Manila Standard - 2016 September 16 - Friday

IN THIS ISSUE MOTORING QUARTERLY

ENHANCED MOBILITY VOL. XXX • NO. 216 • 5 SECTIONS 28 PAGES • P18 • FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

Hitman: Du30 gave kill orders

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

A

SELF-CONFESSED hitman of the Davao Death Squad told a Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings Thursday that President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the killing of thousands of criminals and suspects when he was still Davao City mayor.

CLAIMS DENIED. Edgar Matobato, who claims to be a former member of the feared Davao Death Squad, takes his oath at the resumption Thursday of the hearing of the Senate committee on justice and human rights then drops a bombshell, accusing then Davao City mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte of ordering the bombing of a mosque in 1993 and the killing of Muslims—denied at breakneck speed by Malacanang, PNP chief Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa and Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II. Lino Santos

Testifying for the first time, witness Edgar Bernal Matobato, 57, also revealed to the Senate justice and human rights committee chaired by Senator Leila de Lima that Duterte personally gave them the orders for the killings, abductions and assassinations.

“They were killed like chickens even without reason,” said Matobato, who detailed several instances when Duterte ordered them to execute people.

Duterte shot dead a Justice Department employee and ordered the murder of opponents, Matobato said.

He said he and a group of policemen and Next page

Rody’s men: Old lies revived

By John Paolo Bencito, Rey E. Requejo THE Palace on Thursday defended President Rodrigo Duterte against accusations that he was behind vigilante killings in Davao City when he was still mayor there, saying the witness presented at a Sen-

ate hearing on extrajudicial killings didn’t have enough evidence to prove his allegations.

“Didn’t the Commission on Human Rights investigate that already when the President was still the mayor of Davao City?” said Communications Secretary Martin Andanar in Next page

Nograles, Alvarez assail witness Envoy: UNHCR erred on kill order By Maricel V. Cruz THE Philippines’ permanent representative to the United Nations defended President Rodrigo Duterte in Geneva amid criticisms from the chief of the United Nations High Commission on Human Rights, saying Duterte did not issue any “shoot-to-kill” order against drug suspects.

During the second day of the 33rd Session of the Human Rights Council in response to Al Hussein’s Next page

FORMER speaker Prospero Nograles on Thursday denied claims by confessed Davao Death Squad member Edgar Matobato that four of his bodyguards had been summarily executed by vigilantes in Davao City.

“As far as I know, there’s not a single incident in which any of my staff or security personnel who were assigned to me while I was

still in politics was killed, even when I ran for mayor in 2010. They are all still alive,” he said in a statement.

Nograles added that Matobato could have asked for his protection while he was still speaker but he did not.

Davao City Rep. Karlo Alexei Nograles, the former speaker’s son, said he does not know anything about Matobato’s revelations before the Senate inquiry on extrajudicial Next page killings.

By Macon Araneta and Pearl Gajunera SEVERAL senators expressed doubt at the credibility of supposed hitman Edgar Bernal Matobato with Senator Panfilo Lacson likening him to former whistleblower Angelo Mawanay who accused him of corruption and other crimes, but eventually recanted his claims.

“As an expert investigator, Edgar Matobato is not a credible witness,” said Lacson, a Next page

Duterte son: Mere hearsay

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte

‘Word war’ erupts over LP, witness

Boo-boos spur Palace petition

SENATOR Alan Peter Cayetano on Thursday engaged Senator Antonio Trillanes IV in a word war in the Senate over the credibility of a self-confessed hitman of the Davao Death Squad in Davao City.

He clashed with Trillanes to defend President Rodrigo Duterte from what he described as a “demolition job.”

Cayetano insisted he wanted to test the credibility of witness Edgar Matobato to prove that he was part of the demolition job or Plan B of the Liberal Party to grab the presidency from Duterte and replace him with

AFTER a series of communication mishaps, Communications Secretary Martin Andanar on Thursday said he appealed to other Cabinet members to let Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella clarify the statements made by President Rodrigo Next page Duterte.

Next page

DDS man’s credibility in question —Lacson

DAVAO CITY—Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte and his aunt Jocelyn Duterte both denied the allegations of Senate witness Edgar Matobato, who said Paolo, the oldest son of President Rodrigo Duterte, was behind the killing of hotelier Richard King and was involved in other illegal activities.

In the absence of proof, the vice mayor said, all allegations against him should be considered as hearsay.

“What [Senator Leila] de Lima and this certain Matobato say in public are bare allegations and mere hearsay. I will not dignify the accusations of a madman with an answer,” he said.

Next page

Australia duns PH on ruling TIME-SLOT CLASH. Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, President Rodrigo Duterte’s ally, is in his groove Thursday heaving questions during a Senate committee hearing at an alleged former member of the Davao Death Squad before Senator Antonio Trillanes IV (left) interrupts him in protest—prompting the time-slot heated clash between the two erstwhile vice presidential contenders. Lino Santos twitter.com/ MlaStandard

facebook.com/ ManilaStandardPH

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AUSTRALIAN Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Wednesday questioned President Rodrigo Duterte over his decision not to enforce the ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration rejecting China’s

claims over most of the South China Sea. She said that was despite the fact that it was the Philippines that initiated the case against

Next page

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

TROPICAL cyclone “Gener” did not make landfall but will continue to enhance the southwest monsoon” and, together with tropical storm “Ferdie,” will continue to bring strong to gale-force winds to Luzon, forecaster Benison Estareja said Thursday.

“Gener” was 615 kilometers east of Tuguegarao City with maximum sustained winds of 140 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 170 kph. It is forecast to move west-northwest at 25 kph.

Meanwhile, the center of tropical storm “Ferdie” outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility was 860 km northwest of Itbayat, Batanes, with maximum sustained winds of 85 kph and gustiness of up to 100 kph. It is forecast to move north at 20 kph. Rio N. Araja

DDS...

From A1 former chief of the Philippine National Police, after he grilled Matobato who claimed to have been a member of the so-called “Davao Death Squad” at a Senate justice committee hearing on extrajudicial killings.

“You heard him, his tone changed under my questioning. He was not was definite in his narrative,” Lacson said, conceding that Matobato may have been a civilian asset of the police but was only trying to make what little he knew to be more extensive than it really is.

“He may really know something but not that extensive. Or maybe he only knows fragments and is only trying to make it dramatic,” Lacson said. “I would likely back off from a witness like that. When you present a witness, you should vet him well.”

Matobato claimed that he was a farmer who was recruited into the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit of the Scout Rangers in Davao City and later joined the socalled “Lambada Boys” who were supposedly tasked to execute drug pushers, rapists and snatchers in Davao City.

Matobato also claimed that he used to frequent the Davao office of the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, which he said was headed by now Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa, in 2002.

But Lacson, who also used to head the PAOCTF, said the unit was abolished by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2001.

He also claimed that he was part of the team that executed an international terrorist, named Sali Makdum, whom they abducted in Samal Island and brought to the PAOCTF office but Lacson could not recall the name.

A check with veterans in the intelligence community also denied knowledge of any foreign terrorist in the Philippines by the name of Sali Maktum during that time, but suggested that the name may be an alias.

Matobato also claimed that De la Rosa was aware of the operation since he was head of the PAOCTF unit in Davao City, but the PNP confirmed that the unit was already dissolved at that time and he was already assigned to Camp Crame.

Envoy...

From A1 report, Cecilia Rebong said Philippine police had the right to defend themselves when drug suspects violently resist arrest.

Rebong said the Duterte administration’s ongoing war against illegal drugs firmly followed the “rule of law, due process and human rights principles.”

Rebong said that while Duterte launched an anti-illegal drug war unparalleled in Philippine history for its tenacity, Duterte, in his inaugural speech, affirmed his respect for human rights and the rule of law.

She said Duterte had, in fact, urged civil rights organizations to report any killings that were not in accordance with his pronouncements on the anti-illegal drug campaign.

Rebong said the government was investigating the killings committed by vigilante groups and drug syndicates, and was committed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

She said Duterte had urged civil rights organizations to report any killings that were not in accordance with his pronouncements on the anti-illegal drug campaign.

Rebong said the rising number of people being killed in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs included deaths resulting from legitimate police operations, killings carried out by vigilantes, and drug syndicates allegedly undertaking a purge among their ranks. John Paolo Bencito and Vito Barcelo

News

Rody's final narco-list out soon

By John Paolo Bencito

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday announced that his thickest-ever and final list of more than 1,000 politicians and policemen allegedly engaged in the illegal drug trade, will be made public very soon.

As this developed, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II announced on Thursday that he has witnesses to prove that Senator Leila de Lima personally received money from drug lords operating from the New Bilibid Prison, GMA News reported.

Aguirre said the two witnesses will testify at the upcoming House investigation on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the NBP that

De Lima received P5 million in just one transaction in her house in Parañaque City.

In his speech at Camp Tecson in Bulacan on Tuesday, the President said “I have this list, it’s very thick. I have a third round, final round. Just think of how many policemen and politicians are involved. If I cannot finish that, I leave you the list as a legacy.”

Duterte said that the list is still

2 departments created

By John Paolo Bencito TWO national agencies will be raised to department level, the newly formed Presidential Legislative Liaison said Thursday.

The Palace body also announced the convening of the LegislativeExecutive Development Advisory Council more frequently than the previous administration did.

Following proposals from the Department of Budget and Management to “right-size” the bureaucarcy, Presidential Legislative Liaison Secretary Adelino Sitoy said the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council and the Commission on Filipino Overseas will become full departments and their functions will

Nograles...

From A1

“I don’t know what this guy is talking about. From the time I was chief-of-staff to the time I was elected as congressman, no supporter of ours or persons under our employ were ever killed due to politics,” the younger Nograles said.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez on Thursday shrugged off the allegations hurled against President Rodrigo Duterte by a witness in the Senate probe of alleged extrajudicial killings in connection with the government’s war against drugs.

Alvarez dismissed as “rehashed charges” the accusations raised by a self-confessed member of the Davao Death Squad against Duterte in the Senate probe.

“There’s nothing new there. I think he is a recycled witness,” Alvarez told media in Dumaguete City Thursday.

Alvarez, representative of Davao del Norte and secretarygeneral of Duterte’s PDP-Laban, said he is also from Davao and he has no knowledge of the sup-

Rody’s...

From A1 Filipino. “They didn’t file any charges then, and they didn’t have any direct evidence [linking Duterte to the killings].”

Andanar also accused Senator Leila de Lima, who heads the Senate investigation, of trying to discredit the President, who has accused her taking money from drug lords detained at the national penitentiary.

Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella urged citizens not to believe the “fabrications” against the President during the Senate hearing.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguire II said De Lima merely revived old lies about the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) in a desperate move to divert public attention away from her links to the illegal drug trade.

The Palace statements came after De Lima allowed the testimony of Edgar Matobato, a self-confessed member of the DDS, who tagged Duterte as being behind the killings.

“The statements of Matobato are all lies, fabrications. and have no credibility simply because there is no

Boo-boos...

From A1 “I appealed to the Cabinet secretaries to follow the standard operating procedure which was agreed upon right from day one, July 1, 2016, that it is only [Under]secretary [Ernesto] Abella who can speak on behalf of the President,” Andanar told reporters.

He made his statement even as Malacañang on Thursday defended Duterte’s decision to explore buying

be expanded.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development will replace the council to more effectively administer housing programs.

Meanwhile, a Department of Overseas Filipinos will downsize functions from the labor and foreign affairs departments.

Sitoy said President Rodrigo Duterte intends to convene the LEDAC once every two months.

He will also propose several amendments to anti-terrorism bills and impose taxes on fuel and sugary products.Duterte will also ask lawmakers to amend the National Defense Act and pass the “Bangsamoro Basic Law” to end the Moro Insurgency in the South.

posed hit team, also known as DDS in Davao.

Alvarez also said he believed that some of the alleged extrajudicial killings may have been perpetrated by drug syndicates themselves in a bid to silence some of those who could testify against the big-time drug lords.

The Speaker said the testimony of the Senate witness maybe part of Senator Leila de Lima’s bid to soften the impact against her of the forthcoming investigation of the House of Representatives on the proliferation of illegal drugs at the New Bilibid Prison during her term as Justice secretary.

He noted that during her term as Justice secretary, De Lima conducted a probe on the alleged extra-judicial killings in Davao but the Justice Department has not filed any charges in court.

“You will be surprised next week because there will be new witnesses who will surface and testify against people involved in the proliferation of illegal drugs at the NBP,” said Alvarez.

He said, though, that the forthcoming House investigation will be in aid of legislation and is not meant to prosecute De Lima. corroborating evidence. This is what we call lying and a coached witness,” Aguirre said in a telephone interview.

Aguirre said Matobato used to be under the witness protection program of the Justice Department until De Lima left the agency to run for senator.

“If you can recall, De Lima repeatedly said that they had a witness to directly link Duterte to the death squad.

But why was he not made public and why was the case not pursued? Because obviously there’s no truth to his claims,” Aguirre said.

Aguirre also questioned why De Lima brought Matobato out at this time when she is facing an investigation on her alleged involvement in the illegal drugs trade when she was Justice secretary.

“Why is this being brought out just now when she [De Lima] already had it during the previous administration?

Is it because she knows there will be explosive evidence linking her in the New Bilibid Prison drug trade?” he said.

“These are desperate times for De Lima. That’s why she needs desperate solution,” Aguirre added.

Aguirre also questioned De Lima’s arms from China to combat terrorism, even if that ran contradictory to his earlier statements criticizing the quality of the equipment that China offers.

“Not all the products of China are that bad. In fact, even the laptops that you use are also produced in China,” Andanar said.

“Most of the things that we use here are also made in China.”

On Tuesday, Duterte said he wanted to buy arms from Russia and China after the two countries enticed him with attractive loan offers to help him fight

being vetted with the help of the intelligence community and members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency.

He did not give any further details.

On Tuesday, the President said the Alcala clan of Quezon, whose members include former agriculture secretary, Proceso Alcala and incumbent Rep. Vicente Alcala, were the most influential drug personalities in Quezon due to their political connections.

Duterte first released a list of politicians and uniformed personnel he accused of involvement in narcotics, and later another matrix showing the links of top officials to drug lords in the na-

tional penitentiary.

Duterte said that should he fail to finish his six years in office, he made a strong warning to soldiers not to believe what he called a “deep spin,” because it will “compromise our children.”

“What I would ask from you as your commander, do not let the country fall in a deep spin.”

“For all the things you do in connection with your work, I am willing to go to jail and be charged with collateral damage.

Just say that this is the order of Duterte,” he said.

“Isang talaan [delivery] lang ‘yan. May kasunod pa,” he said in a phone interview.

Aguirre said there were other occasions when De Lima received drug money.

Hitman...

From A1

He said the Chinese drug lords were the vice mayor’s friends, who oftentimes went drinking with him.

He said his family did not know about his job. “All they know was that I work at the Davao City Hall,” said Matobato who said he only finished Grade One. Since then, he worked in the farm until he was recruited to join he CAFGU. He was one of the original seven membrrs of the DDS, who were then called the “Lambada Boys.”

He denied the claim of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano that he was being used by the Liberal Party to destroy the President. He said nobody ordered him to pin down the President. He just wanted to tell the truth.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, a staunch ally of Duterte, rejected De Lima’s request that the committee take custody of Matobato to ensure his safety.

Matobato said that in 1993, he and other members of the death squad were on a mission when they approached a road blocked by the vehicle of an agent from the Justice Department’s National Bureau of Investigation.

A confrontation degenerated into a shootout. Rodrigo Duterte, mayor at the time, then arrived on the scene, Matobato said.

“Mayor Duterte was the one who finished him off. Jamisola [the justice department official] was still alive when he [Duterte] arrived. He emptied two Uzi magazines on him.”

His testimony fleshed out in gruesome detail for the first time long-running allegations Duterte was behind a death squad that killed more than a thousand people in Davao, where he was mayor for most of the past two decades.

“Our job was to kill criminals, rapists, pushers, and snatchers.

That’s what we did. We killed people almost on a daily basis,” said Matobato.

He said they killed mainly criminal suspects and personal enemies of the Duterte family between 1988 and 2013.

Matobato said the death squad received orders either directly from Duterte or from active-duty Davao police officers assigned at the mayor’s office.

Many of the victims were abducted by members of the group who introduced themselves as police officers, then taken to a local quarry where they were killed and buried, he added.

“The officers told us ordinary killings won’t do. They are sadists,” he said, describing to De Lima how the victims were strangled.

“Then we’d remove their clothes, burn the bodies and chop them up,” Matobato said, adding that he had personally killed “about 50” of the victims.

The bodies of other victims were disemboweled and dropped at sea to be eaten by fish, while others were left on Davao streets, their hands made to clutch a handgun, he added.

One of the victims was a foreign man suspected of being an “international terrorist,” another was the boyfriend of Duterte’s sister.

One was a local broadcaster who constantly criticized Duterte, four were bodyguards of a local rival, while two were enemies of Duterte’s son Paolo, who is now Davao vice mayor, Matobato said.

ex-communist rebels killed about 1,000 people over 25 years on Duterte’s orders—one of them fed alive to a crocodile.

Many of the others were garroted, burned, quartered and then buried at a quarry owned by a police officer who was a member of the death squad. Others were dumped at sea to be eaten by fish.

Matobato also told De Lima’s panel that after the 1993 bombing of the Davao Cathedral in Davao City, Duterte went to them and ordered them to kill Muslims in a mosque.

Matobato said he was the one who hurled a grenade at the Bangkerohan Mosque but nobody was hurt in the blast.

Matobato said the members of the DDS were “ghost employees” at the Davao City Hall under the “Civil Security Unit” whose only job was to kill people.

Matobato also testified that Duterte’s son, Davao Vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, also gave the order for the massacre of Muslims at a mosque after the Davao cathedral was bombed in 1993 and the abduction and murder of Makdum.

He also bared the killings of the bodyguards of former House Speaker Prospero Nograles, who challenged the President in the 2010 elections.

He said the vice mayor also ordered the killing of Richard King, owner of Crown Regency Group of Hotels on June 12,2014 due to rivalry over a woman.

While he did not participate in this job, Matobato said he knew the two of the men who carried out the killing were rebel returnees paid P500,000. He also said they were later killed.

At the time, Matobato said, he was pinned for the murder of King, since he wanted to leave the DDS. He said “Colonel Felonia” was the mastermind of the killing, referring to Supt. Leonardo Felonia.

Fearing for his life, Matobato said he went into hiding in Cebu, Leyte, and Samar and surrendered to the Commission on Human Rights in August 2014. But the CHR said they could not give him protection.

He also remembered a man who was killed after he figured in a traffic spat with the vice mayor, a fixer at the Land Transportation Office whose body was dumped in San Rafael Village in 2013, along with three women, alleged drug pushers.

He also said a certain Jun Barsabal, a member of a religious group, was killed in 1993 because “he was squatting on lands,” and the dance instructor-boyfriend of Duterte’s sister Jocelyn.

He said the dance instructor was abducted on Jacinto Street in 1993 and killed at Ma-A quarry because the Dutertes believed then he had turned Jocelyn into a “nilking cow.”

He said the president himself, using an Uzi, shot dead a certain Jamisola, an NBI agent, in 2007.

He also tagged the Dutertes as being behind the killing of radio broadcaster Jun Pala in 2003.

He accused Paolo of involvement in smuggling and protecting “Chinese drug lords” operating in Davao City. He said most of those killed were small time criminals. terrorism and insurgency in Mindanao.

Andanar, who heads the Presidential Communications Operations Office, issued the statement after drawing flak following several communication gaffes between and among Cabinet secretaries who were trying to decipher and interpret “what the President really meant.”

Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Special Assistant to the President Christopher Go, and Andanar had been discussing this directive for the past three weeks.

With AFP

Shortly after Duterte declared a “state of lawlessness” in the country, it took many hours to get a definitive and unified response from government officials as loose messages arose during the mishap, with Abella and another PCO official claiming that the state of lawlessness “only covers Mindanao.”

This was immediately recanted by Special Assistant Christopher Go and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo that the declaration encompassed the whole country.

John Paolo Bencito

Australia...

From A1

China, which has been building structures in the area and driving away Filipino fishermen.

Bishop expressed surprise over Duterte’s decision after Duterte declared that the Philippines would no longer join US patrols to the contested areas of the South China Sea. “I have been informed that the President of the Philippines has announced that the Philippines, as a claimant state and as the state that instigated the arbitration, has announced that the Philippines will not be sending their ships into contested areas,” Bishop was quoted by the Australian Financial Review as telling reporters in Canberra.

“So the question should be directed to the Philippines as to what they are doing to reinforce the arbitration findings.”

Australia, one of the countries with which the Philippines has special ties, has already attracted the wrath of Beijing for calling for China to abide by the recent Hague ruling after supporting the Philippines’ right to take the case to the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the first place.

Bishop said she was surprised by Duterte’s latest position.

“Well, aren’t you surprised that the Philippines is now not going to traverse the territory that the arbitration has just found is in the Philippines’ EEZ [exclusive economic zone]? And that the arbitration found that China was in breach of the Philippines sovereignty?

‘Word...

From A1

Vice President Leni Robredo.

But Robredo brushed aside Cayetano’s accusation that the Senate hearing over the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country was part of the Liberal Party’s plan to oust Duterte.

She said she was “offended by Senator Cayetano’s accusation that the Liberal Party is plotting to oust the President and that I will be the intended beneficiary of this plan.”

She said the allegations raised

by Senate witness Edgar Matobato were “serious.”

“We must exhaust all efforts to get to the truth with due regard for our democratic processes and the rule of law,” Robredo said.

She called on the people to be circumspect, saying “I enjoin the public to remain vigilant and discerning as the investigation unfolds.”

Cayetano confronted Matobato if he knew that Senator Leila de Lima, the chairman of the Senate justice and human rights committee who is investigating the alleged extrajudicial killings of drug suspects during anti-drug police operations, and Senator Franklin Drilon were members of the Liberal Party.

He asked if Matobato knew who was the President, and of he knew who would become President if Duterte was no longer President.

After Matobato said Ma’m Leni, Cayetano reminded him that Robredo also belonged to the Liberal Party.

Duterte...

From A1 During Thursday’s Senate hearing, Matobato said the vice mayor was also behind the rice smuggling in Davao and that he was even a drug user.

On Sept. 6, Paolo and 21 councilors took a mandatory drug test, and all of them tested negative for any form of illegal drugs.

The younger Duterte said he was ready to undergo yet another drug test.

The older sister of President Duterte, Jocelyn, also denied Matobato’s testimony that then Mayor Duterte had ordered him to kill her boyfriend, a dance instructor.

“It is not true. There was no DI who was killed--I will sue him and Senator De Lima as well. I demand an apology,” she said.

“I am a private individual and I can’t understand why my name is being dragged into this Senate hearing. It is degrading because everything that the witness said are all lies,” she said.

She said that she feels helpless right now since she cannot defend herself.

She also blamed De Lima for the allegations of Matobato, saying that if the senator verified Matobato’s claim, the scenario would have been different.

DCPO chief Sr. Supt. Michael John Dubria said the allegations against police officers who were allegedly involved in different extrajudicial killings in Davao City will be considered hearsay unless the witness can present concrete evidence.

Mexico National Day 206 years of Independence

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

And the people have every right to scream 'Viva Mexico!’ with joy and conviction, as the freedom they’re savoring now took so much to acquire.

Mexican revelry everywhere CONTRARY to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not the equivalent of United States’ Fourth of July.

The former commemorates the triumph of the Mexican people over French invaders, leaving some to mistakenly consider that the feat in itself is what makes Cinco de Mayo Mexico’s Day of Independence.

But the story behind Mexico’s Día de la Independencia every Sept. 16 runs through the same nerve and shows aptly why it is the Central American country’s special day highlighted with revelry in every corner of the nation.

Mexican Independence Day is a major Mexican celebration held every year and it goes back to the year 1810. Celebrations begin on the eve of Mexican Independence Day, or the “day of the Cry of Dolores (El Grito de Dolores).”

The Mexicans then proceed to the jubilations with rousing merry-making, fireworks, fiestas, music, dance and of course, food - lots of food.

When the 16th of September kicks in, Mexican colors of red, white and green decorate public places. Flags and flowers are seen in key areas in cities and towns in Mexico, while horns and whistles are blown and confetti is thrown to celebrate this festive occasion as shouts of “Viva la Independencia” or “Viva Mexico” reverberate amidst the crowd.

And the people have every right to scream those words with joy and conviction, as the freedom they’re savoring now took so much to acquire.

Father Miguel Hidalgo believed to have made the cry of independence (El Grito de la Independencia) in the town of Dolores, in the northcentral part of the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

He was one of the people at the forefront during the War of Independence in Mexico.

Historians aren’t unified on what exactly Hidalgo said, but his speech, also known as the el Grito de Dolores (cry of Dolores), was made on Sept. 16, 1810 to motivate the Mexicans to revolt against the Spanish regime. Within hours, Hidalgo had an army: a large, unruly, poorlyarmed resolute mob.

The men of Hidalgo fought against the Spanish soldiers in the fight for independence, but he was captured and executed on July 30, 1811, and Mexico’s independence was not declared until Sept. 28, 1821.

Now, more than two centuries later, Sept. 16 remains one of Mexico’s most important holidays, local mayors and politicians re-enact the famous Grito de Dolores, while thousands congregate in the Zócalo, or main square, on the night of the 15th to hear the President ring the same bell that Hidalgo did and recite the Grito de Dolores in Mexico City.

Mexico, PH: Bound by culture, history T

HE Philippines and Mexico share a lot of things in common. From the love of soap operas, to the same taste in cuisine, the two nations are like two close brothers that are half a world apart.

For starters, both countries endured centuries of colonial rule, and as Mexico celebrates its Independence Day, the strong ties and links between the two nations are highlighted as the Central American nation commemorates its freedom from Spanish oppression on September 16.

Mexican Independence Day is a major Mexican celebration held every year and it dates back to 1810, when Father Miguel Hidalgo made the cry of independence (El Grito de la Independencia) in the town of Dolores. He was one of the leaders during Mexico’s War of Independence, leading a resolute but meager bunch of soldiers against the Spanish in the fight for independence, but he was captured and executed on July 30, 1811, and Mexico’s independence was not declared until September 28, 1821.

Celebrations begin on the eve of Mexican Independence Day, or the

“day of the Cry of Dolores (El Grito de Dolore), they then proceed with rousing merry-making, fireworks, fiestas, music, dance and of course, food. Mexican colors of red, white and green decorate public places, flags, dresses and flowers, seen in key areas in cities and towns in Mexico, while horns and whistles are blown and confetti is thrown as “Viva la Independencia” or “Viva Mexico” are shouted by the crowd.

Now, the noticeable parallelisms between the Philippines and Mexico does not only start with the simple fact that both gained independence from the same colonial master as well as the manner by which that it went down. Filipinos and Mexicans have always had intangible correlations from the time both went under Spanish rule, keeping a historical, cultural and spiritual connection despite being separated by thousands of miles.

The Manila-Acapulco galleon

trade materialized the core of intercontinental ties between Asia and America constituting to evangelization and commercialization that prevailed during these trades.

Due to the grand exchange with the Philippines in those days, many cultural traits were adopted by one another, with Mexicans remaining in the Philippines, and Filipinos establishing their lives in Mexico, particularly the central west coast, near the port town of Acapulco.

In truth, there is an estimated 200,000 descendants of Filipinos in southern Mexico, and that was in 2000 alone. Sixteen years on, the community has definitely grown and with it, the Filipino-Mexican ties. They are concentrated in the Costa Grande north of Acapulco.

In addition, the town of Coyuca 35 miles north of Acapulco, was even called “Filipino town” in the old days.

The links don’t end there.

The influence of Filipinos on Mexican culture is very apparent, and in Mexico’s Pacific Coast, people today continue to imbibe the drink derived from coconut trees called tuba. They also engage in games like kite-flying which they make with papel de China. Moreover, the names for their fishing boats

is panga, which is also believed to be from the Filipino tongue.

Speaking of linguistics, Tagalog has more than 10,000 words with Spanish origins. Many Nahuatl words were adopted and popularized in the Philippines, such as Tianggui (market fair) and Zapote (a fruit), while the Mexican word palenque was also adapted by the Filipinos.

The spiritual and religious cords the two countries share are also apparent, with both sharing the same patron saint. The Virgin of Guadalupe, with its minor basilica in Mexico, is the Philippines’ “Heavenly Patroness” as declared on 16 July 1935 by Pope Pius XI. Hundreds of Filipinos come to Mexico to pay homage to the Blessed Mother with millions more revering the patron here in the Philippines.

The Philippines and Mexico have fortified trade relations through the years, expanding trade and commerce from the Spanish colonial period, to recent administrations, with a third state visit of a Mexican leader to the Philippines happening just last year.

The two countries have currently signed agreements on: Bilateral Agreement on Air Transport in 1952, Cultural Agreement in 1969,

Mexican colors of red, white and green decorate public places, flags, dresses and flowers, seen in key areas in cities and towns in Mexico.

Agreement on Technical-Scientific Cooperation for Agriculture in 1994, Agreement on Cooperation for Tourism in 1995, Agreement on the Suppression of Non Ordinary Visas in 1997, Agreement on the Cooperation for the Fight against Illegal Trafficking and Abuse of Drugs in 1997, and Memorandum of Agreement for Academic Cooperation between the Department of

Foreign Affairs of Mexico and the Philippines in 1997.

Today, the Philippines and Mexico are looking into fortifying trade relations apart from the already firm ties in culture, history and religion.

And it’s surprising how two countries cordially merged 450 years ago, thanks to ships that traversed thousands of miles to connect two nations seemingly worlds apart.

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Opinion

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Ultra-rich tax

T

HE government’s plan to raise the income tax of the ultra-rich, or those earning P5 million or more annually, to ease the tax burden on those earning less initially looks fair.

But whether it will increase the government’s revenues to partly finance the budget is doubtlful.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez is preparing a tax reform package for Congress to essentially reduce the tax burden of the low- and middle-income classes from 32 percent to as low as 25 percent for those earning less

than P3 million a year. The same proposal plans to raise the income tax of those earning P5 million or more to 35 percent from the current 32 percent.

