Manila Standard - 2016 October 01 - Saturday

Travel alert up on Zika

VOL. XXX • NO. 231 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

YULETIDE NOSTALGIA. As the icy winds from the Mongolian steppes blow southward to this Land of the Morning, stall owners take note, like this one at the Central Market in Manila’s Sta. Cruz district, and start hanging Christmas lanterns for sale, prices—P50 to P500 per—affordable to the masses. Lino Santos

Embassy mum on CIA plot’s ‘kill Rody’ THE US Embassy in Manila refused to comment on President Rodrigo Duterte’s remarks in Vietnam that he had received reports that the US Central Intelligence Agency wanted him dead, saying his staff should clarify his statement.

“We [US Embassy] would want to refer you to President Duterte for clarification on his statement,” US embassy press attache Molly Koscina said in a text message.

Before Filipinos living and working in Hanoi, Duterte said Next page

Drug lord’s request rejected DAVAO CITY―President Rodrigo Duterte said Friday he had no intention to talk to high-profile inmate Jaybee Sebastian no matter how vital the information he was holding.

“I do not talk to criminals,” he said.

“He can go to the fiscal if he wants. Or maybe write a letter to Secretary [Perfecto] Yasay if that is feasible.”

Sebastian’s lawyer Eduardo Arriba earlier said his client would only reveal the information he was holding to the President. Next page

THE US government on Thursday issued Zika virusrelated special travel considerations for Southeast Asia, recommending pregnant women should consider postponing nonessential travel to 11 countries in this region.

The countries included in these considerations are Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a statement that people could face an “uncertain risk” of Zika virus infection when they travel to these countries.

The US CDC said that Zika virus has been present in areas of Southeast Asia for many years and that several countries have reported occasional cases or small outbreaks.

“Recent variations in the number of cases reported in the area have been observed. Zika virus is considered endemic in some of these countries, and many people who live there are likely immune,” it said.

“But US travelers to areas where Zika is endemic may not be immune to the virus and infections have occurred in travelers to Southeast Asia.” Next page

PH-US ties ‘ironclad’ despite Du30-Carter S

AN DIEGO—US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter on Thursday said America’s alliance with the Philippines remains “ironclad” even though the Asian ally’s leader has vowed to end joint military exercises.

The Pentagon chief’s remarks came as he headed for a security summit in Hawaii, where concerns about President Rodrigo Duterte, China’s continued military expansion in the South China Sea, and the return of Islamic State group jihadists to the region were high on the agenda.

“As it has been for decades, our alliance with the Philippines is ironclad,” Carter said, addressing troops aboard the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier, docked in San Diego.

Duterte on Wednesday said he would soon end joint military exercises with the United States, a symbolic blow to a military alliance dating back more than 60 years.

“I will serve notice to you now, that this will be the last military exercise, jointly Philippines-US, the last one,” Duterte told several hundred Vietnam-based Filipinos during a rambling address in Hanoi Next page as he started a trip to Vietnam.

ADOLF HITLER

RAISED RHETORIC . President Rodrigo Duterte, returning from Vietnam after an official two-day visit to his home city of Davao Friday, likens his unprecedented law-and-order crackdown to Hitler’s efforts to exterminate Jews, declaring in his airport speech he is ‘happy to slaughter’ millions of drug addicts. AFP

Coast Guard to make presence felt in Mindanao EXECUTIVE Secretary Salvador Medialdea has ordered the Coast Guard to help the military and police maintain order in Mindanao following the declaration of a state of national emergency.

He signed Memorandum Order 4 expanding the application of MO

3 following Presidential Proclamation 55, which put the country under a state of lawlessness after the Davao City bombing that killed 15 people and wounded more than 60 others on Sept. 2.

Medialdea’s MO 4, issued on Sept. 26, directs the Coast Guard to deploy additional personnel to

increase visibility and security in all ports, harbors and major coastal areas.

He also tasked the Coast Guard to intensify its activities related to the enforcement and maintenance of maritime safety and security to suppress lawless violence at sea.

”The Department of Justice shall closely coordinate with the PCG and other law enforcement agencies for the prompt investigation and prosecution of all individuals or groups apprehended for committing, or conspiring to commit, acts of lawless violence,” the MO 4 says. PNA

‘She deserved love and praises when still alive’

By Rio N. Araja THE late senator Miriam Defensor Santiago should have been given the admiration, love and recognition she well deserved while she was still alive, and not when she was dead, her husband Narciso Santiago Jr. said Friday.

“The love and praises should have been given to her when she

was still alive because her life, just like the life of President Duterte, was spent for the service of the country and the people,” he said as he arrived at the wake of his wife at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Grottos in Cubao, Quezon City. “But those were not given while she was alive.”

He later apologized for being Next page emotional.

30 Viet poachers freed IN PEACE. In life a fierce and feisty woman, former Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, who died Thursday after a two-year battle against cancer, lies in peace Friday during her wake at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

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S

THE government will release 30 Vietnamese fishermen who were arrested here for poaching and send them home soon, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said Friday.

He said President Rodrigo

thestandard.com.ph

Duterte ordered the release of the fishermen after their two-day visit to Vietnam.

President Duterte working visit was successful, smooth and without any hitch or problem,” Aguirre said.

Next page

Drug war likened to Hitler’s holocaust DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday likened his war on drugs to Adolf Hitler’s efforts to exterminate Jews, as he declared he was “happy to slaughter” millions of drug addicts.

Duterte also railed against Western critics of his unprecedented law-and-order crackdown, which has left more than 3,000 people dead in three months and raised concerns about a breakdown in the rule of law in one of Asia’s most chaotic democracies. Next page

Beijing takes up cudgels for Digong BEIJING―China on Thursday voiced support for the Philippine government’s crackdown on drug-related crimes despite criticism from some countries and human rights groups of the drug-related killings in the Southeast Asian country.

“We understand and support the Philippine government under Duterte’s administration in cracking down on drug-related crimes as its policy,” Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters.

Next page

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UN panel wary of ‘killings’ in PH

Such a move could further dampen relations with Manila’s longtime ally after the firebrand leader—who has also called for US special operations forces in the country’s south to leave— branded US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore” and extended overtures to China.

But senior defense officials later appeared philosophical about Duterte’s outbursts.

The US-Philippine alliance has “had its ups and downs and survived,” one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter.

“It’s going to continue to survive based on what we think are strong US-Philippine common security interests.”

As for the military exercises, “we can be flexible about when and if they happen again,” the official added.

Carter was set to meet his Philippine counterpart, Delfin Lorenzana, in Hawaii on Friday, where the Pentagon chief is hosting an “informal” meeting for defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Previous summits have tended to focus on China and its growing reach across the South China Sea. Beijing has in recent years rapidly expanded its physical presence in the strategically vital waterway, turning small maritime features, islets and reefs into much larger islands capable of holding military facilities.

Carter stressed, as he has repeatedly, that the US military will ignore Beijing’s contentious South China Sea claims, and keep operating in waters and airspace surrounding the islands.

“We hope that China chooses to join the rest of the region in strengthening and upholding the shared principles that have helped so many nations around the region, including China, to rise and prosper,” he said.

An international court in July ruled against China’s sweeping South China Sea claims, prompting a furious reaction

from Beijing, which promptly vowed to ignore the decision.

Carter’s trip to Hawaii comes with less than four months of the Obama administration remaining.

A key question will be future plans for America’s “rebalance” to Asia, during which Obama has tried to shift the US focus away from Middle East quagmires and toward rapidly growing Asia.

He has mended relations with Myanmar, Vietnam and Laos while bolstering regional blocs and providing a counterbalance to China’s regional ambitions.

Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines recently agreed to conduct joint sea patrols to fight piracy, organized crime, and terrorist activity in the Sulu Sea. Several nations in the region, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore are also concerned about the return of jihadists from the Middle East as the Islamic State (IS) group loses territory in Iraq and Syria.

The defense official said probably about 1,000 or fewer Southeast Asians are in Syria and Iraq, and “hundreds” have already returned to their home countries.

“Local governments certainly are very concerned about the possibility of a rise in ISIL-related violence, it is very high on their agenda when they speak to us,” the official said, using an acronym for the IS group.

Regional allies are sure to ask Carter about the upcoming US election, which has seen a tightening race between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton.

Trump has called into question the mutual defense treaties with Japan and South Korea, which have provided the cornerstones of US policy in Asia since World War II. The defense official indicated he was confident America would retain its Asia focus whatever the election’s result.

“We’ve got a good thing going with the establishment of this principled, inclusive security network,” he said.

“There are a lot of opportunities left over. And we want to make sure that our position in the region is solid for the next president.” AFP

tial travel to Southeast Asia,” the US agency said.

Zika virus testing, it said, should be offered to pregnant women and considered for other people who have symptoms of Zika virus disease if they have recently traveled to Southeast Asia.

Previously, the CDC has issued a travel warning against the Southeast Asian nation of Singapore, where more than 300 cases of locally transmitted Zika have been reported. The Aug. 30 travel alert urged pregnant women to avoid traveling to Singapore, not just consider postponing nonessential travel.

Zika is spread mostly by the

bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito and it can also be spread sexually. Currently, there is no vaccine or medicine for Zika virus. The best way to avoid Zika virus infection is to prevent mosquito bites.

In Thailand, health authorities on Friday said microcephaly in two babies was caused by the Zika virus, in what is believed to be the first confirmed case in Southeast Asia of a link between the sickness and the birth defect.

“Two of the three infants [tested] had microcephaly due to the Zika virus,” Wicharn Pawan, a disease control official at the

Health Ministry said.

The World Health Organization this week said any confirmed cases in Thailand would be the first identified in Southeast Asia.

Zika causes only mild symptoms in most, including fever, sore eyes and a rash. But pregnant women with the virus risk giving birth to babies with microcephaly—a deformation that leads to abnormally small brains and heads.

While Zika has been present in the region for years, there has been an uptick in the number of recorded cases in Southeast Asia in recent months. PNA, AFP

Senator Santiago, a former Quezon City judge, was dubbed the Iron Lady of Asia, and served all three branches of government during her long career in public service.

In 1988, she won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for government service with a citation “for bold and moral leadership in cleaning up a graft-ridden government agency” when she was head of the Bureau of Immigration.

She became senator in 1995 and authored the most number of laws and bills in the entire

history of the country.

In 2012, she became the first Filipina and the first Asian from a developing country to be elected a judge of the International Criminal Court.

Supporters, politicians and government officials flocked to her wake Friday.

Among those who paid their last respects were Santiago’s running mate in the last May national elections, former senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr.; former senator Pia Cayetano, now Taguig City representative; Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista; former Pampanga representative Mikey Arroyo; former House speaker

Feliciano Belmonte Jr.; former Pampanga mayor Jerry Pelayo; United Kingdom Ambassador to the Philippines Asif Ahmad, and members of the Youth for Miriam Movement.

“It was of great honor and pride that she gave me the chance to be her running mate.

She did not have the patience for weak [people],” Marcos said.

At 71, Santiago passed away in her sleep at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Global City in Taguig Thursday because of a lingering case of stage four lung cancer.

Rissa Ofilada, Defensor-Santiago’s legal counsel, said there will be no necrological service for her at the Senate.

ted to combating drug-related crime and had made remarkable achievements. China was also a main force in fighting drug crimes globally.

Geng said China was ready to join the Philippines in fighting drugs and planning for more cooperation.

Duterte is set to visit China and meet with Chinese Presi-

dent Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on Oct. 19 to 21 to fulfill Duterte’s promise to strengthen the commercial ties between the Philippines and China.

A meeting with Xi Jinping is expected to set the direction for the revival of warm relations between the two countries after Duterte appointed

former President Fidel Ramos as special presidential envoy.

Duterte is expected to seek China’s cooperation in his fight against illegal drugs, a war that has alarmed the international community for its brutality. He has always said that the drug lords running the drug syndicates in the Philippines are based in China. PNA/Xinhua

tary exercises would be the last during his term.

“I’m serving notice now to the Americans and to those who are allies...I would serve notice to you now that this will be the last military exercise. Jointly PhilippinesUS, the last one,” Duterte said.

Other allies with joint military or patrol exercises are Australia and Japan.

He also said that while the military treaty with the United

States would stand, he would no longer hold war games that “China does not want.”

He also reiterated his plan to establish new alliances with China when it comes to trade and commerce; and Russia following the Philippines’ plan to buy military equipment and technology from them.

The US said it has not received a formal letter from the Philippines regarding Duterte’s statement.

A firearms smuggling suspect, Wilford Palma, who was arrested in August said earlier this month that they sold gun parts to a top client who claimed they would be used to kill President Duterte.

Palma and Brian Taala were arrested on Aug. 6 for allegedly trying to sneak in P4.5 million worth of smuggled gun parts from the US to Bacolod City.

Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

T

HE United Nations committee in Geneva expressed concern over the increase of extrajudicial killings in the waging of President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war against drugs, where more than 3,000 alleged Filipino drug addicts and dealers were killed since he assumed office.

Funeral parlor employees carry the body of suspected drug pusher killed during a drug buy-bust operation by police along a rail line in Caloocan City on Sept.30, 2016. President Rodrigo Duterte drew a parallel with In its latest report posted on its his deadly crime war and Hitler’s massacre of Jews, as he said he was ‘happy to slaughter’ millions of drug website on Thursday night, the addicts. AFP

UN High Commissioner on Human Rights and experts of the UN Committee in Economic Social and Cultural Rights said that the poorest of the poor Filipinos appeared to be the target of the spate of extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

“In particular, experts were concerned about the extrajudicial killings which were related to the war on drugs, and which seemed to target the poorest population,” the UN stated in a press release.

During the two-day review of human rights in the Philippines, one of the experts also asked: “What were the plans to stop the extrajudicial killings, measure to prevent the current war on drugs and from becoming a war against the poor?”

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“Hitler massacred 3 million Jews. Now there are 3 million drug addicts [in the Philippines].

I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Duterte told reporters in his home city of Davao shortly after returning from Vietnam.

“At least if Germany had Hitler, the Philippines would have,” he said, then paused. “But you know, my victims, I would like to be [sic] all criminals to finish the problem of my country and save the next generation from perdition.”

Duterte, 71, won elections in May in a landslide after a campaign dominated by his pledge to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people.

The lawyer and former city prosecutor promised immunity for security forces if they were charged with murder, and on his first day in office urged residents of a Manila slum to kill drug addicts within their own community.

His police chief also urged addicts to burn down the homes of drug traffickers and kill them.

Since Duterte came to power on June 30, police have killed more than 1,200 people and about 1,800 others have died in unexplained circumstances, according

The Philippine delegation replied that the government aims “to end the culture of impunity in extrajudicial killings.”

The delegates cited the establishment of a high-level inter-ministerial committee, where the Commission on Human Rights and the Ombudsman sat as observers.

This September, Duterte agreed to invite UN experts to investigate the increase in extrajudicial killings in the country.

He appointed Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea to write a formal letter inviting UN rapporteurs to look into the issue.

But as of this week, Medialdea had yet to issue any invitation.

DFA spokesman Charles Jose said both the Philippines and the UN should agree on the terms of to official figures.

A piece of cardboard, with “drug peddler” or “drug addict” written on it, is frequently placed on corpses that are left on streets.

This has led to the war on crime becoming known as “cardboard justice.”

Duterte has faced a barrage of criticism from Western governments and rights groups, but he has reacted defiantly and often with abusive language while insisting he is not doing anything illegal.

Duterte has branded US President Barack Obama a “son of a whore”, called UN chief Ban Ki-moon a “fool” and said “fuck you” to the European Union while raising his middle finger.

In his latest tirade on Friday, Duterte said he was under threat of being brought before an international court for genocide, but again insisted he was breaking no laws in the Philippines.

“You are portrayed or pictured to be some, a cousin of Hitler.

And you do not even bother to find out, to investigate. Imagine that, I will be facing... even the international court for genocide.

That’s foolish,” he said.

Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, led a campaign to wipe out Jews in Europe which led to about 6 million deaths by the end of World War II. F. Pearl A. Gajunera, AFP

30 Viet...

Beijing...

“The Vietnamese officials and government warmly received us. We gained a friend.”

Aguirre made his statement even as Duterte said Vietnam had pledged its cooperation in his war against illegal drugs.

The Philippines and Vietnam agreed “to explore ways to intensify law-enforcement cooperation against transnational crime including the illegal drug trade,” Duterte said in his arrival speech.

Aguirre said the cases against the Vietnamese fishermen who poached in Sulu and Palawan had been dismissed, and the only remaining case was that against the 17 poachers caught near the waters off Dile Point in Vigan City. Rey E. Requejo and F. Pearl A. Gajunera

He said drugs were the shared enemy of mankind, and cracking down on drug-related crimes was the shared responsibility of all countries.

He said the Chinese government had always been commit-

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that the CIA was planning to kill him.

“That’s the situation. They said, the CIA is planning to kill me. Susmaryosep, ginoo,” Duterte said.

In the same speech, Duterte said he would serve notice to the US that the upcoming joint mili-

reference particularly the dates of the visit, places to visit, and the people to meet.

He also said the Philippine government will need to approve first the places where they will conduct the investigation.

“The government also needs to approve those victims or the victims’ family of extrajudicial killings before they can interview them. They need to ask permission with the government first,” he said.

The delegation of the Philippines consisted of the representatives of the National Economic and Development Authority, the Presidential Human Rights Committee, the Department of Justice, the Department of Labor and Employment, the Depart-

Travel...

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It noted that the level of risk for Zika virus infection in these countries is unknown, but it is likely lower, but not zero, than in areas where Zika is newly introduced and spreading widely.

“However, because Zika virus infection during pregnancy causes severe birth defects, including microcephaly and other severe brain abnormalities, pregnant women should talk to their health care provider and consider postponing nonessen-

‘She...

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ment of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Health, the Department of Education, the National Housing Authority, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation, and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations Office.

The spate of drug-related killings was among of the many topics that the 18-member UN committee discussed during the review of human rights, ranging from topics about indigenous peoples, divorce bill, up to the recent extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

The UN Committee on Economic, Social, Cultural Rights, composed of 18 independent human rights experts, reviewed the Philippines from September 28 to 29 in Geneva, Switzerland.

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Arriba made his statement even as the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines called on the government to hold a “correction summit,” claiming an investigation in the House of Representatives had failed to address the problem of illegal drugs in the New Bilibid Prison.

Rodolfo Diamante, executive secretary of the CBCP’s Commission on Prison and Pastoral Care, said the House inquiry did not seem to be addressing the problems at the national penitentiary.

“Our suggestion is to hold a correctional summit that will be initiated by Congress, wherein experts in penology and in the correctional field can provide us the solutions we need,” Diamante said.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre said Arriba should contact him instead if Sebastian would be willing to reveal the information he was holding.

“If he wants to talk to me, I am going to talk to him,” he said.

But Aguirre denied Arrriba’s claim that Sebastian’s testimony would affect the testimonies of the other witnesses in the illegal drug trade and the other information that the government was holding.

He said the information the government was holding was enough to complete the House’s investigation. F. Pearl A. Gajunera, Rey E. Requejo and Vito Barcelo

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1 , 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF New SBMA chief named PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Martin Diño as chairman of the Board of Directors of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

The appointment dated Sept.

23, 2016 will officially replace former chairman Roberto Garcia in the rein of the premier freeport. He will take office until June 30, 2022 or a duration of six-year term.

Diño was a presidential aspirant in the 2016 national and local elections but withdrew and nominated former Davao City Mayor Duterte as his substitute standard-bearer of PDP-Laban.

He was the former chairman of the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, and the father of Liza Diño, the partner of singer Aiza Seguerra.

Earlier, Garcia announced to SBMA employees about the appointment of Diño but said he would hold his office until the appointment paper was released and brought to SBMA. PNA

DAR junks ‘lotto system’ AGRARIAN Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano on Friday stood pat on his ground to nullify the use of lottery draw to allocate plots to farmer-beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita Inc. owned by the family of former President Benigno Aquino III in Tarlac province.

Mariano said he and the other agrarian reform officials will troop to Hacienda Luisita “in a move to invalidate the tambiolo scheme disqualifying 111 Hacienda Luisista farm worker-beneficiaries from the government’s agrarian reform program.”

“We begin genuine agrarian reform at the belly of the beast —in Hacienda Luisita, where farmer-tenants have struggled to take the land due to them for more than a quarter of a century, ever since agrarian reform was introduced in the country,” he said.

The left-leaning Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, of which Mariano was the former chairman, slammed the Department of Agrarian Reform’s “tambiolo land reform” in the Cojuangco-Aquino owned sugar estate, saying the scheme was a fraud.

KMP chairperson Joseph Canlas earlier said Aquino controlled then Agrarian Reform secretary Virgilio de los Reyes to use “deception, coercion and intimidation” of land distribution.

TRUE TO FAITH. A coed of

the St. Paul University in Manila holds up a sign exhorting believers not to commit murder during noise barrage and redribbon outside their campus on Pedro Gil Street. Lino Santos

‘Tax reform plan a game changer’ T

tem so that the government could raise enough funds for accelerated spending on infrastructure, human capital and social protection programs.

The Finance department submitted to the House of Representatives and the Senate its proposed Tax Reform Roadmap for Acceleration and Inclusion Act on Sept. 26 in keeping with the administration’s 10-point socioeconomic agenda.

Dominguez said the DoF tax bill was completed after the department consulted with members of the Cabinet, legislators, former finance secretaries, prominent economists, stakeholder and business groups, and with various foreign embassies, global financial institutions and joint foreign chambers signifying their support for the tax reform proposal.

Among the organizations at the forum were the Tax Management Association of the Philippines, Framework Convention

HE proposed tax reform plan of the Department of Finance could be a “game changer” that will not just generate revenues but also raise enough funds to allow the government to address the backlog in physical and human capital investments, an independent policy think tank said Friday.

AER senior economist JoAnn Latuja-Diosana said at a tax forum that her organization is “very supportive” of the design of the DoF’s tax reform program as it focuses on how to make the current tax system more equitable, efficient, fair and progressive.

“While we are still working on the details, we see a lot of potential in this package and how it can really be a game changer for the country, AER senior economist Jo-Ann Latuja-Diosana said at a tax forum.

“Specially right now, we face

a lot of constraints, specifically in infrastructure and investments in human capital, such as on health and education,” she added.

Diosana commended the DoF for presenting the package objective’s not just as revenue generation and upgrading of credit ratings but to generate funds. “That is really very important to us,” she said.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III, on the other hand, said the DoF was moving swiftly to propose reforms in the country’s 20-year-old tax sys-

Alliance of the Philippines, Friedich Ebert Stiftung, Bantay Kita, Coalition of Services for the Elderly Inc., Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities, Philippine Coalition on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Philippine College of Physicians Foundation, The Asia Foundation, Tobacco Free Kids, Universal Health Care Study Group, USAID-FPI, Woman Health Philippines, and the Freedom from Debt Coalition.

The first package of the proposed tax reforms that the DoF had submitted to Congress seeks to restructure the personal income tax rate; expand the value-added tax base by reducing the coverage of its exemptions; adjust the excise taxes imposed on petroleum products; and, restructure the excise tax on automobiles, except for buses, trucks, cargo vans, jeepneys, jeep substitutes, single cab chassis, and special-purpose vehicles.

