Manila Standard - 2016 October 13 - Thursday

‘All roads lead to Leila’

By Christine F. Herrera and Rey E. Requejo

VOL. XXX • NO. 243 • 4 SECTIONS 20 PAGES • P18 • THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 • www.thestandard.com.ph • editorial@thestandard.com.ph

THE House committee on justice has found that “all roads led to Leila de Lima” as a recipient of some P65 million from bickering drug lords in the New Bilibid Prison to fund her senatorial campaign, and as a protector of the thriving drug

trade inside the national penitentiary.

These findings will be contained in the panel report to be submitted to the plenary for appropriate action, said Oriental Mindoro Rep. Reynaldo Umali, committee chairman.

De Lima’s Liberal Party, a minority in the House, disputed the findings.

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‘Du30 drops the ball’ Maritime expert wary of policy pivot to China

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan

P

RESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may have dropped the ball in insisting that Philippine foreign policy pivot to China and is methodically eliminating all means of leverage with which the Philippines could secure its interests against “its larger, more powerful neighbor.”

PRESIDENTIAL SUPPORTER. President Rodrigo Duterte appreciates the painting of Ayumi Endo, a mix-art painter from Osaka, Japan, featuring him and PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa at the riverside Malacañang. The female painter is known to use sounds of her art in executing a masterpiece. Malacañang Photo

“He is taking a huge risk, betting all on China’s goodwill and beneficence without the insurance provided by the diversified, multi-lateral support of historical and traditional friends and allies,” said University of the Philippines law professor Jay Batongbacal.

“Over the long term, China unmistakably stands to gain much, while the Philippines’ fate remains uncertain,” said Batongbacal, who was a member Next page

Rody seen skirting sea Power lack derails plan on 12 China trains ruling during China trip

By Sara Susanne D. Fabunan PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte canceled the China trip of former President Fidel Ramos after the latter set certain conditions that Beijing might reject, an administration source told the Manila Standard Wednesday.

Ramos, who was appointed by the President as the special envoy to China, advised Duterte not to push through with his presidential visit to Beijing if a consensus was not reached.

While Ramos has not made any statement about the cancellation of his trip, Duterte will still push through with his visit to Beijing next week.

“It’s not clear whether the terms of the visit are still on the table,” the source who asked not

be named said.

On Monday, Duterte said he would likely not dwell on the Philippines’ territorial claims in the South China Sea. “Let’s not dwell on Scarborough Shoal because we don’t have the capabilities. Even if we express anger, it will just amount to nothing. We can’t back it up,” Duterte said in Filipino before local government officials in Lamitan, Basilan.

In a recent report published in Manila Standard, a foreign affairs source claimed that the problem was that the advisers who surround Duterte “also think like him.”

“He needs an adviser who can calm his temper. That can only happen if you have a good pool of people not only competent,

TWELVE more trains or 48 cars from China are set to arrive in January next year to boost the Metro Rail Transit, but the commuters could not yet use them because of the lack of power supply, an official said Wednesday.

Transport Undersecretary Noel Kintanar said the extra power supply for the new trains would be there only during the second or third quarter next year after a bidder won the bidding to supply it.

He made the statement during the fourth and last hearing of the Senate committee on public services on the bill that seeks to grant emergency powers to President Rodrigo Duterte to address the traffic crisis.

“We are still receiving bids before accepting and evaluating,” Kintanar said when Senate Minority Leader Ralph Recto pressed him when the riding public could benefit from the trains bought from Dalian Locomotive

and Rolling Stock Company.

Kintanar said the MRT had 20 sets of trains with three coaches, and though they wanted to add another coach the existing power supply could not handle it.

Committee head Grace Poe asked Kintanar about the status of the trains brought from the Chinese company in 2014, and Kintanar said they could start using the new trains as soon as they had the extra power supply.

Recto questioned the transport

officials over their “unfocused and unfunded” proposed projects amounting to P1.3 trillion to attend to the traffic crisis.

“What you want are emergency powers for the entire country,” Recto said.

Transport Undersecretary Raul Creencia said the emergency powers would equip them with better tools to decongest traffic not only in Metro Manila, but also in the other urban areas like Cebu and Davao.

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Subic-Clark bullet train in pipeline PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte will push the construction of a 60-kilometer bullet-train system from Subic to Clark during his trip to China this month, an official said Wednesday.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority chairman Martin Diño said the bullet train would be built through the Public-Private Partnership Program with a Chinese company.

He told lawmakers the project would be among the topics to be discussed during Duterte’s visit

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PICHAY

Verbal fireworks hamper work on Charter change THE House committee on constitutional amendments on Wednesday failed to approve several proposals on how to amend the Constitution after two Mindanao lawmakers nearly came to blows during the panel’s initial hearing on the matter.

Reps. Robert Ace Barbers of Surigao del Norte and Prospero Pichay of Surigao del Sur swore at each other and nearly mixed it up.

UN dared: Look into cops’ plight

BARBERS

It happened just as the committee led by Rep. Roger Mercado was about to vote on a motion to adopt the proposal for Congress to convene into constituent assembly as the mode of rewriting the Constitution.

Pichay proposed that the senators be invited to sit with the congressmen in discussing the amendments to the 1987 Constitution.

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FIREWORKS FATALITIES. Arson investigators are looking into the possible cause of explosions Wednesday at fireworks stores in Bocaue, Bulacan north of Manila where at least two persons were reported killed and 24 more injured, 10 commercial establishments and six vehicles damaged. Andrew Rabulan

By John Paolo Bencito and Macon RamosAraneta

Digong ratings soar in Pulse Asia survey

THE Palace on Thursday urged the UN Special Rapporteur on Summary Killings, Agnes Callamard, to look into the deaths of law enforcers as well as those of drug suspects in the government’s war on illegal drugs, as it awaited the envoy’s reply to an

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte scored high approval and trust ratings in his first three months in office, according to the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey released on Wednesday.

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The polling agency said more than 86 percent of the people surveyed supported Duterte while 11 percent were undecided. Three percent said they disapproved of his performance and three percent

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had little or no trust in him.

Reps. Karlo Nograles and Jericho said the survey results affirmed the people’s support for Duterte’s leadership, programs and policies.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

Subic-Clark...

From A1 to China toward the end of this month.

Rep. Winston Castelo expressed conditional support for the proposal to give the Transport Department emergency powers to solve the traffic problems because “drastic problems require drastic solutions.”

But Congress should ensure that the projects to be implemented were properly identified and accountability and transparency were not compromised.

“It is important for Congress to examine in detail how the power is to be exercised, what are its limitations, and what measures are adopted to ensure that the projects really address the problem,” Castelo said.

Rep. Cesar Sarmiento, head of the House committee on transportation, said his panel set aside the emergency powers for President Duterte and renamed the proposal to Traffic Crisis Act. He said emergency powers had negative connotations that were making other sectors uncomfortable.

In the past hearing conducted

by Sarmiento’s panel, it was established that the traffic crisis was only hurting Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao.

Maricel V. Cruz

Power...

From A1 But Recto told them they might lose focus if interfered with the traffic conditions in the whole country.

“The biggest problem is in Metro Manila, maybe Cebu and Davao.

Why not focus on the three?” Recto said.

He also criticized the Transport officials for their plan to be the traffic crisis manager for the whole Philippines.

He urged them to focus on Metro Manila because almost half of the nine million vehicles nationwide were in the national capital region.

Poe criticized the Transport Department’s failure to ease the traffic gridlock.

“Perhaps the [department] should focus on projects that will immediately solve the traffic,” she said. Macon Ramos-Araneta

Rody...

From A1 but with diverse opinion,” the foreign affairs insider said.

Two administration sources confirmed that Duterte is unlikely to discuss the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea. In a text message, another official who is privy on Duterte’s official visit to China said that the President will instead ask Xi to help the Philippines in its bloody war against alleged drug users and dealers.

The source also reiterated Duterte’s earlier statement that fishing rights at the Scarborough Shoal are likely be discussed.

The source added that Duterte will not raise as yet the decision by a UN tribunal that threw out China’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea in favor of the Philippines.

On Tuesday, both Ramos and Senior Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio scored the Duterte administration’s anti-American foreign and military policy and urged President Rodrigo Duterte to stand

UN...

From A1 invitation to visit the Philippines.

At a news briefing, Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Palace was still waiting for Callamard’s response to an official invitation from Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea.

“In its invitation, the Palace also urged—and I think it is notable— the UN rapporteur to include in her investigation the killings of law enforcers by drug suspects so she could obtain an accurate perspective of the drug problem in the country,” he said.

In his letter to Callamard, Medialdea said the Philippines has been in the international limelight, albeit in a negative way, since President Rodrigo Duterte came to power and the number of drug-related killings started to rise.

Medialdea asked the UN Special Rapporteur to come to the Philippines and see for herself the true situation on the ground.

“Maybe, it is appropriate for us to recall the President’s pronouncement in his inaugural speech that the sale, use and proliferation of illegal drugs shall be stopped by all means that the law allows,” Medialdea said.

Expressing his openness to subject himself to a “garbage probe” by human rights bodies, President Duterte had earlier vowed to step down from office if his critics could prove there had been state-sanctioned killings in

Digong...

From A1 Rep. Raneo Abu said Duterte’s high approval and trust ratings “reflects the overwhelming support of the Filipino people for his policy of change in government.”

Duterte’s latest ratings were five points down from the 91 percent he received in July. The survey had a margin of error of plus/minus three

Bocaue factory blasts kill 2 B

By Orlan L. Mauricio

OCAUE, Bulacan–A series of powerful blasts rocked a row of fireworks stores along McArthur Hiighway in Barangay Biniang 1st here at 10:45 a.m. yesterday, killing two people and hurting 25 others.

Confirmed dead were Gina Gonzales, 47, owner of the Gina Gonzales Fireworks, a relative of former Bocaue mayor Lorenzo Gonzales, and ex-barangay chairperson Gigi Ayala, 60, of Brgy. Biniang 1st.

Police investigators scrambled at the explosion site to search for three more missing persons reported by relatives to Bocaue

policemen. At least 10 vehicles were burned, according to police reports.

Bocaue Mayor Joni Villanueva, who claimed she was just a kilometer away when the explosion happened, said the blast started at the Gina Gonzales Fireworks then leaped over across a row of four pyrotechnics stalls which triggered the successive explosions.Most

'Du30...

Duterte, he cited, has publicly insisted that he will negotiate with China on the basis of the Arbitral Tribunal ruling and within the international law but recent developments suggest the Philippines may be left with just “paper.” “[Duterte] has publicly insisted that he will not go out of the four corners of that paper, but at the rate things are going, that is precisely all that will be left: a piece of paper,” Batongbacal said.

“By alienating allies like the United States and Australia; refusing to push through with basic surveillance of the West Philippine Sea, discarding an Asean role; declaring that the Philippines cannot defend its territorial/jurisdictional areas; even exhorting the public to “not dwell” on Scarborough Shoal,” Batongbacal said.

Batongbacal said, Duterte’s upcoming visit to China may formally mark the swing back of the pendulum called Philippine foreign policy.

“The Philippines has steadily and unambiguously provided China with all the concessions it wants in the aftermath of the arbitration: no hype

From A1 of the technical team that helped the government win its claim on the Benham Rise area in the Philippine Sea. He made the remark as sources revealed to Manila Standard that Duterte canceled the China trip of former President Fidel Ramos after Ramos advised Duterte not to push through with the trip to China if they do not comply with certain conditions.

Instead of heeding Ramos’ advise, sources said Duterte cancelled Ramos’ China trip and personally took control of talks with Chinese officials without even consulting or informing concerned Philippine counterparts.

Batongbacal, also director of the UP Institute of Maritime Affairs and Law of the Sea, stressed that China has already said that it will never negotiate with the Philippines on the basis of the arbitration award.

“According to China, nothing is negotiable on the basis of the arbitration award, but everything is negotiable if it is discarded,” Batongbacal said. for real independence and defend the country’s territorial integrity.

Ramos, an alumni of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, said Duterte must learn to reach beyond his personal biases and think of his duties as being a responsibility to future Filipino generations.

“I hope he shows more leadership in our lives. Not only in drugs,” Ramos said in an interview over the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Although removing the drug menace is one of [the country’s biggest problems], it is not the whole thing,” said the 88-year-old Ramos, who was president from 1992 to 1998.

“I am sorry to say this, President Duterte, my President, our President. That is 20th century thinking.

We are now in the 21st century,” Ramos said, apparently referring to Duterte’s references to US atrocities in the Philippines in the early 20th century.

Carpio, on the other hand, urged Duterte to understand the importance of holding patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during a speech at the closing of amthe country.

“If there were [state-sanctioned] killings, I will resign tonight. I’ll give you my resignation,” Duterte told reporters.

“I’m not a fool to keep the presidency. Truth to tell, I don’t want [the presidency].”

In his invitation, Duterte said any probe should follow his own conditions.

“From my experience, they will get the report from Human Rights Watch, the report in Davao [City when he was mayor there], and the report here where I am President and they will ask me questions,” Duterte said.

“Then, after that, they will make a report to their commission and then it goes to the assembly. Then it is deliberated on [and] what will be my participation? The report they will be getting would be all garbage coming from [Senator Leila] De Lima.”

Callamard said she would insist on a range of measures to ensure that those who spoke with her did not face retribution.

“The date and scope of the factfinding mission will be discussed and negotiated with the government, along with essential guarantees,” she said.

“I welcome the reports recently [conveyed] through the media that the president and government of the Philippines will invite a UN mission to investigate the alleged extrajudicial executions,” Callamard said. percentage points The survey said Duterte continued to enjoy positive scores in all geographic areas and socioeconomic classes.

He received the highest trust rating in his home region of Mindanao (96 percent) and among the members of the E Class (88 percent).

He scored 81 percent in National Capital Region, 82 percent in Balance Luzon and 86 percent in the Visayas.

phibious exercises with the United States on Tuesday.

Ramos, whom Duterte credited for convincing him to run for president, said looking to the aspirations of the young and not the historical past should be the mindset of a leader.

“That must not be the mentality of leaders these days,” Ramos said, suggesting that if Duterte can show pictures of Moros killed by Americans, future Filipinos can also show pictures of Filipinos killed by Filipinos, like the Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre of November 2009.

China claims 90 percent or the whole South China Sea as its own, citing the nine-dash line of its ancient Chinese map.

Aside from the Philippines, parts of the South China Sea are also claimed by other members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation including Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in favor of the Philippines deciding that China is illegally claiming and continuously destroying the marine environment of the disputed sea.

Verbal...

From A1 He said the Constitution provides that any amendments to it may be proposed by Congress after a three-fourths by all of its members.

“We need to pass a resolution to invite the upper chamber [here],” Pichay said.

But Barbers replied: “Let us not pretend to be constitutionalists here. Let us not entertain such a stupid motion.”

Pichay said he was not proposing a motion but only suggesting a proposal to the committee for consideration.

That prompted Mercado to suspend the hearing.

After a few minutes, Barbers approached Pichay to ask what his motion was about, but Pichay did not like it. They soon swore at each other until Barbers left the room.

Because of the incident, Mercado moved to adjourn the hearing upon the motion of Rep. Harry Roque. And as a result, the panel failed to decide on the motion raised by Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia who wanted the panel to decide which mode would be used to amend the Constitution: Charterchange, Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Convention.

Barbers later apologized to the public saying his actions were “uncalled for.”

“It was just a verbal altercation.

I apologize to the Filipino people.”

Maricel V. Cruz He received 85 percent from Class ABC and Total D. The survey, conducted from Sept.

25 to Oct. 1, 2016, had a ±3-percent margin of error at the 95-percent confidence level.

An earlier survey by Social Weather Stations gave Duterte an “excellent” +76 net trust rating in his first three months.

John Paolo Bencito and Maricel V. Cruz

of those injured suffered second to third degree burns but one of them was already critical after being brought to the Yanga’s Emergency Hospital for first aid treatment. The unidentified male victim was later brought to the Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital along Rizal Avenue in Manila.

Six of those injured were identified as Arnold Co, Jeff Abayan, Michael Navarro, Erlinda Fariñas, Estephanie Espina and Edgar Ducat.

Bocaue police arson probers who interviewed some witnesses to the powerful explosion said at first they saw smoke then fire coming out of the warehouse owned by Gonzales.

Ramon Lazaro, a newsman from Bocaue said the blast was so

powerful that a three-hour brownout gripped the entire town after the blast.

The blast was so massive that at least a half-square kilometer radius along McArthur Highway was almost levelled to the ground.

Mina Dionisio, a secretary at the law office of Peter Gonzales, cousin of the victim’s husband, Oman, said the entire window glasses inside a kilometer radius were shattered.

Acting Bulacan police director Senior Supt. Romeo Caramat Jr., said the police are still investigating the exact cause of the blast.

Close to 40 adjoining commercial establishments and houses were destroyed. Authorities estimated the damage at some P20 million.

The Philippine Pyrotechnics

Manufacturers and Dealers Association Inc., said that most of the stores in Bgy. Biniang 1st and in Bgy. Turo are licensed and have complied with the safety training seminars being required by the PNP-Civil Security Group before they can be issued with license and permits to sell.

It was learned that most of the stall owners in the area have been selling pyrotechnics for more than three decades and have undergone safety training seminars of the PPMDAI and the PNP-CSG before the explosion happened.

This was the first major explosion to hit Bocaue in six years. In 2009 and 2008, rows of fireworks stores in Bgy. Turo were also rocked by powerful explosion that both happened on New Year’s Eve.

over the arbitral award, withdrawal of patrols from the EEZ, and stepping [and potentially breaking] away from the alliance with the US, as well as other allies.

“At the same time, after a sustained push to get the Asean members to begin standing up to China in the SCS and securing a massive legal victory that could be the solid basis of a united front between claimants, the Philippines has dropped the ball and withdrawn at the eleventh hour to deal bilaterally with China,” Brongbacal said.

Batongbcal said, Duterte’s meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping will be first major test of his “crude and apparently transactional diplomacy”.

“He has bet all his chips on China reciprocating for his abandonment of the previous administration’s strategy for the West Philippine Sea, expecting a concession for Philippine fishing and a windfall of Chinese economic investments,” he said.

Batongbacal warned that if Duterte will return without any concessions, it will be humiliating blow for his part “since he has given practically all the possible political leverage that he had in reserve.”

If Duterte come back with rewards, Btingbacal said his critics and opponents will see him to have succumbed to the power of Chinese economic inducements.

Even Ramos has expressed disappointment with Duterte’s foreign policy tack, particularly after Duterte canceled Ramos’ China after the latter set certain conditions that Beijing rejected, an administration source told the Manila Standard Wednesday.

Ramos, who was appointed by the President as the special envoy to China, advised Duterte not to push through with his presidential visit to Beijing if a consensus was not reached.

While Ramos has not made any statement about the cancellation of his trip, Duterte will still push through with his visit to Beijing next week.

“It’s not clear whether the terms of the visit are still on the table,” the source who asked not be named said.

On Monday, Duterte said he would likely not dwell on the Philippines’ territorial claims in the South China Sea. “Let’s not dwell on Scarborough Shoal because we don’t have the capabilities. Even if we express anger, it will just amount to nothing. We can’t back it up,” Duterte said in Filipino before local government officials in Lamitan, Basilan.

In a recent report published in Manila Standard, a foreign affairs source claimed that the problem was that the advisers who surround Duterte “also think like him.”

“He needs an adviser who can calm his temper. That can only happen if you have a good pool of people not only competent, but with diverse opinion,” the foreign affairs insider said.

Two administration sources confirmed that Duterte is unlikely to discuss the Philippines’ claim over the West Philippine Sea. In a text message, another official who is privy on Duterte’s official visit to China said that the President will instead ask Xi to help the Philippines in its bloody war against alleged drug users and dealers.

The source also reiterated Duterte’s earlier statement that fishing rights at the Scarborough Shoal are likely be discussed.

The source added that Duterte will not raise as yet the decision by a UN tribunal that threw out China’s claims to almost the entire South China Sea in favor of the Philippines.

On Tuesday, both Ramos and Senior Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonio Carpio scored the Duterte administration’s anti-American foreign and military policy and urged President Rodrigo Duterte to stand for real independence and defend the country’s territorial integrity.

Ramos, an alumni of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, said Duterte must learn to reach beyond his personal

biases and think of his duties as being a responsibility to future Filipino generations.

“I hope he shows more leadership in our lives. Not only in drugs,” Ramos said in an interview over the ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Although removing the drug menace is one of [the country’s biggest problems], it is not the whole thing,” said the 88-year-old Ramos, who was president from 1992 to 1998.

“I am sorry to say this, President Duterte, my President, our President.

That is 20th century thinking. We are now in the 21st century,” Ramos said, apparently referring to Duterte’s references to US atrocities in the Philippines in the early 20th century.

Carpio, on the other hand, urged Duterte to understand the importance of holding patrols within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone during a speech at the closing of amphibious exercises with the United States on Tuesday.

Ramos, whom Duterte credited for convincing him to run for president, said looking to the aspirations of the young and not the historical past should be the mindset of a leader.

“That must not be the mentality of leaders these days,” Ramos said, suggesting that if Duterte can show pictures of Moros killed by Americans, future Filipinos can also show pictures of Filipinos killed by Filipinos, like the Ampatuan, Maguindanao massacre of November 2009.

China claims 90 percent or the whole South China Sea as its own, citing the nine-dash line of its ancient Chinese map.

Aside from the Philippines, parts of the South China Sea are also claimed by other members of the Association of the Southeast Asian Nation including Vietnam, Brunei and Malaysia.

On July 12, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has ruled in favor of the Philippines deciding that China is illegally claiming and continuously destroying the marine environment of the disputed sea.

The members of the LP-Minority wing–Lagman, Caloocan Rep. Edgardo Erice and Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat said even as members of the panel, they chose not to participate because the hearings were a “foregone conclusion,” that they were politically motivated and that De Lima would be found guilty of the allegations.

Lagman insisted the panel has no jurisdiction in finding De Lima culpable of the proliferation of drugs at the NBP. But Umali said the testimony against De Lima had gone uncontested.

“At this point, we have heard all of the witnesses said that there are different ways to get there but all roads led to Senator Leila de Lima and that is the problem because all of these testimonies remain… uncontroverted. All of this would only say one thing and that is, all roads led to Leila de Lima.

Unfortunately, she did not participate and so [the testimony against her] remains uncontroverted,” Umali said in a television interview.

While the inmates were under the control of the Justice Department, there can be no better witness on the proliferation of illegal drugs because they had “personal knowledge” about what occurred in the prison, Umali said.

“I don’t want to down play their credibility,” he added.

Umali also noted that Sebastian was a witness suggested by De Lima herself, and said his testimony remained consistent.

“He did not budge. He said the same story. And he is not even referring to his notes. So in terms of credibility, he ranks high. As a trial lawyer, as a litigator, to me, he would rank high. Well, as I said he was straightforward,” Umali said.

The Liberal Party’s Erice said he did not not join the hearings because they were “garbage.”

“It’s a propaganda tool to cover up the investigation on the extrajudicial killings,” said Erice, referring to the Senate probe initiated by De Lima that earned the ire of President Rodrigo Duterte.

Baguilat said he believes everything was a “publicity stunt” and to intimidate critics of the President’s war on drugs.

“Their goal is to destroy De Lima.

That’s the only goal of this commit-

tee,” Erice said.

“They succeeded in ousting De Lima as Senate justice committee chairman and now they suspended the hearing. Of course it has a chilling effect on us definitely,” Erice added.

Umali said the House probe would resume once Dayan was found, after the panel cited him in contempt and issued an order for his arrest to compel his attendance to the hearing.

Lagman said it was not necessary to investigate the existence of a drug enterprise in the NBP because this has been previously validated and raids were even conducted.

It was an open secret and the only thing lacking is the prosecution of the culpable convicts, he added.

“The secretary of Justice brought in witnesses like inmates and officials of the NBI who are under his jurisdiction because the Bureau of Corrections and the NBI are both attached agencies to the Department of Justice,” Lagman said.

He also pointed out that many of the witnesses were assisted by lawyers from the Public Attorney’s Office, which is another agency under the secretary of Justice.

The active participation of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, in introducing his witnesses and propounding questions to them violated the rules of the House on legislative inquiries in aid of legislation, which limit the role of resource persons, like the secretary of Justice, to making their statements and answer questions from the committee chairman and members.

“Any eventual prosecution arising from the inquiry will be submitted to the secretary of Justice and investigated by the prosecutors under him to determine probable cause. Consequently, the secretary of Justice is both inquisitor and judge,” Lagman said.

Aguirre on Wednesday said his department is ready to conduct a preliminary investigation into a complaint filed against De Lima and seven others for their alleged involvement in the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the NBP. Aguirre disputed De Lima’s argument that the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruptions should have filed their case against her before the Office of the Ombudsman instead of the Justice Department.

With Sandy Araneta

'All...

From A1 Albay Rep. Edcel Lagman said he did not participate in the justice committee hearings because the results were pre-determined to find De Lima guilty of benefiting from the illegal drug trade in the NBP. “Why then should I attend and participate in an obvious and odious vaudeville?” Lagman said.

The House probe stemmed from a resolution filed by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, calling for a probe into the proliferation of drugs in the NBP during De Lima’s watch.

