a former Vietnamese who won the 1998 world junior championship.

Lions, Chiefs barge into NCAA Final 4 SAN Beda College overpowered Lyceum, 89-73, and Arellano University turned back defending champion Letran, 83-74, to barge into the Final Four of the 92nd NCAA basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan City.

Arnaud Noah dished out his best performance in the NCAA by uncorking 22 points, while Davon Potts, Amiel Soberano and Jayvee Mocon chipped in 19, 17 and 12, respectively, as the Lions nailed their 11th straight Final Four appearance with a 12-4 (win-loss) record.

The Chiefs, for their part, drew a 22-point effort by Jio Jalalon in securing a slot in the Final Four while keeping the solo lead with a 12-3 mark.

San Beda soothed its painful 88-97 defeat to Jose Rizal Tuesday, with Noah, the smaller but quicker back up of the injured Donald Tankoua, who was ruled

for the rest of the season due to a torn ACL, taking charge.

The Pirates fell to 5-11.

The Knights absorbed their eighth defeat against the same number of wins.

Meanwhile, Perpetual Help went to Bright Akhuetie in second overtime as it downed Jose Rizal, 89-80, Friday to ensure itself of at least a playoff for a Final Four berth.

Akhuetie banged his way to seven of his game-high 28 in the second extra time while pulling down another gamebest 18 rebounds to power the Altas to their 11th win against four losses and a win away from making it back to the Final Four after missing the cut a season back.

The Las Pinas-based school also needed to overcome a sevenpoint deficit with over a minute to go in regulation to complete the escape act.

Games Monday

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

Games Tuesday

(The Arena, San Juan) 12 nn.- LPU vs Perpetual Help (srs) 2 p.m.- Arellano vs Jose Rizal (srs) 4 p.m.- Letran vs Mapua (srs)

“We rode on Bright (Akhuetie) in the second overtime, but I think the key was the team’s perseverance in the fourth quarter, the players refused to give up,” said Perpetual Help coach Jimwell Gican.

Gab Dagangon, Daryl Sinontiko and Genmar Ilagan chipped in 15, 13 and 10 points, respectively, to help the cause.

Jose Rizal had all the chance to snatch the win after Teytey Teodoro drained a triple to give it a 64-57 lead with 1.26 minutes to go in regulation.

Phinma Energy to double output B2

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

Leisure ordered to close 53 sites

E-VEHICLE DEMO PROJECT.

The Board of Investments agrees to become a member of the steering committee to implement the P550-million evehicles demonstration project of Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization. The pilot e-vehicle project will be implemented in Intramuros, Manila where 50 units of e-trikes of BEMAC Electric Transportation Philippines Inc. and 17 sets of charging stations are set to operate in fixed routes and stops.

Shown during the test run of the e-vehicles are (from left) Trade Undersecretary Rodolfo, Intramuros Administration officer-in-charge for planning and management division Edgardo Baysic, BEMAC vice president Yvonne Palomar Castro and Intramuros finance and administrative division chief Merceditas Sahagun in Intramuros.

PSe comPoSite index Closing September 9, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,581.79 85.28

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 48.00 46.00

Aboitiz Power eyeing Chevron’s Asia assets

By Jenniffer B. Austria

45.00

P47.160

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P47.000 LOW P47.180 AVERAGE P47.098 VOLUME 471.500M

P392-P620.00 LPG/11-kg tank P35.70-P42.50 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P24.84-P28.27 Diesel P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, September 9, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

United States Dollar

US Dollar Peso

1.000000

46.8370

Japan

Yen

0.009758

0.4570

UK

Pound

1.329700

62.2792

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128924

6.0384

Switzerland

Franc

1.028489

48.1713

Canada

Dollar

0.773276

36.2179

Singapore

Dollar

0.739973

34.6581

Australia

Dollar

0.764000

35.7835

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

124.3614

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266681

12.4905

Brunei

Dollar

0.737246

34.5304

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0036

Thailand

Baht

0.028835

1.3505

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

12.7531

Euro

Euro

1.126400

52.7572

Korea

Won

0.000911

0.0427

China

Yuan

0.150038

7.0273

India

Rupee

0.015010

0.7030

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.247525

11.5933

New Zealand

Dollar

0.739700

34.6453

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031935

1.4957 Source: PDS Bridge

A

BOITIZ Power Corp. will team up with Japan’s Marubeni Corp. in bidding for roughly $3 billion worth of geothermal assets of Chevron in Indonesia and the Philippines, a top company official said Thursday night.

Aboitiz Power chief operating officer Miguel Aboitiz told reporters the company was interested in Chevron’s assets because they consisted of renewable projects. The possible acquisition of Chevron’s assets in Indonesia would also expand the Aboitiz Power group’s footprint outside the Philippines.

Aboitiz Power has been meeting with its partner plan their bid next week.

Aboitiz Power since last year has been looking at geothermal opportunities in Indonesia.

Chevron is selling geothermal assets in Southeast Asia, cutting jobs globally and slashing capital spending to save cash in a bid to preserve its dividend amid weak oil prices.

Chevron has a 40-percent interest in Philippine Geothermal Production Co. Inc., which develops and produces steam energy for the Tiwi and Mak-

Ban geothermal power plants.

The family of retail tycoon Henry Sy owns the remaining 60 percent and has a right of first refusal on the sale of the Chevron assets.

Chevron subsidiaries operate geothermal projects in Salak and Darajat fields in west Java, Indonesia with a capacity to generate nearly 650 megawatts of electricity.

Other companies that are reportedly interested in bidding for Chevron’s assets include Engie (formerly GDF Suez), France, Mitsubishi Corp. (Japan) Energy Development Corp of the Lopez group, Banpu Power (Thailand), China Investment Corp., Malakoff Corp. (Malaysia), Ormat Technologies Inc. (US) and PT

Medco Power (Indonesia).

Aboitiz Power is on track to achieve its goal of increasing the company’s generating capacity to 4,000 megawatt by 2020.

With the recent operation of two power facilities early this year—the 300-MW Davao base load plant and the 59-MW solar station in Negros Occidental, the company now has a generating capacity of 3,350 MW. Aboitiz Power also owns the 692-megawatt Tiwi and MakBan geothermal power plants.

Meanwhile, Aboitiz group’s food unit Pilmico plans to further expand its presence outside the country.

The group also bidding for various infrastructure project contracts that the Duterte administration may bid out.

Manufacturing output in July grew 10.1%—data

By Gabrielle H. Binaday FACTORY output rose 10.1 percent in July this year following increased domestic demand, on especially basic metal products, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

Data from the Monthly Integrated Survey of Selected Industries of the PSA showed the volume of production index rose significantly from a 0.1-percent growth year on-on-year.

The July growth matched the performance in the previous month and marked the 13th straight month of positive factory output rate since July 2015.

The National Economic and Development Authority said the production of transport equipment, construction-related goods and food pushed the manufacturing sector’s strong growth in the period.

Economic and Planning Secretary Ernesto

Pernia said the strong manufacturing performance in July was a sign that the country’s economy remained resilient despite external shocks in the global market.

“The upbeat private consumption and investments continued to drive manufacturing growth. This growth shows that our economy has remained resilient to the continuing weakness in global demand for export-oriented manufactured goods caused by uncertainties such as low commodity prices and the EU debt crisis,” Pernia said.

The Value of Production Index rose 5.6 percent, also a turnaround from the 6.6 percent decline in July 2015.

Volume of Net Sales Index increased 4.3 percent, suggesting a strong domestic demand in the country. Meanwhile, the Value of Net Sales Index posted a marginal decline of less than 0.1 percent.

The double-digit production growth in transport equipment in July, meanwhile, indicated a strong demand for light commercial vehicles.

The poduction of construction-related goods was strong for rubber and plastic products as well as basic metals, particularly nonferrous metals.

“Furthermore, improved efficiencies, lower material prices, increases in out-of-home food consumption, and the growing number of convenience stores nationwide likewise contributed to the positive performance of food manufacturing,” said Pernia, who is also director-general of Neda.

He cautioned against seasonal factors such as the interruption of business activities during the rainy months, the planting and closed milling season, and closed fishing activities in Davao Gulf from July to September that might affect industrial production in the third quarter.

Political jitters sink peso to 47.16 versus US dollar

By Julito G. Rada THE peso declined to a onemonth low against the greenback on Friday, dragged down by both domestic and global developments.

The local currency lost P0.27 to close at 47.16 from 46.89 to a dollar Thursday. It was the peso’s weakest level since the 47.02 on Aug. 4, 2016. Total volume traded reached $711.6 million, higher than $677.3 million Thursday “Foreign players are getting out of the domestic market. Investors are getting skeptical and uncertain on what will happen next after the declaration of state of lawless violence by the President,” Nicholas Antonio Mapa, research officer of the Bank of

B1

the Philippine Islands, said in a phone interview.

“Also, they are not sure on its impact, if it is going to impair economic growth in the country,” Mapa said.

He added contributing to the weakness of the peso was the biggest nuke test in North Korea conducted Friday.

The peso’s weakest level this year was recorded on Jan. 26 at 47.995. It returned to the 46-adollar level on March 4 at 46.945.

Economists from the First Metro Investment Corp. and University of Asia and the Pacific earlier projected that the peso might trade between 48 and 49 versus the greenback this year, taking into consideration the volatility in the global financial markets.

CHURCH SUPPORT. Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo (right) is presented with coins in various denominations by Bishop Daniel Balais of the Christ the Living Stone Fellowship in Mandaluyong City. The low-denomination coins collected by the Church from its members were sorted, counted and will be exchanged for banknotes at the nearest SM retail outlet. Proceeds will go into the construction of the church school building.

REGULATOR Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. ordered Leisure Resorts World Corp. to close 53 electronic gaming and bingo sites due to non-compliance to distance restriction guidelines.

Leisure Resorts said it would appeal the Pacgor order.

The company said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received notices from Pagcor to immediately cease and desist from operating 36 bingo gaming sites, which are being operated by unit AB Leisure Exponent Inc. and 17 electric gaming areas of unit Total Gamezone Xtreme Inc. “LRWC will send a letter of reconsideration to Pagcor.

Should reconsideration be not given, we will transfer the electronic games operations at said sites and transfer the same to compliant locations,” the company said.

The gaming company said the closure of the 53 sites would result in foregone revenues of P477 million and P65.2 million based on its seven-month financial performance of 2016.

“These numbers approximate 5 percent of total consolidated 2015 revenues and net income of the LRWC Group,” the company said.

“We will still wait for the Pagcor’s reply to our request for reconsideration before we could set our timetable for the resumption of operations of the affected sites. We could not anticipate the exact date on when will Pagcor answer our request,” Leisure Resorts said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier vowed to stop the proliferation of online gambling.

Jenniffer B. Austria

IN BRIEF

Unemployment rate fell to 5.4% in July

THE unemployment rate in the country dipped to 5.4 percent in July 2016 on the upbeat performance of the country’s economy, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Friday.

Data from Philippine Statistics Authority’s Labor Force Survey for July this year showed that about 41 million Filipinos had jobs during the period comprising 94.6 percent of the total labor force.

The jobless rate, meanwhile, is equivalent to about 3.7 million.

The unemployment rate recorded in July was 1.1 percentage points lower than the 6.5 percent recorded in the same period in 2015. It is also 1.2 percentage points below the 6.6 full-year unemployment target of the government.

Economic and Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the Philippine labor market showed vibrancy due to the faster economic growth. Gabrielle H. Binaday

Survey: Consumer sentiment high in Q3

CONSUMER sentiment hit an all-time high of 2.5 percent for the third quarter this year from -6.4 percent in the second quarter due mainly to improvements in the peace and order condition in the country, results of the latest Consumer Expectations Survey by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a briefing Friday it was the first time that consumer sentiment hit the positive territory since the survey started in the first quarter of 2007.

Other reasons for the positive sentiments were availability of more jobs, stable prices of prime commodities, anticipated increase in salaries, effective government policies, assumption into office of the new administration, pronounced campaigned against drugs, and assistance from the government such as the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market drops; Megawide up S

TOCKS fell Friday, amid a global debt selloff as investors weighed prospects for further monetary easing in Europe and Japan and as US traders expressed concern over increased number of killings in the Philippines.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, shed 85 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 7,581.79 Friday. This trimmed the market’s gains since the start of the year to 9.1 percent.

The broader all-share index also tumbled 31 points, or 0.7 percent, to settle at 4,534.34, on a value turnover of P10 billion.

Losers outnumbered advancers, 109 to 88, while 45 issues were

unchanged.

Eight of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by food exporter Alliance Select Foods International Inc. which surged 50 percent to P1.35. The company earlier said the syndicated estafa and falsification of public documents charges filed by a former director against the management were dismissed.

Megawide Construction Corp., a builder and airport op-

erator, climbed 9.9 percent to P15.80, while Security Bank Corp. rose 7.6 percent to P248.

Jollibee Foods Corp. fell 4.5 percent to P236, while PLDT Inc. lost 3.7 percent to P1,800.

The American Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines said President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal drugs war and foulmouthed tirades were damaging investor sentiment.

The “increased number of killings during the heightened anti-drug campaign is harming the country’s image... some investors are now asking whether this campaign reduces the rule of law,” the chamber said in a statement sent to AFP Friday.

Meanwhile, South Korean stocks and the won led most

Asian markets lower Friday after the North conducted another nuclear test, while trading was also hit by worries over global central bank policy easing.

Pyongyang said it had conducted a “successful” fifth nuclear test, which South Korea said was its largest-ever.

The news intensified worries about geopolitical tensions in the region as world powers including China struggle to rein in Pyongyang’s erratic behavior.

Seoul’s KOSPI was down 1.5 percent in the afternoon while a Bank of Korea decision not to cut interest rates was unable to prevent the won sinking almost one percent early on, before it edged back slightly.

With AFP, Bloomberg

Phinma Energy to double output

By Alena Mae S. Flores PHINMA Energy Corp., formerly Trans-Asia Oil and Energy Development Corp., said it plans to double power generation capacity to 1,000 megawatts over the next 10 years.