Metro drug syndicates flee to Mindanao

By Francisco Tuyay SOME illegal drug syndicates operating in the country’s capital region, where nearly 13-million people live, have dashed to Mindanao, apparently fearing for their lives with the determined campaign against them, officials said Friday.

Interior Secretary Michael Sueno said the drug lords, previously dubbed as untouchables, had been rattled by the magnitude of the government’s campaign which forced them to hide in the country’s far southern island of Mindanao.

“Drug lords who were untouchables before were indeed shaken. Based on the information, some of those in Metro

Manila are already in Mindanao hiding,” Sueno said in an interview.

He said the drug lords, blamed for the massive proliferation of illegal drugs, identified as the primary factor for the unabated crimes in the country, were stunned by the degree of police operations that have so far killed at least 1,200 suspected dealers and users.

“They were very powerful because they had the money and guns, they had the people and they were feared by their people, now they are fearful [and] in hiding,” Sueno said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has said drug syndicates operate via remote control, using lowly operators and dealers in their nefarious activities.

Sacked NAPC workers protest

By John Paolo Bencito THE new National Anti-Poverty Commission leadership and some old-time contract-ofservice employees who were allegedly “terminated” clashed over the move to clean up the agency’s operations and staffing pattern being implemented by the new administration.

Several Contract of Service (COS) personnel picketed the NAPC office in Quezon City Friday to protest against the decision of Secretary Liza Maza to terminate the contracts of 82 of the agency’s 107 COS personnel, claiming these were without “objective assessment” of their work performance and that this is an abandonment of the Duterte administration’s promise “to end contractualization.”

Joseph Aquino, president of the Kaisahan ng mga DiRegular na Empleyado ng NAPC (KaDRE) said they are hoping to be informed of the basis for the mass layoff, and the agency’s new plans, staffing requirements and reapplication process, “but the group’s request has fallen on deaf ears.”

“Management conducted one-on-one interviews with the terminated COS staff. Some were offered job positions lower than the position they are currently holding; others were not given any feedback yet,” Aquino said.

Manila

PH drug trade now worth whopping P216b—Digong DAVAO CITY—The illegal drugs trade in the country has given President Rodrigo Duterte one sleepless night after he was informed it is now worth P216 billion per annum, higher than what the government is earning from the mining industry.

This was an estimated computation given to the President by a billionaire, whom he did not name.

He said the P216 billion is the total investment if the country has three million drug addicts. If the three million users hit daily costs of P200 multiplied by 31 days, that would amount to P6,000 a month.

“A billionaire made a computation: ‘You know mayor, I’ll give you the economic impact of drugs in the country, your country...

There are at least, you claim, three million drugs users and addicts; one hit daily costs around 200 or about 6,000 a month. If these users and addicts use drugs on a daily basis, that’s about P18 billion a month or around P216 billion a year,’” Duterte quoted the billionaire as saying.

“And that was the cold reality and I was not able to sleep soundly that night and…I was so stressed,” he admitted.

According to the President, such huge investment is disturbing because “the mining industry gives us about P70 billion only

and here is a cost of P216 billion, destroying lives,” he told reporters during a press conference on his arrival at the Davao International Airport Friday from his official visit to Vietnam.

But Duterte said, “It’s an investment to destroy lives. It’s an investment by the drug lords that will break the social fabric of our society.”

The President said he was pondering on the amount that could already give the country and people food and other needs.

He said this is also one reason it angers him that some nations talk like gods. He was referring to the United States, the European Union and the United Nations which are intensely criticizing his all-out campaign against drugs.

Speaking in Filipino, Duterte said, “You know if there is an addict in the family…if there is one who steals some things…sells the car anywhere. ..and if there is nothing [to sell], they [the addicts] commit a crime, that is why nationwide the crime went on a spin down.”

The President announced the country is already achieving a decline in crime rate of almost 50 percent nationwide, adding killings by hardened criminals have plunged.

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MEET THE TAXI SQUAD. The Wong Chu King Foundation (WCKF) recently sponsored Radyo5’s popular Taxi Squad campaign with the staging of its “Para Sa’yo” Seminar in Studio 4 of the TV5 Media Center. The event was hosted by radio DJ Laila Chikadora as it tackled a variety of road safety issues in response to the newly-minted Anti-Distracted Driving Law, also known as Republic Act No. 10913.

WCKF external affairs director Gen. Melito Mabilin (ret.) and WCKF head volunteer Gen. Francisco Cristobal (ret.) emphasized on the motorists’ road safety and charitable educational programs for drivers’ dependents. Former Senator Orly Mercado (top photo), among other personalities also gave a speech in the event. Taxi Squad (bottom photo) is comprised of taxi drivers and operators whose main task is to collect and disperse traffic-related information to alert other drivers as they listen to the FM radio.

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Opinion

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Duterte’s noise

I

T MAY be too early to tell if President Rodrigo Duterte’s rambling speeches and often expletive-laden outbursts will have a long-term effect on the Philippine economy.

But they have initially unnerved market investors and American and European businessmen, most of whom have been trying to convince their community to place their bet on the Philippine economy.

The peso dropped to a sevenyear low of 48.33 against the US

dollar Thursday, while the stock market has struggled to below the 8,000-point mark, after cheering Mr. Duterte’s May election victory.

Analysts partly blamed the Philippine market slump amid the uncertainty over the timing of the US Fed decision to increase interest rates again.

Mr. Duterte seems unperturbed by criticism and the market’s reaction to his off-the-cuff remarks that include disrespecting US President Barack Obama and rebuking the European Union and the United Nations for their censure of the violent anti-drug campaign which has left over 3,000 people dead.

Defenders of Mr. Duterte have sought to reassure investors that the Philippine economy was doing well, citing strong fundamentals that have supported growth.

Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said the peso’s depreciation was not a cause for concern and urged investors to focus on fundamentals.

Despite his maverick stance and threats, Mr. Duterte has stayed the course—his rhetoric has not actually led to cutting off of military ties with the US, exiting the United Nations and reversing the economic policy.

Mr. Duterte’s penchant for foul language and ignoring trade and

political ties, however, will not serve the interest of the Philippines in the global stage. The country is in the midst of forging free-trade agreements with some European countries and is aiming to join the larger Trans-Pacific Partnership economic bloc.

Mr. Duterte’s wisdom and skill will be key to strengthening bilateral relations, attracting foreign investments and generating jobs. He also has all the opportunity to make the Philippines a tiger economy, which his predecessors have dreamed of.

The President’s statesmanship is needed to advance the interest of Filipinos.

HAIL TO THE CHAIR VICTOR AVECILLA

Before we go federal

Honoring Miriam POWER POINT ELIZABETH ANGSIOCO “NOT GOOD. It is just a matter of time. Miriam told me to shoot her but I said I do not know how to use a gun,” this was what one of Senator Miriam DefensorSantiago’s doctors said when I asked how the senator was doing. This was in late July.

The last reports that our dear MDS was again in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital made me shiver. I was chairing a meeting for a bill that was authored

by Senator Miriam in the 14th and 15th Congresses when I learned of her passing on. It was a sad moment for us who have worked with, and admired her.

The lady who ate death threats for breakfast, who unabashedly spoke about sex on the Senate floor, who wowed young people with her pick-up lines, is gone.

She leaves behind a whole nation she entertained with her unmatched wit and sarcasm, a people she awed by her intellect and very colorful language, millions of women whose rights she championed, and THE country she served for many decades.

We lost a one-of-a-kind woman, a top-notch public servant.

Miriam Defensor-Santiago was anything but ordinary. She was larger than life. She did everything with aplomb, no matter what her mood was. She had a persona that was impossible to ignore. Whether she was delivering one of her bombastic spiels, or just quietly walking by, those in the same room would surely feel her presence. MDS belonged to a class all her own.

MDS was intimidating. Numerous times, the Filipino public saw the senator lambast other politicians and those who cross her with the most colorful, insulting words that only she could think of and passionately express. With her amaz-

ing command of language and unequalled eloquence, one just had to be ready if one happens to be on the other side of whatever issue she was taking at the moment.

I met Senator Miriam perhaps about 20 years ago in the course of our advocacy for women-

MDS had a great run. She will be remembered.

focused laws. To say that the feisty senator was progressive is an understatement. Her grasp of human and women’s rights was more than impressive. We never had a problem approaching her to sponsor the bills we were working on, and always, her version of the bills would

have strong human and women’s rights components. There was no need to convince her, unlike other women legislators, about the rights we fought for.

MDS met with us more often when the then-reproductive health bill of which she was the principal author in the Senate was being defended on the floor.

We had meetings with her in and out of the Senate to strategize on how best to move the bill forward. I had the rare opportunity to observe up close how this woman’s incredible mind worked. More importantly, I got to know a bit more about the feared senator as a person.

Ah, she was regal-like on and off the public eye. She was always poised. She liked being dressed for the part. MDS was often in business attire, ready for work. But if you looked closely, however businesslike her outfit was, there was always an element of fun. Be it the color, a lacey part of her blouse or skirt, floral print, a

small embroidery. Just like her personality.

Senator Miriam was known to terrorize people. What many did not see was her fun side.

Why else would she agree to do those pick-up lines? And she obviously enjoyed it. The first time I saw her use those jokes was at the UP College of Law where she delivered a lecture on the RH bill. The students loved her every joke. It was a riot and the senator shared not a few laughs with her audience. This was the fun side of Miriam that not many witnessed. No wonder young people adored her.

Up to the last presidential debate when MDS was already quite sick, it was the young people who rallied around her. They were boisterous in their chants for her. I was personally present and while it pained us to see her having difficulty during the debate, we also saw how she beamed and smiled at her cheering squad. The Turn to A5

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs has, undoubtedly, produced results in just less than 90 days.

Considering the extent of the drug menace, however, Duterte says he needs more time to eradicate this problem. The President’s dedication to his anti-drug crusade will almost certainly prompt the public to give him all the time he needs.

It is also very likely that Congress will need additional time to study the President’s wish to establish a federal government in the Philippines. Since federalism is an untested political concept in the country which may need some thorough study before it is actually implemented in the country, and there being conflicting opinions over the advantages of federalism, the additional time will certainly be necessary.

One reason why many are attracted to federalism is the unmitigated graft and corruption in public office, and the proliferation of abusive public officials. If these problems are eliminated, perhaps President Duterte may even reconsider his proposal for a federal system. A change in his plans does not mean that federalism is a bad idea. However, because federalism is a radical change in the national political environment, it may be necessary to ascertain if less radical solutions are available to solve existing problems.

Therefore, before we go federal, it is imperative that we take a shot at eradicating graft and corruption, and abusive public officials, through means other than charter change.

Political dynasties are the cause of these twin problems.

When government is controlled by a political dynasty, government becomes a family enterprise with little or no room for non-relatives. Dynasty members who hold office become complacent because they are assured of remaining in power.

Complacency, in turn, breeds ineptitude and a lack of genuine concern for the public interest. Public office ultimately becomes nothing more than a private milking cow, and the election is reduced to a periodic mismatch between the powerful incumbent (or the incumbent’s relative), and an opponent who has virtually no chance of winning. In worse cases, the incumbent (or the inTurn to A5

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Opinion

LAST September 13, President that our alliance with the US Rodrigo Duterte clarified that has failed even before it could the Philippines is not about to be tested to counter the anticicut its security ties with the US pated contingency. An alliance or with its allies. He said, “the that serves only to protect the country is merely undergoing interest of one is a dysfunctional a paradigm shift in dealing one because it deviates from the with them.” The statement is objective of securing and proa clarification on our current tecting the mutual interests of relations with the US. Most po- the member countries. In fact, litical analysts rather called it no alliance, in its true sense, “rectification” of our alliance can exist between an imperialist state and its colonies or between with the US. Notably, after the expiration a suzerain and that of its vassals.

Historically, the basis upon of the Philippines-US Military Bases Agreement in 1991, the which the Philippines allowed US was forced to give up Clark the US to establish military Air Base and Subic Naval bases here is to secure the counBase. However, the signing of try against possible invasion by the Visiting Forces Agreement Japan, which in fact happened.

(VFA) in 2000 allowed the US It was imperative because the forces to return to conduct joint Philippines then was a colony military exercises. No spe- of the US, and Japan had all the cific area was designated for reasons to invade the country. the bases, but it was clear they After the war, the justification could use any part of the archi- has changed to one of containpelago to hold their military ing China. That was accepted exercises. In 2014, President by most Filipinos, for at that Noynoy Aquino completed the time there was intense ideologistealthy return of the US forces cal competition between the sounder the Enhanced Defense called capitalist free world and Cooperation Agreement. the Marxist socialist states.

The return of the US bases The collapse of the Soviet Unwas characterized by many as ion and the reformatting of the the recolonization of the country Chinese economy however, resmuch that the Noynoy Aquino urrected the old system of deadministration virtually handed fining what constitute the strato the US a carte blanche to se- tegic and national interest of the lect the number and location of state. However, the Philippines their bases. The five existing remained the only country that military facilities given were: has not been able to redefine its Antonio Bautista Airbase in alliance with the US based on Palawan near the South China changing realities.

Sea, Basa Airbase in Pampanga, We continue to maintain our Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, alliance based wholly in securLumbia Airbase in Cagayan de ing the interest of the US. There Oro and Mactan-Benito Ebuen is no longer any valid reason Airbase in to justify the Mactan. mai ntenance Aside from of our alliance the exemption with the US, in the payment much more No alliance, in of rent which allow the US the country its true sense, can to retain their used to collect military basunder the old exist between an es. Rather, our RP-US Bases imperialist state claim in the Agreement, South China the visiting US and its colonies.

Sea was exforces could acerbated by use existing our antiquated military fadefinition of cilities of the what constiPhilippine Armed Forces which tutes our interest, which China would save them the expense sees as no different from the US. of constructing new faciliEven if the end of the Cold ties. As one would say, it was War erased the ideological like asking the owner of the wedge that separates the capihouse to vacate it to give way talist and socialist states, issues to a guest who claims to defend affecting national interest have the owner of the house against become complex because counhis neighbors. The Aquino ad- tries today no longer weigh their ministration even allowed the interests on a broad and collecentry and docking of US war- tive basis of ideological affinity, ships without first disclosing but on a much narrower scope whether they are carrying nu- involving national interest. We clear weapons, as required by do not even know whether our the 1987 Constitution which alliance with the US, under the prohibits the bringing in and current Pivot to Asia policy of stockpiling of nuclear weapons President Obama would prointo the country. duce positive results for us.

Since the US-engineered For one, while the counouster of President Marcos in try originally justified the US 1986, it is only now under the presence as necessary to secure Duterte administration where those remaining islands still the President has sought to in our possession and to allow clarify our alliance with the US. our fishermen to enjoy wider This includes the identification areas to harvest and exploit the of our perceived enemies under marine resources adjacent and the reconfigured alliance, in proximate to the Philippines, determining our obligations the US is more concerned on under the treaty or to put it the issue of freedom of navigabluntly—who between the tion to justify its presence in two is to be protected by the the South China Sea. This we other? The President did not have seen by their persistence specifically ask these questions to seek the approval of Asean but definitely his idea about of its position using the country our alliance with the US comes as its mouthpiece. within the purview of the Looking at the situation, it paradigm shift he envisions. now appears that the PhilipMuch that our relations with pines is the one securing the the US is no longer based on interest of the US, and not vice ideological consideration, no versa in this part of the globe. responsible President would In the event of conflict, the blindly accept the US Pivot to country would again be fightAsia policy without considering ing a proxy war. Even if we its ramifications. President Du- assume that an ideal alliance terte is looking beyond the Cold should be based on the comWar framework of identifying mon interests of the member our potential enemy, not on the states, that would never work basis of ideological differenc- because the US will always es, but on whether they pose a have greater interests to prothreat to our security, or at the tect. Whether one would call least shares the same concern it hegemony, that is radiating that they equally pose a threat from one enjoying the status to their own interest. of a superpower, reality would If not, we could well conclude bear out that the US has more

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Good news from the Duterte administration

BACKBENCHER ROD P. KAPUNAN

Clarifying the shift

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

ed soon and will be implemented properly within the term of the President. More than anything, a permanent cessation of hostilities between the government and the Moro revolutionary organizations/communists will be great for human rights in this country. The leaders and panels, led by Secretary Jess Dureza, that President Duterte has appointed for these processes are brilliant and trustworthy. Aside from Dureza, I am happy with the appointments of Irene Santiago as chair of our negotiations with the Moros, Labor Secretary Bebot Bello as chair of the panel with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), and veteran peace officials Undersecretary Nabil Tan and Assistant Secretary Acel Papa. The presence of lawyer colleagues such as Dean Sedfrey Candelaria, human rights lawyer Antonio Arellano, and former Comelec Commissioner Rene Sarmiento in the NDFP negotiations is also reassuring. I know Secretary Jess and all these officials well. I have faith in their ability to land these peace processes safely, for the good of the country.

I also praise Duterte’s excellent Cabinet, praising particularly: the economic team led by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia; the anti-poverty team of the administration led by Cabinet Secretary Jun Evasco; the spectacular women secretaries that Duterte has appointed (Leni Robredo for Housing, Gina Lopez for Environment, Judy Taguiwalo for Social Welfare, Paulyn Ubial for Health, Leonor Briones for education, Liza Maza for NAPC); and the Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, assisted by the dependable Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Menard Guevarra and the newly appointed Kelvin Lester Lee (proudly, I claim him as one of my best and most idealistic students from Ateneo Law School), whose steady hand and legal competence is so critical for an administration that purports to be revolutionary in the change it wants to bring to the country.

I welcomed the appointment of Secretary Art Tugade in the Department of Transportation.

He now has a good, dynamic team in his department and I look forward to the mobility and transportation crisis being addressed. One of the most encouraging developments in this area is the appointment of Julia Catherine Nebrija as assistant general manager of the Metro Manila Development Authority.

Julia is a prominent thinker, advocate and practitioner of inclusive mobility, an approach that is more effective in addressing traffic and related concerns than the usual, conventional measures that are taken.

The appointment of personalities from the left—Taguiwalo, Mariano, Maza, Joel Maglunsod for labor and Terry Ridon for the urban poor portfolio—is also a stroke of genius and definitely good for the poor and the basic sectors.

The recent appointment of Teddy Boy Locsin as United Nations Permanent Representative is excellent for the President and the country. He will do us proud, I am sure. In the same way, Ambassador Manuel Teehankee’s return to the department, this time as undersecretary, as his brilliance and experience in multilateral relations is great needed at this time.

In a previous column, I have already welcomed the appointment of Martin Delgra as Chairman of the Land Transportation Franchise Regulatory Board. He has not disappointed with the quiet progress he has made in cleansing one of the most corrupt agencies of government.

Among the early appointments, I must also highlight the appointment of Undersecretary Gloria Mercado and Assistant Secretary Jonas Soriano who have joined the office of Secretary Evasco. I know both of these officials well, having worked with them closely when they were with the Development Academy of the Philippines: they are excellent, innovative, and persons of integrity.

Of the more recent appointments, I am very happy with

the appointment of another student, this time from the first batch of students I taught in the University of the Philippines, Bayani Agabin as Finance Undersecretary. Bayani is a steady and solid lawyer. He can give legal assurance to the bold reform moves Secretary Carlos Dominguez is aiming to implement.

Very important to me is the appointment of human rights lawyers Milabel Cristobal and Marcos Risonar as assistant secretary and undersecretary respectively of the Department of Agrarian Reform. Milabel and Marcos, my colleagues in the Free Legal Assistance Group, is joined by my classmate Luis Pangulayan who has been reappointed DAR Undersecretary; they form a formidable legal team that can pushed the envelope in a rights based agrarian reform program.

I am happy that Assistant Secretary Michelle Go of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has already been reappointed. I look forward to the announcement of other prominent environmentalists joining Secretary Gina Lopez in her quest for environmental sustainability and justice.

Finally, I am happy with the appointment of University of the Philippines colleague Prospero de Vera as Commissioner of the Commission on Higher Education and as adviser to the peace process with the NDFP. Slowly, the government is being filled up with good people.

But, in our system, the President wields what I have described as awesome powers. In the next column, I will raise concerns about how the President is using these powers—especially his commander-in-chief and foreign-policy powers, as well as his unspoken but even more significant power as the highest role model for politics and governance. The question is whether the good news I highlight here will be overshadowed by the misuse of these great powers of the Philippine presidency.

if) their family eventually seizes Malacañang, all their critics will regret opposing them.

When Junjun Binay was the city mayor, he ordered the gates of a private gated village in the city opened for him and his entourage even when it was already late at night.

Today, the ex-mayor is facing graft raps for the alleged overprice in the construction of a parking building near city hall.

Mandaluyong City hosts the Abalos political dynasty, which has been in power for about three decades.

Billboards bearing the names and images of Abalos dynasty members adorn the city to remind the electorate that specific city infrastructure projects were undertaken under the benevolent Abalos dynasty, using public funds.

To add insult to injury, public places are brazenly named after deceased politicians identified with the Abalos political dynasty.

Like in Makati, the Abalos political dynasty has not done anything to resettle the slum areas in Mandaluyong. These communities provide the votes that keep the Abalos dynasty in power.

While the street where the an-

cestral home of the Abalos political dynasty is located is always well-lit at night, and secured by city cops round the clock, there is no police presence in the Mandaluyong City segments of Ortigas Avenue, United Street, and Shaw Boulevard, between the Boni Avenue tunnel and the RFM area, and the entire stretch of Sheridan Street. Reliance Street near Edsa has crater-like potholes. Despite these badges of government neglect, the incumbent Mandaluyong mayor has billboards claiming that her administration believes in public service.

Pasig City has been controlled by the Eusebio political dynasty for about two decades. Sidewalks have been converted into private parking lots and restaurant extensions. The areas near city hall remain prone to f looding.

There is no police presence in major roads like Shaw Boulevard, Pasig Boulevard, and the eastern segment of Julia Vargas Avenue.

Because cops are nowhere to be found, reckless jeepney and taxi drivers violate traffic rules with impunity, particularly along Shaw Boulevard.

In an illegal attempt to ease vehicular traffic in the city proper, minions of the Eusebio dynasty prohibited private vehicles from using some of the city roads, three or four times a week, depending on their license plates. Meanwhile, vehicles of city politicians and those with connections to city hall are exempted from the measure.

Quezon City is held by the Bautista political dynasty, and its mayor, Herbert Bautista, is fond of labeling city infrastructure projects with tiles bearing his initials—HB. In August 2014, the mayor beat up a suspected Chinese drug dealer in front of a television news crew.

Lately, however, he has been very accommodating to his younger brother, city councilor Hero Bautista, who recently admitted being a drug addict. Instead of resigning his post, as decency demands, Councilor Bautista has gone on leave to undergo rehabilitation, with the approval of the mayor.

The slum areas of Quezon City have expanded. These areas provide thousands of votes for the Bautista political dynasty.

It’s time these and other political dynasties were dismantled.

bond was definitely there.

As one of those who served as technical consultants to her and then Senator Pia Cayetano as they defended the RH bill during the seemingly endless interpellation period, I was at the front seat witnessing the brilliance of Senator Miriam.

We were to provide our champions answers to questions from their interpellators.