During the hearings, drug lord Jaybee Sebastian claimed he had given De Lima a total of P10 million in drug money for her senatorial bid.

Sebastian’s bitter rival Herbert Colanggo testified that he, too, gave De Lima a monthly P3 million “PR [campaign] payola” from drug sales that his talent manager summed up to “more or less P45 million.”

Colanggo said De Lima also received a P1-million kickback from his P3-million income from the concerts he was holding and the booze he was smuggling inside the prison that happened every weekend.

Former Bureau of Corrections chief and now National Bureau of Investigation Deputy Director Rafael Ragos also testified he had delivered P5 million twice to De Lima at her house and that the drug money came from Chinese drug lord Peter Co. Ragos said he had turned over the money to her trusted driverbodyguard and alleged lover, Ronnie Dayan, in De Lima’s presence.

At some point, Sebastian said it was De Lima who received the P2 million he had given because her trusted security aide Joenel Sanchez was not around at the time the money was collected.

Umali found drug lords Sebastian and Colanggo and other high value inmates pointing to De Lima, through her bagmen Dayan and Sanchez, as having ordered the drug syndicates to raise funds for her senatorial campaign.

All of the inmates who testified corroborated one another’s sworn affidavit and testimony that De Lima was aware the funds given to her were proceeds from the illegal drug trade inside and outside of the NBP maximum security compound.

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4 Cabinet nominees confirmed

By Macon Araneta THE Commission on Appointments on Wednesday finally confirmed the ad interim appointment of Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, along with Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III and Presidential Communications Office Secretary Martin Andanar.

Cusi’s appointment was deferred last week following questions raised by Senator Panfilo Lacon regarding the country’s electrification project. He failed to provide the powerful commission with data requested.

Senator Joseph Victor Ejercito seconded the motion to confirm Cusi’s appointment and said he shared an advocacy with the Cabinet official.

“Secretary Alfonso Cusi thinks outside of the box and is willing to make unpopular decisions on energy exploration…

Now that we desperately need to find solutions on how to bring down the cost of electricity and tap other resources, I trust that Secretary Cusi can make these happen,” said Ejercito.

Senator Miguel Zubiri underlined the brilliance of Dominguez, who served as Agriculture secretary and Minister of Natural Resources during the administration of then President Corazon Aquino, adding the department would be in good hands as it moves towards genuine fiscal reform.

Senator Ralph Recto said Dominguez’s mere presence alone in the Cabinet was enough to calm the market and assure investors whenever The Punisher throws a tantrum,” Recto said, in reference to President Rodrigo Duterte.

“He is The Pacifier who brings a tranquilizing effect when business gets the jitters— and he does it without even uttering a single word,” the senator added.

During Dominguez’s confirmation hearing, concerns were raised on President Duterte’s “insults” against the United States, fearing these could put in jeopardy the $3-billion Official Development Assistance fund the Philippines is getting from Western countries.

SWORN TO SERVE. New officials of the administration join President Rodrigo Duterte in making the Chief Executive’s signature fist sign after being inducted into office at the Palace’s Rizal Hall. Malacañang Photo

Neda: Foreigners won’t pull out aid

By Gabrielle Marie Consuelo H. Binaday

D

ESPITE President Rodrigo Duterte’s earlier pronouncements, the National Economic and Development Authority is confident the United States and European Union will not pull out their respective official development assistance grants to the Philippines.

Economic and Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said the ODA grants from the two groups would remain here, stressing without elaboration “They will not pull out.”

In a separate event, Senator Franklin Drilon expressed fears the total $3 billion worth of grants from US, EU and Austra-

lia might be placed in jeopardy following the President’s recent sentiments towards them.

During the confirmation of Secretary Carlos Dominguez III’s appointment as Finance chief, Drilon expressed concerns with Durterte’s recent pronouncements.

Drilon, addressing Domin-

guez, said: “The government and the administration’s assertion of an independent foreign policy is something that we should all support, because that is in the Constitution [and] we should have, maintain an independent foreign policy.

“But the question in everybody’s mind is, in maintaining an independent foreign policy, do we have to displease, insult our allies? Here, we are talking about $3-billion ODA.” Drilon added: “An ordinary, logical and rational way to look at this is, are we not putting in danger our $3-billion ODA by displeasing our allies? There is no question that we should maintain an independent foreign policy and that is an obligation on the part of the government under the Constitution.

“But the question in everybody’s mind, to pursue an independent foreign policy—which we support—[is] do we have [to] displease our long-term allies and —no matter what you say—put in jeopardy the ODA?” Dominguez, for his part, confirmed the Philippines’ total ODA from the US is $1.2 billion, which included the $450 million from MDC; from Australia, $567 million; the UN, $365 million; EU, $327 million.

“I think that there might be a school of thought that would say that it is not advisable to do...I am not the foreign affairs minister, but I would say that, yes, there is some logic to what you’re saying,” Dominguez told Drilon.

Duterte recently hit the US and EU and even dared them to withdraw their grants to the Philippines.

3 Davao bombing House fetes US ambassador suspects deny raps THE three alleged members of terrorist group Maute tagged in the bloody Sept. 2 bombing in Davao City have denied the charges of illegal possession of explosives and firearms.

During the preliminary investigation hearing at the Department of Justice, respondents—TJ Tagadaya Macabalang, Wendel Apostol Facturan, and Musali Mustapha— filed their respective counteraffidavits denying they possessed explosives and firearms when arrested in Cotabato City last week.

They claimed they were not travelling together and driving different motorcycles when arrested by authorities, contrary to allegations in the joint complaint of the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police Criminal Investi-

gation and Detection Group.

Some 15 people died while 69 others were badly injured in the nightg explosion.

According to them, there was no checkpoint in the area where they were serately arrested last Oct. 4 and 5.

The suspects appealed to the DoJ prosecution panel headed

by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Peter Ong to dismiss the charges for violations of Republic Act 9516.

The answers prepared by their lawyer Ma. Elisa Barquez made no denial, nor mentioned their alleged roles in the Davao bombing, subject of another pending preliminary investigation in the Davao City prosecutor’s office.

Rey E. Requejo

THE House of Representatives on Wednesday recognized outgoing US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg for his exemplary contributions to further strengthen the diplomatic ties between Manila and Washington.

Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez and House Majority Floor Leader and Ilocos Norte Rep. Rodolfo Fariñas said Goldberg received a Golden Mace Award in a House plenary session.

“Whereas, his efforts and contributions to the Philippines, especially the humanitarian assistance, which further enhanced the ties and friendship of the Philippines and the United States of America deserve our commendation,” the House Resolution recognizing Goldberg’s contributions to the RP- UD ties said.

After the awarding, Goldberg held a brief press conference but refused to answer questions from the media about President Rodrigo

Duterte’s latest gay slur.

Goldberg on Wednesday said it would not be productive to respond to the latest gay slur of Duterte, saying it would be unproductive of him to reply to such comments.

“I’m a diplomat and I don’t respond to those kinds of comments. Quite frankly I don’t think it’s productive. I don’t think it’s consistent with what I was just talking about which is the great friendship of our two countries, the great alliance between the US and the Philippines,” Goldberg said.

Goldberg, meanwhile, said his contributions to the good RP-US ties was such an excellent experience.

“It’s a great honor for me but mostly it’s a great honor for my country and mostly it represents the friendship, the great partnership, the great alliance between our two countries,” Goldberg stressed.

Maricel V. Cruz

Senate Blue Ribbon eyes tourism probe

By Macon Araneta THE Senate Committee on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon Committee) will investigate the failure to implement the Tourism Act of 2009, which aimed to declare a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment, employment, economic growth and national development.

Senator Richard Gordon, author of the law and chairman of the Blue Ribbon Committee, said the tourism industry has failed to reap the full benefits the law projected due to the con-

cerned agencies’ non-implementation of the law.

“This is another missed opportunity because we let the grass grow under our feet. [The law] aimed to give our tourism industry a boost by encouraging investors to open tourism-related investments,” said Gordon.

Under the law, the government will provide full assistance by way of competitive incentives.

Gordon said a long-term development fund and other financing schemes to tourismrelated investments. It would have provided thousands of jobs while raising the country’s revenue,” the senator noted.

IN BRIEF Rody thanks Japan for aid PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday thanked Japan for its continued assistance, including patrol ships, to the country.

President Duterte expressed his appreciation to the Japanese people during the 115th anniversary of the Philippine Coast Guard, which was attended by Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa at the PCG headquarters in Port Area, Manila. ”Let me start by giving our gratitude to Japanese Ambassador Ishikawa, our heartfelt thanks for giving us the ships —some are here, others are coming—and your desire to help the Philippines,” President Duterte said in his speech.

The President recognized Japan as one of the biggest contributors to the Filipino people. ”In my city alone, Jica [Japan International Cooperation Agency] projects are abundant and it has redounded to the benefit of my countrymen over in Mindanao,” said the former Davao City mayor. ”And now that I’m the President, you continue to pour the aid that you feel you want to extend to us and again, we’d like to thank the Japanese people, your Emperor and your government,” he said.

President Duterte said the Philippines needs more ships to patrol the country’s more than 7,000 islands. ”We need the ships. If you count the number of islands of about 7,000 plus, that would count to so many great miles of coastlines. It is not enough but at least we have the ships to begin with. The old ones plus the new one that has been delivered to us, would greatly help us in this endeavor,” he said.

For his part, Ishikawa said that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, during his meeting with President Duterte at the Laos Asean Summit last Sept. 6, announced Japan’s intention to provide a new loan for the construction of larger patrol ships for the Philippines. PNA

New SRA chief named

EYE ON TOURISM. Senator Nancy Binay, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, questions tourism officials about sustainable tourism promotion, protection of heritage sites and boosting the tourism destinations.

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has appointed Anna Rosario V. Paner as the new administrator of the Sugar Regulatory Administration to a one-year term.

In a letter to Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Piñol dated Oct. 10, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the President signed the appointment of Paner as member of SRA’s Sugar Board.

She will serve the unexpired term of office that began on July 1, 2016 and will end on June 30, 2017 vice Ma. Regina B. Martin.

Paner was previously the managing director and chief executive officer of sugar miller Victorias Milling Corp. PNA

A4

Opinion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

EDITORIAL

Adelle Chua, Editor

Not just yet

T

HE plight of Metro Manila commuters is nothing new. For several years, it has increasingly become difficult to navigate major roads and use public transportation even outside of the usual rush hours and busy days.

The train system has been a challenge—and that’s putting it mildly. Over the years, under the previous administration, taking the LRT 1, LRT 2 and especially the MRT 3 which traverses Edsa has proven not just an inconvenience but a real threat to commuters’ safety.

Hundreds of thousands of commuter endure this daily punishment, more taxing

than the actual work they have to do in their schools and workplaces. A train ride is supposed to be cheaper and take passengers to their destinations faster, but experience—actual or vicarious —tells us otherwise.

The long lines just to get onto the platform, the shortage of trains that results in bottlenecks at whatever time of day, the less-than-optimal

speed at which the trains run, the frequent breakdowns that often result in passengers alighting in between stations, and even defective doors and air-conditioning units are just among the reasons metro commuters would not take the train at all if they had a choice.

For a while, we were relieved to hear that 12 fourcar trains were set to arrive in January. Experts say these will improve capacity by 33 percent. Twenty-three car trains are currently running.

Alas, the new trains cannot yet be useful because the

system lacks the power supply to make them run.

During the Senate hearing on the request for emergency powers to solve transport woes, a Transportation department undersecretary said they were still receiving bids for the power supply and that procurement is expected to be done by the second or third quarter of 2017.

It appears then that commuters have to have more patience as they wait for tangible change to come.

There is no longer any sense in blaming the previous administration’s negligence

for the deterioration of the train system, among others.

That would sound like something they would resort to. For this hundred-day-old administration that prides itself on drastic measures, however, excuses for failing to deliver decent public services seems out of character.

Wednesday’s Senate hearing highlighted that importance of specifics in laying out a plan. The jarring lack of coordination regarding the improvement of the train system tells us that some bad habits are more difficult to shake off than others.

The CIA

Nothing special MAYBE Transportation Secretary Arturo Tugade doesn’t really need emergency powers.

Perhaps what he really requires is an emergency exit to take him out of the Cabinet.

I’ve been paying close attention to Tugade during the three months or so that he has been President Rodrigo Duterte’s transportation czar. And I’m sad to say that, unlike many of the seasoned executives and technocrats who have been doing a great job as alter egos of the president in various departments, Tugade hasn’t really been pulling his weight.

I know that Duterte has asked Congress to give him emergency powers to solve the traffic gridlock that has made the

lives of millions of Filipinos in Metro Manila, Cebu and other major cities a daily hell on earth. But Tugade has been acting like he needs special congressional authority to fix even the most basic of problems that require simple, common-sense solutions.

And it’s not because he hasn’t been given enough already.

Very early on, Tugade’s DoTr was given overall mandate to manage traffic in Metro Manila, a mandate that once resided chiefly with the Metro Manila Development Authority.

But despite the broad powers granted to Tugade while he awaited the granting of the emergency measures that Duterte asked Congress to give him, I can’t remember anything of significance that Tugade has done. Worse, I don’t recall traffic ever being as bad as it is nowadays, not even during the

time of Tugade’s unlamented predecessor, the eternally clueless Joseph Emilio Abaya.

I will give Tugade some of the credit for solving the infa-

Tugade has all the powers he needs—he’s just not using them, for reasons that only he knows.

mous “tanim bala” extortion scam at the airport. By employing mere common sense (which is not, as far as I know, a special power), airport authorities put an end to the lucrative racket by simply confiscating

bullets found in passengers’ luggage and then waving them through to the departure areas: no fuss, no shakedown.

But that’s about the only real work that Tugade has gotten done that I can remember during his first hundred days. And it’s not even related to solving the horrendous traffic on our streets.

Yesterday, the DoTr, the MMDA and other agencies working to fix the traffic problem came up another temporary solution, that of closing the “window” given to motorists on days when they are not allowed to travel on several major thoroughfares, particularly Edsa. The no-window scheme aims to prevent onefifth of the vehicle population from using the clogged streets on weekdays, something that is likely to provide immediate relief to those who will be able to use their cars.

*** But everyone and his Uber driver knows that this is a palliative measure that will only make the vendors of motor vehicles happy, as one-car motorists scramble to buy a second vehicle in order to remain mobile for a full week. The deployment of a dozen more P2P buses to take up the slack is just too pitifully inadequate.

Besides, at the rate Tugade is getting work done, I wonder if he is not actually sabotaging Duterte’s plans of solving the traffic mess, something he promised during the campaign.

And I worry that Duterte may realize only too late that Tugade is just not the man for the job he was given.

At the moment, I think most people still believe that the previous administration is responsible (and rightly so) for converting Edsa and other maTurn to A5

THE involvement of the Central Intelligence Agency in the overthrow of governments and the assassination of leaders is the stuff of legends immortalized in many blockbuster movies and bestselling books.

Many of these stories are documented and attested to by many of the participants while others are simply the product of the fertile imagination of writers and movie makers.

It is altogether possible that many regime changes that have taken place recently involved CIA participation. Still, we cannot know for sure, unless in the not-too-distant future, some of the participants could not resist the temptation to write their memoirs. Such is the nature of covert and clandestine operations.

The CIA is a relatively young intelligence organization if we compare it to the MI6 of the United Kingdom, the Deuxieme Bureau of the French, and the Russian KGB now FSB. It is only 69 years old, having been founded as a result of the National Security Act of 1947.

Before that, it was the Office of Strategic Services led by William Donovan.

During the Second World War, the OSS did sabotage work and helped the partisans fighting Nazi Germany like those in France and Yugoslavia. It was disbanded after the war. It did not, however, take long for the United States to realize the need for a centralized intelligence agency; that was how the CIA was born. Not long after, we would read the involvement of the spy agency in the political affairs of many less developed countries.

The CIA, being the only US government agency that is authorized to conduct foreign covert operations, does so for many reasons. One is to enhance and protect the national security interests of the US. But as we will find out later, they also do it for very flimsy reasons. The first documented participation of the CIA in regime change was in Iran in 1953. This operation eventually installed the Shah of Iran to power. This was the Shah that was eventually deposed by the Iranian revolution of 1979. The cause for the overthrow of the democratically elected Iranian leader Mohammad Mossadegh was oil. After a relatively short period of political instability orchestrated by the CIA, Mossadegh was forced to step down Turn to A5

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

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Opinion

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

A5

mst.daydesk@gmail.com

A clean slate Advice from real friends I HAVE said in my previ- are messy in the government ous columns that there were body tasked with protecting many hits and misses during Mother Earth. I would have the first 100 days of Presi- thought it would be run by a dent Roa Duterte’s adminis- group of sociable pacifists, tration. but the exact opposite is takYes, there were hits. As ing place. expected, the President hit As in every other organithe ground running as he zation, trouble traces its battled crime, corruption roots to fierce rivalry among and illegal drugs immedi- the commissioners and ately. His efforts resonated heads of divisions. The situwith the people who had ation has actually reached a been longing for a leader point where instead of dowith resolve. This was in ing their jobs, personnel are contrast to six years of the drawing battle lines, keepAquino administration char- ing secrets, and dedicating acterized by incompetence, all their time to formulating insensitivity and hypocrisy. smear campaigns against As a result, Mr. Duterte one another. enjoys excellent trust and In the meantime, highly satisfaction ratings. important matters such as I want to believe that de- the People’s Survival Fund spite the cursing, the Presi- remain on the backburner. dent can still change beInsiders tell me that the tween now and the end of level of infighting has his term. He can become the reached a point where Comleader we all want him to be. missioner Emmanuel de But there were misses, Guzman and his chief of too, especially in foreign staff Alfred Anviado have policy. For example, in the actually hired several—yes, pursuit of an “independent several—bodyguards to foreign policy,” he wants project an air of intimidato pivot to China and Rus- tion and possibly scare off sia at the expense of our ties their detractors. with the United States. This Is it true that both consimply does not make sense tinue to namedrop Senaespecially now when we all tor Loren Legarda, Finance live in a Secretary global comC a r l o s munity.

“Sonny” The asDominguez sessment and Cabinet Who else of former Secretary P r e s i d e n t would tell Jun Evasco Fidel Ram- you of your as their proos was most tectors in telling. Ra- shortcomings? order to let mos said in ever yone his column know that in another they are broadsheet: supposedly Ramos added: “Although backed by the big guns? removing the drug menace On the other side of the is one of the [country’s big- fence, there is Commisgest problems] it is not the sioner Venice Victorio and whole thing...I am sorry to Commission Legal Chief say this, President Duterte, Railla Puno, who are said to my President, our President. be openly critical of the curThis is 20th century think- rent administration. ing. We are now in the 21stThe reason? Trips. century.”

Instead of doing their Senior Associate Jus- jobs, the people at Climate tice Antonio Carpio also Change Commission are weighed in on Mr. Duterte’s fighting over things like airpronouncement on ending fare accommodations, who joint US Joint Patrols in the get sent to the US and who South China Sea. gets sent to Vancouver and Carpio urged the Presi- who f lies in business class dent to understand the im- or economy. In fact, acportance of holding patrols cording to insiders the curwithin the Philippines Ex- rent battleground right now clusive Economic Zone. is the upcoming climate The President must learn change talks in Marrakesh. to heed advice from friends. Commissioners and division Who else would tell you chiefs are squabbling over about your shortcomings but travel details. your friends?

Meanwhile, at the Bureau On Oct. 7, President Du- of Customs, things are movterte revealed that the Na- ing from bad to worse. Custional Democratic Front, the toms Commissioner Nicanor political arm of the Com- Faeldon recruited no less munist Party of the Philip- than 40 of his former coup pines, had insisted on the plotters from the Magdalo withdrawal of US troops Group to help him clean the and cancellation of the joint graft-ridden bureau. military exercises as a conBut insiders tells me that dition for peace. the Faeldon recruits are toSanta Banana, would the tally clueless about what is President rather believe the going on at the bureau. communists than a former That’s what the President president and a Justice, who gets for appointing someare after the good of 101 body ignorant of how Cusmillion Filipinos? toms runs.

I’m all for peace with I recall what happened rebels, separatists and se- during the incumbency of cessionists—but not at all the late President Ramon costs!

Magsaysay. He recruited *** 400 cadets from the PhilipWhat bitter irony than pine Military Academy to even a government agency man sensitive Customs poas innocuous as the Climate sition in an effort to rid the Change Commission is not bureau of corruption. spared from politics, inAfter a month or so, the trigues, and back-stabbing.

400 PMA cadets also beI have been told that things came corrupt.

TAXES are the lifeblood of the country. It is the responsibility of the people to share in the financial obligation of sustaining the government. Sadly, taxes are considered a burden because people do not see or feel the benefits that their tax money should provide. This burden encourages reluctance in some people to pay taxes, causing them to resort to creative methods in steering clear of their obligations altogether. People resort to means such as tax avoidance, which is legal, and tax evasion, which is illegal.

House Bill No. 3832 entitled “An Act Granting Tax Amnesty on All Unpaid Internal Revenue Tax Liabilities For Taxable Period January 2006 to June 2016” was filed last September 29, 2016 to boost tax collection and to encourage

taxpayers to comply with their mandated obligations.

The last tax amnesty implemented in the country was on February 19, 2007—nine years ago. The amnesty grant earned the government P5.9 billion.

This collection was in excess of the P3-billion target amount, and effectively widened the tax base by 20,600. This time, we filed a tax amnesty to cover the period between 2006 and 2015 to complement the Executive Department’s initiative for comprehensive tax reform.

There are several reasons why the House minority is confident that the tax amnesty will be successful. The high trust rating of the President assures the taxpayers that the money to be collected will be spent on programs and projects directed for economic progress and public welfare. Second is the unwavering determination of the President in the matter of tax reform as a catalyst for delinquent taxpayers to cooperate with the government’s initiative. Third, we believe

there is a momentum of change.

The tax amnesty invites people to start over. A clean slate for everyone is a welcome change.

There are unresolved cases which have been pending in the Courts for an unjustifiable length of time, to the detriment both of the taxpayer and the State. As of February 2016, there are 370 pending cases in the Department of Justice and 58 pending cases in courts from the Run After Tax Evaders (RATE) program of the BIR. In these situations, we would open the table for discussion of entering into compromise agreements to settle the legal issues. In reality, there are issues that are difficult to resolve from a legal standpoint. A compromise agreement breathes life into a dead end, and both parties are unburdened with the weight of litigation.

In connection with clean slates, another issue these days involves the welfare of the drug users and drug pushers who have surrendered to the government. While the government

has plans to rehabilitate them, I am more concerned about what happens next.

As of early October 2016, there are 734,231 drug “personalities” who have surrendered.

The sad reality is, after leaving rehabilitation, finding gainful employment will be impossible because of lack of required education and relevant experience, and their association with illegal drugs.

Thinking out of the box, I think it’s a good idea to use the street experience of these rehabilitated surrenderees to work with Small Town Lottery (STL) collectors. The option of joining STL collectors gives these surrenderees a legal means to earn a living. They may be considered an informal set of marginalized people, whose value to society has been diminished and disregarded. But redemption is for everyone and the minority is up to the task of giving our surrenderees and their families a future after rehabilitation.

Taiwan seeks to join fight against global warming

By Minister Ying-Yuan Lee GLOBAL warming and the El Niño phenomenon have contributed to recordbreaking temperatures and extreme weather events around the world. In July this year, the global average temperatures taken over land and ocean surfaces were the highest for any month in 137 years of record-keeping. In June, the temperature in Taipei reached 38.7 degrees Celsius, the highest in a century. Another recent anomaly is a marked decline in the frequency of steady rainfall. Instead, we were hit with a series of torrential downpours that caused many f lash f loods, significantly damaging our infrastructure, ecosystem, as well as crops. More and more evidence is showing that climate change is already happening. If we don’t take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions now, we will end up paying much more later on.

Unbounded economic growth and excessive exhaust have led to climate change which threatens human survival. Governments around the world realize this, and that’s why the landmark Paris Agreement was adopted in December 2015, bringing all nations together under a common cause that drives global mitigation actions with long-term goals. Climate change is arguably the single most important issue that put the future of humanity at stake. As a member of the international community,Taiwan cannot be a mere spectator to this problem and must come up with feasible solutions to live up to the name of Formosa, “beau-

The...

From A4

and the Shah was installed.

The second was the Guatemala coup d’état of 1954.

Jacobo Arbenz, the leader, was deposed for instituting land reform that affected the land holdings of the United Fruit Company which was a US company. The company lobbied for the overthrow of the Arbenz government.

There were many more documented CIA operations like the one in Italy that prevented the election of the Communist party in the Italian election of 1948. The CIA also operated in Syria in 1949 and also tried to overthrow the late Indonesian leader Sukarno in the 1950s.

The murder of Patrice Lumumba of the Congo in 1961 that eventually ushered Mobutu Sese Seko was participated in by the CIA. Another famous CIA operations was the ouster

Nothing...

From A4

jor roads into giant parking lots at all hours nearly every day of the week. The combination of Abaya and his boss Noynoy Aquino, who once declared that traffic jams are good because they are a sign of economic progress, was so damaging that giving Duterte special powers to untangle the mess they left behind even sounded like a good idea.