Phinma Energy president Francisco Viray told reporters the company’s generating capacity was expected to reach 500 megawatts by yearend.

Viray said the company was embarking on a cautious expansion mode amid the projected

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 17 30.45 0.92 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 361.2 57 180 1700 124

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 8.7 12.02 19.6 0.74 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 276 41 118.2 1200 59

AG Finance 3.59 Asia United Bank 47.75 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 111.30 Bank of PI 105.00 China Bank 38.1 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.99 Bright Kindle Resources 1.44 Citystate Savings 8.8 COL Financial 16.46 Eastwest Bank 20.85 First Abacus 0.71 I-Remit Inc. 1.98 Manulife Fin. Corp.

600.00 MEDCO Holdings 1.070 Metrobank 85.6 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.88 PB Bank 14.28 Phil. National Bank 57.45 Phil. Savings Bank 100 PSE 278 RCBC `A’ 34.65 Security Bank 230.4 Sun Life Financial 1400.00 Union Bank 73.65

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92

20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 74 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 15 2.65 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 7.34 1450 3.28 0.315 2.18 234 5.28 1.3 2.17

15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.86 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 33 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 10.04 2.09 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 5.9 801 1.55 0.138 1.02 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 76 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 49.55 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.4 Agrinurture Inc. 3.16 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.9 Alsons Cons.

1.7 Asiabest Group 17.06 Cemex Holdings 11.92 Century Food 16.92 Chemphil 136 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 127 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 24.2 Concepcion 57.9 Crown Asia 2.1 Da Vinci Capital 6.1 Del Monte 12.2 DNL Industries Inc. 10.780 Emperador 7.50 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.93 EEI 8.05 Euro-Med Lab 1.83 First Gen Corp.

25.2 First Holdings ‘A’ 73 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 12.10 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.46 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.38 Ionics Inc 2.250 Jollibee Foods Corp.

247.20 Liberty Flour 50.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.24 Macay Holdings 28.00 Manila Water Co. Inc. 29.2 Maxs Group 30 Megawide 14.38 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 310.00 MG Holdings 0.260 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.11 Petron Corporation 9.65 Phinma Corporation 11.52 Phinma Energy 2.19 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.55 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.41 RFM Corporation 4.17 Roxas Holdings 3.45 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 218 Splash Corporation 3.05 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.156 TKC Steel Corp.

1.81 Universal Robina 183.8 Victorias Milling 4.54 Vitarich Corp.

2.49 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.24 HOLDING FIRMS Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.390 Aboitiz Equity 73.10 Alliance Global Inc. 16.70 Anglo Holdings A 1.24 Anscor `A’ 6.20 ATN Holdings A 0.370 ATN Holdings B 0.375 Ayala Corp `A’ 855 BHI Holdings Inc. 1090.00 Cosco Capital 8.2 DMCI Holdings 11.90 F&J Prince ‘A’ 6.48 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

7.29 Forum Pacific 0.218 GT Capital 1488 JG Summit Holdings 74.90 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.31 Lopez Holdings Corp.

8.05 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp. 0.82 LT Group 17.04 Metro Pacific Inv. Corp. 6.94 Pacifica `A’ 0.0360 Prime Media Hldg 1.180 Prime Orion 2.060 San Miguel Corp `A’ 82.00 SM Investments Inc. 668.50 Solid Group Inc. 1.29 South China Res. Inc. 1.00 Top Frontier 214.000 Unioil Res. & Hldgs 0.3250 Wellex Industries 0.2080 Zeus Holdings 0.290

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 1.44 1.97 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 0.72 27 8.54 31.8 2.29

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 0.79 1.1 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 0.39 23 2.69 22.15 1.6

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

Ayala Land `B’ Belle Corp. `A’ Century Property City & Land Dev. Crown Equities Inc. Cyber Bay Corp.

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

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

Robinson’s Land `B’ Rockwell

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.58 3.43 47.8 47.2 112.90 110.80 105.50 104.20 38.1 37.95 3.98 3.71 1.46 1.38 9.04 8.1 16.66 16.2 20.95 20.45 0.71 0.7 1.98 1.87 620.00 610.00 1.100 1.010 85.6 84.4 0.92 0.89 14.24 14.2 57.70 57.00 95.8 95.75 278.2 274 35.2 34.3 248 225.2 1412.00 1412.00 73.65 73.10 INDUSTRIAL 45.65 44.5 3.17 3.07 1.35 0.92 1.73 1.66 17.5 16.2 12.04 11.92 17 16.82 136 136 128 127 24.2 23.8 58.35 57.9 2.1 2.07 6.13 6.03 12.2 12 11.400 10.780 7.51 6.70 5.93 5.80 8.40 8.12 1.8 1.74 25.2 24.8 73 72.5 12.20 12.20 16.46 16.40 6.64 6.45 2.250 2.190 247.00 236.00 50.00 44.00 4.22 4.01 27.95 26.50 29.3 28.2 30 29.6 15.8 14.4 312.80 307.00 0.305 0.260 3.11 3.05 9.82 9.60 11.52 11.52 2.20 2.16 6.05 5.95 1.63 1.57 3.54 3.41 4.17 4.17 3.45 3.45 220 217 3.05 3.05 0.159 0.155 1.82 1.80 183.8 180.2 4.58 4.32 2.51 2.33 1.25 1.23

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.58 47.8 111.50 104.90 38 3.97 1.43 9.04 16.66 20.7 0.71 1.97 620.00 1.010 84.5 0.89 14.2 57.50 95.8 274 35 248 1412.00 73.60

-0.28 0.10 0.18 -0.10 -0.26 -0.50 -0.69 2.73 1.22 -0.72 0.00 -0.51 3.33 -5.61 -1.29 1.14 -0.56 0.09 -4.20 -1.44 1.01 7.64 0.86 -0.07

2,000 29,900 1,591,330 1,852,500 139,300 7,000 104,000 4,100 36,800 258,700 45,000 126,000 2,080 10,945,000 2,770,570 200,000 45,600 10,780 5,260 6,660 297,200 8,850,030 100 133,570

44.5 3.11 1.35 1.66 17.42 11.96 16.96 136 127 24.2 58.35 2.1 6.1 12 11.400 6.70 5.80 8.19 1.74 24.8 72.5 12.20 16.44 6.5 2.240 236.00 50.00 4.2 27.95 29 30 15.8 307.00 0.270 3.06 9.60 11.52 2.17 5.97 1.59 3.54 4.17 3.45 220 3.05 0.159 1.81 180.2 4.58 2.33 1.25

-1.98 -1.58 50.00 -2.35 2.11 0.34 0.24 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.78 0.00 0.00 -1.64 5.75 -10.67 -2.19 1.74 -4.92 -1.59 -0.68 0.83 -0.12 1.88 -0.44 -4.53 0.00 -0.94 -0.18 -0.68 0.00 9.87 -0.97 3.85 -1.61 -0.52 0.00 -0.91 0.34 2.58 3.81 0.00 0.00 0.92 0.00 1.92 0.00 -1.96 0.88 -6.43 0.81

1,095,100 437,000 142,493,000 821,000 151,900 2,541,100 2,461,300 100 30 1,239,700 2,430 280,000 166,800 66,500 8,980,100 5,146,900 7,424,800 277,600 12,000 2,596,800 41,810 1,000 140,700 626,700 2,761,000 1,180,000 1,380 19,000 1,800 2,489,800 467,500 16,649,300 154,360 44,580,000 331,000 3,704,000 2,000 1,256,000 1,166,700 57,000 382,000 53,000 3,000 2,000 54,000 2,460,000 450,000 1,394,400 14,000 15,532,000 16,000

0.390 73.60 16.30 1.23 6.20 0.385 0.380 853 1050.00 8.19 11.74 6.39 7.25 0.216 1480 75.20 5.31 8.1 0.84 16.74 7 0.0360 1.190 2.020 80.00 668.50 1.28 1.03 214.000 0.3250 0.2090 0.285

0.00 0.68 -2.40 -0.81 0.00 4.05 1.33 -0.23 -3.67 -0.12 -1.34 -1.39 -0.55 -0.92 -0.54 0.40 0.00 0.62 2.44 -1.76 0.86 0.00 0.85 -1.94 -2.44 0.00 -0.78 3.00 0.00 0.00 0.48 -1.72

700,000 1,083,550 3,218,000 601,000 20,700 1,180,000 20,000 538,300 25 909,700 5,783,900 23,000 68,800 100,000 268,315 1,774,820 5,000 1,301,100 350,000 3,144,500 41,973,200 12,700,000 65,000 425,000 264,400 722,750 102,000 1,000 7,630 3,390,000 170,000 690,000

7.840 6.40 1.30 2.920 0.295 38.000 2.94 0.620 1.04 0.167 0.600 58 0.780 0.143 1.02 1.82 1.18 4.55 0.188 0.2950 0.430 37.60 3.35 30.00 1.66

2.48 -5.88 0.00 -4.26 1.72 -1.55 1.38 0.00 4.00 0.00 -1.64 -1.69 1.30 0.00 -0.97 -1.09 -0.84 -1.09 18.24 0.00 -4.44 -6.00 0.90 -1.15 -2.35

47,000 139,300 936,000 4,956,000 22,840,000 13,384,600 1,226,000 9,108,000 100 34,540,000 5,145,000 217,640 14,000 40,000 6,173,000 16,263,000 102,000 39,661,000 303,520,000 20,000 40,000 3,000 94,000 1,248,500 1,203,000

1,295,880.00 33,572,947 68,748,668.00

-186.00 -3,152,610.00 1,970.00 884,600.00 -340,650.00 -8,638,942.50 4,553.00 -1,670,310.00 2,778,690 -264,321,134.00 141,200.00 13,140,075.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

10.5 66 1.44 1.09 14.88 28.5 15.82 0.1430 5.06 99.1 12.3 2.6 7.67 1700 2720 8.41

1.97 35.2 1 0.63 10.5 18.2 8.6 0.0770 2.95 56.1 10.14 1.6 4.8 830 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 12.5 0.017

17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 8.72 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 3.2 95.5 1 2.46 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 3.1 0.650 1.8 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 1.14

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

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

70 553 525

33 490 500

118 120 515 8.21 12.28 111 1060

101 101.5 480 5.88 6.5 101 997

1047 78.95

1011 74.5

6.98

0.8900

Close

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

High 3.3 27.30 1.03 1.040 5.310

Low

3.32 3.25 27.50 26.75 1.12 1.03 1.040 1.020 5.480 5.300 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.17 7.3 7.12 ABS-CBN 49 50.5 49 Acesite Hotel 1.31 1.28 1.27 APC Group, Inc. 0.580 0.590 0.580 Asian Terminals Inc. 11.6 11 11 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.5 5.5 5.5 Bloomberry 5.10 5.44 5.16 Boulevard Holdings 0.1000 0.1020 0.0970 Calata Corp.

4 4.05 3.9 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 121.8 121 119.9 Centro Esc. Univ.

9.98 10 9.98 Discovery World 2.23 2.4 2.22 DFNN Inc. 5.50 5.60 5.21 FEUI 960 946 945 Globe Telecom 1976 2020 1980 GMA Network Inc. 6.30 6.30 6.25 Golden Haven 14.36 14.30 14.00 Grand Plaza Hotel 20.40 20.35 20.30 Harbor Star 1.79 1.85 1.71 I.C.T.S.I. 83.35 83 79 Imperial Res. `A’ 19.90 19.80 18.52 Imperial Res. `B’ 150 151 151 IPeople Inc. `A’ 11.32 11.5 11.4 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0092 0.0110 0.0093 IPM Holdings 9.28 9.34 9.24 Island Info 0.285 0.280 0.270 ISM Communications 1.4300 1.4200 1.4000 Jackstones 3.63 3.65 3.44 LBC Express 12.3 12.4 12.4 Leisure & Resorts 4.00 4.15 3.68 Liberty Telecom 2.16 2.17 2.15 Lorenzo Shipping 1.12 1.12 1.10 Macroasia Corp.

2.24 2.23 2.21 Manila Broadcasting 20.05 19.50 19.50 Manila Bulletin 0.580 0.580 0.570 Manila Jockey 1.99 1.99 1.99 Melco Crown 3.79 4.06 3.73 Metro Retail 5.66 5.66 5.50 NOW Corp.

3.660 3.670 3.550 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.3 11.4 11.3 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.75 5.60 5.60 Paxys Inc. 2.56 2.89 2.56 Phil. Seven Corp.

135.00 140.00 135.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 6.24 6.24 6.01 PLDT Common 1869.00 1860.00 1800.00 PremiereHorizon 0.435 0.445 0.425 Premium Leisure 0.950 1.000 0.940 Puregold 44.20 44.10 43.90 Robinsons RTL 76.20 77.00 76.00 SBS Phil. Corp.

5.98 6.17 5.97 SSI Group 3.07 3.13 3.08 STI Holdings 0.600 0.610 0.580 Travellers 3.4 3.44 3.38 Yehey 5.650 5.580 5.320 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0039 0.0040 0.0039 Apex `A’ 3.00 3.00 2.95 Atlas Cons. `A’ 3.86 3.95 3.86 Basic Energy Corp.

0.226 0.222 0.200 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1500 2.2 2.15 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 0.6 0.59 Coal Asia 0.410 0.410 0.410 Dizon 8.60 8.65 8.31 Ferronickel 0.840 0.860 0.840 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.270 0.275 0.270 Lepanto `A’ 0.213 0.211 0.204 Lepanto `B’ 0.217 0.219 0.218 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0120 0.0110 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.63 1.69 1.63 Nickelasia 6.56 6.86 6.38 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.92 3.08 2.88 Omico 0.5100 0.5200 0.5200 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.9800 1.0000 0.9900 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.05 4.10 4.09 Philex `A’ 8.65 8.63 8.52 PhilexPetroleum 3.08 3.20 3.00 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 Semirara Corp.