It was up to Senators Miriam and Pia to use or ignore the an-

swers we gave them. We knew they prepared hard and we were not surprised when many times, they actually did not need us there. Thus, the times that Senator Miriam used answers from me gave me such pleasure. This brilliant senator had some use for my ideas!

MDS wanted and enforced order and uniformity. I always brought index cards in the Senate. One time her staff was distributing cards for us to write on and I refused because I brought some. When the staff saw what I had she went, “No,

use these. Ma’am does not like different sizes of index cards.”

I just had to smile.

Meetings with MDS were like clockwork. Talking points were prepared and followed. No time was wasted. Small talk came after business was over.

MDS orchestrated things as she wanted.

Together with RH advocates, we paid our last respects to MDS. On our way to her I noticed that I left my jacket and the only one I had in the car was a red one. Tradition has it that you do not wear read

in a wake. Was I surprised to see MDS all resplendent in a fiery red top with hand-painted small roses! Up to the end, the senator wanted to stand out, break tradition, be radical, but fun and light at the same time.

In admiration, I quietly said goodbye to Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, a great woman, a real statesperson.

MDS had a great run. She will be remembered.

stakes in the area which are quite different from our own interest.

When President Duterte abandoned the decision of the Permanent Court of Arbitration and sought a bilateral approach to resolve our dispute with China, that already constitutes a paradigm shift in our rela-

tions with the US. That would visibly have an impact on the status of the US bases. This paradigm shift would especially determine whether their presence would remain relevant to our participation in the regular holding of joint naval patrol with the US in the South China Sea. The President knows it

would be awkward for the Philippines to join the US and Japanese navies in patrolling the South China Sea, while we seek to bilaterally resolve our claim and improve ties with China.

Finally, when President Duterte ordered all US Special Forces to leave Mindanao, he simply wants to avoid the pos-

sibility of giving US the reason to intervene in our domestic affairs. For as long as US troops are in the country, we are committed to provide them the security and deny them the excuse to militarily intervene in our domestic affairs.

EAGLE EYES TONY LA VIÑA WITH this column, I begin a series on the first 100 days of the Duterte presidency. My overall verdict is mixed: progress is being made in serious problems the country is facing but some very bad things are happening as well.

In the last three months I have been giving national situationers, focusing on a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis of the Duterte administration. In my briefings, I try to be as balanced as possible, highlighting the good things going on while raising concerns about some developments. For the latter, I never fail to mention the human rights situation, describing what is happening as the massacre of the poor, the state of our politics as seen in the President’s treatment of Senator Leila de Lima. Now, I am concerned about the evolving foreign affairs policy of the administration. I will write about these in my next column but today I will highlight the positive.

Among the best decisions I have seen so far is the decision to impose a two-year moratorium on land conversion approved by the Duterte-led Presidential Agrarian Reform Council. As an environmental and social justice advocate, I have been wanting, for the past 20 years, to have such an important measure implemented.

That the Duterte administration was able to do this in the first 100 days speaks well of its commitment to the poor and sustainable development. I hope they keep the moratorium in place until a land use act that conforms to both sustainability and social justice is passed and until a better, more comprehensive and effective agrarian reform act is passed. I congratulate and thank Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano for making this possible.

I am hopeful that the ongoing peace processes will be complet-

Before...

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cumbent’s relative) runs unopposed.

This rotten system embodies everything that is opposite to the democratic and republican government the Constitution says exists in the Philippines.

The Binay political dynasty continues to dominate Makati.

Signages bearing the letter “B,” which obviously stands for “Binay,” are omnipresent in the city to remind everyone that city projects are undertaken out of the infinite goodness of this political dynasty.

Although the Binays claim that Makati became prosperous under their dynasty, the slums of Makati have remained as is throughout the 30 years the Binays have been in power.

Prior to the May 2016 elections, the Binays held the vice presidency, one seat each in both houses of Congress, and the big desk at city hall. When Vice President Jejomar Binay was running for president and was still doing well in the surveys, a Binay family member reacted sharply to a critic of the vice president by saying that when (not

Honoring...

From A4

Facebook: tonylavs5 or Dean Tony La Viña Twitter: tonylavs

bethangsioco@gmail.com @bethangsioco on Twitter Elizabeth Angsioco on Facebook

rpkapunan@gmail.com

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News

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Chinese drug lord convicted

By Francisco Tuyay

A

NOTHER Chinese drug lord and his Filipino cohort were sentenced to life imprisonment after the Zamboanga Regional Trial Court convicted them of drug charges for operating a clandestine shabu laboratory in a remote village of Zamboanga City in 2008.

RTC Judge Eric Elumba of Branch 13 convicted Yang Wenyi, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China, and Filipino national Benjamin Jamora of violating Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and ordered them to pay a fine of P10 million with subsidiary imprisonment.

Yang was a member of six international drug syndicates that has been operating in different areas in the country for several years already, said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapeña.

Lapeña said Yang, who is also known under several aliases, surrendered to then Zamboanga mayor and now Rep. Celso Lobregat in February 2008 after the authorities busted the laboratory he supposedly operated on a two-hectare compound in Sitio Calibato of Barangay Lamisan on Feb. 22, 2008.

“I am very pleased with the decision of Judge Elumba for ensuring that justice is promptly served.

Also, congratulations are in order to the barangay officials and local police, who conducted the initiative that paved the way to the discovery of the shabu lab,” Lapeña said.

The lab was discovered after residents complained of a foul odor originating from the compound. Yang surrendered, along with another Chinese national, identified as Lucky Ong, and seven Filipino sibalterns, bit Yang said the eight others were innocent.

When the raiding party entered the building, 16 liters of liquid methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, 173.3 kilograms of ephedrine and other ingredients and several laboratory equipment, were found.

Investigation revealed that the place is owned by Yang, with Jamora as its caretaker. This prompted PDEA agents and Zamboanga City police to proceed to Yang’s rented condominium unit in Go Huilo Building on Tomas Claudio Street.

But only Yang’s wife Janet, who is Jamora’s sister, was present and accompanied the lawmen to another two-story house where they awaited Yang. He, however, did not show up.

The following day, Janet led the operating team in her house in Lohoy Grande, Talon-Talon, Zamboanga City where shabu chemicals were also found.

“This is another victory for the national anti-drug campaign against high-profile foreign drug personalities and their cohorts who operate clandestine shabu laboratories in the country,” Lapeña said.

WHERE ARE OUR BENEFITS? Members of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees held simultaneous nationwide protests against disallowance of benefits at the Commission on Audit in Quezon City. Manny Palmero

Project finished after 3 years

By Vito Barcelo THE P609-million flood control system in Mandaluyong was finally completed after Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar threatened the private contractor he would force him swim in the flood waters if he fails to meet the completion deadline.

“True to our promise, the Mandaluyong Main Drainage Project [Maysilo] was completed before Sept. 30 deadline,” Villar said in a statement.

“We gave an ultimatum to the contractor, finish this on Sept. 30 or swim in Pasig River. Glad to report, the project is now completed. No

one is swimming yet,” Villar said.

“The Duterte administration has always emphasized efficiency and quality. The construction of Maysilo is expected to protect 182 hectares, which is composed of 10 barangays and four major roads, namely Boni Avenue (East), Boni Avenue (West), San Francisco Street and Martinez Road,” he added.

Villar said that the Department has implemented various initiatives to fast-track the implementation of projects and these include the 24/7 round-the-clock work scheme, the 24/7 Secretary’s hotline, and the unannounced spot check of projects.

“The completion of the P609.12million Mandaluyong Main Drain-

age Project is expected to decrease inundation depth from chest deep to just about six inches of flooding, if any. It is also expected to decrease duration of flooding to only about 30 minutes,” he said.

The final segment of the Project involved the construction of a 652 Linear Meter Double Barrel Box Culvert (along San Francisco St.) and the installation of four units of pump. Each pump has a discharge capacity of 1.5 cubic meters per second.

The completed drainage system is designed to meet the present and anticipated future stormwater runoff to mitigate the occurrence of flash flooding at Maysilo area and its immediate vicinity.

Two weather systems expected this weekend

STREET ART. A vendor shows off the paintings he hawks for P1,500 a piece at Malate, Manila. Lino Santos

A NEW low pressure area east of Luzon island has little chance of turning into a storm but the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration reported that an incoming tropical cyclone [international name: Chaba] may spur rains in the country.

Pagasa forecaster Dennison Estareja said tropical cyclone Chaba will likely enter the Philippine Area of Responsibility while the LPA dissipates on Saturday.

Luzon can expect some cloudiness and light rains since the LPA, which is enhancing the southwest monsoon.

“That LPA is very near land already and has a low chance of intensifying into a tropical cyclone,” he said.

The LPA and Chaba will both be inside PAR this Saturday, Estareja

said, but they can’t affect each other since the weather systems are about 1,500 kilometers apart.

“Those weather systems won’t interact with each other,” he said, noting that there is a possibility of fair weather in Luzon this weekend.

On Friday, the weather bureau located the LPA some 230 km. east of Cagayan province’s Tuguegarao City as of 10 a.m.

The habagat weakened but light to moderate rains and isolated thunderstorms can still be experienced over Metro Manila, Ilocos region, the Cordilleras, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Mindoro province, the bureau said.

The bureau also located Chaba some 1,500 km. east of Southern Luzon on Friday, packing maximum winds of 85 kph and gustiness of 105 kph and moving west-northwest at 20 kph. PNA

Caterer jailed 20 years over SSS contributions

Manila policemen get allowances

By Rio N. Araja

IN his resolve to fight criminality and terrorism and increase the morale of the law enforcers, former President and now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada released another P45 million for the allowances of the 4,600-strong Manila Police District.

In simple ceremonies at the Manila City Hall last Thursday, Estrada personally handed the check worth P45,992,500 to MPD Director Senior Supt. Joel Coronel representing the second tranche of the Peace and Order Allowances for this year of the 4,652 members of the city police force for the months of May to August.

“Some city hall employees have been jealous of you,” Estrada told the MPD policemen.

“But I would tell them: our po-

THE Social Security System announced on Friday the 20-year imprisonment of a catering service owner for unpaid SSS contributions.

Assistant Vice President for Operations Legal Department Renato Cuisia said the Quezon City Regional Trial Court found Henry Marcos, owner of Henry Marcos Catering Services, guilty beyond reasonable doubt of violation of Republic Act 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997.

Marcos was sentenced to a jail term of four years and two months to 20 years for non-payment of P1,358,573.24 in civil liabilities representing unpaid contributions of his 11 employees, including penalties as of Dec. 16, 2013.

In accordance with provisions under the Social Security Law, a 3percent penalty was imposed every month on the delinquency until fully paid, SSS said.

“We would like to remind employers that no matter how small or big their business is, they are required by law to register with SSS and report their employees. The law did not make any distinction as to how many employees a company should have before reporting it to SSS,” Cuisia said.

“As much as possible, we want to avoid the tedious process of litigation and just settle the controversy outside the courts for speedy resolution for the benefit of the company’s workers. However, since Marcos did not cooperate, we do not have other recourse but to file a case in court,” he added.

By Sandy Araneta

licemen risk their lives everyday to keep us, all of you, secure and protected. We sleep peacefully at night because there are men like them who are ready to lay their lives to keep us away from danger,” Estrada said.

“I’ve been fully supportive of you,” Estrada told the MPD personnel. “All the city asks from each of you is to do your duties well. We should show them that Manila police is different from any other police unit in the Philippines.”

As to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs, Estrada also exhorted MPD to support the incumbent president’s campaign to rid the country of illegal drugs and suppress criminality and terrorism.

“We have to support the incumbent President for his all-out war against drugs, kung hindi kawawa

ang ating bansa, ang ating lungsod at ang kinabukasan ng ating kabataan,” he said.

On behalf of the city police force, Coronel conveyed his gratitude to the mayor. He said this is the first time in MPD’s long history where the city executive is fully supportive of the local police.

“We are grateful to the mayor.

This is unprecedented. The city government is very generous, even in the past, we did not get the allowances. ” Coronel said.

“The MPD now has the highest morale ever. We are at highest morale ever, there is no reason for us to fail the mayor or the city government,” he added.

From the P45.99-million fund released by the Office of the Mayor, the MPD chief said each MPD member stands to receive P10,000, at P2,500 per month for the period of May to August.

IN BRIEF Voter list-up suspended THE Commission on Elections has deferred the scheduled resumption of voter registration for the 2017 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections until the law postponing the Oct. 31 polls is passed.

The Comelec had earlier set voters’ registration to start on Oct. 3 but Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez on Friday said the decision not to open the voter registration early next week came after the law postponing the October 31st polls had not been passed yet.

“We can only resume registration after the law postponing the Barangay and SK elections has been passed,” he said in a statement.

The poll body official noted that they would release a new schedule of continuing registration as soon as President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law.

“We hope that we will be able to release an official Resolution on the resumption of registration in a week or two,” Jimenez said.

PAL reports improvement THE Philippine Airlines announced on Friday it has registered a marked improvement in its On Time Performance beginning last month after carrying out operational initiatives in support of the government’s measures to ease air traffic congestion.

Among the initiatives are the implementation of a revised flight schedule, which started on Sept. 1 resulted in an average of 280 flights daily from an average of 295 daily flights; Adherence to flight departure slot schedules as mandated by aviation authorities, and the enhancement of passengerhandling and groundhandling performance.

PAL posted an 80.2 percent OTP for the 2nd week of September, a marked increase from the same period last year (September 2015) which was pegged at 73.8 percent. PAL’s’ average OTP from January to August 2016 was 64.4 percent.

“Our aim is to meet flight timings through these sustained efforts which we carry out internally and as part of our concerted effort with fellow aviation industry stakeholders. However, force majeure situations are factors which will periodically lead to congestion as these are beyond the airline’s control,” said PAL president and COO Jaime J. Bautista.

Sports Pacman looks tired in sparring

By Ronnie Nathanielsz HALL of Fame trainer Freddie Roach is concerned about the physical condition of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, who looked sluggish in a six-round sparring session with unbeaten Jose Ramirez at the Elorde Gym at the Mall of Asia complex on Thursday.

Pacquiao looked fatigued and listless, but worked hard on the punch-mitts, heavy bag and shadow boxing after the sparring.

Ramirez told Manila Standard that Pacquiao appeared tired and taut, while he himself was getting better as the jetlag, which bothered him in his first sparring session with the Filipino ring icon last Tuesday, began to wear off.

“It was not such a happy day,” said Roach, comparing Pacquiao’s first sparring session against Ramirez. “I think he is getting a little tired. He looked a little flat. The work in the Senate is starting to get to him, so we’ll have to rearrange his schedule a bit and give him two days off a week instead of one,” Roach said he recalled he did the same thing in Pacquiao’s preparation for the Miguel Cotto fight, which he won by a 12th round TKO and “it made a big difference.”

“Manny is getting a little bit older,” said Roach, adding that giving him off on Wednesdays and Sundays would make a difference “because of the stuff he’s doing (in the Senate).”

“I told Manny why can’t you give me that every day? If you show me that, fight like that, nobody in the world can beat you,” said Roach, who noted that Ramirez (18-0) is improving daily. “Ramirez is enough and would bring Manny to the best fighter of old so it can’t hurt.”

He said Pacquiao did 10 furious rounds on the mitts on Wednesday and we now “have to give and take a little.”

A7

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Imports, top locals clash as Shakey’s volley starts T

HE Shakey’s V-League kicks off its Season 13 Reinforced Conference Saturday with a slew of imports taking center stage against a host of local aces in what promises to be a slambang showdown for the crown at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

Hostilities begin with a double header pitting Coast Guard against Laoag at 4 p.m. and Air Force versus UST at 6 p.m.

“The players of Team Laoag are seasoned players so jelling won’t be much of a problem,” said Laoag’s Nes Pamilar.

“We have nothing to lose and everything to gain in this tournament as we’re preparing for the UAAP, which we’re hosting,” said Tigresses assistant Ian Fernandez.

Although some of the teams will parade an all-Pinoy crew, coaches still expect a competitive showdown in the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

“I think everybody’s strong this conference. In our team, we don’t take anyone lightly and we always give it 100 percent. Everybody’s the team to beat for us,” said Pocari Sweat coach Rommel Abella, whose wards seek to follow up their

Open Conference The Air ForceGames today romp with another UST match will (PhilSports Arena) championship. be aired live over 4 p.m. – Coast Guard vs Laoag 6 p.m. – Air Force vs UST “Lahat ng teams ABS-CBN Sports this conference com+ Action Channel petitive, walang mahina, puro mal- 23 while the first match will be akas at naghanda lahat so walang shown on a delayed basis with both pwedeng i-underestimate,” said Jas- matches can also be viewed live via per Jimenez of Philippine Air Force, streaming on www.v-league.ph. which finished second to Pocari Also on tap is the Spikers’ Turf Sweat in the recent Open Confer- Season 2 Reinforced Conference ence and one of the teams compet- with six teams, headed by defending without an import. ing champion Air Force, clashing “Double time kami kasi nga wala for the crown. Others in the fold kaming import,’ added Jimenez are Cignal, Sta. Elena Construcduring yesterday’s launch of the tion, Instituto Estetico Manila, import-flavored tourney graced by Army and newcomer 100 Plus. organizing Sports Vision’s Ricky Air Force and 100 Plus clash Palou and Tony Boy Liao, ABS- in the lone opening day match at CBN Integrated Sports head Dino 12:30 p.m.

Laurena and Shakey’s marketing The Pocari Sweat Lady Warmanager Ghena Austero. riors will again anchor their bid on

Manchester City nets key pact with Mundipharma

Omar Berrada (left), Chief Operating Officer, Manchester City Football Club, and Raman Singh, President, Munidipharma, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, hold a Manchester City jersey.

PH golfers poised for sweep

SPORTS COOPERATION. Philippine Sports Commission Commissioner Arnold Agustin (second from left) joins his counterparts at the traditional unity pose during the 6th ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Sports (SOMS-6) recently at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The ASEAN Sports Ministers solidified their commitment in strengthening programs in Education, Culture, Youth and Sports in the region.

YUKA Saso sprang back from a second round meltdown with a gutsy oneover 73 in severe condition as she regained the solo lead in individual competition and helped pad the Philippines lead to eight in team play in the third round of the World Junior Girls Championship in Mississaugua, Ontario, Canada Thursday.

Diminutive Harmie Constantino also bucked howling wind and heavy rain at the Mississaugua Golf and Country Club and turned in a second straight 75 as Team Phl pooled a 148 for a 433, eight strokes

ahead of defending champion South Korea, which had a 441 after a 149, heading to the final 18 holes of the third staging of the event conducted by Golf Canada and supported by the International Golf Federation and R&A. US limped with a 153 and slid to third at 445 while erstwhile joint second running China struggled with a 154 for a 446 and Germany shot a 150 to tie Italy, who groped for a 154, at 448 as the field failed to match the Filipinas’ grit and big fighting heart under demanding condition.

“I am happy and honored to have re-taken the lead,” said Saso, who bounced back from a 77 that didn’t count in the second round with a twobirdie, three-bogey effort to regain the solo lead at even 216. “I wasn’t expecting it though.”

Neither did her fellow 15-year-old Constantino, who actually blew a two-under card after five holes with five bogeys the rest of the way. Still, her 219 put her back in joint second with Korean Hee Jung Lim and Chinese Du Mohan, who shot 75 and 76, respectively.

My Filipino heart

WE have always felt deeply for our Filipino brothers and sisters ever since we were granted Philippine Citizenship by President Marcos.

It was something we cherished beyond words.

When my brother-in-law, husband of my eldest sister passed away in Melbourne, Australia the other night and I posted a short item on Twitter and Facebook, I never expected the flood of messages of condolence.

It was touching even as it demonstrated, one more time, the caring and the affection Filipinos are capable of showing especially in times of personal tragedy.

For the record my brother-

Michele Gumabao and Myla Pablo and foreign players Andrea Kacsits and Breanna Mackie against the PAF, Alyssa Valdez-led Bureau of Customs, Philippine Coast Guard, Laoag, UP Lady Maroons, UST Tigresses and Bali Pure.

Valdez, formerly of 2015 titlist PLDT, joins forces this time with Thai reinforcements Kanjana Kuthasong and Natanicha Jaisen for her new team BOC Transformers. It’s Valdez’s first time to play opposite her Ateneo teammates, who don the Bali Pure colors.

“It’s kinda new for me to be apart with my college teammates.

It’s gonna be exciting for sure; we’ll learn a lot from this experience as competitors. Looking forward to a healthy competition,” said Valdez.

in-law “Bunny” Joseph and I were very close and shared a passion for boxing. We belonged to the same club in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and in our early days when he was younger than I and less experienced, he looked up to me both as a relative, a bosom friend and boxer of some talent since our trainer at that time, former Ceylon flyweight champion Henry Young had predicted that I would be an Olympic prospect.

Unfortunately, at the age of 17 or 18, I was diagnosed with a heart ailment—an irregular heartbeat and had to quit boxing.

But my brother-in-law took up the sport earnestly and trained so hard, he reminded me of Manny Pacquiao. He was rewarded by beating the hell out of the defending amateur flyweight champion to win the title and earn the respect he richly deserved.

Bunny had power beyond that of a flyweight and his right was dynamite.

But he was a compassionate and thoughtful individual and also a lover of horse racing, which in Australia, is a remarkable spectator sport as well.

Like most Australians, who loved the horses and had a penchant for gambling, my brother-in-law had a similar persuasion.

When I visited Melbourne as guest of the Australian government at a time when Andrew Peacock was Minister of Foreign Affairs and some years later with the Shell PBA team and then with my son Clifford and my lady, Amelia, we had some fun times.

Australia was a vast and beautiful country and when I turned down a lucrative offer wangled by my father from a dear friend of his to handle a weekly boxing show, I declined much to his annoyance

so much so that he pointedly asked me why I was so much in love with President Marcos.

I told him then that Marcos has bestowed on me the cherished right of citizenship, for which I would be eternally grateful because being accepted as a Filipino was the highest honor one could receive. Besides, I told my father George St. Elmo was his name, that it was my obligation to give something back to the country that I was privileged to call my home. Besides, I loved it here. No matter our problems and pitfalls, I wouldn’t give it up for any other place in this whole wide world.

I’ve tried my very best to fulfill the obligation I felt I owed my country in my work as a broadcast-journalist. I may not have reached the heights of success I desired but it was never for want of trying.

The messages of condolences I received from friends and relatives and simple folk

who followed our coverage especially of boxing events here and abroad, was truly touching.

It showed just how much Filipinos cared for one another, especially in times of grief.

And is so doing it shone like a beacon in the midst of the darkness sometimes manifested within an environment of jealousy and hate.

When we watched eightdivision world champion Manny Pacquiao train this past week at the classy Elorde Boxing Gym in the fantastic Telstra building of the Mall of Asia complex and he embraced me and said: “How are you my brother?,” it touched me deeply.

It was the very best in a display of deep down affection that characterizes the Filipino heart.

Thank you my brother and all the other brothers and sisters, who felt our loss and shared in our grief.

PREMIER League club Manchester City have signed healthcare and pharmaceutical business Mundipharma as one of their most recent regional partners.