But Tugade has been the recipient of congressional push-

tiful island.”

We enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act in July of last year, setting our long-term target to reduce our emissions by at least 50 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2050.

Taiwan is among only a few countries in the world that have written into law a target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, we’ve come to realize the need to further increase our energy efficiency and promote energy conservation, transform our industrial structure, as well as diversify our energy supply by tapping into renewable energies, such as solar, wind, biogas production using pig farm waste based on the concept of circular economy. We anticipate that by 2025, 20 percent of our energy will come from renewable energy. We have also established under the Executive Yuan the Office of Energy and Carbon Reduction whose main task is to plan overall national energy policy and promote conversion to newer forms of energy as well as GHG reduction. The office coordinates efforts among government agencies and also establishes partnerships between the central and local governments to reduce carbon and develop clean energy.

In her inaugural address earlier this May, President Tsai Ing-Wen made it clear that Taiwan will not be absent from the global efforts to mitigate climate change and that her government will regularly review goals to cut greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the Paris

Agreement.With this ambition, we enacted the Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Management Act, with periodic five-year regulatory goals that help enhance climate-change-response capacity building and promote efficient management in reducing greenhouse gas emissions across government agencies. This approach is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement which encourages all countries to strengthen their determination to reduce emissions with the aim to achieve the long-term goal by the year 2050.

We only have one Earth and there is only one Taiwan. Therefore, we cannot take the issue of climate change lightly as we proactively respond to and support global initiatives. Climate change is a global issue that transcends national boundaries.

The actions we take today could have profound impacts on the lives of future generations. Climate change requires not only national but global solutions. That is why governments cannot do this alone. I sincerely urge the international community to recognize and support Taiwan’s determination to gain meaningful participation in the UNFCCC and become part of the global climate network. We are willing to share our environmental protection experiences and contribute to international efforts. Together with friendly nations, we will join hands to safeguard a sustainable earth.

Minister Ying-Yuan Lee is Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan, R.O.C. (Taiwan)

and ambush of the Dominican Republic strongman General Rafael Trujillo in 1960. The failed Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba in 1961 was a classic failed CIA operation. South Vietnamese Ngo Dinh Diem was ousted and killed in 1963 was reputedly a CIA operation together with the ouster and killing of President Salvador Allende of Chile in 1973.

We can go on and on. For all the might and resources of the CIA, not all its operations were successful. There were also many intelligence failures. *** Not long after President Du30 started his tirades on the US, EU, UN, Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and President Obama, rumors started to circulate about destabilization plots against the Du30 administration fueled by a statement from Secretary Martin Andanar, during a trip to the US. Since there are many conspira-

torial theorists living in Metro Manila, the involvement of the CIA started to emerge. This prompted President Duterte to make the unprecedented challenge to the CIA to go ahead and kill him. The influence of the US in our internal affairs is known to all. We often hear the phrase—“yun ang gusto ng mga kano”—that is what the Americans want. And to this day, many believe that the CIA had a hand in the ouster of President Marcos and President Estrada.

Can and will the CIA oust or kill President Du30? Can is a given. The CIA has a budget bigger than that of many countries. But whether it will do it is another matter. If it serves the furtherance of their national interest, maybe or as one acquaintance told me, – to save us from ourselves. Nonetheless, the involvement of the CIA in the overthrow of the government of third world countries is

no longer as frequent compared to earlier times.

This is not to say, however, that the CIA had no hand in the regime changes in some countries in Africa and Middle East.

The public may simply be not aware. Hopefully, the so-called brotherly advice of President Ramos to President Du30 will be taken positively without any rancor to show that he can accept some form of criticism especially from the senior statesman of the country.

The article of President Ramos last Sunday was the first significant critique of the Du30 administration by a high-profile Filipino because no one seem to be able to say anything contrary to what the President is saying. We all support President Duterte in his quest to eliminate crime and corruption but we want our President to be careful that the medicine prescribed is not going to be worse than the disease.

back to the special powers plan because he still cannot seem to explain why he needs more authority and what, specifically, he needs it for. And he’s failing to convince even known allies of the president in both Houses of Congress.

In the Senate, Tugade is getting it mostly from Senator Grace Poe, who has consistently called out the secretary for his lack of specifics. In the House, Tugade is also facing opposition from a group of congressmen led by Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, who has

been questioning the ties of the transportation secretary and his top officials to their former employers in the private sector —who just happen to be partners of the government in several big-ticket infrastructure projects.

(Late last month, right before the Duterte administration marked its hundredth day, Tugade’s office trumpeted the dubious “achievement” of getting the three big businessmen involved in the MRT3-LRT1MRT7 common station project to sign an agreement. If sign-

ing an agreement and crowing about it through a photo opportunity is now considered an achievement by Tugade, I think he’s just about overstayed his welcome in the Cabinet.)

As for the special powers that Duterte is seeking in Congress through Tugade, I still believe that they could help, particularly in speeding up the construction of much-needed infrastructure projects. But right now, I think Tugade has all the powers he needs—he’s just not using them, for reasons that only Tugade knows.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 mst.daydesk@gmail.com

IN BRIEF John Paul’s relics arrive THE relic of Saint Pope John Paul the Great will be in Quezon City for more than a week starting Thursday.

The Church-run Radio Veritas 846 said the relic will be open for public veneration at its chapel, located at the second floor of Veritas Tower, 162 West Ave. corner Edsa in Quezon City, in time for the saint’s forthcoming feast day.

His feast day is celebrated on the anniversary of his papal inauguration on Oct. 22, the statement said.

Up for public veneration is a first-class relic “ex-sanguine,” or from the blood, of the patron saint of the World Youth Day and the World Meeting of Families. Devotees of Saint Pope John Paul may visit his relic from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Known as the most widely traveled pope in history after visiting 129 countries during his pontificate, Pope John Paul was born on May 18, 1920 in Wadowice, Poland.

He was ordained in 1946, became the bishop of Ombi in 1958, became the archbishop of Krakow in 1964, and was made a cardinal by Pope Paul VI in 1967.

In 1978, he became the first non-Italian pope in more than 400 years and would go on to serve for 27 years until 2005, to become the second longestserving pope in modern history after Pope Pius IX. Pope John Paul died at the age of 84 at the Vatican on April 2, 2005, the vigil of Divine Mercy Sunday. He was beatified on May 1, six years later at the Saint Peter’s Square

by Pope Benedict XVI, who was his immediate successor, and was canonized on April 27, 2014, along with Pope John XXIII. The saint has visited the Philippines twice—in February 1981, when he beatified the first Filipino martyr, Lorenzo Ruiz; and in January 1995, when an estimated four million Filipinos attended the Mass he celebrated at the close of World Youth Day and is considered as the largest single gathering in Christian history. PNA

40 nabbed in Malabon MORE than 40 suspected crime offenders including 13 alleged drug users and pushers were arrested by the Malabon police in a “one-time, bigtime” anticrime operations conducted in five barangay Tuesday night.

The Northern Police District report showed that the anticrime operations started at 2 p.m. Tuesday joined by 164 operatives headed by Chief Insp. Lucio Simangan and the District Public Safety Battalion who raided barangays Longos, Anonas, Baritan, Taniong and Hulong Duhat.

A number of persons were also arrested for city ordinance for half-nakedness.

Malabon City Police commander Senior Supt. John Chua said no casualty was recorded during the anti-crime operations. Jun David

News

300 drivers warned in scheme’s dry run

By Joel E. Zurbano

M

ORE than 300 drivers were flagged down and warned during the first day of the dry run of the suspension of window hours for private vehicles, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority.

The MMDA public information office reported that most of these vehicles were caught traversing Ortigas Avenue in Mandaluyong City from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. while the others were cited along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue

(Muñoz Street, North Avenue and Cubao, all in Quezon City); Guadalupe in Makati City, Megamall and Boni Avenue, also in Mandaluyong City, and Edsa in Pasay City from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

The three-day dry run, which will

last until October 14, was made ahead of the scheme’s full implementation from October 17 to January next year in anticipation of monstrous traffic during the holiday season.

MMDA officer-in-charge Thomas Orbos said traffic enforcers flagged down private vehicles without giving them citation tickets. “We just warn and inform them about the [revised] traffic scheme.”

Orbos said the Number Coding Scheme from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. covers both lanes of EDSA from Monumento in Caloocan City to Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City; Circumferential Road-5 (C-5 Road) including Luzon Flyover going to and from South Luzon Ex-

pressway), Alabang-Zapote Road in Muntinlupa City, and all areas in cities of Mandaluyong, Las Piñas and Mandaluyong.

“We really need to do this because we’re expecting heavy volume of vehicles during the Christmas season,” he said.

This developed as the Interagency Council in Traffic (I-ACT), composed of personnel from the MMDA and other government agencies, sought the active participation of local government units in monitoring and apprehending illegally-parked vehicles.

The I-ACT resumed its sidewalk clearing operation on Mabuhay

CITATION DAY. Traffic enforcers of the Metro Manila Development Authority hale vehicles with prohibited plate numbers as the agency started implementing the expanded number coding traffic scheme on key thoroughfares on Wednesday. MANNY PALMERO

Leyte mayor indicted for narcotics TACLOBAN CITY—Detained Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa Sr. was arraigned at a Baybay City court on charges of illegal possession of firearms and of violating the illegal drugs law.

Espinosa pleaded not guilty to the illegal possession of firearms case while his lawyer, Atty.

Lailanie Villarmino, filed a motion to quash, or make the warrant of arrest invalid for his case on violating the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The arraignment started at 9:26

a.m. and lasted for only 30 minutes inside the heavily guarded Regional Trial Court Branch 14 in Baybay City.

Accompanied by his family, the mayor’s camp filed a motion to transfer his custody to the Albuera police station and a motion to fix the amount of bail for the case on violating the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act. Prosecutors were given five days to study the motions. The next hearing was scheduled on

October 19.

Espinosa has been detained at the Leyte sub-provincial jail in this city after his arrest on October 5. The mayor, whose son, Kerwin Espinosa, allegedly the region’s top drug lord, is alone in a detention cell.

Provincial jail warden Homobono Bardillon said isolating the mayor from other inmates is part of their security measures, considering that Espinosa is a high-profile detainee.

“We can assure the mayor’s safety in Baybay sub-provincial

jail, especially with the deployment of more policemen here,” Bardillon added.

Espinosa surrendered to Philippine National Police Chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa on Aug. 2, a few hours after President Rodrigo Duterte demanded for his and Kerwin’s surrender within 24 hours or face a “shoot on sight” order. Kerwin has remained at large.

After four days, Dela Rosa kicked out Espinosa from his official residence after the son failed to meet the deadline for him to surrender. PNA

24 drug suspects, including cop, arrested

By Francisco Tuyay TWENTY-FOUR drug suspects, including a police officer and five high-value targets, were arrested by narcotics agents in separate buy-bust operations across the country Among them was PO2 Mukramin Iddi Nani, 45, assigned at the Pangutaran Municipal Police Station in Sulu province, who

was arrested in the act of selling a suspected shabu to a poseurbuyer in his neighborhood in Zamboanga City.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director Isidro Lapeña said Nani was nabbed by agents of Regional Office-9 for trading six grams of shabu in two plastic sachets worth P18,000 to a narco agent.

Nani was immediately subdued and handcuffed by arrest-

ing narco agents when the latter was caught red-handed selling shabu to an agent.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently said that several policemen were included in his drug matrix along with other government officials allegedly involved in illegal drug activities either as protectors or dealers.

Nearly dozens of policemen with involvement to ille-

gal drugs have been arrested by their comrades since the Duterte administration launched relentless operations against the drug menace that so far resulted in the killing of 1,566.

The bulk of the arrested drug personalities were in Cordillera, Zamboanga City, Lucena City and Iloilo City in the three-day relentless drug bust operations by PDEA and police operatives.

Cebu declares state of dengue calamity

TONDO CLEANUP.

Workers clean up Barangay Baseco in Manila as part of the city’s beautification program. N. Araga

Lanes, the alternate routes intended for private vehicles.

The latest operation conducted last Tuesday resulted in the apprehension of more than 30 vehicles parked illegally along Tramo Street in Pasay City.

The 17 Mabuhay Lanes are alternative routes to the already congested 23.8-kilometer Epifanio de los Santos Avenue. These cover the localities of Mandaluyong, Pasay, San Juan, Makati, Manila, and Quezon City. It also include secondary roads going to shopping destinations in Metro Manila such as Baclaran in Parañaque, Greenhills in San Juan, Divisoria, and Carriedo in Manila.

THE increase in dengue cases all over Cebu has prompted the Cebu Provincial Board to declare an outbreak and the Cebu City Council to declare a state of calamity.

Cebu Provincial Board Member Christopher Baricuatro said the declaration of an outbreak seeks to increase people’s awareness so they will prepare and control the spread of dengue.

The Cebu City Council, on the other hand, declared a state of calamity in the city to facilitate the use of resources in containing dengue infection.

The city has been in a state of dengue alertness since last year due to the abnormally high oc-

currence of dengue infection, especially during months of abundant rainfall.

In a joint resolution, Cebu City Councilors David Tumulak and Mary Ann delos Santos said this year has shown an alarming increase in the number of dengue cases compared to the last three years.

“The City Health Department [CHD] has recommended for the declaration in the city to maximize the use of their resources in the eradication of dengue,” they said.

Tumulak heads the committee on health and sanitation while delos Santos has been designated as deputy mayor on health by City Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

144 fake Filipinos arrested at airport

By Vito Barcelo IMMIGRATION authorities arrested another two foreign Hajj pilgrims who left the country as “Filipinos” at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, bringing to 144 foreigners who have been intercepted while disguised as Filipinos.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said BI operatives started monitoring the return of the Muslim pilgrims last month when the Hajj pilgrimage ended and many of the foreigners intercepted returned in droves at the Naia in the last week of September and first week of October.

“So far, we have already intercepted 122 Indonesians and 22 Malaysians who returned from the Hajj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia after leaving the country. The latest is the apprehension of two Indonesians who came from Saudi Arabia,” the BI chief said.

He said the returning foreign pilgrims were discovered as a result of Oplan Janus, an interagency project that was initiated following the apprehension last August of 177 Indonesians who attempted to leave the Naia with genuine Philippine passports.

The government authorities uncovered the operations of a syndicate that sell Philippine passports to interested foreigners at a hefty price so they could join the pilgrimage using the Hajj quotas reserved by the Saudi government for Filipinos.

As for the intercepted Indonesians and Malaysians, Morente said the aliens were turned over to the custody of their respective embassies in Manila which facilitated the issuance of their travel documents and return to their homelands.

Sports Waseem trains under Mayweather kin, battles PH boxer

By Ronnie Nathanielsz PAKISTAN’s unbeaten World Boxing Council flyweight Silver champion Muhammad Waseem is training hard at the gym of Jeff Mayweather, the uncle of Floyd Mayweather Jr., for his title defense against unbeaten Filipino Geimel Magramo at the Millenium Hilton Hotel in Seoul, South Korea on Nov. 27.

The 29-year-old Waseem won the title by scoring a stunning upset over fancied Filipino boxer Jether Oliva in July and is hoping to beat the 22-year-old Magramo and move forward to a possible title clash against super flyweight champion, unbeaten Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.

Boxing Scene reported that Waseem is in the United States training until next month under “Jazzy Jeff” Mayweather, whose biggest accomplishment was winning the IBO junior lightweight title in April 1994.

But after two successful defenses, Mayweather lost the title to Oscar de la Hoya by a fourthround TKO in March 1993. He had a record of 32-10-5 with 10 knockouts.

Mayweather has trained several world champions including Sultan Ibragimov and Celestino Caballero.

Waseem believes that by taking down a tough opponent such as Magramo, who has a record of 17-0 with 13 knockouts, will add to his credentials.

“I want to win this fight but Magramo is a formidable opponent with a great record. I’ve just started getting back on track with Jeff after a break,” said Waseem, who trains at least six hours a day and believes that the amount he spends sparring with different opponents will make a difference.

He added: “My target is to have at least 100-120 rounds of sparring—ideally more.”

The Pakistani champion said he was “spending a lot of time in physical training too, but the biggest advantage of training in the US is that we get a variety of sparring partners, from Puerto Rico to Phoenix (Arizona).”

Magramo won the vacant WBC International title with a sixth-round TKO over Jeny Boy Buco last Dec. 12, 2015 and is coming off a unanimous 10-round decision over Renz Rosia last July 16.

A7

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 sports_mstandard@yahoo.com

Playboy model to lead Swiss in PH spike meet

S

WISS powerhouse Volero Zurich arrives tonight in Manila, signaling the start of the country’s hosting of the prestigious FIVB Women’s Club World Championship set from Oct. 18 to 23 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Led by Rio bronze medalist Foluke Akinradewo of the United States and international model Mariana Costa of Brazil, Volero Zurich will be landing in Manila via the tournament’s official airlines, Turkish Airlines, at 6:40 p.m. ahead of the six teams that will also compete in this world-class tourney organized by the Philippine Superliga and Eventcourt with

TV5, Petron, Asics, BMW and F2 Logistics as official sponsors and Diamond Hotel as official residence.

Aside from Akinradewo, who was also chosen as ambassador of this spectacle that also has Philippine Sports Commission, Rexona, Mall of Asia Arena, Foton and Price Waterhouse Cooper as backers, also arriving are superstars like Na-

talya Mammadova, Ekaterina Orlova and Silvija Popovic.

Costa, who goes by the name Mari Paraiba in the modelling world, will surely be crowd favorite with her rare brew of charm and power.

Costa, in fact, is so beautiful that Playboy Brazil featured her as its cover girl couple of years back. And this is not lost on many Filipino volleyball enthusiasts counting on the Brazilians to send what could be this generation’s version of the famous Leila Barros, the Brazil volleyball star who wowed Filipinos with her beauty more than a decade back.

The newly crowned Swiss

Supercup champion will be handled by Zoran Terzic, who guided the Serbian national women’s team to a historic silver medal finish in the Summer Games.

After Volero Zurich, Rexona-Sesc Rio, Pomi Casalmaggiore, Eczacibasi VitrA Istanbul and VakifBank Istanbul will be arriving Friday, giving them just enough time to warm up and get acclimatize to the rainy Manila weather before the tough grind ahead.

The Brazilian and Italian sides will be landing at 4:30 pm from Dubai while the Turkish clubs will be arriving at 6:30 pm from Istanbul.

Local bets eye strong finish in Bukidnon

Players of the Bureau of Customs celebrate after Gherome Ejercito made a buzzer-beating midcourt triple that lifted the Transformers to a 93-92 win over the House of Representatives Solons.

Ejercito’s midcourt triple keys BOC win BUREAU of Customs Transformers’ Gherome Ejercito saved the day for the powerhouse team Sunday night at UNTV Cup elimination round at the Pasig City Sports Center.

The former MBA and PBA player threw a miracle threepoint shot from midcourt right at the final buzzer as BOC kept its slate intact at 3-0 following a 93-92 win over the House of Representative Solons.

UNTV Cup, which is now on its 5th season, is giving

away more than P8 million in total prizes to the chosen charities of all 13 participating government teams.

With 40 seconds left, BOC playing coach Kenneth Duremdes unleashed a triple that cut the Solons’ lead to one, 91-90. Then point guard Von Ignacio forced a turnover on Egay Billones to regain the possession for BOC. But Ignacio missed on a drive and Francis Adriano was fouled on the rebound

with 3.6 seconds left. Adriano made his first freebie for a 9290 HOR lead, and missed the second, with the rebound being secured by Ejercito, who dashed to their homecourt and threw the winning triple from midcourt as time expired.

Ejercito, who was adjudged Player of the Game with Duremdes, finished with 15 points on 6 of 12 shooting, to go with four rebounds, an assist, a steal.

Ejercito’s heroics overcame

the season high 45 markers registered by the Solons’ reinforcement pointguard Billones.

Meanwhile, the defending champion AFP Cavaliers absorbed their first loss of the season as they were stopped

by BFP Firefighters, 78-74.

Gilbert Malabanan’s jumper put BFP within one, 74-73 with 1:26 remaining. Jonathan Egea’s layup off Marlon Adolfo’s steal gave the upperhand to Firefighters, 75-74 with 1:11 remaining.

Judge mulls mistrial in Rose civil rape case LOS ANGELES—A Los Angeles judge said Tuesday he is mulling a mistrial in the civil rape case against NBA star Derrick Rose after lawyers for the plaintiff were accused of withholding key evidence.

Federal Judge Michael Fitzgerald said he was considering declaring the trial invalid because lawyers for Rose were not given access to several text messages they claim are essential to their case until the player was on the witness stand.

Fitzgerald described the situation as “careless” and ordered attorneys for Rose’s accuser to prove the messages had been disclosed in good time before he makes a ruling on a motion filed by lawyers for the New York Knicks player.

Rose, Randall Hampton and Ryan Allen are being sued for at least $21.5

million in damages from a 30-year-old woman who claims she was gang-raped by the men at her apartment in Los Angeles in 2013.

The three men deny the allegations, claiming the sexual contact that took place was consensual.

Lawyers for the woman claim the text messages show the plaintiff was unaware the men were coming to her apartment and that she had no intention of having sex with them.

Rose’s legal team say the texts prove the opposite—that the woman was a willing participant.

Rose, 28, gave further testimony on the witness stand on Tuesday, insisting that the plaintiff was “awake and alert” when he and his friends took turns having sex with her. AFP

CEU nears elims sweep

NET KINGS. Team LSDB, composed of Philippine supporters, bested 19 other tennis teams from Indonesia and Malaysia at the Johor Invitational Tennis Team Competition 2016. The team, led by Jean Henri Lhuillier, is shown here with the President of the Malaysian Tennis Association Mirzan Mahatir and the President of Johor Tennis Association Gary Seaton.

Bridge makes its way to SEA Games THE President of the WBF has made the following statement: I am very pleased to inform you that yesterday in Jakarta, the Olympic Committee of Asia decided to include Bridge in the 2018 Asian Games to be held in Indonesia.

This is a tremendous success achieved thanks the excellent job done by the Indonesian Olympic Committee President Rita Subowo, the Indonesian Bridge Federation, Esther Sophonpanich, Patrick Choy and Bambang Hartono in addition to the activity undertaken by the Asian NBOs in stimulating their own National Olympic Committees.

A special thanks to the ANOC and OCA President Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah for his support as promised to me in Sochi.

After the inclusion of Bridge in the 2017 SEA Games to be held in Malaysia, this prestigious sec-

ond step is fundamental to help bridge to be accepted at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympic Games, as additional event, for which we received an invitation to submit an application.

This was duly sent to the Tokyo Committee and we are awaiting a decision as to whether we will be invited to proceed to Phase II of the application process.

-oOoI continue to feature the interesting hands from Bart Bramley’s account on Bourbon Street Vanderbilt, IV. North dealer Neither side vulnerable

West ♠Q63

North ♠A97 ♥Q842 ♦10952 ♣104

♥A1097653 ♦KQ3 ♣-

♥KJ ♦A764 ♣A98763

South ♠KJ10852 ♥♦J8 ♣KQJ52 Open Room

South Zia 2♠

West Madala - Pass 4♥

North Hampson Acobus 1♣+ (All Pass)

East

Closed Room

East ♠4

THE Palawan Pawnshop-Palawan Express Pera Padala regional tennis tournament holds its first tournament in Dangcagan, Bukidnon today (Thursday, Oct. 13) with the local aces and rising stars out to spring some surprises against the regular campaigners at the Dangcagan and Kitaotao Tennis Club.

Mayor Fruto Dandasan has guaranteed a successful staging of the Group 5 tournament sponsored by Palawan Pawnshop and presented by Slazenger, which drew a huge turnout and which will showcase not only the local talents but also the host province’s junior tennis program.

“We are inviting all the tennis aficionados and fans to watch and support the first Palawan Pawnshop national juniors age group tennis tournament here in Dangcagan, Bukidnon,” said Mayor Dandasan. “Our hosting will also showcase our junior tennis program which is mandatory of our LGUs, which includes free weekend clinics for our youth.”

Von Tabuco and Vince and Yvu Dandasan head the locals’ bid in the boys’ 18-and-under division while John Linsagan and the Dandasans topbill the 16-U cast in the event sanctioned by Philta and backed by Asiatraders Corp., exclusively distributor of Slazenger, the official ball.

“We are overwhelmed by the big turnout, especially from the local players, which only inspires us to continue promoting and developing the sport and at the same time help in discovering future national players,” said Palawan Pawnshop president/CEO Bobby Castro.

Zircon Magsayo and Rod Rafisora, on the other hand, will be the host’s bets in the 12-U class with Val Dandasan raring to slug it out with best in the 10-unisex side, headed by multiple leg winner Tenielle Madis of M’lang, Reyman Saldivar Jr., Tagum leg winner Jilian Manangking from Pikit and Jasmen Kadalum.

Carol Casinabe. Julianne Rafisora and Vanessa Tabuco will mix it up with the

South Greeco 1♠ 4♠

West Madala 2♦§ Pass

North East Hampson Bocchi Pass 1♣+ 2♠ 3♣ Pass Double

Pass Pass Pass In the Open Room, Wold zoomed before Duboin could raise spades. Zia had a nice offensive hand, but with no assurance of spade support he chose to defend, knowing that dummy’s long clubs, would not be a source of tricks. Duboin led the spade ace and shifted to a club. Wold won in dummy, pitching a spade, cashed the heart king, crossed in diamonds, ruffed his last spade, ruffed a club, and claimed 11 tricks: plus 450.