The government is correct in adopting a progressive taxation scheme to make the system more equitable and fair to low wage earners. Its implementation, however, may not produce the desired results. The ultra-rich can always turn to their creative accountants and “massage” their annual income figure to stay within the lower brackets. Their income tax may even drop or approximate those of the average wage earners.

Relying on income tax as one of the major sources of revenue may not produce the increments that the government wants to collect. It has to broaden the tax base in support of economic goals and this requires increased job generation, which in turn will depend on higher investments.

New taxpayers will expand the collection base of the Bureau of Internal Revenue if the government succeeds in creating the right business environment that will produce additional jobs in various economic sectors, like agriculture, industry, manufacturing, housing, tourism, the busi-

ness process outsourcing industry and transportation.

Accelerating transportation and other major infrastructure projects will result in greater economic activities and open a new market, especially for those in the countryside.

Increased farmers’ income, for one, will easily expand the tax base for the government that is inclined to borrow more in financing a bigger budget deficit. The government has an opportunity to increase its revenue base as long as its deficit-spending program results in investment-driven economic activities.

BACK CHANNEL ALEJANDRO DEL ROSARIO

To stay or not to stay

What a dud LOWDOWN

JOJO A. ROBLES YOU could, if you wish, compare the third hearing of Senator Leila de Lima’s committee yesterday to an extra-judicial assassination attempt. Except that it succeeded only in killing the would-be perpetrators, instead of the intended target—or at least in unmasking them.

Edgar Matobato, the witness brought before the Senate panel investigating the recent killings, was a big dud. And the senators behind the move to smear President Rodrigo Duterte (or worse) through the investigation have been, by now, exposed.

The law firm of Drilon, De Lima, Trillanes thought they had a star witness in Matobato, the self-proclaimed former militiaman who claimed to have killed upwards of 50 people on Du-

terte’s behest (more than 1,000, counting the killings he was involved in, by his count), when the President was still mayor of Davao City. But questioning by Senators Panfilo Lacson and Alan Peter Cayetano quickly revealed Matobato as a poorlycoached liar.

Matobato got off to as flying start, with the sympathetic ministrations of committee chairman De Lima. The witness told a fantastic tale of 200-bullet executions led by Duterte himself, international terrorists, a drugged son of the mayor and cement blocks taped to corpses that were thrown into the sea to make sure they did not float back to the surface.

But the story didn’t have any legs, as they say. Lacson quickly shot holes into Matobato’s tale, especially when the witness dragged the senator’s old unit, the old, disbanded Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, into the controversy.

It was Lacson who first implied that Matobato was lying because he could not get his dates (and other aspects of his story) right. Lacson had to leave for another meeting, accord-

Senate.

Then Cayetano took to questioning the witness and the fur really started to fly. The senator from Taguig boldly made the connection between the members of the Liberal Party in the Senate and the appearance of Matobato.

And Cayetano not only questioned the witness, he also acThe pattern cused De Lima of partiality, has been Franklin Drilon of complicity and his old former fellow Senate warestablished: rior Antonio Trillanes of sneakWitnesses will ing up beside him and attempting to bully him into silence. make fantastic By the time De Lima declared claims, which will Cayetano out of order and ordered him restrained by the serbe exposed as geant-of-arms for accusing her of failing to vet a witness, Matofabrications. bato’s credibility was as strained as De Lima’s English.

If Matobato is the best that De Lima—who is going to face an ing to him—but he started the ethics investigation herself next fire that quickly engulfed the week—and her anti-Duterte witness and his handlers in the colleagues can come up with,

then Duterte has really nothing to fear. This investigation by De Lima is certainly going nowhere fast.

As for Matobato, perhaps he should return to the monsignor in Pangasinan who has decided to make the ex-Cafgu member his ward. If he really wants to make a confession, perhaps the former Davao hitman needs to practice with an actual priest first, before he returns to the Senate. *** Here I must point out that Trillanes, Duterte’s old tormentor, is once again up to his old tricks. But because Trillanes is now doing battle with his former ally Cayetano, I’d say that the former coup plotter-turnedcharacter assassin has finally met his match.

Cayetano’s protestations about Trillanes’ bullying aside, television cameras clearly caught him calling for the microphone Cayetano was using to be turned off.

Turn to A5

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte wants American troops out of Mindanao so they won’t be targeted by Abu Sayyaf terrorists. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, however, said the 107 US Special Forces will remain in place because the Philippines needs them for their technological assistance. The US provides the drones and surveillance planes to track the movements of the Abu Sayyaf in Sulu and Basilan. Which is which? The defense secretary is contradicting the statement of his own president. Barely in its first 100 days in office, the norm has been contradiction, clarification and explanation of what the President said in context. Officials try to outdo each other defending their boss.

The result is that issues become more muddled as House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello and Presidential Legal Adviser Salvador Panelo try to do the job of Communications Secretary Martin Andanar.

Aside from stating he wants the small number of US troops in Mindanao to leave, Duterte also stunned foreign observers when he announced he was planning to purchase weapons from China. What? He wants to buy armaments from a country that poses an external threat to us and encroaching in the West Philippine Sea? If the planned purchase goes through, what guarantee does the Philippines have these weapons are not sub-standard?

And if up to quality specifications, will spare parts be always available and not withheld in case of an armed confrontation over the territorial dispute?

Why procure the weaponry from China when we can source it from allies like the US, Israel, Japan and South Korea? Japan has already donated several patrol boats to bolster our maritime security while the US has provided two destroyers under the US-PHL military cooperation agreement.

Meanwhile, many are wondering: What ever happened to the back channel mission of Special Envoy to China, former President Fidel Valdez Ramos? He was supposed to patch things up with the Chinese after Permanent Court of ArbitraTurn to A5

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Opinion PENSEES FR. RANHILIO CALLANGAN AQUINO

What counts and what does not EDGAR Matobato appeared a fair specimen of typical hubefore the Senate Committee manity—which may not at all on Justice and Human Rights. be the case.

Leila de Lima, not too long What does one conclude ago the object of President from the fact that a witness Digong’s furious tirades, pre- remembers somethings but sided. Everyone, of course, not others? On the one hand, expected an anti-Digong slant selective memory sounds susto the proceedings, but no- picious—but all memory, on body had any way of antici- the other hand, is in fact sepating what Matobato had to lective. The human mind, it say. Without mincing words, appears, is wired in such wise the witness alleged that it was as to shield us from informathe President who, as mayor tion overload by eliminating of Davao, directed and con- from memory some data. But trolled the dreaded “Davao we have not yet completely Death Squad” of which Ma- understood the mechanism by tobato claims he was a mem- which some memories are reber. He describes how victims tained while others fade away. were shot, at least 50 of them In this sense, forgetting is a

by Matobato himself, and how capacity—not a liability. I do the victim’s bellies were slit not think it is then justified to open and weighted with hol- infer that just because a perlow blocks so that they would son is unable to recall some sink to the sea-floor. Now, of details, he can recall none at course, the question on every- all or is merely prevaricating. one’s mind is whether Matoba- As for falsus in uno, falsus in to spoke the truth or whether omnibus, that typical lawyer’s he had perjured himself. gambit of making the witness And that brings us to what trip on one point and from really interests me: the rules of there pass to the conclusion evidence as a practical form of that he cannot be trusted at all, the theory of knowledge. Sen- it should not count for much, ator Panfilo Lacson warned because it is very clearly fallaMatobato cious (the fact about inconthat one lies sistencies in on one point his testimony. does not supNow comes Alan Peter ply logical C a y e t a n o , the more difficult warrant for eager to exthe concluculpate Presi- task of sifting sion that he dent Digong, truth from lies on all grilled the points). It is witness over falsehood. no more than and above a stylized the vehement rendition of objections of human susSonny Trilpiciou sness: lanes that he was taking too Why should I trust someone much time and was out of or- who lied to me once? And der. But Cayetano called at- even if the answer is clear— tention to what he considered because there is no reason to inconsistencies in Matobato’s conclude that he is lying all testimony. When a witness the time—we remain suspicontradicts himself on a mate- cious, children of the lie that rial point, the reason that his we all are! testimony counts for very little So it is that it has always is because it is difficult to as- been my position that not even certain which, among his con- the Supreme Court can make tradictory assertions, he af- doctrines out of general statefirms to be the truth. But it is ments on truth and falsehood. really unreasonable to expect “When a rape victim says she of a witness so lucid a recol- has been raped, she has said all lection of events that the chro- that the court needs to know” nology is perfect at every turn. is one such generalization.

This is the reason that the Su- Can that be doctrinal? Of preme Court has admonished course not. In the first place, courts to be circumspect about it is silly—because when one rejecting testimony because says that she has been raped, of inconsistencies. A coached all that we know is that she witness, it is believed, tells an claims she was raped. Such a airtight story. A veridical ac- proposition is not self-guarancount will be afflicted some- teeing. No proposition is, exhow by the vagaries of human cept purely definitional staterecall. ments. Even the rule against Digong’s supporters have hearsay evidence is not very already decided that Matobato sound, for in life, much of what is lying, just as his detractors we know comes from what the have likewise made up their law calls hearsay. The only minds about the truthfulness reason that it is inadmissible of his averments. But that, is because the original source of course, is not the rational cannot be cross-examined. Of way truth-claims are settled. course, having laid down such In fact, it is salutary to check a sweeping rule, jurisprudence whether or not personal feel- had to craft a host of excepings towards Digong come in tions, among them the dying the way of a rational assess- declaration and what is known ment of the veridical. There by the archaic phrase “parts of are no hard and fast rules, but the res gestae” which means this is not true only of inves- nothing more than statements tigative or judicial proceed- one makes following a surings. This is true of all of prising, startling or shocking life. How does one tell that event where chances are that another is telling the truth? one has had no time nor occaWives think they know when sion to fabricate a lie. their husbands are lying, and So, Matobato has testified sometimes they are right. I —and now comes the more think I know when my friend difficult task of sifting truth is deceiving me. There are, in from falsehood and that is other words, unwritten indicia a task for people in earnest of truthfulness as well as of its about the truth, which is what opposite. And most of these we suppose of every investigatake the form of tacit analo- tor, but sadly do not so always gizing: How do I act when I find in all. am spinning a fib? And if the other person exhibits these, I rannie_aquino@sanbeda.edu.ph conclude he is lying. The sup- rannie_aquino@csu.edu.ph position of course is that I am rannie_aquino@yahoo.com

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

A5

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Steel Corp.’s P1-b insurance claim VIRTUAL REALITY TONY LOPEZ A FRIEND sent me an update on the case of the Steel Corporation of the Philippines and its long unpaid P1 billion in claims against two consortia of insurance companies which insured its steel plant in 2007. The steel plant, unfortunately, was hit by fires in 2008 and 2009.

Under the new Insurance Code passed in August 2013, the capital required for insurance firms will increase every three years until 2022. The objective of the increases is to ensure that insurance firms have sufficient buffer against risks amid a growing economy and a rising demand for financial instruments.

The new Insurance Code likewise institutionalized bancassurance—the partnership between a bank and an insurance firm that allows sale of insurance products in the bank’s branches—and micro-insurance activities.

Despite the amended Insurance Code, there lurks the per-

ennial problem of non-payment of claims of to industry clients, especially when the claim runs into billions of pesos.

This is the case of SCP, the only remaining major steel manufacturer. The SCP has asked the Court of Appeals to compel nine insurance companies to pay it over P1 billion in insurance, for losses because of fires that gutted its Batangas steel mill.

On July 25, 2007, SCP insured its factory with the following insurance companies: UCPB General Insurance Corporation—40 percent; Oriental Assurance Corporation—40 percent; PNB General Insurers Co. Inc.—15 percent, and Equitable Insurers Co., Inc.—5 percent.

After the 2008 fire, SCP’s insurance claim was ignored by the four insurance firms.

Stung by that experience, SCP insured its asset to another consortium of insurers namely: Philippine Charter Insurance Corporation—29.5 percent; Mapfre Insular Insurance Coporation—26 percent; Standard Insurance Co. Inc.—12 percent; Asia Insurance Phils. Corp. 8.50 percent, and New India Assurance Co., Ltd.—14 percent.

Unfortunately, a second

fire broke out on December 7, 2009, destroying part of SCP’s $216-million cold rolling steel manufacturing facility in Balayan, Batangas. The insurers refused to pay the balance of the insurance claim of SCP for that 2009 fire, except for one.

Standard Insurance Co. paid its share amounting to $5.025 million. The settlement effectively validated SCP’s claims.

The other consortium members refused to pay their share.

Thus, two separate cases were filed by the SCP with the IC— one each for the two groups of insurers. SCP expected quick settlement. Cases filed with the IC shall be resolved within 30 days from the time all documents required are filed.

Last July 28, SCP went to the Court of Appeals to compel the IC to resolve SCP’s pending cases for the 2008 and 2009 fire claims.

In industry cocktail talks, there seems to be an “unholy alliance” between the IC and the insurance industry represented by the 78-strong Philippine Insurance and Reinsurance Association (PIRA) and the 33-strong Philippine Life Insurance Association (PLIA). Notably, Insur-

ance Commissioner Emmanuel F. Dooc came from the insurance industry and once headed PLIA as its president.

Since Dooc is on first-name basis with the big players in insurance. Naturally, in conflicts of claims, he cannot be expected to be adversarial towards his insurance industry friends.

Since the primary mandate of the IC is to conduct investigations, inquiries and hearings in order to determine an offense or violation of any parties to an insurance contract, SCP filed the case with the IC to seek redress for the non-payment of the insurance companies of the insurance proceeds worth more than P1 billion.

President Duterte likes his men to be fair and square and avoid appearances of red tape, conflicts of interest or outright graft.

Commissioner Dooc should be such a man. He cannot be anything less. He also knows Duterte is an impatient man.

The strong-willed President has repeatedly promised a clean government, a 101-percent clean government. biznewsasia@gmail.com

Oplan Tokhang for SSS FILIPINO PENSIONER HORACE TEMPLO AFTER subjecting the Social Security System in recent months to mass protests and complaints for its inadequate pensions and poor service delivery, we expected Finance Secretary Sonny Dominguez to prescribe a drastic regimen for SSS to implement when he delivered his keynote address at the agency’s 59th anniversary program.

We expected from him something close to the “Oplan Tokhang” that Philippine National Police chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is currently waging in our nation’s war against illegal drugs.

Instead, the Secretary merely suggested politely to his host SSS officials to “intensify its campaign to inform members and the rest of the public on the value of SSS coverage and the various aspects of the pension fund’s operations.”

Someone must have given him as alibi for the SSS pension inadequacy the public inclination “to pay less” but “derive more benefits,” which consequently has “shortened the actuarial life of the fund.”

Certainly not joking, he even exhorted them to “constantly educate the public about the advantages of coverage, the wisdom of the institution’s investments, and the need to adjust contributions from time to time.”

He must have also noted that

To stay...

From A4 tion in The Hague ruled that Beijing’s sweeping nine-dash line claim in the South China Sea was illegal. Analysts and observers do not see the prospect of China moving away from its hard-line position. Through its foreign minister and defense minister, China has declared it will not budge an inch of territory already acquired through artificial island-building for its military installations. The questions is whether China would be willing to risk a military confrontation with Pacific power United States with its advanced war planes and warships. China may have the superior number of troops with its People’s Liberation Army, but

What...

From A4 Trillanes explained that Cayetano, his tag-team partner in previous Senate muckraking expeditions, was “too talkative” and taking too long to get to his point.

I must admit that Cayetano’s new role of defender of the occupant of Malacañang was jarring because it cast him against type. But Duterte, confronted

despite President Duterte’s issuance last July 24 of the Freedom of Information executive order, SSS officials have yet to release its 2015 Annual Report.

To say the least, we pensioners were disappointed with the Secretary’s extra-light dosage of a palliative pill to a sick SSS, the effect of which would only be felt—at best—far in the future.

He should have instructed its officials to immediately grant the P2,000 pension increase that we pensioners now badly need and to initiate the appropriate actuarial measures to support it.

After all, that September 2 was the first SSS anniversary celebration under President Duterte’s administration, and a more compelling message was expected from a trusted alter ego of the maverick President.

Besides, SSS has already been spending millions of pesos annually, educating the public about social security through regular seminars and nationwide radio, television and newsprint advertisements in the past 59 years.

Who still need to be educated about the advantages of SSS coverage?

Not those who have paid P110 once and are now entitled to a funeral expense benefit of P20,000. Maybe, they could be convinced to persevere contributing in the next 120 months even if they would only receive a monthly pension of P1,200?

Have SSS officials developed the appropriate educational messages other than the catchy slogans that boast of SSS as an institution that workers can de-

pend on in times of need despite the inadequacy of its pensions to even buy decent meals for its pensioners?

How would “the wisdom of the institution’s investments” be conveyed?

On its 59th anniversary, SSS officials could only announce that they were going to “hire three fund managers before the end of the year to handle its pension fund.”

To “test the waters,” they would “tap fund managers for P3 billion out of the SSS’ close to P450-billion pension fund.”

As admitted by its president, “All this time, we have been managing our funds in-house; it’s important that you look at what other fund managers are doing. You’re able to compare your performance against the industry so you’ll know what strategies they are doing differently from what we’re doing; so, it’s a win-win situation.”

Surely, this is not the SSS investment wisdom that the Secretary wants us to get educated about. He should have told SSS officials there and then that while they are still learning the fundamentals of investing our social security funds, they are better off reverting to government securities investments only.

And who should be educated about its need “to adjust contributions from time to time?”

The “public” that wants to pay less and derive more benefits couldn’t be the workers and self-employed individuals. They know that they only pay less

than half of total contributions.

They also know that their public sector counterparts pay higher contributions and thus receive higher pensions. They, too, are willing to contribute more in order to receive more benefits.

In fact, the polite Secretary should have named in his keynote address the employers as the “public” that had been resisting the raise in contributions.

But he probably wanted to avoid any untimely and unnecessary quarrel with his host employer representatives, who were then present as members of the SSS policymaking and governing board, the Commission.

In that board, both employer and worker sectors are equally represented: Three members each, with the labor secretary sitting additionally to protect the workers’ interests.

The two other members—the SSS president and Commission chairman—are supposed to represent the neutral public. But they have always worked for Makati employers and this previous connection have consequently made them pro-employer.

Dominated and controlled by pro-employer members, the Commission has thus been always the first to shoot down any proposal to raise contributions.

Obviously, no initiative to raise pensions now and contributions later would ever prosper by simply intensifying the SSS’ educational and information campaign.

An equivalent Oplan Tokhang for SSS has to be implemented first.

any armed conflict in this flashpoint in Asia is not going to be the conventional ground war like the Korean and Vietnam wars of many years ago. This is going to be a battle of high-tech weapons using missiles, aircraft carriers and sophisticated war planes in which the US, at this point, still has the edge.

There is also another weapon which the US and probably the European Union could use against the threat of a rising and aggressive China. This is economic sanctions and boycott of Chinese exports. China depends on these largely for its economic and domestic stability.

Alongside the issue of whether US forces would remain or leave, there are recurring rumors that certain “yellow” elements want

President Duterte to go via impeachment. Vice President Leni Robredo, as the highest elected and ranking Liberal Party official, laid the issue to rest saying there’s no such impeach-Duterte move being plotted by the spent force of former President Benigno S. Aquino III whose followers are known as the yellow horde.

How the impeach rumor started is beyond the ken of political observers. It is too early in the game, and one has to consider the President’s “supermajority” in the House of Representatives headed by Speaker Alvarez who support Duterte. Any impeachment process starts in the House and is only forwarded to the Senate after deliberations of a House panel and then a three-

fourths majority vote on the plenary f loor.

But for his occasional faux pax in the field of foreign policy and international relations, Duterte is scoring points on the domestic front. Aside from the public support for the war on illegal drugs, the crime rate, according to the PNP, is down. Nine of the suspects in the deadly Davao night market bombing have been arrested after weeks of hard police intelligence work.

Overseas Filipino workers also welcomed the government’s policy to exempt them from paying travel tax if they are just returning to work for the same employers. This saves the OFWs the grief of having to secure exemptions and paying the tax repeatedly.

with an opposition that is really composed of lightweights (only figuratively, of course) like De Lima, needs only one Alan Cayetano to fight off all attackers in the chamber.

After all, General “Bato” dela Rosa could really use some air cover to fend off De Lima and her resource persons, including the officials of the Commission on Human Rights who have made it their business to

go after Duterte. (Trust Cayetano to point out that the head of CHR, an agency once headed

by De Lima herself, was a top LP political operative; it’s as if the appointment of this LP functionary to the rights agency had been preordained in order to repurpose it as the chief thorn on Duterte’s side.)

De Lima was unable to present more witnesses yesterday after Matobato, but she promised to

present others when her probe resumes. But by now, I think the pattern has already been established: Witnesses will make fantastic claims, which will only to be exposed later as fabrications. If there isn’t anything new and substantial that the investigation will turn up, the only people who will remain listening to De Lima will be cheapskate Koreans seeking to learn English by watching her instead of paying money to a real school.

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News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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Rody hits ‘ransacking’ of PCSO T

By John Paolo Bencito

HE government is supposedly losing more than P20 million a day because the Aquino administration willfully allowed the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office to be “ransacked by goons and syndicates,” President Rodrigo Duterte said Thursday.

SAFETY CONCERN. Construction workers perform their duties without safety harnesses and other safety equipment at a high-rise

building. Ey Acasio

IN BRIEF Palawan gov slapped with graft charges

FORMER Palawan governor Mario Joel Reyes, who is still facing charges for the death of journalist Dr. Gerry Ortega, was slapped with corruption charges before the Sandiganbayan on Thursday in connection with the fertilizer fund scam.

The Office of the Special Prosecution charged Reyes with one count of graft for extending undue benefit to Masaganang Ani Para sa Magsasaka Foundation (Mamfi) for the procurement of 3,240 bottles of liquid fertilizers without public bidding in 2004.

Charges filed against Reyes stemmed from the anomalous implementation of the 2004 Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program during Arroyo administration.

Prosecutors said Reyes released P3.25 million for the procurement to Mamfi despite its being incapable of implementing the Farm Inputs and Farm Implements Program. The said bogus NGO failed to submit the complete documents of accreditation.

Aside from Reyes, also charged were Mamfi president Marina Sula who testified as a witness in the plunder and graft trial of former senators Ramon Revilla Jr., Jinggoy Estrada, Juan Ponce Enrile, and other lawmakers implicated in the pork barrel scam allegedly led by Janet Lim-Napoles.

Official in narco-list indicted DoH readies free check-ups for poor

By Rey E. Requejo

THE Department of Justice has filed before the Cotabato City Regional Trial Court charges of illegal possession of firearms, explosives and illegal drugs against Maguindanao Vice Mayor Abdulwahab Sabal and three others.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II revealed that the cases were filed before the Cotabato City RTC against Sabal, his wife Mohanna, bodyguard Nasser Maulana and driver Norodin Abas after investigating prosecutors found sufficient evidence for their indictment.

The DoJ recommended no bail in the charges for illegal possession of explosives and exemplary devices against all four and the drug charges against

Mohanna and only recommended bail for the illegal possession of firearms charges.

“They will remain in jail since there are non-bailable charges,” Aguirre said, adding that the indictment of Sabal and company only proved the authenticity of the narco-list of President Rodrigo Duterte, where the vice mayor is included.

“He denied it, which was of course self-serving. But as established in the inquest proceedings, illegal drugs were seized from them,” he pointed out.

He also admitted that the vice mayor and his companions are facing separate investigation on their possible involvement in the Davao City bombing last Sept. 2.

The DoJ investigation showed that arresting police officers re-

covered from the respondents an improvised explosive device, particularly a 60 mm. mortar with batteries and cellphone attached; two apple and cacao-type grenades with trigger pin mechanism, an M-16 rifle and other firearms.

A total of 12 sachets with over 72 grams of shabu were also seized from Mohanna’s bag. For this, the DoJ recommended the filing of possession of illegal drugs against her.

The DoJ also held that the arrest of the elected official and his companions at the Awang Airport in Datu Odin Sinsuat last Sept. 8 was valid despite absence of an arrest or search warrant from court.

They are currently under the custody of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Group in Camp Crame.

PhilPost steps up drug alert THE government’s continued drug war kicked into high gear as the Philippine Postal Corp. was placed on heightened alert and on lookout for the entry of illegal drugs that passes through the Central Mail Exchange Center.

The move was made following the seizure of some P7.5 million worth of party drugs, including ecstasy at the Manila Central Post Office which came from The Netherlands.

The illegal drugs were found hidden in five parcels of toys consigned to a certain Don Arnold, while the two others to a certain Martin Domingo.

Postmaster general Joel Otarra said they have undertaken preventive measure to stop the entry of ecstasy tablets and illegal drugs at the entry point where parcels and other mails that passes through the post for delivery.

“PhlPost has been doing its part in the government’s effort to specifically stop illegal drugs and other prohibited materials from entering the country through the mail,” he said.

He said stringent security measures are being done in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to help detect the entry of illegal drugs by allowing the agency’s drug sniffing dogs to check suspicious items for delivery to addressees or consignees.

Citing his decision to place a military man to lead the PCSO, Duterte said that he cannot allow corruption to thrive inside the state lottery system, being racheted by goons.

“As a matter of fact, this Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office was treated like a pig by these syndicates and gangsters, the Lotto was used to cover up jueteng, and they were granted a right by the previous government and they merged it,” Duterte said in his speech at Camp Tecson in Bulacan.

“We are losing about P20 million a day because they are reporting less,” Duterte said.

On Monday, Duterte appointed former police general Jose Jorge Corpuz as the new chairman of the supposedly corrupt agency.

Shortly after winning the presidency, Duterte said that he wanted a “killer” to replace former Cavite governor Erineo “Ayong” Maliksi, who was charged with graft over the extension of contracts for the lease of lottery terminals without public bidding.

“PCSO is a corrupt agency. I am looking for a killer to head this agency. Those bingo games that they hold, the lotto and ‘jueteng’ that is the racket,” he said.

Maliksi reportedly left his position out of delicadeza.

Duterte said that he placed Corpuz, a member of the Philippine Military Academy Batch ‘82, because he needs someone who can kill because of the rampant corruption in the agency.

“I changed my mind. I need someone who can kill because we’re losing billions of pesos every year in form of taxes that could be used for soldiers and the indigent,” he said.

FERDIE’S WAKE. Provincial employees get ready to clear boulders that slid off the Mount Data and

blocked the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Bauko, Mountain Province at the height of Typhoon ‘Ferdie’ earlier this week. David Chan

THE Department of Health announced the poorest of the poor Filipinos will get an early “Christmas gift” after the “Duterte Health Agenda” was launched at the National Health Summit held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on Thursday.

Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial said the early “Christmas gift” will consist of free and mandatory medical check-ups and medications for 20 million poor Filipinos identified by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Ubial said the mandatory check-ups will be done by the DOH in cooperation with local and international partners.

“We hope that by Dec. 25, 2016, we can announce to all of you that we have attained that goal of providing basic check-ups to the 20 million poorest Filipinos,” Ubial said.

“We will conduct MRI [magnetic resonance imaging], CT [computerized tomography] scans,” she added.

In addition, Ubial said beneficiaries will also be given other services, like breast examinations, digital rectal exams, cervical cancer screenings, blood, stool and urinalysis tests, eye check-ups and determining if patients have vitamin deficiencies.

Ubial said the DoH will use the results of the diagnostic tests to provide needed medical interventions, like medicine or some other medical procedure.

Ubial said the early check-ups will be a way for the poor to prevent premature deaths because early detection can create a way for faster decisions to treat them and find the solution in order for

the illness not to reach a stage where treatment is more difficult.

She said the DoH wants the poor to experience the “changes” in public health services and feel valued and respected.

Ubial said the check-up will also be a way to transform and take charge of their own health and prevent more serious illnesses.

“DoH believes that our goals for the health system cannot be achieved without the support of our local partners and the various stakeholders, especially in the Philippines where health care is a devolved service,” Ubial said.

“It is devolved to the [local government units] and we know if we work with them, partner with them, we can attain so much in terms of advancing our goal of universal health care,” she said.

Development partners were also invited to the summit, like the European Union through Ambassador Franz Jessen, to acknowledge and thank them for their assistance and continuous support for the fulfillment of the health initiatives toward the path of achieving the goals of UHC. Ubial said legislators from the Senate and the House of Representatives are also valued in terms of their vital support to the budget of the DoH. To attain the “Duterte Health Agenda,” the DoH said will use the strategy A.C.H.I.E.V.E. which stands for Advance primary care and quality; Cover all Filipinos against financial risk; Harness power of strategic human resource; Invest in digital health and data for decision making; Enforce standard, accountability and transparency; Value clients and patients; and Elicit multi-sector, multi-stakeholder support for health. PNA

Waterway cleanup ongoing—MMDA

Pemberton jail probe sought

By Joel E. Zurbano

AN OPPOSITION lawmaker on Thursday filed a resolution calling on the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of National Defense and the Presidential Commission on Visiting Forces Agreement to allow congressmen to inspect the detention facilities of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton who was convicted of killing transgender woman Jennifer Laude.

In filing House Resolution 353, Kabayan party-list Rep. Harry Roque stressed the need for government agencies to assist Congress “for the purposes of ascertaining whether Pemberton is in fact detained in the Philippines-United States Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board facility inside Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.”

THE Metro Manila Development Authority has resumed its campaign to clean up clogged creeks and open waterways to prevent severe floods in the metropolis during the rainy season.

In its latest operation, the MMDA Flood and Sewerage Management Office collected 1,400 truckloads of silt and garbage from several creeks and esteros in the metropolis.

MMDA officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos said he ordered his men to intensify the cleanup activity especially with the expected increase in rainfall due to the La Nina phenomenon.

Among the areas cleaned up include Maytunas Creek in Mandaluyong City, Estero de

Magdalena and Roxas Canal in Manila, Tanigue Creek and Pasong Malapad Creek in Caloocan City, and Dario Creek in Quezon City.

Orbos said his men used heavy equipment such as backhoe, hook lift truck, crane, spider backhoe, and several dump trucks during the cleanup activity.

Aside from the cleanup of canal and sewerage system, MMDA Estero Blitz program also includes the cleanup of barangays and public markets in the area.

The campaign also aimed to maximize the “conveyance capacity” of open waterways in Metro Manila to enable it to accommodate larger volume of floodwaters during the rainy season, thus hastening the flood receding rate and minimizing flooding.