111.50 111.60 110.50 TA Petroleum 3.3 3.32 3.2 United Paragon 0.0099 0.0100 0.0099 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 48.5 49.2 48.05 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 540 528.5 528.5 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 541 541 540 DD Pref 104.6 105 104.1 First Gen F 115 115 115 First Gen G 118 118 118 GLOBE PREF P 540 542 542 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.05 6.03 6 Leisure and Resort 1.03 1.03 1.03 MWIDE PREF 109 112.5 112 PCOR-Preferred A 1035 1091 1084 PCOR-Preferred B 1140 1155 1150 PF Pref 2 1020 1037 1030 SMC Preferred B 77.55 79.5 79 SMC Preferred D 78.45 78.4 78.4 SMC Preferred E 79 79 79 SMC Preferred F 80.2 80.2 79.9 SMC Preferred H 78.6 78.6 78.6 SMC Preferred I 79 79.15 79 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.380 2.550 2.110 SME Alterra Capital 4.12 4.14 4.03 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.74 3.68 3.68 Italpinas 4.6 4.9 4.52 Xurpas 15.2 15.3 15.16 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 126.6 126.6 125

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.25 26.90 1.09 1.020 5.300

-1.52 -1.47 5.83 -1.92 -0.19

36,000 17,370,000 23,825,000 894,000 12,494,000

7.25 49.1 1.28 0.580 11 5.5 5.35 0.0990 3.91 120.2 10 2.35 5.50 946 1980 6.26 14.00 20.30 1.71 79 19.00 151 11.5 0.0110 9.24 0.275 1.4100 3.65 12.4 4.01 2.15 1.10 2.21 19.50 0.580 1.99 3.99 5.55 3.620 11.34 5.60 2.7 139.00 6.06 1800.00 0.440 1.000 44.00 77.00 6.14 3.10 0.590 3.4 5.580

1.12 0.20 -2.29 0.00 -5.17 0.00 4.90 -1.00 -2.25 -1.31 0.20 5.38 0.00 -1.46 0.20 -0.63 -2.51 -0.49 -4.47 -5.22 -4.52 0.67 1.59 19.57 -0.43 -3.51 -1.40 0.55 0.81 0.25 -0.46 -1.79 -1.34 -2.74 0.00 0.00 5.28 -1.94 -1.09 0.35 -2.61 5.47 2.96 -2.88 -3.69 1.15 5.26 -0.45 1.05 2.68 0.98 -1.67 0.00 -1.24

139,800 90,200 91,000 109,000 100 800 66,195,400 111,940,000 3,879,000 456,260 27,900 13,000 217,000 200 66,975 90,100 37,200 5,000 4,118,000 1,092,500 75,600 510 5,300 754,000,000 604,400 14,930,000 1,143,000 252,000 2,000 13,992,000 109,000 44,000 66,000 2,800 87,000 5,000 9,955,000 2,765,300 1,586,000 154,800 1,000 36,000 488,760 714,300 137,920 860,000 58,262,000 4,556,000 1,044,140 114,100 524,000 6,816,000 271,000 209,400

0.0039 3.00 3.95 0.220 2.2000 0.59 0.410 8.60 0.860 0.270 0.206 0.218 0.0120 1.66 6.85 3.02 0.5200 0.9900 0.0110 4.10 8.61 3.05 0.0120 110.50 3.2 0.0100

0.00 0.00 2.33 -2.65 2.33 -1.67 0.00 0.00 2.38 0.00 -3.29 0.46 9.09 1.84 4.42 3.42 1.96 1.02 0.00 1.23 -0.46 -0.97 0.00 -0.90 -3.03 1.01

121,000,000 131,000 35,000 190,000 30,000 952,000 290,000 5,800 8,317,000 50,000 10,690,000 250,000 203,400,000 787,000 13,690,400 3,800,000 10,000 116,000 52,600,000 2,000 297,400 3,813,000 28,800,000 432,230 105,000 15,000,000

49.05 528.5 541 105 115 118 542 6 1.03 112 1091 1155 1036 79.5 78.4 79 79.9 78.6 79

1.13 -2.13 0.00 0.38 0.00 0.00 0.37 -0.83 0.00 2.75 5.41 1.32 1.57 2.51 -0.06 0.00 -0.37 0.00 0.00

199,400 6,000 210 38,370 110 1,000 200 101,900 520,000 1,310 2,615 1,000 5,555 3,410 3,390 28,500 6,830 154,940 55,710

-188,370,565.00 -659,170.00 51,000.00 -25,960,098.00 -674,255.00

3,051,410.00 74,250.00 43,210.00 17,765,220.00 386,774.00 -1,424,180.00

9,052,551.00

MS 7.650 6.80 1.30 3.050 0.290 38.600 2.9 0.620 1.00 0.167 0.610 59 0.770 0.143 1.03 1.84 1.19 4.6 0.159 0.2950 0.450 40.00 3.32 30.35 1.7

0.400 0.385 74.00 73.40 16.70 16.30 1.36 1.21 6.20 6.13 0.390 0.370 0.380 0.380 856 850 1050.00 901.00 8.28 8.18 12.00 11.70 6.39 3.69 7.32 7.25 0.216 0.205 1530 1476 75.65 74.00 5.31 5.31 8.1 7.92 0.84 0.81 17.04 16.6 7 6.81 0.0370 0.0350 1.270 1.190 2.080 2.020 82.00 80.00 672.00 667.00 1.28 1.25 1.03 1.03 214.000 207.000 0.3350 0.3150 0.2090 0.2090 0.290 0.285 PROPERTY 7.840 7.660 6.52 6.40 1.30 1.28 3.030 2.900 0.320 0.280 38.950 38.000 2.96 2.9 0.64 0.620 1.04 1.04 0.170 0.163 0.610 0.600 59 57.95 0.780 0.780 0.144 0.143 1.04 1.01 1.85 1.82 1.19 1.18 4.66 4.55 0.188 0.153 0.2950 0.2650 0.430 0.425 38.00 37.60 3.38 3.32 31.30 30.00 1.69 1.66

-7,137,900.00 -1,128,890.00 5,106.00 17,188,552.00 -23,984,084.00

-5,081,430.00 86,933 68,950.00 25,620.00 7,914,968.00 3,692,375.00 689,396.00 -1,105,496.00

-19,650,330.00 593,715.00

-851,126.00 1,817,587.00 39,900.00 -115,933,682.00

819,270.00 -10,503,790.00 41,961,322.00 13,249,212.00 232,950.00 -502,420.00 -2,731,821.00 1,637,080.00 -286,200.00 123,120.00 70,890.00 311,540.00

90,480.00 36,200.00 -20,911,281 316,640.00

22,264,729.50 10,439,104.00

-51,876,140

4,556,372.00 -40,171,318.00

-68,526.00

-139,128,935.00 -89,024,977.00

-183,367.00

-11,482,962.00 -191,123,108.00

23,128.00 110,404,600.00 -286,744.00

22,800.00 350,600.00 -148,140.00 103,250.00 15,907,090.00 -1,502,110.00 -1,598,550.00 -149,960.00 60,000.00 -1,433,495.50 -663,500.00 -10,645,010.00 -77,113,280.00 -542,680.00

-12,742,880.00 1,997,320.00

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

27,464,575

INDUSTRIAL

272,237,715

HOLDING FIRMS

81,861,187

PROPERTY

531,348,523

SERVICES

1,067,538,180

MINING & OIL

465,223,380

GRAND TOTAL

2,450,959,840

543,300.00

7,050.00 -32,211,800

-3,251,290.00 -6,025,057.00 -257,540.00

-61,580.00 -420,249.00 -5,000,990.00 21,500.00 -1,302,320.00 -24,006,820.00 -6,339,229.00 60,030.00 165,470.00 -3,091,760.00 -683,760.00 -270,000.00 117,000.00

-13,200.00 2,838,770.00

19,620.00 -193,620.00 -970,487.00

-34,791.00 18,120.00 11,409,329.00 3,320.00 -2,617,110.00 -102,802.00

2.360

-0.84

1,176,000

4.09 3.68 4.87 15.16

-0.73 -1.60 5.87 -0.26

637,000 4,000 208,000 4,422,100

-36,830.00

125

-1.26

11,560

112,590.00

-6,371,004.00

VALUE 1,848.61 (up) 19.46 2,823,859,404.38 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,626.83 (down) 217.02 1,630,797,425.605 HOLDING FIRMS 7,533.88 (down) 10.47 2,087,368,334.74 PROPERTY 3,362.68 (down) 43.98 1,534.42 (down) 31.05 1,712,745,253.263 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,715.68 (up) 33.83 1,489,815,332.13 PSEI 7,581.79 (down) 85.28 182,374,717.46 All Shares Index 4,534.34 (down) 31.19 9,999,077,511.18 Gainers: 88; Losers: 109; Unchanged: 45; Total: 242

oversupply situation in the power sector in the coming years.

“Next ten years, we’re looking at double [capacity].

There is a lot of excess supply, so you have to consider that in next 10 years,” Viray said.

He said the company also planned to develop a 900-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Pangasinan but actual construction would depend on the timing.

Phinma Energy owns a diversified portfolio of power generation projects, which include wind, coal, geothermal and diesel.

The company’s consolidated net income grew 43 percent in the first half to P542 million from P377 million in the same period last year.

Revenue from the sale of electricity increased 11 percent in the first six months to P7.1 billion.

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

The first 135-MW unit of the South Luzon coal plant started commercial operations in April 2015. South Luzon is Phinma Energy’s joint venture with Ayala Corp.’s energy arm AC Energy Holdings Inc.

PLDT, Roku sign video agreement

By Darwin G. Amojelar PLDT Inc. said Friday it teamed up with Roku Inc., a US-based leading video streaming platform.

“We are seeing a growing demand for Internet-delivered TV services in the country and there is no better partner for us to give Filipinos the world of entertainment than Roku which has the largest base of active streaming users in the world,” PLDT first vice president and head of Home operations Oscar Reyes Jr. said.

The partnership enables PLDT subscribers to access over 3,500 viewing apps.

Roku has nine million active accounts in 10 countries, including the US, the United Kingdom and Australia. It also has more than twice the usage of Google Chromecast, according to independent surveys and Roku’s own tracker conducted in November 2015.

“Roku’s powerful platform will be a strong complement to PLDT Home’s current array of content from various providers that include iflix and Fox International Channels,” Reyes said.

PLDT Home broadband subscribers currently enjoy subscription video on demand through their iflix accounts which include western, Asian and local TV shows and films. The partnership with Fox also allows live streaming and catchup television of the various shows on Fox channels.

PLDT Home has increased the speed of its Fibr plans with the most recent upgrade reaching as high as 1 Gbps to satisfy the growing appetite of subscribers for bandwidth heavy apps like video streaming.

The demand for Internet TV globally has grown dramatically in the past five years, with the fastest yearon-year growth of 73 percent registered in 2015 with one over-the-top box now streaming 5.5 billion hours at the end of 2015.

Business

B3

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

China factory cost drops to 4-year low

A Chinese customer selects fruit at a supermarket in Qingdao, east China’s Shandong province on September 9, 2016. China’s producer prices fell at their slowest rate for more than four years in August, the government said on September 9, another sign of stabilisation in the world’s second-largest economy. AFP

BEIJING―China’s producer prices fell at their slowest rate for more than four years in August, the government said Friday, another sign of stabilization in the world’s second-largest economy.

The news came a day after Beijing unveiled a forecast-beating rise in imports―the first in almost two years―raising hopes that a long period of slowing growth could be bottoming out.

The producer price index, which measures the cost of goods at the factory gate, fell 0.8 percent in August, National Bureau of Statistics said.

It was the smallest fall since April 2012, figures from Bloomberg News showed, and was significantly narrower than July’s 1.7 percent decline.

Protracted drops in PPI bode ill for industrial prospects and economic growth, as they put off customers―who seek to delay purchases in anticipation of cheaper deals in future―starving companies of business and funds.

Chinese PPI has been negative for more than four years but narrowing declines in the past three months have fueled hopes for the country―a key driver of

the world economy.

China’s economy expanded last year at its slowest rate in a quarter of a century as Beijing strives to effect a difficult transition in its growth model from reliance on exports and fixed-asset investment towards one driven by consumers.

Last month’s PPI drop was less than the 0.9 percent decline forecast by a Bloomberg News survey of economists.

“It shouldn’t be long before headline producer price inflation is back in positive territory,” said Julian Evans-Pritchard of Capital Economics.

ANZ Research analysts expected that shift to positive would occur before the end of the year, but predicted that China’s general price level would nonetheless remain stable.

“The upward pressure will not be strong either given the lingering overcapacity issue,” they said in a statement.

But consumer inflation eased to 1.3 percent in August, the NBS said, marking its lowest level since October.

The figure was down heavily from July’s 1.8 percent and lower than estimates of a 1.7 percent rise in the Bloomberg survey. AFP

Europe hikes growth target F

RANKFURT, Germany―The European Central Bank on Thursday raised its 2016 growth forecast slightly but lowered its projections for 2017 and 2018, with bank chief Mario Draghi saying “uncertainties” caused by the Brexit vote would weigh on trade.

“The economic recovery in the euro area is expected to be dampened by still subdued foreign demand, partly related to the uncertainties following the UK referendum outcome... and a sluggish pace of implementation of structural reforms,” Draghi said at a press conference in Frankfurt.

The ECB now expects gross domestic product to grow by 1.7 percent in 2016, up from a previous projection of

Ukraine to deliver biggest jet to China KIEV―Ukraine said on Wednesday it may deliver the world’s largest jet―originally developed for the Soviet Union’s abandoned space shuttle program―to China within the next five years.

The first AN-225 Mriya (Dream) sixengine heavy lifter was built by the Antonov aircraft maker in the 1980s.

The company moved in 1952 from Siberia to Kiev and then fell into Ukraine’s lap when the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.

Antonov and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China signed a memorandum of understanding on August 30 to renew the plane’s production in China under licence from Ukraine.

The only functioning Mriya jet last completed a large cargo delivery from the Czech Republic to Australia in May. A second jet was only partially finished and has remained in Ukrainian storage for the past 28 years.