In the Closed Room, Madala’s two level, invitation-plus transfer allowed Hampson to raise spades. When Bocchi showed real clubs. Greco blasted. Bocchi-Madala had shown enough combined values that a force was in effect (as they play). Madala decided to defend based on his void in the suit where partner had shown length and strength and on partner’s lack of interest in hearts. The pair uses a pass-double-invision, so Madala’s pass asked Bocchi to double with a normal hand for his prior bidding. Bocchi (To be continued tomorrow) oblidged.

FIVE-TIME senior defending champion Centro Escolar moved one win away from an elimination-round sweep, while De La Salle Zobel will seek a sixth straight midgets’ crown in the 47th WNCAA basketball tournament.

CEU blasted San Beda College Alabang, 71-29, last Sunday at the St. Scholastica’s College gym to remain unscathed in five games. The Scorpions go for the sweep and a twice-to-beat edge in the Final Four against St. Scholastica this Sunday at host St. Jude Catholic School gym.

In the midgets division, DLSZ bested Poveda, 41-23, and St. Paul College Pasig nipped Miriam College, 38-37, to set up a best-of-three Finals clash next week.

DLSZ beat St. Paul in last season’s championship.

The junior quartefinal cast, meanwhile, has been completed, led by defending champion Chiang Kai Shek College and DLSZ which swept Groups A and B, respectively.

LOTTO RESULTS

6/55 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M+ 6/45 00-00-00-00-00-00 P0 M 4 DIGITS 0-0-0-0 3 DIGITS 0-0-0 2 EZ2 0-0

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

A8

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

Sports

Jarin: This is redemption for Red Lions

Coach Jamike Jarin gets the traditional victory ride from his San Beda players after the Lions regained the NCAA crown following an 83-73 win over the Arellano University Chiefs. Lino Santos

Fajardo favored to win rd a 3 straight MVP title

By Jeric Lopez

F

OLLOWING yet another dominant season, San Miguel Beer superstar June Mar Fajardo is well on his way to getting a record third straight Philippine Basketball Association Most Valuable Player award.

FAJARDO

After winning the Best Player of the Conference Award in the Philippine Cup, where he led the Beermen to the championship and making sure his team reached the semifinals in each of the three conferences, the 6’10” behemoth is the heavy favorite to win yet another MVP plum tomorrow in the annual Leo Awards.

The awards night, which will feature awards for the entire sea-

son, will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, just before Game 4 between Barangay Ginebra and Meralco in the finals of the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup. The pride of Cebu, who compiled a 38.8 average statistical points for the season, is head and shoulders above competition once again statistically and is a cinch for the MVP trophy for the season.

Fajardo’s closest challengers,

Jayson Castro of TNT KaTropa and Alaska’s Calvin Abueva, winners of the BPC award this conference and the Commissioner’s Cup, respectively, are far behind in terms of statistical points.

Those three are very likely for the Mythical First Team, while the two remaining spots are still highly debatable at this point.

With the huge boost and consistent help he gave Meralco for it to reach the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup and its first finals appearance in this ongoing conference, Bolts’ rookie sensation Chris Newsome (23.6 SPs) is now the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award.

TNT KaTropa’s Troy Rosario was the early favorite as he led the race for most part of the season,

Games Friday

(Araneta Coliseum) 8:10 p.m. Ginebra San Miguel vs Meralco Bolts

but Newsome’s consistency kept him close until he finally got in the driver seat after helping the Bolts reach the finals this third conference.

For the Most Improved Player, Jericho Cruz is the favorite at the moment, but other contenders such as Stanley Pringle of GlobalPort, Sean Anthony of NLEX and teammate JR Quinahan are not too far behind.

With Fajardo set to pick up his third MVP award, he will now be just one behind record-holders Mon Fernandez and Alvin Patrimonio.

Maroons on a roll, stun Falcons for 3rd UAAP victory Javier Gomez de Liano hit 13.

Manuel, a fifth year shooting JETT Manuel scored what guard, struck while Soaring Falturned out to be the winning cons defender Sean Manganti shot before was in front of him, cramps took giving UP a 69-63 Games Saturday the fight out of cushion in the re(Araneta Coliseum) 2 p.m. La Salle vs UP him in the last maining time.

4 p.m. NU vs UST 25.3 seconds.

Jarrel Lim then The 6’2” padded their advanManuel toptage to seven in the scored with 16 points but spent last three seconds with his charthe remaining time sitting on ity. the floor at the right side of the Pappi Sarr led with 18 points bench, his head wrapped in a and 11 rebounds for the Soaring towel, emotional and in tears Falcons, who fell to fourth with as the University of the Philip- their 4-5 card. pines Fighting Maroons went on The Fighting Maroons took to upend the Adamson Soaring the unfamiliar route of taking Falcons, 70-63. charge after overcoming 9-20 When the buzzer sounded, his deficit in the first half. teammates reached out to him They secured the lead, 30and gave him a big hug as the 29, at halftime, and with a 15-6 Fighting Maroons went on to blast, UP moved ahead by 10, post their third triumph in nine 45-35, off Jerson Prado’s layup. games in the 79th University The Falcons stayed close off Athletic Association of the Phil- Manganti’s triple and two chariippines men’s basketball tour- ties, 63-67, with 1:16 left. nament yesterday at the Mall of Meanwhile, Allen Trinidad Asia Arena. banged in 16 points for the de“I was telling him that if he fending champion Far Eastern wants to be the leader of the University Tamaraws in their 59team, he has to take those cru- 48 swamping of the University of cial shots. He was able to do Santo Tomas Growling Tigers. that. In the end, it was a turnRaymar Jose contributed 9 over waiting to happen and he points, and added 14 rebounds was able to get that shot,” said for the Tams, who marched to UP coach Bo Perasol. their sixth straight victory and Paul Desiderio also added 16 firmed up their hold on second points for UP, while teammate spot at 7-2.

THE absence of Cameroonian big man Donald Tankoua midway in the season became a rallying point for the newly crowned Season 92 National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball champion San Beda Red Lions to keep going.

Tankoua’s season-ending injury on his right knee when the Red Lions played against Emilio Aguinaldo College in the second round affected the spirit of the entire team.

But the composure of the team in their seven remaining games in the second round kept the Red Lions together.

“In a situation like that, natuto na ang mga players.

It’s just the composure and adopting to the system,” said Red Lions’ coach Jamike Jarin after they regained the NCAA crown with an 83-73 win over the Arellano University Chiefs in Game 2 of their best-of-three finals series at the Mall of Asia Arena last Tuesday.

As the Red Lions dealt with their second loss in 12 games, team skipper Dan Sara rose up and provided leadership in their next games, until they reached the finals.

“In the final game, I’m proud of Sara. He was the one who got everyone together,” added Jarin.

Jakin always reminds his wards of the motto of the Golden State Warriors.

“Their motto is you win the first four minutes of the game, you win the first four minutes of the second, and you win the last four minutes of the game.

So we adopted that. The last minutes were instilled in the minds of the boys. You need to win the last four minutes,” said Jarin.

“For me, it’s always been my trademark to use all my players, and give them exposure,” said Jarin after the Red Lions snared their 20th crown in a streak that began in 1936.

Jarin added that their title win this season is considered redemption, after the Knights denied them a 6-peat last year, right on his first year with the Red Lions.

“When everybody counted us out and everybody wanted my head, that loss of Donald was a wakeup call for all of us. Everybody stepped up.

All of the boys believed in themselves, and rallied behind Donald and the coaches,” said Jarin. Peter Atencio

Bulacan State, TIP eye lead Games Today (Olivarez College gym) 12 noon – CDSL vs Olivarez 2 p.m. – BSU vs TIP

By Peter Atencio

Laoag’s Kath Villegas (left) goes for a tip as she goes up against Air Force’s lone blocker in Jocemer Tapic during their Shakey’s V League Season 13 Reinforced Conference clash at the Philsports Arena.

Soltones carries Laoag past Air Force Games Saturday

12:30 p.m. – Cignal vs Champion 4 p.m. – Customs vs UST 6 p.m. – UP vs Pocari

GRETHCEL Soltones made up for an opening set absence with a fiery 13-hit performance as Team Laoag pulled through in two tight sets and snatched a 20-25, 26-24, 25-21, 26-24 victory over Air Force to bolster its semifinal bid in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference at the Philsports Arena in Pasig yesterday.

Soltones rushed in from a thesis defense at San Sebastian and missed the opening set action but

poured it all from the second frame on, coming away with crisp kills on both sides, the last against two defenders that ended that the onehour, 39-minute encounter marked by power hits, quick sets, long rallies and tip-ins but marred by poor receptions.

But the Power Smashers came out victorious in the end, their second win in three games moving it behind unbeaten UST (4-0) and Customs (2-0) and boosting its drive in the single round elims of the season-ending conference of the league sponsored by Shakey’s.

The Power Smashers barely won their spiking duel, 48-45, and

bowed to the Jet Spikers’ solid blocking, 2-8. But the Open Conference fourth placers pounced on their rivals’ sloppy reception, scoring 14 aces while yielding seven points in return.

Wenneth Eulalio backed Soltones with 10 hits while skipper and setter Relea Saet added nine points, including a couple of tip-ins in the middle sets.

Jocemer Tapic fired 18 hits and Joy Cases, Dell Palomata and May Pantino combined for 16 points for Air Force. But the Jet Spikers fell short in the second and fourth sets, enabling the Power Smashers to steal the win.

WHETHER Bulacan State University is for real will be known today when it battles Technological Institute of the Philippines in theUniversities and Colleges Basketball League at the Olivarez College gym.

The BSU Gold Gears and the TIP Engineers clash at 2 p.m., with both teams going for their second straight win in the tournament organized by the Universities and Colleges Athletic League and presented by EuroMed and Lamoiyan Corp.

The Gold Gears are hardpressed to follow their stunning 96-91 win over the Olivarez College in the opener last Saturday owing to TIP’s vast experience.

The TIP Engineers likewise got off to a rousing start with a 69-54 win over the University of Batangas Brahmans also last Saturday – thanks to Harley Diego and John Enriques, who finished with 12 points apiece.

Meantime, the Olivarez Sea Lions try to bounce back from that shock defeat when it takes on Colegio De San Lorenzo at 12 noon.

Out to lead the Sea Lions are Pruvil Bermudez and Mavrick Saguiguit who tallied 26 and 15 points, respectively, the last time.

TIP Coach Sebastian De Vera is hoping to get another valuable performance from Diego, Enriquez and Paul Rosopa as they go for the solo lead.

Multi-titled Centro Escolar University also made its presence felt by blasting CDSL, 89-71.

Govt rejects P125 wage hike—Pernia B3

Business

Ray S. Eñano, Editor Roderick T. dela Cruz, Assistant Editor business@manilastandardtoday.com extrastory2000@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

B1

Stocks, peso continue to slide

By Julito G. Rada

T

HE peso fell to a new seven-year low Wednesday while stocks dropped for a sixth day, as lingering concerns the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates this year damped demand for higher-yielding securities.

“The risk aversion in the market has accelerated,” said Ho Woei Chen, an economist at United Overseas Bank Ltd. in Singapore. “Asian currencies will continue to come under pressure.”

The peso closed at a new seven-year low of 48.54 against the US dollar Wednesday, weaker than 48.52 on Tuesday. It was also the local currency’s lowest

level since it settled at 48.62 on Sept. 4, 2009, at the height of the global financial crisis. Total volume reached $713 million Wednesday.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo attributed the peso’s slide to investors’ consensus expectation of a rate hike by the Fed before the end of the year.

“People continue to talk about

the US Fed action in November or December as if this is the first time they heard it…,” Guinigundo said in a text message.

Prospects that the Fed will raise rates for the first time since December have undermined the case for investing in emergingmarket assets, which offer higher yields than those of developed nations where central banks are keeping borrowing costs low to prop up growth.

“We’ll see more stress on emerging-market currencies as and when a Fed hike gets closer,” said Jeffrey Halley, a market strategist at Oanda Asia Pacific Pte in Singapore. “The main driver is US yields firming across the curve which is a result of the market increasingly pricing in a

Fed hike in December.”

Stocks fell for a sixth day, pulling down the benchmark index to an 18-week low. The Philippine Stock Exchange index, the 30-company benchmark, sank 91 points, or 1.2 percent, to close at 7,429.82 Wednesday. This reduced total gains this year to 6.9 percent The heavier index, representing all shares, also tumbled 60 points, or 1.3 percent, to settle at 4,429.84 on a value turnover of P8.4 billion. Losers outnumbered gainers, 159 to 32, while 43 issues were unchanged.

All six sectors ended in the red, while only 1 of the 20 most actives stocks advanced. Food manufacturer Universal Robina Corp. rose 0.3 percent to P180.50.

Security Bank Corp. was the biggest loser among the heavily traded stocks, as it slid 7.3 percent to P202.80. Property developer Megaworld Corp. lost 4.8 percent to P4.35, while power retailer Manila Electric Co. dropped 3.6 percent to P291.

Guinigundo said he was unsure if the peso could breach the 49-a-dollar territory in the coming days. “Can’t tell [at the moment],” he said.

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Amando Tetangco Jr. earlier said the peso’s weakness in the past few days was driven mainly by external factors, particularly the expected rate hike by the US Federal Reserve this year. With AFP, Bloomberg

PSe comPoSite index Closing October 12, 2016

8300 7840 7380 6920 6460 6000

7,429.82 91.00

PeSo-dollar rate

43.00 45.40 46.60

P48.540

49.00

CLOSE

HIGH P48.530 LOW P48.615 AVERAGE P48.581 VOLUME 775.000M

P427.00-P632.00 LPG/11-kg tank P36.95-P44.25 Unleaded Gasoline

oPriceS il P today

P25.58-P28.60 Diesel P28.50-P36.85 Kerosene

ICTSI IN IRAQ. International Container Terminal Services Inc. formally opens the first phase of its new greenfield terminal development at its Basra Gateway Terminal in the North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq. ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. (center) cuts the ribbon symbolizing the formal opening of the BGT expansion area, the first entirely foreign financed new port infrastructure in Iraq. With Razon are Dr. Majid AlNasrawy, Governor of Basra; Riyadh Swadi Shamkhi Al Hammad, GCPI port director; Elmer Cato, charge d’ affaires, en pied and head of mission of Philippine embassy; together with ICTSI senior management.

OceanaGold slams mining audit results

Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Wednesday, October 12, 2016

F oreign e xchange r ate Currency

Unit

US Dollar

Peso

United States

Dollar

1.000000

48.4970

Japan

Yen

0.009662

0.4686

UK

Pound

1.212800

58.8172

Hong Kong

Dollar

0.128906

6.2516

Switzerland

Franc

1.012043

49.0810

Canada

Dollar

0.754148

36.5739

Singapore

Dollar

0.725005

35.1606

Australia

Dollar

0.753500

36.5425

Bahrain

Dinar

2.653857

128.7041 12.9342

Saudi Arabia

Rial

0.266702

Brunei

Dollar

0.722387

35.0336

Indonesia

Rupiah

0.000077

0.0037

Thailand

Baht

0.028321

1.3735

UAE

Dirham

0.272287

13.2051

Euro

Euro

1.105500

53.6134

Korea

Won

0.000890

0.0432

China

Yuan

0.148843

7.2184

India

Rupee

0.014965

0.7258

Malaysia

Ringgit

0.239808

11.6300

New Zealand

Dollar

0.705100

34.1952

Taiwan

Dollar

0.031676

1.5362 Source: PDS Bridge

ICTSI inaugurates Iraq port terminal

PORT operator International Container Terminal Services Inc. on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of its new greenfield terminal development in Iraq.

“ICTSI’s commitment to Iraq is evidenced in major investments in the upgrade of existing berths 19, 20 and the construction of the new terminal incorporating Berth 27. Modern and reliable infrastructure, equipped with state-of-the-art quayside and landside handling systems is critical for sustainable economic growth,” said ICTSI chairman and president Enrique Razon Jr. “We are confident the new terminal area will boost efficiency and speed the movement of import and export cargo supporting the rapid growth in Iraq’s economy,” Razon said.

ICTSI invested $130 million in the first phase development of Basra Gateway Terminal in the North Port, Umm Qasr, Iraq. When fully developed, the new terminal area will comprise 600 meters of quay and 50 hectares of yard area. The concession duration for the green field project is 26 years.

ICTSI earlier allocated $420 million in capital expenditurefor 2016, of which $157.8 million was spent in the first half of the year.

The budget is mainly for the completion of the initial stage of its new container terminals in Australia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Iraq and the continuing development of projects in Honduras and Mexico.

Darwin G. Amojelar

Semirara to start mine rehabilitation

Closing OCTOBER 12, 2016

47.80

IN BRIEF

By Othel V. Campos OCEANAGOLD Philippines Inc., a unit of Australia-based OceanaGold Corp., decried Wednesday the results of the the mining audit done by the Environment Department, saying the move ruined the image of the Philippines as an investment destination.

“The pronouncements are sweeping, no question about that. I could tell there is probably none (mining companies) going here. When you make that kind of announcements, it affects the whole industry,” company president Jose Leviste Jr. said at the sidelines of 42nd Philippine Business Conference at the Mar-

riot Hotel in Pasay City.

“As the head of the gold and copper section of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I’m concerned not only for OceanaGold but for the entire industry,” he said.

Leviste made the remarks after the Environment Department recommended the cancelation of 23 mining permits, including that of OceanGold’s.

OceanaGold, he said, was still operating in the absence of a formal government order stopping the firm’s copper-gold operations in Didipio, Nueva Vizcaya province.

“We don’t have a suspension order. We’re operating. To serve

a suspension order, it has to have due process and due process means they should have a good reason for suspension,” Leviste said.

The company welcomed President Rodrigo Duterte’s call for responsible mining practices and the adoption of the Canadian and Australian standards in mining. The company said it was an advocate and practitioner of responsible mining.

Leviste declined to disclose the company’s prospects for the year due to reports that the Environment Department would cancel the extension of the exploration permit granted by the previous administration.

OceanaGold’s mother company, which is listed in Toronto and Sydney bourse, suffered a 22.3-point drop in stock price in a single day, Leviste said.

He added mining companies poised to enter the Philippines were “having second thoughts and quite nervous” of the dynamics of Philippine business.

Leviste said the Philippines still has the opportunity to be a mining country it projected if the Environment Department will stick to the policy of the Duterte government.

“We can still be the Chile of Southeast Asia, depending on the actuations of the department,” he said

Meralco, Aboitiz ready Subic plant construction

By Alena Mae S. Flores

BIGGEST SOLAR LOAN. The Development Bank of the Philippines granted a P4.375-billion loan to First Toledo Solar Energy Corp. to partially finance the construction of a 60-megawatt solar power plant in Toledo City, Cebu. Shown during the loan signing are (seated, from left) Megawide Construction Corp. chief finance officer Athena Ava Alsol, FTSEC chairman Michael Cosiquien, FTSEC chief finance officer Oliver Tan, DBP senior vice president Lilia Baun, DBP senior assistant vice president Raquel Atienzam DBP senior vice president Jose Gabino Dimayuga and DBP vice president Francis Nicolas Chua.

REDONDO Peninsula Energy Inc. will start construction of the 600-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Subic, Zambales in January next year, with plans to award the engineering, construction and procurement contract within the year, a top official said Wednesday.

“I think we break ground mid January. We’re going to award the EPC very soon,” Aboitiz Power Corp. president Antonio Moraza told reporters.

RP Energy is led by Meralco PowerGen Corp., the generation arm of Manila Electric Co. Its other shareholders are Aboitiz Power and Taiwan Cogeneration International Corp., a unit of Taiwan Cogeneration Corp.

Sources said RP Energy would

likely award the EPC contract to a Korean company.

Moraza said the P63-billion project was dependent on the availability of transmission lines.

RP Energy has already received the certificate of registration from the Board of Investments to proceed with the project.

“The registration entitles RPE to duty-free importation of equipment, materials and spares used for the power plant for a period of five years from date of registration. Also income tax holiday for four years from commercial operation,” RP Energy project development manager Joselito Lantin said earlier.

He said commercial operation was scheduled by late 2019 or early 2020.

SEMIRARA Mining and Power Corp. said it will start the rehabilitation process of the Panian coal mining pit in Antique after receiving certification from the Energy Department of the depletion of coal reserves in the area.

Semirara said in a disclosure to the stock exchange it received the certification dated Sept. 26, 2016 confirming the depletion of the mineable coal reserves of the Panian Pit of the corporation’s coal operating contract no. 5 in Semirara Island, Caluya, Antique.

“Thus, the corporation’s coal production in Panian Pit will cease and rehabilitation of the area shall be undertaken,” the company said.

The corporation’s coal production in Panian Pit ceased effective Sept. 26.

Semirara suffered a setback in July last year due to a landslide accident at the Panian pit which claimed the lives of nine miners.

The order said Semirara agreed to implement comprehensive monitoring program to monitor slope movements and ground water conditions to ensure that slope stability was with the prescribed standard. Alena Mae S. Flores

Economy likely rose 7% in 3rd quarter

By Gabrielle H. Binaday THE Philippine economy likely expanded by at least 7 percent in the third quarter, representing the first three months in office of President Rodrigo Duterte, the country’s chief economist said Wednesday.

“We hope it [gross domestic product growth rate] should be at least 7 percent [for the third quarter],” Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia told reporters at the sidelines of the 42nd Philippine Business Conference & Expo at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Pernia said the expansion in the third quarter was driven by massive infrastructure spending by the Duterte administration.

Meanwhile, S&P Global Ratings raised its growth forecast for the Philippines this year to 6.5 percent from an earlier estimate of 6.1 percent.

S&P said in a regional report the Philippines’ growth momentum would continue despite risks associated with the slowdown in Chinese economy and Japan’s shakier outlook.

“The Southeast Asian economies are seeing stable growth with the Philippines outperforming the region, given its growing middle class, a business process outsourcing boom, and expansionary fiscal policy with emphasis on public infrastructure,” it said.

With Julito G. Rada

B2

Business

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

SMIC eyes more acquisitions

By Jenniffer B. Austria

S

M Investments Corp., the holding company of tycoon Henry Sy, allocated P13.67 billion to finance new investments and strategic acquisitions particularly in the retail and property sectors.

SM Investments said in a document filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the planned issuance of P20 billion sevenyear fixed-rate bonds that it had identified potential investments and acquisitions that were in the early stages of evaluation.

“The issuer [SM Invest-

ments] intends to use P13.67 billion of the proceeds from the offer to finance future investments and strategic acquisitions. Part of the strategies of the issuer is to maintain its leading market share in its retail and property business segments by diversifying and expanding the businesses of the group,” SM Investments said.

due diligence, it said.

SM Investments said it expected to complete the deals by the fourth quarter of 2016 to the second quarter of 2017.

The conglomerate recently completed the consolidation of all retail businesses under unit SM Retail Inc. SM Investments said was allotting P6.15 billion from the planned P20-billion bond offering to repay short-term loans with three banks, including BDO Unibank, Mizuho Bank Ltd. and HSBC. SM Investments said it expected to finalize the bonds offering in December.

The P20 billion bond offering

“The issuer intends to accomplish this by continuing to expand the group’s mall and retail activities into major centers of population in Metro Manila and particularly in the provinces where there are opportunities for growth, capturing strategic opportunities overseas, developing opportunities in the property development, tourism and leisure sectors, where it believes there are significant opportunities for growth as the Philippines becomes a more attractive tourist destination,” it said.

The planned investments and acquisitions will depend on the results of the evaluation and

represents the first tranche of the P50-billion. fixed-rate bond shelf registration earlier filed by SM Investments with SEC. SM Investments saw its net income climb 11 percent in the first half to P15 billion from P13.5 billion a year ago, on the strong performance by banking, property and retail businesses.

SM Investments chief finance officer Jose Sio said the company would likely sustain its positive performance for the rest of the year on favorable economic condition.

First-half revenues increased 8.5 percent to P151.1 billion from P139.2 billion in the same period last year.

MANILA STANDARD BUSINESS DAILY STOCKS REVIEW WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2016

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

Close

7.88 75.3 124.4 107 56.5 2.49 4.2 17 30.45 0.92 2.6 890 1.01 100 1.46 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 12.02 19.6 0.74 1.02 625 0.225 78 0.9 17.8 58 62 88.35 52 276 41 118.2 1200 59 2.65

AG Finance 3.59 Asia United Bank 48 Banco de Oro Unibank Inc. 109.60 Bank of PI 104.40 China Bank 38 BDO Leasing & Fin. INc. 3.84 Bright Kindle Resources 1.31 COL Financial 16.68 Eastwest Bank 18.86 First Abacus 0.69 I-Remit Inc. 1.81 Manulife Fin. Corp.