By Maricel V. Cruz

“There is no telling whether Mr. Pemberton is in fact detained there, as Philippine authorities have steadfastly refused any visit by outside parties—not even the victim’s family and counsel,” Roque said.

“This is an unacceptable denial of Philippine sovereignty within its own territory,” he added.

Pemberton is serving a maximum of 10 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of homicide for the death of Laude. He was originally sentenced to six up to 12 years in prison.

Roque served as counsel for the Laude family during the murder trial.

In his resolution, Roque said the decision of the DFA, DND, and the PCVFA to allow Pemberton to serve his sentence in MDBSEB facility ran “counter to national interest” and “kowtows to

the American position.”

He said that while Article V(6) of the VFA allows for the United States to request for custody over any US personnel over whom the Philippines is to exercise jurisdiction, the Philippines may opt not to refuse such a request in “extraordinary cases” such as murder.

“This was the interpretation of no less than our Senate when it concurred with the Visiting Forces Agreement,” he said.

“This interpretation is also in accord with Department of Justice Opinion No. 094 dated August 10, 1998 where former Secretary Serafin Cuevas, himself a retired Supreme Court Justice, stated that in extraordinary cases or cases of particular importance, the Philippines may deny the US request for custody and even demand to retain custody of the US offender,” he added.

Sports

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Murray momentum key to British Davis Cup final push P ARIS—Andy Murray’s stamina will be key to holders Great Britain’s push for a second consecutive Davis Cup final when they meet Argentina in the semi-finals in Glasgow starting Friday.

The 29-year-old Scot, who won a second Wimbledon and Olympic title this year, wants to cap the best season of his career by reaching November’s final against either France or Croatia who play in Zadar.

“It’s been the best year of my career so far and I hope I can keep it going,” said Murray, who had a run of seven consecutive finals before his quarter-final defeat at the US Open.

“I took a few days off after New

the quarter-finals with Jamie Murray and Inglot sealing a 3-2 victory over Serbia in Belgrade.

Captain Leon Smith faces a selection dilemma with his in-form squad—Jamie Murray clinching his second Grand Slam of the season with the men’s doubles in New York as Edmund reached the fourth round and Evans the third.

Argentina have never lifted the trophy, reaching four finals— most recently in 2011—but have been boosted by the return of Juan Martin del Potro.

The South Americans have won their last three World Group meetings with Britain whose only success was back in 1928.

Murray could face del Potro in a rematch of their Olympic final as early as Friday.

York and came here [Glasgow] and I’ve been practising since Sunday. I get a little break after I’m finished here so one more big push this weekend.”

Murray helped Britain to their first title since 1936 in Ghent in 2015 and is expected to play all three days on the hard surface at the Emirates Arena.

The world number two is joined

by Dan Evans, Kyle Edmund, Jamie Murray and Dominic Inglot.

Edmund won two singles ties in

Del Potro, who spent two years away from the game after undergoing three wrist operations, played only doubles in the quarterfinal win in Italy in July.

But he has shown fine form by reaching the Olympic final in Rio, and the US Open quarter-finals.

“He’s one of the best players in the world when he’s fit and healthy and he’s played really well over the last couple of months,” said Murray.

Del Potro will be joined by Federico Delbonis and Guido Pella, ranked 41 and 49 respectively, and Leonardo Mayer, 64th.

Double France blow France suffered a double blow as they take on Croatia without US Open semi-finalist Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, a quar-

ter-finalist in Flushing Meadows, both sidelined with knee injuries.

Richard Gasquet, ranked 17th, will now fulfil singles duties, along with 18th-ranked Lucas Pouille, the sensation of the summer.

“Our strength is that we can do without one, two or three (players) and remain competitive,” France captain Yannick Noah insisted.

“We have players who have raised their level the past few months, they all had a great summer and above all at the US Open.”

Pouille, 22, reached the quarterfinals in New York beating former world number one Rafael Nadal.

And France have one of the best doubles pairings in the world in Nicolas Mahut and Pierre-Hugues Herbert. AFP

Football for Better Life goes to Laguna FOOTBALL For A Better Life, a nationwide grassroots football developmental program backed by PRU Life UK for the second straight year, goes to Laguna this weekend for its fifth leg following earlier legs in Gingoog, Dumaguete, Dipolog and Tarlac with the venue set at the Sta. Cruz Sports Complex for the two-day event.

Organized by Spears Activation in partnership with the Azkals Foundation and the Laguna Football Association headed by Joey Lina, the event will feature a free football clinic for around 70 kids to be conducted by PRU Life football ambassador FilBriton player Graham Caygill and former Azkals’ skipper Chieffy Caligdong, and supported by up-and-coming local players Azuli Flores from Cavinti and Nicolai Abalos from Calamba.

There will also be a pocket football competition in different age groups, U-10, U-12, and U-14 for boys, a High School Open and a Ladies’ Open with teams expected to come from neighboring cities and provinces in Southern Luzon, according to series organizer Albert Almendralejo.

He added that some outstanding FFABL players like Gregory Tacondong, Abalos, Drexler Valencia, Tristan Ehad and Josh Asignar, are included in the three Filipino teams participating in the Borneo Cup in Kota Kinabalu starting next week.

The remaining legs in the series are scheduled in Tagum, Davao del Norte, Pagadian, Baguio and Clark or Subic, before it culminates in ULTRA in Pasig.

Tony Lascuña chips onto the green on No. 17

BANGKOK—Thai police fired tear gas and water cannon to break up a brawl that left several fans injured as a cup game between bitter rivals Muangthong United and Port FC spilled into violence.

Fighting erupted outside the stadium shortly before end of Wednesday night’s match, which saw Muangthong advance to the league cup final after winning 3-2 over two legs.

Graphic footage apparently of the incident and shared on social media showed rival fans throwing rocks, bottles and at least one petrol bomb.

A Port fan was kicked by several “ultras” from Muangthong as he lay on the f loor.

Video showed him semiconscious and bleeding from his head, although police later said his condition was not serious.

“It began a few minutes before the game ended, we mobilised 3-400 police and it took around one hour to put an end to the violence,” Yosarin Aiempoom, a senior policeman involved in the deployment, told AFP. “Police fired two tear gas cannisters to separate them, followed by water cannon,” he said, adding five people were injured but none seriously.

The Bangkok teams have a history of beef.

In 2010 Port were fined by the Thai football association after a brawl with Muangthong fans at a cup final game left nine fans injured.

Muangthong, who sit at the top of the Thai Premier League, are a deep-pocketed glamour club who boost a large trophy haul over recent years and a slew of national team stars.

Port are historically one of Thailand’s most successful teams, but suffered relegation into Division 1 last season after losing their last home game to Muangthong. AFP

Lascuna takes control with a 70; 8 others in hot pursuit TARLAC—Tony Lascuña slowed down with a two-under 70 but still took his familiar role as leader, seizing a one-stroke lead over American Micah Shin, Dutch Guido Van der Valk and Ferdie Aunzo as Elmer Salvador wavered despite ideal condition halfway through the Central Azucarera de Tarlac Open at the Luisita Golf and Country Club here yesterday.

Lascuña birdied the par-3 sixth from long range and the two par-

5s at the back inside four feet for the second straight day to negate a missed green bogey on No. 13, giving him a 36-hole aggregate of 138 and the solo lead after sharing the opening round honors of the P2.5 million event sponsored

by ICTSI with Salvador with 68s Wednesday.

But Salvador, the recent ICTSI Splendido Classic winner, turned from awesome to awful, hobbling with a five-over 77 as he struggled

on the putting softened by the overnight rain. He fell seven strokes off the pace at 145 for joint 27th.

“I’m satisfied with my game.

The greens are soft but the condition is okay since there was hardly any wind to deal with,” said Lascuña, who also rescued pars in the last two holes to grab the take control.

But a slew of others—a mix of the fancied players, perennial contenders and unheralded

bets—stood within striking distance, guaranteeing another tight finish the way it did in the last three legs of the circuit organized by Pilipinas Golf Tournaments, Inc., two of which were decided via playoffs.

“It’s nice to be on top again but it comes with great pressure, having to deal with a lot of tough players ready to pounce on every miscue,” said Lascuña, trying to zero in on a fifth leg win this year in a

bid to reclaim the Order of Merit title he had held for three years from 2012-14.

Aunzo saved a couple of pars to preserve a bogey-free 69, putting the former amateur hotshot in chase of a follow-up to his first win at Royal Northwoods in 2009 just a stroke off Lascuña and in joint second at 139 with Van der Valk and Shin, who also turned in a pair of three-under cards to be in contention again.

PH Taekwondo League resumes

Bosh eyes Heat return LOS ANGELES—Miami Heat star Chris Bosh has declared himself ready to return for the new season as he battles back from an extended layoff following treatment for blood clots.

The 11-time All-Star hasn’t played since February 9 after the emergence of blood clots in his calf.

He also missed the second half of the 2014-15 season due to blood clots, with one moving to his lung and forcing him into an extended hospital stay.

However the 32-year-old told the Open Run podcast that he is gearing up for the new season, starting at Miami’s training camp in the Bahamas next week.

“I’m ready to play. We’ve been talking about it for a long time.

We released the statement back in May, saying as soon as I’m ready to play, as soon as possible, we’ll play, and I’m ready,” Bosh said.

“I’ve done all my work. I’ve done what I need to do, working with the doctors.” AFP

Tear gas as Thai hooligans fight at soccer tiff

Philippine Taekwondo League action in the competition held last month in SM Masinag in Antipolo.

AFTER nearly a month’s break, the MVPSF-Meralco Philippine Taekwondo League resumes action tomorrow with surprising Lyceum of the Philippines University eyeing its third straight victory in Group A of the women’s division against debuting Letran College at SM Muntinlupa.

Fresh from their close 1211 decision over University of the Philippines at the SM Southmall last month, the Lady Pirates aim to advance to the next round when they face the Letran jins at 1 p.m. of the event sponsored by the MVP Sports Foundation and Meralco.

Lyceum battles winless San Sebastian College (0-2)

at 3:30 p.m., while the other women’s division match pits Letran against San Sebastian at 5:30 p.m. to wind up the day’s competition also supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Junior men’s action opens the day with Letran and San Beda College Alabang making their debut in Group B at 12 noon, while the SBC-Alabang and San Sebastaian jins face off at 2 p.m. before SSC and Letran meet at 4:30 p.m.

In PTL action last August at the SM Southmall in Las Pinas, defending men’s champion University of the East booked its first victory

Nietes feels much stronger as flyweight

By Ronnie Nathanielsz DONNIE Nietes, the longestreigning Filipino world champion, who relinquished his light flyweight title and has moved up to flyweight to face former champion and No. 4-ranked Mexican Edgar Sosa, feels much stronger now, according to ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

Aldeguer, who was scheduled to leave for the US on Thursday night, told the Manila Standard

that in the last two fights of Nietes, “he was having a hard time making the 108-pound limit.

But now, he feels much stronger (fighting as a flyweight).”

“Nietes has shown that he has power but sometimes you don’t know (when a fighter moves up in weight),” said Aldeguer.

He said Nietes was better at 108 compared to 105, where he was also the world champion.

Nietes has been training really hard and according to Aldeguer.

“He is aiming to win the world title because he’s ranked No.1 by the WBO,” said Aldeguer.

WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada has relinquished his WBA title, although there’s no word from the World Boxing Organization whether the Mexican champion, who won the title from Brian Viloria by a split decision in Macau, has also decided to quit as the WBO champion.

Nietes has trained really hard and is looking ripped and ready

and is hoping to put on a big fight for the fans on Sept. 25 (Manila time) at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

Bantamweight King Arthur Villanueva, who has a record of 29-1 with 15 knockouts, battles Juan Jimenez of Mexico in a rematch, with the latter hoping to avenge his fourth-round knockout loss to Villanueva in fight card in Bacolod City last May 28, in which King Arthur won the vacant WBO Asia Pacific title.

in Group A by thrashing Lyceum, 39-28, while De La Salle University dumped Arellano University, 35-21, for its second straight win to retain top spot in the group.

San Beda began on winning note by whipping Rizal Technological University, 5326, as both teams saw action for the first time in Group B of the men’s division.

The Red Lionesses prevailed over the Arellano Lady Chiefs, 25-20, and the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, 29-18, remaining unbeaten in Group C of the women’s division after three games. Arellano slipped to 1-1, while CSB dropped out of contention with its third straight loss.

LOTTO RESULTS

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

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

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Sports

NLEX, Alaska target playoffs

By Jeric Lopez

Barangay Ginebra guard Marc Caguioa (47) drives past Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters defender John Wilson. Ginebra beat the Fuel Masters to stay in contention for the top overall spot after the elimination round of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup.

MIT Cardinals complete NCAA Final Four cast

By Peter Atencio

T

HE Mapua Cardinals had to scramble but eventually pulled off a 69-59 verdict over cellar-dwelling College of St. Benilde in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at The Arena in San Juan, yesterday.

16th consecutive setback.

Meanwhile, Michael Calisaan tallied 22 points as the San Sebastian College Stags repulsed the Emilio Aguinaldo College Generals, 87-81, to post their seventh win in 17 games in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament at the Arena in San Juan.

The Stags, who also drew 14 points from Allan Bulanadi, got

Allwell Oraeme showed the way with 16 points and nine rebounds as he led the Cardinals to their 11th win in 16 games.

This sent the Cardinals to their second straight Final Four appearance with still two games left in their 18-game schedule.

The Blazers put up a big fight in the first half but their guns misfired towards the end. It was a sorry loss for the Blazers, who sustained their

off to a great start, taking charge with a 29-16 edge at the end of the first quarter.

They had little trouble in coasting to their sixth win against two losses at the end of the second round and move to a respectable seventh place standing near the end of the second round.

The Blazers started strong after taking charge with an 18-11 lead in the first period.

Gerard Castor, Clement Leutcheu and Carlo Young all had 10 points. They led the Blazers who were in charge early and even held the lead at halftime, 31-29.

The Blazers last enjoyed a 39-35 edge off Yankie Haruna’s drive in the last 6:12.

The Cardinals then began taking advantage of turnovers and missed shots to unleash a 10-1 run

Games Today

(NCAA junior basketball at The Arena in San Juan) 9 a.m. Lyceum vs JRU 10:45 a.m. LSGH vs San Beda 12:30 p.m. Arellano vs Mapua 2:15 p.m. Letran vs San Sebastian 4 p.m. EAC vs Perpetual Help

in the last 2:34 of the third.

CJ Isit’s steal and driving layup in the last 6:24 touched off Mapua’s big rally. The Cardinals went on to move ahead, 45-42, with 2:34 to go off Oraeme’s three-point play.

A 6-0 spurt off baskets from Isit, Justine Serrano and Joseph Eriobu widened the Cards’ edge by eight, 56-48, with 6:40 to go.

They went on to post their biggest lead of 12, 65-53, off Serrano’s putback as they watched the Blazers misfire basket after basket.

“I’m happy we’re in the Final

Four. We virtually had to pass through the eye of a needle,” head coach Atoy Co said.

With the victory, the Cardinals put an end to the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers’ Final Four quest with their 9-8 slate.

“I do not know maybe the boys were pressured. Benilde had everything to gain but nothing to lose right? They (Blazers) just played their game. I think they played harder than us in the first two quarters,” he said.

The Blazers’ slate is considered as one of the worst in league history even if Blazers win their last two games.

The Generals have a 5-11 card in ninth place and are on their way to a better finish than last season when they had a 2-16 slate at the bottom of the standings.

NU Lady Bulldogs eye UAAP title next WINNING another Shakey’s VLeague Collegiate Conference was twice as nice but for the National U Lady Bulldogs their back-to-back title romp won’t be complete if they stumble again in pursuit of a dream championship – the UAAP. After repulsing the Ateneo Lady Eagles in three to capture the V-League diadem last season, the Lady Bulldogs brimmed with confidence as they set out for the UAAP Season 78 wars. But their dream to end a long dry title spell for the school remained just that – a dream. The Lady Bulldogs fell short, too short to even make it to the Final Four.

But with another V-League win comes another hope for an NU side that won just two UAAP women’s volley plums—the last in 1957.

“I’m not saying that we’ll win the UAAP title,” said Jaja Santiago, who led the Lady Bulldogs to this year’s V-League championship and won the Conference MVP honors. “I’m just trying to say that we now have the confi-

dence to accomplish it unlike before when we played tight and nervous.”

With the teamwork they showed in nailing their third V-League crown, incidentally all against the Lady Eagles, and an intact roster, the Lady Bulldogs indeed loom as the team to beat in UAAP Season 79.

“One thing that makes this team click is that they work as a team, they don’t rely on individual talent. In any competition, teamwork is key,” said NU assistant coach Edjet Mabbayad after steering his wards to a 19-25, 25-18, 25-22, 21-25, 15-4 decision over the Lady Eagles to complete a Finals sweep at the Philsports Arena in Pasig late Wednesday night.

With the talented Lady Bulldogs, composed of Santiago, Aiko Urdas, Jorelle Singh, Jasmine Nabor, Risa Sato, Gayle Rose Valdez, Roma Joy Doromal, playing as one cohesive unit, NU proved better than Ateneo, particularly in pressurepacked finale. They rallied from match points to win the series opener and then dominated the fifth set in Game Two.

Hidilyn resumes studies

Finals MVP Jasmine Nabor (center), beside members of the National U Lady Bulldogs Finals MVP Jasmine Nabor (center), holds aloft the championship trophy after NU beat the Ateneo Lady Eagles in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Collegiate Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig last Wednesday, Sept. 14.

Letran’s Luib headed to La Salle UP, Adamson edge foes LETRAN Knights point guard McJour Luib will have a new job once his team is finished with its unsuccessful bid to defend its crown in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) men’s basketball tournament.

His former coach and current La Salle University mentor Aldin Ayo has given him his marching orders, which is to move over to the Green Archers camp once the Knights are finished with their final game in the NCAA. “I’ve thought about it for a long time. I just don’t want to distract him. The NCAA season is still ongoing,” said Ayo after

La Salle demolished University of Santo Tomas, 100-62.

The win is the season’s biggest blowout as the Green Archers claimed their third consecutive triumph in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

The Mapua Cardinals boosted their playoff hopes and eliminated defending champion Letran, 77-72, last Tuesday in the NCAA basketball tournament.

Luib is expected to come aboard the Green Archers camp after Letran is finished with their last second round game against the Emilio Aguinaldo College

THREE teams battling for a spot in the quarterfinals face their most important game of the tournament in the homestretch of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. A wild finish is expected to ensue with four teams contending for just three berths left in the quarterfinals. Today’s playdate will have a huge implication on what the team standings will look like with the playoffs just around the corner.

A crucial tiff between Alaska and NLEX, currently tied at 5-5 for sixth and seventh places, takes place at 4:15 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Following that is an equally important game for Rain or Shine (4-6), which is on the outside looking in at ninth place. Looking to keep its chance of making the next round alive, the Elasto Painters play already eliminated Star Hotshots (2-8) at 7 p.m.

Only the top eight teams will qualify for the quarterfinals and five tickets have already been punched by TNT KaTropa, Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beer, Meralco and Mahindra.

The winner between Alaska and NLEX will secure a spot in the next round. The loser will have to wait for the result of Rain or Shine’s game to know its fate.

The Elasto Painters need to win against Star to keep their hopes of entering the top eight alive. A less will result in their elimination from the playoffs.

Not only will the victor between the Aces and the Road Warriors secure a berth in the quarters, it will also have a chance to fight for a top four finish and a twice-to-beat incentive.

Meralco, which finished at 6-5 and will have the highest quotient regardless of any tie for fourth place. If the Road Warriors win they will play the Bolts in a playoff to dispute the No. 4 seed and the last twice-to-beat incentive in the next round. If the Aces win the Bolts play the Enforcer for the No. 4 seed.

Generals on Sept. 22.

Ayo is upbeat about La Salle’s chances now that they are in the solo lead.

“This is what happens when we play as a team. We have been working hard to develop team chemistry, how to execute our game plan. For the players, it’s a matter of absorbing the system,” said Ayo. Ben Mbala contributed 18 points and 16 rebounds for the Green Archers.

Jeron Teng added 13 points for La Salle, which sent the Growling Tigers to their second defeat in three games.

Peter Atencio

THE University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons and the Adamson Soaring Falcons unveiled new faces as they edged their foes Sunday in the 14th Fr. Martin Division 2 Cup basketball tournament at the St. Placid gym of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola, Manila.

Cebuano standout Jun Manzo topscored for 23 points, including two winning charities in the last five seconds to power the Fighting Maroons to an 80-78 victory over the Diliman College Blue Dragons.

Former Adamson high school player Keith Zaldivar made 15 points and transferee Jerie Pingoy, playing his first game after leaving Ateneo, added 12 points in leading the Soaring Falcons in holding off the San Beda-B Red Lions, 65-57.

The Maroons, coached by Rodney

Santos, went on to post their third straight win in Group A of the senior division, while the Renren Ritualo-mentored Falcons picked up their third triumph in fourth matches.

Manzo’s basket came after Rob Ricafort connected with a putback that shattered a 76-all deadlock in the last 39 seconds.

The Blue Dragons, coached by Rensy Bajar, drew 20 points from Joseph Brutas and absorbed their third loss in four matches.

Earlier, AJ Madrigal fired 16 points as the Maroons defeated San Beda-B, 66-61.

In other games, the Rich Golden Shower Montessori Center Spartans got 21 points from RJ Lozarito in quashing the San Beda-Mendiola Red Kittens, 8985, to eke out their third straight victory in Group A of the junior division.

OLYMPIC silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz will resume her studies within the year.

Diaz, who earned her silver medal in the 53-kg division of the women’s weightlifting competitions of the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics last month, has a accepted a scholarship offer from the College of St. Benilde.

Philippine Weighlifting Association vice president Bong Atilano said this after he assisted the 25-year-old Diaz in her talks with CSB sports director Dax Castellano.

“She will accept it because this is near her training center,” said Atilano following talks with Diaz.

Diaz and her parents showed up at the La Salle-University of Santo Tomas game of the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) to watch and cheer the Green Archers on.

She also met with members of the alumni, who showed interested in helping her finish college.

Diaz plans to take up a course in sport management.

Most of her training usually takes place at the weightlifting center of the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Vito Cruz.

She has resumed training in preparation for upcoming competitions late this year.

Early this month, a businessman offered her a property where she and her family can build a home, which is part Deca Clark Resorts in Barangay Margot in Angeles, Pampanga. Peter Atencio

CoA set to audit oil, gas contracts B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

B1

Petron acquires power facility

By Alena Mae S. Flores

OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS. President Rodrigo Duterte awards this year’s Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos in a formal ceremony at Rizal Hall of Malacañang Palace.

Shown are the 2016 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Filipinos, including teachers, soldiers and police officers, together with President Rodrigo Duterte (center), Metrobank Group chairman Dr. George Ty (eighth from left, front row), Metrobank Foundation president Aniceto Sobrepeña (seventh from left) and Federal Land president Alfred Ty (seventh from right).

Govt set to bid out P74-b Naia contract

By Darwin G. Amojelar and Gabrielle H. Binaday

T

HE Transportation Department said Thursday it will start the auction process for the P74.56-billion contract to operate and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by January 2017 after President Duterte approved the project.

Duterte, the chairman of the National Economic and Development Authority board, approved nine projects worth P171.14 billion, including the Naia contract on Sept. 14.

“Once implemented and

completed, these approved projects will help attain our medium- and long-term development goals of making the agricultural sector competitive, improving mobility by making our transport system safer and

more efficient, increasing disaster resiliency, and improving health services,” said Economic Planning Secretary and Neda director-general Ernesto Pernia.

Under the Naia contract, the government will award a 15 to 20-year concession to the private sector to improve safety and security, maximize capacity through “refreshed” infrastructure, improve passenger service standards in the existing gateway, operate and maintain Naia and its four terminals.

The Transportation Department expects to begin PPP procurement this month and award and sign a concession agreement by September 2017.

Transportation Undersecretary for aviation and airports Robert Lim said the agency was in the process of finalizing the terms for the bidding of the redevelopment and operation and maintenance of Naia.

“By January next year, we will release the advertisement to invite interested companies to bid in the project,” Lim said. Bid submission for the project was likely in August next year, he said.

Other projects approved by the Neda board were the Inclusive Partnership for Agricultural Competitiveness of the Department of Agriculture which is estimated to cost P10.2 billion; Eastern Visayas Regional

Remittances declined 5.4% to $2.1b in July—BSP

By Julito G. Rada MONEY sent home by Filipinos working overseas fell 5.4 percent in July to $2.13 billion from $2.25 billion a year ago on lower deployment of skilled workers abroad, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.

Data showed the July figure was the biggest decline in eight months, or since the 6.2-percent fall in November last year.

The figure brought cash remittances in the first seven months to $15.3 billion, still up by 3 percent from $14.87 billion in the same period last year.

Cash remittances from landbased and sea-based workers in the seven-month period reached $12.1 billion and $3.3 billion, re-

spectively.

About 80 percent of cash remittances came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, Qatar, Kuwait, Hong Kong and Germany.

Personal remittances, which include non-cash items, also fell 5.4 percent in July to $2.35 billion from $2.49 billion a year earlier. This brought personal remittances in the first seven months to $16.92 billion, up 2.9 percent from $16.44 billion in the same period last year.

“Remittance inflows for the first seven months of 2016 remained stable despite the decline in deployment of skilled Filipino workers,” Bangko Sentral said in a statement.

Preliminary report from the

Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed the number of deployed land-based workers dropped 10.3 percent year-on-year to 235,895, while that of sea-based workers fell 44.4 percent to 134,360.

Meanwhile, foreign portfolio investments or ‘hot money’ posted a net inflow of $427 million in August, a turnaround from the $543-million net outflow a year ago.

Data form Bangko Sentral showed gross inflows in August reached $1.756 billion, up from $1.115 billion in the same month last year, while outflows declined to $1.32 billion from $1.658 billion.

The August net inflow, however, was lower than the $1.066-billion net inflow in July.

Bangko Sentral said in the first

eight months, hot money recorded a net inflow of $1.973 billion, a reversal of the $211.81-million net outflow a year ago.

About 82.8 percent of investments in August were in securities listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange while the 17.2-percent balance went to peso government securities.

The United Kingdom, United States, Singapore, Luxembourg, and Belgium were the top five investor countries in August.

Foreign portfolio investments are overseas funds that are temporarily invested in local stocks, government securities and money market. These are also called ‘hot money’ because of the ease they are invested in and taken out of the local markets.

Medical Center Modernization Project worth P2.4 billion; Modernization of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital Project worth P2.2 billion; and Metro Manila Flood Management Project, Phase I with an estimated cost of P23.5 billion.

Also approved were Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transi–Edsa worth P37.8 billion; Increase in Passenger Terminal Building Area of the Bicol International Airport valued at P4.8 billion; Change in Scope of the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Project with P7.8 billion; and Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project worth P8 billion.

PETRON Corp. is acquiring a 140-megawatt solid fuel power plant of SMC PowerGen Inc. at the Petron refinery complex in Bataan province.

Petron said in a disclosure to the stock exchange Thursday its executive committee granted an authority to the company to negotiate, enter into and conclude with SMC PowerGen the relevant definitive agreements “for the purchase and acquisition” of the power plant “under such terms and conditions that the management may deem proper.”

“The executive committee likewise authorized the company to secure and avail of credit facility agreements to fund the proposed acquisition of the power plant,” Petron said.

The country’s biggest oil firm said it would make the appropriate disclosures in the event definitive agreements were reached.

Petron and SMC PowerGen are both controlled by conglomerate San Miguel Corp.

Petron did not disclose why it was acquiring the plant from SMC PowerGen. The 140-MW power plant started commercial operations in May 2013 and availed of the income tax holiday from May to September 2013.

The Board of Investments approved the the transfer of the certificate of registration of the power plant to SMC PowerGen. Petron uses power generated from the power plant for the power requirements of its 180,000-barrel-per-day refinery in Bataan.

Petron invested $2 billion to further upgrade its Bataan refinery and make it at par with the most advanced refineries in the region.

Nickel Asia opts to sell 12.5% stake in Taganito

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales NICKEL Asia Corp. said Thursday its board approved the sale of its 12.5-percent shareholdings in Taganito HPAL Corp. to the Japanese operator for $42 million.

Nickel Asia said in a disclosure to the stock exchange the stake was sold to Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd. of Japan.

Following the transaction, Nickel Asia will retain a 10-percent interest in THPAL, while SMM’s ownership will increase from 62.5 percent to 75 percent.

Mitsui & Co. Ltd. of Japan holds the remaining 15-percent stake in Taganito HPAL. Nickel Asia said the transaction was expected to be completed by end-2016, upon the fulfillment of requirements in the deed of sale, including regulatory approvals.

“The decision to sell a part of our ownership in THPAL was taken in order to allow NAC to focus more of its resources towards its new renewable energy business and expansion and development of mine operations, which is the company’s core expertise,” said Nickel Asia president and chief executive Gerard Brimo.

PH plans to privatize lottery operations THE government plans to privatize the lottery operations of state-run Philippine Charity and Sweepstakes Office, a Cabinet secretary said Thursday.

Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters at the sidelines of the Chamber of Thrift Banks general membership meeting in Makati City the Cabinet secretaries comprising the National Economic and Development Authority board tackled the possible liberalization of the operations of PCSO. “[It had] something to do with, small time gambling— lotto [and] what to do with it.

[The plan was to] privatize and

then regulate. It needs to be regulated,” Pernia said.

“It will be liberalized. Those who want to set up, they can also set up,” he said.

PCSO, created in March 1935 by Act 4130 issued by Commonwealth president Manuel Quezon, has the authority “to hold and conduct lotteries and similar activities” to generate funds.

Lottery is defined “as a scheme for the distribution of prizes by chance among persons who have paid, or agreed to pay a valuable consideration for the chance to obtain a prize.”

Senator Franklin Drilon has a long-standing proposal to

privatize PCSO and Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. to avoid misuse of the so-called intelligence funds.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier tagged PCSO as among the most corrupt government agencies.

Meanwhile, Pernia also said the Cabinet members also discussed the streamlining of process in approving government projects.

This includes updating of the economic hurdle rate from 15 percent to 10 percent, amid the improved Philippine economic conditions, which reduced the cost of domestic and foreign capital.