Antonov’s China project coordinator Gennadiy Gabruk said the second plane would be fully upgraded and “under optimal conditions” delivered to China by 2021.

“This jet will be built using the basis of the basic framework we already have, but all the equipment will be new,” Gabruk told reporters.

The memorandum of understanding foresees mass production of the Mriya

by China under Antonov’s licence if all the technical details are resolved.

China reportedly conducted covert work on its own shuttle programme before dropping the idea in the 1990s.

But the booming nation is keen to join the international space race and is reportedly considering a permanently manned moon base.

Such a project would need a vessel to transport people to and from Earth.

The Soviet Union developed the Mriya to help lift off shuttles that could compete against those being used by the United States. AFP

1.6 percent, Draghi said.

The euro economy should expand by 1.6 percent in each of the following two years, he added, down from the earlier 1.7 percent forecasts for 2017 and 2018.

Inflation expectations remain broadly unchanged, at 0.2 percent for 2016, 1.2 percent for 2017 and 1.6 percent for 2018.

The eurozone’s ultra-low inflation is a huge worry for the ECB, whose goal

is to keep inflation near 2.0 percent.

The bank’s governing council decided at a policy meeting earlier Thursday to hold its record-low interest rates steady in a bid to encourage lending and drive up inflation.

The policymakers also opted not to make any changes to the bank’s ultraloose monetary policy, choosing to stay the course with a massive asset-buying program to the tune of 80 billion euros a month.

“For the time being the changes are not so substantial to warrant a decision to act. Our monetary policy is effective,” Draghi said, though he hinted the bank stood ready to take further stimulus measures needed.

“There is no question about the will to act, the capacity to act, and the ability to

do so,” he said.

But he also pleaded for patience to give the bank’s unprecedented stimulus measures a chance to work.

“Ultimately we’ve got to be patient,” Draghi said.

“Interest rates have to stay low for the economic recovery to proceed, for the economic recovery to firm up, which in the end will have a positive effect on banks’ balance sheets as well,” he said.

“Interest rates have to be low today for being high tomorrow.”

The lack of any major announcements disappointed some investors, who had expected Draghi to at least announce an extension of the ECB’s QE program.

“Today’s ECB meeting can quickly be filed away under ‘non-event’,” said Carsten Brzeski, chief economist at

ING-Diba.

Eurozone stock markets fell in response to the lack of more stimulus, while the euro climbed.

The ECB “will need to announce further policy stimulus before long,” added analyst Jennifer McKeown at Capital Economics, noting that recent business surveys suggest more slow growth in the eurozone.

But since Britain has yet to trigger the process to extricate itself from the bloc, analysts warn that it could take time for the economic fallout to make itself felt.

The bank’s governing council voted to keep the benchmark refinancing rate at zero percent, while the rate on the marginal lending facility remains at 0.25 percent and the bank deposit rate at -0.4 percent. AFP

Coal rises from grave, now one of hottest commodities FOR all the predictions about the death of coal, it’s now one of the hottest commodities in the world. The resurrection may have further to run.

A surge in Chinese imports to compensate for lower domestic production has seen European prices jump to near an 18-month high, while Australia’s benchmark is set for the first annual gain since 2010.

At the start of the year, prices languished near decade lows because of waning demand from utilities seeking to curb pollution and amid the International Energy Agency’s declaration that the fuel’s golden age in China was over. Now, traders are weighing the chances of extreme weather hitting major producers and China further boosting imports as factors that could push prices even higher.

“It’s a commodity that’s been on a slippery slide for the past four years and it’s making a remarkable recovery,” said Erik Stavseth, an analyst at Arctic Securities in Oslo, who’s tracked the market for almost a decade. “There’s a strong pulse.”

What could light up the market further is the occurrence of a La Niña weather pattern later this year. Last time it happened in 2010 and 2011, heavy rains flooded mines in Australia and Indonesia, the world’s two largest exporters.

While some meteorologists have toned down their predictions for the weather phenomenon forming, “another strong forecast” would cause prices to rise further, according to Fitch Group Inc.’s BMI Research.

La Niña systems can last for as long as two years, occurring when the surface of the equatorial Pacific cools, shifting weather patterns across the world.

Named by fishermen in Latin America, La Niña is the “The Girl,” which often follows an El Niño, or “The boy.”

The US Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center said Thursday there’s a 35 to 45 percent chance of La Niña, compared with as high as 75 percent in June. While Australia says there is a 50 percent chance, Japan rates the possibility as high as 70 percent.

While zinc is this year’s best perform-

ing commodity, climbing more than 43 percent, coal is not far off. Contracts for delivery next quarter to Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Antwerp gained 31 percent this year, while Australian benchmark contracts rose 40 percent.

That compares with the Bloomberg Commodities Index of 24 raw materials, which rose 7.9 percent this year. Coal isn’t in the gauge.

Previous havoc Back in February 2011, Australian prices were almost double today’s level as the last La Niña caused havoc to production and transport of the fuel from Australia to South Africa.

In an “extreme” La Niña scenario, prices for the next two quarters in Europe may jump as much as 18 and 27 percent, according to Diana Bacila, an analyst at Nena AS, an Oslo-based energy consulting firm.

Citigroup Inc. said in July that Asian prices may climb as much as 50 percent if rainfall caused by the weather phe-

nomenon is heavier than expected, further tightening the market in addition to Chinese production cuts.

China’s imports jumped to the highest since December 2014 in August as domestic production fell amid a drive to curb overcapacity, close unprofitable mines and cut pollution. China’s coal miners on Thursday agreed to coordinate production to help stabilize prices, with producers increasing output when the market is tight and cut production when there is oversupply, according to reports from Shanghai Securities News and Caijing.

And over in India, Coal India Ltd., the world’s biggest miner of the fuel, last week reported the lowest production in three years as heavy rains and protests cut its output. The miners are demanding more jobs and higher wages.

“Coal got a real boost from the increase in Chinese exports and also by the strike in India,” Barbara Lambrecht, an analyst at Commerzbank AG in Frankfurt, said by phone. “The rally has been

surprisingly strong.”

Some scientists are skeptical that La Niña will have that much of an impact.

“Since the event is most likely going to be borderline or weak, the impacts on global seasonal climate is also expected to be weak,” said Anthony Barnston, chief forecaster at Columbia University’s International Research Institute for Climate and Society.

Still, just because the meteorologists are seeing the potential impact fading, “it doesn’t mean the forecasts can’t turn out stronger this month or next month,” Nena’s Bacila said by phone. “That’s the risk.”

Even without a La Niña, coal has the potential for further gains.

“We’ve seen a pickup,” Ivan Glasenberg, chief executive officer of Glencore Plc, said last month on an earnings call.

There’s an absence of new supply, which “is good for the market,” and what China does in terms of imports will be “the big factor,” he said. Bloomberg

Riera U. Mallari, Editor rumallari@thestandard.com.ph

B4

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

Gadgets / Games

NINTENDO betting big on Super Mario Shigeru Miyamoto, creative fellow at Nintendo and creator of Super Mario, speaks on stage during an Apple launch event in San Francisco, California. AFP

T

OKYO—Nintendo’s tie-up with Apple on a Super Mario app for iPhone is more proof the consolemaker could score big in mobile gaming, analysts said Thursday, as its stock skyrocketed on the news.

The deal, announced in the United States Wednesday, will see “Super Mario Run” available exclusively for the Apple smartphone from later this year and follows Nintendo’s huge hit with the Pokemon Go app this summer.

Investors cheered the deal as they pushed the Tokyo-listed stock up 18 percent in early trade before it finished at 27,955 yen ($275), up 13.2 percent.

Nintendo shares have been on a tear since the July release of Pokemon Go—making the company more valuable than Sony at one stage—as markets embraced the game as vindication for its long-awaited move into mobile gaming.

After years of pressure, Nintendo —which also created the Donkey Kong and Legend of Zelda brands —abandoned a consoles-only policy and opened the door to licensing some of its characters for mobile game use.

“It is a big deal,” Neil Campling, an analyst at Northern Trust Capital Markets, said of the Nintendo-Apple announcement.

“This venture is perhaps the biggest endorsement we could possibly have imagined that Nintendo’s strategy to monetise their huge franchise IP (intellectual property) on mobile and ex-platform reliant technology is the right one,” he said in a commentary, according to Bloomberg News.

The deal comes after Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe last month appeared at the Rio Olympics’ closing ceremony in the mustachioed plumber’s red hat and blue overalls to promote the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Late visionary In March, Kyoto-based Nintendo released its first mobile game “Miitomo”—a free-to-play and interactive game that allows users to create avatars—as it tries to

compete in an industry that has increasingly moved online.

That followed the firm’s announcement last year that it was teaming up with Japanese mobile specialist DeNA to develop games for smartphones based on its host of popular characters.

Analysts said much of the credit belongs to Nintendo’s late president Satoru Iwata, a charismatic visionary who died last year at age 55.

In a dramatic U-turn, Iwata acknowledged in 2014 that Nintendo could no longer afford to stand on the sidelines of the booming mobile games market.

But the company’s mobile moves since Iwata’s death appear to go well beyond the conservative steps he had envisioned.

“The rails were laid by Mr Iwata,” said Ace Securities analyst Hideki Yasuda.

“Nintendo realized there was a limit to what it could do on its own.

They wanted to expand the business and now we’re seeing the fruits of those efforts.”

The firm is also seeing an uptick in advance orders for a Pokemon game for its 3DS handheld console and it’s also developing a new home-based system, set for release next year.

Nintendo stands to profit more directly from the Apple venture than Pokemon Go, which has now been downloaded more than half a billion times.

Nintendo did not create Pokemon Go, but it holds a stake in its US maker Niantic Labs. It also owns about one-third of the Pokemon Company, which will get licensing fees for loaning out the cuddly monsters’ brand.

The app sparked a worldwide frenzy among millions of users who took to the streets with their smartphones in a bid to capture and train mythical creatures for battles. AFP

VerveLife: When you want it all IT’S not rocket science; music fuels your workouts. It’s no wonder many fitness buffs and athletes put their headphones on and tune the world out during physical activity. No matter what the training program entails, music can help in getting into “the zone” and put you in peak performance.

However, many people can attest to the hassle of being in the middle of working out and having to lug around different adaptors and wires all for the sake of having music. As such, flexibility and freedom with connection is something aspired by many, not just technology enthusiasts. This is what Motorola VerveLife strives to provide.

With it, anyone can achieve this balance and own their every movement with maximum connected convenience.

“Motorola VerveLife is designed for people who want to

have it all, and are determined to get what they want. We’re moving towards a wireless age, and we recognize that nobody wants to be physically restricted. That is the beauty of technology. We continue to innovate and address the needs of our consumers,” says Digits CEO Charles Paw. Motorola VerveLife is a revolutionary collection of wireless video and audio products that allows consumers full freedom to enjoy life and stay connected, even in the wettest, toughest frontiers around the world. It also works well even for urban adventurers, looking for the next gym opening or a big park to run in.

The product line gives users the best kind of mobility they can get while exerting the right kind of effort—not too much, and not too little. The collection consists of a wide range of products, including: HD wireless

headphones, including the first True WirelessTM earbuds from a major manufacturer—the Motorola VerveOnes/VerveOnes+—and a QHD live-streaming lifestyle camera, Motorola VerveCam+.

Much like apps that locate where your phone is, Motorola VerveLife is accompanied with Hubble Connect, which optimizes the perfect sound, reviews and streams video, and finds the last connected location in case the product is lost.

Paw adds, “Technology is meant to enhance everyday living, not limit it. With Motorola VerveLife, we are creating more than just gadgets, but adventure companions you can always rely on.”

This is the power of VerveLife: It’s all about your move.

Motorola VerveLife Products are available in all Digital Walker stores, Astroplus/

Verve Ones+

Astrovision, Mobile 1, The InboxStore, Listening Room, Gadgets in Style, Games and Gadgets.

OPPO now 2nd bestselling phone in PH GERMAN-BASED market research organization GfK reported that OPPO is now the second bestselling smartphone brand in the Asean’s fastest growing mobile market, the Philippines.

GfK’s latest survey showed that OPPO increased its market share from 3.2 percent in July 2015 to 8.6 percent in July 2016, more than double its share from last year. The smartphone brand also rose from third spot in June 2016 at 8.5 percent, to second last July.

“Our increasing shares show how we are able to capture what Filipinos want in a mobile device,” said Stephen OPPO attributed its rising popularity Cheng, OPPO’s Brand Marto its F1 series. keting Manager. “We not only

meet consumer demands for quality smartphones, but we also offer them at more affordable prices. This is an important factor that paved the way for our growth over the past year.”

OPPO attributed its rising popularity to its F1 series, whose selfie-enhancing features won over the Filipino’s fondness for taking pictures of themselves. The company introduced the F1 phone in February this year, followed by the F1 Plus in April.

Introduced only last August, the F1 series’ latest addition, the F1s, sold out three days after its launch in concept and dealer stores nationwide.

Because of the reception

to the F1s, OPPO is optimistic that the company will eventually dominate the Philippine selfie market.

“OPPO will continue pursuing its growth in the market by indulging the Filipino fascination for taking selfies,” Cheng said.

OPPO is a global electronics and technology service provider that provides customers with the latest and most exquisite electronic devices and mobile Internet service.

OPPO delivers customers with the most delightful electronic experience that is full of surprises, through meticulous designs and smart technology.

For more information, please visit http://global.oppo.com.

Lose the bulk: Hassle-free workout with Gear Fit2 FITNESS is not only becoming more and more what they eat, etc. popular, but it’s making a great impact on how In fact, health buffs are starting to rely heavily on people live their lives—like how they move, gadgets to monitor their fitness activities and progress when working out.

For example, a smartphone can be used during a workout to track the number of reps you do once you’ve keyed them in or used as a music player to help keep you moving. But, as helpful as these gadgets have become, there still lies a problem.