674.00 MEDCO Holdings 0.760 Metrobank 84.55 Natl. Reinsurance Corp. 0.88 PB Bank 14.2 Phil Bank of Comm 22.50 Phil. National Bank 58.35 Phil. Savings Bank 101 Philippine trust Co. 248 PSE 269 RCBC `A’ 35.95 Security Bank 218.8 Sun Life Financial 1499.00 Union Bank 75.10 Vantage Equities 1.44

47 5 1.46 2.36 15.3 89 148

35.9 1.11 1.01 1.86 7.92 40.3 32

20.6 125 85 36 65.8 2.97 4.14 21.5 21.6 11.96 9.13 11.8 2.89 31.8 109 15.3 9.4 0.98 241 79 4 33.9 90 13.26 293 0.62 5.25 12.98 6.75 15 2.65 7.03 3.4 4.5 6.3 1450 0.315 2.18 234 1.3 2.17

15.32 62.5 20.2 10.08 29.15 1.5 1.5 10.72 9.55 9.04 6.02 8.86 1.06 20.2 71.5 13.24 5.34 0.395 173 34.1 1.63 23.35 17.3 5.88 250.2 0.335 3.87 8.45 3 10.04 2.09 3.03 1.95 1 4.02 801 0.138 1.02 152 0.640 1.2

Aboitiz Power Corp.

45.65 Agrinurture Inc. 3.89 Alliance Tuna Intl Inc. 0.89 Alsons Cons.

1.61 Asiabest Group 16 Bogo Medelin 64 C. Azuc De Tarlac 164.90 Cemex Holdings 11.7 Century Food 16 Chemphil 165 Conc. Aggr. ‘A’ 110 Cirtek Holdings (Chips) 23.65 Concepcion 60 Crown Asia 2.07 Da Vinci Capital 6.49 Del Monte 12.28 DNL Industries Inc. 11.000 Emperador 7.30 Energy Devt. Corp. (EDC) 5.96 EEI 7.47 Euro-Med Lab 1.81 First Gen Corp.

24 First Holdings ‘A’ 72.25 Holcim Philippines Inc. 16.28 Integ. Micro-Electronics 5.99 Ionics Inc 2.150 Jollibee Foods Corp.

244.00 Liberty Flour 57.00 Mabuhay Vinyl 4.03 Manila Water Co. Inc. 30.95 Maxs Group 28.5 Megawide 15.52 Mla. Elect. Co `A’ 302.00 MG Holdings 0.260 Pepsi-Cola Products Phil. 3.16 Petron Corporation 10.80 Phil H2O 3 Phinma Corporation 11.60 Phinma Energy 2.22 Phoenix Petroleum Phils. 5.95 Phoenix Semiconductor 1.54 Pryce Corp. `A’ 3.69 RFM Corporation 4.20 San Miguel ‘Pure Foods `A’ 219.8 Swift Foods, Inc. 0.149 TKC Steel Corp.

1.79 Universal Robina 180 Vitarich Corp.

2.42 Vulcan Ind’l.

1.24

0.59 59.2 30.05 2.16 7.39 3.4 3.35 823.5 10.2 84 3.35 4.92 0.66 1455 7.5 76 6.66 9.25 0.85 17.3 5.53 0.0670 2.31 1.61 2.99 84.9 3.5 974 1.66 1.39 156 0.710 0.435 0.510

0.44 48.1 20.85 1.6 6.62 0.225 0.23 634.5 7.390 12.8 2.6 2.26 0.152 837 5.3 49.55 3.52 4.84 0.59 12 4.2 0.030 1.23 0.550 2.26 59.3 1.5 751 1.13 0.93 80 0.211 0.179 0.310

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

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

Lodestar Invt. Holdg.Corp.

LT Group Metro Pacific Inv. Corp.

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

0.385 76.10 15.80 1.25 6.15 0.350 0.350 858 8.19 12.76 6.5 8.15 0.206 1399 6.28 71.70 5.31 8.1 0.78 14.2 7.07 0.0360 1.160 1.950 2.55 81.35 2.3 671.50 1.19 0.90 234.600 0.3100 0.2020 0.275

10.5 1.99 1.75 0.375 41.4 5.6 1.44 1.97 1.48 0.201 0.69 10.96 0.97 0.305 2.22 2.1 1.8 5.94

6.74 0.65 1.2 0.192 30.05 3.36 0.79 1.1 0.97 0.083 0.415 2.4 0.83 0.188 1.15 1.42 1.27 4.13

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

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

Double Dragon Empire East Land Ever Gotesco Global-Estate Filinvest Land,Inc. Interport `A’ Megaworld

7.390 1.14 2.610 0.265 38.300 2.93 0.590 1.25 1.050 0.160 0.560 57.1 0.750 0.140 1.00 1.78 1.16 4.57

High

Low

FINANCIAL 3.59 3.45 47.95 47.5 109.30 107.00 104.50 103.80 37.95 37.6 3.80 3.80 1.37 1.34 16.6 16.5 19 18.3 0.68 0.68 1.82 1.82 674.50 674.50 0.760 0.700 84.8 84.1 0.88 0.87 14.22 13.9 22.20 22.10 58.10 56.35 95.6 95.6 248 230 263 260 35.95 35.7 218.6 202.8 1500.00 1499.00 75.60 74.00 1.44 1.42 INDUSTRIAL 46 45 5.2 3.99 0.9 0.87 1.62 1.57 16 15.48 69 67.5 164.90 164.90 11.7 11.44 16 15.66 140.1 140 117 105 23.65 23.25 61 60 2.07 1.99 6.6 6.1 12.38 12.18 11.020 10.600 7.31 7.25 5.95 5.80 7.49 7.28 1.93 1.79 23.9 22.8 72.25 71.5 16.34 16.20 6 5.8 2.170 2.000 245.00 240.00 70.00 50.00 4.05 4.03 30.95 30 27.9 27.4 15.5 14.76 304.80 291.00 0.255 0.250 3.16 3.16 10.64 10.40 3 3 11.44 11.40 2.20 2.03 5.97 5.85 1.54 1.50 3.69 3.4 4.18 4.16 219.8 217 0.149 0.146 1.75 1.72 181 177 2.4 2.25 1.20 1.20 HOLDING FIRMS 0.390 0.370 76.10 75.10 15.80 15.58 1.27 1.20 6.01 6.01 0.350 0.335 0.350 0.345 853 846 8.32 8.13 12.66 12.34 6.52 6.52 8.15 7.98 0.206 0.200 1399 1365 6.28 6.26 71.70 69.15 5.3 5.3 8.1 7.95 0.79 0.78 14.3 13.98 7.07 6.82 0.0370 0.0360 1.280 1.200 1.960 1.940 2.55 2.53 81.25 80.50 2.30 2.3 671.00 661.00 1.21 1.17 0.92 0.89 234.400 231.800 0.3100 0.3100 0.2020 0.1930 0.275 0.255 PROPERTY 7.360 7.310 1.16 1.08 2.610 2.460 0.270 0.265 38.000 37.250 2.9 2.87 0.600 0.570 1.25 1.22 1.030 1.030 0.160 0.150 0.570 0.530 57.2 54.45 0.750 0.750 0.155 0.145 1.00 0.99 1.80 1.75 1.17 1.15 4.54 4.3

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

3.58 47.95 107.50 103.90 37.9 3.80 1.34 16.5 18.5 0.68 1.82 674.50 0.710 84.7 0.88 14 22.20 56.35 95.6 231 260 35.85 202.8 1500.00 75.00 1.42

-0.28 -0.10 -1.92 -0.48 -0.26 -1.04 2.29 -1.08 -1.91 -1.45 0.55 0.07 -6.58 0.18 0.00 -1.41 -1.33 -3.43 -5.35 -6.85 -3.35 -0.28 -7.31 0.07 -0.13 -1.39

6,000 42,500 1,228,120 2,506,290 57,900 26,000 50,000 182,500 522,400 15,000 1,000 180 12,050,000 1,257,940 21,000 103,400 900 44,850 120 170 400 35,200 1,944,050 85 94,190 196,000

45.65 4.19 0.89 1.57 15.48 68.8 164.90 11.5 15.72 140.1 110 23.6 60 1.99 6.12 12.2 10.680 7.30 5.95 7.29 1.79 22.95 71.65 16.20 5.89 2.040 241.00 57.60 4.03 30.5 27.4 14.86 291.00 0.250 3.16 10.40 3 11.40 2.17 5.97 1.50 3.45 4.16 219.8 0.146 1.75 180.5 2.26 1.20

0.00 7.71 0.00 -2.48 -3.25 7.50 0.00 -1.71 -1.75 -15.09 0.00 -0.21 0.00 -3.86 -5.70 -0.65 -2.91 0.00 -0.17 -2.41 -1.10 -4.38 -0.83 -0.49 -1.67 -5.12 -1.23 1.05 0.00 -1.45 -3.86 -4.25 -3.64 -3.85 0.00 -3.70 0.00 -1.72 -2.25 0.34 -2.60 -6.50 -0.95 0.00 -2.01 -2.23 0.28 -6.61 -3.23

1,169,400 6,916,000 2,240,000 1,431,000 42,100 6,020 260 2,574,800 2,935,400 40 510 374,700 63,090 2,106,000 3,457,200 138,300 7,172,700 606,500 5,536,400 507,300 56,000 3,141,200 495,760 1,278,800 1,080,900 3,243,000 579,600 7,180 20,000 3,781,900 238,900 2,194,500 492,010 2,030,000 1,000 3,982,800 1,000 30,000 3,804,000 607,900 556,000 668,000 187,000 3,500 8,140,000 711,000 1,199,270 8,623,000 99,000

0.380 75.75 15.64 1.24 6.01 0.340 0.345 849 8.13 12.50 6.52 8.15 0.206 1370 6.26 71.70 5.3 8.1 0.78 14.06 7.03 0.0360 1.280 1.940 2.53 81.00 2.3 665.00 1.21 0.92 233.000 0.3100 0.2020 0.255

-1.30 -0.46 -1.01 -0.80 -2.28 -2.86 -1.43 -1.05 -0.73 -2.04 0.31 0.00 0.00 -2.07 -0.32 0.00 -0.19 0.00 0.00 -0.99 -0.57 0.00 10.34 -0.51 -0.78 -0.43 0.00 -0.97 1.68 2.22 -0.68 0.00 0.00 -7.27

630,000 1,164,230 4,408,000 44,000 100 1,970,000 540,000 789,430 2,290,100 8,675,700 15,000 365,900 590,000 240,455 2,500 2,267,440 1,700 1,231,100 424,000 4,236,900 37,211,900 34,400,000 2,000 2,291,000 7,000 119,860 10,000 488,290 255,000 120,000 3,090 3,400,000 980,000 1,180,000

7.320 1.10 2.490 0.270 38.000 2.87 0.580 1.22 1.030 0.152 0.530 55.3 0.750 0.150 0.99 1.77 1.16 4.35

-0.95 -3.51 -4.60 1.89 -0.78 -2.05 -1.69 -2.40 -1.90 -5.00 -5.36 -3.15 0.00 7.14 -1.00 -0.56 0.00 -4.81

261,800 4,006,000 585,000 1,480,000 25,061,100 487,000 7,242,000 75,000 12,000 45,230,000 6,233,000 575,530 13,000 100,000 6,617,000 1,430,000 251,000 54,636,000

52 Weeks

Previous

High Low

STOCKS

0.180 0.470 8.54 31.8 2.29 4.9 21.35 1.06 1.62 8.59

0.090 0.290 2.69 22.15 1.6 3.1 15.08 0.69 0.83 5.73

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

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

1.97 119.5 7 0.017

1.23 102.6 3.01 0.011

0.8200 2.2800 5.93

0.041 1.200 2.34

12.28 3.32 3.2 95.5 15.2

6.5 1.91 1.95 3.1 6

1.040 22.8 6.41 18 185 22.9 3486 0.760 2.28 46.05 90.1

0.37 14.54 3 8.8 79 4.39 2748 0.435 1.2 31.45 60.55

11.6 0.85 10 1.9

7.59 0.63 5 1.14

0.0098 5.45 17.24 0.330 12.7 12.8 1.19 1.62 9.5 4.2 0.48 0.420 0.440 0.022 0.023 8.2 49.2 4.27 3.06 0.020 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 0.014 3.240 18.96 2.11 1.54 0.012 5.4 7.26 2.27 0.015 115.9 3.67 0.0100

70 553 525

33 490 500

-81,500.00 52,000.00 -54,027,855.00

120 8.21 12.28

101.5 5.88 6.5

-2,089,397.00

1047

1011

78.95 84.8

74.5 75

1,357,640.00 -22,063,563 103,483,714.00

2,358,020.00 -70,328.00 121,410.00 -2,862,970.00 51,239,123.00

-1,180,247.00

261,900 -208,187,788.00 104,980.00 1,235,430.50 15,944,390.00 -1,547,590.00 31,100.00 3,700.00

Close

MRC Allied Ind. Phil. Estates Corp.

Primex Corp.

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

High

Low

0.179 0.2750 4.02 30.80 1.62 3.28 28.00 1.08 1.000 5.280

0.182 0.162 0.2750 0.2550 4.02 3.55 30.90 30.05 1.67 1.6 3.29 3.24 27.85 26.90 1.1 1.05 1.000 0.970 5.260 5.030 SERVICES 2GO Group’ 7.55 7.64 7.54 ABS-CBN 48.5 48.55 48 Acesite Hotel 1.26 1.35 1.26 APC Group, Inc. 0.560 0.560 0.530 Berjaya Phils. Inc. 5.39 5.21 5.21 Bloomberry 5.19 5.17 4.91 Boulevard Holdings 0.0940 0.0930 0.0890 Calata Corp.

3.38 3.37 3.22 Cebu Air Inc. (5J) 106.6 106 102 DFNN Inc. 6.90 6.99 6.80 FEUI 961 990 961 Globe Telecom 1824 1828 1790 GMA Network Inc. 6.24 6.29 6.23 Golden Haven 13.92 14.00 13.62 Harbor Star 2.13 2.14 1.94 I.C.T.S.I. 77.2 77 74.25 Imperial Res. `A’ 19.16 18.88 18.04 IP E-Game Ventures Inc. 0.0099 0.0099 0.0098 IPM Holdings 9.23 9.24 9.24 Island Info 0.231 0.235 0.212 ISM Communications 1.5000 1.4900 1.4400 Jackstones 3.6 3.6 3.48 LBC Express 12.48 12.76 12.24 Leisure & Resorts 5.13 5.19 4.80 Liberty Telecom 2.24 2.29 2.24 Macroasia Corp.

2.22 2.17 2.15 Manila Broadcasting 29.70 42.80 30.00 Melco Crown 4.04 4.05 3.78 Metro Retail 5.14 5.15 4.80 NOW Corp.

3.380 3.380 3.100 Pacific Online Sys. Corp. 11.42 11.3 11.16 PAL Holdings Inc. 5.60 5.60 5.30 Phil. Racing Club 8.74 8.75 8.75 Phil. Seven Corp.

135.00 150.00 135.00 Philweb.Com Inc. 8.54 8.65 8.20 PLDT Common 1609.00 1611.00 1596.00 PremiereHorizon 0.425 0.425 0.415 Premium Leisure 1.080 1.080 1.040 Puregold 42.20 42.30 40.95 Robinsons RTL 75.50 75.50 74.45 SBS Phil. Corp.

6.00 6.07 5.87 SSI Group 2.87 2.88 2.80 STI Holdings 0.700 0.700 0.660 Travellers 3.26 3.27 3.21 Yehey 5.950 5.940 5.100 MINING & OIL Abra Mining 0.0036 0.0037 0.0035 Apex `A’ 3.00 3.06 2.83 Atlas Cons. `A’ 4.20 4.15 4.08 Basic Energy Corp.

0.218 0.218 0.203 Benguet Corp `A’ 2.1000 2.1 2.1000 Benguet Corp `B’ 2.0500 2.0500 2.0400 Century Peak Metals Hldgs0.58 0.57 0.57 Coal Asia 0.400 0.400 0.400 Dizon 8.30 8.30 8.12 Ferronickel 1.050 1.070 1.000 Geograce Res. Phil. Inc. 0.275 0.275 0.260 Lepanto `A’ 0.188 0.188 0.186 Lepanto `B’ 0.195 0.198 0.190 Manila Mining `A’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Manila Mining `B’ 0.0110 0.0110 0.0110 Marcventures Hldgs., Inc. 1.45 1.44 1.43 Nickelasia 7.29 7.3 6.94 Nihao Mineral Resources 2.91 2.92 2.8 Oriental Peninsula Res. 0.8700 0.8800 0.8400 Oriental Pet. `A’ 0.0120 0.0120 0.0110 Petroenergy Res. Corp. 4.20 4.19 4.19 Philex `A’ 8.15 8.27 8.11 PhilexPetroleum 3.89 3.95 3.76 Philodrill Corp. `A’ 0.0120 0.0130 0.0120 Semirara Corp.

124.00 122.90 118.00 TA Petroleum 3.35 3.27 3.18 United Paragon 0.0096 0.0095 0.0095 PREFERRED ABS-CBN Holdings Corp. 48.7 48.5 48 Ayala Corp. Pref `B1’ 535 535 535 Ayala Corp. Pref ‘B2’ 535 535 535 DD Pref 103.9 103.9 103.6 First Gen G 118.6 118.6 118 GMA Holdings Inc. 6.01 6.01 6 Leisure and Resort 1.05 1.05 1.05 PCOR-Preferred B 1157 1070 1070 PF Pref 2 1021 1022 1021 PNX PREF 3A 108 108.1 108 PNX PREF 3B 113.9 110.7 110.7 SMC Preferred B 76.5 76.5 76.5 SMC Preferred C 81 81 81 SMC Preferred D 78 76.5 76.5 SMC Preferred E 78.2 79 78.5 SMC Preferred F 79.9 79.5 79.5 SMC Preferred G 79 79 79 SMC Preferred H 76.8 77 76.9 WARRANTS & BONDS LR Warrant 2.450 2.410 2.320 SME Alterra Capital 3.49 35 3.25 Makati Fin. Corp.

3.25 3.13 3.1 Italpinas 4.32 4.32 4.01 Xurpas 14.06 14 12.3 EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS First Metro ETF 124 124.4 122.3

MS -4,974,196.00 -15,545,790.00

-564,000.00 82,105 203,000.00 929,604.00

-10,525,498.00 545,687.00 -4,929,202.00 -1,191,055.00

-15,504,855.00 -31,172,955.00 -176,700.00 1,748,202.00 800.00 20,709,424.00 704,940.00 -4,728,040.00 -1,195,426.00 -46,032,176.00 10,000.00 1,966,554.00

4,434,830.00 16,550.00

500,800.00 750,442.00 13,320.00

-94,778,941 1,406,610.00

40,789,399.50 -21,569,498.00

3,500.00 -40,289,070 6,977,605.00 -43,666,664.00

-1,406,564.00

-937,276.00 -101,834,102.00 90,000.00

1,267,908.00

31,544,245.00 8,260.00

341,515.00 25,200.00 52,453,850.00 -89,330.00 181,480.00

-17,398,132.00 -2,900,000.00 254,090.00 -43,219,220.00

6.98

0.8900

15

3.5

12.88

5.95

130.7

105.6

TRADING SUMMARY

SHARES

FINANCIAL

22,759,288

INDUSTRIAL

84,720,136

HOLDING FIRMS

110,745,347

PROPERTY

306,985,356

SERVICES

276,887,960

MINING & OIL

255,919,554

GRAND TOTAL

1,068,216,339

Close

%

Net Foreign

Change Volume

Trade/Buying

0.169 0.2750 3.59 30.50 1.6 3.28 27.50 1.06 0.970 5.110

-5.59 0.00 -10.70 -0.97 -1.23 0.00 -1.79 -1.85 -3.00 -3.22

114,850,000 40,000 6,585,000 1,099,300 653,000 48,000 8,425,700 5,027,000 1,065,000 10,708,000

83,000.00

7.56 48 1.26 0.560 5.21 5.02 0.0900 3.24 105 6.99 961 1810 6.25 13.92 2.00 75.1 18.04 0.0098 9.24 0.220 1.4500 3.59 12.66 4.88 2.25 2.15 33.05 3.8 5.02 3.140 11.16 5.55 8.75 150.00 8.48 1602.00 0.415 1.070 40.95 74.50 5.87 2.84 0.670 3.22 5.180

0.13 -1.03 0.00 0.00 -3.34 -3.28 -4.26 -4.14 -1.50 1.30 0.00 -0.77 0.16 0.00 -6.10 -2.72 -5.85 -1.01 0.11 -4.76 -3.33 -0.28 1.44 -4.87 0.45 -3.15 11.28 -5.94 -2.33 -7.10 -2.28 -0.89 0.11 11.11 -0.70 -0.44 -2.35 -0.93 -2.96 -1.32 -2.17 -1.05 -4.29 -1.23 -12.94

115,500 125,900 33,000 522,000 4,000 12,262,500 132,530,000 7,679,000 1,117,920 71,900 2,210 71,650 154,000 12,300 5,224,000 2,000,500 20,400 8,000,000 450,000 33,740,000 493,000 39,000 323,700 1,930,500 1,358,000 56,000 348,200 9,368,000 6,197,600 10,220,000 55,000 12,100 1,000 9,120 4,713,800 325,515 1,340,000 18,027,000 2,085,700 1,882,060 1,578,500 1,662,000 6,752,000 1,724,000 1,047,200

0.0036 2.95 4.08 0.215 2.1000 2.0500 0.57 0.400 8.30 1.010 0.265 0.186 0.198 0.0110 0.0110 1.44 7.01 2.89 0.8800 0.0110 4.19 8.11 3.78 0.0130 120.50 3.19 0.0095

0.00 -1.67 -2.86 -1.38 0.00 0.00 -1.72 0.00 0.00 -3.81 -3.64 -1.06 1.54 0.00 0.00 -0.69 -3.84 -0.69 1.15 -8.33 -0.24 -0.49 -2.83 8.33 -2.82 -4.78 -1.04

144,000,000 352,000 192,000 1,080,000 24,000 5,000 138,000 200,000 5,200 51,342,000 470,000 9,240,000 3,080,000 14,300,000 1,000,000 265,000 5,886,500 251,000 94,000 1,700,000 10,000 277,200 4,701,000 8,700,000 356,530 80,000 8,000,000

48.5 535 535 103.9 118 6 1.05 1070 1022 108 110.7 76.5 81 76.5 79 79.5 79 76.9

-0.41 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.51 -0.17 0.00 -7.52 0.10 0.00 -2.81 0.00 0.00 -1.92 1.02 -0.50 0.00 0.13

268,300 660 310 4,030 21,350 84,800 115,000 2,000 400 1,940 9,910 59,490 11,000 13,300 33,670 1,000 10,700 136,330

2.330

-4.90

523,000

11,650.00

3.39 3.1 4.05 12.6

-2.87 -4.62 -6.25 -10.38

2,013,000 172,000 260,000 7,726,700

10,350.00

122.3

-1.37

23,300

-122,700.00

38,860.00 -23,617,295.00 152,000.00 11,598,590.00 49,000.00 -10,213,892.00

5,700.00 32,399,024.00 -198,770.00 13,796,553.00 -142,140.00 -6,419,165.00 -220,270.00 -20,055,664.00

22,200.00 138,000.00 3,636,504.00 4,144,911 252,320.00 -5,373,400.00 4,937,705.00 357,690.00

-357,564.00 -221,770.00 47,796,985.00 -975,570.00 -37,729,080.00 -71,425,140.50 796,650.00 1,495,970.00 -3,311,250.00 106,500.00 11,950.00 11,950.00 -8,210.00 -62,350.00

4,501,360.00 -2,650.00 22,800.00

8,819,233.00

-648,550.00 490,510.00 -6,650,448.00

-3,571,730.00

-506,837.00

79,500.00 154,000.00

-73,340.00 -32,217,630.00

VALUE 1,774.81 (down) 30.99 1,434,244,845.45 FINANCIAL INDUSTRIAL 11,634.41 (down) 143.96 1,245,836,550.61 HOLDING FIRMS 7,416.53 (down) 62.23 2,175,648,410.516 PROPERTY 3,361.68 (down) 55.19 1,419.98 (down) 21.35 1,782,033,504.799 SERVICES MINING & OIL 11,018.92 (down) 236.93 1,535,152,751.12 PSEI 7,429.82 (down) 91.00 164,339,229.967 All Shares Index 4,429.84 (down) 60.19 8,448,605,443.086 Gainers: 32; Losers: 159; Unchanged: 43; Total: 234

Meralco investing in hydro projects

By Alena Mae S. Flores POWER retailer Manila Electric Co. said Wednesday it signed a joint venture and shareholders’ agreement with local company Blue Energy Holdings and Management Corp. to build hydropower projects in the country.

“Under the JVA, the company and Blue Energy shall put up a joint venture company through which the company and Blue Energy will jointly pursue and undertake the development of various hydroelectric power projects,” Meralco said in a disclosure to the stock exchange.

Blue Energy is a local company, which is a part of Meralco’s joint venture with Repower Energy Development Corp. of the Tiu family.

Meralco said under the agreement, the company agreed to subscribe to new shares of the joint venture to be incorporated by the parties worth P3.125 million, divided into 3,124,999 shares with a par value of P1 per share.

“Said shares represent 50 percent minus one share of the authorized capital stock of the proposed JVC,” it said.

Meralco, the country’s biggest power distributor, is pursuing the development of renewable energy projects such as solar and hydropower plants aside from coal projects under Meralco PowerGen Corp.