Gabrielle H. Binaday

SUNLIFE-8990 PARTNERSHIP. Life insurer Sun Life of Canada (Philippines) Inc. and low-cost mass housing developer 8990 Holdings Inc. join forces to provide working class Filipinos access to low-cost homes and financial services. Under the agreement, 8990 will provide clients a hands-on opportunity to experience and understand the benefits of insurance and financial investments at little or no cost to them. Shown signing the agreement are (from left) 8990 chief operations officer Willibaldo Uy, president and chief executive Januario Jesus Atencio, Sun Life president and chief executive Rizalina Mantaring and chief strategy and financial management officer Benedict Sison.

B2

Business

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Villar invests P225m to grow coffee chain

By Jenniffer B. Austria BILLIONAIRE Manuel Villar is investing P225 million to expand a new coffee chain under the brand Coffee Project.

Villar said in a recent interview he planned to have 23 Coffee Project outlets by end-2017. It now has seven stores including those at Wil Tower in Quezon City, Metropolis mall in Alabang, Vista Mall Sta. Rosa, Vista Mall Pampanga and Vista Mall Bataan.

Villar, chairman of property developer Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc., said he decided to venture into coffee business because he himself is a coffee drinker.

“I always wanted to have a coffee shop. I had always thought that if I were to put up a food chain, it will be a coffee shop concept,” said Villar.

Possible sites for new branch-

es include Legaspi and Salcedo Villages in Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Lakefront in Muntinlupa, Parañaque and Vista City in Daanghari, he said.

Villar said that most of the sites are in properties owned by members of the Villar group.

“We just need to put a branch at the ground floor of these buildings,” he said.

Villar said the Coffee Project’s ongoing expansion would initially focus on Mega Manila, but plans were also underway to expand in other cities such as as Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro and Malolos, Bulacan.

“We have a nice ambience. I am a firm believer in ambience. You should drink coffee in a good ambience. Coffee is half flavor and half ambience. So a coffee shop should look nice. Because flavor is a matter of opinion,” he said.

Market rebounds; Aboitiz, JG advance

S

TOCKS rebounded from a three-day slump on a choppy day for Asian markets ahead of key policy meetings in the United States and Japan next week.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, jumped 162 points, or 2.2 percent, to close at 7,708.42 Wednesday. The bellwether was also up 10.9 percent since the start of the year.

The heavier index, representing all shares, fell 49 points, or 1.1 percent, to settle at 4,614, on a value turnover of P8 billion.

Advancers outnumbered losers, 110 to 75, while 54 issues were unchanged.

Seventeen of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led by conglomerate Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. of the Aboitiz family which climbed 4.6 percent to P78 and JG Summit Holdings Inc. of tycoon John Gokongwei which advanced 4.5

percent to P77.40.

Bank of the Philippine Islands, the third fourth largest lender, rose 4.2 percent to P107.90, while BDO Unibank Inc., the largest bank, added 3.7 percent to close at P113.

Meanwhile, traders worldwide are focusing on the central bank gatherings, hoping they will clear up some uncertainty about monetary policy in two of the world’s biggest economies.

Equity markets have been hit by volatility the past week after two Federal Reserve officials suggested US borrowing rates could rise in September, before another colleague on Monday urged caution ahead of

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 30.5 91.5 137 80 361.2 57 180 1700 124 3.26

2.5 66 88.05 88.1 45.45 1.97 1.68 12.02 19.6 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance 3.53 Asia United Bank 47.9 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 109.00 Bank of PI 103.60 China Bank 38 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.75 Bright Kindle Resources 1.40 COL Financial 16.66 Eastwest Bank 20.5 I-Remit Inc. 1.99 Manulife Fin. Corp.

576.00 MEDCO Holdings 1.000 Metrobank 86.9 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.89 PB Bank 14.16 Phil. National Bank 57.55 Phil. Savings Bank 95.75 Philippine trust Co. 720 PSE 274 RCBC `A’ 35.5 Security Bank 246 Sun Life Financial 1412.00 Union Bank 73.30 Vantage Equities 1.46

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 148

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 32

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 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 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 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 2.3 1.63 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

Aboitiz Power Corp.

44.65 Agrinurture Inc. 3.26 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 1.02 Alsons Cons.

1.63 Asiabest Group 16.9 C. Azuc De Tarlac 205.00 Cemex Holdings 11.62 Century Food 16.48 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 125 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 23.7 Concepcion 56.95 Crown Asia 2.09 Da Vinci Capital 6 Del Monte 11.68 DNL Industries Inc. 11.300 Emperador 7.10 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.95 EEI 7.42 Euro-Med Lab 1.81 First Gen Corp.

24.55 First Holdings ‘A’ 70.9 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.40 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.2 Ionics Inc 2.250 Jollibee Foods Corp.

243.00 Liberty Flour 50.00 LMG Chemicals 1.95 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.55 Manila Water Co. Inc. 28.75 Maxs Group 29 Megawide 14.94 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 311.80 MG Holdings 0.270 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.05 Petron Corporation 9.40 Phinma Corporation 11.50 Phinma Energy 2.19 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.81 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.55 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.42 RFM Corporation 4.20 Roxas Holdings 3.45 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 219 Splash Corporation 3.06 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.159 TKC Steel Corp.

1.74 Universal Robina 183 Victorias Milling 4.6 Vitarich Corp.

2.36 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.28

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 911 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 1455 7.5 76 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 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 2.26 837 5.3 49.55 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

GT Capital House of Inv. JG Summit Holdings Lopez Holdings Corp.

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

10.5 26.95 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 8.4 5.94 0.180 0.470 27

6.74 12 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 3.1 4.13 0.090 0.290 23

Close

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

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

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

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry

0.390 74.60 16.32 1.21 6.20 0.375 0.370 857 1050.00 8.2 11.60 6.1 7.30 1430 6.30 74.05 8 0.83 16.72 6.66 0.0350 2.010 2.58 84.00 2.26 664.00 1.28 1.00 216.000 0.3150 0.2090 0.280 7.840 6.21 1.28 2.800 0.275 37.150 2.92 5.15 0.600 1.05 1.000 0.160 0.590 58 0.800 0.144 1.00 1.84 1.13 4.35 4.6 0.166 0.2700 37.50

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.53 3.42 48 47.3 113.00 107.40 107.90 102.30 38.1 37.95 3.90 3.90 1.38 1.35 16.7 16.5 20.7 20.45 1.98 1.98 582.00 580.00 1.050 0.920 87.9 86.1 0.9 0.88 14.18 14.08 59.00 57.45 100 99.95 720 371 274 272 36 35.4 248.4 240 1420.00 1410.00 73.30 73.20 1.47 1.47 INDUSTRIAL 46.15 44.5 3.4 3.19 1.13 1.05 1.68 1.62 17.2 16.16 200.00 200.00 11.78 11.6 16.98 16.48 126.9 120 24 23.5 56.6 56 2.14 2.08 6.15 6.01 12 11.58 11.300 10.980 7.20 7.00 5.98 5.84 7.65 7.38 1.81 1.8 25.2 24.55 71 70.6 16.30 16.30 6.41 6.21 2.250 2.210 250.00 241.20 50.00 50.00 2 2 4.55 4.5 29.3 28.45 29 28.6 15.2 14.9 311.80 308.80 0.270 0.260 3.07 3.04 9.91 9.40 11.60 11.52 2.20 2.17 5.84 5.81 1.55 1.51 3.52 3.5 4.20 4.20 3.2 3.2 218.2 218 3.06 3.02 0.161 0.156 1.74 1.71 186.8 184.9 4.64 4.22 2.45 2.35 1.29 1.28 HOLDING FIRMS 0.395 0.380 78.00 72.50 16.34 13.12 1.30 1.21 6.20 6.20 0.375 0.370 0.370 0.370 860 848 1498.00 1090.00 8.21 8.13 12.18 11.52 6.1 6.1 7.70 7.30 1455 1430 6.35 6.26 77.40 73.10 8.1 7.91 0.83 0.82 16.96 16.7 6.83 6.66 0.0350 0.0350 2.050 2.010 2.70 2.69 83.50 80.00 2.27 2.27 685.50 664.00 1.28 1.25 1.00 0.98 218.000 214.400 0.3150 0.3150 0.2090 0.2000 0.280 0.275 PROPERTY 7.900 7.840 6.20 6.20 1.29 1.27 2.880 2.640 0.290 0.270 38.000 37.000 2.99 2.9 5.15 5.1 0.63 0.600 0.98 0.98 1.020 1.000 0.161 0.158 0.600 0.590 58 57.25 0.800 0.770 0.144 0.144 1.01 1.00 1.86 1.83 1.14 1.13 4.01 4.01 4.7 4.52 0.194 0.167 0.2750 0.2750 37.50 36.00

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.53 48 113.00 107.90 38.1 3.90 1.35 16.5 20.5 1.98 580.00 0.990 87.9 0.9 14.08 57.50 99.95 390 272 35.55 248.4 1410.00 73.20 1.47

0.00 0.21 3.67 4.15 0.26 4.00 -3.57 -0.96 0.00 -0.50 0.69 -1.00 1.15 1.12 -0.56 -0.09 4.39 -45.83 -0.73 0.14 0.98 -0.14 -0.14 0.68

5,000 42,600 3,046,510 1,070,330 37,600 14,000 294,000 112,400 332,300 3,000 150 13,103,000 3,734,310 24,000 94,200 9,180 90 950 470 2,196,300 2,264,730 90 75,820 27,000

46.1 3.28 1.08 1.62 16.86 200.00 11.68 16.98 126.9 24 56.6 2.11 6.05 11.98 11.100 7.20 5.98 7.60 1.81 25 70.7 16.30 6.23 2.240 250.00 50.00 2 4.55 29.3 28.9 14.98 311.80 0.265 3.06 9.91 11.60 2.20 5.81 1.55 3.52 4.20 3.2 218.2 3.06 0.157 1.74 186.8 4.64 2.38 1.28

3.25 0.61 5.88 -0.61 -0.24 -2.44 0.52 3.03 1.52 1.27 -0.61 0.96 0.83 2.57 -1.77 1.41 0.50 2.43 0.00 1.83 -0.28 -0.61 0.48 -0.44 2.88 0.00 2.56 0.00 1.91 -0.34 0.27 0.00 -1.85 0.33 5.43 0.87 0.46 0.00 0.00 2.92 0.00 -7.25 -0.37 0.00 -1.26 0.00 2.08 0.87 0.85 0.00

1,479,600 915,000 12,497,000 2,026,000 7,600 100 9,436,000 1,075,900 690 452,800 2,420 455,000 103,300 19,600 6,999,400 3,902,200 19,219,600 1,125,100 4,000 1,738,000 80,800 122,600 959,800 248,000 699,170 90 33,000 4,000 1,263,500 593,600 3,238,300 149,670 2,440,000 32,563,000 3,702,400 102,000 573,000 98,500 142,000 85,000 14,000 3,000 9,060 10,000 18,740,000 145,000 2,923,820 26,000 9,971,000 8,000

0.380 78.00 16.26 1.29 6.20 0.370 0.370 860 1150.00 8.16 12.18 6.12 7.65 1455 6.35 77.40 8.1 0.82 16.96 6.83 0.0350 2.030 2.70 82.00 2.27 685.50 1.28 1.00 218.000 0.3150 0.2090 0.275

-2.56 4.56 -0.37 6.61 0.00 -1.33 0.00 0.35 9.52 -0.49 5.00 0.33 4.79 1.75 0.79 4.52 1.25 -1.20 1.44 2.55 0.00 1.00 4.65 -2.38 0.44 3.24 0.00 0.00 0.93 0.00 0.00 -1.79

80,000 2,406,590 4,501,000 21,000 49,000 1,000,000 1,460,000 405,170 140 1,647,900 4,460,300 1,220 1,561,200 235,560 50,700 2,435,400 1,522,000 462,000 2,271,800 27,692,600 1,800,000 287,000 64,000 250,840 478,000 383,700 56,000 63,000 6,440 1,180,000 110,000 640,000

7.840 6.20 1.28 2.770 0.270 38.000 2.92 5.1 0.610 0.98 1.020 0.161 0.600 57.25 0.770 0.144 1.00 1.85 1.14 4.01 4.7 0.194 0.2750 36.00

0.00 -0.16 0.00 -1.07 -1.82 2.29 0.00 -0.97 1.67 -6.67 2.00 0.63 1.69 -1.29 -3.75 0.00 0.00 0.54 0.88 -7.82 2.17 16.87 1.85 -4.00

238,600 1,000 402,000 3,919,000 7,510,000 20,957,700 1,321,000 700 5,383,000 1,000 39,000 3,970,000 4,146,000 249,580 151,000 330,000 3,161,000 2,005,000 108,000 9,000 28,877,000 302,350,000 10,000 5,100

1,824,935.00 -77,021,140 11,049,773.00

-1,493,698.00 -3,623,865.00 58,150.00 189,230.00 -35,961,639.50 12,579.00

-502,885 -35,238,336.00 581,513.00 4,905,100.00 38,670.00 -2,170,860.00 7,472,074.00 -3,381,996.00 693,710.00 -24,897 262,500.00 4,954,538.00 -4,732,309.00 -23,585,345.00 -2,815,438.00 6,536,240.00 -4,069,325.50 368,380.00 -3,202,935.00 -88,760.00 37,881,554.00

2,048,360.00 -12,522,030.00 -3,652,486.00 3,661,802.00 10,600.00 599,050.00 -5,489,268.00 492,230.00 16,660.00 -16,800.00 1,722,780.00 62,400.00 17,200.00 157,368,811 -1,332,040.00

90,594,194.00 7,087,990.00

-63,217,880 6,845,188.00 15,077,090.00 -149,000.00 -81,339,120.00 39,062,477.00 -6,220,969.00 7,868,042.00 17,187,382.00 -135,000.00 -5,746,228.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

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

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

1.97 119.5 7 5.8 0.017

1.23 102.6 3.01 4 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93 12.28 3.32 2.53 3.2 1 15.2 1.040 22.8 6.41 4 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.041 1.200 2.34 6.5 1.91 1.01 1.95 0.650 6 0.37 14.54 3 2.28 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 2.95 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 1.71 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

70 553 525

33 490 500

120 515 8.21 12.28 111 1047

101.5 480 5.88 6.5 101 1011

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

6.98

0.8900

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

50,257,555.00 429,162.00

1,672,272.00 -101,020.00 52,600.00 -54,078,005.00 -2,103,080.00 -8,680.00 -1,600.00 -2,861,266.50 -1,562,000.00 -2,463,660.00 -37,449,720.00 -452,900.00 26,100.00

Close

Primex Corp.

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

SHARES

FINANCIAL

26,490,001

INDUSTRIAL

179,859,074 58,092,926

PROPERTY

415,092,387

SERVICES

316,774,061

MINING & OIL

319,012,249

GRAND TOTAL

1,321,846,182

3.25 30.15 1.68 3.3 27.00 1.11 1.050 5.500

3.27 30.95 1.7 3.37 27.90 1.11 1.070 5.440

Low

Close

3.25 30.00 1.6 3.29 26.80 1.08 1.030 5.290 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.28 7.3 7.22 ABS-CBN 49.3 49.3 49 APC Group, Inc. 0.570 0.580 0.560 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.6 5.7 5 Bloomberry 5.20 5.39 5.09 Boulevard Holdings 0.0940 0.0970 0.0930 Calata Corp.

3.72 3.73 3.66 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 118.1 118 116.8 Centro Esc. Univ.

10.16 10.12 10 Discovery World 2.35 2.33 2.22 DFNN Inc. 6.10 6.53 6.16 FEUI 945.5 945.5 945.5 Globe Telecom 1997 2000 1980 GMA Network Inc. 6.24 6.27 6.20 Golden Haven 14.00 14.00 13.56 Harbor Star 1.57 1.66 1.60 I.C.T.S.I. 78.5 78 77.05 Imperial Res. `A’ 18.70 19.50 18.54 Imperial Res. `B’ 164 150 150 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 IPM Holdings 9.20 9.25 9.20 Island Info 0.255 0.265 0.255 ISM Communications 1.4100 1.4400 1.4000 Jackstones 3.44 3.54 3.39 Leisure & Resorts 3.93 4.08 3.90 Liberty Telecom 2.15 2.16 2.02 Lorenzo Shipping 1.03 1.03 1.03 Macroasia Corp.

2.26 2.25 2.22 Manila Bulletin 0.580 0.600 0.580 Melco Crown 4.01 4.19 4.01 NOW Corp.

3.500 3.580 3.490 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.28 11.3 11.28 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.44 5.45 5.35 Paxys Inc. 2.9 2.94 2.93 Phil. Seven Corp.

135.00 138.90 135.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 6.05 6.25 5.68 PLDT Common 1740.00 1730.00 1684.00 PremiereHorizon 0.420 0.435 0.425 Premium Leisure 0.980 1.030 0.970 Puregold 44.00 44.85 43.80 Robinsons RTL 78.50 79.00 78.30 SBS Phil. Corp.

5.87 5.96 5.87 SSI Group 3.07 3.08 3.03 STI Holdings 0.590 0.590 0.580 Transpacific Broadcast 1.95 1.94 1.86 Travellers 3.35 3.41 3.35 Waterfront Phils.

0.355 0.355 0.350 Yehey 5.600 5.600 5.500 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0038 0.0039 0.0038 Apex `A’ 2.84 2.90 2.78 Atlas Cons. `A’ 3.88 4.00 3.91 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1200 2.2 2.2 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.4000 2.4000 2.3900 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.58 0.6 0.59 Coal Asia 0.410 0.415 0.410 Dizon 8.50 8.58 8.22 Ferronickel 0.840 0.860 0.830 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.270 0.275 0.270 Lepanto `A’ 0.205 0.206 0.201 Lepanto `B’ 0.206 0.210 0.208 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0120 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.62 1.68 1.64 Nickelasia 6.85 6.85 6.63 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.97 3.02 2.92 Oriental Peninsula Res. 1.0200 1.0200 0.9900 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0100 0.0110 0.0100 Oriental Pet. `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 3.98 4.01 4.00 Philex `A’ 8.55 8.55 8.45 PhilexPetroleum 2.84 3.50 2.87 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0110 0.0130 0.0110 Semirara Corp.

109.20 110.00 109.00 TA Petroleum 3.15 3.35 3.1 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 49.15 49.4 48.9 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 530 530 530 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 540 540 540 DD Pref 105 104.9 104.7 First Gen G 118 119.5 118 GLOBE PREF P 547 547 547 GMA Holdings Inc. 6 6 5.99 Leisure and Resort 1.03 1.03 1.02 MWIDE PREF 112 112 112 PF Pref 2 1036 1036 1036 PNX PREF 3A 110 108 104 PNX PREF 3B 110 115 115 SMC Preferred B 79.5 79.5 79.45 SMC Preferred C 81.75 82 81.75 SMC Preferred D 78.1 78.8 78.5 SMC Preferred E 80.35 80.35 80 SMC Preferred F 80.5 80.65 80.5 SMC Preferred G 80 80 80 SMC Preferred H 79 78.6 78.4 SMC Preferred I 78.3 79.1 79.05 WARRANTS LR Warrant 2.340 32.500 2.320 SME Alterra Capital 3.22 3.21 2.95 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.73 3.6 3.6 Italpinas 4.6 4.7 4.56 Xurpas 13.5 14.4 13.66 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 124.5 126 124.2

TRADING SUMMARY HOLDING FIRMS

High

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.26 30.35 1.61 3.37 27.90 1.08 1.050 5.440

0.31 0.66 -4.17 2.12 3.33 -2.70 0.00 -1.09

174,000 1,965,500 253,000 195,000 10,585,100 5,643,000 352,000 10,762,700

48,750.00 13,902,110.00 48,000.00

7.25 49.1 0.570 5.7 5.10 0.0960 3.69 117 10.12 2.22 6.41 945.5 1990 6.24 13.72 1.63 78 19.46 150 0.0110 9.25 0.260 1.4300 3.5 3.95 2.15 1.03 2.22 0.600 4.17 3.500 11.28 5.40 2.93 138.90 5.93 1691.00 0.430 1.030 44.10 79.00 5.93 3.03 0.590 1.94 3.35 0.355 5.590

-0.41 -0.41 0.00 1.79 -1.92 2.13 -0.81 -0.93 -0.39 -5.53 5.08 0.00 -0.35 0.00 -2.00 3.82 -0.64 4.06 -8.54 0.00 0.54 1.96 1.42 1.74 0.51 0.00 0.00 -1.77 3.45 3.99 0.00 0.00 -0.74 1.03 2.89 -1.98 -2.82 2.38 5.10 0.23 0.64 1.02 -1.30 0.00 -0.51 0.00 0.00 -0.18

103,100 9,000 1,499,000 17,100 15,723,000 42,650,000 1,744,000 376,600 14,100 12,000 726,400 11,090 145,170 869,400 136,700 1,826,000 1,661,160 6,600 140 140,100,000 382,700 28,130,000 707,000 186,000 866,000 369,000 26,000 22,000 7,000 17,756,000 1,452,000 20,000 89,300 4,000 15,750 1,682,000 279,725 150,000 46,587,000 1,133,400 2,042,200 51,400 1,385,000 680,000 3,000 579,000 20,000 17,600

-303,006.00

0.0039 2.78 4.00 2.2000 2.4000 0.6 0.410 8.50 0.850 0.270 0.201 0.210 0.0110 0.0120 1.64 6.69 2.92 1.0200 0.0110 0.0110 4.00 8.55 3.29 0.0120 109.30 3.1

2.63 -2.11 3.09 3.77 0.00 3.45 0.00 0.00 1.19 0.00 -1.95 1.94 0.00 0.00 1.23 -2.34 -1.68 0.00 10.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 15.85 9.09 0.09 -1.59

78,000,000 319,000 36,000 1,000 2,000 236,000 400,000 22,200 5,176,000 20,000 5,070,000 30,000 2,000,000 12,800,000 770,000 3,147,200 211,000 152,000 10,400,000 2,900,000 427,000 325,400 13,065,000 182,000,000 356,630 42,000

49.1 530 540 104.7 119.5 547 6 1.02 112 1036 104 115 79.5 82 78.5 80.3 80.65 80 78.6 79.1

-0.10 0.00 0.00 -0.29 1.27 0.00 0.00 -0.97 0.00 0.00 -5.45 4.55 0.00 0.31 0.51 -0.06 0.19 0.00 -0.51 1.02

72,500 20 2,000 5,610 1,010 2,900 978,500 124,000 9,500 870 20,000 200 19,440 11,630 24,400 123,800 206,980 10,000 10,410 58,800

2.330

-0.43

538,860

3.13 3.6 4.59 13.74

-2.80 -3.49 -0.22 1.78

5,232,000 4,000 92,000 1,176,100

-530,240.00

126

1.20

9,180

249,400.00

-54,888,220.00 11,000.00 -21,964,569.00

-26,219,449.00 278,900.00 -9,405,452.00 257,492.00 44,995,020.00 195,424.00 -63,075,465.00

34,225.00

-49,660 -301,000.00

-26,101,240.00 -10,650.00 15,660.00 -816,498.00 -196,723,685.00 -299,190.00 -24,818,340.00 -10,752,279.00 -1,735,260.00 257,280.00

111,650.00

2,524,300.00

731,190.00 169,702.00 120,000.00

50,150.00 367,420.00 24,000.00 386,778.00 -53,260.00

-4,656,000.00 -45,900.00 87,360.00

-847,800.00

-4,706,468.00

VALUE 1,883.79 (UP) 44.21 1,436,812,218.85 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,926.81 (UP) 199.63 1,672,736,614.628 HOLDING FIRMS 7,675.82 (UP) 196.73 1,802,598,297.44 PROPERTY 3,415.69 (UP) 71.31 1,497.63 (DOWN) 16.12 1,443,504,768.31 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,577.45 (UP) 22.86 1,530,006,683.129 PSEI 7,708.42 (UP) 162.41 120,067,956.335 All Shares Index 4,614.00 (DOWN) 49.29 8,039,867,367.279 Gainers: 110; Losers: 75; Unchanged: 54; Total: 239

any tightening.

The lack of clear guidance has kept investors on edge, leading to selling.

“With escalating uncertainty surrounding the US and Japan’s monetary policies, there’s a deep-rooted yearning to cut down on any long position in stocks,” Mitsuo Shimizu, deputy general manager at Japan Asia Securities Group, told Bloomberg News.

In Japan, where investors have been left disappointed by a series of weak central bank remedies or lack of action, reports that officials are considering cutting interest rates further into negative territory hammered financial firms.

Tokyo’s Nikkei ended down 1.2 percent, with exporters also weighed by a pick-up in the yen as uncertainty over the impact of a possible new rate cut sent traders into safe havens.

“Minus interest rates are supposed to make the yen weaker, but if the move triggers concerns over the potential negative impact on the overall economy, the yen could strengthen again,” Naoki Fujiwara, chief fund manager with Shinkin Asset Management, said.

Other markets swung in an out of positive territory. Sydney reversed early losses to end 0.2 percent higher, while there were also gains in Hong Kong, which added 0.5 percent in the afternoon following a three-day sell-off.

Singapore and Wellington retreated. With AFP, Bloomberg

PLDT expands enterprise business LEADING telecoms and digital services provider PLDT Inc. continued to post double-digit growth in the enterprise segment in the first half, buoyed by data and broadband services which accounted for nearly 60 percent of enterprise revenues.

PLDT reported over P15 billion in revenues from its enterprise business in the first half, a 10-percent increase from the same period last year following its aggressive rollout of enterprise data-driven services and solutions.

“We are seeing sustained double digit growth as of August this year, further solidifying our position as the preferred digital enabler among the country’s industries and government entities. Our robust growth also reflects the emerging requirements of industries, and businesses to become more connected and utilize innovative IT solutions to run their operations,” said PLDT executive vice president and head of the enterprise group Eric Alberto.

“We have aligned our efforts with industry roadmaps to better serve the anticipated needs of companies to keep up with the digital economy.

The PLDT Group has steadily put in place the infrastructure necessary to support this growing digital ecosystem that businesses need to thrive in a globally competitive environment, and formed strategic partnerships with IT leaders to serve and grow our portfolio of digital services for the benefit of our country’s enterprises,” he said.

Consistent with PLDT’s initiatives in its digital pivot, enterprise revenues from data and broadband services jumped 23 percent year-onyear to over P9 billion in the first half with mobile internet revenues surging 121 percent.

Business

Manila

Standard

TODAY

B3

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

CoA set to audit oil, gas contracts

By Alena Mae S. Flores

T

HE Commission on Audit will review other petroleum exploration service contracts, after looking into the books of Malampaya natural gas project, an official said Thursday.

LARGEST SHIP IN SUBIC. Subic Bay International Terminal Corp. recently serviced APL Tourmaline, the largest container vessel to call at the New Container Terminals 1 and 2 at the Port of Subic. The Singaporean vessel is a part of American President Line’s Manila Express Service, which features weekly direct calls to Subic Bay and Manila’s North and South Port. Shown is APL Tourmaline making its maiden call at Subic Port.

Investment pledges jumped 97% in Q2

By Gabrielle H. Binaday INVESTMENT commitments approved by the government’s seven investment promotion agencies jumped 97.5 percent in the second quarter to P177.7 billion from P89.97 billion a year ago, the Philippine Statistics Authority said Thursday.

PSA said the data were obtained from the Board of Investments, Clark Development Corp., Philippine Economic Zone Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area

of Bataan, BOI-Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and Cagayan Economic Zone Authority.

Data showed foreign investments increased 11.5 percent in April to June to P40.4 billion while investments by Filipino nationals accounted for P137.3 billion.

PSA said total approved investments in the first half reached P277.4 billion, or 48.8 percent higher than P186.4 billion recorded in the same period a year ago.

Foreign investments in the six-month period rose 14.8

percent to P66.6 billion.

Top sources of foreign investments in the second quarter were Singapore which committed P10.2 billion, Japan with P7.1 billion and South Korea with P5.1 billion.

Calabarzon received the largest amount of foreign investments, valued at P15.9 billion in the second quarter.

It was followed by Central Visayas with P7.2 billion and National Capital Region with P7.1 billion.

Investments intended for projects in manufacturing ac-

counted for 35.3 percent of total foreign investments in the second quarter.

“Construction is set to receive the second largest amount of foreign investments at P8.2 billion or 20.4 percent of the total,” PSA said.

PSA said approved investments in the second quarter were expected to generate 53,998 jobs, once they were in full operations.

“Out of these anticipated jobs, 74.2 percent would come from projects with foreign interest,” PSA said.

Flight DO YOU remember when you were young and people asked you want you wanted to be when you grow up? Your answers were limited only by your imagination.

As we grow older, answering questions become more complicated. The simple question of what to do over a long weekend requires consideration of multiple things.

What to do? Where to go? Who to go with?

How much money is required? What other things need doing?

These are not bad questions, of course.

Growing older simply means we are more responsible and hence, need to take many more things into consideration. Unfortunately, our considerations often turn into constraints and, more often than we are willing to admit, those constraints are self-imposed.

At what point did turning into an adult become about limiting our possibilities?

Envelope Children’s answers to their plans for the future are varied for many reasons, including what they happen to have been doing immediately before you asked them the question. This explains the extremely puzzling answer of “I want to be a rabbit” that I got from one particularly cute little girl.

For the very young child, the future is one of unlimited possibility. Money is not an issue because they typically have no real understanding of it. What other people will think is not yet an issue. The young child is not yet hampered by societal expectations.

Fast forward to the young adult years and the question becomes much more complicated. Added to the practical questions of job opportunity and cost of preparation are the very real concerns about family responsibilities and societal role.

When embarking on any initiative, the considerations generally fall into a few easy categories: (a) are the outcomes desirable; and (b) are the outcomes achievable?

For the very young child, answers typically revolve solely around the first question of desirability. Furthermore, desirability tends to be very simply defined. Is it something that will make the child happy?

Will it make anyone the child cares about unhappy? Since the child’s circle of people he cares about is very small, this last con-

sideration is rarely limiting.

For the adult, even the question of desirability can be completely controversial.

“What will people say?” That is a question that can be both real and tragic. For many of our life choices, especially those concerning career, the opinions of other people have a great effect on whether or not we succeed. Simply think about the term “in the closet” and what that means. How much of our life choices should be deter-

How much money do you really need?

to limit the potential damage. For example, in a big group, order one experimental dish.