The multi-year deal sees Mundipharma Pte Ltd named the ‘Official Healthcare Product Partner of Manchester City Football Club’ in Mundipharma’s markets in Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. It reflects both partners’ commitment to deepening the connection they have with their fans and people in those emerging markets.

Under the partnership, Mundipharma will be incorporating Manchester City branding in a selection of their marketing and advertising campaigns and the logo of its popular range of BETADINE® medicines will feature on the sleeve of the Club’s medical staff at friendly matches in Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

As the partnership progresses, Mundipharma will also collaborate with the Club to offer young fans the opportunity to travel to Manchester for an unforgettable football experience at the Club’s elite youth development and training facility, the City Football Academy. On the trip, young fans will enjoy training sessions delivered by qualified City Football Schools’ coaches dedicated to providing participants with an authentic Manchester City experience.

Speaking as the partnership was announced at the City Football Academy, Manchester City’s elite youth development and training facility, Raman Singh, President, Mundipharma, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, said: “We are proud to become an Official Healthcare Product Partner of Manchester City Football Club. Manchester City are one of the world’s best football teams and are known all over the world. Sports reaches and inspires people around the world. We intend to harness this power to raise awareness on key health issues such as preventing the spread of infectious diseases, which is a major focus for us in emerging markets where there have been a number of recent outbreaks.”

Echoing Mr Singh’s sentiments, Manchester City’s Chief Operating Officer, Omar Berrada, said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with Mundipharma, who like Manchester City continually strive for excellence. Their commitment to connecting with their in-market consumers in innovative and meaningful ways reflects that of Manchester City making them a fitting partner for the Club. We look forward to working together across emerging markets, where our fanbase also continues to grow.”

Manchester City, who have 400 million followers around the world, are currently enjoying a successful start to the season, under the guidance of manager Pep Guardiola.

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

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

A8

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

Sports

Princess Superal flashes solid form off the mound

Altas force rubber match with Lions

By Peter Atencio UNIVERSITY of Perpetual Help got a big play from Gab Dangangon in the endgame and forced a turnover that carried the Altas to an 87-83 triumph over San Beda College Friday in their Final Four showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Dangangon led with 27 points, including a layup in the last 19.7 seconds, one of three big plays which allowed the Altas to force a rubber match with the Red Lions in the 92nd National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball tournament.

The 6’2” Dangangon scored off a pass by Bright Akhuetie after evading the defensive plays of Robert Bolick as the Altas went on to shatter an 83-all deadlock.

SBC’s three-point specialist AC Soberano missed a triple in the last 1:35, and the Altas took advantage of this, keeping ball possession in the remaining time.

Keith Pido, who only had six points, drew a foul from Akhuetie, and sank two gift shots with 3.4 seconds left to finalize the count, handing the Altas their first semis win over the Red Lions since their last storied Final Four clash in 2004.

In the junior division Final Four, second-seeded Malayan High School of Science Red Robins returned to the finals with their 88-81 beating of the La Salle Greenhills Greenies.

Point guard Jayson Danas scored 10 points, including three crucial free throws in the closing seconds to help the Arellano University Braves escape with an 89-84 triumph over the defending champion and top seeded San Beda Red Cubs.

Superal nails 2nd triumph BINANGONGAN, Rizal—Princess Superal put on another brilliant windup to go two-for-two as pro on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, knocking down late birdies to edge amateur Pauline del Rosario by one on a solid five-under 67 and capture the ICTSI Eastridge Ladies Invitational crown at the Eastridge Golf Club here yesterday.

Superal banged in a five-footer on the par-3 16th and tapped in after her eagle-putt bid from 25 feet on the par5 closing hole lipped out then watched former The Country Club teammate Del Rosario crack under pressure, completing her rally from one down with three holes to go to a one-shot victory on a bogey-free 34-33 card.

Del Rosario, who led Superal by two after 36 holes on a fiery 69 Thursday, also closed out with a flawless 70 but just couldn’t pull it off in the end, including a sorry miss on the 54th hole when she misread a side-hiller from just around three feet, missing forcing a playoff and enabling the former US Girls Junior champion to escape another wringer of a win.

Superal also nipped Del Rosario and Thais Aunchisa Utama and Ajira Nualraksa in a four-way playoff to snare the ICTSI Sherwood Ladies Classic title at Sherwood where she launched her pro career three weeks ago.

“I’m super happy to win but I didn’t expect it, given Pau’s equally solid game. But I really did my best and thank God I did it again,” said Superal, who banked another P150,000 after topping the eighth leg of this year’s 10-stage circuit sponsored by ICTSI with a seven-under 209 aggregate.

Bolts, Texters break tie; Romeo inks P15-m pact

By Jeric Lopez

A

FTER turning what was supposed to be a one-sided series into a highly contested one, Meralco is now setting its goal even higher, while TNT KaTropa is looking for redemption.

The best-of-five semifinal showdown between the Bolts and the Tropang Texters continue to heat up as they collide again to see who gets the crucial upperhand in the continuing playoffs of the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup. With the series tied at 1-1, Game 3 will be very critical as both squads attempt to take the lead today at 5 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Prior to the start of the series, many thought that top seed TNT KaTropa, given its superior talent and its impeccable record this conference, was heavily favored and expected to dominate its sister team.

But Meralco had other plans after

it leveled the series at 1-1 following a resounding 106-91 victory in Game 2 last Thursday night to make it anyone’s series.

“We were more prepared than the first game and we seem to be getting our rhythm with the adjustments that we’ve made,” said Meralco coach Norman Black.

The multi-titled mentor continued to give his thoughts on how the Bolts can fuel their rise and once again stun the Tropang Texters.

“We need to continue being aggressive on both ends and keep our discipline in order to repeat against TNT,” said Black.

Allen Durham was in fine form in

his last game, leading all scorers with a game-high 31 points and 21 rebounds to lead Meralco, while getting ample support from his teammates.

Four more Bolts scored in twin digits to help the team avoid a 0-2 hole and instead, be in a good position with everything squared up at the moment.

Meanwhile, Terrence Romeo, who dazzles fans with his deadly shooting and mouth-dropping crossover, is now a certified superstar in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The good-looking guard has joined a long list of millionaires after signing a three-year deal with Globalport, dispelling loose talk that the explosive third year pro is unhappy with the team.

“Everything is now in order, we are happy with the deal that Terrence is sticking with us,” said Globalport team manager Bonnie Tan. “Terrence is a marquee player so we want him to stay with our team. Actually, his contract was sealed just after our campaign.”

The Gilas veteran is guaranteed a maximum monthly salary of P420,000.

Excluding perks like game win bonuses, Romeo, 24, will get P15.12 million in three years, enough to validate his status as the league’s newest superstar.

“The last time we talked, we’re just trying to finalize minor details of the contract, pero he (Romeo) already agreed in principle to a threeyear, max deal,” said Tan. Romeo’s three-year deal is a testament to the team’s belief that the 6’1” guard can lead the Mike Romeroowned Globalport to the Promised Land someday.

“We strongly believe that Terrence can lead us to the championship someday,” added Tan. Stanley Pringle, Romeo’s backcourt partner, is also close to finalizing a long-term deal with the Batang Pier.

Tan, however, refused to elaborate the financial details.

Tams battle UST Tigers Games today (Mall of Asia Arena) 2 p.m. NU vs UP 4 p.m. UST vs FEU

PLAYING never-say-die basketball is something that the defending champion Far Eastern University Tamaraws are supposed to do this season.

Tamaraws’ coach Nash Racela believes that this should be the calling card of the team when they face the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers at 4 p.m. today in the 79th University Athletic Association of the Philippines men’s basketball tournament at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“That is something that we preach--resiliency,” said Racela after the Tams escaped with a 51-49 win over the University of the Philippines Maroons last Sunday.

They will be seeking their fourth win in six games, but will miss one of their key players in Ron Dennison, who is serving a one-game suspension.

The UAAP Commissioner’s Office denied FEU’s appeal to spare Dennison of a suspension following his disqualifying foul on UP’s Paul Desiderio last Sunday.

Commissioner Rebo Saguisag said the disqualifying foul on Dennison was upheld after a careful review of the game tape, based on the points FEU management raised in its appeal.

Earlier, National University (3-2) takes on the Fighting Maroons (1-5) at 2 p.m.

The Tams have something else up their sleeves, with big man Prince Orizu expected to step up.

He only had one point in their match with UP, but Prinze Orizu’s crucial defensive stops helped the Tamaraws win.

With the game was tied at 47-all, Orizu kept UP from scoring when he pulled off a big defensive play with his block over Jarrell Lim. Orizu had another a block on Paul Desiderio’s attempt, forcing a turnover, and Monbert Arong hit a jumper that gave FEU a 50-47 lead.

Peter Atencio

Market retreats; BDO rises

B2

Business

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

POULTRY FARM LOAN.

By Julito G. Rada

PSe comPoSite index

Closing September 30, 2016

8300 7840

48.00

Foreign investors worried about PH

46.00

By Andreo Calonzo

6920 6460 6000

7,629.73 85.13

PeSo-dollar rate

Closing SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

45.00

P48.500

44.00

CLOSE

43.00

HIGH P48.400 LOW P48.500 AVERAGE P48.482 VOLUME 871.800M

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

oPriceS il P today

P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Friday, September 30, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

United States Dollar

T

HE list of problems facing President Rodrigo Duterte, from a sinking currency to a stock-market exodus, just got longer. The threat to shutter about threequarters of the nation’s mines risks savaging the country’s reputation among investors, according to the head of a company whose operations face suspension.

“I just came from New York, and investors are very worried about the Philippines,” OceanaGold Corp. chief executive officer Mick Wilkes told reporters in Manila on Thursday, two days after his company’s Didipio project was listed among

P24.84-P28.27 Diesel

US Dollar Peso

1.000000

48.2570

Japan

Yen

0.009900

0.4777

UK

Pound

1.297200

62.5990

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128937

6.2221

Switzerland

Franc

1.035197

49.9555

Canada

Dollar

0.760977

36.7225

Singapore

Dollar

0.733084

35.3764

Australia

Dollar

0.763300

36.8346

Bahrain

Dinar

2.655196

128.1318

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266347

12.8531

Brunei

Dollar

0.730407

35.2473

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028872

1.3933

UAE

Dirham

0.272301

13.1404

Euro

Euro

1.122500

54.1685

Korea

Won

0.000908

0.0438

China

Yuan

0.149936

7.2355

India

Rupee

0.014970

0.7224

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.242601

11.7072

New Zealand

Dollar

0.724700

34.9718

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031831

1.5361 Source: PDS Bridge

sites slated for suspension unless it fixed problems uncovered in a nationwide environmental audit. “This has done irreparable damage to the reputation of the Philippines for foreign investment.”

Still, the company is confident there won’t be an impact on operations from issues raised. “I can work with the secretary and the department to resolve them very quickly,” Wilkes said, referring to Environment Secretary Gina Lopez. No suspension order has yet been issued.

Since being sworn in late June, Duterte has roiled markets, embarked on a crackdown against the illegal drug trade that’s left thousands dead and stoked tensions with overseas partners from the US to Europe. As the plain-spoken and sometimes profane leader has made his mark, the peso has dropped to a seven-year low and overseas investors have sold local stocks. After a review of the country’s mines, Lopez said this week only 11 of 41 had made the grade.

Canada’s TVI Pacific Inc. is also dealing with the fallout. The company, which owns a stake in a Philippine unit that operates the Agata nickel mine, said the project was recommended for suspension. As a consequence of that, and the uncertainty spurred by the audit, plans to list TVI Resource Development (Phils.) Inc. on the local exchange are now on hold.

“We are certainly taken aback by the audit findings,” TVI Pacific chairman Cliff James said in a statement. The Agata mine, which employs 1,660 people, remains in operation and the company said it too is confident it’ll be able to address the concerns raised by Lopez’s department.

The country is the world’s top nickel producer, accounting for about a quarter of global mined supply, and the threat to production has roiled prices this quarter.

Three-month nickel is about 10 percent higher on the London Metal Exchange since the end of June, and traded at $10,375 a metric ton on Friday. Bloomberg

Marcventures confident of reversing audit findings

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales partial declaration of mining tions. Based on our review, the ny would reverse the “unwarMARCVENTURES Mining and Development Corp. said Friday the general audit findings on the company are “defensible and can be reversed.”

Marcventures is one of the 20 companies whose mining operations were recommended for suspension for several alleged violations. Marcventures, a whollyowned subsidiary of Marcventures Holdings Inc., operates a nickel mine in Surigao del Sur. The DENR said the company had not implemented the planting of 3 million seedlings imposed as penalty for mining outside the areas covered by its

project feasibility.

The department said the company also had no valid discharge permits for its silt-ponds and oil and water separator after their expiration.

The DENR said Marcventures had no approved environmental protection and enhancement program and failed to establish a final mine rehabilitation or decommissioning plan.

It noted that Marcventures’ mining area was also within the proclaimed watershed reserve.

“Pending receipt of the full report to be issued by the DENR, we can only surmise on alleged deficiencies or viola-

general audit findings are defensible and can be reversed,” Marcventures said.

“It appears that there may have been some unintended oversight in the audit since there are matters which are yet to be acted upon by the DENR, such as the offer to provide P30 million for the implementation of the three million tree planting program, application for discharge permits and request for approval of the environmental protection and enhancement... ,” the company added.

Marcventures said it was confident a review of the documents submitted by the compa-

ranted findings.”

“With regard to the watershed issue, as far as we are aware, this has already been resolved,” Marcventures said.

The company said Proclamation No. 1747 recognized the prior rights of contract holders.

“As far as we are aware, we are fully compliant and have not received any notice of environmental violation. We are proud of our mine. We invite inspection thereof so we can demonstrate our environmental compliance by showing the clean waters on our rivers, causeways and berthing area,” Marcventures said.

THE Philippines and Vietnam wrapped up a successful bilateral meeting following the state visit of President Rodrigo Duterte to the Southeast Asian neighbor.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said in a communication from Vietnam that the two countries discussed several trade issues during Duterte’s meeting with Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang.

“Overall, I can say that the series of bilateral meetings was a huge milestone as both leaders have established good and warm relationships. I am sure it will redound to deepening the ties between our two countries,” he said.

The two countries also discussed ways to keep the progress of peace efforts and stability.

Vietnam and the Philippines expressed commitment to enhance trade and investments.

Lopez said Duterte raised a point on improving trade balance and expanding bilateral trade.

The Philippines has a trade deficit with Vietnam, despite exports of electronics copper cathodes, smart cards, transmission apparatus, coffee and cement clinker.

“President Duterte suggested that we import rice and other products while Vietnam considers buying more of our food and value-added agri-based products, furnitures, construction materials, fabricated metals, among others,” said Lopez.

THE peso declined to another seven-year low against the US dollar Friday, pulled down by external factors, particularly the anticipated rate hike by the US Federal Reserve before the year ends.

The local currency lost P0.17 to close at 48.50 from 48.33 Thursday. This was its weakest level since 48.62 on Sept. 4, 2009, at the height of the global financial crisis.

Total volume traded stood at $871.8 million, significantly higher than $583.5 million on Wednesday.

“The peso’s weakness was driven mainly by external factors. That is why if you look at the movements in other jurisdictions in Asia, we’d also see a weakening of their currencies,” Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. told reporters at the sidelines of an event.

“At this point in time, there seems to be some risk aversion given again the uncertainty about when the US Fed is going to finally increase interest rates. Judging from the statements of various Fed governors and presidents, there seems to be some splits.

Some want to increase and some would want to wait. So that causes some volatilities in financial markets,” Tetangco said.

At the same time, Tetangco said there were some domestic factors that impacted on the peso. He cited the increase in corporate demand for dollars for both fixing and import requirements.

IN BRIEF

Tetangco: No asset bubble in property BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. said Friday there is no asset bubble in the real estate sector.

“There is no evidence of a bubble in the sector. Large part of the strong demand is driven by the favorable demography of the country... of vibrant and young population,” Tetangco said in an event at Bangko Sentral.

He said the bright prospects of the real estate sector remained sustainable because people now wanted to have a place to stay close to their workplaces, especially in Metro Manila.

“This creates additional demand for property. Also, the robust business process outsourcing sector creates additional demand for office spaces,” Tetangco said.

He said the business models of property developers now were very different from few years ago. Julito G. Rada

NGCP ready for renewable projects

PH-Vietnam trade talks successful, reports Lopez

By Othel V. Campos

B1

Peso sinks further to 48.50 vs US dollar

Development Bank of the Philippines grants a P352-million loan to Birdsteel Farm, one of the top contract growers in the Philippines, to finance an expansion project in a signing ceremony in Cebu City. Once completed and operational, the expansion project will increase the present broiler production capacity of Birdsteel Farm from 1.1 million birds per grow to 1.6 million birds per grow. At the signing ceremony are (from left) Birdsteel Farm treasurer Maria Theresa Sajuela, Birdsteel Farm general manager Neil Sajuela, DBP vice president Fernando Lagahit and DBP senior manager Ryan Pastrana.

7380

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

INTEGRITY PLEDGE. Leading construction supplier Holcim Philippines Inc. joins the Integrity Initiative to cement its commitment and corporate policy to uphold ethics as a must-do in business. The company pledged to continue promoting good governance and strict integrity standards in all its businesses.

Holcim Philippines president and country CEO Eduardo Sahagun (right) and Integrity Initiative executive director Jose Solomon Cortez shake hands after signing the pledge agreement.

TRANSMISSION operator National Grid Corporation of the Philippines said on Friday it is ready to accommodate all new renewable energy sources into the grid.

“Because of the intermittent nature of some renewable energy sources, particularly solar and wind, balancing the system’s supply and demand becomes challenging. We took the initiative to set integration standards to avoid compromising the integrity of the grid,” NGCP said.

NCGP said it already established RE integration standards and proposed the variable renewable energy content in the Philippine Grid Code, which was later approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission.

The company also conducted a system impact study to assess the best possible configuration and grid entry points for RE projects.

Darwin G. Amojelar

B2

Business

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Market retreats; BDO rises

S

TOCKS retreated from a two-day climb, as concern about the finances of Germany’s biggest lender curbed risk appetite.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, fell 85 points, or 1.1 percent, to close at 7,629.73 Friday. Total gains this year were reduced to 9.7 percent.

The broader all-share index, also lost 40 points, or 0.9 percent, to settle at 4,533.24 on a value turnover of P13.6 billion. Losers overwhelmed gainers, 119 to 65, while 45 issues were unchanged.

Two of the 20 most active stocks ended in the green, led

by BDO Unibank Inc. which climbed 1.7 percent to P109.80.

SM Investments Corp. rose 0.5 percent to P673.50.

Meanwhile, Asian markets tumbled Friday, tracking a selloff in New York as worries about the future of German banking giant Deutsche Bank hammered financial stocks.

A Bloomberg report that several hedge funds had withdrawn their investments in the lender over worries about its viability after US authorities slapped it with a $14-billion penalty over its sale of mortgage-backed securities prior to the 2008 financial crisis.

There are fears the fine could batter the already fragile firm, fueling talk that it would be-

come another Lehman Brothers, the Wall Street titan whose downfall precipitated the global downturn six years ago.

AFP sources knowledgeable of the situation confirmed 10 funds had pulled funds out, but the bank said the report gave an overly negative view of the situation, noting it still had some 800 funds as customers who understand its “stable financial position”.

Deutsche Bank plunged almost seven percent in New York and shed even more in early Frankfurt trade Friday.

The losses were reflected in Asia, with Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group diving more than two percent and HSBC down more than one percent in Hong Kong. Sydneylisted Commonwealth Bank sank

1.5 percent and Westpac lost 1.4 percent.

“Deutsche certainly weighs on sentiment, and the declines are concerning,” James Woods, a strategist at Rivkin Securities in Sydney, told Bloomberg News.

“Being named the number one bank for global systemic risk, it’s entwined with everyone.”

The sell-off dragged broader markets down, a day after an oilfueled rally following OPEC’s surprise announcement that it would cut production.

Tokyo ended down 1.5 percent, while Hong Kong was 2.1 percent off in the afternoon, Sydney fell 0.7 percent and Seoul lost 1.2 percent. Singapore tumbled more than one percent and there sharp losses in Taipei and Manila.

However, Shanghai rose 0.2 percent ahead of a week-long national holiday.

In early European trade London sank 1.3 percent, Paris lost 1.6 percent and Frankfurt was 1.5 percent lower.

The losses followed falls on Wall Street, where traders ran for cover as they brushed off data showing US second-quarter economic growth figures beat forecasts.

The unease spread into currency markets, with high-yielding -- riskier -- units fell against the dollar as dealers looked for safety.

South Korea’s won fell 0.2 percent, the Indonesian rupiah lost 0.3 percent and the Australian dollar slipped 0.6 percent.

With AFP, Bloomberg

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 4 17 30.45 10.4 890 1.01 100 30.5 75 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 8.7 12.02 19.6 6.12 625 0.225 78 17.8 58 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance 3.66 Asia United Bank 48 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 108.00 Bank of PI 105.00 China Bank 38 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.85 Bright Kindle Resources 1.43 Citystate Savings 8.99 COL Financial 16.62 Eastwest Bank 20.5 Filipino Fund Inc. 6.80 Manulife Fin. Corp.

633.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.950 Metrobank 86.5 PB Bank 14.4 Phil Bank of Comm 22.00 Phil. National Bank 58.30 Phil. Savings Bank 100.7 Philippine trust Co. 240 PSE 272 RCBC `A’ 35.75 Security Bank 244 Sun Life Financial 1448.00 Union Bank 73.35 Vantage Equities 1.45

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3

20.6 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 31.8 109 20.75 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 3.95 4 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 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 20.2 71.5 13.86 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 0.138 1.02 152 4.28 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.65 Agrinurture Inc. 3.42 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.94 Alsons Cons.

1.62 Asiabest Group 16.2 Bogo Medelin 50.1 Cemex Holdings 12.12 Century Food 16.3 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 117 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 23.75 Concepcion 59.7 Crown Asia 2.11 Da Vinci Capital 6.08 Del Monte 12 DNL Industries Inc. 11.640 Emperador 7.25 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.99 EEI 7.79 First Gen Corp.

25.2 First Holdings ‘A’ 72 Ginebra San Miguel Inc. 13.00 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.56 Integ. Micro-Electronics 6.12 Ionics Inc 2.190 Jollibee Foods Corp.

248.20 Liberty Flour 44.00 LMG Chemicals 1.94 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.36 Manila Water Co. Inc. 29.8 Maxs Group 29 Megawide 15.92 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 310.00 MG Holdings 0.255 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.12 Petron Corporation 10.16 Phinma Corporation 11.52 Phinma Energy 2.28 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 6.00 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.55 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.7 RFM Corporation 4.17 Roxas Holdings 3.39 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 218 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.155 TKC Steel Corp.

1.74 Universal Robina 182.6 Victorias Milling 4.64 Vitarich Corp.

2.38 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 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.66 9.25 0.85 4,000 17.3 5.53 0.0670 1.61 2.99 84.9 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 260 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.52 4.84 0.59

Abacus Cons. `A’ 0.375 Aboitiz Equity 76.90 Alliance Global Inc. 16.00 Anglo Holdings A 1.25 Anscor `A’ 6.10 ATN Holdings A 0.355 ATN Holdings B 0.360 Ayala Corp `A’ 862 BHI Holdings Inc. 1014.00 Cosco Capital 8.4 DMCI Holdings 12.16 F&J Prince ‘A’ 6.51 Filinvest Dev. Corp.