Another Taiwanese bank set to open in PH

By Julito G. Rada THE Monetary Board, the policy-making body of Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, approved the entry of Hua Nan Commercial Bank Ltd. of Taiwan in the Philippines.

Hua Nan Commercial Bank became the fourth Taiwan-based bank and ninth foreign bank that entered the country since 2014.

Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Nestor Espenilla Jr. said Hua Nan Commercial Bank got the approval of the board recently.

Information on its website showed that Hua Nan Bank was founded in 1919, with a head office in Taipei.

The approval for Hua Nan Bank brought to three the number of foreign banks that received BSP permits this year.

Bangko Sentral earlier approved the application of Woori Bank, South Korea’s second-largest bank, to acquire Wealth Development Bank from the Gaisano family’s Viscal Development Corp. It was followed by the approval of the application of First Commercial Bank of Taiwan.

Six applications were approved by the Monetary Board in 2015. These included the applications of United Overseas Bank Ltd. of Singapore, Yuanta Commercial Bank Co. Ltd. of Taiwan, Industrial Bank of Korea, Shinhan Bank of Korea, the Japan-based Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. and the Taiwan-based Cathay United Bank.

Under Republic Act 10641 which further liberalized the banking industry in 2014, foreign banks are allowed to control up to a combined 40 percent of the total assets of the banking system. This was 10 percentage points higher than the previous 30-percent limit.

Business

Govt rejects P125 wage hike—Pernia

By Gabrielle H. Binaday

T

HE government rejected the proposed P125 increase in the daily minimum wage, saying this could displace workers, increase inflation and affect the economy, Economic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Wednesday.

Pernia, who serves as the director-general of the National Economic and Development Authority, said Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello agreed with the position paper prepared by Neda.

“I mean that [P125 wage increase] is not going to pass.

We already talked to Secretary Bello, and he agrees with our

position,” Pernia told reporters at sidelines of the 42nd Philippine Business Conference & Expo at Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

Pernia said the position paper contained the explanation that different regions had different conditions, inflation, cost of living and that one could not just enforce a uniform increase across all regions.

He said Neda conducted an impact analysis and found that the proposed wage hike would affect employment because many small companies would not be able to afford to keep their workers or hire more.

“Especially micro, small and medium enterprises will be hard up with that kind of an increase,” Pernia said.

Pernia said Neda was in charge of economic policy, promoting employment and keeping inflation under control. “This policy will definitely impact adversely these three major economic concerns,” Pernia said.

He said the wage hike would also worsen inequality across regions.

“It’s going to dampen investors

from investing in the regions especially those seeking lower minimum wages. MSMEs will be affected,” he said.

A study by Neda showed that the proposed across-the-board pay increase of P125 would have inflationary effects.

Inflation is projected to rise to 5.5 percent from less than 2 percent in August if the suggested wage hike is imposed.

The same study said the salary increase would result in a 1-percentage-point drop in the country’s gross domestic product and a 1-percentage-point increase in unemployment.

It could slow the pace of economic growth from a range of 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent to between 5.5 percent and 6.5

MSME DEVELOPMENT.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (third from left) exchanges views with Ayala Corp. chairman and chief executive Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala (second from left), president and chief operating officer Fernando Zobel de Ayala (right) and chief financial officer/ chief sustainability officer Jose Teodoro Limcaoco (left) during the business group’s Sustainability Summit 2016 in Makati City. Lopez encouraged the business group to help the government in developing the competence of Filipino micro, small and medium enterprises.

Businessmen concerned over Duterte’s remarks

By Othel V. Campos A GROUP of Filipino and American traders expressed concern over the possible economic setback caused by President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent anti-US outbursts.

“They are concerned. They said that in our hearts we are Filipinos but our allegiance is with the US,” said Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry president George Barcelon at the sidelines of the 42nd Philippine Business Conference & Expo at Marriot Hotel in Pasay City.

“I think these sincere expressions of concern should be heeded [by the president]. In general they are concerned, not in the

peace and order situation but more on investments,” Barcelon said.

“We want them to feel that it’s not as worse as they think particularly when there is positive pronouncement coming from the economic team. I think he is listening [but better] if backed up by the economic managers.

But we don’t worry ourselves to death, we are just concerned,” Barcelon said.

Meanwhile, PCCI endorsed a list of resolutions calling on the government to prioritize tax reforms, good governance, infrastructure development and improvement of the agriculture sector.

PCCI also underscored the

goal of empowering the micro, small and medium enterprises to achieve employment targets.

“We want the government to prioritize good governance, tax reform, agriculture, infrastructure. All these can immediately have an impact that can be gained from the resolution. The bottomline is how to create more jobs because that’s the mandate –create more jobs and access to financing for MSMEs. We can be more focused and fast-tracked … We need to create a bigger space,” Barcelon said.

The PBC resolution cited the need to further ease the business environment, not only at the national level but also at local government unit level. It sup-

ports the government’s program of harmonizing the policies and procedures, automating business processes and licensing systems and reducing the number of days to process permits and licenses to a maximum of three days across all national and local government agencies and local government units.

It also supports proposal to reduce personal income tax rate to 25 percent, adjust tax brackets to inflation, broaden VAT base and simplify tax system.

The resolution also seeks the cooperation of the Finance Department and the two houses of Congress to consider a special simplified tax regime for MSMEs.

The Philippine economy, June 30-Oct. 8, 2016 THERE are those who decry the idea of a new institution’s being subjected to a first-100-days analysis, saying that 100 days is a period insufficiently long to be conducive to a meaningful analytical outcome. I disagree.

I believe that in its first hundred days of existence a new institution can be meaningful on account of two things. First, it can, during that period, produce results sufficiently suggestive of a capacity for fulfilling the purpose of its establishment. And, second, it can set the tone for its operation for the time beyond the first 100 days. The second is probably more important than the first.

It bears pointing out, in analyzing the output and nature of an institution’s initial 100 days, that there is such a thing as a time lag or a reaction delay in this field of human endeavor. The Duterte administration’s economic managers have acknowledged that the administration that left office on June 30 left the Philippine economy in generally good shape, particularly in the economicfundamentals area. Things did not just come to an abrupt end on that day, as water does when a tap is shut off. The good economic seeds planted by the Aquino administration have continued to bear fruit, in lagged fashion, during the weeks and months following Benigno Aquino III’s departure from Malacañang. There can be no better proof of this than the current spate of the EPAL-type billboards claiming credit for infrastructure and other projects started during Mr. Aquino’s watch.

This caveat having been laid down, it is possible to speak about the output and overall tone—the operating environment—of the present administration’s first 100 days in office.

First, the overall tone. True, the Duterte administration has put in place a 10-point economic agenda that is sound and comprehensive.

But there the positiveness stops. The overall tone—finance people prefer to use the word ‘tenor’—of Duterte-administration economic management has been negative. Topping the list of negative moves

has been the new administration’s attitude toward an entire, oldestablished industry—mining.

Then there have been the highdecibel sirens-blaring assault on a practice that has provided hundreds of thousands of admittedlyless-than-ideal jobs in the nation’s largest retail and other service establishments, the move to place a moratorium on conversions of land from agricultural to commercial and other non-agricultural uses and, last but by no means least, the professed indifference to the cessation of external aid flows to this country from Western sources. And, of course, there has been the declaration of a desire to change the general orientation of Philippine external economic— trade, investments and resource transfers—from the US and the European Union to China and Russia. Chancelleries, boardrooms and stock exchanges do not exist in a vacuum: the negative impacts are beginning to make themselves felt.

As for first-100-days output, the total of significant projects completed or initiated is close to zero. This is because the new administration has been more busy talking—warning, threatening, sermonizing and investigating—than getting things done. Nothing much has been done about anything significant. The entire operating environment of the Philippine economy since June 29 has simply been too negative. All in all, a bad economic scorecard for the Duterte administration’s first 100 days.

Are things likely to change in the next 100 days and the 100-day periods after that? President Duterte keeps talking of “my country.”

Better days had better be coming, this also is the country of the millions of Filipinos who voted for Grace Poe, Mar Roxas, Jejomar Binay and Miriam Defensor-Santiago.

E-mail: rudyromero777@yahoo.com

B3

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 extrastory2000@gmail.com

Investors snap BSP’s term deposit auction

By Julito G. Rada BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas sold P110 billion worth of term deposits during its regular auction Wednesday, as demand for the facility continues to be strong amid excess liquidity in the financial system.

Bangko Sentral said the term deposit auction was highly oversubscribed, as the seven-day P10billion deposits received total tenders of P35 billion, with a weighted average accepted yield of 2.5 percent, matching the floor rate in the overnight deposit facility.

The month-long P100-billion worth of deposits attracted total bids of P196.9 billion, with a higher weighted average accepted yield of 2.55 percent.

“We continue to see the expected result from the TDF as an ac-

tive open market instrument. We mop up excess liquidity resulting in the decrease in the bid to coverage ratio,” Bangko Sentral Deputy Governor Diwa Guinigundo said in a text message.

He said as overnight funds migrated into the seven-day and 28-day placements, the beginning of a modestly upward path of interest rates for longer maturities could be seen.

“BSP policy rate continues to provide the guidance to market rates and considering that inflation rate is moving closer to the target and talks about the impending US Fed normalization remain live, the trajectory even for interbank rates is indeed moving towards the policy rate,” Guinigundo said, adding the current monetary policy remained appropriate.

Lower power cost remains a challenge R E D U C I N G electricity rates in the Philippines is a balancing act that the government of President Rodrigo Duterte must tread. Lowering the rates is a challenge for the administration because cheaper electricity will ultimately ease the burden of the consuming public and boost economic expansion.

Electricity rates in the Philippines, once one of the highest in Asia, have dropped over the last four years based on the narrowing gap between the local cost and those of other countries, according to an international study. But the gap could have been bridged more significantly if the government adopted a more responsive policy and a practical fuel mix.

A survey done by the International Energy Consultants, an Australia-based consulting firm specializing in Asian power markets, showed that the average electricity tariff (excluding VAT) had declined 28 percent since January 2012 versus an average decline of 19 percent across 44 countries covered by the poll.

The drop in local currency terms translated into a 22 percent decrease in the power utility’s average tariff versus an average decline of only one percent across all markets.

IEC managing director Dr. John Morris, who led the study, said electricity rates in Luzon and selected markets from the Indo-Pacific region and other parts of the world were now at closer parity than before.

Luzon’s average electricity tariff is just 11 percent above the survey’s average rate, an improvement from a similar survey done by IEC in 2012 when rates in the island was 24 percent above the average rate of surveyed countries.

“This is an excellent outcome for consumers,” Morris said,“considering that the Luzon power market is unsubsidized and the majority of electricity is produced using imported fuel.”

Morris noted that government subsidies had made power rates artificially low in markets like Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Korea and Taiwan. He estimated the subsidies in those countries at nearly $50 billion in 2015 alone.

The IEC study found that lower fuel costs, mainly coal, was a major contributor to the lower Luzon power prices in 2016. A lower distribution charge, reduced system loss and the utility’s sourcing strategy also contributed significantly to the decline.

Morris said Meralco customers were able to save around P30 billion in power costs. Meralco since 2013 has been aggressively negotiating competitively priced power supply agreements with new generators.

“Electricity tariff in Luzon will further go down should investment in new power generation be made to meet rapid demand growth, and competition at retail level is promoted such that wholesale electricity cost reductions are fully passed on to customers,” Morris said.

Morris noted that the distribution charge, which accounts for 17 percent of the average tariff, was the only charge that accrues to Meralco. All other charges are collected by Meralco on behalf of third parties.

Optimum mix Meralco’s average tariff, the IEC study shows, now ranks 16th out of 44 markets—a big drop from 2012 when rates were ranked 9th highest.

But Morris stressed that regulators and legislators should focus on facilitating investments in new generation to meet rapid demand growth and promote competition at a retail level so that wholesale electricity cost reductions are fully passed on to consumers The Philippines still has one of the highest power costs in Southeast Asia—a handicap in attracting foreign investments.

A large reason behind this is that generation charge makes up more than 50 percent of the bill compared with 25 percent in New Zealand.

The weighty generation charge is partly the result of the share of renewable energy, one of the highest in the region since 1991. The share of RE in 2014 stood at 33 percent, resulting in low CO2 emissions (0.95 tCO2/cap). The low carbon emissions, however, have a price. RE companies are making a profit at the expense of the consumers, an unfair transfer of wealth.

Based on the IEC study, an ideal policy for alternative fuel mix in 2040 favors increased temporary utilization of the lesser-cost resources but takes into account environmental costs.

The energy mix policy takes advantage of lower-priced sources, and thus, is able to achieve better consumer welfare.

Optimal fuel mix is not constant over time, but it should exploit the opportunities opened up by less-costly resources, while taking into account environmental and health costs to reduce the price of power.

E-mail: rayenano@yahoo.com or business@thestandard.com.ph or extrastory2000@gmail.com

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

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

Business

100 YEARS OF BMW.

The selfbalancing BMW Motorrad VISION NEXT 100 concept motorcycle is unveiled on the last of four international stops of the “Iconic Impulses” event, recognizing 100 years of BMW, on October 11, 2016 in Santa Monica, California.

AFP

Markets sink on rate hike woes

A

sian stocks dropped for a fourth day as investors fretted about the prospect of US interest-rate hikes. Oil held above $50 a barrel amid uncertainty over Russia’s willingness to join Opec efforts to stabilize the market, while the pound rallied.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index retreated to a three-week low.

European and US index futures were little changed. Sterling rebounded 1.3 percent against the greenback after Prime Minister Theresa May accepted that Parliament should be allowed to vote on her plan for pulling the UK out of the European Union.

The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index slipped from its highest level since July as the Aussie strengthened.

Investors will scrutinize minutes from the Federal Reserve’s latest decision due Wednesday, with odds of a US rate increase by year-end climbing to 67 percent amid speculation the recent surge in oil prices will fuel inflation. Alcoa Inc. has brought the health of corporate America into focus after disappointing results.

May’s decision to give lawmakers a say over Brexit is calming investors after they dumped the pound on concern she was tak-

ing a hardline approach to the negotiations.

“Stock markets are becoming nervous about the prospect of rising interest rates against a background of moderate profit growth and relatively high valuations,” Ric Spooner, chief market analyst in Sydney at CMC Markets, said in an e-mail. “Given how critical the interest-rate outlook is at the moment, markets will be focused on the degree of support for a rate hike this year revealed in the Fed minutes.”

Stocks Futures on the Euro Stoxx 50 Index rose less than 0.1 percent as of 7:08 a.m. London time, while S&P 500 Index contracts added 0.1 percent.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index dropped 0.6 percent, with raw en-

Samsung’s recall to hurt Vietnam

By Nguyen Dieu Tu Uyen and Mai Ngoc Chau THE fallout from Samsung Electronics Co.’s dramatic move to end production of its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone is set to spread to Vietnam, hurting an economy already hit by drought and lower oil prices.

“Samsung’s decision to kill off Galaxy Note 7 will certainly impact Vietnam’s exports this year,” since the company’s exports represent about 20 percent of the nation’s shipments, said Nguyen Mai, chairman of Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises. The recall of 2.5 million smartphones after complaints of exploding batteries contributed to a $1.1 billion decline in exports in September, according to the statistics office.

Samsung helped to turn Vietnam into an electronics manufacturing hub almost single-handedly with $15 billion in investments from the technology giant and its affiliates, including battery-maker Samsung SDI Co. The South Korean company is Vietnam’s biggest exporter, shipping about $33 billion of electronics last year.

Vietnam now faces the loss of millions of dollars in exports at a time when its struggling to meet its 2016 economic growth target of 6.7 percent. Part of the reason for the 6.8-percent decline in exports in September from the previous month was due to the Note 7 recall, said Nguyen Bich Lam, head of the country’s General Statistics Office.

“It’s another blow,” said Alan Pham, the Ho Chi Minh City-based chief economist at VinaCapital Group Ltd., the country’s larg-

est fund manager. “This is the risk of putting all your bets on one company or industry. But that is the natural progression of a developing country: It starts by exporting commodities then turns to manufactured products, industrial products.”

Samsung’s plants in the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen do not plan to adjust export goals or fire employees as a result of the Note 7 incident, the company said in an e-mail statement. Overall 2016 Vietnam exports are expected to increase from last year, the company said.

Even before the Note 7 fallout, Vietnam was struggling to meet its target of 10 percent export growth this year, Trade and Industry Minister Tran Tuan Anh said in a July interview. Still, Vietnam’s economic growth is better than neighboring countries, Pham said.

Vietnam’s annual economic growth accelerated to 6.4 percent last quarter, from 5.78 percent in the previous three months, the General Statistics Office said Sept. 29, behind only the Philippines in Southeast Asia.

The government is pushing for 6.7-percent growth target this year.

Earlier this month local news websites reported that Samsung had applied to the customs department for tax exemptions to reimport flawed Galaxy Note 7 smartphones and export replacements to Samsung’s headquarters in South Korea.

“Samsung has contributed greatly to Vietnam’s economy,” said Mai, who estimated the total workforce tied to Samsung in Vietnam is about 400,000 people, including 130,000 company employees. Bloomberg

A pedestrian walks past the Samsung Electronics Vietnam Co. Plant at Yen Phong Industrial Park in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016. Samsung Electronics Co. and its affiliate have built a factory town with 45,000 young workers and hundreds of foreign component suppliers—a miniature version of the family-run chaebol conglomerates that dominate business back in Korea. Bloomberg

ergy producers and property stocks driving declines. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index declined 1.1 percent in a third day of losses as Bank of China Ltd. and Bank of Communications Co. sank more than 2.5 percent. In Japan, the Topix lost 1.1 percent.

Thailand’s SET Index tumbled 2.6 percent as it extended losses since Sunday’s announcement from the palace that the king’s condition remains unstable.

“Investors will focus on corporate earnings and the outlook provided by companies over the next six weeks as the Fed also prepares the market for what looks to be a likely interest-rate hike in December,” James Woods, a global investment analyst in Sydney at Rivkin Securities, said in an e-mail. Coupled with the

looming US presidential election and Brexit concerns, “all of this provides multiple factors that have the ability to increase volatility over the coming months,” he said.

The pound climbed to $1.2273 from near a three-decade low.

Parliament will debate on Wednesday a motion from the opposition Labor Party calling for a “full and transparent debate on the government’s plan for leaving the EU” and for lawmakers to be able to “properly scrutinize that plan” before May begins formal talks. In response, May tabled an amendment that effectively accepted the motion, adding that there shouldn’t be an attempt to block Brexit or “undermine the negotiating position of the government.” Bloomberg

Brewer AB InBev sells big brands BRUSSELS, Belgium― The world’s biggest brewer Anheuser-Busch InBev confirmed the sale of major businesses in Africa, Europe and Asia on Tuesday, as it completed the mega-takeover of rival SABMiller.

The furious round of dealmaking follows the buyout

by AB InBev―the maker of Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois―of London-based group SABMiller, in one of the biggest ever mergers in history.

The new company is called AB InBev, sounding the death knell of SABMiller and cementing AB InBev’s dominant position as the world’s top beer-maker, leaving only MillerCoors and Heineken as potential rivals.

AB InBev’s merger with SABMiller was finalized late Monday and the shares of the new group are now listed in several exchanges.

But the historic tie-up required the green-light of regulators, which ordered sell-offs of assets, including some of SABMiller’s most internationally-recognized brands.

To satisfy European Union regulators, AB InBev said it successfully sold SABMiller brands Peroni and Grolsch to Japanese brewer Asahi for 2.55 billion euros ($2.76 billion).

The EU has also demanded the brewer divest SABMiller’s business in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

In Asia, AB InBev said it successfully divested SABMiller’s 49-percent stake in Snow breweries, China’s highest-selling beer brand, for $1.6 billion as a commitment to regulators in Beijing.

Coca-Cola meanwhile is in line to buy the stake AB InBev holds in the US CocaCola’s African subsidiary, the two companies announced Tuesday.

SAB Miller, which had done much of Coca-Cola’s bottling worldwide, held a majority share in it. AFP

LGUs

Inday Sara designs Davao blast marker

By F. Pearl A. Gajunera DAVAO CITY—Forty days after the bloody explosion that killed 15 people, the City Government of Davao unveiled a memorial marker for the Roxas night market victims and survivors, on Tuesday afternoon.

The unveiling was led by Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio, who designed the marker.

Duterte explained that the three layers of the memorial marker symbolize heaven, man and earth.

She said the marker was a labor of love that will keep alive the memory of those who died during the bombing.

“We want a marker that is labored so that we will never forget what happened, we put a living plant there because every day we will take good care of it, we will always remember what happened so that we will always be vigilant,” Duterte said.

The mayor said the marker will also remind the public to be vigilant at all times to prevent such senseless attacks.

“The tree symbolizes those who died during the incident,” she said.

Meanwhile, the marker symbolizes hope for the survivors of the September 2 bombing.

Angie Laura Grecia said she hopes the memorial marker will remind everybody of how the city stands up as one after the incident.

“I hope that this marker won’t rewind us of the pain, but how we stand up as one. Let us continue to pray for the souls of the victims and their families to help them move forward,” Grecia said.

Dennis Larrida, the husband of Melanie Faith and father of 12-year-old Deniel Josh, said he continues to pray for the wounded hearts of those who have lost their loved ones during the bombing and for those who were physically wounded.

“To the families of the victims and those who are still in the hospital, I pray that we all move on and don’t get affected or give up the fight against terrorism. Let’s move on, with the grace of God for He will never leave us,” he said.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

C1

IN MEMORY. The victims of the Roxas night market bombing on September 2 are remembered by a marker designed by Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte.

F. Pearl A. Gajunera

Erap allots P50m vs drugs

By Sandy Araneta

T

O HELP drug dependents start a new life, Manila Mayor Joseph “Erap” Estrada has released an initial fund of P50 million to kick-start a comprehensive drug treatment program for thousands of drug suspects who have surrendered to authorities.

Estrada assigned his daughter Jerika Ejercito, program director of the non-government organization Initiatives for Life and Action for Women, to spearhead the launch of the “Sagip Buhay, Sagip Pangarap” in Manila’s 896 barangays.

During the “Newsbreak” forum of the Manila City Hall Press Club at Cherry Blossoms

Hotel in Malate on Tuesday, Ejercito announced that they will train 64 members of ILAW later this month to become “assessors,” or those who will screen the first 2,000 of the more than 9,000 drug suspects who have surrendered to the Manila Police District in the previous months.

The assessors will be deployed

to the barangays to conduct initial interview and screening of the would-be beneficiaries to separate the worst cases of drug abuse from those that are considered “treatable.”

“Seminar ‘yun para sa mga mag-a-assess. Tuturuan sila. Tapos kasama din ang ating mga barangay health workers. They will be very much involved in

the screening of our drug patients,” Ejercito explained.

“Drug dependents are also victims. They should not vilified. They deserve a second chance to live and it is only proper that we should help them become responsible and lawabiding citizens again,” the Manila mayor said.

Turn to C2

Makati caravan has 5 stops left in 2016 Board rejects rebid for Beneco hydro

SINCE its launching last August, the Makati Lingkod Bayan Caravan has served over 3,500 residents in four barangays as of the end of September.

For the rest of the year it will go to Brgy. Bangkal on October 22; Brgy. San Isidro on November 5; Brgy. Pitogo on November 19; Brgy. Carmona on December 3; and Brgy. Pembo on December 10. Registration starts at 7 a.m., and the caravan closes around noon.

In a statement, Mayor Abby Binay said the caravan directly serves the residents of Makati.

“We encourage our residents to come when the caravan is in their barangay to enjoy a variety of free services without their having to go to city hall,” she said.

Meanwhile, La Union Gov.

Francisco Emmanuel Ortega III launched during his 100th day in office a package of basic services for La Union’s 576 barangays.

The package, dubbed “I love La Union, I love my Barangay,” comprised medical and dental consultation, supplemental feeding, livelihood training, cooking seminar, distribution of vegetables seeds, anti-rabies vaccination, free legal consultation, and other services.

Scheduled twice in a month, the Makati caravan is a onestop-shop offering a wide range of services for free from city hall offices, together with the JCBinay Foundation and other partner-NGOs. Free services offered include medical, dental and eye checkups, blood sugar screening,

x-ray, ECG, medicines, legal advice and services, processing of birth certificates and similar documents. A feeding program is also held for undernourished children, while free massage and hair cutting services are also made available. Pet owners can also bring their dogs and cats for free anti-rabies vaccination.

Binay said the caravan has reached the barangays of Pio del Pilar, Guadalupe Viejo, Pinagkaisahan and Valenzuela. Over 1,200 availed themselves of free medical consultations, and many of them were able to undergo free blood sugar screening, Xray and ECG. Free dentures were given to over 100 patients, and 530 were given reading glasses. Free haircut and massage services were

both bestsellers to residents of all ages and genders, with more than 500 clients each.

Young residents numbering over 500 participated in the learning camp and other youth-oriented activities, and enjoyed free meals.

They also received free books and toys, courtesy of partner-NGOs. Free pet vaccination was also a hit among pet owners, with 456 dogs and cats vaccinated.

Aside from the free services, residents can also pay their utility bills because Bayad Center, Manila Water and Meralco set up payment centers in every caravan.