This means everyone gets to try something new but no one goes hungry.

Choices The question of limits becomes even more difficult when it comes to work. It is easy to argue that personal decisions must be made based on personal desires. That is difficult enough. At work, then we have to take into account the organization’s policies, the culture and mores of the people in the organization.

While many organizations are trying their best to build in work flexibility, most companies still require a certain level of uniformity in the work environment. While companies have many tools in their arsenal to keep employees happy, they will mostly use pay, perks and benefits. The siren call of money is so strong that many individuals stay decades at a career they don’t really enjoy.

This is a topic much in my mind in recent months as I have been speaking with young people choosing between corporate careers and going off on their own.

For those who are talented, the corporate world can be very tempting. It is so easy to answer the siren call of more money and more perks and to lose sight of how much of yourself and your time you are losing to your job.

While money is important and makes many things possible, there comes a time when it becomes a liability, the desire for earning more and more of it taking time away from what is truly important.

When I was young, I used to think about flying. That was the image in my mind when I thought about the future. I think this is the image I would want my children to have when they make their life choices.

What is it that will make them feel light and free?

At the point when the job begins to feel more like a prison than a path, it is time to consider making a change. Two questions are important. What is it that truly makes you happy? How much money do you really need?

mined by the other people’s expectations versus our own preferences?

Horizon The world of the child, of course, is actually much smaller than the world of an adult. There are many things they have not tried. In fact, one of the things I have always believed is that one of the most important jobs of a parent is to help a child expand his horizon. Parents need to help children try out new things, push their boundaries, discover what’s out there.

“How will you know until you try?”

That is a question I often pose when I ask anyone to try out a new food or a new experience. Often, we decide not to try out new things because we make an assumption we won’t like it or, worse, can’t do it.

The funny thing is that many adults actually limit themselves. They assume there are things they simply will not enjoy or cannot do. And they never even try. They create a smaller world for themselves.

When we are faced with trying out something new, do we ask why or do we ask why not? Yes, certainly, the great thing about always ordering the same thing whenever you eat out is that you know you will like it. But that also means you prevent yourself from discovering something you will like even better. Of course, this means Readers can email Maya at integrataking a risk that you won’t like the new tions_manila@yahoo.com. Or visit her thing you’re trying. The trick, of course, is site at http://integrations.tumblr.com.

The agency said it was looking at other contracts that were “similarly situated” to the Malampaya gas project, specifically those contractors who deducted their corporate income tax from the government’s share.

Flovitas Felipe, CoA-Department of Energy supervising auditor, told Senator Sherwin Gatchalian in a recent Senate hearing that “we were instructed to look into other similarly situated service contracts.”

Felipe said COA did not want the Malampaya consortium to feel it was being singled out by the agency.

The Malampaya service contract 38 consortium includes Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., Chevron Philippines and PNOC Exploration Corp.

“Our boss told us to look into the other service contracts,” Felipe said.

COA said that during the audit of the Malampaya gas project in northwest Palawan in 2004, the agency found that the corporate income tax of the Spex consortium was deducted from the government’ shares.

COA said the inclusion of the corporate income tax from the government’s share resulted in in the understatement of the

government’s revenue by P2.63 billion.

The agency then issued a notice of charge to collect P53.1 billion from the consortium from Jan. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2009.

Spex and the Energy Department filed an appeal of the decision, but COA still issued an additional notice of charge of P77.27 billion last year. COA was claiming a total of P151 billion as of end-June.

COA’s position is that taking the contractor’s income tax from the government share was tantamount to tax exemption.

Spex filed an arbitration case with the International Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and World Bank’s International Center for Settlement of Investment Dispute against the government.

Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi said there was an urgency to resolve the COA issue.

“That’s why we are rushing it and we have referred to the SolGen. We have brought this matter to the economic cluster and we will be discussing this in the full Cabinet,” Cusi said.

Cusi also said the new administration had not yet adopted the position of the previous administration on Spex-COA issue and was still studying the matter.

WCKF supporting anti-drug campaign DAVAO region police officers recently spearheaded a peaceful initiative called “Baktas sa Kausaban” at Rizal Park, Davao City to help bolster President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against the use and sale of illegal drugs.

The “unity walk for change” led by regional director Supt. Manuel R. Gaerlan was a simultaneous multi-city activity with 13,411 participants from Davao City, Davao del Norte, Davao del Sur, Davao Occidental, Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley.

Gaerlan, in a letter, extended his deepest gratitude to Wong Chu King Foundation for being a partner in the PNP’s project entitled “Double Barrel” which aims to completely eradicate the use and sale of illegal drugs.

“Your presence and contribution to the event signifies your sincere desire to be part of Pres. Duterte’s advocacy,” he said.

The initiative is a byproduct of the Philippine National Police’s ongoing community relations program as it mainly aims to generate awareness and gather support of all stakeholders; to kick-off regular physical activities of the ‘surrenderers’; and create willing sponsors to fund the drug victims’ rehabilitation and social reintegration process.

One of the country’s most active non-profit organizations, the Wong Chu King Foundation provided a full sponsorship while its representatives also joined in the refreshing initiative.

Aside from the ‘surrenderers’, representatives from various government agencies, non-government agencies, private sectors, faith groups, local executives, barangay officials and PNP personnel graced the event.

ANNOUNCEMENT To all ABS-CBNmobile Subscribers with ABS-CBN TVplus: We are pleased to announce that ABS-CBNmobileLABAN99 will be available starting 18September 2016.

Service Name LABAN99 Price: P99, VAT Inclusive

Keyword

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• iWant TV Access Pass to Full Library, up to 200MB data on 3G for prepaid and up to 800MB data on 3G for postpaid • Access to Facebook, Twitter, FB Messenger, and Viber Chat • 20MB Data to surf all sites

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To avail, ABS-CBNmobile Subscriber with at least P99 load, will text the KEYWORD to 2131.

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TVplus BOX ID: Either the 7Digit Alphanumeric Box ID or the Box Serial # Susbcriber will receive a text confirmation from 2131 and 2135 if registration was successful.

(MS-SEPT. 16, 2016)

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

B4

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Business

The picture taken on September 8, 2016 shows a dock at the rhine river of German chemical company Bayer in Leverkusen, western Germany.

Bayer AG agreed to buy Monsanto Co. in a deal valued at $66 billion. AFP

Currency trading volatile as growth stimulus fades V

OLATILITY has reawakened in the $5.1 trillion foreign-exchange market, as traders start to imagine life without ultraeasy monetary policy.

The impact is greatest in the currencies with most at stake from an end to years where stimulus only got more generous—the so-called high yielders. A gauge of expected swings in emerging-market currencies has surged above an equivalent measure for developed markets by the most since May. European Central Bank President Mario Draghi this month downplayed the need for an expansion of quantitative easing, while speculation has grown that the

Bank of Japan could scale back longer-term bond purchases.

Traders see better-than-even odds of higher US interest rates by year-end.

“The risk-on sentiment and hunt for yield that prevailed in the past few months, benefiting emerging-market assets, was based on a belief that central banks were going to provide more stimulus as the Fed stands pat,” said Khoon Goh, the head of regional research at Australia & New Zealand Banking

Japan raising $3.8b from huge rail IPO JAPAN’S government is aiming to raise as much as 392 billion yen ($3.8 billion) selling shares of Kyushu Railway Co. in an initial public offering poised to be the world’s second-biggest this year.

The Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency, which fully owns the company, also known as JR Kyushu, is offering 160 million shares at an indicative price of 2,450 yen apiece, according to a statement in Tokyo Thursday. The agency is selling all of its shares and plans to list them on Oct. 25 on the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the following day on the Fukuoka Stock Exchange, according to the statement.

The state asset offering is part of a plan started in the 1990s to privatize the nation’s train operators created from the breakup of Japan Railways in 1987. JR Kyushu is the fourth of those firms selling shares to the public.

A record number of visitors to Japan is benefiting companies such as JR Kyushu, which operates bullet trains along with the regular ones, and runs hotels and restaurants on the nation’s third-largest island. JR Kyushu is based in Fukuoka City, about 890 kilometers (550 miles) west of Tokyo.

The government’s asset sales are aimed at encouraging citizens to invest more of their household savings in the stock market. It sold shares in Japan Post Holdings Co., Japan Post Bank Co. and Japan Post Insurance Co. last year in the biggest program since 1987. Bloomberg

Group Ltd. in Singapore. “There has been a reassessment by the markets about how much more stimulus may be forthcoming.

The pullback in flows into emerging markets is leading to currency weakness.”

The South African rand and Mexican peso have been the worst-performing major currencies over the past month, with declines of at least 6.5 percent against the greenback. Australia’s dollar has weakened 2.7 percent, the most among developed-market peers.

The Aussie was little changed at 74.59 US cents as of 9:02 a.m. in London after dropping as much as 0.3 percent following data showing employers unexpectedly

cut jobs in August.

The yen was little changed at 102.43 per dollar. The euro fell 0.2 percent to $1.1228.

A JPMorgan Chase & Co. index of three-month emergingmarket currency volatility has climbed to 10.9 percent from 9.6 percent a week ago. The gap to the equivalent Group-of-Seven gauge widened to half a percentage point for the first time since May 27 after being negative for most of that period.

Expectations for swings in the Australian dollar against the greenback climbed to 11.5 percent, from 10.3 percent on Sept.

8. That was near the 19-month closing low of 10.1 percent reached on Aug. 8.

The Dec. 14 Federal Open Market Committee decision has only just entered the three-month horizon. Futures put the odds of action at the meeting at 52 percent, from 36 percent at the start of August, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. The odds for higher rates following the Sept.

20-21 meeting are 20 percent.

“The view that central banks are not inclined to be pressing their policy pedals even further to the metal is boosting currency volatility,” said Ray Attrill, global co-head of foreign-exchange strategy at National Australia Bank Ltd. in Sydney. “And that is showing up more in emerging markets than developed markets.” Bloomberg

Bayer acquires Monsanto for $66b

BAYER AG agreed to buy Monsanto Co. in a deal valued at $66 billion, winding up four months of talks to create the world’s biggest supplier of seeds and pesticides.

Bayer will pay $128 a share in cash, the company said in a statement Wednesday. The bid―this year’s biggest deal and the largest foreign takeover ever by a German company―is 21 percent above Monsanto’s closing price on Tuesday in New York. Bayer also agreed to pay Monsanto a break-up fee of $2 billion if the deal is rejected on antitrust grounds.

The transaction caps a dramatic reshaping of the crop and seed industry. A year ago, the sector had at least a half-dozen global players. After Bayer and Monsanto tie up, creating a leader with $26 billion in combined revenue from agriculture, that number will shrink to just four.

Falling crop prices and a quest for greater efficiency have triggered a cascade of deals over the past year. Last December DuPont Co. and Dow Chemical Co. agreed to merge and then carve out a new crop-science unit. And in February, China National Chemical Corp. agreed to acquire Switzerland’s Syngenta AG, which Monsanto had pursued for years.

The deal values Monsanto at almost 21 times earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compares to a median of about 9.4 times for comparable deals.

Bayer will fund the transaction with a combination of debt and equity. The equity component of about $19 billion will be raised through an issuance of mandatory convertible bonds as well as a rights offer. In the meantime, Bank of America Corp., Credit Suisse Group AG, Goldman Sachs Group Inc., HSBC Holdings Plc and JPMorgan Chase & Co. agreed to provide bridge financing of $57 billion.

Bank of America, Credit Suisse and Rothschild & Co. advised Bayer on the transaction, while Morgan Stanley and Ducera Partners LLC acted for Monsanto. Bloomberg

Li Ka-Shing gets back into HK housing market BILLIONAIRE Li Ka-Shing is getting back into Hong Kong’s housing market, with his property unit buying its first plot of residential land from the government in four years.

Li’s Cheung Kong Property Holdings Ltd. will pay HK$1.95 billion ($251 million) for the New Territories site, the Hong Kong Lands Department said in a statement Wednesday. Designated for private residential purposes, the site has a maximum gross floor area of 22,676 square meters.

The purchase is a welcome boost for Hong Kong’s housing market, where large developers have been reluctant to make high bids on land after home prices fell and sales slowed earlier this year, making way for smaller local companies and mainland Chinese firms. Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd., Hong Kong’s

largest developer, last month outbid 10 other companies with a HK$2.4 billion offer for a site in the same Sha Tin area, its first residential land acquisition since June 2015.

Li, Hong Kong’s richest man, was until recently one of the biggest players in Hong Kong’s property market, buying 37 percent of the land sold by the government in 2011, and a further 6 percent the following year. Since then, he’s been largely absent.

“It shows they are optimistic particularly on luxury residential segment,” said Ben Kwong, executive director of KGI Asia Ltd. “I don’t think it is a strong signal they are bullish on the property market as a whole.”

There have been signs of a property rebound in Hong Kong, where prices have fallen from their all-time high in September. After slumping as

much 13 percent between September and March, home prices have risen in recent months and transaction volumes rose in August to the highest in 14 months. Prices are still more than 6 percent below last year’s peak, according to Centaline Property Agency Ltd. Cheung Kong Property shares rose 1 percent to HK$56.45 at 12:58 p.m. in Hong Kong. The shares have advanced 12 percent this year, roughly in line with the Hang Seng Properties Index.

Cheung Kong Property said as recently as last month that it wasn’t easy to buy land at “reasonable costs,” amid increasing competition from new entrants, especially in Hong Kong.

Eighty-eight year old Li, who has spent billions of dollars in investments in European telecom assets since 2010, in an interview earlier this year, said Hong Kong

is going through its toughest times in two decades amid a widening wealth gap. On the property side, he has often alluded to rising land costs in Hong Kong and China. Last year, in a media briefing, Li said in Cantonese that the cost of “flour,” or land, now exceeds the price of the “bread,” or apartments.

Li’s fellow octogenarian billionaire Lui Che-Woo earlier this month said he’s having trouble reading the city’s property market these days. “Recently land prices have surged so much,” said Lui, who has spent more than 50 years as a property developer. “I really don’t know what’s happening right now.”

Other bidders on the New Territories plot included Wheelock Properties Ltd., Vanke Property (Overseas) Ltd. and Sun Hung Kai Properties, the Lands Department said. Bloomberg

Diamonds are millennial’s best friend despite economic turbulence HONG KONG―Slower growth in China and economic turbulence in global markets has dented the diamond industry, but millennials are offering light at the end of tunnel, say De Beers.

In its new ‘Diamond Insight Report,’ which looks at the state of the sector worldwide, the firm predicted volatility would be the “new normal” over the next 10 years.

The value of global diamond jewellery sales to consumers took a hit in 2015, down two percent at US$79 billion from US$81 billion in 2014, the report said.

It attributed the drop to “unfavorable currency movements and economic slowdown in China and other emerging markets.”

There were also added industry costs due to a larger proportion of diamonds coming from deeper mines.

But De Beers CEO Bruce Cleaver said he was still optimistic for the medium to long-term, although there was “no question 2015 was a more difficult year.”

Although consumption had slowed in

mainland China―the world’s secondlargest diamond market behind the United States―Cleaver said buyers’ interest was still there.

“We actually think demand in China has stood up reasonably well―better than flat in 2015,” he told AFP. A corruption crackdown by President Xi Jinping has also put pressure on the luxury market in China and Cleaver said buyers were warier of conspicuous consumption.

However, the overall impact on the diamond sector had been “minimal” he said.

“The crackdown is not aimed at diamonds and certainly not aimed at gifts between men and women in particular,” he told AFP. But while the China diamond market remains key, Cleaver said it was unlikely to ever reach past heights of more-than 10 percent growth.

“Coming off the base it is now, I think it’s unlikely you’ll see growth of that scale again,” he said.

The report identified millennials―cat-

egorised as those born between 1981 and 2000 –as a driver for future growth as they are like to reach their “most affluent life stage” in 10 years’ time.

Researchers found that the generation still valued diamonds highly among their most desired gifts, but were likely to buy them later in life than previous generations.

In 2015, millennials spent $26 billion on diamond jewellery in the four biggest markets―the US, China, India and Japan.

Cleaver said he was “pleasantly surprised” at the result, but added that retailers would have to adapt to more interactive strategies in order to maintain the age group’s interest.

“Retailers will have to think about what millennials like, need and desire,” he said.

“We know they’re less interested in traditional things―they’re interested in experiences.”

Diamonds came in behind overseas holidays, weekend getaways and personal electronics as most desired gifts, the report said. AFP

A pedestrian walks past a De Beers jewellery store in the Central district of Hong Kong on September 14, 2016. Slower growth in China and economic turbulence in global markets has dented the diamond industry, but millennials are offering light at the end of tunnel, say De Beers. AFP

DPWH diggings delay rerouting

LGUs

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

By Rio. N. Araja DIGGINGS by the public works department prompted Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista to postpone the implementation of the one-way traffic scheme in Barangay South Triangle.

The scheme was supposed to be rolled out on Thursday, Sept. 15.

Bautista acceded to the recommendation of the barangay officials to defer the implementation of the traffic scheme until after all road works in affected areas are completed.

At the same time, he directed the City Engineering Department to submit a status report on road works in Mother Ignacia, Sgt. Esguerra, Panay Avenue, Scout Madriñan, Scout Tuazon, Scout Tobias and Scout Borromeo.

According to the City Engineering Department, the Department of Public Works and Highways has on-going road widening and flood control projects in the area.

“We will reset the implementation because of DPWH diggings,” said Elmo San Diego, head of the city’s Department of Public Order and Safety, which is tasked to oversee the implementation of the new traffic scheme.

Meanwhile, engineer Mark James Berboso, a DPWH project inspector, said the agency’s ongoing road improvement projects, especially from Sgt. Esguerra to Edsa, will be completed by November.

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FISHING BUDDIES. Two boys fishing at Lake Rosario, Barangay Kapatagan in Digos, Davao del Sur. Roland Jumawan

Polloc Freeport earns P20m

By A. Perez Rimando

C

OTABATO CITY—In the first seven months of 2016, the Polloc Freeport and Ecozone based in Parang, Maguindanao, registered a record high revenue of some P20 million, a port official said.

Polloc port manager Eshan Mabang said the latest income overshot by some 33.5 percent its entire 12-month earnings of P12.6 million in 2015.

Mabang attributed the revenue rise, among other things, to “transparency, good governance and favorable peace and order condition around the port,” which is located near the Sen. Salipada K. Pendatun military camp.

All these factors encouraged different locator companies and investors in the Autono-

mous Region in Muslim Mindanao to shift to Polloc for their inbound and outbound cargoes, Mabang said.

A total of 377,700.22 metric tons of inbound and outbound cargo were shifted to the port from January to July 2016, Mabang noted, adding that cargo moved last year reached 492,196.44 metric tons.

According to Mabang, top inbound cargo included yellow corn, cement, machinery, plant equipment, iron/steel, rolling Next page

Manila dad slams FLI irregularities

By Sandy Araneta A MANILA city councilor has sought the cancellation of building and construction permits issued for a condominium project of Federal Land Inc. (FLI), which has an ongoing land ownership dispute with another developer.

Citing the interests of the public, 3rd District Councilor Manuel Zarcal filed a resolution on September 8 directing the Office of the City Engineer to revoke the building permit and zoning permit it issued to Four Seasons Riviera Condominiums in 2010.

Zarcal cited the July 26 decision of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) suspending the li-

cense to sell of FLI and the Manila-based Central Realty and Development Corp. pending the resolution of a civil case filed

by Solar Resources Inc. before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 6.

Solar is insisting that it is the lawful owner of the 7,350-square meter land at the corner of Muelle Dela Industria and Prensa & Numancia streets in Binondo where the four towers of the 30-story Four Seasons Riviera Condominiums are being built.

Zarcal said buyers might be implicated if FLI and Central Realty are allowed to sell their condominium units and continue the development of the site despite the ongoing legal case.

“Under Section 458 (par. 4)

of the Local Government Code, the city council is empowered to regulate activities relative to the use of land, buildings and structures within the city in order to promote the general welfare,” Zarcal said in his resolution.

In a privilege speech delivered at the session hall on Tuesday, Zarcal said he was particularly concerned about the welfare of his constituents in District 3 when he read about the HLURB ruling on the condominium project in the newspapers.

In a ruling penned by arbiter Raymundo Foronda, HLURB said the reason it temporarily barred FLI and Central Realty from selling units of the Four Seasons Riviera Condominiums is to protect the buying public.

“As a precautionary measure

for the protection of the buying public, there is a need to suspend the license to sell pending resolution of the issue of ownership over the property,” the resolution read, adding it would be more prudent to wait for the final results of the civil case filed by Solar to protect the buying public.

Solar accused Central Realty of misrepresenting itself as the legal owner of the property which the late Dolores Molina purchased from Central Realty way back 1993.

After buying the 7,350-square-meter lot, Molina opted to let the land title remain in the name of Central Realty after it promised to settle the huge taxes it owed the government.

Cavite artist bares his breast in exhibit Makati dogs get free rabies shots CAVITEÑO chef and artist Jesse “Hands” Esplana announced that he will hold his fifth one-man show at the Big Daddy Bar and Grill Restaurant on Daang Hari Road in Molino, Bacoor from September 17 to October 17.

Entitled “Bare,” the art show presents Esplana’s new series of nudes that celebrate his love for women.

Like many artists, he express-

es his sentiments and aspirations so powerfully on the canvas that he can only describe them in poor, halting words.

Still, viewers can share Esplana’s transport by getting to know his thoughts and techniques.

The sensuous artist said “the characters portrayed in my paintings showcase the wonder of a woman’s anatomy in its simplicity, but radiant with extraordinary love, kindness, greatness,

ALLURE. The paintings of Jesse Esplana celebrate feminine pulchritude.

humility and understanding.”

In a painting, he narrated, he transformed a model into what he called an “angel of light [full of] beauty, awesomeness and perfection, presented with classical music in an underwater scene.”

This almost religious ecstasy electrifies his exhibit that “is an expression of my dedicated career as a visual artist who is struggling to turn his dream into reality. My dream flies above the ocean of a

long journey and approaches the little and big stars of my life with hummingbirds playing in the forest, with loud and tweeting sounds of joy and victory.”

Art lovers can view some of his paintings and visual art products in the Pinoy ACTS Technology Blog at www.pinoyactstechnology.com. Interested painting collectors and visual arts enthusiasts can call Jesse at 0908740930. Edgardo S. Tugade

THE city gover n ment of Makati will provide free anti-rabies vaccination of pets in eight barangays from September 26 to 30 in celebration of World Rabies Day. Mayor Abigail Binay e nc ou r age d the residents to have their pets registered and vaccinated.

“Makati has consistently camBinay paigned for rabies prevention through vaccination.

Responsible pet owners are encouraged to protect their families. By doing so, we can make Makati a safe and secure place for our children,” said Binay.

City veterinarian Dr. Ma. Katherina Mangahas said the free anti-rabies vaccination will start on September 26 along Maya Street in Barangay Rizal.

The others are scheduled as follows: September 27 in Cactus Open Court, Barangay Pembo; September 28 in Sto. Niño Area, Barangay Southside; and September 29 on Progreso Street,

Barangay Guadalupe Viejo.

On September 30, the free anti-rabies vaccination will be held simultaneously from 9 am to 12 noon in Barangays La Paz (P. Rivera Street corner Mola St reet), Te je r o s (barangay hall), Singkamas (P. Rivera Street open court) and K a silawa n (C a g aya n

Street).

Mangahas said the eight barangays were selected on the insistent demand of residents.

About 1,367 dogs and cats were given free anti-rabies vaccination last year.

The city government earlier announced plans to have pet dogs micro-chipped upon registration with the city veterinary office. The device will track residents who allow their pets to roam the streets where they can bite people or scatter fecal matter, posing health risks to the public, she said.

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

LGUs

Hataman declares log ban in ARMM

Baguio City bans Pokemon Go game

By Dexter A. See

By A. Perez Rimando

L

AMITAN CITY— Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao Gov. Mujiv Hataman has declared a total log ban in all the forests in the region’s five provinces.

Some 60 percent of the remaining forests in the region have been denuded by rampant illegal cutting of trees, ARMM’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Hadji Kahal Kedtag said.

Kedtag said based on the latest monitoring by DENR personnel in Maguindanao, Sulu, Basilan, Lanao del Sur and TawiTawi, “barely 40 percent of the region’s forested areas remain untouched, including watershed and forest reserves.

He said Basilan had the biggest denuded forest area among the five provinces, prompting the DENR provincial officer to create a Provincial Anti-Illegal Logging Task Force to monitor and prevent the further illegal cutting of naturally growing trees in the island.

Kedtag stressed that his office has implemented the government’s National Greening Program (NGP), which, among other things, enjoins all local and ARMM-based national government officials and employees to undertake mass tree-planting activities in bare forest areas.

Seedlings of mahogany and gemelina, fast-growing tree species, are propagated in various nurseries of ARMM provinces, Kedtag said. He added that Maguindanao, through the initiative of Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, established at least 10 nurseries while the other provincial executives put up five nurseries each.

Kedtag said persons may register their tree plantations with the DENR “to avoid future problems from the cutting of planted trees in their respective areas.”

BAGUIO CITY—The city council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance by Vice Mayor Edison Bilog, prohibiting the playing of the mobile application Pokemon Go and similar applications inside government offices, churches and while crossing pedestrian lanes and driving motor vehicles in the city.

Any person found violating the ordinance shall be fined P500 for the first offense, P1,000 for the second offense, and P1,500 for the third offense.

The proposed ordinance tasks the Baguio City Police Office, the heads and administrators of government offices and leaders and administrators of churches to ensure the strict implementation of the ordinance.

Since its launch in the country on August 6, many city resi-

dents have been hooked on the mobile application.

However, Bilog noted that the Pokestops are scattered throughout the city’s map, especially significant markers or important landmarks, including inside government offices, schools, and churches and even near pedestrian lanes, roads and streets.

He disclosed that work in government offices is disrupted when residents come not to transact business but to play the game, and government employees are likewise lured to the game.

Churches have also reported disturbance by players.

Bilog warned residents that using mobile phones while driving is prohibited as provided under the recently approved Anti-Distracted Driving Act, which defines distracted driving as making text or calls, and playing games, surfing the internet and watching movies.

Bataan to get more power

By Butch Gunio BALANGA CITY—The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines announced it will undertake transmission reinforcement projects in Bataan in anticipation of increased power supply.

New power plants in the province are expected to operate in the next few years.

Fely Francisco, NGCP regional corporate communication officer, announced over 91.1 Sikat FM that the transmission company will implement the Bataan 230-kilovolt Reinforcement Project to accommodate new power generation.

Francisco also said the transmission company will be

building 500 kV CastillejosHermosa transmission line and the 69-kV FloridablancaHermosa line project.

She said the Castillejos-Hermosa transmission line will connect to new power generators in Zambales. On the other hand, the Hermosa-Floridablanca line project will ease the overload in the Hermosa-Guagua line.

Francisco said they are in the pre-construction phase of the three transmission projects that includes getting right of way, permits and other documentation.

She said the transmission projects area will ensure reliable and efficient power supply in Luzon grid.

TOP COP. Philippine National Police Director Ronald dela Rosa addresses guests at the 115th anniversary of the Police Regional Office 8 in Tacloban City. Mel Caspe

Salazar recalls 50 police bikes ZAMBOANGA CITY—Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar ordered the immediate recall of 50 new Kawasaki Rouser motorcycles the city government purchased and gave to the Zamboanga City Police Office because they are being misused by some policemen.

Driving around the city one night, Salazar, Task Force Zamboanga commander Juvymax Uy and ZCPO deputy director Supt. Jomari Albarico saw only six of the 50 motorcycles in strategic areas.

She explained that the local government provided high-speed motorbikes to local law enforcers to increase police visibility in the city’s urban and semi-urban areas, “but it appears it has not served its purpose so far. I’m

really very disgusted with what I noticed and what I didn’t see.”

Salazar also ordered the recall of the motorcycles bought and issued by former city mayor Celso Lobregat “to ensure that these two-wheel vehicles are serving their purpose” even as she stressed that “we might as well reconsider our future plans to help purchase more vehicles for our local cops who are under the direct supervision and administration of the Philippine National Police.”

She added that “we in the LGU need good feedback. We provided our cops with motorcycle units and gasoline allowance but, unfortunately, “I have not seen all of them personally being utilized by concerned

law enforcers.”

During the latest Peace and Order Council meeting, the local executive told CPO chief Senior Supt.

Luisito Magnaye to supervise and control the disposition of the motorcycles to maintain peace and order amidst the ongoing militaryAbu Sayyaf encounters in Basilan and Sulu, and the recent bombing in Davao City..

The city mayor also bewailed reports that some policemen use their new motorbikes for personal trips to night spots and to their children’s schools.

“Such misuse should never be tolerated as these two-wheelers are for official use only,” Salazar emphasized. A. Perez Rimando

Polloc...

and Thailand, and he encouraged more firms “to locate in our port to avail of the competitive advantage it provides.”

The regional government’s Bureau of Public Information reported that ARMM Gov. Mujiv Hataman’s administration and the Bureau of Customs inked last year a memorandum of agreement granting investors duty-free importation of identified materials and equipment.

It further announced that the MoA

also allows locators and investors registered under the ARMM’s Regional Board of Investments and other tax incentives to economic investors “to enjoy duty-free importation of capital equipment, breeding stocks, generic materials, constructon materials and office equipment.”

These locators are also entitled to other tax incentives both from the regional government and local governments concerned, the MoA added.

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cargo and non-prime commodities, while top outbound cargo was corn starch, corn gluten feeds, corn gluten meal, corn germ, river sand, rolling cargoes, cement, plywood and heavy equipment.

Mabang said the cargo arrived on 173 domestic vessels and 15 foreign ships from Vietnam, China

Manila

Standard

World

TODAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

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1 dead, 14 hurt in Bali boat blast

CRASH. Pakistani bystanders gather at the site of the collision of two trains on the outskirts of Multan on September 15, 2016. At least four people were killed and more than 100 injured. AFP

US promises Israel $38-b military aid W

ASHINGTON—The United States and Israel put aside the antagonism between their leaders and reaffirmed their strategic bond on Wednesday, when Washington promised its ally an unprecedented $38 billion military aid package.