Carrying a smartphone as you work out literally weighs you down, and ultimately, this affects the way you move. It becomes such a hassle to get a handful of information and see results in real time with such bulky devices connected to you. And although these things bother a lot of fitness buffs, they still make use of their smartphones during their workout, because that is what’s available.

Imagine what it would be like to not have to lug The new Samsung Gear Fit2 can also provide the around your smartphone, which actually weighs soundtrack to your workout.

a runner down and hinders him from unleashing himself to reach his full potential. Enter the new Samsung Gear Fit2: a lightweight GPS sports band that gives advanced fitness tracking to help you outdo your last.

With a few swipes, the standalone GPS is capable of tracking your distance, route, pace, calories burned, etc. more accurately, without needing your smartphone with you. What’s great about the new Samsung Gear Fit2 is its ability to give you more functionality that would ultimately help push you to workout harder. Knowing that everyone has a competitive side, when it comes to fitness, there’s no better motivator than your peers.

So, Samsung Gear Fit2’s social fitness challenge feature becomes pretty handy for peer motivation and fun.

And—what if—while you’re out on a run, it suddenly rains? Surely you’ll need to make a full

stop and run to the nearest shelter, unless you don’t mind letting your smartphone get wet. The new Samsung Gear Fit2 has a solution for that, too! The GPS sports band has an IP68 rating— meaning it’s both dust and water-resistant—making it the perfect fitness companion for those who love to go running despite rainy weather conditions or hiking in the mountains.

The new Samsung Gear Fit2 can also provide the soundtrack to your workout. Whether you’re running, doing yoga, Pilates or even if you’re just biking around the metro, you don’t need that smartphone around to listen to your favorite tunes. All you need to do is to connect your Bluetooth earphones to your new Samsung Gear Fit2. With its 4GB memory, it’s able to store up to 500 songs, which becomes a much more effective way to keep yourself motivated, thanks to its standalone music player.

Cotabato lakes attract tourists SOUTH Cotabato province’s famed lakes Sebu and Holon have been shortlisted in the 2016 search for the world’s “Top 100 Sustainable Destinations.”

Nelly Nita Dillera, Department of Tourism Region 12 director, said Thursday they received a confirmation that the two lakes, which are among the top ecotourism destinations in the region, joined the finalists in the search.

Lake Sebu is located in Lake Sebu town while Lake Holon, which is a crater-lake nestled atop Mt. Melebingoy, is in T’boli town.

Dillera said the two destinations were earlier nominated to the search by local tourism stakeholders.

“The nominee-sites were judged based on authenticity, biodiversity, cultural values, local community involvement, local food and environment,” Dillera said.

The search, which promotes “responsible and green tourism,” is the follow-up to National Geographic Traveller’s destination stewardship surveys from 2004 to 2010, and the 2014 Sustainable Destinations Global Top 100.

It is a joint initiative of The Netherlands-based Green Destinations, Sustainable Travel International, TravelMole, Destination Stewardship Center, Asian Ecotourism Network, and the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

The search is supported by more than 60 organizations and experts in the field of sustainable tourism.

Dillera said officials of Lake Sebu and T’boli will have the opportunity to be conferred “Green Ambassadors” during the Global Green Destinations Day celebration set on September 27 to 28 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. PNA

LGUs LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

C1

Baguio: Certify CAR measures as urgent

By Dexter A. See

B

AGUIO CITY—The City Council passed a resolution requesting President Rodrigo Duterte to certify as urgent House and Senate proposals for the establishment of a Cordillera Autonomous Region.

ETHNIC. Cordillera students and perfomers from the University of Baguio teach Film Development Council of the Philippines chairman Liza Dino a tribal dance at the launch of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts’ grants to arts and culture projects. David Chan

The committee on laws headed by Councilor Faustino Olowan with members councilors Edgar Avila and Benny Bomogao recommended the passage of the resolution after Mayor Mauricio Domogan asked the council to pass it.

Domogan said with Duterte’s pronouncement of that the direction of his administration is towards federalism, and considering that the Constitution provides for the creation of an autonomous region in the Cordillera, which it has pursued for more than 29 years, there is Next page

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

LGUs

S. Leyte touts bamboo reefs A

RTIFICIAL bamboo reefs are reviving marine life in Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte, said Rio Cahambing, provincial consultant on marine tourism.

This was revealed through the recent documentation dive more than a year after 76 modules of artificial reef were launched off Poblacion village, Cahambing said.

“The bamboo artificial reefs have become a rich haven of fish, corals, invertebrates and many other marine organisms,” she said.

“The transformation testifies to the fact that artificial reefs need not be so expensive and sophisticated, and that locally

available and eco-friendly materials, such as bamboos, can be useful in propagating marine life in the most natural way possible,” the official added.

The concept echoes the vision of Scaph Pro Philippines, a French-based non-government organization, recently established in Padre Burgos town, with Michael Levett as president and Jean-Francois Marailhac as vice president and technical director.

The Southern Leyte provincial government supported the program by extending technical advice and support.

For the second year, the group has implemented Operation Green Reef to rehabilitate or reestablish marine ecosystems using artificial reefs.

An additional 24 modules were recently launched, for a total of 100 modules for the same site. Several new modules are also being launched in the adjacent Cantutang village.

An assessment made late last year identified 146 fish species and 124 species of invertebrates in the site.

The recent documentation dives late July, show that the number of

species had risen, as soft and hard corals, fish and invertebrates continue to colonize and congregate within the artificial reefs.

Noticeable increases in schooling pelagic fish intrusions were also observed. Pelagic fish includes forage fish such as anchovies, sardines, shad and menhaden and the predatory fish.

Schools of fusiliers, long-nosed emperors, jacks, spade fishes, mackerels, and other reef predators are now becoming frequent sights.

“This is an indication that the whole artificial reef site is fast becoming a productive marine ecosystem,” Cahambing added.

Scaph Pro Philippines is willing to consult with other local

government units interested in undertaking similar projects.

In February, the group learned that two villages were hit by massive coral destruction caused by the damaging fishing method called “cerosca” that is similar to muro-ami.

The corals in Poblacion and Cantutang were virtually destroyed by cerosca many years ago, and only a small percentage of the corals managed to recover.

Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, said cerosca uses an encircling net together with pounding devices.

These devices are large stones fitted on ropes that pound the coral reefs.

It is repeatedly and violently lowered into the area encircled by the

Caloocan barangay chairman shot dead

BOOKISH.

To promote literacy and love for reading in Olongapo and Subic, RP Energy, the Subic Bay Metropoltan Authority, the Rotaract Club of Subic Bay Freeport Zone and the Rotaract Club of Kolehiyo ng Subic have set up Unang Hakbang Mobile Libraries.

Butch Gunio

By Jun David A BARANGAY chairman, who is said to have sent to jail a large number of drug pushers, was gunned down by four still unidentified suspects in Caloocan City.

Police identified the victim as Barangay 118 chairman Prolly Bolo Banaria, 42, of 317 2nd Street, 4th Avenue.

Investigators found that Banaria was having a drinking spree with his friends at his shop, Prolly Junkshop, on Baltazar St., 6th Avenue, Barangay 53 at around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday when the suspects—riding in tandem—came, approached the victim and fired at him.

The suspects immediately fled, the police reported.

Eight fired cartridges for .45 caliber pistol and one fired bullet of unknown caliber were recovered at the crime scene.

Investigators were told that the chairman had jailed quite a number of drug pushers in his jurisdiction who may have retaliated by killing him.

Baguio...

From C1

a need for the city to renew its pursuit of regional autonomy.

Earlier, Milagros Rimando, vice chairman of the Regional Development Council (RDC) in the Cordillera and regional director of the Cordillera office of the National Economic and Development Authority (NedaCAR) wrote local chief executives in the region urging all Cordillera provinces and cities through their respective provincial boards and city councils to signify their support for autonomy through a resolution requesting the President to certify the Cordillera regional autonomy bill as an urgent and priority agenda of his administration.

“We at the regional level are also working with various sectors to come up with a regional manifesto of support to regional autonomy,” Rimando said.

The request for concerned local governments to pass the necessary resolutions supporting the creation of the CAR and the certification of the autonomy bill as an urgent administration bill was agreed upon by the members of the RDC-CAR executive committee during their meeting on July 27.

The RDC-CAR said autonomy will fast-track the development of remote communities of the region after the abolition of the three Cordillera bodies—the Cordillera Executive Board, the Cordillera Regional Assembly and the Cordillera Bodong Administration—that worked for the crafting of the first two autonomy laws in 1990 and 1998.

Autonomy advocates believe that the creation of an autonomous region in the Cordillera will develop remote villages and alleviate poverty because the autonomous regional government will have greater control over its resources and policies.

net, literally smashing the corals in that area into small fragments in order to scare the fish out.

Cahambing added that restoring reefs in Southern Leyte would boost tourism and provide livelihood for the locals. Southern Leyte is known as the diving capital of Eastern Visayas.

“The reefs of Padre Burgos are generally healthy. In fact there are world-class dive sites in the area, teeming with fish and amazing marine life,” she said.

Padre Burgos is a small fishing town in the province of Southern Leyte, famous for its white sand beaches and also the jump-off point to the historic island town of Limasawa. PNA

Baguio gets higher CSC-CAR rating

By Dexter A. See THE Cordillera office of the Civil Service Commission (CSC-CAR) reported that the city government of Baguio got a good rating based on the parameters of the Report Car Survey (RCS) conducted by the agency in three major frontline services of local governments and regional line agencies.

Cornelia Rillera, CSC-CAR assistant regional director, said Baguio City improved its rating of 85 percent last year to 88 percent this year and its overall rating remained good for the prescribed period.

The RCS, a component of the Anti-Red Tape Act (ARTA), polled the city and municipal health offices, local civil registry offices and business permits and licensing offices of city and municipal governments that were subjected to the RCS this year. The survey was based on the inspection checklist on the compliance of the local governments to basic facilities, while 80 percent of the survey was based on the response of the clients to the frontline services and the facilities of the local governments.

“We continue to record signif-

icant improvements on the compliance of local governments and concerned government agencies to the standards of public service and we are optimistic that majority of those being subjected to the survey will garner excellent rating,” Rillera stressed.

The CSC-CAR official said the facilities of the City Health Services office, especially the alleged poorly maintained comfort rooms and the absence of doors in the toilets weighed down the city’s rating, and respondents claimed they were not satisfied by the delivery of services by the employees in the

frontline services and the poor basic facilities of the office.

According to assistant director, the local government continues to improve other frontline services although there is a need for the city to properly maintain its basic facilities, comply with the Accessibility Law, and provide emergency lanes for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Rillera revealed the rating of the local government or the concerned government agency can be a basis for granting performance-based bonuses to officials and employees for this year.

Makati rolls Lingkod Bayan caravan THE city government of Makati will hold the third leg of its Lingkod Bayan Caravan, a one-stopshop offering basic and special services to city residents, today, September 10, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon in front of the Pinagkaisahan Barangay Hall at the corner of Danlig and Tolentino streets.

Launched in August and scheduled twice a month, the caravan provides residents in every barangay a wide range of free services offered at the City Hall.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay has prioritized the program’s implementation in line with her thrust of proactive governance.

“We are inviting the residents of Barangay Pinagkaisahan to come to the barangay hall this Saturday and experience per-

sonalized services through our Lingkod Bayan Caravan,” Binay said.

The mayor said Makati residents should not pass up on the chance to be “pampered” by the city government right in their own barangay. “You only need to go to your barangay hall or another designated venue on the scheduled day to have a checkup and medicines that you may need, a haircut and a massage, reading glasses and many other services—all for free,” she said.

Residents can also pay their utility bills at the payment booths of Bayad Center, Manila Water and Meralco.

Binay said “children will enjoy free hot meals, parlor games and freebies, including

colorful learning materials and hygiene kits.”

The caravan will also process new applications or renewal of Yellow Card, BLU Card, White Card, and PhilHealth registration by the Makati Social Welfare Department.

A team from the City Civil Registration Office (CCRO) shall facilitate late registration and birth certificate authentication by the National Statistics Office. Free dog and cat vaccination against rabies is also provided by the City Veterinary Services Office.

The Legal Aid program will promote legal literacy and provide free legal counsel to less privileged residents of Makati.

It can also provide assistance on

inquiries regarding the status of pending Public Attorney’s Office cases.

Launched last August 13 in Barangay Pio del Pilar, the caravan is being held twice a month in cooperation with the JCBinay Foundation. The second was held in Barangay Guadalupe Viejo last August 27.

The schedule of the caravan for the rest of the year has been set as follows: Brgy. Valenzuela, September 24; Brgy.

South Cembo, October 8; Brgy.

Bangkal, October 22; Brgy. San Isidro, November 5; Brgy. Pitogo, November 19; Brgy. Carmona, December 3; and Brgy.

Pembo, December 10. The venue for each barangay will be announced later.

BREEZY.

In hot or cool weather, the wind is very much a part of the panorama of Mt. Batulao in Nasugbu, Batangas, and is best enjoyed when taking a dayhike.

Bulacan holds photo contest

CITY OF MALOLOS—The Provincial Government of Bulacan through the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office (PHACTO) has chosen qualified finalists for the grand finals of its first tourism photography contest that aims to capture the province’s natural beauty and the unique facets of Bulakenyo culture.

The contest dubbed as “Larawang Bulakenyo Turismo Photography Competition” has already screened thousands of entries with the theme “Lalawigan Ko, Kikilalanin Ko” that showcases the natural wonders of Bulacan in four different categories—festivals, local delicacies, nature and travel destinations and structures and historical landmarks.

“Out of thousands of entries, we have chosen 83 qualified finalists that will still undergo rigorous screenings for the grand awarding,” PHACTO head Dr. Eliseo dela Cruz said.

The competition, which is part of the weeklong celebration of the Singkaban Festival, will also exhibit all the 83 photos that made it to the finals from September 8-15, 2016 at Robinsons Place Malolos. The formal announcement of the winners will be on September 15, as part of the culminating activity of the celebration of Malolos Congress anniversary.