8.20 Forum Pacific 0.212 GT Capital 1470 House of Inv. 6.15 JG Summit Holdings 75.50 Keppel Holdings `B’ 5.3 Lopez Holdings Corp.

8.28 Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

12 4.2 0.030 0.550 2.26 59.3 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.310

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

15.84 7.26 0.0370 1.990 2.60 81.50 670.00 1.27 0.93 229.800 0.3150 0.260

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 5.59 5.6 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 4.96 2.8 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42

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

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc.

7.480 1.16 2.620 0.270 39.800 2.94 5.08 5.5 0.570 1.23 1.010 0.171 0.600 59 0.760 0.143 1.01 1.89

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.59 3.43 47.5 47 109.80 107.70 105.10 104.70 38.1 38 3.85 3.77 1.43 1.34 9 8.99 16.2 16.14 20.5 20 6.64 6.64 640.00 640.00 0.950 0.900 86.15 85.3 14.4 14.4 22.25 22.00 58.50 57.80 101.3 95.65 248 246.6 269.6 268.8 35.9 35.7 244 240.6 1450.00 1448.00 73.40 73.25 1.46 1.46 INDUSTRIAL 45.7 45.1 3.7 3.42 0.94 0.91 1.62 1.59 16.2 15.8 50.3 50.3 12.18 12 16.36 16.2 117 109 23.75 23.35 59.7 58.05 2.14 2.06 6.08 6.02 12.28 12.1 11.620 11.400 7.37 7.25 5.98 5.91 7.95 7.75 25.2 24.9 73 70.65 12.98 12.00 16.42 16.32 6.14 6.09 2.180 2.150 249.80 246.60 43.00 43.00 2.17 2.14 4.6 4.36 29.8 29 29 28.6 15.96 15.76 311.80 310.00 0.260 0.250 3.19 3.1 10.36 10.12 11.60 11.52 2.28 2.27 6.03 5.95 1.57 1.55 3.74 3.7 4.20 4.17 3.39 3.39 218 217 0.153 0.149 1.74 1.71 182.6 178 4.65 4.65 2.42 2.34 1.28 1.20 HOLDING FIRMS 0.380 0.370 76.80 74.80 16.02 15.84 1.22 1.22 6.10 6.00 0.365 0.360 0.360 0.360 862 857 1015.00 1014.00 8.4 8.29 12.52 12.00 6.3 6.1 8.25 8.06 0.208 0.202 1474 1435 6.32 6.15 75.80 72.90 5.3 5.3 8.28 8.12 0.82 0.82

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.45 47.3 109.80 105.00 38 3.77 1.42 9 16.2 20 6.64 640.00 0.930 85.3 14.4 22.00 58.30 101.3 246.8 268.8 35.9 241.6 1450.00 73.35 1.46

-5.74 -1.46 1.67 0.00 0.00 -2.08 -0.70 0.11 -2.53 -2.44 -2.35 1.11 -2.11 -1.39 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.60 2.83 -1.18 0.42 -0.98 0.14 0.00 0.69

13,000 53,400 4,802,910 1,664,400 108,300 30,000 59,000 2,300 368,700 1,190,700 300 20 2,041,000 8,087,320 50,000 12,800 159,700 110 190 410 99,100 829,610 625 289,400 6,000

45.65 3.66 0.92 1.61 16.2 50.3 12 16.2 109 23.6 58.05 2.09 6.02 12.1 11.400 7.25 5.91 7.75 25.05 72.85 12.98 16.40 6.1 2.170 247.00 43.00 2.14 4.36 29.3 28.7 15.88 310.40 0.260 3.19 10.18 11.60 2.27 6.00 1.55 3.7 4.20 3.39 217 0.150 1.74 178 4.65 2.34 1.20

0.00 7.02 -2.13 -0.62 0.00 0.40 -0.99 -0.61 -6.84 -0.63 -2.76 -0.95 -0.99 0.83 -2.06 0.00 -1.34 -0.51 -0.60 1.18 -0.15 -0.97 -0.33 -0.91 -0.48 -2.27 10.31 0.00 -1.68 -1.03 -0.25 0.13 1.96 2.24 0.20 0.69 -0.44 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.72 0.00 -0.46 -3.23 0.00 -2.52 0.22 -1.68 -6.25

1,908,600 4,426,000 1,358,000 580,000 200 800 3,335,000 3,195,500 160 279,100 2,260 844,000 88,800 49,500 3,509,800 3,013,500 11,074,700 495,900 2,004,800 152,580 56,500 83,800 1,123,600 727,000 627,520 100 5,000 219,000 1,012,900 58,500 1,057,400 182,870 870,000 693,000 4,705,200 400 270,000 158,200 77,000 100,000 692,000 2,000 60 27,620,000 181,000 4,772,360 10,000 9,439,000 621,000

0.370 75.75 15.90 1.22 6.10 0.355 0.360 857 1014.00 8.29 12.06 6.3 8.06 0.208 1440 6.32 74.50 5.3 8.28 0.8

-1.33 -1.50 -0.62 -2.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.58 0.00 -1.31 -0.82 -3.23 -1.71 -1.89 -2.04 2.76 -1.32 0.00 0.00 0.81

2,010,000 3,446,360 4,744,000 2,000 50,200 650,000 90,000 553,910 40 1,830,600 4,781,000 2,100 69,000 230,000 165,865 13,100 4,843,680 100 2,136,400 1 .

15.3 7.1 0.0370 1.980 2.60 81.60 673.50 1.20 1.00 227.000 0.3150 0.260

-3.41 -2.20 0.00 -0.50 0.00 0.12 0.52 -5.51 7.53 -1.22 0.00 0.00

5,741,900 21,202,400 3,100,000 481,000 2,000 49,770 381,040 1,319,000 26,000 1,790 360,000 320,000

-37,983,796.00 -35,343,232.00

7.460 1.13 2.650 0.265 39.250 2.98 5.14 5.5 0.580 1.24 1.050 0.169 0.590 58.5 0.750 0.143 1.01 1.83

-0.27 -2.59 1.15 -1.85 -1.38 1.36 1.18 0.00 1.75 0.81 3.96 -1.17 -1.67 -0.85 -1.32 0.00 0.00 -3.17

104,800 6,069,000 1,709,000 390,000 9,398,700 1,010,000 400 100 1,632,000 791,000 64,000 17,200,000 1,416,000 132,280 230,000 150,000 5,960,000 18,084,000

31,640.00

-104,170.00 127,117,919 107,754,630.00

-1,099,980.00 -3,501,685.00

-18,028,821.00 717,751.00 2,688.00 -1,580,750 -99,668,552.00 -918,811.00

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

1.8 5.94 0.180 0.470 27 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

1.27 4.13 0.090 0.290 23 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 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 1600 5.95

70.5 1.97 119.5 7 5.8 0.017

17.02 1.23 102.6 3.01 4 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 2.53 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.01 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 18 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 8.8 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 0.490 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 0.315 1.14

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

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

70 553

33 490

8.21 12.28 111 1060

5.88 6.5 101 997

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

6.98

0.8900

Close

High

Interport `A’ Megaworld MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Phil. Tob. Flue Cur & Redry Primex Corp.

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

1.18 4.89 0.236 0.2700 35.90 4.17 31.00 1.65 3.28 28.85 1.03 1.020 5.350

Low

1.18 1.18 4.84 4.72 0.245 0.227 0.2750 0.2750 35.90 35.90 4.25 4.08 31.50 30.40 1.7 1.66 3.31 3.3 28.80 27.85 1.06 1.03 1.020 1.000 5.430 5.320 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.39 7.39 7.34 ABS-CBN 49.4 49.4 49.4 APC Group, Inc. 0.580 0.570 0.570 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.21 5.72 5.2 Bloomberry 4.71 4.68 4.50 Boulevard Holdings 0.0980 0.1000 0.0970 Calata Corp.

3.33 3.36 3.25 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 112.5 113.2 112.5 Centro Esc. Univ.

10 10.12 10.12 Discovery World 2.78 2.99 2.58 DFNN Inc. 6.70 6.90 6.60 Globe Telecom 2110 2122 2040 GMA Network Inc. 6.26 6.31 6.25 Golden Haven 13.84 13.98 13.62 Grand Plaza Hotel 21.55 21.55 21.55 Harbor Star 1.78 1.85 1.76 I.C.T.S.I. 80 80.5 77 Imperial Res. `A’ 18.88 19.22 18.64 Imperial Res. `B’ 140.3 150 140.3 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0098 0.0100 0.0099 IPM Holdings 9.25 9.25 9.22 Island Info 0.236 0.239 0.235 ISM Communications 1.4400 1.4400 1.4000 Jackstones 3.79 3.78 3.6 LBC Express 10.66 10.82 10.82 Leisure & Resorts 5.57 5.66 5.32 Liberty Telecom 2.28 2.28 2.23 Lorenzo Shipping 1.04 1.05 1.05 Melco Crown 4.11 4.1 3.88 Metro Retail 5.65 5.65 5.59 NOW Corp.

3.480 3.490 3.400 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.42 11.48 11.42 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.60 5.64 5.60 Phil. Racing Club 8.66 9.9 9.1 Philweb.Com Inc. 5.91 6.00 5.85 PLDT Common 1750.00 1737.00 1712.00 PremiereHorizon 0.410 0.410 0.410 Premium Leisure 1.020 1.020 1.010 Puregold 43.35 43.35 42.50 Robinsons RTL 77.50 77.50 75.00 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.05 6.02 5.96 SSI Group 2.92 2.94 2.85 STI Holdings 0.650 0.650 0.640 Travellers 3.27 3.29 3.23 Waterfront Phils.

0.345 0.365 0.365 Yehey 5.250 5.350 5.220 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0038 0.0038 0.0038 Apex `A’ 3.10 3.17 3.05 Atlas Cons. `A’ 4.28 4.27 4.27 Basic Energy Corp.

0.211 0.211 0.211 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1400 2.1 2.0000 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.2000 2.1800 2.0300 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.6 0.62 0.6 Coal Asia 0.405 0.410 0.400 Dizon 8.36 8.36 8.02 Ferronickel 0.960 1.020 0.970 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.270 0.270 0.265 Lepanto `A’ 0.192 0.192 0.188 Lepanto `B’ 0.199 0.195 0.193 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.38 1.47 1.4 Nickelasia 7.43 7.5 7.19 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.91 2.95 2.88 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.9100 0.9300 0.9000 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0100 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.20 4.20 4.20 Philex `A’ 8.80 8.80 8.66 PhilexPetroleum 3.50 3.75 3.51 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 Semirara Corp.

114.60 114.60 111.50 TA Petroleum 3.3 3.3 3.2 United Paragon 0.0094 0.0097 0.0096 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 49 49.75 48.55 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 532 540 540 DD Pref 103.5 103.9 103.5 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.03 6.03 6.01 Leisure and Resort 1.03 1.04 1.03 MWIDE PREF 112 113 113 PCOR-Preferred A 1140 1137 1137 PCOR-Preferred B 1239 1239 1230 SMC Preferred B 77.7 77.7 77.5 SMC Preferred C 82 83 81 SMC Preferred D 78 76.5 76.5 SMC Preferred F 80.5 80.85 80 SMC Preferred G 79.05 79 79 SMC Preferred H 78.4 78.4 78.2 SMC Preferred I 77.95 77.95 77.9 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.610 2.640 2.480 SME Alterra Capital 3.17 3.39 3.18 Italpinas 4.6 4.65 4.56 Xurpas 14.26 14.6 14.14 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 127.3 126.5 125.8

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

1.18 4.72 0.227 0.2750 35.90 4.18 31.00 1.68 3.31 28.15 1.03 1.000 5.390

0.00 -3.48 -3.81 1.85 0.00 0.24 0.00 1.82 0.91 -2.43 0.00 -1.96 0.75

177,000 31,317,000 201,010,000 50,000 200 3,435,000 3,061,700 390,000 31,000 15,653,000 4,962,000 49,000 11,456,300

7.37 49.4 0.570 5.72 4.56 0.0970 3.27 113 10.12 2.58 6.90 2040 6.29 13.98 21.55 1.82 77 18.64 150 0.0100 9.24 0.235 1.4100 3.65 10.82 5.51 2.24 1.05 3.91 5.64 3.440 11.48 5.64 9.9 5.94 1712.00 0.410 1.020 42.50 75.05 6.02 2.85 0.640 3.29 0.365 5.260

-0.27 0.00 -1.72 9.79 -3.18 -1.02 -1.80 0.44 1.20 -7.19 2.99 -3.32 0.48 1.01 0.00 2.25 -3.75 -1.27 6.91 2.04 -0.11 -0.42 -2.08 -3.69 1.50 -1.08 -1.75 0.96 -4.87 -0.18 -1.15 0.53 0.71 14.32 0.51 -2.17 0.00 0.00 -1.96 -3.16 -0.50 -2.40 -1.54 0.61 5.80 0.19

73,200 3,300 1,000 49,700 22,151,000 82,650,000 1,471,000 1,109,770 100 100,000 15,500 96,930 115,700 73,900 29,400 1,747,000 2,772,010 8,100 20 25,000,000 481,300 29,870,000 545,000 55,000 1,000 5,431,500 99,000 5,000 13,001,000 965,600 2,066,000 32,200 12,100 19,000 422,500 76,405 180,000 8,708,000 2,029,300 1,976,280 26,500 2,147,000 2,705,000 365,000 10,000 63,900

0.0038 3.05 4.27 0.211 2.1000 2.0500 0.61 0.400 8.35 1.000 0.270 0.191 0.195 0.0110 1.46 7.2 2.92 0.9000 0.0100 4.20 8.68 3.69 0.0120 113.90 3.2 0.0097

0.00 -1.61 -0.23 0.00 -1.87 -6.82 1.67 -1.23 -0.12 4.17 0.00 -0.52 -2.01 0.00 5.80 -3.10 0.34 -1.10 -9.09 0.00 -1.36 5.43 0.00 -0.61 -3.03 3.19

16,000,000 413,000 69,000 10,000 124,000 18,000 1,144,000 1,080,000 1,100 86,033,000 60,000 6,720,000 160,000 3,800,000 2,760,000 11,814,800 23,000 480,000 64,700,000 400 513,500 4,254,000 36,400,000 2,112,220 68,000 7,000,000

49 540 103.6 6.01 1.03 113 1137 1238 77.5 81 76.5 80 79 78.4 77.9

0.00 1.50 0.10 -0.33 0.00 0.89 -0.26 -0.08 -0.26 -1.22 -1.92 -0.62 -0.06 0.00 -0.06

215,700 20 2,450 281,100 1,917,000 6,740 500 13,700 5,800 30,010 138,700 244,340 685,200 37,670 34,000

2.590

-0.77

688,000

3.3 4.65 14.6

4.10 1.09 2.38

3,946,000 50,000 2,479,700

-458,350.00

125.8

-1.18

1,230

2,524.00

-23,541,460.00 8,460.00 3,984,800.00 -10,525,055.00 -77,520.00 -9,549,280.00 670,810.00 -441,629.00

20,920,700.00 98,000.00 132,800.00 -5,728,339.00

-47,908,850.00

MS 15.88 15.3 7.23 7.1 0.0370 0.0370 1.990 1.980 2.60 2.60 82.10 81.50 677.00 669.50 1.27 1.20 1.00 0.94 229.400 227.000 0.3150 0.3100 0.260 0.260 PROPERTY 7.500 7.460 1.20 1.13 2.710 2.650 0.275 0.265 39.850 38.850 2.98 2.9 5.15 5.08 5.5 5.5 0.590 0.570 1.34 1.13 1.050 1.020 0.171 0.169 0.600 0.580 59 58.45 0.760 0.750 0.143 0.143 1.02 1.00 1.89 1.83

6,488,955.00 366,600.00 -32,200.00

4,077,024.00 -6,032,208.00

3,939,514.00 918,069.00 -16,435,158.00 -1,979,879.00 13,608,530.00 802,901.50 1,338,240.00 -618,173.00 185,760.00 26,915,866.00

34,275.00 1,241,330.00 9,138,082.00 -5,478,830.00

2,080,170.00 -13,796,970.00

-696,291.00 9,310.00

1,864,670.00

-423,322,545 218,000.00

-65,802,182.00 -10,237,192.00

-79,635,585

-158,633.00 8,419,606.00

16,074,395.00

-39,650,081.00

-6,972,279.00 2 2

3,316,098.50 103,019,735.00 -152,510.00

-16,400.00 -6,193,865.00 240,330.00

-25,100.00 -16,800.00 -51,300.00 65,514.50 6,840.00 -1,010,000.00 1,831,740.00

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

20,713,375

INDUSTRIAL

115,788,971

HOLDING FIRMS

59,946,570

PROPERTY

346,578,929

SERVICES

213,895,026

MINING & OIL

246,419,286

GRAND TOTAL

1,009,821,291

-17,629,823.00

Globe gets P7-b UBP loan

By Darwin G. Amojelar GLOBE Telecom said Friday it borrowed P7 billion from a local bank to partly finance capital spending in 2016.

Globe, the telecom unit of Ayala Corp., said it signed a 10-year P7-billion term loan facility with Union Bank of the Philippines which would be used to finance the company’s capital expenditures.

The company budgeted P35.4 billion for capex this year, of which P17 billion was already spent in the first half to support the growing subscriber base and increasing appetite for data.

Globe’s capex this year would mostly be invested in data-related projects, including long-term evolution technology for mobile and home, capacity and coverage augmentation of 3G and HSPA+, modernization of fixed-line data infrastructure and requirements for transmission facilities.

Globe chief commercial officer Alberto De Larrazabal earlier said the 2016 capex might increase by $10 million to finance the rollout of more cell sites using the frequencies it acquired from San Miguel Corp.

De Larrazabal said there would be a natural increase in spending in the third and fourth quarters, to roll out more cell sites using the 700 megahertz, 1800 Mhz and 2600 Mhz. Globe early this month signed a 12-year and 15-year P20-billion term loan facility arranged by First Metro Investment Corp., with Metrobank as lender to finance the acquisition of 50-percent equity interest in Vega Telecom Inc., Bow Arken Holdings Company Inc. and Brightshare Holdings Corp.

30,810.00

23,787,215 -30,861,260.00 -307,646.00 -62,680.00

11,775.00 -864,340.00 -12,300.00 865,420.00 9,501,860.00 -36,870,468.50 -2,405,620.00 220,800.00 -6,520.00

-310,000.00 -4,270.00

-3,643,110.00

-289,000.00 4,121,203.00

184,800.00 57,080.00 -410,800.00 -43,709,764.00

-1,533,075.00

-1,653,099.00

4,611,372.00

VALUE 1,838.43 (down) 0.69 1,759,103,095.77 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,779.29 (down) 116.96 6,070,004,386.07 HOLDING FIRMS 7,547.38 (down) 65.49 2,320,423,101.474 PROPERTY 3,474.08 (down) 59.72 1,489.89 (down) 35.62 1,563,181,908.64 SERVICES MINING & OIL 10,939.49 (down) 70.43 1,378,741.565.219 PSEI 7,629.73 (down) 85.13 440,450,263.338 All Shares Index 4,533.24 (down) 40.15 13,581,084,977.556 Gainers: 65; Losers: 119; Unchanged: 45; Total: 229

BDO unit listed top insurance broker BDO Insurance Brokers Inc., a subsidiary of BDO Unibank Inc., emerged as number one among the 60 insurance brokers operating in the country.

This is based on the yearend 2015 industry ranking recently released by the Insurance Commission.

BDOI maintained its position as the top broker in terms of commissions for the second straight year, while it improved its ranking from number two in terms of premiums in the previous year.

The company generated P7.04 billion in premiums and P1.22 billion in commissions, making it the only locally-owned insurance brokering firm in the top five in terms of premiums, and one of only two in the top five in terms of commissions.

In terms of product line, BDOI is the top premium producer in fidelity and surety, motor vehicle and miscellaneous lines. In terms of commissions, it is the top producer in fire, ocean marine, fidelity and surety, motor vehicle, engineering and miscellaneous lines.

“Teamwork, a close working relationship with our bank counterparts,and a passion to provide customized solutions to clients’ needs made BDOI number one,” said BDOI general manager and senior vice president Tracy Tan. “We have managed to steadily grow the business despite challenges posed by competition, because we always put the interest of our clients first. We build business relationships this way and in turn our clients trust us with their insurance requirements,” said BDOI chairman and president Jesus Jacinto.

Business

B3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Oil slips on doubts over Opec decision

DEFLATION. People wait in line in front of a restaurant for lunch time in Tokyo on September 30, 2016. Spending among Japanese households tumbled in August and consumer prices fell again, data showed, after the Bank of Japan announced it was overhauling a faltering bid to conquer deflation. AFP

SINGAPORE―Oil prices tumbled in Asia Friday as doubts emerged over the long-term success of a surprise Opec agreement to cut output and stabilize the oversupplied market.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries on Wednesday stunned traders by announcing plans to trim collective production by around 750,000 barrels per day.

Initial euphoria over what would be the first output cut in eight years sent prices soaring six percent, but the rally fizzled as traders digested the nuts and bolts of the deal.

A technical committee has been formed to flesh out the details ahead of the cartel’s formal meeting on November 30, including the allocation of the cuts for each member.

“There are concerns about the execution of Opec’s new production targets and many actually feel that the headlines are more bullish than the reality of the situation,” IG Markets analyst Chris Weston said in a note.

“Even when the new agreement is finalized, the actual reductions won’t materialize until 2017 and the prospect of various nations exceeding targets is real.”

At around 0700 GMT, US benchmark West Texas Intermediate was down 55 cents at $47.28 and Brent eased 63 cents to $48.61.

Other analysts also doubted whether cooperation between Saudi Arabia and bitter rival Iran, which is crucial to the deal, would hold.

“Relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran remain poor and, while the Opec deal has huge significance politically, we do not see room for a broader rapprochement between the two,” BMI Research said in a commentary.

“Historically, quotas have been a highly contentious issue and low prices and mounting fiscal pressures have only served to raise the stakes,” it added.

In a major concession, Opec kingpin Saudi Arabia allowed Iran to be exempted from the cuts as Tehran recovers from years of Western economic sanctions lifted only in January.

The Middle East’s foremost Shiite and Sunni Muslim powers are at odds over an array of issues including the wars in Syria and Yemen.

“Tensions are liable to mount, as negotiations progress,” BMI said. AFP

Deutsche Bank rattles markets

H

ONG KONG—Asian and European markets tumbled Friday, tracking a sell-off in New York as worries about the future of German banking giant Deutsche Bank hammered financial stocks.

A Bloomberg report that several hedge funds had withdrawn their investments in the lender over worries about its viability after US authorities slapped it with a $14-billion penalty over its sale of mortgage-backed securities prior to the 2008 financial crisis.

There are fears the fine could

batter the already fragile firm, fueling talk that it would become another Lehman Brothers, the Wall Street titan whose downfall precipitated the global downturn six years ago.