As Israel’s national security advisor and a senior US diplomat signed the 10-year deal there was no sign of the distrust that has soured relations between President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In recent weeks Washington has toughened its criticism of

Israel’s accelerated building of settlements on occupied land in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, warning that it could destroy hopes for peace with the Palestinians.

And Israel has made no secret of its fierce opposition to Obama’s signature diplomatic initiative, the outreach to Iran which

Defector throws leaflets into North Korea SEOUL—South Korean activists launched tens of thousands of anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border into North Korea on Thursday, denouncing its latest nuclear test and defying threats of retaliation.

The leaflets, criticizing leader Kim JongUn for putting nuclear weapons before the wellbeing of his people, were launched with helium balloons from the border city of Paju.

The propaganda exercise, organized by North Korean defector-turned-activist Park Sang-Hak, came amid surging military tensions on the divided Korean peninsula following the North’s fifth and largest-ever nuclear test last week.

Hours before the balloon launch was scheduled to begin, the North’s official KCNA news agency published a commentary describing Park as “human scum without an equal in the world.”

KCNA said the balloon launch was a desperate response to the success of last week’s test, and a bid by Seoul to “stoke confrontation” over the holiday period.

The launch came in the middle of the three-day Chuseok harvest festival holiday-celebrated on both sides of the border.

Conservative South Korean activists, including many North Korean defectors, have been carrying out leafleting exercises using giant helium balloons for years--a practice that infuriates Pyongyang which has threatened military strikes in response.

Park Sang-Hak said strong winds at the border had restricted Thursday’s event to the launch of around 150,000 leaflets--half the planned number.

“We are doing this to inform the 20 million starving people in North Korea of the truth,” Park told AFP. “At this moment, when hundreds of thousands of people are suffering from terrible floods, Kim Jong-Un conducted another nuclear test.

“So, who is calling who ‘human scum?’” he said.

North Korean state media has described ongoing floods as the worst to hit the country since World War II. According to a UN agency report, 138 people have died and 400 are missing after torrential rains caused devastation in the country’s far north. AFP

last year led to a deal to restrain Tehran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.

Beyond that, Netanyahu and Obama have often rubbed each other up the wrong way and, while the Israeli leader has been accused at home of putting the alliance at risk, the president’s domestic foes accuse him of snubbing his ally.

But the US-Israeli alliance pre-dates both men and the new 10-year deal will cover the terms of the next president too. The White House insists that the relationship is unbreakable and at the core of US regional strategy.

“For as long as the state of Israel has existed, the United States has been Israel’s greatest

friend and partner, a fact underscored again today,” Obama declared, in a statement released to mark the signing.

But he continued pointedly.

“It is because of this same commitment to Israel and its long-term security that we will also continue to press for a twostate solution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the deeply troubling trends on the ground that undermine this goal,” he said.

“As I have emphasized previously, the only way for Israel to endure and thrive as a Jewish and democratic state is through the realization of an independent and viable Palestine.”

The deal covers the period

from 2019 to 2028 and will see Israel receive $3.3 billion per year in foreign military financing--up from $3.1 billion per year currently--and $500,000 per year in funding for missile defense.

Even before this record package, Israel was already the biggest single recipient of US military aid from the State Department’s foreign military financing budget, receiving itself more than half of the funds.

But the warm words at the ceremony and the historic nature of the sum could not fully paper over the tough negotiations that got the parties there-and Israel did not get everything it wanted. AFP

Horsehoe crabs dying in Japan TOKYO—Hundreds of horseshoe crabs--known as “living fossils” as they are among the earth’s oldest creatures--have washed ashore dead in southern Japan, confounding experts who study the alien-like sidewalkers.

Horseshoe crabs, known for their blue blood, are a regular summer visitor to tidal flats in south and western Japan including one near Kitakyushu city where they lay their eggs.

Some invariably die in the process, but this year a local conservation group noticed that the number of

the precious marine arthropods that perished was unusually high, a local official told Agence France Presse on Thursday.

“The conservation group spotted about five to 10 remains every day during the egg-laying period, so they started to tally them,” said Kitakyushu city official Kenji Sato.

“In total the number of dead horseshoe crabs reached about 500,” Sato said.

The Asahi Shimbun daily reported that the amount of dead crabs was eight times higher than normal.

Sato said that local officials have sought guidance from experts but that so far a consensus on what caused the unusually high number of deaths this year has proved elusive.

A number of academics, however, point to “oxygen shortage due to higher sea water temperature, or parasite infestation or a disease peculiar to horseshoe crabs” as a possible cause, he added.

Japan’s environment ministry designates the helmetlike crabs as an “endangered species” as its population has declined sharply due to

coastal habitat destruction in tandem with Japan’s economic development.

But there is no legal obligation to take concrete measures to protect the species, an environment ministry official said.

The horseshoe crab-”kabutogani” in Japanese, meaning literally “warrior helmet crab” has survived for 200 million years.

Enthusiasts established the Japan Horseshoe Crab Association in 1978, which counted up the dead creatures this summer, according to local officials. AFP

DENPASAR—A foreign woman was killed and 14 other foreigners injured Thursday when an explosion hit a tourist boat that had just departed the Indonesian resort island of Bali, police said.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion in the speedboat but police said it was not caused by a bomb.

Indonesia has a poor maritime safety record and there have been similar incidents in the past where no foul play was detected.

Authorities said the woman killed on the boat, which was heading for the nearby holiday island of Gili Trawangan, was a foreigner but that they were verifying her identity before releasing more details.

The 14 injured passengers included nationals from Portugal, Germany, Australia, South Korea and Britain, according to preliminary information from the police.

The boat was carrying 35 passengers, all foreigners, and four crew, and had just left Padang Bai port in eastern Bali on Thursday morning when the blast occurred.

“The explosion happened five minutes after the boat departed,” local police chief Sugeng Sudarso told AFP, adding the vessel had been about 200 metres (yards) from the port.

“One female passenger died from head injuries.”

He said the dead woman and injured passengers were being taken to hospitals on the island.

He said authorities were investigating and police and the bomb squad had been deployed, although he later ruled out a bomb as the cause.

“Based on the testimony (from passengers) and from what I saw on the scene, the explosion came from the fuel tank,” he said.

“Above it was a battery, maybe there was a short circuit that affected the fuel tank.”

The Indonesian archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is heavily dependent on ferry services but the industry has a poor safety record and fatal accidents are common.

Last year, dozens of tourists were injured when small explosions hit a ferry crossing between Bali and the neighbouring holiday island of Lombok.

The explosions were an accident and thought to have come from the fuel tank of the ferry, which was carrying 129 passengers, most of them tourists.

However fears have also been growing in Indonesia that radicals who have headed to fight with the Islamic State (IS) group in the Middle East could encourage supporters back home to launch attacks, or may launch attacks themselves on their return.

In January, a gun and suicide bomb attack claimed by IS in the capital Jakarta left four attackers and four civilians dead.

Bali has been attacked by Islamic radicals before. In 2002, more than 200 people, mostly foreign tourists, were killed in bombings on the island.

A pocket of Hinduism in Muslim-majority Indonesia, Bali attracts millions of foreign visitors every year due to its palm-fringed, tropical beaches and picture-postcard temples. AFP

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that 8990 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at 8990 Corporate Center, Negros St., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as New Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Urban Deca Homes H. Cortes) with a capacity of 1,400 economic and low-cost housing units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Brgy. Kasambangan, Cebu City.

Any person with valid objection/s on the abovementioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

DEVOUT. This picture taken in the early morning of September 10, shows pilgrims praying at the Johkang Temple in the regional capital Lhasa, in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. AFP

(SGD.) RAFAELITO H. TARUC Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 16, 2016)

Fire Dragon draws crowds to HK fest HONG KONG—Thousands of festival goers packed a historic neighborhood of Hong Kong Wednesday night to watch a “fire dragon” lit with incense sticks carried through the streets, recreating a century-old ritual.

The neighborhood of Tai Hang was once a coastal village--now, after decades of land reclamation, it lies inland from Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor and is

home to upmarket cafes and restaurants.

But a flavor of the old village still remains.

The annual “fire dragon dance” sees tourists and locals cram into Tai Hang’s network of narrow streets, eager to celebrate a tradition which has become a highlight of Hong Kong’s mid-autumn festival.

The 67-meter (220-foot) long dragon is made of straw and metal and stuck

with thousands of incense sticks which are then lit.

Performers carry the dragon through Tai Hang for three consecutive evenings as it billows smoke, shaking and dipping its head and tail so it appears to be dancing to the beat of the accompanying drums.

The tradition is said to have started a century ago, after Tai Hang was hit by a typhoon followed by a plague.

Desperate to change its fortunes, villagers created a “fire dragon” and paraded it for three days and three nights, chasing away the plague, according to local lore.

The mid-autumn festival, timed to coincide with a full moon, is celebrated in Taiwan as well, where locals gorge on pomelo fruit and mooncakes--dense pastries usually filled with lotus paste. AFP

N OTICE Notice is hereby given that 8990 HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, with office address at 8990 Corporate Center, Negros St., Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, is applying for registration with the Board of Investments (BOI) as an Expanding Developer of Economic and Low-cost Housing Project (Deca Homes Baywalk Talisay 3) with a capacity of 570 economic and lowcost housing units on a non-pioneer status, with project site located at Dumlog, Talisay City, Cebu.

Any person with valid objection/s on the above-mentioned project may file his/her objection in writing, under oath, with the BOI within three (3) days from the date of this publication.

(SGD.) RAFAELITO H. TARUC Director Infrastructure and Services Industries Service (MS-SEPT. 16, 2016)

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

World

US takes 110,000 refugees in 2017 W

ASHINGTON— The White House has unveiled plans to increase refugee admissions to 110,000 next year, amid a fraught US debate over the appropriate numbers to take in.

Ahead of a summit on the global refugee crisis at the United Nations next week, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said a goal has been set of admitting around 30 percent more refugees in the coming fiscal year.

That would include around 40,000 people from the near east and south Asia-a vast region that includes Syria.

Nearly five million Syrians have fled their country since war broke out in 2011, and the United States has committed to resettling 10,000 this year, an issue that has inflamed the 2016 presidential election race.

While offering the prospect of accepting more refugees, the White House was talking tough about security.

“It’s important for people to remember that individuals who admitted to the United States under this program have to undergo more rigorous screening and vetting than any other individual that enters the United States,” said Earnest.

“The president places our national security at the top of his priority list. And that certainly is true with regard to considering the admission of refugees to the United States.”

The United Nations on September 19 will host the first summit on refugees and migrants, which will be followed the next day by a pledging conference for new offers of aid to refugees hosted by Obama. AFP

BERLIN—German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces the threat of fresh gains by the right-wing populist AfD party in Berlin state elections Sunday, as discontent rises over her welcome to refugees.

Although Germany’s multicultural hipster capital looks bound to re-elect the center-left Social Democrats (SPD) as the top party, the AfD is polling at around 14 percent with support strongest in the poorer tower-block districts of the city’s former communist east.

This would place the anti-migrant Alternative for Germany into its 10th of the country’s 16 state assemblies, a year ahead of national elections, and continue a voter drift away from the mainstream parties.

Breaking a taboo in post-war German politics, the AfD openly panders to xenophobic and anti-Islam sentiments, similar to France’s National Front or farright populists in Austria and the Netherlands.

It has also tapped into popular frustration with the two major parties who -- from Berlin’s glass-domed Reichstag building-rule Germany in a right-left ‘grand coalition’ with a crushing majority.

One member of Merkel’s centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU) who said he plans to defect to the AfD is Bastian Behrens, a 42-year-old public relations executive from Berlin’s leafy southwest.

At an AfD meeting he charged that, of the one million asylum seekers who came to Germany last year, many are “economic refugees”.

“It costs a lot of money and it’s hard to integrate them -- just look at the Turks who came here 30 years ago,” he said, pointing

to western Berlin’s large ethnic Turkish community.

“Many of them haven’t integrated,” he claimed. “They form a parallel society.”

Political scientist Nils Diederich of Berlin’s Free University said that, since the SPD in Berlin has traditionally beaten the CDU, its current junior coalition partner in the capital, the outcome will have little meaning nationwide.

The real issue, he said, will be “the size of the losses of the big parties to the AfD.” “I think, in Berlin too, the AfD will mobilize people who normally don’t vote, and people who have conservative rightwing views but have so far been unwilling to vote for right-wing extremists.”

More than 70,000 asylum seekers came to Berlin last year, with thousands still housed in refugee shelters, including the cavernous hangars of the Nazi-built former Tempelhof airport, once the hub for the Cold War-era Berlin airlift.

The migrant issue looms large, but it isn’t the only election topic in the city of 3.5 million people.

Affordable housing has become a hot-button issue as property prices and rents have shot up with an influx of 50,000 newcomers every year, though they are still far below the costs in Paris and London.

Berlin -- though a European metropolis loved for its arts scene, green spaces and vibrant nightlife--is also chronically broke and suffers an above-average jobless rate of around 10 percent.

Lacking major industry, it is a net beneficiary of public funds transferred from rich states such as Bavaria, although it prides itself on a growing IT start-up scene and tourism. AFP

Graft raps filed vs Lula

Clinton to meet Ukraine prexy WASHINGTON—White House hopeful Hillary Clinton will meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko later this month, her campaign said Wednesday, hoping to contrast her pro-Kiev stance with Donald Trump’s embrace of neighboring Russia.

Officials said Clinton would meet the beleaguered Ukrainian leader, who has struggled to keep his country on track since Moscow annexed Crimea and ramped up support for separatists in the east of the country.

The Democratic presidential nominee and former secretary of state will hope the meeting, on the margins of the UN General Assembly in New York, will burnish her foreign policy credentials.

She will also use the occasion to express solidarity with Ukraine--an implicit jab at Trump’s respect for Putin, whom Clinton has called “dangerous.”

Trump, her Republican rival for the White House, has been criticized for praising Putin and saying the Russian strongman is “far more” of a leader than US President Barack Obama.

Ukrainian officials said Wednesday that both Clinton and Trump had been invited to meet Poroshenko, but so far only Clinton had confirmed.

On the margins of the UN meeting Clinton also will hold a more politically risky meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who overthrew a democratically elected government in 2013.

Under Sisi, the Egyptian authorities have cracked down hard on dissent, banning unauthorized protests and jailing hundreds of opponents.

Clinton aides point out that Egypt remains a key player in the Middle East, helping combat terrorism and providing a rare Arab partner for Israel.

The meeting recalls Clinton’s time as secretary of state, when she warned Obama about the risks of embracing an uprising against then-Egyptian dictator Hosni Mubarak.

Obama instead chose to embrace the popular revolt, which was followed by years of unrest and strained relations with Cairo. AFP

Anti-migrant AfD gains in hip Berlin

STRINGS. Violinist Sarah Charness plays on the runway wearing at Art Hearts Fashion September 2016 during New York Fashion Week: The Shows on Wednesday in New York City. AFP

BRASILIA--Federal prosecutors in Brazil filed corruption charges Wednesday against former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, describing the popular leftist as leader of a massive embezzlement ring at state oil company Petrobras.

The charges allege that Lula received the equivalent of 3.7 million reais ($1.1 million) in bribes.

Among the allegations are that Lula and his wife received a beachside apartment and upgrades to the property from a major construction company, OAS, which was one of the players in the Petrobras scheme.

The allegations are not new but they now go before Judge Sergio Moro, head of the Petrobras investigation, who will decide whether to accept them, forcing Lula’s case to trial.

Prosecutors singled out Lula -who was president during much of the time that Petrobras was being systematically fleeced by a network of corrupt executives and politicians -- as the scheme’s mastermind.

Prosecutor Deltan Dallagnol called Lula, 70, the “supreme commander.”

Lula has repeatedly declared his innocence and says that the prosecution is politically motivated.

His attorney called the allegations “farcical.”

Polls show the founder of the leftist Workers’ Party to be a favorite for returning to power in the next presidential elections in 2018.

In the scheme, Petrobras, Brazil’s biggest state company, gave over-inflated contracts to other big firms, such as OAS and construction rival Odebrecht.

The pay-to-play network also involved high-ranking politicians who took bribes from the contractors, sometimes for their own gain and sometimes to fill party coffers to fund election campaigns.

Lula was president between 2003 and 2010, when the scheme was at its height. Since then, dozens of politicians and some of Brazil’s richest businessmen have been charged or convicted.

The judicial campaign is hugely popular among Brazilians fed up with runaway corruption.

However, it has dovetailed with a bitter impeachment battle in Brasilia that ended last month with the removal from office of president Dilma Rousseff, Lula’s hand-picked successor.

Several close allies of her replacement, center-right leader Michel Temer, are now being investigated by the Petrobras prosecutors.

The most concrete case against Lula has been based on his alleged ownership of a seaside apartment, which OAS reportedly gave to him and renovated. AFP

Rights groups call for Snowden pardon NEW YORK—Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union launched a campaign Wednesday to push President Barack Obama to pardon Edward Snowden, the fugitive intelligence whistleblower living in Russia.

High-profile lawyers and celebrities including writer Joyce Carol Oates and actor Martin Sheen have already signed the campaign’s main prod, a petition at pardonsnowden.org that urges Obama to grant Snowden clemency before the president leaves office in January.

But the White House quickly said it had no intention of pardoning Snowden, a former contractor for the National Security Agency

who released thousands of classified documents in 2013 revealing the vast US surveillance put in place after the September 11, 2001 attacks.

White House press secretary Josh Earnest disputed that Snowden was a whistleblower and said he would enjoy legal due process at a trial in the United States, where he faces up to 30 years in prison for espionage and theft of state secrets.

“His conduct put American lives at risk and it risked American national security.

And that’s why the policy of the Obama administration is that Mr. Snowden should return to the United States and face the very serious charges that he’s facing,” Earnest told reporters. AFP

GROOMED. A breeder shaves a cow before a competition as part of the 30th International Livestock Trade Fair (SPACE) in Saint-Jacques-de-la-Lande outside Rennes, northwestern France, on Thursday. AFP

Life

HEROIC. Alviera is hosting a camping weekend where participants can enjoy hero trainings and other activities.

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

DESTINATIONS

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ALVIERA HERO CAMP to benefit dependents of country’s fallen heroes

A

LVIERA, the premier adventure destination of the north, is hosting a signature camping event to benefit loved ones of the country’s military personnel.

Alviera Hero Camp will be a camping weekend in the great outdoors of Alviera in Porac, Pampanga on Oct. 15-16. A percentage of sales to the event will go to HERO Foundation, which secures the future of children and dependent siblings of soldiers who have fallen or have been permanently incapacitated in the line of duty. The donation will go to the foundation’s educational assistance programs.

Alviera Hero Camp participants can look forward to a weekend of SandBox adventure park attractions along with the excitement of a hero training crash course, superhero movies under the night sky, stargazing with astronomers and more.

As part of Alviera’s outreach program, beneficiaries of HERO Foundation will be special guests and enjoy all of the hero camp’s features and activities.

Alviera Hero Camp visitors can avail of two types of packages to best enjoy the fresh air and views of rolling hills.

Day Adventurer and Weekend Camper packages both provide four rides to SandBox attractions during their stay.

These include the Rollercoaster Zipline, the 10-meter high Giant Swing, Aerial Walk and Adventure Tower for free fall,

Wall climbing on the Adventure Tower

wall climbing and rappelling.

With capes, costumes and secret heroic identities all welcome at the Alviera Hero Camp, participants will log their role-playing adventures in a comic booklet to complete the whole hero course.

Training starts with Hero Basics 101, where expert adventurers and outdoor guides give visitors a rundown on some nature survival skills. In a fun physical session titled KAPOW! Hero Combat Training, martial arts masters will teach and demonstrate basic selfdefense moves that heroes can practice on the spot. Over at the Costume Crafting Corner, heroes can get creative with their costumes and design masks, capes or hero logos.

In the Aqtiv Archery Challenge Maze, participants will face the Monster Obstacle Course. Archers must target monsters while running through a maze and finish the course under time pressure.

Weekend Campers will also get to enjoy the evening’s Parade of Heroes, where they dress up in full costume and go trick or treating in participating booths and camp tents.

Superzoom Stargazing in partnership with the Mind Museum will provide a fun encounter with heavenly bodies as campers learn to identify constellations, try naked-eye stargazing with laser pointers, telescopic viewing of celestial bodies, learn night orienteering and how to use instruments like planispheres and astrolabes.

The perfect hero-training day will be capped off by superhero movie screening under the night sky. With SandBox soon to begin evening operations on weekends, campers can also take their four free rides on the selected attractions at night.

Participants to the Alviera Hero Camp are encouraged to take their hero shots in camp and post them on social media tagged with #ALVIERAHEROCAMP. The fun continues after camp when Alviera picks the best photos to win cool prizes.

“Aside from providing an ideal venue for outdoor activities with Alviera’s sce-

Children can create their superhero garb at the Costume Crafting Corner

The SandBox camp grounds provide weekend campers ample space to dress up in costume and mingle with other 'superheroes'

Enjoy fresh air and stunning view of rolling hills as you zip through the Rollercoaster Zipline

nic views and terrain, we wanted people to gain something positive in dressing up and changing into costume,” said Jomi De Guzman, Alviera Project Development Manager. “This Halloween, we’d like to inspire families, espe-

cially the kids to live purposely the way heroes do. So the Alviera Hero Camp concept grew from there, a camping weekend that is fun and thrilling where kids and kids-at-heart can discover the heroes in themselves.”

Alviera Hero Camp packages are available on Travel Factor’s website for P2100.00 for Day Adventurers and P2950.00 for weekend campers.

For more information, visit travelfactor.org/alvieraherocamp.

Zamboangueña vies for Miss Tourism Queen title QUEEN of the Philippines, Inc. has named former Miss Zamboanga Nancy Lee Leonard as the Philippines’ representative to the Miss Tourism Queen International 2016 pageant in When Zhou, China.

A batchmate of Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach at the Bb. Pilipinas 2015 tilt, Leonard reigned as Miss Zamboanga 2011 and won the Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2013 title. The 25-year-old, 5-foot-7, psychology major at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, will compete against more than 80 contestants. One of the ‘grand slam’ pageants in terms of the large number of participating countries, the pageant has been won by Filipina Justine Gabionza in 2006.

“I am thankful to the Queen of the Philippines Foundation, Inc. for giving me this chance to fulfill my most cherished dream to compete and represent the country abroad. I will do my best to bring home the crown,” said the Zamboangueña who once revealed she got her scars as a tough girl in school.

Miss Tourism Queen International was founded

by Charlie See. The first pageant was held in 1993 in Sri Lanka, then in the USA,

Russia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Singapore and in China from 2004 to 2009. The pageant aims to promote tourism development, foster friendship and cultural exchange among the countries participating.

The Miss China Tourism Queen, which chooses the winner to represent China in MTQI, is an annual celebration and recognized as the best among beauty pageants in China with 15 provincial contests of which the top 3 winners from each province participating in China’s National Final. This event attracts full support from different circles in the Chinese society and enjoys wide press and TV media coverage and broadcasting.

Miss Netherlands Nathalie Mogbelzada is the reigning Miss Tourism Queen International and not to be confused with Miss Philippines Leren Mae Bautista who won Miss Tourism Queen of the Year International 2015. Plans are afoot for the Queen of the Philippines, Foundation Inc. and La Unica Events Management & Productions, Inc. to organize in 2017 a national search for the next Philippine bet. Text and photo

by Eton B. Concepcion

Life

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

GLOBAL TOURISM:

Trends and Challenges T

MERCURY RISING

BY BOB ZOZOBRADO

HE Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the biggest travel organization in the world, has always been the leading voice and authority on Travel and Tourism in the Asia Pacific region since 1951 when it was established.

In line with the mother organization’s direction, the PATA Philippines Chapter has set itself up as a trailblazer in the local Travel and Hospitality Industry. It hosts a yearly Tourism Forum patterned after the very popular Ted Talks Lecture Series in the USA. Dubbed as “Pinoy Chikka,” the local version features popular and distinguished personalities from various sectors of society that are also important factors in the dynamics of the Tourism Industry.

The first edition of this Travel Forum was presented two years ago and was attended by approximately 800 travel professionals and members of the academe.

Last year’s second edition had approximately 1200 in the audience. The third edition, with the theme bannered in this column, was held a couple of weeks ago and it attracted approximately 2300 eager individuals who wanted to know more about the latest developments in this continuously evolving industry, including the challenging obstacles that might pop up along the way.

After a short Welcome Remarks by Tourism Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez, the exciting lineup of guest speakers started their respective presentations. Renowned motivational speaker and Singapore-based Tim Wade,

who has had 19 years of experience in operational management and leadership, tackled the topics: The Mindset of Victory-Leading Change, Business Growth and Customer Excellence and A Changing World and the Coming Wave of Opportunity. He focused on how a “Yes, I Can” attitude leads to one’s success in all his endeavors.

Eduardo Mapa, Jr., CEO of Digital Arts Network (DAN) has had 25 years of experience in the field of advertising and marketing, having worked with Havas Worldwide, Procter & Gamble, and Media Contacts which launched the “Awesome Philippines” campaign for our Department of Tourism. He talked about The Digitalization of the Travel Industry and I learned that “selfies” in some countries, like New Zealand, have leveled up. They’re now “dronies” because the person uses a drone with a camera, which is set up in sync with his smartphone. The view from the drone gives a more breathtaking panoramic background for the person or group.

The third speaker was Communications Guru and Singapore-based Leslie Choudhury who moved the audience with his captivating storytelling—Innovative Storytelling, A Major Com-

TREND TALKS. PATA Philippines Chapter invited (from left) Tourism Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez, motivational speaker Tim Wade, Digital Marketing wiz Ed Mapa and communications guru Leslie Choudhury to talk about the latest developments and challenges in the tourism industry ponent in Destination Marketing. He used to be with the Sales team of Sheraton, and later, with Jetset Australia and Tour East Singapore, as general manager. What I found interesting in his talk was how the “Singapore Girl” in the Singapore Airlines television commercial not only increased the airline’s revenues by leaps and bounds but also made tourist arrivals in Singapore shot up beyond expectations.

It was a very informative and fulfilling half-day with these interesting personalities, as they regaled the highly interested crowd of Tourism Industry practitioners, Tourism students and

their faculty members, with their expertise on those highly specialized topics.

The event was another resounding success. Kudos to the PATA Philippines Chapter for its efforts to become the leading Tourism organization in the country, supportive of the demands of the Philippine tourism development and the needs of its members. Events like this are aligned with its mission to enhance the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism, not only in the country but also to, from and within the Asia Pacific region.

This early, the Chapter is now laying down their plans for next year’s fourth

edition of Pinoy Chikka. With their creativity, spunk and pizzazz, I am sure the members of the Chapter’s Board of Trustees will, once again, come up with an even bigger, better event.

For feedback, I’m at bobzozobrado@gmail.com

YOUR FRIDAY CHUCKLE QUESTION: Can February March?

ANSWER: No, but April May.

Globe Telecom positions Davao in global connectivity map GLOBE Telecom is positioning Davao in the global connectivity map by aggressively building on its network infrastructure that includes the construction of the Philippine end of an international undersea cable system, the only facility of such kind in the country to directly connect Davao with the rest of the world.

“Both facilities will help underpin local economic growth as it will provide support for the expanding business requirement for data not only in Mindanao region but also in the country as a whole. Both the data center and the undersea cable systems are critical in ensuring the resiliency of the country’s internet connectivity with the rest of the world, particularly US, where much of internet content is sourced,” said Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu. The two facilities will play a major role in providing the ideal IT Infrastructure and International connectivity requirement not only of businesses located in Davao, but also for enterprises in Luzon and Visayas. This is in line with the company’s vision of enhancing business capacities of enterprises and help usher the Philippines to become a digital nation, said Cu. “Enterprises located in northern and central Philippines may consider the data center as the primary site for Mindanao and secondary site of Luzon and Visayas in the event of natural or manmade disasters, explained Cu, emphasizing that the two facilities will help strengthen the company’s overall network resiliency ensuring its customers

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu (sixth from left) announces the construction of an international undersea cable system

will have seamless connectivity, and providing constant support for nextgeneration technologies.”

According to him, the data center, which is situated in the same location as the SEA-US cable landing station, will cater to BPOs, financial institutions, internet service providers and other content providers in southern Philippines.

The project, once completed, will address ICT requirements of major trade and industry centers in Mindanao region, he emphasized.

Cu explained the Globe Business’

Davao Data Center is the best location for customers looking for a data center in the Mindanao region as it is located within the region’s central business hubs. He said the facility is Seismic Zone 4 compliant, which means that it has been retrofitted for earthquake safety. Also, infrastructure and redundant security solutions have been put in place to ensure that systems remain continuously available and secure.

The data center could be completed in the first quarter of 2017.

The SEA-US cable system, on the other hand, will ease the country’s de-

pendence on international cable systems routed through northern Philippines, said Cu. This could prevent a repeat of a 2008 incident where major international cables were broken because of the Taiwan earthquake. As a result, the Philippines became isolated for a few days in terms of internet connectivity.

To date, Globe already completed the construction of the Davao Power Feed Equipment, a facility that will address the energy requirement of SEA-US cable system. At a project cost of approximately $250 million, the SEA-US

undersea cable system will provide superior latency, delivering an additional 20 Terabits per/second capacity, utilizing the latest 100 gigabits per second transmission technology. Such additional capacity will cater to the exponential growth of bandwidth between the two continents.

The SEA-US cable is being built by a consortium of seven international telecommunication companies, that include Globe Telecom and will link five countries and territories that include Manado (Indonesia), Davao (Philippines), Piti (Guam), Oahu (Hawaii, United States) and Los Angeles (California, United States). The SEA-US project will be approximately 15,000 kilometers in length, provides route diversity from the North Pacific, avoiding earthquake prone areas in East Asia. The cable system is expected to provide more efficient connectivity to approximately 1.5 billion people.

In addition to the construction of the data center and the SEA-US undersea cable system, the telecommunications operator is also embarking on an aggressive deployment of fiber-optic broadband technology and utilization of additional spectrum assets such as those in the 700 megahertz (MHz), 1800 MHz and 2600 MHz bands in Davao City.

Furthermore, Globe is also rolling out a fiber optic cable system in the country, including Davao. The objective is to create an internet superhighway by deploying fiber in 20,000 barangays by 2020 and provide ultra-fast internet access to around 2 million homes nationwide.