The caravan also processes applications or renewals of Yellow Card, BLU Card, White Card and PhilHealth registration by the Makati Social Welfare Department.

By Dexter A. See BUGUIAS—The board of directors of the Benguet Electric Cooperative denied the earlier request of management to rebid the construction of its Man-asok minihydro project here after the winning bidder was able to correct the reported status of its license.

The board ordered the management to go back to the provisions of the old terms of reference and issue the appropriate notice to the winning bidder, Phesco Inc., to allow the contractor to proceed with the project that will help develop potential sources of renewable energy in the cooperative’s franchise area.

Earlier, Beneco general manager Gerardo Verzosa and power generation and operation department manager Ricardo Pallogan strongly recommended to the board the rebidding of the project after a painstaking

review and analysis of the impasse the cooperative has with Kaltimex Energy Philippines.

In his letter to National Electrification Administration officer-incharge Sonia San Diego, Kaltimex president and chief executive officer Oscar Torralba questioned the proper application of the NEA procurement guidelines pursuant to the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act 10531 in conformity with RA 9184 or the Government Procurement Reform Act referring to the eligibility of bidders and post-qualification procedures.

Torralba claimed Beneco’s awarding to Phesco Inc., the sole bidder for the project with AA license as certified by the Philippine Contractors Accreditation Board, violates its own requirement that the bidder must possess AAA license as set forth in Section 5.2 of the cooperative’s bid documents.

Community press meets in Tagaytay

By Jessica M. Bacud

MONITORS. The goods sold in three satellite markets in Baguio City were inspected by teams from the Department of Trade and Industry-Cordillera Administrative Region and consumer groups to ensure compliance with the suggested retail prices, sales practices, weighing scale standards covered by the Consumer Welfare Act. David Chan

THE 21st National Press Congress will take place on December 2-3 at the Development Academy of the Philippines in Tagaytay City.

The two-day annual media event mandated by Presidential Proclamation 1187 and spearheaded by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. will discuss the proposed shift to a federal government.

Its theme is “The Stakes and Prospects of the Community Media under a Federal Government Set-up.”

Some topics to be taken up are: Types of Federal Governments: Which model best suits the Filipino orientation?; Significant differences in

structural organization and political dynamics between the Presidential and Federal government systems; Inclusive growth prospects in a Federal government set up; and 4) Opportunities for the Community Media under a Federal government regime.

PAPI president Nelson Santos said they have opted to hold this year’s media congress in Tagaytay City to provide its participants a relaxed learning atmosphere and ensure conviviality among participants.

Santos said Tagaytay City is a haven for vacationists and tourists on account of its cool air and breathtaking scenery and Taal Lake and Taal Volcano in Batangas seemingly just a stone’s throw away.

C2

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

LGUs

Rehab centers rise in Bulacan

By Orlan Mauricio

G

UIGUINTO—A mansion inside the Rosaryville Subdivision in Barangay Sta. Cruz once owned by movie starlet Angelina Gallaron (screen name Evita Evora) is now the newest reformatory center for drug dependents in this town.

The three-story house, that could easily be sold for P15 million, sits on a 750-square meter lot in the housing village owned by the diocese of the Catholic Church, adjacent to the Tabang Exit of the North Luzon Expressway.

It was raided by police intelligence agents led by then-Major (now retired general) Richard Albano in the late 1990s during the

time of provincial director Ret. Gen. Noe Wong. Evora and her live-in partner, a suspected largescale drug pusher in that decade, were arrested with two other cohorts and several high-end sports car and SUVs were seized.

The property was abandoned by the owner due to unpaid tax delinquencies and was bought by the municipal government sometime in the year 2005. The

former dope den was converted into a training facility of Tesda until Mayor Ambrosio Cruz ordered its refurbishing for its new purpose.

The house itself is a story of transformation. Its conversion from a former drug lair into a reformatory center will not only be a complete remodeling of its interior design.

Malolos Mayor Christian Natividad also led the blessing and opening of “Bahay Pagbabago” in Barangay Ligas, together with OIC-provincial director Sr. Supt.

Romeo Caramat Jr. Like in Guiguinto, the Malolos reformatory house will treat and rehab an initial 50 dependents who were voluntarily surrendered by their parents.

Meanwhile, a notorious kidnapping and carnapping

suspect was arrested after a shootout with lawmen in the suspect’s lair in Matiyaga Street in Barangay Bagong Buhay II in San Jose del Monte City on Saturday evening.

Caramat, acting provincial director of Bulacan, identified the suspect as Fernando Francisco alias “Enan,” 33, of Block 62, Lot 23, Area B, Purok 2, Barangay Bagong Buhay II. Francisco has a standing warrant for kidnapping and violation of Republic Act 6539 (Anti-Carnapping Act) issued

by Bulacan regional trial court Judge Hermenegildo Dumlao of Branch 81.

He said that in the city alone, some 3,000 drug users and dealers have surrendered to him after feeling the heat of President Rodrigo Duterte’s relentless war

against drugs.

“The resources of the city government will reform, detox and offer new opportunity to our lost brothers and sisters. We will help them through mental, physical, spiritual renewal then give them means of livelihood after rehabilitation,” the mayor said.

Last week, Natividad launched the two-month “Tokhang Unity Games” as part of the rehabilitation’s physical fitness programs for drug dependents to detoxify their body from long-time substance abuse.

The city government is also set to sign a memorandum of agreement with industrial corporations in the city to hire rehabilitated ‘reformists’ under the supervision of the city’s Health and Social Officers.

Reformatory houses are sprout-

ing like mushrooms shortly after the visit of Philippine National Police Director General Ronald dela Rosa who personally opened the reformation center inside the provincial police headquarters in Camp Gen. Alejo Santos in Malolos last month.

Another “Bahay Pagbabago” was also opened and became functional one after the other in the towns of Doña Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray, Bocaue.

Hagonoy Mayor Raulito ‘Amboy’ Manlapaz also led the opening of the Hagonoy Reformatory Center last Monday. Scheduled to be opened this week are the drug rehab center in the city of Meycauayan initiated by Mayor Henry Villarica and Vice Mayor Jojo Manzano who is also the provincial anti-drug convenor chairman.

BILLBOARD

SHAKERS. The Circuit Makati hosted a Zumba session to promote awareness of breast cancer and its prevention. Diana B. Noche

RENEW LICENSES IN SM—LTO. In an effort to bring the services closer to the public, the Land Transportation Office and SM Prime Holdings Inc. recently signed a memorandum of agreement allowing the LTO to occupy a space for the Drivers License Renewal Center in various SM malls free of charge.

The MoA was signed by Assistant Transportation Secretary Edgar Galvante and Jeffrey Lim, president of SM Prime Holdings.

Anna Maria Garcia, Shopping Center Management Corp. president, facilitated the opening of a DLRC on the ground floor of SM North Annex in Quezon City.

Galvante said this brought to 25 the number of DLRCs all over Metro Manila. With the signing of the MoA, the public can expect more DLRCs in SM malls.

“This is one way to serve the public better and to bring the government closer to the people by making it more convenient for them” to access public services, Galvante said.

She added that the possibility of opening the services on Saturdays to accommodate those who work on weekdays is under study.

Garcia said the MoA was part of their corporate social responsibility efforts.

Salceda Enforce fisheries laws—BFAR to advise Bicol PNP

“Fish is not only a vital est marine protected area in the

By Anna Leah E. Gonzales food source, it also provides Philippines. and Sandy Araneta

THE Bicol Regional Advisory Council on PNP (Philippine National Police) Transformation and Development has elected Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda chairman during its 10th meeting on October 7 in Legazpi City.

The council focuses on PNP’s long-term reforms to resolve organizational dysfunctions and improve service, strengthen law enforcement, and enhance the welfare and benefits of personnel and their dependents.

Vice President Leni Robredo headed the council while she was Camarines Sur representative.

Salceda vowed to uphold the welfare of PNP members and further President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against drugs and crime.

The Albay lawmaker said he will help activate the 911 police emergency assistance scheme in Bicol and donated P1 million for the PNP’s stalled research on the incidence of rapes in the region, the low number of successful police trainees, and the performance evaluation of the Kasurog Cop program of the regional office.

Erap...

From C1 The Sagip Buhay, Sagip Pangarap program seeks to establish “multi-option modes of quality, efficient, professional, and comprehensive” rehabilitation services in each of the 896 barangays of Manila to enable drug users to achieve complete recovery.

Estrada said the primary aim of the program is to help the drug dependents be reintegrated to the society again.

Aside from ILAW volunteers, barangay health workers will

STRONGER law enforcement are needed to achieve sustainable fisheries and seafood selfsufficiency in the Philippines, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources National Director Eduardo Gongona said.

Relatedly, the Angono, Rizal chapter of the fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) on Tuesday lamented that dumping waste and the landfill in the Angono part of Laguna de Bay are still ongoing even after dialogue with the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

“We have to maintain and protect our traditional fishing grounds. If we properly enforce our fisheries law, then we will have enough fish. We need action, and we need to do it now,” Gongona said.

Lax enforcement resulted in illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, he said.

Oceana Philippines vice president Atty. Gloria Ramos noted that at present, 56 percent of Filipinos’ animal protein comes from fish and 93 percent of fish caught in the country are consumed domestically.

livelihood for millions of Filipinos. For a country that is dependent on the seas for sustenance and livelihood, we certainly need to be more vigilant in protecting our marine resources,” Ramos said.

At present, the Philippines ranks 11th in the world as a source of seafood, but destructive fishing practices caused a rapid decline of fish supply in the country.

“Strengthened law enforcement and sustainable fisheries management also protects the spawning ground of fish.

If our fisheries were given time and protection to recover, they would ensure seafood security and result in increased incomes for marginalized fisherfolk, who are the country’s poorest of the poor, and our coastal residents whose lives, income and culture are tied to our oceans,” Ramos said.

Eaarlier, the government apprehended two fishing boats in Hagnaya Port, San Remegio in the northern part of Tañon Strait, which contained 19 thresher sharks and 70 buckets of fish believed to be caught using dynamite.

Tañon Strait is a narrow body of water between Negros and Cebu islands, and is the larg-

Ramos said the recent apprehension is a strong indication of strengthened enforcement to deter illegal fishing in Tañon Strait.

“With the apprehension of the vessels, we expect a case to be filed soon against the owner and the crew. The illegal fishing not only violates our fisheries and conservation laws, but also the Cebu Provincial Ordinance protecting all shark species in the province,” she said.

Ramos said the protection of thresher sharks has gained global support as parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora voted in favor of listing these species in Appendix II, controlling their trade to ensure their survival.

“We are glad to note that the various national agencies are coordinating in the enforcement of fisheries and environmental laws, and exhibit strong resolve in apprehending plunderers of our oceans. This joint endeavor must be sustained, to restore fisheries abundance, and ensure the protection and conservation of our fisheries and natural resources and of course, the livelihoods of our people,” she said.

be also included in the four-day training to facilitate the assessment and screening of drug patients in every barangay.

The “treatable” cases will be given medical and psycho-social treatment by a team of medical professionals such as psychologists and psychiatrists. To help them start new lives, they will also be given jobs commensurate to their educational background or seed capital for them to open their own business ventures, Ejercito explained.

“Our outpatient rehab runs on the assumption that the Mayor is the father of the city who asks his

prodigal sons to come back home.

Save life, save dreams. Something must have happened along the way for them to turn to drugs,” she pointed out, referring to people who have become drug users.

“No one is born an addict or a rapist. No child has told me, “I want to be an addict or a rapist when I grow up,” Ejercito added.

ILAW helps troubled women in Manila who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, depression and other mental sickness, and all forms of abuse. It has recently facilitated the admission of at least 70 drug dependents to the Manila Boystown Complex,

an orphanage being operated by the city government for homeless individuals.

The rehabilitation program for Manila’s drug users is on top of the planned expansion of the Boystown Complex to house and treat thousands of drug users.

Under Estrada’s watch, Manila has the most number of drug suspects who were arrested and voluntarily surrendered to the city police, which, at the latest count, stood at more than 500. At least 10,000 have also presented themselves to the police authorities during “Oplan Tokhang” operations.

MODEL. Dr. Luisa Bautista-Yuy, former regional director, Department of Education R-8, receives a certificate of recognition on World Teacher’s Day 2016. Mel Caspe

LUCKY. Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office vice chairman and general manager Alexander Balutan (right) and board member Shirlyn Macasarte representing Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Talino throw lucky coins at the 54th PCSO branch in Capitol Compound, Kidapawan City, Cotabato on October 4. Balutan also turned over five brand new ambulance units under the PCSO Ambulance Donation Program to Cotabato province.

CHARITY. Makati Mayor Abby Binay visits senior citizens confined at the Ospital ng Makati on Friday in celebration of the Elderly Filipino Week.

CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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TODAY

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

US, EU demand release of jailed Vietnam activist H

ANOI―The United States and the European Union have called for the release of a Vietnamese activist jailed this week for “antistate propaganda”, chiding the authoritarian nation for silencing critics.

Rights activist and blogger Nguyen Ngoc Nhu Quynh, more commonly known as Me Nam which means “Mother Mushroom”, was detained Monday as she visited a fellow dissident in jail in southern Nha Trang city.

Quynh, whose critical Facebook posts have included articles about civilians reportedly dying in police custody, was accused of distorting truth and history, defaming the Communist Party and provoking anti-state violence, according to the Ministry of Public Security’s official newspaper.

Her arrest comes after the appeal trials of two other bloggers in recent weeks, one whose sentence

was upheld and another whose prison term was reduced by one year.

“This trend threatens to overshadow Vietnam’s progress on human rights,” US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius said in a statement Wednesday.

“The United States calls on Vietnam to release these individuals and all other prisoners of conscience, and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their political views online and offline without fear of retribution.”

EU Ambassador Bruno Angelet also called for Quynh to be freed, saying in a statement Tuesday that her “arrest goes against Vietnam’s

internationaland domestic human rights obligations”.

Last month, a Vietnamese court upheld prominent blogger Nguyen Huu Vinh’s five-year sentence, as well as the three-year jail term of his assistant Nguyen Thi Minh Thuy.

Weeks later, 50-year-old blogger Nguyen Dinh Ngoc had his sentence reduced from four years to three.

They are among scores of dissidents in jail in the one-party state where private media is banned and where critics are regularly subject to arbitrary arrest and detention.

Quynh, a member of the independent Network of Vietnamese Bloggers, was awarded the 2015 Civil Rights Defender of the Year by a Sweden-based international advocacy group.

She is accused of violating Article 88 of the criminal code, which rights groups have said is vaguely worded and used to silence dissent. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 20 years. AFP

SUNSET IN PARIS. A couple walks among pigeons in front of the Eiffel tower at sunset in Paris on October 10. AFP

N. Korea purges vice foreign minister SEOUL―North Korea has purged its vice foreign minister as punishment for the recent defection of the nuclear-armed country’s deputy ambassador to Britain, South Korean media reported Wednesday.

The mass-circulation JoongAng Ilbo, quoting an anonymous source familiar with North Korean affairs, said Kung Sok-Ung had been removed from his post and expelled from Pyongyang to a rural farming area with his family.

It said the purge was ordered by supreme leader Kim Jong-Un following the defection of the North’s deputy ambassador to Britain, Thae Yong-Ho, and his family to the South two months ago.

“Since Thae Yong-Ho’s defection in late July, there has been an overall inspection throughout the foreign ministry,” the source said.

“Kung Sok-Ung was held accountable for the embassies in Europe and purged as a result.”

The report said four other highranking diplomats in charge of European affairs were also expelled from Pyongyang.

South Korea’s Unification Ministry spokesman Jeong Joon-Hee said the ministry was in the process of “verifying” the report but offered no further comment.

The 72-year-old Kung is a veteran diplomat who had been looking after North Korea’s diplomacy with Russia and Europe for nearly

two decades.

Since taking power in 2011, Kim has ordered many executions and purges of high-ranking officials to solidify his grip on power.

In August, South Korea’s unification ministry confirmed that the North executed a vice premier for education for showing disrespect to the leader during a meeting.

The most notorious case was that of Kim’s uncle and one-time number two, Jang Song-Thaek, who was executed for charges including treason and corruption in December 2013.

South Korea’s Yonhap news agency has put the number of party officials executed during Kim’s rule at over 100. AFP CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

Death toll up as Haitians plead for aid

World

Rebel lawmakers rail against China H

ONG KONG―Hong Kong rebel lawmakers swore, shouted, banged drums and railed against “tyranny” Wednesday when they took their oaths of office in the city’s parliament, as calls grow for a split from Beijing.

The chaotic first meeting of the new term of the Legislative Council came after a citywide vote last month saw victories for several lawmakers advocating more autonomy or even independence for Hong Kong.

The city is semi-autonomous under a “one country, two systems” deal sealed when Britain returned Hong Kong to China in 1997.

The arrangement protects Hong Kong’s freedoms for 50 years, but there are increasing concerns those liberties are disappearing as Beijing tightens its grip.

Lawmakers are required to recite a short oath in Legco before they can officially take up their seats.

That oath declares repeatedly that Hong Kong is a “special administrative region” of China.

The government had warned lawmakers in advance they risked losing their seats if they did not take the oath properly.

Nathan Law, 23, Legco’s youngest lawmaker and a former pro-democracy protest leader, delivered an impassioned speech ahead of taking the oath.

“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body―but you can never imprison my mind,” he said, quoting India’s in-

dependence leader Mahatma Gandhi.

Each time he referred to China in the oath, he changed the tone to turn it into a question.

Law, who is calling for selfdetermination for Hong Kong, was one of the main leaders of the 2014 Umbrella Movement rallies that brought tens of thousands to the streets calling for democratic reform.

Two new pro-independence lawmakers, Baggio Leung and Yau Wai-ching, added their own words before the oath, pledging to serve the “Hong Kong nation”.

Both displayed flags emblazoned with the words: “Hong Kong is not China”.

Leung took the full oath in English but refused to pronounce “China” correctly, instead calling it “Cheena”.

Yau was distinctly heard saying “the People’s Re-fucking of Zeena”, instead of “the People’s Republic of China” in her oath, although she denied that later, blaming her accent.

New lawmaker Eddie Chu, who advocates a public referendum on Hong Kong’s future sovereignty, shouted “Democratic self-determination! Tyranny will perish!” after taking his oath. AFP

ROYALTIES. Belgium’s Queen Mathilde and Japan’s Empress Michiko arrive at the Yuki Information Communication Center in Yuki, Ibaraki Prefecture, on October 12, 2016. Belgium’s King Philippe and Queen Mathilde are on a six-day state visit to Japan. AFP

P O R T - A U PRINCE―At least 473 people are now known to have died as Hurricane Matthew leveled swaths of southern Haiti last week, officials said Tuesday, as hard-hit communities struggled to rebuild homes and access food and clean water.

Haiti is observing three days of mourning for victims of the deadly storm, which also left 75 missing and 330 injured according to the provisional toll from the nation’s civil protection agency.

More than 175,500 people remain in shelters across the country, many of them in schools― which is keeping nearly 100,000 children from resuming classes.

Interim President Jocelerme Privert said those affected would receive humanitarian aid but warned against extending emergency help without a plan for longterm reconstruction.

“If we continue to bring emergency food aid to victims― without taking steps to re-capitalize them, for money to circulate in affected areas―the risk of exodus to large cities is still there,” Privert told journalists.

Privert said the Haitian government has sent 40 containers of food aid to affected regions, which he said cost the treasury more than $400,000.

Matthew struck as the impoverished nation was struggling to stifle a cholera outbreak that authorities fear will now worsen, with the World Health Organization pledg-

ing Tuesday to send a million doses of cholera vaccines.

Two water purification stations also arrived in Port-auPrince Tuesday as part of France’s first shipment of humanitarian aid, which comprised some 69 tons of supplies including medicine and anti-cholera kits.

Each station produces 250,000 liters (66,000 gallons) of drinking water per day.

But damage to roads and communications has hamstrung deliveries of supplies in some areas, according to an AFP journalist in the southern coastal village of Groteaux.

Many residents of that community were still struggling to find food and clean water as they scrambled to repair their battered homes.

Many Groteaux homes sported new tin roofs bought at inflated prices, but poorer families could not afford new metal sheets to shelter them from intense sun, tropical rains or bloodthirsty mosquitoes.

“Only God knows what we will eat,” Jean Nelson, 68, told AFP. “We are eating only coconuts that fell.”

“We don’t have money for rice,” he said, adding that the price of the staple has doubled in the past week.

Nelson said that even though roads are now accessible, with cell phone coverage also starting to improve, no Haitian officials or relief workers have visited the hard-hit town. afp

85 countries competing for foreign language film Oscar LOS ANGELES―Yemen is competing for an Academy Award for best foreign language film for the first time, one of 85 countries submitting entries including Paul Verhoeven’s “Elle” and Pedro Almodovar’s “Julieta,” organizers announced Tuesday.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which presents the Oscars, will consider Yemeni director Khadija al-Salami’s “I Am Nojoom, Age 10 and Divorced”―which explores the culture of child brides― it said in a statement.

The entries for Best Foreign Language Film also in-

clude Dutch director Verhoeven’s “Elle”, a transgressive thriller starring French actress Isabelle Huppert, and “Afterimage”, by the legendary Polish director Andrzej Wajda, who died Sunday.

Wajda portrayed the last years of avant-garde painter Wladyslaw Strzeminski, who battled Stalinist orthodoxy, in a film some see as a metaphor for present-day Poland under the conservative Law and Justice Party.

Mexico’s Jonas Cuaron, son of star director Alfonso Cuaron, directed his country’s entry, the thriller “Desierto,” while Spain entered

Almodovar’s “Julieta,” a vibrant portrait of a woman confronting crisis.

Switzerland submitted the animated “My Life as a Zucchini,” by Claude Barras, and Italy sent Gianfranco Rosi’s “Fire at Sea,” a documentary about migrants’ lives, focusing on the Italian island of Lampedusa.

The academy will make a preliminary cut later this year before announcing five finalists in January.

The 89th Oscars ceremony is set for February 26, 2017.

Hungary’s “Son of Saul”, by director Laszlo Nemes, won the prestigious award this year. AFP

AWARD. Taya Smith of Hillsong United accepts an award onstage during the 2016 Dove

Awards at Allen Arena, Lipscomb University , on October 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. AFP

Life

WELLNESS & ENVIRONMENT

Isah V. Red, Editor Bernadette Lunas, Writer isahred@gmail.com THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

D1

HOME IS WHERE THE HOPE IS. Some of the shelters donated in the municipality of Sagbayan through DMCI Homes, DSWD, Bohol provincial government and Habitat for Humanity’s joint program ‘Rebuild Bohol Project.’

T

HREE years after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the island of Bohol, the locals are getting back on their feet with renewed hope and strength.

It was 8:12 in the morning of Oct. 15, 2013 when a powerful earthquake shook the island province. The quake, whose epicenter was located in the municipality of Sagbayan, leveled private properties and public structures like centuries-old churches.

The disaster impacted the island’s topography and infrastructures, causing power cuts, water shortages, and damages to sources of livelihood. But more than the physical beauty of Bohol are heartbreaking tales that survivors cannot easily forget.

To this day, Sagbayan residents Crestituto and Anita Tirol can still picture how the earthquake had left them and their family trembling.

“Nasa palayan kami kasama ang bunso naming anak. Nataranta talaga kami. Dumapa na lang kami sa palayan, ni hindi ko agad namalayan na nasa likod ko pala ang anak ko sa sobrang takot. Sinubukan naming silipin ang bahay kahit lumilindol pa pero wala na…nasira na lahat ng gamit. Nawalan na talaga kami ng pag-asa,” the 60-year-old Anita tearfully recalled.

The couple was still grateful for the relief goods given by different organizations, but refused to return to their home because they were afraid of another tremor. Instead, they chose to build a small hut, where they stayed for two years. “Ayaw ko nang bumalik, ayaw na talaga. Nagtayo muna kami ng bahay-kubo. Mababa lang kaya kailangan talagang yumuko kapag dadaan. Ang hirap, ‘wag na sanang bumalik ang lindol.”

Turn to D2

New hope, new homes for BOHOLANOS

Crestituto and Anita Tirol recount their experience during the 2013 Bohol earthquake in their new home built with reinforced steel frames, bamboo strips and concrete.

Developing pharmacy assistants through new technology JOHNSON & JOHNSON (Philippines), Inc. and Drugstore Association of the Philippines (DSAP) recently launched a mobile application called DSAP Mobile Drugstore aimed at using new technology to professionalize operations among DSAP member drugstores.

The mobile app contains TESDAaccredited modules to train Pharmacy Assistants (PAs) to become professional drug attendants, including TESDA’s Pharmacy Services NC III Program.

With this, PAs will have the opportunity to demonstrate product knowledge on the medicines that they are selling, improve their handling of pharmaceutical products, perform proper product handling and control, carry out proper dispensing activities and promote health promotion, education and vigilance to their customers.

The launch, spearheaded by DSAP President Alberto Hechanova, during the association’s 20th National Convention held recently at Manila Hotel, was witnessed by Johnson & Johnson (Philippines) Retail Channel Country Director, Tina Sabarre and TESDA Certification Office Executive Susan Dela Rama and DSAP’s National

Johnson & Johnson Philippines and Drugstore Association of the Philippines officials, together with TESDA Certification Office Executive Director Ma. Susan Dela Rama launch DSAP Mobile Drugstore application.