The grand winner in each category will receive P30,000 and a plaque while the first and second runners-up will receive P20,000 and P10,000, respectively.

PHACTO will also award four consolation prizes with cash incentives and certificates of merit.

World

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

C3

‘Warhead mounted on rocket’ P yongyang—North Korea said Friday its latest nuclear test had confirmed that it could mount a nuclear warhead on a rocket, hours after it carried out a fifth atomic explosion.

“The nuclear test finally... confirmed the structure and specific features... of a nuclear warhead that has been standardized to be able to be mounted on strategic ballistic rockets,” the state-run Korean Central News Agency said.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday called

North Korea’s latest nuclear test “absolutely unacceptable.”

“North Korea’s carrying out of a nuclear test is absolutely unacceptable for Japan,” Abe said in a statement, after Pyongyang conducted its fifth nuclear test, believed to be its most powerful to date.

“North Korea’s nuclear de-

velopment is becoming a graver threat to Japan’s safety and severely undermines the peace and safety of the region and the international community,” Abe said.

“Japan lodges a serious protest against North Korea and condemns it in the strongest language,” he added.

North Korea conducted a fifth nuclear test on Friday, an underground blast that Seoul quickly labeled its “most powerful to date.”

Seismologists detected a powerful artificial earthquake at 0030 GMT Friday, which they said was centered around Punggye-ri, North Korea’s nuclear

test site.

South Korea says it believes the quake was caused by the testing of a nuclear device, with a yield of 10 kilotons. That would make it the most powerful of Pyongyang’s five nuclear tests to date.

The North Korean leadership says a credible nuclear deterrent is critical to the nation’s survival, claiming it is under constant threat from an aggressive United States.

It has always insisted it will continue testing, ignoring global condemnation and toughened UN sanctions. The four con-

firmed tests so far have resulted in artificial quakes of increasing size. Friday’s quake followed that pattern, registering 5.3 magnitude.

Seoul said the 10-kiloton yield was the “most powerful to date.”

“With each test they can learn a lot,” atomic scientist Siegfried Hecker said in January.

If Pyongyang can make a nuclear device small enough to fit on a warhead, and can bolster the range and accuracy of its missiles, it might one day achieve its oft-stated aim of hitting US targets.

Beijing has been North Ko-

rea’s main diplomatic supporter and protector for decades, shielding its errant ally from harsh international action.

But China’s seeming inability to rein in Kim Jong-Un is increasingly embarrassing for Beijing: the North’s latest missile tests this week came as China was hosting a G20 summit.

China’s nightmare scenario is that if the regime collapses, millions of hungry North Koreans might flood over its border— and the US-allied South would take over, meaning American troops could be stationed right on the Chinese border. AFP

Sino boats fined for illegal fishing CONAKRY—Two Chinese vessels face huge fines after being caught fishing illegally in Guinea’s waters, including one fine of up to $3.4 million, the country’s fishing minister said Thursday, as west Africa attempts to crack down on millions lost to foreign trawlers.

The Chang Yuan Yu 6 and Lu Jiao Nan Yuan Yu 102 were among 14 vessels identified as operating illegally in a joint operation mounted

by Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal between August 28 and September 1 as part of a European Union-backed initiative.

The Chang Yuan Yu 6 was escorted to port and held there, said minister Andre Loua, while the second vessel escaped.

The boats were guilty of “unauthorized fishing in our economic zone without the required license,” Loua said.

The maximum penalty of one million euros ($1.1 million) would be applied to the captured vessel while the second had the maximum doubled for the aggravating factor of fleeing.

The crew of the first vessel have been freed, according to the minister.

The same company owns the two ships but its name has yet to be disclosed.

Experts have recently warned west Africa is missing out on vital income because of the masses of fish taken from their waters by trawlers from as far afield as South Korea. AFP

FOUNDER. A Chinese paramilitary soldier stands guard in front of a giant portrait of Mao Zedong at the gate of the Forbidden City in Beijing on Friday. September 9, marks the 40th anniversary of the death of Communist China’s founding father Mao Zedong. AFP

Taliban storms South Afghanistan city, residents flee US, Russia eye Syria peace accord KANDAHAR—The Taliban stormed into Tarin Kot Thursday, triggering heavy fighting around government buildings as panicked residents scrambled to flee the capital of southern Uruzgan province, the latest city to be targeted by insurgents.

Hundreds of militants battled to overrun the local prison, police headquarters and the governor’s compound after breaching the city, but hours later Afghan forces bolstered by reinforcements and air support repelled them from Tarin Kot, officials said.

The attack highlights the once

rural insurgency’s aggressive push to capture big cities, from Kunduz in the north to Lashkar Gah in the south, leaving Afghan forces fighting without full NATO support thinly stretched across multiple fronts.

The Taliban onslaught in Tarin Kot prompted senior officials to retreat to the airport, home to a military base on the outer fringes of the city, which has been besieged by the Taliban for months.

Tarin Kot’s normally bustling streets were deserted and shops closed as civilians sought to escape from the city.

Sabir Menawal, a Tarin Kot resident, said Taliban fighters entered his house near the police headquarters and took up positions inside to fire at government buildings.

“The Taliban instructed us to leave the area immediately,” Menawal told Agence France Presse. “I fled with my family to a safer area of Tarin Kot, but we fear fighting could spread to this area too.”

In a sobering admission, Uruzgan’s police chief Wais Samim said many of the city’s outer defenses had fallen to the Taliban without a fight.

“Some policemen made deals with the Taliban and retreated from their posts. Some people here deliberately want the enemy to succeed,” he told AFP. “We will address this issue once we push back the enemy.”

Tarin Kot is the third provincial capital that has come under Taliban attack in recent weeks, after Lashkar Gah and Kunduz, which the insurgents briefly seized last year in a stinging blow to Afghan forces.

The Taliban said they broke into Tarin Kot’s prison, but Samim rejected the claim and said many of

the inmates had been transferred to the airport.

Boosting morale for government troops, General Abdul Raziq, the powerful police chief of Kandahar province with a fierce reputation for brutality, arrived in Uruzgan with hundreds of reinforcements.

Samim said 79 insurgents had been killed in Thursday’s fighting, but declined to give a specific number of casualties for Afghan forces. He added that troops were preparing for another assault to flush out Taliban insurgents from the outskirts of Tarin Kot. AFP

Strong quake hits Australia island

SMOKY. A Municipal Corp. of Delhi worker fumigates an area to prevent mosquitos from breeding in New Delhi on Friday. AFP

SYDNEY—A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck Friday southwest of remote Macquarie Island where Australia maintains a small Antarctic base, officials said, but no injuries or damage were reported.

The tremor hit at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) some 29 kilometers from the island, which lies in the Pacific Ocean about half-way between Australia and Antarctica, the US Geological Survey said.

“We have been in touch with the base and they did feel it, but only slightly. They’re all fine and there is no damage,” an Australian Antarctic Division spokeswoman told AFP. No tsunami warning was issued.

Macquarie Island, which is 34 kilometers long and just five kilometers wide, hosts the permanent Antarctic base on a narrow, windswept strip of land.

The number of expeditioners on site varies from 14 to 40 depending on the season or research projects being undertaken. AFP

WASHINGTON—US Secretary of State John Kerry is leaving Thursday for Geneva, where he will hold high-level talks with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov to try to strike a peace deal for Syria, the State Department said.

“Their discussion follows recent conversations on Syria and will focus on reducing violence, expanding humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people, and moving towards a political solution needed to end the civil war,” spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.

The State Department did not say when Kerry and Lavrov will hold their talks on Friday, but the top US diplomat will be in Geneva early in the morning.

The meeting in Geneva had been announced Wednesday by Russian diplomats as scheduled for Thursday and Friday, but Washington waited until the last minute to confirm Kerry’s trip.

Both sides have agreed that a deal would involve a durable ceasefire, humanitarian access to conflict-wracked areas and a resumption of peace talks.

Kerry and Lavrov spoke by telephone Thursday on possible US-Russian cooperation aimed at destroying terror groups active in Syria, helping resolve humanitarian problems and promote a political solution to the conflict, the Russian foreign ministry said. AFP

C4

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

Caracas trades guns for gadgets

World

MEMORIAL. An aerial view of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Thursday in New York City. New York City is preparing to mark the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. AFP

CARACAS—People in violence-stricken Venezuela are trading in their guns for much-needed electrical household gadgets under an official scheme, the government said Thursday.

Interior Minister Nestor Reverol said 1,130 Venezuelans have handed in guns in return for TVs, microwaves, washing machines, freezers and tablet devices.

“We are going to give you a television. Thank you, brother, for taking part in this great day of disarmament!” he told one participant, shaking his hand and handing him a certificate at an event in central Caracas.

The pistols, shotguns, rifles and even the odd machine gun were ceremoniously crushed one by one in a hydraulic press.

Venezuela is suffering an economic crisis that has caused food shortages, riots and looting.

That has aggravated insecurity in the country that already has one of the highest homicide rates in the world: 58 for every 100,000 inhabitants, according to officials.

The government says the authorities have destroyed a total of 18,294 firearms in the country this year.

Reverol is a military official who has been indicted in the United States on drug-related charges. AFP

Thousands escape Honduras S

AN PEDRO SULA— Nelson fled Honduras for the United States to escape a murderous gang that was trying to force him to sell drugs.

Just 23, he was deported back to his homeland, his 46-year-old mother Marina says. He was soon dead.

They are two of countless ordinary victims of an extraordinary tragedy: the gang violence terrorizing Honduras, possibly the most dangerous country in the world.

Poor families like theirs are fleeing home for their lives.

Honduras’s National Human Rights Commission says more than 74,000 people in this country of eight million moved or emigrated between 2004 and 2014.

A gang murdered Geraldina’s three sons and now she fears for her daughter.

“She saw when they killed her brother,”

Hollande: Respect rights of Muslims PARIS—Islam can co-exist with secularism, President Francois Hollande said Thursday, warning in a speech seen as preparing the ground for a re-election bid that the anti-terror fight should not undermine French values.

The deeply unpopular Hollande has yet to announce whether he will run for a second term next year, but is widely expected to be a candidate.

In a passionate plea for tolerance, he defended the country’s Muslim minority following a vitriolic debate on the banning of the Islamic burkini swimsuit.

“Nothing in the idea of secularism opposes the practice of Islam in France, provided it respects the law,” Hollande said.

Secularism was not a “state religion” to be used against other religions, he said in the speech in Paris, denouncing the “stigmatization of Muslims.”

Mayors in around 30 towns this summer cited France’s century-old secular laws in banning head-to-toe swimwear on their beaches, unleashing a furore.

Several of the towns later revoked the bans after France’s highest administrative court ruled they were a “serious” violation of basic freedoms.

Geraldina says.

“They came into the house and put a pistol in her mouth to tell her not to talk.”

Like other witnesses of gang violence interviewed by Agence France Presse, she asked not to be identified by her full name.

The Megalocos gang killed two of her sons, aged 19 and 22, for disobeying warnings not to wear the shirt of their football team Olimpia, Geraldina said.

The third, aged 23, was killed because he refused to join the gang.

The head of the country’s human rights commission, Roberto Herrera, said that last year more than 16,000 Hondurans applied to the commission to be relocated abroad.

That was a 99 percent increase from the previous year, he added.

They flee their home neighborhoods, driven out by murders, kidnappings, extortion, assaults and threats.

Many of them seek to move to Costa Rica or Canada, Herrera says.

Many others don’t wait, but flee straight

to the United States -- as Geraldina’s daughter did.

She, too, was deported back to Honduras. Now she and her mother live in a neighborhood far away from the gang.

Honduras has one of the highest homicide rates in the world: more than six times the world average, according to the World Health Organization.

Officials blame gangs and drug-traffickers.

Groups such as the Salvatrucha Gang and District 18 rule the poor outskirts of Honduras’s main cities.

Before it was torn apart by the murders, Geraldina’s family lived in San Pedro Sula, Honduras’s second-biggest city— and one the world’s most violent.

“There is shooting every day. It goes for an hour or more,” says one local woman there, Petronila.

Young gang members cruise around in luxury vehicles toting guns.

“A lot of weapons end up scattered in the street” after a battle, she says. AFP

NASA mission collects asteroid dust MIAMI—The US space agency on Thursday launched its first mission to collect dust from an asteroid, the kind of cosmic body that may have delivered life-giving materials to Earth billions of years ago.

The unmanned spacecraft, known as OSIRIS-REx, blasted off at 7:05 pm (23:05 GMT) atop an Atlas V rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

“As the spacecraft soared high above the western tip of Australia, OSIRIS-REx has reached Earth-escape velocity of more than 22,000 miles (35,400 kilometers) per hour,” NASA spokesman Mike Curie said an hour after takeoff.

It “is flying free on its way to a seven year mission to rendezvous with the asteroid Bennu and return a sample to Earth.”

The $800-million mission will travel to Bennu, a near-Earth asteroid about the size of a small mountain.

Bennu was chosen from the some 500,000 asteroids in the solar system because it orbits close to Earth’s path around the sun, it is the right size for scientific study, and is one of the oldest asteroids known to NASA. “For primitive, carbon-rich asteroids like Bennu, materials are preserved from over four and a half billion years ago,” explained Christina Richey, OSIRIS-REx deputy program scientist at NASA. These “may be the precursors to life in Earth or elsewhere in our solar system.”

OSIRIS-REx’s main goal is to gather dirt and debris from the surface of the asteroid and return it to Earth by 2023 for further study.

Learning more about the origins of life and the beginning of the solar system are key objectives for the SUV-sized OSIRIS-REx, which stands for Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification and SecurityRegolith Explorer.

The mission should also shed light on how

to find precious resources such as water and metals in asteroids, a field that has generated increasing interest worldwide.

“We are going to map this brand-new world that we have never seen before,” said Dante Lauretta, OSIRIS-REx principal investigator and professor at the University of Arizona, Tucson.

Using a suite of cameras, lasers and spectrometers, “we are really going to understand the distribution of materials across the surface of that asteroid,” he added.