DOT eyes integration of terminal fee, plane ticket MAJOR airlines have agreed in principle to the integration of the terminal fee into departing passengers’ airline ticket payments.

DOT Secretary Wanda Teo said the consensus transpired during the third consultation meeting held at the Department of Tourism office with officials of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAAP) and airline executives.

Under the plan, the domestic passenger service charge, commonly known as terminal fee, will be collected by the airlines as part of ticket payment in an effort to ease the queuing and delays at airport terminals.

DOT Undersecretary for Development Planning Benito Bengzon, Jr., who chaired the exploratory talks between DOT, CAAP and the airlines, said, “This one is pursuant to the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. He has mentioned, time and again, the importance of facilitating processes and systems in government.

In this case, we are working together with the different airlines and our part-

ner government agencies in making it easier for the traveling public. And we do that by integrating the various fees that are collected.”

He noted, however, that adequate lead time is required before getting the word out, which includes at least a month for the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to prepare to ensure “the level of acceptance and support would be higher.”

The local air carriers and CAAP board must first agree with the terms and conditions in the memorandum of agreement (MOA) presented by DOT. “Hopefully, once we finalize the Memorandum of Agreement we can have the principals all sign the document, and we can make that big announcement, which I am sure the traveling public would appreciate,” Bengzon added.

Local carriers, including Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB Air), Sea Air, Sky Jet, and Air Juan, and Air Asia are expected to submit the draft MOA in time for CAAP’s board meeting next week.

DOT, CAAP and Philippine carriers discuss the integration of terminal fee into departing passengers' airline ticket payments

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

Recently, the DOT pushed for the removal of the “processing fee” once imposed by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) for the issuance of certificates of Travel Tax Exemption and Re-

duced Travel Tax. According Secretary Teo, “These initiatives address the long-standing choke points that beset tourism growth, such as physical airport capacity, travel facilitation and passenger mobility.”

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

AlDub, KathNiel

PEOPLE

dominate The PEP List Year 3

...are talking about Ang Babaeng Humayo The Toronto Film Festival headed opus of Lav Diaz is getting a lot of attention after it won Best Film at the prestigious Venice Film Festival over the weekend. For one, the film was an underdog as cinephiles were not even expecting the landmark victory. Now that the film has received the nods of industry luminaries, Ang Babae... is yet to convince moviegoers that it deserves more audience. Meantime, there are talks for the film to be screened at the 2016 MMFF. Let’s see if local audience would come in droves to see it.

Isabelle Daza Wedding bells were not heard of until her union with longtime boyfriend Adrien Semblat went viral. The pair walked down the aisle together as man and wife on Sept. 10 in a private ceremony that took place in Italy. And, just like the recent weddings we have witnessed, Belle’s was rather classy with less fanfare. It definitely defied the materialistic standards of the modern-day celebrity weddings.

Kris Aquino Her transfer to GMA Network has been trivialized and serialized to the point that everyone was already asking why couldn’t she just keep quiet and leave.

It’s true that television may never be the same without her, but won’t it be better? But since she will resume showbiz work before the month ends, our daily dose of Kris Aquino is really far from over.

Allen Dizon We’re not a big fan of this actor who jumpstarted his film career as a flesh baring bit player and then ventured into music via the all-male sexy group called Viva Hotmen. But, as the saying goes, that was just his stepping-stone. Now, it’s safe to say that Dizon has been rediscovered almost two decades after he dipped his toes in showbiz. His recent win at the Salento Film Fest in Italy is his validation. In fact, the recognition is his third best actor win (from an international award giving body) in just a span of two years.

Pinoy Boyband Supertsar The concept of the show isn’t new at all, since the original is also a rip off of another reality search.

Nonetheless, the debut of ABS-CBN’s new show has been getting a lot of positive feedback. If only the judges could make intelligible comments, the show would have been part of our must-see list. The judges must understand that they are there to be the authority and not act like cheap fanatics.

...are not talking about Claudine Barretto The actress made a big announcement on her Instagram – her “much-awaited return” to showbiz and the launching of a self-authored booked. First of all, we didn’t know she could write. We would have to read the book first before we could recommend it. Otherwise we’d think some ghost writer was just hired to do it for her. On the other hand, her announcement of showbiz comeback startled us a bit. Didn’t she already announce her comeback many times already?

ALDEN Richards and Maine Mendoza and Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo swept most of the awards at The PEP List awards night held on Aug. 21, at the Crowne Plaza Manila in Ortigas Avenue, Quezon City.

Now on its third year, The PEP List has been recognizing the brightest stars and best shows through the Editor’s Choice and PEPsters’ Choice categories.

As their names indicate, the first is made up of winners chosen by PEP editors; the second is made up of winners chosen by PEPsters— the name we call PEP readers—through online voting.

For both Categories, PEP has an independent auditing firm, the Punongbayan & Araullo, to do the final tabulation and validation of votes cast.

Alden and Maine emerge as the top winners bringing home a total of five awards.

The editors unanimously chose them as TV stars of the year for their kalyeserye that broke records in the ratings game and on Twitter.

They also hailed Maine – along with John Arcilla, aka Heneral Luna – as Breakout Star of the Year.

The PEPsters, specifically the AlDub fans, also voted for them as Celebrity Pair of the Year and Newsmaker of the Year.

Lastly, Alden’s guesting on PEPtalk became the most watched episode in 2015, thus winning the Best PEPtalk episode of 2015.

ABS-CBN’s top love team KathNiel, on the other hand, claimed three awards. Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo topped the Movie Star of the Year (Male) and Movie Star of the Year (Female) categories with their 2015 romantic-comedy film Crazy Beautiful You grossing over P332 million in the box office, with more than P2 million from its screenings in parts of North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East.

Kathryn also bagged the Teen Star of the Year (Female) award for the second consecutive time. Likewise, Darren Espanto, who was also Teen Star of the Year (Male) in 2015, won the same award this 2016.

Sebastian “Baeby Baste” Benedict of Eat Bulaga! was voted Child Star of the Year.

And the wedding of Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera ( both are consistent winners of The PEP List) was chosen by fans as Wedding of the Year.

Great things coming for Alexa

By Robbie Pangilinan ALEXANDRA Chloe Valentine has good things going on in her life right now, but she sees greater things coming her way.

The 24-year-old artist, filmmaker, and entrepreneur, who is currently working on a film as the lead actress, will go on a much-awaited Bahamas Cruise this year. She is hopeful to build her own film studio in Canada next year, and will expand her business in Manila soon. She will likewise start her extensive dance training. In the future, Alexa wants to become an international artist either as a singer or an actress.

But right now, Alexa is busy writing, rehearsing, and having photo shoots for her album, the songs of which she all wrote.

Fil-Canadian multi-hypenated artist Alexandra Chloe Valentine

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Friday, September 16, 2016

ACROSS 1 Key — pie 5 Yellow jackets 10 Immature butterfly 14 Horror-film servant 15 Pizza topping 16 On the summit 17 Comic Jay 18 Math proportion 19 Long-handled tool 20 Bought and sold 22 Like a load of laundry 24 Toll-booth site 26 Gull cousin 27 Thrive 30 Stoops 34 Near empty 35 Basket willow 38 No-fat Jack 39 Free-for- — 40 Forum attire 42 Mont. neighbor 43 Prom attenders 46 Argyles 48 Playing marble 49 High regard 51 Gridders, often 53 Triple-decker sandwich 55 Arch over 56 Wrapped up

60 Czech capital 64 Run slowly 65 Dance move 67 Customs request 68 Hindu god of fire 69 Fudd or Gantry 70 Festive nights 71 Phony it up 72 Snorkeling venues 73 Like autumn leaves DOWN 1 Happy tune 2 Disney CEO Bob — 3 Actress — Freeman 4 Eats away at 5 Most verbose 6 Collected sayings 7 In — (as found) 8 Gist 9 Fast-talked 10 Carrot cousin 11 Bryce Canyon state 12 Prod 13 Did a takeoff 21 One-time Montreal player 23 Mars, to Plato

25 Small combos 27 Pitcher’s target 28 Audition rewards 29 Young hooter 31 Stubborn dirt 32 Rock bottom 33 Wild guesses 36 It’s easily deflated 37 Oven shelves 41 Ship officers 44 Business wear 45 Ward of TV “Sisters” 47 Leave a mark

50 Thug 52 Untrustworthy types 54 Girl at a ball 56 Pharaoh’s creator god 57 Affleck movie 58 Hit on the noggin 59 Five and — 61 Collapse 62 Web habitue 63 Make less difficult 66 Rock’s — Leppard

“At first I just wanted to write a song to use as a soundtrack for my film. I was surprised to be able to write the song in less than an hour. I started loving it and I decided to write songs for an entire album,” Alexa shares.

She is also busy directing the editing and planning the shoot for her own music videos and for other artists as well, all the while training her crew/ shooter for her own company Valentine Film Productions.

After earning a degree in Business Administration at Centennial College in Scarborough, Canada, Alexa went attended Toronto Film School where she graduated in 2014 as an actress.

After school, Alexa worked more behind the scenes as a director and editor for her company. She considers this production company in Toronto as

her greatest achievement.

Alexa gets inspiration from her friends in the industry, artists she has met and from those whose music videos she has directed.

Alexa can really get into character and she works hard to achieve that.

“If I’m acting and if I’m in a certain character, of course I am not the same person. I want to be myself all the time, but just not when I’m acting. I’d like exploring my character I won’t be able to do that if I stay as myself,” she shares.

When things get tough, Alexa tries to relax by listening to her own songs and planning her music videos. The greatest lesson she has learned from life is to “love yourself first, never change your plan or dream for someone else; pick people and friends around you wisely.”

Rising star Sophie Albert is getting the attention of local Tinseltown’s talent watchers

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

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 Ever Say Goodbye. Then came Wattpad Presents: Fake Fiance in 2014.

Her strong presence and promise as an actress earned her a nomination at the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for TV’s Best New Female Personality category.

Recently, after following the move of fellow Kapatid Vince Abrenica who has hopped over to the Kapamilya lot, she asked TV5 to release her from her contract that would end anyway within the next few months. Sophie, through a friend, approached Manny Valera of DMV Entertainment who took the pretty star under the company’s wings and negotiated with Regal Entertainment to sign her up for an eight-picture deal. There were no hitches convincing the mother-daughter producing tandem of Mother Lily and Roselle Monteverde to take Sophie under the Regal Entertainment brand.

This time, Sophie joins the growing list of Millennial Regal Babies.

Sophie is Bianca Lyttle Reyes in real life.

In earlier interviews, she admitted that she is related to the Cojuangcos. Kris Aquino is a cousin several degrees removed.

A number of upcoming Regal offerings are in full swing and Sophie will be cast in one of them. Among these projects are with Billy Crawford and Megan Young in Recipe for Love and the horror film Puera Usog under director Jason Laxamana.

At Sophie’s contract signing, Mother Lily was excited to announce Regal’s forthcoming release of the rom-com My Rebound Girl starring Alex Gonzaga and Joseph Marco on Sept. 28.

The sex-drama, The Escort, featuring Christopher de Leon, Lovi Poe and Derek Ramsay with director Enzo Williams at the helm, meanwhile, is earmarked for a November play date.

Other projects in principal photography stage are Once In A Lifetime starring Piolo Pascual and Yen Santos; Mano Po VII: Chinoy top billing Richard Yap, Jean Garcia, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee, Janella Salvador, Mario Mortel, and Jake Cuenca under director Ian Larenos.

Never Been Touched Never Been Kissed, headlined by Jake Cuenca, Angeline Quinto, Miho Nishida and Tommy Esguerra, on the other hand, has several shooting days left while the Ai-Ai de las Alas starrer, Our Mighty Yaya, is down to its last shooting day.

S

HE won in TV5’s Artista Academy in 2012, hopeful that it would ISAH V. RED chart a brighter career for her as an actress. After four years, Sophie Albert thinks it’s time to move on and find her place in the entertainment firmament somewhere else.

Well, she said she is grateful for TV5 for giving her the break in acting, something she has dreamt about since she was a toddler. “I like to be an artista,” she says. “I don’t know but it came naturally to me.”

His parents are far from being “showbiz” since her family was more into education (the Reyeses were the family that owned Far Easter University until part of it was sold to new investor). In fact, she surfaced initially as a Star Magic talent to her mother’s disapproval, the reason she quit unceremoniously.

When she joined Artista Academy, his mother didn’t know as well, but when she won, it seemed mama had no choice but to throw her support to Sophie.

The following year, she got her biggest break via the TV series Never

Sophie Albert

is the new millennial Regal Baby

THOUSANDS of members of MARE Foundation, a nongovernment organization headed by former senator Luisa “Loi” Estrada, wife of President Mayor Joseph Estrada, attended the oath taking of Jackie Ejercito as the new chairperson of the organization.

The new board includes Senator Jinggoy EjercitoEstrada’s wife Precy V. Ejercito as Vice Chairperson, Corina Ponce Enrile Yenko as Treasurer, and Maria Cristina Tantoco Morada as Corporate Secretary.

Also present at the induction were the new Board of Directors Fr. Edward M. Lavin, Ma. Rowena O. Ejercito, Gabriel Ma. J. Lopez, Precy V. Mathav.

Willin C. Chan, Evelyn R. Carballo, and Benita Tanyag.

During the formal rites at San Andres Sport Center, Loi Estrada handed the MARE flag to her eldest daughter that symbolized its commitment to serve the hundreds of thousands of poor and less fortunate individuals through medical, scholarship, rehabilitation, livelihood and feeding program among primary level students for at least 20 years.

Throughout the years, it has implemented pro-poor programs, it had helped thousands of men and women, seniors and youth through its’ free medical, surgical and dental missions, medical assistance program, feeding programs, livelihood projects, scholarships, and relief assistance to families who are victims of flood, fire and other calamities including conflict situations.

Founded in 1996 with the vision to help improve the

ABS-CBN TVplus now at P1499

New officers of MARE Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to improve the life of underprivileged Filipinos, during the oath-taking ceremony held at San Andres Sports Center

New MARE Foundation board members inducted into office quality of life of underprivileged Filipinos, it was established by then Vice President now Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito Estrada with his wife, former Senator Loi Ejercito-Estrada. MARE was able to hold more than a hundred medical and dental missions, benefiting some 250 thousand indigent individuals.

Almost everyday, a team of volunteer doctors, dentists, nurses, and health promoters attend to the health concerns in the City’s most depressed areas, at the same time teaching proper hygiene and nutrition.

Equally worth mentioning is the Dialysis Center Project of the Foundation, in partnership with the City Government of Manila, which provides free dialysis sessions to poor Manilenos.

This project started at the time when Dr. Loi Estrada was still the First Lady, wherein she

helped build a dialysis center in Malacañang.

When Mayor Joseph EjercitoEstrada was first elected Mayor of San Juan, he focused on the need of the urban poor. He launched a city wide feeding program for children in all public schools and distributed free medicines. He also spearheaded a referral program that enabled children to avail free consultation at major hospitals.

Some of the major campaigns he championed were programs for proper hygiene, nutrition, livelihood and urban gardening for poor barangays.

MARE’s collaboration with the Manila Dialysis Center, the biggest dialysis center in the country, is considered as the organization’s landmark project. It can be recalled that it was Sen. Loi who was the first First Lady to put up free dialysis treatment in Malacanang during the latter part the ‘90s.

Former Senator Loi Ejercito-Estrada (left) with Jackie Ejercito, the new chairperson of MARE Foundation

THE pioneering digital television product ABSCBN TVplus is now available at P1499.00 for more value for money with its crystal clear picture and sound and cable-like features at no monthly cost.

In its effort to digitally transform the television experience of Filipinos nationwide, ABS-CBN TVplus is now available in more areas covering Metro Cebu, Davao City, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan De oro, Benguet, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, Metro Manila, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Rizal and Tarlac, solidifying its status as a leader in digital terrestrial television in the Philippines.

ABS-CBN TVplus boxes are available in accredited retail outlets, sales agents and dealers, online thru www.abs-cbnstore.com, or by texting ORDER to 23661 with free delivery.

ABS-CBN is the first media and entertainment company in the country to make the historic switch from analog to digital terrestrial television to transform the TV viewing experience of Filipinos. Using digital signal transmission, ABS-CBN TVplus makes TV viewing dramatically crystal clear. Aside from the exclusive channels and other features, it can also capture and broadcast channels that transmit in digital.

With ABS-CBN’s ability to harness the latest in technology and innovation, the company is rapidly transitioning into an agile digital company with the biggest online presence among all media companies and a growing list of digital properties.

ABS-CBN TVplus’s commercial test broadcast was launched in February 2015, signaling the start of ABSCBN’s digital terrestrial television (DTT) service.

For information on ABS-CBN TVplus, log on to its website, www.abs-cbntvplus.com, and its Facebook fan page www.facebook.com/ABSCBNTVplus.

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THE ‘MOTORIZATION’ OF PINOYS have one these days. At the end of the day, that is what most of us want, to have our own car,” he said.

At the rate things are progressing, production is likely to go up, more motor vehicle will ply the roads and 60 percent of the boom will be in Metro Manila, he predicted.

The Philippines is close to reaching the “motorization threshold” of $3,000 per capital income, close enough to conclude that the first motorization phase has cleared the way for the second wave.

CAMPI manages indsutry sentiments and other relevant concerns. It comprise about 90 percent of the Philippine automotive industry.

By Othel V. Campos

T

he Philippine automotive industry is revving up speed in the fast lane, having landed third fastest in terms of sales among ASEAN countries in 2015 and the second most aggressive manufacturer in the region posting a production rate of 11 percent.

By and large, the industry has seen robust growth, averaging 23 percent in the last three years.

Based on data compiled by industry groups Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers, Inc. (CAMPI) and the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA), automotive sales posted faster growth of 22.9 percent to 288,609 units in 2015; 29.5 percent to 234,747 units in 2014; 16 percent to 181,283 units in 2013.

It was not always a rosy path for the industry, though. In 2011, sales slipped 4 percent to 141,616 units from 147,488 units in 2010. It turned around after sales hit 156,649 units, up 11 percent in 2012.

Since then, industry sales accelerated to higher double digit growth. Industry sales as of August 2016 grew 40.1 percent to 32,472 units, from 23,181 units in the same month in 2015.

Total industry sales from January to August 2016 hit 229,919 units, 28.3 percent growth over 179,215 units in the same months in 2015.

Just recently, CAMPI revised industry sales forecast for the year to 370,000 units from 360,000 units, after first semester sales accounted for than half the target volume. In 2015, actual sales went beyond the forecast of 272,000 units.

CAMPI president Rommel Gutierrez expressed high hopes for the indus-

Japanese technology

SUV Pick Up Van MPV AUV Utility Cab Micro Cab Small Car Compack Car Standard Car Luxury Car Special Segment Alternative Fuel

try and said motor vehicles ging right but as a necessity have successfully weaved for those who are always on into the lifestyle of the Fili- the go. pino people, not as a brag“It (vehicle) has become

a necessity already. Not only because of the traffic situation but because people can actually afford to

Dominating the local car industry are the Japanese auto makers. The country’s 3 leading Japanese automotive players – Toyota Manufacturing Philippines Corporation, Mitsubishi Motor Philippines Corporation and Isuzu Philippine Corporation – have rallied to make available the highest level of Japanese technology.

Toyota president Satoru

Suzuki says the company’s growth has contributed significantly to the car industry sales.

“I believe that growth is sustainable in the future.

While the economy continue to show good signs, the new government gives up hope it can support a fast growing economy”, he said.

Toyota managed to maintain market leadership, dominating the entire Philippine automotive sector.

Data prepared by Mitsubishi showed how major Japanese players performed in the last three years with Toyota and Mitsubishi leading the pack.

The rest of the players – Honda Motor Philippines, Mazda Philippines, Isuzu, Nissan Philippines, Suzuki Philippines, Hino Motor Philippines Corp. and Subaru Philippines – have also, undeniably increased their share, albeit a bit slow, year-on-year.

Mitsubishi vice president for marketng Froilan Dytianquin said the popularity of Japanese cars in the Philippines stemmed from the resiliency of Japanese automobiles during the crisis of the ‘80s.

Turn to E2

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The motorization...

From E1 “Until now the share of Japanesemade vehicles are still higher given the strong affiliation to Filipino users and its established perception og being high-quality, high-tech, durable and easy to maintain,” he said.

Despite competition growing neck-toneck with the rest of global technology catching up and even surpassing Japanese technology, car makers in Japan have never been complacent and have been reacting to offer of non-Japanese made vehicles.

“Japanese vehicles have maintained the image of having high quality, reliable, durable and easy to service. New technology introduction on vehicles are now becoming a trend for non-Japanese to attract the market especially for the millennials. Japan brands are not really behind on this new technological features but rather are ensuring that these features will meet the requirements of the target market and its performance will carry on until the lifespan of the vehicle,” Dytianquin said.

first half of 2016 from 22,371 in same period of 2015.

The report also showed that second quarter 2016 sales alone expanded by 74 percent with 24,260 units sold compared to 13,296 units sold in the same period in 2015.

Group president Ma. Fe Perez-Agudo said the Filipinos penchant for Korean cars is basically due to a long list of models avaialble as well as the entry of new, innovative, and reasonably-priced models. The trend is likely to persist for the rest of 2016, she added.

Hyundai, the leading Korean brand, sold a total of 19,336 units, or 54.8 percent growth.

“We are proud to say that Hyundai has made “premium” or quality mobility accessible to the Filipino motorist.

We strive to make our brand always relevant to our customers’ lives. In terms of design innovation, the introduction of the “Fluidic Sculpture” design philosophy in 2009/2010 was a decisive breakthrough for Hyundai as a global top-tier brand. The European and nature-inspired design concept gave a refreshing look to the conventional “boxy” car design. Note that, in the succeeding years,

tive market, as a fast growing economy where the middle class has hopes of, one day, going up the bracket ladder and affording one European vehicle.

Euro car expert Ayala Automotive president and CEO John Philip Orbeta said there was never a dearth of European car models in the Philippines.

“Euro cars are amply represented in the Philippines, but the dilemna is the price point. If the government can level the playing field, then all of a sudden, Euro cars will be 30 percent more affordable,” he said.

The duties hurdle continues to be a concern for European car makers. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are taxed 30 percent for bringing in European vehicles.

There is a fresh effort from at least four European car brands in the Philippines to include automotives in the ongoing free trade negotiations between the Philippines and the European Union (EU).

Back in the 60’s and 70’s, German automobile Volkwagen used to be the biggest brand in the Philippines before Toyota. Ayala Automotive exclusively imports and distributes Volkswagen in

major brands have technologies comparable to leading global brands.

“But they also learned that a car cannot last forever. Consumers have to change cars, whether they like it or not.

All Chinese except for the big ones have adopted this thinking to try to come up with something affordable and competitive. Something that is built not to last forever but at least in that few years, its service life is used up well enough,” he said.

For the Chinese to invest in automotive manufacturing in the Philippines, he added, the Philippines should institute reforms that will level the playing field between big and small manufacturers.

Trends In the last two years, small cars have been trending as evidenced by the abundance of new models in the showrooms and on the road.

Almost all local automotive players agreed that small cars is a popular trend. But aspirations for bigger units, especially for second-time buyers has also led to the rise of small SUVs. “The manufacturers are actually

introduced to newer models being marketed in the Philippines.

Another automotive trend will be going to alternative fuel vehicles such as electric, plug-in hybrid electric, or hybrid. Once these vehicles become affordable then it will be part of the mainstream models as well.

Conducive environmet According to government experts, the Philippine automotive market has been experiencing unprecedented growth in the last five years with compounded growth rate of 14 percent and year-on-year growth of not less than 25 percent.

“The increased consumer spending fueled by the remittances of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW); the increasing gross domestic product and the favorable macroeconomic conditions supported by the stable monetary policy boded for the local automotive sector,” said Board of Investments (BOI) director for industrial policy Corazon HaliliDichosa.

Expanding product range and aggressive marketing promotions to cater to changing customer demograph-

Thumbs up for Campi. Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto (center), flanked by Campi vice president Dante Santos (left), Campi President Rommel Gutierrez, joins other Campi officers in flashing the thumbsup sign during the opening of the 6th Philippine International Motor Show held on Wednesday at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Lino Santos

major Japanese brands incorporated our signature fluidic lines in their product lineup,” Agudo said.

Korea has limited players in its own automotive space. Almost every Korean car brands are already in the Philippines – Hyundai, Kia, Ssyangyong and Daewoo.

Market acceptance for Korean cars has never dampened, despite issues on delivery and availability, said KIA Philippines president Ginnia R. Domingo.

“Nowhere in the near future do I see it (sales) slowing down, barring any civil unrest. The designs are all new and acceptability is on all-time high. The growth has been positive for us. All the big Korean players are here. Hyundai and KIA alone, comprise 89 percent of Korean car brands in the Philippines,” she said.

After it has retired the very popular Pride, KIA is now setting to motion a semi-processing operation where it will build the rear portion of the new K2700 commerical truck, in its Sta. Rosa facility, sending hints of a desire to possibly go into assembly or local manufacturing.

The company is growing in the last Korean challenge Korean cars have always been the four years in sync with industry growth. challenger brand. The brand, with its The “aspirational brand” ups and down in sales and growth, have For many Filipinos, owning a Euroalways managed to ricochet back to the pean car is still aspirational. The look, game.

The Association of Vehicle Importers the lines and curves, are to die for, so it and Dealers (AVID) attributed the oscil- has been said. One gets easily distracted lating performance to the lag in distri- when seeing a Euro car on the road.

European vehicles, despite its minisbution and unavailability of models.

Despite lacklustre performance in the cule share of the local automotive marpast, group member companies regis- ket, have contributed not only to mobiltered 103 percent growth or an incre- ity of the affluent but to the image of the mental output of 45,420 units sold in the Philippines as a fast growing automoJapanese cars are a powerhouse brand in the ASEAN, the company’s third biggest Japanese car manufacturer Isuzu said.

“If you remove the Japanese cars, there will be no indsutry to speak of.

They have strategically positioned themselves in the ASEAN. Like Isuzu for intance. We have our engines manufactured in Thailand and Indonesia, transmission from the Philippines.

There is brand to brand complementation,” Isuzu marketing manager Joseph Bautista said.

Growth potential in the Philippines is high, he said reiterating a previous observation. Per capital consumption it at 40 vehicle per 1,000 people compared to Malaysia and Thailand’s per capita consumption ration of 200+:1,000.

As of July 2016, the Philippine market share of Japanese vehicles is at 77.7 percent.

Bautista noted that Japanese vehicles have grown to dominate the Philippine market so much that “wecpredict that it will continue to be strong preference in the future.”

the Philippines.

Volkswagen used to manufacture the Beetle and “Sakbayan” (Sasakyan ng Bayan) which was the first Asian utility vehicle.

“The Euro car segment, admittedly, is a niche market. Economic growth is vital for this segment to likewise grow.

We see the segment growing as we ourselves at Volkswagen, we too are expanding,” Orbeta said.

The European car segment share in the Philippine automotive industry is 1 percent.

Catching up Chinese cars have never been an active challenger in the sedan and commercial category, Dong Feng Automotive Inc. chairman Francis Chua said.

“The contribution of Chinese in terms of car sales growth is miniscule, But it is very active in providing solutions for light to medium transport equipment such as those for construction, mining and dump trucks. This is where China is more competitive,” he noted.

In a market for over 300 vehicle manufacturers, Dong Feng in one of the five biggest players in the Chinese automotive market. Government-owned, it was brought to the Philippines by the Chua Group not less than 5 years ago.

Just like European vehicle, there is no active production of Chinese motor vehicles in the Philippines. Every unit is brought in ss completely built-up (CBU), said Chua.

So far, there are about a dozen Chinese brands competing in the Philippine automotive market.

In terms of quality, Chua assured that

adapting to the demands of consumers.

Two years back , the B segment flourished. These are the compact cars like the Vios, Accent and the small sedans.

Just recently the A segment which are the small cars such as the Picanto, Wigo and Mirage trended. And then a new segment was born in the Philippines which was the BSUV. These are small SUVS the likes of Ecosport of Ford and the Suzuki Vitar,” said Domingo of KIA. She noted the Suzuki’s Vitara may have pioneered BSUV in the Philippines a long time ago, “but the market was not ready yet.”

“We see that the pattern will be buyers buying the compact or small cars but then they will upgrade to SUV, pick-up or AUV,” said Bautista of Isuzu.

SUVs getting the attention of many car owners and buyers not only because of the looks but also resiliency on the road – defying difficult terrains and braving unconventional weather conditions.

In the Philippines 1 out of 5 vehicles are SUVs. The Philippine market has grown a liking to SUVs because of road conditions and the weather that can be harsh and punishing.

Mitsubishi noted that all the Japanese companies have been posting consistent growth, especially those at the top of the market. Though peculiarly, one can note the varying market share, showing how volatile the market is.

Other current automotive trends are focused on driving aids/technologies that will not only make driving easier and pleasurable but also safer for both driver, passenger, and pedestrian. This is now slowly being

ics, is a strategy among car sellers to help expand sales.

Attractive car financing packages have also helped fuel the booming sales. The auto industry has benefited from low interest rates in the last five years.

Data from Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas show that total auto loans doubled from P135 billion in 2011 to P267 billion in September 2015 Dichosa mentioned that the upcoming 6th Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS) is another platform to increase awareness and showcase new models that cater to the demands of each customer segment. PIMS will be held on September 14 to 18 at the World Trade Center in Manila.

Far from reaching saturation point, the country’s automotive market has high potential for growth, Dichosa said.

The objective of the auto industry is to tap this market potential and increase production volume as well as localization in the country, she said noting that the Philippine supplier base is smaller compared than other production sites in the region, therefore a limited localization rate.

This situation, forces manufacturers to import their production requirement that adds to total cost.

Despite, these surmountable choke points, the government sees auto manufacturing highly crucial to the country’s manufacturing industry. It could drive growth that will cut across the entire suppply chain, elevating all other processes and making even the most simple process relevant as this will create additional manpower requirement which is good for the job-generating efforts of the government.

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Speed limiter law: A paper tiger

By Maricel V. Cruz

I

T’S a law that remains a worthless piece of legislation so far.

Embodied in Republic Act 10916, the “Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016” that was passed despite the objections from the land transport sector was allowed to lapse into law last July 16 by former president Benigno Aquino III. But so far, Malacanang has yet to publish its implementing rules and regulations as a prerequisite.

Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, chair of the House committee on transportation and communications, admitted that Congress has yet to receive any communication from government agencies tasked to implement it, namely the Department of Transportation and its attached agency, the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, among others.

“As of now, I know of no final timeline for release of the [Implementing Rules and Regulations],” Sarmiento told the Manila Standard. “Under the law, the concerned agencies have 60 days from the effectivity of the law to release the IRR.” Butt Congress will compel the agencies of government tasked to implement the law to act on it at the soonest.

“In the exercise of our oversight function, we will certainly require the agencies comply within the period and to fast-track its promulgation,” he said.

Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Trenas, the principal author of the Speed Limiter Law, renewed his proddings to the DOTr to immediately draw up the IRR of the “Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016” so that it will become fully operational by the second or third quarter of 2017.

Trenas said that RA 10916 will not only help reduce the number of deadly road accidents caused by over-speeding drivers but would also help reduce carbon emission and fuel consumption due to over acceleration.

“So many drivers do not know that over acceleration especially in a traffic situation can increase their fuel consumption and their carbon emission.

In the short term, these speed limiters could be an additional cost for the operators but they would save more money in the long run because they can better save fuel and their engines would last longer,” said Trenas, primary author of the Speed Limiter measure.

Under RA 10916, selected publicutility vehicles (PUV), except for taxis, jeepneys and so-called Transportation Network Vehicles (TNVs), closed commercial vans, cargo haulers, tanker trucks and company shuttles will now be required to be equipped with speed limiter devices so as not to exceed a pre-set speed limit.

Speed limiters are a combination of mechanical, electronic and/or communications devices that prevent motorized vehicles from exceeding a speed limit which would be set by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

Trenas said the DOTr, in consultation with relevant agencies such as the departments of Science and Technology and of Trade and Industry as well as the Metro Manila Development Authority should start putting together the IRR which would include the technical specifications of the device and other terms and conditions necessary for the law’s implementation.

Once implemented speed limiters will become a prerequisite for the registration of new PUVs and other vehicles covered by RA 10916 at the LTO and to obtain new franchises at the LTFRB. On the other hand, owners of vehicles currently registered and franchised have up to 18 months to comply once the law has taken effect.

Trenas has originally authored House Bill 3624, which mandates all bus companies with franchises to operate public utility buses in the Philippines, operating both city and provincial routes, to install speed limiters on all public utility buses, limiting the maximum speed to 60 kilometers per hour.

His bill was been consolidated with similar measures to become House Bill 5911 which mandates the installation of speed limiters on all covered public utility vehicles, including closed vans, hauler or cargo trailer, shuttle services and tanker trucks. The Senate version (Senate Bill 2999) only covers Public Utility Buses (PUB).

Under the new law, the LTO and the LTFRB are mandated to supervise and inspect the installation and setting of the speed limiters, while the Department of Trade and Industry will accredit the manufacturers and installers of the device.

The new law carries a fine of P50,000

will be meted for non-compliance apart from penalties such a one-month driver’s license suspension and/or a three-month vehicle franchise suspension , on the first offense, followed by a three-month driver’s license suspension and/or a six-month vehicle franchise suspension on the second offense.

For the third offense or more, the driver’s license will be revoked and/or the owner or operator’s vehicle franchise will be suspended for one year.

Finally, those found guilty of tampering with a speed limiter will be sentenced to prison from six months to three years, along with a P30,000 fine.

Trenas said it is too premature to say as for the effectiveness of the law to arrest “speed demons” in the streets.

“We cannot measure yet as to how effective the new law is,” Trenas said. But once it is implemented, he said, “the speed demons would not be forced to drive within the prescribed speed limit, making

them safer for other motorists and pedestrians.

“Reckless driving accounts for nearly all accidents involving motor vehicles, particularly public transport such as buses,” he said.

“The primary objective of speed limiter is to institute discipline among drivers, especially in major thoroughfares, such as EDSA,” Trenas said.

Having the measure lapse into law, Sarmiento said “the Executive Branch now has the duty to publish it (for it to be effective), promulgate its IRR and implement it.”

He agrees with Trenas on the intent of the measure.

“If properly implemented, we will have safer trips as overspeeding, which is one of the major causes of road accidents, will now be addressed.”

He also stressed the need for a strict and firm implementation of the law so as not to defeat its purpose.”

“There must be no collusion between vehicle owners and law enforcers. There must also be an

adequate budget to support enforcement activities,” Sarmientos aid.

“There must be close inter-agency and local government coordination as well to ensure that all covered vehicles plying national, provincial and other roads are compliant. “ More importantly, there must be a national campaign informing the public of the dangers of overspeeding including the number of deaths due to it and the existence of law mandating the use of speed limiters,” Sarmiento pointed out.

He said Congress will exercise it’s oversight power to ensure that government agencies actually install speed limiters to covered vehicles .

“But as to other commercial vehicles that are not covered by the law, their inclusion has to be determined by the DOTr. The idea of the law is to mandate and ensure the right speed for vehicles that may cause great injury to its passengers or to third persons (like trucks, buses, etc.)”

E4

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

Seamless travel

Integration is the name of the game for tollway builders

By Darwin G Amojelar

W

ITH the horrendous traffic in the metropolis a long-pestering problem, the Duterte administration has taken a drastic move by asking Congress for emergency powers to resolve the longpestering problem as it searches high and low for long-term solutions, one of which is to support the private investors in building more roads and spur seamless travel of people and cargo.

“If you see the traffic situation now, you know that we need more roads,” says Rodrigo Franco, president and chief executive of Metro Pacific Tollways Corp.

MPTC is the largest operator of expressway in the Philippines, which owns the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway and the Manila Cavite Expressway.

According to a study by Japan International Cooperation Agency, the cost of traffic in Metro Manila amounts to P2.4 billion each day.

Franco said private expressways can help ease the traffic situation in Metro Manila, but it is not the only solution.

“The traffic problem needs contribution from many sectors, including the construction of new highways, upgrading of mass transport system and of course discipline among motorists,” he said.

“If you are able to divert certain sectors of the motoring public to the toll road, then you improve the capacity of the public roads. So thats [toll road] really intended for people who value time and who want to go their destination faster they will use the toll roads and those who have lower value of time then they can use the public roads,” Franco added.

New projects Franco said MPTC is investing P132 billion over the next few years to build more expressways in Metro Manila and Cebu.

MPTC is constructing the Segment 10 of the NLEX Harbour Link, a 5.6-km elevated expressway costing P10.5 billion and running from Valenzuela City all the way to C3 in Caloocan City. The project is expected to be compled in the second half of 2017.

Another MPTC’s project pertains to the P2.6 billion Segment 2 and 3 NLEX Road-Widening Project to accommodate growing traffic numbers, which commenced last March 9.

Franco said the project will expand the existing two-lane portion of NLEX between Sta. Rita and San Fernando to three

Rodrigo Franco, MPTC president

lanes on both the northbound and southbound sides, while the current one-lane stretch between Dau and Sta. Ines will be expanded to two lanes in each direction.

The TRB also issued a conditional notice to proceed with the construction of the C5 Link Expressway, part of the existing CAVITEX network and a P10 billion project spanning 7.6 kilometers to link C-5 Road in Tausig to R-1 (Coastal) Expressway. Construction is expected to start by the first quarter of 2017 upon approval of the final engineering design.

In addition, the company secured a 35-year contract to build the P35.4 billion Cavite-Laguna Expressway, which will start construction next year.

In April 2016, MPTC signed a joint venture agreement with the City of Cebu and Municipality of Cordova to build the P27.9 billion Cebu-Cordova Bridge Project. The 8.25-km bridge project, set to be completed by 2020, will connect Cebu City to Mactan Island via Cordova.

The Metro Pacific Tollways Development Corp. is also awaiting the issuance of notice of award to construct an el-

evated expressway to connect the Northern and Southern toll road systems at a cost of P18 billion.

Cavitex Infrastructure Corp. president and chief executive Luigi Bautista said the company started the construction of the first phase of the C5 South Link Expressway, stretching from C5 Road in Taguig toward Moonwalk and Merville villages in Sucat, Parañaque was expected on May 2.

Construction is expected to begin in July 2016.

Bautista said the company would spend P2.5 billion for the construction of the first segment, while the second segment, from Sucat all the way to Cavitex, would cost P7.5 billion.

He said the new expressway, which was expected to be completed in 2019, would add 40,000 to 45,000 vehicle traffic per day, on top of the 130,000 vehicle traffic per day at Cavitex.

The C5 South Link will ultimately connect with the R1 Expressway (Coastal Road) and will provide fast, safe and convenient travel for motorists going to and from Parañaque,

Las Piñas and Cavite and for Paranaque residents in Multinational, Moonwalk and Merville villages.

The new expressway will not only decongest the Parañaque villages, but will also speed up travel from Taguig, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, Quezon City and other northern areas to Manila, Las Piñas and Cavite province.

It is envisioned to provide relief to vehicles using the congested Edsa and C5 Road arteries of the metropolis.

When completed, the expressway will provide seamless connection to the Cavitex road network, and to the Cavite-Laguna Expressway slated for completion in 2020.

The new C5 Link is envisioned to spur economic development in Parañaque and in Cavite and Laguna provinces by providing a safe and convenient link from the central and northern parts of Metro Manila to the high-growth industrial and residential centers in Southern Tagalog.

San Miguel Corp. also ivesting P13.1 billion to extend the South Luzon Expressway from Sto. Tomas Batangas to Lucena in Quezon province or SLEX-Toll Road 4.

The project is divided into five sections. Section 1 covers Sto. Tomas, Batangas to Macban, Laguna (10.58 kms); Macban, Laguna to San Pablo, Laguna (12.2 kms); San Pablo, Laguna to Tiaong, Quezon (8.1 kms); Tiaong to Candelaria, Quezon (14.4 kms); and Candelaria to Lucena City, Quezon (12.31 kms).

South Luzon said it planned to complete the first section from Santo Tomas to Macban by mid2017 and the entire project by 2019.

The four-lane, expressway project is seen to make travel to and from Southern Tagalog provinces such as Batangas, Laguna, Quezon and the Bicol region faster and safer.

The project is expected to cut travel time between Sto. Tomas and Lucena to just one hour from the usual four hours.

The SLEx-Toll Road 4 is the latest project in San Miguel’s infrastructure portfolio, which already includes the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway, the at-grade and elevated Skyway system and Skyway Stage 3, the Naia Expressway, the existing SLEx and the recently upgraded and expanded Southern Tagalog Arterial Road, or STAR Tollway.

Challenges Franco said one of the main challenges of the private investors in building more tollways are the regulatory issue and right of way acquisition.

“The problem in regulatory is that hindi nila sinusunod yung provisions of the contact especially on the tariff. That is why our investors are saying, why do you want to build more roads if the tariff is not implemented?,” Franco said.

The Manila North Tollways Corp., the operator of NLEX and Cavitex Holdings Infrastructure Inc. recently filed an arbitration case against the government for failure to implement toll rates adjustments since 2013.

MNTC and Cavitex are claiming over P4 billion.

Despite the arbitration case, Franco said MNTC and Cavitex are hopeful that the Duterte administration will grant their request to adjust toll rates.

“We think because of our traffic congestion issue the government has no choice but to look at the private sector to help fill the infrastructure gap. So that’s the motivation for us because it is needed and the country will eventually address its regulatory issues,” Franco said.

“The government will eventually recognize that if they don’t treat the investors fairly the investor will lose interest,” he added.

Integration Franco also said that his group is in talks with other toll road operators to integrate their toll system in a bid to reduce travel time of motorists.

“We are talking. It’s possible to come up with an agreement this year, but I doubt the actual integration and inter-operation would be completed this year because it’s complicated,” Franco said.

MPTC is the parent firm of Manila North Tollways Corp. and Cavitex Infrastructure Holdings Inc. MNTC operates the NLEX and SCTEX, while Cavitex Holdings operates the Manila Cavite Expressway.

San Miguel, on the other hand, owns the Skyway, South Luzon Expressway and Tarlac-Pangasinan La Union-Expressway and Ayala Corp. operates the Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway.

MPTC’s move came after Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade urged toll road operators to integrate their toll system to reduce travel time of motorists.

Last year, the toll collection system of NLEX and SCTEX was integrated into one, reducing the travel time from Balitawak to Tarlac by 40 minutes.

Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said Tarlac City and Binalonan, Pangasinan is now connected in less than one hour via the completed 67.9 kilometers TarlacPangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEX) benefiting about 20,000

vehicles per day.

“The Duterte administration is fast-tracking the construction of all projects to ensure that communities are livable, safe and accessible. The opening of this segment would cut travel time from Tarlac to Urdaneta by over 70% and would ensure easy access to many tourist destinations in Pangasinan,” Villar said.

“This is only one of the many infrastructure investments which we hope to put in place to enhance competitiveness and ease of doing business outside of Metro Manila. By improving our road network, we hope to strengthen agricultural and rural enterprise productivity as well as urban and rural tourism,” he added.

The opening of the 4.92 kilometer Urdaneta- Binalonan segment has reduced travel time from Tarlac City to Urdaneta from 2 hours and 30 minutes to about 40 minutes.

Progress of work for the construction of 7.53 kilometer Binalonan-Pozzurubio segment has reached 61 percent and is expected to be completed by December 2016.

“We want the next segment completed in time for the Christmas season as this road would further reduce travel time to Baguio City and other areas of Northern Luzon and Cordillera,” Villar said.

“Procrastinating contractors have no place in this administration. The moment we delay our projects, we deny the Filipino people their right to demand prudent use of their tax money,” he added.

Villar said that by 2018, it is expected that the whole 88.85 kilometer stretch of TPLEX will be fully operational. The 13.38 kilometer Pozorrubio, Pangasinan to Rosario, La Union segment will be completed by April 2018.

Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway is a P24.4 billion expressway project under Public Private Partnership, with Private Infra Dev Corp. (PIDC) as proponent. It is a 4-lane asphalt concrete pavement (ACP) road, complete with shoulder, drainage, bridge, and underpass components.

Upon completion, TPLEX is expected to benefit over 100,000 vehicles per day and will cut travel time to Gerona, Paniqui, Rosales, Urdanata, and Rosario.

Issues and challenges in this particular sector persist but investors and government are keen on forging ahead with their respective gameplans and projects.

The ultimate goal is to bring about seamless, speedy travel and transport of motorists, commuters and cargo.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

ONE of the big consequences of self-driving cars’ life-saving capabilities could be big money savings in the form of lower insurance premiums, according to new Aon data.

The Global Insurance Market Opportunities Report, published Monday, suggests that even if uptake is slow, by 2035, there could be enough autonomous cars on US roads to cut insurance premiums by 20% compared with current levels.

And, if autonomous cars become the norm by 2050 (that’s the model that Aon is working with) premiums will be 40% lower.

“Adoption of autonomous vehicles will of course be affected by many variables,” said Paul Mang, CEO of Aon Analytics. “However, we as an industry need to act quickly to ensure that we have the products available to align to the new paradigm.”

Aon’s research predicts that there could be an 81% drop in insurance claims frequency once self-driving really hit the road. However, that could be offset by an increase in repair costs—radar and laser sensors are very expensive to replace.

Consumers may be warming to the idea of self-driving cars, but even recent studies on the subject show that people still aren’t completely convinced by the benefits of autonomous vehicles.

A March study from JD Power of 7,900 US adults found that only young drivers (56%) are ready to actively embrace and put their trust

Self-driving cars seen to lower insurance cost

Lexus RH450h is retrofitted by Google for its driverless car fleet. Steve Jurvetson

E5

in the concept. Just 23% of Baby Boomers (the biggest car buyers) have faith in the technologies.

Aon’s data could change this as it appeals to the public’s purse strings, rather than their heart strings, particularly those of older drivers.

However there are still ethical issues to overcome.

A research paper published in the journal Science in June, found that consumers believe a self-driving car should sacrifice its driver in order to save 10 pedestrians, unless it’s their car, of course. Then it should protect their life at all costs.

Therefore, clarity is key according to Thatcham, the UK insurance industry-funded automotive research center. It is calling for a simplification of the language around self-driving car systems.

“Keeping things simple and clear is paramount,” said Peter Shaw, Chief Executive of Thatcham Research. “There is still much work to be done by legislators and the automotive industry to give drivers absolute clarity and confidence around what automated driving systems are capable of doing and under what circumstances they can be used.”

Yet it also says that drivers will have to take responsibility for actions, and a list of strict rules relating to what they will and won’t be allowed to do when behind the wheel of an autonomous car should be created. AFP

Fierce but friendly rivalry

By Alena Mae Flores

T

HE Philippine downstream oil industry has grown significantly 18 years after the passage of the landmark Oil Deregulation Law of 1998.

Today, the fierce but friendly competition among industry players has become more evident with the newbies having captured a respectable 40 percent market share.

These new players includes Seaoil Philippines, Phoenix Petroleum, Unioil Philippines, Liquigaz, SL Harbor, TPC, TWA, PTT Philippines, Jetti, Isla Gas, Pryce Gases, Filoil, Microdragon, Petronas, South Pacific, Eastern Petroleum and others.

Petron Corp. has remained the biggest oil company in terms of market share accounting for 30.4 percent. followed by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. with 23 percent and Chevron Philippines as 6.9 percent market share last years.

To stay afloat amid stiff competition among industry players, oil companies try to offer competitive pricing, offer the best service to respond to customers’ needs, come up with the best marketing and branding campaigns and find the best strategic locations.

Early this month, Petron teamed up with Uber, a leading ride-sharing application, to give Uber partner drivers privileges and discounts.

Uber partner-drivers in Metro Manila are entitled to special bonus points, discounts and privileges when using the Uber x Petron Value Card for gasoline and diesel purchases at participating Petron service stations.

Holders of Uber x Petron Value Card are also entitled to savings of about 5 percent when they avail of the rebate/cash back benefit. They can also avail of free 24/7 towing assistance, personal accident insurance coverage and other privileges and benefits such as discounts at partner establishments.

“Petron has always been the Philippines’ leader in fuels and product innovations, while Uber as we all know changed and more importantly improved the transport service in the country,” Petron vice president for national sales Archie Gupalor said earlier.

For Chevron, the downstream oil industry in the Philippines allows the company to compete well in the market primarily with its quality global standards fuel and lubricant products.

“We also position ourselves in the market by offering competitive pricing for our products, quality service at the station and with the choicest partners that complement our brands, like with the Jollibee Group of Companies, Robinsons Rewards and Bosch,” Raissa Bautista, Chevron manager for policy and public affairs said.

The oil players try to outdo themselves with having the best and cleanest bathrooms. A Shell bathroom in one of its stations in Bohol has gained popularity due to its clean and unique design while PTT Philippines opened one of its luxurious restrooms called Restroom 20 located Lucena City.

Restroom 20 is a concept adopted from PTT Thailand. It is is a pay toilet that has first class amenities to ensure convenience of customers. It has a lounge where customers could relax and stay for a while especially if they are in a long travel.

“It’s really about offering the best service from gassing up, comfort room amenities, more choices of goods and services, giving service with smile and satisfaction to the customers,” Cesar Abaricia, Shell corporate communications and performance manager.

Not to be outdone, Petron also designed a comfort room “fit for a king” located in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

“It’s been consistently competitive since the onset of the Oil Deregulation Law. Yes, product differentiation through service and value added products plus customer relation matters a lot to be more competitive,” said Eastern Petroleum chairman Fernando Martinez.

Phoenix Philippines, meanwhile, believes finding the best location to put up retail stations is another key factor in being competitive.

“Prices are the same as players match prices of each other. Then service is also key. But one most important thing is location,” Phoenix vice president for corporate affairs Raymond Zorrilla said.

Zorrilla said a prime location gets a better chance of drop in customers or increased in patronage.

“Normally, unless utmost brand loyalty has been established, consumers won’t go out of their way to load fuel,” he said.

E6

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

MOTORING QUARTERLY

ENHANCED MOBILITY

2017 D-MAX ROLLS OUT IN CEBU. In a public launch held at the lobby of SM Cebu, Isuzu Philippines Cor poration introduced the 2017 D-Max in grand fashion and its brand Ambassador, actor and model Derek Ramsay.

Similar to its celebrity endorser, “strong,” “emotional” and “sporty” are also the defining traits of the 2017 Isuzu D-MAX. Its dynamic exterior styling is characterized by a much bolder front end, highlighted by redesigned projector headlamps, and made more sophisticated through the addition of LED Daytime Running Lamps and the updated fog lamps. The pick-up’s rear end also got a new tailgate design that incorporates a spoiler shape design which aids the vehicle’s aerodynamics and styling.

The 2017 Isuzu D-MAX 3.0L LS is available in Venetian Red, Cosmic Black, Titanium Silver, Splash White and new Obsidian Gray paint colors. It comes with a three-year/100,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first). Prices are pegged at P1,520,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x4 A/T; P1,450,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x4 M/T; P1,210,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x2 A/T; and P1,140,000 for the D-MAX 3.0L LS 4x2 M/T. Dino Ray V. Directo III

MITSUBISHI EYE CANDY.

Comely models add luster to the Mitsubishi pick-up truck during the opening of the 6th Philippine International Motor Show held at the World Trade Center.

Lino Santos

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

E7

Driver’s card renewed in a flash? Paging LTO Y

OU can have your driver’s license renewed in a matter of seconds without having to show up at the Land Transportation Office.

That is if a ranking lawmaker will have his way.

The LTO has been left behind in the computerization game while other countries have long embraced the online system of transactions with their publics.

Now House deputy majority leader Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. of Cebu wants the LTO to adopt an information technology that would enable the online renewal of driver’s licenses and motor vehicle registration.

Drivers in other countries are able to renew their licenses and perform related transactions online: • Renew a driver’s license and pay for the renewal via credit or debit card, or remote bank transfer; • Request for their own driver record and pay for it; • Pay traffic fines; • Renew their motor vehicle registration and pay for it; • Report the sale or transfer of

car ownership and pay the appropriate fees; • Report a change of address; and • Set up an appointment with the local office of the transport regulator.

The LTO issues renewable professional and non-professional licenses for drivers as well as permits for conductors.

It also gives out non-renewable student permits.

“Right now, some 53 percent of

licenses and permits processed by the LTO every year are actually renewals, while some 80 percent of car registrations handled are also renewals,” Gullas said.

These renewals may be administered online easily once the agency adopts the appropriate information technology, he said.

“We are counting on the LTO to live up to the President’s wish, which is actually everybody’s wish, for all agencies to avoid unnecessarily aggravating the transacting public and to expedite the delivery of services,” Gullas said.

Duterte has repeatedly expressed aversion to people having to wait in line for hours

whenever they have to deal with agencies.

He also recently voiced exasperation over lingering corruption at the LTO and Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and vowed to be harsher on officials of the two agencies attached to the Department of Transportation.

Gullas said hold-ups in the processing of all kinds of applications at the LTO as well as the LTFRB tend to increase the occasion for malfeasance.

“It is quite possible a number of agencies, not just in the DOTr but also in other departments, are somewhat resisting even simple

technological innovations precisely because without the usual delays, people would have less opportunity to ‘fix’ delays and collect extra ‘facilitation’ fees,” Gullas said.

From January to June 2016, the LTO dispensed a total of 3,001,851 licenses and permits, up 4.23 from 2,880,000 in the same semester in 2015.

The LTO also registered 5,037,586 motor vehicles from January to June this year, up 5.0 percent from 4,797,839 in the same six-month period in 2015.

The agency likewise collected P493 million in fines from apprehensions and violations from January to June this year.

Motorists are inconvenienced by the tedious and time-consuming process practiced by the Land Transportation Office among other state agencies which have lagged behind in the computerization game. File photo

Pulling a fast one Uber rolls out breakthrough service A GROUNDBREAKING driverless car service was launched Wednesday by Uber, jumping ahead of Detroit auto giants and Silicon Valley rivals with technology that could revolutionize transportation.

In an ambitious experiment, a fleet of cars laden with lasers, cameras and other sensors— but with no one’s hands on the wheel—were to be deployed by the web-based ride service on the challenging roads of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, steering themselves to pick up regular Uber passengers who are used to being fetched by cars driven by humans.

Four of the Ford Fusion hybrids with their ungainly rooftop load of technology will be deployed to a select customers on Wednesday, with the company showing at least a dozen more ready to put on the streets.

And Uber is well-advanced in developing a self-drive car with Sweden’s Volvo, expected to become the mainstay of the program in the near future.

- Solid driving, with help The cars and their backing technology have been trained on the city’s complicated grid for less than two years, but demonstration rides ahead of the launch showed them very

able to handle most situations -- as able as many drivers.

Still, just to be sure, the Pittsburgh Uber regulars who summon a driverless car will also get two company technicians with them to make sure everything goes right.

One will sit behind the wheel, with hands at the ready to take over in sticky spots, while the other monitors the car’s behavior.

Uber will not give a timeline, but it aims to reduce that to one technician, still behind the wheel, to intervene and to satisfy existing state policies that require a driver in a car.

The goal, Uber officials say, is to get to zero interventions, and no technician along for the ride.

The move has put Uber ahead of the rest of the auto industry in getting such cars out for the general public. The major automakers all have driverless car development programs, as do tech giants Google and Apple. And many automakers already have cars on the road with advanced driver assist technology, most notably Tesla.

Indeed, Uber itself was beaten to the punch at launching the first driverless call service by the Singapore startup nuTonomy, which put six cars on the road at the end of August.

But the Singapore experiment is so far limited to a smallish area on the very flat, well-planned Southeast Asia island. Uber’s landscape is the whole of Pittsburgh, a major US city with very steep hills, old narrow streets and multiple bridges and highways built through the middle.

What allowed Uber to get to the front of the pack was not auto engineering but rather its ability to accumulate and crunch massive amounts of data on road and driving conditions collected from the billions of miles driven by Uber drivers.

“We have one of the strongest self-driving engineering groups in the world, as well as the experience that comes from running a ridesharing and delivery network in hundreds of cities,” said Uber founder and chief executive Travis Kalanick in a blog post Wednesday.

- Future for Uber drivers? The introduction of driverless cars challenges the image of what Uber has become: an app-based service of the “gig economy” that gave millions of car owners around the world the chance to make money ferrying passengers without taxicab licenses or other permissions.

But Uber’s vision suggests a world of taxis on call by app with no drivers at all.

“Self-driving is core to Uber’s mission,” Anthony Levandowski, Uber’s vice president of engineering.

That would be far away, Uber officials stress. They still expect over the long time, a mix of cars with and without drivers on the road.

Levandowski came to Uber when it took over his own startup Otto, which was developing self-driving technology for commercial trucks. The company now has six driverless trucks being tested on california roads.

Kalanick says the main aim is to create safer roads.

“Self-driving Ubers have enormous potential to further our mission and improve society: reducing the number of traffic accidents, which today kill 1.3 million people a year; freeing up the 20 percent of space in cities currently used to park the world’s billion plus cars; and cutting congestion, which wastes trillions of hours every year,” he said.

So far, company officials say, they have not experienced any accidents. But they have trained the cars’ minders on how to respond if it happens, which they say is inevitable.

AFP

Rolando G. Estabillo Publisher

Ramon L. Tomeldan Editor

Dino Ray Directo III Deputy Editor

Othel V. Campos Alena Mae Flores Maricel Cruz Darwin Amojelar Writers

Romel Mendez Art Director

Jove Atienza Linda Apalisok Layout Artists

Anita F. Grefal OIC-Operations Baldwin Felipe OIC-Sales

Paula A. Reynoso

Ad Solutions Manager

Sheila Marie Suarez Joan Velasco Coordinators

E8

MOTORING QUARTERLY

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016

ENHANCED MOBILITY

TRACK DAY

The track sizzles with 61 race cars on the grid.

Vios Cup weekend yields refreshed 86 Text and photos by Dino Ray V. Directo III

T

HE sounds of engines in high revs and the smell of burnt rubber filled the air once more as the country’s biggest motorsports event, the Vios Cup over the weekend at the Clark International Speedway.

In attendance were Toyota bigwigs led by its president Satoru Suzuki who took matters into his own hands in a way by participating in the promotional class of the Vios Cup. “As we start the third race of the season, our mission of bringing fun and thrills to the people just went a notch higher as we launch the latest version of the Toyota 86. With its lineage coming from other Toyota sports cars, the new 86 is the perfect vehicle to partner with the OMR Vios to represent the Waku-Doki festival,” states Suzuki, during the opening remarks prior to the

flag off of the race weekend.

With 61 participants vying for top honors at the grid, last weekend’s race was the biggest leg of the season. Aside from the additional number of privateers in the promotional class, fans had a field day with the celebrity drivers who gamely mingled with the crowd before and after the race.

The Vios Cup was started three years ago by former Toyota Ph President Michinobu Sugata, who fulfilled a promise made last year that he will don the racing suit once again to trade some

paint with the rest of the competitors. “It feels great to be back and to once again feel the adrenaline rush of racing competitively,” he says. Both incumbent President Suzuki and Sugata raced in the Promotional class.

Toyota got game Kicking off the festivities was the launch of the refreshed 86 a night before race day. With its DNA derived from the rich history of motorsports and iconic sports cars such as the 2000GT, Sports 800 and the AE86, the latest iteration of Toyota’s compact rearwheel-drive sports car continues the legacy of its predecessors by way of its strong character lines, low stance, balance and superb handling.

Visible changes were made to its front fascia such as a wider front grille design; LED headlamp clusters with an “86” logo, redesigned fog lamps and new set of alloy wheels. The interiors of the 86 boasts of a more sophisticated look

The refreshed 86 is flanked

by TMP officials (from left): Ariel Arias, SVP for Marketing; Satoru Suzuki, President of TMP and Yohei Murase, EVP for Marketing Division

with a touch screen display audio with WiFi capability. The driver’s cockpit display has also been upgraded with a new multi information gauge cluster; plus additional safety features such as hill-start assist were added to prevent the car

from rolling in inclined positions.

Under the hood of the 86 is the tried and tested 2.0 liter, naturally aspirated, 16-valve flat-four boxer engine pumping out 205 bhp.

“Toyota is thrilled with the launching of this refreshed version of the

86 which is deeply rooted in our motorsports history. It is only fitting that we reintroduce it to you at the race track for this is where the car can truly shine,” adds Ariel Arias, SVP for Marketing of Toyota Ph.