AFP sources knowledgeable of the situation confirmed 10 funds had pulled funds out, but the bank said the report gave an overly negative view of the

World tourism up 4% in first half MADRID, Spain―International tourism grew 4.0 percent in the first half of this year, with Asia posting the strongest growth, the World Tourism Organization said Thursday.

At around 561 million, the number of international tourists surged 21 million between January and June compared to the same period a year earlier, the Madrid-based United Nations body said in a statement.

“Tourism has proven to be one of the most resilient economic sectors worldwide,” UN World Tourism Organization Secretary-General Taleb Rifai said in the statement.

Tourist arrivals rose at the fastest rate in the Asia-Pacific region, where numbers were up by nine percent due to “robust intra-regional demand.”

Africa, where an outbreak last year of Ebola in West Africa caused tourists to shun travel to the entire continent, posted a five-percent rise in international arrivals, with sub-Saharan African “recovering vigorously” with a 12-percent increase.

In Europe, the world’s most-visited region, tourist arrivals grew by three percent.

Growth in western Europe was sluggish, up by just one percent, while northern, central and eastern Europe each recorded five percent more international arrivals.

International arrivals in the Americas were up four percent in the first half of the year, in line with the global average.

People in China, the world’s top source market for international tourists, spent 20 percent more on international travel.

In the United States, the world’s second largest market, the rise was 8.0 percent, as the strong dollar made foreign travel cheaper.

In 2015, the number of international tourist arrivals grew by 4.4 percent from the previous year, to 1.2 billion. AFP

situation, noting it still had some 800 funds as customers who understand its “stable financial position.”

Deutsche Bank collapsed almost nine percent Friday in Frankfurt—falling below 10 euros for the first time—after plunging almost seven percent in New York.

The losses were reflected in Asia, with Japan’s Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group diving more than two percent and HSBC down 1.7 percent in Hong Kong.

Sydney-listed Commonwealth Bank sank 1.5 percent and Westpac lost 1.4 percent.

“Deutsche certainly weighs

on sentiment, and the declines are concerning,” James Woods, a strategist at Rivkin Securities in Sydney, told Bloomberg News.

“Being named the number one bank for global systemic risk, it’s entwined with everyone.”

The sell-off dragged broader markets down, a day after an oil-fueled rally following Opec’s surprise announcement that it would cut production.

Tokyo ended down 1.5 percent, while Hong Kong was 1.9 percent off, Sydney fell 0.7 percent and Seoul lost 1.2 percent. Singapore tumbled more than one percent and there sharp

losses in Taipei and Manila.

However, Shanghai rose 0.2 percent ahead of a week-long national holiday.

In early European trade Frankfurt tumbled 1.8 percent, London sank 1.4 percent, Paris lost more than two percent.

The losses followed falls on Wall Street, where traders ran for cover as they brushed off data showing US second-quarter economic growth figures beat forecasts.

The unease spread into currency markets, with highyielding—riskier—units fell against the dollar as dealers

looked for safety.

South Korea’s won fell 0.2 percent, the Indonesian rupiah lost 0.3 percent and the Australian dollar slipped 0.6 percent.

The greenback, however, sank to 100.91 yen from 101.04 yen in New York and well off the levels above 101.50 yen seen earlier Thursday in Asia.

On oil markets both main contracts fell as the euphoria over Wednesday’s shock agreement

by Opec to reduce production faded.

West Texas Intermediate fell 0.9 percent and Brent was off more than one percent. AFP

British Steel in recovery mode following a painful crisis

By Roland Jackson SCUNTHORPE, UNITED KINGDOM—In the fierce heat of a roaring blast furnace, liquid hot iron gushes forth from the taps, sending sparks dancing into the air at a sprawling steelworks in northern England.

The Scunthorpe complex is the latest reincarnation of British Steel, the former state-run behemoth that once towered over the nation’s economy—and now appears to be in recovery mode after a deep crisis.

“There’s been some dark times— periods of mass redundancy, a lot of negative press—but now we are starting to see positive results financially,” blast furnace manager Sam Thomas, 29, told AFP as melted iron ore spewed in the background.

“We’re also starting to feel a bit more like the morale is picking up,” said Thomas, who has worked at the facility for 11 years.

On its 100th day of trading on Thursday, the new British Steel announced that it was back in profit following a painful cost-slashing turnaround plan.

“There were many months of uncertainty and we all worked hard to get to a profitable situation,” said Thomas, who oversees four gigantic blast furnaces established in the 1950s and named after queens of England— Anne, Bess, Victoria and Mary.

The group, sold by India’s Tata Steel to investment firm Greybull Capital in May, said Thursday it had turned from “significant” losses over the last few years to a stage where it was now back in profit.

Rebirth of British Steel The region was thrown into disarray last year when Tata Steel put its European long products division up for sale as it refocused on strip steel, in the face of a collapsing market.

The move sparked worries that Scunthorpe—whose community of 65,000 inhabitants has been built around steel for generations—could become a

180ft long sections of steel are laid out ready for transport on trains at the British Steel-Scunthorpe plant in north Lincolnshire, north east England on September 29, 2016. Thursday September 29, marks 100 days since the British Steel conglomerate bought the ailing plant from Indian company Tata Steel. AFP

ghost town.

Long steel products comprise plates, rails for railways, sections used in construction, and wire rod.

The latter can be used as steel rope for infrastructure like suspension bridges or filaments for car tires to give rigidity.

In late 2015, Tata had scrapped Scunthorpe’s plates output—a key

market which has been ravaged in recent years by China’s steel overcapacity and the subsequent flood of cheap imports into Europe.

In May 2016, Greybull bought the long products division—including a steel mill in Hayange in northern France—and renamed it British Steel in a deal under which Tata retained responsibility for the old British Steel’s

costly pension scheme.

The new firm focused its efforts on niche output of long products with keen domestic demand, and its facilities in Britain and France now produce 2.8 million tons per year.

News of the group’s profitability was welcomed Thursday by Scunthorpe’s 3,000-strong work force, who had also agreed to a pay cut and different terms and conditions of employment.

The pay cut is now due to be reversed in June 2017.

‘Not out of the woods’ Britain’s trade body UK Steel has said it wants the British government to help the industry more with both high energy costs and business rates and what it says are unfavorable national procurement policies.

“I welcome that they have brought the British Steel brand back to life. I think fundamentally it’s a good and viable business and should have a strong viable future,” UK Steel chief Gareth Stace told AFP. The shock of Britain’s EU exit referendum has been a doubleedged sword, clouding the economic outlook but also making exports more competitive by sending the pound tumbling.

“Brexit—for the time being, it hasn’t happened yet,” British Steel executive chairman Roland Junck told AFP. “The only thing we see is the loss of value of the British pound, and that still for us is balanced: our raw material is becoming more expensive but the value of our sales outside of Europe actually compensated for that.”

At the same time, there has been a modest recovery in steel prices—after more than two years of collapse fueled by cheap Chinese imports.

“We’re not out of the woods yet, but we’re in a much more positive place,” said Andrew Wilson, area technical manager of rail at Scunthorpe.

“The future’s looking good. If you shut the steelworks then the town becomes a ghost town. It’s critical to the area.” AFP

Joel D. Lacsamana, Editor jdlacsamana@gmail.com

B4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

Property

TIPS Are you ready to be a landlord?

ON RENTING OUT A PROPERTY

R

ENTING out a house or a condo makes sense because it’s a practical way to earn good, passive income.

in the university belt: the cost will not be within their budget.

TARGET MARKET. If your condo unit is located close to the university belt, the community around is your target market. Jazz up your unit in a way that would attract young students on a budget, but would feel at home away from home.

Do not buy cheap and flimsy furniture

Good properties need significant money to purchase, and beautifying and maintaining them need Study establishments around you more money. In the long run, it can be a good source Check those establishments one ride away from of cash flow as well as capital appreciation. your property to see what is around. Leverage them A transformed unit can bring in good income from to help make your property saleable. a long-staying renter. If a renter is happy, it’s a winIt’s not difficult. Investing in a property has bewin situation.

Know your product come easy on the pocket with competitive prices and Not all properties are equal. What might be appealattractive payment schemes that real estate developers Attract renters ing to a prospective buyer might not be to another. are offering in the market these days.

Take beautiful photos. Use the HDR (high dynamIt’s convenient to advertise a rental property. You Real estate is volatile but if you know how to play the ic range) feature of your digital camera or smartphone can simply go online and get in touch with a prop- game, it’s a steady investment. camera to take photos of your rental property. Take erty listing website where people can easily find your pictures with lights on to emphasize the interiors, and Do not overprice property. lights off for the view to help make your rental propProperty investing is best played long-term. Your erty more attractive even in photos alone.

But there are things you need to consider as you price has to be fair with your tenant, especially if you get started. Here are a few: want long-staying tenants. As much as you can keep Create a sales pitch my rent at the same price, keep it.

Ready to make the jump?

Your visuals must be complemented with an efWhile earning passively through a rental property fective sales pitch. You must be ready with a short, Furnish your unit looks easy, being a landlord is not as simple. You will direct-to-the-point presentation or an elevator pitch Have a single theme. Say, you want a unit to ap- highlighting your rental property’s unique and value have responsibilities and need to carve out some time peal to Makati yuppies working at the central busi- selling features. from your routine to fulfill your obligations.

As a landlord, your responsibilities include main- ness district (CBD), you can renovate the unit and Use media. The traditional media, i.e. clastaining your property, building rapport with your jazz it up with solid, complementing colors, fitted it sified ads in the newspaper, is still the easiest tenants, arranging the paperwork and collecting pay- with matching furniture from the sofa to the bed to the ments. But if you don’t have enough time to take care bar sink. Have the toilet and bath installed with glass of these things but still want to make money from a partition and a hot-and-cold shower. for prospective renters with every detail already printed. rental property, consider having someone—a trusted With online ads, renters have to search using keywords Create lots of storage family member, relative, friend or a professional until they stumble on your ad. But the use of social media A tiny storage room can get more space when and sites dedicated to home buying, renting or property property manager—take care of the business for you. mounted with shelves. You can also create more stor- selling and investing to advertise your rental property, age in a unit by setting up creatively fitted beams and can reach more prospective renters.

Study your neighborhood Once you spotted a property and eventually ac- counters. These can serve as a breather and space-savquire it, study your community as this is your im- ing feature. Condominium units are, by nature, small, Send out direct mailers mediate market. For example, a 3-bedroom condo- thus extra storage is something to be thankful for.

If your rental property is located in nearby offices, minium unit is not exactly saleable to students living send direct mailers to their HR departments and ask

them to spread the word that you have an available unit. This selling strategy works because those departments know who among their employees are looking around for a nearby place to rent.

Open house

Send invites to the people in your building since they are your first market.They may know a prospective renter. Invite them to view your place. If there are those who come and are interested, you create an urgency.

Stage your unit

Make sure the details that are easily seen or are particular to a prospective renter are taken care of. Keep the entrance clean. Leave no broken items unfixed. De-clutter. Let the lights in. Have a clean toilet and bath, which is a come-on for prospective female renters.

Hold a viewing or an open house at night. This is a good approach as it helps create a mood. Host the open house personally if you can: it helps create a personal connection between you and the prospective renter.

Protect yourself

Have a detailed lease of contract. The lease of contract must clearly state the details and conditions involved in renting your property. Make sure the renter understands them to help avoid headaches in the future.

Screen your tenants

Get referrals to help you check those prospective renters.

Take care of your tenant Treat each tenant as your best customer.

Bringing back the community vibe REMEMBER growing up in that village where your parents hung out together at the parish church, village clubhouse bowling alley and shopped at the neighborhood supermarket? Where their kids were your playmates from grade school to college, and all played at the summer inter-color basketball league and chilled with soft drinks and burgers at the neighborhood soda fountain, or had their first dance at the May-time frolics at the clubhouse?

Well, new families can enjoy that type of living again with The Enclave Alabang. Construction for this Peyton Placelike development kicked off recently at The Enclave Alabang, a project of Filinvest Alabang, Inc. An expansive 10.5-hectares property, the project spearheads the charge of Filinvest into the luxury horizontal residence market. The Enclave features modern architecture set in a lush, sweeping designed landscape, as well as a man-made lagoon.

“Part of our concept for The Enclave Alabang is to bring back the close-knit community lifestyle that used to be enjoyed healthily by the residents of many exclusive villages,” said executive vice president Catherine Ilagan, Filinvest Land, Inc. (FLI). “The type of place where families are raised knowing other

PEYTON PLACE REDUX. A place where families know other families in

the neighborhood....

families in their neighbourhood.”

There will be 169 single-detached homes with a 1-hectare amenity area, and a lot of green open spaces to allow fo outdoor activities “We want families, especially children to rediscover the joys of ‘playing outside’ the way it used to be,” added Daphne

Sanchez of senior assistant vice president of Filinvest Alabang.

“The features and amenities we designed in The Enclave Alabang are intended to inspire this return to these ways of life.”

The Enclave Alabang is located along Daang Hari Road, accessible via the Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway (MCX) and Filinvest City.

LIVING IT UP IN ORTIGAS. Property developer Ortigas & Co. recently topped off the Avila South Tower,

a 45-storey residential tower located in its resort-style, mixed-used development Circulo Verde. Avila is the fifth tower to rise in the space, and is targeted to be completed by early 2018. At the topping off ceremonies were Ortigas & Co.’s leadership team (from left) Arch. Renee C. Bacani, VP and general manager of the shopping centers division; Thomas F. Mirasol, senior vice president and chief operating officer; Jaime E. Ysmael, president and chief executive officer; and Atty. Michael David I. Abundo III, vice president and head of corporate resources division.

LGUs

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

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SIEGE. Philippine Navy vessel Rafael Pargas fires at ‘terrorists’ on Tugboat Bauan to free hostages during a simulation held in Macabalan Port in Cagayan de Oro City on Thursday. Lance Baconguis

Bulacan cites best MSE cooperatives OUTSTANDING cooperatives in Bulacan will be recognized in the Gawad Galing Kooperatiba and Coop Fellowship on October 28 at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center in Malolos.

The awards are part of the celebration of Cooperative Month this October to be hosted by the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) through the Provincial Cooperative and Economic Development Office (PCEDO).

With the theme “Bulacan Cooperative: Exceeding Limits. Sustaining Excellence,” the celebration will start with a cooperative parade on October 1 at 6 a.m. from the Bulacan Sports Complex to the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium, where the opening ceremony will take place.

Gov. Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado said the celebration will recognize how the cooperatives and micro and small enterprises (MSEs) raised assets and employment in the province.

Among the activities lined

up are a food safety seminar on October 11, a two-day Bulacan Hall of Fame League Union credit and risk management seminar on October 12-13 and a cooperative bowling fest on October 14.

The PCEDO will hold a three-day cooperative trade fair on October 17-19 to help local entrepreneurs develop their businesses.

PCEDO officer Cynthia Abiol said a seminar/orientation regarding the rules and regulations of Republic Act 9520 or the Cooperative Code will also be given on October 19.

Moreover, PCEDO will sponsor cooperative blood letting activities on October 18 and 21 with the help of local government units and the Bulacan Local Blood Council.

The celebration of Cooperative Month every October is in accordance with the Presidential Proclamation 493 dated Oct. 27, 2003 that aims to encourage public participation in cooperatives.

Fort Magsaysay hosts rehab center Regiment (AAR).

The 7th ID has jurisdiction over two brigades, five battalORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija—The first ions and three reconnaissance drug rehabilitation center inside a military companies with a combined camp is being built here, Col. Benjamin Hao, strength of 6,000 troops.

The reservation, which was Philippine Army spokesman, said. spread on 73,000 hectares of lands, was reduced to 45,837 hecHao said construction started in the 7th Infantry Division (7th ID), tares by various presidential proclate August on a 10-hectare land in the Special Operations Command lamations that segregated parcels this reservation, which is home to (Socom) and the Army Artillery of land for specific purposes.

By Ferdie G.Domingo

F

Caloocan has responsible pet owners

By Jun David THE Caloocan City government has passed an ordinance that metes fines to irresponsible dog and cat owners.

City Ordinance 10-017 authored by Councilor Aurora Henson Jr. obliges pet owners

to keep their pets on a leash and clean their waste.

“A lot of complaints have been lodged in barangay halls due to irresponsible pet ownership,” Henson said.

Offenders will be fine P500 for the first offense; P1,000, for the second and P2,000 for the third.

Pet owners are also required to have their pets vaccinated.

The ordinance will be implemented by the City Health Department in coordination with the City Rabies Control Coordinating Committee.

The councils of the 188 barangays in the city are also directed

Mayor taps students as drug informants

By Dexter A. See TUBAO, La Union—Mayor Dante Garcia of this town has offered a reward of P2,000 to each high school student who would provide information on individuals involved in illegal drug activities.

Garcia was one of the four alleged narco-politicians in La Union named by Duterte.

He vehemently denied the President’s allegation whose candidacy he strongly supported and

Hao said the project is a joint venture of the Department of Health and the Army’s real estate office.

During his first State of the Nation Address last July 25, President Rodrigo Duterte announced that the government will build rehabilitation centers inside Camp Macario Peralta in Jamindan, Capiz and Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan.

campaigned for because he was confident that the proliferation of illegal drugs would cease.

Garcia said he was confident that he would be cleared by the authorities because he submitted himself for investigation and was never involved in any illegal drug activity.

The mayor told an anti-illegal drug symposium at the Tubao National High School that he will keep confidential the names of students who can direct authorities to illegal drug suspects.

“The reward for students is just an extension of the reward system which we are giving to our policemen in Tubao when they arrest an illegal drug suspect. I’ve been offering P10,000 for each arrest made by our police and they have arrested at least 10 suspects. They already received some of their reward,” he said.

The mayor said he, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the local police organized the anti-drug symposium to inform students about

the effect of illegal drugs in their lives and communities.

Besmark Bengwayan, PDEA regional information officer, said they discussed to the students and teachers about the different kinds of illegal drugs and its effect to human.

“The activity will help the students and teachers to avoid illegal drugs and instead they will help the government in its anti-illegal drug campaign,” Bengwayan said.

REUSABLE. Discarded pop cola bottles are turned into a colorful art piece by students of Lubas High school in La Trinidad, Benguet. David Chan

to monitor domesticated animals with the Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management and authorized personnel of the City Engineering Office.

City Ordinance 039 s. 2005 direct pet owners to register their dog or cats with the City Veterinarian Office.

San Andres Bukid street cleared—Erap

By Sandy Araneta MANILA Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada on Thursday ordered the clearing of San Andres Bukid, particularly Onyx Street, which is clogged by junkshops and other obstructions.

City employees raided the portion of Onyx Street from Florentino Torres Street to Zobel Roxas Street, and the section of Zobel Roxas from Palma to Onyx and Tejeron streets.

“Onyx is a vital highway that connects Makati and Manila. It is high time that we cleared this thoroughfare for the convenience of the motorists and the commuting public,” Estrada said.

The city hall’s Task Force Manila Cleanup tore down and removed hundreds of shanties, excess construction materials, illegally parked vehicles, piles of garbage and other obstacles.

A wooden basketball backboard in the middle of Onyx was also confiscated.

Moreover, dozens of illegal vendors on Onyx and on Florentino Street in front of Dagonoy Public Market were also driven away.

The early morning operation mainly targeted the line of Onyx junkshops, according to the task force.

There are around a hundred junkshops on Onyx Street alone; parked vehicles, shanties and illegal structures on the center island also made the road narrower.

The task force said the junkshops with no business permits face sanctions.

The Office of the City Engineer, the Department of Public Services, the Manila Traffic and Parking Bureau, the Manila Barangay Bureau, the Manila Social Welfare Department, the Manila Tricycle Regulatory Office, the Manila Police District, and the Department of Public Works and Highways joined the raiders.

Last Thursday, the city government cleared Juan Luna Street in Divisoria once more and drove away at least 250 illegal vendors.

Since June, Estrada has evicted more than 3,500 illegal vendors.

The mayor led clearing operations in Divisoria, Blumentritt, Quiapo, Binondo, Sta. Cruz, R-10, Pedro Gil and major roads leading to and from the Port of Manila.

He also cleaned up the University Belt.

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

LGUs

No recount for Tarlac—Comelec

By Ferdie G. Domingo

T

ARLAC CITY—The Commission on Elections has dismissed the election protest against Tarlac Vice Gov. Carlito David for being insufficient in form and content and for being “problematic.”

In an eight-page order dated September 14, the poll body’s First Division threw out the election protest filed against David by his rival, Pearl Angeli Pacada.

The order was signed by Pre-

siding Commissioner Christian Robert Lim and Commissioners Luie Tito Guia and Ma. Rowena Amelia Guanzon.

Pacada of Lakas-CMD lost to David of the Nationalist People’s

Coalition in the May elections.

David, a lawyer, garnered 207,199 votes against Pacada’s 189,956 or a difference of 17,243 votes.

However, Pacada protested the outcome and sought an examination and recount of the ballots, claiming electronic vote-padding and vote-shaving in the towns of Concepcion and Paniqui. She said votes for her were credited to David and that some of the election returns were falsified and spurious.

Pacada also claimed her defeat in the twin towns were “statistically improbable,” as more sup-

porters pledged to vote for her than the official count shows.

David said her protest was insufficient in form and substance according to Section 9, Rule 6 of Comelec Resolution 8804 because it failed to specify the number of contested precincts in Tarlac and in the two towns and the acts or omissions he was accused of.

Pacada insisted it was sufficient since her allegations will be proven if the ballots are recounted.

The complainant was a former president of the League of Provincial Board Members of

the Philippines (LPBMP) and was a former vice governor who was elected in 2010. In 2013, she ran for governor but lost to thengovernor and now second district Rep. Victor Yap, brother of Gov. Susan Yap. She protested that the automated elections make it difficult, if not impossible, to describe the irregularities with full accuracy owing to its highly technical nature.

Pacada said a detailed complaint will need a strict inspection of the voting machines and other election paraphernalia which, she said, she cannot do

considering the limited time granted under the rules to file it.

The complainant said she submitted the Statement of Votes by Precinct (SOVP) that contained the total number of clustered precincts.

The Comelec ruled that Pacada’s protest contained the SOVP for vice governor only in the towns of Concepcion and Paniqui, and not the number of precincts in the province as the rules prescribe.

It said that while Pacada specified the clustered precincts in Concepcion, she failed to identify the 106 Paniqui precincts being protested.

Davao pushes brown rice

By Funny Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—The Davao City Council urged restaurants, food chains and other food establishments in the city to help the Department of Agriculture promote the consumption of brown rice — locally known as “pinawa.”

In a resolution passed Tuesday, the Sangguniang Panlungsod called on food establishment owners to include brown rice in their menu to accept the DA’s #BROWN4good challenge that raises awareness of the nutritional benefits of brown rice.

Marissa Salvador Abella, chairman of the SP committee on agriculture and food, said brown rice is much healthier than white rice.

Abella said study shows that brown rice has more protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

It can also reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, cardio vascular diseases and high blood pressure.

Abella added that consuming brown rice can help the country achieve rice sufficiency and boost the income of local farmers “because compared to white rice, it has 10 percent higher milling recovery than white rice.”

“The additional supply will also help decrease Philippine importation of rice,” she said.