“We are a trailblazer for that kind of activity because our science requires it.”

The spacecraft is expected to reach Bennu in August 2018 and spend two years studying it before it begins the sample collection attempt in July 2020.

NASA hopes the solar-powered OSIRISREx will bring back the largest payload of space samples since the Apollo era of the 1960s and 1970s, when American explorers collected and carried back to Earth some 800 pounds (360 kilograms) of moon rocks.

The collection device, known as the Touch-and-Go Sample Acquisition Mechanism (TAGSAM), should pick up around two ounces (60 grams) from the asteroid, but in tests so far it has generally picked up five times that amount.

TAGSAM contains a type of reverse-vacuum mechanism that was invented by a Lockheed Martin engineer who tested the concept a decade ago using a red plastic Solo cup in his driveway.

The spacecraft will not land on the asteroid, but get very close and reach out with an arm like a pogo-stick for a quick, three-to-five second maneuver.

Rich Kuhns, OSIRIS-REx program manager with Lockheed Martin Space Systems in Denver, described the movement as a “gentle high-five.” AFP

WINGS. A performer dances on the runway at the Malan Breton fashion show during

New York Fashion Week September 2016 at Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday in New York City. AFP

Russian river turns red again MOSCOW—A river in Russia’s far north turned a blood red color probably as a result of an industrial accident, environmental group Greenpeace said on Thursday.

The claim was denied by a nearby factory, run by Norilsk Nickel the world’s biggest producer of nickel and palladium.

“We believe that a factory pipe must have broken and discharged its waste into the river,” Greenpeace Russia spokesman Vladimir Chuprov said.

“What happened with the River Doldykan is an example of the cost of industrialization in Russia’s far north,” he said, adding that the river had also turned red in June following a similar accident.

On Wednesday, Russia’s environment minister ordered an inquiry into a possible industrial accident after the river, near the town of Norilsk, suddenly took on the bright red hue.

The minister said “the rupture of a drainage pipe at the Norilsk nickel factory” could have been the cause of the sudden color change. Norilsk is a town of around 170,000 people. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com

YOUTH

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

D1

Retro ‘80s graphics and classic silhouettes perfect for all ages

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OLLOWING the success of the first collection, Giordano’s Voltes V collection had an electromagnetic return last month. Featuring vintage poster-inspired graphics in relaxed and timeless silhouettes, pieces in this collection appeal to those who enjoyed the classic series in the ‘80s as well as their children now.

“Retro icons and nostalgia continue to influence today’s casual and street wear.

Through the revival of the last decades’ popular silhouettes and good old days’ iconic characters, every major brand has put their own fresh take on the classics. And, in this series of Voltes V collections, Giordano has made it a point to honor the ‘80s favorite while making it relatable to younger generations,” said Giordano Philippines Vice President for Merchandising Rochelle Tan. The collection features minimalistdesigned polo shirts and raglan tees, as well as printed tees with vintage Voltes V graphics in different colors and sizes perfect for the whole family. In addition to classic silhouettes and subtle detailing, every item in this collection is made of premium and comfortable fabric.

“Voltes V is such an icon for those who grew up in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. It’s a big part of Pinoy pop culture and it transcends different generations. This collection is the second of the three-part series to celebrate the classic show’s 40th anniversary on 2017,” said Tan. Giordano’s Voltes V raglan tees are available for only P699.00, polos for P1099.00 and printed tees for a special promo of buy one at P999.00 and buy the second one at P799.00. What’s more, for every two Voltes V merchandise, you can get a free Voltes V Special Limited Edition Playing Cards.

For more information about the collection, visit Giordano Philippines on Facebook.

LET’S VOLT IN. Fans of the

40-year-old Japanese anime television series, Voltes V, can relive the action-packed days of fighting the Boazanians through Giordano’s latest collection of tees, raglans and polos featuring the iconic robot.

The classic clog for kids in various colors and character designs

Over 500 pairs of Crocs donated to SM Foundation

29th Wedding Expo PH at SMX Manila

CROCS, a world leader in innovative casual footwear for men, women and children, has donated more than three million pairs of shoes to people in need around the world as part of its global Crocs Cares corporate social responsibility platform.

In the Philippines, Crocs’ showed that it cares when it recently held a trade-in promo in partnership with SM Supplies and BDO. Customers were given a discount when they traded in their old kids’ Crocs to purchase a new pair of Crocs for the kids. Crocs was able to collect over 500 pairs during the promo period, which were donated to the SM Foundation.

THE last wedding fair of the year, the 29th edition of the Wedding Expo Philippines (WEP), happens today and tomorrow at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Pre-register online for free admission.

To all would-be brides and grooms, get ready with your checklist.

After the recent success of the mid-year wedding fair, the Philippine Wedding Summit in June, Themes and Motifs is not leaving any stone unturned with the last event for the year this September. The team of T&M is making sure soon-to-be married couples have all they need in one roof, with more than 430 of the country’s top wedding professionals gathered in this two-day grand celebration.

Begin your journey together as a couple with a keepsake studio portrait courtesy of Studio1, WEPS16 Major Sponsor. Remember your visit to Asia’s Biggest Wedding Fair, Wedding Expo with a studio sitting with one of the Philippines, for many years to come country’s most sought after wedding

Crocs Philippines President Mark Christian Chan (left) and Operations Manager Honorio Pascual (right) with (second from left) BDO VP for CLG Marketing Maria Cristina Cordero, SM Foundation’s Dalfhen Samson and SM Stationery Marketing Manager Nitz Valera

Themes & Motifs gathers hundreds of top wedding professionals in the two-day Wedding Expo 2016

photography experts.

Everybody loves a raffle – especially when prizes are given away every hour. A big hit during the premiere issue of WedExpo, soon-to-wed couples are in for hourly sets of treats from the generous exhibitors of Wedding Expo Philippines.

Times are hard but soon-to-wed couples still want to wed in style. For this very reason, Wedding Expo Philippines introduces the Wedding Expo Specials – special offers, promos, discounts, add-ons, etc. that soon-to-wed couples may avail of exclusively at the WedExpo. These are not available anywhere else and at any other time. Thus, soonto-wed couples are encouraged to bring their checkbooks, be prepared to pay in cash for their reservation fees and downpayments to be able to maximize stretching their budgets. On top of this, they will also get a chance to win a free honeymoon trip.

Beneficiaries of the donation to SM Foundation will enjoy Crocs features of Croslite material, a proprietary, revolutionary technology that gives each pair of shoes the soft, comfortable, lightweight, non-marking and odor-resistant qualities. They will also have school supplies as Crocs and SM Stationery also donated All-in-one School packs of bags with school supplies.

Crocs purchases now enable shoppers to earn points for their SM Advantage, Prestige and BDO Rewards cards.

Get connected with Crocs through @CrocsPH on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Life

D2

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

D’ hugot of the indie film actor IRL (IN REAL LIFE) MENCHU AQUINO SARMIENTO

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URING a public conversation at the recent Cinemalaya Campus, four independent film actors talked about their craft to an audience of mostly students (many as young as Junior High) who might conceivably find themselves on both sides of the camera, for their own indie film projects.

Indie films are notorious for their shoe-string budgets, but spouses Liza Diño and Aiza Seguerra agreed unparalleled freedom for actors to express themselves and to evolve their techniques.

“Not to knock the mainstream movie industry, but there it’s hard not to compromise,” Diño remarks.

“As an Indie film actor, you are your own instrument. You are not limited by the producers’ requirements or the director’s aesthetic.”

Veteran character actor, teacher and director, Roli Inocencio puts it bluntly, “Mainstream filmmaking is synonymous with the lowest common denominator. Indie goes beyond the usual romcom, superhero or alamat fantasy. It’s like junk food vs. a subtle delicacy, which only sensitive palates can appreciate. There should be more to the dialogue than just words. Even the silences should have meaning. Indie film imperfections just make them so much more real. In mainstream movies, the camera dictates the acting parameters whereas in Indie, the camera serves the actor.”

Ina Feleo ref lects, “Acting is not just an art, but also a discipline. The secret of good acting is to act as if you’re not acting, in order to bring out the character’s truth. I don’t judge my character as bida or contrabida but just focus on who she really is.”

Feleo, who is showbiz royalty, actually started performing as a dancer but was coaxed into acting by her late father Johnny Delgado.

She practices her craft on-stage, and

Veteran character actor, director and teacher Roli Inocencio posits that indie film’s imperfections make it much more real.

Liza Diño and Aiza Seguerra agreed that actors should have unparalleled freedom to express themselves and to evolve their techniques.

on both big and small screens. Although her mother Laurice Guillen runs acting workshops, Feleo lightly dismisses it as tsamba lang on her part, when peers and fans alike praise her work. Her fan base is admittedly mostly due to her being part of the Star Magic family.

“Acting in a teleserye is very different from being in a feature film,” Feleo further explains. “In TV soaps, the script always has to explain what went on in previous episodes for viewers who just tuned in.

It’s very auditory, almost like radio, because many people watching TV in the middle of the afternoon are multi-tasking, so you have to make sure they get it, even without their giving you their full attention.”

Still she admits feeling more comfortable with film, which allows for more nuanced acting, and the emotional and psychological build-up of tuhog shots. “In film, what impacts the audience is first of all the visual, then the sound. For theater, it’s the other way round.”

Diño declares that acting is still one of the most amazing jobs ever, and advises the young wannabes in the audience to draw from their own vulnerabilities and unique life experiences. They must be unafraid to live their truth, albeit under imaginary circumstances. “When you prepare for a role, you use a lot of sense memory. You don’t actually become or turn into your character, but in acting the character, you access myriad facets of your self.

Your pain becomes your fuel.”

Being a natural instinctive actor like her spouse, Aiza is a rare gift.

Still all actors should take every opportunity to learn, especially from professional workshops. Contrary to urban legend, those who are sent to the corner sari-sari store to buy suka, rarely, if ever, return from their humdrum errand as movie stars.

Seguerra credits Diño with making her realize the value of professional training. As a child, being an entertainer was just a fun game.

But then a three-year-old wouldn’t have the breadth of experience or the depths of pain that mature acting draws upon. “Liza made me understand the importance of honing my craft. Still you have to find your own way; know your own strengths and just keep on practicing. You don’t see acting as just another job.

When you’re in the zone, it’s like you live then let go. Otherwise, you just have to keep on working at it.

It’s not as simple as, O, maganda ka.

Puwede ka nang mag-artista.”

Many Philippine beauty pageant winners enter showbiz, including Diño who was Miss Tourism International in the Mutya ng Pilipinas 2001. On this note, Seguerra deadpans: “I started out in showbiz as a beauty title holder, too. Remember, I was once Little Miss Philippines.”

How to choose the right food for your pet?

PET foods in the market today are increasingly becoming more specialized, offering wide array of varieties that are based on the life stage, size, breed, or health condition of the dog or cat. However, the numerous terms and information plastered on the packaging might be overwhelming for a pet parent who is looking for the perfect food for their furry friend.

In an effort to help pet owners make more informed decisions on selecting the best food for their dogs and cats, Pet Food Institute (PFI), shares some tips in deciphering the different components that make up the pet food label. PFI is committed to educating the growing Filipino pet community on responsible pet ownership through its initiative, the Well Fed, Well Nurtured campaign in partnership with the Veterinary Practitioners Association of the Philippines.

Know your pet’s health status

A visit to the pet doctor is always the first step. The expert guidance of the vet will help pet parents know what nutrients their pet may be lacking, or identify any special medical needs. Through this, pet owners will be able to narrow down their list of pet foods to choose from.

Look for the important labels

In other countries such as the US, pet food labels are governed by laws and regulations. Pet food makers comply with these laws, guaranteeing pet owners that the ingredients in the products are safe and have undergone appropriate methods to certify its nutritional adequacy. When choosing the perfect pet food, make sure the pet food package has the following labels:

Guaranteed analysis

This information panel is usually found at the bottom of the packaging.

The Guaranteed Analysis lists the levels of crude protein and fat, and the maximum levels of fiber and moisture.

It is important to note that the standard levels between dry food and wet food are different. For instance, wet foods have a lower percentage level of protein because it contains more moisture (7578%) compared to dry foods (10-12%).

For a comprehensive comparison, wet food levels are converted into dry food levels. This can be done with the help of the veterinarian.

Ingredients list

Pet food manufacturers must clearly indicate the list of ingredients used in the pet food. Reading the list provides the opportunity for the pet owner to look for the ingredients that may be potentially cause allergies to their pets.

By the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) standards, ingredients are listed in descending order by its pre-cooked weight, which is helpful when you are comparing moisture levels of different products. On a pet food label, ingredients are listed by their technical names which include not only the source of the nutrient but also can include information about a process, if used, to make the ingredient.

Some examples of protein listed on a pet food label include poultry byproduct meal, corn gluten meal, meat and bone meal, soybean meal, and whole grain like corn, barley and oats. All can be excellent sources of protein for your pet.

If you suspect that your pet has food al-

lergy, save the dog food packaging and take it to the vet with you. The vet can help you determine if your pet is sensitive or allergic to a specific ingredient.

Nutritional adequacy statement One of the most important aspects of a pet food label is the Nutritional Adequacy Statement which confirms that the food has met the minimum dietary requirements. When the product claims to be “complete and balanced” or “nutritionally adequate”, you can expect that the pet food was formulated to meet the established AAFCO Food Nutrient Profiles and was tested using the appropriate AAFCO Feeding Trial Protocols.

Additionally, the Nutritional Adequacy Statement should specify which pet life stage or condition the product is suitable for: gestation/lactation (pregnant and nursing), growth (includes kittens and puppies), maintenance or all life stages.

Daily feeding instructions

The feeding instructions provide the recommended feeding amount that should be served to pets. It is measured in specific units such as cups and grams.

Some pet food products will include the calorie content – also an important label requirement – which is dependent on the amount of feeding suggestion indicated.

The wealth of information on pet nutrition can truly be a great advantage for pet owners in providing long and happy lives for pets. To know more about pet care and pet nutrition, visit www. petfoodinstitute.org and follow PFI on Twitter @USPetFood.