Board of Directors and more than 2000 delegates from all over the country.

The DSAP Mobile Drugstore app was funded through a grant from J&J and came as a response to the Food

and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Administrative Order No. 2014-0034 and FDA Circular No. 2014-0025, which mandates drug establishments to employ personnel who has proper train-

ing and knowledge about the pharmaceutical products that they are selling.

FDA aims to strengthen the Pharmacy workforce currently employed in drugstores, in particular, the PAs.

According to TESDA’s partial analysis, roughly 40 percent of the PAs they have evaluated received absolutely no training when they were employed while a minimal number get most of their trainings from presentations of pharmaceutical companies or possibly, from medical representatives who visit their establishments. Thus, the likelihood of errors is high, putting in danger the lives of patients.

DSAP’s vision to be the prime mover in healthcare distribution; responsive to the needs of its members and adapting to the changing business climate to pave the way for continued growth and prosperity while maintaining excellence in customer servicing, the new DSAP Mobile Drugstore APP, all PAs can now access the training they need to perform their job well using their phones, thereby professionalizing their members’ workforce.

“Technology has made skills training for both owners of the establishment and their employees very easy, thanks to the grant from Johnson & Johnson,” said Hechanova.

The mobile app is available in both iOS and Android platform exclusively for DSAP’s members.

Life

D2

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016 isahred@gmail.com

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NE of the most phenomenal things about mothers is their unique ability to produce milk for their babies. It’s definitely a “superpower” no one can claim to have. And for the recent National Breastfeeding Month, Pigeon, the leading baby and mother care brand launched Only Moms.

Making sure to be present every step of the way, the brand held a wonderful event that invited everyone supportive of and looking out for mom as she goes through her all-important breastfeeding journey on the 3rd floor of SM Makati.

There were fun activities, breastfeeding solutions booths, and amazing prizes during the weeklong event.

There were talks on why breastfeeding is indeed #BestFeeding, both in terms of health and practicality, with useful tips and advice from the experts. While everyone else can gain an understanding and appreciation of what breastfeeding moms go through to better help and support them.

Pigeon Brand Ambassador and beauty queen Shamcey Supsup-Lee shared her experiences as a new mom, as well as her personal hacks in keeping her baby’s health and well being a top priority.

For more inquiries, call Pigeon’s customer care hotline at (02) 9905437 or visit www.pigeon.com.ph.

Pigeon’s exciting event for Moms

Pigeon brand ambassador and new mom Shamcey Supsup-Lee shares her personal hacks in keeping her baby healthy

500 homes visited in ‘Instant Katok, Instant Premyo’ initiative EVEREADY Philippines recently visited 500 households in the Philippines in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao as part of its continuing thrust of giving back to Filipino families for their unwavering support for the brand.

Through the ‘Sugod Bahay’ program,

representatives from Eveready Philippines gave away Eveready gift packs to 500 lucky families in various residential locations including Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, Pangasinan, Baguio, Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Cebu and Davao.

Each gift pack contains an exclusively

designed Eveready t-shirt and one Eveready LED mini lantern.

‘Sugod Bahay’ comes with simple mechanics. Just by presenting any home device that utilizes Eveready batteries such as remote controls, clocks, watches, toys, flashlights and

other home gadgets that are being powered up by Eveready batteries, a member of the family can instantly receive an Eveready gift pack.

According to MJ Tiquia, brand activations manager of Eveready Philippines, this is the brand’s way

Eveready representatives surprised residents in various provinces who are using the battery brand in their home devices; each winner received an Eveready gift pack.

Give life to dreams

FOR some Filipino couples, dreams of having and raising a baby together are dashed by fertility issues, which, unknown to many is actually a disease recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO). The organization describes infertility as “a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.”

Merck Philippines, the local arm of the world’s oldest pharmaceutical and chemical company, joined forces with St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City for a public information project that promotes awareness on infertility, as well as the different medical solutions that can give life to the dreams of Filipino couples. This project coincides with the fifth year of St. Luke’s flagship Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI).

“As of a Synovate survey we conducted in 2011, one out of 10 Filipinos are suffering from infertility,” said CARMI head Dr. Virgilio M. Novero, Jr. “This condition is related to our socio-cultural practices, including the marrying age, educational status and professional goals.”

Aside from socio-cultural factors mentioned by Dr. Novero, a couple’s fertility can also be affected by issues in the female and male reproductive systems, as well as various medical conditions that can affect the quality of the egg and sperm cells.

“Instead of just giving up their dreams of having a child, there are modern and effective ways to address infertility,” explained Dr. Novero. “A couple can come in for a series of basic and ancillary tests to determine the root cause of their fertility issues, and we can help develop a treatment plan that will deliver their desired result: pregnancy.”

The science of ART

One of the medical solutions that childless Filipino couples can explore is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART), which is an umbrella term that refers to in vitro fertilization (IVF) and its variants.

This special fertility treatment procedure stimulates multiple ovarian follicles and facilitates egg cell retrieval. During the course of treatment, embryos will be formed outside of the female patient’s body—and once the “cultures” have formed successfully, they will be transferred to the patient’s uterus.

ART is recommended for patients suffering from blocked fallopian tubes, severe sperm deficits, unexplained infertility, mild endometriosis and ovulation disorders, among others.

Though not unheard of for Filipinos, IVF is often seen as risky, needlessly expensive, exclusive to those who can get the procedure done abroad and, worse, ineffective. Dr. Novero explained that ART has made significant improvement in efficiency over the years.

“In the past, doctors can only recommend IVF to a select few,” said Dr. Novero. “But in the recent years, technological advances, including new knowledge in hormonal treatment, improvement in video technology and other medical equipment, has boosted IVF’s efficiency.”

Dr. Novero mentioned that the success rate of the procedure has also recently seen a significant rise—today, over six million children are born all over the world after their parents have undergone an IVF procedure.

“Our success rates are now at 35 to 50 percent for pregnancy, and 20 to 25 percent for live births,” Dr. Novero said proudly.

“The success rates depend on the patient’s profile, the competence of the medical staff, the quality and standards of the IVF lab, and of course the use of cutting-edge technology. At CARMI, our patients can be assured that we have a team of highly trained and experienced medical staff, a state-of-the-art IVF lab, and modern technology that can increase the success rate of pregnancy and live birth.”

“With the help of Filipino doctors and specialty groups, Merck has been able to propagate more information on infertility,” said Dess Cartaño, senior product manager for Fertility, Merck Philippines. “At this point, we want to provide fertility-challenged couples with actual, effective and efficient solutions that will give life to their dreams of a family once more.”

New...

From D1 For Juner Padayao of Bgy. Canmaya Centro, damaged roads and leveled homes could not stop him from reaching his wife and kids.

“Nasa trabaho ako noon sa Poblacion. Sobra talagang pag-aalala ko.

Kahit may aftershock pa, naglakad na talaga ‘ko pauwi. Pagdating ko, naabutan ko na lang sila sa may bukid. Buti na lang walang nangyari,” shared Juner.

Though living in a tent was not the best for his family, Juner was left with no other choice, “Siguro mga tatlong taon din kami sa tent. Mahirap ang pagkain, minsan maulan pa. Bago lang ‘yung bahay namin tapos nasira lang agad-agad. Isang iglap, nawala lahat.” The desperate conditions led Juner’s wife to work as a domestic helper in Dubai.

The Bohol earthquake undoubtedly painted a sight of fear and misery among the locals. But, a sign of hope came when real estate developer DMCI Homes partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the provincial government of Bohol, and Habitat for Humanity Philippines for the ReBuild Bohol Project—a housing program that aims to rebuild hard-hit areas and build new homes for families in the province.

Under this partnership, a total of 206 core shelters were turned over

of giving back to their loyal customers for continuously supporting their durable and affordable products for decades.

“Eveready has been a common household name in the Philippines for its high-quality batteries and lighting products. Aside from homes, these products also found their way into offices and outdoor settings, making it a reliable and trusted brand for different functions,” said Tiquia.

She continued, “This continuous loyalty motivates us to better improve and optimize our products that meet the demand of the always-on-the-go Filipinos. We will strive to produce more dependable and reliable products that can help make their lives easier, whenever and wherever they need it.”

“It is really heartwarming to see families enjoy the full benefits of using an Eveready battery. With its reliable and durable performance, families may be able to maximize their home items without worrying about substandard batteries,” Tiquia said.

Eveready houses a complete roster of lighting products.

Tiquia concluded, “Eveready will continuously reach out to Filipinos wherever they are. In good and in bad times, we will always guarantee our valued customers a dependable and powerful companion that stays with them whenever they need it.”

For more details, please visit the website at www.eveready.com.ph/Eveready2/Home.aspx. Like Eveready PH on Facebook for latest updates. to families from the municipality of Sagbayan, in the following barangays: Canmano, Canmano Centro, Canmano Diot, Kabascan, Kagawasan, Katipunan, Langtad, Mantalongon, San Agustin, San Isidro and San Ramon. The new homes, built with reinforced steel frames and tightly woven bamboo strips plastered with concrete, are meant to withstand strong earthquakes and even typhoons.

Sharing Habitat’s belief that a decent home helps transform lives, DMCI Homes is thankful for the privilege to help Boholanos families like the Tirols and Padayaos. This meaningful effort is part of DMCI Homes’ corporate social responsibility campaign under its Kaakbay Program.

“Sobrang saya, kaya ang mga tao dapat laging kakapit sa Diyos.

Hindi dapat mawalan ng pag-asa,” said Anita, with a sigh of relief now that they’ll be starting a more comfortable life. Presently, the couple cultivates corn on their land.

Juner’s anxiety a nd worry, meanwhile, was replaced with feeling of security. “Kumportable na kami lalo na ang mga bata kasi matibay [ang bahay]. Hindi delikado kapag umulit ang lindol.”

As Bohol continues to rebuild itself from the disaster, its residents are also starting to rebuild their dreams and lives, thanks to their new homes—new homes that will shelter their renewed spirits and hopes towards a brighter future.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

A

The Boots Anson...

From A4

RT 2 Art continues to bring “usapang sining at kultura sa lahat” (art and culture discussion for all) in its episodes airing this month.

Produced by the Manila Broadcasting Company and hosted by prima ballerina Lisa Macuja, Art 2 Art airs Sundays, 3:30-4 p.m., on radio via DZRH (666 khz on the AM band), on cable television via RHTV (Channel 129 on Skycable in Metro Manila, Channel 18 on CignalTV and Channel 3 on Cablelink) and online livestreaming at http://dzrhnewstelevision.tv. The show may also be viewed through the Facebook account DZRH News Television.

After the Oct. 2 episode with photographer Jay Javier, and the Oct. 9 episode with ballerinas Abigail Oliveiro, Dawna Reign Mangahas and Katherine Barkman talking about their roles in Ballet Manila’s allTchaikovsky production, The Swan, The Fairy and the Princess, and why they chose dancing as their profession, the show on Oct. 16 features representatives of the pioneering Philippine School of Interior Design – Prof.

Carol Peña-Santos and students Claudine Medina, Martin Dimalanta, and Casey Uy as they reveal the difficulties and rewards of designing living and working spaces.

‘Art 2 Ar’t host Lisa Macuja (second from left) welcomes Prof. Carol Peña-Santos and graduating students Claudine Medina, Martin Dimalanta and Casey Uy from the Philippine School of Interior design

‘Art 2 Art’

announces October episodes On Oct. 23, Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov of the Mariinsky Opera shares how it can be doubly challenging for an orchestra – composed of dozens of musicians – not just to play music, but to do so for a live ballet or

Dino Laurena in Asia’s biggest martial arts summit

A B S - C B N Integrated Sports head Dino Laurena raised the banner for the Philippine mixed martial arts (MMA) industry after being chosen as a panelist at the Asia MMA Summit, the largest gathering of martial arts industry leaders in Asia held in Singapore.

Laurena shared his expertise in marketing and sports in a session on live sports in Asia, where he spoke about the role of live sports in the future of broadcast television in the region, alongside his counterparts from Fox Networks Group and PKE Partners.

“Sports is essentially the first ever reality-TV. The emotion one gets to experience from watching sports is of-the-moment so you cannot overemphasize the importance of seeing it as it happens because that moment is real,” Laurena said.

In the Philippines, the broadcast medium has been intensifying its coverage of mixed martial arts since the combat sport became mainstream in mid-2000s, with ABS-CBN leading the way.

This year, under Laurena’s leadership, the network forged a partnerships with two of Asia’s biggest MMA promotions, the Universal

Reality Combat Championship ( U R C C ) and One Championship, for the airing of their events on ABS-CBN sports channels Sports + Action (S+A) on free TV and Sports + Action HD on cable TV. S+A also broadcasts Fight Farm, the first ever locally-produced MMA docureality TV series that features the journey of amateur MMA fighters from diverse backgrounds to inspire Filipino sports fans and TV viewers.

Laurena’s participation in this year’s Asia MMA Summit, which united game changers in the world of martial arts – from athletes to media companies in Asia, reaffirms the company’s long-standing commitment to promote MMA. At the recent re-launch of S+A, Laurena reiterated ABS-CBN’s mission to champion Filipino athletes and promote sports development in the country.

“Apart from our TV programs and coverage of sports events on TV and online, we will also have on-ground projects that will have direct impact on the people. We will be the biggest supporter and cheerleader of the Filipino,” he said.

opera presentation.

On Oct. 30, for Art 2 Art’s Halloween episode, animation guru and filmmaker Mike Alcazaren discusses venturing into graphic novels through his Patay Kung Patay series, which is a Philippine-

THE country’s leading media and entertainment company captivated more viewers in September and registered a 46 percent average audience share nationwide in combined urban and rural homes versus rival GMA, which only got 34 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

Kantar Media uses a nationwide panel size of 2,610 urban and rural homes that represent 100 percent of the total Philippine TV viewing population, while the other ratings data supplier AGB Nielsen reportedly has 2,000 homes based in urban areas that represent only 57 percent of the Philippine TV viewing population.

ABS-CBN has consistently cited national TV ratings covering urban and rural homes in Luzon, the Visayas, and Mindanao.

Eight out of the top 10 most watched programs last month were produced

by ABS-CBN led by FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano with an average national TV rating of 39.2 percent.

The program is currently celebrating its first anniversary.

It was followed by newest weekend top-rated Pinoy Boyband Superstar (34.5 percent), which features good-looking and talented boys reaching for their dreams, and fantasy drama Wansapanataym (34.2 percent).

TV Patrol remains the

CROSSWORD PUZZLE Thursday, October 13, 2016

ACROSS 1 “The Body” Ventura 6 The “Elephant Boy” 10 Solder 14 Kate’s sitcom friend 15 It gets fired up 16 Melville novel 17 Don — de la Vega (Zorro) 18 Statue of a goddess 19 General — Bradley 20 Blissful spot 21 Fail to recall (3 wds.)

23 Vein of ore 25 Elegant 26 Vain dude 27 Sci-fi thriller 29 Big mix-up 32 Sports complex 33 Play bumpercars 36 Gasps of delight 37 Imposing on 38 Empower 39 Ken. neighbor 40 Some hinges 41 Moonless planet 42 “Mona —” (art fakes) 43 Balsam —

44 Polished 47 Planting guide 51 Iffy (hyph.)

54 Ready money 55 Radius companion 56 Go off at an angle 57 Far-reaching view 58 Sure thing 59 Urn homophone 60 Video-game pioneer 61 At large 62 Rx amount 63 Parachute material DOWN 1 Burnt out 2 Skip a syllable 3 Lie dormant 4 DJ’s good-byes (hyph.)

5 Want-ad abbr.

6 Avoid, as an issue 7 Verdi opus 8 Squander 9 Stevedore’s job 10 Like some suits 11 Peel and Samms 12 Gives credit 13 Socially inept 21 Dunk 22 La — Tar Pits

24 Not worth a — 27 Equinox sign 28 Magnifying glass 29 Sty matriarch 30 Topaz mo.

31 Just as I thought!

32 Between ports 33 Cartoon Chihuahua 34 Tempe inst.

35 Geol. formations 37 Bristly, maybe 38 Truth

40 — and kin 41 Oomph 42 Pin down 43 Sitcom waitress 44 Jam or cram 45 Grinding tooth 46 Weight unit 47 Be in accord 48 Vocally twangy 49 Houston baseballer 50 Kind of letter 52 Roman fiddler 53 Lairs 57 Delivery truck

flavored take on the increasingly popular zombie genre.

For inquiries, please e-mail art2artdzrh@gmail.com. On Facebook, check out the account Ballerina ng Bayan for updates on Art 2 Art episodes.

ABS-CBN still most watched in September

Kapamilya shows trample their rivals in the numbers game

most-watched newscast in the country with an average national TV rating of 33.1 percent beating 24 Oras with only 22.6 percent.

Magpahanggang Wakas instantly landed on the eigth spot and scored an average of 25.2 percent after it premiered on Sept. 19.

Other programs in the top ten include: MMK (31.5 percent), Goin Bulilit (27.2 percent), and Home Sweetie Home (26.8 percent).

Meanwhile, It’s Showtime is still the most watched program on noontime, hitting an average national TV rating of 18.1 percent vs. Eat Bulaga (13.0 percent)..

ABS-CBN’s primetime block continues to dominate urban and rural Filipino households, hitting a national audience share of 49 percent last month vs. GMA (33 percent). The primetime block is the most important part of

the day when most Filipinos watch TV and advertisers put a larger chunk of their investment in to reach more consumers effectively.

Aside from primetime, ABS-CBN also ruled other time blocks nationwide that include the morning block (6 a.m. to 12nn.) with 41 percent vs. GMA 36 percent; noontime block (12nn to 3 p.m.) with 45 percent vs GMA (34 percent; and afternoon block (3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) with 46 percent vs GMA (34 percent).

While ABS-CBN has sustained its TV ratings dominance, it has also kept its leadership in the digital platform through its pioneering video-on-demand service iWant TV. Rapidly transitioning into a digital company, ABS-CBN leads all media networks in bringing its content online to address the change in the Filipinos’ viewing habits.

bubulong, ‘Wala na tayong space para diyan.’ Sasabihin na lang niyan, ‘Sige na, duon ka na mag-shopping sa banda duon, ‘wag mo na ako pakialaman dito.’

Pag-uwi namin, may bago na naman kaming comforter. Ang wala na lang kaming kulay yata ay fuschia,” she shares.

On a more serious note, Boots is grateful that everything seems to be cut out almost perfectly. “In the vital issues, we have no problems. When King and I talk before sleeping, our conversation is always about thanking God and how good He has been to us.”

King reveals their secret, “The rule is to not go to sleep fighting because if you do it will fester. You have to talk about it and mend it before going to sleep.”

Love knows no age It’s been more than two years since Boots and King tied the knot, but the love and respect, even the kilig for each other, is very much seen and felt in them.

All the elderly present at the launch of AgeWell Club during the first Philippine Expo on Aging Well held recently at Metrowalk, Ortigas can attest to that.

AgeWell Club of United Laboratories Inc. (UNILAB) was conceptualized to support and encourage seniors to live a healthy, happy, and active life. It is a collaboration of Unilab’s trusted brands such as Enervon Prime, Skelan, and Neurogen-E. The couple was invited to share their journey to aging as well as their remarkable love story.

King advises other seniors not to go looking for love for they’re bound to make a mistake. “If you go looking for it and it’s been a while since the last, when you meet someone regardless if you are sure or not, you’d make yourself believe that it is the one that you’ve been looking for. So don’t go looking for it but, don’t turn away when it finally comes.”

Boots recalls of his life before King and the difference he’s made when he came. “Before King I was happy with (what) I have. When he came and offered marriage, I realized that even at this age, you could be happier when you are not centered on yourself.

[You can be happier] when there’s somebody else you can devote your life to.”

As for aging, she considers herself lucky to be spending it with King regardless of the common illnesses people getting old are faced with. For her, it far outweighs the life experience, the wisdom, patience, and tolerance that come with age.

She also credits humor as a big factor to growing old happily. “When we are able to laugh at our mistakes, at our shortcomings, when we forget why we were in the toilet in the first place, or when you open the fridge and see the key that you’ve been looking for all this time... what is the antidote to that?

It’s your sense of humor, learning to laugh at ourselves, learning not to take ourselves too seriously. We can take our life, our relationships seriously, but not ourselves, at least not too much.”

Lastly, King reminds everyone to keep saying the three magic words. “Kami siguro ni Boots kung mag-text, siguro 10 times a day. Lahat ng text ko, ang kahulli-hulihang sinasabi ko, ‘iniibig kita, iniirog kita, I love you.’ Maski sa telepono, we always end it that way.

Pero hindi sapat ‘yung salita lamang ng salita. Kailangan naman e gawin niyo rin. ‘Yung chivalry, ano ba naman ‘yung buksan ninyo ‘yung pinto para sa asawa niyo? Ano ba naman ‘yung abutan niyo ng kanin, lugar na kayo ang nagpapasilbi? Hindi ba napakasarap non para sa kanya at para sa inyo rin?

Remember, happy wife, happy life.”

To learn how you can become part of AgeWell Club, visit www.agewell.ph or visit AgeWell Philippines on Facebook.

Isah V. Red, Editor Nickie Wang, Writer isahred@gmail.com

D4

Showbiz

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2016

LOVE IN THE SENIOR YEARS

The Boots Anson-Roa and King Rodrigo

love story

GROW OLD WITH YOU. Couple King Rodrigo and Boots Anson-Roa give love a second chance

L

OVE is universal. Its power is immeasurable. It comes as it pleases and blooms even in the most unexpected places. No one can tell when and in whom it will choose to reside.

Such is the story of actress Boots AnsonRoa (71) and international lawyer King Rodrigo (77). They never expected to have a second shot at love after their spouses passed on. Both were going through the motion of their daily lives, and finding another life partner was never on their list of priorities.

But someone up there had other plans.

The set up Boots and King have known each other for a long time. Their families, the Rodrigos and the Ansons, as well as the Cristobals (Boots’ mom’s maiden name) have been friends since they were young. But the almost six-year age gap between the two didn’t allow for anything to prosper other than Boots looking up to King like an older brother.

Fast forward to sometime in 2010. Boots and King have become widow and widower, respectively. Boots lost her husband Pete to stomach cancer in 2007 while King lost his wife Olga two years earlier. At the birthday party for King’s mom, without their knowledge, their siblings arranged a set up for them. Unfortunately, King was not ready yet as he still feels very deeply about his wife.

It was in January 2013 that things began to roll, thanks to their siblings who were relentless in trying to hook them up. “On our first date, while we were having dinner, I told the waiter attending to us to serve Boots well because I am marrying her.”

Come November of the same year, the couple announced their engagement much to everyone’s surprise. And on June 14, 2014, on the day of King’s 75th birthday, in front of their families and friends, they exchanged “I dos” in rites officiated by Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cathedral Tagle at the Archbishop’s Palace at Villa San Miguel in Mandaluyong.

Getting hitched When the couple announced their plan to wed back in 2013, many were surprised that they would want to walk down the aisle the second time. Some friends even jokingly advised the couple to a MOMOL instead, an urban term and abbreviation of the words make-out-make-out-lang.

But the couple had their reasons, and they were pretty solid.

King likened their decision to a business venture. “If you are to put up a partnership, everyone should benefit from it. It’s the same with building a corporation; every stockholder should be able to profit and collect dividend. The same goes with love, both parties should benefit.”

He further explains what he meant by profit in love. “Isn’t everybody’s ultimate goal glory and salvation? If you live together without getting married, you will not attain salvation. You will be damned. You will get damnation...”

Boots shares the same belief as King. “Both of us don’t believe in live-in relationships or having physical relations outside marriage.”

She continued with a revelation, “We waited until we were married. I couldn’t say that I was saving my virginity since I already have four kids. It was chastity...that when my late husband died, I really kept chaste.”

So what happened on their first night as husband and wife? Boots shares, albeit jokingly, “It was earthshaking. It was so earthshaking that I hit the headboard.”

Needless to say, the couple were fearless to give married life another try.

“Mas exciting [itong pangalawang pag-aasawa sa edad naming ito], Unanguna sa isip niyo, puwede pa kaya? Medyo suspense. Noong una alam natin, 20 años ‘di ba? Ngayon medyo may duda ng konti,” teases King and continues, “Noong bata ka tunay na ang atraksyon sa babae laman sa laman, habang tumatanda kayo nagiging puso sa puso. Pagkatapos nagiging diwa sa diwa. Pero paminsan-minsan, meron pa ding laman sa laman.”

Normal couple Like any couple, regardless of their age and the length of time of their relationship, arguments, discussions and disagreements are all but normal. Boots and King are no exceptions.

Take for example the subject of money, albeit the good kind. Since Boots is financially independent, she tells King she won’t use his money on her kids, her extended family, or to charities that she is supporting. But chivalry is strong in King, and he simply says ‘no.’

Sometimes, it can be about King insisting on driving when they have two drivers at their beck and call. Or, it can be about buying comforters and bed sheets, which King can sometimes be impulsive.

“Sa tuwing dadaan kami sa SNR, hihinto na ‘yan [sa bedding section], ako naman Turn to D3