QUEEN. Newly crowned Miss Bataan Tourism 2016 Princess Ericka Tecson from Pilar town is flanked by (from left to right) Bataan 2nd District Rep. Joet Garcia, Bataan Peninsula Tourism Council Foundation Inc. chairman Vicky Garcia, Pilar Mayor Alice Pizarro and Metro Bataan Development Authority general manager Charlie Pizarro. Butch Gunio

71% of Cordillera region roads paved—DPWH

By Dexter A. See BAGUIO CITY—The Cordillera office of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWHCAR) announced that at least 71 percent of primary, secondary and tertiary national roads in the CAR were paved by the end of 2015 following huge infrastructure investments by the government.

“By the end of this year, we are confident that we will be able to

cement 91 percent of the roads in the region to ease mobility around the region for both the motoring and commuting public,” engineer Albert Gahid, DPWH-CAR assistant regional director, said.

Gahid added that the department expects a continuous increase in the length of national roads regionwide in the coming years because of the conversion of provincial roads to national roads proposed by lawmakers from the different provinces to avail

of bigger allocations to improve their roads.

According to him, the Cordillera is lagging behind the Ilocos Region and the Cagayan Valley whose national roads are 97 percent and 92 percent paved. About 88.4 percent of the Philippines’ national roads are concreted.

The previous administration promised to cement all national roads by the end of June 2016, and said 80 percent of secondary

national arterial roads shall be paved with the increased budget allocations to public works over a five-year period.

Gahid said they will be focus on secondary national arterial roads, only 86 percent of which were paved last year, and tertiary national arterial roads, of which only 54 percent was cemented.

Before the increase in the allocation for national roads in 2012, the length of national roads that

were concreted was at a very low 41.7 percent. The percentage of paved national roads increased to over 46 percent by the end of 2012 and jumped to around 54 percent in 2013.

The public works director vowed continued funding support for the improvement of national roads under the rural infrastructure component of Malacañang’s 10-point agenda for growth and development.

Domogan wants cement plant closed Korea equips 3 Iloilo hospitals BAGUIO CITY—Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the local government departments to study the environment and health hazards posed by the controversial Camp 7 cement batching plant that may justify its closure.

Domogan told the department heads that he had been receiving numerous complaints from residents living near the batching plant. The residents claimed the dust from the plant caused upper respiratory tract infection, while the noise dis-

turbs the peace and caused sleepless nights and anxiety.

“It is true that the court declared the anti-batching plant ordinance as unconstitutional and that the case is still pending before the Court of Appeals,” Domogan stressed.

A city council ordinance prohibited the operation of cement batching plants in Baguio, saying they harm the health of the people and the environment, but a local court declared the measure was unconstitutional.

Domogan instructed the City Environment and Parks Management Office, the City Building and Architecture Office, the City Health Services Office, the City Permits and Licensing Division and the Baguio City Police Office to check whether the operator of the cement batching plant complies with existing rules and regulations against health and environment hazards. He also told them to inspect its business, building and occupancy permits.

He asked the concerned of-

fices to recommend actions that would lead to the closure of the cement batching plant.

The mayor urged the affected residents to firmly support their complaint against the continuous operation of the batching plant so the concerned departments will have sufficient basis for recommending its closure.

The batching plant, owned by a wealthy Chinese businessman, is also allegedly encroaching on a portion of a nearby river. Dexter A. See

SPORTING. The Navotas city government has given scholarship to 150 Navoteño elementary and high school students who excelled in sports.

Navotas Mayor John Rey Tiangco (center) and the scholars, assisted by their parents or guardians, signed a memorandum of agreement for the Navotaas Athletic Scholarship Program. Andrew Rabulan

THE Korean government and the Iloilo provincial government announced that the Iloilo Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Area (GIDA) Health System Strengthening Project recently boosted the capabilities of three district hospitals to provide medical services.

Comprehensive emergency obstetrics and newborn care (CEmONC) facilities were built and equipment supplied to the Aleosan District Hospital in Alimodian, the Dr. Ricardo S. Provido Memorial District Hospital in Calinog, and the Jesus M. Colmenares Memorial District Hospital in Balasan.

The project gave 40 beds to Aleosan District Hospital, 48 beds to JCMDH and 32 beds to DRSPMDH. The Korea International Cooperation Agency also provided other medical equipment such as, X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, hospital beds, laboratory equipment and generator sets to the three hospitals.

The ceremonial turnover of the new CEmONC facilities was held last Tuesday, September 27, 2016 at the Aleosan District Hospital with Korean Ambassador Kim Jae Shin as the honored guest.

KOICA country director Shin Myung Seop, Assistant Health Secretary Leonita Gorgolon, Provincial Administrator Raul Banias and mayors Geefre Alonsabe of Alimodian, Marina Gorriceta of

San Miguel, Rolito Cajilig of Leon and Manuel Ganzon of Balasan attended the event that highlighted recognition of partners, turnover of symbolic keys and unveiling of commemorative markers.

Kim acknowledged the strong commitment of Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. to the “partnership” between Iloilo province and the Korean government. He said healthcare is one of the priority areas of Korean development cooperation in the Philippines, since “improvement of the people’s health will help solve poverty and achieve socio-economic development.”

“We sincerely thank KOICA and the government of the Republic of Korea for this project which could greatly improve health services for our people,” Defensor stressed.

The Iloilo GIDA Health System Project is a $7 million (approximately P300 million) grant to strengthen the maternal and child health service delivery system of the three hospitals and the rural health units (RHUs) of the municipalities of Alimodian, Leon, San Miguel, Calinog, Bingawan, Balasan, Batad, Estancia and Carles.

The project was implemented in 2014.

Aside from the construction of CEmONC facilities and the provision of equipment, a number of health personnel were also sent to Korea for training and capacity building.

Manila

Standard

World

TODAY SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

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‘JASTA has consequences’ R

IYADH--Saudi Arabia on Thursday warned of “disastrous consequences” from a United States law allowing 9/11 victims to sue the kingdom, in a major spike in tension between the longstanding allies.

The warning came after the US Congress voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to override President Barack Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) on relations between states.

JASTA allows attack survivors and relatives of terrorism victims to pursue cases against foreign

governments in US federal court and to demand compensation if such governments are proven to bear some responsibility for attacks on US soil.

A Saudi foreign ministry source on Thursday called on the US Congress “to take the necessary measures to counter the disastrous and dangerous conse-

quences” of the law.

The unnamed spokesman, cited by the official Saudi Press Agency, said the law is “a source of great worry.”

This law “weakens the immunity of states”, and will have a negative impact on all countries “including the United States,” the Saudi spokesman said, expressing hope that “wisdom will prevail.”

In opposing the law, Obama said it would harm US interests by undermining the principle of sovereign immunity, opening up the US to private lawsuits over

its military missions abroad.

The erosion of sovereign immunity is also a concern among the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council, of which Saudi Arabia is the most powerful member.

Saudi Arabia’s Gulf allies have lined up beside Riyadh to criticize the law.

Analysts earlier Thursday warned that Saudi Arabia could reduce valuable security and intelligence cooperation with longstanding ally Washington after the Congressional “stab in the back.”

Cutting such cooperation is

among the options available to Riyadh, the analysts said.

“I’m afraid that this bill will have dire strategic implications” for the United States, Salman al-Ansari, head of the Saudi American Public Relation Affairs Committee (SAPRAC), told AFP. “This partnership has helped provide US authorities with accurate intelligence information” that helped stopped attacks, said Ansari, whose committee is a private initiative to strengthen Saudi-US ties.

Riyadh and Washington have

a decades-old relationship based on the exchange of American security for Saudi oil.

Saudi Arabia was home to 15 of the 19 Al-Qaeda hijackers who carried out the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States which killed nearly 3,000 people.

Riyadh denies any ties to the plotters.

Ties between Riyadh and Washington became increasingly frayed under Obama, but analysts said security cooperation and intelligence sharing remained solid. AFP

Merkel: Russia must calm Syria BERLIN—Russia has a “special responsibility to calm violence and give a political process a chance” in Syria, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday.

“The latest offensive by the Syrian regime against Aleppo -- supported by Russia -- has made the suffering of the civilian population yet worse,” the two leaders agreed in a telephone conversation, according to a statement released by Merkel’s office.

Russia said on Thursday that it would continue its Syrian air campaign in the face of warnings from US Secretary of State John Kerry that Washington would pull the plug on any more talks unless Moscow stopped the bombing of the besieged city.

Syrian government forces backed

by Russian air power have launched a renewed assault on the rebel-held eastern half of Aleppo, after a ceasefire deal brokered by the United States and Russia broke down.

UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon on Wednesday labeled bombings that hit the two main hospitals in Aleppo’s rebel district “war crimes.”

“The repeated flagrant violations against humanitarian international law which have been reported are unacceptable. A ceasefire is more urgent than ever,” Merkel and Erdogan agreed in their conversation, which also touched on the fight against the Islamic State group. AFP

TEDDIES. China’s latest step to conserve its national mascot is to release captive-born bears back into the wild. And for that, you have to look like a panda. Bloomberg

Ukraine: 75 years after Nazi slaughter of Jews Life of poor Kabul KIEV—A somber Ukraine on Thursday marked 75 years since the Nazis slaughtered 34,000 Jews on the outskirts of Kiev during one of the worst single massacres of the Holocaust.

The carnage at the Babi Yar ravine has prompted soulsearching and disputes in Ukraine over the participation of local collaborators in the killings and atrocities that followed.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin was meant to join a memorial ceremony led by Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko and attended my other global dig-

nitaries.

But Rivlin cut short his visit due to the death of Israeli cofounder Shimon Peres -- although not before drawing criticism for “undiplomatic” comments about Ukrainians’ role in the Babi Yar slaughter.

Poroshenko tried to calm the air by stressing that “there have been those (in Ukraine) for which one felt shame. And this, too, cannot be erased from our collective memory.

“No Ukrainian has the right to forget this tragedy,” he told a commemoration at which children played a mournful concert before blue skeletal statues

honoring the victims.

German President Gauck told the thousands gathered under two giant white tents that the Nazis “even used nationalist Ukrainians as assistant police.”

“But we also admit that not only special fences (of death camps), but ordinary Wehrmacht (soldiers) were involved in these crimes,” Gauck said.

The anniversary comes at a sensitive time for the conflictriven state.

Its deadly dispute with Russia has sparked a rising tide of nationalism that lionizes some groups linked to war-time crimes against Jews.

Members of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) initially collaborated with Hitler’s generals because they felt the Nazis could help them win independence from the Soviet Union’s even-more-hated Stalin.

Rivlin did not shy away from telling Ukrainian lawmakers in Kiev on Tuesday that “many of the crimes were committed by Ukrainians” during the Holocaust.

“The fighters of UPA were especially prominent,” said Rivlin.

“They victimized the Jews, killed them, and in many cases reported them to the Nazis.” AFP

Leave Congo, US tells citizens

CUSTOM. An Indian Hindu devotee performs ‘tarpan’, a ritual to pay obeisance to one’s forefathers, on the last day of ‘Pitru Paksh’-days for offering prayers to ancestors--on the banks of the river Mahananda in Siliguri on Friday. AFP

WASHINGTON—The United States on Thursday ordered families of government personnel stationed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to leave amid fears about escalating violence, the State Department said.

“The potential for civil unrest is high in parts of Kinshasa and other major cities,” it said, referring to the country’s capital in a travel warning.

“As a result of the deteriorating security situation, family members of US government personnel have been ordered to leave the country beginning September 29. Most official US government travel to the DRC has been halted.”

It noted that violent clashes this month between security forces and opposition protesters over the electoral process had resulted in deaths and the destruction of property.

“Very poor transportation infra-

structure throughout the country and poor security conditions make it difficult for the US Embassy to provide consular services anywhere outside of Kinshasa,” it added.

Last week’s clashes left dozens dead in Kinshasa, where opposition groups were demanding the resignation of President Joseph Kabila.

He has ruled since 2001, and the constitution bars him from running for a third term. Although his current term ends on December 20, no date for new elections has been announced and there are fears he plans to stay in power.

The State Department warned travelers that armed groups, bandits and some elements of the Congolese military “kill, rape, kidnap, pillage, steal vehicles, and carry out military or paramilitary operations in which civilians can be indiscriminately targeted.” AFP

kids changes tune KABUL—Short and upright in his grey suit, Wahidullah enchants his audience as his fingers dance over the piano keys.

The 20-year-old used to sell chewing gum in the streets of Kabul, until he passed an audition at the Afghan National Institute of Music (Anim) and his life changed tune.

Ahmad Sarmast, the school’s founder, believes children deserve a better life than polishing shoes or selling trinkets to motorists.

At Anim, he teaches music theory and singing, English, strings or percussion, Mozart, Schubert and Afghan classics -the latter particularly helpful when it comes to pleasing their parents.

“Music still has a bad reputation in this country... People think it is forbidden in the Koran, [but] it’s a wrong interpretation,” he says from his office overlooking the

courtyard playground -- “the happiest place in the country”, by his reckoning.

Nearly a quarter of Afghan children

from ages five to 14 work and contribute to the family income, often earning just a handful of dollars per day. AFP

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

Colombia may win Nobel Prize

World

TIME SIGNATURE. Okayama University of Science Professor Shinobu Ishigaki lies next to a dinosaur footprint in the Gobi Desert. A Mongolia-Japan joint expedition found four fossil footprints in a layer of earth that dates back 70-90 million years ago. AFP

Palestine president attends Peres funeral J

ERUSALEM—World leaders from US President Barack Obama to Prince Charles were expected in Israel on Friday for the funeral for ex-prime minister and Nobel Peace Prize winner Shimon Peres.

In a rare visit to Jerusalem, Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, who signed the Oslo accords and negotiated with Peres, will also attend the funeral.

Security forces were on high alert for the funeral at Jerusalem’s Mount Herzl national cemetery, with roads closed and thousands of officers deployed.

Some 70 countries were to be represented, with the range of leaders illus-

Clinton, Trump commend Merkel CHICAGO—Hillary Clinton on Thursday took a swipe at Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson, who further crippled his long-shot bid for the White House by failing to name a single foreign leader he likes.

Asked about her favorite world leader by campaign reporters in Chicago on Thursday, Clinton said “oh, let me think,” before bursting into laughter.

“No, look,” she continued.

“I like a lot of the world leaders. One of my favorites is Angela Merkel.”

“I think she’s been an extraordinary, strong leader during difficult times in Europe, which has obvious implications for the rest of the world.”

“Her leadership and steadiness on the euro crisis and her bravery in the face of the refugee crisis is something that I am impressed by.”

The two women have known each other for a long time, “back into the 1990s,” Clinton boasted.

“I’ve spent a lot of time with her and I hope that I’ll have the opportunity to work with her in the future,” she added. “But we could talk about lots of different leaders if you want to sometime.” AFP

trating the respect Peres gained over the years in his transformation from hawk to committed peace advocate.

His death on Wednesday at the age of 93 led to an outpouring of tributes worldwide for Israel’s last remaining founding father.

An estimated 30,000 people filed past his coffin as he lay in state outside parliament in Jerusalem on Thursday.

Former US president Bill Clinton was among those who paid last respects there, appearing moved as he stood in silence before the coffin.

Clinton had helped usher in the Oslo peace accords of the 1990s, which resulted in the Nobel Peace Prize for Peres.

After Peres’s death, he called him “a genius with a big heart.”

Obama is expected to arrive on Friday morning and depart after the ceremony.

Around 8,000 police were being de-

ployed for the commemorations.

“We are dealing with an operation on an unprecedented scale,” said police chief Roni Alsheikh.

The last time such an event was held in Israel was the 1995 funeral for Yitzhak Rabin, Peres’s rival in the Labor party but partner in negotiating the Oslo accords.

Peres will be buried next to Rabin, who was assassinated in 1995 by a Jewish extremist opposed to the accords.

In a career spanning seven decades, Peres held nearly every major office, serving twice as prime minister and as president, a mainly ceremonial role, from 2007 to 2014.

He won the 1994 Nobel Peace Prize jointly with Rabin and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for his role in negotiating the Oslo accords, which envisioned an independent Palestinian state.

STOCKHOLM—The architects of a historic accord to end Colombia’s 52-year war are among the favorites to win this year’s Nobel Peace Prize as speculation mounts ahead of next week’s honors.

The awards season opens Monday with the announcement of the medicine prize laureates in Stockholm, but the most keenlywatched award is that for peace on October 7.

The Norwegian Nobel Institute has received a whopping 376 nominations for the peace prize, a huge increase from the previous record of 278 in 2014 -- so guessing the winner is anybody’s game.

Experts, online betting sites and commentators have all placed the Colombian government and leftist FARC rebels on their lists of likely laureates.

Other names featuring prominently are Russian rights activist Svetlana Gannushkina, the negotiators behind Iran’s nuclear deal Ernest Moniz of the US and Ali Akbar Salehi of Iran, Greek islanders helping desperate migrants, as well as Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege who helps rape victims, and US fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden.

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is also known to have been nominated, but his chances are seen as low.

Dan Smith, head of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), said Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Timoleon Jimenez would be worthy winners this year, even though the ink on their historic peace accord is barely dry.

Four years of negotiations culminated on Monday when Santos and Jimenez signed the peace deal, which will only be ratified after an October 2 referendum on the accord.

“My hope is that today’s Nobel Committee in Oslo is inspired by their predecessors’ decision to award the 1993 prize to Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk, architects of the peaceful end of apartheid,” he told AFP.

12 bodies found in Mexico river GUADALAJARA—Authorities have recovered 12 bodies in a western Mexican river near a lake popular among US tourists, as suspicion about the deaths turned toward two drug gangs on Thursday.

Three bodies were found in the Lerma river on Thursday afternoon, after nine others were recovered in the first three days of the week, said Eduardo Almaguer, the top prosecutor in Jalisco state.

“Twelve bodies have been found in the Lerma river and its mouth at Lake Chapala,” Almaguer told reporters.

He did not say how the three new victims died.

The nine other bodies showed “show signs of violence,” he said. A police official said at least two of those victims had bullet wounds and two others were mutilated.

“If two criminal groups participated in this situation, our obligation is to arrest them,” Almaguer said, without naming the gangs.

The bodies were recovered within the municipality of Jamay, a fishing area.

The lake is also surrounded by a large expat community, including retirees.

The western state has been hit by violence perpetrated by the Jalisco New Generation drug cartel, one of Mexico’s most powerful and violent criminal groups.

Almaguer said some victims may have been killed in Jalisco and others in the neighboring state of Michoacan, another major flashpoint in Mexico’s decade-long drug war.

Jamay is near the municipality of La Barca, which lies near the JaliscoMichoacan border, where 75 bodies were unearthed from 37 clandestine graves between late 2013 and early 2014.

In the river case, Almaguer said his office has asked the authorities in Michoacan and the state of Guanajuato for help in identifying the bodies, in case the victims came from those states.

“We don’t have any report of abduction, which is why the process of identification and the prosecution of this crime have been slow,” he said.

About an hour’s drive from Jamay, federal police killed 42 New Generation cartel suspects on a ranch in the Michoacan munici-

pality of Tanhuato in May 2015.

Only one officer was killed in the clash, a lopsided death toll that raised suspicions that police had either used excessive force.

The National Human Rights Commission issued a scathing report last month alleging that 22 civilians were “arbitrarily executed” during the operation.

The report prompted President Enrique Pena Nieto to fire federal police chief Enrique Galindo.

The New Generation cartel had killed some 30 police officers and soldiers in the weeks prior to the Tanhuato incident.

In one clash, the gang downed a military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade earlier in May 2015.

But the Jalisco gang has also clashed with rival criminals in neighboring Michoacan state, where the Knights Templar drug cartel once held sway.

Farmers formed vigilante forces to counter the Knights Templar in 2013 and the cartel has been severely weakened, but smaller gangs have since emerged and continue to wreak havoc in the state. AFP

MOMENT. Rapper Joey Bada$$ performs onstage at MTV’s ‘Wonderland’ LIVE Show on Thursday in Los Angeles, California. AFP

Abstract painter Shirley Jaffe, 93 PARIS—US artist Shirley Jaffe, an influential painter in contemporary abstract art, died on Thursday aged 93, after spending most of her life living and working in France, the gallery that represented her announced.

Born in 1923 in New Jersey, Jaffe moved to Paris in 1949 after studying fine art in New York and Washington.

A close friend of fellow Americans Sam Francis and James Bishop, both painters, the adopted daughter of Paris was represented for several decades by the prestigious art gallery Jean Fournier.

Jaffe first came to be known in the

art scene for her abstract expressionist work. She broke away from this style in the early 1960s, adopting instead a colorful, geometric style.

“Considered one of the most influential painters in contemporary abstract art, she caught the attention of artists from younger generations, such as Jessica Stockholder and Bernard Piffaretti,” the Nathalie Obadia gallery, which had represented her since 1999, said in a statement.

At the turn of the century Jaffe designed stained glass windows for the chapel of Perpignan in southern France. AFP

Life

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

WEEKEND LIVING

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EVOLUTION

of interior design T

HE dynamic nature of design through the past, present and future will be the centerpiece of “Evolution,” the graduation exhibit of the Philippine School of Interior Design (PSID) Advanced Class of 2016, from Sept. 29 to Oct. 31 at the Square Building, Greenfield District, Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.

In celebration of PSID’s 49th year, “Evolution” will take exhibit guests on a journey through a timeline of design trends, styles and designs from past, present and future. Mounted in cooperation with Greenfield District, Norde International, Devant, Uratex, Boysen, Hafele, Bosch, Blanco Germany, Wilcon, Daikin, Gorenje, Dexterton, Liebherr, La Europa Ceramica, Songdream, Nordlux, Matimco, Nyxsys Philippines, AG Murals, Mity Mike, Kent, Larry’s Curtain, Mainline, Fineza, Ilaw Atbp, Ivan Acuna, Habitat, Kraut, Globe, Krisander Philippines, Dimensione, Weaves of Asia, Pacific Glass, Lilok Fab, Showcase Carpet, and Zaheer Carpet, the exhibit is set to showcase 24 exquisitely-designed spaces that represent different time periods and various inspirations from each period of design history.

Vintage trends and classic designs take center stage in the Past gallery. Showcasing how mid-century design styles have influenced today’s interior design stand-

FUTURE. Organic Opulence lanai design

inspired by the concept of metamorphosis, featuring elements such as the use of unpo.

ards, the Past gallery will take exhibitgoers through a trip down memory lane with looks inspired by the 1940s to the 1970s. Booths will capture the essence of illustrious designers from this time period such as Finn Juhl, Eero Aarnio, Alvar

PRESENT. A Rustic Luxe living room

design featuring a mix of masculine and feminine elements like brick, barn board and crystal chandelier.

PAST. A neofuturistic take on kitchen design inspired by 20th century industrial Eero Saarinen.

Aalto, Eero Saarinen, Charles Eames, Hans Wegner, Warren Platner, and Arne Jacobsen.

Meanwhile, the Present gallery breathes new life to timeless design styles and gives them a contemporary spin. Classic styles meet modern trends in an up-to date gallery that will discuss the eclectic nature of present-day design. Styles such as Tropical, Filipino, Japanese, Mediter-

ranean, Chinese, Moorish, Victorian, and Baroque are presented in an unexpected yet elegant fusion.