Pet owners must read the list of ingredients in the food that they buy for their pets.

D3

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Philip

Piolo and Crizal® get into life’s moments WHAT if, in the middle of your routine eye check-up, you ended up face-to-face with Philippine leading man Piolo Pascual?

Watch and share the surprised reactions by patients as Essilor, the world’s leading ophthalmic optics company, premieres its newest video as part of its campaign for Crizal® lenses at https:// youtu.be/-E6BiMaz5gc.

Crizal®, one of Essilor’s flagship brands, emphasizes the importance of experiencing and even creating, life’s

portrays tough grandfather with a gay grandson

precious moments with clear vision. By providing lenses that protect eyes from glare, dirt, smudges, oil, harmful blue lights and UV rays from the sun, Crizal® makes sure you don’t miss out on each and every single event in life.

Crizal® lenses are available at leading optical shops and through eye care professionals nationwide.

For more information, visit Essilor’s website at www. essilor.com.ph.

Actors Philip Salvador and Jerome Ponce (left photo) play colorful characters in tonight’s episode of ‘MMK’

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HILIP Salvador and Jerome Ponce play the roles of a grandfather and a grandson in a heartwarming story about accepting family regardless of circumstance in MMK tonight.

Ilong (Philip Salvador) has been taking care of his grandson Gilbert (Jerome Ponce) ever since he was just eight months old after his mother Elang (Ella Cruz) left him to look for work in the city. Unfortunately, Elang fails to return to her firstborn after getting pregnant by another man.

Since then, Ilong has worked so hard to provide for Gilbert, whose effeminate behavior he persistently shrugs off. Scared that his grandfather might not approve of his sexuality, Gilbert hides it from him and only openly expresses himself in school.

Gilbert is about to enter college

when Ilong starts losing jobs due to his old age and fails to provide for his grandson’s education.

What will Ilong do to send his grandson to school? How will Gilbert tell the truth to his grandfather who is a known tough guy in their community? Will his love for his lolo prevail?

This special grandparents day episode is the program’s salute to all grandmothers and grandfathers who served as moms and dads to their beloved grandchildren.

Joining this episode are JB Agustin, Manuel Chua, Eric Nicolas, Josh de Guzman, Dang Cruz, Lui Manansala, and Nico Antonio.

New shows and more in ‘GRR TNT’ GANDANG Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) visits new programs of GMA-7 starting off with an off the wall talent show.

Combining comedy with a singing competition is Superstar Duets hosted by Starstruck Ultimate Survivor, Jennylyn Mercado which piloted on Sept. 3. Sitting as judges are comedian and TV host Allan K, Traffic Diva and singer Aicelle Santos, and romantic balladeer Christian Bautista.

The heart-warming Someone to Watch over Me starring Tom Rodriguez and Lovi Poe premiered on Sept. 5.

Meanwhile, Childhaus Manila kids and their families celebrated one year inside the home their ‘Kuya Hans’ gave them.

Some Kapuso celebrities who were busy attending to other worthy endeavors found time to be in business. Find out who ventured off into the world of business while on the spotlight.

In Showbiz Express, Aster Amoyo visits child star Alonzo Muhlach.

All these and more with host Ricky Reyes, 10 a.m. today in Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) on GMA News TV.

SM Prime’s Hans Sy joins Mother Ricky Reyes in a visit at the Childhaus Foundation

‘SKY Alive!’ on tour

FAMILIES who enjoyed the SKY Alive! interactive entertainment experience brought by leading cable and broadband provider SKY can look forward to the SKY Alive! Tour, beginning with the first leg till tomorrow at SM Aura in Taguig City.

Following the successful staging of the first family cable fair in the Philippines in March to culminate SKY’s 25th anniversary, SKY is treating families once more to the exciting experiential booths where their favorite shows and TV characters will be brought to life, this time as delivered by SKY’s beloved channel partners Star Movies, Star World, National Geographic Channel, FOX Sports, and FOX Channel.

In the first leg, FOX brings in The Walking Dead booth - a contraption that simulates the shows environment where participants are challenged to look for survival items while blindfolded in one Immerse in ‘The Voice’ experience via Sky Alive tour at SM minute. Providing the extra challenge Aura

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, September 10, 2016

ACROSS 1 “Rag Mop” brothers 5 Wedge up 9 Mae West role 12 Salon treatment 13 Theater awards 15 Act worried 16 Unlikely to bite 17 Express a view 18 Hwys.

19 Downhill race 21 Most sticky 23 Licks 25 Banana stalk 26 Open meadow 29 Give up, as a habit 31 Icon 35 Birthday no.

36 Nab 38 Handle (2 wds.)

39 Too quick to act 41 Film crew members 43 Beatles’ meter maid 44 Asimov or Hayes 46 Good hoppers 48 A real sparkler 49 Sri Lanka 51 Lantern-jawed host 52 Uh cousins 53 More than misled

55 Low-drifting clouds 57 Oater bit parts 61 Copied a drawing 65 Superboy’s girlfriend 66 The One-L Lama 68 Fr. miss 69 Legal rep 70 Jeer 71 Tunneling rodent 72 Laugh syllable 73 Grand Ole — 74 Red-waxed cheese DOWN 1 Many NYC homes 2 Repast 3 Ms. Bombeck 4 Detect a rat 5 Raging 6 Jump on one foot 7 No future — — 8 Talking birds 9 Past due 10 Readies champagne 11 For fear that 14 Small factions 15 More straitlaced

20 Squirrel hangouts 22 Clues 24 Head warmer 26 Melody’s words 27 Clean the slate 28 Test, as ore 30 Whale’s diet 32 Tan 33 Web-toed mammal 34 Garden soils 37 Tools for duels 40 Corridor 42 Bless 45 Form loops

47 Like some cream 50 Is short of 54 Big Dipper neighbor 56 Action star Jean-Claude Van — 57 Ho-hum 58 Loan figure 59 Before 60 Spill over 62 Clump of dirt 63 Ms. Fitzgerald 64 Consider 67 Kenya’s loc.

are walkers who will try to stop them from accomplishing the task. Also here, participants can also have a photo opportunity with the walkers.

Adding an extra amount of musical fun challenge is The Voice Dubsync where participants can create a unique lip-sync dub within an immersive video booth with concise sound.

James Bond film lovers will get an action-packed experience inside the James Bond booth as they enter the world of the movie Spectre and finish off as many bad guys in a given time frame.

Meanwhile, SKY brings a VR (Virtual Reality) experience using a VR Box that provides an immersive 360 virtual reality experience of a game, a movie or an adventure experience.

In the coming months, families can expect more fun and entertainment surprises from SKY.

Please, keep you eyes on Piolo Pascual’s shirt

Dick Israel’s ‘Wagas’ story is a tale of merciful, selfless love TODAY, Wagas celebrates the love story of Dick Israel with Baron Geisler portraying the veteran character actor.

More commonly known by his screen name Dick Israel, Richardo Michaca claims it was love at first sight when he met his would-be wife Marilyn on that fateful day Marilyn’s aunt decided to have her fortune read by his mother.

Falling in love at a young age, the couple decided to elope and live together in Baguio, and start a family. Dick was fortunate enough to land a role in a movie after auditioning, and soon his acting career took off. He became one of the most sought-after character actors playing either the antagonist or the sidekick of famous action stars.

Blinded by the glitz and

glamor of show business, Dick went astray. He eventually left Marilyn and their children. Still, Marilyn continued to love him and endured everything.

Fate was not kind to Dick.

He suffered a stroke, his health started to deteriorate, and eventually lost his job.

One day, Marilyn found Dick on her doorstep. He was coming home to his family. Without second thoughts, Marilyn accepted Dick back to her life, giving him another chance. Now, the loving wife stays beside her husband as he fights for his health.

Watch this story that shows how forgiving and selfless true love is, featuring Ina Feleo, Mara Lopez, and Baron Geisler as Dick Israel.

Wagas airs every Saturday, 7 p.m. on GMA News TV.

Controversial actor Baron Geisler (left) portrays character actor Dick Israel (right) in GMA News TV’s ‘Wagas’

Showbiz

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

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2016

GMA treats Kapuso fans in Mindanao’s three major festivals

GROUPFIE. Kapuso stars pose with the crowd after their successful show at Abreeza Mall in Davao

T

HE Kapuso Network brought some of its biggest stars to Mindanao to celebrate three of the region’s biggest and most colorful festivals this year: Davao’s Kadayawan, Cagayan de Oro’s Higalaay, and General Santos’ Tuna Festival.

Davao’s Kadayawan Festival—considered the king of all festivals in Mindanao—was made extra magical with no less than the lead stars of Encantadia gracing the celebration on Aug. 20.

In the Kapuso Mall Show at Gaisano Mall Davao, thousands were mesmerized as the Sang’gres – Kylie Padilla and Glaiza de Castro – who were joined by their co-stars Ruru Madrid and Migo Adecer entertained them. Adding kilig to the mall show was GMA Artist Center’s James Wright.

The Kapuso celebrities also visited Barangay 23-C for a fun-filled Kapuso Barangayan prior to the mall show.

In their Encantadia outfits, Kylie, Glaiza, Ruru, and Migo spread cheer among Kadayawan onlookers aboard the Kapuso Float during the Pamulak sa Kadayawan Float Parade the following day.

Taking the Kadayawan fever a notch higher were the cast of Someone to Watch Over Me, Sinungaling Mong

Puso, and Juan Happy Love Story who wowed the audience during the Kapuso Mall Show held at Abreeza Mall the next day, Aug. 21.

Setting the festive mood that afternoon were Premier Actress Lovi Poe and Kapuso leading man Tom Rodriguez who flew to Davao to meet their fans and promote their new primetime show.

Meanwhile, the cast of Afternoon Prime’s Sinungaling Mong Puso was in full force as the love triangle of Rhian Ramos, Rafael Rosell, and Kiko Estrada entertained the audience.

Dennis Trillo and Kim Domingo, stars of the sexy-comedy series Juan Happy Love Story, set the stage on fire with their respective song numbers.

A week after celebrating Kadayawan Fest, the leading men of Sinungaling Mong Puso made another trip to the South for Cagayan de Oro City’s Higalaay Festival.

The two Kapuso hunks, Rafael and Kiko, captured the hearts of the Kapusong Kagay-anons’ on Aug. 28 during the Kapuso Mall Show at Centrio Mall and a Kapuso Barangayan at Brgy. Macabalan. Joining them was comedienne Maey Bautista who served as event host. The Higalaay Festival celebrates the feast day of St. Augustine, the patron saint of CdeO.

Elnella

goes on tour THE tandem of Sam (Janella Salvador) and Kevin (Elmo Magalona) are set to take their on- screen chemistry live and up close as they give a musical treat to thank their fans in their upcoming album tour tomorrow 5 p.m. at Starmall Alabang.

Listen to their heartfelt tunes as the lead stars of Born for You serenade the crowd with songs that viewers have heard and have brought kilig in the series. Fans can also listen to the songs that Sam and Kevin performed in the series such as “Pangarap Lang,” “You’ll Be Safe Here,” and the series’ official theme song “Born for You,” which are all available on Spotify.

Meanwhile, the scenes get more intense, as Cathy (Vina Morales) discovers the truth about the song “Born for You,” and is now ready to expose Marge (Ayen Laurel) and her lies. With revelations set to come their way, Sam and Kevin’s relationship is threatened to be cut short with Marge taking extreme measures to save her and his son’s career.

How will Sam and Kevin fight for their love? Will the red string that binds them together be broken?

Don’t miss the teleserye that proves destiny exists, Born for You weeknights after Till I Met You on ABS-CBN or ABS-CBN HD (SkyCable 167). Catch up via iWant TV and skyondemand. com.ph for Sky subscribers.

And on Sept. 3, Rhian joined her two leading men for the Kapuso Mall Show in KCC Mall as part of the celebration of the Tuna Festival in GenSan. Dubbed as the “Tuna Capital of the Philippines”, the city holds the Tuna Festival every year in thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, promoting tourism at the same time. The Kapuso Mall Show was hosted by DJ Papabol and DJ Mama Angel of Brgy 102.3.

“Daghang salamat Dabawenyos, Kagay-anons, Generals, and all the Mindanaoans who welcomed the Kapuso Network to your festivals,” says Oliver Amoroso, officer-in-charge of GMA’s Regional TV Department. “We are happy to join in the three of the biggest festivals in Mindanao. GMA Regional TV will continue to promote the best of and in the Filipino,” he adds.

GMA-7’s participation in the three major festivals in Mindanao only strengthens the Kapuso Network’s commitment of bringing its shows and artists closer to Filipinos in every corner of the Philippines.

To know more about the Network’s regional events, follow GMA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gmanetwork and GMA Regional TV at www.facebook. com/GMARegionalTV and on Twitter and Instagram via @GMARegionalTV.

The other loveteam: Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona, stars of the romantic series, ‘Born For You’

Kapuso darling Kris Bernal is a housemaid in an all-male household in today’s episode of ‘Karelasyon’

Kris Bernal is a demure yaya in

‘Karelasyon’ THIS week’s episode of Karelasyon stars Kris Bernal.

Pretty, hard working, and demure, Sara (Kris) is a picture of an innocent housemaid. She looks so vulnerable that one would think she won’t last in her job, especially since her bosses are all men who are quite unruly.

As expected, Sara attracts the attention of her bosses. They play tricks on her, even becoming the subject of their bets. The only one defending Sara is Gabby, her boss who just got out of a relationship.

Because of this, Sara and Gabby are drawn closer to each other.

But does Gabby really have good intentions in befriending Sara? Or is everything still a ploy? Will Sara continue to be the innocent girl that she is or is she just hiding her true color? In the game started by her bosses, who will end up losing?

Written and directed by Adolf Alix, Jr., the story also features Mark Neumann, Jay Arcilla, Jana Dominguez, Kristofffer King, and Chanda Romero.

Watch Karelasyon hosted by Carla Abellana today after #Like on GMA-7.