Giving exhibit-goers a glimpse of what’s to come in design is the Future gallery. The student-designers have conducted thorough research to come up with fearless forecasts on what the future of design looks like based on the trends today. Promising possible trends to be covered include Avant Garde Industrial, Tech and Trendy, Metallic Glam, Rustic Luxe, Eclectic Elegance, Organic Opulence, Design Deconstructed, and Funk Art. “Evolution” is a carefully planned, extensively researched exhibit that marks the countdown to PSID’s 50th anniversary in 2017.

For decades now, PSID has been known to produce groundbreaking exhibits that become the benchmark of interior design shows in the academe, and are considered go-to events for architects, fellow interior designers, design enthusiasts and the general public to learn more about world-class Filipino design and see innovative interiors come to life.

Delivering Philippine artisanal talent to US, Europe and Canada PEOPLE come first. This philosophy is at the heart of Rags2Riches (R2R), an eco-ethical lifestyle company that empowers community artisans by bringing their work to the global market.

R2R, as a catalyst of inclusive development, aims to bring positive change to artisans by providing them livelihood opportunities, as well as access to design, market, and quality of life programs. Customers share in this effort when they buy beautiful handmade products from R2R. “When R2R started, it was a small organization that wanted to do a lot for the country.

We wanted a kind of business that supports and enriches the livelihood of artisans that is profitable and doesn’t rely on grants and donations. It was a very worthy cause but our success was an uphill climb as it was

Handmade tote bag perfect for traveling

difficult to put together communities that would consistently create quality products that the market would love,” said Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, Rags 2 Riches’ president and co-founder.

With R2R’s adherence to high quality standards, demand for its products grew, prompting the enterprise to expand its product portfolio. Soon, customers from other parts of the world took notice of the artisans’ talent and the beautiful stories they wove into the pieces they handcrafted. But while interest for the products was strong, customers were unhappy with high shipping costs.

To ensure that the company can share the artisans’ stories and bring their products to the global market, R2R tapped FedEx for fast, reliable, and specialized solutions to support their shipping requirements.

“There were other shipping or logistics providers that we approached, however they would just give a one-time discount.

It was FedEx that showed the initial trust even if we did not have a good track record at the time. FedEx provided a special shipping rate that helped us in giving reasonable pricing to our customers abroad,” said Fernandez-Ruiz.

With the support of FedEx, R2R’s online store saw an increase in customer purchases from US, Europe, Canada, Australia and the ASEAN region. FedEx offers a special SME rate to R2R for its shipping services. This enables R2R customers worldwide to choose shipping fees and transit times that match their needs – two to three days for International Priority and three to five days for International Economy.

R2R offers clutch bags made of remnant fabrics

Local artisans create fashion and home accessories out of upcycled clothes and indigenous fabrics

With FedEx providing access to its trusted and efficient logistics service in over 220 countries, R2R gained access to the global market which, in turn, gave the artisans access to better lives. FedEx provides additional discount for bulk shipments.

R2R’s progress may also be attributed to the community artisan model – an end-to-end inclusive supply chain that involves artisans in every step of the process. Open dialogues are held with the artisans to make sure they are all in sync with regards to the company’s goals and the steps they need to reach them. The artisans’ involvement in every step of the process inspires ownership

and pride in their work.

Beyond being the preferred logistics services provider of SMEs like R2R, FedEx shares the same people-first corporate philosophy with the social enterprise. FedEx Founder and CEO Frederick W. Smith believes, “When people are placed first, they will provide the highest possible service, and profits will follow.” The FedEx corporate philosophy is the result of this belief: PeopleService-Profit.

Bound by a common people-centered philosophy, FedEx and Rags2Riches are bringing Filipino artisanal talent to the global stage.

Life

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Vere: A Babaylan in Tondo

U

NDER a canvas tent on a narrow crowded Tondo street, a gaggle of women, all of childbearing age, laugh at a tall young man with a flip chart showing a life-size model of the female reproductive system. It’s not because he wears IRL a beaded headband and is tastefully (IN REAL LIFE) made up, though without the water MENCHU AQUINO balloon bra or the hormonally SARMIENTO enhanced breasts, but because of the truthful audacity of what he says.

“Face it—we are all sexual beings: lahat ng tao ay may libog sa katawan. But it’s not all kilig at langit. There’s also lagkit at sakit. The bottom line is proper planning.

Don’t rush into things without thinking. That’s a disaster.

Tumayo ka na lang kung saan nadapa.” Then he proceeds to systematically show them just how, in what may be otherwise unmanageable lives, they can take better control of their fertility.

Benigno Vere Jr. or just Vere—no cute nicknames—knows firsthand what it’s like to suffer from the disastrous lack of access to reproductive health or RH services. His mother Raymunda was a teenage bride and had nine children by her early 30s in the slums of Malabon. Her eldest son died in infancy. Vere’s older siblings (he is second to the youngest) started their own families while still young adults. The padre de familia, Benigno Vere Sr.’s earnings as an OFW—a ship’s cook— were not enough to support his dependent children and to help out with the grandchildren too. Thus Vere’s nursing studies were untimely cut short. But for the last five years, he has found a niche as a community mobilizer and RH educator with the Likhaan Center for Women’s Health in Vitas, Tondo and Del Pan, Manila. NGOs like Likhaan focus on the poorest communities with unconscionably high rates of adolescent pregnancy and maternal mortality.

Vere’s spiel considers his audience’s particular socio-economic realities.

He assures them that even if they feel

bloated from birth control pills, the hormones are not accumulating dangerously in their bodies: Hindi alkansiya ang inyong puson; that the rust-proof brass IUD (Intrauterine Device) is worthless in the neighborhood junk shop. He tells the few men present that there’s no danger of thrusting the IUD right through the uterus. “Not happening, not even if your ari is as thick and as long as a walis tambo. Hanggang cervix ka lang.

Period.” And yes, that was just another urban legend about the strands of a beautiful actress’s IUD strangulating the head of her Fil-Am actor boyfriend’s member.

Such misconceptions and untruths thrive in social media, where hook-ups abound. The high incidence of MSM (Men having Sex with Men) whom they met on FB or online dating sites is a huge factor in the Philippines’s unprecedentedly soaring HIV rates. Thus Vere urges the use of condoms “Kung hindi matiis, mag-condom please.” They have no side effects and come in various flavors besides.

“Para mas masarap¸” he naughtily

MODERN BABAYLAN. Vere, or Benigno Vere Jr. (inset), educates teenage women about the importance of Reproductive Health

reminds the giggling women. “Don’t believe your partner when he claims he can’t get an erection with a condom on.

How did he wear it in the first place?

Believe me, girl, you can even hang a Good Morning towel on it. And it’s not true that he didn’t feel a thing. Why did he come then?”

Beyond the sassy, snarky, stand-up comedy patter, Vere harkens back to the venerable babaylan: a Philippine tradition involving cross dressing and gender bending as well as healing and mediating with the spirit world. Civilized society is still uncomfortable about re-

productive health or sex education. Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s success as a sex educator on 1980s American TV was said to be due in part to the audience’s inability to imagine having sex with her: she was in her 60s, tiny as a child at 4’7”, and with a comically thick Germanic accent. Similarly, Vere’s exotic mystique as a cross-dressing gay man sets him apart in the realm of a sexual unreachable for his mostly female heterosexual audience. Besides in our popular culture, the flamboyantly gay character is a stock confidant and BFF. Thus Vere always replies to SMS questions which women are too embarrassed to ask publicly during the Likhaan seminars, or patiently reiterates the complex timing and physical conditions for natu-

ral family planning.

Given the magnitude of the Filipino needs for RH services and education, Vere deserves a wider audience. He could be our own Pinoy Laci Green, whose YouTube channel “Sex Ed for the Internet” (www.youtube.com/user/lacigreen) has over a million subscribers.

Learning about RH privately through YouTube videos and getting answers through email or chat about one’s personal concerns would suit the millions of Filipino millennials. Like the wise, accepting romcom sidekick, Vere understands that being human, kahit sino man, may karapatan mangalabit. As an RH educator, he teaches that: Mararating mo pa rin ang langit, na may ngiti sa labi.

Home design experts on lighting solutions EACH room in the home requires a different type of light depending on its style and purpose, and it can make or break the functional and aesthetic design of it. Yet, many people overlook lighting during the design phase—perhaps because bulbs are often hidden from view, thus proving the adage “out of sight, out of mind.” But it’s never too late to change your wattage situation, and it’s amazing what the right tone and brightness will bring to a room.

“We have a full range of LED bulbs and other lights that assure energy efficiency. Unlike other brands, we don’t focus on the price of the product, but on what kind of light functions should be needed,” says Jam Chan, marketing director of Orbik LED light bulbs. “We at Orbik like to consider ourselves as light experts because we want to educate consumers about LED light bulb use.”

For architect Conrad Onglao, lighting serves different purposes: accent lighting to highlight artwork, indirect lighting to create mood, or task lighting on desks or above kitchen counters where clear light is necessary. There are many ways Onglao applies lighting so that function and design complement one another. “A bedroom should have soft and warm lighting while an office space has bright white lighting to keep one alert. There is no blanket lighting solution for all spaces.” Most Orbik bulbs have both warm white (yellowish feature) and daylight (crisp white color) options.

Lighting always plays an important aspect in any interior space. When decorating, people usually focus on furniture, carpentry and walls, but lights almost come as an afterthought.

However as we know it, the power of lighting in one’s home plays a crucial part. Traditional lighting dictates a central light fixture in the room to illuminate everything but for a more sophisticated look, you could also play around with positioning lamps in certain areas to highlight key focal points such as a bookshelf or an accent piece of furniture.

When selecting a bulb for your home or light fixture, it’s always important to take into consideration how big is and what would be the function of the space, this is to ensure that you buy a bulb that has a wattage fit to its function. To get the right amount of illumination/light specific for its function, we must look at the lumens, not the wattage.

Chan says, “Your room can be transformed in the switch of a single light bulb. But with low quality bulbs, you’ll find yourself more hassled than benefited with the transformation if you have to keep changing it! This is where LED makes a difference.” The energy-efficient bulb is touted for its low environmental impact and costeffectiveness as its outdated predecessor for lasting over three times longer.

Going LED means saving money, effort, and the environment—it’s a win all-around.

LET THERE BE LIGHT. Choosing the right light bulb requires knowing the size and the function of the space in which it will be used.

D3

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

Ricky Reyes

WEEKEND TV

shares preparations for APHCA’s 20th Hair Olympics

T

HE best hairdressers and cosmetologists in the Asia-Pacific region will come together on Oct. 25 and 26 for the 20th Asia Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association (APHCA) International Hair Olympics 2016.

APHCA President and TV host Ricky Reyes lets you in on the preparations for this grand event with the theme “Beauty Showdown in Manila”.

From the venue at SMX Mall of Asia, to the Filipino fares that will be served for the delegates who will surely have a taste of the Filipino hospitality.

Past Filipino winners Jason Hisola, Ruby Valderrama and Racquel Pangilagan will share their experiences while Hall of Famers Stephanie Ilagan and Jacky Rivera who will compete for the international hair and make-up segment will reveal their preparations for the competition.

Meanwhile, hair problems will be solved in all Gandang Ricky Reyes Salons with the following treatments: Regold for kinky hairs, Soft Wave for dull hair and natural wigs for hair loss.

Herbalist Fely Guy Ong of FGO Foundation talks on the right liquids to drink for good health.

All these and more this 9-10 a.m. today in Gandang Ricky Reyes Todo na Toh (GRR TNT) on GMA News TV.

DIY kitchen makeover in

‘Modern Living TV’

JOIN Bianca Gonzalez as she learns how to revamp the kitchen on a budget, with a little research and some Do-It-Yourself love.

Find out how this DIY kitchen renovation project will unleash your creativity and have you running to the nearest hardware store.

Also in this week’s episode, don’t miss Steph’s exclusive interview with Philippine Tatler’s Anton San Diego as he reveals the painstaking work and passion behind the pages of your favorite glossies.

For those tying the knot soon, find out why you need a good old bridal registry as Steph walks through its many benefits.

Every 30-minute episode of Modern Living TV features the latest eye candy in the form of breathtaking living spaces and other elements of modern living.

Now on its sixth season, Modern Living TV airs every Saturday on ANC at 6:00 p.m., with replays at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays.

Modern Living TV is the first lifestyle TV show by Bianca Gonzales gives viewers tips to revamp kitchen on a budget a news media organization.

Tomiho takes the lead in ‘Ipaglaban Mo” REEL and real-life couple Tommy Esguerra and Miho Nishida, also known as ‘ToMiho,’ top bill today’s episode of Ipaglaban Mo, their first for the show. The episode tells the story of a woman who fights for her child’s rights.

Bessy (Miho) works as a waitress in a steakhouse owned by Matthew’s (Tommy) family. Matthew, who is an American citizen, has always been smitten with Bessy. Unfortunately, Bessy already fell in love with American soldier Jeremy even before he can tell her what he truly feels.

Bessy and Jeremy live under one roof with their baby. Everything seems to be going well in her life until Jeremy goes to the U.S. and fails to come back.

Ipaglaban Mo is celebrating its second year on the air. Since the show premiered on ABS-CBN in 2014, the show has been consistently captivating viewers in its timeslot because of its timely and relevant stories that not only showcase good values, but also informs viewers of their rights.

Ipaglaban Mo further strengthened its commitment to serve by also offering free legal consultations to the public with Atty. Jose and Jopet Sison every week in partnership with ABS-CBN’s Tulong Center located in ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City. ***

Kim Rodriguez is a victim of drug addiction in ‘Karelasyon’

Today in Karelasyon, Kim Rodriquez plays Jenny, a young woman who wants to get away from her troubled life. She has long given up hoping her father and his live-in partner, both drug addicts, would ever change.

All Jenny wants to do is to finish her studies, have a decent job, and take her innocent siblings away from danger and poverty.

Juancho Trivino, Antonio Aquitania Aquitania, Ana Capri, Lucho Ayala, Kenken Nuyad, and Nafa Hilario also appear in the episode of the show with Carla Abellana as host. ***

Jennylyn Mercado in ‘Sarap Diva”

Ultimate Star Jennylyn Mercado is Regine Velasquez-Alcasid’s special guest today in Sarap Diva.

Apart from Jennylyn, there are international stars who will join the two in the musical numbers in the show.

Jennylyn will prepare Fish Tacos while Regine will surprise her guests with a special dish.

Sarap Diva airs after Maynila on GMA. ***

Of tornadoes, sugarcane in ‘I-Bilib’

It’s experiment time tomorrow with Chris Tiu, James & Roadfill of Moymoy Palaboy with Janine Gutierrez and StarStruck cutie Analyn Baro.

Find out what’s the sweet trivia about sugarcane from Analyn.

James and Roadfill have a mindblowing trivial about tornadoes answerubg gthge qyestuib: How can we be safe from it?

How can you get a key in a water-filled jar without touching it? Find out in the Water Magnet Experiment.

Can you switch on a bulb just using a magnet?

Find out in Discover Science’s The Magnet Express.

Apart from coffee sweetener, where can you use sugar? Find out in Sugar Lifehacks from Analyn.

Join the I-Bilib group in Chris Tiu’s last straw in Straw Puzzle.

I-Bilib, the no. 1 educational TV show, airs Sunday mornings on GMA Network.

Liza Miller’s two worlds collide in ‘Younger’ ‘AGE doesn’t matter’ is given a different perspective in the latest season of Younger, which premieres tomorrow on Sony Channel.

Forty-year-old single mother Liza Miller (Sutton Foster) was able to reinvent her career and her love life as a much younger woman. Now living two separate lives, Liza has to make sure no one discovers her secret.

Complications further arise

in the returning season as a love triangle between Liza, her boyfriend, 26-year-old tattoo artist Josh (Nico Tortorella), and her boss, closer-in-age Charles (Peter Hermann) develops. While Liza begins to doubt her on-and-off relationship with Josh, she finds Charles interesting and starts falling for him.

Questions suddenly make Liza’s double life more difficult to handle. Will she choose Josh,

who knows her secret and makes her life fresh and exciting? Or will she choose Charles, who can give her a more stable future? And the biggest question of all: Will Liza finally reveal her secret as new threats emerge? Will she have the guts to reveal it before more people find out?

With help from best friend Maggie (Debie Mazar) and colleague Kelsey (Hilary Duff), Liza has to face a tough call and

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Saturday, October 1, 2016

ACROSS 1 Jam or pickle 5 Pushpin 9 Holly, to a botanist 13 Famous last word 14 Drama prize 15 Bogged down 17 Aloha, in Rome 18 Do road work 19 Aileron locale 20 Disco flashers 22 Go-between 24 Lapdog, slangily 25 Salad makings 26 Invisible swimmer 29 Nasty shocks 31 High-rise unit 32 Texas town 33 Lemon cooler 36 Item in a poker pot 37 Apparition 40 Less than one 41 AMA members 42 Muffin spread 43 Foul smells 45 Whimpers 47 Kind of pig 48 Gourmet delicacies 51 Freighter hazard 52 Sawbuck (hyph.)

54 Daunt 58 St. Teresa’s home 59 Scholarly org.

61 Pit or stone 62 Oui and da 63 Touch 64 Scale button 65 Change the decor 66 Slowly vanish 67 Reach across DOWN 1 Slickers 2 Activate a Geiger counter 3 Char a steak 4 Looked into more than necessary 5 Midwest capital 6 Humiliate 7 Not mil.

8 It goes from bow to stern 9 Divulge 10 Bell-shaped flowers 11 Blank a tape 12 Inert gas 16 Lairs 21 Jazz genre 23 Ice hut 26 Kind of rain

27 El Cid foe 28 Heavy burden 29 Russell and Pauley 30 VIII, to Virgil 32 Off the — 33 By and by 34 Catastrophic 35 Bride in “Lohengrin” 38 Why? (2 wds.)

39 Lament 44 Absorbs 45 Played false 46 Marty Robbins tune (2 wds.)

47 Like some breezes 48 Overnight visit 49 Defiant reply 50 Licorice flavoring 51 Cleared the dishes 53 Minor misunderstanding 55 Make hay 56 Aloe — 57 Blissful spot 60 PBS funder

decide as she deals with her dilemma and struggles with her situations as they become even more confusing.

Younger Season 3 premieres the same week as the U.S. telecast tomorrow and airs every Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on Sony Channel seen on SKYCable Channel 35, Cignal Digital TV Channel 60, GSat Channel 48, Global Destiny Cable Channel 62, and Cable Link Channel 39.

‘Younger Season 3’ cast (from left) Peter Herman, Sutton Foster and Nico Tortorella

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

D4

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2016

Showbiz

CNN Philippines goes straight to ‘The Source’ CNN Philippines is launching a daily program titled The Source, an interview show that combines the headlines with in-depth conversations straight with the newsmakers themselves. Anchored by CNN Philippines senior anchor and correspondent Pinky Webb, The Source also offers analysis from subject matter experts.

“The Source gives us an opportunity to delve deeper into the issues that are most important to our viewers,” says Armie Jarin-Bennett, executive vice president and managing editor of CNN Philippines. “It’s also an opportunity to go beyond the headlines, as well as listen and engage

Acclaimed photographer Wig Tysmans with wife Carole

with our viewers through social media.”

A key feature of the program is “In Focus” which takes a closer look at topics that are inspiring or thought-provoking.

“The Source offers a fresh way of providing the news that will benefit our viewers,” shares Webb, “the thorough discussions and analysis will let them understand the impact of stories on their daily lives.”

Airing weekdays at 9 a.m., The Source premiered on Sept. 26 on CNN Philippines Channel 9 Free TV and livestreaming on cnnphilippines.com/ video.

CNN Philippines is seen on free TV Manila RPN – TV9, Cebu RPN – TV9, Davao RPN – TV 9, Zamboanga RPN – TV5, Baguio RPN – TV12, Bacolod RPN – TV8; Cable TV thru Sky Cable Channel 14 (Metro Manila), Sky Cable – Channel 6 (Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo and Baguio), Destiny Cable – Channel 14, Cablelink Channel 14, Cignal – Channel 10, Dream Cable- Channel 13.

Connect and engage with CNN Philippines through web (cnnphilippines.com), Twitter (@cnnphilippines), Facebook (facebook. com/cnnphilippines) and Instagram (@ cnnphilippines).

CNN Philippines senior anchor Pinky Webb

From left: Metropolitan Museum of Manila President Tina Colayco,filmmaker Brillante Mendoza and SM SVP for Marketing Millie Dizon walk the red carpet during the exhibit launch

Brillante Mendoza

Director Brillante Mendoza beside some of his numerous with his awards and recognitions, which are featured at the MET’s White Cube Gallery

featured in Filipino T filmmaker exhibition

Vintage cameras, film stock & reel, film magazine and tripods from the CMB Film Services collection are some of the highlights of the exhibit

HE Metropolitan Museum of Manila kicks off its 40th Anniversary with an exhibit on film entitled Brillante Mendoza: A Contemporary Filipino Filmmaker, which features the masterpieces of the internationally acclaimed filmmaker.

A project of Metropolitan Museum of Manila in partnership with SM and Center Stage Productions with support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Epson Philippines, Power Mac Center, Inc., Max’s Restaurant and Manny O Wines, Brillante Mendoza: A Contemporary Filipino Filmmaker is part of the first of a series of exhibitions lined up in the last quarter of the year to celebrate the Metropolitan Museum of Manila’s 40th anniversary.

A first major exhibition and retrospective about Director Brillante Mendoza, this exhibit features the full length films, advocacy documentaries and other productions like televisions commercials that showcase the director’s excellence on his craft that made him the celebrated filmmaker he is today.

Curated by Professor Leo Abaya, this exhibition brings the cinematic experience to the Museum by showcasing Mendoza’s lifework as an artist. His biography takes us back to his early beginnings from working in advertising, production design, and going back to what he is destined for, the film industry. In 2005, he founded his independent film production outfit known as Center Stage Productions (CSP) and directed his first film Masahista, which immediately received international recognition.

Since the success of his debut film, he has produced a body of work that garnered recognition from local

and international film bodies. He is the first Asian to win the prestigious Best Director Award at Cannes Film Festival for his film Kinatay in 2009 and is regarded by the world’s top film critics as an ultra-neo-realist.

This year, his film Ma’Rosa was in the Main Competition of the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, where Jaclyn Jose won the Best Actress award.

“I wish to congratulate the Metropolitan Museum of Manila on its 40th anniversary, and feel honored and privileged that this exhibit of my films will be part of it,” says Mendoza. “While many of us consider films to be a form of entertainment, film - especially alternative cinema - is also an important art form, and a powerful medium of communication. With its visual impact, film has the ability to bridge gaps between cultures and continents. It can also make us aware of the stark realities of life in our midst.”

As a filmmaker, Mendoza hopes that “visitors to the museum will see the amazing potential of alternative cinema as an art form, exploring the nature of inspiration, creativity, and communication. Art, after all, is how you see life, and I hope this collaboration with the Met will give viewers and opportunity to Rethink and Redefine cinema.”

Another highlight of the exhibition is the Film Equipment exhibit of CMB Films showing collections of analogue cameras, lenses, sound recorders, lights, grip equipment and vintage movie projectors.